Document Document Title
US09027399B2 Liquid level sensor
A quartz glass liquid level sensor includes a support frame, a light masking plate, a quartz glass tube, and a sensor module. The light masking plate is movably mounted on the support frame. The quartz glass tube is movably mounted to the support frame. One end of the quartz glass tube is securely fixed to the light masking plate. The sensor module is mounted on the support frame, for sensing a position of the light masking plate relative to the support frame.
US09027397B2 Tire pressure sensor applicable to different wheel rims
A tire pressure sensor includes a sensor device providing a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole in different angles and adapted for detecting the pressure of a tire at a wheel rim, an air valve mountable in a through hole at the wheel rim to guide the air pressure of the tire into the sensor device for sensing, and a fastener for selectively fastening the air valve to the first mounting hole or second mounting hole of the sensor device subject to the type of the wheel rim.
US09027388B2 Method and apparatus for measuring particle characteristics through mass detection
Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.
US09027385B2 Aerosol sensor
A method of measuring density of a sterilant aerosol e.g. aqueous hydrogen peroxide, in a gas stream (such as a stream of air) for the purposes of measuring sterilant dosage comprising: passing a gas stream at flow rate past an electrically heated element and measuring a first cooling effect, passing an aerosol suspended in a gas stream at flow rate past an electrically heated element and measuring a second cooling effect and measuring the difference between the first cooling effect and second cooling effect and correlating the difference with aerosol density. The total dosage can thus be determined. A measured dosage of a sterilant aerosol can be delivered by way of a feedback loop to halt further delivery of sterilant aerosol when the amount of aerosol delivered reaches a predetermined dosage. The methods allow sterilization to be certified.
US09027384B2 Gas chromatograph providing semi-automatic identification of connected sample flow components, and method of operating same
A method for semi-automatically generating configuration information for a gas chromatograph uses an identification device reader of the gas chromatograph to 1) determine a presence and location of sample flow component identification devices in or on identification device holders that hold the sample flow component identification devices; 2) read information from sample flow component identification devices held in the identification device holders; and 3) output configuration information for the gas chromatograph. The configuration information is based on the presence and location of particular sample flow component identification devices in or on particular identification device holders, and on associations of particular identification device holders with particular sample flow component connections to the gas chromatograph. The configuration information indicates if and how sample flow components are connected to the gas chromatograph.
US09027381B2 Appliance bulk dispenser calibration using a pressure sensor
A system for calibrating a fluid additive dispensing system of an appliance such as e.g., a washing machine is provided. For example, the system can calibrate for significant differences in the pressure of the water supply provided to the appliance during operation. Calibrations can also be implemented for significant differences in viscosity and/or density of the fluid additives.
US09027380B2 Force-transmitting mechanism with a calibration weight that can be coupled and uncoupled
A force-transmitting mechanism (110) has stationary and load-receiving portions (111, 112). The load-receiving portion is joined to a measurement transducer on the stationary portion through a force-transmitting connection, directly or through at least one coupling element (119) and at least one lever (116). The force-transmitting mechanism has a parallel-guided coupling means (124), a calibration lever (120) with a fulcrum on the stationary portion, and calibration lever arms (121, 122), one of which is rigidly connected to a calibration weight (123). The parallel-guided coupling means (124) is arranged between the second calibration lever arm and the at least one coupling element or an arm (117, 118) of the lever. The parallel-guided coupling means is divided into fixed and parallel-guided coupling parts (126, 125), which allows a force to be transmitted between the coupling parts. Parallel elements of the parallel-guided coupling part absorb relative traverse displacements from transmitted forces.
US09027375B2 Apparatus and method for shot peening of blade mounting areas on a rotor arrangement disc
An apparatus for shot peening blade mounting areas on a disc of a rotor includes a peening nozzle unit which streams shot peening media along a longitudinal axis. The unit includes a nozzle outlet which extends at least partially in a circumferential direction of the unit, and a deflection arrangement with a deflection area for the media. The deflection area is at least partially cone or half-hyperboloid shaped, such that the media passes the nozzle outlet over an angle range in circumferential direction after being deflected by the deflection arrangement. A method for shot peening the blade mounting areas positions the unit in a slot profile of a blade mounting area, and guides the unit along the contour of the slot profile with the nozzle outlet facing the contour of the slot profile to approximately uniformly peen the contour of the slot profile.
US09027374B2 Methods to improve hot workability of metal alloys
A method of processing an alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking may comprise spraying a metallic coating material onto at least a portion of a surface of the alloy workpiece to form a surface coating metallurgically bonded to the alloy workpiece. The surface coating may be more ductile than the alloy workpiece and reduces heat loss from the alloy workpiece.
US09027372B2 Lock assembly having secured setscrew configuration to prevent unauthorized handle removal
A lock assembly includes a coupling mechanism connected to a spindle assembly. The coupling mechanism has an outer sleeve having a longitudinal interior opening that extends along a first axis. An operator handle includes a proximal lock core opening, and a distal shaft portion having an axial opening configured to receive the outer sleeve. The distal shaft portion and the outer sleeve are configured to define a through path oriented across the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve. A portion of the through path at the outer sleeve is configured to threadably receive a setscrew to fasten the operator handle to the outer sleeve. A keyed lock core has a tailpiece that is positioned in the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve to obstruct the through path and block access to the setscrew via the through path to prevent unauthorized removal of the operator handle.
US09027371B2 Heat pump (server) coupled washer and dryer pair
An appliance system that includes an appliance group containing at least two appliances, a first appliance designed to perform a first consumer function related to the first appliance and a second appliance that is separate from the first appliance and designed to perform a second consumer function related to the second appliance. The appliance system also includes a thermal energy generator, typically a heat pump, where the thermal energy heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid and is operably connected to the first and second appliances to deliver thermal energy to the first and second appliances simultaneously or at different times via one or more of the thermal energy bearing fluids.
US09027370B2 Fluid additive dispenser
A fluid additive dispenser is provided. The fluid additive dispenser includes a fluid additive collector that is disposed below containers configured for receipt of fluid additives. The fluid additive collector receives fluid additives from the containers and directs the fluid additives to a spout. By directing the fluid additives to the spout, spilling and leaking of the fluid additives can be reduced, e.g., during operation of a washing machine appliance.
US09027369B2 Towel washing and drying appliance
The high energy usage and high water usage of conventional washing and drying, specifically for towels, is addressed with the present invention. The “towel-station” of the invention is a single-piece sheet-fed appliance to be located at or near the bathroom, shower or pool to efficiently wash, sanitize, dry and warm a towel. Dramatic savings of energy and water result over that of conventional washing and drying. An additional benefit is the availability to the user of a warm towel after bathing without the use of additional energy since warming is performed as part of the drying process.
US09027365B2 System and method for forming fused quartz glass
A method of forming fused quartz glass is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a starting body made of fused quartz glass; (b) positioning the fused quartz glass starting body on a base plate; (c) inserting a first insert device into an interior cavity of the starting body to form an assembled structure; (d) heating the assembled structure to a predetermined temperature at which the fused quartz glass has a viscosity in a range of 105 to 1013 poise; and (e) deforming the fused quartz glass of the starting body at the predetermined temperature or in the viscosity range of 105 to 1013 poise around the first insert device to change a shape of the starting body. A method for making a large fused quartz glass vessel and a forming assembly for forming fused quartz glass are also provided.
US09027364B2 Method of manufacturing glass substrate
A method includes forming a glass ribbon by heating and softening a glass plate preform and drawing the glass plate preform to a predetermined thickness in a heating furnace; and performing coring on the glass ribbon in order to form circular substrates in a straight line along a longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon.
US09027361B2 Water filter
A water filter is provided. The water filter includes a casing with a filtering media disposed within the casing. The water filter also includes a plug and a water soluble support. The plug can impede a flow of water through the chamber in order to encourage replacement of the water filter.
US09027357B2 Method for determining if refrigerant charge is sufficient and charging refrigerant
An air-conditioner and the refrigerant charging method of the air-conditioner are disclosed. When a refrigerant amount determining mode is requested to be performed, whether or not the refrigerant amount in the air-conditioner is proper is automatically determined and a shortage amount of refrigerant can be charged. Thus, a user can easily check whether or not the refrigerant charged in the air-conditioner is sufficient or insufficient, and if the refrigerant is not sufficient, the user can automatically charge the refrigerant without having to entirely remove the refrigerant from the air-conditioner, thus increasing the user convenience and reducing time and costs.
US09027356B2 Biomaterial freezing
The biocontainer of the present invention provides a low cost, simple solution of many of the problems encountered during shipping, freezing and thawing of biopharmaceutical materials. The present invention enables a user to monitor the temperature profile of each biopharmaceutical container during the cryogenic process, so as to ensure the integrity of materials within each biocontainer by using a pre-installed and pre-sterilized temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a wireless transmitter and is capable of transmitting information regarding the measured reading. In other embodiments, the sensor assembly includes a processing unit, which determines whether the temperature profile is acceptable. In a further embodiment, an indicator is included, such that the processing unit may indicate whether the biopharmaceutical material has been properly frozen. In other embodiments, the sensor assembly also includes a storage element, which is capable of storing various parameters during the freezing process.
US09027354B2 System and method for recirculating and recovering energy from compressor discharge bleed air
A system includes a gas turbine, an inlet bleed circuit, and a controller. The gas turbine includes a compressor and a turbine. The compressor is configured to produce pressurized air and bleed air. The turbine is configured to produce a first output. The inlet bleed circuit includes a turbo-expander configured to produce a second output from a non-zero first portion of the bleed air. The inlet bleed circuit is also configured to direct a part of the bleed air to an inlet of the compressor. The controller is configured to adjust the gas turbine and the inlet bleed circuit to control the second output of the turbo-expander.
US09027351B2 System and method for packaging and transporting a gas turbine
A system for packaging a gas turbine includes an enclosure peripherally surrounding and extending along a length of the gas turbine. The enclosure comprises first and second ends with a passage between the enclosure and the gas turbine. The system further includes means for connecting the first and second ends to an air filtration system and an exhaust system, respectively. A plurality of supports are connected to and extend radially inward from the enclosure with means for connecting the plurality of supports to the gas turbine. A method for packaging a gas turbine includes connecting the gas turbine to a plurality of supports and connecting the plurality of supports to an enclosure peripherally surrounding and extending along a length of the gas turbine. The method further includes connecting first and second ends to an air filtration system and an exhaust system, respectively.
US09027350B2 Gas turbine engine having dome panel assembly with bifurcated swirler flow
A gas turbine engine including a combustor with a combustion liner having inner and outer walls is disclosed herein. The gas turbine engine further includes a swirler system adapted to receive a fuel injector and a flow splitter operable to bifurcate an airflow exiting the swirler system into a first bifurcated flow and a second bifurcated flow. A shroud is positioned downstream of the flow splitter and is configured to deflect the first bifurcated flow in a first direction radially inward and the second bifurcated flow in a second direction radially outward. The second bifurcated flow cools both of the inner and outer walls of the combustor liner.
US09027349B2 Gas turbine gaseous fuel injection system
A combustor of the prior art that defines the outlet position and direction of an air hole and suppresses adhesion of flame to an air hole outlet can reduce a discharge amount of NOx by increasing a distance over which fuel and air are mixed with each other. However, such a combustor is not sufficiently discussed for measures to suppress the occurrence of combustion oscillation resulting from the variation of a flame surface.A combustor 2 according to the present invention includes a combustion chamber 5 to which fuel and air are supplied; air holes 32 adapted to supply air to the combustion chamber 5; fuel nozzles 25 adapted to supply gaseous fuel to the air holes 32; and orifices 24 adapted to allow the gaseous fuel supplied to the air holes 32 to cause a pressure drop.
US09027345B2 Compound engine system with rotary engine
A compound engine system comprising a rotary engine having a volumetric compression ratio lower than its volumetric expansion ratio, and a recess defined in the peripheral wall of the rotor in each of the chambers having a volume of more than 5% of the displacement volume of the chamber. The expansion in the turbine section compensates for the relatively low expansion ratio of the rotary engine.
US09027344B2 Electrically driven turbocharger
Rotational speed of an electric turbocharger controlled so that the actual temperature of the motor does exceed the allowable level even over a long time span. A speed control device for the turbocharger, includes a temperature sensor, a speed limitation device which limits the speed of the motor in response to the temperature level detected by the temperature sensor wherein the speed limitation device is provided with a limit control start temperature correction device which decreases the limit control start temperature when the increase rate of the detected temperature exceeds a threshold. A speed limitation setting device sets a speed limit based on the temperature difference between the limit control start temperature and the detected temperature T on a rate of increase of the detected temperature.
US09027342B2 Supplementary intercooler for internal combustion engines
A supplementary intercooler cools engine air after it has passed through the turbocharger of a vehicle's turbocharged internal combustion engine, but before it enters the engine. The unit has an inlet for capturing the turbo's air charge and an outlet for routing the air charge to the engine after passing through the intercooler. A container stores water until it is needed and a water pump transfers water from the container to the unit. This loosened bond of water is then sprayed on capacitor plates under turbo pressure to be converted into hydrogen and injected into the air intake stream making it a totally “hydrogen-on-demand” intercooler.
US09027340B2 Brake booster for an automotive brake system and corresponding automotive brake system
A brake booster with regenerative brake force generation comprising a force input element coupled to a brake pedal. A chamber arrangement having a vacuum chamber and a working chamber that are separated from one another by a movable wall. A control valve actuated in accordance with a displacement of the force input element. The working chamber is connectable selectively to the vacuum chamber and the atmosphere to generate and reduce a differential pressure at the movable wall. The control valve has a control valve housing that is connected for joint movement to the movable wall. In a first actuation phase of the brake booster from its rest position, the force input element is displaceable relative to the control valve housing by an idle travel, in which the control valve remains non-actuated to suppress a build-up of a differential pressure at the movable wall.
US09027339B2 Thermo-magnetic engine apparatus and reversible thermo-magnetic cycle apparatus
A thermo-magnetic engine apparatus includes a magnetic element having a high temperature end to which hot energy is supplied and a low temperature end to which cold energy is supplied, a magnetic-field applier device, and a power source device. Curie temperature of the magnetic element is set between a temperature of the high temperature end and a temperature of the low temperature end. The power source device gains a magnetic power generated between the magnetic element and the magnetic-field applier device as kinetic energy.
US09027335B2 Apparatus and catalyst can for exhaust gas of vehicle
A catalyst can of exhaust gas can include a catalyst embedded substantially in the center of an inner space of the catalyst can, and an inflow space and a discharge space partitioned in an upper part and a lower part of the catalyst can, respectively. The catalyst can also includes an inflow-side partition vertically cutting and dividing the inflow space into a plurality of partial inflow spaces, and an inlet formed for each partial inflow space.
US09027332B2 Ion sensor with decoking heater
An exhaust treatment system may include a burner, a flame sensor assembly and a control module. The flame sensor assembly may be at least partially disposed within the burner and may include an insulator and an electric heating element in heat transfer relation with the insulator. The control module may be in communication with the flame sensor assembly. The control module may determine whether a flame is present in a combustion chamber based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may detect contamination on the insulator based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may operate the heating element in a first mode in response to detection of a contamination in which the control module causes electrical power to be applied to the heating element to raise a temperature of the heating element to burn contamination off of the insulator.
US09027325B2 Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
An ambient NOx adsorption catalyst that can adsorb NOx contained in an exhaust gas in the presence of CO under standard conditions is placed in an engine exhaust gas passage, in an internal combustion engine. Until an engine post-initiation catalyst is activated, the amounts of a high-boiling-point hydrocarbon and an unsaturated hydrocarbon that are contained in the exhaust gas flowing into the catalyst are reduced so that the NOx-adsorbing activity cannot be deteriorated by the adhesion activity of the hydrocarbons while maintaining the CO concentration in the exhaust gas flowing into the catalyst at a level higher than the concentration required for the adsorption of NOx.
US09027322B2 Method and system for use with an integrated gasification combined cycle plant
An integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant includes an air separation unit configured to discharge a nitrogen flow and an oxygen flow. A first heat exchanger is attached to the air separation unit and heats the discharged nitrogen flow. A second heat exchanger is attached to the air separation unit and heats the discharged oxygen flow. A third heat exchanger is attached to a steam cycle of the IGCC and heats a condensate stream received from the steam cycle. A first adiabatic air compressor is attached to the first, second, and third heat exchangers. The adiabatic air compressor is configured to discharge a compressed air flow comprising a first flow and a second flow. The first flow is channeled to the first and third heat exchangers, and the second flow is channeled to the second and third heat exchangers.
US09027321B2 Low emission power generation and hydrocarbon recovery systems and methods
Integrated systems and methods for low emission power generation in a hydrocarbon recovery processes are provided. One system includes a control fuel stream, an oxygen stream, a combustion unit, a first power generate on system and a second power generation system. The combustion unit is configured to receive and combust the control fuel stream and the oxygen stream to produce a gaseous combustion stream having carbon dioxide and water. The first power generation system is configured to generate at least one unit of power and a carbon dioxide stream. The second power generation system is configured to receive thermal energy from the gaseous combustion stream and convert the thermal energy into at least one unit of power.
US09027319B1 Nut tree pickup and debris separator
A nut tree pickup and debris separator comprising three separate but serially interconnected stages, each including optimized structural and functional features for nut harvesting. The first stage includes a rotary pickup brush and an endless conveyor. The conveyor is constructed from a plurality of parallel bars with flights therebetween, the rods being arranged in spaced relation to retain nuts and pass debris. The second stage comprises an inclined rotating drum whose sidewall includes a plurality of elongated apertures passing therethrough, sized to retain nuts and pass debris. An inner side of the sidewall has a helical flight, sized, configured, and arranged to convey and tumble nuts and debris through the drum, with debris falling through the apertures. The third stage includes vertically offset, tandem conveyors and a cleaning fan to remove any remaining debris from the nuts as the stream falls from the end of one conveyor onto the other.
US09027312B2 Machine and method for treating containers of liquids, and loading device for said containers
Machine (10) and method for treating containers (12) of liquids comprising a loading station (15) into which baskets (23) are loaded containing, according to a desired pattern of disposition, the containers (12) to be subjected to washing, a filling station (18) in which the washed containers (12) are filled with new liquid, and a re-closing station (19) in which the containers (12) are closed by the relative lids (11). The re-closing station (19) comprises a closing device (63) provided with gripper members (70) by means of which the lids (11) are picked up and positioned so as to close the containers (12), and loading members (66) that automatically direct the lids (11) toward the closing device (63) in a manner consistent with the desired pattern of disposition of the containers (12) in the baskets (23). The closing device (63) comprises movement members (69) that move the gripper members (70) automatically between a pick-up position in correspondence with the loading members (66) and a position of closure in correspondence with the containers (12). The loading members (66) comprise stop elements (67), able to be selectively activated to automatically dispose the lids (11) in a manner consistent with the predetermined pattern of disposition of the containers (12).
US09027311B2 Sterilisation services apparatus and method of sterilisation
A method of sterilizing items by placing items to be sterilized into a puncture resistant sealable vapor barrier sterilization bag, performing steam sterilization under pressure via a conduit coupled to the bag while maintaining a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of the bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag and sealing the bag at the completion of sterilization. There is also provided a sterilization services apparatus for sterilizing the contents of a sterilization bag including a pressure compensating compartment having a sealable door that maintains a heated compensating pressure environment around the exterior of a sterilization bag during steam sterilization so as to reduce mechanical stress on the bag.
US09027310B2 Fill behind zipper and fill through the flange zipper
The method and apparatus relates to providing a slit, perforation, line of weakness or similar structure in a flange of a zipper for a reclosable package or bag, including a high-capacity zipper. The slit, perforation, line of weakness or similar structure provides an opening for filling the reclosable package or bag without the need to separate the zipper profiles from each other. After filling, the opening is sealed and the cosmetic appearance of the reclosable package or bag is maintained.
US09027307B2 Construction system and method for constructing buildings using premanufactured structures
Examples of construction systems and methods of constructing multi-story buildings utilizing premanufactured and prefinished components are disclosed. Examples of premanufactured and prefinished components include floor and ceiling slabs, non-weight bearing window walls, demising walls, exterior walls, and utility walls. The premanufactured and prefinished components may be transported to the construction site and assembled at the construction site.
US09027306B2 Mechanical locking system for floor panels
Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system having small local protrusions which reduce displacement along the joint when the panels are laying flat on the sub floor and locked vertically and horizontally.
US09027305B2 Structure with surface for seasonal selectiveness of solar irradiation absorption and reflection
Disclosed are various structure surface configurations and related methods. An exemplary structure includes a facade that has grooved cavities that are configured in a manner that reflects summer (cooling season) insolation and absorbs winter (heating season) insolation. The effective absorptivities of the exemplary structure for various cavity reflectance characteristics, i.e., a wide range of diffuse and specular reflectance characteristics, are evaluated using a Monte Carlo model. The calculations in an illustrated embodiment are performed for the latitude of 41° N where both heating and cooling loads are significant. Embodiments of various structures are similarly within the scope of the disclosure for locations of different latitudes and longitudes.
US09027304B2 Wall insulation system with rectangular blocks
A wall system (110) is disclosed which is mounted onto girts (114) on a building. Rectangular foam blocks (126) are installed between the outer flange of the girts, and the inside surfaces of the wall panel (112). Some vertically spaced apart blocks are located behind the wall seams, and other blocks are located intermediate the seams. The spacing created by the blocks allows for a blanket of insulation (118) between the blocks and the support members to be expanded, improving the system's insulative properties.
US09027299B2 Themed modular ceiling and wall decor kit and system
A themed modular ceiling and wall décor kit and system to change the theme and décor of any room with the use of rudimentary tools such as a tape measure, level and screw driver. An inexpensive and semi-permanent alternative to the permanent and expensive crown moldings requiring the services of a professional carpenter for their installation as well as removal. The modular ceiling and wall decor kit has limitless possibilities for modification in appearance and design as for instance, a room décor that is for a young child can be changed to suit an older child, or a room décor for a female changed to a male's room décor or when a themed presentation is called for in a child's room or other dedicated room such as a room displaying a sportsman's memorabilia, through the use of different designer panels in the crown molding housing of the décor kit.
US09027298B1 Modular system and method for constructing structures
A modular system for constructing flexible structures that maintain structural integrity through mostly direct frictional snap-lock engagements without requiring the modular components to slide against each other, or necessitating the need for fastening tools. The modular system may utilizes frictional channels that create a frictional snap-lock engagement to connect the modular components, and thus form the finished structure. The frictional channel connections use a direct lateral engagement to mate and hold components together. In this manner, an assortment of simple modular components can be interconnected without requiring extra space to slide the individual components against each other to interconnect. The panels have identically shaped projections and recessions that frictionally mate adjacent panels. A base frictionally interconnects with a wall panel and a floor panel. The panels take numerous shapes and orientations. A roof truss, roof base, and roof panel form the roof region for the structure.
US09027295B2 Sliding door and pivoting door for demountable wall system
A demountable modular wall system including a series of individual wall panels that can be positioned adjacent to each other. The demountable wall system includes a doorway defined by a pair of spaced vertical posts and a horizontal header. In one embodiment, a sliding glass door is movable along a sliding door track mounted to the horizontal header. A lower trim assembly mounted to the bottom end of the sliding glass door adjusts the overall height of the door. The doorway can also include a pivoting glass door. The pivoting glass door includes a bottom pivot assembly having a bottom clamp adjustably positioned along a bottom end of the pivoting glass door. The adjustable bottom clamp can be moved along the bottom end of the pivoting glass door and receives a pivot pin supported on the floor. A top pivot assembly includes a movable plunger that defines a portion of the pivot axis for the pivoting glass door.
US09027294B2 Window assembly having a primer
A window assembly is used in a vehicle. The window assembly comprises a transparent pane having an inner surface and an outer surface spaced from the inner surface. The window assembly also comprises a ceramic frit disposed on a portion of the transparent pane. A primer is disposed on at least one of the transparent pane and the ceramic frit for providing a bonding surface. An encapsulation is coupled to the primer.
US09027291B2 Support structures on roofs
A roof load support structure supports a load on a roof such that substantially all of the load is conveyed through rails, which are mounted on roof panel ribs, thence through roof panel ribs, and to underlying building support structure. The panel flat between the rails can be unobstructed such that water can flow freely down the panel flat between the rails; or end closures can close off access to the respective panel flat between the end closures and the rails. One such end closure can be an upper diverter at an up-slope end of the support structure. A lower edge of such upper diverter, e.g. at the panel flat, can slope downwardly across a width of the respective roof panel thereby to direct water laterally across the respective roof panel.
US09027290B2 Embedment plate for pedestrian walkways with reinforced projections
An embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in a pedestrian walkway. The tile includes a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern, and the projections have reinforcing ridges to protect the projections from lateral forces such as those applied by snow plows.
US09027285B2 Method of producing vehicle door frame
A door frame and a frame body including a glass opposing portion, a design portion positioned on one side of the glass opposing portion on the vehicle exterior side, a tubular portion positioned on the other side of the glass opposing portion on the vehicle interior side, and a glass guide portion having a concave cross section surrounding the edge of the door glass. All portions are collectively structured as a single member who is continuous and uniform from the upper sash portion to the side sash portion. A corner portion is created by a bending process at a boundary between the upper sash portion and the side sash portion. The width of the design portion of the frame varies in at least one area along the length thereof and the design portion of the frame body is covered with an exterior member.
US09027282B2 Modifiable slider glass assemblies for utility cabs and vehicles, and/or methods of making the same
Certain example embodiments relate to a sliding window assembly (e.g., of the type found in utility cabs or other vehicles), and methods of making the same. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole being defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. Elongated upper and lower rails connected to the fixed panel include upper and lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top and bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. Forward and rear end details are provided to each of the upper and lower rails proximate to the hole for slidingly receiving, in respective channels formed therein, the at least one top and bottom pins. The slidable panel is laterally movable when being opened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lower rails. The channels in the forward and rear end details are formed so that the slidable panel is movable slightly outwardly towards the hole when the slidable window is being closed and slightly inwardly away from the hole when the slidable window is being opened.
US09027281B2 Safety enhanced design of rail type garage door opener with over the door drive assembly
A novel electric door opener for a garage, or equivalent structure, which uses a rail fixed at one end to a drive assembly and the other end to a mounting support, in which the drive assembly is mounted on the wall over the garage doorway with a pivotable mount, rather than the uniform practice wherein the drive assembly is suspended from the garage ceiling, thus significantly enhancing safety during installation and over the lifetime of the unit. In addition, the means whereby prior art rail type garage door openers, including their drive assemblies and overall mounting methods, are redesigned to reduce the invention to practice. The simplification of mounting hardware and process with this design makes it much easier and safer to install, remove, and replace an assembled rail type garage door opener, using only three removable pins.
US09027276B2 Insect trap
The invention relates to an insect trap which has been designed to facilitate simple and efficient servicing, maintenance and cleaning. The trap includes a back housing; a frame swing mounted to said housing; and a cover comprising openings allowing insects to enter the trap and the frame supports at least one light such that said frame and lights can be moved from a first position where they overlie the back housing, to a second position where they lie clear of the back housing such that an insect catching means which may be fitted over the back housing is readily accessible for replacement during servicing. Additionally, the trap is adapted for ease of servicing and jet cleaning by the provision of shields each of which sealably protect, from water ingress, the plurality of lights at the positions where they connect to electrical fittings.
US09027272B2 Side lock action firearm
A side lock action firearm has a frame with an attached side lock action. The frame includes a rearwardly protruding portion including a mating feature. A stock including a mating element is removably connected to the frame when the mating element is engaged with the mating feature. The mating feature may be a threaded boss. The mating element may be a draw bolt. A forward portion of the stock may be shaped to closely receive the rearwardly protruding portion of the frame. The stock may include a central bore, and the draw bolt may be received by the central bore in the stock.
US09027270B2 Point of sale device
A point of sale device includes a card mounted on a hanger on a vertically extending mounting structure of a retail shop. The card carries a reusable storage container in which articles are stored. The container includes a body with an opening closed by a transparent, sealable, removable and re-sealable lid. The container is mounted on the card and the device is mounted on the hanger so a prospective purchaser can see the articles through the transparent lid. In one embodiment, the body includes a permanent magnet abutting the base.
US09027264B2 Ditch digger
A ditch digger for removing earth from the ground to dig a ditch, the ditch digger comprising: a body; a substantially elongated blade mounted to the body, the blade defining a blade front end and a substantially longitudinally opposed blade rear end, the blade defining a blade bottom section and a pair of laterally opposed blade side sections extending generally upwardly therefrom. When the ditch digger is in an operational configuration, the blade bottom section is lower adjacent the blade front end than adjacent the blade rear end. Moving the ditch digger along the ground with the blade front end inserted in the ground and the blade rear end provided above the ground removes the earth from the ground to dig the ditch.
US09027262B2 Shoe with integral pump
A shoe, such as an athletic shoe, includes a pump assembly integral therewith. The pump assembly includes a pump which produces a stream of pressurized air and a delivery assembly which operates to deliver the stream of pressurized air to an end use location exterior of the shoe. The shoe may comprise an athletic shoe and may be utilized to inflate sports balls such as basketballs, footballs, and volleyballs.
US09027261B2 Ventilated motorcycle boot
A motorcycle boot comprises a sole or tread (22), a rigid shell (20) and an upper (52) associated with the rigid shell; the upper has furthermore a base insole (54) formed by a plurality of tubular channels (56) which extend over most of the bottom surface of the sole (54) and allow the air to pass at right angles to their axis; the shell has at the front an air intake communicating with the front end of the tubular channels.
US09027259B2 Apparatus and method for improved recovery of latent fingerprints
Hydrating an object bearing a latent fingerprint and then selectively drying the object leaving the fingerprint hydrated. The hydrated fingerprint is then coated with cyanoacrylate ester, preferably in a heat accelerated cyanoacrylate ester vacuum chamber. Hydrating is preferably accomplished by chilling the object below a dew point and then exposing the object to humidified air to condense a thin uniform layer of water over the object and latent fingerprint. Drying is preferably done with a vacuum. After drying reaches the preferred state, the CE is heated and coats the condensation-hydrated latent fingerprint. Preferably, the method is implemented in an automated system using one computer-controlled chamber for chilling, condensing, vacuum drying, and CE coating the latent fingerprint. The operator simply puts the object in the chamber, initiates the process by computer, and is prompted by the computer to remove the recovered latent print. Prints unrecoverable by prior art means are recovered.
US09027255B2 Micrometer
A micrometer includes: a frame; an anvil; a spindle; an encoder; a display; a strain gauge that detects a deformation of the frame; a storage that stores a change amount of the detection value (a displacement of the spindle detected by the encoder) per a unit deformation detected by the strain gauge, as a compensation factor; and a compensator that compensates the detection value based on a difference between a zeroset-time deformation that is detected by the strain gauge when a command for zeroset is given and a measurement-time deformation that is detected by the strain gauge in measurement, and based on the compensation factor stored in the storage.
US09027252B2 Low resistance hair clipper blade tooth profile
A tooth for a blade of a hair cutting apparatus includes a root secured to a base of the blade, a tip opposite the root, and a longitudinal axis of the tooth defined between the root and the tip. A lower, planar cutting surface is provided on the tooth, as is an upper surface opposite the lower surface, and sidewalls separating the upper surface from the lower surface. At least a portion of the upper surface and the sidewalls is elliptical in the direction of the longitudinal axis, beginning at the tip.
US09027251B2 Rotary electric shaver
A rotary electric shaver generally includes a handle assembly including a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a plurality of drive shafts operatively connected to the motor and extending at least in part exterior of the housing, and a head assembly mount separate from the plurality of drive shafts, wherein the head assembly mount has a longitudinal axis. A shaver head assembly is positionable on the handle assembly, and the shaver head assembly has a circumference and includes a plurality of inner cutters each operatively connectable to a respective one of the drive shafts for conjoint rotation therewith, and a plurality of outer cutters each corresponding to a respective one of the inner cutters. The shaver head assembly is configured for mounting on the head assembly mount such that the shaver head assembly is capable of pivoting movement relative to the handle housing about the entire circumference of the shaver head assembly.
US09027248B2 Solar panel mounting apparatus and method
A solar panel mounting system includes a plurality of solar panel support structures which can be formed from solid concrete in adjacent rows with mounting surfaces that are tilted towards the equator. The solar panels can have an adhesive backing which can be used to secure the solar panels directly to the mounting surfaces. The support structures can be made of concrete and formed with a slip form machine. This construction can reduce the time and materials required for the solar panel installation. The solar panel mounting system can also occupy significantly less ground space than conventional solar panel installations.
US09027247B2 Liquid adhesive application by contact printing
A method and structure for forming an ink jet printhead can include the use of a transfer pad to transfer an adhesive solution to an ink jet printhead substrate. The adhesive solution can be placed within a patterned recess of a cliché and then an upper surface of the adhesive solution can be gelled. A surface of the transfer pad contacts the gelled upper surface and transfers the adhesive solution to the ink jet printhead substrate. During the transfer, a lower surface of the adhesive solution gels. During contact with the ink jet printhead substrate, the gelled lower surface adheres to the ink jet printhead substrate while the gelled upper surface releases from the transfer pad.
US09027242B2 Cell attachment method
A method of manufacturing an electrical device comprises the steps of providing a substrate, providing an electrical component on the substrate, providing a first electrical contact on the substrate that is electrically connected to the electrical component, and providing an electrochemical cell on or integrating the substrate for providing electrical energy to said electrical component. The electrochemical cell comprises at least one electrochemical layer comprising a cured or dried ink and a first electrode contact electrically connected to said at least one electrochemical layer. The method further includes the step of securing the electrochemical cell to the substrate through an electrically conductive connection that provides both a structural connection and an electrical connection between the first electrical contact and the first electrode contact.
US09027232B2 Cylindrical magnet assembly assembled to a bore tube by a number of inserts
A cylindrical magnet assembly has at least one coil mounted on a former, assembled to a bore tube by a number of inserts within holes formed in a material of the former. Each insert can bear on a dished radially outer extremity of a radially-outwardly directed protrusion or each insert can bear on a radially outer concave surface of a radially-inwardly directed protrusion.
US09027231B2 Assembling apparatus and production system
To enable positioning a robot arm and a workpiece with high accuracy while reducing vibrations of a camera. According to the claimed invention for this purpose, a robot station 100 includes a pedestal 103 to which robot arms 101 and 102 are fixed, a camera 106 which images an area including a working area 209 of the pedestal 103, and a booth 104 to which the camera 106 is fixed. The pedestal 103 is fixed to a floor surface, and the booth 104 is fixed to the floor surface without contacting the pedestal 103. The booth 104 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a short side parallel to a workpiece conveying direction T and a long side perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T in a plan view. In the booth 104, the length of the long side y of the booth 104 is set to not less than the sum of a maximum length by which the robot arms 101 and 102 protrude from the pedestal 103 in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T and the length in the direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T of the pedestal 103 in a plan view.
US09027226B2 Method for implementing prompt dose mitigating capacitor
A method for implementing a prompt dose mitigating capacitor is disclosed. Initially, a flip chip is provided with multiple capacitors. The flip chip is then placed on top of a substrate having multiple electronic devices connected to a set of power rails. The terminals of the capacitors within the flip chip are subsequently connected to the power rails within the substrate in order to regulate voltages appeared on the power rails during a radiation pulse.
US09027221B2 Method for manufacturing compound refractive lens for focusing X-rays in two dimensions
A method for manufacturing a compound refractive lens for focusing X-rays in two dimensions. The method includes the following steps: 1) manufacturing a mother lens; 2) manufacturing a daughter lens; and 3) assembling the mother lens and the daughter lens. The assembly of the mother lens and the daughter lens includes: aligning square embedded lens bodies of the daughter lens with square holes of the mother lens, respectively, for allowing the first parabola-shaped holes on the mother lens and the second parabola-shaped holes on the daughter lens to form an orthogonal structure; and inserting and pressing the square embedded lens bodies into the corresponding square holes, respectively. The method of the invention has advantages of high-precision for manufacturing and calibration of optical axis, and meanwhile the compound refractive lens manufactured based the method has high X-rays focusing efficiency.
US09027218B2 Opto-mechanical postion finder
An apparatus and method for finding part position relations of parts of mechanical and opto-mechanical machining and quality control systems, and for recognizing these parts, is disclosed. The present invention relies on optical contactless sensing technology, with recording of optical fiducial patterns and therefrom determining positions close to the work positions without physical contact. Part positions of machines are determined by associating or mechanically integrating fiducial patterns (1) with key parts, and optically detecting the images of these patterns. Part positions and displacements according to given part position finder (6) strategies are found, by associating fiducial pattern images (14) and machine position data (17) to parts that are members of a part geometry relation (15), and under part displacement constraints (16), finding given part positions or displacements (18). Using fiducial patterns (1), identification and recognition of work pieces, work holders, work tools, gauge tools, and machine parts in general is enabled.
US09027217B2 Blowout preventer head removal tools and methods
Specialized tools and methods are presented for use on blowout preventers on oil and gas rigs. The specialized tools releseably attach to a threaded, blowout-preventer head to remove the same. In one instance, the tool has a longitudinal shaft, a lifting eye member at one end and a head-mounting member at the other. The head-mounting member attaches to the threaded, blowout-preventer head. In some instances, one or more torque arms may be included to add additional torque. Other embodiments and methods are also included.
US09027215B2 Production apparatus
A production apparatus for producing a component assembly by sequentially performing predetermined processes in a plurality of processing areas (A1 to A6) arranged in a ring formation and then, by separating a jig. The apparatus includes a rotational table main body (20), a plurality of holding/transfer units (30) rotatable integrally with the rotational table main body and capable of holding an object and transferring the same onto processing tables in the plurality of processing areas, a plurality of loading portions (40) provided on the rotational table main body corresponding to the plurality of holding/transfer units and capable of loading the jig, and a plurality of processing units (60 to 110) provided for performing predetermined processes in the plurality of processing areas.
US09027209B2 Snag resistant slide fastener
Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.
US09027207B2 Paper clips with integral fastener
A removable device for holding or clipping at least two pieces of paper, cardboard, plastic film or other sheets of material together. The paper clip includes a self biasing spring member for providing spring tension to hold an article to a flat substrate such as a piece of paper or papers and may include locking elements for removable engagement and holding of sheets of paper or the like together.
US09027201B2 Cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus with externally positioned dirt chamber
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a filtration apparatus comprising a cyclone and an openable dirt collection chamber in communication with the cyclone dirt outlet. The dirt collection chamber has an openable end portion that comprises a wall that is intersected by the longitudinally extending axis, and when the end portion is in an open position, the cyclone chamber has an absence of any member having a larger diameter than the vortex finder whereby the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone are concurrently emptyable when the dirt collection chamber is opened.
US09027199B2 Robot cleaner, maintenance station, and cleaning system having the same
In a cleaning system, dust stored in a dust box is suspended in air introduced into the dust box through a first opening formed through a robot cleaner, and is then discharged to a second opening formed through a maintenance station through the first opening of the robot cleaner.
US09027197B1 Dustpan
An upright dustpan is disclosed which allows a user to open and close a door of a dust collecting compartment through a trigger on the handle. A trigger activates an actuating arm, which in turn causes the movement of an actuating pin that is connected to an external arm which opens the compartment door. The movement of the actuating pin may be lateral or rotational, providing different movement to the external arm.
US09027196B1 Applicator and bead finish tool
A tool for applying a building material and for finishing a bead of building material. The tool includes a handle portion and a flat blade portion having spaced-apart side edges and a front edge. The blade portion of the tool may be provided with an angled portion extending between the front edge and at least one of the side edges of the blade portion or provided with at least one area of weakness extending between the front edge and at least one of the side edges of the blade portion.
US09027191B2 Subsea pig handler
A pig launching system comprising a pipe loop comprising a first end and a second end; a pig shuttle connected to the first end and the second end; a first opening in the pig shuttle aligned with the first end of the pipe loop; a second opening in the pig shuttle aligned with the second end of the pipe loop; and a slot within the pig shuttle movable between the first opening and the second opening.
US09027188B2 Toothbrush with powered head
A powered toothbrush includes a handle having a neck. A head is mounted to the neck and has a first surface and an opposed second surface. At least one fixed tuft block is mounted to the head in a fixed orientation and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A movable tuft block is flexibly connected to each fixed tuft block and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A drive assembly is operably connected to the movable tuft block to move the movable tuft block with respect to each fixed tuft block.
US09027187B2 Cleaning system
A cleaning system used for removing contaminant particles on a surface of an image sensor is provided. The cleaning system includes an gas blower, two plate electrodes parallel to each other, and a high frequency voltage source. The gas blower supplies a mixed gas to the two plate electrodes. The high frequency voltage source provides a high voltage for the two plate electrodes to ionize the mixed gas, thereby the ionized gas cause contaminant particles on the surface of the image sensor to be positively charged, and cause the surface of the image sensor to be positively charged. The vacuum pump device removes the positively charged particles, which are repelled by the positively charged surface of the image sensor.
US09027186B2 Snow removal apparatus and related methods
An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: a brush component comprising a handle on a first end of a shaft and a brush on a second end of the shaft; and a shovel component removably connected to the brush component; wherein the brush is at least partially enclosed within the shovel component when the shovel component is connected to the brush component, and wherein the brush is exposed when the shovel component is disconnected from the brush component.
US09027185B2 Portable head support device
The portable head support device of the present invention provides comfortable support for a user's head while the user is in a sitting potion. The pillow or cushion has a v-shape on the top where a user's chin can rest so that the head cannot fall forward or sideways but will stay in a comfortable and upright position. The pillow is held in place by hook and loop fasteners located on the pillow and, for instance, on straps extending from behind the user's back and over the shoulders or wraparound supports wrapped around standard seat belts. The head support can be used in child car seats to keep a child's head in a safe and stable position while they sleep.
US09027182B2 Functional table for transferring patient
The present invention relates to a functional table for patient transportation, including: a patient supporter which supports a patient laid thereon and allows the patient to be horizontally slidably transported, with its both sides being changed in their angle with respect to a vertical axis of the patient; a support frame which is located in the central bottom of the patient supporter and allows the patient supporter to be vertically moved; a base frame which is connected to the bottom of the support frame and supports the whole of functional table; and at least three transporting wheels which are connected to the base frame and allow the functional table to be freely moved.
US09027181B1 Foldable bed
A foldable bed may include a first bed unit and a second bed unit. The first bed unit has a first bed frame and a second bed frame. Underneath the first and second bed frames are restorable leg and rear leg, so the first bed unit can be safely disposed on the ground. One side of the first and second bed frame has a first joint mechanism. The second bed unit has a first bed frame and a second bed frame, which are supported by a supporting leg, so the second bed unit can be safely disposed on the ground. A long slot on the first bed frame and second bed frame is provided for a securing unit to insert to connect with a connecting hole of the first joint mechanism, so the first bed unit and second bed unit can be connected as a foldable sofa bed.
US09027179B2 Portable playpen
A portable playpen which can be erected, collapsed and carried while holding a baby, includes a framework supporting an enclosure for a child. The framework has a generally pyramidal structure when it is erected.
US09027176B2 Bathing area surround
An example bathing area surround includes panels having a slot flange and a hook flange. A hook-like projection on the hook flange of a first panel is extendable into a slot on the slot flange of a second panel. Another example bathing area surround includes the slot flange on a first bathing panel and the hook flange on a second bathing panel, and a seal located on at least one of the slot flange or the hook flange. The seal may comprise foam. The foam may be compressed.
US09027175B2 Method for controlling automatic head care system and automatic hair washing system, and automatic head care system
Provided is an automatic head care system and an automatic hair washing system for caring a person's head in a safe and effective manner without applying a straining force on the person's neck. In order to achieve the object, the following steps are performed in turn: a head receiving step in which a pair of arms 114L, 114R are placed at positions for receiving a person's head 10 on a suppotring body 112; a water washing step in which water ejected from a plurality of nozzles 110 is poured to the head 10 while the pair of arms 114L, 114R are swung; a shampoo step in which washing liquid ejected from the plurality of nozzles 110 is poured to the head 10 while the pair of arms 114L, 114R are swung; and a head care step in which the head 10 is cared by performing the push-rotating of the pair of arms 114L, 114R in the direction of approaching the head 10 so as to bring the plurality of contacts 109 into contact with the head 10 and by swinging the pair of arms 114L, 114R while moving the plurality of contacts 109.
US09027174B2 Pool spring cover
Provided is a pool spring cover having an elongate tubular member with openings on first and second sides, respectively. The first and second sides span a longitudinal axis. An attachment member extends generally along the longitudinal axis from a first portion of the second side to a free end. A fastener comprised of a first fastener element and a second fastener element is provided. The first fastener element is associated with the attachment member at the free end and the second fastener element is associated with the tubular member at a second portion of the second side. The first and second fastener elements are adapted to fasten to each other such that the attachment member forms a loop. The first fastener element and the second fastener element may form a one-time use fastener. Also provided are related systems and methods.
US09027173B2 Toilet training devices for small children
A toilet training device includes an odor remediation system for absorbing or masking odors that may be created during toilet training. The odor remediation system may include a modular odor remediating insert that may be releasably positioned within a recess that is provided within the toilet training device. The odor remediating insert may include an odor absorbing substance such as sodium bicarbonate, an odor masking substance such as a fragrance or a combination of an odor absorbing substance and an odor masking substance. The toilet training device also includes a system for dispensing wipes that may utilize a recess that is defined in a side wall of the main body portion of the toilet training device. A wipes cartridge is designed so that it can be used to conveniently dispense wipes regardless of whether it is separated from the toilet training device or mounted within the recess of the toilet training device.
US09027172B2 Drain valve core
Various embodiments of a device for regulating a fluid flow are described that can include first and second downwardly-sloping valves that are biased in a closed position to prevent odors from escaping the device. The device can also include first and second downwardly-sloping valve seats, and configured such that an end portion of the first valve can be seated beneath the first valve seat and an end portion of the second valve can be seated beneath the second valve seat when the first and second valves are in a closed position, respectively.
US09027171B2 Trap and drain assembly for draining waste liquids while blocking odors
The invention provides a flush free drain trap system. The trap of the invention may be used in any trap system intended to block a back flow of odors from the waste line. A sealant liquid floats on top of the waste liquid in the trap to block odors. The trap uses one passageway to pass liquids to the sewer line, similarly to a conventional drain system, for preventing overflow and allowing cleaning. A second passageway allows the trap to dispose of small amounts of the waste liquid though an opening and a valve operated by the buoyancy caused by the accumulation of waste liquid in the trap. In normal use, waste liquid is passed to the sewer line without loss of sealant liquid. Furthermore, the performance of the trap is not affected by the evaporation of the waste liquid when the trap is unused.
US09027168B2 Urination opening in men's underwear
A fabric assembly attachable to the front side of a men's underwear and a men's underwear having such a fabric assembly are described. The fabric assembly has layers of fabrics having linear slots perpendicular to each other so that the wearer can take his genital organ out through the intersection of the linear slots. The peripheries of the fabric layers are elastically stitched together to make a fabric assembly. The fabric layers have sufficient rigidity such that the linear slots do not open under the pressure of the genital organ, unless the wearer uses his hands to open the slots. The fabric assembly may also have a flap on the inside or outside of the fabric layers. One or two sides of the flap may be attached to the men's underwear and the other sides may not be attached to permit easy opening of the flap by hand.
US09027167B2 Elasticized structure and method for making an elasticized structure
The present disclosure refers to an elasticized structure and a method for making such an elasticized structure. The elasticized structure, includes a first piece and at least one second piece. The first piece is superimposed and fixed onto the second piece in at least a first fixing zone and at least a second fixing zone. The second piece is at least partially made of an elastic material and has an internal zone comprised between the first fixing zone and the second fixing zone. The elasticized structure is able to assume a tensioned position and a rest position. In the rest position, the first piece has a hump comprised between the first fixing zone and the second fixing zone and flat parts alongside said first fixing zone and said second fixing zone, respectively.
US09027162B2 Eye wear
Eye wear (10) that may be employed in the health industry. The eye wear (10) includes a shield (11) that is formed of a sheet of flexible material, such as plastic. A seal (19) is secured to a major face of the shield (11) and is formed of a strip of flexible plastics material such as foam, with the seal (19) extending beyond the shield (11) so as to provide the loops (23) that engage a user's ears to aid in securing the eye wear to the user's face.
US09032546B2 Enforcing conditions of use associated with disparate data sets
Techniques are described herein that are capable of enforcing conditions of use associated with disparate data sets. For example, content may be published. Conditions of use that are associated with the published content may be specified. The published content may include disparate data sets. Each data set may be associated with its own condition(s) of use. The condition(s) of use associated with each data set may be enforced.
US09032544B2 System and method for controlling communication of private information over a network
A system and method for controlling access to private information over a network is provided including a privacy preference repository accessible by one or more subjects of the private information and by a private access bureau. The privacy preference repository stores privacy preferences configured by the subjects to indicate conditions for disclosure of said private information. A policy repository that stores legal criteria for accessing the private information is also accessible by the private access bureau. The private access bureau is configurable to receive requests from privacy-enabled systems for privacy directives that take into account the privacy preferences and legal criteria required to release particular documents on said privacy enabled system in response to the privacy-enabled systems.
US09032540B2 Access system and method thereof
An access system including a storage medium and a host is disclosed. The storage medium includes an identification code. The host includes a processor, at least one connection port and an identification port. The processor executes a mass-production application program. The connection port is coupled to at least one electronic product. The identification port is coupled to the storage medium. When the mass-production application program is executed, the processor determines whether the identification code matches a key code. When the identification code matches the key code, the processor writes mass-production data to the electronic product.
US09032530B2 Correcting workflow security vulnerabilities via static analysis and virtual patching
A computer program can be statically analyzed to determine an order in which client side workflows are intended to be implemented by the computer program. A virtual patch can be generated. When executed by a processor, the virtual patch can track web service calls from a client to the computer program, and determine whether the order of the web service calls from the client to the computer program correlate to the order in which client side workflows are intended to be implemented by the computer program. If the order of the web service calls from the client to the computer program do not correlate to the order in which client side workflows are intended to be implemented by the computer program, an alert can be generated.
US09032528B2 Black-box testing of web applications with client-side code evaluation
Detecting security vulnerabilities in web applications by interacting with a web application at a computer server during its execution at the computer server, identifying client-side instructions provided by the web application responsive to an interaction with the web application, where the client-side instructions are configured to be implemented by a client computer that receives the client-side instructions from the computer server, evaluating the identified client-side instructions, and identifying a security vulnerability associated with the client-side instructions.
US09032527B2 Inferring a state of behavior through marginal probability estimation
Systems, computer-readable media storing instructions, and methods can infer a state of behavior. Such a method can include constructing a graph including nodes representing hosts and domains based on an event dataset. The graph can be seeded with information external to the event dataset. A belief whether each of the nodes is in a particular state of behavior can be calculated based on marginal probability estimation.
US09032524B2 Line-rate packet filtering technique for general purpose operating systems
A method for mitigating denial of service attacks may include filtering out invalid packets from the received packets using a first filtering module, allowing the valid packets to pass through the first filtering module, and allowing some invalid packets to pass through the first filtering module. The method may also include passing the valid packets and the remaining invalid packets from the first filtering module to a second filtering module, filtering out more of the invalid packets using the second packet filtering module, allowing the valid packets to pass through the second filtering module, and allowing some invalid packets to pass through the second filtering module. The method may additionally include passing the valid packets and the remaining invalid packets to a protocol stack to filter the remaining invalid packets and pass the valid packets through to an application.
US09032522B1 PLC backplane analyzer for field forensics and intrusion detection
The various technologies presented herein relate to the determination of unexpected and/or malicious activity occurring between components communicatively coupled across a backplane. Control data, etc., can be intercepted at a backplane where the backplane facilitates communication between a controller and at least one device in an automation process. During interception of the control data, etc., a copy of the control data can be made, e.g., the original control data can be replicated to generate a copy of the original control data. The original control data can continue on to its destination, while the control data copy can be forwarded to an analyzer system to determine whether the control data contains a data anomaly. The content of the copy of the control data can be compared with a previously captured baseline data content, where the baseline data can be captured for a same operational state as the subsequently captured control data.
US09032520B2 Remote security self-assessment framework
A system for security self-assessment for a computer platform. The system comprises a memory, a processor, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application in association with a call to action transmits security self-assessment logic and at least one security self-assessment policy to a computer platform, wherein the security self-assessment policy defines at least one scan tool to be used by the security self-assessment logic when executed on the computer platform to perform a security self-assessment of the computer platform. The system further comprises a plurality of scan tools stored in the memory and accessible for downloading by the computer platform. The security self-assessment logic is configured to cause a processor of the computer platform to download at least one scan tool defined by the security self-assessment policy and to perform a security self-assessment.
US09032514B1 Potential data leakage reporting system, method, and computer program product
A reporting system, method, and computer program product are provided with respect to occurrences of potential data leakage. In use, a plurality of occurrences of potential data leakage is identified based on user behavior. In addition, a report is provided based on a determination of whether an aspect of the plurality of occurrences exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US09032510B2 Gesture- and expression-based authentication
A user can define a gesture-based input mode with respective input value to establish an authentication protocol to unlock a computer or govern other computer behavior. As an alternative or in addition, the user can define a second input mode based on face recognition plus IR sensing satisfying a threshold to ensure a live person is being imaged for authentication, and/or face recognition plus a particular facial expression such as a smile and wink.
US09032509B2 Identity verification in virtual worlds using encoded data
An avatar in a virtual world is provided with credentials for access to various parts of the virtual world by embedding information derived from avatar identification and authorized credential information in the form of a graphic image associated with the avatar. The embedded information is preferably encrypted.
US09032506B2 Multiple application containerization in a single container
Described in an example embodiment herein is a Multiple Application Container. Various embodiments of the Multiple Application Container may include, but are not limited to: (1) managed intranet access via a dedicated Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel shared amongst applications within the container, (2) managed file/data encryption, (3) native look and feel applications for the base Operating System (OS), (4) isolation from any non-OS based services on the device, and/or (5) Mobile Device Management (MDM) based capabilities, such as policy enforcement.
US09032504B2 System and methods for an alternative to network controller sideband interface (NC-SI) used in out of band management
A system and a method for operating a plurality of information handling systems forming a network are provided. The system includes a host computer processing unit (CPU); a band management controller (BMC); and a switch having a first port coupled to the host CPU, a second port coupled to the BMC, and an external port coupled to a network; wherein the switch is configured to perform lookups and send an ingress traffic including an internet content to the host CPU, and to send the ingress traffic including a management content to the BMC accordingly. A computer program product including a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable and executable code for instructing a processor in a management unit for a plurality of information handling systems forming a network to perform a method using a system as above is also provided.
US09032503B2 Diversity string based pattern matching
Diversity string based pattern matching is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for inspecting multiple data patterns in a data block includes scanning the data block for a diversity string of each data pattern, where the diversity string is a subset of the each data pattern. The method further includes comparing the each data pattern with a respective segment of the data block only if the diversity string is present in the data block, and forwarding flag data if the each data pattern matches with the respective segment of the data block.
US09032500B2 Integrating operating systems with content offered by web based entities
Example embodiments are provided for integrating operating systems with content offered by internet based entities.
US09032498B1 Method for changing authentication for a legacy access interface
A method and apparatus for changing authentication for a legacy access interface using an access adapter and a token device. The method enables to change authentication factors based on context and allows secure multi-user sharing of legacy applications.
US09032497B2 System and method for securing embedded media
Set forth herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for processing media requests in a secure way. A server configured to practice the method receives, from a media player client, a request for media content. The server requests a playback token from a playback service associated with the media content and generates a tag containing the playback token. Then the server transmits to the media player client a response to the request for media content based on the tag, wherein the media player client retrieves the media content by presenting the playback token to the playback service. The media player client can be an embedded media player or other player in a web browser. The server and the playback service can operate based on a common, pre-shared feed token. Other playback client and playback service embodiments exist.
US09032494B2 Network-based revocation, compliance and keying of copy protection systems
A method of authenticating a device involves establishing a local connection between a local target device and a local source device; at the source device, obtaining credentials of the target device via the local connection; at the source device, sending the credentials to a cloud authentication server via a secure communication channel; at the cloud authentication server, checking the credentials of the target device against a database of known good devices; at the source device, receiving a message from the cloud authentication server via the secure communication channel, said message indicating that the target device is authenticated; and delivering content from the source device to the target device on the condition that the target device is authenticated. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US09032487B2 Method and system for providing service access to a user
A method and system for providing service access to a user, includes the steps of: a) Registering a local identity provider located in al local network at a global identity provider with a local identifier of the local identity provider, b) Requesting service access requiring identity authentication to a service provider by a user located in the local network, c) Requesting an identity management service from the global identity provider by the service provider, d) Redirecting the user's access request to the local identity provider according to the provided local identifier within the local network, e) Checking if the local identifier corresponds to the local network of the user, f) Providing the requested identity management service to the service provider by the global identity provider in accordance with a result of the checking according to step e), and g) Granting service access for the user to the service provider.
US09032483B2 Authenticating a communication device and a user of the communication device in an IMS network
IMS networks and methods are disclosed for authenticating a communication device and a user of the communication device. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register message from the device that includes device authentication information, such as a public or private identifier for the device. The IMS network processes the device authentication information to authenticate the communication device. The IMS network also receives user authentication information from the device, such as a password. The IMS network processes the user authentication information to authenticate the user of the device. The device and the user are both authenticated by the IMS network. Authentication of the user may also occur when originating a session or terminating a session over the IMS network with the device.
US09032479B2 Method, mobile terminal and system for providing different authentication values according to contact method of mobile terminal
System and method of authenticating a terminal. An authentication system which provides an authentication value specified by a tilt angle of a terminal, includes a terminal which measures the tilt angle, and a short-range communication reader which receives the tilt angle and terminal identification data from the terminal by using short-range communication and which generates the authentication value based on the tilt angle. The short-range communication reader authenticates the terminal based on the authentication value.
US09032478B2 Managing security in a network
A method of managing security in a network is described. A data anomaly at a first location on a network is detected. A source of this data anomaly is identified. The source is compared with a plurality of access control policies, wherein each of the plurality of access control policies comprises at least one access restriction instruction associated with one or more sources. Based on the comparing, the source is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of access control policies.
US09032469B2 Media playback apparatus and method for providing multimedia content using the same
A media playback apparatus and a method for providing a multimedia content using the same are disclosed. In accordance with the apparatus and the method, a content reception information stored in a disk media is read and a connection to an external apparatus is established based on the content reception information to receive and provide the multimedia content.
US09032468B2 CATV video and data transmission system with automatic dispersion compensation
Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter by compensating for optical dispersion over the fiber optic network.
US09032467B2 Method and mechanism for efficiently delivering visual data across a network
Disclosed is an approach for delivering visual content that improves network bandwidth utilizations. The visual data is separated into multiple categories, where the data for different categories are delivered using different bandwidth utilizations schemes. A first category of the data is delivered at a higher frame rate than the frame rate for a second category of the data.
US09032464B2 IPTV delivery system and method
A system and method for broadcasting content as IPTV may include receiving broadcast feed content. The broadcast feed content may be converted into a first data format for broadcasting to set-top boxes. The broadcast feed content may be converted into a second data format for broadcasting to mobile devices. The converted broadcast feed content may be broadcast to set-top boxes and mobile devices in the first and second data formats, respectively.
US09032460B1 Content localization in a network device
A method of operating a first networking device includes receiving, from a media server, a cable length request message. The cable length request message includes data indicative of a length of a first networking cable arranged between the media server and the first networking device. The method includes determining a cumulative cable length based on the length of the first networking cable and a length of a second networking cable arranged between the first networking device and a media client. The method includes, in response to presence of a second networking device between the first networking device and the media client, sending a further cable length request message to the second networking device indicating the cumulative cable length. The method includes, in response to absence of the second networking device, sending a cable length response message to the media server indicating the cumulative cable length.
US09032458B2 Content distribution system and method for optimizing multiplexed transport channels
A content distribution system includes a distribution center, a processor, a switch, and first and second multiplexers. The distribution center receives and applies program content on program channels. The processor identifies subsets of the program channels in response to a respective score associated with the program channels. The switch couples the distribution center to the multiplexers. The switch applies program channels to respective inputs of the first and second multiplexers in response to the processor. A method for optimizing a multiplexed transport channel includes the steps of identifying a set of program channels designated for distribution via the multiplexed transport channel, arranging the set of program channels in subsets, the program channels within a subset grouped in accordance with a viewing score, multiplexing the program channels of the subsets to a respective transport channel and applying the respective transport channels to a distribution medium for delivery to the destination.
US09032457B2 Streaming data processing method and apparatus for digital broadcast system supporting VOD service
A method and apparatus for processing streaming data of content in a digital broadcast system supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service are provided. A data processing method of a set-top box supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service includes requesting content selected by a user, configuring, if streaming data of the content is received, file block information for storing the streaming data, and storing the streaming data in units of file blocks according to the file block information. The streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention are capable of processing the streaming data of the content of which size is larger than the available storage space efficiently. Also, the streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention is capable of reducing total manufacturing cost of the set-top box by reducing costly storage device in size.
US09032453B2 Method and system for multiplexed transport interface between demodulators (DEMODs) and set-top box (STB) system-on-chips (SoCs)
A multiplexed transport interface (MTSIF) may be utilized during communication between a demodulation module and a video processing system-on-chip (SoC). The MTSIF may enable concurrent demodulation of a plurality of input modulated video streams, via a plurality of demodulator chips within the demodulation module, by multiplexing data generated by the demodulator chips via the MTSIF during communication between the demodulator module and the video processing SoC. The MTSIF may also be utilized for communicating control signals, which may be used in controlling and/or managing operations of the demodulation module, the video processing SoC, and/or the MTSIF. Communication via the MTSIF may be synchronized. Packets communicated via the MTSIF may be timestamped. Timestamp counters may be used in the demodulation module and the video processing SoC to generate and/or track timestamps in communicated packets. The timestamp counter may be synchronized, using control signals communicated via the MTSIF.
US09032449B2 Algorithm for improving transponder scanning in a satellite set-top box
The present invention concerns a method and associated apparatus for reducing the time required to scan an incoming satellite transmission power spectrum for available signals and to determine the characteristics of those signals. The frequency range of interest is scanned in narrow slices to determine approximate input power within each slice. Center frequencies and symbol rates of individual transponders are then estimated based upon these input power approximations.
US09032446B2 System and method for facilitating purchases associated with video programming
A method for facilitating a purchase associated with video programming is provided. The method includes detecting a product signal related to video programming, and activating an indicator within a user interface in a remote control in response to the product signal. The method also includes placing a product corresponding to the product signal within a selected item list in response to an activation of an input selector within the user interface of the remote control.
US09032442B2 Acquiring cable channel map information in a cable receiver
The present invention is a method, system, and computer-readable medium for acquiring a channel map in a cable receiver. The channel map associates physical analog and digital channels in an RF spectrum to channel identification data, where the channel identification data includes physical RF channel numbers, modulation type, virtual channels, and channel names. The method obtains a list of available channels from an electronic program guide service provider, and initializes the channel map based on the list of available channels. The method performs a channel scan to detect clear channels, and collect identification information for each detected clear channel. Based on the identification information, the method updates the channel map for each detected channel. The method receives changes to the channel map from a user of the cable receiver device, updates the channel map based on the changes to the channel map from the user, and uploads the channel map to the electronic program guide service provider.
US09032441B2 System and method for self management of a live web event
A system, method, and computer program for self management of a live web event is provided. In exemplary embodiments, an individual associated with a channel may schedule a web event. Upon scheduling, a user, such as one or more presenters, may be provided a management interface through which content may be prepared for the live web event during a self preparation process. In exemplary embodiments, the user may upload content (e.g., images such as slides) and generate content (e.g., polling questions and answers) autonomously.
US09032440B2 Method of controlling the program selection at the receiver of a broadcast medium
An interactive television application with watch lists is provided. The user may add programs such as television programs, Internet web pages, e-commerce applications, e-mail applications, and music channels, to a watch list. The user may also select a program from the watch list to watch it or to perform some other function related to that program. The interactive television application may display, under user control, watch lists that are overlaid over television programming, scaled so as not to obscure television programming, or on touch-screen remote controls. Programs may be added by the user to the watch lists at any time, or may be automatically added or removed by the interactive television application based on user preference profiles and reminder lists.
US09032439B1 Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
US09032437B2 System and method for providing enhanced entertainment data on a set top box
Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing enhanced entertainment data. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing enhanced entertainment data includes receiving a request for additional information related to a selected show and displaying the additional information, which includes a list of selectable merchandise associated with the selected show, in response to the request. In one embodiment, the method presents information related to a selected merchandise and an option for a user to purchase the selected merchandise. The method may further include retrieving a billing address associated with a subscriber account associated with the user in response to receiving a purchase request for the selected merchandise and placing an order for the selected merchandise using the billing address. The method may also include billing the order as part of a monthly service charge to the user.
US09032436B2 Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US09032432B2 Managing undesirable content in IP video broadcast traffic
A method and apparatus are provided for suppressing display of advertisements within a video over IP stream provided by a content provider. Metadata is prepended to advertisements within the stream. When the stream is received by an access aggregation point, the access aggregation point compares the metadata of an advertisement with preset criteria provided by an enterprise subscriber, and suppresses the advertisement if a comparison of the metadata and the preset criteria indicate that the advertisement is undesirable to the enterprise subscriber. The access aggregation point suppresses the advertisement by switching to a second video channel within the stream for the duration of the advertisement. In this way, the access aggregation point can control display of content provider advertisements without manipulating data within the stream, so as to allow the enterprise subscriber to prevent display of undesirable advertisements to endpoints within the enterprise subscriber site such as set-top boxes within hotel rooms.
US09032430B2 Systems and methods for providing blackout support in video mosaic environments
Systems and methods for providing blackout support in video mosaic environments are disclosed. In response to receiving a request for a video mosaic page, screen data, which may include blackout information, is received. The screen data identifies the video assets in the video mosaic page. A determination is made, based at least in part on the screen data, whether any video assets in the video mosaic page should be blacked out. Blacked out assets may be masked and their associated audio blocked. In addition, an overlay of options associated with the blacked out asset may be presented. The overlay may include options to substitute the blacked out asset with replacement content, search for similar content, or retrieve more information about the blackout.
US09032425B1 System and method to boost application performance by using a proxy for executing synchronous application programming interface calls
Techniques are described for utilizing synchronous APIs which normally block callers until a result is returned. In particular, the techniques described herein enable an application or other programming construct to boost performance by executing synchronous APIs (e.g., long running time APIs) within a proxy container rather than executing the synchronous APIs in the context of the application itself. Since the proxy is a separate process or thread, the caller application is thereby released from waiting for the synchronous API call and may proceed with other processing instead of waiting for the synchronous API to return. The application may then monitor the proxy to determine whether a result has been received, such as by periodically polling the proxy.
US09032423B2 Dependency based configuration package activation
An update platform is described that collectively handles driver and firmware updates for hardware resources of a computing device based on dependencies associated with the updates. The update platform may instantiate representations of each individual hardware resource as abstractions through which detection, analysis, acquisition, deployment, installation, and tracking of updates is managed. Using the representations, the update platform discovers available updates, matches configuration packages for the updates to appropriate resources, and initiates installation of the configuration packages. The update platform is further configured to recognize dependencies associated with the configuration packages. When dependencies are detected, corresponding configuration packages are marked to reflect the dependencies and activation is suspended until the dependencies are satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the dependencies, the dependencies are cleared and the configuration packages are activated. Configuration packages that are not associated with dependencies may be installed and activated “normally” at any time.
US09032419B2 Application function library framework
A component instance manager of a database system generates an instance of the application function. The component instance manager then generates an executor for the application function, and requests an instance of a component class of the application function from a package manager of the database system. A void pointer associated with the instance of the component class and a wrapper function address associated with the application function are accessed by the component instance manager, where the void pointer and wrapper function address comprise runtime parameters of the application function. The application function is thereafter executed by the executor according to the runtime parameters.
US09032417B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus control method
A information processing apparatus having a processor is controlled to execute a procedure of reading from the memory attribute information indicating a usage frequency of a register used by a process to be executed as a next process by the processor when the processor switches a process currently being executed, saving a value of the register used by the next process to be executed by the processor to the memory when the usage frequency of the register indicated by the attribute information is larger than a certain frequency, reading from the memory owner information indicating a process using the register to be used by the next process when the usage frequency of the register indicated by the attribute information is larger than the certain frequency, and restoring a register value saved in the memory to the register when the owner information indicates a process other than the next process.
US09032414B1 Systems and methods for managing system resources allocated for backup validation
A computer-implemented method for managing system resources allocated for backup validation may include (1) identifying a computing system that is to be backed up, (2) monitoring at least one resource of the computing system in order to determine to what extent the resource is utilized, (3) identifying a minimum utilization level of the resource, (4) determining an amount of the resource required to validate a backup of the computing system, (5) configuring a validation system to validate the backup of the computing system, wherein resources of the validation system are allocated based at least in part on the amount of the resource required to validate the backup of the computing system, and (6) using the validation system to validate the backup of the computing system in order to reduce backup-validation resource consumption. Various additional methods, systems, and encoded computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09032409B1 Job scheduler for remote maintenance of servers and workstations
A method, system and program product for remote scheduling of at least one job to run on a plurality of computers in a computer network. The job scheduler enables selection of a domain that includes at least a subset of the computers on which the job is to run. A list of computers in the selected domain is automatically generated. The computers on which the job is to run can be selected from the generated list of computers. A configuration file is created for storing an identification of the selected domain and the job to be run on the selected computers in the domain.
US09032402B2 Managing an independent virtual disk
A computer-implemented method for managing an independent virtual disk. The method includes creating an independent virtual disk; in response to the creating the independent virtual disk, creating a first virtual machine; and attaching an independent virtual disk to the first virtual machine; and managing the independent virtual disk by controlling the first virtual machine that is attached to the independent virtual disk.
US09032399B1 Measurement of input/output scheduling characteristics in distributed virtual infrastructure
Techniques for measuring input/output (I/O) scheduling characteristics in a computing system implemented with distributed virtual infrastructure. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. A plurality of virtual machines is deployed in a computing system implemented in a distributed virtual infrastructure managed by at least one hypervisor component. At least one test workload is executed on the plurality of virtual machines in accordance with the at least one hypervisor component. Timing information is collected from the plurality of virtual machines during execution of the at least one test workload. Based on at least a portion of the collected timing information, one or more characteristics are identified of an input/output schedule employed by the at least one hypervisor component during execution of the at least one test workload on the plurality of virtual machines.
US09032386B1 Product upgrade location identifier for software upgrade
An update module receives a first manifest file that indicates a product version for a product and indicates a product upgrade indicator if an upgraded product is available for the product version. In addition, the update module requests a second manifest file from a server according to a product upgrade location identifier. The second manifest file is received from the server if the second manifest file is enabled by the server for the product upgrade indicator. Further the update module installs the upgraded product according to a set of data files in the second manifest file.
US09032382B1 Security patch update processor
A method, system, and program product are provided for updating software deployed on computers in an enterprise computer network wherein each computer has a software update agent installed to enable the computer to receive software patch updates. The method includes determining a required software component and updates; determining a version of the agent and updating the agent if required; selecting a server from which required updates are to be downloaded; scanning a plurality of software components on a selected computer and comparing the components with updates available on the server to determine required updates; downloading the required patches from the server; and installing the patches on the selected computer. The system includes components that perform the method steps when operated on a computer in the network. A computer readable medium implements the method for updating software deployed on computers in a network.
US09032381B2 State recovery methods and apparatus for computing platforms
State recovery methods and apparatus for computing platforms are disclosed. An example method includes inserting a first instruction into optimized code to cause a first portion of a register in a first state to be saved to memory before execution of a region of the optimized code; and maintaining a value indicative of a manner in which a second portion of the register in the first state is to be restored in connection with a state recovery from the optimized code.
US09032374B2 Metadata-integrated debugger
A method, system and computer program product for software debugging using annotation metadata. A set of metadata comprising source code annotation information for a software program is maintained, together with data/metadata relationships between individual units of the metadata and individual units of the source code. A software debugging point is set that is associated with debugging point metadata comprising one or more units the metadata. A debugging action is performed when execution of the software program reaches said debugging point.
US09032373B1 End to end testing automation and parallel test execution
Provisioning and/or configuring machines (real and/or virtual) for multiple parallel execution of multiple test cases. The test cases correspond to different software configurations (such as different platform version and product version configurations) and are executed at substantially overlapping time(s), which is to say in “parallel.”
US09032368B2 Dynamic configuration system
Systems and methods are illustrated that relate to a dynamic configuration of rules (e.g., business rules, presentation rules, and the like) in a virtual machine environment. Moreover, the rules may be updated and used with an application that is running on a virtual machine without requiring the virtual machine to be stopped and started (i.e., restarted). Furthermore, aspects of the disclosure describe managing the visibility of dynamic rules to various applications running on the same virtual machine.
US09032363B2 Providing a user interface library for building web-based applications
A method and system for providing an interactive developer guide for guiding a user through a web-based application component selection process for a web-based application. The component selection process includes providing a component list including a plurality of configurable web-based application components, prompting the user to select a web-based application component from the list, and receiving a selection of a web-based application component from the list. The selected web-based application component is provided along with a snippet of code for integrating the selected web-based application component into the web-based application.
US09032362B2 System and method for generating high performance calculators for calculation graphs
Systems and methods for generating customized calculation execution graphs for producing analysis and reports from large stores of data are disclosed. The customized calculation execution graphs are instantiated from user supplied calculation definition tables and calculation input definition tables. The calculation definition tables and the calculation input definition tables are instantiated to produce a calculation graph model. The calculation definitions of the calculation graph model can be sorted based on the number of intermediate calculations required as input for each one of the defined calculation. The sorting calculation graph model can then be instantiated to generate the calculation execution graph. Such calculation execution graphs include a number of ordered calculation nodes with pairwise connections indicating the order of operations and data flow. The calculation execution graph can then be instantiated into a platform specific application programming language to run on a variety of server and client computers.
US09032361B2 Agile unit and regression testing framework for domain specific languages
According to one aspect of the invention, a system and method for unit and regression testing has been developed. The system is capable to automate unit/regression test case preparation, remote execution, provide XML based assert mechanism to evaluate test results, maintenance and versioning. The present system enables model driven testing of domain specific languages and provides a user friendly mechanism to perform Unit and Regression Testing.
US09032357B1 Generating guiding patterns for directed self-assembly
Aspects of the invention relate to techniques of generating guiding patterns for via-type feature groups. A guiding pattern may be constructed for a via-type feature group that comprises two or more via-type features in a layout design. A backbone structure may then be determined for the guiding pattern. Based on the backbone structure and a self-assembly model, simulated locations of the two or more via-type features are computed. The simulated locations are compared with targeted locations. If the simulated locations do not match the targeted locations based on a predetermined criterion, the simulated locations adjusted to derive modified locations. Using the modified locations, the above operations may be repeated until the simulated locations match the targeted location based on a predetermined criterion or for a predetermined number of times.
US09032351B2 Semiconductor device design method and design apparatus
A relationship between distance from a back bias control section which outputs a control signal for controlling a back bias of a transistor and an amount of noise in the control signal outputted from the back bias control section is found. An increase of jitter corresponding to the amount of the noise in a clock transmitted on a clock path connected to a circuit section (IP macro) is found on the basis of the relationship between the distance from the back bias control section and the amount of the noise. The circuit section and the clock path are placed on the basis of the increase of the jitter and an allowable jitter value for the circuit section.
US09032350B2 Semiconductor device
A method for bypassing a defective through silicon via x in a group of n adjacent through silicon vias, includes receiving a plurality of relief signals to identify the defective through silicon via x, activating x−1 switch circuits to connect x−1 data circuits to through silicon vias 1 to x−1 in the group of n adjacent through silicon vias, activating n-x switch circuits to connect n-x data circuits to through silicon vias x+1 to n in the group of n adjacent through silicon vias, and activating a switch circuit to connect a data circuit to an auxiliary through silicon via which is adjacent through silicon via n in the group of n adjacent through silicon vias.
US09032349B2 Crosstalk analysis method
One implementation of the disclosure provides a crosstalk analysis method executed by a computer. The method includes steps of: executing a layout program; executing a crosstalk analysis program; acquiring, by the crosstalk analysis program, a plurality of parameters from a layout result generated by the layout program; estimating a crosstalk value according to the parameters; determining whether the crosstalk value is larger than a predetermined value; providing a layout suggestion table when the crosstalk value is larger than the predetermined value.
US09032348B2 Physics-based reliability model for large-scale CMOS circuit design
This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for simulating physical active semiconductor components using in silico active semiconductor components. To simulate charge degradation effect(s) in a circuit simulation, a simulated defect signal level is produced. More specifically, the simulated defect signal level simulates at least one charge degradation effect in the in silico active semiconductor component as a function of simulation time and a simulated input signal level of a simulated input signal. As such, the charge degradation effect(s) are simulated externally with respect to the in silico active semiconductor component. In this manner, the in silico active semiconductor component does not need to be reprogrammed in order to simulate charge degradation effects.
US09032343B1 Integrating multiple FPGA designs by merging configuration settings
This disclosure relates generally to field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Some implementations relate to methods and systems for transmitting and integrating an intellectual property (IP) block with another user's design. The IP developer can design the IP block to include both a secret portion and a public portion. The IP block developer can send or otherwise provide the IP block to another IP user without disclosing the functional description of the secret portion of the IP block. In some implementations, the IP developer provides the public portion to the IP user at the register-transfer-level (RTL) level, as a hardware description language (HDL)-implemented design, or as a synthesizable netlist. In some implementations, the IP developer provides the secret portion of the IP block to the user in the form of programming bits without providing an HDL, RTL, or netlist implementation of the secret portion.
US09032342B2 Method and apparatus for alignment optimization with respect to plurality of layers
A method of patterning a plurality of layers of a work piece in a series of writing cycles in one or a plurality of write machines, the workpiece being deviced to have a number of N layers and layers of the workpiece having one or a plurality of boundary condition(s) for pattern position, the method comprising the steps of: determining the boundary conditions of layers 1 to N, calculating deviations due to the boundary conditions and calculating a compensation for the deviation of the first transformation added with the assigned part of the deviation due to the boundary conditions.
US09032339B2 Ranking verification results for root cause analysis
Verification-result ranking techniques for root cause analysis are disclosed using violation report analysis and violation weighting. Violation reports are unwieldy and result from a variety of design and process checks. The check coverage can overlap, causing a specific violation to trigger multiple reported violations. High turn around times for violation report analysis increase the risk that selective violation analysis will inadvertently suppress real design bugs. This reduces the odds that static checker reports alone will meet design sign-off criteria. Determining relationships among a plurality of violations for a design permits clustering violations into hot spots. Identification of primary and subsequent contributors to the plurality of violations is based on the relationships among violations. The hot spot with the highest weight is identified, and then subsequent violations are identified to maximize violation coverage. The result is greater efficiency of design violation identification and resolution.
US09032336B2 Gesture input system, method and program
The present invention provides an input interface that a human can operate naturally and intuitively using a human gesture (motion), by including means for acquiring motion information based on a gesture and input interface means for generating information for operating an object on a desktop of a computer on the basis of motion information. In this case, the motion information is matched against a template for recognizing a motion of a user and a matched event is outputted so that the object is operated. The object includes a pie menu in which a menu item is disposed in a circular form. A user is allowed to selects a desired menu item in the pie menu in accordance with an angle at which the user twists a wrist thereof.
US09032333B2 Display apparatus and displaying method of the same
A display apparatus and a displaying method of the same, the display apparatus including a content output unit which outputs at least one content; a display unit; a video processor which processes and outputs a list image of the contents to the display unit; and a controller which controls the video processor to change a display effect of the list image according to frequency of use of the contents.
US09032330B2 Display apparatus and user interface display method thereof
A display apparatus and a user interface display method of the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus classifies menu items of a service menu or an OSD menu according to the frequency of use of the menu items, generates icons corresponding to the classified menu items, and displays the icons on a screen using a user interface. Accordingly, the user can display a user interface on the screen in a preferable manner, and easily find and utilize a desired menu item.
US09032325B2 Management of local applications in local and remote desktops in a server-based computing environment
In a computing environment comprising multiple desktop windows displayed to a user of a client computer, a method to manage client application windows associated with applications configured to run on the client computer is provided. The method includes detecting user input regarding movement of a client application window from a client desktop window to a remote desktop window, removing a task bar icon associated with the client application window from a task bar displayed in the client desktop window, instructing the remote computer to generate a drone of the client application window in the remote desktop window and to display the task bar icon associated with the client application window in a task bar of the remote desktop window, and displaying the client application window always on top of all other windows. The method may further include applying appropriate clipping region to the client application window.
US09032321B1 Context-based presentation of a user interface
A computing device is described that, while presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with a first application, transitions from a first operational state to a second operational state. While in the second operational state, the computing device stops presenting the GUI associated with the first application, determines a context of the computing device, and receives a notification associated with a second application. The computing device determines, based on the context and the notification, a degree of likelihood that a user associated would access the second application, prior to the first application, after the computing device has transitioned from operating in the second operational state to operating in the first operational state. After transitioning from the second operational state to the first operational state, and responsive to determining that the degree of likelihood satisfies a likelihood threshold, the computing device presents a GUI associated with the second application.
US09032320B2 Time and location based GUI for accessing media
A system and method for accessing digital media based on the time and location the media was captured. The digital media is associated with time and location information. The media is presented along with a geographical representation of where the media was captured and an indication of time when the media was captured.
US09032319B1 Methods, systems, and apparatus for handling of flight deck data
Methods, systems, and apparatus for handling of flight deck data are disclosed. The disclosed flight deck data handling means including means such as a cursor-based and touch screen-based means that attach a representative state of the data under pilot manipulation in one or more of the following locations: (1) at the origin display location of the handled data; (2) at the target display location of the handled data; and (3) at any point from the origin to the destination display locations that a cursor or touch input traverses. The representative state of the data is shown via a context-sensitive repeater coupled to a cursor and touch inputs such that continuous feedback as to the current state of the pilot's data manipulation is maintained.
US09032311B2 Method and system for implementing a compensation system
Described is an improved method, system, and computer program product for implementing an improved approach for a compensation system and related interfaces that avoids the problems of the prior approaches. According to some approaches, interfaces are provided that comprises multiple modes of compensation entry, in which data elements within the multiple modes are linked together in a coordinated way.
US09032307B2 Computational delivery system for avatar and background game content
Data defining an avatar is received over a network. A sprite sheet comprising a plurality of sprites is created, using the data defining the avatar. Each sprite includes a partial rendering of the respective avatar and at least one run-time parameter including a sprite attribute. A plurality of requests are received, over the network, for the avatar from a plurality of user applications. The data defining the avatar and the sprite sheet are transmitted, over the network, to each of the requesting user applications, enabling each respective user application to display the sprites in the sprite sheet and to set the run-time parameter associated with each of the sprites in the sprite sheet such that each respective sprite is thereby customized to the application.
US09032304B2 Interaction with networked screen content via mobile phone in retail setting
A portable computing device may be configured to allow a user to interact with one or more displays in a retail environment. The portable computing device may establish a communication link with a communication device in the retail environment and the user may be able to use the portable computing device to navigate through retail data and have it displayed on the display device in the retail environment.
US09032303B2 Web-based interaction with a local system
Systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating web-based interaction with a local system are disclosed. Such systems, methods, and computer program products provide an approach that allows a web client within in a web browser environment to access local hardware and local software—via a web server contained in the local system—in a local computer system. In response to a user input, the web client directs local hardware and local software to perform actions (e.g., writing files and taking pictures). Information related to such actions is returned to the web client via the local web server. The local computer system may be remotely located from the web client and such returned information may be stored and/or executed at a remote site (e.g., cloud database). Security layers may be provided to authenticate the user as well as user permissions for accessing the local computer system.
US09032302B2 Providing a user with a web-supplement
An apparatus and method of providing a user with a web-browser supplement is disclosed. One method includes providing access to a focal group, wherein the focal group includes at least one member having at least one association with the user. Access is provided to information associated with the at least one member having relevance to the focal group. Web browsing by the user is supplemented by the information of the members of the focal group.
US09032296B1 User interface for displaying highlights of an event or plurality of events
A method and system for providing highlight clips to a user device includes the user device having a display with a user interface and a content processing system communicating a plurality of highlight links to the user device. The user device displays the plurality of highlight links on the display and communicates a selection signal to the content processing system. The content processing system communicates a highlight clip corresponding to the selection signal to the user device. The user device displays the content clip in the user interface.
US09032291B2 Using sketch effects as part of displaying one or more electronic document objects
Systems and methods for distorting the form or format of an object in an electronic document. A sketch effect theme defines parameters that when applied to the object modify one or more coloring, formatting, and effects characteristics of the object to convey a sketched or hand-drawn look or feel to the object. The parameters are stored in a record associated with the document to persist the sketch effect theme through different sessions in which the document is active or open.
US09032289B1 Providing suggestions to users to write comments
One or more server devices may receive an indication that a particular user has accessed a particular document. The one or more server devices may determine whether the particular document has been flagged as needing comments, and retrieve an author likelihood score for the particular user when the particular document has been flagged as needing comment. The one or more server devices may determine whether the retrieved author likelihood score is greater than a particular threshold, and provide a suggestion to the user to write a comment about the particular document when the author likelihood score is greater than the particular threshold.
US09032283B2 Rendering common cell formatting for adjacent cells
Rendering common cell formatting for adjacent cells is disclosed. In some embodiments, when rendering cells, a set of adjacent cells that have at least one type of cell formatting in common is identified, and the at least one type of cell formatting is rendered as a single entity rather than individually for each cell in the set to prevent visual artifacts between adjacent cells from arising.
US09032282B2 Method and web content management system for A/B testing or multivariate testing of websites on computers being connected to a web content management system
A method and a system for A/B testing of a website on a computer being connected to a web content management system, wherein the method includes receiving, at the web content management system from a requesting computer, a webpage data request directed to a webpage of a website for which at least two website variants including a first website variant and a second website variant are defined, and selecting one website variant of the at least two website variants of the website. If the second website variant is selected, the method further includes creating, at the web content management system, first markup language representation data of the webpage, second markup language representation data of the webpage, and webpage difference data.
US09032280B2 Analysis of images located within three-dimensional environments
Images are analyzed within a 3D environment that is generated based on spatial relationships of the images and that allows users to experience the images in the 3D environment. Image analysis may include ranking images based on user viewing information, such as the number of users who have viewed an image and how long an image was viewed. Image analysis may further include analyzing the spatial density of images within a 3D environment to determine points of user interest.
US09032276B2 Method and system for generation of a tie-breaking metric in a low-density parity check data encoding system
The present invention includes generating a tie-breaking metric via a comparative tie-breaking metric training process, monitoring an output of a channel detector in order to identify a tie condition between a first log-likelihood ratio (LLR) value and a second LLR value of a symbol, and upon identifying a tie condition between the first LLR value and the second LLR value of the symbol, applying the generated tie-breaking metric to the symbol in order to assign a hard decision to the symbol.
US09032275B2 Transmission apparatus and transmission method
An encoding method and encoder of a time-varying LDPC-CC with high error correction performance are provided. In an encoding method of performing low density parity check convolutional coding (LDPC-CC) of a time varying period of q using a parity check polynomial of a coding rate of (n−1)/n (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2), the time varying period of q is a prime number greater than 3, the method receiving an information sequence as input and encoding the information sequence using Equation 1 as a g-th (g=0, 1, . . . , q−1) parity check polynomial to satisfy 0.
US09032274B2 Method and apparatus for clock and data recovery
A multi-link input/output (I/O) interface uses both feed-forward and feedback signaling to reduce the impact of noise on data capture at a memory controller. To transfer data from a source module to a destination module, a defined pattern is communicated from the memory module along a master channel concurrent with the memory module providing data via one or more slave channels. Based on the phase of the defined pattern as it is received, the multi-link I/O interface feeds forward to the slave channels control signaling whose phase reflects a predicted noise pattern for the system. Each slave channel performs CDR by adjusting timing of its corresponding capture clock signal based on the fed forward control signaling and based on feedback signaling for the corresponding slave channel, whereby the feedback signaling reflects an error measurement between a phase of a capture clock signal and transitions in received data.
US09032272B2 Memory systems and block copy methods thereof
Methods of operating memory systems and nonvolatile memory devices include performing error checking and correction (ECC) operations on M pages of data read from a first “source” portion of M-bit nonvolatile memory cells within the nonvolatile memory device to thereby generate M pages of ECC-processed data, where M is a positive integer greater than two (2). A second “target” portion of M-bit nonvolatile memory cells within the nonvolatile memory device is then programmed with the M pages of ECC-processed data using, for example, an address-scrambled reprogramming technique.
US09032271B2 System and method for lower page data recovery in a solid state drive
In some embodiments of the present invention, a data storage system includes a controller and a non-volatile memory array having a plurality of memory pages. The controller performs a method that efficiently resolves the lower page corruption problem. In one embodiment, the method selects programmed lower page(s) for which paired upper page(s) have not been programmed, reads data from those selected lower page(s), corrects the read data, and reprograms the read data into those lower page(s). Since the number of lower pages in this condition is typically low (e.g., several pages in a block with hundreds or thousands of pages), this is a much more efficient method than reprogramming the entire block. In another embodiment, a similar reprogramming method is applied as a data recovery scheme in situations in which only lower pages are programmed (e.g., SLC memory, MLC memory in SLC mode, etc.).
US09032270B2 Device and method for storing encoded and/or decoded codes by re-using encoder
The present disclosure provides a device and method for storing encoded and/or decoded codes by re-using an encoder. The device and method for storing the encoded and/or decoded codes according to the present disclosure enables re-use of the encoder during a decoding process, which makes it unnecessary to use additional hardware and thereby reduces an area consumed by an EDAC (error detection and correction) decoder.
US09032267B2 Multicarrier mobile communication system
A transmitting unit divides a transmit data into a plurality of code blocks, and encodes each of the plurality of code blocks to generate a transmission signal. The transmitting unit transmits the transmission signal, and a receiving unit receives the transmission signal as a reception signal. The receiving unit, when being an error in the reception signal, transmits a retransmission request feedback data which contains a NACK data and a data indicating the first code block group to the transmitting unit. First resources are assigned for each of the plurality of code blocks of the transmission signal. The transmitting unit assigns resources of the first code block group of the plurality of code blocks of the transmission signal to second resources which are fewer than the first resources, based on the retransmission request feedback data, and retransmits the transmission signal to the receiving unit.
US09032266B2 Multithreaded, mixed-HDL/ESL concurrent fault simulator for large-scale integrated circuit designs
An advanced fault simulator that can audit the fault coverage of large-scale integrated circuit (IC) designs is described herein. Specifically, an IC design's Hardware Description Language and/or Electronic System-Level source files are compiled into a database, stuck-at, transition and/or inter-process communication faults for the design are generated and equivalent faults are collapsed. Furthermore, all faults are partitioned into disjointed fault sets, and a set of worker threads are created to process those fault sets concurrently. The worker threads can run either locally on a multiprocessor platform, or remotely on different computers that are connected via an intranet and/or the Internet. Moreover, each worker thread can create a plurality of child threads to further accelerate the multithreaded concurrent fault simulation of the IC design. After the simulation is finished, a fault report is generated that depicts the fault coverage of the IC design and all undetected and detected faults.
US09032265B2 IC test adapter circuitry having scan control register bits
A system and method for sharing a communications link between multiple protocols is described. A system includes a communications interface configured to exchange information with other systems using at least one of a plurality of protocols; a protocol select register that stores a value that selects a protocol from among the plurality of protocols to become an active protocol; and a state machine accessible to the communications interface, the state machine used to control the exchange of information through the communications interface according to the active protocol. The active protocol is used by the communications interface to exchange information while the remaining protocols of the plurality of protocols remain inactive. The state machine sequences through a series of states that cause the communications interface to operate according to the active protocol, and that are designated as inert sequences under the remaining protocols.
US09032261B2 System and method of enhancing data reliability
In a system and method of enhancing data reliability, a reference value associated with error count is obtained, and an error count of data stored in a buffer is obtained whenever an event is triggered. An accumulated value associated with error counts is acquired when the recorded error count is greater than an error threshold value. System slowdown is performed when the accumulated value is greater than a predetermined value.
US09032260B2 Parallel bit interleaver
A bit interleaving method involves applying a bit permutation process to a QC LDPC codeword made up of N cyclic blocks each including Q bits, and dividing the codeword, after the bit permutation process, into a plurality of constellation words each imade up of M bits, the codeword being divided into N/M sections, each constellation word being associated with one of the N/M sections, and the bit permutation process being performed such that each of the constellation words includes one bit from each of M different cyclic blocks associated with a given section.
US09032258B2 Safety system challenge-and-response using modified watchdog timer
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a watchdog timer having an enhanced functionality that enables the watchdog timer to monitor a process flow of the microprocessor on a task-by-task basis that enables a simple output signal to be used to determine if the watchdog timer is malfunctioning. The watchdog timer has a state machine that increments a state variable from an initial value over a watchdog period. A deterministic service request, received from a microprocessor, controls operation of the watchdog timer. The deterministic service request has an indicator of a monitoring operation to be performed, a password, and an estimated state variable. A comparison element determines if the microprocessor is operating properly based upon a comparison of the received password to an expected password and the received estimated state variable to an actual state variable.
US09032251B2 Re-forming an application control tree without terminating the application
A reconnection system re-forms a control tree for an application that is executed in parallel without terminating execution of the application. The reconnection system detects when a node of a control tree has failed and directs the nodes that have not failed to reconnect to effect the re-forming of the control tree without the failed node and without terminating the application. Upon being directed to reconnect, a node identifies new child nodes that are to be its child nodes in the re-formed control tree. The node maintains the existing connection with each of its current child nodes that is also a new child node, terminates the existing connection with each of its current child nodes that is not also a new child node, establishes a new connection with any new child node that is not a current child node, and directs each new child node to reconnect.
US09032248B1 Memory write tracking for virtual machines
The disclosed system and method can use memory change tracking to lessen an amount of data that is synchronized between a primary virtual machine and a failover virtual machine so that the failover virtual machine can take over operations should the primary virtual machine become unavailable. A hardware-based memory synchronization manager on a primary physical host can be used to track the changes in the memory and transmit the same to a failover physical host so that the changes can be available, if necessary, by the failover virtual machine. The change tracking can be synchronized in nearly real time between the two physical hosts and can be small enough data updates to allow minimal network bandwidth over the network.
US09032243B2 Target operating system and file system agnostic bare-metal restore
A system, method, and computer program product for performing a bare-metal restore, the system including a target storage device, and a target computer configured to boot independent of the target storage device, expose the target storage device to a restoring computer after the target computer has booted, and act as a conduit for the restoring computer to perform a bare-metal restore of backup data onto the target storage device, and the method including booting a target computer independent of a target storage device, exposing the target storage device to a restoring computer after the target computer has booted, and causing the target computer to act as a conduit for the restoring computer to perform a bare-metal restore of backup data onto the target storage device.
US09032242B2 Transmission device, transmission system, and fault notification method
A link failure information transmission unit 130 of a transmission device 100 transmits link failure information indicating a fault in a link group to an opposing transmission device, upon detection of a fault in one or more of wired transmission lines belonging to any of link groups of the transmission device 100. Upon receiving the link failure information from the opposing transmission device, a link control unit 140 disconnects wired transmission lines included in a link group in the transmission device 100 corresponding to the link group in the opposing transmission device indicated by the received link failure information among the link groups of the transmission device 100. When the occurrence of a fault is notified in a system where transmission devices connected through an inter-transmission-device transmission line transmit signals of multiple wired transmission lines connected to the transmission devices, deterioration in communication efficiency of the entire system is avoided.
US09032237B2 Using travel-time as means for improving the accuracy of Simple Network Time Protocol
A method for improving accuracy of simple network time protocol. A time inquiry is sent from at least one device in a substation to a time provider. A message including a reference time is received from the time provider. An accuracy of the reference time is evaluated. If the accuracy of the reference time is less than a threshold value the accuracy of the reference time is improved. The reference time is utilized for synchronization.
US09032228B2 Standby power reducing apparatus
A standby power reducing module according to an embodiment includes a AC rectification unit; a resonance unit electrically connected to the AC rectification unit and dropping DC voltage; a microcomputer connected to the resonance unit and controlling all operations of a system; a power blocking unit electrically connected to the microcomputer and blocking output voltage of the resonance unit when the system is switched into standby mode; and a independent power supplying unit supplying the standby power to the microcomputer when the system is switched into the standby mode.
US09032227B2 Wireless communication apparatus and power management method for the same
A wireless communication apparatus is adapted for communication between a host and a communication device. The wireless communication apparatus includes a host transmission interface adapted to be coupled to the host, a host transmission interface controller coupled to the host transmission interface, a wireless transmission interface adapted for communicating with the communication device so as to receive packet data therefrom, a wireless transmission interface controller coupled to the wireless transmission interface, and a processor coupled between the host transmission interface controller and the wireless transmission interface controller. The processor is operable to control a power state of the host transmission interface controller to enter a power consuming mode selected in accordance with a traffic volume.
US09032221B2 Apparatus for logging a configuration of a microprocessor system and method for logging a configuration of a microprocessor system
An apparatus includes a logging apparatus and a configuration apparatus. The logging apparatus has a security module operable to create a manipulation-proof log. The configuration apparatus is operable to configure a configurable microprocessor system. The configuration apparatus is further operable to be coupled to the logging apparatus in order to log a configuration of the microprocessor system using the logging apparatus.
US09032214B2 System and method for providing an image to an information handling system
A system and method for providing an image to an information handling system is disclosed. A method for delivering an image may include booting an information handling system with a provisioning operating system downloaded via a network into a memory of the information handling system. The method may also include calculating, by the second provisioning OS, a fingerprint of an image stored on the information handling system. The method may additionally include determining if the fingerprint matches a previously-calculated fingerprint of the image calculated prior to delivery of the information handling system to its intended destination. The method may further include enabling the information handling system to boot from a storage resource of the information handling system in response to a determination that the fingerprint matches the previously-calculated fingerprint.
US09032212B1 Self-refreshing distributed cryptography
In one embodiment, a set of servers generates at least one challenge that is sent to a client. The servers receive from the client a response that includes a message generated as a function of the challenge. The response also includes a digital signature computed on the message using a secret key of a key pair generated for a current epoch. The client is authenticated based on indications from respective ones of the servers as to whether or not the received response is accepted as valid by that server. Other embodiments involve interaction between a set of servers and a relying party in authenticating a passcode, password or other information received from a client. The client in some embodiments may comprise a connected authentication token or other type of hardware or software authentication token.
US09032211B2 Near field communication (NFC) device and method for selectively securing records in a near field communication data exchange format (NDEF) message
Methods for selectively securing records in a Near Field Communication Data Exchange Format (NDEF) message. A method includes placing a place marker signature record in the NDEF message. The place marker signature record is a modified signature Record Type Definition (RTD). A first set of records preceding the place marker signature record in the NDEF message is unsecured. The method also includes securing a second set of records following the place marker signature record. Another method includes placing a secured bytes field in the signature RTD. The secured byte field indicates a number of bytes of data to be secured preceding this field. The method also includes securing data in records preceding this field in the signature RTD, based on a value of the secured bytes field.
US09032205B2 Robust authentication and key agreement protocol for net-generation wireless networks
Embodiments of the invention may be used to provide an authentication and key agreement protocol that is more robust against base station, replay and other attacks compared to previously known systems. The nonce-based authentication and key agreement protocol provides security against such attacks while avoiding the problems that arise in systems that use sequence number counters on the home environment and mobile station-sides. In an embodiment, a nonce that is transmitted from the user to the home environment through the serving network, as well as subsequent values for the nonce that are derived from the initial nonce, are used as indices for authentication vectors.
US09032204B2 Methods and systems for providing a signed digital certificate in real time
A method and system for signing a digital certificate in real time for accessing a service application hosted within a service provider (SP) computer system through an open application programming interface (API) platform is provided. The API platform is in communication with a memory device. The method includes receiving registration data from a developer computer device wherein the developer computer device is associated with a developer and configured to store a developer application, receiving a certificate signing request (CSR) from the developer computer device wherein the CSR includes a public key associated with the developer, verifying the registration data as being associated with the developer, signing the CSR to produce a signed certificate after verifying the registration data wherein the verifying and signing steps are performed by the SP computer system in real time, and transmitting the signed certificate and a client ID to the developer computer device.
US09032203B2 Key setting method, node, server, and network system
A key setting method executed by a node within communication ranges of multiple ad-hoc networks, includes receiving encrypted packets encrypted by respective keys specific to gateways and broadcasted from the gateways in the ad-hoc networks; detecting connection with a mobile terminal communicable with a server retaining the keys specific to the gateways in each ad-hoc network among the ad-hoc networks; transmitting to the server when connection with the mobile terminal is detected, the encrypted packets via the mobile terminal; receiving from the server via the mobile terminal, the keys that are specific to the gateways in the ad-hoc networks and that are for decrypting each encrypted packet among the encrypted packets; and setting each of the received keys as a key to encrypt data that is to be encrypted in the node and decrypt data that is to be decrypted in the node.
US09032202B2 Privacy-preserving publish-subscribe protocol in a cloud-assisted model
A server receives from a client at least one interest pseudonym produced by a double application of a pseudo random function to at least one interest of the client. The server encrypts an item. The server computes at least one intermediate topic pseudonym for at least one topic associated with the item by applying the function to each of the at least one topic associated with the item. The server transmits the at least one intermediate topic pseudonym, the at least one interest pseudonym, and the encrypted item to a third party. The third party may apply the function to the at least one intermediate topic pseudonym to produce at least one topic pseudonym associated with the item and transmit the encrypted item to the client for decryption when one of the at least one masked topic pseudonym is equal to one of the at least one interest pseudonym of the client.
US09032198B1 Management of components in a hosting architecture
A service provider can maintain one or more host computing devices which may be utilized as bare metal instances by one or more customers of the service provider. Illustratively, each host computing device includes hardware components that are configured in a manner to allow the service provider to implement one or more processes upon a power cycle of the host computing device and prior to access of the host computing device resources by customers. In one aspect, a hosting platform includes components arranged in a manner to limit modifications to software or firmware on hardware components. In another aspect, the hosting platform can implement management functions for establishing control plane functions between the host computing device and the service provider that is independent of the customer. Additionally, the management functions can also be utilized to present different hardware or software attributes of the host computing device.
US09032193B2 Portable lightweight LDAP directory server and database
A lightweight embedded directory server with portable LDAP data is disclosed. The directory server and database comprises a processing chip, an on-chip processing unit, an on-chip memory system, and an on chip input/output system. The memory system stores an embedded operating system and an embedded directory server, and is also used for storing data to be processed by the processing unit. The input/output system is provided for connecting the processor chip to one or more applications for supplying directory services to the one or more applications. A portable memory device stores a directory database, and, in use, this memory device is releasably connected to the on chip input/output system. An on-chip driver is used to perform read and write operations on the portable memory device; and a boot loader software program is used for starting execution of the embedded directory service.
US09032192B2 Method and system for policy based authentication
A mobile device capable of performing a plurality of functions. The mobile device includes a memory for storing a plurality of different security policies; an input device for invoking a function from the plurality of functions by a user; a processor for assigning a first security policy from the stored plurality of security policies to the invoked function; and a security module for requiring the user to satisfy the assigned first security policy, before the invoked function is performed by the mobile device.
US09032186B2 Utilization of a microcode interpreter built in to a processor
Augmented processor hardware contains a microcode interpreter. When encrypted microcode is included in a message from a service, the microcode may be passed to the microcode interpreter. Based on decryption and execution of the microcode taking place at the processor hardware, extended functionality may be realized.
US09032181B2 Shortcut input/output in virtual machine systems
Read requests to a commonly accessed storage volume are conditionally issued, depending on whether or not a requested data block is already stored in memory from a prior access or to be stored in memory upon completion of a pending request. A data structure is maintained in memory to track physical memory pages and to indicate for each physical memory page the corresponding location in the storage volume from which the contents of the physical memory were read and the number of virtual memory pages that are mapped thereto.
US09032180B2 Managing CPU resources for high availability micro-partitions
A primary processing unit entitlement is determined for a logical partition. A smaller secondary processing unit entitlement is also determined. A partition manager allocates primary processing units to the logical partition from a primary shared processor pool, and the logical partition is activated. The secondary processing units are reserved for the logical partition from a secondary shared processor pool, and the logical partition can be relocated to the secondary shared processor pool in response to a condition such as a hardware failure. The logical partition can continue to process its workload with the fewer processor resources, and can be restored to the primary processing unit entitlement.
US09032175B2 Data migration between storage devices
A method for data migration between storage devices according to an embodiment of the invention comprises: collecting an original time domain sequence of workload parameters of a data volume in a low speed storage device; evaluating a workload period of the data volume based on the collected original time domain sequence of the workload parameters; and migrating the data in the data volume according to the evaluated workload period so that the data is located in a high speed storage device during a workload peak of the data volume. The embodiments of the invention can improve a data access speed in the storage devices.
US09032174B2 Information processing apparatus for restricting access to memory area of first program from second program
A processor determines whether a first program is under execution when a second program is executed, and changes a setting of a memory management unit based on access prohibition information so that a fault occurs when the second program makes an access to a memory when the first program is under execution. Then, the processor determines whether an access from the second program to a memory area used by the first program is permitted based on memory restriction information when the fault occurs while the first program and the second program are under execution, and changes the setting of the memory management unit so that the fault does not occur when the access to the memory area is permitted.
US09032173B2 Automated migration to a new copy services target storage system to manage multiple relationships simultaneously while maintaining disaster recovery consistency
A method according to one embodiment includes receiving instruction to change from an original target storage subsystem in a disaster recovery configuration-to a new target storage subsystem. Second copy services relationships are created between one or more new target volumes on the new target storage subsystem and one or more source volumes on a source storage subsystem using multi-target functionality. Existing first copy services relationships between the source storage subsystem and the original target storage subsystem are terminated after all of the second copy services relationships are full duplex.
US09032171B2 System and method for backing up data
A hash-optimized backup system and method takes data blocks and generates a probabilistically unique digital fingerprint of the content of each data block using a substantially collision-free algorithm. The process compares the generated fingerprint to a database of stored fingerprints and, if the generated fingerprint matches a stored fingerprint, the data block is determined to already have been backed up, and therefore does not need to be backed up again. Only if the generated fingerprint does not match a stored fingerprint is the data block backed up, at which point the generated fingerprint is added to the database of stored fingerprints. Because the algorithm is substantially collision-free, there is no need to compare actual data content if there is a hash-value match. The process can also be used to audit software license compliance, inventory software, and detect computer-file tampering such as viruses and malware.
US09032169B2 Method for high performance dump data set creation
A method, system and computer-usable medium which provides a format in which data is written to a dump data set to allow use of Fast Replication technology for both backing up and restoring of both datasets and volumes. Such a format allows any data that can be captured at a track level to be written to the dump data set via Fast Replication. When using this methodology of backing up and restoring, backups should be made to devices that support Fast Replication technology and restoration of the data should be to devices which are capable of being the target of a Fast Replication for that backup device.
US09032166B2 Memory arbitration system and method having an arbitration packet protocol
A memory hub and method for transmitting a read response on a data path of a memory hub interposed between a transmitting memory hub and a receiving memory hub. An arbitration packet including data indicative of a data path configuration for an associated read response is received at the memory hub. The arbitration packet is decoded, and the data path is configured in accordance with the data of the arbitration packet. The associated read response is received at the memory hub and the associated read response is coupled to the configured data path for transmitting the same to the receiving memory hub.
US09032164B2 Apparatus for performing storage virtualization
The splitting of storage applications and functions into a control path (CP) component and a data path (DP) component is disclosed. Reads and writes may be handled primarily in the DP. The CP may be responsible for discovery, configuration, and exception handling. The CP can also be enabled for orchestrating complex data management operations such as snapshots and migration. Storage virtualization maps a virtual I/O to one or more physical I/O. A virtual target (vTarget) in the virtual domain is associated with one physical port in the physical domain. Each vTarget may be associated with one or more virtual LUNs (vLUNs). Each vLUN includes one or more vExtents. Each vExtent may point to a region table, and each entry in the region table may contain a pointer to a region representing a portion of a pExtent, and attributes (e.g. read/write, read only, no access) for that region.
US09032161B2 Storage system control method
An apparatus for copying data to another apparatus including a receiving buffer, includes: a transmitting buffer including a plurality of areas for temporary storing data of the copying; and a processor for executing a process, including: receiving information indicative of an instantaneous vacant area of the receiving buffer of the another apparatus, the vacant area being capable of temporarily storing data that could be transmitted from the transmitting buffer, determining an area of the transmitting buffer that stores data to be transmitted subsequently in reference to the information of the vacant area, and transmitting data stored in the determined area of the transmitting buffer to the receiving buffer of the another apparatus.
US09032160B1 Continuous data replication
In a first embodiment, a method and computer program product for use in a storage system comprising quiescing IO commands the sites of an ACTIVE/ACTIVE storage system, the active/active storage system having at least two storage sites communicatively coupled via a virtualization layer, creating a change set, unquiescing IO commands by the virtualization layers, transferring data of a change set to the other sites of the active/active storage system by the virtualization layer, and flushing the data by the virtualization layer.In a second embodiment, a method and computer program product for use in a storage system comprising fracturing a cluster of an active/active storage system; wherein the cluster includes at least two sites, stopping IO on a first site of the cluster; and rolling to a point in time on the first site.
US09032158B2 Method, system and apparatus for identifying a cache line
A method of identifying a cache line of a cache memory (180) for replacement, is disclosed. Each cache line in the cache memory has a stored sequence number and a stored transaction data stream identifying label. A request (e.g., 400) associated with a label identifying a transaction data stream is received. The label corresponds to the stored transaction data stream identifying label of the cache line. The stored sequence number of the cache line is compared with a response sequence number. The response sequence number is associated with the stored transaction data stream identifying label of the cache line. The cache line is identified for replacement based on the comparison.
US09032151B2 Method and system for ensuring reliability of cache data and metadata subsequent to a reboot
To ensure that the contents of a non-volatile memory device cache may be relied upon as accurately reflecting data stored on disk storage, it may be determined whether the cache contents and/or disk contents are modified during a power transition, causing cache contents to no longer accurately reflect data stored in disk storage. The cache device may be removable from the computer, and unexpected removal of the cache device may cause cache contents to no longer accurately reflect data stored in disk storage. Cache metadata may be managed during normal operations and across power transitions, ensuring that cache metadata may be efficiently accessed and reliably saved and restored across power transitions. A state of a log used by a file system may be determined prior to and subsequent to reboot of an operating system in order to determine whether data stored on a cache device may be reliably used.
US09032145B2 Memory device and method having on-board address protection system for facilitating interface with multiple processors, and computer system using same
A memory device includes an address protection system that facilitates the ability of the memory device to interface with a plurality of processors operating in a parallel processing manner. The protection system is used to prevent at least some of a plurality of processors in a system from accessing addresses designated by one of the processors as a protected memory address. Until the processor releases the protection, only the designating processor can access the memory device at the protected address. If the memory device contains a cache memory, the protection system can alternatively or additionally be used to protect cache memory addresses.
US09032144B2 Virtual tape device, virtual library system, and virtual tape control method
A virtual tape control method for controlling a virtual tape device includes performing a migration process for storing data stored in a logical volume to a physical volume of a library device belonging to the virtual tape device, and automatically extracting the data stored in the logical volume on which the migration process is completed at the performing, and exporting the data to a physical volume of a library device of a sub-center via a network.
US09032141B2 Row hammer monitoring based on stored row hammer threshold value
Detection logic of a memory subsystem obtains a threshold for a memory device that indicates a number of accesses within a time window that causes risk of data corruption on a physically adjacent row. The detection logic obtains the threshold from a register that stores configuration information for the memory device, and can be a register on the memory device itself and/or can be an entry of a configuration storage device of a memory module to which the memory device belongs. The detection logic determines whether a number of accesses to a row of the memory device exceeds the threshold. In response to detecting the number of accesses exceeds the threshold, the detection logic can generate a trigger to cause the memory device to perform a refresh targeted to a physically adjacent victim row.
US09032138B2 Storage device based on a flash memory and user device including the same
Disclosed is a storage device which includes a flash memory storing data; and a controller controlling the flash memory and performing an invalidation operation in response to a trim command of a host, wherein the controller configures a trim sector bitmap using trim information provided from the host at the invalidation operation and manage the trim sector bitmap by a region unit.
US09032136B2 Memory controller for memory with mixed cell array and method of controlling the memory
A memory controller, system including the memory controller and method of controlling the memory. The memory controller receives requests for memory and content sensitively allocates memory space in a mixed cell memory. The memory controller allocates sufficient space including performance memory storing a single bit per cell and dense memory storing more than one bit per cell. Some or all of the memory may be selectable by the memory controller as either Single Level per Cell (SLC) or Multiple Level per Cell (MLC).
US09032135B2 Data protecting method, memory controller and memory storage device using the same
A data protecting method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module having physical blocks is provided, a plurality of logical block addresses is mapped to a part of the physical blocks. The method includes, configuring a plurality of virtual block addresses to map to the logical block addresses, grouping at least one virtual block address into a virtual block address area, and allocating the virtual block address area to an application. The method also includes, receiving an access command which is configured to instruct accessing a first virtual block address from the application. The method also includes: determining whether the first virtual block address belongs to the virtual block address area, if not, sending an error message to the application. Accordingly, the method can effectively prevent an application from accessing the data which can not be accessed by the application program.
US09032129B2 Advanced energy profiler
An energy profiling apparatus for profiling power consumption characteristics of code being executed at an integrated circuit being powered by a power source and having a measurement module, a data processing module and a display module is disclosed. The energy profiling apparatus comprises first, second and third interfaces as well as a profile module. The first interface is configured to receive a first data set from the measurement module. The second interface is configured to receive a second data set from the data processing module. The third interface is configured to transmit a third data set to the display module. The profile module is configured to generate an energy profile of the code executed at the data processing module based on a correlation between the first data set and the second data set. Furthermore, the profile module is configured to transmit the energy profile as part of the third data set to the display module.
US09032124B2 Definition of wakeup bus messages for partial networking
A method of encoding a digital bus message information, in particular a wake-up bus message information or configuring data, on a bus system, the method comprising: encoding a predetermined part of digital bus message information bits by means of sub-patterns in a stream of line symbols on at least one bus line, wherein sub-patterns consist of successive dominant and recessive phases, comprised of recessive and dominant line symbols, wherein a recessive phase is comprised of at least two recessive line symbols in order to establish a ratio of successive dominant and recessive phases that corresponds to a value of the predetermined part. A respective digital bus message, particularly for use on a bus system, is to be encoded in accordance with the method.Further, a bus node for a system bus having a plurality of stations that are coupled together by means of an arrangement of bus lines, comprises decoding circuitry configured for an analysis of sub-patterns in a stream of data on at least one bus line, and analysing circuitry configured to detect encoded digital bus message information, in particular a wake-up bus message information or configuring data, transmitted in a stream of line symbols on the bus system, wherein the digital bus message information is encoded in accordance with the method.
US09032118B2 Administration device, information processing device, and data transfer method
An administration device includes a reception unit, a specifying unit, and a transmission unit. The reception unit receives a transfer request for requesting data transfer to an input-output device from an information processing device. In response to the transfer request, the specifying unit when determining that the communication path to the input-output device is already selected, specifies an information processing device or an input-output processing device, and when determining that the communication path is not selected, selects a communication path to the input-output device according to the first communication state stored in the first storage unit and the second communication state stored in the second storage unit, and specifies an information processing device or an input-output processing device. The transmission unit transmits, to the information processing device, an identifier for identifying the information processing device or the input-output device specified by the specifying unit.
US09032117B2 Active cable with display
An apparatus comprises a cable including conductors to carry data signals and a power voltage from a device when the cable is connected to the device, and at least one active display assembly fixed along a length of the cable. The active display assembly includes a power converter connected to the conductors to convert the power voltage to a supply voltage, and a programmable display and a controller powered by the power converter. The programmable display is configured to display programmed indicia responsive to the supply voltage, and the controller is configured to program the display.
US09032116B2 ADC sequencing
A device comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory configured for storing memory descriptors. The device also includes an analog-to-digital converter controller (ADC controller) configured for managing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) using the memory descriptors. In addition, the device includes a direct memory access system (DMA system) configured for autonomously sequencing conversion operations performed by the ADC without CPU intervention by transferring the memory descriptors directly between the memory and the ADC controller for controlling the conversion operations performed by the ADC.
US09032115B2 Method and device for passing parameters between processors
The disclosure provides a method for passing a parameter between processors. The method comprises the following steps: in a source program of a slave processor, directly introducing a static configuration parameter to be passed; obtaining a relative address of the static configuration parameter when converting the source program of the slave processor into a target program of the slave processor; and configuring directly, by a master processor, a parameter value of the static configuration parameter in the target program of the slave processor according to the obtained relative address of the static configuration parameter. The disclosure also provides a system for passing a parameter between processors. The system has no need to use external hardware such as a dual-port Random Access Memory (RAM) and a register, thus, the requirement of parameter transmission on the external hardware is reduced, and further the area and static power consumption of a chip are reduced. The disclosure reduces the cycle delay of the slave processor in accessing the dual-port RAM and the register, thereby effectively reducing the dynamic power consumption of the chip, improving the processing capability of the slave processor and enhancing the effective performance of the slave processor.
US09032114B2 Direct memory access controller, corresponding method and computer program
The invention relates to an access controller which comprises a module (24) for managing writing in a circular buffer (16), means (38) for storing a first read pointer (PL) and a second write pointer (PE), a module (30) for managing reading in the circular buffer (16), means (24, 30, 40) for blocking reading, respectively writing, means (38) for storing a read or write work pointer (PT) which is different from the first and second pointers (PL; PE), and means (24, 30, 40) for updating the wo: pointer (PT) according to a predetermined update logic.The predetermined update logic comprises forward or backward movements of the work pointer (PT) inside the circular buffer (16), and the controller includes means for blocking the read or write work pointer if the read work pointer (PT) points outside a memory space reserved for reading or, respectively, if the write work pointer (PT) points outside a free memory space for writing.
US09032112B1 Automatic direct memory access (DMA)
In one embodiment, a method includes storing, in a storage unit, a number of data transfer requests to issue for a data request signal. Data transfer requests are issued to a direct memory access (DMA) controller of a system for transfer of data to a buffer unit. The stored number of data transfer requests is determined. The issuance of data transfer requests are stopped when the stored number of data transfer requests is met.
US09032111B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting event information between devices connected with network, and storage medium storing method
Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting event resources in various formats between devices connected with a network, and a storage medium storing the method. The method for transmitting event information includes determining whether a first device connected with the network receives event information from at least one second device connected with the network, and if the event information is received, allowing the first device to output an event resource on the basis of information regarding at least one event resource included in the event information.
US09032110B2 Reducing power consumption of sensor by overriding instructions to measure
Systems and methods for reducing power consumption of a device utilized to measure affective response to content by overriding selections of a mode-selector. The mode-selector receives tags corresponding to segments of content. The mode-selector selects, based on the tags, modes for operating the device to measure affective response to the segments. A threshold module receives measurements of the user's state, taken by a sensor, and indicates whether a predefined threshold is reached by the measurements. If reached, the device is operated according to a first mode to measure the affective response. Otherwise, the device is operated according to a second mode to measure the affective response. The power consumption of the device when operating in the second mode is significantly lower than the power consumption of the device when operating in the first mode.
US09032108B2 Semiconductor device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor device includes a memory block including memory cells coupled to bit lines, read/write circuits each including cache latch suitable for temporarily storing data to be stored in the memory cells, wherein the read/write circuits are divided into a plurality of groups and perform a program operation to store the data in the memory cells coupled to the bit lines, and an initialization control unit suitable for initializing the cache latches of the read/write circuits of a group corresponding to the address before the data is input to the cache latches, when a program command and an address are input.
US09032106B2 Synchronizing device association data among computing devices
Device association data for peripheral devices, which is data used to connect to the peripheral devices, is maintained and synchronized across multiple computing devices associated with a user account on a service. When a new peripheral device is associated with a computing device, device association data for the new peripheral device is added to the computing device. The device association data for the new peripheral device is also sent to the service, which provides the device association to the other computing devices from which the user logs into his or her account, and those other computing devices in turn automatically associate themselves with the peripheral device. Device use data describing how a user desires to use the peripheral device on one computing device, as well as changes to the device association data on one computing device, can similarly be synchronized across the multiple computing devices.
US09032102B2 Decode data for fast PCI express multi-function device address decode
An apparatus and method of fast PCIe multi-function device address decode utilizing a target function data look up table. One or more decode directives (e.g., targeted functions) are provided within the PCIe request packet, thereby eliminating the need for target function search during the decode process in the endpoint device. This enables single-decoder single-step decode implementation in complex multi-function devices.
US09032095B1 Routing device having multiple logical routers
Techniques are described for implementing one or more logical routers within a single physical routing device. These logical routers, as referred to herein, are logically isolated in the sense that they achieve operational and organizational isolation within the routing device without requiring the use of additional or redundant hardware, e.g., additional hardware-based routing controllers. The routing device may, for example, include a computing platform, and a plurality of software process executing within the computing platform, wherein the software processes operate as logical routers. The routing device may include a forwarding component shared by the logical routers to forward network packets received from a network in accordance with the forwarding tables.
US09032091B2 Apparatus and method for managing a network of intelligent devices
Systems and methods of managing a network of intelligent devices in communication with a server are disclosed. For each intelligent device that is part of a network a client process associated with the device issues a query to the device causing the issuance of a query to the server for instructions. In a controllable response to the query as a result of the client process the server causes at least one of: (i) downloading, for storage local to the device, at least one of data and instructions, for use in association with the device and (ii) uploading of data pertinent to the device.
US09032088B2 System and method for transmitting content items
Disclosed is a system that optimizes transmission bandwidth of a broadband transmission system such as a cable television, satellite system, or wireless information service. Requests for content items from users are employed to add or delete content items from a list. Content items in the list are ranked relative to the number of requests received or by rate of request. Package groups are created with most requested content items being broadcast more frequently than less requested content items. Transmit groups are produced from package groups and placed in a broadcast queue. A transmit process transmits groups retrieved from the queue.
US09032087B2 Providing a fine-grained response from a coarse-grained service object
A system and method for generating data at a fine level of detail based on a request to a service object that provides data at a coarse level of detail. The request to the service object includes a data request and a response template indicating the level of detail or selection required in the response. The service object server accesses data using the service object api and coarse level of detail. A navigator uses the data request to develop an information model of the data and then traverses the information model to extract the data needed for a response at the level of detail indicated by the response template. The service object is thus able to return data at a fine level of detail from an object that supports only coarse levels of detail.
US09032084B2 Method and system for using a website to perform a remote action on a set top box with a secure authorization
A conditional access system generating a permission packet in response to the content request. The permission packet has information for a user device to access content through a connection of a content delivery network so that in response to the permission packet, a first connection from the content delivery network to the user device may be opened by the user device.
US09032082B2 Method and device configured for processing an SDP request in a media path optimization process
A method and device configured for processing a session description protocol SDP request in a media path optimization process are provided. The method comprises: an application layer gateway (ALG) receiving a SDP request; the ALG determining that media connection information used by the SDP request is different from media connection information in last accessible domain information in node information of the SDP request; and the ALG sequentially adding its forward accessible domain information and its backward accessible domain information to an end of a queue of the node information of the SDP request, and then sending the SDP request. Thus, an optimized media path and normal communication can be ensured.
US09032078B2 Predictive scaling for clusters
A data processing system and computer program product for managing resources of clusters is disclosed. A computer retrieves data about an event and other data about past events. The computer selects a set of past events that are similar to the event, based on the data about the event and the other data about the past events. The computer then analyzes the data about the event and the other data about the past events associated with the set of past events to identify a portion of the resources of one or more of the clusters required for use by the event.
US09032077B1 Client-allocatable bandwidth pools
Methods and apparatus for client-allocatable bandwidth pools are disclosed. A system includes a plurality of resources of a provider network and a resource manager. In response to a determination to accept a bandwidth pool creation request from a client for a resource group, where the resource group comprises a plurality of resources allocated to the client, the resource manager stores an indication of a total network traffic rate limit of the resource group. In response to a bandwidth allocation request from the client to allocate a specified portion of the total network traffic rate limit to a particular resource of the resource group, the resource manager initiates one or more configuration changes to allow network transmissions within one or more network links of the provider network accessible from the particular resource at a rate up to the specified portion.
US09032074B2 Method and apparatus for controlling home network access using phone numbers, and system thereof
A method and apparatus for controlling a home network access using phone numbers, and a system thereof, which enables a sharing user to simply set and manage sharing environment based on a telephone number capable of being easily recognized by the sharing user, and enables sharing users to simply access a sharing device inside a home using telephone numbers previously recognized by the sharing users when sharing contents of a UPnP device connected to a home network with the sharing users outside the home. The system includes a phone number management server for managing phone number information and a linked home gateway identifier, an access list management server for managing an access list, a home gateway management server for managing state information and access information of a home gateway, and a service server for receiving a service request from a remoter terminal and processing the received service request.
US09032072B2 Real-time compressive data collection for cloud monitoring
Technologies are presented for implementing a compressive-sensing-based data collection system in a cloud environment. In some examples, high-dimensional sensor data may be compressed using sparsity transforms and compressive sampling. The resulting low-dimensional data messages may be steered through a switch network to a cloud service manager, which then reconstructs the compressed messages for subsequent analysis, reporting, and/or comparable actions.
US09032071B2 Systems and methods for representing a SAS fabric
An example provides potential solutions for SAS fabrics. The example includes identifying one or more devices directly attached to an entry point switch. The example also includes identifying one or more SAS switches that are not directly attached to the entry point switch. The example further includes receiving a request for SAS fabric information. Additionally, the example includes generating a data model in a format adapted to direct a client to generate a representation of the SAS fabric. The data model includes the one or more devices directly attached to the entry point switch, and the one or more SAS switches that are not directly attached to the entry point switch.
US09032067B2 Determining differences in an event-driven application accessed in different client-tier environments
In one embodiment, a method includes dynamically crawling an event-driven application in a plurality of client-tier environments; for each of the client-tier environments, generating a behavioral model of the event-driven application based on the dynamic crawling; for each of the behavioral models, determining one or more pairwise equivalences with respect to one or more other ones of the behavioral models; and, for each of the client-tier environments, determining one or more differences in an end-user experience of the event-driven application in the client-tier environment with respect to one or more other end-user experiences of the event-driven application in one or more other ones of the client-tier environments.
US09032064B1 System and method for monitoring the status of multiple servers on a network
A system and method for monitoring a plurality of servers by a monitoring server in a computer network. A list of servers and a plurality of services to monitor in the computer network is generated at the monitoring server. A status query is transmitted sequentially by the monitoring server to each of the plurality of servers, the status query including the plurality of services to monitor at each server. A status message report is received from each of the plurality of servers in response to each status query. An event is reported in an event log for each server that has an abnormal service status. The transmission of the status query to each server is performed by the monitoring server at a specified service time interval.
US09032063B2 Dynamic port naming in a chassis
A tool for dynamically naming network ports and switch ports in a chassis. The tool retrieves, by one or more computer processors, chassis specifications of the chassis. The tool retrieves, by one or more computer processors, identifying information for components of the chassis. The tool determines, by one or more computer processors, a plurality of network ports and a plurality of switch ports within the chassis not assigned an alternative port name. The tool constructs, by one or more computer processors, alternative port names for the plurality of network ports and the plurality of switch ports within the chassis not assigned an alternative port name.
US09032052B2 Deployment of a driver or an application on a client device having a write-filter
The deployment of a driver or an application on a client device having a write-filter is described. A deployment configuration file is obtained, wherein the deployment configuration file includes a plurality of deployment entries each having information for deployment of one of a driver and an application. A first deployment entry is retrieved from the deployment configuration file, and the deployment configuration file is modified to remove the first deployment entry from the deployment configuration file. The modified deployment configuration file is stored in a location of a memory of the client device that is exempt from a write-filter restriction, wherein the write-filter restriction prohibits a file stored on the client device with the write-filter enabled from persisting across a reboot of the client device. The one of the driver and the application of the first deployment entry is then deployed on the client device while the write-filter is disabled.
US09032049B2 Communication methods and systems between a storage apparatus, a user terminal and a device connected to the storage apparatus
A communication system includes a user terminal connected to a first communication line, a device connected to the first communication line, and storing data to be updated, and a storage apparatus connected to a second communication line and storing the data transmitted from the device. A communication originated at the storage apparatus and addressed to the device and the user terminal is blocked by a firewall apparatus while a communication from the storage apparatus to the user terminal in reply to a request from the user terminal is permitted by the firewall apparatus.
US09032048B2 Method for top-up information and computer device
In a method for processing top-up data, a server (8) receives data related to a request for issuing an NFC application (9). The data were sent by an NFC mobile device (3) and are intended for a Service Provider (2). At the server (8) transformed data are generated by transforming the data related to the request into a format complying with the Server Provider (2). The transformed data are sent to the Service Provider (2) for further processing and issuing the NFC application (9) to the mobile device (3) particularly utilizing a Trusted Service Manager (1).
US09032039B2 Method, apparatus and system for management of information content for enhanced accessibility over wireless communication networks
A method includes obtaining content at a mobile device, determining information associated with at least one wireless networking functionality of the mobile device responsive to user input, and providing the content and determined information to at least one server for insertion into a specified application-based information channel. Another method includes receiving, at a server from a mobile device, content for insertion into a specified application-based information channel, receiving, at the server from the mobile device, information associated with at least one wireless network functionality of the mobile device, and integrating the content and the information associated with said at least one wireless network functionality of the mobile device into the specified application-based information channel.
US09032034B2 Method and computer device for inserting attachments into electronic message
A method for inserting attachments into an electronic message is provided. The method may include searching a keyword database to determine if a content of the electronic message includes a keyword, a key phrase, or a key sentence defined in the keyword database. The method may also include applying a condition to a file database, if the determination is affirmative, so as to search for at least a candidate item. The candidate item may be presented in a menu to the user. The method may further include enabling, in response to the user's confirmation of the candidate item, the confirmed candidate item to be inserted into the electronic message automatically to become an attachment thereto.
US09032033B2 Method and apparatus for private token communication services
Rather than forcing users to give personally identifying contact data to information providers, this disclosure teaches an apparatus and method enabling the use of “private tokens,” which allow information providers to send electronic communications to targeted users without having access to personally identifying contact information. These features are provided by an anonymous communication service that manages the private tokens and provides communication proxy services intermediating the electronic communications between the information providers and the users targeted by those communications.
US09032032B2 Data replication feedback for transport input/output
Architecture for efficiently ensuring that data is stored to the desired destination datastore such as for replication processes. A copy of data (e.g., messages) sent to a datastore for storage is stored at an alternate location until a received signal indicates that the storage and replication was successful. As soon as the feedback signal is received, the copy is removed from the alternate location, and hence, improves input/output (I/O) and storage patterns. The feedback mechanism can also be used for monitoring the status of data transport associated with log shipping, for example, and taking the appropriate actions when storage (e.g., replication) is not being performed properly.
US09032031B2 Apparatus, method and computer program product for processing email, and apparatus for searching email
An email processing apparatus determines, from at least one or more of a main body of an email and a subject of an email stored in an email storage unit, a content category of the email; specifies, based on the content category, a search target category of a search target email that relates to the email of the content category; acquires search target information for searching for a search target email of the search target category; and creates a search condition for searching for the search target email containing the search target information in the email storage unit.
US09032030B2 Detection of communication states
A method of determining an overall presence state for a user of a communication system in which the user is connected to the communication system using a plurality of devices. The method includes each of the plurality of devices storing in a device memory a presence state for that device; detecting a change in the presence state in at least one of the plurality of devices; each of the plurality of devices transmitting a message via the communication system to the remainder of the plurality of devices, the message comprising the presence state; receiving the messages at the remainder of the plurality of devices; and executing a decision-making code sequence in a processor at each of the remainder of the plurality of devices to determine whether to synchronise the presence state of that device with the presence state from one of the messages based on the origin of an event causing the change in presence state at the at least one of the plurality of devices.
US09032025B2 System and method for managing data using tree structures
A distributed tree protocol is provided for managing computing devices that form a peer-to-peer overlay network, and for modifying data that is synchronized between the devices. A method for modifying the data includes representing data in a tree structure. The tree structure includes at least one tree node identified by a tree node ID, the tree node ID including a numerical value representing a path from a root node to the at least one node. The root node and the tree structure are identified by a root node ID. The device can send or receive a peer-to-peer message with an other computing device. The message includes a format value specifying a format of the numerical value, the root node ID, an operation value specifying modification of the data, and at least one tree node ID associated with the modification of the data.
US09032023B2 Synchronous interface to asynchronous processes
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating access to one or more services in a network environment. At a host, a request is received from a client machine in communication with the host over a network. An asynchronous service description file indicates one or more asynchronous communication techniques configured to be performed to access or communicate with a service over the network. The asynchronous service description file is a conversion of a synchronous service description file indicating one or more synchronous communication techniques for accessing or communicating with a synchronous service. The asynchronous service description file is provided to the client machine.
US09032022B1 Sending and receiving configurable buckets of communications
A method of sending and receiving configurable buckets of communication is disclosed. A request to send a communication from an application executing on a client to an application executing on a server is received. The communication has a first priority. A request to send an additional communication from the application executing on the client to the application executing on the server is received. The additional communication has a second priority. The communication is placed into a bucket of communications based on the communication having the first priority. A determination is made to send the bucket of communications to the application executing on the server. The additional communication is placed into the bucket of communications based on a determination that the bucket of communications is not full. The bucket of communications is sent to the application executing on the server.
US09032015B2 Data distributing and accessing method and system
A data distributing and accessing method for sharing a file via a network system includes steps of: dividing the file into a plurality of blocks; distributing the blocks in a plurality of data hosts interconnected via the network system; one of the data hosts receiving a file-reading request from a user host and issuing collecting requests to other data hosts to collect the blocks from the data hosts; and transferring the collected blocks from the data hosts to the user host to be combined into the file.
US09032014B2 Diagnostics agents for managed computing solutions hosted in adaptive environments
A solutions manager supports computing solutions running on hosts in an adaptive computing environment by utilizing remote processes or agents placed on the hosts. A remote agent is associated with a computing solution and placed on the host on which the computing solution is running. When the computing solution is relocated to a new host, the remote agent associated with the computing solution is also automatically relocated and restarted on the new host.
US09032005B2 Random number generation method and apparatus using low-power microprocessor
A random number generation method and apparatus using a low-power microprocessor is provided. In the random number generation method, a low-power microprocessor determines whether external power is supplied to a random number generator. The low-power microprocessor updates an internal state of the random number generator based on a first scheme if it is determined that the external power is supplied to the random number generator. The low-power microprocessor updates the internal state of the random number generator based on a second scheme different from the first scheme if it is determined that the external power is not supplied to the random number generator.
US09032003B2 Method, apparatus and instructions for parallel data conversions
Method, apparatus, and program means for performing a conversion. In one embodiment, a disclosed apparatus includes a destination storage location corresponding to a first architectural register. A functional unit operates responsive to a control signal, to convert a first packed first format value selected from a set of packed first format values into a plurality of second format values. Each of the first format values has a plurality of sub elements having a first number of bits The second format values have a greater number of bits. The functional unit stores the plurality of second format values into an architectural register.
US09032002B2 Single file serialization for physical and logical meta-model information
A technique for serializing both logical and physical meta-model information in a single file is disclosed. In an embodiment, the logical meta-model information is serialized in an Extensible Marking Language (XML) schema compliant format, and the physical meta-model information is inserted into the logical meta-model in suitable locations such that the mappings between the logical and physical meta-models are preserved. In an embodiment, an XML “appInfo” annotation is used to carry physical meta-model information used by multiple applications and suitably placed in a nested configuration with its corresponding logical meta-model information.
US09032001B2 Field transformations for user interface data elements
A method and system, the method may include determining a user interface to be displayed, the user interface including a user interface data element associated with a service input parameter. Information about the service input parameter may be provided to a field transformation as a transformation input, and a transformation output may be received from the field transformation.
US09031999B2 System and methods for generation of a concept based database
A method for generating a concept database respective of a plurality of multimedia data elements (MMDEs) comprises generating a plurality of items from a received MMDE of the plurality of MMDEs; determining the items that are of interest for signature generation; generating at least one signature responsive to at least one item of interest of the received MMDE of the plurality of MMDEs; clustering a plurality of signatures received from the signature generator responsive of the plurality of MMDEs; reducing the number of signatures in each cluster to a create a signature reduced cluster (SRC) of the cluster; associating metadata with the SRC to a concept structure comprised of a plurality of SRCs and their associated metadata; and generating at least one index for mapping the received MMDE to at least one concept structure, wherein the concept database includes concept structures and the generated indices for the plurality of MMDEs.
US09031996B2 System, method and computer program product for creating a plurality of CNAMES for a website
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for creating a plurality of cnames for a website. These mechanisms and methods for creating a plurality of cnames for a website can provide multiple DNS entries for a single website. The ability to provide multiple DNS entries for a single website can enable websites to be accessible from multiple locations.
US09031994B1 Database partitioning for data processing system
Techniques for improved partitioning of a database for distribution in a data processing system. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. A database and a workload set associated with the database are analyzed. A hyper-graph is generated based on the analysis of the database and the workload set. The hyper-graph is partitioned into a partitioned hyper-graph. The partitioned hyper-graph is evaluated based on one or more partitioning constraints and/or one or more partitioning effect metrics. The partitioned hyper-graph is repartitioned when warranted by the evaluation step. A mapping is generated based on the partitioned hyper-graph that assigns at least one or more portions of the database to one or more nodes of a data processing system. The analyzing, hyper-graph generating, partitioning, evaluating, repartitioning and mapping generation steps are executed via at least one processor device.
US09031993B2 Customizable library for information technology design and management using expert knowledge base
A system for providing a customized library platform of informational elements, each pertaining to one or more of information technology disciplines, includes a database of informational elements, and first computer-implemented user interfaces usable to provide the customization and a second user interface usable to view the customized library platform. The IT disciplines span design, analysis, modeling and management across a wide spectrum of IT functions and includes levels of detail and viewpoints that accommodate multiple roles across IT, from very senior executives to low level engineers and programmers. The knowledge base allows organizations to model their knowledge relationships to fit their structures, processes and guidelines, by using a provided framework as a starting point. The intelligent knowledge base emphasizes specific practices that enhance the linkage of business to IT, which is a widely recognized gap across IT creating massive waste and inefficiency.
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.