Document Document Title
US08230515B1 Parameter based operation
A device may include communication logic to receive a request to perform an activity on behalf of a client, where the activity is related to a primary application and a secondary application. The communication logic may send a response that allows the client to perform the activity when the client is authorized. The device may include evaluation logic to determine whether the client is related to the primary license and to determine whether a secondary license related to the secondary application is available. The evaluation logic may allocate the available secondary license to the client for use with the secondary application when the secondary license is available. The evaluation logic may authorize the client to perform the activity when the secondary license is allocated to the client.
US08230514B2 Method for preventing key logger from hacking data typed on keyboard through authorization of keyboard data
A method for preventing a key logger from hacking the keyboard data typed on keyboard through authorization of keyboard data according to the present invention involves transmitting a seed and hash counter, which were created according to a ready-to-input signal in an application program to be protected from hacking, to a device driver; creating a first key data on the basis of the seed and hash counter or a keyboard data created by a keyboard interrupt created from outside in the device driver; creating a second key data on the basis of the seed and hash counter when the application program receives the first key data or a keyboard event data equivalent to the keyboard data; comparing the keyboard event data with the second key data; and receiving the keyboard event data as the data typed on keyboard when the keyboard event data is not identical with the second key data according to the result of the comparison of the prior step.
US08230513B2 Method and apparatus for protecting networks from unauthorized applications
A traffic controller is provided which integrates black-box tests of unauthorized applications to extract application characteristics from associated Internet traffic, exploits the networking information learned by host clients, actively scans and controls hosts on the corporate network, and dynamically configures a corporate firewall to block traffic to and from critical application network elements. As a result, the traffic controller effectively manages unauthorized applications and their associated traffic in a corporate environment.
US08230509B2 System and method for using rules to protect against malware
The invention provides a method of disabling malicious or unwanted software on a computer system using a plurality of rules, wherein the plurality of rules automatically disable functions originating from malicious software. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a function that is attempting to act on an object within the computer system and identifying one or more rules from the plurality of rules that apply to the object. The function may then be automatically disabled when the identified rules indicate that the function should be disabled.
US08230508B2 Host intrusion prevention server
An intrusion-prevention server supporting a set of hosts comprises data filters and an engine which uses a set of encoded rules for assigning data filters to hosts according to metadata characterizing the hosts. Each data filter corresponds to at least one intrusion pattern from among a set of intrusion patterns and the data filters are continuously updated as intrusion patterns change. Metadata acquired from a host varies with a changing state of the host. Acquisition of metadata from each host is streamlined to reduce communications between the server and the hosts and to minimize processing effort for both the server and the hosts.
US08230503B2 Method of extracting windows executable file using hardware based on session matching and pattern matching and apparatus using the same
A method and apparatus for extracting a windows executable file that can search for a pattern related to windows executable files among a large quantity of network packets using a hardware-based session tracking and pattern matching technology and that can extract all packets included in the corresponding session are provided. The method of extracting a windows executable file includes: collecting incoming packets having a payload according to a session of a reference packet having an MZ pattern; performing a portable executable (PE) pattern matching for the collected incoming packets; and forming a PE file based on at least one incoming packet satisfying the PE pattern matching.
US08230502B1 Push alert system, method, and computer program product
A system, method and computer program product are provided for alerting users of a plurality of computers of a security event via a network. A security alert is first generated including information relating to a security event utilizing a server. The security alert is then pushed from the server to a plurality of computers via a network. The information of the security alert is then automatically displayed in a front most window of a user interface of the computers.
US08230496B2 Method for improving security of the security token and apparatus therefor
A method for improving security of the security token, comprising the steps of: detecting the bioelectrical signal of the host user; and allowing the host to access the data stored in the security token after verifying the user. The process of detecting the bioelectrical signal of the host user further comprises the following steps of: capturing the bioelectrical signal of the user; processing the captured bioelectrical signal to produce a bioelectrical feature vector; comparing the bioelectrical feature vector with the previously stored feature vector templates; and verifying the user if the comparing result is greater than or equal to a previously specified threshold. The present also provides two embodiments of an apparatus for improving security of the security token. The present invention eliminates the security problems of the prior art and improves the reliability and security of the security token.
US08230495B2 Method for security in electronically fused encryption keys
A method for electronically fused encryption key security includes inserting a plurality of inverters between a bank of security fuses and a fuse sense logic module. The method also includes sensing an activated set of the bank of security fuses and the plurality of inverters. The method further includes comparing the sensed activated set of the bank of security fuses and the plurality of inverters with a software key to determine whether at least a substantial match is made.
US08230494B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and recording medium
An image processing apparatus, comprises: a document reader that reads images printed in a plurality of areas in a document; a printer that prints on a sheet image data read out from the document by said document reader; a security code detector that detects a security code given to each of the plurality of areas in said document; a password detector that detects a password given at least to one of the plurality of areas in said document; an entry requestor that requests a password to be entered; a password judgment part that judges whether or not said entered password is an appropriate one that corresponds to the password detected by the password detector; and a controller that decides an operation performed by said printer, to print image data from the area having the given password, depending on the judgment result drew by said password judgment part.
US08230492B2 Network device, method of controlling the same and network system
A method and apparatus for mitigating traffic increase due to both a proxy server and a network device transmitting response packets to a search request by multicast. The network device transmits to the proxy server information required for a client apparatus to communicate with the network device. When the proxy server is in a state where proxy-send of the information is possible, the network device restricts response to a search request by multicast from the client apparatus.
US08230487B2 Method and system for controlling access to a secondary system
A method and system for controlling access of a user to a secondary system. The user is logged on a user system. A primary system connects the user system to the secondary system. A first authentication information is received from the user system. After determining that the first authentication information conforms to protected primary authentication data included in the primary system, access of the user to the primary system is provided followed by generation of a user-specific key from the first authentication information. Second authentication information is derived from protected secondary authentication data included in the primary system, by use of the user-specific key in conjunction with the protected secondary authentication data. The second authentication information is provided to the secondary system to enable access of the user to the secondary system.
US08230480B2 Method and apparatus for network security based on device security status
A method and apparatus are provided for network security based on a security status of a device. A security update status of a device is evaluated; and one or more of a plurality of security policies are selected to apply to the device based on the security update status. The available security philosophies may include, for example, a “protect the good” philosophy, an “encourage the busy” philosophy and a “shut off the non-compliant” philosophy. The security update status can evaluate, for example, a version level of one or more security features installed on the device or can be based on a flag indicating whether the device satisfies predefined criteria for maintaining one or more computer security protection features up-to-date.
US08230476B2 Real-time interactive personal video recorder interface
Interacting with a television program includes beginning playback of the program for perception by a user, analyzing the program to detect a cue within the program, automatically pausing playback of the program when the cue is detected, accepting user input data in response to the cue, resuming playback of the program when the user input data is received, and comparing the user input data to a non-user response. Interactivity provided by the program analysis, pausing playback, accepting user input data, resuming playback, and comparing operations supports execution of at least one of an entertainment application and an educational application at a user's site without requiring modification of the television program by a program provider.
US08230474B2 User specified parallel data fetching for optimized web access
A hypermedia document display method can include presenting hypermedia content, the hypermedia content containing hyperlinks to additional hypermedia content; storing selected ones of the hyperlinks in a delayed viewing list; and, caching hypermedia content associated with the stored hyperlinks during the presenting step. The method can further include reconfiguring the stored hyperlinks to point to the cached hypermedia content. The presenting step can include displaying Web content in a Web browser. In that case, the Web content can contain hyperlinks to additional Web content. The presenting step also can include playing back multimedia content in a multimedia content player. Finally, the presenting step can include displaying audiovisual television content combined with hypermedia content in a television set.
US08230471B2 Method of sharing channel information and related device
To provide convenience to usage of an electronic program guide, known as EPG, the present invention provides a method of sharing channel information for a client device coupled to a server including a plurality of communities. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of channels is received to generate a first program list. Community information corresponding to the device is obtained. One of the communities of the server is selected according to the community information. The first program list is then uploaded to the selected community.
US08230469B1 Method and system to distribute consumer video over television network
A method and system for immediate distribution of a purchased consumer video includes an online video portal, which includes a video receiver and a video server. The video receiver connects to the online video merchant over a video distribution network and receives a consumer video from an online video merchant. The consumer video is purchased by a consumer from the online video merchant over a commerce network. The video receiver stores the consumer video in a consumer datastore. The video server connects to a television set of the consumer over a dedicated television channel of a television network. The video server retrieves the stored consumer video from the consumer datastore and sends the consumer video to a television set of the consumer over a dedicated television channel. The consumer video is distributed immediately after the consumer video is received from the online video merchant and stored in the consumer datastore.
US08230452B2 Miniaturized disc drive containing DVD-compatible optical controller
A miniature optical disc drive includes a DVD-compatible optical controller and a cartridge load module designed to hold a cartridge containing a 32 mm optical data storage disc.
US08230448B2 Methods, systems and computer program products for web service interaction with a resource management system
Some embodiments of the present invention provide resource management systems, methods and computer program products that support web services by identifying a web service as an object in a common information model. Additional embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer program products that provide web services from an object-oriented resource management system using a published web services description, e.g., a WSDL file.
US08230446B2 Providing a computing system with real-time capabilities
A computing system is provided with real-time capabilities so that the system is capable of running applications such that one or more real-time criteria are satisfied. An interrupt architecture of the computing system is disabled. The interrupt architecture generates interrupts sent to a firmware of the computing system in response to events. A different architecture is substituted within the computing system for the interrupt architecture. The different architecture is responsive to the events without violating the real-time criteria. In response to the events occurring, the different architecture causes one or more corrective actions to be performed.
US08230445B2 Event management method and system
Method and system in an event management system is disclosed. The method includes the step of creating an agent on a server in an event management system for monitoring an event. The event is present when a data achieving a predefined status defined by a business rule. The event management system includes a data source for generating the notification. The method further includes the steps of running the agent according to a schedule; generating the notification upon occurring of the event.
US08230443B2 Supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application having a layered architecture
A supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application is disclosed. The components of the application are distributable to a plurality of networked computer devices in a multi-layered hierarchical manner wherein lower layers host higher installed layers of application components. Application objects reside at a relatively high level of the distributed application architecture and model entities within a process control system. Engine objects host execution of the application objects in a run-time environment. Thus, application objects are not deployed until a host engine object with which they are associated have been deployed. Engine objects are hosted by platform objects. The platform objects correspond to a physical computer system component for executing the engine objects and associated application objects. A configuration facility presents a variety of views including deployment and model views of the application. The views incorporate the relationships of the objects that make up the distributed application.
US08230434B2 Entitlement management system, method and program product for resource allocation among micro-partitions
An entitlement management system for distributing spare CPU processor resources to a plurality of deployment groups operating in a data processing system, the system comprising: a deployment group entitlement component comprising: an allocation component for allocating a plurality of micro-partitions to a deployment group; a determining component for identifying spare CPU processor cycles from a donor micro-partition and distributing the identified spare CPU processor cycles to a requester micro-partition in the deployment group; the determining component further comprises identifying when there are no further spare CPU processor cycles to be donated to any of the micro-partitions in the deployment group and communicating a request to a management entitlement component; and a management entitlement component receiving requests from at least two deployment group entitlement components and identifying if one of the deployment groups has spare CPU processor cycles to donate to a further deployment group and on a positive determination donating the spare CPU cycles to the further deployment group.
US08230433B2 Shared performance monitor in a multiprocessor system
A performance monitoring unit (PMU) and method for monitoring performance of events occurring in a multiprocessor system. The multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of processor devices units, each processor device for generating signals representing occurrences of events in the processor device, and, a single shared counter resource for performance monitoring. The performance monitor unit is shared by all processor cores in the multiprocessor system. The PMU comprises: a plurality of performance counters each for counting signals representing occurrences of events from one or more the plurality of processor units in the multiprocessor system; and, a plurality of input devices for receiving the event signals from one or more processor devices of the plurality of processor units, the plurality of input devices programmable to select event signals for receipt by one or more of the plurality of performance counters for counting, wherein the PMU is shared between multiple processing units, or within a group of processors in the multiprocessing system. The PMU is further programmed to monitor event signals issued from non-processor devices.
US08230431B2 Guaranteed core access in a multiple core processing system
Exclusive access to a core or part of a core, or to multiple cores, but in any case less than all of the cores, of a multiple core processing system. The access can be requested by an instruction, or by a routine. Once granted, the access provides exclusive access to the core so that a program can be run which requires substantially uninterrupted access to the core.
US08230426B2 Multicore distributed processing system using selection of available workunits based on the comparison of concurrency attributes with the parallel processing characteristics
A distributed processing system delegates the allocation and control of computing work units to agent applications running on computing resources including multi-processor and multi-core systems. The distributed processing system includes at least one agent associated with at least one computing resource. The distributed processing system creates work units corresponding with execution phases of applications. Work units can be associated with concurrency data that specifies how applications are executed on multiple processors and/or processor cores. The agent collects information about its associated computing resources and requests work units from the server using this information and the concurrency data. An agent can monitor the performance of executing work units to better select subsequent work units. The distributed processing system may also be implemented within a single computing resource to improve processor core utilization of applications. Additional computing resources can augment the single computing resource and execute pending work units at any time.
US08230413B2 Detecting incorrect versions of files
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment issue a warning if a file to be used is an older version. In an embodiment, the warning includes an identification of the location of a newer version of the file. In an embodiment, the file is a class, and the old and new versions are found using a classpath, but in other embodiments any type of file or other object may be used. In this way, the use of incorrect versions of files may be detected and avoided.
US08230406B2 Compiler option consistency checking during incremental hardware design language compilation
Method, system, and program product for processing hardware design language code to facilitate reuse of compiled code units including options and option values in compiled code units. The method includes the steps of grouping options and option values to determine if code controlled by them will be reused; and determining options and option values that would permit and prevent reuse of compiled code units.
US08230402B2 Testing and debugging of dynamic binary translation
A method for testing and debugging of dynamic binary translation wherein a dynamic binary translator allows a target binary to be executed transparently on a host machine having a different computer architecture than the target machine involves selecting a minimum set of target machine states for simulation at run-time. A series of target machine instructions from the target binary is translated into a series of host machine instructions. During translation, a plurality of check points are inserted into the series of host machine instructions. During translation, a plurality of verification points are inserted into the series of host machine instructions. The series of host machine instructions, including the check points and verification points, are executed. Execution of a check point determines a simulated target machine state. Execution of a verification point sends information pertaining to simulated target machine states to an external verifier.
US08230397B2 Automated solution that detects configuration problems in an eclipse-based software application
The present invention discloses an automated method for detecting configuration problems in an ECLIPSE-based software application. Such a method can begin with the receipt of a user-command to test a configuration of an ECLIPSE-based software application or with a detection of a feature addition/update when an auto-testing feature is enabled. Information about the available sites for the ECLIPSE-based application can then be obtained. Then, a list of software elements required to operate the ECLIPSE-based software application can be compiled. At least one data attribute can be extracted from the meta data of each software element in the compiled list. The extracted data attributes can then be analyzed. When the analysis identifies a configuration problem, the existence of the configuration problem can be validated.
US08230396B2 Apparatus and method to debug a software program
A method is disclosed to debug a computer program. The method provides a computer program comprising source code, and a listing of that source code. The method further provides a computing device comprising a data storage medium, and stores the computer program in that data storage medium. The method then runs the computer program, and subsequently detects an error condition. The method creates and saves to the data storage medium a dump file comprising (N) save areas. Using information abstracted from the dump file and the source code listing, the method reproduces the source code execution at the time the error condition was detected.
US08230395B1 Memory mapping for single and multi-processing implementations of code generated from a block diagram model
Methods and systems are provided for automatically generating code from a graphical model representing a design to be implemented on components of a target computational hardware device. During the automatic code generating process, a memory mapping is automatically determined and generated to provide an optimization of execution of the program on the target device. The optimized memory mapping is incorporated into building the program executable from the automatically generated code of the graphical model.
US08230389B2 OSGi dynamic bundle generation at runtime
A method of dynamically creating an OSGi bundle is provided, including determining a directory for creation of the OSGi bundle, a runtime environment, and an OSGi framework, determining a functionality and a data for the OSGi bundle based on the runtime environment and the OSGi framework, creating a JAR file of the OSGi bundle with the data and the functionality, creating a bundle manifest for the OSGi bundle accordingly, installing and starting the OSGi bundle; and using an activator of the OSGi bundle to any one of initialize services and perform any additional tasks. One of a main OSGi bundle and an application performs the determining, the creating, and the installing and starting. The main OSGi bundle and the application have logic that enables the determining of the functionality and the data offered by the OSGi bundle. An initialization of the services and a performance of the any additional tasks is dependent on the functionality and the data of the OSGi bundle. The main OSGi bundle includes an activator launched prior to the determining the directory. The activator of the main OSGi bundle performs the determining, the creating, and the installing and starting. The application installing and starting the OSGi bundle is framework dependent.
US08230388B2 Smart generator
The Smart Generator of the present invention allows the designer/developer/user to model the EJB components in a natural way without being concerned with implementation-specific details. The developer models the business objects using a UML drawing tool and the Smart Generator creates a set of classes that implements these objects with reference to the Enterprise JavaBeans specification. That is, the Smart Generator automatically create access methods and handling containment of references from the UML diagram.
US08230376B2 Designing supply wirings in semiconductor integrated circuit by detecting power supply wiring of specific wiring layer in projection area
A design support method for causing a computer using layout data for providing a layout in which macro cells are arranged and in which power supply wirings are formed at certain intervals in each wiring layer to execute, the method including: extracting a set of adjacent macro cells from the layout data; specifying a region located between macro cells that constitute the set of adjacent macro cells extracted in the extracting step from among row regions included in the layout represented by the layout data; detecting a power supply wiring of a specific wiring layer in a projection area located above the region specified in the specifying step, the specific wiring layer being higher than a bottom layer of the layout represented by the layout data; and outputting a region where no power supply wiring of the specific wiring layer is detected in the detecting step.
US08230364B2 Information retrieval
An information retrieval system in which a set of distinct information items map to respective nodes in an array of nodes by mutual similarity of the information items, so that similar information items map to nodes at similar positions in the array of nodes; comprises a search arrangement for selecting a subset of the information items by applying a user-defined search query against the information items, the search arrangement being operable to detect a degree of relevance of each information item in the subset to the search query; and a graphical user interface for displaying a representation of those nodes corresponding to at least some of the subset of information items as a two-dimensional display array of display points within a node display area on a user display; the graphical user interface being operable to display the display points with respective display properties dependent on the detected degree of relevance of the corresponding information item.
US08230360B2 User interface for selection from media collection
Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to user. A system includes a content source and a GUI communicatively connected to the content source. The GUI includes a user input area to receive user input and a display area to display available content items from the content source based on the received user input. The display area includes a presentation of the available content arranged in one or more rows. Each row includes a user selectable area to display at least one visual indication that represents one or more of the available content items. Each row includes a holding area to display another visual indication that represents other available content items not displayed in the user selectable area. The display area includes highlighting positioned over one of the available content items.
US08230356B2 Apparatus, system, and method for concurrent window selection
An apparatus, system and method of concurrent window selection are provided. The invention communicates a directive to a plurality of window modules. Each window module may enter a selected state responsive to receiving a selection directive, enter a deselected state responsive to receiving a deselection directive, and maintain an existing state responsive to receiving a null directive. The state of each window module is independent of and unaffected by the state and the state change of each other window module. The invention further communicates a command to each window module in the selected state.
US08230330B2 Rewriting a part of a first flow description document into a reference to a corresponding part of a second flow description document
An apparatus which processes a flow description document detects a common part between the first and second flow description documents, and rewrites the common part in the second flow description document into a reference to that in the first flow description document.
US08230327B2 Identifying statements requiring additional processing when forwarding a web page description
A system which enables an administrator to conveniently specify statements of a web page description which may require additional processing. The administrator may select from a list of statement types, and a language grammar corresponding to the selected statement type is displayed. The administrator may provide variable data associated with the fields of the displayed language grammar, and a rule instance is created from the language grammar and the variable data. An intermediate server may determine whether each statement of a web page description matches any of the rule instances. If a match is detected, the corresponding statement is determined to potentially require additional processing (such as modification of a URL in a reverse proxy server).
US08230326B2 Method for associating annotations with document families
The present invention generally provides methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for managing an annotation system that includes storing annotations for a document family, i.e., a series of versions of a data source. Annotations created for one version of the data source may be viewed in context from both subsequent and prior versions of the same data source. Embodiments of the invention associate annotations with both a data source “family identifier” as well as a “version identifier.” Other than adding a family ID to the data source, the data source remains unchanged. The family ID is maintained across different versions of the data source, whereas version IDs are determined for a specific version of the data source. Version IDs can be constructed from each data source directly, and do not need to be stored.
US08230323B2 Content distribution system and method
A system and method is provided for automatically identifying information in unstructured text and extracting data representing certain types of information from the text to produce a structured set of templates with the extracted data. The newly structured data is then delivered to different types of user devices in accordance stored criteria associated with each type of device.
US08230321B2 System in an electronic spreadsheet for displaying and/or hiding range of cells
The present invention is directed to a method, system and program for displaying and/or hiding, in an electronic multi-dimensional spreadsheet on a user interface, elements of a range of cells, a range of cells having one or more contiguous elements aligned along a given spreadsheet dimension, an element of a range of cells having one or more cells along one or a plurality of spreadsheet dimensions. The method includes (A) detecting a command for hiding at least one element in a selected range of cells, the command comprising means for identifying the selected range of cells and means for identifying a display focus level selected among a plurality of ordered display focus levels defined for the selected range of cells; (B) identifying the selected range of cells in the element to hide; (C) identifying the selected display focus level; (D) identifying a table associated with the selected range of cells, the table associating each defined display focus level with at least one cell content criteria to apply to the content of the at least one cell; and (E) selectively displaying the element on the user interface based on the relationship of the selected display focus level with the display focus level associated with the element.
US08230301B2 Memory device including memory controller
A memory device includes a semiconductor memory including a plurality of memory cells, and a controller including a buffer which temporarily stores data, a data pattern check circuit which checks a predetermined data pattern of data that are stored in the buffer and are to be stored in a plurality of neighboring ones of the memory cells, and sends an address in accordance with a result of the check, and a data correction circuit which corrects a value of data at the address that is sent, and sends the corrected value to the semiconductor memory.
US08230299B2 Interleaving scheme for an LDPC coded QPSK/8PSK system
An approach is provided for interleaving low density parity check (LDPC) encoded bits in QPSK/8PSK modulation systems. By assigning the bits determining modulation symbols based on different bit degrees, one can efficiently find the desirable tradeoff between error performance and error floor provided by the LDPC codes in use.
US08230296B2 Iterative decoding of concatenated low-density parity-check codes
Techniques to perform iterative decoding of concatenated low-density parity-check codes (LDPC) are described. Iterative decoding of the concatenated code is achieved by performing T common iterations, wherein a common iteration comprises t1 decoding iterations on the inner LDPC code my means of a first decoder (340) followed by t2 decoding iterations on the outer LDPC code my means of a second decoder (350) , and wherein the two decoders exchange soft-output information.
US08230290B2 Method for retransmitting signals in MIMO system employing HARQ scheme
A method for retransmitting signals in a MIMO system that uses an HARQ scheme is provided. In the method, an additional codeword-to-layer mapping scheme for retransmission in a MIMO system that uses an HARQ scheme is defined and used to efficiently retransmit signals. In addition, required information is obtained using existing control information to more efficiently retransmit signals in terms of control signal overhead.
US08230281B2 Techniques for boundary scan testing using transmitters and receivers
A test driver transmitter drives a test signal through a resistive termination circuit to a first pin to test components on a board during a boundary scan test operation. A test receiver receives the test signal through a second pin and a pass gate coupled to the second pin during the boundary scan test operation. A test signal is transmitted to the test receiver during loopback operation through a loopback circuit.
US08230275B2 Use of parity bits to detect memory installation defects
Various systems and methods for detecting subsystem installation defects are provided. In one example method, a test value is generated in a detection tool to be applied to a subsystem through a plurality of interconnects. A first parity bit is then generated for the test value using the detection tool, and the test value is transmitted to the subsystem. A second parity bit is generated for the test value in the subsystem. Then, the first parity bit is compared with the second parity bit to determine if a fault exists in one of the interconnects.
US08230274B2 JTAG controlled self-repair after packaging
An integrated circuit containing memory includes IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) controlled self-repair system that permits permanent repair of the memory after the integrated circuit has been packaged. The JTAG controlled self-repair system allows a user to direct circuitry to blow fuses using an externally supplied voltage to electrically couple or isolate components to permanently repair a memory location with JTAG standard TMS and TCK signals. The system may optionally sequentially repair more than one memory location using a repair sequencer.
US08230271B2 Detecting software race conditions
Detecting a race condition is disclosed. An indication of a store operation to a memory address is received. An identifier of the memory address is stored. The identifier is used to detect an occurrence of a memory operation that is not associated with a previous ordering operation.
US08230268B2 Technology infrastructure failure predictor
Apparatus and methods for reducing infrastructure failure rates. The apparatus and methods may compile and store data related to the physical devices and applications associated with an infrastructure change. Variables may be derived from the stored data using a range of methods and multiple variable values may be consolidated. A model may be developed based on the values and relationships of the derived variables. The model may be applied to assess the risk of a prospective infrastructure change.
US08230266B2 System and method for trip event data acquisition and wind turbine incorporating same
A system and method is provided for acquiring operational data from a wind turbine and analyzing trip events. One or more data buffers can store operational data obtained from at least one control subsystem. A trip event detection system can be connected to the data buffers, and monitors for the occurrence of a trip event. The data stored in the data buffers can be transferred to a trip log buffer.
US08230261B2 Field replaceable unit acquittal policy
A system and method for managing faults in a computer-based system are disclosed herein. For example, a system includes fault management logic, and a plurality of field replaceable units (“FRUs”). In response to a detected fault in the system, the fault management logic is configured to identify each FRU of a sub-plurality of the FRUs as a possible root cause of the fault. The fault management logic is further configured to store information, including an acquittal policy, that individually specifies for each identified FRU whether to dismiss the identified FRU from the sub-plurality based on detection of an event corresponding to the identified FRU.
US08230257B2 Systems, methods and devices for controlling backup power provided to memory devices and used for storing of sensitive data
Power-backup capabilities are provided by implementing a variety of different methods, systems and devices. According to one such implementation, a solid-state memory device is implemented with a primary power source that provides primary power. A secondary power source provides secondary power. A power controller provides the primary power to an operating power circuit. The secondary power is provided by enabling a secondary switch located between the secondary power source and the operating power circuit. A solid-state memory uses power from the operating power circuit as a primary source of power when accessing stored data and retains data in the absence of power being provided by the operating power circuit. A memory controller facilitates access to the stored data. In response to problems with the primary power source, pending writes are completed to the solid-state memory circuit. A timing circuit substantially delays full enablement of the secondary switch.
US08230254B2 Redundant system using object-oriented program and method for rescuing object-oriented program
A technology for rescuing an object when a failure occurs in a redundant system. In a synchronization memory, an instance of an object, which includes the virtual function discrimination information for discriminating a memory area where a virtual function corresponding to the object is stored, the class information for discriminating a class corresponding to the object, and the object data to be used for the processing of the object, is stored according to the order of the processing. In a function memory, plural kinds of virtual functions generated for each process to be carried out by the object are stored. When the object of a new active server reproduces the process, the class corresponding to this object is discriminated using the class information, and the virtual function discrimination information of this object is rewritten.
US08230252B2 Time of day response
In an implementation of time of day response, time logic executed by each processor element of a logical processor generates a logical time in response to a time of day request. The logical time is generated to approximate the actual time such that each processor element of the logical processor returns the same logical time.
US08230251B2 Time sequence control circuit
A time sequence control circuit that can control time sequence of a computer. After the computer is turned on, a power supply terminal outputs a high level enabling signal to an enabling pin of a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit is active. A power supply pin of the power supply circuit outputs a standard voltage to a power pin of each of the motherboard components. A first electronic switch is turned on, a second electronic switch is turned off, and a power supply state pin of the power supply circuit outputs a high level power supply state signal to a power state input pin of a main chip after the power supply circuit outputs the standard voltage.
US08230249B2 Dynamic selection of server states for servers in a cluster of servers
Techniques for dynamically selecting a server state for one or more servers in a cluster of servers are provided. The techniques include tracking each active and sleep state of each server in a cluster of servers, and selecting a server state for one or more servers in the cluster of servers to meet one or more workload level requirements of the cluster of servers, wherein selecting a server state for one or more servers comprises scheduling a transition between one or more active and sleep states for the one or more servers, wherein scheduling the transition comprises using power consumption information for each state and transition time information for each transition.
US08230245B2 Method and system for operating-system-independent power management using performance verifications
Systems and methods are disclosed for power management in information handling systems using processor performance data to validate changes to processor performance states. Processor utilization data and processor performance data is obtained during system operation. The processor utilization data is analyzed to determine a desired performance state for the processor. Before setting the actual performance state of the processor to this desired performance state, however, processor performance data is analyzed to determine if prior changes to the performance state have been effective. The performance state of the processor is then changed are maintained based upon this additional performance verification analysis.
US08230239B2 Multiple power mode system and method for memory
A memory power management system and method supporting multiple power modes for powering memory channels. The power management system can include a memory controller that controls the memory channel; a throughput detector that detects a requested throughput of the memory channel; a power control logic that determines a desired power mode corresponding to the requested throughput; and a power control device that supplies a desired voltage of the desired power mode to the memory channel. The power management system can include multiple memory controllers for controlling a multi-channel memory independently. The method includes detecting a requested throughput for the memory channel; determining a desired voltage related to the requested throughput; requesting the desired voltage from a voltage device; and applying the desired voltage to the memory channel. In some embodiments, the method only applies the desired voltage if it does not change for a threshold time duration.
US08230238B2 Estimating power consumption in a computing environment
A method for determining power consumption in a data storage system is provided. The method comprises determining data access patterns for at least a first storage device in a storage system based on operations performed by the first storage device; and calculating power consumption for the storage system by interpolating costs associated with the operations performed by the first storage device, wherein the cost associated with each operation is determined based on: (1) various levels of activities for the first storage device and a mix of workload characteristics, and (2) predetermined power consumption measurements obtained from one or more benchmarks for same operations performed by a second storage device in a test environment.
US08230231B2 One time password key ring for mobile computing device
Single-use character combinations are a secure mechanism for user authentication. Such “one-time passwords” (OTPs) can be generated by a mobile device to which the user otherwise maintains easy access. A key exchange, such as in accordance with the Diffie-Hellman algorithm, can provide both the mobile device and a server with a shared secret from which the OTPs can be generated. The shared secret can be derived from parameters posted on the server and updated periodically, and the mobile device can obtain such parameters from the server before generating an OTP. Such parameters can also specify the type of OTP mechanism to be utilized. A second site can, independently, establish an OTP mechanism with the mobile device. For efficiency, the first server can provide an identity token which provides the mobile device's public key in a trusted manner, enabling more efficient generation of the shared secret with the second server.
US08230228B2 Support of tamper detection for a log of records
Tamper detection of audit records comprises configuring a proxy for adding tamper evidence information to audit information by obtaining audit records from at least one audit record generating source, grouping obtained audit records into subsets of audit records and providing tamper evidence processing to the subsets utilizing a cryptographic mechanism to calculate a signature over each subset of audit records. The proxy groups the subsets such that each subset contains at least one designated carryover audit record that overlaps into a next subset so that each carryover audit record is associated with at least two signatures. As such, the proxy creates an overlapping chain of digitally signed audit records subsets. The proxy further forwards the tamper evident audit records from the tamper evidence adding proxy to a corresponding audit log storage subsystem for storage, storing the calculated signatures.
US08230218B2 Mobile station authentication in tetra networks
A method in a communication system. The mobile station is provided with two or more separate subscriber modules having separate authentication identities. The modules are authenticated and a session key is established between these subscriber modules using the system as a trusted party. The invention improves the ability of the communication system to adjust to the varying operational conditions of the users, and user organizations.
US08230213B2 Method, system and apparatus for protecting a BSF entity from attack
A method, system and apparatus for protecting a bootstrapping service function (BSF) entity from attack includes: obtaining a first temporary identity and a second temporary identity after a user equipment (UE) performing mutual authentication with the BSF entity, where the first temporary identity is different from the second temporary identity; by the UE, originating a re-authentication request to the BSF entity through the first temporary identity; and originating a service request to a NAF entity through the second temporary identity. The present disclosure prevents attackers from intercepting the temporary identity at the Ua interface and using the temporary identity to originate a re-authentication request at the Ub interface, thus protecting the BSF entity from attack and avoiding unnecessary load on the BSF entity and saving resources.
US08230212B2 Method of indexing security keys for mobile internet protocol authentication
The present invention provides a method involving a mobile node, a home agent, and an authentication server in a wireless communication system. The method includes generating, at the authentication server, a first security key that indicates a secure association between the home agent and the mobile node based on a second security key that indicates a secure association between the mobile node and the authentication server. The method also includes generating, at the authentication server, at least one first index associated with the first security key. The first index is also generated by the mobile node. The method also includes storing, at the authentication server, the first index and the first security key.
US08230206B2 Bios parameter erasing method and apparatus applied to computer system
A computer system includes a triggering device; and a motherboard, connected to the triggering device, further comprising: a memory stored with a setting parameter of a basic-input-output-system; and a counter connected between the triggering device and the memory; wherein an erasing signal, for erasing the memory, is outputted to the memory from the counter according to a triggering signal outputted from the triggering device while a boosting procedure cannot be successfully executed by the computer system.
US08230202B2 Apparatus and method for condensing trace information in a multi-processor system
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to characterize a coherency controller. The executable instructions define ports to receive processor trace information from a set of processors. The processor trace information from each processor includes a processor identity and a condensed coherence indicator. Circuitry produces a trace stream with trace metrics and condensed coherence indicators.
US08230191B2 Recording medium storing allocation control program, allocation control apparatus, and allocation control method
An allocation control apparatus allocates duplicate logical volume divided areas to virtual storage areas that do not have data storage area in the physical storage area. The apparatus associates identification information of the allocated virtual storage areas, of the duplicate logical volume divided areas, and of duplication source logical volume divided areas to be set in the management information. The apparatus detects, upon a data writing request, based on the management information, the unallocated real storage area in the logical volume divided area. The apparatus reallocates the real storage area to the duplicate logical volume divided area to update the management information. The apparatus identifies, based on the management information, the real storage area allocated to the duplication source logical volume divided area corresponding to the duplicate logical volume divided area. The apparatus copies data stored in the real storage area to the real storage area.
US08230183B2 Techniques for prolonging a lifetime of memory by controlling operations that affect the lifetime of the memory
Techniques are provided for prolonging a lifetime of memory by controlling operations that affect the lifetime of the memory. At least one aspect associated with the memory lifetime is identified and at least one of the operations is delayed, based on the at least one aspect. The operations include a write operation, an erase operation, a program operation, and/or any other operation that is capable of reducing the memory lifetime.
US08230175B1 Data throughput optimization of a storage device having sequential data access
A system and method optimizing data throughput to a processor from a storage device having sequential data access capabilities where the processor enables its data cache for memory operations involving the storage device. The system includes a processor coupled to the data storage device, e.g., a NAND flash memory. The processor establishes an address window used as a cache (CW) for reading data from the flash memory and also establishes a non-cacheable address window (NCW) for commands, address delivery and writes to the flash memory. The CW is sized to be larger than the processor data cache to ensure that reads from the flash memory always encounter a cache-miss so that read data is obtained directly from the flash memory. By reading through the CW from the flash memory, the processor takes advantage of bursting, pipelining and data prefetch efficiencies which significantly increase data throughput.
US08230172B2 Gather and scatter operations in multi-level memory hierarchy
Methods and apparatus relating to gather or scatter operations in a multi-level cache are described. In some embodiments, a logic may determine whether to perform gather or scatter operations at a first memory or a second memory, based in part on a relative performance of performing the gather or scatter operations at the first memory and the second memory. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08230167B1 Block mapping circuit and method for memory device
A method of mapping logical block select signals to physical blocks can include receiving at least one signal for each of n+1 logical blocks, where n is an integer greater than one, that each map to one of m+1 physical blocks, where n
US08230166B2 Apparatus and method for processing data of flash memory
An memory device including a data region storing a main data, a first index region storing a count data, and a second index region storing an inverted count data, where the data region, the first index region, and the second index region are included in one logical address.
US08230165B2 Method of storing data on a flash memory device
Methods and apparatus are disclosed, such as those involving a flash memory device. One such method includes storing data on memory cells on a memory block including a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells on the word lines. The word lines comprising one or more bottom edge word lines, one or more top edge word lines, and intermediate word lines between the bottom and top edge word lines. The data is stored first on memory cells on the intermediate word lines. Then, a remaining portion, if any, of the data is stored on memory cells on the bottom edge word lines and/or the top edge word lines. This method enhances the life of the flash memory by preventing a premature failure of memory cells on the bottom or top edge word lines, which can be more prone to failure.
US08230162B2 Block management method for flash memory, and flash memory controller and flash memory storage device using the same
A block management method for managing blocks of a flash memory storage device is provided. The flash memory storage device includes a flash memory controller. The block management method includes the following steps. At least a part of the blocks is grouped into a first partition and a second partition. Whether an authentication code exists is determined. When the authentication code exists, the blocks belonging to the first partition are provided for a host system to access, so the host system displays the first partition and hides the second partition. An authentication information is received from the host system. Whether the authentication information and the authentication code are identical is authenticated. When the authentication information and the authentication code are identical, the blocks belonging to the second partition are provided for the host system to access, so the host system displays the second partition and hides the first partition.
US08230147B2 Apparatus and method for communicating with semiconductor devices of a serial interconnection
A system controller communicates with devices in a serial interconnection. The system controller sends a read command, a device address identifying a target device in the serial interconnection and a memory location. The target device responds to the read command to read data in the location identified by the memory location. Read data is provided as an output signal that is transmitted from a last device in the serial interconnection to a data receiver of the controller. The data receiver establishes acquisition instants relating to clocks in consideration of a total flow-through latency in the serial interconnection. Where each device has a clock synchronizer, a propagated clock signal through the serial interconnection is used for establishing the acquisition instants. The read data is latched in response to the established acquisition instants in consideration of the flow-through latency, valid data is latched in the data receiver.
US08230145B2 Memory expansion blade for multiple architectures
A memory expansion blade for a multi-protocol architecture, includes dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) and a multi-protocol memory controller coupled to the DIMMs and operable to control operations of the DIMMs. The multi-protocol memory controller includes one or more memory channel controllers, with each of the memory channel controllers coupled to a single channel of DIMM, and where the DIMM in each single channel operate according to a specific protocol. The controller further includes a protocol engine coupled to the memory channel controllers, where the protocol engine is configurable to accommodate one or more of the specific protocols, and a system interface coupled to the protocol engine and configurable to provide electrical power and signaling appropriate for the specific protocols.
US08230140B2 Latency control circuit and method using queuing design method
A latency control circuit includes a FIFO controller and a register unit. The FIFO controller may generate an increase signal according to an external command, and generate a decrease signal according to an internal command. The FIFO controller may also enable a depth point signal responsive to the increase signal and the decrease signal. The register unit may include n registers. The value n (rounded off) may be obtained by dividing a larger value of a maximum number of additive latencies and a maximum number of write latencies by a column cycle delay time (tCCD). The registers may store an address received with the external command responsive to the increase signal and a clock signal, and may shift either the address or a previous address to a neighboring register. The latency control circuit transmits an address stored in a register as a column address corresponding to the enabled depth point signal.
US08230139B2 Method and system for storing memory compressed data onto memory compressed disks
In a computer system supporting memory compression, wherein memory compressed data is managed in units of memory sectors of size S, wherein data is stored on disk in a different compressed format, and wherein data on said disk is managed in units of disk sectors of size D, a method for storing memory compressed data on a compressed disk includes combining at least one of compressed memory directory information, a system header, compressed data controls, and pads into a data structure having a same size S as a memory sector, grouping the data structure and the data contained in the desired memory sectors into groups of D/S items, and storing each of the groups in a separate disk sector.
US08230137B2 Network processor, reception controller and data reception processing method performing direct memory access transfer
A network processor is connected to an external memory which includes storage areas for storing received data, and stores descriptors specifying locations of the storage areas, respectively. The network processor includes a descriptor storage circuit for storing a plurality of descriptors out of the descriptors; a DMA control circuit configured to transfer the plurality of descriptors from the external memory to the descriptor storage circuit through DMA transfer, transfer the received data to the storage areas in the external memory through DMA transfer on a basis of the plurality of descriptors stored in the descriptor storage circuit upon receipt of the received data, and generate a reception status indicating a condition of the received data each time the received data is transferred to the external memory through DMA transfer, a reception status storage circuit for storing the reception status; and a reception status combination control circuit for combining the reception statuses which are stored in the reception status storage circuit. The DMA control circuit transfers the combined reception statuses to the external memory through DMA transfer.
US08230136B2 Multithreaded programmable direct memory access engine
A mechanism programming a direct memory access engine operating as a multithreaded processor is provided. A plurality of programs is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the plurality of programs located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes two or more of the plurality of programs without intervention by a host processor. As each of the two or more of the plurality of programs completes execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
US08230133B2 Microcomputer with internal DMA
A microcomputer has: a CPU; memory; a direct memory access controller which controls access to the above memory without passing through the CPU; a plurality of peripheral resources, each having prescribed functions corresponding to a given real resource number, and issuing an access request to the direct memory access controller to perform data transfer with the memory; and, a resource conversion unit, which performs signal conversion between the direct memory access controller and the plurality of peripheral resources. A portion of the peripheral resources among the plurality of peripheral resources are associated with logical resource numbers of the direct memory access controller by the resource conversion unit.
US08230124B2 Methods and systems to dynamically manage performance states in a data processing system
Data processing systems which operate in different modes, including a mode which supports providing an output of images through a port on the systems. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a processing system, a cellular telephone transceiver, and a port which is configured to provide, as an output from the handheld data processing system, data representing movie video images. Methods and machine readable media are also described.
US08230123B2 Using information on input/output (I/O) sizes of accesses to an extent to determine a type of storage device for the extent
Provided are a method, system, and computer program product for using information on Input/Output (I/O) sizes of accesses to an extent to determine a type of storage device for the extent from a plurality of storage devices comprising at least one of a first storage type and a second storage type. Performance information is processed for a time period for Input/Output (I/O) operations with respect to an extent maintained in at least one of the storage devices of the first storage type, wherein the performance information indicates an I/O size of the I/O operations with respect to the extent. A determination is made as to whether characteristics of the I/O operations other than I/O size indicate that the extent is eligible for migration to at least one of the storage devices of the second storage type. A determination is made as to whether characteristics of the I/O sizes of the I/O operations. A determination is made as to whether the characteristics of the I/O sizes of the I/O operations indicate that the extent should be migrated from the at least one storage device of the first storage type to at least one of the storage devices of the second storage type. The extent is migrated from one of the storage devices of the first type to at least one of the storage devices of the second type in response in response to determining that the extent is eligible for migration and that the characteristics of the I/O sizes indicate that the extent should be migrated.
US08230122B2 Direct provisioning of storage devices to virtual OS partitions
An OS instance can maintain management responsibility for SAN adapters to ensure separation and isolation of WPARs, while WPARs are given the capability of configuring an adapter (e.g., adding endpoint storage devices to the adapter). An operating system instance allocates an adapter to a first of a plurality of virtual operating system instances. The first virtual operating system instance updates a device data structure with an entry that indicates the adapter. The first virtual operating system instance maintains the device data structure. The first virtual operating system instance modifies the entry in the device data structure to associate a set of one or more endpoint storage devices with the adapter. The set of endpoint storage devices are provisioned to the first virtual operating system instance from a storage area network. The first virtual operating system instance configures the set of endpoint storage devices.
US08230117B2 Techniques for write-after-write ordering in a coherency managed processor system that employs a command pipeline
A technique for maintaining input/output (I/O) command ordering on a bus includes assigning a channel identifier to I/O commands of an I/O stream. In this case, the channel identifier indicates the I/O commands belong to the I/O stream. A command location indicator is assigned to each of the I/O commands. The command location indicator provides an indication of which one of the I/O commands is a start command in the I/O stream and which of the I/O commands are continue commands in the I/O stream. The I/O commands are issued in a desired completion order. When a first one of the I/O commands does not complete successfully, the I/O commands in the I/O stream are reissued on the bus starting at the first one of the I/O commands that did not complete successfully.
US08230116B2 Resumption of execution of a requested function command
Access to a data processor is controlled by determining if a requested function command conforms to a set of parameters, the set of parameters being derived from previously executed function commands. If the requested function command does not conform to the set of parameters the data processor is controlled to temporarily hold the execution of the requested function commands.
US08230112B2 Dynamic support of multiple message formats
A method, system, computer system and computer program product to enable a single interface to be used to prepare and present messages in a variety of different formats. For example, the single interface can be used to prepare, receive or display messages in different languages, such as English or Japanese, which require different character sets. Furthermore, the single interface supports preparing, sending, and receiving messages in multiple text formats, such as plain text, rich text, and Multiple Internet Mail Extension (MIME) format. A message can be received in a native format, and a format for providing a response to the message can be dynamically selected. The response is provided in the dynamically-selected format.
US08230111B2 Method for transmitting signaling messages using alternate path
User data is transmitted between an interconnected data transmission network and a data package transmission network. A receiver of an original signaling message generates a partner signaling message, which has been defined for a data package transmission and is suitable for transporting the original signaling message. The partner signaling message excludes a portion of the original signaling message.
US08230108B2 Routing packets on a network using directed graphs
A method of routing a data packet between a first node and a second node on a communication network includes defining a first graph through the first node and the second node and zero or more intermediate nodes, associating several nodes which belong to the communication network with the first graph, associating a first unique graph identifier with the first graph and providing at least partial definitions of the first graph and the first unique identifier to at least some of the nodes associated with the first graph. The method then sends data packet with the graph identifier from the first node, and directs the data packet to the second node via the zero or more intermediate nodes using the graph identifier. This method may include forwarding the packet to a neighbor node of an intermediate node if the intermediate node and the neighbor node are nodes associated with the first graph and if the intermediate node and the neighbor node are connected by at least one direct communication connection.
US08230106B2 Methods and apparatus for improved transmission control protocol transmission over a wireless channel exhibiting rate and delay variations
Techniques and systems for managing transmissions from a TCP source by regulating the flow of acknowledgement signals to the TCP source are described. An acknowledgement signal regulator monitors a data queue used to buffer data packets received from the TCP source and an acknowledgement signal queue used to store acknowledgement signals to be transmitted to the TCP source. An acknowledgement signal release manager determines the available space in the data queue and the expected number of data packets arriving at the data queue, and manages the release of acknowledgement signals from the acknowledgement signal queue to the TCP source so as to prevent an undesired overflow of the data queue resulting from the arrival of an excessive number of data packets from the TCP source.
US08230086B2 Hidden group membership in clustered computer system
An apparatus, program product and method utilize hidden group membership to facilitate the processing of originator requests to a group in a clustered computer system. With hidden group membership, a requesting originator is temporarily joined to a group in such a manner that the originator is both hidden and provided with limited access rights, e.g., so that some of the messages sent by the members of a group when processing the request are neither sent to nor received by the originator.
US08230063B2 User data server system, method and apparatus
A user data server system includes: a data storage node, which stores user data, registers the user data in a Distributed Hash Table (DHT) network by using a key, and receives and processes user data operation requests; a DHT index node, which creates and maintains DHT routing information according to a DHT algorithm and stores information of data storage nodes where user data is stored according to the key and searches for information of a data storage node where target user data is stored according to the key; a DHT super maintenance node, which manages and optimizes the DHT network; and a front end node capable of protocol processing and service processing, which obtains a key associated with a target user and obtains information of a data storage node where the target user data is stored by querying the DHT index node via the DHT network according to the key, and performs operations on the user data stored in the data storage node where the target user data is stored. With the technical solution provided by the present invention, a user data server is not centralized and is highly scalable and highly reliable with a high cost-effectiveness.
US08230042B2 Policy based auditing of workflows
An auditing system is disclosed comprising a Policy Validation Mechanism Program (PVMP) that operates in conjunction with a Workflow Engine (WE), and a Policy Validation Server Program (PVSP) that operates on a Policy Validation Server (PVS) connected to the WE by a secure communication link. The PVMP converts a workflow to a workflow representation (WR) and sends the WR to the PVS. The PVSP compares the steps in the WR to a security policy identified for that WR and determines whether the WR is in compliance. In addition, the PVSP validates a checksum for the WR and logs the checksum for subsequent comparisons. The PVSP uses the checksum to determine whether a policy has changed during execution of the workflow. If the WR is not in compliance, if the checksum cannot be validated, or if a policy has changed, then a failure notification is sent to the WE. Otherwise, a success notification is sent to the WR.
US08230033B2 Message tracking functionality based on thread-recurrent data
A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods are described in the context of a web-based business information system having an internal e-mail facility, wherein e-mail communications between a native e-mail system of an end user of the web-based business information system and an external contact are facilitated and automatically tracked by the web-based business information system, the native e-mail system lying outside the web-based business information system but often being preferred by the end user over the internal e-mail facility of the web-based business information system. The described preferred embodiments provide for easy-to-use, reasonably transparent, “no-click” integration of the web-based business information system with the end user's native e-mail system in a manner that is independent of the particular type and choice of native e-mail system.
US08230029B2 Clearinghouse for messages between disparate networks
A system and method are directed towards managing interoperability between disparate IM networks. A clearinghouse server is provided that receives IM messages from disparate IM networks. The clearinghouse server examines the IM message to determine it is in a compatible protocol for a destination IM network. If the IM message is incompatible a translation service is used to translate the message into a compatible protocol. The translation service further determines if the destination IM network supports a feature employed by the received IM message. If the feature is supported or can be translated to a supported feature, the translation service will also perform the feature translation. Otherwise, the translation service may return an error message indicating that the received IM message includes an unsupported feature for the destination IM network. Upon satisfactory translation, the clearinghouse server forwards the translated IM message towards the destination IM network.
US08230027B2 Method and apparatus for utilizing portable e-mail addresses
A signal bearing medium tangibly embodies a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform operations comprising receiving an email message having an extended email address encoded virtual address, resolving said address to an actual email address, replacing the virtual address with the actual email address, and transmitting said email message.
US08230022B2 Image communication apparatus, image communication method, and memory medium
In an Internet facsimile apparatus, it is an object of the invention to provide means for notifying the user of details of a message disposition notification situation (MDN) of a transmission image. When E-mail data is sent, an MDN for E-mail to be sent is requested and communication management information of the sent E-mail is updated on the basis of a reception result of reply E-mail responsive to the MDN request.
US08230018B2 Method and apparatus for preserving confidentiality of electronic mail
A method and an apparatus for preserving confidentiality of an electronic mail are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention, or an electronic mail confidentiality preserver of an email client, includes an input-processing engine and an encryption/decryption engine that is coupled to the input-processing engine. Based on a confidentiality level, the input-processing engine mainly limits abilities of a user of the email client to manipulate an electronic mail received by the email client. On the other hand, the encryption/decryption engine mainly limits the user's access to a local storage if the user's access involves an electronic mail.
US08230000B2 Image-display method, projector, image-display system, projector-control method, image-display program, and projector-control program
With a conventional image-display system, a presenter sometimes has difficulty in providing every viewer with an easy-to-see picture. When projecting an image transmitted from a computer operated by the presenter and enabling the viewer to watch the image projected by the projector, the projector receives image data transmitted through two-way communication from the computer operated by the presenter, projects an image represented by the received image data and transmits the received image data to a client computer operated by the viewer through the two-way communication, and the client computer receives the image data transmitted through the two-way communication and displays the image represented by the received image data on its display.
US08229999B2 Analyzing anticipated value and effort in using cloud computing to process a specified workload
Workloads that are and are not appropriate for transformation and processing on a cloud computing environment are identified. A user entity is provided with a measurement of at least one of the value which will be realized, and the effort which will be required. A plurality of attributes are specified Input data represents the extent to which the user entity processing system possesses the given attribute. The input data for each attribute is employed to derive a corresponding numerical parameter value, which are to compute a final score.
US08229997B2 Method and system using a portable object for providing an extension to a server
In general, the invention relates to a method for executing at least a portion of a server operation. The method includes providing an extension to a client connected to the server, where the extension includes a portable object connected to the client. The method further includes performing at least the portion of server operation by the extension, where performing at least the portion of the server operation includes executing a copy of at least a portion of server software stored on the portable object.
US08229993B2 Method for performing decimal division
A method for performing decimal division including receiving a scaled divisor and a scaled dividend into input registers. A subset of multiples of the scaled divisor is stored in a plurality of multiples registers. Quotient digits are calculated in response to the scaled divisor and the scaled dividend. Each quotient digit is calculated in three clock cycles by a pipeline mechanism. The calculating includes selecting a new quotient digit, and calculating a new remainder. Input to the calculating a new remainder includes data from one or more of the multiples registers.
US08229982B2 Method and system for large volume data processing
This disclosure provides a method and a system for large volume data processing for solving the problem of system collapse caused by processing delays resulting from a failure of processing a large volume of data within a scheduled time. The method allocates a server to divide a source file into multiple small files, according to a source file naming scheme, and allocates multiple servers to distributedly process the small files. The allocation of servers can be based on the filenames named according to a file naming scheme. The disclosed method deploys multiple servers to divide and process large data files, thereby maximally improving the processing power of the system and ensuring the system to complete the processing of the files within scheduled times. Furthermore, the system promises good scalability.
US08229978B2 Method and apparatus for electronic collection, translation, grouping, and delivery of wage assignment information
A system electronically collects, translates, groups, and delivers wage assignment information from at least one initiator to at least one recipient via an accumulator. An initiator initially receives the wage assignment information. Then, an accumulator collects the wage assignment information from at least one initiator, such as a government agency. The accumulator then translates the wage assignment information into a format compatible with electronic data interchange (EDI), such as the ANSI X12 standard. The accumulator then groups the EDI wage assignment information into specific files, batching the files based upon one data field contained within the wage assignment information data set, such as a recipient. The accumulator then delivers a batched EDI wage assignment file to each respective recipient. Once the EDI wage assignment file is received by the recipient, the wage assignment may then be implemented.
US08229971B2 System and method for dynamically configuring content-driven relationships among data elements
A computer system configures data elements based on textual sources by identifying subunits of a textual source, indexing the subunits into a sequence comprised of terms, identifies based on a target a base subsequence of the sequence, and stores the terms in such a way that they can be expanded or contracted and a user can rapidly and efficiently derive relevant information and context even from a vast amount of information including by navigable display to the user. Other methods and systems of configuring and displaying data elements from textual sources are provided.
US08229965B2 System and method for maximizing edit distances between particles
Embodiments of the invention disclose a system and a method for transforming a set of particles in an output set of particles representing a set of words suitable for use in an information retrieval system. The method generates, for each particle in the set of particles, combinations of parts of a particle, and replaces the particle in the set of particles with the parts of a combination maximizing a total minimum edit distance (MED) of the set of particles. For example, the method determines a MED of each particle in the set of particles, determines the total MED of the set of particles as summations of the MED of each particle, and then determines the combination maximizing the total MED of the set of particles.
US08229957B2 Categorizing objects, such as documents and/or clusters, with respect to a taxonomy and data structures derived from such categorization
A Website may be automatically categorized by (a) accepting Website information, (b) determining a set of scored clusters (e.g., semantic, term co-occurrence, etc.) for the Website using the Website information, and (c) determining at least one category (e.g., a vertical category) of a predefined taxonomy using at least some of the set of clusters.
US08229954B2 Managing copies of data
A method in a computer system for retrieving data from one of multiple copies of the data is provided, referred to as the data management system. The data management system receives a request identifying a data object to be accessed. Then, the data management system queries a metabase to locate data copies that contain the identified data object, wherein the data copies are created from similar source data, and wherein for each data copy the metabase contains an indication of the availability of the copy relative to other copies. Next, the data management system determines one of the located data copies to use to access the identified data object, wherein the determination is made based on the indicated availability contained in the metabase for each of the located data copies. Then, the data management system accesses the identified data object using the determined one of the located data copies.
US08229952B2 Generation of logical database schema representation based on symbolic business intelligence query
A system to query a database based on a logical schema of the database and an abstraction of the logical database schema, the abstraction including a plurality of objects and one or more properties associating one or more of the plurality of objects to one or more others of the plurality of objects. The system includes reception of a query including a first plurality of objects of the abstraction, a first one or more properties associating one of the first plurality of objects with another one of the plurality of objects, and two or more instances of a first one of the first plurality of objects. A dynamic representation of the logical database schema is modified to include an alias of the first one of the plurality of objects, the query is modified to include the alias, one or more functional dependencies of the abstraction to be enforced are determined based on the modified query, the modified dynamic representation of the logical database schema is edited based on the determined one or more functional dependencies, and a database query is generated based on the modified query and the edited dynamic representation.
US08229950B2 Paleoneighborhood hydrocarbon spatial system
A paleogeographic search system is provided for locating geoscience data relevant to a geographic search aperture. The paleogeographic search system comprises a geodatabase, an interface, a paleogeographic reconstruction engine, and a host processor. The paleogeographic engine is configured to transform the geographic search aperture according to tectonic plate movements to a transformed search aperture that the geographic search aperture occupied in a geological age of interest. The host processor is configured to apply a paleoaugmented geographic search aperture to a geodatabase for additional oil exploration data relevant to the geographic search aperture today. The paleoaugmented geographic search aperture is defined by augmenting the transformed search aperture to include relevant proximal locations for the selected geological age of interest to create an augmented transformed search area; and transforming the augmented transformed search aperture, according to tectonic plate movements, to the paleoaugmented geographic search aperture in present day world geography.
US08229941B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program therefor
An information processing apparatus displays image data and plays back music data such that background music (BGM) is applied to a collection of content such as photographic data, the BGM being reminiscent of the time when the photographic data was acquired. When a command to display a scrapbook or similar plurality of image data is issued, a search unit searches for music metadata that is related to the image metadata of the image data. A display controller then controls the display of the specified plurality of image data, while in parallel, a playback controller controls the playback of the music data corresponding to the music metadata found by the search unit.
US08229937B2 Automatic creation and transmission of data originating from enterprise information systems as audio podcasts
A background process retrieves enterprise data and syndicates podcasts created from the enterprise data to subscribed devices such as portable media player, mobile devices, and personal computers. A data to text converter converts the retrieved enterprise data to text and a text to audio converter converts the text from the data to text converter to an audio file. A multimedia file store is used to store the audio file.
US08229932B2 Storing XML documents efficiently in an RDBMS
Information hierarchies are efficiently stored and accessed in a relational or object-relational database system. A path signature, similar to a pathname, is stored in a database system in association with data for the node identified by the pathname. For example, a path signature identifying an element is stored in a row that holds data for the element. To retrieve data for a hierarchical query that identifies the data requested using, for example, an XPATH string, a string pattern is generated that is matched by path signatures identified by the XPATH string. Pattern matching is then used to select rows associated with matching path signatures, and data from the selected rows is used to compute the XPATH query. Furthermore, hash values representing path signatures are generated in a way that preserves the ordering of data in an information hierarchy. The hash values can be indexed to provide quick access.
US08229926B2 Compiling information obtained by combinatorial searching
Some embodiments, among others, include a search for sensitive information of an individual. Once a result of the search has been obtained, a score is assigned to the obtained result in accordance with a predefined criterion. One embodiment is configured to perform searches for different combinations of items having sensitive information. Upon assigning a score to the obtained result, a report of the score is generated which indicates the individual's vulnerability to one or more various security concerns. Accordingly, scores may be assigned to a combination of items in the result which indicates a heightened security risk.
US08229925B2 Determining search query statistical data for an advertising campaign based on user-selected criteria
Techniques for determining search query information for an advertising campaign and communicating the search query information to a sponsor of the advertising campaign are described. The techniques include receiving, from a sponsor of the advertisement, a request for search query information relating to the advertisement having been presented by a search service, identifying previously executed search queries submitted by users of the search service, wherein search results of the identified search queries have been presented with the advertisement to one or more users of the search service, compiling search query information, the search query information including ad performance data associated with the advertisement for the identified search queries, and providing the sponsor with the compiled search query information. A user interface may be generated to receive user input of selection criteria and provide an interface to search query information.
US08229922B2 Query optimization in a multi-tenant database system
More efficient querying of a multi-tenant database using dynamic tuning of database indices. A layer of meta-data associates data items with tenants, e.g., via tags, and the meta-data is used to optimize searches by channeling processing resources during a query to only those pieces of data bearing the relevant tenant's unique tag.
US08229920B2 Index selection for XML database systems
A method, system, and computer program product for selecting indexes to be created over XML data are provided. The method, system, and computer program product provide for receiving a workload for the XML data, the workload including one or more database statements, and utilizing an optimizer to recommend a set of one or more path expressions based on the workload received, wherein the set of one or more path expressions is to be used to create one or more indexes over the XML data.
US08229916B2 Method for massively parallel multi-core text indexing
There is provided, in a parallel pipelined structure on a multi-core device, a method for parallel pipelined multi-core indexing. The method includes generating one or more single document indexes respectively corresponding to one or more single documents of a given data stream. The method further includes generating one or more multi-document interval-based hash tables from the one or more single document indexes. The method also includes generating a global hash table formed from merging one or more of the multi-document interval-based hash tables, the global hash table representing a collective index for all of the single documents for which the one or more single document indexes were generated.
US08229914B2 Mobile content spidering and compatibility determination
An aspect of the present invention relates to systems and methods for indexing mobile content, wherein the indexing is based at least in part on compatibility between the content and a mobile communication facility.
US08229913B2 Methods and systems for managing data
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
US08229912B2 Enhanced search engine
The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for displaying results of a search engine query in a graphic, rather than, or in addition to, textual format. The search results are provided to a user such that the user is able to see the context of the words and phrases in the format of the original source document. Presentation of graphic fragments from the source document help to improve a user's ability to select among documents provided in the search results more efficiently.
US08229911B2 Network search engine utilizing client browser activity information
An Internet infrastructure that supports searching of web links selects search results by processing browser activity information along with one or more of favorite lists, and related metadata, user profiles, and trends based on browser activity behavior and favorite behavior. The Internet infrastructure consists of a plurality of web browsers located on client devices. The web browsers are incorporated with a browser activity-monitoring module that tracks user's Internet usage, processes this information, and sends this information periodically or upon user request to the server to aid in improving search operation results. The search engine server is communicatively coupled to the plurality of web browsers and supports delivery of search results/web links to the client device based upon a search string, browser activity information, and possibly the favorite lists and related metadata. The search engine server stores the gathered browser activity information, favorite lists, and related metadata in one or more server database that is associated with the search engine server, and delivers search results.
US08229906B2 Multi-level version format
A system and method for maintaining version information. An identifier (“ID”) that identifies a collection of associated files is obtained. An index is generated that specifies the contents of the collection of associated files. The ID may be saved along with the index in a target version file to convey version information about the collection of associated files. Subsequently, the index may be extracted from the target version file to compare with a corresponding index extracted from a reference version file. The result of the comparison may be used to determine whether the contents of the collection of associated files match a reference.
US08229905B2 Adaptive document management system using a physical representation of a document
Systems and methods for creating a Token and using it to operate and modify a case file in a document management system are described. An exemplary embodiment of a Token includes a representation of a case file. A Token may include a representation of a document associated with the case file, where the representation may include a brief description or visual summary of the document with an associated link to an electronic version of the document. In another exemplary embodiment, the Token may be used to facilitate retrieval and viewing of an electronic version of a document using its associated link. In another exemplary embodiment, the Token may be used to update the case file based on user input on the Token.
US08229899B2 Remote access agent for caching in a SAN file system
A system and method is disclosed for maintaining, in a Storage Area Network (SAN), the consistency of a local copy of a remote file system sub-tree obtained from a remote source. Directory structure of the remote file system sub-tree is mapped to a remote container attached to the SAN and each remote object of the remote file system sub-tree is represented as a local object component of the remote container. Next, each of the local objects are labeled with attributes associated with the represented remote object, and metadata describing each of the local objects is stored in a metadata server. Also, a consistency policy is associated with each of the local objects in the remote container (wherein the policy defines conditions for checking freshness of said labeled attributes), and the local object components of remote container is updated in accordance with the consistency policy.
US08229897B2 Restoring a file to its proper storage tier in an information lifecycle management environment
A technique for implementing policy-aware backup and restore capability in a tiered storage system. If a data set's contents are backed up from the tiered storage system to a backup storage system, metadata for the data set may also be backed up. Prior to the data set being restored from the backup storage system to the tiered storage system, the backed up metadata is restored and processed to determine a tier among the tiered storage pools to which the data set will be restored.
US08229896B1 Method and apparatus for identifying data blocks required for restoration
A method and apparatus for recovering a volume to a first recovery point using bitmap information is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises processing bitmap information associated with at least one recovery point, wherein the bitmap information comprises at least one bitmap that represents at least one changed block since a first recovery point of the at least one recovery point, wherein the first recovery point is associated with a backup image and restoring the at least one changed block from the backup image to a volume.
US08229883B2 Graph based re-composition of document fragments for name entity recognition under exploitation of enterprise databases
Methods and systems are described that involve recognizing complex entities from text documents with the help of structured data and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a document as input from a set of documents, wherein the document contains text or unstructured data. The method also includes identifying a plurality of text segments from the document via a set of tagging techniques. Further, the method includes matching the identified plurality of text segments against attributes of a set of predefined entities. Lastly, a best matching predefined entity is selected for each text segment from the plurality of text segments.In one embodiment, the system includes a set of documents, each document containing text or unstructured data. The system also includes a database storage unit that stores a set of predefined entities, wherein each entity contains a set of attributes. Further, the system includes a processor to identify a plurality of text segments from a document via a set of tagging techniques and to match the identified plurality of text segments against the set of attributes.
US08229879B2 System and method for auto-adaptive network
An auto-adaptive system is provided that includes a template builder that allows weighted templates to be created for computing auto-adaptive features, an auto-adaptive event locator that analyzes a data set to identify events, an event extractor that locates and extracts identified events and provides events for review by an event analyzer (operator or programmed module) to distinguish clutter data from target data, and an auto-adaptive risk analyzer that processes data related to hit rates, false alarm rates, alarm costs, and risk factors to determine return on investment information and receiver operator characteristic curves.
US08229869B2 Constraint processing with zero value handling
Systems and methods for managing floating point variables are described in the present disclosure. According to one example, an embodiment of a method is described. The method comprises providing a floating point variable having a domain that includes a flag representing whether a specific value is included in or excluded from the domain of the floating point variable. The method also includes analyzing a constraint on the floating point variable to determine if the constraint excludes the specific value from the domain of the floating point variable. A value of the flag is manipulated to indicate that the specific value is excluded from the domain of the floating point variable if it is determined that the constraint excludes the specific value. In some cases, the specific value can be the value zero, for example.
US08229864B1 Predictive model application programming interface
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for utilizing predictive models from an application scripting language.
US08229863B2 Method and apparatus for evolving a quantum system using a mixed initial hamiltonian comprising both diagonal and off-diagonal terms
Various adaptations to adiabatic quantum computation and quantum annealing are described. These adaptations generally involve tailoring an initial Hamiltonian so that a local minimum is avoided when a quantum processor is evolved from the initial Hamiltonian to a problem Hamiltonian. The initial Hamiltonian may represent a mixed Hamiltonian that includes both diagonal and off-diagonal terms, where the diagonal terms at least partially define a center point of a first computation space that is at least partially contained within a second computation space. A problem Hamiltonian may be evolved into a low energy state by inhomogeneously inducing disorder in the qubits of the quantum processor. A higher degree of disorder may be induced in a subset of qubits predicted to contribute to a local minimum of the problem Hamiltonian.
US08229859B2 Bit currency: transactional trust tools
Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a digital coin. A bit string is received. The number of bits in the bit string represents a coin value of the digital coin. The individual bit values of the bits of the bit string are used to determine an identity of the digital coin. The identity of the digital coin is validated by a node of an authentication hierarchy. The validation includes comparing bit values of at least a portion of the bits of the bit string to bit values of corresponding bits of known bit strings that represent known issued digital coins. The validation also includes checking that a matching known issued digital coin was not previously redeemed. A digital coin can also be split into multiple digital coins that are each a continuous sequence of bits of the bit string of the original digital coin.
US08229857B2 Secure pre-recorded digital medium
A secure pre-recorded medium and a method for descrambling encrypted content thereon. When a player wants to access the content, a secure processor on the medium verifies that the player has not been revoked, preferably by comparing an identity of the player with identities in a revocation list, after which a mutual authentication is performed. The secure processor then verifies that the player has the rights to access the content and provides the player with the key necessary to descramble the content, whereafter the player descrambles the content.
US08229852B2 Secure mobile payment system
The present invention provides a method for conducting a transaction that includes receiving a pseudo account identifier that corresponds to a primary account identifier. The pseudo account identifier may be received at a portable wireless device and may be generated by a remote server computer. The portable wireless device can receive the pseudo account identifier over a first network and provide the pseudo account identifier to an access device. The access devices generally comprises a reader that can receive the pseudo account identifier, and thereafter send a message to request authorization of a transaction. The authorization request message may include the pseudo account identifier and is sent to a payment processing network. The authorization request message is sent to the payment processing network over a second network. The payment processing network may then process the authorization message and return a response that indicates if the transaction is authorized or not.
US08229849B2 Centralized transaction record storage
Various methods and systems are provided to permit the storage of online transaction records associated with user-merchant transactions facilitated by a payment service provider. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of processing transaction information comprises receiving a webpage at a client device, wherein the webpage has an associated webpage address. The method also includes comparing the webpage address with a transaction webpage database. If the webpage address matches an address of the transaction webpage database, the method includes: capturing at least a portion of the webpage corresponding to transaction information associated with a user-merchant transaction, and passing the transaction information over a network in order to facilitate storage of the transaction information in a transaction record.
US08229848B2 Secure networked transaction system
A method and system for approving a transaction between a customer and a merchant including the steps of transmitting a transaction request from a customer to a merchant; transmitting a verification request from the merchant to a verification entity, the verification request comprising first data; the customer device transmitting second data to the verification entity; and the verification entity performing a verification step by using the first data and the second data to verify if the transaction should be approved.
US08229840B2 Short-term option trading system
Option contracts are traded by valuing an option that has at least one of a) strike price or b) expiration time unknown at the time the option is valued. The previously unknown values of the option are assigned at the time or after the time the trade is completed. An implied underlying price stream is generated from the option prices through the use of feed back between market participants and the marketplace. The resulting system is useful in trading option contracts of short time duration.
US08229838B2 Leg pricer
An electronic trading system utilizes a Match Engine that receives orders, stores them internally, calculates tradable combinations and advertises the availability of real and implied orders in the form of market data. The tradable combinations may include spread orders where one leg of the spread has a different tick size than the other or where the tick of the spread contract is different from the tick size in one or both legs. A method and system for calculating on-tick leg prices in an equitable and predictable manner is provided.
US08229835B2 Determination of implied orders in a trade matching system
A computer implemented method for determining implied orders in an electronic trading system is provided. The method comprises receiving a first set of one or more real orders, wherein the orders are not tradable against each other. One or more implied orders are identified within the first set of real orders. Market data corresponding to the implied orders can also be identified. At least one additional order is received and the tradability of the additional order is determined against the real or implied orders within the first set of real orders. A resting set of orders is determined from those real and implied orders within the first set of orders not affected by the tradability of the additional order. Implied orders are determined from within the set of resting orders.
US08229824B2 Combined estimate contest and prediction market
Users participate in an estimate contest and a prediction market for forecasting an outcome of a future event. Data from the estimate contest and the prediction market can be combined to obtain accurate information about overall group beliefs and individual or sub-groups beliefs. In the estimate contest, users provide estimated probabilities of occurrence for different possible outcomes of the event. Trades can be proposed, or automatically executed, based on differences between the user's estimated probabilities and probabilities obtained from a prediction market in which the user can buy and sell securities which represent the different outcomes. For example, a buying opportunity may be present when the user's estimated probability exceeds the prediction market's probability. Further, the user can express a risk level which is factored into the proposed trades.
US08229821B2 Self-service currency exchange machine
A self-service exchange machine is configured to receive currency from a customer and dispense to the customer a card associated with a value relating to the value of the received currency. The self-service exchange machine includes a coin module for receiving bulk mixed coins, a bill module configured to receive bills, a display device, a card dispenser and a controller coupled to the display device, the coin module, the bill module, and the card dispenser. The controller is configured to determine a total value of valid coins and valid b lis input into the coin module and the bill module, to cause the display of a total value on the display device, and to instruct the card dispenser to dispense a card with a monetary value that is related to the total value to complete the exchange transaction.
US08229820B2 Market data message format
Systems and methods are provided for communicating and processing market data. The market data may comprise quotes, orders, trades and/or statistics. A messaging structure allows for adding, re-ordering and/or expanding data, within the printable character set of any language. One or more delimiters are defined and used to delimit data elements within the message structure. The data is interpreted based on templates which may be disseminated prior to the sending of messages and used as an abstraction so that the meaning of data need not be conveyed in the message.
US08229818B2 Method and apparatus for providing order queue information
A system and method for providing market information are disclosed. In this application, updates are received for a tradeable object at a price level from at least one exchange. To the extent that the updates do not include enough details to compute the number of orders resting at a particular price level in a market, estimation may be used to provide order queue information. As a result, the number of orders which are pending in the market at various price levels may be determined using the techniques described herein. The interface disclosed herein may be used to display the number and/or quantity of the orders in the order queue.
US08229811B2 System, computer program product and method for managing documents
A system, method and computer program product for managing documents are disclosed. The system includes a document manger configured to receive job information from a remote user via a network, the job information being related to a job performed on a document. The document manager can generate billing information based on the job information; and transmit the billing information to an application service provider (ASP) providing a service on the document. The document manager can also transmit the information to the ASP. The document manager can receive login information from the user, and verify the login information. The document manager can generate a job profile based on the login information, and transmit the job profile to the user. The image processing apparatus used in this system, and the method performed by such an image processing apparatus, are also disclosed.
US08229802B2 Stock monitoring
System(s) and method(s) for stock monitoring are provided. Stock monitoring system(s) may include, e.g., a housing, one or more doors disposed in or on the housing, a sensor for sensing the condition of the door(s) and providing a door closed signal indicative of the door(s) having been closed by a user; one or more containers for stock items, located within the housing, the or each container having associated therewith a weight sensor for providing a weight signal indicative of the current weight of the container, and control circuitry, coupled for communication with the weight sensor(s). Method(s) may include, e.g., receiving a door closed signal; receiving one or more weight signals; and determining, for the or each container, the number of stock items removed from the container(s) by the user, from the weight signal(s) occurring during a predetermined sensing period, the predetermined sensing period being dependent upon the door closed signal.
US08229784B2 System and method for targeting transaction account product holders to receive upgraded transaction account products
Utilization of information in a closed loop data system further augments modeling while at the same time enabling customization of offers based on spend patterns. Data mining techniques are leveraged to identify rules to determine higher response rate populations. These rules are referred to herein as “triggers,” in that the presence of particular attributes will trigger a cardholder as being more likely to respond to a particular offer. The benefit yielded by this approach is a greater acceptance rate to an offer provided by a transactional account company. To identify the triggers, records of cardmembers who already utilize a given product are analyzed to determine their spend patterns. The spend histories of customers who are eligible to use the product are analyzed according to the identified triggers. Customers whose spend patterns most closely correspond to the triggers are then targeted with offers for the given product.
US08229780B2 System and method for online lead generation
A system and method for collecting and processing user data over a network relating to a given advertisement. The invention displays advertisements on a given web page to a user running a web browser application on a client. In response to a user action such as clicking on the advertisement or moving the mouse cursor over the advertisement, a form is displayed to the user for input of data. The user may then input data into the form, and receive a new advertisement in the same location as the old advertisement upon completing the form. At no point is the user redirected to a new web page, nor does a new web page “pop up” over or under the current web page. The user inputted data is checked for accuracy and completeness, and may either be sent to the advertiser immediately or stored for future transmission. This data collection, processing, and delivery is all handled by the real-time communication within the original web page context. Advertisements selected for display are targeted to the user based on a variety of factors.
US08229778B2 Constructing change plans from component interactions
Techniques for constructing change plans from one or more component interactions are provided. For example, one computer-implemented technique includes observing at least one interaction between two or more components of at least one distributed computing system, consolidating the at least one interaction into at least one interaction pattern, and using the at least one interaction pattern to construct at least one change plan, wherein the at least one change plan is useable for managing the at least one distributed computing system. In another computer-implemented technique, a partial order of two or more changes is determined from at least one component interaction in at least one distributed computing system, the partial order of two or more changes is automatically transformed into at least one ordered task, wherein the at least one ordered task is linked by at least one temporal ordering constraint, and the at least one ordered task is used to generate at least one change plan useable for managing the distributed computing system is generated, wherein the change plan is based on at least one requested change.
US08229775B2 Processing of provenance data for automatic discovery of enterprise process information
Techniques are disclosed for capturing, storing, querying and analyzing provenance data for automatic discovery of enterprise process information. For example, a computer-implemented method for managing a process associated with an enterprise comprises the following steps. Data associated with an actual end-to-end execution of an enterprise process is collected. Provenance data is generated based on at least a portion of the collected data, wherein the provenance data is indicative of a lineage of one or more data items. A provenance graph that provides a visual representation of the generated provenance data is generated, wherein nodes of the graph represent records associated with the collected data and edges of the graph represent relations between the records. The generated provenance graph is stored in a repository for use in analyzing the enterprise process.
US08229769B1 Systems and methods for processing overhead imagery
Systems and methods to process overhead imagery received from overhead image sources are described herein. In one example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, detecting features on a property and deriving business information using the features. In another example, the system may include an overhead imagery module to positionally correlate images and an image analyzer to determine one or more features on a property. In a further example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, correlating the image with land maps, parsing individual properties, determining the property's values and aggregating the values across the image to derive a risk.
US08229768B1 Systems and methods for processing overhead imagery
Systems and methods to process overhead imagery received from overhead image sources are described herein. In one example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, detecting features on a property and deriving business information using the features. In another example, the system may include an overheard imagery module to positionally correlate images and an image analyzer to determine one or more features on a property. In a further example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, correlating the image with land maps, parsing individual properties, determining the property's values and aggregating the values across the image to derive a risk.
US08229762B2 System and method for cardiovascular testing
A system for testing and diagnosis of a medical condition includes a test device located at a test location and configured to perform a medical testing protocol for generating test data, and a recipient computer for receiving the patient data from the test device. The test device includes a computer and memory module for storing a patient record containing test data and a communications module for sending the patient record to a medical specialist. The test data comprises vascular test data. The recipient computer displays the test data to the medical specialist at a diagnosis center located remote from the test location. The recipient computer includes an input device configured to enter input indicative of a diagnosis by the medical specialist as a function of medical analysis of the test data. The input indicative of the diagnosis includes an electronic signature executed by the medical specialist.
US08229760B2 System for communication of health care data
A computer system configured to extract and integrate health care data from a plurality of health care payors. The computer system includes a computer configured to communicate with payor computer systems from two or more payors. The computer is also configured to receive health care data of a type related to claims information. A staging database is in communication with the computer and configured to receive the claims information from each of the payor computer systems. The claims information is converted into a normalized format by a normalization system. A rules engine of the normalization system establishes the predefined format, predetermines how each of the plurality of health care data is to appear in its respective field, and remodels any of the health care data that is not expressed as predetermined by the normalized format into the normalized format. Normalized data expressing information having the same meaning will be expressed in the same format.
US08229757B2 System and method for managing health care complexity via an interactive health map interface
To empower a member to make informed health care decisions, a health care organization (HCO) graphically presents the member with a manageable closed universe of health care information via an online interactive visual interface. The online interactive interface comprises a custom category node display of member health care data based on analyzing the member profile in light of the overall health care data taxonomy built by the HCO. Upon identifying the subset of relevant health care data categories, HCO initiates the display of the identified categories by way of a dynamically linked category node interface. To enhance the member's understanding of the relationships between the category nodes, the HCO preferably employs a ring node topology by displaying the online interface as a closed network or map, such as by locating each category node along one or more closed, loop-shaped wireframes, which connect the interrelated categories.
US08229755B2 System and method of networked wagering
A system and method to permit foreign or interstate wagering from remote locations where the wager is placed, accepted and settled all within a state, territory or other forum where wagering and other gaming is sanctioned. An organization situated in the forum location (the “forum host”) establishes and maintains a business entity to bestow an intra-forum presence to the foreign or interstate player. Through the business entity, the forum host can account for the player's wagers, winnings and losses, while at the same time, allocating and/or collecting the appropriate federal, state and/or local taxes and fees on the member/player's account. The process is automated via a host computer system, which manages betting activities of a plurality of members/players, and enables one or more players at a remote location to participate in intrastate gaming for purposes of the local forum's laws, rules and regulations affecting the gaming industry.
US08229748B2 Methods and apparatus to present a video program to a visually impaired person
Methods and apparatus to present a video program to a visually impaired person are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a video stream and an associated audio stream of a video program, detecting a portion of the video program that is not readily consumable by a visually impaired person, obtaining text associated with the portion of the video program, converting the text to a second audio stream, and combining the second audio stream with the associated audio stream.
US08229739B2 Speech processing apparatus and method
A speech processing apparatus includes a plurality of microphones which receive speech produced by a first sound source to obtain first speech signals for a plurality of channels having one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of microphones, a calculation unit configured to calculate a first characteristic amount indicative of an inter-channel correlation of the first speech signals, a storage unit configured to store in advance a second characteristic amount indicative of an inter-channel correlation of second speech signals for the plurality of channels obtained by receiving speech produced by a second sound source by the plurality of microphones, and a collation unit configured to collate the first characteristic amount with the second characteristic amount to determine whether the first sound source matches with the second sound source.
US08229720B2 Atmospheric flow simulation method considering influence of terrain elevation data resolution
Provided is an atmospheric flow simulation method for reducing a simulation error of wind speed caused due to an influence of different terrain resolutions using a numerical simulation; and, more particularly, an atmospheric flow simulation method which can compensate the wind speed of the atmospheric flow field using low-resolution terrain data by introducing an influence of different terrain resolutions as a terrain roughness and adding it to the terrain condition.
US08229719B2 Finite element algorithm for solving a fourth order nonlinear lubrication equation for droplet evaporation
The present invention is directed towards systems, methods and a computer-readable medium for simulating the evolution of a height of an evaporating droplet. The simulation includes a simulation space with boundary conditions. The simulation includes generating a height function that is representative of the height of the droplet at a first point in time at a plurality of points in the simulation space based upon a lubrication equation that is a differential function describing variation of the height function over time. The simulation determines the height function at a second point in time by finding an approximate solution that satisfies the lubrication equations and boundary conditions.
US08229709B2 Method for reconstructing sparse signals from distorted measurements
A signal x is reconstructed by measuring the signal x as a vector y of measurements yi, wherein the measurements yi are distorted, and each measurement yi has an associated value. The measurements yi in the vector y are ordered according to the associated values, wherein each sorted measurement has an index corresponding to the ordering to form an ordered index sequence. Then, a reconstruction method is applied to the ordered index sequence to produce an estimate {circumflex over (X)} of the signal x.
US08229697B2 Method and device for the robust and efficient determination of the rotational direction and/or rotational speed of a wheel or a shaft
A method and a device are described for determining the rotational direction and/or rotational speed of a rotatable body on the basis of a sine signal and cosine signal, which is assignable to the rotational direction and/or rotational speed of the rotatable body and are output by a sensor, having at least one of the following steps: recording a sine signal and cosine signal, which is assignable to the rotational direction and/or rotational speed, at a point in time; determining a phase value from the sine signal and cosine signal; recording sine signals and cosine signals, which is assignable to the rotational direction and/or rotational speed, at points in time; determining phase values from the corresponding sine signals and cosine signals; calculating phase differences from the phase values and the phase value; and determining the rotational direction and/or rotational speed from the phase differences on the basis of a Vernier method.
US08229693B2 Calibration tool
The invention provides a calibration tool for a vehicle monitoring device, the tool having a processor with a clock or access to a time signal and arranged for connection to and to receive and process signals from a vehicle on-board diagnostics unit (OBD), the processor having or connected to means for storing data relating to the vehicle and its engine and codes relating to signals from the available OBD outputs and inputs, the processor being programmed to calculate and store certain coefficients derived over the vehicle's operating range and to populate an array with the said coefficients so that the processor can look up the corresponding co-efficient from the array to calculate the desired value or output. The invention extends to a method of calibrating a calibration tool or a vehicle-monitoring device mounted in a vehicle provided with such a calibration tool. The method comprises the steps of configuring the calibration tool to receive data from vehicle sensors including those indicating vehicle road and engine speed data and temperature data, operating the vehicle, processing the data received during operation of the vehicle to calculate coefficients specific to the vehicle, and populating look-up tables that are accessible to the vehicle monitoring device with the calculated coefficients.
US08229687B2 System and method for measuring a level of a liquid in a container
An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a physics based approach (hereinafter “model”) to determine the level of the liquid. The model may incorporate the physical properties of the fluids within the container, and measurements of the fluid under consideration. The model may also incorporate data from measuring devices, such as, but not limiting of, a delta-pressure (DP) transmitter. The model may then calculate, within a reasonable level of accuracy, the level of the fluid within the container.
US08229681B2 Method to measure tearing resistance
At least one method, structure and apparatus used to measure tearing resistance of a commercial member. The method includes the use of full-scale testing methods and apparatuses to obtain unloading compliance measurements, which are used to generate a tearing resistance curve that includes the effects of geometry and considers data beyond the yield point of the commercial member. The commercial member may be a pipeline for carrying hydrocarbons.
US08229668B2 Vehicle communication system
The present invention provides a vehicle communication system by which even when the number of other vehicles around a traffic line is increased, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a situation that there are located vehicles the number of which is larger than the capacity of a communicable network, and it is possible to secure communications with the other vehicles. Even when it is determined that a host vehicle enters in a traffic line and a plurality of other vehicles the number of which is larger than a threshold value are located in front and rear virtual regions of the host vehicle, a transmission power is reduced to the extent that communications between the host vehicle and one of the other vehicles that is located furthest in the virtual regions can be secured.
US08229642B2 Vehicle systems control for improving stability
Improved methods of controlling the stability of a vehicle are provided via the cooperative operation of vehicle stability control systems such as an Active Yaw Control system, Antilock Braking System, and Traction Control System. These methods use recognition of road surface information including the road friction coefficient (mu), wheel slippage, and yaw deviations. The methods then modify the settings of the active damping system and/or the distribution of drive torque, as necessary, to increase/reduce damping in the suspension and shift torque application at the wheels, thus preventing a significant shift of load in the vehicle and/or improving vehicle drivability and comfort. The adjustments of the active damping system or torque distribution temporarily override any characteristics that were pre-selected by the driver.
US08229640B2 Drive force transmission apparatus, control method of drive force transmission apparatus, and limited slip differential
When determining that a vehicle is not skidding, the ECU carries out tight corner control if vehicle speed is smaller than the upper limit value of the vehicle speed range corresponding to the starting state of the vehicle and the steering wheel turning angle of a steering wheel is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the steering wheel turning angle at which the tight corner braking phenomenon may occur. When determining that the vehicle is skidding, the ECU inhibits the tight corner control even if the vehicle speed is smaller than the upper limit value and the steering wheel turning angle is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the steering wheel turning angle at which the tight corner braking phenomenon may occur.
US08229638B2 Method for classifying a clutch unit
A method is described for classifying a clutch unit for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, wherein the clutch unit has at least one friction clutch for the controllable transmission of a torque from an input element to an output element and has an actuator for actuating the friction clutch. Here, the clutch unit is controlled on the basis of a predefined characteristic curve which describes a predefined dependency of the clutch torque to be transmitted on an actuator control variable.
US08229637B2 Shift controller
A shift controller for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor configured to rotate a shift drum associated with a transmission. An oil temperature sensor is configured to detect temperature of lubricating oil for the transmission. A controller is configured to control the electric motor. The controller controls the electric motor to operate in a preset first motor duty until a first predetermined time elapses after operation of the electric motor is started when the shift drum is turned from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position. The controller is also configured to operate the electric motor in a second motor duty calculated based upon oil temperature after the first predetermined time elapses.
US08229630B2 Electronic airbag control unit having an autonomous event data recorder
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an electronic control unit for an airbag, said control unit having a data recorder unit that has a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory and a copy circuit. The copy circuit is designed to copy data from the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory during a second operating phase of the control unit. A protocol unit designed to record vehicle and/or accident data in the volatile memory is arranged in the data recorder unit during a first operating phase of the control unit. A first power supply unit is connected to the control unit and supplies the protocol unit and further components of the control unit with power and a second power supply unit is connected to the data recorder unit and supplies the latter with power.
US08229628B2 Electric steering lock device
There are provided a lock member configured to be displaced between a locking position for prohibiting rotation of a steering shaft and an unlocking position for permitting rotation of the steering shaft, a first detection switch (SW1) for detecting a locked state of the steering shaft, a second detection switch (SW2) and a third detection switch (SW3) for detecting an unlocked state of the steering shaft, and an electric steering lock controller (30) configured to determine a position of the lock member, based on detection outputs from the first detection switch (SW1) and the second detection switch (SW2), and thus to control driving of the lock member. Lock and unlock information from the electric steering lock controller (30) and detection outputs from the second detection switch (SW2) and the third detection switch (SW3) are outputted to a vehicle-side controller (31).
US08229619B2 Method of constructing artificial mark for autonomous driving, apparatus and method of determining position of intelligent system using artificial mark and intelligent system employing the same
A method of controlling an intelligent system using an artificial mark and method for employing the same. The intelligent system includes: an image pickup unit which obtains an image taken for a driving place; a main control unit which calculates a projective invariant of an artificial mark detected from an image taken for a driving place and analyzes the position of the intelligent system using global location information of the detected artificial mark in the driving place obtained by the calculated projective invariant and location information between the intelligent system and the detected artificial mark; and a driving control unit which controls driving of the intelligent system according to the position information of the intelligent system analyzed in the main control unit.
US08229615B2 Vehicle drive power generation control apparatus
A hybrid vehicle control ECU calculates an estimated EV travelable distance based on a minimum travel cost and a usable charge amount of a battery, when a next external charge point, at which an external power source is available for charging, is set. The minimum travel cost indicates a minimum value of electric power amount consumed by a battery when a vehicle travels a unit distance. If the estimated EV travelable distance is longer, electric motor travel is selected estimating that it is possible to reach the next external charge point. If a remaining distance is longer and a present SOC is higher than a usable SOC lower limit, hybrid travel is selected. If the present SOC is lower than the usable SOC lower limit, a constant SOC travel is selected.
US08229610B2 Deceleration-running evaluating device
A total distance calculating unit calculates a total running distance and an energy-cut-off distance calculating unit calculates a deceleration running distance of a vehicle. The deceleration running distance is a distance for which the vehicle runs while the vehicle is in a deacceleration state and no energy is supplied to a motor of the vehicle. A deceleration-running evaluating unit evaluates deceleration running of the vehicle based on a ratio of the deceleration running distance to the total running distance. The result of the evaluation is displayed for the driver of the vehicle.
US08229608B2 Outboard motor control apparatus
In an apparatus installed on a boat for identifying and controlling operation of an outboard motor selected by an operator and clamped to the boat from among outboard motors in different models prepared to be selectable by the operator, including a model having an analog device that produces analog signal and a model having a digital device that converts the analog signal produced by the analog device into a digital signal, it is discriminated whether the inputted signal is the analog signal inputted through the analog signal input/output or the digital signal inputted through the digital signal input/output, and the model of the selected outboard motor is identified based on the discriminated signal, thereby enabling to surely identify the model and control its operation.
US08229603B2 In-vehicle equipment control device
An in-vehicle equipment control device includes a force sense imparting type input device mounted on a steering of a vehicle, for remotely operating an in-vehicle equipment mounted on the vehicle according to a predetermined operation route while imparting a force sense, a storage unit for storing an operation route data to conduct an input operation of the force sense imparting type input device with a predetermined operation route, and a control unit for conducting an arithmetic process to transform the predetermined operation route of the force sense imparting type input device based on a rotation angle detection signal which is output in accordance with the rotation of the steering of the vehicle and the operation route data stored in the storage unit, to impart the force sense to the force sense imparting type input device based on a result of the arithmetic process.
US08229601B2 DCS control module for a transformer in nuclear power engineering
A distribution control system (DCS) control module for a transformer in nuclear power engineering, includes: an input command processing logic unit (1), a malfunction processing logic unit (2), a state processing logic unit (3), an output command generating logic unit (4) and a 6.6 kV switchgear of the transformer. The DCS control module utilizes the DCS integral with the power units to realize the control of 6.6 kV transformer switch, the sharing of the operator station with the power unit control system, and the overall monitoring, and the operation reliability of the power units is improved.
US08229596B2 Systems and methods to interface diverse climate controllers and cooling devices
A method includes storing information regarding protocols required by a plurality of climate controllers and a plurality of cooling devices. A request message is received from a first of the climate controllers, the request message being addressed to a specific cooling device. A protocol required by the specific cooling device is determined using the stored information regarding protocols required by the cooling devices. The request message is converted to the protocol required by the specific cooling device. A response message is queued from the specific cooling device if the time period allowed for responding to the first climate controller has expired. The queued response message is sent to the first climate controller when a subsequent request message is received from the first climate controller.
US08229587B2 Semiconductor fabrication facility visualization system with performance optimization
A semiconductor fabrication facility (fab) configuration module is defined to virtually model physical systems and attributes of a fab. A data acquisition module is defined to interface with the physical systems of the fab and gather operational data from the physical systems. A visualizer module is defined to collect and aggregate the operational data gathered from the physical systems. The visualizer module is further defined to process the operational data into a format suitable for visual rendering. The processed operational data is displayed within a visual context of the fab in a graphical user interface controlled by the visualizer module. An analyzer module is defined to analyze data collected by the visualizer module and to resolve queries regarding fab performance. An optimizer module is defined to control systems within the fab in response to data collected by the visualizer module, data generated by the analyzer module, or a combination thereof.
US08229576B2 Field device management apparatus and field device management system
There is provided a field device management apparatus for acquiring and managing device information about a field device. The apparatus includes: a device information description unit having: an activation processing algorithm that activates a device information processing algorithm for acquiring the device information from the field device; and a description information that describes the device information; and a device information acquisition control unit that activates the device information processing algorithm using the activation processing algorithm so as to acquire the device information through the device information description unit.
US08229573B2 Spring passive lead anchor and methods and devices using the anchor
A lead anchor includes a body defining at least one first portion of a lead lumen, the body having a first opening and a second opening. An obstructing member is disposed within the body. The obstructing member defines a second portion of the lead lumen. A spring is disposed in the body and configured and arranged to operate on the obstructing member so that the second portion of the lead lumen is coterminous with the at least one first portion of the lead lumen and forms a continuous lead path when the spring is compressed and the second portion of the lead lumen is offset from the at least one first portion of the lead lumen when the spring is not compressed.
US08229571B2 Greater palatine canal stylet
A method is provided that includes inserting a stylet into a greater palatine canal of a subject, the stylet including a proximal rod shaft, having a first diameter, and a distal rod shaft, having a second diameter less than the first diameter, such that a region between the proximal rod shaft and the distal rod shaft is shaped so as to define a shoulder. The stylet is advanced through the greater palatine canal until the shoulder reaches an entrance of a greater palatine foramen, thereby preventing insertion of the distal rod shaft into a sphenopalatine fossa of the subject beyond a depth of the greater palatine canal.
US08229556B2 Tachycardia hemodynamics detection based on cardiac mechanical sensor signal regularity
Systems and methods provide for sensing, within a patient and during an event of tachycardia, a signal indicative of a mechanical response of the patient's heart to the tachycardia. Regularity of the signal relative to a threshold established for the patient is determined. A state of patient hemodynamics during the tachycardia event is determined based at least in part on the regularity of the signal. One or more anti-tachycardia therapies to treat the tachycardia may be selected based at least in part on the determined state of patient hemodynamics. The selected one or more anti-tachycardia therapies may be delivered to treat the tachycardia.
US08229555B2 Probe for treating a tumor or the like
An article of clothing is provided for selectively destroying dividing cells in living tissue formed of dividing cells and non-dividing cells. The dividing cells contain polarizable intracellular members and during late anaphase or telophase, the dividing cells are connected to one another by a cleavage furrow. The article of clothing includes insulated electrodes to be coupled to a generator for subjecting the living tissue to electric field conditions sufficient to cause movement of the polarizable intracellular members toward the cleavage furrow in response to a non-homogeneous electric field being induced in the dividing cells. The non-homogeneous electric field produces an increased density electric field in the region of the cleavage furrow. The movement of the polarizable intracellular members towards the cleavage furrow causes the breakdown thereof which adversely impacts the multiplication of the dividing cells.
US08229551B2 Method of presenting electrocardiographic data
A system and method of presenting physiological data in a component ring. The method includes receiving a plurality of leads of physiological data. Morphology features are extracted from the plurality of leads. The morphology features are graphed by presenting a component ring associated with each of the morphology features. The system includes at least two sensors configured to collect physiological data. A processor is configured to extract amplitudes of morphology features. A graphical user interface is configured to graphically display the morphology features in a plurality of component rings.
US08229546B2 Microdialysis catheter and a method of making a microdialysis catheter
The invention relates to a microdialysis catheter comprising a multilumen tube (10) and a membrane (11), said tube exhibiting at least two longitudinally arranged inner channels (13,14), said channels extending from a proximal (20) end of the tube to the distal end (21) of the tube, whereat through-holes (12,15) are provided, one from each of said at least two channels to the outside of said tube, said channels (13,14) blocked for passage of liquid distally of the respective through-holes, a tubular membrane (11) arranged circumferentially around the tube (10) such as to cover the at least two through -holes (12,15), said membrane is sealingly fastened (22) to the tube thereby forming a dialysis chamber (18) between the tube and the membrane.
US08229545B2 System and method for mapping complex fractionated electrogram information
A system for presenting information representative of patient electrophysiological activity, such as complex fractionated electrogram information, includes at least one electrode to measure electrogram information from the heart surface, at least one processor coupled to the at least one electrode to receive the electrogram information and measure a location of the at least one electrode within the heart, and a presentation device to present the electrogram information as associated with the location at which it was measured on a model of the patient's heart. A memory may also be provided in which to store the associated electrogram information and measured location. Data may be analyzed using both time-domain and frequency-domain information to create a three-dimensional map. The map displays the data as colors, shades of color, and/or grayscales, and may further utilize contour lines, such as isochrones, to present the information.
US08229519B2 Mobile communication terminal and method of changing a function mode
A mobile communication terminal and method of changing a function mode are provided. The present invention provides a user interface capable of changing its function according to a rotation of a body of the mobile communication terminal. The present invention includes a first body having a display unit, a second body, a connecting part connecting the first and second bodies together to enable the first and second bodies to mutually rotate centering on a prescribed axis, and a control unit arranged to change a function by determining a relative rotation direction between the first and second bodies, and to display an image corresponding to the changed function on the display unit.
US08229518B2 Duty cycle estimation system and method
A method of operating a vehicle locating unit wherein an activation signal is received when the vehicle is stolen and in response to the activation signal, a signal indicating the vehicle has been stolen is transmitted. The receiver is energized for an actual duration Non periodically to listen for the activation and other signals. Estimating how long the receiver has been on includes incrementing a counter at a count resolution where Non is typically at least sometimes less than the count resolution. Estimating the total amount of time the receiver was energized is based on a measured on time after it converges with the actual on time.
US08229513B2 IT terminal and audio equipment identification method therefor
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for identifying audio equipment plugs to be connected to a jack interface of an IT terminal including a common jack interface for a headphone, an earphone microphone and a stereo microphone and for automatically providing appropriate setup. An audio CODEC 50 is connected by way of an input/output selector circuit 42 to a jack interface 10 to which an audio equipment plug 70 is to be connected. Also connected to the LEFT and RIGHT signal terminals of the jack interface 10 is an R-V conversion circuit 20. The output voltages V-LEFT 201 and V-RIGHT 202 from the R-V conversion circuit 20 are compared with a reference voltage by comparator circuits 31, 32 for controlling controllers 41, 51 of an input/output selector circuit 42 and an audio CODEC 50 by the comparison outputs.
US08229502B2 Mobile communications device, controller, and method for controlling a mobile communications device
A mobile communications device. includes a communication unit for communicating with another device. The mobile communications device further has a communication unit for communicating with another device and at least one other component. A controller is connected to the communication unit and the component. The controller can control the component, during at least a part of time the communication unit is in a communicating mode, based on an operation of the communication unit.
US08229489B1 Method, mobile station and base station for establishing connections in a radiocommunications system
A radio communication system, for example a TDMA/CDMA radio communication system, has at least one base station recurringly offering frequency channels for a random access for mobile stations in an upstream direction. The mobile station that requests a connection setup measures a reception power of a signal sent in a downstream direction by the base station and sets a transmission power for sending an access radio block to the base station dependent on the measured reception power. A variable transmission power control can thus be implemented at the mobile station side with the assistance of the measured reception power of the signal transmitted on the part of the base station, being also capable of being implemented for random access of the mobile stations, this having previously always occurred with maximum transmission power.
US08229482B2 Method for coding and transmitting transport format combination indicator
A method and matrixes for transmitting an transport format combination indicator is disclosed. The matrixes according to the invention comprising five column vectors of 32 elements of binary code derived from OVSF codes which are to be multiplied to the lower bits of a TFCI and one column vector of 32 elements of 1 when (32,6) codes are used.
US08229472B2 System and method for enabling determination of a position of a transponder
There is provided a method and system for positioning a transponder, the system comprising an antenna array of at least two spaced-apart antennas coupled to a common generating and switching unit. The generating and switching unit is configured for generating a periodic signal and switching the signal between said at least two antennas, constituting a positioning signal transmitted to the transponder. The system comprises a receiver for receiving a returned signal and a phase difference estimator coupled to the receiver and operable to measure phase differences between portions of the returned signal. The system further comprises a positioning utility coupled to said phase difference estimator and configured to determine the position of the transponder relative to the positioning system.
US08229470B1 Correlating user interests and location in a mobile network
A method for providing location based service in a cellular data service network (CDSN) by analyzing accounting data packets of the CDSN to determine a user mobility pattern, classifying application data packets of the CDSN into pre-determined application categories, analyzing the accounting data packets and the application data packets to associate the user mobility pattern and one of the pre-determined application category, comparing a newly received accounting data packet and the user mobility pattern to identify a match, and providing, in response to identifying the match, the location based service to a user based on the pre-determined application category.
US08229457B2 Positioning system, positioning method, and positioning program
An object of the present invention is to implement accurate positioning of a mobile communication terminal even in an environment in which delay waves are included in radio waves arriving at the mobile communication terminal from radio wave sources. A positioning server 10 forming a positioning system for estimating a location of a cellular terminal 20 has a distance information acquisition unit 13 for acquiring information indicating distances calculated based on radio waves transmitted and received between a plurality of cellular base stations 30 and the cellular terminal 20; a direction information acquisition unit 14 for acquiring a plurality of pieces of information indicating directions of radio waves received by the cellular terminal 20; a virtual sector calculation unit 15 for calculating for each of the cellular base stations, a range of directions from the cellular base station 30 to the cellular terminal 20 from the information indicating the directions of the radio waves, based on a range calculation rule stored in advance; and a location calculation unit 16 for calculating the location of the cellular terminal 20, based on the distances and the range of directions.
US08229447B2 Uplink transmit power control method, communication terminal unit, base station unit, and mobile communication system
In a mobile communication system in which a modulation and coding scheme is selected in accordance with reception quality information in which a terminal periodically reports to a base station, a method for causing a terminal located near the boundary of a cell to reduce its uplink transmit power by considering intercell interference and without incurring an increase in error rate. The method includes the steps of: a first base station detecting an interference level and terminal identification information identifying an interfering terminal, and transmitting interference information to all neighboring base stations; a second base station unit, as the serving base station of the terminal, receiving the interference information and transmitting control information to the terminal; and the terminal receiving the control information, reducing transmit power in accordance with the interference level, and adjusting reception quality information in such a direction so as to reduce quality.
US08229446B2 Control channel managing apparatus, control channel searching apparatus, and control channel allocation method
There are provided a control channel managing apparatus of a base station, a control channel searching apparatus of a user equipment (UE) and a control channel allocating method in a mobile communication system. When an aggregation level is high and a plurality of UEs having the same starting address of a control channel search space are scheduled in a corresponding subframe, control information with respect to conflicting UEs which have lower priorities in terms of allocation of control information can be transmitted through the conflicting UE space. Hence, more control information can be transmitted and the number of available UEs corresponding to the control information increases, and thus an improvement in the performance of the entire network can be achieved.
US08229440B2 Systems, methods and apparatus to facilitate identification and acquisition of access points
Systems, apparatus and methods for facilitating identification and/or acquisition of an access point are provided. Methods can include transmitting or receiving access point information (“API”) indicative of an identification of the access point (“AP”). The API can be provided at the AP through hardwiring or receipt of configuration information input by a user or transmitted to the AP by a network operator through Over-The-Air (“OTA”) signaling. The API can be computer-readable and, in some embodiments, the API can also be human-readable. The API can be transmitted on a paging channel from which user equipment (“UE”) can receive information. The frequency at which the API is transmitted can be fixed, dynamic and/or configurable. Upon receipt of the API, acquisition of the AP is attempted if the AP is determined to be a permitted AP.
US08229438B2 Method for inter-system handover
A method for inter-system handover is provided by the present invention, including: changing a first handover-related information into a second handover-related information, wherein the first handover-related information is supported by a serving communication system and the second handover-related information is supported by a target communication system; and handing over the user terminal from the serving communication system to the target communication system based on the second handover-related information. An apparatus for inter-system handover is also provided. The present invention can insure successful handover of user terminals from a serving communication system to a target communication system.
US08229436B2 Methods and apparatus for managing mobile handover
Methods and apparatus to manage mobile handover are disclosed. An example mobile station includes hardware and software stored on a tangible computer readable medium that, during operation, cause the mobile station to receive from a network controller a response to a network registration request, wherein the response includes an indicator to indicate a type of cell that may be reported by the mobile station during a handover procedure and send a handover message indicating cells permitted by the indicator.
US08229431B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating selection by a mobile node of a network portion to communicate to effectuate a selected communication service
Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating selection of a radio access network with which a roaming mobile node attempts to effectuate communications pursuant to a selected communication service. Listings are maintained at the mobile node, each containing entries of networks and their communication service capabilities. Different listings identify networks of differing preference levels. Detection is made of available networks, and a selector selects with which network to attempt to communicate based upon network availability, network capability, and preference.
US08229423B2 Broadcast and multicast services in wireless communication systems
Methods and apparatus for assigning, identifying and controlling broadcast transmissions are disclosed. A broadcast flow is assigned to a broadcast logical channel of the physical resources of a wireless communication channel. A broadcast channel control message indicative of parameters of the broadcast logical channel is generated. Upon receipt, the broadcast channel control message is processed and used to accordingly process the received broadcast transmission.
US08229419B2 Communication apparatus
A cordless handset receives status information from two or more base units indicating at least one of a waiting status and a non-waiting status. The non-waiting status may further include an internal-line-call status and/or an external-line-call status. The cordless handset may display the status information on a display with the status information corresponding to the base units.
US08229405B2 Communication terminals, systems, methods, and computer program products for publishing, sharing and accessing media files
A method for publishing and sharing media files includes: making a published media file available to other wireless communication terminals from a publisher wireless communication terminal; establishing a connection via a wireless communication module of the publisher wireless communication terminal with a requestor wireless communication terminal seeking published media files; sending an identification of the published media file from the publisher wireless communication terminal to the requestor wireless communication terminal; sending a media file request from the requestor wireless communication terminal to the publisher wireless communication terminal requesting the published media file; sending the published media file from the publisher wireless communication terminal to the requestor wireless communication terminal in response to the media file request; and executing playback of the published media file on the requestor wireless communication terminal.
US08229403B2 Context-appropriate answering responses for a mobile communications device
Embodiments provide an apparatus, a system, a device, a computer program product, and a method. A method embodiment provides method implemented in a mobile communications device. The method includes determining an ambient environmental context of the mobile communications device. The method also includes selecting an answer to an incoming-communication that is at least substantially responsive to the determined environmental context of the mobile communications device. The method further includes facilitating a delivery of the selected answer in reply to an incoming communication to the mobile communications device.
US08229395B2 System and method for facilitating communication between two parties
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a system (10) for facilitating communications between two parties comprising a first party (12) having positive credit with a communication facilitator (16) and a second party (14) having insufficient credit with the communications facilitator (16) to initiate or continue communication. The first party (12) sends a first communication message (26) to a first destination address (18) associated with the communication facilitator (16). The communication facilitator (16) includes the first communication message (18), or at least a portion thereof, in a second communication message (28) which is sent to the second party (14) via a second destination address (22). The second party (14) replies to the second communication message (28), the reply being received at the second destination address (22)—the communication facilitator (16) thereafter operates to forward the reply to the second communication message (28) to the first party (12) and charge the first party (12) for the first and second communication messages (26, 28).
US08229394B2 Methods, devices and computer program products for tracking usage of a network by a plurality of users of a mobile phone
Methods for tracking usage of a network by a plurality of users of a mobile phone include associating a plurality of user accounts with the mobile phone, where ones of the plurality of user accounts correspond to ones of the plurality of users of the mobile phone. Usage of the network by the mobile phone is automatically attributed to one of the plurality of user accounts responsive to receiving identifying information for a corresponding one of the plurality of users of the mobile phone. Charges for the one of the plurality of user accounts are calculated based on the usage attributed to the one of the plurality of user accounts. Related devices and computer program products are also discussed.
US08229393B2 Private cellular system with auto-registration functionality
In one embodiment, a private cellular system provides private cellular service and public cellular service using licensed frequency spectrum associated with a public land mobile network (PLMN). The system is configured to have a predetermined phone number that a subscriber who is using the public cellular service via the private cellular system and who is not registered to use the private cellular service provided by the system can call in order to register to use the private cellular service provided by the system and, in response thereto, the system captures a subscriber identity number associated with the subscriber and assigns a private telephone number to the subscriber that is used in connection with providing private cellular service. Another embodiment is directed to a method of enabling a prepaid hybrid subscriber to make a call using a private cellular system while outside of a coverage area associated with the private cellular system. Another embodiment is directed to a private cellular network comprising a plurality of private cellular systems to provide private cellular service and public cellular service using licensed frequency spectrum associated with a public land mobile network (PLMN). In that embodiment, a gateway function in each of the plurality of private cellular systems is configured to make the private cellular network appear, to the PLMN, as though it is implemented using only a single private cellular system.
US08229384B2 Filter circuit and receiving apparatus
A filter circuit includes first capacitors, second capacitors capable of altering a cutoff frequency by being connected in parallel with the first capacitors, first switches for connecting the second capacitors in parallel with the first capacitors, and charging circuits for the second capacitors. The charging circuits include second switches, and resistances for attenuating the amplitudes of input voltages to be fed to the second capacitors, by being connected in series with the second capacitors. The second capacitors are charged through the resistances in a state where the first switches are turned OFF and where the second switches are turned ON. Thus, a DC offset which is ascribable to the cutoff frequency switching of a filter is reduced.
US08229382B2 Switched current resistor programmable gain array for low-voltage wireless LAN and method using the same
A switched current resistor (SCR) PGA for constant-bandwidth gain control includes an inverting amplifier, a feedback resistor forming a feedback loop between an output side and an input side of the inverting amplifier, and a switched current resistor (SCR) array connected in parallel to the feedback resistor, and configured to tune a gain range between a maximum and a minimum. The SCR array includes a plurality of switched resistors, each comprising a switch in series with a resistor. When the plurality of switched resistors are switched by a gain-control logic, a plurality of switched current sources and a plurality of grounded resistors are switched correspondingly to deliver a transient current, an equivalent of which flows through the plurality of grounded resistors out from the input side of the inverting amplifier, leading to a feedback factor of the PGA being constant.
US08229377B2 Dual antenna communications device
A communications device is provided. The communications device includes first output stage circuitry configured to generate a first radio frequency (RF) output signal in response to receiving an RF input signal, a first antenna port configured to couple to a first antenna and configured receive the first RF output signal from the first output stage circuitry, second output stage circuitry configured to generate a second RF output signal in response to receiving the first RF output signal, and a second antenna port configured to couple to a second antenna and configured to receive the second RF output signal from the second output stage circuitry. The first output stage circuitry, the first antenna port, the second output stage circuitry, and the second antenna port are at least partially integrated on the same integrated circuit.
US08229375B2 Transmitting device, transmit power control method and control device thereof in microwave system
A transmitting device, a transmit power control method and a control device thereof in a microwave system are provided. The transmitting device includes a transmit power control module, adapted to acquire a switching event of a modulation mode of the microwave system, and adjust a transmit power of a radio frequency transmitting module according to the switching event and a preset power control mode; and the radio frequency transmitting module, adapted to send a microwave signal to a communication peer end by adopting the transmit power adjusted by the transmit power control module. Through setting the power control module, the gain of an AM microwave system is enhanced, and the service impairment caused by the AM microwave system when actuating an ATPC function is avoided. Correspondingly, a transmit power control method in a microwave system is also provided, which enables to switch to a low modulation mode as quickly as possible without causing the service impairment when the signal is deteriorated and enhances the system gain when the signal quality is improved.
US08229373B2 High frequency power amplifier, transmitter and mobile communication terminal using the power amplifier
A high frequency power amplifier maintains an excellent linearity regardless of a fluctuation of a load impedance and is downsized. The high frequency power amplifier detects an AC voltage amplitude at an output terminal of a final amplification stage transistor, and suppresses an input signal amplitude of a power amplifier when the voltage amplitude exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
US08229371B2 Receiving-transmission apparatus and method of switching transmission antenna in transmission switched diversity system
Provided are a transmission/receiving apparatus and method of switching a transmission antenna in a Transmission Switched Diversity (TSD) system. The transmission apparatus includes an announcement command frame reading unit to verify a TSD Information Element (IE) included in an announcement command frame when receiving the announcement command frame from a receiving apparatus, and to verify whether to request a switching of the transmission antenna, an antenna switching unit to select an antenna, not being selected from a plurality of antennas, as a transmission antenna when the announcement command frame requests the switching of the transmission antenna, and to switch a currently used antenna into the selected transmission antenna, and an announcement command frame generation unit to convert transmission antenna information included in the TSD IE into the selected transmission antenna, and to generate a response announcement command frame including the converted TSD IE and transmit to the receiving apparatus.
US08229367B2 Low noise amplifier with combined input matching, balun, and transmit/receive switch
A low noise amplifier (LNA) with combined input matching, balun, and/or transmit/receive (T/R) switch is described. In one exemplary design, an apparatus includes a coupled inductor and an LNA. The coupled inductor receives a single-ended input signal, performs single-ended to differential conversion, and provides a differential input signal. The LNA receives and amplifies the differential input signal and provides a differential output signal. The coupled inductor includes magnetically coupled first and second coils. The first coil provides input impedance matching when the LNA is enabled. A resonator circuit formed with the first coil provides high input impedance when the LNA is disabled. A tuning capacitor coupled to the second coil provides amplitude imbalance tuning for the differential input signal. A transmit switch is coupled between the first coil and a transmitter.
US08229360B2 Portable dialer device and method
An innovative portable dialer device and method for automatically initiating a telephone call of a pre-programmed telephone number stored as data representing tones, when the portable dialer device is brought near a telephone handset or a cellular telephone. The proposed portable dialer device enables a manual or automatic activation of the sequence of tones required for initiating the telephone call. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable dialer device is a refrigerator magnet dialer.
US08229356B2 Wireless processing system, wireless processing method, and wireless electronic device
A power supply system 100 according to the present invention includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a power supply device 1 that includes an antenna coil 113 having a predetermined directivity and an display function unit 12 on a device mounting surface and performs wireless communication processing and a portable telephone 2a that includes an antenna coil 211 having a predetermined directivity, has terminal information used for achieving matching between antennas and used for achieving matching for the antenna coil 211 with respect to the antenna coil 113, and performs wireless communication processing. The power supply device 1 receives the terminal information from the portable telephone 2a and displays an outer-shape image Pa of the portable telephone 2a on the display function unit 12 in accordance with this terminal information. Matching can be optimally achieved between wireless processing points of two wireless electronic devices. Moreover, a predetermined power can be supplied from one wireless electronic device to another wireless electronic device or desired communication processing can be executed between two wireless electronic devices.
US08229352B2 Wireless architecture for 60GHZ
A device has an RF mixer, an IF mixer module, a single synthesizer, a frequency divider, a single side band mixer and a frequency quadrupler. The single synthesizer generates a signal to the IF mixer module, the frequency divider, and the single side band mixer. The single side band mixer mixes signals from the single synthesizer and the frequency divider. The frequency quadrupler receives the output of the single side band mixer. The RF mixer is coupled to the frequency quadrupler and the IF mixer module.
US08229347B2 Base transceiver stations and method of operating thereof
A base transceiver station (202) for use in a wireless telecommunications system comprising at least one radio transceiver of a first type connected to an antenna of a first type (108) for providing wireless access for remote subscriber units (114) and a radio transceiver of a second type connected to an antenna of a second type (206). The radio transceivers of the first type are operably connected via cables (208), in an intermediate 10 frequency domain, to the transceiver of the second type.
US08229343B2 System and method for computer based creation of tests formatted to facilitate computer based testing
A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.
US08229330B2 Developing unit
A developing unit includes a developer cartridge for accommodating developer and including a first opening, a first elastic member including a first through hole surrounding the first opening, a housing including a cartridge housing part and a second opening provided in a position opposite to the first opening, a second elastic member including a second through hole surrounding the second opening, and a shutter including a third opening and being movable between an opening position and a closing position. When the shutter is located at the opening position, an upstream end of the third opening in a movement direction of the shutter from the opening position to the closing position is located more upstream than upstream ends of the first through hole and the second through hole in the movement direction.
US08229329B2 Developer cartridge including shutter for opening/closing casing and lock mechanisms to lock shutter in closed position usable with image forming device and developing device
A developer cartridge includes a casing, a shutter, a first lock mechanism, and a second lock mechanism. The casing accommodates a developing agent therein and is formed with a supply opening. The shutter is movable between a closed position to close the supply opening and an open position to open the supply opening. The first lock mechanism locks the shutter at the closed position and unlocks the shutter to open the supply opening. The second lock mechanism is configured to lock the shutter at the closed position and be incapable of unlocking the shutter to maintain the closed position of the shutter.
US08229325B2 Decelerator, drive device including same, and image forming apparatus incorporating the drive device
A decelerator for reducing a speed of rotation of a drive source and transmitting drive of the drive source to an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus includes a drive shaft, a drive transmission member, and a pressure regulator. The drive shaft is rotated by the drive source. The drive transmission member is rotated by the drive shaft and includes a peripheral surface that contacts the drive shaft. The pressure regulator presses the drive shaft against a center of rotation of the drive transmission member and includes an alignment regulator to regulate alignment of the drive shaft in a direction of rotation of the drive transmission member. A drive device for rotating an image bearing member includes a drive source including a drive shaft, and the decelerator. An image forming apparatus includes the drive device and an image bearing member rotated by the drive device.
US08229319B2 Image forming apparatus including detachable supporting member
An apparatus includes: a main body; a supporting member having a first side wall and a second side wall, the supporting member configured to be movable between an accommodation position and a withdrawn position, the supporting member configured to be removable from the apparatus main body by being withdrawn further from the withdrawn position; a first frame facing the first side wall and a second frame facing the second side wall; a lock member configured to be movable between a lock position and a release position; and a restriction unit provided on the second side wall and the second frame, the restriction unit configured to restrict a rotation of the supporting member by coming contact with the supporting member when the supporting member, which is locked into the withdrawn position, rotates to the first frame side of the apparatus main body.
US08229315B2 Image forming apparatus and control method therefor
An image forming apparatus which is capable of avoiding unnecessary switching operation to switch between a one-sided printing and a two-sided printing to improve print productivity. A printing mode is switched between a two-sided printing mode to continuously form images on first sides of a predetermined number of sheets and to alternately form images on second sides of sheets conveyed along a sheet re-feeding conveyance path and on the first sides of sheets fed from a sheet feeding unit, and a one-sided printing mode without using the sheet re-feeding conveyance path. It is determined that, when a one-sided print job is performed between a two-sided print jobs, whether the one-sided print job is performed in the two-sided printing mode as-is or in the one-sided printing mode, depending on whether the number of sheets continuously printed by the one-sided print job is more than a predetermined number.
US08229313B2 Image forming apparatus and method to detect toner thereof
An image forming apparatus to detect the toner density of a patch pattern formed on a photosensitive medium or a transfer belt without a deviation in light intensity includes a density sensor including a light emitter to scan light onto at least one patch pattern formed as a toner image and a light receiver to receive light reflected from the at least one patch pattern and convert the received light to an electrical signal, a switch to turn on or off the light emitter, and a controller to maintain light intensity of the light emitter within a reference range by controlling on-time and off-time of the switch.
US08229312B2 Image forming device and fuser
An image forming device includes a heater, a heat application rotation member heated by the heater, a pressure application rotation member heated by the heat application rotation member, a detector configured to detect a surface temperature of the pressure application rotation member, and a controller configured to control a rotation speed of the heat application rotation member and a rotation speed of the pressure application rotation member. The controller varies at least one of the rotation speeds depending on an amount of temperature change or temperature change ratio detected by the detector until the surface temperature of the pressure application rotation member detected by the detector reaches a predetermined temperature.
US08229311B2 Image forming device for determining transfer current based on ambient conditions
An image-forming device includes an image-bearing member, transfer unit, bias applying unit, a pair of conveying rollers, first sensor, second sensor, determining unit, and controller. An image is formed with developer on the image-bearing member. The transfer unit transfers the image formed on the image bearing member onto a sheet of paper at a transfer position located between the image-bearing member and the transfer unit. The bias applying unit applies a transfer bias to the transfer unit. The conveying rollers convey the sheet of paper to the transfer position. The first sensor detects an electrical property of the conveying rollers. The second sensor detects an electrical property of the transfer unit. The determining unit determines a bias for an ambient condition based on the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller controls the bias applying unit to apply the bias to the bias applying unit.
US08229307B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus control method
In an image forming apparatus, an image forming contrast potential for obtaining the maximum density is set by reading a specific pattern transferred and formed on a sheet. A photosensor detects the density of a specific pattern formed on an image carrier at the image forming contrast potential, and the detection result is stored. A correction amount for the image forming contrast potential is calculated on the basis of the relationship between the stored detected density, and the density, detected by the optical sensor, of the specific pattern formed on the image carrier at a predetermined timing. The image forming contrast potential is adjusted by the correction amount.
US08229306B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method for preventing scattering of toner
An image forming apparatus and method which can take a countermeasure against a tail or the like in consideration of differences of various conditions such as a kind of transfer paper and the like is provided. The apparatus has an image processing portion for extracting an image pattern whose image information has a concentration of 100% and executing a thin-out process for thinning out a predetermined area in the extracted image pattern at a predetermined ratio. The image processing portion or step changes the thin-out process according to the transfer paper kind.
US08229300B2 Optical switch controller
An optical switch controller controls an optical interconnection network that variably connects at least one input data channel to a plurality of outputs channels via at least one switching element. An address reader module has at least one semiconductor optical amplifier optically processes an optical signal. The address reader module obtains information by reading a data tag from the input data channel, and outputs an address control signal based on the information. The address control signal can be used to control switching elements in the optical interconnection network.
US08229289B2 Condensate discharge by means of condensate evaporation in a cooling device
A condensate evaporator with an electrically heatable accommodation chamber for water of condensation which is produced in a cooling device and is to be evaporated. A design which is as compact and simple is achieved because the accommodation chamber is formed by a tube section on whose outer face at least one heating element which is in thermal contact with the tube section is arranged and at one end of which an inlet for the supplied water of condensation is arranged and at an other end of which an outlet for the steam which is produced from the water of condensation by the heating element is arranged. This invention also relates to a cooling device, in particular for a switchgear cabinet, having a condensate evaporator according to this invention.
US08229283B2 System and method for quality marking of a recording
Systems and methods for identifying a recorded video program are provided. The method may include recording a video and identifying the video as lacking desirable recording attributes. A future occurrence of a transmission of the video may be automatically selected in response to the identification of the video as lacking desirable recording properties. The future occurrence of the transmission of the video may be automatically re-recorded.
US08229281B2 Recording apparatus, recording method, recording program, recording/reproducing apparatus, recording/reproducing method, recording/reproducing program, editing apparatus, editing method, and editing program
A recording apparatus for compression-coding video data and recording the compression-coded video data, including an encoder compression-coding video data using interframe compression based on predictive coding for each of groups each including a plurality of pictures, a plurality of pictures including at least one independently-decodable picture; a mark information generator generating mark information indicating an access position to the video data for each of the groups; and a recording unit recording the video data compression-coded by the encoder in a recording medium is provided. When the access position is designated to one of the groups decodable without use of information on a closest past group in reproduction order, the mark information generator generates the mark information indicating a position of a top of the decodable group.
US08229278B2 Portfolios in disc authoring
Authoring a Blu-ray Disc including: defining an initial project and exporting portfolios from the initial project, where the portfolios include portions of the initial project. The portfolios are sent to vendors who enter information into the portfolios. The portfolios are then sent to a disc author who assembles the information from the portfolios into a master project for making a Blu-ray Disc.
US08229277B2 Video processing apparatus, method, and storage medium
A video processing apparatus includes a packet generation unit configured to receive a frame of video data, to divide the frame into tiles, and to packetize each of the tiles, a setting unit configured to set a processing time of each packet generated by the packet generation unit, a processing unit configured to perform image processing on each packet, a measurement unit configured to measure a processing time of the image processing performed by the processing unit, a determination unit configured to determine a processing speed of the processing unit based on a result of comparison between the processing time of each packet set by the setting unit and the processing time measured by the measurement unit, and an output unit configured to combine the packets processed by the processing unit to output video data.
US08229271B2 Microcomputer, system including the same, and data transfer device
A microcomputer is provided, which can load data of different areas in parallel and transfer the loaded data to a storage circuit. The microcomputer includes a CPU to control a DRIs each of which loads image data of a prescribed area out of image data inputted from a camera and transfers the image data to a memory blocks, and the DRIs each of which transfers image data of respectively different area out of the image data inputted from the camera to the memory blocks. Therefore, it becomes possible to load image data of different areas in parallel and to transfer the loaded image data to the memory blocks.
US08229261B2 Optical splitter assembly
Optical splitter assemblies are provided. An assembly may include a housing, one or more fanout elements, an optical splitter element, an input fiber and a plurality of output fibers. The input fiber extends from an input opening of the housing to the optical splitter element. The input fiber carries an input signal to the optical splitter element and the optical splitter element splits the input signal into a plurality of output signals to be carried by the plurality of output fibers. Each of the output fibers extends from the optical splitter element to beyond a plurality of output openings of the housing. Each of the fanout elements defines one or more channels for supporting the input or output fibers. The assembly may further include tubular members for further support to the fibers. The fibers extend from the openings of the housing to the optical splitter element free of any loops.
US08229260B2 Optical fiber laser, and components for an optical fiber laser, having reduced susceptibility to catastrophic failure under high power operation
Optical fiber lasers and components for optical fiber laser. An optical fiber laser can comprise a fiber laser cavity having a wavelength of operation at which the cavity provides output light, the cavity including optical fiber that guides light having the wavelength of operation, the fiber having first and second lengths, the first length having a core having a V-number at the wavelength of operation and a numerical aperture, the second length having a core that is multimode at the wavelength of operation and that has a V-number that is greater than the V-number of the core of the first length optical fiber at the wavelength of operation and a numerical aperture that is less than the numerical aperture of the core of the first length of optical fiber. At least one of the lengths comprises an active material that can provide light having the wavelength of operation via stimulated emission responsive to the optical fiber receiving pump light. Components include a mode field adapter and optical fiber interconnection apparatus, which can be used to couple the first and second lengths of optical fiber, or can couple the fiber laser to an optical fiber power amplifier, which can be a multimode or single mode amplifier.
US08229258B2 Optical waveguide-type wavelength domain switch
An optical waveguide-type wavelength domain switch includes a waveguide-type multi/demultiplexing device laminate comprising three or more laminated waveguide-type multi/demultiplexing devices, a lens system positioned on a demultiplex side of the waveguide-type multi/demultiplexing device laminate, and a reflective optical phase-modulating cell positioned on an opposite side of the waveguide-type multi/demultiplexing device laminate to the lens system. The lens system includes a lens alignment composed of plural lenses in one-to-one correspondence with the waveguide-type multi/demultiplexing devices and having a light-collecting or collimating function in the lens-aligning direction, an image-magnifying optical system having an N:1 (N>1) image-magnifying function arranged on the optical phase-modulating cell side of the lens alignment, an f-f lens (Y) arranged on the optical phase-modulating cell side of the image-magnifying optical system, and having a light-collecting or collimating function in the same direction as the lens-aligning direction of the lens alignment, and an f-f lens (X) having a light-collecting or collimating function in a perpendicular direction to the lens-aligning direction of the lens alignment.
US08229243B2 Signal processing apparatus
A signal processing device, which is more practical for restoring signals, includes a signal processing unit for processing a signal. The processing unit produces restored data that approaches the original signal data before fluctuating (before blurring) by repeating the following processing: generating comparison data Io′ from arbitrary signal data Io by using information data G regarding fluctuation factors that triggers signal fluctuation; comparing the comparison data Io′ with original signal data Img′ as an object to be processed thereafter; producing restored data Io+n by allocating difference data δ to the arbitrary signal data Io while using the information data G regarding fluctuation factors; and substituting the restored data Io+n for the arbitrary signal data Io thereafter.
US08229235B2 Hybrid image data processing system and method
An image data compression system, for compressing a frame represented as a plurality of blocks, can include: a lossless compression unit to receive the plurality of blocks and to perform lossless compression thereon resulting in a first code; a lossy compression unit to receive the plurality of blocks and to perform lossy compression thereon resulting in a second code; and a code selection circuit to selectively output one of the first and second codes based upon a figure of merit evaluated for at least one of the first and second codes.
US08229234B2 Coding and decoding device, coding and decoding method and program
A coding device is comprised of an initial resolution coding unit for coding an initial resolution image sub-sampled from an image at every interval of predetermined pixels, and a high resolution coding unit for coding images at sub-sampling intervals sequentially halved, wherein said high resolution coding unit comprises a pixel value predicting means for, out of the pixels that should be coded in present resolution, predicting a value of a pixel being positioned at a center of its adjacent four pixels already coded in previous resolution from said adjacent four pixels with a linear interpolation, and predicting a value of a remaining pixel from its adjacent four pixels having the above pixel at a center thereof with the linear interpolation, said adjacent four pixels being positioned in an upper, lower, left and right sides of the above pixel, a prediction error calculating means for obtaining a residual between the pixel value of the to-be-coded pixel and the predicted value, and a variable length coding means for coding the residual.
US08229233B2 Method and apparatus for estimating and compensating spatiotemporal motion of image
A method of estimating and compensating for motion in image decoding are provided. The method involves determining a reference block of a reference frame indicated by a motion vector of a current block of a current frame being decoded, and generating a spatiotemporal estimation block of the current block by using the current frame and the reference frame, when some pixels of the reference block are outside the reference frame.
US08229232B2 Computer vision-based methods for enhanced JBIG2 and generic bitonal compression
A system and method of symbol matching may include a processor configured to determine which pixels of a first symbol are tangent pixels; for each of the determined tangent pixels, determine whether a second symbol includes a pixel corresponding to the tangent pixel that includes at least one same tangent constraint as that of the tangent pixel; accept the first and second symbols as a match based on shared tangent constraints conditional upon a determination that the second symbol includes for each of at least a subset of the tangent pixels of the first symbol a corresponding pixel that includes the at least one same tangent constraint as that of the tangent pixel; and generate a document including a single symbol that is mapped to the first and second symbols.
US08229228B2 Image analysis using a pre-calibrated pattern of radiation
A system and method of image content analysis using a pattern generator that emits a regular and pre-calibrated pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation from a surface in range of a camera adapted to perceive the pattern. The camera captures images of the perceived pattern and other objects within the camera's range, and outputs image data. The image data is analyzed to determine attributes of the objects and area within the camera's range. The pattern provides a known background, which enables an improved and simplified image analysis.
US08229223B2 Image processor, image forming apparatus, image processing method and computer readable medium
The image processor is provided with: a detection unit that detects plural specified images each having a shape from an image read out by an image reading apparatus; a first determination unit that determines presence or absence of other specific image other than a specified image out of the plural specified images detected by the detection unit, in a position determined in advance for the specified image; and a second determination unit that determines whether or not the specified image is to be subjected to a processing on the basis of a result of the determination of the presence or absence of the other specified image by the first determination unit.
US08229222B1 Method for fast, robust, multi-dimensional pattern recognition
Disclosed is a method for determining the absence or presence of one or more instances of a predetermined pattern in an image, and for determining the location of each found instance within a multidimensional space. A model represents the pattern to be found, the model including a plurality of probes. Each probe represents a relative position at which a test is performed in an image at a given pose, each such test contributing evidence that the pattern exists at the pose. The method further includes a comparison of the model with a run-time image at each of a plurality of poses. A match score is computed at each pose to provide a match score surface. Then, the match score is compared with an accept threshold, and used to provide the location any instances of the pattern in the image.
US08229219B1 Full-length video fingerprinting
A full-length fingerprint is generated for a video that represents characteristics of the entire duration of the video in a small amount of data. A plurality of subfingerprints for the video, each subfingerprint encoding features of a corresponding segment of the video, is accessed. A plurality of subhistograms is generated for the video, each subhistogram encoding a frequency of subfingerprint features for subfingerprints included in a subset of the plurality of accessed subfingerprints. A master histogram for the video is generated that encodes a frequency of subhistogram features for the plurality of generated subhistograms for the video. A hashing procedure is applied to the master histogram to produce the full-length fingerprint. Clustering can be performed on full-length video fingerprints for videos in a database to detect near-duplicate videos.
US08229217B2 Image processing method and apparatus, image processing program and medium storing this program
Whether purple fringing (PF) has occurred is determined for every pixel of interest P(i,j) (step 41). The RGB ratio of a purple-fringed pixel P(i,j) at which PF has been determined and the RGB ratio of a PF convergence pixel P(m,n) spaced N pixels away from the purple-fringed pixel P(i,j) within a zone in the proximity of the purple-fringed pixel P(i,j) are calculated (steps 42, 43). A correction coefficient Rev (i,j) that causes the RGB ratio of the purple-fringed pixel P(i,j) to approach the RGB ratio of the PF convergence pixel P(m,n) is calculated (step 44). The purple-fringed pixel P(i,j) is color-corrected using the correction coefficient Rev (i,j) calculated.Purple fringing is made inconspicuous by changing the color of image portions at which purple fringing has occurred.
US08229216B2 Method for adjusting skin color of digital image
A method for adjusting a skin color of a digital image adjusts the skin color of an input image. The method includes performing a skin color detection process on the input image to generate a skin-color probability plot Sp in a size corresponding to the input image; providing a hue-saturation lookup table named LUT_Color; performing a skin-color reproduction process on the input image to look up the LUT_Color for a chrominance pixel value for each pixel value of the input image to generate a first image, and adjust each pixel value of the first image by using the skin-color probability plot Sp to generate a second image; performing a skin color smoothing process on the second image to generate a third image; and mixing pixel values of the input image and the third image to generate a target image.
US08229214B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an attribute information generation unit configured to generate attribute information about each pixel of input image data, a division unit configured to divide the input image data into a plurality of blocks of a predetermined size, a generation unit configured to generate a histogram of a color and a pixel existing in a focused block divided by the division unit, a color replacement unit configured to execute color replacement processing on each area defined by the histogram generated by the generation unit, a gradation presence determination unit configured to determine whether gradation exists, and a block integration unit configured, if it is determined that gradation exists, to integrate a focused area and an adjacent area to generate continuous gradation in the focused area and the adjacent area.
US08229206B2 Photomask inspection method
A photomask inspection method that identifies a foreign particle such as dirt on a photomask with high sensitivity by suppressing erroneous identification due to an influence of noise is provided. The photomask inspection method includes acquiring image data of a photomask having regions with different layer structures on a surface thereof, creating inverted image data by subtracting the image data from pixel value data of the regions, creating offset inverted image data by raising pixel values of the inverted image data by a fixed amount, creating normalized correlation image data by computing a normalized correlation of the offset inverted image data and an offset Gaussian distribution-type kernel, and identifying foreign particles by comparing the normalized correlation image data and a predetermined threshold.
US08229202B2 Radiation imaging apparatus
A radiation imaging apparatus reads out image signals from a radiation detecting section that detects radiation which has passed through a subject, and outputs the read out image signals as wireless signals. The signal strength of communications of a cassette transmitter/receiver is set to be lower during readout of the image signals than the signal strength of communications of the cassette transmitter/receiver at times other than during readout of image signals.
US08229197B2 Method for planning an angiographic measurement
In a method for planning of an angiography measurement of a body region in a magnetic resonance system, the body region being larger than the maximum field of view of the magnetic resonance system, and wherein the MR system has a control unit for controlling the workflow of the angiographic measurement, an upper boundary and a lower boundary of the body region are established. The control unit divides the body region into sub-measurement regions and sub-measurements dependent on the established boundaries. The sub-measurement regions and sub-measurements are measured in succession. The arrival of an injected test bolus of a contrast agent into the various sub-measurement regions is detected using MR measurements. The transit time of the test bolus through the body region for the angiographic measurement is determined, and the control unit also determines the workflow of the angiography measurement, including determining the sequence of the measurements of the sub-measurement regions and the time duration of the individual sub-measurements for the sub-measurement regions.
US08229194B2 Feature-based registration of sectional images
The present invention relates to a method and a system for obtaining and analysing image pairs, obtained as sections of specimen. The invention facilitates registration of two corresponding images, one from each section of the specimen. The invention includes performing a registration process of the two images thereby obtaining a mathematical transformation rule and afterwards using said transformation rule for each image field identified in one image allowing that the corresponding image field in the other image may be identified as well. After the corresponding image pairs have been obtained using the method of the present invention, the sections can be assessed, such as by identifying the counting events for at least one type of object on the image fields within at least one corresponding image pair, optionally using automatic means.
US08229190B2 Visual enhancement of interval changes using temporal subtraction and pattern detector
A workflow method for temporal nodule review by registering a reference image R with a floating image F, convolving the reference image R and the floating image with the same window function Hw to generate Rw and Fw, generating a subtraction image by performing subtraction Rw−Fw (g(r)) wherein r represents a voxel (x, y, z) in reference image R, applying a pattern detector to said subtraction image to detect corresponding nodules in reference image R and floating image F and displaying corresponding nodules.
US08229184B2 Method and algorithm for accurate finger motion tracking
Enhanced accuracy finger position and motion sensors devices, algorithms, and methods are disclosed that can be used in a variety of different applications. The sensors can be used in conjunction with partial fingerprint imagers to produce improved fingerprint scanners. The finger motion sensors may also be used (either with or without a partial fingerprint imager) to produce highly accurate fingerprint images as well as to control electronic devices. Here improved signal analysis algorithms and methods are disclosed that enable finger position to be determined with higher levels of accuracy as the finger is swiped over finger position sensing arrays. These algorithms are particularly useful for deep finger penetrating radio frequency (RF) based sensing arrays.
US08229179B2 Finger vein authentication apparatus and finger vein authentication method
A finger vein authentication apparatus includes an image pickup device that creates two kinds of picked-up images by performing line scanning in both of a direction along a lengthwise direction of a finger and a direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the finger, and an imaging range detection unit that detects a relative position of an imaging range of the finger by using at least one of a crease pattern near a first joint and a crease pattern near a second joint of the finger existing in at least one of two kinds of vein patterns.
US08229176B2 End user image open area maps
Systems, devices, applications, and methods for generating an open area map are disclosed. For example, a software application is configured to run on a computing platform of an end user. The end user generates an image of a layout of a walkable area. The software application performs a method of generating an open area map based on the image. The method includes applying an array of uniformly spaced objects on the image. A routable map is generated as a function of the array. The routable map is configured to provide point-to-point routing within the layout.
US08229171B2 Apparatus, method, and computer product for vehicle-type determination using image data of vehicle
A vehicle-type determination apparatus includes a vehicle-portion extracting unit, a hood recognizing unit, and a vehicle-type determining unit. The vehicle-portion extracting unit extracts a vehicle portion from an image of a recognition object. The hood recognizing unit recognizes an area corresponding to a hood in the vehicle portion extracted by the vehicle-portion extracting unit. The vehicle-type determining unit determines the vehicle type based on the degree of inclination of a side of the hood area recognized by the hood recognizing unit.
US08229169B2 Feature information collecting apparatus and feature information collecting method
Feature information collecting apparatuses, methods, and programs acquire vehicle position information that represents the current position of a vehicle, acquire image information for a vicinity of the vehicle, and carry out image recognition processing on recognition target objects that are included in the image information. The apparatuses, methods, and programs store recognition information in a memory that represents a result of the image recognition of the recognition target objects in association with information for the recognition position of the recognition target objects, the recognition position determined based on the vehicle position information. The apparatuses, methods, and programs extract, as learned features, recognition target objects that can be repeatedly recognized by image recognition based on a plurality of sets of recognition information related to the same position, the plurality of sets of recognition information being stored due to the image information for the same position being recognized a plurality of times by image recognition.
US08229168B2 Fast license plate verifier
A method for identifying vehicles, including capturing a first image of a first vehicle using a first camera at a first position and a second image of the first vehicle using a second camera at a second position different from the first position. The method further includes determining a transformation between the first image and the second image. A third image of a second vehicle using the first camera is captured, and the transformation is applied to the third image to generate a fourth image of the second vehicle. The fourth image is analyzed, using a database of identified vehicles, to determine an identity of the second vehicle.
US08229157B2 Information processing apparatus setting additional information added to image data, and control method thereof, and computer readable storage medium
An apparatus that inputs image data, adds additional information to the image data, and outputs the image data. The apparatus also acquires position information indicating a geographical position of the information processing apparatus, sets an on state in which position information acquisition processing is executed and sets an off state in which position information acquisition processing is not executed, and determines whether position information can be acquired by the acquisition means. The apparatus includes a setting device for 1) when the off state is set for position information acquisition processing, setting information to that effect as the additional information, 2) when it is determined that the position information cannot be acquired, setting information to that effect as the additional information, and 3) when position information acquisition processing is on and position information can be acquired, setting the acquired position information as the additional information.
US08229152B2 Interchangeable bar loudspeaker system
There is provided a speaker connector including first and second speaker elements each having an inward face, an opposing outward face, and an engagement wall extending between the inward and outward faces. The speaker elements are connectable to the first and second speakers, respectively. A connector housing includes first and second end faces disposed on opposing sides of a housing medial portion. First and second inner walls extend inwardly from the first and second end faces, respectively, to define first and second housing recesses. The first and second inner walls are configured to engage with the engagement wall of the respective speaker elements with the first speaker element being received within the first housing recess and the second speaker element being received within the second housing recess.
US08229151B2 Completely-in-canal hearing instrument with robust feedback stability
A CIC hearing instrument and appertaining method are provided that improve feedback stability. Accordingly, the microphone inlet is located on the faceplate of the instrument at a position of least vibration. Furthermore, the receiver is located in the device such that its vibrating membrane is parallel to a plane calculated to include a line of minimal vibration on the faceplate and a center of gravity for the instrument.
US08229146B2 Hearing aid with adaptive data reception timing
A hearing aid with a communication circuit for wireless communication, the circuit includes a receiver for reception of data, and a communication controller that is configured for determining a delay between a receiver activation and an actual start of reception of data, and adjusting a next receiver activation in accordance with the determined delay.
US08229143B2 Stereo expansion with binaural modeling
A method for stereo expansion includes a step to remove the effects of actual relative speaker to listener positioning and head shadow and a step to introduce an artificial effect based on a desired virtual relative speaker to listener positioning using the inter-aural delay and the head-shadow models for the virtual speakers at desired angles relative to the listener thereby creating the impression of a widened and centered sound stage and an immersive listening experience. Known methods drown out vocals and add mid-range coloration thereby defeating equalization. The present method includes the integration of a novel binaural listening model and speaker-room equalization techniques to provide widening while not defeating equalization.
US08229137B2 Volume control circuits for use in electronic devices and related methods and electronic devices
Volume control circuits for use in electronic devices are provided. Some embodiments of the present invention provide volume control circuits for use in electronic devices. The volume control circuits include a gain circuit, a limiter circuit, a power measurement circuit and a gain adjustment circuit. The gain circuit is configured to receive an input audio signal and amplify the input audio signal based on a gain. The limiter circuit is configured to limit the amplified input audio signal based on a peak safety limit and output an output audio signal having a peak value based on the peak safety limit. The power measurement circuit is configured to measure a power level of the output audio signal. The power level has an associated power safety limit. The gain adjustment circuit is configured to adjust the gain of the gain circuit responsive to the measured power. Related methods and electronic devices are also provided herein.
US08229133B2 Portable sound recorder
A portable sound recorder has a body case, a left microphone and a right microphone held rotatably by the body case. An inwardly arcuate microphone receiving cavity is formed at each upper corner of the body case. The microphone receiving cavity is configured to elevate a rear side end of its arcuate bottom surface, and surrounds the under side and a part of the rear side of the microphone. Formed on the bottom surface of the microphone receiving cavity is a hollow portion that creates a gap between the microphone receiving cavity and the microphone, so as to prevent the reflected sound off the microphone receiving cavity from reaching the microphone. The gap is maintained by the hollow portion even when the microphone is rotated.
US08229120B2 Mobile communication method
A mobile communication method according to the present invention communicates between a mobile station (UE) and a radio base station (eNB) by using a certain key. The method includes the step of: (A) acquiring, at a radio base station managing a re-establishment target cell for the mobile station (UE), a first key (KeNB[n+1]) for generating a certain key from a switching center (MME) in a procedure for re-establishment of the mobile station (UE), the certain key to be used for communication between the mobile station (UE) and a next re-establishment target cell for the mobile station (UE).
US08229115B2 Use of copyright text in key derivation function
Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods are disclosed for deriving a secure key. In some embodiments, a method for deriving a key may be provided comprising: generating a first input value; loading a first register with the first input value; generating a second input value; loading a second register with the second input value; updating the first register and the second register at the same time, where the step of updating comprises: applying a first update function to the current value of the second register to determine a third input value; applying an XOR function to the third input value and a fixed string to determine a fourth input value, wherein the fixed string contains a legal notice; incrementing an offset to the fixed string; storing the fourth input value in the first register; applying a second update function to the current values of the first register and the second register to determine a fifth input value; storing the fifth input value in the second register; repeating the step of updating the first register and the second register a predetermined number of times; and outputting the value of the second register as the key.
US08229110B1 Pipelined packet encryption and decryption using counter mode with cipher-block chaining message authentication code protocol
An apparatus includes a key mixing circuit to generate N groups of decryption seeds, each generated based upon a predetermined key, a transmitter address, and a predetermined start value for a packet number. An input circuit receives N encrypted packets, each including the transmitter address and one of N values for the packet number. A decryption circuit decrypts each of the N encrypted packets using one of the N groups of decryption seeds that was generated based on the one of the N values in a respective one of the N encrypted packets. The key mixing circuit generates each of the N groups of decryption seeds before the input circuit receives the respective one of the N encrypted packets of the data. The predetermined start value is initialized when the apparatus is initialized and incremented when each of the N groups of decryption seeds is generated.
US08229107B2 Echo canceler
A state deciding unit 2 makes a decision of double talk when both received signal and transmission signal are in a speech burst, and when the amount of reduction in an echo removal level per prescribed time period exceeds a predetermined threshold, the echo removal level being represented as a level difference between the transmission signal and a residual signal passing through the echo elimination by an adaptive filter 1, and when the amount of changes of the signal level of the received signal is less than a prescribed reference value.
US08229104B2 Full duplex telephone system employing automatic level control for improved digital signal processing of audio signals
Audio processing systems, such as full duplex digital telephone systems, are provided in which analog automatic level control (ALC) circuitry is employed to automatically control and stabilize the microphone output audio signal levels to a constant level for optimal digital signal processing. For example, an audio communication device (10) includes a microphone (11) to generate an audio signal, an analog automatic level control (ALC) circuit (13), coupled to an output of the microphone (11), to control a level of the audio signal output from the microphone (11) and output a level-controlled audio signal, and a DSP (digital signal processing) circuit (14) to process the level-controlled audio signal output from the ALC circuit (13). The ALC (13) allows audio signals to be captured by the microphone (11) with wide dynamic range, while stabilizing the microphone output level within a reduced dynamic range compatible with the limited dynamic range of the DSP circuitry (14) for enhanced performance.
US08229100B2 Call prioritization methods in a call center
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of allocating calls coming into a call center from a caller location remote from the call center, receiving a call from a caller which includes information from an RFID chip located in close proximity to the caller location; decoding the information from the RFID chip to determine one or more parameters relating to the information; using said one or more parameters to allocate the call from the caller at the call center to ensure calls are handled in accordance with the parameters. This has the advantage of much more efficient management of the of the calls within the call center and ensures that the calls are sent to the agent with the most appropriate skill set.
US08229097B2 Originating simultaneous ring services
A device receives information associated with a calling party, and validates the calling party for an originating simultaneous calls service based on the calling party information. The device also receives information associated with a called party, retrieves called party destination information based on the called party information, and sends an instruction to originate two or more simultaneous calls to the called party based on the called party destination information.
US08229093B2 Method for marketing to audience members based upon votes cast by audience members
A new and improved method for marketing to customers based upon incoming telephone calls is herein disclosed. A marketing method for use with a broadcast featuring multiple performers for whom at least one audience member may vote, the vote being based upon a performer's performance, the vote being communicated by an electronic device includes receiving the vote from at least one audience member, the vote being cast for at least one of the performers, capturing contact information for the audience member who cast the vote, identifying the contact information with the performer, and communicating a marketing offer to the audience member, the marketing offer related to the performer.
US08229092B2 Filtering spurious voicemail messages
A method is provided for discarding an audio message if the audio message meets a predefined discarding condition, which may factor in at least the audio message's total length, presence of spoken word(s) in the audio message, presence of tone(s) in the audio message and the presence of click(s) in the audio message. An audio message may be discarded if no spoken words are detected in it and the audio message's total length is shorter than a predefined minimal message length, or it contains a tone and the audio message's total length minus the tone's length is shorter than the predefined minimal message length, or it contains a click sound and the audio message's total length minus the click's length is shorter than the predefined minimal message length. An audio message may be first stored in a memory buffer and then moved to a legitimate messages pool memory or to a spurious messages pool memory. A messages discriminator and a voicemail system that utilize the messages discrimination method are also provided.
US08229090B2 Voice portal communications
A method includes receiving a telephone call at a network device and forwarding the telephone call to a proxy device. The method also includes forwarding the telephone call, from the proxy device, to a first voice portal and determining that telephone call should be transferred to a second voice portal. The method further includes forwarding, by the first voice portal, a transfer request to the network device and forwarding, by the network device, the telephone call to a second voice portal.
US08229079B2 Propagating user status information across computing resources
The subject matter of this disclosure can be implemented in, among other things, a device that includes processors, means for receiving a voicemail greeting template having a default portion and a placeholder portion, wherein the default portion is included in voicemail greetings generated based on the voicemail greeting template, and a user status propagation module executable by the one or more processors. In these examples, the user status propagation module receives status information for a user or a device, wherein the status information includes a state of the user or a state of the device, and replaces the placeholder portion of the voicemail greeting template with the received status information to generate a personalized voicemail greeting of the user that includes the default portion and the received status information, wherein output of the personalized voicemail greeting is initiated in response to an incoming phone call.
US08229076B2 Line loss tester
A signal testing apparatus for testing signals includes at least one receiver that receives signals having corresponding frequencies representative of a frequency range of a wired communication link over which the signals are received. The signal testing apparatus also includes a measurer that measures a signal loss for each of the frequencies to determine whether each measured signal loss is acceptable.
US08229069B2 Orthovoltage radiotherapy
A radiosurgery system is described that is configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, other disorders or tissues of a body are treated with the dose of radiation. In some embodiments, the target tissues are placed in a global coordinate system based on ocular imaging. In some embodiments, the target tissues inside the global coordinate system lead to direction of an automated positioning system that is directed based on the target tissues within the coordinate system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized in which beam energy and direction and duration of time for treatment is determined for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial marker is used to identify the location of the target tissues. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments.
US08229067B2 Radiation imaging apparatus and dark current correction method therefor
A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a radiation detection unit that detects radiation, an instruction unit that issues a radiation-imaging start instruction, and a setting unit to set an irradiation delay period that extends between the issuance of an imaging start instruction and the time irradiation begins. A first acquisition unit acquires a plurality of dark current images during the set irradiation delay period, and a second acquires a radiation image of the object after the end of the set irradiation delay period. A correction data generation unit generate correction data for the acquired radiation image, based on the dark current images, and a correction unit executes dark current correction processing of the acquired radiation image using the correction data.
US08229064B2 Localization of an element of interest by XRF analysis of different inspection volumes
An apparatus and method are disclosed for localizing an element of interest in a sample by comparing XRF spectra acquired from at least two distinct but overlapping inspection volumes. The inspection volumes are varied by changing the geometry of the exciting x-ray and/or fluoresced x-ray beam(s), which may be accomplished by repositioning multi-apertured collimators. Comparison of the XRF spectra acquired from different inspection volumes provides an indication as to whether the element of interest (e.g., lead) is present in a coating layer, in the underlying bulk material, or in both.
US08229059B2 X-ray CT apparatus and control method of X-ray CT apparatus
An X-ray CT apparatus has an irradiation unit, a determination unit, and a displaying unit. The irradiation unit is configured to emit an X-ray. The determination unit determines a tube current value modulation to extend to a body axis direction in a predetermined rotation angle of the irradiation unit based on an index value to show a dispersion of CT values in a required area in a reconstructed image, and a scan condition. The displaying unit displays an image of the index value and an image of the tube current value modulation on an image used for positioning and aligns the image along the body axis direction on the image used for positioning.
US08229057B2 Apparatus and method for non-contact sensing using temporal measures
An embodiment of the invention relates to a sampling circuit comprising at least one clock, a reference trace, a sensor trace adapted to be connected to a sensing element, and a device to measure a length of delay between a reference signal transmission time of a reference signal transmitting through the reference trace and a sensed signal transmission time of a sensed signal transmitting through the sensor trace, wherein the length of delay is determined by counting the number of burst tones occurring during the length of delay.
US08229053B2 Low-jitter spread-spectrum clock generator
A spread-spectrum clock generator includes: a phase interpolator mixing a plurality of clock signals, which differ from each other in phase, and modulating a clock signal resulting from mixing the clock signals; and a controller generating a control signal to generate weights of the plurality of clock signals for modulating the clock signal. The phase interpolator regulates a modulation speed of the clock by adjusting a generation speed of the weights.
US08229051B2 Transmission signaling techniques to enhance receiver interference mitigation performance
Techniques are described that can be used to maximize the interference suppression capability of space-time coded systems by managing synchronous transmission signaling. To enhance the probability of the occurrence synchronous interference and accordingly increase interference cancellation capability at a receiver, a network of at least two transmitters in a network may utilize similar structured coding schemes and coordinate transmission so that the receiver receives co-channel signals synchronously.
US08229039B2 Flexible rate matching
Flexible rate matching. No constraints or restrictions are placed on a sending communication device when effectuating rate matching. The receiving communication device is able to accommodate received transmissions of essentially any size (e.g., up to an entire turbo codeword that includes all systematic bits and all parity bits). The receiving communication device employs a relatively small-sized memory to ensure a lower cost, smaller sized communication device (e.g., handset or user equipment such as a personal wireless communication device). Moreover, incremental redundancy is achieved in which successive transmissions need not include repeated information therein (e.g., a second transmission need not include any repeated information from a first transmission). Only when reaching an end of a block of bits or codeword to be transmitted, and when wrap around at the end of such block of bits or codeword occurs, would any repeat of bits be incurred within a later transmission.
US08229037B2 Dual-rate single band communication system
A system, method, and apparatus for a multiple data rate communication system is presented herein. The communication system receives data samples that are either sampled at a narrowband rate or a wideband rate and provides various functions and services, such as echo cancellation, DTMF detection and generation, and call discrimination. For wideband signals, a down-sampled signal is provided for each of the foregoing function and service. The output of the function or services is then recombined with the wideband signal.
US08229032B2 Signal receiver for receiving differential signal via transmission line
A signal receiver includes: a receiving circuit that receives a differential signal via a transmission line, which includes a pair of signal wires for transmitting the differential signal; and an impedance control circuit that controls an input impedance so as to reduce a common mode noise. The impedance control circuit includes a detection element for detecting at least one of a voltage, a current and an electric power of the common mode noise. The impedance control circuit controls the input impedance in accordance with change of the at least one of the voltages the current and the electric power of the common mode noise.
US08229029B2 Transmitter with reduced spectral regrowth and associated methods
A transmitter includes a monitoring circuit for monitoring phase transitions of in-phase and quadrature components of an input phase modulated signal. A filter is downstream from the monitoring circuit for generating a filtered phase modulated signal within an allocated bandwidth. A transmit gain controller is downstream from the filter for adjusting an amplitude of the filtered phase modulated signal based on a dynamic reference envelope control signal. A control circuit cooperates with the monitoring circuit and the transmit gain controller for generating the dynamic reference envelope control signal so that phase transitions are suppressed in the filtered phase modulated signal and so that the filtered phase modulated signal remains within the allocated bandwidth.
US08229026B2 Processor and processing method for signal transmission
A transmission signal processing method is provided, for generating a first OFDM modulation signal and a second OFDM modulation signal which are transmitted in an identical frequency band, by utilizing a first antenna for transmitting the first OFDM modulation signal and by utilizing a second antenna for transmitting the second OFDM modulation signal. The method includes a step of generating the first OFDM modulation signal and the second OFDM modulation signal utilizing a plurality of OFDM modulation signal generators, and a step of outputting the first OFDM modulation signal to the first antenna and the second OFDM modulation signal to the second antenna.
US08229015B2 Wireless transmission system, wireless transmitting method, and wireless station and transmitting station used therein
A wireless transmission system capable of exerting a maximum path diversity effect by using combinations formed by symbol waveforms. A transmission timing controlling section (23) determines a transmission start timing. A modulating section (21) modulates a signal by using one of a plurality of symbol waveform candidates and by utilizing a modulation scheme in which a phase transition of a symbol waveform represents a waveform being changed, and then transmits the modulated signal at a transmission start timing. A predetermined delay amount is set such that (i) the number of reception timings, each indicating a timing at which a receiving station (12) receives a signal, is a plural number and is less than or equal to a maximum number of effective branches for each symbol waveform, and (ii) each time difference between the reception timings is greater than or equal to a delay resolution and less than or equal to a maximum delay.
US08229011B2 Fine symbol timing synchronization method and apparatus in OFDM system
A fine symbol timing synchronization method and apparatus in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system are provided. The fine symbol timing synchronization method finds a path with a minimum mean square error (MMSE) as a first path among a plurality of paths, and a formula of the mean square error (MSE) used by the method is a simplified formula of the original MSE formula with low calculation complexity. Therefore, the time required by the fine symbol timing synchronization method is short, and a correct first path can be found, so as to lock a starting position of a fast Fourier transform (FFT) window on a starting position of a symbol signal of the correct first path.
US08229002B2 Video decoding system supporting multiple standards
System and method for decoding digital video data. The decoding system employs hardware accelerators that assist a core processor in performing selected decoding tasks. The hardware accelerators are configurable to support a plurality of existing and future encoding/decoding formats. The accelerators are configurable to support substantially any existing or future encoding/decoding formats that fall into the general class of DCT-based, entropy decoded, block-motion-compensated compression algorithms. The hardware accelerators illustratively comprise a programmable entropy decoder, an inverse quantization module, a inverse discrete cosine transform module, a pixel filter, a motion compensation module and a de-blocking filter. The hardware accelerators function in a decoding pipeline wherein at any given stage in the pipeline, while a given function is being performed on a given macroblock, the next macroblock in the data stream is being worked on by the previous function in the pipeline.
US08229001B2 Method and system for calculating flag parameter of image block
A flag parameter in a digital image decoding is calculated. For a macroblock consisting of M×N blocks, a first operation is performed on M block along a first edge to obtain M first parameters, and a second operation is performed on N blocks along a second edge to obtain N second parameters. The first and second parameters are stored into corresponding locations in a first and a second buffer array. Then a flag parameter corresponding to a given block is calculated according to corresponding values stored in the first and second buffer arrays. Calculation for all of the M×N blocks is performed in the order that neighboring left and upper blocks next to the give block is processed prior to the given block.
US08228998B2 Intra prediction encoding control method and apparatus, program therefor, and storage medium which stores the program
An intra prediction encoding control method used in intra prediction encoding having a plurality of prediction modes and prediction block sizes, wherein the prediction mode and the prediction block size each can be switched when encoding is performed. The method includes a step of computing a flatness degree index which indicates a degree of flatness of a target area for encoding; a step of determining a prediction block size used in intra prediction encoding of the target area, in accordance with the computed flatness degree index; and a step of selecting a prediction mode used in the intra prediction encoding of the target area, for the determined prediction block size.
US08228990B2 Template matching scheme using multiple predictors as candidates for intra-prediction
An apparatus and method for spatial encoding of intra-predictions for a current block of a video sequence without the need to average across a number of best template matches. The encoder identifies and sorts the best template matches for the current block within previously coded and reconstructed blocks which neighbor the current block of video. In response to determining actual predictive error for the sorted list of matches, a selector is generated identifying which of the sorted templates is optimal. The selector is then communicated for receipt by the decoder, which is adapted for performing the same template matching and sorting, which is followed by selection of the optimum candidate in response to using the selector. In response to the selector information the decoder can provide optimum template matching without the compromise or overhead of taking averages across the best template candidates.
US08228988B2 Encoding device, encoding method, decoding device, and decoding method
Continuous reproduction can be made possible. An encoding apparatus for executing an encoding process with an encoding system capable of at least B-pictures as pictures to be prediction-encoded comprises a timing calculation means for, anticipating that a plurality of encoded information created by performing the encoding process will be sequentially decoded on a decoding side, calculating output timing for results of decoding the encoded information, and a timing notification means for notifying the decoding side of the output timing calculated by the timing calculation means before a result of decoding corresponding encoded information is obtained.
US08228987B2 Digital watermarking method
The invention relates to a method of watermarking a binary stream resulting from the encoding of a set of coefficients comprising at least one coefficient encoded by predictive coding, called predictively coded coefficient. The method comprises the steps of: a) identifying, in the binary stream, a first binary word representing the predictively coded coefficient; b) computing a modified coefficient from the predictively coded coefficient on the basis of at least one watermarking bit; c) encoding the modified coefficient into a second binary word; and d) replacing in the binary stream the first binary word with the second binary word.
US08228985B2 Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding based on intra prediction
A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding an image based on intra prediction are provided. The method comprises predicting an intra prediction direction of a current block based on an intra prediction direction of a reference block located at an Nth pixel in the x-axis and an Mth pixel in the y-axis with respect to the current block, and intra prediction encoding the current block based on the actual intra prediction direction of the current block and the predicted intra prediction direction of the current block. Accordingly, the compression rate of image data can be improved by accurately predicting the intra prediction direction.
US08228976B2 Dual-port input equalizer
A dual-port input equalizer includes a control unit for generating a first control signal and a second control signal according to a selection signal, a first equalizer for receiving a first and second differential voltage for equalization according to the first control signal and the second control signal, which the first equalizer includes a first transistor, a second transistor, an passive loading portion, and a first zero-point generation circuit, a second equalizer for receiving a third and fourth differential voltage for equalization according to the first control signal and the second control signal, which the second equalizer includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor, which the drain of the first transistor, the second transistor, third transistor, and the fourth transistor coupled to the passive loading portion, and the source of the first transistor, the second transistor, third transistor, and the fourth transistor coupled to the first zero-point generation circuit.
US08228971B2 Technique for searching for a preamble signal in a spread spectrum signal using a fast Hadamard transform
In one embodiment, a method for demodulating and searching for a preamble signal containing a complex phasor signal is disclosed. The complex phasor is demodulated using a phasor-rotated fast transformer. A received signal is correlated with a spreading code to produce a correlated signal. The correlated signal is coherently accumulated to produce a coherently accumulated signal. A first phasor-rotated signal transformation is performed on a real component of the coherently accumulated signal, and a second phasor-rotated signal transformation is performed on an imaginary component of the coherently accumulated signal. Finally, the signal power of the transformed real and imaginary components of the coherently accumulated signal is determined.
US08228966B2 Semiconductor laser and method of manufacturing semiconductor laser
Provided is a semiconductor laser, wherein (λa−λw)>15 (nm) and Lt<25 (μm), where λw is the wavelength of light corresponding to the band gap of the active layer disposed at a position within a distance of 2 μm from one end surface in a resonator direction, λa is the wavelength of light corresponding to the band gap of the active layer disposed at a position that is spaced a distance of equal to or more than ( 3/10)L and <( 7/10)L from the one end surface in a resonator direction, “L” is the resonator length, and “Lt” is the length of a transition region provided between the position of the active layer with a band gap corresponding to a light wavelength of λw+2 (nm) and the position of the active layer with a band gap corresponding to a light wavelength of λa−2 (nm) in the resonator direction.
US08228965B2 Surface emitting laser, manufacturing method of surface emitting laser, surface emitting laser array, manufacturing method of surface emitting laser array, and optical apparatus including surface emitting laser array
A surface emitting laser which is configured by laminating on a substrate a lower reflection mirror, an active layer, and an upper reflection mirror, which includes, in a light emitting section of the upper reflection mirror, a structure for controlling reflectance that is configured by a low reflectance region and a concave high reflectance region formed in the central portion of the low reflectance region, and which oscillates at a wavelength of λ, wherein the upper reflection mirror is configured by a multilayer film reflection mirror based on a laminated structure formed by laminating a plurality of layers, the multilayer film reflection mirror includes a phase adjusting layer which has an optical thickness in the range of λ/8 to 3λ/8 inclusive in a light emitting peripheral portion on the multilayer film reflection mirror, and an absorption layer causing band-to-band absorption is provided in the phase adjusting layer.
US08228955B2 Wireless communication system, base station and transmission timing control method
A wireless communication system includes first and second transmitting stations cooperating with each other to transmit data signals in parallel to the same receiving station. The first transmitting station transmits data at a slot reference timing of each TDMA slot within a data transmission period. The second transmitting station calculates the adjustment amount of data transmission timing for the receiving station within a propagation delay time measurement period, and transmits data at a transmission timing determined by a slot reference timing and the adjustment amount in each TDMA slot within the data transmission period.
US08228947B2 Method and apparatus for communicating protocol data unit in a radio access network
A new protocol data unit is used in communications in a radio access network. When a user equipment requests a radio resource controller connection, the UE includes its identity in the request message. In establishing the connection to UE, a serving radio network controller allocates a logical channel to the UE for communications and identifies the logical channel in the header of the protocol data unit so as to allow a receiver of the PDU to know the UE identity in an out-of-band signaling fashion, depending upon a state of the transmitter of the PDU. When the transmitter changes its state, the receiver can change state accordingly. The new PDU structure allows continuous reception of the HS-DSCH downlink channel during state transition form CELL_FACH or CELL_PCH or URA_PCH to CELL_DCH and vice versa. This new PDU structure also allows continuous HS_DSCH retransmissions.
US08228945B2 Streaming communication system
A streaming communication apparatus transmits a packet requesting reservation of a bandwidth required for streaming communication towards a communication relay apparatus. The communication relay apparatus reserves a required bandwidth according to the request packet. Accordingly, stable streaming communication can be carried out.
US08228943B2 Systems and methods for providing framing mapping, muxing and data processing
A method and system for providing Layer 1 time division multiplexing (TDM) framing, multiplexing, and mapping as well as Layer 2 data and protocol processing. One embodiment of the invention provides an integrated Layer1/Layer2 service aggregator within a single-device. Such an embodiment provides a complete System-on-Chip implementation for clear channel and deeply channelized OC-48 (STM-16), 4×OC12/3 (STM4/1) application of 2,000 channels or more. One embodiment implements functionality of Layer2 data and protocol processing as well as Layer1 TDM framing, multiplexing and mapping. For one embodiment, target applications include packet-based transport systems, multi-service access and metro systems, switches and routers and ADM/MSPP systems.
US08228942B2 System and method for IPv4 and IPv6 migration
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for IPv4 and IPv6 migration are provided. The invocation of NAPT-PT and NAPT are minimized inside a provider's network. NAPT-PT operations are invoked at most once inside the provider's network under all situations for a media path. Moreover, he minimum required NAPT operations are performed. If there is a required NAPT operation along the media path for IPv4 address realm mismatches, no NAPT-PT operation are performed solely for protocol conversion purposes.
US08228940B2 VoIP device and method of preventing noise generation thereby
A Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) device includes a time division multiplexing (TDM) bus, a plurality of digital signal processors (DSPs), and a plurality of subscriber line interface circuits (SLICs). The SLICs are respectively connected to a corresponding plurality of telephones. The VoIP device distributes the TDM bus to a plurality of calling timeslots and a special timeslot, and allocates at least one of the calling timeslots to each of the SLICs, selecting one of the DSPs as a special DSP. The VoIP device further directs the special DSP to generate an alternating voltage signal to the special timeslot, and directs the SLICs to receive the alternating voltage signal from the special DSP by the special timeslot to prevent the VoIP device from being locked at a high voltage and from generating noise.
US08228937B2 Method for extending a heterogeneous MAC protocol to multi-channel systems
An extension to a heterogeneous MAC protocol that makes provisions for multi-frequency system architecture is described. A new frame structure for a multi-frequency xMAX system is introduced. Multi-frequency xMAX system is an extension of a single-channel xMAX system, where the available bandwidth is split into multiple channels to provide additional capacity and range. The new frame structure is followed by all channels and is designed to fulfill the requirements of multiple frequency operation. The new frame structure incorporates features that allow the handset to leverage the advantages of multiple frequency channels, especially in the event of interference. Also, a new mechanism to reduce the power consumption in the handset is discussed that significantly reduces the number of unnecessary receive operations at the handset.
US08228932B2 Layout architecture for expandable network device
According to one embodiment of the invention, a network device for processing data on a data network, includes a plurality of ports, where at least one higher speed port of the plurality of ports is configured to send and receive data between inter-networked devices, a memory management unit, in communication with and controlling memory external to the network device, configured store data on and retrieve data from the memory and a parser, in communication with the plurality of ports and the memory management unit, configured to parse the data received from the data network. The parser includes at least two independent parser units, with one of the independent parser units parsing data received by the at least one higher speed port and another of the independent parser units parsing data received by a remainder of the plurality of ports.
US08228930B1 Interconnection network router arrangements and methods therefor
Interconnection router arrangements are implemented using a variety of arrangements and methods. Using one such arrangement, an interconnection network router arrangement sends data units between a set of router inputs and a set of router outputs. The interconnection network router arrangement includes a sub-switch that is capable of selectively transferring a data unit from an array of sub-switch inputs to an array of sub-switch outputs. The sub-switch has a memory circuit for storing the data unit before the data unit is transferred to a sub-switch output and a memory circuit for storing the data unit after the data unit is transferred from the sub-switch inputs and before the data unit is sent to a router output.
US08228928B2 System and method for providing support for multipoint L2VPN services in devices without local bridging
A network device has a network interface to allow the device to send and receive traffic across a network. The device also has a cable connection to allow the device to exchange data with at least one cable modem and a processor to associate a cable interface and cable service identifier with a cable modem; receive a packet from the cable modem; and insert a layer 2 network identifier, the identifier comprising two service provider VLAN (SP-VLAN) tags, into the packet. The processor in the network device identifies a virtual trunk interface based on the outer SP-VLAN tag and identifies the virtual private network based on the inner SP-VLAN tag.
US08228925B2 Interactive voice response system for online and offline charging and for multiple networks
An interactive voice response system (102) includes a protocol interface (134) that is adapted to communicate with a plurality of divergent telecommunications networks for voice communications (104, 106, 108, 110). These networks are, for example, a wireline telecommunications network, a CDMA network, a GSM network, and a voice over IP network. A controller (136) is coupled to the protocol interface to receive a plurality of common call control messages from, and to supply a plurality of common call control messages to, the protocol interface. The protocol interface converts control messages from each one of the plurality of divergent telecommunications networks into the plurality of common call control messages for the controller. The controller generates and receives the common call control messages to cause a prompt and collect interaction with a caller that is using a device that is coupled to one of the networks. The common call control messages generated by the controller are converted by the protocol interface into control messages that are appropriate for the particular network that is to receive the control message. That is, the common call control messages are converted to the network's protocol.
US08228924B2 AC PLC to DC PLC transceiver
A device that provides an interface between alternating current powerline communication signals and direct current powerline communication signals. In one embodiment alternating current powerline communication signals and direct current powerline communication signals are interfaced with a bridging device. In another embodiment, a router configuration allows dissimilar protocols to be interfaced to direct current using a router configuration. In yet another embodiment the alternating current powerline communication and direct current powerline communication signals are interfaced using a passive repeater configuration. In the bridge and router configurations, use of an internal computer allows for additional features, such as error checking, buffering, diagnostics, and virus checking.
US08228923B1 Method and apparatus for measuring system latency using global time stamp
A network device having a system performance measurement unit employing one or more global time stamps for measuring the device performance is disclosed. The device includes an ingress circuit, a global time counter, an egress circuit, and a processor. The ingress circuit is configured to receive a packet from an input port while the global time counter generates an arrival time stamp in accordance with the arrival time of the packet. The egress circuit is capable of forwarding the packet to other network devices via an output port. The processor, in one embodiment, is configured to calculate packet latency in response to the arrival time stamp.
US08228916B2 Method and apparatus for direct frame switching using frame contained destination information
Frame contained destination information may be used by a switch to identify an appropriate output port for a given frame without performing a table access operation. This reduces the processing requirements of the switch to enable the switch to handle frames more efficiently. The frame contained destination information may be contained in the frame's local destination MAC addresses (DA) such that a portion of the DA directly indicates, for each switch that handles the frame, an output port for that switch. Different portions of the DA may be used by different switches, depending on where they are in the network hierarchy. Large switches may also use sub-fields within their allocated portion in the DA to identify internal switching components. A location resolution server may be provided to store and distribute IP and MAC addresses and respond to local ARP requests on the local domain.
US08228913B2 Implementing system to system communication in a switchless non-IB compliant environment using InfiniBand multicast facilities
A method and apparatus are provided for implementing system to system communication in a switchless non-InfiniBand (IB) compliant environment. IB architected multicast facilities are used to communicate between HCAs in a loop or string topology. Multiple HCAs in the network subscribe to a predetermined multicast address. Multicast messages sent by one HCA destined to the pre-determined multicast address are received by other HCAs in the network. Intermediate TCA hardware, per IB architected multicast support, forward the multicast messages on via hardware facilities, which do not require invocation of software facilities thereby providing performance efficiencies. The messages flow until picked up by an HCA on the network. Architected higher level IB connections, such as IB supported Reliable Connections (RCs) are established using the multicast message flow, eliminating the need for an IB Subnet Manager (SM).
US08228906B1 Method and system for virtual lane assignment
Method and system for routing a network packet via a network switch is provided. The method includes receiving the network packet at the network switch; extracting a service level (“SL”) field value, a source local identifier (“SLID”) field value and a destination local identifier (“DLID”) field value from the network packet; determining if a virtual lane (“VL”) configuration mode is enabled; determining a VL based on one or more of the SLID field value, the DLID field value and a VL selection parameter, in addition to the SL field value, if the VL configuration mode is enabled; and routing the network packet using the determined VL value.
US08228895B2 Radio communication device and radio communication system
A radio communication device is provided, including a radio control unit for achieving timing synchronization using frames having a fixed period, assigning a transmission and reception interval during which a report signal for informing state management information about each communication device and a control signal for controlling each radio communication device are transmitted and received to a fixed time interval at the head of each frame, for transmitting and receiving application data to and from a partner radio communication device during another time interval, and for reserving and securing some of communication band units, each of which has a fixed width and into which each frame is divided according to a difference between the transmission rate of the application data and that of a signal in a wireless section, on a unit-by-unit basis by using the report signal and the control signal.
US08228890B2 Allocation of radio resources from a network in a packet switched data transmission
A method is provided for allocating a radio resource in a packet switched data transmission system, such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), which data transmission system includes terminals and a network. In the method, terminals communicate with the network over the radio interface using the packet transfer mode, and for communication, a radio resource is allocated to the terminal. For allocating the radio resource, for the packet switched implementation of a realtime service, a first message is transmitted from the terminal to the network and the first message is received in the network. The network identifies the first message as a radio resource request for the packet switched implementation of a realtime service and allocates to the terminal the requested radio resource for the packet switched implementation of the realtime service. A wireless terminal and network element relating to the method are also provided.
US08228888B1 Code-agile time division multiplexing
Methods and systems for optimizing the efficiency of simultaneous data transfers throughout a data network are provided. In the system, a time division system clock includes a network time division clock policy having a plurality of time slots. The network time division clock policy identifies a unique clock code for each of the time slots. Also, a source node and a destination node each include a portion of the network time division clock policy. The time division system clock continuously transmits the unique clock code identified for a particular time slot to the source node and the destination node during the duration of the time slot. Based on the clock code, the source nodes determines if it is assigned a communication channel to transmit collision-free data to the destination node during the duration of the particular time slot.
US08228876B2 Signal quality determination methods and apparatus suitable for use in WLAN-to-WWAN transitioning
A mobile terminal performs communication operations for maintaining a voice or data call via a wireless AP of a WLAN. During this time, the mobile terminal identifies a RSSI value and a SNR value of an RF signal of the wireless AP. When the RSSI value is less than a predetermined RSSI value, and the SNR value is less than a predetermined SNR value, the mobile terminal provides an indication to switch the communication operations from the WLAN to a WWAN. However, when the RSSI value is less than the predetermined RSSI value, but the SNR value is greater than the predetermined SNR value, the mobile terminal provides an indication to maintain the communication operations in the WLAN. In a concurrent process, the mobile terminal determines a transmission error value for data packet transmissions based on a count of data packet errors.
US08228862B2 Method and system for reference signal pattern design
A base station comprising an allocator configured to allocate a plurality of dedicated reference (DR) signals to selected resource elements. In the even-numbered time slot in a first resource block, a first group of DR signals are: i) allocated to a first group of adjacent resource elements; and ii) allocated to a second group of adjacent resource elements. In the contiguous odd-numbered time slot in the first resource block, the first group of DR signals are allocated to a third group of adjacent resource elements. In the even-numbered time slot in a second resource block, the first group of adjacent DR signals are allocated to a fourth group of resource elements. In the contiguous odd-numbered time slot in the second resource block, the first group of DR signals are: i) allocated to a fifth group of adjacent resource elements; and ii) allocated to a sixth group of adjacent resource elements.
US08228857B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication terminal, base station and wireless communication method
Provided is a wireless communication system for performing communication using a shared control channel that can be used in a predetermined period for each of a plurality of base stations and a plurality of traffic channels that can be adaptively allocated to each of a plurality of wireless communication terminals. The wireless communication terminal is provided with a channel requesting unit that requests the base station to allocate an individual control channel through the shared control channel and a communication control unit that performs control information communication by wirelessly connecting the individual control channel allocated from the base station. The base station is provided with a channel allocating unit that allocates one of the traffic channels as the individual control channel to be exclusively used for the wireless communication terminal when the request of individual control channel allocation is received from the wireless communication terminal through the shared control channel.
US08228853B2 Serving base station selection in a wireless communication network
Techniques for selecting a serving base station for a terminal in a wireless communication network are described. In one design, multiple candidate base stations for the terminal may be identified, with each candidate base station being a candidate for selection as the serving base station for the terminal. The multiple candidate base stations may include base stations with different transmit power levels and/or may support interference mitigation. One of the multiple candidate base stations may be selected as the serving base station. In one design, the serving base station may be selected based on at least one metric for each candidate base station. The at least one metrics may be for pathloss, effective transmit power, effective geometry, projected data rate, control channel reliability, network utility, etc. The selected candidate base station may have a lower SINR than a highest SINR among the multiple candidate base stations.
US08228851B2 Method for handling random access response reception and an E-UTRAN and user equipment thereof
A method for handling Random Access Response reception in a user equipment (UE) when communicating with a E-UTRAN is provided. The method includes: transmitting a RA preamble to the E-UTRAN for initialing a random access (RA) procedure according to a received trigger event; receiving a RA response from the E-UTRAN corresponding to the RA preamble; and determining whether a MAC PDU or another RA preamble need to be transmitted according to an UL grant in the RA response and the trigger event.
US08228850B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in a system with new and legacy mobile stations
A method of transmitting control information to new and legacy mobile stations in a wireless communications system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for the base station to transmit control information in a system with new and legacy mobile stations is disclosed. In another embodiment, a method and apparatus for the mobile station to transmit control information is disclosed.
US08228840B2 Antenna diversity arrangement and method
An antenna diversity arrangement and a radio base station in a frequency divided mobile cellular system with sectorized cells are described. Space diversity or polarization diversity is provided by providing at least two branches. In accordance with the invention an operator frequency band is divided into a plurality of bands for transmitting and receiving. All sectors are branch wise combined in a respective tower mounted amplifier. TX signals within the TX bands belonging to a TMA are diplexed and simultaneously transmitted on the sectors. RF signals received on one branch of a sector are combined with RF signals received on the corresponding sector in the other branches. The RX signals so combined are fed to the radio base station on a single feeder together with the TX signals fed in the opposite direction from transceivers of the base station to the same TMA. A sector may be assigned two or more TX frequencies. Frequency hopping within each TX band may optionally be provided (synth hopping). If two or more TX frequencies are assigned to a sector synth hopping may be combined with frequency hopping between the TX bands assigned to the sector in the A branch as well as the TX bands assigned to the corresponding sector in the B branch.
US08228837B2 Maintaining network connectivity
A network device may select between two or more network connections based on a determination of whether the network device can access general Internet resources via an available, higher-preference network without providing additional (e.g., OSI Model Layer Seven) login credentials. In one example, a network device includes a first network interface configured to maintain a connection to a first network gateway, a second network interface configured to connect to a second, different network gateway upon determining that the second network gateway is both available and preferable over the first network gateway, and means for determining whether a remote network resource is currently accessible via the second network gateway. When the remote network resource is accessible via the second network gateway, the second network interface maintains the connection to the second network gateway.
US08228836B2 Cooperative MAC for rate adaptive randomized distributed space-time coding
Data is transmitted from a source wireless device to a destination wireless device by: (a) discovering node-to-node wireless channel conditions in a wireless network; (b) determining at least one of (A) wireless relay devices, (B) modulation schemes, and (C) transmission rates using the discovered node-to-node channel conditions; (c) signaling at least some of the determined information to the determined wireless relay devices; (d) receiving, with each of the wireless relay devices, a transmission of the data from the source wireless device; and (e) transmitting, with each of the wireless relay devices, a randomized, space-time encoded, part of the received data, to the destination device using the signaled at least some of the determined information.
US08228825B2 Delivering unified user experience by automatically teaming up information appliances with general purpose PC through internet
An embodiment of the present invention is a method for server side integration of communication devices and the general purpose PC of the same user through a computer network wherein no physical connection is required between the PC and the communication device. The user registers with PnC (phone and computer) server for subscribing to one or more PnC services such as drop-to-call, conference-call-dropping service, webpage sharing, caller kaleidoscope etc., via user interface of communications device and/or PC. Various features for subscribing and unsubscribing to services are provided along with authenticating the user using the name and the phone number of the user while registering with the server.
US08228824B2 VoIP contextual information processing
A method and system for processing contextual information relating to an exchange of a conversation over a communication channel is provided. Several users, and/or service providers are allowed to specify a set of rules relating to a conversation channel. Contextual information, including information relating to the specified set of rules and conditions of the users, is exchanged among the users and/or several service providers when one user requests to initiate a communication channel. The received contextual information is processed to extract a set of rules and the current conditions of users. If the current conditions of the users satisfy the set of rules, a corresponding communication channel is established among the users. However, additional contextual information may be received and processed whenever there is a change in the contextual information during the conversation. Appropriate actions to the existing communication channel may be determined based on the changes.
US08228815B2 Systems and methods for computing data transmission characteristics of a network path based on single-ended measurements
Systems and methods for computing data transmission characteristics of a network path are disclosed. In some embodiments, the network path has a sending host, at least one intermediate host, and a receiving host, and the data transmission characteristics are computed based on single-ended measurements performed at the sending host.
US08228813B2 Network quality measurement based on quality measurement packet
An apparatus for measuring network quality by use of packets exchanged between a transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus serving as agents arranged in a network includes a unit configured to acquire from the reception apparatus a transmission timing corresponding to a worst quality that is determined by the reception apparatus based on quality data collection packets, the quality data collection packets being transmitted from the transmission apparatus at transmission timing that is successively changed, a unit configured to notify the transmission apparatus of the acquired transmission timing as a transmission timing for transmitting a quality measurement packet, a unit configured to acquire quality information from the reception apparatus, the quality information being measured by the reception apparatus based on the quality measurement packet transmitted from the transmission apparatus, and a unit configured to check the network quality based on the acquired quality information.
US08228812B2 Method and system for providing multicast service in next-generation network
Provided are a method and system for providing a multicast service in a next-generation network (NGN), which can improve the quality-of-service (QoS) of broadcast services by separating a routing path calculation function and a resource allocation function during the setting of a multicast broadcast channel and enabling a resource control server to perform centralized resource control. In the method and system for providing a multicast service in an NGN, a multicast router calculates a routing path, and a number of multicast routers on the calculated routing path issue a request for resources for a desired multimedia broadcast channel, and a resource control server allocates resources to the multicast routers on the calculated routing path.
US08228807B2 Method and apparatus for scanning channels in wireless local area network
Instead of scanning all the channels at once, the present method separates a channel scanning procedure into multiple channel scanning operations. The method reduces a data loss rate during the operation by returning to the operating channel an associated access point operates on in accordance with a return period for transceiving blocked packets.
US08228806B2 Method and system to detect packets of different formats in a receiver
A method and system of communicating packets and detecting packets are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method and system comprise enabling the detection of a very high throughput (VHT) signal field. The VHT signal field is distinguishable from other signal fields, wherein the VHT signal field allows for a backward compatibility with other devices. In a second aspect, the method and system comprise initializing the device to be in receive mode and receiving at least one signal field symbol and detecting the presence of additional signal field symbols. The method and system further include distinguishing a very high throughput (VHT) signal field from other signal field symbols and decoding the VHT signal field parameters uniquely describing the VHT packet format.
US08228801B2 Broadband communications device
The Residential Communications Gateway (RCG) is a broadband communications device that combines all voice, data and video communications to and from a typical residence or small business for transmission over a single, or a plurality of Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines separately or in conjunction with, a wireless broadband backbone. The RCG does this by employing packetized data with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies combined with RF communications technologies. A key consideration to the design of the RCG is that no additional or special transmission equipment must be installed at the Central Office or anywhere else in the network to enable new calling features provided by the RCG as is the case with DSL and Cable systems. By eliminating the requirement for costly infrastructure enhancements, ubiquitous high speed communications and services can be deployed to every POTS subscriber.
US08228789B2 Transmission network, transmission apparatus, channel switching method and program for transmission network
A transmission network according to the present invention includes an ingress transmission apparatus and relay or egress transmission apparatuses in network channel setting terms, wherein the ingress transmission apparatus includes a switching table in which to register in advance a channel to switch to from a certain channel in the network; a path calculation unit which calculates a channel path in said network and searches for a path to set; a channel switching unit which switches a failed channel in the network to a channel registered in the switching table or a channel searched by a path calculation unit, and a channel setting/removal unit which sends a SET CHANNEL or REMOVE CHANNEL instruction to the relay or egress transmission apparatus.
US08228787B2 Method, apparatus, and system for disaster recovery of IMS
A method, apparatus, and system for disaster recovery of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) are provided. The method includes: triggering a redundant Call Session Control Function (CSCF); obtaining, by the redundant CSCF, user backup data of registered IMS Private User Identities (IMPIs) that are associated with IMPUs and user service configuration data of IMS Public User Identities (IMPUs) in an IMS subscription from a network storage entity of a user; and recovering, by the redundant CSCF, a corresponding service according to the obtained user backup data of the registered IMPIs and user service configuration data of the IMPUs in the IMS subscription. With the present invention, the one-IMPU multi-IMPI, one-IMPI multi-IMPU, or multi-IMPI multi-IMPU service can be recovered, and this enables the user to have better service continuity experiences.
US08228783B2 Base station transmitter for use with an OFDM communications system, a method of dynamically allocating OFDM symbols for PDCCH in the system and a user equipment receiver for use with the system
A base station transmitter for use with an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications system, a method of dynamically allocating OFDM symbols needed for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a downlink sub-frame from a base station and a user equipment (UE) receiver for use with the OFDM communications system. In one embodiment, the UE receiver includes: (1) a receive unit configured to receive a downlink signal, the signal having groups of control information and (2) a processing unit configured to extract from the groups of control information a number of OFDM symbols needed for PDCCH in a sub-frame of the downlink signal.
US08228781B2 Recording medium, data recording apparatus, data reproducing apparatus and data recording method
A new-type recordable DVD medium has medium characteristics not defined in the DVD-R standards and has compatibility with the DVD-ROM standards. Since information on the new-type recordable DVD medium can be played back by an existing player, even when content data protected by CSS (Content Scrambling System) is recorded on the new-type recordable DVD medium, the recordable DVD medium can be used for content distribution service using a kiosk terminal.
US08228779B2 System to deliver light to a slider for heat-assisted recording
In a particular embodiment, a recording head includes a tapered waveguide adapted to propagate light from a light source a slider adjacent to a surface of a storage medium. The tapered waveguide is adapted to output an elliptical beam to a grating coupler on a slider. The recording head further includes a slider waveguide extending substantially normal to a surface of the storage medium and a grating adapted to couple the elliptical beam into the slider waveguide.
US08228753B2 System and method of maintaining data integrity in a flash storage device
A flash storage device includes a power hold circuit including a double layer capacitor. A power source supplies power to the flash storage device and charges the double layer capacitor. The double layer capacitor supplies power for maintaining integrity of data during a data transfer occurring in the flash storage device when the power supplied by the power source is disrupted. Additionally, the flash storage device can inhibit subsequent data transfers until the power supplied by the power source is restored.
US08228752B2 Memory circuit and method for controlling memory circuit
A memory circuit includes a first memory array, a second memory array and a switch module, wherein the first memory array has a first node and a second node, the second memory array has a third node and a fourth node, the first node is coupled to a first supply voltage, and the fourth supply voltage is coupled to a second supply voltage smaller than the first supply voltage. The switch module is coupled to the second node, the third node, the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage. When the memory circuit is operated under an inactive mode, the switch module electrically connects the second node to the third node, electrically disconnects the second node from the second supply voltage, and electrically disconnects the third node from the first supply voltage.
US08228743B2 Memory cells containing charge-trapping zones
Some embodiments include memory cells having vertically-stacked charge-trapping zones spaced from one another by dielectric material. The dielectric material may comprise high-k material. One or more of the charge-trapping zones may comprise metallic material. Such metallic material may be present as a plurality of discrete isolated islands, such as nanodots. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells in which two charge-trapping zones are formed over tunnel dielectric, with the zones being vertically displaced relative to one another, and with the zone closest to the tunnel dielectric having deeper traps than the other zone. Some embodiments include electronic systems comprising memory cells. Some embodiments include methods of programming memory cells having vertically-stacked charge-trapping zones.
US08228740B2 Method of operating nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device is operated by, inter alia, performing a program operation on memory cells belonging to a page selected from among a plurality of pages, performing a verification operation on the programmed memory cells, loading a start loop value of a fail bit count set to the selected page, from among start loop values of fail bit counts set to the respective pages, and if a loop value of the program operation is greater than or equal to the start loop value, counting a number of fail bits included in data of the programmed memory cells detected in the verification operation.
US08228734B2 Nonvolatile memory device and method of programming the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a high voltage generation unit configured to generate a program voltage and a pass voltage, a block selection unit coupled to the high voltage generation unit through global word lines, a memory cell array coupled to the block selection unit through word lines, a discharge unit coupled to the global word lines and configured to change a level of voltage supplied to the global word lines, and a discharge control unit configured to generate a discharge signal, and transfer the discharge signal to the discharge unit in response to the program voltage.
US08228733B2 Three-dimensionally stacked nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A three-dimensionally stacked nonvolatile semiconductor memory of an aspect of the present invention including conductive layers stacked on a semiconductor substrate in such a manner as to be insulated from one another, a bit line which is disposed on the stacked conductive layers, a semiconductor column which extends through the stacked conductive layers, word lines for which the stacked conductive layers except for the uppermost and lowermost conductive layers are used and which have a plate-like planar shape, memory cells provided at intersections of the word lines and the semiconductor column, a register circuit which has information to supply a potential suitable for each of the word lines, and a potential control circuit which reads the information retained in the register circuit in accordance with an input address signal of a word line and which supplies a potential suitable for the word line corresponding to the address signal.
US08228728B1 Programming method for multi-level cell flash for minimizing inter-cell interference
Systems, methods and computer program products for minimizing floating gate coupling interference and threshold voltage drift associated with flash memory cells are described. In some implementations, the memory cells can be programmed in a predetermined sequence that allows pages with the most-significant bit (MSB) and central significant bit (CSB) to be programmed first prior to programming pages with the least-significant bit (LSB). This sequence allows neighboring cells (e.g., cells neighboring a target cell) to be programmed first so as to reduce the floating gate coupling interference and threshold voltage drift on the target cell that is to be programmed in the subsequent stage. To accommodate the programming sequence (e.g., at the device level), additional buffer memories can be added.
US08228720B2 Nonvolatile memory devices including variable resistive elements
A nonvolatile memory device may include a memory cell array having a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells arranged in a matrix including a plurality of rows of the nonvolatile memory cells. Each of a plurality of word lines may be coupled with nonvolatile memory cells of a respective row of the matrix. A row decoder may be coupled to the plurality of word lines with the row decoder being configured to disable at least one of the word lines using a row bias having a level that is adjusted responsive to changes in temperature. Such a nonvolatile memory device may operate with reduced standby currents.
US08228713B2 SRAM having wordline up-level voltage adjustable to assist bitcell stability and design structure for same
An integrated circuit that includes memory containing wordlines and bitcells having SRAM storage elements and being connected to the wordlines. Wordline up-level assist circuitry is provided that is designed and configured to provide a plurality of selectable voltage values that can be selected to provide the wordline up-level voltage that is provided to the bitcells during a memory read cycle and/or write cycle. In one example, the voltage value selected is selected based on characterization of the as-fabricated bitcells so as to decrease the likelihood of the bitcells experiencing a stability failure.
US08228709B2 Resistance variable memory device and system
Disclosed is a resistance variable memory device including a memory cell connected with a bit line, a sense amplifier circuit sensing a voltage level on the bit line, and a pseudo-replica providing the sense amplifier circuit with a control signal that compensates for a drop in the sensing capacity of the sense amplifier circuit in relation to process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations.
US08228708B2 Semiconductor memory device and a method of operating thereof
In the operating method of the semiconductor memory device, (1) voltages V1, V2, Vs, and Vd, which satisfy V1>Vs, V1>Vd, V2>Vs, and V2>Vd, are applied to a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode to write a first resistance value, respectively, (2) the voltages V1, V2, Vs, and Vd, which satisfy V1>Vs, V1>Vd, V2
US08228705B2 Memory cell and an associated memory device
A memory cell includes a pair of sub-cells, each including an access transistor, a storage transistor, and an isolation transistor that are serially coupled in sequence with their source/drain connected. The isolation transistor is shared with a sub-cell of an adjacent memory cell and always turned off, wherein the storage transistor is always turned on. A wordline is coupled to a gate of the access transistor of each sub-cell, and complementary bit lines are respectively coupled to sources/drains of the access transistors of the pair of sub-cells, such that data bit may be accessed between the bit line and the corresponding storage transistor through the corresponding access transistor.
US08228700B2 Power conversion device
Connection portions (225UP through 225WP) to which upper arm control terminals (320UU through 320UW) are connected are disposed at a first edge portion of a drive circuit board (22). And connection portions (225UN through 225WN to which lower arm control terminals (320LU through 320LW) are connected are disposed at a second edge portion of the drive circuit board (22). Upper arm implementation regions (227UP through 227WP), lower arm implementation regions (227UN through 227WN), and a low voltage pattern region (228) in which photo-couplers (221U through 221W) are implemented are formed in the board region between these board edge portions. And signal wiring (40U) that transmits a control signal from a photo-coupler (221U) to an implementation region (227UN) is formed in a conductor layer that is a lower layer than the conductor layer in the lower arm implementation region in which the lower arm driver circuit is implemented.
US08228691B2 Method and system for inductively transmitting energy and information
A method of inductively transmitting energy and information between an energy transmitter comprising a primary inductor and an energy receiver comprising a secondary inductor, wherein energy is transmitted from the energy transmitter to the energy receiver by applying an alternating voltage to the primary inductor to generate a primary alternating current in the primary inductor, thereby inducing a secondary alternating current in the secondary inductor. The information is transmitted from the energy transmitter to the energy receiver essentially only in a dedicated first section of the cycle of the alternating voltage by varying the amplitude of the alternating voltage; and information is transmitted from the energy receiver to the energy transmitter essentially only in a dedicated second section of the cycle by varying the secondary inductor's power absorption, the second section not overlapping with the first section.
US08228682B1 Electronic assembly with trenches for underfill material
An electronic assembly includes a substrate having bond pads on a surface of the substrate. A solder mask covers the surface of the substrate, and a solder connection is disposed on each of the bond pads. At least one trench is formed in the solder mask, and is located between adjacent ones of the bond pads. At least one component has contact pads, and each contact pad is connected to one of the bond pads via one of the solder connections. The trench is located beneath the device and extends at least from one edge of the device to a location underneath the device. Underfill material fills the trench and space between the solder mask and the device.
US08228679B2 Connections for electronic devices on double-sided circuit board
In the present electronic structure, a substrate is provided in the form of a circuit board. First and second electronic devices are positioned on opposite sides of the circuit board, each having a plurality of contacts connected to the circuit board. Each of the contacts of the first device is connected to a contact of the second device by a connector though the circuit board. At least one of the contacts of the first device is connected to the contact of the second device which is most adjacent to that contact of the first device across the circuit board.
US08228678B2 Portable electronic apparatus
A portable electronic apparatus having a first case, a second case, and a two-axis hinge mechanism. Positional misalignment between both cases can be easily prevented without relying only on dimensional precision of the components of the two-axis hinge mechanism. The portable electronic apparatus has a hinge (4) for interconnecting the first and second cases so that they can be opened and closed about a first rotation axis (X) and at the same time interconnecting the first and second cases so that they can pivot about a second rotation axis (Y). The hinge (4) has a first case fixing component (122) fixed to the first case, a first connection component (452) connected to the first case fixing component (122) so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis (Y), and a second connection component (461) connected to the second case so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis (X). The first connection component (452) and the second connection component (461) are connected to each other with a screw. The degree of tightening of the screw for connecting the first connection component (452) and the second connection component (461) together can be changed when the first and second cases are closed by folding them about the first rotation axis (X).
US08228677B2 Tape wiring substrate and semiconductor chip package
A second output wiring and a third output wiring enter into a chip mounting portion while coming across a second side and a third side of the chip mounting portion. The other end portions of the second output wiring and the third output wiring enter into the chip mounting portion are bent toward a fourth side of the chip mounting portion, and are connected to an output pad and an output pad provided along a fourth side of the semiconductor chip. An input wiring extends along the fourth side of the chip mounting portion, is bent from a midstream to enter into the chip mounting portion while coming across the fourth side of the chip mounting portion, and is connected to an input pad provided along the fourth side of the semiconductor chip.
US08228675B2 Heat exchanger device and method for heat removal or transfer
Systems and methods for a forced-convection heat exchanger are provided. In one embodiment, heat is transferred to or from a thermal load in thermal contact with a heat conducting structure, across a narrow air gap, to a rotating heat transfer structure immersed in a surrounding medium such as air.
US08228661B2 Film capacitor and method of producing the same
A film capacitor is provided which has a smaller size and improved capacity while securing a sufficient withstand voltage. The film capacitor comprising a basic element 10 containing a plurality of dielectric layers and at least one vapor-deposited metal film layer 14a, 14b, where the plurality of dielectric layers consisting of a resin film layer 12 and at least one vapor-deposited polymer film layer 16a, and the at least one vapor-deposited polymer film layer 16a is formed on at least one of the resin film layer 12 and the at least one vapor-deposited metal film layer 14a, 14b.
US08228659B2 Glow plug electrification control apparatus and glow plug electrification control system
An electrification control apparatus (101) for glow plugs GP1 to GPn includes temperature-raising-period electrification control units S3 to S7, S31, S32 for raising the temperature of a heater section (2) of each glow plug. The control units perform electrification control in such manner that, even when a first glow plug GP1 and a second glow plug GP1e, which are of the same industrial part number but differ in resistance due to a characteristic variation therebetween, are selectively connected to the electrification control apparatus (101) and electrification control is performed therefor, at sampled timings t during the temperature rise, electric power of the same magnitude P(t) as that of electric power supplied to the first glow plug GP1 is supplied to the second glow plug GP1e.
US08228654B2 Apparatus and method for protecting battery by comparison of full charge capacity
An apparatus protects a battery by comparison of full charge capacity. The apparatus includes a fuse connected on a circuit path along which a charging or discharging current flows, a fuse control switch for selectively opening or closing an operating current applied to the fuse, and a controller for calculating an actual value and a reference value of a full charge capacity of a battery, comparing the actual value with the reference value, and then controlling the fuse control switch according to the comparison result to melt and cut the fuse. Thus, an abnormal state of a battery may be found and controlled at an early stage, so it is possible to prevent any problem such as firing and thus improve the safety of a battery.
US08228647B2 Electrical power diagnostic system
An electrical power diagnostic system includes a system housing, a power saw management system, and a user interface. The system housing is electrically connected with the power unit of the power saw, wherein the system housing includes a control panel provided thereon for allowing a user to adjust an operational parameter through the control panel. The power saw management system includes a control processor mounted within the system housing to electrically communicate with the power saw, wherein the control processor is pre-programmed to manage operational parameters of the power saw and supervise actual operation of the power saw machine and the saw blade in such a manner that when abnormal operating condition of the power saw machine is detected, the control processor is adapted to selectively adjust the operational parameters of the power saw machine for stopping the abnormal operating condition from continuously happening.
US08228646B2 Apparatus and method for draining stored power
Apparatus and method for draining stored power are disclosed, which the apparatus and method are applied to an EMI filter circuit for draining power. When the power supply circuit is not working, the apparatus provides a bleeder resistor to drain the power stored in the capacitors of the EMI filter circuit. On the other hand, when the power supply circuit is working, the apparatus provides an open-circuit resistor which has extremely large electrical resistance in order to stop draining power. Thus, the apparatus for draining stored power will not cause extra power waste.
US08228645B2 Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank
Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.
US08228641B2 Controlling mechanical distortion in a member
An actuator and method of using an actuator that operably supports a component of a data transfer assembly. The actuator has a body and an arm extending longitudinally from the body. The arm has a tapered portion defined by laterally converging opposing surfaces from a proximal end of the arm adjacent the body and terminating at a medial longitudinal position of the arm. The arm further has a tip portion extending contiguously from the medial longitudinal position of the arm to a distal end of the arm. The tip portion has laterally opposing protuberant arcuate lobes that cooperatively define a maximum lateral width of the tip portion. In some embodiments the arm has a surface defining an aperture sized for operably swaging a head gimbal assembly (HGA) to the arm. A lateral apex of at least one of the lobes is intersected by a lateral axis that intersects the aperture. The perimeter surface can define a first lateral cross-sectional width of the arm, at a first intersection of a longitudinal axis of the arm with the surface defining the aperture, that is greater than a second lateral cross-sectional width of the arm, at a second intersection of the longitudinal axis of the arm with the surface defining the aperture.
US08228633B1 Method and system for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a hybrid moment pole
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer that includes an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes an underlayer and a main pole residing on the underlayer. The main pole includes a front and a rear. The front resides at the ABS, while the rear is distal from the ABS. The main pole also includes a first portion having a first magnetic moment and a second portion having a second magnetic moment. The first portion has a front face at the ABS and terminates between the ABS and the rear of the main pole. A part of the second portion resides on the first portion, while another part of the second portion resides between the first portion of the main pole and the rear of the main pole. The first magnetic moment is less than the second magnetic moment.
US08228632B2 Transducing head design for microwave assisted magnetic recording
A non-limiting embodiment of a magnetic writer has at least a write element having a write element tip and a conductive structure adjacent the write element. The conductive structure has at least two conductive elements positioned substantially parallel to one another and separated by an electrically insulating material. Each of the conductive elements carries a time-varying signal to generate an oscillating magnetic field from a displacement current between the two conductive elements, with the oscillating magnetic field being proximate the write element tip and extending parallel to the air bearing surface. A frequency of the oscillating magnetic field is a function of a frequency of the time-varying signal.
US08228628B2 Data storage disk having variable location signal and disk drive using the data storage disk
A hard disk drive includes a magnetic head, at least one disk and a controller. A location signal is recorded on the at least one disk for determining a location of the magnetic head in relation to the at least one disk. The controller controls the location of the magnetic head based on the location signal decoded through the magnetic head. At least one of frequency and amplitude of the location signal is variable.
US08228613B2 Wide-angle projection zoom lens and projection type display apparatus
A wide-angle projection zoom lens includes, in order from the magnification side: a first group that remains stationary during zooming and has a negative refractive power; second to fourth groups that are movable independently from each other during zooming; a fifth group that remains stationary during zooming and has a positive refractive power. The projection zoom lens is configured to be telecentric on the reduction side. The first group includes five lenses having negative, negative, negative, positive, negative refractive powers. During zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first group and the fifth group remain stationary, and the second to fourth groups are movable in a direction of the optical axis so as to narrow a space between the first group and the second group and widen a space between the fourth group and the fifth group.
US08228606B2 Contiguous microlens array and photomask for defining the same
A contiguous microlens array including a plurality of contiguous microlenses is described. Each microlens has substantially circular contours at the heights higher than the connection sections of the microlens with neighboring microlenses, and has substantially partially circular contours at the heights on the connection sections adjacent to the neighboring microlenses. The shape of the curved surface of a microlens in the microlens array is selectively adjusted according to its position in the array and the incident angle of light incident thereto.
US08228597B2 All-fiber chirped pulse amplification systems
By compensating polarization mode-dispersion as well chromatic dispersion in photonic crystal fiber pulse compressors, high pulse energies can be obtained from all-fiber chirped pulse amplification systems. By inducing third-order dispersion in fiber amplifiers via self-phase modulation, the third-order chromatic dispersion from bulk grating pulse compressors can be compensated and the pulse quality of hybrid fiber/bulk chirped pulse amplification systems can be improved. Finally, by amplifying positively chirped pulses in negative dispersion fiber amplifiers, low noise wavelength tunable seed source via anti-Stokes frequency shifting can be obtained.
US08228596B2 Image display device using liquid
In this display device, a pixel constituting a display image is made up of a liquid chamber which can contain liquid. To such a pixel, a liquid supply passage and a liquid discharge passage are connected via a switch. The liquid supply passage, the liquid discharge passage, and the pixel together constitute a flow passage. The switch is configured to control the passage and blockage of liquid in the flow passage. Further, the transfer of liquid into and out of a pixel is performed by liquid transfer means.
US08228591B1 Handheld optics detection system
An active imaging retroreflection based optical system for the detection of other optical systems, especially passive optics used for observation/surveillance, or targeting. The active imaging system is switchable from either near-IR laser illumination, to a combination of near-IR and visible laser light illumination. The illumination is shaped into narrow elongated beams, generally elliptical in shape. These beams are channeled by rhomboid prisms so as to be emitted collimated to each other and monostatic to the detection system, such that the retroreflected return image returns axially to the optical detection system. The return image is resolved and refined by a series of objective and field lenses, and by a dual band, visible light and near-IR, pass filter, to add clarity and contrast. The energy is further enhanced by being amplified by a highly sensitive detector, such as a third generation imager; or a high sensitivity, back-illuminated CCD (charge coupled device); or a high sensitivity wide dynamic range CMOS (complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor. The retroreflected energy, processed by this third generation imager, or the like, appears as a concentrated point of light, or bright spot, that can be quickly and easily distinguished from its surroundings, which also appear to the user.
US08228590B2 Electro-optic system configured to reduce a perceived color change
An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab′) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (Δhab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees.
US08228586B2 Iterative fourier reconstruction for laser surgery and other optical applications
Methods, systems and software for determining an optical surface model for an optical tissue system using Fourier transformation algorithms. A method of reconstructing optical tissues an eye comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. The surface gradients from the transmitted image are measured across the optical tissues of the eye. A Fourier transform algorithm is applied to the surface gradients to reconstruct an optical surface model that corresponds to the optical tissues of the eye.
US08228580B2 Optical scanner and image forming apparatus including a common optical deflector and synchronization detector
An optical scanner includes a plurality of scanning optical systems each of which scans a different surface to be scanned and includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, an optical deflector having a plurality of reflection surfaces, and a synchronization detector configured to receive the light beam deflected by the optical deflector and detect a timing to scan an effective area of the surface to be scanned with the deflected light beam before a scanning is started or after the scanning is completed. The synchronization detector of one of a pair of scanning optical systems is disposed on a scanning end side to determine the scanning timing, and the synchronization detector of the other one of the pair of scanning optical systems is disposed on a scanning start side to determine the scanning timing.
US08228576B2 Transmission type optical element and anti-forgery volume hologram
A transmission type optical element comprising a first hologram having a first surface and a second surfaces and a second hologram having a third surface and a fourth surface. The first surface of the first hologram and the third surface of the second hologram are oppositely arranged. A first light beam having a first wavelength is made to enter the first hologram from the side of the second surface. It is transmitted through the first hologram and exits the first hologram from the side of the first surface. The light beam then enters the second hologram from the side of the third surface. It is diffracted by the second hologram and exits the second hologram from the side of the third surface. The light beam then enters the first hologram from the side of the first surface and is diffracted by the first hologram.
US08228573B2 System and method for interactively acquiring optical color measurements for device color profiling
The subject application is directed to a system and method for iteratively acquiring optical color measurements for device color profiling. A first color measurement data set, in a first color space, is received of a measured value for each of L discrete printed color patches in an M row by N column planar array, where L, M and N are positive integers greater than 2, and L is less than M×N. A visual rendering on a display of color patches arranged in M rows and N columns is generated from second color space measurement data. Profile data is generated of the transition between color data and color measurement data based upon the relationship between available printed patches and displayed patches. When L is less than M×N, a visual indicator is generated for the displayed row of the current L value. A second color measurement data set is received uniquely defined from the first set, which second set includes patches not found in the first set. Profile data is then generated based upon the second data set.
US08228572B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image processing method
A correction of a deviation in the sub-scanning direction of a scan line accompanied by a correction of a main scan positional deviation of each sheet feeding port is insufficient. According to the present technique, therefore, the positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction of an image to be printed is corrected by using a correction amount regarding the main scan positional deviation which is decided based on an adjustment value of a print position of the sheet feeding port and information of the positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction of an image forming apparatus.
US08228569B2 Image acquiring apparatus and image acquiring method for detecting and recognizing size of scan target without using sensors
An image acquiring apparatus and image acquiring method are provided. The image acquiring apparatus includes an image sensor for outputting a plurality of first analog image signals corresponding to a plurality of pixels; an ADC for converting the plurality of first analog image signals to a plurality of digital image signals; a DAC for converting the plurality of digital image signals to a plurality of second analog image signals, wherein each of which has an actual voltage value; a comparing unit for respectively comparing the actual voltage values of the plurality of second analog image signals with a reference voltage value so as to generate a plurality of corresponding comparing results; a counting unit for adjusting a counting value according to each of the comparing results; and a control unit for determining whether to stop a scanning operation of the image acquiring apparatus or not according to the counting value.
US08228558B2 Printed matter managing system
One embodiment provides a printed matter managing system configured to print a file to which a label in accordance with identifying information of the file is applied and to manage the printed file as a printed matter, comprising: a detection unit configured to detect the label applied to the printed matter in one of reading the printed matter by a computer configured to limit one of using a result from the reading of the printed matter by the computer and physically carrying out the printed matter and the identifying information contained in the detected label.
US08228551B2 Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus processes image data that contains a confidential image portion. The image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives designation of the confidential image portion; a generating unit that generates specification information that specifies the confidential image portion; an adding unit that adds the specification information to the image data thereby generating first processed image data; and an output unit that outputs the first processed image data.
US08228526B2 Image processing apparatus
Disclosed is an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible to put an implementation order of an outputting job, inputted by a user and currently in the standby state, forward, even if the concerned user does not conduct specific operations. The apparatus includes: a job inputting section to input an outputting job, while correlating it with user identification information; a job implementation order controlling section to control an implementation order of outputting jobs, based on priority degrees of the outputting jobs; a job implementing section to implement the outputting jobs according to the implementation order of them; a user-identification information inputting section; and a control section to conduct an updating operation for heightening a priority degree of a specific outputting job currently in the standby state, based on an inputting status of the user identification information inputted from the user-identification information inputting section and correlated with the specific outputting job.
US08228521B2 Data processing apparatus, printing system, job execution system, and job execution method
An image forming apparatus includes an authentication unit that authenticates an authorized user; a ticket generating unit that generates a job execution ticket including conditions for allowing execution of a job, a data acquiring unit that outputs the job execution ticket and an acquirement request for data selected by the authorized user who logs in through authentication, to a server device that is connected to a network; and a controller that allows processing of the data under the conditions even after the authorized user logs out, when the data having the job execution ticket attached thereto is received within a predetermined period of time since the log-out.
US08228520B2 Print system motion sensor with feedback control
A print system has a print engine, a presence detector and a controller. The controller receives the signal from the detector, accesses past usage data, and combines the signal and the usage data to adjust operations of the print engine.
US08228512B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming method, control program for eliminating conveyance failure, and information recording medium having recorded thereon control program for eliminating conveyance failure
An image forming apparatus is disclosed that forms an image based on a control signal from an image processing controlling unit that processes input image information into image data. The apparatus includes a carriage that moves in a main scanning direction in accordance with the control signal; a conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium in a sub-scanning direction; an output detection unit that detects motor outputs of the carriage at any plural points when the carriage moves at a constant speed; and a jamming determination unit that compares an average value of the motor outputs of the carriage between the plural points with a predetermined tolerance to determine a conveyance failure.
US08228510B2 Dimensional detection system calibration method
An improved dimensional detection system is portable and can be used to characterize a workpiece. The dimensional detection system employs as few as a single focused light source and as few as a single camera along with a calibration data set to convert the illuminated pixels of an image of a beam on the workpiece into a cloud of real world points in space on an outer surface of the workpiece. The cloud of points can be processed to characterize the workpiece, such as by determining the right hexahedron that would encompass all of the real world points in space and which could be used to determine a dimensional weight of the workpiece.
US08228501B2 Method and apparatus for detecting embedded material within an interaction region of a structure
A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.
US08228498B2 Sample storage
Sample storage, in which barcodes and two-dimensional codes printed on the outer surface of the sample storage can be read correctly. A storage tube 110 is transparent, comprising a top opening. An opaque writable outer element 120 covers storage tube 110 throughout from the bottom surface to the side surface. An opaque writable outer element 120 is a medium on which coded information that can be read by optical reading is written. The opaque writable outer element 120 is pushed in and irreversibly fixed to the storage tube 110 by a locking mechanism. At least one window 125 is provided, which enables a sample 200 contained to be observed, with the opaque writable outer element 120 installed outside. Accordingly, coded information written on the opaque writable outer element 120 can be read, and sample 200 observed through the window 125.
US08228494B2 Apparatus for inspecting defects
A defect inspection apparatus includes an illumination optical system, a detection optical system which includes a reflecting objective lens, and wavelength separation optics for conducting wavelength separation, and after the wavelength separation, branching the scattered light into at least a first detection optical path and a second detection optical path. The detection optical system further includes, on the first detection optical path, a first sensor, and on the second detection optical path, a second sensor. A signal processor is provided which, in accordance with at least one of a first signal obtained from the first sensor and a second signal obtained from the second sensor, discriminates defects or defect candidates present on a surface of a sample.
US08228492B2 Solar-powered light intensity measurement device
There is provided a solar powered light intensity measurement device which includes one or more photovoltaic cells, one or more resistors and one or more light emitting diodes. The one or more photovoltaic cells convert light to electricity, the output corresponding to the intensity of incident light. Electrically activated from the photovoltaic cells, through the one or more resistors, the light emitting diodes emit a signal color, further corresponding to their electrical activation and hence to the intensity of light incident upon the one or more photovoltaic cells. The signal color is compared to reference color or chart for use in determining the relevant light intensity. In one embodiment, the device further includes an analog switch.
US08228480B2 Display device and manufacturing method of display device
A liquid crystal device 1 of the present invention includes a first conductive layer 20 and a second conductive layer 21 arranged across an insulating layer from the first conductive layer 20. A crossover section 40 at which the first conductive layer 20 and the second conductive layer 21 intersect each other is provided. At least one of the first conductive layer 20 and the second conductive layer 21 includes a slit portion 210a and a cutout portion 201b, which are arranged in the crossover section 40 so that the cutout portion 210b is at a predetermined distance from the slit portion 210a.
US08228471B2 Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display
The liquid crystal panel 1 of the present invention comprises a liquid crystal cell 2, a first polarizer 31 disposed on one surface side of the liquid crystal cell 2, a second polarizer 41 disposed on the other surface side of the liquid crystal cell 2, and first optical compensation layer 5 and second optical compensation layer 6 disposed between the first polarizer 31 and second polarizer 41, and the liquid crystal cell 2 satisfies a relationship of 0.8 Re [450]/Re [550] 1, the first optical compensation layer 5 satisfies relationships of the Nz coefficient is from 0.8 to 1.4 and 0.8 Re[450]/Re[550] 1, and the second optical compensation layer 6 satisfies relationships of nx =ny>nz and 0.98 Re[450]/Re[550] 1.04. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention is hardly generated color shift when the panel is viewed from all azimuth angle directions and polar angle directions, so that the liquid crystal panel is excellent in color display characteristics.
US08228468B2 Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display device
With the present invention, a fitting curve (f1) of the gamma curve (e1) arranged to be above a fitting curve of the gamma curve (e2), except in a region where the fitting curve (f1) shows a reflectivity of 0 and the fitting curve of the gamma curve (e2) shows a transmissivity of 0, and a gamma curve (e1) of reflective display and a gamma curve (e2) of transmissive display are obtained from measurement. Further, the fitting curve (f1) includes no gray scale inversion but at least one point of inflection (P1) where a sign of a differential coefficient is switched over. Thereby, it becomes possible to realize a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display device, for displaying images in a transmissive mode and a reflective mode, each of the liquid crystal display panel and the liquid crystal display device easily having an improvement in display quality of reflective display.
US08228455B2 Exposing device, methods for forming pattern, channel, and hole by using the same, and liquid crystal display device therewith and method for fabricating the same
The present invention relates a method for forming a pattern includes the steps of forming a thin film on a substrate, coating a photoresist film on the thin film, aligning a mask over the photoresist film, the mask formed on a base material, including a light shielding portion having a linear supporting portion and an uneven portion at a boundary of the supporting portion, and a transmission portion defined at regions excluding the light shielding portion, exposing the photoresist film with the mask thereon to a UV beam of a wavelength greater than 300nm to cause refraction in the vicinity of the uneven portion, and developing the photoresist film exposed thus to form a photoresist film pattern, and patterning the thin film by using the photoresist film pattern thus formed.
US08228449B2 3D glasses for stereoscopic display device and stereoscopic display device including the same
There are provided 3D glasses for use in a stereoscopic display device including a display panel for emitting right-eye image light and left-eye image light and an optical filter including a first area for adjusting a polarized state of the right-eye image light and a second area for adjusting a polarized state of the left-eye image light, comprising a right-eye area allowing right-eye image light to pass therethrough and a left-eye area allowing left-eye image light to pass therethrough; and compensation films disposed at the right-eye area and the left-eye area to compensate for a phase difference deviation between the first and second areas of the optical filter, wherein a phase difference value of the compensation film provided at the right-eye area and that of the compensation film provided at the left-eye area are different.
US08228446B2 Component assembly and electronic apparatus
A component assembly includes a first component having a locking section and a flat-plate shaped projection formed on a first face. The locking section extends from the first face and bends in a first direction. The projection extends perpendicularly to the first face and is formed of a face intersecting the first direction. The assembly also includes a second component having a first hole and a second formed on a first face. The locking section of the first component is inserted into the first hole, and the projection of the first component is inserted into the second hole. The first face of the second component opposes the first face of the first component and includes a part with a slope section on which the distal end of the projection abuts and which moves the first component in the first direction when the first component is attached to the second component.
US08228444B2 Projector, control method and computer program product
A projector includes: a storage portion that stores set identification name data describing the set identification name of an adjustment value set including an adjustment value for each set type for projecting images, predetermined character string data describing plural kinds of predetermined character strings usable as the set identification name and menu image data; a projecting portion that projects an identification name setting image showing the plural kinds of predetermined character strings as selectable on the basis of the predetermined character string data and the menu image data; an input portion that inputs identification name setting information describing the character string selected on the identification name setting image; and an update portion that updates the set identification name data on the basis of the identification name setting information.
US08228433B2 Method of controlling receiver for processing broadcast signal defining multi-channel broadcast and broadcast receiver using the same
A method of controlling a receiver for processing a broadcast signal defining a multi-channel broadcast, and a broadcast receiver using the same, enable the joint management of a plurality of channels, which are effectively bundled together according to relevance of broadcasting Content, such that broadcast programs of associated channels can be simultaneously processed, including processes of viewing, recording, and editing. The method includes steps of receiving a broadcast signal having additional information, the additional information including associated channel Information indicating a channel of associated broadcasting content, the associated channel information enabling the receiver to recognize channels having associated broadcasting content; detecting, based on the associated channel information, at least one channel having the associated broadcasting content according to a selection of a specific channel, the detected at least one associated broadcasting content channel having broadcasting content associated with the selected channel; and processing in tandem a broadcast program of the selected channel and a broadcast program of the detected at least one channel.
US08228432B2 Picture processing device, method therefor, and program
A picture processing device is capable of performing a process of superposing a sub picture image on a moving picture image which forms a base. The device includes a detection unit for detecting a region in which a movement amount is small, out of a plurality of regions in which the sub picture image may be superposed on the moving picture image which forms a base, and a picture image superposing unit for superposing the sub picture image on the region in which the movement amount is small, the region being detected by the detection unit.
US08228430B2 Image processing device and deinterlacing method thereof
An image processing device and a deinterlacing process thereof are provided. The deinterlacing process reads a memory to retrieve ten pixels of an image field that are temporarily stored in the memory, wherein the ten pixels are located on a first column, a second column, a third column, a fourth column and a fifth column of a first row and a second row of the image filed. Then, the deinterlacing process estimates the data of an interpolated pixel according to the data of the ten pixels. The interpolated pixel is inserted between the first and second rows of the image field on the third column to form a deinterlaced image frame.
US08228401B2 Image capturing and correction apparatus, image capturing and correction method, and medium storing a program
Provided is an image processing apparatus comprising a region identifying section that identifies a partial region that fulfills a preset condition in a main image captured through an optical system in which an optical transfer function relating to light from an object point is substantially uniform regardless of a distance to the object point; and a correcting section that corrects an image of the partial region identified by the region identifying section, according to the optical transfer function of the optical system. The image processing apparatus may further comprise a condition storing section that stores the condition to be fulfilled by the partial region corrected by the correcting section, and the region identifying section may identify a partial region of the main image that fulfills the condition stored by the condition storing section.
US08228389B2 Image pickup apparatus, interchangeable lens unit, camera body, and ultrasonic motor driving apparatus
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus including an ultrasonic motor 35 that moves a focus lens 24, and further including a correction control part 100 that operates the ultrasonic motor 35 under a predetermined condition. The correction control part 100 is capable of executing a correction process by measuring a frequency characteristic of an applied voltage at the time of operating the ultrasonic motor 35 at a predetermined rotation speed, comparing the frequency characteristic with a preset reference frequency characteristic, and correcting the frequency characteristics on the basis of a difference between the frequency characteristic and the reference frequency characteristic so as to calculate a correction frequency characteristic. Accordingly, even when the frequency characteristic of the ultrasonic motor varies due to wear of the ultrasonic motor and mechanical components coupled thereto, a stable drive can be maintained over a long time.
US08228379B2 Night vision device for a vehicle
In a night vision arrangement for a motor vehicle in which a camera captures an infra-red image of the roadway in front of the vehicle, a video signal generated by the camera is processed by a signal processor so that the field of view of the image displayed by a display unit is selected in accordance with a control signal. The control signal is generated by a signal generator which is responsive to one or more parameters of the movement of the vehicle. The width of the field of view may be decreased with increasing speed. The axial direction of the field of view may be adjusted depending upon the nature of a turning movement of the vehicle.
US08228378B2 Real-time composite image comparator
An apparatus and method for preparing a composite image from a video data stream and for identifying changed features in two composite images. Frames from the video data stream are transformed to a projected 2D image, aligned with adjacent frames and overlapping areas are averaged to provide a higher apparent resolution. The composite image can be stored in real-time. As a second composite image is prepared of the same location at a later time, portions of the second image can be compared to corresponding portions of the stored image after the intensities of the images are equalized. Image areas whose absolute difference exceeds a threshold are again intensity equalized. Areas that are again above threshold can be flagged for further scrutiny, either by a human or by a machine that performs object recognition. In this way, composite video images of a scene can be prepared and compared in real-time.
US08228376B2 Image taking apparatus
The image taking apparatus includes: a CCD which takes an image of a subject to obtain a shot image; a processor-side CPU which has three or more photometric modes having different analysis schemes to measure brightness of the shot image by analyzing the shot image taken by the CCD; and an aperture for reducing light from a light source based on the brightness measured by the processor-side CPU. In the processor-side CPU, two or more of the photometric modes corresponding to a selecting operation are selected, and one of the selected photometric modes is cyclically switched between the selected photometric modes upon reception of the switching operation instructing the switching.
US08228359B2 Device, method and computer program product for responding to media conference deficiencies
A method for responding to media conference deficiencies, the method includes: monitoring, by at least one receiver, a quality of media conference signals being received by at least one receiver during the media conference; sending, in response to the monitoring, to at least an end user transmitter that transmitted the media conference signals, a quality indication representative of a quality of the received media conference signals; recording inadequately received media conference signals that were inadequately received by a certain end user receiver and participating in an activity related to a transmission, to the certain end user receiver, of the inadequately received media conference signals or of a representation of the inadequately received media conference signals.
US08228353B2 System, method and computer-readable medium for displaying light radiation
A system suitable for backlighting is provided. The system comprises a monitor unit configured to monitor an information signal, and to generate a first signal based at least partly on the information comprised in the information signal, a control unit configured to control the reaction time of at least one illumination area capable of emitting properties of light and comprised in the system, based on the first signal, wherein the first signal may comprise scene change information. The system provides for a more peaceful backlighting effect while still being able to stress actions, such as scene changes, happening in the presented information signal. A method and computer-readable medium are also provided.
US08228351B2 Image display apparatus featuring improved contrast
An image display apparatus may include a light source, a spatial light modulation element, light quantity adjustment section, image correction section and re-adjustment section. The re-adjustment section may perform re-adjustment such that, of a light quantity adjustment target and a luminance level correction target, at least the luminance level correction target is re-adjusted to a value in an opposite direction from a correction direction by the image correction section, in a case that a final display luminance level, representing a luminance of the light modulated by the spatial modulation element, is higher than a predetermined luminance level, where the luminance level correction target represents a correction target value in the luminance level of the video signal, employed by the image correction section, and the light quantity adjustment target represents a adjustment target value in the light quantity, employed by the light quantity adjustment section.
US08228343B2 Image processing apparatus, computer program product, and preview image displaying method
An image processing apparatus includes a system control unit, and a display control unit. The system control unit judges whether a setting item that is newly selected on a preview image is mutually exclusive with a setting item that has already been selected on the preview image. The display control unit displays, when the setting items are mutually exclusive with each other, an area corresponding to the setting item newly selected differently from other areas. The display control unit also displays, when the area is selected, why the setting item newly selected cannot be set.
US08228342B2 Image display device, highlighting method
An image display device for displaying an image includes an image display unit that displays an image based on image data inputted from the outside, a superimposing unit that superimposes a pointer image which can be moved according to an instruction from the outside on the displayed image, a position receiving unit that receives designation of a moved position of the pointer image on the image and a highlighting unit that highlights an image in a given area which is determined based on a property of a pixel corresponding to the received moved position.
US08228340B2 Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus includes: an image processor which processes image data; a display unit which displays an image based on the image data processed by the image processor; and a controller which controls the image processor to adjust at least one of a hue saturation and R, G and B gains of the image according to a color effect mode selected by a user among a plurality of preset color effect modes.
US08228337B1 System and method for temporal load balancing across GPUs
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for dynamically load balancing rendering operations across an IGPU and a DGPU. For each frame, the graphics driver configures the IGPU to pre-compute Z-values for a portion of the display surface and to write feedback data to the system memory indicating the time that the IGPU used to process the frame. The graphics driver then configures the DGPU to use the pre-computed Z-values while rendering to the complete display surface and to write feedback data to the system memory indicating the time that the DGPU used to process the frame. The graphics driver uses the feedback data from the IGPU and DGPU in conjunction with the percentage of the display surface that the IGPU Z-rendered for the frame to scale the portion of the display surface that the IGPU Z-renders for one or more subsequent frames. In this fashion, overall processing within the graphics pipeline is optimized across the IGPU and DGPU.
US08228331B2 Method and device for displaying ordinate-abscissa value pairs on a display device
A method for displaying ordinate-abscissa value pairs on a display device with discrete display points in the abscissa and ordinate direction, of which the abscissa resolution is reduced by comparison with the abscissa resolution of the ordinate-abscissa value pairs, determines the respective maximum and minimum ordinate value of every ordinate-abscissa value pair, which is disposed within the half spacing distance of the abscissa value relative to the adjacent abscissa value to the right and left of the display points, and replaces all ordinate-abscissa value pairs, which are disposed within the half spacing distance of the respective abscissa value relative to the respective adjacent abscissa value to the right and left of the display points, with an area between the maximum and the minimum ordinate value and the half spacing distance of the abscissa value relative to the adjacent abscissa value to the right and left of the display points.
US08228328B1 Early Z testing for multiple render targets
The current invention involves new systems and methods for computing per-sample post-z test coverage when the memory is organized in multiple partitions that may not match the number of shaders. Shaded pixels output by the shaders can be processed by one of several z raster operations units. The shading processing capability can be configured independent of the number of memory partitions and number of z raster operations units. The current invention also involves new systems and method for using different z test modes with multiple render targets with a single or multiple memory partitions. Rendering performance may be improved by using an early z testing mode is used to eliminate non-visible samples prior to shading.
US08228317B2 Active matrix array device
An active matrix array device has driver circuitry for providing address signals to the matrix elements, including digital to analogue converter circuitry. This has a voltage selector for selecting a pair of voltages based on a first set of bits of the digital matrix element signal, and a converter arrangement for providing an analogue voltage level derived from the pair of voltages and from a second set of bits of the digital matrix element signal. The converter arrangement comprises first and second digital to analogue converter circuits (30, 32) in parallel and which are adapted to provide an analogue voltage level to an output of the converter arrangement alternately. The invention provides a more efficient use of substrate area for given circuit response requirements.
US08228315B1 Methods and systems for a virtual input device
The present application discloses systems and methods for a virtual input device. In one example, the virtual input device includes a projector and a camera. The projector projects a pattern onto a surface. The camera captures images that can be interpreted by a processor to determine actions. The projector may be mounted on an arm of a pair of eyeglasses and the camera may be mounted on an opposite arm of the eyeglasses. A pattern for a virtual input device can be projected onto a “display hand” of a user, and the camera may be able to detect when the user uses an opposite hand to select items of the virtual input device. In another example, the camera may detect when the display hand is moving and interpret display hand movements as inputs to the virtual input device, and/or realign the projection onto the moving display hand.
US08228311B2 Touch detection for a digitizer
A detector for detecting touches of at least one object on a transparent sensor located over a display screen, the detector comprising. a display screen; a patterned arrangement of conductors extending into said sensor situated over said display screen; and detection circuitry adapted to detect capacitive coupling of said at least one object with said at least one conductor.
US08228309B2 Display apparatus and information input apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, and a touch sensor switch disposed in a display area that displays an image. The touch sensor switch includes a first touch electrode provided on a surface of the first substrate and a second touch electrode provided on a surface of the second substrate. The touch sensor switch has a structure in which the first and second touch electrodes are brought into contact when the display panel is deformed by an external pressure. The first substrate includes a convex portion that protrudes in a convex shape toward the second substrate. The convex portion has a top surface opposed to the second substrate and includes a flat area formed on the top surface. The first touch electrode is formed in the flat area on the convex portion as an isolated pattern.
US08228303B2 Information communication apparatus and method of controlling information communication apparatus
An information communication apparatus includes: an electrostatic panel unit that is at least provided with an electrostatically chargeable panel surface; a capacitance detection unit that detects a capacitance variation of the panel surface to detect a location at which an object substantially contacts the panel surface; an electric field communication unit that uses the panel surface as an electrostatic field antenna to carry out electrostatic field communication; a connection switching unit that selectively connects any one of the capacitance detection unit and the electric field communication unit to the electrostatic panel unit; and a control unit that controls the connection switching unit to connect the electrostatic panel unit to the capacitance detection unit at the time of detecting a location at which an object contacts the panel surface and to connect the electrostatic panel unit to the electric field communication unit at the time of the electrostatic field communication.
US08228300B2 Physical feedback to indicate object directional slide
A method, system, and medium are provided for enabling a user to control a mobile communications device that includes a vibration component. One embodiment of the method includes presenting an object on a touchscreen display of the mobile communications device; enabling the object to be moveable on the touchscreen by way of a touch interaction; in real time, continuously varying an intensity of an output of the vibration component to cause a vibrational response of the mobile communications device, such that movement of the object in a first direction causes a first continuous vibrational output, and movement of the object in a second direction causes a second continuous vibrational output.
US08228283B2 Liquid crystal panel driving apparatus, liquid crystal display apparatus, method for driving liquid crystal display apparatus, drive condition setting program, and television receiver
In one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal panel driving apparatus is disclosed which sequentially receives pieces of video data for one data signal line, (i) prepares a data string by sorting, in order of outputting, a plurality of pieces of video data inputted in a predetermined period while adding a piece of dummy data to a predetermined position, (ii) assigns one horizontal scanning period to an output of a piece of video data while assigning a dummy scanning period to an output of a piece of dummy data, and (iii) sets one horizontal scanning period shorter than an interval of inputting of pieces of video data. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in vertical display period even though a piece of dummy data is added to inputted video data while a dummy scanning period is assigned thereto.
US08228281B2 Gate driving circuit and repair method thereof, and liquid crystal display using the same
A gate drive device includes first, second and third stages, each of which for shifting a signal from an input thereof to an output thereof; and a dummy stage having a substantially similar circuit configuration as one of the first, second and third stages, the dummy stage for shifting a signal from an input thereof to an output thereof, wherein the first stage shifts a first start signal from the input thereof for outputting a second start signal to the output thereof, the dummy stage shifts the second start signal from the input thereof for outputting a third start signal to the output thereof, and the third stage shifts the third start signal from the input thereof to the output thereof.
US08228280B2 Timing control circuit
A reception interface circuit receives a luminance signal for each of multiple colors and a clock signal as input signals. A timing control unit receives the luminance signals received by the reception interface circuit, and controls the timing and format thereof such that they match drivers. A transmission interface circuit transmits the signals generated by the timing controller IC to the drivers. The timing controller IC is included within a rectangular package as a built-in component. The reception interface circuit is arranged on a first short side of the package. The transmission interface circuit is arranged on a second short side of the package. The image data is input via input terminals arranged on the first short side. The output signals of the transmission interface circuit are output via output terminals arranged on the second short side.
US08228276B2 Display driver apparatus and inversion driving method thereof
A display driver apparatus and an inversion method thereof are provided. The display driver apparatus includes a gate drive unit, a source drive unit, a multiplexer unit and a common voltage generation unit. The gate drive unit is used to generate a gate signal for turning on/off sub-pixels. The source drive unit is used to generate a source signal required by the display panel. The multiplexer unit is used to regulate the sequence for the source signal to be delivered to the sub-pixels. The common voltage generation unit is used to generate a common voltage and switch the level of the common voltage during the enable period of the gate signal.
US08228275B2 Optimal subpixel arrangement for displays with more than three primary colors
A display comprising a plurality sub-pixel display elements respectively displaying different colors, arranged into a plurality of single-row pixels, wherein for adjacent pixels, each sub-pixel display element associated with the first pixel bears a minimal spatial distance to a respective sub-pixel display element associated with the second pixel that represents a color having a maximum color distance with respect to the color represented by such sub-pixel display element, as compared to the color distance between the color represented by the sub-pixel display element and other colors.
US08228270B2 Display device and driving method thereof
In a display device, a signal controller compensates for luminance of an input image signal that corresponds to each of a plurality of pixels in accordance with a luminance compensation coefficient depending on a position of each pixel, and generates a compensation image signal. A data driver generates data signals that correspond to the plurality of pixels in accordance with the compensation image signal, and supplies the data signals to the corresponding pixels, respectively. The luminance compensation coefficient may depend on a magnitude of the input image signal.
US08228268B2 Display device, method of driving display device, and computer program
There is provided a display device including a display unit having pixels, each of which includes a luminescence element for individually emitting light depending on a current amount and a pixel circuit for controlling a current applied to the luminescence element according to a picture signal, scan lines which supply a selection signal for selecting the pixels to emit light to the pixels in a predetermined scanning cycle, and data lines which supply the picture signal to the pixels, the pixels, the scan lines, and the data lines arranged in a matrix pattern, the display device including: a luminescence amount detector for inputting a picture signal with a linear characteristic to detect a luminescence amount from the picture signal; a luminescence time calculator for calculating a luminescence time for the luminescence element based on the luminescence amount detected by the luminescence amount detector; a luminescence time recorder for recording the calculated luminescence time; a luminance acquirer for acquiring luminance information of the luminescence element by use of the luminescence time recorded in the luminescence time recorder; a coefficient calculator for calculating a coefficient by which the picture signal is multiplied, based on the luminance information acquired by the luminance acquirer; and a coefficient multiplier for multiplying the picture signal by the coefficient calculated by the coefficient calculator.
US08228267B2 Electroluminescent display with efficiency compensation
An electroluminescent (EL) subpixel having a readout transistor is driven by a current source when the drive transistor is non-conducting. This produces an emitter-voltage signal from which an aging signal representing the efficiency of the EL emitter can be computed. The aging signal is used to adjust an input signal to produce a compensated drive signal to compensate for changes in efficiency of the EL emitter.
US08228265B2 Plasma display device and driving method thereof
A first ramp waveform rising from a first potential (Vi1) to a second potential (Vi2) is applied to a plurality of scan electrodes (SC) in a first half period of a setup period, and a third ramp waveform rising from a fifth potential (a ground potential) to a sixth potential (Vi5, Vi5′) is applied to a plurality of sustain electrodes (SU) in a period, which is shorter than the first half period, within the first half period. A second ramp waveform dropping from a third potential (Vi3) to a fourth potential (Vi4) is applied to the plurality of scan electrodes (SC) in the second half period following the first half period, and a fourth ramp waveform dropping from a seventh potential (Ve) to an eighth potential (Vi6, Vi6′) is applied to the plurality of sustain electrodes (SU) in a period, which is shorter than the second half period, within the second half period. Then, a peak value of the third ramp waveform and a peak value of the fourth ramp waveform are changed based on a state of a plasma display panel.
US08228260B2 Structure having an antenna incorporated therein
Structures having an antenna incorporated therein are provided. Each structure may comprise one or more strips of flexible sheet material wrapped about an axis and secured together. The antenna may comprise an electrically conductive material secured to one or more of the strips in a pattern forming a closed loop except for a break in the loop defining a plurality of contracts for connection to an electrical device, which may be an RFID chip. The antenna may comprise a pair of spaced tracks with a connection therebetween, which may take the form of an intersection of the tracks or a connector. The antenna may extend for a substantial portion of the axial length of the tubular structure and may also extend helically around the tubular structure. Methods of manufacturing structures are also provided.
US08228251B1 Ultra-wideband, low profile antenna
An ultra-wideband, low profile antenna is provided. The antenna includes a ground plane substrate and a radiating element. The radiating element includes at least two loop sections, wherein each of the at least two loop sections is electrically connected to a feed network and to the ground plane substrate. The radiating element is configured to radiate over a first frequency band when the feed network provides an in-phase input signal to the at least two loop sections and to radiate over a second frequency band when the feed network provides an out-of-phase input signal to the at least two loop sections. The second frequency band includes a lower frequency than the first frequency band.
US08228246B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes multiple first antennas; at least one second antenna used in a different wireless communication system therefrom; a display panel for displaying an image; a panel casing covering the display panel, including the display panel; a placement frame having an upper-face portion disposed on the outer perimeter of the panel casing, and extended horizontally, and a pair of side-face portions, each protruding from a different side-edge portion of the upper-face portion in the direction orthogonal thereto; and an outer frame for covering the outer perimeter and the placement frame of the display panel from the display surface side of the display panel; wherein at least one first antenna is disposed on each of the upper-face portion and one side-face portion of the placement frame; and wherein at least one second antenna is disposed on the upper-face portion or the other side-face portion of the placement frame.
US08228242B2 Ultra wide band secondary antennas and wireless devices using the same
A secondary antenna in a wireless communication terminal is provided. The secondary antenna includes an electrically conductive planar element that includes a first edge that is substantially linear and that includes a first length. The electrically conductive planar element may include a second edge that is substantially linear, that is opposite the first edge and that includes a second length that is less than the first length. At least one curved edge may be arranged between the first edge and the second edge. At least one elongated slot that is substantially perpendicular to the second edge may originates from a transition portion between the at least one curved edge and the second edge.
US08228228B2 Apparatus and method for receiving electromagnetic waves using photonics
An apparatus and method for receiving electromagnetic waves using photonics includes a transmission unit transmitting electromagnetic waves in intervals; a time delay unit coupled to the transmission unit and controlling the transmission unit to transmit the electromagnetic waves in the intervals; an antenna receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected from the target; an interferoceiver coupled to the antenna and receiving the electromagnetic waves from the antenna, the interferoceiver comprising an optical recirculation loop to produce replica electromagnetic waves; and a computer identifying the target from the reflected electromagnetic waves.
US08228226B2 E-Band receiver and bit error measurement
Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the alignment of an antenna. In one aspect, there is provided a transceiver. The transceiver may include an antenna and a downconverter module coupled to the antenna. The downconverter module may convert a signal received at the antenna to another signal. The downconverter module may measure received signal strength. The transceiver may also include a sequence detector for detecting an error rate of a sequence included in the other signal. The transceiver may also include an output module for providing an output representative the error rate, the received signal strength, and a combination of the error rate and the received signal strength. The provided output may be used to enable alignment of an antenna. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08228223B2 Resistor string digital-to-analog converter
A resistor string digital-to-analog converter includes a high-order resistor string, first high-order switches, a high-order decoder, a low-order decoder, and a conversion unit. The high-order resistor string includes a plurality of voltage acquisition points that are coupled through unit resistors. The high-order decoder generates a first high-order control signal in accordance with a high-order bit value, and operates in accordance with the first high-order control signal to bring into conduction a first high-order switch coupled to a pair of voltage acquisition points adjacent to each other through one or more voltage acquisition points. The low-order decoder generates a low-order control signal for controlling the conversion unit. The conversion unit divides a pair of high-order analog voltages output from a pair of voltage acquisition points.
US08228222B2 D-class digital amplifier configured for shaping non-idealities of an output signal
The disclosure relates to an amplifier comprising a digital delta-sigma modulator, a quantifier receiving a signal supplied by a delta-sigma stage and supplying a quantified signal, and a power circuit supplying an output signal. The device comprises N state loops of a first type configured to send the output signal to adders of N delta-sigma stages of lower rank, each state loop of the first type comprising an analog low-pass filter for supplying a filtered output signal, and an analog to digital converter for supplying a digital filtered output signal.
US08228221B2 Method and apparatus for calibrating sigma-delta modulator
In a method of converting an analog signal to digital format, an analog input signal is received and processed using sigma-delta modulation to provide a first digital signal that represents the analog input signal in digital format and to provide a second digital signal that represents a first error introduced during the sigma-delta modulation. A second error that is error introduced during the sigma-delta modulation is estimated. A pre-correction signal is determined based on the first and second digital signals. A difference between the estimated second error and the pre-correction digital signal is determined to provide a digital output signal representing the analog input signal in digital format. An error correction element operable to adjust the digital output signal based on the analog input signal, the digital output signal, and the second digital signal is controlled.
US08228216B2 Systems and methods for data compression
In one embodiment, an initial series of bytes are scanned to determine a frequency of occurrence within the initial series of bytes for a plurality of byte strings. A data structure is generated containing the plurality of byte strings and count values representing a frequency of occurrence for the plurality of byte strings in the initial series of bytes. A most common byte string of the plurality of byte strings in the initial series of bytes is determined from the count values. Each instance of the most common byte string in the initial series of bytes is replaced with a first substitute byte string to form a revised series of bytes. A most common byte string in the revised series of bytes is determined from the data structure without resetting the count values associated with at least some of the plurality of byte strings.
US08228208B2 Communication system for survey source and receiver
A method for communicating with a receiver during an electromagnetic survey. In one implementation, the method may include sending a survey signal to a subsurface region, wherein the survey signals is a first electromagnetic signal and sending a diagnostic signal to the receiver. The diagnostic signal is a second electromagnetic signal having a diagnostic message.
US08228207B2 Autolocation of gray goods
A device is allowed to be used only in a specified country. The device has an automatic location detection part, and automatically determines its location, and whether that location is authorized. If unauthorized, or if no location detection signal is detected for too long a time, the device is deactivated.
US08228202B2 Transmitting information to a user's body
A method for transmitting information to a body includes providing a set of standardized codes. Each code of the standardized codes is associated with a predefined activation pattern for at least one actuator designed to transmit the information to the body using skin as an interface. A code or a combination of a plurality of codes is selected and transmitted to a wearable accessory having integrated therein the at least one actuator. The at least one actuator is outside a user's body. The at least one actuator is controlled according to the predefined activation pattern associated with the code or the combination of the plurality of codes transmitted. Features about emotional states or states of mind are extracted from biometric and/or environmental signals of biometric and/or environmental sensors. The features are mapped to stored meta information. The meta information is wirelessly transmitted to a receiver.
US08228201B2 Placard having embedded RFID device for tracking objects
A method of embedding an RFID device in a reusable object includes the steps of providing a placard including a plurality of layers, and providing an RFID device including an integrated circuit coupled to an antenna. In one example, the placard includes a top layer, upper intermediate layer, lower intermediate layer, bottom layer, and a plurality of adhesive layers. The method further includes the steps of embedding said RFID device in the placard between an adjacent two of said layers, and encoding the RFID device with information. The method further includes the steps of providing a pallet having a cavity extending into an interior of the pallet, inserting the RFID device into the cavity so that the RFID device is located entirely within the interior of said pallet, and non-removably securing the RFID device within the cavity. In one example, the pallet includes a support base and a top surface.
US08228200B2 Electronic tag holder for bottle neck
A device supports an electronic tag to extending neck of a bottle where the extending neck includes a perimetrical undercut thereabout. The device includes a housing formed of a pair of matable housing portions for attachment about the neck of the bottle. At least one of the housing portions supports an electronic tag. A rim is formed on each housing portion. The rim portions are mutually engageable and align to form a perimetrical rim. The perimetrical rim of the housing is seatable in the undercut of the neck to prevent longitudinal movement of the mated housing portions along the neck.
US08228192B2 Cable lock closure with defeat prevention
A security device for attachment to an article to deter theft of the article has a housing containing an alarm system including an audible alarm with a defeat mechanism having a two-part connector that attaches to both a cable and a locking mechanism. The connector includes a mechanical fuse (e.g., two-step ferrule holder) that provides defeat prevention of the alarm device. The locked device alarms if pulled too hard from twisting the cable without releasing the primary lock. The connector is preferably shaped as a generally elliptic cylindrical bayonet having an oval transverse cross-section and a truncated oblique cone-shaped distal end. This enables the plug to be inserted into a locking channel of the locking mechanism in either of two directions facilitating the locking of the attached cable about an article of merchandise. Moreover, the oval shape takes up less space than a round bayonet while providing greater strength through longer latch engagement area on the wider side of the bayonet, especially as opposed to a circular cross-section bayonet.
US08228190B2 Valve malfunctioning detection system for a vacuum sewer an associated methods
A valve malfunctioning detection system for use in a vacuum sewer system including a vacuum pit in fluid communication with a vacuum station is provided. The vacuum pit includes a vacuum sewer valve that is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The valve malfunctioning detection system may include a radio unit adapted to be carried by the vacuum pit, a gateway radio in communication with the radio unit, a hub radio in communication with the gateway radio to receive a signal transmitted by the gateway radio, and a server in communication with the hub radio. The signal transmitted by the radio unit may include an indication of a status of the vacuum sewer valve.
US08228184B2 Battery-powered occupancy sensor
A load control system comprises a load control device and a battery-powered occupancy sensor, which transmits a first wireless signal to the load control device in response to detecting the presence of an occupant in a space. The load control system further comprises a visual indicator for providing a visual indication when the magnitude of a battery voltage of a battery of the occupancy sensor has dropped below a predetermined low-battery voltage threshold. The occupancy sensor may comprise the visual indicator, such that the visual indicator is illuminated when the occupancy detects the presence of the occupant in the space and the magnitude of the battery voltage is less than the predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the load control device may comprise the visual indicator, such that the visual indicator is illuminated in response to receiving a second wireless signal, which is transmitting by the occupancy sensor when the magnitude of the battery voltage is less than the predetermined threshold.
US08228182B2 Self-testing notification appliance
A self-testing notification appliance includes a notification emitter, a verification circuit, and a controller. The notification emitter is operable to output light or light and sound based on a control signal. The verification circuit includes a notification sensor to detect the light or light and sound and generate a verification signal. The controller sends the control signal to the notification emitter and receives information based on the verification signal from the verification circuit. The self-testing notification appliance may be part of a network including a fire control panel and a plurality of additional self-testing notification appliances. The self-testing notification appliances may be assigned addresses on the network.
US08228170B2 Using sensors to identify objects placed on a surface
Mechanisms are provided for identifying an object placed on a clear surface. An indication is received that an object has been placed on the surface. A plurality of physical characteristics are identified that are associated with the object. Using the plurality of physical characteristics, a data structure is searched to determine the existence of a single object with physical characteristics that matches the plurality of physical characteristics. Responsive to a match, a determination is made as to whether the single object has an associated presentation. Responsive to an existence of the associated presentation, the associated presentation is presented to a user through the clear surface on which the object has been placed.
US08228165B2 Radio receiver and transmitter apparatus for radio-controlled automation systems for opening/closure
An apparatus for radio-controlled automation systems for opening/closing curtains, entrance doors, rolling shutters, gates, barriers, electrical switches or the like, comprising a radio receiver which is coupled to an electric motor or to an electrical switch and comprising at least one radio transmitter for the remote actuation. The radio receiver comprises means for actuating the electric motor or the electrical switch on the basis of the content of an actuation radio signal which originates from the radio transmitter. The radio receiver comprises a memory storing a certificate which identifies the radio receiver and is adapted to provide an authorization for any operation at the radio receiver. The actuation means comprise stored instructions to perform the operation if the actuation signal comprises, in encoded form, the certificate in addition to a recognition code of the radio transmitter and a control code which corresponds to the operation to be performed.
US08228164B2 Remote control system for car-mounted device
A remote control system for a car-mounted device capable of realizing communication performance required for a keyless function and communication performance required for a smart function while suppressing increase in circuit scale. The remote control system includes a portable unit and an in-car unit. The portable unit includes: a function judgment mechanism judging whether the keyless function or the smart function is used; an amplification mechanism controlling transmission power in response to a result of judgment obtained at the function judgment mechanism; and a system clock generator controlling a transmission band in response to a result of judgment obtained at the function judgment part. The in-car unit includes: an in-car function judgment mechanism judging whether the keyless function or the smart function is used; and in-car system clock generator controlling a receiving band in response to a result of judgment obtained at the in-car function judgment mechanism.
US08228162B2 Pressure sensitive switch and input device using pressure sensitive switch
There is provided a pressure sensitive switch including: a cover; a slide portion that is stored in the cover and is slidable by being pressed in a horizontal direction; a pressing unit including a pressure portion that has an inner side face brought into contact with the slide portion and can be moved by being pressed by the slide potion; a sheet resistive body that has an upper face brought into contact with the pressing unit; and a conductive plate that is disposed on the lower side of the sheet resistive body with a predetermined gap arranged therebetween. The slide portion is slidable within a horizontal plane, and the pressing portion presses the sheet resistive body by sliding the slide portion, and a resistance value between the sheet resistive body and the conductive plate changes in accordance with a change in a slide operation force for sliding the slide portion.
US08228160B2 Sensor element and process for assembling a sensor element
A high-temperature sensor element includes at least one thermistor element having at least two contact areas and one contacting element including an isolating ceramic base body and at least two conductor lines. The contact areas of the thermistor element are connected to the conductor lines of the contacting element by an electro conductive bridge. A process for assembling a sensor element is also described in which an thermistor element is connected by a temperature resistant junction to a contacting element, and in which the thermistor element and part of the contacting element adjacent to the thermistor element are sealed by a encapsulation compound.
US08228158B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and a first electrical fuse and a second electrical fuse, which are provided on the semiconductor substrate. The first electrical fuse has a first upper layer wire and a first lower layer wire formed in different wire layers, and a via for connecting the first upper layer wire to the first lower layer wire. The second electrical fuse has a second upper layer wire and a second lower layer wire formed in different wire layers, and a via for connecting the second upper layer wire to the second lower layer wire. The semiconductor device has a connection portion for connecting the above described first upper layer wire of the first electrical fuse to the second lower layer wire of the second electrical fuse. The connection portion connects the first electrical fuse and the second electrical fuse in series.
US08228157B2 Layout for inductive loops of the electromagnetic-induction system
The present invention relates to a new layout for inductive loops of the electromagnetic-induction system, and particularly relates to a new layout for inductive loops of the electromagnetic-induction system which can be integrated with another type of input system. The inductive loop structure of the layout for inductive loops of the electromagnetic-induction system comprises a plurality of -shaped regions, a plurality of switches, a plurality of grounding lines, a grounding switch, and a plurality of signal ports. The -shaped regions are connected with each other to form a fence-shaped inductive loop structure, but the -shaped regions are not interlaced with each other. By this way, the difficulties and the complication for layout for inductive loops of the electromagnetic-induction system are decreased. Therefore, it helps the layout for inductive loops of the electromagnetic-induction system to be integrated with another type of input system into one system.
US08228155B2 Multi-point connection module for a transformer coil, and a transformer comprising such a connection module
A multi-point connection module comprising a supporting plate provided with a plurality of taps, and a connector which is coupled to the supporting plate. The connector allows the connection of the supporting plate to an external face of a transformer coil having a plurality of turns. The taps are arranged on the supporting plate so that they mate with corresponding turns of the coil.
US08228153B2 Power reactor for energy transfer
A power reactor (1) for energy transfer comprising a shaped casing (2), which sits upon a support structure, and a winding (3) which is electrically connected to an electrical energy supply network and is contained inside the shaped casing (2) with which it is associated through support means (4). The shaped casing (2) and the winding (3) are arranged a first distance (D) apart which is a function of the electrical current, of the inductance and/or of the geometry of the winding and is not less than a predetermined minimum value in order to make it possible to absorb the energy losses created by the parasite currents generated by the magnetic flux produced by the winding (3) and that engages the shaped casing (2), the first distance (D) diverging towards the shaped casing (2) from the end portions (3a, 3b) of the winding (3) crossed by the flux lines of the magnetic field that link together with the winding (3).
US08228137B2 Filter, demultiplexer, and module including demultiplexer, communication apparatus
A demultiplexer has a common terminal, a transmission terminal, and a reception terminal, and furthermore includes a transmission filter connected between the common terminal and the transmission terminal, a reception filter connected between the common terminal and the reception terminal, and a phase shift circuit connected in series to the reception filter connected between the common terminal and the reception terminal. A node on the line from the phase shift circuit to the common terminal or the transmission terminal, and a node on the line from the phase shift circuit to the reception terminal are coupled via a reactance. Accordingly, it is possible to fundamentally reduce or eliminate the situation in which transmission signals from the transmission filter arrive at the reception circuit, and improve isolation.
US08228136B2 Micro P-coupler
A coupling loop with each leg connected by two resistors, R1 and R2 going to ground on a disk shaped printed circuit board provides a directional coupler with directivity tuned by rotating this disk assembly and coupling controlled by the distance to the main RF transmission line. Once the desired level of directivity is obtained, this board is locked with screws from the top.
US08228134B2 Method and system for processing signals via directional couplers embedded in an integrated circuit package
Methods and systems for processing signals via directional couplers embedded in a package are disclosed and may include generating via a directional coupler, one or more output RF signals that may be proportional to a received RF signal. The directional coupler may be integrated in a multi-layer package. The generated RF signal may be processed by an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the multi-layer package. The directional coupler may include quarter wavelength transmission lines, which may include microstrip or coplanar structures. The directional coupler may be electrically coupled to one or more variable capacitances in the integrated circuit. The variable capacitance may include CMOS devices in the integrated circuit. The directional coupler may include discrete devices, which may be surface mount devices coupled to the multi-layer package or may be devices integrated in the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be flip-chip bonded to the multi-layer package.
US08228131B2 Crystal-oscillator circuit
In a crystal-oscillator circuit having a quartz crystal unit, further stabilization of output frequency change at a time of startup of the power supply is achieved. A crystal-oscillator circuit having a quartz crystal unit includes a first variable-capacitance element, which forms an oscillation loop with the quartz crystal unit, and a temperature compensation circuit which provides a first control signal for the first variable-capacitance element to compensate for a temperature characteristic of the quartz crystal unit. In addition, the crystal-oscillator circuit includes a second variable-capacitance element group, and a time constant circuit which provides a time constant signal, which changes with a predetermined time constant, for the second variable-capacitance element group as a second control signal.
US08228126B2 Multi-band burst-mode clock and data recovery circuit
A clock and data recovery circuit is disclosed and comprises a gated voltage-controlled oscillator (GVCO), a PLL unit, a phase-controlled frequency divider, a multiplexer, a matching circuit and a double-edge-triggered D flip-flop (DDFF). The GVCO receives a data signal and a reference voltage to generate first and second clock signals. The PLL unit receives a reference clock signal and generates the reference voltage to adjust the first and second clock signals at the vicinity of the predetermined frequency. The phase-controlled frequency divider receives and divides the first clock signal by N to output a third clock signal. The multiplexer controlled by a selection signal receives and outputs the second or the third clock signal. The matching circuit receives the data signal and the selection signal to match the delays therebetween. The DDFF receives the output signals from the matching circuit and the multiplexer, and outputs a recovered data signal.
US08228121B2 Automatic gain control circuit
An automatic gain control circuit including a variable gain amplifier (11) adapted to receive a received signal (R) and to output an amplified signal (A) to an analog to digital converter (20), and a gain controller (12) which is connected to said variable gain amplifier (11) for receiving said amplified signal (A) and for controlling a gain of said variable gain amplifier (11). The gain controller (12) is adapted to determine an occurrence of a threshold event each time the amplified signal (A) has reached a predetermined threshold, decrease the gain of the variable gain amplifier (11) at each occurrence of a threshold event, measure a delay since the last threshold event, increase the gain of the variable gain amplifier (11) if the delay is greater than a delay specified value and if the gain of the variable gain amplifier (11) is not maximum.
US08228118B1 Switching amplifier using capacitor for transmitting energy
A switching amplifying method or a switching amplifier for obtaining a linearly amplified replica of an input signal, is highly efficient, and does not have the disadvantage of “dead time” problem related to class D amplifiers. Another aspect of the present invention provides a switching amplifier that is completely off when there is no input signal. Yet another aspect of the present invention further comprises an act of comparing an input signal with an output feedback signal for detection and correction of overall system signal processes therefore does not require a power supply regulator and is substantially immune to power supply and load perturbations.
US08228115B1 Circuit for biasing a well from three voltages
A biasing circuit of an integrated circuit includes a well of the integrated circuit and a plurality of transistors disposed in the well. The transistors couple the well to three signals providing corresponding voltages. The transistors bias the well to an extreme one of the corresponding voltages for the three signals.
US08228113B2 Power semiconductor module and method for operating a power semiconductor module
A power semiconductor module includes a normally on, controllable first power semiconductor switch including at least one first power semiconductor chip, and a normally off, controllable second power semiconductor switch including at least one second power semiconductor chip. The load paths of the first power semiconductor switch and of the second power semiconductor switch are connected in series. The control terminals of all first power semiconductor chips are permanently electrically conductively connected to a conductor track to which no load terminal of any of the first power semiconductor chips is permanently electrically conductively connected, and to which no load terminal and no control terminal of any of the second power semiconductor chips are permanently electrically conductively connected.
US08228112B2 Switch with reduced insertion loss
A circuit includes an amplifier having an input and an output; and at least one transistor comprising at least one terminal and at least one isolated well. The input of the amplifier is electrically connected to the at least one terminal of the transistor; and the output of the amplifier is electrically connected to the at least one isolated well of the at least one transistor.
US08228111B2 Bias voltage generation for capacitor-coupled level shifter with supply voltage tracking and compensation for input duty-cycle variation
A circuit architecture, or topology, that provides a level shifter substantially independent of the duty cycle of an input signal includes an H-bridge arrangement of field effect transistors, a pair of capacitively coupled input terminals connected to the gates of the high-side transistors and circuitry to set the bias voltage at the gates of the high-side transistors, wherein the bias voltage generation circuitry receives at least information indicative of both the H-bridge power supply voltage and the modulation of the input signal. Various embodiments include a switchable element coupled in series with a voltage divider portion in the bias voltage generation circuitry. The ratio of on to off time of the switchable element determines the average current through the voltage divider and thus the bias voltage. To prevent excessive short-circuit current flow through the high-side transistors, the switchable elements are turned off responsive to detection of a short-circuit condition.
US08228108B2 High speed fully differential resistor-based level formatter
A level formatter is provided that has differentially coupled closed loop current sources, each configured to precisely establish a current proportional to a reference voltage. A bridge circuit is differentially coupled to two supplementary current sources and controlled to rapidly switch the current from the supplementary current sources to produce output voltages at respective outputs that are approximately equal to respective one of two reference voltages.
US08228105B2 Clock signal correction
In one embodiment, a method includes generating two or more clock signals, sequentially selecting each one of the clock signals, and adjusting the respective clock duty cycle of the selected one of the clock signals until it substantially matches a predetermined clock duty cycle. The adjustment of the respective clock duty cycle includes generating a control signal based on the respective clock duty cycle, generating a duty-cycle-distortion (DCD) correction signal based on the control signal, adjusting the respective clock duty cycle of the selected one of the clock signals based on the DCD correction signal, and adjusting the control and DCD correction signals and re-adjusting the respective clock duty cycle of the selected one of the clock signals until the respective clock duty cycle of the selected one of the clock signals substantially matches the predetermined clock duty cycle.
US08228094B2 Comparator for technologies with transient variations of transistor parameters
This disclosure relates to permuting transistors to compensate for offsets generated by transient variations of the transistors' parameters.
US08228093B2 Data communication circuit, transmission apparatus, reception apparatus, and transmission/reception system
A driver supplies data signal via a supply node. A voltage-relaxing transistor has a source connected to the supply node of the driver, a drain connected to a signal node connected to a signal line, and a gate to which the voltage at the signal node is applied.
US08228092B2 High voltage latching and DC restoration isolation and level shifting method and apparatus
A device and method for dc isolation and level shifting includes a driver circuit powered by a first voltage range, a capacitor connected to the driver circuit, and a latching circuit connected to the capacitor. The latching circuit is powered by a second voltage range and is configured to restore and/or minimize charge loss of the capacitor during a voltage transition at the capacitor. A device and method for analog isolation and measurement configured to measure an analog voltage at a second potential without requiring analog circuits at the second potential.
US08228091B2 False-link protection circuit and method for utilizing same
Disclosed is a false-link protection circuit comprising at least one native switch coupled between a communication terminal of a first differential switch and a communication terminal of a second differential switch. The at least one native switch is configured to provide an attenuation path for a pulse link signal received by either communication terminal when the first and second differential switches are in a powered down state. According to one embodiment, a method to attenuate a pulse link signal comprises activating a native switch of a false-link protection circuit by powering down first and second differential switches, receiving a pulse link signal at a communication terminal of one of the first and second differential switches, and attenuating the pulse link signal by diverting it through the false-link protection circuit when the first and second differential switches are in a powered down state.
US08228087B2 Digital communications test system for multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) systems
A digital communications test system and method for testing a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) in which multiple sets of a single vector signal analyzer (VSA) and single vector signal generator (VSG) can be used together to perform error vector magnitude (EVM) measurements for one or more DUTs in parallel, including one or more of composite, switched and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) EVM measurements. This allows N pairs of a VSA and VSG to test N DUTs with NxN MIMO in substantially the sane time as a single VSA and VSG pair can test a single DUT, thereby allowing a substantial increase in testing throughput as compared to that possible with only a single VSA and VSG set.
US08228073B2 Signal monitoring systems
A signal monitoring system includes a conversion circuit and a controller coupled to the conversion circuit. The conversion circuit converts a reference input to a reference output based on a real-time level of a trim reference and converts a monitored signal to an output signal. The controller calibrates the output signal according to the reference output and according to a predefined reference. The predefined reference is determined by the reference input and by a pre-trimmed level of the trim reference.
US08228066B2 Instrument for measuring electromagnetic signals
A device and method for measuring electromagnetic signals that can be used to take measurements at or near the sea floor. The device comprises a central housing, a data management system located within the housing and at least two arms extending outwards from the housing. Each arm comprises a flexible elongate sheath attached to the housing, a sensor head, a flexible electrical cable attached to the sheath and connecting the sensor head to the data management system and a rod which is removeably locatable within the sheath. The rod is connectable relative to the housing at one end and connectable relative to the sensor head at the end remote from the housing.
US08228060B2 Method and apparatus for generating a flip angle schedule for a spin echo train pulse sequence
A method for calculating a flip angle schedule for a train of refocusing radio frequency (RF) pulses with reduced flip angles allows control of RF power deposition and use of a longer echo train. A target signal is defined for each echo in the echo train, and flip angles are then calculated from the target signals. The target signal schedule includes two phases. In the first phase, the target signals drop asymptotically to efficiently establish a pseudo-steady state at a pre-defined minimum signal level, Smin. In the second phase, the target signal is increased monotonically for the remainder of the train to a pre-defined maximum signal level, Smax. By increasing the target signal, the effect of relaxation may be reduced, decreasing blurring and ringing artifacts. Flip angles are then calculated from the target signal schedule, using a simplified method that requires no information about the tissues' relaxation properties.
US08228058B2 Eddy current flaw detection probe
Disclosed is an eddy current flaw detection probe that is capable of pressing itself against an inspection target whose curvature varies. A flaw sensor is configured by fastening a plurality of coils to a flexible substrate that faces the surface of the inspection target. A first elastic body is positioned opposite the inspection target for the flaw sensor, is obtained by stacking two or more elastic plates, and has an elastic coefficient that varies in a longitudinal direction. A second elastic body is a porous body positioned between the flexible substrate and the first elastic body. A pressure section is employed to press the first elastic body toward the inspection target.
US08228054B2 Method and apparatus for amplifying a signal and test device using same
An amplifier circuit is used in a multimeter to amplify signals applied between a pair of test terminals. A voltage applied to one of the test terminals is amplified by a first operational amplifier configured as a voltage follower. An output of the first operational amplifier is applied to an inverting input of a second operational amplifier configured as an integrator. An output of the second operational amplifier is connected to the other of the test terminals. A voltage generated at the output of the second operational amplifier provides an indication of the magnitude and polarity of the voltage applied to the first and second test terminals.
US08228051B2 Switched mode power supply with frequency modulation control
A frequency modulation controller for use in controlling a switched mode power supply including an input terminal for receiving an input voltage and at least one switch selectively turned on and off to control the output voltage of the power supply in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes an analog to digital converter operable to convert a feedback signal indicative of the present output voltage into digital data, a digital conditioning unit operable to provide an error signal based on the digital data from the digital to analog converter for use in generating the frequency modulation signal and a digital to analog converter operable to provide the frequency modulation signal based on the error signal, wherein the frequency modulation signal indicates a desired duty cycle of the at least one switch to maintain a desired output voltage such that the at least one switch of the switched mode power supply is turned on and off in accordance with the desired duty cycle.
US08228047B2 Power converters having varied switching frequencies
Systems and techniques for performing power conversion operations in a portable device are used to convert an input voltage to a voltage at an output. The conversion operations use a two-stage conversion to convert the input voltage to a first voltage and to convert the first voltage to a second voltage. A switching frequency is altered with changes in the input voltage. The switching frequency is selected based on the input voltage level and/or to maintain a substantially consistent ripple at the output, which can correspond to the first voltage and/or the second voltage.
US08228045B2 Quantized voltage feed-forward a power factor correction controller
A quantized voltage feed-forward (QVFF) circuit and integrated circuits using this technique. The QVFF circuit includes a plurality of comparators in combination with a logic control circuit. The comparators are structured and arranged to establish various voltage threshold levels, each providing a digital state signal representative of the sensed input voltage level. The logic control circuit is structured and arranged to use the digital input signals from the comparators to output a voltage feed-forward factor (KVFF) signal that is representative of the V2rms voltage. Output from the logic control circuit is provided to an analog signal multiplier and used to shape an input current reference (IMO) waveform. This allows detection of changes in the rms level of the input voltage on the half-cycle of the AC line voltage, resulting in a rapid response to line voltage changes. Because the KVFF factor signal contains no AC ripple component, it does not contribute to THD of the input current reference, IMO.
US08228044B2 Detachable charge control circuit for balancing the voltage of supercapacitors connected in series
A supercapacitors voltage balancing device (2) to be connected to a supercapacitor module (1) having N individual supercapacitors (10) connected in series, for optimizing the voltage of the individual supercapacitors in the module. The voltage balancing device comprising connecting means (3) for connecting said voltage balancing device (2) to said supercapacitor module (1); a selector unit (21) for selectively connecting a group of P individual supercapacitors (10), with P
US08228042B2 Battery pack charging method
The battery pack charging method charges a battery pack, which is a plurality of lithium ion rechargeable batteries connected in series, to full charge by constant current and constant voltage charging. Constant current charging is performed until total voltage reaches a prescribed total voltage. Subsequently, constant current charging is switched to constant voltage charging until full charge is reached. In addition, the voltage of each battery being charged is detected. When the voltage of any battery exceeds a first specified voltage, charging is switched to pulse charging.