Document Document Title
US08499939B2 Filter element and methods of manufacturing and using same
A coreless and spirally wound non-woven filter element is provided. The filter element includes at least one band of base media having a selected porosity and an interlay having a different porosity within at least one band of base media. The presence of the interlay in the filter element can create additional surface area within the contiguous construction of a filter element for filtration. This interlay can also create the ability to change direction of flow and to increase the deposition of specifically sized contaminants.
US08499935B2 Fixed seat for a tool
A fixed seat for a tool has a sleeve joint pillar set into a polygonized pillar, of which the circumference side part contains abutment surfaces and edges. The abutment surface can abut the groove wall of the sleeve's square casing groove, and said edge or margin part permits spanwise locking of the sleeve during its rotation. A positioning convex part is protruded from an abutment surface on the circumference side part of the sleeve joint pillar, and interlocked with the positioning concave camber on the groove wall of the square casing groove. A lateral through-hole is set onto one side of the sleeve joint pillar. Both ends of the lateral through-hole pass through separately the abutment surface on the circumference side part of the sleeve joint pillar. A wall rim is formed between the abutment surface and the lateral through-hole, so that the positioning convex part could be squeezed flexibly.
US08499931B2 Nesting wheel packaging system
A nesting wheel packaging system is provided. The system includes an arrangement whereby a smaller wheel is nested substantially within a larger wheel. The wheels have a partition disposed therebetween to prevent damage. A plurality of sets of nested wheels is provided on a lower panel and an upper panel is positioned over the wheels to define a first layer or segment of wheels. Thereafter another layer of nested wheels is placed on top of the first layer or segment. The panels may have recessed areas defined therein for retaining the wheels. The arrangement is repeated until multiple layers of nested wheels are provided and are positioned on a pallet.
US08499923B2 Device and method for channeling containers
A method for channeling upright containers, which are loosely queued in a row, into a transport device is performed by a rotatable separating device, which has the purpose of separating the loosely queued containers, and a stationary accumulating device for the containers downstream of the separating device. The accumulating device has a plurality of stoppers arranged in a row in the transport direction, which can be extended individually in the direction transverse to the transport direction and, in the extended state, define holding positions for the containers. The stoppers are extended one-by-one based on sensor results to sequentially fill the holding positions of the accumulating device starting from the holding position arranged farthest from the separating device.
US08499917B2 Foreign object detector
A foreign object detector for a note validator, the detector includes means defining a note path and gate means in the note path operable between an open position for allowing a note to pass the gate means and a fully closed position for preventing a note from passing the gate means. The gate means is biased towards the fully closed position. The foreign object detector also includes sensing means for detecting when the gate means is in the fully closed position. In the fully closed position, a leading edge of the gate means extends outside the note path and is received within a recess in the means defining the note path, whereby a foreign object in the note path obstructing the recess prevents the gate means from reaching the fully closed position, the sensing means thereby detecting the presence of the foreign object in the note path.
US08499915B2 Quick disconnect coupling
A quick disconnect coupling including a first hub, a shaft fixedly connected to the first hub, the shaft being non-round in cross-section, and a second hub having a non-round recess extending therethrough, the non-round recess being sized to closely receive the shaft such that the second hub is capable of sliding along the shaft and is prevented from rotating about the shaft, wherein rotation of the first hub results in corresponding rotation of the second hub.
US08499911B2 Power supply system for crane
Provided is a power supply system including a crane and a power supply truck. In the power supply system, a linkage mechanism efficiently transmits a force in a travel direction x to the power supply truck, while not transmitting any force in a transverse direction y or a twisting direction, and has a highly durable configuration. In a power supply system 1 for a crane in which a crane 2 for loading and unloading a container for marine transportation is linked to a power supply truck 3 for supplying power while following the crane 2, with a linkage mechanism 4, the linkage mechanism 4 includes a receiving member 10 disposed on the power supply truck 3, and a pushing member 11 disposed on the crane 2. The power supply system 1 includes the linkage mechanism 4 configured in a manner that, when the crane 2 moves in a travel direction x, the pushing member 11 comes into contact with the receiving member 10, to transmit a force of the crane 2 moving in the travel direction x to the power supply truck 3, and when the crane 2 moves in a transverse direction y intersecting the travel direction x, the receiving member 10 does not disturb move of the pushing member 11 and a force of the crane 2 moving in the transverse direction y is not transmitted to the power supply truck 3.
US08499893B2 Oil scavenge system having churning damper for gas turbine engines
An oil scavenge system of a gas turbine engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a housing defined about an axis of rotation, the housing confining an air/oil mixture in motion within the housing and defining an oil scavenge area below the axis of rotation. The housing further includes an outlet at a low location of the housing. A churning damper is supported within the housing and is located in the oil scavenge area. The churning damper includes at least one plate, allowing the air/oil mixture in motion to pass over or through the plate only in a peripheral area of the at least one plate to cause flow energy dissipation.
US08499870B2 Work vehicle with engine, air cleaner, and battery
A work vehicle includes: a seat disposed between front wheels and rear wheels; an engine disposed between the right and left rear wheels rearward of the seat; a battery disposed in a container space positioned downward of the seat disposed frontward of the rear wheels; an air cleaner disposed in the container space and arranged proximally to the battery in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and an opening-closing lid unit for covering the air cleaner and the battery from outside in a vehicle transverse direction. An element of the air cleaner is disposed in the air cleaner so that the element is insertable and removable in the vehicle transverse direction, and a position of the air cleaner is set so that the element is accessible from outside the vehicle body.
US08499866B2 Device and method for operating a drive having an electrically drivable axle
A drive device for a vehicle, an electric machine and an axle which is drivable by the electric machine. A disengageable mechanical coupling is provided between the drivable axle and the electric machine. This coupling is designed as a shiftable freewheel coupling.
US08499862B2 Spherical vehicle
A vehicle has a rotation-symmetrical, particularly spherical housing which is disposed about a rotational axis and has a convex drive and running surface. The housing is composed at least partially of transparent material, and has at least one door for at least one person to enter and exit. In the interior of the housing there is a seat for the at least one person, a drive for rotating the housing, and a device for control purposes. Bearings are provided in the rotational axis of the housing for rotatably mounting a lower seat structure receiving the seat. The drive is disposed on the lower seat structure and connected thereto. In order to improve the handling characteristics of such a vehicle, the seat is disposed displaceably laterally with respect to the lower seat structure.
US08499854B2 Rotating control device, cool fluid circulation system and methods of operation
Systems and methods for cooling a Rotating Control Device (RCD) and RCD insert during drilling operations are described. The system includes a body for connection between the RCD and a hot drilling fluid return outlet of a well head, the body including an inlet for injecting cool drilling fluid adjacent the RCD insert and an outlet for removing partially warmed drilling fluid. During operation, cool drilling fluid is circulated through the inlet and outlet such that cool drilling fluid is in direct contact with hot drilling fluid recovered from the well in a buffer zone adjacent the hot drilling fluid return outlet.
US08499848B2 Gas tiller
A gas tiller including a frame defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis spaced a distance from the first pivot axis, a motor coupled to the frame, a set of rotary tines coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the motor, a swing arm pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the first pivot axis between a first and second arm positions corresponding to travel and tilling configurations, respectively, of the tiller, the swing arm including one or more wheels coupled thereto, and a drag stake pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the second pivot axis between first and second stake positions. Movement of the swing arm between the arm positions moves the drag stake between the stake positions.
US08499845B2 Method and device for controlling a fire-extinguishing system of the high-pressure gas type
The invention relates to a fire-extinguishing system of the high-pressure gas type, in which the gaseous extinguishing agent is stored under high pressure in at least one high-pressure gas bottle (1). The bottle valve operates, with interposition of a container attachment for the extinguishing gas, as a pressure-controlled, reducing and self-regulating control valve (3). By means of a predetermined control pressure which corresponds to the pressure in the extinguishing line system (2), the pressure of the extinguishing gas is reduced from, for example, 150 to 300 bar within the control valve to, for example, 60 bar. This makes it possible to dispense with all the high-pressure components used to date between the bottle valve and the extinguishing line system. Furthermore, a computational software is no longer required.
US08499843B2 System and method to seal using a swellable material
The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.
US08499842B2 Dual barrier plug system for a wellhead
A dual barrier plug system includes a frac spool, having a dual barrier plug disposed within the interior of the frac spool; a valve selector member disposed within the interior of the dual barrier plug; and the plurality of seals are used to seal fluid flow from below the frac spool, and the seals provide two barriers to each fluid flow.
US08499828B2 Monitoring fluid movement in a formation
A technique includes wirelessly communicating between a first telemetry unit and a second telemetry unit in a well completion. The communicating causes a leakage current between the first and second telemetry units. The technique includes monitoring the leakage current to detect a change in location of a formation fluid layer.
US08499827B2 Sand control screen assembly and method for use of same
A sand control screen assembly (170) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (170) includes a base pipe (172) having at least one opening (176) and an internal flow path (174). A swellable material layer (182) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (172). A fluid collection subassembly (184) and a sensor (192) are disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (182). The fluid collection subassembly (184) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (174). A filter medium (188) is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (170) and the internal flow path (174). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (182) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (184) and the sensor (192) to be displaced toward a surface of the wellbore (48).
US08499822B2 System for cooling and adjusting the temperature of apparatuses in the propulsion assembly of an aircraft
A system for cooling and adjusting the temperature of apparatuses in the propulsion assembly of an aircraft, that includes first means for heat exchange between lubrication circuits of at least two of the aforementioned apparatuses and a heat-carrier fluid contained in a closed circuit, a second means for heat exchange between the heat-carrier fluid and at least one coolant, the first heat exchange means being arranged locally at each of the aforementioned apparatuses, the second heat exchange means being remote from the aforementioned first means, the closed circuit extending between at least two of the aforementioned apparatuses and the aforementioned second means.
US08499821B2 Method for detecting and classifying surface defects on continuously cast slabs
A method for the detection and classification of surface defects on continuously cast products using topographical information about the appearance of continuously cast surface defects and/or flaws are determined with respect to their exact position, evaluated with respect to their location and dimensions, and eliminated in accordance with the evaluation prior to further machining of the product, or are prevented by optimizing the process. The defects and/or flaws on the slab surface of the continuously cast preliminary product are detected and are stored with respect to their exact position and a detection of defects and/or flaws on the finished product is carried out and stored with respect to their exact position, and in that the information from the preliminary product is then compared with the information from the surface inspection on the finished product. Only the information which has led to, or can lead to, defects on the finished product is considered for the elimination of defects and/or flaws on the preliminary product.
US08499819B2 Interlock feature for railcar cores
A core assembly for casting a railcar coupler knuckle includes a first core and a second core. The first core includes a lug. A slot is defined in the second core. First and second positive stop surfaces are provided. The invention reduces core shifting during casting and therefore improves the strength and fatigue life of a coupler knuckle.
US08499816B2 Sectional door particularly for garage
A sectional door for controlling the access opening to a compartment, includes a fixed portion including two pairs of vertical guides extending in a direction substantially parallel to a respective shoulder of the opening; and a movable portion including a leaf having a lower panel and an upper surrounding panel, extending over the entire width of the leaf and having its lateral sides in sliding engagement along a respective side guide, a pair of side support arms each having one end thereof articulated in correspondence to the top of a respective pair of vertical guides and the other end thereof pivoted in correspondence to an intermediate zone of a respective lateral side of the upper panel, and articulated and slidable connection elements between the lower panel and the upper panel, whereby the lower and upper panels are movable between a closed, and an open position.
US08499810B2 Molecular transfer lithography apparatus and method for transferring patterned materials to a substrate
A system and method to implement a molecular transfer lithography process is described. A destroyable nanopatterned template coated with functional material is attached to a removable carrier that is held suspended over a substrate, and a shaped pressure pad brings the functional material into contact with the substrate, initiating adhesion of the functional material to the surface of the substrate, and then detracting the pressure pad from the substrate. The substrate with destroyable template and removable carrier is then sent for further processing. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method are used to process a patterned polyvinyl alcohol template coated with a functional material that is thermal adhered to a substrate and after pressing, subjected to a water bath to dissolve away the template and carrier, leaving the functional material patterned on the substrate.
US08499809B2 Tape dispenser and take-up reel for tape backing
This invention generally relates to a tape dispenser with automatic backing removal more particularly suited for tape and an associated backing, employing a frame and affixed thereto a tape supply spindle rotatably mounted for receiving a roll of tape; said tape supply spindle having thereon a friction disc for pressing against a rotating take-up spindle mounted to said frame and to receive the protective tape backing when the take-up spindle rotates upon an application of a pulling force to the tape.
US08499807B2 Pneumatic run flat tire
A reinforcing rubber layer having a falcated cross-section disposed on an inner side in a tire width direction of the carcass layer in a side wall portion. An angle θ, with respect to the total tire width SW and a tire cross-section height SH, satisfies a relationship (SH/SW×6+3)°≦θ≦(SH/SW×6+8)°. Additionally, a height H1 of a bead filler is from 15 to 35% of the tire cross-section height SH and a height H2 of a maximum thickness position of the reinforcing rubber layer is from 35 to 55% of the tire cross-section height SH.
US08499801B2 Method and apparatus for filling liquids into foil bags with a spout
The present invention relates to a method for filling liquids into foil bags (2) with a spout (3), the method comprising the steps of: mounting the spout (3) on a filling orifice (4); evacuating the foil bag (2) through the spout (3); filling the foil bag (2) with the liquid through the spout (3); sucking liquid out of the filling orifice (4); discharging a sterile gas through the spout (3) into the foil bag (2). Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for filling liquids into foil bags (2) with a spout (3), the apparatus (1) comprising: a filling orifice (4) for mounting the spout (3) of the bag (2) on the filling orifice (4) in a spout position; a liquid path (29, 30) which leads from a liquid supply line (5) to the filling orifice (4), the liquid path (29, 30) being adapted to be shut off with a filling valve (6); a gas path (32, 33) which leads from a gas supply line (23, 24) to the filling orifice (4), a gas valve (9) being provided in the gas path (32, 33), and the gas path (32, 33) terminating downstream of the filling valve (6) in the liquid path (29, 30), and the gas supply line (24, 23) being connectable either to a vacuum line (27) or to a sterile gas line (28).
US08499799B2 Flexible pipe with in-built end pieces
This flexible pipe comprises a versatile and flexible tubular body (PP) which comprises, from the outside toward the inside, a pressure arch (1b-1c) with filaments (10) submerged in a layer of elastomer and wound in a helix with an angle of 54.7° in relation to the profile plates and an attached sealing layer (1a), as well as a pair of rigid end connector tips (EC) which comprises two coaxial cylindrical sleeves, an inner one (2) in which the sealing layer (1a) is fitted and held, and an outer one (7) which extends axially from the body side (PP) beyond the inner sleeve (2) while surrounding the transitional area, with variable diameter, of the pressure arch; the connector end is provided with a pair of flexible annular support elements (5, 6) with variable profile, arranged at this transitional area and inserted between the sealing layer (1a) and the pressure arch (1b-1c), and between the pressure arch (1b-1c) and the flange (7), respectively, avoiding shearing of the filaments upon inflation.A pipe of this type is intended in particular for the oil industry, for the transport of liquids or gases.
US08499795B2 Solenoid valve device
An integrated body comprises an upper body, a lower body, and a plurality of valves, and an intermediate plate is interposed between the upper body and the lower body. A plurality of linear solenoid valves are attached to one side surface and a plurality of directional control valves are attached to other side surface on the upper body. The lower body has a plurality of shift valves for shifting a flow of an output fluid output from the linear solenoid valves. Also, the lower body is provided with a plurality of accumulators and an input-output port portion.
US08499789B2 Mobile gas supply system
A valving arrangement for a mobile gas supply system includes a primary inlet port, a primary outlet port, a regulator, a secondary inlet port, and a secondary outlet port. The primary inlet port is adapted to be connected to a gas cylinder. The primary outlet port is in fluid communication with the primary inlet port and is adapted to be connected to one or more accessories for delivering gas from the gas cylinder. The regulator is disposed between the primary inlet port and the primary outlet port for reducing the pressure of the gas delivered by the gas cylinder to the primary inlet port. The secondary inlet port is in fluid communication with the primary outlet port. The secondary outlet port is in fluid communication with the primary outlet port and the secondary inlet port. The secondary inlet and secondary outlet ports are adapted for connecting the valving arrangement to one or more additional gas cylinders.
US08499785B2 Overflow valve for prevention of water vapor loss
A system and valve for regulating the level of a fluid. The valve having a floating head member that is connected via a rotatable member to a drain member, where fluid may drain from the valve. The system having the valve and a tank, where the fluid drains from the tank once the fluid level reaches the level of the drain member of the valve.
US08499779B2 Systems, methods and apparatus of a nitinol valve
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a non-pyrotechnic valve includes an inlet piece, an actuator comprising a shape-memory metal, and an outlet attached to the inlet piece. In some examples, the shape-memory metal includes Nitinol.
US08499772B2 Vacuum cleaner roller nozzle
The present invention includes a vacuum cleaner nozzle assembly that has protective rollers that glide along the surface to be cleaned without interfering with the function of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The nozzle comprises a tubular nozzle conduit in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit on a first end of the tubular nozzle and a nozzle mouth at the second end of the tubular nozzle opposite the first end. The nozzle conduit has a circumferential roller assembly collar attached to the outside of the tubular nozzle, the collar is formed with a plurality of radially spaced apart seats that are sized and configured to securely receive a plurality of respective balls that are rotatable inside the respective seats.
US08499771B1 Fingernail polish protector
The fingernail polish protector includes an adjustable ring portion along with a ventilated protective shield which snaps into the adjustable ring portion. The adjustable ring portion is designed to fit over the distal end of the finger of a wearer whose fingernail has been recently polished such that the ventilated protective portion overlies the fingernail thereby protecting the polish from being damaged while it dries and cures. Ventilation openings allow airflow and can be formed to be both functional and decorative. A positive stop prevents the ventilated protective shield from tilting downward onto a wet nail, while downward curved sides of the shield limit side-to-side movement which also helps prevent damaging newly polished fingernails. A plastic injection molding process allows the two interlocking portions to be formed in various sizes and colors.
US08499755B2 Mobile kitchen
A mobile kitchen comprises a housing disposed atop one or more wheel axles and a plurality of appliances disposed within the housing. Each appliance is heated by combustion of a distillate fuel. One or more air channels are disposed about each of the appliances, such that each air channel substantially isolates excess heat from combustion of the distillate fuel from a workspace within the housing. One or more first air blowers are associated with the air channels, and each is adapted to force air through the air channels and vent the excess heat to the exterior of the housing. One or more second air blowers are coupled to the housing, and each second air blower is adapted to vent a predetermined volume of air from within the workspace at least once per minute.
US08499750B2 Oil mist separator for internal combustion engine
An oil mist separator (100) for an internal combustion engine that separates an oil component in a gas, which is introduced from a crankcase of the internal combustion engine, from the gas, includes a porous filter (150) that separates, from the gas, the oil component in the gas, the porous filter (150) being provided in a passage, through which the gas passes, and being coated with a counteragent for neutralizing an acid substance.
US08499748B2 Device for exhaust gas recirculation for an internal combustion engine
A device for exhaust-gas recirculation for an internal combustion engine is provided that includes a flange for attaching to a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. Combustion air flows from a passage region of the flange directly into at least one intake duct of a cylinder, and an inlet for an inflow of recirculated exhaust gas into the combustion air is provided. The inlet for the inflow of the recirculated exhaust gas is arranged on the flange.
US08499737B2 Internal combustion engine with bearing cap dampening
An internal combustion engine has an engine block including a crankshaft which is mounted on the engine block by at least a first and a second main bearings, wherein the main bearings each include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion, the second bearing portion being part of a bearing cap, wherein at least the first bearing cap is connected to the engine block or to the second bearing cap by at least one dampening structure, the structure including a first support portion fixed on the bearing cap, a second support portion fixed on the engine block or on an adjacent bearing cap, and a dampening portion including an elastomeric material which connects the two support portions.
US08499735B2 Device for reducing emissions in a vehicle combustion engine
A combustion chamber in an engine includes a piston and an injector with plurality of orifices arranged to inject spray/flame plumes, which impinge on a piston outer bowl section during most of the injection. Between spray/flame plume impingement areas and in a plane substantially perpendicular to reciprocal piston movement are arranged a first type of protrusions protruding into the combustion chamber, having a smooth form for preserving kinetic energy in the flame and for redirecting circumferential flame progress mainly towards a center axis of the piston with minimal flame-to-flame interaction. A second type of protrusions are arranged in the impingement areas, being adapted for redirecting flame progress into a circumferential flame progress direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the reciprocal piston movement and with minimal flame-to-piston wall interaction and minimal kinetic energy loss.
US08499733B2 Device for adjusting the rotation angle position of a camshaft
A device for adjusting the relative rotation angle position of a rotating shaft (1), in particular of a camshaft, relative to a drive element (2), including a substantially hollow-cylindrical displacement member (3), which is arranged coaxially to the shaft (1) and to the drive element (2) and is coupled to the shaft (1) and to the drive element (2) such that an axial displacement of the displacement member (3) effects an adjustment of the relative rotation position of the shaft (1) relative to the drive element (2), and an actuating unit (4) for axially displacing the displacement member (3), the actuating unit comprising two brake actuators (5, 6) and two counter-rotating threaded drives (7, 8) for coupling the brake actuators (5, 6) to the displacement member (3) such that, upon selective actuation of a brake actuator (5, 6), an axial displacement of the displacement member (3) takes place in one direction or the other. According to the invention, at least one threaded drive (7) of the actuating unit (4) is at least partially accommodated in the shaft (1) that is to be adjusted, wherein the accommodated part of the threaded drive (7) comprises a spindle section (9) that is arranged coaxially to the shaft (1) and a nut (10) which can be axially moved with respect to the spindle section (9) and which is connected such to a section of the displacement member (3) that is likewise accommodated in the shaft (1) that an axial movement of the nut (10) effects an axial displacement of the displacement member (3) in a first direction.
US08499732B2 Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine
In a housing body of an engine valve timing control apparatus, a vane rotor includes a vane, wherein the vane and shoes of the housing body define advance and retard chambers. The housing body is formed with a pulley adapted to winding of a belt, and formed with first bolt holes extending axially through the housing body, and formed with a sealing recess at an open axial end. A plate is fixedly inserted in the sealing recess, and formed with second bolt holes facing the first bolt holes. An annular first sealing ring is arranged between an inside periphery of the sealing recess and an outside periphery of the plate. An annular second sealing ring is arranged between the plate and an axial end surface of one of the shoes, wherein the second sealing ring extends circumferentially around one of the second bolt holes.
US08499730B2 Two cycle engine and two cycle engine tool
The invention provides a two cycle engine which effectively suppresses an intrusion of a combustion gas into a crank chamber. Further, the invention provides a two cycle engine tool provided with the two cycle engine mentioned above. An engine is provided with a cylinder having two scavenge air ports at different positions in a cylinder circumference direction, and scavenge air inflow ports communicating individually with these two scavenge air ports via a scavenge air passage, and a piston in which two scavenge air communication ports are formed at positions corresponding to the scavenge air inflow ports, and is structured to swirl the gas flowing into the piston from the cylinder through the scavenge air passage, in an upper portion of the internal space of the piston, and retains the gas in the upper portion of the internal space of the piston.
US08499725B2 Variable compression ratio apparatus
A variable compression ratio apparatus may include a connecting rod provided with one end formed of a mounting hole and the other end eccentrically and rotatably connected to a crankshaft, wherein a piston pin may be inserted in the mounting hole and the connecting rod may be rotatably connected to the piston through the piston pin, an eccentric link provided with an eccentric bearing concentrically and rotatably mounted in the mounting hole may be connected and, the piston pin being eccentrically and rotatably mounted in the eccentric bearing, a variable link pivotally connected to the eccentric link, a variable gear link pivotal with respect to a fixed shaft and having a first gear teeth at an exterior circumference thereof, an external circumferential portion thereof being rotatably connected to the variable link, and a control shaft formed of a second gear teeth engaged to the first gear teeth.
US08499721B2 Apparatus and method for nasal delivery of compositions to birds
Apparatus and methods for delivering a composition to a bird. A selected dosage of the composition may be delivered directly to one or both nostrils of the bird. The deliveries are performed through one or two fluid passages that are preferably in direct fluid communication with the birds' nostrils. Delivery of the composition may limited to only one nostril or both nostrils of each bird. The nostril or nostrils to which the selected dosages are delivered may be isolated from fluid communication with ambient atmosphere during the delivery process. The isolation may be provided by a conformable seal. The beak of the bird may be restrained in a closed position during delivery of the composition.
US08499720B2 Heat resistant system for outdoor animal housing and nesting
An apparatus for a nest box includes an outer box for establishing a nesting enclosure. The outer box is molded from a plastic material impregnated with a heat-reflective pigment. The outer box includes a generally rectangular shape with an open end, a closed end, sides, a top and a bottom. The sides have a plurality of vent holes. The bottom has a plurality of drain holes. The top has vent slots. An inner liner is contained within the outer box with an air space between the inner liner and the outer box. The inner liner includes an open end, a closed end, sides and a bottom. The sides have a plurality of vent holes. The top has a plurality of vent holes. The bottom has a plurality of drain holes. A radiant barrier foil is joined to an interior surface of the outer box. A faceplate covers the open end.
US08499715B2 Coating appratus having two coating devices for successively coating same surface of substrate
A coating apparatus includes a first coating device, a number of second coating devices and a number of substrate holders. Each of the substrate holders is rotatable relative to the first coating device and the second coating devices such that one of two opposite holding surfaces of the substrate holder alternately faces the first coating device and the second coating devices.
US08499709B2 Mooring system for a vessel
A mooring system for a vessel includes an attachment unit configured to be detachably attached to a hull of the vessel; a robot arm including a plurality of arms, the arms being coupled to each other to turn in a vertical direction, the robot, arm extending by an arm actuator provided thereto to transfer the attachment unit to an attachment position of the hull; a rotation unit connected to the robot arm and allowing the robot arm to turn in a horizontal direction; and a mooring winch for winding a mooring cable to draw the attachment unit. A floating body or a quay wall may include the mooring system.
US08499708B2 Heave compensation system and method
A heave compensation system comprises a motor-generator to interact with a load and a control unit being arranged to control operation of the motor-generator. The control unit is arranged to: operate the motor-generator to drive the load in a first part of a wave motion cycle, and operate the motor-generator to regenerate in a second part of the wave motion cycle at least a part of the energy with which the load has been driven in the first part of the wave motion cycle. The heave compensation system comprises an electrical storage element to buffer at least part of the regenerated energy for powering the motor-generator in a following cycle of the wave motion.
US08499705B2 Stern structure of ship
A stern structure of a ship includes a plurality of propellers, a plurality of propeller shafts and a stern structural body. A plurality of propeller shaft tubes is provided correspondingly to the plurality of propellers, and the plurality of propeller shafts connected to the plurality of propellers is inserted into the plurality of propeller shaft tubes. The stern structural body extends backwardly from the stern body, spreads externally with respect to a ship body center line C, and contains portions of the plurality of propeller shafts extending backwardly from the stern body. An inner side of the stern structural body is equivalent to an interior portion of a ship body. The stern structural body supports the plurality of propeller shaft tubes in the interior portion of the ship body.
US08499698B2 Worksurface assembly with personal carry item storage shelf
A worksurface assembly includes a worksurface member having an upper surface, a bottom surface, a forward edge, a rearward edge, and an aperture that opens both upwardly and forwardly from the worksurface member, and a storage member including a pair of sidewalls, a rear wall and a bottom wall that cooperate to form an interior storage area having a height to width ratio of greater than or equal to about 1:1 at at least one position along a length of the storage member, wherein the storage member has a forwardly facing opening and an upwardly facing opening, and wherein the storage member is readily detachably secured to the worksurface member such that the interior storage of the storage member is accessible through the aperture of the worksurface member and such that access to the interior space is uninterrupted between the forwardly facing opening and the upwardly facing opening of the storage member.
US08499695B1 Railroad rail retaining clip staging and removal apparatus and method
A rail-tie connecting clip engagement/disengagement apparatus for slidably attaching opposite bottom portions of a rail to a tie thereunder with clips each having an outer portion having opposite lateral openings; wherein a first rail side of said apparatus, used to engage/disengage one bottom side of the rail to the tie with one clip, comprises: a) a pair of similar opposite lateral arms, each having an inner hooked end portion to engage one of the lateral openings, a central pivot portion, and an outer end portion carrying one of a cam and a cam follower; b) the other of the cam and the cam follower, being an actuating arm, motivated by the outer end portion thereof to cause appropriate engagement/disengagement of the hooked end portions in the opposite lateral openings of the clip; c) bias means to maintain the cam in contact with the cam follower; and, d) lateral arm longitudinal movement means to jointly move the arms to and away from the rail, to thereby push/pull the clip when engaged by the hooked end portion of the arms. After the hooked end portions of the pair of arms jointly engage the U shaped clip, the clip may be alternatively pushed over engaging the bottom portion of the rail, or alternatively pulled therefrom, disengaging the bottom portion of the rail from the tie.
US08499694B2 Two-fin stackable flechette having two-piece construction
A flechette has a forward body (20) containing its center of gravity which is connected to a tail section (24). The tail section has a pair of fins (24A, 24B) each having a preselected longitudinal angle and radial angle. When the two fins are viewed from the aft of the flechette, the pair of fins demonstrate a S-shaped orientation. The size, shape and orientation of the pair of fins provide aerodynamic stability to the flechette while allowing the flechette to be stacked with like-shaped flechettes. The two-piece assembly of the flechette easily accommodates the use of different density materials for the respective pieces.
US08499686B2 Round baler
A round baler is provided having a bale chamber that is partly covered by stationary side walls assuming the size and shape of the bale chamber and by a gate having a skirt which can be brought into an overlapping relationship with the side walls when the gate is closed.
US08499684B1 Cupcake/muffin hole maker
For use with a baking pan of the type formed from a sheet having a plurality of frusto-conical depressions and inter-spaces between the depressions, a hole maker. The hole maker includes a plate having upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of tubes each have an upper end secured to the lower surface of the plate. The tubes each have a lower end positionable in an associated depression. The upper and lower ends of each tube are separated by a tube length. A plurality of similarly configured posts are provided. The posts each have an upper end secured to the lower surface of the plate. The posts each have a lower end positionable on the upper surface of the sheet at an associated inter-spacing.
US08499679B1 Seisgun
A portable seisgun device providing a consistent signal for detection with sensor arrays and geophones in the course of seismic studies, and a self-contained transport mechanism. The device comprises a main platform, a muffling skirt and a gun stock mounted on a dolly. The platform provides a safe place to operate the device. The skirt both reduces noise and contains debris. The firing barrel fires a shotgun shell into the ground, producing the seismic signal. Interchangeable barrels permit different types of ammunition to be used. The dolly acts as both infrastructure and transport for the device and additional equipment, including over rough terrain.
US08499670B2 Modular blind cutting center
A blind cutting apparatus includes a support surface adapted to support a window covering, a frame disposed at the end of the support surface and a rack movable within the frame. A plurality of die assemblies are fastened to the rack, in which each die assembly includes a fixed die that has openings sized to receive the ends of the window covering and a movable die that is movable relative to the fixed die. The fixed dies and the movable dies are adapted to cut the ends of the window covering. The rack is adapted to move relative to the support surface such that a selected die assembly is adjacent the support surface and the moveable die of the selected die assembly is independently moveable of the moveable dies of the other die assemblies.
US08499667B2 Tool holder
A tool handle includes a cavity to receive a T-handle tool. When the tool handle is placed on the T-handle tool, the tool handle provides a better grip of the tool handle to apply greater torque. The tool handle includes a protrusion which is able to detachably couple with the T-handle tool. Once coupled with the T-handle tool, the tool handle is able to be grasped by a user to rapidly turn the T-handle tool. In some embodiments, the T-handle tool includes an added tool. A tool container is able to store T-handle tools and the tool handle. The tool container includes a locking mechanism to lock the tools in place and a tamper prevention mechanism to ensure the locking mechanism is not tampered with while the tool container is in the store.
US08499663B2 Brake pedal stop
A braking assembly includes a depressible brake pedal. The brake pedal remains in a neutral position when not depressed. A link arm is mechanically linked with the brake pedal. The link arm moves as a function of a position of the brake pedal. A bell crank is mechanically linked with the link arm. The bell crank moves as a function of a position of the link arm. A stop member moves with the bell crank. The stop member abuts against the link arm to prevent the brake pedal from over-travelling beyond a predetermined distance past the neutral position after the depressed brake pedal is released.
US08499653B1 Fault tolerant electro-mechanical actuator
An electromechanical actuator incorporates a drive housing connected to a motor for rotational motion. A screw is employed with an actuating nut having protruding engagement bosses and a drive coupling is concentrically received within the drive housing having segments equal to the number of engagement bosses. Each segment has a cavity to receive a respective one of the engagement bosses and the segments are cooperatively positionable from an active position radially compressed to engage the bosses within the cavities to a released position radially expanded to disengage the bosses from the cavities.
US08499646B2 Utility pull-back tension monitoring arrangement with sensor output compensation and method
Tension monitoring is described using a sensor which may exhibit an offset for which compensation may be provided to produce a zero voltage amplified output or to increase dynamic range. An arrangement determines whether a power reset is responsive to a battery bounce such that an initially-measured system start-up parameter can be retained. The start-up parameter is automatically saved at start-up if the power reset is responsive to a start-up from a shut-down condition. The start-up parameter may be a zero tension amplified output responsive to the sensor offset at zero tension. Protection of a tension data set is provided such that no opportunity for altering the data set is presented prior to transfer of the data set. A housing configuration forms part of an electrical power circuit for providing electrical power to an electronics package from a battery.
US08499635B2 Transducer array imaging system
Embodiments contemplate methods and devices for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. An ultrasound echo wave may be received at a first transducer element of a transducer array in a handheld probe. The ultrasound echo wave may also be received at a second transducer element of the transducer array. The ultrasound echo wave may also be received at a third transducer element of the transducer array. The handheld probe may process into digital data the ultrasound echo wave received at the first transducer element and the ultrasound echo wave received at the second transducer element. The processing may preclude data representative of the ultrasound echo wave received at the third transducer element from being included in the digital data. The processing may include reducing the digital data and the reduced digital data may be transmitted to a location relatively remote from the handheld probe.
US08499634B2 Transducer array imaging system
The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy. The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical energy into digital data, and the transmitter may transmit the digital data.
US08499633B2 Non-contact ultrasonic testing method and device for ceramic honeycomb structures
Both a method and apparatus for determining internal discontinuities or inhomogeneities in a green or fired ceramic honeycomb structure is provided. In the method of the invention, an ultrasonic transmitter is positioned adjacent to, but not in contact with, the honeycomb structure. The transmitter propagates an ultrasonic wave, of preferably less than 5 MHz, through the honeycomb structure which is received, filtered and analyzed to determine the presence or absence of internal discontinuities or inhomogenieties. The ultrasonic transmitter generates an ultrasonic wave of less than five megahertz to provide a relatively high signal-to-noise ratio in the ultrasonic wave propagated through the structure. The device of the invention may include an array of ultrasonic transmitters and receivers that generate simultaneously transmit and receive ultrasonic signals throughout the ceramic honeycomb structure as it is moved relative to the array such that the structure is quickly and efficiently scanned for discontinuities or inhomogenieties.
US08499628B2 Cover for protecting component from shear force
A system includes a structure and a component. The component including an energy providing device and a protective cover. The structure has a structure surface. The protective cover has a protective cover attachment surface mounted on the structure surface. The energy providing device is located within the protective cover. The protective cover has a protective cover outer surface. The protective cover outer surface is oriented to face a first direction from which an impact load may strike the protective cover outer surface and shear the protective cover from the structure surface. The protective cover outer surface has an outer surface shape facing the first direction. At least a portion of an impact load striking any region of the protective cover outer surface facing the first direction is transferred by the outer surface shape into a compression load.
US08499624B1 Method to determine performance characteristic of an engine exhaust system
A method to determine a performance characteristic of an exhaust system of an engine, where the exhaust system includes an exhaust gas sensor that outputs an exhaust gas signal. A combustion event in a cylinder is fueled at an air-fuel ratio selected to produce exhaust gas that is expected to be distinguishable by the exhaust gas sensor from exhaust gas produced by other combustion events, and used to determine the performance characteristic. The performance characteristic may be an exhaust gas transport time of the exhaust system, a sensitivity characteristic of the exhaust gas sensor, or a fueling correction value necessary to restore fueling to, for example, stoichiometry. Such a method is useful to detect physical changes in the exhaust system such as relocating the exhaust gas sensor, or detect if the exhaust gas sensor is damaged or not operating properly.
US08499619B2 Process and rheometer for determining the rheological properties of materials
A process and an apparatus determine the rheological properties of medium samples. The normal forces arising in a measuring gap perpendicular to the measuring surfaces are recorded with a recording unit and the height of the measuring gap is adjusted with a positioning unit and with positioning elements actuated by the positioning unit. During the measuring procedure the initial height of the measuring gap is kept constant, by the values of the normal forces arising being linked with a calibrating function, and in that, upon detection of normal forces arising, values derived from the calibrating function are drawn upon as control signals, with which at least one sliding actuator acting on at least one of the two measuring elements is driven, which by position adjustment or height adjustment of the respective measuring element performs an immediate resetting of a height of the measuring gap, changed by the normal forces exerted by the medium sample to be examined, to the initial spacing set originally.
US08499610B2 Test apparatus and method for safety valve
An apparatus and method for testing the performance of a safety valve. The apparatus includes an accumulator including at least one electric heater for heating a predetermined amount of water in the accumulator, and storing steam produced by the electric heater, a test vessel storing the steam supplied from the accumulator, and providing steam at a test pressure to a safety valve, the steam being supplied after controlling flow rate and pressure, a condensing tank storing demineralized water to be supplied to the accumulator, and condensing and collecting the steam discharged from the safety valve, and a water-supply pump supplying the water stored in the condensing tank to the accumulator.
US08499604B2 Duct making apparatus and method
A duct making apparatus bends a metal web to form a duct blank having a lock tab at a forward end and having a Z-fold at a rearward end. Prior to shearing off the duct blank from the metal web, the apparatus bends the duct blank to insert the lock tab into the Z-fold, and further bends the Z-fold to form a clinch tab holding the lock tab into the Z-fold. After shearing off the duct blank from the metal web, the apparatus clinches the clinch tab over the lock tab to form a completed duct blank.
US08499601B2 Bottle can member, bottle, and thread forming device
An effective thread number in the thread section which is disposed on the mouth section of the bottle is formed to be 2.2. That is, the thread section is formed such that the thread section 13 should serve effectively in the mouth section such that an interval between a start position and an end position should be 2.0 to 2.5. In the bottle can member 11 which has such a thread section, an outer diameter of the thread section which is formed on the mouth section is 28 to 38 mm. Also, the thickness of the mouth section is 0.25 to 0.4 mm. The thread section which has the effective thread number 2.0 to 2.5 is formed by eight-thread per inch pitch. By doing this, it is possible to put the cap desirably.
US08499595B2 Cable wrap security device
A security device includes a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a lockable cable-linking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The cable-linking member may include a key member for unlocking the tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism includes an internal spool and other internal members some of which are related to the locking and unlocking of the tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which typically include the cables and which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism may include a flip-up handle for rotating the spool to tighten the cable.
US08499588B2 Apparatus for treating clothing
The present invention relates to a clothing treating apparatus. The clothing treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a clothing holding unit in the cabinet for holding clothing, and a steam generator for generating steam or superheated steam to supply to the clothing holding space, thereby permitting to remove rumples from the clothing and microbes from the clothing possible to remain thereon.
US08499586B1 Ergonomic crochet hook
One or more ergonomic crochet devices are provided herein. A crochet device may comprise a curved elongated shaft and/or a grip anchor. The curved elongated shaft may be configured to provide a depressed resting angle of the crochet device when held by the user at rest. The depressed resting angle may result in a hook of the curved elongated shaft being positioned at a lower position than conventional crochet devices when held at rest. In this way, reduced wrist flexing may be used to lower the hook into a crocheting angle and/or maintain the hook at the crocheting angle during crocheting activity. The grip anchor may be configured to create a pivot point of the crochet device near the grip anchor. In this way, small wrist motion may translate into large positional change of the hook in order to easily rotate and/or manipulate the crochet device during crocheting activity.
US08499569B2 System and process for transporting LNG by non-self-propelled marine LNG carrier
Marine LNG carrier and method of operating the marine LNG carrier. The LNG carrier carries LNG in at least one tank. Gas composed of evaporated LNG within the at least one tank is removed. The gas is fed to at least one gas consuming prime mover of the LNG carrier. Power is provided with the at least one gas consuming prime mover. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08499565B2 Axial diffusor for a turbine engine
A turbine engine having a plenum for passing fluids from an outlet of a compressor to an inlet of a combustor that may increase the efficiency of the turbine engine. The turbine engine may include a combustor, a compressor positioned upstream of the combustor, a transition channel extending from the compressor to the combustor, and a shell extending between the compressor and a combustor portal and positioned around the at least one transition channel. The turbine engine may also include an axial diffusor in the shell near the at least one transition channel, wherein the axial diffusor may include a fluid flow recess in a trailing edge of the axial diffusor. The turbine engine may also include a wave protrusion extending from a surface positioned radially inward of the axial diffusor. The fluid flow recess and the wave protrusion may reduce fluid flow loss within the shell.
US08499564B2 Pilot burner for gas turbine engine
A pilot burner (150, 350) for a gas turbine engine delivers an inner non-swirling fuel-oxidant mixture surrounded by an outer swirling fuel-oxidant mixture, thereby providing enhanced mixing with no recirculation zone. At least one fluid-restricting inlet port (166, 366) provides an oxidant to an inner mixing passage (160, 360). The inner mixing passage (160, 360) includes a plurality of fuel outlets (168). An outer annular mixing passage (180) receives oxidant from an upstream port (181) surrounding the inner mixing passage and includes at least one swirler element (186, 386) and fuel outlets (188).
US08499563B2 System for generating and transporting electric power from hydrothermal vents
An electric generator includes a channel for directing a flow of a first fluid and a thermoacoustic resonance chamber that penetrates the channel, including a first heat exchanger inside the channel and a second heat exchanger outside the channel, wherein the thermoacoustic resonance chamber has a toroidal shape configured to enclose a second fluid adapted to create a resonance of and carry an acoustic pressure wave to transfer heat between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The thermoacoustic resonance chamber includes a plurality of channels to provide a plurality of resonance cavities capable of supporting standing thermoacoustic waves around the toroidal shape. The plurality of channels are configured to partition the thermoacoustic resonance chamber into a plurality of tubular channels extending around the toroidal shape.
US08499546B2 Methods for reducing engine exhaust emissions
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine wherein, during an initial, relatively low temperature operating phase of the engine, the engine operates with a modulated air/fuel ratio established independently of the operating condition of the engine and wherein, during a subsequent higher temperature operating phase of the engine, the air/fuel ratio is modulated in as a function of the operating conditions of the engine.
US08499541B2 Method for starting premixed combustion in combustor for two-shaft gas turbine
A two-shaft gas turbine is capable of starting premixed combustion without extinguishing a flame. The two-shaft gas turbine includes a combustor and a gas generator controller. The combustor has a premix burner that includes combustion regions in which premixed combustion is to be carried out individually. The gas generator controller controls the combustor. In a method for starting the premixed combustion in the combustor, the gas generator controller selects at least one of the combustion regions in which the premixed combustion is to be carried out, on the basis of a fuel-air ratio, and starts premix combustion in the selected combustion region or separately in each of the selected combustion regions. Further, as the fuel-air ratio is increased, the controller increases the number of the selected region in which the premixed combustion is carried out.
US08499540B2 Device for de-icing the air intake of a gas turbine
A de-icer device for de-icing an air inlet of a gas turbine, such as a helicopter turbine engine. The de-icer device includes an essentially metallic enclosure for admitting air into the engine, the enclosure including a first opening for admitting air into the enclosure, the first opening including a first essentially metallic grid, the enclosure further including a second opening for directing the air towards a compression stage of the gas turbine. The de-icer device further includes a wave generator for generating electromagnetic waves in the enclosure at a frequency suitable for causing ice to melt.
US08499539B2 Producing yarn
A process for the production of a yarn is disclosed, the process comprising providing a bundle comprising continuous filaments of a thermoplastic polymer, contacting the bundle with a sliver comprising fibers of a heat resistant material to form a mixed bundle, and applying a gas jet to the mixed bundle to distribute the fibers of the heat resistant material in the bundle. Also disclosed are yarns comprising filaments of a thermoplastic polymer and fibers of a heat resistant material, wherein the fibers are distributed between and among the filaments. Preferably, the heat resistant material is a non-thermoplastic polymer, especially an aramid. Yarns according to the invention find use in technical fabrics especially transmission belts.
US08499526B2 Method of producing a heavy modular unit and a modular unit produced according to the method
The present invention encompasses a method, on a building site, of forming a stable and, in terms of weight, heavy modular unit under the utilization of prefabricated, in terms of weight considerably lighter, modular unit (12) transported to the building site, where said heavy modular unit (12a) can be adapted to serve as a complete modular-built cellar unit. Said modular unit displays a base slab (14) and double-walled wall sections (10, 11) anchored to the base slab. Inner and outer wall portions (10, 11) are mutually coordinated and secured to one another via supports (18) oriented within a free space formed and structured between the wall portions. The free space is completely filled with a concrete mass, which is caused to cure or set, in order in such instance to form the in terms of weight heavy modular unit. The present invention also discloses a heavy modular unit thus produced.
US08499525B1 Display wall standard/framing member
A wall standard designed to attach to standard steel construction studs with self-tapping framing screws in the front and on the side of the device at predetermined spacings.
US08499523B2 Frame assembly having stile and rail tabs for coupling stile and rail members together
A frame assembly supports a fenestration article. The frame assembly comprises a stile member and a rail member coupled substantially transverse to the stile member. A stile tab extends axially from the stile member and a rail tab extends axially from the rail member. The stile tab is bent around the rail member and the rail tab is bent around the stile member for coupling the stile member to the rail member.
US08499517B2 Insulated fiber cement siding
Disclosed herein are embodiments of foam backing panels for use with lap siding and configured for mounting on a building. Also disclosed are lap siding assemblies and products of lap sidings. One such embodiment of the foam backing panel comprises a rear face configured to contact the building, a front face configured for attachment to the lap siding, alignment means for aligning the lap siding relative to the building, means for providing a shadow line, opposing vertical side edges, a top face extending between a top edge of the front face and rear face and a bottom face extending between a bottom edge of the front face and rear face.
US08499516B2 Molded fiberglass sidelite assembly
The present relates to a sidelite assembly having first and second panels and a window. Each of the panels has an inner edge extending outwardly from a major planar portion and surrounding an opening. The inner edge includes a first portion having a ridge extending outwardly from a distal end thereof and a second portion having a channel extending inwardly from the distal end. An outer edge extends outwardly from the major planar portion and adjacent a periphery thereof, and includes a first portion having a ridge extending outwardly from a distal end thereof and a second portion having a channel extending inwardly from the distal end. The ridges of the first panel are aligned with and received in the channels of the second panel. The window is disposed within the opening.
US08499509B2 Jamb assembly for door
Disclosed is a jamb assembly for a door having a novel structure, capable of representing a wooden feel and reinforcing the strength for a specific region by improving the structure of the jamb assembly coupled with an opening of a wall surface for the installation of the door. The jamb assembly is installed along an inner peripheral surface of an opening of a wall surface for installation of a door and constituting a door frame. The jamb assembly includes an outer skin section constituting an outer portion of the jamb assembly and having a surface molded with various patterns such as a wooden pattern, and a body core section surrounded by the outer skin section, constituting an inner frame portion of the jamb assembly, and fixedly coupled with the opening of the wall surface for the installation of the door.
US08499507B1 Swimming pool step assembly
A swimming pool step assembly includes a plurality of steps which can be stacked in a vertical array including a top step, bottom step and, optionally one or more intermediate steps between the top step and the bottom step, each step having a top surface, a periphery, and a bottom, wherein the bottoms of at least the bottom step and the intermediate step(s) each include a recess configured to receive an adjacent higher step in the vertical array.
US08499503B2 Thermoregulation equipment for patient room
An architectural system adaptable to patient acuity level has a headwall unit with a cavity, a ceiling unit, and a column coupled to the ceiling unit. The column is movable between a first position in which at least a majority of the column is situated in the cavity and a second position in which the column is situated outside the cavity. Various types of patient-care equipment is also disclosed. The patient-care equipment is included in, or is coupleable to, one or more of the ceiling unit, the headwall unit, or the column.
US08499501B2 Portable manway cover hinge device
A method of handling the removal and installation of a manway cover to a manway flange includes removing a plurality of manway cover bolts, assembling a portable manway cover hinge device having a pair of hinge plates having a hinge aperture alignable with an existing bolt opening or a user formed bolt opening, forming one or more bolt openings in a peripheral portion of one of the manway cover and the manway flange, aligning a hinge aperture of the support member of each of the pair of hinge plates with the one or more bolt openings formed in the peripheral portion of the one of the manway cover and the manway flange or the plurality of existing bolt openings, inserting a pin into each hinge aperture of the hinge plates, and removing the remaining manway cover bolts from the manway cover.
US08499500B2 Recreational structure having an inflatable support assembly
A shelter including a support assembly having a plurality of inflatable supports each having an elongated tube body and defining at least two separate longitudinal passages pneumatically separated by a bladder, wherein the tube bodies of each support is connected to the tube body of one or more of the other supports and wherein each of the passages of the each support is pneumatically connected to each of the passages of the other supports, and wherein the supports are spaced circumferentially apart as legs of the support assembly for forming a perimeter of the shelter, and a single port pneumatically coupled to only one of the supports, the port configured for passing air between an external pneumatic vessel and the support to which the port is coupled and a canopy including a plurality of wall panels, the wall panels being configured for being suspended from the support assembly.
US08499499B2 Weather strip for motor vehicle
A weather strip having a trim portion capable of decreasing an insertion load of a flange and increasing a removal load thereof where the thickness of the flange varies, thereby preventing its turn against a flange. The weather strip has a trim portion and a seal portion. The trim portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section. An inner holding lip includes a base part, a main lip formed along an end of the base part, and a sub-lip formed from a side surface of the end of the base part so as to project obliquely with respect to the main lip in a direction of the opening of the trim portion. The sub-lip is made shorter than the main lip, and an end of the sub-lip is located on the opening side of an interior surface of a joint between the base part and the inner side wall.
US08499491B2 Method and apparatus for landscape edging
A landscape edging system has edging strip material with ends having a laterally extending projection and adapted for overlapping relation when assembled and having end edges disposed in edge to edge relation. A stake clip member is mounted to each of the laterally extending projections and defines a stake receptacle. An installation stake extends through the vertically aligned stake receptacles and secures the end portions of adjacent strips of landscape edging material in said overlapping edge to edge relation and supports the landscape edging strip material in upright position. The installation stake and stake receptacles have interacting wedge shaped geometry that locks the ends of the strip material in assembly.
US08499490B2 Reticulated foam for use in horticultural applications
An air filtration apparatus for use in horticultural applications provides, in the exemplary embodiment, a coupling portion configured for engagement about an un-filtered air source in fluid communication with an enclosed plant growing area. The coupling portion defines an opening extending therethrough. A support portion is integral about a free end of the coupling portion. A reticulated foam piece is coupled to, and configured for covering, an opposing end of the support portion. The opposing end of the support portion has a diameter relatively larger than that of the coupling portion. Thus, with the coupling portion engaged about the un-filtered air source, the apparatus is capable of removing or trapping impurities—such as dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores, insects, pests, etc.—as the un-filtered air travels into the opening of the coupling portion and through the reticulated foam piece, thereby keeping said impurities out of the associated plant growing area.
US08499488B1 Tilt ramp trap having bosses
A rodent trap includes a box having one or more entrance tubes provided therein. The entrance tubes are in communication with a mouse hole in the side wall of the box. Within each tube is a tilt ramp that tilts in response to a weight of 4 grams at a distance of one and 5/16 inches from the pivot axis to the tilt ramp.
US08499482B1 Ambidextrous thumb safety
An ambidextrous safety for a firearm includes a first portion, a second portion and a pivot pin, where each portion has a thumb lever that is rotatable in a frame aperture about the pivot pin having a first end and a second end. The first end is integrally disposed on the first portion and the second end has a first part of a two-part fastener. The second portion has a second part of the two-part fastener. The fastener rigidly secures the first portion to the second portion through the aperture. One part of the fastener has a socket and the other part has a protuberance for receipt in the socket. The protuberance is oblong and tapers inwardly. The socket has a socket aperture having a cutaway, tapering inwardly for receipt of the protuberance. The socket and the protuberance provide an interference fit. The two-part fastener provides retention and minimizes backlash.
US08499478B1 Gift card presenter
A card holder including a pop-up element for holding and presenting a card when the card holder is opened.
US08499456B2 Method for producing a housing for a fluid bearing apparatus
A method for producing a housing for a hydrodynamic bearing apparatus includes forming a housing 7 which has a cylindrical shape and which includes a fixing face 7c for fixing the outer circumferential surface 8b of a bearing sleeve 8, and axial circulation grooves 7d for bringing both end faces 8c, 8d of the bearing sleeve 8 into circulation on the inner periphery. The method includes providing a groove molding portion 18a2 on the outer circumference of a rod 18 which serves as a forming mold for the inner periphery of the housing 7, and forming the circulation grooves 7d of the housing by forging with the groove molding portion 18a2 of the mold. Moreover, after a sealing face 107d and a cylindrical outer circumferential surface 107e provided on the outer periphery of the housing 107 are formed by forging, an inner circumferential surface 107c is formed by forging.
US08499446B2 Method of manufacturing multilayer printed wiring board
A method of manufacturing a multilayer printed wiring board includes forming a first interlaminar resin insulating layer, a first conductor circuit on the first interlaminar resin insulating layer, a second interlaminar resin insulating layer, opening portions in the second interlaminar resin insulating layer to expose a face of the first conductor circuit, an electroless plating film on the second interlaminar resin insulating layer and the exposed face, and a plating resist on the electroless plating film. The method further includes substituting the electroless plating film with a thin film conductor layer, having a lower ion tendency than the electroless plating film, and a metal of the exposed face, forming an electroplating film including the metal on a portion of the electroless plating film and the thin film conductor layer, stripping the plating resist, and removing the electroless plating film exposed by the stripping.
US08499444B2 Method of manufacturing a package substrate
A package substrate and a method of manufacturing the package substrate are disclosed. The method of manufacturing the package substrate may include stacking a second metal layer in which at least one hole is formed over a first metal layer, stacking a barrier layer over the first metal layer exposed in the hole and over the second metal layer, forming at least one bump by filling the hole with a conductive metal, stacking an insulation layer over the bump and forming a circuit pattern over the insulation layer, and removing the first metal layer, the second metal layer, and the barrier layer.
US08499443B2 Method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrator
A package manufacturing method capable of easily manufacturing a penetration electrode-attached base board having excellent shape accuracy with a high degree of flatness without forming cracks or the like is provided. The package manufacturing method includes an insertion hole forming step of forming insertion holes in one surface of a base board wafer so as not to penetrate through the base board wafer; a core portion insertion step of inserting conductive core portions made of a metal material into the insertion holes; a welding step of heating the base board wafer to a temperature higher than the softening point of the glass material so as to weld the base board wafer to the core portions while holding the one surface side of the base board wafer with a receiving mold and pressing the other surface of the base board wafer with a flat pressurizing mold; a cooling step of cooling the base board wafer; and a polishing step of polishing both surfaces of the base board wafer.
US08499442B2 Process for fabricating a connector
A conductive elastomeric and mechanical pin and contact system for creation of a Elastromechanical Connector (1) that combines Mechanical Pins, an Insulator Array with Conductive Elastromeric Memory Material. This combination provides a low cost, high density, reliable, reusable electronic interconnect system. This system can be used in place of most connector systems in use today. It replaces any connector that uses pins and sockets and also supports the fine conductor pitch required in the semiconductor business like Ball Grid Array (BGA) Sockets and related devises. The inventive device includes mechanical pins (2), installed in an insulator (3), each mechanical pin is topped with conductive elastromeric compound (4). A mechanical pin is used for each connection point, the insulator positions the mechanical pins in an array pattern appropriate to the interconnection requirement. A conductive elastromeric compound is added to each metal pin to create the Z axis electrical coplanality to the mating unit. This connector will mate between printed circuit boards, packaged electronic assembles, BGAs or LGA type products, harnesses or cables without the need of solder or pins and sockets. Eliminating solder or pins and sockets reduces the pitch between connections. Mechanical pins are plated drawn, formed or machined conductive metal alloys. Insulator is molded or machined out of engineered plastic examples being, but not limited to, FR-4, Ultem®, Polyimide, Torlon®. Electrically conductive elastromeric compounds made up of flexible silicone and rubbers with conductive compounds added.
US08499440B2 Method of making halogen-free circuitized substrate with reduced thermal expansion
A method of making a circuitized substrate including a composite layer having a first dielectric sub-layer including a halogen-free resin and fibers dispersed therein and a second dielectric sub-layer without fibers but also including a halogen-free resin with inorganic particulates therein.
US08499436B2 Tool device for dismantling joint
A tool device includes a support lever having two screw holes, a pressing lever, an adjusting member is threaded with one of the screw holes and pivotally coupled to the middle portion of the pressing lever, and a pressing member is threaded with the other screw hole of the support lever and has an end portion for engaging with a rear portion of the pressing lever, a holding member is attached to the support lever and includes a front portion having an opening, and a retaining member is changeably attached to the support lever for engaging with the holding member and for selectively engaging or retaining the ball joint or universal joint between the retaining member and the pressing lever.
US08499433B2 Reconfigurable clamping system
A clamping system can be reconfigured to clamp any of multiple workpieces having differing shapes. The system includes a retention assembly for retaining an inflatable bladder that applies a clamping force to the workpiece. The retention assembly includes a flexible chain of pivotally connected links that can be locked in place to form a rigid assembly that conforms to the shape of the workpiece. The links can be unlocked to allow reconfiguration of the retention assembly into shapes matching other workpieces.
US08499429B2 Method for applying a surface structure to a solid body and solid body provided with such a surface structure
In a method for applying a surface structure to a solid body, a structured surface is placed directly or indirectly onto the surface of the solid body and the structure of this structured surface is reproduced in the surface of the solid body, in that an explosive structured layer is arranged on the surface of the solid body and the structure of the explosive structured layer is explosively disseminated into the surface of the solid body. According to the invention, the surface of the solid body is provided with a surface pre-structure before the actual dissemination, at least in regions, wherein the structure of the explosive structured layer is disseminated on at least one partial region of the surface pre-structure so that the surface structure produced results from overlapping of the surface pre-structure with the explosively disseminated structure.
US08499422B2 Safety device for a piece of luggage comprising a first outside zipper and a second inside zipper
A safety device for a piece of luggage includes a first outside zipper (1) and a second inside zipper (2). The two zippers (1, 2) are superposed in the immediate proximity of one another, such that the teeth (1a, 2a) of the zippers (1, 2) touch under the action of external pressure on the outside zipper (1) by a tip (P) or a pointed tool, by keeping the teeth of the outside zipper (1) from dislocating downward under the pressure of the tip or the pointed tool (P).
US08499414B1 Spring member for industrial caster wheel
A spring-force-adjustable and height-adjustable industrial caster wheel includes spring assembly, a mounting plate, a swivel assembly that swivels relative to the mounting plate, and a spring housing having a spring space in which the spring assembly is located. The spring force of the spring assembly is adjustable by pre-loading the spring assembly along the top-to-bottom direction along which the caster load is applied. The spring assembly includes a spring member having one or more relief areas on one or more of its side and/or end surfaces and/or internally within the spring member. These one or more relief areas allow the spring member to easily deform under the pre-load force or under increasing caster load forces without compromising the ability of the spring space to constrain lateral movements of the spring assembly or the ability of the spring member to deform elastically and/or avoid undergoing plastic deformations.
US08499412B2 Electric blower and electric cleaner with same
An electric blower includes a stator, a rotor, a bracket, rotary fan, air guide, a fan case covering air guide and rotary fan. Air guide includes a partition plate, a diffuser, a partition slope, and a guide vane. Diffuser vanes configure closed passages. Passage lengths of closed passages include a first passage length and a second passage length that is different from the first passage length.
US08499408B2 Windshield wiper device
A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, a connecting device pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end. The connecting device comprises at least a first part and a second part and first and second retaining means for retaining the connecting device onto the oscillating arm. The first retaining means comprises at least one first protrusion on the second part engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm, and wherein the second retaining means comprise at least one second protrusion provided on the first part engaging the oscillating arm.
US08499407B2 Wiper for vehicle windows
The invention relates to a wiper for vehicle windows that comprises structural members comprising at least a longitudinal substrate (10); a stiffening rod (20) arranged as an extension of said substrate (10); a wiping blade (30) attached to said substrate (10); an accessory (40) including at least one tube (42a, 42b) for spraying a washing liquid, said accessory (40) being assembled on said substrate (10). According to the invention, the wiper further includes means (60a, 60b) for heating the washing liquid, said heating means being included in the tubes (42a, 42b) of the accessory (40).
US08499390B2 Multi-purpose waiter's tool
A multi-purpose tool for waiters that allows a waiter to carry and use as a single instrument for multifarious purposes. The multi-purpose tool comprises a housing to hold a lighter, a blade, a bottle cap opener, a corkscrew, a pen, and an LED light. These tools may be secured to the housing via mount, preferably, a U-mount. The housing may be designed with a tapered end to provide an ergonomic grip when using the multi-purpose tool.
US08499381B1 Sleeping bag for extended range cold weather use
Designs and methods are provided for an exemplary sleeping bag system comprising an outer sleeping bag having a first opening including a first zipper closure, a first integral hood including a first face opening, and a foot receiving region opposite said first face opening. The sleeping bag may further comprise an inner sleeping bag having a second opening including a second zipper closure, a second integral hood including a second face opening, and a foot receiving region opposite the second face opening. The inner sleeping bag may be connected to the outer sleeping bag by at least two connectors, one of which is proximate the foot receiving region.
US08499374B2 Method and system for the therapeutic application of dry carbon dioxide gas
A sealable cabinet that permits a human or animal to experience a dry bath for carbon dioxide or other gases, with said cabinet fitted with gas, water, and power connections, and a controller to optimize the temperature, gas concentrations, and water vapor content of the interior, plus a switchable means for selecting between a sauna environment and said carbon dioxide bath, with a business method that enables a provider of services involving such equipment to achieve a profitable interface with patients and customers.
US08499372B1 Nozzle mounting assembly
A nozzle mounting assembly for an in-ground swimming pool cleaning system may comprise a plurality of mounting rings that are formed within the shell of a prefabricated swimming pool. The plurality of mounting rings may couple at a first end with a corresponding plurality of trim rings. The plurality of trim rings forms a flanged ring around each of the openings in the pool surface for cleaning nozzle mechanisms. The plurality of mounting rings may further couple with a corresponding plurality of nozzle retainer bodies, where the nozzle retainer bodies provide an interface for standard cleaning system fittings. Nozzle mounting assemblies may be adapted to a variety of pool types and surfaces, and may be sized for the floor surface, the steps or the walls of a swimming pool.
US08499368B2 Space-saving toilet system
The invention relates to a toilet system (1) for installation in a vehicle, wherein the toilet system comprises the following components indicated: namely a base (2) which is to be fixed to the vehicle and has a top wall portion, also a toilet bowl (3) which is borne by the top wall portion of the base and has a top peripheral portion preferably bearing a toilet-seat ring (6), further a sewage-retention tank (15) which, in the use position, is arranged, at least in part, beneath the top wall portion, and additionally a guiding, retaining and coupling device which is configured such that the user—preferably from the outside of the vehicle—can pull the correspondingly formed sewage-retention tank out of its use position, in which it can be connected in a liquid-tight manner to the outflow of the toilet bowl (3), remove it from the vehicle and then replace it in said use position, wherein the toilet system (1) is configured such that, even after the base has been fixed to the vehicle, it is possible to make a selection between different intended positions in which the user can sit on the toilet bowl (3) of the toilet system (1), wherein the toilet bowl (3) is fixed to the base (2) in a predetermined position relative to the base, and at least the top peripheral portion of the toilet bowl (3) is essentially round and the toilet-seat ring (6) can be secured on the toilet bowl (3) in different positions, in which it has been rotated at different angles in relation to the vertical axis of the top peripheral portion.
US08499365B1 Helmet for cooling head
The present invention features a helmet 100 for cooling a head of a person. In some embodiments, the helmet comprises a top portion 110 covering the scalp region of the person's head, a neck portion 120 covering the neck region of the person's head, a tube 130 embedded in the helmet 100, wherein a circular portion 132 of the tube is disposed in the top portion to lay over the person's scalp region and a tail portion 134 of the tube runs down the neck region 120. Further, a first end of the tail portion 136 of the tube fluidly connects to the circular portion of the tube, and a second end of the tail portion 138 of the tube comprises a cap 140 that can open for drainage of a content in the tube. In some embodiments, a pressurized refrigerant container 150 fluidly connects to the tail portion 134 of the tube, wherein a pressurized refrigerant can be released into the tube when a first valve is opened.
US08505108B2 Authentication using a digital watermark
A method and apparatus for identifying an object include encoding physical attributes of an object where the encoded information is utilized as at least one element for composing a digital watermark for the object. In another embodiment the physical attributes of the object are utilized as a key for accessing information included in a digital watermark for the object.
US08505106B1 Cross site request forgery mitigation in multi-domain integrations
Systems and methods for authenticating a request submitted from a client device through a third party content provider to an electronic entity are described. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a trusted script to the third party content provider, passing a trust token to the third party content provider and to the client device, and, in response to a request submitted from the client device through the third party content provider, validating the trust token associated with the request with the token passed to the client device, and processing the request. The trusted script is configured to create a trusted window on the third party Web page displayed on the client computing device, receive a trust token from the electronic entity through the trusted window, and associate the trust token with requests submitted from the client computing device through the third party content provider to the electronic entity.
US08505103B2 Hardware trust anchor
A target computing environment is secured by a hardware trust anchor that provides a trust state of the target computing environment based upon a security audit of the target computing environment. And diagnosing the target computing environment can be diagnosed by the hardware trust anchor according to the security diagnostic information.
US08505102B1 Detecting undesirable content
Systems, methods, routines and/or techniques for time delay on services (e.g., verification services) that detect undesirable content are described. In some embodiments, a flexible verification service prevents users (e.g., hackers) from using the verification service “as an oracle” to predict whether the user's application or software program will be detected by the verification service. The verification service, after receiving a verification request from a client device, may delay or prevent the communication of a verification response to the client device. The verification service may evaluate a verification request to determine a level of risk associated with the request. The verification service may communicate an initial response to the client device that submitted the verification request. The verification service may eventually communicate the verification response to the client device, for example, after a period of delay.
US08505096B2 Methods of, and apparatus for, monitoring traffic emanating from a source in a network
One embodiment of an apparatus for monitoring from a first location in a computer network traffic emanating from a source at a second location in the network, the apparatus comprising means at the first location for detecting traffic emanating from the source and means for monitoring the number, per unit time, of distinct destinations of the traffic that lie outside a first set specifying familiar destinations of the traffic. This monitoring process can trigger various responses such as the isolation of the source from the network. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US08505095B2 System and method for monitoring and analyzing multiple interfaces and multiple protocols
The present invention is a system and method for providing security for a mobile device by analyzing data being transmitted or received by multiple types of networks. The invention can provide security for many types of network interfaces on a mobile device, including: Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular networks, USB, SMS, infrared, and near-field communication. Data is gathered at multiple points in a given processing pathway and linked by a protocol tracking component in order to analyze each protocol present in the data after an appropriate amount of processing by the mobile device. Protocol analysis components are utilized dynamically to analyze data and are re-used between multiple data pathways so as to be able to support an arbitrary number of network data pathways on a mobile device without requiring substantial overhead.
US08505093B2 Information processing device that verifies a computer program, and gaming machine
An apparatus for processing information includes a memory device and a controller. The controller is configured to: access to a memory area in the memory device in which information related to a location of data including a computer program is stored; store contents of the memory area as a first inspection code into a first memory area of the memory device; at predetermined timing, access to a memory area in the memory device in which latest information is stored; store contents of the memory area as a second inspection code into a second memory area; compare the first and the second inspection codes; if the second inspection code does not agree with the first inspection code, output an error signal indicating inconsistency between the first and the second inspection codes; and if the second inspection code agrees with the first inspection code, perform verification of the computer program.
US08505088B2 Key exchange for a network architecture
Provided is a method of providing secure communication between an initiator and a responder in a communication network. The method includes presenting a registration request with one or more proposals for dynamically establishing a security association between the initiator and the responder, and receiving a registration response indicating whether any of the one or more proposals have been accepted for the security association.
US08505086B2 Managing communications between robots and controllers
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing communications with robots. In some implementations, a computer network, where operators interface with the network to control movement of robots on a wireless computer network includes a network arena controller and a plurality of robot controllers. The network arena controller is configured to provide firewall policies to substantially secure communication between robot controllers and the associated robots. Each controller is included in a different robot and configured to wirelessly communicate with the network arena controller. Each robot controller executes firewall policies to substantially secure wireless communication.
US08505081B2 Method and apparatus for identity reuse for communications devices
An apparatus and method for identity reuse operable in a communications system, the method comprising selecting an identity value for a device; registering the device onto a network with the selected identity value; determining if the registration of the device is successful; and establishing a communication session for the device and deregistering the selected identity value upon termination of the communication session if the registration is successful, or determining whether to try a different identity value if the registration is not successful. In one aspect, the apparatus and method further comprising waiting a predetermined time period before either re-registering with the selected identity value or registering with the different identity value.
US08505080B2 Method for generating cross-site scripting attack
A method for generating a cross-site scripting attack is provided. An attack string sample is analyzed for obtaining a token sequence. A string word corresponding to each token is used to replace the token for generating a cross-site scripting attack string. Accordingly, a large number of cross-site scripting attacks are generated automatically, so as to execute a penetration test for a website.
US08505076B2 Proactive authentication
A system for proactively authenticating includes a server having media independent access functions including media independent authentication functions that authenticates other entities attached via an interface to an end of a link specific to a media. A plurality of heterogeneous networks each having media specific access functions including authentication functions corresponding to the other entities attached via the interface to the end of the link specific to the media and mobile devices connected to the plurality of heterogeneous networks, and the server having predefined media independent handover protocols and media independent handover identities based on the media independent functions related to handover, in which the server authenticates candidate access networks prior to the handover of the mobile devices from serving access networks to the candidate access networks each of which belonging to the plurality of heterogeneous access networks having the link specific to the media.
US08505059B2 Channel capacity estimation and prediction method and apparatus for rate adaptive wireless video
There is provided a channel capacity estimation method for adaptive video transmission, the method including: estimating a Bit Error Rate (BER) for a received video packet; and estimating channel capacity by using the estimated BER.
US08505056B2 Updating properties of remote A/V performance nodes
Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content. Remote control device examples include phones that can be networked to receive node properties data, obtain user inputs affecting such data, and transmit that data back to the central source.
US08505051B2 Method for outputting content information and display system enabling the method
A method for outputting content information and a display apparatus enabling the same are disclosed. The method for outputting contents information of a display apparatus includes identifying whether predetermined contents are series or single, generating a content information display object according to the result of the identification, and outputting the content information display object in a display screen, wherein a content information display object corresponding to the series contents is different from a content information display object corresponding to the single contents.
US08505049B2 Interactive television program guide system and method with niche hubs
A system for providing interactive television program guide features and other features and information related to a specific user interest or programming category in niche hubs is provided. All of the television programming features provided by user television equipment that relate to a specific user interest or programming category may be accessed from the niche hub. For example, a movie lovers niche hub may provide programming features such as television program listings for movies, video-on-demand listings for movies, pay-per-view listings for movies, web site links related to movies, movie-related merchandise, movie news groups, movie chat groups, movie e-mail clubs, movie contests, movie trivia questions, movie actor interviews, movie reviews, movie channel package ordering, etc. The programming features of the niche hubs may be transmitted from a server, database, or other storage facility via a television distribution facility. User television equipment may be connected via two-way communications paths to transmit messages to each other.
US08505048B2 Method for transmitting/receiving broadcasting signal and broadcasting signal receiver
A method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. An identifier of a burst period is obtained from program table information of the broadcasting signal including mobile data and only the burst period in which a broadcasting program desired by a user is transmitted is received. Accordingly, when the broadcasting signal is received, only a desired burst period is received such that power consumption of the broadcasting signal receiver can be reduced.
US08505039B2 Tray with a fitting convex portion
There is provided a tray including a tray main body that can be nipped by a driving roller rotatably driven and a plurality of driven rollers driven to rotate by making contact with the driving roller, the tray main body having a plate shape, a concave portion in which a thin plate shaped body can be set, the concave portion being formed in the tray main body, a fitting convex portion that is fitted in a fitting hole formed in the thin plate shaped body, the fitting convex portion being provided in the concave portion, and a plurality of elastic pieces for holding the thin plate shaped body by elastically making contact with an inner edge of the fitting hole, the elastic pieces being provided along an outer edge of the fitting convex portion.
US08505034B2 Automated service interface optimization
Disclosed are various embodiments for automated service interface optimization. A plurality of usage metrics for at least one service client corresponding to a set of data items within a data object are determined in at least one computing device. The data object is obtainable by at least one service client from a service provider. The service provider is configured to provide an optimized data object to the at least one service client. The optimized data object includes a proper subset of the set of data items. The proper subset is determined based at least in part on the usage metrics.
US08505032B2 Operating system notification of actions to be taken responsive to adapter events
Notification of hardware actions to be taken responsive to hardware events is facilitated. An operating system coupled, but external to, the hardware notifies firmware of the hardware action to be taken.
US08505025B2 Method and apparatus for recording web application process
A method and apparatus for recording web application processes which enable the overall processing condition of a web system to be checked simply without installing a special tool in a client computer and without taking the trouble of modifying a web application on a server, while coping with an increase in the number of client computers in a scalable manner. When sending a response (web page) to the client computer, a script code for recording processes on the client computer and an ID associated with the log of the web page generating process as saved in the server computer are inserted into the response and the process log is saved in a secure area of the client computer's local disk. Process logs thus saved in the local disk are listed in a web page including a script code for accessing them successively.
US08505021B2 Efficient management of computer resources
System, method, and computer-readable medium for managing removal of unused objects on a subject computer system that includes a plurality of computing resources. Current configuration and operational state information of a subject computer system are analyzed to detect a presence of unused objects on the subject computer system. An estimated degree of impact that unused objects have on the workload of at least one computing resource of the plurality of computing resources is obtained. A measure of the exigency of taking action to remove the unused objects is determined based on the estimated degree of impact and on the current degree of workload of the at least one computing resource. Instructions are generated for removing specific ones of the unused objects for which the exigency of taking action is sufficiently great.
US08505018B1 Server consolidation based on minimum utilization
A system and methods for server consolidation are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention allow consolidation of less used technology infrastructure resulting in lower total server count. A target server list and a base server list are determined by examining CPU utilization and also by applying rating factors. The target server list includes target servers to be eliminated by transferring tasks to base servers in the base server list. Consolidation scenarios can then be identified to produce a consolidated server utilization analysis to facilitate the consolidating of interconnected servers. In at least some embodiments, the rating factors can include a minimum utilization threshold, for example, a threshold of ten percent utilization. Other factors can include server environment, server role, operating system, server location, and model technology, for example, whether the specific server hardware technology is declining or outdated.
US08505014B2 Process attachable virtual machines
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for using process attachable virtual machines to provide isolation between user sessions in a scalable manner, enabling a server to robustly process requests corresponding to a large number of user sessions. The methods and apparatus include initializing a process attachable virtual machine for a user session, receiving a request corresponding to the user session, and binding the process attachable virtual machine to an operating system process to process the request.
US08505006B1 Resource management in virtual machines using dynamic table for performing resource queries
Systems and methods are provided for intelligent resource management for a virtual machine. A method for operating a virtual environment can comprise receiving a request for a resource from an application, processing the request to identify the resource, determining whether the resource is for the virtual environment, and modifying a part of a data structure for the request based on a reference to the resource in the virtual environment.
US08505001B2 Method and system for utilizing data flow graphs to compile shaders
A method and system are provided in which one or more processors may be operable to generate an intermediate representation of a shader source code, wherein the intermediate representation comprises one or more whole-program data flow graph representations of the shader source code. The one or more processors may be operable to generate machine code based on the generated intermediate representation of the shader source code. The one or more whole-program data flow graph representations of the shader source code may be generated utilizing a compiler front end. The machine code may be generated utilizing a compiler back end. The generated machine code may be executable by a graphics processor. The generated machine code may be executable by a processor comprising a single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) architecture. The generated machine code may be executable to perform coordinate and/or vertex shading of image primitives.
US08505000B2 Compilation method without explicit symbol table for saving memory
There is described a method of compiling source code for a computer program into corresponding object code. The source code includes several declared variables. The method comprises, for each declared variable in the source code, including in the object code a declaration statement indicating an associated memory location for that variable and indicating the position in the object code of the next declaration statement. During compilation, the memory location for each declared variable can be retrieved from the object code by examining each declaration statement in turn, using the position information from each declaration statement to locate the next declaration statement. This is of particular advantage where the available volatile memory is limited, because there is no requirement for a look-up table of variables against memory locations.
US08504995B2 Process flow analysis based on processing artifacts
A plurality of reporting elements are applied to a process, which reporting elements, during operation of the process, generate processing artifacts each including a coordination identification (relative to a specific item flowing through the process), a service identification and a time stamp. Thereafter, flow of the item through the process may be analyzed based on the processing artifacts. The processing artifacts may be stored locally at each reporting element or centrally. In the presently preferred embodiment, the analysis of the flow of an item through the process includes generating an industry-standard representation of the flow based on the processing artifacts. In this manner, the present invention provides for a complete analysis of a given process, particularly business processes, through the collection of relatively simple, easily-generated processing artifacts.
US08504974B1 Analysis of circuit designs
In one embodiment, a method is provided for analyzing a circuit design. For each sub-circuit of a plurality of sub-circuits specified in the circuit design, a logic level probability is determined for each output of the sub-circuit. The logic level probability indicates the probability that an output of the sub-circuit will have a first value in response to possible values of inputs to the sub-circuit. Each logic level probability is converted to a switching probability that indicates a probability that a switching event will occur at the respective output of the sub-circuit within a time period. The switching probability is stored in a memory.
US08504969B2 Filler cells for design optimization in a place-and-route system
A system and method are provided for laying out an integrated circuit design into a plurality of circuit layout cells having gaps therebetween, and inserting into each given one of at least a subset of the gaps, a corresponding filler cell selected from a predefined database in dependence upon a desired effect on a performance parameter of at least one circuit cell adjacent to the given gap. The circuit layout cells may be arranged in rows, and in some embodiments the selection of an appropriate filler cell for a given gap depends upon effects desired on a performance parameter of both circuit cells adjacent to the given gap. The predefined filler cells can include, for example, dummy diffusion regions, dummy poly lines, N-well boundary shifts and etch stop layer boundary shifts. In an embodiment, circuit layout cells can be moved in order to accommodate a selected filler cell.
US08504963B2 Application-specific integrated circuit equivalents of programmable logic and associated methods
Providing ASIC equivalents of FPGAs is facilitated and made more efficient and economical by using an ASIC architecture including a plurality of so-called hybrid logic elements (“HLEs”), each of which can provide a portion of the full functionality of an FPGA logic element (“LE”). The functionality of each FPGA LE implementing a user's logic design can be mapped to one or more HLEs without re-synthesis of the user's logic. Only as many HLEs as are necessary are used to perform the functions of each LE. The one-for-one equivalence between each LE and either (1) one HLE or (2) a group of HLEs facilitates mapping (without re-synthesis) in either direction between FPGA and ASIC designs.
US08504960B2 Method and system for high speed and low memory footprint static timing analysis
The invention provides a method and system for performing Static Timing Analysis on SoC (System on a Chip) designs. The invention solves a longstanding problem with timing analysis of designs, namely, the ability to multi-thread the design under analysis. The invention provides for slicing a design into levels, further decomposing each level into gates, and the multi-threaded processing of gates so that the solution of large design analysis is generated significantly faster than current approaches. Further, the invention provides that only one level exists in the RAM at any time. Once the arrival time on the level is computed, the data is saved to disk immediately. Because the memory footprint is sub-linear to the size of the design, entire system-on-a chip designs may be nm on inexpensive, off-the-shelf hardware.
US08504954B1 Methodology for automatically generating series-approximated components
In an embodiment, hardware implementing a transcendental or other non-linear function is based on a series expansion of the function. For example, a Taylor series expansion may be used as the basis. One or more of the initial terms of the Taylor series may be used, and may be implemented in hardware. In some embodiments, modifications to the Taylor series expansion may be used to increase the accuracy of the result. In one embodiment, a variety of bit widths for the function operands may be acceptable for use in a given implementation. A methodology for building a library of series-approximated components for use in integrated circuit design is provided which synthesizes the acceptable implementations and tests the results for accuracy. A smallest (area-wise) implementation which produces a desired level of accuracy may be selected as the library element.
US08504949B2 Hybrid hotspot detection
Aspects of the invention relate to hybrid hotspot detection techniques. The hybrid hotspot detection techniques combine machine learning classification, pattern matching and process simulation. A machine learning model, along with false hotspots and false non-hotspots for pattern matching, is determined based on training patterns. The determined machine learning model is then used to classify patterns in a layout design into three categories: preliminary hotspots, preliminary non-hotspots and potential hotspots. Pattern matching is then employed to identify false positives and false negatives in the first two categories. Process simulation is employed to identify boundary hotspots in the last category.
US08504941B2 Digital image magnification user interface
A graphical user interface for displaying and magnifying a source image about a focus point comprises an image frame with a background image and a zoomed-in image. The image frame is responsive to user input. The background image is created from the source image, and fills the image frame. The zoomed-in image is created by mapping at least a portion of the source image onto a curved surface as a texture, and superimposing a two-dimensional render of the resulting textured surface atop a region of the background image.
US08504939B2 Vertical click and drag to drill down into metadata on user interface for audio video display device such as TV
An initial vertical drag command input to a GUI of a display having a grid of content information panels causes metadata related to one of the content information panels to be displayed, typically overlaid on an information panel adjacent the selected panel. A subsequent vertical drag command causes enhanced metadata to be displayed in a larger window.
US08504934B1 Displaying a graphical keyboard
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a mechanism for facilitating text entry by a user interacting with a graphical keyboard displayed at a presence-sensitive screen of a computing device. For example, a computing device having a presence-sensitive screen and a housing, the housing further having a plurality of touch sensors, receives touch input at the touch sensors. The computing device determines a usage mode, based on the touch input. The computing device also displays, based on the usage mode, a graphical keyboard at the presence-sensitive screen. If the usage mode is a one-handed usage mode, a unitary graphical keyboard is displayed. If the usage mode is a two-handed usage mode, a split graphical keyboard is displayed.
US08504931B2 Conversion service for data dragged on web-sites
A service performs transformation for material that has been dragged in one format from a web-site and has to be transformed first in order to be dropped onto a different web-page. The transformation makes it possible for the target (drop) page to understand and process the data. A target page need only support one format rather than numerous possible formats used by source pages.
US08504925B1 Automated animated transitions between screens of a GUI application
A computer implemented method for transitioning a component between graphical user interface screens is provided. The method initiates with identifying a start state of the component within a transition panel. An end state of the component is identified within the transition panel and timer logic is triggered to periodically call a transition engine. An effects engine is called in response to the triggering and a next state of the component is rendered into an animation layer. The next state of the component is then displayed. A transition framework is also provided.
US08504917B2 Method and system for displaying contextual advertisements with media
Systems and methods have been developed for displaying contextually relevant advertisements to users as media objects are being rendered. One or more data sources with contextual information for different portions of each media object are maintained. From this contextual information, keywords may be generated and used to locate contextually-related advertisements. The advertisements are selected based on contextual information about the media object in order to match or otherwise be contextually relevant with the media content being rendered. As the subject matter of the media object changes during rendering, different advertisements related to the new context are provided that replace the prior advertisement. The advertisements are displayed in an area that could be used for other purposes when the rendering device is not rendering media objects.
US08504914B1 Dynamic previewing of graphics objects
A method is provided for maintaining one or more operations to restore an original state of a document in an undo stack. The document may include a graphics object. The method may further provide for receiving a selection for an operation to be performed on the graphics object and utilizing the undo stack to modify the original state of the document based on the operation to create a first preview. The first preview may be displayed in a display area of a display device before the operation is committed.
US08504909B2 Load-time memory optimization
Various embodiments can be used to process packages or documents that contain markup language describing one or more documents. Markup language descriptions can be processed to identify certain objects that reoccur or are repeated in the markup language description. If a re-occurring or repeating object is encountered in the markup language description, a resource dictionary can be used to catalog such objects and, an associated object model can include, from the resource dictionary, references to a re-occurring or repeating object. By using the resource dictionary as such, memory resources can be conserved when an in-memory representation of the object model is built.
US08504896B2 Method of operating nonvolatile memory device and nonvolatile memory device for implementing the same
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device including a memory cell array having first and second main cells for storing external input data, first spare cells for storing data for error correction code (ECC) processing on the data stored in the first and second main cells and second spare cells for storing data for ECC processing on the data stored in the first and second main cells which involves reading the data stored in the first spare cells, reading the data stored in the second main cells and the data stored in the second spare cells, and performing the ECC processing on the data read from the second main cells using the data read from the first spare cells and the data read from the second spare cells.
US08504894B1 Systematic encoding for non-full row rank, quasi-cyclic LDPC parity check matrices
Encoding is performed by putting a low-density parity-check (LDPC) generator matrix into partial quasi-cyclic form comprising an identity matrix, a parity generator matrix, a zero matrix and a remainder matrix. The parity generator matrix is quasi-cyclic and the remainder matrix is not quasi-cyclic. An encoder is used to generate LDPC encoded data using the parity generator matrix and without using the remainder matrix.
US08504891B2 Apparatus, systems and methods including nonbinary low density parity check coding for enhanced multicarrier underwater acoustic communications
Advantageous underwater acoustic (UWA) apparatus, systems and methods are provided according to the present disclosure. The apparatus, systems and methods employ nonbinary low density parity check (LDPC) codes that achieve excellent performance and match well with the underlying modulation. The nonbinary LDPC codes of the proposed apparatus, systems and methods are formed, at least in part, from a generator matrix that has a high density to reduce the peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) with minimal overhead. The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods employ nonbinary regular LDPC cycle codes if the constellation is large and nonbinary irregular LDPC codes if the constellation is small or moderate. The nonbinary irregular and regular LDPC codes enable: i) parallel processing in linear-time encoding; ii) parallel processing in sequential belief propagation decoding; and iii) considerable resource reduction on the code storage for encoding and decoding.
US08504872B1 Automated delayed message redelivery
Method and system are disclosed for redelivering failed messages in asynchronous communication systems. The methods and systems automatically delay redelivery of such failed messages in order to allow required system resources to become available. In one implementation, the methods and systems provide two levels of redelivery: a micro level in which redelivery is attempted right away for a certain number of times, and a macro level in which a predefined, user-selectable delay is imposed before any additional micro level redeliveries are attempted. After a certain number of unsuccessful macro level redeliveries, the message is backed out to a backout queue for manual intervention by a system operator. Such an arrangement reduces or eliminates the burden on the system operator to manually resolve failed message deliveries.
US08504863B2 Drift tracking feedback for communication channels
A communication channel includes a first component having a transmitter coupled to a normal signal source, and a second component having a receiver coupled to a normal signal destination. A communication link couples the first and second components. Calibration logic provides for setting an operation value for a parameter of the communication channel, such as by executing an exhaustive calibration sequence at initialization of the link. A tracking circuit, including a monitoring function, tracks drift in the parameter by monitoring a feedback signal that has a characteristic that correlates with drift in the communication channel, and updates, or indicates the need for updating of, the operation value of the parameter in response to the monitoring function.
US08504852B2 Battery powered device with dynamic power and performance management
A computing device operates over a range of voltages and frequencies and over a range of processor usage levels. The computing device includes at least a variable frequency generator, a variable voltage power supply and voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry. The variable frequency generator is coupled to the processor and delivers a clock signal to the processor. The variable voltage power supply is coupled to the processor and delivers voltage to the processor. The voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry adjust both the voltage provided by the variable voltage power supply and the frequency of the signal provided by the variable frequency generator. The computing device includes a temperature sensor that provides signals indicative of the temperature of the processor and the voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry adjusts the voltage and/or the clocking frequency provided by the variable voltage power supply. The computing device may also include a fan controlled by the voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry, the fan adjusting the temperature of the processor when activated. In cold weather applications, the computing device may further include a heater controlled by the voltage supply level and clocking frequency management circuitry that raises the temperature of the processor when activated.
US08504850B2 Method and controller for power management
Power management of a system. A request may be received to enter a first sleep state for a system. One or more processes may be performed to enter the first sleep state in response to the request to enter the first sleep state. A system memory of the system may be stored in a nonvolatile memory (NVM) in response to the request to enter the first sleep state in order to enter a second sleep state. Power may be removed from the system memory after storing the system memory in the NVM in response to the request to enter the first sleep state. After removing power to the system memory, the system may be in the second sleep state.
US08504843B2 Process and apparatus for automatically identifying user of consumer electronics
A user of a device may be uniquely identified using a metric that is contingent upon the user using the device for its intended purpose without the user having to perform a separate step, function, or operation for the express purpose of identifying the user. Context sensitive content may be provided to or from the device based on the user's patterns of use of the device without requiring the user's personal information. The context sensitive content depends on the user's identity.
US08504840B1 Content defacement protection system
A method and mechanism for protecting a website against defacement are provided. A content owner may associate content with a digital signature. The digital signature allows a recipient of the content to verify that the content originated from the content owner, and that the content has not been defaced. The digital signature may be comprised within the content, or stored external to the content, e.g., in a repository accessible to a Web cache server serving the content. To construct the digital signature, initially, the content owner creates a content validity value for a portion of content, the content validity value is encrypted to create the digital signature. The Web cache server may use the digital signature to determine whether the content has been defaced.
US08504833B2 Relay device, wireless communications device, network system, program storage medium, and method
A relay device first uses latest authentication data to determine whether request-authentication data transmitted from a wireless communications device is valid. If the latest authentication data is used to determine that the request-authentication data is valid, the relay device carries out relayed communications with the wireless communications device. If the latest authentication data is used to determine that the request-authentication data is invalid, the relay device next uses a former authentication data to determine whether the request-authentication data is valid. If the former authentication data is used to determine that the request-authentication data is valid, the relay device provides the wireless communications device with the latest authentication data to update authentication data in the wireless communications device.
US08504832B2 Mobile terminal for sharing resources, method of sharing resources within mobile terminal and method of sharing resources between web server and terminal
Provided are a mobile terminal for sharing resources, a method of sharing resources within a mobile terminal and a method of sharing resources between a web server and a terminal. The mobile terminal for sharing resources includes a web browser using a web standard protocol to display a first random value, an authentication number, and a Distinguished Name (DN) of web server transferred from the web server after it has been determined that there is no key information in a cookie; and a resource when the first random value and the DN are received from the web browser, being terminated after storing the first random value and the DN, and when the resource is re-executed and the authentication number is input by a user, verifying the first random value, generating a second random value and a shared key from the first random value and generating a symmetric key using a part of the shared key, wherein the shared key is generated from the second random value based on the symmetric key, and the symmetric key is identical to a symmetric key of the web server generated from a part of the symmetric key, and the web browser and the resources are operated by an execution unit.
US08504827B1 Document server and client device document viewer and editor
A method of storing a document on a server, including: extracting document content from a document stored on the server, using a processor on the server; dividing the document content into a plurality of document content sections; generating a parallel data structure for the plurality of document content sections based on a viewing size, where the parallel data structure includes a plurality of selectors, and the plurality of selectors includes pagination selectors; and storing the plurality of document content sections in a plurality of locations on the server. The method may further include storing the parallel data structure in a location on the server separate the plurality of document content sections; generating a table of contents based on the pagination; and rendering the plurality of document content sections into a plurality of document pages based on the plurality of selectors in the parallel data structure.
US08504824B1 One-time rotating key for third-party authentication
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for secure authentication of third-parties accessing a network system (e.g., a website or the like) through an intermediary entity (i.e., a trusted caller). A session token having a predetermined time-out period (i.e., an expiration time) is implemented in conjunction with a rotating key that is generated for each request and response pair associated with each call/interaction between the third-party entity and the network system. In this regard, the third-party entity must authenticate themselves each time they interact (i.e., call-in) into the network system by presenting the assigned session token and rotating key communicated in response to the previous interaction. As such hijacking of the third-party's network session with the network system is prevented by implementing tokens that expire, in unison with, encrypted rotating keys that are valid only until the next third-party call-in/interaction with the network entity.
US08504815B2 Method of using an information handling system having a boot file, and an information handling system and machine-executable code for carrying out the method
A method includes detecting a storage device that has a boot file and a relative path name that corresponds to the boot file, determining a hardware path name corresponding to the storage device, obtaining from the storage device the relative path name, combining the hardware path name and the relative path name to generate a full path name to the boot file, and storing the full path name within a persistent memory.
US08504814B2 Resiliency against field-updated security elements
User terminal resilience to application elements may be provided. Upon initialization, a user terminal may detect elements associated with the user terminal's operation. The user terminal may load each of the elements in turn and determine whether the element causes a fault in the user terminal. Elements that result in a fault may be disabled from being loaded in the future.
US08504802B2 Compressed instruction format
A system, techniques and apparatus are described for decoding an instruction in an a variable-length instruction set. An instruction encoding is described, in which legacy, present, and future instruction set extensions are supported, and increased functionality is provided, without expanding the code size and, in some cases, reducing the code size.
US08504796B2 System and method for storing data in a virtualized high speed memory system with an integrated memory mapping table
A system and method for providing high-speed memory operations is disclosed. The technique uses virtualization of memory space to map a virtual address space to a larger physical address space wherein no memory bank conflicts will occur. The larger physical address space is used to prevent memory bank conflicts from occurring by moving the virtualized memory addresses of data being written to memory to a different location in physical memory that will eliminate a memory bank conflict. A changeable mapping table that maps the virtualized memory addresses to physical memory addresses is stored in the same memory system.
US08504790B2 Memory component having write operation with multiple time periods
A method for storing data in a memory chip that includes a memory core having dynamic random access memory cells, is performed by a memory controller chip. The method includes sending a write command to a first interface of the memory chip, wherein the write command specifies a write operation. After sending the write command, the memory controller chip waits for a first time period corresponding to a time period during which the write command is stored by the memory chip, and sends data associated with the write operation to a second interface of the memory chip, wherein the sending of the data occurs after a second time period transpires, the second time period following the first time period, such that sending the write command and sending the data are separated by a first predetermined delay time that includes both the first time period and the second time period.
US08504786B2 Method and apparatus for backing up storage system data
A method for backing up data of a storage system, where at least two mirroring channels are provided between a first mainboard and a second mainboard of a storage system, and the method includes: transmitting data through at least one effective mirroring channel if all the mirroring channels are effective; and transmitting the data through remaining mirroring channel(s) if at least one of the mirroring channels for transmitting the data fails. The method enables traffic to be transmitted evenly on normal mirroring channels, and ensures maximized utilization of the bandwidth of mirroring channels.
US08504785B1 Method and apparatus for backing up to tape drives with minimum write speed
Techniques for controlling data backup operations are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for data backup. The method may include receiving a minimum write speed for a plurality of tape drives. The method may further include controlling data writes for the plurality of tape drives such that data may be attempted to be written to each tape drive at or above the minimum write speed for each tape drive.
US08504782B2 Buffer control system and method for a memory system having outstanding read and write request buffers
A memory controller and method for managing the issuance of read and write requests to a system memory is provided. The number of outstanding read requests and write requests issued to the system memory are separately monitored and further issuance of read and write requests to the system memory is separately controlled based on the number of outstanding read and write requests, respectively. For example, the issuance of read and write requests can be managed by halting and resuming the issuance of read and write requests to the system memory to maintain the number of outstanding read requests between first and second read thresholds and to maintain the number of outstanding write requests between first and second write thresholds, respectively.
US08504778B2 Multi-core active memory processor system
In general, the present invention relates to data cache processing. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system that provides reconfigurable dynamic cache which varies the operation strategy of cache memory based on the demand from the applications originating from different external general processor cores, along with functions of a virtualized hybrid core system. The system includes receiving a data request, selecting an operational mode based on the data request and a predefined selection algorithm, and processing the data request based on the selected operational mode. The system is further configured to delegate computational or memory resource needs to a plurality of sub-processing cores for processing to satisfy application demands.
US08504767B2 Raid controlled semiconductor storage device
Provided is a RAID controlled storage device of a serial attached small computer system interface/serial advanced technology attachment (PCI-Express) type, which provides data storage/reading services through a PCI-Express interface. The PCI-Express type storage device includes: a memory disk unit which includes a plurality of memory disks provided with a plurality of volatile semiconductor memories; a PCI-Express host interface unit which interfaces between the memory disk unit and a host; and a controller unit which adjusts synchronization of a data signal transmitted/received between the PCI-Express host interface unit and the memory disk unit to control a data transmission/reception speed between the PCI-Express host interface unit and the memory disk unit. The storage device can support a low-speed data processing speed for the host and simultaneously support a high-speed data processing speed for the memory disk unit, so that there are advantages in that the performance of the memory disk can be fully utilized to enable high-speed data processing in an existing interface environment.
US08504765B2 Method of improving efficiency of capacity of volume used for copy function and apparatus thereof
Provided is a computer system including: a host computer; a first storage system connected to the host computer; and a second storage system connected to the first storage system; in which the first storage system sets a first logical volume recognized by the host computer as a logical storage area; the first logical volume includes a plurality of first storage areas; a first real storage area on the first disk drive is allocated to at least one of the first storage areas. In the computer system, the second storage system sets a second logical volume corresponding to the first logical volume, and the first storage system transmits data stored in the first storage area allocated to the first storage area to the second storage system when the first real storage area is allocated to the first storage area.
US08504764B2 Method and apparatus to manage object-based tiers
Embodiments of the invention provide object-based tier management to improve the allocation of objects to different media of different speeds based on access characteristics such as access frequency. One embodiment is directed to a method of managing object-based data in an information system which includes an application server and a storage system. The method comprises receiving a write command including a first data to be written into a virtual volume; identifying an object to which the first data corresponds; checking if a second data corresponding to the object has been stored in the virtual volume; if the second data has been stored in a page of the virtual volume, checking if the page which stores the second data has a vacancy area; and if the page has a vacancy area, writing the first data in the page which stores the second data.
US08504763B2 Method and memory device that powers-up in a read-only mode and is switchable to a read/write mode
One-time programmable (OTP) and write-once read-many (WORM) memory devices and methods for use therewith are provided. These embodiments can be used to provide compatibility between a memory device that uses an OTP (or few-time programmable (FTP)) memory array and host devices that use a file system, such as the DOS FAT file system, that expects to be able to rewrite to a memory address in the memory device. These embodiments can also be used to prevent accidental or deliberate overwrites, changes, or deletions to existing data in a WORM memory device.
US08504751B2 Integrated circuit package with multiple dies and interrupt processing
A package includes a first die and a second die. The dies are connected to each other through an interface. The package includes interrupt processing for detecting interrupt information and providing a packet in response to the interrupt information detection. The packet includes an address to which data in the packet is to be written. The interface is configured to transport the packet between the dies. A data store is provided to which the data is writable. An interrupt event is determined from data received in several packets.
US08504749B2 Synchronization of multiple processor cores
The invention relates to a spinlock-based multi-core synchronization technique in a real-time environment, wherein multiple processor cores perform spinning attempts to request a lock and the lock is allocated to at most one of the multiple cores for a mutually exclusive operation thereof. A method embodiment of the technique comprises the steps of allocating the lock to the first core requesting it; establishing for each core an indication of a waiting time for receiving the lock; selecting at least one of the spinning cores based on the waiting time indications; and, upon return of the lock, conditionally allocating the lock to the selected core, if the selected core performs a spinning attempt within a predefined time window starting with the return of the lock.
US08504745B1 Method of and circuit for determining a shift pattern to generate an output data stream
A method of determining a shift pattern for generating an output data stream comprising output data words having a data width N from input data words having a data width M is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an input data stream comprising words having the data width M; determining a ratio based upon the data width N and the data width M; determining an initial shift value; generating subsequent shift values of the shift pattern based upon the initial shift value and the ratio based upon the data width N and the data width M, and transforming the input data stream to the output data stream by shifting input data words of the input data stream according to the shift pattern using a barrel shifter or a multiplexer network. A circuit for generating an output data stream comprising output data words having a width N from input data words having a width M is also disclosed.
US08504738B2 Media management and routing within an electronic device
A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed.
US08504717B2 Customized algorithm and method of mixing multiple different algorithms
Methods, devices, and systems are provided such that multiple existing algorithms can be mixed according to a customer's needs to create a customized mixed algorithm. Solutions are provided for dynamically selecting two or more different and existing algorithms to be mixed into a single algorithm. Arbitration rules can be invoked to determine which algorithm in the set of existing algorithms will supersede the other algorithms in the event of a conflict.
US08504714B2 Method of processing non-real time service and broadcast receiver
A method of receiving and process a broadcast signal including a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of processing a broadcast signal including a Non-Real Time (NRT) service, the method comprises receiving and processing a signaling information table including access information of the NRT service, receiving and storing data of the NRT service based on the signaling information table in non-real time, extracting access information of additional information relating to the NRT service from the signaling information table, and downloading the additional information relating to the NRT service based on the extracted access information.
US08504707B2 Method and system for sending and receiving USB messages over a data network
Disclosed are methods, computer program products, apparatus, and systems for sending and receiving uniform serial bus (“USB”) messages between a host computer and a USB device over a data network, using a USB server in communication with the data network and the host computer, and a USB client in communication with the data network and the USB device. An association is established between the USB server and the USB client. The USB server receives a first USB message from the host computer. The first USB message is translated to a format suitable for sending over the data network, and sent as a first network message from the USB server to the USB client over the data network. The USB server receives a second network message from the USB client over the data network, and translates the second network message to a USB format.
US08504701B2 Method for the management of flows between appliances of a telecommunications network
This method is for managing flows between a first appliance and at least one second appliance, these appliances being designed to operate according to the so-called SIP protocol on a telecommunications network, wherein, the second appliance being preferably registered with the first appliance. The method comprises upon reception of a notifying message related to the loading state of said first appliance sent according to the SIP protocol, the implementing a procedure for spacing communications sent from the second appliance to said first appliance as a function of the loading state of the latter.
US08504695B2 Information processing apparatus, data acquisition method, and program
Provided is a data acquisition method including the steps of selecting a link destination whose display is at least partially located in a region of a display screen corresponding to an operating tool, acquiring, before the link destination is selected, information relating to a layout of a display screen and display control data including at least a structural unit in which the information is written, the display control data and the information existing at the link destination, extracting structural units included in the display control data, in a case the prefetched link destination is selected, generating first structured data by linking the extracted structural units in which information involving script-process isn't written, generating second structured data by linking the extracted structural units, displaying a display screen using the first structured data, and redisplaying, at a stage the second structured data is generated, the display screen using the second structured data.
US08504690B2 Method and system for managing network power policy and configuration of data center bridging
Certain aspects of a method and system for managing network power policy and configuration of data center bridging may include a network domain that comprises a single logical point of management (LPM) that coordinates operation of one or more devices, such as network interface controllers (NICs), switches, and/or servers in the network domain: The single LPM may be operable to manage one or both of a network power policy and/or a data center bridging (DCB) configuration policy for the network domain.
US08504689B2 Methods and systems for cloud deployment analysis featuring relative cloud resource importance
A decision system and methods for providing customized deployment architectures that take into account the importance of various cloud resources. The decision system can monitor the applications and processes executed in the cloud, and collect utilization information identifying the cloud resources used, the amount of usage, and trends in usage. Resource importance data can then be obtained from the utilization information and/or from other sources, such as a system user. The decision system can then generate customized deployment architectures based on the collected utilization information and the resource importance data.
US08504687B2 Application data flow management in an IP network
Disclosed herein is a two-level, network-based application control (NBAC) architecture for monitoring services provided via a packet-based network. The NBAC architecture includes a Network Trigger System provided at a network level to analyze data flows relating to services to be monitored to detect occurrence of configurable events, and to generate and send event reports; and a Usage Status Engine provided at a control level to configure the Network Trigger System to detect occurrence of events of interest, and to receive and process the event reports from the Network Trigger System to monitor the services.
US08504680B1 Automatically adjusting polling intervals based on remote administrative activity
It is detected when an administrator begins or finishes performing remote administrative activity. In response, the polling interval is modified. When the level of remote administrative activity increases, the polling interval is decreased, thereby directing the managed clients to poll the server more frequently. When the level of remote administrative activity decreases, the polling interval is increased, thereby directing the managed clients to poll the server less frequently. By dynamically adjusting the polling interval based on remote administrative activity, a balance is struck between scalability and usability.
US08504679B2 Methods, systems and computer program products for managing execution of information technology (IT) processes
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for managing information technology (IT) processes for a computer network. An incident report, including associated data, is received from an application monitoring resources on the computer network. Additional data associated with the computer network resources to be obtained based on the incident report is automatically identified and obtained. Related data in a historical database is automatically identified based on the incident report and/or the additional data and the identified related historical data is automatically retrieved. The incident report, the additional data and/or the related historical data are analyzed to identify a responsive process to respond to the incident report.
US08504677B2 System and method for managing registration of services for an electronic device
The present disclosure described herein relates to a wireless electronic device and method for managing access to a server. The method comprises: receiving from the wireless electronic device a message identifying one or more requested services; accessing a database to identify a plurality of services from a plurality of servers available in the network; analyzing the database to identify a server of the plurality of servers that provides a requested service of the requested services; generating and sending an access request to the server for the wireless electronic device; receiving from the server information relating to the server; and generating and sending a response message to the wireless electronic device providing the information.
US08504670B2 Virtualized data storage applications and optimizations
Virtual storage arrays consolidate branch data storage at data centers connected via wide area networks. Virtual storage arrays appear to storage clients as local data storage, but actually store data at the data center. Virtual storage arrays may prioritize storage client and prefetching requests for communication over the WAN and/or SAN based on their associated clients, servers, storage clients, and/or applications. A virtual storage array may transfer large data sets from a data center to a branch location while providing branch location users with immediate access to the data set stored at the data center. Virtual storage arrays may be migrated by disabling a virtual storage array interface at a first branch location and then configuring another branch virtual storage array interface at a second branch location to provide its storage clients with access to storage array data stored at the data center.
US08504668B2 System and method for managing delivery of public services
Systems and methods of managing public services provided by a utility are described. The method includes determining a presence of one or more users at a particular location based on a current status of one or more communication devices. The method further includes predicting consumption of the public service responsive to the determining step.
US08504667B2 Distribution of data to multiple recipients
In a trading system market data from a matching engine is distributed by a broker to a plurality of trading floors repeatedly every T seconds, typically one second. This one second distribution period is divided into a plurality of time slots and each trading floor is randomly assigned to a slot. Data for a given trading floor is calculated and distributed during the time slot assigned to that floor. The position of a trading floor relative to others is varied by swapping a pair of adjacent time slots every J distribution periods.
US08504664B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for a validation framework for validating commands for configuring entities in a telecommunications network
Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a validation framework for validating commands for configuring entities in a telecommunications network are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for implementing a validation framework for validating commands for configuring entities in a telecommunications network. The method includes providing, to a first computing system, a validation configuration file containing at least one rule for validating, based on domain knowledge of a network entity, commands for configuring the network entity, wherein the validation configuration file is provided from a developer of the network entity. The first computing system receives data associated with a command for configuring the network entity, validates the received data using the at least one rule, and, responsive to validating the data, performs at least one action.
US08504647B2 Information distribution system, service-providing method for an information distribution system, and a program for the same
The effort of changing an application in conjunction with a change in process content or change in the type or specifications of a receiver can be reduced, and a cooperative process involving a plurality of receivers without going through an application can be achieved. An integrated device control service acquires output data, information related to the address of a first receiver and a first style sheet for the first receiver, and information related to the address of a second receiver and a second style sheet for the second receiver from an application and a style sheet database that stores a plurality of style sheets describing information conversion rules. In accordance with the success or failure of first conversion data distribution, the integrated device control service sends second conversion data, which is the output data converted according to the second style sheet, to the second receiver.
US08504645B2 Internet messaging notification methods and systems
The disclosed methods and systems can employ internet messaging protocols to transmit an alphanumeric message to one or more destination addresses in response to a telephone service customer's notification service request. The request can include a string having a feature code trigger and one or more digits. The destination address can be an electronic mail address, an instant messaging address, a pager number, and/or a telephone number.
US08504644B2 Configurable continuous web service invocation on pervasive device
A client computer is provisioned with interdependent list of web services comprising list information identifying a plurality of web services, wherein further, the list information relates information received from a first web service of the plurality of web services with a subsequently requested second web service. Results of a web service request are provided to another web service request by the client computer utilizing the relationship provided by the list information. Preferably the list information and web service messages from the client computer are XML metadata. A cooperating Generic Mobile Web Services Manager configures and forwards communication between the client and respective web services.
US08504640B2 Device recruitment for stereoscopic imaging applications
A method of providing three dimensional (3D) information is disclosed in which a master recruits a local slave to provide contemporaneous images. The images are collected and 3D information extracted therefrom. The 3D information or various images may be transmitted to a remote device and is employed to provide a substitute background that replaces the background of the original image. Either the new image is displayed on one or both devices. The images can be collected and the 3D information extracted at either of the master or slave or at a separate device. To recruit the slave, the master broadcasts a query to all local devices, determines the available devices and their characteristics, automatically or manually selects a particular device, requests authorization from the selected device, and pairs with the selected device when authorization is received. Devices of the same or different types may be paired.
US08504629B2 Connection device and protocol
A common communications protocol is described among devices in a unified communications network. Native devices receive upstream commands and forward them to downstream devices without interpreting the commands. The native devices reformat commands intended for mapped devices in the unified communications network. The common communications protocol calls for left shifting address fields for transmitted commands until the command arrives at its intended destination.
US08504624B2 Stroke and image aggregation and analytics
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art with a system for stroke and image aggregation and analytics. The system is particularly advantageous because it provides a system for distributing page images such as worksheets, examinations or forms to multiple devices. The system allows independent paging and writing on the distributed materials; collection of the strokes added to the distributed pages images; and aggregating and displaying those strokes or summary information in a useful manner. For example, an instructor might receive the current work of the students for a particular examination question and view those strokes in a parallel manner or a combined manner.
US08504619B1 Operator-based system, method and computer program product for generating a contact set
A system, method and computer program product are provided. In one embodiment, at least one parameter associated with at least one contact is received. In addition, at least one operator is received. Further, a contact set is generated based on the at least one parameter and the at least one operator. In another embodiment, an expression is received. Moreover, a contact set is generated from a plurality of contacts utilizing the expression.
US08504614B2 Systems and methods for verification of IP device location
This application discloses systems and methods for associating the geographic location of VoIP devices and monitoring and updating these locations such that emergency personnel can be directed to a caller's location based on the stored geographic-location information.
US08504612B2 Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and image forming method for the development, distribution, and maintenance of image forming apparatus operation screens
A web browser of a multifunction peripheral transmits a request for screen data to a web server and causes an operation screen to be displayed on an operation panel on the basis of the screen data. A terminal-side web browser of a terminal apparatus transmits a request for screen data to the web server and causes an operation screen to be displayed on a display of the terminal apparatus on the basis of the screen data. Also, the web server transmits first screen data to the terminal-side web browser in response to a request from the terminal-side web browser, the first screen data being generated from basic screen data, and transmits second screen data to the web browser in response to a request from the web browser, the second screen data being generated from the basic screen data.
US08504610B2 System and method for obtaining and executing instructions from a private network
Systems and methods for website and application monitoring and testing inside from a private network are presented. An agent module resident on an agent device inside the secured network periodically sends an HTTP message to a controller server and receives an HTTP response. The agent module parses out a set of instructions from the content of the HTTP response and executes the instructions. The agent module collects and compiles responsive information resulting from the instructions being executed and sends the compiled information to the controller server for storage and reporting.
US08504609B2 System and method for facilitating secure integration and communication of cloud services and enterprise applications
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating integration and communication of cloud services and enterprise applications. The disclosed aspects include identifying a port opened by an integration device within an on-premise system to communicate with a cloud system. A persistent connection with the cloud system is maintained via this port so as to provide on-premise access to the cloud system via the integration device, including access to at least one different device within the on-premise system. Aspects for facilitating a bidirectional communication of distributed objects between an on-premise system and a cloud system are also disclosed. Here, on-premise objects residing within the on-premise system are abstracted, and requests from the cloud system to invoke the on-premise objects are facilitated. Similarly, cloud objects residing within the cloud system are abstracted, and requests from the on-premise system to invoke the cloud objects are facilitated.
US08504598B2 Data perturbation of non-unique values
In embodiments of the present invention, improved capabilities are described for perturbing non-unique values may comprise finding the non-unique values in a data table, perturbing the non-unique values to render unique values, and using the non-unique values as an identifier for a data item.
US08504595B2 De-duplication for a global coherent de-duplication repository
Example methods and apparatus associated with data de-duplication for a global coherent de-duplication repository are provided. In one example a request related to data de-duplication is transmitted to a plurality of nodes associated with the global coherent de-duplication repository. Responses to the request are received from at least a subset of nodes in the plurality of nodes. Affinity scores are assigned to nodes of the subset of nodes based, at least in part, on affinity data from the responses. A node is selected to perform the request related to de-duplication from the subset of nodes of the plurality of nodes based, at least in part, on the affinity score assigned to the nodes.
US08504589B2 Categorical filtering of data
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to retrieve a dataset from a data source, where the dataset includes a first set of categories. A data structure that represents the dataset is built. A first set of merit values for the first set of categories is calculated. The first set of categories is ordered based on a criterion. The first set of categories is returned.
US08504585B2 Matching a user to a conversation
A method for matching a user to a conversation includes, for each of a plurality of documents, mapping the document to one or more of a plurality of topics. The document is associated with a user. For each user, the user is mapped to each of the plurality of topics that are mapped to documents with which the user is associated. One of the users is matched to a conversation according to the mappings of the users to those of the plurality of topics that are also mapped to the conversation.
US08504575B2 Behavioral targeting system
A behavioral targeting system determines user profiles from online activity. The system includes a plurality of models that define parameters for determining a user profile score. Event information, which comprises on-line activity of the user, is received at an entity. To generate a user profile score, a model is selected. The model comprises recency, intensity and frequency dimension parameters. The behavioral targeting system generates a user profile score for a target objective, such as brand advertising or direct response advertising. The parameters from the model are applied to generate the user profile score in a category. The behavioral targeting system has application for use in ad serving to on-line users.
US08504573B1 Management of smart tags via hierarchy
Embodiments herein include presenting smart tags describing characteristics of image content in a hierarchy, and performing operations on the hierarchy to find particular image content within a larger amount of image content. Image content and corresponding tags are maintained. The corresponding tags associated with the image content are presented in a hierarchy. Each tag type in the hierarchy represents a characteristic associated with the image content. Each tag in the hierarchy is derived based on image-based processing applied to the image content. In response to receiving a selection of at least one tag in the hierarchy, display of the image content associated with the at least one tag is initiated. A user is able to quickly and easily find desired image content by using the hierarchy to look at tags, select a type of tag from the hierarchy, and thereafter view any content tagged with the selected tag type.
US08504572B2 Video and multimedia distribution system
Digital media content-on-demand hosting/delivery system for using an n-tier, multi dimension dynamic data technology to distribute digital content and manage information and comprising separate delivery and end-user systems with separate but compatible software, the hosting/delivery system being sub-divided into distributed hosting clusters serving small groups of users, ensuring local balance and overcoming diversity of connection/streaming speeds of end users.
US08504563B2 Method and apparatus for sorting inquiry results
Sorting inquiry results includes, based on extracted inquiry results matching search conditions of a user, collecting features of the inquiry results. The collected features may be used as features of a respective inquiry result and feature fitting may be conducted based on a support vector machine (SVM) regression model to obtain a feature fitting value of the respective inquiry result. The inquiry results may be sorted based on relevancy values of the inquiry results, and, for inquiry results having a same relevancy level, the inquiry results may be sorted in a top-down manner based on feature fitting values of the inquiry results.
US08504558B2 Framework to evaluate content display policies
Content display policies are evaluated using two kinds of methods. In the first kind of method, using information, collected in a “controlled” manner about user characteristics and content characteristics, truth models are generated. A simulator replays users' visits to the portal web page and simulates their interactions with content items on the page based on the truth models. Various metrics are used to compare different content item-selecting algorithms. In the second kind of method, no explicit truth models are built. Events from the controlled serving scheme are replayed in part or whole; content item-selection algorithms learn using the observed user activities. Metrics that measure the overall predictive error are used to compare different content-item selection algorithms. The data collected in a controlled fashion plays a key role in both the methods.
US08504557B2 System, method and computer program product for querying data relationships over a network
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for querying data relationships over a network. These mechanisms and methods for querying data relationships over a network can enable embodiments to provide the capability to query for more than a single entity at a time. The ability of embodiments to query for more than a single entity at a time can enable improved network throughput, faster response time and more efficient utilization of resources.
US08504553B2 Unstructured and semistructured document processing and searching
A method for analyzing and indexing an unstructured or semistructured document according to one embodiment includes receiving an unstructured or semistructured document; converting the document to one or more text streams; analyzing the one or more text streams for identifying textual contents of the document; analyzing the one or more text streams for identifying logical sections of the document; associating the textual contents with the logical sections; indexing the textual contents and their association with the logical sections; and saving a result of the indexing in a data storage device.
US08504549B2 Method for improving search efficiency in enterprise search system
A search system with a search engine applies a user search query to an index of the documents stored in a document repository for returning a result set of matching documents to a user. In order to more efficiently access, search and retrieve documents stored in document repositories, one of a document repository and an index thereof or both are partitioned in one or more dimensions, and a partition is configured in a specific dimension according to two or more document attribute values selected from one and the same attribute category. This shall enable a search application to access significantly less data in order to determine a search result and shall specifically improve the efficiency of enterprise search systems in a high degree.
US08504548B2 System and method for dynamically managing data centric searches
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for dynamically managing data-centric searches. The method includes receiving information associated with an event related to domain-specific searches to a database, identifying data at a first memory location in the database, the data being data identified in response to the domain-specific searches, duplicating the data at least once to at least one new memory location, and distributing processing more domain-specific searches amongst the at least one of the new memory location and the first memory location. The system can distribute the processing for more or additional domain-specific searches randomly, serially or using any other approach. The method optionally includes an expanded search space made up of the first memory location and at least one memory location and can identify a reduction event related to the domain-specific searches, and collapse the expanded search space by removing duplicate data from one or more memory location and adjusting the distribution of processing amongst at least one remaining memory location. The method can optionally include organizing multiple events by network segment, identifying a network segment associated with domain-specific searches, and duplicating the data to at least one new memory location in close proximity to the identified network segment. The method can measure proximity by one or more of geographic distance, network latency, number of intermediate network hops, temperature, and cost.
US08504546B2 Method and system for searching multimedia content
A system for implementing a method for searching multimedia contents uses a pictorial edit distance to compare a search query consisting of an image to a database of images to determine the ranking of matches from closest match to least closest match between the search image and the images in the database or portions of the images in the database.
US08504544B2 File transmission system for controlling transmission of files between a server and a client
For improving operability by reducing time for backup of video/audio files through a network, and also for achieving to shorten processing time, as well as, to lower a capacity of a recording medium, by inhibiting unnecessary backup, a file transmission system includes a file list obtaining portion for obtaining a list of files, which are stored in a server, a file transmission controller portion for controlling file transmission, a file transmission requesting portion for requesting a file transmission to the server, a file receiver portion for receiving the file transmitted form the server, and a client file storage portion for storing the files therein, wherein control is made on the file transmission requesting portion, so that it requests a transmission of file(s), excepting the file(s), which is/are stored in the client file storage portion, to the server, upon basis of the list.
US08504541B2 File management method
A method includes constructing a tree of directories including M levels. M is an integer greater than 1, the tree includes a set of N directories of level 1, and N is an integer greater than 1. For each level X from 1 to M−1, each one of the directories of level X includes a set of N directories of level X+1. Storing a first file having a first identifier includes applying a hash function to the first identifier to generate a first hash, selecting a destination directory from level M by traversing the tree in response to the first hash, and storing the first file into the destination directory.
US08504533B2 De-duplication reference tag reconciliation
Example apparatus and methods concern de-duplication reference tag reconciliation associated with garbage collection and/or reference health checking. One example method may include accessing data associated with members of a set of references to blocks of data stored by a data de-duplication system. The method may process the first data to manipulate a Bloom filter into a state from which membership in the set of references can be assessed. The method may also include accessing a block identifier identified with a member of the set of blocks of data stored by the data de-duplication system and assessing membership in the set of references for the block identifier by querying the Bloom filter with the block identifier. If the block is not referenced, as determined by querying the Bloom filter, then the method may include performing a block reclamation action on the unreferenced block.
US08504520B2 Background synchronization of data objects
Background synchronization of data objects may be provided. A background thread associated with an application may be created. A first data item associated with the application may be opened by the background thread and a copy of the first data item may be created. A modification may be performed on a property of the first data item. If no second data item is associated with a pending modification, the first data item may be replaced with the modified copy of the first data item.
US08504516B2 Manipulating electronic backups
Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes initiating a backup operation of data including a plurality of items, interrupting the backup operation, where interrupting occurs after a portion of the data has been completed, receiving an input to resume the backup operation, identifying a previously completed portion of the backup data, and performing a backup of a remaining uncompleted portion of the backup data. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, computer program products, and computer readable media.
US08504511B2 System and method for providing localization of radiological information utilizing radiological domain ontology
The present invention is directed in general to a system and method that employs radiological localization ontology to localize specified and modeled radiological domain knowledge. A system and method are provided that allows for consulting the ontology in the context of the model the ontology fulfills. The result of consulting the ontology will be localized radiological information based on information provided in the consultation. Even further, such result is validated, identified and classified radiological information that is based on information provided in the consultation. By consulting the ontology the system is also able to translate designated radiological information from one localized representation to another and consult a language independent radiological domain knowledge.
US08504510B2 State machine compression for scalable pattern matching
A method for processing data includes encoding a finite automaton, which includes states and transitions between the states that express a plurality of predefined patterns, by grouping the states of the automaton into sets according to a common property shared by the states in each set, and assigning codes to the states according to the grouping. The codes are stored in an electronic memory, along with rules that are associated with the patterns. The automaton is traversed in order to identify one or more of the patterns in an input sequence of data elements by iteratively reading out the codes from the memory responsively to the data elements and to the codes that have been previously read out. Upon identifying a given pattern in the input sequence, an associated action is performed.
US08504509B1 Decision support systems and methods
In one aspect, the invention is based on a process that combines information present in a joint distribution of the predictor variables and the variable (or variables) to be predicted. This information may be captured in the form of a table or other like data structure that includes a set of vectors (referred to as a “TAB”). The process uses the information in the TAB in conjunction with one or more rules. In one embodiment, a set of different rules are applied to the TAB to determine which rule in the set produces the most accurate predictions. The RULE that produces the most accurate predictions is then used in conjunction with observed information to make predictions.
US08504508B2 Artificial intelligence system
An artificial intelligence system and method for interpreting input from a user and generating a response to the user. The input is converted into an array of concepts which are compared to a database of interrelated concepts. A response is generated based on the concepts in the database and their relationship to the concepts in the input array. The system and method may be implemented in a number of electronic or computer devices to interact with humans or computer systems.
US08504494B2 Spatio-temporal learning algorithms in hierarchical temporal networks
A spatio-temporal learning node is a type of HTM node which learns both spatial and temporal groups of sensed input patterns over time. Spatio-temporal learning nodes comprise spatial poolers which are used to determine spatial groups in a set of sensed input patterns. The spatio-temporal learning nodes further comprise temporal poolers which are used to determine groups of sensed input patterns that temporally co-occur. A spatio-temporal learning network is a hierarchical network including a plurality of spatio-temporal learning nodes.
US08504487B2 Evolution of a user interface based on learned idiosyncrasies and collected data of a user
A user interface evolves based on learned idiosyncrasies and collected data of a user. Learned idiosyncrasies and collected data of the user can be stored in a knowledge base. Information from the surrounding environment of the user can be obtained during learning of idiosyncrasies or collection of data. Thought-based statements can be generated based at least in part on the knowledge base and the information from the environment surrounding the user during learning of idiosyncrasies or collection of data. The thought-based statements serve to invoke or respond to subsequent actions of the user. The user interface can be presented so as to allow for interaction with the user based at least in part on the thought-based statements. Furthermore, personality nuances of the user interface can be developed that affect the interaction between the user and the user interface.
US08504486B1 Collection and provision of long-term customer reviews
Methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for collecting and providing long-term reviews for items such as products and services. In an exemplary method, a first review for an item may be received from a reviewer over a communications network. A determination may be made as to when the reviewer will be a long-term reviewer for the item. After the reviewer is a long-term reviewer for the item, a second review for the item may be requested, and such a second review for the item may be received from the reviewer in response to this request. A request to view reviews for the item may also be received, and both the first and second reviews may be provided in response to this request.
US08504481B2 System and method for protecting user privacy using social inference protection techniques
A system and method for protecting user privacy using social inference protection techniques is provided. The system executes a plurality of software modules which model of background knowledge associated with one or more users of the mobile computing devices; estimate information entropy of a user attribute which could include identity, location, profile information, etc.; utilize the information entropy models to predict the social inference risk; and minimize privacy risks by taking a protective action after detecting a high risk.
US08504479B2 Key interface for secure object manipulation
A method and system for controlling access to various tiers of functionality of core software are provided. A software developer/vendor can develop a single version of software having one or more limited-access functionalities and provide the single version of the software to various types of customers. Each customer, using the single version of the core software, may develop additional software that utilizes one or more functionalities of the core software as authorized by the software developer/vendor. Access to a certain functionality or set of functionalities by the customer developed software is obtained by adapting the customer developed software to submit a key, provided by the software developer/vendor, to the core software through, for example, an application programming interface (API) of the core software. The core software is adapted to verify the provided key and, if the provided key is correct, allow the customer developed software access to the corresponding one or more functionalities of the core software.
US08504475B2 Systems and methods for enrolling users in a payment service
Embodiments of the invention are direction to systems, apparatuses and methods for enrolling users in a payment service that enables an individual (“a presenter”) to conduct a payment transaction with another party (“an acceptor”) more efficiently in situations where the individual has multiple payment accounts. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising presenting to a user a plurality of payment accounts associated with the user, receiving from the user a selection of an alias account identifier for each of the payment accounts, and storing in a database data that associates the selected alias account identifiers with the payment accounts.
US08504470B1 Methods and systems for financial transactions
Relationship banking and mobile banking are discussed and presented here. In Section 1, we present Pre-approval, Fulfillment, and Application Process. In Section 2, we present Financial Products for Protection of Consumers. In Section 3, we present Relationship-Based Score. In Section 4, we present Application of Credit Report for a “Binding” Pre-Approval for Lending Products. In Section 5, we present Deposit Slip Purchase. In Section 6, we present Reducing Frauds on Credit Cards. We also discuss the system and components, with different variations on system and method, or their designs.
US08504467B2 Methods and systems for facilitating bids on products and services
Methods and systems for bidding on items include a predetermined price or range associated with an item, the price not disclosed to bidders. Successful bids conform to a predetermined success rule(s) determined independently of the amounts of other bids. Successful bids can be immediately communicated to the successful bidders. Price adjustments, typically discounts, can be determined and communicated prior to fulfillment.
US08504460B2 System and method for providing a financial instrument utilizing a liability ratio
One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing a financial instrument including determining a current account balance for a financial account, calculating a liability ratio for the financial account, and determining whether to transfer at least a portion of the account balance from a variable sub-account to a low-risk sub-account based on the liability ratio.
US08504458B1 Investment strategy system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products for determining an investment strategy for a security. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor configured to: (1) receive information identifying a security; (2) access historical market data for the security, wherein the historical market data includes historical values, over a historical period of time, for one or more market parameters for the security; (3) use the historical market data to determine a relationship between a market parameter's value and the security's value during the historical period of time; and (4) use the relationship to determine an investment strategy that determines trading decisions based at least partially on the market parameter's value.
US08504456B2 Behavioral baseline scoring and risk scoring
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for integrated risk management. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provides for determining one or more activity baseline scores, each score associated with one or more activities and based at least in part on financial institution data from multiple financial institutions. The activity baseline score defines a normal risk or baseline activity for a customer, a customer segment or customer population. Further, the invention provides for monitoring at least the financial institution data to determine deviations from the activity baseline score(s) and generating and initiating communication of risk score alerts and/or activity baseline deviation alerts based on predetermined activity baseline deviations. Additional embodiments provide for determining a risk score based on risk patterns associated with financial institution data and, in some embodiments, non-financial institution data.
US08504452B2 Method and system for auditing internal controls
The present invention provides a computer-implemented method and system for assessing internal controls. The method includes: presenting internal control items; processing an input set associated with at least some of the internal control items; and (c) generating a set of assessment information based on the processed input set. The method may further include one or more of: (d) prior to presenting, automatically grouping and presenting a subset of the plurality of internal financial control items based on a user input related to an assessment of risk; (e) prior to presenting, automatically presenting a previously identified risk associated with one or both of an audit area and a transaction class associated with a subset of the plurality of internal financial control items; (g) receiving a user test input designating an internal financial control item for testing and presenting a set of test procedures associated with the designated internal financial control item; (h) documenting assessments with the set of test procedures; and (i) receiving from a user a plurality of inputs representing user assessment of the effectiveness of internal financial control items and presenting a summary of the effectiveness assessments.
US08504441B2 Services for providing item association data
A service is disclosed for enabling web sites and other entities to provide item recommendations and other behavior-based content to end users. The service can be implemented as a web service that is remotely accessible over the Internet. Web sites use the web service's interface to report events descriptive of item-related actions performed by end users (e.g., item views, item purchases, searches for items, etc.). The web service analyzes the reported event data on an aggregated basis to detect various types of associations between particular items, and stores resulting datasets that map items to associated items. The web service's interface also provides various API calls for enabling the web sites to request item recommendations and other behavior-based content, including but not limited to personalized recommendations that are based on the event history of the target user. Advantageously, the web sites need not host the infrastructure for providing such content.
US08504440B1 System and method for automated recipe selection and shopping list creation
An electronic shopping system recommending recipes and creating shopping lists. A user selects items for purchase and proceeds to a point-of-sale terminal for checkout. The point-of-sale terminal transmits information of the purchased items to a network computer which uses the information to update a taste profile for the user. Based on the taste profile, the network computer recommends recipes that may be prepared using the items just purchased. The network computer also creates the user's meal plan for the week based on the user's taste profile, and provides the meal plan along with a shopping list.
US08504435B2 Group offers for direct sales system employing networked mobile computing devices
A method on a server for managing sales activities and group buying offers for a plurality of users over a communications network is disclosed. The method includes receiving sales transaction data from the users, receiving recruit enrollment data from the users, processing the sales transaction data and the recruit enrollment data to generate aggregate data pertaining to sales, transmitting the aggregate data to the users, receiving a group buying offer, transmitting the group buying offer to the users, receiving acceptances of the group buying offer, calculating a number of acceptances of the group buying offer, effectuating a sale of the product or service of the group buying offer to each of the users who accepted the offer, if the number of acceptances of the group buying offer is greater than a minimum number, and attributing a particular sale to a recruiter, so as to award a commission.
US08504430B2 System and method of displaying information by an electronic price label
A system and method of displaying information by an electronic price label which uses thresholds to minimize the number of messages to an electronic price label. The system includes a record for an item associated with the electronic price label which contains the thresholds. The thresholds divide the information into a number of ranges including a first range of information and a second range of information. The system further includes a computer for scheduling messages for transmission to the electronic price label, wherein the computer obtains first information associated with the first range and displayed by the electronic price label, obtains second information which is more recent than the first information, determines whether the first information equals the second information, and if the first information does not equal the second information, obtains the second range, determines whether the first information is within the second range, and sends a message to the electronic price label containing the second information and a command to display the second information instead of the first information if the first information is outside the second range.
US08504423B2 Social network appreciation platform
A social network appreciation platform (SNAP) for marketing products or services of a merchant to customers online. A server receives marketing campaigns, announcements, coupons, or other messages defined by a participating merchant, for distribution to certain social networks to which a customer of the merchant belongs. The server also receives registration information from the customer including a unique identifier for use in purchase transactions, a selection of the customer's social networks to which certain of the merchant-defined messages are to be distributed, and a selection of the messages for distribution to the selected social networks. In response to transaction data from a transaction source representing a customer purchase, including the customer's unique identifier, the server transmits the messages selected by the customer to each social network selected by the customer, for display on the customer's page and viewing by friends or followers of the customer on the network.
US08504419B2 Network-based targeted content delivery based on queue adjustment factors calculated using the weighted combination of overall rank, context, and covariance scores for an invitational content item
Systems and methods are provided for audience targeting based on a performance history of invitational content from secondary content providers, such as advertisements. In operation, responsive to request from a user for content package, a queue of available invitational content is retrieved. Thereafter, based at least on a performance history of the available invitational content in the queue, a context of the primary content, and a performance history of invitational content previously presented to other users, the queue can be at least partially reordered to provide an adjusted queue. The invitational content for the content package can then be selected based on the adjusted queue.
US08504410B2 Method for improving customer survey system
A global customer satisfaction system includes point-of-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving in-store customer feedback including satisfaction ratings and other customer feedback regarding participating vendors as the customer pays for purchases. The system also includes post-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving more detailed customer feedback regarding the vendors from members after the sales have been completed. The system also includes an aggregation and dissemination system for combining the ratings received form customers into global customer satisfaction ratings for participating vendors, and disseminating the customer satisfaction information through customer satisfaction qualified directories, which are organized or searchable by geographical, type of product or service offered by the participating vendors, and other factors.
US08504401B2 Address request and correction system
A system may receive a request to process an address. The system may insert, in a job queue, a first description of a first job for creating a first address when the request is to create a new address. The system may perform subtasks of the first job for creating the first address in a database in accordance with the first description and remove the first job description from the job queue.
US08504400B2 Dynamically optimized distributed cloud computing-based business process management (BPM) system
A workflow server can receive requests, each for a business process workflow conforming to a business process model. Each business process workflow can include a set of interdependent tasks. The workflow server can satisfy received requests by assigning tasks to different service providers that provide software services. Each of the tasks can be assigned to corresponding ones of the software services. For each task, the workflow server can also defines an allocated cost per software service, and a time allocation per software service for completing the corresponding one of the tasks. Different service providers, including those assigned to tasks, can receive information for ones of the tasks not directly assigned to them by the workflow server. The different service providers can then bid on these tasks. Wherein when bids are won, tasks for a business process flow can be reassigned based on winning bids.
US08504397B2 Real time business event monitoring, tracking, and execution architecture
A computer system (100) enables real-time business event monitoring and tracking by means of a client-server computer asynchronously acquiring (110) physical event data from a variety of network-connected (105) data collection devices (102), processing the event data on the basis of the knowledge and history of previous events, and analyzing the event data using business logic/rules, filters, and/or other criteria to identify (115) “significant” business events for real-time communication to a network (120) of clients (122). The system (100) is bi-directional in that it also receives business information requests from the clients (122) and processes the requests in the light of the knowledge and history of previous client requests to generate a plurality of device-specific control commands for execution on one or more of the data collection devices (102).
US08504392B2 Automatic coding of patient outcomes
Systems and methods can mine structured clinical event data in an electronic health record (EHR) system to determine patient outcomes. Mining the structured clinical event data instead of or in addition to mining discharge summaries can increase the accuracy of patient outcome identification. Sophisticated language models can be used to extract outcomes from discharge summaries while also inferring outcomes from cues or hints contained in the structured clinical event data. For example, the clinical event data can include information regarding treatments and medications prescribed by clinicians to specifically manage patient complications; thus, presence or absence of relevant treatments in the clinical event data can provide independent indicators to disambiguate cases where current language processing approaches fail.
US08504391B2 Person centric infection risk stratification
Invoking of one or more clinical orders for a particular patient is driven by an infection risk stratification. According to an associated method, infection risk factors for a patient are assessed. The method also includes determining correlations between patient data and two or more particular categories of infection risk associated with the infection risk factors, stratifying infection risk for the patient based on the correlations determined, and determining specific clinical orders relevant for the particular patient based on the stratification.
US08504389B2 Systems and methods for health care credit transactions
Systems, methods, and computer program media for creating, managing, backing, and transferring health care credits are described. Health care credits may be implemented as freely transferable financial instruments whose initial value is based on costs or savings generated by an individual, or by a health care provider, that are associated with a health-related metric or a health benefiting behavior(s).
US08504387B1 Optimized specimen collection for laboratory tests
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of optimizing the collection of specimens, e.g., of blood, when multiple laboratory tests have been prescribed at one time for a patient. Laboratory tests may use specimens such as blood drawn, e.g., through venipuncture, and patients may experience greater discomfort, inconvenience, and/or anxiety as more and more blood is collected, and at greater expense. Embodiments of the invention include computer systems configured to optimize the collection of specimens for laboratory tests to reduce the number of specimens that must be collected from a patient for any given set of laboratory tests.
US08504386B2 Patient-interactive healthcare management
A patient-interactive health care management system provides means for healthcare services rendered by a physician to a patient to be confirmed by the patient immediately after the healthcare services are rendered. The patient is provided the ability to verify the accuracy of an invoice for the rendered services/goods and provide an assessment of the rendered services/goods. In an example embodiment, the patient provides this information via an information station located at the healthcare facility in which the healthcare services/goods are rendered. The information gathered from the patient is provided to the party responsible for paying for the rendered healthcare services/goods. In an example embodiment, the paying party compares the patient provided information with the invoice received from the healthcare provider to assess the accuracy of the invoice. A patient account is established containing, in part, the information gathered from the patient.
US08504385B2 Personalized nutrition advisor
The instant invention describes various computer program products and methods of using the same in order to provide personalized nutritional advice to end users.
US08504383B1 Methods and systems for generic opportunity scoring
A computer implemented method and/or computer system determines a Generic Opportunity Score (GOS) and/or a generic drug's performance demonstrating how a generic utilization can be better identified and improved relative to the total overall generic opportunity, which can provide savings information relative to a clinically appropriate generic alternative. In some embodiments, the process and/or system determines the GOS as the proportion of generic prescriptions dispensed relative to the maximum number of prescriptions that have a generic equivalent or a clinically-appropriate generic alternative. In some embodiments, the process determines the GOS as the number of generic claims dispensed over the total number of generic claims plus the brand claims that have a generic equivalent or generic alternative. In some embodiments, the data utilized will be provided through a prescription claims database, which can be segmented into three distinct groups: Generic Code Number (GCN), Brand/Generic Code, and Channel, i.e. retail or mail.
US08504379B1 System and method for improving tuning using user provided satisfaction scores
A system and method provide a way of improving customer satisfaction with a customer service application by identifying tuning opportunities based on customer satisfaction scores. The system and method compare portions of the customer service application to a customer satisfaction score obtained from a customer satisfaction survey. The comparisons show, statistically, which portions of the customer service application correlate to a low customer satisfaction score. A report is produced which identifies these areas that correlate to low customer satisfaction, and these areas may be tuned to improve customer satisfaction with the customer service application.
US08504377B2 Method and an apparatus for processing a signal using length-adjusted window
A method of processing a signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving at least one of a first signal and a second signal, obtaining mode information and modification flag information indicating whether the first signal is modified, if it is determined as an audio coding scheme according to the mode information, decoding the first signal by the audio coding scheme, if the first signal is modified based on the modification flag information, reconstructing the first signal by applying modification reconstruction information to the first signal, determining an extension base signal corresponding to a partial region of the first signal based on extension information, and generating an extended downmix signal having a bandwidth extended by reconstructing a high frequency region signal using the extension base signal and the extension information. According to a signal processing method and apparatus of the present invention, after a first signal has been decoded by a first coding scheme, the first signal is adjusted using modification reconstruction information for reconstructing the first signal modified in time domain in performing encoding. Therefore, a coding efficiency enhanced signal can be provided.
US08504368B2 Synthetic speech text-input device and program
A synthetic speech text-input device is provided that allows a user to intuitively know an amount of an input text that can be fit in a desired duration. A synthetic speech text-input device 1 includes: an input unit that receives a set duration in which a speech to be synthesized is to be fit, and a text for a synthetic speech; a text amount calculation unit that calculates an acceptable text amount based on the set duration received by the input unit, the acceptable text amount being an amount of a text acceptable as a synthetic speech of the set duration; and a text amount output unit that outputs the acceptable text amount calculated by the text amount calculation unit, when the input unit receives the text.
US08504364B2 Differential dynamic content delivery with text display in dependence upon simultaneous speech
Differential dynamic content delivery including providing a session document for a presentation, wherein the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon user classifications of a user participant in the presentation; presenting the selected structural element to the user; streaming presentation speech to the user including individual speech from at least one user participating in the presentation; converting the presentation speech to text; detecting whether the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users; and displaying the text if the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users.
US08504357B2 Related word presentation device
A related word presentation device includes a program information storage unit that stores program information of each program; and an information dividing unit that generates, for each of the attributes of the words included in the program information, at least one group which includes a reference word belonging to the attribute and a set of words which co-occur with the reference word in a program. A degree-of-relevance calculating unit stores attribute-based association dictionaries each of which indicates, for the corresponding attribute of words, (i) the words and (ii) the degrees of relevance between the words calculated based on the frequency of co-occurrence in each of groups. A search condition obtaining unit obtains the search word and the attribute; a substitute word obtaining unit selects substitute words from the attribute-based association dictionary for the obtained attribute; and an output unit presents the selected substitute word.
US08504356B2 Word classification system, method, and program
A word classification system is provided with an inter-word pattern learning section for learning at least either the context information or the layout information between classification-known words which co-appear and creating an inter-word pattern for determining whether data relating to a word pair which is a combination of words is data relating to a same-classification word pair which is the combination of words in the same classification or data relating to a different-classification word pair which is a combination of words in different classifications on the basis of the relationship between the classification-known words which co-appear in a document.
US08504341B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for fast updating of oil and gas field production models with physical and proxy simulators
Methods, systems, and computer readable media are provided for fast updating of oil and gas field production optimization using physical and proxy simulators. A base model of a reservoir, well, or a pipeline network is established in one or more physical simulators. A decision management system is used to define uncertain parameters for matching with observed data. A proxy model is used to fit the uncertain parameters to outputs of the physical simulators, determine sensitivities of the uncertain parameters, and compute correlations between the uncertain parameters and output data from the physical simulators. Parameters for which the sensitivities are below a threshold are eliminated. The decision management system validates parameters which are output from the proxy model in the simulators. The validated parameters are used to make production decisions.
US08504339B2 Method for door side intrusion simulation with progressive failures
A method for simulating deformation of a body element of a motor vehicle that occurs during an impact event includes providing a model of the body element that includes an initial load distribution pattern. A first simulation output is generated during a first portion of the impact event using the initial load distribution pattern and includes data indicative of the deformation of the body element. Whether a portion of the body element is in a failure condition is determined based on the first simulation output. If a failure condition is determined, the load distribution pattern of at least a portion of the body element is updated, and a second simulation output including data indicative of the deformation of the body during a second portion of the impact event is generated using the updated load distribution pattern.
US08504333B2 Method for selecting sample positions on a substrate, method for providing a representation of a model of properties of a substrate, method of providing a representation of the variation of properties of a substrate across the substrate and device manufacturing method
A method for selecting sample positions on a substrate from a set of all available sample positions is provided, in which a representation of a model, which may represent the variation of one or more properties across the substrate, is analyzed in order to identify the sample positions having the greatest effect on the model.
US08504315B2 Method for the secondary error correction of a multi-port network analyzer
A method for the error correction of a vectorial network analyzer, where a primary system calibration is initially implemented using a calibration kit. Following this, a first, secondary error correction is implemented on at least two one-port networks of the vectorial network analyzer. After this first, secondary error correction of the one-port networks of the vectorial network analyzer, a second, secondary error correction is implemented, where either two one-port networks are through-connected in an ideal manner or a measurement is implemented on a reciprocal two-port network. The corrected system-error values from the first, secondary error correction are used even in this further measurement, and overall, a high-precision, calibrated multi-port network analyzer is obtained.
US08504314B2 Method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring a power source
A system and method for monitoring batteries is disclosed. There is provided a plurality of sensors each adapted to communicate with one of the batteries, and to provide information concerning a characteristic of the battery in response to application of a stimulus to the battery. A controller that communicates with the sensors is also provided. In one embodiment, the sensor includes the battery.
US08504310B2 Particulate flow sensing for an agricultural implement
An impact sensor is located in a distribution tower which divides the seed and/or nutrient flow into individual rows, and a second sensor provides a compensation signal dependent upon one or more variables such as the velocity of the air in the conveying system, implement vibrations. As the seed/fertilizer bounces off of the impact sensor and flows into the individual row air streams, the impact sensor provides a force signal to a processor which calculates the total particulate mass flow rate from the force signal and the air velocity signal. To determine individual seed and fertilizer rates, a rate controller temporarily changes the metering rate of one of the materials, and the processor then calculates the desired information from the mass flow change and meter speed change. Another embodiment includes seed sensor structure at the meter output for achieving or confirming accuracy.
US08504305B2 Anti-terrorism water quality monitoring system
An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.
US08504304B2 Protein-ligand NOE matching for high-throughput structure determination
A method of enhancing the throughput and applicability of NMR-based structure determination of protein-ligand complexes is disclosed. The method circumvents the need for protein sequence-specific resonance assignments and combines NMR data analysis and ligand docking methods into an integrated process. In one embodiment, NMR data is used to filter docking results to identify the most consistent binding modes, thereby providing structural information in a high-throughput fashion without the need for assigning protein resonances. Trial assignments for protein-ligand nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) interactions are also produced by the method.
US08504299B2 Fuzzy clustering of oceanic profiles
System and method to partition littoral regions by profiles of specific parameters using fuzzy c-mean clustering. Fuzzy cluster partitions assign each datum to a set of data clusters such that the sum cluster membership probability of the point is equal to unity. Partial memberships can supply information about transition areas from one cluster to another.
US08504294B2 Apparatus for monitoring fluid levels in a remotely located storage tank
An improved system for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to remotely located storage tanks including a novel combination of remote monitoring of customer tanks and an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to optimally schedule deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion. Operational efficiencies can also be improved by taking historical propane usage for each tank, weather conditions, and projected fuel usage into account.
US08504291B2 Method for clinician house calls utilizing portable computing and communications equipment
Mobile clinicians conduct in-home patient visits utilizing on-site diagnostic and treatment equipment, where service is enhanced by the use of portable computing and communications equipment. A mobile care entity provides mobile clinicians preprogrammed portable computers. Each portable computer updates patient data in the local storage utilizing a wireless communications device to download updates from a central storage facility. The entity selects a mobile clinician and dispatches him/her to the patient's premises. The clinician visits the patient's premises accompanied by an assortment of electronic diagnostic and treatment devices. The mobile clinician utilizes various diagnostic devices to prepare machine-readable reports of related aspects of the patient's condition. The clinician directs the portable computer to perform follow-up tasks including: (1) electronically collecting the prepared reports and graphically presenting them in human-readable form, (2) storing a machine-readable medical record, and (3) utilizing the wireless device to transmit the reports and records.
US08504289B2 Method and apparatus for controlling data communication units in navigation receiver
Navigation data processing system, comprising a navigation receiver that receives a positioning signal; a data communication subsystem comprising a plurality of data communication units for receiving correction signal and routing it to the navigation receiver, and conversion interfaces for communicating the correction data in a common format. The navigation receiver includes a navigation subsystem that generates augmented navigation data based on the positioning and correction signals. A user terminal displays the augmented data. Navigation receiver includes a profile database comprising a plurality of profiles for receiving the correction signal; a script database comprising commands for controlling a particular data communication unit. Navigation receiver sets up communication to the correction signal source, processes the positioning and correction signals and generates the augmented data based on a script and a profile of the data communication unit and the interface converter.
US08504283B2 Host-vehicle risk acquisition device and method
A host-vehicle risk acquisition device includes a host-vehicle path acquisition portion that acquires a path of a host-vehicle, and an obstacle path acquisition portion that acquires a plurality of paths of an obstacle existing around the host-vehicle. A collision risk acquisition portion acquires an actual collision risk, which is a collision risk between the host-vehicle and the obstacle when the host-vehicle is in a travel state based on the path of the host-vehicle and the plurality of paths of the obstacle. An offset risk acquisition portion acquires an offset risk, which is a collision risk between the host-vehicle and the obstacle in an offset travel state, which is offset from the travel state of the host-vehicle.
US08504282B2 Vehicle
When a vehicle is stopped on a slope, a brake is operated to stop rotation of a drive wheel so that no torque is applied thereto, and the posture of the body is controlled by moving an active weight portion so that stabilized stop state of the vehicle can be achieved without consuming a large quantity of energy. The vehicle comprises the drive wheel attached rotatably to the body, the active weight portion attached movably to the body, and a vehicle controller for controlling the posture of the body by controlling at least one of the drive torque imparted to the drive wheel and the position of the active weight portion, wherein the vehicle controller controls the posture of the body by controlling only the position of the active weight portion when the vehicle is stopped on a slope.
US08504262B2 Control apparatus for automatic transmission
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a torque calculator configured to calculate a torque required during a speed change for a hydraulic clutch at a target speed stage based on an output torque of an engine. A supply fluid pressure calculator is configured to obtain, from the calculated torque, a supply fluid pressure to be supplied to the hydraulic clutch by using a clutch friction coefficient. A fluid supplier is configured to supply the obtained supply fluid pressure to the hydraulic clutch to perform the speed change for an output of the engine through a gear corresponding to the target speed stage. A clutch plate temperature estimating device is configured to estimate a plate temperature of the hydraulic clutch. A fluid pressure correcting device is configured to correct the supply fluid pressure based on the estimated plate temperature.
US08504258B2 GPS altitude data for transmission control systems and methods
A control system for controlling a transmission of a vehicle including a telematics system is provided. The system includes: a grade module that determines a current grade based on an altitude signal received from the telematics system; a force balance module that computes a vehicle mass based on a force balance equation and the current grade; and a transmission control module that controls the transmission based on the vehicle mass.
US08504250B2 Momentary activation of mechanical front wheel drive
A work vehicle comprises a mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD) and a MFWD switch associated with the MFWD for selectively activating the MFWD. The MFWD switch may be a 3-position switch comprising a momentary-ON position, a maintain-ON position, and a maintain-OFF position. The MFWD switch may be, for example, a 3-position rocker switch.
US08504246B2 System and method for electronically powered assisted steering
A system and method for controlling a vehicle steering system, comprising receiving at least one signal corresponding to one or more of a lateral acceleration, a longitudinal acceleration, a vertical acceleration, a suspension travel, and a vehicle speed, calculating or determining an optimum steering rack travel from the at least one signal, and limiting travel of a steering rack of the vehicle based on the optimum steering rack travel.
US08504244B2 Method for improving the driving stability of a vehicle
A method for improving the driving stability of a vehicle, including ascertaining a trajectory to be followed by the vehicle in a situation-specific manner, an active steering system and/or a braking device being set in the vehicle in such a way that at least one transverse dynamic state variable is within an associated limiting value.
US08504232B2 Electrically powered vehicle and method for controlling the same
A charging state estimation unit estimates a remaining capacity of a power storage device. A charge/discharge control unit controls charging and discharging of the power storage device based on the remaining capacity estimate value. The charge/discharge control unit includes a charge instruction unit for, in the case where the remaining capacity estimate value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, controlling the internal combustion engine to be in the load operation state to generate charge power and controlling the internal combustion engine to be in the no-load operation state when it is determined that a prescribed charge termination condition is satisfied. The charge instruction unit sets the charge termination condition such that the charging time for the power storage device is shortened as the charge power that can be received by the power storage device in the present state is decreased.
US08504227B2 Charging control device and charging control method
A charging control device is a charging control device for independently controlling charging of power storage devices in a plurality of vehicles, respectively, each having the power storage device mounted thereon, from an external power supply, in which a control ECU detects a state of charge of the power storage device when each vehicle and the external power supply are coupled to each other, detects an expected amount of power consumption for each of the plurality of vehicles, calculates a required amount of power to be charged for each vehicle based on the detected state of charge and the expected amount of power consumption, detects a time to start use of each vehicle, determines a charging schedule of a charging time period and an amount of power to be charged for each vehicle based on the required amount to be charged and the time to start use, and controls charging of the power storage devices mounted on the vehicles according to the charging schedule. A charging control device and a charging control method achieving increased possibility that a vehicle desired to be used can be used at a desired time of use, while performing charging within contract power can be provided.
US08504216B2 DSM enabling of electro mechanically controlled refrigeration systems
A system for reducing the peak power consumption by a refrigeration system is provided. The system comprises a first electromechanical cold control calibrated to a first temperature setpoint, a second electromechanical cold control calibrated to a second temperature setpoint, said first and second cold controls each having a setpoint selector member operatively linked such that adjustment of one results in a corresponding adjustment of the other, a DSM module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and an off peak demand state, and a DSM switching device responsive to the DSM module and operative to selectively render one or the other of the cold controls effectively operative to control the cooling system depending upon the demand state signal.
US08504215B1 Systems and methods for using alternate power sources to manage the power draw on a power grid
A computer-implemented method for using alternate power sources to manage the power draw on a power grid may comprise: 1) identifying a need to reduce power draw on the power grid, 2) identifying an electrical device that draws power from the power grid, 3) determining that the electrical device is capable of drawing power from an alternate power source, and 4) transmitting a command that, when executed, causes the electrical device to draw power from the alternate power source. A corresponding device-side method for reducing power draw on a power grid may comprise: 1) drawing power from a power grid, 2) receiving a command to draw power from an alternate power source, and then 3) drawing power from the alternate power source. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
US08504205B2 Robotic grasping device with multi-force sensing at base of fingers
A robotic grasping device (10) has a first finger (20), a second finger (30) and an actuator (40). The first finger has a first fingertip (22), a first base (24) and a first actuator engagement end (26). A first gripping surface (21) of the first finger lies between the first fingertip and the first base. Similarly, the second finger has a second fingertip (32), a second base (34), a second actuator engagement end (36). A second gripping surface (31) of the second finger is between the second fingertip and the second base. The actuator (40) mechanically engages with the first actuator engagement end and the second actuator engagement end to open and close the fingers. A first force sensor (28) is disposed on the base of the first finger to measure a first operative force on the first finger, and a second force sensor (38) is disposed on the base of the second finger to measure a second operative force on the second finger.
US08504196B2 Dairy product and process
The present invention relates to a system for dispensing a customized serving. The system includes an ingredient storage module 12, an ingredient processing module 18, a serving dispenser 20, a user interface 24, and a formulation database containing an inventory of ingredients stored in the storage module 12 from which potential servings will be formulated. The system also includes a controller 22 that is operatively linked to the storage module 12, the processing module 18, the dispenser 20, the interface 24 and the database. The controller 22 is programmed: (a) to receive a serving selection from the user; (b) to determine, using the database, a serving recipe that best approximates the user's serving selection; (c) to present the serving recipe to the user via the interface 24, and (d) upon a command from the user, to actuate the processing module 18 to prepare, and the serving dispenser 20 to dispense, a serving prepared from the serving recipe.
US08504192B2 Method of sorting mailpieces by using a process for dynamically allocating sorting outlets
A method of sorting mailpieces amongst N logical sorting destinations with a sorting machine including a mailpiece conveyor that serves M sorting outlets, each of which is provided with a removable mailpiece storage tray that is handled by a tray conveyor, where M is less than N, consists in detecting that a current mailpiece to be sorted has a certain logical destination that is said to be “overbooked” and that is not associated with a sorting outlet, and in dynamically allocating to said overbooked logical destination a certain sorting outlet of the machine that is occupied by another logical destination. In said certain sorting outlet, a tray change is made and the tray extracted from said certain sorting outlet is put on standby on a loop of the tray conveyor.
US08504191B2 Method for picking up work pieces
The method for picking up work pieces includes: storing a representative partial shape, at least one of holding positions in the representative partial shape, and a preference rank for each of the holding positions; obtaining an image information by sensing the work pieces which are accumulated; recognizing exposed portions in the work pieces by performing an edge detection on the image information; selecting at least one of the exposed portions including the representative partial shape as a selected portion; detecting at least one of coinciding portions coinciding with the representative partial shape in the selected portions; determining an optimal holding position from at least one of the holding positions included in the coinciding portion as a determined holding position, based on the preference rank; and transmitting a holding command to hold the determined holding position.
US08504186B2 Method for automatic generation of throughput models for semiconductor tools
The throughput of complex cluster tools of a semiconductor manufacturing environment may be determined for a desired manufacturing scenario on the basis of automatically generated throughput models. The throughput models may be established on the basis of rule messages with high statistical relevance.
US08504178B2 Multiple redundant control system
In a multiple redundant control system each of the control systems detects whether failures occur in the system itself and the other systems, and outputs a control signal corresponding to an amount of control of a controlled object by the control system on the basis of the result of failure detection. In the multiple redundant control system at least one controlled object is driven or controlled by a controller having a plurality of control systems that are connected to each other and each output information regarding the system itself and received input of information regarding other systems. Based on control signals, a main control signal for driving or controlling the controlled object is generated by a main control signal generator.
US08504177B2 Assembly for diagnosing a device with moving parts
The invention is based on refining and developing an arrangement such that reliable diagnosis of the state and/or of the operating parameters of an apparatus can be performed inexpensively.
US08504171B2 Systems and methods for making and using enhanced electrodes for electrical stimulation systems
A lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes at least one elongated lead body, each of the at least one lead bodies having a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of electrodes are disposed at the distal end of the at least one lead body, each of the electrodes having an outer surface. A plurality of dimples are defined along the outer surface of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of dimples configured and arranged to provide a larger surface area for the at least one dimpled electrode than that of a similarly-sized electrode with a flat outer surface. A plurality of terminal are disposed at the proximal end of the at least one lead body. A plurality of conductive wires couple each of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of terminals.
US08504166B2 Deep brain stimulation device having wireless power transmission mechanism
Provided is a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device that wirelessly receives microwaves from a power transmission antenna installed at a hat put on a patient, transforms the microwaves into power, and drives electrodes implanted into a brain of the patient using the power, so as to correct abnormal motor and sensory functions of the patient. The DBS device includes: a hat module configured for placement over a head of the patient to transmit microwaves, and an implantation module configured to be implanted through a skull under a scalp to contact the cerebral nerve of the patient, receive the microwaves from the hat module, transform the microwaves into direct current (DC) power, and stimulate the cerebral nerve using the DC power.
US08504153B2 System and method for estimating cardiac pressure based on cardiac electrical conduction delays using an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for estimating left atrial pressure (LAP) or other cardiac performance parameters based on measured conduction delays. In particular, LAP is estimated based interventricular conduction delays. Predetermined conversion factors stored within the device are used to convert the various the conduction delays into LAP values or other appropriate cardiac performance parameters. The conversion factors may be, for example, slope and baseline values derived during an initial calibration procedure performed by an external system, such as an external programmer. In some examples, the slope and baseline values may be periodically re-calibrated by the implantable device itself. Techniques are also described for adaptively adjusting pacing parameters based on estimated LAP or other cardiac performance parameters. Still further, techniques are described for estimating conduction delays based on impedance or admittance values and for tracking heart failure therefrom.
US08504150B2 Associating therapy adjustments with posture states using a stability timer
The disclosure describes techniques for associating therapy adjustments with posture states using a timer. The techniques may include detecting a patient adjustment to electrical stimulation therapy delivered to the patient, sensing a posture state of the patient, and associating the detected adjustment with the sensed posture state if the sensed posture state is sensed within a first period following the detection of the adjustment and if the sensed posture state does not change during a second period following the sensing of the sensed posture state.
US08504149B2 System and method to deliver therapy in presence of another therapy
Various aspects relate to a method. In various embodiments, a therapy of a first therapy type is delivered, and it is identified whether a therapy of a second therapy type is present to affect the therapy of the first therapy type. Delivery of the therapy is controlled based on the presence of the therapy of the second therapy type. Some embodiments deliver the therapy of the first type using one set of parameters in the presence of a therapy of a second type, and deliver the therapy of the first type using another set of parameters when the therapy of the second type is not present. In various embodiments, one of the therapy types includes a cardiac rhythm management therapy, and the other includes a neural stimulation therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08504147B2 Systems and methods for neuromodulation for treatment of pain and other disorders associated with nerve conduction
Methods and apparatus are provided for selective destruction or temporary disruption of nerves and/or conduction pathways in a mammalian body for the treatment of pain and other disorders. Apparatus comprises catheters having electrodes for targeting and affecting nerve tissue at a cellular level to reversible and irreversible nerve poration and incapacitation.
US08504136B1 See-through abdomen display for minimally invasive surgery
This invention is in the domain of minimally invasive surgery and is a method and apparatus that transforms and displays images of internal organs and tissues taken from internally located imaging devices on external skin. The image displayed on the skin aligns with the actual physical location, orientation, and size of the internal organs and tissues in a way that viewers have the perception that the skin is transparent. This method and apparatus enables surgeons to have the same hand-eye coordination as in an open surgery during a minimally invasive surgery.
US08504133B2 Basket style cardiac mapping catheter having a flexible electrode assembly and an atraumatic tip for detection of cardiac rhythm disorders
A system for sensing multiple local electric voltages from endocardial surface of a heart, includes: an elongate tubular member; a plurality of flexible splines having proximal portions, distal portions and medial portions therein between; an anchor for securably affixing the proximal portions of the splines; an atraumatic tip for securably affixing the distal portions of the splines; and a polymeric member including opposed a first open end and a second open end defining an open lumen therein between and an inner member surface and an outer member surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of flexible splines is at least partially disposed within the lumen of the polymeric member; a flexible electrode assembly strip with one or more exposed electrodes disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the polymeric member.
US08504130B2 Non-interfering physiological sensor system
A system includes a light source, a photodetector in optical communication with the light source, and a processor in communication with said photodetector and configured to output a signal representing oxygen saturation independent of an interfering signal from an interfering source. The system may further include an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the processor that is configured to digitize a signal from the photodetector by oversampling and output oversampling data to the processor. The processor may include an averaging filter that averages the oversampling data received from said analog-to-digital converter prior to decimation to generate an oversampling number.
US08504125B2 Configuration sensing for a mobile computing device
Techniques for configuration sensing for a mobile computing device are described. A mobile computing device may comprise a housing having a sliding structure arranged to allow a first housing portion and a second housing portion to move relative to each other to form a first configuration or a second configuration. The mobile computing device may include a magnetic sensor disposed in the first housing portion, the magnetic sensor operative to measure a magnetic field strength for a magnet, and output a position signal indicative of the first configuration or the second configuration based on the measured magnetic field strength. The mobile computing device may include a speaker with the magnet disposed in the second housing portion. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08504123B1 Telephone ringing signal-based notification method for mobile devices
A mobile communication device enables improved connectivity and power management. The device includes a first wireless network interface configured for connection to a first network and a second wireless network interface configured for connection to a second network. The first interface has an active mode of operation and a sleep mode. The device places the first interface in the sleep mode when not needed for communications. An external system such as a messaging server calls the device when it is unable to access the device through the first interface. The second network, which can be a cellular network, handles the call request and transmits a ringing signal to the second interface of the device. A notification handler, upon receipt of the ringing signal, wakes the first interface, permitting normal communications through the first interface. Power management logic can be more pro-active in placing the first interface into the sleep mode.
US08504122B2 Communication terminal apparatus, power supply control method, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing power supply control program
A communication terminal apparatus (separate type portable telephone) separated into a first communication apparatus (parent device) and a second communication apparatus (child device), the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus in a separated state being wirelessly connected through direct communication. The communication terminal apparatus includes a joining detecting unit and a power supply control unit. The joining detecting unit detects joining between the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus. The power supply control unit performs control for conforming a power control state of the second communication apparatus to a power control state of the first communication apparatus if the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus are joined while the power control states are different between the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus.
US08504120B2 Techniques for controlling a radio processor in a mobile computing device
Techniques for controlling a radio processor for a mobile computing device are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device to support cellular voice communication, wireless data communication and computing capabilities, the mobile computing device including an applications processor coupled to a radio processor. The applications processor may include a radio management module to manage operations for the radio processor, the radio management module having a radio control module arranged to enable and disable the radio processor in accordance with a radio control schedule. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08504117B2 De-noising method for multi-microphone audio equipment, in particular for a “hands free” telephony system
This method comprises the following steps in the frequency domain: a) estimating a probability that speech is present; b) estimating a spectral covariance matrix of the noise picked up by the sensors, this estimation being modulated by the probability that speech is present; c) estimating the transfer functions of the acoustic channels between the source of speech and at least some of the sensors relative to a reference constituted by the signal picked up by one of the sensors, this estimation being modulated by the probability that speech is present; d) calculating an optimal linear projector giving a single combined signal from the signals picked up by at least some of the sensors, from the spectral covariance matrix, and from the estimated transfer functions; and e) on the basis of the probability that speech is present and of the combined signal output from the projector, selectively reducing the noise by applying variable gain.
US08504116B2 Vehicle entertainment system with multi-source presets
A system and method for providing single-action multi-source presets for vehicle entertainment systems. The method includes the steps of engaging a single-action preset button that changes the active input source to a selected preprogrammed input source and performing an action within that input source.
US08504112B2 Methods for searching phone book, and portable devices and information processing apparatuses having phone-book search function
Method of searching a phone book in an information processing apparatus, such as a portable device, may provide intelligent search of information associated with user-selected information. The method includes selecting a desired item of a plurality of item included in a phone book list, searching at least one item associated with the selected item on a database according to a predetermined priority, and displaying both the selected item and the searched associated at least one item. Thus, the information associated with the user-selected information can be intelligently searched, such that a search result optimized for a user may be displayed and unnecessary repetitive search may be reduced.
US08504111B2 Active electrical tilt antenna apparatus with distributed amplifier
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for wirelessly transmitting or receiving communication signals may include multiple active elements to transmit or receive communication signals wirelessly; and multiple active modules correspondingly coupled to the multiple active elements and configured to cooperate with respective ones of the multiple active elements; in which the respective ones of the multiple active modules include a power amplifier configured to amplify communication signals to be transmitted and a low noise amplifier configured to amplify communication signals received, and in which the respective ones of the multiple active modules further include a first phase shift configured to shift phases of the communication signals to be transmitted and a second phase shift configured to shift phases of the communication signals received. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08504110B2 Method and apparatus for transferring smart antenna capability information
A system for exchanging smart antenna capability information between a transmitting station (STA) and a receiving STA in a wireless communication system includes an antenna capability information element (IE) that includes information regarding the capability of the transmitting STA. The antenna capability IE is sent from the transmitting STA to the receiving STA prior to data transmission between the transmitting STA and the receiving STA. When used in a wireless local area network, the antenna capability IE can be sent as part of a management frame, control frame, or data frame.
US08504105B2 Simultaneous interface use
In a portable data carrier (1) having a contact-type interface device (2, 3) and a contactless interface device (4, 5) a sequencing device (6) coordinates competingly occurring contact-type and contactless data communications (16, 19) in such a way that the two data communications (16, 19) can be carried out sequentially step-by-step and without data loss. The processing of the first data communication via the first interface (4) is interrupted in order to start a second data communication via the second interface (2). After the step of starting, the interrupted processing of the first data communication is continued while at the same time the started second data communication is maintained.
US08504097B1 Alternative hardware and software configuration for near field communication
A system on a mobile phone for configuring a secure partition in a trusted security zone is provided. The system comprises a processor and a near field communication transceiver. The processor executes virtualization software and comprises a first virtual processor and a second virtual processor, where the second virtual processor comprises the trusted security zone and the secure partition resides in the trusted security zone. The first virtual processor comprises an application which utilizes the secure partition in the trusted security zone. The second virtual processor comprises an application stored in the trusted security zone, where the application couples the near field communication transceiver to the secure partition residing in the trusted security zone and where the application enables run-time execution in the trusted security zone based on the receiving a signal from the near field communication transceiver.
US08504095B2 Method and apparatus for system acquisition in a mobile communication terminal
A method and an apparatus are provided for acquiring, in a reduced time, a system using location information in a mobile communication terminal. When a mobile communication terminal is turned on or disconnects with a base station, a Preferred Roaming List (PRL) is searched in order of closeness of a system to the current location of the mobile communication terminal. At predetermined time intervals, the systems of the PRL are arrayed in order of closeness of a system to the current location, and the arrayed PRL is searched. The present invention can reduce the time taken to acquire a system.
US08504080B2 User interface for creating multimedia message of mobile communication terminal and method thereof
A user interface method for creating a multimedia message of a mobile communication terminal is disclosed in which menu fields for creating a multimedia message are displayed in one screen, and when inputting content for each menu field is completed, it is automatically switched to a multimedia message-creating screen in which a selecting bar is positioned at the next field. In addition, while a user is using a multimedia function, a current image can be switched to the multimedia message-creating screen according to a user's need. Thus, the number of user's key manipulations can be reduced in creating the multimedia message, thereby enhancing a user's convenience.
US08504079B1 Correction of timing errors to enable long sleep times
A mobile user equipment includes a user equipment clock and a dual mode time tracker. The clock periodically wakes up the user equipment. The dual mode time tracker uses a serving cell reference signal to correct timing errors of the user equipment clock with respect to a network clock while timing errors remain minimal and otherwise uses a serving cell synchronization signal to correct timing errors of the user equipment clock. The dual mode time tracker also sets a next wakeup time as a function at least of the size of the timing errors.
US08504077B2 System and method for monitoring and disseminating mobile device location information
A computer-implemented mobile device locating method is provided. The method includes monitoring a location indication of a mobile device and an indication of precision or accuracy of the location indication. A change in the precision or accuracy of the location indication is identified, and a position of the mobile device is estimated based on the location indication as monitored prior to the identified change. A mobile device configured for implementing a mobile device locating method is further provided.
US08504075B2 System, method and apparatuses for providing a filtered localized information service
A system for providing a localized information service using an infrastructure of a cellular communication network, the system comprising at least one service source terminal arranged for transmitting a network upload message to the cellular communication network, said network upload message comprising a payload part, a reflection entity of said cellular communication network arranged for receiving said network upload message, for generating one or more reflection messages comprising said payload part, and for sending said reflection messages to a group of service destination terminals that have a predetermined spatial relationship with said service source terminal, and a filter arranged for blocking a further network upload message that has a predetermined context relationship with said network upload message from being sent to the group of service destination terminals.
US08504074B2 System and method for providing advertisement data to a mobile computing device
A mobile device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store user-specific data. The processor is configured to access data indicating a position of the mobile device and provide advertisement data based upon the position of the mobile device and the user-specific data.
US08504072B2 Radio communication terminal, radio communication base station device, and radio communication method
A radio communication terminal, a radio communication base station device, and radio communication method enabling lightening the paging load in a mobile communication system including macro cells and femto cells. A reception level measuring section (144) of a UE (104) measures the reception level of a femto cell. If a judging section (146) judges that the measured reception level is over a level which is the sum of a threshold and an offset value, the judging section (146) requests an MME (101) to change a multi TA registration to a single TA registration and carries out a change to one tracking area registration.
US08504070B2 Systems and methods to dynamically provision subscribers in a network
Systems and methods to dynamically provision subscribers in a network are disclosed herein. An example method to provision a subscriber in a communication network includes detecting that a location of a subscriber has changed from a first region to a second region, determining that the communication network would benefit from permanently provisioning a customer profile associated with the subscriber to the second region instead of keeping the customer profile provisioned in the first region, instructing a first customer profile repository to transfer the customer profile to a second customer profile repository corresponding to the second region in response to detecting the location change and that the communication network would benefit, and provisioning the customer profile at the second customer profile repository.
US08504062B2 System and method for aggregating and associating mobile device location data
A computer-implemented method for processing mobile device location data is provided. Location data is filtered based on age and accuracy or precision of location coordinates. Location data is partitioned based on the location coordinates into a plurality of clusters including a plurality of location data instances. The plurality of clusters are filtered based on a number of data instances in a particular cluster and a period of time over which data instances of the particular data cluster are generated. A distance is determined from a location coordinate corresponding to the data instances of one or more of the plurality of clusters to a particular predetermined location, and the one or more of the plurality of clusters are correlated with the particular predetermined location in response to the distance being less than a predetermined distance. The invention further provides a location data processing system.
US08504048B2 Systems and methods of making a call
Systems and methods of making calls are provided. A particular method includes receiving input indicating a destination address at a mobile communication device. The method also includes determining whether the destination address is of a predetermined type. The method further includes initiating a call to a communication bridge via a mobile communication network when the destination address is of the predetermined type. The method also includes sending an instruction to the communication bridge to initiate a communication connection to the destination address.
US08504047B2 System and method for multilevel scheduling
A method and apparatus for determining multilevel scheduling of a reverse link communication. An embodiment includes estimating capacity on the reverse link based on the sector load. An embodiment includes estimating load contribution based on an estimated signal-to-noise ratio. An embodiment includes estimating capacity available to schedule based on a ratio of measured other-cell interference over thermal noise, and based on sector load. An embodiment includes a method of distributing sector capacity across a base station (BS) and a base station controller (BSC). An embodiment includes determining priority of a station based on the pilot energy over noise plus interference ratio, the soft handoff factor, the fairness value, and the fairness factor α.
US08504043B2 Method, apparatus, and system for voice call fallback to circuit switched domain
A method for voice call fallback to a circuit switched (CS) domain disclosed in the present invention includes: receiving a Service Request message from a calling user equipment (UE), where the Service Request message includes called number information of a voice call in a CS domain, instructing an evolved NodeB (eNB) to initiate circuit switched fallback (CSFB) handover; receiving a Handover Request message from the eNB, where the Handover Request message includes information required for CS handover, selecting a mobile switching center (MSC) and sending a packet switched (PS) to CS Handover Request message to the MSC, where the PS to CS Handover Request message carries information required for the CS handover and a called number so that the MSC calls a called UE. The corresponding apparatuses and systems are also disclosed. The technical solution of the present invention can reduce the connection delay.
US08504041B2 Network elements providing communications with pooled switching centers and related methods
A network element may provide communications with a wireless communications network including a plurality of pooled mobile switching centers coupled to a base station controller so that each of the plurality of pooled mobile switching centers is configured to control communications with respective wireless terminals communicating through the base station controller. Operations of the network element may include transmitting a ping message from the network element to a primary pooled mobile switching center of the plurality of pooled mobile switching centers. Responsive to receipt of a ping response message at the network element from the primary pooled mobile switching center, a communication may be transmitted from the network element to the primary pooled mobile switching center. Responsive to non-receipt of a ping response message at the network element from the primary pooled mobile switching center, the communication may be transmitted from the network element to a secondary pooled mobile switching center of the plurality of pooled mobile switching centers.
US08504034B2 System and method for population tracking, counting, and movement estimation using mobile operational data and/or geographic information in mobile network
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed herein for population tracking, counting and/or movement estimation. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving mobile phone operational data indicative of user equipment location, where the event data includes location area update messages and periodic registration messages; and performing travel estimation based on the mobile phone operation data, including performing interpolation on data associated with one or more individuals in a population to estimate intermediate positions of a trajectory of each of the one or more individuals for a specified time period based on a shortest path mesh sequence estimation algorithm.
US08504026B2 Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method
A radio communication apparatus includes a radio communication unit which searches a connectable radio access network to be connected to at least one radio access network and receives broadcast information of the connected radio access network, and a control unit which connects the radio access network to the first radio access network detected by the search, checks whether or not the broadcast information includes time information, and connects the radio communication unit to a second radio access network detected by the search if the broadcast information does not include the time information.
US08504021B1 Performance scanning and correlation in wireless communication devices
A wireless communication device is disclosed for scanning a preferred roaming list (PRL) in a non-roaming mode. The wireless communication device exchanges wireless communications with a first wireless communication network and monitors communication performance of the first wireless communication network while operating in a non-roaming mode. The wireless communication device processes the PRL to perform scans for a pilot signal from a second wireless communication network while operating in the non-roaming mode. The wireless communication device subsequently performs a time correlation of the communication performance of the first wireless communication network and the scans for the pilot signal of the second wireless communication network to determine that a roaming mode should be entered. The roaming mode is then entered and the wireless communication device exchanges wireless communications with the second wireless communication network while operating in the roaming mode.
US08504014B2 Method for associating communications devices
Methods and systems for enabling at least two parties to create a potential for associating communications devices are provided. In a first case, a first communications device has a first network address and a second communications device has a second network address. A server receives a first input pattern from the first communications device, a second input pattern by the server from the second communications device whereby the second input pattern may be created by the same human operator. Alternatively, the input patterns may be digitized representations of ambient or environmental sound or optical signals. When the server determines that the first input pattern substantively matches the second input pattern, the server issues a reference number and associates the first network address and the second network address with the reference number. The server may then communicatively connect the first device and the second device upon receipt of the reference number.
US08504001B2 Unified settings for multiple account types
Account types that support one or more data classes (e.g., email, contacts, calendar, instant messaging) can be added and configured on a mobile device using a unified settings user interface. The user interface allows the user to easily activate and deactivate one or more data classes for an account type. The user interface can support one or more predefined account types and can allow the user to add and configure new account types. Visual indicators are provided in the user interface to remind the user of the data classes that are active on the mobile device for a particular account. Users can configure settings that effect a particular data class in all accounts on the mobile device. Users can also configure settings that are specific to a particular account.
US08503998B2 Wireless communication terminal and wireless communication method
A wireless communication terminal includes a first wireless communication section configured to wirelessly communicate with a first wireless communication terminal via a base station, a second wireless communication section configured to transmit and receive data to/from a second wireless communication terminal though a short-range wireless communication link, and a controller configured to, while the wireless communication terminal itself is communicating with the first wireless communication terminal, upon detection of the existence of the second communication terminal, create a call request for requesting the second wireless communication terminal to initiate a phone call to the wireless communication terminal itself, further, cause the second wireless communication section to transmit the call request to the second wireless communication terminal, and upon receipt of the phone call which the second wireless communication terminal initiated in response to the call request, transmit a request for switching to a three-party call mode to the base station.
US08503980B2 Providing location-based services in an ad hoc environment
Techniques for implementing a location-based service include obtaining meta-information from a service provider comprising location-based service information, service provider contact information, and service provider authentication information, combining the meta-information into a message and encoding the message into a series of signals to be broadcast for implementing the service over an ad hoc environment, wherein in the environment there exists no pre-existing communication infrastructure and no pre-defined relationship between the service provider and one or more service receivers, broadcasting the series of signals as a message to service receivers in the ad hoc environment, enabling the service receiver to identify potential services using filters based on signal strength, computed distance, and/or service category, and facilitating a communication between the service provider and a service receiver via enabling the receiver to use the contact information to identify the service provider and the authentication information to verify the service provider.
US08503975B2 Determination of non-voice emergency service availability
Determining if non-voice emergency services (NOVES) are available is accomplished via an indicator provided via a control channel and/or via a query to a network entity. For example, a NOVES indicator can be provided, via a control channel message, to a communications device, indicating whether non-voice emergency services (NOVES) are available or not available. Additionally, capabilities of public safety answering points (PSAPs) providing NOVES can be included. For example, the indicator can include information as to whether an identified PSAP can receive a text based emergency message, an emergency message comprising a image, and emergency message comprising audio, and/or an emergency message comprising video. In another example configuration, a communications device can query a communications network to determine the availability of NOVES and PSAP capabilities. A response to the query can include an indication as to whether non-voice services are available, and, if appropriate, the types of NOVES services available.
US08503969B2 Radio receiver power management systems and methods
According to some embodiments, an analog radio receiver circuit is configured alternatively in a full-power mode when the receiver is situated in a cradle and connected to an external power source, and in a power-saving mode when the receiver is not connected to the external power source. In the power-saving mode, a scaled-down power level is supplied to an analog radio signal processing circuit component such as an amplifier, filter, oscillator, or mixer. Scaling down the power supplied to analog circuit components allows reducing their power consumption, at the expense of degraded circuit performance (e.g. increased non-linearity and intermodulation, decreased filter selectivity). Switching between full-power and power-saving modes may be achieved by controlling the connection of internal nodes of the signal processing circuit to a power source, and/or inserting circuit components (e.g. resistors, active devices, filter poles) into the signal processing circuit.
US08503965B2 Programmable RF array
The present disclosure relates to radio frequency integrated circuits. More particularly, systems, devices and methods related to field programmable, software implemented, radio frequency integrated circuits are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a field programmable, software implemented, radio frequency integrated circuit may comprise a high frequency IF embodiment. An input signal may be up converted to a high frequency, such as 60 GHz. Next, the amplitude and/or phase may be adjusted as desired. Subsequently, the signal may be down converted.
US08503963B2 Amplifier with on-chip filter
An integrated circuit for a radio receiver comprising a radio-frequency amplifier and a radio-frequency filter is described. The amplifier receives radio-frequency signals from an antenna, the filter is connected to the amplifier output, and the output of the filter is provided to a processing stage of the receiver. The amplifier comprises an amplifying stage controlled by a radio-frequency input signal and a signal fed back from the filter. The amplifier input impedance is substantially matched to the antenna impedance at a frequency band of interest. The signal fed back from the filter providing attenuation of signals outside the frequency band of interest at the amplifier input. The filter comprises one or more filter components. A filter component comprises a first input and a second input for receiving the amplifier output, a first switch arranged to selectively connect the first input to a first impedance, a second switch arranged to selectively connect the first input to a second impedance, a third switch arranged to selectively connect the second input to the first impedance, and a fourth switch arranged to selectively connect the second input to the second impedance. The first and fourth switches are controlled by a first oscillator signal and the second and third switches are controlled by a second oscillator signal that is 180° out of phase with the first oscillator signal.
US08503959B2 Mobile wireless communications device with diversity wireless local area network (LAN) antenna and related methods
A mobile wireless LAN communications device may include a portable, handheld housing, and a wireless LAN transceiver carried by the housing. A polarization diversity wireless LAN antenna may be included for cooperating with the wireless LAN transceiver to communicate over a wireless LAN. The polarization diversity wireless LAN antenna may include a first antenna element coupled to the wireless LAN transceiver having a first shape and a first polarization, and a second antenna element coupled to the wireless LAN transceiver having a second shape different from the first shape. The second antenna element may also have a second polarization different from the first polarization.
US08503958B2 Signal processor and method for processing a receiving signal
A signal processor for processing a receiving signal having a first usable frequency band and a second usable frequency band includes a first mixer for mixing the receiving signal with a first local oscillator signal, wherein a frequency of the first local oscillator signal is asymmetrical between the first usable frequency band and the second usable frequency band. The first mixer is implemented to obtain an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal, having a first signal portion representing a mixed image of the first usable frequency band, and having a second signal portion representing a mixed image of the second usable frequency band. The signal processor comprises a second mixer) for mixing the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal by using the second local oscillator signal. A frequency of the second local oscillator signal is selected such that the mixed image of the first usable frequency band and the mixed image of the second usable frequency band are at least partly image bands of each other with regard to the second local oscillator signal. The second mixer is implemented to separately provide information content of the first usable frequency band and the second usable frequency band at its output, for obtaining a first output signal, which substantially comprises information content of the first usable frequency band, and for obtaining a second output signal which substantially comprises information content of the second usable frequency band.
US08503953B2 Quadrature power amplifier architecture
The present disclosure relates to a quadrature RF power amplifier (PA) architecture that uses a single-ended interface to couple a non-quadrature PA path to a quadrature PA path, which may be coupled to an antenna via an antenna port. The quadrature nature of the quadrature PA path provides tolerance for changes in antenna loading conditions. An RF splitter in the quadrature PA path presents a relatively stable input impedance, which is predominantly resistive, to the non-quadrature PA path over a wide frequency range, thereby substantially isolating the non-quadrature PA path from changes in the antenna loading conditions. Further, the input impedance substantially establishes a load line slope of a feeder PA stage in the non-quadrature PA path, thereby simplifying the quadrature RF PA architecture. One embodiment of the quadrature RF PA architecture uses two separate PA paths, either of which may incorporate a combined non-quadrature and quadrature PA architecture.
US08503948B1 Mobile phone interconnect to telephone
An interface for connects a mobile phone and a plain old telephone service (POTS) phone. The interface detects a ring tone from a speaker output of the mobile phone and in response places a POTS ring signal on a ring line of the POTS phone. The connector also connects and then disconnects a microphone input of the mobile phone and a ground input of the mobile phone when a user activates the POTS phone in response to the ring signal on the ring line of the POTS phone.
US08503941B2 System and method for optimized unmanned vehicle communication using telemetry
In one embodiment a communications system includes an unmanned vehicle and a communications station located remote from the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle has a first wireless communications system and a first directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the remote communications station. A first antenna control system tracks the remote communications station and aims the first directional antenna, in real time, at the remote communications station during wireless communications with the remote communications station. The remote communications station has a second wireless communications system having a second directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the unmanned vehicle. A second antenna control system of the remote communications station tracks the unmanned vehicle and aims the second directional antenna at the unmanned vehicle, in real time, during wireless communications with the unmanned vehicle.
US08503939B2 Method for handling communication between a user equipment and a radio network controller and program for controlling a radio network controller
A method for handling communication between a user equipment and a radio network controller of an UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) radio access network includes: providing a transmission instruction by the radio network controller for redirecting the user equipment to a target carrier frequency, the target carrier frequency being an allowed frequency of a local access radio network; evaluating if the target carrier frequency is interfered by the local access radio network near the user equipment; and preventing a redirection of the user equipment to the target carrier frequency by the radio network controller for a certain time period, if the target carrier frequency is interfered by the local access network near the user equipment.
US08503937B2 Method and system for selecting, transmitting, and receiving an unused carrier frequency and transmitting over the unused carrier frequency
Some embodiments concern a method of transmitting electrical signals. The method can include: using a global positioning satellite receiver to determine a first location of a first electrical device; using a first transmitter to transmit the first location to a first server; using a receiver to receive information identifying at least one first unused frequency at the first location from the first server; selecting a first transmission frequency from the at least one first unused frequency; and communicating the first transmission frequency to a user. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.
US08503934B2 Multi-mode communications system
A communications device includes a first radio (106, 300) configured to support wireless communications with a second radio (104) using a plurality of communications modes. The device includes a switch element (118, 326) configured to cause the first radio to transmit when actuated. The device also includes a control element (306, 324) for detecting one or more actuations of the switch element and configured to select a one of the plurality of communications modes based on a sequence of the actuations of the switch element detected by the control element during a pre-defined time interval and to cause a wireless transmission from the first radio to the second radio according to the one of the plurality of communications modes.
US08503928B2 Method and system for beamforming training and communications apparatuses utilizing the same
A communications system including communications devices is provided. A communications device, a trainer, generates at least one concatenated training sequence, transmits the at least one concatenated training sequence, and receives one or more response messages describing corresponding channel characteristics from at least one of the rest of the plurality of communications devices. One or more of the rest of the plurality of communications devices, trainees, each receives the at least one concatenated training sequence, determines channel characteristics between the trainer and a trainee according to the at least one received concatenated training sequence, embeds channel characteristics information to generate at least one of the response messages, and transmits the response message.
US08503926B2 IQ imbalance compensation in interference cancellation repeater using a zero-IF radio architecture
An interference cancellation repeater employing zero-IF or direct conversion radio architecture implements IQ imbalance compensation using a metric and an adaptive algorithm. The metric is based on the image rejection ratio of the repeater and is indicative of the level of spectral image caused by the repeater's receiver or transmitter IQ imbalance.
US08503919B2 Image forming apparatus for controlling image clarity using clear toner
There is provided an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming unit which forms a chromatic toner image and a clear toner image on a recording material, and a fixing unit which fixes these toner images on the recording material, the image forming apparatus including a specifying unit, into which a level of image clarity and a level of gloss including a glossiness of an image are input for image formation; and a control unit that controls an adhesion amount of clear toner per unit area on the recording material based on input information on the image specified by the specifying unit.
US08503909B2 Image forming apparatus
An color image forming apparatus 1 has photosensitive units 5 and developing units 6 that can be drawn out of an apparatus main body along a direction of a photosensitive drum 15 and has an intermediate transfer unit 7 that can be drawn out of the apparatus main body along a moving direction of an intermediate transfer belt 10. The color image forming apparatus 1 includes a pressing release mechanism 41 that releases pressing against the photosensitive drum 15 by a primary transfer roller 8 in conjunction with an operation required at a time of drawing out any of the photosensitive unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the intermediate transfer unit 7.
US08503904B2 Developing device, imaging unit and image forming apparatus
A developing device develops a latent image on an image carrier by using a developer. The device includes a developer carrier that faces the image carrier and is configured to rotate while magnetically holding developer on its outer circumferential surface. The device also includes a magnetic member elongated along a rotational direction of the developer carrier to form a gap that surrounds the outer circumferential surface. The magnetic member overlaps an end of a developing region in a direction of a rotational axis of the developer carrier, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis. When a side of the magnetic member close to a center of the developer carrier is divided into first and second sides and located downstream and upstream in the rotational direction, respectively, the first side is set back further from the center than a position where the first and second sides meet.
US08503901B2 Image forming apparatus with a toner contamination detecting device
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a latent image forming device; a developing device; an electrode which faces to the image carrier; an electric power source, a toner contamination detecting device for detecting toner contamination onto the electrode; an electrode cleaning device for cleaning the electrode; and a controlling section. The control section controls the electric power source to apply at least an alternating current voltage to the electrode so that toner image is rearranged by reciprocally moving toner of the toner image between the image carrier and the electrode control section and allows the electrode cleaning device to clean the electrode when the toner contamination detecting device detects toner contamination on the electrode, and performs the toner rearrangement by the electrode from which the toner contamination is removed.
US08503898B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device including a rotatable fixing member to fix a toner image on a recording medium, a pressing member to press against the fixing member to form a nip portion therebetween, through which the recording medium passes, and a nip pressure applying mechanism that movably supports the pressing member. The nip pressure applying mechanism presses the pressing member against the fixing member at a predetermined nip pressure during a fixing operation, and draws the pressing member away from the fixing member for a predetermined distance before the fixing operation. The predetermined distance is set depending on a condition for the fixing operation.
US08503894B2 Fixing apparatus, printing apparatus, and computer readable medium storing a program for detecting twine
The present invention provides a fixing apparatus including: a pair of rotating bodies that transports a recording medium on which an image is formed by using an image forming material, by sandwiching the recording medium; a heating section that heats at least one of the pair of rotating bodies; a moving section that moves the pair of rotating bodies between a position at which they mutually contact and a position at which they are mutually separated; a temperature detecting section that detects a surface temperature of at least one of the pair of rotating bodies without contacting the rotating bodies; and a twine generation determining section that determines whether the recording medium has twined around either one of the pair of rotating bodies based on a rate of temperature increase after a temperature decrease of the surface temperature detected by the temperature detecting section.
US08503890B2 Signal processing device and method, and infrared multi-channel receiver
A signal processing device includes an amplifier, a filter module, a demodulation module and a band control module. When the band control module controls the filter module to output a specific single-channel signal, the resonator of the demodulator is switched to resonate the selected single-channel signal. Then the selected single-channel signal is demodulated. A signal processing method and an infrared multi-channel receiver are also described herein.
US08503889B2 Filter-based DPSK receiver
A filter-based method of demodulating differentially encoded phase shift keyed (DPSK) optical signals, such as commonly used binary-DPSK (DBDPSK) and quadrature DPSK (DQPSK) signals, that can achieve optimal receiver sensitivity is described. This approach, which combines filtering and differential phase comparison, can reduce the complexity and cost of DPSK receivers by obviating delay-line interferometer-based demodulation. This can improve receiver stability and reduce size, weight, and power, while maintaining the ability to achieve optimal communications performance.
US08503888B2 Optical communication module and optical communication device
An optical communication module and an optical communication device including the same are provided. For example, a first semiconductor chip on which a laser diode is formed and a second semiconductor chip on which a laser diode driver circuit, etc. for subjecting the laser diode to drive by current are formed are mounted on a package printed circuit board to be close to each other. Temperature detecting means is further formed on the second semiconductor chip (laser diode driver circuit, etc.). The temperature detecting means detects a temperature variation ΔT of the first semiconductor chip (laser diode) transmitted via a wiring in the package printed circuit board and controls the magnitude of the driving current of the laser diode driver circuit based on a detection result.
US08503881B1 Systems for extending WDM transmission into the O-band
Method, apparatus and systems for a wavelength division multiplexing system operating at O-Band. The system includes a transmitter for wavelength division multiplexing digital O-band optical channels into a multiplexed optical signal, amplifying and transmitting the multiplexed optical signal, a fiber transmission span using constant intensity modulation and semiconductor optical amplification, and a receiver for receiving and amplifying the transmitted multiplexed optical signal and restoring the individual digital O-band optical signals. In an embodiment, the transmission span is a single mode fiber transmission span and in another embodiment includes an optical amplifier module coupled into the fiber transmission span. In another embodiment, the transmission span includes a length of O-band dispersion compensating fiber to reduce four-wave mixing. In another embodiment the system uses wavelength division multiplexing in combination with polarization interleaving. In another embodiment, the wavelength division multiplexing system operates at both O-Band and C-Band.
US08503879B2 Hybrid optical/electrical switching system for data center networks
In one aspect, a system includes one or more electrical switches to transfer data in a data network; one or more optical switching groups coupled to each electrical switch, each switching group having one or more server racks, each server rack coupled to a top of rack (TOR) switch and an optical transceiver coupled to the TOR switch; and an optical switching unit (OSU) coupled to the one or more optical switching groups.
US08503877B2 Imaging device housing
A main body component of a video camera includes a main frame. The main frame has a upper wall and a lower wall. The upper wall has an upper wall main body disposed opposite the lower wall, and projections that protrude from the upper wall main body on the opposite side from the lower wall. The rear wall is molded integrally with the upper wall and the lower wall, and links the upper wall and the lower wall.
US08503876B2 Viewer accessory for camera
A camera viewfinder viewer accessory includes an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. A connector for mounting the body portion to a camera viewfinder is located on a side of the body portion and adjacent to the first end. The body portion longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the camera viewfinder in a mounted disposition. An end assembly is connected to the body portion second end and is rotatable about the body portion longitudinal axis. A viewer assembly is connected to a side of the end assembly and has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the body portion longitudinal axis. The viewer assembly extends away from the end assembly and terminates at an eyepiece. The viewer accessory directs an image from the camera viewfinder into the viewer assembly, to be viewed through the eyepiece in any rotatable disposition of the end assembly.
US08503862B2 Systems and methods for identifying scenes in a video to be edited and for performing playback
Various embodiments described herein provide users with a fast and efficient way for identifying scenes for editing purposes. At least one embodiment is a method for editing video. The method comprises receiving a video with scenes to be edited, receiving a scene selection for editing, and partitioning the selected scene into subscenes based on the presence of subtitles, audio analysis, or a combination of both. The method further comprises identifying subscenes of interest, receiving editing commands for the subscenes of interest, and associating the editing commands with the video for future playback, wherein the video is left unmodified.
US08503854B2 Playback apparatus and method of controlling the same
In a video playback apparatus that is capable of communicating with a printing device, if an event of which notification is to be given has occurs in the printing device, a situation in which viewing by the user is impeded by the notification and a situation in which unnecessary video is recorded are suppressed. If an error occurs in the printing device, the type of display information prevailing when the error is detected is discriminated (S34). In case of a moving-picture program broadcast, an error message is displayed and the display information starts being stored (S35), thereby making it possible to resume viewing after error recovery. On the hand, in the case of a still picture or other type of display information, an error message is displayed (S310) without storing display information, thereby suppressing unnecessary recording of display information.
US08503850B2 Hybrid connector tool for integrated cleaving
A hybrid optical fiber connector tool is capable of cleaving an optical fiber inserted into the connector tool. The connector tool includes an inner housing, an outer housing that is rotatable with respect to the inner housing, and an optical fiber cutting component. The connector tool is useful for connecting and cutting optical fiber in the field.
US08503841B2 Device for coupling an optical fiber and a nanophotonic component
The invention relates to a device for coupling an optical fiber and a nanophotonic component formed on a first substrate, wherein the device comprises: an intermediate component formed on a second substrate including a first wave guide adapted for receiving light from the optical fiber and for transmitting the same to a first diffraction grating independently from the polarization of the incident light; second and third diffraction gratings formed on the first substrate and coupled to the nanophotonic component, the first diffraction grating being adapted to provide the first and second light beams respectively towards the second diffraction grating and the third diffraction grating, the first and second beams having perpendicular polarizations.
US08503836B2 Wavelength domain optical switch
To provide a waveguide type wavelength domain optical switch which makes it possible to use a cheap lens, makes it possible to correct aberration of the demultiplexed wavelengths produced in a plurality of waveguide type demultiplexing circuits, a wavelength domain optical switch is provided with: an integrated element formed by laminating three or more waveguide type demultiplexing circuits; a first lens for collecting light emitted from the integrated element; a polarization separation element for separating light emitted from the first lens into X polarization and Y polarization and emitting the X polarization and the Y polarization at different angles; a second lens for collecting the X polarization and the Y polarization; a first reflective optical phase modulator for reflecting the collected X polarization and Y polarization at any angles; a ½-wavelength plate disposed between the second lens and the first reflective optical phase modulator in order to make polarization directions of the X polarization and the Y polarization identical; and a second reflective optical phase modulator for inputting light from the first reflective optical phase modulator into one of the waveguide type demultiplexing circuits.
US08503828B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and computer program for performing super resolution
An image processing device for super resolution is disclosed. The device comprises an upsampling section, a motion compensated image generating section, a blend processing section and an output image generating section wherein filtering processing necessary for generating a difference information is performed twice or less, so that miniaturization of the device and an improvement in processing efficiency are achieved.
US08503827B2 Apparatus and method for decoding image data
An image processing device includes: a controller configured to receive information for displaying at least a portion of an image, and in response thereto to generate a scale ratio K for scaling compressed image data corresponding to the image; a partial image decoder configured to receive the compressed image data and the scale ratio and in response thereto to decode and scale the compressed image data by the scale ratio K and to output a portion of the decoded and scaled image data, wherein the portion corresponds to an area of the image to be displayed on a display device; a frame buffer configured to store the portion of the decoded and scaled image data output by the partial image decoder; and a video processor configured to receive the data from the frame buffer and to further scale the data for display on the display device.
US08503792B2 Patch description and modeling for image subscene recognition
A method and apparatus is described that categorizes images by extracting regions and describing the regions with a set of 15-dimensional image patch feature vectors, which are concatenations of color and texture feature vectors. By comparing the image patch feature vectors in images with similarly-obtained image patch vectors in a Gaussian mixture based model pool (obtained in an image patch modeling phase), the images may be categorized (in an image patch recognition phase) with probabilities relating to each image patch. Higher probabilities are likelier correlations. The device may be a single or multiple core CPU, or parallelized vector processor for characterizing many images. The images may be photographs, videos, or video stills, without restriction. When used real-time, the method may be used for visual searching or sorting.
US08503787B2 Object information derived from object images
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.
US08503785B2 Dynamic response bubble attribute compensation
Image data of a response form is processed. The response form has a plurality of response bubbles, including at least one filled and at least one unfilled response bubble. One or more baseline response bubble attributes for unfilled response bubbles are provided in a memory. Image data of a response form is processed to determine one or more response bubbles that are unfilled. One or more actual response bubble attributes of the one or more unfilled response bubbles is then calculated. A difference metric value is then calculated by comparing the one or more baseline response bubble attributes to the one or more actual response bubble attributes. The one or more baseline response bubble attributes are reset to a new set of one or more baseline response bubble attributes if the difference metric value exceeds a predetermined threshold. The one or more baseline response bubble attributes are maintained at their present value if the difference metric value does not exceed the predetermined threshold. The image data of the response form is then processed using either the reset or maintained one or more baseline response bubble attributes to determine the filled and unfilled response bubbles of the response form.
US08503783B2 Optimization of multi-label problems in computer vision
A method of labeling pixels in an image is described where the pixel label is selected from a set of three or more labels. The pixel labeling problem is reduced to a sequence of binary optimizations by representing the label value for each pixel as a binary word and then optimizing the value of each bit within the word, starting with the most significant bit. Data which has been learned from one or more training images is used in the optimization to provide information about the less significant bits within the word.
US08503774B2 Apparatus, method and computer readable medium for performing solid-line conversion from lines having breaks
An image processing apparatus includes an image receiving section, a succession value image generating section and a solid converting section. The image receiving section receives an image contains a line having breaks. The succession value image generating section generates a succession value image having as a pixel value the number of times of succession of black or white pixels in the image received by the image receiving section. The solid-line converting section, based on the succession value image generated by the succession value image generating section, performs solid-line conversion in which the line having breaks is changed into a solid line.
US08503769B2 Matching text to images
Text in web pages or other text documents may be classified based on the images or other objects within the webpage. A system for identifying and classifying text related to an object may identify one or more web pages containing the image or similar images, determine topics from the text of the document, and develop a set of training phrases for a classifier. The classifier may be trained and then used to analyze the text in the documents. The training set may include both positive examples and negative examples of text taken from the set of documents. A positive example may include captions or other elements directly associated with the object, while negative examples may include text taken from the documents, but from a large distance from the object. In some cases, the system may iterate on the classification process to refine the results.
US08503767B2 Textual attribute-based image categorization and search
Techniques and systems for providing textual attribute-based image categorization and search are disclosed herein. In some aspects, images may be analyzed to identify a category of an image, or portion thereof. Additional textual attributes may be identified and associated with the image. In various aspects, the categories may be types of sky sceneries. Categorized images may be searched based on the categories and/or attributes. In further aspects, a user interface may provide an intuitive arrangement of the images for user navigation and selection. The user interface may also provide a simplified presentation and search of the categorized images. Images selected from user interface may be used to replace or modify features of an existing target image.
US08503765B2 Method and apparatus for correcting errors in stereo images
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for correcting errors in stereo images. The apparatus for correcting errors in stereo images according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a space histogram generation unit generating space histogram information using the depth map information on the input image data; a peak frequency generation unit generating a peak frequency using the 2D image data of the input image data; an object analysis unit determining the error in each frame of the input image data on the basis of the space histogram and peak frequency; a depth map error correction unit correcting the depth map information to reduce the error; and a rendering processing unit generating left and right eye images, which are stereo images, by using the corrected depth map information.
US08503764B2 Method for generating images of multi-views
The present invention provides a method for generating images of multi-views. The method includes obtaining a 2D original image of an article and background figures of multi-views; calculating the background image range and the main body image range of the 2D original image of the article; cutting the main body image out; generating a depth model according to an equation; cutting the depth model according to the main body image range of the cut 2D image of the article; shifting every pixel in the main body image of the 2D original image of the article according to the cut depth model to obtain shifted main body images of multi-views; and synthesizing the shifted main body images of multi-views and the background figures of multi-views to obtain the final images of multi-views for 3D image reconstruction.
US08503759B2 Methods, devices, and systems useful in registration
Methods, devices, and systems for use in accomplishing registration of a patient to a robot to facilitate image guided surgical procedures, such as stereotactic procedures.
US08503753B2 System and method for triangular interpolation in image reconstruction for PET
A method of interpolating positron emission tomography (PET) data for reconstructing a PET image, including acquiring PET event data, which was obtained by scanning an object using a PET scanner; generating a two-dimensional line-of-response (LOR) sinogram from the acquired PET event data; determining a plurality of triangles connecting sampling points within the LOR sinogram, wherein adjacent sampling points are connected horizontally row-by-row within the LOR sinogram to determine the plurality of triangles; and determining a uniformly sampled sinogram from the LOR sinogram using the determined plurality of triangles.
US08503752B2 Correction of distortions in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging
In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for correction of image distortions that occur in acquisition of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images of an examination subject, a reference image is acquired without diffusion weighting, a first diffusion-weighted image is acquired for a diffusion direction, a second diffusion-weighted image is acquired for the same diffusion direction, with a different diffusion weighting or a different diffusion gradient polarity than the first diffusion-weighted image. The first diffusion-weighted image is deskewed with a first set of deskewing parameters, and the second diffusion-weighted image is deskewed with a second set of deskewing parameters. The deskewing parameters are correlated and determined by simultaneous minimization of differences between the deskewed first image and the reference image and differentiation between the deskewed second image and the reference image.
US08503744B2 Dynamic method and system for representing a three dimensional object navigated from within
A system and method for presenting a navigable view of a virtual model of a three dimensional object comprising a virtual three dimensional topographic framework and at least one visual representation of an internal region of the object imaged within a sample of the object. The visual representation is superimposed upon a view of the three dimensional topographic framework at a location corresponding to the internal region of the sample. In preferred embodiments, the three dimensional object comprises an anatomical specimen.
US08503739B2 System and method for using contextual features to improve face recognition in digital images
Various embodiments of a system and methods for using contextual features to improve face recognition in digital images are described. A face recognition system may semi-automatically label faces and/or search for faces in images. Faces may be detected in the images and visual and non-visual features may be determined for each face. The determined features may be facial and/or contextual features. Features may also be determined from labels assigned to the faces. Pair-wise comparisons of the faces, using the determined features, may determine distances between pairs of faces. Some features may be used to determine the relevance of other features. Dependent on the calculated distances, similar faces may be grouped and suggested labels for faces may be provided. The system may be scalable, processing faces in groups to limit the use of system resources to a certain amount, regardless of the size of a digital image collection.
US08503733B2 Show-through measurement system and method for inks on media
Systems and methods of measuring an amount of show-through in a printed document are disclosed. The systems and methods include an imaging device that scans a back side of the printed document and scans a front side of the printed document with a blank document disposed thereon. The imaging device produces bitmaps related to the scans and calculates bit depths associated with the bitmaps. A difference array is calculated based on the differences between the bitmaps of the back side and front side scans, and the average value and standard deviation of the difference array is calculated. The amount of show-through of the document is measured based on a formula with the calculated average and standard deviation.
US08503728B2 Road marking image processing device, road marking image processing method, and program
To provide a road marking image processing device which performs highly accurate road marking recognition by creating a high-quality synthesized bird's-eye image that has no influence from the camera parameter error and noise such as the reflection light from the road surface, lens extraneous matter, shadow of the own vehicle, and the like. A new synthesized range identifying module creates a bird's-eye image of only an area not contained in a synthesized bird's-eye image created based on the road images up to the one captured previously from the current road image. An image synthesizing module synthesizes the bird's-eye image and the synthesized bird's-eye image created based on the road images up to the one captured previously to create a new synthesized bird's-eye image.
US08503721B2 Image judgment device
An image judgment device stores element characteristic information for each element of a characteristic part of a sample object and first and second positional information defining a position of each element, selects the first or the second positional information, and acquires image characteristic information for a partial image in an image frame considered as an element specified by the first positional information based on a first axis. The image judgment device also extracts image characteristic information for a partial image in an image frame considered as an element specified by the second positional information based on a second axis (which is acquired by rotating the first axis), specifies element characteristic information for an element corresponding to a position of the partial image, and judges whether the characteristic part appears in the image frame with use of the specified element characteristic information and the extracted image characteristic information.
US08503708B2 Hearing assistance device with programmable direct audio input port
Apparatus and methods to detect signals connected to a direct audio input port of a hearing assistance device are provided. According to one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a processor and a direct audio input (DAI) port including a signal line connected to the processor. The DAI port is configured to connect to an external device, and the processor is programmed to detect audio signals of interest on the signal line and to process the audio signals of interest when detected as programmed.
US08503696B2 Equalizer interface for electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus such as an audio apparatus, television signal receiver, or other apparatus provides an equalizer interface that enables equalizer settings to be adjusted via acoustic user feedback. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic apparatus includes a sound generator for generating a first tone for a first frequency band. A processor enables a user to adjust a first volume level of the first tone. A memory stores the first volume level for the first frequency band. A volume controller applies the first volume level to output signals in the first frequency band.
US08503689B2 Integrated monophonic headset having wireless connectability to audio source
A wireless monophonic headset device has one ear piece, a control box, and a cable in between. The ear piece comprises a speaker and a battery. The control box includes circuitry including a short-range radio transceiver and a codec. The ear piece battery is connected to supply power to the control box circuitry by means of the cable.
US08503687B2 System identification device and system identification method
The system identifying device preferably includes adaptive and dependent filters which receive a signal supplied through a first input terminal, a dependent filter factor updating unit for updating the filter factor of the dependent filter according to the filter factor of the adaptive filter, a first subtracter for subtracting the output signal outputted from the adaptive filter from the signal supplied through a second input terminal, a first output error mean computing section for computing a first output error mean from the output signal outputted from the first subtracter, a second subtracter for subtracting the output signal outputted from the dependent filter from the signal supplied through the second input terminal, a second output error mean computing section for computing a second output error mean from the output signal outputted from the second subtracter, and a compactor for comparing the first and second output error means.
US08503686B2 Vibration sensor and acoustic voice activity detection system (VADS) for use with electronic systems
A voice activity detector (VAD) combines the use of an acoustic VAD and a vibration sensor VAD as appropriate to the conditions a host device is operated. The VAD includes a first detector receiving a first signal and a second detector receiving a second signal. The VAD includes a first VAD component coupled to the first and second detectors. The first VAD component determines that the first signal corresponds to voiced speech when energy resulting from at least one operation on the first signal exceeds a first threshold. The VAD includes a second VAD component coupled to the second detector. The second VAD component determines that the second signal corresponds to voiced speech when a ratio of a second parameter corresponding to the second signal and a first parameter corresponding to the first signal exceeds a second threshold.
US08503684B2 Multi-channel audio signal decoding method and device
A multi-channel audio signal decoding method and device is provided. The multi-channel audio signal decoding method includes receiving a first multi-channel audio signal; performing a first decoding procedure on the first multi-channel audio signal to generate a second multi-channel audio signal; performing a second decoding procedure on a first single-channel audio data of the second multi-channel audio signal to generate a first single-channel audio signal when the first single-channel audio data belongs to a first classification; and performing a third decoding procedure on a second single-channel audio data of the second multi-channel audio signal to generate a second single-channel audio signal when the second single-channel audio data belongs to a second classification. The number of instructions of the third decoding procedure is less than that of the second decoding procedure.
US08503681B1 Method and system to securely transport data encryption keys
A method and system to transport encrypted keys among the participants of a real time communications session are provided. The system may include a message detector, a carrier packet detector and a decrypting module. The message detector may be configured to receive, at a target device, a first communication from a source device. The first communication may comprise a first message. The carrier packet detector may be configured to receive, at a target device, a second communication from a source device. The second communication may comprise a first encrypted key to decode the first message. The decrypting module may be configured to decode the message, utilizing the first encrypted key.
US08503678B2 Suppressing power supply noise using data scrambling in double data rate memory systems
Embodiments are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for suppressing power supply noise using data scrambling in double data rate memory systems. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes a transmit data path to transmit data to one or more memory devices. The transmit data path may include scrambling logic to generate, in parallel, N pseudo random outputs that are uncorrelated with each other. The output data and the pseudo random outputs are input to XOR logic. The transmit data path transmits the output the of XOR logic which has a substantially white frequency spectrum. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08503669B2 Integrated latency detection and echo cancellation
In an audio system having a microphone, a speaker coupled to a source of audio output, and an echo canceller coupled to the speaker and microphone, latency between the source of audio output and the speaker may be compensated in echo cancellation performed by the echo canceller. The echo canceller may use a reference signal derived from a signal from the source of audio output in echo cancellation. The latency may be compensated by measuring the latency between the signal from the source of audio output and the speaker, determining a delay amount from the latency, delaying the reference signal by the delay amount to produce a delayed reference signal, and using the delayed reference signal as the reference signal in the echo canceller.
US08503668B2 Provision of telecommunication services
An apparatus (100), network and a method for switching-in and switching-off telecommunications or data services in a telecommunications or data network to a plurality of subscribers (102, 120, 122), the apparatus (100) comprising a first distribution matrix (104) connected to a crossover matrix (108) and a second distribution matrix (106) connected to said crossover matrix (108), wherein the crossover matrix (108) is adapted to be connected to a main cable (110) and to a distribution cable (112) and crossover switching elements for switching of connections within said crossover matrix (108) and distribution switching elements for switching of connections within said distribution matrices (104, 106) are controlled from a remote location, wherein the first distribution matrix (104) and the second distribution matrix (106) are adapted to be connected to a node for providing plurality of telecommunications or data services (114).
US08503636B1 Systems and methods for blocking an outgoing request associated with an outgoing telephone number
A computer-implemented method to block an outgoing request associated with an outgoing telephone number is described. A device is monitored for an outgoing request associated with an outgoing telephone number. The outgoing request is intercepted. The outgoing telephone number associated with the outgoing request is extracted. Upon determining that the extracted outgoing telephone number matches a telephone number stored in a database, the outgoing request is blocked.
US08503630B2 Scalable and flexible internet fax architecture
Methods and systems for processing inbound fax messages in an efficient and scalable manner are provided. According to one embodiment, an inbound fax call is received at a telecommunications system of an Internet fax system. The inbound fax call includes a source and destination address and a fax signal. The inbound fax call is switched to a call mediation system, which determines desired technical call processing capabilities for processing the fax signal. A subset of fax processing resources that have the desired technical call processing capabilities are identified from among multiple fax processing resources associated with the call mediation system. The inbound fax call is switched to a selected fax processing resource of the identified subset. The fax signal is translated by the selected fax processing resource into a digital representation. And, the digital representation is made available to one or more users associated with the particular subscriber.
US08503627B2 Communication device, method of operating the same, and communication system
A communication device includes a call unit, a transmitter, a network transmission unit and a display unit. The call unit can generate a call request based on a phone number of a phone device of a called party. The transmitter can send the call request to the phone device. The network transmission unit is responsive to the call request for acquiring current status information of the called party from at least one social network server through Internet. The display unit can render the current status information.
US08503626B2 System and method for promoting corporate initiatives
A system and method may include storing a set of messages associated with a corporate initiative. A network address of a telephone associated with at least one member of a group of individuals may be identified. A message may be selected from the set of messages for displaying on an electronic display of the telephone. The message may be communicated to the network address for display on the electronic display of the telephone. By displaying the message on the telephone, an employee may be reminded of the message so as to not forget a particular corporate initiative idea.
US08503625B2 Managing packet-based voicemail messages
Aspects of present invention provide a method, computer-readable medium, and system for saving and modifying a draft voicemail message. More specifically, a caller may create a draft voicemail message that is saved without being transmitted to a callee. Then the caller may access the draft voicemail message and generate events to modify the message. More specifically, when a modification event is generated, event data that describes the modification to the voicemail message requested by the caller is received. Then, the data included with the voicemail message is updated to reflect the input received from the caller.
US08503621B2 Secure voice communication channel for confidential messaging
A unified messaging system includes a unit to store a message operable to store a message sent to a user, the message having a selectable security attribute set to a one of a plurality of levels. A module associated with the unit operates to secure a voice channel used by the user to listen to the message when the selectable security level is set to a high level indicating encryption. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08503611B2 X-ray topography apparatus
An x-ray topography apparatus in which x-rays diffracted from a sample which is scanned with a linear x-ray are detected by an x-ray detector to obtain a planar diffraction image. In this x-ray topography apparatus, the x-ray detector is an imaging plate shaped as a cylinder and provided with a surface area that is larger than the sample, and the imaging plate is made to undergo α-rotation about the center axis of the cylindrical shape in coordination with scanning movement of the linear x-rays. The center axis of the cylindrical shape extends in a direction at a right angle with respect to the direction of the scanning movement of the linear x-rays.
US08503609B2 Methods and devices for detecting, controlling, and predicting radiation delivery
Embodiments provide method and systems for determining alignment of a patient's body part, such as an eye, in an external coordinate system of a treatment or diagnostic device, such as a radiotherapy device, so as to define a reference axis for guiding device operation. Additional embodiments provide image-based methods and systems for aligning, tracking and monitoring motion of a body part and a treatment target in relation to a radiation beam axis. Particular ophthalmic embodiments provide method and systems including an eye-contact guide device and imaging system for aligning and tracking motion of an eye and ocular treatment target in relation to an orthovoltage X-ray beam axis, so as to monitor application of radiation to a lesion, such as a macular lesion of the retina. Particular methods for controlling radiation in response to motion of the target during treatment are described, such as algorithms for gating or interrupting radiation emission, both to ensure treatment goals and to avoid exposure to sensitive structures.
US08503605B2 Four sided imaging system and method for detection of contraband
The present invention provides a four-sided scanning system for vehicles that uses a combination of backscatter and transmission based X-ray imaging to achieve material discrimination. In one embodiment, the system is designed as a mobile, drive-through system, which can be folded and stowed in a truck and can be conveniently deployed at any place when required.
US08503593B2 Waveform generator in a multi-chip system
In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) system includes a receiver IC configured to receive a first clock signal and includes a feedback circuit configured to provide a feedback signal to a driver IC. The IC system also includes the driver IC configured to receive a second clock signal and includes a waveform generator configured to provide synthesized waveforms from DC to K-band, a serializer/deserializer (SERDES) to receive data from the waveform generator and to provide the signal to the receiver IC and a phase selection circuit to provide a phase selection signal to the first integrated circuit based on the feedback signal. The phase selection signal calibrates the signal from the SERDES and provides phase correction to the SERDES.
US08503578B2 Time delay measurement
A method of processing first and second corresponding signals having a delay therebetween. The method includes introducing a plurality of different delays between the first and second signals, successive delay amounts differing from each other by less than the interval between chip boundaries, and for each introduced delay, summing samples of the second signal which are obtained at the times of, at least, chip boundaries between bits of the first signal which have the same state, to obtain a value; thereby to obtain a representation of how the value varies according to the introduced delay, which representation contains a level change associated with an introduced delay which bears a predetermined relationship to the delay between the first and second signals.
US08503576B2 Mirror signal IQ-imbalance correction
A system and method are provided for calibrating the IQ-imbalance in a low-IF receiver. A Test Signal can be generated in a mirror frequency and conveyed to the receiver. The power of the signal produced in the receiver from the conveyed Test Signal can be measured. In the absence of an IQ-imbalance, the Test Signal can be completely eliminated in the receiver and the corresponding measured power of the produced signal can be minimized. Accordingly, a two dimensional algorithm is described for calibrating a receiver and correcting the IQ-imbalance by adjusting the phase and gain difference between the I and Q channels in the receiver based on the measured power of the signal produced in the receiver.
US08503573B2 Bits-to-symbol mapping method for 4+12+16 APSK modulation
Disclosed is a bits-to-symbol mapping method of 4+12+16 amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) having excellent performance against the non-linearity of a high power amplifier. According to the present invention A bits-to-symbol mapping method of 4+12+16 APSK modulation, comprising: representing 32 symbols of the 4+12+16 APSK modulation by a polar coordinate and arranging the 32 symbols by a size of θ while giving priority to a symbol having a small signal size when the size of θ of two or more symbols are same; grouping the arranged 32 symbols into 4 groups according to quadrant regions where the symbols are located; and allocating bits so that the same bits are allocated to the symbols belonging to the same region for each region with respect to each of the first to fifth bits of the symbols grouped into four regions.
US08503572B2 Antenna virtualization in a wireless communication environment
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate performing antenna virtualization in a wireless communication environment. A set of physical transmit antennas can be partitioned into a plurality of groups of physical transmit antennas. Further, a precoding vector for a particular group of physical transmit antennas from the plurality of groups of physical transmit antennas can be formulated. Moreover, the particular group of physical transmit antennas can form a particular virtual antenna. By way of another example, a disparate precoding vector for a disparate group of physical transmit antennas from the plurality of groups of physical transmit antennas can be formulated, and the disparate group of physical transmit antennas can form a disparate virtual antenna. The precoding vector can be applied to a signal for transmission over the particular virtual antenna, and the disparate precoding vector can be applied to a disparate signal for transmission over the disparate virtual antenna.
US08503570B2 System and method for transmitting seamless wireless data in real time
A system and method for transmitting seamless wireless data in real time are disclosed. The system includes a transmission device for transmitting wireless data to a reception device in real time. The transmission device includes a packet transmission unit, a communication efficiency detection unit, and a transmission cycle adjustment unit. The packet transmission unit transmits a data packet to the reception device. The communication efficiency detection unit detects communication efficiency of the packet transmission. The transmission cycle adjustment unit adjusts a cycle of the packet transmission according to the detected communication efficiency. It is possible to efficiently transmit seamless wireless data in real time even in a wireless space of a communication environment which varies continuously by continuously monitoring the communication environment of the wireless space where the wireless data is transmitted and adjusting the setting of a communication system to be suitable for the monitored wireless environment.
US08503567B2 Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission with rank-dependent precoding
Techniques for performing rank-dependent precoding for a Mulitple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) transmission are described. Each rank may be associated with a set of at least one precoding vector or matrix that can provide good performance for that rank. A transmitter may obtain a precoding vector for a rank-1 transmission from a first set containing at least one column vector of a unitary matrix, e.g., a Fourier matrix. The transmitter may perform precoding for the rank-1 transmission based on the precoding vector. The transmitter may obtain a precoding matrix for a rank-2 transmission from a second set containing an identity matrix. The transmitter may perform precoding for the rank-2 transmission based on the precoding matrix. For the rank-2 transmission, the transmitter may select the identity matrix as the precoding matrix if a MIMO channel resembles a diagonal channel (which may be determined based on antenna configurations) and may select the unitary matrix otherwise.
US08503565B2 Multi-antenna communication method and system thereof
A multiple antenna communication method and a multiple antenna communication system are provided. The multiple antenna communication method includes: determining a weighting vector with respect to a plurality of transmit antennas, using a spread spectrum code; determining a target transmission rate of each of the transmit antennas using the determined weighting vector; transmitting information associated with the target transmission rate to a multiple antenna reception apparatus; receiving, from the multiple antenna reception apparatus, channel information including information regarding whether to accept the transmitted target transmission rate information; and transmitting data to the multiple antenna reception apparatus using the received channel information.
US08503564B2 Method and system for data transmission
A data transmission method, a communications system and related apparatuses are disclosed. The data transmission method includes the following steps: a transmitter obtains channel information corresponding to channels between the transmitter and several receivers; the transmitter obtains a control vector corresponding to a receiver according to the channel information; the transmitter modulates data to be transmitted by means of one-dimensional modulation to obtain modulated symbols; the transmitter processes the modulated symbols and the control vector to obtain transmitted data of each antenna; the transmitter transmits the transmitted data to the receiver; the receiver receives the transmitted data in a predetermined spatial direction of received symbol. The present invention also discloses a communications system and related apparatuses.
US08503558B2 Signal modulating device, signal transmitting method, and code generating method
The present invention relates to a signal modulation device, a transmission method, and a code generation method. The signal modulation device includes a code storage unit including a plurality of n-bit members and storing a code with a number n or n−1 of different bits between two neighboring members, and a mapper for mapping data on symbols according to the code.
US08503557B2 Apparatus, and associated method, for communicating a data block in a multi carrier modulation communication scheme
Apparatus, and an associated method, for sending a data block in an OFDM, or other MCM, communication system with reduced PAPR is provided. The data block is combined with a random scrambling sequence. An IDFT operation is performed upon the combined sequence, and its PAPR, peak-to-average power ratio, is calculated. The PAPR is compared against a threshold. If the PAPR is smaller than a threshold, the transformed, combination sequence is transmitted. Otherwise, a different scrambling sequence, if available, is used to form a new combination sequence, and the process iterates until either a PAPR smaller than the threshold is obtained, or a pre-defined maximum number of iterations is reached. If the maximum number of iterations is reached and no combination sequence is created that leads to an acceptable PAPR, then the transformed, combination sequence that exhibits the smallest PAPR level is selected for transmission.
US08503554B2 Selective joint demodulation
Systems, methods and apparatuses for jointly demodulating data signals are disclosed. In accordance with the method, pilot signals are received from a base station and are processed. In addition, from a set of expected co-scheduled data streams, a subset of the co-scheduled data streams that are actually transmitted by the base station are determined based on the pilot signals. Further, a group of the transmitted co-scheduled data streams are selected from the determined subset. The data signals are received and jointly demodulated by employing the selected group of co-scheduled data streams and by suppressing non-selected data streams from the determined subset.
US08503551B2 Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal and method of transmitting and receiving a signal
The present invention relates to a method of transmitting and a method of receiving signals and corresponding apparatus. One aspect of the present invention relates to an efficient L1 signaling method for an efficient transmitter and an efficient receiver using the efficient L1 signaling method for an efficient cable broadcasting.
US08503548B2 Turbo channel estimation for OFDM systems
A system and method for estimating a channel in a wireless receiver is disclosed. The method preferably applies to a communication system using the OFDM standard. The method comprises receiving a block of “n” transmitted symbols, the symbols including pilot symbols and “d” data symbols, estimating a channel using the pilot symbols to create a channel estimate, choosing a group of “m” strongest symbols from the “d” received symbols, compensating the “m” strongest symbols using the channel estimate to create a group of “m” compensated symbols, re-estimating the channel using the group of “m” compensated symbols and pilot symbols; and either (1) repeating the steps of choosing a group of “m” strongest symbols, compensating the group of “m” strongest symbols and re-estimating the channel, or (2) using a latest channel estimate to compensate all symbols within the block. The system comprises a wireless receiver having an estimator programmed, for example, using DSP or ASIC and imbedded into the wireless system design software for accomplishing the steps set forth according to the method.
US08503547B2 Scrambling codes for secondary synchronization codes in wireless communication systems
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing a scrambling code from a set of scrambling codes, which is indexed by primary synchronization codes (PSCs), to scramble or descramble a secondary synchronization code (SSC). The scrambling codes in the set can be designed to optimize peak-to-average power ratios and/or mitigate cross correlation. For example, the scrambling codes can be based on different M-sequences generated from disparate polynomials. In accordance with another example, the scrambling codes can be based on different cyclic shifts of the same M-sequence. According to another example, the scrambling codes can be based upon binary approximations of possible primary synchronization codes utilized in a wireless communication environment. Pursuant to a further example, the scrambling codes can be based on different Golay complementary sequences.
US08503542B2 Methods and apparatus to reduce blocking noise and contouring effect in motion compensated compressed video
Method and system for removing artifacts, such as blocking noise and contouring effects, from a block-encoded video signal. One method for removing blocking artifacts includes but is not limited to decoding the block-encoded signal to obtain a decoded sequence of video frames and one or more associated motion vectors. By using the motion vector, the location of one or more blocking artifacts may be identified within at least one of the frames. The location identified by the motion vector is filtered to remove at least some of the blocking artifacts. Another method for removing contouring effects comprises decoding the block-encoded signal to obtain a decoded sequence of video frames, detecting a contouring effect by evaluating the macroblock mode and DCT coefficient information from the decoded signal, and filtering one or more blocks correlating to the detected contouring effect.
US08503534B2 Multi-bus architecture for a video codec
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a multi-bus architecture within a video codec that discretely and efficiently transports video components within the codec. This multi-bus architecture provides a relatively more efficient transport mechanism because the various buses are designed to specifically address unique characteristics of the video components or parameters being processed within the codec.
US08503533B1 Motion estimation engine for performing multiple types of operations
An apparatus and method for generating predictors performs motion estimation of a target macroblock in a target field against data segments in reference fields. The same motion estimation engine is used to perform various image processing operations to efficiently use resources of the apparatus. Different reference fields are used depending on modes of operation. In a deinterlacing mode, deinterlacing is performed using directional interpolation, recursive motion compensated deinterlacing, and motion adaptive deinterlacing.
US08503528B2 System and method for encoding video using temporal filter
A system and method for encoding a video is disclosed having a plurality of frames with spatially correspondent macroblocks. The method includes selecting a coding mode for each spatially correspondent macroblock, such as intra-frame coding or inter-frame coding. A weighting value is determined for each pixel in the macroblock based on the coding mode of the macroblock or other indication of the correlation of the pixel to spatially corresponding pixels in one or more other frames. A temporal filter uses the weighting values to filter noise from the plurality of frames and the resulting noise-reduced output is used in a predictive reference frame.
US08503527B2 Video coding with large macroblocks
Techniques are described for encoding and decoding digital video data using macroblocks that are larger than the macroblocks prescribed by conventional video encoding and decoding standards. For example, the techniques include encoding and decoding a video stream using macroblocks comprising greater than 16×16 pixels. In one example, an apparatus includes a video encoder configured to encode a coded unit comprising a plurality of video blocks, wherein at least one of the plurality of video blocks comprises a size of more than 16×16 pixels and to generate syntax information for the coded unit that includes a maximum size value, wherein the maximum size value indicates a size of a largest one of the plurality of video blocks in the coded unit. The syntax information may also include a minimum size value. In this manner, the encoder may indicate to a decoder the proper syntax decoder to apply to the coded unit.
US08503522B2 Video encoding/decoding apparatus and adaptive overlapped block motion compensation method and apparatus employing adaptive weights therefor
The present disclosure provides an adaptive overlapped block motion compensation apparatus employing adaptive weights including: an RBMC(x,y) calculator for calculating residual signal RBMC(x,y) in block motion estimation; a DN(x,y) calculator for calculating differential pixel value DN(x,y) between a motion compensated block generated by a motion vector of an adjacent block and a currently motion compensated block; a unit for updating and setting additional information for performing an adaptive overlapped block motion compensation based on RBMC(x,y) and DN(x,y); and an adaptive overlapped block motion compensation operating on respective pixels in certain pixel units based on the additional information, progressing to subsequent pixels if an absolute value of RBMC(x,y) is not greater than the additional information, and if the absolute value of RBMC(x,y) is greater than the additional information, calculating an ROBMC(x,y) with an HN(x,y) selectively signed so that an absolute value of ROBMC(x,y) is smaller than the absolute value of RBMC(x,y).
US08503510B2 Communication device, noise removing method, and program
A communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication antenna that receives a transmission signal where a spectrum spread signal subjected to a spectrum spread is modulated; an intermediate frequency converting unit that converts the transmission signal received by the communication antenna into an intermediate frequency signal having a predetermined frequency; an analog to digital converting unit that discretizes the intermediate frequency signal and outputs a discretization signal; a noise removing unit that detects a noise other than a normal thermal noise included in the discretization signal and removes the detected noise from the discretization signal; and a demodulating unit that demodulates the spectrum spread signal, based on the discretization signal that is output from the noise removing unit.
US08503507B2 Method for using a multi-tune transceiver
The method is for using a multi-tune transceiver. A single oscillator (VCO/DCO) is provided that is electronically connected to a divider. An input channel is provided that is in communication with the divider and an analog-to-digital converter. The input channel has a first bandwidth and the converter has a second bandwidth that is broader than the first bandwidth. The single oscillator (VCO/DCO) operates at a frequency higher than frequencies inside the reception band such as the FM band. The divider divides the frequency of the single oscillator that is used as input when producing overlapping sub-bands that cover the entire reception band.
US08503494B2 Thermal management system
Various embodiments are disclosed for a thermal management system and related method for selectively thermally isolating and thermally connecting a target component. One embodiment of a system includes a first component having a first surface proximate to a target component, and an electromagnet between the first surface and the target component. A second component is spaced apart from the first component to form a gap that serves as a thermal boundary between the first component and the second component. A carrier fluid disposed within the gap includes multiple thermally conductive, ferrous particles. The carrier fluid is configured to align at least a portion of the thermally conductive, ferrous particles when the electromagnet generates a magnetic field that attracts the particles, and to displace at least a portion of the particles when the electromagnet generates a magnetic field that repels the particles.
US08503488B2 Packet insertion mechanism for an improved ATSC DTV system
A packet insertion mechanism at the front end of a time-synchronized digital television transmission system multiplexes, along with standard packets, packets whose payload is to be transmitted with redundancy for added robustness. The multiplexer also inputs placeholder packets to accommodate duplicated content of the robust packets. Multiplexing of the robust and placeholder packets is configured to alternate and to interleave with the multiplexing of standard packets. The distribution of the robust packets within a frame is determined by the number of robust packets.
US08503482B2 Interconnects using self-timed time-division multiplexed bus
A method of sending signals, including data and timing information, between transportation units on a communication bus of an integrated circuit, by generating clock triggers for every transportation unit on the bus, thereby initiating each preceding one of the transportation units to start sending the signals in a wave-front to an adjacent succeeding one of the transportation units, where the wave-front is initiated at each of the transportation units at a common point in time, and every transportation unit applying a timing adjustment to at least one of the data and timing information that it receives in the signals from the preceding transportation unit, to at least one of (1) capture the data from the preceding transportation unit, (2) relay the data without modification from the preceding transportation unit to the succeeding transportation unit on the communication bus, and (3) load new data to the communication bus, with updated timing information in a succeeding wave-front.
US08503478B2 Receiving apparatus, receiving method and program thereof
A receiving apparatus is to receive data by use of a second protocol data unit, which stores first protocol data units of a first layer set for each of multiple radio bearers and which is based on a second layer corresponding to a lower layer of the first layer. The apparatus includes a providing unit that provides the first protocol data unit, which is stored in the second protocol data unit with specific information specifying the second protocol data unit in the second layer. The apparatus includes a discarding unit that provides another first protocol data unit, which is stored in the second protocol data unit storing the erroneous first protocol data unit with reference to the specific information in the case that a predetermined first protocol data unit includes an error in the first layer.
US08503474B2 System and method for enhanced physical layer device interface capability for backward support of fast retrain
A system and method for enhanced physical layer device interface capability for backward support of fast retrain. The enhanced physical layer device is configurable in its leveraging of an identified legacy signaling mechanism. The identified legacy signaling mechanism can be used by the enhanced physical layer device to suspend transmission by the media access control device to facilitate the fast retrain.
US08503466B2 Network on chip input/output nodes
The present invention relates to a torus network comprising a matrix of infrastructure routers, each of which is connected to two other routers belonging to the same row and to two other routers belonging to the same column; and input/output routers, each of which is connected by two internal inputs to two other routers belonging either to the same row, or to the same column, and comprising an external input for supplying the network with data. Each input/output router is devoid of queues for its internal inputs and comprises queues assigned to its external input managed by an arbiter which is configured to also manage the queues of an infrastructure router connected to the input/output router.
US08503446B2 Multicast host authorization tracking, and accounting
Instead of implementing per flow measurement at every interface of every IGMP Router or Snooping Proxy in the aggregation network, as in the prior art “per flow measurement” approaches, the present invention relates to a scheme where the IGMP Router or Snooping Proxy tracks the multicast subscription of each host (for IGMPv3) or subnet (for IGMPv1 and IGMPv2) and stores the information such as host id, the time the host joined a channel, the duration of the channel delivery, etc. in a database. This database (MIB) can then be pulled by a network management tool using SNMP or WSDM MUWS. According to the invention a mechanism for multicast host authorization is also provided.
US08503431B2 Mobile phone related indirect communication system and method
An indirect communication system and a method of indirect communication include a mobile phone as either a calling device or receiving device. The mobile phone calls another device to set up a prospective communication, and then uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to communicate with the other device over the Internet. The receiving device receives a generated signal notifying the receiving device of a proposed communication with the calling device. A server sets up a meeting point channel after the calling device has connected to the server. The server receives outgoing VoIP packets from the calling device and redirects the outgoing VoIP packets to the receiving device.
US08503430B2 Dynamic operational mode management for a wireless terminal
An operational mode of a terminal is dynamically configured to allow the terminal to receive services of interest to the terminal while potentially conserving battery power. The terminal operates in a first mode (e.g., an HRPD-only mode) and monitors only a first radio network (e.g., an HRPD network) for pages from a first data network (e.g., and IMS network) if all services from a second data network (e.g., an ANSI-41 network) of interest to the terminal is obtainable via the first radio network. The terminal operates in a second mode (e.g., an 1X-HRPD mode) and monitors the first radio network and a second radio network (e.g., a 1X network) for pages from the first and second data networks, respectively, if at least one service from the second data network of interest to the terminal is not obtainable via the first radio network. The terminal may dynamically select the first or second mode.
US08503424B2 Apparatus and methods for managing operator information
Apparatus and methods for managing operation information include determining a home network for a wireless device and receiving a call with a number identifying a calling party and a network identification identifying the network for the calling party. The apparatus and methods also include determining whether the received network identification corresponds to the home network for the wireless device. In addition, the apparatus and methods include displaying a notification based upon the determination; and accepting and/or rejecting the call based upon the notification.
US08503418B2 Method and system for accountable resource allocation in cellular and broadband networks
A method includes receiving information flows between users into a basestation of a cellular network, applying a usage accountability framework responsive to predetermined user fairness metrics, bandwidth resources on the network and a history of channel bandwidth variations by the users, and executing bandwidth allocation for the flows between the users responsive to the applying an accountability framework for improving user experience on the network by the users.
US08503400B2 Systems and methods for closed subscriber group cell reselection
A method for base station reselection in a wireless communications system is disclosed. The method may determine a first indication of signal strength for a first signal sent from a first base station and received by a user equipment (UE). The method may also determine a second indication of signal strength for a second signal sent from a second base station and received by the UE. The method may further determine a relative signal strength based on the first indication of signal strength and the second indication of signal strength. The method may also determine a Q factor based on the relative signal strength. The Q factor may be an indication of when base station reselection should be performed.
US08503396B2 Network apparatus enabling roaming across subnets
To enable a network apparatus to detect L3 roaming users and to take appropriate forwarding actions, L3 knowledge is introduced inside an L2 bridge forwarding table in the network apparatus. As a client moves from a subnet associated with a first network element to a subnet associated with the network apparatus, a determination is made regarding whether the client is roaming by evaluating a source IP address within a L3 packet header within a first frame received at the network apparatus. If, as a result of the evaluating step, it is determined that the client is roaming, the L2 bridge forwarding table is configured to include a source MAC address of the client together with information identifying a destination interface for use in directing client data traffic back towards the subnet associated with the first network element.
US08503394B2 Method of fast uplink data transmission for handover
A fast uplink data transmission method for a handover is disclosed. This method effectively uses a handover signal when there is data to be transmitted to an uplink during an Intra Radio Access Technology (I-RAT) handover, such that it quickly transmits and receives uplink data. The method of transmitting uplink data in a wireless access system includes, transmitting a message including an information bit to a target base station by a mobile station during a handover, wherein the information bit indicates whether the uplink data is present, and receiving a radio resource for transmitting the uplink data from the target base station, if the information bit indicates the uplink data is present, wherein the radio resource is allocated by the target base station. So, uplink user data can be quickly transmitted to a destination while the UE performs the handover.
US08503391B2 CS to IMS hand-back and hand-in for IMS systems for legacy CS UE with home node B access
A system and method for allowing legacy circuit switch user equipment (CS UE) to operate via a packet switch system, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) system, is provided. The mobility and session control aspects of communications with the legacy CS UE is separated. A user agent is placed in the receiving node (e.g., a home node B) that acts as the SIP agent for the CS UE for session control. An interworking function is provided to allow mobility between the macro CS network and the PS (e.g., IMS) network. Hand-back and hand-in procedures with service continuity are also provided.
US08503390B2 Method and system for scanning in WLAN
The embodiments disclose a method for scanning in a radio communication system, in particular in a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), including transmitting by a MS on all channels a probe message containing the IP address of the original AP of the MS and an MAC address of the MS; switching to the original channel; transmitting a response inquiry message to the original AP; and receiving a probe response message within a predetermined period, wherein, if the AP of the probe message received on the channel is not the original AP, then the AP transmits the probe response message containing the MAC address to the original AP according to the IP address; and the original AP buffers the probe response message received, and transmits the probe response message to the MS according to the MAC address after the response inquiry message sent by the MS has been received. The embodiments further disclose a scanning system in a WLAN. By using the method and system, not only the time delay during the scanning is reduced, but also the network security is improved and the difficulty for realization is decreased.
US08503380B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
The present invention relates to a method in a cellular communication system, for avoiding errors in a HARQ process, wherein an NDI flag is used both for indicating either semi-persistent scheduling, SPS activation or SPS retransmissions, and also for indicating, by toggling of the flag, a new transmission in dynamic scheduling mode. The method comprises the steps of receiving, in a scheduling message, an indication that dynamically scheduled transmission will take place; if a semi persistent resource has occurred for the same HARQ process since a previously received indication for dynamically scheduled transmission, then considering the NDI flag to be toggled regardless of the value of the NDI flag. Thus, if the condition is fulfilled, a UE will always regard the NDI flag as indicating or requesting a new data transmission.
US08503378B2 Base station and transmission method
A disclosed base station in a multi-carrier system performs frequency scheduling in a frequency bandwidth including plural resource blocks each including one or more sub-carriers. The base station includes a frequency scheduler determining scheduling information for allocating one or more resource blocks to a communication terminal having good channel quality based on a channel quality indicator reported from plural of the communication terminals; a unit encoding and modulating a control channel transmitting the scheduling information; a multiplexing unit frequency-division multiplexing the control channel with a channel other than the control channel in accordance with the scheduling information; and a unit transmitting an output signal from the multiplexing unit in the multi-carrier system.
US08503377B2 Methods for multi-band wireless communication and bandwidth management
Embodiments of methods for multi-band wireless communication and bandwidth management are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08503367B2 Wireless communication signaling for aggregate data units
Systems and techniques relating to wireless communications are described. A described technique includes obtaining data for a transmission to a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device can be configured to process incoming transmissions based on an aggregate data unit format that specifies signaling for aggregating multiple medium access control (MAC) data units. The technique includes, in a physical (PHY) frame, an aggregate data unit that is based on the data and the aggregate data unit format, the aggregate data unit including a single MAC data unit. The technique includes, in the PHY frame, an indication to signal that the MAC data unit in the aggregate data unit is singular and to cause the wireless communication device to accept the aggregate data unit without a corresponding block acknowledgement agreement.
US08503366B2 Radio communication system, radio communication device, radio communication method, and program
A radio communication system includes a plurality of radio communication devices that transmit and receive a subframe as a unit. Each of the plurality of radio communication devices adds a cyclic prefix to the head of the effective symbol of each OFDM symbol that makes up a subframe and adds a postfix to the tail of the effective symbol of the last OFDM symbol of the subframe.
US08503365B2 Apparatus and method for detecting cell in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for detecting a cell in a mobile communication system such as an LTE (Long Term Evolution) system are provided. In the method, when a signal is received from at least one base station, a primary synchronization channel (PSCH) detector detects a PSCH symbol in the signal. Then a PSCH validity determiner ascertains a valid value of the PSCH symbol and determines whether the valid value is greater than a given threshold. If the PSCH symbol is greater than the threshold, a secondary synchronization channel (SSCH) allocator estimates a position of an SSCH symbol in the signal using the PSCH symbol. Then an SSCH detector detects the SSCH symbol at the estimated position, so that a neighboring cell can be found through the detected SSCH symbol.
US08503363B2 Mobile router device
A wireless mobile router (140) includes wireless network interfaces (202) and (218) attached to a network controller (142). The wireless network interface (202) communicates with a cellular network (110) to access cellular network services. The wireless network interface (218) and the network controller (142) comprise a WLAN (170) or PAN (180) and a network router hosting a plurality of client devices. Each client device may access a wide area network, WAN over the cellular network. The wireless mobile router (140) is configured to exchange various cellular network signals with various WLAN and PAN networks. The wireless mobile router (140) is particularly suitable for use in a vehicle or at locations where WAN access is not readily available.
US08503361B2 Enabling IMS services for non-IMS UEs via a home base station subsystem
Apparatuses and methods for enabling IMS services for non-IMS UEs via a home base station subsystem are described. In various embodiments, a home base station subsystem includes a message generator configured to generate an Internet Protocol multimedia subscription request message comprising a unique user identifier and an information request message, the information request message requesting an Internet Protocol multimedia subscription for the user identified by the unique user identifier. The home base station subsystem also includes a transmitter configured to transmit the generated Internet Protocol multimedia subscription request message to a user database.
US08503359B2 Use of delayed clear-to-send and denial-to-send in directional wireless networks
For directional wireless communications, at least one new response to a Request-to-Send (RTS) message has been created to avoid a hidden-node problem that is particular to directional networks. In response to an RTS received during a NAV period, a Denial-to-Send (DTS) may be transmitted to indicate that the responding device cannot currently communicate further because its NAV is currently set, but it will be ready to communicate after expiration of the time period specified in the DTS.
US08503357B2 Radio system, radio base station and radio terminal
One of a plurality of radio terminals that transmit radio signals to a radio base station under a space multiplexing scheme, including a receiving unit 42 that receives an access right request signal with respect to the radio base station from an other radio terminal, a prevention unit 43 that prevents transmission of radio signals when receiving radio signals directed to an other radio terminal, a cancellation unit 43 that cancels the prevention of transmission when receiving an access right assignment signal during the prevention of transmission and a transmitting unit 41 that transmits a data signal to the radio base station according to the assignment signal, wherein radio signals are transmitted to the radio base station simultaneously with the other radio terminals and under the space multiplexing scheme.
US08503355B2 Method, server, and system for managing “push-to-talk” session
A method, a server and a system for managing a session in walkie-talkie (“push-to-talk”) mode between terminals each of which has respective capacities for encoding and decoding voice and/or image signals. The terminals are logged onto the session via a server and a first wireless telecommunications network to which the terminals are connected and a second network to which the server is connected. The server comprises a data encoder/decoder. When a session is established at the request of a terminal, a sender terminal sends data encoded according to an initial type of coding to one or more receiver terminals that are connected via the server. The server receiving data encoded according to the initial type of coding then processes the data according to the respective capacities of the receiver terminals in order to ensure compatibility of the data encoded according to the initial type of coding and the data received by the receiver terminals, where applicable according to at least one type of coding other than the initial type of coding. The server then sends the processed data to the receiver terminals.
US08503352B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving reference signal for positioning in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a reference signal for positioning in a wireless communication system are provided. In the method, a BS locates a PA preamble in a second frame among frames constituting each of multiple superframes, locates a SA preamble in first symbols of first and third frames among the frames constituting each of the multiple superframes, determines multiple consecutive first superframes belonging to an LBS zone from among the multiple superframes, includes a reference signal for LBS in a first symbol of a first subframe of a last frame among frames constituting each of the first superframes, includes data in a first symbol of a first subframe of a last frame among frames constituting each of second superframes that correspond to the multiple superframes excluding the first superframes when the data is to be transmitted, and communicates with an MS by using the first and second superframes.
US08503347B2 Transmitting/receiving system and method of processing broadcast signal in transmitting/receiving system
A transmitting system, a receiving system, and a method for processing a broadcast signal are disclosed. The receiving system comprises a tuner, a channel equalizer, a turbo decoder, a demultiplexer, a first error correction decoder, a block deinterleaver, and a second error correction decoder. The tuner receives a broadcast signal including a data group. The data group comprises mobile service data, regularly spaced known data sequences, and signaling data. The turbo decoder performs turbo decoding for the signaling data included in the channel equalized broadcast signal in the channel equalizer. The block deinterleaver performs block deinterleaving for the turbo-decoded FIC data in a block unit of TNoG (the number of all data groups assigned to one subframe)×51 bytes.
US08503341B2 Client device
A client device is provided, including: a WiMAX access module for accessing a WiMAX network, and receiving a WiMAX wireless data from the WiMAX network; a switching module for being connected between the WiMAX access module and a network processor, and realizing transparent data transmission between the WiMAX access module and the network processor; the network processor for processing the WiMAX wireless data received from the switching module.
US08503340B1 WiFi phone system
A voice communication system over WiFi 802.11 network includes: WiFi phone devices, subscription servers and wireless access points. Through voice and data gateways the system can transfer both voice and data streams through WiFi; Phone devices with both wired and WiFi wireless interfaces can automatically switches between wired network and wireless network through WiFi access points. Subscription server maintains the current status of each device every time it changes location. Voice packets are prioritized over regular data packets and dispatched to different network interface by smart packet dispatcher. Quality of service for voice conversation over WiFi is achieved by various methods: piggy-tail method and ACK enhancements and other improvements to reduce delay and latency of real time voice packets.
US08503339B2 Wireless communication apparatus and method
A wireless communication apparatus performs bi-directional communication with an initiator. The apparatus is allocated an allocation period for data transmission from the initiator. The apparatus includes means for generating a first physical frame including an acknowledgement frame with respect to data received from the initiator, and generating a second physical frame in which a plurality of transmission data frames addressed to the initiator are aggregated. The apparatus also includes means for transmitting the first physical frame at a first transmission rate and the second physical frame at a second transmission rate, during the allocation period.
US08503338B2 Optimized signaling of demodulation reference signal patterns
Orthogonality in cyclic shift (CS) and orthogonal cover code (OCC) selection for DMRS in MIMO is improved by new nDMRS to nDMRS(2) mapping patterns. Values in the mapping tables are arranged in sets, with minimum CS separation between the values in each set. Additionally, the semi-static nDMRS is independently configurable for each UL component carrier (CC) in the case of cross-CC scheduling in carrier aggregation, and the PHICH allocation formula that defines the allocation of the PHICH process relative to the kth codeword (CW) on the cth UL CC is a function of both the CS index nDMRS,k,c(2) that is dynamically assigned to a certain layer of the considered CW and the semi-static CS offset nDMRS,c(1) for the cth CC.
US08503337B2 Physical uplink control signal transmitting method for time division duplex system
A method for transmitting a physical uplink control signal in a time division duplex system, wherein the uplink control signal is more than 2 bits. The method comprises the following steps of: a base station distributing a plurality of uplink channel code resources of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for a user equipment, and making an agreement with the user equipment to transmit different contents represented by the uplink control signal using different uplink channel code resources; the user equipment selecting one or more uplink channel code resources from the distributed uplink channel code resources according to the content of the uplink control signal to be transmitted, and transmitting the uplink control signal on the physical uplink control channel.
US08503319B2 Data processor and communication system
A data processor which can flexibly control bandwidth settings and setting changes is provided. The data processor controls bandwidth allocation to electronic devices participating in a communication network. The data processor has a communication section used to communicate with the electronic devices and a bandwidth management section which performs control to variably allocate, based on requests from the electronic devices, bandwidths to be used for communication by the electronic devices. In cases where an additional device is added to the communication network and an adequate bandwidth cannot be allocated to the additional device, the bandwidth management section requests another electronic device transmitting video data of a resolution higher than corresponding to the user's intention to change its data format so as to allow an adequate bandwidth to be allocated to the additional device.
US08503314B2 Diversity monitoring for communication network circuits
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for monitoring circuit diversity within a communications network. Information is gathered regarding circuits within the communications network. Diversity rules for the circuits are received. The diversity rules may limit the sharing of network resource between primary and secondary circuit pairs. The information regarding the circuits is analyzed to identify violations of the diversity rules. A report on the violations of the diversity rules is generated.
US08503311B2 Method for measuring processing delays of voice-over IP devices
A system and method for recording analog signals exchanged between a telephone device and a VoIP device, capturing packets exchanged between the VoIP device and an IP network, determining analog time values corresponding to analog characteristics of the analog signals, determining digital time values corresponding to digital characteristics of the packets, determining a common reference time for the analog time values and digital time values and determining a processing delay based on the analog time values and the digital time values.
US08503307B2 Distributing decision making in a centralized flow routing system
Local rules for managing flows devolved from a central controller are received at a switch. The central controller determines a global set of rules for managing flows. The switch receives a packet from a flow from a network and determines whether a metric for the flow satisfies a dynamic condition to trigger a metric report to the central controller. In response to a determination that the metric for the flow at the switch satisfies the dynamic condition to trigger a metric report to the central controller, the switch sends a metric report to the central controller, and the switch then receives an instruction to manage the flow from the central controller. In response to a determination that the metric for the flow at the switch does not satisfy the dynamic condition to trigger the metric report to the central controller, the switch manages the flow using the local rules for managing flows.
US08503302B2 Method of detecting anomalies in a communication system using numerical packet features
A method of detecting anomalies in a communication system, includes: providing a first packet flow portion and a second packet flow portion; extracting samples of a numerical feature associated with a traffic status of the first and second packet flow portions; computing from said extracted samples a first statistical dispersion quantity and a second statistical dispersion quantity of the numerical feature associated with the first and second packet flow portions, respectively; computing from the dispersion quantities a variation quantity representing a dispersion change from the first packet flow portion to the second packet flow portion; comparing the variation quantity with a comparison value; and detecting an anomaly in the system in response to said comparison.
US08503301B2 Relay device, state informing method, and computer program
A relay device which forwards a packet received from a first device to a second device, the relay device includes a detection unit that detects that the relay device has been in a specified state, a generation unit that generates a packet that contains information for identifying the relay device and information indicating that the relay device is in the specified state when the detection unit detects that the relay device has been in the specified state, and a transmission unit that transmits the generated packet to a specific transmission destination.
US08503300B2 Efficient messaging over internet protocol
A method for a client and server based messaging system efficiently exchanges messages over an IP connection in a wireless network. Also included is an automated method by which a messaging client can request intelligent and efficient presence updates from the wireless network by utilizing timers and adapt such timers based on load conditions in the wireless network.
US08503299B2 Method and system for packet scheduling
A method and system for packet scheduling are provided. The method includes: the step of receiving an incoming packet; extracting packet identification information associated with the incoming packet, and assessing a delay budget for the incoming packet in dependence upon its arrival time and the associated information. The system includes: an input module for receiving an incoming packet, and extracting information associated with the incoming packet, and a module for assessing a delay budget for the incoming packet in dependence upon its arrival time and the associated information.
US08503298B2 Applying quality aware volume reduction to communication networks
A method of applying a quality-aware volume reduction to communication networks is provided herein. The method includes the following stages: deriving, from the network: a bandwidth capacity limit of the links of the network, and an initial flow rate for each flow transmitted via nodes through the network; obtaining from each one of the nodes, a gain value which corresponds to a quantitative data demand requested by the node and given in terms of data quality; and calculating, for each one of the nodes, a data reduction ratio, that achieves: (i) a maximal overall revenue associated with the network, wherein the revenue for a node is calculated with respect to the quality of the data that arrives to the node, and (ii) an optimal bandwidth allocation over the links with respect to the gains and the data quality at each node, and to the limited bandwidth capacity of the links.
US08503290B2 Communicating data units in a communications network that provides failure protection
A node comprises a first communications interface to a customer network element, where the first communications interface is part of a group of communications interfaces to the customer network element to provide failover support. The node further includes a network interface to communicate over a trunk group to other nodes, where the trunk group includes a primary trunk and a secondary trunk. Just one of the primary and secondary trunks is active for communicating data units.
US08503287B2 Ultra-wide bandwidth system and method for in-premises wireless networking
An IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference, comprising an in-premises base station (IBS) is described. The IBS further comprises an IS-OFDM transceiver for communicating with a plurality of in-premises terminals (ITs) without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter. Further, a method for operating an IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference and provides local area networking services, in-premises distribution of broadcast cable channels and in-premises wireless access and routing to external networks is described, without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter.
US08503286B2 Method of transmitting control signals in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting control signals in a wireless communication system includes multiplexing a first control signal with a second control signal in a slot, the slot comprising a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in time domain, the plurality of OFDM symbols being divided into a plurality of data OFDM symbols and a plurality of reference signal (RS) OFDM symbols, wherein the first control signal is mapped to the plurality of data OFDM symbols after the first control signal is spread by a base sequence in the frequency domain, the RS is mapped to the plurality of RS OFDM symbols, the second control signal is mapped to at least one of the plurality of RS OFDM symbols, and transmitting the first control signal and the second control signal in the slot.
US08503284B2 Pilot arrangement method in mobile radio communication system and transmitter/receiver adopting same
A pilot arrangement method in a mobile communication system in which a working frequency band is divided into a plurality of predetermined bands, and time division multiplexing is performed, the method comprising, inserting a known pilot symbol into the plurality of predetermined frequency bands at a predetermined reference interval; and inserting to arrange the known pilot symbol into at least one of the plurality of predetermined frequency bands at a smaller interval than the predetermined reference interval, wherein a pattern inserting the known pilot symbol into a at least the one of the plurality of predetermined frequency bands at the smaller interval is changed according to a predetermined pattern.
US08503280B2 Information recording medium, and recording method and reproducing method thereof
An information recording medium in which bottoms of a guide groove and a pit array formed on a disc substrate are allocated on a same flat plane and shaped in flat. Further, in a transition area from a pit array to a guide groove or from a guide groove to a pit array, the information recording medium is provided with an intermediate area composed of a pit array of which height changes from a height between a bottom and a side of a groove to another height between the bottom and a side of the pit array.
US08503279B2 Six-dimensional optical storage method and apparatus
The invention relates to a method of optical six-dimensional data storage and the apparatus based on it. This invention uses multiple beams with different wavelengths, encoded intensities and polarizations to create each group of multiple wavelength selective, reflectivity specified and polarization sensitive tiny plane or quasi-plane Bragg reflectors in a small volume crossing through multiple storage medium layers as each storage cell. The maximum storage capacity can over 10 Terabytes per disk with fast data write, read and erase speeds. In addition, the apparatus based on this method has no interlayer noise and disk rotation caused data recoding and reading quality loss, and has good compatibility with existing CD and DVD disks.
US08503274B2 Optical disc device that operates with a reduced current consumption after a power-on reset, and method thereof
When power is supplied to an ODD used by being externally attached to a PC via a USB port, it is desirable not to cause an error to occur owing to occurrence of a power-on reset even when the power supplying ability of the PC is insufficient. After the ODD has been connected with the PC and started, the ODD executes an operation of large current consumption for a predetermined period of time and judges whether a power-on reset occurs or not while the operation is being executed. When the power-on reset does not occur, the ODD is set to operate on the basis of the highest specification. When the power-on reset has occurred, the specification is set lower so as to operate the ODD with reduced current consumption.
US08503271B2 Method of forming a plasmon antenna with magnetic core for thermally assisted magnetic recording
A method of forming a TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) write head that uses the energy of optical-laser generated edge plasmons in a plasmon antenna to locally heat a magnetic recording medium and reduce its coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. The method incorporates forming a magnetic core within the plasmon antenna, so the antenna effectively becomes an extension of the magnetic pole and produces a magnetic field whose maximum gradient overlaps the region being heated by the edge plasmons generated in the conducting layer of the antenna surrounding the antenna's magnetic core.
US08503269B2 Time dependent-temperature independent color changing label
A timing device for indicating a passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device in accordance with the embodiments of the invention has a grid array architecture. The grid array architecture includes an electrode structure with an anode layer, a cathode layer and a thermistor layer. The anode layer and the thermistor layer are electrically coupled through a plurality of cathode trace structures. In operation the timing device is actuated through a suitable mechanism to initiate depletion of the anode layer and, thereby, indicate a passage of a duration time. As the anode layer depletes, sequential cathode trace structures are exposed and the thermistor layer acts as a temperature dependent resistor through a plurality of exposed cathode trace structures.
US08503266B1 Acoustic fluid height monitoring using dynamic surface perturbations
A method of determining the volume or height of fluid in a reservoir is provided. A first burst of focused acoustic energy is used to raise temporarily a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. A second burst of acoustic energy is directed to the free surface of the fluid. Echoes from the second burst of acoustic energy are detected. The detected echoes are employed to compute the height of the fluid.
US08503250B2 High speed DRAM architecture with uniform access latency
A Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) performs read, write, and refresh operations. The DRAM includes a plurality of sub-arrays, each having a plurality of memory cells, each of which is coupled with a complementary bit line pair and a word line. The DRAM further includes a word line enable device for asserting a selected one of the word lines and a column select device for asserting a selected one of the bit line pairs. A timing circuit is provided for controlling the word line enable device, the column select device, and the read, write, and refresh operations in response to a word line timing pulse. The read, write, and refresh operation are performed in the same amount of time.
US08503245B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a programming method thereof
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention includes: a semiconductor substrate; an element region; a plurality of memory cell transistors which each include a control gate electrode; and programming means for programming data to a programming target memory cell transistor by applying a programming voltage to the programming target memory cell transistor. Moreover, the programming means applies a programming voltage incremented stepwise from an initial programming voltage, to the programming target memory cell transistor while applying a constant initial intermediate voltage to memory cell transistors adjacent to the programming target memory cell transistor. Thereafter, the programming means applies an intermediate voltage incremented stepwise from the initial intermediate voltage, to one of the respective memory cells adjacent to the programming target memory cell transistor, while applying a constant final programming voltage to the programming target memory cell transistor.
US08503244B2 Fabricating and operating a memory array having a multi-level cell region and a single-level cell region
Techniques are disclosed herein for applying different process steps to single-level cell (SLC) blocks in a memory array than to multi-level cell (MLC) blocks such that the SLC blocks will have high endurance and the MLC blocks will have high reliability. In some aspects, different doping is used in the MLC blocks than the SLC blocks. In some aspects, different isolation is used in the MLC blocks than the SLC blocks. Techniques are disclosed that apply different read parameters depending on how many times a block has been programmed/erased. Therefore, blocks that have been cycled many times are read using different parameters than blocks that have been cycled fewer times.
US08503238B1 Error recovery for flash memory
A system for error recovery for flash memory comprises a receiver and an interface. The receiver is configured to receive a portion of data. The receiver is further configured to identify a logical type of the portion of data. The receiver is further configured to adjust a threshold for error recovery of the portion of data based at least in part on the logical type. The receiver is further configured to read the portion of data using the adjusted threshold. The interface is coupled to the receiver.
US08503237B1 System and method for data recovery in a solid state storage device
Embodiments of solid-state storage system are provided herein include data recovery mechanism to recover data upon detection of a read error (e.g., an uncorrectable ECC error) in a storage element such as a page. In various embodiments, the system is configured to determine optimal reference voltage value(s) by evaluating the reference voltage value(s) of page(s) that are related to the page where the failure occurred. The related page(a) may include a page that is paired with the initial page where the failure occurred (e.g., the paired pages reside in a common memory cell), or a neighboring page that is physically near the page where the initial page, and/or a paired page of the neighboring page. In another embodiment, the system is configured to perform a time-limited search function to attempt to determine optimal reference voltage values through an iterative process that adjusts voltage values in a progression to determine a set of values that can retrieve the data.
US08503231B2 Multi-level cell flash memory device and read method
A method of reading data of a multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory device is disclosed. The method includes reading a least significant bit (LSB) and a most significant bit (MSB) of the data programmed to a plurality of memory cells. Reading each of the LSB and MSB includes; reading a MSB flag indicating whether or not the MSB for memory cells in a page of memory cells has been programmed, performing a first read with respect to a plurality of first bit lines, setting a target voltage in view of the read value of the MSB flag, applying the target voltage to a plurality of second bit lines, and performing a second read with respect to the plurality of second bit lines.
US08503227B2 Transient heat assisted STTRAM cell for lower programming current
A memory cell including magnetic materials and heating materials, and methods of programming the memory cell are provided. The memory cell includes a free region, a pinned region, and a heating region configured to generate and transfer heat to the free region when a programming current is directed to the cell. The heat transferred from the heating region increases the temperature of the free region, which decreases the magnetization and the critical switching current density of the free region. In some embodiments, the heating region may also provide a current path to the free region, and the magnetization of the free region may be switched according to the spin polarity of the programming current, programming the memory cell to a high resistance state or a low resistance state.
US08503223B2 Semiconductor storage device
In a memory, the MTJ elements respectively have a first end electrically connected to any one of a source and a drain of one of the cell transistors. First bit lines each of which is electrically connected to the other one of the source and the drain of one of the cell transistors. Second bit lines each of which is electrically connected to a second end of one of the MTJ elements. Word lines each of which is electrically connected to a gate of one of the cell transistors or functions as a gate of one of the cell transistors. A plurality of the second bit lines correspond to one of the first bit lines. A plurality of the MTJ elements share the same word line and the same active area. The active area is continuously formed in an extending direction of the first and second bit lines.
US08503212B2 Semiconductor memory apparatus with power-meshed structure
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a plurality of banks each having a plurality of cell mats; a plurality of power lines disposed over predetermined portions of each of the plurality of banks; a column control region disposed adjacent to at least one of sides of each bank which are perpendicular to an extending direction of the power lines; and a conductive plate disposed over the column control region and electrically connected to the plurality of power lines.
US08503210B2 Conditionally precharged dynamic content addressable memory
A conditionally precharged content addressable memory (CAM) includes forcing a mismatch on a matchline of the CAM if a data entry in the CAM is invalid. The matchline of the CAM is precharged only if the data entry is valid.
US08503206B2 Single-phase voltage source DC-AC power converter and three-phase voltage source DC-AC power converter
The present invention is a single-phase voltage source DC-AC power converter and a three-phase voltage source DC-AC power converter. Each of the single-phase voltage source DC-AC power converter and the three-phase voltage source DC-AC power converter includes a voltage source DC-AC power converting circuit that converts power from a DC voltage source into AC power to output the AC power from an AC terminal; and target current producing means that includes a filter voltage command device and a voltage controller, the filter voltage command device generating a filter voltage command value that becomes a reference of the AC power output from the AC terminal, the AC output voltage at the AC terminal being input as an input signal to the voltage controller, the voltage controller integrating a difference between the filter voltage command value from the filter voltage command device and the AC output voltage at the AC terminal, the target current producing means outputting a PWM command such that a DC component included in the AC output voltage at the AC terminal becomes zero.
US08503203B1 Pre-charge of switched capacitor circuits with cascoded drivers
An apparatus for voltage conversion includes a switched capacitor circuit, a pre-charge circuit, a voltage divider stage, and a driver stage. The switched capacitor circuit has pump capacitors to transfer energy and a steady-state operating mode and a pre-charge mode. The pre-charge circuit initially charges the pump capacitors when the switched capacitor circuit operates in the pre-charge mode. It includes a voltage divider stage having one or more nodes, each of which provides voltage at one of a corresponding one or more voltage levels, and a driver stage having one or more cascoded drivers, each of which comprises a first terminal for receiving a drive signal that depends at least in part on a voltage level at a corresponding one of the nodes, and a second terminal for coupling to a pump capacitor and to another of the drivers.
US08503190B2 Monitoring systems and backplane for a monitoring system
A first backplane for being electrically coupled to a second backplane, a system monitoring module, and at least one transducer monitoring module includes a system interface bus configured to be coupled to the system monitoring module and the second backplane. The intermediate backplane also includes at least one monitor interface bus configured to be coupled to the at least one transducer monitoring module and the second backplane and an intermediate backplane bus configured to be coupled to the at least one transducer monitoring module and the system monitoring module.