| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09031986B2 |
Presenting sponsored content on a mobile communication facility
A computer-implemented method for positioning targeted sponsored content on a cellular phone includes the steps of (a) assessing a likelihood of an interaction by a user of the cellular phone with a sponsored content, wherein the assessment is based on a plurality of user characteristics associated with the cellular phone including (i) a television content viewing history; and (ii) a predefined hardware or software characteristic of the cellular phone; (c) prioritizing the placement of the sponsored content within one of a plurality of predefined areas of a graphical user interface of the cellular phone over the placement of other sponsored content within the same area, wherein the prioritization is based on the assessment of the likelihood of the interaction of the user of the cellular phone with the sponsored content; and (d) presenting the sponsored content within the one of a plurality of predefined areas of the graphical user interface. |
| US09031985B2 |
More subscription media on demand
An electronic media distribution/play system includes a service facility that has a communications network interface and maintains a data file catalog. The catalog is sent over the network to requesting users, and the system processes payments from customers in establishing file access authorizations. Encrypted user-selected files and a player program are transmitted to each customer for metered access to received data files as limited by the authorization, and customers can make additional selections and play the encrypted files freely while the authorization remains established. The system can transmit the data files from local storage, and also provide links to encrypted files that are stored at remote vendor facilities. Authorizations can be for selected portions or class levels of the catalog, and for terms measured as calendar time, play time, and collective number of plays. Also disclosed is a method for facilitating the distribution and accessing of electronic files. |
| US09031984B2 |
Providing multiple concurrent access to a file system
Multiple computers are connected to a data storage unit that includes a file system, which further includes multiple data entities, including files, directories and the file system itself. The file system also includes, for each data entity, an owner field for indicating which computer, if any, has exclusive or shared access to the data entity, along with a time field for indicating when a lease of the data entity began. When a computer wants to lease a data entity, the computer uses a disk reservation capability to temporarily lock the data storage unit, and, if the data entity is not currently leased, the computer writes its own identification value into the owner field and a current time into the time field for the data entity, to claim the data entity for a renewable lease period. If a prior lease of a data entity has expired, another computer may break the lease and claim ownership for itself. |
| US09031974B2 |
Apparatus and software system for and method of performing a visual-relevance-rank subsequent search
A method analyzes the visual content of media such as videos for collecting together visually-similar appearances in their constituent images (e.g. same scenes, same objects, faces of the same people.) As a result, the most relevant and salient (of clearest and largest presence) visual appearances depicted in the videos are presented to the user, both for the sake of summarizing the video content for the users to “see before they watch” (that is, judge by the depicted video content in a filmstrip-like summary whether they want to mouse-click on the video and actually spend time watching it), as well as for allowing to users to further refine their video search result set according to the most relevant and salient video content returned (e.g. largest screen-time faces). |
| US09031973B2 |
Management platform for displaying benefit plan data to permitted entities
An Internet-accessible employee portal provides a display interface that enables an employee to find and review employee-specific benefits (e.g., Summary Plan Description (SPD)) information. In addition, the employee portal exports an administrative page by which permitted users (e.g., HR managers) can receive a delivery status report that consolidates delivery status information for multiple employees within the enterprise. This display facilitates electronic compliance with legal and audit requirements by correlating employee notifications and portal access reports. |
| US09031963B2 |
Method of interactive video blogging
A method and apparatus are provided for interactive video blogging. The method includes receiving, by a server, a comment attached to a video blog file from a first terminal, the comment being associated with a point of time at which the comment is displayed along with the video blog file; converting, by the server, the comment into a descriptor file; storing, by the server, the descriptor file; receiving, by the server, information on a selected one of a plurality of descriptor files stored in the server from a second terminal, the plurality of descriptor files representing a plurality of comments attached to the video blog file; and transmitting, by the server, the selected one of the plurality of descriptor files to the second terminal. |
| US09031961B1 |
User device with access behavior tracking and favorite passage identifying functionality
A user device presents passages of an electronic publication. The user device tracks a user's access behavior for the passages of the electronic publication. The user device identifies the user's favorite passages of the electronic publication based on the user's access behavior and stores an identification of the user's favorite passages. |
| US09031958B2 |
File searching on mobile devices
Systems and methods are provided for file searching on mobile devices. A system includes a user interface and a file query system. The user interface is for receiving a user-provided spatio-temporal query for use in searching for a particular file. The user-provided spatio-temporal query is provided by a user of a mobile device. The file query system is for determining information about the particular file responsive to the user-provided spatio-temporal query, and identifying from the information one or more files as a search result for the particular file. |
| US09031957B2 |
Structured data in a business networking feed
Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods, and computer readable media for presenting updates to associated records to publish on an information feed in an on-demand database service environment. In one embodiment, data is received at a computing device configured to provide computing services via a network. The data may be separated into a plurality of data entries to define structured data. Each data entry may have a plurality of data fields. Each data field may be capable of being assigned a respective data value. The structured data may be stored in a database in an on-demand computing services environment. References to the structured data may be capable of being stored as feed items in one or more feed tables in a database. The feed items may be capable of being published in an information feed displayed on a display device. |
| US09031953B2 |
Method and system to curate media collections
Disclosed is a service which obtains media directly from users and from online sources, which obtains events and anniversaries from online sources, which obtains location and date information associated with photographs, which dynamically provides users with a selection of automatically curated collections of photographs based on the then-current location of the user, based on and relevant to personal and publicly recognized anniversaries and holidays (with dates obtained directly from the users and from online sources), based on specific people or locations associated with dates, events, and anniversaries, and which presents intelligently organized location-based collections which can be quickly re-organized by a user. |
| US09031949B1 |
Creation of inferred queries for use as query suggestions
Technology is described herein for creating new, inferred queries that are suitable for use as query suggestions. The technology includes mapping different past queries that represent different information requests, but that share a number of terms having the same or similar form. An inferred query is created by replacing unshared terms in one mapped query with the unshared terms in another mapped query, based on the similarity between the unshared terms in the two mapped queries. The inferred query thus represents a new information request that is derived from the information requests of the past queries used to form it. The inferred query can then be provided as a query suggestion, which increases the likelihood of providing query suggestions that will assist users in finding the information they seek. In doing so, meaningful query suggestions can be provided to users seeking information outside the coverage of the past queries. |
| US09031947B2 |
System and method for model element identification
A problem analysis system and method, given at least one entity represented in an entity-relation-entity relationship, automatically formulates a query that is automatically submitted via a knowledge search tool to a database of mereological and functional relationships, and responses to this query from the database are automatically provided. The query can be formatted as a natural language query, a Boolean query, a key word query, or a query according to the query syntax of a database management system. |
| US09031945B1 |
Sharing and using search results
A system receives a search query from a user and searches a corpus of documents using the received search query to determine a set of search results. The system provides the set of search results to the user and receives a request from the user to save one or more selected search results of the set of search results. The system saves the selected one or more results in a database in response to the request and uses the saved one or more results as indicators of search result quality for subsequent related searches. |
| US09031944B2 |
System and method for providing multi-core and multi-level topical organization in social indexes
A computer-implemented method affords multi-core and multi-level topical organization in social indexes. A corpus of articles is accessed. Each article includes online textual materials. A finite state pattern for a topic filters the articles as candidate articles, which are potentially on-topic. Similarity-based representations are formed for on-topic and off-topic core meanings of the topic. An aggregate score for each of the candidate articles is determined using the similarity-based representations to indicate whether the candidate article is sufficiently on-topic. The candidate articles are presented ordered by their aggregate scores. In a further embodiment, a hierarchy of topics is used to guide the presentation of articles from subtopics, with considerations of fairness of subtopic coverage, elimination of similarity-duplicates in articles, and article freshness. |
| US09031943B2 |
Method and system for realtime de-duplication of objects in an entity-relationship graph
Method, system, and programs for realtime de-duplication of objects. A received object is hashed to generate a hashed object, which is then used to generate a query for an inverted index. Candidate matching objects are determined based on the query of the inverted index. From the candidate matching objects, a matched object that corresponds to the received object is determined. |
| US09031942B2 |
Method and system for indexing information and providing results for a search including objects having predetermined attributes
A system and method for providing at least one search result responsive to receiving a search query includes receiving the search query, locating at least one record containing at least one search query term, and displaying a text representation of each of the records containing at least one search query term. The invention further includes displaying a representation of an object in relation with the text representation for each record that includes an object comprising at least one predetermined attribute. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for indexing records in an index of an information network, including searching the record for an indication that an object comprising a specified attribute is to be displayed with the record, creating a representation of the object; storing the representation in association with the record to which it corresponds, and making an entry for the record in the index. |
| US09031940B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for dynamic registry of books and for modeling real-time market demand for books within academic sectors
A system provides a connection between education administration, particularly as such administration assigns or selects books, and the marketing and use of those books. Such marketing and use of those books and information related to those books can include, without limitation, consumer product information, the publishing industry and specifically book publishing, and market analysis, analysis of data, markets, demand and supply chain and inventory management. |
| US09031937B2 |
Programmable search engine
A programmable search engine system is programmable by a variety of different entities, such as client devices and vertical content sites to customize search results for users. Context files store instructions for controlling the operations of the programmable search engine. The context files are processed by various context processors, which use the instructions therein to provide various pre-processing, post-processing, and search engine control operations. |
| US09031933B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing the evaluation of semantic web queries
A semantic query over an RDF database is received with RDF database statistics and access methods for evaluating triple patterns in the query. The semantic query is expressed as a parse tree containing triple patterns and logical relationships among the triple patterns. The parse tree and access methods create a data flow graph containing a plurality of triple pattern and access method pair nodes connected by a plurality of edges, and an optimal flow tree through the data flow graph is determined such that costs are minimized and all triple patterns in the semantic query are contained in the optimal flow tree. A structure independent execution tree defining a sequence of evaluation through the optimal flow tree is created and is transformed into a database structure dependent query plan. This is used to create an SQL query that is used to evaluate the semantic query over the RDF database. |
| US09031931B2 |
Systems and methods for providing query results to a user in an intuitive graphical format
Systems and methods for providing database query results to a user in an intuitive graphical format are provided. The system utilizes an intuitive graphical user interface dashboard that displays top-level query statistics data and selected record cards to the user in the dashboard. The user may iteratively update the query and the displayed top-level query statistics and selected records cards are updated in real time. Each customer card include customizable fields and supports intelligent zoom to provide additional fields and data as the user zooms into each successive smaller group of cards and eventually down to opening a single customer card. |
| US09031930B2 |
Data browser for group-by data access
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for group-by access of a database. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving from a user interface information defining a database and a database table; converting the received information into at least one instruction for performing the group-by and the sum at the database table included in the database; sending the at least one instruction to the database; receiving, in response to the at least one instruction sent, a result-set from the database, the result-set representative of the group-by and the sum of the database table; and providing the result-set to an interface. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also discloses. |
| US09031924B2 |
Query conditions having filtered fields within a data abstraction environment
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for composing and executing queries using filtered fields. In one embodiment, a query may be composed with compatible fields, meaning filtered fields that store related data of a particular data type. Such compatible fields may be combined into a single query condition, thus simplifying the composition and execution of the query. In one embodiment, fields may be identified as compatible based on metadata included in a database abstraction model. |
| US09031915B2 |
Relationship management for contact staleness
A contact management data processing system can be provided. The system can include a contact manager coupled to a list of contacts and stored staleness criteria stored in connection with the list of contacts. The system also can include stale contact management logic. The logic can include program code enabled to apply the stored staleness criteria to a selected contact to identify a stale contact, and to manage the stale contact in the list of contacts. In aspects of the embodiment, the list of contacts can be stored in a personal computer, in a server remotely disposed from the contact manager, in a telephone such as a cellular telephone or voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone, or in a personal digital assistant to name but a few. |
| US09031914B2 |
Tier-based data management
The present invention addresses the deficiencies of the related art by providing a tier-based data storage solution. Specifically, the present invention evaluates the data contained in database tables by analyzing several metrics for the data, and creating a valuation score. The valuation score is used to determine the storage tier that would meet the performance and availability requirements of the database with the goal of reducing the costs associated with storing that data. The metrics that are used to evaluate database tables include (among others): table purpose, data retention, disk requirements, data criticality, data relevance, and desired performance. As such, the present invention will develop a data (lifecycle) storage plan for each set of data. This storage plan not only identifies an initial storage tier where the data should be stored, but also identifies, if, when and to where the data should be moved thereafter. |
| US09031912B1 |
System, method and computer program product for controlling file migration in archiving systems
Embodiments provide a solution for controlling file migration in archiving systems. A networked device can be configured to, during an archiving process, exclude or otherwise prevent files from migrating to tape or another archiving appliance connected to the networked device which, in one embodiment, implements an archive node appliance. The archive node appliance may be configured to start an archiving process to store a file. The archiving process may cause the file to be stored in a share or directory on the archive node appliance. The archive node appliance may check a file exclusion policy associated with the share or directory to determine whether the file is to be excluded from migration. The archive node appliance may stop the archiving process if it determines that the file exclusion policy contains a pattern that matches the file name. One example of such a pattern can be a user-defined glob. |
| US09031904B2 |
Portable application registry
This document describes techniques that enable an application to operate as if the application were running on its native computing system when it is actually running on another computing system. The techniques may do so by building a portable database having metadata particular to the application, which can be stored in a portable device along with that application. When that portable device is connected to another computing system, the portable database may be used to supplement or supplant the other computing system's database to enable the application to operate with its particular functionality. |
| US09031900B2 |
System and methods for integrating software layers for OLAP
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a system and methods may be provided for integrating software layers in OLAP including receiving, at an OLAP engine, a dynamic result set structure passed from an application layer via one or more other software layers. The dynamic result set structure may include a description of entities for a target layer. The system and methods may include enhancing raw data, at the OLAP engine, acquired from a database associated with a source layer based on the description of entities for the dynamic result set structure and passing one or more references to one or more memory locations for data elements in the dynamic result set structure from the OLAP engine to the application layer via the one or more other software layers for acquiring each data element associated with each corresponding reference in the dynamic result set structure. |
| US09031896B2 |
Process analysis
An apparatus and method are disclosed for analysing a process. An exemplary method includes: generating a process template; and determining a probabilistic model specifying the process template. The method can include use of task nodes for tasks of the process; observables nodes for observables that may be caused by performance of the tasks; and a background activities node, wherein observables may further be caused by background activities of the background node. The method can include use of task nodes for tasks of the process; observables nodes for observables that may be caused by performance of the tasks; and a background activities node, observables may further be caused by background activities of the background node. The method can include measuring values of an observable corresponding to one of the observables nodes; and updating a probabilistic estimate of the process state using the measured values. |
| US09031895B2 |
Matching metadata sources using rules for characterizing matches
Processing metadata includes storing, in a data storage system, a specification for each of multiple sources, each specification including information identifying one or more data elements of the corresponding source; and processing, in a data processing system coupled to the data storage system, data elements from the sources, including generating a set of rules for each source based on a corresponding one of the stored specifications, and matching data elements of different sources and determining a quality metric characterizing a given match between a first data element of a first source and a second data element of a second source according to the set of rules generated for the first source and the set of rules generated for the second source. |
| US09031891B2 |
Computing system and method for controlling the execution of a decision process to maintain the data access efficiency upon receipt of an availability information inquiry
Computer-implemented reservation method and system. The method utilized for controlling the execution of a decision process by a computer backend machine of a computer network upon receipt of a computation inquiry includes associating to the computer backend machine a configuration file containing at least a decision rule that drives the decision process and that is computed at least from a current value of a statistical indicator and a target value of the statistical indicator; periodically obtaining an updated value of the statistical indicator; upon detection that the updated value is differing from the target value, dynamically updating the configuration file which further comprises re-computing the decision rule using the updated value as new current value, and storing in real-time the re-computed decision rule in the configuration file. |
| US09031890B2 |
Inverse function method of boolean satisfiability (SAT)
A computer system uses an inverse function method to solve Boolean Satisfiability problems. The system benefits from the system disclosed in the US patent “Knowledge Acquisition and Retrieval Apparatus and Method” (U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,841). The system applies a learning function to access iterative set relations among variables, literals, words and clauses as knowledge; and applies deduction and reduction functions to retrieve relations as reasoning. The system uses knowledge learning (KL) and knowledge reasoning algorithms (KRA). The system abandons the “OR” operation of Boolean logic and processes only set relations on data. The system leverages the reversibility of deduction and reduction to determine whether 3-SAT formulas are satisfiable. |
| US09031888B2 |
Predicting influence in social networks
A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for predicting influence in a social network. In one embodiment, the method comprises identifying a set of users of the social network, and identifying a subset of the users as influential users based on defined criteria. A multitude of measures are identified as predictors of which ones of the set of users are the influential users. These measures are aggregated, and a composite predictor model is formed based on this aggregation. This composite predictor model is used to predict which ones of the set of users will have a specified influence in the social network in the future. In one embodiment, the specified influence is based on messages sent from the users, and for example, may be based on the number of the messages sent from each user that are re-sent by other users. |
| US09031884B1 |
Modeling of plant wetness and seed moisture for determination of desiccant application to effect a desired harvest window using field-level diagnosis and forecasting of weather conditions and observations and user input of harvest condition states
A modeling framework for evaluating the impact of weather conditions on farming and harvest operations applies real-time, field-level weather data and forecasts of meteorological and climatological conditions together with user-provided and/or observed feedback of a present state of a harvest-related condition to agronomic models and to generate a plurality of harvest advisory outputs for precision agriculture. A harvest advisory model simulates and predicts the impacts of this weather information and user-provided and/or observed feedback in one or more physical, empirical, or artificial intelligence models of precision agriculture to analyze crops, plants, soils, and resulting agricultural commodities, and provides harvest advisory outputs to a diagnostic support tool for users to enhance farming and harvest decision-making, whether by providing pre-, post-, or in situ-harvest operations and crop analyses. |
| US09031883B2 |
Systems and methods for event tracking using time-windowed counters
To allow for tracking events and classifying assets within a social networking system. A time series of occurrences of an event type associated with at least one asset is generated. A first signal value and a second signal value is determined based on the time series. The at least one asset is classified based on comparison of the first signal value and the second signal value. In an embodiment, the time series is based on at least one time window including time intervals. In an embodiment, counters to determine a number of occurrences of an event type are associated with the time intervals. In an embodiment, each of the counters are incremented upon occurrence of the event type associated with the at least one asset during an associated time interval. |
| US09031882B2 |
Category determination device and method comprising a feature space containing a closed region used to determine the category of a target based on the position of the target within the feature space with reference to the closed region
A determination device includes a region information recording unit that records therein region information regarding a closed region corresponding to a data distribution shape of a same category within a feature space, the closed region being formed by a plurality of nodes and line segments connecting the plurality of nodes. The determination device also includes a category deciding unit that decides a category of a determination target based on the region information and a position of the determination target within the feature space. |
| US09031873B2 |
Methods and apparatus for analysing and/or pre-processing financial accounting data
In an on-line method of analyzing financial accounting data, uploaded financial accounting data is received at a server (2) from a client computer (3). The data is analyzed at the server (2) to identify anomalies in the data. A display is provided at the client computer (3) representing the anomalies that have been identified. Further, in a method of pre-processing financial accounting data prior to analyzis of the data, the financial accounting data is abstracted to correspond to a pre-stored accounting ontology. Further, in a method of analyzing financial accounting data, the method checks the data for violation of a particular state to identify inconsistent combinations of values in the data. |
| US09031864B2 |
System, device, method, and medium for processing sales and non-monetary transfers
A system is described that processes transactions as sales and non-monetary transfers. Processing occurs in a cycle where at a single prompt, a transaction is identified as a sale or a non-monetary transfer. A good that is the subject of the transaction is also identified. The good, and either a sales price or cost price, depending on whether the transaction is a sale or a non-monetary transfer, respectively, is displayed. A record of the transaction, including whether the transaction is a sale or a non-monetary transfer and the sales price or cost price, respectively, is created and stored. An inventory count record is adjusted to reflect an adjustment to inventory based on the occurrence of the transaction. The system that processes transactions as sales and non-monetary transfers may include multiple devices in a server/client architecture or may include a single device. A corresponding method and storage medium are also described. |
| US09031863B2 |
Contextual advertising with user features
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for facilitating contextual selection of advertisements for displaying online via a computer network. In general, user features in the form of text are provided in conjunction with web page content for contextual advertisement matching. In one embodiment, a request for an advertisement to be displayed in a current web page that has been requested by a current user is received. The current user is associated with one or more current user characteristics from a plurality of different user characteristics, and the current web page has an associated content. A mapping model and the one or more current user characteristics are used to obtain a plurality of user-relevant terms for each of the one or more current user characteristics. A combination of the content of the current web page and obtained user-relevant terms are provided for selecting an advertisement for displaying with the current web page based on such combination. |
| US09031862B2 |
Advertisement delivery target identifying apparatus, advertisement delivery apparatus, advertisement delivery target identifying method, advertisement delivery method, program, and recording medium
The present invention is to provide an advertisement delivery target identifying apparatus, an advertisement delivery apparatus, an advertisement delivery target identifying method, an advertisement delivery method, a program, and a recording medium that allow an advertisement effect to be increased by identifying an advertisement delivery target.An advertisement delivery target identifying apparatus includes: an image acquiring unit of acquiring an image of a person present within and outside of a visible range of an advertisement; an expected moving range calculating unit of calculating an expected moving range in future of the person from the image; a score calculating unit of calculating a score based on a relationship between the visible range of an advertisement and the calculated expected moving range; and an advertisement delivery target identifying unit of identifying a person to be a target of an advertisement to be delivered based on the calculated score. |
| US09031859B2 |
Rebate automation
A computer receives information that a request is made to authorize a transaction for a sale of a product by a merchant to an account holder in a transaction conducted on a consumer account issued to the account holder. When the computer confirms that the transaction is authorized and that the transaction occurs within a predetermined time period for which there is a rebate associated with the product and a corresponding sponsor financially responsible for the rebate, the computer communicates that the rebate is to be debited to an account of the sponsor and either: (i) given as a discount by the merchant at the point of sale to the account holder; or (ii) credited to an account issued to the account holder by the issuer. |
| US09031857B2 |
Generating customized marketing messages at the customer level based on biometric data
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for customizing digital media marketing messages using biometric data. In one embodiment, data is received from a set of biometric devices associated with a retail facility to form the biometric data. The biometric data is associated with a given customer. The biometric data is processed to form dynamic data. The dynamic data is analyzed using a data model to identify personalize marketing message criteria for the customer. A customized marketing message is generated using the personalized marketing message criteria. |
| US09031854B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnosis support system, ultrasonic imaging apparatus, and ultrasonic diagnosis support method
The controller causes a display to display body marks representing the body parts of a subject to be imaged. Furthermore, the controller causes the display to display subjective symptom marks corresponding to the subjective symptoms of a subject to be examined in a location within a body mark that has been designated by an examiner. The examiner conducts ultrasonic imaging by applying an ultrasonic probe to a subject to be examined while checking the location of the subjective symptom marks. The controller links a tomographic image obtained from the imaging to the subjective symptoms and causes a storage to store the same. In the medical examination, the controller causes the display to display the tomographic image and further causes the display to display the subjective symptom marks representing the subjective symptoms linked to the tomographic image. |
| US09031853B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining an identification of drugs for enhanced safety
A device for identifying a drug, the device including at least one sensor for sensing and recording selected characteristics of a drug to be identified for compatibility with a pre-selected drug regimen, elements for transferring the recorded characteristics for analysis, elements for receiving analyzed data of the recorded characteristics, and a display for displaying the received data. |
| US09031851B2 |
Method and an apparatus for processing a signal
A method of processing a signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving a maximum number of band and a code value of at least one section length, calculating a bit number corresponding to the code value of the at least one section length using the maximum number of the band, and obtaining the section length information by decoding the code value of the section length based on the bit number. A method of processing a signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving factor information of a current frame, receiving flag information indicating whether a coding mode of the factor information is an absolute value mode or a relative value mode, and obtaining factor data of the current frame using factor data of a previous frame and the received factor information based on the flag information. |
| US09031850B2 |
Audio stream combining apparatus, method and program
A stream combining apparatus is provided, comprising an input unit that receives the input of first group access units and second group access units from two streams that are generated by overlap transform; a decoder that generates group frames by decoding the group access units and that generates group frames by decoding the group access units; and a combining unit that uses first group frames and second group frames as a frame of reference for the access units, that decodes the frames, that performs selective mixing to generate mixed frames, that encodes said mixed frames, that generates a prescribed number of group access units, and that joins two streams, using a prescribed number of group access units as a joint such that the access units adjacent to each other on the boundary between the two streams and a prescribed number of group access units are stitched so that the information for decoding the same common frames is distributed. |
| US09031849B2 |
System, method and multipoint control unit for providing multi-language conference
A system for providing multi-language conference is provided. The system includes conference terminals and a multipoint control unit. The conference terminals are adapted to process a speech of a conference site, transmitting the processed speech to the multipoint control unit, process an audio data received from the multipoint control unit and output it. At least one of the conference terminals is an interpreting terminal adapted to interpret the speech of the conference according to the audio data transmitted from the multipoint control unit, process the interpreted audio data and output the processed audio data. The multipoint control unit is adapted to perform a sound mixing process of the audio data from the conference terminals in different sound channels according to language types, and then sends mixed audio data after the sound mixing process to the conference terminals. |
| US09031846B2 |
Voice recognition for performing authentication and completing transactions in a systems interface to legacy systems
Method and apparatus for a user to access a systems interface to back-end legacy systems using voice inputs. Generally, a user such as a technician accesses a systems interface to legacy systems via a front-end voice server. The user dials-in to the voice server using a portable access device. Preferably, the portable access device is a cellular phone. Preferably, the voice recognition server performs voice authentication, speech recognition, and speech synthesis. The voice server authenticates the user based on a voice exemplar provided by the user. Using speech synthesis, the voice server provides a menu of operations from which the user can select. By speaking into the access device, the user selects an operation and provides any additional data needed for the operation. Using speech recognition, the voice server prepares a user request based on the spoken user input. The user request is forwarded to the systems interface to the legacy systems. Preferably, the systems interface includes a protocol server for providing a protocol interface and a transaction server for receiving user requests and generating legacy transactions based on the user requests. The systems interface retrieves information from the legacy systems based on the user request and forwards this information to the voice server. The voice server formats the information and outputs the information to the access device. Preferably, the outputted information may be synthesized speech and/or text presented on a display of the access device. |
| US09031840B2 |
Identifying media content
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving (i) audio data that encodes a spoken natural language query, and (ii) environmental audio data, obtaining a transcription of the spoken natural language query, determining a particular content type associated with one or more keywords in the transcription, providing at least a portion of the environmental audio data to a content recognition engine, and identifying a content item that has been output by the content recognition engine, and that matches the particular content type. |
| US09031838B1 |
Method and apparatus for voice clarity and speech intelligibility detection and correction
Systems, methods and apparatus are described herein for continuously measuring voice clarity and speech intelligibility by evaluating a plurality of telecommunications channels in real time. Voice clarity and speech intelligibility measurements may be formed from chained, configurable DSPs that can be added, subtracted, reordered, or configured to target specific audio features. Voice clarity and speech intelligibility may be enhanced by altering the media in one or more of the plurality of telecommunications channels. Analytics describing the measurements and enhancements may be displayed in reports, or in real time via a dashboard. |
| US09031834B2 |
Speech enhancement techniques on the power spectrum
The method provides a spectral speech description to be used for synthesis of a speech utterance, where at least one spectral envelope input representation is received. In one solution the improvement is made by manipulation an extremum, i.e. a peak or a valley, in the rapidly varying component of the spectral envelope representation. The rapidly varying component of the spectral envelope representation is manipulated to sharpen and/or accentuate extrema after which it is merged back with the slowly varying component or the spectral envelope input representation to create an enhanced spectral envelope final representation. In other solutions a complex spectrum envelope final representation is created with phase information derived from one of the group delay representation of a real spectral envelope input representation corresponding to a short-time speech signal and a transformed phase component of the discrete complex frequency domain input representation corresponding to the speech utterance. |
| US09031833B2 |
Communication apparatus
Provided is a communication apparatus for direct communication between networks of different types. The communication apparatus includes a transmission data selector determining whether or not data input from a first communication network is speech data, a data processor digitizing and packetizing the data transferred from the transmission data selector, and a modem for converting the digitized and packetized data into analog data and then directly transmitting the analog data to a second communication network different from the first communication network through a speech channel. |
| US09031823B2 |
Systems and methods for subsurface oil recovery optimization
Systems and methods for subsurface secondary and/or tertiary oil recovery optimization based on either a short term, medium term or long term optimization analysis of selected zones, wells, patterns/clusters and/or fields. |
| US09031814B2 |
Systems and methods for estimation and display of a failure copula for a consumable
Methods and systems of determining a failure copula for a consumable are disclosed. Multiple consumable levels for a consumable and multiple timestamps are received from a device. Each timestamp is associated with one of the consumable levels. The consumable levels are ordered into a time-ordered sequence based on the associated timestamps. For at least one consumable level in the time-ordered sequence, a computing device determines a value associated with the consumable level based on at least one earlier and at least one later consumable level in the time-ordered sequence. The computing device identifies historical consumable replacement(s) based on the values associated with the consumable levels in the time-ordered sequence and determines one or more consumable lifetimes and one or more consumable yields based on the historical consumable replacement(s). The computing device determines a failure copula based on the one or more consumable lifetimes and consumable yields. |
| US09031808B2 |
System of testing multiple RF modules and method thereof
This invention provides a system of testing multiple RF modules. The system includes a RF signal analyzer, a RF switch, a control module, and a plurality of testing modules. The RF switch is electrically coupled to the RF signal analyzer, and operational bands of the RF switch includes operational bands of the RF modules for transmitting and receiving RF signals. The controller module controls the RF signal analyzer and the RF switch. The testing modules are electrically coupled to the controller module and controlled by the controller module. Each testing module has a memorizing unit for storing testing results for the RF modules transmitting and receiving the RF signals. The RF switch and the testing modules are used to electrically couple each RF module. |
| US09031805B2 |
Geomagnetic field measurement device, offset determination method, and computer readable recording medium therefor
A geomagnetic field measurement device has a three-dimensional magnetic sensor and a storage device that stores plural pieces of magnetic data sequentially output from the three-dimensional magnetic sensor. The geomagnetic field measurement device calculates, based on the pieces of magnetic data, a distortion estimation value indicating a degree of difference in shape between a three-dimensional figure defined so that the plural sets of coordinates indicated respectively by the plural pieces of magnetic data are distributed adjacent to a surface thereof and a spherical surface, and determines whether there is distortion in the shape of the three-dimensional figure based on the distortion estimation value, to update an offset for correcting each of the plural pieces of the magnetic data in a case in which it is determined that there is no distortion. |
| US09031803B2 |
Waveform display method and a signal measurement system implementing the same
A waveform display method is disclosed. The method includes determining the narrowest pulse in a waveform for display and determining an available pixel width for displaying the narrowest pulse in a first display portion if the entire waveform is to be displayed in the first display portion. The pixel width is measure in terms of a number of pixels. The method further includes displaying the entire waveform or a portion thereof in the first display portion depending on the available pixel width. A signal measurement system that implements the method is also disclosed. |
| US09031802B2 |
Smooth current calculation apparatus, smooth current calculation method and battery monitoring module
A smooth current calculation apparatus, which calculates a smooth current of a secondary battery, includes a digital low-pass filter (22˜27) supplied with a measured digital current value generated by digitizing a measured current value of the secondary battery. The digital low-pass filter outputs a smooth digital current value, which is created by smoothing a time fluctuation of the measured digital current value. A current fluctuation level setting part (S1) compares a difference between the measured digital current value and the smooth digital current value with a threshold value, and sets a current fluctuation level based on a result of the comparison. A filter coefficient setting part (S2) sets a filter coefficient of the digital low-pass filter in accordance with the current fluctuation level. |
| US09031796B2 |
Continuous flow structural health monitoring system and method
A continuous flow structural health monitoring system for detecting a crack in a component or structure comprises a pressure source, a fluidic circuit and a measurement system. The pressure source supplies fluid at a regulated pressure relative to ambient pressure. The fluidic circuit couples at one end to the pressure source and opens at an opposite end to ambient pressure. The pressure source produces a substantially constant and continuous flow of fluid through the fluidic circuit. The fluidic circuit has a first passage having a first surface portion of the component or structure. The measurement system monitors perturbations in the flow of fluid through the first passage to provide an indication of structural health of the component or structure. |
| US09031795B1 |
Electromagnetic test device to predict a usable life of a vacuum interrupter in the field
An electromagnetic testing assembly to predict a usable life of an installed vacuum interrupter in the field, which can include an electromagnetic testing device connected to a flexible magnetic field coil to generate a potential in a vacuum interrupter in an installation, magnetically monitor ion flow across one or more gaps in the vacuum interrupter, and apply trend data, tube chart information, and an algorithm to predict the usable life. |
| US09031794B2 |
Automatic analyzing system
There is provided an analysis apparatus in which congestion does not occur and whose analysis efficiency is high as a whole even when the apparatus is an automatic analyzing apparatus to which a plurality of functional modules having different functions and process performances from each other are connected. Also, there is provided an automatic analysis system in which, even when a new functional module is added, it is not required to consider influence on the existing functional modules and restructure a carrying plan or others for improving process performances as a whole. Buffer units paired with the respective functional modules are connected to a specimen carrying line, and an operating-section computer issues an instruction for carrying to the respective functional modules in accordance with requests for specimens, so that carrying-in/out operations are performed as managing respective carrying-possible states among the buffer units and functional modules. |
| US09031790B2 |
System and method for correction of borehole effects in a neutron porosity measurement
Systems, methods, and devices for determining a porosity of a subterranean formation corrected for borehole effects are provided. One such device may be a downhole tool capable of being lowered into a borehole of a subterranean formation that may include a neutron source, two or more neutron detectors, and data processing circuitry. The neutron source may emit neutrons into the subterranean formation. The two or more neutron detectors may be respectively disposed at two or more azimuthal orientations within the downhole tool, and may detect neutrons scattered by the subterranean formation or borehole fluid in the borehole, or both. Based on the neutrons detected by the neutron detectors, the data processing circuitry may determine a porosity of the subterranean formation corrected for borehole effects. |
| US09031789B2 |
System and method for testing fluid seals for leaks
A system and method for testing a fluid seal in a device can include pumping fluid to the device and a control device simultaneously, while measuring the pressure of the fluid pumping to both devices. A change in volume of the fluid in the control device can be initiated, a change in pressure difference associated with the change in volume can be determined, and a leak test ratio can be formed therefrom. Changes in the pressure difference can be used to determine the presence of fluid leaks, which can be presented as test results to users connected to a network. A leak volume can be determined using the change in pressure difference and the leak test ratio. |
| US09031787B2 |
Lane guidance display system, lane guidance display method, and lane guidance display program
A determination unit that determines whether a vehicle is in a lane change state where the vehicle is going to make a lane change from a travelling lane to a recommended lane; and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the front image on which a guide line is superimposed, wherein the guide line has a front end point and a rear end point, are provided. In the lane change state, the display control unit sets a position of the rear end point in the front image such that the rear end point indicates a central position in a width direction of the vehicle, and, not in the lane change state, the display control unit sets a position of the rear end point in the front image such that the rear end point indicates a central position in a width direction in the travelling lane. |
| US09031784B2 |
Navigation system and navigation method
According to navigation systems and methods, when a detected current position has deviated from a guidance route, a navigation device transmits a reroute calculation condition to an information distribution center including the current position and the destination. Based on the reroute calculation condition, the information distribution center determines whether a distance from the current position to a closest adjacent link is equal to or shorter than a predetermined distance. When the distance from the current position to the closest adjacent link is longer than the predetermined distance, the information distribution center distributes to the navigation device reroute prohibition information including information regarding the adjacent link and a maximum waiting time. The maximum waiting time is a time that must elapse before the navigation device can again transmit the reroute calculation condition. |
| US09031782B1 |
System to use digital cameras and other sensors in navigation
In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provide a navigation system for a movable platform comprising a GNSS receiver sensor for providing position signals representative of the estimated current position of the movable platform; a camera sensor for providing photographic images representative of the surroundings of the movable platform; and an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensor for providing specific force and angular rate signals representative of the current specific forces and rate of the movable platform. A processor is responsive to the camera photographic images to estimate the position and attitude of the movable platform, the covariance of the position and attitude estimates and the covariance of consecutive position and attitude estimates. The processor is responsive to the GNSS receiver's estimated position signal, the camera's estimated position and attitude signal, the camera's estimated position and attitude covariance, the camera's estimated correlation of the covariance of consecutive position and attitude estimates, and the specific force and angular rate signals, for providing a navigation solution representative of the estimated current position, velocity, and attitude of the movable platform. |
| US09031780B2 |
Navigation apparatus
When an exit road from a rotary is a road inside of the rotary, a right/left turn branch display is performed instead of performing a rotary guidance display. Thus, a driver is enabled to correctly recognize the exit road which advances inward of the rotary. |
| US09031777B2 |
Driving directions with selective printing
In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a driving directions subsystem configured to provide data representative of driving directions to an access device communicatively coupled to the driving directions subsystem. The driving directions subsystem is further configured to provide at least one selection tool to the access device. The selection tool enables a user of the access device to select a subset of the driving directions for printing. In certain embodiments, the driving directions include a plurality of driving steps, and the selection tool enables the user of the access device to select, for each driving step, between including the driving step in and omitting the driving step from the printing. |
| US09031775B2 |
Determining locations of wireless mobile devices
In certain embodiments, an apparatus comprises an input and one or more processors. The input receives known locations of wireless mobile nodes over a wireless link. The one or more processors determine geometric features associated with the locations, and calculate an apparatus location of the apparatus from the known locations and the geometric features. |
| US09031774B2 |
Apparatus and method for preventing collision of vehicle
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for predicting a moving direction of another vehicle running on a carriageway adjacent to a user's vehicle using periodically acquired image information around the user's vehicle, and performing a control process of preventing collision of the user's vehicle when a moving direction of the user's vehicle crosses the moving direction of the other vehicle. |
| US09031770B2 |
Display device for vehicle
A display device for a vehicle is provided in a vehicle having idling stop function and includes: a fuel economy display unit to display fuel economy information on the vehicle; an first fuel economy display unit to calculate a first fuel economy based on a distance traveled and fuel consumption in a first period; and a second fuel economy calculation unit to calculate an second fuel economy based on a distance traveled and fuel consumption in a second period shorter than the first period. The device also includes a display control unit to control display of the fuel economy display unit based on a fuel economy difference between the first and second fuel economies. When the second fuel economy reaches a reference value before performing idling stop, the fuel economy display control unit controls the fuel economy display unit based on the last fuel economy difference without updating the difference. |
| US09031768B2 |
Method for functional diagnosis of a separator
A method for functional diagnosis of a separator for separating oil present in a blow-by has from a crankcase in a combustion engine is provided. The crankcase includes a crankcase pressure sensor, and is in fluid communication with the separator. The method includes the steps of detecting a first output signal of the crankcase pressure sensor at a first operational point or interval, and comparing the first output signal of the crankcase pressure sensor with at least one reference value or signal, wherein the comparison between said first output signal of the crankcase pressure sensor and the at least one reference value or signal provides the functional diagnosis of the separator. A method can perform a functional diagnosis without the use of additional sensors or complex algorithms and as a consequence manufacturing costs can be held at a minimum. |
| US09031767B2 |
Internal combustion engine control device
An electronic control device is applied to an internal combustion engine including an engine driving pump, circulates lubricant by use of a driving force of the internal combustion engine, and reduces that driving load of the pump which works on the internal combustion engine, by executing a low-pressure control to limit a circulation amount of the lubricant when demand for the lubricant is small. Further, when a predetermined automatic stop condition is established, an engine operation is stopped automatically, and when a predetermined restart condition is established during the automatic stop, the internal combustion engine is restarted. Further, the execution of the low-pressure control is prohibited at the time of starting the internal combustion engine along with an operation of an ignition switch, but the execution of the low-pressure control is allowed at the time of restarting the internal combustion engine. |
| US09031766B2 |
Method for controlling an engine for a motor vehicle
A method for controlling the operation of an engine of a vehicle is disclosed in which a torque request signal supplied to control the supply of torque from the engine is adaptively modified based upon a desired maximum acceleration limit for the currently engaged gear and variations in the sum of forces resisting motion of the vehicle. |
| US09031765B2 |
Method to complete a learning cycle of a recursive least squares approximation
A method to control a non-linear system includes operating a learning cycle to approximate characteristics of the system and, once the learning cycle is complete, operating the system based upon the characteristics. The learning cycle includes monitoring operation of the system, approximating the characteristics of the system with a recursive least squares approximation based upon the monitored operation, comparing variance of the operation to a threshold variance, and completing the learning cycle based upon the variance exceeding the threshold variance. |
| US09031763B2 |
Fuel mixture system and assembly
A system and attendant structural assembly operative to establish a coordinated mixture of gaseous and distillate fuels for an engine including an electronic control unit (ECU) operative to monitor predetermined engine data determinative of engine fuel requirements and structured to regulate ratios of the gaseous and distillate fuel of an operative fuel mixture for the engine. The system and assembly includes at least one mixing assembly comprising an integrated throttle body and air gas mixer directly connected to one another, wherein the throttle body is disposed in fluid communication with a pressurized gaseous fuel supply and the air gas mixer is disposed in fluid communication with a flow of intake air to a combustion section of the engine. In use, the throttle body is structured to direct a variable gaseous fuel flow directly to the air gas mixer for dispensing into the intake air flow to the combustion section. |
| US09031762B1 |
System and method for dynamically adapting to events during operations of a vehicle
Embodiments relate generally to devices and methods for tracking events of a vehicle and associating those events with the driver and/or passengers within the vehicle at the time the events occurred. This may be accomplished by associating an individual identifier of a mobile device with a driver and/or passenger and connecting the mobile device to the head unit of the vehicle, wherein the head unit of the vehicle then associates the individual identifier of the mobile device with the tracked events. |
| US09031755B2 |
Brake control device and brake control method
A PCS ECU 20 in a PCS system 10 calculates TTC which is a brake operation timing of a host vehicle, on the basis of the relative velocity Vr between the host vehicle and an object, a predetermined deceleration amount ΔV caused by a brake operation of the host vehicle, and a deceleration a caused by the brake operation of the host vehicle. Thereby, the deceleration amount ΔV caused by the brake operation of the host vehicle is to be a set constant amount regardless of the relative velocity Vr between the host vehicle and the object. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the deceleration amount ΔV caused by a more appropriate brake operation. |
| US09031754B2 |
Towing vehicle controller providing brake control to a towed vehicle and method
Various embodiments of a towing vehicle controller and methods for brake control of a towed vehicle are provided. A towing vehicle controller includes: an input for receiving a load signal indicative of a load of a towed and towing vehicle combination; an input for receiving a stability signal indicative of at least one of a yaw rate, a steering angle, and a lateral acceleration of the towing vehicle; and an input for receiving a deceleration signal indicative of an automated deceleration request. Control logic is capable of determining a comparison value prior to receiving the deceleration signal and after receiving the load signal and the stability signal, wherein the determination of the comparison value is based on the load signal and the stability signal. After the deceleration signal is received, the control logic determines a brake control transmission signal based on the deceleration signal and the comparison value. |
| US09031746B2 |
Vehicle control device
A vehicle control device includes: a weight calculating unit configured to estimate a weight of the vehicle; a traveling state calculating unit configured to estimate a turning characteristic of the vehicle; a guard setting unit configured to change and set at least one of an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the turning characteristic based on the weight of the vehicle estimated by the weight calculating unit; an upper and lower limit processing unit configured to perform a process of putting the turning characteristic into a range of the upper and lower limit values; and a behavior control unit configured to perform behavior control of the vehicle based on the turning characteristic after the process of putting the turning characteristic into the range of the upper and lower limit values. |
| US09031744B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus and method of controlling the same
Disclosed are an electric power steering apparatus which controls a current supplied to a motor to adjust a torque of a steering wheel, thereby solving a catching feeling generated when the steering wheel is rotated from opposite ends to a center, and a method of controlling the same. |
| US09031741B2 |
System and method for controlling oil pump
Disclosed are an oil pump control system and method, the oil pump control method including setting an initial target oil pressure of the oil pump based on a rotation speed of an engine or an oil temperature, determining a pressure compensation value by considering the target torque or target fuel quantity of the engine based on the initial target oil pressure, determining a final target oil pressure by adding the pressure compensation value to the initial target oil pressure, and feedback-controlling the oil pump so that current oil pressure measured in real time follows the final target oil pressure. |
| US09031735B2 |
Tampering detection method
A method is provided for detecting use of unauthorized software in an engine control unit provided in a vehicle. The method includes calculating a Checksum Verification Number (CVN) each time the engine is started, comparing a last calculated CVN with a last stored CVN in a list of a plurality of CVN entries, storing the last calculated CVN if the last calculated CVN is different to the last stored CVN together with a date of an entry in the list of CVN and/or the current odometer status, removing entries in the list of CVN according to FIFO principle when the list of CVN is full, and presenting this upon request from an on-board or off-board tool. |
| US09031730B2 |
Power demand management apparatus and power demand management system
A power demand management apparatus comprises a schedule holding section that holds a power restriction schedule indicating a device on which a mobile robot is to perform power restriction, in association with a power restriction execution time; a movement instructing section that transmits movement instructions to the robot such that, prior to the power restriction execution time indicated in the power restriction schedule, the robot moves to an area in which is arranged the device on which the power restriction is to be performed at the execution time; and a restriction instructing section that transmits power restriction instructions to the robot, thereby causing the robot to perform the power restriction on the device at the execution time. |
| US09031728B2 |
Electric driving type utility vehicle having regenerative brake force distribution control function, and regenerative brake force distribution control method thereof
An electric driving type utility vehicle having a regenerative brake force distribution control function, and a regenerative brake force distribution control method thereof are provided. The utility vehicle includes: a controller for controlling an output and a recovery of a motor; recovery sensing means for sensing a recovery braking state when the motor is driven; a power measurement unit for measuring the amount of recovery power generated in the recovery braking state; and a power switching unit for automatically switching a drive mode from a two-wheel drive mode to a four-wheel drive mode or vice versa according to the load condition. The present invention can switch the present mode to the four-wheel drive mode by operating the power switching unit according to the control of the controller when sensing the recovery brake through the recovery sensing means in the driving state. |
| US09031721B2 |
Leakage diagnosis device and leakage diagnosis method
The leakage diagnosis that carries out a leakage diagnosis on the basis of an internal pressure state of an airtight compartment by emitting gas from the compartment via a canister during a stop of the internal combustion engine includes; detecting a physical quantity that reflects a fuel adsorption state of the canister; and repeating the leakage diagnosis within the number of times of the leakage diagnosis, limited on the basis of the detected physical quantity. The compartment is formed in an evaporative fuel processing mechanism for an internal combustion engine. The evaporative fuel processing mechanism includes a fuel tank. |
| US09031720B2 |
Fast vertical trajectory prediction method for air traffic management, and relevant ATM system
A method and system for the prediction of aircrafts vertical trajectory, in particular for Air Traffic Management, using the following flight calculation modules: Take-off; Climb; Cruise; Descent; and Landing, corresponding to the relevant flight phases, in which: the calculation of the predicted aircraft trajectory is effected by using a set of TEM equations using, as output variables, the vertical rate of climb or descent, the true air speed, the energy share factor, the thrust and the drag, the mass of the aircraft modeled as point-mass, and using, as input variables, the Mach number depending on true air speed and temperature and altitude, the gravity acceleration, and the fuel flow, and the flight path angle; the calculation of the predicted aircraft trajectory for Cruise phase, wherein only the mass is varies, is performed by using the following analytical solution to said set of TEM equations. |
| US09031718B2 |
Aircraft and control method therefor
An aircraft is provided with: an attitude control command calculating section which calculates an attitude control command for target attitude on the basis of a control stick operation amount; a gain value generating section which generates a gain value equal to or less than 1 which decreases as the control stick operation amount is larger; a multiplication section which multiplies the attitude control command for target attitude by the gain value; and a addition section which adds a rate damping control command to the attitude control command for target attitude multiplied by the gain value and outputs a result to a subtraction section for calculating an SAS command. |
| US09031717B2 |
Management system for aircraft
Said system (1) comprises as least the following principal functions, a flight path management function (2), a navigation function (3) which makes it possible to calculate the position of the aircraft, a function (5) for calculation of deviations between the position of the aircraft and a flight path to be followed, a management function (6) of at least one navigation database, a management function (7) of performance calculations of the aircraft, and a function (8) of management of interfaces and of display, each of said principal functions being allocated to a specific device of the aircraft, said flight path management function (2) being linked to each of said other principal functions. |
| US09031716B2 |
Information handling for aircraft flight decks
A system and method for handling information for use on a flight deck network on an aircraft. Information is received from a number of information sources. The number of information sources is not part of the flight deck network. The flight deck network is a certified network. It is determined whether the information is approved to be used on the flight deck network. A manner in which the information is allowed to be used on the flight deck network is also determined. Responsive to a determination that the information is approved to be used on the flight deck network, the information is sent to the flight deck network during operation of the aircraft. |
| US09031715B2 |
Control device
Disclosed is a control device that changes control content of control means mounted in a vehicle, including: schedule acquisition means for acquiring a schedule relating to the vehicle; and change date and time generation means for estimating a time when the vehicle is not in use on the basis of the schedule acquired by the schedule acquisition means, and for generating and outputting change date and time when the control content is changed, according to the time. |
| US09031709B2 |
Vehicle travel control apparatus and vehicle travel control method
A vehicle travel control apparatus that controls state of travel of a vehicle by adjusting force that acts on the vehicle includes: an acting force adjustment portion that adjusts the force that acts on the vehicle, according to the state of travel of the vehicle; an operating state detection portion that detects an operating state of an operation member that is operated to control the state of travel of the vehicle; and an adjustment degree alteration portion that alters degree of adjustment made by the acting force adjustment portion, according to the operating state of the operation member. |
| US09031708B2 |
Utility interactive inverter with VAR dispatch capabilities
A VAR dispatch system. A central control system connected to a network is configured to receive data reflecting local variations in conditions on a power grid and to transmit system control commands over the network. A plurality of VAR dispatch devices are connected to the network and to the power grid. Each VAR dispatch device is configured to detect local variations in conditions on the power grid and to transmit the data reflecting such local variations to the central control system and to receive control commands from the central control system. Each VAR dispatch device is configured to store power and to output stored power to the power grid based on local variations in conditions on the power grid. Each VAR dispatch device is further configured to output stored power to the power grid when the VAR dispatch device receives system control commands from the central control system. |
| US09031706B2 |
Air conditioner and method for controlling the same
An air conditioner and control method thereof is provided which may be controlled to adapt operation to changes in power rates. The method may include receiving electric power related information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, determining occupancy of a space to be air conditioned if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value, and controlling a flow rate of air supplied to the space based on the determined occupancy. |
| US09031704B2 |
Method and system for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in a charging process of a shaft furnace
In a charging process of a shaft furnace, in particular of a blast furnace, batches of charge material are typically discharged in cyclical sequence into the furnace from a top hopper using a flow control valve. A method and system is proposed for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in such a process. Pre-determined valve characteristics for certain types of material are provided, each indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting for one type of material. According to the invention, a specific valve characteristic is stored for each batch of charge material, each specific valve characteristic being bijectively associated to one batch and indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting of the flow control valve specifically for the associated batch. In relation to discharging a given batch of the sequence the invention proposes: using the stored specific valve characteristic associated to the given batch for determining a requested valve setting corresponding to a flow rate setpoint and using the requested valve setting to operate the flow control valve; determining an actual average flow rate for the discharge of the given batch; correcting the stored specific valve characteristic associated to the given batch in case of a stipulated deviation between the flow rate setpoint and the actual average flow rate. |
| US09031703B2 |
Operation management apparatus, operation management method, and operation management program
An operation management apparatus includes an air conditioning thermal load prediction unit configured to calculate an air conditioning thermal load predicted value indicating a predicted amount of heat required to adjust temperature to a pre-set temperature on a day-of-prediction, a power generation output prediction processing unit configured to calculate power generation output prediction data indicating a generated power obtained by a generator within the day-of-prediction, and an operation planning unit configured to prepare an air conditioning heat source operation plan, and determines a purchased power and the generated power using the power generation output prediction data to thereby prepare a power facility operation plan indicating a schedule of a power output from the purchased power source and the generator, so that the purchased power per predetermined time supplied from a purchased power source of a commercial power system becomes a target value. |
| US09031701B2 |
Characterization of blood hemostasis and oxygen transport parameters
An integrated system for determining a hemostasis and oxygen transport parameter of a blood sample, such as blood, is disclosed. The system includes a measurement system, such as an ultrasonic sensor, configured to determine data characterizing the blood sample. For example, the data could be displacement of the blood sample in response to ultrasonic pulses. An integrated aspect of the system may be a common sensor, sample portion or data for fast and efficient determination of both parameters. The parameters can also be used to correct or improve measured parameters. For example, physiological adjustments may be applied to the hemostatic parameters using a HCT measurement. Also, physical adjustments may be applied, such as through calibration using a speed or attenuation of the sound pulse through or by the blood sample. These parameters may be displayed on a GUI to guide treatment. |
| US09031700B2 |
Facilities manifold with proximity sensor
A high productivity combinatorial system can be configured with sensors to automatically sense an identification tag of an installed reactor assembly, which comprises corresponding sensing elements. Configuration and usage data of the install reactor assembly can be retrieved from the identification tag, allowing the combinatorial system to properly access the reactor regions in the reactor assembly. |
| US09031699B2 |
Kinematic predictor for articulated mechanisms
A predictor usable for rapid and accurate calculation of joint commands of an articulated mechanism describes relationship between the joints in the form of a differential equation. The predictor solves this differential equation by direct substitution of a power series for each of its variables and the combining of selected sets of coefficients of these power series into linear systems of equations which may be solved to determine power series coefficients to arbitrary order. |
| US09031696B2 |
Robot system and processed object manufacturing method
In this robot system, a control portion is configured to control a robot to grasp an object to be grasped by a grasping portion, and control a first imaging portion to examine the object to be grasped while driving a robot arm to change a posture of the object to be grasped multiple times. |
| US09031693B2 |
Cleaning robot and system utilizing the same
A cleaning robot is disclosed. A first sensing unit generates a sensing signal to a transmittal line according to an external wireless signal. When the external wireless signal is sensed by the first sensing unit, a state of the transmittal line does not match with a pre-determined state. When the external wireless signal is not sensed by the first sensing unit, the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A control unit generates a movement signal when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A plurality of wheels rotate according to the movement signal. A second sensing unit generates a second sensing signal according to the external environment of the cleaning robot. When the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal. |
| US09031691B2 |
Systemic derivation of simplified dynamics for humanoid robots
The disclosure provides an approach for determining simplified models of humanoid robots. A simplification application linearizes a robot model around a nominal state and performs a singular value decomposition of an inertial term of the model, selecting singular values and corresponding singular vectors to be kept in an inertial term of a simplified model by matching a kinetic energy of the original model to a kinetic energy of the simplified model. Further, a gravitational forces term and a velocity-dependent forces term may be determined by computing active joint torques at sample poses around the nominal pose and solving for the gravitational forces term and the velocity-dependent forces term. A mapping from the simplified model to the original model may be determined using, e.g., numerical optimization. |
| US09031690B2 |
Automated retrieval and delivery of medications
This invention relates to a process and a device for automatically delivering and retrieving singular medication from a plurality of containers or product blister packages, storing and recording medication transactions for each patient, and the crushing of designated medications. This invention also relates to medication control, delivery, consumption verification and monitoring within institutional entities. |
| US09031689B1 |
Systems and methods for RFID-enabled dispenser
Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09031684B2 |
Multi-factor advanced process control method and system for integrated circuit fabrication
A method and system for integrated circuit fabrication is disclosed. In an example, the method includes determining a first process parameter of a wafer and a second process parameter of the wafer, the first process parameter and the second process parameter corresponding to different wafer characteristics; determining a variation of a device parameter of the wafer based on the first process parameter and the second process parameter; constructing a model for the device parameter as a function of the first process parameter and the second process parameter based on the determined variation of the device parameter of the wafer; and performing a fabrication process based on the model. |
| US09031679B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing a plurality of pre-encoded payloads to generate a packet stream transmission
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing a plurality of pre-encoded payloads in a stream transmission are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes receiving a plurality of payload streams associated with an audio stream clip file and selecting a first payload stream encoded at a first bit rate from the plurality of payload streams as the payload for a packet stream transmission being sent to a device under test. The method also includes receiving a bit rate change request that indicates a second payload stream encoded at a second bit rate is to be used as the payload for the packet stream transmission and conducting a synchronization procedure that synchronizes a first packet of the second payload stream with a last packet of the first payload stream in order to transition the packet stream transmission from the first bit rate to the second bit rate. |
| US09031678B2 |
Audio time stretch method and associated apparatus
An audio time stretch method and associated apparatus is provided. The method includes steps of calculating an energy level according to amplitudes of a plurality of received data, and determining whether the audio data requires audio time stretch according to the energy level. Audio data with lower energy level and volume are selectively time-stretched to alleviate audio quality degradation. |
| US09031677B2 |
Automatic genre-based voice prompts
An adaptive prompt system includes a plurality of audio files, each of the audio files representing a particular genre and having audible characteristics associated with the particular genre, a user preference data representing a preferred genre, a processor for analyzing the user preference data and selecting one of the audio files based upon the user preference data, and a communication device in signal communication with the processor to receive the one of the audio files selected and transmitting the one of the audio files selected as an audio output. |
| US09031673B2 |
System of adjustable bed control via a home network
This disclosure concerns a handheld control with a user interface adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed and a parameter of a home control system. A display on the user interface displays a graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter and a graphical representation of the home control system parameter. |
| US09031665B2 |
External controller/charger system for an implantable medical device capable of automatically providing data telemetry through a charging coil during a charging session
An external controller/charger system for an implantable medical device is disclosed, in which the external controller/charger system provides automatic switching between telemetry and charging without any manual intervention by the patient. The external controller/charger system includes an external controller which houses a telemetry coil and an external charging coil coupled to the external controller. Normally, a charging session is carried out using the external charging coil, and a telemetry session is carried out using the telemetry coil. However, when a patient requests to carry out telemetry during a charging session, the external charging coil is used instead of the internal telemetry coil. |
| US09031663B2 |
Genetic algorithm based auditory training
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to the use of a genetic algorithm for the purpose of providing progressive and adaptive auditory training (rehabilitation) to a recipient of a hearing prosthesis. In general, the genetic algorithm is used to adapt the training process to automatically increase the difficulty of the training based on recipient feedback and performance. That is, the genetic algorithm progressively removes perceivable sounds from the training process so as to generate groups of sounds that are difficult for a recipient to perceive. |
| US09031662B2 |
Implantable medical device including surface geometry having reduced biofilm formation characteristics
An implantable medical device configured to be implanted in a recipient. The implantable medical device includes an implantable assembly, wherein the exterior geometry of the implantable assembly is adapted to inhibit formation of a biofilm thereon after implantation in the recipient. |
| US09031654B2 |
Method of stimulating a hypoglossal nerve for controlling the position of a patient's tongue
A method for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient's Hypoglossal nerve and applying an electric signal through the electrode to at least one targeted motor efferent located within the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue. Methods may also include the use of more than one contact to target more than one motor efferent and stimulating more than one muscle. The stimulation load to maintain the position of the tongue may be shared by each muscle. The position of the patient's tongue may be controlled in order to prevent obstructive sleep apnea. |
| US09031649B2 |
Reducing inappropriate delivery of therapy for suspected non-lethal arrhythmias
An implantable medical device (IMD) identifies suspected non-lethal ventricular arrhythmia, and takes one or more actions in response to the identification to avoid or delay delivery of a defibrillation or cardioversion shock. The IMD employs number of intervals to detect (NID) thresholds for detection of ventricular arrhythmias. When a NID threshold is met, the IMD determines whether the ventricular rhythm is a suspected non-lethal rhythm despite satisfying a NID threshold. In some embodiments, the IMD increases the NID threshold, i.e., extends the time for detection, in response to identifying a rhythm as a suspected non-lethal rhythm, and monitors subsequent ventricular beats to determine if the increased NID threshold is met before detecting a ventricular arrhythmia and delivering therapy. The IMD can determine whether a rhythm is a suspected non-lethal arrhythmia by, for example, comparing the median ventricular cycle length (VCL) to the median atrial cycle length (ACL). |
| US09031648B2 |
Endocardial pacing devices and methods useful for resynchronization and defibrillation
According to one aspect, various methods and apparatus are used for treating a condition of a patient's heart, and for monitoring cardiac operation. In one approach consistent therewith, an electrode arrangement is placed in a right ventricle of the heart. The electrode arrangement is used to capture the myocardium for re-synchronization of the left and right ventricles by providing first and second signal components having opposite polarity on respective electrodes. The electrode arrangement is connected to an implantable CRM device that has the capability of pacing/sensing atrium, pacing/sensing ventricles, and deliver defibrillation therapy from the right side of the heart. The CRM device captures ventricular contractions to treat conduction abnormalities in one or more of the ventricles. |
| US09031644B2 |
Threshold adjustment schemes for acute ischemia detection
A heart monitor is disclosed. The monitor computes ST segment deviations and stores the results in heart rate based histograms. Periodically, the monitor analyzes the histogram data to determine heart rate dependent acute ischemia detection thresholds. If the statistical distribution associated with a heart rate range is insufficient, the threshold for that heart rate range is set as a function of the threshold for a neighboring heart rate range. Thresholds are also increased for heart rate ranges associated with statistical distributions that are sufficient but that have a relatively small number of entries. |
| US09031640B2 |
Laser doppler blood flow measuring method and device
[Subject] To provide laser Doppler blood flow measuring method and device which achieve multi-dimensional measurement efficiently at a high degree of accuracy over a wide range with a simple optical system and device.[Solving Means] Laser light from a semiconductor laser 12 is split and formed into sheet lights Ls using a cylindrical lens 22, and the sheet lights Ls are crossed with each other at a predetermined position. A lens system 30 configured to form an image of scattered lights into a linear shape at a linear irradiation site Lx where the sheet lights Ls cross with each other is provided. An optical fiber array 32 having a plurality of optical fibers 34 is provided at an image-forming position of the lens system 30. Avalanche photodiodes 42 configured to convert the scattered lights which are shifted in frequency by the Doppler effect caused by the blood flow into electric signals for the each optical fiber 34 are provided. The blood flow velocity in a tissue of a biological body at the linear irradiation site Lx is calculated from the scattered lights transformed from the laser light by being shifted in frequency by the Doppler effect and is scanned for the each optical fiber 34, whereby the blood flow velocity in the blood vessel in a predetermined area in the biological body is calculated. |
| US09031638B2 |
Multiple channel tracheal tube placement device and technique for using the same
According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may employ sensing techniques for determining a distance between the inserted tube and an anatomical structure such as a carina. The distance information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea. Because a tracheal tube may rotate within the trachea, the sensing information may be gathered from multiple locations on the tracheal tube for a rotation-independent measurement technique. |
| US09031633B2 |
Arrangement and method for detecting and/or locating a magnetic material in a region of action
In Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) the reconstruction requires the knowledge of a so called system function. This function describes the relation between spatial position and frequency response and is currently measured once for a scanner set-up and a tracer material. For reasonable resolutions and fields of view the system function becomes quite large, resulting in large acquisition times to obtain reasonable signal-to-noise. However, the system function has a number of properties which can be used to improve signal-to-noise. According to the present invention use is made of the spatial symmetry and/or identical responses at different frequencies for this purpose. |
| US09031624B2 |
Intelligent mirror
A mobile telephone or cellular telephone unit and a rearview mirror housing of an automobile are combined to provide an improved telephone apparatus that allows for efficient projection of images on a windshield of a vehicle. |
| US09031621B2 |
Support structure for electronic device
A support structure is used for supporting an electronic device. The support structure includes a main body sleeved on a side portion of the electronic device and a supporting member rotatably connected to the main body. The supporting member can rotate relative to the main body to form an included angle for supporting the electronic device. |
| US09031619B2 |
Visual indication of active speech reception
A method includes, during operation of a mobile handset when a voice call is in progress with a remote party, detecting an occurrence of a start of a discontinuous transmission period that results from a cessation of speech by the remote party; and activating a visual indicator of the mobile handset to assume a first state that indicates that a speech signal is not being received from the remote party. |
| US09031617B2 |
Receiving user input on a graphical user interface
A method for a device to receive a user input commanding the device to perform an action includes detecting a first amount of force exerted onto a graphical user interface, providing an indication that additional force must be exerted onto the graphical user interface to command the device to perform the action, detecting a second amount of force larger than the first amount of force exerted onto the graphical user interface, and providing a signal including data commanding performance of the action. |
| US09031612B2 |
Spatial alignment for D2D interference mitigation
Described are techniques for managing the interference produced by D2D (device-to-device) transmissions that may be used in conjunction with transmit power control but operate independently. In one technique, interference between D2D transmissions and cellular uplink transmissions using common resources as received at a base station is managed by opportunistic interference alignment and clustering of D2D devices. In another technique, interference between different D2D devices using the same resources is mitigated by base-station aided space-time interference alignment. |
| US09031611B2 |
Secure element with terminal and mobile device interaction capabilities
A method for transmitting data between a mobile communication device and a server. The method includes running a mobile application on the mobile communication device. The mobile application is hosted on the mobile communication device through the server as a Software as a Service (SaaS). The method further includes transmitting data associated with the mobile application between the mobile communication device and the server, in which transmission of the data between the mobile communication device and the server is monitored through the server. |
| US09031609B2 |
Mobile communication device
According to an aspect, a mobile communication device includes: an operating unit for receiving an operation; an imaging unit for taking an image; a communication unit for communicating with another communication device; and a control unit configured to start taking an image by the imaging unit upon starting communication with a set first communication device through the communication unit, and transmit the image to the first communication device through the communication unit. |
| US09031607B1 |
Utilizing signal powers associated with multiple channels of a mobile device to facilitate network selection
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media, for facilitating selection of networks are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving at a user device a first signal via a first channel of a MIMO-enabled network and a second signal via a second channel of the MIMO-enabled network. A first power associated with the first signal and a second power associated with the second signal are identified. The first power associated with the first channel and the second power associated with the second channel are used to determine an undesired connection of the user device with the MIMO-enabled network. |
| US09031606B2 |
LTE data connectivity solution
A method and system is provided to control a mobile device. The method includes initially determining whether 4G network service is available. The network switch is set to a 4G baseband processor upon determining that 4G network service is available. The 4G network connection is monitored to determine whether a fault occurs. If so, the 4G baseband processor is reset. However, if 4G network service is not available, whether 3G network service is available is determined. If so, the network switch is set to a 3G baseband processor. When in 3G mode, the 3G network connection is monitored to determine whether a fault occurs. If so, whether a 4G network service is available is determined. Even if there is no fault with the 3G network, the mobile device switches to use the 4G network when the 4G network becomes available. |
| US09031599B2 |
System and method for power control
A method of operating base station includes determining a first transmit power of a user equipment (UE), which includes determining a serving base station receive power, determining a path loss of the UE to the base station, determining a downlink signal to noise and interference ratio (SNIR) at the UE, and forming the first UE transmit power. Forming the first UE transmit power comprises summing the serving base station receive power, the path loss of the UE to the base station and the downlink SNIR. The method further includes instructing the UE to transmit at the first UE transmit power. |
| US09031598B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing session initiator privilege, priority and presence notification for push-to-talk chat group communications
A method for providing presence notification for PTT chat group communications includes a server receiving, from a communication device of a member of a chat group, a session initiation message to start a session for the PTT chat group. The session initiation message includes a member-selected priority. The server generates an event notification message that includes an indication that the chat group is active and has been assigned a priority, and sends the event notification message to communication devices of at least some of the other chat group members. Additionally, where a group priority has been assigned to the chat group, the group priority is assigned to the session. Otherwise, the member-selected priority is assigned to the session. |
| US09031597B2 |
Differential CQI encoding for cooperative multipoint feedback
A method includes receiving in a mobile communication terminal signals from multiple cells that coordinate transmission of the signals with one another in a Cooperative Multipoint (CoMP) scheme. At least first and second Channel Quality Indicators (CQIs), for respective communication channels over which the signals are received, are calculated in the terminal based on the received signals. The second CQI is differentially encoded relative to the first CQI. Feedback information, including the first CQI and the differentially-encoded second CQI, is transmitted from the terminal. |
| US09031595B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring carrier in deactivated state
A method for measuring a carrier in a deactivated state. The method includes receiving a configuration mode that does not take effect immediately by a user terminal (UE). If a deactivation control signal for a carrier is received by the UE or if a carrier timer of the UE expires, then the method includes switching the carrier from an activated state to a deactivated state, and measuring the carrier in deactivated state by the UE. Alternatively, if an activation control signal for a carrier in the deactivated state that is being measured is received by the UE, the method includes terminating measurement of the carrier in the deactivated state by the UE. Through controllable deactivated carrier measurement, the UE reduces battery power consumption and improves system performance. Embodiments also include an apparatus for measuring a carrier in deactivated state, a base station, and computer-readable storage medium for performing the method. |
| US09031594B2 |
Communication terminal and communication method for transmitting a proximity indication message containing a selected frequency when approximating an access-restricted cell
A communication terminal includes: a notification information acquiring section which acquires notification information containing information related to all frequencies allocated to cells provided by a base station that provides access-restricted cells; a frequency information storing section which stores cell information containing information contained in the notification information; a frequency selecting section which selects one arbitrary frequency from a plurality of frequencies provided by an access-restricted base station to be accessible in a past when detecting that the communication terminal approximates to a cell of the access-restricted base station to be accessible in the past, based on the notification information and the cell information; and a transmitting section which transmits the proximity indication message containing the frequency selected by the frequency selecting section, to the base station that provides the currently connected cell. |
| US09031593B2 |
Base station synchronisation
A method for determining data enabling a plurality of secondary base stations to time their transmissions to a mobile station within a timing range. The mobile station obtains time delays of transmissions from each of the secondary base stations in reaching the mobile station, and determines time delay differences between the time delays and a reference time delay associated with a primary base station. The mobile station transmits the time delay differences to the plurality of secondary base stations. Each secondary base station receives the difference between its own transmission time delay and the reference time delay, compares the difference with a time range, and corrects the timing of its transmissions if the difference is outside of the time range. |
| US09031577B2 |
System and method for sharing indoor location information with one or more application program modules within a portable computing device
A method and system for sharing indoor location information with one or more application program modules within a portable computing device (“PCD”) includes receiving an indoor location data request and determining if a location service is currently being executed by the PCD. If the location service is not being executed, it is determined if a location engine of the PCD has been installed. If the location engine of the portable computing device has not been installed, then the code for the location engine is downloaded from a communications network. Next, the location service may be executed once the location engine has been installed. It is determined if the indoor location data being requested is present in a memory element of the PCD. If the indoor location data being requested is not present in the memory element of the PCD, then the indoor location data is downloaded from the communications network. |
| US09031576B2 |
Collective positioning in mobile communication systems
Methods and devices for managing a cellular communication system (1) and mobile terminals (40) are presented. A collective positioning measurement order (50) is issued to a multitude of mobile terminals (40) in a first cell (10) of the cellular communication system (1). This issuing is preferably performed intermittently at a multitude of times according to a predetermined rule. Each mobile terminal (40) receives information concerning a collective positioning measurement order. The mobile terminal (40) performs a positioning operation, typically a positioning measurement on a ranging signal (51, 52) or transmission of a ranging signal (53), preferably intermittently at a multitude of times, according to a predetermined rule based on the information concerning the collective positioning measurement order. An updating of a storage with positioning data can preferably be obtained. In terrestrially based positioning systems, signal resources dedicated to positioning measurement can be reserved in the cellular communication system. |
| US09031574B2 |
Location estimation based on adjusted distance values for a wireless device
Embodiments of techniques and systems for distance and location estimation in wireless systems are described. In embodiments, a wireless device may receive wireless signals from reference points in a spatial arrangement. The wireless device may identify a closest reference point and generate arrangement-based distance values for each of the reference points based on a propagation model. The wireless device may adjust the propagation model based on the received wireless signals and the arrangement-based distance values, and may generate adjusted distance values using the adjusted propagation model. The wireless device may use the adjusted distance values and the spatial arrangement to estimate the location of the wireless device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09031573B2 |
Context-based parameter maps for position determination
In one implementation, a method may comprise: storing a user profile indicative of at least one attribute of a user of a mobile station; determining a measurement value based, at least in part, on a signal from at least one sensor on the mobile station; and estimating a location of the mobile station based, at least in part, on an association of the at least one attribute and the measurement value with a context parameter map database. |
| US09031571B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coverage verification in a wireless sensor network
Methods and apparatus are provided for improved coverage verification schemes in a wireless sensor network that do not require information about the location of sensor nodes in the wireless sensor network. Coverage holes are detected by a first node in a wireless sensor network by obtaining an estimate of a distance to each of a plurality of additional nodes in a transmission radius of the first node; determining a relative location of each of the plurality of additional nodes in the coordinate system of the first node; identifying border segments of a sensing border of the first node, where each of the border segments comprises a section of a sensing border of the first node that is covered by a sensing radius of at least one of the additional nodes; and determining if a coverage hole exists for the first node by determining if a plurality of the border segments comprise a cyclic segment sequence. The coordinate system comprises r-map coordinates of the first node and the additional nodes, where r is based on a transmission radius of the first node. |
| US09031568B2 |
Quality-of-service (QoS)-based association with a new network using background network scanning
A method and device support the use of background network scanning to enable association with a first and at least a second wireless network, for the exchange of exchange of multimedia information. Representative embodiments of the present invention may sniff radio frequency spectrum and determine at least one characteristic of detected wireless networks having capacity for exchange of the multimedia information. More than one wireless network may be identified for use in exchanging the multimedia information, which may be communicated concurrently over the identified wireless networks. User defined criteria may be employed in adjusting communication of the multimedia information to meet a quality of service level desired by a user. A lack of wireless network capacity may result in adjustments to, for example, protocols used to represent multimedia information, frame rate, and spatial or color resolution, in order to maintain or enable communication. |
| US09031564B2 |
Handover robustness in cellular radio communications
An indication of the speed of movement of a UE in a radio communications system is received (801) at a network node of the radio communications system. The parameters of the radio communications system are then analyzed (803) using the speed of movement indication. The system parameters are then adjusted (805) using the analysis. |
| US09031561B2 |
Method and system for optimizing cellular networks operation
A computing platform is provided including a processor that executes instructions for optimizing operation of a cellular network. When executing the instructions, the computing platform operates (a) to probe for information exchanged between a mobile access network and a core network; (b) to retrieve statistical KPIs generated from a plurality of network elements belonging to the cellular network; (c) to generate a predictive Key Performance Indicator (pKPI) by correlating the probed information with the retrieved statistical KPIs, which enables the computing platform to predict a trend characterizing future performance of network elements such as cells; and (d) to trigger changes in the operation of the cellular network based on the predicted trend. The probing for information exchanged between a mobile access network and a core network is carried out at a rate higher than a rate of retrieving statistical KPIs generated from the plurality of network elements. |
| US09031560B2 |
Condition reporting to enable possible reduction in radio network inefficiencies
A method includes sending a message from a first base station to another entity in a radio network. The message includes one or more indications one or more conditions have been met. The one or more conditions include one or both of: a duration the user equipment is connected to a first cell served by the first base station, prior to handover from the first cell to a second cell served by a second base station, is less than a threshold; or the signal strength of the second cell as measured by the user equipment and reported to the first base station is better than a signal strength of the first cell for a threshold duration of time. The entity may receive the message, e.g., and use the message to determine whether to effect changes to the radio network. Apparatus, program products, and software are also disclosed. |
| US09031551B2 |
Cellular telecommunications system network element
A network element (326) of a cellular telecommunications system (300), the network element comprising: classification means (336) for assigning a classification to a user service, request (332) for a telecommunications service of the cellular telecommunications system; and—assigning means (338) for assigning a set of class specific cell configuration parameters (334) that are to be used for the provision of the telecommunications service, wherein the assignment of the class specific cell configuration parameters depends upon the classification. |
| US09031546B2 |
System including vehicle speed alert based communication with a vehicle audio entertainment system and related methods
A system for a vehicle having a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and an audio entertainment system coupled to the data communications bus may include a vehicle wireless transceiver and a vehicle controller to be coupled to the data communications bus. The vehicle controller may be configured to determine and send a vehicle speed alert via the vehicle wireless transceiver, and selectively set the audio entertainment system to link with the vehicle wireless transceiver in a hands-free mode. The system may also include a mobile device to be carried by a user remote from the vehicle that may include a remote wireless transceiver configured to link wirelessly with the vehicle wireless transceiver. The mobile device may also include a remote controller cooperating to command, based upon receiving the vehicle speed alert, the vehicle controller to set the audio entertainment system into the hands-free mode. |
| US09031544B2 |
Status switching method for mobile device
A status switching method for a mobile device is disclosed. The status switching method includes receiving a first request for switching a radio function of the mobile device from a first status to a second status; keeping the radio function in the first status for a specific duration; switching the radio function to the second status if not receiving a second request for switching the radio function of the mobile device from the second status to the first status during the specific duration; and remaining the radio function in the first status if receiving a second request for switching the radio function of the mobile device from the second status to the first status during the specific duration; and switching the radio function to the first status. |
| US09031541B2 |
Method for transmitting information stored in a tamper-resistant module
A system and method are described in which direct communication between a removable tamper-resistant module in a mobile terminal and a third party server is permitted only after security information is transmitted indirectly through a secure server in a mobile network operator that provides mobile communication services to the mobile terminal. The third party server is logically located outside of the mobile network operator. The secure server is configured to be able to communicate with the removable tamper-resistant module via the secure communication link. The information is transmitted from the removable tamper-resistant module to the third party server or from the third party server to the removable tamper-resistant module and includes a key for encryption or decryption or a certificate for verifying data or program transmissions therebetween. |
| US09031537B2 |
Electronic wireless hand held multimedia device
An electronic wireless hand held multimedia device includes a microprocessor and more than one wireless transceiver modules enabling wireless communications over a variety of standards, including Cellular (e.g., GSM, CDMA, GPRS, 3G), 802.11 (e.g., WLAN), and short range (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, RFID), for the retrieval, processing and delivery of multimedia data to/from remote data resources (e.g., Internet, servers). The hand held device can include any of: a touch sensitive display screen configured to display multimedia data including video, text and GPS maps, and accept user input; a cartridge reader configured to exchange data with an electronic cartridge; a GPS module configured to operate with mapping resources and provide location information and GPS mapping; a mobile payment module enabling mobile payments via a variety of billing arrangements; a security module enabling protected data management and communications security; a video camera enabling the capture, storage, processing and transmission of video and pictures. |
| US09031534B2 |
Proximity-based authorization
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling the response to a command from a wireless terminal to be based at least partially on the presence or absence of other users nearby, and possibly the identity of those users. In the illustrated embodiment, a server maintains an updated list of the locations of fixed and wireless terminals within an area (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 wireless access point's area of coverage, a CDMA base station's cell, etc.). When a user issues a command to his or her wireless terminal, the command is transmitted to the server. The server determines whether there are any other nearby wireless terminals (and inferentially, the users associated with these terminals), and then determines whether the command is authorized in that environment. |
| US09031529B2 |
Method and system for low-noise, highly-linear receiver front-end
Aspects of a method and system for a low-noise, highly-linear receiver front-end are provided. In this regard, a received signal may be processed via one or more transconductances, one or more transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), and one or more mixers to generate a first baseband signal corresponding to a voltage at a node of the receiver, and a second baseband signal corresponding to a current at the node of the receiver. The first signal and the second signal may be processed to recover information from the received signal. The first signal may be generated via a first one or more signal paths of the receiver and the second signal may be generated via a second one or more signal paths of the receiver. |
| US09031525B2 |
Method of manufacture of a passive high-frequency image reject mixer
A passive implementation of an image reject mixer (IRM), capable of operating at very high frequency, is manufactured in a variety of silicon processes. The IRM comprises a quad MOS multiplier and a lumped-element hybrid, resulting in a passive IRM, operative at radio frequencies (RF) of tens of GHz with an intermediate frequency (IF) of several GHz. The RF+ and RF− signals are provided to two quad MOS multipliers. A local oscillator signal (LO) is used to provide LO+ and LO− signals to one of the multipliers and by providing the LO to a phase shifter, generated are a ninety degree shifted LO+ and LO− signals provided to the other multiplier. Providing the hybrids with the outputs of both multipliers and selecting an appropriate IF signal from each of the hybrids ensures the proper operation of the passive IRM. |
| US09031522B2 |
Envelope power supply calibration of a multi-mode radio frequency power amplifier
The present disclosure relates to envelope power supply calibration of a multi-mode RF power amplifier (PA) to ensure adequate headroom when operating using one of multiple communications modes. The communications modes may include multiple modulation modes, a half-duplex mode, a full-duplex mode, or any combination thereof. As such, each communications mode may have specific peak-to-average power and linearity requirements for the multi-mode RF PA. As a result, each communications mode may have corresponding envelope power supply headroom requirements. The calibration may include determining a saturation operating constraint based on calibration data obtained during saturated operation of the multi-mode RF PA. During operation of the multi-mode RF PA, the envelope power supply may be restricted to provide a minimum allowable magnitude based on an RF signal level of the multi-mode RF PA, the communications mode, and the saturation operating constraint to provide adequate headroom. |
| US09031521B2 |
System and method for digital memorized predistortion for wireless communication
A power amplifier system includes an input operable to receive an original value that reflects information to be communicated and an address data former operable to generate a digital lookup table key. The power amplifier system also includes a predistortion lookup table coupled to the address data former and a power amplifier having an output and coupled to the predistortion lookup table. The power amplifier system further includes a feedback loop providing a signal associated with the output of the power amplifier to the predistortion lookup table and a switch disposed in the feedback loop and operable to disconnect the predistortion lookup table from the output of the power amplifier. |
| US09031515B2 |
Transceiver including a weaved connection
A transceiver includes a local oscillation module, a transmitter section, and a receiver section. The local oscillation module is operable to generate a transmit local oscillation and a receive oscillation. The transmitter section includes a transmit mixing module and a transmit weaved connection that is operable to high frequency filter the transmit location oscillation. The transmit mixing module mixes the filtered transmit location oscillation with a transmit signal to produce an up-converted signal. The receiver section includes a receive mixing module and a receive weaved connection that is operable to high frequency filter the receive location oscillation. The receive mixing module mixes the filtered receive location oscillation with an RF received signal to produce a down-converted signal. |
| US09031514B2 |
Self calibration method for radio equipment with receive and transmit circuitry
A self-calibration circuit and associated method for testing an RF device includes the RF device to be tested having transmit and receive sections, and a built-in self test (BIST) circuit coupled to the transmit and receive sections of the RF device on the same chip. The self-calibration circuit is configured to calibrate the receive section of the RF device in a receive test mode, and calibrate the transmit section of the RF device in a subsequent transmit test mode using the calibrated receive section to measure a transmit output signal from the transmit section and to provide calibration data therefrom used in the transmit section calibration. The self-calibration circuit may include a duplex filter coupled between the transmit and receive sections and the BIST circuit, and a multiplexor coupled between the RF device, and the BIST circuit, configured to select one or more of a plurality of RF devices to be tested. |
| US09031505B2 |
Filtering a single wire protocol (SWP) current signal to be provided to a near field communications (NFC) device
A communications device is disclosed that includes a united integrated circuit card (UICC) that provides a single wire protocol (SWP) current signal to a near field communications (NFC) device. The SWP current signal is filtered by a filter to remove noise from the SWP current signal. The filter is precharged by a reference voltage when the SWP current signal is in a low state and then filters the SWP current signal when the SWP current signal is in a high state. A switching network provides the filter with the reference voltage to precharge when the SWP is current signal is in the low state and then provides the filter with the SWP current signal to filter when the SWP current signal is in the high state. |
| US09031501B2 |
Method of interference reduction by geo-localisation of terminals in a satellite telecommunication network
A process for eliminating interference in a telecommunications network including a multi-beam satellite, a coverage area made up of a plurality of cells in which terminals are located, at least two of the cells, referred to as the first and second cell, being associated with the same frequency band, a first earth station including a first demodulator capable of demodulating signals transmitted by terminals located in the first cell and a second earth station including a second demodulator different from the first demodulator capable of demodulating signals transmitted by terminals located in the second cell. The process uses information supplied by the terminal, particularly its position and transmission parameters, and enables the appropriate G/T figure to be deduced. This information is then transmitted to the demodulator of the second earth station and will be used to reconstruct the signal incorporating the message and remove it from the received signal. |
| US09031495B2 |
System and method for optimization of network delivery of streaming data
A system and method for optimizing network delivery of streaming data is provided. Streaming delivery of data using point-to-point transmitters and broadcast transmitters can be dynamically controlled to maximize the usage of network resources. Current usage of respective systems can be analyzed, as can projected usage be analyzed. Network resources can be reallocated, and connecting devices can be redirected as needed to maintain high efficiency of allocated resources. |
| US09031493B2 |
Custom narration of electronic books
A system and method are disclosed for correlating an electronic book with a narration. A correlation is determined between a first portion of the narration and a first segment of the text within the electronic book. The correlation is stored as instructions to present the first segment of the text with emphasis simultaneously with playback of the first the portion of the narration. A determination is made that a second portion of the audio recording, immediately following the first portion, does not match a second segment of the text that immediately follows the first segment. A correlation between the second portion and a component of the electronic book is determined and stored as instructions to present the component with emphasis simultaneously with playback of the second portion of the narration. |
| US09031492B2 |
Image forming apparatus and curl correcting method
An image forming apparatus includes: a curl correction device which corrects curl generated in a recording medium having passed through a fixing device; a temperature/humidity sensor unit which is installed in a conveying path between the fixing device and the curl correction device, and detects and outputs temperature and humidity near a surface of the recording medium; a calculation unit which calculates temperature and moisture content of the recording medium from the temperature and humidity output values output from the temperature/humidity sensor unit, and calculates curl correction efficiency of the curl correction device from the temperature and moisture content of the recording medium; a control value determination unit which determines a control value to perform a curl correction in the curl correction device, based on the curl correction efficiency calculated by the calculation unit; and a control unit which controls the curl correction device by the control value. |
| US09031491B2 |
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
An image forming apparatus, including a photoreceptor; a charger; an irradiator; an image developer; a transferer; a fixer; and a cleaning blade formed of a strip-shaped elastic blade, removing a powder from the surface of the photoreceptor passing an edge line of the blade while contacting thereto, wherein the photoreceptor includes a crosslinked resin surface layer formed of at least one of an acrylic resin and a methacrylic resin, and the cleaning blade includes a contact point with the photoreceptor, including a substrate; a mixed layer formed of at least one of an acrylic resin and a methacrylic resin, located at the surface of the substrate; and a surface layer formed of at least one of an acrylic resin and a methacrylic resin, located on the surface of the substrate. |
| US09031489B2 |
Print control apparatus, print control system, and print control method capable of obtaining a desired surface effect regardless of sheet type
A print control apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store therein a plurality of surface-effect selection tables for respective pieces of recording medium information on a recording medium. Different types of same surface effects are registered in each of the surface-effect selection tables. The print control apparatus also includes a determining unit configured to determine a surface-effect selection table corresponding to a piece of recording medium information from the storage unit; an image data generating unit configured to generate image data based on the determined surface-effect selection table and based on gloss-control plane data in which a type of a surface effect to be applied to the recording medium and an area of the recording medium to which the surface effect is to be applied are specified; and an output unit configured to output the image data. |
| US09031488B2 |
Fixing member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A fixing member includes a base member having a substantially cylindrical surface; an elastic layer provided around the substantially cylindrical surface and having, at each axial end thereof, a sloping surface that slopes such that an outside diameter of the elastic layer is gradually reduced toward an outer side in an axial direction; and a surface layer joined to an outer circumferential surface of the elastic layer and a portion of the sloping surface and having a higher modulus of elasticity than the elastic layer, each axial end of the surface layer being free of restraint by the base member. |
| US09031487B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including this fixing device
A fixing device includes a heating member pressed by a pressing member to form a nip part, an excitation coil generating a magnetic flux induction-heating the heating member, a magnetic core and a magnetism shielding member. The magnetic core is located opposite to the heating member across the excitation coil and provides a magnetic path passing through the excitation coil and heating member. The magnetism shielding member partially shields the magnetic path and includes a rotatable belt member allowing the magnetic flux to pass through, and a magnetism shielding layer arranged on a surface of the belt member. In the magnetism shielding layer, gap parts extending in a width direction of the belt member are arranged along a circumference direction of the belt member. When the magnetism shielding member is located to shield the magnetic path, inner wall faces of the gap part are brought into contact with each other. |
| US09031484B2 |
Fuser, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
Certain embodiments provide a fuser including a cylindrical fixing belt, a heating unit configured to heat the fixing belt, a pressurized section, a first nip forming section, a second nip forming section, and a moving mechanism. The pressurized section is arranged in contact with the fixing belt. The first nip forming section is fixed in a position where the first nip forming section presses the fixing belt against the pressurized section. The second nip forming section is configured to be movable between a position where the second nip forming section can press the fixing belt against the pressurized section and a position where the second nip forming section is separated from the fixing belt. The moving mechanism moves the second nip forming section. |
| US09031478B2 |
Developing roller including a roughened outermost surface, and developing device and image forming apparatus including the same
A developing roller includes a core metal and an elastic layer formed on an outer circumference of the core metal. An outermost surface of the developing roller is roughened. A difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of an indentation power of the outermost surface is 10% to 21%, wherein the indentation power is measured by a micro-indentation test at 120 locations spaced 3 degrees apart on a circumference of the developing roller, which is at a center of the developing roller with respect to a longitudinal direction. A developing device and an image forming apparatus each include the developing roller. |
| US09031472B2 |
Developing device with a developer conveying member having paddles connecting spiral blades at one circumferential position and image forming apparatus with such a developing device
A developing device includes a housing containing a developer, a developer carrier, a developer conveying path, a developer conveying member, and a plurality of paddle members. The developer conveying path includes a first conveying path and a second conveying path. The developer conveying member is disposed in the second conveying path and includes a rotating shaft and spiral blades formed around the rotating shaft. The developer conveying member is rotationally driven to convey the developer in the second direction and feeds the developer to the developer carrier. The plurality of paddle members project in a radial direction from the rotating shaft of the developer conveying member at one circumferential position on the rotating shaft. The plurality of paddle members is contiguously arranged in the axial direction of the rotating shaft to connect the spiral blades adjacent to each other in the axial direction. |
| US09031471B2 |
Development device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A development device having a development portion with a developer spout, to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier with developer including toner and carrier particles. The development unit also includes a circulation unit to convey developer collected from the development portion to the developer spout, a developer container, provided in the circulation unit, to contain the developer at a position upstream from the development portion in a developer circular direction, the developer container having a cylindrical upper portion and a funnel-shaped lower portion continuous with the cylindrical upper portion through a joint so that a level of the developer contained in the developer container at rest is positioned near the joint between the cylindrical upper portion and the funnel-shaped lower portion. An agitator is provided inside the developer container, to agitate and mix the collected developer and fresh toner supplied to the developer container. |
| US09031466B2 |
Image forming apparatus having position adjustable drive unit
An image forming apparatus includes a body, an image carrier provided in the body and configured to form an image thereon, a first gear to transmit a rotation driving force to the image carrier, a first rotary shaft to which the image carrier and the first gear are attached, a second gear to mesh with the first gear and transmit the rotation driving force to the first gear, a second rotary shaft to which the second gear is attached, a drive source configured to drive to rotate the image carrier via the first gear and the second gear, a first holder to hold the first rotary shaft of the first gear, and a second holder to hold the second rotary shaft of the second gear, and a relative position between the first holder and the second holder therein is adjustable. |
| US09031465B2 |
Transmission device for photosensitive drum
A transmission device for a photosensitive drum includes a sleeve, a transmission unit disposed in the sleeve and capable of moving and rotating at the same time, an elastic member, and a shell receiving the sleeve and the elastic member so that a relatively larger radius section and a relatively smaller radius section of the elastic member exert elastic force on the sleeve and the transmission unit, respectively. The transmission unit has two engagement blocks and a receiving space between them. Each engagement block has an inclined outer surface, an inner surface, an inclined top surface and an engagement concave connecting the inner and outer surfaces. The engagement concaves are opened toward opposite directions for engagement with two pillars of a drive member of an electronic image forming apparatus respectively. As a result, the transmission device can be connected with and separated from the drive member smoothly. |
| US09031462B2 |
Image forming apparatus with opening and closing door
An apparatus includes a device that includes a driving source, an opening and closing door that is opened and closed by rotational operation about a rotating shaft with respect to a body of the apparatus, and an elastic part that is provided at the body of the apparatus, that is elastically deformed by contact with a first portion of a part of the opening and closing door on the side of the rotating shaft and blocks a gap between the first portion and the body of the apparatus when the opening and closing door is closed, and that is elastically deformed by contact with a second portion of the opening and closing door that is different from the first portion when the opening and closing door is opened. |
| US09031460B2 |
Image forming apparatus having drum supporting member and belt
In an image forming apparatus, a drum supporting member integrally supports a plurality of photosensitive drums. A moving member detachably supports the drum support member. The moving member moves between a mounted position, in which the moving member is mounted in a main body of the image forming apparatus, and a pulled-out position, in which the moving member is pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A belt is disposed above the moving member and is capable of contacting with the plurality of photosensitive drums when the moving member is disposed in the mounted position. The drum supporting member is detached upward from the moving member when the moving member is in the pulled-out position. The drum supporting member rotatably supports each of the photosensitive drums. |
| US09031455B2 |
Image forming apparatus having pivotable casing
An image forming apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing, an arm, a guide unit, a support part, and an urging member. The second casing is supported on the first casing and configured to pivot relative to the first casing. The arm has a first end portion rotatably coupled to one of the first casing and the second casing and a second end portion slidably coupled to the other of the first casing and the second casing. The guide unit is provided at the other of the first casing and the second casing and configured to slidably guide a shaft. The guide unit includes a first guide and a second guide. The support part supports the first guide such that the first guide is movable toward and away from the second guide. The urging member is configured to urge the first guide toward the second guide. |
| US09031448B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a partition that forms part of a cooling air path when a cover is closed but permits access to an image forming unit when the cover is open
An image forming apparatus has a casing, an opening/closing cover, an exposure device, an image forming unit, an airflow generator, a cooling air path, and a partition member. The partition member is disposed between the exposure device and the image forming unit, and is configured to change a state thereof between a first state and a second state. The first state is such that the partition member constitutes part of the cooling air path when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state. The second state is such that the image forming unit is allowed to be dismounted from an inner space of the casing, while passing between the exposure device and the image forming unit when the opening/closing cover is in an opened state. |
| US09031447B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes a heater for heating an image surface of a recording medium, a plurality of electrodes arrayed at an end of the heater, and a connector including energizing terminals and attached to the end of the heater to energize the electrodes. The connector also includes an engage portion which is engaged with a support member to lock the connector. The connector is configured such that an engage position of the engage portion is located between the energizing terminals located at both ends. |
| US09031444B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with fixing unit for fixing images formed on paper and method of controlling heaters of the apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of heaters 56 for heating the fixing roller 52, a plurality of temperature sensors 57 for detecting the temperatures of the areas to be heated by the plurality of heaters 56 respectively, and a control unit 11 for turning on and off the plurality of heaters 56 on the basis of the temperatures detected by the plurality of temperature sensors 57. If one of the heaters 56 is on when the area to be heated by the other heater cools down to the ON temperature, the control unit 11 turns on the other heater with the same timing as the one heater is turned off. |
| US09031443B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station for forming an unfixed image on a recording material; a fixing portion for heating and fixing an unfixed image formed on the recording material, the fixing portion including a fixing rotatable member, and a pressing roller cooperative with the fixing rotatable member to form a nip for nipping and feeding the recording material; an ambient condition sensor for detecting an ambient temperature and an ambient humidity; and a controller for controlling the fixing portion; wherein the controller sets such a warming-up time for warming up the fixing portion that a temperature of the pressing roller at the time when the recording material enters the nip is a temperature calculated on the basis of the ambient temperature and the ambient humidity. |
| US09031441B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of stably detecting temperature of fixing device regardless of orientation of the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus orientatable in either a first position or a second position, the second position being different from the first position in inclination with respect to a horizontal plane, including a fixing unit including a fixing roller and a pressurizing roller, pressing the pressurizing roller against a surface of the fixing roller to form a fixing nip, and thermally fixing a toner image on a recording sheet passing through the fixing nip; at least one temperature sensor detecting surface temperature of the fixing roller without contact with the surface; a heater heating the fixing roller; and a controller controlling the heater according to the surface temperature, thereby controlling the surface temperature, wherein a heat sensitive portion of the temperature sensor is located above a horizontal plane passing through a rotational axis of the fixing roller regardless of the orientation of the image forming apparatus. |
| US09031440B2 |
Heating apparatus and image forming apparatus
The heating apparatus includes a heat generating member which generates heat when power is supplied from an AC power supply, a temperature detection device which detects temperature of the heat generating member, a current detection device which detects a value of current flowing in the heat generating member; and a control unit which controls the temperature of the heat generating member by controlling power supplied to the heat generating member, in which the control unit detects a drop of an input voltage of the AC power supply based on a maximum suppliable power ratio determined by using a value of current suppliable to the heat generating member, the current value detected by the current detection device, and a ratio of power supplied to the heat generating member obtained based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection device. |
| US09031439B2 |
Fixing device and image forming device
According to an embodiment, provided is a fixing device that includes: a rotatable fixing member that heats a recording medium on a side carrying an unfixed image; a rotatable pressing member that is pressed and is contacted with the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member; a heat source heating the fixing member; a relay switch provided in an energizing path for the heat source; a temperature detection sensor detecting a temperature of the fixing member; and a control unit that controls energization of the heat source according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor. The control unit keeps the relay switch in an off state if the temperature of the fixing member is equal to or more than a predetermined temperature when the fixing member has stopped rotation. |
| US09031436B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, includes an image bearer to bear a toner image; a transfer member to transfer the toner image; a transfer bias applicator to apply a transfer bias to the transfer member, the transfer bias applicator including a direct current voltage source to apply a direct current transfer bias constituted by a direct current voltage to the transfer member; and a superimposed voltage source to apply a superimposed transfer bias in which an alternating current voltage is superimposed on a direct current voltage to the transfer member; and a controller to switch between a direct current transfer mode during which the direct current transfer bias is applied to transfer the toner image and a superimposed transfer mode during which the superimposed transfer bias is applied to transfer the toner image while the direct current voltage source and the superimposed voltage source are off. |
| US09031429B2 |
Gloss processing apparatus
A sheet of paper is set on a paper-supplying portion of a top surface gloss processing apparatus while its top surface is faced upward. A gloss level sensor measures gloss level of the top surface of the sheet of paper. Data of this measurement is compared with a previously set threshold value. Based on this comparison, it is determined whether or not the gloss processing has been performed on the top surface thereof. When determining that the gloss processing has been already performed, a warning message such that the gloss processing has been already performed on the top surface of the sheet, of paper is displayed on a screen. On the other hand, when determining that the gloss processing has not performed, the top surface gloss processing apparatus performs the gloss processing on the top surface thereof. |
| US09031428B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of determining a toner adhesion quantity
An image forming apparatus includes a image forming unit; an image bearing member having a surface to bear a toner image and a test pattern; the surface having a first time-surface positioned identical to the test pattern, an integer multiple of revolutions upstream or downstream from the test pattern in a surface movement direction, and a second time-surface positioned different from the test pattern, shorter than one revolution upstream or downstream from the test pattern; a reflection light detector to detect the amount of light reflected from the test pattern and the first and second time-surfaces of the image bearing member; and a controller to control the image forming unit based on the detection result and determine whether to execute a first-surface control to detect at least the first time-surface or a second-surface control to detect only the second time-surface based on use condition of the image forming apparatus. |
| US09031424B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring a particulate material
A system for measuring a particulate material according to one example embodiment includes a container having a reservoir for storing the particulate material. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. At least one sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle as the shaft rotates. A processor in electronic communication with the at least one sensor is configured to determine an amount of the particulate material remaining in the reservoir based on the sensed rotational motion of the paddle. |
| US09031422B2 |
Conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A conveying apparatus or an image forming apparatus includes: a housing including an opening and closing member that can be opened and closed; a conveying path that conveys an object to be conveyed, at least a part of the conveying path being provided adjacent to an inner side of the opening and closing member; a first detector that detects whether the object is present in a predetermined region and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a result of the detection; and an interlocking mechanism that causes, when the opening and closing member is opened, the first detector to change at least one of a position and a structure of the first detector in mechanically association with movement of opening of the opening and closing member, and to output a detection signal which is the same as a detection signal output when the object is present in the predetermined region. |
| US09031418B2 |
Communication system, measuring apparatus, transmitting apparatus, and measurement method
A communication system including: a transmission apparatus configured to modulate a first light by using a first signal to be transferred and a second signal having a frequency different from a frequency of the first signal so as to generate a first optical signal, modulate a second light by using a third signal to be transferred and a fourth signal having a frequency different from a frequency of the third signal so as to generate a second optical signal, polarization-multiplex the first optical signal and the second optical signal, and transmit a polarization-multiplexed optical signal in which the first optical signal and the second optical signal are polarization-multiplexed, each of the first light and the second light being polarized; and a measuring apparatus configured to measure powers of the second signal and the fourth signal which are included in the polarization-multiplexed optical signal transmitted from the transmission apparatus. |
| US09031414B1 |
Two-color missile-signature simulation using mid-infrared test source semiconductor lasers
In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time. |
| US09031412B2 |
Coolerless photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for WDM transmission networks and PICs operable with a floating signal channel grid changing with temperature but with fixed channel spacing in the floating grid
A coolerless photonic integrated circuit (PIC), such as a semiconductor electro-absorption modulator/laser (EML) or a coolerless optical transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC), may be operated over a wide temperature range at temperatures higher then room temperature without the need for ambient cooling or hermetic packaging. Since there is large scale integration of N optical transmission signal WDM channels on a TxPIC chip, a new DWDM system approach with novel sensing schemes and adaptive algorithms provides intelligent control of the PIC to optimize its performance and to allow optical transmitter and receiver modules in DWDM systems to operate uncooled. Moreover, the wavelength grid of the on-chip channel laser sources may thermally float within a WDM wavelength band where the individual emission wavelengths of the laser sources are not fixed to wavelength peaks along a standardized wavelength grid but rather may move about with changes in ambient temperature. However, control is maintained such that the channel spectral spacing between channels across multiple signal channels, whether such spacing is periodic or aperiodic, between adjacent laser sources in the thermally floating wavelength grid are maintained in a fixed relationship. Means are then provided at an optical receiver to discover and lock onto floating wavelength grid of transmitted WDM signals and thereafter demultiplex the transmitted WDM signals for OE conversion. |
| US09031410B2 |
Customer premises optical network unit and optical transmission system
An optical network unit according to the present invention is provided as comprising a configuration that component units built therein are grouped for at least two sheets of substrate modules and arranged thereat. There are provided individual embodiments: (a) arranging an L2 layer and a part of the component unit of an L1 layer at a first substrate module, meanwhile, arranging the left part of the component unit of the L1 layer at a second substrate module; (b) arranging the component units of the L1 layer and of the L2 layer at the first substrate module and the second substrate module individually by grouping therefor; and (c) arranging the component units of the L2 layer and of the L1 layer at the first substrate module and the second substrate module respectively. |
| US09031408B2 |
Method for fast wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) passive optical network (PON) initialization in heterogeneous networks
A method provides advertisements to optical network units (ONUs) by an optical line terminal (OLT), wherein the advertisements enable the ONUs to identify free channels from a plurality of wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) channels in a passive optical network (PON). The method includes: transmitting from the OLT to the ONUs an advertisement identifying a free channel for each of a plurality of incompatible channel (ICH) groups, receiving a request from an ONU for the advertised free channel of an ICH group, authenticating the requesting ONU via the advertised free channel, allocating the advertised free channel to the requesting ONU upon successful authentication of the requesting ONU, and transmitting an updated advertisement from the OLT to the ONUs. |
| US09031398B2 |
Wireless camera apparatus and wireless camera device
A wireless camera apparatus includes a power supply track and a wireless camera device detachably installed on the power supply track. The wireless camera device has a camera module and a linking module fixed on the camera module. The linking module has a connecting unit and a conductive unit electrically connected to the camera module. When the wireless camera device is installed on the power supply track, the connecting unit is coupled to the power supply track, and the conductive unit is electrically connected to the power supply track. Thus, the instant disclosure provides the wireless camera apparatus, which is adjustable to any position of the power supply track according to the user's demand. Besides, the instant disclosure further provides a wireless camera device. |
| US09031395B2 |
Moving member control apparatus and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
The present invention relates to a moving member control apparatus that makes sure unerring control of a moving member having an ill-balanced structure and an imaging apparatus that incorporates that control apparatus. |
| US09031393B2 |
Methods for enhancing camera focusing performance using camera orientation
An electronic system for enhancing camera focusing on a portable electronic device is disclosed. The system comprises a body, a bus, and a camera module coupled to the bus and comprising a photosensitive substrate and a lens assembly wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens capable of being selectively moved to a distance from the photosensitive substrate for light focus thereon. Further, it comprises an accelerometer coupled to the bus and configured to generate orientation information, said orientation information indicating contemporaneous orientation of the body with respect to a predetermined reference. It also comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the bus. The memory comprises instructions that when executed implement an autofocus program configured to automatically determine the distance based on: 1) image data captured by said camera module; and 2) the orientation information generated by the accelerometer. |
| US09031389B2 |
Image editing apparatus, image editing method and program
Method and information processing apparatus for generating an edited work including a subset of a plurality of scenes in an image material. The information processing apparatus includes a memory configured to store the image material including the plurality of scenes. The information processing apparatus further includes a processor configured to select, for an n-th scene of the edited work, a plurality of first candidate scenes from the plurality of scenes based on at least one feature of a preceding (n−1-th) scene of the edited work and features of the plurality of scenes. The processor is also configured to generate a graphical user interface including a scene selection area and a preview area. The scene selection area includes one or more first candidate images corresponding to at least one of the plurality of first candidate scenes, and the preview area includes a preview of the preceding (n−1-th) scene. |
| US09031383B2 |
Motion picture project management system
Motion picture project management system for reviewers, coordinators and artists. Artists utilize image analysis and image enhancement and computer graphics processing for example to convert two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images or otherwise create or alter motion pictures. Enables the efficient management of projects related to motion pictures to enable enterprises to manage assets, control costs, predict budgets and profit margins, reduce archival storage and otherwise provide displays tailored to specific roles to increase worker efficiency. |
| US09031382B1 |
Code execution in complex audiovisual experiences
In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a link to a video program; obtaining metadata that relates to the program and that defines, for a specified time point in the program, annotations to be invoked at the specified time point; wherein the annotations comprise: a graphic image; one or more filters, each of the filters comprising a key and one or more matching values; and optionally a reference to a video segment, an electronic document, program code statements, or a programmatic call; during playing the video, detecting that the video program is playing at the specified time point; in response to the detecting: for each particular annotation for the specified time point, retrieving a current value for the key, and causing to display the graphic image associated with that particular annotation only when the current value of the key matches one of the matching values of one of the filters. |
| US09031380B2 |
Information storage medium storing text-based subtitle, and apparatus and method for processing text-based subtitle
An information storage medium storing subtitle text-based information, and a method and apparatus utilizing same, process a subtitle The information storage medium includes: dialog information which contains script text information of the subtitle and information specifying an output type of the script text; and presentation information which contains style information used to convert the script text into a bitmap format through rendering. With this structure, the amount of data required for a subtitle and the amount of data that should be processed when a subtitle is output may be greatly reduced. |
| US09031377B2 |
Playback device, playback method, and computer program
When reproducing a binocular 3D video, noises with random parallax are reduced by appropriately controlling the intensity of noise reduction.A reproduction apparatus includes: a noise processing circuit for applying noise processing to a video signal of a video content based on a given control signal; and a control section for receiving an output format identification signal which identifies an output format of the video content, and generating the control signal in accordance with the output format identification signal, the control section generating a control signal which causes the noise processing performed in the noise processing circuit to vary depending on whether an output format of the video content is a two-dimensional video or a three-dimensional video. |
| US09031376B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing additional information of video using visible light communication
A method and apparatus for providing additional information included in a video displayed on a display device using visible light communication (VLC). A data packet including video data and additional information for an object included in the video data is received. The video data is extracted from the data packet, and the video data is decoded. The additional information from the data packet is extracted, and the additional information decoded. The decoded video data is output through the display device, and at the same time, the additional information is transmitted for a particular object included in a video based on a VLC protocol using a light emitting device prepared in the display device. The additional information providing apparatus includes an image sensor module, a display module, a visible light receiving module, an additional information manager and a controller. |
| US09031375B2 |
Video frame still image sequences
An electronic device may determine to present a video frame still image sequence version of a video instead of the video. The electronic device may derive a plurality of still images from the video. The electronic device may generate the video frame still image sequence by associating the plurality of still images. The electronic device may present the video frame still image sequence. The video frame still image sequence may be displayed according to timing information to resemble play of the video. In some cases, audio may also be derived from the video. In such cases, display of the video frame still image sequence may be performed along with play of the audio. |
| US09031366B2 |
Stabilized pump laser output system and method
A system includes a light source that generates a coherent output signal. A light stabilizer comprising an optical fiber can be configured to pass one axis of propagation of the coherent output signal from the light source to a Bragg grating to generate a stabilized pump output signal for the system. |
| US09031364B1 |
Fiber optic connector
The present invention provides a fiber optic jack for routing optical signals. In another aspect, the present invention provides a fiber optic connector with accurate alignment that may be used with, among other things, the fiber optic jack. |
| US09031362B2 |
Controlled inter-mode cross-talk in optical waveguides
Techniques and devices are disclosed to provide controlled inter-mode cross-talk in multimode optical waveguides. The structure of a bent multimode optical waveguide can be designed or configured in a way that either substantially minimizes inter-mode cross talk or achieves a desired inter-mode cross-talk. Specific examples based on the disclosed waveguide designs are provided for semiconductor integrated waveguide devices. |
| US09031361B2 |
Optical module
An optical module has a circuit board, a photoelectric conversion element mounted on a mount surface of the circuit board, an optical coupling member for holding an optical fiber and optically coupling the optical fiber and the photoelectric conversion element, a semiconductor circuit element mounted on the mount surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a plate-shaped supporting substrate arranged to sandwich the optical coupling member between the supporting substrate and the circuit board. An electrically conductive metal foil which extends in a thickness direction of the supporting substrate is provided integrally with a side surface of the supporting substrate, and the metal foil is connected at one end thereof to an electrode provided on a non-mount surface of the circuit board. |
| US09031360B2 |
Flexible optical circuit
A process of manufacturing an optical flexible circuit comprising: (a) disposing an adhesive layer on at least a portion of a carrier film, said adhesive layer having a downward adhesive face and an upward adhesive face, said downward adhesive face and said carrier film being configured such that said carrier film is removable from said downward adhesive face without disruption of said downward adhesive face; (b) routing one or more fibers on said upward adhesive layer; (c) coating said fibers to define an optical circuit; and (d) optionally parting said carrier film to separate said optical circuit from other optical circuits on said carrier film. |
| US09031358B2 |
Video retargeting using seam carving
Aspects of the present disclosure provide improved image resizing techniques including seam craving and seam lining that consider image content in addition to geometric constraints. In one aspect of the disclosure, the energy for each of the pixels of an image is determined in accordance with an energy function. A line energy is determined for each straight line of the image, and the line energy corresponds to a sum of the energy of the pixels in each straight line. A plurality of starting points are identified for a plurality of seams corresponding to the straight lines having the lowest line energy. Further, the paths for each of the seams are determined. The image may be resized by removing the seams from the image. |
| US09031356B2 |
Applying perceptually correct 3D film noise
Perceptually correct noises simulating a variety of noise patterns or textures may be applied to stereo image pairs each of which comprises a left eye (LE) image and a right eye (RE) image that represent a 3D image. LE and RE images may or may not be noise removed. Depth information of pixels in the LE and RE images may be computed from, or received with, the LE and RE images. Desired noise patterns are modulated onto the 3D image or scene so that the desired noise patterns are perceived to be part of 3D objects or image details, taking into account where the 3D objects or image details are on a z-axis perpendicular to an image rendering screen on which the LE and RE images are rendered. |
| US09031353B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing spatial noise of images
A method for reducing spatial noise of images includes the following steps. A target pixel is obtained and an operating block is built accordingly. Pixel values of the target pixel and multiple neighboring pixels in the operating block are operated to obtain a variance corresponding to the operating block. Whether the target pixel is characteristic is judged according to the variance. If the target pixel is not characteristic, the multiple pixels in the operating block are filtered to obtain a modulated pixel value. The pixel value of the target pixel is updated to the modulated pixel value. |
| US09031346B2 |
Method for converting input image data into output image data, image conversion unit for converting input image data into output image data, image processing apparatus, display device
In a method and device for improving image rendition by contrast and/or sharpness enhancement the sharpness enhancement is made dependent on the local average luminance value. A mix is made of spatially enhanced image signals is used, wherein for various signal differing spatial frequencies are boosted. The mixing factors for mixing of the boosted signals are dependent on a local average luminance value such that the distribution over frequency bands shifts to higher frequencies and sharper enhancement as the luminance value increases. |
| US09031345B2 |
Optical flow accounting for image haze
In embodiments of optical flow accounting for image haze, digital images may include objects that are at least partially obscured by a haze that is visible in the digital images, and an estimate of light that is contributed by the haze in the digital images can be determined. The haze can be cleared from the digital images based on the estimate of the light that is contributed by the haze, and clearer digital images can be generated. An optical flow between the clearer digital images can then be computed, and the clearer digital images refined based on the optical flow to further clear the haze from the images in an iterative process to improve visibility of the objects in the digital images. |
| US09031343B2 |
Systems and methods for encoding light field image files having a depth map
Systems and methods configured to store images synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the images in electronic files and render images using the stored image and the metadata in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor and memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of low resolution images of a scene captured from different viewpoints. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to: synthesize a higher resolution image of the scene from a reference viewpoint using the low resolution images, where synthesizing the higher resolution image involves creating a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the higher resolution image; encode the higher resolution image; and create a light field image file including the encoded image and metadata including the depth map. |
| US09031340B2 |
Providing a feature hidden image and detecting and recovering a tampered digital image
Described embodiments provide an apparatus for providing a digital image by embedding recovery feature. The apparatus may include an input unit, an extraction unit, an embedding unit, and an output unit. The input unit may be configured to receive a digital image. The extraction unit may be configured to extract recovery feature from the received digital image using quad-tree decomposition. The recovery feature may be binary data that represents unique characteristics of the received digital image. The embedding unit may be configured to embed the extracted recovery feature into the received digital image. The output unit may be configured to output the digital image embedded with the recovery feature as a feature hidden image. |
| US09031331B2 |
Metric learning for nearest class mean classifiers
A classification system and method enable improvements to classification with nearest class mean classifiers by computing a comparison measure between a multidimensional representation of a new sample and a respective multidimensional class representation embedded into a space of lower dimensionality than that of the multidimensional representations. The embedding is performed with a projection that has been learned on labeled samples to optimize classification with respect to multidimensional class representations for classes which may be the same or different from those used subsequently for classification. Each multidimensional class representation is computed as a function of a set of multidimensional representations of labeled samples, each labeled with the respective class. A class is assigned to the new sample based on the computed comparison measures. |
| US09031330B2 |
Pictogram and ISO symbol decoder service
This invention provides an instantaneous method for a user or traveler to obtain a meaning of a symbol that is unfamiliar to said user. The symbol is captured in a format that is easily transmitted to a remote database server. Together with the symbol, the GPS coordinates of the location of the symbol must be sent to the server. The server performs an image matching search, and then uses the location information (GPS) to resolve multiple matches and to determine the meaning of the symbol and instantaneously transmits in the language of their choice the meaning to the user requesting the search. |
| US09031328B2 |
Landmark triggered image augmentation
System, method, and computer program product to provide an augmented image, by receiving an image, analyzing the image to identify at least two augmentation triggers comprising: (i) a predefined object in the image, and (ii) a predefined landmark in the image, and generating an augmented image based on the analysis of the image, comprising affecting the predefined object with a retrieved augmentation image and adding a fictional character to the augmented image. |
| US09031323B2 |
Multimedia copy source detection
The Embodiments provides a method for detecting leakage stage associated with a multimedia. The method includes storing histograms associated with various stages of the multimedia. Further, the method includes receiving candidate histograms associated with various stages of a candidate multimedia, matching the stored histograms with the candidate histograms, and detecting a leakage stage associated with the multimedia in response to a match. |
| US09031322B2 |
Noise estimation apparatus and method thereof
A noise estimation apparatus for calculating a noise estimation value of a frame of an image is provided. The noise estimation apparatus includes a distribution calculation unit, a variance calculation unit, a distribution curve generation module and a noise estimation unit. The distribution calculation unit generates a pixel distribution according to multiple pixel data of an ith block of the frame and multiple previous pixel data of the ith block of a previous frame. The variance calculation unit combines the pixel data and the previous pixel data to generate a variance value. The curve distribution generation module generates a curve distribution according to the variance value, and compares the pixel distribution with the curve distribution to generate a weighting value. The noise estimation unit outputs the noise estimation value according to the weighting value and the variance value corresponding to each of the blocks of the frame. |
| US09031318B2 |
Guidance device, guidance method, and guidance program
A mark object that serves as a marker for a guidance point on a set route is specified, and coloration information related to a coloration of the mark object is acquired. Based on the coloration information, a correction information creating object before the mark object on the route having a coloration similar to the coloration of the mark object is specified. An image of the correction information creating object while a vehicle travels the route is acquired as a correcting image, and color correction information is calculated based on acquired color information and existing color information. A recognition template is then corrected based on the calculated color correction information to create a correction template. Thus, because the recognition template used for recognizing the mark object is corrected to a color more closely resembling the actual appearance of the mark object, the recognition accuracy of the mark object can be improved. |
| US09031311B2 |
Identification of aircraft surface positions using camera images
A method and apparatus for identifying a position of a surface on an aircraft. Image data for an image of the surface on the aircraft is received. The image data is processed to determine whether the position of the surface on the aircraft is a desired position. A surface position identification report comprising information identifying whether the position of the surface on the aircraft is the desired position is generated. |
| US09031310B2 |
Conductive film manufacturing method, conductive film, and recording medium
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a conductive film in which a mesh pattern comprising a wire material is provided on a base material. Also disclosed are a conductive film and a recording medium. Image data representing a mesh pattern is created on the basis of a plurality of selected positions. On the basis of said image data, an evaluation value which quantifies noise characteristics of the mesh pattern is computed. On the basis of the computed evaluation value and prescribed evaluation conditions, one image datum is chosen as an output image datum. |
| US09031305B2 |
Image classification apparatus with first and second feature extraction units and recording medium having program recorded therein
An image-classification apparatus includes: a first feature extraction unit to acquire a feature value of each of block images obtained by segmenting an input image; an area-segmentation unit to assign each of the block images to any one of K areas based on the feature value; a second feature extraction unit to acquire, based on an area-segmentation result, a feature vector whose elements including, the number of adjacent spots, each including two block images adjacent to each other in the input image, for each combination of the areas whereto the two block images are assigned; or a ratio of the number of block images assigned to each of the K areas to all the number of block images adjacent to a block image assigned to each of the K areas; and a classification unit to classify to which of a plurality of categories the input image belongs. |
| US09031302B2 |
Image processing apparatus configured to change a parameter determined based on user input so that an amplitude response of a processed image with respect to an original image is to be zero or more and related image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a processing unit configured to generate a processed image by processing a plurality of band limit signals based on a parameter for adjusting the band limit signal, and a control unit configured to control the parameter so that an amplitude response of the processed image with respect to an original image is to be a predetermined value or more. |
| US09031299B2 |
Low dose CT denoising
A system includes a source that rotates about an examination region and emits radiation that traverses the examination region, a radiation sensitive detector array that detects radiation traversing the examination region and generates projection data indicative of the detected radiation, and a projection data de-noiser that de-noises the projection data, wherein the de-noiser de-noises a projection based on a number of detected photons for the projection. |
| US09031297B2 |
Alternative noise map estimation methods for CT images
Noise map for CT images have been estimated by generalizing the prior art even-and-odd views approach. One example is to estimate a noise map from images reconstructed from three sets of independent views. A second example is to estimate a noise map from images reconstructed by using two sets of correlated views. A third example is to estimate a noise map from noise map from two images reconstructed from two sets of independent views while the number of views in each set is unequal. Physical phantom data were employed to validate our proposed noise map estimation methods. In comparison to the existing method, our alternative methods yield reasonably accurate noise map estimation. |
| US09031295B2 |
Angiographic method for examining a vascular system
An angiographic method is provided. The method includes: identification of a relevant part in acquired angiography 4D sequences which exhibit a vascular disorder or change; determination of a centerline for the part; ascertainment of lines parallel and surrounding the centerline; specification of perpendicular cross-sections; determination of voxels; ascertainment of bolus curves as a function of time for each voxel; which intersects one of the cross-sections; determination of a time for each voxel; measurement of the true Euclidean distance between voxels at the positions along the centerline and the parallel lines; division of the measured distance by the time difference; determination of second speed components, running transversely, proportional to the relative change in mass for each voxel; and calculation of the blood flow in the relevant part of the vascular system on the basis of the speed components. |
| US09031294B2 |
Region segmented image data creating system and feature extracting system for histopathological images
A region segmented image data creating system for histopathological images is provided. The region segmented image data creating system is capable of creating region segmented image data required to generating a region segmented image. A first bi-level image data creating section 12 creates first bi-level image data, in which nucleus regions can be discriminated from other regions, from histopathological image data. A second bi-level image data creating section 14 creates second bi-level image data, in which a background regions can be discriminated from other regions, from the histopathological image data. A three-level image data creating section 15 clarifies cytoplasm regions by computing a negative logical addition of the first bi-level image data and the second bi-level image data, and to create three-level image data as the region segmented image data. |
| US09031290B2 |
Object information derived from object images
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image. |
| US09031288B2 |
Unique cardiovascular measurements for human identification
A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for generating a cardiovascular measurement for individual identification. The method includes acquiring at least one depiction of cardiac anatomy from an individual, extracting at least one quantified representation of cardiac anatomy from the at least one depiction, defining at least one comparison technique between the at least one quantified representation of cardiac anatomy and at least one additional quantified representation of cardiac anatomy, and identifying the individual based on the at least one defined comparison technique. |
| US09031287B2 |
System and method for estimating ages of forests from remotely sensed images
A programmed computer system estimates the age of trees from a number of remotely sensed images of an area of interest. Vegetation Index (V.I.) values are determined for pixel locations in the number of images. The V.I. values are analyzed to find a V.I. value that correlates with a known age of a tree. Once the date of the image that produced the V.I. value is known, the current age of the trees that correspond to the pixel location is determined. |
| US09031286B2 |
Object detection device and object detection method
Disclosed is an object detection method capable of detecting with high precision information relating to a jointed object from image data. An object detection device (160) detects information relating to an object from image data of images captured of an object having multiple parts connected by joints. The disclosed object detection device (160) is provided with a joint angle extraction unit (161) which extracts the angle of a joint connecting two parts from candidates of the positions of two neighboring parts obtained from the image data, and a part length ratio estimation unit (165) which uses the joint angle to perform the detection described above. |
| US09031283B2 |
Sensor-aided wide-area localization on mobile devices
A mobile device uses vision and orientation sensor data jointly for six degree of freedom localization, e.g., in wide-area environments. An image or video stream is captured while receiving geographic orientation data and may be used to generate a panoramic cylindrical map of an environment. A bin of model features stored in a database is accessed based on the geographic orientation data. The model features are from a pre-generated reconstruction of the environment produced from extracted features from a plurality of images of the environment. The reconstruction is registered to a global orientation and the model features are stored in bins based on similar geographic orientations. Features from the panoramic cylindrical map are matched to model features in the bin to produce a set of corresponding features, which are used to determine a position and an orientation of the camera. |
| US09031281B2 |
Identifying an area of interest in imagery
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for identifying an area of interest comprising a desired object in imagery (e.g., so an image comprising the desired object may be altered in some manner). A determination can be made as to whether a capture event occurs within a proximity mask, where an object is not likely to be out of range if an image of the object is captured from within the proximity mask. For an image captured within the proximity mask, a determination can be made as to whether capture event imagery metadata for the image overlaps a footprint mask for the desired object. If so, the image may be regarded as comprising a discernible view of at least some of the desired object and is thus identified as an area of interest (e.g., that may be modified to accommodate privacy concerns, for example). |
| US09031279B2 |
Multiple-object tracking and team identification for game strategy analysis
A method for automatically tracking multiple objects from a sequence of video images that may extract raw data about participating elements in a sporting, or other event, in a way that does not interfere with the actual participating elements in the event. The raw data may include the position and velocity of the players, the referees, and the puck, as well as the team affiliation of the players. These data may be collected in real time and may include accounting for players moving fast and unpredictably, colliding with and occluding each other, and getting in and out of the playing field. The video sequence, captured by a suitable sensor, may be processed by a suitably programmed general purpose computing device. |
| US09031275B2 |
Headset with a rotatable speaker housing
A headset (1) comprising an attachment device (2) for attaching the headset (1) to the head of a user and a speaker housing (3). The speaker housing 3 is connected slidable along and rotatable about a first axis (X) to the attachment device (2), such that it can be placed into a selected longitudinal and angular position within a longitudinal interval (LI) and an angular interval (AI). The longitudinal interval (LI) comprises a first zone (Z1) and a second zone (Z2), and the speaker housing (3) can rotate through a first angular interval (AI1), when in the first zone (Z1) and through a second angular interval (AI2), when in the second zone (Z2). The first angular interval (AI1) is larger than the second angular interval (AI2). |
| US09031274B2 |
Adhesive bone conduction hearing device
Provided are bone conducting hearing devices having a normal force that secures the device to a user. A removable adhesive anchor secures an external component of the bone conducting hearing device to the user and provides reliable connecting that is comfortable, such as by a substantially uniform force generation over the contact area between the device and the user. Because the adhesive anchor is removable, a user can readily and reliably remove the device or connect the device, as desired. Also provide are methods of connecting any of the bone conducting hearing devices provided herein to a user, including the mastoid process of the user. |
| US09031273B2 |
Wearable computing device with behind-ear bone-conduction speaker
Apparatuses that provide a bone-conduction speaker arranged to be located behind the ear are described herein. An exemplary apparatus may include: (a) a glasses-style support structure comprising a front section and at least one side section; (b) at least one bone-conduction speaker; and (c) a member having a proximate end and a distal end, wherein the proximate end is attached to the at least one side section, and wherein the at least one bone-conduction speaker is attached to the member at or near the distal end; wherein the member is arranged on the at least one side section such that when the glasses-style support structure is worn the member: (a) extends to the anterior of the at least one side section and (b) locates the bone-conduction speaker posterior to an ear. |
| US09031270B2 |
Method, a listening device and a listening system for maximizing a better ear effect
A method of processes audio signals picked up from a sound field by a microphone system of a listening device adapted for being worn at a particular one of the left or right ear of a user, the sound field comprising sound signals from one or more sound sources, the sound signals impinging on the user from one or more directions relative to the user. Information about a user's Ear, Head, and Torso Geometry and the user's hearing ability in combination with knowledge of the spectral profile and location of current sound sources provide the means for deciding upon which frequency bands that, at a given time, contribute most to the BEE seen by the listener or the Hearing Instrument. For a given sound source, a number of donor frequency bands is determined at a given time, where an SNR-measure for the selected signal is above a predefined threshold. |
| US09031263B1 |
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker includes a base, a sound-reflecting member located at a side of the base, a sound generator mounted to the sound-reflecting member, an adjusting member including a number of magnetic pieces and located at an opposite side of the base, a connecting member connected between the sound-reflecting member and the adjusting member, a supporting member, and a controlling apparatus. The supporting member includes a number of first electromagnets mounted to the magnetic pieces. The controlling apparatus is electrically coupled to the first electromagnets. The controlling apparatus controls the first electromagnets to attract the magnetic pieces, to allow the adjusting member to swing, and the adjusting member drives the connecting member to rotate, thereby swinging the sound-reflecting member. |
| US09031261B2 |
Broadcast advertisement volume control system and method therefor
A system for controlling a volume of a broadcast advertisement including an advertisement agency server, a broadcaster server, a monitoring apparatus, and an advertisement company server, which are connected through a wire or wireless communication network is provided. The advertisement agency server includes an advertisement material storage unit, an advertisement material conversion unit, an advertisement watermark generation unit, a format conversion unit, and a cost calculation unit. The advertisement material conversion unit includes an advertisement reference volume storage unit for storing reference volume information of a volume included in the advertisement material, a volume comparison unit for comparing to determine whether an advertisement reference volume is different from a broadcaster reference volume stored in the broadcaster reference volume storage unit, and an advertisement volume conversion unit for storing the advertisement material having a changed volume and converted advertisement information in the advertisement agency server. |
| US09031260B2 |
Electronic musical apparatus having a playback control circuit
A band division apparatus obtains an analog low-band signal, an analog intermediate-band signal and an analog high-band signal from a digital sound signal. In the band division apparatus, a digital filter separates the digital sound signal into a digital intermediate-band signal having the intermediate frequency band while the high frequency band and the low frequency band are attenuated, and a digital low-high-band signal having a frequency band combining the low frequency band and the high frequency band while the intermediate frequency band are attenuated. A DA converter converts the digital low-high-band signal into an analog low-high-band signal. Another DA converter converts the digital intermediate-band signal into the analog intermediate-band signal. An analog filter separates the analog low-high-band signal into the analog low-band signal and the analog high-band signal. |
| US09031256B2 |
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media for orientation-sensitive recording control
A method of orientation-sensitive recording control includes indicating, within a portable device and at a first time, that the portable device has a first orientation relative to a gravitational axis and, based on the indication, selecting a first pair among at least three microphone channels of the portable device. This method also includes indicating, within the portable device and at a second time that is different than the first time, that the portable device has a second orientation relative to the gravitational axis that is different than the first orientation and, based on the indication, selecting a second pair among the at least three microphone channels that is different than the first pair. In this method, each the at least three microphone channels is based on a signal produced by a corresponding one of at least three microphones of the portable device. |
| US09031253B2 |
Plug insertion detection
Techniques for detecting full insertion of a media plug into a corresponding jack. In an exemplary embodiment, first insertion detection circuitry for detecting the presence of a load is coupled to an innermost terminal of the jack. For North American type audio plugs, the first insertion detection circuitry detects the presence of a left headphone channel coupled to the innermost terminal of the jack. Coupling the insertion detection circuitry to the innermost terminal of the jack advantageously allows detection only when the plug is fully inserted into the jack. Additional detection circuitry may be provided and coupled to the other terminals of the jack. The disclosed techniques may readily be applied to other types of media plugs, e.g., European audio plugs, video plugs, etc. |
| US09031250B2 |
Signal processing device and signal processing method
There is provided a signal processing device s including a noise cancellation process clock generation unit configured to generate a noise cancellation process clock having a predetermined fixed frequency, a noise canceling unit configured to include a noise canceling filter operating based on the noise cancellation process clock and generating a noise canceling signal having a signal property of canceling an external noise component based on an input audio signal including the external noise component picked up by a microphone, and an addition unit superimposing the noise canceling signal generated by the filter on a digital audio signal, and a sampling rate conversion unit configured to rate-convert the input digital audio signal sampled at a clock in asynchrony with the noise cancellation process clock to a signal at a sampling frequency in synchrony with the noise cancellation process clock and to supply the rate-converted signal to the addition unit. |
| US09031248B2 |
Vehicle engine sound extraction and reproduction
An RPM signal representing a current RPM of a vehicle engine is received. An instant magnitude and an instant phase are determined for each of N harmonics of a target engine sound based on the RPM signal. The instant magnitude and the instant phase are each smoothed to generate a smoothed harmonic magnitude and a smoothed harmonic phase for each of the N harmonics. A magnitude perturbation signal and a phase perturbation signal are generated for each of the N harmonics. An individual harmonic signal is also generated for each of the N harmonics based, at least in part, on the smoothed harmonic magnitude, the magnitude perturbation signal, the smoothed harmonic phase, and the phase perturbation signal. The individual harmonic signals are summed to generate an engine harmonic enhancement signal, and the engine harmonic enhancement signal is transduced to acoustic energy. |
| US09031247B2 |
Hearing aid fitting systems and methods using sound segments representing relevant soundscape
Disclosed herein are systems and methods enabling hearing aid fitting by a non-expert consumer. The method in one embodiment involves delivering a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to natural sound segments to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing device in-situ, while allowing the consumer to adjust fitting parameters based perceptual assessment of hearing device output. The sound segments define a fitting soundscape within the normal human auditory range, with each sound segment corresponding to one or more fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the in-situ hearing device and adjust controls related to corresponding fitting parameters. In one embodiment, the fitting system comprises a personal computer and a handheld device providing calibrated test audio signals and programming interface. The systems and methods allow home dispensing of hearing devices without requiring specialized instruments. |
| US09031244B2 |
Smart audio settings
Embodiments described herein provide for smart configuration of audio settings for a playback device. According to an embodiment, when a user adjusts the audio settings of a playback device during the playback of a song or track, the user is warned if the currently playing song is “atypical” relative to other audio content. According to another embodiment, audio settings for a playback device are dynamically adjusted based on an audio profile of the audio that is played. According to yet another embodiment, audio settings are replicated onto other playback devices on a playback network. |
| US09031240B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating a key in an active state
A method for updating a key in an active state is disclosed according to the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes steps of: initiating a key update by a user equipment in the active state or a network side when a pre-defined condition is met; updating the key by the network side and the user equipment, and negotiating an activation time of the new keys. An apparatus for updating a key in an active state is also disclosed according to the present invention. With the present invention, the user equipment in an active state and the network side may actively initiate the key update procedure in different cases, thereby solving the problem concerning the key update for a session in an active state. |
| US09031239B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes an encrypting unit that encrypts a value to be kept secret with a predetermined cipher key. The information processing apparatus includes a converting unit that converts, when the value to be kept secret is an initial value written at the time of initialization of a storage device in which a value encrypted by the encrypting unit is stored, the value encrypted by the encrypting unit into a value which is reversibly convertible and is independent of the cipher key used by the encrypting unit. The information processing apparatus includes a storing unit that stores the value converted by the converting unit in the storage device. |
| US09031238B2 |
Data encryption and/or decryption by integrated circuit
In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include an integrated circuit to be removably communicatively coupled to at least one storage device. The integrated circuit of this embodiment may be capable of encrypting and/or and decrypting, based at least in part upon a first key, data to be, in at least in part, stored in and/or retrieved from, respectively, at least one region of the at least one storage device. The at least one region and a second key may be associated with at least one access privilege authorized, at least in part, by an administrator. The second key may be stored, at least in part, externally to the at least one storage device. The first key may be obtainable, at least in part, based, at least in part, upon at least one operation involving the second key. Of course, many alternatives, modifications, and variations are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US09031231B2 |
Device and user authentication
A method of authenticating a device and a user comprises obtaining a device ID for the device, performing a biometric measurement of the user, obtaining helper data for the user, and generating a key from the biometric measurement and helper data. There is then generated a message comprising the key or a component derived from the key, which transmitted to a remote service, and at the service there is carried out the step of authenticating the device and the user with the message. In a preferred embodiment, the generating of the key further comprises generating the key from the device ID. |
| US09031230B2 |
Encryption processing device, encryption processing method, and program
A reduction in the size of encryption processing configuration applying generalized Feistel structures is achieved. The encryption processing configuration applies a generalized Feistel structure for dividing and inputting data into multiple lines, and repeatedly executing data transformation processing applying a round function on the data transferred to each line, and during the execution cycle of a matrix operation by a matrix operation executing unit for executing linear transformation processing applying a matrix on the data in a first line, an operation is executed on the matrix operation processing data from the initial cycle and data in a second line. This configuration enables a register to be used for both the storage of the data for the second line and the storage of the results of the matrix operation on the first line of data in progress, a reduction in the total number of registers, and thus a reduction in size. |
| US09031226B2 |
Multi-stream-multipoint-jack audio streaming
A method and device for streaming the output of one or more audio sources to one or more smart headsets includes establishing a secure connection with a smart headset, associating an audio channel of the one or more audio sources with the smart headset, and streaming the associated audio channel to the smart headset. The audio streaming device may selectively stream one or more audio channels from one or more audio sources to one or more of the smart headsets as a function of a streaming policy. |
| US09031225B2 |
Application adapted access device and a method to adapt resynchronization
The invention discloses a method to control a resynchronization trigger in an access device (40). A management station (43) is connected to the access CPE (40) via a control channel (50). The CPE is able to receive a control signal including application information and to calculate the synchronization trigger where the application information is used. |
| US09031220B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for by-passing the public switched telephone network when interconnecting an enterprise network and a carrier network
A system, method and computer-readable medium by-passing the public switched telephone network when routing a call from a carrier network to an enterprise network are provided. A carrier gateway server is communicatively coupled with an enterprise gateway server. The enterprise gateway server is adapted to publish direct inward dial numbers assigned to enterprise extensions to the carrier gateway server. Once published, call setups originated in the carrier network may be routed directly to an enterprise network having a terminal assigned the dialed number of the call setup. Advantageously, the carrier network operator does not incur any inter-connect fee from any public switched network operator. |
| US09031219B2 |
Customer owned telephone numbers
According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for routing telephone calls from host switch to remote switch in a Voice Over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) network. In one embodiment, a system includes a host switch in a voice over internet protocol (“VoIP”) network communicably coupled with a plurality of remote switches and a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”), the host switch to receive a call from the PSTN having signaling including a location routing number (“LRN”) field, and a database communicably coupled to the host switch to identify a target remote switch of the plurality of remote switches that is associated with at least a portion of the LRN field. In addition, the host switch is to send the call to the target remote switch based on the identification by the database. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09031212B1 |
Determining a call abandonment rate using a speech analytics system
In one embodiment, systems and methods are disclosed for processing telemarketing calls to determine an abandonment rate (“AR”). An abandoned call exists if a telemarketing call is answered by a live person and an agent is not connected to the called party within two seconds of the called party completing their greeting. In order to comply with various federal regulations, a feedback mechanism allows feedback of the measured AR to be used by the predictive dialer to manage the AR for future calls to maximize efficiency and avoid exceeding an AR limit. In one embodiment, a speech analytics system processes audio recordings of previously made telemarketing calls and provides feedback to the predictive dialer so as to adjust a target AR rate for future calls. |
| US09031206B2 |
Unusual event detection in a telecommunications network
Measures for detecting unusual communication session events in a telecommunications network. A Markov model for events occurring in communication sessions conducted in the network is maintained. The maintaining includes assigning a probability of occurrence metric to a plurality of event sequences in the conducted communication sessions. In response to a given sequence of communication session events being assigned a probability of occurrence metric which exceeds a predetermined threshold, an unusual communication session event alert in association with the given sequence is triggered. |
| US09031203B2 |
X-ray beam system offering 1D and 2D beams
A system for analyzing a sample is provided. The system includes an optical system capable of providing a one-dimensional beam and a two-dimensional beam. The system may include a beam selection device to select between providing a one-dimensional x-ray beam to the sample in a one-dimensional operation mode and a two-dimensional x-ray beam to the sample in a two-dimensional operation mode. |
| US09031201B2 |
X-ray source, X-ray imaging apparatus, and X-ray computed tomography imaging system
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes: an X-ray source including an electron source and a target, the target having a plurality of projections, each having an emitting surface; a diffraction grating configured to diffract X rays emitted from the X-ray source; and a detector configured to detect the X rays diffracted by the diffraction grating. Electron beams output from the electron source are incident on the emitting surfaces so that X rays are emitted from the emitting surfaces and are output to the diffraction grating. The X rays emitted from the emitting surfaces are diffracted by the diffraction grating so as to form a plurality of interference patterns. The projections are arranged such that bright portions of the interference patterns overlap each other and such that dark portions thereof overlap each other. Distances from the emitting surfaces to the diffraction grating are equal to each other. |
| US09031195B2 |
Imaging detector and methods for image detection
An imaging detector includes a scintillator having a scintillator pixel that is configured to emit light. The detector also includes a photosensor that defines a photosensor pixel that is configured to absorb light emitted by the scintillator pixel. A lens is positioned between the scintillator pixel and the photosensor pixel for directing light emitted from the scintillator to the photosensor pixel. The lens is configured to converge light emitted from the scintillator pixel toward the photosensor pixel. |
| US09031191B2 |
Dynamic radiographing system
A dynamic radiographing system enables determination of an evaluation value of the heart function of a subject by plain radiography. The dynamic radiographing system comprises a radiographing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a console for diagnosis. The radiographing apparatus dynamically radiographs the heart of a subject and creates radiographs in plural time phases (Step S1). The image processing apparatus calculates an evaluation value of the heart function by using the radiographs in plural time phases (Step S4). The console for diagnosis displays information on the calculated evaluation value on the display section (Step S5). |
| US09031182B2 |
Method and circuit for clock recovery of a data stream description
A method for clock recovery and data recovery from a data stream on a communication channel includes sampling a data stream on the communication channel at a sampling frequency determined by a clock signal and generating a sampled signal. The method further includes determining a phase shift between the communication data stream and the sampled signal and modifying the phase of the clock signal on the basis of the phase shift to obtain a desired phase difference between the sampled signal and the data stream. |
| US09031181B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling clocking of transceivers in a multi-port networking device
A multi-port information communication system includes a reference clock signal generator configured to generate a reference clock signal. The system also includes a phase controller configured to generate a plurality of information communication clock signals based on the reference clock signal by staggering a phase of each of the information communication clock signals. The phase controller includes a delay-locked loop configured to generate a plurality of delay-locked loop signals based on the reference clock signal, and a plurality of time delay elements. Each time delay element is configured to produce a respective one of the information communication clock signals by adding a respective delay to a respective one of the delay-locked loop signals. The system includes information communication devices each including a respective transmitter. Each of the transmitters is configured to operate in response to a respective one of the information communication clock signals. |
| US09031180B2 |
Coherent transmission from distributed wireless transmitters
In one aspect, a distributed coherent transmission system enables transmissions from separate wireless transmitters with independent frequency or clock references to emulate a system where all the transmitters share a common frequency or clock reference. Differences in frequency and/or phase between transmitters are addressed by suitably precoding signals before modulation at one or more of the transmitters based on a synchronizing transmission from one of the transmitters (e.g., a master transmitter) received at a corresponding receiver sharing the frequency or clock reference with each of the one or more transmitters. Such a distributed coherent transmission system can allow N single-antenna transmitters with independent frequency or clock references to emulate a single N-antenna Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) transmitter, or implement schemes such as distributed superposition coding or lattice codes that require coherence across separate transmitters. |
| US09031179B2 |
Calibration of clock path mismatches between data and error slicer
Embodiments include systems and methods for calibrating effective clock path mismatches in a receiver circuit. For example, a serializer/deserializer (SERDES) circuit includes a data slicer that generates data sampler decisions by sampling an input signal according to a clocking signal, and an error slicer that generates error slicer samples by sampling the input signal according to the clocking signal. Each of the data slicer and error slicer has an associated clock path delay, and the delays are typically different (e.g., due to manufacturing differences). A calibrator performs iteratively shifted sampling and comparing of the data sampler decisions and the error slicer samples over a plurality of clocking locations to determine an effective clock path mismatch. The calibrator can then determine and apply a clocking offset to the data slicer and/or the error slicer to effectively shift data and error sampling, thereby compensating for the effective clock path mismatch. |
| US09031172B2 |
Equalizing method and device for a non-linear transmission channel
The present invention relates to a method for equalizing modulation symbols transmitted on a non-linear transmission channel. The equalizing method operates on a sequence of observables, each non-linearly depending on a predetermined number of consecutive modulation symbols, and is based on a Viterbi algorithm. It comprises a prior step of receiving a pilot sequence of modulation symbols and storing corresponding observables (110), said pilot sequence leading to a path passing through all the branches of the lattice.In a second step (120), for each symbol to be equalized, for each branch, a branch metric is calculated as a distance between the observable corresponding to the modulation symbol to be equalized and the observable stored for said branch. |
| US09031169B2 |
Sparse channel detection, estimation, and feedback
Most wireless channels are sparse, so sparse channel-based methods can be used for channel estimation and feedback with much better estimation accuracy and much lower feedback overhead. However, certain wireless channels can be non-sparse, for which sparse channel-based methods may cause degraded estimation quality and increased feedback overhead. Means of detecting the channel sparseness are described that provide simple and effective channel sparseness indicators and safeguard against the mismatch between non-sparse channels and sparse channel-based methods. Various fallback options can be used under non-sparse channels such that estimation degradation and feedback overhead are both minimized. Fake multipath removal in continuous time-domain parameter extraction, a sparse channel-based method, is also described that further improves estimation quality and reduces feedback overhead. |
| US09031166B2 |
Optimized finger assignment for improved multicarrier throughput
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate dynamically allocating demodulation resources of a wideband receiver to provide improved demodulation of simultaneously received signals. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or packet error rate (PER) can be measured for the plurality of carriers to determine which demodulators related to the carriers require more resources than others to demodulate signals at a specified signal quality. Where the SNR of a related carrier is high and/or PER is low, the demodulator can require fewer resources than where the SNR of a related carrier is low and/or PER is high. In this regard, the resources are dynamically allocated among the demodulators and reallocated where SNR/PER changes and/or additional resources are made available. |
| US09031165B2 |
Efficient signal processing for receive and transmit DBF arrays
In a phased-array communications system with a distributed processing architecture, channelized beamforming is used to minimize sampling and computational requirements, as well as reduce the data rates required for the communication of data and control information between system components. A central processor within the phased array system performs parallelized synthesis of channelized beams to form beams composite beams in sub-bands that overlap multiple channels. The phased array system incorporates a flexible scheme for channelization, channelized beamforming, and synthesis so that any number of composite beams may be synthesized in parallel at any one time. The system is capable of simultaneously processing beams that occupy overlapping subbands, and does not require restriction on the bandwidths or center frequencies of the subbands which the beams occupy. |
| US09031161B2 |
Apparatus and method for scrambling in a wireless communication system
An apparatus for a transmit end in a wireless communication system is provided. The apparatus includes at least one scrambler configured to scramble a transmission bit stream, wherein the at least one scrambler comprises, a first circulation unit configured to output, during one cycle, at least one bit for scrambling odd-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream and at least one bit for scrambling even-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream, a second circulation unit configured to output, during one cycle, at least one bit for scrambling odd-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream and at least one bit for scrambling even-numbered bits of the transmission bit stream, and operators configured to generate a scrambled bit stream, wherein each of the operators generates a scrambled bit using an input bit, an output bit from the first circulation unit and an output bit from the second circulation unit. |
| US09031156B2 |
Enhanced signal integrity and communication utilizing optimized code table signaling
In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method for optimized data transfer utilizing optimized code table signaling is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by a processor, a digital bit stream and transforming, by the processor, the digital bit stream to an encoded digital bit stream. The encoded digital bit stream comprises at least one of a gateway channel, a composite channel, or a data channel, and any combination thereof. The computer-implemented method further comprises providing, by the processor, the encoded digital bit stream to a transmission system for transmission and establishing, by the processor, signal integrity by utilizing pre-coordinated, pre-distributed information to limit the transmission to an intended sender-receiver pair. The intended sender-receiver pair comprises the pre-coordinated, pre-distributed information. |
| US09031155B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending signals
A method and an apparatus for sending signals to suppress outband interference effectively in a simple way includes: grouping subcarriers in a spectrum into edge subcarriers of the spectrum and non-edge subcarriers of the spectrum; precoding data to be sent to obtain modulated symbols of the data on the subcarriers, where the precoding makes every two adjacent edge subcarriers of the spectrum in the edge subcarriers of the spectrum carry a pair of modulated symbols with opposite polarities, and makes each of the non-edge subcarriers of the spectrum carry a modulated symbol with no polarity; and sending the modulated symbols of the data on the subcarriers. The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to a signal sending process. |
| US09031154B2 |
OFDM modulator, OFDM transmission device, and OFDM modulation method
A transmission device 100 has an inverse fast Fourier transform converter 104 (first circuit) that acquires plural multi-value symbol data each of which is assigned to a dedicated subcarrier, and generates waveform data on the basis of the acquired plural multi-value symbol data, and a digital frequency converter 107 (second circuit) that shifts frequency of the waveform data generated by the inverse fast Fourier transform converter 104. |
| US09031153B2 |
Duty-cycle modulated transmission
A duty-cycle modulated bit signalling method and circuit, comprising: signaling bits by virtue of a duty-cycle ratio; wherein the duty-cycle ratio is varied dependent upon the transmission rate of the signalling. A bit period comprises a long phase and a short phase and the duty-cycle therebetween is varied such that the ratio between the duration of the long phase and the duration of the short phase is increased for decreasing transmission rate. The duty-cycle ratio is varied dependent upon the transmission rate of the signalling according to one or more ranges of transmission rate. In a higher transmission rate range the duty-cycle is defined as a fixed ratio, and in a lower transmission range the duty-cycle is defined by a fixed length of the short phase of the bit period. |
| US09031152B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
A communication level table storage unit stores a communication level table that defines correspondence between a communication level at least defined by MCS (modulation scheme and coding rate) and a range of required CINR at the communication level. A communication quality management unit obtains CINR of a received signal at another communication apparatus which is a communication partner. A setting unit refers to the communication level table, and when a difference between a representative value of a range of required CINR at a current communication level and a representative value of a range of required CINR of CINR at a communication level which is one level higher is more than or equal to a threshold value, sets a communication level such that the obtained CINR of the received signal is included in the range of required CINR. |
| US09031147B2 |
Multi-link wireless channel sounder and multi-link wireless channel measurement method thereof
A multi-link wireless channel sounder is provided. The multi-link wireless channel sounder includes a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna unit, a transmitter (TX) signal processing unit configured to transmit via the MIMO antennas one or more TX wireless channel signals to be transmitted via a wireless channel, a receiver (RX) signal processing unit configured to receive and process one or more RX wireless channel signals that are received from multiple links via the MIMO antenna unit, and a control unit configured to receive an operation mode selection signal that indicates a TX mode or an RX mode from a user and to control the TX signal processing unit or the RX signal processing unit to operate selectively in accordance with the operation mode selection signal. |
| US09031143B2 |
Adaptive decoding based on signal to noise ratio (SNR)
A communication device is configured adaptively to process a receive signal based on noise that may have adversely affected the signal during transition via communication channel. The device may be configured to identify those portions of the signal of the signal that are noise-affected (e.g., noise-affected sub-carriers of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal), or the device may receive information that identifies those portions of the signal that are noise-affected from one or more other devices. The device may be configured to perform the modulation processing of the received signal to generate log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) for use in decoding the signal. Those LLRs associated with noise-affected portions of the signal are handled differently than LLRs associated with portions of the signal that are not noise-affected. The LLRs may be scaled based on signal to noise ratio(s) (SNR(s)) associated with the signal (e.g., based on background noise, burst noise, etc.). |
| US09031142B2 |
Digital up converter
A method that includes providing to multiple inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) and polyphase circuits multiple baseband channels so that different IFFT and polyphase circuits receive different sets of baseband channels; applying IFFT operations and the polyphase filtering operations by the multiple IFFT and polyphase circuits to provide multiple converted channels; wherein different IFFT and polyphase circuits output different sets of converted channels that at least partially populate different IFFT grids that comprise different frequency bins; wherein frequency bins of a same IFFT grid of the different IFFT grids are spaced apart from each other by a first spacing; frequency shifting one or more sets of the converted channels to provide an output set of sub-channels; wherein the output set of sub-channels at least partially populates an output frequency grid in which output sub-channels originating from different sets of converted channels are of interleaving frequencies and in which the spacing between adjacent output frequency bins is smaller than the spacing between frequency bins of each IFFT grid; and combining the sub-channels of the output set of sub-channels to provide an interleaved output channel. |
| US09031139B2 |
Communication apparatus, signal superimposing circuit, and method for superimposing signals
A communication apparatus according to the present invention comprises first communication means configured to transmit differential signals serving as first information over a first wire pair; second communication means configured to transmit differential signals serving as second information over a second wire pair; and third communication means configured to transmit third information by transmitting one of differential signals over the first wire pair and transmitting the other of the differential signals over the second wire pair. It is possible to provide a communication apparatus that spurious emission is suppressed. |
| US09031135B2 |
Multi-media slicing and transcoding system and storage medium and method thereof
A multi-media slicing and transcoding method includes: slice the multi-media with a specified unit, to get multiple sections; obtain length of the vague area in section; elongate a redundant length to two opposite ends of each section, wherein the redundant length it equal to the length of the vague area; transcode the sections after elongating the redundant length; cut the elongating redundant length from two opposite ends of each section after transcoding; and piece the sections after cutting together. This invention still provides a multi-media slicing and transcoding system. The multi-media slicing and transcoding method and system eliminate boundary vague area after piecing, and ensure a better effect. Furthermore, this invention still provides a computing storage medium. |
| US09031134B2 |
System for detecting sequences of frozen frame in baseband digital video
An apparatus and method of evaluating whether an image under test is similar to a reference image, the method comprising performing a test on pairs of blocks in turn, each pair of blocks comprising a block of the image under test and a corresponding block of the reference image, the test comprising calculating a difference measure indicative of the difference between the blocks and comparing the difference measure to a threshold, wherein the test is passed if the difference measure betters the threshold, and the image under test and the reference image are deemed to be similar if the test is passed by all of the pairs of blocks. |
| US09031132B2 |
Motion vector coding and decoding methods
A motion vector coding apparatus includes a motion vector coding unit that codes a motion vector inputted from a motion vector detecting unit. A motion vector for each current block is coded based on a difference between the motion vector and a predicted vector obtained from motion vectors for previously coded neighboring blocks. The predicted vector is generated by one of: the motion vectors referring to the same picture are selected from among the motion vectors for the neighboring blocks; the motion vectors for neighboring blocks are ordered in the predetermined order and the motion vectors of the same order rank are selected; and the predicted vector for a second motion vector of the current block is the first motion vector, and when the second motion vector and the first motion vector refer to different pictures, the first motion vector is scaled based on temporal distance between the pictures. |
| US09031131B1 |
Picture rate conversion system architecture
Systems and methods for converting a picture frame rate from a source video at a first rate to a target video at a second rate via interpolation of an intermediate frame. In one implementation, the system includes a phase plane correlation calculator including a low pass filter and a high pass filter for receiving previous frame data and current frame data where the phase plane correlation calculator is configured to generate a first motion vector based upon low pass representations and high pass representations. The system may also include a motion compensated interpolator that receives the first motion vector and an additional input motion vector and determines a final motion vector for use in interpolation. The system may further include an intermediate frame generator configured to generate the intermediate frame utilizing the final motion vector. |
| US09031130B2 |
Image prediction/encoding device, image prediction/encoding method, image prediction/encoding program, image prediction/decoding device, image prediction/decoding method, and image prediction decoding program
An objective is to provide an image predictive encoding device, image predictive encoding method, image predictive encoding program, image predictive decoding device, image predictive decoding method, and image predictive decoding program for selecting a plurality of candidate prediction signals, without increase in information amount. A weighting unit 234 and an adder 235 process pixel signals extracted by a prediction adjacent region extractor 232 by a predetermined synthesis method, for example, by averaging to generate a comparison signal to an adjacent pixel signal for each combination. A comparison-selection unit 236 selects a combination with a high correlation between the comparison signal generated by the weighting unit 234 and others and the adjacent pixel signal acquired by a target adjacent region extractor 233. A prediction region extractor 204, weighting unit 205, and adder 206 generate candidate prediction signals and process them by a predetermined synthesis method to generate a prediction signal. |
| US09031124B1 |
Scheme for generating hypothesis and estimating a carrier frequency offset in a receiver
A method of generating a hypothesis and estimating a CFO includes receiving a signal including a set of radio frames, dividing each received radio frame of the set into a set of received sub-sequences, dividing, each of reference radio frames from a reference signal stored in the receiver into a set of reference sub-sequences, correlating the set of received sub-sequences with the set of reference sub-sequences to obtain a set of correlation values, generating, a first value set and a second value set of hypothesis based on the correlation values, generating a first and a second hypothesis based on the first value and the second value set, and averaging the first and the second hypothesis to obtain an averaged hypothesis, performing a DFT on the averaged hypothesis to obtain a DFT sequence, determining a peak position of the DFT sequence, and estimating the CFO based on the peak position. |
| US09031122B2 |
Reducing phase errors on a communication device
A communication device that is configured for reducing phase errors is described. The communication device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory. The communication device calculates a sum channel in the frequency domain, estimates one or more impulse responses and isolates an impulse response for one or more wireless communication devices. The communication device also calculates a phase error for each wireless communication device and reduces the phase error for each wireless communication device. |
| US09031118B2 |
Virtual floating correlators for GPS sensor
In one embodiment, a correlator of a global positioning system receiver in a global positioning system receives a sample satellite signal. The correlator includes a signal comparator configured to receive the sample signal, a first normalized estimate signal, and a second normalized estimate signal. The signal comparator generates a first accumulated output and a second accumulated output. The first accumulated output represents the integration of a correlation of the sample signal and the first normalized estimate signal. The second accumulated output represents the integration of a correlation of the sample signal and the second normalized estimate signal. Using time-multiplexing, the high speed of a digital signal processing core is leveraged to perform calculations of the signal comparator and threshold comparator in real time. |
| US09031117B2 |
Methods and apparatus for handling fingers with large delay spread through utility optimization
Techniques for handling fingers with large delay spread through utility optimization are described. A first signal may be received, through a finger of a plurality of fingers in a receiver, at a time that is later than a reference time after a reference signal is received by a reference finger of the plurality of fingers. The reference signal may be included in an on-time group corresponding to a cell. The first signal may be included in a late group corresponding to a virtual cell. The first signal and the reference signal may be compared to one another. Based on the comparing, it may be determined whether to wait for additional signals in the late group or process the signals in the on-time group. |
| US09031116B2 |
Monitoring of power-consumption
A power-consumption monitoring device, for taking measurements of the power consumed by an appliance. The device is connectable to a mains electrical circuit and operable to transmit the measurements to a master device through the circuit. Also presented is a master device, for receiving over a mains electrical circuit power-measurements transmitted by one or more power-consumption monitoring devices. Also presented is a power-line communications network comprising: a master device; and one or more power-consumption monitoring devices. |
| US09031114B1 |
Vibration resistant optically pumped semiconductor laser
An intra-cavity frequency doubled OPS-laser includes a laser-resonator terminated by a plane mirror and a mirror-structure of an OPS-chip. The resonator is folded by three fold-mirrors. The fold-mirrors are supported on a vibration-isolation plate supported by isolation posts above a base-plate. The plane mirror and the mirror-structure of the OPS-chip are mounted back to back on opposite parallel surfaces of a mounting block. The mounting-block is supported on the base-plate and extends through an aperture in the vibration-isolation plate. Movement of the vibration-isolation plate with respect to the base-plate does not change the resonator length. |
| US09031105B2 |
Conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser and method for fabricating the same
A conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser comprises a heat sink (2) and one or more semiconductor laser units (1). The semiconductor laser unit consists of a laser chip (3), a substrate (4) bonded to the laser chip for heat dissipation and electrical connection, and an insulation plate (5) soldered to the substrate for insulation and heat dissipation. The semiconductor laser unit is soldered on the heat sink with the insulation plate therebetween. The semiconductor laser unit may be tested, aged, and screened in advance, and thereby the yield of the lasers can be improved and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. The laser has desirable heat dissipation performance, high reliability, and is applicable to high temperature and other complex and volatile environments. |
| US09031101B2 |
Multi-color harmonic synthesized laser system for laser processing and laser processing method using multi-color harmonic synthesized laser
A multi-color harmonic synthesized laser system for laser processing and a laser processing method using multi-color harmonic synthesized laser are disclosed. The multi-color harmonic synthesized laser system includes a laser source for providing a single laser wave, a converter for converting the single laser wave into a plurality of harmonic waves with different frequencies, and a modulating unit for modulating amplitudes and relative phases of the harmonic waves to form a plurality of modulated harmonic waves, so as to synthesize the modulated harmonic waves as a single synthesized laser wave, wherein the single synthesized laser wave is focused on an object to perform a laser processing. The converter includes a plurality of non-linear crystals for converting the single laser wave into a fundamental harmonic wave and a plurality of multi-frequency harmonic waves. The harmonic waves are coherent and collinear, and the phases of the harmonic waves are related to one another. |
| US09031098B1 |
All fiber passively Q-switched laser
Embodiments relate to an all fiber passively Q-switched laser. The laser includes a large core doped gain fiber having a first end. The large core doped gain fiber has a first core diameter. The laser includes a doped single mode fiber (saturable absorber) having a second core diameter that is smaller than the first core diameter. The laser includes a mode transformer positioned between a second end of the large core doped gain fiber and a first end of the single mode fiber. The mode transformer has a core diameter that transitions from the first core diameter to the second core diameter and filters out light modes not supported by the doped single mode fiber. The laser includes a laser cavity formed between a first reflector positioned adjacent the large core doped gain fiber and a second reflector positioned adjacent the doped single mode fiber. |
| US09031096B2 |
Multimedia data synchronization method and system
A multimedia data system comprising a synchronization unit. The synchronization unit receives a demodulated bitstream, checks whether a FAW pattern corresponding to a candidate of the bitstream exists, checks whether an additional information corresponding to the candidate of the bitstream is valid when the FAW pattern exists, determines a hit weighting corresponding to the candidate according to the checking result, determines whether the hit weighting meets a criterion and outputs a synchronization signal when the hit weighting meets the criterion. |
| US09031095B2 |
Precision timing using a modified synchronization operation
A master node is configured to receive, from a slave node, a request to perform a modified two-step synchronization (sync) operation in a manner that precludes transmitting a follow-up packet; generate a sync packet in a manner that includes information associated with a previous time that a prior sync packet was transmitted to the slave node; transmit the sync packet to the slave node; receive, from the slave node, a delay request packet; transmit, to the slave node, a delay response packet, where the delay response packet stores information associated with another time at which the delay request packet was received, and where transmitting the delay response packet enables the slave node to calibrate a clock, hosted by the slave node, to a master clock, hosted by the master node, based on the previous time and the other time. |
| US09031089B2 |
Operational efficiency in a vehicle-to-vehicle communications system
A vehicle communication system providing, in one embodiment, wirelessly transmitting and receiving messages regarding the status of parking spaces, such as empty or occupied. Only vehicles belonging to a predetermined set are able to decrypt such messages, in one embodiment. Message formats to comprise a group of parking spaces are described. An embodiment includes a communication mode specific for vehicles in a parking lot. An embodiment includes messages describing the shape and size of vehicle entering or leaving a parking space. Efficient methods of coding vehicle type are described. Methods of improving the operational efficiency of a vehicle communication system, including passive RF reflectors, audio and video messages, safety, courtesy and social messages, and compliance with vehicle restrictions are in some embodiments. |
| US09031088B1 |
Method and system for selecting from a plurality of configuration profile records for channel bonding operation
In DOCSIS 3.0 a greater level of configuration is possible for cable modems than was available in earlier versions. The CMTS potentially receives many possible configurations from a new CM. The standard does not indicate how the CMTS should configure a CM that can support more than one possible configuration. A CMTS' operator specifies preferences for certain channel configurations. The CMTS evaluates the configuration profiles received from a booting CM and determines the best profile to attempt to accommodate based on the specified preferences. The CMTS determines how to instruct the CM to configure itself based on the available channel resources than can accommodate the selected configuration profile. |
| US09031087B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing response time to events in queue
A system for optimizing response time to events or representations thereof waiting in a queue has a first server having access to the queue; a software application running on the first server; and a second server accessible from the first server, the second server containing rules governing the optimization. In a preferred embodiment, the software application at least periodically accesses the queue and parses certain ones of events or tokens in the queue and compares the parsed results against rules accessed from the second server in order to determine a measure of disposal time for each parsed event wherein if the determined measure is sufficiently low for one or more of the parsed events, those one or more events are modified to a reflect a higher priority state than originally assigned enabling faster treatment of those events resulting in relief from those events to the queue system load. |
| US09031086B2 |
Responding to dynamically-connected transport requests
A method for communication, includes allocating, in a network interface controller (NIC) a single dynamically-connected (DC) initiator context for serving requests from an initiator process running on the initiator host to transmit data to multiple target processes running on one or more target nodes. The NIC transmits a first connect packet directed to a first target process and referencing the DC initiator context so as to open a first dynamic connection with the first target process. The NIC receives over the packet network, in response to the first connect packet, a first acknowledgment packet containing a first session identifier (ID). Following receipt of the first acknowledgment packet, the NIC transmits one or more first data packets containing the first session ID over the first dynamic connection from the NIC to the first target process. Dynamic connections with other target processes may subsequently be handled in similar fashion. |
| US09031085B2 |
Routing path calculation apparatus and methods
Routing path calculation apparatus and methods are disclosed. Calculation of routing paths within different routing areas of a communication system is handled by respective routing path calculation devices. Multiple devices may be requested to perform respective routing path calculations for segments of a routing path between endpoints in different routing areas. Recalculations may be requested from the same or different devices in the event of a change in a routing area that affects a segment of a routing path. A routing path calculation device, whether or not in this type of distributed routing path calculation system, may determine whether a previously configured path exists between an intermediate node of a calculated routing path, and take the previously configured path into account in calculating the routing path if it is determined that a previously configured path exists. The previously configured path may be an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) shortcut, for example. |
| US09031082B2 |
Routing method and apparatus for communication in dynamic networks
Communications in a network with dynamic topology is provided in which data is carried by software agents which operate autonomously and independently of global network information. |
| US09031080B2 |
Rate allocation scheme for coordinated multipoint transmission
In a communication system transmitting from multiple antennas to multiple users, data transmission rates are allocated over scheduled users by varying the weights assigned to the users. The user weights determine the transmission precoding vectors used for the transmissions, which determine the data rates. In one embodiment, a set of predetermined weights is selected from a plurality of sets of weights as the one maximizing the sum, over all scheduled users, of the ratio of each user's instantaneous data rate to the average rate over prior frames. In another embodiment, the weights, precoding vectors, and data rates are frequency-specific. In another embodiment, the user weights are determined through an iterative process of assigning initial weights, determining the precoding vectors associated with the weights, determining the channel conditions for transmission using the determined precoding vectors, and adjusting the user weights based on their relative channel conditions. |
| US09031077B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products providing a data unit sequencing queue
A system for passing data, the system including multiple data producers passing processed data, wherein the processed data include discrete data units that are each consecutively numbered, each of the data producers calculating insertion indices for ones of the data units passing therethrough; a circular buffer receiving the data units from the producers, the data units placed in slots that correspond to the respective insertion indices; and a consumer of the data units that receives the data units from the circular buffer in an order that preserves sequential numbering of the data units, wherein the multiple data producers follow a protocol so that a first one of the data producers, upon failing to place a first data unit in the circular buffer, does not lock other data producers from placing other data units in the circular buffer. |
| US09031075B2 |
Lookup front end packet input processor
A packet processor provides for rule matching of packets in a network architecture. The packet processor includes a lookup cluster complex having a number of lookup engines and respective on-chip memory units. The on-chip memory stores rules for matching against packet data. A lookup front-end receives lookup requests from a host, and processes these lookup requests to generate key requests for forwarding to the lookup engines. As a result of the rule matching, the lookup engine returns a response message indicating whether a match is found. The lookup front-end further processes the response message and provides a corresponding response to the host. |
| US09031068B2 |
Methods and apparatus for managing multicast traffic through a switch
A method for managing multicast traffic through a switch operating in the layer 2 of the OSI model, and routers and switches involved in the method. In one implementation a router sends to a switch a message containing identification of specific equipment which has requested specific multicast traffic, and also containing a specification of the specific traffic, and when the switch receives data carrying multicast traffic, based on the destination and origin addresses of the data, and based on the identification of the specific equipment and of the specification of the specific multicast traffic that it has received in the message, the switch deduces if the data carry the specific traffic that has been requested by the specific equipment, and decides through which of its ports it transmits the data. |
| US09031065B2 |
Switch having dedicated stacking link
A first switch includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions causing the processor, after execution of the instructions by the processor, to establish a first stacking link between a first stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a second switch, establish a second stacking link between a second stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a third switch, and dedicate the first stacking link to a first class of traffic between the first switch and the second switch. |
| US09031064B2 |
Providing a load/store communication protocol with a low power physical unit
In one embodiment, a converged protocol stack can be used to unify communications from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol to provide for data transfer across a physical interconnect. This stack can be incorporated in an apparatus that includes a protocol stack for a first communication protocol including transaction and link layers, and a physical (PHY) unit coupled to the protocol stack to provide communication between the apparatus and a device coupled to the apparatus via a physical link. This PHY unit may include a physical unit circuit according to the second communication protocol. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09031063B2 |
Direct updating of network delay in synchronization packets
A method includes receiving in a network element a packet, which includes a delay field that indicates an overall time delay accumulated by the packet until arriving at the network element. Upon receiving the packet, an interim value is substituted in the delay field. The interim value is indicative of a difference between the overall time delay and an arrival time of the packet at the network element. Before sending the packet from the network element, the overall time delay is updated in the delay field based on the interim value and on a departure time at which the packet is to exit the network element. The packet, including the updated overall time delay, is transmitted from the network element. |
| US09031062B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a synthetic system
A method and apparatus of providing a configurable computer system capable of being modeled are disclosed. The system, in one embodiment, includes a configurable component and a clock distributor. The configurable component includes multiple programmable devices arranged in a predefined configuration. The predefined configuration, for example, is a cubical shape having multiple neighboring nodes. The configurable component is capable of being modeled in accordance with policies from a system program for data transmission. The clock distributor further includes a first clock element, which provides long-term accuracy, and a second clock element, which provides short-term accuracy. |
| US09031061B1 |
Methods and apparatus for conducting conference calls using a conferencing system adapted to operate between a circuit-switched network and a packet-switched network
The present invention is generally related to conference calls and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for conducting conference calls using a conference system adapted to operated between a circuit-switched network and a packet-switched network. In one embodiment, a method for conducting conference calls using a conferencing system is disclosed. In another embodiment, a conferencing system is disclosed. |
| US09031057B2 |
Multimedia session call control method and application server
A multimedia session call control method and an Application Server (AS) are provided. The multimedia session call control method includes these steps: a multi-UE party performs a multimedia session with a peer under control of an AS; a master UE of the multi-UE party establishes a session with a third party under control of the AS; and the AS binds a call leg between a slave UE of the multi-UE party and the AS to the session established with the third party. |
| US09031056B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and method
A transmission node for use in a wireless communication network includes a first register for storing a set of first mask bits, a second register for storing a set of second mask bits, and a mask switching block for multiplexing the set of first mask bits and the set of second mask bits and outputting the set of third mask bits. The transmission node further includes a CPRI unit with an auxiliary interface for receiving the set of third mask bits. An activation block is connected between the CPRI unit and the mask switching block for causing the mask switching block to output the set of second mask bits based on data in a current frame in the CPRI unit. |
| US09031055B2 |
Method and system for recording, synchronizing and analysing data by means of analysis devices which are spatially distributed in a communication network
A method and a system for recording, synchronizing and analyzing data transmitted between spatially distributed devices of a communication network using spatially distributed analysis devices, wherein the data are received by at least two analysis devices looped into the communication network, and wherein the received data are marked by means of a synchronization signal which is simultaneously received by the analysis devices. In order to simplify the recording, synchronization and analysis of data by means of spatially distributed analysis devices, provision is made for the analysis devices to store data frames of the received data in data files, wherein each received data frame is marked with a time stamp of a local time of the receiving analysis device, and wherein time synchronization events are produced by means of the received synchronization signal in each of the analysis devices. |
| US09031054B2 |
Reservation response and multi-user transmissions
In one embodiment, in absence of transmitting from an apparatus a reservation request frame, the apparatus receives a reservation response frame on an assigned channel. The reservation response frame indicates a duration of a frame transmission. In response to receiving the reservation response frame, the apparatus transmits a frame on the assigned channel during the frame transmission. In another embodiment, in response to receiving a reservation request frame on a first channel at an apparatus, the apparatus transmits a reservation response frame on the first channel and on at least one second channel. The reservation request frame indicates a duration of a frame transmission. The reservation response frame indicates the duration of the frame transmission. After transmitting the reservation response frame, this apparatus receives during the frame transmission a first frame on the primary channel and a second frame on the at least one secondary channel. |
| US09031051B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating transmission channel in wireless local area network system
According to one embodiment, a method for a wireless local area includes: generating a medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) to be transmitted to a target station; generating a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) by attaching a PLCP preamble to the MPDU; selecting a transmission channel; and transmitting the PPDU to the target station over the transmission channel. Selecting the transmission channel includes: performing clear channel assessment (CCA) on a first channel to determine whether the first channel is idle; and only after it is determined that the first channel is idle, selecting the first channel and at least one idle second channel as the transmission channel. The PLCP preamble includes channel allocation information indicating a bandwidth of the transmission channel. |
| US09031049B2 |
Signal field design for WLAN
A method of generating packets for transmission in a wireless communication system. The method comprises generating a data packet and generating a null data packet. Generating the data packet includes generating a data packet signal (SIG) field including a first data packet SIG subfield indicating a first physical layer (PHY) parameter to a receiving device. Generating the data packet also includes generating a data field. Furthermore, generating the null data packet includes generating a null data packet SIG field. The null data packet SIG field includes a first null data packet SIG subfield indicating a second PHY parameter to a receiving device. The data packet SIG field excludes any SIG subfield indicating the second PHY parameter to a receiving device, and (ii) the null data packet SIG field excludes any SIG subfield indicating the first PHY parameter to a receiving device. |
| US09031047B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitate communications using surrogate and care-of-internet protocol addresses
A wireless access point (300A, 300B, 300C) provides (101) a surrogate Internet Protocol address to use on behalf of a mobile station (401). That wireless access point then uses (102) that surrogate Internet Protocol address along with its own Internet Protocol address to facilitate establishing one or more data tunnels as necessary to support the communication needs of the mobile station. |
| US09031041B2 |
Mobile communication method and base station
A source base station eNB#1 forwards a header-compressed packet addressed to a radio terminal UE, to a target base station eNB#2, at a time of a handover procedure of the radio terminal from the source base station eNB#1 to the target base station eNB#2. Upon receipt of the forwarded header-compressed packet and a header-non-compressed packet addressed to the radio terminal UE from a core network EPC at the time of the handover procedure, the target base station eNB#2 generates an ROHC context corresponding to a header compression level of the header-compressed packet, by using the header-compressed packet and the header-non-compressed packet. |
| US09031037B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing loss of media data while handover is performed
A method of reducing an amount of media data lost when a next handover is performed, wherein the method is performed by a first terminal for transmitting and receiving the media data to and from a second terminal, the method including: predicting an amount of the media data that may be lost when the next handover is performed; generating control information for reducing the amount of the media data lost when the next handover is performed by using the predicted amount of the media data lost when the next handover is performed; and reducing the amount of the media data lost when the next handover is performed by using the generated control information while the next handover is performed. |
| US09031035B2 |
Transmitter apparatus, receiver apparatus, transmission method, and notification method
This invention relates to a transmitter apparatus, a receiver apparatus, a transmission method and a notification method that, when a switching between MIMO communication and non-MIMO communication is performed, can suppress the increase of an SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) resource, while suppressing the degradation of trackability of temporal variation of a channel. In a terminal (200), a mapping unit (212) maps an SRS sequence, which is received from a pilot, generating unit (216), on the basis of information related to an SRS hopping pattern, received from a base station (100). For this SRS hopping pattern, the frequency of the SRS transmissions via a first one of a plurality of antennas of the terminal (200) is higher than that of the SRS transmissions via a second one of the plurality of antennas of the terminal (200). |
| US09031032B2 |
System and method for inter-cell interference coordination
A system and method for inter-cell interference coordination is provided. A method for controller operation includes receiving interferer information from a device served by the controller, scheduling a cell edge device based on the received interferer information, and reporting usage information of the subset of resources to neighboring controllers. The cell edge device operates in a periphery of a coverage area of the controller, and the cell edge device is scheduled to a subset of resources. The method also includes from each neighboring controller, receiving neighboring usage information of a neighboring subset of resources reserved for cell edge devices served by the neighboring controller. The method further includes scheduling a cell center device based on the received usage information from the neighboring controllers, and transmitting to scheduled devices over their respective scheduled resources. Cell center device is scheduled to resources not in the subset of resources. |
| US09031028B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving downlink control information in wireless communication system and device therefor
Disclosed is a method for allowing a terminal to receive a downlink signal from a base station in a wireless communication system. More specifically, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a first control channel which indicates the location information of a resource allocated to a second control channel; receiving the second control channel, on the basis of a control format indicator contained in the first control channel; and obtaining a downlink grant and/or an uplink grant contained in the second control channel, wherein the second control channel is allocated with the resource contained in a data region of a specific subframe. |
| US09031023B2 |
Adaptive association and joint association and resource partitioning in a wireless communication network
Techniques for supporting communication in a wireless network are described. In an aspect, association and resource partitioning may be performed jointly to select serving base stations for user equipments (UEs) and to allocate available resources to base stations. In another aspect, adaptive association may be performed to select serving base stations for UEs. In one design, a base station computes local metrics for different possible actions related to association and resource partitioning (or only association). The base station receives local metrics for the possible actions from at least one neighbor base station and determines overall metrics for the possible actions based on the computed and received local metrics. The base station determines serving base stations for a set of UEs and resources allocated to the set of base stations (or just serving base stations for the set of UEs) based on the overall metrics for the possible actions. |
| US09031020B2 |
Using multiple radios to provide service on the same channel to support a new standard while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices
In an example embodiment, a wireless device, such as an access point, employs multiple radios that operate on the same or overlapping channels. For example, the wireless device can be upgraded with a new radio that is compatible with a newer protocol to provide service to newer clients that are capable of employing the new protocol, while also providing backwards compatibility to legacy clients. |
| US09031017B2 |
Power control for LTE deployment in unlicensed band
Methods of power control for LTE transmissions in unlicensed bands are described. One method includes determining, at a first device (such as a LTE UE or LTE eNB), a scheduled transmission window for a LTE transmission in an unlicensed band. The transmission window indicates a time for sending the transmission in the unlicensed band. Prior to the scheduled transmission window, the method also includes determining whether a WiFi transmitter is transmitting a signal in the unlicensed band. The method also includes, in response to determining that the transmitter is transmitting in the unlicensed band, determining an adjusted transmission power for the transmission and sending the transmission (such as from an LTE UE to an LTE eNB or from an LTE eNB to an LTE UE) in the transmission window at the adjusted transmission power. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described. |
| US09031016B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving PDCCH using DCI having adjusted size
The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a size of an information bit used in a control channel and an apparatus for performing the same. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for searching for a control channel including an information bit having an adjusted size. A method for receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a wireless access system for supporting multi-carriers as one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: performing blind decoding in a search space allocated in a terminal to search for a PDCCH; and receiving the PDCCH including downlink control information (DCI) having a size adjusted in the search space. At this time, the size of the DCI can be adjusted by considering a bandwidth allocated in the terminal, a transmission mode of a component carrier (CC) allocated in the terminal, and the number of antennas of the terminal. |
| US09031015B2 |
Method and device for allocating downlink resource and receiving downlink data
A method and apparatus for allocating downlink resources and implementing downlink data reception in a broadband evolution system are disclosed in the present invention, so as to implement the allocation of resources in case of carrier resource expansion and implement the reception of downlink data in case of carrier resource expansion. A method for receiving downlink data includes that: emission bandwidth resources are divided into multiple frequency-domain Resource Blocks (RBs), and every frequency-domain Resource Block (RB) corresponds to an RB serial number, wherein the frequency-domain RBs corresponding to Release-8 (Rel-8) compatible frequency-domain resources are numbered in a numbering mode of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and the frequency-domain RBs corresponding to incompatible frequency-domain resources are orderly numbered based on the largest serial number corresponding to the Rel-8 compatible frequency-domain resources; when receiving a downlink control signaling including RB serial numbers transferred from a network side, a broadband evolution terminal obtains frequency-domain RBs corresponding to the RB serial numbers, and can receive downlink data from the obtained frequency-domain RBs. |
| US09031010B2 |
Separate resource partitioning management for uplink control and uplink data signals
Transmission management is provided with separate resource partitioning management for control and data transmissions. An evolved node B (eNB) generates separate resource partition schedules for the transmission stream, in which a first schedule is used for data transmissions while a second schedule is used for control signal transmissions. The two separate schemes may have different periodicities or different subframe type assignments that benefit either data or control transmissions or that allow for coordination of both data and control. The eNBs may broadcast the different schedules in regular system information messages, in which the UEs served by these eNBs will configure data and control signal transmissions according to the appropriate resource partition schedules. |
| US09031003B2 |
Terminal, the transmission power of which is limited in accordance with an adjacent channel interference ratio
The present description relates to a terminal. The terminal comprises: a transceiving unit; and a control unit which controls the transceiving unit. When transmitting a signal in an uplink band that is spaced apart by a predetermined band so as to avoid continuity with the uplink band used by a terminal in an adjacent cell, the transceiving unit has an adjacent channel interference ratio, the value of which can be limited to a preset value in accordance with an offset relative to a predetermined band. |
| US09031000B2 |
Communication terminal, control device, and base station
A transmitting side UE1 and a receiving side UE2 are both connected to a given E-Node B. The transmitting side UE1 divides a transmission packet addressed to UE2 into a first packet to be transmitted via a route not passing through a given access gateway and a second packet to be transmitted via a route passing through the given access gateway, and the packets are transmitted to the given E-Node B. The E-Node B transmits the first packet to UE2 and also transmits the second packet to the access gateway. The access gateway receives the second packet and transmits it to the E-Node B. The E-Node B receives the second packet transmitted from the access gateway and transmits it to UE2. UE2 receives the first packet and the second packet and synthesizes them to restore the initial packet. |
| US09030999B2 |
Method and device for transmitting pilot configuration information
A method and device for transmitting pilot configuration information are provided for transmitting the pilot configuration information to relay nodes, and enabling the relay nodes to receive pilots according to the pilot configuration information and implement channel demodulation. Said method includes the following steps: a Node B generates a high-level signaling which includes the pilot configuration information configured for the Relay-Physical Downlink Control Channel (R-PDCCH); the Node B transmits said high-level signaling to a relay device. |
| US09030995B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting paging message in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting uplink (UL) data in a wireless communication system is provided. A machine-to-machine (M2M) device receives a deregistration response message including a transmission type and a maximum number of paging cycle during an idle mode entry, waits to receive a paging message for the M2M device to transmit the UL data during a period corresponding to up to (the maximum number of paging cycle×a length of paging cycle), and transmits the UL data. |
| US09030991B2 |
System and method for offloading data in a communication system
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment; identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant. In other examples, the method can include dropping the data packet when a network address port translation binding has expired or does not exist. In certain implementations, the method can include identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant when an activity timer has expired, or identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant based on a stale state setting. |
| US09030987B2 |
Systems and methods for transmission of uninterrupted radio, television programs and additional data services through wireless networks
A method and system for In-Dash Multimedia Players or Portable Multmedia Players for automotive, aviation, boating, and personal use that, exploiting the services and capabilities of the Digital Wireless Network DWLN (107), such as 3G network, and buffering the live stream data on both the Server (101) and User Equipment (111), combines in a novel synergistic integration a suite of new and known features such as: immediate and uninterrupted listening/viewing of Live Streaming Media LSM (109) by the user with or without optimization of the data bandwidth, and the provision to customize the commercial messages according to the user location, and the capability of reporting the customer choices and habits, and the automatic deletion of LSM after the time-shift time to benefit from copyright agreements. |
| US09030985B2 |
Handling mismatch of cryptographic keys and related battery drain and communication exchange failures
A wireless communications device stores a first cryptographic key in connection with a profile, the profile indicating a security type requiring no credentials and a network name. An access point (AP) supports a wireless local area network (WLAN), the WLAN having the network name, the WLAN supporting the security type and the WLAN requiring a second cryptographic key for encryption. The wireless communications device successfully authenticates and associates with the AP, thus joining the WLAN. Subsequent to joining the WLAN, the wireless communications device conducts encrypted communications with the AP and detects from the encrypted communications that there is a mismatch between the first cryptographic key and the second cryptographic key. Responsive to detecting the mismatch, the wireless communications device bans the profile or the AP or both. |
| US09030984B2 |
Transmission power control schemes for D2D communications
Power control schemes for D2D communications are described. The schemes control the transmission power of a UE during D2D communications in a manner that reduces interference while maintaining the D2D communications link and the cellular link with the eNB. Open-loop and/or closed-loop techniques are employed. |
| US09030981B2 |
Device power management in a wireless network
In various embodiments of the invention, a device in a wireless communications network may negotiate with a network controller to determine when the device may enter a power save mode. The power save mode may include period(s) in which the device is in a low power state in which it cannot transmit or receive, and period(s) in which it is in an operational state in which it can transmit and/or receive. |
| US09030980B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving uplink data in mobile communication system
A method for transmitting uplink data using multiple carriers by a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes determining a first maximum transmission power indicating a maximum transmission power for each carrier and a second maximum transmission power indicating a maximum transmission power for all carriers based on information for setting transmission power, received from an evolved Node B (eNB), determining a minimum value from among a required transmission power and the first maximum transmission power as an uplink transmission power, for each carrier, scaling the determined uplink transmission powers so that a sum of the uplink transmission powers is less than or equal to the second maximum transmission power, and transmitting the uplink data based on the scaled uplink transmission powers. |
| US09030979B2 |
Reducing power consumption in multi-threaded processor mobile devices
In a multi-threaded processor mobile device, power consumption is reduced by matching a number of active processing resources with the data rate capability of a serving base station. The number of active resources may be adjusted to increase the amount of time the mobile device is in an all-waits period, where its processors are all idle at the same time. Increasing the all-waits time increases power savings. The mobile device may reduce the number of active resources to reduce power consumption or may increase the number of active resources temporarily in order to increase an all-waits period. The mobile device may also operate in a low power state by adjusting its active resources and operating at a reduced data rate, which is communicated to a base station. |
| US09030971B2 |
Simultaneous operation of short range wireless systems with a mobile wireless broadband system
Simultaneous operation of a short-ranged time division duplex (TDD) system with a mobile wireless broadband system may be implemented through scheduling and aligning both sets of communications. After determining a TDD frame configuration of the mobile wireless broadband system, a slot map is generated identifying slot-size selection information for each slot in the TDD frame configuration available for simultaneous operation. The slot-size selection information aligns the communication packet structure of the short-ranged TDD system and the uplink/downlink boundary of the TDD frame configuration. The communication device then transmits the slot map to a short-ranged TDD device for establishing the simultaneous operation. |
| US09030967B2 |
Rapid convergence of access network
The present disclosure describes rapid convergence of an Access Network (AN). A VLAN forwarder is allocated to a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) and traffic for the first VLAN is forwarded to and from the AN via the VLAN forwarder. When detecting that the VLAN forwarder satisfies a VLAN reallocation condition, the VLAN forwarder blocks traffic of the first VLAN to and from the AN via the VLAN forwarder, and calculates a characteristic value of the VLAN forwarder. A packet carrying the characteristic value of the VLAN forwarder is transmitted to each neighbor VLAN forwarder such that VLAN reallocation is performed by a VLAN allocator if the characteristic value of the VLAN forwarder is the same as that of each neighbor VLAN forwarder. After receiving information that the VLAN forwarder is reallocated to a second VLAN, the VLAN forwarder allows the traffic of the second VLAN to and from the AN via the VLAN forwarder. |
| US09030966B2 |
Method and apparatus for session routing in home network system
A method for supporting a session routing in a High Definition Base transmission (HDBaseT) network, the method including receiving, by an HDbaseT device from a Routing Processor Entity (RPE) through the HDBaseT network, a Link Status Request message requesting Link status information; configuring a Link Status Notify message for supporting the session routing, the Link Status Notify message including Link status information; and transmitting the Link Status Notify message to the RPE through the HDbaseT network. The Link status information of the Link Status Notify message is used to update a Link Status table, the Link Status table is used to compute routing path information from a source device to a sink device in the HDbaseT network, the HDbaseT device provides a simultaneous transmission of multiple streams, a transmission of uncompressed data, and a power transmission through a single link, and the multiple streams are transmitted uncompressed. |
| US09030962B2 |
Method for routing information over a network employing centralized control
A method and apparatus for centralized control of a network is described. The network includes a number of nodes. The method includes creating a database and storing the database on a master node of the network. The database contains topology information regarding a topology of the network. Each of the nodes is coupled to at least one other of the nodes, with the master node being one of the nodes. |
| US09030961B2 |
Method and system for implementing link adaptation based on an application profile
A method comprising establishing a wireless link with at least one endpoint. The wireless link comprises at least one connection. The method also includes determining an application profile associated with a first connection of the wireless link. The method further includes dynamically selecting at least one parameter for the wireless link based on the detected application profile. |
| US09030960B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing redundant traffic in communication networks
A capability is provided for reducing or even eliminating redundant traffic in cellular wireless networks. A method is provided for encoding a target packet in a manner for reducing redundancy of information in the target packet. The method includes identifying a region of the target packet that matches a region of a stored packet, removing, from the target packet, the identified region of the target packet from the target packet, and inserting, within the target packet, an encoding key comprising a hash of the stored packet. A method is provided for reconstructing a packet from an encoded packet that is encoded in a manner for reducing redundancy of information in a network. The method includes identifying an encoding key within the encoded packet, wherein the encoding key comprises a hash of a stored packet, retrieving the stored packet using the hash of the stored packet, removing the encoding key from the encoded packet, and inserting information from the stored packet within the encoded packet. |
| US09030959B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring quality metrics associated with a wireless network
An apparatus and method for measuring metrics associated with a wireless network is described. One embodiment includes capturing a packet transmitted over a network and determining a minimum delay of a plurality of previously captured packets, where each previously captured packet of the plurality of previously captured packets is associated with a delay. The embodiment further includes determining a current overall delay of the packet based on features of the packet and calculating a congestion indicator based on the current overall delay and the minimum delay. |
| US09030957B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting uplink control information in a multiple carrier system
Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) in a multiple carrier system. The method comprises the steps of: generating uplink control information for measuring a downlink component carrier (DL CC) set in a terminal; selecting a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) of one uplink component carrier from among PUSCHs of at least two uplink component carriers set in the terminal, according to a priority order; and transmitting the uplink control information through the PUSCH of the selected uplink component carrier. |
| US09030950B2 |
Communication apparatus, processing method for the same, and computer-readable storage medium
A communication apparatus extracts segment data including information defining the position of a fragment packet before fragmentation and the identification information of the fragment packet from the header information of the fragment packet. If the fragment packet is the last fragment packet, the apparatus extracts packet length information before packet fragmentation from the header information of the last fragment packet. A memory stores a segment database holding segment data and information associating identification information with packet length information. The communication apparatus executes integration processing of the segment data based on information stored in the segment database and determines whether the reception of all the fragment packets constituting the packet before fragmentation is complete. |
| US09030947B2 |
Methods for zero loss and nonstop packet processing during system software upgrades
A method implemented in a network component for an in-service software upgrade (ISSU), the method comprising selecting a forwarding core (FC) for upgrade from a plurality of FCs that run at a data plane on a printed circuit board of the network component to process and forward a plurality of packets, and resetting the selected FC with a software upgrade, wherein at least one of the other FCs continues processing and forwarding packets when the selected FC is upgraded. |
| US09030944B2 |
Aggregated appliance in a mobile data network
A mobile data network includes a breakout appliance at the edge of the mobile data network and an appliance in the core network that includes multiple enclosures. Each appliance has defined interfaces and defined commands on each interface that allow performing all needed functions on the appliances without revealing details regarding the hardware and software used to implement the appliances. An aggregate appliance in the mobile data network defines high-level commands, which each have a corresponding set of steps that are performed when the high-level command is executed. Each step causes one or more of the defined commands to be executed on the breakout appliance and/or the appliance in the core network and/or one a related software entity. This aggregated appliance allows configuring and controlling the breakout appliance and the appliance in the core network in a way that is transparent to most existing components in the mobile data network. |
| US09030943B2 |
Recovering from failures without impact on data traffic in a shared bus architecture
Methods of detecting and recovering from communication failures within an operating network switching device that is switching packets in a communication network, and associated structures. The communication failures addressed involve communications between the packet processors and a host CPU over a shared communications bus, e.g., PCI bus. The affected packet processor(s)—which may be all or a subset of the packet processors of the network switch—may be recovered without affecting hardware packet forwarding through the affected packet processors. This maximizes the up time of the network switching device. Other packet processor(s), if any, of the network switching device, which are not affected by the communication failure, may continue their normal packet forwarding, i.e., hardware forwarding that does not involve communications with the host CPU as well as forwarding or other operations that do involve communications with the host CPU. |
| US09030935B2 |
Device and method for adjusting rate limits for transmission rates of data flows having a certain priority in a transmitter
A device for adjusting a set of primary rate limits for transmission rates of data flows having a certain priority in a transmitter is provided, wherein data flows of different priorities including said certain priority are transmitted by a port of the transmitter. The transmission of the data flows having the certain priority is limited by secondary rate limits per data flow and by a transmission or flow control per priority. The device comprises a determiner and a number of adjusters. The determiner is configured to determine a mean value of a duty cycle of the certain priority at the port provided by the transmission or flow control. The adjusters are configured to adjust the primary rate limits for the transmission rates of the data flows having the certain priority based on the determined mean value of the duty cycle to obtain the secondary rate limits. |
| US09030931B2 |
Latency analysis of traffic passing through an ethernet switch
A method for accurately measuring, recording and reporting latency of an Ethernet switch is disclosed. Various packet queues in the switch are monitored at any given time and forwarding latency is calculated. Latency data from multiple switching elements in a network is collected to provide end-to-end forwarding latency of a system. |
| US09030928B2 |
Communication system, communication method and network management apparatus
In an example of the invention, network devices are classified into areas. Each of the areas includes edge nodes. A network management apparatus retains fault information including values each indicating whether or not a fault has occurred in each of the areas, retains detour path information including values indicating edge nodes, values indicating alternative areas to the areas and priorities assigned to the alternative areas, identifies, when determined that a fault has occurred in a first area based on the fault information, an alternative area to the first area based on the detour path information, determines, when determined that the fault has not occurred in the identified alternative area, the identified alternative area as a second area through which the active path passes, determines two edge nodes included in the second area, and detect network devices through which the active path passes between the two edge nodes. |
| US09030925B2 |
Method and apparatus for shared mesh protection switching
A method for protection switching in a shared node where protection resources of a plurality of end-to-end linear protection domain are shared is provided. The shared node receives a first protection switching event message notifying that a protection switching event occurs from a first node of a first end-to-end linear protection domain, and determines whether to prohibit protection switching on a second end-to-end linear protection domain by comparing a priority of the first end-to-end linear protection domain with a priority of the second end-to-end linear protection domain. |
| US09030918B2 |
Method for mobile underwater acoustic communications
A method for mobile underwater acoustic communications includes double differentially (DD) encoding a communication signal to produce a DD-encoded communication signal, applying direct sequence spread spectrum (SS) to the DD-encoded signal to produce a DD-SS communication output signal, and transmitting the DD-SS communication output signal. The method i) increases the SNR via processing gain, ii) eliminates the ISI through multipath suppression, and iii) enables bandwidth efficiency improvement via data multiplexing. The method is shown capable of facilitating simple receiver processing and offering performance robustness against unpredictable channel fluctuations. |
| US09030917B2 |
System for transferring wireless power using ultrasonic wave
Disclosed is a system of transferring wireless power using an ultrasonic wave, including: an ultrasonic wave generating device converting and transferring electric energy to an ultrasonic wave; and an ultrasonic wave receiving device receiving the ultrasonic wave to convert the ultrasonic wave to electric energy, wherein the ultrasonic wave generating device includes a radiation plate with a plurality of ultrasonic elements and controls an effective area of the radiation plate by turning on/off the plurality of ultrasonic elements so that the ultrasonic wave receiving device is disposed at a position minimizing dispersion effect due to a circular radiation of the ultrasonic wave. |
| US09030915B2 |
System and method for swath overlap detection
System and method for rapidly determining the geographic areas where spatial overlap of arbitrarily oriented (i.e. not just parallel) swath sensor data meets a pre-selected specified percentage of swath width. |
| US09030914B2 |
Discrete volumetric sonar method and apparatus for sub-seabed surveying
A method for imaging formations below the bottom of a body of water includes imparting acoustic energy into the formations along a predetermined length swath at a selected geodetic position. Acoustic energy reflected from the formations is detected along a line parallel to the length of the swath. The selected geodetic position is moved a selected distance transverse to the length of the swath. The imparting acoustic energy, detecting acoustic energy and moving the geodetic position are repeated until a selected distance transverse to the length of the swath is traversed. The detected acoustic energy from all the selected geodetic positions is coherently stacked. The detected acoustic energy is beam steered to each of a plurality of depths and positions along the length of the swath to generate an image for each such depth and position. |
| US09030911B2 |
Method and system for delineating a second wellbore from a first wellbore
Disclosed herein is a method of delineating a second wellbore from a first wellbore. The method includes, emitting acoustic waves from a tool in the first wellbore, receiving acoustic waves at the tool reflected from the second wellbore, and determining orientation and distance of at least a portion of the second wellbore relative to the tool. |
| US09030909B2 |
Method of conducting a seismic survey
A method of conducting a seismic survey of an area including a region of high seismic velocity regimes in a shallow overburden. According to the method, a zone is identified in which the boundary of the high seismic velocity region has a substantially constant critical angle and a course is plotted through the identified zone. A zone based directional seismic source is applied sequentially, with a directivity angle equal to or close to the measured critical angle. The response is detected using receivers. |
| US09030901B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory block group including memory blocks coupled to first sub bit lines, a second memory block group including memory blocks coupled to second sub bit lines, an operation circuit coupled to main bit lines, and configured to perform an operation for data input/output to/from a memory block selected from the first memory block group or the second memory block group, and a bit line control circuit configured to differently control sub bit lines of the selected memory block group and sub bit lines of the unselected memory block groups in response to group select signals for selecting a memory block group including the selected memory block of the first memory block group and the second memory block group and voltages of the main bit lines controlled by the operation circuit. |
| US09030894B2 |
Hierarchical multi-bank multi-port memory organization
A memory system includes multiple (N) memory banks and multiple (M) ports, wherein N is greater than or equal to M. Each of the memory banks is coupled to each of the ports. Access requests are transmitted simultaneously on each of the ports. However, each of the simultaneous access requests specifies a different memory bank. Each memory bank monitors the access requests on the ports, and determines whether any of the access requests specify the memory bank. Upon determining that an access request specifies the memory bank, the memory bank performs an access to an array of single-port memory cells. Simultaneous accesses are performed in multiple memory banks, providing a bandwidth equal to the bandwidth of one memory bank times the number of ports. An additional level of hierarchy may be provided, which allows further multiplication of the number of simultaneously accessed ports, with minimal area overhead. |
| US09030889B2 |
Buffering systems for accessing multiple layers of memory in integrated circuits
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to data storage and computer memory, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits and methods for accessing memory in multiple layers of memory implementing, for example, third dimension memory technology. In a specific embodiment, an integrated circuit is configured to implement write buffers to access multiple layers of memory. For example, the integrated circuit can include memory cells disposed in multiple layers of memory. In one embodiment, the memory cells can be third dimension memory cells. The integrated circuit can also include read buffers that can be sized differently than the write buffers. In at least one embodiment, write buffers can be sized as a function of a write cycle. Each layer of memory can include a plurality of two-terminal memory elements that retain stored data in the absence of power and store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles. |
| US09030874B2 |
Adjusting program and erase voltages in a memory device
A system and apparatus for adjusting threshold program and erase voltages in a memory array, such as a floating gate memory array, for example. One such method includes applying a first voltage level to a first edge word line of a memory block string and applying a second voltage level to a second edge word line of the memory block string. Such a method might also include applying a third voltage level to non-edge word lines of the memory block string. |
| US09030872B2 |
Method of maintaining the state of semiconductor memory having electrically floating body transistor
Methods of maintaining a state of a memory cell without interrupting access to the memory cell are provided, including applying a back bias to the cell to offset charge leakage out of a floating body of the cell, wherein a charge level of the floating body indicates a state of the memory cell; and accessing the cell. |
| US09030869B2 |
Three dimensional semiconductor memory device
A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor memory device comprises memory cell strings each comprising at least one selection transistor and at least one memory cell, a first pass transistor group sharing a first well region and comprising a first selection line pass transistor connected to the selection transistor and a first world line pass transistor connected to the memory cell, a second pass transistor group sharing a second well region and comprising a second selection line pass transistor connected to the selection transistor, and a controller that controls the first pass transistor group and the second pass transistor group. The controller applies selected voltages to the first and second well regions during read operation. |
| US09030867B2 |
Bipolar CMOS select device for resistive sense memory
A resistive sense memory apparatus includes a bipolar select device having a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of transistors disposed in the semiconductor substrate and forming a row or transistors. Each transistor includes an emitter contact and a collector contact. Each collector contact is electrically isolated from each other and each emitter contact is electrically isolated from each other. A gate contact extends along a channel region between the emitter contact and a collector contact. A base contact is disposed within the semiconductor substrate such that the emitter contact and a collector contact is between the gate contact and the base contact. A resistive sense memory cells is electrically coupled to each collector contact or emitter contact and a bit line. |
| US09030861B2 |
Variable resistance memory device and operating method thereof
An operating method of a variable resistance memory device including a pre-read step which may include the steps of: reading a first reference cell using a first reference voltage; reading a second reference cell using a second reference voltage; and setting a third reference voltage based on the first and second reference voltages; and a main read step of reading a selected memory cell using the third reference voltage. |
| US09030858B2 |
Semiconductor device and structure
A semiconductor device, including: a first semiconductor layer including first transistors, wherein the first transistors are interconnected by at least one metal layer including aluminum or copper; and a second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer including second transistors and overlaying the at least one metal layer, wherein the at least one metal layer is in-between the first semiconductor layer and the second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer, wherein the second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer is less than 100 nm in thickness, and wherein the second transistors include horizontally oriented transistors. |
| US09030857B2 |
Five-stage neutral point clamped inverter
The multi-level DC/AC converter, comprising: an input (5,7) connectable to a direct voltage source (3), with a first connection (5) and a second connection (7) between which can be applied an input voltage (Vi); a half-bridge with a first controlled switch (21) and a second controlled switch (25) between which is positioned an output (U) of the converter; a first connecting branch (15) between the first controlled switch (21) and the first connection (5) and a second connecting branch (17) between the second controlled switch (25) and the second connection (7); a third controlled switch (59) associated to the first controlled switch (21), connectable in series to the first controlled switch to generate an output voltage exceeding a first limit value (Vi/2); a fourth controlled switch (61) associated to the second controlled switch (25), connectable in series to said second controlled switch to generate an output voltage below a second limit value (−Vi/2). |
| US09030851B2 |
DC bus voltage control method and system
A method for controlling voltage of a DC bus in a converter circuit is provided. The method includes monitoring a duty cycle of a switch that connects a resistive circuit across the DC bus, the switch being closed when the DC bus voltage reaches an upper voltage value and opened when the DC bus voltage reaches a lower voltage value and altering the lower voltage value based upon the duty cycle of the switch. |
| US09030848B2 |
DC to DC converter
A DC to DC converter can include a reverse-blocking semiconductor switch that makes a synchronously rectifying MOSFET become parallel-connected with a capacitor that is connected to a power supply of a controller IC for a conventionally used synchronously rectifying circuit. The reverse-blocking semiconductor switch can be driven either by signals for adjusting a voltage of the capacitor within a permitted range of voltage of the power supply of the controller circuit, or by signals that are determined by a signal obtained from voltage across the MOSFET and the signals for adjusting a voltage of the capacitor within a permitted range of voltage of the power supply of the controller circuit. |
| US09030847B2 |
Inverter and driving method thereof
An inverter and driving method of the inverter are disclosed. The inverter includes an active clamp forward (ACF) converter and a flyback converter. One of a forwarding operation of delivering current from a primary side to a secondary side by using the ACF converter and a backwarding operation of delivering current from the secondary side to the primary side by using the flyback converter is selected to generate a rectified AC. |
| US09030846B2 |
Transformer-based switching resonant power conversion apparatus
A resonant power conversion apparatus including a transformer-based resonant converter and first and second switch control units is provided. The transformer-based resonant converter includes a primary switch circuit and a secondary output circuit configured to provide an output voltage to a load. The first switch control unit is configured to control an ON/OFF operation of the primary switch circuit in response to a status of the load. The second switch control unit is configured to determine whether to activate or inactivate the first switch control unit. When the status of the load is the light-loading or the no-loading, the first switch control unit intermittently controls the ON/OFF operation of the primary switch circuit, and meanwhile, the first switch control unit is inactivated during the primary switch circuit is disabled, so as to substantially reduce the light-loading or no-loading loss of the resonant power conversion apparatus. |
| US09030841B2 |
Low profile, space efficient circuit shields
A low profile, space efficient circuit shield is disclosed. The shield includes top and bottom metal layers disposed on the top of and below an integrated circuit. In one embodiment the shield can include edge plating arranged to encircle the edges of the integrated circuit and couple the top and bottom metal layers together. In another embodiment, the shield can include through vias arranged to encircle the edges of the integrated circuit and couple the top and bottom metal layers together. In yet another embodiment, passive components can be disposed adjacent to the integrated circuit within the shield. |
| US09030839B2 |
Track pad acoustic features related to a portable computer
The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal and external components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure, wherein the internal components comprise at least one external interface, such as, for example, a track pad interface. |
| US09030837B2 |
Injection molded control panel with in-molded decorated plastic film that includes an internal connector
Provided are systems and methods for a control assembly including: a first film that is in-molded that includes decorative graphics, a front surface and a rear surface; and a second film molded to the rear surface of the first film having a printed circuit that includes sensors, control circuits and interconnects and a front and rear surface; and an internal connector. |
| US09030833B2 |
Flexible annular protection of a remote control
A remote control device (1, 100, 200) for home automation equipment, of the roaming type, comprising a housing (2) containing an electronic circuit (7) comprising a radiofrequency transmitter (9), said housing (2) being of substantially cylindrical or spherical shape and having an axis of revolution, wherein the device comprises a viscoelastic ring (6, 106, 206), with the same axis of revolution as that of the housing, elastically held against said housing (2) and concealing an opening (16) in said housing (2). |
| US09030831B2 |
Locking mechanism and electronic device using same
A locking mechanism includes a first locking member positioned on the first object and a second locking member positioned on the second object. The second locking member can be moved to engage with or disengage from the first locking member. The second object defines at least one through hole for allowing insertion of the disassembly tool to push the second locking member, which disengages the second locking member from the first locking member. |
| US09030830B2 |
Containing case and electronic device having the same
A containing case suitable to be installed at an electronic device includes a main body, a cover and an elastic locking element. The cover is pivoted at the main body and has a protrusion portion, in which a side of the protrusion portion has a locking surface and the other side of the protrusion portion has a guiding slope. The elastic locking element is movably disposed at the main body and has a locking portion. When the cover is closed to the main body and drives the protrusion portion to apply force onto the elastic locking element, the elastic locking element is elastically deformed and the locking portion moves along the guiding slope and then crosses the protrusion portion to reach the locking surface so that the cover is locked at the main body by the locking portion. |
| US09030829B2 |
Modular accessory
An accessory is provided that includes power supply module, a first functional module, and a second functional module. The power supply module can be configured to be suspended beneath an overhead support, such as a hub of an umbrella. The first functional module is configured to affix to the power supply module and to be powered by the power supply module to provide a user directed function. The second functional module is configured to be detachably coupled to either the power supply module or the first functional module to receive power from the power supply module directly or through the first functional module. |
| US09030828B2 |
Tablet storage device
A tablet storage device includes a frame having a plurality of slots, at least one of which is adapted to hold a tablet. A docking station can be disposed in at least one slot. In some cases the docking station is configured to align a tablet as the tablet is positioned in the slot such that a corresponding port in the tablet aligns with, and connects to, a connector. The frame also has a surface to attach the device to a vertical surface and can have a door that can be moved from an open to a closed position and adapted to retain at least one tablet held within at least one slot when the door is closed. A power supply system and/or a network connection system can be provided with the tablet storage device. |
| US09030827B2 |
Server and drawer lifting device
A server includes a casing, a bottom plate, a first hard disk module, a second hard disk module, and a lifting device. The bottom plate is disposed in the casing and configured to be sliding relative to the casing. The first hard disk module is movably disposed on the bottom plate. The first hard disk module includes a track. The second hard disk module is fixed on the bottom plate and disposed behind the first hard disk module. The lifting device moves up the first hard disk module when the bottom plate is pulled out of the casing, and the lifting device moves down the first hard disk module when the bottom plate is pushed into the casing. A drawer lifting device is also disclosed. |
| US09030826B2 |
Chip-on-film packages and device assemblies including the same
Chip-on-film packages are provided. A chip-on-film package includes a film substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a semiconductor chip on the first surface, and a thermal deformation member adjacent to the second surface. The thermal deformation member has a construction that causes its shape to transform according to a temperature. Related devices and device assembles are also provided. |
| US09030825B2 |
Springy clip type apparatus for fastening power semiconductor
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for fastening a power semiconductor using an integral springy (elastic) clip, capable of fixing a power semiconductor, such as a diode and a MOSFET, using elasticity of a U-shaped clip by integrally molding the clip onto a housing of a plastic module. The apparatus includes an elastic (springy) clip integrally molded onto a lower surface of the housing and downwardly curved into a U-like shape in a bridge module in which a bridge of the power semiconductor protrudes through a through hole of the housing to be connected to a printed circuit board, whereby the power semiconductor is fixed by a force that the housing presses the power semiconductor. |
| US09030823B2 |
Heat dissipation system for power module
Disclosed herein is a heat dissipation system for a power module, including: first cooling medium flow parts and second cooling medium flow parts allowing cooling media to flow in first and second directions, respectively. |
| US09030821B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a case having an exhaust vent, an electronic component, a radiation component including radiation fins adjacent to the exhaust vent and formed of first plates disposed parallel to one another to form first air channels, the radiation component radiating the heat received from the electronic component to air passing through the first air channels, a fan disposed at a position having a space from the radiation fins to send air toward the radiation fins, a dust filter including second plates disposed parallel to one another to form second air channels and disposed in the space between the radiation fins and the fan to transfer the air to the radiation fins while capturing dust. The dust filter is removable and the second plates have a shape to be inserted in the first air channels so as to push the dust out of the first air channels. |
| US09030820B2 |
Notebook computer with telescopic mechanism for adjusting inclination
A notebook computer includes a display connected to a base by a pivot. The base defines a receiving space by a cover and a housing. The notebook computer further includes a telescopic mechanism arranged near the pivot in the receiving space. The telescopic mechanism protrudes from the housing via a first through hole defined in a bottom of the housing to maintain the base at certain inclination on a supporting surface; the notebook computer is in a first working state. The notebook computer switches to a second working state from the first working state when the telescopic mechanism retracts into the housing. |
| US09030818B2 |
Electronic device and elastic slide lock member
An electronic device includes: a housing provided with an opening that accommodates a component; a cover member that covers the opening; a projecting part that projects from an inside face of the housing; a slide knob slidably provided to a surface of the housing; and an elastic slide lock member that fixes the cover member to the housing, wherein the elastic slide lock member includes: a movement part that is coupled to the slide knob, moves together with the slide knob, and is provided with a fixing projection; a fixing part that is rotatably supported by the projecting part of the housing; and a coupling part that couples the movement part and the fixing part and is elastically deformable. |
| US09030811B2 |
Electronic device chassis and electronic device
An electronic device chassis includes a base plate for disposing an electronic device circuit thereon, and a cover for the electronic device circuit housing. The base plate includes a bottom portion and a wall portion. The wall portion includes a screw fastening portion including a contact surface that contacts the cover. The cover includes a screw hole for attaching the base plate. The contact surface of the screw fastening portion is higher than an upper surface other than the contact surface of the wall portion. The upper surface portion covers the side of the housing space facing the base plate. The external side surface cover is provided at a peripheral edge of the upper surface cover portion, and extends toward the base plate so as to be longer than a difference between the contact surface of the screw fastening portion and the upper surface of the wall portion. |
| US09030809B2 |
Housing for a switchgear assembly module, switchgear assembly module and switchgear assembly
A housing for a switchgear assembly module of a switchgear assembly forms a common gas space suitable for accommodating an insulating gas and three gas-insulated busbar nominal conductors of the switchgear assembly module. The housing includes three first busbar openings, which are arranged areally in a first opening plane and along a first straight line, three second busbar openings, which are arranged on a side, which is opposite the three first busbar openings, of the housing, and three outgoing conductor openings which are arranged areally in a second opening plane and along a second straight line. |
| US09030806B2 |
Polymerization method for preparing conductive polymer
A improved process for preparing a conductive polymer dispersion is provided as is an improved method for making capacitors using the conductive polymer. The process includes providing a monomer solution and shearing the monomer solution with a rotor-stator mixing system comprising a perforated stator screen having perforations thereby forming droplets of said monomer. The droplets of monomer are then polymerized during shearing to form the conductive polymer dispersion. |
| US09030801B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including a ceramic body having first and second side surfaces facing each other, and third and fourth end surfaces connecting the first and second side surfaces, a plurality of internal electrodes formed in the ceramic body and having one ends thereof exposed to the third end surface or the fourth end surface, and a first side margin part and a second side margin part formed such that an average thickness thereof from the first and second side surfaces to edges of the internal electrodes is 18 μm or less. |
| US09030799B2 |
Processes for preparing valve metal powders, powders prepared thereby and uses therefor
Processes comprising: melting a mixture comprising a valve metal precursor and a diluting agent in at least one first vessel under a first set of temperature and residence time conditions; transferring the mixture to at least one second vessel; and initiating, in the at least one second vessel, a reaction of the valve metal precursor to form a valve metal under a second set of temperature and residence time conditions; valve metal powder prepared thereby and uses therefor. |
| US09030791B2 |
Enhanced charge device model clamp
A circuit for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is disclosed. The circuit includes multiple transistors that are selectively turned on during an ESD event. An ESD sense circuit detects an ESD event and asserts signals to activate an ESD protection circuit which closes multiple protection transistors to dissipate current during the ESD event. During normal operation of the circuit, the signals are de-asserted, disabling the ESD protection circuit. |
| US09030788B2 |
Power supply system for vehicle
When an earth faulting has occurred in a driving device for driving a motor, a high voltage noise enters a high voltage detector through a connection node of the Y capacitor constituted by a pair of capacitors in DC/DC converter. A controller of the DC/DC converter limits the duty of switching elements constituting a full-bridge circuit on a primary side, in the case where a defect due to an earth faulting of the driving device is detected by a detection value of high voltage detector. |
| US09030787B2 |
Motor protector
A motor protector of the present invention includes: a serial current path that is formed between a first terminal and a second terminal and that sequentially connects a fixed contact, the first terminal, a movable contact, a movable plate holding a bimetallic element, an intermediate fixing plate, a first electrode section, a first resistor, a second electrode section, and the second terminal, the fixed contact being held by a base member stored in an insulating resin case that includes an opening sealed by the sealing member; and a parallel current path that is formed between the first terminal and the intermediate fixing plate and that sequentially connects the first terminal, a conductive bottom plate, a second resistor (PTC) 19, and the intermediate fixing plate, wherein, after the first resistor produces heat due to an excessive current and the bimetallic element is thus thermally activated, thereby opening a contact, a current-interrupted state is also maintained because the high resistance of the PTC 19 maintains heat production. |
| US09030786B2 |
Magnetic head having a soft magnetic layer with a close-packed plane thereof being parallel or oblique to an air bearing surface
In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a magnetoresistive sensor having a free layer and a soft magnetic layer adapted to control a magnetization direction of the free layer and a magnetic domain of the free layer, wherein a close-packed plane of the soft magnetic layer is positioned parallel to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the magnetic head. In another embodiment, a method for forming a magnetic head includes forming a magnetoresistive sensor having a free layer above a substrate and forming a soft magnetic layer adapted to control a magnetization direction of the free layer and a magnetic domain of the free layer, wherein a close-packed plane of the soft magnetic layer is positioned parallel or oblique to an ABS of the magnetic head. |
| US09030783B1 |
Phase detection of spin torque oscillator reader excited through parametric excitation
The embodiments disclosed generally relate to a read device in a magnetic recording head. The read device uses parametric excitation to injection lock the STO to an external AC signal with a frequency that is two times the resonance frequency, or more. The field from the media acting on the STO causes a change in the phase between the STO output and the external locking signal, which can be monitored using a phase detection circuit. The injection locking improves the STO signal to noise ratio and simplifies the detection circuit. |
| US09030782B2 |
Data reader side shields with polish stop
A data reader and associated method of making are generally provided. A data reader capable of sensing adjacent data bits may be configured at least with a magnetic stack disposed between first and second side shields. Each side shield may have a polish stop layer that is tuned to provide a first predetermined polish rate. |
| US09030779B2 |
Tape head with tape-bearing surface exhibiting an array of protruding topographic features
A tape head, adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, has a tape-bearing surface and is configured to urge a magnetic tape against the bearing surface, in operation. The bearing surface includes a transducer area, having at least one transducer that is a read and/or write element, designed for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, and a structured area adjacent to the transducer area, comprising a periodic array of topographic features, the topographic features configured within the structured area to determine a minimal distance between the transducer area and a tape. |
| US09030777B2 |
Microwave assisted magnetic recording head having spin torque oscillator, and magnetic recording apparatus
A spin torque oscillator generates a strong high-frequency magnetic field stably and has high reliability. A magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole and a spin torque oscillator. A magnetization control layer is antiferromagnetically coupled via a non-magnetic coupling layer with an interface contacting a high-frequency magnetic field generation layer of the spin torque oscillator. |
| US09030771B2 |
Compressed data verification
A media drive includes drive side circuitry that, in response to a request to validate compressed data read from media, validates packets of the compressed data while compressed and, in response to detecting end of data on the media without having detected an unrecoverable corrupt one of the packets and without decompressing the compressed data, generates a message indicating that the compressed data read from the media has been validated. |
| US09030769B2 |
Data detection in adjacent tracks
Devices and/or methods may detect data located in adjacent tracks. A signal representative of a first data unit having a higher signal-to-noise ratio may be detected prior to a signal representative of a second data unit having a lower signal-to-noise ratio, and then may be used to improve the signal representative of the second data unit. |
| US09030767B2 |
Color filter and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a color filter and a manufacturing method thereof. The method includes steps of: coating a first material layer on a substrate and patterning it to have first photoresists, first filter portions and first spacer portions; coating a second material layer on the substrate and patterning it to have second photoresists, second filter portions and second spacer portions; and coating a third material layer on the substrate and patterning it to have third photoresists, third filter portions and third spacer portions; and the first, the second, the third filter portions are correspondingly overlapped with each other, and the first, the second, the third spacer portions are correspondingly overlapped with each other. |
| US09030766B2 |
Displacement mechanism, lens module using the same and device using the same
A displacement mechanism, a lens module using the same and a device using the same are provided. The displacement mechanism of lens module comprises a base, a first element and a second element. The first element is disposed on the base, wherein the first element is immovably disposed relative to the base along a first direction and movably disposed relative to the base the base along a second direction. The second element is disposed on the base, wherein the second element is movably disposed relative to the first element along the first direction and movably disposed relative to the base along the first direction and the second direction. |
| US09030765B2 |
Optical apparatus including decentering/tilting adjustment mechanism
The optical apparatus includes a first holding member holding an optical element, a second holding member holding the first holding member, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes a fulcrum portion provided at one place in a circumferential direction and connecting the first and second holding member so as to allow movements of the first holding member in decentering and tilting correction directions with respect to the second holding member. The adjustment mechanism further includes two decentering adjustment portions arranged in the circumferential direction and each including a first adjusting member, and two tilting adjustment portions arranged in the circumferential direction and each including a second adjusting member. The first and second adjusting members each have an eccentric portion eccentric with respect to its rotation center portion. |
| US09030763B2 |
Lens device and imaging device mounted with the lens device
A lens device is used with an imaging device having a imaging-lens and an aperture stop device. The lens device includes a lens barrel that houses the imaging-lens and the aperture stop device, a first operation ring that is on an outer circumferential portion of the lens barrel and that is rotatable in a circumferential direction of the outer circumferential portion about an axis line of the lens barrel in order to adjust the aperture-area of the aperture stop device, and a second operation ring that is parallel with the first operation ring and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential portion about the axis line of the lens barrel in order to adjust a transmittance of a variable light transmission filter. |
| US09030761B2 |
Imaging lens assembly
An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element and a third lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the third lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both of an object-side surface and the image-side surface are aspheric. The imaging lens assembly has a total of three lens elements with refractive power. |
| US09030759B2 |
Imaging lens
Disclosed herein is an imaging lens, including: a first lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a second lens having negative (−) power and being concave toward an image side; a third lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a fourth lens having positive (+) power and being convex toward the image side; and a fifth lens having negative (−) power and being concave toward the image side, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and the fifth lens are sequentially disposed from an object side. |
| US09030758B2 |
Photographic lens system enabling reduction in tightness of manufacturing tolerance
A photographic lens system enabling reduction in tightness of manufacturing tolerance of lenses, which has five lenses: a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens and a fifth lens sequentially arranged along an optical axis from an object, wherein the first lens has strong positive refractivity, the second lens is a meniscus type lens and has weak positive refractivity, the third lens has upward convex-shaped positive refractivity, the fourth lens has upward convex-shaped negative refractivity, and the fifth lens has negative refractivity, wherein the lens system satisfies a relation, f2/f1>10, wherein f1 is a focal distance of the first lens, and f2 is a focal distance of the second lens. |
| US09030754B2 |
Zoom lens
A high-power zoom lens that achieves size and price reduction, and at the same time provides high-quality imaging. This lens includes at least four lens groups arranged along an optical axis, which are moveable along the axis in order to achieve changes in magnification. The first, third, and fourth lens groups have positive refractive powers, and the second group has a negative refractive power. The second lens group includes a negative meniscus lens arranged closest to the object, provided with a convex surface at the object side. A negative lens is arranged next to the negative meniscus lens, and a negative lens provided with a concave surface at the object side is arranged closest to the image. The fourth lens group includes at least two positive lenses and one negative lens. |
| US09030748B2 |
Brightness enhancement film, backlight assembly, and display apparatus
A brightness enhancement film includes a substrate; and a microlens structure formed on the substrate, wherein the microlens structure comprises a plurality of microlenses, each of the microlenses comprising a bottom surface contacting with the substrate, the bottom surface of each of the plurality of microlenses being of a polygonal shape such that at the substrate each of the plurality of microlenses is in close contact with adjacent microlenses surrounding it, without gaps leaving between them. The present invention also discloses a backlight module and a display apparatus comprising the above brightness enhancement film. The brightness enhancement film can improve optical gain property, reduce the thickness of the display apparatus and expand the view angle. |
| US09030747B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes a plurality of display elements each configured to display an original image, and an observation optical system configured to introduce light fluxes from the plurality of display elements to an exit pupil via a plurality of optical units, and to present a combined image. When a decentering section of each optical unit is defined as a section formed by a principal ray of the light flux introduced to the same image point in the combined image when the principal ray is reflected, the plurality of optical units are arranged so that decentering sections of the plurality of optical units are parallel. The plurality of display elements includes two neighboring display elements, and display planes of the two display elements partially display the same image. |
| US09030745B2 |
Wafer level optical elements and applications thereof
A wafer level lens includes a first lens structure of a first polymeric material coupled to a second lens structure of a second polymeric material, wherein an interface is formed by opposing surfaces of the first lens structure and the second lens structure, the opposing surfaces having no air gap therebetween, at least one aperture disposed between the first lens structure and the second lens structure, wherein the aperture contacts the first lens structure and the second lens structure and wherein a supporting substrate is not positioned between the first lens structure and the second lens structure, and a spacer coupled to and separate from the wafer level lens. |
| US09030744B2 |
Fabrication of micro lenses
A method for fabricating a micro lens array is provided. The method includes forming a first lens material structure on a substrate. The first lens material structure includes a plurality of elevated portions. The elevated portions are separated by recesses. Moreover, the plurality of elevated portions have an average height of at least 3 micrometers. Furthermore, the method for fabricating a micro lens array includes depositing a dielectric material on the first lens material structure and the recesses to form a second lens material structure. The second lens material structure has an average thickness of at least 1 micrometer. Moreover, the first and second lens material structures form together the micro lens array. |
| US09030740B2 |
Photochromic article having at least partially crossed polarized photochromic-dichroic and fixed-polarized layers
Photochromic-dichroic articles are provided, which include a substrate having a first surface, a fixed-polarized layer over the first surface of the substrate, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the first surface of the substrate. The fixed-polarized layer optionally includes a fixed-colorant and has a first polarization axis. The photochromic-dichroic layer includes a photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a second polarization axis. The first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The photochromic-dichroic articles can provide, for example, increased optical density and/or increased kinetics when exposed to a given amount of actinic radiation. |
| US09030738B2 |
Stereoscopic image viewing device
A stereoscopic image viewing device to be attached for stereoscopic image viewing to eyeglasses; which includes: a pair of light shutters for right and left eyes; a driver circuit for the light shutters; a power source unit for driving the light shutters; a bridge for supporting the light shutters at their inside edges; a binding portion for removably binding the stereoscopic image viewing device to the eyeglasses; and a support for supporting the driver circuit and the power source unit. The power source unit includes a secondary battery. The binding portion and the support are integrally formed with the bridge. The stereoscopic image viewing device has a center of gravity positioned in the bridge. |
| US09030735B2 |
Optical sight (variants)
An optical sight ensures a more accurate aim at feebly discernible targets in the twilight and in dull weather. The sight includes an objective, a reticule, an erecting system consisting of a first and a second positive component, each of which is cemented of two lenses, and an eyepiece. The sight also includes a beam-splitting cube, the beam-splitting face made as a diagonal face, three mirrors and a third positive component cemented of two lenses, a first plane mirror parallel to the beam-splitting face of the cube on the same axis with the third positive component, a second plane mirror perpendicular to the first mirror in front of a focal plane of the eyepiece, and a third mirror tilted to the optical axis and faced with its reflective surface toward the eyepiece arranged between the eyepiece focal plane and the second component of the erecting system. |
| US09030733B2 |
Spatially relaying radiation components
A method of spatially relaying a first radiation component (1) having a first wavelength and a second radiation component (2) having a second wavelength different from the first radiation component (1), using an optical relaying device (10) which comprises a transparent plate (11) having anti-reflection coatings (12, 13) on both side surfaces thereof, comprises transmitting the first radiation component (1) across the optical relaying device (10) with predetermined incident (a) and emergent angles (β), resp., wherein said anti-reflection coatings (12, 13) being effective for the first radiation component (1) at the incident and emergent angles (α, β), resp., and reflecting the second radiation component (2) at the optical relaying device (10) with a predetermined reflection angle (a) being equal to at least one of said incident and emergent angles (α, β), wherein the first and second radiation components (1, 2) are split from each other toward different directions or combined into a common beam path. Furthermore, an optical relaying device (10) and a resonator device, in particular enhancement cavity device (100) and a laser resonator, are described. |
| US09030729B2 |
Particles for display, particle dispersion for display, display medium, and display device
Particles for display include a copolymer that contains at least, as copolymer constituents, a reactive compound containing a silicone chain or an alkyl chain and a vinyl compound represented by Formula (1), wherein a content of the reactive compound containing a silicone chain or an alkyl chain is 3.0% by weight or less with respect to the weight of the particles: ArH2C═CH2)n Formula (1) wherein in Formula (1), Ar represents an unsubstituted aromatic ring or an aromatic ring that is substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer from 1 to 4. |
| US09030722B2 |
Light source apparatus and optical scanner
A light source apparatus includes a semiconductor laser which emits a laser beam, a coupling lens which converts the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser into a light flux, and a cylindrical lens into which the light flux is allowed to come from the coupling lens. The cylindrical lens is integrally formed with a lens portion, an outer circumferential portion which is arranged at an outer circumference of the lens portion, and a support portion which extends from the outer circumferential portion toward the semiconductor laser and which supports the coupling lens. |
| US09030710B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a first image output device and a second image output device outputting first and second output data from the original image data, a color component mapping device generating color component mapping data containing correspondences between a first or second output image data obtained by capturing the output data with an input device and the original image data, a color tone conversion parameter fixing device generating color tone conversion parameters from pixels in the first output image data and in the original image data, the pixel in the original image data when output as the second output image data having a pixel value equal to the value of the pixel in the first output image data, and a color tone conversion device using the conversion parameters. |
| US09030706B2 |
Method of adding value to print data, a value-adding device, and a recording medium
Various kinds of value can be easily added to print data output from an existing application without modifying the existing application program. A value-adding method executes a process of adding value to print data output from an application on a computer that has one or more communication ports and executes a specific process by means of an application, and includes a data acquisition step of acquiring the print data at the operating system kernel layer before the print data is received at the communication port, and a data processing step that applies at the application layer a process of adding and/or deleting print content in the print data based on previously registered information, and outputs the data after processing to the specified communication port. |
| US09030701B2 |
Displaying a screen of an image forming apparatus on a display of a client device
An MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) as an image forming apparatus displays a remote operation screen that is a screen for operating the MFP on an operation terminal and accepts a print setting and a print execution instruction from the operation terminal through the remote operation screen. The MFP prints the acquired image with the print setting accepted through the remote operation screen if a print execution instruction is accepted through a screen of an application different from an application that accepts a request for display of the remote operation screen. |
| US09030700B2 |
Relay device, facsimile communication method, and recording medium
A relay device includes a receiver that receives facsimile transmission instructions via a private network from a client device that does not include facsimile transmitting functions, a facsimile communication unit that transmits a facsimile externally via a public network, on the basis of the facsimile transmission instructions received by the receiver, a determiner that, on the basis of the content of the facsimile transmission instructions received by the receiver, determines whether or not to request another device connected via the private network to execute facsimile transmission, and a requester that, in the case where the determiner determines to request another device to execute facsimile transmission, sends a transmission request regarding some or all of the facsimile transmission instructions received by the receiver to another device. |
| US09030698B2 |
Image processing apparatus capable of displaying document thumbnail image, image processing apparatus control method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes a memory, and a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to control a storage unit configured to associate and store a document and a thumbnail image of a top page of the document, a deletion unit configured to delete a page designated from among pages of the document stored in the storage unit, and a generation unit configured to, in a case where a page to be deleted by the deletion unit is a top page of the document, generate a thumbnail image based on the top page of the document after deletion. |
| US09030697B2 |
Printing devices and mobile printing systems thereof
The present invention discloses a printing device. The printing device of the present invention may include a communication element capable of communicating with an external host utilizing a plurality of telecommunication network technologies to receive a file sent from the external host to the device, a printing element electrically coupled to the communication element to output an image file, and an audio outputting element electrically coupled to the communication element to output an audio file, wherein the communication element identifies a file type of the file received from the external host and selectively sends the file to the printing element or the audio outputting element. |
| US09030696B2 |
Integrated document delivery method and apparatus
A document delivery network server having a set of integrated functions including sending, receiving, routing and filing of FAXes and e-mails to other users which achieves numerous advantages over the prior art. The document delivery system is based on a client/server model having both analog and digital Fax line capabilities. The server side provides very highly integrated systems functionality based on industry standard, commercially available hardware and a mix of industry standard and proprietary software components including integrated FAX/modem modules, an embedded OS, embedded plug-and-play driver sets, embedded e-mail gateways, an embedded FAX archive, embedded back-up/restore, proprietary high efficiency line utilization and highly efficient load balancing. |
| US09030689B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, communication device, and non-transitory computer readable medium
Provided is an image processing apparatus including a readout unit that reads out an image, a grant unit that grants a right to receive image information provided to a communication destination through a wireless communication, in response to a request from the communication destination, the image information representing the image read out by the readout unit, and a providing unit that provides the image information by transmitting the image information to the communication destination through the wireless communication, when the communication destination exercises the right granted by the grant unit in a state where a wireless communication connection to the communication destination is established. |
| US09030683B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium with deletion unit deleting a virtual device object
An information processing apparatus performs, when an instruction is received on a gadget from a user and a printer object allocated to the gadget exists, processing using a printer driver allocated to the printer object, and displays, when an instruction is received on the gadget from the user and the printer object allocated to the gadget does not exist, a setting screen for the gadget. |
| US09030679B2 |
Operation console with enhanced configuration of operation buttons for command inputs, and electronic device and image processing apparatus provided with the operation console
An operation unit of an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes, allowing accurate and easy input by the user requesting switching of display to a screen image allowing selection of an operation mode, includes: a pilot lamp, a touch-panel display, and hardware keys including a power key, an energy-saving key and a home key. The home key that switches the display on the touch-panel display to an operation mode selecting screen image (home screen image) when pressed is provided closer to the touch-panel display than other hardware buttons. |
| US09030675B2 |
Method for determining a distance between two beamlets in a multi-beamlet exposure apparatus
The invention relates to a method for determining a distance between charged particle beamlets in a multi-beamlet exposure apparatus. The apparatus is provided with a sensor comprising a converter element for converting charged particle energy into light and a light sensitive detector provided with a two-dimensional pattern of beamlet blocking and non-blocking regions. The method comprises scanning a first beamlet over the pattern, receiving light generated by the converter element, and converting the received light into a first signal. Then the two-dimensional pattern and the first beamlet are moved relatively with respect to each other over a predetermined distance. Subsequently, the method comprises scanning a second beamlet over the pattern, receiving light generated by the converter element, and converting the received light into a second signal. Finally, the distance between the first beamlet and second beamlet is determined based on the first signal, the second signal and the predetermined distance. |
| US09030671B2 |
Measuring assembly for measuring a spectacle frame
A measuring assembly for measuring an inside of a lens frame of a spectacle frame, said lens frame at least partially delimiting an inscribed surface area F that corresponds to a lens shape, comprising a holding device for mounting the spectacle frame, at least one light source for generating a light beam to be projected on a region of the lens frame to be evaluated, and at least one sensor that can be coupled to an evaluation unit for detecting the reflected light beam, wherein the holding device can be rotated about a rotational axis r and moved in the direction of a movement axis x, and the movement axis x comprises at least one movement component in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis r. The holding device is used to fix the spectacle frame by spectacle frame bows, wherein at least one free space is provided in the region of the holding device, said free space being used to receive the spectacle frame bows of a spectacle frame to be held which are not folded in or cannot be folded in. |
| US09030665B2 |
Method for monitoring and/or regulating fuel cells
The invention relates to a method for monitoring and/or regulating fuel cells, in particular comprising determining the composition of the operating gases of the fuel cells. The method comprises the following steps: introducing the gas mixture to be analyzed into a measuring cell (1); producing an arc in the measuring cell (1); absorbing the radiation emitted by the arc; optical filtering of the emitted radiation and/or spectral decomposition of the emitted radiation; converting the emitted radiation into an electric signal; evaluating the electric signal. |
| US09030661B1 |
Alignment measurement system
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for alignment measurement. A laser source generates an incident laser beam which is directed to a two-dimensional target grating on a target substrate such that multiple diffracted beams are created. A beam splitter transmits a first plurality of the multiple diffracted beams onto a first optical path and directs a second plurality of the multiple diffracted beams onto a second optical path. Each of the two optical paths includes a reference grating and a detector. Another embodiment relates to a method of measuring alignment of a target substrate. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US09030658B1 |
Multi-resolution optical probing system having reliable temperature control and mechanical isolation
An optical probe system for probing an electronic device includes a sample plate that can hold a target device comprising an integrated circuit, an optical objective system that can collect reflected or emitted light from the integrated circuit in the target device, and a temperature control chamber that can hold a fluid to control the temperature of the target device. |
| US09030656B2 |
Inspection device, inspection method and non-transitory storage medium for inspecting deformation of substrate holding member, and substrate processing system including the inspection device
Disclosed is an inspection device for inspecting deformation of a substrate holding member of a substrate transport apparatus. The substrate holding member is moved in the forward-and-backward direction relative to the transport base to pass across a light path of the detection light formed by an optical detection unit. The position, with respect to a direction transverse to the forward-and-backward direction, of the substrate holding member is detected based on a detection signal of the optical detection unit. Based on a correlation data expressing the relationship between a first parameter indicative of a change of a position of the substrate holding member with respect to the forward-and-backward direction and a second parameter indicative of the change of the position of the substrate holding member with respect to the direction transverse to the forward-and-backward direction, whether or not deformation occurs in the substrate holding member is judged. |
| US09030649B2 |
Target positioning device, method for driving a target positioning device, and a lithography system comprising such a target positioning device
A target positioning device, in particular for a lithography system, comprising a carrier for carrying a target, and a stage for carrying and moving the carrier along a first direction (X). The stage comprising two X-stage bases, both arranged on top of a common base plate, each X-stage base carries an X-stage carriage, and a Y-beam comprising a Y-stage for carrying said carrier and moving the carrier said carrier in a second direction (Y). The Y-beam bridges the space between the X-stage carriages and is connected to the X-stage carriages via a flexible coupling. The device further comprises two motors each for driving a corresponding X-stage carriage along its corresponding X-stage base. The two motors are arranged at least substantially below the stage. Each motor of said two motors is coupled to an eccentric cam or crank which is connected to the corresponding X-stage carriage via a crank shaft. |
| US09030648B2 |
Dual wafer stage exchanging system for lithographic device
A dual wafer stage exchanging system for a lithographic device is disclosed, said system comprises two wafer stages running between an exposure workstation and a pre-processing workstation, and said two stages are set on a base and suspended above the upper surface of the base by air bearings. Each wafer stages is passed through by a Y-direction guide rail respectively, wherein one end of said guide rail is connected with a main driving unit and another end of said guide rail is detachably coupled with one of the two X-direction auxiliary driving units with single degree of freedom, and said two wafer stages are capable of moving in Y-direction along the guide rails and moving in X-direction under the drive of the auxiliary driving units with single degree of freedom. The position exchange of said two wafer stages can be enabled by the detachment and connection of the Y-direction guide rails and the auxiliary units with single degree of freedom. |
| US09030642B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, which includes a backlight module, a mold frame mounted on the backlight module, a liquid crystal display panel mounted on the mold frame, and a bezel mounted on the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight module includes a backplane, a light bar mounted to the backplane, a graphite pad arranged between the backplane and the light bar. The light bar includes a metal core printed circuit board that is set in the form of an inverted U-shape and a plurality of LED lights mounted to and electrically connected with the metal core printed circuit board. The metal core printed circuit board is mounted to the backplane so as to mount the light bar to the backplane. |
| US09030641B2 |
Heat exchanger for back to back electronic displays
A cooling assembly for a dual electronic image assembly having an open and closed gaseous loop. A closed gaseous loop allows circulating gas to travel across the front surface of a pair of electronic image assemblies and through a heat exchanger. An open loop allows ambient gas to pass through the heat exchanger and extract heat from the circulating gas. An optional additional open loop may be used to cool the back portion of the electronic image assembly (optionally a backlight). The cooling assembly can be used with any type of electronic assembly for producing an image. Some embodiments use cross-flow heat exchangers comprised of corrugated plastic. |
| US09030640B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
In an electro-optical device, an electro-optical material is doubly sealed with a first seal member and a second seal member. In the second seal member, first particles are located in a gap between a first substrate and a second substrate, and second particles are located outside of the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, so as to cover the opening of the gap. |
| US09030639B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Reduction in the reliability of a seal portion is prevented. The reduction is caused by a light shielding portion formed on the seal portion of a TFT substrate to hamper curing an ultraviolet curable sealing material. A sealing material has a two-layer structure of an ultraviolet curable sealing material that is an inner sealing material and a thermosetting and ultraviolet curable sealing material or a thermosetting sealing material that is an outer sealing material. A light shielding portion is formed on a TFT substrate under the outer sealing material, and is not formed on the TFT substrate under the inner sealing material. When ultraviolet rays are applied from the TFT substrate side, the inner sealing material is cured in a short time. The outer sealing material is then cured by heating. Thus, the overall seal portion can be sufficiently cured, and a highly reliable seal portion can be formed. |
| US09030632B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Provided is a liquid crystal display device in which a source line is divided in a screen and the screen is driven in a horizontally divided state. A divided position (40) between a source line (30u) in an upper display region and a source line (30d) in a lower display region is arranged at an intersecting part between a source line (30) and a gate line (32). A part of the source line (30), which overlaps with a gate line (32a) on which the divided position 40 is present, has a planar shape additionally including an expanded part (46) (protruding portion) having the same area as a removed part of the source line (30) at the divided position (40), as compared to a part of the source line (30), which overlaps with a gate line (32b) on which the divided position (40) is absent. |
| US09030630B2 |
Microlens array substrate, electro-optic device, and electronic apparatus
A microlens includes a lens center portion having a lens-curved surface and a lens circumference portion having a linear side surface. In the case where length of the side surface is taken as L1, length of an aperture is taken as Ax, an angle formed by a normal of the side surface and incident light on the microlens is taken as θ1, and an angle formed by the normal of the side surface and output light from the microlens is taken as θ2, a relational expression of Equation 1 is satisfied. 0 < L 1 ≤ A x cos ( θ 1 - θ 2 ) cos θ 2 Equation 1 |
| US09030629B2 |
Light guiding system, edge-lighting backlight module and liquid crystal display
A light guiding system includes an ambient light gathering system for absorbing the ambient light to generate absorbed light; multiple light guiding devices each of which includes a light input end near the ambient light gathering system and a light output end near an incident side of a light guiding plate, and multiple light diffusion devices between the light output end and the incident side of the light guiding plate, for broadening a light-emitting angle of the light output end. The absorbed light enters the light input end and is guided to the light output end to form a backlight source. The light guiding system utilizes a light diffusion device to broaden the light-emitting angle of the light output end such that the light uniformity of the light output end is improved and the optical quality of the edge-lighting backlight module is raised. |
| US09030628B2 |
Backlight module and display apparatus thereof
A backlight module is used for providing white light to a liquid crystal panel. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a backlight source, and a phosphor layer structure. The light guide plate has a light entrance surface. The backlight source is disposed on a position corresponding to the light entrance surface of the light guide plate for emitting light. The phosphor layer structure is disposed between the backlight source and the light entrance surface of the light guide plate and is away from the backlight source by a specific distance, for receiving the light emitted by the backlight source to generate the white light. |
| US09030626B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, which includes a backlight module, a mold frame arranged on the backlight module, a liquid crystal display panel arranged on the mold frame, a front enclosure made of a plastic material and arranged on the liquid crystal display panel, and a conductor piece mounted on the front enclosure. The backlight module includes a backplane made of a conductive materiel, a backlight source mounted in the backplane, and an optic film assembly received in the backplane. The conductor piece includes a first conductive section to which a second conductive section is connected. The first conductive section is arranged between the front enclosure and the liquid crystal display panel to engage the liquid crystal display panel. A bolt is received through the second conductive section of the conductor piece, the front enclosure, and the mold frame to engage and fix to the backplane. |
| US09030621B2 |
Liquid crystal display
Provided is a liquid crystal display (LCD) with improved heat dissipation and reduced thickness. The LCD includes for an embodiment: a lower housing; a heat-dissipating member which is disposed in the lower housing; a plurality of point light sources which are disposed on the heat-dissipating member; a plurality of electric wires which supply power to the point light sources; and a light guide plate (LGP) which is disposed in the lower housing in such a way that side surfaces of the LGP face the point light sources. |
| US09030616B2 |
Electro-optic apparatus and electronic apparatus
A retention capacity in which a first electrode, a lower side capacity insulation film, a second electrode, an upper side capacity insulation film, and a third electrode are laminated is formed between a pixel electrode and a TFT. The lower side capacity insulation film and the upper side capacity insulation film respectively include a plurality of insulation films, and the lamination order thereof is the same. |
| US09030613B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display apparatus and 3D image system
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal display apparatus and a 3D image system. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a patterned retarder and a shading film. The shading film includes a plurality of transparent units and a plurality of shading units arranged in an alternating manner, and the shading units are positioned between the first phase retarders and the second phase retarders, respectively. When the offset of the first phase retarders or the second phase retarders occurs, the shading unit can shade the deviated light rays. |
| US09030610B2 |
High definition media content processing
High definition media content processing techniques are described in which enhanced media content rendering techniques may be performed to output high definition media content. In an implementation, luma keying may be provided to define clear pixels in a composite output using an optimum set of graphics processing instructions. In another implementation, techniques are described which may provide clear rectangles in a composite output of one or more video streams. Clear rectangles to appear in the composite output are configured by a media playback application. A texture is arrived at to represent a union of each of the clear rectangles and is applied to form the clear rectangles in the composite output. In another implementation, capture techniques are described in which an image to capture is resolved as strips to an intermediate texture and then from the texture to a capture buffer in system memory. |
| US09030598B2 |
Optically refracting surfaces
A method includes producing a first layer of optical liquid, shaping contactlessly the first layer of the optical liquid according to a desired form, and curing the shaped first layer of the optical liquid with electromagnetic radiation to generate a first optically refracting surface. |
| US09030592B2 |
Interchangeable lens attachable to image pickup apparatus that provide contrast AF, control method therefor, image pickup apparatus and control method therefor
The interchangeable lens includes a focus actuator to move a focus lens, a memory storing speed control data for the focus actuator and end position data showing infinity side and close side end positions of a movable range of the focus lens, a lens controller to control the drive speed of the focus actuator by using the speed control data. The lens controller receives, from an image pickup apparatus, timing information showing a timing relating to acquisition of focus information, performs an end reachability determination for predictively determining, by using the timing information, the speed control data and the end position data, whether or not the focus lens reaches the infinity side or close side end position by a scheduled focus information acquisition timing, and sends information showing a result of the end reachability determination to the image pickup apparatus. |
| US09030589B2 |
Image sensor and image sensing apparatus
An image sensor comprises a plurality of pixels, and each pixel having: a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to receive light fluxes that pass through different exit pupil regions of an optical system disposed on an object side of the image sensor and accumulate charges, respectively; a separation portion configured to separate the photoelectric conversion units; and setting means configured to selectively set an electric potential of the separation portion to any one of a plurality of electric potentials. Signals can be separately read out from the photoelectric conversion units. Taking an electric potential of a separation portion that separates the plurality of pixels as a reference potential, the plurality of electric potentials include first to third electric potentials; higher than the reference potential, lower than the reference potential, and higher than the reference potential and lower than the first electric potential. |
| US09030588B2 |
Imaging apparatus for reducing deterioration of AD conversion of a pixel signal
An imaging apparatus capable of reducing deterioration of AD conversion accuracy is provided, wherein, when performing the AD conversion on a pixel signal corresponding to a reset level, a latch control unit causes a latch circuit of a latch unit to enter an enabled state (third timing) at a first timing according to a comparison start in a comparing unit, and then causes the latch circuit of the latch unit to execute latching at a fourth timing at which a predetermined time has lapsed from a second timing according to a comparison end in the comparing unit. Further, when performing the AD conversion on the pixel signal corresponding to the signal level, the latch control unit causes the latch circuit of the latch unit to enter the enabled state at the second timing according to the comparison end in the comparing unit. |
| US09030587B2 |
Solid-state image sensor with light-guiding portion
A solid-state image sensor comprising a photoelectric conversion portion, a MOS transistor, a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer whose refractive index is higher than that of the first insulating layer, and a light-guiding portion including a first portion and a second portion formed on the first portion, wherein an angle that the side face of the first portion makes with a plane parallel to a light-receiving face of the photoelectric conversion portion is smaller than an angle that a side face of the second portion makes with the parallel plane, and a boundary between the first portion and the second portion is positioned higher than an upper face of a gate electrode of the MOS transistor, and lower than a boundary between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. |
| US09030581B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, imaging apparatus, electronic appliance, and method of driving the solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes: a device portion in which unit constituent elements, each of which includes a charge detection unit detecting a charge that is generated on the basis of changes in physical information and a transfer unit transferring a signal charge detected by the charge detection unit, are arranged in a predetermined direction; and a supplied voltage control portion capable of transferring a part of the charge detected by the charge detection unit through supplying of a control voltage for suppressing blooming to the transfer unit and capable of transferring the signal charge detected by the charge detection unit through supplying of a first control voltage that is different from the control voltage for suppressing the blooming to the transfer unit. |
| US09030580B2 |
Color filter modules for plenoptic XYZ imaging systems
A method for designing a color filter module used in a plenoptic XYZ imaging system. In one approach, the color filter module is spatially partitioned into filter cells, and the spatial partition is designed by considering data captured at the sensor in light of variations in ΔE. |
| US09030577B2 |
Image processing methods and systems for handheld devices
Image processing methods and systems for handheld devices are provided. First, an image effect is determined. Then, a plurality of preview images is continuously captured by an image capture unit of an electronic device. After the respective preview image is captured, the image effect is applied to the preview image, and the preview image applied with the image effect is displayed in a display unit of the electronic device. |
| US09030574B2 |
Imaging apparatus capable of correcting white balance based on an output signal amplification gain and white balance gain
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging sensor operable to capture a subject image and output image information, a gain setting unit operable to set a value of an output signal amplification gain according to a value of ISO sensitivity for amplifying the image information output from the imaging sensor, a determination unit operable to determine a value of white balance gain to be used for white balance correction according to the value of the output signal amplification gain set by the gain setting unit, and a white balance correcting unit operable to perform white balance correction on the image information output from the imaging sensor based on the value of the output signal amplification gain set by the setting unit and the value of the white balance gain determined by the determination unit. |
| US09030573B2 |
Imaging processing apparatus, camera system, image processing method, and program
A camera system, image processing method and computer program stored on a computer readable medium for image processing. Long and short accumulation images with longer and shorter exposure times are respectively obtained from one field. First and second long accumulation evaluation values are computed from the long accumulation image. A short accumulation evaluation value is computed from the short accumulation image. A short accumulation target exposure time and short accumulation exposure control information are acquired from the short accumulation evaluation value and a first target level. A long accumulation evaluation value is acquired by synthesizing the first and second long accumulation evaluation values. Long accumulation exposure control information is acquired from the long accumulation evaluation value and a second target level. An image is generated from the long accumulation image and the short accumulation image. |
| US09030569B2 |
Moving image processing program, moving image processing device, moving image processing method, and image-capturing device provided with moving image processing device
A camera outputs to a host terminal a moving image for display on a display. An image acquisition unit acquires an unprocessed image captured using an imaging element. A simple demosaic processing unit performs a demosaic process on the unprocessed image. A pyramid filter unit converts the unprocessed image into a plurality of reduced images whose resolutions vary in stages. An image transmission unit is provided with a selection unit for selecting a part of the unprocessed image as a specific part and also selecting any one of the plurality of reduced images as a specified reduced image. The specific part of the unprocessed image and the specified reduced image that have been selected are transmitted to a host terminal by a communication unit for a further image process. |
| US09030567B2 |
Image capture apparatus and setting time information
An image capture apparatus includes an internal time information generating unit that includes an internal time source, a receiving unit configured to receive external time information generated in an external time source, and an adjusting unit configured to adjust the external time information using a first delay time information corresponding to a delay time generated in a communication path between the internal time information generating unit and a time setting unit, wherein the time setting unit is configured to perform a process for setting the external time information adjusted by the adjusting unit to the internal time source. |
| US09030566B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and control method of the same
An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor configured to capture an image; a vibration detection unit configured to detect a vibration; a vector detection unit configured to detect a motion vector from images; a first correction unit configured to optically correct an image blur; a second correction unit configured to electrically correct the image blur; a first calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the vibration, a first vibration correction amount for controlling the first correction unit; a second calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the motion vector, a second vibration correction amount for controlling the second correction unit; and a control unit configured to control the first and second calculation units so that the first and second vibration correction amounts are suppressed when a vibration amount is greater than a first threshold. |
| US09030564B2 |
Single camera tracker
A camera tracker, in which an image captured by a camera oriented to capture images across a surface is accessed. A region in which an object detected within the accessed image is positioned is determined from among multiple defined regions within a field of view of the camera. User input is determined based on the determined region and an application is controlled based on the determined user input. |
| US09030560B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring surroundings of a vehicle
The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus is provided with an imaging device and a device that transforms captured image to digital image. A first edge extraction mask is applied to detect multiple horizontal edges. The apparatus further includes a detector that detects upper end of the head of the object by detecting a horizontal edge having a highest edge intensity out of the multiple horizontal edges. A second edge extraction mask is used to detect the lower end of the head of the physical object by detecting multiple vertical edges and matching the positional variation of the multiple vertical edges with predetermined patterns. |
| US09030559B2 |
Constrained parametric curve detection using clustering on Hough curves over a sequence of images
A method for automatically detecting a constrained curve over a set of images includes: obtaining a set of one or more binary images of a scene wherein pixels thereof are designated as an edge pixel or not; and, processing at least one of the images. The processing includes: applying a Hough transform to the image to generate an accumulator array; determining Hough peaks from the accumulator array; selecting Hough peaks subject to a set of constraints; determining Hough curve segments for the selected Hough peaks; grouping the Hough curve segments into clusters; selecting from the clusters a cluster having a greatest number of Hough curve segments; and fitting a curve to the Hough curve segments grouped in the selected cluster. |
| US09030554B2 |
Device for analysing the surface of a substrate
An analysis device for analysing a transparent or specular surface of a substrate, the device including a raster located opposite the surface of the substrate to be measured, a video camera for capturing at least one image of the raster deformed by the measured substrate, a raster lighting system, and an image-processing and digital analysis mechanism connected to the video camera. The video camera is a matrix array camera, the raster is provided on a substrate having an oblong shape and is bidirectional including a first pattern extending along a first direction and along a smallest extension of the substrate, the first pattern being transversely periodical to the smallest extension, and a second pattern extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first pattern and along a largest extension of the substrate. |
| US09030550B2 |
Thin plenoptic cameras using solid immersion lenses
Methods and apparatus for capturing and rendering high-quality photographs using relatively small, thin plenoptic cameras. Plenoptic camera technology, in particular focused plenoptic camera technology including but not limited to super-resolution techniques, and other technologies such as solid immersion lens (SIL) technology may be leveraged to provide thin form factor, megapixel resolution cameras suitable for use in mobile devices and other applications. In addition, at least some embodiments of these cameras may also capture radiance, allowing the imaging capabilities provided by plenoptic camera technology to be realized through appropriate rendering techniques. Hemispherical SIL technology, along with multiple main lenses and a mask on the photosensor, may be employed in some thin plenoptic cameras. Other thin cameras may include a layer between hemispherical SILs and the photosensor that effectively implements superhemispherical SIL technology in the camera. |
| US09030549B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated plant necrosis
A method of distinguishing individual plants within a row of plants, including directing radiation at the row of plants at an angle selected to illuminate a portion of the plant and cast a shadow at the plant center, collecting an image from the radiation reflected off of two or more contiguous plants with a detector, identifying a continuous foreground region indicative of a plant within the image, identifying points of interest within the region, classifying the points of interest as plant centers and non-plant centers, and segmenting the region into sub-regions, each sub-region encompassing a single point of interest classified as a plant center. |
| US09030543B2 |
Endoscope system
An image with an expanded depth of field is more effectively acquired while reducing the manufacturing cost, without enlarging the apparatus.Provided is an endoscope system including: an objective optical system that is provided at an insertion portion tip and that acquires a subject image; an optical path division means for dividing the subject image into two optical images with different focuses; an imaging element that forms the two optical images with different focuses at the same time to acquire two images; an image correction means that corrects the two images acquired by the imaging element so that differences other than the focuses become substantially the same; and an image combination processing unit that selects an image with a relatively high contrast in predetermined corresponding areas between the two images corrected by the image correction means to generate a combined image. |
| US09030542B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and image pickup system
An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device for picking up an image of an object; a reception portion that is provided in a processor including a signal processing portion processes an image signal obtained by picking up the object with the image pickup device, and that receives a first synchronization signal generated in a first synchronization signal generation portion and is transmitted through a cable; a calculation portion that sequentially detects a plurality of periods of the first synchronization signal that the reception portion receives, and carries out processing to perform a calculation that determines an average value of the detected plurality of periods of the first synchronization signal; and a second synchronization signal generation portion that generates a second synchronization signal taking a value based on a calculation result of the calculation portion as a period, and supplies the second synchronization signal to the image pickup device. |
| US09030540B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing ghosting in a three-dimensional image system
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for reducing ghosting in a three-dimensional (3-D) image system. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a 3-D image generation system may comprise a first pixel disposed on a semiconductor element that emits light in a first color spectrum and a second pixel disposed on a semiconductor element that emits light in a second color spectrum. A controller may be coupled to the first pixel and the second pixel. The controller may cause the 3-D image generation system to display a first stereoscopic image using the first color spectrum and a second stereoscopic image using the second color spectrum. A filter may be coupled to at least one of the first pixel and the second pixel, and alter at least one of the first color spectrum and the second color spectrum. |
| US09030535B2 |
Shutter glasses, method for adjusting optical characteristics thereof, and 3D display system adapted for the same
Disclosed are shutter glasses capable of automatically changing brightness according to image characteristics and allowing a viewer to adjust brightness and a color temperature according to his preference, a method for adjusting light characteristics of the shutter glasses, and a display system employing the same. The shutter glasses adaptive to be used for a three-dimensional (3D) display device. The shutter glasses include: a pair of shutter liquid crystal panels prepared to correspond to user's left and right eyes; and a controller configured to turn on and off the shutter liquid crystal panels at a certain frequency and control light transmittance of the shutter liquid crystal panels by a gamma voltage corresponding to a certain level control signal. |
| US09030532B2 |
Stereoscopic image display
Stereoscopic image display is described. In an embodiment, a location of the eye pupils of a viewer is determined and tracked. An image is displayed within a first focus for viewing with the left eye of the viewer, and the image is displayed within a second focus for viewing with the right eye of the viewer. A positional change of the eye pupils is tracked and a sequential image that corresponds to the positional change of the eye pupils is generated for stereoscopic viewing. In another embodiment, an image is displayed for stereoscopic viewing and a head position of a viewer relative to a center of the displayed image is determined. A positional change of the viewer's head is tracked, and a sequential image that corresponds to the positional change of the viewer's head is generated for stereoscopic viewing. |
| US09030530B2 |
Stereo-image quality and disparity/depth indications
A variety of implementations are described. At least one implementation modifies one or more images from a stereo-image pair in order to produce a new image pair that has a different disparity map. The new disparity map satisfies a quality condition that the disparity of the original image pair did not. In one particular implementation, a first image and a second image that form a stereo image pair are accessed. A disparity map is generated for a set of features from the first image that are matched to features in the second image. The set of features is less than all features in the first image. A quality measure is determined based on disparity values in the disparity map. The first image is modified, in response to the determined quality measure, such that disparity for the set of features in the first image is also modified. |
| US09030529B2 |
Depth image acquiring device, system and method
A depth image acquiring device is provided, which includes at least one projecting device and at least one image sensing device. The projecting device projects a projection pattern to an object. The image sensing device senses a real image. In addition, the projecting device also serves as a virtual image sensing device. The depth image acquiring device generates a disparity image by matching three sets of dual-images formed by two real images and one virtual image, and generates a depth image according to the disparity image. In addition, the depth image acquiring device also generates a depth image by matching two real images, or a virtual image and a real image without verification. |
| US09030527B2 |
Method for providing and recognizing transmission mode in digital broadcasting
The present invention relates to a method for selecting an appropriate mode when performing a new broadcast, such as a 3D stereo broadcast, a UHDTV broadcast, and a multi-view broadcast, among others, while maintaining compatibility with existing broadcasting channels in an MPEG-2-TS format for transmitting and receiving digital TV, and to a method for recognizing a descriptor. To this end, the present invention suggests providing the descriptor which is related to synthesizing left and right images using the type of stream, existence of the descriptor, and a frame-compatible mode flag. |
| US09030524B2 |
Image generating apparatus, synthesis table generating apparatus, and computer readable storage medium
An image generating apparatus includes an image receiving unit, a projecting unit, and a panoramic image generating unit. The image receiving unit receives camera images captured by a plurality of cameras, the subject of which is common. The projecting unit projects, within each camera image received by the image receiving unit, images which are present below the horizontal line within each camera image on the bottom surface of an infinite hemisphere having a planar bottom surface and projects images which are present above the horizontal line within each camera image on the hemispherical surface of the infinite hemisphere. The panoramic image generating unit generates a panoramic image based on the images projected on the infinite hemisphere by the projecting unit. |
| US09030523B2 |
Flow-control based switched group video chat and real-time interactive broadcast
Real-time interactive broadcast sessions for client devices include: for each client device in the interactive broadcast session, configuring downstream video and audio ports for the interactive broadcast session between a central controller and the client device; receiving from each client device a selected broadcaster corresponding to a broadcaster flow control signal; in response to receiving the selected broadcaster from each client device, sending video and audio streams of the selected broadcaster to each client device over the interactive broadcast session; receiving a request from a given client device on the interactive broadcast session to interact with the selected broadcaster; configuring upstream and downstream video ports for one-to-one video chat session between the central controller and the given client device; and sending the video and audio streams of the given client device, and the video and audio streams of the selected broadcaster, to each client device over the interactive broadcast session. |
| US09030521B2 |
Methods and systems for transmitting video messages to mobile communication devices
Methods and systems for managing messaging are described. An illustrative messaging system includes a processor and a content database storing video content and/or other content, and a user database that stores an identifier corresponding to a telecommunications carrier associated with a user mobile phone, and an indicator indicating the messaging capability of the mobile phone of the user. Code is stored in memory that is configured to provide for display on a terminal a form via which a user can view a plurality of videos from the content database, select a video to be sent as a message, and specify a recipient for the video message. The system is optionally configured to initiate the transmission of an approval request message to a terminal, such as a mobile phone associated with the user, wherein the user can approve the sending of the video message to the recipient by taking an action in response to the approval request. |
| US09030520B2 |
Automatic camera selection for videoconferencing
In videoconference camera selection, audio inputs associated with cameras for a videoconference are each processed into first and second audio energies respectively for first and second frequency ranges. The selection then determines which of the audio inputs has a greatest ratio of the first audio energy to the second audio energy and selects the associated camera view for outputting video for the videoconference. The selection can also process video inputs from the cameras either alone or in combination with the audio processing. Either way, the selection processes each of the video inputs for at least one facial characteristic and determines which of the video inputs has a greatest likelihood of framing a human face. In the end, the selection selects the associated camera view for outputting video for the videoconference based at least in part on this video-based determination. |
| US09030518B2 |
Clock signal generating circuit, image forming apparatus, and clock signal generating method of clock signal generating circuit
A clock signal generating circuit that generates a clock signal, the clock signal generating circuit including a clock signal generator configured to generate a reference clock signal; and a plurality of dividers to which the reference clock signal is to be input. A division ratio of at least one of the plurality of dividers varies based on division ratio data that defines the division ratio of the at least one of the plurality of dividers. The division ratio data represents a value that fluctuates around reference division ratio data with respect to time. |
| US09030515B2 |
Single-pass imaging method using spatial light modulator and anamorphic projection optics
Substantially one-dimensional scan line images at 1200 dpi or greater are generated in response to predetermined scan line image data. A substantially uniform two-dimensional homogenous light field is modulated using a spatial light modulator in accordance with the predetermined scan line image data such that the modulated light forms a two-dimensional modulated light field. The modulated light field is then anamorphically imaged and concentrated to form the substantially one-dimensional scan line image. The spatial light modulator includes light modulating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. The light modulating elements are disposed such that each modulating element receives an associated homogenous light portion, and is individually adjustable between an “on” modulated state and an “off” modulated state, whereby in the “on” modulated state each modulating element directs its received light portion onto a corresponding region of the anamorphic optical system, and in the “off” state blocks or diverts the light portion. |
| US09030513B2 |
Color image forming apparatus having drive current adjustment
A color image forming apparatus has a light emitting element emitting light, a laser driving unit causing the light emitting element to emit light of a light amount at a first emission level for visualizing a toner image onto a first area where the toner image is to be visualized on a charged photosensitive member and to emit light of a light amount at a second emission level for weak emission onto a second area where the toner is not to be adhered to the charged photosensitive member. In addition, an acquiring unit acquires information of an integrated number of rotations of the photosensitive member, a drive current adjusting unit adjusts the drive current for the second emission level, and changes a magnitude of the drive current for the second emission level in accordance with the information of the integrated number of rotations of the photosensitive member. |
| US09030508B2 |
Method and device for optical focusing
A device for optically focusing a projection image projected by a projector includes a detector for controlled creation of at least one observation shot of the projection image over a time period, a processing unit for defining at least one image section within the projection image generated by the projector, where the image section is modulated over the time period with respect to the optical power and/or the optical spectrum thereof, and the at least one image section of the projection image is essentially synchronous compared with the corresponding respective image section of the observation shot, where the processing unit also calculates a variable derived from the comparison of the respective image sections and a control signal derived from the derived variable, and outputs the control signal to a focusing device of the projector. |
| US09030507B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
A plurality of pixel circuits include liquid crystal elements which are arranged corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines, and display a gradation corresponding to a gradation signal of the signal line at the time of selecting the scanning line. A driving circuit sequentially selects the plurality of scanning lines as a selection unit in a first writing period of a right eye period, supplies a gradation signal corresponding to a specified gradation of a right eye image which corresponds to a specified scanning line in the selection unit to each pixel circuit, and sequentially selects a scanning line other than the specified scanning line, and supplies a gradation signal which corresponds to the specified gradation corresponding to the specified gradation to each pixel circuit, in a second writing period. |
| US09030504B2 |
Display panel and method of driving the same
A driving method of a display panel is described. A display panel including a pixel array is provided. The pixel array includes N scan lines, M data lines, and a plurality of first pixel units and a plurality of second pixel units electrically connected to the scan lines and the data lines. When an image is displayed with a wide-viewing angle mode, a first scanning procedure is performed to sequentially scan the first scan line of the scan lines to the Nth scan line of the scan lines in order. When the image is displayed with a narrow-viewing angle mode, the second scanning procedure is performed to sequentially scan the Nth scan line of the scan lines to the first scan line of the scan lines in order. |
| US09030498B2 |
Combining explicit select gestures and timeclick in a non-tactile three dimensional user interface
A method including presenting, by a computer, multiple interactive items on a display coupled to the computer, and receiving, from a depth sensor, a sequence of three-dimensional (3D) maps containing at least a hand of a user of the computer. An explicit select gesture performed by the user toward one of the interactive items is detected in the maps, and the one of the interactive items is selected responsively to the explicit select gesture. Subsequent to selecting the one of the interactive items, a TimeClick functionality is actuated for subsequent interactive item selections to be made by the user. |
| US09030496B1 |
Methods for and apparatus for interactive school yearbook
The present disclosure provides for image processing apparatus for generating static image data and corresponding Spatial Coordinates as an infrastructure for receiving media input. The media input will generally be related to the image data corresponding with selected Spatial Coordinates. Image data may specifically relate to a physical yearbook converted to static image data. |
| US09030494B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus including an imaged image input unit inputting an imaged image of a facility imaged in an imaging device to a display control unit, a measurement information input unit inputting measurement information measured by a sensor provided in the facility from the sensor to a creation unit, a creation unit creating a virtual image representing a status of an outside or inside of the facility based on the measurement information input by the measurement information input unit, and a display control unit overlaying and displaying the virtual image created in the creation unit and the imaged image input by the imaged image input unit on a display device. |
| US09030487B2 |
Electronic device for displaying three-dimensional image and method of using the same
An electronic device for displaying a three-dimensional image and a method of using the same, and more particularly, to an electronic device for displaying a three-dimensional image and a method of using the same that can provide a user interface for controlling positions of a three-dimensional icon and a virtual layer including the same according to a user gesture are provided. The electronic device for displaying a three-dimensional image includes a camera for photographing a gesture action in three-dimensional space; a display unit for displaying a virtual layer including at least one object with a first depth at three-dimensional virtual space; and a controller for selectively performing one of a first action of changing a depth in which the virtual layer is displayed to a second depth and a second action of changing a position of the object, according to the gesture action based on a gesture input mode. |
| US09030485B2 |
Apparatus and method for correcting color of image projection device
An apparatus and a method for correcting colors of an image projection device are provided. The method includes: acquiring a photographed image by photographing a sample image projected on projection surface; generating input-output color information for n regions, based on color values of a block in the sample image and corresponding color values of the block in the photographed image; selecting one of the n regions of photographed images as a reference region; generating look-up tables (LUTs) for non-reference regions, based on the reference region and the input and output color information; and correcting colors of input images to be projected by the image projection device using the look-up tables, thereby minimizing color difference of the input images on the projection surface for both intra and inter projection device color correction while simplifying the correction procedure. |
| US09030484B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus and method thereof
An image signal processing apparatus and a method thereof are disclosed. The image signal processing apparatus includes a random producing unit which produces seed values to a plurality of frames input for a predetermined period by using a linear feedback shift register (LFSR), and a dithering processing unit which carries out a dithering to input image signals by using the seed values produced by the random producing unit. With this construction, the apparatus can carry out the dithering without using a frame buffer, thereby allowing a high-definition image to be realized. |
| US09030482B2 |
Hybrid display frame buffer for display subsystem
A hybrid display frame buffer for a display subsystem. An embodiment of an apparatus a first logic to split a video image into a first data portion and a second data portion; a display frame buffer including a first memory component having a first type of memory and a second memory component having a second type of memory, the first logic to write the first data portion to the first memory component and the second data portion to the second memory component; and a second logic to read the first data portion from the first memory component and the second data component from the second memory component, and to combine the first data portion and the second data portion to generate a combined video image. |
| US09030481B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing power usage during video presentation on a display
An apparatus may include a link component and a display component. The link component may be operative to receive media content via data frames over a display interconnect, the data frames received periodically in succession at a first rate corresponding to a native frame rate of the media content. The display component may be operative to display the data frames in succession at a second rate corresponding to a native refresh rate of the display component, the display component operative to re-display data frames already shown to maintain the second rate when new data frames have not been received over the display interconnect. |
| US09030480B2 |
Triggering performance event capture via pipelined state bundles
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for analyzing the performance of a graphics processing pipeline. A first workload and a second workload are combined together in a pipeline to generate a combined workload. The first workload is associated with a first instance and the second workload is associated with a second instance. A first and second initial event are generated for the combined workload, indicating that the first and second workloads have begun processing at a first position in the graphics processing pipeline. A first and second final event are generated, indicating that the first and second workloads have finished processing at a second position in the graphics processing pipeline. |
| US09030475B2 |
Method of computer-aided design of a modeled object having several faces
A method for computer-aided design of a modeled object having several faces, comprising a steps of identifying, for each of said faces of the object, at least another of said faces related to said face according to geometrical criteria, and marking such faces as connected; computing a plurality of points forming a tessellated representation of each of said faces; based on this tessellation, defining critical regions by determining and storing data representative of intersection between a three-dimensional geometrical figure and the face related to said face; determining whether intersections occur for each point of the tessellated representation of a face and for each face of the object; computing frontiers between points according to their respectively stored data and determines zones according to the determined frontiers; and, re-computing surfaces according to the determined zones. |