Document Document Title
US08887306B1 System and method for sending searchable video messages
A system and method is disclosed for sending searchable video messages. A user may create a video message designated for a recipient. On transmission of the video message, a server generates a transcription of the video message and stores the video message in a remote storage location along with the transcription. The video message is then provided to the recipient, and made searchable by providing the transcription as searchable content in connection with the display of the video message.
US08887305B2 Methods and devices for presenting email addresses
Methods and devices for data entry are disclosed. An example method includes executing an application on a mobile device, the application requiring a login to access at least a portion of data accessible via the application, accessing a store of email addresses associated with a user of the mobile device, the email addresses including at least a forwarding email address, and presenting the email addresses including the forwarding email address for selection as the login.
US08887303B2 Method and system of processing annotated multimedia documents using granular and hierarchical permissions
The invention relates to a method and apparatus of processing at least one multimedia document, comprising the steps of determining at least one segment of the document, and assigning at least one type of permission to said at least one segment, wherein the type of permission assigned to a segment of the document is available for later use when processing the document.
US08887294B2 System and method for protecting data stored on a removable data storage device
A system for protecting data stored in a memory of a removable data storage device is provided. The system includes a personal electronic device, a removable solid state data storage device operatively coupled to the personal electronic device, and a circuit including a data protection module and an authorization module. The data storage device includes a memory for storing data. The authorization module is configured to determine whether a preauthorized state is active. When the preauthorized state is not active, the data protection module is configured to protect at least some of the data stored in the memory in response to detecting impending removal of the data storage device from the personal electronic device. When the preauthorized state is active, the data protection module is configured to preserve certain data stored in the memory in response to detecting impending removal of the data storage device from the personal electronic device.
US08887292B2 Method for encrypting and embedding information in a URL for content delivery
A method for accessing a remote network includes identifying a content server associated with the remote network, generating a uniform resource locator, embedding additional data in the uniform resource locator, encrypting the uniform resource locator, and accessing a server in the remote network identified by the uniform resource locator. The method further includes wherein the additional data comprises authentication data, a delivery session identification, a time stamp, or comprises subscriber identification data. The URL may provide access to the content server for a time period indicated by the time stamp. The method includes wherein at least the subscriber identification data prevents unauthorized sharing of the URL.
US08887290B1 Method and system for content protection for a browser based content viewer
Embodiments as disclosed herein may utilize one or more of a set of security measures to protect digital content distributed to browser based viewers to protect this digital content against improper, unintended or undesired uses.
US08887285B2 Heterogeneous sensors for network defense
Heterogeneous sensors simultaneously inspect network traffic for attacks. A signature-based sensor detects known attacks but has a blind spot, and a machine-learning based sensor that has been trained to detect attacks in the blind spot detects attacks that fail to conform to normal network traffic. False positive rates of the machine-learning based sensor are reduced by iterative testing using statistical techniques.
US08887283B2 Content filtering of remote file-system access protocols
Methods and systems for content filtering of remote file-system access protocols are provided. According to one embodiment, a remote file-system access protocol request issued by a client to a server is received at a network device logically interposed between the client and the server. The request is issued to the server by the network device. A single shared holding buffer, used for both read and write accesses to the file and used by multiple processes running on the client, is implemented by the network device for the file during a remote file-system access protocol session. Data being read from or written to the file as a result of the request is buffered into the buffer. Responsive to a predetermined event in relation to the remote file-system access protocol or the buffer, the existence or non-existence of malicious, dangerous or unauthorized content is determined by performing content filtering on the buffer.
US08887280B1 Distributed denial-of-service defense mechanism
Denial-of-service protection for a computing device on a first network is disclosed. In an embodiment, a packet containing a network address corresponding to a computing device on the first network is received from a source address of a second network by a gateway device. The packet includes a request to initiate a connection to the computing device on the first network. In response, an acknowledgement is transmitted to the source address. The acknowledgement includes sequence information sufficient to establish the requested connection, including a unique identifier. Subsequently received packets addressed to the network address of the computing device are forwarded by the gateway device to a corresponding network address of the computing device on the first network upon verifying a response to the acknowledgement.
US08887278B2 Restricting a processing system being compromised with a threat
A method, system, computer readable medium of instructions and/or computer program product. The method comprises receiving, in a proxy server, response data from a remote processing system, according to a request from the client processing system to download data from the remote processing system; using, in one or more emulated operating systems of the proxy server, the downloaded data; monitoring behavior of the use of the data in the one or more emulated operating systems; and in response to detecting malicious behavior indicative of a threat, restricting the client processing system being compromised with the threat of the response data.
US08887274B2 Digital forensics
New digital forensic techniques and systems are disclosed. System call information is collected from a device under test (DUT) and converted to a sequence format. Thereafter, sequence alignment methods and tools can be used to investigate and identify patterns of behavior that are suspicious.
US08887265B2 Named sockets in a firewall
A proxy device such as a firewall uses an internal socket namespace such as a text string such that connection requests must be explicitly redirected to a listening socket in the alternate namespace in order to connect to a service. Because external connections cannot directly address the listening socket or service, greater security is provided than with traditional firewall or proxy devices. To receive a redirected proxy connection, a service process creates a listening socket and binds a name in an alternate namespace to the socket before listening for connections.
US08887264B2 Multi-identity access control tunnel relay object
In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a system and method for establishing a secure tunnel between a client device and a remote server utilizing multiple user identities, and in some embodiments, a client device identity, to authenticate access to the remote server.
US08887254B2 Database system, computer system, and computer-readable storage medium for decrypting a data record
A database system comprising: a memory containing multiple data records, wherein each of the data records has a data record asymmetric key pair for cryptographic encryption and decryption, wherein each data record asymmetric key pair comprises a data record public key and a data record private key, wherein the data contained in each of the multiple data records is encrypted by the data record public key, wherein the data record private key of each data record asymmetric key pair is encrypted with the public key of another asymmetric key pair; a set of user accounts, wherein each of the user accounts has a user asymmetric key pair for encryption and decryption, wherein each user asymmetric key pair has a user public key and a user private key; wherein data is added to a data record by encrypting it with the data record public key; wherein access to the data record is granted to a user account by encrypting the data record private key with the public key of an asymmetric cryptographic key pair whose encrypted private key is accessible from the user account via a sequence of successive decryptions of encrypted private keys; and wherein the data record private key allows decryption of the data record.
US08887250B2 Techniques for accessing desktop applications using federated identity
Techniques for extending federation services to access desktop applications are herein described. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08887247B2 Flexible quasi out of band authentication architecture
To obtain user approval of network transactions at different levels of security, a network site selects a form in which a transaction with be presented to the user from a group of transaction presentation forms including presentation of the transaction in a browser pop-up window on a user network device, in a security software application window on the user network device, and in a security application window on another user network device. The network site also selects a type of approval of the transaction required from the user from a group of transaction approval types including approval requiring no action by the user after presentation of the transaction, the user to actively approve the presented transaction, and the user to sign the presented transaction. The transaction, the selected transaction presentation form, and the selected type of user transaction approval, are transmitted to obtain approval of the transaction by the user.
US08887246B2 Privacy preserving authorisation in pervasive environments
A method for preserving privacy during authorization in pervasive environments is described. The method includes an authorization phase in which the user is provided with a reusable credential associated with verifiable constraints, and an operation phase where the service provider verifies the reusable credential before authorizing the user. Third parties cannot link plural uses of the credential to each other, and the service provider cannot link plural uses of said credential to each other.
US08887245B1 Browser-based prevention of unsecure online transmission of sensitive information
A device receives, from an online provider device, content of a website and connection information associated with the website, and provides the content of the website for display to a user. The device also receives, from the user, information requested by the website and a request to provide the information to the online provider device, and determines whether the information includes sensitive information. The device further provides the information to the online provider device, based on the request, when the information does not include sensitive information, and determines, when the information includes sensitive information, whether the website is safe or unsafe based on the connection information. The device provides a warning for display to the user, when the information includes sensitive information and when the website is an unsafe website, where the warning indicates that sensitive information is to be transmitted to the unsafe website.
US08887243B2 Integrated security platform
An integrated security platform that enables a wide variety of network security elements to share security information in a comprehensive manner so as to provide automation of policy and security enforcement based on intelligence gathered by the different network security elements. The integrated security information platform provides the ability to clarify security intelligence by simplifying the collection and indexing of security information so that the information is visible and accessible to systems wanting to make use of the security information, without requiring all of the information to be co-resident with the infrastructure of the security platform or requiring the various systems to have pair-wise relationships with one another.
US08887226B2 Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and recording medium storing program for controlling information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a video signal output unit to output different video signals to a first display unit and a second display unit, a screen switching input unit to input an instruction for switching between a screen displayed on the first display unit and a screen displayed on the second display unit, a determining unit to determine whether an input source of the input path selected for the first display unit is the video signal output unit, and an input control unit turning on the first display unit when the first display unit is turned off at the time of reception of the switching instruction, the input control unit switching the input source to the video signal output unit when the determining unit determines that the input source is not the video signal output unit.
US08887223B2 Apparatus and method for processing an interactive service
A method of processing an interactive service and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes sending a discovery message to a second screen application, receiving a request for descriptions of the second screen support services, sending a response with the descriptions, receiving a trigger, and delivering the trigger to the second device using a trigger service.
US08887222B2 Multicasting in a wireless display system
This disclosure relates to techniques to establish a multicast communication session between a source device and multiple sink devices in a Wireless Display (WD) system. Two or more sink devices may be interested in receiving the same media data from the source device. According to the techniques, the source device establishes a multicast session with the sink devices in the WD system, and sends a single copy of multicast media data for the multicast session to the interested sink devices using a receiving multicast port. The source device selects a receiving multicast port number as a destination identifier for each multicast session. The sink devices interested in receiving the media data of a given multicast session bind on the receiving multicast port for the multicast session. This disclosure describes several exemplary multicast subscription procedures to ensure correct binding on the receiving multicast port at each of the sink devices.
US08887221B2 Systems and methods for server-side filtering
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to, among other things, systems, computer readable media, methods and any other means for requesting information from a server. In some embodiments, a client generates a URL request that is provided to the server. The URL request includes a format identifier that is specific to the server's type. The format identifier is also associated with the data format of a video stored on the server that the user is interested in. The server may then provide data that is associated with the format identifier.
US08887217B2 Systems and methods for quality of experience aware joint scheduling of buffered video on demand and best effort flows
System and method embodiments for joint scheduling of buffered video on demand (VoD) and best effort flows within the same band enable improved quality of experience for VoD receiving mobile devices without resource partitioning or sacrificing FSS gains. In an embodiment, a method for scheduling video on demand flows and best effort flows within the same band includes determining with a transmission point (TP) a buffer vacancy for each of the ones of a plurality of mobile devices wirelessly coupled to a transmission point that are receiving VoD flows, calculating, with the TP, buffer vacancy scheduling weights for the plurality of mobile devices using the buffer vacancy, and determining, with the TP, a joint schedule of VoD flows and best effort flows based on the buffer vacancy scheduling weights.
US08887212B2 Extended connectivity point-of-deployment apparatus and concomitant method thereof
A POD module system includes a housing, a coaxial cable connector formed on the housing and connectable to a first device to receive a cable signal, a port formed on the housing to receive a wire or wireless signal from a second device, a module unit to process at least one of the cable signal and the at least one of the wireless signal to generate at least one of a copy protection signal and one of video and audio signals, respectively, and a connector formed on the housing and connectable to a third device to transmit the at least one of the copy protection signal and the one of video and audio signals to the third device such that the third device generates at least one of an image and a sound to correspond to the at least one of the copy protection signal and the one of video and audio signals.
US08887199B2 System, apparatus, and method for templates offering default settings for typical virtual channels
The system, apparatus and method, of the present application offers the viewer a set of typical virtual channel types based on some predefined or definable category, e.g., news channel, which includes predefined default settings and behavior. These typical virtual channel ‘templates’ make it very easy for a viewer to specify a virtual channel. For example, for a news channel, the default behavior is to only keep the most current coverage, for a series, the default behavior is to keep all until watched. Such a typical virtual channel can be selected explicitly or implicitly. In addition, a virtual channel wizard is provided by the system, apparatus, and method of the present invention that interactively guides a viewer through setting up own templates.
US08887198B2 Display device and method for searching channel
Provided are a display device and a channel search method thereof. The display device comprises: a key input unit for inputting a request command from a user; a tuner unit for sequentially searching broadcast channels of each band according to a channel search command input from the key input unit; and a control unit for controlling a channel re-search to be performed sequentially from an already-searched channel when a channel re-search command is input from the key input unit during the sequential channel search.
US08887193B2 System, method, and infrastructure for real-time live streaming content
Implementations of the system and method use an existing management server infrastructure to deliver video-on-demand or streaming content, including real-time live streaming. Existing client content playback devices, such as IPTVs, may be employed to stream content items, obtain advertisements, track user's viewing behaviors, and the like. By reusing existing client devices, there is no need for additional hardware purchases on the user side. By reusing existing management server infrastructures, capital expenses are also reduced. In such a system, a user can watch both video-on-demand and streaming audiovisual content.
US08887192B2 Systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs
The present invention allows control of the presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs, and enables a single broadcasting of each advertisement associated with a network to be made to numerous television systems in parallel. The presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs is controlled in the present invention by determining at television viewer equipment whether the television networks, channels, or programs with which the advertisements are associated are unavailable to the television viewer or are undesirable to the television viewer. Once this determination has been made, the television viewer equipment then presents the advertisements, or selects and presents suitable alternative advertisements.
US08887181B1 Application add-on platform
An application add-on platform of a user device receives a query for add-ons from an application running on the user device. The application add-on platform notifies the application of one or more add-ons that are compatible with the application. The application add-on platform receives an access request from the application for an add-on of the one or more add-ons. The application add-on platform connects the application to the add-on.
US08887172B2 Virtualized management of remote presentation sessions using virtual machines having load above or below thresholds
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are disclosed for virtualized eco-friendly remote presentation session roles. In an embodiment, a connection broker monitors the servers of a server farm, and, based upon characteristics of remote presentation sessions served by VMs executing on those servers, directs VMs on those servers to be migrated between servers, changed from sleeping to running or vice versa, or other operations that may improve the performance of the server farm as a whole.
US08887168B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring and sharing performance resources of a processor
A method and apparatus are described for managing a plurality of performance monitoring resources residing in a plurality of cores of a processor. A plurality of resource queues are maintained. Each resource queue corresponds to a particular one of the performance monitoring resources, and detects conflicts in use of the particular performance monitoring resource by multiple users. The detected conflicts associated with the particular performance monitoring resource are then resolved. A dynamic resource scheduler is used to resolve the detected conflicts, and is driven by an advanced programmable interrupt controller (APIC) timer residing in a particular core of the processor to provide each item, in an items list of a resource queue associated with the particular performance monitoring resource, an equal opportunity to use the particular performance monitoring resource for a predetermined period of time.
US08887164B2 Manufacturing process prioritization based on applying rules to task-based data
A manufacturing process prioritization system. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one computing device adapted to prioritize a very large scale integration (VLSI) process, by performing actions including: querying a database for task-based data associated with a set of manufacturing tasks; applying at least one rule to the task-based data to prioritize a first one of the set of manufacturing tasks over a second one of the set of manufacturing tasks; and providing a set of processing instructions for processing a manufactured product according to the prioritization.
US08887161B2 System and method for estimating combined workloads of systems with uncorrelated and non-deterministic workload patterns
It has been found that a more reasonable estimation of combined workloads can be achieved by enabling the ability to specify the confidence level in which to estimate the workload values. A method, computer readable medium and system are provided for estimating combined system workloads. The method comprises obtaining a set of quantile-based workload data pertaining to a plurality of systems and normalizing the quantile-based workload data to compensate for relative measures between data pertaining to different ones of the plurality of systems. A confidence interval may then be determined and the confidence interval used to determine a contention probability specifying a degree of predicted workload contention between the plurality of systems according to at least one probabilistic model. The contention probability may then be used to combine workloads for the plurality of systems and a result indicative of one or more combined workloads then provided.
US08887159B2 Flexible and scalable operating system achieving a fast boot and reliable operation
Systems and methods are provided for a flexible and scalable operating system achieving a fast boot. A computing system is described that includes a reserved static object memory configured to store predefined static threads, and a secure kernel configured to be executed in a fast boot mode. The secure kernel further may be configured to chain the static threads to a secure kernel thread queue stored in a secure kernel work memory, and to create temporary threads in the secure kernel work memory during the fast boot mode. The computing system may include a main kernel configured to be initialized by creating dynamic threads in a main kernel work memory during the fast boot mode. The main kernel may be configured to chain the static threads to a main kernel thread queue, and to assume control of the static threads from the secure kernel.
US08887158B2 Dynamic cluster expansion through virtualization-based live cloning
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for transitioning one or more aspect of a dynamic cluster of computers to one or more virtual machines. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving a selection representing a node of a cluster selected for cloning. An indication may be provided to the node to prepare for cloning. The indication may be provided by accessing an interface at the node. When the selection is received and the node is prepared for cloning, the cloning of the node may be initiated. In some implementations, the node comprises a virtual machine including an application. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08887143B1 System and services for handling computing environments as documents
A system for describing computing environments as electronic documents, programs or other types of electronic representation or data is disclosed. The environment description can be created, transferred and ultimately used to create the specified computing environment for use by an end user, or users, in many different applications. The invention provides abstraction software and a user interface to allow a human user to specify a definition for the computing environment. Desired components are selected and included in the environment definition. Environment definitions can be stored and transferred in a manner compatible with typical electronic information. Environment definitions can be installed onto hardware and software resources by installation software. Environments can be installed on specific components from which the environment was originally abstracted, or on other sufficiently similar components. Environments can be remotely manipulated and accessed from computers, terminals, web browsers, handheld devices, or other devices.
US08887141B2 Automatically modifying a native code module accessed from virtual machine bytecode to determine execution information
A system and method for automatically modifying a native code module accessed in a user software application are described herein. The user software application may include virtual machine bytecode. Access to the native code module may be detected during execution of the virtual machine bytecode. The native code module may be automatically modified by adding instrumentation code to determine various types of information regarding execution of the native code module, and the access may be directed to the modified native code module.
US08887135B2 Generating test cases for functional testing of a software application
An aspect of the present invention generates test cases for functional testing of a software application. In one embodiment, rules specifying corresponding patterns in a natural language and corresponding templates are maintained. Each pattern contains corresponding variables and words of the natural language together in an ordered sequence. On receiving a design document containing statements in the natural language, a first statement is determined to match a first pattern specified in a first rule. A match is deemed to exist only if the words in the first pattern exist in the first statement in the same corresponding positions of the ordered sequence, and if the first statement also contains values for each of the variables specified in the first pattern. A set of test cases is generated based on a first template specified in the first rule and the values for each of the variables.
US08887132B1 Application runtime environment and framework
A system and method for supporting the development and instantiation of web and locally installed interactive software applications that are configurable through editing and processing of formatted XML files originating through programmed or manual means. Software applications load and instantiate native applications embedded within in combination with core framework/runtime supported components. The application runtime environment and framework has the ability to implement runtime-configurable design templates to facilitate object reuse. This, in combination with de-coupled integration with custom data sets and services in addition to support for dynamic layout calculations make for efficient development and maintenance of applications.
US08887126B1 Version control in modeling environments
Methods and systems for controlling versions of models in modeling environments are disclosed. The versions of models and component interfaces are stored in a repository and checked in and out of the repository. The version designation of a model is changed when the model is checked in the repository. A selected version of the model is checked out of the repository and loaded directly in a memory so that users may load the selected version of the model without error. The loaded model is displayed with information on the version of the model. The version information may include the version number and author of the version. The version information may also include information on whether the model is locked with a version or in a read only mode.
US08887124B2 Validation of process models
In computer-implemented methods to validate process models, the models carry semantic information that is related to the process steps, including pre-conditions that indicate whether a step would be executable under certain conditions and post-conditions relating to results from executing a step. Steps are related as predecessor/successor so that a post-condition of the predecessor step can be the pre-condition of a successor step. During model validation, variables are exchanged and propagated between the step conditions. Instead of validating the model for potentially all initial values of variables and conditions, the system identifies portions of the model that can be validated separately for a reduced set of initial states.
US08887123B2 Framework for managing complex operations
An operations management environment is integrated with an information technology infrastructure through an adaptor, the integration occurring while the information technology infrastructure performs one or more tasks. Data from the information technology infrastructure is received through the adapter. Relationships between the artifacts included in the information technology infrastructure are modeled based on the received data. A proposed modification to the information technology infrastructure is determined based on an external change. While the information technology infrastructure performs the one or more tasks, the response of the artifacts to the proposed modification is simulated using the modeled relationships. The response of the artifacts is monitored to determine if the proposed modification implements the external change. A modification is generated based on the proposed modification if the proposed modification implements the external change, and the information technology infrastructure is updated while the information technology infrastructure performs the one or more tasks.
US08887105B1 Calibration pattern selection based on noise sensitivity
The preset invention provides methods, systems and computer program product for selection of an optimum set of patterns to calibrate a lithography model so that the model can predict imaging performance of a lithography apparatus/system more accurately and reliably without being prohibitively expensive in terms of using computational and metrology resources and time. The method is based on modeling sensitivity of the calibration patterns to measurement noise. In one aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed, comprising: identifying a model of at least a portion of a lithographic process; identifying a set of patterns for calibrating the model; and, estimating measurement noise associated with the set of patterns.
US08887103B1 Dynamically-positioned character string suggestions for gesture typing
A computing device outputs, for display, a virtual keyboard comprising a plurality of virtual keys. Furthermore, the computing device receives an indication of a first movement of an input object along a spatial path. The computing device determines, based on locations of the virtual keys and locations along the spatial path, a plurality of character strings. In response to determining that the first movement has ceased for at least a threshold amount of time, the computing device outputs, for display, the plurality of character strings. While the character strings are displayed, the computing device receives an indication of a second movement of the input object. The computing device selects, in response to the indication of the second movement, and based at least in part on a direction of the second movement of the input object, a particular character string from the plurality of character strings.
US08887094B1 Method for generating an on-screen menu
A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
US08887093B1 Method for generating an on-screen menu
A method for generating an on-screen menu comprising menu buttons and other menu items, e.g. help text, is characterized in that one or more groups of menu buttons or menu items are defined, wherein a group comprises one or more menu buttons or menu items and has associated a defined area on the screen. A state is assigned to a button, the state being “enabled” or “disabled”, wherein only an enabled button or item may be displayed, and wherein within a group not more than one button or item may be enabled. The state of a button can be changed by commands associated with other buttons.
US08887088B2 Dynamic user interface for previewing live content
A dynamic user interface for previewing live content includes multiple tiles. User interface layouts can be displayed that each have multiple tiles displaying multiple pieces of content, where the multiple pieces of content includes different types of content and each of the multiple tiles display a piece of the content. A command input can be received to change a current user interface layout, and a transition is initiated to display a next user interface layout that includes one or more of the multiple tiles displaying the multiple pieces of content or different multiple pieces of the content.
US08887086B2 Portable electronic device and method of controlling same
A method includes displaying information on a touch-sensitive display of a portable electronic device, rendering a continuous scroll indicator in response to receipt of a continuous scroll input at the portable electronic device, detecting, on the touch-sensitive display, a touch associated with the continuous scroll indicator, and scrolling the information based on a direction of the change, when a change in touch location is determined.
US08887066B1 Communicating plans for users of a social networking system
Exemplary systems and methods for calendaring are provided. Exemplary systems include a natural language receiving component configured to receive a natural language entry corresponding to a future status, a calendar generation engine configured to create a calendar entry based on the natural language entry, a social network database configured for accessing and querying by the calendar generation engine, a privacy component configured to receive a privacy setting indicating a person who is approved to view the calendar entry, and a display module configured to display the calendar entry on a calendar. Exemplary methods include receiving a natural language entry corresponding to a future status, creating a calendar entry, and displaying the calendar entry.
US08887061B2 Variable screen magnifier user interface
The magnifier interface system determines a level of user activity with a screen magnifier user interface and determines a current user interface mode. If the system is currently in the full mode and the level of user activity indicates user interaction with the screen magnifier user interface below a threshold, then the system transitions from the full mode to the watermark mode based on the lack of determined user activity. If the system is currently in the watermark mode and the level of user activity indicates user interaction with the screen magnifier user interface, then the system transitions from the watermark mode to the full mode based on the determined user activity. Thus, the magnifier interface system presents a full user interface that transitions into a smaller watermark interface when not in use to take up less screen real restate yet remain available to users.
US08887044B1 Visually distinguishing portions of content
In some implementations, a user may select a category, attribute or term related to content item. During presentation of the content item, an electronic device may visually distinguish (or, alternatively, hide) at least one portion of content associated with the selected category, attribute or term. In some examples, a user interface may be displayed to enable the user to select one or more categories, attributes, or terms related to the content item. The user interface may further enable the user to select a graphics scheme to be used for visually distinguishing at least one portion of content corresponding to the selection. Selection information identifying a portion of content to be visually distinguished or hidden may be sent to a content provider, such as for synchronization with other instances of the content item on other devices of a user, or for aggregation of the selection information by the content provider.
US08887043B1 Providing user feedback in projection environments
Systems and techniques for providing feedback to users within an environment that interact with user interfaces (UIs) that are projected within the environment. For instance, the systems and techniques may project a UI that includes one or more selectable portions, such as keys, icons, sliders, dials, or any other type of control. After projecting the UI, the systems and techniques may identify the user attempting to interact with the UI. In response, the systems and techniques may provide feedback to the user indicating that the user has engaged the UI. For instance, the systems and techniques may visually alter the projected UI, may output a sound via one or more speakers within the environment, or may provide the feedback in any other manner.
US08887041B2 Displaying a call function within a web browser
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, which facilitates a terminal to be used in further consideration of user's convenience. According to at least one of embodiments of the present invention, while a webpage is being displayed in a mobile terminal, a function frequently used by the mobile terminal is available by interconnecting to the webpage despite that the webpage is not closed. The present invention includes storing an object oriented program having a prescribed function, accessing an external server providing a webpage, driving a web browser for a webpage source by receiving the webpage source of the webpage from the external server, and displaying the webpage by rendering the webpage provided by the external server with a modified webpage having the prescribed function reflected thereon in a manner that the web browser configures a document object model tree using the web browser source and the object oriented program together.
US08887026B2 Efficient detection of errors in associative memory
A method for error detection includes storing in an associative memory multiple data entries, each data entry including a data item together with one or more check symbols computed with respect to the data item. A predetermined sequence of search keys is applied to the memory, thereby causing the memory to generate, in parallel, match results with respect to the data entries. The match results are processed in order to identify an error in at least one of the data entries.
US08887023B2 Method of identifying a correct decoding codeward
A method of searching for candidate codewords for a telecommunications system, the method comprising receiving a sequence of constellation points, producing a received FEC vector comprised of bits from the received constellation points, comparing the received FEC vector with a plurality of candidate codewords within a Dorsch decoding process using an ordered pattern, and terminating the search when a candidate codeword from among the plurality of candidate codewords is found residing within a predetermined range of a specified distance of the received FEC vector.
US08887014B2 Managing errors in a DRAM by weak cell encoding
This disclosure includes a method for preventing errors in a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) due to weak cells that includes determining the location of a weak cell in a DRAM row, receiving data to write to the DRAM, and encoding the data into a bit vector to be written to memory. For each weak cell location, the corresponding bit from the bit vector is equal to the reliable logic state of the weak cell and the bit vector is longer than the data.
US08887007B2 Media processing system, control method for media processing system, and media processing device
A media processing system enables producing a copy of media based on the state of media deterioration. An error rate measurement unit measures the error rate of recorded media after specific data is written to the media; an error rate evaluation unit determines if the media error rate measured by the error rate measurement unit is less than or equal to a preset threshold value; and a data recording unit that, when the error rate evaluation unit determines the error rate exceeds the specific threshold value, writes specific data recorded to the recorded media to other unused media.
US08887004B2 Periodic error detection method and periodic error detection circuit
According to one embodiment, a method for detecting a periodic error, the method detecting a periodic processing error of a module controlled by a processor, the processor controlling a periodic processing by booting a peripheral module, the peripheral module outputting periodic triggers with a predetermined interval includes storing a first count value acquired from a counter, a second count value when the processing is started, and a third count value when the processing is completed, calculating a processing time on a basis of the three count values, and comparing the processing time with the predetermined interval to determine whether the periodic processing error occurs.
US08886995B1 Fault tolerant state machine for configuring software in a digital computer
Software configuration changes are made in a digital computer by executing selected opcodes to add new features. When executing each opcode, a persistent record is kept of execution of each elementary command of the opcode. To recover from a failure of execution of an opcode, remediation opcodes are executed for a known error, or else the persistent record of execution is accessed to identify executed commands of the opcode, and the executed commands are reverted in reverse order by undoing changes made to the software configuration by the executed commands of the opcode. The resulting configuration of the digital computer is compared to a backup copy of the configuration existing at the start of execution of the opcode. If the reversion of the executed commands of the opcode has not reproduced the backup configuration, then the configuration of the digital computer is restored to the backup configuration.
US08886991B2 Sector failure prediction method and related system
A method and system is disclosed for identification and removal of a memory sector prone to failure. The method performs satisfaction checks on the memory sector and monitors and stores returned Unsatisfied Checks (USC) for analysis by a pattern recognition algorithm. Once a first global iteration is pattern matched with a second global iteration from the sector, the method determines the period of the repetitive pattern. The method then identifies, as the sector prone to failure, the sector having the defined pattern and period. Once identified, the method uses a power management scheme to remove the sector prone to failure from further use by the memory system and displays to a user the details of the action taken.
US08886989B2 Memory device
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a semiconductor memory and a controller that controls the semiconductor memory. The controller includes a first command issuing module, second command issuing module, error correction module and control module. The first command issuing module is configured to issue a read command to the semiconductor memory. The second command issuing module is configured to issue a first command instructing a process that does not involve reading data from the semiconductor memory independently from the first command issuing module to the semiconductor memory. The error correction module is configured to correct an error contained in data supplied from the semiconductor memory. The control module is configured to control the error correction module, first command issuing module and second command issuing module.
US08886985B2 Automatic discovery of physical connectivity between power outlets and IT equipment
The invention relates generally to the field of power management in data centers and more specifically to the automatic discovery and association of connectivity relationships between power outlets and IT equipment, and to methods of operating data centers having automatic connectivity discovery capabilities.
US08886964B1 Protecting remote asset against data exploits utilizing an embedded key generator
Some embodiments include a method of using different keys from an embedded key generator for each update of a trusted storage to mitigate common user-based exploits (clone, restore, tamper) of the trusted storage. The method includes: retrieving a key generator certificate from the key generator; requesting the key generator to generate a key associated with a key authenticator and to return a key handle associated with the key; generating a request to the key generator, the request including the key handle, the key authenticator, and a record to be maintained in the trusted storage; and in response to receiving an encrypted record from the key generator, storing the encrypted record associated with the first key handle and an authenticator generation formula in the trusted storage in a computing device, wherein the encrypted record is encrypted via the above key.
US08886950B2 Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for facilitating secure password creation and management
Apparatus, methods and/or computer program products are provided that facilitate the creation and management of secure passwords. Upon receiving a proposed password from a user for use in a computer system, apparatus or other communication system, the proposed password is evaluated for compliance with security guidelines. If the password complies at least with a minimum level of security, the password is evaluated and a relative level of the password is determined and assigned to the password. A lifespan for the password is selected based on the assigned relative security level of security. The user is notified of the assigned lifespan. Operations for evaluating the password, assigning the lifespan, and notifying the user of the lifespan may be performed in substantially real-time.
US08886941B2 Method and system for generating a secure message as an URL message
A method for generating and delivering a message via a web service is provided. A message for a recipient is converted to a URL and sent. A request is received from a sender to send a message to a recipient. A URL message is created in response to receiving the request to send the message to the recipient and the URL message is sent to the recipient. A URL message response is received from the recipient and a landing message is sent to the recipient in response to receiving the URL message response. The landing message includes a hint requesting an answer from the recipient. An answer is received from the recipient and the message is sent to the recipient in response to receiving the answer.
US08886937B2 PCI DSS compliant proxy service
The innovation includes systems and methods of facilitating electronic commerce (e-commerce) via a proxy service. Such a method can include the acts of receiving a hypertext transfer protocol with secure socket layer (HTTPS) request from a client application and translating the HTTPS request to a format appropriate for an e-commerce web application. Additionally, such a method can include the steps of sending the translated request to the e-commerce web application via HTTPS and receiving a response based at least in part on the translated HTTPS request. The method can also include the acts of translating the HTTPS response to a format appropriate for the client application and sending the translated response to the client application via HTTPS. Secure information can be encrypted and stored at the client application separately from the encryption key, which can be stored by the proxy service.
US08886934B2 Authorizing physical access-links for secure network connections
A method of authenticating a network link of a first device to a second device is described. The method includes communicating a challenge request including a challenge value from the first device to the second device, wherein challenge value is unique to the challenge request. The method further includes receiving a challenge response from the second device, in which the challenge response includes encrypted data pertaining to the first device, and authenticating the network link based on the first device decrypting the encrypted data included in the challenge response from the second device.
US08886925B2 Protecting enterprise data through policy-based encryption of message attachments
A system is disclosed that includes components and features for enabling enterprise users to securely access enterprise resources (documents, data, application servers, etc.) using their mobile devices. An enterprise can use some or all components of the system to, for example, securely but flexibly implement a BYOD (bring your own device) policy in which users can run both personal applications and secure enterprise applications on their mobile devices. The system may, for example, implement policies for controlling mobile device accesses to enterprise resources based on device attributes (e.g., what mobile applications are installed), user attributes (e.g., the user's position or department), behavioral attributes, and other criteria. Client-side code installed on the mobile devices may further enhance security by, for example, creating a secure container for locally storing enterprise data, creating a secure execution environment for running enterprise applications, and/or creating secure application tunnels for communicating with the enterprise system.
US08886923B1 Methods and systems for secure mobile-IP traffic traversing network address translation
Methods and systems are provided for secure Mobile-IP traffic traversing network address translation (NAT). A virtual-private-network (VPN) tunnel extending between the mobile node and the home agent is established, wherein the home agent comprises a VPN function. Establishing the VPN tunnel comprises (i) the mobile node communicating with the home agent at a public address of the home agent via a private network, a NAT device, and a public network and (ii) the home agent assigning the mobile node a first public address. The mobile node is registered with the home agent. Registering the mobile node comprises (i) the mobile node communicating via the VPN tunnel with the home agent at the public address of the home agent and (ii) establishing the first public address as a home address for the mobile node for, for example, purposes of Mobile-IP communication.
US08886919B2 Remote update programming idiom accelerator with allocated processor resources
A data processing system comprises at least one processing unit, a virtualization layer, and a remote update programming idiom accelerator. The remote update programming idiom accelerator is configured to receive a complex remote update programming idiom from a remote node. Responsive to a determination that the sequence of instructions in the complex remote update programming idiom is longer than a dedicated processor threshold, the remote update programming idiom accelerator is configured to request a processing unit from the virtualization layer in the data processing system, and receive an allocation of a processing unit from the virtualization layer. The allocated processing unit is configured to read the data from the storage location local to the data processing system, execute the sequence of instructions to perform the update operation on the data to form result data, and write the result data to the storage location local to the data processing system.
US08886918B2 Dynamic instruction execution based on transaction priority tagging
A method, system and program are provided for dynamically assigning priority values to instruction threads in a computer system based on one or more predetermined thread performance tests, and using the assigned instruction priorities to determine how resources are used in the system. By storing the assigning priority values for each thread as a tag in the thread's instructions, tagged instructions from different threads that are dispatched through the system are allocated system resources based on the tagged priority values assigned to the respective instruction threads. Priority values for individual threads may be updated with control software which tests thread performance and uses the test results to apply predetermined adjustment policies. The test results may be used to optimize the workload allocation of system resources by dynamically assigning thread priority values to individual threads using any desired policy, such as achieving thread execution balance relative to thresholds and to performance of other threads, reducing thread response time, lowering power consumption, etc.
US08886914B2 Multiplex restore using next relative addressing
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for multiplex restore using next relative address may be provided. The method may include identifying an address of a first data chunk of a file stored on a storage device. The first data chunk may be read by accessing the storage device at the address of the first data chunk. A next relative address appended to the first data chunk may be identified. The next relative address may indicate a position of a next chunk. The next chunk may comprise a next data chunk of the file or an empty chunk associated with the file. The method may further include reading the next chunk by accessing the storage device at the position indicated by the next relative address.
US08886910B2 Storage device drivers and cluster participation
The representation of storage devices on computers (e.g., as logical volumes) may be complicated by the pooling of multiple storage devices in order to apply redundancy plans such as mirroring and checksumming. Presented herein is a storage device driver configured to operate as a storage device interface generating representations of the storage regions of the storage devices; to claim those regions as a storage controller; and to expose pooled storage regions as logical disks. Additionally, the storage device driver may support the inclusion of storage devices in a cluster, comprising nodes that may be appointed as managers of the storage pool configuration; as managers of the storage devices; as owners having exclusive read/write access to the storage pool or cluster resources; and as cluster resource writers having exclusive write access to a cluster resource. The nodes of the cluster may interoperate to share the storage devices while avoiding write conflicts.
US08886907B1 Accessing objects in hosted storage
A first access control list method is stored in a hosted storage system and in association with a storage structure. The first access control list is designed to grant permission to write data objects to the storage structure but not designed to grant permission to read objects from the storage structure. The first access control list grants a first user permission to write data objects to the storage structure. A second access control list is stored in the hosted storage system and in association with a first data object stored in the storage structure. The second access control list is designed to grant permission to read the first data object. The second access control list grants a second user permission to read the first data object.
US08886903B2 Storage management system and storage management method
An embodiment of this invention is a storage management system including a processor and a storage device to manage a storage system having one or more copy functions. The processor locates data designated to determine a backup method. The storage device stores copy function management information on the one or more copy functions of the storage system. The processor refers to the copy function management information to ascertain the unit of copy operation of each of the one or more copy functions. The processor determines a candidate for a copy function of the storage system to be used to back up the designated data depending on the data configuration in a volume holding the designated data and the unit of copy operation of the candidate for the copy function.
US08886901B1 Policy based storage tiering
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for transferring data from a source tier to a target tier. In some embodiments, this may include applying a policy to an object in the source tier, determining the target tier based on the policy, and moving the object from the source tier to the target tier based on the policy. In some embodiments, determining the target tier based on the policy may include determining a higher target tier. In some embodiments, determining the target tier based on the policy may include determining a lower target tier.
US08886900B2 Legacy data management
Various systems, processes, products, and techniques may be used to manage legacy data. In one general implementation, a system, process, and/or product for managing legacy data may include the ability to determine whether a data request has been received and, if a data request has been received, determine whether the data request is associated with legacy data of an external storage management system. If the data request is not associated with legacy data of an external storage management system, the system, process, and/or product may retrieve data from a local storage array, and if the data request is associated with legacy data of an external storage management system, the system, process, and/or product may request legacy data from an external storage management system. The system, process, and/or product may also generate a response to the data request.
US08886896B2 Storage format for media streams
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing live media streams are disclosed. A storage format that can be used to record and then playback live streams including data-streams, audio-streams, video-streams, and other multi-media streams is also disclosed. The disclosed storage format is referred to as “raw”.
US08886894B2 Mechanisms to accelerate transactions using buffered stores
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for executing a transactional memory (TM) transaction in a first thread, buffering a block of data in a first buffer of a cache memory of a processor, and acquiring a write monitor on the block to obtain ownership of the block at an encounter time in which data at a location of the block in the first buffer is updated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08886893B2 Semiconductor device
The present invention has an object of providing a high-speed, low-cost, and user-friendly information processing system that can ensure scalability of memory capacity. The information processing system is configured to include an information processing device, a volatile memory, and a nonvolatile memory. By serially connecting the information processing device, the volatile memory, and the nonvolatile memory and reducing the number of connection signals, processing speed is increased while maintaining the scalability of memory capacity. When transferring data of the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory, error correction is performed, thereby improving reliability. The information processing system including the plurality of chips is configured as an information-processing system module in which the chips are alternately stacked and arranged, and wired by a ball grid array (BGA) or by bonding between the chips.
US08886886B2 System cache with sticky removal engine
Methods and apparatuses for releasing the sticky state of cache lines for one or more group IDs. A sticky removal engine walks through the tag memory of a system cache looking for matches with a first group ID which is clearing its cache lines from the system cache. The engine clears the sticky state of each cache line belonging to the first group ID. If the engine receives a release request for a second group ID, the engine records the current index to log its progress through the tag memory. Then, the engine continues its walk through the tag memory looking for matches with either the first or second group ID. The engine wraps around to the start of the tag memory and continues its walk until reaching the recorded index for the second group ID.
US08886884B2 System and method for increasing read and write speeds of hybrid storage unit
The present invention is to provide a system for increasing read and write speeds of a hybrid storage unit, which includes a cache controller connected to the hybrid storage unit and a computer respectively, and stores forward and backward mapping tables each including a plurality of fields. The hybrid storage unit is composed of at least one regular storage unit (e.g., an HDD) having a plurality of regular sections corresponding to forward fields respectively, and at least one high-speed storage unit (e.g., an SSD) having a plurality of high-speed storage sections corresponding to backward fields respectively with higher read and write speeds than the regular storage unit. The cache controller can make the high-speed storage section corresponding to each backward field correspond to the regular section corresponding to the forward field, thus allowing the computer to rapidly read and write data from and into the hybrid storage unit.
US08886881B2 Implementing storage adapter performance optimization with parity update footprint mirroring
A method and controller for implementing storage adapter performance optimization with parity update footprint mirroring between dual adapters minimizing firmware operations, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. Each of a first controller and a second controller includes a plurality of hardware engines, a control store configured to store parity update footprint (PUFP) data; a data store; and a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM). One controller operates in a first initiator mode for transferring PUFP data to the other controller operating in a target mode. Respective initiator hardware engines transfers PUFP data from the initiator control store, selectively updating PUFP data, and writing PUFP data to the initiator data store and to the initiator NVRAM, and simultaneously transmitting PUFP data to the other controller. Respective target hardware engines write PUFP data to the target data store and the target NVRAM, eliminating firmware operations.
US08886880B2 Write cache management method and apparatus
A method for destaging data from a memory of a storage controller to a striped volume is provided. The method includes determining if a stripe should be destaged from a write cache of the storage controller to the striped volume, destaging a partial stripe if a full stripe write percentage is less than a full stripe write affinity value, and destaging a full stripe if the full stripe write percentage is greater than the full stripe write affinity value. The full stripe write percentage includes a full stripe count divided by the sum of the full stripe count and a partial stripe count. The full stripe count is the number of stripes in the write cache where all chunks of a stripe are dirty. The partial stripe count is the number of stripes where at least one chunk but less than all chunks of the stripe are dirty.
US08886870B2 Memory access table saving and restoring system and methods
A system includes a first memory configured to store a first lookup table (LUT) with first metadata. A second memory is configured to store a second LUT with second metadata, wherein the first metadata includes a first mapping between logical addresses and physical addresses. The second metadata includes a second mapping between the logical addresses and the physical addresses. A control module is configured to update the first metadata. The control module is configured to update segments of the second metadata based on the first metadata at respective predetermined times. Each of the segments refers to a predetermined number of entries of the second LUT.
US08886869B2 Storage system and data control method therefor
A package controller of a flash package, upon receiving an update data write request with respect to a first logical storage area corresponding to a first LU that is treated as a backup target, manages a first physical storage area as a backup storage area in a state where pre-update data is maintained, newly allocates a second physical storage area to the first logical storage area, and writes the update data to the second physical storage area. The package controller, upon receiving an update data write request with respect to a second logical storage area corresponding to a second LU that is treated as a non-backup target, manages a third physical storage area allocated to the second logical storage area as an invalid storage area, and writes the update data to a fourth physical storage area newly allocated to the second logical storage area. The package controller performs control so as to use the first physical storage area to provide backup data for the first LU, and delete pre-update data stored in the third physical storage area.
US08886846B2 Flexible implementation of serial bus support over display interface
Systems and methods are used to configure a communication channel. A source device can dynamically map Display Port lanes to support both display devices and USB3.0 devices. A method for configuring a communication channel includes detecting a device connection event indicating a change to a configuration of the communication channel in response to a branch device of the communication channel satisfying a dynamic configuration capability criteria indicating that the communication channel is reconfigurable. Configuration parameters of a sink device in the communication channel are identified. The communication channel is reconfigured to carry a source data stream to the sink device based on the configuration parameters.
US08886834B2 Hot standby neighbor discovery protocol for internet protocol version 6
Techniques are provided herein for receiving synchronization messages at a second network device that is in a hot standby configuration from a first network device that is maintaining Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) state machines for one or more neighbor devices. The synchronization messages are configured to indicate an IPv6 state for each state machine maintained in the first network device. An IPv6 state for corresponding state machines is updated in the second network device based on the synchronization messages such that the IPv6 states in the second network device allows the second network device to actively process IPv6 traffic for the one or more neighbor devices upon traffic switchover from the first network device to the second network device without restarting the corresponding IPv6 state machine associated with each of the one or more neighbor devices in the second network device. The roles of the first and second device with respect to active and standby state are reversed after a switchover.
US08886826B2 System for multipoint infrastructure transport in a computer network
A method and apparatus for implementing a Multipoint Infrastructure Transport (MINT) protocol in a data network. The present invention includes a method for distributing data in a data network. The data network connects a plurality of nodes and at least a portion of the plurality of the nodes form a multicast group. One of the nodes in the multicast group is designated as a rendezvous node. The method includes a step of maintaining a data store containing a group state at each of the nodes in the multicast group. State updates, received at the rendezvous node are used to update the group state in the data store at the rendezvous node. The state updates are propagated, using a reliable protocol, from the rendezvous node to the other nodes in the multicast group. Finally, the group states in the data stores at the other nodes in the multicast group are updated.
US08886825B2 Apparatus and method for ensuring fairness of UDP data transmission in ethernet environment
Provided are an apparatus and method for ensuring fairness of user datagram protocol (UDP) data transmission in an Ethernet environment. Transmission control protocol (TCP) transmission rate calculator calculates a current TCP transmission rate based on amount of a TCP data stream transmitted in real time from a transmission apparatus and received by a reception apparatus. TCP transmission rate calculator calculates the optimum transmission rate on the basis of the received amount of a TCP data stream transmitted to the reception apparatus before UDP data transmission of the transmission apparatus is started. When UDP data is transmitted from a transmission apparatus to a reception apparatus, a TCP data stream for determining fairness is transmitted together, so that the apparatus and method can be simplified by adding only the TCP stream without an additional module for estimating a queuing delay time on the basis of a round-trip time (RTT) and so on.
US08886821B1 Failover and migration for full-offload network interface devices
A method and apparatus are provided for communication of a host having a first network interface device and a second network interface device coupled thereto. The first network interface device is configured to operate a transport layer network connection between the host and a peer. The host is configured to, while the first network device is operating the transport layer network connection with the peer, independently determine connection information that describes the transport layer network connection being operated by the first network interface device. The second network interface device is caused to operate the transport layer network connection with the peer based at least in part on the connection information maintained by the host.
US08886819B1 Cross-domain communication in domain-restricted communication environments
A messaging frame can be used to allow different domains to communicate in an electronic environment that are otherwise prevented from directly communicating. A messaging frame or other communication element can be configured to receive messages or communications from any frame, object, or element in the same domain as the messaging frame. The messaging frame then can switch to a target domain in order to provide the message or communication to a frame, object, or element in the target domain. The messaging frame can include an interface definition that allows only approved messages to be passed between domains, such that the risk of malicious attack is minimized.
US08886817B2 Federation and interoperability between social networks
Communications between social networks are enabled via authentication that provides single-sign-on (SSO) authentication of users such as individual users or social networks or social network services that desire access to network resources on a particular social network. The particular network requests authentication of the requesting user(s), and based on an authentication result the particular network provides or denies access to the resources. A social network services database maintains a listing of resources of different social networks, that a user can search to determine where to find resources on other networks. The user can then query the social networks hosting those resources or their social network services for access, and the networks or services can authenticate the user before granting access according to any conditions that the hosting social networks or social network services may choose to apply.
US08886814B2 Load-balancing cluster
A load-balancing cluster includes a switch having a plurality of ports; and a plurality of servers connected to at least some of the ports, each of the servers being addressable by the same virtual Internet Protocol (VIP) address. Responsive to a connection request at the switch to connect a client computer to a server associated with the VIP address, a first server of the plurality of servers establishing a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the client computer, and, in response to a resource request received by the first server from the client computer for a particular resource, if the first server does not have a copy of the particular resource it queries one or more peers regarding the particular resource. Based at least in part on responses from the peers, the first server either: obtains the particular resource from a first peer of the one or more peers when the first peer indicates that the first peer has a copy of the particular resource; or migrates the TCP connection to a second peer when the second peer indicates that the initial peer server should migrate the connection to the second peer; or serves the particular resource to the client request through a second server when a third peer indicates that the initial server should proxy the particular resource through the second server.
US08886812B2 Method, apparatus, and system for service control via I1 interface
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for service control via an I1 interface. The method includes: sending a Session Initiation Protocol Invite message to a user equipment through a Gm interface; if receiving a response message returned by the user equipment, where the response message indicates that the user equipment chooses to use a circuit switched bearer and use an I1 interface for control, sending an I1 Invite message to the user equipment through the I1 interface, where I1 Invite message carries information indicating that Gm interface control falls back to the I1 interface control and information used to associate the Session Initiation Protocol Invite message.
US08886811B2 Method and device for improving a browsing experience
A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) for improving a browsing experience. The method (300) can include: monitoring (310) a user activity in a wireless communication device; providing (320) a program that correlates user activity and the need to access the internet; and pre-activating (330) an internet link, based on the monitored user activity and the program. Advantageously, the pre-activating (330) feature can decrease the time it takes to complete a wireless network connection, thus minimizing wait time. This feature is particularly useful in low and marginal coverage areas.
US08886805B2 Method and system for dynamically allocating services for subscribers data traffic
Access services are dynamically allocated for processing received data traffic by creating routing information for data traffic associated with a particular subscriber, subscriber equipment and/or network address information. The routing information identifies services that the data traffic can be subjected to and the order in which the services are provided. When an attached request is received, appropriate services for the requesting subscriber are retrieved from a database based on particular identifying information which may include the identification of the subscriber, subscriber equipment, network address or other information. The services are organized in a routing path and the allocated network address and the routing path are transferred to a smart router. Data traffic, associated with the allocated network address is then routed through servers to provide the identified services.
US08886801B2 Systems and methods for monitor distribution in a multi-core system
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for monitoring services in a multi-core system. The systems and methods distribute the monitors for a service and the ownership of a service across the cores of the multi-core device. The greater resources of the multi-core device process the workload of the monitors for the services and the workload for monitoring the states of the services more efficiently than a single packet engine on a core.
US08886794B2 System and method for detecting RF transmissions in frequency bands of interest across a geographic area
Wireless devices form a significant portion of equipment forming the source/destination of content transmitted over telecommunications infrastructure together with applications such as RF identification, smart tags, etc. As such the wireless spectrum supports these devices operating to multiple standards, both licensed and unlicensed. In many environments it would be beneficial for a network administrator to know whether the environment and network they are responsible for is compliant to policies established in dependence of the environment/network. The invention provides distributed wireless signal analyzers within the environment/network to provide signal/spectrum analysis and determine whether received signals by the wireless signal analyzer are compliant to the network administrator policy. Compliance may be based upon time or frequency domain measurements with different rules for different wireless spectrum regions. Non-compliance is communicated to remote servers and/or network administrator and allows local control of network equipment.
US08886793B2 Methods and systems for adjusting a traffic rate for a MSRP session
A system and method is provided for adjusting a traffic rate for a Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP) session established between two network nodes at a per session level. Each MSRP session has a traffic rate for which MSRP messages are transmitted over the MSRP session. The traffic rate per session can be adjusted, and the adjusted traffic rate per session can be communicated to adjacent nodes.
US08886786B2 Method for plant monitoring with a field bus of process automation technology
A method for plant monitoring with a fieldbus of process automation technology, wherein a plurality of field devices communicate with a process control unit and a plant monitoring unit The method steps are carried out as follows: the regular, process-control, data traffic on the fieldbus is monitored by the plant monitoring unit; an examination of the telegrams of the regular data traffic for information indicating a diagnostic event at one of the field devices is performed; and in case a telegram is detected having an indication of a diagnostic event, the plant monitoring unit requests further diagnostic information from the pertinent field device.
US08886784B2 Computer system and management method thereof
The present invention makes it possible to dynamically and optimally change QoS while taking the balance of a system as a whole into consideration. With the present invention, communications parameters comprising band allocation information with respect to a plurality of interfaces of communications paths are set at a management device, and a host device, a switch device, and a storage device communicate based on the communications parameters that have been set. Then, in the system operation stage, the management device or the switch device acquires statistical information comprising band usage amounts with respect to the communications paths among a port of the host device, a port of the storage device, and a port, of the switch device, changes, based on the statistical information, the band allocation that has been set with respect to the plurality of interfaces, and, further, determines whether or not the band allocation as changed is appropriate with respect to the system (see FIG. 9).
US08886780B2 Optimizing services in extreme environments for bundled services in a fixed broadband wireless installation
A device monitors temperature readings from a sensor associated with an outdoor broadband unit. When the temperature readings increase above a stored threshold value, the device sends, to a device at a core network, an alert signal that invokes, at the core network, an emergency profile associated with the outdoor broadband unit. When the temperature readings decrease below the stored threshold value, the device sends, to the device at the core network, a normal signal that invokes, at the core network, a default profile associated with the outdoor broadband unit.
US08886778B2 System and method for proxying network management protocol commands to enable cluster wide management of data backups
A system and method enables cluster-wide management of backup operations issued by one or more backup managers to nodes of a cluster using a network management protocol, such as NDMP. An NDMP daemon executing on each node is extended to include a processing module and a backup module. The processing module interfaces with a backup manager to interpret the backup operation and, if necessary, forward (proxy) that operation to another NDMP daemon on another node of the cluster for processing in accordance with cluster's unified namespace.
US08886774B2 Remote control device, remote control setting method, and program
There is provided a remote control device including: a communication unit that can perform communication through a network; a remote control unit that can transmit one or more control commands to a controlled device in response to an operation by a user; a storage unit that stores control command information specifying the one or more control commands to be transmitted from the remote control unit; and a setting unit that sets the control command information to the storage unit based on a result of communication by the communication unit with a controlled device through the network, wherein the setting unit detects a controlled device connected to the network by transmitting a device search signal from the communication unit, acquires device information of the detected controlled device from the controlled device, and decides the control command information to be set to the storage unit based on the acquired device information.
US08886765B2 System and method for predicitive trick play using adaptive video streaming
A system utilized by a user, a server, and a content output device; the server being operable to provide a stream of input content. The content output device can output content based on the stream of input content. The stream of input content includes a chunk of content data. The system includes a receiver, an interactive playback controller portion, a playback indicator, a storage portion and an output portion. The receiver can receive the stream of input content as downloaded data. The playback indicator can indicate a location of the chunk within the stream of input content. The storage portion can store the downloaded data. The output portion can output an output signal, based on the downloaded data, to the content output device. The interactive playback controller portion can enable the user to instruct the output portion to output the chunk of content data as the output signal.
US08886757B2 Automated data delivery systems
The Automated Data Delivery Systems (ADDS) are two delivery systems designed to either deliver specific data to customer computers over a network, e.g., the Internet, or from one application program to another. In both cases the user computer requesting data delivery can either have a special automatic data reception capability or receive the data without screening. In particular, ADDS are systems that allows a data delivery services to be offered on the Internet or an Intranet between two sites or offered between an Internet site and a User Computer. In addition the ADDS invention includes a modification to existing or future application programs that allow the program to deliver specified data, in the format specified by the user, to the location specified by the user, and at a schedule specified by the user. In the case of Internet delivery the Website might charge a specified price for the delivery service.
US08886749B2 Method and apparatus for controlling data usage of mobile terminal
A method and an apparatus for controlling data usage of a mobile terminal. The method includes checking a plurality of web contents contained in a web page in a web browser executing mode. The method also includes selectively downloading at least one of the checked web contents when data usage for a preset period exceeds a data usage limit. The method further includes displaying the at least one downloaded web content. The apparatus performs the method. Without periodic control of data usage by a user, the data usage of a mobile terminal is automatically controlled.
US08886744B1 Load balancing in multi-grid systems using peer-to-peer protocols
A load-balancing mechanism for grids in a multi-grid network. Using embodiments, one or more job submitters may distribute jobs to grids in a multi-grid network according to the load of the grids, thus spreading the load of jobs to be processed among the grids and helping to insure that jobs are handled in a timely fashion. In one embodiment, a job submitter may use peer-to-peer platform protocols to obtain load information about the grids, and then use the information about the grids to select one of the grids to perform a particular job according to the load of the grids. Determining the load on the grids may be based on information acquired from the grids including one or more of, but not limited to, how many jobs are pending in a grid's job queue and estimated time for completing the jobs in the grid's job queue.
US08886743B2 System and method of browsing offline and queried content
Embodiments of systems and methods for browsing offline and queried content are presented herein. Specifically, embodiments may receive a request for content from a mobile application. Embodiments may also determine whether the requested content is in a cache associated with the mobile application. If it is determined that the content is not in the cache, embodiments may deliver the requested content to the mobile application.
US08886742B2 Content delivery network with deep caching infrastructure
Embodiments herein include methods and systems for use in delivering resources to a client device over a local network. An exemplary system comprises a plurality of caching devices operable to cache resources on behalf of a plurality of content providers, and a local caching device communicatively situated between an access network and the client device, wherein the access network is communicably situated between the plurality of caching devices and the local caching device. The local caching device is operable to retrieve a requested resource from at least one of the plurality of caching devices, deliver the requested resource to the client device over the local network, and store the requested resource for future requests by other client devices.
US08886738B2 Chat system without topic-specific rooms
A method, system and graphical user interface for a chat system is disclosed. One aspect of certain embodiments includes sending target messages to users based on the respective selection and filtering criteria selected by the respective users instead of having users enter topic specific rooms.
US08886734B2 Email mailbox management with sender-specific message lists
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive an instruction to establish a rule to take an action on each email message received from a first email address, determine that the first email address is associated with contact data, determine that the contact data is associated with a second email address, and apply the rule to take the action on each email message received from the second email address.
US08886729B2 Methods, systems and computer program products for a mobile-terminated message SPAM restrictor
This disclosure details the implementation of methods, systems and computer program products for mobile terminated message SPAM control (hereinafter, “M-SPAM Restrictor”). In one embodiment, M-SPAM Restrictor systems implement a live application at a mobile network element that processes message service, whereby a message rate limit is set on the element, and a message source may be blocked from further messaging activity if the rate of message activity exceeds the rate limit, until the offending source has resolved the issue with the service provider (carrier).
US08886725B2 Merging instances of a modular document
A first instance of a modular document is received, where the modular document is composed of plural parts, and where the modular document contains a merge definition. A second instance of the modular document is received, where the second instance and the first instance of the modular document have been modified with respect to each other. The second instance is merged with the first instance, where any conflict between the second instance and the first instance is resolved according to the merge definition.
US08886711B2 File system adapted for use with a dispersed data storage network
A computer a network interface and a central processing unit. The network interface communicates with a network. The central processing unit (CPU) is operable to receive a networked file system access request packet and to identify a root directory based on the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then identifies a file directory based on the root directory and the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then identifies file object metadata based on the file directory and identifies a set of slice servers based on the file object metadata and the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then issues, via the network interface, a set of commands to a set of slice servers regarding the networked file system access request packet.
US08886708B2 Centralized computer network virtualization environment
A method and system include compatibly interfacing a suitably adapted central switch in a computer network virtualization environment to one or more user-end peripheral device(s) to dispense with a need for a user-end thin client. The method and system also include appropriately routing a data associated with a direct and exclusive communication between a virtual machine on a host server including a number of virtual machines and the one or more user-end peripheral device(s) using the central switch.
US08886705B1 Goal-oriented storage management for a distributed data storage network
A system and method for performing goal-oriented storage management for a distributed data storage network. Storage management software may execute on each node to cause the distributed data storage network to converge toward a system-wide storage goal. In various embodiments, the system-wide storage goal may be defined to accomplish any of various kinds of optimizations or performance improvements for the system, such as balancing storage utilization, achieving appropriate data replication, increasing performance, increasing fault tolerance, etc.
US08886698B2 Electronic device monitoring method, electronic device computer and program thereof
Processing relating to maintenance of a monitoring subject device is performed by detecting by a computer an IP address of an electronic device connected to a LAN, automatically referring to communication protocol specification data indicating a communication protocol with the electronic device indicated in remote maintenance management data provided in advance or obtained from the electronic device, and performing a communication with the electronic device by using said communication protocol and the IP address indicated by the communication protocol specification data.
US08886695B1 Normalization of floating point operations in a programmable integrated circuit device
A programmable integrated circuit device is programmed to normalize multiplication operations by examining the input or output values to determined the likelihood of overflow or underflow and then to adjust the input or output values accordingly. The examination of the inputs can include an examination of the number of adder stages feeding into the inputs, as well as a count of leading bits ahead of the first significant bit. Adjustment of an input can include shifting the mantissa by the leading bit count and adjusting the exponent accordingly, while adjustment of the output can include shifting the mantissa by the sum of the leading bit counts of the inputs and adjusting the exponent accordingly. Or the output can be examined to find its leading bit count and the output then can be adjusted by shifting the mantissa by the leading bit count and adjusting the exponent accordingly.
US08886679B2 Mining web applications
Systems and methods of mining Web applications are disclosed. An example method may include selecting a distance measure between subtrees of the Web applications. The method may also include computing an edit distance for the subtrees. The method may also include finding sets of similar subtrees using the edit distance with a Similar Sibling-Trees-aware RTDM (SiSTeR) approach.
US08886670B2 Securely accessing remote systems
A method for securely accessing a number of computing systems within a remote facility includes, with a mobile computing system, checking out access data from a centralized database, the access data providing access to the computing systems within the remote facility. The mobile computing device then interfaces with a first computing system, the first computing system being unable to have access criteria changed from a remote location. The mobile computing system then provides a user with access to the first computing system using the checked out access data without revealing that checked out access data to the user.
US08886669B2 File access via conduit application
A computer-implemented data access method includes executing a file manager application in a container application, wherein the file manager application does not have direct access to a computer file system, executing a native application that does have direct access to the computer file system, and communicating between the file manager application and the native application, and between the native application and the computer file system to simulate direct file system access by the file manager application.
US08886653B2 Information processing device, computer readable recording medium, and information processing method
An information processing device includes: a creating unit that extracts link information from content, and creates interpage relationship data which includes information between a subject page and linking pages having links from/to the subject page directly or indirectly; a page weight calculating unit that calculates the weight of at least one of the linking pages, based on the interpage relationship data; a tag weight calculating unit that calculates the weight of a tag, based on the weight of the at least one of the linking pages and information about the tag; a tag transmission determining unit that determines which tag is to be transmitted to which page, based on the tag weight; and a page creating unit that creates a new page having the tag added to the subject page, based on the determination result of the tag transmission determining unit.
US08886652B2 Method for searching objects in a database
The invention provides a method for searching objects in a database by means of an index data structure which associates object attribute values to collections of spatial elements—such as tiles of a quadtree or cuboids of an octtree—defined to partition a space, herein a predefined number of spatial elements being combinable to a next-level spatial element. The method comprising: searching the index data structure for a first input search pattern and, if the first input search pattern is associated to a first collection of spatial elements through the index data structure, including all spatial elements from the first collection into a first candidate set of spatial elements, wherein, if the number of spatial elements in the first candidate set exceeds a predetermined maximum, some or all of the spatial elements are combined to a reduced number of next-level spatial elements; searching the index data structure for a second input search pattern and, if the second input search pattern is associated to a second collection of spatial elements through the index data structure, including all spatial elements from the second collection into a second candidate set of spatial elements, wherein, if the number of spatial elements in the second candidate set exceeds a predetermined maximum, some or all of the spatial elements are combined to a reduced number of next-level spatial elements; forming, from of the first candidate set and the second candidate set, a combined candidate set of spatial elements; and searching, in the combined candidate set of spatial elements, for objects that match the first input search pattern and the input second search pattern to obtain a set of result objects.
US08886646B2 Field extensibility for analytical reports
A system may include reception of an instruction to add an extension field to a node of a business object object model, identification of at least one multi-dimensional analytical view object model including a reference field referring to the node of the business object object model, determination of at least one report associated with the determined at least one multi-dimensional analytical view object model, reception of a selection of one of the at least one report, extension of the one of the at least one multi-dimensional analytical view object model associated with the report based on the extension field, and extension of the selected report based on the extension field.
US08886645B2 Method and system of managing and using profile information
A method and system for matching a search request to a human assistant and/or other items based on information indicated in a profile associated with the search request is described. A ranking of a guide is determined based on matching of information associated with the guide and information associated with a search request. Profile information such as demographic, geographic, personality, areas of interest, people, hobbies, etc. may be used in addition to other information such as keywords or categories which are associated with a request in order to select a guide. Items such as a search result, an advertisement, a search resource, a previous query, etc. may be selected based on profile information associated with the item. Profile information may be associated with an item based on profile information associated with a guide and/or a user who has expressed an opinion regarding the item.
US08886631B2 Query execution systems and methods
System, method and computer program product for processing a query are disclosed. Query processing includes partitioning the stored data into a plurality of partitions based on at least one vertex in the plurality of vertexes, storing at least another triple in the plurality of triples on the at least one node, assigning, based on the triple containing the at least one vertex, at least one partition in the plurality of partitions corresponding to the triple to at least one node in the plurality of nodes, and processing, based on the assigning, the query by processing the plurality of partitions.
US08886628B1 Management of multilevel metadata in the PORTAL-DOORS system with bootstrapping
The PORTAL-DOORS System has been designed as a distributed network system with hierarchical authorities for entity registering and attribute publishing of mobile metadata. An alternate bootstrapping design with self-referencing and self-describing features has been implemented with an integrated model for the combined registry-directories that co-exists with the independent model for the separate registries and directories. The concept of multilevel metadata about metadata has been implemented with the use of entity, record, infoset, representation and message metadata. This multilevel metadata about metadata improves the efficiency of search and analysis of the metadata content within the networked system. The methods facilitate search of varying scope both within and across the registries, directories and registry-directories focused on different problem oriented domains. Maintaining the integrity of these problem oriented domains serves to improve the efficiency of search throughout the system.
US08886624B2 Searching method using extended keyword pool and system thereof
A search system using an extended keyword pool includes a processor. The processor includes a purchased keyword module configured to generate a purchased keyword set by searching for a keyword having a purchase history through a search advertisement. The processor includes an additional keyword module configured to generate an additional keyword set by extracting a keyword from at least one source. The processor includes a unified search keyword module configured to generate a unified search keyword set by searching for a keyword having a number of hits greater than a determined number of hits among queries comprising the purchased keyword set and the additional keyword set. The processor includes a search module configured to provide, as a keyword pool, an associated keyword or an extended keyword with respect to a search word, using the keywords in the purchased keyword set, the additional keyword set, and the unified search keyword set.
US08886620B1 Enabling ordered page flow browsing using HTTP cookies
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing an ordered page flow browsing of a website. As a request is received for a webpage on the website, a referrer is examined. If the referrer indicates that the request is from another website, the request may be redirected to a pre-selected webpage on the website. In addition, a cookie may be generated that includes, in part, the request and a secret. The request and rotating secret may also be encrypted. The cookie may then be provided along with a response to the request. When another request is received with the cookie, the cookie may be compared, in part, with the referrer and the secret to determine if the request is from an ordered page within the website. If it is not, the request may be redirected to the pre-selected webpage, thereby enforcing orderly page flow browsing.
US08886607B2 Cluster configuration backup and recovery
A cluster network environment may comprise a plurality of nodes configured to perform various tasks, such as data I/O, storage, backup, etc. It may be advantageous to improve disaster recovery and reliability by creating backups that may be used to restore the cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. Accordingly, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for restoring a cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. In particular, cluster configuration data, which may be stored in a healthy node or at a remote source, may be used to restore a node affected by an integrity loss. If the integrity loss affects the cluster network environment (e.g., a majority of healthy nodes are lost), then a new cluster network environment may be created from a healthy node or a restored healthy node. The creation of the new cluster network environment may be based at least in part on cluster configuration data.
US08886596B2 Method for reorganizing or moving a database table
A computer system including instructions recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and readable by at least one processor may include a table generator module, a table updater module, and a data replicator module. The table generator module may be configured to cause the at least one processor to generate a target table. The table updater module may be configured to cause the at least one processor to modify data in the target table synchronously with data being modified in a source table. The data replicator module may be configured to cause the at least one processor to replicate the data contained in the source table in the target table.
US08886592B2 Efficient genealogy registry system
A genealogy registry system includes a central server database and a central server. The central server database includes surname workspaces for storing genealogical data in lineage-linked form, a submission link space for making and storing links between data in the data spaces, and a third-party link space for making and storing links between the data spaces. The central server includes a surname cooperation manager to manage cooperation between researchers researching genealogy for the same surname, a unique ID generator to generate a unique ID for any individual being researched, a visible data selector to allow access to a subgroup of data on the central server database, and a workstation manager to manage transmission of data to the central server database from workstations where data are assembled relating to a particular surname. The workstations may assemble data by extracting, indexing, sorting and linking information from source documents for the surname.
US08886591B2 Adaptive data model and warehouse palette
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with and\ adaptive data model and warehouse palette are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a user interface for collecting item definition attributes from a user. A database structure is generated to store item data according to collected the item definition attributes. An extract, transform, and load (ETL) layer is generated to extract item data from user data, transform the extracted data for storing in the database structure, and load the transformed extracted data into the database structure.
US08886576B1 Automatic label suggestions for albums based on machine learning
Methods and apparatus for suggesting image, video, and image album titles are presented. A machine-learning service executing on a mobile platform receives feature-related data. The feature-related data includes image-related data related to one or more images received from an application executing on the mobile platform and platform-related data received from the mobile platform. The image-related data and the platform-related data differ. The machine-learning service generates a title related to the one or more images by performing a machine-learning operation on the feature-related data. The machine-learning service sends the title related to the one or more images to the application.
US08886569B2 System and method for location based mobile commerce
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for facilitating financial transactions over a network includes communicating with a user via a first mobile communication device over the network, obtaining a geo-location of the first mobile communication device, communicating with a merchant via a second mobile communication device over the network, obtaining a radius of coverage for the second mobile communication device, determining whether the geo-location of the first mobile communication device is within the radius of coverage of the second mobile communication device, and providing a listing to the first mobile communication device of one or more items for sale by the merchant when the first mobile communication device is within the radius of coverage of the second mobile communication device.
US08886567B2 Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium storing image processing program
A picture image extracting section extracts a picture image from an image shown by image data stored in an image memory. A document image creating section executes a processing of superimposing a special dot pattern and a pattern image onto the image from which the picture image is extracted. After that, the picture image is put over the image to which the special dot pattern is superimposed, so that an image is created.
US08886565B2 Conditional access system and method
The present invention relates to methods of and systems for providing conditional access to electronic content. Electronic content is provided to a user along with authorization information. The electronic content may be transmitted to the user, and the user may use the authorization information to access the electronic content. An authorization code may be provided to the user such that the user may be granted access to the content based on a comparison of the provided authorization code and a second authorization code transmitted with the electronic content, and transmission of the second authorization code may be controlled by a content provider to control access by the user.
US08886552B2 Method and system for online user feedback on websites and software
A system for collecting and analyzing structured user feedback on websites, the system including website user structured feedback form generation functionality operative to generate structured feedback forms for providing website user feedback on website user interaction with a website-based process and website user feedback analyzing functionality operative to automatically collect and analyze website user feedback entered in the structured feedback forms and to provide at least one analysis report based on feedback from a multiplicity of website users.
US08886551B2 Centralized job scheduling maturity model
The invention provides systems and methods for improving the job scheduling structure of an organization by raising the job scheduling maturity level of the organization. In one embodiment, a plurality of job management maturity levels may be defined and arranged in a hierarchy. Current job management information may then be received from the organization regarding the organization's current job management structure. Using this current job management information, a current job management maturity level may be determined from the plurality of maturity levels. A target maturity level may then be selected from the plurality of job management maturity levels. One or more maturation operations may be devised that, when implemented, shift the organization to the target maturity level. The one or more maturation operations may then be performed, thus, shifting the organization to the target maturity level.
US08886549B2 Incremental, real-time computation of aggregate expressions
The invention provides novel systems, methods and software for business activity monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, for example, events can be monitored and/or evaluated before the data is stored in a database. This can provide for real-time business activity monitoring and, in some cases, can prevent the database from becoming a bottleneck in the monitoring process. Merely by way of example, a business activity monitor process might be implemented in a middleware layer between an enterprise application and the database that is used to store data for the application.
US08886538B2 Systems and methods for text-to-speech synthesis using spoken example
Systems and methods for speech synthesis and, in particular, text-to-speech systems and methods for converting a text input to a synthetic waveform by processing prosodic and phonetic content of a spoken example of the text input to accurately mimic the input speech style and pronunciation. Systems and methods provide an interface to a TTS system to allow a user to input a text string and a spoken utterance of the text string, extract prosodic parameters from the spoken input, and process the prosodic parameters to derive corresponding markup for the text input to enable a more natural sounding synthesized speech.
US08886532B2 Leveraging interaction context to improve recognition confidence scores
On a computing device a speech utterance is received from a user. The speech utterance is a section of a speech dialog that includes a plurality of speech utterances. One or more features from the speech utterance are identified. Each identified feature from the speech utterance is a specific characteristic of the speech utterance. One or more features from the speech dialog are identified. Each identified feature from the speech dialog is associated with one or more events in the speech dialog. The one or more events occur prior to the speech utterance. One or more identified features from the speech utterance and one or more identified features from the speech dialog are used to calculate a confidence score for the speech utterance.
US08886529B2 Method and device for the objective evaluation of the voice quality of a speech signal taking into account the classification of the background noise contained in the signal
A method and device are provided for the objective evaluation of voice quality of a speech signal. The device includes: a module for extracting a background noise signal, referred to as a noise signal, from the speech signal; a module for calculating the audio parameters of the noise signal; a module for classifying the background noise contained in the noise signal on the basis of the calculated audio parameters, according to a predefined set of background noise classes; and a module for evaluating the voice quality of the speech signal on the basis of at least the resulting classification relative to the background noise in the speech signal.
US08886524B1 Signal processing based on audio context
Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for determining audio context between an audio source and an audio sink and selecting signal profiles based at least in part on that audio context. The signal profiles may include noise cancellation which is configured to facilitate operation within the audio context. Audio context may include user-to-user and user-to-device communications.
US08886513B2 Embedded bus emulation
A bus emulation device in accordance with one aspect of the present description includes an embedded microcontroller and a nonvolatile memory carried on a body. The memory contains firmware which includes boot code adapted to boot the microcontroller to operate in one of a plurality of dedicated operating modes in response to a mode switch. These dedicated operating modes include a learning mode in which bus signals generated by other bus devices are recorded in the nonvolatile memory, and an emulation mode in which recorded bus signals are retransmitted over the bus in response to received signals, to emulate a bus device. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US08886512B2 Simulation apparatus, computer-readable recording medium, and method
A simulation apparatus is disclosed, including a hardware simulator and a CPU model. The hardware simulator activates one or more logical hardware models for verifying embedded software. The CPU model is one of the one or more logical hardware models which imitates a CPU which executes the embedded software, and to trigger the embedded software to operate without synchronization for each of instructions.
US08886508B2 Circuit simulation acceleration using model caching
A mechanism for improving speed of simulation of complex circuits that include transistors and other devices that share similar properties is provided. Circuit simulation speed is improved by efficiently identifying transistors and other devices having identical properties that share a same state at the time of interest in the simulation. Transistors and other devices are collected into groups having the same characteristics and topologies prior to simulation. Then during simulation, a determination is made as to whether a previously-evaluated transistor or device in the same group as a presently-being evaluated transistor or device has terminal input values that are the same, or nearly the same. If so, then output values of the previously-evaluated transistor or device are used in calculating the output values of the present transistor or device.
US08886507B2 Methods and systems for simulating circuit operation
A processor for use in simulating operation of a portion of an electrical circuit is provided. The processor is configured to receive at least one input indicative of electrical circuit data related to the electrical circuit being simulated, generate a model of the electrical circuit based on the at least one input, receive a user input that indicates the portion of the electrical circuit to be simulated, generate, based on the user input and the electrical circuit model, a partial circuit snapshot that corresponds to the portion of the electrical circuit, and apply at least one event to the partial circuit snapshot to simulate operation of the corresponding portion of the electrical circuit.
US08886504B2 Systems and methods for modeling and triggering safety barriers
Modeling and triggering safety barriers. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to model, using one or more models, safety barriers in one or more drilling rigs based on drilling rig safety barrier data. The processors are further caused to identify, based on the one or more models, a first impending invalidation of a first safety barrier. The processors are further caused to initialize, triggered solely by the instructions, a second safety barrier based on the impending invalidation.
US08886503B2 Discontinuity detection
Implementations of discontinuity detection are described. In one possible embodiment, information associated with a computer-generated model is accessed. A location associated with a feature in the model can be reviewed for possible discontinuity properties by comparing an orientation associated with the location to an orientation of a true normal to the feature associated with a specific point nearby the location. In one possible aspect, if the orientation associated with the location and the true normal are within a given range of one another, the location can be flagged as a possible discontinuity in the feature.
US08886499B2 Voice processing apparatus and voice processing method
A voice processing apparatus includes: a phase difference calculation unit which calculates for each frequency band a phase difference between first and second frequency signals obtained by applying a time-frequency transform to sounds captured by two voice input units; a detection unit which detects a frequency band for which the percentage of the phase difference falling within a first range that the phase difference can take for a specific sound source direction, the percentage being taken over a predetermined number of frames, does not satisfy a condition corresponding to a sound coming from the direction; a range setting unit which sets, for the detected frequency band, a second range by expanding the first range; and a signal correction unit which makes the amplitude of the first and second frequency signals larger when the phase difference falls within the second range than when the phase difference falls outside the second range.
US08886498B2 Simulator and method for simulating an acoustic field of an acoustic waveguide
Simulators and methods for simulating an acoustic field of an acoustic waveguide are provided. A sound speed profile of the acoustic waveguide is generated, where the acoustic waveguide has a region of a first fluid within a second fluid, and the first fluid has a different acoustic index of refraction than the second fluid. The sound speed profile and predetermined parameters of a sound source and a receiver are applied to a parabolic equation (PE) model of sound propagation in the acoustic waveguide. The acoustic field of the acoustic waveguide is determined from the PE model. The acoustic field includes an interference pattern from interference between an acoustic signal of the acoustic source and at least one signal refracted by the region of the second fluid.
US08886488B2 System and method for calculating the thermal mass of a building
The invention comprises a system for calculating a value for the effective thermal mass of a building. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system. One or more processors receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than the control system and compare the temperature measurements from the first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements obtained by said HVAC control system and said outside temperature measurements. The processors then calculate one or more rates of change in temperature at said first location.
US08886483B2 Image enhancement for resistivity features in oil-based mud image
An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation. An apparatus includes an elongated support member; a primary transmitter on the elongated support member; and a receiver toroid on the elongated support member, the receiver toroid being positioned transversely on the elongated support member and including a single coil antenna. Methods include positioning a logging tool in a borehole in the earth formation; using a transverse receiver toroid on an elongated support member on the logging tool, wherein the transverse receiver toroid includes a single coil antenna; and producing a signal responsive to an electrical signal produced by a primary transmitter.
US08886464B2 Microwave-accelerated metal-enhanced detection method
The present invention relates to systems and methods using microwave accelerated surface plasmonics for the detection of target species. The system has a metallic surface and the system is exposed to microwave energy for increasing detection time and/or the reaction kinetics of the target species and other interacting participants in the system so that plasmonic emissions from the metallic surface alone or coupled with emissions from a luminescing entity are detected.
US08886461B2 Method for validating inland barrier crossing in a digital map
A method for detecting inland barrier (16, 16′) crossings (24, 26, 30) using speed layers from community input probe traces in combination with a digital map. Inland barrier crossing specifications are detected and/or validated using information about the speed of probes that actually cross the barrier (16, 16′). A bridge (26) across the inland barrier (16) is inferred if the velocity average for barrier crossing probe traces is greater than an established threshold value. Conversely, a ferry (24) is inferred if the average velocity for barrier crossing probe traces is less than the established threshold value. When there is a prominent gap in the data for the barrier crossing probe traces, a tunnel (30) is inferred.
US08886448B2 Method of providing a volume-mass law for fuel consumption
A method of providing a volume-mass law for determination of a fuel flow rate of an engine, particularly providing a fuel flow rate to a helicopter turbine, comprising the steps of: determining a sample type of fuel and a start density ρo of said sample type of fuel in said fuel tank using an equation ρ0=aT+b0, with a and b0 being known for said sample type of fuel and calculating real time offset parameters bn from an algorithm to determine real time densities ρ of the fuel.
US08886437B2 Cruise control method
A method of controlling an engine in a motor vehicle includes opening a throttle to an increased angle when conditions for fuel cut cycling are met. More specifically, when cruise control is on, the motor vehicle is moving downhill, and the current speed drops below a target speed, the engine control unit may choose to increase the angle of the throttle while maintaining fuel cut. Under other interrupting events, the engine control unit may choose to resume fueling control or reduce the throttle angle.
US08886434B2 Method of operating an electronic stability control
A method of stabilizing a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is travelling at a forward speed and a lateral speed, and comprises a lateral acceleration sensor, a yaw sensor adapted to detect an actual yaw rate of the vehicle around a central axis, a steering mechanism adapted to steer the vehicle by a steered yaw rate, and an electronic stability control system. The method comprises determining the forward speed of the vehicle with the electronic stability control system, determining a yaw error rate based upon a difference between the actual yaw rate of the vehicle and the steered yaw rate, determining the vehicle is in an unstable condition by comparing the yaw error rate to a first predetermined yaw rate, computing a calculated lateral speed based on acceleration data from the lateral acceleration sensor, the forward speed, and the actual yaw rate in response to determining the vehicle is in the unstable condition, calculating a correction factor based on the calculated lateral speed of the vehicle and the forward speed of the vehicle, and adjusting operation of the electronic stability control system by the correction factor.
US08886433B2 Electric braking control apparatus and electric braking apparatus
An electric braking control apparatus for controlling an electric braking apparatus which includes a brake pad, a motor which generates a rotational torque, and a rotation/linear motion conversion mechanism which causes the brake pad to generate a pressing force based on the torque. The braking control apparatus includes an inverter which converts and outputs an electric current supplied from a power supply to the motor, and a microcomputer that receives power from the power supply, detects the value of a voltage applied from the power supply to the inverter, and controls the electric current output from the inverter depending on a result of the detection.
US08886432B2 Vehicle brake system and method of operating the same
A vehicle brake system and method that are designed to improve the driver braking experience by compensating for the effects that humidity and temperature can have on brake performance. According to one embodiment, the method determines if a braking event is underway and, if so, it measures humidity and brake temperature. With this information, the method is able to compensate for anticipated changes in the coefficient of friction (μ) of one or more brake components, such as brake pads or rotors, and to provide a modified brake command signal accordingly.
US08886430B2 Method for operating a brake-boosted brake system of a vehicle, and control device for a brake-boosted brake system of a vehicle
The invention relates to a method for operating a brake-boosted brake system of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: determining braking force information (28) with respect to a driver braking force (Ff), which is applied to the actuating element (10) when an actuating element (10) of the brake system is actuated by a driver of the vehicle; determining an actual speed parameter (34) with respect to an adjustment speed of a servo piston (16) of the brake system to which a servo power (Fu) of a brake booster (14) of the brake system is applied; determining a relative speed parameter (40) with respect to a relative speed of the servo piston (16) relative to the input piston (12); establishing a target speed parameter (50) with respect to the adjustment speed of the servo piston (16) taking into account the determined braking force information (28), the determined actual speed parameter (34) and the determined relative speed parameter (40), and actuating the brake booster (14) taking the established target speed parameter (50) into account. The invention further relates to a control device (24) and to a brake booster (14) for a brake-boosted brake system of a vehicle, and to a brake-boosted brake system for a vehicle.
US08886429B2 Oil pressure control device of automatic transmission
An oil pressure control device includes: line pressure adjusting means for adjusting the line pressure; line pressure switching means for switching, in two stages, the line pressure adjusted by the line pressure adjusting means; a linear solenoid valve that adjusts a required oil pressure for engaging frictional engagement elements with one another by engagement force, which is required thereby, by adjusting a pressure of hydraulic oil with the line pressure; and control means for controlling a value of a current supplied to the linear solenoid valve. The control means performs control to differentiate the value of the current, which is supplied to the linear solenoid valve in order to adjust (obtain) the same required oil pressure, in response to the line pressure switched by the line pressure switching means.
US08886426B2 Power-assisted bicycle with a gear shift smoothening function
A power-assisted bicycle includes a bicycle body with a power assistance provider and a derailleur, a microcomputer, a gear-shift control driver, and sensors. When the microcomputer decides to perform gear shifting, it controls the power assistance provider to provide an assistant power output and the gear-shift control driver to drive the derailleur to shift gears properly subject to a before-shifting time period, an in-shifting time period and an after-shifting time period. Further, the microcomputer controls the power assistance provider to change the current assistant power to a predetermined low assistant power during the before-shifting time period, or to maintain the predetermined low assistant power during the in-shifting time period, or to change the assistant power output to a level higher than the current assistant power and then to return to the said current assistant power after the end of the after-shifting time period.
US08886425B2 Methods and systems for a vehicle driveline
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline disconnect clutch operation is adjusted in response to vehicle mass so that the vehicle may operate similarly at lower and higher vehicle masses.
US08886421B2 System and method for protecting drive shaft
A method for protecting a drive shaft including determining whether a currently selected shift-speed may be a reverse speed, determining, in a case that the currently selected shift-speed may be the reverse speed, whether current steering angle may be full turn angle, determining, in a case that the current steering angle may be the full turn angle, whether stall condition may be satisfied, and controlling torque applied to the drive shaft to be smaller than limit torque by reducing output torque of an engine in a case that the stall condition may be satisfied may be disclosed.
US08886420B2 Control method for automatic transmission, and automatic transmission system
A control method for an automatic transmission includes a step of canceling the shift performed by a shift operation for performing shifting in the same direction as that of the shifting performed by automatic shift control, when the shift operation is performed before the input revolution speed correlation value of the automatic transmission becomes a predetermined value, after the automatic shift control has been started in a manual shift mode, a step of switching a shift stage display at a timing at which the shift operation that is to be canceled has been performed, and a step of switching the shift stage display at a timing at which the input revolution speed correlation value becomes the predetermined value when a shift operation is not performed within a period of time from when the automatic shift control is started till when the input revolution speed correlation value becomes the predetermined value.
US08886416B2 Hydraulic shovel operability range display device and method for controlling same
In a hydraulic shovel operability range display device, a calculation unit is configured to set a boundary between an operability range and an underbody area along a vertical direction in a global coordinate system when a vehicle body is horizontally oriented. When the vehicle body is tilted forward, the calculation unit is configured to set the boundary so as to be maintained along the vertical direction in the global coordinate system. When the vehicle body is tilted backwards, the calculation unit is configured to correct the boundary between the operability range and the underbody area so that an angle formed by the boundary and the ground surface on which the vehicle body is positioned is at least 90°.
US08886414B2 Method for detecting an actuating motion for an actuator of a motor vehicle equipment element and actuator of a motor vehicle equipment element
The present invention provides a method for detecting motion for the sensor controlled activation of an operating device for at least one motor vehicle equipment item having at least two capacitive sensors with overlapping detection zones, which provide signals to a control device to control the equipment item. The method comprises the determination of at least one direction of the operating motion within the overlapping detection zones as a valid motion direction for actuating the vehicle equipment item.
US08886409B2 Checking method implemented by a steering system regulating function
Checking method implemented by a function that automatically checks a steering system (1) of a motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel (4) to operate a powered system (20) that turns the wheels (10) under certain specific conditions of operation of this vehicle, this checking method calculating a reference steering wheel angle (Av cons) to provide torque control of the power system (20), characterized in that it additionally calculates a steering wheel rate of turn reference (Av cons) which is saturated at a predefined value (Avp target).
US08886402B1 Actively variable shock absorbing strut and system
Methods and apparatus are provided for an actively variable shock absorbing system for actively controlling the load response characteristics of a shock absorbing strut. In one embodiment the shock absorbing system comprises a controllable valve adapted for actively varying a load response characteristic of the shock absorbing strut. The shock absorbing system further comprises an electronic control system comprising an input for receiving a signal from a sensor, an algorithm adapted to determine an optimal position for the controllable valve in view of the sensor signal, and an output for sending a control signal to the controllable valve to place the valve in the optimal position.
US08886401B2 Driver assistance system for a vehicle
A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a display screen disposed within an interior cabin of the vehicle and a camera disposed at the vehicle and having a rearward field of view. The display screen displays video information captured by the camera for assisting the driver during a reversing maneuver. When the vehicle is not executing a reversing maneuver, the information display screen is operable to display information wirelessly communicated to the vehicle from a remote communication system. The information from the remote communication system may include traffic information or traffic related information, such as traffic flow, congestion, stalled vehicle or accident information, alternate routes for the vehicle, and/or traffic information derived from sensors or signs positioned along the road that the vehicle is traveling or on other roads near or associated with that road. The remote communication system may include a highway/road management monitoring system.
US08886399B2 System and method for controlling a vehicle user interface based on gesture angle
An in-vehicle computing system allows a user to control components of the vehicle by performing gestures. The user provides a selecting input to indicate that he wishes to control one of the components. After the component is identified, the user performs a gesture to control the component. The gesture and the component that was previously selected are analyzed to generate a command for the component. Since the command is based on both the gesture and the identified component, the user can perform the same gesture in the same position within the vehicle to control different components.
US08886396B2 Meter display device for vehicle and display method thereof
The present invention provides a meter display device provided in a vehicle, including a display portion having a display region in which a plurality of display areas extending elongatedly in the left-right direction of a meter body are provided in proximity in a line arrangement in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the left-right direction, and a display control portion switching each of the display areas between the display operated state and the non-display operated state and increasing the number of the display areas display-operated.
US08886388B2 Embedded damage detection system for composite materials of an aircraft
A damage-detection apparatus for an aircraft may include a composite structure comprising embedded conductive traces. The embedded conductive traces may be for transmitting a damage-detection signal to indicate if the composite structure has been damaged.
US08886384B2 Lawn mower for forming images
Provided is a lawn mower for forming images. The lawn mower includes: an image input unit receiving an image to be formed in a lawn area; a position detection unit detecting position information of the lawn mower on a movement path of the lawn mower; a lawn mowing unit processing a lawn according to any one of a plurality of lawn processing patterns which corresponds to each position on the movement path while the lawn mower moves along the movement path; and a control unit analyzing the image received from the image input unit, determining a lawn processing pattern, which corresponds to the position information detected by the position detection unit, to express the image in the lawn area and controlling the lawn mowing unit according to the determined lawn processing pattern and independently of the movement path.
US08886383B2 Automated systems, devices, and methods for transporting and supporting patients
Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an imager operably coupled to one or more of a power source, a steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., and having one or more modules operable to control the power source, steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., so as to maintain an authorized operator in the image zone.
US08886382B2 Method and system for regulating movement of an entity between zones
A method is described of regulating movement of an autonomous entity between a first zone (904) and a second zone (901), wherein the first and second zones each have an operation-defined geographical boundary within a defined geographical region. The autonomous entity is instructed to move into a transition zone (906, 907) that spans the first zone and the second zone, wherein the autonomous entity while located in the first zone is responsive to supervisory control of a first controller (912) associated with the first zone. The autonomous entity is registered with a second controller (910) associated with the second zone to enable the autonomous entity to respond to supervisory control of the second controller as the autonomous entity enters the second zone through the transition zone. The autonomous entity is de-registered from the first controller.
US08886376B2 Control apparatus for motor-assisted bicycle
A control apparatus for a motor-assisted bicycle detects a pedaling torque applied to a crankshaft with a pedaling force sensor, controls a motor unit of the motor-assisted bicycle in a regenerative control process to charge a battery, if the torque value of the detected pedaling torque is equal to or smaller than a predetermined level, and controls the motor unit in an assistive control process, if the torque value is greater than the predetermined level. The control apparatus performs an assistive transient control process with an assistive ratio lower than in the assistive control process while the crankshaft makes a predetermined number of revolutions and thereafter performs the regenerative control process, if the torque value detected by the pedaling force sensor has a peak equal to or smaller than the predetermined level.
US08886374B2 Torque control method for hybrid electric vehicle
The present invention provides a torque control method for an HEV, the method comprising: detecting an operation failure of an integrated starter-generator (ISG); calculating a driver demand torque based on a current accelerator position sensor (APS); controlling the hydraulic pressure and operation of a clutch so as to increase an engine speed to convert the driving mode of the vehicle from electric vehicle (EV) mode to hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode in the event that an operation failure of the ISG is detected and the driver demand torque is out of a predetermined range; and compensating the driver demand torque to a desired level based on a transfer torque from the clutch to a motor. The method can improve driving performance and power performance of HEV, in the event of ISG failure, by performing a hydraulic control for a clutch and calculating a driver request torque and a transfer torque from the clutch to a motor to compensate the drive request torque to a desired level.
US08886366B2 Device and method to estimate the state of a moving vehicle
Device and method to estimate the state of a moving vehicle overflying a certain terrain. The device comprises a camera oriented toward the terrain, an inertial measurement unit, a device for the processing of images and a “navigation filter”. This filter uses an innovative method to obtain state estimates of the vehicle. Unlike the conventional art, only robust and flexible expressions are used here, producing accurate state estimates, with no possibility of divergence, with no need for initial state estimates or high computational power. The method calculates parameters describing geometrical relationships among points of the trajectory and others on the terrain. These parameters are combined with estimates of the accelerations to obtain estimates of the velocity at a given time and of the gravity acceleration vector. By integrating these estimates, velocity and position profiles are obtained. The state is expressed in a reference system fixed with respect to the terrain.
US08886361B1 Energy decision management system
An energy decision management system manages, controls, or manipulates data to monitor, measure, or control one or more energy systems. The EDMS includes at least three modules or systems working together to manage the information needed for a user to render decisions as to which energy system to operate, in which the desire is to minimize costs. The EDMS includes a budget/forecast module, a scheduling module, and a performance module. The budget module creates a strategic energy decision plan to run various energy systems. The scheduling module creates an operational schedule to determine which energy system is best to operate based on predetermined criteria. The performance module produces management reports to quantify operational issues and successes.
US08886356B2 Selectable release mode merge subsystem
Methods, devices, non-transitory storage media, and systems that utilize operations including configuring each feed conveyor in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in a slug-building merge mode, monitoring to identify a first predefined condition, configuring each feed conveyor in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in a zippering merge mode in response to identifying the first predefined condition, monitoring to identify a second predefined condition, and configuring a first set of the feed conveyors in the plurality of feed conveyors to operate in the slug-building merge mode and a second set of the feed conveyors in the plurality of feed conveyors to simultaneously operate in the zippering merge mode in response to identifying the second predefined condition.
US08886346B2 Oversampling in a combined transposer filter bank
The present invention relates to coding of audio signals, and in particular to high frequency reconstruction methods including a frequency domain harmonic transposer. A system and method for generating a high frequency component of a signal from a low frequency component of the signal is described. The system comprises an analysis filter bank (501) comprising an analysis transformation unit (601) having a frequency resolution of Δf; and an analysis window (611) having a duration of DA; the analysis filter bank (501) being configured to provide a set of analysis subband signals from the low frequency component of the signal; a nonlinear processing unit (502, 650) configured to determine a set of synthesis subband signals based on a portion of the set of analysis subband signals, wherein the portion of the set of analysis subband signals is phase shifted by a transposition order T; and a synthesis filter bank (504) comprising a synthesis transformation unit (602) having a frequency resolution of QΔf; and a synthesis window (612) having a duration of Ds; the synthesis filter bank (504) being configured to generate the high frequency component of the signal from the set of synthesis subband signals; wherein Q is a frequency resolution factor with Q≧1 and smaller than the transposition order T; and wherein the value of the product of the frequency resolution Δf and the duration DA of the analysis filter bank is selected based on the frequency resolution factor Q.
US08886337B2 System and method for treating shoulder pain related to subacromial impingement syndrome
Systems and methods are provided for treating chronic pain occurring secondarily to subacromial impingement syndrome in a human body. A system is provided to deliver percutaneous electrical stimulation through at least one electrode to neurological motor points of the posterior and middle deltoid muscles to mediate such pain. One-time, continued and/or periodic dosing of treatment methods according to the present invention may result in a change to central nervous system maladaptive neuroplasticity.
US08886326B2 Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods
Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
US08886317B2 MRI operation modes for implantable medical devices
One embodiment of the present invention relates to an implantable medical device (“IMD”) that can be programmed from one operational mode to another operational mode when in the presence of electro-magnetic interference (“EMI”). In accordance with this particular embodiment, the IMD includes a communication interface for receiving communication signals from an external device, such as a command to switch the IMD from a first operation mode to a second operation mode. The IMD further includes a processor in electrical communication with the communication interface, which is operable to switch or reprogram the IMD from the first operation mode to the second operation mode upon receiving a command to do so. In addition, the IMD includes a timer operable to measure a time period from when the processor switches the IMD to the second operation mode. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the processor is in electrical communication with the timer, and is further operable to switch the IMD from the second operation mode back to the first operation mode when the measured time period reaches a predetermined time period.
US08886316B1 Authentication of external devices to implantable medical devices using biometric measurements
An apparatus comprises a medical device configured for implantation into a living organism. The medical device comprises processing circuitry, a memory and interface circuitry configured for communication with a monitoring device. The medical device is configured to receive a request for access from the monitoring device, to measure a physiological value of the living organism, to perform a pairing protocol with the monitoring device, the pairing protocol comprising a secure channel set-up phase followed by an authentication phase, and to permit access by the monitoring device responsive to a successful pairing in accordance with the pairing protocol, the successful pairing being based at least in part on a determination that a physiological value supplied by the monitoring device substantially matches the measured physiological value. The medical device performs the secure channel set-up phase before sending the measured physiological value to the monitoring device.
US08886315B2 Effectiveness of ventricular sense response in CRT
A method for monitoring the effectiveness of VSR and for taking action to improve the effectiveness of VSRs, if they are determined to be ineffective, includes comparing the a VSR evoked electrogram to a template electrogram of a pure biventricular paced CRT beat. If the electrograms, or features thereof, are similar, the VSR is determined to be effective. If the VSR is determined to be ineffective, the AV delay of biventricular CRT is shortened in a step-wise fashion in an incremental manner.
US08886313B2 Systems and methods for ranking and selection of pacing vectors
Approaches to rank potential left ventricular (LV) pacing vectors are described. Early elimination tests are performed to determine the viability of LV cathode electrodes. Some LV cathodes are eliminated from further testing based on the early elimination tests. LV cathodes identified as viable cathodes are tested further. Viable LV cathode electrodes are tested for hemodynamic efficacy. Cardiac capture and phrenic nerve activation thresholds are then measured for potential LV pacing vectors comprising a viable LV cathode electrode and an anode electrode. The potential LV pacing vectors are ranked based on one or more of the hemodynamic efficacy of the LV cathodes, the cardiac capture thresholds, and the phrenic nerve activation thresholds.
US08886311B2 Techniques for mitigating motion artifacts from implantable physiological sensors
Disclosed techniques include monitoring a physiological characteristic of a patient with a sensor that is mounted to an inner wall of a thoracic cavity of the patient, and sending a signal based on the monitored physiological characteristic from the sensor to a remote device.
US08886300B2 Methods and systems for selecting capture verification modes
Methods and systems are directed to selecting from a variety of capture verification modes. A plurality of capture verification modes, including a beat by beat capture detection mode and a capture threshold testing mode without intervening beat by beat capture detection is provided. An efficacy of at least one of the capture verification modes is evaluated, and based on the evaluation, a capture verification mode is selected.
US08886295B2 Method and apparatus for motility contrast imaging
A system for motility contrast imaging a biological target within tissue comprising a CCD array; an illumination source for generating an incoming beam; a first beam splitter for receiving the incoming beam and producing an object beam and a reference beam; a second beam splitter for illuminating a multitude of biological targets with the object beam and for directing backscattered object beams towards the CCD array; a computer-controlled delay stage for zero-path-matching the reference beam to the backscattered object beams; a reference beam that intersects the backscattered object beams at an angle to produce a series of interference fringes that modulate Fourier-domain information; and a computer for receiving a time series of Fourier-domain information. The interference fringes between the backscattered object beam and the reference beam are recorded by the CCD array and passed to the computer which constructs a digital hologram at successive times.
US08886294B2 Methods and systems for photoacoustic monitoring using indicator dilution
A patient monitoring system may provide photoacoustic sensing based on an indicator dilution to determine one or more physiological parameters of a subject. The system may detect an acoustic pressure signal, which may include one or more thermo-dilution responses, one or more hemo-dilution responses, or a combination thereof, using one or more sensor units. The system may use multiple light sources and/or detectors to diagnose and/or improve signal to noise ratio, distinguish between arterial and venous signals, prevent under-sampling, and separate the effects of hemo-dilution and thermo-dilution.
US08886286B2 Determining and verifying the coordinate transformation between an X-ray system and a surgery navigation system
The device enables the detection of positions of the navigation marking elements on a reference star by way of at least two projection images taken by an X-ray system at different pivoting angles of a C-arm. The positions of the navigation marking elements on the reference star are also calculated by a navigation system tracking camera. The transformation from the coordinate system of the navigation system into the coordinate system of the X-ray system is calculated from the position of the reference star detected by the X-ray system and the position of the reference star detected by the tracking camera. The navigation marking elements are located outside of the volume which is reconstructed by way of the imaging process in order to prepare tomographic images. The positions of the navigation marking elements are determined from two-dimensional projections. All the navigation marking elements need only be detected by at least two projection images.
US08886281B2 Snap and electrode assembly for a heart rate monitor belt
The present invention relates generally to a thin, low thickness snap integrated within or built within a heart rate monitor belt or snap and electrode assebly. The snap can be integrated or built directly in to a heart rate monitor belt. Furthermore, the heart rate monitor belt can be integrated within a textile or garment, for example a compression shirt, sports bra or cycling shorts. The snap can be flushly integrated into the belt or garment such the snap does not take away from the general wearability of the heart rate monitor belt or garment.
US08886278B2 Optical stimulus probe with reflecting surface
An optical stimulation probe has a probe body inserted into a subject, an electrode formed on the probe body and collecting a response signal from the subject, a light irradiator attached to the probe body and irradiating an optical signal and a reflecting surface formed on the probe body on the path of the optical signal. The reflecting surface changes the course of the optical signal irradiated from the light irradiator to the direction where the electrode faces by reflecting the optical signal. The electrode may be formed on a side portion of the probe body such that it faces a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the probe body, and the optical signal reflected by the reflecting surface may travel along a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the probe body, such that the direction where the electrode faces and the direction along which the reflected optical signal travels are parallel to each other.
US08886277B2 Micro-electrode array package using liquid crystal polymer and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed herein is a micro-electrode array package including a micro-electrode array comprising: a substrate section including a liquid crystal polymer; an electrode section collecting and transferring bio-signals; and a cover section insulating and protecting the electrode section and including a liquid crystal polymer, wherein the electrode section is disposed in contact with one surface of the substrate section, the cover section is adhered in contact with the surface of the substrate section on which the electrode section is disposed, and a space independent from the external environment is formed between the substrate section and the cover section adhered thereto. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a micro-electrode array package, including: forming alignment holes in a substrate section including a liquid crystal polymer and a cover section including a liquid crystal polymer; forming site window holes for an electrode section-exposure in the cover section; forming an electrode section on one surface of the substrate section; aligning the substrate section and the cover section by the alignment holes, and adhering the substrate section and the cover section with each other; and cutting the substrate section and the cover section adhered thereto to provide an outer shape.
US08886274B2 Non-invasive method for estimating of the variation of the glucose level in the blood of a person and apparatus for carrying out the method
The estimation of the variation of the glucose level in the blood of a person by the variation of the volume of the interstitial fluid compartments in muscular tissue due to a shift of fluid between the extracellular and intracellular compartments caused by variations of the osmotic pressure of the extracellular fluids which is in turn correlated with the glucose level. The variation of the volume of the interstitial fluid compartments is detected by a non-invasive conductometry measurement using electrodes placed in contact with the skin of the person overlying a portion of soft tissue including muscular fibers. To eliminate the adverse effect of the conductivity of the capillary vessels, the conductivity of the tissue is measured independently in two directions, namely parallel and transverse to the muscular fibers.
US08886272B2 Analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US08886269B2 Wearable light-guiding bands for physiological monitoring
A monitoring device includes a band capable of encircling a portion of the body of a subject, and an optical emitter and detector attached to the band. The band includes comprises light transmissive material in optical communication with the optical emitter and optical detector and is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more locations of the body of the subject and to collect light from one or more locations of the body of the subject and deliver the collected light to the optical detector. The monitoring device may include a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical detector, a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by the signal processor to a remote device, and/or an optical filter.
US08886265B2 Method and system for sharing antennas for high frequency and low frequency applications
Aspects of a method and system for sharing antennas for high frequency and low frequency applications may include configuring a multi-frequency antenna system by coupling a plurality of antennas together communicatively via one or more frequency-dependent coupling elements. Radio signals may be received and/or transmitted on one or more radio frequencies via said configured multi-frequency antenna system. The one or more frequency-dependent coupling elements may be frequency-tunable, and may comprise microstrips, transmission lines, and/or RLC circuits. The multi-frequency antenna system may be configured for concurrent operation or time-division duplex operation during the transmitting and/or the receiving. The one or more radio frequencies may operate concurrently or in time-division duplex. The radio signals for transmission may be generated in one or more radio frequency front-ends, and the received radio signals may be demodulated in one or more radio frequency front-ends.
US08886261B2 Multi-mode methods and devices utilizing battery power level for selection of the modes
A battery-powered wireless communication device monitors battery power level and switches from operation pursuant to a first wireless communication protocol to a second communication protocol in the event that the battery power level has dropped to a predetermined threshold while operating in idle mode or in active mode.
US08886260B2 Terminal and call providing method thereof
A terminal and a call providing method may be provided in which a calling terminal transmits both a video call and a voice call to a called terminal. A controller may generate a message for transmitting both a video call and a voice call to a selected contact information and a wireless communication unit may transmit the message generated by the controller to a called terminal that matches the selected contact information.
US08886259B2 System and method for user profiling from gathering user data through interaction with a wireless communication device
A system, method, and wireless communication device that profiles a user thereof, or a user at a second wireless communication device in communication therewith. The wireless communication device gathers user data for a user thereof, or from a user at a second wireless communication device, and either directly generates, or has generated elsewhere, a user profile, such as a personality or psychological profile, or medical diagnosis of the user, and can display the user profile to the user and/or alter the wireless communication device functionality based upon the user profile. The gathered user data can be from physical user interaction with the wireless communication device, or from other equipment resident at the wireless communication device, such as a camera and medical diagnostic devices.
US08886258B2 Wireless communication device and method with an orientation detector
A wireless communication device (200) is disclosed. It can include: an electronic device (210) including a display (240); a wearable device (242) including a first orientation detector (244) configured to detect a suitable display viewing orientation; and a controller (220) including a power saving module (290) coupled to the electronic device (210), the controller (220) configured to control the operations of at least the display (240) in response to a suitable orientation detection. Advantageously, the wireless communication device (200) can provides a simple, portable, compact and robust power savings feature that can actuate a display when properly orientated for viewing by a user and not actuate the display when not suitably oriented.
US08886256B2 Mobile electronic apparatus, danger notifying method, and medium for storing program
A mobile electronic apparatus includes a memory that stores a search range of an object and a processor that executes a process. The process includes acquiring a moving speed of the mobile electronic apparatus, determining the search range of the object on a basis of the moving speed, detecting the object existing within the search range, detecting whether a display unit of the mobile electronic apparatus is in an active state, and notifying that the object is detected when the display unit is detected to be in the active state and the object existing within the search range is detected.
US08886249B2 Method and system of setting transmitter power levels
The invention relates to a method and system of setting transmitter power levels, particularly in a Local Network Node transmitter, providing a pico cell for private use. A User Equipment (UE) is used to make measurements of the transmission link properties, such as downlink power and round trip time. Based on the measurements made at one or a plurality of locations, the power of the Local Network Node can be determined such that interference is minimized with any overlying cells of a macro-network. Call handovers between the UE and the cell of a macro network can also be arranged based on properties measure by the UE.
US08886235B2 Systems, methods, and computer program products for automatic mapping between parlay-X short messaging service message element XML encoding and native SMPP protocol data coding scheme
Systems, methods, and computer program products are for mapping an extensible markup language (XML) encoding declarations to a short message peer-to-peer (SMPP) data coding scheme (DCS) for a mobile-terminated (MT) short messaging service (SMS). An exemplary method includes receiving a message from a short message entity (SME) for delivery to a mobile device. The message includes a payload with at least one character encoded in accordance with a first character encoding scheme. The exemplary method further includes receiving from the SME a second encoding scheme for the message, implementing a mapping table to map the first character encoding scheme to the second character encoding scheme, and performing an encoding transformation of the message from the first character encoding to the second character encoding scheme yielding a modified message comprising the payload of the message encoded in the second character encoding scheme as specified by the SME.
US08886230B2 Systems and methods for service set identifier-based location detection
Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying a location based at least in part on identifying a wireless access point and at least one service set identifier associated with the wireless access point.
US08886229B2 Sensor networks based on wireless devices
Techniques for using wireless devices to implement sensor networks are described. For cognitive radio, a wireless device obtains measurements for a first system (e.g., a broadcast system) with which the wireless device is not in communication. The wireless device sends the measurements and associated location information and/or timestamps via a second system (e.g., a cellular system). A server receives measurements from a number of wireless devices and determines the coverage of the first system based on the measurements. For other applications, a wireless device obtains sensor information from at least one sensor at the wireless device and sends the sensor information and associated location information and/or timestamps via a wireless system. A server receives the sensor information and associated information from a number of wireless devices, aggregates the sensor information, and constructs a map. The wireless device may develop a user profile based on the sensor information and associated information.
US08886224B2 Methods for providing enhanced telecommunication services
A first method for facilitating personal contacts among a plurality of subscribers to a location-based person contact service provided by a service provider; and a second method for real-time monitoring of vital signs of a living being. In the first method, personal profiles are transmitted to subscribers. In the second method, information relating to a violated vital sign parameter determined from the monitoring is communicated to a local communication node.
US08886219B2 Timed fingerprint locating in wireless networks
A location of user equipment (UE) in a wireless network is determined. Geometric calculations are leveraged for an overlaid bin grid framework mapping the wireless network area to store differential values for each frame of the bin grid framework for each pair of relevant NodeBs. A timing offset can be determined, such that when a time value from a target UE is accessed, the location can be quickly determined. The target UE time value can be searched for in the pre-computed differential value data set indexed by a relevant NodeB site pair to return a set of frames (forming a hyperbola between the site pair) that can be intersected with a second set of frames for a second NodeB site pair for the same UE. The intersecting frames can represent the location of the UE in the wireless network and timing in the network is correctable based on the data.
US08886218B2 Using signal-generated location information to identify and list available devices
A wireless detecting device may be operable to receive one or more signals from a corresponding one or more wireless devices within range of the wireless detecting device. A list of the corresponding one or more wireless devices within range of the wireless detecting device may be displayed on the wireless detecting device. Based on the received one or more signals from the corresponding one or more wireless devices, distance, range or geographic location of the one or more wireless devices, relative to the wireless detecting device may be indicated on the wireless detecting device.
US08886214B2 Method and apparatus for increasing accuracy of wireless based real-time location system (RTLS) devices
A method and system for increasing accuracy of wireless based Real-Time Location System (RTLS) devices is disclosed. The method comprising determining whether a mobile device is in a dampening state and determining a wireless dampening factor if the mobile device is in the dampening state. The dampening factor is applied to a plurality of wireless signal strength readings to correct inaccurate readings caused by the dampened state. The system comprises a sensor module for determining whether a mobile device is in a dampening state, and a dampening factor calculator for determining a dampening factor, when the mobile device is in the dampening state.
US08886213B2 Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A method includes displaying an image on a display of a mobile terminal, wherein the image depicts an object; displaying information simultaneously with the image, wherein the information relates to the object at a particular time point of any of a plurality of different time points of a timeline; and changing the displayed information to reflect a change in the particular time point to another time point of the plurality of different time points of the timeline, wherein the changed displayed information is displayed simultaneously with the image and relates to the object at the another time point.
US08886212B2 Mobile tracking
A method of tracking a lead mobile device entails receiving tracking data that includes a current location for both the lead mobile device and at least one other mobile device that is also tracking the lead device. The method also entails displaying the current locations of the lead device and of the at least one other mobile device that is also receiving the tracking data. A related method shares tracking data with other mobile devices by activating a communication application, communicating with a plurality of other mobile devices via the communication application, and receiving user input to cause the mobile device to transmit tracking data to the plurality of other mobile devices.
US08886211B2 Notification adjustment for computing devices
A system and a method are disclosed for adjusting a notification mechanism within a computing device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a global positioning system signal corresponding to latitude and longitude positional values, calculating a current location of the computing device in response to the received global positioning system signal, determining whether the calculated current location is associated with a configuration identifying adjustment, and adjusting a notification setting on the device accordingly. In another embodiment, the system includes identifying a particular time, determining whether a notification setting to the device is needed, and if so, adjusting the notification setting for the device accordingly.
US08886206B2 Methods and systems for content processing
Many of the detailed technologies are useful in enabling a smart phone to respond to a user's environment, e.g., so it can serve as an intuitive hearing and seeing device. A few of the detailed arrangements involve using radio base station SDR equipment (e.g., at a cell tower) to perform image recognition operations for phones; forecasting service needs from remote processors, and reserving such capacity in advance of use; delegating a remote execution task to a service provider chosen in a competitive process, such as by a reverse auction; using nearby processors, e.g., in an automobile, another phone, or set-top box, for remote execution tasks; phones with separable camera and/or illumination components; phone camera illumination using different colors of light; using search tree methods with image frames captured at different focuses; using a phone's microprojector to aid in object identification; correcting lens aberrations by texture mapping captured imagery onto a corrective polygon surface using a phone GPU; etc. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US08886196B2 Service connection apparatus and method in portable terminal
A call connection method and apparatus are disclosed. When a service is released in a portable terminal that supports different communication modes due to a network problem, the call connection method and apparatus reconnects the service to another network. The call connection method includes performing a first service through a first network, analyzing, when the connected first service is released, the cause of disconnection, acquiring, when the cause of disconnection is a problem in the first network, connection information, and attempting to connect a second service through a second network based on the connection information.
US08886186B2 Verification of compatibility among telecommunication network features
A method and apparatus for assessing the compatibility of a selected network feature with the network features of an existing telecommunications network 10 comprises providing an abstraction of each network feature in the form of a data model 100 which defines the relationships between any network elements 12 or nodes 27, software elements 13 and software features 14 required for each network feature. Information 19 is then collected about the existing telecommunications network 10 to identity the deployment of the network features in the existing network. This information is then combined with the data model 100 to build a feature compatibility matrix 107 which defines the compatibility of network features in the existing telecommunications network 10. The matrix 107 can then be interrogated with information defining the parameters of the selected feature to be added or upgraded to determine whether the selected feature is compatible with features of the existing network.
US08886180B2 Enhanced techniques for using core based nodes for state transfer
Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and forwarding state, e.g., context and other information, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation thereby eliminating any need for state transfer messages to be transmitted between the second access node and the first access node during handoff. Other features of the invention are directed to the use of a core network node to store state information. State information stored in the core node can be accessed and used by access nodes in cases where a mobile node does not send a state transfer message during a handoff, e.g., because communication with the first access node is lost or because such messages are not supported.
US08886175B2 Method for configuring a radio terminal through a radio communication network, related network and computer program product therefor
A method for configuring a re-configurable radio terminal through a communication network operating according to a communication system, wherein the radio terminal is configured for exchanging information with at least one node of the communication network by using the communicating system. The method is characterized by the steps of associating with the one node of the communication network a server entity configured for using a protocol layer of the communication system and including a set of operating software modules for configuring the radio terminal with at least one set of elements of protocol stack suitable to reconfigure the radio terminal; associating with the radio terminal a client entity configured for using a respective protocol layer corresponding to the protocol layer of the server entity, establishing an over-the-air connection between the radio terminal and the server entity by using the protocol layer, and downloading at least one module of the set of operating software modules from the server to the radio terminal configuring at least in part the radio terminal.
US08886167B2 Communication node and network node
Disclosed is a technique to enable a communication node to acquire predetermined newer information (e.g., configuration information) held by another communication node while minimizing power consumption by communication nodes. According to the technique, when receiving a request for configuration information from a new MTC device 100, a MME 220 checks whether an existing MTC device 110 as a request target for configuration information connects or not. When the existing MTC device does not connect, the new MTC device is notified of time information (e.g., next connection time of the existing MTC device, a next connection time of a new MTC device or a next connection time zone of the new MTC device). This time information enables the new MTC device to specify a time after the MME acquires and holds the configuration information from the existing MTC device. The new MTC device reconnects based on this time information, whereby the new MTC device can acquire desired configuration information from the MME.
US08886146B2 Infrared receiving unit
An IR receiver having a decision logic circuit for activating or deactivating a squelch. Activation or deactivation of the squelch is effected in dependence on a mean value of the frequency, a variance of the receiver intermediate frequency, a mean value of the audio amplitude, a variance of the audio amplitude and/or a signal strength of the receiver intermediate circuit frequency.
US08886135B2 Apparatus, methods, computer programs and computer readable storage mediums for wireless communications
An apparatus including a first port configured to receive signals from a transceiver and to receive a first antenna; a second port configured to receive signals from a transceiver and to receive a second antenna; a first reactive component coupled to the first port; a second reactive component coupled to the first reactive component at a first junction and to the second port, wherein at least the first reactive component is configured to have an impedance that shifts the phase of a first signal, in a second operational resonant frequency band, received from the first antenna, and the second reactive component is configured to have an impedance that shifts the phase of a second signal, in the second operational resonant frequency band, received from the transceiver, so that the first signal and the second signal at least partially destructively interfere with one another at the first junction.
US08886133B2 Network station power adjustment apparatus and power adjustment method thereof
A network station power adjustment apparatus and a power adjustment method thereof are provided. The network station power adjustment apparatus connects to a base station. The base station connects to a mobile station. The network station power adjustment apparatus determines a synchronization time transformation function according to the connection status between the base station and the mobile station, and further transforms a Signal-Noise ratio between the base station and the mobile station into a synchronization time correspondingly. When the network station power adjustment apparatus determines that the synchronization time is greater than a threshold, the network station power adjustment apparatus transmits a power adjustment signal to the base station so that the base station lowers a base station down-link synchronization channel transmitting power accordingly.
US08886128B2 Method and system for providing proximity-relationship group creation
An approach for enabling computing devices to establish and recognize a relationship group based on physical proximity is described. A proximity management platform monitors a plurality of activities of a mobile device. The monitored activities include communications with one or more devices within a predetermined proximity of the mobile device. The proximity management platform stores the monitored activities and associated timing information.
US08886116B2 Link adaptation method and apparatus in wireless LAN system
A link adaptation method performed by a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system supporting multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) is provided. The method includes: receiving a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) request, a steered sounding physical layer convergence procedure (PLOP) protocol data unit (PPDU) which is beam-formed to the STA, and a MIMO indicator including MU-MIMO-related information from an access point (AP); and transmitting feedback information including an MCS acquired from the steered sounding PPDU and the MU-MIMO-related information to the AP in response to the MCS request.
US08886112B2 Media device with enhanced data retrieval feature
A personal media device including a broadcast receiver that receives broadcast media and broadcast media data from a broadcast source where the broadcast media data includes a media identifier associated with the broadcast media. The media device also includes a data transceiver that sends a retrieval request to a media server for enhanced media data where the retrieval request includes the media identifier and receives the enhanced media data via a wireless data channel. The media device further includes a processor that performs a media device operation in response to the received enhanced media data.
US08886109B2 Cleaning unit, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A cleaning unit including: frame abutment portions each including a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion; support portions each including a first support portion which abuts against the first abutment portion, and a second support portion which abuts against the second abutment portion so as to support a cleaning member in a pivotable manner about the frame abutment portions as a pivot axis; and an urging member configured to urge the cleaning member in a direction in which an elastic member is brought into contact with a photosensitive drum by pivoting the cleaning member.
US08886103B2 Fixing device capable of minimizing damage of endless belt and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes an endless belt and a belt holder contacting and rotatably supporting each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. A first protection ring and a second protection ring are interposed between the endless belt and the belt holder in the axial direction of the endless belt and rotatable in accordance with rotation of the endless belt to protect each lateral end of the endless belt as the endless belt is skewed in the axial direction thereof and brought into contact with the first protection ring. A friction coefficient between the first protection ring and the second protection ring is smaller than a friction coefficient between the first protection ring and the endless belt.
US08886098B2 Apparatus and method to control media wrinkling through roll flaring
According to aspects of the embodiments, an electrophotographic system utilizing a belt roll fuser mechanism which inhibits or minimizes wrinkling or slipping of printed media through the fuser is disclosed. In this device, the belt is driven at the ideal velocity at all locations across the width of the roll with minimal differential shear stress between the internal pressure roll and the inside of the belt in the nip and around the wrap. The ideal velocity is achieved by straining the circumference belt while its mounted on a roll support structure by flaring the other rolls equally and flaring the internal pressure roll to match the strained circumference of the belt. A small flaring of the rolls in the belt module would reduce sliding of the belt and make the transition between the wraps or the stripper shoe less stressful.
US08886093B2 Image forming apparatus, toner supply mechanism, and method of mounting and dismounting a toner cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes a toner cartridge, a toner supply unit, and a developing device. The toner cartridge includes a toner discharge port configured to discharge stored toner, and a shutter configured to open and close the toner discharge port. The toner supply unit includes an engagement unit configured to engage with the shutter of the toner cartridge, a toner supply port configured to communicate with the toner discharge port and to receive the toner supplied from the toner discharge port when the shutter is open, an opening member configured to open the shutter and an elastic member configured to cause the opening member to move following the shutter by being in contact with the shutter until at least the engagement between the engagement unit and the shutter is released during dismounting of the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus.
US08886089B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device including an image holding member; an intermediate transfer belt to whose outer surface a developer image formed on the image holding member of the image forming device is transferred, and that holds the developer image; a cleaning device that includes a plate member, and that performs a cleaning operation; and a collecting member that is disposed in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and that removes and holds a resin particle existing at the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt as a result of causing a speed of the intermediate transfer belt and a speed of the collecting member to differ from each other.
US08886082B2 Image forming apparatus having scanning unit stably supported to main casing
An image forming apparatus includes: a body frame accommodating an image forming unit; and a support frame supporting an image reading unit and disposed to confront the body frame in a confronting direction, the support frame having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the confronting direction. The support frame includes: first and second engaging portions provided at the first and second end portions respectively; and a pair of grip portions. The body frame has a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite to each other in the first direction, the body frame including: a first engaged portion provided at the first edge portion and engageable with the first engaging portion; and a second engaged portion provided at the second edge portion and engageable with the second engaging portion.
US08886078B2 Image forming apparatus
An intake fan (62) is provided on a side surface of an exposure device (40) provided below a plurality of image formation portions (20) far from a fixing unit (30), and a ventilation path (70) is formed on a side surface of the exposure device (40) on a back side, and outside air sucked by the intake fan (62) into a body of an apparatus is fed through the ventilation path (70) to the back side of the image formation portion (20K) closest to the fixing unit (30). The air flows through a space between a division plate (80) and the image formation portions (20) toward a discharge fan (61), and the image formation portions (20) are air-cooled sequentially from the image formation portion (20K). Thus, it is possible to effectively air-cool the image formation portions without increasing the size of the apparatus.
US08886065B2 Image forming apparatus
A reference value of an electric current flowing through each charging member is determined and recorded in a memory unit at a predetermined time by a reference value recording unit. A voltage application unit is caused to start applying a voltage to the charging members upon startup of an image forming apparatus, and a measurement value of an electric current flowing through each charging member is determined by a measurement unit. A charging member of which the measurement value is such that an absolute value of a difference between the reference value and the measurement value is not smaller than a predetermined value is marked by a determination unit. If there is at least one marked charging member and at least one not-marked charging member, a notification produced by a messaging unit is given through a notification unit.
US08886053B2 Multi-frequency dual-use system
The present invention relates to the dual-use of radiation, for example, but not limited to, visible or infrared light, for both a conventional application, e.g., illumination, combined with the additional or “dual-use” application of transmitting information without wires.
US08886051B2 Skew compensation and tracking in communications systems
Compensation for in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) timing skew and offset in an optical signal may be achieved based on the correlation between derivatives of I and Q samples in the optical signal. The magnitude of the correlation between derivatives is measured to determine the presence of skew. Correlation between derivatives may be coupled with frequency offset information and/or with trials having additional positive and negative skew to determine presence of skew. Correlations are determined according to pre-defined time periods to provide for continued tracking and compensation for timing skew that may result from, for example, thermal drift.
US08886046B2 Intrapersonal data communication system
Intrapersonal communication systems and methods that provide an optical digital signal link between two or more local devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a first signal converter disposed at a first end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from a first local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. The system can include an optical connector having a non-contact portion configured to couple optical digital signals between the first signal converter and the optical digital signal link across a gap. The system can include a second signal converter disposed at a second end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from the second local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link.
US08886040B2 Dynamic hitless resizing in optical transport networks
The invention relates to techniques for controlling a dynamic hitless resizing in data transport networks. According to a method aspect of the invention, a network connection comprises M tributary slots defined in a payload area of a higher order transport scheme of the data transport network and the method comprises the steps of receiving a connection resize control signal at each of the nodes along the path of the network connection; adding at each node along the path in response to the connection resize control signal a second set of N tributary slots to the first set of the M tributary slots, such that the network connection comprises M+N tributary slots; and increasing, after M+N tributary slots are available for the network connection at each node along the path, a transport data rate of the network connection.
US08886039B2 Optical packet switching system, optical packet switching device, and optical packet transmitter device
An optical packet switching device is provided with: a first input unit and a second input unit for receiving optical packet signals having destination information and information of a wavelength in use; an optical switch unit for routing the optical packet signals; a branching unit for branching the received optical packet signals; an analyzer unit for analyzing the header of the branched optical packet signals so as to detect the destination information and the information of the wavelength in use; and an output competition determination unit for checking for temporal competition of the optical packet signals based on the destination information and for determining whether the optical packet signals should be transmitted or discarded based on the information of the wavelength in use when there is competition.
US08886036B2 Optical line terminal for monitoring and controlling upstream/downstream optical signals
Disclosed is an optical line terminal for monitoring and controlling upstream and downstream optical signals, and more particularly, to an optical line terminal for monitoring and controlling upstream and downstream optical signals, which adds different low frequency monitoring signals to upstream and downstream wavelength division multiplexing optical signals in a bidirectional wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical network and senses and detects low frequency components of upstream and downstream optical signals to unite, monitor, and control optical outputs and wavelengths of the upstream and downstream wavelength division multiplexing optical signals into a single system.
US08886035B2 Optical line terminal in time division multiple access passive optical network and method for processing optical signal thereof
Proposed is an efficient method of configuration of a transmitter and a receiver for realizing an optical transmission/reception module apparatus including at least one transmission wavelength and two or more reception wavelengths over a time division multiple access passive optical network or an optical network using multiple transmission/reception wavelengths. Further, proposed is a method of configuration of an apparatus which enables optical alignment and assembly in a single package by using a single lens and three different WDM optical filters for a reception module capable of receiving four wavelengths.
US08886034B2 Systems and methods for optical receiver decision threshold optimization
The present invention provides systems and methods for a receiver threshold optimization loop to provide self-contained automatic adjustment in a compact module, such as a pluggable optical transceiver. The receiver threshold optimization loop utilizes a performance metric associated with the receiver, such as FEC, to optimize performance of the receiver. The receiver is optimized through a change in the receiver threshold responsive to the performance metric. Advantageously, the present invention provides improved receiver performance through a continuous adjustment that is self-contained within the receiver, such as within a pluggable optical transceiver compliant to a multi-source agreement (MSA). The receiver threshold optimization loop can include a fine and a coarse sweep of adjustment from an initial setting.
US08886033B2 Enhanced status monitoring, storage and reporting for optical transceivers
An optical transceiver and methods for using the same are disclosed. The optical transceiver and methods may be useful for providing more accurate information regarding trends in operation of the optical transceiver, predicting an impending failure of the optical transceiver, and providing details of the optical transceiver prior to failure. The optical transceiver generally includes (1) at least one of (i) a receiver configured to receive optical information and (ii) a transmitter configured to transmit optical information, (2) circuitry configured to sample data for one or more operational parameters of the receiver and/or transmitter, (3) logic configured to perform one or more statistical calculations on the sampled data to generate statistical information, and (iv) one or more memories configured to store the sampled data and the statistical information.
US08886032B2 Wavelength multiplexing optical transmission system, transmitter, and receiver
When a failure occurs in operational transmission multiplexing transponders 6-1 to 6-N, a wavelength multiplexing optical transmission system carries out selection switching control on N×1 optical switches 5-1 to 5-m and (N+1)×N optical switches 11-1 to 11-m to transmit a wavelength-multiplexed light signal by using reserve transmission and reception multiplexing transponders 6-R and 10-R, thereby sidestepping the failure.
US08886027B1 Photographic apparatus and method
A photographic flash attachment apparatus. The apparatus includes a sleeve configured to be fixed to a photographic flash, a ring configured to engage with the sleeve, and one or more attachment mechanisms coupled with the ring adapted to receive one or more photographic attachment elements. Upon attachment of one or more photographic attachment elements to the ring via the one or more attachment mechanisms, rotation of the ring provides rotation of the one or more photographic attachment elements relative to the photographic flash.
US08886024B2 Portable air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus is provided with an air plenum in fluid communication with an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan moves air through the air plenum. An interchangeable air conditioning core is removably installed within the air plenum and interposed between the air inlet and air outlet such that air moving along an air pathway is forced to proceed through the interchangeable air conditioning core.
US08886016B2 Propagating metadata associated with digital video
Some embodiments provide a method for processing metadata associated with digital video in a multi-state video computer readable medium. The method specifies a set of rules for propagating the metadata between different states in the video computer readable medium. It then propagates the metadata between the states based on the specified set of rules.
US08885991B2 Circuit switched optical interconnection fabric
A circuit switched optical interconnection fabric includes a first hollow metal waveguide and a second hollow metal waveguide which intersects the first hollow metal waveguide to form an intersection. An optical element within the intersection is configured to selectively direct an optical signal between the first hollow metal waveguide and a second hollow metal waveguide.
US08885990B2 Optical communication module
Provided is a compact optical communication module which is configured and structured so as to be suitable for high-speed transmission and which facilitates the fixing and positioning of optical elements and prevents misalignment of the optical axis during temperature change. An optical communication module is constituted so as to have a transceiver circuit as the circuit substrate, a submount unit, a fiber stub as an optical connector member, and an optical fiber coupling member. The optical communication module is configured as a modular component in which the optical axis of an optical element mounted on the submount unit is roughly parallel to the mounting surface of the transceiver circuit.
US08885988B2 Optical module
According to one embodiment, an optical module includes a light emitting device, a driver IC, a first lead, a ground lead, a second lead, an input lead, and a power supply voltage lead. A second electrode of the light emitting device is supplied with a voltage on a ground side from a second pad through the first lead. A first electrode is supplied with a voltage on a power supply side from the power supply voltage lead or from a first pad through the second lead.
US08885987B2 Photonic via waveguide for pixel arrays
Photonic passive structure to couple and guide light between photonic active devices (101), such as photo-diodes, light emitting devices and light-valves, which may be arranged into 2D arrays, and the top of the metallization layer stack (110,111,112) interconnecting said devices, with said photonic passive structure comprising a hole (116) between the near surface of said photonic active Ndevices and the top of said metallization stack, said hole being filled with a dielectric (113) having embedded metal films (117) and in which the embedded metal thin films are connected to a planar perforated metal film (123,124) formed on top of the metallization stack.
US08885981B2 Image retrieval using texture data
A method, processing system and computer program product for image retrieval. In one aspect, the method includes, in a processing system: determining a query feature set for a search image, wherein the query feature set includes texture data indicative of a texture of the search image for a plurality of resolutions of the search image; determining a dissimilarity measurement between at least one query feature of the query feature set and at least one target feature of a target image set for one or more target images, wherein the dissimilarity measurement is determined at least partially based upon the dissimilarity between the texture data of the search image and one or more target images for at least some of the plurality of resolutions of the target image; and identifying one or more target images based upon the dissimilarity measurement.
US08885973B2 Method for determining distortions in a particle-optical apparatus
The invention relates to a method of determining the distortions in the projection system of a TEM, and a method of correcting for these aberrations. The aberrations are determined by collecting a large number of images of a sample, the sample slightly displaced between each acquisition of an image. On the images sub-fields (303, 304-i) showing identical parts of the sample are compared. These sub-fields (303, 304-i) will show small differences, corresponding to differential aberrations. In this way the differential aberrations in a large number of points can determined, after which the aberrations for each point can be determined by integration. By now correcting the position of each detected pixel in an image to be displayed, the displayed image has much reduced aberrations. An advantage of the method according to the invention is that no highly accurate steps of the sample are needed, nor is a sample with known geometry needed.
US08885970B2 Image processing apparatus, method, and medium for correcting pixel values using parameters corresponding to image spatial frequencies
Image processing apparatus in which a spatial frequency around a pixel of interest and a statistic value of pixel values around the pixel of interest are calculated based on a pixel value of the pixel of interest and a pixel value of a pixel around the pixel of interest. Correction parameters are stored corresponding to sets of spatial frequencies and statistic values. A correction parameter is acquired corresponding to the spatial frequency around the pixel of interest and the statistic value of the pixel values around the pixel of interest, as a correction parameter for the pixel of interest. The pixel value of the pixel of interest is corrected using the correction parameter for the pixel of interest.
US08885963B2 Automatic image capture
A method of automatically capturing images with precision uses an intelligent mobile device having a camera loaded with an appropriate image capture application. When a user initializes the application, the camera starts taking images of the object. Each image is qualified to determine whether it is in focus and entirely within the field of view of the camera. Two or more qualified images are captured and stored for subsequent processing. The qualified images are aligned with each other by an appropriate perspective transformation so they each fill a common frame. Averaging of the aligned images reduces noise and a sharpening filter enhances edges, which produces a sharper image. The processed image is then converted into a two-level, black and white image, which may be presented to the user for approval prior to submission via wireless or WiFi to a remote location.
US08885960B2 Linking photographs via face, time, and location
The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology in which metadata such as time, location and/or people identity data, and/or tag or album data that is associated with a photograph or other content may be used to serendipitously discover related content, from among many possible sources. The related content may be from any local or remote source, such as uploaded by multiple contributors corresponding to content captured during a social event, and may be presented in an integrated view in conjunction with a local photograph or other content. Different views of content and related content are automatically constructed from the metadata, providing different user experiences/scenarios without manual collection of the photos. Also described are notifications of newly detected related content, and face detection and recognition to obtain additional metadata.
US08885953B2 Grain effect
For an image editing application, a tool in a graphical user interface (GUI) for making images appear grainy like older photographs is provided. The graininess effects tool blends a background grain image with a subject image. The visibility of graininess in the resulting final grainy image is controlled by the brightness in the subject image itself. The blending of the background grain image and the subject image includes (i) removing positive bias from the background grain image, (ii) performing multiplicative blending by multiplying the bias-removed background image with the subject image, and (iii) performing additive blending by adding the subject image with a weighted result of the multiplicative blending.
US08885948B2 Identifying and evaluating potential center stringers of a pallet in an image scene
A method is provided for evaluating a possible center stringer of a pallet. The method may comprise providing a first Ro image; providing a second Ro image comprising pixels that may generally correspond to an orthogonal distance from an origin point to one or more possible vertical right lines in the corresponding gray scale image; identifying, using a computer, a possible lower left corner location of a center stringer in the corresponding gray scale image; determining, using the computer, an upper left corner location based on the possible lower left corner location; identifying, using the computer, a possible lower right corner location of the center stringer in the corresponding gray scale image; and determining, using the computer, an upper right corner location based on the possible lower right corner location.
US08885943B2 Face detection method and apparatus
Image fragments are formed in regions corresponding to circles searched from an input image. In a cascade of homogeneous classifiers, each classifier classifies input vectors corresponding to the image fragments into a face type and a non-face type. This procedure is performed on all images included in an image pyramid and the coordinates of a face detected based on the results of the procedures on all images.
US08885939B2 Image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing for plural images and control method thereof
A writing unit writes first and second divided images on a frame memory. A reading unit adds an end portion included in the second divided image to the first divided image and reads the result as a first read image from the frame memory. Also, the read unit reads the second divided image as a second read image from the frame memory. An image processing unit performs image processing for the first and second read images read from the frame memory. A cutting unit cuts a second sub-end portion from the first read image after the image processing and outputs the result, and cuts a first sub-end portion from the second read image after the image processing and outputs the result.
US08885935B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus for performing a white balance correction for RAW data obtained by an image capturing unit, includes a storage, operable to store a RAW file to which the RAW data and developed data obtained by performing a development processing to the RAW data are attached, and a corrector, operable to perform the white balance correction for the RAW data based on the developed data stored in the storage.
US08885930B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing method is provided for an image processing apparatus which executes processing by allocating a plurality of weak discriminators to form a tree structure having branches corresponding to types of objects so as to detect objects included in image data. Each weak discriminator calculates a feature amount to be used in a calculation of an evaluation value of the image data, and discriminates whether or not the object is included in the image data by using the evaluation value. The weak discriminator allocated to a branch point in the tree structure further selects a branch destination using at least some of the feature amounts calculated by weak discriminators included in each branch destination.
US08885917B2 Mask pattern and correcting method thereof
A mask pattern and a correcting method thereof are provided. The correcting method includes the following steps. An original pattern having a first original contour and a second original contour is provided. The first original contour has a first original corner. The second original contour has a second original corner, which is near the first original corner. The first and second original corners are cut to form a cut pattern. An optical proximity correction (OPC) process is applied to the cut pattern to form the mask pattern.
US08885914B2 Apparatus and method for reinspecting prescription drugs
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for reinspecting a prescription drug, which reinspect the defect state of a defective drug pack after the defect state of an individually packaged drug has been inspected by analyzing the image of the drug. The apparatus includes a drug pack information transceiving module to receive primary inspection data, a drug reinspection controlling module to control a procedure of reinspecting a defect state of a drug pack which has been primarily determined as a defective drug pack, an image processing module to photograph the drug pack, which has been primarily determined as the defective drug pack, and to process an image of the drug pack, and a defect analyzing module to determine a defect state of the drug by analyzing a drug contained in the image of the drug pack provided from the image processing module.
US08885906B2 Alignment of positron emission tomographs by virtual tomographs
Positron emission tomography, possibly in combination with computed tomography, allows in addition to medical diagnostic imaging the quantitative determination of various parameters. Quantitative measurements using tomographs exhibit a severe and unavoidable dependency on the imaging properties of the respective tomograph, which makes quantitative assessment of the results difficult. This relates particularly to multicentric medical studies, which obligatorily require quantitative comparability of the data measured by the participating centers. The methods claimed herein include the definition of a virtual tomograph with defined imaging properties. The claimed methods also cover determination of the imaging properties of different tomographs on the basis of suitable reference measurements and possibly by using a calibration phantom. Based on the definition of the virtual tomograph and the determination of the imaging properties of different tomographs, the methods according to the invention then allow conversion and subsequently standardized and quantitatively comparable representation of the image data recorded by the different tomographs or systems as if all measurements were acquired equally by the virtual system. The method according to the invention therefore supports the quantitative evaluation of image data in multicentric studies.
US08885902B2 Interpolation free fan-to-parallel beam re-binning
A fan-to-parallel beam re-binner includes a time deflection determiner that determines time deflections for a plurality of integration periods for different detector pixels of an imaging system, a data shifter that shifts fan beam data acquired for the integration periods by the system by time offsets corresponding to the time deflections; and a data re-sorter that parallelizes the data.
US08885899B2 Method and a system for multi-dimensional visualization of the spinal column by vertebra vectors, sacrum vector, sacrum plateau vector and pelvis vector
A new system and method introducing vertebra vectors for the three-dimensional (3D) visualization and its use for the complete 3D characterization and numerical analysis of vertebrae in spinal deformities is covered in this application. A vertebra vector representing its respective vertebra means a simplification of the very complex visual information in digital images and 3D reconstructions provided by the current radiodiagnostic devices, without sacrificing relevant data for the information important to understand the underlying processes in spinal deformation: 3D mathematical data on vertebral size, position, orientation and rotation. A series of vertebra vectors of the thoracic and lumbar spinal region provide the ability of a virtual 3D reconstruction of the spine, in frontal, sagittal and horizontal plane. Conventional angulation measurement methods to describe and characterize the spinal column in the frontal and sagittal plane are preserved and readily applicable by methods using vertebra vectors as well.
US08885884B2 Motion analysis through geometry correction and warping
An object in a hot atmosphere with a temperature greater than 400 F in a gas turbine moves in a 3D space. The movement may include a vibrational movement. The movement includes a rotational movement about an axis and a translational movement along the axis. Images of the object are recorded with a camera, which may be a high-speed camera. The object is provided with a pattern that is tracked in images. Warpings of sub-patches in a reference image of the object are determined to form standard format warped areas. The warpings are applied piece-wise to areas in following images to create corrected images. Standard tracking such as SSD tracking is applied to the piece-wise corrected images to determine a movement of the object. The image correction and object tracking are performed by a processor.
US08885882B1 Real time eye tracking for human computer interaction
A gaze direction determining system and method is provided. A two-camera system may detect the face from a fixed, wide-angle camera, estimates a rough location for the eye region using an eye detector based on topographic features, and directs another active pan-tilt-zoom camera to focus in on this eye region. A eye gaze estimation approach employs point-of-regard (PoG) tracking on a large viewing screen. To allow for greater head pose freedom, a calibration approach is provided to find the 3D eyeball location, eyeball radius, and fovea position. Both the iris center and iris contour points are mapped to the eyeball sphere (creating a 3D iris disk) to get the optical axis; then the fovea rotated accordingly and the final, visual axis gaze direction computed.
US08885881B2 Scene determination and prediction
A system and method for scene determination is disclosed. The system comprises a communication interface, an object detector, a temporal pattern module and a scene determination module. The communication interface receives a video including at least one frame. The at least one frame includes information describing a scene. The object detector detects a presence of an object in the at least one frame and generates at least one detection result based at least in part on the detection. The temporal pattern module generates a temporal pattern associated with the object based at least in part on the at least one detection result. The scene determination module determines a type of the scene based at least in part on the temporal pattern.
US08885880B2 Robust video stabilization
Methods and apparatus for robust video stabilization. A video stabilization technique applies a feature tracking technique to an input video sequence to generate feature trajectories. The technique applies a video partitioning technique to segment the input video sequence into factorization windows and transition windows. The technique smoothes the trajectories in each of the windows, in sequence. For factorization windows, a subspace-based optimization technique may be used. For transition windows, a direct track optimization technique that uses a similarity motion model may be used. The technique then determines and applies warping models to the frames in the video sequence. In at least some embodiments, the warping models may include a content-preserving warping model, a homography model, a similarity transform model, and a whole-frame translation model. The warped frames may then be cropped according to a cropping technique.
US08885872B2 Method and device for early non-invasive diagnosis of fruit tree disease
The present invention relates to a non-invasive early diagnostic method and device that allows an early diagnosis of Marssonina blotch disease, which infects apple tree leaves, before the occurrence of lesions to enable early prevention of apple Marssonina blotch disease. The method and device of the present invention comprise the following steps: irradiating a broadband light source on an apple tree leaf undergoing diagnosis by means of optical coherence tomography; detecting interference signals from light reflected from the apple tree leaf undergoing diagnosis and light reflected from a reference arm; signal processing the interference signals, which have been detected through optical coherence tomography by means of a signal processing unit; obtaining digital tomographic image data on the apple tree leaf undergoing diagnosis; analyzing the digital tomographic image by means of a diagnostic unit; and observing the boundary of at least two tissues, wherein the apple tree leaf undergoing diagnosis is considered to be healthy and uninfected with Marssonina blotch disease if the boundary between at least two tissues is clearly defined, and wherein the apple tree leaf undergoing diagnosis is considered to be infected with Marssonina blotch disease if the boundary between at least two tissues is not clearly defined.
US08885870B2 Information processing device and computer program product
According to an embodiment, an information processing device includes: an extracting unit configured to extract a feature quantity of a content; a first detecting unit configured to detect a point in the content where variation of the feature quantity is a first predetermined amount or more; a second detecting unit configured to detect components of watermark information including components corresponding to respective intervals based on the point; a determining unit configured to determine a reliability of the watermark information that is detected; and a selecting unit configured to select a first watermark information from the watermark information based on a result of determination determined by the determining unit.
US08885869B2 Non-directional transducer
A transducer for the creation of acoustic energy omni directionally in a horizontal plane. The transducer includes a base plate, the base plate supporting a centrally located voice coil motor assembly and a hemi-toroidal diaphragm having a proximal edge and a distal edge. The proximal edge is appended to the centrally located voice coil motor assembly and the distal edge is appended to the base plate.
US08885863B2 Loudspeaker device
An object of the present invention is to provide a loudspeaker device which has a high moisture resistance and can further widens an audio range of low-frequency range sounds. To achieve the above object, a closed box loudspeaker device of the present invention includes a loudspeaker unit which is attached to an opening in a box and activated carbon fiber which is provided in the box to adsorb gas. The activated carbon fiber has plural pores, which are exposed on a surface of the activated carbon fiber and have a diameter of 2.0 nm or less, and a volume of the pores having the diameter of 2.0 nm or less occupies 60% or more of a volume of the entire pores, so that the loudspeaker device which simultaneously achieves both an enhancement of the moisture resistance and the widening of the audio range of the low-frequency range sounds can be provided.
US08885860B2 Direct drive micro hearing device
A device and methods are provided for a hearing device. In one embodiment, a hearing device includes a microphone to receive sound, an interactive tip and actuator. The actuator can include an actuator element and preload force element to place the interactive tip in contact with a portion of an ear. The hearing device includes circuitry coupled to the microphone and actuator, the circuitry configured to process sound received by the microphone and drive the actuator based on processed sound, wherein the actuator drives the interactive tip relative to a portion of the ear based on one or more signals received from the circuitry.
US08885855B2 High directivity boundary microphone
A high directivity boundary microphone (10) is disclosed, build up of a normal unidirectional microphone element (12) with cardioid-directivity behavior. The microphone element (12) is placed on a holder plate (14), with a membrane (16) of the microphone element (12) facing a plane (18) where a holder (20), comprising the holder plate (14) and a holder feet (22), is placed upon. The holder (20) ensures that the microphone element (12) is aligned at an angle (24) of preferably 35° respective to the plane (18). In this position, the microphone element (12) can detect direct sound (26) in a defined speech area (28A, 28B) as well as delayed sound (30) that is reflected at the plane (18) beneath the microphone element (12). Outside the defined speech area (28A, 28B) the sensitivity is strongly reduced.
US08885853B2 Electrostatic loudspeaker
An electrostatic loudspeaker includes: a vibrating member; an electrode disposed so as to be opposed to the vibrating member; a spacer member disposed on an opposite side of a face of the electrode, which is opposed to the vibrating member, and having acoustic transmission property; and a cover member disposed on an opposite side of a face of the spacer member, which is opposed to the electrode, and having waterproof property and insulation property.
US08885844B2 Variable noise masking during periods of substantial silence
Methods and systems for masking audio noise are disclosed. One apparatus includes a silence detector configured to detect a period of substantial silence in an audio signal; a masking noise source operably coupled to the silence detector, the masking noise source configured to generate a noise signal in response to the silence detector detecting the period of substantial silence; and at least one combining device operably coupled to the masking noise source, the at least one combining device configured to contribute to combining the audio signal and the noise signal. A method includes detecting a period of substantial silence in an audio signal; and combining masking noise with the audio signal during the period of substantial silence.
US08885828B2 Multi-community network with quantum key distribution
This invention relates to an optical star network in which different communities of users, such as different businesses, are provided through use of quantum key distribution (QKD). At least one QKD device is located at the central hub of the star network and communicates with QKD devices at the endpoints to establish a separate quantum key, i.e. a cryptographic key established by QKD, with each endpoint. A separate key manager is provided for each different community and each key manager is arranged to use the appropriate quantum keys for endpoints within that community to deliver the same community key to each endpoint. This community key can be used by for encrypting network traffic between members of the same community with security. Traffic passing through the network switch is encrypted, but the community keys are not delivered via the switch and hence the switch an error in the switch does not compromise security.
US08885822B2 Fuzzy protection of visual content
A method and system for encoding visual information are described. An image is divided in to n number of patterns. Each pattern is mapped on a matrix i.e positioned on X and Y-axis. The patterns are then arranged in a different and new shape for e.g. a rectangle, to that of the original shape of the image but having the same number of patterns or same area. The patterns of pixels are then relocated in the new shape and a matrix is again mapped for the new arrangement of patterns. A key is then generated comprising the information of the encrypted and earlier image. In order to decrypt the encrypted visual content or the encrypted image, the player reads the key or encrypted visual content and decrypts the encrypted visual content or image by means of the information provided by the key.
US08885815B1 Null-forming techniques to improve acoustic echo cancellation
A plurality of microphones of a communication device is grouped into multiple microphone groups, such that each microphone group includes two or more microphones. For each microphone group, output of the corresponding microphones is processed to form an acoustic null in a corresponding spatial direction, such that sound from the corresponding spatial direction is attenuated in the processed output. One of the microphone groups is selected based on various factors leading to maximal echo attenuation and rejection of reverberant components of the room. The selected microphone group is then used to detect sound from a near end talker of the communication device.
US08885813B2 Call queuing for location-aware mobile devices
A mobile device can be assigned to an extension configured as a Queue Agent (“QA”) in a call-queuing enabled virtual private branch exchange (vPBX). This and other mobile or fixed devices can be interconnected to form a virtual call center. Each extension can be assigned various rules, which specify how the incoming calls are answered at the extension and how calls in the call queue are selected for answering by the QA. As part of the rules, the vPBX system forwards calls from a call queue to the QA based on QA's availability status. If a location-aware mobile device is associated with the QA, the vPBX system can determine the QA's availability status based on a geographic location of the mobile device. A most geographically proximate agent can be selected for answering the call.
US08885811B2 Method and system for transferring a conference between a mobile communication device and a conferencing terminal
A conferencing system for an enterprise is disclosed. The conferencing system includes a management apparatus for managing conferencing resources in a premises. The management apparatus includes a communications link for communicating with a proximity announcing system, which indicates whether a portable communications device is near a conferencing device within the premises. The management apparatus can transmit a message to a proximate portable communication device indicating that a conferencing device is nearby. The proximity announcing system can include wireless transmitters and receivers associated with the premises and with portable communication devices used within the premises for tracking the location of the portable communication devices throughout the premises.
US08885806B2 Conference progress supporting apparatus
A disclosed conference progress supporting apparatus includes a unit to store information indicating each agenda of the conference and information indicating each participant of the conference, a unit to acquire information via an input device, the information indicating a start and an end of a speech of the participant of the agenda, a unit to store progress information in the conference information storage unit, the progress information associating the agenda, the participants, a start time when the information indicating the start is acquired, and an elapsed time since the start time with each other in response to the acquisition of the information indicating the start, and update the progress information by measuring the elapsed time until the information indicating the end is acquired, and a unit to present information indicating a speech status of each of the participants of each of the agendas based on the progress information.
US08885792B2 Shift register and row-scan driving circuit
The present invention discloses a shift register and a row-scan driving circuit including the same, the shift register comprising a first thin film transistor, a second thin film transistor used as an evaluating transistor, a third thin film transistor, a fourth thin film transistor used as a resetting transistor, a first capacitor and a reset voltage controlling unit, wherein the reset voltage controlling unit is used to control the gate voltage of the fourth thin film transistor, so that the gate voltage of the fourth thin film transistor is pulled down to a low level corresponding to a voltage input from a low voltage signal input when a signal input from a first clock signal input is at low level, a signal input from a second clock signal input is at high level and a signal input from a signal input is at high level.
US08885778B2 Techniques to manage processing of multiple input multiple output communications
An apparatus may include a channel estimation component to determine a channel estimation matrix H for a tone of a multiplicity of tones in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communications signal. The apparatus may further include a processor circuit coupled to the receiver component, and a flow selection component for execution on the processor circuit to calculate a figure of merit for power loss for the received tone based upon the channel estimation matrix, and based upon the calculated figure of merit, perform either a max-log calculation or a maximum likelihood calculation to determine a received signal metric, but not both calculations. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08885768B2 Low-loss, broad band, LC I/Q phase shifter
Some embodiments relate to a phase shifter that includes an I/Q phase shifter and at least one LC balun. Compared to conventional phase shifters, phase shifter has primarily only LC components, thereby limiting losses relative to conventional solutions. In one embodiment, for example, a phase shifter shows a large bandwidth at 77 GHz center frequency (e.g., 1 dB amplitude error bandwidth is approximately 40 GHz; 1° phase error bandwidth is about 16.5 GHz). The inductors included in phase shifter, in contrast to the quarter wave transmission lines used in conventional phase shifters, reduces chip area compared with conventional solutions. In some embodiments, an emitter follower helps to provide a relatively constant output that is largely independent of temperature, input power, VCC, manufacturing variation, and so on.
US08885767B2 Transmission method, transmitter, and receiver for multi antenna wireless communication system
A transmitter includes first generator to generate pilot source signal by modulating pilot sequence, second generator to generate data source signal with time length longer than that of pilot source signal by modulating data sequence, first cyclic shifter to perform cyclic shift of first shift amount to pilot source signal to generate first pilot signal, second cyclic shifter to performs cyclic shift of second shift amount to data source signal to generate first data signal, third cyclic shifter to perform cyclic shift of third shift amount to pilot source signal to generate second pilot signal, fourth cyclic shifter to perform cyclic shift of fourth shift amount to data source signal to generate second data signal, first transmit antenna to transmit first pilot signal and first data signal, and second transmit antenna to transmit second pilot signal and second data signal.
US08885760B2 Method and circuit for signal transmission via a current loop
A method for signal transmission between a first and a second system; wherein the first and the second system are connected with one another via a current loop. A direct current signal is transmitted in a first frequency range and an alternating current signal in a second frequency range via the current loop. The direct current signal and the alternating current signal are superimposed and the alternating current signal is used for digital signal transmission and the direct current signal is used for analog signal transmission. By means of a control unit, a first data stream is produced, in which the direct current signal and alternating current signal to be set in the current loop are digitally encrypted. The first data stream is transmitted to an electrical current output circuit and the transmitted first data stream is converted by the electrical current output circuit into an electrical current signal. The electrical current signal is composed of the superimposed direct current signal and alternating current signal, or the transmitted first data stream is converted by the electrical current output circuit into the direct current signal and the alternating current signal. The electrical current signal or the direct current signal and the alternating current signal are set in the current loop.
US08885744B2 Providing antenna diversity in a wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate cycling across antennas for channel quality information (CQI) computation and data transmission in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication environment. Pilots can be obtained by a wireless terminal. Further, virtual antennas that can be supported by a channel can be identified based upon an analysis of the pilots. Moreover, CQI computations can be effectuated for each of the supported virtual antennas; thereafter, the CQI data can be sent to a base station for data transmission scheduling. Additionally, the base station can schedule transmission based upon the CQI data and/or fairness considerations. When scheduled, data transmission can occur by cycling across the supported virtual antennas.
US08885738B2 Unified single and multiple carrier receiver architecture
A device and method for receiving and processing single carrier and multiple carrier signals through substantially common elements within a receiver that uses a radix 2 FFT on the signal, equalizes both types of signals in the frequency domain and then, for the multiple carrier signal performs a polynomial interpolation to bring the signal to symbol rate and for the single carrier signal performs an IFFT and samples the output to produce a signal at symbol rate.
US08885722B2 Moving picture coding method, moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture decoding method, moving picture decoding apparatus, and moving picture coding and decoding apparatus
A moving picture coding apparatus includes an intra-inter prediction unit which calculates a second motion vector by performing a scaling process on a first motion vector of a temporally neighboring corresponding block, when selectively adding, to a list, a motion vector of each of one or more corresponding blocks each of which is either a block included in a current picture to be coded and spatially neighboring a current block to be coded or a block included in a picture other than the current picture and temporally neighboring the current block, determines whether the second motion vector has a magnitude that is within a predetermined magnitude or not within the predetermined magnitude, and adds the second motion vector to the list when the intra-inter prediction unit determines that the second motion vector has a magnitude that is within the predetermined magnitude range.
US08885718B2 Motion vector coding method and motion vector decoding method
A motion vector coding unit executes processing including a neighboring block specification step of specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of a current block; a judgment step of judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction step of deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block; and a coding step of coding the motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector.
US08885717B2 Motion vector coding method and motion vector decoding method
A motion vector coding unit executes processing including a neighboring block specification step of specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of a current block; a judgment step of judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction step of deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block; and a coding step of coding the motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector.
US08885712B1 Image frame management
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with image frame management are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes classifier logic to categorize frames that represent an image as either reference frames or non-reference frames, where the categorization is based, at least in part, on motion vectors between the frames. The apparatus further includes management logic to store the reference frames and to delete the non-reference frames. Image generation logic may then reproduce the image by using the stored reference frames.
US08885707B2 Image decoding apparatus and image decoding method
An image decoding apparatus and an image decoding method capable of generating a decoded image even in the case where a pixel in a block is necessary as a reference pixel, the block where an intra prediction mode specified in a stream is unavailable according to a standard, due to a transmission error, a coding-method error, or the like. An image decoding apparatus determines whether or not a reference block necessary for a specified intra prediction mode is available, based on intra-prediction mode information extracted by an intra-prediction mode extraction unit and peripheral block pixel information stored in a line memory. The image decoding apparatus includes a reference pixel determination unit which controls a switch unit; and a substitute intra-prediction image generation unit which generates a substitute intra-prediction image in the case where a reference block necessary for a specified intra prediction mode is unavailable.
US08885706B2 Apparatus and methodology for a video codec system with noise reduction capability
Systems and methods for noise reduction are disclosed herein. The system includes a video codec system that can encode and/or decode video information. A noise representation component can identify flat regions and a quantizer can utilize the identified flat regions to suppress noise during compression. By suppressing noise during compression, the size of the video file to be compressed can be reduced, compression can use less resources and take less time, and the speed at which the compressed information is transferred can benefit. Noise can be reintroduced during the reconstruction of the video. Accordingly, both noise reduction and noise synthesis can be accomplished.
US08885705B2 Digital stream transcoder with a hybrid-rate controller
A rate controller in a transcoder, which receives a stream of compressed frames carried in a bit stream, selectively determines whether to quantize and/or threshold slices of a frame carried in the stream of frames. The rate controller determines the input size of the frame and based at least in part upon at least a desired size, requantizes and/or thresholds the frame such that the output size of the frame is approximately the desired size.
US08885699B2 Compensation factor reduction in an unrolled decision feedback equalizer
An unrolled decision feedback equalizer (DFE) as disclosed herein has a reduced number of compensation factors while keeping a suitable performance level for a given application. The KN possible DFE correction levels are reduced or compressed into fewer levels (R), merging together the levels that are the closest together where K represents the number of possible symbols in each baud, or the number of bits encoded into each baud, and N represents the DFE depth in number of bauds. A mapping function is then provided to convert the KN combinations of previous history bits into R sampler selections.
US08885698B2 Decision feedback equalizer utilizing symbol error rate biased adaptation function for highly spectrally efficient communications
One or more embodiments describe a decision feedback equalizer utilizing symbol error rate biased adaptation function for highly spectrally efficient communications. A method may be performed in a decision feedback equalizer (DFE). The method may include determining values of tap coefficients used by the DFE based. The tap coefficients may be determined based on an error signal that is based on an estimated inter-symbol-correlated (ISC) signal. The tap coefficients may be determined based on a set of error vector(s), where each error vector in the set represents a difference between estimated symbols generated in the receiver and expected symbols. Determining the values of the tap coefficients may include using a symbol error rate function that estimates the actual symbol error rate in the receiver, wherein the symbol error rate function receives as input the set of error vector(s).
US08885697B2 Reception device
A reception device includes two antennas 1-1, 1-2 that are in an inverse correlation, a switching unit 4 which switches the signal that is to be processed among signals received by the two antennas 1-1, 1-2, and an adaptive equalizer 6 which uses equalization coefficients to perform equalizing processing on the signal considered by the switching unit 4 to be the signal to be processed, and an equalization coefficient altering unit 7 which alters the equalization coefficients used by the adaptive equalizer 6 synchronously with the timing of switching performed by the switching unit 4. In the reception device can reduce the required time for reconvergence of equalization coefficients stemming from reception system switching in selection diversity using an inverse correlation antenna.
US08885690B2 Power control techniques for wireless transmitters
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to power control techniques for wireless transmitters. In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) adapted to convert a digital amplitude signal to an analog amplitude signal during a first transmission mode and adapted to convert a digital power level signal to an analog power level signal during a second transmission mode.
US08885683B2 Process for forming microstructure of nitride semiconductor, surface emitting laser using two-dimensional photonic crystal and production process thereof
A process for forming a microstructure of a nitride semiconductor including (1) preparing a semiconductor structure which has a second semiconductor layer formed of a group III nitride semiconductor containing at least Al formed on a principal plane of a first semiconductor layer formed of a group III nitride semiconductor containing no Al, and which has a hole that penetrates through the second semiconductor layer and is formed in the first semiconductor layer; (2) subjecting the semiconductor structure to heat treatment under a gas atmosphere including a nitrogen element after step (1) to form a crystal plane of the group III nitride semiconductor containing no Al, on at least a part of a side wall of the hole; and (3) forming a third semiconductor layer formed of a group III nitride semiconductor on the second semiconductor layer after step (2) to cover the upper part of the hole.
US08885673B2 Interleaving data packets in a packet-based communication system
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a first portion of a first packet at a first agent and determining whether the first portion is an interleaved portion based on a value of an interleave indicator. The interleave indicator may be sent as part of the first portion. In such manner, interleaved packets may be sent within transmission of another packet, such as a lengthy data packet, providing improved processing capabilities. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08885672B2 Method of transmitting data in a communication system
Processing of a signal received at a node in a network is described in which effects on the signal caused by applying an action to a first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of the first part of the signal and effects on the signal caused by not applying the action to the first part of the signal are quantified based on characteristics of a second, subsequent part of the signal. The action may then be selectively applied either to the first part of the signal or to the second part of the signal based upon the quantifications. In some embodiments, the action is applied to a portion of the signal for which the effects on at least one measure of the signal quality are less detrimental.
US08885668B2 Automated URL transmission to enable multimedia services
A method is disclosed for providing multimedia services includes receiving from a first user a request for engaging in multimedia services with a second user, generating a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), transmitting the URL to an address associated with the second user, enabling voice communication between the first user and the second user, and enabling multimedia services between the first user and the second user in response to receiving an indication that the second user has accessed the URL.
US08885649B2 Method, apparatus, and system for implementing private network traversal
A method, an apparatus, and a system for implementing private network traversal are disclosed, where a message exchanged between a TURN server in a public network and a communications terminal in a local area network is transmitted through a pre-established websocket connection. The method includes: receiving, by the TURN server, a resource allocate request sent by the communications terminal, allocating a relay address and a resource port for the communications terminal; receiving a TURN data packet sent by the communications terminal, where the TURN data packet includes communication data and a multiplexing identifier, and sending the communication data to the remote node through the communications channel identified by the multiplexing identifier, thereby solving a problem in an existing TURN technology that in case that a firewall only opening an HTTP port is deployed, communication between a communications terminal in a local area network and a remote node cannot be implemented.
US08885639B1 Method and system for providing talking call waiting in a SIP-based network
A method and system of an embodiment of the present invention may include receiving a call request directed to a called party, identifying announcement information associated with the call request, inserting the announcement information into a field of the call request and forwarding the call request.
US08885633B2 Data communication method, data communication system, and communication terminal
A portable telephone unit 10 receives management information comprising size information for contents data wanting to be downloaded, and adjusts an environment for receiving the object data, based on size information for contents data contained in the management information. To adjust the environment for receiving the object data it is possible, for example, to determine a communication system for receipt, or to secure a storage region for storing object data that has been received. After that, the portable telephone unit 10 transmits a contents data download request, and receives contents data returned in response to the download request. As a result, it is possible for the communication terminal to download the contents data in a state where the receive environment has been optimized according to the size of the contents.
US08885628B2 Code division multiplexing in a single-carrier frequency division multiple access system
In a single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system that utilizes interleaved FDMA (IFDMA) or localized FDMA (LFDMA), a transmitter generates modulation symbols for different types of data (e.g., traffic data, signaling, and pilot) and performs code division multiplexing (CDM) on at least one data type. For example, the transmitter may apply CDM on signaling and/or pilot sent on frequency subbands and symbol periods that are also used by at least one other transmitter. To apply CDM to a given data type (e.g., signaling), the transmitter performs spreading on the modulation symbols for that data type with an assigned spreading code. CDM may be applied across symbols, samples, samples and symbols, frequency subbands, and so on. The transmitter may perform scrambling after the spreading. The transmitter generates SC-FDMA symbols of the same or different symbol durations for traffic data, signaling, and pilot and transmits the SC-FDMA symbols.
US08885624B2 Radio resource allocation for cellular wireless networks
A cellular wireless network employs a method of allocating radio resources to femtocells so that the transmissions from femtocells do not occupy the same radio resource blocks as those used by a macrocell for signalling.
US08885615B2 Method and apparatus for generating a radio link control protocol data unit for multi-carrier operation
Techniques and apparatus for efficiently determining the radio link control (RLC) protocol data unit (PDU) size and flexible RLC PDU creation for multi carrier operation are disclosed. An example wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) calculates a maximum amount of data allowed to be transmitted for a current transmission time interval (TTI) for each of a plurality of carriers, and selects an RLC PDU data field size such that each RLC PDU to be multiplexed to a medium access control (MAC) PDU matches a minimum of the maximum amount of data calculated for the carriers. The maximum amount of data may, for example, be calculated based on an applicable current grant for each carrier for the current TTI. The RLC PDU may be generated for the later TTI on a condition that an amount of data in outstanding pre-generated RLC PDUs for a particular logical channel is less than or equal to 4N times the minimum of the maximum amount of data allowed to be transmitted by the applicable current grant for the carriers for the current TTI, where N is a number of activated carriers. The maximum amount of data may be calculated based on a remaining power on each carrier.
US08885609B2 Efficient handover of media communications in heterogeneous IP networks
An example method may involve using a first IP:port number to receive from a second IP:port number a first media control channel stream including quality information indicative of a quality of transmission of a first media stream being sent through a network; sending from the first IP:port number to the second IP:port number a second media control channel stream including quality information indicative of a quality of transmission of a second media stream; based on a network handover request, sending from a third IP:port number to the second IP:port number a third media control channel stream including quality information indicative of a quality of transmission of a third media stream being received through an alternate network; and using the third IP:port number to receive from the second IP:port number a fourth media control channel stream including quality information indicative of a quality of transmission of a fourth media stream.
US08885607B2 Method and apparatus for state/mode transitioning
A method and network element to control use of a transition indication message by a user equipment, the method including an inhibit transition indication in a configuration message; and sending the configuration message with the inhibit transition indication to the user equipment. Also, a method and user equipment for sending a transition indication, the method setting a timer according to an inhibit transition indication received from a network element; detecting that a data transfer is complete; and sending the transition indication upon detecting that the timer is not running.
US08885594B2 Master station in communications system and access control method
A communication band is divided into: a beacon period in which every master station transmits a beacon packet in competition with one another; a guaranteed-band period (e.g., a TDMA period or an FDMA period) in which only a specific permitted station is allowed access; and a CSMA period in which every station is allowed access in competition with one another. Plural master stations exchange information of a communication band used in the guaranteed-band period with each other, and based on the respective information, a communication band available to the master station's own communications system in the guaranteed-band period is calculated.
US08885588B2 Method and apparatus for performing HARQ in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for performing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in a wireless communication system. A terminal transmits a plurality of code words on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and receives a plurality of acknowledgement/non-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) signals, which indicates if each of the plurality of code words has been received, on each physical hybrid-ARQ indicator channel (PHICH) corresponding to the respective code words. A downlink resource for which each of the PHICHs is mapped is determined based on the smallest physical resource block (PRB) index (IPRB—RAlowest—index) among PRBs mapped by the PUSCH and on an uplink demodulation reference signal (DMRS) circular shift parameter (nDMRS), and those downlink resources for which PHICHs are mapped respectively do not overlap each other.
US08885587B2 Method, base station, and user equipment for feeding back ACK/NACK information for carrier aggregation
The present invention provides a method, a base station, and a user equipment for feeding back ACK/NACK information for carrier aggregation. The method includes: configuring a common field preset in DCI as at least one type of command field related to ACK/NACK feedback of at least two types of command fields related to ACK/NACK feedback, where the common field can be configured as the command fields related to ACK/NACK feedback; and sending the DCI to a user equipment, so that the user equipment feeds back ACK/NACK information according to the DCI. The present invention may realize backward compatibility of the ACK/NACK information feedback with an LTE system in carrier aggregation.
US08885585B2 Method, apparatus, and system for triggering resource configuration
A method, apparatus, and system for triggering resource configuration are disclosed. The method includes: if user equipment (UE) in Cell_Paging Channel (Cell_PCH) state figures out that the total amount of buffer occupancy at the radio link control (RLC) layer or the Transport Channel Traffic Volume is larger than configured threshold, the UE carries an indication in a MEASUREMENT REPORT message and transmit the message to the network side, wherein the indication is used to trigger the network side to configure resources for the UE. With the present invention, the resource configuration is quickly triggered, and the delay of the UE in the data transmission is minimized.
US08885584B2 Multiple concurrent data link management
An apparatus and method of determining an allocation of data across multiple data communications networks. A first portion of a data set is received through a first data communications network. A second portion, that is different from the first portion, of the data set is received through a second data communications network that uses a different data communications protocol than the first data communications network. A respective characteristic of the first data communications network and the second data communication network are determined at a receiver. In response to determining these respective characteristics and based upon the respective characteristics, an allocation of data between the first data communications network and the second communications network is determined such that the allocation satisfies at least one data transfer performance requirement associated with the data set. An indication of the allocation is sent to a transmitter of the data set.
US08885583B2 Conditional uplink timing alignment in a mobile station device of a radio communication system
A mobile station device transmits a random access preamble, whose preamble ID is randomly selected by the mobile station device, 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. In an uplink synchronous status, upon receiving the random access response including timing deviation information, the mobile station device ignores the timing deviation information. Otherwise, the mobile station device performs the uplink timing alignment based on the timing deviation information.
US08885574B2 Communication control method and communication system for starting secondary usage of an assigned spectrum
There is provided a communication control method comprising the steps of: providing an instruction for determining availability of usage of a second communication service using a part or whole of a spectrum assigned to a first communication service from a first communication device to a second communication device; providing an instruction for sensing a communication environment from the second communication device to a communication device located nearby; transmitting sensed data obtained by sensing a communication environment from a third communication device located near the second communication device to the second communication device; determining availability of usage of the second communication service based on the sensed data by the second communication device; transmitting a determination result on availability of usage of the second communication service from the second communication device to the first communication device; and permitting usage of the second communication service in accordance with the determination result received from the second communication device by the first communication device.
US08885572B2 Wireless communication methods and apparatus using beacon signals
Methods and apparatus supporting peer to peer communications are discussed. A base station, serving as an access node for wireless terminals also communicates information supporting peer to peer communications. A base station transmits a beacon signal conveying information about a peer to peer frequency band and also receives user data from a plurality of wireless terminals, using the base station as a current point of network attachment. In some embodiments, the beacon signal is transmitted into the same frequency band being used for access node based communications and identifies a different frequency band which is to be used as a peer to peer frequency band. Alternatively, or in addition, in support of peer to peer communications, a beacon signal transmission apparatus, a free standing device which doesn't transmit user data, transmits a sequence of beacon signal bursts, each beacon signal burst including at least one high power beacon symbol.
US08885562B2 Inter-chassis redundancy with coordinated traffic direction
A method, in a first network element of an inter-chassis redundancy (ICR) system, of cooperating with a second network element of the ICR system to provide ICR. The network elements are coupled by a synchronization channel. IP addresses are announced with a favorable traffic direction attribute. It is determined that the second network element either has announced the IP addresses with an unfavorable traffic direction attribute less favorable than the favorable direction attribute, or has not announced the IP addresses. Sessions that are connected through the IP addresses are handled. Session state synchronization messages that include session state for the handled sessions are transmitted over the synchronization channel to the second network element. It is determined, after an occurrence of a failure event that inhibits the first element from handling the sessions, that the IP addresses have been announced by the second network element with a favorable traffic direction attribute.
US08885557B2 Dynamic selection among algorithms for generating fillers for security of data communications
To reduce the effectiveness of eavesdropping attacks, a filler such as one utilized in a data frame for link-layer LAPDm signaling may be dynamically selected to utilize a first bit pattern (first filler) generated utilizing a first algorithm when the transmissions are unencrypted, and to utilize a second bit pattern (second filler) generated utilizing a second algorithm different from the first algorithm when the transmissions are encrypted.
US08885555B2 System and method for transferring wireless network access passwords
The present disclosure provides an access node for transferring and/or assigning network passwords. The access node includes a first interface for sending and receiving communication of a first type to and from a first node operating in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The access node also includes a second interface for sending and receiving communication of a second type to and from a second node in a mobile network, such as a GSM/GPRS network. The access node further includes a short messaging service (SMS) module for sending and receiving. SMS messages to the second node carrying an OTP allocated. The access node also includes a mechanism to verify a precondition before the OTP is sent to the second node.
US08885549B2 Bandwidth and burst rate allocation in very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks
A device receives bandwidth information associated with a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) network. The device calculates burstable and allocated bandwidths for VSAT carriers of the VSAT network to ensure that the VSAT carriers have bandwidth available for traffic that exceeds a minimum target burstable bandwidth. The device also implements the burstable and allocated bandwidths in the VSAT network.
US08885548B2 Apparatus and method for admitting new devices in a self-healing, self-organizing mesh network
Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for admitting new devices in a self-healing, self-organizing mesh network. An example embodiment is configured to listen on a dynamically-determined frequency for the network management message; to send jamming messages to neighbor nodes in the wireless mesh network, if the network management message is not received; to receive the network management message from a neighbor node in response to the jamming messages; to synchronize a node timer to the received network management message; and to begin data communications with neighbor sensors using the synchronized node timer.
US08885545B2 Radio communication system, communication apparatus, method for controlling simultaneous transmission from multiple base stations, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A first GW function block (6) transmits packet data to a first base station (1). A second GW function block (7) is able to communicate with the first base station (1), a second base station (2), and the first GW function block (6). A control function block (5) signals information related to a communication path configuration to transfer the packet data. Setup of a communication path, to transmit the packet data to the base station (1) from the GW function block (6) through the GW function block (7), is performed based on first packet data communication information signaled by the control function block (5). Setup of a communication path, to transmit the packet data to the base station (2) from the GW function block (7), is performed based on at least one of the first packet data communication information, second packet data communication information signaled by the control function block (5) to the base station (1), and third packet data communication information signaled by the control function block (5) to the GW function block (7).
US08885541B2 Extension of UE-RS to DWPTS
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate sending and/or receiving user equipment specific reference signals (UE-RSs) in a wireless communication environment. A UE-RS pattern can be selected, yielded, etc. based upon a number of symbols from a subframe utilized for downlink transmission. At least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern can vary based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission. For instance, the at least one time domain component can be punctured, time-shifted, and so forth. Further, UE-RSs can be mapped to resource elements of the subframe as a function of the UE-RS pattern. Moreover, a UE can utilize the UE-RS pattern to detect UE-RSs on the resource elements of the subframe. Further, the UE can estimate a channel based upon the UE-RSs.
US08885538B2 Method and apparatus for ascynchronous direct link setup in WLAN system
The present invention provides a Direct Link Setup (DLS) method performed by an Access Point (AP) in a Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) system. The method includes receiving a DLS request frame, requesting to set up a Direct Link (DL) from a DLS initiator, transmitting an Async-DLS request frame including information about a channel on which the DL is scheduled to set up to a DLS responder indicated by the DLS request frame, receiving a DLS response frame from the DLS responder in response to the Async-DLS request frame, and transmitting an Async-DLS response frame, including the information about the channel for which the DLS will be performed in the DLS response frame, to the DLS initiator.
US08885537B2 Signalling for digital broadcasting system
A method and apparatus for transmitting a plurality of data streams in a wireless broadcast system are provided. The method includes mapping the plurality of data streams onto a super-frame that includes a plurality of frames; inserting signalling information in a first signalling information field for assisting in the reception of a first number of said plurality of data streams for a given frame, the first number being less than or equal to a limit applicable to each of the plurality of frames; dependent on a number of data streams for the given frame being greater than the limit, inserting signalling information in a second signalling information field; inserting said first and second signalling information fields in a preamble section of said given frame; and transmitting the plurality of frames.
US08885530B2 Method and system for power management in an ad hoc network
A method and system may transmit during a traffic indication window, such as an ATIM window, a frame indicating a power management mode and may then transition to the power management mode, possibly before the end of the traffic indication window. Another method and system may receive or transmit during a beacon interval an indicator of a desire to enter a sleep state, then transmit or receive an indicator of a desire to enter the sleep state, and then enter the sleep state prior to the end of the beacon interval. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08885524B2 Method and apparatus for negotiating master station
A method and an apparatus for negotiating a master station are disclosed. The method includes receiving from a master station a management frame that carries a master identity; obtaining a maximum time interval between receiving of the management frame and receiving of a next management frame from the master station; and determining, according to a preset policy, a local station itself as a new master station if no more management frame is received after the maximum time interval.
US08885519B2 Wireless mesh network transit link topology optimization method and system
A method and configuration manager generates a routing topology for a wireless mesh network. The wireless mesh network has a plurality of internal nodes, at least one edge node, and at least one originating device. A plurality of potential routing solutions is determined which contain a plurality of paths through the wireless mesh network from the at least one originating device to the at least one edge node such that data communicated from the at least one originating device reaches the at least one edge node in no more than a predetermined number of hops. Each potential routing solution is based on at least one measured wireless communication parameter between internal nodes. Metric calculations for each potential routing solution are computed to determine a preferred routing solution. The wireless mesh network is configured to route traffic using the preferred routing solution.
US08885517B2 Operational state mismatch identification for a mobile device
A method is disclosed for determining an operational state mismatch condition between a user equipment (UE) and a network (NW) in a 3rd generation partnership project long term evolution (3GPP LTE) network. In one embodiment, the UE can monitor messages from the NW. If the messages are not consistent with a current UE operational state, then a state mismatch is determined. In another embodiment, the UE can monitor a paging channel. If the UE receives a paging message that is not consistent with a current UE operational state, then a state mismatch is determined.
US08885513B2 Systems and methods for dynamically changing network node behavior
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for dynamically changing network node behavior. In one exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of nodes defining a wireless sensor network, and the plurality of nodes includes at least a first node and a second node. The first node has an output interface, a virtual machine, a stack, and a communication device. The stack is configured to packetize payload data into data packets, and the communication device is configured to communicate the data packets via wireless signals through the wireless sensor network. The output interface is coupled to an apparatus, and the second node is configured to transmit a script image through the wireless sensor network to the first node via at least one data packet. The first node is configured to run the script image on the virtual machine such that the apparatus is controlled by the script image.
US08885510B2 Heterogeneous channel capacities in an interconnect
Systems and methods involving construction of a system interconnect in which different channels have different widths in numbers of bits. Example processes to construct such a heterogeneous channel NoC interconnect are disclosed herein, wherein the channel width may be determined based upon the provided specification of bandwidth and latency between various components of the system.
US08885492B2 Methods and apparatus for analyzing network traffic in a network including a plurality of network analyzers
Methods and apparatus for analyzing network traffic in a network are disclosed herein. The network may include a plurality of network analyzers. An method for analyzing network traffic may include: receiving a data packet at a first network element including a first header that indicates a destination address of a second network element; generating a new data packet including a copy of at least a portion of the received data packet and a second header that indicates a destination address of a plurality of network elements that are configured to monitor the network traffic; transmitting the received data packet to the second network element; and separately transmitting the new data packet. The new data packet may be replicated by one or more network elements along transmission paths between the first network element and the plurality of network elements that are configured to monitor the network traffic.
US08885482B2 Dynamically enabling a channel for message reception in a mesh network
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for operating a node in a wireless mesh network to scan each one of a plurality of channels received at a processing node in a wireless mesh network in a predetermined order for a predetermined duration to detect a preamble; detect the preamble on one of the plurality of channels; remain on a current one of the plurality of channels to receive a message after the predetermined duration when the preamble includes a predetermined series of symbols; and resume scanning each one of the plurality of channels after the message is received.
US08885467B2 Congestion causation in a network interconnect
A method and system for detecting congestion in a network of nodes, abating the network congestion, and identifying the cause of the network congestion is provided. A congestion detection system may comprise a detection system, an abatement system, and a causation system. The detection system monitors the performance of network components such as the network interface controllers and tiles of routers to determine whether the network is congested such that a delay in delivering packets becomes unacceptable. Upon detecting that the network is congested, an abatement system abates the congestion by limiting the rate at which packets are injected into the network from the nodes. Upon detecting that the network is congested, a causation system may identify the job that is executing on a node that is the cause of the network congestion.
US08885462B2 Fast repair of a bundled link interface using packet replication
In one embodiment, a packet switching device sends packets to be sent from a single link of a bundled link interface to multiple egress network processing units (on a same or different line cards). A single one of these multiple egress network processing units is configured to be in the active mode sending particular sets of packets. The other egress network processing units are configured for these particular sets of packets to be in the non-active mode, and hence, will correspondingly drop these particular sets of packets. In case of failure, an egress network processing unit can quickly (e.g., changing a flag) be changed to the active mode to quickly reduce or eliminate loss of packets.
US08885450B2 Method of manufacturing master disc, method of manufacturing recording medium, program, and recording medium
Information unique on a group basis is allowed to be efficiently added to a recording medium in which read-only contents data is recorded. Master data (cutting master) having a data structure in which data to be replaced is managed by a file system as data to be arranged in a specific folder or a specific file is produced by authoring. In manufacturing of a recording medium master disc through premastering and mastering using the master data, replacement data unique to each group is prepared, and the data to be replaced is replaced with the replacement data to perform the mastering (master disc exposure). Then, a stamper is produced from the produced master disc, and recording media is mass-produced by using the stamper. In other words, the replacement data are changed on the group basis to allow the recording media in which the replacement data (such as GP1 and GP2) unique to each group is recorded as read-only data to be manufactured, as recording media containing the same content.
US08885439B1 Systems and methods including clock features such as minimization of simultaneous switching outputs (SSO) effects involving echo clocks
Systems and methods are disclosed relating to semiconductor memory devices. According to some exemplary implementations, there are provided innovations associated with power and ground pads in devices such as static random access memory (“SRAM”) devices and dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) devices. Moreover, the systems and/or methods may include features such as minimization of simultaneous switching outputs (SSO) effects relating to echo clock circuitry.
US08885438B1 Startup circuit detecting stable system clock
A startup circuit is disclosed operable to perform a startup operation for an electronic device comprising digital circuitry. The startup circuit comprises a first clock generator operable to generate a first clock comprising a first period, and a second clock generator operable to generate a second clock independent of the first clock. The second clock is operable to clock the digital circuitry and comprises a second period less than the first period. A first counter counts a first number of the second periods over the first period, and the second clock is enabled to clock the digital circuitry in response to the first counter.
US08885431B2 Semiconductor device changing an active time-out time interval
A device includes a plurality of memory areas each including a plurality of memory cells required to perform refresh of information stored therein by a plurality of sense amplifiers, a first control circuit determining, in connection with one refresh requirement signal at a time, a number of refresh-target memory areas to produce a determined number, a second control circuit controlling, in accordance with the one refresh requirement signal at a time, refresh operation with respect to the refresh-target memory areas, and a third control circuit adjusting, in connection with the refresh operation, an active time-out time interval according to the determined number. The active time-out time interval indicates a time interval from a first time instant when the sense amplifiers are activated to a second time instant when word lines related to the refresh-target memory areas are inactivated.
US08885425B2 Semiconductor memory and method of controlling the same
According to one embodiment, a memory includes main and redundancy regions including cells, first units in the main region, second units in the redundancy region, a column control circuit configured to selects the first units using a first pointer corresponding to an address signal, and selects the second unit using a second pointer when defect address of the main region matches the address signal so that defect first unit is replaced with the second unit, a selection circuit configured to connects one of a first path for the main region and a second path for the redundancy region to a third path based on a comparison result between the address signal and the defect address.
US08885423B2 DRAM sense amplifier that supports low memory-cell capacitance
The disclosed embodiments provide a sense amplifier for a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). This sense amplifier includes a bit line to be coupled to a cell to be sensed in the DRAM, and a complement bit line which carries a complement of a signal on the bit line. The sense amplifier also includes a p-type field-effect transistor (PFET) pair comprising cross-coupled PFETs that selectively couple either the bit line or the complement bit line to a high bit-line voltage. The sense amplifier additionally includes an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) pair comprising cross-coupled NFETs that selectively couple either the bit line or the complement bit line to ground. This NFET pair is lightly doped to provide a low threshold-voltage mismatch between NFETs in the NFET pair. In one variation, the gate material for the NFETs is selected to have a work function that compensates for a negative threshold voltage in the NFETs which results from the light substrate doping. In another variation, the sense amplifier additionally includes a cross-coupled pair of latching NFETs. These latching NFETs are normally doped and are configured to latch the voltage on the bit line after the lightly doped NFETs finish sensing the voltage on the bit line.
US08885414B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of an embodiment includes a p-type semiconductor substrate, a first P-well formed in the semiconductor substrate, and on which a plurality of memory cells is formed, an first N-well surrounding the first P-well and electrically separating the first P-well from the semiconductor substrate, a first negative voltage generation unit configured to generate a first negative voltage, a boost unit configured to boost a voltage and generate a boosted voltage, and a well voltage transmission unit connected to the first negative voltage generation unit, the boost unit, and the first P-well, and configured to switch a voltage between the first negative voltage and the boosted voltage, the voltage being applied to the first P-well.
US08885405B2 Flash memory and associated programming method
A flash memory includes a program voltage generator, plural memory units, a current limiter, and a multi-bit program control unit. The program voltage generator is used for providing a constant program voltage during a detecting cycle and providing a dynamically-adjustable program voltage during a program cycle. The plural memory units output plural drain currents and plural data line voltages to plural data lines. The current limiter is used for receiving a reference current and a reference voltage, thereby controlling the plural drain currents. During the detecting cycle, a specified data line voltage of the plural data line voltages with the minimum voltage level is detected by the multi-bit program control unit. During the program cycle, the specified data line voltage is used as a feedback voltage, and the dynamically-adjustable program voltage is generated by the program voltage generator according to the feedback voltage.
US08885403B2 Programming a split gate bit cell
A method of programming a split gate memory applies voltages differently to the terminals of the selected cells and the deselected cells. For cells being programming by being coupled to a selected row and a selected column, coupling the control gate to a first voltage, coupling the select gate to a second voltage, programming is achieved by coupling the drain terminal to a current sink that causes the split gate memory cell to be conductive, and coupling the source terminal to a third voltage. For cells not being programmed by not being coupled to a selected row, non-programming is maintained by coupling the control gate to the first voltage, coupling the select gate to a fourth voltage which is greater than a voltage applied to the select gate during a read in which the split gate memory cells are deselected but sufficiently low to prevent programming.
US08885400B2 Compensation scheme for non-volatile memory
Methods for performing parallel voltage and current compensation during reading and/or writing of memory cells in a memory array are described. In some embodiments, the compensation may include adjusting a bit line voltage and/or bit line reference current applied to a memory cell based on a memory array zone, a bit line layer, and a memory cell direction associated with the memory cell. The compensation may include adjusting the bit line voltage and/or bit line reference current on a per memory cell basis depending on memory cell specific characteristics. In some embodiments, a read/write circuit for reading and/or writing a memory cell may select a bit line voltage from a plurality of bit line voltage options to be applied to the memory cell based on whether the memory cell has been characterized as a strong, weak, or typical memory cell.
US08885398B2 Spin current generator for STT-MRAM or other spintronics applications
Spin current generators and systems and methods for employing spin current generators. A spin current generator may be configured to generate a spin current polarized in one direction, or a spin current selectively polarized in two directions. The spin current generator may by employed in spintronics applications, wherein a spin current is desired.
US08885392B1 RAM/ROM memory circuit
A configurable memory circuit is provided. The memory circuit includes an inverter coupled to another inverter as back-to-back inverters. A programmable switch is placed on each side of the memory circuit. The programmable switches are used to configure the memory circuit. The memory circuit, depending on the configuration of the programmable switches and the back-to-back inverters, may operate as a ROM that stores a logic high value, a ROM that stores a logic low value, or a RAM.
US08885391B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor memory device including transistor and capacitor
A memory circuit is included. The memory circuit includes n field-effect transistors (n is a natural number of 2 or more) and n capacitors each including a pair of electrodes. A digital data signal is input to one of a source and a drain of the first field-effect transistor. One of a source and a drain of the k-th field-effect transistor (k is a natural number of greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to n) is electrically connected to the other of a source and a drain of the (k−1)-th field-effect transistor. One of the pair of electrodes of the m-th capacitor (m is a natural number of n or less) is electrically connected to the other of a source and a drain of the m-th field-effect transistor of the n field-effect transistors. At least two of the n capacitors have different capacitance values.
US08885386B2 Write driver in sense amplifier for resistive type memory
Example embodiments include a level shifting write driver in a sense amplifier for a resistive type memory. The write driver may include a cross-coupled latch circuit, a first output section, a second output section, and an input section. The first output section includes one or more first driving transistors to drive a first current through the first output section and not through the cross-coupled latch. The second output section includes one or more second driving transistors configured to drive a second current through the second output section and not through the cross-coupled latch. The current flows of the outputs sections are isolated from the latch circuit. In some embodiments, no two PMOS type transistors are serially connected, thereby reducing the consumption of die area. In some embodiments, a single control signal is used to operate the write driver.
US08885378B2 Identifying a result using multiple content-addressable memory lookup operations
In one embodiment, a first search operation is performed based on a base lookup word on a first plurality of content-addressable memory entries of an overall plurality of priority-ordered content-addressable memory entries to identify a first matching entry and a corresponding first overall search position of the first matching entry within the overall plurality of priority-ordered content-addressable memory entries. A second search operation is performed based on the base lookup word on a second plurality of content-addressable memory entries of the overall plurality of priority-ordered content-addressable memory entries to identify a second matching entry and a corresponding second overall search position of the second matching entry within the overall plurality of priority-ordered content-addressable memory entries. The corresponding first overall search position is compared to the corresponding second overall search position to determine the overall search result.
US08885364B2 Flyback converter with primary side and secondary side feedback control and method for the same
A flyback converter with primary side and secondary side feedback control includes a transformer, a secondary-side feedback unit and a feedback control unit. The secondary-side feedback unit is electrically connected to a secondary winding of the transformer and comprises an isolated signal transceiver device and an error amplifier. The feedback control unit is electrically connected to an auxiliary winding of the transformer and operatively connected to the isolated signal transceiver device. When the flyback converter is operated in heavy load conditions, the feedback control unit receives a secondary feedback control signal sent from the isolated signal transceiver device for feedback control. When the flyback converter is operated in light load conditions, the feedback control unit receives a primary feedback control signal sensed by the auxiliary winding for feedback control.
US08885363B2 Dual-mode switching power control device
A dual-mode switching power control device includes an electric transformer, a PWM driving controller, a switching transistor, an isolation element, an output diode and an output capacitor. The PWM driving controller is connected to the switching transistor coupled to the electric transformer. The first side inductor of the electric transformer and the switching transistor are coupled to an input power, and the second side inductor of the electric transformer is coupled to the output diode. The output capacitor and a load are connected in series. The output power is converted into a feedback signal by the isolation element. The PWM driving controller determines to perform DCM or CCM based on the feedback signal to control the current flowing through the electric transformer, and the output power is generated. Therefore, the efficiency of power conversion is improved and is suitable for high power applications.
US08885356B2 Enhanced stacked microelectronic assemblies with central contacts and improved ground or power distribution
A microelectronic assembly includes a dielectric element, first and second microelectronic elements, signal leads, and one or more jumper leads. The dielectric element has oppositely-facing first and second surfaces and first and second apertures extend between the surfaces. A plurality of electrically conductive elements are positioned thereon. Signal leads are connected to one or more of the microelectronic elements and extend through one or more of the first or second apertures to some of the conductive elements on the dielectric element. One or more jumper leads extend through the first aperture and are connected to a contact of the first microelectronic element. The one or more jumper leads span over the second aperture and are connected to a conductive element on the dielectric element.
US08885346B2 Electronic deviec having heat dissipation device
An exemplary electronic device includes a printed circuit board, electronic components mounted on a top surface of the printed circuit board, and a heat dissipation device. The heat dissipation device contacts the electronic components to absorb heat generated from the electronic components and dissipate the heat by natural convection and thermal radiation. The heat dissipation device includes a base plate contacting the electronic components to absorb heat generated therefrom and thermal hairs mounted on a top surface of the base plate. The thermal hairs wave with heated airflow at an inner of the electronic device to dissipate heat transferred from the base plate.
US08885338B1 Computer tablet holder
A holder for a computer tablet to allow the user greater freedom and movement and is compatible with different tablets having various dimensions. A method provides steps for engaging and disengaging a tablet computer with the holder.
US08885332B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes an input device, a display that displays information, a first housing provided with the input device, a second housing provided with the display, a coupler that couples the first housing and the second housing to each other to enable changing of a positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing, a setter that allows a user to make a setting for enabling or disabling inputting to the input device, a positional-relationship detector that detects the positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing, and a controller that enables inputting to the input device, regardless of a setting by the setter, when a result of detection by the positional-relationship detector satisfies a first predetermined condition, in a case where a setting by the setter is made to disable inputting to the input device.
US08885331B2 Portable electronic apparatus
A portable electronic apparatus includes coupled first and second casings with respective image display surfaces, and including a full-closed state where both casings are overlaid on each other, a tilt state where the second casing has been moved from the full-closed state so that the image display surfaces in both casings are exposed and, also, the image display surface in the second casing is inclined with respect to the image display surface in the first casing at an angle of opening which is equal to or more than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees, and a full-open state where the image display surfaces in both casings are flushed with each other in the same plane, and the portable electronic apparatus being capable of holding the second casing, in attitude, with respect to the first casing in the full-closed state, in the tilt state and in the full-open state.
US08885314B2 Lightning protective high-voltage divider
The present invention relates to a lightning protective high-voltage divider, which comprises: a printed circuit board; an impedance coil; a coupling capacitor having one end being coupled to the signal input terminal; a transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil, wherein one end of the primary coil is coupled to the other end of the coupling capacitor, the other end of the primary coil is grounded, the secondary coil is coupled to at least a signal output terminal, so the input signal inputted by the signal input terminal is enabled to be coupled to the signal output terminal through the primary coil and the secondary coil; when a lightning surge current occurs, the impedance coil is able to guide the surge current to the ground, thereby protecting the coupling capacitor from being damaged.
US08885311B2 Dual voltage hot swap module power control
A module hot swap circuit includes a low voltage-drop rectifier adapted to receive either positive or negative voltages of different absolute values. The rectifier is coupled to a power manager that provides dual startup/shutdown voltage thresholds and inrush current limiting. A detector prevents reverse current flow allowing the module to hold up during input voltage drop-outs.
US08885309B2 Undervoltage protection system
A system includes undervoltage protection circuitry coupled in parallel with electronic circuitry configured to receive a supply voltage from a power supply. The undervoltage protection circuitry is configured to shunt undervoltage current resulting from an undervoltage transient in the supply voltage away from the electronic circuitry.
US08885301B1 Magnetic write head characterization with nano-meter resolution using nitrogen vacancy color centers
A crystal film with one or more nitrogen vacancy centers is placed in a magnetic field produced by a recording head and excitation illumination and a varying excitation field is applied. A confocal microscope or wide-field microscope optically detects a decrease in a spin dependent photoluminescence in response to the excitation illumination caused by electron spin resonance (ESR) of the at least one nitrogen vacancy center at varying excitation frequencies of the excitation field to measure Optically Detected Spin Resonance (ODMR). A characteristic of the recording head is determined using the ODMR.
US08885295B2 Undulating disk clamp
Provided herein is an apparatus, including a plurality of teeth extending from an outer perimeter of an annular disk clamp to an inner perimeter of the annular disk clamp and an annular groove in an outer perimeter of a hub, wherein the plurality of teeth do not engage the annular groove of the hub when the disk clamp is unlocked into an unlocked form, and wherein the plurality of teeth engage the annular groove of the hub when the annular disk clamp is locked into a locked form, clamping at least one disk onto the hub at a mounting point for the at least one disk.
US08885293B2 Rotating device and manufacturing method thereof
A rotating device includes a shaft body that includes a lower rod and an upper rod formed with a retainer hole encircling a part of the lower rod and fixing the lower rod, a bearing body including a shaft encircling member that encircles the shaft body, and freely rotatable relative to the shaft body, a radial dynamic pressure generating groove which is provided in either one of the shaft body and the bearing body and which generates dynamic pressure in a radial direction, a thrust dynamic pressure generating groove which is provided in either one of the shaft body and the bearing body and which generates dynamic pressure in a thrust direction, and a lubrication medium present in a gap between the shaft body and the bearing body.
US08885292B1 Insulating member and disk device with the same
According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a disk recording medium, a drive motor, an actuator, a housing which accommodates the recording medium, the drive motor, and the actuator, a printed circuit board opposed to an outer surface of the housing, and an insulating sheet interposed between the printed circuit board and the outer surface of the housing. The insulating sheet has rigidity and elasticity and includes a convex portion. The convex portion has a height not smaller than a clearance between the printed circuit board and the outer surface of the housing and is sandwiched between the printed circuit board and the outer surface of the housing.
US08885283B1 Disk drive adjusting write block size based on detected vibration
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk having a plurality of data tracks. A vibration is detected, and a write operation is configured to write a first plurality of blocks and a second plurality of blocks to a target data track based on the detected vibration. The first plurality of blocks are written to the target data track during a first revolution of the disk, and the second plurality of blocks are written to the target data track during a second revolution of the disk.
US08885281B2 Electrical device having a reducing harddisk vibration function and reducing harddisk vibration method
The present application discloses a method to reduce hard-disk vibrations. The method to reduce hard-disk vibrations is for an electrical device having a hard-disk and a speaker, and the method to reduce hard-disk vibrations includes: determining a vibration value of the hard-disk when the speaker outputs an audio signal; determining whether the vibration value exceeds a predetermined vibration value; when the vibration value exceeds the predetermined vibration value, adjusting the audio signal into an adjusted audio signal via a reducing vibration equalizer; and outputting the adjusted audio signal by the speaker, wherein an amplitude of a predetermined frequency of the adjusted audio signal is smaller than an amplitude of the predetermined frequency of the audio signal.
US08885275B1 System and method for ATI/FTI detection in magnetic media
A system detects adjacent track interference (ATI)/far track interference (FTI) in a data storage system. The system includes a micro-transition generator that introduces micro-transitions into data write patterns written to a magnetic media. A spectrum analyzer analyzes in the frequency domain read-back signals generated in response to the data write patterns. In particular, the spectrum analyzer calculates first and second signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) based on read-back signals generated before and after a center track stress test. Adjacent track interference/far track interference effects are determined based on the first and second SNR values.
US08885268B2 Optical image collecting system
An optical image collecting system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second through sixth lens elements all have refractive power. The fifth lens element has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element is aspheric. The sixth lens element has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface of the sixth lens element changes from concave at the paraxial region to convex at a peripheral region, and both of an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric.
US08885267B2 Lens barrel and image pickup apparatus
A lens barrel capable of keeping a stable zoom operation, increasing magnification of an image pickup apparatus with a simple configuration, and decreasing a camera thickness. A lens barrel is moved in an optical axis direction between a taking position and a retracted position to change magnification. A lens holding member holds a lens and has a follower part. A rectilinear movement regulating member regulates relative rotation of the lens holding member and has a convex part at an outside and a rectilinear rib at an image surface side than the convex part. A cam barrel has a cam groove for engaging the follower part and a groove for engaging the convex part formed on an inner surface. The cam barrel has a cam piece extended to the image surface side, a part of the cam groove is formed on an inner surface of the cam piece.
US08885262B2 Electronic image pickup system
The invention relates to an electronic image pickup system whose depth dimension is extremely reduced, taking advantage of an optical system type that can overcome conditions imposed on the movement of a zooming movable lens group while high specifications and performance are kept. The electronic image pickup system comprises an optical path-bending zoom optical system comprising, in order from its object side, a 1-1st lens group G1-1 comprising a negative lens group and a reflecting optical element P for bending an optical path, a 1-2nd lens group G1-2 comprising one positive lens and a second lens group G2 having positive refracting power. For zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group G2 moves only toward the object side. The electronic image pickup system also comprises an electronic image pickup device I located on the image side of the zoom optical system.
US08885260B2 Head-up display device
A headup display device includes a driving mirror configured to reflect a display light irradiated from an indicator to guide the reflected display light to a windshield of a vehicle. The driving mirror includes a base plate fixed to a bottom surface of a casing, a pair of opposite support plates which are upright on the base plate, a holder pivotally supported by the opposite support plates, a reflective mirror held by the holder, a driving motor configured to pivot the holder to change an angle of the reflective mirror, and a positioning projection provided on the support plate and protruding in a mounting direction of the base plate to the bottom surface of the casing. A holding recessed portion is formed on the casing to allow an insertion of the positioning projection therein and hold the positioning projection at a predetermined position.
US08885259B2 Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes an image forming device having pixels; a collimating optical system collimating light from the image forming device; and an optical device receiving, guiding, and outputting the collimated light as directional rays in different directions. The optical device includes a light-guiding plate; a first optical member reflecting or diffracting the light so as to totally reflect the light inside the light-guiding plate; and a second optical member causing the propagated light to emerge from the light-guiding plate. When a light ray emitted from a pixel located farthest from the center of the image forming device and a light ray emitted from a pixel located at the center of the image forming device pass through a front nodal point of the collimating optical system and are respectively incident on the collimating optical system and the light-guiding plate at angles θ1 and θ2, θ2>θ1 is satisfied.
US08885258B2 Stack-type lens array and lens module
Provided is a stack-type lens array capable of preventing a lens from peeling off due to stress during dicing or vibration and impact when used. The stack-type lens array is formed by stacking and bonding two lens sheets in which micro lenses are arranged on a flat portion at predetermined intervals. Antireflection films are vapor-deposited on a convex surface and a concave surface of the lens and a light shielding film is vapor-deposited such that a circular opening is formed at the center of the concave surface. The opening serves as a diaphragm aperture of the lens. An exposed surface in which neither the antireflection film nor the light shielding film is vapor-deposited is provided outside the light shielding film between adjacent lenses. A dicing line is set at the center of the exposed surface. An adhesive layer is formed in a predetermined pattern on the exposed surface.
US08885256B2 Optical film
Optical films having anti-Moiré and anti-wetout features are described, along with systems and methods for making these optical films. A master used to make optical films is formed using a single axis actuator cutting along a trajectory that is out of plane with the surface of the master. Movement of the cutting tool along the trajectory cuts grooves having variable depth and variable pitch into the surface. Prisms formed from the master have variable depth, variable height prisms that provide anti-wetout and anti-Moiré features.
US08885255B2 Daylight harvesting shelf and method of improving interior natural light
A method and device for improving natural lighting within buildings is provided. The device comprises a controllable shelf having an upper, specular reflective surface for directing natural light into interior spaces and against interior ceilings. The shelves can be static or pivotable to redirect light based on the day and time of year. The pivotable shelf can be rotated downward or upwards to change the angle with which the light is reflected into the adjacent window, while its position is below the window and along the exterior of the building. This improves interior natural lighting and reduces electrical lighting costs using either a static shelf or movable shelf, wherein the assembly is deployable in a commercial or residential environment without blocking any naturally entering light through the window itself.
US08885252B1 Decorative, ornamental, or jewelry articles having diffraction gratings
A first article has a surface bearing a diffraction grating that comprises a plurality of elevated regions and recessed regions and a reflective coating that provides reflective diffraction within the article but is sufficiently thick to prevent diffraction outside the article. Alternatively, the reflective coating can be arranged to also provide reflective diffraction outside the article.A second article has a surface bearing a diffraction grating that comprises a plurality of elevated regions and recessed regions. Either (i) at least a portion of each ridge, or (ii) at least portion of each trench, comprises a material differing with respect to its refractive index or with respect to its optical transmissivity.
US08885244B2 Display device
An ornamental display device having at least one interferometric modulator, a signal receiver configured to receive an external signal and a processor configured to control the display based on the external signal is disclosed. In one aspect, the external signal is emitted from a controller. In another aspect, the external signal is emitted from a computer.
US08885242B2 Variable transmission electrochromic window and associated aircraft window system
A variable transmission electrochromic window including: first and second substantially transparent substrates having electrically conductive materials associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic electroactive material, at least one cathodic electroactive material, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the electrochromic window exhibits an Ev of less than approximately 20, and more preferably less than approximately 5, while in a low transmission state during normal daylight conditions.
US08885241B2 Display device
a display device includes a lower substrate with lower electrodes and an upper substrate with upper electrodes, a plurality of pixels between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, electrochromic particles that are implanted into the plurality of pixels, each electrochromic particle comprising a core and a shell layer surrounding the core, and reflective layers on the lower electrodes and corresponding to the plurality of pixels.
US08885237B2 Hologram preparation method, hologram and security medium using such hologram
A method of preparing a hologram where an original image is recorded as interference fringes on a predetermined recording surface by arithmetic operations using a computer, the method including: a step of defining an original image formed as a three-dimensional image, a hologram recording plane for recording the original image, and reference light to be irradiated onto the hologram recording plane, a step of defining a large number of arithmetic operation points on the hologram recording plane and arithmetically determining the intensity of the interference wave formed by an object light beam emitted from each object and the reference light for each of the arithmetic operation points and a step of preparing physical interference fringes on a medium on the basis of the intensity distribution of interference wave obtained on the recording plane in the arithmetically determining step, the front-most part of the three-dimensional image being arranged near the hologram recording plane at the time of defining the original image.
US08885222B2 Image processing apparatus performing error diffusion process
An image processor includes a color conversion unit that generates color converted image data by converting color data and an error diffusion process performing unit that generates print data by performing an error diffusion process on the color converted image data. The error diffusion process performs a first error diffusion process on remaining data and performing a second error diffusion process on edge data such that an amount of ink used in the edge region by performing the second error diffusion process on the edge data is less than an amount of ink used in the edge region by performing first error diffusion process on the edge data.
US08885214B2 Color image processing apparatus which reduces the amount of color materials consumed that are used to form a color image with reference to an index with high utility
The present invention provides a color image processing apparatus which reduces the amount of color materials consumed that are used to form a color image with reference to an index with high utility. To accomplish this, a color image forming apparatus of the present invention is a color image processing apparatus which applies image processing to image data of an input color image, and outputs the processed image data, and which changes tone values of respective colors of the color image, so that a conversion result obtained when image data of the color image are converted into amounts of color materials becomes an amount based on a reference conversion result, the reference conversion result being obtained when the image data are color-converted by a predetermined color conversion method and the converted data is further converted into an amount of a color material.
US08885213B2 Imaging forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus for forming images at a plurality of resolution levels including at least one low resolution level and one high resolution level includes a photoconductor, onto which a beam size is set for the low resolution level; and an adjustment unit to conduct an exposure time-based density adjustment using a plurality of half-tone patterns prepared by changing an exposure time per pixel at a timing when a resolution level shifts from the low resolution level to the high resolution level and before actually shifting to an image forming operation executed at the high resolution level.
US08885211B1 Method and apparatus for generating print jobs for multiple types of media
A document is prepared for printing by creating a base image and supplemental image data corresponding to different types of print media. When printing, the current media type is detected and the corresponding supplemental image data is used in conjunction with the base image to create media-specific image data for printing on the current media type.
US08885208B2 Progressive refinement of an edited image using secondary high resolution image processing
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to processing of high resolution images, such as digital painting on high resolution images. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes receiving input defining a modification to a target image; determining, at a first processor, a low resolution proxy result of the modification applied to the target image; determining, at a second processor, a higher resolution result of the modification applied to the target image; displaying the low resolution proxy result before completion of the determining at the second processor; and updating the displayed low resolution proxy result with the higher resolution result. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.
US08885206B2 Direct-to-product transfer of personalized images and tracking labels using a single composite image
The printing tracking labels as a part of a composite image of personalized images for photo products includes receiving a plurality of personalized images and a plurality of label images, each label image including order tracking information associated with one of the plurality of personalized images. A composite image including the plurality of personalized images and the plurality of label images is generated. The position of each personalized image within the composite image corresponds to a position of a separate photo product on a printer tray and the position of each label image within the composite image corresponds to a position of a separate label on the printer tray. The composite image is printed onto the plurality of photo products and the plurality of labels.
US08885200B2 Image forming system including a first image forming apparatus for controlling a second image forming apparatus to shift into a sleep mode
A first image forming apparatus includes a first communication unit to communicate with a second image forming apparatus with a communication scheme without using a network; a monitoring unit to monitor a print job amount; a first control unit to, when the print job amount is not larger than a first threshold, perform control so that a first control signal for causing the second image forming apparatus to shift into a first mode is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus; and a second control unit to, when the second image forming apparatus is in the first mode and the print job amount for the first image forming apparatus is larger than a second threshold, perform control so that a second control signal for causing the second image forming apparatus to shift into a second mode is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus through the first communication unit.
US08885191B2 Print control apparatus performing a finishing process after printing, print control method thereof, and computer-readable medium
A print control apparatus includes a print job generation unit configured to generate a print job, wherein a final product of the print job comprises a plurality of print parts, wherein the print job generation unit is further configured to cause one or more printers to print the plurality of print parts, and to control said one or more printers to output at least a first one of the plurality of print parts to a first sheet discharge unit and to output at least a second one of the plurality of print parts to a second sheet discharge unit different from the first sheet discharge unit according to a print instruction, a job information sheet creation unit configured to create for each of the print parts, a job information sheet indicating that the print part concerned is related to at least one other print part of the print job and is also configured to cause the or one said printer to print the job information sheet, and a sheet discharge control unit configured to control said one or more printers so that each of the job information sheets is discharged to a sheet discharge unit to which a print part corresponding to the job information sheet is discharged.
US08885190B2 System, method and computer program product for implementing a print services network
Disclosed are embodiments of a system, method and computer program product for implementing a federated print services network. The embodiments provide a central server that receives external print job requests from customers and, optionally, any backlog of internal print job requests from a participating print shop or any internal print job requests that are outside a participating print shop's current printing capabilities or that exceed the participating print shop's supply inventory. The server can selectively distribute those requests amongst the participating print shops in the network for fulfillment. Distribution is based on printing equipment utilization records in order to balance printing equipment utilization across the network and, if necessary, on printing capability records and/or supply inventory records. Thus, for participating print shops, the embodiments provide a means for increasing equipment utilization percentages during downtimes and, thereby a means to subsidize the cost of ownership. They also provide a means for abating any backlog of print job requests and fulfilling, as necessary, any internal print job requests.
US08885186B2 Printer using a conversion server to perform printing
A printer includes: a receiving unit for receiving a first print notification from a notification server; a transmitting unit for transmitting a first conversion instruction including a first target location information representing a location for specifying the target print data to a conversion server when the first print notification is received from the notification server, wherein the first conversion instruction is for controlling the conversion server to obtain the target print data using the first target location information and to convert the target print data; a print data obtaining unit for obtaining converted print data having a format that can be interpreted by the printer from the conversion server when the conversion server generates the converted print data in accordance with the first conversion instruction; and a print control unit for controlling a print performing unit to perform printing in accordance with the converted print data.
US08885184B2 Insertion of job tickets into job tickets of another language
Systems and methods are provided for wrapping a job ticket for a print job within a job ticket defined according to another language. One embodiment is a system comprising a client operable to acquire print data for a print job, and a job ticket manager. The job ticket manager is operable to generate a first job ticket that is defined according to a first language, and to wrap a second job ticket defined according to a second language within the first job ticket. The client is further operable to transmit the print data and the first job ticket to a server operable to process job tickets defined according to the first language.
US08885180B2 Portable handheld device with multi-core image processor
A portable handheld device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; an orientation sensor for determining a rotation of the image sensor; and a system-on-chip processor having integrated on a common wafer a CPU for processing a script language, a multi-core processor for processing an image captured by the image sensor, and a common synchronization register. The multi-core processor includes multiple processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch. Each processing unit stores one or more synchronization bits for identifying which of the other processing units are functioning as a single process therewith. The common synchronization register contains therein synchronization bits from each of the processing units.
US08885178B2 Position detecting sensor and position detector
A position detecting sensor includes a grid structure composed of plural electrodes extending in a first direction and plural electrodes extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The electrodes have light permeability. In a rectangular area defined by four cross-points, where two adjacent electrodes extending in the first direction and two adjacent electrodes extending in the second direction cross each other, a dummy pattern is disposed so as to provide uniform optical characteristics for the sensor. At least some of the electrodes extending in the first direction are shaped to include inclinations relative to the first direction, so as to minimize the Moire effect that may develop between the electrodes and an array of pixels in an overlaid display device. Also, at least some of the electrodes extending in the first direction are shaped to be line-symmetric about a straight line extending in the first direction.
US08885177B2 Medical wide field of view optical tracking system
A medical Wide-Field-Of-View optical-tracking-system for determining the position and orientation of a target-object in a reference coordinate system. The system includes at least three light-emitters, at least one optical-detector and a processor. The processor is coupled with each optical-detector. One optical-detector is a Wide-Field-Of-View optical detector, which acquires an image of the light-emitters within the field-of-view thereof. Each Wide-Field-Of-View optical-detector includes an optical-sensor and two optical-receptors. The processor determines the position and orientation of the target-object in the reference coordinate system according to representations of the light-emitters. Each light-emitter is within the field-of-view of an optical-detector. Each optical-detector and each light-emitter is attached to one of the target-object and a reference-location. The target-object and the reference-location are respective elements in a tuple including two elements from a group consisting of a display, a patient-body-location, a-medical-tool, physician-body-location, and a fixed-position.
US08885175B2 Method and apparatus for colour imaging a three-dimensional structure
A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associate color of a structure is also provided.
US08885172B2 Interferometric heterodyne optical encoder system
An encoder interferometry system includes an interferometer positioned to receive first and second beams having different frequencies, in which the interferometer has at least one polarizing beam splitting element for directing the first beam along a measurement path to define a measurement beam and the second beam along a reference path to define a reference beam. The encoder interferometry system further includes a encoder scale positioned to diffract the measurement beam at least once, a detector positioned to receive the measurement and reference beams after the measurement beam diffracts from the encoder scale, and an output component positioned to receive the measurement and reference beams before they reach the detector and deflect spurious portions of the first and second beam away from the detector.
US08885169B2 Fixing system for the optical block of a laser gyroscope
In a laser gyroscope, an activation wheel has a polygonal cylindrical hub formed by continuous assembly of vertical walls, wherein two adjacent walls of the cylindrical hub between them form a dihedron. Each radial plate of the activation wheel is connected to the cylindrical hub along the edge of a dihedron. The walls are formed with bulging portions, serving for plane-to-plane fixing of one face of the tulip to an optical block, and thin parts allowing a radial displacement degree of freedom of the fixing parts relative to the rim when there is a differential thermal expansion between the tulip and activation wheel. The activation wheel may be produced in a material having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than the tulip, for example steel, with plane-to-plane fixing of the tulip to the activation wheel hub, advantageously by screws, the assembly effectively accommodating the thermal expansion differential between the two materials.
US08885164B2 Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing device
An exposure method comprises: a first detection step of detecting a position of a first mark by a first scope; a second detection step of detecting a position of a second mark by a second scope having a magnification higher than the first scope; a first calculation step of calculating a first correction value based on the detection results obtained in the first and second detection steps; a third detection step of detecting a position of a third mark by the second scope after the substrate is aligned based on the first correction value calculated in the first calculation step; a second calculation step of calculating a second correction value based on the detection results obtained in the second and third detection steps; and an exposure step of exposing the substrate after the substrate is aligned based on the second correction value calculated in the second calculation step.
US08885163B2 Interferometry-based downhole analysis tool
Various systems and methods for performing optical analysis downhole with an interferogram (a light beam having frequency components with a time variation that identifies those frequency components. The interferogram is produced by introducing an interferometer into the light path, with the two arms of the interferometer having a propagation time difference that varies as a function of time. Before or after the interferometer, the light encounters a material to be analyzed, such as a fluid sample from the formation, a borehole fluid sample, a core sample, or a portion of the borehole wall. The spectral characteristics of the material are imprinted on the light beam and can be readily analyzed by processing electronics that perform a Fourier Transform to obtain the spectrum or that enable a comparison with one or more templates. An interferometer designed to perform well in the hostile environments downhole is expected to enable laboratory-quality measurements.
US08885158B2 Surface scanning inspection system with adjustable scan pitch
A surface scanning wafer inspection system with independently adjustable scan pitch and associated methods of operation are presented. The scan pitch may be adjusted independently from an illumination area on the surface of a wafer. In some embodiments, scan pitch is adjusted while the illumination area remains constant. For example, defect sensitivity is adjusted by adjusting the rate of translation of a wafer relative to the rate of rotation of the wafer without additional optical adjustments. In some examples, the scan pitch is adjusted to achieve a desired defect sensitivity over an entire wafer. In other examples, the scan pitch is adjusted during wafer inspection to optimize defect sensitivity and throughput. In other examples, the scan pitch is adjusted to maximize defect sensitivity within the damage limit of a wafer under inspection.
US08885145B2 Image reading and writing using a complex two-dimensional interlace scheme
The current invention relates to writing or reading a pattern on a surface, such as in microlithography or inspection of mircrolithographic patterns. In particular, Applicant discloses systems recording or reading images by scanning sparse 2D point arrays or grids across the surface, e.g., multiple optical, electron or particle beams modulated in parallel. The scanning and repeated reading or writing creates a dense pixel or spot grid on the workpiece. The grid may be created by various arrays: arrays of light sources, e.g., laser or LED arrays, by lenslet arrays where each lenslet has its own modulator, by aperture plates for particle beams, or arrays of near-field emitters or mechanical probes. For reading systems, the point grid may be created by a sparse point matrix illumination and/or a detector array where each detector element sees only one spot. The idea behind the use of large arrays is to improve throughput. However, the throughput does not scale with the array size, since above a certain size of arrays, previously known schemes fall into in their own tracks and start repeating the same data over and over again. This application discloses methods to scan workpieces with large arrays while preserving the scaling of throughput proportional to array size, even for very large arrays, in fact essentially without limits.
US08885144B2 Illumination system and lithographic apparatus
An illumination system having an array of individually controllable optical elements is disclosed, wherein each element is moveable between a plurality of orientations which may be selected in order to form desired illumination modes. The illumination system includes a controller to control orientation of one or more of the elements, the controller configured to apply force to the one or more elements which at least partially compensates for force applied to the one or more elements by a burst of radiation incident upon the one or more elements.
US08885138B2 Apparatus and methods for resizing electronic displays
Apparatus and methods are provided for resizing an electronic display that includes front and back plates, a perimeter seal spacing apart the plates and defining an enclosed cell area between the plates that includes an original display image area, image-generating medium sealed in the enclosed cell area, and electrical circuits on inner surfaces of the plates extending throughout the original display image area. For example, a cut line may be identified that intersects across the original display image area of the display. A laser may be directed adjacent the cut line to heat and/or separate leads of the electrical circuits adjacent the cut line. The display may be cut adjacent the cut line, e.g., before or after separating leads along the cut line, resulting in a target display portion with an exposed edge, and an excess display portion, and then the exposed edge may be sealed.
US08885135B2 Nanostructure-film LCD devices
This invention relates to an LCD device comprising an electrically conductive and optically transparent nanostructure film deposited adjacent to or forming a part of at least one of a) a layer comprising triacetyl cellulose (TAC), b) a polarizing layer, c) an adhesive layer, d) a protective layer, e) an anti-glare layer f) an anti-reflective layer, or g) an antistatic layer. One embodiment is a device comprising an in plane switching (IPS) liquid crystal display (LCD) and a nanostructure film, wherein the film is electrically conductive, and wherein the film is optically transparent.
US08885134B2 Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal device includes a positive potential connection line as a first connection line layer to which a first potential lower than a common potential is applied, between a pixel area and a seal member in the plan view, and a peripheral electrode as a second connection line layer that is provided between the positive potential connection line and a liquid crystal layer, is provided to overlap with at least a part of the positive potential connection line in the plan view, and to which a second potential higher than the common potential is applied.
US08885129B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including an organic insulation film including a first contact hole penetrating to the switching element, an island-shaped relay electrode and a common electrode which are formed on the organic insulation film, an interlayer insulation film including a second contact hole at a position different from a position of the first contact hole, a pixel electrode which is formed on the interlayer insulation film and includes a slit which is opposed to the common electrode, and an alignment film covering the pixel electrode and the interlayer insulation film.
US08885126B2 Transflective LCD unit
A transflective LCD unit includes a liquid crystal (LC) layer: first and second substrates sandwiching therebetween the LC layer to define an array of pixels each including a reflective area and a transmissive area; an electrode assembly for driving the LC layer such that the LC layer in the reflective area is driven in a longitudinal-electric-field mode and the LC layer in the transmissive area is driven in a lateral-electric-field mode; and a reverse-tilt control member for controlling a reverse tilt area in which a reverse tilt of LC molecules occurs near the boundary between the reflective area and the transmissive area.
US08885124B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of preventing a decrease in voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in ion density (ID) and resolving the problem of display defects such as white spots, alignment unevenness, image sticking, and the like. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention is characterized by preventing a decrease in voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in ion density (ID) and suppressing the occurrence of display defects such as image sticking and the like, and is thus particularly useful for a VA-mode or PSVA-mode liquid crystal display device for active matrix driving, and can be applied to liquid crystal display devices such as a liquid crystal TV, a monitor, a cellular phone, a smart phone, and the like.
US08885123B2 Three-dimensional display apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a 3D display apparatus which comprises a display and a liquid crystal cell module. The liquid crystal cell module retards a phase of the light emitted from the display and corresponding to a display frame for forming a left-handed circularly polarized light and a right-handed circularly polarized light. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing the 3D display apparatus. The present invention can display 3D images without losing image information. The response time of a ferroelectric liquid crystal and an anti-ferroelectric liquid crystal of the present invention is faster, and thus the effect on the luminance of the display is less.
US08885117B2 Display apparatus having particular display regions
A display apparatus having a thin thickness and improved esthetic sense is disclosed. The display apparatus comprises a display panel including an upper substrate having a signal line to which gate and data signals are supplied, and at least one lower substrate bonded to the upper substrate; and a panel support member supporting the display panel to externally expose an entire upper surface of the display panel, wherein the display panel includes a display portion having a main display region, a sub display region having an area smaller than that of the main display region, and a boundary region dividing the main display region and the sub display region from each other; and a periphery portion surrounding the display portion.
US08885108B2 Devices, systems and methods for controlling TV
A TV control device, for an external TV device includes a storage unit storing a user identification code and user setting data corresponding to the user identification code, and a wireless communication unit transmitting a control signal to the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data, wherein the external TV device determines a TV setting of the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data when the external TV device receives the control signal.
US08885106B2 Multi-tuner using interpolative dividers
An apparatus includes a splitter to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and to provide the RF signal to multiple channels of a tuner. Each channel may include an amplifier to amplify the RF signal, a mixer to downconvert the amplified RF signal to a second frequency signal using a local oscillator (LO) signal, where each of the channels is configured to receive a different LO signal, a filter to filter the downconverted second frequency signal, and a digitizer to digitize the downconverted second frequency signal. A clock generation circuit has multiple interpolative dividers and a frequency synthesizer to generate a reference clock signal. Each of the interpolative dividers is configured to receive the reference clock signal, generate a corresponding LO signal, and provide the corresponding LO signal to the mixer of at least one of the channels.
US08885105B1 Systems and methods for performing region-based local contrast enhancement
Local contrast enhancement comprises obtaining a first frame as a reference frame and a second frame as a current frame. The reference frame is partitioned into a plurality of reference regions, and a first color mapping function is derived for at least one of the reference regions in the reference frame according to the corresponding color distribution. The first color mapping function comprises, for at least one of a predetermined set of colors, a first source color value and a first contrast-enhanced color value. The current frame is partitioned into a plurality of regions, and a second color mapping function is derived for at least one of the regions in the current frame according to the first color mapping functions of at least two of the reference regions in the reference frame. The second color mapping function is applied to generate a contrast-enhanced frame.
US08885103B2 Display device and television receiver
The present display device is a display device in which a display unit is provided with a first area (MAR) that displays a first picture and a second area (SAR) that displays a second picture, and is equipped with a first illumination unit that illuminates the first area with light and a second illumination unit that illuminates the second area with light, wherein power supply to the first illumination unit and power supply to the second illumination unit are controlled separately. Thus, it is possible to reduce power consumption.
US08885096B2 Multi-media device containing a plurality of image capturing devices
A multi-media device and a method for manufacturing the multi-media device is described herein. The multi-media device includes a first and second substrate coupled to each other. Both the first and second substrates have a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The multi-media device further includes a first camera coupled to the first side of the first substrate and a second camera coupled to the first side of the second substrate. The first camera includes a first lens housing, which houses one or more first lenses. The second camera includes a second lens housing, which houses one or more second lenses. The second substrate is coupled to the first substrate in a manner such that the one or more first lenses and the one or more second lenses receive light from opposite directions.
US08885092B2 Camera device, exposure control method, and program
A camera device (1) includes an imaging unit (2) which outputs a long exposure signal and a short exposure signal in one field period. A face detection unit (8) detects a face area from an image captured by the imaging unit (2). The weighting processing unit (12) applies a weighting process to luminance data of the long exposure signal in the detected face area using a weighting constant for reducing the luminance level of the long exposure signal. If the luminance level of the weighting-processed long exposure signal rises to a predetermined saturation level or higher, an exposure control unit (15) performs exposure control using the long exposure signal and the short exposure signal. This can suppress occurrence of a noise due to a short exposure signal (flickering) in the face area, thereby improving visibility in the face area.
US08885083B2 Solid state imaging device and electronic apparatus
Provided is a solid state imaging device including: a pixel portion where pixel sharing units are disposed in an array shape and where another one pixel transistor group excluding transfer transistors is shared by a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; transfer wiring lines which are connected to the transfer gate electrodes of the transfer transistors of the pixel sharing unit and which are disposed to extend in a horizontal direction and to be in parallel in a vertical direction as seen from the top plane; and parallel wiring lines which are disposed to be adjacent to the necessary transfer wiring lines in the pixel sharing unit and which are disposed to be in parallel to the transfer wiring lines as seen from the top plane, wherein voltages which are used to suppress potential change of the transfer gate electrodes are supplied to the parallel wiring lines.
US08885082B2 Solid-state image sensor and camera
A solid-state image sensor has a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit including a plurality of pixels, and a charge-voltage converter shared by the plurality of pixels. The sensor includes a structural portion including a plurality of wiring layers, an interlayer insulating film, and light waveguides configured by embedding, in portions of the interlayer insulating film located above the photoelectric converters, a material having a refractive index higher than that of the interlayer insulating film. A dummy pattern is formed in the structural portion to reduce a difference between a sensitivity of a first pixel and that of a second pixel, which is produced by a difference between a structure in a periphery of the light waveguide arranged above the photoelectric converter of the first pixel and that of the second pixel.
US08885080B2 Image pickup device and image pickup result outputting method
The present invention is applied to an image pickup device with a CMOS solid-state image pickup element, in which an analog-to-digital conversion circuit is disposed in a surface on an opposite side from an image pickup surface in a semiconductor chip 2.
US08885077B2 Dynamic, local edge preserving defect pixel correction for image sensors
Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor. Neighborhood statistics for a given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. Correction of the given pixel is a function of whether the given pixel is in a flat region or a non-flat region. When the given pixel is defective and in a non-flat region, a minimum edge across the given pixel is identified and the value of the given pixel is replaced with an average of values of neighbor pixels that belong to the minimum edge.
US08885072B2 Solid-state imaging device, imaging method, and camera module
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes an output level determining unit, a random number data generating unit, and an output selecting unit. The output level determining unit performs a level determination of a digital output signal by comparing a level of the digital output signal with a threshold value. The random number data generating unit generates random number data by random number processing on the level of the digital output signal. The output selecting unit selects any of: the digital output signal subjected to an addition of the random number data, and the digital output signal not subjected to the addition of the random number data corresponding to a result of the level determination.
US08885067B2 Multocular image pickup apparatus and multocular image pickup method
A multocular image pickup apparatus includes: a distance calculation unit that calculates information regarding the distance to a captured object from an output video of a first image pickup unit, which is to be the reference unit of a plurality of image pickup units that pick up images, and from an output video of an image pickup unit that is different from the first image pickup unit; a multocular video synthesizing unit that generates synthesized video from the output video of the plurality of image pickup units based on the distance information for regions where the distance information could be calculated; and a monocular video synthesizing unit that generates synthesized video from the output video of the first image pickup unit for regions where the distance information could not be calculated. The distance calculation unit calculates a first distance information that is the distance to the captured object from the output video of the first image pickup unit and the output video of a second image pickup unit that is different from the first image pickup unit, and in case that there is a region where the first distance information could not be calculated, for the region where the first distance information could not be calculated, the distance calculation unit recalculates information regarding the distance to the captured object from the output video of an image pickup unit that was not used for calculating the distance among the plurality of image pickup units, and from the output video of the first image pickup unit.
US08885054B2 Media system with off screen pointer control
A media system providing off screen pointer control is disclosed. A remote control device is adapted to be held and pointed by a user and controls a menu based on both on screen and off screen pointing. The on screen pointing may control a cursor or other pointer. The off screen pointing may provide a variable scrolling function or other control function.
US08885053B2 Integrated circuit and electric device for avoiding latency time caused by contention
An integrated circuit including a shared memory connected to a bus, an audio/multiplex/de-multiplex processor accessing the shared memory via the bus, a video processor performing heavy processes accessing the shared memory via the bus, and a local memory accessed by the video processor without passing through the bus. The integrated circuit avoids a latency time caused by access contention, such that a probability that the integrated circuit can complete processes to be done in real time is increased. Image data is displayed on the display device smoothly without deterioration of quality of display.
US08885052B2 Unevenness inspection apparatus and unevenness inspection method
An unevenness inspection apparatus including: an image pickup section obtaining a pickup image of a test object; an image generating section generating each of a color unevenness inspection image and a luminance unevenness inspection image based on the pickup image; a calculating section calculating an evaluation parameter using both of the color unevenness inspection image and the luminance unevenness inspection image; and an inspecting section performing unevenness inspection using the calculated evaluation parameter. The calculating section calculates the evaluation parameter in consideration of unevenness visibility for both color and luminance.
US08885051B2 Camera calibration method and camera calibration apparatus
With the distance between a reference plane and a line light source (13) maintained at a first distance, the line light source (13) is translated in two different directions, and the position of the line light source (13) for each individual pixel where the pixel has been photographed from an incident ray radiated from the line light source (13) is stored (STEP 3, 4). With the distance between the reference plane and the line light source (13) maintained at a second distance different from the first distance, the line light source (13) is translated in two different directions, and the position of the line light source (13) for each individual pixel where the pixel has been photographed from an incident ray radiated from the line light source (13) is stored (STEP 6, 7). A straight line with the minimum distance to the positions of the four line light sources is deduced as the trajectory (S) of the incident ray to each pixel (STEP 8, 9).
US08885047B2 System and method for capturing, storing, analyzing and displaying data relating to the movements of objects
A system and method for the capture and storage of data relating to the movements of objects, in a specified area and enables this data to be displayed in a graphically meaningful and useful manner. Video data is collected and video metadata is generated relating to objects (persons) appearing in the video data and their movements over time. The movements of the objects are then analyzed to detect the movements within a region of interest. This detection of movement allows a user, such as a manager of a store, to make informed decisions as to the infrastructure and operation of the store. One detection method relates to the number of people that are present in a region of interest for a specified time period. A second detection method relates to the number of people that remain or dwell in a particular area for a particular time period. A third detection method determines the flow of people and the direction they take within a region of interest. A fourth detection method relates to the number of people that enter a certain area by crossing a virtual line, a tripwire.
US08885044B2 Methods and apparatus for detecting a target
An exemplary apparatus providing an improved detection system is disclosed as having: a sensor array adapted to detect radiation emanating from a potential target and a missile guidance system for controlling a missile's trajectory. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve and/or modify the performance characteristics of the detection system. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide a detection system for use as, for example, a target detection system for a missile guidance system.
US08885041B2 Method and apparatus for checking the fluid in a pipet tip
Methods for detecting the presence and/or volume and/or identity of liquid in a transparent carrier include directing a light source towards the carrier; recording an image of light refracted by the carrier with a camera; and deriving information regarding the presence and/or volume of the liquid in the carrier from the recorded image of the light refracted by the carrier. Devices for detecting the presence and/or volume and/or identity of liquid in a transparent carrier include a camera directed towards the carrier; a light source directed towards the carrier; and means for recording an image of light from the light source as refracted by the carrier and captured by the camera.
US08885032B2 Endoscope apparatus based on plural luminance and wavelength
An endoscope apparatus includes a light source apparatus, and a light-adjusting circuit. The light-adjusting circuit, based on a first image signal with a first wavelength band having a peak wavelength of a spectral characteristic and a second image signal with a second wavelength band having a peak wavelength of a spectral characteristic providing a value lower than that of the first image signal in the absorption characteristic and providing a suppressed scattering characteristic of the body tissue between a wavelength band providing a maximal value and a wavelength band for a minimal value in an absorption characteristic of a body tissue of a subject, provides a weight larger than that of the second image signal to the first image signal to calculate a light adjustment signal for adjusting a light amount in a light source apparatus and outputs the light adjustment signal.
US08885029B2 Stereoscopic image display
A stereoscopic image display is discussed. The stereoscopic image display includes a display panel including data lines, gate lines crossing the data lines, thin film transistors (TFTs) that are turned on in response to gate pulses from the gate lines, and a plurality of pixels, a data driving circuit that converts digital video data into a data voltage and supplies the data voltage to the data lines, a gate driving circuit sequentially supplying the gate pulses synchronized with the data voltage to the gate lines, and a timing controller that receives a timing signal, 2D image data, and 3D image data from an external host system, supplies the digital video data to the data driving circuit, and controls an operation timing of the data driving circuit and an operation timing of the gate driving circuit.
US08885026B2 Imaging device and imaging method
An imaging device, comprising: an imaging unit having first pixels configured to photoelectrically convert a subject image which is imaged with a photographic lens and to output a first image signal, and second pixels configured to be placed discretely between the first pixels so as to photoelectrically convert each of a plurality of subject images which come from divided pupil regions formed by dividing a pupil region of the photographic lens and to output second image signals having a phase difference; an imaging control unit; a parallax information calculation unit; a plane image generation unit; and a blurring processing unit configured to determine target pixels in the plane image which are to be subjected to blurring processing, based on the parallax information calculated by the parallax information calculation unit, and to perform blurring processing on the determined target pixels in the plane image.
US08885018B2 Display device configured to simultaneously exhibit multiple display modes
A display comprises a parallax optic (2), such as a combined parallax barrier and lens array, and a pixellated display device (1). The pixels of the display device (1) are arranged as groups cooperating with a parallax element (4) of the parallax optic (2). Each group comprises a first pixel (A) aligned with the centre of the parallax element (4), second and third pixels (B, C) on either side of the first pixel (A), and fourth pixels (D) shared with adjacent groups and disposed outside the second pixels (B, C). The parallax elements (4) make the different pixels of each group visible in different viewing regions. A control arrangement selects regions of the display and selects different combinations of the pixels of each group for image display within respective regions so as to provide simultaneously-present different viewing modes having different viewing range characteristics.
US08885007B2 Method and system for initiating communication via a communication network
A method of communicating between a first user and a second user comprises using a first system to transmit, from the first user, a first signal for delivery to the second user. In particular, the first signal is transmitted via a first communication application. At least one of video, audio, and image analytics of electronically sensed data is performed to determine a presence of the second user at a third system. When the second user is determined to be present at the third system, the second user is provided with a first indication indicative of the first signal, the first indication being provided via a pervasive communication application in execution on the third system and other than the first communication application.
US08884998B2 Display
A display includes: a display section that includes first pixels to nth pixels and displays perspective images assigned to the first to nth pixels; and a display control section that partitions the display section into sub-regions and performs display control on pixels in each of the sub-regions, independently, to vary a correspondence relationship between the first to nth pixels and the perspective images for each of the sub-regions. The display control section assigns a first perspective image to two pixels of the first pixel to the nth pixel and assigns a second perspective image to other two pixels of the first pixel to the nth pixel, in each of the sub-regions. The display control section adjusts a luminance level of one or both of the two pixels and a luminance level of one or both of the other two pixels in each of the sub-regions.
US08884995B2 System for compensating for gamma data, display device including the same and method of compensating for gamma data
A system for compensating for gamma data is provided comprising a display panel including at least one feedback line connected to at least one pixel, a gray voltage generator generating a reference gray voltage based on first gamma data, a data driver generating a data voltage based on the reference gray voltage and applying the generated data voltage to a data line, a multiplexer receiving at least one feedback voltage from the at least one feedback line and selecting a feedback voltage from the received at least one feedback voltage and outputting the selected feedback voltage, an A/D converter converting the selected feedback voltage into feedback data, and a signal controller storing the feedback data as feedback gamma data for the entire grays and compensating for the first gamma data based on the feedback gamma data.
US08884993B2 Signal processing apparatus, display apparatus, electronic apparatus, signal processing method and program
Disclosed herein is a signal processing apparatus, including: a luminance degradation information production section adapted to produce luminance degradation information regarding degradation of a luminance in accordance with a temperature condition upon emission; a luminance degradation value calculation section adapted to calculate a luminance degradation value regarding degradation of the luminance for each pixel circuit; and a correction section adapted to correct the gradation value of an image signal to be inputted to the pixel circuit based on the luminance degradation value.
US08884991B2 Control system, control apparatus, handheld apparatus, control method, and program
A control system including: an input apparatus including a sensor portion; and a control apparatus including a coordinate generation portion that generates, based on a detection signal detected by the sensor portion, positional coordinates of a pointer on a screen, a selection area change portion that changes, in accordance with a level of a shake amount calculated based on the detection signal, a size of an icon selection area as an area where an icon on the screen is selected by the pointer, and a display control portion that controls display on the screen so that the pointer is displayed at a position corresponding to the positional coordinates of the pointer.
US08884980B2 System and method for changing hair color in digital images
A system and method for digital hair coloring is described. A starting image of a subject including a hair region is obtained. At least one foreground selection of the starting image is obtained, the foreground selection including a portion of the hair region. At least one background selection of the starting image excluding the hair region is obtained. A matte defining a calculated foreground area of the starting image is calculated based on the foreground selection and the background selection. A target color distribution based on a target hair color is obtained. A color image is generated by applying a color transformation based on the target color distribution to at least the calculated foreground area of the starting image. An output image is generated from the colored image and the starting image.
US08884979B2 Projection display apparatus
A projection display apparatus includes an imager that modulates light emitted from a light source and a projection unit that projects light emitted from the imager on a projection surface. The projection display apparatus includes: an imager controller that controls the imager to display a test pattern image in which a characteristic point is defined by at least three adjacent regions; an acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of the test pattern image from an imaging element configured to capture the test pattern image projected on the projection surface; and an adjustment unit that identifies the characteristic point included in the captured image on the basis of the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit and adjusts an image to be projected on the projection surface on the basis of the identified characteristic point. The at least three adjacent regions surround the characteristic point and are adjacent to the characteristic point.
US08884977B2 Panel self refreshing with changing dynamic refresh rate
Provided are methods and systems for video data processing. In an exemplary system, there is a video source and a display unit. The display unit may receive video data from the video source and display it at a first refresh rate. The video source may cause the display unit to enter a power economy mode, in which the displayed video is static. In this mode, the video source stops sending new video data, while the display unit selectively stores one or more of the previously received video frames and further displays it repeatedly at a second refresh rate, which may be lower than the first refresh rate (e.g., it may be decreased from 60 Hz to 40 Hz). In the power economy mode, the power consumed is decreased, in some embodiments, by about 10-20 % for both the video source and the display unit.
US08884969B2 Method and system for providing a three-dimensional preview of a finished document
A method and system for providing three-dimensional preview of a finished document based on a key feature analysis. The document can be analyzed by a document analysis algorithm configured in association with a document visualization module in order to identify a number of key features associated with the document. A viewing script can be created with respect to the key features of the document in order to drive a visualization engine. A document-specific visual animation of the key features can be visually displayed based on the viewing script at a user interface in order to preview the finished document. A list of critical features with respect to the document can be selected and previewed by a user via a set of media controls displayed at the user interface.
US08884963B2 Low resolution buffer based pixel culling
Aspects of this disclosure are directed to updating a low resolution buffer during a binning pass of an image surface by a graphics processing unit (GPU). For example, during the binning pass of the image surface, the GPU may divide the image surface into a plurality of blocks of surface pixels of the image surface. The GPU may then store a surface identifier of the image surface within storage locations of the low resolution buffer to correspond to each of the blocks of the surface pixels of the image surface.
US08884960B2 Controlling displayed 3-D depth based on the brightness of the surrounding area and/or based on the brightness of the display
In a mobile phone 1, when three-dimensionally showing display information in a display section 17, a central controlling section 11 determines the 3D depth based on the brightness of the surrounding area detected by a surrounding brightness detecting section 24, determines the 3D depth based on the brightness of the display section 17, or determines the 3D depth based on the brightness of the surrounding area and the brightness of the display section 17, and shows the display information in the display section 17 with the determined 3D depth.
US08884956B2 System and method for trimmed surface tessellation
A system, method, and computer program for tessellation. A method includes tessellating a curve having a plurality of polygons, connecting said plurality of polygons in a preferred direction, and decomposing polygons into a plurality of triangles. A mesh representation is created from the plurality of triangles.
US08884951B2 Depth estimation data generating apparatus, depth estimation data generating method, and depth estimation data generating program, and pseudo three-dimensional image generating apparatus, pseudo three-dimensional image generating method, and pseudo three-dimensional image generating program
An average value, minimum value, and maximum value data detecting unit detects an average value, a minimum value, and a maximum value in one frame of a red (R) signal. A difference value calculating unit calculates a difference value by subtracting the average value from the R signal. A processing unit estimates the average value to be a level of a background image occupying a large area of a screen, and generates a signal indicating a minimum value (concavity) at the average value and a maximum value (convexity) at the maximum or minimum value as a compensated object signal. An adding unit adds the compensated object signal to a composed image of basic depth models to generate depth estimation data for generating an image in a different viewpoint from a non-3D image, the image in the different viewpoint and the non-3D image constituting the pseudo 3D image.
US08884942B2 Hysteretic mode LED driver with precise average current
A hysteretic mode LED driver for providing a driving current for an LED includes a hysteretic comparing circuit and a feedback loop. The hysteretic comparing circuit compares a driving current related sensing signal with a reference signal to control the average value of the driving current. The feedback loop senses the error between the average value of the driving current and a target value to adjust the reference signal or the offset of the hysteretic comparing circuit to adjust the average value of the driving current.
US08884939B2 Display brightness control based on ambient light levels
Methods and devices are provided for controlling the brightness of a display for an electronic device based on ambient light conditions. In one embodiment, an electronic device may employ one or more brightness adjustment profiles for changing the brightness of a display based on the ambient light level. The brightness adjustment profiles may include two or more sections, each corresponding to different ambient light levels, which may be adjusted independently of one another. The different sections may allow a user to customize brightness adjustments for different ambient light conditions. In certain embodiments, the slope and/or offset of a section may be adjusted in response to receiving a user input that changes the brightness setting for a certain ambient light level.
US08884938B2 Data driving apparatus and operation method thereof and display using the same
A data driving apparatus includes two data driving circuits, each including a timing controller with a clock generator and configured to receive a specific portion of data corresponding to a row of pixel in an image frame, and, after receiving the specific portion of the data, process the portion of the data; wherein the two timing controllers have different data operation times. One timing controller outputs an enable command to another one once the processing of the respective portion of the data is complete. Then, another timing controller starts to process the respective portion of the data and output an output command to the first data driving circuit in response to a finish of the processing of the second portion of the data and thereby controlling the two data driving circuits to output the processed data. An operation method thereof and a display using the same are also provided.
US08884936B2 Display control device, display control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program
A display control device includes: a detecting unit that detects whether an external storage device is inserted into an image forming apparatus; an analyzing unit that analyzes the type of file stored in the external storage device when the detecting unit detects that the external storage device is inserted; and a display control unit that specifies a function related to the type of file among the functions of the image forming apparatus on the basis of the analysis result of the analyzing unit and displays a display screen to which the specified function is allocated on a display unit.
US08884935B2 Flexible printed circuit board, backlight unit using the same, and liquid crystal display device comprising the same
A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) capable of improving strength is disclosed, the FPCB comprising a base film; a copper layer on the base film, the copper layer including a circuit pattern, and a strength-reinforcing pattern in an area without the circuit pattern; and a coverlay film on the copper layer.
US08884934B2 Display driving system using single level data transmission with embedded clock signal
A display driving system using single level data transmission with embedded clock signals. The display driving system is configured to embed a clock signal of the same level between data signals and transmit these signals as a single level signal, wherein a cycle at which clock signals are embedded is controlled and a data format is constructed such that a control data transmission step can be extended over 2 words.
US08884931B2 Handwriting input apparatus
A handwriting input apparatus used with an electromagnetic pen is disclosed. The handwriting input apparatus comprises a controller, an electromagnetic antenna board, a signal processing circuit and a charging circuit. The signal processing circuit processes the electromagnetic signals received by the electromagnetic antenna board. The charging circuit used to charge the electromagnetic pen includes a first device which is used to output a first voltage to charge the electromagnetic pen after a voltage of the handwriting input apparatus being inputted. The charging circuit further includes a programmable voltage device connecting to the first device. The programmable voltage device is controlled by the controller to change the first voltage according to the detection of the first voltage by the controller.
US08884922B2 Display device including touch panel and parallax barrier sharing single board
A display device includes a touch panel and displays stereoscopic images with reducing its thickness and weight. The display device includes a liquid crystal display panel 20, a switching liquid crystal panel 30 and a touch panel 50. The switching liquid crystal panel 30 is provided on a display surface side of the display panel 20 and switches a display mode between two-dimensional display and three-dimensional display. The touch panel 50 is provided on the display surface side of the display panel 20. The touch panel 50 and the switching liquid crystal panel 30 commonly include one common board 32 and are configured as one component. A touch panel transparent electrode 51 and a switching liquid crystal panel transparent electrode 33 are provided on the common board 32. The switching liquid crystal panel transparent electrode 33 applies a voltage to liquid crystals of the switching liquid crystal panel 30.
US08884920B1 Programmatic sensing of capacitive sensors
The present disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques for programmatic sensing of capacitive sensors. In some aspects, a first set of instructions are executed that drive an output to a predetermined state for a duration of time effective to charge a capacitive sense element, a second set of instructions are executed that monitor a voltage level of the capacitive sense element, the second set of instructions executed for a number of iterations until the voltage level of the capacitive sense element crosses a predefined threshold, and user interaction with the capacitive sense element is determined based on the number of iterations that the second set of instructions execute.
US08884919B2 Semiconductor device, display device, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including: one or a plurality of pieces of first wiring having a main wiring section and a bifurcation wiring section; one or a plurality of pieces of second wiring having a trunk wiring section and a plurality of branch wiring sections within a gap region between the main wiring section and the bifurcation wiring section; one or a plurality of transistors each divided and formed into a plurality of pieces, the plurality of branch wiring sections individually functioning as a gate electrode and the one or plurality of transistors having a source region formed within the main wiring section and within the bifurcation wiring section and having a drain region formed between the plurality of branch wiring sections; and one or a plurality of pieces of third wiring electrically connected to the drain region of the one or plurality of transistors.
US08884902B2 Decorative structure for touch sensing device and fabrication method thereof
A decorative structure for a touch sensing device is provided. The structure comprises a transparent substrate, a low diffusivity material layer and a protective layer. The transparent substrate has a non-touch surface having a non-image display area. The low diffusivity material layer is disposed on the non-touch surface of the transparent substrate and corresponds to the non-image display area, wherein the low diffusivity material layer has a reflectivity of less than 10%. The protective layer is disposed on the low diffusivity material layer and has at least a first opening pattern to allow a light to sequentially pass through the low diffusivity material layer and the transparent substrate from the first opening pattern.
US08884901B2 Shaped capacitive touch sensor, devices, and methods of use
Touch sensors and associated systems and methods are disclosed. The amount of skin of a user's finger that touches the touch sensor changes in relation to the intensity or pressure applied by the finger. A variable control signal is generated proportional to the pressure applied to the touch sensor.
US08884898B2 Touch sensing device and touch sensing method thereof
A touch sensing device is provided. The provided touch sensing device may include a touch sensing circuit having a conducting unit for generating an alternating current (AC) touch signal, a phase delaying circuit electrically coupled to the touch sensing circuit for receiving the AC touch signal and delaying the AC touch signal for a predetermined phase so as to derive a delayed signal, and a determination circuit electrically coupled to the touch sensing circuit and the phase delaying circuit for comparing intensities of the delayed signal and the AC touch signal with a predetermined threshold in order to derive a waveform-overlapping time period. When the waveform-overlapping time period is longer than a predetermined period, the determination circuit concludes the conducting unit is approached or contacted by the conductor.
US08884895B2 Input apparatus
Provided is an input apparatus capable of handling operation mistakes (erroneous operations) unintentionally performed by a user. An input apparatus 10 has a display unit 32 configured to display objects of folders arranged in a hierarchical structure, an input unit 34 configured to receive a pressing input to the display unit 32, a load detection unit 40 configured to detect a pressure load on the input unit 34, and a control unit 20, if the load detection unit 40 continuously detects a pressure load satisfying a first load standard for a predetermined period while the display unit 32 is displaying an object of an open folder and the input unit 34 is receiving the pressing input at a position corresponding to an object of another folder different from the open folder, configured to control to open the another folder.
US08884883B2 Projection of graphical objects on interactive irregular displays
A method for displaying images on a curved display surface is described herein. The method includes receiving a graphical object and distorting the graphical object at run-time such that an appearance of the graphical object on the curved display surface will be substantially similar regardless of a position of the graphical object on the curved display surface when viewed at a viewing axis that is approximately orthogonal to a plane that is tangential to the curved display surface at a center of the graphical object. The method may further include displaying the graphical object on the curved display surface.
US08884882B2 Mobile equipment with display function
A piece of mobile equipment has a display processor that displays an image and at least one icon on a screen, and a touch-sensitive device disposed on said screen. The display processor displays input information in accordance with an input operation to said touch-sensitive device, and removes the icon on the screen in accordance with the input operation.
US08884875B2 Information processing apparatus and computer-readable recording medium recording information processing program
Motion information is obtained which is information about a motion applied to an input device housing itself including a pointing device of a plurality of input mean. Next, based on the motion information, a movement amount of the input device housing is calculated. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the movement amount satisfies predetermined conditions. When the predetermined conditions are satisfied, a position is designated based on an output from the pointing device.
US08884871B2 Adjunct device for use with a handheld wireless communication device as a screen pointer
An adjunct device includes a case for enclosing at least a portion of a handheld wireless communication device. A plug coupled to a communication port of the handheld wireless communication device. A plurality of infrared emitters emits a corresponding plurality of infrared signals to a sensor coupled to a screen for use in generating a screen pointer graphic on the display screen.
US08884867B2 Efficient backlight short circuit protection
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for detecting short circuits in a backlight assembly without a resistor-based current sensor. For example, an electronic display according to the present disclosure may include a display panel and a backlight assembly to illuminate the display panel. The backlight assembly may drive a backlight element to illuminate the display panel and may include backlight short-circuit detection circuitry. The backlight short-circuit protection circuitry may detect a feedback voltage associated with the backlight element and determine when a short circuit has occurred based at least in part on the feedback voltage.
US08884863B2 Buffer circuit, scanning circuit, display device, and electronic equipment
A buffer circuit includes a first transistor circuit having a first conductivity type transistor, a second transistor circuit having a second conductivity type transistors, in which the first and second transistor circuits are serially connected between a first fixed power supply and a second fixed power supply, and input terminals and output terminals of each of the first and second transistor circuits are connected in common respectively, in which at least one transistor circuit of the first transistor circuit and the second transistor circuit is a double gate transistor, and in which wherein a switch element, when any one transistor circuit of the first and the second transistor circuits is in an operating state, is included to supply a voltage of a third fixed power supply to a common connection node of the double gate transistor of the other transistor circuit.
US08884858B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a first polarizer and a second polarizer respectively disposed at the upper side and at the lower side of the liquid crystal panel, and a light path control film disposed at an outer side of the first polarizer to redirect light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel at low angles of the viewing angle to minimize gray inversion at the low angles of the viewing angle.
US08884855B2 Driving of electro-optic displays
A display apparatus includes a display device and a display driving system having a data input connected to a distributor for providing signals for driving image regions. Each image region has an active display state in which it is driven with an active voltage signal including a first signal level which sets the image region to the active display state and a second signal level applied for a shorter duration than the first signal level. Operation includes (1) applying the first signal level to an image region in response to receiving data on the data input indicating that the image region is to be set to the active display state, (2) applying the second signal level to the image region after said first signal level has been applied, and (3) reapplying the first signal level before receipt of further data for said image region on the data input.
US08884853B2 Organic light emitting diode display device and method for driving the same
The present invention an organic light emitting diode display device includes a display panel having a plurality of pixel regions, a gate driving unit for driving gate lines and light emitting control lines of the display panel, a data driving unit for driving data lines of the display panel, a power supply unit for supplying first and second power signals to power lines of the display panel as well as a compensating voltage to a compensating power line, and a timing controller for controlling the gate and data driving units for displaying an image with a data voltage compensated with the compensating voltage and controlling the power supply unit to supply the compensating voltage after converting a level of the compensating voltage just before display of a first image on the display panel at an initial driving.
US08884850B2 Display apparatus, method of driving display apparatus, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus including a pixel array and a driver, the pixel array including rows of scanning lines, rows of feeding lines, columns of signal lines, and a matrix of pixels disposed at the crossings of the scanning lines and the signal lines, the driver including a write scanner for supplying a control signal successively to the scanning lines, a power supply scanner for switching each of the feeding lines between a high potential, a low potential, and an intermediate potential between the high potential and the low potential, and a signal selector for supplying a video signal, which alternately switches between a signal potential and a reference potential, to each of the signal lines.
US08884849B2 Display panel and production method thereof
A display panel includes: a first substrate; light-emitting elements on a region of the first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate with the light-emitting elements therebetween; a glass frit between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to surround the region of the first substrate in which the light-emitting elements are disposed, the glass frit providing a hermetic seal between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a light-shielding part formed on one of the first substrate and the second substrate so as to extend along the glass frit, the light-shielding part shielding light. The light-shielding part has a lower light-shielding property in a region corresponding to the outer region of the glass frit than in a region corresponding to the inner region of the glass frit. The glass frit has been irradiated with light through the light-shielding part.
US08884843B2 Image display system and control method therefor
An image display system is constituted by a server and a client apparatus. The server includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of illumination spectrum data after associating the data with values of adjustment parameters, an acquisition unit that acquires the present set value of an adjustment parameter of the client apparatus, a selection unit that selects, from among a plurality of illumination spectrum data stored in the storage unit, illumination spectrum data with a smallest difference between a value of the corresponding adjustment parameter and a value of the adjustment parameter acquired by the acquisition unit, a generation unit that generates image data representing appearance of an image pick-up object under illumination corresponding to the illumination spectrum data selected by the selection unit, and a delivery unit that delivers image data generated by the generation unit to the client apparatus.
US08884836B2 Multi-band internal antenna
A multi band internal antenna is disclosed. The antenna may include a board, an impedance matching/feeding part formed on the board, and a first radiation element joined to the impedance matching/feeding part, where the impedance matching/feeding part may include: a first matching element of a particular length that is coupled to a ground, and a second matching element of a particular length that is arranged with a distance from the first matching element and is electrically coupled to a feeding point, and where the distance between the first matching element and the second matching element may vary partially. Thus, a multi band internal antenna can be provided that utilizes coupling matching to achieve wide-band characteristics even for multi-band designs.
US08884835B2 Antenna system, method and mobile communication device
An antenna system includes a ground plane including at least one slot, a first antenna element coupled to a first portion of the ground plane, a second antenna element coupled to a second portion of the ground plane which is spaced apart from the first portion and a tuner configured to change the influence of the slot to a current flow through the ground plane from the first portion to the second portion.
US08884833B2 Broadband monopole antenna with dual radiating structures
A broadband monopole antenna with dual-radiating elements is provided. In one embodiment, an antenna comprises a ground plane; a first radiating structure having a symmetric configuration along a central axis, comprising a first feed point electrically connected to the base of said first radiating structure along said central axis and a first slot with a corresponding first open-ended strip along said central axis; and a second radiating structure conjoined with said first radiating structure having a symmetric configuration along said central axis, comprising a second feed point electrically connected to the base of said second radiating structure along said central axis and a second slot with a corresponding second open-ended strip along said central axis; and wherein the antenna resonates and operates at a plurality of resonant frequencies.
US08884832B2 Indoor ceiling-mount omnidirectional antenna and a method for manufacturing the same
A ceiling-mount omni-directional antenna for indoor distribution system of mobile communication network and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The antenna includes: a monopole consisting of a cone part and a columnar part, and a reflecting plate consisting of a cone part and a platform part, and a feed connector. The monopole and the reflecting plate are arranged in such that the tips of cone parts are opposite to each other. The signal is fed into the antenna through the feed connector and radiated outward by the monopole and the reflecting plate. In high frequency band, the maximal gain appears at about 70°, so that the signal power focuses at radiating angles of 60°-85°. The gain of the antenna increases 4.22 dB at a radiating angle of 85° and decreases IOdB at a radiating angle of 30°.
US08884830B2 High-frequency chip antenna measurement system
A high-frequency chip antenna measurement system includes a platform; two piers; an arching; a stepper motor; an indication and fastening assembly having a source antenna holder and an illuminant indicator; a carrier stage; a chip antenna carrier having a support member and two sloping posts extending upward and outward from a top end of the support member, two chip antenna carrier benches being mounted to top ends of the two sloping posts respectively; a probe carrier having a support plate directionally variably fixed to the carrier substrate, two props fixed to the support member and parallel to each other and extending outward and upward slantingways, and a probe carrier bench mounted to top ends of the two props for bearing a probe; and a bridging member having two ends mounted to the chip antenna carrier benches.
US08884823B2 Antenna with via fence
An antenna includes: a dielectric resonator surrounded by a via fence within a multilayered substrate; a patch antenna formed on an opening surface of the dielectric resonator; a coupling aperture formed on an internal ground surface within the multilayered substrate; and a feeding line for transferring a signal applied from the outside.
US08884816B2 Temperature compensating device and satellite signal receiving system
A temperature compensating device for providing active bias for an amplifier includes a voltage source, a plurality of loads, and a current generator for generating a current for the amplifier according to voltages provided by the voltage source and the plurality of loads, wherein a first load of the plurality of loads is a thermistor utilized for keeping the current within a specified range under a plurality of ambient temperatures.
US08884805B2 Systems and methods for mapping the crust of the earth
A system comprises a radar transmitter configured to generate a radar signal at a predetermined frequency and a radar receiver configured to receive a reflected signal produced by a reflection of the radar signal. The system further includes a radar antenna system configured to transmit the radar signal into a subterranean region and to receive the reflected signal from the subterranean region. A control system is used for controlling a dwell time of the radar antenna system, and a processor is adapted to generate an image of at least a portion of the subterranean region based at least in part on the reflected signal.
US08884801B1 High-speed analog-to-digital conversion system with flash assisted parallel SAR architecture
The present invention is directed to signal processing systems and methods thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) system that includes a flash ADC portion and a time-interleaved parallel SAR portion. For an n-bit ADC process, the flash ADC portion converts k MSBs of the n bits during a single cycle, and the SAR portion converts n−k LSBs in m number of cycles. The SAR portion includes a number of SAR channels that perform A/D conversion in parallel, and the k MSB from the course flash converter is verified for errors by the SAR portion and allows a net saving of the power consumption by reducing the number of fine resolution SARs. There are other embodiments as well.
US08884797B2 Systems and methods providing active and passive charge sharing in a digital to analog converter
A method for converting a multi-bit digital value to an analog value. The method includes, in a first conversion cycle, converting a first set of digital bits to a first analog voltage using passive charge-sharing. The method also includes, in a second conversion cycle, converting a second set of digital bits to a second analog voltage added to the first analog voltage using active charge-sharing. The first set of digital bits and the second set of digital bits are different bits of the multi-bit digital value.
US08884786B2 Illuminated sign for displaying a command and/or notice for taxiing aircraft traffic at an airport
The invention relates to a light sign (10) for displaying an instruction and/or guidance for ground airplane traffic at an airport, comprising a casing (20) with a transparent display panel (21) for representing an instruction and/or guidance symbol (Z), and a light source arranged inside the casing (20) with at least one luminescent diode (32) for illuminating the display panel (21). A diffusion panel (22) is made for scattering and/or back-scattering incident light, wherein the light source is arranged between the display panel and the diffusion panel. The at least one luminescent diode (32) is aligned on the diffusion panel (22) so that the display panel (21) is not illuminated directly, but indirectly by back-scattering of the light emitted from the at least one luminescent diode by the diffusion panel (22).
US08884763B2 Threat detection sensor suite
A sensor suite for a vehicle, the sensor suite comprising a 3D imaging system, a video camera, and one or more environmental sensors. Data from the sensor suite is combined to detect and identify threats during a structure clearing or inspection operation. Additionally, a method for detecting and identifying threats during a structure clearing or inspection operation. The method comprises: gathering 3D image data including object range, volume, and geometry; gathering video data in the same physical geometry of the 3D image; gathering non-visual environmental characteristic data; and combining and analyzing the gathered data to detect and identify threats.
US08884757B2 Anti-tampering protection assembly
An anti-tampering protection assembly for sensing tampering with at least one conductor, the anti-tampering protection assembly including unpredictably varying signal generating circuitry, connected to the at least one conductor, for providing unpredictably varying signals on the at least conductor and tampering sensing circuitry for sensing tampering with the at least one conductor.
US08884750B2 Inhibiting distracting operations of personal handheld devices by the operator of a vehicle
A warning system is configured to alert a driver if a mobile electronic device present in the vehicle is located outside a designated area of the vehicle, such that it might distract the driver. The designated area can be any surface or retaining area with an associated sensor that can detect the presence of the mobile device. If the driver removes the mobile device from the designated area while driving, the driver will have a predetermined period of time to return the mobile device to the designated area before an alert is generated. If the mobile device is not returned within the predetermined period of time, the alert is generated.