Document Document Title
US08327461B2 High-speed scanning probe microscope
The invention is directed to a probe for scanning probe microscopy. The probe 20 comprises a tunnel-current conducting part 30 and a tunnel-current insulating part 40. The said parts are configured such that the insulating part determines a minimal distance between the conducting part 30 and the sample surface. The invention may further concern a scanning probe microscope having such a probe, and a corresponding scanning probe microscopy method. Since the distance to the sample surface 100 is actually determined by the insulating part 40, controlling the vertical position of the probe 20 relative to the sample surface is easily and rapidly achieved. The configuration of the parts allows for a fast scan of the sample surface, whereby high-speed imaging can be achieved. Further, embodiments allow for topographical variations to be accurately captured through tunneling effect.
US08327459B2 Method and apparatus for authenticating usage of an application
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for authenticating the usage of an application. A request to execute an application is received from a user device. The application is executed based on the request. An application-level usage indicator is received from the user device. The application-level usage indicator corresponds to current operation of the application by a user and comprises at least (i) user input commands and (ii) passive usage metrics. The identity of the user is determined by comparing the application-level usage indicator with a pre-established user profile wherein the user profile is associated with previous operation of the application by the user and comprises at least (i) user input commands and (ii) passive usage metrics. Execution of the application is terminated at the user device if the identified user is not entitled to use the application according to the user profile.
US08327448B2 Protected clock management based upon a non-trusted persistent time source
Methods and arrangements to persist a trusted time for a protected clock based upon a non-trusted but persistent time source are disclosed. Embodiments may comprise an embedded device, which may be hardware, software, firmware, and/or other logic, to maintain a trusted time in a protected clock. The embedded device may initialize the protected clock by obtaining a trusted time from a trusted time source such as a network server. The embedded device then maintains the trusted time in the event of a power loss to the protected clock by monitoring a time differential between the protected clock and a non-trusted system clock. Many embodiments also employ the protected clock without a battery backup to advantageously save manufacturing costs and space, while maintaining the trusted time in the event of a power loss by relying on a battery backup for the non-trusted system clock. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08327437B2 Securing network traffic by distributing policies in a hierarchy over secure tunnels
A technique for securing message traffic in a data network using a protocol such as IPsec, and more particularly various methods for distributing security policies among peer entities in a network while minimizing the passing and storage of detailed policy or key information except at the lowest levels of a hierarchy.
US08327435B2 Techniques for managing security in next generation communication networks
Disclosed techniques provide enhanced security for a communications network. Access terminal devices intended for operation via the network are expected to have security agent functionality, e.g. in the form security agent software loaded into or otherwise enabled on each of the access terminal devices. Registration procedures include verification that such an agent is present/enabled on an access terminal and that the agent currently implemented on the terminal device provides adequate security for the communications network against malicious traffic from that device.
US08327430B2 Firewall control via remote system information
Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for implementing a firewall control system responsive to remote system information are disclosed. Embodiments of a method may include receiving a data request at a firewall where the data request is associated with a program and determining whether a remote system condition exists for the associated program, where the remote system condition includes a condition to be satisfied based on information received from a particular remote system. Embodiments may also include, in response to determining that a remote system condition exists, determining whether the remote system condition is satisfied based on information received from the particular remote system. Embodiments may also include, in response to determining whether the remote system condition is satisfied, performing one or more firewall actions.
US08327423B2 Method and apparatus for distributed authorization by anonymous flexible credential
A method and apparatus for distributed authorization by anonymous flexible credential are provided. Pseudonym authority issues a root pseudonym to a user. The user may generate large amount of derived pseudonym from the root pseudonym. The user may obtain resource credentials from resource protectors by using derived pseudonyms. The user may select a set of resource credentials, generate a flexible credential from this set of resource credentials and request access to the resource corresponding to the set of resource credentials to a resource protector by using the flexible credential and a derived pseudonym. Revocation list for each resource may be maintained in the system such that any one of resource credentials of any user may be revoked without affecting other resource credentials of that user.
US08327422B1 Authenticating a server device using dynamically generated representations
A technique supports authentication of a server device (e.g., a web site). The technique involves supplying a user device (e.g., a client browser) with a user mechanism (e.g., a browser plug-in) which is constructed and arranged to dynamically generate user representations. The technique further involves receiving, at the server device, a request from the user device. The technique further involves providing a server representation to the user device from the server device in response to the request. The user device successfully authenticates the server device when a user representation dynamically generated by the user mechanism matches the server representation provided to the user device. However, the user device unsuccessfully authenticates the server device when the user representation dynamically generated by the user mechanism does not match the server representation provided to the user device.
US08327418B2 Presentation apparatus with broadcasting function and method using the same
A presentation apparatus includes: a communication connection establishing unit establishing a communication connection with a plurality of receiving terminals and a source terminal, the source terminal having a token corresponding to an authority of controlling a presentation; a presentation data relay unit receiving presentation data from the source terminal, broadcasting a presentation image to the plurality of receiving terminals to display the presentation image of the received presentation data on each screen of the plurality of receiving terminals, and broadcasting voice information to the source terminal and the plurality of receiving terminals to output, from each terminal, the voice information being inputted from any one of the source terminal and the plurality of receiving terminals; and a presentation control unit controlling a transmission/reception of the presentation image and the voice information, and controlling a receiving terminal requesting the token to obtain the token.
US08327414B2 Performing policy conflict detection and resolution using semantic analysis
A method and system for managing a policy includes, in response to determining the presence of a conflict, determining a semantic equivalence between a component of a policy rule and at least one additional policy rule. The determining a semantic equivalence is performed by using a semantic reasoning algorithm that includes the steps of determining a first policy target of a first policy rule and a second policy target of a second policy rule, determining a meaning of the first policy target and a meaning of the second policy rule, assigning a confidence value based on the determined meaning of the first policy, assigning a confidence value based on the determined meaning of the second policy, performing a semantic comparison between the first policy target and the second policy target, and determining, based at least in part on the semantic comparison, the presence of a conflict between the first and second policy targets.
US08327413B2 Digital cable broadcast processing apparatus and method thereof
A digital cable broadcast processing apparatus and a method thereof. A power supply supplies power, and an out-of-band (OOB) receiver receives additional OOB information from a transmission system. A cable card to descramble the received OOB information is mounted in an interface, and a controller controls the power supply in accordance with the presence and absence of the cable card, and accordingly controls the power supply to the OOB receiver. Whether or not the cable card is mounted is determined, and power is cut off or supplied in accordance with the result of the determination. As a result, unnecessary power consumption can be prevented when the cable card is not mounted.
US08327411B2 Low-latency random access to compressed video
A method and apparatus for achieving low-latency, and rapidly attained high-resolution, access reception for transmitted and received video data involving the pre-transmission dividing of a source video stream into two downstream-deliverable data streams that differ by, on the one hand, low-latency, low-resolution characteristics for one stream, and on the other hand, higher-latency, higher-resolution characteristics for the other stream. Latency in these streams is determined by the frame spacing created between stream-inserted marker I-frames. The divided streams are multiplexed and transmitted. At the receiving end, monitoring, selecting and video output-signal switching take place under rules whereby the first-encountered marker frame in either stream directs that stream to provide the first content for the video output signal. If the first-encountered marker resides in the higher-resolution stream, the process ends. If it is the lower-resolution stream, a switch to the higher-resolution stream takes place on detection of the next-encountered marker frame in the higher-resolution stream.
US08327410B2 Networked-enabled mass storage dongle with networked media content aggregation
Embodiments of a network-enabled mass storage dongle with networked media content aggregation are discussed. Embodiments provide for a dongle in a consumption mode is inserted into one or more source devices, where the one or more source devices are part of a network and store content to be aggregated for accessing on equipment. In embodiments the equipment has no intrinsic networking capabilities. The dongle allows a user to select one or more directory structures on each of the one or more source devices to be included in the aggregated content. The dongle then creates a file share for each of the selected directory structures. The dongle in an aggregation mode is inserted into the equipment and automatically connects to the network. The dongle aggregates content in the created file shares to present the aggregated content as a single mass storage device to the equipment. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08327403B1 Systems and methods for providing remote program ordering on a user device via a web server
Methods and systems for remotely scheduling for recording or ordering a program advertised on a web page of a website. A program advertisement is displayed on a user device. In response to a user's selection of the advertisement, information is transmitted from the user device to a web server of the web page without navigating the user away from the website. The information includes information that identifies a user's equipment to a remote access server. A record request or an order request is transmitted by the web server to the remote access server. The remote access server cross-references the record or order request with an action request. The action request is transmitted to the user's television equipment to record or access the advertised program.
US08327393B2 Disc-clamping mechanism and disc driving apparatus
A simplified disc-clamping mechanism is provided to decrease the number of parts and processes of the assembly of a disc-clamping mechanism. The disc-clamping mechanism has a clamping plate sandwiching a disc by cooperating with a turntable, and a clamp base rotatably holding the clamping plate. The clamping plate has a surface plate pressing a disc toward the turntable, a small-radius body portion having an outer diameter smaller than that of the surface plate portion, and a flange portion protruding more than an end portion in an axial direction of the small-radius body portion and being parallel to the surface plate portion. The clamp base is integrally formed while including a thin-plate shaped holding portion, a stopper piece, and a bent portion which extends from the holding portion.
US08327391B2 Method, system and apparatus for transmitting remote procedure call commands
A method, system and apparatus for transmitting remote procedure call (RPC) commands are disclosed so that all terminals can be managed by using a protocol or specification in a converged network. The method includes: setting RPC commands in device management (DM) specification information; and transmitting the DM specification information. The system includes: a first device, adapted to: set RPC commands in the DM specification information, and send the DM specification information to a second device; and the second device, adapted to receive the DM specification information from the first device. The apparatus includes a terminal device and a DM server.
US08327387B2 Method for acquisition of GDI and directX data
A method for acquiring graphics device interface data and DirectX data by use of a filter driver transparent to transparent to a graphics device interface engine, DirectX kernel and a real display driver is disclosed, the method comprises steps of: updating the graphics device interface, and acquiring the graphics device interface data by use of a corresponding graphics device interface function in the filter driver; acquiring, for DirectDraw in DirectX, DirectDraw application and video update data by intercepting frame switch and bit block transfer operations of DirectDraw part; acquiring, for Direct3D in DirectX, data of Direct3D application by intercepting the update interface of Direct3D part. With the method of present invention, an integral acquisition of Windows GDI and DirectX data can be achieved while DirectX function remains available.
US08327386B2 Mechanism that provides more efficient event handler processing
Disclosed is an apparatus, method, service product, and program product which each provide an enhanced, registration-based event handler mechanism. Listener programs are located and compiled before notification is needed. When notification is ultimately required, the pre-located listeners can be called directly without incurring the performance expense associated with first locating and then calling each listener.
US08327382B2 Media rendering hierarchy
To process media data from one or more sources, a hierarchy of media components are formed. Each media component receives as input one or more streams of media data and manipulates the media data to produce an output media stream. The media components conform to a uniform plug-in structure. The plug-in structure defines an abstraction that facilitates the hierarchical organization of the media components and that allows the media components to interact, in a decoupled manner, with each other and with processors that perform specific types of media data manipulations. The hierarchy can be reorganized dynamically.
US08327380B2 Method and interprocess communication driver for managing requests of a database client to a database server
Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for managing the interprocess communication between at least one database client process and at least one database server process in a database system. The at least one database client process sends at least one request to the at least one database server process, with the at least one request comprising one or more buffers. The one or more buffers are transferred, in a single step, from the at least one database client process to a buffer area. The one or more buffers are transferred, in a single step, from the buffer area to the at least one database client process. The buffer area is directly accessible by the at least one database server process.
US08327379B2 Method for switching a selected task to be executed according with an output from task selecting circuit
A task processor includes a CPU, a save circuit, and a task control circuit. The CPU is provided with a processing register and an execution control circuit operative to load data from a memory into a processing register and execute a task in accordance with the data in the processing register. The task control circuit is provided with a task selecting circuit and state storage units respectively associated with tasks. In executing a predetermined system call, the execution control circuit notifies the task control circuit as such. Upon being notified of the execution of the system call instruction, the task control circuit switches a task to be executed next in accordance with an output from the task selecting circuit. The task selecting circuit selects a task in accordance with an output from the state registers.
US08327373B2 System and method for structuring self-provisioning workloads deployed in virtualized data centers
The system and method for structuring self-provisioning workloads deployed in virtualized data centers described herein may provide a scalable architecture that can inject intelligence and embed policies into managed workloads to provision and tune resources allocated to the managed workloads, thereby enhancing workload portability across various cloud and virtualized data centers. In particular, the self-provisioning workloads may have a packaged software stack that includes resource utilization instrumentation to collect utilization metrics from physical resources that a virtualization host allocates to the workload, a resource management policy engine to communicate with the virtualization host to effect tuning the physical resources allocated to the workload, and a mapping that the resource management policy engine references to request tuning the physical resources allocated to the workload from a management domain associated with the virtualization host.
US08327369B2 Launching low-priority tasks
A driver is provided to manage launching of tasks at different levels of priority and within the parameters of the firmware interface. The driver includes two anchors for managing the tasks, a dispatcher and an agent. The dispatcher operates at a medium priority level and manages communication from a remote administrator. The agent functions to receive communications from the dispatcher by way of a shared data structure and to launch lower priority level tasks in respond to the communication. The shared data structure stores communications received from the dispatcher. Upon placing the communication in the shared data structure, the dispatcher sends a signal to the agent indicating that a communication is in the data structure for reading by the agent. Following reading of the communication in the data structure, the agent launches the lower priority level task and sends a signal to the data structure indicating the status of the task. Accordingly, a higher level task maintains its level of operation and spawns lower level tasks through the dispatcher in conjunction with the agent.
US08327367B2 Information service providing system, information service providing device, and method therefor
An information service providing device selects a combination, all sensors contained in which are available and which has the highest priority, from within the combinations of sensors, which are for implementing an information service. In addition, the information service providing device selects an appropriate parameter for the sensors and processing program selected so as to be provided appropriately in response to the environment in which an information service has been implemented, and sets the parameter to these. By selecting sensors and processing program, and setting parameters, the information service providing device with only the receipt of the designation of desired information service by a user, various information services by appropriately combining various kinds of sensors and a plurality of processing programs.
US08327366B2 Data processing device, scheduling device, and scheduling method for program operation cycle allocation
The present invention comprises: a unit time calculating unit for calculating, as a unit time, the greatest common denominator of the individual operating cycles of a plurality of programs; an allocating unit for allocating the individual operating cycles of the plurality of programs into each of a plurality of continuous base periods that each have their respective unit times, in sequence beginning with the shortest operating cycle, and for allocating the operating cycles of remaining programs for which the operations have not been completed during one of the plurality of base periods into remaining base periods, in sequence beginning with the shortest operating cycles; and an operating unit for running the plurality of programs that are allocated to operating times.
US08327365B2 Throttling of an interative process in a computer system
Throttling of an iterative process in a computer system is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention focus on non-productive iterations of an iterative process in a computer system. The number of productive iterations of the iterative process during a current timeframe is determined while the iterative process is executing. A count of the number of process starts for the iterative process during the current timeframe is stored. The count can be normalized to obtain a number of units of work handled during the current timeframe. A throttling schedule can be calculated, and the throttling schedule can be stored in the computer system. The throttling schedule can then be used to determine a delay time between iterations of the iterative process for a new timeframe. A formula can be used to calculate the throttling schedule. The throttling schedule can be overridden in accordance with a service level agreement (SLA), as well as for other reasons.
US08327360B2 Migration of process instances
For migrating process instances, first input information describing changes between a first process template and a second process template is received. Second input information describing grouping of said changes is also received. A set of combinations of the first process template and the second process template is determined by applying the changes to the first process template in complete groups as defined by the second input information.
US08327354B1 Virtualization with binary translation
A system for providing virtualization that includes a processor operable to execute one or more machine-readable instructions, the processor having a native instruction set architecture (ISA) and a virtual machine monitor (VMM) operable to host at least a first virtual machine having a first ISA different from the native ISA, the VMM having integrated therein a first dynamic binary translation (DBT) layer to assist in an execution of a first application of the first ISA in the first virtual machine by the processor having the native ISA.
US08327345B2 Computation table for block computation
In response to receiving pre-processed code, a compiler identifies a code section that is not candidate for acceleration and identifying a code block specifying an iterated operation that is a candidate for acceleration. In response to identifying the code section, the compiler generates post-processed code containing one or more lower level instructions corresponding to the identified code section, and in response to identifying the code block, the compiler creates and outputs an operation data structure separate from the post-processed code that identifies the iterated operation. The compiler places a block computation command in the post-processed code that invokes processing of the operation data structure to perform the iterated operation and outputs the post-processed code.
US08327344B2 Array reference safety analysis in the presence of loops with conditional control flow
Mechanisms are provided for analyzing and optimizing loops with conditional control flow in source code based on array reference safety. Mechanisms are provided for analyzing blocks of the source code to identify a conditional control flow loop having loop source code specifying a total access range for an array reference. A safe access range, of the total access range of the array reference in the loop source code, is identified over which a compiler-based optimization of the loop source code can be safely applied without introducing new exception conditions. The compiler-based optimization of the loop source code is performed based on the identified safe access range to generate optimized code. The optimized code is output for generation of executable code for execution on a processor.
US08327339B2 Method and system for fast static taint analysis
A method for detecting user input dependence in software code. The method including representing the software code with a reachability graph having: a plurality of nodes, where a root node of the plurality of nodes represents an input controlled by a user; a first directed edge connecting a first node of the plurality of nodes and a second node of the plurality of nodes, where the first directed edge represents a data dependency; and a second directed edge connecting a third node of the plurality of nodes and a fourth node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the second directed edge represents a data dependency. The method also includes identifying a fifth node of the plurality of nodes as a reachable node from the root node by traversing the reachability graph from the root node to the reachable node; and marking a portion of the software code represented by the reachable node as user input dependant.
US08327338B2 Overlay identification of data processing target structure
A method, system, and computer program product for identifying an overlay of a data processing target structure in a computing environment is provided. At least one of examining a mapping macro for the target structure with a set of valid ranges, comparing the set of valid ranges with the target structure to identify a string of at least one first invalid value and a last invalid value and locate invalid regions of the target structure, and examining executable code associated with the target structure, comparing at least one unchanged module against at least one additional module exhibiting an overlay characteristic to identify the string of the at least one first invalid value and the last invalid value and locate invalid regions of the target structure, is performed.
US08327337B2 Stream based debugging techniques
Techniques are described for debugging a processing element (or elements) in a stream based database application in a manner that reduces the impact of debugging the processing element (or elements) on the overall running environment by selectively fusing (or un-fusing) processing elements running on a group of compute nodes. In addition to fusing and un-fusing processing elements or otherwise modifying a state of the stream application, a debugging application and stream manager may modify data flows within the application stream in a variety of ways to minimize any disruption resulting from a debugging session.
US08327328B2 System and method for creating target byte code
A system and method for converting byte code of a first type into byte code of a second type. Byte code of a first type is received as input. The first byte code is converted into constituent byte code data elements that can comprise any logical unit or grouping of at least a portion of a software application. The first byte code data elements are mapped to data elements of a second byte code type. The second byte code data elements are assembled into a resulting second byte code.
US08327327B2 Method for statically checking an object-oriented computer program module
A method for statically checking an object-oriented computer program module includes the step of identifying objects within a computer program module, at least one of the objects having a plurality of references thereto, possibly from multiple clients. A discipline of permissions is imposed on the objects identified within the computer program module. The permissions enable tracking, from among a discrete set of changeable states, a subset of states each object might be in. A determination is made regarding whether the imposed permissions are violated by a potential reference to any of the identified objects. The results of the determination are output to a user.
US08327325B2 Programmable framework for automatic tuning of software applications
A target application is automatically tuned. A list of solutions for identified performance bottlenecks in a target application is retrieved from a storage device. A plurality of modules is executed to compute specific parameters for solutions contained in the list of solutions. A list of modification commands associated with specific parameters computed by the plurality of modules is generated. The list of modification commands associated with the specific parameters is appended to a command sequence list. The list of modification commands is implemented in the target application. Specific source code regions corresponding to the identified performance bottlenecks in the target application are automatically tuned using the implemented list of modification commands. Then, the tuned target application is stored in the storage device.
US08327324B1 Message logging system
Logging messages includes providing a logging subsystem that performs logging tasks, providing a log message database that contains log messages that are accessed according to a token value and providing calls to the logging subsystem, where a preprocessor modifies source code to replaces in-line text string parameters with tokens corresponding to the text string parameters. The in-line text string parameters may be log messages. The log message database may be coupled to the logging subsystem and the logging subsystem may access the log messages using the tokens. The preprocessor may determine if an in-line text message already exists in the log message database and, if not, may create a new entry for the in-line text message in the log message database.
US08327318B2 Software factory health monitoring
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for maintaining a health of a software factory that creates custom software in a standardized manner is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: defining work packets to perform sub-functions of a custom software; tracking a transmission of the work packets to an assembly line in a software factory; monitoring any retrieval of software artifacts that are used to create the work packets; monitoring any on-going changes of work activities that are contained in the work packets; determining if execution of the work packets conforms to governance guidelines for the software factory; monitoring the software factory to ensure that the work packets comply with an architecture of the software factory; tracking quality metrics for an execution of the work packets in an assembly line in the software factory; and transmitting all tracked and monitored information described above to a dashboard.
US08327317B2 Method and apparatus for providing project development environment and project development system
A method for providing project development environment for a developer, an apparatus for providing project development environment for a developer, and a project development system. The method determines an artifact which can be accessed by the developer and an artifact which cannot be accessed by the developer and is depended by the artifact which can be accessed by the developer based on a request of the developer, project assignment information and project artifact dependencies, and generates a logic artifact for the artifact which cannot be accessed by the developer and is depended by the artifact which can be accessed by the developer. The invention improves the security of the project development by generating the surrogate to make sure that every developer can not touch the whole content of the project, and the developer can freely invoke the depended artifacts.
US08327312B2 Assessing printability of a very-large-scale integration design
Printability of a very-large-scale integration design is assessed by: during a training phase, generating a training set of very-large-scale integration design shapes representative of a population of very-large-scale integration design shapes, obtaining a set of mathematical representations of respective shapes in the training set, identifying at least two classes of physical events causally linked to the printability for the very-large-scale integration design shapes, each of the classes being associated to a respective level of printability, labeling each mathematical representation of the set according to one of the identified classes, based on a lithography model, and selecting a probabilistic model function maximizing a probability of a class, given the set of mathematical representations; and during a testing phase, providing a very-large-scale integration design shape to be tested, testing the provided very-large-scale integration design shape, and labeling the provided very-large-scale integration design shape according to the identified class.
US08327311B1 Generating a simulation model of a circuit design
Approaches for generating functions for activating processes in a simulation model. At least two mutually exclusive sub-ranges of a plurality of bits of a net of the circuit design are determined. A respective process set associated with each sub-range of the plurality of bits is determined. The specification of a wakeup function includes for each sub-range of the plurality of bits, a test for a change in value of at least one bit in the sub-range of the plurality of bits, and an initiation of each process in the associated process set in response to a detected change in value of the at least one bit. The specification also includes control, responsive to a detected change in value of at least one bit in one of the sub-ranges, that bypasses a test for a change in value of at least one bit in at least one other of the sub-ranges.
US08327299B1 System and method for implementing image-based design rules
Systems and methods for creating and implementing two-dimensional (2D), image-based design rules (IBDRs) are disclosed. Techniques for creating 2D IBDR can include identifying a search pattern that is representative of a 2D pattern of interest of a design, creating a pattern representation based on the search pattern, defining an anchor point for the pattern representation, and assigning weights to elements of the pattern representation. The 2D MDR can be used in systems and method for searching a design by comparing the 2D IBDR to the design. A number of 2D IBDRs can be merged into a subset of similar 2D IBDRs by characterizing desired rule geometries, sorting the 2D IBDRs into groups according to the desired rule geometries, merging the groups of 2D IBDRs into a single representative search pattern. Additionally, standard design rules can be created from the disclosed 2D IBDRs. The standard design rule can be created from a 2D pattern of interest by defining an origin of a shape within the 2D pattern of interest, identifying features within the 2D pattern of interest, deriving parameters relative to the origin for each of the identified features, and writing the standard design rule script using the derived parameters.
US08327290B2 User task interface in a web application
A task-like user interface is provided for Web-based applications. Preferred embodiments enable users to initiate multiple instances of tasks within a single Web application, where independent state information is retained for each instance. Each user-initiated task also has a prescribed life cycle with a definite start and end. Resources allocated to perform various activities can therefore be released when the activity ends. Optionally, contextual information can be passed to a task upon invocation. Support for persisting a currently-viewable work unit as a user-selectable favorite may optionally be provided.
US08327279B2 Information presentation device and information presentation method
An information presentation device includes a status information obtaining unit which obtains status information regarding a status of the user; an observed line of sight predicting unit which predicts, based on the status information, an observed line of sight of the user who observes the outside world; and a presented information obtaining unit which obtains the information to be presented to the user. Additionally, a recognized line of sight predicting unit predicts a recognized line of sight of the user who recognizes the presented information; a presentation method determining unit determines a presentation method of the presented information based on the observed line of sight and the recognized line of sight; and an information presenting unit presents the presented information in the method determined in the presentation method determining unit.
US08327276B2 Community driven prioritization of customer issues
Community driven prioritization of customer issues is described. In an implementation, a selectable portion of a user interface providing interaction with a community forum is selectable by a user to indicate agreement and associate with a posting in the community forum. The user may then automatically be provided results generated in response to the posting. In another implementation, associations matching a plurality of users and postings are utilized to assign priority to the postings and to prioritize responses to the postings.
US08327268B2 System and method for dynamic visual presentation of digital audio content
There is provided a system and method that allows a user to visually manage and work with large numbers of digital audio tiles. Each audio file will preferably be analyzed by the instant invention, with the analysis results being used to position an icon representative of that file within an on-screen 2D- or 3D-display. Methods will be provided that allow user to preview and use individual audio items that are displayed on-screen. Selection of an on-screen icon will be used to initiate playback of the associated audio file, insert that file into a playlist, incorporate that file into a multimedia work, etc.
US08327264B2 Document personalizer
A variable parser may be configured to determine a plurality of variables associated with a mailform template, the mailform template including one or more conditions. A data parser may be configured to determine one or more values associated with a target recipient and corresponding to each of the plurality of variables. A condition evaluator may be configured evaluate the one or more conditions based on one or more of the values to determine content associated with the personalized message. Replacement logic may be configured to replace, for the personalized message, each of the plurality of variables with the corresponding one or more values. A delivery engine may be configured to provide the personalized message including the one or more values and the content to the target recipient via one or more of the channels.
US08327260B2 System for annotating a data object by creating an interface based on a selected annotation structure
A method and apparatus for capturing annotations about database material in a way that allows queries with conditions or predicates on both the database material and the annotations. Database material may be text, computer programs, graphics, audio, spreadsheets, or any other material which may be stored and indexed. Database material may be in one or multiple sources, and annotations may be stored together with the original material or in a separate store. Annotations can be used to capture information such as additional facts about the database material, the opinions and judgments of experts about the database material, and/or links to other related material. Annotations may be captured in a structured form to enhance queryability and semantic interpretation.
US08327259B2 Storing table data
In some embodiments, the grid definition and data source definition portions of a table definition are segregated. Grid definition values included in the grid definition portion include one or more grid geometry values and/or grid line style values. Cell content values included in the data source definition portion include one or more data values and/or cell-specific style values.
US08327255B2 Computer program product containing electronic transcript and exhibit files and method for making the same
The present invention provides a computer program product that includes electronic transcripts, exhibits, and an association therebetween. In one example, the method includes providing one or more electronic transcript files; providing one or more exhibit files associated with the one or more electronic transcript files; and providing an executable viewer file. The transcript and exhibit image files and their association, as well as the executable viewer file, may be stored in a local, remote, or removable media. In this manner, a user can activate the viewer and view the electronic transcripts and associated exhibits without the need for any additional software.
US08327251B2 Transmission apparatus and method, reception apparatus and method, and program
A transmission apparatus includes: a CRC encoding processing unit configured to include a plurality of generating polynomials for an CRC encoding processing with each of a plurality of data of which the code lengths differ as a target, and employ the optimal generating polynomial out of the plurality of generating polynomials to perform the CRC encoding processing; and a transmission unit configured to transmit data obtained by the CRC encoding processing unit performing the CRC encoding processing.
US08327248B2 Voter tester for redundant systems
A tester is configured to access and test each redundant channel of a voter. The tester is disposed between the voter and a multitude of redundant circuits supplying redundant channel signals to the voter. The tester includes a number of input ports receiving the redundant channel signals as well as the test signals. In response to a number of logic combinations of the test signals, the voter generates output signals each corresponding to one of the redundant channel signals. In response to other logic combinations of the test signals, the voter generates a voted output signal. The voter is optionally a majority voter.
US08327237B2 Multi-layer cyclic redundancy check code in wireless communication system
A wireless communication device includes a transmitter configured to transmit a transport block with a sequence of bits wherein A is the number of bits, a first CRC coder configured to generate a first block of CRC parity bits on a transport block and to associates the first block of CRC parity bits with the transport block, wherein a number of CRC parity bits in the first block is L, a segmenting entity configured to segment the transport block into multiple code blocks after associating when A+L is larger than 6144, a second CRC coder configured to generate a second block of CRC parity bits on each code block and to associate a second block of CRC parity bits with each code block, and a channel encoder configured to encode each of the code blocks including the associated second block of CRC parity bits if A+L>6144.
US08327230B2 Data structure for flash memory and data reading/writing method thereof
A data structure for a flash memory and data reading/writing method thereof are disclosed. A 512 bytes data and a redundant code derived from the data encoded with a 6-bit error correcting code scheme are stored in a first sector and a second sector with sequential address in a block of the flash memory respectively. A logic block address information of this block is divided into two parts that are stored in the first sector and the second sector respectively.
US08327223B2 System and method for constructing multi-write error correcting code
An embodiment of the invention relates to a memory device and a related method. In an embodiment, a check matrix for an error-correcting code is formed so that sets of input data bits can be written, wherein each set of input data bits generates one set of error-correcting code bits that can be written independently of each other and in an arbitrary order. An error-correcting code is thereby produced without the need to erase or copy any existing, originally written bit upon presentation of new input data.
US08327222B2 Mechanism for adjacent-symbol error correction and detection
According to one embodiment a computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes memory. The memory includes two or more rows, where each row has a plurality of memory devices. The computer system also includes a chipset. The chipset includes a detection/correction circuit to detect single and double symbol errors and correct single symbol errors for each memory row, and markers to maintain a log of errors within each memory row.
US08327216B2 Single-stage decoder for raptor codes
A system and method for recovering erased symbols in a wireless communication is provided. The system and method includes a receiver configured to receive encoded data transmissions. The receiver includes a single stage decoder configured to perform a decoding operation. The single stage decoder also is configured to determine a symbol erasure rate, the symbol erasure rate defined by a number of erased symbols. The single stage decoder further is configured to generate a recovery matrix based on the symbol erasure rate and invert the recovery matrix. Thereafter, the single stage decoder recovers the erased symbols based on a function of the inverted recovery matrix.
US08327212B2 Error identifying method, data processing device, and semiconductor device
A data processing device which performs a data transmission between semiconductor devices using a plurality of signal lines. In the data processing device, when there occurs an error in a data transmission from a transmitting device to a receiving device using a plurality of signal lines, data in which the error has occurred is stored. The stored data is compared bit by bit with non-erroneous data, thereby designating a bit in which error has occurred in the stored data.
US08327207B2 Memory testing system
An array built-in self test (ABIST) system includes a first latch having a first data input, a first scan input and first output and a second latch having a second data input, a second scan input and a second output. The system also includes a first ABIST logic block coupled to the first output that compares a first expected value with a first data value received at the first data input and provided to the first ABIST logic block after a first clock is applied to the first latch. The system also includes a second ABIST logic block coupled to the second output that compares a second expected value with a second data value received at the second data input and provided to the second ABIST logic block after a second clock is applied to the second latch.
US08327206B2 Blanking primitives masking circuit
A blanking primitive masking circuit has a detection and handling circuit that receives data containing blanking primitives. The detection and handling circuit generates a dynamic blanking signal when blanking primitives are detected. The received data is delayed and provided to a pattern detector that generates a synchronization signal provided to a memory and a phase sync signal provided to the detection and handling circuit and to a comparator. The comparator receives reference data from the memory, the delayed data, and the dynamic blanking signal. The comparator compares the reference data with the delayed data and generates bit error outputs from mismatched reference data bits and delayed data bits when the dynamic blanking signal from the detection and handling circuit is absent and suppressing the generation bit error outputs when the blanking primitive are in the delay data and the dynamic blanking signal is present.
US08327204B2 High-speed transceiver tester incorporating jitter injection
A tester for testing high-speed serial transceiver circuitry. The tester includes a jitter generator that uses a rapidly varying phase-selecting signal to select between two or more differently phased clock signals to generate a phase-modulated signal. The phase-selecting signal is designed to contain low- and high-frequency components. The phase-modulated signal is input into a phase filter to filter unwanted high-frequency components. The filtered output of the phase filter is input into a data-transmit serializer to serialize a low-speed parallel word into a high-speed jittered test pattern for input into the transceiver circuitry.
US08327201B1 Parallel testing of an integrated circuit that includes multiple dies
A method of testing an integrated circuit (IC) having a plurality of dies can include receiving, within a master die of the plurality of dies of the IC, a configuration data set specifying a circuit design, wherein the circuit design is instantiated within the master die. The method can include broadcasting the configuration data set to at least one slave die, wherein the circuit design is instantiated within each slave die and receiving, within the master die, a test vector set. The method also can include broadcasting the test vector set to the at least one slave die and responsive to each die executing the test vector set, storing test output data generated by each die.
US08327193B2 Data storage device including a failure diagnostic log
In a particular embodiment, a data storage device is disclosed that can include a data storage medium having a device failure partition including a device failure log to store operational state information. The operational state information can include commands, data, performance data, and environmental data associated with the data storage device. The data storage device can further include a controller adapted to selectively store the operational state information to the device failure log in a first-in first-out (FIFO) order representing recent states of the data storage device.
US08327180B2 Data processing device and mobile device
A microcomputer is provided having a memory card interface capable of correctly latching data even when a card such as an MMC card is connected thereto. In the microcomputer having an interface with an external device such as a memory card, the interface unit is provided with an output driver connected to an external terminal for outputting a clock signal to output the clock signal and with an equivalent load circuit capable of imparting, to the clock signal extracted from an arbitrary position in a stage previous to the output driver in a clock signal path, delay equivalent to delay resulting from an external load connected to the external terminal in order to generate a clock signal for latching data inputted from the memory card.
US08327176B2 Optimizing power management in multicore virtual machine platforms by dynamically variable delay before switching processor cores into a low power state
Distributing a thread for running on a physical processor and enabling the physical processor to be switched into a low power snooze state when said running thread is IDLE. However, this switching into said low power state is enabled to be delayed by a delay time from an IDLE dispatch from said running thread; such delay is determined by tracking the rate of the number of said IDLE dispatches per processor clock interval and dynamically varying said delay time wherein the delay time is decreased when said rate of IDLE dispatches increases and the delay time is increased when said rate of IDLE dispatches decreases.
US08327170B2 Computing load management method and system
A load management method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computing system, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering computing apparatuses at a specified location. The computing system compares the frequency signal to a predetermined frequency value. The computing system determines that the frequency signal comprises a first value that is not equal to the predetermined frequency value. The computing system calculates a difference value between the first value and the predetermined frequency value. The computing system compares the difference value to a second value and analyzes a power demand profile. The computing system enables a load adjustment modification process associated with the plurality of power consumption devices based on the difference value and the power demand profile. The computing system generates and stores a report associated with the load adjustment modification process.
US08327163B2 Apparatus and methods for programmable power-up sequence
Circuits and methods for providing control of a power up sequence for supplying a gated power supply to a circuit portion. A power switch fabric is provided having more than two chains with more than two bits of control. The chains include power switches that are sequentially enabled in response to control signal to supply a virtual power supply to a gated circuit to support power gating. The power switches may include daughter switches and mother switches, where the mother switches are enabled later in time than the daughter switches. The enable signals to allow the virtual power supply to begin powering up may be timed to control the ramp up time, in rush current and peak current during the power up sequence of the virtual power supply. Methods for providing timing for the daughter and mother switches and enables to multiple chains in a power switch fabric are disclosed.
US08327161B2 Command decoder for microcontroller based flash memory digital controller system
A command decoder used for a microcontroller based Flash memory digital controller system includes multiple subsystems, including the command decoder, which serves as the main user interface for interpreting commands from a user and managing the priority of commands and command modes. The command decoder also stores crucial information including address, data, opcodes, and various flags registers that are used by other subsystems including the program buffer, burst read module, register block, and microcontroller. In addition, the command decoder contains clock synchronization logic, controls the sleep function of the microcontroller and serves as a test mode controller.
US08327158B2 Hardware voting mechanism for arbitrating scaling of shared voltage domain, integrated circuits, processes and systems
An electronic circuit includes processors (CPU1, CPU2) operable to make respective voltage requests (Vcpu1, Vcpu2), and a power management circuit (1470) having a controllable supply voltage output (VDD1) is coupled to said processors (CPU1, CPU2) and further has a voting circuit (4520) responsive to the voltage requests (Vcpu1, Vcpu2) and operable to automatically establish a function (Fct) of the respective voltage requests (Vcpu1, Vcpu2) to control the controllable supply voltage output (VDD1).
US08327145B2 Method for generating rights object and device to perform the method, method for transmitting rights object and device to perform the method, and method for receiving rights object and device to perform the method
A method for transmitting a Rights Object (RO) includes generating a password key by encrypting a password, generating the RO using the password key, and transmitting the RO from a first device to a second device. The second device and the first device share the password and the second device generates the password key using the same encryption method as that used by the first device to generate the password key. The second device decrypts a Message Authentication Code (MAC) key and a Rights Object Encryption Key (REK) using the password key, decrypts a Content Encryption Key (CEK) using the decrypted REK, and verifies integrity of the RO using the decrypted MAC key. The second device can use and/or access content associated with the RO using the decrypted CEK. The CEK may be generated by the first device or may be the CEK from a Rights Issuer.
US08327142B2 System and method for facilitating secure online transactions
A method and system for mutually authenticating a client and a server is provided in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The method commences with transmitting a token from the server to the client. Thereafter, the method continues with establishing a secure data transfer link between the server and the client. A server certificate is transmitted to the client during the establishment of the secure data transfer link. The method continues with transmitting a response packet to the server, which is validated thereby upon receipt. The system includes a client authentication module that initiates the secure data transfer link and transmits the response packet, and a server authentication module that transmits the token and validates the response packet.
US08327136B2 Inter-entity coupling method, apparatus and system for content protection
Disclosed is an inter-entity coupling method for protecting content in a broadcast environment including a broadcast network and a terminal, the broadcast network having a Broadcast Service Application (BSA), a Broadcast Service Distribution (BSD), and a Broadcast Service Management (BSM), the inter-entity coupling method including performing, by the terminal, a registration process for obtaining a group key for the terminal; after the registration process is completed, performing, by the terminal, a service joining process for requesting service joining, and receiving, by the terminal, a Rights Object (RO) about the content from a message, which is received in response to the request, based on the obtained group key; obtaining a traffic key by using the RO, if a traffic key message is received after the service joining process is completed; receiving encrypted content in the terminal; and decrypting the encrypted content by using the traffic key.
US08327117B2 Reconfigurable FADEC with flash based FPGA control channel and ASIC sensor signal processor for aircraft engine control
A reconfigurable FADEC includes a reconfigurable CPU configured for performing digital computing functions. A reconfigurable MSPD communicates with the CPU and is configured for performing analog I/O functions. A data bus is coupled to the CPU and the MSPD. The data bus is configured for connecting the CPU and the MSPD to an external connector.
US08327114B1 Matrix processor proxy systems and methods
In some embodiments, processor-to-processor and/or broadcast proxies are designated in a microprocessor matrix comprising a plurality of mesh-interconnected matrix processors when default processor-to-processor or broadcast routing algorithms used by data switches within the matrix to route messages would not deliver the messages to all intended recipients. The broadcast proxies broadcast messages within individual non-overlapping broadcast domains of the matrix. P-to-P and broadcast proxies may be designated as part of a boot-time testing/initialization sequence. Improving system fault tolerance allows improving semiconductor processing yields, which may be of particular significance in relatively large integrated circuits including large numbers of relatively-complex matrix processors.
US08327109B2 GPU support for garbage collection
A system and method for efficient garbage collection. A general-purpose central processing unit (CPU) partitions an allocated heap according to a generational garbage collection technique. The generations are partitioned into fixed size cards. The CPU marks indications of qualified dirty cards during application execution since the last garbage collection. When the CPU detects a next garbage collection start condition is satisfied, the CPU sends a notification to a special processing unit (SPU) corresponding to a determination of one or more card root addresses, each card root address corresponding to one of said marked indications. The SPU has a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) parallel architecture and may be a graphics processing unit (GPU). The SPU may utilize the parallel architecture of its SIMD core to simultaneously compute multiple card root addresses. Following, the SPU sends these addresses to the CPU to be used in a garbage collection algorithm.
US08327105B2 Providing frame start indication in a memory system having indeterminate read data latency
A memory system, having indeterminate read data latency, that includes a memory controller and one or more hub devices. The memory controller is configured for receiving data transfers via an upstream channel and for determining whether all or a subset of the data transfers include a data frame by detecting a frame start indicator. The data frame includes an identification tag that is utilized by the memory controller to associate the data frame with a corresponding read instruction issued by the memory controller. The one or more hub devices are in communication with the memory controller in a cascade interconnect manner via the upstream channel and a downstream channel. Each hub device is configured for receiving the data transfers via the upstream channel or the downstream channel and for determining whether all or a subset of the data transfers include a data frame by detecting the frame start indicator.
US08327102B1 Method and system for non-disruptive migration
Method and system for processing client provisioning and migration requests is provided. The process evaluates a provisioning request and selects a storage that best meets the client requirements. The process determines if non-disruptive migration is possible and if it is possible then the storage is automatically configured for non-disruptive migration. Once the storage is provisioned and configured, the process receives a migration request to migrate information from the storage. The process determines an access protocol used by the client to access the storage. The process determines if a storage system that manages the storage is capable of supporting non-disruptive migration of information from the storage. If the storage system is capable, then a migration technique is automatically selected for migrating the information from the storage.
US08327099B2 Method for soft configuring a memory device
A method for soft configuring communication a memory device to act as a Key Card that can switch on or off some particular functions of either an application program or the memory device itself. The method comprising the steps of: connecting the memory device to an external device; running a specific application program on the external device, the application program writing and storing a specific data into the memory device, the specific data including at least a command and a key; the memory device generating a response value according to the command and key of the specific data; and the external device reading the response value from the memory device and checking a status of the response value; if the response value is checked to be valid, then the application program will be able to access the memory device by using functions defined by the command; if the response value is checked to be invalid, then functions of the application program will be restricted.
US08327092B2 Memory device configurable as interleaved or non-interleaved memory
A device is disclosed having a memory module that comprises a first memory block, a second memory block, a programmable storage location, and a memory controller. The first memory block of non-volatile memory comprises a plurality of word locations and an address decoder coupled to a first access port of the memory controller. The address decoder to select one of the plurality of word locations for access in response to receiving address information via the first access port. The second memory block comprising a plurality of word locations and an address decoder coupled to a second access port of the memory controller. The address decoder to select one of the plurality of word locations for access in response to receiving address information via the second access port. The memory controller comprising an input coupled to the programmable storage location, and to access, in response to the programmable configuration information having a first value, a first portion of the first memory block and a first portion of the second memory block as interleaved memory, a second portion of the first memory block as non-interleaved memory, and a second portion of the second memory block as non-interleaved memory.
US08327091B2 Combined parallel/serial status register read
Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving a solid state memory device that includes a status register configured to be read with a combined parallel and serial read scheme. One such solid state memory includes a status register configured to store a plurality of bits indicative of status information of the memory. One such method of providing status information in the memory device includes providing the status information of a memory device in a parallel form. The method also includes providing the status information in a serial form after providing the status information in a parallel form in response to receiving at least one read command.
US08327090B2 Histogram generation with mixed binning memory
Memory is divided up during the gathering of histogram data so that a portion of the memory is configured for storing the high counts expected at the minimum and maximum codes/addresses, and at least one other portion is configured for storing the lower counts expected at other codes/addresses. By configuring memory portions in this manner, memory can be more efficiently allocated.
US08327086B2 Managing migration of a shared memory logical partition from a source system to a target system
Migration management is provided for a shared memory logical partition migrating from a source system to a target system. The management approach includes managing migration of the logical partition from the source system to the target system by: transferring a portion of logical partition state information for the migrating logical partition from the source system to the target system by copying at the source system contents of a logical page of the migrating logical partition into a state record buffer for forwarding to the target system; forwarding the state record buffer to the target system; and determining whether the migrating logical partition is suspended at the source system, and if not, copying at the target system contents of the state record buffer to paging storage of the target system, the paging storage being external to physical memory managed by a hypervisor of the target system.
US08327083B2 Transparent hypervisor pinning of critical memory areas in a shared memory partition data processing system
Transparent hypervisor pinning of critical memory areas is provided for a shared memory partition data processing system. The transparent hypervisor pinning includes receiving at a hypervisor a hypervisor call initiated by a logical partition to register a logical memory area of the logical partition with the hypervisor. Responsive to this hypervisor call, the hypervisor transparently determines whether the logical memory is a critical memory area for access by the hypervisor. If the logical memory area is a critical memory area, then the hypervisor automatically pins the logical memory area to physical memory of the shared memory partition data processing system, thereby ensuring that the memory area will not be paged-out from physical memory to external storage, and thus ensuring availability of the logic memory area to the hypervisor.
US08327078B2 Dynamic trailing edge latency absorption for fetch data forwarded from a shared data/control interface
A computer-implemented method for managing data transfer in a multi-level memory hierarchy that includes receiving a fetch request for allocation of data in a higher level memory, determining whether a data bus between the higher level memory and a lower level memory is available, bypassing an intervening memory between the higher level memory and the lower level memory when it is determined that the data bus is available, and transferring the requested data directly from the higher level memory to the lower level memory.
US08327076B2 Systems and methods of tiered caching
The disclosure is related to data storage systems having multiple cache and to management of cache activity in data storage systems having multiple cache. In a particular embodiment, a data storage device includes a volatile memory having a first read cache and a first write cache, a non-volatile memory having a second read cache and a second write cache and a controller coupled to the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory. The memory can be configured to selectively transfer read data from the first read cache to the second read cache based on a least recently used indicator of the read data and selectively transfer write data from the first write cache to the second write cache based on a least recently written indicator of the write data.
US08327074B2 Synchronizing access to data in shared memory via upper level cache queuing
A processing unit includes a store-in lower level cache having reservation logic that determines presence or absence of a reservation and a processor core including a store-through upper level cache, an instruction execution unit, a load unit that, responsive to a hit in the upper level cache on a load-reserve operation generated through execution of a load-reserve instruction by the instruction execution unit, temporarily buffers a load target address of the load-reserve operation, and a flag indicating that the load-reserve operation bound to a value in the upper level cache. If a storage-modifying operation is received that conflicts with the load target address of the load-reserve operation, the processor core sets the flag to a particular state, and, responsive to execution of a store-conditional instruction, transmits an associated store-conditional operation to the lower level cache with a fail indication if the flag is set to the particular state.
US08327070B2 Method for optimizing sequential data fetches in a computer system
A computer implemented method of optimizing sequential data fetches in a computer system is provided. The method includes fetching a data segment from a main memory, the data segment having a plurality of target data entries; extracting a first portion of the data segment and storing the first portion into a target data cache, the first portion having a first target data entry; and storing the data segment into an intermediate cache line buffer in communication with the target data cache to enable subsequent fetches to a number of target data entries in the data segment.
US08327069B2 Storage system and storage control apparatus provided with cache memory group including volatile memory and nonvolatile memory
A storage system is provided with a plurality of physical storage devices and a storage control apparatus that is coupled to the plurality of physical storage devices. The storage control apparatus is provided with a first cache memory group provided with a first volatile memory and a first nonvolatile memory and a second cache memory group provided with a second volatile memory and a second nonvolatile memory. The storage control apparatus executes a double write for writing the write target data from the host device to both of the first volatile memory and the second volatile memory, and notifies the host device of the write completion in the case in which the double write is completed. The storage control apparatus backs up data from the first volatile memory to the first nonvolatile memory while an electrical power is supplied from the primary power source. The storage control apparatus backs up data from the second volatile memory to the second nonvolatile memory while an electrical power is supplied from the secondary power source to the second volatile memory in the case in which an electrical power supply from the primary power source is stopped.
US08327065B2 Memory system, controller, and method of controlling memory system
A memory system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a volatile first storing unit, a nonvolatile second storing unit, a controller that transfers data between a host apparatus and the second storing unit via the first storing unit. The memory system monitors whether data written from the host apparatus in the first storing unit has a specific pattern in management units. When data to be flushed to the second storing unit has the specific pattern, the memory system set an invalid address value that is not in use in the second storing unit to the data.
US08327064B2 Data processor with flash memory, and method for accessing flash memory
A data processor includes a flash memory that stores a plurality of types of data therein, a random access memory that stores record data information therein, and a controller that can access the flash memory and the RAM. The record data information indicates a head address in the flash memory and a data length corresponding to latest data of each of the plurality of types of data. The controller reads, from the flash memory, the latest data of a type of a reading target among the plurality of types of data, with reference to the record data information.
US08327059B2 System and method to enhance memory protection for programs in a virtual machine environment
In a computer system supporting execution of virtualization software and at least one instance of virtual system hardware, an interface is provided into the virtualization software to allow a program to directly define the access characteristics of its program data stored in physical memory. The technique includes providing data identifying memory pages and their access characteristics to the virtualization software which then derives the memory access characteristics from the specified data. Optionally, the program may also specify a pre-defined function to be performed upon the occurrence of a fault associated with access to an identified memory page. In this manner, programs operating both internal and external to the virtualization software can protect his memory pages, without intermediation by the operating system software.
US08327058B2 Method and system for routing data in a parallel turbo decoder
Described herein are system(s) and method(s) for routing data in a parallel Turbo decoder. Aspects of the present invention address the need for reducing the physical circuit area, power consumption, and/or latency of parallel Turbo decoders. According to certain aspects of the present invention, address routing-networks may be eliminated, thereby reducing circuit area and power consumption. According to other aspects of the present invention, address generation may be moved from the processors to dedicated address generation modules, thereby decreasing connectivity overhead and latency.
US08327055B2 Translating a requester identifier to a chip identifier
In an embodiment a translation of RID (requester identifier) ranges to identifiers of north chips is stored into a south chip. A command that comprises a command RID is received at the south chip from a device. In response, a RID range is determined that encompasses the command RID, and a north chip identifier is found that is assigned a virtual function identified by the command RID. The command is sent from the south chip to the north chip identified by the north chip identifier. The translation comprises a RID compare value and a RID mask. A determination is made that the RID range encompasses the command RID by performing a logical-and operation on the command RID and the RID mask and comparing a result of the logical-and operation to the RID compare value.
US08327053B2 Bus control system and semiconductor integrated circuit
A bus control circuit includes a first bus to which a first circuit is connected, a second bus to which a second circuit is connected and a control circuit that transfers data between the first circuit and the second circuit, wherein the control circuit monitors completion of the processing of an access request that is resident in the control circuit.
US08327047B2 Buffer manager and methods for managing memory
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising managing a plurality of buffer addresses in a system-on-chip (SOC); and if a number of available buffer addresses in the SOC falls below a low threshold value, obtaining one or more buffer addresses from a memory, which is external to the SOC, to the SOC. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08327043B2 Buffer management device which manages buffer transfer, storage apparatus comprising the same device, and buffer management method
According to one embodiment, a table holds buffer transfer information for managing data transfer, specified by each data transfer command, between a transmission FIFO and a buffer or between a reception FIFO and the buffer via a intermediate FIFO. A first sequencer activates buffer transfer for data transfer specified by a data transfer command from the host in units of at least one frame on the basis of corresponding buffer transfer information held in the table. The buffer transfer includes data transfer in sectors between the buffer and the intermediate FIFO. A second sequencer transfers data in frames between the transmission FIFO and the intermediate FIFO or between the reception FIFO and the intermediate FIFO in accordance with the activation of the buffer transfer. A third sequencer transfers data in sectors between the intermediate FIFO and the buffer in accordance with the activation of the buffer transfer.
US08327040B2 Host controller
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for controlling a memory device. One method for controlling a memory device embodiment includes storing device class dependent information and a command in one or more of host system memory and host controller memory, setting a pointer to the command in a register in a host controller, directing access to the one or more of host system memory and host controller memory with the memory device via the host controller; and executing the command with the memory device.
US08327030B2 Crisscross cancellation protocol
Technologies, systems, and methods for ordered message delivery that avoid message races or crisscrosses between communicating nodes. For example, if Node A sends message 3 towards Node B and, shortly thereafter, Node B sends message X to Node A, Node A would like to know whether or not message X reflects Node B's state after receiving message 3. If Node B received message 3 prior to sending message X, then proper state may be maintained between the nodes. But if messages 3 and X crisscrossed, or if message 3 was never properly received by Node B, then the state between the nodes may be corrupt. Technologies, systems, and methods are provided to avoid such corruption.
US08327024B2 System and method for SMS/IP interoperability
Systems and methods for interoperability are disclosed which allow for a user of one network to communicate seamlessly with a user of another network. Users are provided seamless access to data services in different networks without having to subscribe to those networks. In one embodiment an application bridge comprising an application server may be used to service communications while a billing bridge may be provided to control and charge network subscribers. In one embodiment a user in a SMS domain may communicate with a user in an IP domain. In one embodiment, a platform may register with a federated interface of an IM domain to enable non-IM users to communicate with IM users.
US08327020B1 Systems and methods for healthcare transaction routing with destination-based throttling
Systems and methods are provided for transaction routing with destination-based throttling. The systems and methods may include receiving a healthcare transaction request from a source computer, where the healthcare transaction request includes at least a destination identifier that identifies a destination of the healthcare transaction request; identifying, based at least in part on the destination identifier, a current transaction count, the current transaction count indicating an extent to which one or more prior healthcare transaction requests remain unprocessed by the destination; comparing the identified current transaction count to at least one threshold value; and determining, based at least in part on the comparison, whether to deliver the healthcare transaction request to the destination.
US08327017B1 Systems and methods for an autonomous intranet
The present disclosure provides a system and method for an autonomous intranet. The autonomous intranet can include two or more data centers, each provided with a load balancer for advertising a common single-host Internet Protocol address upstream for the respective data centers under certain conditions.
US08327016B1 Device communications over unnumbered interfaces
A method and a network device for enabling communication between unnumbered interfaces are provided. A device level address may be assigned to a network device. The network device may announce the assigned device level address to a neighboring network device over a link. A corresponding device level address associated with the neighboring network device may be received over the link. A route may be stored including the received device level address associated with the neighboring network device and the link. In some implementations, the announcement of the assigned device level address is performed during protocol configuration.
US08327012B1 Content sharing via multiple content distribution servers
Example systems and methods of content sharing via multiple content distribution servers are presented. In one example, a media content stream is received at a first distribution server from a source device via a communication network. The received media content is transmitted from the first distribution server to a plurality of destination devices via the communication network. A traffic condition regarding the transmitting of the received media content stream is detected. An indication of the traffic condition is transmitted to a traffic management device. An instruction to assign at least one other distribution server to additional destination devices is received from the traffic management device in response to the indication of the traffic condition. In response to the instruction, the received media content stream is transmitted from the first distribution server to the at least one other distribution server for distribution to the additional destination devices.
US08327011B2 Streaming media buffering system
Streaming media, such as audio or video files, is sent via the Internet. The media are immediately played on a user's computer. Audio/video data is transmitted from the server more rapidly than it is played out by the user system. The audio/video data in the user buffer accumulates; and interruptions in playback as well as temporary modem delays are avoided.
US08327009B2 Method and system for providing real-time streaming media content
There is provided a method for execution by a processor of a media playback device to provide media content. The method includes receiving streaming audio data. The streaming audio data comprises a plurality of audio data clips, each audio data clip having a clip size. The method includes providing a circular queue. The circular queue is characterized by a queue size that is at least two or more clip sizes. The circular queue is used to store a plurality of queue clips, each with a clip size. Each of the plurality of audio data clips is stored into one of the plurality of queue clips of the circular queue. After the circular queue has been filled, the method includes sequentially reading and playing the streaming audio data from each one of the plurality of queue clips of the circular queue. Finally, the method includes a step to continue storing a next one of the plurality of audio data clips into a read one of the plurality of queue clips of the circular queue.
US08327006B2 Endpoint device and article of manufacture for application to application communication over a network
An endpoint device is provided that includes a processor and non-transitory media encoded with a communication protocol stack; an application that is configured to run on the endpoint device and to send a method call that includes a unique application identifier (AppID) associated with the application and that requests a media connection with another application running on a different endpoint device; an interface configured to, convert the method call to a network message that includes a media request that includes the AppID and that requests the media connection with the different endpoint device and that includes an authorization request that includes the AppID and that requests authorization from an application management server; and use the AppID information associated with the accessed information to route the accessed information to the application associated with the AppID.
US08326999B2 Creating context-sensitive webpage time-out intervals
An approach is provided to establish, over a network adapter, network sessions with various client computer systems. Requests for a webpage are received at the network adapter from the client computer systems. The requested webpage is retrieved from a storage area. Multiple timeout intervals are initialized and stored in a memory area, wherein each of the plurality timeout intervals corresponds to one of the client computer systems. The timeout intervals that are initialized are different for at least some of the client computer systems. The requested webpage is returned to the client computer systems. When a timeout interval elapses for any of the client computer systems, the system terminates the session that was established with the client computer system.
US08326988B2 Systems and methods for data alignment
A data alignment system suitable for use in manipulating the positioning of a designated portion of a data stream transmitted by a high speed communications system, so as to facilitate further processing of the data carried by the data stream. The data alignment system includes a detector and an alignment component in communication with each other. In operation, the detector locates and identifies, in accordance with suitable instructions, the designated portion of the data stream. The alignment component then repositions, in accordance with suitable instructions, the designated portion of the data stream at a predetermined location within the data stream.
US08326987B2 Method for adaptively building a baseline behavior model
A method for generating an auto-adaptive baseline model for profiling the individual and collective behavior of a plurality of users in a network is provided. The method comprises the steps of creating a model, defining a plurality of members and a plurality of collective variables, each member corresponding to a user, and including a plurality of individual variables, defining conditions for each collective variable and individual variable, upon detecting an activity by a user, updating corresponding individual variables and collective variables, comparing updated individual variables and collective variables against corresponding conditions. If condition is met, an alert event is issued to notify designated personnel; otherwise, returning to the step of upon detecting activity. Finally, upon receiving an alert event, the designated personnel decides whether to manually redefine the conditions or to ignore the alert event. If the alert event is ignored, said conditions are automatically redefined in accordance with system defined mechanism.
US08326985B2 Distributed management of keep-alive message signaling for mobile network resource conservation and optimization
Systems and methods for distributed management of keep-alive message signaling for mobile network resource conservation and optimization are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of monitoring rates of data communications with a mobile device, sending a periodic message to indicate operational state to the mobile device in response to a decrease in the rates of data communications with the mobile device, sending subsequent periodic messages to indicate operational state to the mobile device at increasing intervals between the subsequent periodic messages to decrease a number of periodic messages sent over the wireless network, and acknowledging to the mobile device that the subsequent periodic messages will be sent at increased intervals, or in a manner that conserves use of the mobile network.
US08326982B2 Method and apparatus for extracting and visualizing execution patterns from web services
One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for extracting and visualizing execution patterns from Web Services collects data relating to one or more transactions executed in accordance with one or more Web Services-based applications (e.g., messaging systems or other services). One or more patterns is then extracted from the collected data, where the patterns are representative transactions commonly executed in accordance with the Web Services configuration under analysis.
US08326979B2 Method and device for agile computing
A method for operating a group of nodes in a system for agile computing comprising a coordinator node and a first computation node communicating via a connection, and wherein the first computation node is adapted to perform a task for the coordinator node is provided. The method comprises the steps of: monitoring at least one operating parameter indicating the quality of the connection between the two nodes; determining a quality parameter based on the operating parameter, wherein the quality parameter indicates the quality of the connection between the two nodes; and transferring information from the first computation node to the coordinator node, when the value of the quality parameter falls within a transfer interval, wherein the information comprises information about a part of a task performed by the first computation node.
US08326973B2 Techniques for gauging performance of services
Techniques for gauging performance of services are provided. A client agent is configured to process on a client. The client agent simulates operations of a transaction as instructed by a server agent. The client agent also gathers metrics for each of the operations as they process on the client and passes the metrics back to the server agent. The server agent analyzes the metrics in accordance with a policy and takes one or more actions in response thereto.
US08326963B2 System and method for migrating applications from a legacy system
An information processing system comprises a legacy application, a web services consumption copybook, and a set of application program interfaces for enabling the legacy application to access a selected web service via a web services consumption server. The web services consumption copybook represents data structures of the selected web service. The system can either connect to or include a set of web service proxies that each correspond to a web service available via a network connection. A web services consumption server is optionally used to route service requests from the application to the appropriate web service proxy. The system can also optionally include a developer tool for adapting legacy systems or environments to be able to consume web services using modern protocols thus allowing the migration of legacy subsystems to a networked loosely-coupled environment.
US08326960B2 Wake on local area network signalling in a multi-root I/O virtualization
Wake on local area network (LAN) functionality is provided in a multi-root environment. An I/O device, which is share by a plurality of physical hosts, receives the MAC address contained in the wake up packet, then prepares and sends an appropriate wake signal to the targeted host. In one embodiment, the shared I/O device sends an out-of-band wake up signal to each of the physical host computers, wherein the wake up signal is a serial bit stream encoded with the MAC address so that only the physical host having a MAC address matching the MAC address in the wake up signal will be turned on. In another embodiment, the shared I/O device sends a binary ON/OFF signal directly to the targeted physical host computer over a signal line associated with the MAC address.
US08326958B1 Service activation tracking system
Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service policy for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network; monitors use of the service based on the service policy, in which the monitored use includes a service activation of the communications device; and reports the monitored use of the service to a network device.
US08326951B1 Establishing a secure wireless network with minimum human intervention
Techniques for automatically configuring necessary parameters of a device to be coupled to a network with minimum human intervention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wired and/or wireless Ad-hoc network is established to facilitate communications among a group of devices. When a new device is added to the network, a rudimentary communication path is initially established between one of the devices in the network and the new device such that necessary parameters (e.g., SSID, WEP security, channel frequency) can be exchanged for the new device to function properly in the network. To ensure the parameters are exchanged in a secure fashion, an additional public security procedure can be used between the two devices.
US08326946B2 Compact disc playing system and its play back method
An optical disc playing system, comprises a selecting apparatus for receiving a command from a user, which requires to play a part of content of a program in the optical disc; a sending apparatus for sending a request which requires to provide the related information of said part of content; a receiving apparatus for receiving the related information; and a reading-out apparatus for reading out the received related information and said part of content. An optical disc playing method using said system comprises the steps of: receiving a command from a user, which requires to play a part of content of a program in the optical disc; sending a request which requires to provide the related information of said part of content; receiving the related information; and playing the disc in coordination with said part of content using the received related information.
US08326945B2 Intelligent save operation for online collage editor
In a server-based system for creating and editing image-based and or text-based projects, the system having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) accessible by computer browser, a method is provided for triggering automatic page save operations and includes the steps, (a) monitoring editing activity occurring in the project editor viewport, and (b) upon detection of a loss of a page from an editor viewport and or detection of a violation of a safety measure, automatically persisting the current page data to the server.
US08326942B2 IP unicast streaming service delivery
A method of ordering the delivery of a unicast media stream to a second client terminal coupled to an IP Multimedia Subsystem network is described. The method comprises first sending a unicast media order from a first client terminal to an application server of said IP Multimedia Subsystem network. A Session Initiation Protocol INVITE message is then sent from the application server to said second client in response to receipt of said order, the INVITE message containing a media Universal Resource Locator identifying a media source. The Universal Resource Locator is used to exchange Real Time Streaming Protocol signalling between the second client terminal and the application server to initiate and control delivery of the media.
US08326939B2 Storage system that transfers system information elements
A first storage system that has a first storage device comprises a first interface device that is connected to a second interface device that a second storage system has. A first controller of the first storage system reads system information elements of first system information (information relating to the constitution and control of the first storage system) from a first system area (a storage area that is not provided for the host of the first storage device) and transfers the system information elements or modified system information elements to the second storage system via the first interface device. The system information elements are recorded in a second system area in a second storage device that the second storage system has.
US08326935B2 Group list exclusions for messaging
A message is received comprising a recipient list and an exclusion list. Recipients in the recipient list are identified, as are recipients in the exclusion list. A recipient is removed from the recipient list based on an identification of the recipient in the exclusion list.
US08326934B2 System and method for remotely configuring a desktop mailbox
A method and system for remotely configuring a desktop mailbox manager. A mobile node operable to communicate within a wireless network includes a remote desktop controller to generate configuration messages for transmission to a home node at which the desktop mailbox manager is located. When reconfiguration is required, reconfiguration criteria are formulated, usually at the direction of the user. The reconfiguration criteria are then used by the remote desktop controller to create a reconfiguration message, which is addressed for delivery to the home node. A network connection is established, and the reconfiguration message is transmitted. A network server associated with the base station through which the mobile node is communicating with the network routes the message to a server associated with the home node, utilizing an appropriate gateway if necessary. The message is stored on the server until the home node establishes communication and then the message is downloaded to the home node. In the home node, the message is used to reconfigure the desktop manager.
US08326920B1 Connection sharing
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for resolving keystrokes. One of the methods includes receiving at a server system a request from a client computing device to initiate a connection between the client and the server system. After a connection is formed, a request from the client for first content from a first domain hosted by the server system is received over the connection. Information is sent to the client over the connection that specifies one or more additional domains hosted by the server system and acceptable to the server system for connection sharing. A request for second content from a second domain that is hosted by the server system and that was specified in the information sent to the client is received over the connection, from the client. In response, the second content is sent to the client over the connection.
US08326918B2 Interprocessor communication protocol
A radio communication device has a baseband processor acting as an InterProcessor Communication (IPC) server and an application processor acting as an IPC client. The baseband processor and the application processor communicate with each other via an IPC network. The IPC server and the IPC client can switch functions via negotiation to allow the IPC client to become the new IPC server. The IPC network includes multiple IPC clients, and remaining IPC clients are instructed to change the IPC address of the IPC server if the IPC client becomes the new IPC server. The IPC network allows any processor that adopts the IPC as its interprocessor communication stack to co-exist together and operate as if the two were actually running on the same processor core sharing a common operating system and memory.
US08326916B2 Relay method, relay apparatus, and computer product
A relay apparatus for relaying a communication between a client and a server includes a determining unit that determines, when the server is to be switched to a standby server, whether connection in an application layer established between the server and the client can be maintained, without depending on an application; and an executing unit that executes a process depending on a result of determination by the determining unit. The process includes a maintaining process for maintaining the connection when the determining unit determines that the connection can be maintained; and a disconnecting process for disconnecting the connection when the determining unit determines that the connection cannot be maintained.
US08326914B2 Network system extensible by users
In one aspect, a network system includes a user interface which allows a user to interact with the network system. An agent server is coupled to the user interface. The agent server manages the operation of the network system. Furthermore, the agent server in conjunction with the user interface is operable to create or modify an agent in response to interaction by the user. In another aspect, a network system includes an agent server which manages the operation of the network system. An agent is operable to utilize a service within the network system. A service wrapper, associated with the service, cooperates with the agent server to mediate interaction between the service and the agent.
US08326912B2 Pipelining for massively parallel service architecture
Various systems and methods are described that may allow a server to control various other servers performing services on media assets, such as a video file, which may need to be encoded then copied to a plurality of servers. A first server may be aware of what service needs to be performed on a media asset next. The first server may then notify a second server that this service is to be performed. Once the service has been performed on the media asset, the first server may be notified that the service has been completed. The first server may then determine which, if any, other service needs to be performed on the media asset. The first server may determine and instruct other servers on what services to perform for large numbers of other media assets while the media asset is having a service processed using it.
US08326905B2 Transversal filter circuit with a plurality of delay units, multiplexers, and full adders suited for a smaller decision feedback equalizer
A transversal filter circuit comprises a plurality of delay units, a plurality of multiplexers and a plurality of full adders. The plurality of delay units is coupled in series to delay a two-bit input signal. The plurality of multiplexers is coupled to the plurality of delay units in a one-to-one manner, and outputs zero, a data signal, or the inverse of the data signal according to the output signals of the plurality of delay units. The plurality of full adders accumulates the outputs of the plurality of multiplexers and the MSB of the outputs of the plurality of the delay units.
US08326900B2 Device and method for creating summaries of multimedia documents
The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for creating summaries of multimedia documents, the device comprising a storage means and means enabling a user to view a multimedia document. According to the invention, the device comprises means of automatically weighting multimedia documents stored in the storage means according to the frequency with which the different stored documents are viewed by said user, means of creating a summary of the multimedia documents stored on the storage means according to the weighting assigned to each multimedia document.
US08326896B2 System and program for storing data for retrieval and transfer
Provided is a method, system and program for storing data for later retrieval and for transfer within a storage hierarchy. A data storage subsystem stores both individual user files and also managed files, each managed file comprising an aggregation of multiple user files. After receiving user files from a client station, the subsystem stores user files in a retrieval storage pool to facilitate file retrieval. Criteria are subsequently applied to the user files stored in the retrieval storage pool to delete low or lower priority files from the retrieval storage pool. In addition, user files are aggregated in managed files for transfer to another location within the storage hierarchy.
US08326880B2 Summarizing streams of information
Concepts and technologies are described herein for summarizing streams of information. A stream of information is obtained and analyzed. One or more entities are identified in the stream. The data in the stream is grouped into one or more clusters corresponding to the identified entities. The data in the clusters is summarized, and a timeline corresponding to the data in the cluster is determined. In some embodiments, a format can be selected for presentation of the summarized stream data. The data in the stream can be formatted in the selected format, and the summarized data can be presented in the selected format. In some embodiments, an update feature can be used to update the data in the summarized stream. The data in the stream can be updated, and the updated summarized stream can be formatted and presented.
US08326878B2 System for and method of processing business personnel information
Information for personnel of a plurality of business organizations is collected. For each person, the information includes the name of the person, the identity of a business organization that the person currently works for and biographical information containing any affiliations identified for the person. Information for a plurality of affiliations is collected and a table of the affiliations is generated, the table of affiliations being stored in computer-readable storage. From the collected information, a data structure is generated and is stored in computer-readable storage. The first data structure includes an entry for each match between the biographical information of a person and an affiliation included in the table of affiliations. A query of a user may be responded to by executing a computer-implemented process on the first data structure. Results of the query are displayed for the user.
US08326872B2 Database sandbox
Systems and methods that qualify and/or restrict access of codes associated with a database to objects located outside thereof and in other databases—even though a person executing such code does in fact have permission to interact with the object that the code is attempting to access. A sandbox component can regulate access from one database to another database, by managing authenticator permission and/or trust permission levels. Hence, the set of privileges assigned to security execution context of an executable module (procedure, trigger, computed column) in an un-trusted database is restricted not to exceed a privilege set assigned to database owner.
US08326870B2 Critical parameter/requirements management process and environment
A critical parameter/requirements management process model for managing a development program for a product and an associated product structure-driven critical parameter/requirements management tool and environment is provided. In one embodiment, the process includes a product structure classification scheme, a parameter/requirements classification scheme, a parameter/requirements process and maturity model, and in-process and requirements conformance views. In one embodiment, the tool includes a user interface layer, a business layer, a data layer, and a database. The user interface layer may include a product structure feature group, an add/edit/link feature group, a manage maturity feature group, and a manage conformance feature group. The tool may be implemented as a web server accessible to user workstations operating as thin clients. The tool may be integrated with one or more other product development tools, such as a document-driven requirements management, configuration management, manufacturing/production control system, problem management, and phased product delivery process tools.
US08326864B2 Method, system, and computer program product for implementing automated worklists
A method, system, and computer program product for implementing automated worklists are provided. The method includes generating a worklist, which further includes retrieving a worklist template corresponding to the worklist and, via a first query, selecting a listing of members and attributes to be populated in the worklist, the attributes include a status indicator of an action item specified for each of the members of the worklist. The worklist generation also includes building a worklist member table with results of the first query and, via a second query, and using attributes of the worklist member table, identifying up-to-date values of one or more worklist member attributes, and outputting results of the second query to the worklist. The method also includes presenting the worklist to a corresponding assignee. For each of the members in the worklist, the status indicator is editable to update a status of the member.
US08326861B1 Personalized term importance evaluation in queries
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for personalized term importance evaluation in natural language queries are disclosed. The personalized term importance evaluation utilizes a personalized profile tree constructed using search history associated with a user. The personalized profile tree is a hierarchy of nodes representing categories of information that the user has previously searched or selected from search results. When a search query is received from the user, each term and phrase in the search query is compared against the nodes in the personalized profile tree, and an importance score is given to the search term or phrase based on the depth of a matching node in the tree, and a child count for the matching node. An alternative query can be generated from a subset of the search terms that have respective importance scores exceeding a predetermined threshold.
US08326855B2 System and method for abstraction of objects for cross virtual universe deployment
A system and method for abstracting objects in a virtual universe (VU) deployment is provided. The system and method abstracts VU objects for editing in a common abstraction utility and for deploying to one or more VU grids containing one or more VU architectures and/or platforms (servers). The method can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having programming instructions operable to: obtain an object associated with a first virtual universe server; translate the object with syntax specific to at least a second virtual universe server, the syntax being different than that used with the first virtual universe server; and deploy the translated object to the second virtual universe server.
US08326846B2 Virtual list view support in a distributed directory
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for performing a virtual list view search in a distributed directory environment using a proxy server. The mechanism described in the illustrative embodiments enables a proxy server to provide virtual list view search support in a distributed directory environment when data is partitioned across multiple directory servers.
US08326844B2 Image processing apparatus having group storage areas for storing files for operator groups
An image processing apparatus has a storage device provided for a plurality of operators for storing files and run history on the files for each of the plurality of operators. Operators among the plurality of operators can be related. A display device displays information on files which were dealt with by a group including an operator and other operators related to the operator among the plurality of operators when the operator instructs to display the information on files. In a modified example, the information on files is displayed when the operator accesses said storage device.
US08326841B2 Clustered search processing
Methods and apparatus for searching data and grouping search results into clusters that are ordered according to search relevance. Each cluster comprises one or more data type, such as images, web pages, local information, news, advertisements, and the like. In one embodiment, a search term is evaluated for related concepts indicating categories of data sources to search. Data sources may also be identified by context information such as a location of a client device, a currently running application, and the like. Search results in each cluster are ordered by relevance and each cluster is given a score based on an aggregate of the relevance within the cluster. Each cluster score may be modified based on one or more corresponding concepts and/or context information. The clusters are ordered based on the modified scores. Content, including advertisements, may also be added to the ordered list to appear as another cluster.
US08326838B2 Education credentials management method and system
A system and method for online storage and distribution of educational credentials and related documents of student and job seeker applicants comprising, a centralized education credentials document management database that receives and securely stores resumes, transcripts, letters of recommendation, military records, professional certificates, rental and credit history, and related documents from document sources such as university or school registrars, referees, and related entities to be easily accessible by document recipients such as undergraduate and graduate schools, recruiters, or employers. The system of the present invention provides a vast improvement over the existing time consuming and expensive methods of collecting, compiling and physically sending documents required for school admissions and job placement. By storing all of the original documents in a centralized online database student and job seeker applicants can easily comply with a wide array of document support requirements simply by providing a link to the parties that are requesting the information.
US08326837B2 Dynamically generating a portal site map
Embodiments for dynamically generating a portal site map may include determining a root node of a navigational construct of a portal site, where the root node has one or more child nodes. Embodiments may further include recursively crawling through the one or more child nodes of the root node to discover a composition subtree for at least one of the child nodes, the composition subtree comprising information relating to one or more portlets associated with at least one of the child nodes. Embodiments may further include generating a portal site map having an indication of the one or more child nodes and an indication of the one or more portlets associated with at least one of the child nodes. Further embodiments may include generating a portlet response based on the generated portal site map.
US08326829B2 System and method for displaying publication dates for search results
A system and method for displaying publication information for search results. User input is received to perform a search of a communications network. Search results are generated in response to the user input. A content date is determined for content included in each of the search results. The search results and the content date associated with each of the search results is displayed.
US08326826B1 Navigational resources for queries
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying navigational resources for queries. In an aspect, a candidate query in a query sequence is selected, and a revised query subsequent to the candidate query in the query sequence is selected. If a quality score for the revised query is greater than a quality score threshold and a navigation score for the revised query is greater than a navigation score threshold, then a navigational resource for the revised query is identified and associated with the candidate query. The association specifies the navigational resource as being relevant to the candidate query in a search operation.
US08326824B2 Methods to estimate existing cache contents for better query optimization
A method for estimating contents of a cache determines table descriptors referenced by a query, and scans each page header stored in the cache for the table descriptor. If the table descriptor matches any of the referenced table descriptors, a page count value corresponding to the matching referenced table descriptor is increased. Alternatively, a housekeeper thread periodically performs the scan and stores the page count values in a central lookup table accessible by threads during a query run. Alternatively, each thread independently maintains a hash table with page count entries corresponding to table descriptors for each table in the database system. A thread increases or decreases the page count value when copying or removing pages from the cache. A page count value for each referenced table descriptor is determined from a sum of the values in the hash tables. A master thread performs bookkeeping and prevents hash table overflows.
US08326822B2 Methods and systems for querying event streams using multiple event processors
In one embodiment, a system for distributed event processing includes a first event processor and a second event processor. The first event processor receives event data associated with an event stream. The second event processor receives a query associated with the event stream. A request to the first event processor is generated by the second event processor based on the query for a first portion of event data associated with the event stream. The second event processor receives the first portion of event data from the first event processor. The second event processor then generates an event based on the first portion of event data.
US08326816B2 Fine grain synchronization for database replay
A method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for preserving data dependency during replay of database commands without strictly preserving a global ordering of the database commands is provided. A capture process captures a workload of database commands executed by a production system. The captured workload includes object identifiers that identify database objects that were referenced directly or indirectly during execution of the database commands by the production system. The captured workload also includes an indication of whether the database objects were potentially read or written during execution of the commands. The workload is processed to determine that an object accessed during execution of a command was previously modified during execution of one or more other commands. A replay process on a test database system prevents the command from being replayed until after the one or more other commands have been replayed to modify the object.
US08326809B2 Systems and methods for defining and processing text segmentation rules
Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for text segmentation of textual data. Rules are accessed that define how the input stream is to be segmented into textual data elements through pattern matching. The one or more rules are applied to the input stream to determine the textual data elements in the input stream which are then provided as output.
US08326806B1 Content item parameter filter
A set of one or more candidate parameters associated with a content item is identified. A subset of the one or more candidate parameters is determined. Performance statistics associated with the one or more candidate parameters in the subset are monitored, and the set of one or more candidate parameters or the subset of the one or more candidate parameters are modified based on the performance statistics.
US08326802B2 File system location verification using a sentinel
A new file system is mounted to a mount point of an existing file system implemented in a computational system. A sentinel indicator is stored in the mount point. Prior to initiating an input/output (I/O) operation by a program, a determination is made by the program as to whether the sentinel indicator exists. In response to determining by the program that the sentinel indicator exists, the I/O operation is performed by the program. In certain alternative embodiments, in response to determining by the program that the sentinel indicator exists, the I/O operation is not performed by the program.
US08326801B2 Increasing database availability during fault recovery
Embodiments are directed to providing database access during database reconfiguration and to maintaining replication connections during database reconfiguration. In an embodiment, a computer system establishes multiple quorum sets of replicas to replicate the data of a data partition. The quorum sets of replicas ensure that at least a minimum number of replicas are operating to commit pending transactions during partition reconfiguration. The computer system determines that a data partition reconfiguration has been initiated and provides access to the data partition's data during reconfiguration of the data partition using at least a quorum of replicas in each of the quorum sets of replicas.
US08326790B2 Fuzzy logic approach in temporal fault reasoning and application in air handling units
A system that transforms information into fuzzy observable states. These states may be matched against a mapping table which indicates which observable state admits or excludes particular faults. This information may be processed over time when in each time instant the admitted or excluded faults are used for updating the rate for each fault.
US08326787B2 Recovering the structure of sparse markov networks from high-dimensional data
A method, information processing system, and computer readable article of manufacture model data. A first dataset is received that includes a first set of physical world data. At least one data model associated with the first dataset is generated based on the receiving. A second dataset is received that includes a second set of physical world data. The second dataset is compared to the at least one data model. A probability that the second dataset is modeled by the at least one data model is determined. A determination is made that the probability is above a given threshold. A decision associated with the second dataset based on the at least one data model is generated in response to the probability being above the given threshold. The probability and the decision are stored in memory. The probability and the decision are provided to user via a user interface.
US08326786B1 Method and apparatus for finding order in a time series of images using grenze sets comprising a plurality of gradient runs and vocabulary elements
An apparatus and method is disclosed for acquiring an electronic image and forming at least one Grenze Set including pixels of the electronic image. A decision tree is used to apply vocabulary and rules associated with a primitive to evaluate pixels of the Grenze Set. The pixels of the Grenze Set are explained by re-building the Grenze Set using a set of sub-primitives. Higher order analysis are applied to the Grenze Set according to a ladder of abstraction to assemble pixels into at least one of objects or activities that are meaningful to a user.
US08326783B2 Method and system for optimizing configuration classification of software
A method and system to minimize redundancy in testing a new software system by utilizing a knowledge base is provided. The knowledge base may be represented in a form of a decision tree including leaf nodes which store previously tested optimal configurations. When the knowledge base does not contain an optimal configuration for the new software, an optimal solution for the new software system may be determined by adding a further decision tree branch to the initial decision tree. A desirable tree branch may be selected from a table including a predetermined set of desirable tree branches for each category of software. As a result, the number of solutions to be tested on the input software may be limited and cost and effort to run redundant tests on a software system may be reduced.
US08326782B2 Addressing scheme for neural modeling and brain-based devices using special purpose processor
A special purpose processor (SPP) can use a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to model a large number of neural elements. The FPGAs or similar programmable device can have multiple cores doing presynaptic, postsynaptic, and plasticity calculations in parallel. Each core can implement multiple neural elements of the neural model.
US08326778B1 Systems and methods for generating predicates and assertions
Systems and methods for deriving a predicate by constructing a logic formula from information recorded during test execution, optimizing the logic formula and computing the logical implication of the optimized logic formula. Systems and methods for deriving an assertion from a logical implication by substituting each predicate in the logical implication with corresponding design elements from a hardware design description, inserting the design elements into a target template, inserting a context-sensitive input of the target template based on design elements in the hardware design description and creating an instance name for an instantiation of the target template. Systems and methods for generating a set of clauses that are implied by a disjunctive normal formula of a set of cubes.
US08326775B2 Signature generation for multimedia deep-content-classification by a large-scale matching system and method thereof
Content-based clustering, recognition, classification and search of high volumes of multimedia data in real-time. The invention is dedicated to real-time fast generation of signatures to high-volume of multimedia content-segments, based on relevant audio and visual signals, and to scalable matching of signatures of high-volume database of content-segments' signatures. The invention can be implemented in any applications which involve large-scale content-based clustering, recognition and classification of multimedia data, such as, content-tracking, video filtering, multimedia taxonomy generation, video fingerprinting, speech-to-text, audio classification, object recognition, video search and any other application requiring content-based signatures generation and matching for large content volumes such as, web and other large-scale databases.
US08326772B2 Method and apparatus for capacity- and value-based pricing model for professional services
A method and structure for pricing a good or service to a customer includes a calculator that executes a pricing model that includes a dimension of a utility of the good or service to the customer.
US08326771B2 Predicative recruitment reporting and management
Methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses process data for an employee requisition, in which a contracted company may assume responsibility for supporting portions of the requisition process by filtering candidates. Consequently, only qualified candidates for a specified job assignment are interviewed by the contracting company (client). By looking at requisitions that are in process and focusing on whether or not they have achieved an expected threshold of activity, a requisition system can predict bottlenecks in the process before the requisition is filled. An interprocess report organizes and acts on data to provide a management team a prediction of how a recruitment team will perform by individual recruiter and requisition level. In addition, actions are identified that the manager can initiate to correct issues early in the requisition process in order to reduce an impact on the client as per a service level agreement.
US08326761B1 System and method for MICR-based duplicate detection and management
A system and method for MICR-based duplicate detection and management identifies duplicate presented items on day one across a plurality of payment channels, prior to posting, preventing them from impacting financial institution customers by rerouting to an adjustments team. Inquiry files containing MICR data for a plurality of presented items are evaluated by a duplicate detection module. Each item presented is evaluated against all previous items based on its MICR line. Unique items are processed in the usual manner. Duplicate suspects undergo further processing. Suspects having identical MICR data, but that are not duplicates, such as NSF (non-sufficient funds) checks being re-deposited, are identified and posted. The remaining suspects go in the suspect queue of a universal workstation. After being researched, suspects found not to be duplicates are posted. The remaining suspects are flagged as duplicates and routed to an adjustor for further action.
US08326760B2 Computer-based collective intelligence recommendations for transaction review
In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises obtaining a plurality of first transaction data items for a proposed online credit card purchase transaction that has been recommended for review; obtaining a plurality of second transaction data items for a set of similar past online credit card purchase transactions, wherein each member of the set has one or more transaction feature values that are similar to the transaction data items of the proposed online credit card purchase transaction, and a decision value specifying whether the member was accepted or rejected by a reviewer; obtaining a stored data model of features, feature values, transaction acceptance decisions and rejection decisions of the reviewer based at least in part on the set, determining, based on applying the first transaction data items to the stored data model and a subsequent query to the database among more recent transactions that were not included during model construction, a likelihood value of a particular decision of whether the proposed online credit card purchase transaction would be accepted or rejected by the reviewer of the merchant; causing the likelihood value to be displayed; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
US08326748B1 Automated loan approval system
The invention provides a method and system capable of automatic loan approval, in which lenders can both provide information to brokers regarding their loan policies, and in which brokers can obtain information regarding likely lender treatment of prospective borrowers. Thus, brokers search a database of possible loan programs made available by lenders, rather than lenders searching a database of possible loans made available by brokers.
US08326745B2 Products and processes for order distribution
Systems and methods for trading financial instruments through multiple trading intermediaries are described.
US08326744B2 Electronic transaction system and method
An Internet based system for executing transactions is described. The system may include transaction data, a database, a business logic manager and user profiles. A rules may also be included, and store information about system responses to modifications of the data. The user profiles may be configured to store information concerning the availability of information and displays depending upon the user.
US08326737B2 Opening cross in electronic market
A method, executed in a computer system, for opening an electronic market for trading of a security is described. The method includes receiving by the computer system eligible orders and quotes for the security traded in the electronic market and disseminating an order imbalance indicator indicative of predicted trading characteristics of the security at the open of trading. The method also includes determining by the computer system a price or prices at which the maximum shares would be executed and determining which price would minimize any imbalance of eligible orders and executing at least some of the eligible orders at the determined opening price.
US08326735B2 System and method for providing a platform for the trade of exotic options
The present invention is a system and method for providing a platform for the trade of Exotic F.I.s. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a server or server cluster including at least one Interfacing Server adapted to interface with a user, possibly via a distributed data network such as the internet. The IS1 may be adapted to present to a user an Exotic F.I.s trading platform, to receive from a user trade instructions and execute them. The platform may include innovative trade options including batch trade options, series trade options, parlay trade options and “close now”/“extend” options.
US08326730B2 System and method of clearing services for risk management trading
A system for automated clearing and settlement of risk management transactions on an automated system used by a plurality of users provides electronic interaction between buyers and sellers and enables parties to make decisions concerning reinsurance products. The clearing system enables the transfer of premium and loss payments directly between risk-bearers or via brokers representing these risk-bearers.
US08326728B1 Income product selector—purchase solver
A target income mix is expressed as a set of weights in a portfolio of one or more classes of income generating financial products to meet a first income need indicative of essential expenses and a second income need indicative of discretionary expenses for a user. The target income mix is converted to dollar amounts to invest in the classes of income generating products to meet the first and second income needs. Using the target income mix percentage weights, initial purchase amounts are determined from the user's available assets. The initial purchase amounts for each of the classes of income generating products can be adjusted until the overall portfolio is projected to produce enough after-tax income to meet the first income need at a first predetermined confidence level or return assumption and meet the first income need and the second income need at a second predetermined confidence level.
US08326719B2 Compound redemption device
The present invention provides methods and apparatus one or more of: creating, issuing and redeeming Compound Redeemable Instruments. Apparatus can include a computerized system with executable software that is executable upon demand to process Redemption Instances as well as create and issue Compound Redeemable Instruments.
US08326694B2 Personalized interactive network architecture
A system for personalizing interaction between a user communicating over at least one communication channel and a provider of information/products/services, the user having a communication device for communication over the channel with the provider, the system comprising a channel interface for interfacing with the channel, an information/product/service interface for interfacing with an information/product/service provider; and a knowledge management system coupled to the channel and information/product/service interface, the knowledge management system comprising a knowledge management repository storing information concerning the user, the information obtained from interaction with the user over the channel including current interactions between the user and the knowledge management system, and further storing information concerning a plurality of information/products/services to offer to the user, and a personalization engine for making a decision as to which of the plurality of information/product/services to present to the user over the communication channel based on the stored information in the knowledge management repository.
US08326690B2 User interface and methods for recommending items to users
Improved user interfaces and methods are provided for presenting item recommendations to a user when the user selects an item to add to an electronic shopping cart. In response to the user's selection, a page generation process generates and returns a page that includes a condensed shopping cart portion and a recommendations portion. The condensed shopping cart portion displays the contents of the shopping cart, but omits some of the item information and/or controls provided on a shopping cart page, thereby preserving more screen real estate for the display of item recommendations. The condensed shopping cart portion also includes a link to the shopping cart page.
US08326688B2 Method and system for behavioral classification
A plurality of pages viewed by a communications network user (e.g., an Internet user) are classified as pertaining to one of a plurality of topics. A count of each of the pages viewed by the communications network user for each of the topics is tracked, as is a recency with which each of the pages viewed by the communications network user was viewed for each of the topics. The communications network user is characterized as belonging to one or more behavioral segments based on the count and the recency. Advertisements are served to the communications network user based on at least advertising targeting parameters and the characterization.
US08326687B2 Advertisement display system
An advertisement display system includes a photograph unit for taking a photograph of a signal light of a signal 5 such as a traffic signal or an alarm for a railway crossing, a computer for analyzing the signal condition such as lighting or blinking of the signal light from image data thus photographed by the photograph unit, and a display unit for displaying advertisement display information which is stored in advance in the computer or the display unit in conjunction with the lighting or blinking condition of the signal light analyzed by the computer and displays a display body having a content correlated with the signal condition of the signal on the display unit.
US08326682B2 Applications of cluster analysis for cellular operators
Subscriber travel behavior is defined using cellular call location data. The defined travel behavior is used to segment the customer population. In a further aspect of the disclosed principles, a method to consolidate numerous of price plans is disclosed wherein price plans are grouped using cluster analysis. In the context of this disclosure, the term “cluster analysis” encompasses a number of different algorithms and methods for grouping objects of similar kind into respective categories to thus organize observed data into meaningful structures. In this context, cluster analysis is a data analysis process for sorting different objects into groups in a way that the degree of association between two objects is maximal if they belong to the same group and minimal otherwise.
US08326676B2 Systems and methods relating to a lead distribution engine that uses margin scores
Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that will use the lead and/or will forward the lead to another destination. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead based on a margin score, while complying with business rules associated with the lead source and destinations. Each lead source is associated with at least one cost score, reflective of a monetary cost for the lead and of other business considerations associated with the lead source. Candidate destinations are each associated with a revenue score, reflective of an amount to be paid for a lead and of other business considerations associated with the destination. A margin score for each destination is calculated based on the cost and revenue scores, and the lead is distributed, based at least in part on the calculated margin scores.
US08326673B1 Carrier data based product inventory management and marketing
A method and system are disclosed for carrier data based product inventory management and marketing. The method includes receiving a product transaction record relating to a product from a carrier data source. The method also includes determining a present phase in a life cycle for the product based on a product history for the product and the product transaction record. The method additionally includes adjusting a product management plan for the product based on the present phase in the life cycle.
US08326669B2 System and method for selecting and scheduling corrective actions for automated storage management
Disclosed is a storage management framework that integrates corrective action plans output from multiple different types of planning tools, sorts the different corrective action plans based on utility and risk values and outputs a time-based schedule for implementing one or more of the corrective action plans to resolve identified current and anticipated workload service level objective (SLO) violations.
US08326664B2 System for supporting carry-in operation planning
A carry-in ready period calculation part calculates a candidate of a carry-in ready period which is a period during which a carry-in operation can be conducted and outputs the candidate in an output part so as to make entire construction works efficient. The calculation is performed based on a site arrival time schedule which is a time schedule showing when a carry-in target equipment arrives at a site, a temporary placement time schedule which is a time schedule showing when the equipment arrived is temporarily placed, and a construction time schedule of a building in which the equipment is carried.
US08326661B2 Method and apparatus for providing data statistics
Providing data statistics includes receiving property information of selected products input by users, searching and locating a Standard Property Union (SPU) corresponding to the property information in a database, the SPU comprising a set of one or more products sharing a set of one or more properties, generating behavior data, including by summarizing a cumulative number of behavioral instances associated with each product in the set of products included in the SPU, and outputting the behavior data.
US08326657B2 Systems and methods for insurance underwriting
The systems and methods described herein may automate insurance underwriting by integrating information from multiple online databases and creating decision making advice useful to insurance underwriters. One system includes a client, database, and server. The client allows an underwriter to enter applicant information, enter customized risk modifiers, and receive an underwriting decision. The database provides additional applicant information. This information can include one or more of prescription drug history, credit history, motor vehicle records, and geocentric mortality risk. The server obtains the applicant information, calculates the applicant's risk, and makes an underwriting decision. Another system calculates a prescription drug risk for an applicant from pharmacy benefits management data, drug risk category data, and application data. Another system calculates a geocentric mortality risk for an applicant from census data, mortality data, credit information, and application data. Preset external modifiers are added to systems and methods of calculating risk in order to allow the underwriter to customize the risk results.
US08326656B2 Lossless account compression for health care patient benefits eligibility research system and methods
A system and method for determining eligibility for reimbursement for medical claims for patients may be implemented with computer software which compares a service provider's patient information against a benefit provider's database of covered persons to determine if the patient is eligible for benefits. The service provider records may be compressed by grouping all of the medical claims relating to a particular patient into one cluster represented by a composite medical claim, which may be used to query the benefit provider databases to determine if the patient is recognized. If the patient is recognized, every record within the cluster may be checked against the benefit provider's database to determine whether one or more patient medical claims are eligible for reimbursement.
US08326651B2 User interface for managing medical data
Techniques for managing patient information accessible by mobile devices are supported. A system may include a central medical information management system that maintains information regarding ongoing treatment of patients. Medical professionals may use mobile devices to access and display the information by way of a user-friendly interface that includes multiple display modes for different types of information reporting and information capture.
US08326644B2 Medical system architecture and method for exchanging messages
In a medical system architecture and a message exchange method at least one modality is provided to acquire examination images, computer workstations are associated with the respective modalities to process the examination images, a device is provided to transfer data, the examination images, and messages between client applications and server applications, and a storage device is processed for the data and examination images, and further computer workstations are provided for post-processing of the data and examination images. A proxy server is associated with the data transfer device that effects a conversion of the messages between client applications and server applications according to established transformation rules. The contents of those messages are manipulated in the transfer thereof according to the aforementioned transformation rules, by a conversion routine.
US08326637B2 System and method for processing multi-modal device interactions in a natural language voice services environment
A system and method for processing multi-modal device interactions in a natural language voice services environment may be provided. In particular, one or more multi-modal device interactions may be received in a natural language voice services environment that includes one or more electronic devices. The multi-modal device interactions may include a non-voice interaction with at least one of the electronic devices or an application associated therewith, and may further include a natural language utterance relating to the non-voice interaction. Context relating to the non-voice interaction and the natural language utterance may be extracted and combined to determine an intent of the multi-modal device interaction, and a request may then be routed to one or more of the electronic devices based on the determined intent of the multi-modal device interaction.
US08326634B2 Systems and methods for responding to natural language speech utterance
Systems and methods are provided for receiving speech and non-speech communications of natural language questions and/or commands, transcribing the speech and non-speech communications to textual messages, and executing the questions and/or commands. The invention applies context, prior information, domain knowledge, and user specific profile data to achieve a natural environment for one or more users presenting questions or commands across multiple domains. The systems and methods creates, stores and uses extensive personal profile information for each user, thereby improving the reliability of determining the context of the speech and non-speech communications and presenting the expected results for a particular question or command.
US08326631B1 Systems and methods for speech indexing
A speech index for a recording or other representation of an audio signal containing speech is generated using a phonetic automatic voice recognition engine. A second speech index is also generated using a more accurate, but slower, automatic voice recognition engine such as a large vocabulary speech recognition (LVSR) engine. These two speech indexes are compared. The results of the comparison are then used to adjust certain parameters used by the phonetic engine while generating a speech index. The results may also be used to correct all or parts of the speech index generated by the phonetic automatic speech recognition engine.
US08326626B1 Script compliance and quality assurance based on speech recognition and duration of interaction
Apparatus and methods are provided for using automatic speech recognition to analyze a voice interaction and verify compliance of an agent reading a script to a client during the voice interaction. In once aspect of the invention, a communications system includes a user interface, a communications network, and a call center having an automatic speech recognition component. In other aspects of the invention, a script compliance method includes the steps of conducting a voice interaction between an agent and a client and evaluating the voice interaction with an automatic speech recognition component adapted to analyze the voice interaction and determine whether the agent has adequately followed the script.
US08326625B2 System and method for low overhead time domain voice authentication
A system and method are provided to authenticate a voice in a time domain. The initial rise time, initial fall time, second rise time, second fall time and final oscillation time are digitized into bits to form at least part of a voice ID. The voice IDs are used to authenticate a user's voice.
US08326622B2 Dialog filtering for filling out a form
The invention discloses a system and method for filling out a form from a dialog between a caller and a call center agent. The caller and the caller center agent can have the dialog in the form of telephone conversation, instant messaging chat or email exchange. The system and method provides a list of named entities specific to the call center operation and uses a translation and transcription minor to filter relevant elements from the dialog between the caller and the call center agent. The relevant elements filtered from the dialog are subsequently displayed on the call center agent's computer screen to fill out application forms automatically or through drag and drop operations by the call center agent.
US08326619B2 Adaptive tuning of the perceptual model
Methods of encoding a signal using a perceptual model are described in which a signal to mask ratio parameter within the perceptual model is tuned. The signal to mask ratio parameter is tuned based on a function of the bitrate of the part of the signal which has already been encoded and the target bitrate for the encoding process. The tuned signal to 5 mask ratio parameter is used to compute a masking threshold for the signal which is then used to quantise the signal.
US08326598B1 Consensus translations from multiple machine translation systems
Systems, methods, and apparatuses including computer program products for machine translation. A method is provided that includes generating a plurality of machine translation systems using a single machine translation engine, and generating a consensus translation from a plurality of candidate translations for a source sentence, where each candidate translation of the plurality of candidate translations is an output of a respective machine translation system of the plurality of machine translation systems.
US08326593B1 Amplitude modulation-phase modulation decomposition method for phase noise simulation of oscillators with large time-constant
Embodiments may include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums that may be used to simulate phase noise for an oscillator circuit. In some embodiments, a method of simulating phase noise for an oscillator circuit may include providing an oscillator circuit description. A time-domain representation of a small signal phase noise of the oscillator circuit description may be determined. A shooting Newton matrix representation of the time-domain representation of the small signal phase noise may be generated. The shooting Newton matrix representation may be augmented to include a phase-shift factor and a pinning equation. The augmented shooting Newton matrix representation may be solved to determine a signal output of the oscillator circuit.
US08326586B2 Method for designing glass antenna
The present invention features a technique comprising the design of a glass antenna having a desired performance regardless of the kind of vehicle and the glass size and the shape of vehicle, by operating an EM (engineering model) simulation tool with an optimization algorithm.
US08326576B2 Detecting power quality events in power distribution networks
Power quality (PQ) events in a waveform in a power distribution network are detected by sampling the waveform. For each sample, a normalized sample is determined by subtracting an undistorted waveform from the sample. An accumulated weighted log-likelihood ratio (LLR) is determined for all normalized samples, as well as a minimum of the accumulated weighted LLR. If the difference between the accumulated weighted LLR an the minimum LLR is greater than a predetermined threshold, then the PQ event is signaled. The network can be a smart grid.
US08326575B1 Machine-based population stability index selection
Apparatus and methods for quantifying a difference between a first population distribution data set and a second population distribution data set. The apparatus and methods may use randomly generated population distribution differences to generate a mapping of a population stability index to a population distribution difference function. The population distribution difference function may be more responsive to some differences between the first and second population distribution data sets than is the population stability index. The population distribution difference function thus may be used to identify differences between population distribution data sets. The differences may then be mapped to a corresponding population stability index. The population stability index may then be used to quantify a difference between the first and second data sets.
US08326573B2 Method for characterising the profile of a surface
A method for characterising the surface profile of a component comprises the steps of a) dividing the surface into at least two regions; b) for each region, measuring the surface and selecting a number of measured points to define a co-ordinate dataset for the region; c) for each region, applying a curve-fitting algorithm to the dataset for the region to define the surface profile of the region; d) combining the defined surface profiles for the regions to produce a defined surface profile for the aerofoil surface. The characterization may be used in the design, analysis and manufacturing steps of product development, thereby decreasing the total time and work required.
US08326572B2 Apparatus and method for measuring length of pipe
An apparatus for detecting a pipe length in an air conditioning system includes a detector to detect a signal traveled through a pipe and a first impedance coupler that couples to one end of the pipe, where the detector detects the signal traveled through the pipe at the first impedance coupler. A processor determines a pipe length based on the detected signal and a signal generator generates the signal to be sent through the pipe. A second impedance coupler couples to another end of the pipe, where the signal generator sends the signal to the pipe through the second impedance coupler.
US08326567B2 Measurement apparatus
A measurement apparatus includes an elastic detector configured to detect an elastic wave by utilizing photoacoustic tomography and to convert the elastic wave into a detection signal, and a signal processor configured to calculate an absorption characteristic of a heterogeneous part included in a homogeneous part of a scattering medium based on μa=2P(z)/(ΓΦ(z)) where μa is the absorption coefficient at distance z from the light source, P(z) is the pressure of the elastic wave at distance z, Γ is a Grüneisen coefficient, and Φ(z) is the light intensity at the position of the heterogeneous part, the signal processor obtaining the light intensity by approximating a signal component derived from the homogeneous part separated from a signal component derived from the heterogeneous part in the scattering medium by utilizing the detection signal output from the elastic wave detector.
US08326566B2 Program development system
When an acquisition and reporting control unit of a measurement data processing unit in a development support device sends a sensor measurement start request to a portable information device in response to a collection operation start command from an application under development, an acquisition and reporting control unit of a measurement data processing unit in the portable information device starts measurement operations by a sensor. The measured raw data is continuously sent to the development support device. Data which match the collection condition are collected by a data collection unit. In response to a data request from the program under development, a data reporting unit reports the measurement data which satisfy a reporting condition to the application under development. As a result, when developing an application program which uses the results of measurement by the sensor, it is possible to provide a satisfactory development environment.
US08326559B2 Substrate processing system, system inspecting method, system inspecting program and recording medium storing the program recorded therein
A substrate processing system provided with a plurality of modules for substrate processing. The substrate processing system includes an inspection substrate, which is transferred to the plurality of modules for processing therein, provided with a plurality of measuring devices which carry out a plurality of different kinds of measurements and a recorder which records measured data provided by the measuring devices. The substrate processing system includes a controller that executes control operations to subject the inspection substrate to predetermined processes in the plurality of modules. The controller obtains through data communication a plurality of different kinds of measured data recorded by the recorder as the inspection substrate is processed by the predetermined processes by the plurality of modules.
US08326557B2 Detection of an abnormal signal in a compound sampled
A technique detects an abnormal signal in a compound sampled signal recorded in the time domain. The technique involves dividing the sampled signal recorded in the time domain into sample segments; transforming each of the sample segments from the time domain into the frequency domain to determine transformed segments, each transformed segment having frequency points, each frequency point having an amplitude associated with a certain frequency; for a frequency point in a given transformed segment, determining a ratio by dividing the amplitude of the frequency point by a value indicative of an average of the amplitudes of the frequency points at the same frequency across transformed segments; repeating the determination of a ratio for frequency points in each transformed segment to determine ratios for each transformed segment; repeating the determination of ratios for transformed segments; and using the ratios to detect the abnormal signal in the compound sampled signal.
US08326551B2 Method and system for incorporating electronic signature analysis in low voltage power supplies
A method and system for incorporating electronic signature analysis in a low voltage power supply to centrally monitor current consumption is disclosed. The electrical loads powered by the low voltage power supply can be tested individually via an automatic test routine by measuring and scaling of current through a differential amplifier. The current consumption of each electrical load can be measured by analyzing a “delta” in the current draw of each electrical load's ON and OFF condition. This value can be compared against a stored table of high and low limits for each electrical load. If a load's current is outside the limits, it will be logged for repairs. A current sensing device can be inserted in series with the output(s) of the low voltage power supply, while in test mode, to allow the automatic test routine to run, and then be shorted out for normal operation.
US08326539B2 Characterizing at least one property of a liner that lines a well
Impedances of an electromagnetic (EM) coil positioned in a well lined with an electrically conductive liner are determined. The impedances correspond to plural frequencies of operation of the EM coil. Based on the impedances of the EM coil corresponding to the plural frequencies, an attenuation factor associated with the electrically conductive liner is determined.
US08326532B2 Arrangement for and method of two dimensional and three dimensional precision location and orientation determination
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of and apparatus for determining inaccurate GPS samples in a set of GPS samples is disclosed, according to the following actions: a) obtaining GPS samples as taken by a global positioning system on board a vehicle when traveling along a trajectory; b) obtaining a first estimation of the trajectory based on the GPS samples; c) obtaining a second estimation of the trajectory at least based on measurements made by an inertial measurement unit on board vehicle when traveling along the trajectory; d) comparing the first and second estimations; e) establishing locations where the first estimation shows a variation compared with the second estimation above a predetermined threshold; f) if no such locations can be established continue with action j), otherwise continue with action g); g) removing GPS samples associated with the locations of high variation as being inaccurate GPS samples, thus forming a set of remaining GPS samples; h) calculating the first estimation anew of the trajectory based on the remaining GPS samples and calculating the second estimation anew; i) repeating actions d) to h); j) ending the actions.
US08326531B2 Map update data supply apparatus, map data update system, and map update data supply method
A map update data supply apparatus includes: isolation detection means for detecting the presence and the absence of an isolated state in which some of the roads are isolated from other roads in a road network of target map data due to updating of one or more update target segments of the target map data based on update map data; extraction means for extracting, as update required segments, segments of the update map data, other than the update target segments, that have a road that connects to the isolated some of the roads when it is detected that there is the isolated state; and update data file generating means for generating update data files for the update target segments and the update required segments based on the update map data.
US08326524B2 Navigation device
A navigation device that can surely provide information on sightseeing facilities, etc. to a user is provided.A navigation device 1 for displaying a map screen representing the present position of a mobile on a map on which landmarks 6 are displayed is provided with a sightseeing area data base 31 for storing the position of a prescribed sightseeing area and sightseeing facilities within a prescribed sightseeing area, and a controller 10 for detecting whether a mobile enters the prescribed sightseeing area. Furthermore, the navigation device 1 includes an automatic facility display mode in which when it is detected by the controller 110 that the mobile enters the prescribed sightseeing area, the sightseeing facilities within the prescribed sightseeing areas are read out from the sightseeing area data base 31 and automatically displayed on the map, and also display of the landmarks 6 is reduced from the map.
US08326519B2 Oxygen flow reduction during engine start/stop operation
An engine control system comprises an intake valve deactivation module and an exhaust valve deactivation module. The intake valve deactivation module deactivates an intake valve of a cylinder of an engine based on an engine stop request such that the intake valve remains closed. The exhaust valve deactivation module deactivates an exhaust valve of the cylinder after the intake valve deactivation module deactivates the intake valve such that the exhaust valve remains closed.
US08326512B2 Device for longitudinally guiding a motor vehicle having a navigation system
A device for longitudinally guiding a motor vehicle includes a sensor system for locating preceding vehicles, a regulator that regulates the speed of the vehicle to a setpoint speed, either in a free driving mode or in a following driving mode, the setpoint speed depending on the distance from a preceding vehicle, as well as an interface to a navigation system that provides information concerning the route traveled, and a limiting device for limiting the setpoint speed based on the information provided. The limiting device is designed to deactivate automatically when changing from free driving mode to following driving mode and activate automatically when changing from following driving mode to free driving mode.
US08326509B2 Method for operating a vehicle brake system using brake temperature
A method that compensates for temperature-related effects in a vehicle brake system. According to one embodiment, the method determines the temperature of a brake pad, calculates a temperature-based modifier, and then uses the temperature-based modifier to adjust one or more brake command signals provided to the vehicle brake system so that they are compensated for temperature-related changes in the coefficient of friction (μ) of the brake pad and rotor. The method may be used with brake-by-wire systems such as electrohydraulic braking (EHB) systems and electromechanical braking (EMB) systems.
US08326508B2 Control device and control method for automatic transmission
A control device for an automatic transmission includes a determining unit determines that a friction element is to be set in an engaged condition in case a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a determination reference and determining that the friction element is to be set in a disengaged condition in case the vehicle speed is lower than the determination reference, and a engagement control unit that performs control to engage or disengage the friction element on the basis of a determination result of the determining unit, wherein the engagement control unit comprises a prohibiting unit that prohibits setting of the friction element in the engaged condition until a predetermined condition is established, regardless of the determination result, after the friction element has been modified from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition.
US08326503B2 Lock-up clutch control device
When deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control is entered and a difference between this deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and a disengagement initial pressure of lock-up smooth off control becomes smaller than prior to deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control, the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control is corrected to a low side in accordance with a difference between that deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and the disengagement initial pressure. Furthermore, by changing the sweep gradient of lock-up smooth off control to a small side, and in addition, correcting the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control to a low side in consideration of disengagement delay of the lock-up clutch pursuant to that sweep gradient change, the actual disengagement time during lock-up smooth off control can be matched with a target disengagement time.
US08326494B2 Method and apparatus for determining a desired yaw rate for a vehicle
Methods and systems are provided for determining a desired yaw rate for a vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of handling states and comprises a yaw rate sensor for determining an actual yaw rate. The method comprises selecting one of the plurality of handling states, determining the desired yaw rate for the vehicle based on the road wheel angle, the velocity, and the selected one of the plurality of handling states, and activating one or more vehicle stability control measures if the difference between the desired yaw rate and the actual yaw rate for the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US08326493B2 Motor driven power steering control apparatus for suppressing vibration
A motor-driven power steering control apparatus is achieved, which uses a small-amplitude pass filter, the filter filtering out a component having a small amplitude, to remove a steering component from dynamic state quantity such as a rotational speed signal, and to accurately extract only a vibration component having a small amplitude compared with the steering component, and controls the vibration component to be reduced.
US08326492B2 Park-steering assistance system having an improved switch-on and switch-off logic
A park-steering assistance system and method for operating a park-steering assistance system includes a switch-on and switch-off logic, which is provided to activate the park-steering assistance system as a function of a signal of a control element and to deactivate the park-steering assistance system as a function of a velocity value of the motor vehicle and as a function of a specified first velocity threshold value, a specified second velocity threshold value existing, which is lower than the first velocity threshold value, and the switch-on and switch-off logic being arranged to switch the park-steering assistance system from the activated state to a temporarily deactivated state or from the temporarily deactivated state to the activated state as a function of a comparison of the variables of the velocity value and the second velocity threshold value.
US08326489B2 Controller of electric power-assist steering system
The present invention discloses a controller of an electric power-assist steering system including a torque detector for detecting a torque applied with a steering wheel that steers a steering system; a steering status determining section for determining a steering status of either “turn” or “return” of a steering wheel; and a motor controlling unit for driving a motor in accordance with a target current value calculated based on at least a torque value from the torque detector and the steering status of either “turn” or “return” of the steering wheel from the steering status determining section, wherein the motor controlling unit sets a target current value right after a time when the steering status is switched between “turn” and “return” to be substantially equal to an actual current value right before a time when the steering status is switched between “turn” and “return”.
US08326483B2 Monitoring and automatic equipment control systems
The present invention relates to improved image sensor-processor interconnections and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved image sensor-processor interconnections.
US08326478B2 Hybrid vehicle and method of controlling the same
When passage through a road pricing area where an exhaust gas emission vehicle is subjected to billing is predicted, an ECU calculates a stored energy quantity available for EV traveling based on the current SOC of a power storage device, and estimates a required energy quantity for passing through the road pricing area by EV traveling. The ECU further calculates a deficit of the stored energy quantity relative to the required energy, and if a deficit is found, executes vehicle control for preparing a vehicle condition for passage through the road pricing area corresponding to the energy deficit.
US08326472B2 Automatic vessel position holding control method and controller
An automatic vessel position holding control method for holding a vessel position and a vessel heading of a vessel on the ocean in order to reduce a positional deviation and a heading deviation sharply as compared with the conventional automatic vessel position holding control by performing feedforward control for estimating and then compensating for at least one of a wave drifting force and a wave drifting moment that act on the vessel, wherein a vessel position holding control is performed that includes such controls as estimating waves entering the vessel from motion thereof, calculating at least one of the wave drifting force and the wave drifting moment from the estimated waves and performing feedforward control for at least one of the calculated wave drifting force and the calculated wave drifting moment.
US08326454B2 Power assist apparatus, and its control method
Provided are a power assist apparatus and its control method, which realize improvements in positioning precision and in workability while reducing the burden of a work positioning operation on a operator by burdening a portion of the positioning work on the power assist apparatus and while making good use of the decision or experience (or institution or knack) by the operator when the operator positions the work by using the power assist apparatus. The power assist apparatus thus autonomously cooperated with the working action of the operator comprises a transfer tool including an articulated robot, a sucking jig and a free joint for gripping and transferring windows, and a control device for controlling the actions of the transfer tool. The control device divides and stores a series of working tasks into a plurality of working section, and sets control logics for the individual working sections and for the individual working directions, in which the power assist apparatus has degrees of freedom.
US08326449B2 Augmenting a virtual machine hosting environment from within a virtual machine
Systems and methods augment a virtual machine (computer) hosting environment from within a virtual machine. A communication channel between the virtual machine and the player is used to send instructions to the player to load and execute requested software modules. Requests to load and execute the modules may originate in the corporate network and may be issued by the corporate network administrator. If a requested module is not stored on the host computer, the virtual machine may upload the module, via the communication channel, to the player. The uploaded module may, for example: (a) install a required upgrade in the host operating system; (b) execute virus checking software on the host computer; or (c) install a corporate network-provided secure printing module that enables software being executed by the host computer to print on devices connected to the host computer.
US08326445B2 Message string correspondence sound generation system
The invention relates to a system for generating various sounds corresponding to character strings resulting from an operation of an input device of a mobile communication terminal or computer terminal. The system comprises: a message input unit with which a character message to be transmitted is inputted in a transmitting terminal; a message setting unit that inputs a message to be transmitted to the message input unit and sets a type of the message as sound message; a user authentication unit that is connected to a communication network and confirms whether the user is a service subscriber or not when the message setting unit sets the message as sound message; a user database that is associated with the user authentication unit and stores information of the user therein; a sound generating means that, when the user is confirmed as a service subscriber by the user authentication unit, receives the message inputted through the message input unit to generate and transmit a sound corresponding to the received message to a receiving terminal; and a receiving terminal that receives the message and the sound transmitted from the sound generating means via the communication network.
US08326441B2 Control system for a plurality of consumers arranged in a distributed manner, in particular for lamp operating devices, and methods for putting into operation
In the case of a control system (1) for a plurality of consumers (10) arranged in a distributed manner, in particular for lamp operating devices, having at least one command generator (5), a control line (2) which connects the command generator (5) with each consumer (10) and associated with each consumer (10) a transmission and reception unit (11) provided for communication with the command generator (5), an operating address is allocated to each consumer (10) via which the consumer (10) can be contacted by the command generator (5). In accordance with the invention there is associated with each consumer (10) a memory element (20), separate from the consumer (10), for storing the operating address, wherein the memory element (20) is connected with the associated consumer (10) via the control line (2).
US08326438B2 Techniques for nerve stimulation
Apparatus is provided for applying current to a nerve, including a housing, adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve, and at least one cathode and at least one anode, fixed to the housing. The apparatus further includes two or more passive electrodes, fixed to the housing, and a conducting element, which electrically couples the passive electrodes to one another. Other embodiments are also described.
US08326435B2 RFID detection and identification system for implantable medical lead systems
A system for identifying active implantable medical devices (AIMD) and lead systems implanted in a patient using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having retrievable information relating to the AIMD, lead system and/or patient. The RFID tag may store information about the AIMD manufacturer, model number, serial number; leadwire system placement information and manufacturer information; MRI compatibility due to the incorporation of bandstop filters; patient information, and physician and/or hospital information and other relevant information. The RFID tag may be affixed or disposed within the AIMD or leadwires of the lead system, or surgically implanted within a patient adjacent to the AIMD or leadwire system.
US08326432B2 Foot drop device storage pole
A storage and support device for storing and supporting components of a Functional Electrical Stimulator Foot Drop Device is disclosed and includes an upstanding hollow tubular member extending upwardly from a base portion. The interior of the tubular member may be used to store certain of the components of the foot drop device, other than the leg cuff portion thereof, during periods of non-use. The leg cuff portion of the foot drop device is wrapped around the tubular member with the tubular member having an exterior curved surface which corresponds to the shape to the disc-shaped electrodes at the inner surface of the leg cuff so that a plastic sheet covering the electrodes will be maintained in intimate contact with the electrodes to extend the life thereof.
US08326428B2 Acquiring nerve activity from carotid body and/or sinus
An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08326426B2 Implantable device with heat storage
Example embodiments of an implantable device are configured to be implanted within a patient to provide medical therapy to the patient. In general, an implantable rechargeable device includes a rechargeable battery and an electronic board assembly arranged within a case and an antenna electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. The antenna is configured to receive power and to transfer at least a portion of the received power to the rechargeable battery for recharging. A phase change material is arranged within the case around at least a portion of the electronic board assembly. The phase change material is configured to transition from a first phase to a second phase at a transition temperature when the insulating material absorbs heat (e.g., from the electronic board assembly).
US08326421B2 Ventricular assist device
Devices and methods are disclosed for implanting, positioning, removing, replacing and operating intra-aortic balloon pumps.
US08326420B2 Associating therapy adjustments with posture states using stability timers
The disclosure describes techniques for associating therapy adjustments with posture states using stability timers. The techniques may include detecting a patient adjustment to electrical stimulation therapy delivered to the patient, sensing a posture state of the patient, and associating the detected adjustment with the sensed posture state if the sensed posture state is sensed within a first period following the detection of the adjustment and if the sensed posture state does not change during a second period following the sensing of the sensed posture state.
US08326417B2 Neurostimulator involving stimulation strategies and process for using it
This is a neurostimulator that is configured to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders using certain stimulation strategies, particularly changing various pulse parameters, during the imposition of a burst of those pulses. The invention includes the processes embodying those stimulation strategies.
US08326413B1 Method and device for determining tooth status underneath a crown
An apparatus and method for the detection of dental caries on the surface of a remaining tooth present underneath a crown are provided. Such an inventive concept involves the utilization of a proper electrically conductive pathway from the crown exterior to the tooth itself, allowing for impedance measurements to be undertaken to determine the degree of potential demineralization within the tooth and/or adhesive loss at the tooth/crown interface, all due to decay attributable to dental caries or like problems. In such a manner, a measuring electrode may be applied to a specific point on the target crown as well as on the adjacent gum, to measure impedance levels for any appreciable decreases which would indicate underlying tooth decay exists. The dental professional may then undertake proper therapeutic measures to treat such tooth locations in order to avoid far more expensive repairs, such as the implementation of bridges or implants.
US08326412B2 Diagnostic device and method for sensing hydration state of a mammalian subject
Timed sensing of collection of saliva in a liquid collection element of predetermined volumetric capacity may be used to determine salivary secretion rate, as may be indicative of state of euhydration or dehydration. Sensing of salivary flow rate may be further augmented by sensing concentration of at least one analyte in saliva (e.g., with an immunochromatographic assay performed in a lateral flow device) in order to determine a state of euhydration or dehydration. Production of saliva may be stimulated, and collected saliva may be analyzed to generate an analyte detection signal that indicative of presence and/or correlative of concentration of at least one analyte in the collected saliva to sense a state of euhydration or dehydration.
US08326401B2 MRI detectable obturator
An obturator with an elongated shaft, a proximal end, a substantially closed distal end and a MRI detectable distal shaft portion, which does not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging of tissue proximate thereto. Preferably, the distal shaft portion has an effective MRI detectable mass so as to provide a clear, T1-weighted image within an outline of the distal shaft portion upon magnetic resonance imaging.
US08326391B2 Sensor interface
A sensor interface configured to adapt analog and digital sensors is disclosed herein. The sensor interface unit includes: a port configured to be coupled to either a digital sensor or an analog sensor and a signal processing circuit for processing an analog sensor output when an analog sensor is coupled to the port. The interface further includes a switching mechanism configured to bypass the signal processing circuitry when a digital sensor is coupled to the port.
US08326390B2 Optical non-invasive blood monitoring system and method
A simple noninvasive technique that is capable of very accurate and fast blood analyte, e.g., glucose, level monitoring is provided. Fluctuation in the levels of glucose and other analytes affect the refractive index of blood and extra cellular fluid in biological tissue. Given that the propagation speed of light through a medium depends on its refractive index, continuous monitoring of analyte levels in tissue is achieved by measuring characteristics of the tissue that can be correlated to the refractive index of the tissue. For instance, the frequency or number of optical pulse circulations that are transmitted through an individual's tissue of known thickness within a certain time period can be correlated to an individual's blood glucose level.
US08326384B2 Information processing apparatus utilizing an antenna switch
According to one embodiment, a bus slot includes a first terminal not connected to a bus on the system board, and second terminals connected to the bus. The bus slot is configured to be connected to either a first wireless communication module or a second wireless communication module. The first terminal is grounded when the first wireless communication module is connected to the bus slot, and is kept in an open state when the second wireless communication module is connected to the bus slot. An antenna switching module is configured to switch an antenna connected to be a feed line between a first antenna and a second antenna in accordance with a voltage on a control signal line connected to the first terminal.
US08326383B1 Adhesive case for a mobile communication device
Devices, methods and systems are directed to a top protection portion and a bottom protection portion to protect a front exterior and a back exterior, respectively, of a mobile communication. The top protection portion and the bottom protection portion may each include one or more adhesive members. The adhesive members may be designed to allow a user to remove and apply the top protection portion and the bottom protection portion as desired (e.g., to access a concealed battery of the mobile communication device) without losing their adhesive property.
US08326380B2 Foldable portable wireless communication apparatus
A foldable portable wireless communication apparatus which ensures miniaturization of housing and good antenna characteristic has first casing including transmitter and/or operation section, and second housing including receiver and/or display section and rotatably linked with the first casing through hinge section provided on one end portion of the first housing on the front face side thereof. An antenna board is provided in area at back of the hinge section inside the first housing, and a circuit board having a radio-frequency circuit section mounted thereon is provided in area not overlapping the hinge section inside the first housing. A connection conductor connecting the antenna board and the high frequency wave input/output point of the radio-frequency circuit section is configured into a monopole antenna by setting the direction of extension of the connection conductor in the lengthwise direction of the first housing in the vicinity of the high frequency wave input/output point.
US08326364B2 High resolution, low power design for CPRI/OBSAI latency measurement
As part of the protocol for Common Public Radio Interface/Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (CPRI/OBSAI) systems, timing circuits are used to calculate the “round trip” latency across CPRI/OBSAI links. Traditionally, these timing circuits have been plagued with numerous problems. Here, however, a timing circuit is provided that has improved latency measurement accuracy, reduced power consumption, and a reduced likelihood of detecting a false comma. This is generally accomplished through the use of double edge latching in combination with post processing circuit and single bit transmission between low and high speed clock domains.
US08326360B2 Method and system for the configuration of a mobile station baseband circuit for an acoustic accessory
A method and system for the configuration of a mobile station baseband circuit for an acoustic accessory having an identifier, the method comprising the steps of: determining whether the mobile device recognizes the identifier of the acoustic device; and configuring the baseband circuit with a DSP filter response and CODEC acoustic gain parameters for the acoustic device if the mobile device recognizes the identifier of the acoustic device. The system comprising: an identifier for each of the plurality of acoustic devices; a local memory in the mobile station storing a frequency (filter) response and gain parameters for at least one of the plurality of acoustic devices and for mapping them to the identifier; and a digital signal processor to re-shape an acoustic frequency response and adjust an audio gain of a baseband circuit for the mobile station based on the stored frequency response and gain parameters.
US08326359B2 Reconfigurable wireless modem adapter
A reconfigurable wireless modem adapter is provided. The reconfigurable wireless modem adapter includes a control board and a radio frequency switch. The control board has at least two interfaces for a respective at least two modems and is configured to communicatively couple to at least one onboard system in a vehicle. The control board activates a selected modem interfaced to one of the at least two interfaces. The radio frequency switch is communicatively coupled to the control board via the selected one of the at least one modem. The radio frequency switch communicatively couples an antenna to the selected modem. When the control board is communicatively coupled to the at least one onboard system and activates the selected modem, and when the radio frequency switch is communicatively coupled to the antenna, the antenna is communicatively coupled to the at least one onboard system via the selected modem.
US08326352B1 Device, network, server, and methods for providing service requests for wireless communication devices
A wireless communication device operable as a digital image capturing device (wireless digital camera) may be used to associate processing information with a captured image. The wireless digital camera may communicate information to a wireless network server, such as a WAP server, and communicate the information in a desirable format to a service request process server. The service request process server may then process the request to provide the service requested by the wireless digital camera.
US08326351B2 Multi user text PBX with multi message system capabilities
Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the communication of business-related (SMS) messages from PBXs to wireless devices are disclosed. In an aspect of the present invention, a service provider offers a web, cloud-based service that enables an operator within an organization to have a high volume of two-way communications with an unlimited number of individuals—through SMS texting, instant messaging, pager, web browser, email and voice—all controlled from a single intuitive browser interface tool. Additionally, a complete history of all communications and real time statistics are available to either the operator or an administrator of the organization.
US08326341B2 Method, apparatus and computer program for downlink MU-MIMO power settings and control
A set of J predetermined power level offsets that scale transmission power per user are stored in a local computer-readable memory. A set of N users to which are allocated overlapping downlink frequency resources are selected. From the stored set is then selected a power level offset. An indication of the selected power level offset is signaled to at least one of the N users; and the at least one of the N users are also sent a multiplexed transmission using the selected power level offset. N is an integer at least equal to two, J is an integer at least equal to two, and at least one member of the set is other than 1/n in which n is any positive integer less than Nmax in which Nmax is a maximum number of users that can be multiplexed together. Various embodiments include an apparatus such as a network access node, a method, and a stored computer program. Also detailed are apparatus and method and stored computer program for practicing the invention from the perspective of the user/UE.
US08326331B2 Paging for non-real-time communications using cellular networks
A method of paging to increase standby time of Wireless Terminals used for non-real-time communications via cellular network is disclosed. The method comprises synchronizing a wireless terminal clock to a server internal clock and deriving a paging window and a dormant window for communicating between the server and the wireless terminal using the synchronized time. The method further comprises during the paging window: finding a control channel for a cellular network by the wireless terminal; sending the page from the server to the wireless terminal; and receiving the page from the server at the wireless terminal.
US08326324B2 Systems and methods for location positioning within radio access systems
A method for calculating the geographical position of a user equipment (UE) unit includes collecting position parameters conveying the relative position of the UE unit from two or more base stations using technologies mandated for the modern wireless networks. Particularly, know (predetermined) signals embedded in the downlink and uplink subframes, such as preambles, pilots, ranging codes are used for determining the coordinates of the UE unit. In addition, the methods and systems proposed here take advantage of the multiple antennas systems mandated at both the UE and BTS.
US08326323B2 Method for monitoring and identifying radio coverage gaps of a public land mobile network
Method for monitoring and identifying radio coverage gaps of a public land mobile network (PLMN) comprising usage of stand alone signaling transfer points (SASTP) producing list of cells, the method comprising the capturing of an update location (UL) message in the case of logging in a mobile communication device into the network and a cancel location (CL) message in the case of leaving the network, whereas the update location (UL) message and the cancel location (CL) message comprise an information identifying the mobile communication device, particularly the international mobile subscriber indentity number (IMSI), comprising generation of provide subscriber info message, whereas the provide subscriber info response (PSI_Resp) message from last visited VLR comprise a cell identification (CeIl_ID) identifying the cell of the public land mobile network (PLMN) which was last used and/or in which the mobile communication device has left the network and further comprising the generation of a report message including the cell identification (CeII_ID).
US08326312B2 System and method for improving cellular telephone user experience
A method for determining an amount of time required to download a data file to a wireless device includes receiving information indicating a first amount of wireless bandwidth allocated for the download of the data file, calculating a first length of time required to download the data file to the wireless device based on the first amount of wireless bandwidth allocated, and comparing the first length of time required to a predetermined amount of time. If the first length of time required is less than the predetermined amount of time, the download begins. If the first length of time required is more than the predetermined amount of time, information indicating the first length of time required is sent to the wireless device, a start download signal is received from the wireless device, and download of the data file to the wireless device begins in response to the start download signal.
US08326310B2 Scheduling methods for connection-based, over-the-air, inter-system communications for wireless networks
A method for communications between neighboring wireless cells such as wireless regional area networks operating according to IEEE 802.22 specifications. The method involves scheduling inter-base station communications for over-the-air connections to allow neighboring base stations to communicate in environments where a single available channel is shared between the neighboring cells or where two or more channels used by two or more neighboring cells. In some embodiments, a bridge system, such as a bridge consumer premise equipment (CPE), positioned in an area of coverage overlap between two cells is used for inter-base station communications, and allocation and scheduling of bandwidth on the utilized channels is performed to provide interference free communications between the base stations. Existence announcements are provided in coexistence time slots and requests for bandwidth such as reserved and additional time slots are transmitted between the base stations using the coexistence time slots.
US08326309B2 Resource allocation in co-existence mode
Techniques are disclosed that allow for resource allocation during situations requiring co-existence in cognitive radios. Even under situations of bandwidth scarcity, the techniques allow various users to be guaranteed quality of service (QoS) by proper distribution and allocation of resources. The techniques allow wireless communication systems to operate in a normal mode and a co-existence mode. In the co-existence mode of operation, sub-frame creation, sharing and zone formation schemes are implemented that enable the existing underlying frame structure to remain intact and inter-operable with the legacy systems and at the same time, provide a guaranteed QoS. The zones effectively create partitions in space, time and frequency, which result in interference avoidance and allow various users in neighboring cells to communicate on the same frequencies.
US08326304B2 Femtocell search method for macro to femto handover
The present invention relates to a femtocell search method for a handover from a macrocell to a femtocell. The present invention relates to a method for a terminal that accesses a macrocell to search a femtocell in an environment where a plurality of femtocells are overlapped in one macrocell. The terminal searches a femtocell by using a dummy preamble in order to minimize the size of neighbor cell lists broadcasted from the macrocell to the terminal. Therefore, according to the present invention, an MAC overhead can be minimized by eliminating neighbor femtocell lists in a mobile neighbor advertisement (MOB_NBR_ADV) message broadcasted from the macrocell, and the terminal can search a femtocell with a minimum scanning load by checking only a femtocell dummy preamble in a dedicated symbol of the macrocell.
US08326303B2 Method of determining wireless hand off parameters
The present invention provides a method of determining handoff parameters. One embodiment of the method includes determining values of a hysteresis for a handoff from a serving cell, one or more pairwise offset values for hand off between the serving cell and one or more neighbor cells, and one or more times-to-trigger (TTTs) for hand off between the serving cell and the neighbor cell(s). The values may be determined So that hand off is triggered beyond a first distance from the serving cell selected to avoid ping-ponging and within a second distance from the serving cell selected so that a mobile unit moving at a selected velocity does not travel beyond a third distance within the TTT.
US08326301B2 Method for supporting mobility of mobile terminal, and mobile terminal thereof
A method for supporting mobility of a mobile station and the mobile station which supports the mobility are disclosed. The method of supporting the mobility of the mobile station includes receiving cell reselection information and neighbor cell information from a base station (BS) of a present cell, wherein the cell reselection information includes thresholds for determining whether the quality of the other RAT cell shall be measured or not, wherein the neighbor cell information includes a frame duration code and a frame number of a downlink frame in the other RAT cell, wherein the frame duration code indicates the start preamble of the downlink frame; determining whether a mobile station (MS) shall measure the quality of the other RAT cell or not using the thresholds; and measuring the quality of the other RAT cell and reselecting a cell or transmitting the measured result to the BS through a measurement report message according to the measured result, if it is determined that the MS would measure the quality of the other RAT cell. Accordingly, since the mobility of the mobile station between the E-UTRAN network and the other RAT cell is supported, the mobile station can continuously receive a service while maintaining current service quality although a user moves to the other RAT cell.
US08326295B2 Self organizing cellular networks
This invention addresses a method of scanning and self organization that is programmed into the base station which then will automatically avoid mutual interference and move the use of radio channels from one base station to another to move network capacity to where it is needed through a process called “abandonment”.
US08326287B2 Method for providing roaming service of international call and mobile terminal for the same
The present invention relates to a method for providing a roaming service of an international call, as a roaming method of a mobile terminal, comprises, in an international roaming mode, checking TON (Type Of Number) of an incoming number attempted to originate a call; in the case that the TON of the incoming number is not an international call, checking whether the incoming number is a telephone number of a home network or a telephone number of a visited network; and in the case that the incoming number is checked as a telephone number of a home network, changing the incoming number into an international call number using a home country code (CC) stored in a storing unit, changing the TON of the incoming number into an international call, and requesting call origination to the incoming number, and in the case that the incoming number is checked as a telephone number of a visited network, requesting local call origination without number change.
US08326284B2 Method of triggering a handover of a mobile station in a discontinuous coverage network
There is provided a method of triggering a handover of a mobile station in a discontinuous coverage radio network, wherein the method comprises the steps: transferring at a point in time a data volume via a first transfer zone of the discontinuous coverage radio network to a cache storage of the mobile station, wherein the data volume permits the provision of a service to the mobile station for at least the duration of a period of time, wherein the first transfer zone is the serving transfer zone of the mobile station; triggering the handover of the mobile station from the first transfer zone to a second transfer zone of the discontinuous coverage radio network only after the period of time has been spent with respect to the point in time, wherein the mobile station has been moved in the mean time from the first transfer zone to the second transfer zone.
US08326283B1 Systems and methods for dynamically modifying subscriber service profile stored in home location register while roaming in wireless telecommunication networks
In a wireless telecommunication system, Home Location Register logic generates a subscriber roaming profile for use by a Visitor Location Register by retrieving a subscriber's provisioned profile, retrieving a rule set associated with the subscriber, and applying the rule set to the set of provisioned service features indicated in the provisioned profile to generate a modified profile. The rules can be responsive to one or more of: the identity of the visited network, subscriber preferences, and provisioned features. The rules can be in the form of tables stored in the Home Location Register.
US08326281B2 Mobile wireless communications device providing object reference data based upon near field communication (NFC) and related methods
A wireless communications system may include a near field communication (NFC) reference device configured to store object reference data for at least one object associated with a geographic location of the NFC device. The wireless communications system may also include a mobile wireless communications device that includes an NFC transceiver configured to communicate with the NFC device based upon proximity thereto, an image sensor, a display, and a controller. The controller may cooperate with the NFC transceiver, the image sensor, and the display. The controller may be configured to determine a sensed image from the image sensor. The controller may also be configured to select object reference data for the sensed image based upon communication with the NFC reference device, and display the object reference data and the sensed image on the display.
US08326258B2 Overriding vehicle communications in emergency situations
A system and method for controlling calls in a vehicle during an emergency situation that includes identifying an emergency situation and placing a voice call or a data call to the vehicle in response to the emergency situation. If the placed call cannot be connected because the vehicle has another call in progress, then an SMS message is sent to the vehicle which contains a command used by the vehicle to interrupt the in-progress call. This enables a call center or public safety personnel to obtain remote access in emergency situations, such as when the vehicle location needs to be determined or an occupant of the vehicle is contacted.
US08326235B2 Communication device
There is provided a communication device including: a first node connected to an antenna; a transmission unit outputting a signal to the antenna via the first node; a reception unit having a signal input thereto from the antenna via the first node; a first switch provided between the first node and the transmission unit; and a second switch provided between the first node and the reception unit, and in which the second switch is alternately turned on and off repeatedly, and the reception unit includes an amplifier amplifying a signal that the transmission unit outputs via the first and second switches and a mixer mixing a signal amplified in the amplifier and a local signal.
US08326232B2 System and methods for determining radiated radio frequency (RF) receiver sensitivity
A test method is for determining RF sensitivity of an RF receiver for a plurality of channels extending over a frequency band(s) using an RF source coupled to the RF receiver by an RF communications link. The plurality of channels may include channels having a predictable RF sensitivity and a channel(s) having a non-predictable RF sensitivity. The test method may include measuring an RF sensitivity for one or more of the channels having the predictable RF sensitivity, and generating a partial RF sensitivity function for the channels having the predictable RF sensitivity based thereon. The method may further include measuring an RF sensitivity for the channel(s) having the non-predictable RF sensitivity. Additionally, an overall RF sensitivity function may be generated for the plurality of channels based upon the partial RF sensitivity function, and based upon the measured RF sensitivity for the channel(s) having the non-predictable RF sensitivity.
US08326228B2 Headset locator device
A mobile telephone may aid a user in locating a lost wireless headset. The mobile telephone may include a processor and a user interface. The processor may receive data indicative of a quality (e.g., wireless signal strength) related to a proximity between the mobile telephone and the wireless headset. The processor may determine the proximity of the wireless headset to the mobile device. For example, the processor may compare the data to a reference value, such as one based on a transmit class (e.g., BLUETOOTH class) protocol in use between the mobile telephone and the wireless headset. The processor may correlate relative position data to determine a direction to the wireless headset. The processor indicate a distance and/or direction to the user via the user interface and may selectively enable one of the wireless headset and an audio interface of the mobile telephone unit as a default device based on the relative proximity to the wireless headset.
US08326221B2 Portable electronic device with proximity-based content synchronization
Systems are provided that support millimeter-wave wireless communications between hosts and electronic devices. A host may be formed using a personal computer associated with a user or computing equipment associated with a public establishment. Content can be automatically synchronized between the host and the user's electronic device over a millimeter-wave wireless communications link in a communications band such as a 60 GHz wireless communications band. Synchronization operations may be performed based on user content preferences. Content preference information may be gathered explicitly from a user using on-screen options or may be gathered by monitoring user media playback activities and media rating activities. The content preference information may be transmitted automatically from an electronic device to a host when the electronic device is brought within range of the host. Synchronization operations may be performed automatically when a user is in proximity of a point-of-sale terminal or ticketing equipment.
US08326213B2 Encoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes through an LDPC decoder
An approach is providing for supporting broadcast transmission of low density parity check (LDPC) coded signals. A receiver includes a decoder configured to decode an LDPC signal to output a decoded signal. The decoder is further configured to operate as an encoder; as such, interference cancellation can be implemented by the encoder re-encoded the received decoded signal. The above approach has particular applicability to satellite broadcast systems.
US08326211B1 Computer systems for capturing student performance
A method of capturing student performance can be provided that includes enabling a course creator to generate assessment data related to learning assessments for an online course and to generate learning outcomes for the online course, associating the assessment data with the learning outcomes, such that at least some of the learning assessments correspond to at least some of the learning outcomes, and generating an online classroom. The method may further include providing the learning assessments to students enrolled in the online course using the online classroom, wherein the students can generate completed learning assessments, and determining, for each of the completed learning assessments, whether one or more of the learning outcomes were met by each of the students.
US08326210B2 Participant response system and method
A participant response system comprises a plurality of handsets for allowing a participant of an event to input a response. Each handset comprises a wireless handset having a keyboard for allowing a user to input a response. The handsets are configurable either as a participant response handset to allow a participant to enter a response, or as a base station. The handset also includes audio capability to allow participants to receive and input audio.
US08326209B2 Printer with bracket for holding paper tray
A printer includes a main body for printing and outputting paper, a bracket attached to the main body, a driving mechanism, and a tray for receiving the paper. The bracket includes two sidewalls. A retaining member is secured to each sidewall. A first spring member is secured between each retaining member and the corresponding sidewall. The driving mechanisms are secured to the sidewalls. Each driving mechanism includes a sliding member slidable on the sidewall. The tray is received in the bracket. The tray has tray posts. The sliding members are slid to bring the tray. The tray posts slide the retaining members from a first position to a second position before passing across the retaining members, and the retaining members are slid from the second position to the first position by rebounding of the first springs after the tray posts pass across the retaining members.
US08326207B2 Sheet transport device and image forming apparatus including same
A sheet transport device and an image forming apparatus that includes the sheet transport device. The sheet transport device includes a reverse-transport roller, at least one roller guide, and a shaft. The reverse-transport roller is provided to a diverging point of a sheet reversing portion from which a recording medium enters or exits and is configured to transport the recording medium to the sheet reversing portion. At least one roller guide is provided in a vicinity of an end face of at least one side of the reverse-transport roller and is configured to prevent the reverse-transport roller from contacting the recording medium when reversing the recording medium. The reverse-transport roller and the roller guide are disposed on the shaft. Friction of a peripheral surface of the roller guide is configured to be substantially less than that of the recording medium.
US08326202B2 Toner conveying mechanism, cleaning device and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device including a toner conveying mechanism is provided. The toner conveying mechanism includes a conveying member that rotates to convey toner, an elastic member configured to contact a circumference of the conveying member, an image carrying body, and a cleaning member disposed between the elastic member and the image carrying body. The elastic member slidingly contacts the circumference of the rotating conveying member.
US08326199B2 Image heating apparatus with rotatable heat generation member capable of induction heat generation by a magnetic flux
An image heating apparatus for heating an image on a recording material, includes a rotatable heat generation member capable of induction heat generation by a magnetic flux; a coil, provided outside the heat generation member, for generating the magnetic flux for the induction heat generation; a movable magnetic core provided at a position opposed to the coil; a moving device for moving the magnetic core between a first position opposed to the coil and a second position which is more away from the coil than the first position; and an electroconductive member mounted at a position where a magnetic circuit is capable of being formed with the coil when the magnetic core is in the second position.
US08326186B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus using the same
A developing device includes: a developing vessel for storing a developer containing a toner and a magnetic carrier; a first conveying passage through which the developer is conveyed approximately horizontally; and a toner supply port for leading toner to the first conveying passage. The toner supply port is formed over the first conveying passage. The developing device includes a multiple number of electromagnets that intermittently attract and release the developer, over the first conveying passage. At the same time, a multiple number of downward slopes that go down toward the downstream side with respect to the developer conveying direction are formed in the bottom of the first conveying passage in areas in which the developer that has been attracted to the electromagnets and is released from the electromagnets falls.
US08326178B2 Covering member and cartridge
A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an image bearing member; a frame; process means contactable to and actable on the image bearing member; a covering member detachably mounted to the frame to protect a surface of the image bearing member; and a spacing portion provided on the covering member and inserted between the image bearing member and the process means to space the image bearing member and the process means from each other, the spacing portion being movable relative to the covering member while being interposed between the image bearing member and the process means when the covering member is removed from the frame.
US08326176B2 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and supporting member
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main assembly, with the main assembly including a preventing portion. The apparatus also includes a supporting member for supporting a plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive members, with the supporting member being movable between an inside position inside the main assembly, and an outside position outside the main assembly in a state in which the supporting member is supported by the main assembly and being disengageable from the main assembly at the outside position. A handle portion is provided to the supporting member, to be touched for disengaging the supporting member from the main assembly, with the handle portion being provided upstream of the plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive members with respect to a movement direction in which the supporting member is moved from the inside position to the outside position.
US08326174B2 Cleaning unit for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a polarity control member
A cleaning unit that can remove particles of residual toner remaining on an image carrier after transfer and be incorporated in a process cartridge removably installable to an image forming apparatus, includes a brush roller disposed in contact with the image carrier to remove the residual toner remaining on the image carrier from the image carrier, and a polarity control member disposed in contact with the image carrier to control charge polarities of the residual toner remaining on the image carrier before the residual toner is removed by the brush roller. The polarity control member includes a first surface where the polarity control member contacts the image carrier, a second surface where the polarity control member does not contact the image carrier, and a conductive filler that is not exposed on the first surface that contacts the image carrier.
US08326172B2 Heat insulation structure and image forming apparatus using the same
A heat insulation structure includes: a duct member disposed above a fixing device that fixes developer onto a recording medium, through which air flows to be exhausted; a heat insulating member disposed between an upper side of the duct member and a lower side of a function member disposed above the duct member; and a gap forming member that forms a gap between the duct member and the heat insulation member in a vertical direction.
US08326169B2 Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus, in the case where image forming is performed on a recording medium whose size covers a position of a second temperature detection element perpendicularly disposed to the recording medium conveyance direction, when the detected temperature rises to a predetermined temperature during execution of the first power supply control, a first power supply control is switched to a second power supply control. In the case where image forming is performed on a recording medium whose size does not cover a position of the second temperature detection element, when the detected temperature rises to a predetermined temperature during execution of the first power supply control, a conveyance control portion executes a control for extending the conveyance interval of the recording medium. Thus, an unduly large temperature rise in the non-sheet passing portion is prevented, and a good quality image can be provided without glossy unevenness in one sheet.
US08326167B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus capable of improving fixing efficiency and suppressing overheating
In a fixing device, a rotatable endless film heats a sheet. A heat source is contacted and surrounded by the endless film to heat the endless film. A pressing member is disposed opposite the heat source. An air current generator generates an air current inside a loop formed by the endless film. The endless film and the pressing member are disposed to sandwich and feed the sheet forward as the sheet passes therebetween. The air current generator concentrates the air current on the endless film to heat the sheet at a given position.
US08326165B2 Image forming apparatus having a photosenstive member of high capacitance
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, having a capacitance per unit area of 1.7×10−6 (F/m2) or larger, an exposure device, which exposes the photosensitive member in order to form thereon an electrostatic image according to image information, a developing device, which develops the electrostatic image with a toner to form a toner image on the photosensitive member, and a transfer device, which transfers the toner image onto a recording material. In forming a solid toner image on the recording material, the exposure device is capable of forming electrostatic images of different potential levels on the photosensitive member, thereby forming toner images of different toner heights on the photosensitive member.
US08326158B2 Device and method for transmitting optical data signals
Disclosed are a device and a method for transmitting an optical data signal over an optical transmission channel, comprising a differential phase shift keying unit for differential phase shift keying of at least one serial data stream to generate a differential phase shift keying coded data stream; an amplitude shift keying unit for amplitude coding of at least two further serial data streams that can be selectively activated to generate an amplitude shift keying coded data stream; and a modulation unit for generating an optical data signal in accordance with a control signal that is, formed from the generated differential phase shift keying coded data stream and from the generated amplitude shift keying coded data stream.
US08326157B2 High-speed optical transceiver, a bi-directional duplex optical fiber link, and a method for providing a bi-directional duplex optical fiber link
A duplex optical fiber link is provided that includes two bi-directional optical fiber links. Each of the bi-directional links includes a multimode optical fiber and an optical transceiver connected to each of the ends of each of the fibers. Each of the optical transceivers includes a bi-directional optical multiplexer (MUX) that is configured to simultaneously optically couple optical data signals produced by a laser diode of the transceiver into an end of one of the fibers and to optically couple an optical data signal passing out of the end of one of the fibers onto a photodiode of the transceiver. The laser diodes operate at a data rate of at least 10 Gb/s such that each optical transceiver transmits and receives optical data signals at an aggregate data rate of at least 20 Gb/s. Consequently, the bi-directional duplex optical link has an aggregate data rate of at least 40 Gb/s.
US08326138B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes an apparatus body having an outer casing, at least a shutter mechanism and an imaging device placed inside the outer casing, an opening formed in the outer casing, and a storage space and a placement space defined inside the outer casing and communicating with the opening and the storage space, respectively, a strobe unit having a lid part and a light-emitting part and connected to the apparatus body so as to be movable between close and open positions, a sensor unit placed in the placement space and having an autofocus sensor and a sensor adjusting part having plural adjusting screws, and a mirror placed inside the outer casing to reflect part of incident light toward the autofocus sensor. When the strobe unit is moved to the open position, the storage space is defined as an adjustment space into which an adjustment jig can be inserted.
US08326133B2 Method and device for providing multiple video pictures
An optical disc (2) contains at least one title comprising a collection of mosaic video data (22) which, on reading and suitable processing by a disc drive (3), result in a mosaic of multiple scenes (41, 42, 43, 44) in different sections (31, 32, 33, 34) of a display screen (4). The title further contains data (21) representing a machine-executable application for the disc drive (3) causing the disc drive (3) to generate a graphics layer overlying said mosaic of multiple scenes. Said graphics layer comprises a first portion which is at least partly transparent and which is aligned with one of said sections (31, 32, 33, 34) of the display screen (4); and said graphics layer comprises a second portion which is fully opaque and which is aligned with all other sections of the display screen (4).
US08326131B2 Signalling of decodable sub-sequences
In one embodiment, providing a transport stream including a video stream that comprises a sequence of pictures corresponding to a video program, each of the pictures of the sequence uniquely associated with one of k successive tiers, where k is a non-negative integer number starting with a lowest tier number; and providing personal video recording assist (PVRA) information in the transport stream at a location corresponding to each of the pictures of the sequence associated with a first tier and each of the pictures of the sequence associated with a second tier different than the first tier, the PVRA information comprising an indication of a first tier number corresponding uniquely to the pictures associated with the first tier and a second tier number corresponding uniquely to the pictures associated with the second tier, the pictures corresponding to the first tier number decodable independently of the pictures corresponding to the second tier number.
US08326124B2 Recording medium, playback apparatus, recording apparatus, playback method, and recording method for reducing processing load during copyright protection at the TS packet level
A recording medium enables special playback processing although part of the AV stream recorded therein is transformed. An AV stream, a first EP map, and a second EP map are recorded on the recording medium. In the AV stream, a part of the multiplexed stream including a first video stream and a second video stream is transformed. The first EP map indicates one or more entry points of the first video stream and the second EP map indicates one or more entry points of the second video stream. TS packets constituting I-pictures of the first video stream are indicated by every 4N-th entry point in the first EP map, and TS packets constituting I-pictures of the second video stream are indicated by the entry points whose presentation time is closest to the presentation time of any one of the every 4N-th entry point in the first EP map.
US08326121B2 Commerical free status for media content recording systems and methods
An exemplary system includes a content processing subsystem configured to record at least a subset of a media content program, the media content program including at least one commercial segment. The content processing subsystem is further configured to provide a commercial free status indicator to an output device for presentation to a user when a sufficient sub-portion of the media content program has been recorded to enable commercial free playback of the media content program.
US08326101B2 Optical router with nearly ideal performance and increased number of channels
An optimized planar optical router consisting of two stages performing stationary imaging between an input waveguide and a set of output waveguides has advantages of reduced size, larger number of channels and minimal loss variation in each passband. The new router is an optimized M×N imaging arrangement including two waveguide gratings and n waveguide lenses connected between the principal zones of the two gratings. The largest values of N are realized by using a combination of two techniques that increase N without increasing the size of the two gratings. One technique increases N for a given number n of lenses and, the other, increases n. In one embodiment, each lens produces a periodic sequence of passbands, all transmitted from a particular input waveguide to the same output waveguide, whereas, in a second embodiment, the above passbands are transmitted to different output waveguides. In both cases, the loss caused by secondary images is substantially reduced by including secondary lenses.
US08326098B2 Gallery-mode microdisc system for electrically pumped optical sources
The invention concerns a gallery mode microdisc system for an electrically pumped optical source, the microdisc (1) being formed on one face of a substrate (2), the lower part of the microdisc being provided with an electrical contact referred to as the lower contact (4), the upper part of the microdisc being provided with an electrical contact referred to as the upper contact (6), the upper part of the microdisc being covered with a protective layer (3) of electrically insulating material, the central part (5) of the microdisc being electrically neutralized in order to prevent the passage of an electric current in said central part.
US08326094B2 In-line light sensor
The sensor includes an optical waveguide defined in a light-transmitting medium. The waveguide includes a sensing portion and an non-sensing portion. The light-transmitting medium included in the sensing portion has defects that provide the light-transmitting medium with a deep band gap level between a valence band of the light-transmitting medium and a conduction band of the light-transmitting medium. The deep band gap level is configured such that the waveguide guiding light signals through the light-transmitting medium in the sensing portion causes free carriers to be generated in the light-transmitting medium. A detector is configured to detect the free carriers in the sensing region of the waveguide.
US08326088B1 Dynamic image registration
A method for registering and fusing time-varying image sources to provide highest possible information rendering to an operator comprising the steps of aligning a plurality of image sources by matching target image to a reference image and minimizing visual registration error in a static sense and selecting target images which are best fused with a reference image using a dynamic, time-varying optimality maximum likelihood decision theory. The maximum likelihood decision theory is modified to account for time-varying using an orthogonal projection technique charactering changing density functions.
US08326087B2 Synchronizing image sequences
As set forth herein, a computer-based method is employed to align a sequences of images. Metadata associated with images from two or more sources is received and a time stamp is extracted from the metadata. The images are sorted into sequences based at least in part upon the image source. The similarity of images from disparate sequences is measured and image pairs from disparate sequences with a similarity greater than a predetermined threshold are identified. A sequence of images is aligned by minimizing the misalignment of pairs.
US08326080B2 Hard imaging devices
An example hard imaging device includes an interface to access image data corresponding to images to be formed using the hard imaging device. The example hard imaging device further includes processing circuitry in communication with the interface to access the image data, to access correction data corresponding to a geometric distortion of a scan lens of an optical scanning system of the hard imaging device, and to modify the image data according to the correction data to reduce image errors introduced during optical scanning of the image data using the optical scanning system.
US08326078B2 System and method for removing artifacts from a digitized document
A system and method is disclosed for removing artifacts from a digitized document. The method discloses receiving a digitized document, having an image format, and including content and an artifact; identifying a content boundary within the digitized document; enhancing the digitized document after identifying the content boundary; and removing the artifact by cropping the digitized document to the content boundary after enhancing the digitized document The system discloses a processor configured to operate a series of functional modules, including: a means for receiving a digitized document, having an image format, and including content and an artifact; a content boundary identification module, for identifying a content boundary within the digitized document; an image enhancement module, for enhancing the digitized document after identifying the content boundary; and a content cropping module, for removing the artifact by cropping the digitized document to the content boundary after enhancing the digitized document.
US08326077B2 Method and apparatus for transforming a non-linear lens-distorted image
A method and apparatus for image processing a lens-distorted image (e.g., a fisheye image) is provided. The method includes partitioning coordinate points in a selected output image into tiles. The output image is an undistorted rendition of a subset of the lens-distorted image. Coordinate points on a border of the tiles in the output image are selected. For each tile, coordinate points in the lens-distorted image corresponding to each selected coordinate point in the output image are calculated. In addition, for each tile, a bounding box on the lens-distorted image is selected. The bounding box includes the calculated coordinates in the lens-distorted image. The bounding boxes are expanded so that they encompass all coordinate points in the lens-distorted image that map to all coordinate points in their respective corresponding tiles. Output pixel values are generated for each tile from pixel values in their corresponding expanded bounding boxes.
US08326075B2 System and method for video encoding using adaptive loop filter
Methods for decoding frames of compressed video information are disclosed. Each frame includes a plurality of blocks having a prediction stage parameter and a residual error attribute. One method includes categorizing each of the blocks into categories based on at least one of the prediction stage parameter or the residual error attribute, determining a loop filter strength value to each of the categories, and filtering the boundary adjacent to at least one of the blocks using the loop filter strength assigned to the category in which that block is categorized.
US08326069B2 Computing higher resolution images from multiple lower resolution images
Super-resolution images may be produced by dividing a higher resolution image into a set of non-overlapping rectangular tiles of substantially the same size. Then, each pixel in each lower resolution image is mapped to the higher resolution image and it is determined which tiles are mapped to which lower resolution image pixels. A continuous buffer may be allocated for each tile and the relevant lower resolution pixels may be stored, together with optical flow vectors, in that continuous buffer. Then, the determination of gradients may use the information now stored in the buffer to facilitate symmetric multiprocessing using multi-core processors.
US08326068B1 Method and apparatus for modeling quantization matrices for image/video encoding
A method for encoding an image is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps, of (A) generating a quantization matrix as a function of at least four parameters, (B) optimizing the parameters to maximize a quality metric for encoding the image and (C) encoding the image with the quantization matrix as optimized.
US08326063B2 Method, apparatus and program for efficient generation of prediction signals
A block divider divides an input image into a plurality of regions. A prediction signal generator generates a prediction signal for the pixel signal contained in an object region, which is the object of processing, among the plurality of regions, and generates a prediction signal by using a texture synthesis method for forming a texture signal for the object region. A subtracter determines a residual signal between the pixel signal of the object region and the prediction signal, and a transformer and quantizer encode the residual signal to generate a compressed signal.
US08326059B2 Method and apparatus for progressive JPEG image decoding
A progressively encoded image file, e.g. a JPEG bit stream, is decoded in multiple rounds. In first round, variable length encoded data in multiple scan segments of a first region are decoded. Meanwhile, position indicators for locating the next region are stored. In next round, the second region is decoded by reference to the position indicators for locating where the variable length encoded data of the second region are stored. The procedures are repeated until all regions are decoded to save memory usage during decoding.
US08326056B2 Cross-domain browser pre-fetching through data transcoding
Browser application programs may be prevented from performing cross-domain retrieval of anything other than image files. To enable browsers to pre-fetch resources utilizable by code executing in a browser-based programmatic environment, without having to wait for the environment, and the code, to be instantiated and make the cross-domain request themselves, the cross-domain resources can be transcoded into image files. Once retrieved, these “image” files can be retained locally in a browser cache and provided to the code executing in the browser-based programmatic environment from there much more quickly. Then the code can decode the “image” and extract the original resource file, which the code can then utilize. The transcoding of resources into image files can be performed by first determining the height and width of an image file that will result in the least amount of wasted space when the resource is transcoded into it.
US08326054B2 Method for prior image constrained image reconstruction in cardiac cone beam computed tomography
An image reconstruction method for cardiac cone beam CT is provided, in which data acquired as truncated projections using current cardiac flat panel detectors is reconstructed to form a high quality image of a desired cardiac phase. An iterative method is utilized to reconstruct a prior image from all of the acquired truncated data without cardiac gating. Subsequently, a reconstruction method, in which the prior image is utilized in a prior image constrained reconstruction method, is utilized to reconstruct images for each individual cardiac phase. The objective function in such a prior image constrained reconstruction method is modified to incorporate the conditions used in the production of the prior image so that the data truncation problem is properly addressed.
US08326048B2 Geo-relevance for images
Images may be sorted and categorized by defining a frustum for each image and overlaying the frustums in two, three, or four dimensions to create a density map and identify points of interest. Images that contain a point of interest may be grouped, sorted, and categorized to determine representative images of the point. By including many images from different sources, common points of interest may be defined. Points of interest may be defined in two or three Euclidian dimensions, or may include a dimension of time.
US08326047B2 Image processing using neural network
Image processing method that includes the steps of considering each image point as a node of an artificial neural network, and of processing the image as function of values of the nodes and of connections of each image point undergoing processing with neighboring image points, the image points of the processed image being obtained by iterative evolution steps of parameters defining the appearance as evolution steps of the value of nodes or by iterative evolution steps of values of the set of connections or by a combination of the evolutions, wherein the processing occurs by evolution iterative steps that are functions of connections of neighboring image points with the image point under examination, each of the neighboring image points being further considered as neighboring one or more or all adjacent image points, the functions providing immediate feedback contributions for determining appearance values of all other image points.
US08326044B2 Image processing program product and image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes: a first area extraction unit that extracts as a first area an area assuming an intensity value equal to or greater than a first threshold value from an image; a second area extraction unit that extracts as a second area an area assuming an intensity value equal to or greater than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value from the image; a light source area designating unit that designates as a light source area an area in the image containing a light source based upon characteristic quantities indicating characteristics of the first area and the second area; and a control unit that controls the first area extraction unit, the second area extraction unit and the light source area designating unit.
US08326033B2 Rule-based color management and image processing system
Color management converting source-side color images into destination-side color images. A module library includes module entries corresponding to function modules implementing color processing functionalities. Each module entry includes a module locator, and some include a profile interface definition. A profile library includes profile entries corresponding to sources of parameters. Profile entries include a profile locator and a profile interface definition. A rule library includes external and internal rules which characterize color transformation workflows. Each external rule is associated with function modules. An interface receives factual input including factual input derived from source-side color image data. A rule engine determines a sequence of function modules and sources of parameters by using the factual input and the plural and external rules in the rule library, and builds the color transformation workflow from the determined sequence of function modules and sources of parameters.
US08326028B2 Dropout color processing method and processing apparatus using same
It is possible to compatibly set multiple “dropout” color ranges and “non-dropout” color ranges and uniquely determine a dropout boundary. An object of the present invention is to greatly conserve maintenance cost of adding a new dropout form after apparatus operations. A conventional technology aims at assuring relation to a predetermined color region, determining the presence or absence of contention, or uniquely settling a dropout boundary. The present invention provides a means for supplying levels to a “dropout” color range and a “non-dropout” color range. A registered color range histogram can be quasi-three-dimensionally visualized so that an operator can make adjustment by viewing a contention determination result and an image.
US08326025B2 Method for determining a depth map from images, device for determining a depth map
Window based matching is used to determine a depth map from images obtained from different orientations. A set of matching windows is used for points of the image for which the depth is to be determined. A provisional depth map is generated wherein to each point more than one candidate disparity value is attributed. The provisional depth map is filtered by a surface filtering wherein at least the z-component of a norm of a sum of unit vectors pointing from the candidate disparity values for neighboring points to a point of interest.
US08326022B2 Stereoscopic measurement system and method
A stereoscopic measurement system captures stereo images and determines measurement information for user-designated points within stereo images. The system comprises an image capture device for capturing stereo images of an object. A processing system communicates with the capture device to receive stereo images. The processing system displays the stereo images and allows a user to select one or more points within the stereo image. The processing system processes the designated points within the stereo images to determine measurement information for the designated points.
US08326018B2 Fast pattern matching
Aspects of the invention relate to pattern matching of layout design data. Layout design data is searched to identify configurations of geometric elements that match a reference pattern based on an anchor edge in the reference pattern. An edge in a search window area matching the anchor edge may first be selected as anchor matching edge. A search portion of the reference pattern is then compared with the region of the search window area corresponding to the selected anchor matching edge.
US08326014B2 Methods and systems for processing biological specimens utilizing multiple wavelengths
Methods, systems and computer readable media for processing one or more biological specimens carried by specimen slides. Images of objects in a specimen are acquired and objects of interest in the acquired images are identified. Additional images of identified objects of interest may be acquired at multiple wavelengths. Cellular features of objects of interest are extracted from images and may be used for classifying the specimen, e.g., as normal or suspicious/abnormal, based a probabilistic model that utilizes the extracted features.
US08326013B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program
A technique is disclosed for reducing noise in a medical image, wherein plural anisotropic areas continuous with a pixel-of-interest contained in the medical image are set with the pixel-of-interest being centered a statistical amount of pixel values of pixels constituting each anisotropic area is calculated with respect to each of the plural anisotropic areas, and either an anisotropic area having the minimum statistical amount out of the plural anisotropic areas is determined and an anisotropic shape filter in the same direction as the anisotropic area concerned is constructed, or an anisotropic area having the maximum statistical amount out of the plural anisotropic areas is determined and an anisotropic shape filter is constructed by clockwise or counterclockwise rotating the anisotropic area concerned around the pixel-of-interest by 90° .
US08326003B2 Security system and method for security certification thereof, method of generating relative character information, terminal system, and smart card
A security system is provided. The security system includes a terminal system and a smart card. The terminal system generates relative fingerprint information of a user from absolute fingerprint information of the user, determines a similarity between the generated relative feature information of the user and registered relative fingerprint information of a smart card owner transmitted from the smart card to generate variation information, and applies the variation information to the user absolute fingerprint information to generate modified user absolute fingerprint information. The smart card determines the similarity between the modified user absolute feature information and registered absolute feature information of the smart card owner to perform a certification operation.
US08326000B2 Apparatus and method for detecting facial image
A method of detecting a facial image includes pre-processing an image; and detecting a face region from the pre-processed image to create facial records of the detected face region. Further, the method of detecting the facial image includes detecting the facial image by creating coordinates of the face and eyes in the input image by using the facial records.
US08325988B2 Image reconstruction by position and motion tracking
A system, method, and apparatus provide the ability to reconstruct an image from an object. A hand-held image acquisition device is configured to acquire local image information from a physical object. A tracking system obtains displacement information for the hand-held acquisition device while the device is acquiring the local image information. An image reconstruction system computes the inverse of the displacement information and combines the inverse with the local image information to transform the local image information into a reconstructed local image information. A display device displays the reconstructed local image information.
US08325986B2 Imaging system for vehicle
An imaging system for a vehicle includes a camera, an image processor and a control. The field of view of the camera is in a forward direction of travel of the equipped vehicle, and the camera is operable to capture frames of image data. The image processor is operable to process the image data. The control is operable to adjust a light beam emanating from a forward facing light of the equipped vehicle responsive to image processing of frames of image data. The control, responsive to the image processing, is operable to control at least one of (a) adjustment of a beam direction of a light beam emanating from the forward facing light, (b) adjustment of a visible intensity of a light beam emanating from the forward facing light and (c) adjustment of a range of a light beam emanating from the forward facing light.
US08325980B1 Providing indications of object attributes
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing indications of object attributes to users via image capturing devices are provided. In one embodiment, scene data associated with a detectable area is obtained. The scene data is utilized to identify an object attribute associated with a set of objects, such as faces, within the detectable area. An indication of the object attribute is provided via an image capturing device.
US08325978B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing adaptive gesture analysis
A method for providing adaptive gesture analysis may include dividing a distance range into a plurality of depth ranges, generating a plurality of intensity images for at least two image frames, each of the intensity images providing image data indicative of a presence of objects at a corresponding depth range for a respective image frame, determining motion variation between the two image frames for each corresponding depth range, and determining depth of a target based at least in part on the motion variation. An apparatus and computer program product corresponding to the method are also provided.
US08325977B2 Image recognition and focus adjustment using weighted image difference information
An image recognition device includes a detection unit which is configured to detect a first difference between partial information of at least a part of the first image information and the reference information and to detect a second difference between partial information of at least a part of the second image information and the reference information. A recognition unit is configured to recognize a first area corresponding to the reference image in the first image information. A calculation unit is configured to calculate a determination value based on a reference area in the second image information corresponding to the first area by weighting the second difference. The recognition unit is configured to recognize a second area corresponding to the reference image in the second image information based on at least one of the second difference and the determination value.
US08325974B1 Recognition of characters and their significance within written works
Named entity recognition is applied to identify text strings corresponding to character identities in a written work. The textual strings are grouped according to character identity and, from each group, a primary name is selected. A significance is calculated for each of the character identities. The character identities including the primary names are presented in a catalog based on the calculated significance. In some embodiments, character identity identification results are refined by allowing users to vote regarding the significance of the character identities and by granting more weight to the votes of users with a close relationship to the written work.
US08325972B2 Arrangement and method for non destructive measurement of wall thickness and surface shapes of objects with an inner surface
The invention relates to a method of carrying out measurements with penetrating radiation on a hollow object comprising at least one wall surrounding an inner space of the object, said wall comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said method at least being carried out for determining a position and shape of at least a portion of the inner surface of the wall.
US08325969B2 Methods for making an authenticating system
A method for making an authenticating system for an object includes selecting an image and adding a watermark in a predetermined area of the image. The predetermined area may be a portion of the image. The method also includes establishing the image having the watermark therein on the object, and associating the watermark with the object to render object-specific authenticating data.
US08325966B2 Detachable loudspeaker structure having both audio and supporting functions
A detachable loudspeaker structure including a loudspeaker, a circuit board, a housing and a signal connector, wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the loudspeaker and the signal connector, the housing forms a receiving space therein for receiving the loudspeaker and circuit board and has a top surface provided with a receiving groove, and the signal connector has one end pivotally connected inside the receiving groove so as for the other end of the signal connector to be rotated out of the receiving groove and connect with an audio output port of a display. Hence, the loudspeaker structure is not only able to be easily installed together with the display for reproducing audio signals received from the display, but also able to firmly support the display on a flat surface, wherever desired without spatial limitations.
US08325950B2 Silicon condenser microphone
Disclosed is a silicon condenser microphone including a backplate having a plurality of perforations therethrough, a diaphragm opposed from the backplate for forming a capacitor. The diaphragm includes a first part and a second part received in the first part, the second part being capable of vibrating relative to the backplate. The first part is connected to the ground and the second part is connected to a bias voltage.
US08325944B1 Audio mixes for listening environments
This specification describes technologies relating to generating audio mixes for listening environments. A method is provided that includes receiving digital audio data; receiving an environmental input, the environmental input being associated with the listening environment; calculating one or more audio parameters for the digital audio data based on the received environmental input, the calculating including: calculating a particular intensity level for the digital audio data, and processing the digital audio data according to specified reference levels; and generating an audio mix for the digital audio data according to the calculated audio parameters.
US08325943B2 Dual-coil, dual gap electromagnetic transducer with multiple channel amplifiers
A dual-coil, dual magnetic gap electromagnetic transducer is provided where each voice coil is wired to include separate leads so that each individual voice coil may be driven by a separate amplifier or by a separate bridged amplifier. Signal processing may further be utilized to increase the output of the loudspeaker, to achieve extreme excursion without extreme distortion and to provide for alternative voice coil designs to address common problems with dual-coil, dual magnetic gap transducers, including, but not limited to, heat generation.
US08325937B2 Method and apparatus for mounting a battery and a speaker in an information handling system
A battery and speaker mounting apparatus includes a base member including a battery socket positioned adjacent a support surface on the base member, and a speaker chamber defined by the base member and separated from the battery socket by the support surface. A speaker module may be mounted in the speaker chamber, and a battery may be coupled to the battery socket.
US08325926B2 Method for providing a broadcast encryption based home security system
Provided is a method for providing a home or business security system that relies upon data encryption for both communication and the storage of content. The disclosed technology incorporates all the devices necessary for a comprehensive security system, including, but not limited to, controllers, monitors, alarms and communication media. The system may include an unlimited number of devices and, further, individual devices may be added and removed as needed. Users may define and change the boundaries of a security system or, in other words, decide what devices to include or not include in such a system. A defined boundary does not need to be confined to a single location. In one embodiment, the claimed subject matter incorporates xCP based broadcast encryption technology.
US08325915B2 Image output system
When image data is outputted in a special image processing apparatus which has printed confidential data before, a server confirms whether the user who has instructed output is a permitted user or an unpermitted user. If the user is a permitted user, the server permits printing. If the user is an unpermitted user, the server confirms whether a predetermined period has elapsed after the special image processing apparatus was used last. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the server permits printing. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the server restricts output by stopping printing or by document filing for storing image data. Thus, by restricting use by an outside user, leakage of confidential data is prevented.
US08325899B2 Telephone call screening and routing device and related method
A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.
US08325894B2 Method, system, and program product for managing conference calls
The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for managing conference calls. Specifically, under the present invention, a moderator and a set (at least one) of invitees (collectively referred to herein as participants) of a conference call are identified. This is typically done based on synchronization with a calendar application used to send and accept an invitation to the conference call. Thereafter, unique conference call numbers associated with the moderator and each of the set of invitees are determined (e.g., by accessing profiles for each participant contained within a directory or the like). Calls are then received from the moderator and invitees(s) using the unique conference call numbers assigned thereto. Although the calls were made using unique conference call numbers, the calls will then be joined under the present invention to initiate the conference call.
US08325885B1 Call diversion for telephony applications
A method of initiating outbound calls through a telephony interface. The method accepts an inbound call from a user, authenticates the inbound call against a predetermined user identity, accesses an address book associated with the user identity, receives an spoken request from the user, selects a telephone record in the address book associated with the spoken request, initiates an outbound call to the telephone record; and connects the inbound call with the outbound call responsive to a connection established on the outbound call. In an alternative embodiment the method accepts an inbound call, authenticates the inbound call against a predetermined user identity, receives a dual-tone frequency-modulated input representing a desired outbound call target, initiates an outbound call to the outbound call target, and connects the inbound call with the outbound call responsive to a connection established on the outbound call. A corresponding computer system for each embodiment is also provided.
US08325876B2 X-ray imaging apparatus
The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus comprising an X-ray source unit generating an X-ray, an X-ray detecting sensor unit having a sensor panel equipped with multiple sensors detecting the X-ray which is generated from the X-ray source unit and passed through an object, and a panel-moving means mounted on the X-ray detecting sensor unit and moving the sensor panel. Thus, employing and butting multiple small X-ray sensors instead of expensive large sensors advantageously reduces the manufacturing cost for the X-ray imaging apparatus, and enables the imaging of the same wide area as with the use of the large sensors.
US08325858B2 Estimation of noise variance combined with narrow-band interference detection
Method and apparatus are provided for estimating noise variance using a long-term data aided algorithm and an interference variance using a short-term data aided algorithm. Using these estimations, an interference hypothesis may be determined. Some embodiments compute the variance for a decision directed noise sample, convert the variance for the decision directed noise to a true noise variance per packet, and convert the variance for the decision directed noise to a true noise variance per symbol. The interference hypothesis may be based on the noise variance estimations per symbol and the noise variance estimation per packet. Some embodiments determine the presence of noise based on a comparison of the noise variance per packet, the noise variance per symbol, and each hypothesis and compute the long-term noise variance. Using the long-term noise variance in place of the variance for a decision directed noise sample for a subsequent determination of interference.
US08325856B2 Coherent initial acquisition
An acquisition module includes a coherent correlator configured to receive a transmission having a pilot signal and correlate the received transmission with a local copy of the pilot signal to produce a first output, a delayed correlator configured to delay the first output and correlate the first output with the delayed first output to produce a second output, and a detector configured to detect the pilot signal in the transmission based on the second output.
US08325851B2 Method for compensating signal distortion in an emitting payload
A method for compensating signal distortion in an emitting payload including determining a compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload; choosing an initial tentative compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload; acquiring an output signal of the emitting payload; based on the acquired output signal and on a reference signal, corresponding to an expected undistorted output signal, performing an estimation of a residual distortion transfer function of emitting payload; and based on the estimation of the residual distortion transfer function, computing an updated tentative compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload. The estimation can be a black-box estimating and the reference signal can be generated on-purpose, and not measured from within the emitting payload.
US08325848B2 Peak detector having extended dynamic range
According to one embodiment, a peak detector having extended dynamic range comprises a first differential output coupled to a supply voltage of the peak detector by a first load and coupled to ground by first and second switching devices, and a second differential output coupled to the supply voltage by a second load and coupled to ground by third and fourth switching devices. The control terminals of the first, second, third, and fourth switching devices receive a common bias voltage, and the respective first and second control terminals are configured as differential inputs of the peak detector. In some embodiments, corresponding first power terminals of the first and second switching devices share a first common node further shared by the first differential output, and corresponding first power terminals of the third and fourth switching devices share a second common node further shared by the second differential output.
US08325840B2 Tree position adaptive soft output M-algorithm receiver structures
A method and apparatus for tree position adaptive SOMA receiver structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device for use in a wireless communication system comprises a receiver to receive information-bearing signals from the transmitter wirelessly transmitted using OFDM and bit interleaved coded modulation, where the receiver includes an inner decoder structure having a soft output M-algorithm (SOMA) based multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) joint demapper that uses a SOMA-based MIMO detection process to perform joint inner demapping over each tone, and wherein the SOMA-based MIMO joint demapper is operable to search a detection tree for each tone using a tree-search symbol order that is adapted for each tone based on channel state information and extrinsic information from the outer decoder, where only a number of best alternatives from every level of the tree are expanded.
US08325838B2 Communication method and radio transmitter
Radio transmission is performed even to a communication party whose bandwidth that can be used for transmission and reception is limited without having an influence of an offset of a DC component. A radio transmitter applied to an OFDMA communication system in which a plurality of different terminals performs communication using OFDM signals at the same time that includes a mapping part that allocates transmission power to each subcarrier, and also selects a subcarrier to which minimum power of the transmission power to be allocated is allocated and modulates transmission data in units of communication slots to output the modulated data; and a transmission part for transmitting radio signals including the modulated data using each of the subcarriers.
US08325836B2 Scattered pilot pattern and channel estimation method for MIMO-OFDM systems
Methods and apparatus are provided for inserting data symbols and pilot symbols in an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) transmission resource utilizing frequency hopping patterns for the data symbols and/or the pilot symbols. Data symbols and pilot symbols are allocated for down link (base station to mobile station) and up link (mobile station to bases station) transmission resources in a two-dimensional time-frequency pattern. For each antenna of a MIMO-OFDM (multiple input multiple output OFDM) communication system, pilot symbols are inserted in a scattered pattern in time-frequency and data symbols are inserted in an identical frequency-hopping pattern in time-frequency as that of other antennas.
US08325829B2 High data rate transmission in a multi band OFDM system
Method for transmitting information in a multi-band OFDM system, comprising delivering according to a given communication standard an initial data stream (IDS), splitting (11) said initial data stream into a chosen number of elementary data streams and simultaneously transmitting (12) said elementary data streams according to said communication standard on said communication medium (MD) within different respective sub-bands (SBi). These sub-bands all blong to the same band group. Proposal based on the MBOA standard.
US08325828B1 Method and apparatus for detecting impulse noise
A formatted data unit that was transmitted by a transmitter is received at a receiver. Received signal points are determined based on the received formatted data unit. Actual transmitted signal points corresponding to the received formatted data unit is determined at the receiver based on information known a priori by the receiver. An error is determined between the received signal points and the actual transmitted signal points determined at the receiver. An indicator of impulse noise is generated based on the error.
US08325825B2 Method and apparatus for optimizing dynamic range in DMT modems
A digital subscriber line ‘XDSL’ communication system for optimizing dynamic range in digital multi-tone modulated (DMT) modems. The system comprises a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) and at least one modem. The DSLAM distributes a near end crosstalk (NEXT) model of anticipated disturbance from neighboring disturber subscriber lines. The at least one modem has shared and discrete components forming a transmit path and a receive path. The at least one modem couples to the DSLAM and is responsive to the distributed NEXT model there from to adjust a dynamic range of an analog portion of the receive path to accommodate the anticipated disturbance modeled in the distributed NEXT model.
US08325823B2 Encoder of E-8VSB forward error correction for digital television system of ATSC
Provided is an error correcting encoder and, more particularly, to an error correcting encoder used for an improved transmission method of the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC), and a method thereof. The error correcting encoder for digital television broadcasting, which is suggested in the present research, includes a robust encoder for encoding a one-bit input into robust encoded data; a pre-coding block for receiving the robust encoded data and performing pre-coding to thereby produce a pre-coded signal; and a trellis encoding block for performing trellis encoding on the robust encoded data and the pre-coded signal.
US08325820B2 Coding device and method, decoding device and method, recording medium, and program
An encoding apparatus and an encoding method, a decoding apparatus and a decoding method, a recording medium, and a program suitable for encoding image signals with a higher compression ratio for transmission or accumulation. In an arithmetic coding section, from among the syntax elements of input image compression information, the frame/field flag is first encoded by a frame/field flag context model. When the macroblock to be processed is subjected to frame-based encoding, a frame-based context model, specified in the current H.26L standard, is applied. On the other hand, when the macroblock to be processed is subjected to field-based encoding, a field-based context model is applied for the syntax elements described below. The present invention is applied to an encoder for encoding image information and a decoder for decoding image information.
US08325811B2 Method and apparatus for motion compensated frame interpolation of covered and uncovered areas
We describe a motion compensated frame interpolation apparatus and method that includes a motion vector interpolation module for an object and uncovered area to generate information for motion vectors that cross interpolated pixels in object and/or uncovered areas. A motion vector interpolation module for a covered area generates information for motion vectors that cross interpolated pixels in covered areas. A motion vector counter records a number of motion vectors that cross an interpolated pixel. A buffer for motion vector interpolation buffers the information for motion vectors that cross interpolated pixels in the object and/or uncovered areas and the covered areas. And a video data interpolation module generates video data of the interpolated pixels in object and/or uncovered areas and the covered areas.
US08325810B2 Motion estimation method and stabilization method for an image sequence
A method of estimating a global motion vector representative of the motion of a first digital image with respect to a second digital image, the first and the second image forming part of a sequence of images and being made up of, respectively, a first and a second pixel matrix. The method estimates the global motion vector on the basis of the estimate of at least one motion vector of at least one region of the first image representative of the motion of the at least one region from the first image to the second image and comprising phases of: subdividing the at least one region of the first image into a plurality of pixel blocks, assigning to each block of the plurality a respective weighting coefficient calculated on the basis of a respective inhomogeneity measure, and estimating the at least one motion vector of said at least one region on the basis of the weighting coefficients assigned to each block of the at least one region.
US08325808B2 Encoding video
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for encoding a video signal that is formed by a series of successive images. Each image includes several sections, and each section has a set of image values. To encode a particular section of a particular image, the method initially partitions the particular section into several sub-sections. For each of at least two particular sub-sections, the method then computes a statistical parameter regarding the image values of the particular sub-section. The method compares the computed statistical parameters, and based on the comparison, selects an encoding technique from a set of encoding techniques to encode the particular section. In some embodiments, the set of encoding schemes includes a first scheme that encodes the selected section without reference to any other section of any other image, and a second scheme that encodes the selected section by reference to at least one other section.
US08325807B2 Video coding
A video signal is coded using predictive coding. The degree of quantization that is applied is varied as a function of measures of predictive power, the idea being that a picture that is useful as a predictor for other pictures is worth coding well. These measures are formed in a pre-analysis of the pictures to obtain, for each macroblock analysed, a measure that depends on its similarity to a region for which it is a potential predictor. Preferably these measures are cumulative.
US08325806B2 Video frame encoding and decoding
A video frame arithmetical context adaptive encoding and decoding scheme is presented which is based on the finding, that, for sake of a better definition of neighborhood between blocks of picture samples, i.e. the neighboring block which the syntax element to be coded or decoded relates to and the current block based on the attribute of which the assignment of a context model is conducted, and when the neighboring block lies beyond the borders or circumference of the current macroblock containing the current block, it is important to make the determination of the macroblock containing the neighboring block dependent upon as to whether the current macroblock pair region containing the current block is of a first or a second distribution type, i.e., frame or field coded.
US08325803B2 Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and program
Disclosed herein is a signal processing apparatus including a first feature detection unit configured to detect a plurality of first feature data each representing a different feature from video and audio signals of a content; a setting unit configured to set a weight for each of the plurality of first feature data detected by the first feature detection unit, the weight corresponding to the feature for detecting data on the basis of said first feature data, the weight being varied either from one content to another or from one content genre to another; and a second feature detection unit configured to detect a plurality of second feature data each representing a different feature on the basis of the plurality of first feature data for which the weights have been set by the setting unit.
US08325797B2 System and method of reduced-temporal-resolution update for video coding and quality control
A novel system and method of Reduced-Temporal-Resolution Update (RTRU) and quantizing video transform coefficients is provided for use using hybrid coding standards when receiving a frame from within a group of video frames, where the amplitude of the quantization parameter is defined for the quantization of the frame according to a reduced temporal resolution update process; where the amplitude of the quantization parameter for macroblocks in the frame is defined according to a reduced temporal resolution update process; and where a bitstream is composed for transmission and subsequent decoding by a standard compliant decoder.
US08325772B2 Optical disk apparatus and information recording method
In an optical disk apparatus, by obtaining the temperature in the vicinity of a laser in the apparatus, the power source voltage of the laser driver is controlled such that power consumed by the headroom of the laser driver is reduced to the maximum extent without deteriorating the current drive characteristic of the headroom when the temperature becomes higher. The laser driving current of the laser driver is monitored to control the power source of the laser driver such that the power consumed by the headroom is possibly reduced while maintaining the current drive characteristic of the headroom for the monitored current.
US08325770B2 Network managed device installation and provisioning technique
A system for managing and documenting a local area communications network is provided which deploys power sourcing equipment and powered devices by the use of active electronic modules, having an Ethernet controller and Power over Ethernet forwarding capabilities, as integral, managed components within the cable plant, to enhance management, documentation, security and emergency 911 aspects of the network as well as extending the physical reach of the network.
US08325763B2 Aggregated unified communication bandwidth management system for control by human operator
A Unified Bandwidth Manager that functions as a high-level bandwidth manager to interface with and hierarchically manage a plurality of service-specific bandwidth reservation and session management systems under human operator control. The Unified Bandwidth Manager includes at least an aggregated network communication bandwidth management information display system that functions as a high-level information display system interfacing with a plurality of service-specific bandwidth reservation and session management systems so as to provide an integrated “view” of the enterprise networks operation is described. The system includes at least a display a user interface and one or more types of interfaces to a plurality of service-specific bandwidth managers. In an implementation, the system can include traffic modeling elements and be used as a component of a Unified Bandwidth Manager for unified communications.
US08325762B2 Aggregated network communication bandwidth management information display system
An aggregated network communication bandwidth management information display system that functions as a high-level information display system interfacing with a plurality of service-specific bandwidth reservation and session management systems so as to provide an integrated “view” of the enterprise network's operation is described. The system includes at least a display a user interface, and interfaces to a plurality of service-specific bandwidth managers. The system can include traffic modeling elements and be used as a component of a Unified Bandwidth Manager.
US08325758B2 Automatic protocol selection mechanism
A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.
US08325756B2 Method and system for a power reduction scheme for Ethernet PHYs
Aspects of a method and system for a power reduction scheme for Ethernet PHYs are provided. An Ethernet PHY in a link partner may disable transmission via a transmit DAC integrated during an inactive connection, 10Base-T autonegotiation operation, and/or active 10Base-T connection with no data packet transmission. The DAC may be a voltage mode or current mode DAC. The PHY or a MAC device may determine when to disable transmission via the DAC. In this regard, the PHY or the MAC device may generate appropriate signals for disabling the transmission. The DAC may be enabled for transmission by the PHY or the MAC device when a connection becomes active or when an active 10Base-T connection is ready to transmit data. Moreover, the PHY may enable transmission via the DAC when operating in a forced 10Base-T mode of operation and the connection to the link partner is active.
US08325755B2 Method for performing random access process in wireless communication system
A method of performing a random access process in a wireless communication system includes transmitting a random access preamble, receiving a random access response including uplink radio resource allocation information for multiple transmission time intervals (TTIs) in response to the random access preamble, transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) connection request message according to the uplink radio resource allocation information, and transmitting a non-access stratum (NAS) service request message according to the uplink radio resource allocation information.
US08325754B2 Method for transmitting network data
A method for transmitting network data is provided. A sender and receivers can stably transmit and receive data using a packet reception result report request frame and a packet reception result report frame, and data stability at the receivers can be improved through retransmission of network-coded data. In addition, service can be provided at a high transfer rate and with good data stability by adjusting a transfer rate according to a network environment using adaptive transfer rate control.
US08325745B2 Switch, network system and traffic movement method
In an FDB provided for a switch, line information associated with MAC address information is managed separately for sending destination line information and receiving discrimination line information, and provides an incompatibility permission flag of permitting that they are different. Also, a function of rewriting the sending destination line information with a command from a manager is provided and linked with the change of the incompatibility permission flag. While the traffic is moved to a new line at the time of the line switching, this incompatibility is permitted, and even if a frame is received from an old line, the receiving line is not updated based on the frame.
US08325744B2 Hosted IPTV system incorporating a gateway adapter for processing in a shared IPTV environment
A shared (or “hosted”) IPTV system including intermediate IPTV facilities controlled by a host operator and accessible to one or more hosted operators pursuant to a shared service arrangement includes a gateway adapter for intercepting and manipulating operator transactions with the intermediate IPTV facilities. The gateway adapter is operable to modify operator calls directed to the intermediate IPTV facilities to include indicia of data uniquely available to the operator initiating the calls, the data having been logically partitioned into respective subscriber groups; and to forward the adapted calls to the intermediate IPTV facilities to invoke the operator transactions. Advantageously, execution of the adapted call provides the sourcing operator access to account information of its corresponding subscriber group while restricting access to account information of other subscriber groups.
US08325735B2 Multi-link load balancing for reverse link backhaul transmission
One embodiment includes distributing user traffic packets to a plurality of queues, and draining the queues of the user traffic packets according to a defined methodology. The drained user traffic packets are sent to a plurality of physical channel interfaces. Each of the plurality of physical channel interfaces interfaces with a respective channel of the backhaul. The sending step sends each of the drained user traffic packets to the physical channel.
US08325734B2 Method of throttling uplink traffic in a wireless communication system
The method for throttling uplink traffic in a wireless communication system includes inserting an unassigned state flag in a downlink time slot. A state flag indicates, when assigned, which mobile station should transmit during an uplink time slot associated with the downlink time slot.
US08325732B2 Method for operating multi-domain Provider Ethernet networks
A method of enabling extension of a network service of a first domain to a remote customer site hosted by an Access Gateway (AG) in a Provider Ethernet domain. In the first domain, the remote customer site is represented as being hosted by a border gateway (BG) connected to the Provider Ethernet domain, such that subscriber packets associated with the network service are forwarded to or from the remote customer site via the BG. In the Provider Ethernet domain, a trunk connection is instantiated through the Provider Ethernet domain between the host AG and the BG. A trunk cross-connection function is installed in the host AG, for transferring subscriber packets associated with the network service between a respective attachment virtual circuit (AVC) through which the remote customer site is connected to the host AG and an extended AVC tunnelled through the trunk connection. A common service instance identifier (I-SID) is used to identify both the AVC between the host AG and the remote customer site and the extended AVC between the host AG and the BG.
US08325724B2 Data redistribution in data replication systems
A system includes one or more processors configured to redistribute one or more originator data subsets among a plurality of originator nodes and determine data redistribution information pertaining to redistribution of the one or more originator data subsets among the plurality of originator nodes. The system further includes a communication interface configured to send data redistribution information to a replica system. The data redistribution information is used by the replica system to redistribute one or more corresponding replica data subsets among a plurality of replica nodes.
US08325716B2 Data path optimization algorithm
The present invention is drawn to a network device configured to prevent data misalignment of a data packet containing extra header bytes. The network device includes an ingress module having an input interface to receive data. A header detector configured to detect the header bytes of the cell and remove the header from the cell of the data packet is also provided on the network device. A counter determines whether the cell of the data packet contains a multiple of a predetermined bytes. If the counter determines that the cell of the data packet does not satisfy the multiple of the predetermined bytes, an insertion module inserts null bytes into the cell of the data packet to form a modified cell of the data packet. Then, an extraction module removes the null bytes from the modified cell of the data packet when the modified cell exits the network device.
US08325707B2 Session initiation from application servers in an IP multimedia subsystem
The present invention provides a technique where application servers can initiate sessions within the IMS network by initially sending session initiation messages to the I-CSCF. By routing the session initiation messages to the I-CSCF, the application servers need not directly access the HSSs in order to initiate sessions. Upon receiving a session initiation message from an application server, the I-CSCF may access the HSS to identify an S-CSCF to use for session control and then route the session initiation message to that S-CSCF. The S-CSCF may then access the same or different HSS to determine how to further route the session initiation message to establish the session. The session initiation message may be routed toward other S-CSCFs en route to the appropriate user elements. The session may be a session established between user elements or between the application server and a user element.
US08325699B2 Method and apparatus for minimizing co-channel interference by scrambling
An approach is provided for minimizing co-channel interference in a communication system is disclosed. Non-header portions of frames, which are transmitted over the communication system, are scrambled according to respective different scrambling sequences. The above arrangement is particularly suited to a digital satellite broadcast and interactive system.
US08325693B2 System and method for carrying a wireless based signal over wiring
A device, network and method wherein a standard wireless modem is coupled to wiring for carrying a wireless baseband signal that may be OFDM based, and may be directly generated by the wireless IF modem, or extracted from the modem RF signal. The wiring may be a building utility wiring, such as telephone, AC power or CATV wiring. The baseband signal is carried simultaneously with the utility service signal over the utility wiring using Frequency Division Multiplexing. The device may be enclosed with a data unit, a standalone dedicated enclosure, within an outlet or as a plug-in outlet adapter. Data units may couple the device by a wiring port such as standard data connector, or via wireless connection. The device may be locally powered or via a power signal carried over the wiring. This abstract is not intended to limit or construe the scope of the claims.
US08325691B2 Method and apparatus for providing wireless communications within a building
A wireless distribution secured cabling system includes faceplates, each of which contains an antenna or other radiating element and an active amplifier, which serves as a bi-directional repeater for the wireless communication system. The system further includes a patch panel or distribution module which connects multiple cables, which may be either twisted pair or coaxial, to amplifier, acting as a power divider and/or an impedance matching device. An antenna, which may be mounted either outside of a building structure or inside the building structure, provides communications between the structured cabling system and a service provider base station.
US08325690B2 Method for superframe management and coordinator thereof
A method and a coordinator of superframe management are disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a coordinator, a GTS request from a node; determining the type of the node; allocating GTS in an active period based on GTS characteristics carried in the GTS request when the node is determined as an energy restricted device; allocating GTS in an active period and an inactive period based on GTS characteristics carried in the GTS request when the node is determined as an energy unrestricted device. As can be seen from the method of the present invention, for an energy unrestricted device, allocated GTS may extend to an inactive period. Since the length of slots allocated to the energy unrestricted node is extended, the QoS of the energy unrestricted node is improved and guaranteed. Meanwhile, since the method of the present invention considers and makes full use of the inactive period in the superframe, the network throughput is improved significantly.
US08325689B2 Efficient data transmission by data aggregation
To efficiently transmit data on a wireless network, small packets that might otherwise be sent individually are aggregated into a “superframe”. This superframe can then be transmitted as a single, larger packet. To form this superframe, a plurality of tagged data packets can be aggregated into a packed aggregation block (PAB). Encapsulation data, e.g. protocol information, can be appended to the PAB. Wireless transmission information can bound the PAB and encapsulation data. Forming the superframe can be performed using an efficient combination of hardware and software. In one embodiment, aggregation of the tagged data packets can be performed by hardware without regard to the underlying protocol(s). Software can then provide protocol-handling support.
US08325687B2 Techniques for enhanced backhaul flow control
Techniques for enhanced backhaul flow control are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a backhaul control system is described that comprises a base station controller (BSC), a backhaul network, and a base transceiver station (BTS). Each is responsive to data and messaging transmitted and received. In one aspect, the BTS includes a queue and a controller. The amount of data in a queue is adjusted by a controller based upon calculating a target queue size value. The controller non-uniformly adjusts the amount of data in a queue based upon a target queue size value which is based upon communication system parameters. The target queue size and amount of data in a queue is adjusted so as to reduce buffer underrun, decrease system latency, and increase communication system throughput.
US08325680B2 Support for continuity of tunnel communications for mobile nodes having multiple care of addressing
The present invention solves communication disruption problems during the hand-off transition period by using a pre-handoff registration of a new foreign agent on behalf of the mobile node The pre-handoff registration message should: (1) identify itself as a pre-hand off registration message, (2) indicate direction of traffic for the pre-handoff registration time period, and (3) specify a lifetime or time period when the pre-handoff registration request will continue to be considered valid The local mobility anchor will accept traffic using the pre-handoff registration care-of address depending on the directionality indicator, but the communication traffic to or from the mobile node will not be disrupted during the transition period. Because the care-of address for the mobile node on the new foreign network can be used to direct communication traffic to or from the mobile node during this transition time period, no disruption of service will be encountered.
US08325678B2 Method of performing handover and network system of enabling the method
A method of performing a handover is provided. The method of performing the handover includes: a mobile terminal transmitting an access stop message to a first Access Point (AP) when the mobile terminal moves from a first AP area to a second AP area; the first AP transmitting a handover start message to a first Mobility Access Gateway (MAG) corresponding to the first AP in response to the access stop message; the first MAG transmitting the handover start message to a Local Mobile Anchor (LMA); and the LMA performing a buffering of a data packet to be transmitted to the mobile terminal.
US08325672B2 Method and system for seamless handover between WLAN and WWAN
A communication method for a mobile terminal to perform seamless handover between a WWAN and a WLAN. The method comprises receiving a registration message sent by the mobile terminal when it enters the WLAN, wherein the registration message at least contains a WLAN address that the mobile terminal acquires when entering the WLAN; establishing the mapping relationship between the WWAN address and the WLAN address of the mobile terminal according to the registration message; encapsulating the WLAN address into the data information to be sent to the mobile terminal according to the mapping relationship when receiving the data information to be sent to the mobile terminal from a source address; and sending the data information containing the WLAN address to the mobile terminal via the WLAN.
US08325671B2 Methods and apparatus for improved utilization of air link resources in a wireless communications system including a multi-antenna element base station
Methods and apparatus are described for improved utilization of air link resources. A base station includes at least one of a plurality of receive antenna elements and a plurality of transmit antenna elements for communicating with a wireless terminal. The base station generates channel estimation vectors corresponding to wireless terminals using the base station, where a generated channel estimation vector includes different elements corresponding to different base station antenna elements. The base station determines a level of orthogonality between pairs of channel estimation vectors corresponding to different wireless terminals. At least some of the segments to be assigned by the base station are substantially overlapping, e.g., the segments overlap fully or to a high degree. Wireless terminal pairs which have substantially orthogonal channel estimation vectors are matched and assigned to substantially overlapping segments, and the power level associated with the segments is controlled to be substantially the same.
US08325668B2 Communications control method, signal generating apparatus, and radio communications apparatus including the signal generating apparatus in mobile communications system
A method of controlling communications includes determining whether reception of information from a mobile station is normal, generating a first signal when it is determined to be normal, and generating a second signal when it is determined to be abnormal. When the mobile station is instructed to retransmit information using a first radio resource used in previous transmission, and when it is determined to be abnormal and when the mobile station is instructed to retransmit the information using a second radio resource different from the first radio resource, the method generates the first signal and a third signal including information on the second radio resource, and transmits any one of the first signal, the second signal, and a combination of the first signal and the third signal, the first signal and the second signal and the combination of the first signal and the third signal being generated.
US08325666B2 User equipment terminal, base station apparatus, and channel state information communication method
A user equipment terminal estimates a channel state, encodes channel state information representing the estimated channel state, and transmits the channel state information over plural transmission time intervals. A base station apparatus receives the channel state information over plural transmission time intervals, decodes the channel state information, and assigns resources based on the channel state information. The present invention provides the user equipment terminal, the base station apparatus, and a channel state information communication method.
US08325664B2 Terminal slot assignment for a satellite communications system
Novel satellite communications systems, methods, and related devices are described. In some embodiments, a satellite communications system is configured to dynamically allocate bandwidth to terminals. Such a system may be made up of a satellite in communication with terminals (e.g., user terminals or gateways). The satellite or a Network Control Center (NCC) may receive and compile bandwidth request data from the terminals. In each of a series of one or more epochs, and according to the bandwidth requests, the satellite and/or NCC may allocate carrier group resources to particular traffic classes. The assignment of allocated resources to particular terminals is also described.
US08325662B2 Apparatus and method for enabling communication when network connectivity is reduced or lost during a conversation and for resuming the conversation when connectivity improves
A method for enabling communication when network connectivity is reduced or lost during a conversation and for resuming the same conversation when connectivity improves.
US08325660B2 Communication resource management device
A communication resource management device is capable of changing the transfer rate of a control channel related to a mobile terminal in accordance with the communication condition. The device determines whether to change the transfer rate of a first control channel related to a first mobile terminal; determines whether there is a frequency band for which it is not determined whether the frequency band is to be used in a predetermined time period based on the current transfer rate of a second control channel related to a second mobile terminal and an amount of data of signals to be transmitted in the second control channel; and allocates, to the first mobile terminal, at least a part of the frequency band for the second control channel with respect to the second mobile terminal in a predetermined period of time based on a positive decision result. The device changes the transfer rate in the first control channel while maintaining the total frequency band for plural control channels related to plural mobile terminals at a constant value.
US08325658B2 Quality of service (QoS) resources within a wireless communications system
In an embodiment, an access terminal sends a request for a level of Quality of Service (QoS) resources to an access network, the QoS resource request associated with a call attempt by the access terminal. The access terminal proceeds with call set-up for the call attempt irrespective of whether the access network grants the QoS resource request. Alternatively, the access terminal waits for an extended period of time before the call attempt is permitted to fail. In a further example, in the event of call failure, the access terminal can refrain from informing a user thereof of the call failure. In another embodiment, the access network can respond to the QoS resource request with an allocation of a lower level QoS resources than requested if the requested QoS resources are not available. The access terminal can likewise be permitted to participate in the call with the lower level QoS resources.
US08325654B2 Integrated scheduling and power control for the uplink of an OFDMA network
Managing radio resources and power for OFDMA uplinks is disclosed in which a threshold transmission rate for the reverse link is used by base stations to compare against the achievable reverse link transmission rate of a particular AT within the sector serviced by the base station. When the calculated rate is higher than the threshold rate, the base station allocates maximum power to the AT. Otherwise, when the calculated rate is lower than the threshold rate, zero power is allocated to the AT.
US08325648B1 Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device to a carrier frequency
Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device to a carrier frequency are presented. In an exemplary embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) radiates to define one or more wireless coverage areas using at least two different carrier frequencies. A given wireless communication device (WCD) seeks to engage in a call, and accordingly transmits a probe message to the RAN. In response to receiving the probe message, and based at least on information associated with the probe message, the RAN determines an initial carrier frequency assignment for the given WCD. Preferably, this initial carrier frequency assignment is performed to balance load across at least some of the at least two different carrier frequencies. The RAN then transmits an indication of the carrier frequency assignment to the given WCD. The given WCD may then tune to the assigned carrier frequency and conduct communications using the assigned carrier frequency.
US08325632B2 Multi-channel radio frequency front end circuit with full receive diversity for multi-path mitigation
A front end circuit for coupling a plurality of antennas to a multi-channel time domain duplex RF transceiver is disclosed. The front end circuit has a first transmit port, a first receive chain primary port, a first receive chain secondary ports, and a first antenna port connectible to a first one of the plurality of antennas. The front end circuit also has a second transmit port, a second receive chain primary port, and a second receive chain secondary port connectible to a second one of the plurality of antennas. A first switch has terminals connected to the first transmit port, the first receive chain primary port, and the second receive chain secondary port, as well as a common terminal that is connected to the first antenna port. Additionally, the front end circuit has a second switch that has terminals connected to the second transmit port, the second receive chain primary port and the first receive chain secondary port, and a common terminal connected to the second antenna port.
US08325628B2 Determining placement of nodes within a wireless network
A system of nodes including processors within a wireless sensor network includes an arrangement of the nodes with data connections therebetween within the wireless sensor network, wherein the data connections are limited to a set of distinct, non-intersecting paths, wherein each source node of the nodes is connected with a root nodes of the nodes by at least a predetermined number of the paths.
US08325626B2 Lightweight mobility architecture
Mobility between access domains in an Internet Protocol (IP) network can be supported by introducing a so-called Mobility Manager (MM) that maintains a database of currently attached devices and their current access domain location. The mobility manager may then detect, for a device registered in the database, a change of access domain from a first access domain to a second access domain by monitoring connection maintenance signaling related to the considered device. The mobility manager should at least obtain an indication of such a change of access domain. In response to a detected change of access domain, the mobility manager arranges for a reconfiguration of the network to forward traffic destined to an IP address of the device in the first access domain to a new location in the second access domain. In this way, the mobility manager allows the device to keep its IP address when moving between access domains.
US08325613B2 Characterizing broadband communication networks
A remote testing device, including a cable modem circuit, requests an IP address from a remote cable modem termination system (CMTS) and receives back IP connection information including adaptive equalizer coefficients, which represent compensation and/or correction for transmission path noise. Using the equalizer coefficients, the remote testing device can determine a phase response, phase angles for each frequency increment over a channel bandwidth, and group delay.
US08325609B2 Data processing device
This invention provides a data processing device capable of operating a plurality of processing modules in parallel. Processes following a processing flow are assigned to the plural processing modules, respectively, and at least two of the processing modules are capable of running a same process. A network includes an arbitration circuit that, upon receiving a packet from a processing module, according to a process number attached to the packet, selects a processing module out of the processing modules capable of running the process, and outputs the packet to the selected processing module. This thus allows for autonomous transfer of a packet between each processing module and makes it possible to operate the processing modules in parallel.
US08325608B2 Efficient packet handling for timer-based discard in a wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate efficient handling of packets (e.g., Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) or Service Data Units (SDUs)) in a wireless communication system. As described herein, a number of consecutive packets that are discarded due to a discard timer expiration event and/or other causes can be monitored and compared to a number of tolerated consecutive discarded packets. If the number of consecutive discarded packets does not exceed the number of tolerated consecutive packets, conventional processing operations such as header modification and compression, ciphering, or the like can be omitted for respective packets subsequent to a discarded packet, thereby significantly reducing processing overhead. As further described herein, the number of tolerated consecutive discarded packets can be chosen to maintain header compression (e.g., Robust Header Compression (RoHC)) synchronization, ciphering synchronization, and/or other suitable properties.
US08325607B2 Rate controlling of packets destined for the route processor
Packets destined for the route processor of a packet switching device are rate controlled. Typically, line cards are configured to rate limit packets of offending packet flows destined for the route processor, such, but not limited to in response to a quantity of packets in the route processor. Filtering of packets of offending packet flows at the line cards reduces the work required of the route processor.
US08325606B2 Wireless transmission apparatus, wireless reception apparatus, and transmission method
A wireless base station apparatus assigns channels to a narrowband mobile wireless terminal apparatus of type x (Rel-3 LTE) within the range of one component as its standard and assigns, to a broadband mobile wireless terminal apparatus of type y (LTE-A), channels not only within the range of one component but also channels in other components or between components.
US08325598B2 Automatic protection switching of virtual connections
A method and system provision a first virtual connection between a first device and a second device; and provision a second virtual connection between the first device and a third device. A first bridge function is configured to control switching associated with the first virtual connection. A second bridge function is configured to control switching associated with the second virtual connection. A parent bridge function is configured to control switching on the first bridge function and the second bridge function, wherein the first virtual connection comprises an active connection and the second virtual connection comprises a standby connection, and wherein the parent bridge function switches traffic to the second bridge device upon determining that the first virtual connection has failed.
US08325580B2 Optical pickup device
A spectral element separates first laser light in such a manner that an area including only signal light as reflected first laser light is formed on a photodetector. The photodetector is provided with a first sensor group which is disposed at an irradiation position of signal light of the separated first laser light, and a second sensor group which receives zero-th order diffraction light of a main beam and two sub beams of second laser light that has been transmitted through the spectral element. The second sensor group includes a four-divided sensor which receives the main beam. The four-divided sensor is disposed in an area surrounded by the first sensor group. Zero-th order diffraction light of the first laser light that has been transmitted through the spectral element is irradiated onto the four-divided sensor.
US08325572B2 Optical disk recording apparatus and method for controlling optical disk recording
To provide a simple configuration capable of recording data on an optical disc reliably at high speed even if recording errors occur. Data that is normally recorded on the optical disc is erased from a storing means, and when a recording error has occurred, a predetermined range subsequent to the address at which the recording error has occurred is selected as a skip area, and this skip area is skipped to record the data stored in the storing means from a recording resume address of the optical disc. This makes it possible to avoid repetition of recording errors in the vicinity of the error-occurring location where the possibility of repeating errors is high. Data retransmission at the time of resuming recording can also be omitted to eliminate the time loss for retransmitting the data, and to reduce the storage space of the host unit necessary for storing the data to be retransmitted.
US08325569B1 EAMR head having improved optical coupling efficiency
A method and system provide an EAMR transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) that resides near a media during use. The EAMR transducer includes a write pole, coil(s), a near field transducer (NFT), a waveguide, and a reflective grating. The write pole writes to a region of the media. The coil(s) energize the write pole. The NFT is proximate to the ABS and focuses the energy onto the media. The waveguide is configured to direct the energy from the laser toward the NFT at an incident angle with respect to the ABS. A first portion of the energy reflects off of the ABS at a reflected angle. The reflective grating receives the first portion of the energy at the reflected angle from the ABS and reflects a second portion of the energy toward the ABS. The NFT resides between at least part of the waveguide and the reflective grating.
US08325568B2 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head comprising characteristic clads
Provided is a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head with improved light density of near-field light (NF-light) with which a medium is irradiated. The head comprises: a magnetic pole; a waveguide for propagating light for exciting surface plasmon; a surface plasmon generator provided between the magnetic pole and the waveguide, coupled with the light in a surface plasmon mode, and emitting NF-light; and a clad portion provided at least between the waveguide and the surface plasmon generator and comprising a transition region in which a refractive index decreases along a direction from the waveguide toward the magnetic pole. The provision of the clad portion including the transition region enables improvement of the light density of NF-light due to the convergence of surface plasmon excited in the surface plasmon generator to predetermined locations, while avoiding the problem of temperature rise due to reduction of the volume of surface plasmon generator.
US08325566B2 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having a light source at least inclined from an opposed-to-medium surface
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head is provided, in which a light source with a sufficient power is disposed in the element-integration surface to improve mass-productivity. The head comprises, in an element-integration surface of a substrate: a light source; a waveguide for propagating light from the light source; and a magnetic pole for generating write field. Further, the edge along optical axis of the light source is set to be parallel with or inclined from the edge on the opposed-to-medium surface side of the element-integration surface. In the head, since the light source is disposed in the element-integration surface, the construction of the optical system can be completed in the stage of a wafer process. This construction can be relatively facilitated and simplified; thus, mass-productivity in the head manufacturing can be improved. Further, a light source with a sufficient power (cavity length) can be disposed in the element-integration surface.
US08325560B2 Technique and system for deriving a time lapse low frequency model using both seismic data and a flow simulation model
A technique includes determining a change in an elastic property of a region of interest at a second time relative to a first time based on a flow simulation model. The technique includes scaling the determined change in the elastic property based on data acquired in a seismic survey.
US08325557B2 Methods and apparatus for disabling a memory-array portion
A memory device having a plurality of storage locations disposed along a plurality of generally parallel lines includes, connected to the lines, a decoder circuit for selecting one line, and, connected to each line, a line-disabling circuit for selectively preventing the line from being energized during line selection.
US08325548B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor device test method for identifying a defective portion
A semiconductor device includes a first memory including a first memory cell and a first redundant memory cell; a first test circuit configured to test the first memory and output first defect information indicating a defective portion included in the first memory cell; a first storage part; and a first control circuit configured to, based on unmodified information stored in the first storage part, and the first defect information, determine modified information to be stored in the first storage part, wherein the first memory identifies the defective portion based on the modified information of the first storage part and replaces the first memory cell including the defective portion with the first redundant memory cell.
US08325545B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, threshold voltages of memory cells being set lowest in an erase state and sequentially set higher according to data in a program state, a plurality of bit lines connected to the memory cells, a word line connected to the memory cells, and a control circuit. In a case where a first memory cell is programmed to a first threshold voltage that is lowest among threshold voltages in the program state, the control circuit is configured to charge a first bit line connected to the first memory cell to a third voltage between a first voltage applied to a bit line when a memory cell is programmed to a second threshold voltage higher than the first threshold voltage and a second voltage applied to a bit line when a memory cell is inhibited from being programmed.
US08325543B2 Global bit select circuit interface with false write through blocking
A global to local bit line interface circuit for domino SRAM devices includes a pair of complementary global write bit lines in selective communication with an array of SRAM cells through corresponding local write bit lines, the complementary global write bit lines configured to write a selected SRAM cell with data presented on a pair of complementary write data input lines; a pair of complementary global read bit lines in selective communication with the array of SRAM cells through corresponding local read bit lines, the complementary global read bit lines configured to read data stored in a selected SRAM cell and present the read data on a pair of complementary read data output lines; and blocking logic configured to prevent, during a write operation, propagation of stored data from the SRAM cells out on the complementary read data output lines prior to completion of the write operation.
US08325538B2 Circuit arrangement with a column latch and method for operating a column latch
In one embodiment, a circuit arrangement with a column latch has a first terminal (A1) for connection to a bit line (BL) of a nonvolatile memory, a second terminal (A2) connected via a first switchable path (P1) to a reference-potential terminal (VSS) and via a second switchable path (P2) to a supply-potential terminal (VPP), and the column latch (100, 110), which is coupled to the second terminal (A2) and is adopted for storing a potential at the second terminal (A2). The first terminal (A1) is coupled to the second terminal (A2) via a first switchable connection (L1) and via a second switchable connection (L2). A method for operating a column latch is additionally disclosed.
US08325535B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment includes a write/erase unit, during data write or erase, the write/erase unit supplying a first electric pulse to a selected memory cell, the first electric pulse having an electric energy to an extent that an physical state of a memory element of the selected memory cell does not transition and accumulating charges in a rectifying element of the selected memory cell, after supplying the first electric pulse, and a certain pulse interval thereafter, and supplying a second electric pulse to the selected memory cell, the second electric pulse having larger electric energy than the first electric pulse, the second electric pulse causing the physical state of the memory element of the selected memory cell to transition.
US08325531B2 Memory device
Systems (100) and methods (600) for reading data from a memory device (106). The methods involve (606) receiving first read request signals (118, 120, 122, 126, 128) for first data stored in the memory device. In response to the first read request signals, (608) retrieving a first page of data from a cell array (268) of the memory device. The methods also involve (616) receiving second read request signals for second data stored in the memory device. (618) Next, a determination is made as to whether at least a portion of a memory address for the second data is the same as at least a respective portion of a memory address for the first data. (622) If it is determined that the respective portions of the memory addresses are the same, then a read access to the cell array is disabled.
US08325528B1 Multi-layer flash memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-layer memory, and more particularly to operating same.
US08325525B2 Dual channel memory architecture having reduced interface pin requirements using a double data rate scheme for the address/control signals
Apparatuses and methods for dual channel memory architecture with reduced interface pin requirements are presented. One memory architecture includes a memory controller, a first memory device coupled to the memory controller by a shared address bus and a first clock signal, and a second memory device coupled to the memory controller by the shared address bus and a second clock signal, where the polarity of the second clock signal is opposite of the first clock signal. A method for performing data transactions is presented. The method includes providing addressing signals over a shared address bus to a first memory device and a second memory device, providing clock signals to the memory devices which are reversed in polarity, where the clock signals are derived from a common clock signal, and transferring data to the memory devices over separate narrow data buses in an alternating manner based upon the clock signals.
US08325522B2 Memory array of floating gate-based non-volatile memory cells
A memory array comprises a plurality of memory cells organized in a matrix of rows and columns. Each of the memory cells includes a high voltage access transistor, a floating gate memory transistor electrically connected to the access transistor, and a coupling capacitor electrically connected to the memory transistor. A first set of word lines are each electrically connected to the capacitor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A second set of word lines are each electrically connected to the access transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A first set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the access transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. A second set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. Various combinations of voltages can be applied to the word lines and bit lines in operations to program, erase, read, or inhibit a logic state stored by the memory transistor in one or more of the memory cells.
US08325519B2 Method of operating integrated circuit embedded with non-volatile programmable memory having variable coupling related application data
A programmable non-volatile device is operated with a floating gate that functions as a FET gate that overlaps a portion of a source/drain region and allows for variable coupling through geometry and/or biasing conditions. This allows a programming voltage for the device to be imparted to the floating gate through variable capacitive coupling, thus changing the state of the device. Multi-state embodiments are also possible. The invention can be used in environments such as data encryption, reference trimming, manufacturing ID, security ID, and many other applications.
US08325515B2 Integrated circuit device
A semiconductor device along with circuits including same and methods of operating same are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the device may comprise a memory cell including a transistor. The transistor may comprise a gate, an electrically floating body region, and a source region and a drain region adjacent the body region. Data stored in memory cells of the device may be refreshed during hold operations.
US08325504B2 Direct current power supply for mission critical applications
A DC power supply apparatus and method of supplying DC power for mission critical applications utilizes multiple power circuits in one unit, the power circuits being optimizable for efficiency as the load increases or decreases. The individual power supplies may use a multiphase topology within the power circuits, with logic phase shifts between multiphase, and two types of power management circuits arranged in parallel, or an equivalent controller, for implementing: (a) a variable linear or variable exponential precision droop algorithm, and (b) a “virtual bus” or current averaging/active current sharing circuit, the current sharing being provided by a low bandwidth communications link between droop controllers in each of the power circuits. In addition, the droop/paralleling circuitry and/or programmed components may be arranged to implement two types of arc detection and suppression, including: (a) unequal positive and negative current in each power circuit to shut down the output power, and (b) monitoring output current for an arc “signature” to protect against arcs between positive and negative.
US08325503B2 High voltage power supply
A high voltage power supply includes a frequency signal generation unit, a voltage generation unit, and a voltage amplifying unit. The frequency signal generation unit generates a frequency signal. The voltage generation unit generates an input voltage according to the frequency signal generated by the frequency signal generation unit. The voltage amplifying unit amplifies and outputs the input voltage by rectifying and smoothing the input voltage a plurality of times. A voltage output by the voltage amplifying unit is changed by changing a frequency of the frequency signal.
US08325492B2 Expansion card retention assembly
A retention assembly includes a platform, a bracket, and a resisting member rotatably connected to the platform. The bracket includes a main portion and a fastening portion. The resisting member includes a resisting portion and a plurality of elastic catching tabs bending from the resisting portion. Each elastic catching tab includes a joining portion and a catching portion. The resisting member fastens the bracket to the platform. The resisting portion resists the fastening portion, and the elastic catching tab catches the main portion. A second angle formed by the joining portion and the catching portion is less than a first angle formed by the main portion and the fastening portion.
US08325462B2 Laminated ceramic electronic component and method for manufacturing the same
A plurality of ceramic green sheets having printed strip inner electrodes patterns, each including a thick portion at a width-direction center and thin portions at respective width-direction sides of the thick portion, are laminated so that the thin portions overlap and the thick portions do not overlap to form an unfired mother laminated body. This unfired mother laminated body is cut along predetermined cut lines that are vertical to each other to obtain a plurality of unfired ceramic element assemblies. By applying ceramic paste to cover exposed portions of inner electrode patterns exposed to lateral surfaces, side gap areas are formed between a first inner electrode pattern and first and second lateral surfaces of the unfired ceramic element assembly and between a second inner electrode pattern and the first and second lateral surfaces.
US08325461B2 Printed wiring board feed-through capacitor
A feed-through capacitor is constructed in a printed wiring board using alternating layers of metal capacitive layers and plastic dielectric layers of the printed wiring board. The large number of layers, the avoidance of ceramic layers and the flexible geometry of this device allow it to be used in many applications, particularly in those involving high power high current. Also, because it utilizes a printed wiring board, the capacitor can be made in numerous sizes and shapes.
US08325434B2 Method and apparatus for preserving data of a storage device
A method is disclosed for preserving data in a hard disk drive, in which data loss due to adjacent track erase (ATE) phenomenon can be minimized by relocating data, which is written in a zone where the ATE phenomenon is likely to occur since frequency of use is high, to another zone having a low TPI when writing the data in a disk.
US08325431B2 Lens barrel and image capturing apparatus
Provided is a lens barrel comprising a fixed cylinder; an optical system having a first optical component that moves relative to the fixed cylinder; a first holding frame that holds the first optical component; a guide axle that is connected to the first holding frame and that extends parallel to an optical axis of the optical system; a linear drive unit operable to move the guide axle in the direction of the optical axis and to fix the position of the guide axle; and a holding cylinder that holds the linear drive unit, the holding cylinder being fixed to the fixed cylinder with respect to the direction of the optical axis when the linear drive unit moves the guide axle and moving relative to the fixed cylinder in the direction of the optical axis when the linear drive unit holds the guide axle.
US08325429B2 Photographing optical lens assembly
A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power, a second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, a third lens element having a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the third lens element is aspheric, a fourth lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element is aspheric, and a fifth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element is aspheric.
US08325419B2 Methods and apparatus for swept-source optical coherence tomography
In one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in a laser ring is chosen to provide low polarization-dependent gain (PDG) and a booster semiconductor optical amplifier, outside of the ring, is chosen to provide high polarization-dependent gain. The use of a semiconductor optical amplifier with low polarization-dependent gain nearly eliminates variations in the polarization state of the light at the output of the laser, but does not eliminate the intra-sweep variations in the polarization state at the output of the laser, which can degrade the performance of the SS-OCT system.
US08325418B2 Optical film, its manufacturing method, anti-glare polarizer using the same, and display apparatus
An anti-glare film is provided and includes micro concave/convex portions on a surface. An average interval between the micro concave and convex portions is equal to 300 μm or less. A differentiation with respect to angle d{Log(I(α))}/dα of a logarithm intensity of reflection Log(I(α)) in a direction of a deviation angle α from a direction of specular reflection has an extreme value. A differentiation d{Log(P(β)}/dβ of a histogram P(β) to an inclination angle β of the micro concave/convex portions has an extreme value. In the anti-glare film 1, a value C(2.0) of transmitted image clarity measured by using an optical comb of a comb width of 2 mm in accordance with JIS-K7105 is equal to 30% or more, and a ratio C(0.125)/C(2.0) of the value C(2.0) measured by using the optical comb of the comb width of 2 mm and a value C(0.125) measured by using an optical comb having a comb width of 0.125 mm is equal to 0.1 or more.
US08325413B2 Method and apparatus for controlling an output of an optical amplifier
A system is provided that includes optical amplifiers provided upstream from an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM). One of the optical amplifiers may be a Raman amplifier that supplies amplified light to another optical amplifier, such as an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), which, in turn, further amplifies and feeds the light to an input of the OADM. During turn-up, for example, the EDFA may initially be disabled, the power of the pump lasers of the Raman amplifier may be gradually increased until light input to the EDFA exceeds a power threshold at which the EDFA can amplify the input light. Light supplied to the EDFA does not have an excessive amount of power. Accordingly, at this point, the gain of the EDFA may be appropriately adjusted and then activated to supply optical signals to the OADM. Such optical signals may have a low power but not too low so as to prevent proper operation of downstream EDFA. Moreover, these optical signal do not have power that is so high as to cause “spiking.” As a result, cross-talk with optical signals added by the OADM is minimized, and such added optical signals may be sufficiently amplified by optical amplifiers downstream from the OADM.
US08325412B2 Light source apparatus
A light source apparatus includes an excitation-light source, a first light guiding member and a second light guiding member which guide excitation light emitted from the excitation-light source, a wavelength converting member which is installed near an emitting end of excitation light from the excitation-light source of the first light guiding member and the second light guiding member, and which receives excitation light which has been guided by one of the first light guiding member and the second light guiding member, and emits a wavelength-converted light of a wavelength different from a wavelength of the excitation light, a first light receiving element which is installed near the wavelength converting member, and which directly or indirectly receives the wavelength-converted light of which, the wavelength is converted by the wavelength converting member, and an optical path switching section which guides the excitation light to one of the first light guiding member and the second light guiding member according to an output of the first light receiving element.
US08325411B2 Negative refractive index materials and methods for making same
Embodiments of the invention described herein include metamaterials that exhibit negative permittivity and negative permeability at optical frequencies, methods for preparing such materials, and devices prepared from same.
US08325410B2 Modulation system and method for generating a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data signal
A modulation system and a method for generating a return-to-zero (RZ) optical data signal are provided. The modulation system comprises a Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulator and a drive circuit, which includes a logic XOR gate and a differential amplifier. The logic XOR gate applies a logic XOR operation to a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) electrical data signal and an inverse of an electrical clock signal to generate an electrical intermediate signal. The differential amplifier differentially amplifies the electrical intermediate signal and an inverse of the NRZ electrical data signal to generate an RZ electrical drive signal. The drive circuit drives the MZ modulator with the RZ electrical drive signal to generate the RZ optical data signal.
US08325402B2 System and method for synchronizing a spatial light modulator with a pulsed laser to record a hologram at the repetition rate of the pulsed laser
A system and method that synchronizes a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a pulsed laser to record a hologram at the repetition rate of the pulsed laser for applications including holographic displays and data storage. The color channel capability of a SLM is utilized to effectively increase the write throughput when the pulsed laser repetition rate LR exceeds the SLM's image refresh rate R. The hogels are encoded on the color channels and concatenated to form a sequence of color images such that the write throughput is equal to the repetition rate LR up to a maximum of N*R. This effectively extends the capability and continued viability of existing inexpensive SLMs.
US08325401B2 Method for generating video holograms in real-time for enhancing a 3D-rendering graphic pipeline
A method for generating video holograms is disclosed, principally for a holographic reproduction device, having at least one light modulator in which a scene which is deconstructed into object points is encoded as a complete hologram and can be viewed as a reconstruction from a visibility region. A 3D-rendering graphic pipeline determines color and depth information for the object points of the scene, from which a holographic pipeline determines the complex hologram values.
US08325400B2 Multi-color off-axis digital holographic system and the imaging method thereof
A multi-color off-axis digital holographic system and the imaging method thereof are disclosed. The multi-color off-axis digital holographic system comprises: a plurality of light emitting diodes, for provide a red (R) beam, a green (G) beam and a blue (B) beam; an interference object lens module, for receiving the R, G, and B beams to generate a beam containing an interference signal; a color imaging device, for receiving the beam containing the interference signal and thus forming a hologram on a surface of the color imaging device by holographic interference while registering the hologram; and a processing device, for receiving the registered hologram form the color imaging device; wherein the processing device perform a zero-filling and reconstructing operations upon the received hologram to obtain phase information of the R, G and B beams. With the aforesaid system, a three-dimensional surface profile with respect to a RG synthetic wavelength is obtained according to a calculation using the phase information of the R and G beams as well as the wavelengths thereof, and similarly, a three-dimensional surface profile with respect to a GB synthetic wavelength is obtained according to a calculation using the phase information of the G and B beams as well as the wavelengths thereof. Thereafter, by performing a calculation using the RG synthetic wavelength and its phase as well as the GB synthetic wavelength and its phase, an overall three-dimensional surface profile with respect to a complete synthetic wavelength is obtained.
US08325392B2 Image reading device and image forming device
An image reading device is provided. The image reading device suppresses uneven intensity of light emitted on a subject, by disposing a diffusion plate between the subject and a plurality of luminescence portions, and an image forming device that includes this image reading device. The image reading device includes an illumination portion that irradiates light onto a subject. The illumination portion includes: a plurality of LED's disposed at predetermined intervals in a main scanning direction; and an elliptical diffuser plate that is disposed between the subject and the plurality of LED's and diffuses light emitted by the plurality of LED's in a higher diffusion rate in the main scanning direction than in a sub-scanning direction.
US08325385B2 System and methods for processing color data in converting color data from one color space to another color space
Systems and methods are provided for processing at least one document comprising color data. Color data in the document in a first color space is inspected to determine if a color space conversion operation for a portion of the color data is specified using a color space dictionary or a transformation matrix, wherein the color space conversion operation converts the color data from the first color space to an intermediate standard color space. An input profile corresponding to the color conversion operation is generated, wherein the input profile comprises information to convert color data from the first color space to the intermediate standard color space; and color space conversion operations are performed on the color data using the generated input profile to convert the color data from the first color space to the intermediate standard color space.
US08325383B2 Image reading device, and method for driving the same
A period when a relative movement between a document, and each of the pixel rows by a certain distance in the vertical direction is made is defined as a frame period, and the frame period is divided into a given number (i) of H periods. A certain H period is allocated as a readout period of each of the pixel rows so that each of the pixel rows reads an identical line of a document, depending on a vertical resolution set by a resolution setter.
US08325379B2 Positional data error correction
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for correcting systematic errors in positional data of electronic devices configured to navigate across a surface. An apparatus configured to correct positional errors may comprise one or more navigation sensors, and a position module configured to control the one or more navigation sensors to capture a plurality of navigational measurements and adjust the navigational measurements by one or more scaling factors to determine a translation path of the apparatus over a medium. The one or more scaling factors may be constructed by capturing a plurality of navigational measurements to determine a detected translation path of an apparatus, comparing an actual translation path of the apparatus to the detected translation path of the apparatus, and generating the one or more scaling factors based at least in part on a difference between the actual translation path and the detected translation path. Other embodiments also are described.
US08325370B2 Network interface apparatus, control method, program, and image forming apparatus
A mechanism which can avoid, as much as possible, a difference of picture quality that is caused by restricting color printing according to an authority and forcedly performing monochromatic printing is provided. A mechanism which restricts the color printing according to the authority without deteriorating performance is also provided. The processing refers to a color restricting mode in user information or a color restricting mode in setting information. When the referred color restricting mode indicates “force”, if the user does not have the authority in which a color job can be printed, the job is forcedly converted into monochrome. In case of “analyze”, if the user does not have the authority in which a color job can be printed, the job is analyzed. If it is the color job, a forced monochromatic printing or print inhibition is performed.
US08325364B2 Method and converter unit to transfer control information between at least two processing units of a printing or copying system
In a converter unit to convert control information to be transferred between at least first and second processing units of a printing or copying system, at least one first data interface is provided according to a first interface standard for exchange of control information between the converter unit and at least the first processing unit. A control signal interface is provided for at least one signal line between the converter unit and the first processing unit, the signal line being associated with one control signal. At least one real-time-capable second data interface according to a second interface standard is provided for exchange of control information between the converter unit and at least the second processing unit. The converter unit converts data conforming to a signal state of the control signal into data according to the second interface standard and conforming to the real-time-capable second data interface. The converter unit outputs the data according to the second interface standard via the second data interface or converts real-time-relevant data supplied to the converter unit via the second data interface into a signal curve of the control signal corresponding to the data and outputs the signal curve via the control signal interface.
US08325357B2 Optical writing device, image forming apparatus and light quantity correcting method
Disclosed is an optical writing device comprising: a plurality of light emitting diode elements which are arranged in a main scanning direction; and a plurality of radio frequency identification tags which are provided correspondingly to one or more light emitting diode elements among the plurality of light emitting diode elements, each of the plurality of radio frequency identification tags having a light quantity correcting data storage section to store light quantity correcting data for adjusting a light quantity of the one or more light emitting diode elements, and a communication section to perform a wireless communication.
US08325356B2 Method of sending a photograph electronically from a self-service digital photograph processing station to a remote printing facility
A system and method for a self-service digital photograph processing station user to send data representative of a photographic image to a photograph printing facility located in or near a geographic region remote from the self-service digital photograph processing station, but near an intended recipient of the photographic image. The method includes entering at least a portion of the intended recipients telephone number, which may include the area code and exchange number. An augmented map is displayed showing a map of the geographic area that corresponds with the area code and exchange number, and one or more available photograph printing facilities superimposed on the map. One or more of the available photograph printing facilities are selected and sent the data representative of the photographic image. The intended recipient may then pick up the photograph image after it is printed by the selected photograph printing facility.
US08325354B2 Image data processing apparatus and image forming apparatus displaying, controlling job icons indicative of the presence of a received job
In the image data processing apparatus of the present invention, one or more job icons each of which is indicative of the presence of a received job are displayed in a screen of a touch panel, and when any one of the displayed job icons is operated, an information window disclosing detail information concerning the operated job icon is additionally displayed. As a result, a limited display area of the touch panel can be effectively utilized, so that this enables the user to easily find not only a processing status of the received job but also detail information of the job.
US08325352B2 System and method for producing a window shade with a natural material printed image coating
A method and a system for producing a window shade having a real natural material printed image coated thereon. A real natural material is scanned and the data of the image is stored in a computer which generates an image of the scanned real natural material. That image is duplicated a plurality of times by the use of the computer and the images are assembled in a predetermined arrangement to produce a composite image which is then enhanced using photo-enhancing software. The enhanced composite image is then printed by the use of a colored ink printing machine on material to form the window shade. Preferably, but not exclusively, the material is constituted by slats of a louvered blind or a fabric of a roller blind.
US08325344B2 Optical density determination methods and apparatus
At least some aspects of the disclosure are directed towards densitometers and methods of determining optical density of printed images upon media. According to one example, an optical density determination apparatus includes a first light source configured to emit a first light beam in a first direction towards a substrate; a second light source configured to emit a second light beam in a second direction towards the substrate, the second direction being different than the first direction; a first sensor configured to sense light of the first light beam reflected from the substrate; a second sensor configured to sense light of the second light beam reflected from the substrate; and wherein the first and second sensors are configured to provide signals indicative of the light sensed by the first and second sensors and which are useable to determine optical density of the substrate.
US08325342B2 Detection method
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for the detection of the spectral absorption properties of a fluid in a microenvironment, the apparatus comprising a radiation source, a microfluidic device and detection means, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises means for increasing the path length of the radiation through the fluid. Preferably, the means for increasing the path length of the radiation through the fluid comprises two highly reflective mirrors which cause the base path length through the fluid to be increased by many orders of magnitude, and the method comprises Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy. The method is especially useful for the handling of small volumes of fluids for chemical and biological processing.
US08325341B2 Combination of reader and incubator
A detection arrangement for detecting presence of an analyte in a sample includes a processor, a memory, a display, a color measuring device, and a temperature controller for maintaining a constant temperature or a temperature profile of the sample. A method is also provided for determining the presence or absence of an analyte in a fluid by analysis of image data from an assay that generates an image result on an assay medium.
US08325337B2 Time resolved raman spectroscopy
System, method, and apparatus for determining the composition of a sample of material. In one embodiment, the method pertains to the counting of photons that were inelastically scattered by the sample, and for minimizing the effects of fluorescent or phosphorescent photons. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a sample is illuminated by a repetitive pulse of monochromatic light, and the resultant scattered photons from the samples are collected and counted during a predetermined integration period. Yet other embodiments pertain to a low-cost, computer-controlled system for repetitively counting inelastically scattered photons so as to create a Raman histogram and a Raman spectrogram of the photons.
US08325323B2 Method and system for correcting image changes
The disclosure relates to a method for compensating image errors, generated by intensity distributions in optical systems, such as in projection lens arrays of microlithography systems, and to respective optical systems, such as projection lens arrays of microlithography systems.
US08325318B2 Information storage/readout device for use in continuously manufacturing system for liquid-crystal display elements, and method and system for producing the same
An information storage/readout device for use in a system for continuously manufacturing liquid-crystal display elements comprises an information storage medium which stores therein slitting position information created based on the position of a defect detected by an inspection of a continuous polarizing composite film included in a continuous optical film laminate including a continuous polarizing composite film formed with an adhesive layer and a continuous carrier film releasably laminated on the adhesive layer, to indicate defective-polarizing-sheet slitting positions defining a defective or defect-containing polarizing sheet, and normal-polarizing-sheet slitting positions defining a normal or defect-free polarizing sheet, in the continuous inspected optical film laminate, and a roll of the continuous inspected optical film laminate which is provided with an identification indicia. In continuous manufacturing of liquid-crystal display elements, the present invention can dramatically enhance product accuracy and manufacturing speed and drastically improve product yield.
US08325311B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, the first and second substrates having; first to fourth driving lines in the non-display area over the first substrate, the first and second driving lines horizontally separated by a first distance, and the third and fourth driving lines horizontally separated by a second distance greater than the first distance; a seal pattern of an ultraviolet curable material in the non-display area, the seal pattern overlapping the third and fourth driving lines; and a liquid crystal layer inside the seal pattern between the first and second substrates.
US08325310B2 Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
To further ensure the electrical connection of a conductor between an opposite electrode of an opposite substrate and a connection wiring of a TFT substrate, and to prevent diffusion of impurities contained in a sealing material mixed with conductive particles or a conductive paste into a liquid crystal layer. In order to isolate the sealing material containing a conductive particle or the conductive paste from the liquid crystal layer, the shape of top surface of the sealing material is a shape in which a plurality of circular shapes are combined, which is a shape having no opening. Further, the sealing material forms a plurality of compartments such that a compartment in which a pixel region is provided and a compartment in which a conductor is provided are blocked out.
US08325308B2 Liquid crystal display panel comprising a display sub-pixel and a viewing angle control sub-pixel wherein a slit aperture is inclined to a direction of the rubbing treatment of an alignment film
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display panel including: first substrate and second substrate configured to sandwich a liquid crystal layer and be disposed opposed to each other, a display sub-pixel and a viewing angle control sub-pixel being formed in the first substrate and the second substrate; a first polarizer configured to be provided on an outer surface side of the first substrate; and a second polarizer configured to be provided on an outer surface side of the second substrate and have an optical axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the first polarizer.
US08325304B2 Method of fabricating liquid crystal display
A first substrate and a second substrate are provided. An alignment process is performed on a surface of the first substrate and a surface of the second substrate respectively. A liquid crystal mixture is prepared, where the liquid crystal mixture includes a liquid crystal molecule and a liquid crystal monomer having a functional group of diacrylates, and the liquid crystal monomer having the functional group of diacrylates occupies 0.01-2 wt % of the liquid crystal mixture. The first substrate and the second substrate are assembled, and the liquid crystal mixture is filled therebetween. A polymerization curing process is performed such that the liquid crystal monomer having the functional group of diacrylates is polymerized to respectively form a liquid crystal polymer film on the aligned surfaces of the first and second substrates. The method enhances anchoring energy and reduces problems of V-T shift, surface gliding, and residual image.
US08325296B2 Light-transmitting substrate, optical film, polarizing plate and image display device
A light-transmitting substrate has an uneven profile on at least one surface thereof, the light-transmitting substrate contains a thermoplastic resin and a flat translucent particle; a tilt angle of the uneven profile on at least one surface of the light-transmitting substrate has the following distribution: (a) an integral value of frequencies of from 0° to less than 1.0° is from 0% to less than 25%, (b) an integral value of frequencies of from 1.0° to less than 10° is from 60% to less than 100%, and (c) an integral value of frequencies of 10° or more is from 0% to less than 25%, and an average distance between trough and crest in the uneven profile is from 10 to 300 μm.
US08325284B2 Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
The manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device includes a step of forming the scanning signal lines including a step in which a photosensitive material film is exposed using an exposure device having a spatial light modulating element which generates an exposure pattern by a numerical control based on drawing data prepared based on the layout data. The drawing data is prepared by correction such that a shape of a portion of the scanning signal line in the layout data which is overlapped to a source electrode has an area corresponding to the distribution of a film thickness of an insulation layer interposed between the scanning signal line and the source electrode.
US08325275B2 Information storage medium containing subtitles and processing apparatus therefor
An information storage medium containing subtitles and a subtitle processing apparatus, where the information storage medium includes: audio-visual (AV) data; and subtitle data in which at least one subtitle text data and output style information designating an output form of the subtitle texts are stored with a text format. With this, output times of subtitle texts included in the text subtitle data can be overlapped, a subtitle file can be easily produced, and subtitles for an AV stream can be output with various forms.
US08325269B2 Image capturing lens system
This invention provides an image capturing lens system comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; a second lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface; a third lens element with positive refractive power, at least one of the two surfaces thereof being aspheric; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power, both the two surfaces thereof being aspheric; and a stop disposed between the first and third lens elements, wherein there are four lens elements with refractive power.
US08325267B2 Image pickup apparatus comprising an image pickup optical system including an optical element having optical incident and optical emergent surfaces and a fine textured structure having a mean pitch shorter than a wavelength of visible light, and an image pickup unit configured to receive an image formed by the image pickup optical system, and meeting a specified diameter condition
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup optical system and an image pickup unit configured to receive an image formed by the image pickup optical system. The image pickup optical system includes an optical element having optical incident and optical emergent surfaces disposed between an aperture stop and an object and a fine textured structure having a mean pitch shorter than a wavelength of visible light and formed on at least one of the optical incident and optical emergent surfaces. The conditions 3.5
US08325259B2 Photoelectric conversion apparatus and method setting a reverse bias voltage value of a photoelectric conversion element larger than a depleting voltage of the photoelectric conversion element
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: a first photoelectric conversion element generating a current by photoelectric conversion; a first current amplifying element for amplifying the current generated by the first photoelectric conversion element; a first detecting unit for detecting a reverse bias voltage value of the first photoelectric conversion element; and a first setting unit for setting the reverse bias voltage value of the first photoelectric conversion element at a first normal value based on a result of the detection by the first detecting unit, wherein the first normal value is larger than a depleting voltage of the first photoelectric conversion element.
US08325241B2 Image pickup apparatus that stores adjacent and contiguous pixel data before integration of same
An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup lens; an image pickup device; a microlens array; an image processing section; and a data storage section, in which the image processing section produces a plurality of arbitrary viewpoint images based on image pickup data obtained by the image pickup device by synthesizing pixel data extracted from pixels located at the same position in image regions each of which corresponds to each of microlenses included in the microlens array, and the arbitrary viewpoint images are stored in the data storage section, and a plurality of pixel data recorded at pixel positions adjacent to one another are collectively read out as a read-out unit from each of the arbitrary viewpoint images stored in the data storage section, and a predetermined sorting process and a predetermined integration process are performed on the pixel data read out, thereby the refocus image is produced.
US08325240B2 Data transfer device and electronic camera
A data transfer device can adjust a phase of a clock signal with a simple configuration in a short period of time when transferring a digital data signal in synchronization with the clock signal. Accordingly, the data transfer device includes a data transfer line serially transferring the data signal, a clock transfer line transferring the clock signal, a decision unit deciding an adjustment amount by which the phase of the clock signal accompanying the data signal is shifted, the adjustment amount being used when transferring the data signal in synchronization with the clock signal, and a phase adjusting unit shifting the phase of the clock signal in accordance with the adjustment amount decided by the decision unit while keeping a frequency of the clock signal fixed.
US08325234B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program for storing an image shot by a camera and projected by a projector
An information processing apparatus includes a projector, a camera, a first storage, and a controller. The projector projects a projection image containing a first operation image onto a predetermined area. The camera shoots an image of a subject within the predetermined area. The controller detects an operation to the first operation image based on the shot image shot by the camera and controls the first storage to store at least the image of the subject out of the shot image when the operation is detected.
US08325233B2 Video radar display system
A video radar display system is provided. The video radar display system includes a camera array, an image processing unit, and a display unit. The camera array includes a plurality of cameras individually positioned for photographing a plurality of images from a plurality of different directions. The image processing unit receives the photographed images from the camera array for conducting an object recognition process, and referring to an object database to reconstruct an environment, so as to generate object display information. The display unit receives the object display information and displays an image according to the received object display information, or project the image to a monitor or head-up display for displaying. The cameras of the camera array are dual-lens cameras or tri-lens cameras. Specifically, the dual-lens camera has two lenses horizontally provided for capturing two images at the same time for determining the distance.
US08325228B2 Performing real-time analytics using a network processing solution able to directly ingest IP camera video streams
The present invention discloses a solution for an intelligent video surveillance (IVS) system able to perform real-time analytics on internet protocol (IP) video streams which are directly ingested by the IVS system. An internet protocol camera can be identified and connected to the intelligent video surveillance system which lacks an intermediate video management component. The raw video stream can be received directly from the camera in the form of a real-time video stream such as real-time streaming protocol (RTSP). One or more real-time analytics can be performed on said video stream based on one or more system criteria and user established criteria. When an incident event is detected one or more programmatic actions can be performed in response to analytics enacted.
US08325225B2 Method and apparatus for a web inspection system
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a web inspection system. In one embodiment, the present invention is a web inspection system including a web moving unit moving a web of material, a camera positioned adjacent the web moving unit, the camera configured to be in an image capture state or a non-image-capture state, a first illumination system positioned adjacent the web moving unit, the first illumination system constantly illuminating the web of material, a second illumination system positioned adjacent the web moving unit, the second illumination system illuminating the web of material only when the camera is in the image capture state, and a control unit connected to the camera, the first illumination system, and the second illumination system.
US08325224B2 Head separation camera apparatus
According to one embodiment, a head separation camera apparatus includes an imaging device, a control device and a cable. The control device includes a first controller. The first controller is configured to output the control signal including a selection command to notify a controlled device acting as a control target from one or more controlled devices in the imaging device and control data indicating contents of control of the control target. The imaging device includes a second controller. The second controller is configured to transmit an individual selection command to inform whether or not a device is the control target and the control data to at least the controlled device acting as the control target, based on the selection command.
US08325206B2 Image processing method
An image processing method is provided. The image processing method is used for using a stream of drawing as an input on an image displayed on a display. The image processing method includes steps of identifying the input as a non-closed region input and performing an image rotation operation.
US08325200B2 Information processing device and method, program, and information processing system
An information processing device, configured to perform color gamut conversion for compressing or enlarging the color gamut of image data, includes: a selecting unit configured to select a generating method of table information for specifying a non-mapping boundary which is a boundary between a region where the coordinate movement of a pixel to be processed is not performed, and a conversion source region where the coordinate movement of the pixel to be processed is performed, and a mapping limit boundary which is a boundary other than the non-mapping region, of the conversion source region, for each hue, from a plurality of generating methods according to a predetermined condition, with the color gamut conversion; and a table information generating unit configured to generate the table information using the method selected from the plurality of generating methods.
US08325197B2 Method and apparatus for high-speed image processing based on graphic processing unit
A method for high-speed image processing based on graphic processing unit includes processing an input image for the image processing in a texture format of a 32 bit floating point, and performing a predetermined algorithm for the image processing on the input image through at least one or more Framebuffer Object (FOB) and outputting the result as texture data.
US08325189B2 Information processing apparatus capable of easily generating graph for comparing of a plurality of commercial products
An information processing apparatus includes a controller acquiring texts including each of a plurality of commercial product names to be analyzed, with respect to the respective commercial product names, from a storage device when the commercial product names are entered into the controller, extracting first phrases and second phrases from the acquired texts with respect to the commercial product names, the first phrases and the second phrases being classified as belonging to a first kind and a second kind, respectively, as expressions of evaluation of commercial products indicated by the commercial product names, and generating a graph representing evaluation points as values corresponding to the differences between counts of the first phrases and the second phrases.
US08325182B2 Methods and systems to selectively batch-cull graphics primitives in response to sample cull results
Methods and systems to sample a subset of primitives from a batch of primitives for cull/no-cull decisions, and to selectively perform a batch-cull operation on the batch of primitives in response to cull/no-cull decisions of the samples. Cull/no-cull decisions may be determined in response to one or more of a sign and magnitude of a z-component of a surface normal to corresponding primitives, using one or more primitive-independent, vertex-based cull codes, which may include a cull code based on 2-dimensional pixel space positions corresponding to the primitives. 2-dimensional pixel space positions may be pre-computed for vertices associated with a batch of primitives in advance of sampling culling.
US08325180B2 Method for changing dynamic display mode and apparatus thereof in car navigation system
A method of changing a display mode in a car navigation system, the method including: acquiring distance information from a current vehicle location to a guide point; and gradually changing the display mode into any one of a two-dimensional display mode and a three-dimensional display mode based on the distance information.
US08325177B2 Leveraging graphics processors to optimize rendering 2-D objects
Methods and computer-readable media for displaying two-dimensional objects on a display device are disclosed. Rendering requests are received from an application to render two-dimensionally modeled graphics to a display device. Primitive geometries of drawing calls of the rendering requests are tessellated into sequences of triangles. The vertices of the triangles are mapped to a vertex buffer along with an index to identify associated constant data. Batching operations store and communicate calls and mapped data to a graphics processing unit by way of a three-dimensional rendering application program interface. Constant data associated with the mapped data are indexed and appended together in a constant buffer, thereby allowing drawing calls to be coalesced. A staging buffer and a staging texture are provided for batching text anti-aliasing operations. Shader fragments are precompiled and organized by way of a predetermined lookup table.
US08325176B2 Driving method for organic electroluminescence light emitting section
A driving method for an organic EL light emitting section achieves optimization of mobility correction for a transistor of a driving circuit in response to luminance. In a driving circuit formed from a driving transistor, an image signal writing transistor and a capacitor section having a pair of electrodes, a driving method carries out a pre-process, a threshold voltage cancellation process and a writing process. A variable correction voltage which relies upon the image signal voltage is applied to a first node of the capacitor and a voltage which is higher than a potential of the second node of the capacitor in the threshold voltage cancellation process is applied to the drain electrode of the driving transistor, between the threshold voltage cancellation process and the writing process, to raise the potential of the second node in response to a characteristic of the driving transistor.
US08325174B2 Display apparatus and display driving method
A display apparatus includes the following components. A pixel array includes matrix-arranged pixel circuits each including at least a light emitting element, a drive transistor in which a drive voltage is applied between the drain and the source to supply a current corresponding to a signal value supplied between the gate and the source to the light emitting element, and a holding capacitor which is connected between the gate and the source of the drive transistor and which holds the input signal value. A mobility correction operating unit supplies the drive voltage to the transistor while the capacitor holds a correction signal value lower than the signal value to perform mobility correction for the transistor. A light emission operating unit allows the capacitor to hold the signal value and supplies the drive voltage to the transistor after correction to perform light emission at a luminance corresponding to the signal value.
US08325173B2 Control method for eliminating deficient display and a display device using the same and driving circuit using the same
A control method for eliminating deficient display and a display device using the same and a driving circuit are provided herein. The display device includes a display panel, source driver, and a control device. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels. The source driver is used to provide a pixel voltage to the pixel. The control device determines whether to provide a first voltage to the pixels, and controls the source driver whether to provide the pixel voltage to the pixel, according to a control signal. When a system voltage of the display device is less than a predefined voltage, the control device controls the source driver to stop providing the pixel voltage to the pixel, and provides a first voltage to the pixel.
US08325167B2 Display device and electronic device using the same
A display device with a compensation circuit that applies a fixed potential constantly to a gate electrode of a driving transistor for a certain period is provided. Specifically, each difference voltage value between an anode and a cathode of the light emitting element is utilized in the case where the light emitting element emits light and emits no light. In a case where the light emitting element emits light, a potential of the gate electrode of the driving transistor is to be held; and in a case where the light emitting element emits no light, a potential that certainly turns off the gate electrode of the driving transistor is kept on applying to the gate electrode of the driving transistor.
US08325166B2 Optical device and virtual image display device including volume hologram gratings
An optical device includes: a light guide plate receiving, for each of N types of wavelength bands, a plurality of parallel light beams with different incident angles each corresponding to view angles, and guiding the received parallel light beams; a first and a second volume hologram gratings of reflection type having a diffraction configuration which includes N types of interference fringes each corresponding to the N types of wavelength bands, and diffracting/reflecting the parallel light beams. The optical device satisfies for each wavelength band, a relationship of ‘P>L’, where ‘L’ represents a central diffraction wavelength in the first and second volume hologram gratings, defined for a parallel light beam corresponding to a central view angle, and ‘P’ represents a peak wavelength of the parallel light beams.
US08325154B2 Optical touch control apparatus and method thereof
The present invention discloses an optical touch control apparatus, comprising: a light guide module having an optical information capturing position, the light guide module guiding light to the optical information capturing position, and generating optical information according to light input through or reflected from the optical information capturing position; and an image sensor module for sensing the optical information, and generating an electronic signal according to the optical information.
US08325153B2 Antenna including elements of an inductive touch screen and communication device for use therewith
An antenna includes an antenna section and a ground plane. The ground plane includes a plurality of inductors that provide a high impedance at the operating frequency of the antenna. The plurality of inductors are implemented via a plurality of inductive elements of an inductive touch screen.
US08325150B1 Integrated overlay system for mobile devices
The invention is directed to a physical overlay that can be secured to a mobile device and that covers at least a portion of the mobile device's user interface. The overlay includes a front portion that has input areas, which may be openings or physical keys. The mobile device detects or is told that the overlay is installed, and the mobile device receives configuration data associated with the overly that tells the mobile device the locations of the input areas on the overlay so that the user interface can be adjusted accordingly. The overlay also includes side portions that allow the overlay to be secured to the mobile device.
US08325147B2 Touch screen device and methods thereof configured for a plurality of resolutions
Disclosed is a touch screen and a method of touch screen having a first plurality of sensor segments coupled to first scan lines and a second plurality of sensor segments being subsections of one of the first plurality of sensor segments, the second plurality of sensor segments including second scan lines that are bundled by a multiplexer configured to aggregate output of the second plurality of sensor segments into a single transmission channel. The individual output of the multiplexed sensor segments subsections can be either combined into a single signal for processing during a normal scan, or their individual output can be processed individually for higher resolution. Using two scans, the first a normal scan, and the second a higher resolution scan, the disclosed touch screen and methods zoom in on the proximity of the touched area and scans with a higher resolution the proximity only where it is needed.
US08325146B2 Touch panel and display device using the same
A touch panel includes a first electrode plate, and a second electrode plate separated from the first electrode plate. The first electrode plate includes a first substrate, a first conductive layer, and at least two electrodes. The second electrode plate includes a second substrate, a second conductive layer, and at least two electrodes. At least one of the first and second conductive layers includes a plurality of carbon nanotube wire-like structures. Two ends of each carbon nanotube wire-like structure are connected with two of the electrodes. A display device adopting the touch panel includes the touch panel and a display element.
US08325140B2 Illumination spot alignment
Illumination spot alignment is performed by capturing an image by an image array. The image is evaluated to determine an illumination spot size and location. Coordinates identifying the illumination spot size and location are stored.
US08325139B2 Scrolling behavior-influenced algorithm selection to facilitate adaptive scrolling
Methods, apparatuses, and articles for receiving one or more input factors associated with scrolling behavior of a user are described herein. Based on the received one or more input factors, at least one of (1) a tunable scrolling algorithm and (2) one or more non-linear scrolling algorithms of a plurality of non-linear scrolling algorithms may be selected for use in evaluating the scrolling behavior of the user.
US08325131B2 System and method using movement of human body to control a function of a terminal
A system which uses movement of a human body to control a function of a terminal comprises: a detecting device for detecting variation of the movement of the human body depending on an intention of a user so as to transmit a detection signal; and a terminal for storing a reference signal according to at least one class of movement and a control signal corresponding to the reference signal, for searching for a reference signal the same as the detection signal received from the detecting device, and for processing a function based on the control signal corresponding to the reference signal when the reference signal the same as the detection signal is identified. Thereby, a user not only controls the terminal or a driving device, but also performs authentication processing using simple movement of his/her body without any hand operation. A corresponding method for controlling a function using movement of the human body is disclosed.
US08325125B2 Display apparatus, driving method and display driving controller of cholesteric liquid crystal display panel
A display apparatus includes a cholesteric liquid crystal display panel, a control circuit and a driving circuit. The control circuit classifies pixels into different gradation level groups. The driving circuit applies a first driving waveform to the cholesteric liquid crystal display panel to bring pixels belonging to the first and the fourth group into a state corresponding to the highest gradation level, pixels belonging to the second group into a state corresponding to the lowest gradation level, and pixels belonging to the third group into states corresponding to gradation levels to be displayed, and applies a second driving waveform to the cholesteric liquid crystal display panel to bring pixels belonging to the fourth group into states corresponding to gradation levels to be displayed.
US08325124B2 Display panels with common voltage control units
A display panel is provided and includes a display unit and a control unit. The display unit is coupled to a data line and a first scan line. In the display unit, a liquid crystal capacitor is coupled between a pixel electrode and a first common line, and a storage capacitor is coupled between the pixel electrode and a second common line. The control unit receives first and second common voltages and is controlled by first and second control voltage signals and first and second scan signals which are respectively on the first scan line and a second scan line and driven sequentially. The control unit changes the voltage level of the second common line by a two-step manner according to the first and second common voltages. Through feed-through effect of the storage capacitor, the voltage level of the pixel electrode is changed to a desired level.
US08325115B2 Self-luminous display apparatus, peak luminance adjustment apparatus, electronic apparatus, peak luminance adjustment method and program
A self-luminous display apparatus, a peak luminance adjustment apparatus is disclosed wherein power to be consumed by a self-luminous display panel is compulsorily suppressed to a level within a prescribed range and consequently the life of a battery is maintained. A mean gradation value calculation section calculates a mean gradation value of a video signal inputted within a period of one frame. A power consumption calculation section determines a standard peak luminance corresponding to the calculated mean gradation value and calculates a power consumption amount to be consumed based on the standard peak luminance and the calculated mean gradation value. A peak luminance adjustment section adjusts the standard peak luminance so that a total value of the power consumption to be consumed within a fixed period of time may not exceed a preset power amount.
US08325113B2 Organic electroluminescent display device and driving method of the same
An organic electroluminescent display device includes a power supply unit outputting a driving voltage, a base voltage and a reference voltage, a source driving unit outputting a data voltage, a gate driving unit outputting a positive scan signal and a negative scan signal, a timing control unit controlling the source driving unit and the gate driving unit, and a display unit receiving the driving voltage, the base voltage, the reference voltage, the positive scan signal and the negative scan signal, the display unit including an organic light-emitting diode that has driving currents depending on the data voltage.
US08325102B2 Single sheet phased array
A single sheet phased array includes a flexible dielectric substrate having a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface, and a first conductive layer on the first surface and a second conductive layer on the second surface. The flexible dielectric substrate, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are patterned to form at least one feed network and a plurality of radiators directly coupled to the at least one feed network. Further, the plurality of radiators are pivotable with respect to the flexible dielectric substrate to be positioned in a direction away from the first surface or the second surface of the flexible dielectric substrate when the single sheet phased array is deployed.
US08325100B2 Antenna structures made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys
Antenna structures made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and methods of making antenna structures from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are described. The bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing form and shape durability, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost net-shape fabrication for the highly intricate antenna shapes.
US08325098B1 Dynamic antenna pattern measurement method
A dynamic antenna pattern measurement method. Embodiments of the invention provide for nanosecond or better time resolution and milliradian angular resolution of the dynamic radiation pattern of an antenna under test over the predetermined solid angle scan (up to 4π steradians) of the dynamic radiation pattern.
US08325093B2 Planar ultrawideband modular antenna array
A planar ultrawideband modular antenna for connection to a feed network. The antenna has a ground plane, and an array of antenna elements spaced from the ground plane, each antenna element comprising a pair of arms. A first fed arm is electrically coupled to the feed network. The grounded arm is directly electrically coupled to the ground plane. There are one or more conductors such as conductive vias electrically connecting the fed arm to the ground plane, and optionally there are one or more additional conductors electrically connecting the grounded arm to the ground plane.
US08325077B2 Method of distributing multimedia content
The present invention relates to a system for distributing multimedia content to at least one client device over a network. Said system comprises: a slicer (SLI) for slicing the multimedia content into a set of slices; a coder (ALC) for coding a slice according to an asynchronous layer coding technique such that N coded symbols including K source symbols and N−K error symbols are generated; a content server (SER) for storing and transmitting said coded slices upon request of the client device; a client device (CLD) comprising means for receiving said coded slices and a decoder (DEC) for decoding a coded slice as soon as K coded symbols of said slice have been received.
US08325065B2 Self-orienting sighting reticle for vehicle aiming equipment
A method and a system for providing a sighting reticle oriented to aim at a target from a vehicle within an environment of the target are described. The method improves the situational awareness of the operator regardless of the orientation and motion of the aiming instrument. The method comprises providing a graphical image representing the environment seen from the vehicle when aiming at the target; determining a state of the vehicle with respect to a spatial reference point; overlaying the sighting reticle onto the graphical image, the sighting reticle indicating the target on the graphical image with respect to the spatial reference point, the sighting reticle comprising a marking defining the spatial reference point; positioning the sighting reticle to orient the marking based on the state of the vehicle; and displaying on a display device the sighting reticle positioned on the graphical image to enable aiming at the target.
US08325064B2 Electronic navigation system and method
The invention provides a system for providing geographic information. The system includes a base unit that receives a request from a mobile unit and provides a response to the mobile unit. The request includes a point of interest category and a traveling distance or traveling time parameter. The base unit identifies a point of interest that matches the point of interest category and satisfies the traveling distance or traveling time parameter. The response from the base unit to the mobile unit provides the identified point of interest.
US08325054B2 Home appliance and signal output method thereof
A home appliance and a signal output method thereof are disclosed. The home appliance outputs product information in the form of a sound signal, which is transmitted to a service center at a remote site over a communication network so that the service center can readily check the state of the home appliance. A digital signal including product information of the home appliance is converted into a sound signal based on a plurality of frequency signals. Therefore, a larger amount of data can be rapidly transmitted for a fault diagnosis, so as to improve fault diagnosis accuracy.
US08325053B2 Personal fall protection monitoring system
Apparatus for monitoring compliance with the 100% tied off rule for climbers using personal fall protection equipment. The personal fall protection monitoring system includes a remote monitoring module that monitors multiple harness systems. Each harness system includes sensors that detect the engagement of the lanyard with anchorage points and the harness. The system also includes a harness module that monitors the sensors and indicates an alarm condition to the climber and to the remote monitoring module. The harness module includes a transmitter that communicates with the remote monitoring module. The remote monitoring module communicates with multiple harness systems to indicate and log the status of each harness system.
US08325050B1 Multipurpose centralized water conservation, metering, sprinkler alarm and absolute leak detector
A non-intrusive flow detector consists of an easily adjustable visible light optical sensor assembly, producing a spot of light, which attaches non-obstructively and non-invasively to a fluid flow meter. The spot of visible focused light requires less than one milli-amp. The sensor monitors dial movement of a least flow dial or wheel and generates an electrical signal representative of a flow through the meter. The signal is then transformed by a 10-bit A/D converter and further processed. The flow rate and consumption is displayed in suitable units on a LCD. The microprocessor can be programmed to detect extremely small flow rates. With an appropriate sample time programmed, a flow of a few drops per minute would be detected. This embodiment aims to provide an improved method and means for enabling a consumer to monitor consumption of a metered source. This embodiment can be utilized as a sprinkler alarm.
US08325046B2 RFID system, reader-writer, and RFID tag
A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes a plurality of RFID tags and a reader-writer. Each of the plurality of RFID tags has a tag antenna and a tag circuit that stores identification information. The reader-writer includes a first transceiver that reads the identification information of the plurality of RFID tags using an antenna. In this regard, the first transceiver transmits a reading command via the antenna for reading the identification information of the plurality of RFID tags. When the first transceiver does not read the identification information from one of the plurality of RFID tags due to an occurrence of a reading error in the first transceiver, the reader-writer adds reading error information, which indicates the occurrence of the reading error, to the next reading command to be transmitted from the first transceiver via the antenna.
US08325044B2 System and method for providing secure identification solutions
The present invention provides a method and system for verifying and tracking identification information. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for delivering security solutions is provided that includes at least one of the following: a radio frequency (RF) identification device, an identification mechanism (e.g., a card, sticker), and an RF reader.
US08325040B2 Method and apparatus to facilitate automated control of local lighting at a remote control
Upon detecting (101) (via an animate object detector (506)) an animate object, these teachings provide for automatically and responsively transmitting (102) a remote light control signal and also selectively controlling (103) local lighting (505). This can comprise temporarily switching the local lighting to a higher power mode of operation (such as a fully-on mode of operation) from a lower power mode of operation (such as a fully-off mode of operation). These teachings will further accommodate determining (301) a relatively closeness of the animate object to the remote control. When the detected animate object is more than predetermined distance from the remote control, the local lighting can remain in the lower power mode of operation. When the detected animate object, however, is within that predetermined distance from the remote control, then the aforementioned step of switching the local lighting to the higher power mode of operation can be undertaken as described.