| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08317286B2 |
System and method for improving throughput for duplex printing operations in an indirect printing system
A method for performing duplex printing enables increased throughput in an indirect printing system. The method includes measuring a coverage parameter for image data to be printed, and transforming operation of the printer from a first printing process timing sequence to a second printing process timing sequence in response to the coverage parameter exceeding a predetermined threshold. |
| US08317282B2 |
Image forming apparatus and recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes a head to eject liquid droplets, a sub-tank having a container to store an amount of liquid supplied to the head, a negative pressure generator unit generating a negative pressure and an air introducing mechanism to introduce air, a main-tank to supply the amount of liquid into the sub-tank, a pressure detector unit to detect a pressure inside the sub-tank, and a controller to control an image forming operation using a remaining amount of liquid in the sub-tank while the main-tank is at an end status, where the controller determines whether the pressure inside the sub-tank is within a normal range, causes, if the detected pressure is not within the normal range, the air introducing mechanism to introduce air to raise the pressure inside the sub-tank, and causes the head to eject non-image forming liquid to cause the pressure to fall within the normal range. |
| US08317271B1 |
Chair occupant support vest
A support vest, for limiting movement of a person in a chair, has a body that includes a central section adapted to fit against an anterior portion of the trunk of the person. A pair of shoulder straps project upward from the central section to fit against the person's shoulders. The body is formed by a resilient perforated core pad and layers a mesh fabric that abut the major surfaces of the core pad. A outer cover abuts one of the second layer of a mesh fabric layers and is formed by a resilient perforated nucleus pad encased is a breathable fabric. This layered body is breathable and has materials that wick perspiration away from the person. |
| US08317267B2 |
Ergonomic saddle chair
An ergonomic chair comprising a saddle seat, frame, and shin supports that are adjustable in position and orientation with respect to the saddle seat. The saddle seat is adjustable in terms of the width of the portion of the seat supporting the user's thighs. The shin supports are adjustable with respect to the position of the saddle seat in three degrees of freedom and freely rotate in a fourth degree of freedom. In one embodiment, the frame comprises a rocking mechanism allowing the seat to rock forward and back. |
| US08317265B2 |
Reversible child car seat with separable base member
A car seat includes a seat member on which the child is transported and a separable base member that is mounted to the vehicle seat via the vehicle seat belt which is passed through side openings in the base member and trapped in a belt latch apparatus to secure the base member to the vehicle seat. The seat member is mounted on the base member in either a forward-facing orientation or a rear-facing orientation. The base member includes a pair of upper and lower recline slots that receive latch pins securing the seat member to the base member. A recline apparatus carried by the seat member engages a central control rack on the base member to lock the seat member in a selected recline position. In the rear-facing position, the seat member is positionable in different orientations to compensate for the angle at which the vehicle seat is formed. |
| US08317258B2 |
Frame structure for vehicle
A frame body comprises a first face portion on which a compressive force acts in case a load is applied, a second face portion on which a tensional force acts, and third and fourth face portions which connect the first and second face portions. The third and fourth face portions are respectively equipped with a reinforcing member which comprises a base portion which is away from the frame body and plural base portions which project from the base portion and are joined to the frame body. The convex portions have plural convexities which are arranged so as to extend both in the longitudinal and sectional directions of a frame. |
| US08317244B1 |
Apparatus and method for positioning an object in a building
An offset hoisting apparatus comprises a rigid boom having a hook at a distal end thereof. The offset hoisting apparatus further includes a front mount having a front boom aperture and a rear mount having a rear boom aperture, each being adapted for confining the boom to slidably move therethrough. The invention has a slip collar having a slip collar boom aperture therein for receiving the boom therethrough and an offset hoisting apparatus attachment having a flexible linkage fixed at a distal end thereof with the slip collar. The boom is selectively slid between a retracted and an extended position and the load is secured to the hook. The crane apparatus then lifts and positions the load to a building. |
| US08317233B2 |
Tube coupling apparatus having liquefiable metal sealing layer
A coupling apparatus that may have a first component having a first sealing surface and a second component having a second sealing surface. The first and second sealing surfaces are in facing relationship with one another when the first and second components are coupled together. One of the first and second sealing surfaces has a metallic film layer that transforms into a liquefied metal layer when the metallic film layer is exposed to a temperature that exceeds a melting temperature of a metal from which the metallic film layer is formed. The liquefied metal layer forms a seal between the sealing surfaces. |
| US08317228B2 |
Belt tensioner
A belt tensioner of a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially a belt buckle tensioner, comprises a coupling member (12) to the vehicle seat belt, a drive unit (18), a flexible tension transmitting means (14) and a deflector (26). The flexible tension transmitting means (14) is connected at least indirectly to the coupling member (12) and is moved via the drive unit (18) in the event of tensioning. The deflector (26) deflects the tension transmitting means (14) in the direction of the coupling member (12). The tension transmitting means (14) is moved along the deflector (26) in the event of tensioning. According to the invention, the drive unit (18) is coupled in terms of drive to the deflector (26) such that the drive unit (18) moves the deflector (26) upon activation and thus displaces the coupling member (12) in the tensioning direction (R). |
| US08317227B2 |
Car body for a motor vehicle
A car body is provided for a motor vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a structural unit including a rear frame structure with a rear axle and mountings for a fuel tank or an electric accumulator. The structural unit is fixed on a bottom plate of the car body. A correspondingly designed rear frame structure makes it possible to selectively equip the motor vehicle for drives with an internal combustion or purely electric drives or hybrid drives. |
| US08317225B2 |
Semi-trailer landing gear
A semi-trailer landing gear, in particular to support trailers, with a support element which includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve and which can be displaced in a telescopic manner in relation to the height. The outer sleeve includes a securing flange which can be applied to a vehicle. The aim of the invention is to develop a semi-trailer landing gear which is economical to produce and can also withstand high loads. The aim is achieved by virtue of the fact that the outer sleeve and the securing flange are made of a single piece of flat steel by edge rolling. |
| US08317219B2 |
Wheeled cart for transporting outdoor equipment
A rolling cart for transporting items commonly used at outdoor gatherings in a secure and convenient manner. The cart comprises a frame having two or more tires 20, an open-ended bag connected to the frame, and a strap that holds one or more items of equipment against the frame. The strap is positioned near the open end of the bag and is used to cinch equipment that extends outside the bag against the frame. |
| US08317217B2 |
Ski skin made directionally oriented flock
A ski skin includes a directionally oriented flock applied to a carrier surface. The flocked textile material may be further processed directly (glue application, assembly) as skin, or it may be laminated onto other, additional carriers. The fibers of the directionally oriented flock extend at an acute angle relative to the carrier layer. |
| US08317209B2 |
Wheel axle suspension
A wheel axle suspension for suspending a round hollow axle (10) from a vehicle comprises on both sides of the vehicle a trailing arm (1,41,51) to which the axle (10) is attached. The trailing arm is hingedly connected at the front to a bearing bracket (42) which is arranged on the vehicle chassis (43). A pneumatic spring (44) is operational between the trailing arm and the chassis. The axle body bears directly against a contact region (5,45,55) of the trailing arm. The contact region is essentially complementary to the outer contour of the axle body, wherein, on that side of the axle body opposite the contact region, a support part (20,46,56) is provided with a recess (21) for accommodating the axle. The support part is clamped against the axle by means of clamping means (23,24,47,48). At the location of the contact region, the trailing arm is wider than in the region (2,41a, 52) which is situated immediately in front thereof. |
| US08317204B2 |
Linkable dolly
A dolly according includes a deck and a plurality of casters extending downward below the deck. A connector is pivotably connected to the deck and is selectively pivotable between a retracted position and a connecting position. The deck also includes a receiver for receiving the connector of a similar dolly adjacent thereto to connect the dolly to the similar dolly. |
| US08317201B2 |
Device for a rotating gland seal
The present invention relates to a machine arranged to operate in explosive environments, comprising a rotatable shaft (16) extending through a stationary part (10) of said machine, a gland (20) which is mounted in said stationary part (10) and which is provided with a through hole in order to accommodate said rotatable shaft (16) such that a flame path is provided between the rotatable shaft (16) and the gland (20). The invention is characterized in that the machine comprises dampening means (42) arranged between and separates the gland (16) and the stationary part (10) in the axial and radial directions such that a flame path (50, 56) is provided, the dampening means (42) maintaining the flame path (50, 56) and permitting axial and radial movement of the gland (20) in relation to the stationary part (10) upon rotation of the rotatable shaft (16). |
| US08317200B2 |
Precompressed sealing tape
Precompressed sealing tape for sealing a joint has a foam strip and a foil-type wrapping, which completely surrounds the foam strip and thus holds it in a precompressed state. A first transverse surface of the foam strip is pressed against a strip-like element, which is arranged inside the wrapping and has a certain resistance to bending in the transverse direction of the foam strip. A second transverse surface of the foam strip, which is arranged opposite to the first transverse surface, is firmly connected to the foil-type wrapping. |
| US08317194B2 |
Method and device for guiding value documents
There is described an apparatus for guiding a value document along a portion of a transport path in a specified transport direction, having a film forming device which is configured for respectively forming on mutually opposing sides of the transport path portion a film of gas flowing in the transport direction, the film extending at least over the total width of the transport path portion and thus the total width of value documents transported along the transport path, so that the value documents are guided between the gas films. |
| US08317192B2 |
Sheet conveyance unit and image forming apparatus including same
A sheet conveyance unit includes first and second conveyance rollers facing each other, a first stopper provided at an axial end portion of the first conveyance roller, projecting radially beyond a circumferential surface of the first conveyance roller, downstream rollers positioned downstream from the first and second conveyance rollers in a sheet conveyance direction, an engaging and disengaging unit to disengage the first and second conveyance rollers from each other, and a controller. The first stopper rotates to a contact position projecting into the sheet conveyance path and to a non-contact position away from the sheet conveyance path as the first conveyance roller rotates. The first stopper moves to the non-contact position after stopping a sheet. The first and second conveyance rollers are disengaged from each other after a leading end of the sheet reaches the downstream rollers, before the first stopper moves to the contact position. |
| US08317178B2 |
Bookbinding system, bookbinding control method, and recording medium storing bookbinding control program that prevents simultaneous ring binding with an incompatible fold-type
A bookbinding system includes an image forming apparatus, a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, a controller, and an operation-and-display unit. The image forming apparatus forms images on recording media and outputs the recording media. The plurality of post-processing apparatuses is connected to the image forming apparatus and includes at least a folding apparatus and a ring-binding apparatus. The folding apparatus folds the recording media according to a plurality of folding types including at least Z-shape folding and double folding. The ring-binding apparatus binds the recording media with a ring. The controller is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus and the plurality of post-processing apparatuses and prevents simultaneous selection of ring binding and a folding type incompatible with ring binding. The operation-and-display unit displays an indication that ring binding and the folding type incompatible with ring binding are not simultaneously selectable. |
| US08317175B2 |
Manipulator
A manipulator includes a driving member, a sliding rod and a sleeve. The sliding rod includes an expanding portion on an end thereof. The sleeve includes at least two expanding sections on an end thereof. The driving member drives the sleeve to slide along the sliding rod. The two or more expanding sections are elastically bent outward via pressing against the expanding portion, and are resumed to their original shape and positions via detaching from the expanding portion. |
| US08317173B2 |
Vibration damping system
A vibration damping system includes a laminated body (3) formed by alternately laminating rigid hard plates (4) and viscoelastic soft plates (5), and pair of shoe plates (1, 2) at both ends in the laminating direction of the laminated body (3), to form a vibration damping body (6). The show plates (1, 2) are connected to each other by a displacement restriction member (7), so as to applying a pre-compression to the laminated body. The vibration damping body (6) is divided into a plurality of segments (3A, 3B, 3C) in the laminating direction, for allowing the vibration-proof main body (6) to be separated and displaced at the parting faces (8), without causing an excessive tensile force in the vibration damping system, even if the displacement restriction member (7) has worn to degrade the pre-compression function and a tensile force is applied due to a prying deformation. Thus, the soft members (5) of the laminated body (3) are effectively protected from isostatic fracture, to provide a significantly improved durability of the vibration damping system. |
| US08317166B2 |
Liquid collection and distribution device for mass transfer column and process involving same
A liquid collection and distribution device is provided to support a bed of packing material and to collect liquid exiting the bed and redistribute it to an underlying bed of packing material with improved compositional and volumetric flow uniformity. The liquid collection and distribution device includes a liquid collector, a liquid distributor, and a lattice-type framework positioned between and supporting the liquid collector and the liquid distributor. In addition to supporting the liquid collector and liquid distributor, the framework has internal fluid passages that convey the liquid from the liquid collector to the liquid distributor while shielding the liquid from ascend vapor or gas flow. |
| US08317151B1 |
Mounting bracket for GPS antenna
A bracket is provided for mounting an antenna onto a well disposed on a gun turret. The antenna (for receiving GPS signals) has an exposed dome and a connector extending underneath the dome. The bracket includes a substantially cylindrical housing that contains an internal chamber. The housing has proximal and distal ends along a longitudinal axis. The distal end has a first surface for attaching to the well. A flange disposed at the proximal end provides a surface onto which the antenna mounts. The connector can be inserted into the chamber. A male-threaded boss extends from the distal end to insert into a female-threaded well disposed on the turret. |
| US08317150B2 |
Truncated pyramid shaped shipping base
A shipping base shaped like a square, truncated pyramid for use with a washing machine of the type having an undercarriage suspended below the wash tub. The shipping base has an opening in the top of the truncated pyramid into which the washing machine undercarriage is lowered until the undercarriage is suspended within the space defined by base, and an integrally formed frame-like pallet for supporting the washing machine. The opening is only slightly larger than the dimensions of the undercarriage so that the shipping base prevents any significant lateral movement of the undercarriage or the washing machine tub. |
| US08317147B1 |
Solar light stick holder device
A solar light stick holder comprising a single wire having a first end and a second end, a first extension arm and a second extension arm, a connecting base, a first holder-loop and a second holder-loop. The first end and second end each forms a loop for holding the solar light stick. The connecting base comprises at least one screw-loop to secure the holder to a fixture. |
| US08317146B2 |
Supporting device and dual display unit having the same
A supporting device is installed between an auxiliary display unit and a main display unit to variously change the position and pose of the auxiliary display unit and a dual display unit having the same are disclosed. The dual display unit includes a main display unit which displays an image, a supporting device which is coupled to the main display unit, and an auxiliary display unit which is installed on the supporting device. The supporting device is configured to adjust the distance between the main display unit and the auxiliary display unit. |
| US08317143B1 |
Accessory for suspending containers for greenery
An accessory for suspending pots for flowers having a band assembly and at least one suspending assembly. The band assembly has a sidewall extending between a top edge and a bottom edge. The sidewall has at least one set of outwardly protruding sidewalls a predetermined distance from the sidewall to define a cavity. The at least one set of outwardly protruding sidewalls are connected by a front wall having a notched cutout. The band assembly is at a first predetermined angle when mounted. The at least one suspending assembly has an exterior wall, a neck, and a head. The neck fits within the notched cutout and the head fits within the cavity. The suspending assembly suspends a container having greenery. The at least one suspending assembly remains approximately in a second predetermined angle, which is approximately in a horizontal orientation regardless of the first predetermined angle. |
| US08317142B2 |
Shower bracket
A mounting bracket connects a water pipe fastened to an eared fitting to a support bar in a building. The bracket has an isolator made of a material selected to substantially reduce the transmission of noise and wrapped around the support bar. The bracket has a stiff shell wrapped around a periphery of the support bar and has two opposing ends. The shell is sized to clamp the isolator against the support bar during use as the ends are moved toward each other with sufficient force that there is a tight clamp resulting in little relative movement between the shell and the support during use. The shell has a mounting portion for the eared fitting. The bracket also has a fastening mechanism to hold the ends together and to fasten the eared fitting to the mounting portion during use of the bracket. The fastening mechanism clamps the ends together to restrain relative movement of the shell and support bar. For telescoping support bars an adaptor is interposed between the isolator and the smaller, inner telescoping member of the support bar to make the support bar a uniform size at the location of the bracket. |
| US08317129B1 |
Universal convergent nozzle and distinct nozzle aperture
Apparatus and methods provide for an engine nozzle having a universal convergent nozzle and a distinct nozzle aperture. Aspects of the disclosure provide a universal convergent nozzle that includes a nozzle throat and is attachable at a first end to an aircraft engine and at a second end to a distinct nozzle aperture. While the distinct nozzle aperture may include features that are specific to the corresponding engine mounting location, the universal convergent nozzle may be interchangeably used with any engine and distinct nozzle aperture at any engine mounting location. The configuration of the universal convergent nozzle ensures consistent engine performance and engine exhaust plume conditioning across all engine mounting locations, irrespective of the distinct nozzle aperture features downstream of the universal convergent nozzle. |
| US08317127B2 |
Helicopter drip pan
A drip pan apparatus for a “M” model BLACK HAWK® helicopter and the like includes an expanded corner structure for accommodating an access port also positioned further outwardly in the corner than in prior drip pan apparatuses, facilitating filter viewing while retaining peripheral o-ring seal. An expanded corner of the airframe skirt is accommodated by the expanded corresponding corner of a frame, which also defines a small radius internal curve. The removable pan has a small radius curve cooperating with the small radius curve of the frame and is sealed thereto by the peripheral o-ring seal sealing the entire pan to the frame. Physical access to the filter is enhanced. |
| US08317124B2 |
Film packing device
A film packing device has a handle. The handle is pivotally connected with a film packing unit and a roller unit. The film packing unit has an axle tube, a first rolling member and a second rolling member. A roll of film is fitted on the axle tube with the axle tube to provide a support effect for the user to pack an object in a quick, simply and convenient way. |
| US08317112B2 |
High pressure fuel injector seat that resists distortion during welding
A valve seat (16′) for a fuel injector (10) includes a main body (27) having a proximal and a distal end with at least one orifice (24) extending through the main body. A seating surface (22) is provided on the main body to receive a closure member (20) of a fuel injector such that when the closure member engages the seating surface, the at least one orifice is closed. A guide surface (36) is provided on the main body to guide movement of the closure member. An annular wall (26) extends in a cantilever manner from the main body at the distal end thereof and defines an outer peripheral portion of the valve seat. The wall is constructed and arranged to deform during welding at the wall so as to isolate effects of the welding from the seating surface and the guide surface. |
| US08317110B2 |
Water-and-hot-water mixing device
A water-and-hot-water mixing device includes a mixing valve unit which mixes hot water and water and discharges mixed water therefrom, an operation part which sets a predetermined temperature, a mixed water thermistor which detects a temperature of mixed water, a hot-water thermistor which detects a temperature of hot water supplied to the mixing valve unit, and a controller which performs a feedback control of a discharge water temperature by controlling the mixing valve unit. The controller starts the feedback control when the controller determines that a change amount of the temperature of the hot water per unit time detected by the hot-water thermistor is not more than a fixed value and the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot-water thermistor is not lower than the predetermined temperature. |
| US08317105B2 |
Optical scanning system having an extended programming mode and method of unlocking restricted extended classes of features and functionalities embodied therewithin
A method of unlocking restricted extended classes of features and functionalities embodied within an optical scanning system having an extended programming mode. The method involves providing an optical scanning system supporting baseline classes of features and functionalities, and having an extended feature class programming mode for programming extended classes of features and functionalities, in addition to the baseline classes of features and functionalities. A license key is assigned to the optical scanning system, for unlocking at least one of the extended classes of features and functionalities, and programming the optical scanning system to operate with at least one of the extended classes of feature and functionalities, in addition to the baseline classes of features and functionalities. A license is procured to unlock and use at least one of the extended classes of feature and functionalities, and obtaining said license key assigned to the optical scanning system. The said optical scanning system is caused to operate in the extended feature class programming. While the optical scanning system is operating in the extended feature class programming, the license key is used to unlock at least one of the extended classes of features and functionalities, and program the optical scanning system to operate with at least one of the extended classes of feature and functionalities, in addition to the baseline classes of features and functionalities. |
| US08317096B2 |
Smart card terminal side data and management framework
A data and management framework of a smart card terminal functions to provide interoperability between the smart card terminal and a smart card, and in particular between applications of the terminal and the card. An application program interface (API) is written to the data and management framework, which is part of a smart card terminal infrastructure that accesses and processes, by the smart card terminal, a smart card application contained on the smart card. The API provides information related to the smart card application to the terminal in order to allow a corresponding terminal application to incorporate the information for communication between the two applications. Additionally, a security model and policies related to the smart card may be enforced by the smart card terminal. |
| US08317094B2 |
Methods and systems for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card
A method for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card using a computer coupled to a database is described. The payment card includes a processing device coupled to a display screen. The method includes receiving, at the computer, a loyalty program request message that includes payment card identification data. The payment card identification data is associated with the payment card. The method also includes determining that the payment card is registered in a loyalty program based on the payment card identification data and cardholder account data stored in the database. The method also includes electronically generating a loyalty program response message that includes loyalty program update data. The method further includes transmitting the loyalty program update data from the computer to the payment card for displaying as loyalty program information on the display screen. |
| US08317091B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method
A sheet processing machine transmits information indicating a degree of contamination or damage for each sheet detected by a discrimination unit to a teller PC as a discrimination result. The teller PC saves the discrimination result received from the sheet processing machine in a data storage unit. A CPU of the teller PC decides reference levels that can attain good bill ratio designated by the user for respective items required to discriminate good/bad states of a sheet based on the previous discrimination results saved in the data storage unit. The CPU of the teller PC sets the reference levels that can attain the good bill ratio designated by the user in the discrimination unit of the sheet processing machine. The discrimination unit set with such reference levels discriminates good/bad states of sheets based on the reference levels set by the teller PC. |
| US08317090B2 |
Methods and systems for performing a financial transaction
A system and computer-based method for performing a financial transaction using an interchange computer coupled to a database, the interchange computer and database associated with an interchange network, the transaction initiated by a cardholder with a merchant. The method includes receiving, at the interchange computer, a payer authentication request message from the merchant, the payer authentication request message associated with the cardholder and including data representing at least one of transaction card brands supported for payment, a response time limit, and item purchase information. The cardholder is prompted to enter access credential information. The entered access credential information is verified at the interchange computer. The cardholder is prompted to select a transaction card from one or more transaction cards associated with the cardholder. A payer authentication response message including transaction card data associated with the selected transaction card is transmitted from the interchange computer to the merchant. |
| US08317087B1 |
Automated banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automatic banking machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and a cash dispenser. The automated banking machine carries out banking transactions related to user accounts based on information read from cards. The automated banking machine provides a printed receipt for transactions conducted. The machine carries out transactions when operatively connected to a source of AC power and a transaction network. The machine also carries out certain exception instructions when disconnected from its power source and/or network connection. |
| US08317080B2 |
Methods to fabricate fully enclosed hollow structures using friction stir welding
A method is taught for creating a hollow sphere that is created by joining two cylinders together that have a semispherical hollow formed in the ends being joined together, wherein a metallic reinforcing disk is inserted at an interface between the two ends of the cylinders, wherein the two cylinders and reinforcing disk are joined using friction stir welding to create an inner sphere from the two hemispherical hollows that is bisected by the metallic reinforcing disk, and wherein the joined cylinders and reinforcing disk are machined to thereby create an outer spherical surface that is centered around the inner sphere. |
| US08317076B2 |
Minute ball array apparatus
A minute ball array apparatus includes: an array jig including insert parts, into which minute balls are to be inserted, and which are formed in a predetermined pattern; a ball moving unit, which comprises a thrust surface, and which moves the thrust surface along an upper surface of the array jig so as to move the minute balls supplied onto the upper surface of the array jig to drop the minute balls into the insert parts of the array jig; a collapsing member, which is provided in a vicinity of the thrust surface, and which collapses a buildup of the minute balls rising along the thrust surface when the thrust surface is moved by the ball moving unit; and a motion imparting unit that imparts the collapse member with motion for collapsing the rising buildup of the minute balls. |
| US08317074B2 |
Electroactive polymer-based articulation mechanism for circular stapler
Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a circular stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a circular stapler is provided having an elongate shaft with a stapling apparatus coupled thereto. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to pivotally or angularly adjust a position of the stapling apparatus relative to the elongate shaft by delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator. In another embodiment, an electroactive polymer actuator can be used to actuate the stapling apparatus, thereby driving one or more staples, preferably in a substantially curved pattern, into tissue. The actuator can alternatively or additionally drive a blade distally to cut tissue being stapled. |
| US08317055B2 |
Trash receptacle with trash bag dispenser system
A trash bag receptacle with trash bag dispenser system has an open top, a bottom floor, and a front wall. The front wall of the container has a slotted opening which extends from the bottom floor upwards along substantially the entire length of the front wall. A channel member with an open top and bottom extends inward into the container, enclosing the slotted opening within the container. A base section supporting the container has an interior space in which a roll of trash bags is rotatably mounted. A single trash bag from the roll is threaded from the interior space and through the channel. The trash bag exits from the open top of the channel where its perforation is separated from the roll of trash bags. The adjacent, next trash bag on the roll remains in the channel member. A new, clean trash bag is thus easily accessible to the user by simply pulling the next trash bag which is exposed through the open top of the channel member. |
| US08317043B2 |
Beverage containers
A beverage container comprises a receptacle (2) which has a central axis (3) and is sealed by a lid (6) of resilient material. The receptacle includes a neck (8) defining an opening and the lid includes a closure plate (30, 32), integral with which is a depending skirt (18) extending around the outer surface of the neck. The inner surface of the skirt (18) carries a continuous annular flange (20), which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a continuous downwardly directed annular shoulder (14) on the outer surface of the neck and thus prevents movement of the lid in the axial direction away from the receptacle. The annular flange (20) on the lid is connected thereto by a resilient hinge connection (22). The annular flange (20) is elongate in axial sectional view. The end surface of the free end of the flange (20) is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder (14) and the resilience of the resilient hinge connection (22) urges the side surface of the free end of the annular flange (20) into sealing engagement with the external surface of the neck. |
| US08317039B2 |
Rolling quarter pallet display system and shipping container
A display system is provided having a base and a plurality of trays supported by posts. The base includes a pallet having a plurality of wheels extending from a lower surface. The base supports a first tray formed from a corrugated material. A plurality of posts extending from an upper surface of the pallet support a second tray formed from a corrugated material. Subsequent trays can be supported by additional posts. The trays support a plurality of goods for sale. Corrugated spacer pieces can be positioned in the trays as necessary depending on the size and shape of the goods supported in the tray. |
| US08317034B2 |
Separation of particulate matter and animal manure
The present invention relates to separating one or more of sand and other particulate matter from a mixture of animal waste and water. The present invention can help to control the discharge of noxious odors while processing material containing animal waste. An exemplary apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a cylindrical housing and a non-rotating collection table. An exemplary apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes optional shield provided inside the cylindrical housing that can help to capture the particulate matter and that can also help to reduce the discharge of noxious gas and odors from the apparatus. |
| US08317033B2 |
Method and device for concentrating substances in solid particle state
A method for concentrating a particulate matter, comprising at least two constituents of different densities, in which a slurry of particulate matter is subjected to centrifugation and to centripetal pulses in a centrifugation chamber. A dense fraction of the slurry and a light fraction of the slurry are drawn off separately from the centrifugation chamber. In order to produce the centripetal pulses, a fluid is injected into the slurry, in a direction oblique or tangential to the direction of centrifugation. The fluid is injected substantially continuously into the slurry. |
| US08317026B2 |
Child resistant blister package housing with tooled access
A child-resistant package including two panels having one or more blister apertures and a particular manner of accessing the product within the blister apertures. One manner of accessing the product involves applying pressure to punch tabs defined by staggered perforations. Another manner of accessing the product uses tooled access slots designed to receive a tool to peel away tab strips to facilitate product access. Yet another manner of accessing utilizes tab strips, one or more folding lines and one or more crevice forming lines where the crevice forming lines are designed to receive a tool used to obtain access to the tab strips, and thus, facilitate access to the products. Still another uses dual tabs that need to be sequentially peeled away from the child resistant package housing to facilitate access to the product contained. |
| US08317020B2 |
Storage receptacle for used suture needles
A method for disposing of suture needles. The method includes attaching the needle storage receptacle to a mounting surface by positioning a first adhesive surface against the mounting surface, peeling back a strip of protective material from a second adhesive surface of a needle storage unit and placing a suture needle between the protective material and the second adhesive surface, removing the protective material from the second adhesive surface and a third adhesive surface adjacent the second adhesive surface, and folding the second adhesive surface into contact with the third adhesive surface to permanently trap the needle. |
| US08317015B2 |
Apparatus for locking a magazine
A locking apparatus for locking a magazine configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB) may include an actuator, a rotating block, and a locking member. The actuator may be installed on the magazine. The rotating block may be connected to the actuator. The rotating block may be rotated about a vertical axis. The locking member may be rotatably connected to the magazine about the vertical axis. The locking member may be selectively combined with the rotating block to block a front face of the magazine, thereby preventing breakaway of the PCB from the magazine. |
| US08317014B2 |
Belt conveyor
Belt reversing mechanisms configured to reverse a belt at an upstream portion and a downstream portion of a return belt of a belt conveyor, includes two sets of pinch rollers spaced apart from each other in a belt movement direction and configured to support the belt, and two sets of guide roller mechanisms spaced apart from each other in the belt movement direction and are configured to guide the belt in a tubular shape from outside between the pinch rollers such that the belt is reversed 180 degrees and twisted to cause a center portion of a span between the pinch rollers so as to form a tubular open cross-section with a dirty surface facing inward; and the belt between the two sets of pinch rollers forms a catenary curve or a curve close to the catenary curve. |
| US08317009B2 |
Centrifugal multi-plate friction clutch and vehicle equipped with the same
According to some preferred embodiments, a clutch housing (46) of a clutch (2) has a bottom portion (46a) in a closed-end cylindrical shape, a plurality of arms (46d) extending along an axial direction from the bottom portion (46a) and provided along a circumferential direction centering on an axial center (C) of the clutch shaft (33), and a plurality of gaps (46e) formed between adjacent arms (46d). Off-springs (71) are arranged in the gaps and extend along the axial direction. |
| US08317002B2 |
System of smart colloidal dampers with controllable damping curves using magnetic field and method of using the same
An apparatus includes a damper, a source of magnetic field coupled to the damper, a colloidal ferro-fluidic damping medium disposed in the damper, a sensor installed on the host structure to measure vibrations, and a vibration control circuit. The output of the sensor is fed back to the control circuit, which outputs a command signal to the source of the magnetic field applied to the damper to change the magnetic field in the damper as well as its damping curve so that the dynamic performance of the host structure installed with the damper is changed automatically to yield maximum vibration mitigation. |
| US08317001B2 |
Electromechanical actuator for a vehicle brake, the vehicle brake including such an actuator, and a method of maintaining such an actuator
The invention provides an electromechanical actuator for a vehicle brake, the actuator comprising: a motor; a screw-and-nut system having a first element, the screw or the nut, rotated by the motor; and an antirotation member preventing rotation of the second element of the screw-and-nut system, the nut or the screw, so that the second element moves linearly in response rotation of the motor so as to exert compression selectively on friction elements of the brake. According to the invention, the actuator is subdivided into a first portion comprising the screw-and-nut system, and a second portion comprising the motor, the portions being designed to be separable while the actuator is mounted on a brake. |
| US08316998B2 |
Elevator car with maintenance window
The invention relates to an elevator car which is suitable for elevators in which all of the elements which are to be maintained and checked are arranged outside the elevator car, opposite only one side of the elevator car. The elevator car comprises, on said side, one part (3) that is arranged more than 85 cm above the elevator base (1) on the elevator wall (2) and that can be removed from inside the elevator. The part (3) is as least 95 cm in height and, after being removed, can rest vertically on the base of the elevator (1), against the elevator wall (2), in order to form a balustrade (4). At least one spacer (5,19) is arranged between the removable part (3) and the lower part (6) of the elevator wall (2) so that the distance from the inner side of the side wall part (3) that is placed on the base (1), facing the elevator, to the elements (7, 8) of the elevator drive moving past the travelling elevator car is at least 10 cm. |
| US08316995B2 |
Hydraulic machine with oil dams
A hydraulic machine includes a support structure and a rotating group rotatably mounted relative to the support structure. The rotating group includes a shaft and a cylinder barrel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cylinder bores. Reciprocal pistons extend from the shaft with each one of the pistons extending into an associated one of the cylinder bores. A joining assembly joins the shaft and the cylinder barrel so that the shaft and the cylinder barrel rotate together. The hydraulic machine further includes at least one oil dam associated with the rotating group and adapted to trap hydraulic fluid used for lubricating portions of the joining assembly. |
| US08316992B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing a scaffold to a building
An anchoring system for securing a scaffold to a building includes a connection member configured to attach to a scaffold component and an anchor member. The anchor member includes a base configured to attach to at least one structural component of a building and a coupling fixedly connected to the base. The coupling is configured to receive a connection member to rigidly join the connection member to the anchor member, and thus, the scaffold to a building. |
| US08316989B2 |
Universal belay device
The present invention provides a universal belay device for providing safety to mountain and rock climbers. The belay device allows a belayer to selectively operate the device in any of a plurality of modes. In an auto-locking mode, a fall by a climber automatically stops the rope without requiring the belayer manually apply any holding or stopping force. In a frictional mode, a fall by a climber is stopped by the belayer applying a minimal amount of pressure. The belay device includes a housing in which a rope pin and cam are contained. The cam is rotable to a first position which allows the rope pin to frictionally secure the rope against the housing and stop the rope. The cam is rotable to a second position which substantially prevents the rope pin from fully securing the rope and requires the user to apply a stopping force to stop the rope. |
| US08316986B2 |
Sound attenuation canopy
A sound attenuation canopy for reducing levels of sound passing through an opening comprises a sound absorbing member. The member is comprised of a flexible sound absorbing material and has a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The first end is configured to attach to the opening's periphery at a first location, the second end is configured to attach to the periphery at a second location and the intermediate portion is configured to be spaced apart from the opening. When the first end and the second end are attached to the periphery of the opening, at least one side opening is at least partially defined by the intermediate portion and the perimeter of the opening, and a sound transmission flow path through open space between the opening and the side opening comprises at least one change of direction greater than 45 degrees. |
| US08316976B2 |
Frame for a ride-on vehicle having a plurality of battery packs
In one embodiment, the invention is a frame for a ride-on vehicle having at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel, and a plurality of substantially similar battery packs. The frame defines a central plane and includes a front end located adjacent to the front wheel(s), a rear end located adjacent to the rear wheel(s), and a lattice structure that extends substantially between the front end and the rear end. The lattice structure includes a first portion that includes battery pack mounts that secure a first subset of the battery packs arranged in two layers, and includes a second portion that includes battery pack mounts that secure a second subset of the batter packs arranged in a single layer. The lattice structure also defines a truss that mechanically couples the front wheel(s) to the rear wheel(s). |
| US08316969B1 |
Superabrasive materials and methods of manufacture
Methods of manufacturing sintered superabrasive structures are disclosed. For example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising at least one superabrasive material may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to sinter the at least one superabrasive material. In another example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising diamond may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to form polycrystalline diamond. Articles of manufacture including at least one superabrasive material are disclosed. For example, a polycrystalline diamond compact may comprise a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, wherein the volume of polycrystalline diamond includes a plurality of agglomerated granules which have been sintered. A drill bit comprising at least one cutting element including a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate wherein the volume of polycrystalline diamond includes a plurality of agglomerated granules which have been sintered is disclosed. |
| US08316967B2 |
Earth-boring tools with primary and secondary blades, methods of forming and designing such earth-boring tools
Earth-boring tools comprise a body including a face at a leading end thereof and a shank at a trailing end. At least one primary blade may extend radially outward over the face and may comprise a plurality of cutting elements disposed thereon. At least one secondary blade may also extend radially outward over a portion of the face and the at least one secondary blade may comprise a plurality of cutting elements disposed thereon only over at least a portion of an area of greatest work rate per cutting element. Methods of forming earth-boring tools and methods of designing earth-boring tools are also disclosed. |
| US08316965B2 |
Drilling tool with fluid cleaner
Drilling tool (1) for drilling a well downhole where fluid is surrounding the tool and where the tool has a housing (15) and is connected to an electrical conducting means, such as a wireline. The drilling tool has a drilling head (2) and a fluid cleaner (3) for removal of elements, such as debris and formation pieces, from the fluid while drilling downhole. The fluid cleaner has a chamber (4) and a filter (5) within the chamber for separation of the elements from the fluid. The tool further comprises a pump (8) for pumping the fluid into the chamber through an inlet (11) in the drilling head (2) and through the filter before entering the well again. Furthermore, the tool comprises a driving unit for driving the pump and the drilling head. |
| US08316959B2 |
Hand-held power tool, in particular cordless power tool
The invention is based on a hand-held power tool, in particular a cordless power tool, having a torque-limiting device that is provided for setting a maximum torque that a motor output is able to transmit to a tool-driving element. A spring mechanism equipped with at least one first disk spring is provided such that the at least one disk spring acts on at least two detent mechanisms arranged in a circumferential direction. |
| US08316956B2 |
Wrenchless adjustable/compliant moldboard insert
A grader-blade retainer assembly affording side-to-side movement of the blade that provides a compliant attachment of an upper retainer assembly to the grader-blade assembly. An embodiment facilitates adjustment of the retainer assembly, as in the case of wear, without the necessity of hand tools. |
| US08316952B2 |
System and method for controlling flow through a sand screen
A technique enables an improved filtering of sand, a desired distribution of produced or injected fluid, and a reduction in erosion of completion components positioned in a production or injection well. The technique employs a base pipe and a sand screen surrounding the base pipe. The base pipe comprises a plurality of flow restriction elements arranged in a selected pattern along the base pipe to provide a desired distribution of the fluid flowing into or out of the sand screen. The pattern of flow restriction elements also maintains a flow rate of the flowing fluid below an erosive flow rate across the entire sand screen. |
| US08316950B2 |
Systems and methods for deliquifying a commingled well using natural well pressure
A method for removing fluids from a commingled well comprises positioning a fluid removal system in the well. In addition, the method comprises sealing a first formation from a second formation, shutting in the annulus, and closing off an inner flow passage of a tubing string. Further, the method comprises allowing the pressure of the first and second production zones to build up naturally. Still further, the method comprises flowing a fluid from the first production zone through a first of a plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage, and flowing a fluid from the second production zone through a second of the plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage. Moreover, the method comprises re-opening the inner flow passage of the tubing string and lifting the fluid in the inner flow passage to the surface. |
| US08316947B2 |
System and method for deployment of a subsea well intervention system
A method, system and apparatus for deploying a subsea well intervention system from a surface vessel to a subsea tree, including connecting a spoolable compliant guide (SCG) to a subsea intervention package; testing the connection; lowering overboard the intervention package into a water column using a primary lifting device; gradually paying out the SCG from a reel thereof as the intervention package is lowered to a seabed; transferring the weight of the intervention package to a secondary lifting device, wherein the intervention package functions as a dead weight to overcome a positive buoyancy of the SCG, a distance between the primary and secondary lifting devices creates and controls a shape of the SCG; and once landed onto a subsea tree with heave compensation, disconnecting the secondary lifting device from the intervention package, and hanging the SCG off at the vessel at deck level. |
| US08316946B2 |
Subsea completion with a wellhead annulus access adapter
A subsea completion assembly for a subsea well including installed casing and a wellhead. The assembly includes a production casing forming a B annulus between the outside of the production casing and the installed casing. The assembly also includes an annulus access adapter installed in the wellhead, the adapter including a manipulatable valve controlling fluid communication with the fluid in the B annulus across the annulus access adapter. A property of the fluid in the B annulus can be monitored by fluid communicated across the annulus access adapter. |
| US08316943B2 |
Methods and apparatus for a downhole tool
An apparatus and method for operating a packer and a fracture valve. The packer may include a tubular mandrel having a longitudinal bore with an annular packing element and a first piston disposed around the mandrel, wherein the first piston is operable to set the packing element, and a second piston operable to isolate fluid communication between the first piston and the mandrel bore. The fracture valve may include a tubular mandrel having a longitudinal bore and a port, a piston operable to close fluid communication between the bore and the port, and a latch disposed between the piston and the mandrel operable to resist movement of the piston. |
| US08316941B2 |
Method for single-stage treatment of siliceous subterranean formations
In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F−) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid. |
| US08316935B1 |
Method of delivering frac fluid and addivities
A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore. |
| US08316933B2 |
Microbial enhanced oil recovery methods
Efficient, economical and environmentally safe microbial methods to enhance oil recovery in existing oil reservoirs, as well as microorganisms useful in such methods. The microorganisms are capable of growing in an environment of high salinity, and are deficient in their ability to degrade short chain hydrocarbons of about 12 carbons or less. |
| US08316930B2 |
Downhole tubular connector
A hydraulic connector to provide a fluidic connection between a fluid supply and a downhole tubular, the connector comprising: a body; an engagement assembly comprising an extendable portion selectively extendable from the body, the engagement assembly being configured to extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the extendable portion into and from a proximal end of the downhole tubular; and a valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position, the valve assembly being configured to: allow a fluid to communicate between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular through the seal assembly when in the open position; and prevent fluid communication between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular when in the closed position. |
| US08316920B2 |
Brush roll for casting roll
A metal strip casting apparatus and method of casting metal strip include assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls positioned laterally forming a nip between for casting, and assembling a pair of brush rolls, each of the brush rolls associated with one of each of the casting rolls. Each brush roll includes at least one spaced apart brush line extending substantially along the axial length of the casting roll. The brush lines may form a spiral, zigzag, wave or crisscross array about the brush roll. The brush roll may include one or more staggered rings with regularly or irregularly spaced apart bristles which form the brush lines. The brush lines may be between 10 to 50 mm apart and separated by between 2 mm to 45 mm of open space. The brush lines may be one line per 10 mm to 90 mm of axial length of brush roll. |
| US08316916B2 |
Method for producing a pipe
A method for producing a pipe, a carrier element being coated by means of a thermal spraying method, the material of the pipe formed later being selected as the coating material, and the coating forming the pipe being detached from the carrier element, the spraying angle, at which the coating material is sprayed onto the carrier element, being selected such that a low level of adhesion of the coating on the carrier element is achieved. |
| US08316913B2 |
Sliding screen door
A sliding screen door includes a net formed to be capable of expansion and contraction, and capable of freely opening and closing by horizontal pulling, a net guide is formed to be able to form the net guide into a straight line shape, and a movement of a net holding member that follows the net guide is made smooth, and many of the guiding elements form the net guide for guiding the lower end of the net into an approximately U-shape composed of a bottom portion and rising wall portions, and a mutually and flexibly connected by means of inserting a series of wire members into through holes that follow tip end portions of the rising wall portions, and are formed into a series of guides rails that are serially in contact with each other and a net holding member is provided in the aforementioned guide rail. |
| US08316912B2 |
Screen device
In a screen device, a pair of vertical rails 24 arranged on the front and back sides of a screen 8 so as to oppose to each other are connected by connecting members 30 and are fixed between a pair of sliding guide frames 10a and 10b with the intermediary of the screen. The connected vertical rails are integrally slidable in the direction parallel to the direction of sliding movement of a screen mounting frame, so that the screen is restrained from being deflected even when it receives a wind pressure in the closed state when the width in the opening and closing direction is large. |
| US08316906B2 |
Impregnation of a filament roving
The invention relates to a device and a method for impregnating filaments, wherein the filaments form a roving. The device comprises a barrel (10) having at least one groove (12) formed in circumferential direction of the barrel, an inner space formed along the center axis of the barrel, and at least one recess (16) which forms a connection between the inner space and the groove. The recess includes a cylindrical section (16a), a conical section (16b) and a pocket section (16c). By means of said device and according to the method, a polymer material can be pressed successively from the inner space through at least the cylindrical section and the conical section into the groove to impregnate the filaments of the roving which is drawn through the groove. |
| US08316902B2 |
Motor vehicle tire having tread pattern
A tire tread includes a circumferential row of blocks disposed between first and second circumferential grooves, wherein each of the blocks is delimited by a section of the first circumferential groove and by first and second transverse grooves that extend from the first circumferential groove and terminate at a common vertex spaced from the second circumferential groove. The common vertex is separated from the second circumferential groove by a continuous circumferential tread rib. The second transverse groove delimits a first one of the blocks and is separated from the first transverse groove that delimits a circumferentially adjacent block by a solid tread portion. The solid tread portion extends from the first circumferential groove to the continuous circumferential tread rib, and the solid tread portion forms a single body with the continuous circumferential tread rib, spacing the first block and the circumferentially adjacent block from each other. |
| US08316900B2 |
Fluid receiver having removable sleeve
Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base. |
| US08316897B2 |
Water gun assembly
A toy water gun assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a water gun and a filling station. The filling station connects to a water source such as a hose. The gun connects to the filling station such that, when connected, the trigger is secured in a locked stated, preventing the user from discharging the gun while mounted on the station. In operation, the gun is connected to the filling station until the water reservoir on the gun is filled. The gun is then released from the filling station by engaging a release lever or button. The gun is fully charged, with the water being pressurized during the filling process. |
| US08316888B2 |
Fluid-biased hydraulic control valve
A hydraulic control valve is provided having a solenoid body, an energizable coil, and an armature positioned adjacent the coil. A valve stem extends from the armature. The coil is energizable to move the armature and the valve stem from a first position to a second position. The valve body, the armature and the valve stem are configured so that the armature and the valve stem are biased to the first position by pressurized fluid, allowing the armature to operate without a biasing spring. |
| US08316885B2 |
Fluid supply system, especially for delivering liquid hydrocarbon to a fuel-operated vehicle heater or to a reformer
A fluid supply system is provided, especially for delivering liquid hydrocarbon to a fuel-operated vehicle heater or to a reformer. The system includes a fluid reservoir (12), a first fluid line (28) from the fluid reservoir (12) to an on-off valve (30), a second fluid line (32) from the on-off valve (30) to a first system area (14) to be fed with fluid, and a third fluid line (34) from the on-off valve (30) to the reservoir (12). The on-off valve (30) establishes a connection between the first fluid line (28) and the second fluid line (32) in a first valve position and establishes a connection between the second fluid line (32) and the third fluid line (34) in a second valve position. A first fluid delivery arrangement (26) is provided for delivering fluid from the reservoir (12) into the second fluid line (12). A second fluid delivery arrangement (20, 24) is provided for delivering fluid from the third fluid line (34) into the reservoir (12). |
| US08316880B2 |
Oil filter bypass valve assembly for a generator
A bypass valve assembly for a generator includes a spring cover with a flange which extends in a radial direction from a spring cover body. The spring cover body defines an overall length dimension, the overall length dimension to an end of the spring cover body to the flange dimension defines a ratio between 1.6:1-1.2:1. The bypass valve assembly also includes a valve sleeve with a multiple of windows. Each of the multiple of windows includes a longitudinal edge which defines a longitudinal edge radius and corner radius. |
| US08316878B2 |
Servo-operated valve
A single chamber two-way servo-operated valve includes: a valve body presenting an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an access; a cover to close the access of the valve body; a port dividing the valve body interior into an inlet section and an outlet section; a valving element including a disc for closing the port; and an actuating chamber at least partially defined by the cover. The disc and a flexible diaphragm are connected to the valving element. The disc of the valving element includes a rigid central core which is at least partially covered by a rubber layer adhering to the central core. The rubber layer extends from the edge of the disc to form the flexible diaphragm. |
| US08316872B1 |
Blowout preventer using a plate propelled by an explosive charge
A blowout preventer with a block having a channel and one or more plates to close the channel. The block is placed over a pipe through which oil or other fluid is escaping, so that the pipe is in the channel. Alongside the channel are one or more circular plates, having diameters somewhat larger than the diameter of the channel. Explosive charges propel the plates into the channel to seal it off and stop the leak. The explosive charges may be ignited by radio, electric or sonic signals or other suitable means. There are passages for the plates that are orthogonal to the cylindrical channel, that allow the plates to move into place to block the channel, while preventing them from moving too far and overshooting the channel. Ratchets keep the plates from moving back after they have blocked the channel. Vents allow gas from the explosive charges to escape. |
| US08316863B2 |
Applicator nozzle and applicator assembly incorporating such a nozzle
An applicator nozzle may comprise an attachment portion configured to attach the nozzle to a receptacle configured to contain a product and an arrangement of at least two teeth disposed so as to form at least one row comprising first and second end teeth. At least one of the teeth of the arrangement may define a channel configured to be placed in flow communication with product contained in the receptacle. The channel may open on an exterior of the at least one tooth via at least one outlet aperture facing substantially in a direction of at least one adjacent tooth. The nozzle may further define at least one groove and the outlet aperture may open into the groove. The groove may extend from the outlet aperture substantially to a free extremity of the at least one tooth. The arrangement may be formed by a single molded piece and may be configured so as to present an obstacle to product flowing from the at least one outlet aperture beyond the first and second end teeth. |
| US08316859B2 |
Interocclusal appliance and method
An interocclusal appliance is formed from a single polymer material composition as one unitary piece or from multiple polymer material compositions as a two-piece preform. The two-piece preform includes a base material and an impression material that has a softening point lower than the base material. Teeth are received into the heat-softened impression material, so as to contour the impression material. A portion of the impression material also may contour to a portion of the user's palate. In certain embodiments, substantially no polymeric material contacts the front surfaces of the front teeth, leading to greater comfort and better air flow between front teeth. In still another embodiment, the appliance fits over front teeth only and no polymeric material contacts the maxillary molars. |
| US08316858B2 |
System for coupling an oral appliance to a medical mask
In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a breathing condition includes an oral appliance, a mask, and a tensioning device. The oral appliance is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth and a mask. The mask is configured to deliver gas to the wearer. The mask includes a chamber configured to cover the wearer's mouth. The chamber is at least partially enclosed by an interior of the mask. The tensioning device couples the mask to the oral appliance and includes a flexible tension element at least partially disposed between the oral appliance and the mask and within the chamber. The flexible tension element is configured to apply a tensile force between the mask and the oral appliance. |
| US08316855B2 |
Meditation pillow using craniosacral therapy
A meditation pillow using craniosacral therapy is disclosed. The meditation pillow includes a columna vertebralis supporting part formed in a user's neck direction to support a part of a columna vertebralis located thereon, an occipital region supporting part formed at a rear of the columna vertebralis supporting part to support an occipital region of a head located thereon, and an occipital region acupressure part protrudingly formed along a superior nuchal line between an atlas and an occipital bone to stimulate nerve fibers of the occipital region. |
| US08316853B2 |
Method and devices for conduit occlusion
The present invention comprises systems, methods and devices for the delivery of compositions for occluding or of means for opening conduits. The implantable occlusive material may be delivered pre-formed or in situ cured and, may be a resorbable material that supports tissue ingrowth that eventually replaces the material leaving little or no original material in place. The delivery system is positioned to allow for placement of the occlusive material into the body conduit. Use of delivery systems, methods and devices for re-opening an occluded body conduit are also included. |
| US08316851B2 |
Anesthetic gas intermediate storage unit with adsorption characteristics which can be influenced electrically
An anesthetic gas intermediate storage unit is provided having a first gas duct for passing through inspiration gas, a second gas duct for passing through expiration gas and an adsorption material (2), which can be influenced electrically, for an anesthetic, which is carried by a gas. The adsorption material is arranged in at least one gas duct for passing through breathing gas, and with a device for admitting expiration gas and inspiration gas alternatingly to the adsorption material (2), at least at an identical area for the intermediate storage of the anesthetic from the expiration gas to the inspiration gas. The device has openings, which divert the expiration gas and inspiration gas flowing in and out such that expiration gas and inspiration gas are admitted to the stationary adsorption material (2) alternatingly at an identical area. |
| US08316848B2 |
CPAP systems
A CPAP system includes a flow generator, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit that interconnects the flow generator and the patient interface, and a packaging arrangement including at least one storage facilitating member to allow storage of the air delivery conduit. The at least one storage facilitating member may be provided to the flow generator, a cradle, and/or the air delivery conduit. |
| US08316840B2 |
Shape memory alloy motor
The invention discloses a novel and efficient drive mechanism for use in a variety of applications. This novel mechanism replaces traditional stepper motors or another analogous art with shape memory alloys. The drive mechanism so disclosed provides substantial operational benefits over conventional motors and other such traditional drive mechanisms that would be used in similar applications. The drive mechanism includes a high gear-ratio worm gear and worm drive which further provides precise, controlled movement of an output shaft. In the illustrative use elaborated upon herein, the motor is used to drive a photovoltaic panel so that the panel may remain in appropriate alignment with the sun throughout the day. |
| US08316838B2 |
Burner and cooking device
A cooking device is provided. The cooking device includes a cavity and a burner. The cavity provides a cooking chamber. The burner is at the cooking chamber in the cavity and heats food in the cooking chamber. The burner includes a supply part and a combustion unit. A gaseous fuel mixed with air flows in the supply part. The combustion unit is connected to the supply part to receive the mixed gaseous fuel and to burn the received mixed gaseous fuel flowing within the combustion unit. The combustion unit has a single loop shape. |
| US08316826B2 |
Reducing variations in close coupled post injections in a fuel injector and fuel system using same
An electrically controlled fuel injector includes an armature that is movable between a first armature position and a second armature position inside an armature cavity containing fuel. By reducing the size of the armature cavity to a squish film drag gap, the armature experiences a squish film drag phenomenon when the armature moves from the first armature position to the second armature position reducing the armature travel speed but also reducing the settling time of the armature after an injection event. By reducing the armature travel speed, the armature experiences a reduction in magnitude of armature bounce allowing the armature to settle down quicker and produce minimum controllable injection events with shorter dwell times than predecessor fuel injectors, especially for close coupled post injection events. |
| US08316822B2 |
Speed limiter system
A vehicle speed limiter is described, for use with, and for example fitted to, a vehicle throttle system (1) comprising a mechanically actuatable throttle member (3), an engine (10) speed controller (7), and a throttle signal unit in data communication with an engine speed controller and operably coupled to the throttle member so as to generate an electronic throttle signal in functional response to the degree of actuation of the throttle member, and to transmit a throttle signal to the engine speed controller whereby the engine speed is controlled. The speed limiter has a vehicle speed sensor (15) to obtain a signal indicative of vehicle speed; a limit speed data register to include a data store (17) for a data item indicative of at least a first predetermined limit speed; a comparator to compare the speed sensor output with the limit speed data item stored in the limit speed register; a throttle signal modifier unit acting on the output of a throttle signal unit in use when fitted in conjunction with a vehicle throttle system to modify a generated throttle signal so that a transmitted throttle signal is produced such as to tend to limit the vehicle to the applied limit speed. A method of fitment is also described. |
| US08316819B2 |
Control of spark ignited internal combustion engine
There is provided, in one aspect of the present description, a method of controlling a spark ignited internal combustion engine having a fuel injector which injects fuel directly into its combustion chamber. The method comprises stopping the fuel injection if a desired torque for the engine is a predetermined torque or less and a speed of the engine is a predetermined speed or greater. The method comprises resuming the fuel injection by injecting a first amount of fuel directly into the combustion chamber during a negative pressure period and injecting a second amount of the fuel into the combustion chamber during an intake period. The method further includes resuming the fuel injection by injecting a third amount of the fuel directly into the combustion chamber during the negative pressure period and injecting a fourth amount of the fuel into the combustion chamber during the intake period. |
| US08316811B1 |
Method and apparatus for priming various components of a diesel engine
A fuel priming device comprising: means for establishing releasable fluid communication with an interior volume of a fuel conveying system of an engine; a first conduit affixed to the releasable communication means for conveying diesel fuel from an engine; a pressurizable reservoir in fluid communication with the fuel conveying conduit, the device located external to the automotive vehicle associated and at least on pneumatic system controlling the removal of fuel from the diesel fuel filter. |
| US08316807B2 |
Engine valve system with variable lift and duration
An improvement is disclosed for an engine valve system with variable lift and duration of the type that includes two cams mounted coaxially, a summation rocker coupled to cam followers in contact with both cams and movable in proportion to the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the respective cams, and a valve actuating rocker pivotably coupled to the summation rocker and serving to open an engine valve in dependence upon the movement of the summation rocker. In the invention, at least one of the couplings of the summation rocker with the cam followers and with the valve actuating rocker incorporates an adjustable eccentric which is rotatable to enable the clearance within the valve system to be set. |
| US08316796B2 |
Film coating system and isolating device thereof
A film coating system for coating an object includes a working station and an isolating device. The object is disposed on the working station, and the isolating device is utilized to isolate the object. The isolating device includes a body generating a first power, a first working fluid, a second working fluid, a first guiding portion and a second guiding portion. The first guiding portion guides the first working fluid to pass through the body, thereby forming a first working region to coat the object thereon. The second guiding portion guides the second working fluid excited by the first power of the body to pass through the body, thereby forming a second working region to separate the first working region from the object. |
| US08316794B2 |
System and device for self-tanning
The present invention concerns a system and device for self-tanning of the type comprising a booth (2) in which two lateral walls (5) have one or more lamps (52) protected by gratings (51) arranged to warm the area inside the booth and to radiate the skin of a person in the booth. The booth is provided with a spraying device (11) for nebulizing a tanning substance. The device comprises a Second control panel (6) connected to a means of management envisaged for activating and governing the diverse functions of the device under the control of an operator or of a user. The system comprises a series of operative phases which envisage, for a person who undergoes a self-tanning session: entering the booth; pressing start on the control panel; the lamps switching on for a preset time and switching off; a tanning solution being sprayed, followed by the lamps being switched on a second time to dry the tanning solution; the lamps being switched off; the person leaving the booth. |
| US08316790B2 |
Medical task status checklist and manufacturing method therefore
A durable medical task status indicator comprises a panel having a front face and a rear face, at least an indicium disposed on one or more lines on the panel, at least one two-status indicator disposed to the left or right of the at least one indicium which corresponds to the indicator, the indicator comprises a first elongated slot formed in the front face of the panel, a second elongated slot formed in the rear face of the panel, two status labels, an elongated tab having a centrally disposed finger hold, an elongated backing plate is configured to slide within the second elongated slot, wherein the elongated backing plate is fixedly attached to the elongated tab such that the movement of the elongated backing plate is coordinated with the movement of the elongated tab and the elongated tab substantially covers the first elongated slot to avoid dirt collection and facilitate cleaning. |
| US08316789B2 |
Shielded meat temperature sensing device
A temperature sensing device includes a casing having top and bottom walls with at least one wall connecting the top and bottom walls so that the casing is sealed, the top, bottom, and side walls being constructed of a heat resistant material. The sensing device includes a probe having a first portion attached to the casing bottom wall and extending downwardly and a second portion situated inside the interior space, the first and second portions being operatively connected to one another to transfer thermal energy therebetween. The probe second portion is coated with a thermochromic material that is color responsive to temperature. At least one wall of the casing defines an aperture that is covered by a material that is heat resistant, the probe second portion being viewable through the aperture for determining a temperature of an article of meat. |
| US08316786B2 |
Lift system for an elevator
A lift assembly is provided for a platform such as used on a ship. The platform can have four spaced apart hitch points. In one embodiment, the lift assembly includes four trolley drive assemblies, each trolley drive assembly including a trolley guidable along a guide rail, and a drive configured to displace the trolley along the guide rails, each trolley being coupled to at least one hitch point. In a second embodiment, a tension leveling assembly is provided in a trolley drive assembly and is configured to couple each of the wire ropes to the trolley and maintain substantially the same amount of tension in each wire rope. In a third embodiment, the lift assembly can be provided on a ship that also includes a vessel for holding water. The lift assembly includes an electric drive that operates as generator and generates current during lowering of the platform, A resistive device is disposed in the vessel and connected to the drive to receive current, the resistive device being configured to dissipate heat into the vessel. |
| US08316779B2 |
Collapsible pallet system and methods
Formable pallets that are easy to construct into a generally stably product receiving state and easy to collapse into a storage/transport state. The pallet includes one or more display elements which may be integrated with the supporting platform to achieve point of purchase objectives. The display element may be a separate component that is removeable from the pallet or the display element may be configurable from the pallet such as by unfolding and/or folding portions of the supporting platform. |
| US08316777B1 |
Overbed table with arm supports
An overbed table wherein a pedestal is attached to one end of a single support member and the other end of the support member is connected to a table assembly that includes a table surface. The center axis of the support member is located closer to a first edge of the table surface than the oppositely disposed edge of the table surface and arm supports connected to the table assembly are extendable past the first edge of the table assembly. |
| US08316765B2 |
Carrier device for carrying marker elements
A marker carrier device has carrier elements for carrying respective markers, the device being re-configurable between a compact configuration and a selection configuration in which the markers are accessibly presented for selection. Carrier devices loaded with markers are received at a receiving station of a marking unit. The markers are selected from the carrier individually whilst in the marking unit and marked by a marking device with a predetermined indicium. |
| US08316762B2 |
Juice extractors
A juice extractor comprises a body, a filtering apparatus, and a shattering apparatus. The body has an inner space. The filtering apparatus is disposed within the body and divides the inner space into a shattering chamber and a collecting chamber. The shattering apparatus is disposed within the shattering chamber and comprises at least a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade configured to shatter a comestible. The comestibles shattered by the first cutting blade can reach the second cutting blade and be shattered by the second cutting blade. |
| US08316758B2 |
Pneumatic actuator
A pneumatic actuator is provided for an active hood and includes, but is not limited to a cylinder and a piston, which is movable in the cylinder between a lower terminal position, in which the volume of a chamber delimited by piston and cylinder, which may be impinged using compressed gas, is minimal, and an upper terminal position, in which the volume of the chamber is maximal. The piston is lockable in the lower terminal position by a detent body engaging in first recesses of the cylinder and the piston. A slider is displaceable by impingement using the compressed gas out of an idle position, in which it fixes the detent body in the first recesses, into a triggering position, in which a second recess of the slider overlaps with one of the first recesses and is capable, together with a single one of the first recesses of accommodating the detent body. |
| US08316756B1 |
Upper receiver gas control for direct impingement firearms
A gas control mounted in an upper receiver of a weapon. A valve communicates with a gas tube of the weapon to receive gas under pressure from the barrel of the weapon. The valve has a first orifice and a second orifice. The position of the valve is selectable between the first orifice and the second orifice by rotation of a knob positioned on an exterior surface of the upper receiver of the weapon. The orifices are of different sizes to allow regulation of the volume of gas flow to the receiver of the weapon. |
| US08316750B2 |
Apparatus and method for launching incendiary projectiles
An apparatus and method for launching incendiary projectiles is provided. The apparatus includes a support adapted to being mounted to a vehicle, a pneumatic launcher connected to the support and operable to launch a projectile that has been delivered to the launcher, a gas delivery system operable to deliver a volume of pressurized gas to the launcher for launching the projectile, a projectile delivery system operable to deliver projectiles to the launcher, an injector cooperating operable to receive projectiles from the projectile delivery system and to inject the projectiles with an amount of reactant suitable to produce a delayed exothermic reaction with the incendiary material to prime the projectile, and thereafter convey the primed projectile to the launcher; and a controller operable to operable to regulate the launching of the projectiles. |
| US08316746B2 |
Method and device for trimming print products
A trimming apparatus comprises a conveying device, a movable upper knife, an immovable lower knife, a movable press crosshead, a first drive, and a control unit. The print product is pressed down with the press crosshead. The pressed down print product is trimmed with the upper and lower knives. The press crosshead is lifted following the step of trimming operation. Subsequent to lifting the press crosshead, the upper knife is lifted. The trimmed print product is conveyed with the conveying device. |
| US08316744B2 |
Dicing method, program for the dicing method, and storage medium for the dicing method
A dicing method includes the step of cutting a substrate with a blade along a scribe line free from metal before an inclination of the blade surface reaches a predetermined critical value. The blade surface becomes inclined when the blade cuts into a scribe line having metal thereon. The critical value is determined on the basis of the inclination of the blade surface which leads to a breakage of the blade. |
| US08316742B2 |
Cutting tool with integrated circuit chip
A system manages a machine tool operation. The system includes a cutting tool, which includes a tool body; an integrated circuit chip securely mounted within the tool body and capable of being read and written upon; and a read/write device for communicating with the integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip is an RFID chip. The tool body may be a mounting chuck, adapter, twist drill, thread tap, indexable drill, milling cutter or a square shank lathe tool. |
| US08316732B2 |
Roller screw structure
A roller screw structure comprises a nut, a screw and a rolling assembly. The rolling assembly is movably disposed between the nut and the screw and includes at least one rolling cone. The slantwise rolling surface of the rolling cone contacts the spiral groove surfaces of the nut and the screw in a line-to-line manner, and the angle between the rolling surface and the self-rotation axis of the rolling cone is from 0 degree to 6.3 degrees. Thereby, making the distance between the self-rotation axis and the rolling surface of the rolling cone of the rolling assembly different can prevent the occurrence of speed difference caused at different rolling paths of the rolling assembly. |
| US08316726B2 |
Biaxial stress management
A method of measuring biaxial stress in an object of a ferromagnetic material in which material in a region (10) in the vicinity of a surface of the object is subjected to a conditioning method by application of a conditioning magnetic field that is at least initially at a high field strength. Values of biaxial stress within the said region are measured with an electromagnetic measuring probe (14) in at least two different orientations, the electromagnetic measuring probe (14) using an alternating measuring magnetic field that is at a field strength well below saturation. The conditioning may subject the region (10) to a low frequency alternating magnetic field (38, 58) initially at a high field strength, and gradually reducing the strength to zero over a decay time period at least equal to the time for many cycles of the low frequency magnetic field. Conditioning the material enables the stress to then be measured more accurately, and enables ambiguities in biaxial stress to be resolved. |
| US08316719B2 |
Stretchable two-dimensional pressure sensor
A pressure sensor for measuring the location and intensity of an applied pressure, including an elastomeric sheet; and a plurality of micro-channels embedded in the elastomeric sheet. |
| US08316709B2 |
Method and device for measuring force, torque and output on an ergometer or bicycle
A method and device for measuring force, torque and output on an ergometer or bicycle. When the ergometer or bicycle is used as intended, a torque is transmitted via a shaft onto a flexible drive and further onto the flywheel of an ergometer or the rear wheel of the bicycle by two pedal cranks. The flexible drive has a pulley or a sprocket wheel which is non-rotatably connected to the shaft in at least one direction of rotation. Elastic torsions of the shaft that result independently from the torque transmission are detected at both sides of the pulley or of the sprocket wheel as a measure of the forces applied to the shaft to determine the torque and output both of the left and right leg of the user of the ergometer or bicycle. Corresponding electrical sensor signals are generated and supplied to a memory and/or evaluation unit for further processing. |
| US08316708B2 |
Illuminated sight glass
A sight assembly may include a body portion configured to couple between a first fluid transport segment and a second fluid transport segment. The body portion may define an aperture configured for fluid flow through an interior of the body portion. The sight assembly may also include a light source disposed within the body portion. The light source may be configured to provide illumination of the interior of the sight assembly. The light source may be disposed within the body portion approximately between an outer edge of the body portion forming the aperture and an external surface of the body portion. |
| US08316698B2 |
Determining a repairing form of a defect at or close to an edge of a substrate of a photo mask
Determining a repairing form of a defect at or close to an edge of a substrate. The defect may be scanned with a scanning probe microscope to determine a three-dimensional contour of the defect. The defect may be scanned with a scanning particle microscope to determine the shape of the at least one edge of the substrate. The repairing form of the defect may be determined from a combination of the three-dimensional contour and the shape of the at least one edge. |
| US08316695B2 |
Line leak detector and method of using same
An apparatus for detecting a leak in a conduit line includes a housing in fluid communication with the line, a valve including a valve seat and a valve element movable relative to the seat between opened and closed positions, a bypass line around the valve, a flow detector coupled to the bypass line for detecting fluid flow therethrough, and a first mechanism configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position. The apparatus may further include a second mechanism separate from the first mechanism for maintaining the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop is reached. The first mechanism may operate on the principle of buoyancy and the second mechanism may operate on the principle of magnetism. |
| US08316693B2 |
Surface analysis and measurement method based on flow resistance of fluid and atomic force microscope using the method
Provided is a surface analysis and measurement method based on the flow resistance of a fluid. The method comprises: spraying a fluid on the surface of a sample; identifying and determining if a flow resistance value of the fluid colliding with the sample surface is optimal for the measurement of the surface topography of the sample; setting the determined optimal flow resistance value to a reference value and moving the sample in the X-Y axes to allow the entire surface of the sample to be scanned; varying the position of the sample in the Z axis together with the X-Y axis movement to adjust varying flow resistance values of the fluid along the irregular surface topography of the sample to the set flow resistance value during scanning; and expressing the movement ranges of the sample in the X, Y and Z axes as numerical values and representing the numerical values as brightness values on a computer screen to display the surface topography of the sample. Further provided is an atomic force microscope using the method. |
| US08316692B2 |
Particle monitor and method using an analysis chamber and heated purge gas
A particle monitor (1) including a module (3) for measuring a particle content of a sample, the module including an analysis chamber (4) for receipt of the sample and a heating unit (24) for maintaining an operating temperature of the chamber (4) and for heating the air used for purging the sample from the chamber (4). The invention also relates to a particle monitor (1) with a vibrator assembly (6) and to a particle monitor (1) with a valve assembly (8) for effecting a fast purge mode, for clearing a sample tube (5), and a slow purge mode. |
| US08316689B2 |
Quantitative evaluation of scratch-induced damages on polymeric and coating materials
Provided is a method for quantitative evaluation of mar- and scratch-induced surface damage on polymeric and coating materials. The method for quantitative evaluation of scratch-induced damage on polymeric and coating materials includes: preparing a test specimen of polymeric and coating materials; inducing a scratch damage on the surface of the test specimen; representing the scratch damage formed on the test specimen as corresponding color coordinates; and calculating a quantitated scratch damage index from a combination of a load applied to the surface of the test specimen and the color coordinates corresponding to the scratch damage. |
| US08316686B2 |
Press tool arrangement
A press tool arrangement for use in hot creep forming, a method of hot creep forming a component of titanium alloy, and a resilient urging arrangement usable at elevated temperatures are described. The press tool arrangement includes a die, a holder member engageable with a blank of material in the die, and a resilient urging arrangement engageable with the holder member to urge same against a blank of material in the die. |
| US08316678B2 |
Method and an apparatus for prestressing components
A method of pre-stressing a component comprises providing an electrically conducting sheet adjacent to a component within a medium. An electrical discharge is supplied from an electrical discharge circuit to the electrically conducting sheet to produce vaporization of the electrically conducting sheet. The vaporization of the electrically conducting sheet produces a planar pressure pulse in the medium adjacent to the component. The planar pressure pulse impacts on a surface of the component to produce a region of residual compressive stress within the component. |
| US08316664B2 |
Refrigeration cycle apparatus and fluid machine used therefor
A fluid machine (10) includes a closed casing (11) in which an oil reservoir (16) for holding oil is formed in a bottom part. Disposed in the closed casing (11) are: a main compression mechanism (3), for compressing a working fluid, to which the oil held the oil reservoir (16) is supplied; a rotary electric motor (8) disposed above the oil reservoir (16) in the closed casing (11); a main compressor shaft (38) for coupling the main compression mechanism (3) and the rotary electric motor (8) to each other; a power recovery mechanism (5) for recovering motive power from the working fluid by performing a suction process for drawing the working fluid and a discharge process for discharging the drawn working fluid; a sub compression mechanism (2), which is driven by the power recovery mechanism (5), for compressing the working fluid and discharging the working fluid to the main compression mechanism (3) side; and a power recovery shaft (12) for coupling the power recovery mechanism (5) and the sub compression mechanism (2) to each other. |
| US08316662B2 |
Thermal packaging system
The present invention is an apparatus, method and system to thermally package an item having at least one container (100) substantially filled with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol undergoes a phase change. |
| US08316658B2 |
Refrigeration system energy monitoring and diagnostics
A management center is configured to communicate with a controller for an energy consuming system at a remote location, to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the energy consuming system based on the ambient temperature data, to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the controller, to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value, and to generate an output based on the comparison. |
| US08316657B2 |
Refrigerant system and control method
A refrigerant system is configured to alternatingly run in an economized mode and a standard mode. A control system shifts the refrigerant system between the economized mode and standard mode responsive to a determined efficiency reflecting a combination of at least two of: compressor isentropic efficiency; condenser efficiency; evaporator efficiency; efficiency of hardware mechanically powering the compressor; and a mode-associated cycling efficiency. In a bypass mode, a bypass refrigerant flow from an intermediate port may return to the suction port. Shifting into the bypass mode may be similarly controlled based upon the determined efficiency. |
| US08316655B2 |
Method for converting thermal energy at a low temperature into thermal energy at a relatively high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa
Method for converting thermal energy at a low temperature into thermal energy at a relatively high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa, with a working medium which runs through a closed thermodynamic circulation process, wherein the circulation process has the following working steps: —reversible adiabatic compression of the working medium, —isobaric conduction away of heat from the working medium, —reversible adiabatic relaxing of the working medium, —isobaric supply of heat to the working medium, and wherein the increase or decrease in pressure of the working medium is produced during the compression or relaxing, increasing or decreasing the centrifugal force acting on the working medium, with the result that the flow energy of the working medium is essentially retained during the compression or relaxing process. |
| US08316652B2 |
System and method for whole-body cryotherapy
The present invention relates to a system, and to a method for installation of the system, for whole-body cryotherapy applicable to humans or animals at a temperature of the order of −110° C. According to the invention, the treatment chamber and the refrigerating elements, or at least one of these two elements, are mounted on at least one mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, in a way that permits use from the self-supporting structure. It also relates to a whole-body cryotherapy system equipped with pre-chambers at intermediate temperatures, defining a modifiable or removable two-way path between the treatment chamber and the outside, and including elements for local cryotherapy. It also relates to such a system divided into several separable modules. |
| US08316634B2 |
Ammonia load control for SCR catalyst prior to DPF regeneration
A method and control system for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) includes a DPF control module that determines a particulate matter (PM) load progress of the DPF and generates a DPF regeneration request based on the PM load progress. The control system also includes an SCR control module that selectively adjusts an ammonia load of the SCR catalytic converter prior to regeneration of the DPF based on a storage capacity of the SCR catalytic converter and the PM load progress. |
| US08316612B2 |
Pre-insulated structural building panels
An apparatus and method for constructing pre-insulated structural panels is disclosed that has a tongue and groove assembly arrangement. Each panel may include one or more c-channels or profiles embedded in expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam to provide structural integrity to the panels, and resulting wall. The panels may be covered with siding, stucco, or similar materials. A chase may be formed horizontally in the panels to provide a wiring conduit through the panel. The panel may also provide when assembled, a vertical chase formed between the mated panels along the length of the panel for wiring. Acoustical properties may be formed in the surface of the EPS portions to provided added acoustical damping measures. |
| US08316610B2 |
Bulk liquid and material delivery device and construction block
A plastic construction block for storage of water, food, medicine, staples, construction materials, or any other item that needs to be contained for storage and shipping. The construction block can also be used in the construction of a bunker, wall, or the like structure through conventional building construction by filling of the block with sand or dirt. The construction block is substantially rectangular in shape having an enlarged fill port on one end with a resealable cap. The interior of the block is hollow and sized to hold about 3.4 fluid gallons. Apertures extend through the block and are used for receipt of anchoring posts. Each aperture further having a raised protrusion formed integral along one surface and a receptacle placed around each aperture on the rear surface. The raised protrusion interlocking with a receptacle on a rear surface of an adjoining construction block for aligning similar shaped construction blocks. The construction block further including at least one anchoring pipe retaining socket, said pipe retaining socket having a depth of approximately one half the diameter of an anchoring pipe allowing retention for use in storage and shipping. |
| US08316609B2 |
Modular panel units for constructional purposes
A panel unit (2) for constructional purposes has at least two joining flanges (10, 12) on opposite surfaces (4, 4′) located at, or adjacent to, a common edge of the panel unit, and projecting in mutually opposite directions. Two such panel units (2) may be juxtaposed end to end and secured by a two-part connector (17) having a base portion (18) that is adapted for attaching to a fixed structural element (20) and for anchoring to the flanges (12) on a first surface (4′) of the panel units 2, and a cap (19) adapted for anchoring to the flanges (10) on an opposite surface (4) of the panel units (2) and for anchoring to the base portion. |
| US08316605B2 |
Insulated metal roofing and wall systems and related methods
An insulated roof deck or wall system which can be used in installing roofs and wall is set forth. The system includes a plurality of metal purlins (10), a plurality of outer panels (2), a plurality of thermal insulation blocks (4), cleats (14), fasteners (12), a first insulation layer (6) and a second insulation layer (7). The metal purlins (10) can form a parallel array of purlins. The outer panels (2) can be attached to the metal purlins (10) in the parallel array. The thermal insulation blocks (4) can be disposed between the metal purlin (10) and the outer panel (2). The cleat (14) can be disposed between the thermal insulation blocks (4) and the outer panel (2) and has a protrusion which is capable of securing the thermal insulation block (4) and inhibits lateral movement between the thermal insulation block (4) and the cleat (14). The first and second insulation layers can be placed on either side of the thermal insulation blocks. |
| US08316602B2 |
Portable table construction and method for making the same
Disclosed herein is a portable table having numerous favorable characteristics. The table comprises a tabletop, a column connection, and a column. The tabletop includes a core, a thickness, a perimeter section, and a bottom surface. The column connection is positioned within the thickness of the core and within the tabletop, and includes a flange and a cylindrical sleeve having a first fastener. The column includes an insertion end that includes a second fastener shaped to removably engage the first fastener and secure the column to the column connection. The insertion end is shaped to removably fit within the cylindrical sleeve of the column connection. |
| US08316600B2 |
Wall conforming suspended ceiling molding
A wall molding for a suspended ceiling comprising a roll-formed sheet metal body having a generally upright component to be fixed to a wall and a projecting component extending generally transversely to the upright component and adapted to underlie and support the edges of ceiling tiles and ends of grid runners, the projecting component in a free state extending across a plane defined by the upright component to a line adapted to abut the wall when the upright component is drawn towards the wall. |
| US08316593B2 |
Solar roofing system
An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener. |
| US08316590B2 |
Support system for solar panels
An array of photovoltaic panels is supported in rows and columns spaced from one another using a foldable bi-directional span of support members. The support members include a plurality of support joists and support rails braced at an incline. Each support rail is tubular and generally rectangular, having a lower wall section with a T-slot channel for acceptance of the head of a bolt for adjustable attachment with the support joist. Also, the support rail may have a C-slot channel for retaining electrical wires. Clips are used to secure each panel to upper wall portions of underlying support rails. Each clip has a generally U-shaped gasket and is retained to a corresponding support rail through a threaded hole in a top wall of the support rail that receives a bolt or similar threaded fastener. |
| US08316584B2 |
Fireproofing element for a door or window leaf
The invention relates to a fireproofing element comprising a fireproof glazed element (1) which forms a window or door leaf (8). A bulkhead frame (3) is arranged around the door leaf (8), inserted in the building (2). A deformable component (28) is built in between the bulkhead frame (3) and the building (2). At least one telescopic element (15) is arranged between a lateral edge (10) of the door leaf (8) and the bulkhead frame (3). Said telescopic element (15) is displaceable relative to the bulkhead frame (3) in the direction of the arrows (20). The telescopic element (15) can compensate for changes in the joint (50) between the door leaf (8) and the bulkhead frame (3) and/or also seal said joint (50). Changes in length as a result of heating of the components during a fire can thus be accommodated and the door leaf (8) and fireproofing glazed element (1) hence not destroyed. |
| US08316574B1 |
Modular hand guard and lighting assembly
A modular hand guard assembly serves both as a hand guard system and as an integrated interface system for mounting various weapon accessories and attachments thereto. The modular hand guard assembly includes a removable forward rail section that can be removed from the forward portion of the hand guard to provide for the installation of additional weapon accessories such as lights, optics or lasers in highly a desirable forward location adjacent to the barrel of the weapon. The modular hand guard assembly further includes an integrated modular switching and control system for use in connection with the various powered accessories mounted thereto. |
| US08316573B2 |
Gun sight adjustment device
A device for adjusting a gun sight disposed in a dovetail groove on a gun slide is presented. The device includes a pushing member having a protrusion and an opening formed for receiving the gun sight therethrough, where the pushing member is movable in a first direction. The device further includes a pressure plate moveable in the first direction and a tail assembly opposing the pressure plate and movable in a second direction, where the tail assembly and the pressure plate are for securing the gun slide therebetween. When the gun slide is secured between the tail assembly and the pressure plate, moving the pushing member moves the gun sight. |
| US08316572B2 |
Suspended gun rest
The suspended gun rest includes a pivoting arm adjustably mounted to a rigid support by a mount. The mount comprises an L-shaped bracket having a mounting hole and three holes for adjustment screws. A cradle is provided, the cradle including two strings, a string routing system, a locking mechanism and a spindle. A hook is connected to one end of the pivoting arm. The two strings are connected to the spindle and routed through the cradle by the routing system and attached to the hook on the pivoting arm. |
| US08316570B2 |
Bipod device for use with a firearm
Bipods and mounting devices for attaching to and supporting firearms, more specifically, bipods which allow independent tension-adjustable movement around two axes. For example, the bipod assembly can be tension-adjusted with a first cam lock for cant movement and can be tension-adjusted with a second cam lock for pivotal movement. Accordingly, independently tension-adjustable and lockable pivot and cam adjustments are provided by this bipod assembly. |
| US08316568B2 |
Composite firearm barrel reinforcement
A chamber reinforcement for composite firearm barrel and method for forming the same. In one embodiment, the barrel includes an inner tube defining a bore that provides a bullet path and an outer sleeve preferably made of a material lighter in weight than the tube. In some embodiments, the inner tube is made of a material that preferably has a greater density and strength than the outer sleeve. The reinforcement in one embodiment may be in the form of an end cap disposed on a portion of the sleeve. The reinforcement preferably is made of a material comparable to the inner tube in density and strength to reinforce the area where a chamber is formed for receiving a cartridge. In the preferred fabrication, the reinforcement, tube, and sleeve are forged together to provide a strong and unitary structure for withstanding combustion pressures and forces associated with discharging the firearm. |
| US08316540B2 |
Method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure
A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and mounting at least one interposer on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. At least one sidewall of the interposer is slitted to facilitate the venting of gases and pressure therethrough. The method includes arranging a plurality of electrically-conductive elements about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extending them radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane. |
| US08316539B2 |
Method of crimping a terminal to an electric wire
The present invention is to provide an apparatus for crimping a terminal to an electrical wire, which have respective part numbers, and allows miniaturization of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a base, a drive portion, a plurality of applicators, a plurality of connection/disconnection portions and a control device. The drive portion drives the associated applicator to crimp the terminal to the electrical wire. The connection/disconnection portions each are disposed in one-to-one relation ship against the respective applicators. The each connection/disconnection portion is positionable at a connection and a disconnection position, where a driving force is transmitted to or released from the associated applicator. The control device controls the associated connection/disconnection portion so that the applicator corresponding to the part numbers of the electrical wire and the terminal can achieve crimping with the driving force from the drive portion. |
| US08316537B2 |
Method of forming a lead
An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead. |
| US08316534B2 |
Method for packaging airtight multi-layer array type LED
A method for packaging an airtight multi-layer array type LED is disclosed. The method includes: integrally forming a metal substrate with an airtight metal frame surrounding an accommodating space; forming a light outlet platform surrounding a light outlet opening on a bottom of the accommodating space; forming two horizontal sealing through holes in the airtight metal frame, wherein each sealing through hole has one lead frame inserted therethrough, and all interstitial space in the two horizontal sealing through holes is completely sealed with a sealing material; disposing the optical units and optical components in the accommodating space; sequentially forming a dice protection layer, a fluorescent layer, and a silicone layer on the LED dices; and installing an optical glass cover on the top surface of the airtight metal frame to seal the packaging structure of the present invention. |
| US08316515B2 |
Magnetic hook and loop interface system
An interface system for hook and loop engagement structures comprises a first interface patch and a second interface patch. The first interface patch has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface thereof. Hook engagement structures extend from the first major surface of the first interface patch. A first magnetic element is embedded within the first interface patch between said first and second major surfaces thereof. The second interface patch has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface thereof. Loop engagement structures extend from the first major surface of the second interface patch. A second magnetic element is embedded within the second interface patch between said first and second major surfaces thereof. |
| US08316514B2 |
Trim clip for trim for curtain side air bag
A trim clip includes a tether, a main clip body, and a pin. In the assembled condition, a body securing part and a trim securing part of the main clip body are directly connected. The trim securing part has a leg formed as a hollow tubular member. Flexible first latching pawls are formed in the leg and protrude radially outward from the leg. When the pin is inserted into the leg of the body securing part, then second latching pawls on the inside of the leg engage a latching shoulder on the pin, and pulling up on the pin is limited and inward movement of the first latching pawls is prevented, thus securing of the body securing part to a body panel is strengthened. |
| US08316511B2 |
Apparatus for tightening two belts
A belt-tightening apparatus includes a frame, a handle, a shaft, two ratchet wheels, two spring-biased detents and a connector. The shaft is used to rotationally connect the handle to the frame and wind a first belt. The ratchet wheels are connected to the shaft. The first spring-biased detent is movably connected to the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels. The second spring-biased detent is movably connected to the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels. The connector includes a tube and a reinforcement strip. The tube is connected to the frame on one hand and connected to the second belt on the other hand. The reinforcement strip is inserted in the tube for reinforcing the tube. |
| US08316508B2 |
Removable track system and method for tent sidewalls
The removable track and hanger system is mounted on horizontal tent frame members. The tent frame includes horizontal and vertical frames for supporting the overlaid tent fabric. The track and hanger system includes a track bar removably hung from a horizontal frame member by a complementary shaped inverted J-shaped hangers. The track bar includes a track bar channel, an open mouth and an interior cavity. A eyelet hangers protrude from the track bar because a capture element (roller wheel, ball or glide element) is located in the cavity and a downward eyelet extender has an eyelet hole into which is clipped a clip hook from the tent sidewall. When clipped onto the hanger track, the tent sidewall can move horizontally along the track. The throw or horizontal movement of the tent sidewall is limited by stops at one or more predetermined stop locations. |
| US08316500B2 |
Bidirectional bristle pig with sliding collar
A bidirectional bristle pig provides a means for collapsing or restraining the bristles so that the pig may be used in a reciprocating manner or, when the pig becomes stuck, the pig may be easily retrieved in a direction opposite that of the initial direction of travel. The bristle pig has at least one set of outwardly projecting cleaning wires or bristles located toward one end of the pig body and a sliding collar. The sliding collar moves between a first position and a second position to restrain the bristles at the desired leading end of the pig and forces the bristles downward and away from the inner wall surface of the pipeline. In the restrained state, the bristles no longer interfere with the movement of the pig in the desired direction. The sliding collar may move in response to pipeline pressure or may include a tether line. |
| US08316492B2 |
Apparatus having one or more removable tools
An apparatus includes a frame having an opening, a gate mechanism partially bounding the opening, at least one tool receiving section, and a power source. The apparatus includes at least one electronic device configured to be received in the at least one tool receiving section. The frame is configured to provide electrical power to the electronic device via the power source when the electronic device is received in the at least one tool receiving section, and the gate mechanism comprises a gate coupled to the frame, the gate being movable relative to the frame to permit access to the opening. |
| US08316491B2 |
Mattress and bedpan cushion system using an air pressure switch and relief valve
A support structure, such as a mattress, is provided for the placement and removal of a human waste container, such as a bedpan, with minimal exertion by the attendant and minimal movement of the person. The mattress is provided with a cavity equipped with a controllable expandable cushion operatively coupled with the cushion to control an expansion and contraction of the cushion, wherein the control system includes a fluidic pump arranged to pump fluid into the expandable cushion, a fluid relief mechanism arranged to allow fluid to escape the expandable cushion, a fluid pressure reservoir for maintaining a relatively constant pressure in the fluidic system, and a fluid pressure switch operable to automatically activate and deactivate the fluidic pump to maintain a defined pressure level in the expandable cushion. |
| US08316486B2 |
Support frame for elevating a bed covering
A plurality of hollow tubular frame members interconnected by a single internal elastic retaining member that ensures each frame member aligns relative to each remaining frame member in a manner that only one arrangement of frame members is possible when assembled. To assemble, the frame members interconnect forming a three-dimensional frame suitable for supporting a bed cover. The frame members are held in tension by the internal retaining member. The frame members interlock via an insert device between adjacent frame members. The entire assembly interlocks and selectively decouples for disassembly. When disassembled, the entire assembly lies relatively flat, which enables a compact design suitable for packaging, transport or storage. |
| US08316474B2 |
Drainage apparatus for a sink
The present invention relates to a drainage apparatus for a sink, in which it is possible to drain wash water rapidly without having residue substances such as foreign substances and the like caught thereon, and prevent leakage of malodor in advance, thereby achieving excellent cleanliness, facilitating an operation and maintenance of the drainage apparatus due to its simple configuration and structure. Thus, according to the drainage apparatus for a sink of the invention, residue substances, foreign substances and the like are not caught on the drainage apparatus, the female screw-shaped grooves induce vortex of wash water, thereby rapidly draining the wash water, and the float ball made of positive buoyancy material is insertingly mounted inside of the tubular drainage body so as to ascend or descend by means of the wash water, thereby preventing leakage of malodor in advance, achieving excellent cleanliness, and facilitating an assembling operation and maintenance/repair of the drainage apparatus due to its simple configuration and structure. |
| US08316473B2 |
Toilet seat cover
The present invention relates to a toilet seat cover for covering and sanitizing a toilet seat comprising: a top edge; a bottom edge; two side edges, where the side edges include two curved portions on each side; and two seat ridge edges above the curved portions, where seat cover includes an antibacterial agent or a disinfectant that allows a user to wipe the seat prior to use. The toilet seat cover according to the present invention may be used to cover a portion of the toilet seat, where the seat cover drapes over a portion of the toilet seat while the bottom end lies within the toilet bowl. The toilet seat cover may be made of a biodegradable material and suitable for flushing into a sewage system. |
| US08316467B2 |
Headgear with pockets for carrying an audio device and a method for using the same
A cap, hat or other head covering, with pockets for carrying an MP3 player or other portable audio device and the wires and other related accessories. One of the pockets is structured to secure an audio device and the other pocket is structured to secure the headphone wires therein. By disposing the pockets on the headgear, the audio device is in close proximity to the wearer's head, thereby minimizing the length of wire extended between the audio device and the headphones or earplugs and allowing the wearer to perform a desired activity without the wires getting in the way. |
| US08321961B2 |
Production scale fabrication method for high resolution AFM tips
A method of fabricating high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips including a single semiconductor nanowire grown at an apex of a semiconductor pyramid of each AFM tip is provided. The semiconductor nanowire that is grown has a controllable diameter and a high aspect ratio, without significant tapering from the tip of the semiconductor nanowire to its base. The method includes providing an AFM probe including a semiconductor cantilever having a semiconductor pyramid extending upward from a surface of said semiconductor cantilever. The semiconductor pyramid has an apex. A patterned oxide layer is formed on the AFM probe. The patterned oxide layer has an opening that exposes the apex of the semiconductor pyramid. A single semiconductor nanowire is grown on the exposed apex of the semiconductor pyramid utilizing a non-oxidized Al seed material as a catalyst for nanowire growth. |
| US08321960B2 |
Scanning probe microscope
A portion of light emitted from a laser source (11) for detecting a displacement of a cantilever (4) is extracted by a half mirror (20) and guided onto a photodetector (21) having a light-receiving surface divided into four sections. When the direction of the emitted light is inclined due to a change in the ambient temperature or other factors, the light spot formed on the light-receiving surface of the photodetector (21) moves. Accordingly, the amount and direction of the inclination of the emission direction can be recognized from the amount and direction of the movement of the light spot. A drive amount calculator (22) calculates a drive amount according to the amount and direction of the inclination, and operates an actuator (23) to rotate the laser source (11) around each of the Y and Z axes. This operation compensates for the inclination of the direction of the emitted light and thereby prevents the inclination from being falsely recognized as an irregularity on the sample surface. |
| US08321949B1 |
Managing software run in a computing system
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a network-based information server system; and a computer operable to interact with a user interface device and operable to perform operations including: receiving from the network-based information server system status information corresponding to software applications, the status information including black-list information and phoenix-list information; updating a local cache, retained by the computer, with the status information received from the network-based information server system; generating an identifier for a software application, using a digital certificate and a hash value, when the software application is launched on the computer; checking the identifier for the software application against the status information; and notifying a user of the computer when a match is found during the checking. |
| US08321945B2 |
Security measure status self-checking system
A security measure status self-checking system which can determine the security measure status in a more simplified and effective manner by focusing on the information leakage measure in the security measures, managing the PC's security measure status and the user's take-out operation status in an integrated and unitary manner, and providing security policy samples. Accordingly, the client computer collects security inventory information and operation log information and transmits the information to the server computer. Further, the server computer stores the security inventory information and the operation log information transmitted from the client computer and determines whether or not the information conforms to the security policy which has been set in advance. The check result is displayed on the server computer and when a policy violation is detected, the manager and the client are notified of that effect. |
| US08321940B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting data-stealing malware
A computer-implemented method for detecting data-stealing malware may include: 1) detecting an attempt by an untrusted application to access a storage location that is known to be used by a legitimate application when storing potentially sensitive information, 2) determining that the legitimate application is not installed on the computing device, 3) determining that the untrusted application represents a potential security risk, and then 4) performing a security operation on the untrusted application. Corresponding systems and computer-readable instructions embodied on computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08321938B2 |
Multi-tiered scalable network monitoring
A network analysis architecture provides a suite of complementary logic operable at different temporal and spatial timescales. The distinct temporal and spatial scales define different tiers, each analyzing network events according to predetermined temporal and spatial scales of progressive magnitude. Particular event detection logic may be operable on an immediate temporal scale, while other logic identifies trends over a longer time period. Similarly, different spatial scales are appropriate to different algorithms, as in logic that examines only headers or length of packets, or inspects an entire payload or transferred file. Deployment of logic that is focused on different timing and scope of data allows timely action in the case of readily apparent deviations, and permits longer term analysis for identifying trends that emerge over time. By selecting a suite of complementary logic directed at different deviant behavior, the focus of a single logic scheme is not charged with producing absolute screening of all traffic. |
| US08321937B2 |
Methods and system for determining performance of filters in a computer intrusion prevention detection system
An intrusion prevention/detection system filter (IPS filter) performance evaluation is provided. The performance evaluation is performed at both the security center and at the customer sites to derive a base confidence score and local confidence scores. Existence of new vulnerability is disclosed and its attributes are used in the generation of new IPS filter or updates. The generated IPS filter is first tested to determine its base confidence score from test confidence attributes prior to deploying it to a customer site. A deep security manager and deep security agent, at the customer site, collect local confidence attributes that are used for determining the local confidence score. The local confidence score and the base confidence score are aggregated to form a global confidence score. The local and global confidence scores are then compared to deployment thresholds to determine whether the IPS filter should be deployed in prevention or detection mode or sent back to the security center for improvement. |
| US08321930B1 |
Keyboard input coordinate-based login system
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-readable media for granting access to a component of a computing device. In particular, embodiments provide methods of presenting a plurality of images on a screen of the computing device. Keyboard-based inputs are received, where the inputs are based on relationships between the images. Based on the accuracy of the inputs received, access is granted to the component of the computing device. |
| US08321929B2 |
System and method for implementing a one time password at an information handling system
A system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for generating an OTP at an information handling system. An OTP is generated at an information handling system hardware or firmware layer upon detection of a predetermined input trigger, such as a key combination. The OTP is provided for authentication independent of an operating system or applications running on the information handling system. |
| US08321925B1 |
Distributed encryption key management
Secure information is managed for each host or machine in an electronic environment using a series of key identifiers that each represent one or more secure keys, passwords, or other secure information. Applications and services needing access to the secure information can specify the key identifier, for example, and the secure information currently associated with that identifier can be determined without any change to the code or manual input or exposure of the secure information on the respective device. Functionality such as encryption key management and rotation are inaccessible and transparent to the user. In a networked or distributed environment, the key identifiers can be associated with host classes such that at startup any host in a class can obtain the necessary secure information. Updates and key rotation can be performed in a similar fashion by pushing updates to host classes transparent to a user, application, or service. |
| US08321922B1 |
Authenticating a user of a system using near field communication
A system and machine-implemented method for providing a username and password to a system using a device, via establishing a near field communication link with the system; retrieving a username and password from storage on the device; and transmitting the username and password to the system via the near field communication link, wherein the username and password are configured to be used by the system to authenticate the user on the system. |
| US08321921B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing authentication and encryption services by a software as a service platform
An extensible servicing hosting platform is provided that supports the design, build and concurrent deployment of multiple web accessible services on a services hosting platform. The services hosting platform comprises a services hosting framework capable of hosting multiple service applications, each of which may be shared by multiple tenants that each customize their use of a particular application service by extending the application service to exploit run time platform services within a service execution pipeline. The services hosting framework may easily be leveraged by applications to decrease the time associated with developing, deploying and maintaining high quality services in a cost effective manner. |
| US08321917B2 |
Connection authentication system, terminal apparatus, connection authentication server, connection authentication method, and program
The first terminal apparatus includes a key information acquiring unit that acquires key information from a connection authentication server, a key information notifying unit that notifies the first user of the key information, and a connection information acquiring unit that acquires connection information from the connection authentication server. The second terminal apparatus includes a key information input unit that receives the key information transmitted to the second user and an information providing unit that provides the key information and the connection information to the connection authentication server. The connection authentication server includes a key information providing unit that provides the key information to the first terminal apparatus, an information acquiring unit that acquires the key information and connection information of the second terminal apparatus from the second terminal apparatus, and a connection information providing unit that provides the connection information to the first terminal apparatus. |
| US08321909B2 |
Identity mediation in enterprise service bus
A system, and computer usable program product for identity mediation in an enterprise service bus are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A security information is received at the enterprise service bus from a first application executing in a first data processing system. The security information is a part of a request for service from a second application executing in a second data processing system. A part of the security information is identified to be transformed such that the part upon transformation is usable for handling the request by the second application. A security policy applicable to the identified part is selected and the identified part is transformed according to the security policy. The transforming results in a transformed security information. The transformed security information is sent to the second application. |
| US08321907B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus, broadcast receiving method, broadcast receiving program, and broadcast receiving circuit
An MPEG decoder decodes a video data packet for standard broadcasting to generate video data for standard broadcasting, and detects a decoding error thereof. A MPEG decodes a video data packet for broadcasting under rainfall to generate video data for broadcasting under rainfall. A synthesizing section generates a composite signal obtained by replacing a decoding error part of the video data for standard broadcasting with a corresponding part of the video data for broadcasting rainfall. |
| US08321902B2 |
Multilevel bandwidth check
A subscription system for providing content by subscription using an Internet connection is disclosed. The subscription system includes a content object store and an interface. The content object store stores a plurality of content objects. The interface is configured to receive a request to initiate a subscription with a first address for a particular account using the Internet. The subscription allows use of the plurality of content objects by the particular account without individually charging for the plurality of content objects. It is verified that a first connection speed is greater than a first threshold value before allowing the subscription, where the first connection speed is over the Internet with the first address. A request to access the subscription of the particular account is received from a second address with the Internet. It is verified that a second connection speed is greater than a second threshold value. The second connection speed is over the Internet with the second address. The second threshold value is associated with at least one of a product or a level of service for the subscription. |
| US08321892B1 |
Method and apparatus for filtering data displayed in an electronic television program guide
The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a system for reducing the amount of information displayed in an on-screen television program guide. The user selects a genre by pressing a genre labeled button on a remote control. The remote control transmits an infrared signal to a set top box. The set top box then filters program guide data received from a satellite dish according to the selected genre and displays only channels and/or shows associated with the selected genre. |
| US08321886B2 |
Method of providing controlled-access information and video receiving apparatus to use the same
In a controlled access broadcast system, a method of providing controlled-access information to a user includes determining whether a selected channel is a controlled-access channel, determining whether a smart card mounted in a smart card mounting part is configured to access the selected channel, if the selected channel is determined to be a controlled-access channel, and displaying indicia that indicates the configuration of the mounted smart card with respect to access to the selected channel. Therefore, a user can mount a smart card to access the controlled-access channel, thus increasing user convenience. |
| US08321877B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor
An image processing apparatus capable of previously checking a setting mistake when a macro button is generated and preventing a macro using a reserved word from being inappropriately executed. A macro acquisition unit obtains the macro. A user information acquisition unit obtains user information associated with a user of the image processing apparatus. A replacing unit, when the macro obtained by the macro acquisition unit is a macro including a reserved word that is to be replaced with a portion of the user information, replaces the reserved word with the portion of the user information obtained by the user information acquisition unit. A check unit checks whether the macro replaced by the replacing unit can be normally executed. A notification unit notifies a check result of the check unit to a previously defined user. |
| US08321875B2 |
Selectively updating web pages on a mobile client
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for enabling the selective updating of web pages provided to a mobile client using, for example, AJAX technology. The system, method, and computer program product are optionally further extended to harmonize synchronization of data retrieved by other methods with data updated using AJAX. The use of AJAX technology is disclosed within the context of additional technology suites which may be substituted to achieve the same function. Additionally, the use of queuing AJAX updates is discussed. |
| US08321866B2 |
System and method for data synchronization for a computer architecture for broadband networks
A computer architecture and programming model for high speed processing over broadband networks are provided. The architecture employs a consistent modular structure, a common computing module and uniform software cells. The common computing module includes a control processor, a plurality of processing units, a plurality of local memories from which the processing units process programs, a direct memory access controller and a shared main memory. A synchronized system and method for the coordinated reading and writing of data to and from the shared main memory by the processing units also are provided. A processing system for processing computer tasks is also provided. A first processor is of a first processor type and a number of second processors are of a second processor type. One of the second processors manages process scheduling of computing tasks by providing tasks to at least one of the first and second processors. |
| US08321863B2 |
Security management device and method
In a case where a master virtual machine, which is constructed on the basis of master information for configuring either part or all of a virtual machine, and an individual virtual machine, which is constructed on the basis of individual information that is configured partially or entirely in accordance with the master information, exist as the types of virtual machines that a physical client provides to a user terminal, a security check of a plurality of virtual machines is selectively executed, with respect to each check item, for a virtual machine of the type corresponding to the contents of the check item. |
| US08321859B2 |
Method and apparatus for dispensing on a data-storage medium customized content comprising selected assets
An apparatus and method for obtaining a storage medium with a deeply customizable set of installed content. Soft assets (e.g., programs, songs, videos, etc.) that form the content are selected from among a much larger set of preinstalled soft assets previously stored on storage media, such as disk drives. In some embodiments, based on a user's selections, the non-selected assets are permanently erased from a storage medium, while the remaining assets are available as installed (wherein substantially no further processing is required to install them). In some embodiments, a new device uses the storage medium to provide its user with a fully functional device without the need to separately install the soft assets from a plurality of sources (e.g., from program-distribution CDROMS and the like). Some embodiments include the storage medium having the soft assets installed, and including a program that elicits selections from a user and erases non-selected assets. |
| US08321857B1 |
Automated generation of application data for application distribution
An application registration module executes on a client, extracting metadata from a local application designed for an operating system of the client, formulating installation instructions, and providing the application, metadata, and installation instructions to a distribution server. The distribution server can then be used to facilitate installation of the application on other clients having the same operating system as the source client. |
| US08321856B2 |
Supplying software updates synchronously
The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing software updates. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving software objects associated with a software update. Moreover, a container may be provided. The container may include the received software objects and attributes. The attributes may describe the software objects to configure transport to different applications. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described. |
| US08321841B2 |
Validation framework for service oriented architecture (SOA) application adoption
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to business process model validation and provide a method, system and computer program product for validating a service oriented architecture (SOA) oriented application. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for validating an SOA oriented application can be provided. The method can include transforming a business process model for an SOA oriented application into a directed and connected, acyclic graph, further transforming service groupings for the business process model into corresponding directed and connected, acyclic graphs, computing all paths from root node to leaf node in the graph for the business process model, and validating the business process model by ensuring no loops or cycles in the graph for the business process model, and further validating the business process model by ensuring no shared vertices amongst the graphs for the service groupings. |
| US08321831B2 |
Architectural design for internal projects application software
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing an internal projects application useful for planning and executing internal projects and measures, including network scheduling, resource staffing, cost estimation and management, time confirmation, and progress monitoring. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service interface operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a Costing process component that maintains project cost estimates; an Accounting process component that records relevant business transactions; a Project Processing process component that structures, plans and executes simple, short-term measures and complex projects; and a Time and Labor Management process component that supports the definition of employees' planned working times as well as the recording of the actual working times and absences and their evaluation. |
| US08321826B2 |
Method and apparatus of core timing prediction of core logic in the chip-level implementation process through an over-core window on a chip-level routing layer
A method and/or an apparatus of core timing prediction is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include generating a core timing model of a core logic that is accurately transferable to any chip-level integration process. The method may reduce performance degradation and/or performance variation of the core logic caused by a number of interactions between core logic components and chip-level components in the chip-level integration process. In addition, the core timing model of the core logic may be generated by filling un-wired tracks with metal in any of an outermost layer of the core logic after a core logic routing and constructing a layer at least an area of and adjacent to any of the outermost layer of the core logic with grounded metal that is orthogonal to those of the metal used in the outermost layer of the core logic. |
| US08321824B2 |
Multiple-power-domain static timing analysis
Embodiments of a computer system, a method, an integrated circuit and a computer-program product (i.e., software) for use with the computer system are described. These devices and techniques may be used to perform STA for circuits that include multiple power domains. Power-domain crossing information and optionally the delay in each power domain can be propagated during the full circuit graph-based STA to accurately perform STA without enumerating all paths. Some embodiments can use a tag-based engine to track power-domain crossing(s) during graph-based STA. If a power-domain is crossed in a path, pessimism may be added to the cumulative delay at the end point of the path. For those paths that do not cross a power domain, pessimism may be removed from the cumulative delay at their end points. In some embodiments, pessimism may be removed from the cumulative delay at end points for paths that cross power domains. |
| US08321821B2 |
Method for designing two-dimensional array overlay targets and method and system for measuring overlay errors using the same
A method for designing a two-dimensional array overlay target comprises the steps of: selecting a plurality of two dimensional array overlay targets having different overlay errors; calculating a deviation of a simulated diffraction spectrum for each two-dimensional array overlay target; selecting an error-independent overlay target by taking the deviations of the simulated diffraction spectra into consideration; and designing a two dimensional array overlay target based on structural parameters of the error-independent overlay target. |
| US08321816B2 |
Program storage medium and method for determining exposure condition and mask pattern
A method of determining an exposure condition and a mask pattern includes: setting the exposure condition and the mask pattern; temporarily determining the mask pattern using a first evaluation function describing indices of quality of an image of the mask pattern, using the set exposure condition; calculating a value of a second evaluation function describing indices of quality of the image of the mask pattern, using the temporarily determined mask pattern and the set exposure condition; changing the exposure condition and the mask pattern based on the value of the calculated second evaluation function; and judging whether to execute a process of repeating the temporarily determining step and the calculating step. In the judging step, the mask pattern temporarily determined in the latest second step, and the exposure condition changed in the latest fourth step are determined as the mask pattern and the exposure condition, respectively. |
| US08321814B2 |
Integrated handheld computing and telephony system and services
Disclosed is an integrated handheld computer and telephony system. Integration of the handheld computer and telephony system is at the physical and operational level. For example, the integrated handheld computer and telephony system physically integrates a handheld computer with a mobile (e.g., cellular) telephone. In addition, the handheld computer is distinct from telephony system in that they are logically separable. However, they are also operationally integrated, for example, the telephony system executes a telephone application on the processor of the handheld computer. Likewise, the handheld computer can execute applications, for example, a phone book, that can be used to launch the telephony application. |
| US08321807B2 |
System and method for generating a visual representation of a service and service management system employing the same
Various systems and methods for generating visual representations of services. In one embodiment, one method generates a static visual representation and includes: (1) retrieving a service description associated with the service, (2) retrieving end points associated with the service, (3) mapping the end points into roles assumed with respect to the service description and (4) for at least some of the roles, rendering the end points in the visual representation. |
| US08321801B2 |
Desktop widgets for presentation in a layer
A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system. |
| US08321789B2 |
Image browsing apparatus and image browsing method
An image browsing apparatus has: a display unit for displaying image data; a reproducing unit for reproducing audio data; a detector for detecting a feature of the audio data reproduced by the reproducing unit; and a controller for, when predetermined audio data is reproduced by the reproducing unit, controlling an updating interval of the image data displayed to the display unit on the basis of the feature of the predetermined audio data detected by the detector. |
| US08321784B1 |
Reviewing objects
Reviewing Objects. An example method includes generating a plurality of sections corresponding to an object. The plurality of sections includes a suggestion section and a support section. An input is received for at least one section of the plurality of sections. Further, one or more functions associated with the suggestion section are performed. |
| US08321777B2 |
Cyclic redundancy check code generating circuit, semiconductor memory device, and method of driving semiconductor memory device
Disclosed are a semiconductor memory device, and a method of driving the same, and a cyclic redundancy check code generating circuit capable of performing cyclic redundancy check. A semiconductor memory device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a memory cell array, a data processing unit receiving data that is read from the memory cell array and selectively outputting at least some of the data according to ordering information, bit structure information, and burst length information, and a check code generating unit generating a cyclic redundancy check code to detect an error in the data being output, the check code generating unit generating and outputting the cyclic redundancy check code by using the read data, the ordering information, the bit structure information, and the burst length information. |
| US08321775B2 |
Non-volatile memory with extended error correction protection
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses related to NVM devices with extended error correction protection. In some embodiments, a parity cache is used to store parity values of data values stored in a plurality of codewords of an NVM device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08321764B2 |
Multilevel encoding with error correction
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to multilevel encoding with error correction. In some embodiments, a plurality of bits may be encoded into a plurality of multilevel memory cells by level-shifting a subset of the plurality of multilevel memory cells for a bit of the plurality of bits. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08321762B2 |
Method for creating an error correction coding scheme
The present invention relates to a method for reducing data loss comprising a first computing step for computing an intermediate result for each redundancy information entity of a redundancy set by processing respectively associated data information entities of a given data set on at least two main diagonals of a parity check matrix representing an error correction coding scheme. The method further comprises a second computing step for computing the information content of the respective redundancy information entity dependent on the respective intermediate result. |
| US08321758B2 |
Data error correction device and methods thereof
A method of accessing a memory includes accessing multiple ECC words via a single memory channel. Portions of each ECC word are retrieved from different memory ranks, so that a failure in a memory device at one memory rank is less likely to result in uncorrectable errors in the data segment. By accessing the data segments via a single memory channel, rather than multiple memory channels, the single memory channel can be accessed independently, providing for lower cost memory modules, higher memory bandwidth, and lower power dissipation. |
| US08321753B2 |
Optimization of packet buffer memory utilization
A method performed by an I/O unit connected to another I/O unit in a network device. The method includes receiving a packet; segmenting the packet into a group of data blocks; storing the group of data blocks in a data memory; generating data protection information for a data block of the group of data blocks; creating a control block for the data block; storing, in a control memory, a group of data items for the control block, the group of data items including information associated with a location, of the data block, within the data memory and the data protection information for the data block; performing a data integrity check on the data block, using the data protection information, to determine whether the data block contains a data error; and outputting the data block when the data integrity check indicates that the data block does not contain a data error. |
| US08321743B2 |
Information storage medium and information storage medium processing apparatus
An information storage medium according to one embodiment of the invention includes a card main body embedded with a module, in which the module includes a communication control unit for interpreting received data, and selectively executing normal processing for returning response data to a transmission source of the received data based on a determination result indicating that the received data is correct data complying with a predetermined communication protocol, and error processing for returning an error to the transmission source of the received data based on a determination result indicating that the received data is error data. |
| US08321742B2 |
Adaptive automatic repeat-request apparatus and method for a multiple input multiple output system
The present invention relates to an adaptive automatic repeat-request apparatus and method for an MIMO system including a transmitter and a receiver. The apparatus comprises an adaptive retransmission component located at the transmitter. The adaptive retransmission component uses a special frame structure that divides the transmission data in a frame into several sections according to the number of transmission antennas, and adds an individual error detecting code within each section. The transmission data are sent to the receiver through the several antennas. The receiver responds to the adaptive retransmission component with feedback information of an acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement signal, and detected signal strength of data for each transmission antenna. After receiving the signal strength of transmission data, the retransmission signal vector for error data is determined. |
| US08321740B2 |
Method and apparatus of handling TTI bundling
A method for handling a Transmission Time Interval (TTI) bundling mode in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes steps of switching an operation status of the TTI bundling mode; and flushing all uplink Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) buffers in the UE when the operation status of the TTI bundling mode is switched. |
| US08321736B2 |
Transmission system, transmission method and communication device
A transmission method for transmitting information between a transmission device and a reception device, the method includes determining whether or not an error is detected in information from the transmission device, requesting the transmission device to re-transmit the error-detected information when an error is detected, re-transmitting information corresponding to a re-transmission request as re-transmission information from the transmission device when the re-transmission request is detected, registering the re-transmission information as a test pattern, transmitting the registered test pattern to the reception device, registering the re-transmission data received from the transmission device as a collation pattern, reading out the collation pattern corresponding to the received test pattern, and collating the test pattern and the collation pattern when a test pattern is received from the transmission device, and adjusting and setting a parameter of the reception device on the basis of a pattern collation result. |
| US08321729B2 |
Divided scan path segments maintaining test pattern of stimulus/response connections
Scan architectures are commonly used to test digital circuitry in integrated circuits. The present invention describes a method of adapting conventional scan architectures into a low power scan architecture. The low power scan architecture maintains the test time of conventional scan architectures, while requiring significantly less operational power than conventional scan architectures. The low power scan architecture is advantageous to IC/die manufacturers since it allows a larger number of circuits (such as DSP or CPU core circuits) embedded in an IC/die to be tested in parallel without consuming too much power within the IC/die. Since the low power scan architecture reduces test power consumption, it is possible to simultaneously test more die on a wafer than previously possible using conventional scan architectures. This allows wafer test times to be reduced which reduces the manufacturing cost of each die on the wafer. |
| US08321722B2 |
Storage device, and data path failover method of internal network of storage controller
A storage device in which the MR-IOV is applied to an internal network of a storage controller. Data path failover can be executed in the storage device. The internal network of the storage controller is configured to enable the access of a virtual function (VF) “VF 0:0, 1” of each endpoint device (ED0-ED2) from a root port RP0. Likewise, “VF 1:0, 1” of each endpoint device can be accessed from a root port RP1. In a first data path from the RP0 to ED0 in a normal state, “VF 0:0, 1” and “MVF 0, 0” are connected by VF mapping. When a failure occurs on the first data path, the MR-PCIM executes the VF migration, whereby in the second data path from the RP1 to ED0, “VF 1:0, 1” and “MVF 0, 0” are connected by VF mapping. As a result, failover to the second data path is realized. |
| US08321719B2 |
Efficient clocking scheme for a bidirectional data link
A method for communication via a bidirectional data link between a processing device and a memory device. The memory device includes a clock source to generate a clock signal for driving a latching at the memory device of data to and/or from the bidirectional data link. The memory device provides the clock signal to the processing device for driving a latching at the processing device of data to and/or from the bidirectional data link. |
| US08321718B2 |
Clock control
The present invention provides a processor comprising: an execution unit arranged to execute a plurality of program threads, clock generating means for generating first and second clock signals, and storage means for storing at least one thread-specific clock-control bit. The execution unit is configured to execute a first one of the threads in dependence on the first clock signal and to execute a second one of the threads in dependence on the second clock signal. The clock generating means is operable to generate the second clock signal with the second frequency selectively differing from the first frequency in dependence on the at least one clock-control bit. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided. |
| US08321703B2 |
Power aware memory allocation
A computer system may place memory objects in specific memory physical regions based on energy consumption and performance or other policies. The system may have multiple memory regions at least some of which may be powered down or placed in a low power state during system operation. The memory object may be characterized in terms of access frequency, movability, and desired performance and placed in an appropriate memory region. In some cases, the memory object may be placed in a temporary memory region and later moved to a final memory region for long term placement. The policies may allow some processes to operate while consuming less energy, while other processes may be configured to maximize performance. |
| US08321698B2 |
Increasing mean time between failures for power supplies
A redundant power supply may obtain a rule for increasing mean time between failures (MTBF) for a first internal power supply and a second internal power supply connected to an electronic device, apply the rule to the first and second power supplies, activate the second internal power supply based on the rule to permit the second internal power supply to provide power to the electronic device, and deactivate the first internal power supply based on the rule. |
| US08321696B2 |
Method to support switchable graphics with one voltage regulator
A voltage regulator for use with switchable graphics processors. The voltage regulator includes a graphics processor mode selection control input. By providing the graphics processor mode selection control input it is possible to save pins for a parallel voltage identification (PVID) input (e.g., a 2-bit PVID input). The voltage regulator further includes a PVID input to allow the voltage regulator to switch a detection input to either a SVID type input or a PVID type input. The voltage regulator further includes voltage shifter for a PVID detection circuit. |
| US08321690B2 |
Protecting digital media of various content types
Systems and/or methods (“tools”) are described that enable a digital rights management policy to be associated with digital media having an arbitrary content type or transfer control protocol. In some embodiments, the tools encrypt data segments of a media file and add a descriptor to each of those segments. These descriptors can enable a receiver of the encrypted media file to decrypt the file and consume it according to the correct digital rights management policy. |
| US08321675B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating efficient authenticated encryption
A shared-key encryption scheme that uses identically keyed block-cipher calls, low additional overhead, supports the encryption of arbitrary-length strings, produces a minimal-length-ciphertext, and is fully parallelizable. In one embodiment, “OCB”, a key shared between communicating parties is mapped to a key variant using the block cipher. The key variant is mapped into a sequence of basis offsets using shifts and conditional xors. To encrypt a message using a nonce, a nonce-dependent base offset is formed, and then a sequence of offsets is constructed by starting with the base offset and then xoring, for each offset, an appropriate basis offset. The message is partitioned into message blocks of the same length as the block length of the block cipher, along with a message fragment that may be shorter. Each message block is combined with a corresponding offset, enciphered, and then combined again with the offset, yielding a ciphertext block. The message fragment is xored with an appropriately computed pad to give a ciphertext fragment. A checksum is formed using the message blocks, the message fragment, and the pad. The checksum is combined with an offset and enciphered to yield a tag. The encrypted message includes the ciphertext blocks, the ciphertext fragment, and the tag. |
| US08321673B2 |
Method and terminal for authenticating between DRM agents for moving RO
A digital Rights Management (DRM), and particularly an apparatus and method of authentication between DRM agents for moving Rights Object (RO) is provided, whereby RO and contents can be moved between DRM agents after a simple authentication therebetween using specific authentication information received from a Rights Issuer (RI), in case where the RO is moved in a user domain or among a plurality of DRM agents. |
| US08321670B2 |
Securing dynamic authorization messages
To fortify trust in a roaming environment, a token is introduced in transactions between an authoritative entity (e.g., a Home AAA in RADIUS) and a service providing entity (e.g., a NAS in RADIUS). A Token-Information is sent from the authoritative entity to the service providing entity during the initial authentication. Subsequent transactions include a token computed from the Token-Information. The service providing entity discards messages that it receives that do not contain the correct token. The Token-Information is transported in an encrypted fashion. The token provides secure transactions when messages between the authoritative entity and the service providing entity are routed through proxy servers. |
| US08321662B2 |
Certificate renewal using secure handshake
A method, system, and computer usable program product for certificate renewal using a secure handshake are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A determination is made, forming an expiration determination, whether a validity period associated with a certificate ends within a predetermined period from a time of receiving the certificate. If the expiration determination is true, a holder of the certificate is notified about the expiration. The holder may be an application executing in a data processing system or the data processing system itself. A new certificate is requested on behalf of the holder. The requested new certificate is received. The new certificate is sent to the holder of the certificate over a network. |
| US08321659B2 |
Data encryption apparatus, data decryption apparatus, data encryption method, data decryption method, and data transfer controlling apparatus
A crypt processor is connected to a host computer and a storage apparatus. Data from the host computer is transferred to the crypt processor via DMA (Direct Memory Access) to be encrypted and then stored in the storage apparatus. The crypto processor acquires a descriptor defining a DMA number for identifying a DMA channel used to DMA-transfer the data. The crypto processor stores therein, based on the DMA number included in the acquired descriptor, the data transferred using the same DMA channel in units of a data size specified in a data bus. The crypto processor then encrypts the stored data in units of data size specified in a crypt system, and transfers the encrypted data to the storage apparatus. |
| US08321657B2 |
System and method for BIOS and controller communication
A system and method for BIOS and controller communication. An information handling system comprises a central processing unit coupled to a memory. The memory further comprises a BIOS. The information handling system further comprises a controller coupled to a nonvolatile memory, and a register coupled to the central processing unit and the controller. The controller is operable to initialize communication with the BIOS, and service commands from the BIOS. The central processing unit is operable to initialize communication with the controller, and send commands to the controller.A method for communication between a BIOS and a controller in an information handling system comprises initializing communication between the BIOS and the controller. The method further comprises encrypting a command using a key by the BIOS, and sending the command to the controller. The controller processes the command, and the BIOS receives the result. |
| US08321652B2 |
Process and method for logical-to-physical address mapping using a volatile memory device in solid state disks
An embodiment of the invention relates to a mass storage device including a nonvolatile memory device with a plurality of memory management blocks and an address translation table formed with pointers to locations of the memory management blocks. A volatile memory device is included with an address index table formed with pointers to the pointers to the locations of the memory management blocks. The address index table is stored in the nonvolatile memory upon loss of bias voltage. Changes to the address translation table are accumulated in the volatile memory and written to the address translation table when at least a minimum quantity of the changes has been accumulated. The changes to the logical block address translation table accumulated in the volatile memory are written to a page in the address translation table after prior data in the page has been updated, written to another page, and then erased. |
| US08321647B2 |
Multipage preparation commands for non-volatile memory systems
Multipage preparation commands for non-volatile memory systems are disclosed. The multipage preparation commands supply data that can be used to prepare a non-volatile memory device for forthcoming multipage program operations. A host controller can use the commands ahead of a multipage program operation to optimize usage of a multipage program command. The non-volatile memory device can use the commands to configure the non-volatile memory in preparation for a subsequent operation, such as changing a command order or using the most optimized command set for the subsequent operation. |
| US08321645B2 |
Mechanisms for moving data in a hybrid aggregate
At least certain embodiments include a method, system and apparatus for relocating data between tiers of storage media in a hybrid storage aggregate encompassing multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media including a file system to automatically relocate the data between tiers. The hybrid storage aggregate includes one or more volumes, each volume including a volume block number space spanning at least a first-tier of storage media and a second tier of storage media of the multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media and the hybrid storage aggregate further includes a control module to cooperatively manage the tiers of the multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media and a file system coupled with the control module, the file system including a policy module configured to make policy decisions based on a set of one or more policies and configured to automatically relocate data between different tiers of the multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media based on the set of policies. |
| US08321638B2 |
Cooperative mechanism for efficient application memory allocation
System, method and computer program product for allocating physical memory to processes. The method includes enabling a kernel to free memory in a physical memory space corresponding to arbitrarily sized memory allocations released by processes or applications in a virtual memory space. After freeing the memory, the system determines whether freed physical memory in the physical memory space spans one or more fixed size memory units (e.g., page frames). The method further includes designating a status of the one or more page frames as available for reuse; the freed page frames marked as available for reuse being available for backing a new process without requiring the kernel to delete data included in the freed memory released by the process. The kernel may organize pages marked as available for reuse in one or more local “pools” that is organized according to a variety of schemes which provide system efficiencies in that the kernel can eliminate the need for deleting of old data in those page frames without compromising data security. |
| US08321636B2 |
Memory reallocation and sharing in electronic systems
Memory reallocation and sharing among components of an electronic system is provided. The electronic system includes a first memory area coupled for access by a first processor via a first bus, and a second memory area coupled for access by a second processor via a second bus. An example system includes a central processor as the first processor and a digital signal processor as the second processor. The electronic system further includes memory configurations that support shared access of the second memory area by the first processor. Using shared access, the first processor can directly access the second memory via the first bus or indirectly access the second memory via the second bus and the second processor. The memory sharing also includes partitioning the shared memory to simultaneously provide the first processor with direct and indirect access to the shared memory. |
| US08321627B1 |
Memory operation command latency management
Methods and apparatus for managing latency of memory commands are disclosed. An example method includes receiving memory operation commands for execution by a data storage device, each memory operation command being associated, for execution, with one of a plurality of memory devices. The example method also includes maintaining, for each memory device, a respective cumulative latency estimate. The example method also includes, for each memory operation command, when received by the memory controller, comparing the respective cumulative latency estimate of the associated memory device with a latency threshold for the received memory operation command. In the event the cumulative latency estimate is at or below the latency threshold, the received memory operation command is provided to a respective command queue operatively coupled with the respective memory device. In the event the cumulative latency estimate is above the latency threshold, the received memory operation command is returned to a host device. |
| US08321624B2 |
Memory device and management method of memory device
A memory device includes a plurality of blocks, and the plurality of blocks may include a plurality of pages. The memory device may translate an external physical address into internal physical address using a non-volatile address translation memory. The memory device may access one page of a plurality of pages using the internal physical address. |
| US08321598B2 |
Method and circuit for capturing keypad data serializing/deserializing and regenerating the keypad interface
A serializer/deserializer interfacing a keypad or keyboard to a processing system is illustrated. However, to minimize wires on intervening cables, a serializer and deserializer is inserted between the processor system and the keypad forming a virtual keypad. The processor scans the deserializer as if it were the keypad and the keypad is scanned by the serializer as if it were the processor. The serializer converts the scanning of the keypad into a serial bit stream and clock that is sent to the deserializer. The deserializer accepts the serial bit stream and reconfigures the data into a response that mimics the response of the physical keypad. In one embodiment an actual second keypad is formed in the deserializer and activated as the first keypad is activated. |
| US08321597B2 |
Flash-memory device with RAID-type controller
A smart flash drive has one or more levels of smart storage switches and a lower level of single-chip flash devices (SCFD's). A SCFD contains flash memory and controllers that perform low-level bad-block mapping and wear-leveling and logical-to-physical block mapping. The SCFD report their capacity, arrangement, and maximum wear-level count (WLC) and bad block number (BBN) to the upstream smart storage switch, which stores this information in a structure register. The smart storage switch selects the SCFD with the maximum BBN as the target and the SCFD with the lowest maximum WLC as the source of a swap for wear leveling when a WLC exceeds a threshold that rises over time. A top-level smart storage switch receives consolidated capacity, arrangement, WLC, and BBN information from lower-level smart storage switch. Data is striped and optionally scrambled by Redundant Array of Individual Disks (RAID) controllers in all levels of smart storage switches. |
| US08321594B2 |
Achieving low latencies on network events in a non-real time platform
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing low-latency handling of events and/or requesting actions of external resources in a real time environment while utilizing non-real time components. According to one embodiment, a system for providing low-latency handling of events in a real time environment while utilizing non-real time components can comprise an external resource and a resource adapter communicatively coupled with the external resource. The resource adapter can be adapted to detect events of the external resource and/or request actions of the external resource. The system can also include at least one local application communicatively coupled with the resource adapter. The local application can have a local interface and the local application can interact with the resource adapter via the local interface. |
| US08321587B2 |
Method for discovery and routing using a priori knowledge in the form of application programme within mobile ad-hoc networks
A mobile ad-hoc network device includes application software. The device constructs its routing table, listing reachable devices with the same application software. The routing table knowledge is dynamic, as devices enter and leave the network or their parameters change. |
| US08321582B2 |
Communication application for conducting conversations including multiple media types in either a real-time mode or a time-shifted mode
A communication application configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The communication application is configured to (i) support one or more media types within the context of the conversation, (ii) interleave the one or more media types in a time-indexed order within the context of the conversation, (iii) enable the participants to render the conversation including the interleaved one or more media types in either a real-time rendering mode or time-shifted rendering mode, and (iv) seamlessly transition the conversation between the two modes so that the conversation may take place substantially live when in the real-time rendering mode or asynchronously when in the time-shifted rendering mode. |
| US08321580B2 |
Transaction accelerator for client-server communication systems
In a network having transaction acceleration, for an accelerated transaction, a client directs a request to a client-side transaction handler that forwards the request to a server-side transaction handler, which in turn provides the request, or a representation thereof, to a server for responding to the request. The server sends the response to the server-side transaction handler, which forwards the response to the client-side transaction handler, which in turn provides the response to the client. |
| US08321579B2 |
System and method for analyzing streams and counting stream items on multi-core processors
Systems and methods for parallel stream item counting are disclosed. A data stream is partitioned into portions and the portions are assigned to a plurality of processing cores. A sequential kernel is executed at each processing core to compute a local count for items in an assigned portion of the data stream for that processing core. The counts are aggregated for all the processing cores to determine a final count for the items in the data stream. A frequency-aware counting method (FCM) for data streams includes dynamically capturing relative frequency phases of items from a data stream and placing the items in a sketch structure using a plurality of hash functions where a number of hash functions is based on the frequency phase of the item. A zero-frequency table is provided to reduce errors due to absent items. |
| US08321569B2 |
Server resource allocation
A method, programmed medium and system are disclosed which provide for end-to-end QoS for a set of processes that comprise a workload over nfs. A set of processes that comprise a workload such as the processes of a WPAR, or an entire LPAR are given a class designation and assigned priority/limits. The data are then passed to the server which allocates resources based on the sum total of all the current classes and their priorities and/or limits. This requires re-engineering the nfs client code to be workload-aware and the nfs server code to accommodate the resource allocation and prioritization needs of the nfs clients. |
| US08321568B2 |
Content management
A system and method for management and processing of resource requests is provided. A content delivery network service provider determines a class associated with a set of client computing devices and monitors resources requests for the determined class. The content delivery network service provider then identifies at least one cache component for providing content to client computing devices as a function of the determined class. In other embodiments, instead of cache components, the content delivery network service provider identifies a second set of client computing devices as a function of the determined class for providing the content information. |
| US08321567B1 |
IP pool management utilizing an IP pool MIB
A method for managing Internet Protocol (IP) addresses on a data communications network includes allocating multiple local IP address pools, requesting IP address usage data from one or more of the network edge devices, receiving the requested IP address usage data, determining whether the local IP address pools should be reallocated based upon the requested IP address usage data, reallocating one or more of the local IP address pools based upon the determination and updating one or more of the local IP address pool databases and a global IP pool database based upon the reallocating. Each of the local IP address pools is associated with a different network edge device that is capable of accepting connection requests requiring an IP address. The global IP address pool database includes the information maintained in each local IP address pool. A network edge device capable of managing IP addresses on a data communications network includes an allocator capable of allocating multiple local IP address pools, a receiver capable of receiving a communication, an allocator capable of allocating an available IP address from the local IP address pool if the communication includes a connection request, a determiner capable of determining whether the local IP address pool should be adjusted, a notifier capable of sending an alarm message to an IP pool manager when the IP address pool should be adjusted and a memory capable of storing an IP address allocation when the communication includes an IP address allocation. |
| US08321552B2 |
Method and device for creating management object instance in management tree of terminal device
The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for creating an MO instance in the management tree of a terminal device. The method for creating the MO instance in the management tree of the terminal device comprises adding the node value to an unnamed node or a specified node of the unnamed node in the MO of the management tree in the terminal device, obtaining data information relative to the content of the unnamed node or the specified node of the unnamed node, generating the name of the unnamed node according to the data information, and adding the MO instance into the management tree of the terminal device. The present disclosure accordingly provides a communications device. |
| US08321546B2 |
Integrating discovery functionality within a device and facility manager
Techniques are provided for implementing the WS-DeviceProfile standard as a multi-threaded process (“DFM”) executing on a multi-function peripheral (“MFP”). The DFM takes care of the discovery of devices and services on a network. The DFM also acts as a facility manager. The DFM implements various web services in a single component that applications can re-use. The DFM insulates these applications from some of the more complex details of the web services that the DFM implements. The MFP may comprise several different applications that each use web services provided by the DFM. The threads of the DFM can handle separate tasks concurrently. For example, one thread, of the multi-threaded DFM, may perform one or more functions specified by the WS-DeviceProfile protocol, while another thread may perform one or more functions specified by a WS-Discovery protocol. |
| US08321542B1 |
Wireless channel allocation in a base station processor
A system and method are provided for allocating wireless channels in a base station processor to messages sent between a subscriber and the base station processor in a wireless network. A latency period is determined corresponding to a return message to be received from a responsive node in response to an outgoing message sent from a sender via the base station processor. A latency manager in the base station processor computes the latency period and stores the latency period in an allocation table. A scheduler schedules a channel to be available at the end of the latency period indicated in the allocation table. At the end of the latency period, the return message is received and the scheduler allocates a channel as defined in the allocation table. The scheduled channel is used to transmit the message to or from the corresponding subscriber. |
| US08321540B2 |
Push update system
A push update system for a security system having a plurality of network nodes connected in a hierarchy to a root node, including: (i) an upstream agent of an upstream node for sending updates for respective downstream nodes; (ii) a schedule agent for scheduling processing by the upstream agent; (iii) a downstream agent of a downstream node for receiving and storing updates; and (iv) an update agent for processing received updates to queue updates for a downstream node. The root node includes the upstream agent and the schedule agent. Leaf nodes include the downstream agent, and intermediate nodes include all four agents. The updates include Internet threat signatures for Internet protection appliances of the leaf nodes. |
| US08321535B2 |
Web services integration systems and methods
Methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums are disclosed to integrate web services with applications. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed which comprises determining an operation provided by a web service, determining an more input parameter associated with the operation, mapping the input parameter to an application input data parameter associated with an application, and storing the mapping in setup information used to invoke the operation. In another embodiment, a method comprises obtaining setup information for an operation associated with a web service, using the setup information to determine mappings between one or more input parameters associated with the operation and application input data parameters, obtaining a value associated with an application input data parameter for each of the application input data parameters mapped to one of the input parameters, and invoking the web service using the obtained values. |
| US08321532B2 |
Information processing system, information processing terminal, and computer readable medium
An information processing system includes: an external device; and information processing terminals. The information processing terminal includes: a storage unit configured to store identification information unique to the information processing terminal; an obtaining unit configured to obtain media information from the external device, the media information relating to a recording medium attached to the external device; a detecting unit configured to detect notification destination identification information from the media information, the notification destination identification information indicating a notification destination of information relating to the recording medium; a first determining unit configured to determine whether the notification destination identification information matches the identification information; and a notification executing unit configured to execute a notification relating to the recording medium attached to the external device, if the first determining unit determines that the notification destination identification information matches the identification information. |
| US08321522B2 |
System and method for management of remotely shared data
Systems and methods for reducing latency on a remotely-booted information handling system are disclosed. A method for access and management of remote data may include receiving from a host a standard input-output instruction including a persistent image update (PIU) parameter indicating a request by the host to access a shared computer-readable medium storing an image shared by the host and one or more other hosts. The method may further include determining a value of the PIU parameter and determining whether to allow the host to access the shared computer readable medium based at least on the value of the PIU parameter. |
| US08321521B1 |
Write-cost optimization of CDN storage architecture
A method and system for cache optimization in a hybrid solid state drive and magnetic storage cache architecture for a content delivery network (CDN) is disclosed. The CDN has a number of geographically distributed points of presence (POPs) across the Internet. Customers of the CDN pay for storage of content objects. Cache management in a POP analyzes information related to content objects to determine if storage will be on a solid state drive (SSD) instead of a magnetic drive. The information used in this analysis is from the application layer or above in the open systems interconnection (OSI) model. The content objects are delivered from either the SSD or magnetic storage to end users. |
| US08321505B1 |
Generating preview bundles corresponding to content pages
Disclosed are various embodiments for generating and/or processing a preview bundle. Embodiments include receiving a request from a client to generate a preview network page that corresponds to a production network page generated in a production environment. Embodiments further include specifying at least a portion of the preview network page as a user developed portion. Embodiments also include generating the preview network page that is based at least upon the production network page and by replacing source elements of the production network page associated with the user developed portion with at least one data structure element that contains the data elements referenced by the source elements of the corresponding production network page. |
| US08321500B2 |
Method and system for generating messages
The present invention discloses a method and system for generating Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message, wherein, at least one first information sets are pre-stored and each of the first information sets contains at least one piece of information. The method comprises: generating a first SOAP message which contains a second information set that contains at least one piece of information; retrieving a first information set that corresponds to the second information set; and generating a second SOAP message using the retrieved first information set and the first SOAP message. |
| US08321482B2 |
Selectively modifying files of a container file
A stub directory is written out to a storage device for multiple files in a container file, the stub directory including identifiers of the multiple files but excluding data of the multiple files. In response to a request to access one file of the multiple files, the data of the one file is written out to the storage device. A requested modification is allowed to be performed on the one file written out to the storage device to generate a modified version of the file. After modification of the one file is completed, a previous version of the file in the container file is replaced with the modified version of the file. |
| US08321476B2 |
Method and system for determining boundary values dynamically defining key value bounds of two or more disjoint subsets of sort run-based parallel processing of data from databases
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for sorting a set of records in a sort run. As the records are sorted, metadata regarding the sort run is gathered, and subsequently used to determine bounds of two or more disjoint subsets of the sort run. This enables the parallelization of several tasks over the sort run data using efficient, dynamic bounds determination, such as the outputting of sorted data from the disjoint subsets in parallel. |
| US08321473B2 |
Object customization and management system
An Object Customization and Management (OCM) system is configured to identify an object for creating a website based on a business objective. The OCM system includes a customizing module configured to determine qualitative attribute categories for a plurality of objects operable to be used in websites. The module assigns the plurality of objects to the qualitative attribute categories. The OCM system also includes a data management module configured to receive a request for one of the plurality of objects to be used to achieve the business objective. This module also matches the business objective with one of the qualitative attribute categories, and selects an object in the matched qualitative attribute category for the request. |
| US08321465B2 |
Systems and methods for data coding, transmission, storage and decoding
Systems and methods are provided for the provision of data for transmission and/or storage, the transmission and storage of data, and, more particularly, to data coding for transmission and/or storage and to decoding of received and/or accessed or retrieved coded data. In an embodiment of the invention, data is assembled into coded data structures comprising a plurality of fields that, e.g., may contain actual or implied field values, and data associated therewith that relates to the plurality of fields. Encoding and decoding of the data may take place with reference to one or more associated data models, and a coded data structure according to this embodiment may contain content only (field values and data identifying the structure). This allows for a reduction in size of the data structure as compared to, e.g., a data structure comprising program code or all data needed to describe the data in the data structure. |
| US08321463B2 |
Objective and subjective ranking of comments
A system may receive a request for comments associated with a particular document, identify a comment associated with the particular document, generate an objective score for the comment that is independent of a user associated with the request, identify the user associated with the request, generate a subjective score for the comment based on parameters associated with the identified user, generate a combined score for the comment by combining the objective score and the subjective score, and provide the comment, ranked based on the combined score, to the user for presentation with the particular document. |
| US08321459B2 |
Method and system for facilitating access to always current contact information
The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating access to always current contact information. Users submit their personal contact information or a collection of third party contact information or both to a storage location, where records are being searched for identical or similar entries. In case of a match the third party contact information is replaced with a link or pointer to the personal contact information entry of the owner of the information. As long as the owner of the information updates his records in the storage location, all third party contact information collections are also kept up to date and users will benefit from the most accurate and current contact information available. |
| US08321457B2 |
Techniques for automatically developing a web site
Techniques for building a web site with database components include a web site building appliance having a processor, a computer readable medium, and a special purpose operating system. The computer-readable medium carries a web site wizard including a template and instructions. The template holds data indicating a first arrangement of components associated with a first type of web site. The instructions configure the processor for presenting a user with a series of one or more user interfaces including controls for modifying the first arrangement of components. The instructions also configure the processor for receiving input from the user in response to user interaction with the controls indicating a modified arrangement. The instructions further configure the processor for building the web site automatically in response to the input from the user. The web site is based on the modified arrangement. The special purpose operating system has features and configuration dictated by the web site wizard and supporting program components. |
| US08321456B2 |
Generating metadata for association with a collection of content items
A method of automatically generating metadata for association with a collection of content items accessible to a system (1) for processing data included in the content items, includes obtaining sets of metadata associated with the content items individually, each set of metadata including at least one attribute value associated with the content item. At least one distribution of values of an attribute over the sets of metadata associated with the respective content items is analyzed. At least one attribute value is selected in dependence on the analysis. The selected attribute value(s) are processed to generate the metadata for association with the collection, and the generated metadata are made available to the system (1) for processing data included in the content items in connection with an identification of the collection of content items. |
| US08321453B2 |
Communication system
A communication system includes: a communication device; and a data receiver that is configured so as to be capable of being connected to the communication device. The communication device includes: a content summary receiving unit that is configured so as to be capable of receiving content summary data transmitted from an external device, the content summary data including at least positional data and title data for content data; and a positional data transmitting unit. The data receiver includes a scheduled port querying unit that is configured to transmit to the communication device a query querying the communication device for a scheduled port. The communication device further includes: a scheduled port notifying unit that, upon receiving the scheduled port query from the data receiver, transmits to the data receiver a scheduled port notification indicating the scheduled port. The data receiver further includes: a determining unit that determines whether the scheduled port indicated in the scheduled port notification is available; and an availability notifying unit that transmits to the communication device an availability notification indicating the scheduled port that is determined as being available. The communication device further includes: an active port setting unit that sets the scheduled port indicated by the availability notification as an active port; and an active port notifying unit that transmits to the data receiver an active port notification indicating the active port. The positional data transmitting unit transmits the positional data for the content data to the data receiver through the active port at a prescribed timing and according to the prescribed communication protocol. |
| US08321447B2 |
Adaptive query throttling system and method
An adaptive query throttling system and method are provided herein. |
| US08321446B2 |
Method and system to combine keyword results and natural language search results
A search query is received from a single input field of a user interface. A keyword search is performed based on the search query to generate keyword search results. A natural language search is performed of a frequently-asked question (FAQ) database based on the search query to generate FAQ search results. The keyword search results and the FAQ search results are combined in a display page. |
| US08321445B2 |
Generating content snippets using a tokenspace repository
A search engine server system receives from a client system a search query and identifies a set of documents in accordance with the search query. A content snippet corresponding to content in a respective document of the identified set of documents is generated, the content snippet associated with at least one query term of the one or more query terms in the search query. A response to the search query is returned to the client system, the response including information identifying at least the respective document and including the content snippet. Generating the content snippet includes performing a first decompression operation on first token identifiers, from a compressed document repository, to provide a set of second token identifiers, and performing a second decompression operation on the set of second token identifiers to recover uncompressed content comprising a portion of the respective document. |
| US08321431B2 |
Iterative and interactive context based searching
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for iteratively and interactively searching for information. Embodiments of the invention can provide a user with relevant location-specific information in response to a query from the user. Provided information can also be relevant to a user's predicted future behavior. As context for a user is obtained and/or accumulated, such as, for example, through an interactive query dialogue, the probability of providing relevant information in response to a query from the user increases. |
| US08321426B2 |
Electronically linking and rating text fragments
In one embodiment, a first text fragment is made available for copying from a fragment repository. The first text fragment is electronically linked to a second text fragment that is a copy of the first text fragment, the second text fragment included in a container external to the fragment repository. A rating is provided for a derivative of the second fragment created within the container. A third text fragment that is a derivative of the second text fragment is received at the fragment repository. The first and third text fragments are electronically linked, and the third text fragment is made available for copying. |
| US08321424B2 |
Bipartite graph reinforcement modeling to annotate web images
Systems and methods for bipartite graph reinforcement modeling to annotate web images are described. In one aspect the systems and methods implement bipartite graph reinforcement modeling operations to identify a set of annotations that are relevant to a Web image. The systems and methods annotate the Web image with the identified annotations. The systems and methods then index the annotated Web image. Responsive to receiving an image search query from a user, wherein the image search query comprises information relevant to at least a subset of the identified annotations, the image search engine service presents the annotated Web image to the user. |
| US08321423B1 |
Systems and methods for sharing data from web accessed calculators
A method of sharing user data with a plurality of web-based financial calculators includes obtaining a user request for a selected web-based financial calculator from the plurality of web-based financial calculators and identifying at least one input data element required by the selected web-based financial calculator. The method also includes searching a relational database, storing data shared by the plurality of web-based financial calculators, for the at least one identified input data element and determining whether there are any values in the relational database for the at least one identified input data element that are associated with the user. The method further includes populating the at least one identified input data element in the selected web-based financial calculator with a value associated with the user for the at least one identified input data element and providing the selected web-based financial calculator to the user. |
| US08321412B2 |
Digital data processing method for personalized information retrieval and computer readable storage medium and information retrieval system thereof
A digital data processing method for information retrieval and an information retrieval system thereof are provided. In an embodiment, the information retrieval system trains a personalized model according to a user's feedback perceptions of at least one information piece. With respect to information pieces and different users, the information retrieval system performs estimation, based on two different stages with a generalized model and the trained personalized model. |
| US08321394B2 |
Matching a fingerprint
A method and a system are provided for matching a fingerprint, for example, an audio fingerprint. In one example, the system receives, from a user device, a chapter and a query about the chapter. The chapter includes computer readable data generated from a waveform of an audio signal. The query is a request to receive data related to the chapter. The system generates, at a computer, a fingerprint of the chapter. The fingerprint includes at least a digital measure of certain properties of the waveform of the audio signal. The system generates, at a computer, a hash value of the fingerprint by applying a hash function to at least a portion of the fingerprint of the chapter. The hash value serves as an identifier for the fingerprint. The system looks up, in a database system, a matching hash value for the hash value of the fingerprint. |
| US08321378B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing information related to storage activities of data storage systems
Methods and apparatus for managing information related to backup storage activities of data storage systems. In a computer system having one or more independent backup data storage systems coupled to each other and each serving one or more clients, a user may obtain information related to backup activities of any of the backup storage systems from a single location. Through a user interface associated with any of the backup storage systems, or through a stand alone user interface, a user may manage (e.g., organize, display, print) information related to backup activities of any or all of the backup storage systems. System administrators can design and store a variety of report formats that may be utilized by any user to display or print various parameters associated with backup activities in a particular manner. Report formats may be edited by users, and displayed parameters may be dynamically updated to provide for active monitoring of one or more backup storage systems. Additionally, periodic backup activity reports can be generated and automatically sent to designated locations, for example to one or more printers and/or to one or more designated recipients via E-mail. |
| US08321369B2 |
Anti-intrusion method and system for a communication network
There is disclosed an anti-intrusion method for a communication network comprising a plurality of network elements. The method comprising the following steps: a) providing a passive monitoring component, a decision making component, and an action making component cooperating with the communication network; b) at the passive monitoring component, detecting management information indicative of an attack against at least one network element, processing the management information thus generating infection data and transmitting the infection data to the decision making component; c) at the decision making component, receiving the infection data, making a decision about an action to be carried out to block the attack, and transmitting the decision to the action making component; and d) at the action making component, based on the decision, instructing the at least one network element to perform the action. |
| US08321367B2 |
Data processing apparatus, method, and computer program product for user objective prediction
A data processing apparatus includes an input unit that receives input data, a calculating unit that calculates a feature vector, a selection receiving unit that presents processing options to a user and receives a user selection, a storing unit stores processing history information, and a predictor constructing unit that constructs a predictor for an identifying algorithm that predicts optimal processing for input data based on processing history information stored in a history database. An optimal function predicting unit predicts optimal processing based on a feature vector calculated for new data by using the predictor and an evaluating unit evaluates work efficiency for the predicted optimal processing, wherein the evaluating unit is configured to evaluate work efficiency for the optimal processing based on a prediction accuracy of the predictor and a user specific working time that is required for each user to select one of the processing options with the selection receiving unit. Finally, a presenting unit presents the optimal processing to a user when an evaluation result obtained by the evaluating unit is equal to or greater than a threshold. |
| US08321359B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time website optimization
A novel method of automated, real-time website optimization at least includes: a) receiving website optimization data including an optimization goal, and website source code; b) receiving website optimization criteria indicative of the completion of a website optimization experiment; c) executing an optimization algorithm used to select an optimized website version; d) comparing the output of the optimization algorithm with the website optimization goal to determine whether the website version under consideration is optimized; e) providing feedback from the output of the executed optimization algorithm to an input of the optimization algorithm; f) based upon the feedback, determining the next iterative step of the optimization algorithm; g) performing new iterative steps of the optimization algorithm; h) converging to an optimized website state; and i) modifying the website source code to implement the optimum version of the website. |
| US08321358B2 |
Interpersonal relationships analysis system and method which computes distances between people in an image
An interpersonal relationships analysis method and system obtains an album comprising a plurality of photos, and recognize faces in each of the plurality of photos. The method and system further selects one of the recognized faces, matches the selected face with portraits stored in a person management database, so as to obtain basic information of a person with the selected face from the person management database. The method and system then analyzes an interpersonal relationship of the person with the selected face according to the album, and shows the interpersonal relationship of the person with the selected face. |
| US08321357B2 |
Method and system for extraction
A system and method for extracting information from at least one document in at least one set of documents, the method comprising: generating, using at least one ranking and/or matching processor, at least one ranked possible match list comprising at least one possible match for at least one target entry on the at least one document, the at least one ranked possible match list based on at least one attribute score and at least one localization score. |
| US08321350B2 |
Uniquely linking security elements in identification documents
We provide techniques for uniquely linking security elements in identification documents. In one implementation we provide a digital watermark embedded on, and a smartcard chip embedded in, an identification document. The smart card chip includes a hash or a reduced-bit representation of the digital watermark, while the digital watermark includes a hash of information stored on the smartcard chip. In another implementation we cross-correlate encryption keys carried by various machine-readable features on an identification document. In still another implementation, we embed biometric information, which is stored in smartcard electronic circuitry, with a digital watermark. In one case the watermark is reversible, so that it can be removed to yield unmarked biometric information. In another case the watermark is fragile, to reveal whether the biometric information has been subjected to a transformation. In yet another implementation, we provide a jurisdictional indicator on an identification document. The jurisdictional indicator helps in decoding a digital watermark on the identification document. |
| US08321349B2 |
Methods of operating a self-service check depositing terminal to provide an acknowledgement receipt
A method is provided of operating a self-service check depositing terminal to provide an acknowledgement receipt. The method comprises identifying a depositor, receiving one or more checks from the depositor, generating a check deposit receipt associated with the transaction, obtaining an electronic mail (email) address associated with the identified depositor, attaching the check deposit transaction receipt to the email, printing an acknowledgement receipt which contains the email address, and delivering the printed acknowledgment receipt to the depositor. In another embodiment, the printed acknowledgement receipt may contain a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) associated with the check deposit receipt. |
| US08321347B2 |
Integrated technology money transfer system
Money transfer system authorizing an escrow agent computer electronically by touch-tone telephone, computer modem, P.O.S. (point of sale) terminal, live operators, to send cash transfers from a sender's account such as their credit, debit, bank, or ATM card, or a bank account, to a recipient who accesses the money at any remote ATM type location or P.O.S. (point of sale) terminal by using cards such as a specialized magnetic cards, credit cards, debit cards, and automated teller machine (ATM) card, at anytime and anywhere. Senders can authorize the transfer by touch-tone and PIN (personal identification number) secure codes. The system can operate without pre-existing relationships, and monitor transactions and take surcharges based on transfer amounts, and use a cards tethered to ATM machines and be used with double magnetic sided cards. |
| US08321345B2 |
Trusted internal interface
An interface and device architecture for a payment device. An interface between a payment application installed in a payment device and one or more value-add applications (such as loyalty programs, transit applications, etc.) that are also installed in the payment device. The API or interface design permits communications and data transfer between the payment application and one or more value-add applications. This reduces (and in some cases may prevent) the need for back-end server processing of data that may be relevant to both a payment transaction and to a function of the value-add application. Similarly, the same or another API or interface may enable communications and data transfer between a value-add application and the payment application. |
| US08321337B2 |
Internet-connected devices
There are disclosed methods and systems for identifying an embedded device to a server system so as to provide an improved permission and billing relationship. The invention enables transaction activities by networked devices, each device being connectable to at least one server and associated with at least one stakeholder, wherein each device and each stakeholder has a unique identifier, and wherein there is provided a plurality of electronic certificates each owned by a stakeholder or on behalf of a device, the certificates being held on the at least one server and comprising a data structure which, when interpreted by the at least one server, determines whether a particular device acting on behalf of a particular stakeholder is entitled to carry out a transaction. |
| US08321336B2 |
Systems and methods related to lifetime mortgages
The present invention relates to a mortgage having a forward portion and a reverse portion. In the forward portion, the borrower receives a loan from a lender in order to purchase a property, such as a home. In the reverse portion, the property has accumulated sufficient equity to enable the lender to disburse funds back to the borrower. The present disclosure describes various computer systems and computer-implemented methods that assist in planning for this type of mortgage. Various factors may be considered, such as, the initial loan principal, ages of one or more borrowers, and a desired mortgage interest rate, and calculates. Different scenarios for conversion from the forward portion to the reverse portion of the mortgage may then be calculated and presented. For example, one or more forward mortgage payment schedules may be calculated and future reverse mortgage capacity may be presented. In some embodiments, the reverse mortgage capacity is used to pay some or all of the forward mortgage portion. |
| US08321333B2 |
System and method for determining the market risk margin requirements associated with a credit default swap
Determination of a margin requirement associated with a plurality of financial instruments within a portfolio is disclosed for analyzing the portfolio including determining a first and second time-series of returns for the financial instruments, where the second time-series occurs after the first, and calculating the correlation between the first and second time-series of returns. The system and method further implement calculating residuals and volatilities for the financial instruments within the portfolio as a function of the first time-series of returns, calculating a correlation matrix and degrees-of-freedom utilized to simulate standardized residuals for each of the financial instruments within the portfolio, generating simulated returns as a function of the simulated standardized residuals and the returns, generating a spread distribution for the portfolio, wherein the portfolio is repriced as a function of the simulated returns, and calculating a margin risk based on a risk percentile associated with the spread distribution. |
| US08321331B2 |
Method, apparatus and interface for trading multiple tradeable objects
An interface for trading multiple tradable objects includes a price axis or scale. A first indication of quantities represented in a market for a first tradable object is displayed in association with the price axis or scale. A second indication of quantities represented in the market for a second tradable object is displayed in association with the price axis or scale. The first tradable object may be different than the second tradable object. Alternatively, the first tradable object and the second tradable object may be the same, but the indications of quantity may be provided from different sources, such as different exchanges. |
| US08321321B2 |
Online marketplace system and method
A computerized online marketplace that facilitates the acquisition of funding and services for the development and operation of an online business. It provides a variety of investment opportunities for investors and facilitates an entrepreneur's acquisition of capital as well as skills and services needed to start an online business. Possible investment channels for potential investors comprise: money; skills; and services. Investors are awarded investment points for monetary and non-monetary investments and are compensated according to their points. Monetary compensation is awarded periodically to investors according to their rank in relation to the respective investor base of a given business entity. Businesses are hosted at the online marketplace and all aspects of investment and operations are managed through the marketplace thereby facilitating interactions between all parties involved in business initiation, development and operation, including customers. |
| US08321320B1 |
Portfolio management analysis system and method
An analysis system and method are provided in which out-of-bound accounts can be easily identified and rebalanced. |
| US08321311B2 |
Multi-stage, multi-user engagement submission and tracking process
A method for submitting information for an engagement is disclosed. The method might include the steps of generating a tracking screen for tracking the submission of a plurality of files, including a tax file and an image file, each file having the same client identification code, receiving the tax file from a first client device, and updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the tax file. The method further might include the steps of receiving an image file from a second client device, updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the image file, and transmitting the plurality of files to a remote server system. |
| US08321306B2 |
Architectural design for selling project-based services application software
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing the selling of project-based services are disclosed. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a Project Processing process component that supports the management of projects, a Supplier Invoice Processing process component that manages supplier invoices, an Accounting process component that records relevant business transactions, a Customer Invoice Processing process component that manages customer invoices, and a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component that receives a confirmation from an employee of goods received or services rendered. |
| US08321300B1 |
Method and system for distribution of user generated content
Systems and methods for distributing user-generated content are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may allow content to be generated by a user at a manufacturer's site with respect to a corresponding product and this content distributed to one or more retailers who sell that product such that the user-generated content may be incorporated into the retailer's site or brick and mortar location in conjunction with that product to allow consumers shopping at that retailer to access or view such user-generated content. |
| US08321298B2 |
Real-time, localized and mobile matching method and system for proxy purchase
A real-time, localized and mobile matching method for proxy purchase includes the following steps: position information of several default purchasing agents is received. At least one purchase request is received from at least one client. The purchase request includes information of at least one product to be purchased and location of at least one vendor of the product to be purchased. Candidate purchasing agents, position information of which corresponds to the location of the vendor of the product to be purchased, are filtered from the default purchasing agents. The information of the candidate purchasing agents is transmitted to the client, such that a selection signal, which includes information of a selected purchasing agent selected from the candidate purchasing agents, is received from the client. The purchase request is transmitted to the selected purchasing agent through a wireless communication network. |
| US08321296B2 |
Methods and systems for distributing solar energy charging capacity to a plurality of electric vehicles
A method of distributing charge capacity to electric vehicles in a charging system that includes a solar charge capacity generated locally. The method may include: determining a requested charge for the plurality of electric vehicles, calculating a requested charge time, the solar charge capacity comprising the total charging capacity of the charging system via solar generated energy; calculating a charge time capacity, the charge time capacity comprising the available charge time of the charging system; comparing the requested charge to the solar charge capacity; comparing the requested charge time to the charge time capacity; and if it is determined that either the requested charge is greater than the solar charge capacity or the requested charge time is greater than the charge time capacity, auctioning the solar charge capacity to operators of the plurality of electric vehicles. |
| US08321285B1 |
Method and system for routing transactions to a mobile-commerce platform
A method and system for routing transactions to a mobile-commerce platform is described. One illustrative embodiment receives, via a network, a purchase request from a user's mobile communication device; authenticates the user to the mobile-commerce platform; generates a one-time-use perishable transaction code associated with the purchase request; prefixes to the transaction code an Issuer Identification Number (IIN) corresponding to the mobile-commerce platform to form a combined number; returns the combined number to the user's mobile communication device via the network to enable the user to provide the combined number to a merchant's point-of-sale system in connection with a transaction corresponding to the purchase request; and receives, via a payment network in communication with the merchant's point-of-sale system, the transaction code and transaction details associated with the transaction, the IIN informing the payment network to route the one-time-use perishable transaction code and the transaction details to the mobile-commerce platform. |
| US08321277B2 |
Method and system for voice ordering utilizing product information
A method for voice ordering utilizing catalog taxonomies and hierarchical categorization relationships in product information management (PIM) systems includes: prompting a user with a query to input speech into a speech recognition engine; translating the inputted speech into a series of words; querying a product information management component (PIM) based on the series of words; wherein the querying is performed as a matching algorithm against PIM category and attribute keywords; returning coded results to a voice synthesizer to produce at least one of: a voice response, and a text response to the user; and wherein in the coded results indicate one or more of: a not found message for zero matches, a confirmation of a suitable single match, a request for additional information in the event one or more of the following occurs: more than one matching item, category, and item attribute was found in the PIM. |
| US08321275B2 |
Advertiser reporting system and method in a networked database search system
A system and method provide advertisement campaign information about an advertisement campaign to an advertiser. The system includes means for organizing advertisement campaign information into one or more ad groups and a web interface to receive advertiser inputs and provide a visual report including the advertisement campaign information to the advertiser. The system further includes a campaign data store configured to store advertisement campaign account data and a reporting system to produce the visual report about performance of the advertisement campaign. The visual report is based on the organization of the advertisement campaign information into the one or more ad groups. |
| US08321266B2 |
Advertisement providing system and an advertisement providing method
The present invention relates to an advertisement information providing system and an advertisement information providing method. According to the present invention, when a data addresser transmits data to a data addressee through a data transmitting server of a network service medium or when the data addressee receives data from the data addresser through a data receiving server of the network service medium, an advertisement matched with the field of interests of which the data addresser and the data addressee are the most interested is generated in real-time and the generated advertisement is transmitted to the data addresser or the data addressee. |
| US08321262B1 |
Method and system for generating pricing recommendations
Systems and methods for optimizing marketing strategies. Various embodiments implement methods which can include generating a plurality of candidate solutions which satisfy pricing rationality constraints. The candidate solutions can be generated when processing resources are available for performing a Monte Carlo algorithm. The candidate solutions can be stored and a master and trade off metric can be selected. Values for these selected metrics can be evaluated (at the candidate solutions) and then input into the approximate efficient frontier algorithm. The algorithm can output an approximate efficient frontier. Users can select any of the efficient solutions on the frontier to obtain associated pricing recommendations by mousing over the efficient frontier. Various metrics associated with the efficient frontier may be updated at about the same time as the master and trade off metrics are selected. |
| US08321256B2 |
Systems and methods relating to an opportunity distribution engine and distribution simulation
Opportunity distribution systems and methods distribute business opportunities received from lead sources for routing to one or more destination businesses that will make use the opportunity, such as an opportunity to place a webpage advertisement on a webpage that is being served to a viewer. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each opportunity, for each routing, while complying with business rules associated with the opportunity source and the destination businesses. System variables associated with the lead source and the destinations may be advantageously adjusted to maintain desired flow rate and quality levels of leads to each destination and to maximize profit to the system. A system administrator module and log of lead transactions allows the system to review previous performance and to carry out simulations in order to identify desired adjustments to system variables. |
| US08321252B2 |
Air cargo yield management system for utilizing booking profiles and unconstrained demand
A yield management method and system are provided for enhancing revenue obtained from a given cargo flight capacity; the capacity being defined by the weight and volume of freights that may be transported. A set of historical profiles of capacity reserved by each category is stored for previous instances of the flight. Corresponding potential profiles are estimated independently for the weight and volume. The estimation is carried out taking into consideration the corresponding capacity currently reserved by the category for a future instance of the flight; and this result is emphasized according to a corresponding unconstrained demand for the category. A series of historical scenarios of the demand at the departure of previous instances of the flight are obtained from the potential profiles, and a stochastic model is applied to the historical scenarios according to the corresponding probabilities for calculating the optimised weight and volume authorizations for each category. |
| US08321249B2 |
Determining a demographic attribute value of an online document visited by users
A demographic attribute value of a sink online document may be determined by (a) accepting a value(s) of the demographic attribute of a source online document, (b) accepting, for each of the source online documents having an accepted demographic attribute value, a probability that a user will visit or has visited the sink online document if the user visited the source online document, and (c) determining the demographic attribute value of the sink online document using the demographic attribute value of each of the source online documents and the probabilities. A demographic attribute value of the sink online document may also be determined using the above information and using the demographic attribute value of each of the source online documents and the probabilities that a user will visit or has visited the sink online document if the user visited the other online document. |
| US08321241B1 |
Electronic patient record documentation with push and pull of data to and from database
A medical records software apparatus and method is described that allows a clinician, e.g., nurse or doctor, to combine entry of new patient orders, prescriptions, flowsheet observations, etc. into the documentation process or workflow. A documentation user interface is provided that pulls patient data from a database into the display. The user can select on the user interface a category of a patient record, e.g., Significant Events or Orders, view or edit prior entries in the database in these categories, and add additional documentation for that category. The documentation is written or pushed to two areas of the database, one devoted to patient documentation and a second area corresponding to the selected category, e.g., Orders. The method and apparatus improves workflow efficiency and promotes a smooth transition from the thought process of the clinician to the ordering or prescription process, without the need for changing venues or screen displays to both enter documentation and enter the order or new prescription. |
| US08321235B2 |
Validating an electronic transaction
An electronic transaction may be processed by receiving an order to execute a transaction electronically, identifying a format for the order, identifying a version of the format, retrieving a metasyntax with a rule related to the identified format and the identified version, the rule defining one or more acceptable arrangements of one or more elements in the transaction, relating the order to the metasyntax, determining whether the order conforms to the metasyntax, and forwarding the order for subsequent processing when the order conforms to the metasyntax. |
| US08321234B2 |
System and method for estimating CO2 emissions
Estimations of carbon dioxide (“C02”) emission of an entity upon the condition of incomplete or missing data uses one or more algorithms implemented in a machine having a processor and a memory and data concerning the entity. The data is applied to an algorithm implemented as code executable in the processor. The algorithm produces a result that comprises an estimate of the C02 emission of the entity. The C02 emission estimate can be output to a user, and the underlying formula and data can inspected and optionally modified by users with suitable permissions. The C02 emission estimate can be applied as a factor in a formula to compute a rating for the entity which can be output from the machine. Error estimates associated with the data used by the algorithm can be generated to provide improved estimates. |
| US08321233B2 |
Template development based on reported aspects of a plurality of source users
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: providing a plurality of relevant reported aspects associated with a plurality of source users that are relevant to achieving one or more target outcomes, the providing of the plurality of relevant reported aspects being based, at least in part, on relevancy of the plurality of relevant reported aspects with respect to the one or more target outcomes; and developing a template designed to facilitate one or more end users to achieve the one or more target outcomes when one or more emulatable aspects included in the template are emulated, the development of the template being based, at least in part, on the providing of the plurality of relevant reported aspects associated with the plurality of source users In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08321229B2 |
Apparatus, medium and method to encode and decode high frequency signal
A method and apparatus to encoding or decoding an audio signal is provided. In the method and apparatus, a noise-floor level to use in encoding or decoding a high frequency signal is updated according to the degree of a voiced or unvoiced sound included in the signal. |
| US08321225B1 |
Generating prosodic contours for synthesized speech
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method including receiving text to be synthesized as a spoken utterance. The method includes analyzing the received text to determine attributes of the received text and selecting one or more utterances from a database based on a comparison between the attributes of the received text and attributes of text representing the stored utterances. The method includes determining, for each utterance, a distance between a contour of the utterance and a hypothetical contour of the spoken utterance, the determination based on a model that relates distances between pairs of contours of the utterances to relationships between attributes of text for the pairs. The method includes selecting a final utterance having a contour with a closest distance to the hypothetical contour and generating a contour for the received text based on the contour of the final utterance. |
| US08321212B2 |
Terminal and method for supporting multi-language
A device, computer program product and method for supporting multi-language of a mobile terminal comprising: receiving broadcast data; checking whether a selected broadcast channel supports multi-language based on additional information of the received broadcast data; and outputting an indication message when the broadcast channel supports the multi-language, whereby a user can flexibly set a broadcast language of his desired channel during or before broadcasting outputted, and also a use interface environment can be improved so as to facilitate the setup or change of the broadcast language. |
| US08321211B2 |
System and method for multi-channel pitch detection
A method and system for multi-channel detection of pitch may comprise one or more of the following steps and/or means therefore: (a) sampling an audio input stream including at least a first channel and a second channel; (b) setting a search frequency for each of the first channel and the second channel; and (c) detecting a pitch of the first channel and a pitch of the second channel. |
| US08321208B2 |
Speech processing and speech synthesis using a linear combination of bases at peak frequencies for spectral envelope information
An information extraction unit extracts spectral envelope information of L-dimension from each frame of speech data by discrete Fourier transform. The spectral envelope information is represented by L points. A basis storage unit stores N bases (L>N>1). Each basis is differently a frequency band having a maximum as a peak frequency in a spectral domain having L-dimension. A value corresponding to a frequency outside the frequency band along a frequency axis of the spectral domain is zero. Two frequency bands of which two peak frequencies are adjacent along the frequency axis partially overlap. A parameter calculation unit minimizes a distortion between the spectral envelope information and a linear combination of each basis with a coefficient for each of L points of the spectral envelope information by changing the coefficient, and sets the coefficient of each basis from which the distortion is minimized to a spectral envelope parameter of the spectral envelope information. |
| US08321205B2 |
Definitional method to increase precision and clarity of information
In order to know precisely and clearly what words mean, the DMTIPCI definitional method implements by use of a first algorithm steps for iteratively deconstructing all usage predicate words of all words in any language to their primary words, creating the DMTIPCI First Subject Word Dictionary. Primary words as herein defined are words that have no non-tautological words in their predicate(s). The second algorithm creates a list of all primary words and the third algorithm gives meanings to the primary words by citing examples of said primary words. All words are arranged under their primary words by a fourth algorithm creating a DMTIPCI Primary Word Dictionary. A fifth algorithm measures the accuracy of search engines. |
| US08321204B2 |
Automatic lexicon generation system for detection of suspicious e-mails from a mail archive
A system for generating a lexicon of words, organized into weighted categories, from a user defined set of example documents for detecting suspicious e-mails from a mail archive is provided. The system uses a set of example documents and e-mails given by the user to probabilistically find possible lists of critical words. The obtained list is now applied on an archive of e-mails. The system generates an inverted index on the mails from the archive to facilitate search for the key phrases. User feedback is taken on the results obtained and corrections in the lexicon made if necessary. Thus, the mails are scanned based on user feedback, user defined words and automatically generated word list. These lists constantly adapt as e-mails in the archive change. The system then combines all these to present the user with several possible sets of keywords and their relative importance that can be used as a policy for a desired level of accuracy. The system also shows the user any change if the set is modified. Finally, the system searches through the entire mail archive to find suspicious e-mails. |
| US08321200B2 |
Solving constraint satisfaction problems for user interface and search engine
A method for interpreting a Natural Language by an artificial construct using constraint satisfaction problem solving, comprises a) providing a plurality of ways suitable to define at least a grammar for at least a Natural Language, b) providing a plurality of constraint satisfaction problem instructions c) providing a plurality of values for solving a plurality of constraints, d) converting said plurality of constraints to at least one constraint satisfaction problem pattern, e) receiving a Natural Language construct, f) unifying said plurality of constraints through said at least one constraint satisfaction problem pattern at execution runtime by the artificial construct to solve the constraint satisfaction problem, g) interpreting said Natural Language construct according to a plurality of constraint satisfaction problem instructions, and h) answering to a Natural Language construct by a Natural Language construct. |
| US08321189B1 |
Decoupling of linear dynamical systems
A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving analysis and design of physical structures whose dynamic behavior can be modeled as a linear dynamical system. The method and apparatus is operative to decouple the equations of motion of any linear dynamical systems therewith by processing the equations of motion of any linear dynamical system using a decoupling unit. |
| US08321172B2 |
Method for real time capability simulation of an air system model of an internal combustion engine
A method for determining at least one air system variable in an air supply system of an internal combustion engine in successive, discrete calculation steps, a differential equation being provided with respect to the air system variable based on measured and/or modeled variables, which describe conditions in the air supply system, a difference equation being formed for the quantization of the differential equation according to an implicit method, and the difference equation being solved in each discrete calculation step, in order to obtain the air system variable. |
| US08321168B2 |
Method for compensating drift in a position measuring device
A method for compensating the drift of an element for position measurement mounted on an object, including at least one gyro for measuring rotation of the object about an axis and at least one accelerometer for measuring two mutually perpendicular components of the acceleration of gravity as a consequence of the orientation of the object relative to the acceleration of gravity along two mutually perpendicular directions, which together correspond to the rotation of the object about the axis. The output signal from the accelerometer and the output signal from the gyro are low-pass filtered. These two signals are compared and the output signal from the gyro is compensated using an output signal from the accelerometer so that the deviation of the output signal of the gyro because of drift is decreased or eliminated. The thus produced, compensated signal constitutes an output signal from the gyro. |
| US08321145B2 |
Predictor of when to harvest cells grown in a bioreactor
This invention relates to a cell expansion system and to a method of determining when to harvest cells from the cell expansion system. |
| US08321136B2 |
Method and system for classifying slides using scatter plot distribution
The present invention relates to a method and system for classifying biological specimen. A number of objects of interest are identified in a biological specimen. The nuclear area and nuclear integrated optical density for each object of interest in the specimen are measured and used for generating a scatter plot. The specimen is classified as normal or suspicious based on the distribution of points within the scatter plot. |
| US08321132B2 |
Combining LWD measurements from different azimuths
Apparatus, methods for forming the apparatus, and methods for operating the apparatus provide a value for a formation property or a borehole property from measurements obtained in a well. The value may be generated from determining a weighted average of the value for the formation property or the borehole property using both values corresponding to different azimuths and weights corresponding to different azimuths. |
| US08321128B2 |
Method for correcting map matching and navigation system implementing the method
A method of correcting a map matching and a navigation system for implementing the method are provided. The method includes: determining whether a vehicle turns by using an acceleration sensor; and performing a map matching correction by using the determination of whether the vehicle turns and Global Positioning System (GPS) information. |
| US08321123B2 |
System and method for traffic condition communications
A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors. |
| US08321121B2 |
Engine fuel injection control apparatus
A fuel injection control apparatus is provided with a supply control section, a stop control section, a timing estimating section and a torque recovery control section. The supply control section controls fuel supplied to an engine based on a detected prescribed vehicle running state. The stop control section stops supplying fuel upon detecting a first prescribed vehicle running state. The timing estimating section estimates a timing at which a drive train transmitting a drive force from the engine to a wheel will change from a non-drive state in which the engine rotates due to a force from the wheel to a drive state in which the wheel rotates due to a drive force of the engine. The torque recovery control section resumes supplying fuel upon detecting a second prescribed vehicle running state and stops resumption of fuel being supplied for a prescribed amount of time based on the timing. |
| US08321119B2 |
Methods and systems to facilitate over-speed protection
A method for assembling a gas turbine engine to prevent rotor over-speeding is described. The method includes serially coupling a first fuel system interface to a second fuel system interface, such that at least one of the first fuel system interface and the second fuel system interface is coupled to the gas turbine engine. The method also includes coupling a control system to the first fuel system interface and to the second fuel system interface. The control system is configured to identify an occurrence of an over-speed condition. The method also includes programming the control system to discontinue fuel flow to the engine when both the first fuel system interface and the second fuel system interface indicate an over-speed condition has occurred. |
| US08321109B2 |
Method and device for controlling a clutch by clutch way point coordinate system
A method and a device for controlling a clutch, for example an automatic friction clutch forming part of a drive train of a motor vehicle, for a torque transfer between an engine and a transmission, with the clutch having significant clutch way points assigned to it. For achieving the operational readiness of the clutch over the shortest possible time period, whereby an accurate clutch adjustment is still guaranteed, a clutch way point coordinate system is monitored by checking the point of engagement of the clutch, established through a learning process and having at least a relevant clutch way point for the starting procedure. In case of any recognized change(s), the clutch way point is suitably corrected or otherwise used as is. |
| US08321094B2 |
Engine control system for construction machine
To provide an engine control system for a construction machine, which can decrease a consumption of energy to be required for the reduction of an engine lag-down that occurs upon a sudden increase in load, such as upon quick manipulation of a control device, is provided with a load condition detecting unit, a charge amount detecting unit, a boost pressure sensor, and a determination processing unit. The load condition detecting unit includes a manipulation stroke detector for detecting that a control device has been fully manipulated, and also, a first computation unit of a controller. The charge amount detecting unit can detect an amount of charge in a capacitor. The determination processing unit includes a determination processing unit of the controller. The determination processing unit performs processing to feed electric power from the capacitor to an electric motor if, when it has been detected in concomitance with manipulation of the control device by the load condition detecting means that a torque to be absorbed by a pump would exceed an output torque of an engine, a boost pressure detected by the boost pressure sensor is determined to be lower than a predetermined pressure, and moreover, an amount of charge in the capacitor as detected by the charge amount detecting unit is determined to be an amount of charge that can drive the electric motor for a predetermined time. |
| US08321093B2 |
Agricultural working machine
The present invention relates to an agricultural working machine (2), in particular a forage harvester (1) with a device for adjusting the ground speed v, with which the maximum ground speed v of the agricultural working machine (2) is determined as a function of the tire pressure of at least one tire (14). |
| US08321086B2 |
Gateway control apparatus for vehicles and travel information recording method thereof
A gateway control apparatus for vehicles includes a receiver receiving travel state information sent from sensors and vehicle ECUs through interfaces, a first memory storing the travel state information, a determination unit determining occurrence of a vehicle accident or an ECU malfunction based on the travel state information, a second memory, and a controller allowing the second memory to store malfunction information of an associated ECU among the travel state information if the ECU malfunction has occurred, and allowing the first memory to store pre-accident travel state information and post-accident vehicle state information with reference to an accident occurrence time point if the vehicle accident has occurred. The gateway control apparatus enables not only data communication between the ECUs having different communication modes, but also accurate analysis of causes of the vehicle accident or the ECU malfunction. A travel information recording method of the gateway control apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08321083B2 |
Aircraft maintenance laptop
An apparatus comprises a portable computer, and program code stored on the portable computer. The program code is capable of being executed to establish a communications link with an aircraft network data processing system in an aircraft, obtain information about the aircraft over the communications link, display the information on a display device for the portable computer, receive user input to control a data processing system on the aircraft network data processing system in the aircraft, and send a number of commands to the data processing system in response to receiving the user input. |
| US08321078B2 |
Method and device for assisting in the control of the on-board systems in a aircraft
The object of the invention is in particular a method and a device for aiding in the control of systems installed on board an aircraft comprising at least one display device capable of displaying configuration parameters of the said aircraft and at least one associated acquisition device. After the state of the said aircraft has been determined (900), a plurality of elements to be displayed on the said at least one display device is selected (905), according to the said state of the said aircraft, in a predetermined set of elements comprising at least one parameter for configuration of the avionics, at least one parameter for configuration of support subsystems and at least one activatable representation of least one command of support subsystems of the said aircraft. The said plurality of elements is displayed on the said display device. |
| US08321072B2 |
Method for determining the quantity of fuel taken on board an aircraft making it possible to maintain a time requirement of the RTA type
A method for determining the quantity of fuel in an aircraft and an optimization criterion such as a cost index, notably used in an FMS, making it possible to maintain a time requirement of the RTA type, comprising a first step of computing the optimization criterion CIi as a function of the aircraft weight GWi-1 via a method of the RTA type and a second step of computing the weight of the aircraft GWi as a function of the optimization criterion Ci-1 computed in the first computation step and the aircraft weight GWi-1, executed by successive iterations, until the estimated flight time resulting from the computed parameters after the second computation step makes it possible to observe the time requirement to within a determined criterion δt, a last step determining the pair of values of aircraft weight GWi and of performance criterion CIi-1 allowing an optimal fuel payload and the maintenance of the RTA. |
| US08321068B2 |
Method of plotting a portion of trajectory of an aircraft comprising a circular arc of constant radius
A method is disclosed for plotting a trajectory portion (6, 6″), using flight management means of an aircraft, and linking a known position (7) of the aircraft to a point in space (4), denoted the “exit point”. A circular arc is defined, the coordinates of whose centre (1) are known, comprising two ends (3, 4) of known coordinates, one end of which is the exit point (4). The position of a transition point (5) is determined which is situated on the arc. The trajectory (6, 6″) by the flight management means of the aircraft is automatically plotted. The trajectory is successively linking the known position (7) of the aircraft, and the transition point (5) and the exit point (4). |
| US08321067B1 |
Transitioning a mixed-mode vehicle to autonomous mode
Disclosed are methods and devices for transitioning a mixed-mode autonomous vehicle from a human driven mode to an autonomously driven mode. Transitioning may include stopping a vehicle on a predefined landing strip and detecting a reference indicator. Based on the reference indicator, the vehicle may be able to know its exact position. Additionally, the vehicle may use the reference indictor to obtain an autonomous vehicle instruction via a URL. After the vehicle knows its precise location and has an autonomous vehicle instruction, it can operate in autonomous mode. |
| US08321065B2 |
Method for controlling/regulating at least one task
A method is provided for the control/regulation of at least one task with the aid of a control program that monitors a runtime of the at least one task, the control program terminating the at least one task if the runtime of the at least one task exceeds a predefined period of time. |
| US08321061B2 |
System and method for irrigation using atmospheric water
An embodiment of the invention delivers water to plants of a specified type which reside in a quantity of soil. A condensing unit is operated at optimum intervals to condense water vapor in the air into water in liquid form. The condensed water is stored in a reservoir connected to an irrigation system, which can deliver water from the reservoir to each of the plants. A database is established that contains horticultural information, wherein the horticultural information comprises a set of values representing the water needed by plants of the specified type at different stages of growth. Estimates of soil moisture content are generated during a specified time period. Optimum watering intervals are computed during the specified time period, at least in part, as a function of the set of values contained in the horticultural database, and also as a function of the estimates of moisture content. The irrigation system is operated to deliver water to each plant during respective optimum watering intervals. |
| US08321052B2 |
Self-service kiosk with multiple secure service areas
A self-service kiosk apparatus is presented that has a plurality of secure service areas. Access to the plurality of secure service areas and the components of the kiosk system contained within each area is controlled. Authorization to access each secure service area is based on a person's level of training and security level. |
| US08321049B2 |
Flexible manufacturing systems and methods
A converting line comprises a first unit at a first region of the converting line and a second unit at a second region of the converting line. The first unit is positioned in series with the second unit. The converting line further comprises a third unit at a third region of the converting line and a fourth unit at a fourth region of the converting line. The first, second, third, and fourth units are configured to each perform at least one function. The third unit is positioned in parallel with the first unit, the second unit, or the fourth unit. The converting line further comprises a controller configured to activate at least one of the units based a received product order. The converting line is configured to produce a first product different from a second product during a single run of the converting line. |
| US08321048B1 |
Associating data with workpieces and correlating the data with yield data
A method and apparatus is provided for associating operational data with workpieces and correlating the operational data with yield data. The method comprises processing a workpiece using a processing tool, associating the operational data with the workpiece during the processing of the workpiece and measuring the yield data associated with the processed workpiece. The method further comprises correlating the operational data with the yield data to make one or more determinations. |
| US08321047B2 |
Substrate processing system and substrate processing device
A substrate processing system capable of extending and changing a substrate processing module easily according to changes of processing contents for a substrate. An embodiment is the system including a main device and sub-devices. A transfer controlling part includes an acquiring part that acquires transfer-destination specifying information that includes additional information identifying at least a local address and a substrate processing device to which the local address belongs, and that specifies a substrate transfer destination uniquely within the main device and the sub-devices, a judging part that judges which one of the main device, and the sub-devices is the substrate transfer destination based on the specifying information acquired by the acquiring part, and a local transfer part that transfers the substrate to a process chamber connected to a transfer chamber of its own device by using the address allocated uniquely within the own device. |
| US08321045B2 |
Validating information within production event messages for recording non-trending production data and events
A production information reporting/recording system is disclosed herein including a number of features to ensure efficient, flexible and reliable recording of production data in a manufacturing system. Such features include validating the content of event messages to ensure compliance of event report information with a standard. The system also supports caching IDs associated with particular aspects of an event message (e.g., a production request, a process segment) as well as a unique ID corresponding to the ID assigned by the production event database to reduce the need to access the database when assigning unique database IDs to received events. The production event messaging system also supports both asynchronous and synchronous transactional messaging between the sources of events and the production database service. Furthermore, the system supports including extensions to a base production message schema through the inclusion of metadata that designates a particular production server to parse and apply/store the extension information. |
| US08321040B2 |
Method for operating a safety control and automation network having such a safety control
In order to operate a safety control in an automation network having a master subscriber which implements the safety control, the safety control is assigned an identifier. When loading the safety control, the master subscriber checks whether the stored identifier in the safety master subscriber matches the identifier calculated form the safety control, and the automation network changes to a safe state if it is determined that the identifier differs. |
| US08321036B2 |
Cardiac rhythm management device
A medical device is disclosed for implantation on an epicardial surface of the heart. The device has a transmural member providing optimal electrode locations for various therapies. The hemodynamically optimal therapy is guided by sensed left ventricular pressure and electrical activity. The device may be used alone or with a companion implanted cardiac rhythm management device. |
| US08321030B2 |
Esophageal activity modulated obesity therapy
Methods and devices for delivering electrical stimulation to the sympathetic nervous system in response to the onset of eating. In some methods, swallowing is detected which then initiates a dose of stimulation which can vary in intensity, frequency, or both over the dose length. In some methods, the dose length is between about one quarter hour and one hour. The dose frequency may increase, hold steady, then decrease over the dose duration so as to mimic the response of the gut stretch and nutrient receptors to receiving food. The dose can drive biomarkers indicative of eating, for example glucagon, glucose, FFA or glycerol to at least about half of their normal post eating levels and then stop so as to retain stimulation effectiveness for subsequent doses and to prolong battery life. |
| US08321002B2 |
Arrhythmia discrimination using ECG's sensed from multiple implanted electrodes
Cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation methods and systems provide for monitoring, diagnosing, defibrillation and pacing therapies, or a combination of these capabilities, including cardiac systems incorporating or cooperating with neuro-stimulating devices, drug pumps, or other therapies. Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to implantable medical devices employing automated cardiac activation sequence monitoring and/or tracking for arrhythmia discrimination. Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices and methods involving sensing a plurality of composite cardiac signals using a plurality of implantable electrodes. A source separation is performed using the sensed plurality of composite cardiac signals and the separation produces one or more cardiac signal vectors associated with one or more cardiac activation sequences that is indicative of ischemia. A change of the one or more cardiac signal vectors is detected using the one or more cardiac signal vectors. Cardiac arrhythmias are discriminated using the one or more cardiac signal vectors. |
| US08320999B2 |
Leak detector for detecting leak of liquid injected into blood vessel using pulse signal
A leak detector sequentially emits pulse signals toward a human body at a position at which a needle is inserted, detects pulse signals reflected inside of the human body, and measures a time interval between the emission and the detection for each of the pulse signals. The leak detector then calculates the difference between the measured interval and a predetermined time interval, and generates a leak warning for notification when the difference exceeds an acceptable range. Since a swelling on the surface of the human body causes a path of the pulse signal to extend, the leak detector can detect, based on the extended signal path, that the needle has come off a blood vessel. |
| US08320991B2 |
Portable electromagnetic navigation system
A portable system can be provided that works with a surgical navigation system. The portable system can control a localizer to assist in the tracking of a tracking device. The portable system can be provided to be substantially carried by a single user form one location to another. Further, various digital control components can be provided to assist in miniaturization, robustness, and the like. |
| US08320990B2 |
Intrabody MRI stacked flat loop antennas and related systems
Elongate intrabody MRI-antenna probes include opposing distal and proximal portions. The distal portion includes at least one multi-turn conductor arranged as a stack of substantially flat loops, each with a substantially rectangular elongate shape. A flat loop can reside on each of a plurality of adjacent vertically stacked substantially planar layers, the flat loops cooperate to define a MRI receive antenna. |
| US08320985B2 |
Touch screen interfaces with pulse oximetry
Examples of touch screen interfaces with pulse oximetry are generally described, along with examples of methods of determining pulse rate, blood oxygen level, or both, with a touch screen interface. |
| US08320981B1 |
Enhanced optical sensor module
An implantable system includes light sources to transmit toward vascularized tissue, in a time multiplexed manner, light having a first wavelength of approximately 660 nm, light having a second wavelength of approximately 810 nm, light having a third wavelength of approximately 910 nm, and light having a fourth wavelength of approximately 980 nm. The system includes one or more light detector to detect light of the first, second, third and fourth wavelengths scattered by vascularized tissue. Additionally, one or more processor is configured to determine levels of blood oxygen saturation based on the detected scattered light of the first and third wavelengths, determine levels of tissue oxygen saturation based on the detected scattered light of the first and third wavelengths, determine levels of hemoglobin concentration based on the detected scattered light of the second wavelength, and determine levels of tissue hydration based on the detected scattered light of the second and fourth wavelengths. |
| US08320976B2 |
Apparatus and communications system for extending life of a battery for a mobile terminal
To provide a mobile terminal apparatus capable of suppressing exhaustion of the battery while securing convenience of switching to a communication system corresponding to an existing area, and a control method and communication system for the apparatus, a mobile terminal apparatus 20 is driven by power supply from a battery, capable of communicating with each of a plurality of communication systems, monitors a communication environment with each of the communication systems, and has a detecting section that detects a battery remaining amount of the battery, and a control section 21 that limits targets to monitor when the battery remaining amount falls below a first threshold. |
| US08320962B2 |
Contactless disablement
A method for controlling a contactless interface on a dual interface portable device are provided. The method allows for contactless enablement and disablement on both a temporary and semi-permanent basis, dependent on commands sent to the device by the issuer of the portable device. The commands are received through a terminal device and are transferred to the portable device during a contact transaction. Configuration data on the portable device is modified according to the received commands. An application on the portable device controls the transmission of data through the contactless interface dependent on the configuration data. |
| US08320937B2 |
Method and arrangement for providing location information on a communication terminal
In a method and arrangement for providing a reliable location for a communication terminal, a first location is obtained for the terminal by means of a first access mechanism. A second location is also obtained for the terminal by means of a second access mechanism, and the obtained first and second locations are then compared. The location of the terminal is validated if the obtained first and second locations are found to be substantially equal. Thereby, a more reliable location of the terminal can be used to support communication services requiring or needing such position information, such as emergency services. The validated location of the terminal can also be used for validating the location of an end point used by the terminal in an access network with fixed end points, or for validating a used positioning mechanism. |
| US08320933B2 |
Estimating whether or not a wireless terminal is in a zone using radio navigation
A method for estimating whether or not a wireless terminal is in a zone is described. The method is based on the following observation: when a wireless terminal is at a particular location, the values of the traits of the ambient electromagnetic signals that vary with location represent a “fingerprint” or “signature” for that location. This enables the location of a wireless terminal to be estimated by comparing the observed values of the traits of the ambient electromagnetic signals with the fingerprint for each potential location for the wireless terminal. |
| US08320931B2 |
Geo-fencing in a wireless location system
Method and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes defining a geo-fenced area. The method then includes monitoring a set of predefined signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting that a mobile device has performed any of the following acts with respect to the geo-fenced area: (1) entered the geo-fenced area, (2) exited the geo-fenced area, and (3) come within a predefined degree of proximity near the geo-fenced area. A high-accuracy location function may then be triggered in order to determine the geographic location of the mobile device. |
| US08320929B2 |
Direct transition to cell dynamic host configuration (DCH)
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for reducing the time delay associated with the initialization of a data transfer in a UMTS Radio Access Network. The Radio Network Controller, RNC, (102) connectable to a UMTS network and to a plurality of User Equipments, UEs, (108) wherein the UEs are capable of being in the states, URA PCH, CELL PCH, CELL FACH or CELL DCH, comprises means for handling a data transfer initiating message, means for introducing a delay reducing information in the data transfer initiating and means for transferring the UE from the URA PCH or the CELL PCH state directly to the CELL DCH state by means of the delay reducing information in the data transfer initiating message. |
| US08320926B2 |
Methods and arrangements in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements in a wireless communication system that enable the allocation of resources to UEs based on measurements of their antenna polarization, in order to suppress the interference between different UEs at a very low overhead cost. This is achieved by a solution where the scheduling unit retrieves information about the polarization of the UE antenna configurations, and based on this information allocates radio resources to the different UEs, with the aim to minimize the interference. The scheduling unit may retrieve the information from the RBSs or from the UEs. The RBS and the UE will determine the polarization and transmit information regarding this polarization to the scheduling unit. The scheduling unit coordinates the allocation of resources with other scheduling units if necessary. |
| US08320924B2 |
Interference control in a communication system
A method of allocating resources to cells of a cellular communication system comprising the steps of determining a load in at least one of the cells; selecting a resource reuse pattern from a set of resource reuse patterns based on the determined load; allocating resources in accordance with the selected resource reuse pattern. |
| US08320915B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing cell reselection in wireless communication system
An apparatus and method of performing cell reselection in a wireless communication system is provided. A mobile station determines whether first priority information for the first RAT is provided by the serving cell, and receives second priority information of a second RAT from the serving cell. The mobile station performs inter-RAT cell reselection based on the first and second priority information if the first priority information for the first RAT is provided. The mobile station performs cell reselection toward the second RAT based on measured values of cells of the second RAT without considering the second priority information if the first priority information for the first RAT is not provided. |
| US08320913B2 |
Optimizing the connection between a mobile communication terminal and a signaling server through an address translation device
A mobile communication terminal (T) comprising connection means (MCN) for connecting to access networks (N1, N2) and registration means (MREG) for periodically transmitting registration messages to a signaling server (SS) located within a public communication network (PUB) connected to these access networks. It is characterized by a memory (MMEM) capable of associating a validity period with at least some of the access networks, and in that the registration means (MREG) are provided for transmitting registration messages with a periodicity equal to the validity period associated with the access network (N1, N2) to which the terminal (T) is connected. |
| US08320899B2 |
Installation notification method, installation notification system, and installation notification server
A mobile terminal is notified of information indicating that an operator pack or the like is downloadable, without need for a user of the mobile terminal to perform any active operation and without need for the mobile terminal to be preliminarily equipped with an extra function for automatic installation. An installation notification system 10 of the present invention includes a mobile terminal 50 and an installation notification server 60 and is provided with an operator pack presence determining unit 15 configured to determine whether an operator pack is present in the mobile terminal 50, based on originating data sent from the mobile terminal 50, and an installation notifying unit 18 configured to notify the mobile terminal 50 of installable information indicating that the operator pack is installable, when the operator pack presence determining unit 15 determines that the operator pack is absent. |
| US08320889B2 |
Method for automatic presentation of information before connection
When a communications system initiates a connection, adaptive information can be presented to a user while waiting for that connection to be finalized. The adaptive information that is presented can be selected based on predetermined criteria which can be configured by a user. Moreover, the adaptive information that is presented can be selected based on a characteristic of the connection. For example, adaptive information can be selected which corresponds to the connection endpoint (e.g., the person or place a user is attempting to contact). A system can also delay finalizing a connection in order to present more adaptive information to a user. The delay can last until after all of the adaptive information has been presented or until a unit of adaptive information has been presented. |
| US08320887B2 |
Mobile communication apparatus and method for alerting users by light sources with time-varying illuminative effects
An apparatus, including: a light source; a controller configured, in response to the occurrence of a first event involving the apparatus, to control the light source to produce a first, time-varying, illuminative effect that varies between maxima and minima of illumination intensity over a period of time following the occurrence of the first event, wherein the variation in the first illuminative effect is indicative to a user that the first event has occurred; and the controller being further configured, in response to the occurrence of a second event involving the apparatus, to control the light source to produce a second, time-varying, illuminative effect that varies between maxima and minima of illumination intensity over a period of time following the occurrence of the second event, wherein the variation in the second illuminative effect is indicative to a user that the second event has occurred. |
| US08320882B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing obfuscated mobile device user identities
A mobile device identifier (such as an MSISDN) that typically accompanies a mobile device request is replaced with an “enriched” identifier that exposes the mobile device user's home operator but obfuscates the mobile device's (and, thus, the device user's) identity. In one embodiment, the identifier comprises a first part, and a second part. The first part comprises a data string that identifies (either directly or through a database lookup) the mobile device user's home operator. The second part, however, is an opaque data string, such as a one-time-use unique identifier (UID) or a value that is otherwise derived as a function of the MSISDN (or the like). The opaque data string encodes the mobile device's identity in a manner that preferably can be recovered only by the user's home operator. The present invention describes a method and apparatus for use in a home network to manage the generation, storage and use of the unique identifiers. |
| US08320869B2 |
Antenna arrangement with reduced comm-mode signals
In one embodiment of the present invention, an antenna arrangement apparatus includes a dipole reception antenna including a first pole portion and a second pole portion. A length of coaxial cable is provided and constitutes a feedline, the length of coaxial cable including a proximal end with respect to the first and second pole portions. The proximal end of the length of coaxial cable is coupled to the first and second pole portions via a common-mode filter. |
| US08320868B2 |
Integrated circuits, communication units and methods of cancellation of intermodulation distortion
A wireless communication unit includes a transmitter for processing a baseband transmit signal to produce a first radio frequency signal. A receiver is arranged to convert a second radio frequency signal to a baseband receive signal, where the receiver has a summation module arranged to add a cancellation signal to the baseband receive signal. A selectivity element is arranged to couple the transmitter and the receiver to an antenna, where a reduced portion of the first radio frequency signal is introduced into the second radio frequency signal thereby creating a second order inter-modulation distortion component in the baseband receive signal. An adaptive estimator module has a filter for filtering the baseband receive signal to remove dc offsets associated with the second order inter-modulation distortion component and generate the cancellation signal based on the baseband transmit signal and the filtered baseband receive signal for inputting to the summation module. |
| US08320866B2 |
Integrated circuits, communication units and methods of cancellation of intermodulation distortion
A wireless communication unit includes a transmitter, a receiver, a selectivity element and a baseband processing module. The receiver has at least one summation module arranged to add a cancellation signal to the quadrature baseband receive signal. a baseband processing module arranged to: receive the quadrature baseband transmit signal and quadrature baseband receive signal; apply independent gain and phase adjustments to quadrature portions of the quadrature baseband transmit signal, based on at least one signal component of the quadrature baseband receive signal, to form independent cancellation signals; and apply the independent cancellation signals to the at least one summation module. |
| US08320864B2 |
Method and system for multiple tuner application using a low noise broadband distribution amplifier
An active splitter circuit arrangement includes a first amplification module having a number of first input ports and first output ports. The first amplification module is configured to provide first stage amplification to a received input signal and produce from the amplified input signal a number of output signals, each substantially matching the input signal. Also included is a first gain control device having a number of gain input ports respectively coupled to the first output ports and a gain output port coupled to at least one of the first input ports. The first gain control device is configured to control a gain of the first amplification module. Next, a number of second amplification modules corresponding to the number of output signals has a number of second input ports respectively coupled to the first output ports. Each second amplification module is configured to receive a control signal from the second gain control device, provide second stage amplification to a corresponding one of the number of output signals based upon the control signal and produce an amplified output signal. |
| US08320855B2 |
Probability optimized power amplifier module and transmitter
A power amplifier module includes a first power amplifier, a second power amplifier, and a controlling module. The first power amplifier has an amplification set for optimal efficiency in accordance with most probable transmit power level settings within a transmit power level range. The second power amplifier has an amplification set for optimal efficiency in accordance with the most probable transmit power level settings within the transmit power level range. The controlling module is coupled to: enable one of the first and second power amplifiers to amplify an outbound radio frequency (RF) signal in accordance with a power setting when the power setting is not within the most probable transmit power level settings; and enable at least one of the first and second power amplifiers to amplify the outbound RF signal in accordance with the power setting when the power setting is within the most probable transmit power level settings. |
| US08320849B2 |
Transmitter for communications system
An rf signal transmitter for transmitting rf signals through a plurality of antennas is described, which comprises: a transmit section adapted to selectively set, with respect to an input signal, the initial phase of an output to at least one of said antennas depending on a time or frequency region used for communication and to provide delay to the output on an antenna-by-antenna basis and on the basis of a transmission timing or a transmission frequency; and a quality information receive section for receiving quality information from destination station, i.e., a wireless terminal unit, said quality information concerning the rf signal transmitted from said transmit section and received at said destination station. |
| US08320847B2 |
Method and apparatus for signal power loss reduction in RF communication systems
Multiple power amplifiers in an RF front end are coupled to multiple antennas without diversity switching between the PAs and antennas. Diversity switches direct signals to broadcast by a selected antenna to a PA coupled to the selected antenna. Multiple LNAs are similarly coupled to the diverse antennas. Having one PA and LNA set for each antenna removes the need for diversity switching between the PA/LNAs and each antenna improving signal reception. In one embodiment, a single external PA performs broadcast functions and plural on-chip LNAs are used for reception. In another embodiment, phase shifters are coupled to each PA and LNA, which provide beam forming capability for broadcasts, and in phase signal combinations for received signals. |
| US08320842B2 |
Apparatus method and computer program for radio-frequency path selection and tuning
An apparatus includes a tunable diplexer; first, second and third radio nodes; and path selection circuitry. The tunable diplexer includes a dedicated port, at least a first signal port and a second signal port, and control inputs configured to change at least one of frequency characteristics and phase characteristics of the tunable diplexer. The path selection circuitry is configurable to select between a first signal pathway between the third radio node and the first signal port and a second signal pathway between the third radio node and the second signal port. The tunable diplexer may have control signals inputs to select between the first and second signal pathways based on an expected interference scenario between radio signals at the first and second signal ports, and the control signals may change frequency characteristics and/or phase characteristics of at least one of the signal ports based on an operational condition of the apparatus. |
| US08320835B2 |
Method and device for determining channel feedback information in LTE system
A method and a device for determining channel feedback information in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system are provided. The method includes: obtaining an (N−1)th layer interference-plus-noise matrix in an LTE system, and obtaining an Nth layer interference-plus-noise matrix according to the (N−1)th layer interference-plus-noise matrix; and then, calculating a Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) corresponding to the Nth layer interference-plus-noise matrix according to the Nth layer interference-plus-noise matrix, and determining channel feedback information according to the SINR. It can be seen that, in the embodiments of the present invention, in a processing manner, a current layer interference-plus-noise matrix is calculated according to an obtained previous layer interference-plus-noise matrix through calculation in a calculation process of the channel feedback information, thus effectively reducing the calculation amount in the calculation process of the channel feedback information. |
| US08320832B2 |
Wireless audio output device, wireless audio output system including the same and control method thereof
A wireless audio output device, a wireless audio output system including the same and a control method thereof are disclosed. When a user approaches the output device, while listening to music on a portable device, the output device automatically connects the wireless audio output system to the portable device, to reproduce the music of the portable device. The control method includes detecting the user, detecting the portable device if the user is sensed, and outputting an audio file being reproduced by the portable device using the wireless audio output system, if the portable device is detected. |
| US08320831B2 |
Electronic device and communication control method
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a communication module, a connection establishment module, a negotiation module, a service execution module, and an execution control module. The communication module executes close proximity wireless transfer. The connection establishment module establishes a connection between the communication module and an external device which are in a close proximity state. The negotiation module determines a service to be executed between the communication module and the external device through a negotiation process when the connection is established. The service execution module executes the service. The execution control module executes the negotiation process again in response to a user's request or a request from the external device if the connection is kept after the completion of the service. |
| US08320825B2 |
Method and apparatus for repeating a signal in a wireless communication system
The invention relates to communication in a wireless communications network in which a cell comprises areas with different topographies, for example between indoor and outdoor areas. The communication is optimized by means of a repeater for use in a fixed wireless broadband communications system, comprising receiving means for receiving a downlink signal from a base station, signal processing means for processing the downlink signal to produce an output signal, and transmitting means for transmitting the output signal, said repeater being characterized in that it comprises means for creating diversity in the output signal. |
| US08320824B2 |
Methods and systems to provide automatic configuration of wireless speakers
An apparatus is described that includes an AV receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable bi-directional communications with the WAM host. The apparatus further includes a wireless input/output device or a plurality of wireless input/output devices embedded in speakers to enable bidirectional communications with the WAM host in order to automatically configure the plurality of wireless speakers to optimize audio parameters of the wireless speakers. The automatic configuration includes determining a location for each speaker in order to identify each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting time delay parameters for each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting volume parameters for each speaker. |
| US08320821B2 |
Receiving apparatus
A receiving apparatus discriminates RDS data containing traffic information corresponding to the vehicle's own position from RDS data of broadcasting stations searched for by frequency sweeping by a sub tuner front end 7; stores step by step into a pool memory 16 frequencies of alternative stations identified by each PI code of the RDS data and the number of the alternative stations; determines the PI code with the greatest number of the alternative stations by comparing the numbers of the alternative stations for individual PI codes stored in the pool memory 16 in a frequency sweeping range; and receives the traffic information from the station with the highest received electric field strength among all the alternative stations identified by the PI code determined. |
| US08320817B2 |
Charge removal from a sheet
A method of removing charge from a charged sheet prior to stacking the charged sheet is disclosed. The method includes moving the charged sheet through a set of nipped rollers while a first roller has an AC voltage applied thereto so that a first side of the charged sheet is in contact with the first roller and has its charge substantially dissipated, whereby charge substantially remains on a second side of the charged sheet in contact with a second roller. The method further includes using at least one non-contact charge removal device to remove charge from the second side of the charged sheet, and stacking the discharged sheet. |
| US08320816B2 |
Pass through inverter
An improved architecture for use in a tightly integrated serial or parallel printer includes an inverter module that comprises a straight pass-through media path, as well as, an invert path. This auxiliary ‘pass-through’ media path of the inverter allows a sheet to enter the inverter ‘backwards’ through the traditional duplex exit path and continue straight out the inverter into the media path of a downstream engine to receive an image thereon. |
| US08320809B2 |
Cleaning apparatus using web sheet
A cleaning apparatus using a web sheet includes: a send-out roller that is wound with the web sheet; a take-up roller that is connected to an end of the web sheet; and a rotation-regulating and canceling portion that regulates rotation of the send-out roller and cancels the regulation according to tension of the web sheet between the send-out roller and the take-up roller; wherein the web sheet is sent out from the send-out roller and taken up by the take-up roller, the web sheet is brought into contact with another roller during the sending out and taking up operation, and extraneous matters that have adhered to the other roller are removed. |
| US08320794B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a transfer member, includes a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is provided with a transfer member for transferring a developer image onto the transfer member; a supporting member movable between an inside position which is for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member on which the developer image is to be formed and which is inside the main assembly, and an outside position which is outside the main assembly; and a contacting and spacing member movable between a first position for spacing the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the transfer member in the state that the supporting member is in the inside position, and a second position for contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the transfer member, the contacting and spacing member being provided in the supporting member. |
| US08320791B2 |
Intermediate transfer belt, a conveyance belt member, and an image forming apparatus comprising the same
An image forming apparatus includes a first drive member located downstream of an image bearing member and upstream of a transfer portion and a second drive member located downstream of the transfer portion with respect to a direction of conveying a recording material on a conveyance belt member and configured to apply a driving force to the conveyance belt member. |
| US08320785B2 |
Image forming apparatus featuring a controller for controlling the supply of toner or abrasive particles
An image forming apparatus includes first and second image forming portions. The first and second image forming portions forms a toner image. The second image forming portion forms a toner image so that the toner image is superimposed on the toner image formed by the first image forming portion. The second image forming portion includes an image bearing member, a cleaning member that removes transfer residual toner existing on the image bearing member at an abutting position, and a supply unit that supplies abrasive particles or toner to the abutting position. The image forming apparatus includes a controller that controls the amount of toners or abrasive particles, which are supplied by the supply unit, in accordance with the amount of toner used in the first and second image forming portions. |
| US08320780B2 |
Image forming device and detachable process unit
An image forming device has a main casing and a cartridge accommodating portion in which a combined unit of first and second cartridges can be loaded. The first cartridge includes a pressing member movable between a first position in which the second cartridge is removed from the first cartridge and a second position in which the second cartridge is combined with the first cartridge. A moving member supported on the main casing is movable between a third position in which the combined unit is unloaded from the main casing and a fourth position in which the combined unit is loaded in the main casing. The pressing member disposed in the second position presses the moving member to move to the fourth position. A determination unit does not start image forming operations until a position detector provided on the main casing detects that the moving member is in the fourth position. |
| US08320772B2 |
Optical transmission apparatus
An optical transmission apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of optical modulating sections serially connected to each other via optical fibers; driving sections corresponding to the optical modulating sections; delay amount varying sections that provide variable delay amounts for modulating signals to be input to the driving sections, to adjust timing between drive signals to be provided for the optical modulating sections; temperature monitoring sections that monitor the temperature of each of the optical fibers and the like; and a delay amount control section that controls the delay amount in each of the delay amount varying sections based on the monitored temperatures. |
| US08320755B2 |
Autofocusing zoom lens
In an autofocusing zoom lens, a depth of focus ε is obtained based on an aperture value Fno of a variable diaphragm and a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion δ. A focal position variation amount Δsk for a predetermined positional displacement amount ΔFp0 of a focusing lens unit is obtained according to a position Fp of the focusing lens unit and a variable magnification state Zp. If a predetermined variation amount ΔFp of the focusing lens unit satisfies a first condition, the focusing lens unit is not driven. If the first condition is not satisfied and a second condition is satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a second autofocusing unit, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a first autofocusing unit. |
| US08320752B1 |
Drain attachment for a water heater
An attachment tool for draining water from a water heater during replacement of the heating element includes an annular mounting member that has an elongate channel attached thereto. The channel has a pair of aligned notches formed proximate a distal end of channel for supporting a bucket or other container. The mounting member is disposed peripherally about the tapping of a heating element receptacle. When the heating element is removed from the receptacle, water drains from the receptacle and through the channel into the bucket supported thereon. |
| US08320748B2 |
Audio/video information recording/reproducing device and method therefor
An audio/video information recording/reproducing device capable of easily implementing a post-recording function on an optical disk by using even a low-cost disk drive having a comparatively low-speed seek time. When recording a video file, it is recorded on an optical disk continuously for a duration equivalent to more than three times a seek time. When recording dubbing audio, it is recorded continuously only with constant data size at the same time with the reproducing of the recorded video file, thereby enabling concurrent real-time continuous reproducing and recording. Accordingly, concurrent reproductions of a video file and an audio file are ensured when reproducing dubbing audio. |
| US08320743B2 |
Dynamic variation of output media signal in response to input media signal
A first input signal, which has a first playback sequence, is resequenced based upon a characteristic of a second input signal. The resequencing occurs analyzing the characteristic in the second input signal, and modifying the first playback sequence of the first input signal based upon the analysis of the characteristic to generate a second playback sequence. Finally, a third signal is output using the second playback sequence. |
| US08320734B2 |
Recording medium having a data structure for managing graphic information and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
In one embodiment, the data structure includes at least one graphic information of first type graphic information and second type graphic information. The first type graphic information is for always on display and the second type graphic information is for display in response to user request. |
| US08320733B2 |
Method of preparing DVD-video formatted data, method for reconstructing DVD-video data and DVD-video data structure
For converting a first representation of a media content into a second representation of the media content, a data entity builder is used, which generates a data entity being the second representation of the media content. The data entity builder generates a second representation indicator, at least one regenerated media file and a payload data schedule, the payload data schedule having schedule information indicating, for each regenerated media file, the start of the payload information of the media file. The regenerated media file represents the same media content as represented by the original media file in the first representation. |
| US08320731B2 |
Information reproducing device and method, and computer program
An information reproducing apparatus (200) is provided with: a displaying device (353) for displaying a main picture and a sub-picture of a first type whose display can be started at a desired reproduction time point; a storing device (355, 360) for storing an identification number of the sub-picture; a first controlling device (354, 359) for destroying the identification number of the sub-picture, if a current reproduction time point of the main picture is beyond a range of reproduction time points in which the sub-picture is to be displayed; and a second controlling device (354, 359) for continuing to store the identification number of the sub-picture, if the current reproduction time point of the main picture is not beyond the range of reproduction time points in which the sub-picture is to be displayed. |
| US08320722B1 |
Non-linear optical grating
A method and system for providing an optical grating are described. The optical grating is configured for light of a wavelength. The optical grating includes a top cladding, a core, and bottom cladding. The core resides between the bottom cladding and the top cladding. The core includes a plurality of discrete ridges spaced apart by a nonlinear pitch. The light traverses the top cladding before the core and has a plurality of angles of incidence with the core. The nonlinear pitch of the core is larger for a larger angle of incidence of the plurality of angles of incidence. |
| US08320720B2 |
Advanced modulation formats for silicon-based optical modulators
A silicon-based optical modulator is configured as a multi-segment device that utilizes a modified electrical data input signal format to address phase modulation nonlinearity and attenuation problems associated with free-carrier dispersion-based modulation. The modulator is formed to include M separate segments and a digital signal encoder is utilized to convert an N bit input data signal into a plurality of M drive signals for the M modulator segments, where M≧2N/2. The lengths of the modulator segments may also be adjusted to address the nonlinearity and attenuation problems. Additional phase adjustments may be utilized at the output of the modulator (beyond the combining waveguide). |
| US08320718B2 |
Optical sensors and methods of making the same
A sensor is provided. The sensor includes a substrate, a waveguide having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the waveguide is disposed on the substrate such that at least a portion of the second surface of the waveguide is in physical contact with the substrate, a holder component disposed on at least a portion of the substrate, or the waveguide, or both, wherein the holder component comprises one or more cavities. The sensor further includes at least one microsphere at least partially disposed in a corresponding cavity of the holder component. |
| US08320717B2 |
Image processor
An image processor includes a storing unit, an image determining unit, and an output unit. The storing unit stores a selecting condition. The image determining unit determines whether the image corresponding to the set of the image data satisfies the selecting condition. The output unit outputs an image list including either one of the image that is determined to satisfy the selecting condition by the image determining unit and a resized image resized from the image that is determined to satisfy the selecting condition by the image determining unit. |
| US08320715B2 |
Device and method for interpolating image, and image scanner
An image interpolation device comprises a data storage unit (2) for storing the data in the neighborhood of a missing pixel, a filter interpolation unit (3) for performing a multiply-add computation on the data output from the data storage unit, a limiter processing unit (4) for limiting the data output from the filter interpolation unit to within the range of the data output from the data storage unit, and an interpolation data insertion unit (5) for interpolating the data output from the limiter processing unit into a position corresponding to the missing pixel in the data output from the data storage unit. The image interpolation device is capable of increasing the interpolation accuracy of missing pixels, especially in the interpolation of scanned document data including periodic data. |
| US08320712B2 |
Satellite image fusion method and system
Satellite image fusion method and system are provided. The satellite image fusion method includes matching sizes of a panchromatic image and a multispectral image captured from a satellite image; dividing the panchromatic image and the multispectral image into a plurality of blocks; calculating coefficients to acquire Intensity (I) component image data using pixel values of each block of the multispectral image; and generating fused multispectral image data by applying the acquired I component image data to a fusion algorithm. In the multispectral image fusion, the distortion of the color information can be minimized and the multispectral image data of the high resolution can be attained. In addition, the present invention is applicable to not only the IKONOS images but also other satellite images, and the present image fusion can be carried out fast. |
| US08320708B2 |
Tilt adjustment for optical character recognition in portable reading machine
A reading machine that operates in various modes includes image correction processing is described. The reading device pre-processes an image prior to optical character recognition processing by detect distortion in an image of a page by measuring an extent to which page boundaries in the image deviate from a simple rectangular shape and correcting for the optical distortion by transforming the image to restore the page to a rectangular shape. |
| US08320702B2 |
System and method for reducing specular reflection
An imaging unit programmed to reduce specular reflection in a captured image and improve the interpretation of decodable information within the image. The imaging unit is programmed to scan a predetermined region within the image that is susceptible to specular reflection, evaluate the pixel values within the region against a threshold value that is representative of specular reflection, and then replace the pixel value found to represent specular reflection with replacement pixel values that do not corrupt interpretation of the decodable information in the predetermined region. The threshold value and replacement values may be determined on an ad hoc basis and stored in local memory, or calculated for each captured image. |
| US08320695B2 |
Method, terminal and computer-readable recording medium for deblurring barcode image
The present invention relates to a method for deblurring a barcode image. The method includes the steps of: acquiring the terminal's n OTFs calculated by varying focal lengths for a subject; if a barcode image is inputted through the mobile terminal, fixing a specific value among NSRs as a value to be applied to an error metric of Wiener filtering, applying n PSFs calculated from the n OTFs to the error metric by a binary search algorithm and determining whether the result of the application to the error metric is not exceeding the pre-set threshold or not; and selecting a PSF value and an NSR value as values of Wiener filtering if the result of the application to the error metric is not exceeding the pre-set threshold and then performing the Wiener filtering to the inputted barcode image by using the selected PSF value and the selected NSR value. |
| US08320688B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding coding unit of picture boundary
A method and apparatus for encoding an image is provided. An image coding unit, including a region that deviates from a boundary of a current picture, is divided to obtain a coding unit having a smaller size than the size of the image coding unit, and encoding is performed only in a region that does not deviate from the boundary of the current picture. A method and apparatus for decoding an image encoded by the method and apparatus for encoding an image is also provided. |
| US08320687B2 |
Universal lossy compression methods
The present invention provides methods for universal lossy compression that provide performance at or near the rate-distortion limit and that are based on universal, implementable lossy source coding algorithms. |
| US08320686B2 |
Detailed description of the invention
Whether or not underflow is being occurred or underflow is highly likely to occur is judged based on an image encoded data amount in a reception buffer at a time of the judgment or a change in the image encoded data amount with time. When the judgment is affirmative, a composite image data piece corresponding to one frame is generated by extracting an image data piece in the frame memory, decoding part of an image encoded data piece in the reception buffer and replacing part of the extracted the image data piece with the decoded part of the image encoded data piece. Composite image data pieces are repeatedly generated such that an occupancy ratio of replaced part of the image data piece increases each time a piece of the composite image data is newly generated, and the composite image data pieces are outputted in order of generation. |
| US08320683B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
When a reference image to which a document image is judged as being similar for the first time is not the first document sheet of the document type which contains this reference image, error occurrence is concluded so that the page number indicated by a counter is set to be an error occurrence position. In case that the reference image to which the document image is similar is the last document sheet of the document type, when the number of document images having been counted up by the time when this document image is judged as being similar to the reference image does not correspond with the number of reference images contained in the document type, error occurrence is concluded so that the page number indicated by a counter is set to be an error occurrence position. |
| US08320678B2 |
Coding pattern comprising tags with X and Y coordinate data divided into respective halves of each tag
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of contiguous tags, each tag comprising x-coordinate data and y-coordinate data. A y-axis is nominally defined as north-south and an x-axis is nominally defined as east-west. A plurality of data elements are contained in each tag. The x-coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements and the y-coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements. The x-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a western half of the tag and a second replication in an eastern half of the tag. The y-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a northern half of the tag and a second replication in a southern half of the tag. Fragments of the coordinate data are arranged such that any tag-sized portion of the coding pattern is guaranteed to contain the x-coordinate data and the y-coordinate data for a tag irrespective of whether a whole tag is contained in the portion. |
| US08320677B2 |
Method for processing optical character recognition (OCR) output data, wherein the output data comprises double printed character images
The present invention is related to a method of processing of output data from an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system, wherein the output data comprises images of double printed characters. The method identifies the respective members of a suspected double printed character image by first providing a set of single character template images from images of characters identified in the text being processed by the OCR system, then combining the single character templates providing candidate models for the suspected double printed character image. Correlation between each respective candidate model and the suspected double printed character image provides an indication of which pair of modelled single template character images that most probable are the correct identification of the respective character images in the double printed character image. |
| US08320675B1 |
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. |
| US08320674B2 |
Text localization for image and video OCR
In accord with embodiments consistent with the present invention, a first action in recognizing text from image and video is to locate accurately the position of the text in image and video. After that, the located and possibly low resolution text can be extracted, enhanced and binarized. Finally existing OCR technology can be applied to the binarized text for recognition. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US08320672B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus automatically determining a composition of an image includes area dividing means for dividing an input image into areas; target area determining means for determining a target area having higher visibility from the divided image; unnecessary area determining means for determining an unnecessary area having lower visibility from the divided image; and composition determining means for determining from the input image a composition that includes the target area and does not include the unnecessary area. |
| US08320670B1 |
Hough transform method for linear ribbon and circular ring detection in the gradient domain
A method for converting a portion of an image from a first domain to a second domain. The method may apply a Hough transform on the converted portion of the image, including calculating a range of angles for each tested pixel q relative to a center pixel p, quantizing the range of angles into a plurality of bins, voting each tested pixel q using a range of bins using a weighted voting schema; and detecting one or more features in the portion of the image. The methods may be implemented by program instructions executing in parallel on CPU(s) or GPUs. |
| US08320666B2 |
Real-time image and video matting
A system and method implemented as a software tool for generating alpha matte sequences in real-time for the purposes of background or foreground substitution in digital images and video. The system and method is based on a set of modified Poisson equations that are derived for handling multichannel color vectors. Greater robustness is achieved by computing an initial alpha matte in color space. Real-time processing speed is achieved through optimizing the algorithm for parallel processing on the GPUs. For online video matting, a modified background cut algorithm is implemented to separate foreground and background, which guides the automatic trimap generation. Quantitative evaluation on still images shows that the alpha mattes extracted using the present invention has improved accuracy over existing state-of-the-art offline image matting techniques. |
| US08320658B2 |
Unevenness inspection method, method for manufacturing display panel, and unevenness inspection apparatus
An unevenness inspection method for inspecting presence of unevenness in a panel material, the method includes: acquiring a plurality of primary images by imaging the panel material under inspection on a plurality of levels of condition; creating a plurality of secondary images by processing the plurality of primary images to enhance variation of the image; creating a composite image by combining the plurality of secondary images with a prescribed weighting; and determining the presence of unevenness using the composite image, the prescribed weighting being determined so that a region having the unevenness can be distinguished from the other region, when the plurality of secondary images are created for the panel material for training use having unevenness and are combined into a composite image. |
| US08320656B1 |
Automatic creation of after-the-fact payroll journal
A method for creating an after-the-fact (ATF) payroll journal, including identifying a payroll check cashed at a financial institution, where the payroll check is issued to an employee during a payroll period for payment via a financial institution, obtaining, using a processor of a computer system, an electronic image associated with the payroll check, extracting, using the processor, payroll check information from the electronic image, validating, using the processor, the payroll check information based on a pre-determined criterion, where the payroll check information includes a payee name, a check date, and a check amount, and generating, using the processor, an entry of the ATF payroll journal from the payroll check information based on a pre-determined payroll rule, where the entry includes an amount of tax withholding of the employee for the payroll period. |
| US08320655B2 |
Process and system for analyzing the expression of biomarkers in cells
The invention relates generally to a process of analyzing and visualizing the expression of biomarkers in individual cells wherein the cells are examined to develop patterns of expression by using a grouping algorithm, and a system to perform and display the analysis. |
| US08320654B2 |
Bone mineral density evaluation device and bone mineral density evaluation method
To evaluate an exact bone mineral density, whena reference bar region in an X-ray picture of a mandible and a reference bar disposed beside the mandible is selected, the mean value and deviation of the brightness of this region are displayed by means of letter groups. When an evaluation object region is selected, the brightness of this region is corrected according to the mean value and deviation of the brightness of the reference bar region and standard mean value and deviation, or, in other words, according to a fixed reference. The corrected brightness is displayed in the form of histogram. Furthermore, the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness are determined, and they are displayed by means of letter groups. The bone mineral density is quantitatively evaluated from the histogram and the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness. |
| US08320642B2 |
Face collation apparatus
A face collation apparatus has a storage that stores a feature quantity of at least one registrant, the feature quantity being extracted from a registration image of the registrant, a feature quantity extractor that extracts a feature quantity from a collation image of a collation object person, a score calculator that calculates a score indicating an analogy degree between the feature quantity of the registrant and the feature quantity of the collation object person, a score adjuster that adjusts the score using a score adjustment parameter so that any one of a stranger acceptance rate indicating a probability that a stranger is accepted at the time of collation, a principal rejection rate indicating a probability that a principal is rejected at the time of collation, and an equal error rate, which is a probability that the stranger acceptance rate and the principal rejection rate are equal, becomes substantially constant regardless of a registration condition and/or a collation condition, and a determination unit that determines whether the collation object person is the registrant by comparing the adjusted score and a predetermined threshold. |
| US08320639B2 |
Vein pattern management system, vein pattern registration apparatus, vein pattern authentication apparatus, vein pattern registration method, vein pattern authentication method, program, and vein data configuration
An imaging unit capturing an image of a body surface with near-infrared light and generating near-infrared light imaging data, a vein pattern extraction unit extracting multiple kinds of near-infrared light vein patterns from one piece of the near-infrared light imaging data by applying a differential filter outputting a large value for a pixel having a large difference between the pixel and its surrounding pixel to multiple pixels constituting the near-infrared light imaging data and changing a parameter changing an output property of the differential filter, and a pseudo-vein pattern determination unit determining presence of a pseudo-vein pattern intentionally formed on a part of the captured body surface based on the extracted vein pattern are provided. |
| US08320636B2 |
Detecting image detail level
One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a method for detecting a detail level of an image including receiving an original image, transforming the original image to generate one or more blurred images, deriving image differences corresponding to ranges of detail frequency of the original image based, at least in part, on the one or more blurred images and the original image, determining, based on the image differences, a detail level value corresponding to the original image, and providing the detail level value to an image management application. |
| US08320624B2 |
Customer behavior collection method and customer behavior collection apparatus
According to one embodiment, a computer selects trajectory data on a person positioned in an image monitoring area from trajectory data on relevant persons. The computer selects a selling space image data obtained when the person corresponding to the trajectory data is positioned in the image monitoring area. The computer analyzes the selling space image data to extract a person image. The computer checks the person image extracted from the selling space image data against image data on each customer to search for customer image data obtained by taking an image of the person in the person image. The computer stores, upon detecting the customer image data obtained by taking an image of the person in the person image, identification information on transaction data stored in association with the customer image data, in association with identification information on the trajectory data. |
| US08320619B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking a model
An image such as a depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device and a model of a user in the depth image may be generated. The background of a received depth image may be removed to isolate a human target in the received depth image. A model may then be adjusted to fit with in the isolated human target in the received depth image. To adjust the model, a joint or a bone may be magnetized to the closest pixel of the isolated human target. The joint or the bone may then be refined such that the joint or the bone may be further adjusted to a pixels equidistant between two edges the body part of the isolated human target where the joint or bone may have been magnetized. |
| US08320618B2 |
Object tracker and object tracking method
Referring to FIG. 5, the tracking start-and-stop determining unit 28 of the tracking processing unit 26 determines the starting and stopping of tracking based on predetermined conditions. During the tracking, the sampling unit 29 creates or eliminates particles using the probability density distribution estimated for an immediately preceding image frame. The observation unit causes the particles to make a transition according to a predetermined motion model and observes the likelihoods of a candidate curves defined by the particles. The correction unit 32 compares the color histogram of an area located at a predetermined position relative to the candidate curve with the color histogram of an area similarly located relative to the curve determined as a result of tracking in the immediately preceding image frame. If the matching score is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the likelihood of the candidate curve is increased by correction. The result obtaining unit 34 estimates the probability density distribution based on the likelihood thus corrected. |
| US08320617B2 |
System, method and program product for camera-based discovery of social networks
A system, method and program product for camera-based discovery of social networks. The computer implemented method for identifying individuals and associating tracks with individuals in camera-generated images from a face capture camera(s) and a tracking camera(s), wherein the computer implemented method includes: receiving images of an individual from the face capture camera(s) on a computer; receiving images of a track(s) of an individual from the tracking camera(s) on a computer; automatically determining with the computer the track(s) from the images from the tracking camera(s); and associating with the computer the track(s) with the individual(s) and a unique identifier. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. |
| US08320607B2 |
Image processing method and image processing device for embedding invisible sub information into main images
An electronic watermarking embedding-processing section acquires layout information which specifies an embedding area of first sub information and an embedding area of second sub information in main image information. The electronic watermarking embedding-processing section performs overlapping processing for invisibly embedding the first sub information in the embedding area of the first sub information in the main image information which is specified by the layout information. The electronic watermarking embedding-processing section performs overlapping processing for invisibly embedding the second sub information in the embedding area of the second sub information in the main image information which is specified by the layout information. The electronic watermarking embedding-processing section creates composite image information by composing image information in which the first sub information is invisibly embedded in the main image information and image information in which the second sub information is invisibly embedded in the main image information. |
| US08320603B2 |
Earphone ear loop
An ear loop, and an assembly of an ear loop and ear bud, wherein the ear loop retains the shaft of the ear bud such that the position and angle of the ear bud relative to the ear loop can be adjusted axially and rotationally. |
| US08320600B2 |
Method and apparatus to enhance communication in the operating room
A communication system is provided for a patient featuring a cushion with an opening for receiving the face of the patient. The cushion includes a microphone for receiving audible signals from the patient and one or more speakers for delivering audible signals to the patient. The microphone and speaker(s) are integrated with the cushion to avoid interfering with the comfort of the patient. In one embodiment, the audible signals are delivered to and from the patient via a communication port. In another embodiment, the system includes a display device, so the patient may view parts of the patient's body on the device and then communicate with system operators through the microphone and speaker(s). |
| US08320593B2 |
Method and hearing apparatus for adjusting a hearing aid with data recorded in an external unit
A hearing apparatus for adjusting a hearing aid and an associated method. The apparatus includes at least one hearing aid and at least one external unit which can exchange data with the hearing aid. It further includes a first memory unit in the external unit which stores a point in time and a hearing situation at which at least one predeterminable algorithm for signal processing is activated, an output unit in the external unit which outputs the stored points in time and hearing situations, an input unit in the external unit for entering a measure of evaluation which expresses the satisfaction of a hearing aid wearer with the activated algorithm, and a modification unit in the hearing aid for changing at least one parameter of the algorithm as a function of the measure of evaluation. The hearing aid user is able to evaluate and change the setting of their hearing aid retrospectively for specific hearing situations. |
| US08320592B2 |
Apparatus and method of reproducing virtual sound of two channels based on listener's position
An apparatus and method of reproducing a virtual sound of two channels which adaptively reproduces a 2-channel stereo sound signal reproduced through a recording medium such as DVD, CD, or MP3 player etc., based on a listener's position. The method includes sensing a listener's position and recognizing distance and angle information about the listener's position, determining output gain values and delay values of two speakers based on the distance and angle information about the sensed listener's position and selecting localization filter coefficients in a predetermined table, and updating filter coefficients of a localization filter based on the selected localization filter coefficients and adjusting output levels and time delays of the two speakers from the determined gain values and delay values. |
| US08320578B2 |
Headset
A method or apparatus to provide an improved headset. The headset includes at least one sensor. The headset further includes a configuration logic to configure the headset based on the position of the headset on the user's head. |
| US08320575B2 |
Efficient audio signal processing in the sub-band regime
A signal processing system enhances an audio signal. The audio signal is divided into audio sub-band signals. Some audio sub-band signals are excised. Other audio sub-band signals are processed to obtain enhanced audio sub-band signals. At least a portion of the excised audio sub-band signals are reconstructed. The reconstructed audio sub-band signals are synthesized with the enhanced audio sub-band signals to form an enhanced audio signal. |
| US08320573B2 |
Adaptive hearing device and method for providing a hearing aid
A hearing device having an input unit for converting an acoustic input to a first signal, an output unit for converting a second signal to an acoustic output and a signal processing unit for generating said second signal from said first signal based on a setting indicating a characteristic of a user's ear, said signal processing unit coupling said input unit and said output unit, to a corresponding method for providing a hearing aid and a corresponding computer program. In order to provide an adaptive hearing device and a method for providing a hearing aid which allow for a compensation for the change in a characteristic of a user's ear, in particular for the change to the ear of a child during growth and which are of a low complexity and do not need additional sensors. |
| US08320569B2 |
Generating unique aliases for keys used with tape libraries
Unique key aliases are generated for tape libraries. According to one embodiment, a first library identifier associated with a first tape library, which does not conflict with a second library identifier associated with a second tape library, is generated. One library identifier is associated with each of the tape libraries. A unique key alias, which does not conflict with any key aliases associated with the first tape library and does not conflict with any key aliases associated with the second tape library, is generated based on the first library identifier. Tape data is encrypted based on a data key that is identified with the unique key alias as a part of writing the tape data to the first tape library. |
| US08320558B1 |
Encryption of synchronization information
A computer-implemented method for synchronizing encryption of information is disclosed according to one aspect of the subject technology. The method comprises receiving a selection of one or more types of information by a user, wherein the one or more types of information are synchronized across a plurality of computing devices. The method also comprises generating an encryption status indicating that the one or more types of information selected by the user are to be encrypted, and sending the encryption status from a first one of the computing devices to a server, wherein the server distributes the encryption status to each of the other computing devices. |
| US08320540B2 |
Verifying user identity using a reverse caller ID process
The present disclosure provides a method and a system for verifying identity of a user and a system for generating and maintaining verification codes. The method and the system use system-generated caller numbers as verification codes. When an application system needs to verify the identity of a user, the verification system generates a caller phone number and uses a communication switching system to place a call originating from the caller phone number to the user's phone. The user's phone has a caller ID display function to automatically display the caller number, which serves as a user identity verification code. The user provides the received caller number to the application system for user identity verification. No text messaging or other ways of communication is required. The method and the system can achieve reliable user identity verification. A centralized system may support multiple application systems for user identity verification. |
| US08320537B1 |
Techniques for telephony-based voting
A telephone network voting system receives telephone ballots cast by voters by dialing a telephone number. The telephone number is dialed by voters spread over a large geographic area. The voting calls are routed to points of presence local to or otherwise identified with the caller by using the caller's ANI or other originating number identification. The points of presence then accumulate votes and periodically forward tallies to a centralized location over a data network. Instructions may be transmitted from the centralized location to the points of presence. |
| US08320532B1 |
Method and system for providing voice dialing service in a SIP-based network
A system and method may include establishing a processing data session over a data network based on a processing data session request from a remote communication device, identifying a dialing directory based on the processing data session request, the dialing directory including multiple complete addresses, and receiving address information over the data network via the processing data session. The system and method may further include processing the address information to determine whether the address information corresponds to one of the plurality of complete addresses, and providing the corresponding one of the plurality of complete addresses over the data network to the remote communication device. |
| US08320524B2 |
Orthovoltage radiotherapy
A radiosurgery system is described that delivers 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, ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system, based on ocular imaging, which leads to direction of an automated positioning system. In some embodiments, the position of an ocular structure is tracked and related to a radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial aids in positioning the system. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. 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. |
| US08320509B2 |
Concatenation-assisted symbol-level combining for MIMO systems with HARQ and/or repetition coding
Systems and methods are provided for decoding signal vectors in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, where the receiver has received one or more signal vectors from the same transmitted vector. The receiver combines the received vectors by vector concatenation The concatenated vector may then be decoded using, for example, maximum-likelihood decoding. In some embodiments, the combined signal vector is equalized before decoding. |
| US08320503B2 |
Receiver
A receiver that receives a train of a plurality of symbols representing digital data, includes: an isolated pulse detector that detects whether the digital data includes an isolated pulse in the symbol train, respectively; a phase detector that detects a timing at which the level of the symbols changes; a symbol value converter that converts the symbols into logical values on the basis of the timing detected by the phase detector; and a data selector that selects a logical value of the isolated pulse instead of the logical value converted by the symbol value converter when the isolated pulse detector detects the digital data containing the isolated pulse. |
| US08320500B2 |
Clustered OFDM with channel estimation
An improved OFDM receiver is realized by employing a simplified delay function for the transmissions channel. The simplified delay function yields a simplified frequency-domain correlation that is applied to develop an Eigen matrix U that is used in developing estimates of the channels. Those channel estimates are used in the receiver to develop the output signals. |
| US08320491B2 |
Method and system for encoding a data matrix and method and system for decoding an encoded data matrix
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for encoding a data matrix having at least a first component and a second component is provided wherein the value of the first component is determined, the number of bits to be used for encoding the second component is selected based on the value of the first component, the second component is encoded using the selected number of bits, and the first component is encoded. |
| US08320482B2 |
Communication apparatus and offset canceling method
There is already disclosed a technique for an MB-OFDM communication system whereby an orthogonal demodulation section removes a DC offset generated in a received signal in a region where the received signal is an analog signal, but the removal of the DC offset in the analog region cannot prevent the DC offset from remaining, and therefore the DC offset needs to be effectively removed in a digital region. An offset canceling section 26 calculates an average value of amplitude of a signal which should have an average of amplitude within a predetermined time range of 0, subtracts the average value from the signal and thereby removes an offset included in the signal. |
| US08320473B1 |
Data communication system utilizing optimized code table signaling
A data communication method is disclosed. The method may include obtaining a data vector to be communicated; selecting a code table configured for facilitating the data communication; selecting a vector of real numbers representative of the data vector using the code table; and transmitting the vector of real numbers, wherein the vector of real numbers is transformed, upon reception, into a best corresponding vector by utilizing the code table. |
| US08320470B2 |
Method for spatial error concealment
A method for performing spatial error concealment is provided. The method includes the following steps: detecting a damaged macroblock; obtaining coding information of neighboring macroblocks of the damaged macroblock; determining edge feature of the damaged macroblock based on the coding information; and according to the edge feature, selecting a bilinear interpolation algorithm or a directional interpolation algorithm to conceal errors within the damaged macroblock. |
| US08320468B2 |
Apparatus for encoding and decoding header data in picture signal transmission
A picture decoding method and apparatus for encoding a video signal. The method includes performing an encoding process on the video signal to generate a bit stream compatible with MPEG 1 moving picture video standard. The method further includes controlling the encoding process so as to generate the bit stream which includes, in a previous picture header, an extension start code indicating the beginning of extension data added when a picture header includes control data that is newly added in MPEG 2 standard format and the extension data, and does not include, in a current picture header, the extension start code and the extension data. |
| US08320463B2 |
Reference data buffer for intra-prediction of digital video
Encoding or decoding digital video frames in intra-prediction mode by selecting column reference data locations for blocks adjacent a current block from a column reference data buffer storing column reference data samples for no more than two macro blocks of the frame. In some cases, the column reference data buffer may include a storage size for samples of a first column of data of blocks of one macro block of luminance samples. Encoding and decoding may also include selecting row reference data locations for blocks adjacent a current block from a row reference data buffer storing row reference data samples for at least one row of macro blocks of the frame. In some cases, the row reference data buffer may include storage for samples of a first row of data of fourteen successive blocks spanning two rows. The concept can be applied to various video processing components and standards. |
| US08320461B2 |
Remote resource access interface apparatus
A remote resource access interface apparatus is provided. A key input unit has keys for generating input key values. A communication unit transmits a connection establishment request message including screen resolution information to, and receives a connection establishment response message including supportable key information from, a portable device. The communication unit transmits input key information to and receives video information from the portable device after establishing the connection. A pixel information processing unit converts the video information to pixel signals for a video output unit to display as a visual image. A key advisor unit extracts supportable key information from the response message and outputs the supportable key information to the video output unit. The video information is video data adjusted in resolution based on the screen resolution information, and the input key value is mapped to one of key values indicated by the key information of the portable device. |
| US08320459B2 |
Moving picture encoding method and decoding method
A moving picture decoding method, which generates a predicted image using information on motion vectors and information on reference images, the moving picture decoding method having multiple prediction modes including a mode without motion vector decoding, including: a step of selecting a frame(s) to be referenced to in the prediction of each prediction direction in the prediction mode from among multiple candidate reference frames, and a step of selecting motion vector information used in the prediction mode, wherein said step of selecting motion vector information is performed based on whether candidate blocks including the block adjacent to the left side of or the upper side of a current block have a motion vector; and moving picture decoding is performed by generating said predicted image using the information on said selected reference frame and the information on said selected motion vectors in said prediction mode. |
| US08320456B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a video signal
An apparatus for processing a video signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes determining an intra reference block in a current view layer by using an intra motion information of an inter-reference unit in a reference view layer, the inter-reference unit being partially decoded and decoding the current block in the current view layer by using the intra-reference block. Accordingly, in coding a video signal, pictures failing to be substantially referred to for reconstruction of a current picture can be omitted. According to another aspect of the present invention, residual information having high redundancy is omitted to raise a compression ratio. |
| US08320445B2 |
System and method for video encoding using constructed reference frame
Disclosed herein is a method for digital video encoding prediction comprising creating a constructed reference frame using an encoder and compressing a series of source video frames using the constructed reference frame to obtain a bitstream including a compressed digital video signal for a subsequent decoding process. The constructed reference frame is omitted from the series of digital video frames during the subsequent viewing process. |
| US08320436B2 |
Calibrating received signal measurements in a communication device
Received signal measurements are calibrated in a communication device by measuring a received signal level for each of one or more subcarriers of a transmitted signal received from another communication device, converting the measured received signal level for each of the one or more subcarriers into a corresponding measured power level, estimating a terminal-to-terminal impedance between the communication devices and calculating a corrected power level for each of the one or more subcarriers as a function of the measured power level for the subcarrier, a known reference input impedance for the communication device and the estimated terminal-to-terminal impedance. |
| US08320423B2 |
Compact, all solid-state, avalanche photodiode emitter-detector pixel with electronically selectable, passive or active detection mode, for large-scale, high resolution, imaging focal plane arrays
An advanced, back-illuminated, silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) design is presented using silicon-on-sapphire with a novel crystalline aluminum nitride (AlN) antireflective layer between the silicon and R-plane sapphire. The substrate supports optical and electrical integration of a high quantum efficiency silicon APD with a gallium nitride (GaN)-VCSEL diode in each pixel to form a novel, compact, emitter-detector pixel for passive and active 2-D and 3-D high resolution, imaging focal plane arrays. Silicon mesa pixels are anisotropically etched with a central inverted mesa frustum cavity. The APD detector is fabricated in the silicon mesa and the GaN-VCSEL diode is grown epitaxially in the center of the mesa. A sapphire microlens below each pixel collimates the VCSEL beam and focuses optical returns into the APD detector. APDs share a common front-side anode, and VCSELs share a common cathode. The APD cathode is electrically connected to the VCSEL diode anode in each emitter-detector pixel. |
| US08320420B2 |
Polarity independent laser monitor diode current sensing circuit for optical modules
A laser bias control and monitoring circuit receives a monitor diode current on an input node and generate a bias current for a laser diode on an output node where the monitor diode current flows into (positive polarity) or out of (negative polarity) the input node. The laser bias control and monitoring circuit includes a polarity independent current sensing circuit configured to receive the monitor diode current in either positive or negative polarity and to generate a normalized output current having a magnitude proportional to a magnitude of the monitor diode current. In this manner, the laser bias control and monitoring circuit can be used with laser diode and monitor diode combination in either the common anode or the common cathode configuration, or with the monitor diode current being provided from the anode or cathode of the monitor diode. No reprogramming or reconfiguration of the circuit is required. |
| US08320418B2 |
Multiple wavelength optical systems
Optical systems operable to emit multiple frequency-converted spectral peaks are provided. In one embodiment, an optical system includes an optical source and a wavelength conversion device. The optical source may include a laser configured to emit a pump beam having at least two fundamental spectral peaks. The wavelength conversion device may include a non-linear optical medium configured to phase match the second harmonic generation of each of the at least two fundamental spectral peaks and sum-frequency generation of the at least two fundamental spectral peaks such that an output beam comprising at least three frequency-converted spectral peaks having approximately equal power is emitted from an output facet of the wavelength conversion device when the pump beam of the optical source is incident on an input facet of the wavelength conversion device. |
| US08320413B2 |
Communication method using one access
A telephone access (3) includes a signaling channel (5). A substitute channel (9) or substitute channels (8) can be added to the signaling channel and used when the signaling channel is down. It is shown that this makes the telephone access more suitable for a separate signaling channel access or hybrid access configuration. |
| US08320408B2 |
Multi-channel code-division multiplexing in front-end integrated circuits
A challenging problem is maintaining low power consumption in multi-channel (MC) systems, where multiple input signals demand several front-end analog signal-processing blocks to be replicated. A code-division multiplexing (CDM) system can be generalized as a signal compression-decompression involving an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This invention utilizes CDM in MC front-end integrated circuits to significantly reduce the power consumption of such systems. The invention also extends CDM's data compression advantages to uncorrelated and weakly correlated MC signals through the introduction of a new Multi-Channel Signal Binning and Multiplexing (MCSBM) method and architecture. The proposed method achieves significant reductions in power consumption in comparison to a conventional time-division multiplexing quantizer, while adding only a modest amount of overhead and complexity. Among other advantages, the invention permits architects to fabricate MC integrated circuits with ultra low power consumption and small chip area, where conventional architectures could not. Another embodiment of the invention relates to the system's compressor organizing samples of the input signal in such a way that the downstream ADC quantizes the higher variance samples with a higher resolution compared to the resolution it uses to quantize other samples with lower variance. |
| US08320402B2 |
Base station for allocating sub-channels to mobile station
A base station for allocating one or more sub-channels to a mobile station to perform uplink wireless communication with the mobile station through the one or more sub-channels, including an estimation unit to estimate a propagation environment for radio waves from the mobile station to the base station; a calculation unit to calculate an interference amount based on a reception power at the base station apparatus; and a determination unit to determine a modulation method, an encoding ratio, and a number of sub-channels, which are to be used by the mobile station for transmission to the base station, based on the propagation environment, the interference amount, and specification conditions of the mobile station, to notify the mobile station of the modulation method, the encoding ratio, and the number of sub-channels. |
| US08320396B2 |
Subcarrier group based power control for OFDMA systems
A system and method of wireless communication power control is provided which allows for adjusting power levels without requiring high bandwidth for control. Embodiments allocate subcarriers into unequal power groups, each group having a consistent subcarrier power level. Using interference parameter information from a user, a subcarrier is assigned from a group having adequate power to maintain the user's required power level. In general, users with higher power requirements, such as those near cell boundaries, will be assigned subcarriers from a group having a higher power level. A cell may use a different allocation than a neighbor, so that subcarriers with the highest power level in one cell may not also have the highest power level in a neighboring cell. Such diversity may reduce inter-cell interference of the subcarriers near a cell boundary, since no two subcarriers are transmitted with highest power simultaneously by neighboring base stations. |
| US08320395B2 |
Reduced interference channel allocation based on subband grouping by modulation, coding, and power
A radio resource control in an Uplink Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system is provided. The control procedure includes: dividing the common frequency band into more than one frequency band sub-block; allocating at least one user terminal to each frequency band sub-block on the basis of the modulation and coding schemes used by the user terminals; and controlling transmission power of the user terminals on the basis of the modulation and coding schemes used by the user terminals. |
| US08320383B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing call admission control for VoIP over wireless local area networks using a transparent proxy agent
The invention includes a method and apparatus providing call admission control for a wireless local area network (WLAN). A method includes extracting call signaling information from call signaling messages exchanged between a first user terminal and a second user terminal for establishing a voice call, where the second user terminal is being served by a wireless access point, and propagating a quality-of-service request toward the wireless access point which may be used by the wireless access point for determining whether or not to accept the voice call. The quality-of-service request includes at least one quality-of-service parameter determined using the extracted call signaling information. The at least one quality-of-service parameter is adapted for use by the wireless access point for determining whether or not to accept the voice call. The wireless access point then provides an indication as to whether it has accepted the voice call (in which case the voice call is completed) or whether it has rejected the voice call (in which case some other call handling may be applied to the voice call). |
| US08320379B2 |
Arbiter circuit and method of carrying out arbitration
A method of carrying out arbitration in a packet exchanger including an input buffer temporarily storing a packet having arrived at an input port, and a packet switch which switches a packet between a specific input port and a specific output port, includes the steps of (a) concurrently carrying out a first plurality of sequences in each of the sequences basic processes for at least one of the input buffer and the output port are carried out in a predetermined order, and (b) making an allowance in each of the sequences for packets to be output through output through output ports at different times from one another. |
| US08320375B2 |
Method and device for distributing data segment of data stream to group of users
A status message is sent by each node a group of nodes in a network to other nodes in the group using a multicast and/or broadcast channel of the network to identify the nodes in the group. The status message includes a piece of information about a data segment to be received by the nodes in the group via the multicast and/or broadcast channel. At least one of the nodes in the group requests the data segment via a point-to-point transmission channel from a source node. The data segment is sent to the other node(s) in the group via the multicast and/or broadcast channel. |
| US08320367B1 |
Transitioning telephone from guest mode to custom mode based on logging in to computing system
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory, computer-readable medium may include computer-executable instructions stored thereon. When executed by at least one processor, the instructions may be configured to cause a computing system to at least initialize a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone program in a guest mode configured to allow any user of the computing system to place telephone calls, and in response to a user logging in to the computing system, transition the VoIP telephone program from the guest mode to a custom mode for the logged-in user. |
| US08320366B2 |
Delayed onset of voice activity detection for jitter adaptation
Disclosed are various systems and methods for controlling a voice activity detector. In one example approach, a method is provided in which a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) session is initiated in a first gateway with a second gateway. A plurality of jitter adaptation packets are transmitted from the first gateway to the second gateway. Also, the voice activity detector is disabled in the first gateway during the transmission of the jitter adaptation packets. The voice activity detector is enabled in the first gateway after the transmission of the jitter adaptation packets. |
| US08320362B2 |
Telecommunications system and method of initiating file transfers from voice endpoints
A communications system and method of transferring data over the communications system. The system includes audio communications devices (telephones and/or, soft phones) connected to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoints with multiple line capabilities and a unique Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) associated with audio communications that has the form x@y.z. A file transfer agent system running a File Transfer Application Agent (FTAA) application is also connected at each of SIP endpoints, and has a unique URI that has the form ft.x@y.z. Parties conducting a phone conversation at SIP endpoints can initiate file transfers between the file transfer agent system from respective audio communications devices without otherwise accessing the file transfer agent system. |
| US08320356B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
The circuit scale of a wireless communication apparatus at the data receiving end in a wireless communication performing an adaptive control for each of subcarriers or subchannels can be reduced. In the present apparatus, frame forming parts (103-1 to 103-m) each multiplex a pilot, control information and transport data to form a frame for a respective one of subchannels (1 to m). A subcarrier assigning part (104) assigns subcarriers designated from an adaptive control part (114) to the respective frames formed by the frame forming parts (103-1 to 103-m). A timing control part (105) establishes mutually different frame timing offsets to the respective frames received from the subcarrier assigning part (104). |
| US08320352B2 |
Robust transmission scheme for wireless networks
Systems and methods are described that facilitate assigning a predefined manner in which interfering transmissions may be fully or partially orthogonalized, as well as transmission time periods during which the orthogonalization protocol(s) may be employed. Depending on interference conditions, flexible resource reuse may be implemented to mitigate interference without unduly taxing resources. The subject of the innovation may be employed in, for instance, an ad hoc or unplanned/semi-planned wireless communication environment. |
| US08320349B1 |
Combined user agent for packet-based communication clients
The present invention provides a combined user agent, which acts on behalf of multiple packet-based communication clients that may have different media capabilities. The combined user agent allows the different communication clients to cooperate with one another and participate in the same multimedia session. Different ones of the communication clients may support different types of media sessions. The combined user agent may present a single interface, which is associated with a single identification, on behalf of the supported communication clients to remote communication clients. As such, the combined user agent may appear to remote communication clients as a single communication client having the combined capabilities of the supported communication clients. |
| US08320344B2 |
System and method for provisioning telecommunications services between an access point and a telecommunications network and providing a missing information notification
A method and system for selectively provisioning connections between an access point, which supports telecommunications services over an IP network, and a carrier network includes a network connection and a telephone connector suitable for connecting to a landline telephone, a cordless telephone, or a mobile device. The access point sends a provisioning request, which includes identifying information such as a subscriber identifier and a MAC address, to a network controller. The network controller attempts to find a geographic, street, or other address associated with the connection to be provisioned. If an address is not found, the network controller rejects the connection and sends a missing information notification to the access point. After receiving the missing information notification, the access point controls a user indicator to provide error information. |
| US08320335B2 |
Wireless communication system
A wireless communication system is disclosed including a MIMO wireless communication apparatus that can communicate through multiple antennas and a non-MIMO wireless communication apparatus that can communicate through a single antenna or multiple antennas. The MIMO wireless communication apparatus includes a communication unit configured to transmit and receive control information divided into a second control information containing information related to the demodulation and decoding of traffic channel and a first control information containing information related to the MIMO separation of the second control information. |
| US08320326B2 |
Method and system for inter-technology active handoff of a hybrid communication device
A communication system provides for a handoff of a hybrid mobile station (MS) between a legacy network implementing a non-high rate packet data (non-HRPD) communication technology and a network implementing a high rate packet data (HRPD) communication technology. In one embodiment, the legacy network receives a handoff trigger and redirects the MS to the HRPD network. In other embodiments, the legacy network (or HRPD network) receives a handoff trigger, obtains an allocation of HRPD network (or non-HRPD network) resources from the HRPD network (or non-HRPD network), and informs the MS of the allocated HRPD network (or non-HRPD network) resources. Subsequent to the establishment by the HRPD network (or non-HRPD network) of a traffic channel with the MS, the non-HRPD network (or HRPD network) releases non-HRPD network (or HRPD network) RF resources associated with the MS. In still other embodiments, the handoffs may be controlled by a Mobile Switching Center. |
| US08320322B2 |
Assignment method and base station apparatus using the assignment method
A control unit assigns time slots to terminal apparatuses, at regular intervals, over predetermined sub-channels among a plurality of sub-channels where the time slot is formed by frequency-multiplexing a plurality of sub-channels and frames each of which is formed by a plurality of time slots are contiguous. The control unit also arbitrarily assigns a plurality of time slots to terminal apparatuses, respectively, over the remaining sub-channels. An RF unit through an IF unit communicate with the terminal apparatuses assigned by the control unit. |
| US08320319B2 |
Semi-persistent scheduled resource release procedure in a mobile communication network
The invention relates to a method for deactivating a semi-persistent resource allocation of a user equipment in an LTE-based mobile communication system. Furthermore, the invention also related to a user equipment and a eNode B implementing this method. To provide a mechanism for deactivating a semi-persistent resource allocation in a LTE system which is not requiring any changes to the Physical layer-to-MAC layer interface and/or preferably no changes to the PDCCH formats agreed by the 3GPP a combination of NDI value and MCS index is defined that is commanding the release of SPS resources. Alternatively, another solution proposed to define a special transport block size that when signaled in a PDCCH is commanding the release of SPS resources. |
| US08320313B1 |
Method and system for carrier frequency management based on slot contention
Methods and systems for carrier frequency management based on slot contention are provided. A radio access network (RAN) may radiate on one or more carrier frequencies to define wireless coverage areas. Each wireless coverage area may provide network access for one or more wireless communication devices (WCDs). In order to efficiently manage these carrier frequencies, the RAN may measure a slot contention metric for each carrier frequency. Based on the measured slot contention metrics, the RAN may perform a carrier frequency management function affecting at least one of the carrier frequencies. Carrier frequency management functions may include, but are not limited to, assigning a WCD to a carrier frequency, taking a carrier frequency out of service, and placing a new carrier frequency in service. |
| US08320312B2 |
Edge continued evolution, improved channel request method and system
The present invention is a method and system adapted to facilitate, between a mobile station (MS) and network, an indication of support for reduced time transmission interval (RTTI). The MS can provide a base station system (BSS) with an indication of its multislot capability within an access burst sent at the start of a contention based access. In another aspect, the MS can indicate support for a new Immediate Assignment message as the conventional Immediate Assignment message can only assign single timeslots. The present invention enables the Radio Access Network (RAN) to assign RTTI and more than one timeslot for GPRS/EDGE temporary block flows (TBFs) during an Access Grant Channel (AGCH) assignment. The method of the present invention can be implemented in a computer program product or distributed software adapted to be loaded into at least one or a plurality of memory locations and executed by at least one or a plurality of respective computer processors. |
| US08320309B2 |
IP mobility within a communication system
A method and gateway node for routing IP traffic to and from a mobile terminal able to connect to the Internet via two or more gateway nodes. A multi-addressing multi-homing protocol is implemented at each gateway node on behalf of the mobile terminal. The gateway nodes share protocol state information to enable gateway nodes to update state information at the corresponding node when the mobile terminal changes gateway nodes. |
| US08320302B2 |
Over the air microcontroller flash memory updates
Techniques for over the air (OTA) microcontroller flash memory updates using a wireless network are disclosed herein. A control node first transmits the microcontroller flash memory update to all devices that can receive the message. Each packet of the message is relayed through multiple communication levels until all devices receive the packet. This starts with communications from the control node to each device node that has a direct communication path to the control node, which are referred to herein as “first level” device nodes. The first level device nodes then relay each communication to each other device node that has a direct communication path to the first level device nodes, which are referred to herein as “second level” device nodes. This process is repeated at each level of the wireless network until each of the plurality of device nodes has received the microcontroller flash memory update. |
| US08320294B2 |
Method for communicating in a network comprising wire and wireless nodes
The inventive method makes it possible to communicate in a network comprising wireless nodes provided with communications means enabling to communicate through a wireless channel and wire nodes provided with communication means enabling to communicate through a wire channel. Said method is characterised in that the wire node repeats a message received exclusively through a wireless channel if a signal acknowledging the message reception is not received, wherein the transmission of said acknowledgement signal is generated in a first time slot upon the reception of the signal though a wire channel. |
| US08320288B2 |
Communication system, communication apparatus and communication method, and computer program
To suitably suppress distribution delay at the time of multi-hop communication or broadcast transfer while including a communication station in a power-saving state.First, STA-A immediately transmits broadcast data to STA-B which is running in an active mode, and subsequently, executes transmission of a beacon at a TBTT when STA-C operates a receiver, and then transmits the broadcast data to the STA-C. Thus, the broadcast data can be distributed to the STA-B which is running in the active mode with the minimum delay, and on the other hand, the broadcast data is distributed to the STA-C which is running in a sleep mode in a sure manner while generating a delay quantity of only T0. |
| US08320286B2 |
Infrastructure offload wake on wireless LAN (WOWL)
Aspects of an infrastructure offload wake on wireless LAN (WOWL) are described. An aspect of the system may include a networked device, or station, which may communicate one or more filters to an infrastructure networking device. The infrastructure networking device may utilize the filters to perform pattern matching operations on frames or packets received from the network for delivery to at least the station while the station is in an inactive, or low-power, state. When pattern matching operations performed at the infrastructure networking device indicate receipt of a frame or packet on behalf of the inactive station, which matches at least one of the filters, the infrastructure networking device may store an indication value. The indication value may denote receipt of at least one frame or packet that matched at least one of the filters, which were communicated to the infrastructure networking device by the station. |
| US08320279B2 |
Managing and provisioning virtual routers
Methods and systems are provided for provisioning and managing network-based virtual private networks (VPNs). According to one embodiment, a routing configuration for each of multiple network-based customer VPNs is generated for multiple customers based on (i) site reachability information for multiple service processing switches and (ii) a global customer routing profile for a network-based customer VPN of the plurality of network-based customer VPNs. Multiple virtual routers (VRs) distributed among the service processing switches are provisioned to support the network-based customer VPNs based on the routing configurations. A custom routing profile, identifying one or more routing protocols to be used for one or more segments of the network-based customer VPN profile, is received for the network-based customer VPN. The network-based customer VPN is automatically reconfigured by programmatically generating appropriate routing configurations for VRs partitioned to the network-based customer VPN based on the site reachability information and the custom routing profile. |
| US08320278B2 |
Communication device, system and method to form communication route
There is provided a communication device including a score information storage unit to store score information indicating a score as an evaluated value of a communication path; a receiver unit to receive a route connection notice including current score information; a routing unit to acquire the score information stored in the score information storage unit, and select the communication path next to the communication path based on the acquired score information of the communication path; a score updating unit to add a score of the communication path selected by the routing unit to the current score of the partial communication route indicated by the current score information, and update the current score information to the added score as a new current score; and a transmission unit to transmit the route connection notice including the current score information. |
| US08320275B2 |
Channel information feedback method, mobile station, base station, multi-input multi-output system
A channel information feedback method, an information processing method, a mobile station, a base station, and a MIMO system are disclosed by embodiments of the present invention. Through the foregoing technical solutions, different numbers of channel information feedback bits are allocated for different channels dynamically, and the feedback gain is made better use of. |
| US08320269B2 |
Scalable delay-power control algorithm for bandwidth sharing in wireless networks
A distributed power control technique for wireless networking efficiently balances communication delay against transmitter power on each wireless link. Packets are transmitted over a wireless link from a transmitter to a receiver using a dynamically controlled transmit power level that is periodically updated at the transmitter. The transmit power is computed from i) an observed noise plus interference value of the wireless link and ii) a parameter that determines a balance between per-packet average delay and per-packet average power. In a preferred implementation, the dynamically controlled transmit power level is computed by minimizing the sum of an average delay cost and an average power cost, weighted by the parameter. |
| US08320268B2 |
Communication control apparatus, radio communication apparatus, communication control method and radio communication method
A communication control apparatus calculates a bandwidth ratio Ri based on a received number of IP packets received from a radio communication apparatus within a window T2. The bandwidth ratio Ri indicates a ratio of the bandwidth of a radio IP network 10A to be used for receiving IP packets within a window T3 following the window T2, to the bandwidth of a radio IP network 10B to be used for receiving IP packets within the window T3. The communication control apparatus then transmits, to the radio communication apparatus, a complementary bandwidth amount notification message from which the calculated bandwidth ratio Ri is recognizable. |
| US08320266B2 |
Method of controlling power in a WCDMA system
A method and a device relating to a scheduling mechanism in a base station in a WCDMA system are disclosed. The mechanism enables the base station to rapidly adapt to users momentary traffic demands and to interference variations, a dynamical adjustable margin is proposed in this invention. The adjustment is based on the RoT measurement in a cell. To fully use the resource in a cell, the RoT can be targeted to be as closer to the RoTmax as possible however without exceed the limit. The scheduler is preferably set to schedule as high a rate or as many users as possible to fill up the available RoT. The margin which is reserved for the neighboring cell load and external interference is decreased step by step as long as the RoT measurement is below a threshold under RoTmax. Whenever the RoT measurement exceeds the threshold, the margin is increased by one step. |
| US08320264B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining path loss by active signal detection
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for determining a path loss value of a signal transmitted from a wireless device and received by a receiver, where the wireless device and the receiver operate within a wireless communication system having at least one cell having at least one sector operating on at least one frequency channel. The method includes: (i) identifying a geographic area where the path loss value is to be determined; (ii) identifying a first cell, a first sector, and a first frequency channel associated with the geographic area wherein said wireless device is actively communicating with said receiver using said first frequency channel; (iii) receiving at said receiver the signal transmitted from said wireless device on said first frequency channel; (iv) receiving at said receiver an indication of transmission signal strength of said signal; (v) measuring at said receiver the received signal strength of said signal; and (vi) determining the path loss value of said first frequency channel as a function of the indication of transmission signal strength and the received signal strength. |
| US08320260B2 |
Method of monitoring cells in wireless communication systems
A wireless communication network automatically tests itself for sleeping cells. This is done by designing the base stations to regularly act as a terminal, contact its neighboring base stations and as a mobile perform a set of typical traffic cases. From the outcome of the traffic cases the probing base station detects neighboring base stations that cannot carry traffic. The information about sleeping cells is subsequently communicated from the base station to the operation and maintenance system. |
| US08320256B2 |
Method, computer program product and system for managing usage of marginal capacity of computer resources
Utilization of at least one resource is managed in a computer system by monitoring usage of capacity of the computer resource, including monitoring usage of base capacity of the computer resource and marginal capacity of the computer resource exceeding the base capacity and determining whether usage of the computer resource exceeds a predetermined threshold. The determination may be based on an average usage of multiple computer resources over the predetermined time period. If usage of the computer resource exceeds the predetermined threshold, a charge for the usage of the computer resources is adjusted by an amount based on the usage of the computer resources exceeding the threshold. |
| US08320255B2 |
Inter-domain path computation technique
A technique computes a traffic engineering (TE) label switched path (LSP) that spans multiple domains of a computer network from a head-end node of a local domain to a tail-end node of a remote domain. The novel inter-domain TE-LSP computation technique comprises a computation algorithm executed by the head-end node, which utilizes Path Computation Elements (PCEs) located within the remote domains (i.e., other than the local domain). Specifically, the head-end node requests path segments from a PCE in each of the remote domains, in which the path segments represent paths between all entry border routers to either all exit border routers of the particular remote domain (i.e., through the domain), or to the tail-end node. Upon receiving path segments from each remote domain, the head-end node combines the path segments with local domain information, and performs a forward path computation from the head-end node to the tail-end node to find the best (i.e., “shortest”) path. |
| US08320250B2 |
Method and arrangement for TCP flow control
A communication entity is located at one end of a high latency communication link to support Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) communications between a first transceiver entity and a second transceiver entity. The communication entity comprises proxy logic arranged to inspect a received segment and, in response to identifying that the received segment does not contain data, the proxy logic transparently allows a plurality of synchronizing segments to pass between the first transceiver entity and the second transceiver entity through the proxy logic such that the proxy logic generates locally at least one acknowledgement message based on the synchronizing segments and the inspected received segment. |
| US08320249B2 |
Method and system for controlling network access on a per-flow basis
Aspects of a method and system for controlling network access on a per-flow basis may comprise controlling access to a network by regulating at least one flow comprising one or more ingress packets based on a flow identifier associated with said one or more packets and based on an establishment of flows in said network. The flow identifier may comprise a source IP address, a destination IP address, a source MAC address, a destination MAC address, a network protocol, a source port number, and/or a destination port number. The number of flows permitted for a source and/or a rate at which a source is allowed to establish new flows may be limited. Flows that exceed one or more of these limits may be marked for further processing. Access to the network for the marked flows may be determined based on past and/or present network statistics. Flows received when a node is at capacity may also be marked for processing. |
| US08320248B2 |
Method and system for communicating data in xDSL using data retransmission
A method and system for communicating data in an xDSL data retransmission mode is disclosed. A data transmission unit (DTU) is defined. The DTU is sent in an xDSL data stream. A retransmit container is further defined a as a time slot that corresponds to a sent DTU. A copy of the sent DTUs and an index of corresponding retransmit containers is maintained. The DTUs are transmitted the in the xDSL data stream. A determination is made on whether a transmitted DTU was corrupted during transmission. Each corrupted DTU is identified by its corresponding retransmit container. An uncorrupted copy of the DTU is then retransmitted as identified by the corresponding retransmit container. |
| US08320239B1 |
Receiver-driven layered multicast rate control protocol
A receiver-driven layered multicast rate control protocol technique includes receiving an information flow consisting of a group of different layers and detecting traffic congestion and cessation of traffic congestion. One or more of the group of different layers are dropped upon the detection of traffic congestion and one or more of the group of different layers are added upon the detection of cessation of traffic congestion. The dropping consists of forwarding a pause message to an upstream multicast router to instruct the upstream multicast router to discard packets and the adding consists of forwarding a resume message to the upstream multicast router to instruct the upstream multicast router to transmit packets. The adding and dropping may be performed by a local receiver downstream of the multicast router and one or more of the group of different layers may be added or dropped simultaneously in a single operation. |
| US08320238B2 |
Communication device with a path protection function, and network system using the communication device
Provided is a network system including a start device and multiple end devices. A point-to-point (P-to-P) logical path is set to be used for unicast communication between the start device and each of the end devices. A first point-to-multipoint (P-to-M) logical path and a second P-to-M logical path are set to be used for multicast communication from the start device to the multiple end devices. The start device transmits data over the first P-to-M logical path. When one of the end devices detects a defect along the first P-to-M logical path, the end device that has detected the defect transmits a switch request over the P-to-P logical path set between this end device and the start device. The start device receives the switch request and transmits data over the second P-to-M logical path. |
| US08320235B2 |
Self-repair system and method for providing resource failure tolerance
A self-repair system provides resource failure tolerance using an interconnection network that provides interconnection information identifying connections between system resources, redundant resources and ports that are connectable to consumers of the system resources. A controller identifies both defective system resources and the affected sinks connected to the defective system resources from the interconnection network. The controller further identifies compatible resources from the system resources and redundant resources that are capable of replacing the defective system resources for each of the affected sinks from the interconnection network. The controller determines a respective cost associated with each of the compatible resources, and in response to the determined costs, selects at least one of the compatible resources as a replacement resource for each of the defective system resources. The controller further configures the interconnection network to connect the replacement resources to the affected ports instead of the defective system resources. |
| US08320232B1 |
Patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium with multiple magnetic layers and interlayers
A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium has discrete data islands that have first and second ferromagnetic layers (MAG1 and MAG2) with first and second nonmagnetic interlayers (IL1 and IL2) between MAG1 and MAG2. MAG1 and MAG2 may be similar CoPtCr alloys with similar thicknesses, with thicknesses of IL1 and IL2 that assure that MAG1 and MAG2 are strongly exchange coupled. Alternatively, MAG2 may be a “write assist” layer, for example a high-saturation magnetization, magnetically soft material in an exchange-spring structure, with IL1 being very thin so that IL2 functions as the coupling layer between MAG1 and the write-assist MAG2 layer. In an application for thermally-assisted recording (TAR), MAG2 may be the chemically-ordered equiatomic binary alloy FePt or CoPt based on the L10 phase, with high magneto-crystalline anisotropy (Ku). |
| US08320228B2 |
Near-field optical head having tapered hole for guiding light beam
A near-field optical head has a planar substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, and an inverted pyramidal hole extending through the first and second surfaces. The inverted pyramidal hole has at least one fine aperture formed at an apex thereof and disposed in the first surface and having at least one curved slant surface. An optical waveguide extends into the inverted pyramidal hole of the planar substrate for propagating light along an optical path. A mirror is disposed in the optical waveguide for bending in the direction of the fine aperture the optical path of the light propagated through the optical waveguide. |
| US08320223B2 |
Optical storage apparatus and method for eliminating write power transient thereof
An optical storage apparatus and a method for eliminating a write power transient thereof are provided. The method includes following steps. First, a target voltage level of a write voltage when next time the optical storage apparatus writes data is obtained. Then, a command value is updated by using the target voltage level according to a relationship between the command value and the write voltage. Next, the write voltage of the optical storage apparatus is pre-charged to the target voltage level according to the updated command value. Thereby, the write power transient of the optical storage apparatus can be eliminated. |
| US08320220B1 |
Method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording disk drive having a non-conformal heat spreader
An energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducer coupled with a laser is described. The EAMR transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) residing near a media during use. The laser provides energy. The transducer includes a waveguide, a near field transducer (NFT) proximate to the ABS, a write pole, a heat spreader, and at least one coil. The waveguide directs the energy from the laser toward the ABS. The NFT is optically coupled with the waveguide, focuses the energy onto the media, and includes a disk having an NFT width. The write pole writes to the media. The heat spreader is thermally coupled with the NFT. A first portion of the heat spreader is between the NFT and the pole, is between the ABS and a second portion of the heat spreader, and has a first width. The second portion has a second width greater than the first width. |
| US08320216B2 |
Active sonar system and active sonar method using fuzzy logic
A computer-implemented method of sonar processing includes identifying, with a processor, a detection having a detection probability value, the detection in a selected beam, wherein the detection is associated with a detection range cell having detection range cell data. The method also includes comparing, with the processor, the detection range cell data with range cell data from a corresponding range cell from at least one overlapping beam overlapping the selected beam. The method also includes updating, with the processor, the detection probability value based upon the comparing. A sonar system uses the above-described method. A computer readable storage medium has instructions thereon to achieve the above-described method. |
| US08320214B1 |
Device for reducing target strength of an underwater object
A device for deflecting acoustic waves for an object in a liquid environment includes a heating grid and a cooling grid. The heating grid is positioned about the object and increases the temperature in the liquid environment. The cooling grid is positioned about the object to cool the liquid environment outside the heating grid. Jointly, these grids establish a temperature gradient in the liquid environment that is capable of bending acoustic waves in the environment. The cooling grid and heating grid can be established through mechanical, electrical or chemical methods. Alternatively, the required temperature gradient can be established by a heating grid alone in a moving vehicle wherein the heating grid is continuously in contact with undisturbed water at the ambient temperature. |
| US08320210B2 |
Memory circuit and a tracking circuit thereof
Memory circuit and a tracking circuit thereof. The tracking circuit includes a dummy bit line (DBL). The tracking circuit further includes a first circuit to discharge the dummy bit line in response to a first signal and a wordline activation signal. The wordline activation signal causes activation of a memory cell. The tracking circuit also includes a second circuit which is responsive to discharge of the dummy bit line to enable access to the memory cell. |