Document Document Title
US08550290B1 Portable storage system comprising a means for adjustable ventilation
A storage container system comprising an arrangement for adjustable ventilation intended for storing at least one article that is thermally sensitive and/or requires ventilation to the ambient atmosphere. The device includes at least one door and at least one aperture ventilation assembly. The aperture ventilation assembly includes a planar wall aperture array and a corresponding planar shutter aperture array, wherein the sliding relationship between the two arrays results in a plurality of ventilation levels, including a fully open state, and a closed state capable of substantially sealing off the contents of the container from the ambient atmosphere. Certain preferred embodiments include a plurality of storage compartments configured within the container's inner volume wherein each compartment is sealed from one another and possesses its own aperture ventilation assembly for ventilation adjustments.
US08550285B2 Hand-held vessel
A hand-held vessel has a bottom wall, a sidewall and a supportive strap attached to the bottom wall and the sidewall. The bottom wall and sidewall have an inner and outer surface. The sidewall extends from the bottom wall, whereby the inner surfaces of the bottom wall and sidewall define a cavity for holding fluids or loose materials therein. The strap has a first end and a second end, whereby the first end is fixedly attached to the sidewall and the second end is selectively secured to the bottom wall. The strap is adaptable to accept a user's hand disposed between the strap and the outer surface of the sidewall. The strap urges the hand against the outer surface of the sidewall to secure the vessel to the hand and stabilize the vessel with respect to movement relative to the hand.
US08550279B2 Anti-siphoning fuel device, system, and method
An anti-siphoning fuel system that includes a fuel inlet, a fuel tank, at least one fill tube or hose connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel tank such that fuel may flow from the fuel inlet to the fuel tank, and an anti-siphoning element or device coupled to the fill tube or hose that may be installed in existing boats or cars and obstructs a siphoning hose inserted in to the fill tube or hose from entering the fuel tank.
US08550273B2 Cryogenic vials
A vial including an end wall with a given perimeter, a side wall depending from the end wall about the given perimeter, and a plug wall depending from the end wall such that an outer surface of the plug wall is radially inward and spaced from the side wall. The plug wall has an attached end portion and a free end portion. The outer surface along the attached end portion of the plug wall is angled relative to the end wall by a first angle and the outer surface along the free end portion is angled relative to the outer surface along the attached end portion and extends at a second angle relative to the end wall with the second angle being larger than the first angle.
US08550266B2 Ring derrick with stationary counterweight
A ring derrick includes a carriage which moves on a fixed circular track around a stationary counterweight. A tension and compression column assembled from transportable tubular segments is affixed to the counterweight by a universal swivel joint. The back mast of the derrick is secured at its upper end to the tension column, while the main boom of the derrick extends radially away from the tension column. The main boom and back mast are hinged directly together at the carriage by massive hinge pins which pass through spherical bearings mounted on the carriage. The carriage's suspension distributes the load from the boom and mast to an array of trucks and has an automatic stabilizing system that compensates for uneven track.
US08550256B1 Filtration membrane with covalently grafted fouling-resistant polymer
A method of photo-grafting onto a separation membrane a copolymer includes at least one of: and; For example, in Structure 1A, x1≧2 and y1≧1; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of CH3 and H; R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of poly(oxyalkylene), quaternary ammonium salts, pyridinium salts, sulfonium salts, sulfobetaines, carboxybetaines, alcohols, phenols, tertiary amines, aryl groups; linear, branched and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic heteroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; and siloxyl; R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic hetroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; phenyl; and siloxyl; and Z1 is 0 or 1.
US08550255B2 Filter device and filter element
A filter device having a filter element (9) forming a body extending along a longitudinal axis received in a housing (1) closed by a cover part (3). A sealing arrangement (49) is provided to form a fluid-tight seal between the housing (1) and the cover part (3). The sealing arrangement (49) is a component of a filter element (9) and is fixed to a sealing carrier (48) rigidly connected to the filter element.
US08550253B2 Filtration apparatus
A filtration apparatus includes: a filtration chamber; a sample introducing port for introducing a sample into the filtration chamber; a sample discharge port disposed at a position on an opposite side of the filtration chamber from the sample introducing port; a filtration filter provided in the filtration chamber to filter the sample introduced from the sample introducing port; and a filtrate discharge port for discharging filtrate which has passed through the filtration filter. The filtration filter is disposed such that its filter face is parallel to a flowing direction of the sample introduced from the sample introducing port when the sample discharge port is open. An opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the sample discharge port is disposed between the filtration chamber and the sample discharge port.
US08550240B2 Combination water dose and medication container
A Combination Water Dose and Medication Container is disclosed. The device provides a single, pocket-sized, disposable unit that separately contains water and pills. The water chamber is foil-sealed to prevent tampering. The pill container is available pre-loaded with pills and foil-sealed, as well as empty so that the user can add his or her own pills. Five different versions of the combination container are enumerated in order to optimize flexibility to meet user tastes and manufacturing constraints.
US08550237B2 Conveyor unit for a transport system of articles and transport system
A conveyor unit for a transport system of articles including a first conveyor chain and a second conveyor chain, located one downstream from the other in a direction of transport. The first and the second conveyor chain each comprise two conveyor sub-chains, which are arranged in such a way that a region of overlap is formed between a conveyor sub-chain of the first conveyor chain and a conveyor sub-chain of the second conveyor chain. During the transfer from the first conveyor chain onto the region of overlap and from there onto the second conveyor chain the article is always supported by at least one conveyor sub-chain. A velocity of at least one conveyor sub-chain therein is such that an alteration of a state of motion of the article is achievable within the conveyor element. Furthermore a transport system for articles is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of conveyor elements.
US08550214B2 Machine having lubricant circuit
A machine includes, but is not limited to at least one first shaft, which is mounted so it is rotatable in a housing, a lubricant duct extending in the first shaft along its axis, and at least one lubrication point, which is supplied with lubricant via a supply line comprising the lubricant duct. A section of the supply line runs in a first wall of the housing between an outlet opening of the lubricant duct and the lubrication point.
US08550208B1 High pressure muffling devices
Some example muffling devices may include an inner flow conditioner shaped as a generally conical frustrum and a generally cylindrical an exhaust can around the inner flow conditioner. A ratio of a downstream end wall area of the inner flow conditioner to a downstream end annular area between the downstream end wall and the exhaust can may be about 0.12 to about 0.97. A ratio of the downstream end annular area to the downstream end wall area may be proportional, by a factor of about 0.8 to about 1.9, to a ratio of an effective area of the inner flow conditioner sidewall holes to an effective area of the inner flow conditioner downstream end wall holes. A ratio of a dissipation distance between the inner flow conditioner downstream end wall and the exhaust screen to the inner flow conditioner downstream end wall hole diameter may be greater than about 10.
US08550205B2 Electric power steering system
A torque sensor and an electric motor are supported by a steering column by which a steering shaft is rotatably supported. On a control board on which a control circuit that controls driving of an electric motor is mounted, a first terminal group and a second terminal group that are selectively connected to the torque sensor are respectively provided at a first end portion and a second end portion in a first direction parallel to a central axis of the steering shaft. A third terminal group that is connectable to the electric motor is provided at one end portion (third end portion) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08550199B2 Bicycle transmission system
A method is provided for controlling operation of a pedal cycle (10) having a rear hub-mounted electro-mechanical transmission arrangement in which a chain-driven rear sprocket (80), an input electrical machine (120) and the hub (100) are each coupled to a respective branch of a three-branch epicyclic gear set (140). Allowing for natural variations in input torque by a cyclist over a cycle of the crank arms (50), a substantially constant current is caused to exist in the input electrical machine (120) such that a change in torque applied by the cyclist results in a change in transmission ratio between the rear sprocket (80) and the hub (100), thereby providing a form of automatic and continuously variable transmission for the pedal cycle (10).
US08550198B2 Construction machine
In a heat exchanger cover (17) covering upper sides of heat exchanger (13), an inlet port (21) is provided on a left side which is an upstream side of cooling air, and one exhaust port (22) for exhausting the cooling air which has passed through the heat exchanger (13) is provided on a right side opposite to this inlet port (21). An engine cover (15) is provided with another exhaust port (23) at a position opposing the one exhaust port (22) in a left-right direction. The cooling air which has passed through the heat exchanger (13) can be exhausted horizontally from the exhaust port (22) provided in the heat exchanger cover (17) toward the exhaust port (23) provided in the engine cover (15).
US08550188B2 Downhole reamer asymmetric cutting structures
A cutting structure for use with a reamer in enlarging a borehole in a subterranean formation includes a plurality of cutter blocks, radially extendable from a reamer body away from a central axis of the reamer body, each of the plurality of cutter blocks comprising at least one cutter blade thereon, wherein an angular spacing about the central axis of the reamer body between the at least one cutter blade on each of the plurality of cutter blocks is unequal.
US08550173B2 Locking safety joint for use in a subterranean well
A safety joint for use in a subterranean well can include separable portions which, when separated, disconnect sections of a tubular string. Elongation of the safety joint can be permitted while longitudinal compression of the safety joint is prevented. A method of activating a safety joint in a subterranean well can include providing the safety joint with portions having end connectors which interconnect the safety joint between sections of a tubular string, permitting elongation of the safety joint, thereby facilitating disconnection of the tubular string sections, and then preventing longitudinal compression of the safety joint. Another safety joint can include separable portions, and a locking device which permits relative displacement between a generally tubular mandrel and a component of the safety joint in one direction, and prevents relative displacement between the mandrel and the component in an opposite direction.
US08550162B2 Compositions and methods for well cementing
A retarder aid increases the applicable temperature range of phosphonate/borate cement-retarder systems to at least 302° C. (575° F.), and 207 MPa (30,000 psi). The retarder aid comprises a terpolymer of styrene sulfonate, maleic anhydride and acrylate of ethylene oxide. Cement slurries containing the retarder and retarder aid may be used for both primary-cementing and remedial-cementing applications.
US08550148B2 Heat plate with clip
A structure of heat plate with clip includes a heat plate and at least one clip. The heat plate is a hollow body having an interior cavity containing a capillary structure and a working fluid. The heat plate has a surface forming a receiving chamber. The clip is a resilient plate having mounting sections, which are mounted to the heat plate. The mounting sections have a portion received in the receiving chamber. In this way, replacement of inside-cavity supporting structure can be realized and advantages of thinned structure, flexible adjustment of positioning, and being hard to cause stress induced deformation can be achieved.
US08550142B2 Vertical hung window shade assembly with roll up and side shifting dual panel or panels
A plural panel vertically hung horizontally adjustable light transmitting window shade apparatus for varying the amount of light from zero to maximum that can pass through alternate transparent and opaque portions of the plural panels. The plural panels hang vertically downward from separate mounting elements of a control mechanism. The control mechanism, when actuated, moves either one or two of the plural panels horizontally relative to the other panel, thus changing the position of the transparent portions and opaque portions of each panel. The control mechanism also vertically deploys or retracts the dual panels using the same control mechanism used to move the panels horizontally. A bottom rail maintains the lower ends of the panels in a closely adjacent position, and also allows relative vertical movement of each panel relative to the other when the panels are either deployed or retracted.
US08550136B2 Wrap-around toeguard for a pneumatic tire
A wrap-around toeguard 18 for a pneumatic tire 10 has a carcass ply 12 or plies 12, 14 with a locked tie-in construction. Each wrap-around toeguard 18 is a non cord reinforced elastomeric unitary strip wound 360.degree. in a singular annular bead. The wrap-around toeguard cord reinforced unitary strip 18 can be formed of a single elastomeric composition having a shore hardness D of greater than 40. Alternatively the wrap-around toeguard may additionally include an apex portion 29 and a chafer portion 27 along with the toeguard portion 28, each portion 27, 29 being co-extruded or otherwise hot formed and shaped with the toeguard portion 28 to form the unitary strip 18 and can have distinct elastomeric composition relative to the toeguard portion 28.
US08550129B2 Vapor-recovery-activated auto-shutoff nozzle, mechanism and system
A vapor-recovery-activated auto-shutoff nozzle comprises a manually operable trigger that permits selective operation of a normally closed valve between a valve-closed configuration and a valve-open configuration. Linkage arms connect the trigger and the valve, and are re-configurable between an enabled configuration and a disabled configuration. In the enabled configuration, the trigger and the valve are operatively connected such that the rest position of the trigger corresponds to the valve being closed, and the in-use position of the manually operable trigger corresponds to the valve being open. In the disabled configuration, the manually operable trigger is precluded from controlling the valve. A deactivation mechanism is for re-configuring the linkage means from the enabled configuration to the disabled configuration, in response to a condition of the fluid in a vapor recovery conduit of the nozzle, thereby precluding the valve from being controlled until the linkage arms are reset to the enabled configuration.
US08550117B2 Seal assembly for a fluid pressure control device
A seal assembly for a fluid pressure control device includes a guide element having a sealing surface and a first guide surface. A throttling element assembly includes a throttling element positionable within a fluid flow path, the assembly defines a mating surface adapted to seal with the sealing surface, and a second guide surface sized to slidingly engage the first guide surface. A relief void is formed in at least one of the guide element and the throttling element assembly adjacent the first and second guide surfaces to receive loose solid material, to thereby prevent disruption of the seal formed between the sealing surface and the mating surface.
US08550115B2 Valve position indicator
A valve position assembly is described herein, wherein the assembly includes a sun gear, at least one planet gear, two ring gears, wherein the planet gear engages with the sun gear and the ring gears, wherein the planet gear has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the sun gear, and the diameter of the planet gear is smaller than a diameter of the ring gears, and a scale plate, wherein the plate comprises a position indicator.
US08550105B2 Valve system of high pressure tank for vehicle
A valve system includes a fusible plug valve that functions as a fusible plug valve and as a manual valve. When functioning as a fusible plug valve, the fusible plug valve opens at a high temperature to release gas from a high pressure tank to outside. When functioning as a manual valve, the fusible plug valve is opened manually to release the gas from the high pressure tank to the outside.
US08550100B1 Portable ice fishing shelter
A portable ice fishing shelter for providing an enclosed and expandable structure for ice fishing within. The ice fishing shelter generally includes a rigid primary enclosure having sidewalls, a roof, and a base to form a first interior space, wherein the base forms an inverted U-shaped raised center portion to accommodate a seat within and allow for smoother pulling below. The primary enclosure also has a side opening extending through at least one of the sidewalls for a rigid extendable enclosure. The extendable enclosure includes an open bottom and extends from a perimeter of the side opening and is movably connected thereto. The extendable enclosure is adapted to move between a refracted position during storage or transport and an extended position during use, wherein a second interior space is formed to accommodate one or more angling holes. A tow hitch and glide members may also extend from the primary enclosure.
US08550091B2 Electrically heated water pipe smoking device
A water pipe including a bowl for placing therein a smoking substance, a tube that fluidly connects the bowl to a base member, at least one hose connection port, in fluid communication with the base member, for connecting with at least one flexible hose, an electric heating element disposed in the bowl for heating the smoking substance, the electric heating element being shaped as an inner periphery of the bowl, and a controller in electrical communication with the electric heating element, the controller controlling electrical power to the electric heating element for heating the smoking substance to a temperature that vaporizes volatile aromatic components of the smoking substance without substantially causing combustion of the smoking substance.
US08550089B2 Magnetic particles for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location
A system for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with one embodiment is provided comprising a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, and a magnetic device for attracting the magnetic particles to a target location. The magnetic particles may be delivered by a catheter into a blood vessel upstream from the target location so that they travel toward the target location. A method for delivering therapeutic agent to a target location in a body in accordance with another embodiment comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles, each magnetic particle carrying a therapeutic agent, placing a magnetic device in a position to attract the magnetic particles to a target location, and allowing the magnetic particles to infuse the target location by the attraction of the magnetic particles to the magnetic device. The therapeutic agent may comprises a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating reperfusion injury, and the step of providing the plurality of magnetic particles may comprise delivering the plurality of magnetic particles through a blood vessel.
US08550088B1 Cervical stabilization device
A system and method for stabilizing an incontinent cervix during pregnancy are described. A system may include a nesting portion designed to surround the cervix without applying pressure to the cervix, while supporting the uterus in opposition to the weight of the developing fetus to prevent untimely effacement and dilatation of the cervix; thereby reducing the risk of premature birth and its consequence.
US08550086B2 Radiopaque implant
Implants for placement in the fallopian tube are provided that comprise radiopaque material. Implants include an inner core of silicone, a radiopaque material, an outer porous portion surrounding the inner core, and, optionally, a sound-reflecting air pocket. The implant may be detected in a fluoroscopic image and/or via ultrasound after placement of the implant in the fallopian tube.
US08550072B2 Apparatus for delivering humidified gases
An apparatus for delivering humidified gases has a connection manifold adapted to connect with inlet and outlet ports of a slide on water chamber in a single slide on motion. Connection of the gases inlet and gases outlet ports as well as any additional electrical and/or pneumatic connections are all made in the same slide on motion. The water chamber may include inwardly extending elongate extension tubes with one of the extension tubes having an air bleed aperture to aid filling of the chamber.
US08550063B2 Soccer ball delivery system and method
A system for delivering objects, such as soccer balls, the system including a delivery device and a methodology for training individuals that can be used with the delivery device, the delivery device including an accelerator that accepts, accelerates, and launches the balls with motion characteristics, and a control system having an electronic controller structured to store and execute a training program that includes ball service specifications and player service variables, ball speed and spin control inputs, and random selection of values within a range of values of the player service variables that include a starting position of the player relative to the device, a direction of motion of the player relative to the device, an identification of at least one location on the player's body to touch the ball, a time interval to wait before delivering the ball, and an action for the user to take with the ball.
US08550059B2 Method for igniting a combustible mixture for a combustion engine
A method of igniting a mixture of oxidant and fuel in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using a spark plug arranged so that it protrudes into the combustion chamber of the engine. The method includes powering the spark plug using a first alternating electrical signal of a frequency higher than 1 MHz, and second powering the spark plug using a second alternating electrical signal of a frequency higher than 1 MHz, the second power taking place after the first powering following a time delay.
US08550058B2 Fuel rail assembly including fuel separation membrane
As one example, a fuel rail assembly for supplying pressurized fuel to a plurality of cylinders of an engine is provided. The fuel rail assembly includes a fuel rail housing defining an internal fuel rail volume having at least a first region and a second region; a fuel separation membrane element disposed within the fuel rail housing that segregates the first region from the second region. The membrane element can be configured to pass a first component of a fuel mixture such as an alcohol through the membrane element from the first region to the second region at a higher rate than a second component of the fuel mixture such as a hydrocarbon. The separated alcohol and hydrocarbon components can be provided to the engine in varying relative amounts based on operating conditions.
US08550055B2 Fuel management systems and methods for variable displacement engines
A control system includes an engine mode transition module that initiates a deactivated mode to deactivate at least one cylinder. A scheduling module schedules a command to disable a spark plug at least one engine cycle after a command to disable a fuel injector for the at least one cylinder.
US08550025B2 Rowing boat footrest assembly
A rowing boat footrest assembly is provided with a base, an attachment structure, a limit structure and an adjustment structure. The attachment structure is coupled to the base, and configured and arranged to support a cleat. The limit structure limits a movement of the cleat to a first movement range in a transverse direction with respect to a longitudinal boat direction. The adjustment structure is provided at a location such that the adjustment structure adjusts the first movement range to a second movement range that is smaller than the first movement range.
US08550017B2 Method and apparatus of controlling exhaust gas in oxyfuel combustion boiler
Provided are a method and an apparatus of controlling exhaust gas in an oxyfuel combustion boiler which can attain stable combustion of the boiler while an amount of unburned combustibles and a NOx density in exhaust gas are maintained in their allowable ranges. A rate of supply of directly supplied oxygen to burners 6 to a total amount of oxygen produced by an air separation unit 18 is regulated in an operating range where the NOx density in the exhaust gas is below a NOx limit value and the amount of unburned combustibles in the exhaust gas is blow an unburned combustible limit value to thereby attain stable combustion of the oxyfuel combustion boiler.
US08550013B2 Locking electronics platform
A telescoping electronics mounting platform having a pair of cooperating frame members. An interlocking mechanism is coupled between the frame members and includes: relatively slidable male and female members coupled to the different frame members, a reaction surface formed relative to the second frame member, an actuator coupled to the male member and having a drive surface that is positioned adjacent to the reaction surface of the second frame member wherein the male member is responsive to a motion of the drive surface of the actuator relative to the reaction surface for moving relative to the female member, and an expandable locking mechanism coupled to between the male and female members, wherein the expandable locking mechanism is responsive to the motion of the actuator relative to the reaction surface for expanding within the female member.
US08550011B2 Adjustable table
An adjustable table has a base, a telescopic tube assembly, two outside tabletop components and two inside tabletop components. The base has at least one leg and a mounting bracket. The telescopic tube assembly has a shaft, a central tube and two sliding tubes. The shaft is located over the mounting bracket. The central tube is mounted securely around the shaft. The sliding tubes are mounted slidably around the shaft. The outside tabletop components are mounted slidably on the mounting bracket and are slidably mounted respectively on the sliding tubes. The inside tabletop components are foldable and each has a first board mounted pivotally and slidably on one sliding tube and a second board connected pivotally to the first board. Each inside tabletop component independently folds and flips underneath the outside tabletop components abut each other or abut one of the inside tabletop components to shorten a total tabletop length.
US08550008B2 System and method for reinjection of retard energy in a trolley-based electric mining haul truck
Retard energy regenerated from an electrical motor during braking action is reinjected into a power system via trolley lines. The retard energy may be transmitted to a bidirectional electric substation and returned to a utility grid. The retard energy may also be transmitted to an auxiliary energy storage system, such as an ultracapacitor system or a battery system. Installing trolley lines for mining haul trucks on a downhill slope may be used to capture and re-use substantial quantities of retard energy.
US08550006B2 Side buffer for a transport vehicle that travels along the ceiling, and transport vehicle system
A side buffer includes a bottom portion on which a FOUP may be placed, a restriction portion, an article receiving portion, and a link portion. The restriction portion is movable between a restricting position and a retracted position. At the restricting position, the restriction portion restricts an inclination of the FOUP on the bottom portion. At the retracted position, the restriction portion allows the FOUP to move between the bottom portion and a position directly above the bottom portion. The article receiving portion is disposed so as to receive a force from the FOUP placed on the bottom portion. The link portion moves the restriction portion from the retracted position to the restricting position with the received force.
US08549999B2 Screen printing machine and printing unit
A screen printing machine prints solder on circuit boards at predetermined printing positions. The screen printing machine includes a plurality of lanes arranged in a Y direction and each having a printing position, and a housing surrounding the printing positions and having replacement access ports which open in an X direction. The X direction is a direction in which the circuit boards are transferred, the Y direction is a generally horizontal direction which is generally perpendicular to the X direction, and a Z direction is a generally vertical direction which is generally perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction. A replacement part disposed in the plurality of lanes is replaceable from the replacement access ports during a tooling change.
US08549992B2 Apparatus with pressurised gas supply for preparing beverages
Apparatus for preparing beverages comprising a module (10) for distributing a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid supply tank (7), gas supply means (65) configured to supply the module with pressurized liquid, a liquid feed chamber (80), the said chamber being arranged, in a filling configuration, to communicate with the tank (7) in order to be filled with liquid and the said chamber being arranged, in a module supply configuration, to communicate with the gas supply means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and to distribute a quantity of liquid under a certain pressure through the module. Preferably, the chamber (80) is bounded by at least one elastic wall (85), separating the gas from the liquid in a sealed manner and, configured to deform elastically and thereby reduce the internal volume of the chamber under the effect of the gas thrust against this wall. The invention applies, for example, to mobile or portable coffee or multi-beverage machines.
US08549989B2 Piston apparatus for engine
A piston apparatus for an engine includes a piston pin that is inserted in a smaller end portion of a connecting rod and having a cross-section changing portion where a cross section changes at a portion of the piston pin, and a fixing member that engages the connecting rod and a piston through the cross-section changing portion so as to restrain longitudinal movement of the piston pin with respect to the connecting rod.
US08549987B2 Piston seal guide bearing
A priming piston reciprocating pump 10 has piston guide 14 which encircles piston 16 and is provided a bearing member 22 in the inner diameter of the upper end of the guide 14. The bearing 22 is formed of 25% carbon-filled PTFE and may be fitted without tools into the aforementioned ID. Such a bearing 22 allows a negligible clearance to be utilized between the bearing 22 and the piston 16.
US08549977B2 Apparatus for opening and closing breech block and cannon having the same
An apparatus for opening and closing a breech block includes a cam follower, a housing, a first plunger, a rotation unit, a pressurizing unit, an open cam, a first elastic member, and a second plunger. In the present invention, in a state that the open cam is out of the range of a moving path of the cam follower so as to restrict rotation of the cam follower, the second plunger is inserted into the housing so as to support the pressurizing unit. This may allow a closed state of the breech block to be maintained after firing. Furthermore, in the present invention, a closed mode of the breech block may be converted into an open mode, through simple manipulations, e.g., by rotating the rotation unit, i.e., by moving the pressurizing unit.
US08549975B2 Pyrotechnic actuator with a cylinder having communicating chambers
A pyrotechnic actuator for an active bonnet is provided that includes, but is not limited to a cylinder, a piston which can be displaced in the cylinder under the influence of a propellant gas and a first gas generator for producing the propellant gas. The actuator includes, but is not limited to at least one further gas generator, which can be ignited independently of the first gas generator.
US08549974B2 Apparatus for conditioning plastic containers for putting the same into use
An apparatus for conditioning plastic containers for putting them into use, in particular ampoules (13), formed into container blocks (11) side by side next to separating lines (17) at which the containers (13) can be separated from one another for use. A pre-separating station (13) is provided, into which the container blocks (11) can be moved in conveying steps and in which a swinging blade (27) is provided for each of the separating lines (17). The swinging blades (27) are coupled to a common drive (31, 33) for a cutting stroke to produce pre-separating incisions at the separating lines (17) such the cutting strokes of each swinging blade (27) takes place in a sequence offset in time in relation to the cutting strokes of other cutting blades (27).
US08549970B2 Power saw
A power saw assembly including a base plate and having a powered blade assembly including a saw blade attached to the upper surface of the base plate. The powered blade assembly has at least one operating position for cutting material wherein the saw blade extends at least partially through a slot in said base plate. The power saw assembly further includes a fence assembly swivelable about a substantially vertical axis from a first position allowing the saw blade to cut through a piece of material at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the length of the material, to other positions allowing the saw blade to cut through the material at angles other than 90 degrees with respect to the length of the material. The fence assembly is securable to the base plate at any position by clamping the fence assembly against the upper and lower surfaces of the base plate.
US08549969B2 Supply device for cutting device
Supply device (1) for a cutting device (2) for a web of reinforced rubber material, comprising a first and a second web transporter provided with web engagers, wherein the first and second web transporters are spaced apart from each other in web direction and are attached to a first and a second carriage that are connected to each other for being reciprocally moved as one unity, o attached to a common reciprocally movable carriage (23), respectively, wherein the first web transporter is situated downstream from the second web transporter, wherein the supply device furthermore comprises guides for guiding the carriage (s) with both transporters during the reciprocal motion, wherein the guides for the carriage or carriages with both transporters are continuous for the entire stroke of the reciprocal motion.
US08549968B2 Tow cutting apparatus
A cutting apparatus to cut a tow includes a tow support, a first blade, and a tow support deflector. The tow support deflector is disposed in cooperative alignment with the first blade to exert a deflecting force upon the tow support. The deflecting force substantially preventing the first blade from striking the tow support.
US08549965B2 Toolholder assembly
An apparatus for releasably holding a tubular toolholder shank includes a tool support member; a canister disposed within the tool support member; a lock rod movable within the tool support member in a reciprocating motion for pulling the tubular toolholder shank into a locked position and for releasing the tubular toolholder shank to an unlocked position; and at least two locking elements engaging the lock rod so that movement of the lock rod causes the locking elements to extend outward to engage the tubular toolholder shank. The lock rod includes a relief cavity extending rearward from a forward end of the lock rod. The lock rod has a maximum outer diameter and the relief cavity has a maximum diameter. A ratio of the maximum diameter of the relief cavity to the maximum outer diameter of the front portion of the lock rod is greater than approximately 1 to 4.
US08549953B2 Steering column comprising a plastic sliding sleeve
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a bracket (1) which carries an upper jacket unit (3) and a lower jacket unit (5), wherein the jacket units (3, 5) surround a steering shaft (8) rotatably mounted therein, and wherein the jacket units (3, 5) comprise an inner jacket tube (10) and an outer jacket tube (11) which surrounds the inner jacket tube (10) at least in some sections, said jacket tubes being mounted such that they can be displaced one inside the other in their axial direction by means of a plastic sleeve (6) made of thermoplastic which is located therebetween. Freedom from play is achieved in that the plastic sleeve (6) is inserted into the outer jacket tube (11) with a press fit, and in that the outer jacket tube (11) has at least one opening (12), in the region of which the plastic sleeve (6) is pressed against the inner jacket tube (10) by deformation.
US08549951B2 Joint mechanism for robot
A joint mechanism is for a robot. The joint mechanism includes a base; a first drive device mounted on the base including a first drive shaft; a second drive device including a second drive shaft; a joint body defining a plurality of toothed grooves and a guiding groove. A sliding board mounted on first drive shaft, the sliding board slidably located in the guiding groove to guide the joint body to swing relative to the base. A gear mounted on the second drive shaft, the gear meshes with the toothed grooves; a limiting assembly for rotatably mounting the joint body on the base. When the first drive device is started, the first drive shaft is rotated to drive the joint body rotating around the first drive shaft; when the second drive device is started, the second drive shaft is rotated to drive the gear rotating so the joint body swings relative to the base.
US08549947B2 Ball speed reducer and rotary table device using the same
Provided are a ball-type speed reducer and a rotary table device that are capable of performing high-speed rotation and high-rigidity rotation and suitable for reduction in size and weight. An index table 10 includes a ball-type speed reducer 20 and a table 50 that is fixed to an upper surface of a worm wheel 30 of the ball-type speed reducer 20. When the worm gear 22 rotates as the input shaft 24 of the ball-type speed reducer 20 rotates, balls 36 made of a magnetic material move along a ball groove 26 having a spiral shape. The worm wheel 30 rotates as the balls 36 move, and the table 50 rotates. The balls 36 are attracted and held by the permanent magnet 34 on the worm wheel 30 side, so that a case for preventing the balls 36 from coming off the worm wheel 30 can be omitted, whereby the total size and weight can be reduced. Backlash is not required, so that high-speed rotation and high-rigidity rotation are possible.
US08549945B2 Reducer of electronic power steering apparatus
A reducer of an electronic power steering apparatus is disclosed. The reducer of an electronic power steering apparatus aids the operation of a steering wheel by the driver by preventing a clearance from being caused by frictional wear between a worm and a worm wheel, by reducing rattle noise caused by backlash, and by minimizing the change in the clearance due to a change in torque.
US08549942B2 Multi-stage transmission
A multi-stage transmission has driving gears m and driven gears n that mesh constantly and are supported on a hollow driven gear shaft. The driven gears n are individually engageable with and disengageable from the hollow driven gear shaft. Swing pawl members control engagement and disengagement between each of the driven gears n and the driven gear shaft, and cam rods inserted in the driven gear shaft to slide relative to the internal surface of the shaft to operate the swing pawl members. Gear shift driving member includes a shift drum, a control rod in sliding contact with the inner surface of the cam rods to axially move the cam rods, and a control rod operating element responsive to rotation of the shift drum to move the control rod. The control rod and the driven gear shaft are prevented from relative rotation by an anti-rotation mechanism.
US08549941B2 Multi-stage transmission
Driven gears are supported on a hollow driven gear shaft in a manner engageable with and disengageable from a hollow driven gear shaft via swing pawl members. The transmission has first a engaging member for engaging the gear shaft with a first driven gear, so as to effect synchronous rotation thereof and a second engaging member for engaging the gear shaft with a second gear, one step lower in the reduction gear ratio than the first gear, so as to effect synchronous rotation thereof. When making an upshift by changing over the engaging member from the engagement with the first gear to the engagement with the second gear, the gear shift is made by engaging the second gear with the gear shaft through the second engaging member while the first gear is being in engagement with the gear shaft through the first engaging member.
US08549936B2 Sampling valve
The sampling valve comprises a valve body that is movable in a valve housing between a closing position and an opening position of the sampling valve, and is characterized in that the valve body comprises an outlet bore for the sample to be taken, the outlet bore continuously increasing in size towards the free end of the valve body, and that the lower edge of the outlet bore is sloping downwards towards the free end. After a sample has been taken, there will be no drops remaining in the outlet bore, whereby a source of contamination for a sample taken that has so far been encountered frequently is now eliminated.
US08549935B2 Disposable, pre-sterilized fluid receptacle sampling device
The present invention provides a fluid sampling device comprising a port insert, a plurality of flexible conduits, and a plurality of sample containers. The port insert comprises a body having a plurality of shafts therethrough and a rotatably displaceable member for individually opening and closing any of said shafts to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. Flexible conduits (e.g., flexible tubing) are equal in number to the shafts, with each flexible conduit connected to or otherwise in fluid communication with an individual shaft. Similarly, sample containers (e.g., flexible bags) are equal in number to the conduits, with each sample container connected to an individual conduit opposite the connection to the shaft. A specific configuration for the port insert, as well as kit containing sterilized components of the fluid sampling device, are also described.
US08549934B2 Segmented online sampling apparatus and method of use
A segmented sampling apparatus is designed to extract a sample from a source and deliver the sample to a collector for storage or analysis. The sample is extracted from the source at a sample withdrawal or extraction rate but is delivered to the collector at a faster rate. Air is injected into or drawn into the apparatus which allows for an expedited sample delivery rate.
US08549930B2 Method of evaluating grease and extrusion die for the method
A method of measuring a characteristic property of grease includes pushing a constant volumetric flow of grease through an extrusion die and measuring the force needed to extrude the grease from the die. The die includes a flow restriction that increases the force required to flow the grease.
US08549922B2 Motion detection using capacitor having different work function materials
An apparatus for detecting mechanical displacement in a micro-electromechanical system includes a capacitor having first and second plates spaced from one another, the first and second plates having different work functions and being electrically connected with each other. The capacitor plates are movable with respect to one another such that a spacing between the plates changes in response to a force. A current through the capacitor represents a rate of change in the spacing between the plates at a given time.
US08549909B2 Vessel probe connector with solid dielectric therein
A modular TDR probe assembly is presented. The probe assembly includes a first section with a central conductor and an outer conductor having a first impedance, and a second section with a central conductor and an outer conductor having a second impedance. An impedance matching elbow joins the first section and the second section. The elbow contains a solid dielectric insert with a bore passing through it housing a terminal pin that conveys electrical signals between the center conductor of the first section and the center conductor of the second section.
US08549908B2 Thermal anemometer flow meter for the measurement of wet gas flow
A flow body flow meter includes a flow body and a sensor having one or more probes in the flow body. As a wet gas stream enters the flow body, an internal passage imparts angular momentum to the stream to induce a rotating flow. The wet gas stream at least intermittently carries liquid phase particles and the inertia of the denser liquid phase particles separates them from the rotating flow. The probes of the sensor are located in a part of the rotating flow that is free of any liquid phase particles. The internal passage may include an axial swirler and a cylindrical section downstream from the axial swirler. The axial swirler imparts the nonlinear motion to the stream, and tips of the probes are located near a center axis of the cylindrical section so they are free of any liquid phase particles.
US08549902B2 Apparatus for and method of detecting abnormality in exhaust gas temperature sensor
On the basis of a correlation between exhaust gas temperature detected by an exhaust gas temperature sensor and exhaust gas temperature estimated according to an engine operating condition, it is detected whether or not abnormality occurs in the exhaust gas temperature sensor. Namely, when a change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature follows a change characteristic of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is normal. On the other hand, when the change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature does not follow that of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is abnormal.
US08549901B2 Sensor structure
In relation to a humidity sensor sensitive to water and contamination, a sensor implementation structure that achieves both protection performance against water and contaminants and measurement performance such as humidity responsiveness is provided. A sensor structure has a mass airflow measurement element that measures a mass airflow flowing in an intake pipe, a humidity sensing element that senses humidity of air flowing in the intake pipe, a housing structural component having a connector that carries out input/output to/from outside and a terminal component of the connector, and a bypass passage that is composed by using part of the housing structural component and takes in part of the air that flows in the intake pipe, the mass airflow measurement element being mounted in the bypass passage; wherein space is provided in the housing structural component in the vicinity of the bypass passage, the humidity sensing element is mounted in the space.
US08549896B2 Vane pump and evaporation leak check system using the same
A vane pump has an upper casing, a lower casing, a rotor and a motor. First to fourth points are defined on an outer peripheral end of a lower flat surface of the lower casing. The first point is farthest from an intersection between an axis of a shaft of the motor and the lower flat surface. A suction passage passing through the third point and a discharge passage passing through the second point are formed between the upper casing and the lower casing. The fourth point is defined in a range from the third point to the first point. The lower flat surface is provided to incline with respect to the axis of the shaft of the motor such that the fourth point is farthest from a motor case of the motor among points on the outer peripheral end.
US08549895B2 Air filter leak inspection method
An air filter leak inspection method is provided. First, an aerosol to be filtered containing particles is passed through an air filter having a first edge and a second edge. Next, a leakage inspection unit is provided. The leakage inspection unit includes n probes, wherein n indicates a positive integer. Afterward, a moving procedure is set to make the probes traverse between the first edge and the second edge, thereby scanning the whole portions of the air filter. When the probes move to the second edge, the probes move along the extending direction of the second edge with a designed distance, wherein the designed distance is less than the length of each probe. Besides, the number of times that the probes traversing between the first and the second edge is determined according to the amount of the probe, the length of each probe and the height of the air filter.
US08549881B2 Preventing gas from occupying a spray nozzle used in a process of scoring a hot glass sheet
A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The spray nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway to cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid.
US08549880B2 Method for producing polarizing element
A method for producing a polarizing element includes the steps of: forming a coating film of a metal on a glass substrate; forming an island-shaped film composed of a metal halide on the glass substrate by partially removing the coating film and also halogenating the metal; forming needle-shaped particles of the metal halide by stretching the glass substrate through heating to elongate the island-shaped film; and forming needle-shaped metal particles composed of a metal by reducing the metal halide of the needle-shaped particles.
US08549878B2 Method of generating nitrogen and apparatus for use in the same
There is provided a method of generating nitrogen which includes cryogenically separating compressed air introduced into a high-pressure column 11, storing liquid air 13 in a bottom portion of the high-pressure column 11 and taking nitrogen in gaseous form from an upper portion of the high-pressure column 11, introducing the liquid air 13 stored in the bottom portion of the high-pressure column 11 into a low-pressure column 12, cryogenically separating the liquid air 13 introduced into the low-pressure column 12 and storing oxygen-enriched liquid air 22 in a bottom portion of the low-pressure column 12 and taking nitrogen in gaseous form from an upper portion of the low-pressure column 12 as a product gas. Liquid air 13 taken through an extraction pipe 20 is introduced into a portion of a rectification part 12a of the low-pressure column 12 in which the number of theoretical plates from a column bottom side is set within the range of one to ten.
US08549876B2 Method and apparatus for cooling a hydrocarbon stream
Method of cooling a hydrocarbon stream (10) such as natural gas, the method at least comprising the steps of (a) heat exchanging the hydrocarbon stream (10) against a first refrigerant stream (20) to provide a cooled hydrocarbon stream (30) and an at least partly evaporated refrigerant stream (40); (b) compressing the at least partly evaporated refrigerant stream (40) using one or more compressors (14, 16, 18) to provide a compressed refrigerant stream (50, 60, 70); (c) cooling the compressed refrigerant stream (50, 60, 70) after one or more of the compressors against ambient to provide a cooled compressed refrigerant stream (70a); (d) dynamically expanding the cooled compressed gaseous refrigerant stream (70a) to provide an expanded refrigerant stream (80); and (e) further cooling the expanded refrigerant stream (80) to provide an at least partially condensed refrigerant stream.
US08549875B2 Modular valve
The invention provides a valve comprising a house and a drum rotatable in the house. The house comprises a plurality of substantial identical tubular mid-section house members, a bottom house member, and a top house member. When connecting the house members to each other, a continuous outer wall surrounding a house cavity, a port, and a plurality of nozzles being in fluid communication with the house cavity is provided. The drum comprises a plurality of substantial identical tubular mid-section drum members, a bottom drum member, and a top drum member. When connecting the drum members to each other, an inner wall having an outer surface being adapted for rotation in contact with a corresponding inner surface of the outer wall, the inner wall comprising a plurality of conduits is provided. During rotation of the drum, the conduits can be brought into and out off fluid communication with the nozzles in order to provide passages between the port and the nozzles. Furthermore, the invention provides a set of members to form a valve, and a system for thermal exchange.
US08549872B2 Refrigerator
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cold air generator configured to generate cold air. The refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber configured to receive the cold air generated by the cold air generator. The refrigerator further includes a first storage chamber door configured to open and close an access point to the first storage chamber and configured to store at least one of food and ice stuffs. In addition, the refrigerator includes a second storage chamber, having a container and positioned on the first storage chamber, wherein the second storage chamber is configured to be movable in front and rear directions.
US08549865B2 Pressure-actuated plug
A plug for regulating a flow of gas in a system is disclosed. The plug includes a housing disposed on a temperature boundary in a system. The housing defines a passage for flowing gas therethrough. The plug further includes at least one pressure-actuated valve disposed in the passage and movable between an open position and a closed position. The at least one pressure-actuated valve moves from the open position to the closed position as the pressure of the gas increases and moves from the closed position to the open position as the pressure of the gas decreases.
US08549855B2 Method and device for supplying a compressor in an internal combustion engine with compressed air
The invention relates to a method for supplying a compressor in an internal combustion engine with compressed air. The method has the following steps: determination of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine to identify operating states of the internal combustion engine; production of compressed air by the internal combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state without combustion and backing up of the compressed air using a throttle; and removal of the produced compressed air to supply the compressor. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.
US08549850B2 Exhaust gas aspirator
According to one representative embodiment, an aspirator for cooling exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine includes a nozzle section, an expansion section, and an air entrainment section. The nozzle section is communicable in exhaust receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The nozzle section includes a plurality of nozzles through which an exhaust gas stream is flowable. The expansion section is communicable in exhaust receiving communication with the plurality of nozzles. The air entrainment section is communicable in air supplying communication with the expansion section. The air is mixable with the exhaust gas within the expansion section.
US08549844B2 Exhaust gas after treatment apparatus of a motor vehicle
The invention relates to an exhaust gas after treatment apparatus having a hollow cylindrical casing shell (2). In the inside an exhaust catalytic converter, preferably adapted as SCR-catalytic converter, as well as an inflow chamber (9) for exhaust gas to be purified are provided. Therein, the inflow chamber (9) is defined by two bottom portions (10, 11) arranged opposite to each other. Further, a shell portion (12) gas tightly encompassing the bottom portions (10, 11) is provided for the inflow chamber (9). The inflow chamber (9) is encompassed by the casing shell (2) and may be manufactured from a material different from a material of the casing shell.
US08549837B2 Exhaust apparatus for transverse engine
An exhaust upstream section (48) of an exhaust apparatus (E) comprises a plurality of branch pipe portions (32), a plurality of intermediate collector pipe portions (33), a final collector pipe portion (34), and an exhaust gas-purifying unit (40). The exhaust gas-purifying unit (40) is disposed on a vehicle-rear side of an engine (1) to allow a gas passage thereinside to extend approximately in vehicle-widthwise direction, in top plan view. Each of the plurality of intermediate collector pipe portions (33) curves to allow an exhaust downstream region of the intermediate collector pipe portion (33) to be oriented toward one side or the other side of the vehicle-widthwise direction, in top plan view, and the final collector pipe portion (34) curves to allow an exhaust downstream region of the final collector pipe portion (34) to be oriented toward a vehicle-front side, in top plan view.
US08549835B2 Exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine has a thermoelectric power generator with a hot side and a cold side. The hot side is arranged on the exhaust gas system and is heatable by exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. A first heat exchanger having a first thermal conductivity is arranged between the hot side and the exhaust gas flow. At least a second thermoelectric power generator is arranged on the exhaust gas system and has a second heat exchanger with a thermal conductivity that is different from the first thermal conductivity. The arrangement of thermoelectric power generators can generate electric power over a significantly wider operating point range of the internal combustion engine.
US08549833B2 Hybrid propulsive engine including at least one independently rotatable compressor stator
A hybrid propulsive technique, comprising providing a flow of a working fluid through at least a portion of an at least one jet engine. The hybrid propulsive technique comprises extracting energy from the working fluid that is at least partially converted into electrical power, and converting at least a portion of the electrical power to a torque. The hybrid propulsive technique also comprises rotating an at least one independently rotatable compressor stator at least partially responsive to the converting the at least a portion of the electrical power to the torque.
US08549819B1 Pallet roping and wrapping apparatus and method
Pallet roping and wrapping machines having a plurality of spools of stretch film supported on a single spool and guides that form ropes of stretch film without cutting. Specific implementations of guides include guides formed of rings and rollers. Positions of guides may be adjustable. A first roll of stretch film may be used with a second roll of stretch film, where the second roll of stretch film is narrowed into ropes and combined with a web from the first roll of stretch film. The combination of film from the first roll of stretch film and narrowed film from the second roll of stretch film may be pre-stretched prior to be applied to a load.
US08549795B1 High security blast door lock and seal
Methods and apparatus are provided for securely blocking and sealing an access corridor to a secure facility. The exemplary system includes a penetration resistant door disposed in a passage intersecting the access corridor, and dividing it into first and second sides. An actuating mechanism translates the door within the passage between an open position in which the corridor is unblocked, and a closed position in which the corridor is blocked by the door. A locking system is configured to push the door toward one side of the access corridor when the door is in the closed position, compressing a seal disposed between the door and the passage wall, and sealing the first side of the access corridor from the second side.
US08549789B2 Hidden window retainer system for doors
A door has a frame forming an opening of the door, a window unit rotatably attached to the frame for positioning in the opening of the frame, a retainer moveably mounted on the frame, and an operator for operating the retainer. The retainer is moveable from a released position wherein the retainer is disengaged from the window unit, to a retaining position, wherein the retainer engages the window unit to hold the window unit in the opening.
US08549783B2 Tactical apparatus and method for mounting a multi-cartridge firing electric discharge weapon
Embodiments include an apparatus having a frame, at least one handle, a control housing, and a mounting plate wherein a plurality of firing cartridges from a multi-cartridge electric discharge weapon may mounted on the mounting plate, permitting an available multi-cartridge electric discharge weapon to be converted from a fixed or vehicle mounted position to a hand-carried position where it may be carried, aimed, and fired as a conventional weapon. Certain embodiments disclose a rail system permitting handles and accessories to be mounted thereupon and used in conjunction with the mounted electric discharge weapon. A method for converting a multi-cartridge firing electrical discharge weapon from a fixed or vehicle-mounted status to a hand-carryable status.
US08549782B2 Firearm having an indexing mechanism
A firearm comprising a frame, a barrel with a firing axis connected to the frame, a cylinder pivotally attached to the frame and positioned within an opening in the frame and having a plurality of firing chambers sized to receive a cartridge, and a firing mechanism including a trigger attached to the frame to actuate the firing mechanism, wherein the frame is substantially nonmetallic and includes at least one metal insert having a polymer over-molding. A cylinder retaining mechanism selectively retains the cylinder in a first position within a window in the frame and comprises a biasing pin operatively attached to a yoke and which is oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the bore axis when the cylinder is in the first position.
US08549779B2 Tradeshow display system
A variety of configurations are disclosed for modular tradeshow display systems that can be assembled without the use of tools or other specialized machinery.
US08549778B2 Device at a portable display panel system
Provided is a portable display panel system including a rack, upper and lower rods having pairs of upper and a lower holder ribs, and a cloth or a panel of a printable material. Each of the rods has a through-cavity. An elastic string extends through each of the upper and lower holder ribs and is attached to the outer ends of the outermost rods. Male and female couplings are arranged at the abutting ends of the rods arranged in pairs, which may be brought together in either two positions, which are turned by 180°, or four positions which are turned by 90° relative to each other. At least one pair of the rods are bent or angled.
US08549763B2 System and method for garment fitting and fabrication
A system for garment fitting and fabrication includes a fabric template and fabric pieces attachable to the template to form the garment. A method for garment fitting and fabrication includes draping pre-fabricated modular fabric pieces on a wearer.
US08549760B2 Adjustable locking shoe
A shoe for a band saw includes a block for coupling to the band saw, the block having an aperture, a locking ball disposed in the aperture, a body including a first surface for engaging a workpiece and an opposite surface having plurality of recesses, and a locking rod coupled to the block and movable between a first position and a second position. The locking ball is received in one of the plurality of recesses of the body when the locking rod is in the first position such that the body is fixed relative to the block, and the body is movable relative to the block when the locking rod is in the second position.
US08549759B2 Adjustable shoe for a power tool
A shoe for a band saw includes a block for coupling to the band saw, and a body having a surface for engaging a workpiece. The block has a first detent feature. The body has a second detent feature for cooperating with the first detent feature to hold the body with respect to the block. The body is moveable between an engaged position in which the first and second detent features cooperate to hold the body with respect to the block, and a non-engaged position in which the first and second detent features do not cooperate.
US08549755B2 Compact utility knife
A compact utility knife includes a blade holder slidably connected to a handle. A trapezoidal utility blade detachably mounts to the blade holder via a blade lock mechanism. A slide lock mechanism selectively retains the blade holder in its extended or retracted position relative to the handle. When the blade holder is extended, the blade holder and a majority of the blade extend forwardly of a forwardmost point of the handle. Extending the blade holder significantly increases an overall length of the knife such that the knife is comfortable to use when in the extended position and longitudinally compact when in the retracted position. The knife includes a blade lock mechanism. An aperture in the front of the handle creates a gap between the blade and the handle to discourage debris on the blade from transferring to the handle when the blade is retracted.
US08549754B2 Rotating head multi-angled cutting knife
A knife that consist of a handle with a lockable and rotatable cutter head. The handle has a locking mechanism that secures the cutter head in numerous cutting positions and also in a safety position. The cutter head contains the blade. After the edges get dull the blade can be rotated within the cutter head to allow for the use of new cutting edges. The blade can easily be replaced by loosening the cutter head pivot bolt. The cutter head and pivot bolt remain attached to the knife during this process.
US08549752B1 Method of adjusting a slipper clutch and spur gear assembly for a model vehicle
A method of torque adjustment by removing and replacing a spur gear secured to a clutch driver plate in a slipper clutch for a model vehicle without changing the axial load applied by a spring to the clutch driver plate. The spring is configured to apply an axial load to at least a portion of the clutch driver plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft, the spring being adjustable to vary the axial load.
US08549751B2 Method of manufacturing a welded component comprising a seamless bent pipe and seamless straight pipe sections
Provided are a seamless bent pipe constituted by a bent section and straight pipe sections on both ends of the bent section, with the inside diameter at each pipe end portion being larger than the inside diameter of the bent section, and a welded component comprising a seamless bent pipe and a seamless straight pipe at one or each end of the seamless bent pipe, with the end of the seamless straight pipe to be welded to one or each end of the seamless bent pipe having the same inside diameter as the inside diameter of the seamless bent pipe, as well as methods of manufacturing them. As a result, elements suited for use in pipelines can be obtained, without unnecessarily increasing the wall thickness of the seamless bent pipe and without internal machining of the pipe end portions of the seamless bent pipe after the manufacturing thereof.
US08549750B2 Method of manufacturing liquid discharge head substrate and method of processing the substrate
A method of processing a liquid discharge head substrate includes the step of providing a recessed portion in the back surface of the substrate by discharging a manufacturing liquid in a linear trajectory to the back surface of the substrate and by irradiating the back surface of the substrate with laser light that passes along and in the manufacturing liquid.
US08549693B2 Tooth cleaning device
A tooth cleaning device comprising a handle, and a pad coupled to the handle, wherein the pad has a front face, a back face and a plurality of side walls. There are a plurality of different areas disposed on the front face of the pad comprising a first area comprising a first set of protrusions, in a substantially semi-spherical shape, and a second area comprising a second set of protrusions in a substantially conical shape. There is also a third area of protrusions formed as a substantially conical shape, and a fourth area of protrusions formed as a substantially semi-spherical shape. The device can be formed as a pad which collapses voluntarily under pressure. The pad can be made from any suitable material such as any type of rubber or plastic.
US08549685B2 Child sleeping restraint
The present invention relates to a sleeping restraint for a child that can be used to secure the child to the chest of an adult who is in a substantially horizontal position as well as to methods of using a sleeping restraint. In certain embodiments, the sleeping restraint comprises a chest strap for encircling the chest of an adult, first and second child restraining walls extending from the chest strap, and a restraining strap attached to the first child restraining wall for restraining a child in place on the adult's chest between the walls when the adult is lying on his back.
US08549677B2 Automatic water flushing control device and its faucet
A control device for automatic water discharge installed at position where water is discharged in apparatus for automatic water discharge in a kitchen and sanitary environment is provided. The device comprises a housing, a sensor unit disposed inside the housing, a water discharge unit, and an electromagnetic valve assembly. The housing comprises a first holding chamber configured to receive the sensor unit, a second holding chamber configured to receive the electromagnetic valve assembly, a third holding chamber configured to receive the water discharge unit, and a water intake chamber. The sensor unit comprises a circuit board and a sensor set at the circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a processor. The electromagnetic valve assembly comprises an electromagnetic valve electrically connected with the circuit board and a diaphragm unit. Motion of the diaphragm unit controls connecting and blocking between the water intake chamber and the third holding chamber to respectively realize water discharge or to stop water. The control device for automatic water discharge is designed as compact structures, and is conducive to the miniaturization of products.
US08549671B2 Helmet having magnetically coupled cheek pads
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having magnetic coupling is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet includes at least one protective layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's head and a pad coupled to a back plate, a back plate coupled to a protective layer, a back plate comprising a magnet.
US08549669B2 Enhanced headwear package
The combination of a headwear piece, at least one object, and a tether. The headwear piece has a crown with a surface for engaging a wearer's head to maintain the headwear piece in an operative position on the wearer's head. The at least one object has an identification thereon that relates to at least one of: a) an event; b) a location; c) an institution; d) a product; e) a service; f) a person; g) an animate object; h) an inanimate object; i) a team; and j) a participant in an event. The tether maintains the at least one object on the headwear piece. An identification on the headwear piece is coordinated with the identification on the at least one object.
US08549668B1 Glove with abrasion-resistant elements
A glove is disclosed that includes abrasion-resistant finger elements on the inner surface of the glove, including in the finger stalls. The finger elements include abrasion-resistant elements that define extended channels between them. The finger elements are composed of an abrasion-resistant material.
US08549666B2 Convertible garment
Garments are convertible between multiple configurations so as to have an alternate appearance and/or be wearable as a different type of garment. Pants may be alternately configured so as to expose one of at least two possible surface treatments. The pants include a reversing panel having front and rear flaps that can be alternately wrapped around the left or right side. A garment alternately configurable for wear as a skirt or as a pair of short pants includes front and rear conversion tails. The front conversion tail is alternately affixable to the front or to the rear of the garment; the rear conversion tail is alternately affixable to the rear or to the front of the garment. A garment is also alternately configurable for wear in a sleeveless, wraparound manner, or for wear as a sleeved garment.
US08549664B2 Warming salon cape
The present invention is a warming salon cape with a front planar facing and a rear planar facing, a bias binding, a pouch that is utilized to hold one or more objects, an exterior covering, a label and a plurality of fabric piping. The warming salon cape also includes one or more fasteners, a neck aperture that is formed when the fasteners are releasably engaged securing the warming salon cape around the user, a plurality of sewn threading and a plurality of vents. The present invention also includes a method for using a warming salon cape that includes the steps of asking a client being groomed their ability to self-regulate their body temperature, providing the warming salon cape to the client and having the client wear the warming salon cape.
US08549663B2 Glove reinforcement method
A glove having one or more reinforcements affixed thereon that reduce restriction of movement of fingers of a user. The reinforcements cross to form at least one X-shaped pattern when projected on a plane of motion of an interphalangeal joint of the fingers. The one or more reinforcements are located substantially on one or both sides of the interphalangeal joint of the fingers. The X-shaped pattern is substantially centered over an axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint.
US08555408B2 Method and apparatus for providing a specific user interface in a system for managing content
A method and apparatus for managing use of protected content by providing a specific user interface to an application program used to render the content. The method includes identifying a user interface description associated with content, building a specific user interface based on the user interface description, and replacing the standard user interface of an application program used to render the content with the specific user interface. The specific user interface can be unique to the user, unique to a Web site, or otherwise customized.
US08555398B2 Role-based access to shared RFID data
An electronic product code information service (EPCIS) interface is provided, where the EPCIS interface is capable of allowing one or more accessing applications residing on a variety of systems and associated with a plurality of enterprises/organizations to receive EPC-related data. One or more roles of an entity attempting to receive EPC-related data through the interface may be identified. A query may be performed to generate a result set within an extent permitted by access authorization associated with the identified roles of the entity.
US08555397B2 Consumer-controlled data access to shared RFID data
An electronic product code information service (EPCIS) interface is provided, where the EPCIS interface allows accessing applications residing on a variety of systems and associated with a plurality of enterprises/organizations to receive EPC-related data. Also provided is a consumer security profile in which access authorization governing the extent of data collection and/or access by an entity to EPC-related consumer data is specified. Access by an accessing application may be allowed within an extent permitted by access authorization specified in the consumer security profile.
US08555395B2 Method and system for providing a media change notification on a computing system
A method for providing a media change notification on a computing system. The present method polls a media device of a computing system for a media change wherein the polling of the media device cannot be blocked by the computing system. When a media change is detected on the media device, a media change notification is generated. The media change notification is then output when the media change on the media device is detected. In so doing, the media change notification cannot be blocked by the computing system.
US08555391B1 Adaptive scanning
Diversity information associated with a set of advertisement tags is determined. Example ways of determining diversity include determining a list of distinct Uniform Resource Locators, determining a list of distinct domains, and determining whether an advertisement includes one or more dynamic elements. Scans are adaptively performed based on the determined diversity information. Scanning is performed more frequently for advertisement tags having higher associated diversities and scanning is performed less frequently for advertisement tags having lower associated diversities.
US08555390B2 Method and device for protection of a microcircuit against attacks
The method of protection of a microcircuit against an attack includes: a step (205) of determining if an attack has been detected, if an attack has been detected, a step (210, 510) of executing a protection function, and if no attack has been detected, a step (215, 515) of executing a decoy function simulating the protection function and perceptible from outside the microcircuit in a manner substantially identical to the protection function. In some embodiments the decoy function has a power consumption substantially identical to that of the protection function, the protection function effects a step of writing predetermined data at a first address of a non-volatile memory, and the decoy function effects a step of writing in non-volatile memory at a second address different from the first address.
US08555384B1 System and method for gathering data for detecting fraudulent transactions
A system and method for gathering data for detecting fraudulent transactions includes, in one embodiment, a web page that contains a fraud data gathering script and causes a client device to download a fraud detection applet. The fraud data gathering script causes the client device to collect information from the client device that is usable to identify the client device. The fraud detection applet causes the client device to connect to an identification echo service server to obtain the actual IP address of the client device. The fraud detection data, including the identifying information and the actual IP address, are then sent to a web server and/or a fraud data gathering server for further processing and to determine whether a transaction with the client device is likely to be fraudulent.
US08555381B2 Cloud computing as a security layer
A system includes a computing cloud comprising at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to connect to at least one client and monitor the traffic of the at least one client. The computing cloud is further configured to determine an operational mode of the client, compare the monitored traffic with an anticipated traffic pattern associated with the operational mode, and determine if a security threat is indicated based on the comparison.
US08555377B2 Secure virtual machine
An approach to securely distributing and running virtual machines is described that addresses the inherent insecurity of mobile virtual machines by authenticating a user before establishing a specialized virtualization runtime environment that includes a filesystem driver inserted into the host operating system to provide secure access to a virtual machine by authorized hypervisors only. Further described is the creation of a SecureVM package that includes the various components used to perform the operations of installation, user authentication and establishment of the specialized virtualization runtime environment.
US08555376B2 Method and system for supporting portable desktop with enhanced functionality
A method is disclosed for a peripheral portable desktop device. The peripheral portable desktop device is coupled with a workstation. In a second mode of operation, a portion of the peripheral portable desktop device is operatively coupled with the workstation for operation therewith to provide an ancillary function. In a first mode of operation data within the peripheral portable desktop device is used to support a personal desktop on the workstation.
US08555360B1 System and method for on-line and off-line streaming application isolation
A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing streaming of one or more applications from streaming servers onto one or more clients. The one or more applications are contained within one or move isolated environments, and the isolated environments are streamed from the servers onto clients. The system may include the option of running both in on-line and off-line. When on-line, the system may include authentication of the streaming servers and authentication of clients and credentialing of the isolated environments and applications the clients are configured to run. The system may further include encrypted communication between the streaming servers and the clients. When off-line, the system may include the ability to run already installed isolated environments without requiring credentialing. The system may further include a management interface where administrators may add, remove and configure isolated environments, configure client policies and credentials, and force upgrades. The streamed isolated environments may be isolated from other applications and the host operating system on the clients and applications within the isolated environments may run without performing an application-installation on the client.
US08555346B2 Generating user and avatar specific content in a virtual world
Generation of user and avatar specific content in a virtual world may include generating a local attribute object. The local attribute object may comprise attributes identifying at least one of the user's real world location and the user's avatar's virtual world location. Access to the local attribute object by virtual world operators may be controlled by the user and/or user's avatar. Specific content, based on the local attribute object, is presented to the user's avatar.
US08555342B1 Providing secure access to a set of credentials within a data security mechanism of a data storage system
A technique provides secure access to a set of credentials within a data storage system. The technique involves obtaining a unique identifier (e.g., a hostname which is unique to the system) and a set of stable values (e.g., machine-generated codes which are random to users of the system); and, in response to a storage request from a client application, storing a set of credentials of the client application within a data security mechanism of the data storage system. The set of credentials is in encrypted form when stored within the data security mechanism of the data storage system. The technique further involves configuring the data security mechanism of the data storage system to provide the set of credentials in non-encrypted form in response to new fingerprints matching a system fingerprint which is formed at least in part from the unique identifier and the set of stable values.
US08555332B2 System for establishing communications with a mobile device server
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server having computer instructions to execute a web server application in the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable to cause a media processor to invoke a software application in the mobile device server. The mobile device server can support voice communications over a cellular communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08555328B2 Information provisioning apparatus and information provisioning method
Information provisioning includes acquiring one of an audio and a video elementary stream of content that is composed of a plurality of segments, and actual data of metadata that includes information related to the content. The metadata is divided into metadata processing units (MPU) corresponding to segments subjected to processing in the plurality of segments. A transport stream of a MPEG-2 system is generated that includes packetized elementary stream (PES) packets acquired by packetizing the segments of the data stream and metadata PES packets acquired by packetizing at least one MPU.
US08555319B2 Service guide transmission/reception method and apparatus for broadcast service
Service guide transmission/reception methods and apparatuses for providing users with a service guide supporting multiplay service are provided. Service guide delivery information is received at a terminal. Device class grouping information is extracted from the Service guide delivery information. A Service Guide Data Unit (SGDU) having service guide information required for composing a service guide matched to the terminal is received. The service guide composed using the service guide information received by means of the SGDU is displayed.
US08555316B2 Interactive program guide systems and processes
Interactive program guide systems and related processes are provided which can automatically tune a television, or program a VCR, based on program selections made from program schedule information displayed on a television or other suitable video monitor. The interactive program guide is preferably implemented using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box that is coupled to the viewer's television set. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from a headend telecasting center. Preferably, program schedule information for the current day and at least six subsequent days is stored in a memory within the set-top box. The interactive program guide provides a display mode for allowing the viewer to apply a restrictive search selection criterion and a nonrestrictive sort attribute to the program schedule information.
US08555312B2 Multimedia channel sharing
An initiating viewer identifies a multimedia channel and submits a request to share the multimedia channel with at least one recipient viewer at another viewer premises. This request is processed by the multimedia receiver of the initiating viewer so as to generate a channel change request for submission to a service provider. In response to the channel share request, the service provider queries the recipient viewer to determine whether the recipient viewer accepts or rejects the offered multimedia channel. If the recipient viewer accepts the multimedia channel, the multimedia channel can be provided to the multimedia receiver of the recipient viewer either for storage for later playback or for immediate playback concurrent with the provision of the multimedia channel to the initiating viewer. Billing for costs associated with the shared multimedia channel is conducted based on billing feedback provided by the initiating viewer.
US08555310B1 Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.
US08555309B2 Converged communication server with transaction management
A communications server increases the value of cable and communication services by enabling the integration of packet network content with directed advertising in a managed environment. Such services may include Video On Demand and videoconferencing running on a Converged Communication Platform. Content processing within the server enables the combining of streaming content with different types of ads. Content integration is controlled through software negotiations between subscriber, advertiser, and content provider software agents. The rate, selection, placement, and number of advertisements within a television program or videoconference can also be determined. The ability to custom tailor content and advertisements increases the value of advertising, lowers costs to subscribers, improves the viewing experience, and disburdens transaction participants from the manual tasks that would otherwise be required during transaction setup.
US08555308B1 System, method and computer program product for calculating the cost of an advertisement
A system, method and computer program product are provided for calculating the cost of an advertisement. Initially, data reflecting an advertisement and usage of the advertisement may be provided. The data provided may then be rated. A cost may then be calculated based on the rated data.
US08555303B2 Disk cartridge
A disk cartridge includes a case body that is capable of housing a plurality of disk-shaped recording media and is joined or separated by making a first shell contact with/separate from a second shell in an axial direction, and a lock lever that is rotatably supported and locks the first shell and the second shell in a joining manner, in the inside of the case body. A supporting shaft is provided to the case body, the lock lever includes a supported part and a lock part, a disk inserting/ejecting slot is formed, an open/close panel is provided to the first shell, the lock lever is supported on an end part of the case body, and an insertion concave part in which the lock part of the lock lever can be inserted and engaged is formed within an inner face of the open/close panel.
US08555300B1 Optical disc driver
The disclosure provides an optical disc driver for loading or loading/writing an optical disc and accessing at least one memory card. The optical disc driver includes a housing and a rectangular body. The rectangular body formed mainly for loading an optical disk includes a front panel disposed at a front side of the rectangular body; a main space for loading or loading/writing the optical disk, and an optical loading device is disposed in the main space; and a spare space for accessing the at least one memory card, and a plurality of electrical pins disposed in the spare space. The rectangular body moves in relative to the housing along a left-right direction of the front panel, the main space and the spare space are formed downward from a same plane, and the spare space is a small section extending from one of two sides of the front panel.
US08555295B2 Cluster system, server cluster, cluster member, method for making cluster member redundant and load distributing method
A protocol process to a reception traffic is executed by cluster members of a current use system and a backup system. The backup system discards the reception traffic subjected to the protocol process and only the current use system transfers the reception traffic to an AP. The AP makes an application process redundant in an independent method. The cluster member in charge of the protocol process to the reception traffic is determined by using a data in a lower layer and the cluster member in charge of the application process is determined by using a data in a higher layer after the protocol process.
US08555293B2 Method and apparatus for communication between application programs
A communication apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a transmission message to be transmitted from a first application to a second application, a determination unit configured to determine whether the second application is present in the same area as the first application, an encoding unit configured to encode the transmission message if the second application is determined to be in an area different from the first application, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the transmission message from the first application to the second application, wherein an encoded transmission message is transmitted if the second application is determined to be present in an area different from the first application, and an un-encoded transmission message is transmitted if the second application is determined to be present in the same area as the first application.
US08555291B2 Synchronization control method and information processing device
Provided are a synchronization control section that executes a current thread and a reference thread in parallel, a waiting time calculation section that calculates the time needed for the reference thread to reach a second synchronization point as a waiting time of the current thread when the reference thread does not reach the second synchronization point at a time when the current thread reaches a first synchronization point, a quality difference calculation section that estimates a quality difference between data that the current thread generates by referring to processing data at the second synchronization point of the reference thread and data that the current thread generates without referring to the processing data, and a synchronization determination section that determines whether to make the current thread wait until the reference thread reaches the second synchronization point depending on the waiting time and the magnitude of the quality difference.
US08555288B2 Managing database utilities to improve throughput and concurrency
A method, computer program, and system are disclosed for executing a utility on a database system having a plurality of database system nodes. Each database system node has an existing load. An increased load on the database system required to execute the utility is determined. The existing load on each of the database system nodes is determined. The increased load is distributed in such a way as to balance the load among the database system nodes.
US08555284B2 Method, a mechanism and a computer program product for executing several tasks in a multithreaded processor
A method for executing several tasks in a multithreaded (MT) processor, each task having, for every hardware shared resource from a predetermined set of hardware shared resources in the MT processor, one associated artificial time delay that is introduced when a task accesses a hardware shared resource, the method including step (a) of establishing, for every hardware shared resource and each task to be artificially delayed, the artificial delay to be applied to each access of each task to every hardware shared resource; step (b) of performing the following steps (b1) to (b4) on the access of each task to be artificially delayed to every hardware shared resource in the predetermined set of hardware shared resources in the MT processor: step (b1) of verifying if a request is ready to be sent to the hardware shared resource; in case of positive result, Step (b2) of verifying if the hardware shared resource is ready to accept the request; in case of positive result, step (b3) of delaying the request by the artificial delay established for the hardware shared resource; step (b4) of allowing the request of the task to access the hardware shared resource.
US08555283B2 Temperature-aware and energy-aware scheduling in a computer system
A computer system to schedule loads across a set of processor cores is described. During operation, the computer system receives a process to be executed. Next, the computer system obtains one or more thermodynamic process characteristics associated with the process and one or more thermodynamic processor-core characteristics associated with operation of the set of processor cores. Then, the computer system schedules the process to be executed by at least one of the processor cores based on the one or more thermodynamic process characteristics and the one or more thermodynamic processor-core characteristics.
US08555279B2 Resource allocation for controller boards management functionalities in a storage management system with a plurality of controller boards, each controller board includes plurality of virtual machines with fixed local shared memory, fixed remote shared memory, and dynamic memory regions
Provided is a computer system capable of linking and integrally operating a plurality of virtual machines. In this regard, a memory management mechanism capable of securing a shared memory secured, before the activation of the virtual machines, in a physical address that can be designated and capable of securing local memories corresponding to the number of the virtual machines is realized. In relation to a virtual system realized by a cooperation process by the plurality of virtual machines using part of physical hardware, a fixed area, in which the physical address and the size are determined at the activation of a hypervisor, and a dynamic allocation area, which is managed by the hypervisor, allocated from a memory pool that is shared by virtual machines that execute other functions, and in which the physical address and the size are determined at the activation of the virtual machines, are allocated to the virtual machines constituting the virtual machine group.
US08555274B1 Virtualized desktop allocation system using virtual infrastructure
A plurality of virtual machines (VMs) is established and maintained by virtualization software on one or more physical servers. Desktop management software operates to provide the VMs to remote users as virtualized desktops. The desktop management software includes a connection broker, that allows a remote user to select a type of virtualized desktop and initiate a desktop session. The desktop management software further includes lease management functionality, that ensures users are provided access to a particular virtualized desktop for only a fixed period of time. In addition, the desktop management software provides an administrative console, which allows an administrator to set various parameters, including QoS parameters, and parameters specifying the resources allocated to each user. The desktop management software interacts with lower level software to provide load-balancing functionality, that adjusts the resources provided to each VM based on the needs of the VM. The load-balancing functionality also ensures that QoS parameters are met, and that the parameters specifying the maximum resources allocated to each user are not exceeded.
US08555273B1 Network for updating electronic devices
Disclosed herein is an electronic device network for lifecycle management of firmware and software in electronic devices. The electronic device network may also be adapted to manage configuration parameters in the electronic devices. Lifecycle management provided by the electronic device network may include firmware and software downloading, firmware and software updating, and remote locking and remote enabling of electronic device capability. An update store module in the electronic device network may be adapted to dispense update packages to requesting electronic devices. The electronic devices may employ one or a plurality of update agents to update software and firmware therein. A boot loader in the electronic device is capable of determining whether an update agent is to be invoked or whether a previous backup copy of the update agent in non-volatile memory is to be invoked upon determining, based upon status information, that an update is to be conducted, rather than a normal startup operation without updates.
US08555272B2 System and method for implementing data-compatibility-based version scheme
A versioning schema enforced by the application development environment enables the runtime environment of a terminal device to evaluate a software update to identify potential compatibility issues and control installation of the update. The versioning schema includes a respective field for each one of a plurality of aspects of the application and defines an initial value of each field when an initial application load is released. For each successive software update affecting the application, the method involves identifying each aspect of the application affected by the software update and incrementing a value of the respective field of each identified aspect. The version number can be in the form D.M.F where D, M and F are incremented in response to changes in the application relating to data components, message components and features.
US08555268B2 Automating dynamic programs
Solving combinatorial optimisation problems using dynamic programming involves automating the integration of bounds propagation into compilation of a dynamic program. This is done by extracting bounds from partial results obtained during dynamic programming, and tightening the bounds throughout execution of the dynamic program. This dramatically reduces the number of “good” solutions that need to be constructed at each stage, improving speed and scalability of algorithms using such dynamic programming.
US08555263B2 System and method for code automation
A system is provided for computer application code automation comprising a code automation computer server configured for presenting an electronic user interface for receiving user input for generating a Structured Query Language (SQL) query, the user input comprising a plurality of SQL tokens, a processor, associated with the code automation computer server, for receiving the plurality of SQL tokens, the processor retrieving from memory and executing computer executable instructions for at least one of: (a) optimizing performance of the SQL query while receiving the user input, and (b) error checking the SQL query while receiving the user input, wherein the processor is adapted for automatically incorporating the generated SQL query into the computer application code and storing the computer application code in a non-transitory computer readable medium.
US08555262B2 Schema-based dynamic parse/build engine for parsing multi-format messages
A parse/build engine that can handle multi-format financial messages. The engine converts the different format messages into a common format, and the common format message is then processed by the business service application. A parser examines the message and determines an appropriate schema for the particular format of message received. The schema is a data structure in a schema registry that includes a grammar structure for the received format as well as pointers to handlers for converting the different fields of the message into the internal message format using the grammar structure (the “grammar” can include field sequence, field type, length, character encoding, optional and required fields, etc.). The handlers are individually compiled. As formats change, new formats or changes to old formats can be dynamically added to the parse/build engine by loading new schema and handlers.
US08555255B2 Method of tracing object allocation site in program, as well as computer system and computer program therefor
A data structure of a run-time object having a hash value field. The data structure allows an object allocation site to be traced from the run-time object, the object allocation site being a site in a program allocating the run-time object. A method for allowing an object allocation site to be traced from a run-time object includes embedding a value corresponding to the object allocation site in the program. A hash-value field includes the embedded value and the object identifier, and the tracing is performed by identifying the object allocation site that corresponds to the embedded value. A computer system for tracing an object allocation site includes a memory that stores the run-time object; an acquirer that acquires the value from a hash value field; and an identification unit that identifies the object allocation site that corresponds to the acquired value.
US08555254B2 Method and program for monitoring execution state of program
Item values associated with an execution state of a program executed on a computer are collected in detail while suppressing the computer load. When reducing the interval for collecting values of one item to be monitored, the interval for collecting values of items other than that item is increased. If the computer load is increased, an interval of at least one item is increased. Moreover, there is provided an upper limit for the number of items whose intervals can be reduced simultaneously. Moreover, when varying the interval of the item according to the values of the respective items, the interval variation range is varied according to the item state and the computer load.
US08555248B2 Business object change management using release status codes
A computer-implemented system may include a data store to store business data, an application platform, and a business application. The application platform may include a repository to store metadata defining a plurality of business objects, each of the business objects comprising a respective model of data and associated logic, each business object associated with respective business object entities, and a framework in communication with the repository to provide access to the business data. The business application is to access the data via the framework and based on the metadata, wherein the metadata associates a first plurality of the business object entities with a RELEASED release status code, and wherein the metadata associates a second plurality of the business object entities with a DEPRECATED release status code.
US08555243B2 Generating and debugging timing accurate simulations in a graphical specification and constraint language
System and method for specifying and implementing programs. A graphical program is created in a graphical specification and constraint language that allows specification of a model of computation and explicit declaration of constraints in response to user input. The graphical program includes a specified model of computation, a plurality of interconnected functional blocks that visually indicate functionality of the graphical program in accordance with the specified model of computation, and specifications or constraints for the graphical program or at least one of the functional blocks in the graphical program. The specified model of computation and specifications or constraints are useable to analyze the graphical program or generate a program or simulation.
US08555240B2 Describing formal end-user requirements in information processing systems using a faceted, tag-based model
A method, including: providing a computer menu from which a processing goal can be created, wherein the menu includes a plurality of facets, and wherein each facet includes at least one tag; receiving a processing goal, wherein the processing goal includes a plurality of tags selected from the menu; executing at least one application that includes a plurality of components arranged in a processing graph to produce information that satisfies the processing goal; and outputting the information.
US08555236B2 Non-invasive leakage power device characterization of integrated circuits using device grouping and compressive sensing
Techniques are generally described for non-invasive, post-silicon characterization of—leakage power for devices of an integrated circuit (IC). A system of sparse leakage power equations may be developed for the devices (e.g. gates) within the IC to be solved using compressive sensing (CS) techniques. Input Vectors (IV) may be applied at input terminal of the IC, and power of the IC may be measured. The measurements may be used in conjunction with the set of sparse equations to determine leakage power values for individual devices, not directly accessible. Pre-processing and post-processing techniques may be employed to make the system of equations more sparse and further improve the efficiency of applying CS techniques to solve the equations. Example processing may include variable splitting, device grouping, IV and equation selection, measurement under elevated IC temperature, and bootstrapping. Other aspects may be disclosed and claimed.
US08555232B2 Wire routing using virtual landing pads
Systems and methods for wire routing using virtual landing pads (VLPs) are described. In an embodiment, a method includes routing a wiring path between an output of a first circuit component and a VLP that represents an input of a second circuit component. For example, the VLP may have an area larger than the area of a physical pin of the second circuit component. The method may also include identifying a connection point on the VLP that is separated from an actual terminal of the second circuit, and completing the path between the connection point and the actual terminal. In some embodiments, the output of the first circuit component may also be represented by its own VLP. As such, systems and methods described herein may allow a circuit designer to perform routing procedures in a complex, highly integrated circuit, while reducing the circuit's overall capacitance and associated power consumption.
US08555225B1 Hierarchical stress parameter annotation
In an embodiment, the design flow is modified to avoid the flattening process but still accurately annotate the transistors with stress parameters. The location-based stress parameters may be generated, but may not be provided to the LVS tool. Instead, a hierarchical LVS process may be performed, black-boxing lower level blocks that already have stress parameter assignments, preserving hierarchy, etc. The output database from LVS thus includes a cross reference between layout devices and schematic devices, as well as locations of the schematic devices. The database may then be queried for the transistors in the non-flattened design, and the stress parameters may be assigned to the transistors based on the location-based stress parameters. In this fashion the stress parameters may be assigned to the desired transistors, permitting annotation of these parameters into the schematics, without flattening the design and doing unnecessary work on blocks to be skipped.
US08555215B2 Methods for decomposing circuit design layouts and for fabricating semiconductor devices using decomposed patterns
Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes scanning a circuit design layout and proposing patterns for decomposed layouts. The proposed patterns are then compared with a library of prior patterns including a category of forbidden patterns and a category of preferred patterns. If a selected proposed pattern matches a forbidden pattern, the selected proposed pattern is eliminated. If the selected proposed pattern matches a preferred pattern, then the selected proposed pattern is identified for use in the decomposed layouts. Decomposed layouts are generated from the identified patterns. A plurality of masks is fabricated based on the decomposed layouts. Then a multiple patterning lithographic technique is performed with the plurality of masks on a semiconductor substrate.
US08555214B2 Technique for analyzing a reflective photo-mask
During a calculation technique, contributions to reflected light from multiple discrete cells in a model of a multilayer stack in a reflective photo-mask may be determined based on angles of incidence of light in a light pattern to the multilayer stack, a polarization of the light in the light pattern, and a varying intensity of the light in the light pattern through the multilayer stack. Then, phase values of the contributions to the reflected light from the multiple discrete cells are adjusted, thereby specifying optical path differences between the multiple discrete cells in the multilayer stack that are associated with the defect. Moreover, the contributions to the reflected light from multiple discrete cells are combined to determine the reflected light from the multilayer stack. Next, k-space representations of the contributions to the reflected light from the multiple discrete cells are selectively shifted based on the angles of incidence.
US08555199B2 System and method for user modification of metadata in a shell browser
A system and method for user modification of metadata in a shell browser. A group of items and associated metadata values are displayed in a window of the shell browser. An edit control permits user modification of metadata values displayed in the window. The user can modify metadata associated with a welcome pane, a selected item, or multiple selected items. A data structure stored on one or more computer-readable media contains metadata associated with items displayed in a shell browser, including user modifiable metadata which is also displayed in the shell browser.
US08555198B2 Annotations for electronic content
Embodiments are described for capturing, displaying, and navigating text annotations in a non-modifiable document. In some embodiments, a determination is made that a text annotation is to be created and a system determines the file position of the selected object. The file position of the selected object can be stored along with the created text annotation in another file or a non-read only portion of a file storing the document. Using the file position, the text annotation may be identified with the selected object without modifying the non-modifiable document. In some embodiments, once a text annotation is displayed a user may easily navigate among the captured annotations.
US08555192B2 Sketching and searching application for idea generation
A sketching and searching application for idea generation is described. In an embodiment, a software application is described which has a user interface which comprises a sketching area. When a user draws or annotates a sketch in the application, the application automatically searches for images based on the sketch and displays results in the form of images outside the sketching area. These images are used to inspire new ideas and to facilitate the creative process in a way that is closely linked with the sketching process. When the sketch is updated, additional searching is automatically performed and new results are displayed. In some examples the sketching area is deformable and deformation may cause new results to be displayed and in some examples the user is able to drag image results into the sketching area to enable tracing of the image or to include the image in the sketch.
US08555191B1 Method, system, and apparatus for keystroke entry without a keyboard input device
A method, system, and apparatus for entering alpha-numeric and non-alpha numeric data without the use of a keyboard input device are provided. According to one method, a grid is displayed on a display screen that includes one or more alpha-numeric characters. Distinguishing characters are displayed adjacent to each alpha-numeric character. In response to receiving a selection within the grid, a determination is made as to whether the selected location contains an alpha-numeric character and, if so, a further determination is made as to whether a distinguishing character is present on two sides of the selected location. If a distinguishing character is present on two sides of the selected location, then the character located at the selected location is entered into a keyboard buffer as if a keyboard input device had been utilized to type the character. The grid may also include character strings corresponding to non-alphanumeric keystrokes that may be selected and entered into the keyboard buffer in a similar manner.
US08555188B2 Method of controlling devices using widget contents and remote controller performing the method
Provided is a method of controlling devices by using a remote controller. The method includes downloading a widget program for the devices to the remote controller; generating control widget contents for controlling the devices using the widget program; displaying the control widget contents for controlling the devices at the remote controller; and controlling one of the devices according to a control command of a user that is input by using the displayed control widget contents.
US08555185B2 User interface for multiple display regions
User interfaces for multiple display regions are described. One embodiment provides an array of non-overlapping windows that are created from a set of overlapping windows, and a user can select one of the non-overlapping windows to obtain an enlarged view of that selected window while keeping the other windows in their non-overlapping state. In one embodiment, the array of non-overlapping windows can include minimized windows or windows in other virtual desktops (e.g. windows in other “Spaces”) or both. In one embodiment, only windows of a selected application are shown in non-overlapping mode while opened windows of other applications are not shown.
US08555179B2 Mobile communication terminal having touch screen and method of controlling the same
A mobile communication terminal having a camera module and a touch screen is provided. The mobile communication terminal transmits and receives text data while performing the video call with at least one other party's terminal. The touch screen displays at least one images when the text data transmission and reception function is started, an input window for displaying text data input through the touch screen, an output window for displaying the transmitted and received text data, and at least one soft key, and a controller for controlling, when the input window or one of the at least one soft key is selected, the touch screen for changing a display method of at least one of the first image, the second image, the input window, the output window, and the at least one soft key and for displaying a touch pad comprising a plurality of keys for inputting text data.
US08555176B2 Third party menus for enabling collaboration
The claimed subject matter can provide an architecture and various mechanism whereby a communication client can facilitate a more robust collaboration experience. The communication client can provide configurable menus for launching third-party resources locally and transmitting resource invites to remote entities along with appropriate information to enable the remote entities to launch the resource locally as well. The architecture can provide for peer-to-peer collaboration sessions as well as server directed collaboration sessions.
US08555172B2 Method, system, and computer readable medium for managing resource links
Resource links also known as Unified Resource Links (URL's), bookmarks, hyperlinks etc. located in a category hierarchy. The resource links are used to navigate on the world wide web, on a local machine, on the interact, or on an intranet. A method of assessing a users competence in a category in the category structure comprising the steps of analyzing the users interaction with the resource links placed in the hierarchy table for that category and extracting a competence level for the user in that category.
US08555169B2 Media clip auditioning used to evaluate uncommitted media content
A computer readable medium (CRM) storing a media editing application for creating media presentations is described. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI has (1) a display area for displaying a composite presentation that the application creates by compositing a plurality of media clips, (2) a composite display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are part of the composite presentation, (3) an audition display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are candidates for adding to the composite presentation at a particular location, and (4) an audition tool for creating an audition set for a particular location in the composite display area, where the audition set is a user modifiable set of clips, each of which is for individual placement at the particular location for inclusion in the composite presentation.
US08555166B2 Dynamic hyperlinking approach
A method of returning target scenes from a user link request is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a user link request on a user interface; comparing the received user link request to a plurality of entries in a lookup table; for each entry in the plurality of entries in the lookup table that matches the received user link request, identifying a target scene that corresponds to the matched entry in the lookup table; determining a closest one of the target scenes if multiple entries in the lookup table match the user link request; and transitioning to the closest target scene.
US08555162B2 Activation of fonts using font sets
Fonts may be activated based on the applications that are launched or operating on a computing device. Accordingly, if an application needs a particular set of fonts, the fonts may be activated upon launching of that application. Fonts may further be deactivated when they are no longer necessary or needed by the application (e.g., when the application is terminated). If supported by an operating system, instead of activating and deactivating the fonts, fonts may be pre-activated and then hidden from the operating system. The pre-activated fonts may be revealed when needed for the applications and then hidden again when the applications terminate.
US08555159B1 Dynamic display of web page content for editing and review
Facilitating definition of a web page is disclosed. An indication that an external data is to be incorporated into the web page from an external source, such as another web page, is received via an editing interface. The external data is retrieved in real time from the external source and displayed in the editing interface.
US08555158B2 Dynamically updating webpage style
A computer implemented method of presenting webpages at a client device or system, having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, includes, at a first time, presenting a first webpage having a first style, and in response to a refresh request at a second time, presenting a second webpage having a second style that is distinct from the first style. The first style and second style are determined in accordance with a value of a user selected variable, and the value automatically changes over time independent of user action. Furthermore, the user selected variable has a first value at the first time and a second value distinct from the first value at the second time.
US08555157B1 Document update generation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for document update generation. In one aspect, a method includes identifying pairs of content nodes where a first content node in each pair is in a first hierarchical representation of a first document and a second content node in each pair is in a second hierarchical representation of a second document, in which the content nodes represent visible content and in which identifying comprises selecting the first and second content nodes such that a cost based on structural differences between the first and second hierarchical representations and a content difference between the first and second content nodes is minimized; associating rendered layout information related to the first content node with the second content node; and determining whether to generate a snippet for the content difference between the first and second content nodes based on the rendered layout information.
US08555156B2 Inferring that a message has been read
A technique for inferring whether a message has been read includes the following: identifying at least part of a message that is in a viewport of a computing device, determining a value that is based on the at least part of the message, comparing the value to a threshold, tracking an amount of time that the at least part of the message is in the viewport if the value meets or exceeds the threshold, and inferring whether the message has been read based on the amount of time.
US08555153B2 Determining a form with which print data is outputted, according to conditions on fields of the print data
An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing part that performs an image processing operation for print data having at least one field; and a controller that controls the image processing part to output the print data with a print form corresponding to a condition if the field of the print data satisfies the condition.
US08555151B2 Method and apparatus for coupling a visual browser to a voice browser
A method and apparatus for concurrently accessing network-based electronic content in a Voice Browser and a Visual Browser can include the steps of retrieving a network-based document formatted for display in the Visual Browser; identifying in the retrieved document a reference to the Voice Browser, the reference specifying electronic content formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser; and, transmitting the reference to the Voice Browser. The Voice Browser can retrieve the specified electronic content and audibly present the electronic content. Concurrently, the Visual Browser can visually present the network-based document formatted for visual presentation in the Visual Browser. Likewise, the method of the invention can include the steps of retrieving a network-based document formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser; identifying in the retrieved document a reference to the Visual Browser, the reference specifying electronic content formatted for visual presentation in the Visual Browser; and, transmitting the reference to the Visual Browser. The Visual Browser can retrieve the specified electronic content and visually present the specified electronic content. Concurrently, the Voice Browser can audibly present the network-based document formatted for audible presentation in the Voice Browser.
US08555147B2 DTV transmitting system and receiving system and method of processing broadcast data
A digital television transmitting system includes a pre-processor, a packet generator, an RS encoder, and a trellis encoder. The pre-processor pre-processes enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for first forward error correction and expanding the FEC-coded enhanced data. The packet generator generates enhanced data packets including the pre-processed enhanced data and main data packets and multiplexes the enhanced and main data packets. Each enhanced data packet includes an adaptation field in which the pre-processed enhanced data are inserted. The RS encoder performs RS encoding on the multiplexed data packets for second forward error correction, and the trellis encoder performs trellis encoding on the RS-coded data packets.
US08555144B2 Memory system, memory system controller, and a data processing method in a host apparatus
A memory system includes code data generating section which generates code data based on write data. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory stores the write data and the code data for the write data and outputs read data and the code data for the read data. An error correcting section is configured to correct an error bit included in the read data using the read data and the code data for the read data, and outputs the read data which includes the error bit in accordance with a setting. An interface section receives the write data from outside of the memory system, and outputs the read data to outside of the memory system.
US08555143B2 Flash memory controller and the method thereof
A flash memory controller comprises a flash memory interface controller, a host interface controller, a random-access memory (RAM) interface controller, an ECC encoder, an ECC divider, an ECC constructor and an ECC decoder. The ECC encoder is configured to receive a write information datum from the host interface controller and generate an ECC datum. The ECC divider is configured to divide the generated ECC datum into a plurality of ECC segments. The ECC constructor is configured to receive a plurality of ECC segments from the flash memory interface controller and construct an ECC datum. The ECC decoder is configured to correct errors of a read information datum based on a read information datum and the constructed ECC datum and forward the corrected read information datum to the host interface controller when operated in a read mode.
US08555136B2 Optimized decoding in a receiver
A receiver includes a decoder configured to decode at least a portion of a data stream comprising a data frame. The data frame includes a code block having a data block and a parity block. The receiver also includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether to disable at least a portion of the receiver during transmission of the parity block to the receiver when the data block contains at least one erasure.
US08555134B2 Turbo coding for upstream and downstream transmission over a channel
A method of transmitting data in a cable modem system includes the steps of encoding the data using forward error correction. The data is then encoded with Turbo encoding. The data is then sent to a modulation scheme. The data is then transmitted over a cable channel. The data is then demodulated. The data is then decoded using a Turbo decoder. An inverse of the forward error correction is then applied to the data.
US08555131B2 Techniques to control power consumption in an iterative decoder by control of node configurations
A method for controlling power consumption of an iterative decoder based on one or more criteria is described. The method may include progressively enabling and disabling nodes of the iterative decoder to perform iterative decoding on a demodulated signal to provide a decoded signal with minimal variation of a supply voltage.
US08555126B2 Activation of semi-persistent resource allocations in a mobile communication network
The invention relates to a method for allocating radio resources to a mobile terminal for data transmission in a mobile communication system as performed by a mobile terminal and a base station, respectively. Moreover, the invention relates to a mobile terminal and a base station to perform such method, as well as an implementation of the method in software. The invention further provides a mobile communication system in which radio resources are allocated to a mobile terminal for uplink transmission. In order to avoid false activation of a semi-persistent resource allocation the invention defines new conditions under which a mobile terminal activates a semi-persistent resource allocation. Unlike for example in prior-art systems, a mobile terminal only activates a semi-persistent resource allocation, if it can confirm the activation command received from the access network. Preferably, the activation command and its confirmation are resource assignments.
US08555122B2 Interface device and method
An interface device is adapted to: in a first mode, in reaction to test signals and corresponding to a test standard, output signals corresponding to the test standard via at least one signal line. In a second mode it is adapted to, in reaction to test signals and corresponding to the test standard, output signals that do not correspond to the test standard via the at least one signal line.
US08555116B1 Memory error detection
Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code. The error indication causes the memory device to remove the received address and prevent a memory operation.
US08555110B2 Apparatus, method, and program configured to embed a standby unit based on an abnormality of an active unit
An information processing apparatus includes active units and a standby unit. In the active units and the standby unit, CPUs and DIMMs are divided into a plurality of logical partitions, which are controlled to be diagnosed respectively by diagnosing units. A scheduling unit periodically diagnoses the CPUs and the DIMMs of the standby unit in each of the partitions in turn. If a fault occurs on the active units side, a switching controlling unit controls a partition not being diagnosed in the standby unit to be embedded in an active unit system of the information processing apparatus. The scheduling unit instructs a diagnosis with a smaller number of diagnosis items as a diagnosis performed at reboot after the standby unit is embedded.
US08555096B2 Method and apparatus for selectively placing components into a sleep mode in response to loss of one or more clock signals or receiving a command to enter sleep mode
On a typical motherboard the processor and memory are separated by a printed circuit data bus that traverses the motherboard. Throughput, or data transfer rate, on the data bus is much lower than the rate at which a modern processor can operate. The difference between the data bus throughput and the processor speed significantly limits the effective processing speed of the computer when the processor is required to process large amounts of data stored in the memory. The processor is forced to wait for data to be transferred to or from the memory, leaving the processor under-utilized. The delays are compounded in a distributed computing system including a number of computers operating in parallel. The present disclosure describes systems, method and apparatus that tend to alleviate delays so that memory access bottlenecks are not compounded within distributed computing systems.
US08555092B2 Memory power supply control circuit
A memory power supply control circuit includes a number of memory slots, a platform controller hub (PCH), a first synchronous rectification driver, a number of second synchronous rectification drivers, and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The PCH is connected to the memory slots. The first synchronous rectification driver maintains a working state at all time. The CPLD is connected between the PCH and the second synchronous rectification drivers. The CPLD receives information from the PCH to determine a number of used memory slots, and controls the working states of the second synchronous rectification drivers according to the number of used memory slots.
US08555087B2 Systems and methods for content playback and recording
A method for content playback and recording may include using a computer to obtain media content from a recorded medium. Concurrently with obtaining the media content, the method may include reencrypting the encrypted media content using a secondary encryption key and storing the reencrypted media content in a storage device.
US08555078B2 Relying party specifiable format for assertion provider token
A security component may be associated with a network-enabled application. The network-enabled application may request access to restricted content from a relying party (e.g., web site). The security component associated with the network-enabled application may receive authentication policy information from the relying party and send a user's authentication credentials to an assertion provider to authenticate the credentials. The relying party may trust the assertion provider to authenticate user credentials. Upon successful authentication, the assertion provider may return an assertion token to the security component and the security component may sign the assertion token as specified in the authentication policy information. Subsequently, the security token may forward the signed assertion token to the relying party and the relying party may grant access to the restricted content.
US08555075B2 Methods and system for storing and retrieving identity mapping information
System and method for storing identity mapping information in an identity management system to enable a user authenticated at a first domain to access a second domain. The method may include digitally signing the identity mapping information by the user; providing the mapping information to an identity management system; and storing the user-signed mapping information after being further digitally signed by the identity management system.
US08555074B2 Method and apparatus for processing information, and computer program product
A data acquiring unit acquires electronic data. A tamper-resistant chip includes a storing unit that stores a confidential key specific to a device, and a collecting unit that collects device information that is internal information of the device. An attaching unit attaches collected device information to acquired electronic data. An encrypting unit encrypts the electronic data with the device information attached, using the confidential key stored in the storing unit.
US08555071B2 Method of managing metadata
Managing metadata in a metadata transmission server by generating a plurality of metadata fragment data by partitioning metadata to be transmitted based upon predetermined segment units, selecting predetermined metadata fragment data from among the plurality of the metadata fragment data, generating metadata-related authentication information using the selected metadata fragment data, and transmitting the selected metadata fragment data and the metadata-related authentication information including data format information indicating type of the selected metadata fragment data. A metadata receiving client uses the transmitted metadata fragment data, the metadata-related authentication information and the metadata format type information to authenticate the received metadata.
US08555070B2 External interface access control for medical systems
A method and system of controlling access to a system in a medical environment is provided. The method includes calculating a signature value for at least one file usable with the medical system, transferring the calculated signature value to a signature file, and providing at least one signature value in the signature file and at least one associated file to a file system configured to be received by the medical system. At least one signature value and at least one associated file are inspected by the medical system to verify the associated file is a known medical software application asset. The medical system comprises an input/output data port configured to receive the external memory storage device, and an operating system capable of reading medical system data from and writing medical system data to the memory storage device.
US08555065B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving and decoding data using encoded patterns of changing colors
A system and method for encoding, transmitting and decoding data is described which defines a plurality of bit patterns into a predetermined color combination of red/green/blue colors. A message is formed from the plurality of bit patterns and the message is then arranged into a recognizable format with a message protocol. The message is transmitted to a decoder, which decodes the message and displays the message on a display. A use is provided to establish a two factor authentication mechanism to authenticate a user by a requester.
US08555064B2 Security system and method for wireless communication system
A security system processing method of a User Equipment (UE) and a security system for a wireless communication system are provided. The security processing method of the UE includes transmitting a Layer 3 message including a UE security capability to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and the eNB, receiving a Access Stratum Security Mode Command (AS SMC) including a AS security algorithm selected by the eNB, as a result of verification of the UE security capability and information received from the MME, and a AS Message Authentication Code (MAC), transmitting a AS security mode complete message including the AS SMC to the eNB after verification of integrity of the AS SMC using the AS MAC, and transmitting, when receiving a Non Access Stratum (NAS) SMC including the UE security capability, a NAS security mode complete message to the MME after verification of integrity of the NAS SMC.
US08555061B2 Transparent code
Assertions for elevated privilege associated with transparent code may be ignored, prohibited, or modified.
US08555057B2 System and method for securing a network
A secure network is disclosed. The secure network includes a residential gateway to communicate with a remote network and a local network. At least one trusted local device is configured to send communications including data packets with authentication information to the residential gateway to request access to resources of the remote network. The residential gateway inhibits a request received from the local network to access resources on the remote network until the residential gateway uses authentication information to authenticate data packets associated with the request as originating from the at least one trusted local device.
US08555051B2 Computer facilitating BIOS setting
A computer includes a mother board, a standby power source, a BIOS display, and a BIOS user input. The mother board includes a storage unit. The storage unit stores BIOS software and BIOS settings of the computer. The standby power source is configured for providing a standby voltage when the computer is powered but not started up. The controller is configured for reading the BIOS software and the BIOS settings from the storage unit, driving the BIOS display to display a BIOS UI based upon the BIOS software and the BIOS setting, and editing the BIOS settings based upon inputs from the BIOS input unit upon the condition that the controller, the BIOS display, and the BIOS input unit receive the standby voltage.
US08555049B2 Secure boot terminal, secure boot method, secure boot program, recording medium, and integrated circuit
A terminal that performs secure boot processing when booting, thereby booting reliably even if, during updating of a software module, the power is cut off or the update is otherwise interrupted. The terminal comprises a CPU, a software module storage unit, a certificate storage unit, an updating unit for updating the software module and certificate, a security device provided with a configuration information storage unit for storing the configuration information of the software module, an alternate configuration information storage unit for storing the configuration information of a software module in the configuration before the update, and a boot control unit for verifying and executing the software module by using the certificate. The terminal verifies the certificate of the software module by comparing the configuration information stored by the configuration information storage unit with the configuration information stored by the alternate configuration information storage unit.
US08555037B2 Processing vectors using wrapping minima and maxima instructions in the macroscalar architecture
Embodiments of a system and a method in which a processor may execute instructions that cause the processor to receive an input vector and a control vector are disclosed. The executed instructions may also cause the processor to perform a minima or maxima operation on another input vector dependent upon the input vector and the control vector.
US08555029B2 Virtualized storage system and method of operating thereof
A storage system and method are provided including physical storage devices controlled by storage control devices constituting a storage control layer operatively coupled to the physical storage devices and hosts. The storage control layer includes: a first virtual layer interfacing with the hosts, operable to represent a logical address space characterized by logical block addresses, characterized by an Internal Virtual Address Space (IVAS) and operable, responsive to I/O requests addressed to logical block addresses, to provide protocol-dependent translation of said logical block addresses into IVAS addresses; and a second virtual layer interfacing with the physical storage space, and operable to represent available physical space to said hosts and characterized by a Physical Virtual Address Space (PVAS). Each address in PVAS having a corresponding address in IVAS. The second virtual layer is operable to translate PVAS addresses corresponding to IVAS addresses into addresses in physical address space in a protocol-independent manner.
US08555025B2 Selective device access control
Methods, systems, and computer program products for selective device access control in a data storage system are provided. A method includes initializing a plurality of access groups associated with logical devices used to access the data storage system, each of the plurality of access groups corresponding to a range of the logical devices, pursuant to a mount of a logical volume of the data storage system, and binding an access group name of one the plurality of access groups to at least one of a metadata of the logical volume at a volume creation and a volume header of the logical volume, wherein the logical volume, once bound to the access group name, is granted access by those of the logical devices in a range of the logical devices corresponding to the one of the plurality of access groups.
US08555024B2 Integrating data from symmetric and asymmetric memory
Data stored within symmetric and asymmetric memory components of main memory is integrated by identifying a first data as having access characteristics suitable for storing in an asymmetric memory component. The first data is included among a collection of data to be written to the asymmetric memory component. An amount of data is identified within the collection of data to be written to the asymmetric memory component. The amount of data is compared within the collection of data to a volume threshold to determine whether a block write to the asymmetric memory component is justified by the amount of data. If justified, the collection of data is loaded to the asymmetric memory component.
US08555022B1 Assimilation of foreign LUNS into a network storage system
A storage system provides highly flexible data layouts that can be tailored to various different applications and use cases. The system defines several types of data containers, including “regions”, “logical extents” and “slabs”. Each region includes one or more logical extents. Allocated to each logical extent is at least part of one or more slabs allocated to the region that includes the extent. Each slab is a set of blocks of storage from one or more physical storage devices. The slabs can be defined from a heterogeneous pool of physical storage. The system also maintains multiple “volumes” above the region layer. Each volume includes one or more logical extents from one or more regions. A foreign LUN can be assimilated into the system by defining slabs as separate portions of the foreign LUN. Layouts of the extents within the regions are not visible to any of the volumes.
US08555018B1 Techniques for storing data
Techniques for providing access to data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for providing access to data involves storing data among a plurality of data stores where at least two of the data stores differ in at least one ability to perform a data operation. A mapping associates data containers with locations of corresponding data among the data stores. At least a portion of the data is redistributed among the data stores according to at least one policy that defines where among the data stores said at least a portion of the data should be stored. A request from a requestor to access particular data corresponding a data container is received and the particular data is located using the mapping. The particular data is provided to the requestor.
US08555010B2 Computer system and data backup method combining flashcopy and remote copy
One embodiment provides a computer system and data backup method which enable improvements in the response performance of a storage apparatus to a write request from a host apparatus. In a case where, during execution of same intra-enclosure copy processing, a primary storage apparatus receives a write request in which the data write destination is a storage area in a target range for the same intra-enclosure copy processing in a first primary volume in the primary storage apparatus, the primary storage apparatus transmits an advance notification storing an address of a storage area in a secondary storage apparatus which corresponds to the data write destination storage area designated in the write request to the secondary storage apparatus such that an on-demand copy is executed based on the advance notification in the secondary storage apparatus.
US08554997B1 Method and system for mirrored multi-dimensional raid
A method for storing data. The method includes receiving a request to write data, determining that the storage mode for the data is mirrored mode, selecting a Redundant Array of Independent Devices (RAID) grid location in a RAID grid to write the data based on the storage mode, writing the data to memory, updating a data structure to indicate that the RAID grid location is filled, and determining a data grid is filled. Based on the determination, determining a first physical address and a second physical address in persistent storage corresponding to the RAID grid location; writing the data to a first physical location in the persistent storage corresponding to the first physical address and writing the data to a second physical location in the persistent storage corresponding to the second physical address, and writing the parity values associated with data grid to the persistent storage.
US08554995B2 Connecting a storage subsystem and an electronic device with a control device that hides details of the storage subsystem
An apparatus includes an external interface port to connect to an external electronic device, where the external interface port is to communicate over a communications path with the external electronic device according to a serial communication protocol. The apparatus has a control device to hide details of the storage subsystem from the external electronic device. The control device is configured to perform at least one of (1) expanding a storage capacity of at least one logical storage volume of the storage subsystem, and (2) migrating a portion of data stored in the storage subsystem to a new physical storage device.
US08554994B2 Distributed storage network utilizing memory stripes
Multiple data slices are generated from an original data segment. The data slices are constructed to prevent recovery of the original data segment using a single related data slice, but to allow recovery of the original data segment using fewer than all of the data slices. Each data slice is stored in the same memory stripe as the other data slices. The memory stripe extends across multiple memory devices and multiple different distributed storage units. The memory device in which each data slice is stored can be determined based on a source name associated with each data slice.
US08554992B2 Automatic media readying system and method for a optical medium with file systems
In one aspect of the invention, a computer system comprises application logic executable to search an optical medium for at least one type of file system that may be resident on the optical medium. In response to identifying the presence of at least one type of file system resident on the optical medium, the system readies a media driver of an apparatus to make the at least one file system available for access.
US08554984B2 Memory system
A memory system in which speed of processing for searching through management tables is increased by providing a forward lookup table for searching for, respectively in track and cluster units, from a logical address, a storage device position where data corresponds to the logical address, and a reverse lookup table for searching for, from a position of the storage device, a logical address stored in the position. These forward and reverse lookup tables are linked.
US08554981B2 High availability virtual machine cluster
One embodiment of the present invention is a system including: (a) plural virtualization systems configured in a cluster; (b) storage accessible to each virtualization system of the cluster, wherein for each virtual machine operative in a virtualization system of the cluster, the storage maintains a representation of virtual machine state that includes at least a description of a hardware system virtualized and an image of virtualized memory state for the virtual machine; and (c) a failover system that, responsive to an interruption of, or on, a particular one of the virtualization systems, transitions at least one affected virtual machine to another virtualization system of the cluster and resumes computations of the transitioned virtual machine based on state encoded by a corresponding one of the virtual machine states represented in the storage.
US08554980B2 Triggered notification
In one embodiment, a virtual frame director may receive association data regarding a virtual server and a physical server, send instructions to a management module based on the received association data, send a control command to the physical server based on the received association data, and send a notification regarding completion of an association between the virtual server and the physical server. A management module may configure the virtual server and/or a gateway according to the instructions received from the virtual frame director. In one embodiment, a virtual frame director may receive a request message for a server, determine whether the request message for the server meets a policy implemented in the virtual frame director, and perform an action directed by the policy when the request message meets the policy.
US08554964B2 Method and apparatus for efficient synchronization request response
A data writing apparatus includes a tape drive, a buffer and non-volatile memory. When a synchronization request is received from a device sending data to be written to a tape, the apparatus is operable to copy data corresponding to the synchronization request from the buffer to the non-volatile memory. The data may be stored in the non-volatile memory until at least the time when the data which it is a copy of is written to the tape from the buffer.
US08554956B1 Method for creation of a device driver for a peripheral device
A method and apparatus may be configured to create setup information, and perform the initialization and performance of an installation of a peripheral device of an electronic device. One example method may include storing a device identification (ID) of the peripheral device, extracting data and creating a data structure from existent setup information. The method may also include replacing a device ID in the data structure with the device ID of the peripheral device, and creating and storing a setup information file from content of the data structure. The method may also include creating and passing a request to at least one of a device driver of an interface of the peripheral device and a bus that initiates the installation of the peripheral device. The peripheral device may not be connected to the electronic device.
US08554950B2 System and method for providing remote data access and transcoding for a mobile communication device
A system for providing information content over a network to a mobile communication device includes a transcoding system and a first network device. The transcoding system includes a plurality of transcoders. Each transcoder is operable to transcode the information content from a respective input content type into a respective output content type. The first network device is in communication with the transcoding system and includes a connection handler system. The first network device is operable to receive a first connection request that includes transcoder request data and to select a corresponding connection handler. The connection handler is operable to select one or more transcoders from the plurality of transcoders based on the transcoder request data.
US08554936B2 Redistribution of operating environments for the redeployment of grid clients
A client-server network environment is temporarily transformed into a grid computing environment through the deployment of a network-booted grid operating system to each of a plurality of network clients. Each participating client operates in the client-server mode under a local operating system. At an appropriate time, a server transmits to each client a thin-client boot image (a dynamically built customized image or an image obtained from a store of predefined boot images) along with a grid application for which the thin-client has been optimized for peak performance. Each client re-boots using the thin-client image, thereby entering the grid mode and allowing substantially all of its computing resources to be dedicated to executing the grid application. At a later time, the server directs that each client terminate the grid application and re-boot in its respective local operating system, reverting again to the client-server mode.
US08554935B2 Relay server and relay communication system
In a relay server, a routing group information sharing unit shares routing group information, which is prepared by grouping routing control points including at least two of a first relay server in a relay group, a second relay server in the relay group, a client terminal connected to the first relay server, and a client terminal connected to the second relay server. A routing session establishment unit establishes a routing session, which enables a communication packet to be routed via the routing control points, for each group indicated in the routing group information while referring to relay server information.
US08554931B1 Method and system for coordinating network resources for blended services
A method and system for coordinating allocation of network resources requested by a user for blended services. A plurality of service request messages are received by a network entity, the request messages corresponding to a plurality of services requested by the user. The total network resource requirements for the plurality of services is determined at the network entity, and a resource request is sent from the network entity to a resource management element in the network. If the total network resource requirements are successfully reserve, then the network entity proceeds with processing the request, for example by sending service initiation requests to one or more network servers on which the services are hosted. The network entity may thus keep a tally of all network resource requirements concurrently allocated to a user during delivery of the requested services.
US08554930B2 Method and system for proof-of-possession operations associated with authentication assertions in a heterogeneous federated environment
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product are presented in which federated domains interact within a federated environment. Domains within a federation are able to initiate federated single-sign-on operations for a user at other federated domains. A point-of-contact server within a domain relies upon a trust proxy within the domain to manage trust relationships between the domain and the federation. Trust proxies interpret assertions from other federated domains as necessary. Trust proxies may have a trust relationship with one or more trust brokers, and a trust proxy may rely upon a trust broker for assistance in interpreting assertions. To enhance security, domains may also require users to re-prove their identity through proof-of-possession challenges that are executed after a user has initiated a single-sign-on operation.
US08554927B2 Method for sharing rights object in digital rights management and device and system thereof
A method for sharing Rights Object (RO) of a specific DRM content resident in a certain device with different devices (or terminals) in a Digital Rights Management (DRM) system, in which a first device and a second device can share an RO for DRM content by performing a mutual authentication between the first device and the second device to set a session therebetween; creating, by the first device, a second RO for the second device; and transferring the second RO from the first device to the second device through a particular interface. Thereby, while the first device consumes a specific DRM content with employing the first RO, the second device simultaneously consumes the specific DRM content with the second RO transferred from the first device.
US08554924B2 Connection to multiple accessories with multiple accessory-specific protocols
Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.
US08554921B2 Device for wireless data exchange as well as method for establishment of a wireless connection between in particular a medical sensor unit and a computer
An apparatus and method to enable a simple installation of a sensor unit (in one example an intra-oral x-ray sensor) on a network. The sensor unit is preferably a sensor in the medical field, and it is provided that the sensor unit is itself fashioned as an access point and establishes its own network on which a computer automatically logs on in order to enable a data transfer between the sensor unit and the computer. Due to this measure no expertise is necessary for the installation of the sensor unit.
US08554916B2 Service delivery platform and development of new client business models
The present invention relates to systems and methods for delivering telecommunications services to customers. The systems and methods allow for the rapid creation and deployment of new telecommunications services, and the bundling of multiple services into service packages that can be sold together as a single product. Based on the systems and methods, targeted service packages may be developed and marketed toward business customers in specific industries. The systems and method provide opportunities for new business arrangements between telecommunications service providers and smaller third party providers. The new business arrangements provide access to a much wider customer pool for the third party providers, and create new sources of revenue for telecoms.
US08554912B1 Access management for wireless communication devices failing authentication for a communication network
When a failure notification is received that was transmitted from a service node indicating a failure of a wireless communication device to pass an authentication when attempting to register with a communication network, device information, network data, and a user profile associated with the wireless communication device is retrieved and processed to generate a network access score for the wireless communication device. If the network access score exceeds a priority threshold, a priority notification is transferred instructing the service node to bypass the authentication for the wireless communication device. If the network access score exceeds a legitimate user threshold but does not exceed the priority threshold, an access notification is transferred instructing the service node to bypass the authentication for the wireless communication device, and subsequent usage of the wireless communication device is monitored for fraudulent activity. If the network access score does not exceed the legitimate user threshold, a suspect notification is transferred instructing the service node to maintain the authentication for the wireless communication device.
US08554903B2 Network appliance for vulnerability assessment auditing over multiple networks
An apparatus, system, and method are directed towards enabling auditing of network vulnerabilities from multiple network vantage points virtually simultaneously. Multiple network vantage points may include, but are not limited to, remote/branch enterprise sites, devices on an enterprise perimeter, on either side of a security perimeter, and even through the security perimeter. In one embodiment, an auditor performs reflected audits thereby extending auditing of network vulnerabilities to provide a comprehensive 360 degree audit of internal, external, and remote enterprise network sites. In one embodiment, the present invention may be implemented employing a single auditing device, and one or more audit extension devices that are configured to extend the auditing device's audit reach. The auditing device and one or more audit extension devices may communicate using an encrypted network channel through a security perimeter and/or across multiple networks.
US08554900B2 Virtual machine migration
A source virtual machine (VM) hosted on a source server is migrated to a destination VM on a destination server without first powering down the source VM. After optional pre-copying of the source VM's memory to the destination VM, the source VM is suspended and its non-memory state is transferred to the destination VM; the destination VM is then resumed from the transferred state. The source VM memory is either paged into the destination VM on demand, or is transferred asynchronously by pre-copying and write-protecting the source VM memory, and then later transferring only the modified pages after the destination VM is resumed. The source and destination servers preferably share common storage, in which the source VM's virtual disk is stored; this avoids the need to transfer the virtual disk contents.
US08554898B2 Autonomic computing system with model transfer
Methods and systems are provided for autonomic control and optimization of computing systems. A plurality of component models for one or more components in an autonomic computing system are maintained in a system level database. These component models are obtained from a source external to the management server including the components associated with the models. Component models are added or removed from the database or updated as need. A system level management server in communication with the database utilizes the component models maintained in the system level database and generic component models as needed to compute an optimum state of the autonomic computing system. The autonomic computing system is managed in accordance with the computed optimum state.
US08554896B2 Protocol adapter for transferring diagnostic signals between in-vehicle networks and a computer
A protocol adapter for simultaneously communicating with one or more remote computers over any one of a plurality of protocols. The adapter includes a motherboard having an integrated CPU, a plurality of interface modules, a plurality of device drivers and a plurality of daughter-board module slots. The protocol adapter further includes at least one daughter-board interface module mounted in one of the plurality of daughter-board slots. The at least one daughter-board modules expands the number of protocols of the adapter beyond those protocols being run by the motherboard.
US08554893B2 Apparatus and method for changing subscription status of service in mobile communication system and mobile communication system thereof
A method for changing a subscription status of a service in a mobile communication system, and a system thereof. A method is provided for changing a subscription status of a service by a terminal in a mobile communication system. The method includes transmitting a pause request message, in which a pause period of the subscription status is included, to a network entity; receiving, from the network entity, a pause response message including therein a possible pause period for the pause period included in the pause request message, and a trigger for changing validity for a Long-term Key stored in the terminal; and changing validity for the Long-term Key using the trigger for the possible pause period included in the pause response message.
US08554891B2 Method and apparatus for providing feedback regarding digital content within a social network
Maintaining a social network and providing corresponding access to digital content. A social network includes at least one social group having a defined membership. The content items that collectively correspond to content resource devices of the group members are identified, and feedback information for the content items is maintained based upon feedback respectively provided by group members. The feedback includes ratings, amount of usage and recommendations of the content items. Members are then provided with displays wherein the feedback is conveyed in association with the corresponding content items.
US08554890B2 Method of deploying a production environment using a development environment
Provided is a computer system, including: at least one storage system providing at least one logical volume, at least one host computer including an I/O device, and a management computer, in which the management computer creates a virtual computer within a network segment to which the management computer belongs, the virtual computer including an I/O device that is the same as the I/O device of the host computer in number and type, defines a connection between the logical volume and the virtual computer, stores a program in the logical volume connected to the virtual computer, sets identification information on the host computer in the virtual computer, releases the connection between the logical volume that stores the program and the virtual computer, and defines a connection between the logical volume whose connection has been released and the host computer.
US08554887B2 System and method for efficient transfer of applications and data during device swap
A method for automatically registering the runtime environment and related component applications with an application gateway when transferring the applications from a first wireless device to a second wireless device is provided. Applications installed on the first wireless device are registered with an application gateway, which maintains a registration list of identification information for all registered wireless devices and applications installed thereon. A back-up is created of the applications and registration information for the runtime environment installed on the first wireless device for transfer to a second wireless device. An application container of the second wireless device determining installation and communicating to the application gateway identification information regarding the second wireless device and the restored applications. The application gateway registers the second wireless device by updating the registration list with the identification information for the second wireless device and the applications installed thereon.
US08554879B2 Method for audio and video control response and bandwidth adaptation based on network streaming applications and server using the same
A method for audio and video control response and bandwidth adaptation based on network streaming applications is disclosed. A server delivers a received control command to a stream controller while a player empties the expired streaming data stored in a buffer thereof. The stream controller controls the input source of a video/audio capturer. The receiver buffer estimator of the receiver estimates whether the amount of the streaming data stored in the buffer is within a safe range and delivers the estimation result and bandwidth variation information to a stream adaptor. If the amount of the stream data is less than a threshold value, the timestamp scalar is adjusted based on the estimation result and the bandwidth variation information, thereby adjusting the consumption rate of the streaming data in the buffer of the player for re-accumulating streaming data of the buffer.
US08554878B2 Method and a system for incorporating reliable messaging in web services client applications via an API
A method and a system that incorporate Web services reliable messaging in a Web services client application via an application programming interface (API). The method includes obtaining a Web services proxy object from the client application and using this object for creation of a logical sequence from a sequence factory. The Web services client application transmits a reliable message sequence to the Web services provider based on the logical sequence.
US08554870B2 Method and apparatus for generating linking means and updating text files on a wide area network
Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to methods for automatically generating a link in E-mail, web pages and other documents and files presented to users of wide area computer networks, and for automatically updating text and other types of files on a wide area network with links to data desired to be presented to such users. In embodiments of the present invention, selected key words are stored in a memory location or key word file. A comparison is made between the words in a downloaded text file and the key words stored in the key word file. If a word is detected in the textual data and the key word file or files, the key word displayed to the user is converted into a link.
US08554868B2 Simultaneous sharing communication interface
A user can share (show) multimedia information while simultaneously communicating (telling) with one or more other users over a network. Multimedia information is received from at least one source. The multimedia information may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with other users. The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view simultaneously with other modes of communication, such as video, voice, or text. A simultaneous sharing communication interface provides an immersive experience that lets a user communicate via text, voice, video, sounds, music, or the like, with one or more other users while also simultaneously sharing media such as photos, videos, movies, images, graphics, illustrations, animations, presentations, narratives, music, sounds, applications, files, and the like. The simultaneous sharing interface enables a user to experience a higher level of intimacy in their communication with others over a network.
US08554859B2 Handheld electronic device and associated method providing time data in a messaging environment
An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided in which time data regarding certain aspects of a messaging conversation on a handheld electronic device are made available to a user. Such time data is provided, for instance, in situations where an interruption has occurred during a messaging conversation. Time data can also be provided to a user on demand in certain circumstances.
US08554858B2 Multi-media messaging
Methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums are disclosed for creating multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a message in a first format, adapting the message to a MMS message, and sending the MMS message to a user device.
US08554844B2 System and method for managing informational objects on mobile devices
A system and method for managing informational objects on a mobile device. A user-selectable option is displayed to a user of the mobile device. The option is associated with an action to be performed on informational objects sharing at least one specified characteristic (e.g., storing all e-mail messages that are part of the same thread in a folder, generating a distribution list of contacts belonging to a specified group). After the user has selected the option, the application identifies informational objects having the at least one specified characteristic and performs the action on the identified objects.
US08554843B2 Method and system for processing email during an unplanned outage
The method and system of the present invention provides an improved technique for processing email during an unplanned outage. Email messages are redirected from the primary server to a secondary server during an unplanned outage such as, for example, a natural disaster. A notification message is sent to users alerting them that their email messages are available on the secondary server by, for example, Internet access. After the termination of the unplanned outage, email messages received during the unplanned outage are synchronized into the users standard email application.
US08554842B2 Method and apparatus for joining electronic conference
According to the present invention, even while a chat opening process is in progress, users can join chats by means of a simple procedure from a video game machine. Once a chat has been opened, an invitation signal can further be transmitted to other chat guests. A video game machine of an expected guest receiving the invitation signal displays a screen prompting the guest to enter the chat room, and the expected guest can join the chat by transmitting an enter room signal to a database. At this time, a chat answer signal indicating that the expected guest accepts the invitation from a chairman is transmitted from the expected guest to the chairman.
US08554830B2 Systems and methods for wireless network selection
Systems and methods for selecting a wireless network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving a first network device identifier for a first network device and a second network device identifier for a second network device, obtaining a first network profile comprising a first attribute, the first network profile based on the first network device identifier, obtaining a second network profile comprising a second attribute, the second network profile based on the second network device identifier, and selecting either the first network device identifier or the second network device identifier based on an attribute analysis of the first attribute and the second attribute.
US08554829B2 Virtual server ID managing system, integrated monitoring system, virtual server ID managing program, and integrated monitoring program
In a system including an integrated monitoring system and its monitoring target system, a technology capable of achieving detailed monitoring for a plurality of virtual servers or others by appropriately identifying the plurality of virtual servers, managing their ID information, and others is provided. The present system includes an ID managing function of performing ID management for a monitor processing for each of a plurality of virtual servers (server instances) in the monitoring target system. The ID managing function performs a processing of providing a uniquely-identifiable ID (instance ID) to each of the plurality of server instances and identifies each of the server instances by referencing the ID at the monitor processing.
US08554828B2 Distributed call server supporting communication sessions in a communication system and method
An apparatus, method, and computer program manage communication sessions that include a plurality of portions. Different processors handle each portion of a communication session. The apparatus, method, and computer program transfer the communication session from one of the processors to another of the processors during the different portions of the communication session.
US08554827B2 Virtual peer for a content sharing system
The present invention relates to a virtual peer for a peer-to-peer (P2P) content sharing system. In general, the virtual peer is a logical construct enabling a number of virtual peer members to appear as a single peer node in the P2P content sharing system. In operation, a sponsoring agent creates the virtual peer and registers the virtual peer with the P2P network. Once registered, the virtual peer appears as a new peer node in the P2P network. In order to provide efficient content sharing, the sponsoring agent operates to obtain metadata describing all or a portion of a number of digital assets shared by the virtual peer members and aggregate the metadata into a single collection of metadata, referred to herein as a metadata catalog, for the virtual peer and may cache all or a portion of the digital assets shared by the virtual peer members.
US08554824B2 Efficient technique for optimal re-use of hardware in the implementation of instructions used in viterbi, turbo and LPDC decoders
Low density parity check (LDPC) decoding can be mapped to a class of DSP instructions called MINST. The MINST class of instructions significantly enhance the efficiency of LDPC decoding by merging several of the functions required by LDPC decoders into a single MINST instruction. This invention is an efficient implementation of the MINST class of instructions using a configurable three input arithmetic logic unit. The carry output results of the three input arithmetic logic unit enable permit boundary decisions in a range determination required by the MINST instruction. The preferred embodiment employs 2's complement arithmetic and carry-save adder logic. This invention allows reuse of hardware required to implement MAX* functions in LDPC functions.
US08554823B2 Technique for optimization and re-use of hardware in the implementation of instructions used in viterbi and turbo decoding, using carry and save arithmetic
The present invention provides a means for optimization and re-use of hardware in the implementation of Viterbi and Turbo Decoders using carry save arithmetic. Successful provision for each target application requires that two main issues be confronted. These are: merging the computation of summation terms (a2−b2+c2) with (x2+y2+z2); and (a3+b3−c3) with (x3+y3+z3); implementing an efficient method of computing (a4−b4−c4); and merging this computation with (x4+y4+z4). The invention solves both of these issues and successfully merges the Viterbi instructions with a complete reuse of the hardware that is required for the implementation of Turbo instructions. The hardware required by both classes of instructions is optimized by efficiently employing carry save arithmetic.
US08554820B2 Optimized corner turns for local storage and bandwidth reduction
A block matrix multiplication mechanism is provided for reversing the visitation order of blocks at corner turns when performing a block matrix multiplication operation in a data processing system. By reversing the visitation order, the mechanism eliminates a block load at the corner turns. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a corner return is referred to as a “bounce” corner turn and results in a serpentine patterned processing order of the matrix blocks. The mechanism allows the data processing system to perform a block matrix multiplication operation with a maximum of three block transfers per time step. Therefore, the mechanism reduces maximum throughput and increases performance. In addition, the mechanism also reduces the number of multi-buffered local store buffers.
US08554815B1 Frequency generation using a single reference clock and a primitive ratio of integers
A system and method are provided for synthesizing signal frequencies using a single reference clock and a primitive ratio of integers. The method accepts a plurality (k) of reference frequency values (fri), where 1≦i≦k, associated with a corresponding plurality of synthesized frequency values (foi). For each synthesized frequency value, a raw ratio of integers Nprawi and Dprawi is calculated, such that: f o i = Np raw i Dp raw i × f r i . A greatest common divisor (GCD) of Nprawi and Dprawi and a primitive ratio of integers Np i Dp i is found for each raw ratio of integers, such that: N p i = Np raw i GCD ⁡ ( Np raw i , Dp raw i ) ; and , ⁢ D p i = Dp raw i GCD ⁡ ( Np raw i , Dp raw i ) . Using the common clock frequency value (fcr), each primitive ratio of integers, each reference frequency value, and each GCD, a final ratio of integers Ncri and Dcri, C · ( N cr i D cr i ) , is calculated for each synthesized frequency value, where C is an integer value.
US08554812B1 Metric-converter watch device
A metric-converter watch device comprising a small watch-shaped housing with a top dock panel pivotably attached to the housing. The clock panel has a front side with a functioning clock face and a back side with a back side screen. An inside touch screen is disposed within the housing. When the clock panel is flipped up, the back screen and the inside screen are powered on to show a calculator interface with the inside screen displaying a plurality of icons and the back screen displaying input numbers and results. A microprocessor is operatively connected to the inside touch screen and back side screen. The microprocessor is configured to perform mathematical operations and configured to convert a first English numeric value to a first metric numeric value and convert a second metric numeric value to a second English numeric value.
US08554805B2 Methods and systems for importing source data
Systems and methods are disclosed for importing source data. The disclosed systems and methods may include uploading the source data from at least one source system and translating the source data into command language commands. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include checking the command language commands for completeness or consistency and executing the command language commands to generate import data for at least one destination.
US08554798B2 Asynchronous state engine with plug-ins for flexible application development
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide for an asynchronous state engine incorporated within a host application program. The state engine may operate based on a state transition table that may be updated independently of the host application. The state transition table may instruct the asynchronous state engine as to actions that should be performed prior to changing states. Such actions may include interacting with external applications. The state transition table may also instruct the host application to reside in a hold state until responses from external applications are received. Furthermore, the state transition table may instruct the host application as to follow up actions that should be performed when a state is entered. By allowing an external application to plug-in criteria for state changes within the host application, development of the host application may maintain a significant level of flexibility.
US08554796B2 Query-based semantic analysis of ad hoc configuration languages for networks
A method is provided for analyzing the semantic content of network configuration files, comprising the steps of accessing configuration files associated with corresponding network components, the files containing commands that define the configuration of those components; transforming the commands into a structural database based, at least in part, on a non-grammatical analysis of the commands, wherein the structure of the commands is represented as the structural database; and constructing a semantic database of the configuration files by querying the structural database.
US08554794B2 System and method for enforcing privacy in social networks
The present application describes systems and methods for Relationship Capital Management (“RCM”). An RCM system mines relationship capital, which it correlates to eliminate redundancies, that is made available for searching. An initial result set of the search may be narrowed to a single individual, e.g., the target. Weighted paths are identified that connect the user to the target, which may comprise one or more intermediaries between the two. Weighted paths are presented as maps, which may be embedded in other applications to improve business processes such as selling, marketing, hiring, etc. Selection of a path to the target initiates processing of requests for access to relationship capital and responses between the user and the one or more intermediaries. The processing of requests ultimately leads to the approval, conditional approval or denial of access to the relationship capital to which the user wishes to obtain access.
US08554788B2 Apparatus and method for analyzing information about floating population
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for analyzing information about floating population. The apparatus includes an information collection unit, a data integration unit, a data mining analysis unit, and an interface unit. The information collection unit collects information about locations provided by mobile communication terminals of moving objects, information about attributes of the moving objects, and information about locations and attributes related to stationary objects. The data integration unit creates integrated data by integrating the information collected by the information collection unit, national statistical information, and map data registered previously. The data mining analysis unit extracts data, consistent with conditions input by a system user, from the integrated data, and searches the map data for based moving patterns of the moving objects using data mining analysis. The interface unit provides a map service in which search results have been applied to the map data.
US08554787B2 Second search engine utilizing selected results from first search engine
The invention provides a method of processing data including, receiving a URL at a server computer system, utilizing the URL at the server computer system to extract a plurality of server search results from a data store, and transmitting the server search results from the server computer system to the user computer system.
US08554782B2 Creating concise and re-useable queries over complex data
A novel system, computer readable storage medium and method for creating re-usable queries over complex data including hierarchies, trees and graphs is described. This is achieved by an object-oriented query language, where a class is a logical property of a data item, and inheritance is implication between such properties. Virtual method calls execute all relevant method implementations in most specific classes. Expressions can be multi-valued, thus avoiding the need for naming intermediate results. All constructs closely follow the syntax of mainstream object-oriented languages like Java.
US08554780B2 Search apparatus and search method
When an output request is received, a tree generating unit of a search apparatus generates, based on an output item included in an output request tree-structure data from hierarchical-structure data (described as search target data with reference to FIG. 1) to be searched. A tree scanning unit searches for data corresponding to the output item by scanning the tree-structure data generated by the tree generating unit. An output unit outputs the data searched by the tree scanning unit.
US08554775B2 Orthogonal corpus index for ad buying and search engine optimization
Systems and methods for applications of orthogonal corpus indexing (OCI), such as selecting ad words for purchase and improving visibility of web pages in search engines, are described. In one aspect, the systems and methods described herein employ OCI to recommend to an advertiser ad words for purchase. Advertisers pay search engines for placement of their advertising along side results in the search results page, when a given word or phrase appears in a user's search query. The described systems and methods enable automated selection of related and discriminating terms, identifying keywords that increase the ratio of ads clicked-through to money spent on keyword buying. In another aspect, the systems and methods described herein employ OCI to generate content for web pages. OCI may be used to determine content that when added to a web page improves the rank of that page in a search engine.
US08554767B2 Context-based interests in computing environments and systems
Techniques for determining an interest in an object of interest in a given situation are disclosed. Multiple situation-based interest rating components can be provided for various situations. Each situation-based interest rating component can include an interest value indicative of interest in an object of interest in one of the situations. An input situation can then be obtained. One of the situation-based interest rating components can be identified matching an input situation. The relevance of one or more of the other situation-based interest rating components to the identified matching component can then be determined. This can, for example, be done by computing one or more distances between only the respective situation-based portions of the matching situation-based interest rating component and one or more of the other components, or based on the interest value-based portion of each component, or both.
US08554762B1 Data replication framework
Generally described, the present disclosure is directed to an eventually consistent replicated data store that uses, for its underlying storage, a computer software library that provides a high-performance embedded database for data. The replicated data store employs a plurality of hosts interconnected to one another, allowing for writes to any host and full awareness of membership across all hosts. With the data replication framework disclosed herein, various modes are allowed to be built up on top of the core system.
US08554760B2 System and method for optimizing queries
There is provided a computer-implemented method of optimizing a query. An exemplary method comprises receiving a first query configured to generate a result set. The query may comprise an operation for an outer table, a first predicate, and a second predicate. The second predicate may comprise a subquery correlated to the operation. Additionally, the first predicate and the second predicate may be disjunctive. The exemplary method also comprises generating a first query tree representing the first query, and generating a second query tree representing a second query. The second query may be configured to generate the result set, and may not comprise the subquery. The exemplary method additionally comprises generating a query plan based on the second query tree.
US08554757B2 Determining a score for a product based on a location of the product
A method, computer-readable storage medium, and computer system are provided. In an embodiment, a request is received from a requestor. The request specifies a search term and a plurality of weights of a plurality of criteria. A plurality of products are found that satisfy the search term. A plurality of locations where the plurality of products are located are determined. A plurality of scores of the plurality of locations are calculated based on the plurality of weights of the plurality of criteria and a plurality of ratings of the plurality of criteria at the plurality of locations. A best product of the plurality of products located at a best location with a best score of the plurality of scores is selected. In an embodiment, a supplier of the product that is not selected as the best product is notified of the score.
US08554756B2 Integrating social network data with search results
A user of a social network may submit a search query relating to one or more topics to a search engine indexing a set of data items, but the search results, while authoritative and informative, may be highly impersonal with respect to the user. Conversely, the user may search for social data items within the social network relating to the topics, and such social data items may be more highly personalized to the user, but may also be inaccurate or incomplete. Instead, the search query may be applied to both the search engine and the social network, and the selected search results and social data items may be integrated into a presentation featuring both authoritative and personalized information about the topics associated with the search query.
US08554755B2 Dynamic client interaction for search
A system for guiding a search for information is presented. The system comprises a user interface that accepts a phrase and receives at least one suggestion based at least in part on the phrase. The system also includes a phrase suggestion engine that matches the phrase with the at least one suggestion. Methods of using the system are also provided.
US08554749B2 Data file access control
In one embodiment, a data file and policy are generated. The policy is then associated with the data file, wherein the policy includes one or more unassigned accounts and an access control definition that defines an access permission associated with each of the one or more unassigned accounts.
US08554744B2 Elimination of redundant objects in storage systems
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a data structure corresponding to a set of client nodes selected from a plurality of client nodes is generated. Objects from the selected set of client nodes are stored in the data structure. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node of the selected set of client nodes has to be stored. An additional determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes. The object is stored in the data structure, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes.
US08554737B2 Dynamic consistency group formation and systems using the same
In one embodiment, a system, includes logic for creating a snapshot of first data stored on a source storage system, wherein the snapshot is a logical copy of the first data stored on the source storage system with respect to data content and data structure; logic for copying the snapshot to a target storage system; logic for copying the first data represented by the snapshot from the source storage system to the target storage system; logic for detecting one or more write operations affecting data on the source storage system; logic for detecting one or more collisions affecting the first data on the source storage system, logic for setting a consistency group interval; and logic for altering the consistency group interval to minimise collisions affecting data on the source storage system. Other systems and computer program products for dynamic consistency group formation are also described.
US08554726B2 Systems and methods for reslicing data in a relational database
Systems and methods for reslicing data in a representation of a relational database are disclosed. In one embodiment, the database includes a representation including a first slice. The database system creates a plurality of new slice and to create a plurality of write queues. The database system copies units of data in the first slice to the new slices according to a distribution function. The distribution function determines, for each unit of data in the first slice, one of the new slices into which to copy the unit of data. The database system asynchronously writes one or more actions of a set of one or more asynchronous database transactions to the first slice when copying the data in the first slice to the new slices. The database asynchronously enqueues the one or more actions of the set of asynchronous database transactions in the write queues according to the distribution function.
US08554722B2 Method for transferring data into database systems
A method, computer program, and computer network are disclosed for transferring data to a database system. The method includes preparing a plurality of input records, each including a plurality of fields and a selector configurable to represent a plurality of states. For each input record of the plurality of input records, the following steps are performed. A state represented by the selector for an input record is read. Based on the state represented by the selector, a subset of the fields for the input record is transferred to the database system.
US08554713B2 Method and system for connecting analytic network process model (ANP) with feedback throughout the ANP model between sub-networks
A computer-implemented system is provided for an analytic network process (ANP) control structure with feedback throughout the ANP control structure. The computer-implemented system includes an ANP control structure storage unit that stores an ANP control structure with feedback throughout the ANP control structure. Also included is a synthesizer that performs a BOCR calculation on the ANP control structure with feedback throughout the ANP control structure, to yield a result which is proper according to ANP theory when values are non-trivial. Also disclosed is a computer-implemented method for an analytic network process (ANP) control structure with feedback through the ANP control structure, and a related computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program.
US08554709B2 Entity performance analysis engines
A system and method for measuring a performance of an entity and for predicting its future performance is disclosed. Raw information about the entity is collected from internal and external sources. The information is cleaned to exclude false positives. Using performance categories, the information is organized and transformed into meaningful data for the performance analysis engine. The information is normalized by scaling the meaningful data by industry type. A performance score is calculated by the performance analysis engine based on the normalized data. Further, a competitive relationship score is calculated based on the performance score and the normalized data. These scores are reported in a user interface displaying the performance of the entity and are used as inputs, among other factors, to a predictive analysis engine that assesses the future performance of the entities.
US08554703B1 Anomaly detection
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for anomaly detection. One of the methods includes receiving training data for updating an updateable trained first predictive model. The method includes inputting the training data into a trained second predictive model and generating predictive output data. The method includes based on the predictive output data, detecting an anomaly in the training data as compared to previously received training data. The method includes generating a retrained first predictive model based on the updateable trained first predictive model, a training function and training data that includes the received training data and previously received training data, wherein the received training data is weighted differently than the previously received training data based on the detected anomaly.
US08554688B2 Fuel dispenser management
Systems and processes may provide for managing a fuel dispenser. In particular implementations, a system and process for a fuel dispenser may include the ability to receive at least a portion of transaction data for a fueling session, determine whether at least a portion of the received transaction data requires a security measure, and, if at least a portion of the received transaction data requires a security measure, apply a security measure to at least a portion of the received transaction data.
US08554682B2 Device verification system and method
A method is disclosed for authenticating a gaming device, wherein the gaming device includes a plurality of components, one of which is a storage device. The method includes: starting up the gaming device; authenticating a data file stored on the storage device, wherein the authenticating comprises: opening and reading a file allocation structure in a storage device using a file allocation reader; processing the file allocation structure using a processor to provide access to files stored in the storage device, wherein the files in the storage device include installed identification data from one or more selected gaming units as to components actually installed on the selected gaming units, and wherein the files also include registered identification data for components supposed to be installed on the selected gaming units, each component including hardware components and software components, and each gaming unit including multiple components with identification data; and examining the installed identification data and registered identification data to determine enablement of the gaming units.
US08554680B2 Method and system for secure distribution of subscription-based game software
Methods and systems for securely distributing software in a subscription-based environment are provided. A Game Security Facility (“GSF”) associated with a game server manages secure communications with game clients. A subscriber is registered in a manner that includes a unique identifier of the machine upon which the subscription data will reside. Encryption keys are generated for the registered subscriber and encrypted subscription data is exchanged, thus preventing unauthorized copying to another machine or unauthorized use by a third party. The subscriber is re-registered, and new encryption keys are generated. Access is enabled to the previously exchanged encrypted subscription data without causing the previously exchanged data to be re-downloaded.
US08554677B2 Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.
US08554672B1 Method and system for performing a cash transaction with a self-service financial transaction terminal
A method and system for performing a cash transaction with a self-service financial transaction terminal makes use of computer hardware and software that allows a financial institution cardholder to authorize a recipient to withdraw a specified amount of cash at an ATM of the particular financial institution. The cardholder can set up the transaction, for example, from any telephone using an interactive voice response (IVR) system, or by utilizing the application at a financial institution ATM, or by using an Internet website application. The originator can set up the recipient's ATM transaction to be either cardless or card-initiated.
US08554660B2 Payment method employing a bill of exchange
A method of paying for a product is traded from a seller to a buyer, wherein a bill of exchange is issued by the seller and accepted by the buyer. The bill of exchange can be payable at a certain future date to the order of the seller at a first financial institution and drawn on the buyer at a second financial institution and becomes a negotiable instrument at the certain future date without reference to the transaction. The method can include: originating the bill of exchange from an originator who is not the seller; signing of the bill of exchange by the buyer then the seller and the seller then issuing of the bill of exchange. The method can also include negotiating the bill of exchange after issuance and on or after the certain future date to effect payment. The bill of exchange can be issued and accepted before a triggering event.
US08554656B2 Computerized investor advisement and investment management system
A system and method for evaluating, substituting and optimizing investment asset portfolios based on performance history to facilitate the investment process. An analyzed investment portfolio is compared to a dynamically composed reference portfolio of exchange-traded products whose periodic returns best approximate periodic returns of the analyzed portfolio. Excess periodic returns of the analyzed portfolio over those of the reference portfolio are discounted in time by a risk-adjusted rate, and the resulting normalized measure is used to rate and rank the analyzed portfolios. The analyzed portfolio is substituted with the reference portfolio through a periodic execution of adjustment trades in the latter, so that returns are closely tracked over time. The analyzed portfolio is optimized by using a lag fit of the reference portfolio, which smoothes out suboptimal market timing and macro-based investment decisions of the analyzed portfolio manager.
US08554652B1 System and method for providing borrowing schemes
A system and method providing a borrowing scheme. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a time-based spending alert threshold designation from a user via the network; receiving at least one category of transaction designations from the user via the network, wherein each of the categories is associated with a portion of the time-based spending alert threshold designation; automatically allocating user transactions among the categories using the programmed computer processor; notifying the user via the network of the portion of the time-based spending alert threshold designation for a particular category that is being approached or surpassed; and automatically modifying the portion of the time-based spending alert threshold designation for the particular category for the upcoming period of time if the limit is surpassed, wherein the modification is performed by the programmed computer processor.
US08554651B2 Method and arrangement for transaction processing in connection with mobile telecommunication
A method in a telecommunications system, in which there are at least three parties involved in the system's exploitation, namely at least one service provider capable of providing services for at least one user, and at least one operator responsible for the operation of the telecommunications system, wherein payable services delivered to an authorized and authenticated user are identified, and in which system each service transaction as well as the user are identified. The definition of the transaction flow is done on the basis of at least one predefined transaction rule and the parties involved are allowed to dynamically alter the function of at least one of the rules and/or the execution order of multiple rules for creating a flexible transaction flow.
US08554642B2 RFID methods in the manufacture of reclosable packages
The present disclosure relates to the implanting of RFID (radio frequency identification) chips into the slider of a zipper of a reclosable package. This allows for subsequent reading of the RFID identifying data to identify associated with the reclosable package. This can be done by using the RFID data directly or by using the RFID data to access a database This can be done for authentication, security, quality control, inventory control and similar purposes.
US08554621B2 Impression-trend techniques for providing a display advertising supply forecast
Techniques are described herein for using an impression-trend technique to provide a display advertising supply forecast. A display advertising supply forecast is an estimate of a number of impressions, which are to occur in a future time period, that have specified attribute values. For example, the specified attribute values may be descriptive of impressions with respect to which an advertiser wishes to place ads. An impression-trend technique is a forecasting technique that uses trends regarding past impressions to forecast a number of future impressions that have specified attribute values. The past impressions include attribute values that are related to the specified attribute values.
US08554620B1 High volume call advertising system and method
Disclosed is a method and system for providing third party advertisements with the use of a delayed call connection system, comprising an answering system configured to play an advertisement message after answering a call to a business; a plurality of advertisers' messages stored in memory and accessible by said answering system, whereby at least one of the advertisers is not related to the business; and a communication system configured to connect the telephone caller to the business after the plurality of advertisers' messages have been played.
US08554617B2 Systems and methods to provide alternative connections for real time communications
Methods and apparatuses to provide options for alternative connections in response to customer requesting for connections to advertisers for real time communications. One embodiment includes: providing an advertisement of a first advertiser for presentation to a customer, the advertisement including a reference to be used to request a connection server to provide a telephonic connection between the first advertiser and the customer; receiving a request made via the reference included in the advertisement for a telephonic connection between the first advertiser and the customer; determining a status of the first advertiser at a time of the request; and presenting an option to make an alternative connection for the customer based on the determined status.
US08554614B2 Methods and systems for bulk activation of multiple, disparate stored value accounts
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of activating a plurality of disparate stored value accounts utilizes a set of multiple presentation instruments redeemable at different merchants. Each presentation instrument includes a unique presentation instrument identifier used to associate value with the presentation instrument. Also, the set includes a set identifier, which may be included on a package that secures the presentation instruments together. In one embodiment, the set identifier is received over an electronic network, a list of the presentation instruments in the set is accessed from a computer database, and each of the presentation instruments is activated.
US08554609B1 Paperless coupon card
A paperless coupon system and method are provided that facilitate encouraging and rewarding consumer use of coupons, and decreasing the costs associated with coupon distribution and redemption for commercial entities. The system and method involve issuing a machine readable article such as a card, for example, to a user or offeree and registering the card on a website or other communication network to associate the card with an offeree user account, generating and displaying paperless coupons from which the user or offeree can select, and allowing the user to link their selected coupons to their machine readable article and redeem them in an electronic and automatic manner at, and/or after purchase of the related item(s) through their use of the card during the purchase transaction.
US08554608B1 Driver controlled automated taxi service and devices
An embodiment of the disclosed technology is an in-taxi customer selection system. The selection system is placed in a plurality of taxis in the form of a device which includes a touch-screen display map of a surrounding location of each taxi. An indicator of at least one future rider desiring a taxi is exhibited anonymously on each display map. The indicator exhibits only a location, and thus, lacks destination data or information about the potential rider other than his or her location of pickup. In this manner, all picked up riders are anonymous to the driver and discrimination against the rider is actually less than in the prior art, since the appearance of the rider cannot be judged before the ride is accepted. Sensors within the touch-screen display receive a selection of an indicator on one of the display maps from a driver of one of the taxis using this system. The selected indicator is then removed from all other display maps, if shown on any at the time, and the driver is sent a confirmation of said selection. In this manner, only drivers actively looking for rides see who is looking, and such drivers only see riders who are waiting for a taxi ride.
US08554601B1 Managing content based on reputation
Techniques are described for managing various types of content in order to identify content having attributes of interest, such as based at least in part on automatically generated assessments of the reputations of authors of the content and/or of evaluators of the content. When content of sufficient interest is identified, it can then be provided to readers in various ways. In some situations, the content being evaluated and managed may include item reviews and/or how-to guides provided to a Web merchant by user authors, and in some situations may include information from blogs. Various types of awards can also be provided to authors and/or evaluators based on one or more of multiple types of reputation scores from their assessed reputations. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring it, and is submitted with the intention that it not reflect the limit of the scope of the claims.
US08554595B2 Systems and methods for providing controls for aggregated weather-based work
Systems, methods, non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer program instructions for causing a computer device to implement methods, and the like utilize weather information from one or a variety of locations to estimate costs for providing weather-dependent work, and to provide financial controls for weather-dependent work allegedly performed. One method includes utilizing historical weather information relating to performance of weather-dependent work at a work location to generate an estimate of an anticipated frequency with which weather-dependent work will be necessary, utilizing information to estimate an anticipated cost per incident for performing weather-dependent work at the selected work location, and using such information at a plurality of locations to generate an aggregate bid for performing weather-dependent work at the locations. Weather information is also used to audit weather-dependent work allegedly performed at the work locations to provide financial controls to the aggregated weather-dependent work in compliance with law and regulation.
US08554594B2 Automated process assembler
A method and system for automatically assembling a complete machine readable description of a process by observing and filtering digital messages executing on one or more message bus and that relate to the process. Message details are stored and a tracker record published in a common format. The stored message details are processed into a set of service execution path descriptions, which in turn are processed into the complete machine readable description of the process, using a suitable process design language. The invention automates the capture and documentation of a process, regardless of the complexities of the underlying messaging environment, and produces a complete and unambiguous description of the end-to-end process, free of errors, omissions and interpretation, thereby addressing a key need in any process re-engineering project, including the delivery of SOA implementations and other forms of agile and adaptable systems.
US08554589B2 Insurance product, rating system and method
In the present invention, an insurance product, rating system and method generally relates to a rating and pricing system for quantifying the risk that the annual savings will not fall below specified levels associated with implementing and maintaining economic improvements. The product, system and method can be applied to various industries, including, power generation, petro-chemical, manufacturing and refining facilities. Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for pricing an insurance policy for insuring a minimum level of return on investment.
US08554578B2 Managing the business of a medical scheme
The method of the invention provides incentives for medical scheme members to minimize medical expenses both by responsible use of the benefits of the scheme, and also by offering positive incentives to members to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to make use of preventative procedures and pre-treatment medical advice facilities. A number of health-related facilities and/or services (such as membership of health clubs, gymnasiums or fitness programs) are offered to the medical scheme members, and the members are allocated points for using these facilities. Members are also allocated points for using predetermined preventive medical procedures and medical advice services. Rewards are allocated to members based on their points accrued, and the reward may include a payback of premium payments.
US08554574B2 System and software of enhanced pharmaceutical operations in long-term care facilities and related methods
A system, software and related methods of enhanced pharmaceutical operations in long term care facilities are provided. An embodiment of a system includes a long-term care facility pharmacy group management server, long-term care facility pharmacy management software associated with the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server to manage pharmacological operations in a plurality of long-term care facilities, a plurality of pharmaceutical storage and electronic dispensing carts each positioned in a long-term care facility remote from the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server and in communication therewith, a remote pharmacy group server in communication with the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server, and a plurality of pharmaceutical prescription document processors each positioned in a long-term care facility and in communication with the remote pharmacy group server or the long-term care facility pharmacy group management server.
US08554571B1 Fundraising system, method and device for charitable causes in a social network environment
A charitable organization or cause is verified. Once verified, the cause is selected so that a portion of the proceeds from certain transactions are shared with the cause. Integration of fundraising with a web browser toolbar that features real-time dollar counters, communication opportunities, news feeds/tickers, and user-ranking of an item's popularity further enhances the fundraising's appeal, especially in the context of a social network environment.
US08554570B2 Apparatus and method for transportation and upselling of product
A system and method for using product profiling to maximize load capacity of a vehicle. The method includes defining product profiles and retrieving product information associated with the product profiles. The method further includes performing cubing operations for products associated with the product information. The system includes components to perform the method steps.
US08554568B2 Apparatus and method of processing an audio signal, utilizing unique offsets associated with each coded-coefficients
In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an audio signal including a prediction residual of a block of digital audio data and coded coefficient values. Table index information is obtained from the digital audio data. The table index information identifies a table from a plurality of tables to select. A set of prediction coefficient values are reconstructed from the coded-coefficient values. This reconstruction includes selecting a table including offset values and entropy parameters from the plurality of tables based on the table index information, wherein 16, 19 or 20 unique offsets are associated with coded-coefficients of the first twenty coefficients, first entropy decoding the coded-coefficient values using entropy codes defined by the entropy parameters from the selected table, and calculating a set of prediction coefficient values based on the offset values from the selected table and the decoded coded-coefficient values.
US08554564B2 Speech end-pointer
A rule-based end-pointer isolates spoken utterances contained within an audio stream from background noise and non-speech transients. The rule-based end-pointer includes a plurality of rules to determine the beginning and/or end of a spoken utterance based on various speech characteristics. The rules may analyze an audio stream or a portion of an audio stream based upon an event, a combination of events, the duration of an event, or a duration relative to an event. The rules may be manually or dynamically customized depending upon factors that may include characteristics of the audio stream itself, an expected response contained within the audio stream, or environmental conditions.
US08554553B2 Non-negative hidden Markov modeling of signals
Methods and systems for non-negative hidden Markov modeling of signals are described. For example, techniques disclosed herein may be applied to signals emitted by one or more sources. In some embodiments, methods and systems may enable the separation of a signal's various components. As such, the systems and methods disclosed herein may find a wide variety of applications. In audio-related fields, for example, these techniques may be useful in music recording and processing, source extraction, noise reduction, teaching, automatic transcription, electronic games, audio search and retrieval, and many other applications.
US08554550B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for context processing using multi resolution analysis
Configurations disclosed herein include systems, methods, and apparatus that may be applied in a voice communications and/or storage application to remove, enhance, and/or replace the existing context. Particularly, certain embodiments contemplate suppressing the context component from the digital audio signal to obtain a context-suppressed signal; generating an audio context signal that is based on a first filter and a first plurality of sequences, each of the first plurality of sequences having a different time resolution and mixing a first signal that is based on the generated audio context signal with a second signal that is based on the context-suppressed signal to obtain a context-enhanced signal, wherein generating an audio context signal includes applying the first filter to each of the first plurality of sequences.
US08554545B2 Methods and apparatus to extract data encoded in media content
Methods and apparatus to extract data encoded in media content are disclosed. An example method includes sampling a media content signal to generate digital samples, determining a frequency domain representation of the digital samples, determining a first rank of a first frequency in the frequency domain representation, determining a second rank of a second frequency in the frequency domain representation, combining the first rank and the second rank with a set of ranks to create a combined set of ranks, comparing the combined set of ranks to a set of reference sequences, determining a data represented by the combined set of ranks based on the comparison, and storing the data in a memory device.
US08554540B2 Topic map based indexing and searching apparatus
A topic map based indexing apparatus analyzes community Q/A lists to acquire Q/A analysis information, removes redundant answers depending on the Q/A analysis information, removes insignificant answers based on the degree of reliability, ranks answer lists, and extracts the highest ranking answer as a best answer, to thereby store, in a community Q/A topic map, index information containing the community Q/A lists and the Q/A analysis information. A topic map based searching apparatus analyzes a user question to acquire question analysis information, searches similar questions from community Q/A lists belonging to a specific topic node of a pre-stored community Q/A topic map, ranks the searched similar questions depending on the question analysis information, removes redundant answers among answers to the ranked similar questions, ranks the answers, and extracts the highest ranking answer as a best answer.
US08554518B1 Discrete principal component analysis (DPCA) for pattern recognition and diagnostics of tissue pathologies such as cancer
A method for recognizing figures in an image frame provided by an optical device is disclosed. The method includes selecting a set of calibration images having characteristic figures; selecting a number of horizontal and vertical channels for dividing the image, obtaining a digital signature for the image corresponding to each channel to create a calibration image matrix, obtaining a first set of characteristics and a second set of characteristics from said calibration image matrix and selecting two coordinates from at least one component in each of said first and second sets of characteristics from said calibration image matrix; forming a pattern vector from said selected coordinates from at least one component in each of said first and second sets of characteristics from said calibration image matrix, forming a calibration pattern matrix using pattern vectors from a plurality of said calibration images, forming a sample pattern vector from said selected coordinates from at least one component in each of said first and second sets of characteristics from a sample image, obtaining a two-dimensional projection of the vector resulting from transforming a sample pattern vector by the calibration pattern matrix, and determining whether the sample figure corresponds to a calibration pattern by the location in a two-dimensional plot of said projection. A method for recognizing tissue conditions in a sample tissue image frame provided by an optical device using the pattern recognition as described above is also provided.
US08554517B2 Physiological signal quality classification for ambulatory monitoring
Physiological signal quality classification methods and systems for ambulatory monitoring. Physiological signals are classified as good, noisy or weak based on signal properties. Once classified, signals are processed differently depending on their classification For example, for a good signal, physiological data may be extracted from the signal and displayed to a person being monitored. For a noisy signal, a noisy signal notification may be displayed to the person in lieu of extracted physiological data. For a weak signal, a weak signal notification may be displayed to the person in lieu of extracted physiological data. Moreover, a noisy or weak signal notification displayed to a person being monitored may be accompanied by a corrective action recommendation, such as “move to quieter environment” for a noisy signal or “check body placement of sensor” for a weak signal.
US08554510B2 Method of measuring properties of dynamic positioning errors in a lithographic apparatus, data processing apparatus, and computer program product
Movements of a lithographic apparatus include dynamic positioning errors on one or more axes which cause corresponding errors which can be measured in the applied pattern. A test method includes operating the apparatus several times while deliberately imposing a relatively large dynamic positioning error at different specific frequencies and axes. Variations in the error in the applied pattern are measured for different frequencies and amplitudes of the injected error across a frequency band of interest for a given axis or axes. Calculation using said measurements and knowledge of the frequencies injected allows analysis of dynamic positioning error variations in frequency bands correlated with each injected error frequency.
US08554508B2 Method and apparatus for inspecting internal pressure of can of canned goods
In order to judge the acceptability of internal pressure of a can accurately based on the displacement of the can, a pair of displacement sensors (2, 3) facing each other coaxially are arranged perpendicularly to the carrying direction of a carton case (C) such that the center of an encased can (K) being carried matches the center of the pair of displacement sensors (2, 3), measurement data of the displacement sensors (2, 3) is taken in at the timing that the center of the can (K) passes through the center of the pair of displacement sensors (2, 3), a total depth (Ds=Dt+Db) of a top depth (Dt) from the upper end of the can (K) to the open tab and a bottom depth (Db) from the lower end of the can (K) to the bottom panel is calculated, and then the calculation result is applied to a criterion for judging the acceptability of the total depth corresponding to the internal pressure of acceptable can.
US08554498B2 Method, system and computer program for estimation of the pressure
The invention is directed to a system, a method and a computer program including program code for carrying out the method, when executed on a processing system, of estimating a tire pressure deviation of a vehicle's tire (2). The system includes an input section (100) adapted to receive as an input signal a vehicle signal, a calculation section (200) adapted to calculate at least one shape factor of a resonance peak associated with the vehicle signal spectrum (2) on the basis of the input signal, and a determination section (300) adapted to derive, depending on said at least one shape factor, a tire pressure signal indicative of a tire pressure deviation within the vehicle's tire (2).
US08554495B2 Head impact analysis and comparison system
Systems and methods for head impact injury prediction. A computer implemented method is provided for event based injury predictions. The computer implemented method receives an indication of sensor data related to an impact of a user. The received sensor data is compared to previously stored sensor data in a data store. Each instance of the previously stored sensor data is associated with a medical diagnosis. If the received sensor data matches any of the previously stored sensor data based on the comparison, then an injury risk indicator is generated based on at least one of the medical diagnosis associated with the matching previously stored sensor data or an impact history of the user. The generated indicator is presented.
US08554493B2 Viral polyhedra complexes and methods of use
Cypoviruses and baculoviruses are notoriously difficult to eradicate because the virus particles are embedded in micron-sized protein crystals called polyhedra. The remarkable stability of polyhedra means that like bacterial spores these insect viruses remain infectious for years in soil. Although these unique in vivo protein crystals have been extensively characterized since the early 1900s, their atomic organization remains elusive. Here we describe the 2 crystal structure of both recombinant and infectious silkworm cypovirus polyhedra determined using 5-12 micron crystals purified from insect cells. These are the smallest crystals yet used for de novo X-ray protein structure determination. It was found that polyhedra are made of trimers of the viral polyhedrin protein and contain nucleotides. Although the shape of these building blocks is reminiscent of some capsid trimers, polyhedrin has a new fold and has evolved to assemble in vivo into 3-D cubic crystals rather than icosahedral shells. The polyhedrin trimers are extensively cross-linked in polyhedra by non-covalent interactions and pack with an exquisite molecular complementarity similar to that of antigen-antibody complexes. The resulting ultra-stable and sealed crystals shield the virus particles from environmental damage. The structure suggests that polyhedra can serve as the basis for the development of robust and versatile nanoparticles for biotechnological applications such as in cell culture systems, microarrays and biopesticides.
US08554485B2 Method and system of plotting values indicative of characteristics of an underground formation
Plotting values indicative of characteristics of an underground formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments include: obtaining a plurality of values indicative of characteristics of an underground formation; and plotting the plurality of values on an output device of a computer system. The plotting may further include: plotting parallel to a first axis a first plurality of symbols where each symbol is indicative of a value of a characteristic of a first portion of the underground formation, location of the first plurality of symbols with respect to the first axis is indicative of a first parameter, and location of the first plurality of symbols with respect to a second axis is indicative of a second parameter distinct from the first parameter; and wherein location of at least one symbol with respect to the first axis is also indicative of a third parameter, different than the first and second parameters.
US08554483B2 Methods and apparatus to process measurements associated with drilling operations
Methods and apparatus to process measurements associated with drilling operations are described. An example method of modifying processing results during a subterranean formation drilling operation includes identifying a plurality of parameters and processing measurements associated with the subterranean formation obtained while drilling and the plurality of parameters to generate first results. Additionally, the example method includes processing measurements associated with the subterranean formation obtained while drilling is temporarily suspended and the plurality of parameters to generate second results and comparing the first and second results. Further, the example method includes, in response to the comparison of the first and second results, modifying the first results based on the second results to improve a quality of the first results.
US08554481B2 System and method for declustering well log samples
Wellbore data samples related to a subsurface volume of interest are weighted based on wellbore orientation and/or stratal orientation. Declustering weights are determined that account for differences in sampling density caused by wellbore and/or stratal structure orientation. The declustering weights may be implemented to weight samples of parameters taken within wellbores, and/or to update or adjust other weights determined according to other schemes.
US08554480B2 Treatment data processing and planning system
A patient treatment management system involves a repository including treatment information for a particular patient identifying treatment objectives and an associated schedule for achievement of the objectives. An interface processor acquires data representing clinical information of a particular patient related to a particular treatment objective. A monitoring processor assesses from the acquired clinical information whether the particular treatment objective is achieved substantially by a scheduled time deadline. A task scheduling processor automatically initiates scheduling of a first sequence of tasks to be performed by a healthcare worker in response to a determination the treatment objective is achieved and initiates scheduling of a different second sequence of tasks to be performed by a healthcare worker in response to a determination the treatment objective is not achieved.
US08554478B2 Correlation position determination
Methods and apparatus for navigating with the use of correlation within a select area are provided. One method includes, storing data required to reconstruct ranges and associated angles to objects along with statistical accuracy information while initially traversing throughout the select area. Measuring then current ranges and associated angles to the objects during a subsequent traversal throughout the select area. Correlating the then current ranges and associated angles to the objects to reconstructed ranges and associated angles to the objects from the stored data. Determining at least one of then current location and heading estimates within the select area based at least in part on the correlation and using the least one of the then current location and heading estimates for navigation.
US08554472B2 Electronic device and method for indicating position of the electronic device on electronic map
An indication method indicates position of an electronic device on an electronic map. The electronic device includes a global positioning system (GPS) and an e-compass. The method detects a position and an orientation of the electronic device using the GPS and the e-compass, indicates the detected position on an electronic map on a display screen of the electronic device, and marks the detected position and the detected orientation of the electronic device in the electronic map. Upon the condition that the detected direction is initialized, a default orientation of the electronic device is pointed North and the electronic map is initially oriented accordingly, the indication method then adjusts the electronic map as needed according to the detected orientation of the electronic device, and displays the adjusted electronic map on the display screen.
US08554471B2 Navigation device and method for conveying information relationships
A method and device are disclosed for conveying information relationships. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting, in a navigation device, at least one of input and selection of a travel destination and a desired arrival time at the travel destination; calculating an arrival time during travel to the travel destination; and outputting via the navigation device, during travel to the travel destination, an indication of a relationship between the desired arrival time and the calculated arrival time. In another embodiment, the method includes inputting a travel destination on a navigation device; determining a travel route to the input travel destination; calculating a speed in a navigation device during travel to the travel destination along the determined route; and outputting, via the navigation device, an indication of a relationship between a permitted speed and the calculated speed.
US08554468B1 Systems and methods for driver performance assessment and improvement
Disclosed are systems and methods for driver performance assessment and improvement. The systems and methods may be: active for warning purposes only; passive for monitoring purposes only; and active and passive. Any of the foregoing system and methods may be cooperative as well.
US08554466B2 Ultraviolet detection system and method thereof
An ultraviolet detection system comprises a global positioning device for receiving signals transmitted from global positioning satellites, and generating global positioning satellite distribution data and current position data; and a processor, coupled to the global positioning device, for generating ultraviolet intensity information according to the current position data and the global positioning satellite distribution data. The processor generates ultraviolet intensity information more accurately according to a current time data, which is transmitted from the global positioning satellite or is automatically generated from the global positioning device.
US08554464B2 Navigation using portable reading machine
Navigation techniques including map based and object recognition based and especially adapted for use in a portable reading machine are described.
US08554450B2 Control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a first detector that detects air/fuel ratio in an exhaust passageway on an upstream of an exhaust gas-controlling catalyst in multi-cylinder internal combustion engine; a second detector that detects the air/fuel ratio in the exhaust passageway on a downstream of the catalyst; a feedback controller that executes a feedback control so that a first detected value based on the first detector output follows to be equal as a first predetermined target value and so that a second detected value based on the second detector output follows to be equal as a second predetermined target value that corresponds to the first predetermined target value during an initial state; an abnormality detection device configured to detect a variation abnormality in the air/fuel ratio among the cylinders; and a change device that changes the second predetermined target value when the variation abnormality is detected.
US08554437B2 Electronic passcode key for varying operational parameters of a vehicle
An electronic passkey system enables modification of operating profiles of a vehicle. When the passkey is connected to the vehicle controller, the system determines if the passkey has been used previously. If so, the operating profile cannot be modified. If not, the vehicle profile can be modified. In other configurations the passkey can be used to modify the operating profile of multiple vehicles.
US08554429B2 Control system in a vehicle
A control system in a vehicle in which at least one pair of driving power transmission members are engaged with each other with a slack on a driving power transmission path, comprises an input shaft rotational speed detector for detecting a rotational speed of an input shaft located upstream of engaged portions of the driving power transmission members in a direction in which the driving power is transmitted, a determiner for determining whether or not the driving power transmission members are in a non-contact state at the engaged portions for a period of time based on a change rate of the detected input shaft rotational speed, and a controller for controlling the vehicle to reduce a rotational speed difference between the input shaft and an output shaft located downstream of the engaged portions, when the determiner determines that the driving power transmission members are in the non-contact state.
US08554427B2 Control apparatus for continuously variable transmission
In a control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission, when the difference between a target transmission gear ratio calculated immediately after switching the control mode from a manual shift mode to an automatic shift mode and a current transmission gear ratio (that is, a fixed transmission gear ratio of the transmission gear stage selected in the manual shift mode immediately before the switching) is greater than or equal to a set value, a shift control unit sets a temporary target transmission gear ratio between the target transmission gear ratio and the current transmission gear ratio. If a temporary target transmission gear ratio is set, the shift control unit causes the transmission gear ratio obtained during transition of mode from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode to match the target transmission gear ratio stepwise via the temporary target transmission gear ratio.
US08554426B2 Automatic productivity management control with standard power shift transmission
An engine-powered vehicle having an automatic power management feature is provided. It includes an engine, a transmission with multiple gear ratios driven by the engine, a final drive which provides axle torque data to the transmission to establish engine torque, and an electronic controller for controlling both the engine and the transmission. The electronic controller has automatic speed control, and it also has a device to input data, receive data, and to evaluate at least one variable during automatic speed control. When the electronic controller receives data input from the engine, transmission, final drive, and device, the electronic controller determines engine rpm and transmission gear as a result of the data received to maintain a selected speed.
US08554420B2 Vehicle unit
The invention relates to a vehicle unit in a vehicle, including at least one multimedia control unit and at least one safety control unit for controlling multimedia and safety functions, wherein the vehicle unit is provided as a switching unit between the multimedia control unit and the safety control unit, and wherein the switching unit processes the data received from the multimedia control unit and makes the data available to the safety control unit. The switching unit also transmits data received from the safety control unit to the multimedia control unit. Furthermore, the switching unit has a safety level which is higher than that of the multimedia control unit and lower than that the safety control unit.
US08554419B2 Control of a vehicle powertrain in response to brake pedal input
In the event that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are depressed simultaneously, powertrain output is decreased monotonically with brake pedal input. In a lower range of brake pedal input, the brakes are prevented from actuating or are allowed to actuate minimally. In a higher range of pedal input, the powertrain output continues to be decreased and the brakes are allowed to actuate. In yet another higher range of pedal input, the powertrain output is substantially decreased such that a minimal powertrain output is achieved. The powertrain may include an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. The brake pedal input is determined based on a sensor associated with the brake pedal, the brake booster, or the master cylinder.
US08554401B2 Safety device for hydraulic working machine
There are provided: control valves 22-24 that control flow of pressure oil from the hydraulic source 21 to the hydraulic actuators 15-17; electric lever devices 51-53 that output electrical operation signals v51-v53 in correspondence to lever operation; electromagnetic proportional valves 25-30 through which control pressures for controlling the control valves 22-24 are output; a pressure calculating unit 50 that calculates control pressures P25-P30 in correspondence to the operation signals V51-v53; a control unit 50 that controls the electromagnetic proportional valves 25-30 so that control pressures to be output from the electromagnetic proportional valves 25-30 become the control pressures P25-P30 that have been calculated; a high-pressure selection circuit 41-44 that selects a higher pressure between control pressures that have been output from the electromagnetic proportional valves 25-30; pressure detectors 45 and 46 that detect a control pressure selected by the high-pressure selection circuit 41-44; an abnormality determination unit 50 that determines an abnormality in the electromagnetic proportional valves 25-30 based upon the control pressure detected by the pressure detectors 45 and 46 and the control pressure calculated by the pressure calculating unit; and an inhibiting device 47 and 48 that prohibits control of the control valves 22-24 when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the electromagnetic proportional valves 25-30.
US08554396B2 Systems and methods for issuing a hard landing warning and providing maintenance advisories for hard landing incidents
An aircraft is provided. The aircraft may include, but is not limited to, an accelerometer configured to measure a deceleration experienced by the aircraft and a processor coupled to the accelerometer. The processor may be configured to determine if the aircraft experienced a hard landing if the deceleration experienced by the aircraft was greater than a predetermined threshold, and generate a maintenance advisory if the aircraft experienced a hard landing.
US08554392B2 Method and device to assist in the driving of a vehicle, in particular of an aircraft, for the avoidance of obstacles
A method and device for assisting in driving a vehicle in motion along an initial trajectory, in an environment containing at least one obstacle, assistance is carried out by checking, by a trajectory checking unit, during movement of the vehicle, the existence of at least one condition for modifying the initial trajectory to avoid the obstacle. A criteria determining unit is used to determine a criterion CR by which to avoid the obstacle, and an avoidance trajectory determining unit is used to determine an avoidance trajectory according to a derivative of the criterion CR. The vehicle is assisted along the determined avoidance trajectory by a driving assist device.
US08554387B2 Method, device and system for responsive load management using frequency regulation credits
A method, device and system for responsive load management using frequency regulation credits. The method includes using an AC frequency measuring device, measuring a current AC frequency on an AC power line; using a power consumption measuring device, measuring a current power consumption on the AC power line over a period of time equal to a sampling interval; calculating a power consumption moving average of a last N power current power consumptions measured, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; generating credits or debits based on the current power consumption, the current AC frequency and the power consumption moving average; adding the credits or debits to a frequency regulation credit; and for each next sampling interval repeating measuring the current AC frequency, measuring current power consumption, calculating the power consumption moving average, generating the credits or debits, and adding the credits or debits to the frequency regulation credit.
US08554383B2 Power supply and demand control apparatus and power supply and demand control method
A power supply and demand control apparatus includes a power generation planning unit that calculates one day's power outputs of multiple distributed power sources and a power flow target of a linking point to another power system, a long-cycle control unit having a long-cycle supply-demand balancing control unit that performs control every few minutes so as to ensure the supply-demand balancing of electric energy in a given amount of time at the linking point in order to perform control for making deviations between total power output calculated by the power generation planning unit and load power in the power system constant, and a short-cycle control unit having a short-cycle supply-demand balancing control unit that performs similar control every few seconds. In the power supply and demand control apparatus, the long-cycle control unit and short-cycle control unit perform the supply-demand balancing control in a hierarchical fashion to determine output assignments of the distributed power sources.
US08554378B2 System for control of mobile hydraulic equipment
A controller for mobile hydraulic equipment includes a radio receiver, hydraulic controller, and display unit. The controller further includes terminals configurable to function as a combination of analog or digital inputs or outputs according to the system requirements. A user interface included on the controller permits an operator to select a desired function for each terminal and to configure the controller according to the application requirements.
US08554367B2 Robot
Disclosed herein is a robot, which has a simple structure and makes a gesture in a curved shape. The robot includes a body part, at least one cam member symmetrically arranged at both sides of the inside of the body part, an outer cover member surrounding the at least one cam member, and a linear moving device to linearly move the at least one cam member. The shape of the outer cover member is varied, under the condition that the outer cover member is adhered closely to the at least one cam member, according to the movement of the at least one cam member.
US08554361B2 System for determining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms
A system is described for determining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a first item, a second item, a first period of time and a second period of time. The interface may be operative to communicate with a user and an antenna. The antenna may be able to detect an item for a period of time. The processor may be operative to receive from the antenna, via the interface, the first item, the first period of time, the second item and the second period of time. The processor may determine whether the periods of time overlap. If the periods of time overlap the processor may communicate to the user that the items are upon the same platform, otherwise that the items are on consecutive platforms.
US08554360B2 Substrate transfer method and substrate transfer apparatus
A substrate transfer method of delivering a substrate transferred by a transfer arm to a mounting unit and associated apparatus. The method includes moving the transfer arm to a position above the mounting unit, and, when delivering the substrate onto the mounting unit, detecting a mounting portion of the mounting unit by a mounting portion detector having a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided at opposite positions across a center point of the transfer arm on a bottom surface of the transfer arm, and then lowering the transfer arm in an oblique direction to mount the substrate on the mounting unit.
US08554357B2 Posture control method and posture control device
A posture control method controls a posture of a processing unit by measuring a distance between the processing unit and a process surface of a round pipe to be processed by the processing unit, using four distance measuring units. The method controls a posture about a pitch axis based on a difference obtained by subtracting a second measurement distance from a first measurement distance, and a difference obtained by subtracting a fourth measurement distance from a third measurement distance, controls a posture about a yaw axis based on a difference obtained by subtracting the third measurement distance from the first measurement distance, and a difference obtained by subtracting the fourth measurement distance from the second measurement distance, and controls a posture about a roll axis based on a difference between a first total distance obtained by adding the second measurement distance and the third measurement distance, and a second total distance obtained by adding the first measurement distance and the fourth measurement distance.
US08554356B2 Processing end point detection method, polishing method, and polishing apparatus
A processing end point detection method detects a timing of a processing end point (e.g., polishing stop, changing of polishing conditions) by calculating a characteristic value of a surface of a workpiece (an object of polishing) such as a substrate. This method includes producing a spectral waveform indicating a relationship between reflection intensities and wavelengths at a processing end point, with use of a reference workpiece or simulation calculation, based on the spectral waveform, selecting wavelengths of a local maximum value and a local minimum value of the reflection intensities, calculating the characteristic value with respect to a surface, to be processed, from reflection intensities at the selected wavelengths, setting a distinctive point of time variation of the characteristic value at a processing end point of the workpiece as the processing end point, and detecting the processing end point of the workpiece by detecting the distinctive point during processing of the workpiece.
US08554355B2 System and method for cutting substrate into workpieces
A computer obtains user input from an input to control a cutter and a conveyor to cut a substrate. The control module of the computer calculates a total number of cuts of the substrate and a distance that the substrate moves before each cut of the substrate according to user input. A conveyer control module of the computer controls the conveyer to move the substrate, where a reminder signal is sent out after the substrate has moved the distance. A cutter control module of the computer controls the cutter to cut the substrate.
US08554331B2 Therapy program modification
A therapy program may be generated based on an algorithmic model of a baseline therapy field, which may represent a therapy field resulting from therapy delivery via the first therapy system based on a first therapy program. A second therapy program that controls therapy delivery by a second therapy system may be generated based on the baseline therapy field model. For example, therapy parameter values of the second therapy program may be selected to maintain at least one field characteristic of the baseline therapy field model. In some examples, the second therapy system may result from a hardware modification to the first therapy system. In other examples, the first and second therapy systems may be associated with different patients. For example, the baseline therapy field model may be an efficacious therapy field for a patient class, and a second therapy program may be generated for a patient in the class.
US08554323B2 Method and apparatus for neural stimulation with respiratory feedback
A neural stimulation system controls the delivery of neural stimulation using a respiratory signal as a therapy feedback input. The respiratory signal is used to increase the effectiveness of the neural stimulation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, while decreasing potentially adverse side effects in respiratory functions. In one embodiment, the neural stimulation system synchronizes the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses to the respiratory cycles using a respiratory fiducial point in the respiratory signal and a delay interval. In another embodiment, the neural stimulation system detects a respiratory disorder and, in response, adjusts the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses and/or delivers a respiratory therapy treating the detected respiratory disorder.
US08554314B2 Device and method to detect the severity of ischemia and heart attack risk
A device and method of detecting the severity of myocardial ischemia and heart attack risk is provided. The method includes obtaining an electrogram signal, determining T-wave measurements based on the electrogram signal, and determining ST segment measurements based on the electrogram signal. The method also includes identifying T-wave alternans based on the T-wave measurements and identifying ST segment changes based on the ST segment measurements. The method further includes correlating the T-wave alternans with the ST segment changes in order to detect a severity of ischemia.
US08554312B2 Interference mitigation in biometric measurements
A disclosed apparatus includes a first signal line configured to couple signals from a first electrode to a signal detection circuitry for measurement of biometric signals sensed by the first electrode; a second signal line configured to couple signals from a second electrode, which is different from the first electrode, to the signal detection circuitry for measurement of biometric signals sensed by the second electrode; and a coupling circuitry configured to selectively couple the first signal line and the second signal line to a common electrical potential so as to equalize electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08554311B2 System and method of noise reduction in an electrocardiology study
A system to use in combination with an ECG signal acquisition system connected to an arrangement of electrodes on a subject is provided. The system can include an antenna system in communication with the ECG signal acquisition system, a location tracking system operable to track a direction and a location of the antenna system relative to a reference, and an interface connected in communication with the ECG signal acquisition system and the location tracking system. The interface includes an output indicative of a direction of a source of the noise signal detected by the antenna system. A filter reduces an effect of the noise signal on an acquired ECG waveform data received by the ECG signal acquisition system.
US08554306B2 Guide wire navigation
A system and method for identifying the position of the distal end of a bone guide wire is provided. A position and orientation of the proximal end of the guide wire is identified with the aid of a medical, optical tracking and navigation system and a reference device on the proximal end of the guide wire. The orientation of a bone in which the distal end of the guide wire is located is identified with the aid of the medical, optical tracking and navigation system and a reference device on the bone. By means of the ancillary conditions for the course of the guide wire, which are given by the position and orientation of the proximal end and the orientation of the bone, and by taking into account the physical properties of the guide wire, the position of the distal end of the bone guide wire is identified with the assistance of a computer.
US08554302B2 Apparatus having a combined magnetic resonance apparatus and radiation therapy apparatus
An apparatus having a combined magnetic resonance apparatus is proposed. The magnetic resonance apparatus features at least one main magnet for generating a main magnetic field in an examination space for a magnetic resonance measurement, and a radiation therapy apparatus, which is provided to generate a particle beam and which features a beam guide. The magnetic resonance apparatus features an essentially magnetic-field-free region and the beam guide for the particle beam runs along the essentially magnetic-field-free region.
US08554301B2 Magnetic resonance system and method for obtaining magnetic resonance images of a body region with a flowing medium therein
A method to create magnetic resonance images of a predetermined imaging volume within an examination subject with a magnetic resonance system includes the following steps: Localize an inflow that supplies the imaging volume. Form a specific volume that at least partially includes the predetermined imaging volume and that is adapted to the inflow such that the specific volume has a recess into the specific volume at the inflow, via which recess at least a partial segment of the inflow is removed from the specific volume. Saturate or invert the magnetization of the specific volume by means of the magnetic resonance system. Detect measurement signals from the imaging volume. Create the MR images of the imaging volume by means of the measurement signals.
US08554297B2 Body-worn pulse oximeter
The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient's thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.
US08554286B2 Mobile electronic device adaptively responsive to motion and user based controls
A mobile electronic device that is adaptively responsive to motion and user based controls is disclosed. Displayed information on a multi-touch display is responsive to detected motion of the mobile electronic device and motion of the user.
US08554276B2 Apparatus and method for controlling subscriber identity module card
A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card control apparatus applied to a mobile communication device is provided. The mobile communication device has a first SIM card and a second SIM card. The SIM card control apparatus includes a judgment unit, a SIM card controller and a switch device. The judgment unit is used to generate a selection signal according to a to-be-accessed SIM card among the first and the second SIM cards. The SIM card controller transmits signals via a group of signal lines. The switch device is used to selectively connect the group of signal lines to the first SIM card or the second SIM card according to the selection signal.
US08554275B2 Mobile terminal having an image projector and controlling method therein
A mobile terminal having an image projector and controlling method therein are disclosed, by which a detachable image projector can be provided to the mobile terminal and by which a projection mode of a detachable image projector can be conveniently changed. The present invention includes a housing, a touchscreen provided to one surface of the housing to recognize a touch input of a user, a detachable projector module having an activation switch provided to one lateral side, the detachable projector module configured to project a prescribed image on an external surface, and a controller controlling an activation message for receiving an confirmation of a presence or non-presence of activation of the projector module from the user to be displayed on the touchscreen if the activation switch is manipulated. In this case, the detachable projector module is attached to a prescribed surface of the housing except the one surface of the housing to which the touchscreen is provided.
US08554269B1 Communication device
The mobile phone comprising a voice communication implementer, a caller's information displaying implementer, and a mobile phone updating implementer.
US08554261B2 Power loading in MU-MIMO
Embodiments of a system and method for transmitting data from an access point in a multiple user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) system are provided. A first indication of signal quality (ISQ) is received at the access point from a first station and a second ISQ is received from a second station. The access point sets a first power level and a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for transmission of a first aggregated media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (A-MPDU) to the first station as a function of the first ISQ and an amount of payload data corresponding to the first A-MPDU. The access point also sets a second power level and a second MCS for transmission of a second A-MPDU as a function of the second ISQ and an amount of payload data corresponding to the second A-MPDU.
US08554253B2 Telephone messaging privacy
A user can select to automatically delete sent and received text messages from a phone, to avoid complications of another person having access to the phone reading stored messages.
US08554251B2 Device, method, and apparatus for offline discontinuous reception (DRX) processing in cellular systems
An apparatus and method for processing signals are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transceiver configured to receive a first paging signal during a first cycle, a memory, and a processor configured to store the received first paging signal in the memory, to switch the transceiver to an off state after the first paging signal is stored in the memory, and to process the stored first paging signal while the transceiver is in the off state.
US08554247B2 Method and system for refining accuracy of location positioning
To accurately determine the location of mobile device a multi-phase procedure incorporating mapping and location determination phases is suggested, wherein covered area estimation comprises (i) estimation of base station location, (ii) estimation of transmission range, (iii) estimation of signal map and/or (iv) estimation of area type. The actual location of the mobile device (10) is determined from the covered area estimation based on relative comparison between the actual environment data and estimations (i)-(iv) and weight numbers resulted from the comparison. During the both phases a database is stored in server (14) and updated whenever new environment data is received. The vertical position, or ‘elevation’, of mobile device is further estimated based on vertical level information associated with the covered area estimations during the mapping phase.
US08554240B2 Method and apparatus for scheduling assignment of uplink packet transmission in mobile telecommunication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for communication between a User Equipment (UE) and a Node B in a communication system. The UE generates a Media Access Control-Protocol Data Unit (MAC-PDU) including scheduling information having information representing an amount of packet data to be transmitted. The MAC-PDU including the scheduling information is transmitted to the Node B. The information representing the amount of packet data exists per priority queue.
US08554236B2 Method for transmitting data and transmitter
A method for transmitting data includes using a plurality of time slots of a physical channel for transmission of the data, the plurality of time slots being grouped into at least a first time slot group and a second time slot group, transmitting data items of the data being associated with a first priority using time slots of the first time slot group, and transmitting data items of the data being associated with a second priority using time slots of the second time slot group.
US08554235B2 Distributed scheduling coordination for plural service areas
An apparatus (20) is associated with a telecommunications node (N) which serves a service area (S) which belongs to one set of plural sets of service areas comprising a network. The apparatus (20) divides a time resource for the node into plural phases in coordinated manner with other service areas. The apparatus (20) further generates a schedule for transmission/reception of user traffic for wireless terminals served by the node for plural consecutive phases. The schedule is generated so that during the plural consecutive phases the node can transmit and receive scheduled user traffic before receiving in the plural consecutive phases scheduling information from another node which serves another set of service areas.
US08554234B2 Method and procedures for automatic calibration of a wireless communications system simulation
A method of automatic calibration in which the simulation adapts itself to more closely resemble the actual network is provided. For a given network architecture and a probabilistic customer usage profile a simulation provides an estimate of key performance metrics. These simulated metrics are compared against actual measurements from the network. To the extent that they do not match within a prescribed tolerance, an iterative adaptive calibration procedure is used to perturb slightly the probabilistic model of network usage.
US08554233B2 Mobility management method, serving GPRS support node or mobility management entity, and terminal
The present invention discloses a mobility management method, a serving GPRS support node or mobility management entity (SGSN/MME), and a terminal to solve the problem of setting or dynamically modifying the mobility management frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals. The technical solution of the present invention includes: obtaining subscription data of a terminal, where the subscription data carries periodic routing area update or tracking area update (RAU/TAU) setting information; obtaining a periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information; sending the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal to the terminal; and setting a value that is a little longer than the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal as a mobile reachable timer for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. The embodiments of the present invention may be applied in low-mobility machine-type communication.
US08554231B2 Adaptation of portable base stations into cellular networks
A method includes modifying at least one communications protocol packet being passed between at least one of a plurality of portable base stations and a core network, such that the core network considers the plurality of portable base stations as a single base station.
US08554230B2 Method and apparatus for allocating femto cell information for handover in a wireless communication system
A method and an apparatus for allocating femto cell allocation information to support handover from a cell of a Base Station (BS) to a femto cell in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes setting a start frequency of a beacon signal to be different from a start frequency of a neighbor femto cell, sequentially hopping a beacon frequency beginning from the start frequency, and allocating new femto cell information based on the frequency hopping.
US08554226B2 Base station base methods and apparatus for supporting break before making handoffs in a multi-carrier system
A mobile communications device initiates a handoff from its current base station (BS) sector network attachment point to a new BS sector. The mobile sends a handoff request over its current wireless link to the current BS sector, which forwards the request to the new BS sector, e.g., via a network link. The new BS sector processes the request assigning dedicated resources, e.g., an identifier and dedicated uplink segments. Information identifying the allocated resources is conveyed from the new BS sector via the current BS sector to the mobile. The mobile determines the time of the allocated dedicated segments based upon a received beacon signal from the new BS sector with known timing relationships to dedicated segments. The mobile breaks the original wireless link just prior to the time of the first assigned dedicated segment. The mobile communicates information on the assigned dedicated segments to perform registration operations, e.g., timing synchronization and power control, establishing a new wireless link.
US08554222B2 Method, system and device for maintaining user service continuity
A method, a system and a device for maintaining user service continuity are provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes prohibiting a UE from accessing a forbidden network before handover is complete when the UE needs to perform network handover if the UE adopts a SIM access technology, thus avoiding service interruption of a SIM user due to access to an incorrect network. A system and a device for maintaining user service continuity are provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
US08554218B2 Client device method and apparatus for routing a call
A telecommunication method, server and system that route an outbound telephone communication initiated by a wireless remote device through an enterprise communication network. The system also routes an incoming call to a device associated with an enterprise communication network to a plurality of telephony devices including wireless devices and other remote devices.
US08554217B2 System and method for automatically setting environment of user terminal
A system for automatically setting an environment of a user terminal includes a space and context-aware device for sensing a space and a context using a plurality of sensors, defining environment setting information corresponding to the sensed space and context, and sending the defined environment setting information to a user terminal, thereby requesting environment setting or release. Further, the system for automatically setting an environment of a user terminal includes a user terminal for changing environment setting mode while communicating with the space and context-aware device and automatically changing to a status corresponding to the environment setting information when the environment setting information is received.
US08554212B1 Method and system for selecting neighboring sector scanning frequencies
A mobile station that is being served by a current sector receives a neighbor list that identifies a plurality of neighboring sectors and a respective priority for each neighboring sector. For each neighboring sector, the mobile station scans for the sector's pilot signal at a respective scanning frequency during a measurement interval. The scanning frequency for a sector defines how frequently the mobile station scans for the sector's pilot signal during the measurement interval. The mobile station selects a scanning frequency for a neighboring sector based on at least a signal strength of the current sector and the neighboring sector's priority. When the current sector's signal strength is high, the mobile station scans for high-priority sectors more frequently than low-priority sectors. When the current sector's signal strength is low, the mobile station scans for low-priority sectors more frequently than high-priority sectors.
US08554205B2 Methods and apparatus for facilitating dynamic service-based system selection and determination
A method for facilitating dynamic service-based system selection and determination may be implemented by a communications device. The method may include presenting system selection options to a user based on information that is received about Network Access Providers (NAPs) and Network Service Providers (NSPs). The method may also include receiving user input about the system selection options. The user may be permitted to provide input about specific services offered by specific NSPs. The method may also include determining user preferences regarding system selection based on the user input. The method may also include creating a preferred roaming list (PRL) based on the user preferences. The method may further include using the PRL to scan for available networks and channels and to find serving systems.
US08554203B2 Systems and method for frequency based satellite channel scanning
A satellite signal demodulator is configured to use frequency-based channel scanning to sense the presence of a channel and to obtain the frequency profile of the channel. Once the channel is identified and the profile is obtained, channel extraction is used to identify the frequency parameters for a given channel. A coarse parameter estimation is performed to obtain a coarse estimate of the symbol rate (SR) and the center frequency (fc) of the channel. The coarse estimation can then be followed by a fine estimation of the symbol rate and center frequency (fc), using a bit tracking loop (BTL) lock indicator.
US08554199B2 System and method for releasing RRC connection in wireless communication network
Provided are systems and methods for releasing a radio resource control (RRC) connection between a user equipment and a radio network controller. The system may include a user equipment and a radio network controller. The user equipment may be configured to transmit a RRC connection release indication when a timer expires in a connected mode and release the RRC connection upon receiving a RRC connection release message. The radio network controller may be configured to receive the RRC connection release indication from the user equipment and transmit the RRC connection release message in response to the RRC connection release indication.
US08554192B2 Interaction analysis and prioritization of mobile content
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for receiving interaction information relating to a first mobile communication facility, weighting content based at least in part on the interaction information, and ordering the content for presentation on a second mobile communication facility based at least in part on the weighting.
US08554188B2 Method, apparatus and system for processing communication call
A method, communication terminal and system for processing a communication call are provided, the communication terminal including a reader configured to obtain tag information by reading a tag attached to an object the tag information comprising a terminating number; a communication unit configured to transmit a request for an originating call based on the terminating number; and a control unit configured to control the communication terminal to display termination display information corresponding to one of the obtained tag information and the transmitting of the request for originating the call, wherein the termination display information excludes the terminating number.
US08554185B2 Mobile communication terminal having a direct dial function using call history and method for performing the function
A mobile communication terminal call history displays call distinguishing icons representing the types of calls performed with counterparts. The call types include sent and received voice calls, video calls, and messages. If a user selects one call distinguishing icon displayed on a mobile communication terminal's display unit, a voice call or a video call is sent to the counterpart or a screen on which a message can be written to the counterpart is displayed, according to the call type of the selected call distinguishing icon. The user can directly select a counterpart and the call type to be sent to the counterpart by selecting one of the call distinguishing icons displayed on the display unit. A desired call distinguishing icon can be selected by entering a command on a touch screen, a keypad, or by voice command.
US08554183B2 Call control
A method of call control in which a first communications network, detecting calls directed to a destination in the first network; redirects at least some of the calls to a destination in a second network (e.g. on no answer from the destination in the first network). The first communications network obtains from a client on a terminal associated with the destination in the second network a value for the time delay before a call to the destination in the second network is redirected in the second network on no answer to an alternative destination and sets a delay period to a value less than the value of the time delay obtained from the client. When one of the plurality of calls redirected to the second network is not answered in the second network within the delay period, the first communications network redirects the call to an alternative destination associated with the first network.
US08554180B2 System to dynamically authenticate mobile devices
The present invention provides a secure, dynamic and customizable system and method for authenticating a mobile device in a wireless network, in accordance with the security policies associated with the wireless network. The system and method involve a trusted authentication and device management application stored on the SIM card of the mobile device in a memory space that is protected and only accessible by the network operator. Moreover, authentication is based, at least in part, on information that relates to the environment of the mobile device, the information being available to the authentication application through the operating system of the mobile device.
US08554179B2 Managing mobile device applications
Methods, systems, and computer programs for managing mobile device applications are described. In some aspects, a mobile device application is prevented from accessing resources of a wireless network. For example, a wireless network operator system can determine that one or more mobile device applications are disapproved for use in the wireless network. In some implementations, the wireless network operator denies the disapproved mobile device applications access to the wireless network resources. In some implementations, mobile devices disable access to the wireless network by the disapproved mobile device applications.
US08554174B2 Selective first delivery attempt (FDA) processing for text messages
Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively applying First Delivery Attempt (FDA) processing for text messages. A text message system in one embodiment includes a rules database that stores rules defining which text messages are authorized to be delivered using FDA processing. The text message system further includes a message processor that initially receives a text message, and determines whether to selectively apply FDA processing for a time period due to an occurrence of a triggering event. If selective FDA processing applies, then the message processor processes the rules in the rules database to determine whether the text message is authorized for FDA processing during the time period of selective FDA processing. If authorized, then the message processor forwards the text message to an FDA system for FDA processing. If not authorized, then the message processor forwards the text message to a store-and-forward system for store-and-forward processing.
US08554167B2 Wireless device, method of operation and computer program
A wireless device has two or more radio systems and SIM channels. At least a part of the first radio system can be shut down to reduce the power consumed by the device. This occurs if the first radio system is unable to obtain suitable service for the first SIM channel and the second radio system is at least one of (i) providing at least some service on the second SIM channel for the device, and (ii) capable of searching for service for the first radio system.
US08554166B2 Methods of operating electronic devices, and methods of providing electronic devices
Some embodiments include a method disposing an integrated circuit die within a housing, the integrated circuit die having integrated circuitry formed thereon, the integrated circuitry including first transponder circuitry configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals, wherein the integrated circuit die is void of external electrical connections for anything except power supply external connections; and disposing second transponder circuitry, discrete from the first transponder circuitry, within the housing, the second transponder circuitry being configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals, wherein the first and second transponder circuitry are configured to establish wireless communication between one another within the housing, the second transponder circuitry being disposed within 24 inches of the first transponder circuitry within the housing.
US08554149B2 Directivity control system, control device, cooperative station device, reception station device, and method of controlling directivity
A directivity control system includes a first reception station device which receives an interference signal and a desired signal; a cooperative station device disposed at a different place from the first reception station device, which receives a signal using an antenna; and a control device which controls the directivity of an antenna of the first reception station device, wherein the control device regards a combination of the antenna of the first reception station device and the antenna of the cooperative station device as one array antenna, and calculates a sum, using a weight, of a received signal received using the antenna of the first reception station device and a received signal received using the antenna of the cooperative station device to compose a directivity pattern having a null in an arrival direction of the interference signal in the array antenna.
US08554136B2 Tightly-coupled near-field communication-link connector-replacement chips
Tightly-coupled near-field transmitter/receiver pairs are deployed such that the transmitter is disposed at a terminal portion of a first conduction path, the receiver is disposed at a terminal portion of a second conduction path, the transmitter and receiver are disposed in close proximity to each other, and the first conduction path and the second conduction path are discontiguous with respect to each other. In some embodiments of the present invention, close proximity refers to the transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna being spaced apart by a distance such that, at wavelengths of the transmitter carrier frequency, near-field coupling is obtained. In some embodiments, the transmitter and receiver are disposed on separate substrates that are moveable relative to each other. In alternative embodiments, the transmitter and receiver are disposed on the same substrate.
US08554134B2 Method and device for communicating using network coding scheme
A communication system, a relay station, a mobile station, a base station, and a method using a network coding scheme are provided. A communication system includes a relay station, a mobile station, and a base station. A relay station includes a message receiving unit to receive a downlink message transmitted from a base station and an uplink message transmitted from a mobile station, a message generation unit to generate a network coded message by coding the downlink message and the uplink message according to a network coding scheme, and a message transmission unit to transmit the network coded message to the base station and the mobile station during the same time slot.
US08554133B1 Method and apparatus for wireless digital audio and video playback
The present invention discloses methods and systems for providing very high quality audio and video playback using all-digital wireless paths from the source to the speaker transducers, video displays and headphones located anywhere within a distance allowed by the FCC. Each speaker has a separate digital amplifier dedicated to each transducer within it (e.g. woofer, tweeter). The present invention also discloses a system that provides a data link capable of sending an all-digital, full-bandwidth, signal from the original digital source material to each separate transducer in the system without using sound degrading lossy data compression. This system is designed to read, broadcast, and reproduce with accurate audio loudspeaker time-alignment (<100 uS) and low overall latency (less than 7 milliseconds) all popular audio and video formats in full-bandwidth and without data compression in the effort to maintain the integrity of the entire audio and video signal.
US08554128B2 Sheet processing apparatus having a sheet insertion function, control method therefor, image forming apparatus, and program for implementing the control method
A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.
US08554127B2 Method of correcting curl of sheet and recording apparatus
In a first step, a sheet is conveyed in a direction, whereby a leading end portion of the sheet is fed to a position between a decurl roller and a decurl pinch roller, which are in positions spaced apart from each other. In a second step, the leading end portion of the sheet is curved and held by causing the decurl pinch roller to come close to or press against the decurl roller. In a third step, the leading end portion of the sheet is withdrawn from between the decurl roller and the decurl pinch roller by conveying the sheet in a direction opposed to the conveying direction. After executing the first to third steps, the sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction through the first step while the sheet is curved by the decurl roller.
US08554126B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device configured to fix the toner image to the sheet by heat; a discharge tray onto which the sheet to which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device is discharged; a discharge device configured to convey the sheet so as to discharge the sheet onto the discharge tray; and a controller configured to temporarily stop the discharge device conveying the sheet while the sheet is being discharged by the discharge device and to resume the discharge device conveying the sheet after a predetermined stop time has elapsed, the controller controls the discharge device such that the conveyance torque of the discharge device at a time of resuming the discharge device conveying the sheet is larger than the conveyance torque of the discharge device before temporarily stopping the discharge device conveying the sheet.
US08554125B2 Image forming device and image forming method which prevents misalignment between front end of formed image and front end of sheet
An image forming device makes a sheet pass between first rotating member and separator in a pressed position, causes second rotating member pair to transport a sheet, transports the sheet from second rotating member pair with the sheet held between third rotating member and image carrier in a transfer position, transfers an image formed on image carrier onto the sheet, and suspends rotation of first rotating member when a portion of the sheet, which is distance L away from the sheet's rear end, passes the pressed position. Provided that length 1≧(M+L) and length 2<(M+L) where M is a distance from the pressed position to the transfer position, when the sheet has length 2 in a transport direction, the device delays image formation start and/or advances sheet transport start, by a predetermined time period as compared to when the sheet has length 1 in the transport direction.
US08554124B2 Printing medium feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same
A printing medium feeding apparatus includes a feeding part which feeds a printing medium, and a printing medium aligning roller part which aligns a leading edge of the printing medium fed from the feeding part and transfers the aligned printing medium to an image forming part which forms an image on the printing medium, wherein the printing medium aligning roller part comprises a pair of rollers which transfer the printing medium to the image forming part, and an aligning shutter which is rotationally coupled to at least one of the pair of rollers, which rotates when the leading edge of the printing medium contacts the aligning shutter with a pressure greater than a reference pressure in a reference direction and guides the leading edge of the printing medium fed from the feeding part toward the reference direction.
US08554114B2 Rotating-body restraining device and image forming method
A rotating-body restraining device includes a first gear provided on a rotational shaft of a rotating body and rotated together with the rotating body, a second gear that meshes with the first gear, a third gear provided on a rotational shaft of the second gear and rotated together with the second gear, and a restraining member that is movable toward the third gear and that restrains the third gear from rotating by moving to a position where the restraining member meshes with the third gear. The numbers of teeth included in the first, second, and third gears are Za, Zb, and Zc, respectively. Zb is not equal to the product of Za and an integer n. Zc is an integral multiple of a value obtained by dividing the least common multiple of Za and Zb by Za.
US08554113B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a corona charger having an opening, a shutter configured to open and close the opening of the corona charger, a humidity sensor configured to detect humidity, and a control unit configured to control the so that time from ending an image forming process to closing the opening using the shutter is reduced when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor increases.
US08554110B2 Image-forming device that separates developing units from photosentive members
A plurality of developing units is disposed beneath photosensitive drums for supplying toner to the photosensitive drums. A mounting member detachably mounts the developing units and is configured to be pulled out from the main casing. A supporting member has an upstream end portion in a pulling direction that the mounting member is pulled outward from the main casing and is pivotably supported on the main casing about the upstream end portion. The mounting member is slidably supported on the supporting member in the pulling direction. The supporting member is configured to pivot with the mounting member between a first position where the developing units are capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drums and a second position where the developing units separate from the photosensitive drums. The mounting member is configured to be pulled out from the main casing if the support member is in the second position.
US08554100B2 Image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system
An image forming apparatus including, a plurality of image bearing members, a plurality of developing units which includes toner storage containers and a belt transferring toner images onto a transfer material, the image forming apparatus being capable of executing a first cleaning mode and a second cleaning mode to move the toner adhering onto the belt onto the image bearing members and to collect the adhering toner into the toner storage containers, wherein, in the first cleaning mode, the adhering toner is collected into the toner storage container of the developing unit developing a black toner, and in the second cleaning mode, a portion of the adhering toner is collected into the toner storage container corresponding to the image bearing member located at a most upstream position and a rest of the adhering toner is collected into the toner storage container of the developing unit developing the black toner.
US08554093B2 Image forming apparatus that adopts image density control with density sensors
An image forming apparatus that can reduce the time period for rotation of an intermediate transfer unit required before toner patches are formed, and measurement of toner patch densities while continuing the rotation. A toner image formed on a photosensitive drum is transferred to a surface of the intermediate transfer unit. A toner image for detection is formed on the intermediate transfer unit, and image forming conditions are corrected based on the amount of toner obtained by reading the toner image for detection. Two density sensors read the surface of the intermediate transfer unit. Outputs from the two density sensors are stored as a first profile and a second profile, respectively. A toner density of the toner image for detection is calculated based on the first and second profiles, and image forming conditions are corrected based on the toner density.
US08554092B2 Image forming apparatus controlling a toner amount per unit area of a transparent toner image to be formed on a recording material
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion for forming a toner image of color toner and transparent toner on a recording material; a heating device for heating the toner image formed on the recording material; an execution portion for executing a mode in which the transparent toner is partly placed in an image formable region of the recording material; and a control portion for controlling, on the basis of an amount of the color toner to be placed in an adjacent region adjacent to a region in which the transparent toner is to be placed, the amount of the transparent toner so that the amount of the transparent toner to be partly placed on the recording material when glossiness in the adjacent region is high is larger than that when the glossiness in the adjacent region is low.
US08554091B2 Toner cartridge with memory for image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus mounted with a toner cartridge having a memory unit includes a toner cartridge which stores a plurality of control data depending on toner in the memory unit, an acquisition unit which selects one of the plurality of control data in the memory unit and acquires image formation-related information and a setting unit which sets image formation parameters on the basis of the image formation-related information.
US08554089B2 Job error correction in a multicolor electrophotographic print engine
A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
US08554077B2 Energy efficiency and cost efficient protection in passive optical networks
A network element implementing an optical network unit (ONU) that is configured to improve efficiency in a passive optical network (PON), the ONU connected to an optical line terminal (OLT) over an optical line, the ONU connected with an aggregating ONU (AG-ONU) in the PON through an alternate connection separate from the PON, the ONU improving protection (maintenance) cost and energy efficiency for the PON by entering a sleep mode that disables communication with the OLT over the optical line to reduce energy consumption when the ONU is idle, the ONU to restart communication with the OLT over the optical line upon receipt of data traffic, the ONU including an alternate connection module configured to communicate with the AG-ONU; and a network processor configured to execute a quality of service module, an AG-ONU monitor module, a traffic forwarding module and a power management module.
US08554072B2 Optical transceiver including a plurality of transmitter units and a process to control the same
An optical transceiver is disclosed in which the optical output thereof is controlled without degrading the signal quality. The optical transceiver of the invention includes a plurality of transmitter units and a controller that adjusts the bias current of respective transmitter units. The controller, receiving information to decrease/increase the output of the optical transceiver, decides a unique unit that has a largest margin to increase/decrease the bias current and provides a control signal only to the unique unit to increase/decrease the bias current.
US08554069B2 Imaging unit
An imaging unit includes a housing having an opening on one of opposite sides in a direction of thickness thereof; an imaging optical system provided in the housing and includes an incident surface and an exit-side prism, wherein object-emanated light being incident on said incident surface and traveling in a lengthwise direction of said housing is reflected by said exit-side prism toward said opening; an image sensor, installed in the housing, with an imaging surface facing the other of the opposite sides of the housing toward an exit surface of the exit-side prism; a spacer projecting from the housing or a fixed member, the spacer contacting the image sensor to create a clearance between the exit surface and the imaging surface; and a cover fixed to the housing to close the opening and press the image sensor so as to come in contact with the spacer.
US08554065B2 Shake detector
A shake detector includes: a shake detection unit that detects an amount of shake, and outputs a shake detection signal and a reference signal; a signal processing unit that amplifies and smoothes the shake detection signal and the reference signal, and outputs the shake detection signal as a signal used in subsequent processing; an adjustment unit that outputs an adjustment signal for adjusting an output signal from the signal processing unit; and a control operation unit that, in a first period for which there is no shake in the imaging apparatus, stores a control value for controlling the adjustment unit on the basis of the reference signal, and that, in a second period different from the first period, generates a control signal for controlling the adjustment unit on the basis of the reference signal and the stored control value and outputs the control signal.
US08554062B2 Accelerated access to frames from a compressed digital video stream without keyframes
A digital video recorder stores digital video streams having sequences of encoded frames that are predominantly non-keyframes. The digital video recorder synthesizes keyframes for the digital video stream by decoding the frames in sequence and occasionally capturing the state of the decoder as it decodes the frames. The decoder states are stored in a state index in association with the frames. During playback at normal or accelerated speeds, the digital video recorder is capable of random accelerated access of any frame in the digital video stream. A decoder state associated with the accessed frame is retrieved from the state index and used to begin decoding at or near the accessed frame. The decoder state initializes a playback decoder to the state that enables complete decoding and rendering of the accessed frame without having to decode multiple frames previous to the accessed frame, thereby minimizing time delays in playback.
US08554061B2 Video format for digital video recorder
Some embodiments provide a video camera. The video camera includes image sensing circuitry for capturing a sequence of video pictures, a user interface for allowing a user to select a video encoding format from a temporally compressed encoding format and non-temporally compressed encoding format, encoding circuitry for encoding the video pictures according to the format selected by the user, and random access storage for storing video clips.Some embodiments provide a video editing application for a computer. The application includes a first module for (i) receiving video clips stored on the video camera and (ii) storing a first set of video clips that are non-temporally compressed on the video camera in a storage of the computer, and a second module for (i) transcoding a second set of video clips that are temporally compressed on the video camera and (ii) storing the transcoded second set of video clips in the storage.
US08554057B2 Information signal processing method and apparatus, and computer program product
There is provided an information signal processing method used when performing a special reproduction operation for digest reproduction of a video/audio information signal of a broadcast program. The method includes: a step for reading data from the video/audio characteristic data of each predetermined section of a predetermined video/audio information signal and additional information data concerning the video/audio information signal or a predetermined recording medium containing these data; a step for creating a predetermined first information meaning for each predetermined section of the video/audio information signal from the read data; a step for connecting a plurality of sections for which the first predetermined meaning has been created so as to perform creation of a predetermined second information meaning or a predetermined evaluation processing for a predetermined section according to the signal of the first meaning creation processing; and a step for setting a predetermined reproduction section or a predetermined reproduction time according to the signal subjected to the evaluation processing.
US08554045B2 Docking station for portable entertainment devices
A docking station is configured to receive media in the form of audio and/or video from a portable entertainment device. The docking station transmits the received media to a remote playing device via a wired, wireless, or powerline connection. The media may include a control signal associated with the audio and/or video to control the remote playing device. In certain embodiments, the remote playing device transmits control signals to the docking station to control the portable entertainment device. In certain embodiments, the docking station electrically charges the portable entertainment device.
US08554036B2 Graded index multimode optical fiber
A graded index multimode optical fiber (10) includes: a core (11) having an outside diameter of 45-65 μm; a first cladding (12) surrounding the core (11); a second cladding (13) surrounding the first cladding (12) and made of a material having a lower refractive index than the first cladding (12); and a third cladding (14) surrounding the second cladding (13) and made of a material having a higher refractive index than the second cladding (13). The ratio of the outside diameter of the first cladding (12) to the outside diameter of the core (11) is 1.15-1.25.
US08554027B2 Optical switch
An optical switch is constituted of a wavelength filter and a control device. The wavelength filter includes a first waveguide exhibiting a transmission band of a predetermined basic mode and a second waveguide, arranged in at least one location of the first waveguide, exhibiting a transmission band with a cutoff frequency corresponding to a finite value included in the transmission band of the basic mode. A pair of optical couplers constituting a Mach-Zehnder interferometer is connected to opposite ends of a filter unit including the first waveguide and the second waveguide. When a plurality of wavelength filters is cascaded, these wavelength filters differ from each other in terms of the cutoff frequency of the second waveguide. The control device changes the cutoff frequency of the second waveguide within the transmission band of the first waveguide, thus adjusting the filtering band of the wavelength filter.
US08554014B2 Robust fast panorama stitching in mobile phones or cameras
A camera that provides for a panorama mode of operation that employs internal software and internal acceleration hardware to stitch together two or more captured images to create a single panorama image with a wide format. Captured images are projected from rectilinear coordinates into cylindrical coordinates with the aid of image interpolation acceleration hardware. Matches are quickly determined between each pair of images with a block based search that employs motion estimation acceleration hardware. Transformation are found, utilizing regression and robust statistics techniques, to align the captured images with each other, which are applied to the images using the interpolation acceleration hardware. A determination is made for an optimal seam to stitch images together in the overlap region by finding a path which cuts through relatively non-noticeable regions so that the images can be stitched together into a single image with a wide panoramic effect.
US08554009B2 Simple matrix method for stray-light correction in imaging instruments
A simple matrix method and computer program product for stray-light correction in imaging instruments is provided. The stray-light correction method includes receiving raw signals from an imaging instrument and characterizing the imaging instrument for a set of point spread functions. For high resolution imaging instruments, the raw signals may be compressed to reduce the size of the correction matrix. Based on stray-light distribution functions derived from the point spread functions, a correction matrix is derived. This fast correction is performed by a matrix multiplication to the measured raw signals, and may reduce stray-light errors by more than one order of magnitude. Using the stray-light corrected instrument, significant reductions may be made in overall measurement uncertainties in radiometry, colorimetry, photometry and other applications. Because the PSFs may include other types of undesired responses, the stray-light correction also eliminates other types of errors, e.g., interreflection between a CCD and the detector window.
US08554004B2 Data transform apparatus
This invention decreases the count of access to a memory which stores image data regarding orthogonal transform, and quickly generates orthogonal transform coefficients. An apparatus includes a storage unit which stores image data, a memory controller which reads each block from the storage unit, a first transforming unit which receives and orthogonally transforms the input block, and calculates only one DC component, a selector which selects and outputs one of the block read out via the memory controller, and data of DC components from the first transforming unit that are equal in number to pixels included in the block, a second transforming unit which orthogonally transforms data that have been output from the selector and are equal in number to pixels included in the block, and outputs either one DC component or a plurality of AC components, and a controller which controls the memory controller, selector, and second transforming unit.
US08553988B2 Objective picture quality measurement
To assess picture impairment due to the interpolation of output images from input images, for example in standards conversion, an output image detail measure is compared with an input image detail measure. One of the image detail measures is obtained by interpolation between image detail measures for at least two images.
US08553979B2 Post processing for improved generation of intrinsic images
An automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. The method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, generating an intrinsic image corresponding to the image and modifying the intrinsic image as a function of a bi-illuminant, dichromatic reflection model.
US08553969B1 Systems and methods for counting and processing pliable objects
Systems and methods for counting and processing pliable objects are disclosed. A vision system may capture an inspection image of a plurality of pliable objects. The inspection image may be partitioned into a plurality of windows traversing the inspection image. For each individual window of the plurality of windows, a blob extraction process is performed to determine a plurality of blobs corresponding to regions within the inspection image having substantially the second luminance value range such that the plurality of blobs correspond to the plurality of pliable objects. The blobs are counted for each window to determine a total number of pliable objects in the plurality of pliable objects.
US08553967B2 System and method for a digital X-ray radiographic tomosynthesis user interface
A system and method for an improved digital X-ray radiographic tomosynthesis user interface and workflow. The system comprising a user interface providing a tomosynthesis reconstruction preference edit tool; a dose preference edit tool; a scout acquisition edit tool; a tomosynthesis acquisition edit tool; a retrospective reconstruction image processing edit tool; a slice image change auto forward edit tool; and an image annotation propogation edit tool.
US08553965B2 Cloud-based medical image processing system with anonymous data upload and download
According to one embodiment, a local device receives 3D medical image data captured by a medical imaging device. The 3D medical image is anonymized by removing certain metadata associated with the 3D medical image data based on an anonymization template. The local device automatically uploads the anonymized 3D medical image data to a cloud server over a network based on a set of one or more rules, using a network connection established via an internet port of the local device. The cloud server is configured to provide medical image processing services to a plurality of users using a plurality of image processing tools provided by the cloud server.
US08553959B2 Method and apparatus for correcting multi-modality imaging data
A method for correcting Positron Emission Tomography (PET) data includes adjusting a tube current generated by the CT imaging system to a second tube current value that is less than a first tube current value used to generate diagnostic quality CT images, and imaging the patient with the CT imaging system set at the second tube current value. The method also includes generating a plurality of computed tomography (CT) projection data from the CT imaging system and preprocessing the CT projection data to generate preprocessed CT projection data. The method further includes filtering the preprocessed CT projection data to reduce electronic noise to generate filtered CT projection data, and performing a minus logarithmic operation on the filtered CT projection data to generate the corrected PET data.
US08553956B2 3D current reconstruction from 2D dense MCG images
A current dipole is determined by solving the inverse problem multiple times in consecutive stages. At each stage, a new high resolution image is generated from a magnetic field map from the immediately previous stage, and at each stage more constraints are extracted from the current high resolution image than were available in the immediately previous stage. After the constraints are extracted from a current high resolution image, the current high resolution is updated to incorporate constraints from the immediately previous stage. The updated high resolution image, and the currently extracted constraints are used to resolve the inverse problem, and the Biot-Savart law is used to calculated the current dipole.
US08553952B2 Method and system for automated interpretation of computer tomography scan data
Disclosed is a method for interpreting image data that represents variations in density of matter inside a subject. For instance, a data processing system may receive image data from a scan of a subject. The data processing system automatically discerns one or more bones, one or more arteries, and one or more organs of the subject, based at least in part on the image data. The data processing system may also automatically identify one or more of the discerned bones, arteries, and organs. The data processing system may also produce output that depicts one or more of the identified bones, one or more of the identified arteries, and/or one or more of the identified organs, for use by a radiologist or other user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08553945B2 Methods and systems for analyzing the quality of digital signature confirmation images
Methods and systems for evaluating an imager that produces bi-chrome images from a scanner or a digital imaging device, the bi-chrome images having pixels of a first and second color. In one embodiment, a method for evaluating an imager includes generating an image that contains pixels of a first color and a second color. The image may be analyzed to determine information about particles of the first and second color. The particles may be described as contiguous pixels of the same color, and the particle information may relate to the size and quantity of the particles of each color. The method may further include determining if the image is unacceptable based on the particle information compared to predefined objective criteria.
US08553944B2 Removing leakage from a double-sided document
Aspects of the present invention include systems and methods for mitigating the effects of leakage when duplicating an image from a double-sided document. In embodiments, a device is calibrated by computing a leakage function. The leakage function is used to obtain a leakage mitigation function. Given the leakage function and the leakage mitigation function, an estimate of a true version of the document image can be obtained using as inputs only the images of the front-side and back-side of the double-sided document.
US08553941B2 Methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for providing image composition rules, analysis and improvement
The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for analyzing, characterizing and/or rating the composition of images. Further embodiments of the present invention include methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for providing instructive feedback or automatic corrective actions, relating to the quality of the composition of an image, to a user of an imaging device (e.g. digital camera, camera phone, etc.)—Optionally while the user is preparing to acquire an image, i.e. in real time. Embodiments of the present invention may further include methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for extracting image composition related rules based on analysis of composition parameters of rated images.
US08553939B2 Pose tracking pipeline
A method of tracking a target includes receiving from a source a depth image of a scene including the human subject. The depth image includes a depth for each of a plurality of pixels. The method further includes identifying pixels of the depth image that belong to the human subject and deriving from the identified pixels of the depth image one or more machine readable data structures representing the human subject as a body model including a plurality of shapes.
US08553933B2 Edge diversity object detection
Methods for detecting objects in an image. The method includes a) receiving magnitude and orientation values for each pixel in an image and b) assigning each pixel to one of a predetermined number of orientation bins based on the orientation value of each pixel. The method also includes c) determining, for a first pixel, a maximum of all the pixel magnitude values for each orientation bin in a predetermined region surrounding the first pixel. The method also includes d) summing the maximum pixel magnitude values for each of the orientation bins in the predetermined region surrounding the first pixel, e) assigning the sum to the first pixel and f) repeating steps c), d) and e) for all the pixels in the image.
US08553922B2 Earphone microphone
An earphone microphone is constituted of a main unit and an insert portion which are united in an L-shape. Two receivers are attached to the external surface of the main unit and exposed externally of a user's ear, while one receiver is attached to a distal end of the insert portion that is inserted into a user's external auditory canal and disposed opposite to a user's eardrum. A signal processor produces a difference signal between the output signals of two receivers exposed externally of the user's ear. The difference signal is subjected to high-pass filtering and subsequently added to the output signal of the receiver disposed inside the user's external auditory canal, thus producing a sound signal representing a user's sound. The sound signal includes a sufficient number of frequency components (e.g. frequency components higher than 3 kHz) prerequisite for discriminating the user's sound.
US08553921B2 Miniature microphone, protection frame thereof and method for manufacturing the same
A miniature microphone is provided. In one embodiment, the miniature microphone comprises: a circuit board substrate at the upper part of the miniature microphone, wherein a plurality of contact pads are configured at prescribed positions on one side of the circuit board substrate and one or more electrical components are installed on the other side thereof; a protection frame with a cavity in the central portion thereoftherein, wherein one or more components are installed inside the cavity, the outer side of the protection frame forms the body portion, a first metal shielding layer is provided on the inner surface of the body portion, and an insulating mechanism is provided on the inner side of the first metal shielding layer, which enables the one or more components to be electrically insulated from the first metal shielding layer; and a bottom plate, wherein one or more sound holes are provided in the central portion thereoftherein for passing sound, and a second metal shielding layer is provided on the whole surface of the side of the bottom plate coming into contact with the protection frame.
US08553917B2 Method for actively reducing occlusion comprising plausibility check and corresponding hearing apparatus
Adaption of signal processing for actively reducing occlusion in hearing apparatuses, and in particular in hearing aids, is to be automated further. For this purpose, a transducer transmission function, which is defined for the transmission path from the input of a receiver via the auditory canal to the output of a microphone, be subjected to an automatic plausibility check. An adjustable filter via which the microphone signal is fed back is only altered if the transducer transmission function is plausible according to a predefined criterion.
US08553915B2 Hearing aid adjustment device, hearing aid adjustment method, and program for hearing aid adjustment
A hearing aid adjustment device (1) has a comparator (22a) and a setting section (22b). The comparator (22a) compares a user evaluation given by a user (T) of a hearing aid (5) in response to sound obtained by hearing aid processing based on fitting theories and hearing level data for the user (T), with a reference evaluation that has been acquired ahead of time and corresponds to each of customers (A to C) and is given by the customers (A to C) in response to sound obtained by hearing aid processing based on fitting theories and hearing level data for the customers (A to C). The setting section (22b) sets the value of a user parameter designating hearing aid processing to be given to a user (T), to a value that is the same as the value of a reference parameter that has been acquired ahead of time and that designates hearing aid processing suited to a customer (A) who gave a reference evaluation similar to the user evaluation, out of the customers (A to C).
US08553914B2 Apparatus for reproduction of stereo sound
Apparatus for reproducing stereo sound having a housing (1, 25) defining an at least partially enclosed space. A first transducer (7) or pair of transducers (28, 29) is provided and arranged to reproduce one, both or the sum of two audio signals. A pair of transducers (10, 32) is also provided and arranged to reproduce a signal comprising the difference of the two audio signals. As the transducers communicate with the at least partially enclosed space, and the transducers arranged to reproduce the difference between the two audio signals are each arranged to direct their output primarily in a direction generally at right angles to the direction in which the first transducer or pair of transducers primarily direct their output. The apparatus may be arranged to be placed on or adjacent a generally flat surface, and the transducers arranged to reproduce the difference of the two audio signals may be arranged to direct their output towards the flat surface.
US08553913B2 Condenser microphone and head thereof
A head of a condenser microphone includes: a condenser microphone unit; a housing supporting the condenser microphone unit; a first circuit board arranged adjacent to the condenser microphone unit in the housing; a second circuit board arranged remote from the condenser microphone unit and separated from the first circuit board in the housing; and a magnetic sheet arranged between and separated from the first circuit board and the second circuit board in the housing, the first circuit board including a circuit for processing an audio signal from the condenser microphone unit; the second circuit board including a DC-DC converter circuit unit for generating a polarization voltage to be applied to the condenser microphone unit.
US08553906B2 Apparatus for enabling karaoke
There is provided an apparatus for enabling karaoke. The apparatus includes a casing for the apparatus; a microphone array incorporated within the casing, the microphone array being concealed from a user by the casing; a controller coupled to the microphone array to at least process audio signals from the user input at the microphone array; a data storage device coupled to the controller, the data storage device being for storing pre-recorded songs used for karaoke, and for storing songs as sung by the user; and an image capturing device coupled to the controller, the image capturing device being for capturing images of the user while the user is singing, with the captured images of the user being stored on the data storage device.
US08553903B2 Sound-direction detector having a miniature sensor
A representative embodiment of the invention provides a sound-direction detector having a miniature sensor coupled to a signal-processing block. The sensor has (i) a microphone responsive to a sound wave and (ii) a differential pressure sensor (DPS) responsive to a pressure difference induced by the sound wave between two inlet ports located in proximity to the microphone. The signal-processing block applies phase-sensitive detection to the output signal generated by the DPS, while using the output signal generated by the microphone as a reference for the phase-sensitive detection, to measure the pressure difference. The signal-processing block then determines direction to the sound-wave source based on the amplitude of the sound wave at the microphone and the measured pressure difference.
US08553899B2 Output phase modulation entrainment containment for digital filters
Method and apparatus for entrainment containment in digital filters using output phase modulation. Phase change is gradually introduced into the acoustic feedback canceller loop to avoid entrainment of the feedback canceller filter. Various embodiments employing different output phase modulation approaches are set forth and time and frequency domain examples are provided. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.
US08553894B2 Active and passive directional acoustic radiating
An three-way audio system that uses directional arrays for radiating mid-frequency acoustic energy and passive directional devices to radiate the high frequencies. the system includes a left channel, a right channel, and a center channel. A crossover network separates the left channel and the right channel into low frequency content, midrange frequency content, and high frequency content. An omnidirectional acoustical device radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the low frequency content of the combined left channel, right channel and center channel. A first directional array, comprising signal processing circuitry and more than one acoustic driver, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions. A first passive directional device, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions.
US08553889B2 Mix-net system
Each participant apparatus (103) encrypts a plaintext by using a secret key of secret key cryptography, encrypts the encryption key by a public key, and sends the plaintext and public key to a substitution/decryption apparatus (112). With this processing, the limitation on the length of a ciphertext to be processed can be eliminated. In this invention, a verifiable proof text using a public key by each substitution/decryption apparatus is verified by a verification apparatus (109) by using the public key. If one of a plurality of organizations to decrypt and shuffle ciphertexts has not correctly executed the operation, a third party can specify it and prove that the specified organization is unauthorized.
US08553888B2 Generation of communication device signatures for use in securing nomadic electronic transactions
A method for execution in a communication device, which comprises accessing an identifier stored in a memory; receiving a first data set and a second data set over a first communication path; generating a first signature from the identifier and the first data set; generating a second signature from the identifier and the second data set; responding to a first request by releasing a first response including the first signature over a local communication path different from the first communication path; and responding to a subsequent request by releasing a second response including the second signature over the local communication path.
US08553885B2 Wireless personal area network having authentication and associated methods
A wireless personal area network (WPAN) system includes a plurality of WPAN devices using encrypted wireless communication therebetween when in an enabled state and not wirelessly communicating when in a disabled state. At least one of the WPAN devices includes a WPAN identity reader for reading at least one identifying parameter of a user, for confirming that the user is an authorized user based upon reading the at least one identifying parameter, and for wirelessly communicating with at least one other WPAN device to switch the at least one other WPAN device from the disabled state to the enabled state based upon confirming the user is an authorized user.
US08553884B2 Quantum communication system
A quantum communication system including an emitter and a receiver, the emitter including an encoder and at least one photon source and being configured to pass a signal pulse and a reference pulse, which are separated in time, through the encoder and output the signal pulse and the reference pulse. The reference pulse has a higher probability of containing more than one photon than the signal pulse. The receiver includes a decoder and at least one detector for measuring the signal pulse and the reference pulse.
US08553880B2 Pseudorandom number generating system, encryption system, and decryption system
The pseudorandom number generating system repeatedly performs simple transformation of a non-secure pseudorandom number sequence that may be generated quickly, and thus may quickly generate a highly secure pseudorandom number sequence having a long period. Furthermore, the encryption system and the decryption system do not generate a large encryption function difficult to be deciphered based on a shared key 122, but prepare multiple functions 126, which perform fast, different types of transformation, and select a combination of functions determined based on information of the shared key 122, and make the selected functions transform a text multiple times, thereby encrypt the text. Each of the functions is fast, and thus transformation by the entire combination is also fast. Furthermore, since the combination of functions and repetitive count can be changed, future improvement in specification is easy. Moreover, security is high since which functions are applied in what order is unknown.
US08553863B2 Method and apparatus for providing dynamic international calling rates
A method and apparatus for enabling VoIP service providers to dynamically adjust international calling rates as a function of adjustments made with partner carrier arrangements that VoIP service providers put in place are disclosed. Thus VoIP service providers can pass on savings, if the new calling rate is lower than the old calling rate, to their subscribers in order to enhance the loyalty of existing subscribers. Instead of having subscribers to call into customer service centers to take advantage of these new lower international calling rates, the new calling rates will be updated dynamically and immediately for subscribers without these subscribers having to call in to request their billing rates to match the new calling rates.
US08553846B2 Phone test set modem
A phone test set provides modem capability in a hand held device, enabling bi-directional data communications. Demodulation is provided by sampling digitized incoming phone line signals at 4 times carrier frequency, and employing values representing 0 and 90 degree samples to extract the information signal.
US08553844B2 Hybrid design of an anode disk structure for high prower X-ray tube configurations of the rotary-anode type
This invention relates to high power X-ray sources, in particular to those equipped with a rotating X-ray anode capable of delivering a higher short time peak power than conventional rotating x-ray anodes. This invention can overcome the thermal limitation of peak power by allowing fast rotation of the anode and by introducing a lightweight material with high thermal conductivity in the region adjacent to the focal track material. The fast rotation can be provided by using sections of the rotating anode disk made of anisotropic high specific strength materials with high thermal stability that can be specifically adapted to the high stresses of anode operation. Uses include high speed image acquisition for X-ray imaging, for example, of moving objects in real-time such as in medical radiography.
US08553839B2 System and method for generating images of a patient's interior and exterior
A system for generating an image including information of both an interior and an exterior of a patient. The system includes an X ray device for providing an X ray image of a patient's interior, and a camera responsive to a wavelength for providing a camera image of a patient's exterior. The camera may be supported by the X ray device for establishing a determined spatial relationship between the camera and the X ray device. The system further includes a spatial reference for spatially correlating the X ray image and the camera image, where the spatial reference is detectable in the X ray image and in the camera image. A data processor configured for rendering the camera image and the X ray image into a composite image on the basis of the spatial reference.
US08553829B2 Reduced order stress model for online maneuvering, diagnostics of fuel failure and design of core loading patterns of light water reactors
The invention is principally directed to a reduced order model, XEDOR, facilitating the prediction of and the diagnostics of pellet-clad interaction stress-corrosion-cracking failure of nuclear fuel rods. The invention more particularly relates to assessment of susceptibility to PCI failure for guidance in the design of fuel loading in nuclear reactors. The invention additionally relates to the protection against PCI failure by providing operational information to operators of a nuclear reactor during power maneuvering, including predictive calculations prior to executing power maneuvers. Additionally, the invention relates to the diagnostics of an event suggesting a possible PCI cladding failure.
US08553827B2 ADC-based mixed-mode digital phase-locked loop
A Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) includes a Phase-to-Digital Converter (PDC), a programmable digital loop filter, a Digitally-Controlled Oscillator (DCO), and a loop divider. Within the PDC, phase information is converted into a stream of digital values by a charge pump and an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). The stream of digital values is supplied to the digital loop filter which in turn supplies digital tuning words to the DCO. A number of types of ADCs can be used for the ADC including a continuous-time delta-sigma oversampling Digital ADC and a Successive Approximation ADC. The voltage signal on the charge pump output is a small amplitude midrange voltage signal. The small voltage amplitude of the signal leads to numerous advantages including improved charge pump linearity, reduced charge pump noise, and lower supply voltage operation of the overall PLL.
US08553825B2 Phase synchronization apparatus and digital coherent light receiver
A phase synchronization method uses a removal path for removing an error component contained in an input signal and a delay addition path for adding a delay corresponding to a processing time period taken to remove the error component in the removal path. The removal path includes an averaging section. The averaging section includes a shift register and an obtaining unit. The shift register stores as many data as the maximum number of data to be averaged and successively receives processing data from which the error component has been extracted in the removal path. The obtaining unit obtains, among the successive processing data input to the shift register, as many processing data as the number of data to be averaged from a position near the center toward both ends in the shift register.
US08553824B2 MIMO slotted aloha (MSA) system
A method including receiving at a synchronizing node a first reference frame from a first reference node at a first time and storing a first time value representing the first time, and calculating a timing estimator by subtracting a minimum time value, representing the distance from the synchronizing node to the first reference node, from the first time value. The method includes receiving at the synchronizing node a second reference frame at a second time and transmitting from the synchronizing node to the first reference node a short timing contention time frame. The method includes receiving at the synchronizing node from the first reference node an arrival time value representing the time at which the first reference node received the short timing contention frame and calculating a time drift from the first arrival time value and the second time value and adjusting the timing estimator based on the time drift.
US08553821B1 Adaptive non-linear model for highly-spectrally-efficient communications
A receiver may be operable to generate estimates of transmitted symbols using a sequence estimation process that may incorporate a non-linear model. The non-linear model may be adapted by the receiver based on particular communication information that may be indicative of non-linearity experienced by the transmitted symbols. The receiver may generate a reconstructed signal from the estimates of the transmitted symbols. The receiver may adapt the non-linear model based on values of an error signal generated from the reconstructed signal, and the values of the error signal may be generated from a portion of the generated estimates that may correspond to known symbols and/or information symbols. The values of the error signal corresponding to the known symbols may be given more weight in an adaptation algorithm, and the values of the error signal corresponding to the information symbols may be given less weight in the adaptation algorithm.
US08553817B1 Method and apparatus for shipboard co-site in-band desired signal extraction
Systems and methods are disclosed for removing interference in a time-harmonic received composite signal, comprising, sampling an in-band interfering signal from a stationary transmitter at a stationary receiver; sampling a composite signal having the in-band interfering signal and an in-band desired signal from a stationary transmitter at the receiver, deriving at least one of a phase and time difference from the composite signal and sampled in-band interfering signal, applying the derived at least one of phase and time difference to the sampled in-band interfering signal to estimate a synchronized current in-band interfering signal, and generating the un-interfered, in-band desired signal by subtracting the synchronized current in-band interfering signal from a current composite signal.
US08553811B2 Likelihood value calculation device, likelihood value calculation method, and radio system
A likelihood value calculation device includes: likelihood value calculation unit 201 that takes as input an equalization signal of a modulated signal, and that, in accordance with a first control signal, calculates from the equalization signal a provisional likelihood value for which the bit value of each signal point is “0” for each bit position; arithmetic inversion unit 202 that, in accordance with a second control signal, supplies for each bit position the provisional likelihood value without alteration or subjects the provisional likelihood value to arithmetic inversion and supplies the likelihood value following inversion; and operation control unit 200 that holds, for each combination of a radio mode and a modulation mode, a control pattern used to control the likelihood value calculation unit 201 and arithmetic inversion unit 202 and that generates the first and second control signals in accordance with the control pattern designated from among these control patterns.
US08553810B2 Frequency offset and channel gain tracking for enhanced transmission efficiency
The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and computer program product for enhanced data reception, wherein a tracking procedure is enhanced to support long payloads by introducing additional channel-gain tracking applied together with frequency-offset tracking to the payload data. Thereby, both residual frequency offset and residual channel gain are reduced.
US08553800B1 LTE-advanced transmit diversity decoders
Various embodiments of a transmit diversity decoding techniques are provided. In one aspect, a method receives a first input that includes signals transmitted by M transmit antennas on C channels and received by N receive antennas, where M, N and C is each a positive integer greater than 1. The method also receives a second input that includes estimates of channel matrix elements. The method further generates an output that includes at least an estimate of a transmit signal transmitted by one of the M transmit antennas on one of the C channels based at least in part on the first and the second inputs.
US08553799B2 Method and apparatus for obtaining precoding matrix indicator
A method and an apparatus for obtaining a precoding matrix indicator is disclosed, which relates to the field of communication technologies. The method includes: obtaining a first rotation matrix according to first channel information; obtaining a first differential matrix according to the first rotation matrix and a currently-obtained instantaneous beam forming matrix/precoding matrix; and quantizing, according to a first differential codebook, a pre-acquired first rank indicator, and preset quantization criteria, the first differential matrix to obtain a differential precoding matrix indicator. The apparatus includes: a first rotation matrix obtaining module, a first differential matrix obtaining module, and a differential precoding matrix indicator obtaining module. The differential PMI is obtained according to the channel information, and the differential PMI is used for feedback.
US08553786B2 System and method for pilot tone assisted selected mapping
A method is provided for communicating a data value and pilot tone within the same communication sub-carrier of a communication channel. A first reference phase corresponding to a first data value is selected. A pilot tone having the first reference phase is generated. The generated pilot tone is transmitted. The transmitted pilot tone is received. A phase of the received pilot tone is determined. A second data value is determined from the phase of the received pilot tone. The second data value is stored in an electronic storage medium.
US08553780B2 Motion vector encoding device and decoding device
A prediction error generating unit generates a predictive vector from the motion vectors of a plurality of adjacent blocks, and obtains a difference from a target vector. A plurality of variable-length coding units respectively encode the output of the prediction error generating unit with different encoding methods. A determining unit estimates the accuracy of the predictive vector generated by the prediction error generating unit based on the degrees of non-uniformity of the motion vectors of the plurality of adjacent blocks. A selecting unit selects one of the encoding results obtained by the plurality of variable-length coding units.
US08553779B2 Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding motion vector information
A method and apparatus for encoding/decoding motion vector information are provided, in which a coding unit is divided into a plurality of subunits, PMVs of the subunits are calculated, it is determined whether the PMVs satisfy a predetermined condition, and coded motion vector data are generated, which include information indicating an omission of the motion vectors of the subunits, if the PMVs satisfy the predetermined condition.
US08553764B2 Method and device for encoding moving picture and method and device for decoding moving picture
A device for encoding a picture included in moving picture data, through motion compensation, the device includes, a storage unit for storing a motion vector for motion compensation, the motion vector determined for each of a plurality of encoded pictures, a picture interval comparator for reading from the storage unit a first motion vector as a standard candidate vector, a co-located vector decider for calculating a co-located vector by setting the standard candidate vector to be the co-located vector of the first block, a direct motion vector calculator for calculating a first direct motion vector and a second direct motion vector with respect to the first block by dividing the co-located vector, a prediction image generator for generating a first motion compensation image, and an encoder for encoding an error signal representing a difference between the prediction image and a corresponding pixel on the first block.
US08553758B2 Motion parameter engine for true motion
Local motion estimation is described herein. Each picture of a video is partitioned into blocks for the local motion estimation. An extended-block FFT is calculated for each block, where the extended-block denotes that a certain area around the block is also included for applying FFT. Extending the block for FFT helps to account for the motion of objects that are moving into or out of the block. Phase correlation is applied to attain a set of Motion Vector (MV) candidates for the blocks, and a cost function is evaluated for each MV. If no MV candidate produces a cost function below a pre-defined threshold, a hierarchical variable block matching search is applied and the process is repeated with blocks for finer resolution. Also, predictive MV candidates are used during the block matching search along with temporal constraints tracking to select an MV that yields the minimum cost function.
US08553753B2 Clock-synchronized method for universal serial bus (USB)
A clock-synchronized method for universal serial bus (USB) is described. The method includes the following steps of: (a) a transmitter sends a periodic signal to a host unit during a first time interval; (b) the host unit transmits a first equalization training sequence signal to a receiver during a second time interval to train the receiver and the transmitter continuously sends the periodic signal to the host unit; (c) a clock and data recovery device extracts the first equalization training sequence signal during the second time interval to generate a extracted clock signal and a data signal; and (d) the transmitter sends a second equalization training sequence signal to the host unit based on the extracted clock signal during the third time interval to train the host unit and the receiver and the transmitter commonly utilize the extracted clock signal as a reference clock.
US08553752B2 Method and apparatus for determining a calibration signal
Embodiments of a system for determining and optimizing the performance a signaling system are described. During operation, the system captures or measures a single-bit response (SBR) for the signaling system. Next, the system constructs an idealized inter-symbol-interference-free (ISI-free) SBR for the signaling system which is substantially free of inter-symbol-interference (ISI). The system then calculates an ISI-residual from the captured SBR and the idealized ISI-free SBR. Next, the system constructs a calibration bit pattern for the signaling system that is based substantially on the ISI-residual. Finally, the system uses the calibration bit pattern to calibrate, optimize and determine an aspect of the performance of the signaling system.
US08553746B2 Method and system for code reuse and capacity enhancement using null steering
The number of users and data capacity of wireless systems are increased by employing apparatus and method for increasing the number of spreading codes available in the system by providing a mechanism to reuse the already allocated spreading code or use the codes that may correlate to those already being used within the same sector/cell. This, in return, provides capacity improvement proportional to the number of added base station (BS) antennas for each cell. An antenna null steering technique for code allocation maintains the cross correlation properties of the codes only for the desired user and to obtain a gain in capacity improvement.
US08553738B2 Laser light source device
In a laser light source device having an optical element and a plurality of heat sinks on which the optical element is joined directly or through a sub mount, and obtained by joining the heat sinks to each other by means of a joining material such that optical elements are optically directly joined to each other, the laser light source device includes a groove portion extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of light in the laser light source device on any one of a joining surface of the optical element or the sub mount to join with the heat sink and a joining surface of the heat sink to join with the optical element or the sub mount.
US08553730B2 Short and long training fields
A method includes receiving a first plurality of symbols comprising complex portions. The method further includes applying conjugate symmetry to the first plurality of symbols, producing a second plurality of symbols comprising no complex portions. The method further includes transforming the second plurality of symbols using an inverse fast Fourier transform, producing a third plurality of symbols. The method further includes interpolating the third plurality of symbols, generating a short training field comprising at least one real portion of the third plurality of symbols, generating a long training field comprising at least one real portion of the third plurality of symbols, and transmitting the short training field and long training field in a WPAN.
US08553729B2 Hierarchical wireless access system and access point management unit in the system
A hierarchical wireless access system includes terminals, access points, centralized access gateways and a plurality of master access point management units located at the access layer and adopting distributed architecture. The master access point management unit includes a communication interface interacting with the centralized access gateway and/or core networks, to which one or more access points are attached. The master access point management unit processes forwards the data and signaling among the attached access points, and provides the function of access gateway and local operation maintenance and network management. Construction of the master access point management unit and the access point in the system is also provided.
US08553721B2 Channel bonding and packet fragment retransmission method and apparatus
According to one embodiment, a physical line receiver is coupled to at least one of a plurality of bonded communication lines over which a sequence of packet fragments are transmitted as data units. The physical line receiver includes at least one physical sublayer that transfers packet fragments recovered from different ones of the data units received by the physical line receiver to a bonding sublayer for packet reassembly until the physical line receiver is instructed to stop transferring packet fragments because of a transmission error on one or more of the bonded communication lines coupled to a different physical line receiver. The at least one physical sublayer also buffers the recovered packet fragments without transferring the buffered packet fragments to the bonding sublayer until the physical line receiver is instructed to resume transferring packet fragments to the bonding sublayer.
US08553712B2 Carrier management in a wireless communication device assigned a set of two or more carriers by a wireless communication network
Carrier management in a wireless communication device assigned a set of two or more carriers by a wireless communication network is disclosed. In one aspect, a method of carrier management includes transmitting data over the wireless communication network on one or more carriers forming a subset of active carriers from the set of carriers assigned to the wireless communication device. A first performance metric is determined indicative of operating conditions across the set of carriers assigned to the wireless communication device. A desired number of carriers on which to transmit data based on the first performance metric is determined. The desired number of carriers on which to transmit data is compared with the number of carriers in the subset of active carriers. The subset of active carriers is dynamically adjusted based on the comparison and subsequent data is transmitted over the wireless communication network using the adjusted subset of active carriers.
US08553705B2 Apparatus and methods for establishing virtual private networks in a broadband network
Service providers can reduce multiple overlay networks by creating multiple logical service networks (LSNs) on the same physical or optical fiber network through use of an embodiment of the invention. The LSNs are established by the service provider and can be characterized by traffic type, bandwidth, delay, hop count, guaranteed information rates, and/or restoration priorities. Once established, the LSNs allow the service provider to deliver a variety of services to customers depending on a variety of factors, for example, a customer's traffic specifications. Different traffic specifications are serviced on different LSNs depending on each LSN's characteristics. Such LSNs, once built within a broadband network, can be customized and have its services sold to multiple customers.
US08553702B2 Methods and systems for automatic carving and policy enforcement for optical transport network hierarchy
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for automatic carving of Optical channel Data Unit k (ODUk) levels on connection creation as well as the enforcement of an OTN hierarchy policy. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides several methods of automatically carving Optical channel Data Tributary Unit Group (ODTUG) structures down to a desired ODUk layer during end-to-end circuit setup. These methods may include a recursively descending algorithm, an iterative array algorithm, and an ordered linked list algorithm. Additionally, to interoperate with network elements which may have a fixed ODTUG structure within an Optical channel Transport Unit (OTU), a method of policy enforcement describing each ODUk layer mapped into ODTUG structures is used to select a best match of the currently provisioned ODUk layers.
US08553700B1 Method and system for facilitating packet-based communications
A method, system, and medium are provided for facilitating a communications call. The method comprises receiving a request to connect to a destination described by a first target which includes a user-identification parameter and a domain parameter. Second, using the target, generating a second target associated with the first target. Finally, permitting the request to be fulfilled if the request is associated with the second target.
US08553696B1 Method and system for processing a network packet
Method for and system validating a network packet is provided. The method includes receiving a network packet at a port of a network device, the packet including a first indicia value and a second indicia value; comparing the first indicia value of the packet with at least a first value stored at the network device; comparing the second indicia value of the packet with at least a second value stored at the network device; and processing the packet if the first indicia value matches with the first value and the second indicia value matches with the second value; wherein the first indicia value is a partition key that restricts communication between a packet source and at least one destination; and the second indicia value is one or more of a source address and a destination address, where a same physical port of a source is assigned more than one source address.
US08553695B2 TCP ACK packet transmission and reception method, and a device supporting the same
Disclosed is a broadband wireless network, and more particularly, to a method for transmitting and receiving a TCP ACK packet, and a device supporting the same, wherein the method for transmitting and receiving a TCP ACK packet receiving TCP ACK packets and data packets from an upper layer; creating a MAC PDU by unifying the TCP ACK packet and data packet buffered in the same queue among the received TCP ACK packets and data packets; and transmitting the MAC PDU to a physical layer.
US08553690B2 Processing multicast messages in a data processing system
Processing multicast messages in a data processing system that includes compute nodes, each of which includes a communications controller, the communications controllers operatively coupled for data communications amongst the compute nodes, each compute node in the data processing system executing at least one logical partition, the data processing system including a hypervisor, where multicast messages are processed by receiving, by more than one of the communications controllers, a multicast message; responsive to receipt of the multicast message, signaling, by one of the communications controllers, an interrupt in the hypervisor without signaling an interrupt by any other communications controller; determining, by the hypervisor, that the message received by the interrupt signaling communications controller is a multicast message; and providing, by the hypervisor, the multicast message to at least one logical partition configured to receive multicast messages.
US08553675B2 Radio communication system and mobile station device
A mobile station device transmits a random access preamble to a base station device and performs uplink timing alignment based on the synchronization timing deviation information included in a random access response which the base station device transmits in response to the transmitted random access preamble, wherein in an uplink synchronous status, the mobile station device does not perform uplink timing alignment based on synchronization timing deviation information included in a random access response, which is a response to a random access preamble whose preamble ID is randomly selected by the mobile station device.
US08553673B2 Method of formatting dynamic scheduling information and related communication device
A method of formatting dynamic scheduling information (DSI) for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes the step of including a plurality of first tags in the DSI, each of the plurality of first tags corresponding to one of a plurality of multicast traffic channels (MTCHs) having a plurality of logical channel identifiers (LCIDs); and arranging the plurality of first tags in an order according to the LCIDs or a plurality of multicast control channels (MCCHs).
US08553671B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information in a wireless communication system
A method and an apparatus for transmitting uplink control information (UCI), performed by a user equipment, in a wireless communication system are provided. The method comprising: generating encoded information bits by performing channel coding on information bits of the UCI; generating a modulation symbol sequence by modulating the encoded information bits; generating a spread sequence by block-wise spreading on the modulation symbol sequences with an orthogonal sequence; and transmitting the spread sequence to a base station through an uplink control channel, wherein the information bits of the UCI comprises a first UCI bit sequence and a second UCI information bit.
US08553667B2 Setting maximum power at a mobile communication system base station having multiple antennas
A MIMO-capable base station allocates a maximum transmission power budget to each of its antennas. For serving each of one or more MIMO and non-MIMO users, one or more carriers are allocated. For each carrier, information about an amount of allocated MIMO and non-MIMO user resources associated with the carrier is used to derive coefficients. Each coefficient corresponds to a unique one of the antennas, and represents a proportion of a maximum power budget for the carrier. For each carrier, the coefficients and the maximum transmission power budget for the carrier are used to derive a maximum transmission power budget for each of the antennas. For each antenna, a total maximum transmission power budget for the antenna is derived by combining the derived maximum transmission power budgets of the carriers transmitted on the antenna. The total maximum power budget of the antenna should not exceed a limit for the antenna.
US08553665B2 Method for accessing hybrid network, and gateway apparatus, wireless terminal and communication system thereof
A method for accessing a hybrid network and a gateway communication system are disclosed. The method comprises: sensing by a gateway apparatus a relay request slot on a downlink common control channel of the wide area network; transmitting by a wireless terminal a relay request signal requesting to relay a data packet to be transmitted, in the relay request slot on the downlink common control channel; and if the relay request signal from the wireless terminal is sensed in the relay request slot, establishing by the gateway apparatus a connection with the wireless terminal in a distributed network environment. As such, the gateway apparatus accesses the wireless distributed network only when the surrounding wireless terminals require data relay, without sensing signals on both networks simultaneously.
US08553654B2 Method for expression evaluation and network node implementing such a method
Method and network node (2) for a communication network (1) providing a service in the communication network. The network node (2) is arranged to communicate with 5 context sources (12, 15, 16) providing input values for a triggered expression evaluation, and to provide a network service to communication devices (12, 15, 16) based on the result of the triggered expression evaluation. An evaluation result of the triggered expression evaluation is obtained upon a change to an input value, and the triggered expression evaluation comprises the evaluation of nodes in an expression 10 graph. Each internal node is assigned a priority based on the level of the node in the expression graph. Actual reception of a trigger by an internal node is scheduled based on the priority of the internal node, such that the internal node will only receive a trigger after internal nodes with a higher priority have received their associated triggers.
US08553650B2 Methods and devices for controlling handover
Methods and devices in a cellular radio system for handling repeated handovers of a user equipment between a pair of cells is provided. It is determined if the user equipment is in one of two states, moving state or stationary state. Based on the determination different actions can be taken. For example threshold optimizations for reducing repeated handover may only be applied to a user equipment determined to be in a stationary state or a user equipment determined to be in a stationary state to can be nailed to the best cell of said pair of cells by not allowing the user equipment to handover to the other cell of said pair of cells.
US08553642B2 Method for solving non-controllability of terminal's power spectrum density in OFDMA system
The present invention discloses a method for solving non-controllability of terminal's power spectrum density in OFDMA system. It considers the problem of non-controllability of terminal's carrier transmit power resulting from the indeterminacy of carrier number allocation to the terminal in the OFDMA system which is solved by introducing the maximum carrier number that can be allocated to the terminal by combing AMC, the power control and the dispatching. By applying the present invention, the carrier power of the terminal can be best controlled by the system, it is most possible for the terminal to transmit power on carrier completely according to a set value, while it is greatly reduced the possibility that the terminal's power spectrum density is suddenly decreased out of control, which is caused by the summation of carrier powers in the set value exceeding the maximum total transmit power. Moreover, it is avoided occurrence of a large amount of error codes in that condition and the waste of power resources resulting from the excessive restriction on the carrier power.
US08553632B2 Base station apparatus, user apparatus, and method used in mobile communication system
A base station apparatus is used in a region in which a first system and a second system co-exist. In the first system, mobile communication is conducted using a variable system bandwidth not more than a basic bandwidth. In the second system, mobile communication is conducted using a variable system bandwidth which is not more than a bandwidth of an advanced system band which is at least as wide as multiple of the basic bandwidths. The base station apparatus generates a control signal for the first system and a control signal for the second system, orthogonally multiplexes them, and includes the same in a downlink signal to transmit the downlink signal. The advanced system band is divided such that it includes multiple of areas (P, Q, R, S) of the basic bandwidth. The control signal for the first system is included in one of the areas (Q). The control signal for the second system is included in at least one of the areas (P, Q, R, S).
US08553629B2 Telephone device and telephone communication system
A telephone device may be configured to be connected with an access point capable of communicating wirelessly with a terminal device by using a specific bandwidth including a first bandwidth. The telephone device may comprise a first communication unit configured to communicate wirelessly with a call device by using the first bandwidth, and a second communication unit configured to communicate with the access point. The second communication unit may be configured to send, in a specific case where a specific wireless communication starts between the call device and the first communication unit, a first instruction to the access point such that the access point uses a bandwidth other than the first bandwidth.
US08553622B2 Apparatus and method for suppressing interference caused by coexistence of WiMAX and WiFi
The disclosure provides an apparatus and method for suppressing interference caused by coexistence of World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). When a user receives the RF signal from a wireless network by using the apparatus, a WiMAX filtering module filters out the WiFi RF signal received through a WiMAX antenna; the WiMAX RF signal is converted into the WiFi RF signal, and the out-of-band interference signal from the WiFi RF signal is filtered out by a WiFi filtering module, then the filtered WiFi RF signal is transmitted to the user through a WiFi antenna. When the user transmits the RF signal to a wireless network by using the apparatus, a WiFi filtering module filters out the WiMAX RF signal received through the WiFi antenna, the WiFi RF signal is converted into the WiMAX RF signal, and the out-of-band interference signal from the WiMAX RF signal is filtered out by the WiMAX filtering module, the filtered WiMAX RF signal is transmitted to the wireless network through the WiMAX antenna. The disclosure reduces the interference between WiMAX and WiFi, increases the data transmission rate, and avoids the waste of frequency spectrum resources.
US08553613B2 Mobile communication system, base station device and frequency allocation method for mobile communication system
In a base station device 12 of an OFDMA mobile communication system, a frequency band storage unit 22 stores multiple frequency bands allocatable to mobile station devices, respectively, in association with predetermined conditions related to communication quality. A communication quality acquisition unit 37 acquires communication quality in communication with each of the mobile station devices. A frequency allocator 24 selects any one of the frequency bands from the frequency band storage unit 22 on the basis of the communication quality acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 37, and notifies the mobile station device of channel information indicating the selected frequency band. Then, the mobile station device communicates with the base station device 12 in the frequency band indicated by the channel information notified by the frequency allocator 24 in the base station device 12.
US08553610B2 Interference cancellation repeater incorporating a non-linear element
A wireless repeater employing echo cancellation uses a non-linear element in digital baseband to compress the digital transmit signal waveform, thereby allowing distortions in the transmitter circuit as well as interference to be cancelled. In one embodiment, the repeater applies non-linear baseband compression to the digital transmit signal in the digital domain to reduce the peak-to-average amplitude of the digital transmit signal prior to digital-to-analog conversion and prior to over-the-air transmission and prior to sampling of the digital transmit signal for use as the reference signal for echo cancellation. The intentionally introduced non-linear distortion in the transmit signal improves echo cancellation and stability of the repeater. In one embodiment, the non-linear compression is applied only when the digital transmit signal is at or exceed a given power level or a given gain level.
US08553604B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
The present invention provides, inter alia, a method of operation of a radio base station in a wireless telecommunications system, in which system information is transmitted on a broadcast control channel. The method comprises the steps of transmitting the broadcast control channel continuously on a first carrier; and also transmitting the broadcast control channel non-continuously and periodically at regular intervals. This prevents or at least minimizes, for example, MBMS data loss when a UE with a single receiver listens to a dedicated MBMS carrier.
US08553603B2 Client bridge between wired and wireless communication networks
A method and client bridge for bridging clients between a wired and wireless communication network includes a radio transceiver with a register and a controller for indicating to the wireless network that all wired client devices of the wired network are in Power Save Polling (PSP) mode, selecting the next wired client to be indicated as being in Continuously Awake Mode (CAM) mode, storing a Media Access Control (MAC) address of that selected client in the register, indicating to the wireless network that the selected client is in CAM mode, receiving any packets from the wireless network, which are acknowledged using the register, indicating to the wireless network that the selected client is back in PSP mode, and repeating these operations until all wired client communications are serviced.
US08553593B2 Apparatus and method for performing communication using frame structure supporting H-FDD operation
A method for performing communication using a frame structure that supports a half-frequency division duplex (H-FDD) operation and a device using the same are disclosed. A base station performs resource allocation scheduling to support H-FDD user equipment operation in a mobile communication system. For example, the base station allocates first, second and last uplink subframes for idle subframes within a specific frame or punctures them, so that the H-FDD user equipment does not use the uplink subframes. The base station transmits the scheduled resource allocation information to the user equipment through a superframe header, a preamble and a MAP. The user equipment which has received the scheduled resource allocation information (subframe index and location that can be used by the user equipment) transmits and receives a signal based on the resource allocation information.
US08553592B2 Multi-radio communication device and method for enabling coexistence between a bluetooth transceiver and a wimax transceiver operating in FDD mode
Embodiments of a multi-radio communication device and method for enabling coexistence between a Bluetooth transceiver and a broadband wireless access network (BWAN) transceiver are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the BWAN transceiver is configured to transmit a reservation request to a BWAN base station to reserve an amount of time during which no uplink transmissions are scheduled. The reservation request is configured to allow the Bluetooth transceiver to receive packets from a Bluetooth device without interference from transmissions by the BWAN transceiver.
US08553586B2 Systems and methods for automatically building and repairing a spanning tree flooding backbone in link state routed networks
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a spanning tree topology used as a spanning tree flooding topology for messages on a link state routed network. Specifically, messages are only broadcast on the links in the spanning tree flooding topology thereby significantly reducing message flooding. The present disclosure also provides systems and methods for automatically, correctly, and efficiently creating, reconfiguring, and fixing the spanning tree topology in the event of any spanning tree link failures.
US08553579B2 Systems and methods for high rate OFDM communications
Messages transmitted between a receiver and a transmitter are used to maximize a communication data rate. In particular, a multicarrier modulation system uses messages that are sent from the receiver to the transmitter to exchange one or more sets of optimized communication parameters. The transmitter then stores these communication parameters and when transmitting to that particular receiver, the transmitter utilizes the stored parameters in an effort to maximize the data rate to that receiver. Likewise, when the receiver receives packets from that particular transmitter, the receiver can utilize the stored communication parameters for reception.
US08553571B2 Auto reply and loop-back method for the remote measurement of the quality of an internet phone
A method of automatic response and loop-backing is developed for remotely measuring the quality of the Internet telephone by IP phone. When a quality measuring instrument is requested to measure the quality of Internet telephone, a request call is placed to an IP phone for quality measurement. The method of automatic response and loopback is enable the IP phone to handle the call for quality measuring without interrupting the user of IP phone without affecting utilization of supplementary Internet telephone services.
US08553565B2 Switch apparatus and network system
A switch apparatus providing with a loop detection function sets a port identification to a port which activates the loop detection function, only receives the loop detection frame by a high-order port in the switch apparatus connected with a backbone network or a high-order switch apparatus on the basis of the port identification set previously, and controls an inactivation of a sending source low-order port that sent the loop detection frame, when the loop detection frame is received by the high-order port.
US08553563B2 Methods and apparatus to limit reporting of neighbor cell measurements
Methods and apparatus to limit reporting of neighbor cell measurements are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein for a wireless device to perform measurements in a mobile communication network comprises receiving configuration information for periodic downlink pilot measurements to be performed by the wireless device, the configuration information including an upper limit on a number of neighbor cells for which periodic downlink pilot measurements are permitted to be reported, and performing the periodic downlink pilot measurements in accordance with the configuration information.
US08553560B2 Predictive ad-hoc network routing
A system for efficient routing in a multiple hop wireless communication network comprising a plurality of network nodes is presented. The system acquires quality information indicating link status between the infrastructure nodes. The link quality information is used in a route determination process in the infrastructure nodes using a predictive procedure. The link quality information includes information about a time varying information of the link status. The predictive procedure uses the time varying information of link status, and a router data packets according to the determined route.
US08553547B2 Systems and methods for retransmitting packets over a network of communication channels
Systems and methods for transmitting packets over a network of communication channels are provide. A system according to the invention may include first and second nodes in communication with a coax backbone. The first node may further include a retransmission buffer. The system may also include a network access coordinator operative to coordinate access of the nodes to the coax backbone. In a time period at least one first packet is transmitted by the first node to the second node. The first packet may include an indication that retransmission service is applied. The first packet may also include a indication of the length corresponding to the packet. If, during the first time period the packet is not received by the second node, the second node is operative to send a retransmission request to the network access coordinator.
US08553536B2 Mesh network management system
Aspects of the invention provide for a mesh network management system. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed having: at least one computing device adapted to manage a wireless mesh network by performing the actions comprising: sending data including a plurality of fragments over a network to a plurality of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) nodes, wherein the data is sent a predetermined number of times; receiving, from the plurality of AMI nodes, a message regarding the plurality of fragments of the data; and sending, in response to receiving the message, fragments of the data that were not received by the plurality of AMI nodes.
US08553534B2 Protecting an ethernet network having a ring architecture
Delivering multicast data traffic over a communication network includes a first network node delivering multicast data traffic to second network nodes. The first and second network nodes are connected by a transmission network in a ring architecture and implement a point-to-multipoint layer 2 protocol. A method includes at the first network node: collecting alarms signals indicative of a failure along the whole ring and of the second network nodes. Based on a current state of the alarm signals, delivering the multicast data traffic either in a first delivery direction along the ring, or in a second delivery direction along the ring opposite to the first delivery direction, or in both the first and second delivery directions. At each of the second network nodes: collecting alarm signals indicative of a failure of the transmission network locally to the second network node and of the second network node. Based on a current state of the local alarm signals either receiving the multicast data traffic delivered by the first network node from the first direction, forwarding the multicast data traffic in the first direction and transmitting local data traffic to the first network node along the second delivery direction, or receiving the data traffic delivered by the first network node from the second direction, forwarding the multicast data traffic in the second direction and transmitting the local data traffic to the first network node along the first delivery direction.
US08553533B2 System and method for providing improved failover performance for pseudowires
Grouping pseudowires based on hardware interfaces and configured control paths enables improved pseudowire failover performance. Signaling status changes (e.g., from standby to active status) is facilitated by using group IDs for the pseudowire groups, thereby enabling improved failover performance when there is disruption in the network.
US08553527B2 System and method for dynamically assigning values in a network
The embodiments described herein present methods and apparatus for dynamically assigning values in a network. A method includes receiving, at a designated value allocator from a network node, a first broadcast message using a link-state protocol. The method then identifies the first broadcast message as including a request to associate a parameter value to the network node and allocates an assigned parameter value to the network node based on the identification of the request included in the first broadcast message. A message that includes the assigned parameter value is then transmitted to the network node. Other embodiments are described.
US08553517B2 Magnetic medium using spin-polarized electrons and apparatus and method of recording data on the magnetic medium
A magnetic medium using spin-polarized electrons, and an apparatus and method of recording data on the magnetic medium are provided. The magnetic medium includes a polarization layer and a magnetic recording layer. The polarization layer spin-polarizes electrons. In the magnetic recording layer, the direction of magnetization varies depending on the direction of the spin-polarization of the electrons. The data recording apparatus includes a light source and a probe. The light source radiates circularly polarized light, and the probe injects electrons spin-polarized by the circularly polarized light into a magnetic medium and changes the direction of the magnetization of the magnetic medium to record data on the magnetic medium. Because the direction of magnetization is adjusted using spin-polarized electrons, fast data recording can be achieved.
US08553513B1 Automatic forward sense calibration for writing systems
Embodiments of optical disc drives are described that perform automatic forward sense calibration of write laser power using a sample and hold sampling strategy that is automatically determined based on an automatically selected write strategy. Embodiments of the described optical disc drive may be dynamically configured to support any optical disc media, any write mode, and any write strategy. The write strategies supported may include dynamically changing write speeds and/or write power levels across the respective optical media tracks. As the optical drive is automatically configured for a selected write media/write mode/write strategy, the sample and hold sampling delays used to control the sampling of a forward sense feedback signal are also automatically configured, thereby allowing each forward sense sampling point to be aligned with an area of the forward sense feedback signal that corresponds to a power level of interest and that avoids distortion in the feedback signal.
US08553511B2 Disk recording medium, disk production method, disk drive apparatus
A disk recording medium which can implement a recording method having a high degree of reliability for additional information is disclosed. The disk recording medium has a recording and reproduction region into and from which first data can be recorded and reproduced in accordance with a rewritable or write-once-read-many recording method and from which second data recorded in the form of wobbling of a groove can be reproduced. The second data includes address information and additional information. The additional information of the second data is coded in accordance with a first error correction method, and the coded additional information and the address information are recorded in a state coded in accordance with a second error correction method.
US08553510B1 Method and system for radial and tangential tilt calibration of optical storage systems
A system and method for adjusting the radial tilt, tangential tilt, or a combination of radial and tangential tilt of an optical detection unit in an optical disc reading system can include applying different weighting factors to different signal components depending on which detection area detects the component, measuring a value of a signal characteristic, such as signal-to-noise ratio, of two signals with different sets of weighting factors, and determining an adjustment factor to the radial tilt as a function of the of the measured signal characteristic values.
US08553507B1 Write track shift control in shingled-microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR-SMR)
In one embodiment, a magnetic data storage system includes a magnetic disk medium, a microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) head including a main pole adapted for recording data to the magnetic disk medium having a first recording width, a spin torque oscillator (STO) adapted to apply a high-frequency magnetic field to the magnetic disk medium during a recording operation, wherein the STO is operable or inoperable when in an on or off state, respectively, wherein the main pole has a second recording width when the STO is in the on state, and the second recording width is different from the first recording width, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic disk medium over the MAMR head, a read head including a magnetoresistance sensor, and a controller adapted for adjusting a shift quantity of the magnetic head depending on whether the STO is in the on or off state.