最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08214929B2 Shoulder pads
The present invention provides a shoulder pad for use in a contact sport, such as football, hockey or lacrosse, that is formed from a consolidated polymer fiber composite material, such as polypropylene tape yarn that reduces the overall weight of the shoulder pad. The shoulder pad includes a pair of arch members, each having an upper portion, a front portion depending from the upper portion, and a rear portion depending from the upper portion. The shoulder pad further includes at least one side pad assembly having an epaulet and a shoulder cap, wherein the shoulder cap overlies the wearer's shoulder region and the epaulet overlies both the arch member and the shoulder cap. The side pad assembly is operably secured to the body arch member by a fastening assembly that includes a flexible single band. Unlike conventional designs, the single band secures both the epaulet and the shoulder cap to the upper portion of the arch member. The shoulder pad further includes a pair of interior pad assemblies wherein each interior pad assembly is removably connected to an arch member. The interior pad assembly is an integrated unit formed from a front pad, an intermediate pad, and a rear pad joined together to form distinct air management chambers.
US08214925B2 Tool holding glove
Methods and apparatus for securely holding a tool are provided. The apparatus includes a glove covering a user's palm and fingers. This flap has a piece of adhesive fabric attached. An additional piece of adhesive fabric is placed on the glove over the user's thumb pad. On the back of the user's hand, over the user's fingernails are located additional pieces of adhesive fabric. In use, the user grasps the tool normally and uses the flap and the adhesive fabric pieces to secure the adhesive fabric, forming a secure grip.
US08220065B2 Content data reproducing apparatus with temporary data memory
In a content data reproducing apparatus having a temporary memory for stream reproduction, a content data acquisition section acquires content data from an external content provision server. A storage control section temporarily stores the content data acquired by the content data acquisition section in the temporary memory such that the stored content data should be erased from the temporary memory when a power supply is turned off. A reproduction condition acquisition section acquires reproduction condition data which defines a reproduction condition for reproducing the content data. A reproduction section reproduces the content data read from the temporary memory. A reproduction control section operates in case that the reproduction condition is satisfied for supplying the reproduction section with the content data read from the temporary memory for the reproduction, and operates in case that the reproduction condition is no more satisfied for erasing the content data from the temporary memory even before the power supply is turned off.
US08220062B1 Double sand-boxing for flash library
A Flash advertisement is provided, and access to sensitive data associated with the Flash advertisement is restricted. First library code is stored at a first security domain, the first library code to control playback of the Flash advertisement; and second library code is stored at a second security domain, the second library code to access the sensitive data. An application at a third security domain is permitted to access the first library code, and only code residing at the first security domain is permitted to access the second library code.
US08220058B2 Rendering and encryption engine for application program obfuscation
Obfuscation of an application program comprises receiving an obfuscated key decryption program comprising an instruction stream configured to perform a decryption algorithm for a first cryptographic key. The obfuscated key decryption program also has an encrypted second cryptographic key scrambled in its instruction stream. The second cryptographic key is encrypted with the first cryptographic key. The obfuscated key decryption program is executed to decrypt the second cryptographic key. The second cryptographic key is used for decrypting digital content.
US08220044B2 Apparatus and method for triggering session re-negotiation between access network and access terminal in a high rate packet data system
The invention relates to a method for triggering re-negotiation of a session when an Access Terminal moves from one access network (source AN) to another access network (target AN) having different capabilities in high rate packet data system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the source AN is allowed to store all the protocol subtypes, protocols and applications that AT is capable of and also allowing the AT to send this information in priority order during session negotiation and hence facilitating the transfer of this information from source AN to target AN during session transfer when AT moves from one AN to another AN. An alternate embodiment is to let the AT send the protocol subtypes, protocols and applications and other AT capable information to target AN after it moves to a new AN or by letting the Rev-A capable AN query the AT's capability information and then the AT providing this information. In another exemplary embodiment, the invention includes re-negotiation by introducing a revision (like Protocol revision) information in overhead information messages that an AN broadcasts to all ATs.
US08220034B2 User authentication based on authentication credentials and location information
A computer program product, apparatus, and system, are disclosed for user authentication based on authentication credentials and location information. A computer program product performs operations for such authentication. These operations of the computer program product include referencing past user location information in response to an authentication validation request and referencing current user location information. These operations also include determining a maximum allowable distance between an authentication attempt location associated with the authentication attempt location identifier and a past location associated with the past user interaction location identifier, and managing the authentication attempt, in response to determining that the physical authentication attempt location is outside the maximum allowable distance. The computer program product, apparatus, and system thereby reduce the possibility of identity theft by adding an element of location awareness to the authentication process.
US08220032B2 Methods, devices, and computer program products for discovering authentication servers and establishing trust relationships therewith
Using an authentication server to discover one or more additional authentication servers and to dynamically establish a trust relationship with the one or more additional authentication servers. The authentication server searches for the one or more additional authentication servers to discover one or more sources of authentication tokens, and inspects an incoming authentication request from the one or more additional authentication servers to determine if the request is carrying one or more authentication tokens from a newly discovered realm. Once the authentication server determines a newly discovered realm to be trustworthy, the authentication server receives a directory schema from the newly discovered realm and compares the received directory schema with a known directory schema retrieved by the authentication server to identify an intersection of the received directory schema and the known directory schema. The authentication server uses the intersection to identify a primary key, and to identify any unique information that is specific to either the authentication server or the newly discovered realm.
US08220031B2 Secure time/date virtualization
A system is provided that includes a processor and a system memory coupled to the processor, the system memory stores at least one application for execution by the processor. The system also includes logic coupled to the processor, the logic providing a secure time reference. The processor selectively accesses the secure time reference to generate a virtual time reference for the at least one application.
US08220029B2 Method and system for enforcing trusted computing policies in a hypervisor security module architecture
A method and system for enforcing trusted computing (TC) policies in a security module architecture for a hypervisor. Upon receiving a request from a subject for access to an object, TC-related attribute values are obtained for the subject and the object based on a virtualized trusted platform module (vTPM). Access control decisions are the made based at least on the TC-related attribute values and TC-related policies.
US08220021B1 Television viewer interface system
A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.
US08220015B2 Addressing device for transmitting satellite television signal
An addressing device for transmitting satellite TV signal is electrically connected with a satellite down-converter and at least one STB installed at a subscriber end. When the subscriber activates the STB for playing satellite TV channel programs, the satellite down-converter receives satellite signals provide by a satellite system end and processes the satellite signals to generate baseband satellite TV signal for input into the addressing device. Next, the addressing device receives GPS signal indicating the position where it is installed and then addresses the GPS signal, further executing digital security processes to converting the area address into an address signal having the same transmission frequency as that of the baseband satellite TV signal. Finally, the address signal is mixed with the baseband satellite TV signal for output to the STB.
US08220014B2 Modifiable memory devices having limited expected lifetime
Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.
US08220013B2 Recording medium drive apparatus and electronic apparatus
Disclosed is a recording medium drive apparatus configured to drive a recording medium, including a case, a drive source used for loading/ejecting the recording medium into/from the case, a motor unit configured to hold the recording medium and rotate the recording medium held, a pickup unit configured to record a signal on the recording medium rotated by the motor unit or reproduce the recorded signal, a first slider driven by the drive source to slide a first distance in a first direction, a second slider that is cam-engaged with the pickup unit and slides in a second direction to move the pickup unit upward and downward, a moving member that is releasably engaged with the first slider, engaged with the pickup unit, and cam-engaged with the motor unit, and moves the motor unit upward and downward, and a link mechanism configured to link the first slider and the second slider.
US08220012B2 Holding member, driving apparatus, pickup apparatus, and disc apparatus
A holding member provided with a coil comprising a proximity facilitating portion capable of bringing the coil closer to a magnetic member facing the coil.
US08220002B2 Isolation of user-interactive components
The isolation of user-interactive components form the logical components of an exemplary computing application environment is provided. In an illustrative implementation, an exemplary computing application environment comprises one or more user interface (UI) elements that run on an exemplary user-interface processing thread and application logic that illustratively operatively runs asynchronously on at least one other processing thread. In an illustrative implementation an isolation boundary is provided between an exemplary user interface and the application logic of the exemplary computing application environment. In the illustrative implementation, the isolation boundary can comprise an asynchronous view contract comprising a channel between an exemplary view layer of an exemplary user interface (e.g., one or more user-interactive components) and application logic.
US08220000B2 System and method for executing files stored in logical units based on priority and input/output load of the logical units
A storage system including a plurality of logical units; file management application software for performing file management on a per-file basis for a plurality of files stored in the respective logical units; a load monitoring module for monitoring a load in a resource of the storage system; and a file management control module for controlling the file management application software based on the load monitored by the load monitoring module.
US08219997B2 Execution the job that is divided into job tasks based on the estimated completion time
To implement job execution in which resource assignment and change of the assignment can be dynamically and autonomously performed so as to meet requirements of a job in a job and resource environment in which the operational status cannot be forecasted in advance. A job that can be divided into a selected number of tasks is provided to one computer of a plurality of computers connected via networks, and job tasks are processed with the one computer for predetermined time. A progress rate of task processing for the predetermined time is calculated, and completion time for task processing on the one computer is estimated on the basis of the progress rate and the predetermined time. It is determined whether the estimated completion time meets requirements of the job. When the estimated completion time meets the requirements, job tasks are processed with the one computer, and results are generated. When the estimated completion time does not meet the requirements, job tasks are divided into tasks to be left on the one computer and tasks to be transferred to another computer. The left job tasks are processed with the one computer for further predetermined time, and simultaneously, the tasks to be transferred are transferred to the other computer and the other computer is caused to process the transferred tasks.
US08219991B2 Consolidated launching of multiple tasks
Consolidating the launching of multiple tasks is provided. A task is launched when an associated software component is run or executed. In one embodiment, launch descriptions of individual tasks and composition parameters are respectively read. The parameters indicate relationships between the launchings of different tasks, such as launch order. A composite launch description is constructed, by selectively processing the individual launch descriptions and composition parameters, and the tasks are launched according to the composite launch description. In a further embodiment, multiple individual launch descriptions are delivered to a tool, each launch description being usable to launch a corresponding component to perform a corresponding task. The tool includes a set of launch relationships that specify the relationship between launchings of different components. The tool generates a single composite launch description that defines launching of the components in accordance with the launch relationships.
US08219986B2 Interchangeable drive element for bottle or container supports in a container labeling machine or a machine configured to print information on bottles or containers, which interchangeable drive element is capable of being used in different container labeling or container information printing machines in bottle or container filling plants
An interchangeable drive element for bottle or container supports in a container labeling machine or a machine configured to print information on bottles or containers, which interchangeable drive element is capable of being used in different container labeling or container information printing machines in bottle or container filling plants.
US08219967B2 Method and apparatus for enabling enterprise project management with service oriented resource and using a process profiling framework
A service-oriented architecture for enterprise project management integrates business processes, human resources and project management within an enterprise or across the value chain network. A representation having direction and attributes is provided to show the dependencies between a business value layer and a project-portfolio layer, and between the project-portfolio layer and resources. The representation is mapped to a Web Services representation in UDDI, Web Services interfaces, and Web Services based business processes through rope hyper-linking.
US08219966B2 Method and system for integrating an application floorplan and an external service
In one embodiment, data in an application floorplan is exposed in a controlled way for integrating new external services to the application floorplan. Service definitions of the external service for integration with the application floorplan is generated. Further, a semantic type data of a global data type used in the application floorplan is generated. Upon generating the semantic type data, a semantic type mapping of an instance of the semantic type data is generated. Furthermore a map between a service parameter of the external service and the semantic type mapping is presented. Thereby, the application floorplan and the external service are integrated by executing the external service in the application floorplan using the generated map.
US08219956B2 Analog tile selection, placement, configuration and programming tool
An Analog Tile Selection, Placement, Configuration and Programming (ATSPCP) tool communicates a power management characteristic query over a network. The query is displayed to a user on a webpage. The query is a solicitation for desired characteristics of a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC). After receiving user requirements in a response to the query, the tool selects a number of power management integrated circuit tiles having pre-defined physical structures. The pre-defined structure of each tile includes a bus portion and a memory structure for storing configuring information for the tile. When combined in a Multi-Tile Power Management Integrated Circuit (MTPMIC), the bus portions of the selected tiles automatically form a standardized bus that accommodates all signal communication required for a functioning MTPMIC that meets the user requirements. The ATSPCP tool combines the physical layout data of each selected PMIC tile to form composite physical layout data for the overall MTPMIC.
US08219955B2 Automatically wiring circuit by setting and changing reference to design quality relating to electric characteristic
In order to make it possible to automatically execute a wiring process which satisfies not only a design condition but also design quality relating to an electric characteristic, according to the embodiment, an automatic wiring apparatus includes a design condition changing section for changing a design condition in accordance with priority information regarding the design condition where a wiring process which satisfies the design condition cannot be carried out by a first wiring processing section, a quality allowability decision section for deciding whether or not quality of a wiring region can be allowed where a wiring process which satisfies the design condition after the changing can be executed by a second wiring processing section and an outputting section for outputting a result of the wiring process of the wiring region by the second wiring processing section if it is decided that the quality of the wiring region can be allowed.
US08219954B2 Printed circuit board analyzing system, printed circuit board designing assisting system, their methods, and program
A printed circuit board analyzing system for analyzing the whole circuit of a multilayer printed circuit board to perform circuit analysis of noise propagation in the printed circuit board having structure in which the shapes of stacked conductor planes are different or planes are provided side by side in the same layer by quickly providing an adjacent interference part equivalent circuit model representing noise interference parts causing interference between adjacent opposed planes and by coupling the plane pairs to the adjacent interference part equivalent circuit.
US08219946B1 Method for clock gating circuits
In one embodiment, a method is provided for generating clock gating circuitry for a circuit design model. A Boolean expression of path sensitization is determined for each gate element in the netlist of a circuit design. For each gate element, a conjunction of the Boolean expression of the path sensitization and a Boolean expression of a disjunction of the observability conditions of one or more subsequent gates is determined to produce an intermediate Boolean expression. Intermediate Boolean expressions are backward retimed to produce the respective Boolean expression of the observability conditions of the each gate element. Clock gating circuits that implement the respective Boolean expression of the observability conditions of one or more of the plurality of interconnected gate elements are generated and incorporated into the circuit design model.
US08219935B2 Method and system for providing isolated detail information about stations which are simultaneously active in an irrigation system
A method provides information about stations in an irrigation system which are simultaneously active. An irrigation flow curve image is displayed which summarizes flow information for an irrigation system. The method interacts with a user to receive an indication from a user interface pointing device of a position within a flow curve area of the irrigation flow curve image on the display. The method retrieves detail information for stations in the irrigation system which are simultaneously active at a time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device. Detail information is displayed isolating the stations in the irrigation system which are simultaneously active at the time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device, wherein the detail information further individually indicates irrigation activity for stations which are simultaneously active at the time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device.
US08219932B2 Terminal and method for displaying contents information as icons and thumbnail images in a life-diary
A terminal and method for displaying contents information is provided for showing the contents information in efficient and intuitive manner. The terminal includes a memory unit for storing contents and creation times of the contents, a display unit for displaying a life diary screen including a time axis, a date axis and contents graph in a life diary mode, a key input unit for receiving a date selection command for selecting a date on the date axis and a control unit for retrieving contents created on the selected date, counting numbers of contents per date and controlling a display of the contents graph generated based on the number of the contents per date, when a date is selected through the key input unit.
US08219930B2 Radial menu display systems and methods
In certain embodiments, a graphical representation of a two-dimensional radial menu is displayed in a graphical user interface. The graphical representation of the two-dimensional radial menu is transformed into a graphical representation of a three-dimensional radial menu in the graphical user interface. In certain embodiments, the displaying comprises utilizing data representative of a three-dimensional radial menu model to render the graphical representation of the two-dimensional radial menu, based on a first viewpoint, in the graphical user interface, and the transforming comprises utilizing the data representative of the three-dimensional radial menu model to render the graphical representation of the three-dimensional radial menu, based on a second viewpoint, in the graphical user interface. In certain embodiments, the transforming comprises repositioning a viewpoint associated with the graphical representation of the two-dimensional radial menu to produce the graphical representation of the three-dimensional radial menu.
US08219927B2 Revealing of truncated content on scrollable grid
Various embodiments related to the revealing of truncated content on a scrollable grid are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment provides a computing device comprising a display, a processor, and memory comprising instructions executable by the processor to display a cell of a grid of content at a first, smaller size and display in the cell a content item that is truncated based upon the first, smaller size of the cell. The computing device is further configured to receive a request to scroll the grid, and scroll the grid on the display device. During scrolling, the size of the cell is increased to a second, larger size, and a revealing of a truncated portion of the content item is animated.
US08219919B2 Method for automating construction of the flow of data driven applications in an entity model
An associated between a data type and a user interface (UI) element such as a Page and/or Panel, and a data type allows dynamic determination of application flow including menu and menu items. This may allow a dynamic determination of all target UI elements to which an end user may navigate from a source UI element, that are capable of displaying the same record of information represented in the source UI element or a related record of information.
US08219917B2 Bubbling up task severity indicators within a hierarchical tree control
A computer automated method for bubbling-up condition severity indicators in a hierarchical tree control can include identifying a node in the hierarchical tree control that has been obscured in a collapsed branch of the hierarchical tree control, bubbling-up a status for the identified node to a visible parent node, rendering a status icon for the status adjacent to the visible parent node, and, responsive to an expansion of the collapsed branch rendering the identified node visible, relocating the status icon adjacent to the identified node. Optionally, a depth can be determined for the identified node, a visual characteristic for the status icon can be selected based upon the depth, and the status icon can be rendered using the selected visual characteristic.
US08219910B2 Host device to install driver and method thereof
A host device to install a driver and a driver installing method thereof. The host device includes a user interface to provide a step-by-step setup screen to install a driver of an external device and a setup method screen to inform a setup method of the step-by-step setup screen, and receives a selection signal with respect to the step-by-step setup screen, and a driver installer to install the driver according to the selection signal input through the user interface.
US08219906B2 Instantaneous symbol lookup
A computer program assists in the completion of text input provided by a user. For example, the computer program may maintain a list of n-tuples (where n>1), each of which includes n text strings. For example, each n-tuple may include a stock ticker symbol and the name of a company having that stock ticker symbol. As the user types each character, the program determines whether the text typed by the user so far matches any of the text strings in the n-tuples. The program provides the user with an indication of whether any matches have been found, such as by displaying a list of the n-tuples having text matching the text typed by the user so far. The program then allows the user to select one of the matching n-tuples. The program uses text (such as a stock ticker symbol) from the user's selection to complete the text input.
US08219896B2 Reduced-complexity decoding algorithms for tail-biting convolutional codes
A decoder is provided which is configured to operate upon an input encoded sequence using a wrap around Viterbi procedure, and a decoding method which employs the decoder. The decoder/method is configured to output a selected path as a decode sequence, and to avoid storing, for a current iteration of the wrap-around Viterbi procedure other than a first iteration, a best path up to the current iteration.
US08219894B2 Architecture and control of reed-solomon error-correction decoding
Systems and methods are provided for implementing various aspects of a Reed-Solomon (RS) error-correction system. A detector can provide a decision-codeword from a channel and can also provide soft-information for the decision-codeword. If the decision-codeword corresponds to an inner code and an RS code is the outer code, a soft-information map can process the soft-information for the decision-codeword to produce soft-information for a RS decision-codeword. A RS decoder can employ the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm (BMA), list decoding, and a Chien search, and can include a pipelined architecture. A threshold-based control circuit can be used to predict whether list decoding will be needed and can suspend the list decoding operation if it predicts that list decoding is not needed.
US08219892B2 Systems and methods for enhanced media defect detection
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting storage medium defects. As one example, a media defect detection system is disclosed that includes a data detector circuit that applies a detection algorithm to the data input and provides a hard output and a soft output. A first circuit combines a first derivative of the hard output with a derivative of the data input to yield a first combined signal. A second circuit combines a second derivative of the hard output with a derivative of the first combined signal to yield a second combined signal. A third circuit combines a derivative of the soft output with the second combined signal and a threshold value to yield a defect signal.
US08219886B1 High density multi-level memory
Embodiments of the present invention provide high density, multi-level memory. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention provide a memory apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention includes a memory block comprising a plurality of cells, each cell adapted to operate with multi-level signal. Such a memory apparatus also includes a channel block adapted to code data values in accordance with a coding scheme that favorably effects a distribution of the multi-levels of the multi-level signals, and to output the corresponding multi-level signals of the coded data values to the memory block. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08219885B2 Error detecting and correcting mechanism for a register file
A data processing system includes a register file having a plurality of registers storing respective register data values and an associated register value cache having a plurality of storage locations storing corresponding cache data values. There are fewer cache data values than registers. When a register is to be read, both the register data value and, if present, a cache data value from a corresponding storage location within the register value cache are read and compared by a comparator. This generates a match signal which indicates if the data values do not match that one of the data values is in error. The match signal stalls the processing and a CRC code initially stored with the cache data value and recalculated based upon the read cache data value are compared to determine whether or not the cache data value has changed since it was stored. If the cache data value has not changed, then it is correct and is output instead of the register data value. Alternatively, if the cache data value has changed, then the register data value is output.
US08219873B1 LDPC selective decoding scheduling using a cost function
Data is decoded by obtaining a cost function. For each of a plurality of groups of check nodes associated with low-density parity-check (LDPC) encoded data, the cost function is evaluated using information associated with a variable node and/or information associated with a check node. One of the groups of check nodes is selecting based at least in part on the evaluated cost functions. Processing related to error correction decoding is performed on the selected group of check nodes.
US08219867B2 Forward feedback for UL macrodiversity
A method of controlling a data unit transmission from a sender to a receiver is described, comprising the steps: the sender sending a data unit to the receiver, the receiver sending to the sender a feedback message comprising receipt status information for the data unit indicating one of at least correct receipt and incorrect receipt, the sender, subsequent to receiving the feedback message, sending to the receiver feedback response information indicating a receipt status indicated in the received feedback message.
US08219866B2 Apparatus and method for calculating and storing checksums based on communication protocol
An apparatus determines a communication protocol for transmitting data, adds a calculation result of checksum calculation to the data and transmits the result with the data, and stores the calculation result in a memory according to a communication protocol determination.
US08219857B2 Temperature-profiled device fingerprint generation and authentication from power-up states of static cells
A method, system and computer program product for generating device fingerprints and authenticating devices uses initial states of internal storage cells after each of a number multiple power cycles for each of a number of device temperatures to generate a device fingerprint. The device fingerprint may include pairs of expected values for each of the internal storage cells and a corresponding probability that the storage cell will assume the expected value. Storage cells that have expected values varying over the multiple temperatures may be excluded from the fingerprint. A device is authenticated by a similarity algorithm that uses a match of the expected values from a known fingerprint with power-up values from an unknown device, weighting the comparisons by the probability for each cell to compute a similarity measure.
US08219850B1 Data processing recovery system and method spanning multiple operating system
A system and method for recovering from a computer system crashing as a result of the storage disk suffering physical damage and/or the corruption of an application, operating system, and/or data. The computer system may be standalone or a part of a communication network. The computer includes a hard disk storage divided into a primary partition containing a unique operating system for executing application programs and a recovery partition containing a unique operating system for executing application programs and for backup data storage. A boot track storing a boot manager, a backup status information file for establishing communication between the operating systems of the primary and recovery partitions, and a status validation file verifying the integrity of the backup status information file.
US08219842B2 Computer system and method for energy-saving operation of a computer system
A computer system has at least one supply device, at least one system component with a data-processing device and at least one communications device. The supply device has at least one programmable control module that is supplied with an operating energy by a voltage source coupled to the at least one supply device and operated independently thereof.
US08219837B2 Electronic device and power saving method using predetermined command to designate portion of device in power saving mode
In an electronic device with a serial ATA interface, upon detection of the issue or reception of a preset command, a confirmation device, such as a CPU, confirms the completion of execution of the command. Upon confirming the completion of execution of the command, a controller, which may also be the CPU, controls shifting of the serial ATA interface to a power saving mode.
US08219830B2 Apparatus and method for management for file aggregates and file directories
A method for accessing data in a data storage system is presented. The method includes supplying a host computer that is in communication with the data storage system, where the data storage system includes a data storage medium and a holographic data storage medium. A first request is generated to access a directory encoded in the data storage medium and includes a first encryption key. The requested directory recites a listing of data files encoded in the holographic storage medium. If the first encryption key decrypts the directory, the directory is read and a data file encoded in the holographic data storage medium is identified. A second request is then generated to access the data file and includes a second encryption key. Finally, if the second encryption key decrypts the data file, then it is read.
US08219829B2 Scheme for securing locally generated data with authenticated write operations
A scheme for securing a locally generated data on a system using authenticated write operations is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a private/public key pair is randomized and repeatedly generated to protect operations to data blocks.
US08219828B2 Methods and a device for secure software installation
A method for secure installation of software applications. The user receives the software, partly encrypted, and an installation token for a number of licenses from the software provider, plugs the software and the installation token into a computer, and launches the installation application. A Secure Authenticated Channel is established between the installation application and the installation token and a unique identifier of the computer is sent thereon to the installation token. The installation token verifies that there are remaining licenses, decreases the remaining licenses, authorizes the installation and sends the decryption key and a certificate/key pair to the installation application that decrypts and installs the software, preferably linking the installation to the computer's identifier. A variant allows (virtually) unlimited installations of time limited programs that are transformed into time unlimited programs once the installation token has reported the number to the software provider and paid for the necessary licenses. Also provided is the installation token.
US08219823B2 System for and method of managing access to a system using combinations of user information
The present invention is directed to systems for and methods of controlling access to computer systems. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises performing a test that includes comparing input responses to randomly selected questions with corresponding pre-determined responses to the questions and granting access to the system in the event the test is passed. A first condition of passing the test is that each input response matches a corresponding pre-determined response. Once passing the test, the user is granted permissions to access data based on his position. For example, a corporate director generally has greater permissions than an engineer. Preferably, the user's permissions determine an encryption key and a decryption key that the user is able to use to access protected data.
US08219811B2 Secure software execution such as for use with a cell phone or mobile device
A method and system for securely executing software or securely loading data generates a secret value at a destination device based on a value transmitted to the destination device, which is algorithmically combined with a secure value stored at the destination device. The destination device, such as a cell phone, remotely accesses an entity or otherwise receives the software or data, where the software or data is encrypted or digitally signed based on the secret value. The cell phone then selectively employs the software or data.
US08219807B1 Fine grained access control for linux services
A user requests to execute an application. The system authenticates the user and determines whether the user is authorized to execute the application. If the user is both authenticated and authorized to execute the application, the system grants the user permission to execute the application. Otherwise, the system denies the user permission to execute the application.
US08219804B2 Approach for managing device usage data
Techniques are provided for securely managing, using smart cards, the usage of a peripheral device. In one embodiment, both the peripheral device and the smart card have digital certificates and a means for authenticating each other. Each device requires authentication of the other device before access to the device's resources is granted. In one embodiment of the invention, the smart card executes a local Java application for managing usage data. The application provides quota and prior usage data to the peripheral device, and updates on the smart card usage data provided by the peripheral device. The usage data on the smart card is used to limit, audit, or track access to resources and operations on the peripheral device. In another embodiment, the authentication and usage management functions of the smart card is implemented on a remote server.
US08219801B2 Method of authenticating digitally encoded products without private key sharing
A method and a corresponding system for authenticating software products are proposed. A digital certificate (260) and a corresponding private key (265) required to sign each product are stored on a server computer. Whenever a user needs to sign a product, he/she logs on a client computer and transmits a corresponding request to the server computer. The server computer verifies whether the request has been received from an authorized subject; for example, an address of the client computer and an identifier of the user are compared with a predefined list (245). If the result of the verification is positive, the product is signed and returned to the client computer. For this purpose, a script (250) called on the server computer includes either an instruction passing the access password to a signing tool (255) as a parameter or an instruction causing the signing tool (255) to import the access password from a registry of the server computer.
US08219797B2 Method and system to facilitate configuration of a hardware device in a platform
A method and system to allow the secure configuration of the configurable feature(s) of a hardware device in a platform. The configuration of the configurable feature(s) of the hardware device is performed with protection against software attacks. A management module determines that the platform is authorized to configure at least one configurable feature of the hardware device and configures each of the configurable feature(s) based on a received configuration message.
US08219786B1 Request coalescing for instruction streams
Sequential fetch requests from a set of fetch requests are combined into longer coalesced requests that match the width of a system memory interface in order to improve memory access efficiency for reading the data specified by the fetch requests. The fetch requests may be of different classes and each data class is coalesced separately, even when intervening fetch requests are of a different class. Data read from memory is ordered according to the order of the set of fetch requests to produce an instruction stream that includes the fetch requests for the different classes.
US08219781B2 Method for managing a memory apparatus, and associated memory apparatus thereof
A method for managing a memory apparatus including at least one non-volatile (NV) memory element includes: recording usage information of at least one block during accessing pages of the block; and determining whether to erase a portion of the blocks according to the usage information. For example, the usage information includes a valid page count table for recording valid page counts of the blocks, respectively; and the ranking of a field of the valid page count table represents a physical block address, and the content of the field represents an associated valid page count. In another example, the usage information includes an invalid page count table for recording invalid page counts of the blocks, respectively; and the ranking of a field of the invalid page count table represents a physical block address, and the content of the field represents an associated invalid page count.
US08219779B2 Hardware assistance for shadow page table coherence with guest page mappings
Some embodiments of the present invention include a memory management unit (MMU) configured to, in response to a write access targeting a guest page mapping of a guest virtual page number (GVPN) to a guest physical page number (GPPN) within a guest page table, identify a shadow page mapping that associates the GVPN with a physical page number (PPN). The MMU is also configured to determine whether a traced write indication is associated with the shadow page mapping and, if so, record update information identifying the targeted guest page mapping. The update information is used to reestablish coherence between the guest page mapping and the shadow page mapping. The MMU is further configured to perform the write access.
US08219777B2 Virtual storage systems, virtual storage methods and methods of over committing a virtual raid storage system
Virtual storage systems, virtual storage methods and methods of over committing a virtual RAID storage system are described. According to one aspect, a virtual storage system includes a virtual storage space, a physical storage space, a mapping system configured to associate a plurality of addresses of the virtual storage space with respective addresses of the physical storage space and a controller configured to automatically remove a portion of the mapping system according to a prioritization protocol which specifies removal of portions of the mapping system according to an order.
US08219772B2 Loading secure code into a memory
A method and system of controlling access to a programmable memory including: allowing code to be written to the programmable memory in a first access mode; preventing execution of the code stored in the programmable memory in the first access mode; verifying the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory; if the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory is verified, setting a second access mode, wherein in the second access mode, further code is prevented from being written to the programmable memory, and execution of the code stored in the programmable memory is allowed.
US08219770B2 Storage system and data management method
A storage system including: a virtualization apparatus having a control unit, said control unit setting an actual volume for storing data sent from a host apparatus, formed in a storage area provided by a physical disk; and a virtual volume paired with the actual volume, for storing replicated data for the data; and an external storage apparatus having a logical volume that functions as an actual storage area for the virtual volume; and a tape associated with the logical volume, for storing the replicated data; wherein the external storage apparatus has a copy unit for copying the replicated data stored in the logical volume to the tape.
US08219764B2 System and apparatus for enhancing data storage efficiency of a flash memory by reducing time for reorganizing data
The system and apparatus for managing flash memory data includes a host transmitting data, wherein when the data transmitted from the host have a first time transmission trait and the address for the data indicates a temporary address, temporary data are retrieved from the temporary address to an external buffer. A writing command is then executed and the temporary data having a destination address are written to a flash memory buffer. When the flash memory buffer is not full, the buffer data are written into a temporary block of the flash memory. The writing of buffer data into the temporary block includes using an address changing command, or executing a writing command to rewrite the external buffer data to the flash memory buffer so that the data are written into the temporary block.
US08219762B1 Computer system and method for leasing memory location to allow predictable access to memory location
A synchronization technique for shared-memory multiprocessor systems involves acquiring exclusive ownership of a requested memory location for a predetermined, limited duration of time. If an “owning” process is unpredictably delayed, the ownership of the requested memory location expires after the predetermined duration of time, thereby making the memory location accessible to other processes and requiring the previous “owning” process to retry its operations on the memory location. If the “owning” process completes its operations on the memory location during the predetermination duration of time, the ownership of the memory location by the “owning” process is terminated and the memory location becomes accessible to other processes.
US08219755B2 Fast hit override
In one embodiment, a cache comprises a tag memory and a comparator. The tag memory is configured to store tags of cache blocks stored in the cache, and is configured to output at least one tag responsive to an index corresponding to an input address. The comparator is coupled to receive the tag and a tag portion of the input address, and is configured to compare the tag to the tag portion to generate a hit/miss indication. The comparator comprises dynamic circuitry, and is coupled to receive a control signal which, when asserted, is defined to force a first result on the hit/miss indication independent of whether or not the tag portion matches the tag. The comparator also comprises circuitry coupled to receive the control signal and configured to inhibit a state change on an output of the dynamic circuitry during an evaluate phase of the dynamic circuitry to produce the first result responsive to an assertion of the control signal.
US08219744B2 Semiconductor memory device which includes memory cell having charge accumulation layer and control gate
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a power source circuit, a sense amplifier, a control circuit, and a processor. The memory cell array includes a nonvolatile memory cell. The power source circuit includes a first register and generates a voltage. The sense amplifier includes a second register, reads from the memory cell and amplifies the read data. The control circuit includes a third register and controls operations of the power source circuit and the sense amplifier. The processor controls the operations of the power source circuit, the sense amplifier and the control circuit by giving an instruction to the first to third registers. The control circuit decodes the instruction received at the third register so as to control the power source circuit and the sense amplifier directly based on a result of decoding.
US08219742B2 Memory controller, flash memory system with memory controller, and method of controlling flash memory
The memory controller comprises a data holding unit which is composed of plural unit areas each for holding data corresponding to one logical page among logical pages each composed of plural logical sectors each assigned a logical address provided from a host system. The memory controller writes data held in a unit area which holds large amounts of write data, to the flash memories, in preference to data held in a unit area which holds small amounts of write data.
US08219739B2 Read-only optimized flash file system architecture
A method and apparatus is described herein for providing an optimized file system architecture. A file system is demarcated by configuration headers at the top and bottom of a volume. File headers are stored in the volume for each file, and the file headers included references to a table sector or sectors associated with the file. The table sector(s) are to store entries associated with sectors storing the file. Each entry, which corresponds to a sector of the sectors storing the file, is to store a reference to the corresponding sector and compression information associated with the sector. Based on the compression information, files may be compressed at a sector granularity and decompressed before providing the data in response to read requests.
US08219723B2 Systems and methods for using a shared buffer construct in performance of concurrent data-driven tasks
Disclosed herein are techniques to execute tasks with a computing device. A first task is initiated to perform an operation of the first task. A buffer construct that represents a region of memory accessible to the operation of the first task is created. A second task is initiated to perform of an operation of the second task that is configured to be timed to initiate in response to the buffer construct being communicated to the second task from the first task.
US08219719B1 SAS controller with persistent port configuration
An apparatus and method are disclosed for maintaining consistent port and PHY configuration information in an SAS controller when connected SAS devices are rebooted, reset or otherwise temporarily disconnected. Configuration information is stored in non-volatile memory, and restored by a methodology to prevent port conflicts.
US08219715B2 Multi-pathing with SCSI I/O referrals
The present invention is a method for providing multi-pathing via Small Computer System Interface Input/Output (SCSI I/O) referral between an initiator and a storage cluster which are communicatively coupled via a network, the storage cluster including at least a first target device and a second target device. The method includes receiving an input/output (I/O) at the first target device from the initiator via the network. The I/O includes a data request. The method further includes transmitting a SCSI I/O referral list to the initiator when data included in the data request is not stored on the first target device, but is stored on the second target device. The referral list includes first and second port identifiers for identifying first and second ports of the second target device respectively. The first and second ports of the target device are identified as access ports for accessing the data requested in the data request.
US08219710B2 Method of establishing a data connection with a telematics-equipped vehicle
A method for establishing a wireless, mobile-terminated data connection with a telematics-equipped vehicle so that data can be sent to and received from the vehicle. Generally, the method involves receiving network address update information from a wireless carrier system, using the network address update information to determine if a network address currently exists for a particular telematics-equipped vehicle, and using the current network address (if one exists) to establish a wireless, mobile-terminated data connection with the telematics-equipped vehicle. This method addresses some of the challenges involved in creating a mobile-terminated data connection with a device that has a temporary or dynamic network address.
US08219702B2 Video delivery apparatus and method
A video delivery apparatus for delivering a video stream with a property according to a request from a client. The video delivery apparatus includes reception means for receiving a delivery request from one client, first estimation means for estimating a current processing load by calculating a sum total of the processing loads for other clients connected to deliver a video stream upon reception of the delivery request from the one client, second estimation means for estimating a processing load upon delivering the video stream to the one client according to the delivery request, and delivery control means for performing the delivery control of the video stream on the basis of at least one of the current processing load estimated by the first estimation means and the processing load upon delivering the video stream to the one client according to the delivery request, which is estimated by the second estimation means.
US08219699B2 Efficient transform from XML to javascript objects
This disclosure describes data conversion and techniques for sending and receiving data at a mobile device. In one implementation, a proxy server may receive data from a mobile device. The proxy server may convert the data and send the converted data to a network service. In another implementation, a mobile device may convert data and send that data to a network service. The network service may generate data in response and send that data to the mobile device directly.
US08219695B1 Anticipatory preparation of application-layer protocol responses
Methods, systems, and computer-readable medium for latency reduction on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) servers using User Datagram Protocol (UDP) are disclosed. In situations where a client needs to establish a new TCP connection to submit an HTTP request to a server, the client sends the HTTP request in a UDP datagram to the server while the TCP connection establishment is in progress. The server starts anticipatory construction of a response upon receipt of the HTTP request in the UDP datagram. After the TCP connection is established, the client sends and the server receives the same HTTP request in one or more data packets through the newly established TCP connection. In response to the receipt of the HTTP request through the newly established TCP connection, the server sends the pre-constructed response to the client through the TCP connection. HTTP response time can be reduced up to one round-trip time.
US08219686B2 Method and computer program product utilizing multiple UDP data packets to transfer a quantity of data otherwise in excess of a single UDP packet
A method and computer program product provide the capability to use UDP to send messages that include more data than can be handled by a single UDP packet. A method for performing data transfer implemented in a computer system comprises transmitting a request for data, receiving a response to the request for data comprising a portion of the requested data and an indication that additional data is available, and transmitting a request for additional data.
US08219682B2 Automatic detection of agents
A telecommunication network has agents, managers for configuring agents, and at least one central directory service element with a memory to store information about these agents and these managers, which information is at least partly used in case of a further agent or manager being inserted into the telecommunication network. The central directory service element can use an object model and it can support a handshake mechanism for enabling communication between an agent and a manager in case of a new agent or manager in the telecommunication network.
US08219675B2 System and method for correlating IP flows across network address translation firewalls
Systems and methods are disclosed for correlating IP flows across a NAT firewall. Data packets are captured from a first interface using a monitor probe coupled to the first interface and are correlated into a first group of session records. For each of the first group of session records, a correlation key is created using data in one of the packets in the session record. Data packets are captured from a second interface using a monitor probe coupled to the second interface and are correlated into a second group of session records. For each of the second group of session records, a correlation key is created using data in one of the packets in the session record. The correlation key for one of the first group is compared to the correlation keys for each of the second group of session records to identify session records with matching correlation keys.
US08219674B2 Cross system monitoring and reconciliation cockpit
The disclosed are a method and a system that may automatically monitoring message traffic between computer applications and using the monitoring data to reconcile databases associated with data related to the messages. The system may include a server, a cockpit monitoring module, a database, and a client terminal. The server may host a plurality of computer applications. The plurality of computer applications may operate on data records containing data. The data in the data records may be operated on by more than one of the plurality of computer applications. The computer applications may generate messages that may be related to the operations performed on the data in the data records. The messages may include information related to data records operated on by the plurality of computer applications. For example, the messages may contain information about the operations, the data, or other information related to the data and the application.
US08219669B2 Operational process control data server
A system for implementing operational process control servers includes an application server for receiving operational process control data from operational process control servers associated with components of the monitored process, a data visualization server for receiving the data from the application server and producing reports based on the data, and a server configuration user interface for facilitating specification of configuration parameters of the operational process control servers according to operational process control unified architecture standards.
US08219665B2 Method and system for discovery via tribal knowledge
The invention provides one or more modules that may be used to automatically configure a computing device to communicate over a network. When a polling computer is connected to a network, it monitors network traffic to determine the protocols being used on the network. These protocols are then installed and loaded onto the polling computer. The polling computer may find voting computers on the network and send queries to the voting computers to discover network information such as network settings and network resources. The polling computer stores the results in a data structure, which may be sorted and is searchable to find the most popular network settings and resources used on the network. Network settings and resources may be automatically applied to the polling computer or the user may be provided with a user interface allowing the user to select particular settings and/or resources.
US08219661B2 MILARRS systems and methods
An add-on module provides extrinsic management functionality to legacy and other devices. Contemplated modules include: (a) a state agent that provides at least one of the MILARRS function, and (b) a product agent that communicates with the device using at least one serial interface. Implementations are contemplated for both legacy devices that natively provide less than complete MILARRS functionality, and newly developed devices for which the developer desires a ready-made implementation of MILARRS functionality.
US08219653B1 System and method for adapting a system configuration of a first computer system for hosting on a second computer system
Some embodiments provide a method for a server hosting environment having several nodes. Each node is for using one or more hypervisors in order to host several configurations of several computer systems. The method receives a first configuration of a computer system. The first configuration includes an operating system that directly accesses hardware of the computer system. The method generates a second configuration that is based on the first configuration. The second configuration includes the first configuration modified to be operable on a particular hypervisor of a particular node in the several nodes. The method installs the second configuration on the particular node in order to allow the particular node to operate on the second configuration in conjunction with the particular hypervisor. The second configuration accesses a set of virtual hardware provided by the particular hypervisor.
US08219652B2 Client application installer
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for installing client application. In one aspect, a method includes receiving user identification data at the client device, determining a client application configuration based on the user identification data, and configure a client application on the client device according to the specified client application configuration.
US08219650B2 Communicating with a status management component in a computer system
Communication with a status management component of a computer system is enabled. A status adapter is provided to a processing runtime environment for use in accessing a status management runtime environment. The processing runtime environment includes data object node instances resident in computer memory and enables access to persistent storage for data object node instances. The status management runtime environment is configured to provide status-related information. The status adapter is configured to 1) accept input from the processing runtime environment, 2) provide, to the status management runtime environment, the input in a form that the status management runtime environment is able to use, 3) receive, from the status management runtime environment, an output including status-related information, and 4) provide, to the processing runtime environment, the output in a form that the processing runtime environment is able to use.
US08219644B2 Requesting a service or transmitting content as a domain name system resolver
Requesting a service such as querying a database or communicating content by sending a plurality of arguments concatenated to a dns request and receiving a reply in the form of text or an IPv4 or an IPv6 address.
US08219638B2 Editing information configured for use in selecting content regarding at least one content provider
A computer-implemented method for controlling content distribution includes forwarding information associated with a user to a device operated by the user, the information being configured for use in selecting content from any of multiple content providers for a content distribution to the user. The method includes receiving, in response to the information, an edit of the information forwarded from the device. The edit identifies a first content provider and including a first modification of the content distribution regarding the first content provider. The method includes storing the edit in association with the information such that the first modification is taken into account in the content distribution. The method can be implemented using a computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium.
US08219629B2 Marking email as partially reviewed based on scrolling extent
An extent to which a user has reviewed an email is estimated, and a review value is assigned to the email based upon the estimated extent of review. A visual indicator associated with the email is displayed, wherein the appearance of the visual indicator is determined at least by the review value. In an exemplary embodiment, the email contains one or more recipient email addresses, wherein each recipient email address is associated with a recipient review value. In the exemplary embodiment, a visual indicator is displayed corresponding to the recipient review value associated with each recipient email address.
US08219627B2 System for policing junk e-mail messages
A system for policing an unsolicited e-mail communication. The system has a plurality of clients, each coupled together using a wide area network of computers, such as the Internet or an interne. Each of the clients is adapted to send an indication of an unsolicited e-mail message through an e-mail device for a display. The system also has a policing server coupled to each of the plurality of clients through the wide area network of computers. The policing server is adapted to receive the indication from at least one of the clients. The e-mail device comprises a SPAM icon on the display. The SPAM icon is adapted to send the indication from the client to the policing server.
US08219625B2 Linkage support apparatus and method thereof
A linkage support system links related messages among a plurality of messages sent and received among a plurality of communication terminals. The linkage support system includes an information acquisition unit that acquires message types of the plurality of messages, character strings included in the plurality of messages, and amount of data flow when the character strings are transferred. An unnecessary character strings exclusion unit that excludes character strings that are not required as keywords for linkage processing, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and a processing order determination unit determines order for using a plurality of character strings from which unnecessary character strings are excluded by the unnecessary character strings exclusion unit.
US08219621B2 Method and device for handling push type e-mails for a mobile terminal device according to a user profile
A method for controlling the handling of push type e-mails on a mobile terminal device comprises at least one user profile regarding handling of push type e-mails. The method comprises: determining the status of the user profile and controlling the handling of push type e-mails according to the determined user profile status. A corresponding mobile terminal comprises: a processing unit, a network interface capable of receiving push type e-mails via a network, wherein the network interface is connected to and controlled by the processing unit, wherein the terminal device has a storage connected to the processing unit for storing at least one user profile regarding the handling of push type e-mails, a component to determine the status of the user profile regarding the handling of push type e-mails, and where the processing unit is configured to control the handling of push type e-mails according to the determined status.
US08219615B2 Instantaneous symbol lookup
A computer program assists in the completion of text input provided by a user. For example, the computer program may maintain a list of n-tuples (where n>1), each of which includes n text strings. For example, each n-tuple may include a stock ticker symbol and the name of a company having that stock ticker symbol. As the user types each character, the program determines whether the text typed by the user so far matches any of the text strings in the n-tuples. The program provides the user with an indication of whether any matches have been found, such as by displaying a list of the n-tuples having text matching the text typed by the user so far. The program then allows the user to select one of the matching n-tuples. The program uses text (such as a stock ticker symbol) from the user's selection to complete the text input.
US08219612B2 Method for managing data transmission between peers according to levels of priority of transmitted and received data and associated management device
A method dedicated to the management of data transmission in peer to peer mode between peers that can connect to a communication network, each transmission being carried out by a peer, following the reception of a request from another peer, according to a selected reciprocity mechanism. When a peer wants to receive from another peer N blocks of data according to a first priority level Xk selected in a set of at least two different priority levels, in assigning to this peer an exchange value equivalent to a number M of blocks of data to be transmitted to at least one other peer according to a second priority level Xk′ selected in this set, M being equal to N*mkk′, where mkk′ is a predetermined value function of the first Xk and second Xk′ selected priority levels.
US08219611B2 Systems and methods for providing a complete view of large computing networks
The management tool can determine and store all information that is relevant to the computing systems in the network. The management tool can generate and provide reports that are customizable by a requester. The management tool can receive a request to generate a report which specifies the information relevant to the computing systems to be included in the report. The management tool can search the stored information and generate the report with the stored information that matches the request. The reports can include network topology maps based on the request and geographic maps based on the request.
US08219608B2 Scalable architecture for web services
System and method for providing a customized service in a network. The system comprises at least one originating device that provides an identifier of one of a user and a product associated with the user (Tag ID) and an identifier of the customized service (Object ID). It further includes a processor that supports an action table. The processor receives the Tag ID and Object ID from the at least one originating device, and uses at least the received Tag ID and Object ID to look up a corresponding action in the action table. A servicing node in the system receives the action and performs at least partial execution of the action, thereby generating results comprising the customized service.
US08219607B2 Collaborative planning actions and recipes
The complexities of actions and recipes used in collaborative planning are defined using set theory and an accompanying formalization. The formalizations presented can be used as a basis for making decisions in relation choosing recipes, and other activities concerning collaborative task execution in a multi-agent environment. Introducing the notion of the complexity of a recipe and an action provides a measure of the difficulty of a task, based upon which decisions regarding the use of particular recipes and contractors can be made.
US08219600B2 Generating and applying analytic measurements
The disclosed invention provides methods of generating and applying analytic measurements of real phenomena. The analytic measurements are generated by computerized reiterated multivariate analyses of vectors of matrices. The vectors are generated by computerized reiterated varying power transformations of distances or proximities between measurements of distinct real phenomena. The analytic measurements resulting from the computerized reiterated power transformations and the multivariate analyses are applied to real phenomena.
US08219594B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and storage medium that stores program thereof
The present invention improves processing speed of search processing of objects. To achieve this, in an image processing apparatus capable of extracting an object contained in input data, and of storing data about the object in a storage device, there are provided a detecting section for detecting a relationship of one or more objects; a section for generating object related information for relating the one or more objects which have a relationship and are detected by the detecting section; a selecting section for selecting a single search type from a plurality of search types; a searching section for searching for the object data stored in the storage device and the object related information in accordance with the search type selected by the selecting section; and a display section for displaying the one or more objects searched in accordance with the object relating information searched by the searching section.
US08219583B2 Methods and systems for mining websites
Mining of websites that in one embodiment includes obtaining web usage data of user sessions of a website, wherein the website has a hierarchical structure with granular levels and has mapping from each webpage of the website into the hierarchical structure, mapping the user sessions to the hierarchical structure of the website resulting in hierarchical user sessions, initiating an edit distance metrics to determine similarity in the hierarchical user sessions, and clustering similar hierarchical user sessions into groups.
US08219576B2 Storing lossy hashes of file names and parent handles rather than full names using a compact table for network-attached-storage (NAS)
Multiple Network Attached Storage (NAS) appliances are pooled together by a virtual NAS translator, forming one common name space visible to clients. Clients send messages to the virtual NAS translator with a file name and a virtual handle of the parent directory that are concatenated to a full file-path name and compressed by a cryptographic hash function to generate a hashed-name key. The hashed-name key is matched to a storage key in a table. The full file-path name is not stored, reducing the table size. A unique entry number is returned to the client as the virtual file handle that is also stored in another table with one or more native file handles, allowing virtual handles to be translated to native handles that the NAS appliance servers use to retrieve files. File movement among NAS servers alters native file handles but not virtual handles, hiding NAS details from clients.
US08219567B2 Mobile friendly internet searches
Mobile friendly internet searches are enabled by determining if individual internet sites are mobile friendly. In a described implementation, a mobile-friendliness indication is determined for an internet site. The determined mobile-friendliness indication is stored in association with the internet site in an index that may be used for internet searching. In another described implementation, a data structure comprises an internet index with multiple internet site entries having one or more associated mobile-friendliness indications. The mobile-friendliness indications may be general affirmative indications of mobile friendliness or specific indications of mobile-friendliness that identify a specific user agent type. In yet another described implementation, a search request having search terms is received, and a search is performed based thereon to produce a search results set. If the search requestor is a mobile device, the search results are ordered responsive to mobile-friendliness indications associated with the internet sites of the search results set.
US08219563B2 Indexing mechanism for efficient node-aware full-text search over XML
Techniques are provided for searching within a collection of XML documents. A relational table in an XML index stores an entry for each node of a set of nodes in the collection. Each entry of the relational table stores an order key and a path identifier along with the atomized value of the node. An index on the atomized value provides a mechanism to perform a node-aware full-text search. Instead of storing the atomized value in the table, a virtual column may be created to represent, for each node, the atomized value of the node. Alternately, each entry of the relational table stores an order key and a path identifier along with, for simple nodes, the atomized value, and for complex nodes, a null value. For a complex node with a descendant text node, a separate entry is stored for the descendant text node in the relational table.
US08219560B2 Assessing relevant categories and measures for use in data analyses
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive a relevancy parameter. The relevancy parameter is searched in a category ensemble including a set of categories, where the category ensemble overlies a dataset. A first order of the set of categories is created based on the relevancy of the relevancy parameter to each category in the set of categories, where the relevancy is a degree of match to the relevancy parameter. A second order of the set of categories is created based on the merit of each category to partition the dataset. The first order and the second order are combined into a final order, which is returned. A measure in the category ensemble is searched based on the relevancy parameter. The measure is returned as a selected measure, where the selected measure is a codomain of a visualization depicting a portion of the dataset.
US08219550B2 Methods and systems for implementing approximate string matching within a database
A computer-based method for character string matching of a candidate character string with a plurality of character string records stored in a database is described. The method includes a) identifying a set of reference character strings in the database, the reference character strings identified utilizing an optimization search for a set of dissimilar character strings, b) generating an n-gram representation for one of the reference character strings in the set of reference character strings, c) generating an n-gram representation for the candidate character string, d) determining a similarity between the n-gram representations, e) repeating steps b) and d) for the remaining reference character strings in the set of identified reference character strings, and f) indexing the candidate character string within the database based on the determined similarities between the n-gram representation of the candidate character string and the reference character strings in the identified set.
US08219545B2 Indigenous authentication and searching system and method
An apparatus and system for authenticating and searching data is provided. The apparatus includes a tightly coupled housing, an authenticator in the tightly coupled housing, a first archival storage in the tightly coupled housing, an indexer in the tightly coupled housing, and an index storage in the tightly coupled housing. The authenticator receives a file from an external email system, the authenticator creates first and second self-authenticating copies of the file, the first archival storage stores the first self-authenticating file, the indexer dissembles the second self-authenticating copy into components of the second self-authenticating copy, and the index storage stores the components of the second self-authenticating in a searchable format.
US08219538B2 Search device and search method
A search device used to search for a search keyword from an object to be searched based on an automaton generated in accordance with the search keyword, includes: a first memory region; a second memory region; an information generation part that generates third information from first information and second information; a determination part; and a selection part, wherein: a first state corresponding to the first information is read from the first memory region; fourth information and a second state corresponding to the third information are read from the second memory region; the determination part determines whether or not fifth information including the first information and the second information matches with the fourth information; and the selection part selects the first state when not match in the determination and when matches in the determination, selects the second state.
US08219525B2 Copying and updating files
Copied and source files are tracked so that authors of these documents can selectively update these files. Stale copied files can be eliminated. A control is provided to mediate copying of files among servers that have differing security policies. Metadata of a file being copied is downloaded from a server to the control and the control uploads the metadata of the file to one or more servers. A relationship between copied files and source files are memorialized whether or not copied files reside in different namespaces from the namespace of the source files.
US08219520B2 Method and system for validating data
A method and system for validating data. Warehouse data is generated by transforming source data via an ETL transformation model. A data cube is generated by transforming the warehouse data via an OLAP transformation model. A report dataset (MDS1) is generated from the data cube. A reference dataset (S) is generated from the source data. Whether MDS1 matches S is determined. If MDS1 doesn't match S, then an OLAP inverse transformation is performed on MDS1 to generate an OLAP dataset (MDS2) and whether MDS2 matches S is determined. If MDS1 doesn't match S and MDS2 does not match S, then an ETF inverse transformation is performed on MDS2 to generate an ETL dataset (MDS3) and whether MDS2 matches MDS1 and whether MDS3 matches S is determined. If MDS1 doesn't match S and MDS2 does not match S and MDS3 does not match S, then whether MDS3 matches MDS2 is determined.
US08219518B2 Method and apparatus for modelling data exchange in a data flow of an extract, transform, and load (ETL) process
Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating code from a data flow associated with an extract, transform, and load (ETL) process. In one implementation, the method includes identifying a data exchange requirement between a first operator and a second operator in the data flow. The first operator is a graphical object that represents a first data transformation step in the data flow and is associated with a first type of runtime engine, and the second operator is a graphical object that represents a second data transformation step in the date flow and is associated with a second type of runtime engine. The method further includes generating code to manage data staging between the first operator and the second operator in the data flow. The code exchanges data from a format associated with the first type of runtime engine to a format associated with the second type of runtime engine.
US08219508B2 Systems and methods for compressing state machine instructions using a two access indexing scheme
Systems and methods for compressing state machine instructions are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method comprises associating input characters associated with states to respective indices, where each index comprises information indicative of a particular transition instruction.
US08219505B2 Energy usage prediction and control system and method
A controller and/or a gateway acts as a feedback-based energy estimator for controlling initial and refined estimates of energy usage of one or more buildings controlled by the controller or gateway. An initial estimate of a building's energy needs for a specified time in the future (e.g., a month or a week ahead) are calculated, and then over time, in conjunction with an energy company, the initial estimate (and subsequent estimates) is revised based on the costs of the energy predicted or quoted by the energy company. The controller may examine jobs to be performed at the time as well as predictive information that may affect the building's energy needs (e.g., the predicted temperature for the time of the predicted energy needs). As expectations change (or as predicted factors such as temperature change), the energy company may be informed of the additional energy that will be needed (e.g., if the predicted temperature is increasing and cooling will be needed) or the excess energy that is expected (e.g., if the predicted temperature is decreasing and less cooling will be needed).
US08219500B2 System and method for managing information flow between members of an online social network
An online social network is provided in which members of the online social network control who may view their personal information and who may communicate with them. The members control who may view their personal information by setting a visibility preference. A member may not view another member's full personal profile if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the visibility preference of the other member. The members also control who may communicate with them by setting a contactability preference. A member may not communicate with another member if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the contactability preference of the other member.
US08219498B2 Forming dynamic real-time activity groups
Techniques for forming a real-time activity group are provided. The techniques include creating a set of one or more users, annotating each user in the set with one or more corresponding real-time attributes, and using the one or more real-time attributes to identify one or more connections between the one or more users in the set to form a real-time activity group within the set of one or more users, wherein the one or more connections are based on an activity request.
US08219495B2 Method of using personal device with internal biometric in conducting transactions over a network
A method of authorizing a commercial transaction between a customer and a provider of goods or services over a network, wherein the provider of goods or services requests that the customer provide authentication by activating a fingerprint identification device, and the provider of goods or services receives at least an authentication code of the customer over the network from the fingerprint identification device, the method comprising the steps of: providing the customer with the fingerprint identification device which produces the authentication code when a fingerprint of the customer matches a stored fingerprint within the fingerprint identification device; receiving at least the authentication code from the provider of goods or services over the network; and authorizing the transaction if at least the authentication code is valid.
US08219490B2 Payment transaction using mobile phone as relay
Systems and methods of conducting a payment transaction using a mobile phone as a relay. The systems and methods receive transaction information associated with a transaction at a mobile communication device from a merchant. They send the transaction information with the mobile communication device to an issuer associated with the mobile communication device. The issuer thereafter sends an authorization response message to the merchant.
US08219487B2 System and method for managing credit risk for investment portfolios
A system is disclosed for enabling a portfolio manager to obtain credit approval for an issuer of securities from a credit analyst. The system includes a relational database containing subjective and objective issuer information, a graphical user interface for permitting a portfolio manager to submit a credit approval request to a credit analyst, a graphical user interface for permitting a credit analyst to evaluate the credit approval request submitted by the portfolio manager based on the issuer information contained in the database, and a graphical user interface for permitting the credit analyst to resolve the credit approval request on behalf of the portfolio manager.
US08219478B2 System and method using asset sale and loan for risk transference
Disclosed herein is a system and method for eliminating or transferring the non-economic risk of financial securities. The system and method serves to avoid non-economic losses in the first instance, and to counter the adverse capital impact of prior non-economic gap losses by providing capital relief consistent with a determined protected amount. A client makes a non-recourse loan to a provider. In return, the provider agrees to purchase a fixed income security (FIS) Portfolio from the client for an purchase price greater than the amount of the loan. If the aggregate principal payments (APP) of the FIS Portfolio exceed the purchase price, the parties engage in profit sharing of the APP over the purchase price. If the final market value of the FIS Portfolio is below the purchase price and above the loan amount, the losses are absorbed by the provider. In a broader implementation of the program, the client makes a revolving term loan to the provider, which over time the provider uses to acquire assets from the client to be used as collateral for the loan.
US08219475B2 Method and system for administering a discounted security
An exchangeable security, tradable on a securities exchange is issued at a share price that is a discount from the share price of an underlying security or basket of underlying securities. At or prior to maturity of the exchangeable security, a holder of the exchangeable security may exchange a share of the exchangeable security for a share of the underlying security or basket of underlying securities. The exchangeable security may also include a linked payment that is redeemable for the full amount of the payment on maturity of the exchangeable security. Alternatively, the exchangeable security may be issued at the share price of the underlying security with the linked payment. The invention provides methods for issue, trade and redemption as well as systems for issue, trade and redemption of the security.
US08219461B2 Method of customized cleat arrangement
A method for producing articles of footwear with customized cleat arrangements is disclosed. The method includes a step of designing a customized cleat arrangement using a graphical interface system; a step of drilling holes into an outer plate according to the designed customized cleat arrangement; a step of inserting receiving members into the holes; a step of attaching the outer plate to an upper; and a step of associating a plurality of cleats with the receiving members.
US08219460B1 Method and computer medium for facilitating a buyer-initiated feature within a business transaction
A system and method for conducting electronic business between buyers and sellers is provided. The system and method disclose a means for at least one buyer to request and receive online bids from one or more sellers of a particular product according to a price curve or price schedule. A price schedule or curve for a product defining a product's unit price as a function of the volume of product ordered. Upon receipt of a plurality of bids from sellers, a buyer can then select a seller-supplier based at least in part on the price schedule.
US08219457B2 Custom user definable keyword bidding system and method
A system and method allow a user or business entity to create customized rules for bidding on keywords to/from a search engine. A bid automation engine allows a user or business entity to specify a number of rules for bidding on keywords used in Internet advertising campaigns. The bid automation engine may be part of, or interface with, a web analytics tool and/or a bid management system to provide user-defined strategies for bidding on keywords. Accordingly, a user or business entity may set up a customized bidding strategy for keywords by building sets of bidding rules.
US08219456B2 Method, device, and system for analyzing and ranking web-accessible data targets
A method of locating a relevant product belonging to a category of related products sharing pre-determined product attributes is provided. At a client computer, a search topic associated with the category arrives from a user along with user-profile data like demographic, geographic, and situational data. A server locates at information locations some related products within the category, each having the pre-determined set of product attributes having associated content. For each product attribute, the content associated therewith in one of the located products is compared against content associated with the product attribute in each other located product and is assigned a relative score based on the comparison. The shared set of product attributes is prioritized based in part upon relevance of a product attribute to user profile data and the located products are ranked based on the prioritizing and the score of content associated with the product attributes.
US08219455B2 Searching apparatus
A search engine at a service provider is configured to identify commercial suppliers in response to a keyword specified by a user. Keywords are received and searches are performed on an index database to identify displayable text items. Images are stored in the form of commercially relevant graphical images such as logos. A logo is linked to each item of displayable text and an output list is produced in which each text item includes a displayable graphical image. The system may store different image formats to allow the graphical images to be displayed on a variety of platforms.
US08219453B1 Generating classifications from normalized item attributes
Disclosed are various embodiments for generating classifications for items from normalized item attributes. Multiple attribute options are maintained for an item. Each of the attribute options is associated with a respective range of values on a normalized scale for an attribute. Multiple item classifications are generated for one of the attribute options by mapping the respective range of values for the one of the attribute options to one or more item classifications on each of multiple scales of classification for the attribute.
US08219451B2 System and method for electronic delivery of content for industrial automation systems
Content is generated on a host system based on real-time data from a controlled process collected over the internet from a customer's client machine tool control system. The client system may request content from a host website. Instructions associated with the requested content, which may be in the form of an application to be run on the client, is delivered to the client via download over the internet. The client gathers real-time data associated with a controlled process and transmits it to the host, where content based on the data can be generated for the client and/or its owner. Data gathered by the host, and content generated on the basis of the data, may be made accessible to machine tool manufacturers. Also, data received by the host is associated with an identifier defined for each client system. A historical database for given client equipment can thereby be created.
US08219441B2 Algorithm system and method
An algorithm system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting an algorithm to calculate a demand factor for each job in a job list requiring a demand factor calculation, calculating the demand factor using the selected algorithm, and assigning the calculated demand factors to the corresponding jobs in the job list. The calculating demand factor using the selected algorithm includes utilizing data associated with a job in the job list to calculate the demand factor using the selected algorithm. For example, the data includes aging data of the jobs, job status data, and client priority data of the job.
US08219425B2 Collateral damage coverage for insurers and third parties
A method for marketing, underwriting, and adjusting damages that are associated with insured loss events but that are not covered by traditional insurance policies. This method permits the marketing of loss expense coverage, underwriting, and claim adjustment processes of insurance to be performed by reference to the loss payments that are made by a specified reinsurance policy. By referencing reinsurance loss payments, which both a buyer and a seller understand, this method provides an easy way to communicate and transact something that is otherwise difficult or impossible to define or measure.
US08219418B2 Controlled substance tracking system and method
A method for tracking prescriptive medications is provided whereby a complete prescriptive medication history including active and inactive prescriptive medications is stored for a plurality of patients utilizing a plurality of pharmacies wherein the pharmacies may be affiliated or unaffiliated. The information may be selectively retrieved through a secure computer connection by entities such as hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, insurance companies, government agencies and the like. The information may be utilized to benefit the patient whereby a doctor is able to obtain an accurate view of the complete prescriptive medication history of the patient including prescriptive medications by other doctors. Hospitals will be able to obtain, in accord with the invention, a prescriptive medication history prior to treatment such as emergency treatment where such information is not normally available. The stored data for each prescriptive medication transaction includes searchable data such as the patient's name, address, doctor, pharmacy, aberrant use flag, and the like.
US08219416B2 Patient bed search and management system
An automated search system uses data indicating clinical and non-clinical needs of a patient to provide a ranked list of candidate beds, status of beds and availability of a specific type of bed having a particular set of clinical attributes, using a score value derived using configurable rules for comparing patient requirements with bed characteristics. A patient bed search system includes at least one repository including bed information for multiple beds in a healthcare facility comprising multiple clinical attributes including current availability for individual beds of the multiple beds. A bed management processor automatically employs the bed information in providing data representing a candidate list of beds for a particular patient in response to clinical and non-clinical requirements associated with the particular patient and a request to allocate a bed for the particular patient. A user interface generates data representing at least one display image presenting the candidate list of beds for a particular patient.
US08219415B2 Characterizing relationships among procedures using similarity metrics
Data is received that characterizes a plurality of procedures for a single event. Thereafter, one or more dynamically determined groups are associated with the plurality of procedures, the dynamically determined groups being generated from similarity metrics derived from a plurality of historical procedures for a plurality of historical events. A likelihood of the plurality of procedures being associated with the single event can then be determined based on the associated one or more dynamically determined groups. This determined likelihood can be used to determine whether the data is indicative of fraud. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US08219413B2 Identification system and method for medication management
An identification system and method for medication management comprises a controller, a drug library accessible by the controller, the drug library containing drug library profiles including a data set of drug information, and an identification module configured to read patient identification information from machine-readable identification devices worn by patients and to read drug information from machine-readable identification devices affixed to drugs or containers of drugs. The controller compares the read information to each other and to the drug library profile and provides alerts or error signals in the event of an inconsistency. In one case, identification devices are read by an optical reader fixedly mounted to the identification module. In another case, identification devices are read by an optical reader that is hand-held and mobile and can be moved to the location of the identification device. The hand-held reader communicates with the identification module by wired or wireless means. In another case, a third reader that is non-optical and wireless is fixedly mounted to the identification module. The controller is also configured to provide alerts or error messages in the event that there is an inconsistency between the drug information on the drug or drug container when compared to the drug library profile associated with the controller.
US08219411B2 Methods, systems, and products for targeting advertisements
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for targeting advertisements. Clickstream data is received that describes at least subscriber actions. Content information is received that describes what content is available. A criterion is also received for determining which subscribers should receive a targeted advertisement. The clickstream data is merged with the content information to generate data describing at least one event timeline. When the data describing the at least one event timeline matches the at least one criterion, then at least one subscriber is targeted to receive the advertisement.
US08219383B2 Method and system for automated supervised data analysis
The invention relates to a method for automatically analyzing data and constructing data classification models based on the data. In an embodiment of the method, the method includes selecting a best combination of methods from a plurality of classification, predictor selection, and data preparatory methods; and determining a best model that corresponds to one or more best parameters of the classification, predictor selection, and data preparatory methods for the data to be analyzed. The method also includes estimating the performance of the best model using new data that was not used in selecting the best combination of methods or in determining the best model; and returning a small set of predictors sufficient for the classification task.
US08219377B2 Multi-layer finite element method for modeling of package power and ground planes
In a method for simulating electrical characteristics of a plurality of power planes, each power plane includes a plurality of geometric features. The geometric features of each power plane are projected onto a single planar construct. A polygonal mesh, including a plurality of pairs of interconnected nodes, that corresponds to the single planar construct is generated. The polygonal mesh is projected onto at least one power plane an equivalent circuit between each adjacent node of the plurality of interconnected nodes is projected onto the power plane. An equivalent capacitance is assigned between each node and a common ground planer. A finite element equation that includes a plurality of discrete terms is generated. The equation is solved, thereby determining the electrical characteristic value between each pair of adjacent nodes.
US08219375B2 Plated film thickness calculating method and plated film thickness calculating device
A computer readable recording medium stores therein a plated film thickness calculating program for a semiconductor integrated circuit producing process in which a plating treatment, a polishing treatment and an over-polishing treatment are performed. The plated film thickness calculating program performing a process includes simulating the plating treatment of plating the surface of the substrate for a given thickness of the conductor; calculating a thickness of the conductor to be removed by the polishing treatment until at least a part of the plateaus appears; calculating a maximum thickness of the conductor to be remained on any part of the plateaus after performing the polishing treatment; and repeating the simulating, the thickness calculation and the maximum thickness calculation by changing the given thickness until a minimum of the given thickness is determined in which the maximum thickness of the remaining conductor becomes less than a predetermined level.
US08219373B2 System and method for graphically creating models for simulating systems of reacting species
A system and method for generating a model for simulating systems of reacting species comprising receiving a plurality of reaction formulas, determining a reaction rate expression for each of the received reaction formulas, and generating a model for simulating systems of reacting species using the received reaction formulas and the determined reaction rate expressions. The invention further relates to pruning the reaction list to deactivate one or more reactions in the reaction list based on one or more criteria, such as threshold criteria. A graphical user interface may also be used in connection with the present invention in various ways. An output based on the generated model may be displayed, wherein the output displays the composition and temperature dependence of the system of reacting species. Material and energy balances may also be generated for the reacting species as input to a solver of partial differential equations.
US08219372B1 Computer-readable medium, method and computing device for N-body computations using parallel computation systems
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently performing N-body computations using parallel computation systems. The technique involves a first processing step whereby a force matrix is partitioned into tiles, which are assigned to a one or more thread groups for processing. An off-diagonal tile may be aligned to include no diagonal cells, while an on-diagonal tile includes diagonal cells. One approach for computing either type of tile involves assigning each row from a tile to a thread within a thread group. Each thread operates on an offset pattern to avoid access conflicts to a shared memory. A net force for each atom within an N-body system is then computed by efficiently adding constituent forces stored within the force matrix using reduction operations on the force matrix.
US08219364B2 Method to improve unfolding in Petri nets
Petri net models, of systems, communication protocols, and software programs, which include place objects, transition objects, arcs, and initial markings, may be used for testing and verification. To reduce computations, a new unfolding process is performed on the net models. Two or more candidate buffer place interfaces are selected from the input net model. The input net is subdivided with a preliminary cut to form two subnets, wherein the preliminary cut passes through suitable candidate buffer place interfaces, objects of each of the subnets other than the suitable candidate buffer place interfaces are reachable from at least one initial marking, and the subnets do not include a mix of initial and non-initial marking places. Each of the two subnets are unfolded and then joined to form an unfolded net that is behaviorally equivalent to original input net model. The unfolded net is then stored in a storage unit.
US08219363B2 Jet noise modeling method, jet noise analyzing method, and aircraft designing method
A jet noise source modeling method of creating a jet noise source model, includes: setting a plurality of point sound sources by quantizing a strength distribution of a jet noise source determined through an analysis of a jet stream and determining respective sound source strengths of respective point sound sources; and determining respective phases of the respective point sound sources based on a known noise level of a far free sound field related with the jet stream. An aircraft having an airframe capable of insulating the interior thereof from noises is designed on the basis of the results of the analysis.
US08219356B2 System and method for detecting anomalies in wind turbines
A device and method for use in detecting anomalies in wind turbines is provided. The method includes monitoring data acquired by at least one sensor in a first wind turbine, wherein the data is calculated to produce a value for a predetermined amount of time, monitoring data acquired by at least one sensor in a grouping of wind turbines similar to the first wind turbine, wherein the monitored data corresponds to the monitored data of the first wind turbine and is combined for a predetermined amount of time, and comparing the monitored data of the first wind turbine with the monitored data of the grouping of wind turbines. The method also includes generating a sensor error if the monitored data of the first wind turbine deviates more than a predetermined amount from the monitored data of the grouping of wind turbines, and displaying the results of the comparison of the monitored data.
US08219330B2 Gas appliance judgment apparatus and method
A gas appliance judgment apparatus and method by which a type of gas appliance in use and the existence of a gas leak can be identified. In operation, noise is removed from measured instantaneous flow volume, whereupon the “length”, “initial flow volume” and “sequence of transited regions” of the variable portion of the flow volume and the “length”, “average value” and “gradient” of the flat portion of the flow volume are extracted. A rule having characteristics data which matches the characteristics of the variable portion and the flat portion of the flow volume is then searched, and points are added respectively for the type of gas appliance and for the existence of a gas leak. When the added points are not less than a previously established threshold value, then the type of gas appliance in use is determined, and appliance type information is output as a judgment result.
US08219320B2 Seismic attributes for reservoir localization
A method and system for processing three component seismic data includes determining a covariance data matrix from three component seismic data for each of a plurality of time periods to obtain eigenvectors and eigenvalues. One or more seismic attributes are calculated from the eigenvectors and eigenvalues for each of a plurality of time periods. A stability measure is determined from the calculated seismic attribute for each of the plurality of time periods and stored for display.
US08219309B2 Method and apparatus for a navigational graphical user interface
An approach is provided for presenting a graphical user interface on a mobile device according to a navigational application. A presentation is initiated of a graphical user interface on a mobile device according to a navigational application. The graphical user interface includes a first area displaying one or more selectable objects. The graphical user interface also includes a second area displaying a map in perspective view that preserves a predetermined form. The first area and the second area are non-overlapping.
US08219298B2 Lane change assist system
A lane change assist system is comprised of a host vehicle state detecting device that detects a host vehicle traveling condition, a surrounding vehicle detecting device that detects other vehicle located around the host vehicle, a lane detecting device that detects a lane around the host vehicle, and a processing unit. The processing unit is arranged to set a target lane, to determine a period of a lane change assist, to set a predicted period for an evaluation of a lane change to the target lane based on a prediction, to obtain an appropriate speed range during the predicted period for each gap, and to select a target vehicle speed from the appropriate speed range.
US08219296B1 Control device for controlling drive force that operates on vehicle
A control device for controlling a front wheel drive force and a rear wheel drive force of a vehicle comprises a first controller for controlling a drive force of main drive wheels and the drive force of auxiliary drive wheels; and a second controller for sending to the first controller an auxiliary-drive-wheels-limiting drive force for limiting the drive force of the auxiliary drive wheels in a case that the vehicle is traveling in an unstable state. The second controller has a first calculation unit for calculating a first limiting drive force on the basis of lateral acceleration of the vehicle, and a second calculation unit for calculating a second limiting drive force on the basis of longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. The second controller sends to the first controller a maximum limiting drive force among the first limiting drive force and the second limiting drive force as the auxiliary-drive-wheel-limiting drive force.
US08219280B2 Vehicle information storage apparatus
A vehicle information storage apparatus capable of storing necessary information dataset helpful for diagnosis. The vehicle information storage apparatus includes a status information acquiring unit acquiring a dataset of status information items of a vehicle; and a controlling unit determining a time point when the malfunction started based on the dataset of status information items acquired by the status information acquiring unit, and further determines the malfunction-cause-investigation information data to be used for investigating the cause of the malfunction from among the dataset of status information items acquired by the status information acquiring unit based on the specified time point when the malfunction started, and stores the determined malfunction-cause-investigation information data in a prescribed storage medium.
US08219274B2 3-dimensional perception system and method for mobile platform
In one embodiment, an autonomously navigated mobile platform includes a support frame, a projector supported by the frame, a sensor supported by the frame, a memory including a plurality of program instructions stored therein for generating an encoded signal using a phase shifting algorithm, emitting the encoded signal with the projector, detecting the emitted signal with the sensor after the emitted signal is reflected by a detected body, associating the detected signal with the emitted signal, identifying an x-axis dimension, a y-axis dimension, and a z-axis dimension of the detected body, and one or more of a range and a bearing to the detected body, based upon the associated signal, identifying a present location of the mobile platform, navigating the mobile platform based upon the identified location, and a processor operably connected to the memory, to the sensor, and to the projector for executing the program instructions.
US08219267B2 Wind estimation for an unmanned aerial vehicle
The speed of the wind during operation of a UAV is estimated. In one example the speed of the wind is estimated by modeling an acceleration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a measured ground speed of the UAV, determining an actual acceleration of the UAV with one or more sensors, and estimating the speed of the wind as an integral of a difference between the modeled acceleration and the actual acceleration.
US08219264B1 Close formation flight positioning system using air data measurements
A close formation flight positioning system uses only air data measurements without a data link. The wake vortex of a lead aircraft generates horizontal, vertical and lateral induced velocities that vary with horizontal, vertical and lateral position from its wing. Two or more laterally or vertically separated air data sensors on a follower aircraft measure impact pressure, angle of attack and angle of sideslip, which are converted to horizontal, vertical and lateral velocity components. By comparing these velocity component measurements, using the distance between the sensors on the follower aircraft and the wing span of the lead aircraft, the distance from the follower to the lead aircraft can be determined. If weight, speed and altitude of the lead aircraft are known, then two sensors on the follower aircraft are sufficient to determine relative positions. If those conditions are not known, then three sensors on the follower aircraft are needed.
US08219262B2 Motor vehicle equipped with a pneumatic level control system
Disclosed is a pneumatic level control system equalizer of a motor vehicle equipped with a battery and a generator supplying the battery, as well as a compressor driven by an electric motor and associated with the level control system equalizer, the electric motor of the compressor being only supplied with electric current by the vehicle battery and/or generator in certain conditions. The power requirements of the level control system equalizer can be pre-evaluated for a change of level and/or a filling of the pressure tank to be performed.
US08219256B2 Bang-bang controller and control method for variable speed wind turbines during abnormal frequency conditions
A wind farm (10) may include a plurality of variable speed wind turbines (12, 14, 16). A centralized controller (50) may be configured to selectively adjust a respective electrical output power from each of the wind turbines at least during an underfrequency condition. The controller may include a monitor (52) configured to monitor a grid frequency value relative to at least a first threshold value. A deviation of the grid frequency value beyond the first threshold value is indicative of the underfrequency condition. The controller further includes a control unit (54) configured to effect a step response to the electrical output power of the wind turbine in a direction selected to counteract the underfrequency condition.
US08219254B2 Adaptive control for irrigation system
A combined water management and communication system for a water provider wirelessly communicating with selected ones of the multiplicity of user wireless transceiver for changing water distribution to selective ones of the multiplicity of independent users upon an undesired water flow characteristic within the water distribution channels. The multiplicity of user wireless transceivers communicating with proximate user wireless transceivers for forming a network for communicating information to a third party wireless transceiver unrelated to liquid flow. The invention is also incorporated into a remote controlled solar operated wireless irrigation valve. The invention is further incorporated into an improved water management irrigation system incorporating an adaptive weather based controller that is adjusted by a weather based sensor base controller.
US08219253B2 Regulator module for a valve cluster
A regulator module serves for the regulation of an actuator, in particular a pneumatic drive, and has a regulator communication interface for for output of the regulation target value and receiving an input actual value. The regulator module comprises concatenating contacts for in line arrangement on a fluid power and in particular pneumatic valve cluster with several valve modules, arranged in a row direction adjacent to each other for the fluid control of fluid power actuators and that the regulator module has an internal bus interface for connection with an internal communication bus of the valve cluster and that the regulator module is able to be connected by way of the internal communication bus with a valve cluster communication means for external communication of the valve cluster.
US08219252B2 Central air-conditioning system
Regarding rooms other than a room being targeted, a controller controls the rooms in energy-saving conditioning mode when a person is not detected in the rooms, even when the rooms are scheduled to be controlled in ordinary conditioning mode in a temperature control schedule. At this time, when the controller judges that the person has exited the room, the controller controls the targeted room in energy-saving conditioning mode, in rapid conditioning mode. As a result, the room is rapidly conditioned such that the temperature changes from an energy-saving temperature t to an ordinary set temperature by the time the person who has exited the room enters the room. As a result, unnecessary conditioning of the room set to be conditioning in ordinary conditioning mode can be reduced, and energy consumption can be reduced. In addition, comfort of the person entering the room can be ensured by prediction of the movement of the person.
US08219251B2 Interview programming for an HVAC controller
Controllers and methods are disclosed for aiding a user in programming a schedule of a programmable controller. In an illustrative embodiment, a guided programming routine can be activated by a user, which then guides a user through two or more screens that are designed to collect sufficient information from the user to generate and/or update at least some of the schedule parameters of the controller.
US08219246B2 System and method for controlling a robotic arm
A method of controlling the position of an elongate robotic arm comprising articulated segments. An actuator is associated with each segment to control its position, and a control system operates the actuators. Data representing the position of the arm is gathered and compared to input data that represents a required new position of a part of the arm. Data representing the required new position of the arm is then calculated, attempting to keep the remainder of the arm as close as possible to its previous position. The actuators are operated to move the arm into the new position. In tip following, the data representing the new position may define a path, and the arm may be fitted to the path by matching the position and orientation of a point on each pair of adjacent segments to that of the path.
US08219242B2 Automated material handling system and method
An automated material handling system for combining over-head conveyer with a material control system is disclosed. First and second virtual stocker codes are respectively assigned to first and second virtual stocker of an over-head conveyer (OHC) using a material control system. A front opening unified pod (FOUP) is moved to and loaded in the first virtual stocker using a transport system controller. The FOUP is loaded in a track of the OHC and assigned a virtual vehicle code. The FOUP is moved, along the track, to the second virtual stocker and loaded in the second virtual stocker, while the virtual vehicle code is being removed, and is removed therefrom using the transport system controller.
US08219238B2 Automatically generating embroidery designs from a scanned image
A method and system are disclosed for automatically generating embroidery designs from a scanned image. A described method of generating embroidery data from image data includes identifying an object from the image data, wherein the object corresponds to a contiguous portion of an image defined by the image data. The described method further includes determining a plurality of possible stitch angles for the object and determining respective numbers of fragments required to stitch the object for each of the possible stitch angles. The method further includes selecting a stitch angle from the plurality of possible stitch angles, wherein the selected stitch angle is to result in a least number of fragments to stitch the object, and generating the embroidery data based on the selected stitch angle.
US08219237B2 Method and sewing machine to form sewing patterns with adjustable stitch width
A method and a sewing machine are provided to form sewing patterns allowing the stitching width to be changed during sewing for a flexible adjustment of parameters of the sewing pattern. In particular the stitch length a can be changed without changing the exterior design of the sewing pattern.
US08219236B2 Method for creating a cutting plan for a strip-like material
A method for creating a cutting plan for a strip-like material for maximizing a quality yield of the process is invented. In the method a cutting plan for a strip-like material is made based on end-product data, and the strip-like material is driven at a production speed in a manufacturing machine or in a finishing machine, and strip length data is recorded. A chart of the strip-like material characteristics is generated and stored in a memory. The recorded strip length data and the chart of the strip-like material characteristics is calibrated with calibration data in a winding process, and during a set change in the winding process the cutting plan for the strip-like material is optimized for maximizing a quality yield of the process based on the end-product data and the calibrated chart of the strip-like material characteristics, and a revised cutting plan is created from the optimization result.
US08219233B2 Substrate treatment apparatus
The invention controls a carrier moving and mounting device such that at normal time, the device moves and mounts carriers in sequence to a delivery mounting units according to a carry-in order, and when a priority carrier is carried into the carry-in mounting unit and if all of the delivery mounting units are occupied by the carriers, the device moves and mounts one of the carriers on the retreat mounting unit, and mounts the priority carrier on the delivery mounting unit which has become vacant by the movement; and controls a delivery device such that at normal time, the delivery device carries the substrates out of the carriers according to the carry-in order of the carriers mounted on the delivery mounting units, and when the priority carrier is mounted, the delivery device carries out the substrates in the priority carrier before the substrates in the other carriers.
US08219230B2 Manufacturability evaluation of injection molded plastic models using a CAD based DFX evaluation system
A method of automatic manufacturability evaluation of plastic models comprises generation of a likely pulling direction, recognition of common features on plastic parts, and then applying manufacturability rules The manufacturability rules can be specified and customized through user specified rule parameters and depend upon the geometric parameters of the recognized features. A system comprises a user interface for selection and customization of DFX (Design for ‘X’) rules for evaluation of a design. The system includes a user interface integrated with a CAD system for receiving the CAD data and displaying the results to the user. Geometry analysis engines are integrated into the system, for extracting the various features and corresponding parameters required as input to the manufacturability rules. The system further involves extensible interfaces for rules and analysis engines which allows users to write their own customized rules and engines and integrate these into the CAD based DFX evaluation system.
US08219219B2 Method and system of programming at least one appliance to change state upon the occurrence of a trigger event
An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.
US08219217B2 Variable transmission window constructions
An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system of the present invention comprises a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of window control circuits coupled to each of the master control circuits. Because the window control circuits can sense abnormal load conditions in the variable transmission windows, the system further includes an interface to a security system to inform of a potential intrusion. Each window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit.
US08219214B1 Supervisory control and data acquisition protocol converter
A supervisory control and data acquisition protocol converter having encoded meter register input ports which are able to interrogate, read, and retain data stored in viscous fluid or gas meter registers which communicate with the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) protocols and convert that data upon request to an industrial monitoring and control system protocol such as MODBUS®, DF1, EtherNet/IP™, or ADAM 4000. The present art further provides serial RS-232C and RS-485, and Ethernet ports whereby said data may be transmitted and/or the apparatus may be setup according to user defined specifications. The present art apparatus also provides industrial standard pulse (0-5 volts) and current (4-20 milliamps) inputs. The present art further provides a user configurable display which may display any or only a portion of the aforesaid data along with other user desired data. The apparatus further serves a web page over the Ethernet port with the aforesaid data populating a table.
US08219201B2 Smooth muscle controller for controlling the level of a chemical in the blood stream
An apparatus that comprises at least one electrode adapted to be placed adjacent to a portion of smooth muscle (200) and a controller for electrifying the electrode with a non-excitatory electric field (210) which does not generate excitation of the smooth muscle. The non-excitatory electric field affects the activity of the smooth muscle in a manner that controls a level of a chemical in the blood stream.
US08219200B2 Medical device packaging system
A system, comprising a sterilizable package; an implantable medical device placed inside the sterilizable package; and an electrical interface electrically coupled to the implantable medical device and extending from inside the sterilizable package to outside the sterilizable package. In various embodiments, the interface may include package contacts electrically coupled to electrode terminals on the implantable medical device, patient terminals and conductors extending between the package contacts and the patient terminals.
US08219189B2 Method and apparatus for improving renal function
A method for improving renal function includes placing an electrode on a dorsal spinal cord within a central nervous system and applying an electrical current to the electrode. The electrode is positioned, and the electrical current is configured, to stimulate an afferent neuron without stimulating an efferent neuron, thereby causing an increase in renal excretion of sodium and water while having an insubstantial affect on a sympathetic nervous system.
US08219184B2 Apparatus for measuring, recording and transmitting electrocardiogram measurements
Embodiments of the present invention include a monitoring device and method for measuring, recording and transmitting a pre-determined set of electrocardiogram measurements. The device provides for an unassisted six or twelve channel measurements of heart and vascular functions using a visual graphical output. Results of the measurements are charted and can be reviewed and analyzed by an authorized health care provider.
US08219182B2 Cavity-filling biopsy site markers
An ultrasound-detectable biopsy marker mass has a detectable in-vivo lifetime during which the marker mass remains readily detectable by ultrasound imaging. The ultrasound-detectable biopsy marker mass is formed of particles of a bio-resorbable material having bubble cavities and having a particle size between about 200 microns and about 500 microns.
US08219178B2 Method and system for performing invasive medical procedures using a surgical robot
A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.
US08219177B2 Method and system for performing invasive medical procedures using a surgical robot
A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.
US08219165B2 Radio communication apparatus
A challenge to be met by the present invention is to provide a radio communication apparatus that enables prevention of a drop in antenna gain, which would otherwise arise when an apparatus main body is placed on a metal plate, such as a metallic desk, at low cost. A second antenna element (3) is placed at such a position where resonance arises at a frequency band of a first antenna element (2) and connected to a ground pattern of a circuit board (10) by way of an antenna grounding unit (8) connected exclusively to a radio system unit (7). Further, a reactance unit (82) of the antenna grounding unit (8) performs regulation such that the second antenna element (3) is electromagnetically coupled with the metal plate, to thus cause resonance at a predetermined frequency, when the apparatus main body is placed on the metal plate and that the resonance frequency becomes a frequency band of the first antenna element (2). When the apparatus main body is placed on the metal plate while a radio signal is being transmitted at the frequency band of the first antenna element (2), the second antenna element (3) can thereby be used as a passive element, so that occurrence of a drop in gain of the first antenna element (2) can be prevented.
US08219156B2 Transceiver device and power saving method thereof
A transceiver device and a power saving method thereof are provided. The transceiver device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a control module. The control module is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. After the control module lowers the output power of either the transmitter, the receiver, or both of them, the control module checks a signal transmission between the transceiver device and a far-end device is normal or not. When the signal transmission between the transceiver device and the far-end device is abnormal, the control module readjusts the output power of the transmitter, the receiver, or both of them. Thereby, the power consumption of the transceiver device is decreased.
US08219152B2 Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal is presented. The mobile terminal includes a display module comprising a front surface and a rear surface, a display controller for displaying an object associated with a first menu on at least one of the front surface or rear surface, a user input unit configured to receive a touch input via the front and rear surface of the display module for selecting one of the displayed objects, and a controller configured to execute an operation associated with the selected object according to which of the front and rear surface is touched.
US08219151B2 Portable terminal and driving method of the same
A portable terminal is provided that includes a vibration generator for vibrating the portable terminal, a receiving device for receiving input from a user and determining a coordinate value on a display screen based on the received input, and a controller for determining a vibration pattern corresponding to information on a display screen based on the determined coordinate value.
US08219148B2 Method for activating the subscription of an UICC device
The invention provides a method for activating the subscription of an UICC, said UICC comprising an activation application, said method comprising the step of activating the subscription of the holder of the UICC by sending a message to an activation server, said message being sent by the activation application to the activation server by using an IP based communication.
US08219144B2 Disabling of mobile phone camera operation by video-restricted location device
An apparatus in one example has: a predetermined location having at least a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device having a predetermined coverage area; a mobile terminal that communicates with the wireless communication device when the mobile terminal is within the predetermined coverage area; the mobile terminal having a camera and a functionality that selectively disables and enables the camera; and the wireless communication device having a functionality that causes the mobile terminal to disable the camera when the mobile terminal is within the predetermined coverage area, and wherein the mobile terminal effects an enabling of the camera when the mobile terminal leaves the predetermined coverage area.
US08219142B2 Method, system, and apparatus for coexistence of plurality of communication technologies in communication device
A method and system for enabling coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device is provided. The method includes determining a time offset between a first communication event of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies and a second communication event of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. The method further includes altering a first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology to a second communication state based on one or more of the time offset and a plurality of parameters of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology.
US08219138B2 Optimal power allocation method for an LSSTC wireless transmission system
The optimal power allocation method for an LSSTC wireless transmission system utilizes Layered Steered Space-Time Codes (LSSTC), a recently proposed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system that combines the benefits of vertical Bell Labs space-time (V-BLAST) scheme, space-time block codes (STBC), and beamforming. A new downlink scheme employs LSSTC with optimal power allocation based on the assumption that the user feeds the base station (BS) with the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per V-BLAST layer through the uplink feedback channel. Such a system enhances the error performance by assigning power to the layers in an optimum manner.
US08219136B2 Techniques to determine transmitter power
Techniques are described that can be used to determine a transmitter power level of a mobile station based on spectrum efficiency gain and loss. Spectrum efficiency gain is measured for a home sector base station. Spectrum efficiency loss is measured for base stations other than the home sector base station. In one example, a base station transmits information such as noise plus interference level to a mobile station and the mobile station determines the transmitter power level. In another example, the mobile station transmits information such as preamble signal strength and preamble total signal strength to the home sector base station and the home sector base station determines the transmitter power level and instructs the mobile station to apply the determined transmitter power level.
US08219132B2 Communication system, base station apparatus and communication method
A communication method, for use in a communication system that performs radio communication between a number of vehicle-mounted terminal devices and a base station device, includes transmitting, by each of the vehicle-mounted terminal devices, vehicle-mounted device information thereof, and lastly-accessed identification information indicating a base station device that was in the radio communication with a vehicle-mounted terminal device just before when the communications therewith is cut off and authenticating, by the base station device, when there is a match between the transmitted lastly-accessed identification information and the identification information of the base station device stored in the base station device, based on the vehicle-mounted device information of the vehicle-mounted terminal devices stored in the base station device not entirely but partially, and the vehicle-mounted device information transmitted by each of the vehicle-mounted terminal devices.
US08219131B2 Cognitive wireless communication system
To prevent a hung-up of communications due to changes in a radio wave condition resulting from frequent displacement of the terminals and changes in a number of the terminals, and to realize switching of the radio systems adapting to the radio condition. A radio communication system comprising: a base station for providing a plurality of radio systems, and terminals for communicating with the base station through the plurality of radio systems. The base station decides a priority of the radio system on which the each terminal will communicate thereafter and transmits paging signals of one of the plurality of radio systems which includes information on the decided priority to the each terminal.
US08219130B2 Estimating time delays in a simulcast communication system
A method for facilitating an equalization of a simulcast signal comprising: (a) receiving a simulcast signal comprising known data simulcast from at least two different sites; (b) generating a number of simulated simulcast signals, each simulated simulcast signal being based on at least two sites transmitting said known data with a presumed time delay, each simulated simulcast signal having a different presumed time delay; (c) determining which of said simulated simulcast signals is an optimum simulated simulcast signal that correlates most closely to said simulcast signal; and (d) providing time delay data of said optimum simulated simulcast signal for use in equalization of said simulcast signal.
US08219121B2 Broadcast data and event triggers over a digital cellular network
A system and method for enabling a service provider to select one or more digital cellular markets to receive a broadcast page, wherein each digital cellular market provides wireless communication services to a geographic region. The service provider to generate a broadcast page indicating a Virtual Device Identifier, the Virtual Device Identifier associated with a plurality of remote devices in each of the digital cellular markets selected, and wherein each of the remote devices includes a Primary Device Identifier uniquely identifying the remote device within the digital cellular markets, and wherein each of the remote devices further includes the Virtual Device Identifier associated with the plurality of remote devices. The service provider to further send the broadcast page to each digital cellular market selected, for transmission to the remote devices to send a message to remote devices having the Virtual Device Identifier.
US08219117B2 Method of paging a mobile terminal
In a wireless network which comprises a first plurality of base stations and a second plurality of access network gateways, there is provided a method for tracking and/or paging a mobile terminal, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a mobile terminal located within the wireless network, and wherein the mobile terminal is in an active mode; selecting a first access network gateway out of the second plurality of access network gateways to be an anchor gateway for location and/or paging control for the mobile terminal; and upon receiving at the first access network gateway a request for a location update of the mobile terminal which has meanwhile entered an idle mode, selecting a base station for communicating with the mobile terminal from among the first plurality of base stations, and providing the selected base station with information required for verifying the identity of the mobile terminal and/or for retaining the security integrity of the selected base station while carrying out location update of the mobile terminal. Preferably, the paging Controller ID (or its location) is used for the update of the traffic anchored GW, and can then be used for allocating the paging controller by the traffic anchored GW during the paging procedure.
US08219112B1 Accuracy analysis of wireless base station location
A method and system for accuracy analysis of wireless base station location is provided. In one embodiment, data from a set of mobile devices using a wireless base station is collected. A location of a wireless base station is estimated based on locations of the mobile devices (i.e. points) in the collected set. To provide a more accurate location estimation for the wireless base station, the estimated location is analyzed for accuracy based on the collected data. A confidence score is calculated using a weight function with weights for the collected data based on factors, such as, collection size, platform types of the mobile devices, quality, temporal diversity and/or spatial diversity of points corresponding to the mobile devices, etc. An estimated location of the wireless base station may be adjusted based on the calculated confidence score. An estimated coverage region of the wireless base station may be also estimated and adjusted.
US08219111B2 Method for an improved linear least squares estimation of a mobile terminal's location under LOS and NLOS conditions and using map information
A linear least squares (LLS) estimator provides a low complexity estimation of the location of a mobile terminal (MT), using one of the fixed terminals (FTs) as a reference FT to derive a linear model. A method for selecting a reference FT is disclosed, which improves the location accuracy relative to an arbitrary approach to selecting the reference FT. In addition, a covariance-matrix based LLS estimator is proposed in line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS (NLOS) environments to further provide accuracy, taking advantage of the correlation of the observations. Different techniques for selecting the reference FT under non-LOS (NLOS) conditions are disclosed. A map-based two-stage LLS estimator assists in selecting the reference FT under NLOS conditions.
US08219109B2 Multiprotocol interference avoidance in monoprotocol radio communications system
In one example, a method and system for selecting a channel for use with a mobile communication device is described. A first wireless communications protocol network parameter associated with a first wireless communications protocol is monitored. A second wireless communications protocol operating channel is selected utilizing the monitored parameter data associated with the first wireless communications network.
US08219103B2 Communication unit and method for frequency synchronising in a cellular communication network
A communication unit is capable of communicating in a wireless communication network. The communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving timing signals from a plurality of serving wireless communication units; a frequency synchronizing circuit operably coupled to the receiver for synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit to a serving wireless communication unit of the plurality of serving wireless communication units Control logic is capable of controlling the frequency synchronizing circuit to adjust an operating frequency of the communication unit. The control logic is arranged to distinguish between macro cell transmissions and femto cell transmissions and in response thereto selectively use or reject timing signals from the plurality of serving wireless communication units in adjusting the operating frequency of the wireless communication unit.
US08219089B1 Method and system for managing call authorizations for prepaid wireless service
A prepaid service platform monitors a prepaid balance for a mobile station that operates in accordance with a prepaid wireless service plan. When the prepaid balance reaches a predetermined value, such as zero, the prepaid service platform signals to the mobile station's home location register (HLR). In response, the HLR changes at least one call authorization in an HLR profile for the mobile station and also signals to the serving system currently serving the mobile station. The serving system responsively changes at least one call authorization in a serving-system profile for the mobile station. As a result of these changes to the mobile station's call authorizations, the mobile station may be prevented from making and/or receiving chargeable calls.
US08219088B2 Method and apparatus for registering location of terminal in packet-switching domain
A method and apparatus for registering the location of a terminal in a PS domain in a mobile communication network are provided, in which the terminal transmits a request message requesting registration of the location of the terminal to an MME of the mobile communication network, receives from the MME a response message including an eMSC indicator indicating an eMSC connected to the MME from among a plurality of eMSCs, and registers the location of the terminal to the eMSC indicated by the eMSC indicator included in the response message if the eMSC indicator included in the response message is different from an eMSC indicator stored in the terminal.
US08219084B2 Method of roaming in broadcast service and system and terminal thereof
A method, system, and terminal for handling or processing roaming errors between networks that can support broadcast services. When a roaming service between networks is requested, if a user authentication request is unsuccessful due to non-matching identification information between the networks, a corresponding error message is delivered to the subscriber terminal and network information that has been recently updated using various methods is provided such that repetitive requests and responses for authentication can be avoided when the subscriber requests a roaming service, and thus a roaming service between networks can be quickly provided without delays.
US08219082B2 Roaming communication method, apparatus, and system
A roaming communication method in the field of communication technologies includes: obtaining a location update reject message sent by a Home Location Register (HLR) of a subscriber to a Visitor Location Register (VLR) of the subscriber; obtaining subscriber data from account information of the subscriber, where the subscriber data includes a local number and subscription information of the subscriber; and simulating the HLR to send the subscriber data to the VLR of the subscriber so that the subscriber can communicate in the visited network. The embodiments of the present invention also provide a roaming communication apparatus and system. The present invention enables a roaming subscriber to enjoy the communication service in a roaming network where no roaming agreement is signed without changing a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM). The solution is easy and convenient and saves expenses of the subscriber. At the same time, this attracts subscribers without roaming authority to use the network of an operator, thereby increasing the revenue of the operator.
US08219080B2 Methods and apparatus for producing a user-controlled PLMN list for a SIM/USIM card with use of a user agent application
Methods and apparatus for producing a user-controlled PLMN list for a SIM/USIM card with use of a user agent application are disclosed. Selection indication data corresponding to at least one of a plurality of network attribute type preferences is received at the user agent application. The selection indication data may be received through a user interface of the user equipment, a user application of the user equipment, or both. The at least one selected network attribute type preference is indicative of a preference to prioritize network selection based on at least one network attribute type of a plurality of network attributes types (e.g. cost, bandwidth, quality, number of available features, etc.). A list of network identifications associated with a plurality of wireless communication networks is ranked in accordance with a ranking of network attributes of the at least one selected network attribute type made available by the plurality of wireless communication networks. The ranked list of network identifications is then stored as a user-controlled PLMN list in the SIM/USIM. An automatic network selection process may then be performed with use of the user-controlled PLMN list. As apparent, network selection may be controlled and facilitated by the end user in a more conceptual fashion. Other additional and alternative advantageous features are described in the detailed description.
US08219075B2 Method for testing performance of a mobile telecommunications network
A method for testing performance of a mobile telecommunications system includes the steps of using a link probe for coupling a signaling analyzer to a mobile telecommunications link between a wireless network controller and a wireless transmission/reception station, collecting signaling information with the signaling analyzer for the predetermined telecommunications activities coupled through the mobile telecommunications link, and analyzing collected signaling information from the step of collecting to determine performance values for the mobile telecommunications link.
US08219072B2 System and method for enhanced UAProfile management
Given the growing number of Wireless Devices, and the increasingly varied characteristics (including for example screen size, color depth support, audio and video support, etc.) that Wireless Device vendors or manufacturers provide within their Wireless Devices, an infrastructure that various entities (such as for example Content Providers, Service Providers, etc.) may use to quickly retrieve a quality-controlled User Agent Profile based just on a Wireless Device's Telephone Number. The infrastructure may optionally leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located Messaging Inter-Carrier Vendor.
US08219070B2 System and method for delivering advertising to packet-based telephones
A system and method of delivering targeted advertising to packet-based network telecommunications devices may include accessing a database configured to store telephone services information of telecommunications devices. The telecommunications services information may indicate whether a telecommunications device has packet-based network access. Telecommunications devices that have telephone number information including NPA-NXX of a certain NPA-NXX code and packet-based network access may be identified. Advertising content may be communicated to the identified telecommunications devices for display on the telecommunications device.
US08219056B2 Radio environment scanner
A device may include a measurement receiver, a communication receiver, and a transmitter. The measurement receiver may include a receiver (RX) down-conversion component to receive an amplified signal from a low-noise amplifier of the communication receiver, selectively receive a signal from a first local oscillator associated with the communication receiver or a second local oscillator associated with the transmitter, and down-convert the amplified signal to baseband using the received signal from the first local oscillator or the second local oscillator. The measurement receiver may further include a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to provide low quantization noise only for a particular frequency range to be measured, and a control component to configure the delta-sigma ADC to provide the low quantization noise at the particular frequency range.
US08219050B1 Radio transmission apparatus and radio transmission method
A radio transmission apparatus according to the present invention detects an output current of a power supply section that varies in response to a variation of the output impedance of an amplification section, and corrects a distortion of the input/output characteristic of the amplification section by using an LUT corresponding to the detected output current. In addition, a threshold used for switching an LUT is caused to be different depending on a switching direction between LUTs, thereby suppressing frequent occurrence of switching of the LUT.
US08219047B2 Methods for calibrating a transmitter, and radio transmitter
In an embodiment, a radio transmitter may be provided. The radio transmitter may include a radio transmitter control loop; and a controller configured in such a way that it operates the radio transmitter control loop as a closed control loop in a first operating mode, and that it operates the radio transmitter control loop as an open control loop in a second operating mode.
US08219042B2 Wireless communication system, base station device, mobile station device, and macrodiversity selection method
A wireless communication system, a base station device, a mobile station device, and a macrodiversity selection method of the invention, in a base station device including a macrodiversity function among a plurality of sectors, select a macrodiversity method for the mobile station device from a plurality of macrodiversity methods, in accordance with a predetermined determination reference based on reception conditions of the mobile station device.
US08219036B2 Dynamic channel quality measurement procedure implemented in a wireless digital communication system to prioritize the forwarding of downlink data
A wireless digital communication system includes a base station in communication with a plurality of user equipment mobile terminals (UEs). The system prioritizes the forwarding of blocks of downlink data to designated ones of the UEs. The system employs adaptive modulation and coding (AM&C) to achieve improved radio resource utilization and provides optimum data rates for user services. Blocks of downlink (DL) data are received by the base station which requests downlink (DL) channel quality measurements only from those mobile terminals (UEs) with pending downlink transmissions. The UEs respond to the request by measuring and reporting DL channel quality to the base station, which then allocates resources such that the UEs will make best use of radio resources. The base station notifies the UEs of the physical channel allocation indicating the modulation/coding rate and allocated slots followed by transmission of blocks of downlink data which are transmitted to the UEs.
US08219031B2 Monitoring channels
A transmitter of a cognitive radio comprises a selector for selecting from a memory a channel which is determined free, for a power measurement. A power meter measures the received power from the selected channel. Detection selector compares the measured power and a power of the same channel saved in the memory and selects the channel for detection if the power in the channel is within a predetermined range from the power saved in the memory. A detector performs detection of the channel as a response to the selection for detection. A channel selector selects the channel for communication if the channel is detected unoccupied on the basis of detection. The transmitter communicates in the channel as a response to the selection for communication.
US08219030B2 Adaptive distributed frequency planning
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing distributed frequency planning and reuse factor optimization based upon forward link and/or reverse link interference management techniques. An optimal reuse factor for a base station can be determined based upon a metric that evaluates levels of service associated with neighboring base stations. Moreover, a subset of available resource sets can be selected for use by the base station; thus, a base station specific collection of resource sets can be formed through such selection. Further, mappings of each resource set to a set of physical resources can be disseminated in a network or portion thereof. According to another example, frequency hopping can be constrained to use of resources within a resource set (rather than across more than one resource set) as provided in a base station specific hopping pattern.
US08219028B1 Passing information between mobile devices
A method for sharing information between mobile devices is disclosed. The method includes sensing a physical motion event of a first mobile device, obtaining information reflecting a physical motion event of a second mobile device that is in proximity to the first mobile device, and transmitting data to the second mobile device upon a determination that the physical motion events match each other.
US08219026B2 Dynamically varying link super vision timeout in Bluetooth and similarly enabled devices to detect link loss
The present example provides for modification of the link supervision timer allows for an enhanced user experience with wireless devices, by allowing loss of the wireless link to be handled more effectively. The link supervision timer may be changed without modifying the device profile being used. The change in the timer may be based upon the profile of the communications that is occurring, and upon the current state of the communications.
US08219024B2 Underwater data transfer system
The present invention relates to a system that provides flexible data access to a wired underwater communications network through an electromagnetic, non-conductive connection. An underwater data access point is described wherein data access to a cabled network is provided through an electromagnetic connection. An inductive connector system may also be provided to allow transfer of data and/or power between a data access point and a client system.
US08219019B2 Image forming apparatus
A loop of a transferring material is formed at a position between a secondary transfer nip portion and a fixing nip portion such that a loop amount of the loop of the transferring material, which is formed at the position between the secondary transfer nip portion and the fixing nip portion when a mono-color mode is executed, is larger than a loop amount of the loop of the transferring material, which is formed at the position between the secondary transfer nip portion and the fixing nip portion when a full-color mode is executed. In the mono-color mode, image formation is executed such that primary transfer rollers are separated from an intermediate transfer belt. In the full-color mode, image formation is executed by photosensitive drums.
US08219018B2 Image generating program, storage medium, image processing method, and image processing device
An image generating program, a storage medium, an image processing method, and an image processing device are provided capable of carrying out very detailed image control while preventing wastage of resources.This is configured such that a area of a movement path present in a viewing frustum is calculated, then a determination is made based on the area as to whether or not moving objects are to be generated, and when it is determined that moving objects are to be generated, information of the moving objects to be generated is stored in storage means such that positions of moving objects present in the viewing frustum are renewed based on the information of the plurality of moving objects stored in the storage means and images of the plurality of moving objects are generated.
US08219015B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same which includes a plate spring to press a low-friction sheet
In a fixing device, a fixed member is provided inside a loop formed by a belt member, and is pressed against a rotary member via the belt member to form a nip portion between the rotary member and the belt member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. In the fixed member, a low-friction sheet member is wrapped around a body in a sliding direction of the belt member in which the belt member slides over the fixed member in such a manner that the low-friction sheet member covers a surface of the body opposing the nip portion. At least one plate spring presses the low-friction sheet member against the body to apply a predetermined tension to the low-friction sheet member.
US08219009B2 Developer station and method for an electrographic printer with magnetically enabled developer removal
A developer station for an electrographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump of magnetic developer, and a magnetic brush roller mounted above said sump and having a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core. The toning shell defines a nip at its closest point to the photoconductor element. A toning shell and magnetic core radius along with the eccentric offset of the toning shell from the rotating magnetic core are used in combination with the magnetic properties of the rotating magnetic core to determine the radius of the toning shell and magnetic core to improve the skiving and removal of developer from the toning shell after the developer has passed through the nip with the photoconductor element.
US08219002B2 Controlling sheet synchronization in a digital printing system
A calibration procedure for the synchronization of photoreceptor belt seams of tandem marking devices at system cycle-up. The procedure allows for images projected upon equivalent image panels relative to the belt seams of the tandem engines to be printed on the same sheet. The successive image panels on each belt are of relatively equal distance from the respective belt seams. Thus there is less frequency of the need to skip pitches in the printing operation to avoid either imaging on a belt seam or having the sheet arrive outside the input timing window for second engine sheet registration.
US08219001B2 Image forming apparatus provided with transfer and separation device
An image forming apparatus includes: a drum-shaped image carrier; a transfer and separation device which includes a conveyor belt for conveying a transfer material, a transfer roller for supporting the conveyor belt, and a nip regulating roller that is disposed downstream of the transfer roller in a conveyance direction of the transfer material; a transfer region changing section adapted to change a downstream end of the transfer region in a conveyance direction of the transfer material by changing a position of the nip regulating roller; and a transfer pressure changing section which changes a transfer pressure that corresponds to a pressure by the transfer roller against the image carrier, wherein the transfer pressure changing section changes the transfer pressure in correspondence with the change of the downstream end of the transfer region by the transfer region changing section.
US08218998B2 Developer storing container having a seal to prevent toner leakage
A developer storing container includes a developer storing chamber storing a developer therein and having a side wall, and an agitating member having a shaft portion rotatably supported by the side wall. The side wall has a hollow portion surrounding the shaft portion of the agitating member. A seal member having an annular shape is provided between the hollow portion and the shaft portion. The seal member has an outer circumferential surface contacting the hollow portion, and an inner circumferential surface contacting the shaft portion. A contact pressure between the outer circumferential surface of the seal member and the hollow portion is larger than a contact pressure between the inner circumferential surface of the seal member and the shaft portion of the agitating member.
US08218995B2 Power supply device and image forming apparatus having the same
A power supply includes a transformer to transform an input voltage into an output driving voltage for one of a plurality of components of an image forming apparatus, and an output converter to detect the driving voltage being output from the transformer, to amplify the detected driving voltage according to a power control signal, and to output the amplified driving voltage to at least one remaining component in the plurality of components of the image forming apparatus. The power supply can not only control high voltage outputs individually, but also reduces the number of switching transformers being used, as it uses at least one shared switching transformer.
US08218993B2 Belt conveyance apparatus and image heating apparatus
The image heating apparatus has a plurality of heat generators which are capable of forming a plurality of heat generating distributions in the longitudinal direction for supplying heat to a heating member. Unevenness in temperature is decreased by changing the heat generating distribution when cooling by a fan for the heating member starts. The heat generating distribution is changed so that heat generating amount at an area in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the cooling area cooled by the fan is to be larger than the heat generating amount before starting the cooling.
US08218984B2 Temperature controlling method of fixing device
In a fixing device, when sheets of small width size are continuously passed and temperature rises in both side parts, a temperature control unit stops print control of an auxiliary lamp. When the temperature rise in both side parts continues after that, a drive control unit shifts the fixing device to a wait mode and pre-runs the fixing device. Moreover, in a low-temperature environment, when temperature rises in both side parts when sheets Ps of small width size are continuously passed, the temperature control unit switches temperature control of the fixing device to three-stage control.
US08218977B2 Integrated equalizer and Michelson interferometer structure for inter-symbol interference-suppressed colorless DPSK demodulation
An optical device includes an interferometer for a received optical differential phase shift keying DPSK signal, and an equalizer integrated with the interferometer in a manner for reducing from optical filtering effects an interference by signal bits of the DPSK signal with signal bits of a contiguous DPSK signal. The interferometer is a Michelson delay interferometer type, but can also be a Mach-Zehnder delay interferometer type on fiber, waveguide or other optical structure. The equalizer is a Fabry-Perot type equalizer, but can be a ring resonator type or a fiber based equalizer.
US08218976B2 Optical receiver with trans-impedance responding in bit-by-bit to input signal
An optical receiver implemented with a pre-amplifier with an additional trans-impedance able to respond to the input signal in bit-by-bit is disclosed. The optical receiver provides a photodiode to convert an optical signal into a photocurrent, a trans-impedance amplifier to convert the photocurrent to a voltage signal, and an additional trans-impedance circuit able to respond instantaneously to the voltage signal. The additional trans-impedance includes a FET whose gate is fully fixedly biased and the source thereof receives the voltage signal. The FET may bypass the current flowing in the intrinsic trans-impedance instantaneously.
US08218970B2 Medium access control method for optical-fiber TDMA networks
A medium access control method for optical-fiber TDMA networks is revealed. The TDMA indicates the technique of time-division multiple access which is used to provide medium-sharing environment. Once the MAC protocol implementing traffic control is applied to control access among nodes with the same optical fiber, the medium access in optical networks can be distributed logically and effectively among the nodes so as to improve unfair access in the optical TDMA networks. Therefore, the optical TDMA network is suitable to construct metropolitan area networks (MANs), local area networks (LANs) or subnetworks of public networks for reducing construction cost of networks, increasing bandwidth utilization and improving communicative performance.
US08218962B2 Image-capturing apparatus
An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing optical system; a sensor unit having line sensors that receive light fluxes of an object, which have been transmitted through a pair of partial areas in an exit pupil of the image-capturing optical system; image-capturing elements having a pixel arrangement capable of generating an image signal and a focus detection pixel sequence, in which two or more pairs of pixels that receive the light fluxes of an object, are arranged in a predetermined direction; a continuous image-capturing unit configured to perform continuous image capturing of actually exposing the image-capturing elements; a signal generation unit configured to perform another exposure for the sensor unit; a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection of a phase-difference detection method; a second focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection; and a focus adjustment unit configured to perform focus adjustment.
US08218957B2 Image stabilizer
An image stabilizer is provided, which compensates for an external turbulence caused by hand-shake by moving an imaging unit. The image stabilizer includes a first yoke, a second yoke, and a driving frame interposed between the first yoke and the second yoke and movable in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a rotation direction with respect to an optical axis. The imaging unit is mounted in a center of the driving frame. The image stabilizer also includes a coil plate connected to a surface of the driving frame facing the first yoke and having a plurality of pattern coils arranged at locations corresponding to a plurality of magnets of the second yoke. The image stabilizer further includes a support unit disposed on a surface of the driving frame facing the second yoke and supporting the driving frame in pitch, yaw and roll directions with respect to the second yoke.
US08218948B2 Digital recording/reproducing device, computer program, and server
The invention provides a digital recording/reproducing device wherein a reservation recording itself is not required and a viewer can search a desired target program quickly. The digital recording/reproducing device 10 comprises a plurality of tuners 12 which can receive a plurality of television signals at the same time, convert a television signal into a digital signal and records/reproduces. A server provides a time index having an identifier which can identify program data and program section data, and the time index is received via a communication means and recorded. In addition, a signal receiving unit 25 receives a program data reproducing signal from a remote controller and an input unit 28 for sending an input signal relating to the reproduction of program data. A control unit 18 detects an identifier of a time index corresponding to the program data reproducing signal that the signal receiver 25 receives, and extracts program data associated with the detected identifier from a recording means 17.
US08218947B2 Video data recording apparatus and method, and video data reproducing apparatus and method
Video data is divided into portions which are sequentially recorded on recording mediums respectively. IDs of the respective recording mediums are set. IDs of the respective video data portions are set. Items are recoded on first one among the recording mediums. These items are the ID of the first recording medium, the ID of first one among the video data portions, the ID of second one among the recording mediums which follows the first recording medium, and the ID of second one among the video data portions. Items are recorded on last one among the recording mediums. These items are the ID of the last recording medium, the ID of last one among the video data portions, the ID of second last one among the recording mediums which precedes the last recording medium, and the ID of second last one among the video data portions.
US08218928B2 Spatial filtering of higher order modes in multimode fibers
A mode filter for eliminating the propagation of higher-order modes along a section of optical multimode fiber comprises a graded index (GRIN) lens, preferably of a quarter-pitch length, and a pinhole element in the form of a small core fiber. This configuration creates a Fourier spatial filter assembly that removes higher order modes propagating along an optical fiber while capturing the fundamental mode of the optical signal. A section of GRIN fiber is preferably used as the lens, with the small core fiber disposed at the output of the GRIN fiber lens to collect substantially only the on-axis fundamental mode of the optical signal. Since the higher order modes are shifted away from the origin by the GRIN fiber lens, only the fundamental mode signal is captured by the small core fiber.
US08218909B2 System and method for geodesic image matching using edge points interpolation
A method for deformable registration of 2 digital images includes providing a pair of digital images, including a fixed image and a moving image, extracting a set of edge images from each image of the pair of images, each edge set being extracted at a different resolution, selecting a pair of edge images with a lowest resolution, determining a mapping from edge points of the fixed image to edge points of moving image using a geodesic thin plate spline interpolation, applying the mapping to a next higher resolution edge point image of the moving image, selecting a pair of edge images at a next higher resolution, where a moving edge image is the moving edge image to which the mapping has been applied, repeating the steps at a next higher resolution for all edge images in the set of edge images, and applying the mapping to an entire moving image.
US08218908B2 Mixed content image compression with two edge data representations
A method (200, 400) of compressing an input image (201) is described. The method (200, 400) starts by extracting image gradient data representing pixel differences along contours of the image. Next, the method forms an edge based image from the image gradient data and a low resolution image derived from the input image. The method then computes a residual image representing a difference between the edge based image and the input image, and finally compresses the input image by encoding the image gradient data, the low resolution image, and the residual image.
US08218905B2 Method, system and software product for providing efficient registration of 3D image data
The invention relates to a method, system and computer program product for registering 3D image data. It comprises (a) receiving a first 3D image and a second 3D image; (b) determining a rendering transform for applying to each of the first 3D image and the second 3D image; (c) applying the rendering transform to the first 3D image to provide a first 2D projection and to the second 3D image to provide a second 2D projection; and (d) determining an elastic registration for mapping locations of the first 2D projection to homologous locations in the second 2D projection.
US08218891B2 Filtering circuit, filter processing method, image pickup element circuit and camera
A filtering circuit which filters an image picked up by an image pickup element arranged in a two dimensional array. The filtering circuit includes a plurality of filtering units and a selecting unit. The plurality of filtering units locally filter a plurality of pixels forming the image, and the selecting unit selects one or more pixels to be filtered by one of the filtering units and selects another pixel to be filtered by another one of filtering units. The selected one or more pixels filtered by the one filtering unit and the selected another pixel filtered by another one of the filtering units belong to a same column in the two dimensional array.
US08218884B2 Image compression apparatus and image expansion apparatus
An image compression apparatus includes: a dividing section for dividing an image to be compressed into blocks, each of which has a predetermined number of pixels having respective gradation values; a determining section for determining whether the block is a first kind block, in which a number of kinds of gradation values of the predetermined number of pixels belonging to the block is not greater than N (where N is an integer which is equal to 2 or greater) for each block divided and obtained by the dividing section; and a normalizing section which generates one of a first kind compressed data and a second kind of compressed data depending on the result of the determination.
US08218881B2 Clustering processing method, clustering processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A clustering processing method for dividing a samples into a plurality of clusters based on a feature amount of each sample, the plurality of clusters each belonging to one of a plurality of layers composed of M layers (M=2, . . . , K), the clustering processing method comprises a sample allocating step of allocating a sample targeted for processing to a cluster belonging to a first layer, based on a result of comparing the feature amount of the target sample with a representative feature amount of each of clusters belonging to the first layer; a determination step of determining whether to allocate a cluster belonging to an M−1th layer to an Mth layer; and a cluster allocating step of allocating a cluster belonging to the M−1th layer to the Mth layer, if it is determined in the determination step to allocate a cluster belonging to the M−1th layer to the Mth layer.
US08218876B2 Information processing apparatus and control method
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store dictionary data in which a locus and one or more pieces of content are registered in association with one another, an input unit configured to input a locus in association with content, a comparison unit configured to compare the locus input by the input unit and a locus registered in the dictionary data, and an addition unit configured to add data to the dictionary data stored in the storage unit based on a comparison result generated by the comparison unit.
US08218869B2 Image segmentation using spatial random walks
The embodiments of the invention describe a method for segmenting an image. We perform an initial segmentation of the image to produce a previous segmented region and segment iteratively the image using a spatial random walk based on a shape prior of the previous segmented region to produce a next segmented region. We compare the next segmented region with the previous segmented region, and repeat the segmenting and the comparing until the previous and next segmented regions converge. After that, we select the next segmented region as a final segmented region.
US08218862B2 Automatic mask design and registration and feature detection for computer-aided skin analysis
Methods and systems for automatically generating a mask delineating a region of interest (ROI) within an image containing skin are disclosed. The image may be of an anatomical area containing skin, such as the face, neck, chest, shoulders, arms or hands, among others, or may be of portions of such areas, such as the cheek, forehead, or nose, among others. The mask that is generated is based on the locations of anatomical features or landmarks in the image, such as the eyes, nose, eyebrows and lips, which can vary from subject to subject and image to image. As such, masks can be adapted to individual subjects and to different images of the same subjects, while delineating anatomically standardized ROIs, thereby facilitating standardized, reproducible skin analysis over multiple subjects and/or over multiple images of each subject. Moreover, the masks can be limited to skin regions that include uniformly illuminated portions of skin while excluding skin regions in shadow or hot-spot areas that would otherwise provide erroneous feature analysis results. Methods and systems are also disclosed for automatically registering a skin mask delineating a skin ROI in a first image captured in one imaging modality (e.g., standard white light, UV light, polarized light, multi-spectral absorption or fluorescence imaging, etc.) onto a second image of the ROI captured in the same or another imaging modality. Such registration can be done using linear as well as non-linear spatial transformation techniques.
US08218861B2 Color quantization based on desired upper bound for relative quantization step
A computer system processes encoded digital data representing an image at image portions. The image at each portion has color coordinates S1, S2, S3 in a first color coordinate system (CCS), wherein S1√{square root over (T12+T22+T32)}, S2=T2/S1, S3=T3/S1, wherein T1, T2, T3 are color coordinates in a predefined 70%-orthonormal linear CCS. For each image portion whose color coordinate S1 is in a predefined range, the encoded digital data comprise color coordinates s1, s2, s3 such that: s1=kB·(ln(αS1)+β) rounded to an integer, where α and β are predefined constants, s2=kef·S2/S1 rounded to an integer, s3=kef·S3/S1 rounded to an integer, wherein kef is about 3—kB, or kef is equal to the smallest power of 2 which is greater than or equal to about 3·kB. The processing comprises using the encoded digital data to perform editing, and/or displaying, and/or decoding the encoded data.
US08218852B2 System and method for repairing composite parts
A composite repair system and method for assisting in the repair of a cured composite part in which a damaged portion has been cut out and removed, exposing a plurality of composite plies and their corresponding composite ply edges. The composite repair system may comprise a light source to illuminate the ply edges, an image capturing device to obtain an image of the ply edges, and a computing device for processing the image of the ply edges and creating a map of the ply edges based on the image. The map may be used to manufacture filler plies having peripheral edges shaped to correspond with the composite ply edges for replacing the damaged portion of the composite part.
US08218850B2 Breast tissue density measure
A method of processing a mammogram image to derive a value for a parameter useful in detecting differences in breast tissue in subsequent images of the same breast or relative to a control group of such images, said derived parameter being an aggregate probability score reflecting the probability of the image being a member of a predefined class of mammogram images, comprises computing for each of a multitude of pixels within a large region of interest within the image a pixel probability score assigned by a trained statistical classifier according to the probability of said pixel belonging to an image belonging to said class, said pixel probability being calculated on the basis of a selected plurality of features of said pixels, and computing said parameter by aggregating the pixel probability scores over said region of interest. Said features may include the 3-jet of said pixels.
US08218844B2 Method for generating analytical tool for analyzing abnormalities in human organs
A method for providing a tool for analyzing an abnormality affixed to a human organ. The method includes: obtaining an image of the organ with the abnormality; separating the image of the abnormality from the image of the organ with the abnormality; mapping a surface of the separated image of the abnormality onto a homeomorphic equivalent template, such template being topologically equivalent to the surface. In one embodiment, the mapping is a continuous, bijective, mapping having a continuous inverse mapping characteristic.
US08218841B2 Rotate and slant projector for fast fully-3D iterative tomographic reconstruction
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotate-and-slant projector that takes advantage of symmetries in the geometry to compute truly volumetric projections to multiple oblique sinograms in a computationally efficient manner. It is based upon the 2D rotation-based projector using the fast three-pass method of shears, and it conserves the 2D rotator computations for multiple projections to each oblique sinogram set. The projector is equally applicable to both conventional evenly-spaced projections and unevenly-spaced line-of-response (LOR) data (where the arc correction is modeled within the projector). The LOR-based version models the exact location of the direct and oblique LORs, and provides an ordinary Poisson reconstruction framework. Speed optimizations of various embodiments of the projector include advantageously utilizing data symmetries such as the vertical symmetry of the oblique projection process, a coarse-depth compression, and array indexing schemes which maximize serial memory access.
US08218840B2 Method and device for selectively targeting cells within a three-dimensional specimen
The invention provides an apparatus for electromagnetically affecting a particle of interest in a specimen. The apparatus includes (a) a stage capable of supporting the specimen; (b) a detector including at least one camera, wherein the detector is capable of resolving a particle of interest within the specimen; (c) a means for locating the particle of interest in three dimensions; (d) a means for focusing electromagnetic radiation to a focal volume within the specimen; and (e) a means for adjusting the relative positions of the stage and electromagnetic radiation focusing means, thereby positioning the particle of interest within the focal volume.
US08218838B2 Method and system for assigning a confidence metric for automated determination of optic disc location
A method for assigning a confidence metric for automated determination of optic disc location that includes analyzing a retinal image and determining at least two sets of coordinates locating an optic disc in the retinal image. The sets of coordinates can be determined using first and second image analysis techniques that are different from one another. An accuracy parameter can be calculated and compared to a primary risk cut-off value. A high confidence level can be assigned to the retinal image if the accuracy parameter is less than the primary risk cut-off value and a low confidence level can be assigned to the retinal image if the accuracy parameter is greater than the primary risk cut-off value. The primary risk cut-off value being selected to represent an acceptable risk of misdiagnosis of a disease having retinal manifestations by the automated technique.
US08218837B2 Material composition detection from effective atomic number computation
A technique is provided for computing an atomic number of materials forming an object imaged by a radiological modality. The method includes accessing a first monochromatic image and a second monochromatic image of the object, the first monochromatic image acquired at a first energy level and the second monochromatic image acquired at a second energy level. A ratio of the mass attenuation coefficients between the first monochromatic image and the second monochromatic image may be obtained. The atomic number for a material of the object may be computed based upon the ratio of mass attenuation coefficients.
US08218834B2 Method of analyzing cell structures and their components
A cell is provided that contains a plurality of virus particles. A first image of a first virus particle and a second image of a second virus particle are taken by electron microscopy technology. The first virus particle is characterized as being in a first maturity stage and the second virus particle as being in a second maturity stage. The first image and the second image are transformed to first and second gray scale profiles, respectively, based on pixel data. The first and second gray scale profiles are then saved as first and second templates, respectively. A third virus particle in a third image is identified. The third image is transformed into a third gray scale profile. The third gray scale is compared to the first and second template to determine a maturity stage of the third virus particle.
US08218833B2 Image capturing apparatus, method of determining presence or absence of image area, and recording medium
A detecting unit detects any image area corresponding to a subject from the first image which is reduced resolution of an image that captured by an image capturing unit. With no image area detected as corresponding to the subject, a first control unit deems that an image area corresponding to the subject is absent in the image that captured by the image capturing unit. On the other hand, when the detecting unit detects an image area corresponding to the subject, a first determining unit determines whether or not the image area that detected by the detecting unit is an image area corresponding to the subject. If the area is determined to correspond to the subject, a second control unit deems that an image area corresponding to the subject is present in the image that captured by the image capturing unit.
US08218832B2 Apparatus for detecting feature of driver's face
An apparatus for detecting a gaze direction of a driver is mounted on an automotive vehicle. An image of the driver's face on which infrared rays are incident is reflected on a windshield, and the reflected image is fed into a camera. An outside view entering through the windshield may be subtracted from the image of the driver's face taken into the camera to obtain a clearer image of the driver's face. A gaze direction of the driver is detected by a known method (refer to the Specification) based on the image taken by the camera. A mirror for further reflecting the image reflected on the windshield may be added to the apparatus to position the camera freely in the vehicle. A band-pass filter for allowing only the infrared rays to pass through may be disposed before the camera to suppress an image of outside view entering through the windshield. The gaze direction of the driver is correctly detected without placing the camera in a direct front of the driver.
US08218815B2 Image pick-up apparatus having a function of recognizing a face and method of controlling the apparatus
It is judged whether or not a human face detecting mode is set (S31). When it is determined that the human face detecting mode is set, a two-dimensional face detecting process is performed to detect a human face (S32). When it is determined that a human face has not been detected in the two-dimensional face detecting process, a third-dimensional face detecting process is performed to detect a human face (S35, S36). Meanwhile, an animal face detecting mode is set, a three-dimensional face detecting process is performed to detect a face of an animal corresponding to the set detecting mode (S36). Accuracy of recognizing a face is enhanced.
US08218814B2 Image data processing apparatus and method for object detection and judging suspicious objects
An image processing apparatus such as a monitor system for executing image processing to present a suspicious object effectively. An object detecting unit detects an object contained in an image, an associating unit associates a plurality of objects detected with the object detecting unit, with each other, and an evaluating unit evaluates (e.g., evaluation as being suspicious) an object detected by the object detecting unit, and an association evaluating unit evaluates another object associated by the associating unit with the object evaluated by the evaluating unit, in accordance with the evaluation made by the evaluating unit.
US08218806B2 Unidirectional condenser microphone unit
There is provided a unidirectional condenser microphone unit in which the shield performance of a rear acoustic terminal is assured by simple assembling work without an increase in cost. In a unidirectional condenser microphone unit in which an electrostatic acousto-electric converter is incorporated in a cylindrical, metallic unit case having a front acoustic terminal on the front surface thereof and a rear acoustic terminal on the side surface thereof, and a shielding member 40 for the rear acoustic terminal is provided in the unit case, as the shielding member 40, a shielding plate 42 consisting of a band-shaped and elastic porous metal plate, which has a length La longer than the inner periphery length of the unit case, and is provided with a plurality of tongue pieces 42R1 to 42R3 and 42L1 to 42L3 divided by slits 421 parallel with the lengthwise direction in both end parts 42R and 42L in the lengthwise direction, is used; and the shielding plate 42 is disposed in the unit case 10 in the state in which the shielding plate 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape by overlapping the tongue pieces 42R1 to 42R3 and 42L1 to 42L3 in both the end parts 42R and 42L alternately.
US08218804B2 Switching structures for hearing assistance device
A hearing aid is provided with a switch that automatically, non-manually, controls a configuration of the hearing aid in the presence of a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the switch in the hearing aid is configured to control a filtering configuration of the hearing aid in the presence of a magnetic field.
US08218798B2 Sound processor
A sound processor includes N (N is an integer of five or more) speakers, a sound source configured to output N sound signals an additional sound source configured to output an additional sound signal and a coefficient data input section configured to input N pieces of position information indicating respectively positions of the N speakers and N coefficients indicating respectively volumes of sounds outputted from the N speakers based on the additional sound signal a coefficient data analysis section configured to generate M (M is an integer equal to or greater than two and smaller than N) adjustment coefficients based on said N pieces of position information and the N coefficients wherein the M adjustment coefficients indicate volumes of sounds outputted from M speakers of the N speakers based on the additional sound signal.
US08218793B2 Apparatus and muting circuit
An apparatus and a muting circuit. The apparatus comprises an amplifier, a mute circuit, a pull-down circuit, and a power detection circuit. The amplifier receives a power supply voltage and a common mode voltage, and amplifies an audio input signal to generate an audio output signal. The mute circuit, coupled to the amplifier, conducts the audio output signal to about ground level upon receiving a mute signal. The pull-down circuit, coupled to the amplifier, pulls the common mode voltage to about ground level upon receiving a pull-down signal. The power detection circuit, coupled to the mute circuit and the pull-down circuit, detects power-up or power-down of the power supply voltage, and generates the mute signal and a pull-down signal according to the power-up or power-down operation.
US08218792B2 Autonomous mixer for devices capable of storing and playing audio signals
An apparatus and method for autonomously mixing multiple devices capable of storing and playing audio signals is provided. Multiple devices can be mixed into one standard stereo signal that can then be played on any sort of powered speakers or amplifier. The apparatus is capable of receiving multiple audio inputs and can combine multiple iPods®, iPhones®, MP3 devices, or other devices capable of storing and playing audio signals, such that more than one device can be played at one time. No human intervention is required to control the device when the device is in autonomous mode. The autonomous mode can include random song playback using multiple devices.
US08218790B2 Techniques for customizing control of volume level in device playback
User interface signals representing volume change requests are converted to volume control signals using a mapping. The mapping is overridden (modified) within a given time interval after starting (which includes resuming) playback. During this interval, the mapping for volume decreases is modified so that the resulting volume decreases are accelerated relative to those that would be generated by the default mapping. This allows the user to quickly reduce the volume of the device when begins playing very loud music. The mapping for volume increases can be modified during this interval.
US08218782B2 Headphone device, signal processing device, and signal processing method
A headphone device includes: a sound reproduction unit having a diaphragm which is configured to perform sound reproduction based on a sound signal; a sound pickup unit configured to perform a sound pickup operation; a filtering unit configured to apply filtering to a picked-up sound signal obtained by the sound pickup unit, to give a noise-cancelling signal characteristic; a combining unit configured to combine the picked-up sound signal that has undergone filtering, and a listening sound signal which is inputted separately, to generate a sound signal supplied to the sound reproduction unit; and an abnormality determination unit configured to determine occurrence or non-occurrence of an abnormal sound, on the basis of a result of level detection of a sound signal obtained within a sound signal processing system that includes the filtering unit and the combining unit and is formed between the sound pickup unit and the sound reproduction unit.
US08218778B2 Method for showing array microphone effect
A method for showing an array microphone effect includes the steps of obtaining an original acoustic signal from array microphones, and visualizing the original acoustic signal to obtain a figure. The original acoustic signal includes a crystal voice, out-beam noises, background noise, and/or an echo. The figure includes a plurality of graphic components representing the crystal voice, out-beam noise, background noise, and/or echo, respectively.
US08218775B2 Joint enhancement of multi-channel audio
An overall encoding procedure and associated decoding procedure are presented. The encoding procedure involves at least two signal encoding processes operating on signal representations of a set of audio input channels. Local synthesis is used in connection with a first encoding process to generate a locally decoded signal, including a representation of the encoding error of the first encoding process. This locally decoded signal is applied as input to a second encoding process. The overall encoding procedure generates at least two residual encoding error signals from at least one of said encoding processes, including at least said second encoding process. The residual error signals are then subjected to compound residual encoding in a further encoding process, preferably based on correlation between the residual error signals.
US08218774B2 Apparatus and method for processing continuous wave fields propagated in a room
An apparatus for processing an input signal, wherein the input signal comprises a plurality of subsignals associated to discrete transmitters or receivers, wherein the discrete transmitters or receivers are disposed at predetermined geometrical positions with regard to a room, comprises a means for providing a plurality of wave-field components, wherein a superposition of the plurality of wave-field components results in a composite wave field, wherein the composite wave field can be propagated in the room, wherein the plurality of wave-field components are derived from the input signal by wave field decomposition based on orthogonal wave field base functions and the predetermined geometrical positions, a plurality of single filters, wherein a wave-field component of the plurality of wave-field components is associated to a single filter, wherein the single filter is formed to influence the associated wave-field component such that with regard to the plurality of single filters a plurality of filtered wave-field components representing a processed input signal are obtained on the output side.
US08218758B2 Sliding rail structure of a sliding cell phone and its methods
A sliding rail of a sliding closure mobile phone includes a sliding rail fixing part fixed on the body of the mobile phone, a sliding rail sliding strip, and a sliding rail moving part fixed connected on the sliding closure of the mobile phone. The sliding rail sliding strip is set between the sliding rail fixing part and the sliding rail moving part for noise cancelling and sliding. Several lug bosses are set at the coupling position of the sliding rail sliding strip and the sliding rail fixing part for adapting to and holding the sliding rail fixing part.
US08218756B2 User-controllable equalization for telephony
A system, method and apparatus is described that permits a user to configure or select the manner in which an audio signal transmitted or received over a telephony system, such as a wideband telephony system, is shaped or equalized. An implementation of the present invention allows a user to configure or select equalization control parameters on a call-by-call basis. Furthermore, an implementation of the present invention allows a user to associate equalization control parameters with a party initiating a call and/or a party receiving the call, thereby facilitating automated equalizer adjustment at call connection based on an identification of the calling party and/or the called party.
US08218754B2 System, method and software for transitioning between speech-enabled applications using action-object matrices
A system, method and software are described for facilitating transitions between speech-enabled applications employing action-object matrices. In an exemplary embodiment, an automatic call router determines a service agent destination by identifying an action-object combination included in a user utterance. In addition to forwarding the user to the service agent destination, the automatic call router sends one or more aspects of the user utterance to the service agent for use therewith. The service agent may then use aspects of the forwarded information to request further information from the user or to begin performance of a user desired transaction.
US08218751B2 Method and apparatus for identifying and eliminating the source of background noise in multi-party teleconferences
A mechanism is provided that allows participants on the conference call to identify, and then mute or filter, a participant(s) responsible for introducing the noise, regardless of whether the noise is caused by transmission impairments or by the participant(s) being in a noisy location. For example, individual users could be able to press a “test” button that could block each of the participants one at a time. This would allow the source of the noise to be identified. This “test button” could be one or more of provided at the endpoint(s), be enabled through a web interface or, for example, through a dedicated conference call interface at the endpoint(s) or at the conference bridge. The blocking of each participant could occur through interaction with the main PBX using, for example, in-band signaling to the PBX. Once the source(s) of the noise is identified, noise mitigation can be applied as needed.
US08218749B2 Enabling multi-party call in telephone system
An apparatus includes a base unit and cordless handsets configured to establish a call with a communication apparatus, and a storage unit configured to store information corresponding to the communication apparatus indicating whether a multi-party call among the communication apparatus and at least two of the base unit and the cordless handsets is permitted. Also, a processing unit is configured to determine whether to enable a multi-party call among one communication apparatus, and at least two of the base unit and the cordless handsets based on the information. A method for use with the apparatus can include, in response to receiving a call from one communication apparatus, determining whether to enable a multi-party call to be established among the one communication apparatus and at least two of the base unit and the cordless handsets based on the information.
US08218748B2 Telephone call chaining
A telephone system connects a user to a plurality of telephone call participants in a sequence of calls referred to as a “call chain.” Features of each call in the chain, such as the telephone number(s) of the participant(s) to be called and the scheduled duration of the call, may be stored in a computer-readable record. A first telephone call is established between the user and the first participant in the call chain. The first telephone call may be terminated automatically by the system upon expiration of a predetermined maximum duration or when the first participant hangs up the telephone. Upon termination of the first telephone call, a second telephone call is established between the user and the second participant in the call chain. A third and subsequent telephone calls may be established between the user and the subsequent participants in the call chain in the same manner.
US08218745B2 Method for selection and routing of an outbound voice call to an appropriate network for completion
A method of initiating a call includes receiving an identifier associated with a called party, the identifier being generated by a telephone handset. The method further includes determining a network category associated with the called party and generating an instruction to initiate a call by the telephone handset on one of at least two networks accessible for communication by the telephone handset. The one of at least two networks is selected by the instruction in response to the determined network category associated with the called party.
US08218744B2 Method for indicating the context of a call to a called party
In embodiments of the disclosed technology, a plurality of ratings of websites is received, wherein each rating is associated with a category and a rater and each rater is associated with at least one group. A selection of a category is received from the user, wherein the user is associated with at least one group. One website location (or a plurality of website locations) is provided in the category to the user based on at least one rating of the plurality of ratings provided by at least one of the raters, wherein at least one group associated with the rater and at least one the group associated with the user are the same group.
US08218740B2 Method for providing hysteresis to fluctuating signaling ink
A signaling node within a telecommunications network automatically detects that a signaling link is fluctuating in and out of service and provides hysteresis to the fluctuating signaling link. The signaling node includes a link controller that monitors the state(s) of the signaling link over a time period and a link blocking module that blocks the signaling link from carrying SS7 traffic when the signaling link fluctuates between a failed state and a stable state over the time period.
US08218736B1 Methods and systems for confirming message delivery
Methods and systems for processing messages and providing notifications regarding the same are described. An optional embodiment includes a telecommunications interface, a data network interface, and an answering system coupled to the telecommunications interface and the data network interface, the call processing system configured to receive a first call from a caller via the telecommunications interface, store a message from the caller, transmit a message notification using the data network to the intended recipient of the call via which the intended recipient can access the message, and transmit information related to the intended recipient's receipt of the message.
US08218734B2 Messaging with a locked communication device
A communication device supports leaving a message using a communication device input interface when the device is in a locked state. The communication device may be a network telephone having a display interface and a user input interface. The communication device may be configured to transition to a locked state, store a message based on input received at the locked communication device, and present the message to an intended recipient. The message may be presented to the intended recipient upon unlocking the device (e.g., stored locally and presented when the phone is unlocked), presented to the intended recipient in accordance with communication settings (e.g., delivered to an email account, cell phone, etc.), or otherwise delivered.
US08218726B2 Imaging tomography apparatus with built-in energy storage to cover high power operation
An imaging tomography apparatus has electronic components provided to operate the tomography apparatus, with at least one of the electronic components exhibiting a power consumption in high power operation that is significantly increased relative to power consumption in normal operation. The imaging tomography apparatus has an energy storage that, in high power operation, supplies the at least one electronic component with additional electrical energy to cover an energy demand due to the difference in power consumption between normal operation and high power operation. The provision of the additional electrical power in high power operation by means of the energy storage allows the modules that participate in the power supply of the at least one electronic component to be realized with lower cost. Such participating modules can be, for example: the mains connection, junction boxes with power switches (safeguards); a transformer, a rectifier, cables, slip ring brushes, slip ring tracks, etc.
US08218723B2 Support system for breast irradiation
A support system for breast irradiation including a turntable for supporting and rotating a patient about a generally vertical rotational axis, a body-leaning support for supporting the patient leaning thereupon throughout rotation of the patient about the vertical rotational axis, and a radiation shield arranged for shielding non-breast anatomy of the patient from stray radiation, wherein the body-leaning support and the radiation shield are separated from each other by a gap in which breasts of the patient are placeable for irradiation by a horizontal radiation beam.
US08218712B1 Method and apparatus for dividing clock frequencies
A method and apparatus for dividing clock frequencies are disclosed. For example, a circuit according to one embodiment of includes a high-speed divider and a plurality of programmable dividers cascading with the high-speed divider, wherein the plurality of programmable dividers are of a lower speed than the high-speed divider.
US08218709B2 Nuclear plant and method for the pressure relief in a nuclear plant
A nuclear installation has a reactor containment which is connected to a pressure relief line. A Venturi scrubber, which is arranged in a vessel containing a washing liquid, and a throttle device are connected in series in the pressure relief line. The novel system restrains, with particularly high reliability, fine air-transported activities or aerosols during decompression such that release thereof into the environment is practically impossible. The Venturi scrubber and the throttle device are dimensioned in such a way that, in the case of a critical drop in pressure of an air-vapor mixture flowing in the decompression line, a flow speed of said air-vapor mixture of more than 150 m/s, preferably more than 200 m/s, can be adjusted with respect to the throttle device in the Venturi scrubber.
US08218699B2 Channel impulse response estimate management
A method of steering a channel estimation search window, the method comprising providing a series of raw CIR tap values to span a channel estimation search window containing a sub-window whose contents are intended to be passed for further processing to produce a refined CIR estimate, determining, amongst a plurality of groups of continuous tap values within the window, the group containing the largest amount of signal energy and time-shifting the window as necessary to arrange that the group so determined occupies the sub-window.
US08218689B2 Wireless communication device and mobile station
The occurrence of reception errors due to failure to discriminate between a new transmission and a retransmission is reduced by a wireless communication comprising a storage unit operable to store received data; and a decoding unit operable to obtain a first decoding result by decoding new received data, which is not combined with the stored received data, and which obtains a second decoding result by decoding the new received data, which is combined with the stored received data.
US08218687B2 Frequency dependent I/Q imbalance estimation
A receiver estimates I/Q imbalance in I and Q input signals using circuitry to separate different frequency components of the I and Q input signals, and estimation circuitry arranged to estimate I/Q imbalance at the different frequency bands. The separating of the bands may be carried out in the frequency domain, and may involve combining corresponding values representing corresponding negative and positive frequency bands, and converting the separated frequency domain representations to a time domain representation before the estimation. The estimated imbalance may be used to correct the I and Q signals at the different frequency bands.
US08218673B2 Method and system for providing a dual-channel beacon signal in a wireless network
A method for providing a dual-channel beacon signal to protect a low-power device in a wireless network is provided. The method includes generating a beacon message in a first logical channel and generating a detection signal in a second logical channel. The first logical channel and the second logical channel are mapped into a first physical channel and a second physical channel. The second physical channel is orthogonal to the first physical channel. The dual-channel beacon signal is transmitted by simultaneously transmitting the beacon message and the detection signal in the first physical channel and the second physical channel.
US08218671B2 Receiving apparatus, receiving method and communication system
To obtain excellent reception performance while cutting down the amount of computing operation in a MIMO communication system using soft-decision error correction coding. Received waves picked up by receiving antennas 401-1 to 401-R are converted from the radio frequency to the baseband signal by respective receivers 402-1 to 402-R to be output as a received signal. A signal detector 403 calculates bit LLRs of the transmitted signal based on the received signal and the channel-estimated values obtained from a channel estimator 404. The bit LLRs output from signal detector 403 are rearranged by deinterleaver units 405-1 to 405-T in the patterns opposite to the patterns in which interleaving was performed on the transmission side. The bit LLRs after de-interleaving are subjected to an error correction decoding process through decoders 406-1 to 406-T. The bit sequences after decoding are parallel-to-serial converted by a parallel-to-serial converter 407 so that the detected transmission bit sequence is output.
US08218669B2 Spectrally flat delay diversity transmission
Delay diversity is implemented within a wireless system in a manner that can achieve a relatively flat spectrum in a receiving device. In at least one embodiment, phase shift values from an orthogonal P×N matrix A are used to provide phase shifts to a data packet to be transmitted from N transmit antennas, in a single spatial stream, to a remote wireless device. The matrix A is an orthogonal matrix with A·AT=P·I and P≧N. Delay diversity values are also provided to the data packet before transmission.
US08218665B2 Symbol time synchronization method for OFDM systems
A symbol time synchronization method for OFDM systems is disclosed. The invention presents a joint maximum-likelihood (ML) synchronization method for symbol time offset (STO) in OFDM systems. The method is developed in frequency domain under time-variant multipath channels. By analyzing the received frequency-domain data, a mathematical model for the joint effects of symbol time offset (STO), carrier frequency offset (CFO) and sampling clock frequency offset (SCFO) is derived. The results are used to formulate a log-likelihood function of two consecutive symbols. The joint estimation's method is robust, because it exhibits high performances in high mobility and time-variant multipath fading channels.
US08218661B2 OFDMA based medium access control and frame structure design for industrial applications
A network includes a master and a set of slaves that communicate orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and time division multiple access (TDMA) symbols on sub-carriers. A master broadcasts to the set of slaves using downlinks and all of the sub-carriers, a broadcast polling packet including data packets for each slave and sub-carrier assignments for the slaves. Each slave, in response to receiving the downlink polling packet, transmits simultaneously a response packet to the master using uplinks and the assigned sub-carriers. The master then transmits to the set of slave using the downlinks and all of the sub-carriers, a group acknowledgement packet, wherein the broadcast polling packet, the response packet, and the group acknowledgement packet comprise one superframe in one communication cycle, and wherein the broadcasting on the downlinks and the transmitting on the uplinks are disjoint in time.
US08218646B2 Moving image encoding apparatus, moving image encoding method, and program
A moving image encoding apparatus includes a first-step encoding section for executing a plurality of times first-step encoding by use of different quantization control variables; a code-amount estimation section for estimating, for all the quantization control variables, an amount of codes generated for each frame by making use of a plurality of results of the encoding; a code-amount allocation section for allocating an amount of codes for each frame on the basis of results of the estimation; and a second-step encoding section for executing second-step encoding on the basis of the amount of codes allocated to each frame. The first-step encoding section changes the number of times of execution of the encoding in accordance with the attribute of each frame, and omits a portion of processes contained in the coding process in the second and subsequent executions of the encoding process.
US08218642B2 Macro-block video stream encoding
A video stream encoding apparatus and method therefore is herein described. The video stream encoding apparatus includes a divider for dividing a frame in a video stream into a plurality of processing units, each processing unit including a plurality of macro-blocks; and an encoder for encoding the plurality of macro-blocks in each processing unit in parallel. The same quantization parameters are used for respective macro-blocks in the same processing unit in the quantization of the encoder. By the apparatus and the method of the invention, dependencies between macro-blocks are broken, and the precision of high rate controlling is kept while encoding the respective macro-blocks in parallel.
US08218639B2 Method for pixel prediction with low complexity
A method including: calculating a prediction of a first block of pixels in a second video frame with a temporal position between a first and a third video frame from a first motion vector of pixel position components relative to spatial pixel positions of the first block referring the first video frame and a third motion vector of pixel position components relative to spatial pixel positions of the first block referring the third video frame, wherein a second block of pixels in the third video frame spatially collocated with the first block is predicted from a second motion vector of pixel position components relative to spatial pixel positions of the second block referring the first video frame.
US08218632B2 Frame interpolation apparatus and frame interpolation method
A frame interpolation apparatus generates a pixel value at an interpolation position by examining pairs of pixel blocks, one from a preceding reference frame and one from a following reference frame, located in positions that are point-symmetric or nearly point-symmetric with respect to the interpolation position. The pair of pixel blocks showing the greatest mutual similarity is selected, the central pixels in the selected pair of pixel blocks are taken as reference pixels, and the interpolated pixel value is generated from the reference pixel values. By routinely examining a large number of pairs of pixel blocks for each interpolation position, the frame interpolation apparatus can detect image motion accurately and generate accurate interpolated values.
US08218631B2 Video frame encoding and decoding
A video frame arithmetical context adaptive encoding and decoding scheme is presented which is based on the finding, that, for sake of a better definition of neighborhood between blocks of picture samples, i.e. the neighboring block which the syntax element to be coded or decoded relates to and the current block based on the attribute of which the assignment of a context model is conducted, and when the neighboring block lies beyond the borders or circumference of the current macroblock containing the current block, it is important to make the determination of the macroblock containing the neighboring block dependent upon as to whether the current macroblock pair region containing the current block is of a first or a second distribution type, i.e., frame or field coded.
US08218629B2 Encoding and/or decoding system, medium, and method with spatial prediction and spatial prediction compensation of image data
An encoding and/or decoding system, medium, and method with spatial prediction and spatial prediction compensation. The system may include a spatial prediction unit that spatially predicts pixel values of a current block of an image using neighboring blocks in a row immediately above the current block among neighboring blocks that are spatially adjacent to the current block. The spatial prediction unit performs spatial prediction using replaced pixel values of neighboring blocks in a row immediately above the current block every predetermined row unit, with the pixel values of neighboring blocks in a row immediately above the current block every predetermined row unit being replaced with a predetermined reference value.
US08218626B2 Encoding control apparatus, encoding control method, and storage medium
An encoding control apparatus is disclosed that includes a variance calculation unit configured to calculate a variance of an encoding target macroblock; a sum-of-absolute-difference calculation unit configured to calculate a sum of absolute differences between the encoding target macroblock and a reference macroblock; a setting unit configured to set, based on the variance and the sum of absolute differences, a standard for determining whether to skip encoding of the encoding target macroblock; a prediction unit configured to perform motion compensation prediction on the encoding target macroblock to obtain a motion-compensated prediction value; and a determination unit configured to determine whether to skip encoding of the encoding target macroblock by comparing the motion-compensated prediction value with the standard. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.
US08218625B2 Encoding, decoding and representing high dynamic range images
A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
US08218618B2 Method and device for lossy coding of a digital signal
Lossy coding of a digital signal for transmission over a communication system, involving determination of at least one coding parameter reducing the distortion due to the coding under a rate constraint by taking account of the possible variations over time of several parameters of the communication system among the bandwidth, the filling ratio, the processing load and the delay between the coding and the decoding.
US08218613B2 Channel estimator and channel estimation method
The invention discloses a double-estimation channel estimator for calculating a plurality of accurate channel responses from a plurality of synchronization signals. The channel estimator includes a first channel estimator, a second channel estimator, a first equalizer, and a calculation module. The first channel estimator calculates first channel responses according to a plurality of pilot signals and the synchronization signals. The first equalizer calculates first equalization signals according to the first channel responses and the synchronization signals. The second channel estimator calculates second responses according to the first equalization signals and the synchronization signals. Then the calculation module calculates third channel responses according to the first channel responses and the second channel responses.
US08218609B2 Closed-loop rate control for a multi-channel communication system
Closed-loop rate control for data transmission on multiple parallel channels is provided. An inner loop estimates the channel conditions for a communication link and selects a suitable data rate for each of the multiple parallel channels based on the channel estimates. For each parallel channel, a received SNR is computed based on the channel estimates, an operating SNR is computed based on the received SNR and an SNR offset for the parallel channel, and the data rate is selected based on the operating SNR for the parallel channel and a set of required SNRs for a set of data rates supported by the system. An outer loop estimates the quality of data transmissions received on the multiple parallel channels and adjusts the operation of the inner loop. For example, the SNR offset for each parallel channel is adjusted based on the status of packets received on that parallel channel.
US08218605B2 Preamble for synchronization
A method for generating a preamble signal for a wireless communication system including the step of combining a plurality of different short PN sequences into a long PN sequence, wherein one of the plurality of short PN sequences includes information that is configured for coarse timing synchronization, and the long PN sequence includes information that is configured for fine timing synchronization.
US08218603B2 Simple and robust digital code tracking loop for wireless communication systems
A simple and robust CTL is used for time tracking of multipath components of a spread spectrum signal transmitted over a wireless multipath fading channel. A digital code-tracking loop includes the implementations of despreading early and late data samples by use of a pseudonoise sequence, an error signal output generated by the despreading, and adjustment for a plurality of on-time, early and late samples, a data rate of a control signal provided as a fractional proportion of a data rate of error signals.
US08218600B2 Frequency hopping network with a guaranteed handoff delay
A system and method for operating a communications system network, the method including operating an access point (AP) acting as a network controller in a frequency hopping network, the AP communicating with other communication devices of the network over m number of frequencies using a hopping sequence of at least some of the m number of frequencies and a dwell time d for the plurality of frequencies; and operating a communication device seeking to establish synchronized communication with other communication devices of the frequency hopping network without any cross-AP coordination, the communication device scanning all of the m number of frequencies using a scanning time s for each of the m number of frequencies; and, wherein the scanning time s is no greater than 1/m of the AP dwell time d.
US08218599B2 Method and apparatus for multiple access over a communication channel
A communication technique based on direct sequence spread spectrum signaling employs, for all users sharing an access channel, a single spreading code that has a duration sufficiently longer than the symbol length that the likelihood of confusion between users is minimized if not eliminated. The length of the spreading code is sufficiently long that contention events can occur only when two bursts occur at the receiver within one chip time of one another.
US08218594B2 Vertical cavity surface emitting laser
The present invention provides a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser including: a first multilayer film reflector; an active layer having a light emission region; a second multilayer film reflector; and a reflectance adjustment layer in this order on a substrate side. The first multilayer film reflector and the second multilayer film reflector have a laminated structure in which reflectance of oscillation wavelength λx is almost constant without depending on temperature change. The active layer is made of a material with which a maximum gain is obtained at temperature higher than ambient temperature. The reflectance adjustment layer has a laminated structure in which difference ΔR(=Rx−Ry) between reflectance Rx of a region opposed to a central region of the light emission region and reflectance Ry of a region opposed to an outer edge region of the light emission region is increased associated with temperature increase from ambient temperature to high temperature.
US08218589B1 High-energy laser atmospheric compensation and aimpoint maintenance
A high-energy laser weapon system in which the high-energy laser beam itself is used to correct for atmospheric fluctuations thereby replacing a separate beacon illuminator system. The high-energy laser is turned off (negative pulse) periodically for a very short period giving a wavefront sensor an opportunity to measure the return of the high-energy laser beam from the target. A wavefront sensor drives a deformable mirror based on this return signal avoiding wavelength anisoplanatism. In addition, the high-energy laser weapon can be snapped ahead of the path of the target during the negative pulse to avoid tilt anisoplanitism.
US08218588B1 Compact efficient seeded MID-IR OPO OPA laser
A diode-pumped solid state pulsed laser includes an intracavity nonlinear crystal for wavelength conversion by difference frequency mixing and a secondary resonant cavity containing an additional nonlinear crystal for parametric amplification. Primary and secondary cavities are capable of injection seeding and wavelength stabilization resulting in a very narrow, stable, and well defined spectral output. The combination of pump diode pulsing, the implementation of the intracavity parametric oscillator and parametric amplifier results in very efficient operation. Optical fiber coupled parametric oscillator byproduct light allows simple and non-invasive wavelength diagnostics and monitoring upon connection to an optical spectrum analyzer.
US08218568B2 Method and apparatus for synchronization of RF module activities
An apparatus and method for synchronizing RF activities comprising receiving a notification relating to transmission activities; determining at least one of a plurality of RF modules to relay the notification; and relaying the notification to at least one of the plurality of RF modules.
US08218561B2 Flow redirection employing state information
In an example embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus comprising a first interface configured to receive a packet from a client, a second interface configured to transmit the packet to a server, a third interface configured to communicate with at least one processing device, redirection module in communication with the first interface, the second interface and the third interface, and flow monitoring and state information module in communication with the first interface, the second interface, the third interface and the redirection module. Responsive to receipt of the packet on the first interface, the redirection module is operable to communicate with the flow monitoring and state information module whether state information exists for the packet, the state information comprising an address for a processing device. The redirection module is operable to route the packet to the processing device responsive to determining state information exists for the packet.
US08218555B2 Gigabit ethernet adapter
A gigabit Ethernet adapter provides a provides a low-cost, low-power, easily manufacturable, small form-factor network access module which has a low memory demand and provides a highly efficient protocol decode. The invention comprises a hardware-integrated system that both decodes multiple network protocols in a byte-streaming manner concurrently and processes packet data in one pass, thereby reducing system memory and form factor requirements, while also eliminating software CPU overhead. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of protocol state machines that decode network protocols such as TCP, IP, User Datagram Protocol (UDP), PPP, Raw Socket, RARP, ICMP, IGMP, iSCSI, RDMA, and FCIP concurrently as each byte is received. Each protocol handler parses, interprets, and strips header information immediately from the packet, requiring no intermediate memory. The invention provides an Internet tuner core, peripherals, and external interfaces. A network stack processes, generates and receives network packets. An internal programmable processor controls the network stack and handles any other types of ICMP packets, IGMP packets, or packets corresponding to other protocols not supported directly by dedicated hardware. A virtual memory manager is implemented in optimized, hardwired logic. The virtual memory manager allows the use of a virtual number of network connections which is limited only by the amount of internal and external memory available.
US08218553B2 Load balancing network traffic on a label switched path using resource reservation protocol with traffic engineering
Techniques are describe for establishing an overall label switched path (LSP) for load balancing network traffic being sent across a network using the a resource reservation protocol such as Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE). The techniques include extensions to the RSVP-TE protocol that enable a router to send Path messages for establishing a tunnel that includes a plurality of sub-paths for the overall LSP. The tunnel may comprise a single RSVP-TE Label Switched Path (LSP) that is configured to load balance network traffic across different sub-paths of the RSVP-TE LSP over the network.
US08218550B2 Method and system for routing traffic in ad hoc networks
The present invention relates to a method for efficient routing in a multiple hop wireless communication network. The routing method comprise the steps of providing link status information by acquiring link status quality between nodes in the network, updating a routing element (101) with said link status information, determining an appropriate route according to said link status information with respect to traffic content, and routing traffic according to said determined appropriate route.
US08218549B2 Synchronization of message stream in a multi-tier messaging system
A group communication service is adapted for multi-point to multi-point communication. Identical message streams are received by a tier of processing servers from a tier of sources. The processing servers deliver the message streams to a tier of destinations. The group communication service enables the processing servers to deal with newly added message streams and deleted message streams while preserving total ordering.
US08218541B2 Method and device for forming, transferring and receiving transport packets encapsulating data representative of an image sequence
The present invention relates to a method of forming transport packets for transmitting, from a server device to at least two client devices, data representative of a coded image sequence, the coded data being encapsulated in transport packets comprising a first portion composed of a plurality of fields and a second portion. The method comprises the steps of obtaining (E40) a routing cue for each client device, of forming (E43) at least one transport packet on the basis of coded data, and of modifying (E45) at least one field of the first portion of each transport packet formed as a function of at least one routing cue obtained.The invention also relates to an associated device for forming packets, a transfer method and devices and a method and device for receiving transport packets formed according to the method briefly described above.
US08218532B1 Arrangement for dynamically diverting communications having characteristics incompatible with a communication device to another device
A monitoring device monitors headers of packets on a communications session with a primary communications device, and when it detects packets of a medium that is incompatible with the primary device, it causes those packets to be diverted to a secondary device that is associated with the primary device and that is compatible with that medium. During set-up of the communications session, the monitoring device replaces or supplements the handshake of the primary device, thereby providing to the network a single handshake that identifies the media supported by the combination of the primary and secondary devices.
US08218530B2 Seamless handoff between access networks with saved session information
More seamless handoff between access networks is achieved by saving session information for each access network upon being handed off from the access network and invoking the saved session information upon being handed back to the access network. An access terminal establishes a first session with a first access network, which may entail performing QoS negotiation with the first access network and setting up packet filters at a packet data gateway. The access terminal exchanges data with the first access network in accordance with the configuration of the first session. The access terminal saves the first session configuration after being handed off to a second access network, establishes a second session with the second access network, and exchanges data with the second access network in accordance with the configuration of the second session. The access terminal uses the saved first session configuration upon being handed back to the first access network.
US08218527B2 Personal IP toll-free number
In an internet telephony system, toll-free service and the calls that are accepted and paid for can be specified by the IP telephony system user to be limited according to the calling party's identity, time of day, day of week or other criteria. Data that is used to screen or filter incoming calls is programmed into a call manager by the IP telephone system user's broadband residential gateway. Using such a system the user can carefully screen calls that are paid for and more closely control telecommunications service costs. More generally, the user has the ability to store predefined call handling criteria, which may be executed by the broadband residential gateway and/or the call manager.
US08218518B2 Interleaver interface for a software-defined radio system
A software-defined radio (SDR) system that operates under a plurality of wireless communication standards. The SDR system comprises a reconfigurable maximum aposteriori probability (MAP) decoder capable of being configured under software control to decode a received data block according to a select wireless communication standard and a reconfigurable interleaver associated with the reconfigurable MAP decoder. The reconfigurable interleaver comprises a reconfigurable interleaver core circuitry capable of being configured under software control to operate according to the selected wireless communication standard and a unified interleaver interface for coupling a defined set of control and bus signals from the reconfigurable MAP decoder to the reconfigurable interleaver core circuitry.
US08218515B2 Communication control apparatus and communication control program
A communication control apparatus comprises a terminal control part that generates available-terminal information representing a communication terminal belonging to a group of available-terminals and also generates call-status information representing one of the communication terminals having calls and also representing the media of the communication terminals; a terminal/media selecting part that, upon detection of an event occurrence, if the call-status information matches terminal/media information of a terminal/media information storing part and further if changed-terminal/media information of the terminal/media information storing part is included in the available-terminal information, then determines the communication terminal represented by the changed-terminal/media information as a communication terminal to be incorporated into the calls of the media of the communication terminals; and a session control part that establishes a call of the medium of the determined communication terminal between the determined communication terminal and a communication terminal of another user.
US08218514B2 Wireless data communications network system for tracking containers
A wireless data communications network system for establishing communication between a server and a plurality of containers that are loaded onto a cargo vessel. The system includes a data communications device configured to establish and manage a pre-configured wireless data communications network and to communicate with the server through a local area network, and a plurality of electronic tracking devices each having a wireless transceiver and routing capabilities and configured to be joined to a container and to connect to the wireless data communications network upon being activated. The data communications device is configured to intermittently perform a network scan to locate each tracking device connected to the network and reconfigure the network topology to include each connected tracking devices such that the data communications device maintains mutual communication with each connected tracking device using the routing capabilities of the tracking devices.
US08218512B2 Distribution of session keys to the selected multiple access points based on geo-location of APs
In the public WLAN systems, reliable user re-authentication for mobility support is an essential step. However, re-authentication during handoff procedures causes long handoff latency which deteriorates the quality of service specifically for real-time multimedia applications. One possible solution is to authenticate the Mobile Node (MN) in advance with all the neighboring Access Points (APs) and distribute the Session Keys to them. However, the key issue is how to optimally and efficiently select the neighboring APs. In the preferred embodiments, we propose a system that takes into account the user current “Geo-Location”, “Mobility Pattern” and “Application Running on MN”; estimates the “Expected Mobility Zone” (EMZ) and selects an appropriate set of candidate APs corresponding to the MN's geo-location. The EMZ may comprise of APs belonging to “Intra-domain”, “Inter-domain” or “Inter-technology Networks” (e.g., WLAN, WiMAX, and Cellular etc). The system assumes that not only the Mobile Nodes but also the Fixed Nodes (APs or Base Stations) are capable of knowing their Geo-Location Coordinates X, Y, Z. This capability may come either by integrating GPS receiver or through any other alternate, state of the art or future positioning technologies in the APs.
US08218509B2 Dynamic allocation of communication resources in a wireless system
A method of receiving information by a wireless communication device is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of wireless subframes at a periodic interval, wherein an interval duration of the periodic interval is greater than a duration of each of the plurality of wireless subframes. The method further includes determining for each wireless subframe of the plurality whether the wireless subframe includes a grant resource that indicates that a resource unit pattern of a plurality of selectively assignable resource unit patterns of resource units of the subframe includes information for the communication device. A method of transmitting information by the wireless communication device is also provided.
US08218490B2 GGSN proxy for one tunnel solution
A method for roaming of a wireless mobile communication unit, a service support node and a proxy gateway support node for roaming between Public Land Mobile Networks, as well as a mobile communication infrastructure network arranged to handle roaming between different PLMN areas, where the support node is located in a current PLMN and arranged to send a context request to a first service support node in another PLMN for a user equipment, receive a context response from the first service support node, send a context acknowledgement to the first service support node, send an update location message to a home location register of the user equipment, receive a relocate PDP context response from the second proxy gateway support node and send a relocate PDP context request to a second proxy gateway support node in the current PLMN.
US08218486B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving packet in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus are provided for receiving, by an access network (AN), reception strength of a forward pilot channel, measured and reported by each access terminal (AT), as forward data rate information, and transmitting packet data to each AT according to the forward data rate information. When the number of repeated transmission slots for packet data transmitted based on the forward data rate information is greater than or equal to two, the AN repeatedly transmits the packet data as many times as the number of slots, which is less than the number of repeated transmission slots, and transmits new packet data through the remaining slots.
US08218479B2 Method and apparatus for processing a multi-code word assignment in wireless communication systems
A method and apparatus for processing a Multi-code word assignment is provided, comprising receiving a MCW-FLAB1, determining value of supplemental field in the MCW-FLAB1 received with a MACID of an access terminal from the SS MAC protocol with a supplemental field, determining whether a MCW-FLAB2 is received with MACID in a same PHY frame and processing the MCW-FLAB1 based upon whether the MCW-FLAB2 is received and the value of the supplemental field.
US08218477B2 Method of detecting wireless network faults
A wireless communication system includes the ability to determine that a fault condition associated with at least a portion of a cell associated with a base station is likely. Disclosed examples include using information regarding call activity levels of various portions of a cell for determining an expected call activity level for at least one portion of the cell. One example includes using the least active portion of the cell as the portion of interest. Previously observed activity levels provide information to automatically determine an expected relationship between the activity levels of the portions of the cell. Disclosed examples include determining whether a deviation between the actual call activity level and the expected call activity level is statistically significant enough to indicate a fault condition with at least the portion of the cell, which is of interest.
US08218474B2 Bandwidth allocation in satellite communication networks
There is described a method for allocating bandwidth in a satellite communication system comprising a plurality of terminals, the method comprising: at each one of the plurality of terminals: sending a local terminal bandwidth request to a centralized bandwidth manager and to all other terminals of the plurality of terminals via a satellite; receiving a centralized bandwidth allocation for a first group of applications from the centralized bandwidth manager; receiving other terminal bandwidth requests from the other terminals, extracting requests for a second group of applications, and generating a decentralized bandwidth allocation according to a set of bandwidth allocation rules common to all of the plurality of terminals; and generating a global bandwidth allocation using the centralized bandwidth allocation and the decentralized bandwidth allocation.
US08218466B2 Methods and apparatus for changing paging parameters in a communication system
A base station and a subscriber station may negotiate paging parameters so that the subscriber station can enter idle mode. After the subscriber station has entered idle mode, the base station may change at least one paging parameter at the base station. The base station may direct the subscriber station to change at least one paging parameter at the subscriber station after the subscriber station has entered idle mode. The subscriber station may change at least one paging parameter at the subscriber station after the subscriber station has entered idle mode.
US08218461B2 Apparatus and method for supporting relay service in multihop relay wireless communication system
Apparatus and method for supporting a relay service in a multihop relay wireless communication system are provided. The method includes setting Tx/Rx mode switch region information of a Relay Station (RS). A signal is sent to a Mobile Station (MS) traveling in a service coverage during a first interval of a DownLink (DL) subframe according to resource allocation information. The mode switch region information and a signal are sent over a second interval of the DL subframe. Accordingly, the RS can communicate with a Base Station (BS) with accurate synchronization.
US08218460B2 Network entity, method and computer program product for mixing signals during a conference session
A network entity, method and computer program product are provided for effectuating a conference session. The method may include receiving a plurality of signals representative of voice communication of the participants. In this regard, the signals may be received from a plurality of terminals of a respective plurality of participants at one of the locations, each of at least some of the terminals otherwise being configured for voice communication independent of at least some of the other terminals. The method of this aspect also includes classifying speech activity of the conference session according to a speech pause, or one or more actively-speaking participants, during the conference session. The signals of the respective participants may then be mixed into a at least one mixed signal for output to one or more other participants at one or more other locations, the signals being mixed based upon classification of the speech activity.
US08218458B2 Method and apparatus for voice conference monitoring
This method and apparatus is used to process call control protocol messages and quality of service media streams from an internet protocol conferencing session. The status and attributes processed from call control protocol messages are combined with the quality of service information for the parties connecting to a conferencing session for display to users in real-time.
US08218455B2 Information communication system, information communication method, node device included in information communication system and recording medium recording information process program
A group of nodes mutually connected through a communication route form an information communication system. The nodes include a memory for memorizing node information indicating a candidate node of information transfer destination, a participation request information transfer unit for judging whether node information indicating a node of a transfer destination in response to information of the participation request node is memorized, when participation request information is received, and for transferring the participation request information to the node when the node information is memorized, an existence confirmation information sending unit for judging whether information of other than the transfer destination is memorized when the participation request information is received, and for sending existence confirmation information to the node when the information other than the transfer destination is memorized, and a unit for sending return information to the participation request node device when the existence confirmation information is received.
US08218454B2 Methods and apparatus to implement scalable routing in network communication systems
Methods and apparatus to implement scalable routing in network communication systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves selecting a plurality of virtual private networks in a communication network and selecting a candidate hub router from a plurality of routers in the communication network. The example method also involves determining a plurality of least memory utilization costs associated with assigning different quantities of spoke routers to the candidate hub router. Each of the least memory utilization costs and corresponding quantity of spoke routers is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of virtual private networks. For each of the least memory utilization costs, a bandwidth usage of a corresponding one of the quantities of spoke routers is identified. The candidate hub router is selected to operate as a hub router for one of the quantities of spoke routers associated with a corresponding one of the bandwidth usages that does not exceed a bandwidth capacity of the candidate hub router.
US08218453B2 Network router and method of configuring a network router
Disclosed is a method of configuring routing information in a network router linked into a network. The network router has a forwarding table. The method comprises removing the forwarding table entries which are not used. A network router configured in accordance with the method has a forwarding table comprising only forwarding table entries that are used.
US08218449B2 System and method for remote monitoring in a wireless network
In some embodiments, a method includes combining operations of a wireless access point with operations of a remote probe. An access point links a wireless client to a wireless switch. A remote probe captures wireless packets, appends radio information, and forwards packets to a remote observer for analysis. In an embodiment, the observer may provide a protocol-level debug. A system according to the technique can, for example, accomplish concurrent in-depth packet analysis of one or more interfaces on a wireless switch. The system can also, for example, augment embedded security functions by forwarding selected packets to a remote Intrusion Detection System (IDS). In an embodiment, filters on the probes may reduce overhead.
US08218445B2 Smart ethernet edge networking system
A system is provided for selecting connection paths in a telecommunications network having a multiplicity of nodes interconnected by a multiplicity of links. The system identifies multiple constraints for connection paths through the network between source and destination nodes, and identifies paths that satisfy all of the constraints for a connection path between a selected source node and a selected destination node. A system is also provided for optimizing utilization of the resources of such a telecommunications network by establishing connection paths through the network between selected source and destination nodes, the established connection paths satisfying the constraints; for each established connection path, determining whether other connection paths exist between the selected source and destination nodes, and that satisfy the constraints; and if at least one such other connection path exists, determining whether any such other connection path is more efficient than the established connection path and, if the answer is affirmative, switching the connection from the established connection path to the most efficient other connection path.
US08218444B2 System and method for data transfer in a peer-to-peer hybrid communication network
An improved system and method are disclosed for peer-to-peer communications. In one example, the method enables an endpoint to transfer data directly to another endpoint.
US08218443B2 Controlling bandwidth share
There is proposed a modification to the ECN protocol to remove the one-to-one relationship between the network signalling congestion and the sender response to that congestion. The result is to allow a receiver terminal to exhibit some control of bandwidth share relative to other receiver terminals. The idea is to calculate the average CE arrival frequency from received data packets and to set ECE flags at a rate determined as a function of the average CE arrival frequency. Preferably, the function is a multiplier applied to the average CE arrival frequency. The effect of averaging the CE arrival frequency as well as application of a multiplier is a decoupling of the ECE marked ACKs sent by a receiver to the sender, and control of the resulting transmission rate at the sender.
US08218442B2 Methods and apparatus for flow-controllable multi-staged queues
In one embodiment, a method includes sending a first flow control signal to a first stage of transmit queues when a receive queue is in a congestion state. The method also includes sending a second flow control signal to a second stage of transmit queues different from the first stage of transmit queues when the receive queue is in the congestion state.
US08218438B1 Regulating traffic flow in a network device
A token bucket instantiation regulate packets in a traffic flow stream based on a predetermined peak traffic flow rate. The token bucket size is nominally set to zero. An evaluation is made at a device that has received a given packet. The packet is considered conforming and is passed from the device if the token depth of the bucket is zero or greater. The token depth is decreased by the number of byes in the packet that was passed. The token depth is continuously replenished at a predetermined token rate until the predetermined bucket size is attained (the bucket is full). A received packet is deemed nonconforming if the token depth is less than zero; the non-conforming packet is not passed but is processed according to non-conforming criteria. Token bucket instantiations may be implemented in hardware, software or firmware for each traffic flow to regulate traffic to a given user.
US08218426B2 Multiple stage fourier transform apparatus, processes, and articles of manufacture
In embodiments, a fast Fourier transform (FFT) engine includes a series of stages, each stage containing a butterfly and a data normalization device configured to scale output of the stage's butterfly. The scaling factors are adjusted, for example, periodically or on as-needed basis, so that the dynamic range of the butterflies and the buffers is increased for a given bit-width, or the bit-width of these devices is decreased for the same dynamic range. Additionally, bit-width of other buffer(s) is decreased because of the scaling of the data.
US08218425B2 Signaling method in an OFDM multiple access system
A method for reducing the peak-to-average ratio in an OFDM communication signal is provided. The method includes defining a constellation having a plurality of symbols, defining a symbol duration for the OFDM communication signal, and defining a plurality of time instants in the symbol duration. A plurality of tones are allocated to a particular communication device, and a discrete signal is constructed in the time domain by mapping symbols from the constellation to the time instants. A continuous signal is generated by applying an interpolation function to the discrete signal such that the continuous signal only includes sinusoids having frequencies which are equal to the allocated tones.
US08218421B2 Data transmission in a mobile communication system apparatus, system and method
An apparatus, system, and method may include providing a plurality of data streams in respective subchannels and modulating a first data stream of the plurality of data streams at least partially with a different modulation constellation than a second data stream of the plurality of data streams. The method may also include transmitting the first and second data streams using a same radio resource to user terminals using different subchannels of the radio resource.
US08218420B2 Non-cyclic evolving-type user resource structure for OFDMA based system with null guard tones
A non-cyclic evolving-type user resource structure applicable for use in the uplink and the downlink of an OFDMA system with large null guard tones (e.g., a 3GPP LTE system) is provided. In one example, the user resource structure combines the benefits of localized and distributed types of resource structures available in the current baseline 3GPP LTE (Release 8) specifications, and is especially suitable for operating in a fast time-varying channel. In another example, the non-cyclic evolving-type resource structure may be simplified to have no more than three stages: a band-type first stage, a partially evolved-type second stage and an interleaved-type third stage. Depending upon the target or average mobile speed and packet length, the resource structure may even have less than three stages.
US08218416B2 Multi-layer optical disc, information recording method and information reproducing method
According to one embodiment, single-sided dual-layer recordable disc 100 may be used. Information recording is performed by forming mark and space portions on data area DA using modulated laser power. Pp denotes the maximum laser power or peak power for forming the mark portion, and Pb denotes the bias power for forming the space portion. Power ratio Pb/Pp is calculated for each of recording layers L0 and L1. Information is recorded on any of the recording layers L0 and L1 based on the result of calculation. Here, the calculated power ratio Pb/Pp changes among the recording layers L0 and L1, thereby optimizing the recording condition for a multi-layer recordable optical disc within relatively short time.
US08218414B2 Information recording medium, recording method, and reproducing method
Minimized is the influence which is exerted by recording calibration (test recording) such as power calibration, strategy calibration or the like, performed in an area for recording calibration (recording calibration area or test area) provided in each of a plurality of recording layers, on recording calibration performed in the other recording layers.On a recording medium, data is recorded on at least one of a plurality of recording layers by laser light incident on a surface of the recording medium. The plurality of recording layers include a first recording layer, and second through N-th recording layers (N is an integer of 3 or greater) which are sequentially located in a direction from the first recording layer toward the surface on which the laser is incident. The plurality of recording layers each have a first calibration area and a second calibration area located outer to the first calibration area. The first calibration area located in each of the first through N-th recording layers is located at a different radial position from a radial position of the first calibration area in each of the other recording layers; and the second calibration area located in each of the first through N-th recording layers is located at the same radial position as a radial position of the second calibration area in each of the other recording layers.
US08218410B2 Method for managing defect of optical disc
Disclosed is a method for managing a defect of an optical disc. In the method, when a host requests data of an optical disc inserted into an optical disc drive (ODD) included in a device to be integrated with a solid state drive (SSD), an address of the requested data is compared with contents contained in defect management information managed within the SSD, and the requested data is read from the optical disc or from the defect management information according to a result of the comparing. The defect management information may include optical disc identification information, address information, defect type information and data of a corresponding address. When the optical disc is inserted into the ODD, defect management information regarding the optical disc may be generated and stored in the SSD. Accordingly, Read Delay or Read Fail, resulting from a defect of the optical disc, can be obviated.
US08218400B2 Clock
A clock comprising concentric rings of slots slits for indicating time by fully illuminating an appropriate one of the slots. Full illumination is propagated from one slot to an adjacent slot by causing all of the slots in a ring of slots to briefly light up sequentially, thus causing a flash of light to propagate around the ring of slots, thus more clearly showing passage of a second, a minute etc as the illumination was switched from the one slot to the adjacent slot.
US08218394B2 Method for imaging the earths subsurface using passive seismic interferometry and adaptive velocity filtering
A method of imaging the Earth's subsurface using passive seismic interferometry tomography includes detecting seismic signals from within the Earth's subsurface over a time period using an array of seismic sensors, the seismic signals being generated by seismic events within the Earth's subsurface. The method further includes adaptively velocity filtering the detected signals. The method further includes cross-correlating the velocity filtered seismic signals to obtain a reflectivity series at a position of each of the seismic sensors.
US08218393B2 Technique and system to increase the length of a seismic shot record
A system includes an interface and a processor. The interface receives seismic datasets, which are associated with multiple firings of a set of at least one seismic source. Each dataset is acquired by seismic sensors during a different time period of a sequence of time periods that are limited by times at which the set of seismic source(s) are fired. The processor, for each of the firings of the set of seismic source(s), generates an associated shot record based on information contained at least two of the datasets.
US08218392B2 Word line driving apparatus
A source potential of a pull-up transistor is increased after predetermined time from a rising timing of a word line selection command signal. To this end, a condenser is provided to couple the source potential and gate potential of the pull-up transistor. Preferably a gate potential control transistor that controls the gate potential of the pull-up transistor is a depletion type N-channel field effect transistor that maintains the gate potential at a low level.
US08218389B2 Semiconductor storage device and control method of the same
A semiconductor storage device includes a timing allocation unit that sets refresh timing to preferentially perform a refresh operation for maintaining data and data access timing to preferentially perform a data access operation for reading or writing the data in accordance with a clock signal with respect to each memory bank including a plurality of memory cells, and a waiting unit that waits start of the data access operation until the data access timing is started in a case where a request for the data access operation is made during the refresh timing and waits start of the refresh operation until the refresh timing is started in a case where a request for the refresh operation is made during the data access timing.
US08218386B2 Embedded memory databus architecture
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) having pairs of bitlines, each pair being connected to a first bit line sense amplifier, wordlines crossing the bitlines pairs forming an array, charge storage cells connected to the bitlines, each having an enable input connected to a wordline, the bit line sense amplifiers being connected in a two dimensional array, pairs of primary databuses being connected through first access transistors to plural corresponding bit line sense amplifiers in each row of the array, apparatus for enabling columns of the first access transistors, databus sense amplifiers each connected to a corresponding data bus pair, a secondary databus, the secondary databus being connected through second access transistors to the databus sense amplifiers, and apparatus for enabling the second access transistors, whereby each the primary databus pair may be shared by plural sense amplifiers in a corresponding row of the array and the secondary databus may be shared by plural primary databus pairs.
US08218380B2 Degradation equalization for a memory
In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a memory and a control circuit configured to cause an inversion of at least a portion of the data stored in the memory to more evenly balance the amount of time that a given memory cell in the memory stores a binary one or a binary zero. In some implementations, the inversion may be controlled for the memory as a whole via a global indication. In other implementations, data may be inverted on a row-by-row or column-by-column basis. In other embodiments, the global indication may be changed at each boot of a device including the integrated circuit.
US08218373B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit adapted to output pass/fail results of internal operations
In a semiconductor integrated circuit, an internal circuit is capable of executing a first operation and a second operation concurrently, and an output circuit outputs to the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit information indicating whether or not the first operation is being executed and information indicating whether or not the second operation is executable.
US08218359B2 Phase change random access memory and methods of manufacturing and operating same
A phase change memory device includes a switching device, a phase change storage node connected to the switching device, and a gate electrode which is spaced apart from the phase change storage node and increases an electrical resistance of the storage node during a reset programming operation. The gate electrode may be disposed around the phase change storage node, and may be used for applying an electric field to the phase change storage node.
US08218356B2 Spin-torque memory with unidirectional write scheme
Spin torque magnetic memory elements that have a pinned layer, two free layers, and a current-blocking insulating layer proximate to at least one of the free layers. The resistive state (e.g., low resistance or high resistance) of the memory elements is altered by passing electric current through the element in one direction. In other words, to change from a low resistance to a high resistance, the direction of electric current is the same as to change from a high resistance to a low resistance. The elements have a unidirectional write scheme.
US08218353B1 Memory element circuitry with stressed transistors
Integrated circuits with memory elements are provided. The memory elements may be arranged in a memory block. The memory block may include cross-coupled inverters that store data. The stored data may be used to program pass transistors. Transistors in the memory block may be stressed. Depending on the type of stress-inducing layer used, a tensile stress or a compressive stress may be built in into the transistors. Stressed transistors may help improve the routing speed of the memory block. Stressed transistors may be implemented using dual gate-oxide process.
US08218343B2 DC polarity converter and DC parallel topology, and methods
Embodiments of DC power related systems and methods including a topology and devices to enable DC powered or driven constant current devices to be connected in a parallel configuration while maintaining a series connection internal to the devices.
US08218335B2 Spider clip for securing a circuit board within a communications module
A clip for securing a component, such as a circuit board, within a communications module is disclosed. The clip may include a flat base with legs extending therefrom and resilient springs disposed at terminal ends of each of the legs. The legs may be configured to frictionally secure the clip to the module. For instance, the legs may secure the clip to a top shell portion of the module. The springs may be configured to resiliently compress against corresponding contact zones on the circuit board when the top shell is mated with a bottom shell of the module such that the circuit board is secured in place within the module. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention enable the quick and simple assembly of modules without the need for fasteners and other time-consuming and/or labor-intensive solutions conventionally implemented to secure circuit boards and other components within the modules.
US08218329B2 Back-to-back package accomplishing short signal path lengths
This is a PCBA that can be used in any system where one component or package is connected to another component or package. This invention provides a very short connector or signal path that avoids the necessity of a signal trace termination in the PCB. The PCB has on its upper surface a first component or package and on its lower surface a second component or package in vertical physical and signal alignment with the first component or package. The first component or package has a BGA on its bottom surface and the second component has a BGA on its top surface, both of these BGAs are in electrical contact with each other. Because of the short signal trace provided, the PCB provides signal transitions as fast as 200 pS.
US08218326B2 Rivet standoff for panel connection
A standoff joins a circuit board to a chassis member using a rivet. The standoff has a cap surface with a hole that allows the body of an unexpanded blind rivet to pass into an inner cavity of the standoff. The rivet is then expanded against the underside of the cap. In use, the standoff rests against the underside of a circuit board, and the rivet passes through a hole in the circuit board and into the standoff. The rivet head engages the circuit board to hold the circuit board against the standoff.
US08218325B2 Chassis base and plasma display apparatus having the same
A plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel (PDP), a chassis base secured on a first side to the PDP and having a driving circuit board mounted on a second side, a tower-shaped fixing unit that protrudes above the second side of the chassis base, and a back cover secured to a tower unit of the tower-shaped fixing unit to cover the driving circuit board.
US08218321B2 Self-cooling electrical device
The invention relates to a portable electronic device, e.g. a mobile phone, comprising a shell, a display, a battery, a processor and a receiver. In the portable electronic device is at least one of the components configured to heat exchange with a phase changing material which is arranged within the portable electronic device.
US08218316B2 Portable electronic device with battery cover
A portable electronic device includes a base defining a chamber, a cover, an operating element, a latching element, and a resisting element. The cover is configured for covering the chamber and rotatably attached to the base. The latching element attaches to the cover. The resisting element attaches to one end of the base. The operating element is slidably attached to the base. The resisting element resists the latching element to force the cover to separate when detaching.
US08218313B2 Electronic device housing having a movable foot pad mechanism
An electronic device housing includes a housing body, a movable foot pad mechanism disposed in housing body, a ventilation grille, a fan, and a fan switch connected electrically to the fan. The movable foot pad mechanism includes a foot pad pivoted to a bottom wall of the housing body. The foot pad is turnable pivotally to prop up the housing body so as to increase a space below a bottom of housing body. When the foot pad is being turned pivotally to prop up the housing body, the ventilation grille is moved simultaneously so as to make the space inside the housing body open to the ambient environment, and the fan is activated for heat dissipation, thereby increasing the heat dissipation efficiency of the electronic device housing.
US08218309B2 Hard disk backplane structure and hard disk cooling assembly using the same
A hard disk backplane structure includes a main body and an additional board. The hard disk backplane structure includes a first side surface and second side surface adjacent to the first side surface and a backplane connector. The additional board includes a receptacle for connection with an additional electrical component. A hard disk cooling assembly using the hard disk backplane structure is also provided in the disclosure.
US08218300B2 Electronic apparatus
A center section of the upper edge of the rotation member which is rotatable with friction with respect to a first housing in an arrow direction A-A by using, as a rotation shaft, a first shaft which forms a rotation shaft in parallel with a rear edge of the first housing, and a center section of a lower edge of a second housing which is openable and closable with respect to the first housing in the arrow direction A-A and which is rotatable in an arrow direction B-B in an opened state, are connected to each other rotatably in the arrow direction B-B a the second shaft which is perpendicular to the first shaft, and which, when the second housing is in a vertically opened state, is inclined at 45° in a direction in which the second shaft is tilted forward.
US08218292B2 Dry powder stencil printing of solid electrolytic capacitor components
Solid electrolytic capacitors and related methods for forming such capacitors may variously involve forming at least one of a seed, grip, reference point and/or anode body by stencil printing of dry powder. In accordance with a method of forming anodic components for electrolytic capacitors, a stencil is positioned adjacent to a substrate, the stencil being formed to define a plurality of apertures therethrough. A plurality of printed powder portions are selectively printed on the substrate by placing dry powder into selected ones of the plurality of apertures defined in the stencil. The printed powder portions are then sintered to form respective anodic components for multiple respective electrolytic capacitors.
US08218283B2 Resistive films for electrode peak-field suppression
The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising at least one high potential electrode with a high potential in terms of absolute value, e.g. comprising substantially sharp edges and which may be exposed to a high electrostatic field or a high potential. It comprises at least one low potential electrode means or balancing electrode Q mean said low or balancing potential electrode means being provided at a distance from said at least one high potential electrode and at least one resistive arrangement connecting each of said high potential electrode(s) with each respective Q adjacent low or balancing potential electrode means. Said resistive arrangement(s) has a low conductivity but Q is non-isolating, such that a substantially linear voltage drop is provided between said high potential electrode(s) and said low or balancing potential electrode(s) to suppress peak-fields generated in the vicinity of any of the electrode(s).
US08218276B2 Transient voltage suppressor (TVS) with improved clamping voltage
This invention discloses an electronic device formed as an integrated circuit (IC) wherein the electronic device further includes a transient voltage suppressing (TVS) circuit for suppressing a transient voltage. The transient voltage suppressing (TVS) circuit includes a Zener diode connected between a ground terminal and a node for triggering a snapback circuit. In one embodiment, this node may be a Vcc terminal. The TVS device further includes a snapback circuit connected in parallel to the Zener diode for conducting a transient voltage current with a snapback current-voltage (I-V) characteristic upon turning on of the snapback circuit And, the TVS device further includes a snapback suppressing circuit connected in series with the snapback circuit for conducting a current with an I-V characteristic complementary to the snapback-IV characteristic for clamping a snapback voltage.
US08218275B2 ESD protection for pass-transistors in a voltage regulator
Present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge protection circuit for a transistor circuit having electrostatic discharge protection circuits coupled to an input and to an output terminal. The protection circuits comprise delay means having a predetermined delay time and switchable connecting means connected between said input terminal and a control terminal of said transistor circuit. The delay means are configured for activating said switchable connecting means for said predetermined delay time in response to an electrostatic discharge at said input terminal.
US08218269B2 Gimbal mounted slider assembly with ramp limiter transverse bar
Gimbal designs are provided that minimize adverse dynamic performance of a HDD suspension, particularly subsequent to head-disk-interface (HDI) interactions. The improvement of operational performance can be seen in graphical representations of the vibrational modes of a gimbal mounted slider subsequent to such HDI interactions. Each gimbal design includes a ramp limiter formed as two separated arms connected by one or two transverse bars and a routing of conducting traces that relieves stress and minimally contacts these bars.
US08218267B2 Head suspension flexure with conductive polymer layer
A flexure has a substrate made of a thin conductive metal plate, a base insulating layer made of flexible resin formed on the substrate, wiring patterns formed on the base insulating layer and connected to a slider mount, and a cover insulating layer formed over the wiring patterns. The flexure is substantially coated with a conductive polymer layer having a thickness in the range of 18 to 130 nm. The flexure prevents electrostatic accumulation and ion migration.
US08218265B2 Apparatus, system, and method for overcoming stiction in a magnetic tape device
Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reducing stiction in a magnetic tape device. For example, according to one representative embodiment, a magnetic head assembly for reducing stiction includes a magnetic head that is communicable in data exchange communication with tape in contact with the magnetic head. The magnetic head assembly also includes a tape lifter that is movable relative to the magnetic head. More specifically, the tape lifter is movable between a first position away from the tape and a second position in contact with the tape. In the first position, tape is contactable with the magnetic head and in the second position, tape is not contactable with the magnetic head. The magnetic head assembly further includes an actuator made at least partially of a memory shape alloy. The actuator is coupled to the tape lifter and the memory shape alloy is resiliently deformable to move the tape lifter between the first and second positions.
US08218257B2 Disk drive with multiple level power reduction during write
A disk drive data storage system comprising at least one data storage disk and a sensor assembly proximate the data storage disk. The sensor assembly further comprises circuitry for writing data to the data storage disk and circuitry for reading data from the data storage disk. The system also comprises circuitry for controlling the circuitry for reading data during different time periods so that the circuitry for reading data consumes different levels of power while the circuitry for writing data is writing data to the data storage disk.
US08218254B2 Solid imaging objective and assembly technique for small scale sensor applications
An imaging optic comprising a first combination element comprised of at least two individual lens elements, aligned with each other along an optical axis and adhered to each other, a second combination element comprised of at least one individual lens element and an aperture disposed between the first and second combination elements, the surfaces of the imaging optic having less than about 3 minutes tilt relative to the optical axis and less than about 0.005 mm de-center relative to the optical axis. A method of making the imaging optic and an endoscope comprising the imaging optic.
US08218252B2 Projection lens
A projection lens disposed between an enlarged side and a reduced side and including a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and an optical element disposed between the second and the third lens groups is provided. The first lens group includes a first and a second lens sequentially arranged from the enlarged side to the reduced side and respectively having a positive and a negative refractive power. The second lens group between the first lens group and the reduced side includes a third, a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth lens sequentially arranged from the enlarged side to the reduced side. The fifth and the sixth lens respectively have a positive refractive power. The third lens group disposed between the second lens group and the reduced side includes a seventh lens.
US08218234B2 Illumination device for a microscope
An illumination device for a microscope has a variable working distance (d, d′), at which an object is illuminated obliquely from two different directions. Light from a light source is split into at least two illumination beam paths. In order to adapt to the different working distances, the light is subjected to an angle change before splitting or, if after splitting, then respectively by the same amount in both beam paths. A deviating element with at least two reflective surfaces is arranged in one of the illumination beam paths to induce a change in an angle at which one of the illumination beam paths strikes the object, in the same sense as another illumination beam path. The reflective surfaces may be arranged so that the illumination beam paths strike essentially the same region of the optical axis even with different working distances.
US08218228B2 Two-terminal variable capacitance MEMS device
A two-terminal, variable capacitance device is described that is constructed by connecting multiple MEMS devices having different actuation or “pull in” voltages in parallel.
US08218223B2 Process and apparatus for switching large-area electrochromic devices
A method is disclosed for controlling switching of an electrochromic device comprising at least the following components: a first and a second electrode layer, a first and a second layer in which ions can be reversibly intercalated, and a transparent ion-conducting layer. At least one of the layers in which ions may be reversibly inserted is electrochromic. The optical properties of the device are modified when a potential is applied between the electrode layers. The potential applied is limited such that the maximum generated potential difference never exceeds the safe redox limits, and that the current does not exceed some predetermined limit. Switching of electrochromic devices in this manner allows for maximum device lifetime, while simultaneously optimising switching speed and transmission homogeneity. The method is characterised in that the potential applied to the electrode layers is varied in the form of a stepped ramp, during which time the current is measured constantly.
US08218215B2 Transducer-mirror structure
An approach for obtaining a transducer mirror structure made from silicon. The structure may have a center portion and a perimeter portion that have an attachment between them which is made flexible after certain etching between the two portions. The attachment may be a web of links or legs. A force applied to the center portion at one end of the structure may cause the center portion to move relative to the perimeter portion. A piezo electric transducer or actuator may be attached to apply the force. An oxide layer, a thin layer of silicon and a mirror may be formed on the other end of the structure. The web of links or legs between the center and the perimeter portions may be established with an RIE etch of gaps through the structure to the oxide layer and an undercutting of the gaps with a KOH etch.
US08218210B2 Method for generating computer-generated video holograms in real time by means of propagation
The invention relates to a method for generating video holograms in real time for a holographic reproduction device using at least one light modulator means in which a scene split into object points is encoded as a whole hologram in the form of the reconstruction of a visibility region in a periodicity interval of the reconstruction of the video hologram. The reconstruction of an individual object point only requires part of the whole hologram encoded on the light modulator means. The invention is characterized in that, for each object point, the contributions for propagation of the light waves in the visibility region can be determined from at least one look-up table.
US08218198B2 Color selection
A method of forming a color selection including selected color points. A first cluster in a color space is provided, the cluster being associated to a first color representation system. A second cluster in the color space is provided, the cluster being associated to a second color representation system, whereby the second cluster differs from the first cluster. A predetermined color point in the color space is provided. Included in the color selection are at least a first selected color point and a second selected color point, the first selected color point being the point of the first cluster which among all points of the first cluster is closest to the predetermined color point and the second selected color point being the point of the second cluster which among all points of the of the second cluster is closest to the predetermined color point.
US08218197B2 Image forming apparatus having interactive display that receives operation input for process conditions about a finishing process
When image data is obtained through a network from a document reading portion or a PC etc., a main control portion displays, through a display control portion, a document icon in a document icon area on a display portion. A user drags and drops the document icon on an output image operation area with a touch pen or the like, and the main control portion displays the specified document icon on the area. Moreover, when specification of a paper area, a position of a punch hole, a position of stapling, and the like is performed with the touch pen or the like, the main control portion determines whether or not setting is possible and outputs specified data to an image formation control portion and a post-process control portion.
US08218194B2 Medium transporting apparatus and image forming apparatus that employs the medium transporting apparatus
A medium transporting apparatus is incorporated in an apparatus, and includes a first transport path and a second transport path. The first transport path is defined in the body of the apparatus. The second transport path is disposed on a medium cassette. The medium cassette is movable in a direction in which the medium cassette is pulled out of the apparatus and in a direction in which the medium cassette is inserted into the apparatus, so that the second transport path is detachably coupled to the first transport path. When the medium cassette has been inserted completely into the apparatus, a guide member extends to cover a joint portion between the first transport path and the second transport path, thereby facilitating advancement of the medium from the second transport path to the first transport path.
US08218191B2 Computer readable recording medium stored with control program for controlling image forming apparatus having a tab sheet insertion function, image forming apparatus and method executed in the image forming apparatus
The invention provides the user a first insertion page position setting part that allows a user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which first tab sheets are to be inserted, and a second insertion page position setting part that allows the user to designate insertion page positions that respectively indicate pages at which second tab sheets are to be inserted, when a request for initiating the setting concerning the tab sheets is received. Further, the tab positions in the second tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said second insertion page position setting part, are set up in accordance with the tab positions in the first tab sheets, which correspond to the insertion page positions designated in said first insertion page position setting part.
US08218189B2 Image forming apparatus and method for erasing data thereof
In one embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the invention, an overwrite-block specifying device specifies equal size blocks so that a storage area in a data storage device is divided into consecutive equal size blocks to be overwritten with overwrite data. The data storage device includes an image data storage area configured to store encrypted image data on a page-by-page basis. An overwrite-data specifying device specifies the value of the overwrite-data whose size is smaller than that of the equal size block. A data erase control device overwrites the equal size blocks with the value of the overwrite-data, on a block-by-block basis.
US08218180B2 Image forming apparatus and method for inhibiting the transmission of document data
An image forming apparatus includes an image receiving unit configured to receive image data, a sender identifying unit configured to identify a sender of the received image data, a check unit configured to check whether the identified sender corresponds to a predetermined sender, a management information providing unit configured to provide management-purpose image data obtained by encoding management information for controlling at least one of a transmission operation for transmitting an image scanned from a printout and a copy operation for copying an image scanned from a printout, and a print unit configured to print the management-purpose image data together with the received image data in response to a check result by the check unit indicating that the identified sender corresponds to the predetermined sender.
US08218178B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, recording medium storing image processing program, and computer data signal embedded in carrier wave
An image processing apparatus including; a determinant image management unit managing identification information in association with protecting information specifying processing allowance and a determinant image determining a spoofing; a reader reading an image containing the identification information in response to an action to process; an extraction unit extracting the identification information from the image; an acquisition unit acquiring the protecting information and the determinant image; a first determination unit determining allowance of the processing based on the protecting information; a second determination unit determining spoofing based on differential information between the determinant image and the read image; a third determination unit determining processing allowance of the read image based on results of determination by the first and second determination unit; and an image processor performing image processing according to the action to process the read image if the third determination unit determines that the processing is allowable.
US08218177B2 Resource management profiles
A resource management graphical user interface for a computer-controlled printing system in a networked environment enables an operator to create, modify, and apply resource management profiles to coordinate resource allocation within the printing system. The user interface displays a current resource management profile, which includes printing system resource allocations associated with specific tasks. A resource profile list includes at least one profile name, corresponding to a task type. Profiles associated with the task type are presented and controls are provided to enable the operator to set allocations for component resource usage. The operator is also presented with operational options, including deleting a profile, approving a profile, applying a profile to a print job or series of print jobs, saving a new profile, replacing an existing profile, and canceling a profile modification. The user interface transmits instructions to apply a profile to a printing system for processing of print jobs.
US08218175B2 Printing system, print controller, printing method and computer readable medium
The printing system is provided with: a terminal that outputs print data of a print target and authentication information required for performing a print operation; an image forming unit that receives the print data and the authentication information and that prints the print data on condition that printing authority for permitting the print operation is given to the authentication information; and an authority information memory that stores printing authority information on the presence or absence of the printing authority given to each of the authentication information in the image forming unit. The terminal includes an authentication information obtaining unit that obtains the authentication information; an authority information obtaining unit that obtains the printing authority information; and a print determination unit that determines whether or not the authentication information obtained by the authentication information obtaining unit permits a specific print operation on the basis of the printing authority information obtained.
US08218164B2 Variable fault tolerance methods and systems to support an intervention-by-choice strategy for production piezo ink jet architectures
Methods and systems are provided for an intervention-by-choice printhead maintenance method in an ink jet printing system. Profile representations of scheduled print jobs are compiled which are representative of ink jet performance demand therefor. An ink jet failure is detected and related to the profile representations. A likely impact of ink jet failure is assessed relative to job specific print quality requirements for the scheduled print jobs. Print jobs are rescheduled for enhancing system performance efficiency by re-queuing selected jobs that can be executed with a detected ink jet failure while satisfying a job specific print quality requirement before a system repair intervention.
US08218158B2 Sheet processing apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus includes a feeding portion that feeds an original or a recording medium, a reading portion that reads an original, and a recording portion that performs recording on a recording medium. The original or recording medium fed from the feeding portion can be selectively conveyed to the reading portion or the recording portion, thereby allowing for compactness of the apparatus as well as cost reduction.
US08218154B2 System and a method of determining a position of a scattering/reflecting element on the surface of a radiation transmissive element
A system and a method of determining a position of a scattering/reflecting element on a surface of a radiation transmissive element adapted to transport scattered/reflected radiation toward one or more detectors. Radiation having different characteristics or properties is transmitted to different areas of the surface whereby the position of the touch may be determined from the radiation scattered/reflected.
US08218149B2 Object detecting device and information acquiring device
An information acquiring device includes a laser light source which emits light in a predetermined wavelength region; a projection lens which projects the light from the laser light source toward a targeted area; an image sensor which receives reflected light reflected from the targeted area to output a signal; and an imaging lens which guides the reflected light to the image sensor; a filter which transmits the light from the laser light source; and an actuator which inclines the filter. A filter controlling circuit inclines the filter in such a direction as to approximate a transmissive wavelength region of the filter to the wavelength region of the light from the laser light source.
US08218146B2 System and method for detecting a target substance
A system and a method for detecting the existence of a target substance, the system includes a laser with a broad spectral output and a detector for detecting an absorption spectrum of a laser beam from the laser. The method includes emitting a laser beam into the atmosphere using a laser light with a broad spectral output; measuring the absorption spectrum of said laser beam; comparing the absorption spectrum to known absorption spectrums for target substances using a detector; and detecting the existence of a target substance.
US08218141B2 Universal multidetection system for microplates
An apparatus and a method for optically analyzing a sample are provided. The apparatus includes a first optical device that transmits a narrow waveband of light and has a first filter and a first monochromator that provide different paths for the narrow waveband of the light. The apparatus may also include a light source that generates the light as broadband excitation light, in which case the first optical device transmits a narrow waveband of the broadband excitation light through the first filter or the first monochromator. Further, the apparatus may include a second optical device that directs the narrow waveband of the broadband excitation light onto the sample and receives emission light from the sample, a third optical device that transmits a narrow waveband of the emission light, and a detector that converts the narrow waveband of the emission light into an electrical signal.
US08218121B2 Liquid crystal display having a printed circuit board combined with only one of the tape carrier packages
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device to which a line on glass structure and a cascade structure are both applied, and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal device includes: a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixels defined by gate lines and data lines that cross each other, wherein a first group of signal lines is formed on the liquid crystal panel in an on-glass-configuration; a plurality of tape carrier packages mounted with source drivers that provide data signals through the data lines to the liquid crystal panel and mounted on the liquid crystal panel in a cascade structure, wherein a second group of signal lines connected to the first group of signal lines is formed thereon; and a printed circuit board combined directly with only one of the plurality of tape carrier packages so as to supply a plurality of driving signals and control signals to the liquid crystal panel.
US08218115B2 Liquid crystal display device comprising a pixel electrode having a reverse taper shape with an edge portion that forms a transition nucleus in a liquid crystal layer
After supply of power, a liquid crystal display device performing transition from a first state to a second state different from the first state before a display operation is provided with a transition nucleus forming portion around a pixel electrode or inside. The transition nucleus forming portion performs transition to the second state prior to other portion during a transition drive period. The transition nucleus forming portion of the pixel electrode has an edge portion formed into a reverse taper shape decreasing in its thickness toward the tip end. Therefore, transition from a splay alignment to a bend alignment is performed with simple element and drive circuit configuration in all pixels.
US08218106B2 Bulk diffuser, and polarizing plate and liquid crystal display apparatus comprising the same
A bulk diffuser including: a base material; and a diffusion layer which has a forming material and inner diffusion particles dispersed in the forming material, and is formed on the base material, wherein the inner diffusion particles include two or more types of spherical particles having different refraction indexes, and variations of cross-sectional area of scattering per unit volume of the bulk diffuser owing to a variation of a refraction index of the forming material are mutually cancelled by a combination of the inner diffusion particles.
US08218104B2 Electronic device, liquid crystal display module, backlight unit, and front frame thereof
The invention provides an electronic device including a liquid crystal display module and a control circuit. The liquid display module includes a backlight unit and a liquid display panel. The backlight unit has a front frame which includes a plastic frame and a conductive line. The conductive line extends from the rear surface to the rear surface to the front surface of the plastic frame so as to form a contact on the front surface.
US08218097B2 Liquid crystal display
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display with a plurality of pixel units. Each pixel unit includes two sub-pixels, and each sub-pixel includes a thin film transistor, a liquid crystal capacitor and a storage capacitor. One of the storage capacitors is a tunable capacitor. The tunable capacitor includes a first conductive layer, an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer with a area Asem, and a second metal layer. The second conductive layer has a first region with a area Acon overlapping with the semiconductor layer. The area Acon is less than the area Asem.
US08218075B2 Method and system for efficient de-interlacing
A system and a method may include performing a coarse estimation to eliminate at least one direction from a set of edge candidate directions without directly evaluating each direction; performing a fine estimation to select a single direction as corresponding to an edge; and performing a directional interpolation as a function of the single selected direction to generate a pixel value for a pixel being interpolated.
US08218065B2 Imaging device
An imaging device of the present invention includes a normal operation period and a focusing operation period and includes: a CCD (102) able to perform thinning processing on image signals of an imaging subject; an AFE (103) that converts the image signals into image data; a signal processing unit (104b) that converts the image data into display data; an LCD (107) that displays an image based on the display data; and a thinning control unit (104c) that that changes a read frame rate and thinning rate of the CCD (102). The thinning control unit (104c) performs control so that in the focusing operation period, image signals are read from the CCD (102) at a higher read frame rate than in the normal operation period, and so that in the focusing operation period and a frame immediately before the focusing operation period, image signals are read from the CCD (102) using a larger thinning rate than in the normal operation period. This structure enables providing an imaging device that can perform through-the-lens display in all areas of all frames in the focusing operation period.
US08218059B2 Digital camera
A digital camera of the invention includes: an image pickup device; a dust-proof filter including an area disposed so as to face an image pickup surface of the image pickup device with a predetermined distance; a piezoelectric device for vibration application for vibrating not only a surface of the dust-proof filter but also inside of the dust-proof filter; and a piezoelectric device for vibration absorption for absorbing a part of vibration of the dust-proof filter in a predetermined cycle. When a wavelength of vibration generated in the dust-proof filter by vibration of the piezoelectic device for vibration application is defined as λ, and an odd number as k, the piezoelectric device for vibration application and the piezoelectric device for vibration absorption are arranged separately from each other at positions on the dust-proof filter such that a distance between centers of the devices is expressed by k×λ/4.
US08218055B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus having a shooting optical system and an image sensor includes an image data producer producing image data; an imaging controller repeatedly outputting one picture unit of image data produced in a predetermined shooting time duration by the image data producer; an image data recorder recording the outputted image data; a position detector detecting a change in position of the imaging apparatus and calculating an amount of displacement of the imaging apparatus from a position at a time point of the imaging apparatus taken as a reference based on the detected change in position; a position recorder recording the amount of displacement and time data related to the amount of displacement; a display section displaying a relationship between a shooting time of each image data of the image data recorder and the amount of displacement recorded by the position recorder, during exposure or at the end of exposure; and an adding processor adding arbitrary image data of the image data recorder and producing an image.
US08218053B2 Image display apparatus with holding member
An image display device includes an LCD panel 102, a BL unit 150 having a first contact plane to be in contact with a display plane of the LCD panel 102, and a LCD holding piece 101 having a second contact plane to be in contact with a plane of the LCD panel 102 opposed to the display plane, wherein the LCD holding piece 101 includes a biasing portion (an elastic support portion 101b and holding piece elastic arms 101i) biasing the BL unit 150, and the BL unit 150 is biased in a direction of the LCD holding piece 101 by the biasing portion. According to this configuration, an image display device can be provided in which foreign matter is suppressed from being generated by the contact between an EVF panel and a housing or foreign matter is suppressed from moving to an image display range during an assembly process.
US08218049B2 Solid-state image sensing device, method for reading signal of solid-state image sensing device, and image pickup apparatus
An image sensor includes a pixel array having vertical signal lines, each interconnected to one of columns of the pixel array, and a column processor including a unit readout circuit provided for each of sets of a predetermined number of columns. The unit readout circuit includes input switches, each connected to a corresponding one of the vertical signal lines and being sequentially turned on and off, an input capacitor having one end commonly connected to the input switches, a reference switch for selectively providing a reference voltage to the input capacitor, an operational amplifier connected to the other end of the input capacitor, a reset switch for selectively providing a short-circuit between input and output ends of the operational amplifier, and a feedback circuit provided for each of the columns and including a feedback switch and a feedback capacitor connected in series between the two ends of the operational amplifier.
US08218041B2 Aperture shading correction
In camera systems with more than one aperture plane, light from different object points can be shaded by either the lens' pupil, the system's aperture or both. depending on pupil and aperture diameters, separation and camera system field of view. In an aperture shading correction (ASC) algorithm, the shading that results from the convolution of the lens' pupil function and its aperture function is determined over the image plane for any given pupil and aperture diameter and separation. A shading correction function is then calculated, and/or its parameters are determined, that will undo the adverse relative illumination degradations that result from the tandem pupil and aperture. This can be done in separate color planes. This can be done in tandem with standard lens shading correction that must also be corrected for (i.e., the lens shading correction (LSC) can be performed in the sensor for the case of no aperture shading, then the ASC multiples the LSC during aperture shading). Aperture shading will also impact SNR and MTF, and as such the tuning of these parameters will also benefit from ASC knowledge.
US08218037B2 Techniques of modifying image field data by extrapolation
Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for Image image shading variations appearing in data from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. These variations can be caused by imperfect lenses, non-uniform sensitivity across the photo-sensor, and internal reflections within a housing of the optical system, for example. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the camera or other optical system, preferably separate correction data for each primary color. Image data from individual pixels are corrected on the fly by interpolating individual pixel corrections from the stored modification data, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the correction takes place without slowing down data transfer of picture data from the image sensor.
US08218036B2 Image sensing apparatus and control method therefor
An image sensing apparatus including an image sensor that performs photoelectric conversion and outputs an image signal, a subtraction circuit that subtracts a black image signal obtained from the image sensor when the image sensor is shielded from light from a subject image signal obtained from the image sensor when the image sensor is exposed, a setting unit that sets a shooting condition, and a control unit that controls a thinning rate during thinning readout from the image sensor of the black image signal in accordance with the shooting condition set by the setting unit.
US08218025B2 Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and computer program product
Provided is an image capturing apparatus capable of outputting an image in a form displayable by a display apparatus, while making use of a space resolution and a temporal resolution of a captured image. A monitoring system includes an image capturing section that captures an image; an output image generating section that generates an output image from the image captured by the image capturing section; a matching determining section that determines whether an object that matches a predetermined condition exists in the image captured by the image capturing section; and an output section that outputs, by embedding in the output image, an image of a subject indicated by the object having a data amount larger than a data amount of an image of the object in the output image.
US08218021B2 Image capture apparatus, method of controlling the same, and program
An apparatus includes an image capture unit which includes an image sensor in which pixels for photoelectrically converting an object image are two-dimensionally arrayed in correspondence with color filters of a plurality of colors, and generates an image signal, a reducing unit which reduces the image signal output from the image capture unit to generate a reduced image, an image processing unit which performs development processing for the reduced image to obtain a first developed image containing luminance components and color difference components and performs development for the image signal output from the image capture unit to obtain a second developed image containing luminance and color difference components, an enlargement unit which enlarges the first developed image to the same size as that of the second developed image, and a composition unit which performs composition of the second developed image and an enlarged image.
US08218018B2 Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus includes a lens frame 12 which holds a focus correction lens 11a and is movable in an optical axis direction, optical axis direction position detectors 19a to 19c which are arranged on one of the lens frame 12 and a supporting portion 13 inside a barrel and detect signals in accordance with a distance to the other one, driving portions 112a to 112c and coils 17a to 17c (driver) which drive the lens frame 12 in the optical axis direction, an optical axis direction movement limiting member of the lens frame, and a lens CPU 1204 (controller) which controls the driver so as to suppress a tilt of the focus correction lens 11a based on a signal detected by the optical axis direction position detectors 19a to 19c whose sensitivities have been calibrated in association with the driving portions and the optical axis direction movement limiting member.
US08218016B2 Image stabilization mechanism for camera module
Disclosed herein is an image stabilization mechanism for a camera module. The image stabilization mechanism includes a base, a movable stage receiving a lens barrel therein and having a magnet, and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is installed to the base, moves the movable stage in an X-axis or Y-axis direction to remove shake of the lens barrel, and maintains contact with the movable stage because of magnetic attractive force between the piezoelectric actuator and the magnet. The image stabilization mechanism reduces the number of components, thus simplifying the structure and minimizing an increase in height.
US08218011B2 Object tracking system, method and smart node using active camera handoff
If an active smart node detects that an object leaves a center region of a FOV for a boundary region, the active smart node predicts a possible path of the object. When the object gets out of the FOV, the active smart node predicts the object appears in a FOV of another smart node according to the possible path and a spatial relation between cameras. The active smart node notifies another smart node to become a semi-active smart node which determines an image characteristic similarity between the object and a new object and returns to the active smart node if a condition is satisfied. The active smart node compares the returned characteristic similarity, an object discovery time at the semi-active smart node, and a distance between the active smart node and the semi-active smart node to calculate possibility.
US08217998B2 Microscope picture processing
A microscope image processing method includes applying a computing operation to at least one part of a microscope image, having the following steps: (a) providing the image in the mass storage device, (b) breaking down the microscope image into at least two image segments that can be loaded into the working memory and that have a dimension m, where m≦n, (c) for one image segment, determining all pixels that are located in the image segment and in at least one of the partial images, so that a filled image segment results, (d) providing the filled image segment in the working memory, (e) applying the computing operation to the pixels located in the filled image segment so that an image segment result is created, (f) repeating steps (c), (d), and (e) for all image segments, and (g) combining all image segment results to create an overall result.
US08217982B2 Liquid crystal display having two or more cameras that can capture a wide range of video
An exemplary liquid crystal display (2) includes a first camera (23) configured for capturing video from a first orientation, a second camera (24) configured for capturing video from a second orientation different from the first orientation, and a capture circuit (20) electrically connected to the first and the second cameras. The capture circuit is configured for controlling the first and the second cameras to capturing video asynchronously or simultaneously.
US08217980B2 Multi-beam optical scanning device and image forming apparatus using the same
A multi-beam optical scanning device includes a light source device, a deflector for deflecting a plurality of light beams from the light source device, and an imaging optical system for imaging a plurality of light beams deflected by the deflector upon a photosensitive drum, wherein a plurality of light beams, when they pass through an imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction, pass through positions which are spaced apart from each other in the sub-scan direction, and wherein the photosensitive drum is so disposed that, when, among the plurality of light beams passing through the imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction, a light beam which passes through a position furthermost in the sub-scan direction from a meridional of the imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction is incident on the photosensitive drum, an incidence angle thereof in the sub-scan direction with respect to a surface normal of the photosensitive drum becomes smallest as compared with the other light beam or beams.
US08217975B2 Apparatus for forming an image and corresponding methods
Disclosed are an apparatus, optical scanning device, and a corresponding method of forming images on a photosensitive surface. The apparatus includes a laser raster output scanner (ROS) including laser emitters arranged to simultaneously scan a plurality of laser beams across a single scan line of the photosensitive surface in response to received image data corresponding to pixels in an image to be reproduced, and a controller individually controlling each of the laser emitters to selectively apply one of a plurality of power levels to each of the laser beams based on the image data for each of the pixels, wherein a total power applied by the laser beams for each pixel is determined by a sum of the power levels applied by each of the laser beams.
US08217974B2 Customer replaceable unit with high voltage power supply
A customer replaceable unit installable in a printing apparatus comprises a component requiring high voltage electric power for operation, a low voltage power input, and that cooperates with the low voltage power input in order to transform low voltage electric power from the low voltage power input into high voltage electric power for use by the component. The customer replaceable unit may also include a low voltage signal input, and the high voltage power supply unit controls output of the high voltage electric power in response to signals received at the low voltage signal input. The signals received at the low voltage signal input are independent of a type of the component in the customer replaceable unit, and the high voltage power supply unit provides an appropriate high voltage for the type of the component, thereby allowing modification of the type of component without having to provide a different low voltage signal.
US08217959B2 Method and apparatus for color visualization of 3D image data with a dark background
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for color visualization of 3D image data of an object using a rendering technique, in particular for tomographic imaging image data. In at least one embodiment, the method calculates pixels of the object from the 3D image data by applying a transfer function, which assigns color values to the 3D image data, and provides said pixels as an image with a bright background. The image with a bright background is inverted to visualize it on a dark background, and the color values assigned to the 3D image data of the object are modified in accordance with a prescribed rule, by means of which the coloring of the image with a dark background obtained by inverting is at least approximately matched to the coloring of the non-inverted image with the original color values. The method of at least one embodiment and the associated apparatus of at least one embodiment allow a rendered display of the object on a dark background to be generated with the impression of having a relatively high contrast.
US08217951B2 Graphic data processing apparatus and method
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing graphic data. According to an embodiment, the graphic data processing apparatus includes a CPU having at least one core; a GPU configured to process graphic data; a usage level checking unit configured to check a usage level of the CPU and/or a usage level of the GPU; and a control unit configured to compare the checked usage level of the CPU with a usage level reference of the CPU and/or to compare the checked usage level of the GPU with a usage level reference of the GPU, to allow the graphic data to be processed in parallel by the CPU and the GPU or only by the GPU according to the comparison results.
US08217943B2 Displaying cellular analysis result data using a template
In accordance with the principles of the invention, methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums are provided for displaying cellular analysis result data including accessing cellular analysis result data, accessing data of at least one template, and displaying the cellular analysis result data and the data of at least one template by overlaying the cellular analysis result data and the data of the at least one template, wherein the cellular analysis result data is displayed using different display attributes from the displayed data of the at least one template.
US08217930B2 Fast transitions of large area cholesteric displays
A gray scale drive scheme for passive matrix displays, more specifically cholesteric liquid crystal displays. Prior to writing an image, the display can be given a black appearance by first driving the pixels to a homeotropic state, then driving the pixels to a focal conic state. The drive scheme then resets pixels by driving the selected pixels to a homeotropic state. Selecting and non-selecting row voltage signals are then used in combination with column voltage signals to write an image to the display.
US08217926B2 Liquid crystal display having compensation circuit for reducing gate delay
An exemplary liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a gate driving circuit, a data driving circuit, and a compensation circuit. The liquid crystal panel includes gate lines and data lines intersecting the gate lines. The compensation circuit includes capacitors corresponding to the gate lines. The gate driving circuit is configured for providing scanning signals to the gate lines in sequence. The data driving circuit is configured for providing gray scale voltages to the data lines. The compensation circuit is configured for compensating the scanning signals.
US08217923B2 Data driver for display device, test method and probe card for data driver
A data driver of a display device includes: a DAC (Digital Analog Converter) outputting a drive signal for driving a signal line of a displaying unit; an amplifier amplifying the drive signal outputted by the DAC and outputting the drive signal to the signal line; a repair amplifier having an input and an output, wherein the signal line is separated by a breakage point into a connected data line connected to the amplifier and a disconnected data line not connected to the amplifier, and the input of the repair amplifier is connected to the connected data line and the output of the repair amplifier is connected to the disconnected data line; and a switch supplying the drive signal to the input of the repair amplifier for testing the repair amplifier. An output delay test for the repair amplifier can be performed under a condition similar to that of the amplifier.
US08217918B2 Transparent digitiser
A digitizer for user interaction via an object with an electronically refreshable display screen, the digitizer comprising: a transparent sensing arrangement of detectors located at said electronically refreshable display screen for detecting an electric field of said object, said detectors having outputs, and an arrangement of differential amplifiers associated with said outputs, thereby to apply differential detection between said outputs.
US08217907B2 Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. Specifically, zooming in/out or shifting a display screen is facilitated. The mobile terminal includes a touchscreen for displaying a webpage including a plurality of areas, a wireless communication unit for accessing the Internet, and a control unit for shifting the displayed webpage in response to touching a first point of the displayed webpage and dragging from the first point to a second point on the displayed webpage, when the displayed webpage is shifted in a direction of the dragging.
US08217906B2 User interface, apparatus, method, and computer program for viewing of content on a screen
A user interface is disclosed, comprising a screen arranged to view content, wherein the screen is arranged to display a part of the content if there is not space for the entire content on the screen, and wherein the content is scrollable to enable the desired part of the content to be displayed; and a touch sensitive input area arranged to enable input of touch actions, wherein a first touch action is adapted to control scrolling of said content, wherein a speed relation determines a relation between a speed of scrolling and a speed of the touch action in a first direction on said touch sensitive input, and wherein the speed relation is determined by the position of the touch action on said touch sensitive area along a second direction perpendicular to said first direction. Further, an apparatus, a method, and a computer program for viewing of content on a screen are disclosed.
US08217902B2 Conductor pattern structure of capacitive touch panel
Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. An insulation layer is formed on a surface of each first-axis conduction line. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conduction line extends across the insulation layer of the associated first-axis conduction line.
US08217890B2 Liquid crystal display with black point modulation
A backlit display with improved dynamic range. A first pixel is illuminated at a first non-zero illumination level during a first frame and a second non-zero illumination level during a second frame, immediately following the first frame. The second illumination level is greater than the first level. The first pixel is decreased in illumination to a level less than the first illumination level prior to illuminating the first pixel at the second illumination level during the second frame.
US08217888B2 Method for processing images in liquid crystal display
A method for processing images in a liquid crystal display is provided. The method includes the steps of: acquiring a backlight index according to an image; adjusting a backlight according to the backlight index; acquiring a reference gray level according to the adjusted backlight, wherein the reference gray level lies in between a first gray level boundary and a second gray level boundary; transferring a gray level of the image into a corresponding output gray level according to the backlight index when the gray level of the image lying in between the reference gray level and the first gray level boundary; and transferring the gray level of the image into another corresponding output gray level according to a linear relationship when the gray level of the image lying in between the reference gray level and the second gray level boundary.
US08217884B2 Digital image display
A digital image display capable of controlling an image signal output to a display screen portion, particularly capable of precisely controlling the phase of the image signal, regardless of provision/nonprovision of a function of communicating with an image signal output device is obtained. This digital image display includes an analog-to-digital conversion portion converting a received analog image signal to a digital image signal, a display screen portion displaying the digital image signal converted by the analog-to-digital conversion portion and a control portion controlling a clock value, a phase value, a horizontal position and vertical position of the digital image signal, while the control portion is so formed as to decide the optimum phase value on the basis of pixel data on the boundary between an image region having no image and another image region having an image in the digital image signal when controlling the phase value of the digital image signal.
US08217881B2 Display device and display method
In the display device and the display method of the present invention, a scanning signal line driving circuit controls falls of a scanning signal line, so as to make level shifts occurring to pixel potentials substantially uniform throughout display plane, the level shifts being caused by parasitic capacitances which parasitically exist in scanning signal lines. Fall waveforms of the scanning signal change at a change rate Sx which is a change quantity per unit time, and by desirably setting the change rate Sx, a change rate Sx1 in the vicinity of an input-side end of the scanning signal line and a change rate SxN in the vicinity of the other end thereof are substantially equal to each other, not being influenced by signal delay transmission characteristic which the scanning signal line possesses, like scanning signal line waveforms Vg(1, j) and Vg(N, j).
US08217880B2 Method for driving liquid crystal display apparatus
In one embodiment of the present invention, when a still image is displayed, applied voltages respectively corresponding to a total of n (n being an integer of not less than 4) types of gradation 0 to (n−1) are outputted to pixels. When a moving image is displayed, an applied voltage corresponding to a predetermined gradation m (1≦m≦(n−2)) is applied to the pixels instead of applied voltages respectively corresponding to gradations of less than the predetermined gradation m. Overdrive driving is performed with respect to a total of n types of gradation.
US08217852B2 Compact loaded-waveguide element for dual-band phased arrays
An array antenna is provided that operates at high-band and low-band, comprising a first array of high-band radiators and a second array of low-band radiators, each respective low-band radiator disposed so as to be interleaved between the high-band radiators so as to share an aperture with the high-band radiators. Each low-band radiator comprises a coaxial section, a dielectric section, a waveguide, and a planar section. The dielectric section is formed of a continuous piece of dielectric material and includes a hollow opening formed perpendicular to the coaxial section, and a plurality of step transitions, wherein at least one of the step transitions is disposed within and partially fills the waveguide operably coupled to the planar section. The planar section is oriented to the portion of high-band radiators such that the output of the respective low-band radiator is disposed between and within the spacing between adjacent high-band-radiators.
US08217846B1 Low profile dual-polarized radiating element with coincident phase centers
The present invention is directed to a dielectric radiating element. The dielectric element may include a ground plane connected to a dielectric superstrate. The dielectric superstrate includes multiple dipole layers which include metamaterials and dipoles. The ground plane is configured with a horizontal polarization slot and a plurality of vertical polarization slots. The ground plane is further configured for receiving electrical signals from a power transmission assembly and radiating electromagnetic waves via the polarization slots based upon the received electrical signals. The electromagnetic waves may be transmitted or radiated from the ground plane, may pass through the dielectric superstrate and may then be radiated from the dielectric radiating element. The dielectric radiating element is a dual-polarized radiating element configured with coincident phase centers.
US08217834B2 System and method for beamforming in a wireless communication system
The method for beamforming in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: receiving a sounding packet so as to estimate channel state information between a transmitter and a receiver; generating a beamforming matrix in accordance with the channel state information; generating a beamforming steering matrix by multiplying the beamforming matrix by a rotation matrix; and feeding back the beamforming steering matrix.
US08217829B2 Apparatus and method for determining axis deviation of radar
A radar, mounted on a vehicle, emits electromagnetic waves to a side area of a vehicle and receives reflected electromagnetic waves to detect a distance and a bearing of a physical object. A speed of the vehicle is detected. When the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined whether multiple reflection occurs based on at least distances detected by the radar. If it is determined that the multiple reflection occurs, an axis deviation of the radar is determined based on a difference between the detected bearing of the multiple reflection waves and a reference bearing.
US08217820B2 Using multi-level pulse width modulated signal for real time noise cancellation
A mixed signal processing circuit includes an analog to PWM converting circuit and a finite impulse response (FIR) filter having a multiple output tapped delay line and a summing and integration circuit. The mixed signal processing circuit converts an input analog signal to a PWM signal, forms a multi-level PWM signal from the PWM signal and one or more delayed versions of the PWM signal, and converts the multi-level PWM signal to an output analog signal. The analog to PWM converting circuit is implemented using a triangle waveform generator and a comparator. The FIR filter is implement using a resistive network to apply scaling coefficients of the FIR filter. The mixed signal processing circuit can be implemented within a noise cancellation headphone to generate a noise cancelling signal or generally in applications that would be benefitted from the combination of analog input/output and digital filter techniques.
US08217815B2 Sigma-delta modulator with shared operational amplifier and associated method
A Sigma-Delta modulator with a shared operational amplifier (op-amp) includes an integrated circuit, having two integrators sharing the op-amp, capable of integrating two input signals of the two integrators; a plurality of quantizers, coupled to the integrating circuit, for comparing outputting signals of the integrators with a predetermined signal and then generating digital outputting signals; a plurality of DACs, respectively coupled to the quantizers, for converting the digital outputting signals to analog feedback signals to the integrators; and a clock generator, for providing clock signals to the integrating circuit and the quantizers. Accordingly, layout area and power consumption of the modulator are reduced due to the shared op-amp.
US08217814B1 Low power serial to parallel converter
A serial-to-parallel converter includes a sampling unit that may, in response to a serial clock signal, sample a serial data stream and provide an even serial data stream, and an odd serial data stream. The serial-to-parallel converter also includes a strobe generator and a number of latches. The strobe generator generates a plurality of enable signals based upon the serial clock signal. The frequency of a given enable signal corresponds to a fractional multiple of a frequency of the serial clock signal. In response to a particular respective enable signal, each of a first portion of the latches may latch and output a particular respective even data bit. Each of a second portion of the latches may latch and output a particular respective odd data bit. The serial-to-parallel converter further includes a number of output flip-flops to output the data bits in parallel in response to an output clock signal.
US08217812B2 Adjustable sampling rate converter
Techniques of this disclosure provide for adjustment of a conversion rate of a sampling rate converter (SRC) in real-time. The SRC determines relative timing of generated output samples based on non-approximated integer components that are recursively updated. The SRC may further base relative timing of output samples on a value of one or more step size components associated with the integer components. Also according to techniques of this disclosure, a conversion rate of an SRC may be adjusted in real-time based on a detected mismatch between a source clock of a digital input signal and a local clock.
US08217805B2 Address stripping in a meter reading wireless mesh network and associated system
A meter reading system includes a meter reading wireless mesh network having wireless meter reading nodes in communication with an access point. Each wireless meter reading node has an address associated therewith. The meter reading wireless mesh network is configured to define a given downstream route, from the access point to a given node via successive intermediate nodes, based upon addresses of the successive intermediate nodes and the given node. The respective address at each successive intermediate node is stripped while routing data along the given downstream route from the access point to the given node.
US08217804B2 High power AMR transmitter with data profiling for mobile networks
The invention provides a method and circuitry for transmitting signals in a frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum, AMR network using mobile receivers operating at greater than 1 milliwatt and providing data profiling data to be read out through an I/O port or transmitted over the RF network, which may use one-way or two-way communication.
US08217797B2 Posture training device
Sensory indication modules intimately associated with a surface for detection of angle relative to true vertical and acceleration, and include feedback indicators for communicating localized information in relation to the detected angle and acceleration. Further included is a control module for communicating command and control instructions with the sensory indication modules.
US08217794B2 Active RFID system for port logistics using multi-hop communication and communication method in the system
Provided are an active radio frequency identification (RFID) system for port logistics and a communication method in the RFID system in which the forms of commands and response messages in the current standard are not changed in order to maintain compatibility with the current standard and to support multi-hop communication and some fields that are not generally used are used so as to enable communication between a tag in a shadow area and a reader by multi-hop communication using other surrounding tags.
US08217793B2 Rogue RFID detector
A system, techniques, and apparatus for detecting rogue RFID readers are disclosed. The system detects unauthorized reader to tag communication, and with multiple detectors, provides location information concerning one or more unauthorized readers. The system can detect high power commands of an unauthorized reader(s) in predefined areas and be integrated with an article surveillance system.
US08217792B2 Acceleration-based theft detection system for portable electronic devices
A theft prevention system for protecting portable electronic devices is disclosed. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present. If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware/software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface.
US08217791B2 Tracking unit
A tracking unit for assisting in the recovery of stolen monies or other property includes a housing containing a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from overhead satellites, a cellular phone transceiver, a microprocessor, and a battery. Following a theft, the microprocessor activates the cellular phone transceiver to dial the telephone number of a central monitoring station. The microprocessor obtains location data from the GPS receiver and transmits the location data, along with identification information, to the central monitoring station. The tracking unit also includes a separate, conventional RF beacon transmitter for allowing authorities to home-in on the tracking unit within a large building or other structure, either after the GPS signals are lost, or after the location of the tracking unit is localized to a specific building or area.
US08217782B2 Industrial field device with reduced power consumption
A field device for use in monitoring or controlling an industrial process includes two wire process control loop electrical connections. Digital communications monitoring circuitry coupled to the electrical connections and is configured to control power to the field device electrical circuitry in response to a digital signal on the two wire process control loop.
US08217781B2 Method of facilitating servicing an appliance using a central collector
A central collector has appliance communication links to communicate with multiple appliances, and removable memory to store operational data retrieved from the appliances. When the memory is removed from the central collector and installed in a device capable of communication, the operational data can be communicated from the removable memory to a remote service center or a portable computing device.
US08217779B2 Radio frequency identification device
An RFID device includes an analog block, a digital block, and a memory block. The analog block receives a radio frequency signal in order to output an operating command signal. The digital block outputs an address, an operating control signal, a temperature sensor activating signal, and a temperature compensating signal in response to the operating command signal. The memory block reads/writes data in a cell array having a plurality of nonvolatile ferroelectric capacitors. The memory block also has a temperature treating unit that sets a parameter value for temperature compensation in response to the temperature compensating signal, detects a temperature change state in an RFID tag in response to the temperature sensor activating signal, and compares the temperature change state with the parameter value. The parameter value is changed according to the comparison result and outputs a digital code value corresponding to the temperature change state.
US08217774B2 Method for controlling a locking system of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for controlling a locking system of a motor vehicle wherein, as the states of the locking system, there is an unlocked state, a locked state from which it is possible to switch to the unlocked state via at least a first operating element inside the vehicle, and a security state in which by simply activating a first operating element it is not possible to switch to the unlocked state. The aim of the invention is to propose a method that allows a person inside the motor vehicle to still leave the motor vehicle despite user activation of the security state without substantially easing the opening of the motor vehicle from the outside by an unauthorized third party. Four concepts are proposed that can all be implemented in combination to great benefit. They enable a person still inside the vehicle to leave the motor vehicle upon activation of the security state.
US08217773B2 Field watch apparatus
A field watch apparatus uses a storage unit to store detection data of a detected obstacle from an obstacle sensor that detects objects under control of a control unit, and the detection data accumulated in the storage unit over time is used to display a mark on a captured image that is captured by a camera and shown on a screen of a display unit. The mark size and other attributes of the mark in the image are controlled in a manner that enables a view to easily recognize an old mark from a new one, thereby providing an intuitive recognition of the obstacle movement in a certain direction in the captured image, when the mark is superposed in the captured image for multiple times based on the accumulated detection data in the storage unit.
US08217769B2 Actuating a tactile sensation in response to a sensed event
Systems and methods for actuating a tactile stimulation in response to detecting a specific event associated with exposure to a particular environmental or physiological condition are described herein. A tactile stimulation device, according to one of several implementations, comprises a sensing layer, an actuating layer, and an adhesive layer. The sensing layer, which is sensitive to exposure to a particular condition, is configured to sense when a specific event associated with exposure to the particular condition occurs. The actuating layer is configured to provide a tactile stimulation to a human subject when the specific event occurs. The adhesive layer is configured to affix the sensing layer and actuating layer with respect to a surface portion of the skin of the human subject such that the human subject can sense the tactile stimulation provided by the actuating layer. The sensing layer, actuating layer, and adhesive layer can be bonded together to form a relatively flat structure.
US08217764B2 Subarea control system of electrical lighting separated by a demarcation repeater
A subarea control system of electrical lighting separated by a demarcation repeater 6 comprises: a bus power supply 5 connected to the electric supply 1; at least a demarcation repeater 6 connected to the bus power supply 5 via a bi-phase digital information transmission bus 2 to establish a contact with the uplink bus, while the demarcation repeater 6 need to be connected to the electric supply 1; a system controller 7 connected to the bi-phase digital information transmission bus 2 to form a transmission path 9 so as to broadcast the system instructions within the whole system; at least a subarea controller 8 connected to the bi-phase digital information transmission bus 2; at least a group of lamp controllers 3 respectively connected to the bi-phase digital information transmission bus 2 to receive the information instructions and to access the electric supply 1; the subarea controller 8 and the lamp controllers 3 form a subarea instruction transmission path 10 whose boundary is the demarcation repeater 6, and the subarea instructions are valid on the subarea instruction transmission path 10.
US08217761B2 Method for preventing reader collision, method for driving an RFID reader using the method and RFID reader for performing the method
A method for preventing reader collision, includes detecting the number of readable readers within a readable region of a target reader, calculating the number of peripheral readers within the readable region and a collision region of the target reader by using the number of the readable readers, forming one frame with time slots of which the number equals to the number of the peripheral readers, and setting a present time slot of the target reader to be one of the time slots, the one being selected randomly in the time slots. Therefore, a multiple-readers-to-tag interference which happens when more than one RFID reader tries to access to one tag and a reader-to-reader interference are prevented.
US08217760B2 Applique nodes for performance and functionality enhancement in radio frequency identification systems
In an RFID system with existing reader and tags communicating with each other, appliqués derive information by listening to this communication to yield significant performance benefits, while not affecting the communication between the existing nodes. For example, an appliqué capable of receiving beamforming can estimate the angle of arrival of the signal emitted by a tag, thereby providing information that can be used to localize the tag. An appliqué may be connected to an existing reader by means of an existing port, such as to an antenna port or to an Ethernet port. The information from appliqués can be integrated with that obtained from existing nodes at either the appliqués, or further up the hierarchy in middleware.
US08217759B2 Systems and methods for detecting activities
Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for detecting activities and determining information about the activities. Exemplary embodiments use one or more items of context information on one or more objects to detect an activity. Examples of context information include, but are not limited to, identities of objects, roles or activities associated with objects, locations/locales of objects, historical locations/locales of objects, associations between objects, duration of associations between objects, etc. Upon detecting an activity, exemplary embodiments also determine information about the detected activity.
US08217754B1 System, method and computer program product for remotely actuating a lock via a cellular communication link
A wireless lock actuating system allows user to remotely toggle an existing device between operating and non-operating modes. The system preferably includes a lock and a user interface that generates input signals upon receiving corresponding user inputs respectively. A communications network is communicatively linked to the user interface for transferring the input signals to a remote location, and a service provider is communicatively coupled to the user interface via the communications network. The service provider is responsive to the input signals by generating and transmitting instruction signals and inquiry signals upon receiving corresponding ones of the inputs signals respectively. A controller generates and transmits control signals to the lock upon receiving the instruction signals respectively. Thus, the lock is automatically toggled between locked and unlocked modes upon receiving the control signals from the controller respectively.
US08217749B2 Coil component, transformer, switching power supply unit, and method for manufacturing coil component
A coil component includes coil windings, and resin portions that are insulating members having electrical insulation properties and integrally formed with the coil windings covering parts of surfaces of the coil windings, and the coil component is sandwiched by magnetic core members in directions of winding axes of the coil windings. The coil windings are composed of a plurality of plate-like coil members in a ring shape having ends joined in a stacking direction with a clearance therebetween to be continuous in a predetermined winding direction. The resin portions that are the insulating members cover outermost plate surfaces of the coil members facing the magnetic core members, a space between the adjacent coil members, and inner perimeter edges of the coil members, and have openings along the directions of winding axes of the coil windings.
US08217739B2 Micro switch
A micro switch is disclosed and includes a bracket, at least one conductive terminal assembly, a push rod and an electro-magnet. The conductive terminal assembly has a first terminal, an elastically conductive plate, a spring and a second terminal. A first end of the spring is hooked on the first terminal, and a second end thereof is hooked on the elastically conductive plate. The push rod is slidably installed on the bracket, and has a recess, a sliding inclined surface and a top flat surface. The push rod can be slid to cause the spring to slide into the recess and onto the top flat surface. Thus, the spring can actuate the elastically conductive plate to pivotally rotate and abut against the second terminal. Thus, the structure of the micro switch is simplified and the installation thereof is easier.
US08217737B2 Coupler for tuning resonant cavities
Various exemplary embodiments relate to an improved coupler for resonant cavities and dielectric resonators. The coupler may permit accurate tuning of electromagnetic signals within desired frequency ranges. The coupler may be secured to a movable tuning device by a plurality of securing members. Each securing member may be separate, having no contact with any other securing member.
US08217736B2 Quartz crystal unit, and manufacturing method of the same and manufacturing method of quartz crystal oscillator having quartz crystal unit
A quartz crystal unit has a quartz crystal resonator, a case for housing the quartz crystal resonator, and a lid for covering an open end of the case. The quartz crystal resonator comprises a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator capable of vibrating in a flexural mode of an inverse phase and having at least one groove, and an electrode is disposed on at least one of opposite side surfaces of each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines. The quartz crystal tuning fork resonator has a capacitance ratio r2 of a second overtone mode of vibration greater than 1500. The lid is connected to the case through a connecting member to cover the open end of the case.
US08217735B2 Harmonic suppression device
A harmonic suppression device includes a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB). The multilayer PCB includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The third layer is connected to the ground. The first layer is configured with a power amplifier, an input microstrip, a voltage divider microstrip, and an output microstrip. The power amplifier is operable to amplify radio frequency (RF) signals input using the input microstrip and to output the amplified RF signals using the output microstrip. The second layer is configured with a first microstrip and a second microstrip. One end of each of the first and second microstrips is connected to an alternative one of the first layer and the third layer by vias, and the other ends of the first and second microstrips are unattached so as to suppress harmonics on the power amplifier.
US08217729B2 Integrated circuits including an LC tank circuit and operating methods thereof
An integrated circuit includes an inductor-capacitor (LC) tank circuit coupled with a feedback loop. The LC tank circuit is configured to output an output signal having a peak voltage that is substantially equal to a direct current (DC) voltage level plus an amplitude. The feedback loop is capable of determining if the peak voltage of the output signal falls within a range between a first voltage level and a second voltage level for adjusting the amplitude of the output signal.
US08217725B2 Electrical circuit and ring oscillator circuit including even-number inverters
An electrical circuit includes a first path including even-number inverters connected in series from a first node serving as an input side to a second node serving as an output side, a second path including even-number inverters connected in series from the second node serving as an input side to the first node serving as an output side, a latch circuit providing a connection between the first node and the second node such that a logical value of the first node and a logical value of the second node are opposite to each other, and one or more control signal paths to supply one or more control signals to the latch circuit to provide and sever a connection between the latch circuit and a power supply.
US08217716B2 Bias circuit, high-power amplifier, and portable information terminal
To provide a bias circuit for gain control that can reduce gain variation at low-power output, facilitate setting of output power, and is unlikely to be affected by variation in element values and variations among products. Use in an HPA having three bias circuits serially-connected is assumed. Current of the third bias circuit is varied with a square-law characteristic. The square-law characteristic is amplified by a buffer amplifier including a linear amplifier and a peripheral circuit thereof. Output current of the third bias circuit varies depending on a current drivability coefficient of the diode-connected FET branched from the connection point between a constant current source and the linear amplifier. The output current of the third bias circuit is controlled by providing a circuit that draws a certain amount of current from the current flowing in the FET.
US08217714B2 Microcomputer including remote controlled light-receiving device with power supply switch
A power consumption of a light-receiving device is reduced while a power consumption of a microcomputer that controls the light-receiving device is reduced as well. The microcomputer is structured to include a drive circuit, a sampling/detection circuit, a timer, a system clock generation circuit, a CPU, a ROM and a RAM. The CPU stops providing the light-receiving device with a power supply by turning off a P channel type MOS transistor with the drive circuit and sets the microcomputer in a standby state for a predetermined period of time. When the microcomputer is released from the standby state, the CPU starts providing the light receiving device with the power supply by turning the P channel type MOS transistor on with the drive circuit.
US08217713B1 High precision current reference using offset PTAT correction
A device for providing a high precision current reference comprising a PTAT generator circuit for supplying a voltage, a high precision current reference offset generator circuit for generating a high precision current offset to compensate for variation in a resistance component due to variation in temperature, and a current adding circuit for aggregating the current from the PTAT generator circuit and the current from the high precision current reference offset generator circuit. In one embodiment, a high precision current reference generated is substantially independent of temperature. On-chip resistors may be used to design a high precision current reference. Accordingly, high precision current reference generated maintains high precision with zero temperature co-efficient using on-chip resistors that are substantially cheaper than off-chip resistors.
US08217707B2 Thermal control system and method for operating an integrated circuit
According to one embodiment, a system and method for operating an Integrated Circuit (IC) includes inputting power to the IC in bursts, sensing an IC temperature using a temperature sensor, operating the IC by controlling the power to be outputted by the IC during the burst in dependence on the sensed IC temperature compared to a reference IC temperature using a controller, wherein the IC temperature is obtained at a predetermined moment prior to a start of the burst, and the IC is operated by setting an allowable power to be outputted by the IC prior to the start of the burst.
US08217705B2 Voltage switching in a memory device
Voltage switches, memory devices, memory systems, and methods for switching are disclosed. One such voltage switch uses a pair of switch circuits coupled in series, each switch circuit being driven by a level shift circuit. Each switch circuit uses a group of series coupled transistors with a parallel control transistor where the number of transistors in each group may be determined by an expected switch input voltage and a maximum allowable voltage drop for each transistor. A voltage of a particular state of an enable signal is shifted up to the switch input voltage by the level shift circuits. The particular state of the enable signal turns on the voltage switch such that the switch output voltage is substantially equal to the switch input voltage.
US08217691B2 Low power clocking scheme for a pipelined ADC
Delay locked loops or DLLs are oftentimes employed in pipelined analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Conventional DLLs, though, can consume an excessive amount of power. Here, a DLL is provided with a modified charge pump that allows for reduced power consumption.
US08217687B2 Capacitive load driver
A capacitive load driver includes a first switching element whose first end receives positive potential, an EL element arranged between a second end of the first switching element and the ground, a charge collecting capacitor whose first end is connected to a positive electrode terminal of the EL element, a voltage source connected between a second end of the charge collecting capacitor and the ground, and a controller. The controller charges a parasitic capacitance of the EL element and the charge collecting capacitor, and thereafter, applies negative potential from the voltage source to the second end of the charge collecting capacitor. Thereafter, the controller brings the output voltage of the voltage source to ground potential so that the charge collecting capacitor is discharged to charge the EL element. The capacitance of the charge collecting capacitor is set to be sufficiently greater than that of the parasitic capacitance.
US08217681B2 Configurable input port of an electronic computer of a motor vehicle
An input port (2) of an electronic computer (4) of a motor vehicle includes: i) a plurality of pull-up loads (230a), each pull-up load being coupled to a power supply line (21) and to an input line (20) and including at least one transistor (231a) forming a current mirror with a first current reference module (232a), and ii) a plurality of pull-down loads (230b), each pull-down load being coupled to a ground line (22) and to the input line (20) and including at least one transistor (231b) forming a current mirror with a second current reference module (232b). Each pull-up load and each pull-down load includes a switch (233a, 233b) and the input port is configurable by ordering the closure or opening of each switch. An input circuit (3) including at least one input port and an electronic computer of a motor vehicle including the input circuit are described.
US08217666B2 Capacitance detection apparatus
Provided is a capacitance detection apparatus capable of effectively discriminating between an external factor due to e.g. water drops and a human-induced operation and allowing detection of occurrence of the human-induced operation with a simple arrangement. The apparatus alternately executes a first switching control process and a second switching control process, the first and second switching control processes executing a second switch operation with different charging periods from each other. In each of the first and second switching control processes, the number of repetition times of the second switch operation is counted until the potential of a terminal of a reference capacitance changes to a set potential. Based on the number of repetition times in at least one of the two switching control processes, presence/absence of change in determined capacitance (i.e. capacitance to be determined) is determined and based on the numbers of repetition times in the two control processes, it is determined whether the change in the determined capacitance is due to an event of detection interest or not.
US08217662B2 Testing device for USB I/O board
A testing device for a USB I/O board includes USB plugs connected to the USB I/O board, a connector connected to the USB I/O board, an indication module, and a testing module including data output terminals connected to the USB plugs, data reception terminals connected to the connector, and indication terminals connected to the indication module. The testing module sends a testing signal to the USB I/O board via the data output terminals, and receives the testing signal from the USB I/O board via the data reception terminals. The testing module compares the testing signal to a threshold signal stored in the testing module. If the testing signal and the threshold signal are not substantially the same, the testing module generates an alarm signal to drive the indication module via the indication terminal. The indication module indicates the USB I/O board is abnormal.
US08217661B2 Apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring a process variable
An apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring a process variable. The apparatus includes a sensor element, and at least one electronics unit, which, for measuring the process variable, supplies the sensor element with an electrical exciter signal, receives an electrical measurement signal from the sensor element and evaluates the measurement signal with respect to the process variable. An analog-digital converter is provided in the electronics unit. For measuring the process variable, the electronics unit supplies the sensor element with a first exciter signal and a second exciter signal, timewise one after the other, in such a manner, that the first exciter signal and the second exciter signal have a settable phase (φ)relative to one another.
US08217657B2 Diplex filter and method to filter signals
A diplex filter is formed by two impedance-transforming filters with separate transmission frequency ranges and with separate cut-off frequency ranges and a connection node at which two series elements of the two filters are connected. These two series elements are each fashioned as a parallel oscillating circuit, each parallel oscillating circuit exhibiting a predetermined reactance in a midband of the respective transmission frequency range and a parallel resonance in a midband of the respective cut-off frequency range. The diplex filter can be realized in a simple and cost-effective manner without ferrite-containing special components, for instance inductively coupled coils or tapped coils thereby allowing use thereof in a magnetic resonance tomograph, for example.
US08217656B2 Motion compensation in magnetic resonance imaging
In a method of compensating for the effects of motion of an image subject during magnetic resonance imaging using phase encoding in a magnetic resonance imaging system having a number of wireless local coils and a wireless microwave transceiver array, one or more phase encoding steps are implemented to derive one or more magnetic resonance signals in the wireless coils. The signals from the phase encoding steps are upconverted to generate upper and lower sidebands of the magnetic resonance signals; and the upconverted upper and lower sideband signals are transmitted to the microwave array. Signals are derived from the upper and lower sidebands; and a representative phase difference between the signals derived from the upper and lower sidebands is determined from one or more of the phase encoding steps; then the representative phase difference is applied to each pair of derived signals for every phase encoding step to produce phase compensated signal pairs; such that the pair of signals are moved more closely into phase.
US08217650B2 Magnetic resonance imaging system and magnetic resonance imaging method
A magnetic resonance imaging system detects a magnetic resonance signal generated from a sample, repeatedly acquires data on the detected magnetic resonance signal in an imaging period and arranges the acquired data in k space. The data is acquired in one acquisition pattern of a plurality of different acquisition patterns, which are determined so that an acquisition frequency of data in some areas of k space is different from that in the other areas of k space. An image of the sample is repeatedly reconstructed based on the acquired data and arranged in the k space. The acquisition is controlled to change the acquisition pattern during the imaging period.
US08217646B2 Inspection apparatus for performing inspections
An inspection apparatus is provided that can include at least one probe receiving unit. The at least one probe receiving unit can be capable of processing data corresponding to one or more of image information of the type that can be generated by a visual inspection probe, eddy current information of the type that can be generated by a eddy current probe, and ultrasound information of the type that can be generated by a ultrasound probe.
US08217644B2 High sensitivity differential current transformer for insulation health monitoring
A current transformer is provided. The current transformer includes a magnetic core having a central opening, at least one pair of conductors extending through the central opening and positioned symmetrically with respect to a center point of the magnetic core, one or more coils disposed on the magnetic core along a magnetic neutral axis of the magnetic core and one or more coils disposed on the magnetic core along a reference axis, wherein the reference axis is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic neutral axis.
US08217641B2 Device and method for reading electric currents resulting from an electromagnetic signal detector
A device for reading electric currents including a capacitive element to integrate the current, the terminals of the capacitive element being connected to the mass and to an output branch of the device respectively, and a differential pair including: a first transistor mounted between the input branch of the input stage and the capacitive element, the transistor being controlled by a polarized impulse voltage, capable of putting the first transistor alternately into the off state and then into the on state; and a second transistor mounted between the input branch of the input stage and a potential other than that of the capacitive element, said transistor also being controlled by a polarized impulse voltage, capable of putting the second transistor alternately into the off state and then into the on state, wherein the second transistor is mounted in phase opposition relative to the first transistor.
US08217637B2 Frequency compensation based on dual signal paths for voltage-mode switching regulators
A frequency compensation method for voltage-mode switching regulators is disclosed. A lowpass filter and a bandpass filter are employed in the two signal paths into the dual inputs of PWM comparators. In one embodiment, two zeros are generated to compensate for the L-C output filter poles. Stable operation, low output voltage ripple and fast load transient response are achieved; while the power consumption of error amplifier and the area for implementing on-chip passive components are greatly reduced.
US08217630B2 Electric load damper for damping torsional oscillation
An electric load damper assembly includes a synchronous generator operable to provide a plurality of phases of electrical output in response to a mechanical input from a rotating shaft. An electric load damper includes a phase leg for each of the plurality of phases. Each phase leg includes a resistive load, a snubber and at least one solid state switch. The at least one solid state switch is in parallel with the snubber, and the at least one solid state switch and snubber are collectively in series with the resistive load. A controller is operable to receive a signal indicative of a rotational speed oscillation of the synchronous generator, and is operable to selectively reduce a torsional oscillation of the shaft by diverting electrical current from the synchronous generator through the resistive load of each of the plurality of phases in response to the signal exceeding a predefined threshold.
US08217624B2 Power storage system
An object is to improve safety. Provided is a power storage system including a battery apparatus 1; a power converter 2 provided between the battery apparatus 1 and a load 3 and that can control power supplied from the battery apparatus 1 to the load 3; and a battery monitoring circuit 4 that detects an abnormality in the battery apparatus 1. When an abnormality in the battery apparatus 1 is detected by the battery monitoring circuit 4, the power converter 2 supplies power stored in the battery apparatus 1 to the load 3 or to an internally provided internal load at or below a current value or power value that is set in advance, or alternatively, at a current value or power value that the load 3 demands, within a range that does not exceed an upper limit that is set in advance.
US08217616B2 Electric motor control with buck boost converter
A power supply for an electric motor includes a converter that can increase and decrease a voltage supplied into an inverter and then into the stator windings of the motor. As a separate feature, the inverter includes a control coil which is positioned within a motor housing such that it may be cooled by a thermal management system for the motor.
US08217610B2 Power tools
A power tool includes a motor, a first device and a second device. The motor receives a supply of an electric power from a power source externally of the power tool. The first device determines if the electric power supplied from the power source is an AC power or a DC power. The second device permits or interrupts the supply of the electric power to the motor depending on the determination of the first device.
US08217604B2 Apparatus motor control method
A method for controlling a motor can suppress an influence of speed variation due to cogging of the motor. The method includes performing a preliminary drive process to output a first driving signal to the motor to move the mechanism, performing the preliminary drive process to output a second driving signal corresponding to a cogging period of the motor to the motor as well as output the first driving signal, to move the mechanism, determining parameters which include an output waveform and output timing of the second driving signal based on a speed of the mechanism in the preliminary drive process, and outputting the second driving signal according to the determined parameters to the motor as well as outputting the first driving signal to the motor in an actual drive process to perform predetermined processing by moving the mechanism.
US08217593B2 Method and driving unit for driving a gas-discharge lamp
In this method an arc-length control value, indicating the current length of a discharge arc of the gas-discharge lamp (1), is monitored and the lamp (1) is driven in a first operation mode (OMP) with a first current wave-shape when the arc-length control value indicates that the arc-length is higher than a switching threshold, which first current wave-shape is selected to result in a tip (31) growing on an electrode (30) of the lamp (1), and the lamp (1) is driven in a second operation mode (OMn) with a second current wave-shape when the arc-length control value indicates that the arc-length is lower than a switching threshold, which second current wave-shape is selected such that the tip (31) on the electrode (30) is at least partly melted back. In this method an operating frequency of the lamp is switched from a first frequency value (fi) to a second frequency value (f2), which second frequency • (f 2) value is higher than the first frequency value (fi)′, if a first time criterion pertaining to a duration of driving of the lamp (1) in the second operation mode (OMn) is fulfilled and the operating frequency is switched from the second frequency value (f2) to the first frequency value (fi), if a second time criterion pertaining to a duration of driving of the lamp (1) in the first operation mode (OMP) is fulfilled.
US08217590B2 Window-mounted solar powered illumination device
A solar powered illuminating device comprises a shell and a lampshade, wherein said shell is capable of being hung on a transparent surface comprising a backlight surface and a light-receiving surface, wherein said light-receiving surface is abutted against said transparent surface, said shell further comprising: a solar panel, an illuminating module, a battery unit and a power control module. Said solar panel is arranged on the light-receiving surface for receiving solar energy and converting solar energy into electric energy; said illuminating module is arranged on the backlight surface; said battery unit is used for storing the electric energy and said power control module connects said solar panel and said battery unit, charges the battery unit, and controls the discharge of rechargeable batteries of said battery unit. The lampshade covers the backlight surface in a position corresponding to said illuminating module.
US08217587B2 LED driver circuit
The present invention relates to a low cost LED driver module comprising a switched-mode power supply (smps) having down-converting characteristics (11) which is controlled by a comparator (31). The comparator is hysteresis configured, which reduces ripple and transients in the LED current, and the module can be accomplished with inexpensive standard components.
US08217569B2 Low drive voltage light emitting element
An object of the present invention is to provide a material which does not substantially have a hole injection barrier from an electrode. A composite material containing an organic compound and an inorganic compound, in which measured current-voltage characteristics of a thin-film layer formed from the composite material which is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes each having a work function of 3.5 eV to 5.5 eV follow Formula (1) below, is manufactured. J = { A ⁢ ⁢ exp ⁡ ( - ϕ a 2 ⁢ kT ) } ⁢ V + BV n ( 1 )
US08217557B2 Solid state lights with thermosiphon liquid cooling structures and methods
A solid state lighting (SSL) device with a solid state emitter (SSE) being partially exposed in a channel loop, and methods of making and using such SSLs. The SSE can have thermally conductive projections such as fins, posts, or other structures configured to transfer heat into a fluid medium, such as a liquid coolant in the channel loop. The channel loop can include an upward channel in which the SSE is exposed to warm the coolant in the upward channel, and a downward channel through which coolant moves after being cooled by a cooling structure. The coolant in the channel loop can naturally circulate due to the heat from the SSE.
US08217553B2 Reduced-voltage, linear motor systems and methods thereof
A linear motor system includes an element with a threaded passage, a threaded shaft, and a driving system. The threaded shaft has an axis of rotation which extends through and is at least partially engaged with at least a portion of the threaded passage. The driving system comprises at least two members operatively connected to the element. Each of the two members comprises two or more piezoelectric layers and electrodes which are coupled to opposing surfaces of each of the piezoelectric layers. The members are configured to expand and contract in a direction along the axis of rotation. The driving system is configured to subject the element to vibrations causing the threaded shaft to simultaneously rotate and translate in the direction along the axis of rotation through the element and apply an axial force in the direction along the axis of rotation.
US08217544B2 Motor-generator having stator and inner and outer rotors
A motor-generator has a stator including an annular stator core and stator windings wound on the stator core, an annular inner rotor located radially inward of the stator core, and an annular outer rotor located radially outward of the stator core. Each of the inner and outer rotors is made of a soft magnetic material or magnetic steel. The stator core consists of a plurality of stator core segments each being in the form of a tooth. The stator windings are wound on the stator core in a continuous distributed winding manner at a predetermined winding pitch. The outer rotor consists of a plurality of outer rotor segments each of which is magnetically polarized to have opposite polarities on opposite circumferential ends thereof. Each of the outer rotor segments is offset from the inner rotor by a predetermined electrical angle that corresponds to the winding pitch of the stator windings.
US08217542B2 Electric motor
A noise suppression circuit uses a chip type ferrite bead as a major component of the noise suppression circuit. A motor using this circuit and the compact arrangement of the noise suppression circuit within the layout of an end cap of the motor is also disclosed. The preferred embodiment avoids soldering of the ferrite bead during assembly of the motor.
US08217533B2 Control methods for the synchronization and phase shift of the pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy of power converters
A method of controlling a plurality of power converters 1a, 1b and 1c can be used to interface to a supply network, ac busbar etc. Each power converter includes a network bridge 14 operating in accordance with a pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy having the same switching period and which causes at least one unwanted harmonic in the supply network voltage. The method includes the step of providing the switching period of the PWM strategy of each network bridge with a different time offset relative to a time datum such that the at least one unwanted harmonic in the supply network voltage is at least partially cancelled. Two alternative ways of providing the time offset are described.
US08217530B2 System for managing power based on current monitoring
A system includes a power bus and a circuit. The power bus delivers power from a first power source to an output node. The circuit monitors a current flowing through the power bus and provides power from a second power source to the output node based on an amount of the current, and maintains a voltage level of the output node in a predetermined range.
US08217521B2 Hardwired switch of die stack and operating method of hardwired switch
A hardwired switch of a die stack including eight landing pads is provided. A first, a second, a third, and a fourth landing pads are disposed on a first surface of a die. The second and the fourth landing pads are electrically connected to the first and the third landing pads respectively. A fifth, a sixth, a seventh, and an eighth landing pads are disposed on a second surface of the die. The seventh and the eighth landing pads are electrically connected to the sixth and the fifth landing pads respectively. In a vertical direction of the die, the first, the second, the third, and the fourth landing pads overlap partially or fully with the fifth, the sixth, the seventh, and the eighth landing pads respectively. In addition, an operating method of a hardwired switch is also provided.
US08217518B2 Enhancing metal/low-K interconnect reliability using a protection layer
A protection layer is coated or otherwise formed over the interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a metal line (such as top and bottom metal layers connected by a metal via) and a low-K material. The protection layer includes a vertically aligned dielectric or other material dispersed with carbon nanotubes. The protection layer could include one or multiple layers of carbon nanotubes, and the carbon nanotubes could have any suitable dispersion, alignment, and pattern in each layer of the protection layer. Among other things, the carbon nanotubes help to reduce or prevent damage to the interconnect structure, such as by reducing or preventing the collapse of the low-K material or delamination between the metal line and the low-K material.
US08217507B1 Edge mount semiconductor package
A semiconductor package which is structured to allow for the edge mounting thereof in a vertical mount orientation. The semiconductor package comprises a flexible substrate or “flex circuit.” The flexible substrate includes a conductive pattern disposed on a first surface thereof, and a plurality of conductive pads or terminals disposed on a second surface thereof which is disposed in opposed relation to the first surface. Mounted to the first surface of the flexible substrate are one or more electronic components such as semiconductor dies. The semiconductor die(s) is/are electrically connected to the conductive pattern, and thereafter covered or encapsulated by a package body applied to a portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate. That portion of the flexible substrate including the conductive pads or terminals formed on the second surface thereof is thereafter folded and adhered to a portion of the package body through the use of a suitable adhesive.
US08217493B2 Semiconductor device having capacitor cells
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of capacitor cells having respective lower electrodes to which signals are applied and respective upper electrodes arranged to face the respective lower electrodes, wherein each interconnect connected to a corresponding one of the lower electrodes includes a shield interconnect section enclosing a corresponding one of the upper electrodes.
US08217489B2 Nonvolatile memory element having a tantalum oxide variable resistance layer
A nonvolatile memory apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a variable resistance layer, a resistance value of the variable resistance layer reversibly varying between a plurality of resistance states based on an electric signal applied between the electrodes. The variable resistance layer includes at least a tantalum oxide, and is configured to satisfy 0
US08217474B2 Hermetic MEMS device and method for fabricating hermetic MEMS device and package structure of MEMS device
A hermetic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) package includes a CMOS MEMS chip and a second substrate. The CMOS MEMS Chip has a first substrate, a structural dielectric layer, a CMOS circuit and a MEMS structure. The structural dielectric layer is disposed on a first side of the first structural substrate. The structural dielectric layer has an interconnect structure for electrical interconnection and also has a protection structure layer. The first structural substrate has at least a hole. The hole is under the protection structure layer to form at least a chamber. The chamber is exposed to the environment in the second side of the first structural substrate. The chamber also comprises a MEMS structure. The second substrate is adhered to a second side of the first substrate over the chamber to form a hermetic space and the MEMS structure is within the space.