Document Document Title
US08485329B1 Luggage bag having a handle incorporating a scale for weighing the bag
A luggage bag includes a handle fastened to a carrying case by an attachment member at each end. Each of the attachment members is held against a motion limiting surface within the handle by a compression spring, at a position in which the attachment member can be latched for carrying the bag or released to measure the weight of the bag. The weight of the bag is determined by the position of an indicator moving with one of the attachment members on a scale moving with the other attachment member.
US08485328B2 Travel accessory for the folding of garments and suitcase obtained with said accessory
A travel accessory for the folding of garments inside a suitcase, includes at least one structural element for spreading and/or hanging (1) and an insert (2) of a soft, flexible material, designed to be inserted into the garment, engaged with the structural element (1).
US08485323B2 Caliper assembly for disc brake system
A caliper assembly comprising: a brake pad comprising a carrier plate having two opposing faces and two opposing side edges each having an ear which is adapted to seat in pad locator indentations in a support structure, wherein on one face is friction material and on the opposing face is a projection adapted to seat in a matched recess in a caliper body; a support structure having at least two pad locator indentations for receiving the ears located on the brake pad and at least two caliper body locator indentations for seating two ears defined by the caliper body; and a caliper body having a recess for seating the projection on the opposing face of the brake pad and having two ears adapted to seat in the caliper body locator indentations of the support structure; and a clip which holds the brake pad in position.
US08485319B2 Method and apparatus for installing an elevator without machine room during construction of a building, and use of a hoisting machine
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for installing an elevator with-out machine room during the construction of a building, said elevator comprising at least a hoisting machine (4) provided with a traction sheave (30) and an elevator car (3) suspended by a set of hoisting ropes (28) and fitted to move along guide rails (2), and in which method at least a temporary machine room (6) movable in the elevator shaft (1) is utilized. At the final stage of installation, the machine room (6) of the elevator provided with a temporary machine room (6) is dismounted and the elevator is converted into an elevator without machine room by placing the hoisting machine (4) that was used in the temporary machine room (6), together with the hoisting ropes (28) on the traction sheave (30), into its final position in the elevator shaft (1).
US08485316B2 Collapsible safe ladder
A ladder system is disclosed which allows for stabilizing a ladder, on multiple surfaces, without the need for a second person or a great deal of setup time. The collapsible ladder system includes a larger ladder section and a smaller ladder strut section that is pivotally connected at a point which is at or below the midpoint of the larger ladder section. The larger ladder section and smaller ladder strut section are connected by a rigid adjustable linkage, or spreader, at a point that is below the pivotable connection. The ladder further includes a means for stability on a variety of surfaces. At the ground contacting point, the point where the ladder side rail ends and the ground meet, there are adjustable gripping feet, which can be independently or in combination vertically or angularly adjusted for maximum stability.
US08485315B2 Acoustic energy reflector
The present invention relates to an acoustic energy reflector comprising a microcellular rubber as inner liner and a fiber reinforced composite as outer casing, in a core-shell assembly, wherein the said microcellular rubber is selected from the group of natural and synthetic rubbers having glass transition temperature below 0° C. and the resin for the fiber reinforced composite is selected from a group having a glass transition temperature at least 50° C.
US08485305B2 All terrain vehicle with power steering shield
An all terrain vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a steering shaft rotatably supported by the vehicle body frame, a power steering device including an electric motor, the power steering device being configured to exert an auxiliary rotational force to the steering shaft by a driving power generated in the electric motor, a radiator disposed in front of the electric motor, and a shield member mounted to the vehicle body frame and positioned between the radiator and the electric motor to cover the electric motor from a forward direction.
US08485300B2 Sports type, saddle type electric vehicle
A drive wheel is intermediation driven by an additional element, while achieving a reduction in cost by making use of a plurality of existing motors. A drive motor as a drive source includes a plurality of motor bodies arranged coaxially with and adjacently to each other in the vehicle width direction to permit integral driving thereof, and is disposed forwardly of a pivot for a swing arm supporting the driving wheel. One end in the vehicle width direction of a drive shaft of the drive motor is made to be an output end for output to the driving wheel, and a drive sprocket for power transmission to the driving wheel is provided at the output end. The center of the drive motor in the vehicle width direction is disposed with an offset to the side opposite to the side of the drive sprocket with reference to the vehicle body center.
US08485299B2 Motorcycle
A motorcycle includes a fuel tank that stores fuel, a fuel filling joint hydraulically connected to the fuel tank, a first pressure reducing valve hydraulically connected to the fuel tank to reduce pressure of the fuel to first pressure, a second pressure reducing valve hydraulically connected to the first pressure reducing valve to reduce the pressure of the fuel to second pressure, a fuel cell unit hydraulically connected to the second pressure reducing valve to generate electric power via reaction of the fuel and an oxidizing agent, a high-pressure side structure that supports the fuel tank, the joint, and the first pressure reducing valve while keeping relative arrangement thereof, a low-pressure side structure that supports the second pressure reducing valve and the fuel cell unit while keeping relative arrangement thereof, and a main structure that detachably fixes the high-pressure side structure and the low-pressure side structure.
US08485295B2 Cooling air guide device for a motor vehicle
A cooling air guide device is provided for a motor vehicle which, viewed in the travel direction of the vehicle, can be situated in front of at least one cooling component of the vehicle and has at least one first guide component, which can be situated on a load-bearing structural part of the vehicle and one second guide component, which is upstream from the first guide component in the travel direction. The second guide component protrudes at least regionally up to a bumper fascia and has a material which is more easily deformable than the first component.
US08485284B2 Method for producing a PCD compact
A method of producing a composite diamond compact comprising a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compact bonded to a cemented carbide substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a PCD table, preferably a PCD table with diamond-to-diamond bonding and a porous microstructure in which the pores are empty of second phase material bringing together the PCD table and a cemented carbide substrate in the presence of a bonding agent to form an unbonded assembly; subjecting the unbonded assembly to an initial compaction at a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa and a temperature below the melting point of the bonding agent for a period of at least 150 seconds; and thereafter subjecting the unbonded assembly to a temperature above the melting point of the bonding agent and a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa for a time sufficient for the bonding agent to become molten and bond the PCD table to the substrate to form a composite diamond compact.
US08485279B2 Impactor excavation system having a drill bit discharging in a cross-over pattern
A system for use in excavating a wellbore that includes a drill string and attached drill bit that has nozzles that are in fluid communication with the drill string. The system receives pressurized slurry of fluid and impactor particles and directs the slurry at a subterranean formation from the nozzles to form the wellbore. Discharge streams are formed from the slurry exiting the nozzles, the discharge streams impact and fracture the formation to remove material. The nozzles are oriented so that the streams excavate in the middle and periphery of the borehole bottom. The nozzles can be oriented to form frusto-conical spray patterns when the bit is rotated, wherein the spray patterns can intersect or overlap.
US08485278B2 Methods and apparatuses for inhibiting rotational misalignment of assemblies in expandable well tools
A gripper for use in a downhole tool is provided. The gripper can include an actuator, an engagement assembly, and an expandable assembly. The engagement assembly can comprise a leaf-spring like elongate continuous beam. The expandable assembly can comprise a linkage including a plurality of links. The linkage can be coupled to the actuator such that the actuator expands the expandable assembly which in turn expands the engagement assembly. One or more keyed connections can inhibit rotational misalignment of the expandable assembly from the engagement assembly. In operation, during one stage of expansion radial forces are transmitted to the engagement assembly through both interaction of a rolling mechanism on the engagement assembly with the expandable assembly and pressure of the linkage assembly directly on an inner surface of the engagement assembly. The one or more keyed connections can preferably facilitate full retraction of the expandable and engagement assemblies.
US08485271B2 In-computer fire suppression
In-computer fire suppression, the computer comprising an in-computer flame detector and an in-computer fire extinguisher including detecting, by an in-computer flame detector, a flame, releasing, by the in-computer fire extinguisher, an extinguishing agent in response to the flame detector detecting the flame; and disabling the power supply to the computer having within it the in-computer flame detector and the in-computer fire extinguisher.
US08485264B2 Multi-stage modulator
Methods and systems for pulse generation assembly that includes a plurality of staged valves operably coupled serially in a bottomhole assembly of a wellbore tool. The plurality of staged valves are operated in a substantially synchronized manner, thereby generating a series of pressure pulses. The signal strength of the generated pulse signal is multiplied by the number of staged valves in the series, and the pulse generation assembly of the disclosure is less susceptible to jamming, shock, and erosion. Further, by sequentially stopping at least one stage of the assembly and then synchronously rotating other stages, amplitude modulation is accomplished.
US08485254B2 Method and apparatus for in situ extraction of bitumen or very heavy oil
A method for the in situ extraction of bitumen or very heavy oil from oil sand deposits close to the surface, where thermal energy is introduced into the deposit to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen or very heavy oil is provided. Condensed water is used that is introduced into the deposit via an injection pipe and is horizontally conducted inside the pipe within the deposit such that the water can evaporate in situ and the heat can be applied to the deposit. An apparatus including an injection pipe, an extraction pipe, a converter and electrical conductors are also provided.
US08485251B2 Electromagnetic based system and method for enhancing subsurface recovery of fluid within a permeable formation
Systems and methods of enhancing crude oil flow radiate electromagnetic energy in the form of focused far field electromagnetic energy into a permeable formation containing the crude oil so as to cause the oil to decrease in viscosity without a substantial change in temperature of the crude oil, increasing the ability of the oil to flow within the formation toward the well and enabling recovery from the reservoir.
US08485247B2 Heat exchangers for microstructures
A multiple-layered microfluidic device includes at least a first fluid path and at least a second fluid path, wherein the first fluid path includes a layer or portion of a layer of the microfluidic device. The first path has multiple rows of serpentine wall segments positioned there along. The wall segments extend in a direction along the first path. The rows extend along a direction cross-ways to the first path. Adjacent ones of wall segments within a row are arranged such that concave portions face concave portions of adjacent ones of segments, while convex portions face convex portions of adjacent ones of segments.
US08485245B1 Bulk amorphous alloy sheet forming processes
Embodiments herein relate to a method for forming a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy sheets have different surface finish including a “fire” polish surface like that of a float glass. In one embodiment, a first molten metal alloy is poured on a second molten metal of higher density in a float chamber to form a sheet of the first molten that floats on the second molten metal and cooled to form a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy sheet. In another embodiment, a molten metal is poured on a conveyor conveying the sheet of the first molten metal on a conveyor and cooled to form a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy sheet. The cooling rate such that a time-temperature profile during the cooling does not traverse through a region bounding a crystalline region of the metal alloy in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram.
US08485243B2 Method for casting a component
A cast component having localized areas of improved physical properties is disclosed. The component may initially be produced having a void portion in a predetermined area requiring improved physical properties. A second molten material may be added to the void portion such that it chemically bonds to the void portion. The component may then be finished such to a final shape with a localized area of improved physical properties.
US08485242B2 Selective tilting for blinds including driven drums
A tilter system for a window blind permits the slats of the blind to be tilted open or closed in a number of different configurations, including a double pitch configuration, depending on the routing of tilt cables or actuator cords.
US08485240B2 Machine for labeling by means of labels printed on a ribbon
A machine for labeling by means of labels printed on a ribbon comprising a rotating carousel for supporting containers to be labeled, a device for tensioning, a feeder, a drum for cutting and a drum for pasting with a corresponding roller for spreading adhesive, all being mounted on a movable slider between a first position and a second position, the slider being provided with elements for movement along a guide whose direction is tangent to the carousel between the first and second positions.
US08485239B2 Machine for labeling by means of pre-pasted labels printed on a ribbon
A machine for labeling by way of pre-pasted labels printed on a ribbon, comprising a rotating carousel provided with pans for supporting containers to be labeled, and a drum for cutting and transferring each individual label onto the containers which, in the motion of the carousel, progressively face the drum, the machine further comprising a rotating roller, which is adapted to receive from the drum each label designed to be applied to a container that is not present on the corresponding pan of the carousel.
US08485226B2 Three-way valve integrated with radiator
The present invention relates to a three-way valve that is integrally formed with an outlet of a radiator for use in a fuel cell vehicle that advantageously improves thermal management of a fuel cell stack by eliminating the need for the bypass loop of a conventional system.
US08485225B2 Flow control screen assembly having remotely disabled reverse flow control capability
A flow control screen having a flow path between the interior of a base pipe and a filter medium. A valve assembly, including a valve plug, a ball retainer, and a piston body with a collet assembly is disposed within the flow path in an opening of a housing disposed about the base pipe. The collet assembly is radially outwardly constrained by a radially reduced section of the opening in a first position preventing entry of the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained by the radially reduced section in a second position. Reverse flow is initially prevented as internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on a seat of the opening and causes the piston body to shift to the second position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, external differential pressure causes the valve plug to enter the piston body and contact the ball retainer, thereby allowing reverse flow.
US08485224B2 Adjustable damping valve device
An adjustable damping valve device, for a vibration damper, includes a first valve and emergency operation valve, both of which are actuated by a shared solenoid. The emergency operation valve carries out a relative movement relative to the first valve when passing from the emergency operation position into normal operation. A magnetic flux guiding element is arranged in the magnetic flux between the first valve and the emergency operation valve and determines the magnetic flux for the emergency operation valve and for the first valve.
US08485220B2 Automatic flow regulator valve
An automatic flow regulator valve designed to regulate water pressure from a liquid source outlet in the event of pressure surges and/or fluctuations. In an “open” position, the predetermined water flow pressures are not sufficient to overcome a spring force of a spring. Therefore, a sealing plate is maintained separated from a step by the spring force, thus allowing water to flow around the outmost perimeter edge of sealing plate. In operation under water flow pressure surges and/or fluctuations, the automatic flow regulator valve is “closed”. In the “closed” position, the water flow pressure surges and/or fluctuation pressures are sufficient to overcome the spring force of spring. Therefore, the sealing plate is biased against the step and the water does not flow around the outmost perimeter edge of sealing plate since sealing plate is biased against the step.
US08485219B2 Flow rate control using mass flow rate control device
It is possible to respecify the product (mass flow controller) corresponding to multiple types of actual process gases and multiple flow rate ranges, even after the mass flow controller has been shipped. With the mass flow rate control device in an initial state, calibration gas characteristic data is derived by measuring actual flow rate versus a flow rate setting signal using a calibration gas, and this calibration gas characteristic data is then saved to control unit. Meanwhile, actual gas characteristic data is derived by measuring actual flow rate versus a flow rate setting signal for each of a plurality of types of actual gas, and this actual gas characteristic data is then saved to a storage medium. Subsequently, prior to operating the mass flow rate control device, the actual gas characteristic data for an actual process gas is read from the storage medium via a computer, and the calibration gas characteristic data that was saved to the control unit is read out. The calibration gas characteristic data is then converted to controlled flow rate correction data based on the actual gas characteristic data, and the controlled flow rate correction data is saved to the control unit. Actual gas flow rate is corrected based on this controlled flow rate correction data.
US08485209B2 Mosquito spring net
A collapsible mosquito spring net assembly includes a support structure having a front support ring, a back support ring, and a spring coil support. A mosquito net covers the support structure. The collapsible mosquito spring net assembly further includes closure elements and a net cover assembly including a net, an elastic element, and an elastic pull for opening and closing the spring net assembly. The collapsible mosquito spring net optionally comprises an outer lower cover. A method for protecting users from exposure to insects includes: providing a collapsible mosquito spring net assembly; setting up the mosquito spring net assembly on the floor, ground, or other surface by releasing the closure elements; and securing the net cover assembly from inside the mosquito spring net assembly by pulling taut the elastic pull.
US08485203B2 Surface cleaning with concurrently usable prespray and rinse units
A soiled surface cleaning system is described for pre spraying soiled surface areas, and for rinsing and extracting the pre sprayed soiled surface areas, wherein the pre spraying of the soiled surface areas does not have to be stopped in order to perform the rinsing and extracting of the pre sprayed soiled surface areas. The system includes a prespray unit having a proportional pump driven by water from a water service line. The pump mixes the water with prespray and feeds the diluted prespray to a spray gun. The system also includes a rinse unit having a triplex pump that receives water from the water service line, increases the water's pressure, and feeds the pressurized water to an injector. The injector mixes the water with a rinse agent and feeds the diluted rinse agent to a nozzle arrangement on an extraction wand. In use, areas of the soiled surface are first pre sprayed with the diluted prespray. The diluted prespray is allowed to dwell on the pre sprayed areas. After the dwell time of the diluted prespray on a pre sprayed area has elapsed, the pre sprayed area is rinsed and extracted with the extraction wand. This system allows the prespray unit to continue pre spraying soiled areas at the same time as the rinse unit is rinsing and extracting pre sprayed areas having elapsed dwell times.
US08485183B2 Systems and methods for triggering and cycling a ventilator based on reconstructed patient effort signal
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, methods and devices for respiratory support. As one example, a method for respiratory support is described that includes providing a measured pressure, and calculating a net flow based on at least one measured inlet flow and measured outlet flow. A relationship between a first value related to the measured pressure, a second value related to the measured net flow and a third value related to patient effort is used to provide a prediction of patient effort. An interim value is updated based at least in part on the prediction of the patient effort, and used to help compute a patient effort. A ventilation cycle is initiated using the computed patient effort.
US08485181B2 Method and system for controlling breathing
The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling breathing of a patient. A system for controlling breathing of a patient includes a respiratory conduit. The respiratory conduit is configured to be coupled to a patient interface device and is further configured to be coupled to a pressurized air generating device. The respiratory conduit includes at least two air flow control devices, positioned between the patient interface device and the pressurized air generating device. The respiratory conduit includes at least two volumes, wherein one volume is positioned between a first air flow control device and a second air flow control device and another volume is positioned between a second air flow control device and a third air flow control device.
US08485174B2 Ball launcher
The present invention generally relates to an automated ball launching method and apparatus. The apparatus includes ball pick and place mechanisms, an air cannon, spin and velocity inducing belt drive assemblies, electric leveling jack stands, electric angle linear drive, and a computer control system. The apparatus is capable of automatically controlling ball spin, velocity, and launch angle.
US08485172B2 Pneumatic firing device for a paint ball gun
A device for controlling the firing of a paint ball gun includes a shell having a muzzle, a ball inlet, and a gas inlet, forward, intermediate and rear ports, and a main line; a reciprocating member communicating with the main line; a sleeve assembly comprising forward and rearward sleeves releasably secured together, the rearward sleeve comprising peripherally arranged inlet ports, a peripheral first port communicating with the rear port, and a peripheral second port communicating with the intermediate port; a plunger slidably disposed in the forward sleeve and comprising a first peripheral space defined between the plunger and the forward sleeve; a retaining sleeve in the rearward sleeve and extending into the plunger; a sliding valve in the retaining sleeve, the sliding valve comprising a transverse passageway; a cylindrical block comprising a transverse passageway; and a hollow retaining member releasably secured to both the rearward sleeve and the block.
US08485170B1 Projectile launcher with internal bow
The projectile launcher with internal bow includes a riser base, an elongate barrel assembly attached to the riser base, a crank mechanism attached to the back of the barrel assembly, a trigger assembly, and an internal bow assembly mounted to the riser base. The crank assembly includes a rotatable crank for selective reciprocation of a cocking pawl carriage riding inside a rail system in the barrel assembly. A biased cocking pawl in the pawl carriage selectively engages a projectile stirrup carriage riding on top of the rail system to push the stirrup carriage into a cocked position. The internal bow assembly includes reversed and vertically spaced, upper and lower resilient bow arms and respective pulleys and cables interconnecting the bow arms and the stirrup carriage. Cocking of the stirrup carriage flexes the bow arms in preparation for placement and firing of a projectile.
US08485169B2 Single cam compound bow
Improved compound archery bow features a cable guard that separates the crossing inside cable segments allowing the intersection locus of the crossing cable inside segments to freely glide through the guard as the bow is drawn and released, a dual cam power pulley having a power lobe cam presenting a power cable race spiraling outward on a side face of an elliptical draw lobe cam presenting a draw-lobe cable race where the power cable winds as the inside drawstring cable segment unwinds from around the power cable race of the power lobe cam, and the outside drawstring cable segment unwinds from and winds-up around the draw-lobe cable race of the elliptical draw lobe cam as the bow is drawn and released, and bow-limb mounting and limb-pod structures at the respective ends of the bow riser for anchoring, aligning and supporting extending bow limbs for flexure.
US08485164B2 Oil mist separator
A crankcase ventilation oil mist separator system, comprising: a first separator unit, which has at least one filter body arranged in a blow-by gas path such that blow-by gas flows through the body; a second separator unit which is arranged in a bypass path that bypasses the first separator unit; and a bypass valve which opens the bypass path when a differential pressure in the first separator unit exceeds a predefined value, wherein the second separator unit is an impactor separator.
US08485161B2 Opposed piston, compression ignition engine with single-side mounted crankshafts and crossheads
In an opposed piston, compression ignition engine two crankshafts are single-side mounted with respect to a row of cylinders, which is to say that the crankshafts are mounted so that their axes of rotation lie in a plane that is spaced apart from and parallel to a plane in which the axes of the cylinders lie. Each piston of the engine is coupled to one of the crankshafts by a single linkage guided by a crosshead. The piston has a piston rod affixed at one end to the piston. The other end of the piston rod is affixed to the crosshead pin. One end of a connecting rod swings on the pin and the other end is coupled to a throw on a crankshaft. Each crosshead is constrained to reciprocate between fixed guides, in alignment with the piston rod to which it is coupled.
US08485159B2 High-pressure pump
The invention relates to a high-pressure pump (2) for a fuel injection system (1) of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a common-rail injection system, comprising a driveshaft (21) supported by at least one bearing (23, 24) arranged in a bearing return (31, 31′, 31″), wherein, downstream of the at least one bearing (23, 24), at least one valve (27, 28) is arranged, wherein the at least one valve (27, 28) has an opening pressure of 0.1 bar to 0.8 bar.
US08485138B2 Water heater with temporary capacity increase
A water heater may be configured to temporarily increase its hot water capacity by heating water to a higher boost temperature. In some instances, the water heater may include a main controller that can accept a boost request from a remote controller, and thus may temporarily provide additional hot water capacity without, for example, requiring a homeowner to go down to the basement, out to the garage, or wherever the water heater happens to be to make manual adjustments to the water heater settings.
US08485135B2 Livestock brushing devices
A brushing device for brushing livestock has an oblong brush (2) that can be set in motion by a motor (6). A carrying means for carrying the brush comprises at least one flexible element (10a, 10b). In the absence of a force acting externally upon the brush (2), the brush (2) has a substantially vertical orientation. The at least one flexible element (10a, 10b) of the carrying means permits a swivelling of the brush (2), through a force acting externally upon it, to a substantially horizontal orientation of the brush (2). The at least one flexible element (10a, 10b) is oblong and tubular.
US08485133B1 Mobile platform arrangement
A mobile platform arrangement includes a first (mobile) platform and a second (support) platform. Both are flat-bottomed members, wherein the support platform is preferably, but not exclusively, provided with sidewalls and wherein a diameter of the support platform exceeds an outer diameter of the mobile platform at least twice. The mobile platform is advantageously positioned onto and/or within the support platform. The top surface of the support platform is provided with a friction reducing surface structure. The mobile platform is therefore adjusted to perform gliding motion along and/or over the friction reducing surface, wherein acceleration necessary for performing gliding motion is imposed to the mobile platform by an external force, provided by movement of an experimental animal within the mobile platform. The mobile platform arrangement in addition may include a mechanism for securing a conscious wake and able to move experimental animal, including a head adapter and corresponding mount.
US08485129B2 Teat rubber and milking cup with a ventilation nozzle
To improve the transportation away of the milk within an arrangement comprising a teat rubber and a milk hose which has a curved section, wherein the arrangement has a flow path for conducting away milked milk, which flow path is connected to the surrounding atmosphere via a channel, it is proposed that the channel is designed in such a manner that the flow direction of the air flowing through the channel into the flow path of the milk corresponds essentially to the flow direction of the milk, and the channel is formed in one of the walls of the curved section.
US08485126B2 Coating apparatus including a glove part and a controller for stopping coating
A coating apparatus including a coating part which applies a liquid material including an oxidizable metal on a substrate; a chamber having a coating section in which the coating part applies the liquid material on the substrate and a transport section into which the liquid material is transported; an adjusting part which adjusts at least one of oxygen concentration and humidity inside the chamber; and a control part which stops an operation of the coating part in response to the entrance of foreign object into the chamber.
US08485124B2 Silver thin-film spread apparatus by means of deposition of nano metallic silver
Disclosed is a silver thin film spread apparatus by means of deposition of nano metallic silver, the apparatus comprising: a treatment booth formed at one side with an inlet for inputting a substrate, and formed at the other side with an outlet for discharging the substrate; a transfer device formed at a lower side of the treatment booth for transferring the substrate; a spray device formed at an upper side of the treatment booth for spraying silver solution on a surface of the substrate; a moving device for linearly reciprocating the spray device; and a rotation device formed at the lower side of the treatment booth for rotating the substrate, whereby reflectivity can be enhanced by increasing film compactness and coating uniformity of thin film, where the substrate is rotated at a predetermined constant speed to allow the spray guns to linearly reciprocate and to allow the nano silver thin film to be uniformly spread and deposited on the surface of the substrate at a predetermined constant frequency.
US08485123B2 Imprint lithography
An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a substrate table configured to support a lithographic substrate and a plurality of nozzles arranged to eject fluid onto the lithographic substrate, the plurality of nozzles extending over a distance which is substantially equal to or greater than a width of the substrate, wherein the nozzles, the lithographic substrate, or both, are moveable relative to the other.
US08485116B2 Floating support fitted with a turret including rolling bearings protected from water
An oil production floating support including a disconnectable mooring system for anchor lines to the sea bottom and for bottom-to-surface connection pipes. The floating support comprises a mooring buoy for mooring lines and bottom-to-surface connection pipes, the buoy preferably being an annular buoy. The floating support being characterized in that said turret has a watertight tubular outer structure having a bottom wall assembled in watertight manner to the bottom end of the watertight tubular outer structure. The tubular outer structure contains an inner structure secured at its top end to the hull. The inner and outer tubular structures co-operate with at least one bottom rolling or friction bearing, enabling the inner structure to turn, with the outer structure not being caused to turn when the floating support is caused to turn about a vertical axis ZZ′ of the cavity and of the watertight tubular outer structure. The bottom rolling or friction bearing being situated beneath the surface of the water, but inside said watertight outer structure.
US08485111B2 Table and table system
A table is used in combination with another table having a circular top plate in a top view. The table comprises a top plate on a top surface of which an article can be placed and a support portion that supports the top plate from a lower surface side of the top plate. At least a part of a peripheral edge of the top plate is provided with a contact portion which is formed into a shape so as to contact a peripheral edge of the circular top plate of another table along a circumferential direction of the circular top plate.
US08485108B2 Device for connecting the gangway bellows cover and the chassis of articulated vehicles
A device for connecting the gangway bellows cover and the chassis of articulated vehicles comprises a connecting element (2) having a grip portion (3) which can be stably connected to an end edge (102a) of a gangway bellows cover (102) and an engagement portion (4) which can be stably connected to a portion (200) of the vehicle chassis, wherein the grip portion (3) and the engagement portion (4) are rotatably connected to each other in such a way that they rotate relative to each other about a hinge axis (X).
US08485104B2 Amusement park ride system with crossing paths
A ride system with crossing ride paths. A first assembly is provided that includes a first set of vehicles movable along a first ride path, and the first vehicle set is vertically supported above the track at a first height. A second assembly is provided with a second set of vehicles movable along a second ride path that differs from the first ride path and crosses over the first ride path when viewed in plan view. The second vehicle set is vertically supported below the upper vehicle track at a second height, which may be the same as the first height such that passengers perceive a collision risk at path intersections. The upper track is at a higher elevation than the lower track such that track crossovers occur without interference. A synchronization mechanism synchronizes movement of the upper and lower sets of vehicles to avoid collisions at crossover points.
US08485102B2 Marking ammunition
Marking cartridge for conventional firearms that deposits marking media on impact with a target. The marking cartridge generally comprises a marking projectile containing a quantity of marking media beneath a frangible cap portion and having a more durable exterior surface adapted to engage the rifling of the barrel when fired. The marking projectile also may comprise a receptacle for marking media having a curled lip adapted to remove air during assembly and excess marking media to insure a consistent quantity of marking media is contained within the marking projectile. The receptacle defining a marking media cavity radially spaced from exterior bearing portion wall and having a mushroom shape. The marking cartridge also may comprise an extendable casing.
US08485099B2 Mine defeat system and pyrotechnic dart for same
The invention provides a method and a system for defeating a target containing a flammable or explosive fill and an incendiary penetrating projectile for use in the method and the system. The incendiary penetrating projectile contains a non-detonating incendiary composition that is ignited prior to penetrating a target.
US08485098B2 Decoy with a simple safety device
The invention relates to a safety device (1) for a block of explosive material, forming a missile decoy, that is introduced into an explosive material container (2) with a sabot (4) and an ignition transmission charge (5). The safety device (1) is characterized by a prestressed tube sensor/slide (6) that is connected between the sabot (4), the ignition transmission charge (5) and the explosive material container (2) such that it can release or re-close an ignition channel (13) disposed between the ignition transmission charge (5) and the explosive material.
US08485096B2 Method for drying printing ink and printing ink
A method for drying printing ink containing an inactive active substance enclosed before drying in a reaction-inhibited form in a transport substance, for accelerating the drying of the printing ink on a print medium, includes applying the printing ink to a print medium being dried at a reaction site by supplying energy to the printing ink, and releasing the active substance by an energy supply from the transport substance at the reaction site for activation. A printing ink includes an active substance enclosed before drying in a reaction-inhibited form in a transport substance, for accelerating the drying of the printing ink on a print medium. The active substance is releasable during the drying by an energy supply from the transport substance at the reaction site.
US08485088B2 Cooling channel piston for an internal combustion engine and method for the production thereof
A method for producing a one-piece, lightweight piston consisting of steel and having a small compression depth (S) forms piston with at least one cavity in a shaft aperture region. A piston blank is produced in a first step using a forging or casting method. To form a cooling channel between an annular region and a combustion chamber recess an annular section is formed in one piece onto the wall of a cooling channel in the vicinity of the piston base. The joint produced between the annular section and an outer wall of the cooling channel is sealed by welding.
US08485082B1 Firearm barrel
A firearm barrel that reduces muzzle climb and recoil by tapping a portion of the discharge products near the breech and venting them toward the muzzle end of a firearm. Some discharge products have also have an upward component to reduce muzzle climb, some have a downward or sideways component to lessen the effect of the upwardly directed discharge products on a top mounted accessory such as a telescopic sight.
US08485079B2 Angle cutting machine with exchangeable cutting members
An angle cutting machine with exchangeable cutting members includes a base portion, an adjusting device, a cutting device, a powering device and a positioning device. The adjusting device includes a base board, an adjusting portion and a position limiting portion. An adjusting area and a position limiting area are formed in the base board. The cutting device has a vertical axle and a plurality of cutting members. The powering device can provide power to the vertical axle so that the vertical axle can carry out a reciprocating up-down motion. The positioning device moves along with the cutting device to ensure the correct positioning of the cutting device. Therefore, the cutting members may be fitted to the main body more accurately and more easily and safety in the use of the cutting machine may be enhanced.
US08485073B1 Viper crescent wrench device
A viper crescent wrench device for holding a work piece is provided. Upon squeezing a second handle toward a first handle, a first pawl and a second pawl move an adjusting bar toward the first handle thereby moving a second jaw portion toward a first jaw portion. Upon releasing the second handle, the first pawl and the second pawl releasably lock into place and the second handle readjusts relative to the first pawl thereby repositioning to do the same action again when the second handle is squeezed again until the work piece is secured between the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion. Upon rotation of a release mechanism, toothed notches are rotated out of contact with the first pawl and the second pawl such that the second jaw portion moves away from the first jaw portion under bias of a first spring thereby releasing the work piece.
US08485072B2 Quasi open-end wrench
An improved open end wrench having wrench heads at both ends of a shank whereon both wrench heads have arcuate surfaces and backup jaws coplanar with a common torqueing jaw whereby the torqueing jaw is a machined surface of the wrench shank that extends into the wrench heads and is terminated at reliefs at a depth less than half the thickness of the shank, at the intersection of the arcuate surfaces and said torqueing jaw, therein, when excessive torque is applied the relief tends to close whereby the backup jaw and torqueing jaw become nonplanar to each other, therefore wedging the polygonal fastener being worked.
US08485068B2 Ratcheting wrench
A wrench having a handle and ratchet assembly and a socket wheel. The handle and ratchet assembly has a handle and a first drive member that is rotatable relative to the handle. The socket wheel has a plurality of tool members, a plurality of first lugs and a plurality of second lugs. Each tool member is fixedly coupled to a pair of the first lugs and a pair of the second lugs. An adjacent pair of the tool members share a single one of the second lugs and no adjacent pair of the tool members shares any of the first lugs.
US08485060B2 Bicycle shift operating device
A bicycle shift operating device is provided for operating a shifting device to move a chain between two gears using a guiding portion. The bicycle shift operating device has an operating member, a moving member and a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism selectively maintains the moving member in a first position that locates the guiding portion to a first guiding position corresponding to the first gear, a second position that locates the guiding portion to a second guiding position corresponding to the second gear, and a third position that locates the guiding portion to a third guiding position corresponding to the second gear. The third guiding position is farther from the first guiding position than the second guiding position. The positioning mechanism moves the moving member from the first position to the second position in response to a single operation of the operating member.
US08485059B2 Actuating device having force-feedback
The invention relates to an actuation device for a shift-by-wire-actuated gearshift transmission. It includes a shifter base and an actuating element pivotally supported in a bearing location of the shifter base. The actuation device further includes at least one actuator for blocking the actuation element. Here, the actuator, in addition to its blocking function, is configured for generating mechanical vibrations or oscillations. A tactile feedback for the user of the actuation device with low design complexity is provided for flexible, tactile signaling of switching processes or locked actuation positions of a selection lever. Existing actuation devices can potentially be upgraded for tactile feedback purely by software-side changes.
US08485056B2 Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
A transmission includes an input member, an output transfer gear, first and second shaft members, a countershaft or layshaft, a reverse shaft member, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output transfer gear.
US08485040B2 Flame arrestor for process transmitter
A process transmitter for sensing a process variable includes a transmitter housing, a sensor, transmitter circuitry, a passageway and a flame arrestor. The transmitter housing has an interior. The sensor is disposed within the interior, senses a process variable of an industrial process and generates a sensor signal. The transmitter circuitry is disposed within the interior and connects to the sensor. The passageway is in communication with the sensor and extends through the interior of the transmitter housing. The passageway has a first cross-sectional profile. The flame arrestor is positioned in the passageway. The flame arrestor has a second cross-sectional profile different from the first cross-sectional profile. The flame arrestor produces a path in an interior of the passageway having a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first cross-sectional profile of the passageway.
US08485036B2 Circumferential weld scanner with axial drift prevention
Inspection of circumferential sections of pipe or other conduit using an ultrasonic scanning apparatus is provided, wherein axial drift of the ultrasonic scanning apparatus is prevented using a guide track assembly. The guide track assembly is rigidly coupled to the ultrasonic scanning apparatus in the axial direction, but allows rotational motion of the ultrasonic scanning apparatus directly along the outer surface of the conduit using a drive chain that is driven by a circumferential drive. Secure rotational motion without drift between the guide track assembly and the ultrasonic scanning apparatus is maintained by the rigid coupling and by a spring-loaded wheel housing assembly that maintains contact of wheels that travel along the guide track. The ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a transducer with spring-loaded gimbaling that maintains optimal proximity with the conduit surface. The transducer is translated axially along linear journals that extend along the conduit with a linear actuator.
US08485027B2 Borehole force measurement
A technique facilitates the measurements of forces, such as forces that result from gravity and acceleration. The system and methodology utilize a plurality of electrodes that cooperate with a movable electrode. By applying appropriate signals to the electrodes, the movable electrode can be levitated in a manner that creates a sensor system able to accurately detect forces resulting from gravity, acceleration and similar causes.
US08485023B2 Solvent delivery pump and liquid chromatograph
A cleaning chamber is provided in a seal holder and two cleaning chamber flow paths communicating with the cleaning chamber from outside are provided. A pipe connected to a vessel storing a mobile phase is connected to one of the cleaning chamber flow paths. A pipe as a flow path connected to a mobile phase sucking flow path into a pump chamber is connected to the other cleaning chamber flow path. When the mobile phase is taken in, the mobile phase is sucked into the pump chamber via the cleaning chamber.
US08485021B2 Measuring head for air micrometer
A measuring head is provided for an air micrometer which is capable of measuring an amount of eccentricity between a main spindle and a bush hole. A measuring head (41) includes a measuring-head body portion (42) and a measuring-head tip portion (43), in which: a first measurement air nozzle (51A) and a second measurement air nozzle (51B) are each formed in the measuring-head tip portion to extend in a radial direction of the measuring-head tip portion, and also formed to have an angle of 180 degrees with respect to each other in a circumferential direction of the measuring-head tip portion; individual measurement air supply passages corresponding to the respective measurement air nozzles are formed in the measuring-head body portion; and measurement air is supplied to the measurement air nozzles from the individual measurement air supply passages, respectively.
US08485014B2 Apparatus and methods for imbalance compensation
Provided are apparatus and methods for compensation of mechanical imbalance in a measurement apparatus, that provides options for increased accuracy and/or less expensive manufacture of a torsion balance. Orientation measurements are taken and an imbalance torque about the torsion spring's axis of rotation is determined, and used to calculate a compensation. The measurement apparatus of one embodiment includes a test body and a set of magnets for generating a first disturbing force on the test body in response to a paramagnetic gas. A conductor element in the magnetic field receives an electrical current that generates a second opposing force to the test body, under feedback control that varies the current until the test body achieves a balanced null position. The control signal required to achieve the fixed null position is measured. Corrections are then made for an imbalance mass by measuring the orientation of the apparatus relative to an acceleration or gravitational field and determining the imbalance torque resulting from the imbalance mass. Use of the invention can improve accuracy or reduce the cost of manufacture of a torsion balance, by enabling compensation for imbalances.
US08485007B2 Key organizing device
An organizing device including housing, cover, and sliding mechanism. The housing includes a cavity, at least one open end and at least one sliding mechanism opening extending in the longitudinal direction along the housing for receiving and retaining at least part of the sliding mechanism within the housing. The cover is removeably attached over the open end of the housing. Sliding mechanism includes an actuation portion or thumb actuator and mounting portion for mounting a key or other user device. The mounting portion of the sliding mechanism is positioned inside cavity of the housing and the actuation portion of the sliding mechanism extends though the sliding mechanism opening in the housing. In one implementation, the mounting mechanism may be permanently or removeably fixed to the user device. In the case of a key, the mounting mechanism may be mounted to the key blade to form the modified key. The sliding mechanism is movable longitudinally along the housing to retract and extend the user device in and out of one end of the housing.
US08485004B2 Apparatus and method for forming leather groove
A leather groove forming apparatus includes: a blade holder 43 holding a blade 35 for forming a groove 9 in one surface in a thickness direction of a held leather 5 held in a flat sheet state; blade holder moving unit for moving the blade holder in an in-plane direction of the one surface in the thickness direction of the held leather 5; and blade holder positioning unit for positioning the blade holder 43 in a direction intersecting with the in-plane direction with the blade holder 43 placed on a guide member 55 in formation of the groove in the held leather 5 by moving the blade holder 43 using the blade holder moving unit.
US08484999B2 Water-conducting domestic appliance comprising an expansion opening
A water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, the water-conducting domestic appliance including a washing compartment for receiving items therein that are to be subjected to a handling process by the water-conducting domestic appliance; and a detergent dosing system, the detergent dosing system having a detergent dispenser, the detergent dispenser being configured to receive at least one cartridge that is configured to hold a dosing agent, the detergent dosing system being configured to communicate the washing compartment and an area surrounding the water-conducting domestic appliance with one another in the manner of an expansion opening via which a fluid under pressure in the washing compartment can be released to the area surrounding the water-conducting domestic appliance.
US08484995B2 Glass manufacturing apparatuses with particulate removal devices and methods of using the same
Glass manufacturing apparatuses with particulate removal devices and methods for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fusion draw machine for forming a glass web from molten glass includes an enclosure and a first pull roll and a second pull roll rotatably positioned in an interior of an enclosure. The first pull roll and the second pull roll cooperate to draw a glass web in a draw direction. A particulate removal device for removing particulate matter from the interior of the enclosure is fluidly coupled to the enclosure and includes a vacuum nozzle disposed in the interior of the enclosure and fluidly coupled to a vacuum source with a vacuum line. A particulate filter is fluidly coupled to the vacuum nozzle and the vacuum source and traps particulate matter exhausted from the interior of the enclosure through the vacuum nozzle.
US08484992B2 Krypton xenon recovery from pipeline oxygen
A method and apparatus for producing a krypton-xenon-rich stream in which a pipeline oxygen stream is removed from an oxygen pipeline at ambient temperature and then distilled in a cryogenic rectification plant to produce the krypton-xenon-rich stream from a column bottoms of a distillation column. The plant can generate its own refrigeration by way of a heat pump loop incorporating an expander or, alternatively, refrigeration can be added by means of a liquid oxygen reflux stream introduced into the top of such distillation column.
US08484985B2 Air conditioner system having an externally controlled variable displacement compressor and a clutch and method of operating the same
A vehicle air conditioner system having, and method of operating, an externally controlled variable displacement compressor and a compressor clutch. If the system is operating during conditions when the operating displacement is low, the efficiency of the system is increased by duty cycling the clutch. Operating an externally controlled variable displacement compressor in this manner can also prevent overcooling by the air conditioner.
US08484982B2 Bleed structure for a bleed passage in a gas turbine engine
A bleed structure for a bleed passage in a gas turbine engine includes a first wall portion defining a first side of an opening for the passage, and a second wall portion defining a second side, opposite the first side of the opening. The first and second wall portions end at different positions in an extension direction of the opening.
US08484980B1 Dual-mode combustor
A new dual-mode ramjet combustor used for operation over a wide flight Mach number range is described. Subsonic combustion mode is usable to lower flight Mach numbers than current dual-mode scramjets. High speed mode is characterized by supersonic combustion in a free-jet that traverses the subsonic combustion chamber to a variable nozzle throat. Although a variable combustor exit aperture is required, the need for fuel staging to accommodate the combustion process is eliminated. Local heating from shock-boundary-layer interactions on combustor walls is also eliminated.
US08484974B1 Dual-phase thermal electricity generator
This disclosure relates to a device and system capable of producing electricity by using a temperature gradient and a dual-phase fluid to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. The system relies on a sealed enclosed volume that utilizes a thermal gradient to vaporize and condense a dual-phase fluid. The cycle of the fluid transforming between the two phases is used to turn a turbine to create electricity. The thermal gradient can be enhanced using energy input from the sun.
US08484959B2 Catalyst apparatus and exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine
An object is to provide a technology with which the temperature of exhaust gas can be raised with improved efficiency in cases where a catalyst apparatus including a catalyst having an oxidizing ability is provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. According to the present invention, a catalyst apparatus 6 that is provided in the exhaust passage 1 of the internal combustion engine and to which reducing agent is supplied from upstream when the temperature of the exhaust gas is to be raised is equipped with at least first and second catalysts 4, 5 having an oxidizing ability. The first catalyst 4 is configured in such a way that the exhaust gas flows through a gap between its outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the exhaust passage. The second catalyst 5 is disposed downstream of the first catalyst 4 with a space 10 having a specific width Ws between it and the first catalyst 4.
US08484954B2 High-efficiency SCR catalytic converter
A method and a device for selectively purifying the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine using a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalytic converter (2), wherein a reducing agent is metered to the exhaust gas prior to entry into the SCR catalytic converter (2). An overdose of the reducing agent is added to the exhaust gas, and the exhaust gas, after exiting the SCR catalytic converter, is fed in part through an oxidation catalytic converter (5) and in part to a second SCR catalytic converter (8) via a bypass (6) circumventing the oxidation catalytic converter. In the oxidation catalytic converter (5), one half of the excess NH3 flowing out of the first SCR catalytic converter (2) is converted to NOx and reacts to form non-hazardous nitrogen after mixing with the other half of the excess NH3 flowing unchanged through a bypass.
US08484951B2 Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust treatment apparatus provided in an exhaust passage and a burner apparatus provided upstream of the exhaust treatment apparatus. The burner apparatus includes a fuel addition valve which adds fuel into the exhaust passage, heating means for heating the fuel added by the fuel addition valve, and a small-sized oxidation catalyst provided in the exhaust passage downstream of the heating means. The amount of fuel added by the fuel addition valve per predetermined unit time is controlled to control the position of an ignition point where the added fuel is ignited. Thus, the small-sized oxidation catalyst and the exhaust treatment apparatus can be efficiently warmed up.
US08484947B2 Fluid injector having purge heater
A fluid injector for an exhaust treatment system is disclosed. The fluid injector may have a body, a pin member, and a heater. The pin member may be disposed within the body and have a fluid receiving end and a fluid injecting end. The heater may be disposed about the fluid injecting end of the pin member.
US08484932B2 Vacuum device and method for packaging same
A method for establishing a vacuum in a container includes the following steps. The container having an exhaust through hole defined therein is provided. A sealing cover including a connecting material located on the periphery of the sealing cover is provided. The sealing cover is spaced from the exhaust through hole for form at least gaps between the sealing cover and the exhaust through hole. A vacuum is established in the container. The connecting material is heated. The sealing cover covers the exhaust through hole and the connecting material is cooled. After that the container is packaged.
US08484930B2 Boxed frame member and method for manufacture
A box-type frame member assembly, and a method for assembling the box-type frame member. A first section, having a web, a pair of flanges and a number of holes with locators, is placed onto a fixture assembly with the holes fitting onto pilots. A spacer is placed over each of the pilots and engaged with the locator of the respective hole in the first section. A second section, having a web, a pair of flanges, and a number of holes with locators, is then placed onto the fixture assembly with the holes fitting onto the pilots, and second end of each spacer is engaged with the locator associated with the web of the second section. Finally, the flanges of the first and second sections are secured together.
US08484927B2 Right-angle girder tie
A connector for joining a supported member to a supporting member is formed with a series of angularly-joined flanges. The flanges are substantially planar and are substantially vertically oriented, when joining the supported member to the supporting member. The connector allows the end of a supported truss to be connected to a vertical member in the open web of a supporting truss.
US08484923B2 Bi-parting accessible ceiling system
A suspended ceiling comprising a grid formed of intersecting grid runners and snap-up panels supported on the grid runners, the grid runners dividing a ceiling area into standard modules, the pans being formed of sheet material and each having its sides sized to cover the module size while leaving a space at visible faces thereof between adjacent panels when in an installed position on the grid, at least one adjacent pair of panels being displaceable from their installed positions, the gap between a pair of displaceable panels being closed by a removable runner or the displaceable panels so that when the displaceable panels are displaced from their installed position and any removable runner is removed, an access opening of twice the standard module is made available for accessing the area above the ceiling while adjacent panels at longitudinal ends of the gap between the displaceable panels can remain in respective installed positions.
US08484915B1 System for improving fire endurance of concrete-filled steel tubular columns
A concrete filled tubular steel column includes a longitudinally extending vertical tubular steel shell and an inner tubular steel member disposed at the center of the steel shell. A plurality of spaced vertical steel plates extend from the inner members toward but not abutting the steel shell. In addition a plurality of horizontally disposed perforated pipes extend outwardly from the inner member and have a plurality of meltable polymer plugs or caps to prevent plastic cement from flowing into or closing the openings. In the event of fire the plastic or polymer plugs or caps melt and allow gases and smoke to flow into the pipes and up through the inner member and out therefrom at the top of the column.
US08484913B2 Jamb and frame combination for doors and windows
A jamb and frame combination for doors and windows having an elongated L-shaped cross section member adapted to fit snugly against two abutting side portions of a window or door casing, and including a tongue portion along one distal side portion and extending the length thereof, and at least one removable fastener adapted to pass through the L-shaped cross section member in an area adjacent to the tongue portion and into the window or door casing to thereby hold the L-shaped cross section member snugly thereto. An elongated trim member including a groove portion extending the length thereof and adapted to interlock with the tongue portion of the L-shaped cross section member, such that when the L-shaped cross section member is installed upon a window or door casing, the trim member groove portion can be pushed upon the L-shaped cross section member tongue portion and frictionally held in place and covering the at least one removable fastener.
US08484908B2 Mobile multi-functional shelter unit
A mobile multi-functional shelter unit, for use as a general working area or for storing and maintaining heavy machinery. The mobile multi-functional shelter unit includes a central structure that has a deployed state and a non-deployed state as well as means for translating from the deployed state to the non-deployed state. The central structure has a base section, a central floor mounted on top of the base section, track means for raising a vehicle from a ground surface onto and off of the central floor. The central structure supports a raisable roof assembly and a lateral pullout assembly.
US08484907B2 Methods and apparatus for a building roof structure
A foam core cement construction panel having shear members and lateral rails that form a channel-beam-like structure and novel methods of using the panels to form an integrated roof structure that serves three separate functions: (1) the roof load structure assembly; (2) the roof's exterior waterproof assembly; and (3) the roof's exposed interior ceiling assembly and which can include internal hydronics for added climate control.
US08484904B2 Structure for connecting prefabricated architecture panels
An assembly of prefabricated panels is provided including a plurality of prefabricated panels and mounting brackets, each of the mounting brackets having a strip structure and a plurality of hooks arranged such that the hooks are uniformly spaced apart. Each of the prefabricated panels includes a panel body, a bent section extending from an upper end of the panel body to define at least a portion of a coupling recess, and an engagement protrusion downwardly protruded from a lower end of the bent section to engage an associated one of the hooks in each of the mounting brackets, thereby allowing the prefabricated panels to be supported by the mounting brackets. The panels are configured such that an upper one of the panels may be fitted in the coupling recess of a lower one of the prefabricated panels when the prefabricated panels are coupled together.
US08484903B2 Seating system
An example of the disclosed seating system includes a plurality of seating risers configured to telescope relative to one another. A roller guide assembly guides movement of the risers, and a lock assembly locks a lower level riser relative to a higher level riser when in a deployed position.
US08484900B2 Control of an access opening in a body of a vehicle
A system for controlling an access opening in a vehicle body includes first and second doors arranged to selectively open and close first and second portions of the opening. The system also includes a device operatively connected to the first door and configured to be selectively retracted before at least one of the first and second doors is opened. The device is also configured to be protracted when the first and second doors are closed to thereby seal the first and second portions of the access opening. The system additionally includes a controller configured to selectively retract and protract the device. Furthermore, the system includes a sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to detect an impact exceeding a threshold intensity on the body and communicate a signal indicative of the impact to the controller. The controller retracts the device upon receipt of the signal from the sensor.
US08484899B2 Driving and driven sealing systems for single-hung door/window
A combination sealing system includes a driving sealing system, a driven sealing system, and a drive system. The driving sealing system includes a tongue attached to and extending away from a sash of a first panel, and a receiver attached to and within a frame. The driven sealing system includes a rotational member connected to a meeting rail of a second panel, and a first catch connected to a meeting rail of the first panel. The drive system is attached to the receiver and the rotational member. The first catch is configured to engage the rotational member. The receiver is configured to receive the tongue. The first panel is movable between an open position and a completely closed position. Prior to the first panel being in the completely closed position, the drive system transfer motion within the drive sealing system to the driven sealing system.
US08484895B2 Door configuration with a pivoting door and sliding door function which can be actuated by a single actuating element
A door configuration, which improves the operating and locking mechanism and facilitates construction and handling, comprising a door having a sliding door disposed on a casement such that it can be slidably displaced and the casement can he pivoted about an axis relative to a main frame. A lock is provided for locking and unlocking the casement with respect to the main frame, and an operating element is disposed on the sliding door, which can be moved with the sliding door and can be switched between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the operating element does not obstruct movement of the sliding door on the casement, and, in the second position, the operating element engages with the latch or a carrier, such that, when the casement is closed, the latch is operated when the sliding door is moved.
US08484882B2 Forward mounted gun sight with illumination apparatus
The present invention is a rail mounted back-up sight with at least one, but preferred two, illumination apparatuses mounted thereon. The back-up sight features a sight housing that is configured to selectively alternate between a stowed and a spring-biased deployed position. Any type of illumination apparatus may be used, but the preferred apparatus is a flashlight, mounted upon wither side of a sight base. Either a front or a rear sight may be utilized as could different types of illumination apparatuses.
US08484877B2 Rifle upper receiver with integral magazine well
Rifle upper receivers with integral magazine wells include an extruded elongate inverted U-shaped channel with an interior bore. The interior of the channel has elements formed as surfaces of extrusion. The surfaces of extrusion provide guidance and support for a magazine and trigger guard assembly pins. The present invention is manufactured by extruding an elongate tube in a closed-box profile with an interior bore, milling a series of slots into the top of the tube, machining a bottom channel opening by removing portions of the bottom of the tube, machining holes in the sides of the tube, and machining a recess in the top of the interior of the tube.
US08484873B2 Front-loading display system
The subject matter of the current invention is directed to a front-loading display system adapted for safe, frequent, and rapid change of displayed objects. The display system includes a base and an object-holding assembly. The object-holding assembly can be releasably attached to the base through the use of a fastener, which allows the base to remain mounted to a mounting surface when changing display objects. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener employs magnetic force to connect the base and the object-holding assembly. The display object is retained between a resting plate and a cover plate, the two plates being releasably attached to each other by the use of at least one holding device, which may be selected from clips, clasps, hinges and elastic bands.
US08484870B1 Apparatus and method to display content in a transparent vessel
An apparatus and method to display content in a transparent vessel. The transparent vessel has a transparent vessel wall, transparent vessel floor, and transparent vessel mouth. Content having a content display surface is rolled up and inserted through the transparent vessel mouth, unrolled inside the transparent vessel, and held flat against a transparent vessel wall inside surface, optionally with the aid of a prod having a non-slip prod tip attached to a rigid prod shaft. Stabilization media such as glass beads or seashells is poured into the transparent vessel and serves to hold the content in a desired display position inside the transparent vessel.
US08484868B2 Laundry treating apparatus
The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus which can make easy drying, deodorizing, crumple removal and sterilization of clothes, characterized in that laundry treating apparatus is provided with a hanger bar for receiving clothes hangers of different shapes.
US08484865B2 Ball control insert
An article of footwear can receive an insert having ball control elements. The ball control elements protrude through a tongue of the upper to engage other surfaces. The inserts may be purchased separately from the article of footwear and interchanged to be used in a variety of conditions.
US08484864B2 Pressure-reducing device
The pressure-reducing device has a body, a heel portion and an elevation portion. The body has a thickness and a body-fore end. The heel portion is defined in the body. The elevation portion is defined in the body and has a rear boundary and a fore boundary. The rear boundary is adjacent to the heel portion and is positioned between the heel portion and the body-fore end of the body. The fore boundary is positioned in front of the rear boundary between the rear boundary of the elevation portion and the body-fore end of the body. The thickness of the body decreases from the rear boundary to the fore boundary.
US08484863B2 Top lift assembly for a shoe heel
A dowelled top lift assembly for a shoe heel including an anchor member affixed or molded to a dowel pin member and a top lift member for contacting the walking surface affixed, molded to and encapsulating the anchor member. The anchor member is made of a harder material as compared to the top lift member, the anchor member being made of a hard thermoplastic material and the top lift member being made of a softer thermoplastic material such as a thermoset polyurethane elastomer or a softer thermoplastic polyurethane. The anchor member may include one or more ridges for cooperatively engaging grooves associated with the head portion of the dowel pin member.
US08484860B2 Clothes treating apparatus
Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus, which treats clothes into a more wearable condition. A clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet; an accommodating space defined in the cabinet to accommodate clothes, and maintained in a stationary state; an air supplying device generating dry air and supplying the dry air into the accommodating space such that the dry air is circulated in the accommodating space, wherein the air supplying device includes an inlet provided at a bottom of the accommodating space such that the air in the accommodating space flows into the air supplying device through the inlet; and a filter assembly installed in the inlet, and filtering the air passing through the inlet.
US08484858B2 Wall contact caliper instruments for use in a drill string
A drill string caliper includes a mandrel configured to be coupled within a drill string. At least one laterally extensible arm is coupled to an exterior of the mandrel. A biasing device is configured to urge the at least one arm into contact with a wall of a wellbore. A sensor is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to a lateral extent of the at least one arm.
US08484857B2 Component for axially aligning two shafts through intermediary materials
A shaft alignment component for aligning a rotatable shaft positioned within a housing of a driven device with a motor shaft of a motor positioned outside of the housing of the driven device is disclosed. The component includes a body portion having an opening formed therethrough to receive the rotatable shaft and/or the motor shaft therein, a first alignment feature configured to interface with an alignment hub on the motor to position the motor shaft along a centerline axis of the shaft alignment component, and a second alignment feature comprising a chamfered surface configured to interface with a countersunk feature on the housing. The chamfered surface is configured to interface with the countersunk feature to self-align the shaft alignment component with the housing such that the rotatable shaft of the driven device is positioned along the centerline axis of the shaft alignment component and aligned with the motor shaft.
US08484855B1 Flexible plastic utensil
A convenient and functional spoon-like utensil, easily transformed from the integrated composite of a thin piece of plastic adhered to a typical foil-type lid material used currently in the food industry. When the composite is rolled or folded, it forms a strong, ridged utensil with which to consume the food contents while “on-the-go.”
US08484853B1 Hair cutting device with vacuum hair collection system
The present invention may be used for vacuum hair collection for a hair clipper. A conduit may be positioned in the clipper and may have a nozzle positioned adjacent to a cutting blade a forward end of the clipper. The conduit may have a rear opening at a rear end of the clipper. There may be a constriction section formed in the conduit adjacent the nozzle. The conduit may have a nondecreasing cross sectional interior dimension from the constriction section to the rear opening.
US08484849B2 Hair remover
A hair remover including a cylindrical outer blade and an inner blade rotatably accommodated in the outer blade. The outer blade includes a side wall, a bend, and an upper wall that are continuous with each other. A first cutting edge is arranged on the upper wall and the side wall. The inner blade includes a second cutting edge arranged so as to clip hair in cooperation with the first cutting edge of the outer blade. The hair remover further includes a relief arranged on at least either one of the inner blade and the outer blade to prevent contact between the inner blade and the bend of the outer blade.
US08484840B2 Leading wiring method, leading wiring program, and leading wiring apparatus
When a formed position of a via formed on a board is the same as a position of a footprint of a chip component located on the back surface of the board corresponding to an area on which a BGA is mounted, a board designing apparatus determines that the chip component and the BGA can be connected using chip on hole. When it is determined that the chip component and the BGA can be connected, the board designing apparatus carries out chip on hole by forming a via in an area of the board on which the BGA is mounted, the via leading to the footprint of the chip component located on the back surface of the board.
US08484838B2 Method for constructing a capacitance sensing device
Embodiments for constructing capacitance sensing devices include, but are not limited to, forming a plurality of electrodes on a central portion of a substrate, the substrate comprising a central portion and an outer portion, forming a first plurality of conductors on the substrate, each of the first plurality of conductors being connected to and extending from at least one of the plurality of electrodes, and forming an insulating material on the outer portion of the substrate and at least partially over some of the first plurality of conductors. The constructing also includes forming a second plurality of conductors on the insulating material, wherein the second plurality of conductors and the insulating material are configured such that each of the second plurality of conductors is electrically connected to at least some of the first plurality of conductors and is insulated from the others of the first plurality of conductors.
US08484831B2 Methods of forming insulated wires and hermetically-sealed packages for use in electromagnetic devices
A method includes coating a conductive wire with a paste comprising a first inorganic dielectric material, an organic binder, and a solvent to form a coated wire, drying the coated wire at a first drying temperature to remove at least a portion of the solvent and form a green wire, winding the green wire around a core to form a green assembly, heat treating the green assembly at a decomposing temperature above the first temperature and below a melting point of the first inorganic dielectric material to decompose the organic binder to form an intermediate assembly, and exposing the intermediate assembly to a densifying temperature that is above the decomposing temperature and substantially equal to or above the melting point of the first inorganic dielectric material to densify the dielectric material on the conductive wire.
US08484829B2 Methods for manufacturing magnetic components having low probile layered coil and cores
Methods of manufacturing low profile magnetic components configured as a power management devices for an electrical system of an electronic device involve prefabricated coil windings assembled with a plurality of flexible dielectric sheet layers, and laminating the plurality of flexible dielectric sheets around the prefabricated coil windings to form a dielectric body having a low profile chip configuration attachable to the electronic device.
US08484825B2 Method of producing an aluminum base part
An aluminum base part is composed of a forging cast product produced by a forging cast process and a nickel chromium plating layer formed on the forging cast product. The nickel chromium plating layer is composed of a semibright nickel plating layer formed on the forging cast product and having a thickness of 5 to 10 μm, a bright nickel plating layer 33 formed on the semibright nickel plating layer 31 and having a thickness of 5 to 10 μm, and a chromium plating layer 37 formed on the bright nickel plating layer 33 and having a thickness of 0.5 to 3 μm. The present invention adopts a forging cast product rather than a cast product. The forging cast product has a smooth surface, so that a plating layer can be directly formed on the surface of the forging cast product without forming an undercoat resin layer.
US08484821B2 Device for securing trim to a seat
A seat assembly machine includes a plurality of grippers useful for securing a piece of trim to a seat cushion. In a disclosed example, each gripper includes a plurality of prongs that are moved between neutral, closed and released positions that each facilitate a different portion of the assembly process. In one example, each gripper includes a sleeve within which the prongs are moveable so that the prongs are manipulated between the neutral, closed and released positions. A disclosed example sleeve includes an interior channel having a contour that manipulates the prongs between the different positions based on the location of the prongs within the sleeve.
US08484814B2 Three point release buckle
A three point buckle release buckle includes male and female components establishing releasable latch connections at opposite sides of the buckle and a center latch. The center latch is formed by a fixed catch point in the female component and a deflectable bar of the male component. A release button is depressed against the deflectable bar to release the center latch.
US08484806B2 Ergonomic hand grip
An ergonomic hand grip assembly is provided for attenuating shocks and impacts and reducing discomfort occasioned by use. The assembly includes a novel slotted sleeve member disposed between an elastomeric outer cover and an inner control member.
US08484803B2 Rotational hinge
A rotational hinge including a first casing linkage; a second casing linkage; a hinge linkage; and a synchronization linkage, wherein the synchronization linkage is coupled to the first casing linkage and the second casing linkage to synchronize a fixed rotational axis and a moving rotational axis that provides one or more degrees of rotation.
US08484789B2 Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes are provided which have various features that may include one or more tooth cleaning elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, one or more gum treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, and/or one or more soft tissue/tongue treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes.
US08484780B1 Height adjustable apparatus with radius arm and idlers
The invention has a deck that is supported by a first lever and a second lever. The first and second levers can be connected with a drag link. An actuator can be pivotally connected relative to but not directly to the deck. The location of the actuator relative an arm of the first lever is controlled with a control arm. A caster carriage and four idlers can also be provided. The idlers pivotally interconnect the first and second levers with the caster carriage. A radius arm can be connected to the caster carriage and to an arm of one of the levers. In this regard, the radius arm can be relatively long and can act in tandem with the respective lever and the idlers to minimize the horizontal shifting of the deck as the apparatus is raised and lowered.
US08484776B1 Cradle
The present invention disclose a new cradle, including: a cradle frame, with a limiting rod extending along the height set on it; a cradle body, which move up and down along the height of the cradle frame; elastic connecting pieces, which are connected between the cradle frame and the cradle body; a noise reducing component, which includes two parallel mounting plates, two opposite 1st pulleys installed on two mounting plates respectively as well as two opposite 2nd pulleys installed between two mounting plates, wherein the rotating axis of the 2nd pulley is perpendicular to that of the 1st pulley and the limiting rod passes through the clearance enclosed by the two 1st and the two 2nd pulleys, with a mounting plate fixed to the body of the cradle. The up and down reciprocating movement can effectively facilitate the baby's sleep (especially having better effects for babies more than one full year old); at the same time, by adopting the noise reducing device and changing sliding friction to rolling friction, the present invention can effectively reduce the noise and resistance generated during the up-down movement of the body of the cradle, so that the baby's sleep will not be influenced due to noise.
US08484770B2 Toilet for the disabled
The toilet for the disabled has a toilet bowl and toilet seat configured to face the toilet tank, thereby enabling disabled and physically debilitated persons to move forward to sit on the toilet seat. The toilet has a pedestal on which the tank is mounted, and an inverted U-shaped support member having legs attached to opposite sides of the pedestal. The support member includes a crossbar handle above the level of the tank that a disabled person may grasp for assistance in moving forward onto the toilet seat and rearward off the toilet seat. The handle may have a resilient grip. The toilet may have two independently flush handle mounted on opposite sides of the tank for operation by right-handed or left-handed users.
US08484768B2 Neck brace
A neck brace (10) comprises an impact surface (39,55) adjacent the neck of a wearer of the brace (10) that it is spaced from a helmet (42) and that is configured to limit movement of the helmet by contacting an underside (46) of the helmet, a bearing surface (15,35) bearing on the wearer's body; and a resilient structure (12) between the impact surface (39,55) and the bearing surface (15,35) for transferring impact loads from the helmet (42) on the impact surface, to the wearer's body via the bearing surface. The brace (10) further includes restraining means (58) that is attachable to the rear of the structure (12) with a releasable clip mechanism (66) and to the helmet (42) to inhibit movement of the helmet. The restraining means is in the form of a tether (58) that is attached to the helmet (42) at two spaced locations and that passes with clearance through an aperture in an anchor element (62,64), to allow the helmet (42) to be moved freely while the tether (58) slides through the aperture.
US08484765B2 Garment pocket for carrying an object in a concealed state
A pocket for a garment is disclosed. The pocket comprises a first layer and a second layer, which is attached to the first layer to form a partially enclosed space. The partially enclosed space comprises a region defined by (1) a first line corresponding substantially to a line of flexion of a hip joint of a wearer of the garment and (2) a second line corresponding substantially to a centerline of a thigh of a wearer of the garment. The region is configured and disposed to substantially conceal an object stored in the region from a person viewing the garment.
US08490201B2 Protecting account security settings using strong proofs
One or more strong proofs are maintained as associated with an account of a user. In response to a request to change a security setting of the account, an attempt is made to confirm the request by using one of the one or more strong proofs to notify the user. The change is permitted if the request is confirmed via one or more of the strong proofs, and otherwise the change to the security setting of the account is kept unchanged.
US08490200B2 Techniques for capturing identifying information on a device user
A technique for identifying a user of a device includes receiving a tracking mechanism trigger and capturing (e.g., periodically) identifying information on the user of the device in response to the trigger.
US08490198B2 Techniques for local personalization of content
Techniques for the local personalization of content are presented. A content personalization service is dynamically pushed from a server environment to a client processing environment associated with a principal on demand. The content personalization service interjects itself between content that the principal attempts to view and access within the client processing environment and modifies and personalizes that content on behalf of the principal before the principal can view or access the content.
US08490189B2 Using chipset-based protected firmware for host software tamper detection and protection
A method, system, and computer program product for a host software tamper detection and protection service. A secure partition that is isolated from a host operating system of the host system, which may be implemented by firmware of a chipset of the host system, obtains file metadata from the host system and uses the file metadata to identify a first file for examination for tampering. The secure partition obtains data blocks for the first file, communicates with a service via an out-of-band communication channel, and uses information obtained from the service and the data blocks to determine whether the first file has been corrupted. The secure partition obtains the file metadata and the data blocks for the first file without invoking an operating system or file system of the host system.
US08490188B2 Systems and methods for assessing the compliance of a computer across a network
The disclosed principles describe systems and methods for assessing the security posture of a target device, wherein the assessment is performed by a scanning computer in communication with the target device via a communication network. By employing a system or method in accordance with the disclosed principles, distinct advantages are achieved. Specifically, conducting such a remote scan allows for the scanner computer to perform a remote scan of the remote device without installing client software to the remote device. Thus, the disclosed principles reduce the need for internal IT resources to manage the deployment and updates of client software on the target device. Also, conducting a remote scan according to the disclosed principles allows for the remote scan to be performed even if the scanner computer and remote device run different operating systems.
US08490184B2 Verification for computer programs that include external call references
A program verification mechanism includes an external call reference verification mechanism that verifies external call references in a computer program. The external call reference verification mechanism checks the computer program after the computer program has been loaded by a loader/linker. The loader/linker stores a list of trusted entry points that specifies a trusted entry point for each external call reference, along with a list of allowable caller code for each trusted entry point. The external call reference verification mechanism determines the entry point for each instruction that is an external call reference, determines whether the entry point is listed as the trusted entry point for the external call reference, and whether the external call reference instruction is in the list of allowable caller code for the trusted entry point. If so, the computer program is verified. If not, verification of the computer program fails.
US08490182B2 Apparatus and approach for electronic data management, processing and implementation
Electronic processing and management of electronic project data is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, project data including incentives data is processed for a plurality of different projects, using authentication to control data communication and access. Incentive-related data fields are automatically updated upon the receipt of project data, and authenticated users are provided access to the data in real-time.
US08490169B2 Server-token lockstep systems and methods
A method of authenticating a client to a service via a network includes retrieving a client ID and a lockstep code from a token interfaced with a client device, sending the client ID and the lockstep code to an authentication server as part of a verification request, at the authentication server, comparing the lockstep code to a confirmation lockstep code relating to the client ID, based on the comparison, sending an authentication message from the authentication server, at the authentication server, generating a new confirmation lockstep code, sending the new confirmation lockstep code to the client device, and updating the lockstep code of the token to an updated lockstep code that matches the new confirmation lockstep code.
US08490164B2 User authentication method, user authenticating device and program product
An authenticating device communicating with a server device includes: a dividing unit that divides secret information into plural secret fragments by a threshold secret sharing scheme; a first generating unit that generates plural cryptographic fragments by encrypting the secret fragments using first plural passwords; a first transmitting unit that transmits the cryptographic fragments to the server device; a first receiving unit that receives the cryptographic fragments from the server device, a second generating unit that generates plural secret fragment candidates by decrypting the cryptographic fragments using second plural passwords; a third generating unit that obtains a verifying information candidate by the threshold secret sharing scheme using a group of the secret fragment candidates; a second transmitting unit that transmits the verifying information candidate to the server device; and a second receiving unit that receives result information of comparing the verifying information candidate with verifying information in the server device.
US08490160B2 Open federation security techniques with rate limits
Open federation security techniques with rate limits are described. An apparatus may include a network interface operative to communicate messages, and a secure open federation (SOF) module operative to manage a message rate between multiple federated networks. The SOF module may comprise a peer authentication module operative to determine whether a peer making the message is an untrusted peer. The SOF module may comprise a peer rate tracking module operative to retrieve a message rate value and a message rate limit value associated with the untrusted peer, and compare the message rate value with the message rate limit value to form a threat status indicator value. The SOF module may comprise a peer authorization module operative to authorize communication of the message based on the threat status indicator value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08490159B2 Method for increasing security in a passive optical network
A method for security in a passive optical network is disclosed. The method includes, at an optical line termination (OLT): detecting an optical termination device and establishing a connection with the device; generating a first authentication message including a first random number; and transmitting the first authentication message through the established connection. At the optical termination device, the method may include: receiving the first authentication message; calculating a first authentication code by using the first random number and a secret code stored at the device; and generating and transmitting to the OLT a second authentication message including the first authentication code. The method may further include, at the OLT: receiving the second authentication message; calculating a second authentication code by using the first random number and a secret code stored at the OLT; and authenticating the optical termination device if the first authentication code matches the second authentication code.
US08490158B2 Firewall including local bus
A gateway for screening packets transferred over a network. The gateway includes a plurality of network interfaces, a memory and a memory controller. Each network interface receives and forwards messages from a network through the gateway. The memory temporarily stores packets received from a network. The memory controller couples each of the network interfaces and is configured to coordinate the transfer of received packets to and from the memory using a memory bus. The gateway includes a firewall engine couples to the memory bus. The firewall engine is operable to retrieve packets from the memory and screen each packet prior to forwarding a given packet through the gateway and out an appropriate network interface. A local bus is coupled between the firewall engine and the memory providing a second path for retrieving packets from memory when the memory bus is busy.
US08490143B2 IPTV session management
A session management involves registering at least one IPTV application (54) in a registration table (170) so that the registration table (170) comprises at least a respective identifier of the IPTV applications (54). The IPTV applications (54) are invokable at a set top box (50) and can be so-called embedded applications and/or browser-based applications. An event requiring the invocation of an IPTV application (54) at the set top box (50) is detected and triggers a look-up in the registration table (170). The registration table (170) is, thus, used as source to indicate those IPTV applications that are potentially available and can be launched at the set top box (50). One of the registered applications (54) and is launched for the purpose of handling the detected event.
US08490140B2 Electronic device and method, recording medium, and program
An electronic device includes a setting unit configured to set an order of priority for attributes of a reproducing device, for each content attribute, based on user instructions, a first obtaining unit configured to obtain attributes of the reproducing device, a second obtaining unit configured to obtain attributes of the content selected by the user, and a determining unit configured to determine an order of priority for the reproducing device regarding which attributes have been obtained by the first obtaining unit, based on the set order of priority, obtained attributes of the reproducing device, and obtained attributes of the content.
US08490139B2 Method and system for pushing content in a broadcast communication system
A push scheduler for communicating push and carousel content and method for operating the same includes a block manager that receives content channel data from the channel listing system and forming a channel block having a channel and a time period associated therewith based on the channel data. The scheduler further includes a schedule manager that forms an assignment by assigning push and carousel content data to the channel block with a predetermined recurrence rate within the block and a material manager that controls the communication of push and carousel content based on the channel block.
US08490136B2 Method and apparatus for providing enhanced electronic program guide with personalized selection of broadcast content using affinities data and user preferences
An apparatus and method are provided to inform a user of a broadcast stream, which has multiple, concurrently received channels of program content, about recommendations of a subset of the content currently playing across the available channels or to be played within a selected future time period. The subset of content is selected based on user preferences and system data (e.g., program topic and channel affinities among the broadcast content and channels) to recommend a more diverse subset of content than would be discovered if only user preferences were employed to make the selection of recommended content.
US08490127B2 Distributed TV access system
Distributed navigation of broadcast signals is provided through an on-line application connected through a second network connection. A customer receives the broadcast signals through a first network connection, and navigates the broadcast TV content through an on-line application by a browser connected through a second network connection. The present on-line application provides flexible and re-configurable content services, which will need to be customized once for each service provider, but will render consistently on a variety of PC and non-PC client devices. Further, the present on-line application can provide targeted advertising by maintaining an advertising profile for each viewer, determined in part by recording data about the navigating of the content of the broadcast signals, and by recording a plurality of selections of the viewer transmitted to the on-line application. The on-line capability further provides ease for roaming access.
US08490117B1 Bridging script engines
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for bridging script engines. In one aspect, a method includes providing a first script engine to interpret scripts of a first script type; providing a second script engine to interpret scripts of a second script type; and bridging between the first script engine and the second script engine, wherein the bridging includes sharing identifiers defined for the first script engine with the second script engine, the sharing allowing scripts in the first script engine to refer to identifiers defined for the second script engine and scripts in the second script engine to refer to identifiers defined for the first script engine.
US08490104B2 Method and apparatus for reservation and reallocation of surplus resources to processes in an execution space by a local resource manager after the execution space is generated succeeding the initialization of an application for which the execution space is created and the resources are allocated to the execution space by a global resource manager prior to application execution
A certain process included in a first execution space requests a local resource manager to allocate a resource. The local resource manager obtains the authentication ID of the process issuing the request and determines whether or not the resource can be allocated. If the resource can be allocated and the resource previously secured in the execution space can suffice the request, the local resource manager allocates the resource to the process. If the resource is insufficient, the local resource manager requests a global resource manager to allocate the resource. The global resource manager obtains the authentication ID of the first execution space issuing the request and determines whether or not the resource can be allocated. If it is determined that the resource can be allocated, the resource is allocated to the first execution space.
US08490101B1 Thread scheduling in chip multithreading processors
A computer system includes an integrated circuit that has a plurality of processing cores fabricated therein and configured to perform operations in parallel. Each processing core is configured to process multiple threads, where a thread is assigned to one of the plurality of processing cores dependent on a cache hit rate of the thread.
US08490100B2 Terminal and method for performing device management scheduled based on threshold
Commands for device management to be executed within a terminal and threshold-based conditions for executing such commands included within a scheduling context are provided to the terminal ahead of time. Therefore, the terminal can perform the commands for device management, before errors occurs within the terminal since a value of a particular management object reaches the threshold.
US08490090B2 Multilevel support in a nested virtualization environment
A method of handling an event occurring in a nested virtualization computing environment is provided, wherein N hypervisors are executed nestedly, with a first hypervisor running at level zero (L0) directly over a host machine, and other hypervisors nestedly running at levels L1 to Ln, respectively. The method comprises trapping an event generated by software running at level Ln; determining a hypervisor x at level Lx designated for handling the trapped event; and wherein the hypervisor x emulates features needed for performing the trapped event for the software running at the level Ln.
US08490088B2 On demand virtual machine image streaming
On demand image streaming (ODS), in one aspect, may perform both copy-on-write and copy-on-read to gradually bring data on remote storage server to a host's local disk. Prefetching may be performed during the time the resources are otherwise idle to bring in data from the remote storage server to the host's local disk. A new image format and the corresponding block device driver for a hypervisor or the like may be also provided. ODS' image format may include a header and a bitmap that indicates whether the data sectors are on local disk or remote storage server, and an image content, for instance, stored in raw format.
US08490079B2 Information processing apparatus and installation method
The installation of multiple applications by an installer is executed in a mode that does not display an error message in a display device. Upon an installation performed by the installer ending, the result of the installation performed by the installer is determined. As a result of the determination, an installer that failed at the installation is caused to re-execute the installation of the application whose installation failed in a mode that displays an error message in the display device. As a result of the re-execution, an error message is displayed in the display device by the installer that failed at the installation.
US08490072B2 Partitioning operator flow graphs
Techniques for partitioning an operator flow graph are provided. The techniques include receiving source code for a stream processing application, wherein the source code comprises an operator flow graph, wherein the operator flow graph comprises a plurality of operators, receiving profiling data associated with the plurality of operators and one or more processing requirements of the operators, defining a candidate partition as a coalescing of one or more of the operators into one or more sets of processing elements (PEs), using the profiling data to create one or more candidate partitions of the processing elements, using the one or more candidate partitions to choose a desired partitioning of the operator flow graph, and compiling the source code into an executable code based on the desired partitioning.
US08490070B2 Unified mobile platform
The present invention teaches a variety of systems, platforms, applications, and methods, and relates to mobile platforms, embedded native applications, Java virtual machines, user interfaces, and the like. The present invention discloses a mobile platform which unifies the worlds of the Java virtual machine and native applications to provide a unified and consistent environment for multitasking both Java and native applications within a mobile device.
US08490067B2 Graphical program code coverage
System and method for analyzing a graphical program. A graphical program is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected nodes that visually indicate functionality of the program. The graphical program includes a plurality of block diagrams arranged in a hierarchical manner, including a top-level block diagram and one or more sub-block diagrams, where each block diagram includes a respective subset of the plurality of interconnected nodes. At least one of the block diagrams includes a node that includes at least one of the sub-block diagrams. When a block diagram executes, all the respective nodes of the block diagram execute. Each node in the plurality of interconnected nodes is configured to provide graphical code coverage information when executed. The graphical program is executed, thereby generating graphical code coverage information for the graphical program indicating which nodes executed, which is then stored.
US08490061B2 Profiling application performance according to data structure
During runtime of a binary program file, streams of instructions are executed and memory references, generated by instrumentation applied to given ones of the instructions that refer to memory locations, are collected. A transformation is performed, based on the executed streams of instructions and the collected memory references, to obtain a table. The table lists memory events of interest for active data structures for each function in the program file. The transformation is performed to translate memory addresses for given ones of the instructions and given ones of the data structures into locations and variable names in a source file corresponding to the binary file. At least the memory events of interest are displayed, and the display is organized so as to correlate the memory events of interest with corresponding ones of the data structures.
US08490058B2 Time-based navigation within resource utilization data
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for time-based navigation within resource utilization data. A computer system is configured to present resource utilization data representing performance of computer resources. The resource utilization data is displayed on a diagnostic data trace during the execution of the application. The user can select a desired time range and the resource utilization data within the time range will be displayed at other traces. The diagnostic data trace is still presented so that the user can understand the relation between the selected time range and the overall time length. Further, the user can modify the selected time range by change the extents of the selected time range using resizing tool. The resource utilization data within the modified selected time range, similarly, is also displayed along with the diagnostic data trace.
US08490056B2 Automatic identification of subroutines from test scripts
A system and program product for automatic identification of subroutines from test scripts is disclosed. An instruction class may be coded as a subroutine vector in a vector space model. A test script action may be coded as a test script vector in a vector space model. The test script vector may be compared to the subroutine vector. The test script vector may be identified and labeled. The test script vector may be labeled as a new test script action if the result of comparing is below a threshold value. An identifier may be associated with a new test script action.
US08490052B2 Declarative programming model for authoring and execution control and data flow for resource oriented system
A data set may be managed by a host that provides access to clients through a protocol, such as a RESTful HTTP interface. A resource script may be expressed according to a script language featuring two types of instructions: data set instructions that correspond to the verbs of the protocol, and flow control instructions that alter the flow of execution of the resource script. At runtime, an execution context for the resource script may be selected as a local execution context (through a local script processor that issues protocol verbs to the host based on the data set operations) or a remote execution context (by sending the resource script to a script processor located on the host.) The runtime selection of data context may be executed without having to reconfigure the resource script, and with an equivalent effect on the data set.
US08490051B2 Generic interface for numeric types
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a common generic interface for numeric types in statically typed languages. The common generic interface defines basic arithmetic operations, thereby allowing basic arithmetic operations to be performed on the numeric types. The common generic interface provides support for overflow detection when a result of an operation being performed on a particular numeric type will result in an overflow situation when the operation does not fit within a range supported by the particular numeric types. The common generic interface provides support for one or more mathematical properties to be retrieved for a particular one of the numeric types being used in a particular circumstance.
US08490046B2 Merging line and condition coverage data
An approach is provided that receives a correlation data structure from a memory. The correlation data structure indicates a number of expected test event triggers that correspond to a test case that includes a number of test events. The test case is executed by a computer processor, the execution resulting in one or more resultant data structures stored in the memory. The resultant data structures indicate one or more actual test event triggers that occurred during the execution. A base key value is generated corresponding to each of the resultant data structures. A scalar array is searched for the base key values. In response to finding base key values, a counter corresponding to the base key values is incremented. However, if base key values are not found in the scalar array, then the base key values are added to the scalar array and the added entries are initialized.
US08490036B2 System and technique of pattern matching and pattern replacement
A system and technique to specifies patterns to search for in an integrated circuit layout, and specifies proposed replacement patterns. A description file includes specifications for one or more patterns to be searched for. In the description file, for each pattern, there may be one or more proposed replacement patterns. The description file is read. Pattern matches, if any, in a layout are found. A proposed replacement pattern is tested in place of a matched pattern. If acceptable, the proposed pattern may be used to replace the matched pattern.
US08490033B2 Method and apparatus for designing patterning system based on patterning fidelity
A method which directly incorporates patterning fidelity into the design of a patterning system is provided. A production result of a target pattern is simulated according to a set of design parameters to obtain a simulated pattern. The target pattern is compared with the simulated pattern to obtain a patterning fidelity, and the values of the set of design parameters of the patterning system are adjusted according to a target patterning fidelity to optimize the values of the set of design parameters of the patterning system.
US08490027B2 User control
An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: resolve a user input trace into a first displacement in a first direction and a second displacement in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction; and control a position within a range in dependence upon both the first displacement and the second displacement.
US08490026B2 Painting user controls
The described implementations relate to dynamically painting user-controls. One method dynamically determines a highlight color of a user-control under a cursor on a graphical user-interface. The method also paints at least a portion of the user-control with the highlight color.
US08490024B2 Land plan development
Systems and methods for development of a land plan can include a user interface having a first display module for displaying tool buttons, the tool buttons operable to perform a function associated with a land plan, wherein a first tool button of the tool buttons is operable to define an element of the land plan, a second display module for displaying a set of tool box buttons, each tool box button operable to cause the first display module to display different sets of the tool buttons for performing functions associated with the land plan, and a third display module for displaying information relating to the element of the land plan. The user interface can also include a planning window for generating a graphical representation of the land plan, the graphical representation of the land plan including the element.
US08490019B2 Displaying thumbnail copies of each running item from one or more applications
Methods, user interfaces, and computer-readable media for displaying thumbnail copies of running items for a particular running application on a display are provided. The displayed thumbnail copies are interactive, and provide the user with an easy and efficient way to identify and manage multiple items, such as windows, that are concurrently running. The thumbnail copies are either snapshots or real-time displays of the corresponding running items, depending on whether the running item is minimized or maximized at the time the thumbnail copies are displayed. The user interacts with the thumbnail copies by choosing to either close a particular running item by selecting the closing icon on the corresponding thumbnail copy, or view a particular running item on the display by selecting the corresponding thumbnail in any location other than the closing icon.
US08490018B2 Prioritization of choices based on context and user history
A method comprises identifying, by a computing device, a current context of a computer program; identifying, by the computing device, any related contexts of the computer program that are related to the current context; determining, by the computing device, association relationships between the current context and the related contexts; determining, by the computing device, a user history of menu choice selection with respect to the current context; updating, by the computing device, the user history based on a user menu choice selection and the association relationships; determining, by the computing device, weighted menu choices for a second context of the computer program based on the user history; and presenting, by the graphic user interface, the weighted menu choices for selection by the user in the second context.
US08490017B2 Recording medium, playback apparatus and method, recording method, and computer-readable program implementing stream model information showing whether graphics stream is multiplexed or non-multiplexed with video system
A BD-ROM stores a video stream and a graphics stream. The video stream represents a moving picture. The graphics stream is used for overlaying a multi-page menu on the moving picture, and includes interactive control information (ICS) and graphics data (ODS) used for generating the multi page menu. A PTS attached to a PES packet containing the interactive control information shows timing for the first presentation of a main page the multi-page menu in accordance with the proceeding of the video stream playback. In addition, the interactive control information includes information (selection_time_out_pts) showing a timeout upon which a button on a page of the multi-page menu is automatically activated, and information (user_time_out_duration) showing a timeout upon which a sub-page of the multi-page menu is automatically removed.
US08490009B2 Information processing apparatus, terminal apparatus, content of interest determination method, content of interest determination program, terminal program , recording medium on which program is recorded, and information provision system
Content is displayed in an active display region of a terminal apparatus, and information relating to the display of said content when the content scrolls in accordance with a scrolling operation performed by a user and content identifying information for identifying the content are obtained from the terminal apparatus and it is determined whether or not the user of the terminal apparatus is interested in the content identified by the content identifying information that is extracted in accordance with the information relating to the display of the content.
US08490008B2 Touchscreen keyboard predictive display and generation of a set of characters
A method including receiving an input of a character from a virtual keyboard rendered on a display, generating a set of characters that includes the character, and displaying the generated set of characters at a location that is associated with the virtual keyboard and that is on the display. An electronic device including a display having a virtual keyboard rendered thereupon and a processor, the processor being configured to perform the method. Also disclosed is a keyboard, including a plurality of keys, each key corresponding to one or more different characters of a plurality of characters, wherein in response to receiving an input of a character, the keyboard is configured to generate a set of characters that includes the character, and the keyboard is further configured to cause display of the generated set of characters at a location that is associated with the virtual keyboard and that is on the display.
US08490004B2 Evaluation of remote user attributes in a social networking environment
A computer host is configured to perform a method for defining user attributes with associated verification values for social networking accounts. The attributes concern the user's personal characteristics or attributes. The host publishes the attribute information to other clients together with interactive objects for soliciting corroboration of the attribute information. The host receives feedback information from other account holders, such as survey response data, concerning the veracity of the attribute information. The host processes the evaluation information and the feedback information to provide a veracity score of each attribute reported for each account holder, or for collections of attributes, by weighing the evaluation information and feedback information by a computed reliability factor for each source from which processed information is obtained.
US08489999B2 Shared user interface surface system
The shared user interface surface system is a simple and lightweight collaboration tool that is accessible simultaneously by multiple users through multiple sources. The shared user interface surface system provides a way to share a user interface surface and corresponding shared surface object, and coordinates local manipulations of respective local representations of the shared user interface surface and corresponding shared surface object, and updates the respective local representations with a group representation. The system accommodates diverse collaboration requirements including mixed written and spoken languages, utilization of the accessibility layer for physically disabled and disparate computing resources.
US08489998B2 Method, apparatus and system for coordinated content distribution workflow
A method, apparatus and system for coordinated content distribution include identifying a respective content type and a destination for the content to be distributed, selecting a respective packaging service for packaging the content based on at least the content type and selecting a respective delivery service for distribution of the content based on at least the destination of the content. In various embodiments, when content is ready for packaging a request is communicated to the selected respective packaging service. Subsequently, a request for delivery is communicated to the selected delivery service for delivering the packaged content, The present invention provides an automated media distribution workflow that controls and monitors automated distribution tasks which are integrated with user driven tasks.
US08489988B2 Image forming device, information processing device, and method for outputting a plurality of print preview images when detecting an event that makes production of a printed output difficult
An image forming device is capable of making data communication with at least one printing device through a network. The image forming device comprises: a print job acquiring part for acquiring a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing; an image forming part for producing a printed output by executing the print job; an event detecting part for detecting occurrence of an event; and a print preview processing part for acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the image forming part, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the at least one printing device, and for outputting the first and second print preview images. The print preview processing part acquires and outputs the first and second print preview images when the event detecting part detects occurrence of the event.
US08489982B2 Reusable data markup language
Methods and systems provide a computer markup language, referred to as Reusable Data Markup Language (“RDML”), and a data viewer for retrieving, manipulating and viewing documents and files in the RDML format that may be stored locally or over a network (e.g., the Internet). Generally, RDML permits the browsing and manipulation of numbers, as opposed to text and images like in HTML, and does so by including attributes describing the meaning of the numbers to be attached to the numbers. Documents compliant with the markup language encapsulate machine-readable documentation with numbers and data, and permit the data viewer to act as a combination web browser and spreadsheet to automatically read, interpret and manipulate the numbers and data.
US08489972B2 Decoding method and decoding device
A decoding method decodes N received branchwords produced by a convolutional encoder using a tail-biting convolutional code. N received branchwords are in memory. Viterbi updates are performed on a sequence of branchwords. A first encoder determines a state at the end of the third block most likely to have generated the final branchword in the sequence from the best path metric. A Viterbi traceback procedure is performed from that first encoder state at the end of the third block to determine a second encoder state at the start of the third block of branchwords. A Viterbi traceback procedure is performed from that second encoder state at the start of the third block to determine a third encoder state at the start of the second block of branchwords. A derived tail-biting path is output, if the second and third encoder states are identical.
US08489968B2 Recovery of transmission errors
A method for recovering transmission errors, comprising: receiving a data packet comprising an error detection code associated to data contained in the packet, wherein the data associated to the error detection code comprises primary data and secondary data, checking the error detection code of the received packet to detect an erroneous state of the associated data, when the erroneous state is detected, determining a finite set of candidate values for the primary data and, for each values of the set: determining a marginal likelihood of the candidate value as a function of the error detection code of the received packet, determining a first correlation between the primary data of the received packet and the candidate value, and selecting a corrected value for the primary data among the set of candidate values as a function of said marginal likelihoods and said first correlations.
US08489961B2 Transmitting system and method of processing digital broadcast signal in transmitting system, receiving system and method of receiving digital broadcast signal in receiving system
A transmitting system, a receiving system, a method of processing broadcast signals and a method of receiving broadcast signals are disclosed.The method for transmitting a broadcast signal in a transmitter includes encoding mobile data for forward error correction (FEC) to build Reed-Solomon (RS) frames and dividing the built RS frames into RS frame portions, dividing the RS frame portions into Serially Concatenated Convolutional Code (SCCC) blocks and mapping the SCCC blocks to data blocks and scalable data blocks, corresponding to a plurality of data segments, wherein at least one of the SCCC blocks includes one of the data blocks and one of the scalable data blocks, encoding signaling data including a header and a payload, forming data groups including the data blocks and the scalable data blocks, wherein specific data blocks of the data blocks in the data groups include the signaling data having information for a number of ensembles being a collection of services transmitted through the data groups, interleaving data in the data groups, wherein the interleaved data includes a plurality of data segments, and wherein at least one of the plurality of data segments includes a part of one of the data blocks and a part of one of the scalable data blocks and transmitting the interleaved data during slots in a transmission frame.
US08489956B2 Data processing apparatus and data processing method
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing apparatus which can improve the tolerance to an error of a code bit of an LDPC code such as burst errors or erasure. An LDPC encoding section 21 carries out LDPC encoding in accordance with a parity check matrix in which a parity matrix which is a portion corresponding to parity bits of an LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code has a staircase structure, and outputs an LDPC code. A parity interleaver 23 carries out parity interleave of interleaving the parity bits of the LDPC code outputted from the LDPC encoding section 21 to the positions of other parity bits. The present invention can be applied, for example, to a transmission apparatus which transmits an LDPC code.
US08489951B2 HARQ synchronization method for LTE
A method and apparatus according to the present invention addresses and/or prevents lost protocol synchronization in HARQ systems caused by ACK/NACK errors. One embodiment detects lost synchronization errors for NDI-based retransmission protocols and restores synchronization by sending an explicit RESET message. In response to the RESET message, the transmitter aborts the transmission of a current PDU and transmits a new PDU and corresponding NDI. Another embodiment prevents protocol synchronization errors by sending scheduling grants on a packet by packet basis. The receiver sends a subsequent explicit scheduling grant to the transmitter based on an error evaluation of a received PDU. The transmitter will not send the next PDU unless it receives the subsequent explicit scheduling grant.
US08489948B2 Methods and apparatuses for facilitating error correction
Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating error correction. A method may include receiving a content item and first repair data over a content delivery network via a first network connection. The method may further include receiving second repair data via a second network connection from a remote device having received the content item over the content delivery network. The first and second repair data may be configured to enable error correction of the content item. Corresponding apparatuses are also provided.
US08489946B2 Managing logically bad blocks in storage devices
At least one standard size data block of a storage device is scanned for a logically bad pattern. If the logically pad pattern is detected, a block address that is associated with the standard size data block is added to a bad block table. If the logically pad pattern is not detected, it may be determined if the block address associated with the standard size data block is in the bad block table. If the logically pad pattern is not detected and if the block address associated with the standard size data block is in the bad block table, the block address may be removed from the bad block table. The logically bad pattern may have a first predefined data portion and a second predefined data portion and may be repeated the requisite number of instances to fill the standard size data block.
US08489937B2 Storage subsystem and method for controlling the same
In storage subsystems, due to the significant increase in HDD capacity, the time for executing online verification is elongated, affecting accesses from the host computer. By comprehending the status of accesses to the HDD, the sections where error has occurred and the status of restoration thereof, it becomes possible to detect defective or error sections efficiently at an early stage, according to which the reliability and access performance of the storage subsystem can be improved. The present storage subsystem executes one or more of the following processes: (M1) intensive verification of a circumference of an error LBA, (M2) an area-based prioritized verification, and (M3) continuous verification performed for a long period of time to (V1) an area in which error has occurred via IO access, (V2) a highly accessed area, and (V3) during a period of time when IO access is low.
US08489935B2 System for injecting protocol specific errors during the certification of components in a storage area network
An apparatus comprising an initiator circuit and a target circuit. The initiator circuit may be configured to (i) communicate with a network through a first interface and (ii) generate testing sequences to be sent to the network. The target circuit may be configured to (i) receive the testing sequences from the network through a second network interface and (ii) respond to the testing sequences.
US08489934B2 Messaging system
Input messages are received at respective ports (10, 11, 12) of a message controller 4 from a plurality of external devices (100, 110, 120) which use different protocols. When an incoming message arrives at an input port a message object is created, the message object including a label identifying the respective input port. The conversion and subsequent handling of the messages uses program data which is retrieved from a program data store (5) according to the label indicating the input port. The program data retrieved is thus specified by the input port and allows conversion of messages into a common protocol to allow subsequent processing of the messages. This architecture allows the same program data to be called for external devices using the same protocol. Other processes may also be called from the program data store, covering functions such as validation, data enrichment, and exception handling processes.
US08489923B1 Detecting problems in content distribution
Detecting a problem in a content distribution is disclosed. Performance information associated with a first content player is received form a first client. Performance information associated with a second content player is received from a second client. The information received from the first client and the second client is aggregated. A determination is made, from the aggregated information, that a problem is indicated. Alternate techniques for detecting a problem in a content distribution are also disclosed.
US08489917B2 Remote copying management system, method and apparatus
Storage arrangements including copy information holding correspondence of copy pairs formed from first and second and from first and third logical volumes, as copy groups concerned with a sequence of write data in the computer; and path remote copy relevant information indicating, for each copy group, correspondence of: logical paths; physical paths including the first, second and third storage ports; and take-over path information concerning a relevant path between the second and third logical volumes, needed for the take-over copy pair to take-over the remote copying when failure occurs in the first storage system, and wherein when the management system receives failure information designating a certain path indicated within the take-over path information, a management system determines and displays, by referring to the path remote copy relevant information, copy groups affected by the failure of the certain path.
US08489913B2 Network system and network relay apparatus
The network system is provided. The network system includes: a first processing apparatus configured to provide a specific service; a second processing apparatus configured to provide the specific service, the first processing apparatus and the second processing apparatus having one identical address; a client apparatus configured to utilize the specific service; and a network relay apparatus connected directly or indirectly via interfaces to the first processing apparatus, the second processing apparatus, and the client apparatus and configured to relay packet transmission between the client apparatus and the first processing apparatus or the second processing apparatus, wherein the network relay apparatus forwards a received packet, which is received via the interface connecting with the client apparatus to be sent to the address as a destination, to one processing apparatus in a state enabled to provide the specific service between the first processing apparatus and the second processing apparatus.
US08489911B1 Hardware WCK2CK training engine using meta-EDC sweeping and adjustably accurate voting algorithm for clock phase detection
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing high-performance clock training. One clock training sweep operation is performed to determine phase relationships for two write clocks with respect to a command clock. The phase relationships are generated to satisfy timing requirements for two different client devices, such as GDDR5 DRAM components. A second clock training sweep operation is performed to better align local clocks operating on the client devices. A voting tally is maintained during the second clock training sweep to record phase agreement at each step in the clock training sweep. The voting tally then determines whether one of the local clocks should be inverted to better align the two local clocks.
US08489905B2 Method and system for building a low power computer system
Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an efficient computer server system comprising an efficient power supply unit utilizing a plurality of power-rails to supply electric power to the system components, a special-purpose processor configured to operate as an efficient general purpose server processor while maintaining high performance, and a platform manager configured to control the power supplied to the system components to minimize the system's overall power consumption. Some disclosed embodiments relate to a method of reducing power consumption in information handling server systems comprising configuring a special-purpose processor to be function as a general purpose server processor, selecting a set of power efficient system components based on performance and power efficiency, utilizing an efficient power supply unit and a platform manager to control the power supplied by the power supply unit, and adjusting the processor's frequency to achieve an optimal performance/power-consumption ratio.
US08489901B2 Methods and systems for secure encryption of data
Provided is a data acquisition module. The data acquisition module includes a memory and a controller. The controller includes an encryption module configured to encrypt information written to the memory using a key included in the controller. The key is unique to the controller.Also provided is a method for processing identification information. The method includes encrypting information with a key included in a controller and storing the encrypted information. The key is unique to the controller.
US08489895B2 Microprocessor identity device
A digital identity device for uniquely identifying legal entities. The digital identity device is used for secure electronic communications.
US08489894B2 Reference token service
A reference token service (RTS) is disclosed. Generally, the RTS receives sensitive data items from trusted source applications associated with particular merchants. Upon receipt of a particular sensitive data item from a particular merchant, the RTS identifies one or more reference token pools corresponding to the merchant. Each reference token pool includes a plurality of reference tokens comprising formats and data structures corresponding to sensitive data items and compatible with the merchant. The RTS receives a crypto token associated with the sensitive data item which may not conform to the merchant's formatting or data requirements. The RTS associates the crypto token with a reference token corresponding to the merchant, which is provided to the merchant for sharing and retrieval of the sensitive data item amongst the merchant's various applications.
US08489888B2 Processor apparatus having a security function
A processor apparatus capable of operating in a security mode includes a hash value storage unit and a security control unit including a plurality of access authentication hash values. The hash value storage value stores a plurality of hash values including a user authentication hash value and a plurality of access authentication hash values. The security control unit checks whether a boot code transmitted from a boot memory and a hash value from among the hash values, which corresponds to the boot code, are identical, and determines whether a boot operation and a debugging operation of the processor apparatus are allowed and whether an external user is allowed to have access to a predetermined intellectual property (IP) block. The processor apparatus can ensure debugging, security for the processor itself or security for a predetermined block included in the processor apparatus.
US08489885B2 Method and device for managing digital content
The invention provides a method and devices for managing digital content, the method comprising the steps of sending, by a first device (21), an encrypted content key (202) to a second device (22); sending, by said second device (22) to a third device (23), a license data describing the rights to use said digital content by said third device (23) in response to a request from said third device (23) to use said digital content, wherein said license data includes said encrypted content key (202); and receiving, by said third device (23) from said first device (21), data for decrypting said encrypted content key (202).
US08489877B2 System, method and computer product for sending encrypted messages to recipients where the sender does not possess the credentials of the recipient
A system for encrypting and decrypting messages using a browser in either a web or wireless device or secure message client software for transmission to or from a web server on the Internet connected to an email server or message server for the situation where the sender does not possess the credentials and public key of the recipients. The encryption and decryption is conducted using a standard web browser on a personal computer or a mini browser on a wireless device, or message client software on either a personal computer or wireless devices such that messages transmitted to the web or wireless browser or message client software can be completed and encrypted and signed by the user such that encrypted and signed data does not require credentials and public key of the recipients. A method for delivering and using private keys to ensure that such keys are destroyed after use is also provided. A method of transmitting encrypted messages to a web or wireless browser or message client and decrypting and verifying such messages by recipients who do not possess or who are not enrolled in a PKI and do not have private keys. A method for authenticating the sender/user of the browser, and a method for accessing or generating public and private keys for encrypting and decrypting messages for recipients who are not enrolled in a public key infrastructure.
US08489871B2 Preboot execution environment test device and method
A preboot execution environment (PXE) test device includes a microprocessor, one or more indicators, a network interface, a power connector, and a storage device. The network interface connects the PXE test device with a computer. The power connector connects an external power source to supply a voltage to the PXE test device. The storage device stores a boot loader, an embedded operating system, and one or more programs. The microprocessor executes the boot loader and the embedded operating system to start the PXE test device. The one or more indicators indicate a power supply status and a starting status of the PXE test device. The microprocessor further executes the one or more programs to remotely boot the computer for test PXE of a network card in the computer.
US08489870B2 System for initiating execution of bios (basic input/output system) based on position of display member relative to base member
A computer device comprising a display member coupled to a base member to enable variable positioning of the display member relative to the base member, and an initiating system to automatically initiate execution of a basic input output system (BIOS) based on a position of the display member relative to the base member.
US08489867B2 Monitoring events and incrementing counters associated therewith absent taking an interrupt
A monitoring facility that is operable in two modes allowing compatibility with prior existing monitoring facilities. In one mode, in response to encountering a monitored event, an interrupt is generated. In another mode, in response to encountering a monitored event, one or more associated counters are incremented without causing an interrupt.
US08489865B1 Device, system, and method for single thread command chaining instructions from multiple processor elements
A command chain system includes plurality of processing elements, a memory, and a chain engine. The chain engine is in communication with the memory and accesses instructions in the memory. The chain engine accesses a subroutine stored in the memory. The chain engine sends a command to a specialized hardware. The chain engine performs an action determined by one or more of the operation-code portion, the skip portion, and the loop-count portion of the instruction.
US08489861B2 Split embedded DRAM processor
A processing architecture includes a first CPU core portion coupled to a second embedded dynamic random access memory (DRAM) portion. These architectural components jointly implement a single processor and instruction set. Advantageously, the embedded logic on the DRAM chip implements the memory intensive processing tasks, thus reducing the amount of traffic that needs to be bussed back and forth between the CPU core and the embedded DRAM chips. The embedded DRAM logic monitors and manipulates the instruction stream into the CPU core. The architecture of the instruction set, data paths, addressing, control, caching, and interfaces are developed to allow the system to operate using a standard programming model. Specialized video and graphics processing systems are developed. Also, an extended very long instruction word (VLIW) architecture implemented as a primary VLIW processor coupled to an embedded DRAM VLIW extension processor efficiently deals with memory intensive tasks. In different embodiments, standard software can be accelerated either with or without the express knowledge of the processor.
US08489857B2 Processor cluster architecture and associated parallel processing methods
A parallel processing architecture comprising a cluster of embedded processors that share a common code distribution bus. Pages or blocks of code are concurrently loaded into respective program memories of some or all of these processors (typically all processors assigned to a particular task) over the code distribution bus, and are executed in parallel by these processors. A task control processor determines when all of the processors assigned to a particular task have finished executing the current code page, and then loads a new code page (e.g., the next sequential code page within a task) into the program memories of these processors for execution. The processors within the cluster preferably share a common memory (1 per cluster) that is used to receive data inputs from, and to provide data outputs to, a higher level processor. Multiple interconnected clusters may be integrated within a common integrated circuit device.
US08489846B1 Partition processing system and method for reducing computing problems
A computing system includes a processor and a partition management unit (PMU). The partition management unit allocates partitions of memory and processing time. The PMU can allocate a partition for at least one of the following: 1. a service attack monitor, 2. a virus monitor, 3. a spyware monitor, and 4. a deterministic routine, the deterministic routine being in a separate partition and from a non-deterministic routine. In an alternative, with transition of control between partitions, the computing system enforces 1. a power management mode change, and 2. a preload or change to at least, one of the cache data peripheral settings or FPGA content mode change.
US08489834B1 Automatic class of service provisioning for data transfer within a data center
In general, techniques are described to provide integration between a network management system and a storage management system. A network management system is described in which a programmable processor is configured to receive a message that defines a storage data transfer operation within a storage network controlled by the storage management system, generate configuration data to program one or more managed network devices to service the storage data transfer operation, wherein the one or more managed network devices are connected to comprise a switch fabric, and send the configuration data to the one or more managed network devices to create a network in the switch fabric to service the storage data transfer operation of the storage network.
US08489833B2 Data backup method for flash memory module and solid state drive
A data backup method for a flash memory module is provided. The flash memory module includes a plurality of flash memory units. In the data backup method, a controller is first provided to receive a backup function enabling signal. The controller then configures the flash memory units according to the backup function enabling signal such that at least one of the flash memory units is configured as a backup storage area and the flash memory units that are not in the backup storage area are configured as a main storage area. The controller then checks and receives an updated status of important data in the main storage area and backs up the important data into the backup storage area according to the updated status. Accessing to the backup storage area and accessing to the main storage area by the controller are independent.
US08489831B2 Systems and methods for data snapshot replication using a token in a replication link
Systems and methods for data snapshot replication are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method for data snapshot replication may include inserting a token into a replication link when a data snapshot is generated at a source. The token may be inserted into the replication link while input/output (I/O) operations are quiesced. The method may also include generating the data snapshot on a target in an order that the token is received. This enables systems which are replicating data to also replicate or duplicate snapshots without transferring additional data or re-transmitting the data in the snapshot.
US08489828B2 Control apparatus having non-volatile RAM, protection apparatus and method applied thereto
A control apparatus including a non-volatile RAM divided into a plurality of memory regions including ROM region and RAM region, CPU capable of executing a plurality of types of access to the non-volatile RAM and a protecting portion intervening between the CPU and the non-volatile RAM. The protecting portion includes a register for storing address information capable of specifying address ranges corresponding to the ROM region and RAM region among the memory regions of the non-volatile RAM, access enabling module for enabling the CPU to write data to the ROM region while an enable signal inputted to the protecting portion externally is active, when the CPU performs a write-access to the ROM region, and initializing module for initializing the address information stored in the register to be predetermined address information as an initial value when the enable signal is deactivated after activating the enable signal.
US08489820B1 Speculative copying of data from main buffer cache to solid-state secondary cache of a storage server
A network storage server includes a main buffer cache to buffer writes requested by clients before committing them to primary persistent storage. The server further uses a secondary cache, implemented as low-cost, solid-state memory, such as flash memory, to store data evicted from the main buffer cache or data read from the primary persistent storage. To prevent bursts of writes to the secondary cache, data is copied from the main buffer cache to the secondary cache speculatively, before there is a need to evict data from the main buffer cache. Data can be copied to the secondary cache as soon as the data is marked as clean in the main buffer cache. Data can be written to secondary cache at a substantially constant rate, which can be at or close to the maximum write rate of the secondary cache.
US08489807B2 Techniques for performing refresh operations in high-density memories
Techniques for performing refresh operations is disclosed. In response to a completion of a memory operation, a determination is made whether or not a refresh backlog count is greater than a first predetermined value. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed as soon as possible. In a determination that the refresh backlog count is not greater than the first predetermined value, a refresh operation is performed after a delay of an idle count value.
US08489799B2 Efficient loading of data into memory of a computing system
A method for deploying one or more virtual machines on a host computing system is provided. The method comprises receiving mapping information from a data storage system. The mapping information associates a first data chunk stored in the data storage system with a unique identifier to support deployment of a first virtual machine on a host computing system. Once the mapping information is received, the mapping information is utilized to determine whether any copies of the first data chunk have already been loaded into a memory of the host computing system in association with deployment of the first virtual machine or a second virtual machine on the host computing system. If no copies of the first data chunk have already been loaded into the memory, the first data chunk is retrieved from the data storage system, loaded into the memory, and utilized to deploy the first virtual machine on the host computing system.
US08489794B2 Processor bus bridge for network processors or the like
Described embodiments provide a system having a bridge for connecting two different processor buses. The bridge receives a command from a first bus, the command having an identification field having a value. The command is then entered into a buffer in the bridge unless another command having the same identification field value exists in the buffer. Once the command with the same identification field value is removed from the buffer, the received command is entered into the buffer. Next, the buffered command is transmitted over a second bus. A response to the command is eventually received from the second bus, the response is transmitted over the first bus, and the command is then removed from the buffer. By not entering the received command until a similar command with the same identification value is removed from the buffer, command ordering is enforced even though multiple commands are pending in the buffer.
US08489793B2 Connected input/output hub management
A method for implementing connected input/output (I/O) hub configuration and management includes configuring a first I/O hub in wrap mode with a second I/O hub. The hubs are communicatively coupled via a wrap cable. The method further includes generating data traffic on a computing subsystem that includes the hubs. Generating traffic includes: converting, via the first hub, a request to implement a transaction into an I/O device-readable request packet and transmitting the request packet over the wrap cable; converting, via the second hub, the I/O device-readable (IODR) request packet into a system readable request and transmitting the request over a system bus; converting, via the second hub, the response to an IODR response packet, and transmitting the response packet over the wrap cable; and converting, via the first hub, the IODR response packet into a system readable response packet, and transmitting the response packet over the system bus.
US08489781B1 Detection system and methods
Various techniques are provided to facilitate a detection system to detect a presence of an externally coupled receiver device, such as a universal serial bus (USB) device. In one example, the system generates a reference current and passes the reference current via a conductor to a shared buffer circuit. The shared buffer circuit is adapted to selectively pass the reference current or a communication signal to the externally coupled receiver device. The system switches between a detect mode where the reference current is provided to the externally coupled receiver device and between a communicate mode where the reference current is blocked and the communication signal is provided to the externally coupled receiver device. The system monitors a voltage value of the conductor and the system monitors a time for the voltage value to reach a pre-determined threshold value in response to the reference current. The system detects a presence of the externally coupled receiver device based on the monitored time.
US08489780B2 Power saving in NAND flash memory
Some embodiments of the invention may use a single control line signal as both a wake up signal and as an indicator of a device selection command. In a command-based protocol on a non-volatile memory bus, a host memory controller may assert a signal on a control line to bring all the memory devices on the bus into an operational mode, while concurrently placing a device selection command on the input/output lines. The memory device selected by the selection command may remain operational to perform a sequence of operations as directed by the host controller. The remaining (non-selected) memory devices may return to a sleep mode until a new signal on the control line is received, indicating a new selection command.
US08489768B2 Associated URLVS in exchanges
Web individuals' exchanges can be easily created by users inputting in, through a personal access, their identified URLvs from differing second-top level domain names. An associated identities database and a URLv syntax database can verify that these differing second-top domain name URLvs belong to the same individual. Once URLvs are verified, the URLvs are stored in individual's personal data repositories, which can extract data from the stored URLvs' webpages, including through using APIs. The result is that URLvs can be used to easily input data into prior-art web exchanges, or can create new web exchanges by multiple people inputting in their URLvs to the new web exchange. These features enable data portability of the individual's own data and weaken current monopoly individuals' exchange websites.
US08489750B2 Load-balancing cluster
A load-balancing cluster includes a switch having a plurality of ports; and a plurality of servers connected to at least some of the plurality of ports of the switch. Each server is addressable by the same virtual Internet Protocol (VIP) address. Each server in the cluster has a mechanism constructed and adapted to respond to connection requests at the VIP by selecting one of the plurality of servers to handle that connection, wherein the selecting is based, at least in part, on a given function of information used to request the connection; and a firewall mechanism constructed and adapted to accept all requests for the VIP address for a particular connection only on the server that has been selected to handle that particular connection. The selected server determines whether it is responsible for the request and may hand it off to another cluster member.
US08489742B2 System and method for work management
A system is disclosed for facilitating relationship-centric authorization of transactions in a manner which provides optimum scalability and availability by logically partitioning key servers in conjunction with partitioning a resource associated with a group of consumers across the set of logical servers associated therewith.
US08489731B2 Content delivery network with customized tracking of delivery data
A custom tracking system can provide functionality for operators of content sites to specify types of content delivery data to be tracked in a content delivery network. The custom tracking system can propagate operator tracking preferences to edge nodes in the content delivery network, such as delivery servers, which can track delivery data according to the preferences. The custom tracking system can use one or more tracking filters to reduce the storage burden of certain tracking requests while still providing relevant results. The custom tracking system can output results of the custom tracking for presentation to the content site operator.
US08489729B2 System and method for social service event processing and management
An event processing mechanism is provided as a system interface between software applications that contain events that need to be processed, a BRF program that executes event rules, and workflow processes that capture the processing of the events. A social service eventing program enables centralized and streamlined event processing by receiving event information from software applications, assigning appropriate event rules based on the received information and applicable business or regulatory rules, prioritizing event rules, setting and communicating applicable event rules to parameterized rules to be executed by a BRF program.
US08489728B2 Model-based system monitoring
Model-based system monitoring includes accessing a model of a system that includes multiple components and executing a monitoring policy to monitor performance of the system. A notification of a problem is received from a first component. A determination is made regarding the cause of the problem. The determination is made, at least in part, based on the model of the system. At least one component associated with the cause of the problem is then identified.
US08489727B2 Active storage area network discovery system and method
An active SAN discovery system and method responds to events occurring in SAN by automatically broadcasting for information related to the occurred events and updating the SAN topology according to the collected information.
US08489724B2 CNAME-based round-trip time measurement in a content delivery network
Round-trip time (RTT) for communication between an edge point of presence (POP) in a content delivery network (CDN) and a local domain name server (LDNS) is determined by resolution of a canonical name (CNAME) record. A first server in a first edge POP in a CDN receives a request to resolve a domain name from a LDNS and transmits a CNAME record including a timestamp indicating when the CNAME record was transmitted to the LDNS. The first server subsequently receives a request from the LDNS to resolve the CNAME record and determines a RTT time indicating the time needed for round-trip transmission between the LDNS and the first server based on the time when the request to resolve the CNAME request was received by the first server and the time indicated by the timestamp.
US08489722B2 System and method for providing quality of service in wide area messaging fabric
Techniques for transmitting data according to at least one quality of service requirement. A message path is calculated specifying a sequence of broker computers selected from a network of interconnected broker computers. The message path is statistically estimated to fulfill the at least one quality of service requirement. Quality of service metrics are received about the network of interconnected broker computers. If the message path is determined not to fulfill the quality of service requirement, a new message path is calculated specifying a new sequence of broker computers selected from the network of interconnected broker computers. The new message path is statistically estimated to fulfill the at least one quality of service requirement.
US08489715B2 Identifying and downloading an application associated with a service registered in a home network
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for interacting with one or more client devices coupled to a smart network host device within a smart home network. The method includes the steps of identifying a first application that is associated with at least one client device and stored in an first application store coupled to a smart home network, downloading the first application from the first application store for execution, associating a service that is exposed by the at least one client device with the first application, translating a high-level instruction generated by the first application via the service to a low-level instruction that is understood by the at least one client device, and transmitting the low-level instruction to the at least one client device for processing.
US08489712B2 Identification and/or addressing of a data terminal device of a local network
The invention relates to identifying and/or addressing a data terminal device (DEE1) of a local network (LNW, LAN, W-LAN, Ethernet, Powerline) such that address/identification information (AID-INF3) of the data terminal device of the local network is available to a user of the local network in a simple and comfortable manner, wherein the data terminal device registers with a terminal system (ESY) due to a triggering event (ALE), indicated for example, by the URL ‘www.mygigaset.com’ and present, for example, in a large area network (GNW, WAN, MAN, INTERNET), and transmits thereto address/identification information, for example modifiable information (AID-INF1), referencing the local network and the large area network. Said address/identification information is stored by the terminal system. Subsequently, in a further data terminal device (DEE2) of the local network, the URL ‘www.mygigaset.com’ is entered into the terminal system, a connection is established with the terminal system, and address/identification information, for example modifiable information (AID-INF2), referencing the large area network is transmitted. The terminal system compares the transmitted address/identification information (AID-INF1, AID-INF2) to each other, and transmits to the further data terminal device a part of the address/identification information (AID-INF1) referring back to the local network as the address/identification information (AID-INF3) of the data terminal device (DEE1), because both data terminal devices are present in the same local network, in order that said data terminal device can communicate directly with the data terminal device (DEE1).
US08489710B2 Network system, controller, recording device, service server, method of acquiring resource status of recording device, and computer program
A network system including: a terminal unit; one or more recording devices; a service server; and a controller is disclosed. The controller includes: a resource status acquiring unit that, upon receiving a resource status acquisition request to request acquisition of information on resource status of the one or more recording devices, the resource status acquisition request being transmitted from the service server that received the remote recording reservation request from the terminal unit, transmits a resource status acquisition instruction to the one or more recording devices via the local area network and receives a result of determination on remote recording reservation depending on the resource status, as the resource status information, from the one or more recording devices.
US08489705B2 Report management system and computer readable medium
A report management system includes: a first receiving unit that receives input of report identification information assigned to each of one or more reports to be collectively delivered to a receiver from a sender; an assigning unit that assigns group identification information to a group of the one or more reports to be collectively delivered; a registration unit that register, in a storage unit, the group identification information and each piece of the report identification information; an attached document generation unit that generates an attached document that is a document including the group identification information; a second receiving unit that receives, upon reception of one or more reports by the receiver from the sender together with the attached document, input of the group identification information included in the attached document received by the receiver; and an output unit that outputs information indicative of a result of comparison.
US08489699B2 Live migration of virtual machine during direct access to storage over SR IOV adapter
A method is provided to migrate a virtual machine from a source computing machine to a destination computing machine comprising: suspending transmission of requests from a request queue disposed in source computing machine memory associated with the VM from the request queue to a VF; while suspending the transmission of requests, determining when no more outstanding responses to prior requests remain to be received; in response to a determination that no more outstanding responses to prior requests remain to be received, transferring state information that is indicative of locations of requests inserted to the request queue from the VF to a PF and from the PF to a memory region associated with a virtualization intermediary of the source computing machine. After transferring the state information to source computing machine memory associated with a virtualization intermediary, resuming transmission of requests from locations of the request queue indicated by the state information to the PF; and transmitting the requests from the PF to the physical storage.
US08489697B2 Brokerage server for supporting fast data access for user terminal, method of operating brokerage server, user terminal and method of operating user terminal
A service providing system using a brokerage server that supports fast data access according to a location of a user terminal when the user terminal uses a data center on the Internet is provided. The brokerage server receives an alarm message indicating that the user terminal has moved, from the user terminal, and generates a service quality alarm when the number of the received alarm messages exceeds a previously set number. The brokerage server determines a location of the user terminal as the service quality alarm is generated, and reallocates a data center capable of providing fast data access among a plurality of data centers according to the determined position.
US08489686B2 Method and apparatus allowing scan of data storage device from remote server
A method and device allowing a scan of a data storage device from a remote server are disclosed. In some embodiments, a computing device may include an out-of-band (OOB) configured to compute a first hash value for data stored in one or more sectors of a data storage device at a first time; receive, using communication circuitry, a request to transmit a portion of the data stored in the one or more sectors of the data storage device at a second time, the second time being subsequent to the first time; compute a second hash value for the data stored in the one or more sectors of the data storage device at the second time; and transmit, using the communication circuitry, the requested portion of the data, only if the second hash value does not match the first hash value.
US08489685B2 Application acceleration as a service system and method
Disclosed are systems and methods to provide application acceleration as a service. In one embodiment, a system includes a head office to serve an enterprise application comprised of a collaborative document. The system also includes a branch office to request the collaborative document from the head office. The enterprise application may also include a computed document and/or a static document. In addition, the system also includes a set of Point of Presence (POP) locations between the head office and the branch office to communicate the collaborative document, the computed document and the static document on behalf of the head office from a closest POP location to the head office to a closest POP location to the branch office and then onward to the branch office.
US08489639B2 Information source alignment
An information source alignment system may include a tree generation module executed by a computer system to generate a source category hierarchy tree for a source class in a first information source and a target category hierarchy tree for a target class in a second information source. The source and target category hierarchy trees may be constructed from a class hierarchy of a knowledge source. A class-similarity determination module may compare the source and target category hierarchy trees. An alignment module may determine whether the source and target classes are aligned based on the comparison of the source and target category hierarchy trees.
US08489638B2 Disk-resident streaming dictionary
A method, apparatus and computer program product for storing data in a disk storage system is presented. A dictionary data structure is defined and stored on the disk storage system. Key-value pairs can be inserted and deleted into the dictionary data structure, with full transactional semantics, at a rate that is faster than one insertion per disk-head movement. Keys can be looked up with only a logarithmic number of transfers, even for keys that have been recently inserted or deleted. Queries can be performed on ranges of key-value pairs, including recently inserted or deleted pairs, at a constant fraction of the bandwidth of the disk. The dictionary employs indirect logging for physical block logging.
US08489633B2 Correlated query process (CQP) and peer-to-peer (P2P) execution
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for processing correlated queries in a collaborative, role-based, peer-to-peer (P2P) execution system. A correlated query is configured in accordance to a collaborative correlated query process (CQP) template. The collaborative CQP template defines roles and steps, each step being executable by one of the roles. A role is assigned to each peer node of the P2P system. A peer node having a designated role executes a step that is executable by the designated role. A message is communicated to other P2P nodes to indicate completion of the step. Another peer node having a matching role to a next step in the correlated query executes the next step in response to the message.
US08489631B2 Distributing a query
A method for distributing a query, wherein the query comprises one or more sub-clauses, wherein each sub-clause comprises a triple pattern having three components for use with a distributed system, the method comprising the steps of: identifying each sub-clause; analyzing three components of each sub-clause in accordance with one or more analysis rules in order to determine the proportion of values to variables; in response to the determination, testing the sub-clause against one or more execution rules, wherein the execution rules are associated with an order of processing of a sub-clause based on the proportion of values to variables; in response to the testing, generating a sub-query associated with a first sub-clause having the largest proportion of values to variables.
US08489628B2 Phrase-based detection of duplicate documents in an information retrieval system
An information retrieval system uses phrases to index, retrieve, organize and describe documents. Phrases are identified that predict the presence of other phrases in documents. Documents are the indexed according to their included phrases. Related phrases and phrase extensions are also identified. Phrases in a query are identified and used to retrieve and rank documents. Phrases are also used to cluster documents in the search results, create document descriptions, and eliminate duplicate documents from the search results, and from the index.
US08489627B1 Combined semantic description and visual attribute search
An image search method includes receiving a first query, the first query providing a first image constraint. A first search of a plurality of images is performed, responsive to the first query, to identify a first set of images satisfying the first constraint. A first search result, which includes the first set of images identified as satisfying the first constraint, is presented. A second query is received, the second query providing a second image constraint with reference to a first image of the first set of images. A second search of the plurality of images is performed, responsive to the second query, to identify a second set of images that satisfy the second constraint. A second search result, which includes the second set of images identified as satisfying the second constraint, is presented.
US08489612B2 Identifying similar files in an environment having multiple client computers
To identify similar files in an environment having multiple client computers, a first client computer receives, from a coordinator computer, a request to find files located at the first client computer that are similar to at least one comparison file, wherein the request has also been sent to other client computers by the coordinator computer to request that the other client computers also find files that are similar to the at least one comparison file. In response to the request, the first client computer compares signatures of the files located at the first client computer with a signature of the at least one comparison file to identify at least a subset of the files located at the first client computer that are similar to the at least one comparison file according to a comparison metric. The first client computer sends, to the coordinator computer, a response relating to the comparing.
US08489611B2 Delta chunks and delta hashes
Example apparatus, methods, and computers control processing delta chunks with delta hashes. One example method includes computing a first hash for a chunk for which a duplicate determination is to be made. The first hash is suitable for making the duplicate chunk determination. The method also includes computing a delta hash for the chunk. The delta hash is suitable for making a delta chunk determination. The method controls a de-duplication logic to process the chunk as a duplicate upon determining that the first hash matches a stored first hash. The method controls the de-duplication logic to process the chunk as a delta chunk upon determining that the first hash does not match a stored first hash and that the delta hash matches a stored delta hash. Processing a chunk as a delta chunk may include storing a reference to a stored chunk and storing delta hash information.
US08489606B2 Music search apparatus and method using emotion model
A music search apparatus using an emotion model includes a music database (DB) for storing sound source data about a plurality of pieces of music and Arousal-Valence (AV) coefficients of the respective pieces of music. An emotion model generation unit classifies different emotion types into a plurality of groups, and generates an emotion classification model from using respective probability distributions of the plurality of groups for an AV coefficient plane. A music search unit identifies an emotion type from using information entered by a user when a music search request is received, detects an AV coefficient range for designating an AV coefficient corresponding to the identified emotion type from using the emotion classification model, and searches the music DB for music corresponding to the AV coefficient range.
US08489605B2 Document object model (DOM) based page uniqueness detection
DOM based unique ID generation, including receiving a hypertext markup language (HTML) page at a computer, and identifying HTML page elements in response to the receiving, the HTML page elements comprising parent nodes, the parent nodes comprising child nodes. The method further comprising processing each of the HTML page elements, the processing comprising: grouping the child nodes by parent node into a group of child nodes, detecting patterns in the group of child nodes in response to the grouping, reducing the group of child nodes to text strings in response to the detecting, storing the text strings as text values in the parent nodes, and generating a unique identifier (ID) of the HTML page in response to the processing.
US08489604B1 Automated resource selection process evaluation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for evaluating resource selection processes. One method includes receiving test queries and generating a first group of resources corresponding to a first automated resource selection process and generating a second group of resources corresponding to a second automated resource selection process for each query. Another method includes generating a query results table for use in generating the groups of resources. The query results table maps queries to resources matched to the queries, and maps each resource to a respective score for the resource and the query, and one or more index selection signals for the resource.
US08489584B1 Facilitating media content search
A method of facilitating media content search is disclosed. A rating data associated with the media content is found, at least in part programmatically, in a location other than a display page that includes a media content or a link to the media content. A search result ranking for one or both of the media content and the display page is determined at least in part using the rating data.
US08489583B2 Techniques for retrieving documents using an image capture device
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for retrieving electronic documents based upon images captured using an image capture device. One or more images captured by a user using an image capture device are used to search a set of documents to retrieve one or more documents that match the search query. The one or more documents retrieved by the search may then be provided to the user or some other recipient.
US08489581B2 Method and apparatus for self optimizing data selection
A method, system, and article for improving performance of a Boolean combination of at least two filters to a data stream. Stream processing is applied to an expression having two or more logical operators. As the data stream is processed, efficiency of the operators in the expression is evaluated. A sort algorithm is dynamically invoked to ensure that a more efficient operator precedes processing of a less efficient operator.
US08489579B2 SQL adapter business service
A Structured Query Language (SQL) adapter business service that converts data from a data set to a common representation format used for all data sets with which the SQL adapter business service interacts. Hence the SQL adapter business service can communicate with various internal and external systems independently of the native format in which those systems maintain and store data. The SQL adapter business service optimizes operations to update data in the data sets by combining operations when possible and by using result sets from executing previous SQL statements to construct subsequent SQL statements. SQL adapter business service takes advantage of parent/child relationships between tables to construct SQL statements in an order such that the SQL statements process only a minimum amount of data, thereby making retrieval of data as efficient as possible.
US08489566B2 Optimistic locking in online and offline environments
Systems and methods to implement optimistic locking in online and offline environments are provided. A particular method includes receiving from an application an application data request related to retrieving a data item from a data store. The method also includes sending an optimistic locking information request to the data store to retrieve optimistic locking information, such as an identifier, associated with the data item. Additionally, the method includes receiving a data item update statement from the application while a connection between the application and a database server coupled to the data store persists or after a connection between the application and the database server has terminated and reconnected. The data item update statement relates to storing an updated version of the data item at the data store. Further, the method includes synchronizing the data item with the updated version of the data item based on the optimistic locking information.
US08489564B2 Registration in a de-coupled environment
A method, system and computer program product for registration in a de-coupled environment or system may include providing an identity of a spawned component to a manager. The method, system and computer program product may also include taking a predetermined action in response to the spawned component failing to report its status to the manager after a preset time period.
US08489562B1 Deferred data storage
A method for deferred storage of data is disclosed. A packet comprising instructions and literal data for rebuilding packet data from a network device is received. The packet data is rebuilt according to the instructions and the literal data. The rebuilt packet data is rewritten to a temporary page in memory. A page utilization metric is calculated based on the contents of the temporary page, the contents comprising the rebuilt data packet. Whether the contents of the temporary page sufficiently match data in data storage is determined. The contents of the temporary page are discarded or stored based on the determination.
US08489560B1 System and method for facilitating the management of keyword/universal resource locator (URL) data
Disclosed in a system and method for facilitating the management of keyword/Uniform Resource Locator (URL) data. A first processor receives from a second processor, a request to transmit keyword/URL data. The first processor transmits to the second processor, the keyword/URL data. The first processor receives from the second processor, modified keyword/URL data. The first processor validates the modified keyword/URL data to determine if the modified keyword/URL data includes errors. The modified keyword/URL data can be used to perform keyword ranking using a search engine.
US08489557B2 Method, system and apparatus for archiving data
A method, server and mobile electronic device for archiving data are provided. The server determines that an amount of the data managed by the server meets a threshold condition and in response transmits a message to the mobile electronic device associated with the data, the message indicative that the threshold condition has been met. The mobile electronic device responds to the message with a response indicative that the data is to be archived. The response triggers the server to cause at least a portion of the data to be archived, thereby increasing memory available for storing further data.
US08489555B2 Method of managing storage and retrieval of data objects
A technique for managing storage of a data object in a storage device involves receiving the data object (A) to store in the storage device, where the data object has an indicator bit pattern (P). Successive compression data transformations are applied to data object A to obtain respective corresponding compressed data objects, and one of these compressed data objects is selected, such that the selected compressed data object (C) has the shortest length with respect to the remaining compressed data objects. Compression information (I) is then associated with the compression data transformation used to generate data object C, and a threshold value T is calculated at least partly from the length of compression information I. If length (C)+T.gtoreq.length (A), then the indicator bit pattern of data object A is reset and the data object A is written to the storage device. If length (C)+T
US08489554B2 Methods and systems for operating a sequence of events recorder
A method for recording a sequence of events is provided. The method includes operating a sequence of events recorder in a normal mode, wherein data stored is related to the sequence of events in a history buffer. The method also includes initiating a snap-shot mode of the events recorder after a triggering event occurs in the sequence of events. The snap-shot mode operates by freezing data related to a moment in the sequence of events that occurred prior to the triggering event, storing data related to the sequence of events at the time of the triggering event in the snap-shot buffer, and continuing to record the data related to the sequence of events to a snap-shot buffer until a predetermined event.
US08489550B2 Multi-tenancy data storage and access method and apparatus
A method, apparatus, and a computer program product for storing and accessing multi-tenancy data. The method includes the steps of: creating a plurality of table sets in one or more databases, wherein each table set is used to store data of a group of tenants selected from a plurality of tenants; accessing data of a tenant in a table set in response to receiving a data access request from the tenant; and recording relationships between the tenants and the table sets in a multi-tenancy metadata repository, wherein the step of accessing the data of the tenant comprises the steps of finding the table set by querying the metadata repository and accessing the data of the tenant in the table set based on the result received from the query of the metadata repository.
US08489544B2 System and method for prioritization and display of aggregated data
A computer enabled system and method aggregates data describing a particular subject. The data is then divided into a predetermined group of categories which are graphically displayed according to a predetermined pattern. Distortions in the data or anomalies in the data are made visually apparent. Associated with the display is a prioritized array of interventions recommended in response to the distortions in the data or anomalies appearing in the data.
US08489538B1 Systems and methods for predictive coding
Systems and methods for analyzing documents are provided herein. A plurality of documents and user input are received via a computing device. The user input includes hard coding of a subset of the plurality of documents, based on an identified subject or category. Instructions stored in memory are executed by a processor to generate an initial control set, analyze the initial control set to determine at least one seed set parameter, automatically code a first portion of the plurality of documents based on the initial control set and the seed set parameter associated with the identified subject or category, analyze the first portion of the plurality of documents by applying an adaptive identification cycle, and retrieve a second portion of the plurality of documents based on a result of the application of the adaptive identification cycle test on the first portion of the plurality of documents.
US08489535B2 Library synchronization between definitions and instances
In an industrial control configuration, various instances can exist that are based upon a definition. A definition can be changed and thus it can be appropriate to alter related instances in accordance with the change. However, changing an instance can cause disruption in other actions even when the change is minor. Therefore, various standards can be used to determine if a change to an instance should be propagated automatically or at another time, such as after an operation. The determination can be based on artificial intelligence techniques, user preference, a defined rule set, user instruction, as well as other standards.
US08489534B2 Adaptive content inspection
Methods and apparatus are provided involving adaptive content inspection. In one embodiment, a content inspection processor may identify information with respect to input data and provide the information to a host controller. The host controller may adapt search criteria or other parameters and provide the adapted parameter to the content inspection processor. Other embodiments may include a content inspection processor having integrated feedback, such that results data is fed back to the content inspection processor. The results data may be processed before being provided to the content inspection processor.
US08489520B2 Flexible mail delivery system and method
The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
US08489508B2 Service system
Multiple service servers can store identification tags, which identify each user, after associating the identification tags with the identification tags of other users; and can also store identification data, which uniquely identifies users across multiple service servers, after associating the identification data with an encryption key for each identification datum. A management server device stores as identification data the user address data encrypted by means of an encryption key that has been generated for each identification datum. A gateway server device receives the identification tags from a first service server, receives the other identification tags associated with the first identification tags, receives the encryption keys associated with the other identification tags, and obtains the encrypted data from the management server. The gateway server device then decodes the encrypted information, and commands delivery that uses the obtained address data.
US08489494B2 System and method for business to investor exchange for raising capital and for creating a secondary market for private equity
The present invention creates a secondary market in private equities by auctioning venture-backed private equities over the Internet to qualified investors. Typical sources for the private equities will be interests in limited partnerships and pre-IPO or pulled-IPO securities. The operator of the system may sometimes take a position in certain private equities so as to have “inventory” to later sell on the system. In a typical buyer-driven transaction using the present invention, a qualified buyer puts out a bid for private assets in a particular area. Sellers who subscribe to the system receive notice of the bid and can then respond. In a typical seller-driven transaction using the present invention, a seller puts out a notice on the system of equities for sale. Buyers who subscribe to the system receive notice and can respond. Either the buyer or the seller may be charged by the system, depending on the transaction.
US08489488B2 Controlling markets during a stop loss trigger
A system mitigates market spike effects caused by conditional ordering triggering and election in an automated matching system. The system monitors trading as a result of cascading triggering of conditional orders. When an order is executed beyond a predetermined price threshold, an instrument may be flagged, allowing matching to occur only at or within the predetermined price threshold. Orders within the price threshold are matched at the price threshold against orders beyond it, dampening any instantaneous damaging effects of the price spike. The system may adjust the price threshold when market appropriate, allowing the order flow to bring the market back to whatever is the true price level. The system mitigates purely conditional order cascade driven price fluctuations, but allows the market to continuously trade in controlled price and time intervals ensuring that true market moves can still occur without price control mechanisms hindering trade matching and true price discovery.
US08489473B2 Electronic acknowledgement of receipt of inventory
A method for tracking status of an inventory shipment sent to a recipient includes monitoring whether the recipient has transmitted an electronic acknowledgment of the status of the shipment; and automatically transmitting a message to the recipient requesting acknowledgment of receipt of inventory if the electronic acknowledgment is not transmitted by the recipient within a first predetermined amount of time.
US08489469B1 Method and structure for simplified coding of display pages for operating a closed circuit E-commerce
Method and structure for a simplified coding of templated display pages for use in close circuit e-shopping for product and services via shopping terminals comprising video interphone monitors, dedicated terminals, television, cable television, shopping box, set top box and other well known boxes, each include a CPU, a memory and a display monitor operated via touch screen, remote control or hand movement, the templated screen uses assigned blocks and icons codes to select display pages, covering products and services. The shopping terminal connected via internal communication lines and interface propagates the simplified code, enabling loading and updating of products and services communicated via a building server for updating at all time data stored in the memory as per the dweller choice, enabling a dweller to shop from his private shop inside his residence, and be provided with programmed services, delivery and payments, supervised by the close circuit shopping entity center.
US08489468B2 Online purchase of digital media bundles
Techniques for interacting with an online media store to obtain a media asset bundle, such as a digital boxset, are disclosed. These techniques involve, for instance, browsing for a media asset bundle that includes at least one non-playable media asset, purchasing the media asset bundle, obtaining the media assets contained in the media asset bundle, determining if a presentation request has been made for a media asset in the media asset bundle, and presenting the requested media asset. Further, these techniques involve playing the media assets in a media asset bundle by selecting a media asset in the media asset bundle, determining whether the media asset is playable or non-playable, presenting the media asset using an appropriate media asset viewer if it is playable, not playing (skipping) the media asset if it is non-playable, and selecting/playing other media assets in the media asset bundle until no more media assets are available to be played.
US08489466B1 System and method for enhancing buyer and seller interaction during a group-buying sale
A method and system are provided that enable buyers and sellers to communicate with each other and to negotiate the purchase terms of featured merchandise in a group-buying opportunity. Sellers and buyers may use various forms of on-line group-buying mechanisms in conjunction with the negotiation features of the invention. Buyers may send various inquiries to sellers regarding merchandise offered for sale through the online group-buying sale. Sellers may respond to buyer questions and queries, and in some instances, sellers may communicate instructions to the on-line group-buying mechanism to alter the course of an on-line group-buying sale in progress, e.g., a further reduction in price. The method and system further provides a mechanism for calculating a demand curve based on received buyer offers and applying the demand curve to an on-line group-buying sale.
US08489462B2 Advanced sales system
A first entity maintains an advanced sales system on a server accessible over a global communications network. The first entity provides access to the server to a second entity which is a sales oriented business. The server houses at least a database, a product selection module, and a proposal generator. The database contains information on products for sale, information about the sales oriented business, and information about customers of the sales oriented business. The product selection module facilitates selection and accessorizing of products by the second entity. The proposal generator creates proposals based on input to the product selection module and information in the database. The advanced sales system provides structure to extremely large product offerings with large numbers of accessories associated with the product offerings. Some embodiments of the advanced sales system provide additional ordering support.
US08489458B2 Rebroadcasting of advertisements in a social network
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that receives at a server a first request to rebroadcast a first sponsored content item that was displayed on the social network to the first user to a second user. A second request to display at least one sponsored content item to the second user when the second user accesses an electronic document associated with the social network is received at the server. The first sponsored content item is retrieved for rebroadcast from one or more sponsored content items indicated for rebroadcast to the second user. The first sponsored content item is output to the second user of the social network in response to the second request to display and without requiring the second user to select the first sponsored content item for display.
US08489451B2 Customer relationship management system for physical locations
A method for outputting information about a person includes identifying the person utilizing a wireless system upon entry into a physical location, and also includes locating the person within the physical structure. An engagement plan is retrieved based on the identification of the person and output. The engagement plan has information useful for interacting with the person. The engagement plan is created based at least in part on personal information of the person, the preferences of the person, and the past transactions of the person. A system for outputting information about a person, such as a customer, includes an object carried by the person, which is capable of being identified by a wireless system. A wireless interface communicates with the object. A computing device correlates the identification of the object with the person. An output device outputs information relating to the person.
US08489447B1 Adjusting price for a sales lead in an online market for sales leads
A computer enabled method adjusts a price to be offered to a buyer for a sales lead in an online market for sales leads based upon past performance of the buyer. The method determines a projected percent to cap value for the buyer based upon a rate at which the buyer is accepting sales leads in a current billing period, determines an opportunity performance value associated with the buyer based upon a ratio of received offers to accepted proposals for offers; determines a delta amount based upon the percent to cap value and the opportunity performance value; and adjusts the price to be offered for the sales lead by the delta amount. A maximum cost percentage value that limits the price to be offered is generated based upon the projected percentage to cap value and the number of sales leads the buyer is projected to purchase in a billing period.
US08489443B2 Method and apparatus for collaborative selection of proposals
A method and apparatus for selecting a subset of proposals from a set of proposals submitted via a web site, including defining proposal attributes for the selecting, formulating selection requirements for the subset, establishing metrics for comparing proposals according to the proposal attributes and the selection requirements, evaluating each of the set of proposals according the established metrics, distributing the results of evaluating each of the set of proposals to the submitter of each proposal, formulating an optimization problem for determining the subset of proposals, determining the subset of proposals by solving the optimization problem, and accepting feedback about the determining including changing the optimization problem based on the feedback.
US08489441B1 Quality of records containing service data
An embodiment of the invention, directed to assessing quality of recorded service data, comprises the step of receiving a record containing service data at a service record evaluator. The method further comprises selecting at least one information field of a plurality of information fields contained in the received record, and determining a numerical quality score for each selected information field. Each of the quality scores is used to compute a cumulative quality score for the record, and it is determined whether the cumulative quality score is no less than a minimum quality threshold.
US08489434B1 System and method for establishing rates for an automobile insurance policy
Automobile insurance rates are established by performing calculations for defining a single tier placement dependent upon a combination of mutually exclusive factors based on applicant data. The factors include a household driving record gradient, a stability gradient and an operator driving record gradient. In the case of a new policy, the factors also include a named insured driving experience gradient and a prior insurance gradient. Alternately, in the case of a renewal policy, the factors also include a household claims record gradient, a member relationship gradient and an operator claims record gradient. No single factor is the sole determinant for placement in a tier.
US08489433B2 System and method for estimating loss propensity of an insured vehicle and providing driving information
A system and method for estimating loss propensity of a vehicle and providing driving information are provided. A loss propensity estimation server receives information from a telematics device installed in a vehicle, determines at least one loss cost area through which vehicle has traveled, and calculates a numeric loss cost factor based upon the at least one loss cost area relative to the amount of risk indicated by the vehicle's garaging loss cost. The numeric loss cost factor can be transmitted to an insurer for subsequent use by the insurer in underwriting or pricing a future insurance policy. A driving information database in the loss propensity estimation server stores driving information obtained from the telematics device installed in the vehicle, which can subsequently be transmitted to an insurer.
US08489428B2 Remote health monitoring and maintenance system
A system and method is described that enables a health care provider to monitor and manage a health condition of a patient. The system includes a health care provider apparatus operated by a health care provider and a remotely programmable patient apparatus that is operated by a patient. The health care provider develops a script program using the health care provider apparatus and then sends the script program to a remotely programmable patient apparatus through a communication network such as the World Wide Web. The script program is a computer-executable patient protocol that provides information to the patient about the patient's health condition and that interactively monitors the patient health condition by asking the patient questions and by receiving answers to those questions. The answers to these health related questions are then forwarded as patient data from the remotely programmable patient apparatus to the health care provider apparatus through the communication network. The patient data may also include information supplied by a physiological monitoring device such as a blood glucose monitor that is connected to the remotely programmable patient apparatus. When the patient data arrives at the health care provider apparatus, the patient data is processed for further management of the patient's health condition by the health care provider, such as forwarding another script program to the remotely programmable patient apparatus.
US08489425B2 System and software of enhanced pharmaceutical operations in long-term care facilities and related methods
A system, software and related methods of enhanced pharmaceutical operations in long term care facilities are provided. An embodiment of a system includes a long-term care facility pharmacy group management server, long-term care facility pharmacy management software associated with the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server to manage pharmacological operations in a plurality of long-term care facilities, a plurality of pharmaceutical storage and electronic dispensing carts each positioned in a long-term care facility remote from the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server and in communication therewith, a remote pharmacy group server in communication with the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server, and a plurality of pharmaceutical prescription document processors each positioned in a long-term care facility and in communication with the remote pharmacy group server or the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server.
US08489418B2 System and methods for referring physicians based on hierarchical disease profile matching
Systems, apparatus, and methods for referring physicians based on hierarchical disease profile matching are disclosed. An example system includes a data store to include a plurality of disease profiles, each disease profile associated with a patient condition, a user interface to accept a user request for a referral of a patient to a physician, and a referral processor to compare a profile associated with the patient including a patient symptom to the plurality of disease profiles to generate one or more physician recommendations for referral, the referral processor to refine the one or more physician recommendations based on one or more characteristics associated with each of the one or more physician recommendations, the referral processor to provide the refined one or more physician recommendations to a user for review and selection via the user interface.
US08489413B1 System and method for facilitating applications for disability benefits
A system and method which facilitates the reliable collection of data during a single appointment through a plurality of queries configured to obtain responses or present further queries as necessary to ultimately obtain all of the information required for generating a report in a format which satisfies the applicable standards.
US08489404B2 Method for detecting audio signal transient and time-scale modification based on same
A method for detecting a transient in an audio signal that has been broken up into frames includes obtaining a time domain feature of the frames and comparing the domain feature with a predetermined value. If the time domain feature is greater than the predetermined value, the frames are taken as transient and if the time domain feature is less than the predetermined value, the frames are taken as non-transient. The method has a low computational intensity and is thus very suitable for devices with limited processing resources.
US08489389B2 Electronic apparatus with dictionary function and computer-readable medium
An electronic apparatus includes a storage which includes dictionary information, a conjugation chart database which stores conjugation charts for a language stored in the dictionary information so as to cause the charts to correspond to conjugation chart numbers, and a verb-verb conjugation chart correspondence table which stores the conjugation chart numbers so as to cause the numbers to correspond to the spellings of verbs, and a processor which causes to display letter strings stored in the dictionary information, accepts the specification of an arbitrary word from the letter strings displayed, when the specified word is a verb, refers to the verb-verb conjugation chart correspondence table and determines a conjugation chart number caused to correspond to the spelling of the specified verb, and reads a conjugation chart corresponding to the determined conjugation chart number from the conjugation charts stored in the conjugation chart database and displays the conjugation chart.
US08489388B2 Data detection
A method for detecting data in a sequence of characters or text using both a statistical engine and a pattern engine. The statistical engine is trained to recognize certain types of data and the pattern engine is programmed to recognize the grammatical pattern of certain types of data. The statistical engine may scan the sequence of characters to output first data, and the pattern engine may break down the first data into subsets of data. Alternatively, the statistical engine may output items that have a predetermined probability or greater of being a certain type of data and the pattern engine may then detect the data from the output items and/or remove incorrect information from the output items.
US08489387B2 Methods and systems for selecting a language for text segmentation
Methods and systems for selecting a language for text segmentation are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least a first candidate language and a second candidate language associated with a string of characters are identified, at least a first segmented result associated with the first candidate language and a second segmented result associated with the second candidate language are determined, a first frequency of occurrence for the first segmented result and a second frequency of occurrence for the second segmented result are determined, and an operable language is identified from the first candidate language and the second candidate language based at least in part on the first frequency of occurrence and the second frequency of occurrence.
US08489386B2 Method and system for directing media streams during a conference call
A system for directing media streams during a conference call, including an enterprise, at least one network provided within the enterprise and in communication with a plurality of communication devices, a platform provided within the enterprise and in communication with the network, the platform comprising a protocol layer, a services layer and an application layer, and a conference call server in communication with the platform, wherein the platform is configured for receiving media streams from each of the communication devices and instructing the conference call server on how to direct the media streams to and from each of the communication devices.
US08489382B1 Automatic numerical simulation of processor environment
A system receives a model, internals associated with a target processor, and code information associated with the target processor, and obtains a bit-true model simulation for the target processor based on the model, the target processor internals, and the target processor code information.
US08489381B1 Method and system for simulating test instruments and instrument functions
Method and system to configure a common set of electronic components using software in order to simulate different electronic, mechanical and/or electro-mechanical instruments or instrument functions. For each instrument function or traditional mode of operation to be simulated, software models are created which when directed to the electronic components, cause the electronic components to respond to input in the same manner that the actual, traditional physical instrument would respond to satisfy the same test requirement input. The software models are preferably stored in a model repository which is searchable to enable a user to select the instrument function or traditional mode of operation to be simulated with the corresponding model being provided to the electronic components. Once the model, i.e., a function for each synthetic element, is downloaded and the electronic components configured according to the model functions, testing of the assemblies or other UUTs can begin.
US08489370B2 Computer device for simulating a set of objects in interaction and corresponding method
Computer device for simulating a set of objects in interaction and corresponding method. A computer device for simulating a set of objects in interaction comprises: a memory (8) with a tree representation of the objects, each node being associated with dynamic, geometric and interaction data dependent on the data of the child nodes and local interaction data for certain nodes, a simulation controller (4), for actuating repeatedly: + a distributor (10) of interaction data, with a mechanism for interaction updating which scans the tree representation and updates an item of interaction data of a node as a function of the local interaction data of its child nodes, + a mechanism for updating the dynamic data (12) which scans the tree representation and operates as a function of the geometric interaction data concerned, + a mechanism for updating the geometric data (14) which scans the tree representation for nodes subject to interaction and operates as a function of the dynamic data updated. The invention also relates to a method for simulating a set of objects in interaction, and a computer program product.
US08489366B2 System and method for radiation dose control
A system and method for determining a desired portion of a subject to receive a radiation dose includes iteratively choosing weight vectors to run to gradually build up a Pareto surface (PS). BY examining the current points that have been found on the PS along with the weights used to produce those points, a new vector is produced and run. This process is repeated until a geometric stop tolerance is met.
US08489363B2 Monitoring and diagnosing generator operation
A tool for evaluating operation of a generator is provided. Diagnostic data is obtaining from a sensor in a generator. An associated computer system evaluates the diagnostic data to determine whether an anomaly exists in the data. If an anomaly exists, the computer system can provide a fault code that indicates a nature of an error in the generator that caused the anomaly.
US08489362B2 Method for determining failure rate of an electrochemical sensor
A method for determining a failure rate of an electrochemical sensor type for a process, wherein the process is defined by determined values, or value intervals, of a plurality of specified process parameters, and wherein a plurality of defect types is specified for the sensor type, comprising steps as follows: assigning, by means of expert knowledge, a defect rate to each combination of one of the values, or value intervals, of the specified process parameters and one of the specified defect types; and calculating the failure rate of the sensor type according to a calculational specification with application of the defect rates assigned to the combinations of a value, or value interval, of a process parameter and a defect type.
US08489361B2 Exhaust gas sensor diagnostic device
In a transient state caused by fuel cut, a normal output of an A/F sensor having normal response and a lowered output having response lowered by a predetermined value as compared to the normal output are estimated, and an actual output of the A/F sensor is sensed. S1 as an integration value of a deviation between the normal output and the lowered output and S2 as an integration value of a deviation between the normal output and the actual output are calculated respectively until the normal output and the lowered output converge to an oxygen concentration equivalent to an atmosphere. S2 changes in accordance with a lowering degree of the response of the actual output. Therefore, the lowering degree of the response of the A/F sensor can be diagnosed based on S2/S1.
US08489360B2 Multivariate monitoring and diagnostics of process variable data
A system and method of monitoring and diagnosing on-line multivariate process variable. Multivariate process data includes multiple process variables each having a multiple observations. On-line process data is collected from a process control system when the process is on-line. The on-line process data includes multiple observations of multiple process variables. A multivariate statistical analysis represents the operation of the process based on a set of the on-line process data. The representation a result. The representation and the set of on-line process data are stored. An output is generated based on a parameter of the representation. The parameter includes a result generated by the representation of the operation of the process, a process variable used to generate the representation of the operation of the process and/or the set of collected on-line process data.
US08489359B2 Surface measurement instrument
A surface measurement instrument for obtaining surface characteristic data of a sample surface is described. Relative movement between a reference surface and a sample support is caused to occur while a sensor senses light intensity at intervals along a scan path to provide a series of intensity values representing interference fringes produced by a region of a sample surface during said relative movement and from which series of intensity values surface characteristic data can be derived. The sample support is both translatable and tiltable in at least one direction perpendicular to a scan direction so that the sample support can be both tilted to cause the scan path to be normal to the sample surface region and translated to compensate for translation movement due to the tilting.
US08489358B2 Method for determining loads in clothes washing machines
The present invention refers to a method for determining loads in clothes washing machines which comprises the following steps: (E1) Acceleration of the mobile assembly of the washing machine until the mobile assembly reaches a low rotation speed; (E2) Acceleration of the mobile assembly until the mobile assembly reaches a medium rotation speed faster than the speed in the first step (E1); (E3) Deceleration; (E4) Acceleration of the mobile assembly and measurement of the engine current; (E5) Measurement, whereby parameters regarding the engine are measured; (E6) Shutdown of the engine and measurement of the deceleration time; (E7) Repetition, whereby the forth (E4), fifth (E5) and sixth (E6) steps are repeated at least once before the performance of the eighth step (E8); (E8) Calculation of the average of each one of the parameters measured in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh steps; and (E9) Obtainment of clothes load value.
US08489355B2 Method for the determination of long-term offset drifts of acceleration sensors in motor vehicles
A method for determining long-term offset drifts of acceleration sensors in a motor vehicle is provided. In one step, the longitudinal vehicle speed is determined in the vehicle's center of gravity. In another step, the share of the driving dynamics in the longitudinal reference acceleration formula and in the transversal reference acceleration formula is calculated from the longitudinal vehicle speed and the yaw rate. In yet another step, the share of the driving dynamics in the reference acceleration on the vehicle level formula is calculated by converting the driving dynamic reference accelerations formula calculated for the center of gravity to the position formula and the orientation of the sensor formula. In a further step, the long-term offset drift of the sensor is determined from the measured values of the sensor and the share of the measured value in the driving dynamics by means of a situation-dependent averaging process.
US08489350B2 Frequency domain bitmap triggering using color, density and correlation based triggers
An RF test and measurement device, including a front end for receiving a time-varying signal and a real-time engine for generating digital frequency domain spectrums based on the time-varying signal. The device also includes a memory subsystem containing a frequency domain bitmap which is updated through sequential receipt and storage of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The real time engine is further configured to monitor the frequency domain bitmap for occurrence of a signal characteristic, and in response to detection of the signal characteristic, cause a capture of the time-varying signal into a storage location of the RF test and measurement device.
US08489341B2 Method and apparatus for volumetric gas in-line sensing
A method and apparatus for monitoring fluid in a fluid line are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first capacitor and a processor in communication with the first capacitor. The first capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the first capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the first capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the first capacitor. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a second capacitor. The second capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the second capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the second capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the second capacitor.
US08489336B2 Techniques for purposing a new compound and for re-purposing a drug
A method for repurposing a pharmaceutical compound. The method includes identifying a pharmaceutical compound, the pharmaceutical compound corresponding to a drug that has failed in clinical development or an approved drug. A mathematical model describing the physiological processes related to at least one disease and the effects of the pharmaceutical compound on the disease is created. The model is adjusted based upon information from preclinical or clinical trials. A new treatment protocol is suggested to salvage the failed drug or a new way to use an approved drug. The suggested treatment protocol is displayed. Systems and computer program products encompassing the above techniques are also disclosed.
US08489334B2 Drug discovery methods
Method for identifying disease-related pathways that can used to identify discovery targets, to identify new uses for known drugs, to identify markers for drug response, and related purposes.
US08489331B2 Destination maps user interface
A user interface is presented via which user inputs can be received and maps can be displayed. A user selection of a destination and a user specification of a region of interest on a map are received. The region of interest surrounds the destination on the map. In response to receiving the user specification of the region of interest, a destination map is displayed via the user interface. The destination map includes both the destination and the region of interest, and a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to the destination at multiple different scales.
US08489322B2 Course guidance system, course guidance method, and course guidance program
Course guidance systems, methods, and programs determine that a vehicle is exiting from a facility to an out-of-facility road via an exit lane, and determine an estimated connection angle of the exit lane at an exit/entrance node. The systems, methods, and programs generate course guidance information based on the determined estimated connection angle when the vehicle is determined to be exiting. Based on the vehicle location information and the road information, the systems, methods, and programs detect whether an actual traveling road and the guidance road differ. Based on the vehicle location information and the road information, the systems, methods, and programs correct the estimated connection angle at the exit/entrance node based on a relative angle between the actual traveling road and the guidance road, and record the corrected estimated connection angle.
US08489321B2 Nature event signaling
Methods and apparatus for nature event signaling are provided. Example mobile electronic devices of the present disclosure can include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor executes the instructions to calculate a distance between a reference location and a current location, and calculate a travel time for the distance based on a speed. The processor also executes the instructions to determine a nature event time and cause a return alert indication to be signaled, via the mobile electronic device, based on a comparison of a calculated travel time and the nature event time.
US08489320B2 System and method for defining directions
A method and computer program product for defining a plurality of addresses. Driving directions between each of the plurality of addresses are defined, thus generating a plurality of driving directions. The plurality of driving directions are stored on a client electronic device.
US08489307B2 Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine
In a method and device for operating an internal combustion engine with an intake tract, a switching device for modifying an effective intake pipe length and/or an effective intake tract volume is arranged. By a dynamic intake tract model an estimated intake pipe pressure is determined. The dynamic model is adapted dependent on a trimming value. If a switching position modification is controlled, an estimated old position intake pipe pressure on the one hand is determined with the previous switching position and preventing of the adaptive trimming value adjustment and on the other hand an estimated new position intake pipe pressure is determined with the modified switching position and prevention of the adaptive trimming value adjustment and dependent on a correlation check of the estimated old position pressure and the estimated new position pressure with respect to the measured pressure an actual switching position of the switching device is identified.
US08489298B2 Desired torque converter clutch slip feedback recovery algorithm for tip-in maneuvers
A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission. Subsequent to a rapid increase in engine torque commands, torque converter slip is controlled by monitoring a measured torque converter slip after the rapid increase in engine torque commands, determining a maximum measured torque converter slip value resulting from the rapid increase in engine torque commands based upon the measured torque converter slip, determining a target value to which to reduce the torque converter slip, determining a recovery profile to reduce the torque converter slip from the maximum measured torque converter slip to the target value, and utilizing the recovery profile to controllably reduce the torque controller slip. Determining the recovery profile includes commanding reducing slip through the profile at commanded torque converter slip values selected to prevent the torque converter slip from reaching zero.
US08489289B2 Converter for signals between a safety device and a safety control device for a vehicle
Disclosed is a converter (200) for signals between a safety device (300) and a universal safety control device (100) for a vehicle. At the converter (200) the safety control device (100) can be connected at a control device interface (200.1) and at least one type of safety devices (300.2) can be connected at at least one safety device interface (200.2) and wherein the converter (200) converts a signal of the safety control device (100) into a signal, which is suitable for the respectively connected type of safety device (300.2), to the respective safety device interface (200.2). It is proposed to embody the converter (200) such that it detects a condition at the safety device interface (200.2), in particular a diagnostics condition signal and converts it into a condition accordingly predefined at the control device interface (200.1), preferably in a manner which does not require an adaptation of the control device or of its software.
US08489274B2 Device and method for automatically monitoring tire pressure in a vehicle and method for displaying information about vehicle tire inflation
A device and method are provided for automatically monitoring tire pressure in a vehicle, as well as a method for displaying information about vehicle tire inflation. The method for automatically monitoring tire pressure in a vehicle encompasses indirectly determining the actual temperature in a vehicle tire. The actual temperature is ascertained based on empirically determined families of characteristics as a function of parameters that describe environmental conditions, driving conditions and/or material properties of the vehicle tires.
US08489273B2 Electric control unit
An electric control unit may include a behavior check unit, a drive information store unit, a classify unit, a count unit and a condition set unit. The behavior check unit determines whether a vehicle behavior is generated by comparing the vehicle behavior with a detection condition. The drive information store unit stores information of the vehicle behavior in a memory unit drive when the vehicle behavior is generated. The classify unit classifies the vehicle behavior into one of a plurality of behavior classes. The behavior classes are arranged to classify the vehicle behavior according to a magnitude of the vehicle behavior. The count unit controls a counter for each behavior class according to the classification of the vehicle behavior. Based on the counters of each of the behavior classes, the condition set unit sets the detection condition as a boundary condition of one of the behavior classes.
US08489270B2 Method and device for diagnosing the dynamics of an exhaust gas sensor
The invention relates to a method and corresponding device for diagnosing the dynamics of an exhaust gas sensor, which is disposed in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas upstream or downstream of a catalytic converter and with which the air/fuel ratio of the gas mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine is controlled via a control circuit. During diagnosis, provision is made for at least one actuator intervention to be specified by means of a control algorithm of a diagnostic controller specifically m the direction of an asymmetric behavior, which is achieved by an extension of one of the two ramps, until the actuator intervention is compensated by an asymmetric dynamic error of the exhaust gas sensor, a reaction to said actuator intervention being used as criterion for assessing an asymmetric dynamic error of said exhaust gas sensor.
US08489265B2 Method and engine stability control system for a hybrid electric vehicle
A method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle having a control system, a traction motor, and an engine includes generating an activation signal during a predetermined vehicle maneuver. The predetermined vehicle maneuver is a threshold hard braking maneuver on a surface having a low coefficient of friction. The method also includes processing the activation signal using the control system, and using the traction motor to command an injection or a passing of a feed-forward torque to the driveline of the vehicle. The feed-forward torque is in the same direction as the engine torque, and prevents a drive shaft of the engine from spinning in reverse during the maneuver. The method may include generating the activation signal in response to detecting an active state of the ABS controller. A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, a traction motor, and a control system configured to execute the above method.
US08489256B2 Automatic parafoil turn calculation method and apparatus
A method is described that involves performing the following with a parafoil's control unit composed of electronic circuitry while the control unit is being transported with a parafoil: determining a desired exit of a turn; determining a desired time for the turn; determining the parafoil's actual entrance for the turn; determining an arc between the actual entrance and the desired exit; and, incorporating said arc as said parafoil's planned flight trajectory through said turn.
US08489255B2 Method and device for compensation of mechanical stresses in an aircraft structure
A method and a device are described for compensation of mechanical stresses in an aircraft structure. The method comprises the steps of producing signals that represent mechanical stresses occurring in the aircraft structure, and operating actuators, which absorb at least some of the mechanical stresses and are arranged in the aircraft structure, such that the mechanical stresses are compensated.
US08489251B2 Method and apparatus for reprogramming a programmed controller of a power driven wheelchair
Apparatus for reprogramming a programmed controller of a power driven wheelchair comprises: a reprogrammable, non-volatile memory programmed with a plurality of programs executable by the controller to operate the wheelchair, the non-volatile memory disposed at the wheelchair and coupled to the wheelchair controller; a general-purpose computer programmed to reprogram the non-volatile memory while disposed at the wheelchair, the programmed computer for storing main programs for use in reprogramming the non-volatile memory, the programmed computer being coupleable to the wheelchair controller for accommodating an exchange of data therebetween; and wherein the wheelchair controller being operative to communicate with the programmed computer to reprogram the non-volatile memory with the main programs while the non-volatile memory is disposed at the wheelchair. Methods for reprogramming the non-volatile memory are also disclosed.
US08489249B2 Intelligent power saving system
An intelligent power saving system, disposed between a Utility Power Supply and at least a load, comprising: at least an energy storage device; at least a power supply line, connected to said Utility Power Supply and said load; at least an energy-storage-device-parallel-connection circuit, connecting said energy storage device electrically to said power supply line; and a power monitor, connected electrically to said Utility Power Supply, said energy storage device, and said energy-storage-device-parallel-connection circuit, thus determining whether said energy storage device is required to join in providing power to said load through said energy-storage-device-parallel-connection circuit, thus regulating percentage of total power supplied by said Utility Power Supply, preventing overload of said Utility Power Supply, hereby saving expense of the electric utility bills.
US08489248B2 Portable backup power system
A portable power system for use with an electrical device. The system includes a portable power storage device, a motor, a controller, an alternator, an inverter, and a first monitor. The portable power storage device provides a DC voltage. The first monitor generates a first indication related to a characteristic of the portable power source. The controller monitors the primary power source delivering primary power to the electrical device, couples the portable power storage device to the inverter for generating an AC output, and selectively drives the motor in response to the first indication. The alternator is responsive to the motor for converting mechanical motion of the motor into an electrical signal for use to recharge the portable power storage device.
US08489245B2 Coordinated energy resource generation
Demand response to reduce energy consumption by individual consumers is provided by aggregating individual consumers, and providing feedback to such consumers regarding their energy consumption relative to other energy consumers in a group. The resulting feedback may result in reduced energy consumption by the individual consumer.
US08489236B2 Control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit
There is provided a control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit, which can improve robot arm operability upon performing tasks such as cooperative conveyance and direct teaching. The grip portion separated from the end effector attached to the robot arm is provided. When a person grips and shifts the grip portion, a tracking control unit controls so that the robot arm follows the shift. A fixing switch unit switches between a fixing state where, upon switching to “playback mode”, a fixing portion is located at a fixed position to fix the end effector and the grip portion to maintain a gap distance therebetween and a relatively shiftable state where, upon switching to “teaching mode”, the fixing portion is located at an accommodated position to relatively shift them from each other without maintaining the gap distance.
US08489229B2 Method and device for automated loading of packages on a load carrier
A method and system for loading a loading carrier, in particular pallets, with packages by means of an automated manipulator, a model of a package stack on the loading carrier is automatically determined, an initial desired position for a package in the mode is determined, the package stack is detected on the loading carrier, a deviation between the detected package stack and the model is determined, the package is placed by the manipulator, and the steps are repeated until a termination criterion is reached.
US08489228B2 Path planning in a warehouse
A method of path planning for a working resource to access storage bins in a warehouse, the warehouse comprising a plurality of storage bins, the warehouse being divided into a set of activity areas, each activity area comprising a number of the bins of the warehouse; the method comprising the following steps: Selecting one out of a set of activities of a working resource in the warehouse; selecting a sort sequence which is associated with the selected activity, the sort sequence defining a path through the activity area the working resource has to follow when accessing the bins; determining, based on the selected activity area and the selected sort sequence, the path through the activity area to the bins.
US08489221B2 Method and apparatus for reel building and roll runnability in moving web manufacturing
A method and apparatus are set forth for controlling and actuator in a moving web manufacturing process. The method includes: (1) measuring a plurality of actuator profiles and in response generating nominal response models thereof; (2) generating a multivariable profile prediction based on the nominal response models; (3) generating a multivariable control target based at least one of the actuator profile; and (4) adjusting control of the actuator by minimizing error between the multivariable control target and the multivariable profile prediction.
US08489220B2 Variable tape feeder
A variable tape feeder is provided. The variable tape feeder includes a frame having an accommodating section and a component feeding section on a transfer path that transfers a carrier tape having components packaged with a cover tape. Width adjusters for the transfer path, the accommodating section, and the component feeding section are installed respectively on the transfer path, accommodating section, and component feeding section to adjust widths thereof according to widths of the carrier tape, the accommodating section, and the component feeding section, respectively. Width sensors for the transfer path, the accommodating section, and the component feeding section detect widths adjustment of the transfer path, the accommodating section, and the component feeding section width adjusters, respectively. A controller outputs a response signal in response to signals detected by the respective sensors installed in the component feeding section and the accommodating section.
US08489219B1 Process for making loose buffer tubes having controlled excess fiber length and reduced post-extrusion shrinkage
Disclosed is an improved buffering method for controlling excess fiber length (EFL) and reducing post-extrusion shrinkage in loose buffer tubes. In this way, the method yields first-quality loose buffer tubes not only during steady-state operation but also during ramping, thereby increasing production efficiency and reducing waste.
US08489213B2 Portable digital media device with a force sensor
There is provided a portable digital media device, including: a storage device; a force sensor coupled to the storage device; a display; and a controller coupled to both the storage device and the display, wherein the display shows information. The device may also be used as a cursor control and input device when connected to a computer. Other applications of the device are also disclosed.
US08489201B2 Shielded diathermy applicator with automatic tuning and low incidental radiation
An applicator supplying RF power for therapeutic diathermic treatment of a patient includes a radiation shielding device for shielding the applicator against misapplication of radiation to objects in the surroundings and unintended areas of the patient's body, and a coupling device for electrically coupling the radiation shielding device to at least one point of the body of a patient in a low impedance manner that reduces the potential drop from the grounded radiation shield to the body tissue.
US08489200B2 Transcutaneous energy transfer module with integrated conversion circuitry
An implantable transcutaneous energy transfer device secondary coil module includes a housing, a secondary coil, power conditioning circuitry, and a low voltage, high power connector. The transcutaneous energy transfer secondary coil is disposed outside the housing and is configured to receive a time-varying magnetic field provided by a transcutaneous energy transfer primary coil, and to convert the time-varying magnetic field into a high voltage, alternating current electric signal within the coil. The power conditioning circuitry is mounted within the housing and is electrically coupled to the secondary coil. The power conditioning circuitry including electronics for converting the high voltage, alternating current electric signal from the secondary coil into a high power, low voltage direct current electric signal. The low voltage, high power connector electrically coupled to the power conditioning circuitry and extending outside the housing for connecting the secondary coil module to a power bus for delivering power to implanted devices.
US08489194B2 Enhancing fine time structure transmission for hearing implant system
A system and method of signal processing for a hearing implant. The hearing implant includes at least one electrode, each electrode associated with a channel specific sampling sequence. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate for each electrode a band pass signal representing an associated band of audio frequency. For each electrode, a sequence signal is determined as a function of the electrode's associated band pass signal and channel specific sampling sequence. An envelope of each band pass signal is determined. The envelope of each band pass signal is filtered to reduce modulations resulting from unresolved harmonics, creating for each electrode an associated filtered envelope signal. Each electrode's sequence signal is weighted based, at least in part, on the electrode's associated filtered envelope signal.
US08489177B2 Fiducial marker and method for gamma guided stereotactic localization
A fiducial marker for use in a gamma-guided stereotactic localization system for imaging a suspected cancer and guiding a physician in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy. The fiducial marker includes a fiducial source that can be accurately located in a positioning system and used to correlate the location of the positioning system with the detector and therefore the region-of-interest. The fiducial can be made radioactive such that it can be seen by the gamma camera. The fiducial marker enables the accurate positioning of other hardware in proximity to the object to be viewed.
US08489169B2 Assembly methods for medical electrical leads
A method for making a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes the steps of: forming an insulative carrier from an insulative material; coupling at least one conductive component to the carrier by inserting a pre-formed tab of the conductive component through the carrier, from a first side thereof to a second side thereof, so that the conductive component is secured to the carrier with the tab extending along a surface of the second side of the carrier and an inward facing surface of an electrode portion of the conductive component being disposed against a surface of the first side of the carrier; coupling an elongate flexible conductor to the tab of the component; and forming an insulative layer over the second side of the carrier, the tab and the conductor electrically coupled to the tab.
US08489168B2 Coefficent determination for blood oxygen saturation and total hemoglobin concentration indices
A first concentration of a chromophore corresponding to a measurement volume of an optical sensor is determined. A second concentration of the chromophore is obtained in the vicinity of the measurement volume corresponding to a change in at least one of a total concentration of the chromophore and a relative concentration of a first form of the chromophore to the total concentration of the chromophore in the measurement volume. Light remittance measurements including a first light wavelength and a second light wavelength are obtained corresponding to the first chromophore concentration and the second chromophore concentration. A coefficient for computing an index of a change in the chromophore concentration is computed using the difference between the first and second chromophore concentrations and the first and second light remittance measurements.
US08489167B2 Evaluation kit for medical monitoring module system and method
An evaluation kit for monitoring, testing, and debugging a medical monitoring module is provided. The kit includes a hardware and software to provide for monitoring of communication between the medical monitoring module and a host or host simulator. The kit may provide for various system configurations having a sensor device, a computer having a protocol analyzer and a host simulator, a medical monitoring module, a software host, a medical monitor, or any combination thereof.
US08489165B2 Finger deployed device for measuring blood and physiological characteristics
The present invention relates to a device for measuring blood and physiological characteristics by passing light through human tissue that is configured for deployment on a human finger. The device includes a lower finger-trough configured in the main housing of the device; a hingedly attached closeable lid that has an upper finger-trough configured for deployment of at least one finger stabilizing element, the lid being latchable in a closed position; a finger stabilizing element made of a material having flexibly soft malleable characteristics so as to sealingly engage the top of the finger; a light source that is deployed in the sloped end wall of the lower finger-trough adjacent to the lower portion of the finger tip; and an end cap the is deployable on the open end of the device when the lid is in the closed position, which enables calibration of the device with a minimum of light wave “noise” from ambient light.
US08489157B2 Handheld electronic device with extended dual-hinged interconnector
A clam-shell style handheld electronic device having a dual-hinged interconnector between a display housing and a keyboard housing. The dual-hinged interconnector can be configured to act as a handle when the device is being held during text entry and to act as a stand when the open device is placed on a substantially flat surface.
US08489155B2 Portable electronic apparatus
A portable electronic apparatus provided with a biaxial hinge mechanism that connects a first body and a second body to be openable and closable and rotatable via a hinge portion that allows for a reduction in thickness in a thickness direction and a size of a set of the bodies in a closed state, while securing sufficient strength in the biaxial hinge mechanism.
US08489151B2 Integrated and detachable wireless headset element for cellular/mobile/portable phones and audio playback devices
A modular wireless headset having integrated but detachable elements is operable to service a cellular wireless terminal, streamed media or playback device. This modular wireless headset may include a wireless microphone and a wireless earpiece. The wireless earpiece may physically couple to the wireless microphone and a base unit in order to exchange information and share power resources. A power distribution controller allocates power between the wireless earpiece, wireless microphone, and base unit when physically coupled to operate or charge internal power supplies of the components.
US08489146B2 User interface for optimized viewing of header information
A graphical user interface is used to display information on small screens that would otherwise be incomplete. The interface consists of a dialog box that appears over the existing screen, displaying the full information required, when a user makes an input to view the information.
US08489139B2 Power sharing method and base station
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power sharing method and a base station, wherein the method comprises: according to a power demand of the communication systems of at least one mode among communication systems of different modes sharing a power amplifier, determining whether to perform power sharing among communication systems of different modes; if it is determined to perform power sharing among communication systems of different modes, adjusting an available power of communication systems of one or more modes therein. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined to perform the power sharing according to the power demands, power sharing is performed among communication systems of different modes, thereby realizing dynamic and flexible power sharing among communication systems of at least two modes.
US08489136B2 Wireless link to transmit digital audio data between devices in a manner controlled dynamically to adapt to variable wireless error rates
A communication system including a host transceiver, one or many device transceivers, and a wireless or wired link, in which encoded digital audio data and optionally also other auxiliary data are transmitted and received between the host transceiver and one or many device transceivers. The wireless link can but need not be a Certified Wireless USB (“CWUSB”) link, which utilizes WiMedia Ultra-Wideband (“UWB”) radio technology. For certain embodiments, packets of encoded audio data are transmitted from a host to a device or multiple devices over the wireless link utilizing a variety of data packet transfer methods, with the host adapting its algorithms dynamically to provide the digital audio content over a changing wireless error rate environment. The host intelligently controls the method of data transmission, including data encoding format, synchronization, latency, and transmission rate, in response to data transfer error information it detects or receives from each individual device in the system. Other embodiments are devices that employ audio-data-specific error concealment methods. Other embodiments concern host and device management of graceful muting and restart of audio on a device-by-device basis.
US08489134B2 System and method for providing presence based trunking in a network environment
A method is provided in one example implementation and the method includes interacting, via a first communication resource manager located in a first domain, with a second communication resource manager located in a second domain. The method further includes determining whether to establish a link for multicasting between users in the first domain and users in the second domain, and the link between the domains is established based on presence data of at least one user in the first domain and at least one user in the second domain.
US08489132B2 Context-enriched microblog posting
Disclosed are a system, method, and article of manufacture for context-enriched microblog posting. In one aspect, a message component is provided. A context data related to a context of a computing device used to generate the message component is provided. The message component and the context data are associated. The context data may be communicated to a web browser. The message component may be communicated to the web browser. The message component may be rendered in a format for communication as a short message service (SMS) message that includes a reference to the context data. The message component and the context data may be rendered in a format for communication as a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message.
US08489131B2 Smart device configured to determine higher-order context data
Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus of a smart device configured to determine higher-order context data. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a sensor to acquire a context data. The context data provides information of an attribute of an event within the range of the sensor. A processor analyzes an attribute of the context data and determines a higher-order context data. A message generator generates a supplemental context message transmittable through a network. The supplemental context message includes the higher-order context data. A network interface device communicatively couples the apparatus to the network.
US08489124B2 Methods and apparatus for position location in a wireless network
Methods and apparatus for position location in a wireless network. In an aspect, a method is provided that includes determining whether a symbol to be transmitted is an active symbol, wherein the symbol comprises a plurality of subcarriers, and encoding identification information on a first portion of subcarriers if it is determined that the symbol is the active symbol. The method also includes encoding idle information on a second portion of subcarriers if it is determined that the symbol in not the active symbol. In an aspect, an apparatus includes detector logic configured to decode a plurality of symbols to determine identification information that identifies a plurality of transmitters, and to determine a plurality of channel estimate associated with the plurality of transmitters. The apparatus also includes position determination logic configured to calculate a device position based on the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of channel estimates.
US08489123B2 Apparatus and method for deriving position information
A wireless receiver for receiving signals from a satellite positioning system, and receiving signals from a communications system uses a common path in the receiver, and derives position information (60, 230) from the received signals by correlation (50, 210, 220) with a code. In a first mode the deriving is carried out from the received signals excluding selected signals received in time slots used for communications signals. A second mode includes such signals. This enables control of the trade off between accuracy and the latency of the positioning processor to improve the performance over a range of conditions. The mode input can be changed dynamically according to signal strength, or according to the needs of an application.
US08489101B1 Call delivery in converged networks
Methods, systems, and apparatus can be used to provide call routing in converged networks. In various examples, a converged call routing system can be used determine routing information associated with an incoming connection request. Routing information can be based upon one or more of a current location of a communications device or a profile associated with a communications device.
US08489099B2 User equipment and access method thereof
In the field of wireless network communications, in order to solve a problem in the prior art that a user equipment (UE) cannot be handed over in time between a mobile access point (AP) and a fixed access point, a UE and an access method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. A relative speed between a UE and each access point is calculated. The access point is selected to establish a communication connection if the relative speed between the UE and the access point is smaller than a threshold speed. Therefore, a beneficial effect that the UE can be handed over in time between the mobile access point and the fixed access point is achieved.
US08489086B2 Use of powerlines for transmission of high frequency signals
Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.
US08489076B2 Method and apparatus for contact information management in mobile terminal
Provided is a contact management method in a mobile terminal that provides a contact synchronization function. A contact list editing screen is displayed, wherein, when a contact integrating function is performed, an entire contact list is scrollably displayed in a first area and a contact list for integrated management is displayed in a second area. Contacts selected from the first area are registered in the contact list of the second area. A primary contact in the contact list registered in the second area is maintained in the first area, while secondary contacts registered in the second area are deleted from the first area.
US08489066B2 Systems and methods for identifying caller locations
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method, system and device for determining information about a location of the mobile device. The mobile device is configured to contact a private response call center (PRCC), e.g., by pressing or selecting one or more buttons or a softmenu. A PRCC operator can identify a potential emergency situation and, upon such an identification, initiate a conference call between a PRCC operator, a user of the mobile device, and a public safety answering point (PSAP) operator. The mobile device may transmit location information previously determined before PRCC call and be commanded to gather new location information during the call. The mobile device may also, while on a call with the PRCC, determine and transmit to the PRCC location information.
US08489063B2 Systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for communicating emergency messages is provided comprising a mobile device comprising an emergency message application and a personal emergency message transceiver, an emergency message control center, wherein the emergency message application is enabled to receive a plurality of emergency messages generated by the emergency message control center.
US08489056B2 Frequency agile filter using a digital filter and bandstop filtering
The present invention is a hybrid RF-digital signal processor-based filter for multiband radio architectures, systems capable of spectrum re-farming and software defined radios It performs low-loss frequency agile multiple notch filtering at RF where a large dynamic range exists at a filter input between signals in a stopband and passband It is a frequency dependent signal attenuation apparatus having two paths connected together by directional couplers The first path comprising a component such as a delay component or duplexer The second path comprising, in series, a down converter, a digital filter, an up converter, and a bandstop filter At the output of a power amplifier, the invention can be used to attenuate spurs, or noise within bands with strict emission constraints At the input of a low noise amplifier, the invention can be used to attenuate blockers and transmitter noise outside of the receiver passband.
US08489054B2 Millimeter wave oscillator
An oscillator is described, comprising at least one transistor having a first terminal connected to a power supply voltage. The oscillator comprises at least one inductive element connected to a second terminal of the transistor and to a bias voltage and at least one capacitive element coupled between a third terminal of the transistor and ground. The oscillator further comprises means to collect the output signal of the oscillator on the second terminal of the transistor. The oscillator is of the millimeter wave type, i.e., both the inductive element and the capacitive element are sized such that the oscillation frequency is between 30 and 300 gigahertz.
US08489053B2 Compensation of local oscillator phase jitter
Digital logic circuitry is disclosed. The circuitry includes local oscillator drift and phase compensation logic that compensates the frequency drift and the phase noise of a local oscillator generated by a digitally controlled oscillator.
US08489050B2 Method for tuning to a radio broadcast frequency in a portable terminal
A method for tuning to a radio broadcast frequency in a portable terminal is disclosed. The method includes: determining whether a condition for requiring tuning information is satisfied; computing tuning information using received signal strength indication (RSSI) values of signals received by frequencies if a condition for requiring tuning information is satisfied; and tuning to a radio broadcast frequency corresponding to a radio broadcasting requested by a user, using the computed tuning information, and receiving radio broadcast signals. The tuning information includes: a threshold of RSSI serving as a reference value determine the presence of a radio broadcasting channel; and a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) value to minimize noise levels.
US08489049B1 Transmission and receiver system operating on different frequency bands
A receiver can extract digital data from wireless radio frequency signal. The digital data contains at least two compressed digital audio data each associated with a different audio program. One compressed digital audio data is delivered in a first frequency band and the other compressed digital audio data in a second frequency band. A user can select the audio program. The receiver also receives a command instructing the receiver to receive digital audio data from a communication channel in a frequency band.
US08489047B2 Transmitter linearized using bias deviation gain adjustment and method therefor
A transmitter (50) includes a low power memoryless nonlinear predistorter (58) that inserts predistortion configured to address a nonlinearity (146) corresponding to gain droop and another nonlinearity (148) corresponding to deviations from an average bias condition. When efforts are taken to reduce memory effects, such as configuring a network of components (138) that couple to an HPA (114) to avoid resonance frequencies within a video bandwidth (140), high performance linearization at low power results without extending linearization beyond that provided by the memoryless nonlinear predistorter (58). Each nonlinearity is addressed by applying gain to a communication signal (54). The amount of gain applied is determined by a look-up table (170) for one nonlinearity (146) and by a look-up table (198) in combination with a differentiator (202) for the other nonlinearity (148). The look-up tables (170, 198) are updated in accordance with modified LMS control loops.
US08489046B2 Signal decomposition methods and apparatus for multi-mode transmitters
A multi-mode communications transmitter includes a signal decomposer that converts rectangular-coordinate in-channel and quadrature channel signals into polar-coordinate amplitude and angle component signals and form therefrom first and second modulation signals. The signal decomposition process performed by the signal decomposer combines envelope-reduction and restoration (ERR) with filtering to reduce the bandwidths of the first and second modulation signals compared to the bandwidths of the unmodified amplitude and angle component signals. The reduction in signal bandwidths eases the design requirements of the electrical components needed to process and generate the signals applied to the power supply and radio frequency (RF) input ports of the multi-mode communications transmitter's power amplifier (PA). It also makes the multi-mode communications transmitter more forgiving to gain and delay mismatches between the signals applied to the power supply and RF input ports of the PA, compared to conventional polar modulation transmitters.
US08489039B2 Beamformed multi-input multiple-output communication with uplink transmission rotation
Techniques are provided to enable computation of beamforming weights for beamforming MIMO wireless communication between first and second wireless communication devices. At the first device comprising a first plurality of antennas, signals are received that are wirelessly transmitted from a different one of a second plurality of antennas of the second device during a corresponding one of a plurality of time slots. The first device computes beamforming weights from the received signals. When signals are to be transmitted from the first device to the second device, the first device applies the beamforming weights to signals to be transmitted from the first plurality of antennas of the first device to the second plurality of antennas of the second device.
US08489033B1 Enhanced wideband transceiver
A method for operating an integrated transceiver, comprising coupling an operating transmitter and an operating receiver within the integrated wideband receiver, inputting a signal into the operating transmitter, performing a first conversion of the signal, wherein the signal is converted into a second signal, transmitting the second signal into the operating receiver, performing a second conversion of the signal, wherein the signal is converted into a third signal, transmitting the third signal into the operating transmitter, and adjusting the operating transmitter.
US08489028B2 System and method to enable resource partitioning in wireless networks
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate improved resource partitioning and interference management in a wireless communication system. Techniques are described herein for the transmission and use of various types of signaling, such as Access Request commands, Reverse Link Special Resource Utilization Message (R-SRUM) signaling, Forward Link Special Resource Utilization Message (F-SRUM) signaling, and the like, for managing interference associated with range extension, restricted association networks, and other jamming scenarios. As described herein, downlink resource coordination and interference management are accomplished through the use of Access Request or R-SRUM signaling conducted in a unicast or broadcast fashion, and uplink resource coordination and interference management are accomplished through the use of F-SRUM signaling. As further described herein, a clean communication channel such as a Low Reuse Preamble (LRP) channel can be utilized for interference management signaling and/or leveraged for determining timing of various signaling messages.
US08489025B2 Method for transmitting magnetic resonance signals with double frequency conversion
Front bandpass filters that are essentially transmissive only between a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency filter the magnetic resonance signals. Front frequency mixers mix output signals of each of the bandpass filters with a front LO frequency that is standard for all the magnetic resonance signals. Rear bandpass filters that are essentially transmissive only around a front intermediate frequency filter the output signals of the front frequency mixers. Rear frequency mixers mix output signals of each of the rear bandpass filters with a respective constant rear LO frequency. Frequency filters that are transmissive for frequencies in the range of the difference of the rear LO frequency that is supplied to the rear frequency mixer arranged upstream thereof and the front intermediate frequency filter the output signals of the rear frequency mixers. Output signals of the frequency filters are combined into a common signal, which is transmitted onward.
US08489023B1 Adaptive antenna configuration for multiple wireless protocols in a wireless device
Arbitration between two wireless protocols in a wireless device. The wireless device may include first wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process first signals according to a first wireless protocol and second wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process second signals according to a second wireless protocol. The wireless device may also include coexistence circuitry. The coexistence circuitry may be configured to receive a request from the first wireless protocol circuitry to perform transmission or reception and arbitrate the requested transmission or reception between the first wireless protocol circuitry and the second wireless protocol circuitry. The decision may be based on current or future priority information, current configuration, or other factors. The coexistence circuitry (or other circuitry) may be configured to determine position of switches controlling antennas or transmission using shared or unshared antennas (or chains). The two wireless protocols may be WLAN and Bluetooth.
US08489022B1 Arbitration between multiple wireless protocols in a wireless device based on predicted activites
Arbitration between two wireless protocols in a wireless device. The wireless device may include first wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process first signals according to a first wireless protocol and second wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process second signals according to a second wireless protocol. The wireless device may also include coexistence circuitry. The coexistence circuitry may be configured to receive a request from the first wireless protocol circuitry to perform transmission or reception and arbitrate the requested transmission or reception between the first wireless protocol circuitry and the second wireless protocol circuitry. The decision may be based on current or future priority information, current configuration, or other factors. The coexistence circuitry (or other circuitry) may be configured to determine position of switches controlling antennas or transmission using shared or unshared antennas (or chains). The two wireless protocols may be WLAN and Bluetooth.
US08489019B2 Signal repeater utilizing beamforming for spatial isolation
A repeater device may be utilized to enable forwarding extreme high frequency (EHF) communication between EHF-enabled wireless devices. The repeater device may utilize spatial isolation to prevent and/or reduce interference between received and transmitted EHF RF signals, wherein reception and/or transmission of EHF RF signals in the repeater device may be performed via narrow beams that may enable minimal interference by transmit EHF RF signals to reception of EHF RF. The repeater device may utilize phased arrays to enable performing beamforming, and signal processing operations, including shift and/or amplitude adjustment, may be performed on signals received and/or transmitted via antenna elements in the phased arrays to enable beamforming during reception and transmission of EHF RF signals. Signal processing operations performed in the repeater device may be modifiable to enable continued spatial isolation between receive and transmit EHF RF signal in the repeater device.
US08489012B2 Paper handler
An automated paper handling system for sending print media through a printer comprising a scan module for scanning print media and producing raw data regarding characteristics of the print media. The paper handling system also has a controller comprising a memory and a processor for receiving and processing the raw data to produce an information set. One or more connection ports connect the controller to a group of equipment, the group may comprise a printer, a paper detector, a cutting system, or an alignment system.
US08489008B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes an endless fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, a heater, a heater support, and a belt tensioner. The endless fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof. The contact member extends in the axial direction inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction with the belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member is pressed against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to heat the fuser belt. The heater support is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to hold the heater in position. The belt tensioner is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to tighten the fuser belt.
US08489001B2 Powder conveyance device and image forming apparatus using same
A powder conveyance device includes a powder container, a conveyance pipe extending downward and including first, second, and third conveyance portions disposed in that order, a first bent portion connecting together the first and second conveyance portions, bent in a direction to increase a horizontal gradient of the second conveyance portion from that of the first conveyance portion, and a second bent portion connecting together the second and third conveyance portions, bent in a direction to reduce a horizontal gradient of the third conveyance portion from that of the second conveyance portion, a powder conveyance member disposed inside the conveyance pipe, and a first powder regulator movably disposed inside the third conveyance portion of the conveyance pipe, to restrict an amount of powder discharged through the discharge port by varying a cross sectional area of a space present above a discharge port in the conveyance pipe.
US08488982B2 Method and apparatus to control electric power of coil which performs induction heating in imaging apparatus
Provided is a method of controlling electric power of a coil which performs induction heating in an imaging apparatus. The method includes: detecting an input current of the coil; detecting a resonant current of the coil; calculating a difference between the detected resonant current and the detected input current; and controlling electric power supplied to the coil based on the difference. These operations are repeatedly performed whenever the detected input current is changed.
US08488979B2 Multi-level polarization multi-level phase modulator
An apparatus for use with an optical computation system may comprise a monolithic device with no free space optical components and may include a phase modulator and a polarization modulator. The phase modulator may be configured to receive a beam of light and two digital data streams and operable to modulate the phase of the beam of light to at least four phase states, the at least four phase states representing the two digital data streams. The polarization modulator may be configured to receive two additional digital data streams and the modulated beam of light from the phase modulator and operable to modulate the polarization of the beam of light to at least four polarization states, the at least four polarization states representing the two additional digital data streams.
US08488978B2 Optical signal processor
A probe light source produces probe light having a second wavelength different from a first wavelength of signal light. To a light modulator, the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source are supplied. The light modulator multiplexes the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source, and supplies it to a nonlinear optical medium. Further, the light modulator modulates the probe light by an intensity change of the signal light in the nonlinear optical medium, and outputs modulated light having the second wavelength based on the data of the signal light.
US08488975B2 Optical transmitter, optical transmitter and receiver system, optical transmitting method and optical transmitting and receiving method
An optical transmitter includes: a pre-compensator calculating an electrical field of an optical signal subjected to an electronic pre-compensation with respect to an input digital signal; a parallelizer parallelizing the electrical field of the optical signal calculated by the pre-compensator; a plurality of optical modulators modulating an optical signal based on each of parallelized electrical fields of optical signals; and a time-division multiplexer time-division-multiplexing an optical signal output from the plurality of the optical modulators.
US08488965B2 Network system and optical line terminal
It is necessary to completely remove overlapping of signals between plural PONs in order to make the PONs coexist. Accordingly, it is required to share or intensively manage bandwidth use conditions over an optical fiber that serves as a common band between plural systems. Therefore, transmission clocks should be synchronized with high accuracy between plural systems. A reference clock is provided from an external device or a representative OLT to the entire systems to perform clock synchronization between plural systems, so that the overall systems are synchronized by synchronizing each OLT with the reference clock. A hierarchical management method is selected that manages ONUs under the control of each OLT by managing band use information arranged for each OLT with respect to an external device or a representative OLT for sharing of bandwidth use conditions between plural systems.
US08488964B2 Line control method in optical network and optical network itself
In an access network using optical switches, communications between an OLT and ONUs are established without a photoelectric conversion performed at an optical switching unit.The OLT controls the downlink optical switch SW(DOWN) to sequentially select each ONU in slots arranged in a discrete manner, and transmits a Discovery Gate message. Upon receipt of the Discovery Gate message, each ONU consecutively transmits Register Request messages. The uplink optical switch SW(UP) sequentially switch signals from ONU#1 through ONU#128 in the slots arranged in a discrete manner, and outputs the signals to the OLT, Some of the Register Requests transmitted from the respective ONUs pass through the SW(UP), and reach the OLT. Based on the received Register Requests, the OLT determines the timing of transmission for the ONUS, and notifies the ONUS of the timing of transmission through a Gate message.
US08488958B2 Scene adaptive auto exposure
Systems, methods, and a computer readable medium for an improved automatic exposure algorithm attempt to classify an image into a particular “scene category,” and, based on the determined scene category, meter the scene according to a generated metering weighting matrix. In one embodiment, the average luminance is calculated for a central exposure metering region of the image and a plurality of peripheral exposure metering regions surrounding the central exposure metering region. Based on comparisons of the average luminance values of the peripheral exposure regions to the average luminance of the central exposure region, a target metering weighting matrix may be generated. In another embodiment, the scene category corresponds to a predetermined metering weighting matrix. In video applications, it may be desirable to reduce oscillations in metering parameter values to limit any visually jarring effects on the camera's preview screen by only adjusting metering parameter values when predetermined criteria are met.
US08488947B2 Apparatus for and method of recording information, apparatus for and method of reproducing information, recording medium, and information recording medium
Provided is an information recording apparatus which, in a state where the content of moving picture image information, etc. can be prevented from being inadvertently recognized by the user due to inadvertent presentation to the user of a relevant representative picture image, enables recording the respective information into a recording medium. A reproduction list PL that is to be reproduced is not only recorded into an optical disc 1 but is there also recorded in it a reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF indicating at least whether limiting the display of a representative picture image that represents the content of the reproduction list PL.
US08488943B1 Trimming media content without transcoding
Systems and methods for editing an MP4 multimedia container without transcoding are disclosed herein. Editing operations can be accomplished by transforming data included in the multimedia container rather than by transforming raw data streams and then reconverting to MP4 (or another) file format. In response to a target range that identifies a portion of the media content to maintain, a corresponding sample range in terms of the MP4 format can be constructed and data outside that range can be discarded, e.g., from the mdat atom and the sample tables atom(s).
US08488940B2 Video information recording method and video information reproducing apparatus
The amount of data stored in a video buffer (3) that temporarily stores multi-angle streams (A, B) is controlled from information giving the distance between the angle blocks (A—1, B—1, A—2, B—2, . . . ) of the multi-angle streams and an audio stream (C) on a recording medium (10). In multi-angle playback, in which multiple files are read simultaneously, this can shorten the time from when the user switches the angle until the image reproduced by a video display apparatus changes to the intended angle.
US08488936B2 Fiber retainer for cable trough member
Systems and methods for the management and routing of telecommunication cables include cable trough members. Generally, the trough members include a plurality of retainer members coupled to sidewalls of the trough members. The retainer members assist in maintaining cables within an interior of the trough members.
US08488933B2 Method and apparatus for mechanically cleaving a stripped end section of an optic fiber core
Apparatus for mechanically cleaving a stripped end section of an optic fiber core, including a receiving section including an optic fiber guide for receiving the stripped end section of the optic fiber core; a clamping section for receiving a terminal end section of the optic fiber core from the receiving section and securing said terminal end section in a fixed position; and a cleaving section including a cleaving member and cleaving blade, said member being operable to move between an optic fiber receiving position and an optic fiber cleaving position where the blade is positioned to at least partially fracture the optic fiber core extending between the receiving section and the clamping section, wherein movement of the cleaving member towards the cleaving position effects at least partial separation movement between the guide and the clamping section so as to tension and thereby cleave the optic fiber core extending therebetween.
US08488932B2 Optical fiber with increased mechanical strength
An optical fiber having increased mechanical strength is provided. The optical fiber includes an over cladding layer that has a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa.
US08488927B2 Optical component having a waveguide array heterostructure
The invention relates to an optical component including an array of coupled waveguides, wherein said waveguide array includes: a first area made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a first coupling coefficient; a second area adjacent to the first area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a second coupling coefficient lower than the first coupling coefficient; a third area adjacent to the second area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a third coupling coefficient higher than the second coupling coefficient; a fourth area adjacent to the third area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a fourth coupling coefficient lower than the third coupling coefficient; and a fifth area adjacent to the fourth area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a fifth coupling coefficient higher than the fourth coupling coefficient.
US08488917B2 Electro-optic modulator
A doping profile for a modulator facilitates rapidly changing the carrier density in a waveguide. The carrier density change causes rapid changes in the index of refraction of the waveguide. Example modulators include a ring modulator and a Mach Zender modulator. A charge reciprocating section may be provided to control the amount of injected charge.
US08488896B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus and an image processing method blurs a background portion of an image. The image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit for acquiring original image data; an image processing unit for separating background pixels from foreground pixels in the original image; an image filtering unit for filtering the background pixels; and an image merging unit for merging the foreground pixels with the filtered background pixels in order to generate a new image having a blurred background.
US08488895B2 Laser scanning digital camera with pupil periphery illumination and potential for multiply scattered light imaging
A portable, lightweight digital imaging device uses a slit scanning arrangement to obtain an image of the eye, in particular the retina. In at least one embodiment, a digital retinal imaging device includes an illumination source operable to produce a source beam, wherein the source beam defines an illumination pathway, a scanning mechanism operable to cause a scanning motion of the illumination pathway in one dimension with respect to a target, an optical element situated within the illumination pathway, the optical element operable to focus the illumination pathway into an illumination slit at a plane conjugate to the target, wherein the illumination slit is slit shaped, a first two dimensional detector array operable to detect illumination returning from the target and acquire one or more data sets from the detected illumination, wherein the returning illumination defines a detection pathway, and a shaping mechanism positioned within the illumination pathway, wherein the shaping mechanism shapes the source beam into at least one arc at a plane conjugate to the pupil. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the digital retinal imaging device is operable to minimize at least one aberration from the optical element or an unwanted reflection from the target or a reflection from a device.
US08488893B2 Image compression apparatus and image compression method
An image compression apparatus performs image compression on high-resolution image data of various resolutions while reducing the circuit size. A generation unit generates complementary information based on an arrangement pattern of pixel values in each of the divided blocks each including 2 by 2 pixels. Further, image data of 1/(2^M) times the resolution is compressed using a first compression method, and image data of 1/(2^N) times the resolution is compressed using a second compression method. The apparatus determines whether to cause a combination of the complementary information and first compressed data to be output, or a combination of the complementary information and second compressed data to be output, based on the data size of each.
US08488892B2 Image encoder and camera system
A compression controller is capable of executing prediction mode selection for selecting any one of forward prediction, backward prediction, or bidirectional prediction as a prediction mode used for encoding based on spatial frequencies of an image to be encoded. The compression controller determines whether or not to execute the prediction mode selection based on image mobility information indicating an amount of motion in the image to be encoded.
US08488887B2 Method of determining an image distribution for a light field data structure
The invention relates to a method of determining an image distribution (Dopt) for a light field data structure, which method comprises obtaining a plurality of images (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) from a plurality of image sources (C1, C2, . . . , Cn), performing image analysis on each image (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) of the plurality of images (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) to determine whether a specified criterion is satisfied by the content of that image (F1, F2, . . . , Fn), and identifying a group (12) of images (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) whose contents satisfy the specified criterion. The image group (12) is compared to each reference image distribution (D1, D2, . . . , Dm) of a set of predefined reference image distributions (D1, D2, . . . , Dm,) to select an optimal image distribution (Dopt), wherein a reference image distribution (D1, D2, . . . , Dm) comprises a predefined arrangement of I-images and P-images of the light field data structure. Each image (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) of the plurality of images (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) of the light field data structure is subsequently designated to be either an I-image or a P-image according to the selected image distribution (Dopt). The invention also describes a system (1) for determining an image distribution (Dopt) for a light field data structure.
US08488885B2 Method and apparatus for using pressure information for improved computer controlled handwriting recognition data entry and user authentication
A method and system utilizing both (x, y) coordinate (“spatial”) stroke data and associated pressure information for improved handwriting recognition. The method and system can also be applied to all types of handwriting-based data entry applications and also to user authentication. The digitizer pad used in the computer system gives both spatial information and associated pressure data when a stroke is being drawn thereon, e.g., by a stylus. Pressure information can be used to differentiate between different character sets, e.g., upper case and lower case characters for certain alphabetic characters. The spatial stroke data then identifies the particular character. The pressure information can also be used to adjust any display attribute, such as character font size, font selection, color, italic, bold, underline, shadow, language, etc. The associated pressure information can also be used for recognizing a signature. In this case, a user is allowed to sign a name on the digitizer pad. This provides non-character based user authentication that relies not only on the spatial stroke data but also on the pressure applied at different points in the signed name or image. Pressure information can also be used to provide improved handwriting-based data entry. For instance, in a drafting program, the pressure of a drawn line can be used to determine its width. Generally, pressure data can also be used to improve handwriting recognition tasks and heuristics.
US08488884B2 Method and apparatus for operating, interfacing and/or managing for at least one optical characteristic system for container handlers in a container yard
Methods and several apparatus embodiments are disclosed operating Optical Characteristic Systems (OCS) in a container storage and/or transfer yard supporting the automated recognition of container codes displayed on various sides of the containers being stored and/or transferred. At least one processor may initiate an operational process by an OCS mounted on a container handler to create an operational result, select the operational process based upon an operational schedule and communicate with at least one OCS to receive an image of a container being handled by the container handler to at least partly create a container code estimate for a container inventory management system. A program system directing at least one computer implementing these operations, and may reside in computer readable memory, an installation package and/or a download server. The computer readable memory may or may not be accessibly coupled to the computer.
US08488882B1 Non-linear transformation of images in web browsers
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving an image file including image data corresponding to a digital image, the digital image being provided in a first space, and projecting the digital image using a non-linear invertible map projection to generate a projected image, the projected image being provided in a second space, projecting the digital image is achieved by: dividing the digital image into segments, scaling each segment to provide modified segments, and generating the projected image using the modified segments.
US08488878B2 Sky detection system used in image extraction device and method using sky detection system
Disclosed is a sky detection system that detects sky in an image collection device. The system includes an image collection unit that collects information of a color image; a color-feature extraction unit that extracts a color feature of each pixel from the collected image; a distance measurement unit that measures a distance between each pixel of the collected image and a lens; a first classification unit that classifies each pixel of the collected image as either a sky pixel or a non-sky pixel based on the color feature; and a second classification unit that further classifies each pixel of the collected image as either the sky pixel or the non-sky pixel based on the distance and a result of the first classification unit.
US08488875B2 Color selection and/or matching in a color image
A method or computer program product for color selection in a color image, including operations or instructions for selecting a base color in a base color portion of a color image; computing a perceptual color difference between the base color and a respective second color in the color image; comparing the perceptual color difference to a tolerance; and, identifying whether the color difference satisfies the tolerance.
US08488872B2 Stereo image processing apparatus, stereo image processing method and program
An imaging device (100) includes: an imaging element (103) obtained by repeatedly arranging a pixel W for entire wavelength band, a W-R pixel for R, a W-G pixel for G, and a W-B pixel for B; a filter (102) configured such that a portion corresponding to the pixel W allows the entire wavelength band of a wavelength band within a certain range to pass and portions corresponding to the W-R pixel, the W-G pixel, and the W-B pixel reflect wavelength bands of corresponding colors, respectively; a reflection amount calculating unit (113) for calculating signal values of R, G, and B by subtracting a value of an image reading signal of each of the W-R pixel, the W-G pixel, and the W-B pixel from a value of an image reading signal of the pixel W.
US08488871B2 Three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection apparatus
A three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes: an ultrasonic transducer disposed m×n piezoelectric vibrators in a matrix; a signal processing device to receive, detect an echo, and generate a three-dimensional image data by processing an electric signal of the echo detected; and a display processing device to display a result of processing the three-dimensional image data generated by the signal processing device, wherein the display processing device includes a peak detecting unit to detect a first peak and a second peak of an intensity distribution of the three-dimensional image data in a depth (z) direction, a joint portion image creation unit to create a three-dimensional image of the joined area by mapping z direction distance of the first peak and the second peak to x-y plane, a determination unit to determine whether the joined area is sound or not, and a display unit to display the three-dimensional image and the determination result of the joined area.
US08488870B2 Multi-resolution, multi-window disparity estimation in 3D video processing
A disparity value between corresponding pixels in a stereo pair of images, where the stereo pair of images includes a first view and a second view of a common scene, can be determined based on identifying a lowest aggregated matching cost for a plurality of support regions surrounding the pixel under evaluation. In response to the number of support regions having a same disparity value being greater than a threshold number, a disparity value indicator for the pixel under evaluation can be set to the same disparity value.
US08488869B2 Image processing method and apparatus
An image processing method including: obtaining points on left-eye and right-eye images to be generated from a two-dimensional (2D) image, to which a predetermined pixel of the 2D image is to be mapped, by using the sizes of holes to be generated in the left-eye and right-eye images; and generating the left-eye and right-eye images respectively having the obtained points to which the predetermined pixel of the 2D image is mapped.
US08488866B2 Method of inspecting mask pattern and mask pattern inspection apparatus
A inspection image data of the chip A is captured and the data representing the amount of correction of flare corresponded to the chip A is appropriately loaded from the map storage block. Next, a inspection image of the chip A′ is captured, and the data representing the amount of correction of flare corresponded to the chip A′ is loaded from the flare map storage block as the amount of shifting of the edge of the contour of the pattern. The amount of correction is converted, by a correction data generation block which is a correction data generator, into the amount of geometrical correction of pattern which provides correction data. In the comparison block, the images of the geometry of two chips are compared and corrected on the amount of correction of flare generated by a correction data generation block, to thereby judge whether defect is found or not.
US08488864B2 Emission analysis device, method and system
An emission analysis device has an image obtaining module configured to obtain a plurality of first images and a plurality of second images by changing multiple times an end test pattern address, the first images being obtained by integrating an emission from a nondefective semiconductor device determined to be nondefective by a function test while test patterns from a predetermined start test pattern address to the end test pattern address are inputted to the nondefective semiconductor device, the second images being obtained by integrating an emission from a defective semiconductor device determined to be defective by the function test while the test patterns from the predetermined start test pattern address to the end test pattern address are inputted to the defective semiconductor device, and a comparator configured to compare each of the first images with each of the second images by the end test pattern address to determine whether there is a difference between the first images and the second images.
US08488860B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
MRI signal data is received individually by multiple element coils. For each channel assigned to each element coil at a positioning image taking time, the collected magnetic resonance signal data is entered into a storage unit. An image is reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring the storage unit regarding the channel selected at the positioning image taking time. The reconstructed image is displayed. When a channel selection change command is received, an image is reconstructed using the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring to the storage unit regarding the changed channel. The after-change corrected image is displayed.
US08488859B2 Method for fat fraction quantification in magnetic resonance imaging
A method for determining a concentration of fat within a region of a subject includes acquiring at least three gradient echo images from at least two different flip angles. The first and third images occur at an in-phase time when resonance signals of fat and water are in-phase with one another. The second images occur at an opposed-phase time when the resonance signals of fat and water are 180° out of phase with one another. T2* and T1 relaxation time maps are approximated based on the acquired images. Fat and water signals are distinguished based on observed relative signal phase. The amplitude of the fat and water signals are modulated using the T2* and T1 relaxation time maps. A ratio between fat and water signals for one or more voxels of the images is calculated based on the amplitude modulated fat and water signal images.
US08488857B2 Automated diagnosis and alignment supplemented with positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) flow estimation
A scanner (10) is used to provide images for automated diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers disease. The images are registered (90) to a template (78). The aligned image is analyzed (60) in relation to reference image data (76, 80) which has been registered to the template which is contained in a knowledge maintenance engine (70) for similar patterns of hypo-intensity that would indicate (in the case of an FDG tracer) reduced glucose uptake in the brain. The most appropriate reference images for the analysis of the present study are chosen by a filter (74). The present study is then given a dementia score (84) as a diagnostic feature vector that indicates to a clinician the type and severity of the ailment based on the analysis. The scanner (10) can produce PET or other metabolic and MR images for diagnosis. The MR can be used to measure blood flow rate into the brain. From the blood flow rate and the metabolic image, tracer, e.g. FDG, uptake maps can be generated for use in the automated diagnoses.
US08488855B2 Transportable PET insert
Methods and features of a transportable PET insert unit are disclosed. A transportable PET insert unit is provided. The transportable PET insert unit is operable to be coupled with a non-PET imaging system. The transportable PET insert unit is rented to a client.
US08488830B2 Condenser microphone having a flexible neck
A condenser microphone includes a support pipe made of a metallic material; a microphone body supported on a front end side of the support pipe, and including a microphone unit and an output module part having a sound signal output circuit and a shield housing; a proximal housing having an output connector therein and attached to a rear end side of the support pipe; a connecting member arranged between the support pipe and the shield housing; and a metal cover arranged in the connecting member and having a peripheral portion contacting with the shield housing. One end of a shield cover of a microphone cable and a ground part of the sound signal output circuit are connected electrically to the metal cover so that a complete shield in which a contact portion between the metal cover and the shield housing is a base point of grounding is formed.
US08488824B2 Audio encoding and decoding method and associated audio encoder, audio decoder and computer programs
The invention relates to a method for sequencing spectral components of elements to be encoded (A1, . . . , AQ) originating from an audio scene comprising N signals (Sii=1 to N), in which N>1, an element to be encoded comprising spectral components associated with respective spectral bands, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: calculation of the respective influence of at least some spectral components which can be calculated as a function of the spectral parameters originating from at least some of the N signals on the mask-to-noise ratios determined over the spectral bands as a function of the encoding of said spectral components; and allocation of an order of priority to at least one spectral component as a function of the influence calculated for said spectral component compared to the other influences calculated.
US08488823B2 Method for designing audio signal processing system for hearing aid, audio signal processing system for hearing aid, and hearing aid
A hearing aid tailored to a hard-of-hearing person is designed using sampled-data control theory. The method is for designing an audio signal processing system for a hearing aid, wherein the system comprises an AD converter for converting an analog audio input signal (yc) inputted to the hearing aid into a digital audio input signal, a hearing aid digital filter (K(z)) for performing a signal processing on the digital audio input signal outputted from the AD converter, and a DA converter for converting a digital signal outputted from the hearing aid digital filter into an analog audio output signal to be outputted to the hard-of-hearing person. The hearing aid digital filter (K(z)) is designed according to sampled-data control theory so as to reduce an error (ec) occurring between: a restored analog signal (zc) obtained from filtering the analog audio output signal outputted from the DA converter through an analog filter (P(s)) that has characteristics corresponding to auditory characteristics of the hard-of-hearing person; and the analog audio signal (yc) inputted to the hearing aid.
US08488811B2 Audio-peak limiting in slow and fast stages
A method and apparatus for limiting the absolute magnitude of an audio signal. The method may include firstly variable-gain reducing the gain of an audio signal, and then secondly variable-gain reducing the gain of the audio signal faster than the first variable-gain reduction, thereby limiting the absolute magnitude of the audio signal to a threshold. The first variable-gain reduction may include variable-gain reducing the gain of the audio signal in a first stage, and the second variable-gain reduction may include variable-gain reducing the gain of the audio signal in a second stage that reduces the gain faster than the first stage. The second variable-gain reduction may include delaying the audio signal, finding a peak among the delayed audio signal, calculating a fast gain from a found peak, and modifying the delayed audio signal with the calculated fast gain.
US08488810B2 Audio processing chip and audio signal processing method thereof
An audio processing chip includes a connecting port, an audio amplifier module and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit. The connecting port receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal; the audio amplifier module amplifies an audio signal according to a control signal to thereby output an audio output signal; and the pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit is coupled between the connecting port and the audio amplifier module, and outputs the control signal to the audio amplifier module according to the PWM signal to thereby control an operation of the audio amplifier module.
US08488795B2 Method for providing a symmetric key for protecting a key management protocol
Cryptographic material is generated for a protocol for the encrypted transmission of media data between a subscriber device and a provider device. A first symmetric key of the subscriber device and the provider device is inserted in a symmetric key protection mechanism of a network protocol of a control layer to establish a communication session between the subscriber device and the provider device. A first time-variable parameter is transmitted from the provider device to the subscriber device. A second symmetric key for protecting the key management protocol is calculated by both the provider device and the subscriber device using a defined function depending at least on the first symmetric key and the first time-variable parameter.
US08488782B2 Parameterizable cryptography
Some embodiments provide systems and techniques for performing parameterizable cryptography. An encryption key can be determined based at least on a string associated with an authorization policy. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt information. The decryption key can also be determined based at least on the string associated with the authorization policy. Note that the authorization policy must be satisfied to decrypt information. In some embodiments, the systems and techniques for performing parameterizable cryptography are blindable. These blindable embodiments can be used to preserve privacy.
US08488775B2 Method and system for recording automatic call distributor calls
A method for recording automatic call distributor calls includes receiving from a caller a call for distribution to one of a plurality of agents and distributing the call to a first agent of the plurality of agents for handling. The method includes creating a call signature associated with the call for recording verification and recording communications of the call to a recording file. The method also includes embedding the call signature in the recording file.
US08488773B1 System for geographic agent routing
A call center system in which agents are geographically dispersed based on agent skill-set, agent location and caller location that results in a call being delivered to the best available agent. The call center system is comprised of a call center application module coupled to a database module with a communications network being used to couple incoming calls from customers, as well as various call center agents, to the system. The database contains a ranking of available agents, based on a dataset including information regarding skill-set, previous interaction with the customer, proximity to the customer, language capability, current availability, and so forth. The system then chooses the best available agent to service a customer call based on the agent rankings. In the case where the customer has a preference for proximity of the agent to the customer, the system adjusts the agent rankings according to the agent's distance from the customer prior to making a selection.
US08488771B2 System and method for prompt modification based on caller hang ups in IVRS
In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.
US08488767B2 Technique for selective presentation of information in response to a request for information assistance service
In accordance with the present invention, when a user makes an information assistance call to an information/call center requesting a listing, the user can make arrangements for various services relating to the requested listing in the same call. These services may be presented to an operator as options, and in turn presented to the user for selection. However, the options undesired by the user, based on personal preferences stored in a personal profile, or unsupported by the telephone service to which the user subscribes are not presented to the operator and thus not made available to the user. If the user is interested in any of the available options, the operator accesses the selected option and makes an appropriate arrangement for the underlying service for the user.
US08488754B1 IP-enabled information delivery
A method, system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing Internet protocol enabled information delivery are provided. Information from a calling party is received at an Internet protocol enabled device. A lookup of information relating to the calling party is performed in a database via an Internet protocol connection. A message is received from the database comprising information relating to the calling party.
US08488753B2 Location based format selection for information services
In a communication system, a wireless transceiver receives a request message from a caller system for an information service. The information service is associated with an Internet address and an image format. A control system determines a location of the caller system. The control system selects a text message format for the information service based on the location of the caller system. The control system transmits a setup message to the information service indicating the selected text message format. In some examples, the control system receives a text message from the information service responsive to the set-up message, and the wireless transceiver transfers the text message to the caller system.
US08488749B2 Systems and methods for call replay
Call replay systems and methods are disclosed. A call replay system can record a telephonic communication and replay the recorded communication upon request. The entire communication may be recorded, or only a portion, such as the most recent few minutes. The entire recording can be transmitted to a requestor, or only a portion. The recording may be altered before it is transmitted to a requestor. Alterations may include actions taken to reduce playback time, such as removing spaces in the recording where no conversation is taking place, or speeding up the recording. Other alterations may include adjusting the sonic characteristics of the recording, translating the recording, or transcribing the recording to create a text version.
US08488738B2 Radiographic apparatus
A radiographic apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation source control unit for instructing the radiation source to emit the radiation, and a radiation detector for detecting the radiation. The radiation detector outputs real-time detection data when the radiation source emits the radiation intermittently or continuously, and outputs quiescence detection data when the radiation source emits still radiation. The quiescence detection data is acquired by the radiation source control unit controlling the radiation source to start emitting the radiation at a time earlier than a predicted point of time by a predetermined time calculated based on an estimated irradiation time.
US08488735B2 Solid-state imager and X-ray CT apparatus including same
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device and the like having a structure for capturing a high-resolution image even when any of the reading-out wiring and row selecting wiring is disconnected. A pixel portion Pm,n of the photodetecting section (10) includes a photodiode PD generating charge of an amount according to an incident light intensity and a reading-out switch SW1 connected to the photodiode PD. The pixel portion Pm,n occupies a substantially square region, and most of the region is a region of the photodiode PD. A field-effect transistor serving as the reading-out switch SW1 is formed in one corner of the region. A channel stopper CS is continuously formed in a region sandwiched by pixel portions. In a region surrounded by any 2×2 pixel portions adjacent to one another, a dummy photodiode PD1 surrounded by the channel stopper CS is formed.
US08488734B2 Nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system
Illustrative embodiments provide a nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system.
US08488725B2 Method and system for spatial channel state information feedback based on a kronecker product
A spatial channel state information (CSI) feedback technique is incorporated into multiple-input multiple-output mobile communications technologies. Spatial channel state information is measured at receiving equipment and then decomposed into components. The components are then quantized using codebook(s) and fed back as multiple indices to transmitting equipment.
US08488724B2 Wideband interference mitigation for devices with multiple receivers
Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to suppressing interference in a wireless communication system. For example, a method of suppressing interference can include receiving one or more first signals including components from a plurality of sub-channels. Each of the first signals can be converted into a respective plurality of first sub-band frequency components. A respective spatial filter can be determined for each frequency sub-band using one or more corresponding first sub-band components for each respective spatial filter. One or more second signals including components from the plurality of sub-channels can be received. Each of the second signals can be converted into a respective plurality of second sub-band frequency components. A corresponding plurality of filtered sub-band components can be generated by applying the respective spatial filters to the corresponding second sub-band components for each of the second signals.
US08488717B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data
A method of processing digital broadcast data in a digital broadcast transmitter includes performing Reed-Solomon (RS) encoding and Cyclic Redundancy Check encoding on mobile service data to build an RS frame; dividing the RS frame into a plurality of portions; mapping one of the plurality of portions into a first data group and inserting known data sequences, transmission parameters, place holders for non-systematic RS parity data, place holders for main service data, and place holders for MPEG header data into the first data group; deinterleaving data of the first data group to output a second data group; and removing the place holders for non-systematic RS parity data and the place holders for main service data in the second data group and replacing the place holders for MPEG header data in the second data group with MPEG header data to output mobile service data packets.
US08488714B2 Hierarchical modulating method and transmitter performing hierarchical modulation
A modulation mapper selects respective data blocks (DBs) hierarchically and sequentially in a descending order of a transmission power ratio control by a gain multiplexer; decides, from a resource element group, unused REs to which modulation symbols can be allocated; and decides the allocation of modulation symbols in the REs. A channel resource element mapper performs the mapping of modulation symbols of the respective DBs to the REs on the basis for the decided allocation. A complex-value transmission signal is generated from the group of REs.
US08488713B2 Information processing apparatus, encoding method and signal transmission method
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a data encoding unit that generates an encoded signal by encoding first input data based on CMI (Coded Mark Inversion) coding rules and encoding second input data using errors of the CMI coding rules, a clock signal addition unit that generates a transmission signal by synchronously adding a clock signal having an amplitude value larger than that of the encoded signal to the encoded signal generated by the data encoding unit, and a signal transmission unit that transmits the transmission signal generated by the clock signal addition unit.
US08488709B2 Providing CQI feedback with common code rate to a transmitter station
Methods and apparatuses for providing CQI feedback with common code rate to a transmitter station are described herein. In one implementation, the methods may include a receiver station that is communicatively linked to a transmitter station via k spatial channels transmitting a first CQI to the transmitter station that indicates a modulation level for use by the transmitter station to transmit (i.e., to configure for transmission) a first of k streams of signals to be transmitted to the receiver station. The first CQI may further include a common code rate to be used by the transmitter station for transmitting the first of the k streams of signals as well as for transmitting the rest of the k−1 additional streams of signals to the receiver station. The receiver station may further transmit to the transmitter station k−1 additional CQIs to indicate to the transmitter station the k−1 modulation levels to be used by the transmitter station for transmitting the k−1 additional streams of signals to the receiver station.
US08488707B2 Multi-antenna subsystem for software defined radio
The present invention relates to a multi-antenna subsystem for a SDR (software defined radio) capable of supporting a multi-antenna technique to an antenna system using a multi-antenna subsystem. The multi-antenna subsystem of a multi-antenna system includes an algorithm executing unit for carrying out an algorithm for a multi-antenna technique to be required in the multi-antenna system, a frame synchronization unit for a synchronization acquisition, and a control unit for controlling the algorithm executing unit and the frame synchronization. The algorithm executing unit has a plurality of functional blocks and the functional block has state information, which can be referred by other functional blocks, for supporting SDR system.
US08488703B2 Method for determining MIMO transmission techniques, base station and mobile terminal
The present invention relates to a method for determining the appropriate combination of at least two MIMO transmission techniques for a radio link in between a transmitter (10) and a receiver (20). The MIMO transmission techniques use at least two antennas (12, 14, 16, 18) with at least two polarizations. According to the invention the appropriate combination is the combination of beamforming and at least one of polarization time coding, closed loop coherent combination of polarization beams and polarization multiplexing. The appropriate combination is chosen dependent on at least one of radio conditions of the radio link (20) and relative velocity in between the transmitter (10) and the receiver (30). The invention further relates to a method for receiving a transmission of a radio link (20) in between a transmitter (10) and a receiver (30). The invention also relates to a base station comprising a transmitter, a mobile terminal comprising a receiver and a communication network.
US08488701B2 Wireless communication method, wireless transmitter and wireless receiver
A wireless communication method by which unnecessary retransmission request is suppressed and feedback information is reduced at the same time in a MIMO communication system. The wireless communication method is provided for transmitting signals by using a plurality of antennas, and has a step of applicably selecting the group configuration of the antennas, and a step of adding data to be used for error detection to a signal to be transmitted by using the antennas, by following the results of the selection.
US08488699B2 Synchronous network device
A physical layer device including a plurality of ports and a clock synchronization module. Each port of the plurality of ports is programmable to receive a grandmaster clock. The clock synchronization module is configured to i) receive the grandmaster clock from a first port of the plurality of ports (wherein the first port has been programmed to receive the grandmaster clock), and ii) clean up the grandmaster clock, wherein cleaning up the grandmaster clock includes one or more of removing jitter from the grandmaster clock, controlling a voltage swing or the grandmaster clock, or establishing fixed edge rates of the grandmaster clock. Other ones of the plurality of ports, not including the first port, are programmed to receive the cleaned up grandmaster clock for use when transmitting data.
US08488695B2 Receiving apparatus and method, program, and receiving system
A receiving apparatus for receiving an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal including a frame having one frame length of a plurality of patterns. The apparatus comprises an acquiring section to acquire information regarding a preamble signal from an OFDM signal from a transmitting apparatus; a frame determining section to determine whether the one frame length is short in the frame based on the information regarding the acquired preamble signal; and a time interpolating section to obtain transmission path characteristics by comparing a pilot contained in the preamble signal with a known pilot corresponding to the pilot in a phase of transmission, when the frame determining section determines that the one frame length is short in the frame, and to interpolate a data portion in a time direction based on transmission path characteristics.
US08488694B2 System and method for pilot design
A method for generating a pilot pattern for data to be transmitted in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based communication system includes: allocating pilot symbols for a plurality of data streams to form a plurality of pilot clusters in the pilot pattern, wherein each of the pilot clusters includes ones of the pilot symbols, the ones of the pilot symbols being for respectively different ones of the data streams.
US08488693B2 Wireless communication systems and methods using reference signals
A method used in a wireless communication apparatus based on reference signals is provided. The method may include obtaining a plurality of pilot rules and obtaining radio channel information of a radio channel between the wireless communication apparatus and another wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication apparatus may be in an area including at least one cell and using one or more data streams. Further, the method may include selecting applicable pilot rules from the plurality of pilot rules based on the radio channel information, creating at least one pilot structure to be used in the radio channel; and using the created at least one pilot structure to transmit data over the radio channel.
US08488692B2 Radio transmission device and radio transmission method
Provided are a radio transmission device and a radio transmission method capable of improving downlink and uplink throughput even when performing dynamic symbol allocation. In the device and the method, BS and MS share a table correlating a basic TF as a combination of parameters such as TB size used for transmitting only user data, an allocation RB quantity, a modulation method, and an encoding ratio, with a derived TF having user data of different TB size by combining L1/L2 control information. Even when multiplexing L1/L2 control information, Index corresponding to the basic TF is reported from BS to MS.
US08488690B2 Channel estimation
A method of channel estimation and a channel estimator for a multiple carrier radio transmission system is described. The method comprises receiving a signal comprising a symbol-carrier matrix, the symbol-carrier matrix comprising a pre-determined pattern of pilot symbols, and determining first channel estimates at pilot symbol positions of the pilot symbols in the symbol-carrier matrix. The method further comprises determining second channel estimates at intermediate positions of the symbol-carrier matrix, wherein the intermediate positions are separated from the pilot symbol positions of the pilot symbols by positions associated with non-determined channel estimates and determining third channel estimates at further positions of the symbol-carrier matrix.
US08488688B2 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.
US08488685B2 Active bidirectional splitter for single ended media
An active bidirectional splitter (212) for transmission and reception of data signals over a single ended transmission medium (105) comprises an input port (150), an output port (152) and a differential combined input/output port (151), a first differential output driver (115) for receiving an input signal (144) from the input port (150) and transmitting this signal to the differential input/output port (151), a second differential output driver (116) for receiving the input signal (144) from the input port (150), a first averaging circuit (121) for averaging the differential signal (146, 147) at the differential input/output port (151), a second averaging circuit (120) for averaging the differential signal (144, 145) at the output of the second differential output driver (116), and a receiver (117) for receiving both averaged signals (118, 119) from the first averaging circuit (121) and the second averaging circuit (120) and for generating therefrom an output signal on the output port (152).
US08488684B2 Methods and systems for hybrid MIMO decoding
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure allow a receiver to utilize both a minimum mean square error (MMSE) detection algorithm and a maximum likelihood (ML) detection algorithm. The receiver may control, based on various conditions, a mode selection signal to select between output generated with the MMSE detection algorithm and the ML detection algorithm. By sharing logical components, certain embodiments may allow a receiver to implement both ML and MMSE detection algorithms with minimal computational overhead when compared to implementing a single one of the decoding algorithms.
US08488682B2 System and method for extracting text captions from video and generating video summaries
Caption boxes which are embedded in video content can be located and the text within the caption boxes decoded. Real time processing is enhanced by locating caption box regions in the compressed video domain and performing pixel based processing operations within the region of the video frame in which a caption box is located. The captions boxes are further refined by identifying word regions within the caption boxes and then applying character and word recognition processing to the identified word regions. Domain based models are used to improve text recognition results. The extracted caption box text can be used to detect events of interest in the video content and a semantic model applied to extract a segment of video of the event of interest.
US08488680B2 Encoding and decoding methods and apparatus, signal and computer program product therefor
A video sequence including images in the form of digital samples is encoded by: subsampling the video sequence to produce: a number N of multiple descriptions of the video sequence, each multiple description including 1/N samples of the video sequence, and a subsampled version of the sequence, the subsampled version having a resolution lower or equal to the resolution of the N multiple descriptions. The N multiple descriptions and the subsampled version are subjected to scalable video coding (SVC) to produce an SVC encoded signal having a base layer and N enhancement layers predicted from said base layer. The subsampled version of the sequence and the N multiple descriptions of the video sequence constitute the base layer and the enhancement layers, respectively, of the SVC encoded signal.
US08488668B2 Adaptive coefficient scanning for video coding
This disclosure describes techniques for scanning coefficients of video blocks. In particular, the techniques of this disclosure adapt a scan order used to scan a two-dimensional block of coefficients into a one-dimensional coefficient vector based on statistics associated with one or more previously coded blocks. For example, statistics that indicate the likelihood that a given coefficient value in each position of a two-dimensional block is zero or non-zero may be collected for one or more previously coded blocks. At some point, an adjustment to the scan order can be made in order to better ensure that non-zero coefficients are grouped together near the front of the one-dimensional coefficient vector, which can improve the effectiveness of entropy coding. The collection of statistics and adjustment of scan order may be made separately for each possible prediction mode.
US08488658B1 Transmitter linearization technique
According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for improving linearization of a transmitter comprising transmitting, using the transmitter, a predetermined signal. The method further comprises receiving, using a receiver, the predetermined signal transmitted by the transmitter. The method further comprises determining, using a modem, one or more differences between the transmitted predetermined signal and the received predetermined signal. The differences are in at least one of a phase and an amplitude of at least a portion of the signal. The method further comprises altering, using the modem, at least one signal being transmitted over the transmitter based on the determined differences.
US08488649B2 Code converting apparatus, receiver, and code converting method
A code converting apparatus is designed to estimate the incoming time and the like of a signal modulated by a spreading sequence composed of m elements in a set A having n kinds of symbols as elements accurately. A symbol sequence memory section 102 stores a converted sequence of symbols obtained by concatenating consecutive 2d symbols at the center of each sequence pattern pi composed of 4d elements in the set A. The converted sequence of symbols is structured so that d symbol immediately preceding the 2d symbols and d symbol immediately following the 2d symbols are identical to d symbol immediately preceding corresponding 2d symbols and d symbol immediately following the corresponding 2d symbols of a corresponding sequence pattern. A symbol sequence specifying section 103 specifies a matching sequence pattern for every consecutive 2d symbols in a symbol sequence obtained by assigning a symbol to the signal in a coding cycle of the spreading sequence. A signal generating section 104 adds a portion to which the 2d symbols are assigned of the signal. A signal converting section 105 concatenates each pattern signal added for each sequence pattern, in an order equivalent to an order of the 2d symbols at the center of each sequence pattern concatenated in the converted sequence of symbols.
US08488646B2 HCG reflection enhancement in diverse refractive index material
Enhanced reflectivity High-Contrast Gratings are described which operate in different medium. An HCG is described with a deep/buried metallization layer separated at a distance of least three to four grating thicknesses from the grating. Reflective bandwidth of the HCG is substantially increased, such as by a factor or five, by inclusion of the deep/buried metallization layer. An HCG is described which provides high reflectivity, even when embedded into materials of a moderate to high index of refraction, such as semiconductor material. Vertical cavity surface emitting laser embodiments are described which utilize these reflectivity enhancements, and preferably utilize HCG reflectors for top and/or bottom mirrors.
US08488638B2 Method of forming a single common laser resonator cavity and an optically segmented composite gain medium
A compact solid state laser that generates multiple wavelengths and multiple beams that are parallel, i.e., bore-sighted relative to each other, is disclosed. Each of the multiple laser beams can be at a different wavelength, pulse energy, pulse length, repetition rate and average power. Each of the laser beams can be turned on or off independently. The laser is comprised of an optically segmented gain section, common laser resonator with common surface segmented cavity mirrors, optically segmented pump laser, and different intra-cavity elements in each laser segment.
US08488634B2 Use of first and second preambles in wireless communication signals
A method and system for a method of transmitting data within a signal frame. The method comprises inserting a first synchronization preamble into a first location within the signal frame and inserting a second synchronization preamble into a second location within the signal frame, wherein the first synchronization preamble conveys information indicative of the second location. The method further comprises issuing the signal frame towards a receiving device in a wireless communication environment.
US08488633B2 Dynamic time-spectrum block allocation for cognitive radio networks
Dynamic time-spectrum block allocation for cognitive radio networks is described. In one implementation, without need for a central controller, peer wireless nodes collaboratively sense local utilization of a communication spectrum and collaboratively share white spaces for communication links between the nodes. Sharing local views of the spectrum utilization with each other allows the nodes to dynamically allocate non-overlapping time-frequency blocks to the communication links between the nodes for efficiently utilizing the white spaces. The blocks are sized to optimally pack the available white spaces. The nodes regularly readjust the bandwidth and other parameters of all reserved blocks in response to demand, so that packing of the blocks in available white spaces maintains a fair distribution of the overall bandwidth of the white spaces among active communication links, minimizes finishing time of all communications, reduces contention overhead among the nodes contending for the white spaces, and maintains non-overlapping blocks.
US08488630B2 Transmission device and transmitting method
A transmission device which capsules and decapsules data of a frame and/or a packet includes a decapsuling circuit, wherein the decapsuling circuit includes a bit de-stuff processor configured to perform bit de-stuffing processing on an input data; a byte de-stuff processor configured to perform byte de-stuffing processing on duplicated data of the input data; a check processor configured to perform frame check sequence (FCS) processing on output from the bit de-stuff processor and the byte de-stuff processor; and a mode determination circuit configured to determine a stuffing mode of an opposite transmission device, based on a code conversion result from the bit de-stuff processor and the byte de-stuff processor and the stuffing mode in which the check processor detects the input data with a normal FCS.
US08488629B2 Specialized data transfer in a wireless communication system
A wireless communication system and method is provided for the transfer and processing of data in accordance with specialized data transfer protocols while utilizing conventional base station equipment. For example, the wireless communication system may include a subscriber station that provides for the modification of data packets in accordance with a proprietary protocol and the addressing of the modified data packets to a server. The server is adapted to reconstruct the data packets for transmission to other local subscriber stations or to a packet-switched network. In additional embodiments, the base station itself rather than a server operates to reconstruct the data packets.
US08488626B2 Method for operating a combined multimedia-telecom system
Presented is a method of managing the operation of a system including a processing subsystem configured to run a multimedia application and a telecommunication subsystem. The method includes determining telecom environment conditions, and selecting a working point from a plurality of predetermined working points. The selecting is based at least in part on the determined environmental conditions. The method also includes setting control parameters in the multimedia application and/or the telecommunication subsystem to configure the system to operate at the selected working point, and operating the system at the selected working point.
US08488613B2 Systems and methods for low complexity user scheduling
Systems and methods for scheduling multiple user equipments such as mobiles for transmission in the downlink of a cellular communications system. At each scheduling instant the systems and methods return a set of users who should be scheduled based on the past scheduling history of the users, the current individual link gains of the users to the base station, and how the simultaneous scheduling of multiple users affect each other's performance. Since optimal scheduling for communication systems require high computational complexity, low complexity systems and methods are utilized with a performance that is close to the theoretical optimal solution.
US08488606B2 System controller, semiconductor device, and method of testing interface
A semiconductor device capable of connecting plurality of external devices. When an interface with a first external device that can be connected to the semiconductor device is tested, a packet to be transferred from the first external device to another second external device is artificially generated. The generated packet is transferred to the second external device, and a response is monitored. Thus, the interface for connection to the first external device is tested while avoiding an actual packet transfer between the semiconductor device and the first external device.
US08488600B2 Method and system for routing calls from a standard telephone device to a voice over internet protocol network
The invention enables accessing and using a Voice over Internet Protocol network, and can use a standard telephone to automatically access a VoIP network. A first aspect of the invention uses an auto dialer to transmit digits, such as a network access number, an account number and a PIN, which remain unchanged from call to call made through a given network service provider. A second aspect of the invention provides a speed dial feature for placing VoIP telephone calls. Speed dial numbers are recorded in a VoIP service provider's database on a server, which is accessible through the Internet from a personal computer (PC) or a conventional telephone. A third aspect of the invention enables callers to complete calls from conventional telephones to personal computers connected to the Internet. The VoIP network detects a flag such as leading “0,” determines that the call recipient station is a personal computer, looks up the IP address of the PC and routes the call to the PC.
US08488599B2 Auto-switching method and device for dual mode analog-VoIP device
The embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, systems, and devices adapted to configure a dual-mode device to the appropriate mode(s). The dual-mode device is adapted to provide analog/POTS service, digital/VoIP service, and multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) service, typically based on the enabled mode(s). A device is also provided providing MTA service to an analog or legacy phone connected to an on-premises phone wiring system via an inactive POTS line.
US08488594B2 Apparatus and system for bridging communication signals
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and a system for bridging communication signals. According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bridging apparatus comprising a first interface connectable to a first signal source, the first signal source for conveying signals within a first frequency range. The bridging apparatus further comprises a second interface connectable to a second signal source, the second signal source for carrying signals within a second frequency range comprising a subset of the first frequency range. The bridging apparatus further comprises a bridging module having a bridged position in which it connects the first and second interfaces and a disconnected position in which the first and second interfaces are not connected, the bridging module being operable to selectively change from the disconnected position to the bridged position, responsive to detection of a triggering event.
US08488592B2 Unified session detail records
A unified session detail records of a multi-hop session is provided. The multi-hop session may be established through multiple nodes in a VoIP network. Each node may generate session detail records for the legs of the multi-hop session that are connected to the node. The nodes on the path of the multi-hop call may send the record to a single node to consolidate the session detail records of the legs of the multi-hop call in the single node so that the single node can provide unified session detail records of the multi-hop session. By providing unified session detail records, the user does not need to track down the nodes that are on the path of the multi-hop call to obtain the session detail records of the multi-hop session.
US08488588B1 Methods and apparatus for indexing set bit values in a long vector associated with a switch fabric
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a loopback module configured to receive a first copy of a target vector during a clock cycle. The target vector can include a quantity of set bit values and can be defined based on a portion of data. The loopback module can be configured to define a loopback vector that has a quantity of set bit values that is less than a quantity of set bit values included in the first copy of the target vector. The apparatus also can include an index module configured to receive a second copy of the target vector during the clock cycle. The index module can be configured to define, during the clock cycle, an index vector based on the second copy of the target vector. The index vector can be configured to trigger an element associated with a switch fabric to process the data.
US08488587B1 Method and apparatus performing automatic resource distribution
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing automatic resource distribution is presented. A number of ports of a resource to hold (H) as needed for each Multi Media Platform (MPP) is determined. Further, the maximum number of ports of a resource that can be acquired (M)—M−H of which are borrowed from other MPPs—for each MPP is also determined. The ports are then allocated for an MPP from at least one server in accordance with the number of ports to hold as needed and the number of ports that can be borrowed.
US08488585B2 Mobile station and method of reconnection process
There is provided a mobile station that minimizes a pause or a silent period during communication at the time of a reconnection process of communication, thereby to improve the user's convenience and achieve the reduction in the load applied onto the communication network or the mobile station. When an out of synchronization detection unit 4 of a mobile station 2 detects out of synchronization, an individual timer value determination unit 53 selects two or more timer value change triggers from timer value change triggers stored in a timer value change trigger memory 51, and then determines the timer values respectively for the timer value change triggers that have been selected, based upon the determination rules stored in an individual timer value determination rule memory 52. A reconnection timer value calculation unit 54 calculates an appropriate reconnection timer value based upon the two or more individual timer values that have been determined by the individual timer value determination unit 53. A timer switching control unit 5 sets the reconnection timer value, and a timer management unit 6 activates a timer. When the timer expires, a radio communication unit 3 transmits a reconnection request.
US08488579B2 Wireless communication system with selectively sized data transport blocks
A wireless transmit receive unit and methods for code division multiple access telecommunications are disclosed that process data in a physical layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The physical and MAC layers communicate data between each other via transport channels. The transport channels are associated with logical channels. Logical-channel data for the transport channels is provided in data units having a bit size evenly divisible by an integer N. The respective logical channels associated with a transport channel utilize MAC headers that have a selected modulo N bit size such that there is bit alignment of the MAC headers of all the logical channels associated with a particular transport channel.
US08488578B1 Identifying a CDMA scrambling code
An apparatus for identifying a scrambling code used in the received CDMA-based signal. The apparatus includes a frame timing estimation unit configured to estimate a frame timing of the received CDMA-based signal, a searching unit configured to search for and select a scrambling code seed based on at least the estimated frame timing, and a seed evaluation unit configured to determine if the selected scrambling code seed is the correct seed used in the received CDMA-based signal. The searching unit is further configured to provide an identified scrambling code seed based on an indication from the seed evaluation unit that the selected scrambling code seed is the correct seed. The apparatus may also include a scrambling code generator configured to generate the scrambling code from the identified seed.
US08488573B2 Apparatus and method for delivering public switched telephone network service and broadband internet access
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for delivering Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Broadband Internet access and Private Data services using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) over an Ethernet based transport network though a private fixed wireless network. An embodiment of the invention utilizes a Class 4/5 soft switch connected to a private fixed wireless network designed and constructed to deliver near toll quality PSTN, Broadband Internet and Private Data services to a Subscriber. Specifically, a combination of known managed routers, switches, Analog Telephone Adapters (ATA), Integrated Access Devices (IAD), and fixed wireless equipment based on IEEE 802.11x standards may be interconnected with a Class 4/5 soft switch. The resulting network may be uniquely configured to utilize redundant automatic failover backbone connectivity to access points (AP) within the private fixed wireless network. Additionally, the network may utilize TCP/IP prioritization standards throughout the private fixed wireless network to consistently deliver near toll grade quality Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
US08488567B2 Repeating transmissions of signals in communication systems
Methods and apparatuses for a User Equipment (UE) to transmit an acknowledgement signal over multiple Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs). The acknowledgement signal is in response to a data packet reception and is transmitted in a different resource in each of the multiple TTIs, if the data packet reception is through a scheduling assignment, or is transmitted in the same resource in each of the multiple TTIs, if the data packet reception is periodic. The UE transmitting an acknowledgement signal over multiple TTIs should not transmit additional acknowledgement signals in subsequent TTIs before the initial acknowledgement signal transmission is completed. The UE should also not transmit data signals or other control signals in the same or subsequent TTIs before completing transmission of an acknowledgement signal over multiple TTIs.
US08488563B2 Methods and apparatus for providing information indicative of traffic delay of a wireless link
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing information indicative of traffic delay of a wireless link are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08488561B2 Mobile communication system, base station apparatus, and method to reduce inter-cell interference for same
To improve throughput of the whole system while reducing power consumption, in a mobile communication system comprising a mobile station apparatus and a base station apparatus, the base station apparatus creates an interference information table based on channel quality of an uplink channel, and transmits the interference information indicator table to the mobile station apparatus. The mobile station apparatus determines a state of interference in an uplink frequency band based on the interference information indicator table, determines a frequency band of a measurement pilot channel used to determine received quality, and makes a request to the base station apparatus for a transmission resource. For example, the mobile station apparatus determines a frequency band with lowest interference among the uplink frequency bands as a frequency band of the measurement pilot channel.
US08488555B2 Packet priority control method and base station
A handover-source base station transfers a data packet destined to a mobile device received from a base station control device to a handover-destination base station as an inter-base-station transfer packet during a stopping period for which the handover-source base station stops a wireless transmission of a data packet to the mobile device. The handover-destination base station calculates a wireless transmission priority for the inter-base-station transfer packet based on a station retention time in the handover-destination base station and an estimated value of a retention time in the handover-source base station.
US08488551B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
A method for sending buffer status information includes checking if a quality of service (QoS) parameter is defined for a first logical channel and at least one condition of the set of predetermined conditions associated with a logical channel group is fulfilled. If the QoS parameter is defined and at least one condition of the set is fulfilled, the method includes setting a number of bits in a media access control header according to a first semantic. The bits carry buffer status information, and the first semantic—is based on the QoS parameter of the first logical channel. Otherwise, the method includes setting the number of bits carrying the buffer status information according to a second semantic that is based on an amount of data available for transmission across the logical channel group.
US08488549B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting control information
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information when TDD and a plurality of cells are configured, and comprises the following steps: receiving one or more of at least one PDCCH signal and at least one PDSCH signal; generating for each of the cells reception reply information on one or more of the at least one PDCCH signal and the at least one PDSCH signal; and transmitting the reception reply information for each of the plurality of cells which are connected.
US08488548B2 Hybrid scheme for DL link adaptation
A system and method of a hybrid scheme of DL link adaptation in a network having mobile stations (MSs) in communication with a base station (BS). The system may include a mode decision module associated with the base station. The mode decision module may include one or more processors configured to select a first mode configuration for use during transmission of a first communication from the base station. The BS may receive first feedback information associated with the first communication, where the first feedback information includes a first mode recommendation and first channel information. Based on the first feedback information, the BS may generate a BS-derived mode configuration based on the first channel information and compare the first mode recommendation and the BS-derived mode configuration. Based on the comparison, the BS may determine a second mode configuration to use to configure a second communication.
US08488529B2 Efficient information mapping for transmission grants
Methods and apparatus for signaling an implicit signaling bit in a scheduling grant message are disclosed, including the implicit signaling of parameters related to the configuration of sounding reference signals. In various embodiments, implicit signaling is achieved by observing that certain codepoints in downlink control information formats are unused for certain scheduling assignments. The information content of certain information fields in the DCI format are redesigned to exploit this unused bandwidth, allowing the implicit signaling of one or more bits that can be used to extend the number of SRS configurations that can be specified in the DCI. In alternative embodiments, the implicit signaling concept is exploited in order to reduce the signaling payload while maintaining flexibility in dynamically assigning different SRS configurations by way of scheduling grant messages.
US08488523B2 Method of transmitting and processing data block of specific protocol layer in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a data block at a transmitting side in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The present invention generates a data block including polling information but no upper layer data, the polling information requesting a transmission of acknowledgement information (status report) on at least one data block transmitted to a receiving side and then transmits the data block to the receiving side, thereby it is possible to raise efficiency in wireless transmission.
US08488513B2 Methods and apparatus for operating a wireless communications system
A method of operating a wireless communications system comprising at least a base station, a first relay station, a second relay station and one or more subscriber stations; using at least a first wireless protocol with the first relay station, and using at least a second wireless protocol with the second relay station. Operation of the method comprises using a subframe which comprises: a first-protocol access period; a firstprotocol relay period; a second-protocol access period; and a second-protocol relay period. The subframe further comprises an idle period to avoid communications using the first wireless protocol interfering with communications using the second wireless protocol and the overall frame structure is arranged to position the idle period for the first relay station between the first-protocol access period and the first-protocol relay period, to accommodate switching of the first relay station between transmit and receive modes.
US08488511B2 System and method of providing advertisements to vehicles
A communication device is removable and operable within a vehicle and is in communication with a data network as the communication device travels in the vehicle. Vehicle identification data is obtained from the communication device, and a type of media file supported by a media system of the vehicle is determined based upon the vehicle identification data. Media content is obtained in a format corresponding to the determined type of media file. When the communication device is within a desired range of a target location, the media content is transmitted to the communication device for presentation on the media system of the vehicle.
US08488509B2 Method of minimizing an unnecessary scheduling information reception in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a user equipment (UE) providing wireless communication services, and more particularly, a method of minimizing an unnecessary MSI (MCH Scheduling Information) reception by a terminal (UE) during a reception of a MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service) service in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and a LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system that have evolved from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), thereby preventing an unnecessary battery consumption of the terminal.
US08488508B2 Method and apparatus for providing reliable multicast in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus is described which provides reliable multicasting in a WLAN. The use of at least two distinct MAC multicast addresses are used to separate the first multicast frame transmissions from subsequent multicast frame re-transmissions. Thereby enabling legacy devices to ignore duplicate retransmitted multicast frames, because the duplicate frames are sent using a multicast address they do not listen to. Thus, the legacy devices are not confused with duplicated frames. In addition, new devices benefit from the retransmissions sent on the second multicast address and can re-order the frames before delivering to the applications or upper layers; thereby improving the QoS for the multicast.
US08488496B2 Wireless local area network (LAN) system
A situation is circumvented where wireless communication becomes impossible in a wireless LAN system under the influence of a blocking object, noise caused by an electromagnetic wave, or the like. A wireless LAN system comprises: a relay which can communicate with an external system; a master which can communicate with the relay; and a plurality of slaves which can wirelessly communicate with the master, the plurality of slaves including a first group and a second group, the first group comprising an alternative slave having a function of transmitting, when a portion of the slaves cannot receive a synchronization signal from the master, an information signal received from the master to the portion of slaves, and the second group comprising non-alternative slaves and not having the function of transmitting the information signal to the portion of slaves.
US08488486B2 Multi-interface communication device, terminal, and path switching method
A router, if judging that a routing function is impossible to execute, sends out a connection instruction message including the address of a terminal on a local network terminating the relaying flow, to another router to solicit switching. The router having received the connection instruction message starts a process for connecting with an external network while executing a process for link connection with a terminal, and then sends out a connection completion notice message when the connection with both the external network and the terminal is established. This process enables the router to switch a path rapidly.
US08488484B2 Power saving system, method and apparatus for a wireless device
A power saving method, system and apparatus may include detecting a traffic mode based on statistics of packet network traffic. A packet-free time may be predicted based on a quality of service metric associated with the traffic mode. A low power state may be entered based on the predicted packet-free time, the quality of service metric and the traffic mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08488473B2 Voice communication quality assessing system
A system for assessing a voice communication quality of a communication path between first and second nodes over a network, wherein coded data of voice communication signals are transferred in a stream of packets via the communication path, including: a capturing unit for capturing at the first node at least one packet containing coded data representing non voice signals among the packets of the coded data to be transferred from the first node to the second node; a replacing unit for replacing a part of the coded data representing non voice signals in the captured packet with a predetermined code before the captured packet is transferred from the first node; a retrieval unit for retrieving at the second node said at least one packet containing coded data representing non voice signals; and an assessment unit for assessing the voice communication quality of the communication path.
US08488463B2 Wireless communication apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program therefor
A method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus includes request processing for requesting information regarding traffic to an access point, measurement processing for performing data transmission and reception wirelessly on the basis of the information regarding traffic requested by the request processing and measuring traffic during the data transmission and reception, and re-request processing for updating the information regarding traffic to be requested to the access point so as to correspond to the traffic measured by the measurement processing and re-requesting the updated information.
US08488462B2 Handling traffic flows in a mobile communications network
A method and system of handling traffic flows across a network is disclosed. The method includes issuing a request for establishing a first communication pathway end to end over the network, the communications pathway including the radio communication channel and the packet communication channel, the request identifying multiple traffic flows with their associated attributes. The method further includes identifying any of the traffic flows which require a different flow treatment across the network, and establishing the first communication pathway, and at least one second communication pathway end to end over the network, the second communication pathway providing a different flow treatment.
US08488461B2 Adaptive scheduling of data transfer in P2P applications over asymmetric networks
In a peer-to-peer asymmetric communication environment, an adaptive upload Data Rate Control element—called Adaptive-DRC—is used to detect increase in data return-trip time (RTT) caused by the congestion associated with the uploading of data in an uplink which in turn impacts on downloading data on an associated downlink, namely a downlink sharing resources with the uplink. Using Adaptive-DRC, the congestion is detected and thereupon adjustments to are made to allow continued communication. Adaptive-DRC comprises: (i) RTT estimation; (ii) detection of the onset of congestion, herein pre-congestion detection; and (iii) adaptation of the upload data rate limit. Two specific embodiments are contemplated, namely two versions of Adaptive-DRC wherein the difference lies in the upload data rate limit adaptation technique.
US08488460B2 Method and apparatus for evaluating services in communication networks
A method and apparatus (400) for evaluating the performance of a user service executed in a communication network by means of one or more user-independent system services. A measuring block (400a) measures a set of system service key performance indicators S-KPIs for each system service, the S-KPIs being carefully selected to reflect the performance of the system services from a user perspective. Relevant data for measuring the S-KPIs is collected from sensors and counters, including infrastructure data (402c), traffic data (402b) and end user data (402a). A service evaluating block (400b) then evaluates or estimates the performance of the user service based on the measured S-KPIs. By making a distinction between system services and user services in this way and using measurable S-KPIs, more consistent and reliable service evaluations can be obtained.
US08488453B2 Method and apparatus for enhanced uplink data transmission
A method and apparatus used for enhanced uplink data transmission include monitoring the communication status of a plurality of UEs (user equipment) which conduct uplink data transmission in the RAN; receiving the data transmitted on at least one dedicated uplink channel from at least one of the plurality of UEs; and according to the communication status of the plurality of UEs, dynamically allocating the number of dedicated uplink channels for at least one UE of the plurality of UEs.
US08488447B2 System and method for adjusting code speed in a transmission path during call set-up due to reduced transmission performance
A system and method for establishing a phone call over a packet network. The process may receive a call request from an originating call device to a termination call device. A determination may be made to determine whether the terminating call device is available. If the terminating call device is determined to be available, transmission path status information between the originating and terminating call devices may be retrieved. Status of the transmission path on the packet network between the originating and terminating call devices may be determined. If the status of the transmission path is determined to be within a first range, a call may be established between the originating and terminating call devices via an encoder/decoder (CODEC) having a first data rate. Otherwise, the call may be established between the originating and terminating call devices via a CODEC having a second, lower data rate.
US08488440B2 Coordinated linear beamforming in downlink multi-cell wireless networks
System and methods are disclosed for optimizing wireless communication for a plurality of mobile wireless devices. The system uses beamforming vectors or precoders having a structure optimal with respect to the weighted sum rate in a multi-cell orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) downlink. A plurality of base stations communicate with the mobile devices and all base stations perform a distributed non-convex optimization exploiting the determined structure.
US08488437B2 Information recording medium, address generation and detection method, and reproducing and recording apparatuses
In a recording medium, an extension address is obtained without changing the number of bits of the address embedded in the wobble. The wobble address is partially or wholly encoded to embed the address information. At the time of reproducing the address information, the original address information is obtained by restoring the embedded information by the decoding process.
US08488435B2 Transducer bonded to a laser module for heat assisted magnetic recording
An apparatus includes a transducer assembly including a waveguide and a grating structured to couple electromagnetic radiation into the waveguide, and a laser module including a laser diode and a transparent cover adjacent to an output facet of the laser diode, wherein the laser module is bonded to the transducer assembly and the laser diode directs electromagnetic radiation through the transparent cover and onto the grating. A method of making the apparatus is also provided.
US08488430B2 Recording medium and reproducing apparatus
A recording medium includes a photosensitive layer, a nonphotosensitive layer, and a recording layer formation region in which the photosensitive layer and the nonphotosensitive layer are laminated. The photosensitive layer includes a recording layer in which interference fringes formed in parallel with a recording medium surface are deleted or changed within a portion irradiated with focused light to record information or light reflected during irradiation of focused light is used to reproduce information.
US08488429B2 Electron beam exposure system and electron beam exposure method
When applying an electron beam to a master substrate of disk-shaped recording medium placed on a rotation stage, while rotating the master substrate by rotating the rotation stage, to write a master pattern of disk-shaped recording medium on the master substrate, causing the writing to be suspended based on abnormality information of environment and storing a rotation angle of the master substrate when the writing is suspended and causing, thereafter, the writing to be resumed from a suspended position of the writing on the master substrate based on the rotation angle.
US08488426B2 Disc device
Provided is an optical disc drive device which stably controls an actuator of an optical pickup, by individually controlling an optical spot when following the guide track and an optical spot when recording/reproducing information on/from each recording layer. An optical spot when following the guide track and an optical spot when recording/reproducing information on/from each recording layer are individually controlled. At this time, the optical spot exclusive for the track and the optical spot exclusive for the recording/reproducing are formed on an optical disc.
US08488423B2 Servo control device, optical disk device, and data transfer method
A servo control device includes: a phase compensator configured to generate a plurality of types of control values for controlling a driver based on a signal output from an optical pickup, and output the control values; and a transfer data generator configured to serially transfer the control values to the driver. The phase compensator sends, to the transfer data generator, a notification that the phase compensator has output a control value which needs to be sent with a reduced delay among the control values. In response to the notification, the transfer data generator determines whether or not the transfer data generator is transferring one of the control values, and if the transfer data generator is not transferring one of the control values, the transfer data generator starts transferring a control value associated with the notification among the control values.
US08488422B2 Elastic member, mounting structure of optical element, and pickup apparatus having the same
A mounting structure of an optical element, includes: an optical element; an elastic member usable when the optical element is mounted; and a holding unit configured to be mounted with the optical element and the elastic member, the elastic member configured to be pressed into the holding unit, the holding unit configured to be mounted with the optical element by use of the elastic member.
US08488420B2 Information storage medium, apparatus for reproducing recordings, and method for reproducing recordings
An information storage medium having a plurality of recording layers is provided. The information storage medium including a physical ADIP address (PAA) which corresponds to an address recorded on the information storage medium. In the case in which an address of a layer i to which a pickup will move corresponds to PAAi, an address of a layer j in which the pickup is currently located corresponds to PAAj, and n corresponds to the number of the recording layers, the PAAi and the PAAj satisfy the equation PAAi= PAAj+(7−(i+j))*40 00 00h+00 00 01h(i+j=odd and i,j=0,1,2, . . . ,n−1) in response to the pickup moving from an even layer to an odd layer or from an odd layer to an even layer, and satisfy the equation PAAi=PAAj+(i−j)*40 00 00h(i+j=even and i,j=0,1,2, . . . ,n−1) in response to the pickup moving from an even layer to another even layer or from an odd layer to another odd layer.
US08488417B2 Time adjustment device, timekeeping device with a time adjustment device, and a time adjustment method
A time adjustment device having a time information generating unit that generates and outputs time information containing internal time data; a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from a positioning information satellite in subframe information units; an external input unit that generates, through manual operation thereof, command information that instructs the reception unit to enter a reception mode; a reception timing start setup unit that, when in the reception mode, sets the start time of reception so that the subframe information units are acquired at the time determined by the internal time data; and a corrected time information storage unit that stores the satellite-time-related information as corrected time information. A determination unit determines whether the satellite-time-related information received in a particular segment of subframe information unit(s) is correct or erroneous, and if correct, is used as time adjustment information to correct the generated time information.
US08488411B2 Microphone proximity detection
A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described.
US08488406B2 Semiconductor device and control method thereof
A semiconductor device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes first and second power-supply circuits each of which generates an internal power-supply voltage by converting a voltage value of a power-supply voltage into a different voltage value, a first internal circuit that receives a supply of the internal power-supply voltage from the first power-supply circuit through a first line, a second internal circuit that receives a supply of the internal power-supply voltage from the second power-supply circuit through a second line, an inter-block line that connects the first and second lines to each other, and a control circuit that operates the first and second internal circuits in a predetermined operating cycle, and controls a length of a period during which the first and second internal circuits operate simultaneously.
US08488404B2 Counter control signal generator and refresh circuit
A counter control signal generator comprises a first pulse signal generator configured to generate a first pulse signal including a pulse generated when a self-refresh period is terminated, a second pulse signal generator configured to generate a second pulse signal including a pulse generated in sync with a cyclic signal generated during a refresh period, and a signal generator configured to generate a counter control signal counting an address of a memory cell, corresponding to a memory cell on which a refresh operation is conducted, in response to the first and second pulse signals.
US08488403B2 Sense-amplification with offset cancellation for static random access memories
An offset cancellation scheme for sense amplification is described. The scheme consists of group of transistors which are selectively coupled to high and low voltage levels via multi-phase timing. This results in a voltage level on sensing nodes of interest which are a function of transistor mismatch. The resulting voltage levels act to compensates for the transistor mismatch, thereby improving the reliability of the sense amplifier in the presence of process non-idealities. The offset cancellation scheme is applicable to numerous types of sense amplifiers, amplifiers, and comparators.
US08488397B2 Increased capacity heterogeneous storage elements
Providing increased capacity in heterogeneous storage elements including a method for reading from memory. The method includes receiving a read word from a block of memory cells, where physical characteristics of the memory cells support different sets of data levels. The read word is separated into two or more virtual read vectors. For each of the virtual read vectors, the codebook that was utilized to generate the virtual read vector is identified and a partial read data vector is generated. The generating includes multiplying the virtual read vector by a matrix that represents the codebook. The partial read data vectors are combined into a read message and the read message is output.
US08488392B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, circuits configured to receive program data when a program operation is performed and output a random signal in response to the program data, and a page buffer configured to logically combine the program data and the random signal and to store the logically combined data in the memory cells.
US08488391B2 Memory chip with buffer controlled based upon the last address cycle
A memory chip includes: a memory region; a chip determining unit configured to perform a chip determination, in writing operation, to determine whether or not the memory region is a writing target on the basis of an inputted address of writing destination, and to output a determination result of the chip determination; an address-cycle identifying unit configured to detect a final cycle of the address of writing destination, and to output a detection result at a timing before the output of the determination result; and a buffer controller configured to switch an input buffer from one state to another on the basis of the determination result, wherein the buffer controller keeps the input buffer in an active state irrespective of the determination result of the chip determination while the address-cycle identifying unit is outputting the detection result.
US08488387B2 Thermally assisted dielectric charge trapping flash
A memory device includes an array of dielectric charge trapping structures memory cells including word lines and bit lines. Control circuitry is coupled to the array arranged to control read, program and erase operations. A controller is arranged with supporting circuitry thermally annealing charge trapping structures in the memory cells in the array. Word line drivers and word line termination circuits can be used to induce current flow on the word lines to induce heat for the annealing. The thermal annealing can be applied interleaved with normal operations for recover from cycling damage. Also, the thermally annealing can be applied during mission functions like erase, to improve performance of the function.
US08488378B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one aspect includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory string, a plurality of first conductive layers, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer. The memory string has a plurality of memory cells, a dummy transistor and a back gate transistor connected in series in a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of first conductive layers are electrically connected to gates of the memory cells. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the dummy transistor. The third conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the back gate transistor. The second conductive layer is short-circuited with the third conductive layer.
US08488377B2 Mass storage device with solid-state memory components capable of increased endurance
A mass storage device that utilizes one or more solid-state memory components to store data for a host system, and a method for increasing the write endurance of the memory components. The memory components are periodically heated above an intrinsic operating temperature thereof to a preselected temperature that is sufficient to thermally recondition the memory component in a manner that increases the write endurance of the memory component.
US08488371B2 Static random access memory
In a random access memory, one of a first conductivity type well constituting a first bit in one column group and another first conductivity type well constituting a second bit selected simultaneously to the first bit in an adjacent column group, is isolated from a common well of the first conductivity type by providing a deep well of a second conductivity type, such that the area of the deep well of the second conductivity type does not exceed the area of one column group.
US08488370B2 Differential threshold voltage non-volatile memory and related methods
Embodiments and examples of differential threshold voltage non-volatile memories and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments, examples thereof, and related methods are also disclosed herein.