Document Document Title
US08899406B2 System, mechanism, and method for physically manipulating media
A system, mechanism, and method for physically manipulating media, especially in a data storage environment.
US08899403B2 Method for operating a transport device and transport device for implementing the method
The invention relates to a method for operating a transport device (10) which has a number of identical transport means arranged one after another in a transport direction, which are able to transport product along an intrinsically closed transport path (33) between stations (28) arranged on the transport path (33). To identify the individual transport means, use is made of selected transport means (RK) which can be detected by means of first sensors (24) arranged or on the transport path (33) as the said transport means pass the first sensors (24), which are distributed over the transport path (33) and subdivide the transport path (33) into individual segments. The transport means may be assigned individually consecutive fixed serial numbers, which are counted from a single starting point (34), and in that the starting point (34) is defined by a specific arrangement of a plurality of detectable transport means (DRK).
US08899399B2 Banknote processing machine and banknote processing method
A controller 50 of a banknote processing machine 10 is configured to selectively perform a leaving mode, in which the banknote is fed out from each of the storing/feeding units 28, transported to the first cassette (recycle cassette 42) by the transport unit 24, and stored and left in the first cassette, when the first cassette is accommodated in the cassette accommodation unit 40.
US08899397B2 Clutch control system of clutch apparatus for hybrid vehicle
A clutch control system of a clutch apparatus for a vehicle, includes a regulator valve switchable between a first mode in which a fluid pressure of a hydraulic fluid to a pressurized chamber is regulated to a first predetermined fluid pressure and a second mode in which the fluid pressure to a canceller chamber is regulated to a second predetermined fluid pressure, the regulator valve discharging a portion of the hydraulic fluid as a drain lubricant to the clutch portion, a switching valve switchable between a supply mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the pressurized chamber and a discharge mode in which the pressurized chamber is connected to a reservoir, and a control valve controlling the regulator valve to be switched between the first mode and the second mode and controlling the switching valve to be switched between the supply mode and the discharge mode.
US08899394B2 Hydraulic control apparatus for hydraulic torque converter
A hydraulic control apparatus may be provided with a lock-up clutch operated or not by hydraulic pressure difference between an engagement-side oil chamber and a disengagement-side oil chamber and may include a first hydraulic line supplying hydraulic pressure to the disengagement-side oil chamber or exhausting the hydraulic pressure from the disengagement-side oil chamber, a second hydraulic line supplying hydraulic pressure to the engagement-side oil chamber or exhausting the hydraulic pressure from the engagement-side oil chamber, and a third hydraulic line connected to a slip switch valve, and selectively exhausting through the slip switch valve the hydraulic pressure supplied to the engagement-side oil chamber.
US08899393B2 Active vibration isolation system
An active damping system for use in connection with a vibration isolation system includes an intermediate mass between a base and an isolated payload. The intermediate mass is supported by at least one support element which also supports at least substantially all of the static forces of the isolated payload. An actuator dampens and isolates dynamic forces acting on the intermediate mass from the isolated payload. The active damping system also includes a payload support element and a passive damping element, both of which are coupled at one end to the payload platform and at an opposite end to the intermediate mass. A sensor is affixed to the intermediate mass to generate a feedback signal to a processor coupled to the actuator.
US08899388B2 Brake beam assembly
A low weight and low cost brake beam assembly having high static strength and fatigue resistance having two independent brake heads each including a receiving section for receiving and retaining an end of a tension member, an end of a compression member and a portion of an end extension.
US08899386B2 Pneumatically actuable disc brake
A pneumatic disc brake has a caliper which straddles a brake disc, brake pads pressable against the brake disc, wherein a brake-application-side brake pad can be actuated by a brake lever of a brake application device pivotable about an eccentric axis. Against the end side, the brake lever bears a brake ram which is coupled at the other side to the brake pad or to a guide plate coupled thereto. Two pressure rams are aligned in the same direction and spaced apart from the brake ram. The pressure rams are connected in each case to the caliper and to the brake pad or to the guide plate and have a self-energizing device. The caliper has spherical-cap-shaped bearing receptacles in which rest corresponding plain bearing elements, by which the brake lever, and the pressure rams are supported on the caliper.
US08899381B2 Electric transaxle
An electric transaxle according to the invention comprises a transaxle casing, an electric motor, an axle, a gear mechanism, first and second fluid sumps, and first and second fluid introduction passages. The transaxle casing defines a gear chamber therein. The electric motor includes a motor casing attached to the transaxle casing. The axle is supported by the transaxle casing. The gear mechanism transmits power from the electric motor to the axle. Fluid of the first fluid sump raised by driving the gear mechanism is supplied to the second fluid sump. The first fluid introduction passage introduces the fluid raised from the first fluid sump to the second fluid sump when the axle is rotated in a forward traveling direction. The second fluid introduction passage introduces the fluid raised from the first fluid sump to the second fluid sump when the axle is rotated in a backward traveling direction.
US08899377B2 Acoustically optimized air conditioning components
Systems and methods for sound damping in air conditioning systems in an aircraft is provided. In one embodiment, an air conditioning conduit can comprise a sound-damping wall that at least partially encloses a continuous hollow space for guiding the air. The wall comprises a multilayer design with a core layer and at least one first cover layer. The core layer comprises a sound-absorbing open-pore core material so that the wall shows an acoustic effect. The first cover layer is airtight, is arranged on the external surface of the core layer, and is two-dimensionally connected to the core layer. The two-dimensional connection between the core layer and the first cover layer causes a composite effect in such a manner that the wall is self-supporting and has a structural function in order to be able to transfer mechanically-occurring loads to structural parts of the aircraft.
US08899376B2 Cushioning device and metal cover
The present invention has an object of providing a cushioning device having a stable and superb vibration-damping property and a metal cover attachable by use of the cushioning device. A cushioning device, which is to be located between an exhaust manifold as a vibration source and a heat insulator as a connection target and connects the exhaust manifold and the heat insulator to each other and cushions transmission of a vibration from the exhaust manifold to the heat insulator, includes a multi-stage coiled and spiral spring for cushioning the vibration, a grommet for joining the multi-stage coiled and spiral spring and the heat insulator to each other, and a collar member located between an attaching bolt tightened to the exhaust manifold and the multi-stage coiled and spiral spring. The multi-stage coiled and spiral spring is formed of a wiring member having a spiral shape as seen in a plan view.
US08899365B2 Hydraulic excavator
A hydraulic excavator basically includes a lower traveling unit, an upper revolving unit, a counterweight, a machine compartment, a first handrail, a second handrail and a pair of antenna supporting parts. The upper revolving unit is revolvably mounted on the lower traveling unit. The counterweight is disposed on the upper revolving unit. The machine compartment is disposed in front of the counterweight on the upper revolving unit. The first and second handrails are disposed on the machine compartment. The antenna supporting parts are configured to support a pair of antennas. The antenna supporting parts are respectively connected to the first and second handrails.
US08899364B1 Articulated off-road vehicle
The articulated off-road vehicle includes a pivotable chassis and an upper frame extending from the pivotable chassis. Wheels, an engine, and a steering assembly are coupled to the chassis, and the upper frame defines a compartment for drivers and passengers. The pivotable chassis is divided into a front chassis section and a rear chassis section, and a hinge joint pivotally connects the front chassis section to the rear chassis section. A front suspension assembly having a pair of shock absorbers respectively extending at an angle between the top corners of the upper frame and the front chassis section with the shock absorbers pivotally mounted to the upper frame and the front chassis section. Pivotal movement of the front chassis section and concurrent absorption of impact can substantially reduce impact forces imparted to the driver while traversing rough terrain as can thereby increasing safety and comfort for the driver.
US08899363B1 Vehicle hood hinge structure
A hood hinge structure includes a body attachment part, a hood attachment part and a hinge part connecting the hood attachment part to the body attachment part at a first location. The body attachment part has a contact portion formed thereon and the hood attachment part has a restraining member formed thereon. The contact portion engages the restraining member at a second location forward of the first location relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction to restrain movement of the hood attachment part relative to the body attachment part upon application of a prescribed force on at least one of the body attachment part and the hood attachment part where at least one of the body attachment part and the hood attachment part is moved in a lateral direction to a deformed state while the hood attachment part is in the closed position.
US08899358B2 Interface design of TSP shear cutters
A method of forming a cutting element is disclosed, wherein the method includes forming a substrate body, forming an intermediate layer on the substrate body, forming a diamond table, and positioning the diamond table on the intermediate layer, such that the intermediate layer is disposed between the substrate body and the diamond table. The intermediate layer has a base portion having a base height and a ring portion having a ring height HR, wherein the intermediate layer has a height HT equal to the sum of the base height and ring height. The diamond table has a cutting layer having a cutting layer diameter D1 and a cutting layer height HE and a protrusion having a protrusion diameter D2 and a protrusion height HP.
US08899353B2 Post hole digger with integrated safety features
Embodiments provide safety features for a post hole digger, such as for attachment to a tractor or other utility device. The post hole digger has a boom and a yoke for pivotally connecting to the tractor or similar device, a driveline for transmitting rotational energy, and an auger for forming holes in a ground or floor surface. Rotating features of the post hole digger are isolated by various guard members, thereby enhancing the safety of the device.
US08899352B2 System and method for drilling
This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.
US08899351B2 Apparatus and method for adjusting power units of downhole motors
A downhole drilling motor for well drilling operations includes a tubular housing and a stator disposed in the tubular housing. The stator defines an internal cavity passing therethrough, wherein the stator includes one or more lobes defining at least a portion of the cavity. A rotor is operatively positioned in the internal cavity to cooperate with the one or more lobes of the stator. At least a portion of the stator or of the rotor comprises a memory material adapted to expand or contract when heat is applied by a localized heating module to the memory material. A fluid escape gap between the rotor and stator is adjusted by applying heat to the rotor and/or stator. At least one controller is adapted to receive input data and provide output signals increasing and/or decreasing electrical current applied to the at least one localized heating module.
US08899348B2 Surface gas evaluation during controlled pressure drilling
A system and method have a choke in fluid communication with a rotating control device. The choke controls flow of drilling mud from the rotating control device to a gas separator during a controlled pressure drilling operation, such as managed pressure drilling (MPD) or underbalanced drilling (UBD). A probe is in fluid communication with the drilling mud between the choke and the gas separator. During operations, the probe evaluates gas in the drilling mud from the well passing from the choke to the gas separator.
US08899346B2 Perforating assembly control
A perforating assembly includes a material that can respond to a magnetic field by changing shape multiple times and causing a fire control circuit to activate and deactivate. The material may be a magnetic shape-memory alloy and can change shape when the magnetic field is removed or inverted. When the material changes shape, the material can cause another component of the perforating assembly to change position to activate or deactivate the fire control circuit, as desired.
US08899339B2 Systems and methods for regulating flow in a wellbore
Isolation systems for use in a wellbore include two or more tubular segments and at least one coupling assembly. The at least one coupling system is adapted to couple the first and second tubular segments together. The at least one coupling system is further adapted to block at least a portion of the wellbore annulus. The at least one coupling system is further configured as a leaky isolation assembly to separate the wellbore annulus into at least two isolated zones when disposed in the wellbore. At least one isolation zone has at least two outlets including a first outlet through an opening into the tubular and a second outlet past the leaky isolation assembly. The isolation system is configured to provide the isolation with hydraulics during well operation that preferentially drives fluids through the first outlet and at least substantially prevents fluid from passing the isolation assembly.
US08899336B2 Anchor for use with expandable tubular
A method of lining a wellbore includes deploying a BHA into the wellbore using a conveyance. The BHA includes setting tool, an anchor, and an expandable tubular. The method further includes pressurizing a bore of the setting tool, thereby releasing the anchor from the setting tool. The method further includes pulling the conveyance, thereby: extending the anchor into engagement with a casing of the wellbore, pulling an expander of the setting tool through the expandable tubular, and expanding the tubular into engagement with an open and/or cased portion of the wellbore and retracting the anchor.
US08899332B2 Method for building and forming a plug in a horizontal wellbore
A method for building a plug in a horizontal wellbore using a fluid pill containing a suspended well treatment agent. The well treatment agent contains an ultra lightweight (ULW) deformable core and a viscosifying polymer and crosslinking agent coated onto the core. The fluid pill is pumped into the wellbore at the end of a fracturing treatment. The fluid pill is displaced by a displacement fluid and the fluid pill transforms to a thickened gel. The thickened gel is formed by the in-situ reaction of the viscosifying polymer and crosslinking which become disassociated from the ULW deformable core. The gelled fluid containing the ULW deformable core assists in the bridging of the ULW deformable core and forming the bridge plug.
US08899331B2 Carbon sequestration in depleted oil shale deposits
A method and apparatus are described for sequestering carbon dioxide underground by mineralizing the carbon dioxide with coinjected fluids and minerals remaining from the extraction shale oil. In one embodiment, the oil shale of an illite-rich oil shale is heated to pyrolyze the shale underground, and carbon dioxide is provided to the remaining depleted oil shale while at an elevated temperature. Conditions are sufficient to mineralize the carbon dioxide.
US08899328B2 Resin sealant for zonal isolation and methods for making and using same
Epoxy-based zonal isolation compositions are capable of being adjusted by varying the epoxy-based compositions for isolating zones in borehole of oil and gas wells under high-temperature, mid-temperature and low-temperature conditions.
US08899314B2 Stuffing box
A stuffing box for a wellhead comprises a stationary housing defining a passage for receiving a well tubular, and a tubular shaft mounted on the stationary housing for rotation within the passage and defining an inner axial bore. The inner axial bore is adapted to form a static seal around the well tubular in use, and a dynamic pressure seal is mounted within an annular cavity defined by respective cylindrical surfaces of the stationary housing and the tubular shaft. One or both of the respective cylindrical surfaces are tapered to decrease the radial cross sectional area of a seal travel portion of the annular cavity in an axial direction from a well end of the stationary housing to an opposite second end of the stationary housing.
US08899308B2 Heat exchanger tube and method for producing it
A heat exchanger tube with a tube axis and with a tube wall having a tube outside and a tube inside, axially parallel or helically encircling inner ribs, with a groove which lies in each case between adjacent inner ribs, being formed from the tube wall on the tube inside, the helix angle, measured with respect to the tube axis, of the inner ribs being smaller than or equal to 45°, the region of the inner ribs which is remote from the tube wall being deformed at regular intervals asymmetrically on one side essentially in the tube circumferential direction, the deformed material of the inner ribs forming protrusions above the groove, the protrusions extending in each case over a finite deformation zone along an inner rib, the markedness of the deformation changing continuously within the deformation zone.
US08899307B2 Cooling device
A cooling device includes a base, first and second heat generating parts connected to the base, first and second passages formed in the base and a partition wall disposed in the base. Liquid refrigerant flows through the first and the second passages for cooling the first and the second heat generating parts, respectively. The first and the second passages are stacked one above the other through the partition wall in the base. The partition wall includes a first region opened to allow liquid refrigerant in the first passage to flow into the second passage and a second region located on the side of the first region to allow liquid refrigerant in the first passage to flow toward the downstream end of the first passage. The first region is formed such that an opening area of the first region is greater than an opening area of the first passage.
US08899302B2 Mold valve
There is provided an improved valve mechanism for use with a casting or injection mold which is quick acting and simple to construct. The valve includes an inlet coupled to the mold cavity and an outlet for venting gas from the mold cavity. The valve further includes a closure oriented perpendicularly to the inlet and movable between open and closed positions for closing off the outlet. The closure has a central axis and the valve is configured to move the closure into the closed position by directing the melt passing through the inlet to impinge substantially coaxially upon the closure so as to transfer a majority of the momentum of the melt to the closure.
US08899300B2 Adjustable roller shade
A roller shade assembly comprises a tubular roller having a generally cylindrical internal cavity, an generally tubular extension telescopically mounted within the internal cavity of the tubular roller, and an outer tube mounted over the extension. The extension includes an outer wall and a plurality of winged splines located around the outer circumference of the outer wall which extend along at least a portion of the length of the extension tube.
US08899297B2 Rolling door, in particular fast-moving industrial door
A rolling door having a door leaf and guides arranged on both sides, each of which includes a vertical portion and a spiral portion, wherein the door leaf is received in the spiral portions in the form of non-contacting winding layers when the rolling door is in the opened condition. A drive mechanism for operating the rolling door has a motor, a drive shaft and drive organs. The drive organs are arranged on both sides of the door leaf and the drive shaft establishes a driving connection between the drive organs. In one embodiment, the drive shaft is arranged in the central area of the spiral portions of the guides of both sides and extends from one side of the door to the other. Hereby a rolling door is obtained whose structural height in the area of the door lintel is reduced while maintaining a small installation depth.
US08899283B2 Device for fractioning a volume of liquid
A device for dividing up a volume of liquid contained in an original container by filling bottles that are smaller than the original container, including a source of pressurized gas, a first line running from the source of pressurized gas and opening into the original container so as to place it under pressure, and a line for withdrawing the contents of the original container, connecting the latter to one of the smaller bottles. A second line runs from the pressure source and ends in the smaller bottle to be filled. Means are provided for closing and opening the first and second lines and a member is provided for activating the means for closing/opening so as to open the second line then the pressurization line in sequence, and close these same lines in sequence in the reverse order.
US08899276B2 Joining loop structure of industrial multilayer fabric
A multilayer fabric is joined by engaging joining loops formed at both ends of a disjoined industrial multilayer fabric having wefts and warps in layers. The joining loops are formed by folding back some or all the end portions of warps. The both ends of the fabric are joined by engaging the loops to form a common hole and inserting a core wire into the common hole. At least one upper side weft remains while a lower side weft below the remaining upper side weft is removed at the both ends of the fabric. The common hole and the core wire inserted therein are located below the remaining upper side weft. The folded portions of the warps are interwoven with wefts of a normal portion of the fabric.
US08899260B2 Construction machine
Left and right first and second vertical plates 11, 12, and a partition plate 13 are provided on an upper frame 7. The space above the upper frame 7 is divided into a front section S1 and a rear section S2 by the partition plate 13. A cabin 8 is provided on the left side in the front section S1, and a hydraulic oil tank 16 is provided on the right side in the front section S1. A hydraulic pump 15 is provided on the left side in the rear section S2. A pump suction pipeline 24 is connected from the hydraulic pump 15 in the rear section S2, is entered into the front section S1 while passing through the first vertical plate 11 and the partition plate 13, without passing below the cabin 8, and is connected to the hydraulic oil tank 16. Further, a cover plate 30 is fixed to the outer periphery of the pump suction pipeline 24. A partition-plate-side through-hole 29 is covered, and simultaneously, the pump suction pipeline 24 is supported by attaching the cover plate 30 to the partition plate 13.
US08899255B2 Turbojet nacelle having a removable air intake structure
A turbojet engine nacelle, including an air intake structure for directing an airflow towards a fan of the turbojet engine, a middle structure attached to the air intake structure for surrounding the fan of the turbojet engine, the air intake structure including an inner panel attached to the middle structure and defining a fixed structure with the middle structure, and an outer panel including an air intake lip at the end thereof opposite the middle structure, the outer panel being longitudinally translatably movable relative to the inner panel. The nacelle further includes at least one rod having one end attached onto a flange of the air intake lip and a mechanism rigidly connected to the middle structure for securing and locking the other end of each rod by applying a traction force thereon.
US08899246B2 Device and method for processing wafer shaped articles
A device for processing wafer-shaped articles, comprises a chuck adapted to receive a wafer shaped article, and a collector surrounding the chuck. The collector comprises a base and a plurality of divider walls, as well as a plurality of nested partitions surrounding the chuck. Each of the plurality of nested partitions is positioned on a corresponding one of the plurality of divider walls, and each of the plurality of nested partitions is vertically movable so as to define a plurality of separate process regions within the collector depending on the vertical position of each of the plurality of nested partitions. At least one of the divider walls comprises an internal exhaust conduit communicating with an exhaust duct underlying the divider wall.
US08899233B2 Method for enabling transfer of an object from an interior of an airlock to a pressure vessel attached to the airlock
A method for enabling transfer of an object from an interior of an airlock to a pressure vessel attached to the airlock and ensuring that an exterior door of the airlock cannot be opened when the interior of the airlock is pressurized includes actuating a first selector from a first position to a second position whereby the first selector causes the exterior door to be locked and sealed. Thereafter, actuating a second selector from a first position to a second position thereby closing a vent from the interior of the airlock to the atmosphere. Thereafter, actuating a third selector from a first position to a second position thereby opening a vent between the interior of the airlock and the pressure vessel thereby enabling a door between the interior of the pressure vessel and the interior of the airlock to be opened.
US08899231B2 Methods for providing expiratory pressure relief in positive airway pressure therapy
A method of operating a CPAP apparatus in which the interface pressure is controlled to rapidly drop at the start of expiration by an expiratory relief pressure (ERP) that is independent of instantaneous respiratory flow, following which the pressure rises to an inspiratory level at or shortly before the end of expiration, or at the onset of an expiratory pause, if any. The ERP is an increasing function of the inspiratory pressure. The expiratory pressure follows a template that is a function of the expected expiration time, the magnitude of the template being equal to the ERP. The current estimated proportion of expiration is determined by comparing the expiration time of the breath in progress to low-pass filtered expiratory durations measured for a number of the preceding breaths.
US08899230B2 Aerosol therapy device with high frequency delivery
The present invention relates to an aerosol therapy device, wherein an aerosol is generated in an aerosol generating device and is supplied through a nosepiece to a patient's nasal cavities via a single pulsed main aerosol flow.
US08899223B2 Hot surface igniter shield for a gaseous fuel appliance
A gas burner assembly is provided that has a hot surface igniter. The hot surface igniter is equipped with a shield that protects the igniter from e.g., impact or other damage during cleaning or use. The shield is configured with the gas burner in a manner that can minimize the aesthetic impact on the flame while also providing ignition at low and high gas flow rates.
US08899217B2 Bowstring cam arrangement for compound long bow or crossbow
A compound bow or crossbow employs bowstring cams with bowstring cam grooves and power cord cam grooves. Preferably a pair of generally identical power cord cam grooves are positioned axially above and below the bowstring cam groove. The power cords are anchored to a fixed anchor point, e.g., a pylon, on the near end of the riser or on the near side of the crossbow bar or stock. The power cords do not cross over to the other limb. The reduction in the number of cam wheels and pulleys and in the number of strings or cords results in greater efficiency and higher transfer of energy from the bow to the arrow or bolt. There is no drop-off in pull weight at full draw. The bolt or arrow accelerates throughout the travel of the bowstring, resulting in significantly higher velocity.
US08899202B2 Fuel injection device
A fuel injection device comprising electricity-generating means generating electricity by rotation of an engine and outputting a predetermined signal, and a solenoid valve injecting fuel; the valve being opened as a result of a drive current applied to a coil, and the fuel being injected into an intake passage of the engine at a predetermined timing during the rotation of the engine; to ensure that the flow rate required during high-speed operation can be adequately provided in a fuel injection device for injecting/supplying fuel to an engine. The electricity-generating means is an alternating current generation means attached to the engine in a crank angle position at which an output is generated in synchronization with the intake timing of the engine; the signal is an injection command signal applied to the solenoid valve as an alternating-current drive current; and the applied voltage increases with increased engine speed.
US08899199B1 Camshaft phaser and lock pin thereof
A camshaft phaser for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor rotatable about a camshaft axis is disposed coaxially within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes to define advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is slidably disposed along a lock pin axis within the rotor for selective engagement with a first lock pin seat and for selective engagement with a second lock pin seat. The lock pin has a lock pin width in a circumferential direction relative to the camshaft axis and a lock pin length perpendicular to the lock pin width and to the lock pin axis such that the lock pin width is less than the lock pin length.
US08899198B2 Fastening assembly of a camshaft adjuster
A fastening assembly for fastening a camshaft adjuster to a camshaft, having an input part that can be brought into driving engagement with a crankshaft, an output part that is non-rotationally connected to the camshaft, the output part being mounted rotationally adjustably with respect to the input part, and a control mechanism, by which a rotational angle position between the input and output parts can be adjusted. The output part is provided with a central axial opening penetrated by an end section of the camshaft. The end section has a thread-bearing thread section, which is screwed together with a tension nut acting on the output part such that the output part and the camshaft are axially loaded for the non-rotational connection thereof. To this end, the tension nut is elastically loaded in the axial direction or relieved in the axial direction.
US08899194B2 Two-stroke engine
A two-stroke engine (1) includes a combustion chamber (3) which is defined by a piston (5, 44) which is mounted in the cylinder (2) to reciprocate. The piston (5, 44) has a first control surface (62) which controls an outlet (9) out of the combustion chamber (3) and two second control surfaces (63) for the transfer windows (11, 13) of at least one transfer channel (10, 12). At least two transfer windows (11, 13) are arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder bore (60). At least a first recess is provided on the piston skirt (36) which extends in the peripheral area between the two second control surfaces (63) and which is separated from the transfer window (11, 13) via a section of the piston skirt (36) in every position of the piston (5, 44).
US08899193B2 In-line six internal combustion engine
One non-limiting object of the present invention is to provide modifications to conventional in line 6 cylinder engines capable of increasing their efficiency in operation. This includes modifying the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies of the engines. The modifications involve (1) changing the camshaft so that the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies have their four stroke cycles in phase rather than 180° out of phase, (2) providing a communicating passage between the combustion chambers of the central two piston and cylinder assemblies and (3) modifying either the hardware or programming for the control of the fuel injectors of the central two piston and cylinder assemblies so that they can be selectively controlled not to inject fuel during the operation cycle thereof. The modifications contemplates providing a new cam shaft in which not only the cams relating to the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies are modified to change 180° out of phase to in phase, but the cams relating to other piston and cylinder assemblies in order to provide a somewhat balanced application of the driving forces during each cycle.
US08899186B2 Oral care devices, methods, and compositions
Oral care devices (including cleaning devices and delivery devices), oral care compositions, and related methods for using such devices and compositions are disclosed herein. A cleaning device may include a plurality of bristles and a plurality of tongue scrapers. A delivery device may include a delivery surface that is configured to retain an oral care composition. The oral care composition may include an incentivizing agent to entice an animal to lick the disclosed cleaning and/or delivery devices and may be in the form of a foam, liquid spray, gel or paste. The oral care composition may be dispensed onto a surface of a cleaning and/or delivery device. The device and composition may then be presented to an animal. The animal may lick the surface of the device. The licking action of the animal in licking the oral care device may clean the oral cavity and/or deliver an oral care composition.
US08899178B2 Indexed feed dispensing mechanism
An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.
US08899176B2 Adhesive agent applying apparatus and adhesive agent applying method for absorbent article
An adhesive agent applying apparatus has an ejecting section that ejects a thermoplastic adhesive agent and applies the thermoplastic adhesive agent onto one surface of a continuous sheet, traveling in a predetermined travel path and relevant to an absorbent article, by ejecting the thermoplastic adhesive agent from the ejecting section. The apparatus includes a contacting-detaching mechanism that causes relative movement between the continuous sheet and the ejecting section along a contacting-detaching direction, an ejecting mechanism that performs an ejecting operation of the thermoplastic adhesive agent from the ejecting section, and a controller that controls the contacting-detaching mechanism and the ejecting mechanism. The controller controls, when a travel speed of the continuous sheet is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the contacting-detaching mechanism and the ejecting mechanism in such a manner that, while causing the ejecting section to be in contact with the one surface of the continuous sheet, the thermoplastic adhesive agent is ejected from the ejecting section, and, when the travel speed is less than or equal to the threshold value, controls the contacting-detaching mechanism and the ejecting mechanism in such a manner that the ejection of the thermoplastic adhesive agent from the ejecting section is stopped and that the continuous sheet and the ejecting section come to a spaced apart state at the time the ejection is stopped or after the ejection has been stopped.
US08899159B2 Spring assembly for level control in a vehicle
Disclosed is a spring assembly for level controlled support of a wagon body on a running gear of a vehicle, in particular of a railway vehicle, including a spring device and an actuator device, wherein the spring device takes up a first installation space, the actuator device takes up a second installation space, the spring device and the actuator device are connected to each other in a direction of action in a kinematically serial arrangement, and the actuator device is designed for at least partially compensating for a change in length of the spring device in the direction of action by a displacement at an actuator component in the direction of action, and wherein the first installation space and the second installation space overlap each other in the direction of action in an overlapping region. Also disclosed is a vehicle having such a spring assembly.
US08899153B2 Printing machine and method of operating the machine to avoid undesired vibrations
A method and an apparatus for operating a printing press determine the vibration behavior of at least one impression cylinder of the printing press, with the avoidance or suppression of undesirable vibrations such as resonant vibrations by utilizing measures in the range of the critical frequencies which trigger the vibrations. During operation of a printing press of this type, undesirable vibrations occur which cause quality impairments in relation to the printed image. The invention reduces quality impairments of this type. The problem is solved by performing targeted loading of the drive of the impression cylinder of the printing press with an exciting signal of the power output to cause vibrations of the impression cylinder, and determining critical frequencies in the resonant frequency spectrum of the impression cylinder using the vibrations which are caused.
US08899141B2 Rate control mechanism
Certain embodiments disclose rate reducer systems and methods to reduce the cyclic rate of self-powered firearms. The reduction in cyclic rate is achieved by mechanically delaying the firing step in the cycle of functioning. This delay is achieved by temporarily latching an inertia weight at the rear of the recoil stroke while the recoiling parts return to battery (i.e. a firing position). When the recoiling parts go into battery, the inertia weight is released and urged forward. At the forward end of its travel, the inertia weight actuates the firing mechanism.
US08899133B1 Hydraulic puller device
A hydraulic puller device for pulling bearings, gears, wheels and pulleys from objects such as shafts and axles and other machine parts. The hydraulic puller device includes a mobile base assembly, a jaw assembly being mounted to the base assembly and including a plurality of jaw members, a press assembly being mounted to the base assembly for urging against an object to facilitate the removal of a press fitted work piece, and a control assembly being in fluid communication with the base assembly, the jaw assembly and the ram assembly.
US08899128B2 Steering device
A steering device includes: an inner column; an outer column that includes a left-right pair of outer column half bodies having holding surface portions formed on respective inner surface sides thereof, the two holding surface portions together constituting a holding inner peripheral surface for holding an outer peripheral surface of the inner column; a pivot bracket in which hanging side portions are formed on either width direction side of a pivot upper portion; a fixing bracket provided with fixing side portions on either width direction side; and a clamping tool. Respective width direction outside surfaces of the two outer column half bodies are sandwiched between the two hanging side portions of the pivot bracket, and the two fixing side portions of the fixing bracket are connected such that the two width direction outside surfaces of the two outer column half bodies can be clamped and released by the clamping tool.
US08899127B2 Safety trigger mechanism and functional frame for motion furniture
The present invention discloses a safety trigger mechanism and functional frame for motion furniture for driving a drive mechanism of motion furniture. The safety trigger mechanism includes a mounting board, and a pull wire, a fork and a first restoring spring connected in turn. The fork is mounted turnably about a first rivet on the mounting board by the first rivet, and a bent hook is disposed on one end of the fork and interlocked with a driving arm of the drive mechanism. The safety trigger mechanism further includes a safety hook with a notch, which is mounted turnably about a second rivet on the mounting board by the second rivet. One side edge of the safety hook abuts against the bent hook of the fork, and the driving arm has an arresting pin disposed thereon. The initial position of the arresting pin is in the notch of the safety hook, and the arresting pin is detached from the notch of the safety hook when the safety hook turns clockwise. Since the arresting pin of the driving arm is hooked by the safety hook to ensure that the drive mechanism cannot be unfolded, the present invention has more safety. Even if a large external force acts on the driving arm, the drive mechanism won't unfold itself.
US08899124B2 Industrial robot
An industrial robot includes a support body, a moving platform, a pivot shaft, a plurality of driving devices, a plurality of transfer branch joints, and a base. The support body includes a main body, and an installing portion opposite to the main body; the pivot shaft is rotatably connected with the main body and the moving platform; the driving devices are positioned at a bottom of the main body; each transfer branch joint is movably connected with the moving platform and one corresponding driving device; the installing base includes a bottom base, and two supporting arms extending from opposite sides of the bottom base; the bottom base and the two supporting arms cooperatively forming a receiving space; the bottom base and the two supporting arms are detachable in relation to the installing portion and the main body; the main body is received in the receiving space.
US08899123B2 Gear transmission device with resilient connection between driving gear and driving shaft
An exemplary gear transmission device includes a driving assembly including a driving shaft, a shaft coupling, a circular driving gear, a resilient mechanism and a driven gear engaging with the driving gear. The shaft coupling is fixed to the driving shaft and rotatable in unison with rotation of the driving shaft. The circular driving gear substantially surrounds and is operatively coupled to the shaft coupling and rotatable under urging of the shaft coupling. The resilient mechanism is held between the driving gear and the shaft coupling and is elastically deformable in circumferential directions of the shaft coupling. When the driving gear moves axially and collides with the driven gear without meshing with the driven gear, the driving gear rotates slightly relative to the shaft coupling thereby elastically deforming the resilient mechanism and the driving gear reaches a position where it can mesh with the driven gear.
US08899122B2 Transmission system
A transmission system has a clutch module which has a single input and two outputs, where clutch devices are located between the outputs and the input. The transmission system further includes a transmission module which has two inputs and a single output, the transmission module comprising at least two sub-transmissions where at least a single speed transforming gear or a single transmission clutch is located between an input and an output of each sub-transmission. The two outputs of the clutch module are connected here to both inputs of the transmission module.
US08899121B2 Spindle drive
A spindle drive having a threaded spindle driveable in a rotational fashion, a carriage adjustable via the threaded spindle along a guide rail, and several guide carriages arranged in front and behind the carriage in the feed direction to support the spindle, with the guide carriages arranged in front of the carriage in an accumulating motion being pushed together successively by the carriage towards the spindle end, and with the guide carriages arranged behind the carriage being entrained by a coupling mechanism and moved into allocated support positions. Coupling elements are provided on the guide carriages and the carriage, that cooperate together and can be operated by switching elements fixed on the guide rail, by which the guide carriages arranged in front of the carriage are automatically coupled during the successive displacement motion, and by which the entrained guide carriages upon reaching their support position are automatically decoupled and fixed.
US08899115B2 Method and system for locating a laser vibrometer during non-contact scanning
A method and system are provided for inspecting a surface of an object with an optical scanner and a laser vibrometer. The method includes the steps of: (a) mapping at least a portion of the object surface using the optical scanner; (b) projecting a beam of light from the laser vibrometer onto the object surface at a measurement point; (c) locating the measurement point relative to the object surface using the optical scanner; and (d) measuring a position of the object surface using the laser vibrometer to determine, for example, a deflection of the object surface.
US08899114B2 Energy intensity transformation
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08899112B2 Gyro sensor and electronic device including the same
A gyro sensor includes: a driving mass; a detection mass connected with the driving mass; a driving connection one end and the other end of which are connected with the driving mass and an anchor, respectively; an island connected with the anchor, and disposed with a clearance left between the island and the driving mass in such a manner as to be electrically connected with the driving mass; and a projection provided at least either on the surface of the driving mass opposed to the island, or on the surface of the island opposed to the driving mass. The driving unit includes a movable electrode unit connected with the driving mass, and a fixed electrode unit. The minimum distance between the driving mass and the island is longer than the driving amplitude of the driving mass and shorter than the maximum amplitude of the movable electrode unit.
US08899111B2 Device for measuring forces generated by an unbalance
A device for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a rotor, said device comprising a stationary frame, a first bearing, measuring shaft mounted rotatably about its shaft axis in the first bearing, a mounting means provided on the measuring shaft designed for attachment of the rotor, wherein the rotor is designed to be balanced in at least one compensating plane, a second bearing pivotally supporting the first bearing about a pivot axis which intersects the shaft axis and being supported on the stationary frame, a first force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting about the pivot axis, and a second force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting on the measuring shaft and on the second bearing in a direction intersecting the shaft axis.
US08899105B2 Slim capacitance sensor for downhole applications
A capacitive pressure sensor includes a stator which encircles a portion of a cylindrical diaphragm. This encircling forms a circumferential gap between the sidewalls of the stator and the diaphragm. Therefore, a greater area “A” can be achieved in smaller diameter sensor footprint than prior art designs and yet still detect relatively small changes in capacitance. Additionally, the width “g1” of the gap can be wider than prior art designs without negatively affecting capacitance detection. A bonding agent which has a melting temperature of about half that of bonding agents used in prior art designs, secures the stator to the diaphragm and reduces oxidation issues during assembly, thereby decreasing manufacturing time and cost. To ensure proper side-to-side alignment of the stator relative to the diaphragm, a centering sleeve, which is removed after bonding, is placed over as stub at the upper end of the diaphragm.
US08899102B2 Method and apparatus for trapping single particles in microfluidic channels
Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods. Methods include techniques to provide differential measurements by varying the fluid density for repeated measurements on the same particle or cell.
US08899096B2 High-throughput modular hydrogen storage engineering properties analyzer
A cover, sample tray and base may form a hydrogen storage engineering properties analyzer. In at least one embodiment, the sample tray includes a plurality of cooling fins, each of which includes a sample well therein. A variety of hydrogen storage materials may be loaded into and unloaded from each sample well by way of a respective sample well opening. The combined cover and sample tray define at least one plenum which may be in fluid communication between a source of pressurized hydrogen gas and each sample well. The cooling fins may be received by a cooling chamber defined within the base and configured to receive a through-flow of heat-exchange fluid. Certain embodiments may include one or more pressure transducers in fluid communication between the plenum and hydrogen source, and thermal transducers connected to portions of the cooling fins.
US08899094B1 Evaluation of ballistic resistance of steel in terms of ballistically induced plasticity
The present invention is typically embodied as a method for studying ballistic resistance of one or more steel materials. A projectile is caused to strike groups of steel samples made of the same steel material, and the ballistic limit V50 of each steel material is determined. Prior to the V50 testing, a sample of each steel material is metallographically imaged so as to reveal austenitic bodies therein. The austenitic volume fraction of a sample of each steel material is measured via VSM at least once prior to the V50 testing and at least once subsequent to the V50 testing. Subsequent to the V50 testing, a microhardness distribution is mapped characterizing a sample of each steel material in the vicinity of the ballistic crater. The empirical results are assessed in light of the inventively discovered mechanism of plasticity of the steel that is ballistically induced in relation to austenite-to-martensite transformation.
US08899093B2 Drawing support for a sheet metal drawing machine
A drawing support for a metal sheet drawing machine. In one implementation the drawing support is constructed of a plurality of plates positioned in series one after the other and coupled together so that at least a portion of the plurality of plates are compressed one against the other. In one implementation each of the plurality of plates has a window through which metal sheet to be drawn may pass, and a holder for holding the metal sheet when it is drawn.
US08899092B2 Bending apparatuses for bending a sheet-like material
A bending apparatus for corrugating a sheet-like material can comprise a support member, a feed mechanism, a bending member, a hold-down member, and a driving mechanism. The support member can comprise a support surface with corrugations. The feed mechanism can be configured to feed the support member in increments of one pitch of the support member corrugations. The bending member can be configured to reciprocate between a retracted position and an actuated position mating with a corrugation on the support surface so material laying on the support surface is bent along the support member corrugation. The hold-down member can be configured to be reciprocated between a retracted position and an actuated position holding the material against the support surface. The drive mechanism can be configured to sequentially reciprocate the bending member and the hold-down member so the hold-down member presses down the material and the bending member bends the material.
US08899091B2 Method for producing such a metal closure with separate disc and ring from a single closure blank
A method of production for a 2-piece “Combo” style closure (1′), having a disk (10′) constrained within a peripheral ring (20′). The “combo” style closure (1′) is produced from a conventional one-piece closure shell (1) by cutting the sidewall (20) in the vicinity of the top plate (10) to produce the ring (20′) and disc (10′) respectively.
US08899090B2 Quenched and tempered joint cage
A cage having a plurality of cutouts for receiving rolling bodies of a joint includes a quenched and tempered steel, and the entire cage has a substantially uniform ductility over its cross section without surface hardening. The cage may be produced by forming a closed base body, cutting out a plurality of cutouts, fully hardening the cage by heating and subsequently quenching the cage, and tempering the cage.
US08899089B1 Apparatus to produce self-piercing and clinch nut and method for producing self-piercing and clinch nut
An apparatus to produce a self-piercing and clinch nut includes a first forging die assembly, a second forging die assembly, a third forging die assembly, a transfer mechanism, and a controller. The first forging die assembly is configured to subject a blank to first processing. The second forging die assembly is adjacent to the first forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to second processing after the blank has undergone the first processing in the first forging die assembly. The third forging die assembly is adjacent to the second forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to third processing after the blank has undergone the second processing in the second forging die assembly. The controller is configured to control the first forging die assembly, the second forging die assembly, the third forging die assembly, and the transfer mechanism to operate.
US08899085B2 System and method for forming a metal beverage container using blow molding
A system and method of manufacturing a metal vessel may include providing a preform formed of a work hardened metal that includes an open portion, a closed end portion, and body portion. The body portion of the preform may be preheated in a manner that limits heat being applied to the open portion and closed end portion of the preform. The preheated preform may be blow molded.
US08899066B2 System for environmental protection of a heat exchanger
In a one embodiment, a system includes an air conditioning unit having an enclosure, a heat exchanger disposed in the enclosure, and a plurality of louvers coupled to the enclosure. The plurality of louvers is configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and the closed position is configured to protect the heat exchanger from an environment external to the enclosure.
US08899056B2 Air conditioner
An air conditioner includes a compressor, first and second heat exchangers connected with high pressure piping, low pressure piping connecting the second heat exchanger to a compressor suction port, a pressure reducing mechanism arranged to reduce pressure in the high pressure piping, a bypass passageway, a vessel connected to the bypass passageway, and first and second opening/closing mechanisms. The first heat exchanger is connected to a compressor discharge port. The bypass passageway is arranged to divert refrigerant from the high pressure piping to the low pressure piping without passing through the second heat exchanger. The first opening/closing mechanism is arranged to open/close a first portion of the bypass passageway that connects the high pressure piping to the vessel. The second opening/closing mechanism is arranged to open/close a second portion of the bypass passageway that connects an upper part of the vessel to the low pressure piping.
US08899053B2 Cryogenic refrigerator
A cryogenic refrigerator includes a cylinder configured to be fed with a refrigerant gas, a displacer configured to reciprocate in the cylinder, a drive unit configured to cause the displacer to reciprocate in the cylinder, and a connecting mechanism connecting the drive unit and the displacer. The connecting mechanism includes an output shaft extending from the drive unit toward the displacer, an engagement pin provided through the output shaft to extend in directions to cross the reciprocating directions of the displacer, a rotation prevention mechanism configured to engage with the engagement pin to prevent a further rotation of the displacer when the displacer rotates, and a lid body fixed to an end portion of the displacer and engaging with the output shaft.
US08899052B2 Thermoelectric-enhanced, refrigeration cooling of an electronic component
Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component of varying heat load. The apparatus includes a refrigerant evaporator coupled in thermal communication with the electronic component, a refrigerant loop coupled in fluid communication with the refrigerant evaporator for facilitating flow of refrigerant through the evaporator, and a thermoelectric array disposed in thermal communication with the evaporator. The thermoelectric array includes one or more thermoelectric elements, and is powered by a voltage and by a current of switchable polarity, which are controlled to maintain heat load on refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant evaporator within a steady state range, notwithstanding varying of the heat load applied to the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant by the at least one electronic component.
US08899047B2 Gas turbine power plant having fuel heating means
Provided is a power plant including a gas turbine that uses a fuel gas as a fuel; a fuel gas cooler that cools the fuel gas, which is to be pressurized in a fuel gas compressor and re-circulated, using cooling water; and a dust collection device that separates/removes impurities from the fuel gas that is to be guided to the fuel gas compressor; wherein the power plant further includes heating means that heats the fuel gas that is to be guided to the dust collection device using the fuel gas that has been used to generate an anti-thrust force acting on a rotor of the fuel gas compressor.
US08899043B2 Ocean thermal energy conversion plant
An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection. The heat exchangers in the evaporator and condenser systems include a multi-stage cascading heat exchange system. Warm water conduits in the first deck portion and cold water conduits in the second deck portion are integral to the structure of the submerged portion of the offshore platform.
US08899040B2 Compressor bypass
A power system includes a natural gas engine, a first turbine receiving an exhaust from the engine, and a second turbine having an inlet fluidly connected to an outlet of the first turbine. The power system also includes a compressor driven by the first turbine. The compressor has an outlet fluidly connected to the engine. The power system further includes a bypass system directing a fluid from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet of the second turbine.
US08899039B2 Reservoir and master cylinder
Provided is a reservoir having first and second partitions. The first partitions partition a brake reservoir chamber and clutch reservoir chambers. The first partitions extend in a length direction of the vehicle and are formed uprightly along the sidewalls. The second partitions connect the first partitions and the sidewalls adjacent to the first partitions. The second partitions are formed uprightly at middle positions of the respective sidewalls in the length direction of the vehicle. The brake reservoir chamber and the clutch reservoir chambers are formed to face the sidewalls.
US08899026B2 Arrangement for introducing a liquid medium into exhaust gases from a combustion engine
Arrangement for introducing a liquid medium into exhaust gases from a combustion engine, having a mixing duct, an injector for injecting the liquid medium into the mixing duct, and an inlet duct situated upstream of the mixing duct. The inlet duct has a first duct section which is annular in cross-section and a second duct section which is annular in cross-section. The second duct section is situated downstream of the first duct section and surrounds the mixing duct. The first duct section surrounds the second duct section. The mixing duct further has a flow reversal section via which an annular outlet of the first duct section is connected to an annular inlet of the second duct section and which is configured to reverse the direction of flow of the exhaust gases flowing through the inlet duct, to flow through the second duct section in a direction opposite to that of the exhaust gases in the first duct section.
US08899022B2 Apparatus for the aftertreatment of the exhaust gases of diesel engines
An exhaust gas aftertreatment device, including a bent exhaust pipe, a mixing pipe having a closed end at the exhaust pipe bend and a bell-shaped widened portion in at least partial contact with the exhaust pipe at its opposite end, and a nozzle connected to a receptacle in the mixing pipe closed end for injecting an additive into the exhaust gases, with a mixing zone in the exhaust pipe between the urea nozzle and the exhaust pipe outlet in which the exhaust gases flow around the mixing pipe symmetrically and form a double eddy in the mixing pipe.
US08899013B2 Thrust reverser having locking/unlocking cascade vanes
A thrust reverser for the nacelle of a turboreactor includes at least one fixed front frame that can be mounted downstream of a fan casing of the turboreactor and directly or indirectly supports at least one flow deviation vanes, in which at least part of the flow deviation vanes can be detached from the front frame and moved in translation independently therefrom when a maintenance operation is being carried out on the reverser.
US08899005B2 Bi-directional drive system for turf groomer and turf brush application
A bi-directional drive system for turf grooming and brushing operations is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a reel deck assembly having a reel blade assembly rotatably supported on a reel blade shaft axially rotatable in a reel blade shaft rotation direction. The system additionally includes a first positive engagement member rotatably connected to the reel deck assembly, and an attachment member releasably connected to the first positive engagement member. The attachment member is simultaneously axially rotatable in an attachment member first axial rotation direction that is the same as the reel blade shaft rotation direction, or an attachment member second axial rotation direction opposite to the reel blade shaft rotation direction. The bi-directional rotation is implemented by selective engagement of a drive system connected to the reel blade shaft.
US08898998B1 Method to manufacture paneling or flooring strips from wooden barrel staves
Disclosed is a novel wall or ceiling paneling or flooring manufactured from curved cask staves used in the aging of liquors, including wine and whiskey, having a desirable patina that emits a scent having a bouquet associated with the bouquet of the fermented liquor that was aged in the cask, as well as a method to manufacture the paneling or flooring that includes the steps of first straightening the curved staves, and then scrapping a portion of the stained surface layer of the stave to remove any splintering that may have occurred during the stave straightening process. The straightened, scraped stave is affixed to a wall or predetermined sub flooring surface with the stained surface layer remaining exposed for viewing or foot traffic and to permit the release of the wine, whiskey or other spirit bouquet into the room.
US08898997B2 In-wall hydronic thermal control system and installation method
A system for installing tubing of hydronic thermal control systems in the walls, including ceilings, of buildings. It allows for the stable incorporation of the tubing in the walls while ensuring good thermal conductivity between the tubing and the building's room. The system features a wall including a hydronic thermal management system. The wall comprises a vertically-extending wall support structure, tubing panels secured to the wall support structure, the panels being constructed from wood material, tubing in the tubing panels for carrying a heat transfer fluid, and drywall panels secured over the tubing panels. A filling material is applied between the tubing and the drywall panels. Also a high thermally conductive layer, such as aluminum foil, is used between the filling material and the drywall panels or between the filling material and the tubing panels.
US08898993B2 Bracket for use in building construction
A bracket for a building that includes a first building member, a masonry veneer disposed exteriorly of the first building member, and a second building member disposed exteriorly of the masonry veneer. The bracket includes a bracket body having a first portion for being coupled to the first building member and a second outwardly extending portion having a length sufficient to extend to at least about an exterior surface of the masonry veneer. A connector member extends through the bracket member, and at least partially through each of the first and second building members. A connector support extends through the bracket body and includes a sleeve having a passageway for receiving and supporting the connector member, wherein the bracket body and connector support are configured to distribute a load borne by the connector member on the masonry veneer over an area of the bracket body greater than the area of the connector.
US08898987B1 Roofing shingles with reduced usage of conventional shingle material and having top lap extension
A roofing shingle has a shingle body with a butt edge, a headlap portion, a head edge, and first and second side edges. An exposure zone has a width that extends from the butt edge toward the headlap portion and is configured to be exposed to the environment when the shingle is installed on a roof. A water impermeable sheet is attached to the shingle body. The sheet has a width with upper and lower edges. The width extends from between about the butt and head edges to beyond the head edge of the shingle body. The width of the shingle body is such that a first distance between the head edge of the shingle body and the upper edge of the water impermeable sheet is equal to or greater than the width of the exposure zone. The sheet is formed from a different material than the shingle body.
US08898985B2 Ceiling panel system
A ceiling panel system includes a plurality of grid members that are operable to form a grid suspendable from a ceiling, the grid having grid member intersections; and a plurality of ceiling panels, each ceiling panel including a planar surface and a plurality of upturned edges arranged about the periphery of the planar surface. The upturned edges include a catch operable to attach the panels to the face of the grid intermediately to the intersections to form a ceiling surface.
US08898980B2 Pullout resistant pintle and anchoring system utilizing the same
A high-strength pullout resistant pintle and anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The modified veneer tie utilizes ribbon pintles formed from a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The ribbon pintles hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with receptor portions of a wall anchor and are dimensioned to preclude significant lateral, vertical and horizontal movement.
US08898975B2 Dry-hang wall panel using a thin stone slab
A dry-hang wall panel includes a thin stone slab having a thickness of about 3-10 mm. A reinforcing sheet has an area corresponding to the thin stone slab and is fixed to a rear side of the thin stone slab. A rear frame made of a rigid material is fixed to a peripheral edge of the reinforcing sheet. The rear frame has a hollow area in a central portion thereof. Hooks can be mounted to the rear frame for mounting the dry-hang wall panel to a wall face. The dry-hang wall panel allows easy construction and provides a leveling effect while providing a sense of quality.
US08898974B1 Electrical panel structures
Electrical panel structures for a modular building system, such as a modular data center. The electrical panel structures provide a standardized structure for attachment of high voltage power, low voltage power, and/or data lines between rooms or components of the modular building system. The panel structures can include multiple conduits that extend between rooms or other components of a modular building structure. The panel structures can include, for example, conduits having couplers for the attachment of high voltage cables and/or pass-throughs for the passage of low voltage lines and/or data lines.
US08898968B2 Solar power unit and system
One aspect of the present invention relates to a solar power unit comprising a frame, configured to be integrated into a building structure, for supporting a solar panel, the solar panel for generating a power signal, and a front cover for securing the solar panel to the frame.
US08898960B2 Eavestrough cover
An eavestrough having a front wall, rear wall and top wall with a foraminous membrane extending between the rear wall and front wall, and a recess formed between the eavestrough top wall and the foraminous membrane which permits reversal of water flow flowing towards the recess.
US08898956B2 Sliding door device for vehicle with pressure sensing unit and sealing unit
A sliding door device for a vehicle includes a sliding door installed to be slidingly moved, a door weather strip attached to the sliding door, a pressure switch for sensing internal pressure of the door weather strip, a pneumatic line for connecting the door weather strip and the pressure switch to communicate with each other, an electronic control unit (ECU) for receiving a sensing signal of the pressure switch to control opening and closing of the sliding door, and an opening and closing valve for having the pneumatic line communicate with the atmospheric pressure or blocking the pneumatic line from the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent an object or an occupant from being jammed in a process of closing the sliding door.
US08898955B2 Synthetic symbiotic system as soil additives to deliver active ingredients through plant roots for enhanced plant and crop yield
A plant growth support medium is described to enhance soil characteristics and provide where required, improved water, or nutrient contents. La addition the medium can be inoculated with microorganisms to aid soil characteristics and provide interactions within micron-scale environment between plant roots, water, nutrients and where applicable, bacteria and root exudates. This micro-environment provides direct delivery of active ingredients to the plant roots. The medium comprises a polymeric material having a primary pore size of greater than 30 micron. The walls of the pores are elastic, enabling the pore to swell in size to retain water, solutes or other biologically useful components and allow root penetration through them. Sulphonation of the walls renders the walls more hydrophilic so attracting water into the pores and also increasing the wall elasticity. Capillaries can be provided to interconnect pores and allow root penetration into the medium. The pore walls can be granular in character to allow water, nutrient and where applicable, bacterial metabolites and messenger molecules passage between adjacent pores and plant roots.
US08898949B1 Firearm tactical rail mounting bracket
A mounting bracket for attachment to a firearm's tactical rail, the mounting bracket including a “C” member having a web and lateral and oppositely lateral hooks, the web further having a seam dividing the “C” member into lateral and oppositely lateral halves; extending and retracting slide bars and slide channel combinations connected to the “C” member's halves for movements of the halves between first and second positions, the halves in their first positions displacing from each other for rail receipts and releases, and the halves, upon opposite movements, capturing the rail between the “C” member's lateral and oppositely lateral hooks; and latching pawls connected to the “C” member's lateral and oppositely lateral halves for, upon movements of the halves to the second positions, alternatively resisting and permitting movements of the halves to their first positions.
US08898939B2 Gift card holder
A combination gift card holder and message delivery package facilitates the identification of a gift card contained within the package while presenting the recipient with an accompanying message prior to fully revealing the gift card. The package includes first, second and third panels. The first and second panels and the second and third panels are connected with one another along a common edge and are pivotable with respect to each other. The panels have cutouts therein. The gift card is positioned in the package between the second and third panels thereby exposing a portion of a front surface of the gift card through the cutout in the third panel and exposing a portion of a rear surface of the gift card through the cutout in the second panel, thereby partially concealing the gift card while exposing an identification marking thereon.
US08898935B2 Article of footwear with interlocking cleat member and raised base
A cleat member for an article of footwear is configured to associate with a raised base on a sole of the article of footwear. The raised base includes an angled face with a plurality of protruding portions extending outwards from the angled face. An underside of the cleat member is provided with an indentation that corresponds to the angled face of the raised base. A plurality of recessed portions are disposed along the indentation on the underside of the cleat member and are configured to associate with the plurality of protruding portions on the angled face of the raised base. The plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of protruding portions have coincident shapes so that the protruding portions fit with the recessed portions. With this configuration, the cleat member and sole are configured with an interlocking arrangement that resists loosening when the article of footwear is used on a ground surface.
US08898934B2 Article of footwear with flexible reinforcing plate
A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure includes a reinforcing plate. The reinforcing plate includes a first flange portion corresponding to a big toe of a foot and a second flange portion corresponding to a ball region of a foot. The first flange portion and the second flange portion each include a cleat member.
US08898931B2 Folded loop fastening system for an article of footwear
A lacing element for a fastening system of an article of footwear is formed using a continuous strip of material that is folded across itself in a series of different directions to produce a plurality of folded loops. A first group of exposed folded loops form eyestays for a lace, with each eyestay being formed by a trailing edge of one exposed loop and a leading edge of an adjacent exposed loop. The trailing edge and the leading edge are formed by folded regions in the continuous strip of material that are points of contact for the lace. A second group of secured folded loops are disposed below the exposed loops and are used to attach the lacing element to an upper of the article of footwear.
US08898928B2 Delamination drying apparatus and method
An apparatus for delamination drying a substrate is provided. A chamber for receiving a substrate is provided. A chuck supports and clamps the substrate within the chamber. A temperature controller controls the temperature of the substrate and is able to cool the substrate. A vacuum pump is in fluid connection with the chamber. A tilting mechanism is able to tilt the chuck at least 90 degrees.
US08898927B2 Apparatus and methods for drying material
Exemplary embodiments or implementations are disclosed of systems for drying materials and control apparatus and methods relating to material drying systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a control apparatus for a material drying system is configured to select one or more heat sources from a plurality of heterogeneous heat sources for drying the material. The selecting is performed based on one or more sensor inputs. The control apparatus controls the selected heat source(s) to provide heat to dry the material. In some configurations, a material drying system operates as a typical heat pump only when more cost-effective auxiliary heat cannot be provided to maintain a drying temperature.
US08898924B2 Test device for testing depth of chamfer
A test device includes a base rested on an object, an inserting member slidably mounted to the base and contacts a slanted surface of a chamfer of the object, and a test member slidably rested on the base. The base includes a positioning bar abutting a bottom end of the chamfer. A first cutout and a second cutout communicating with the first cutout and positioned in front of the first cutout are defined in a bottom surface of the testing member. A depth of the second cutout equals the tolerance of a standard depth of the chamfer. If a top surface of the inserting member can be received in the second cutout, the depth of the chamfer is qualified. If the top surface of the inserting member cannot be received in the second cutout, the depth of the chamfer is unqualified.
US08898923B2 System and method for setting measurement force thresholds in a force sensing caliper
An electrically powered caliper is provided which includes a scale member, a slider, a displacement sensor, a force sensing arrangement and a signal processing portion. The signal processing portion is configured to receive a force signal and indicate a respective force corresponding to the respective position of the slider. Force data is acquired comprising a plurality of respective forces corresponding to respective positions of the slider. The signal processing portion defines an acceptable measurement force range defined by at least a minimum force threshold that is determined such that it exceeds a compensation force corresponding to at least one force component included in the force signal that is independent of user variations of the measurement force. It may analyze acquired force data to identify pre-contact data, and set the minimum force threshold for a current measurement procedure based on that pre-contact data.
US08898913B1 Masonry circular saw stabilizing and supporting shoe
A supporting and stabilizing shoe used with a masonry circular power saw. A shoe frame rigidly mounts to the saw's motor frame. A plate that is preferably substantially planar and bifurcated to form two substantially co-planar members with a gap therebetween pivotably mounts to the shoe frame. A spring biases the plate away from the blade, but can be overcome, and an adjustment knob tightens the plate in position relative to the blade. This provides for depth adjustment for the blade and keeps the blade at a desired angle, such as ninety degrees, to the workpiece surface. The plate extends longitudinally from the motor frame beneath the drive mechanism and the blade of the saw to provide a stable surface upon which the saw can rest during use or storage.
US08898908B2 Method for manufacturing a facade panel
A method of manufacturing a facade panel for the outer lining of a building in which tiling forming the outer surface of the panel is formed on the surface of the back panel meant to be the background of the facade panel. Tiling is attached to the back panel and the seams between the tiles are seamed with the help of a seam mass. A bottom panel on top of which a tile controller is set to adjust the locations of the tiles positioned upside down. The back panel is pressed on top of the tiles whereupon attachment spikes attached to the back panel penetrate the seams between the tiles. The tile seams are filled with a jagged rough mass and then filled with a hardening seam mass and attachment spikes attached to the back panel penetrate into the seam mass.
US08898907B1 Assembly, system and method for automated vertical moment connection
An automated assembly, system and method for a narrow-gap Electroslag-welded moment connection welded between horizontal beam to vertical column flanges includes vertical column doubler plates affixed to the column web and horizontal beam doubler plates affixed to the beam web with alignment of the respective webs/doubler plates to carry the moment load through the vertical support columns. An embodiment includes a radius in each horizontal beam doubler plate. The assembly, system and method are readily applicable to overdesign moment load factors.
US08898903B2 Form rolling method for involute gear
A form rolling method for an involute gear, which includes a work piece including a cylindrical outer peripheral surface having a predetermined radius, and a round die with an involute tooth profile including an addendum pitch corresponding to a pitch defined by dividing a length of an outer circumference of the work piece by number of teeth of the involute gear. The round die is pressed to the work piece while rotating when form rolling the involuete gear.
US08898898B2 Method and device for producing a piston fro an internal combustion engine and piston for internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a method for producing a piston for an internal combustion engine, wherein a section which in the finished piston has a cooling duct (14) and a piston ring groove is recessed at first, the later cooling duct is then covered, and finally material for accommodating the piston ring is applied, and which is characterized in that the later cooling duct is covered by a wire material which is provided in a length, greater than necessary for one single piston. A device for producing a piston for an internal combustion engine with an at first recessed section that in the finished piston has a cooling duct (14) and a piston ring groove, has a device for attaching a cover on the cooling duct and a device for providing wire material having a length greater than necessary for one single piston. A piston for an internal combustion engine has a cooling duct (14) and a reinforcement material for accommodating a piston ring as well as a cover material between the cooling duct (14) and the reinforcement material, wherein the cover material is made of wire material continuously unwinding from a roll.
US08898895B2 Method for producing multilayer substrate and desmearing method
A method for producing a multilayer substrate involves: a base-material pretreatment step in which a hole forming step and a metal adhesion step are performed in no particular order, the hole forming step being a step of subjecting a core base material having at least an insulating layer and a first metal layer to a hole opening process, the metal adhesion step being a step in which a predetermined metal or metal ion is made to adhere to the other surface of the insulating layer; a desmearing step of performing desmearing by plasma etching; a cleaning step of cleaning the core base material by using an acidic solution; and a plating step of applying a plating catalyst or a precursor thereof onto the insulating layer and performing plating.
US08898875B2 Method of manufacturing piezoelectric vibrators
Providing a method for manufacturing a package capable of achieving reliable anodic bonding between the bonding material and a base board wafer even when the bonding material having a large resistance value is used. Providing a method for manufacturing a package by anodically bonding a bonding material, which is fixed in advance to an inner surface of a lid board wafer made of an insulator, to an inner surface of a base board wafer made of an insulator, the method including an anodic bonding step where an auxiliary bonding material serving as an anode is disposed on an outer surface of the lid board wafer, a cathode is disposed on an outer surface of the base board wafer, and a voltage is applied between the auxiliary bonding material and the cathode, wherein the auxiliary bonding material is made of a material that causes an anodic bonding reaction between the auxiliary bonding material and the lid board wafer in the anodic bonding step.
US08898873B2 Acrylic urn vault
The sealing acrylic urn vault of the invention includes a generally square sheet of ⅝″ cast acrylic serving as the base and a generally square top portion which will have four adjacent side walls bonded to its edges and protruding downward. Each opposing side wall will be bonded length-wise to each adjoining side, creating a seamless cast acrylic box, open at the bottom, that lowers onto the acrylic base. Attached to the base are four 0.625″ tall ⅝″ thick acrylic guide rails, bonded equidistant from the outside base edge on all four sides of the base. This “railing system” is the fastening guide for the acrylic top portion which lowers onto the base with the inside of the four side walls bonded with the outside edges of the four guide rails.
US08898865B2 Seat belt adjuster
An improved seatbelt adjuster for holding the lap seatbelt to the shoulder belt of an automobile seatbelt. The seatbelt adjuster prevents the shoulder belt from rubbing against the neck of a wearer. The adjuster is made of a single unitary piece and therefore cannot be separated. A frame member formed of resilient material has a front portion, rear portion, top edge, bottom edge and space between the front and back portions for containing the lap seatbelt. A parallel pair of dual gussets and rails is molded into the back portion to increase the stiffness of the flap member particularly to prevent it spreading open in hot weather. A snap clip has been added to the flap to avoid inadvertent release in hot weather. A horn gate has been added to the slot to prevent snagging on clothing.
US08898861B2 Hinge cap
A product and a method employing a block having a downwardly angled front surface suitable for covering the top surface of a continuous geared door hinge after the door is installed in a frame. The block has one or more recessed counter bored holes in the front surface to accommodate security screws without compromising the angle of the front surface.
US08898860B2 Hinge device for doors, shutters or the like
A hinge device for rotatably moving a closing element includes a fixed element anchorable to a stationary support structure coupled to a movable element anchorable to the closing element for rotating around a first longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The device further includes at least one slider movable along a second axis between a compressed and an extended position. One between the movable element and the fixed element includes at least one operating chamber defining the second axis so as to slidably house the slider, the other element including a pivot defining the first axis. The pivot and the slider are reciprocally coupled so that to the rotation of the movable element around the first axis corresponds the sliding of the slider along the second axis and vice versa.
US08898856B2 Dirt cup with secondary cyclonic cleaning chambers
A vacuum cleaner has a body including a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are both carried on the body. The dirt collection vessel includes a dirt cup having a side wall and a bottom wall, a tangentially directed inlet in the side wall and an axially directed outlet. An inside surface of the side wall includes ribbing to help remove dirt and debris from the airstream and improve vacuum cleaner performance and efficiency.
US08898850B2 Wiper blade
A wiper blade includes a main lever, a movable member, and a rubber blade. The main lever can be coupled to a wiper arm. The main lever includes a longitudinally intermediate portion, a first end defined by at least one of two longitudinal ends, and a first holding portion. The first holding portion is arranged closer to the first end than the longitudinally intermediate portion. The movable member is pivotally coupled to the first end and includes a second holding portion. A rubber blade is held by the first holding portion and the second holding portion. A coupling portion between the main lever and the movable member is located outward from the first holding portion in the longitudinal direction of the main lever.
US08898839B2 Evacuation sled
An evacuation sled for non-ambulatory patients preferably including a sheet having a plurality of handholds disposed about the left and right side edges of the sheet, each handhold comprising an opening with a reinforcement above the opening. A plurality of patient retention straps are coupled to the sheet and are configured to secure a patient in the sheet when the sheet is curved upward about the patient. A pull strap is coupled through a head of the sheet and is configured to permit a person to drag the patient strapped to the sheet. Preferably, a foot strap is affixed to the head pull strap and coupled to the foot of the sheet. The foot strap is configured to cause, when tension is applied to the head pull strap, at least one portion of the plastic sheet foot to raise upward and at least partially enclose the feet of the patient.
US08898837B2 Medical image diagnostic apparatus
In order to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus in which a mechanism for drawing a top plate into a gantry can be connected to the top plate without the collision, a pin 17 is provided in an end portion of a top plate 70, and a hook 12 that is connected to the pin 17 is provided in the connecting mechanism 82 that is moved on a top plate receiving portion. According to a position of the connecting mechanism 82 on the top plate receiving portion, the position of the hook 12 varies to connect to the pin 17.
US08898835B2 Fitted blanket with opening and closing mechanism
A fitted blanket fits over a mattress and secures underneath to prevent the blanket from moving off the user while sleeping in bed. The blanket can include an elastic material on at least the underside corner edges thereof. Children and adults alike can stay warm at night as their blankets cannot fall away or off of them while sleeping. The fitted blanket may further include an opening and closing mechanism to allow for easy entry and exit, rather than having to untuck the blanket, as is the case with conventional blankets. The opening and closing mechanism may also provide an easy way to make the bed. The fitted nature of the blanket prevents blanket slippage or movement. The blanket may further include a cut-out region for pillow placement. The blanket can also include glow-in-the-dark elements or illuminated elements to light up the blanket at night.
US08898828B2 Food preparation sink
Food preparation sinks are disclosed which have an integral raised work area that is rinsed by an automatic system. Food waste or the like present in that area can be washed into a sump above a drain, and the weight of the waste and water in the sump is enough to automatically drive them through a baffle to a garbage disposal, without requiring the baffle to be manually opened. An automatic controller system coordinates water flow and garbage disposal operation, and the water supply can be linked to the sink below the sink rim to save counter top space. In some forms multiple rinsing nozzles are provided which pulse in altering fashion.
US08898821B2 Flame resistant fabric with anisotropic properties
Flame resistant fabrics are formed by warp and fill yarns having different fiber contents. The fabrics are constructed, for example, by selection of a suitable weaving pattern, such that the body side of the fabric and the face side of the fabric have different properties. The fabrics described herein can be printable and dyeable on both sides of the fabric and are suitable for use in military and industrial garments. Methods of forming flame resistant fabrics, and methods for forming garments from the fabrics, are also described.
US08898819B2 Form-fitting protective headwear
Provided are a protective headwear and method of manufacturing the headwear. The headwear includes a body, band and plurality of protective inserts. The body has an opening and a crown, and is configured to fit a head of a person. The band extends from and about the opening of the body to the interior of the body and partially toward the crown. The band is free floating with respect to the body and configured to fit the head of the person. The band includes a plurality of pockets disposed about a base stitching that secures the band to the body. The protective inserts are configured to be received into the pockets to provide a protective function to the head of the person. The protective inserts are disposed adjacently to one another about the band and extend from the base stitching of the band to the crown of the body.
US08898817B1 Interchangeable patch device
An interchangeable patch device including a base portion having a rear side entirely covered with an adhesive that is attached to an item, such as clothing, and an indicia-bearing top portion removably attached to the base portion via a first zipper track continuously disposed along a base perimeter which releasably interlocks with a second zipper track disposed along a perimeter of the top portion. An internal cavity defined by a bottom side of top portion, a top portion wall, the second zipper track, and the base portion front side is provided to store small objects therein, such as a cellular phone, business cards, and pens.
US08898816B2 Women's sports top with integrated pocket assembly
A garment top includes a body fabric designed for covering a chest of a wearer, and a pocket assembly formed with the body fabric. The pocket assembly comprises a front and a back cooperating to form a pocket for holding an article proximate the chest of the wearer. The back of the pocket assembly incorporates a radiation barrier adapted for residing between the article and the wearer.
US08898814B2 Releasable vest
A releasable vest having a front panel; front shoulder strap elements that include at least one front shoulder strap attachment opening; a back panel; a first waist belt element and a second waist belt element that are releasably coupled to the front panel and extend from the front panel; at least one release loop that is capable of being passed through an opening formed in at least one of the waist belt elements and an opening formed in the front shoulder strap elements; and a release lanyard that is capable of being passed through the release loop so as to releasably secure the waist belt elements and the shoulder strap elements to the release loop.
US08904561B2 Mechanical detection of Raman resonance
An atomic force microscope based apparatus and method for detecting Raman effect on a sample of interest utilizes first and second electromagnetic sources to emit first electromagnetic radiation of frequency Vi and second electromagnetic radiation of frequency V2 onto a probe tip, which is coupled to a structure that can oscillate the probe tip. The frequency Vi and the frequency v2 are selected to induce Raman effect on a sample engaged by the probe tip that results in Raman force interactions between the probe tip and the sample. Oscillations of the probe tip due to the Raman force interactions are then measured.
US08904558B2 Detecting web browser based attacks using browser digest compute tests using digest code provided by a remote source
The detection of web browser-based attacks using browser tests launched from a remote source is described. In one example, a digest is computed based on the content of an HTTP response message. The message is modified and sent to a client device that also computes a digest. The digests are compared to determine whether content has been modified by malware on the HTTP client. The results of the test are analyzed and defensive measures are taken.
US08904544B2 Restrictions to data transmission
Data received at, or created on, a device may be tagged as corporate dependent upon a service over which the data is received or an application in which the data is created. When a user attempts to insert tagged data into a data item that is to be transmitted by the device, the insertion may be prevented. Similarly, the transmission of tagged data may be restricted to only occur on a secure service.
US08904543B2 Discovery of application vulnerabilities involving multiple execution flows
Methods and systems for security analysis of an application are disclosed. One system includes a flow-insensitive analyzer, a control flow assessment module and a flow-sensitive analyzer. The flow-insensitive analyzer is configured to conduct a flow-insensitive analysis on the application to obtain a set of potential vulnerabilities in the application. In addition, the control flow assessment module is configured to determine, for each of the potential vulnerabilities, a relevant set of control flows that include the respective vulnerability. Further, the flow-sensitive analyzer is configured to perform, by a hardware processor, for each relevant set of control flows, a flow-sensitive analysis of at least one of the control flows in the corresponding relevant set to assess the validity of the respective vulnerability.
US08904542B2 System, method and computer readable medium for evaluating potential attacks of worms
A method for evaluating potential attacks of worms, the method includes: associating, in response to information representative of a network and of worm entities, between worm entities and potential worm sources to provide associated worm sources; determining potential worm attacks that start from the associated worm sources; and evaluating at least one potential worm attack security metric associated with the potential worm attacks.
US08904540B1 Method and apparatus for evaluating hygiene of a computer
A method and apparatus for evaluating hygiene of a computer are described. In some examples, attributes of an operating system on the computer are analyzed to assign values to operating system state variables. Attributes of application software installed on the computer are analyzed to assign values to application software state variables. Weights are assigned to the operating system state variables and the application software state variables based on the respective values thereof. A hygiene rating for the computer is determined based on the weights, the hygiene rating indicative of the propensity of the computer to attract malware.
US08904536B2 Heuristic method of code analysis
A method of detecting malware at a computing device. The method includes examining a software program comprising a sequence of program instructions, determining whether each instruction in the sequence meets any of a group of suspicion criteria, assigning a instruction-level score to each instruction that meets any of the suspicion criteria, summing the instruction-level scores for each instruction to yield a program-level score, determining whether the program-level score exceeds a threshold, and, if the program-level score exceeds a threshold, developing a report indicating a malware detection result.
US08904534B2 Method and apparatus for detecting scans in real-time
A method and apparatus for detecting scans are described. In one example, a plurality of flows is allocated into a plurality of bins associated with different source internet protocol (SIP) addresses. A set of bin characteristics for at least one bin of the plurality of bins is generated if the at least one bin reaches a predefined flow capacity. Afterwards, the set of bin characteristics is compared to a scan characteristics list to determine if a potential scan exists.
US08904532B2 Method, apparatus and system for detecting botnet
A method, an apparatus, and a system for detecting Botnet are disclosed. The method for detecting Botnet includes: obtaining an address information about a control host in a Bot sample by using an auto breakout environment; sending a query request message to a traffic analysis device to obtain an address information of a Bot host connected with the control host, in which the query request message carries the address information about the control host; and receiving a query response message returned by the traffic analysis device, in which the query response message carries the address information of the Bot host connected with the control host. The method for detecting Botnet can obtain the Botnet information in real time and construct a topology of the Botnet.
US08904530B2 System and method for detecting remotely controlled E-mail spam hosts
A system for detecting a remotely controlled e-mail spam host. The system includes an E-mail spammer detection unit and a host traffic profiling unit. The E-mail spammer detection unit identifies E-mail Spammers based on SMTP traffic characteristics. The host profiling unit extracts traffic components from the plurality of Internet traffic associated with an E-mail Spammer; interprets the extracted traffic components and determines whether the E-mail Spammer is a compromised host. The system may also include a botnet controller detection unit that analyzes traffic associated with compromised E-mail Spammers and identifies the botnet Controller remotely controlling the compromised E-mail Spammer.
US08904519B2 Shared registration system multi-factor authentication
A system and method for establishing a chain of trust from a registrant to a registry. A registrant request to a registrar to change a domain name record includes at least one registrant factor, such as a one time password. The registrar can formulate an extended EPP command that includes the factor to effectuate the change and send it to a registry. The registry can verify the at least one factor using at least one validation server. If the factor is successfully verified, the EPP can be processed by the registry. If the factor is not verified, the EPP command may not be processed and an error message may be generated and sent to the registrar.
US08904513B2 Apparatus and method for filtering IP packets
The method can be implemented on a processor executing software instructions stored in memory. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes receiving an Ethernet frame, wherein the Ethernet frame comprises a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) header, wherein the TCP header comprises a TCP header length value. When the Ethernet frame is received, the TCP header length value is compared to a predetermined value.
US08904505B2 Method for establishing a protected setup and wireless registration requesting device implementing the same
A method and apparatus for automatically establishing a wired protected setup between an enrollee requesting registration and a registrar granting registration are provided. The method includes: determining whether a power line communication (PLC) between the enrollee and the registrar is possible; and if it is determined that the PLC with the registrar is possible, receiving a personal identification number (PIN) from the registrar through the power line and transmitting an acknowledgement (ACK) message to the registrar through the power line as a response to the received PIN.
US08904501B2 Method and system for automated emergency access to medical records
This invention is a method and a system for accessing medical records of an injured party by an emergency responder through a secure website, utilizing a portable emergency access card provided with at least one item of information of the victim, while offering safeguards for the confidentiality of the victim's information and records.
US08904498B2 Biometric identification for mobile applications
Methods for automating the entry of password information and other user credentials into native and web-based computing applications are described. In some embodiments, an end user identity and a corresponding authentication level may be determined during an unlock event or during operation of a computing device. The end user identity may be determined by capturing biometric characteristics of an end user of the computing device (e.g., by performing facial recognition and/or voice recognition). Upon the detection of an authentication request from an application running on the computing device, the end user identity and the corresponding authentication level may be used to acquire and provide user credentials for authenticating the end user to the application.
US08904490B2 Method and apparatus for a non-revealing do-not-contact list system
A method and apparatus for a non-revealing do-not-contact list system in which a do-not-contact list of one-way hashed consumer contact information is provided to a set of one or more entities. The set of entities determine whether certain consumers wish to be contacted with the do-not-contact list without discovering actual consumer contact information.
US08904489B2 Client identification system using video conferencing technology
A system and process for identifying a client, comprising a client device having a video camera and a voice transmitting and receiving device capable of transmitting a client's image and voice via a communication carrier system and a communications network to a user terminal, whereby the user terminal permits an authentication of the client's image and voice in real time. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of identifying a fraudster, comprising the steps of using a client device having a video camera and voice transmitting and receiving device to initiate an authentication of a client's identity, transmitting the fraudster's image and voice over a communication carrier system and a communications network to a user terminal, comparing the fraudster's image and voice to client data, and storing the fraudster data.
US08904488B2 Managing online shop using instant messaging system
An instant messaging system may be used to allow an auxiliary account to log in and manage an online shop of a primary account user. The primary account user creates an online shop in an online shop server, and associates itself with one or more auxiliary accounts in an instant messaging system. Upon authorization by primary account user to allow an auxiliary account to manage the online shop, the system records an authorization relation between the auxiliary account and the primary account. The authorization relation may be recorded in the instant messaging system. Based on the recorded authorization relation, the system allows a user of the authorized auxiliary account to manage the online shop system through the instant messaging system. An instant messaging server serving for this purpose is also disclosed.
US08904484B2 System and method for client-server communication facilitating utilization of authentication and network-based procedure call
System and method for setting up a data communication are disclosed. Method includes facilitating authenticating a module of a client computing device for the data communication. Method includes facilitating authenticating a module of a server for the data communication. Method includes authenticating an encoding for a network-based procedure call interface for the server. Method includes binding the network-based procedure call interface to a protocol for a gateway interface of the server. Method includes facilitating verifying that a message size of a message transmitted to a module of the client computing device or to a module of the server is within a message size range. Method includes facilitating creating a tunnel to a module of the server, wherein the tunnel is for the data communication. Method includes facilitating creating a channel within the tunnel, wherein the channel is for the data communication.
US08904465B1 System for taking action based on a request related to an electronic media work
A user electronic device comprising one or more processors; and one or more computer readable media operatively connected to the one or more processors and having stored thereon computer instructions for carrying out the steps of: (a) receiving, at the user electronic device from the computer system, a media work and one or more associated tags; (b) receiving, at the user electronic device from a user input device, a query related to at least one of the one or more associated tags; (c) obtaining, at the user electronic device, instructions for an action to be performed based on the query; and (d) performing, at the user electronic device, the associated action, in response to the query.
US08904463B2 Live video broadcasting on distributed networks
The techniques related to providing a live program over the Internet are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a data stream representing a live program is preprocessed to produce a plurality of substreams, each of the substreams comprising decimated samples of the data stream. The number of substreams is relatively large so that the bandwidth requirement for delivering one of the substreams is relatively low. With a group of seeding boxes receiving the substreams, a group of boxes in services are designated to receive the substreams from the seeding boxes, each of these boxes including the seeding boxes is able to support multiple outbound streams (e.g., greater than 2) so that there are enough data suppliers to service the ordering boxes or colonize more boxes to become the data suppliers. As a result, a live program can be timely serviced by peer boxes, significantly reducing the computation and bandwidth burdens on a server(s).
US08904459B2 Apparatus and method for managing media content for mobile devices
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to access a broadcast of media content in response to a request to record the media content from a mobile communication device, and adjust a format of the media content based at least in part on a user profile associated with the mobile communication device where the user profile comprises device format preferences. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08904457B2 Archiving a live media presentation
A computer-implemented method for archiving a live media presentation includes archiving the live media presentation as it is being streamed from a live server, wherein the archiving includes recording the live media presentation in fixed-length segments. A segment name is associated with each of the segments, wherein each of the segment names includes a time stamp. The fixed-length segments are stored on a video on-demand (VOD) server. A manifest is generated that describes at least a portion of the live media presentation and identifies a uniform resource locator (URL) to be used by a client device to access a first one of the segments, wherein the URL includes the segment name of the first segment.
US08904455B2 Personal video recorder functionality for placeshifting systems
PVR functionality is enabled on a media player of a placeshifting system, which allows a user to record media programs from locations that are physically remote from a source of the media programs. The media player may receive program schedule information and present the program schedule information to the user. Based on user input, the media player identifies a media program and associated schedule information. When the media program is scheduled to play, the placeshifting device directs a media recording device to receive the media program and to store the program. The placeshifting device may digitize, transcode, and/or transrate the media program, if necessary, and transmit the media program to the remote device for playback.
US08904449B2 Remote control unit for activating and deactivating means for payment and for displaying payment status
The invention relates to a remote control unit for intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction systems, comprising storage means, payment means, a sound control circuit, display means and a metal chassis wherein said remote control unit comprises a distant radio frequency transmitter that is associated with a radio frequency receiver connected to the sound control circuit of the audiovisual reproduction system.
US08904446B2 Method and apparatus for indexing content within a media stream
An approach provides indexing of media content capable of effectively controlling playback availability of the vast variety of media content. A recording of a video session associated with a media stream is initiated. A portion of the video session is selected. And an index for playback of the selected portion and for playback of the video session is configured, wherein the selected portion is played back when the video session is unavailable for playback.
US08904436B2 Method and apparatus for providing preferred broadcast information
A method and apparatus for providing preferred broadcast information are provided. A Social Networking Service (SNS) server is requested to search for pieces of information in an SNS that are related to at least one broadcast channel by providing at least one keyword that identifies the at least one broadcast channel to the SNS server. The pieces of information are extracted from the SNS server. Preferred broadcast information is extracted from the pieces of information. The preferred broadcast information is provided to a user of the apparatus.
US08904420B2 Content recognition and censorship
A method for controlling the output of media content, particularly audio content, to a user in relation to an apparatus, such as a set-top-box, having an input, for receiving media content, and an output, for providing the media content to an output device such as a television or other display device. Media content is received at the input and then analysed using a media content recognition unit. The media content recognition unit undertakes the step of identifying portions of the received media content that contain undesired content, such as offensive language. The output of media content to a user is then controlled, based on any identified undesired content, to prevent the output of content when the identified undesired portions are to be output. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also provided.
US08904417B2 Receiving device and method, transmitting device and method, and program
The present disclosure provides a receiving device including, a receiver that receives AV content, a detector, an acquirer, a tentative reservation registering part, and a definitive reservation registering part.
US08904408B1 Pre-fetching data and overlapping data transfers in a HWA-DWA system
Data is managed in a Host Wireless Adapater (HWA)-Device Wireless Adapater (DWA) system by receiving at the HWA a wireless packet from the DWA which contains a DWA Transfer Result message. At the HWA, the DWA Transfer Result message is parsed. In the event parsing the DWA Transfer Result message indicates there is data ready to be sent over a wireless channel between the HWA to the DWA a Micro-scheduled Management Command (MMC) is generating at the HWA and the MMC is transmitted from the HWA to the DWA. The MMC is transmitted prior to receiving a Transfer Request message at the HWA from an HWA driver and the data is transmitted from the DWA to the HWA in response to receiving the MMC.
US08904407B2 Asynchronously refreshing, networked application with single-threaded user interface
An invention is disclosed for updating a networked, single-threaded application's data model without blocking the application's entire user interface. In embodiments of the invention, a client executes a networked application with a single-threaded user interface that communicates with a server to refresh its data model. The client sends a message to the server that requests a refresh of the data model. Before the data model has been refreshed, the client receives local user input to perform an action on the data model. The client sends a message to the server to cancel the refresh. When the client receives an acknowledgement from the server that the refresh has been cancelled, the client performs the action. After performing the action, the client sends a second message to the server that requests a refresh of the data model, and then refreshes the data model upon receiving the refreshed data model from the server.
US08904399B2 System and method of executing threads at a processor
A method and system for executing a plurality of threads are described. The method may include mapping a thread specified priority value associated with a dormant thread to a thread quantized priority value associated with the dormant thread if the dormant thread becomes ready to run. The method may further include adding the dormant thread to a ready to run queue and updating the thread quantized priority value. A thread quantum value associated with the dormant thread may also be updated, or a combination of the quantum value and quantized priority value may be both updated.
US08904397B2 Staggering execution of scheduled tasks based on behavioral information
In a method for minimizing occurrences of hanging escalations in a computer system, a computer determines that a number of escalations are scheduled for simultaneous execution in a time interval in a production environment. The computer divides the time interval by the number of escalations to form a shortened time interval. Moreover, the computer reschedules execution of the number of escalations in the production environment such that a plurality of subsets of the number of escalations execute in a staggered order according to the shortened time interval. A hanging escalation is an escalation that fails to complete, fails to process all data or records that the escalation was to process, or completes beyond an allotted processing time.
US08904395B2 Scheduling events in a virtualized computing environment based on a cost of updating scheduling times or mapping resources to the event
Systems and methods for scheduling events in a virtualized computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises scheduling one or more events in a first event queue implemented in a computing environment, in response to determining that number of events in the first event queue is greater than a first threshold value, wherein the first event queue comprises a first set of events received for purpose of scheduling, wherein said first set of events remain unscheduled; mapping the one or more events in the first event queue to one or more server resources in a virtualized computing environment; receiving a second set of events included in a second event queue, wherein one more events in the second set of event are defined as having a higher priority than one or more events in the first event queue that have or have not yet been scheduled.
US08904384B2 Reducing data transfer overhead during live migration of a virtual machine
A computer-implemented method is provided for reducing network traffic associated with live migration. The method comprises selecting a virtual machine on a first physical host for migration to a second physical host, and providing each application running in the selected virtual machine with notification that the migration has started. In response to receiving the notification that the migration has started, each application reducing the number of memory pages in use during the migration. The selected virtual machine and each application is then migrated from the first physical host to the second physical host, wherein the migration of each application includes migration of the reduced number of memory pages. Non-limiting examples of methods that may be used to reduce the number of memory pages includes identifying memory that contains garbage, reducing the size of the heap, increasing the pause time used for garbage collection, deferring just-in-time compilation of hot methods, and releasing caches and buffers.
US08904382B2 Creating instances of cloud computing environments
Embodiments of the present invention provide a flexible approach to construct/create instances of cloud computing environments. Specifically, under embodiments of the present invention, an image of a virtual machine instance is created from the following components: image bits; content such as the liner notes, manual, metadata, etc.; end user information (so that the image can be customized for one or more specific end users); values provided to an installer; and cloud based values (e.g., IP address, hostname, etc.). By constructing the virtual machine using this approach, dynamic aspects of the image are managed external to the static binary representation of the image. This would include artifacts such as documentation, install scripts, binary files, etc. Additionally, user supplied data can be captured dynamically and copied to customize the image at the time of instance creation. Still yet, embodiments of the present invention provides system level configuration to construct the virtual machine.
US08904378B2 Method and apparatus for performing service related to a predetermined device to another device based on widget migration
A service performing method and a service requesting method are provided. The service performing method includes receiving from a second device a message including information representing whether to install a widget for performing a service, and location information of the widget; receiving the widget based on the location information of the widget, and selectively installing the widget based on the information representing whether to install the widget; and performing the service by executing the received widget.
US08904377B2 Reconfiguration of computer system to allow application installation
A method and apparatus for installing an application on a computer are disclosed. Following receipt of a request to install an application, a software state, comprising the new application and several of the applications installed on the computer, is derived. Then, the method determines whether the software state can be implemented on the computer. If the software state cannot be implemented on the computer, then the method derives another software state. This is repeated until the derived software state can be implemented on the computer system, or until determining that no software state exists which can be implemented on the computer system.
US08904374B2 Firmware update data generating apparatus and information device
There is provided a firmware updating technique for which consumed memory and writing time are small for devices subject to a firmware update, for which the distributed update size is small, and which is performed via a broadcast network. To this end, assuming that the latest firmware version is N, there is provided a means that extracts differences between firmware of version j−i and firmware of version i (j−1→j differences) for j=2 to N, and that distributes these differences together via the broadcast network. With respect to a device subject to an update comprising firmware of version i, there is provided a means that saves, of the distributed j−1→j differences (where 2≦j≦N), only the differences for which j
US08904369B2 Method and system for automated process distribution
A method for automated process distribution includes selecting a process definition; identifying a first process portion and at least one second process portion in the process definition; generating a first further process definition for the first process portion; generating a second further process definition for each the second process portion; generating a corresponding service definition for each the second further process definition. In the method, generating the first further process definition includes generating a process definition element configured to invoke at least one service of the service definitions, and generating the second further process definition includes generating a process definition element configured to offer a service of the service definition corresponding to that second further process definition.
US08904362B2 Method and apparatus for display of windowing application programs on a terminal
An apparatus may include a network interface to facilitate communication with a second apparatus, and one or more machine-readable media with instructions executable by one or more processors to perform facilitating accessing a windows application resident on the second apparatus without executing locally the windows application resident on the second apparatus. An apparatus may facilitate providing windowing functionality to permit use of a windows application resident on the apparatus without requiring more than windowing information of the windows application to be provided. An apparatus may facilitate providing windowing information for display. An apparatus may facilitate provision of windowing information associated with a program executable on the apparatus configured to run a multi-user operating system, the program resident on the apparatus. One or more non-transitory machine-readable media are also disclosed.
US08904358B1 Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for synchronizing software verification flows
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for synchronizing a software verification flow of an application under test (AUT) that uses a user interface. Various embodiments of the methods identify generic application programming interface(s) (API(s)), map menu items of the AUT to logical names, and generate generated API(s) based on the generic API(s) and the mapping results. Some embodiments further generate a custom API by using generated API(s) and implement synchronization accordingly. Some embodiments are directed at a hardware system for performing various methods, while some other embodiments are directed at an article of manufacture for storing a sequence of instructions for various methods disclosed herein.
US08904343B2 Adding services to application platform via extension
Systems and methods for adding services to an application platform via an extension platform coupled to the application platform. The application platform runs in a first operation system process and provides a number of resources. The extension platform is implemented in a second operation system process and communicates with the application platforms via standard inter-process communication protocols. The extension platform provides an environment to dynamically model and host application services. A resource abstraction layer provides the extension platform with access to the resources provided at the application platform. The resources are utilized by the extension platform to design and to execute the application services. The application services hosted in the extension platform are centrally managed and administered from the application platform via exposed interfaces.
US08904340B2 Use of temporary optimized settings to reduce cycle time of automatically created spreadsheets
Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for reducing cycle time of automatically created spreadsheets. Specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides a way to create a spreadsheet from data that is in a native format more quickly and/or efficiently. To do so, the invention accesses a control file using optimized settings to create the spreadsheet. Then, after creation of the spreadsheet, the invention uses a second control file having the final settings to modify the spreadsheet in preparation for output. The invention may use agents to perform all or a portion of these activities.
US08904337B2 Semiconductor device design method, system and computer-readable medium
A semiconductor device design system comprising at least one processor is configured to define a resistance-capacitance (RC) extraction tool for determining a distance between first and second through-semiconductor-vias extracted from a layout of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and the first and second through-semiconductor-vias in the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device design system comprising the at least one processor is also configured to extract parasitic parameters of a coupling in the semiconductor substrate based on the distance determined by the RC extraction tool and a model of the coupling included in a simulation tool.
US08904331B1 Method and apparatus for performing time domain jitter modeling
A method for modeling jitter includes generating a first delay-impacting parameter function for a first signal and a second delay-impacting parameter function for a second signal. A first delay per element function is generated from the first delay-impacting parameter function and a second delay per element function from the second delay-impacting parameter function. A difference in path delay from the first delay per element function and the second delay per element function is identified.
US08904326B2 Semiconductor device design method, system and computer program product
In a semiconductor device design method performed by at least one processor, location data of at least one electrical component in a layout of a semiconductor device is extracted by the at least one processor. Voltage data associated with the at least one electrical component and based on a simulation of an operation of the semiconductor device is extracted by the at least one processor. Based on the extracted location data, the extracted voltage data is incorporated, by the at least one processor, in the layout to generate a modified layout of the semiconductor device.
US08904321B1 System and method for automatically generating coverage constructs and constraint solver distributions
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for electronic design simulation. The method may include providing, using at least one computing device, an electronic design and associating, using the at least one computing device, one or more identifiers with each constraint solver call utilized in a simulation of the electronic design. The method may further include automatically generating, using the at least one computing device, a coverage model for one of more constraints associated with the electronic design, the coverage model being based upon, at least in part, the one or more identifiers.
US08904319B2 Method and apparatus for merging EDA coverage logs of coverage data
An electronic design automation technology merges coverage logs. The coverage logs are generated by verification of a hardware description language circuit design. The coverage logs are merged as the coverage logs are generated, without waiting for all pending coverage logs. Another electronic design automation technology also merges coverage logs. The merged coverage logs include a first coverage log of a first simulation of a hardware description language circuit design and a second coverage log of a second simulation of the hardware description language circuit design. The first simulation is based on a first hardware verification language coverage model of the hardware description language circuit design. The second simulation is based on a second hardware verification language coverage model of the hardware description language circuit design. The second hardware verification language coverage model is newer and different than the first hardware verification language coverage model.
US08904310B2 Pen-mouse system
The present invention is a system that provides a pen based computer user with a graphical user interface tool, a pen-mouse, that looks like and functions like a mouse but that is controlled by a limited input device such as a pen or stylus of the pen based computer. The pen-mouse is a tracking menu that tracks the position of the pen. A pen cursor that corresponds to the pen is allowed to be moved about within the pen-mouse graphic by the pen and the pen-mouse remains stationary. The pen-mouse is moved when the location of the pen encounters a tracking boundary of the pen-mouse. The tracking boundary typically coincides with the graphic representing the mouse. While moving within the pen-mouse, the pen can select objects within the pen-mouse body, such as buttons, wheels, etc. The selection of a button or other virtual control causes a corresponding computer mouse button function to be executed. The execution focus is directed at any object designated by a pen-mouse tracking symbol, such as an arrow, that is part of the pen mouse graphic. The pen-mouse can emulate functions or operations of a mouse including single button clicks, double button clicks, finger wheels, track balls, etc.
US08904308B2 User-interactive display system for vehicle
A user-interactive display system for a vehicle includes a portable hand-held device capable of being carried into and out of the vehicle and a display device viewable by the driver of the vehicle. The portable hand-held device is operable to communicate with a vehicle-based receiver, and the display device is operable to display a listing of choices in response to the communication. A user input of an interior rearview mirror assembly is actuatable by a user to select an item from the displayed listing of choices. The user-interactive display system is operable to at least one of (a) display at the display device data associated with the selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices and (b) audibly play at an audio device in the vehicle data associated with the selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices.
US08904298B2 Effectuating modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform
Exemplary implementations may facilitate effectuating modifications within an instance of a virtual space presented via multiple disparate client computing platforms responsive to detection of a token associated with a single client computing platform. In some implementations, tokens may be detected based on signals received from token readers associated with individual ones of the multiple client computing platforms. A given token may be a standalone physical object. The given token may be detectable based on a signal conveying information associated with the given token. The information associated with the given token conveyed by the signal may be devoid of virtual space content.
US08904293B2 Minimizing delays in web conference switches between presenters and applications
A method for minimizing delays in web conference switches between presenters and applications may include receiving a key frame of content selected by a user for sharing in response to the user being a presenter and having content to share. The method may also include storing the key frame of the selected content in a buffer in response to the user not being a current presenter. The method may additionally include sharing the key frame of the content with participants of the web conference, by the processing device, in response to an indication that a previous presenter has completed his presentation and the user being a next presenter in a presenter queue.
US08904287B2 Previews of dialogs in applications
Displaying a preview image is disclosed. An indication to display a preview image is received. The indication is based at least in part on an interaction with a menu item in an application and the menu item is associated with a dialog used to provide input to the application. In response to receiving the indication, a preview image of the dialog is obtained and the preview image is displayed with the menu item.
US08904281B2 Method and system for managing multi-user user-selectable elements
A method for associating a characterization attribute with a document in a computerized system is disclosed, the method comprising providing a primary insertion of a document associating at least one intrinsic characterization attribute with the document, and providing a secondary insertion of the document associating at least one extrinsic characterization attribute with the document. A method for changing the level of details of a document representation in accordance with a magnification of the document representation is also disclosed. A machine readable medium containing machine executable instructions providing a method for building a multi-user document vector is also disclosed, the method comprising a first plurality of documents associated with a first user, a second plurality of documents associated with a second user and a multi-user document vector comprising the first plurality of documents and the second plurality of documents.
US08904280B2 Recursive flows in variable-data printing document templates
A method, system and a computer program product for generating, rendering and printing documents 100,110,120 from a variable-data printing document template 130 which defines a document defining a layout of nested document portions 150 comprising content which is variable in response to input data 140. There is provided a way of expressing and treating nested flows, thus enabling the creation of complex document designs for Variable Data Publishing material used in Digital Publishing.
US08904271B2 Methods and systems for crowd sourced tagging of multimedia
The invention relates to deploying a synchronization index and associated multimedia, for manipulations to the synchronization index, for navigation between the synchronization index and associated multimedia, and for synchronous playback of the multimedia and associated text, using a computing device. The system may use multimedia with a synchronized text transcription, or a synchronization index, on a computing device for viewing and manipulating the multimedia, using the synchronized text transcription. The computing device may be used to navigate the multimedia, annotate the text transcription, achieve synchronous play of the multimedia, and communicate to another computer manipulations performed on the text or multimedia.
US08904268B2 Method, apparatus, and communication system for transmitting graphic information
The present invention discloses a method, an apparatus, and a communication system for transmitting graphic information. In the technical solution of the present invention, the graphic information carries a hyperlink and an identifier of the hyperlink so that when the terminal receives the graphic information, the terminal may judge, according to the identifier of the hyperlink, whether the hyperlink has been processed, and the terminal requests the graphic from the network according to the hyperlink only when determining that the hyperlink has not been processed, therefore ensuring an effective decrease in bandwidth consumption of broadcast or multicast channels, effectively avoiding repeated processing and presentation of a same hyperlink by the terminal, and reducing the complexity of the processing of the terminal.
US08904265B2 Optimal period rate matching for turbo coding
Optimal period rate matching for turbo coding. A means is provided herein by which a nearly optimal (e.g., optimal for one block size and sub-optimal for others) periodic puncturing pattern that depends on a mother code. Any desired rate matching can be achieved using the means and approaches presented herein to ensure an appropriate rate of an encoded block output from a turbo encoder so that the subsequently modulated signal generated there from has the appropriate rate. In addition, some embodiments can also employ shifting for another design level available in accordance with puncturing employed to provide for periodic rate matching. Selectivity can also be employed, such that, a first periodic puncturing pattern can be applied at a first time to ensure a first rate, and a second periodic puncturing pattern can be applied at a second time to ensure a second rate.
US08904263B1 Error correction capability improvement in the presence of hard bit errors
A first set of one or more soft detector outputs is generated. It is determined if error correction decoding is successful using the first set of soft detector outputs. In the event it is determined error correction decoding is not successful, a second set of one or more soft detector outputs is generated where a largest likelihood associated with the first set is greater than a largest likelihood associated with the second set.
US08904262B2 Providing capacity optimized streaming data with forward error correction
In an example embodiment, there is described herein a methodology were the Forward Error Correction (FEC) data for a data stream is distributed into a plurality of FEC sub-streams. Subscribers to the data stream indicate which of the plurality of FEC sub-streams should be provided to them. The distribution of FEC sub-streams are limited to subscribed FEC sub-streams. FEC sub-streams with no subscribers are not forwarded beyond a distribution point such as an access point (AP).
US08904256B1 Method and apparatus for low-pin count testing of integrated circuits
A method and apparatus to apply compressed test patterns using a very pin-limited test apparatus to a chip design for use in semiconductor manufacturing test is disclosed. Compression circuitry is inserted into the circuit design and the compressed signals manipulated for communication over a serial interface. On a test apparatus, ATPG may be run, assuming a parallel test interface, resulting in test patterns that may be compressed into a parallel format and then converted into a serial signal. On chip, the serial signal is parallelized, decompressed, and then shifted into the scan chains. An inserted controller generates clocks and various control signals. Conventional test patterns from ATPG may be generated and applied during testing without the need to modify the ATPG program saving time and resources. Hierarchical testing of integrated circuits built with a multiplicity of cores, each having its own embedded compression logic, is also supported.
US08904253B2 Method and apparatus for testing I/O boundary scan chain for SoC's having I/O's powered off by default
Methods and apparatus for testing Input/Output (I/O) boundary scan chains for Systems on a Chip (SoCs) having I/Os that are powered off by default. Some methods and apparatus include implementation of boundary scan chain bypass routing schemes that selectively route a boundary scan chain path around I/O interfaces and/or ports that are powered off by default. Other techniques include selectively power-on I/Os that are powered off by default in a manner that is independent of SoC facilities for controlling the power state of the I/Os during SoC runtime operations. Various schemes facilitate boundary scan testing in accordance with IEEE Std.-1149.1 methodology.
US08904249B2 At speed testing of high performance memories with a multi-port BIS engine
A programmable Built In Self Test (BIST) system used to test embedded memories where the memories may be operating at a clock frequency higher than the operating frequency of the BIST. A plurality of BIST memory ports are used to generate multiple memory test instructions in parallel, and the parallel instructions are then merged to generate a single memory test instruction stream at a speed that is a multiple of the BIST operating frequency.
US08904247B2 Test pattern generation apparatus, test program generation apparatus, generation method, program, and test apparatus
A test pattern generating apparatus that generates a test pattern to be communicated with a device under test having a plurality of terminals, the test pattern generating apparatus comprising a primitive generating section that generates a cycle primitive indicating a signal pattern to be communicated with each of the terminals during a base cycle, based on instructions from a user; a device cycle generating section that generates a device cycle indicating signal patterns of a plurality of base cycles, by arranging a plurality of the cycle primitives based on instructions from the user; and a sequence generating section that generates a sequence of the test pattern to be supplied to the device under test, by arranging a plurality of the device cycles based on instructions from the user.
US08904244B2 Heuristic approach for faster consistency check in a redundant storage system
A method for reducing an amount of time required for performing consistency checking in a redundant storage system includes steps of: providing an information repository associated with each of a primary drive and at least one redundant drive; storing, in the information repository, information relating to input/output failures on the primary drive and redundant drive; determining a likelihood that one or more regions of the primary drive and/or redundant drive contains inconsistent data as a function of the information stored in the information repository; and performing consistency checking on the one or more regions of the primary drive and the redundant drive determined to have at least a prescribed likelihood of containing inconsistent data to thereby reduce the amount of time required for performing consistency checking.
US08904240B2 Monitoring and resolving deadlocks, contention, runaway CPU and other virtual machine production issues
Resolving virtual machine (VM) issues, by executing VM and operating system (OS) diagnostic monitors, including, monitoring a set of VM and OS health status metrics of a system at a first level, analyzing data of the monitored health status metrics to determine that an instability has occurred when the data exceeds defined bounds for the health status metrics, responding to the instability by monitoring additional VM and OS health status metrics, whereby a level of monitoring of the system is increased from the first level to a second level, greater than the first level, identifying the instability, repairing the system by taking corrective action based on the identified instability; and removing at least one of the set of monitoring and profiling tools to reduce the level of monitoring to a third level once the instability has been resolved, wherein the third level is less than the second level.
US08904238B2 System and method for capturing logging information
A method, computer program product, and computer system for receiving, by a processor, an initiation indication that a test is initiating on a computing device. A logging process is activated to record to a log one or more log messages generated as a result of the test in response to receiving the initiation indication that the test is initiating. A completion indication is received that the test is complete. The logging process is deactivated to stop recording to the log in response to receiving the completion indication that the test is complete. The one or more log messages are associated with the test in response to receiving the completion indication that the test is complete.
US08904234B2 Determination of items to examine for monitoring
An information processing apparatus monitors one or more apparatuses based on information on multiple items acquired from the apparatuses. Information on an item #3 is associated with information on items #1 and #2. The information processing apparatus examines the information on the item #3. In the case where no failure is detected in the examination of the information on the item #3, the information processing apparatus omits examination of the information on the items #1 and #2. On the other hand, in the case where a failure is detected in the examination of the information on the item #3, the information processing apparatus examines the information on each of the items #1 and #2.
US08904227B2 Cache self-testing technique to reduce cache test time
A method for identifying, based on instructions stored externally to a processor containing a cache memory, a functional portion of the cache memory, then loading cache test code into the functional portion of the cache memory from an external source, and executing the cache test code stored in the cache memory to test the cache memory on a cache-line-granular basis and store fault information.
US08904226B2 Migrating stored copies of a file to stored encoded data slices
A method begins by a processing module identifying a set of stored files that includes an original file and one or more back-up copies of the original file. The method continues with the processing module dispersed storage error encoding one of the set of stored files to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module facilitating storage of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module facilitating deletion of the set of stored files.
US08904205B2 Increasing power efficiency of turbo mode operation in a processor
In one embodiment, a processor has multiple cores to execute threads. The processor further includes a power control logic to enable entry into a turbo mode based on a comparison between a threshold and value of a counter that stores a count of core power and performance combinations that identify turbo mode requests of at least one of the threads. In this way, turbo mode may be entered at a utilization level of the processor that provides for high power efficiency. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08904202B2 Selective configuration of a node of an electronic circuit component
A component of an electronic circuit, the component comprising: a node (REG_ENB; DO) selectively configurable as an output node for providing an output signal to an external component or as an input node for providing an input signal to an internal component; a capacitor (C) selectively coupled to the node (REG_ENB; DO) to influence the time for the node (REG_ENB; DO) to transition between a low state and a high state; and a timer for measuring the time for the node to transition between a low state and a high state to provide a first information input signal, the state of the first information signal depending on the time for the node to transition between the low state and the high state and being indicative of a first information. A method of node management is also described.
US08904201B2 Storage system and its control method
At the time of a fan failure of a plurality of fans for cooling redundant controllers, data loss can be avoided even if a power source of each controller is controlled.A storage system includes: a first controller for controlling a first power source; a plurality of first fans for cooling the first controller; a second controller for controlling a second power source; a plurality of second fans for cooling the second controller; and a storage device including a plurality of storage units; wherein if a fan failure of the first fans occurs, the first controller controls the first power source in a standby state on condition that the second controller is in a normal state; and if the second power source is in the standby state, the first controller executes destaging processing and then controls the first power source in the standby state.
US08904200B2 Method for optimizing the operation of a multiprocessor integrated circuit, and corresponding integrated circuit
A method for optimizing operation which is applicable to a multiprocessor integrated circuit chip. Each processor runs with a variable parameter, for example its clock frequency, and the optimization includes determination, in real time, of a characteristic data value associated with the processor (temperature, consumption, latency), transfer of the characteristic data to the other processors, calculation by each processor of various values of an optimization function depending on the characteristic data value of the block, on the characteristic data values of the other blocks, and on the variable parameter, the function being calculated for the current value of this parameter and for other possible values, selection, from among the various parameter values, of that which yields the best value for the optimization function, and application of this variable parameter to the processor for the remainder of the execution of the task.
US08904198B1 Electrical device recharging kiosk assembly
A electrical device recharging kiosk assembly includes a housing that has a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending between the top and bottom walls. The housing has a plurality of storage spaces therein for holding an electronic device. Each of the storage spaces includes an opening extending through the perimeter wall, a compartment aligned with and accessible through the opening, a door for closing the opening to the compartment, and a lock to lock the door. A charging implement for recharging a battery of the electronic device is positioned within the compartment. A control is mounted on the housing and is electrically coupled to the lock of each of the storage spaces. The control unlocks a door of one of the storage spaces to allow access to a selected one of the storage spaces and to the charging implement positioned therein.
US08904191B2 Multiple content protection systems in a file
Supporting a plurality of content protection systems in a single container file. The protection systems share an encryption method which is accessible from a sample encryption box in the file. Each of the protection systems stores, in a protection system header box, information for decrypting the content in accordance with the corresponding protection system. In some embodiments, separate protection system header boxes in the file correspond to each of the protection systems. By using the common encryption method and sharing encryption expressions across the protection systems, the multiple content protection systems are supported in the file without creating additional copies of the content. In some embodiments, aspects of the disclosure extend the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) base media file format to support multiple digital rights management (DRM) systems in the single container file.
US08904190B2 Method and apparatus including architecture for protecting sensitive code and data
A secure execution environment for execution of sensitive code and data including a secure asset management unit (SAMU) is described. The SAMU provides a secure execution environment to run sensitive code, for example, code associated with copy protection schemes established for content consumption. The SAMU architecture allows for hardware-based secure boot and memory protection and provides on-demand code execution for code provided by a host processor. The SAMU may boot from an encrypted and signed kernel code, and execute encrypted, signed code. The hardware-based security configuration facilitates preventing vertical or horizontal privilege violations.
US08904189B1 System and method for validating program execution at run-time using control flow signatures
A processor comprising: an instruction processing pipeline, configured to receive a sequence of instructions for execution, said sequence comprising at least one instruction including a flow control instruction which terminates the sequence; a hash generator, configured to generate a hash associated with execution of the sequence of instructions; a memory configured to securely receive a reference signature corresponding to a hash of a verified corresponding sequence of instructions; verification logic configured to determine a correspondence between the hash and the reference signature; and authorization logic configured to selectively produce a signal, in dependence on a degree of correspondence of the hash with the reference signature.
US08904188B2 Trusted storage systems and methods
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a trusted database system that leverages a small amount of trusted storage to secure a larger amount of untrusted storage. Data are encrypted and validated to prevent unauthorized modification or access. Encryption and hashing are integrated with a low-level data model in which data and meta-data are secured uniformly. Synergies between data validation and log-structured storage are exploited.
US08904170B2 System and method for enabling bulk retrieval of certificates
A system and method for searching and retrieving certificates, which may be used in the processing of encoded messages. In one embodiment, a certificate synchronization application is programmed to perform certificate searches by querying one or more certificate servers for all of the certificates on those certificate servers. If all of the certificates on a certificate server cannot be successfully retrieved using a single search query, due to a search quota on the certificate server being exceeded for example, the search is re-performed through multiple queries, each corresponding to a narrower subsearch. Embodiments described herein enable large amounts of certificates to be automatically searched for and retrieved from certificate servers, thereby minimizing the need for users to manually search for individual certificates.
US08904162B2 Methods and apparatus for performing secure BIOS upgrade
A data processing system may comprise a primary basic input/output system (BIOS) image in a primary BIOS region and a rollback BIOS image in a rollback BIOS region. In one example method for upgrading the BIOS, the data processing system may establish a measured launch environment (MLE). In response to a BIOS update request, the data processing system may replace the primary BIOS image with a new BIOS image while running the MLE. After a reset operation, the data processing system may automatically boot to the rollback BIOS image and may use the rollback BIOS to automatically determine whether the new BIOS image is authentic. In response to a determination that the new BIOS image is authentic, the data processing system may copy the new BIOS image from the primary BIOS region to the rollback BIOS region. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08904161B2 Memory system and reset method thereof to prevent nonvolatile memory corruption due to premature power loss
Provided is a memory system that includes at least one nonvolatile memory device, a plurality of power lines and a plurality of power domains. The power lines receive a power source voltage. The power domains are respectively connected to the power lines. A reset signal is generated by using voltages which are detected from the power lines. The memory system and a reset method thereof detect the voltages of all power lines to generate a reset signal, and thus enhance reliability of data when a power is shut off.
US08904152B2 Efficient complex multiplication and fast fourier transform (FFT) implementation on the ManArray architecture
Efficient computation of complex multiplication results and very efficient fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) are provided. A parallel array VLIW digital signal processor is employed along with specialized complex multiplication instructions and communication operations between the processing elements which are overlapped with computation to provide very high performance operation. Successive iterations of a loop of tightly packed VLIWs are used allowing the complex multiplication pipeline hardware to be efficiently used. In addition, efficient techniques for supporting combined multiply accumulate operations are described.
US08904143B2 Obtaining additional data storage from another data storage system
A main data storage system has a main storage control and data storage, and a user interface, the main storage control in communication with a local storage control of a local data storage system with local data storage. In response to a request to increase data storage from the user interface, the main control determines whether the main data storage is out of space. If so, the main control sends a command to the local control to create data space in local data storage. The local control creates the data space and associates the data space with the main control; and, in response to the local control creating data space in the local data storage and notifying the main control, the main control updates its metadata with respect to the data space, creating the impression that all the data is stored in the main data storage.
US08904141B2 Merging a storage cluster into another storage cluster
A method for merging a source electronic memory storage cluster into a destination electronic memory storage cluster may include designating a source storage cluster having a first configuration; designating a destination storage cluster having a second configuration; receiving a configuration database including mapping information associated with the first configuration of the source storage cluster; merging the configuration database for the source storage cluster into the destination storage cluster; identifying a conflict between the source storage cluster configuration and the destination storage cluster configuration by comparing mapping information for the imported configuration database for the source storage cluster to mapping information for a configuration database associated with the second configuration of the destination storage cluster; resolving the identified conflict between the source storage cluster configuration and the destination storage cluster configuration; and merging the configuration database for the source storage cluster into the destination storage cluster after resolving the identified conflict.
US08904134B2 Method and system of communication between a transponder and a base station
A transponder having a transmitting and receiving device for receiving commands and transmitting data and command processor for executing commands, and a programming device for changing the memory contents, and a data memory which has a first memory area and a second memory area, whereby the first memory area has the first value or a second value, and when the first memory area has the first value, the content of both memory areas can be changed and, in the case of read access to the second memory area, the transmitting/receiving device transmits a predefined or no data stream instead of the memory content of the second memory area.
US08904132B2 Data protection systems with multiple site replication
Systems and methods for replicating data from a first site to a second site remote from said first site are described. An embodiment includes storing compressed data on a hard disk appliance, reading said data without decompressing said data, sending said data over a wide-area-network (WAN) in a compressed state, and storing said data on a second hard disk appliance remote from said first hard disk appliance in its compressed state without performing an additional compression operation.
US08904130B2 Performing a data write on a storage device
A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
US08904123B2 Transferring learning metadata between storage servers having clusters via copy services operations on a shared virtual logical unit that stores the learning metadata
A virtual logical unit that stores learning metadata is allocated in a first storage server having a first plurality of clusters, wherein the learning metadata indicates a type of storage device in which selected data of the first plurality of clusters of the first storage server are stored. A copy services command is received to copy the selected data from the first storage server to a second storage server having a second plurality of clusters. The virtual logical unit that stores the learning metadata is copied, from the first storage server to the second storage server, via the copy services command. Selected logical units corresponding to the selected data are copied from the first storage server to the second storage server, and the learning metadata is used to place the selected data in the type of storage device indicated by the learning metadata.
US08904121B2 Computer system and storage management method
A storage tiered that satisfies desired performance is configured by recognizing the type and capacity of storage media of a storage apparatus, which are held by a user, and using the storage media.When adding a specified area of storage media to a storage tiered in response to a request from a host computer, a management computer: obtains storage media information, including I/O frequency of a data storage area of a volume(s) as well as performance information and structure information of the storage media, from the storage apparatus; identifies one or more storage media, which have not been allocated to any of the volumes with the I/O performance in excess of the I/O frequency, on the basis of the structure information of the storage media so that the data storage area of the volume(s), to which a specified storage in the storage tiered is allocated, would achieve a specified I/O performance target; and issues an instruction to the storage apparatus to create a storage tiered by using the identified storage media.
US08904120B1 Segmented fingerprint datastore and scaling a fingerprint datastore in de-duplication environments
A storage server is coupled to a storage device that stores data blocks, and generates a fingerprint for each data block stored on the storage device. The storage server creates a master datastore and a plurality of datastore segments. The master datastore comprises an entry for each data block that is written to the storage device and a datastore segment comprises an entry for a new data block or a modified data block that is subsequently written to the storage device. The storage server merges the entries in the datastore segments with the entries in the master datastore in memory to free duplicate data blocks in the storage device. The storage server overwrites the master datastore with the entries in the plurality of datastore segments and the entries in the master datastore to create an updated master datastore in response to detecting that the number of datastore segments meets a threshold.
US08904114B2 Shared upper level cache architecture
Various implementations of shared upper level cache architectures for multi-core processors including a first subset of processor cores and a second subset of processor cores and a module configured to copy data from a first shared upper level cache memory to a second shared upper level cache memory are generally disclosed.
US08904113B2 Virtual machine exclusive caching
Techniques, systems and an article of manufacture for caching in a virtualized computing environment. A method includes enforcing a host page cache on a host physical machine to store only base image data, and enforcing each of at least one guest page cache on a corresponding guest virtual machine to store only data generated by the guest virtual machine after the guest virtual machine is launched, wherein each guest virtual machine is implemented on the host physical machine.
US08904111B2 Cache memory with CAM and SRAM sub-tags and generation control
A cache memory includes a CAM with an associativity of n (where n is a natural number) and an SRAM, and storing or reading out corresponding data when a tag address is specified by a CPU connected to the cache memory, the tag address constituted by a first sub-tag address and a second sub-tag address. The cache memory classifies the data, according to the time at which a read request has been made, into at least a first generation which corresponds to a read request made at a recent time and a second generation which corresponds to a read request made at a time which is different from the recent time. The first sub-tag address is managed by the CAM. The second sub-tag address is managed by the SRAM. The cache memory allows a plurality of second sub-tag addresses to be associated with a same first sub-tag address.
US08904107B2 Storage apparatus and program update method
A storage apparatus and program update method for reducing tediousness and complications of drive inventory management.A storage apparatus 10 includes a disk unit 400 composed of a plurality of first drives 420 storing first firmware of the same type, a controller 100 for controlling data during operation of the first firmware, a relay device 300, and a second drive 520. Then, the second drive 520 stores second firmware of the same type as that of the first firmware and third firmware of a type different from that of the first firmware. The controller 100 includes: a firmware comparison unit for comparing the first firmware with the second firmware; a firmware comparison unit for deciding firmware to operate on the storage apparatus 10 based on the comparison result; and a firmware update unit for updating the firmware operating on the first drive 420 or the second drive 520 with the decided firmware.
US08904099B2 Isolation switching for backup memory
Certain embodiments described herein include a memory system having a volatile memory subsystem, a non-volatile memory subsystem, a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory subsystem, and a circuit coupled to the volatile memory subsystem, to the controller, and to a host system. In a first mode of operation, the circuit is operable to selectively isolate the controller from the volatile memory subsystem, and to selectively couple the volatile memory subsystem to the host system to allow data to be communicated between the volatile memory subsystem and the host system. In a second mode of operation, the circuit is operable to selectively couple the controller to the volatile memory subsystem to allow data to be communicated between the volatile memory subsystem and the nonvolatile memory subsystem using the controller, and the circuit is operable to selectively isolate the volatile memory subsystem from the host system.
US08904095B2 Data storage device and operating method thereof
An operating method of a data storage device including a plurality of nonvolatile memory devices includes the steps of: mapping physical addresses of the nonvolatile memory devices into logical addresses; reflecting environmental factors to remap a physical address into a logical address requested to be accessed; and performing an interleaving operation for the nonvolatile memory devices using the remapped physical address.
US08904093B1 Managing lifetime of limited usage storage devices in a caching system
A cache server receives wear usage information associated with a storage device, and receives an object to be cached in the storage device. The cache server also determines whether to store the object in the storage device based on the wear usage information. The cache server provides the object to the storage device for storage when it is determined that the object is to be stored in the storage device, and prevents the object from being stored in the storage device when it is determined that the object is not to be stored in the storage device.
US08904092B2 Identifying a location containing invalid data in a storage media
A system includes storage media and control logic coupled to the storage media, where the control logic is configured to receive a write request and determine whether the write request specifies writing a predetermined pattern to a particular location of the storage media. In response to determining that the write request specifies writing the predetermined pattern to the particular location, the control logic is configured to identify with an indicator that the particular location contains invalid data.
US08904088B2 Method of managing a solid state drive, associated systems and implementations
One embodiment of a method includes loading, by a memory controller, a boot image from a solid state drive to an operating memory of a computing system during an initialization operation of the computing system. The initialization operation initializes components of the computing system.
US08904082B1 Operation based polling in a memory system
Operation based polling in a memory system. A device manager is provided to perform efficient polling by utilizing the effective bandwidth of the memory system, in a controller coupled to a communication end point. The device manager includes a detection module for detecting a type of operation sent to the communication end point. The device manager also includes a storage module for storing a polling interval value based on a time period of the type of operation in a polling counter of the controller. Further, the device manager includes a controlling module for controlling a polling operation of the controller in such a way that the controller polls the communication end point after a wait period according to the polling interval value.
US08904081B1 Composing a virtual disk using application delta disk images
According to a system and method for composing a virtual disk for a virtual desktop, the virtual desktop is booted from a virtual disk comprised of a base disk image and a user delta disk image that receives all disk writes to the virtual disk. Disk space is allocated on the virtual disk for a file associated with a selected application to be provided to a user of the virtual desktop. Then the virtual desktop is recomposed offline by linking the base disk image, an application delta disk image including the file associated with the selected application, and the user delta disk image. The recomposing includes modifying meta data of the application delta disk and the user delta disk so that the file associated with the selected application is mapped to the disk space previously allocated.
US08904079B2 Tunneling platform management messages through inter-processor interconnects
Methods and apparatus for tunneling platform management messages through inter-processor interconnects. Platform management messages are received from a management entity such as a management engine (ME) at a management component of a first processor targeted for a managed device operatively coupled to a second processor. Management message content is encapsulated in a tunnel message that is tunneled from the first processor to a second management component in the second processor via a socket-to-socket interconnect link between the processors. Once received at the second management component the encapsulated management message content is extracted and the original management message is recreated. The recreated management message is then used to manage the targeted device in a manner similar to if the ME was directly connected to the second processor. The disclosed techniques enable management of platform devices operatively coupled to processors in a multi-processor platform via a single management entity.
US08904078B2 High speed serial peripheral interface system
A serial peripheral interface (SPI) system including a bus adapter is disclosed. The bus adapter may include a data converter that may be adapted to receive respective first and second data from a first master output peripheral input (MOPI) line and a chip select line from a SPI master device. The data converter may also be adapted to interleave the first and second data, and the data converter may be adapted to transmit the interleaved first and second data synchronously with a second clock signal on a second MOPI line. The bus adapter may also include a clock rate adjuster adapted to generate the second clock signal to transmit to a SPI peripheral device. The second clock signal may be adapted to enable the SPI peripheral device to read the transmitted data.
US08904077B1 Power management for host bus adapters
Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a host bus adapter (HBA) are provided. The methods include reducing a number of active lanes in an HBA link when link traffic is low, and increasing the number of active lanes when link traffic is high.
US08904067B2 Adaptive multi-threaded buffer
An adaptive multi-thread buffer supports multiple writer process and reader processes simultaneously without blocking. Writer processes are assigned a reserved write slot using a writer index that is incremented for each write request. When a reserved write slot is not null, the buffer is resized to make room for new data. Reader processes are assigned a reserved read slot using a reader index that is incremented for each read request. When data is read out to the reader process, the read slot content is set to null. When a writer process attempts to write null data to a write slot, the buffer replaces the null write data with an empty value object so that content of the buffer is null only for empty slots. When an empty value object is read from a slot, the buffer replaces the content with null data to send to the reader process.
US08904064B2 Managing an out-of-order asynchronous heterogeneous remote direct memory access (RDMA) message queue
A system and method operable to manage a message queue is provided. This management may involve out-of-order asynchronous heterogeneous remote direct memory access (RDMA) to the message queue. This system includes a pair of processing devices, a primary processing device and an additional processing device, a memory in storage location and a data bus coupled to the processing devices. The processing devices cooperate to process queue data within a shared message queue wherein when an individual processing device successfully accesses queue data the queue data is locked for the exclusive use of the processing device. When the processing device acquires the queue data, the queue data is locked and the queue data acquired by the acquiring processing device includes the queue data for both the primary processing device and additional processing device such that the processing device has all queue data necessary to process the data and return processed queue data.
US08904055B2 Switching control device and switching control method
There is provided a switching control device configured to control switching of an access of a host computer communicating with a first switch connected to a first input/output device and a second switch connected to a second input/output device, the switching control device including: a monitor configured to monitor an access of the host computer to the first computer; a memory controller configured to extract setting information to be set in the first switch from the monitored access, the setting information being used to couple the first input/output devices with the host computer, the extracted setting information being stored; a setting controller configured to set the stored setting information into the second switch; and a switching controller configured to switch an access destination of the host computer from the first switch to the second switch, when a fault occurs in the first switch.
US08904052B2 Combined input port
An input port for an electronic device for receiving different types of connectors, memory cards, or plugs. The input port includes an outer wall defining a receiving aperture, a substrate positioned within the receiving aperture. A first set of contacts is positioned on the substrate at a first depth into the receiving aperture and a second set of contacts is positioned on a first surface of the outer wall at a second depth into the receiving aperture. The first set of contacts is configured to communicate with a first connector and the second set of contacts is configured to communicate with a second connector.
US08904051B2 Controlling multiple external device coupled to user equipment
Described embodiments provide a method and user equipment for controlling a plurality of coupled external devices. The method may include determining whether one of applications installed in user equipment is activated upon receipt of a user input when the user equipment is coupled to a plurality of external devices, selecting one of the coupled external devices as a target external device to be mapped, when the application is determined as being activated, and mapping the selected coupled external device with the activated application and establishing a signal route between the user equipment and the selected coupled external device in association with the activated application.
US08904048B2 Bidi extension for connected devices
Bidirectional (bidi) extension techniques for USB and/or other similar busses/connections are described in which an interface is provided to enable bidirectional communication with connected devices. The interface may be implemented as an operating system component to handle bidi communication for devices from multiple different independent hardware vendors (IHVs). Device drivers for different devices can be configured to include extension files in accordance with an established schema for bidi communication. The extension files describe supported bidi attributes, capabilities of the device, and how to make calls into the device. The interface operates to detect the extension files and set-up a corresponding device for bidi communication. Applications then interact through the interface to access, retrieve, and set configuration and status data for connected devices. The use of extension files enable creation of architecture independent devices drivers that can be used across different platforms with substantially no changes.
US08904045B2 Opportunistic improvement of MMIO request handling based on target reporting of space requirements
Methods and apparatus for opportunistic improvement of Memory Mapped Input/Output (MMIO) request handling (e.g., based on target reporting of space requirements) are described. In one embodiment, logic in a processor may detect one or more bits in a message that is to be transmitted from an input/output (I/O) device. The one or more bits may indicate memory mapped I/O (MMIO) information corresponding to one or more attributes of the I/O device. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08904034B2 Method and apparatus for processing network congestion and core network entity
The disclosure discloses a method, an apparatus and a core network entity for processing network congestion, which enable: extracting adjacent data packets which have the same number as that of the preset interval value from an output port queue when the output port is detected to be in congestion state, and acquiring the source terminal address information of the adjacent data packets; searching for the source terminal transmitting the most data packets according to the source terminal address information; and transmitting a congestion information to the source terminal transmitting the most data packets. By extracting adjacent data packets which have the same number as that of the preset interval value from an output port queue when the output port is detected to be in congestion state, and acquiring the source terminal address information of the adjacent data packets; searching for the source terminal transmitting the most data packets according to the source terminal address information; and transmitting the congestion information to the source terminal, the disclosure makes the source terminal decrease the data transmission rate, so as to eliminate the network congestion. Therefore, the success rate of eliminating the network congestion is increased.
US08904028B2 Scalable cluster router
Generally, this disclosure describes a scalable cluster router that includes a plurality of server-class computers interconnected together to form a router. Each server may be configured to independently schedule switching of packets to reduce the switch speed requirements on a per server basis. Each server may include a scheduler that independently load balances packet flows across servers of the cluster. Router capacity may be incrementally scaled by adding more servers, and router capacity may be increased by load balancing techniques within individual servers.
US08904024B2 System and method for low delay fast update for video streaming
A system and method for low delay fast update, using multiple fast update pictures, for video streaming are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fast update request is received from a media client via a network by a media server to recover from packet losses. Further, one or more low delay fast update frames are generated based on packet loss statistics obtained during a steady state video streaming session by the media server. Furthermore, the generated one or more low delay fast update frames are sent to the media client to recover from the packet losses by the media server.
US08904020B2 Method which permits a block-based file to be played out during transmission
A file (FI) is transmitted via a first channel (CH1). In addition, a second channel (CH2) is used to transmit play parameters (D1, D2, R1, R2) which comprise at least one set (Di, Ri) of information about a play rate (R1, R2) and a delay time (D1, D2) for the file (FI) which is to be transmitted by the first channel (CH1). On the basis of the play parameters (D1, D2, R1, R2), it is possible to determine a time for starting to process the file (FI) which is to be transmitted.
US08904018B2 Browser start pages based on remote content
A server computer receives a user identifier from a user computer web browser program. The server computer identifies one or more uncompleted tasks associated with the user identifier that can be completed from the user computer via the user computer web browser program. The server computer then transmits to the user computer one or more universal resource locators (URLs) associated with the one or more uncompleted task, and the user computer provides access to the web pages referenced by the one or more URLs via the user computer web browser program. In certain embodiments, the server computer identifies the one or more uncompleted tasks by accessing a database that includes uncompleted tasks by user identifier and a URL associated with each uncompleted task. In other embodiments, the server updates the database when an uncompleted task associated with a user identifier is completed.
US08904013B2 Social hotspot
In one embodiment, a method includes broadcasting, from a first mobile device, a message having an identity of the first mobile device and conditions for connecting to a network through the first mobile device and receiving, at the first mobile device, a request from one or more second mobile devices that includes second user identifiers corresponding to respective second users of the one or more second mobile devices. The second user identifiers correspond to respective user accounts of one or more second users in a social-networking system. The method also includes determining, at the first mobile device, whether the one or more second mobile devices are authorized to access the network through the first mobile device and, if the one or more second devices are authorized to access the network, then configuring the first mobile device to provide the second mobile device network access.
US08904010B2 Method for allocating virtual local area network resources by mapping VSAN IDS to MAC addresses and related FCOE device and FCOE system
A method for allocating VLAN resources, an FCoE device and an FCoE system. A first device maps a virtual storage area network identity (VSAN ID) corresponding to a fiber channel (FC) message into a media access control (MAC) address according to a preset relation. The first device obtains a VLAN ID corresponding to the VSAN ID according to the preset relation and encapsulates the MAC address and the VLAN ID into an Ethernet message corresponding to the FC message. The preset relation is used for mapping multiple VSAN IDs, which correspond to the same VLAN ID, into different MAC addresses.
US08904007B2 Connection distribution within a connectional parallelism architecture
Example embodiments provide various techniques for distributing connections within a connectional parallelism architecture. In one embodiment, a method is provided where resource utilizations of connection groups are measured. Here, each connection group is assigned to one of multiple processors. A probability distribution is accessed that maps probabilities assigned to relative resource utilizations. A relative resource utilization of one of the connection groups is determined based on a resource utilization of the one connection group relative to other resource utilizations of other connection groups. A probability from the probability distribution is identified based on the determined relative resource utilization, and based on the identified probability, a connection is assigned to this connection group for execution by one of the processors assigned to this connection group.
US08903997B2 Network analysis
A method of analyzing a network is disclosed that may include a plurality of interconnected network components, and a network model with component configuration data for each of the network components and component interconnection data for each connection between network components. The method may also comprise selectively altering component configuration data for a first network component, or selectively altering component interconnection data for a first connection, thereby selectively altering a modeled state of the first network component or the first component connection within the network model, propagating the effect of such altering of a modeled state throughout the network model in dependence upon configuration data and interconnection data relating to the first network component and in dependence upon such data relating to other connected network components, monitoring the effect of said propagation on other network components within the network model. Also disclosed is a system for analyzing a network.
US08903989B2 Adjustable server-transmission rates over fixed-speed backplane connections within a multi-server enclosure
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing configurable transmission rates for devices within a multi-device enclosure, despite common communication media within the multi-device enclosure that would otherwise constrain or fix the transmission rates of the devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, implemented within a virtual-connect manager or other module or device contained in, or associated with, a multi-server enclosure, the virtual-connect manager provides an administrative or management interface through which each server can be assigned a maximum transmission rate. The virtual-connect manager then continuously monitors the transmission rates of servers and/or ports within servers in order to apply back pressure, or flow control, so that the servers and/or ports within servers do not exceed the configured maximum transmission rates.
US08903988B2 One activity report for interception purposes
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for optimizing monitoring capacity in a telecommunication system comprising at least one information element receiving unit. One activity report request along with identities of a target to be monitored are received at the element receiving unit. At least two information elements belonging to a first element group, related to the specified target by different identities and comprise duplicate information are also received at the target. The element receiving unit selects one of the received at least two elements.
US08903983B2 Method, system and apparatus for managing, modeling, predicting, allocating and utilizing resources and bottlenecks in a computer network
A method and apparatus for managing, modeling, predicting, allocating and utilizing resources and bottlenecks in a computer network managing, predicting and displaying of capacity, allocating and utilizing of resources, as well as actual and potential performance-degrading resource shortages in a computer network, is provided. Specifically, exemplary implementations of the present invention provide a method, system and apparatus for calculating, detecting, predicting, and presenting resource allocation, utilization, capacity bottlenecks and availability information, in a computer network, particularly in a virtualized computer environment.
US08903980B2 System and method for utilizing environment information in UPnP audio/video
An environment variable for use cases such as UPnP AV use cases. The environment variable of the present invention is used to store the physical location of the user. For example, the environment variable can be used to identify a particular location as being a user's living room, kitchen, etc. The information stored in the environment variable can be used to enhance the user experience of the digital home or other environment by minimizing the number of manual selections that the user has to make in order to initiate a use case such as playing music in a bedroom or watching movies in a living room. The environment variable is used to trigger a change of a profile and select the devices needed to implement different use scenarios.
US08903979B2 Electronic device and operating method of the same
The present invention relates to an electronic device and an operating method of the same. The electronic device and the operation method of the same manage an object included in a network and provides a user interface for accessing a network, so the electronic device and the operation method of the same configure and manage the network more effectively.
US08903978B2 Method and apparatus for pairing a mobile device to an output device
Methods and systems for associating or pairing a mobile device with a local output device via a central or mobile connect server system are provided. Pairing is performed by initiating a pairing request from an output device that is passed to the mobile connect server for processing. The mobile connect server responds to the request with a pairing code that is displayed by the output device. A user of the mobile device then enters the displayed pairing code in the mobile device. The mobile device transmits the entered pairing code to the mobile connect server and, in response to a match, the mobile device is paired to the output device. Pairing can enable various functions, including an ability to apply stored user preference data to control programming or other information displayed by the output device in response to commands entered in the mobile device.
US08903973B1 Parallel distributed network management
A method of parallel processing by networked devices, in which distributed data in a network is accessed in parallel to provide results. Commands and queries by a user station define a set of such distributed data. The networked devices access the distributed data in portions, individually process each portion, conduct peer-to-peer communication to aggregate results from processing each portion, and individually determine whether and when to report results. Making effective use of network assets (such as processing and storage at each node), making effective use of concurrency of network assets, limiting bandwidth use between network assets and user stations, and limiting use of assets (such as processing and storage) at user stations.
US08903972B2 Method and apparatus for sharing contents using information of group change in content oriented network environment
Provided are a method and apparatus for sharing content, using information regarding a group change in a content oriented network environment. In a case where a group to which a target user equipment belongs is changed from a first group to a second group, the target user equipment may transmit, to a first group member management device, the information regarding the group change. The first group member management device may update information about a group to which the target user equipment currently belongs, based on the information regarding the group change. In response to a receiving of a content request from a requesting user equipment, the first group member management device may transfer the content request to the target user equipment.
US08903971B2 Message architecture for an appliance communications network
A message architecture is provided for use in a communications network for an appliance having at least one component and further enabled to communicate information about the at least one component. The message architecture includes first and second identifiers where the first identifier identifies the form of the second identifier and the second identifier identifies at least one component in the appliance.
US08903970B2 Explicit logging of network user node/target node coupling
An Edge switch. The edge switch includes a first module configured to receive multiple coupling signals from at least one user node. a second module, and a log. For each coupling signal, the coupling signal indicates coupling one of the at least one user nodes to one of at least one target nodes via one of at least one proxy servers, the first module is configured to determine an identity of the one of the at least one user nodes and an identity of the one of the at least one target nodes from the coupling signal, and the second module is configured to record the identity of the one of the at least one user nodes, the identity of the one of the at least one target nodes, and date and time at which the coupling signal was processed by the edge switch in an entry in the log.
US08903956B2 On-demand virtual storage capacity
A system, method, and computer program product for providing on-demand storage capacity on a remote storage server to a customer is provided. A virtual array site code is received. The remote storage server is virtually connected to a local storage server of the customer in response to receiving the virtual array site code. Subsequent to receiving an activation request from the customer, a command is executed on the remote storage server to provide the virtual array site code to the customer. A virtual array site object is created on the local storage server corresponding to an array site object on the remote storage server.
US08903955B2 Systems and methods for intelligent video delivery and cache management
Network operators are striving to find ways to provide stable video services amid a rapid increase in video data traffic. In order to provide stable video services with constrained network resources, network operators attempted to reduce video file sizes and to cache videos for future use. However, network operators failed to exploit user information and to leverage benefits of distributing these functionalities across the network. This disclosure provides systems and methods for efficiently delivering video and managing video caches by exploiting user information and by distributing video delivery functionalities across the network.
US08903944B2 Version selective content delivery
A method and system of ID based content delivery where the selection and transmission of content is facilitated with use of version IDs associated with each available version of each particular piece of content. A relationship may be generated between the available versions in the version IDs to facilitate determining the version ID associated with a version desired for rendering at a particular type of terminal.
US08903938B2 Providing enhanced data retrieval from remote locations
Techniques are described for providing client computing nodes with enhanced access to data from remote locations, such as by providing and using local capabilities specific to the remote locations. In at least some situations, the access of a client computing node to data from a remote location may be enhanced by automatically performing activities local to the client computing node that improve the efficiency of communications sent between the client computing node and the remote location. As one example, access to data from a remote service may be enhanced by locally performing activities specific to the remote service, such as by using information about the remote service's internal mechanisms to cause the desired data to be provided from internal storage devices of the remote service without passing through front-end or other intermediate devices of the remote service while traveling to the client computing node.
US08903932B2 Systems and methods for video messaging and confirmation
Various embodiments illustrated and described herein include systems, method, and software for video messaging generation, sending, view tracking, and automated follow-up. Such embodiments provide mechanisms allowing users to engage with recipients and to track and collect recipient information and their tendencies in order to increase communication effectiveness. Some embodiments include sending messages with links to video though various messaging platforms. For example, some embodiments include sending electronic messages via email or via an online hosted computer application system for delivery by the online hosted computer application. Examples of the online hosted computer applications include social networking websites such as FACEBOOK®, TWITTER®, and LINKEDIN®. Messages may be generated and sent by a video messaging system directly; through integration of a customer relationship management application with a video messaging system; through an email, text message, social networking message that includes a link to a video message; and other mechanisms.
US08903931B1 Methods for generating e-mail message interfaces
A method includes accessing, by a server computer, a plurality of electronic mail messages; identifying, based on information contained in each electronic mail message, one or more actions that can be taken with respect to each electronic mail message; and outputting, for display at a client computing device, an electronic mail interface. The electronic mail interface includes a message preview element for each electronic mail message. Each message preview element includes an interface element for causing performance of the action for each electronic mail message.
US08903928B2 Displaying complex messaging threads into a single display
A method for organizing a message thread containing one or more messages. A root message and reply groupings are identified, each reply grouping depending from the root message. Each reply grouping has one or more child reply messages depending from a common parent message. The child reply messages within each reply grouping are ordered in chronological order based on the time of each of the one or more child reply messages was received or sent. The reply groupings are hierarchically ordering based on a relationship between the reply grouping and its parent message. A single display allows a user to view the message thread and the content of all of the messages in accordance with the hierarchical ordering.
US08903926B2 Online social network handle type ahead enhancement
Determining a correct user with whom to communicate, e.g., the correct intended recipient of an electronic message in electronic communications. In one aspect, an unintended recipient may identify the message as unintended. In another aspect, a time lapse in response or lack of response from the recipient may flag an unintended recipient. Using a likeness algorithm, users related to the recipient is identified and the message may be sent to those identified related users.
US08903917B2 System and method for implementing a cluster token registry for business continuity
Method and system for implementing a cluster token registry (“CTR”) process in a cluster comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes each having a CTR associated therewith are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises, responsive to a client signing in at one of the nodes, the client registering a cluster-wide token with the CTR of the node, thereby casting a vote in connection with the token; determining whether prerequisites for granting the token have been met; and, responsive to a determination that the prerequisites have been met, granting the token. The method further comprises periodically determining whether the vote in connection with the token vote has been refreshed by the client and, responsive to a determination that the vote in connection with the token has not been refreshed by the client, de-registering the client.
US08903907B2 Relationship support apparatus, relationship support method, and storage medium
Provided is a relationship support apparatus capable of preventing a user from inconsistently applying for relationships. An receiving section (32) receives an input of identification information of a desired relationship partner user, and further receives an input of identification information of the relationship-seeking user. A determination section (38) determines, based on the identification information of the relationship-seeking user and the identification information of the desired relationship partner user, whether or not an agreement has been reached on the relationship between the relationship-seeking user and the desired relationship partner user. A suspension section (40) suspends, based on a result of the determining performed by the determination section (38), the relationship-seeking user and the desired relationship partner user from carrying out a relationship-seeking activity with respect to another user.
US08903899B1 Reduction of perceived DNS lookup latency
Perceived domain name service (DNS) lookup latency can be reduced for the user of a browser program. A server determines domain names that the user is likely to request in the future. In one implementation, a list of these domain names is transmitted to the browser program as a separate command. The browser program may then lookup up the domain names in the background before the user selects a link corresponding to the domain names. In another implementation, the domain names are transmitted to the browser program by embedding the domain names in a web document, in which the embedded information is not visible in the rendered version of the web document.
US08903898B2 Session pooling for legacy application tasks
Methods, systems, and techniques for handling session emulation for running legacy applications/tasks in host environments using session pools are provided. These enhanced session emulation techniques may be used for many applications, including modernizing legacy applications, particularly in mid-range or mainframe host computing. Example embodiments provide a Role-Based Modernization System (“RBMS”), which uses the enhanced emulation techniques to provide role-based modernization of menu-based legacy applications.
US08903897B2 System and method for providing interactive content to non-native application environments
An automated electronic application delivery system for delivery software applications to client devices for which they were not originally intended for or developed. The applications are run on the particular application environment at the server side, and the content output by the application is capture, encoded, and streamed to the client devices in a way that minimizes latency. User interacts with the content and such interaction data is either mapped to a specific command catered to the application either at the client side or the server side. The mapped command or raw interaction data is then provided to the application over a control channel.
US08903888B1 Retrieving data of a virtual machine based on demand to migrate the virtual machine between physical machines
To migrate a virtual machine from a first physical machine to a second physical machine over a network, execution of the virtual machine in the first physical machine is stopped, where the first physical machine contains data associated with the virtual machine. State information of the virtual machine is copied from the first physical machine to the second physical machine, and execution of the virtual machine is started on the second physical machine based on the copied state information.
US08903875B2 Method for identifying corresponding directories in a union-mounted file system
In one embodiment, in response to a request for searching a file stored in a first directory, a first lookup is performed by a virtual file system in a first file system to locate the file. The virtual file system traverses from the first directory back to a mount point of the first file system to recreate a search path from the mount point to the first directory. The virtual file system performs a second lookup in a second directory of a second file system that is associated with the mount point to locate the file in the second file system, where second directory is identified by the recreated search path.
US08903860B2 Method and system for identification of data owner in an unstructured data environment
A system and method of identifying a data owner examining a plurality of criterion including access type, number of accesses at a given time and over the period of time selected, recentness of access, and permission levels of users. The method of file owner identification comprises collecting a plurality of samples including usage of a file by a plurality of users. A plurality of factors is calculated based on said plurality of users, wherein a respective factor is calculated for each of said plurality of users, wherein each factor is based on a plurality of use elements. Based on said plurality of factors, a file owner is determined of said file from among said plurality of users. The file owner may be communicated and/or displayed e.g., in a graph.
US08903854B2 Systems and methods for formlet generation and presentation
Certain examples provide systems and methods for formlet generation and presentation. Certain examples provide one or more formlets to be used to construct a clinical application. Certain examples leverage a content-based system, clinical element queries and clinical element transforms to generate a formlet to be used in a clinical application.
US08903852B1 Experience sharing system and method
A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving, on the one or more computing devices, a location indication from a user concerning a chosen location for potential experiences. A time indication is received, on the one or more computing devices, from the user concerning a time frame for the potential experiences. An experiences database is queried to identify two or more experiences that may be sequentially performed within the defined time period at the chosen location. An itinerary is generated, on the one or more computing devices, for the user based, at least in part, upon the two or more experiences.
US08903848B1 Methods and systems for context-aware entity correspondence and merging
A computer-based method for correlating relevant information from multiple entities based on contextual correspondence is described. The method includes receiving, at a computer, information relating to a plurality of the multiple entities, the information including data features and context features, correlating the data features utilizing one or more algorithms running on the computer, correlating the context features utilizing one or more algorithms running on the computer, and aggregating the plurality of the multiple entities based on both a correspondence of the data features and a correspondence of the context features for at least one of storage in a memory associated with the computer and output as data from the computer.
US08903843B2 Historical media recommendation service
A media recommendation system for recommending media content that is historically related to seed media content is provided. The recommended media content may be songs, television programs, movies, or a combination thereof, and the seed media content may be a song, television program, or movie.
US08903838B2 System and method for preventing duplicate file uploads in a synchronized content management system
A method and system for preventing duplicate file uploads in a remote content management system is described. The user device receives a hash value list associated with the files stored in the remote content management system. The user device calculates a hash value associated with new files to be uploaded. The system then compares the hash value(s) associated with the new file(s) to be uploaded with the hash value list received from the remote file storage system. If the hash values of any of the new files to be uploaded match a hash value on the hash value list, then the system prevents the new files from being uploaded to the remote file storage system.
US08903826B2 Electronic discovery system
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for improved electronic discovery and custodian management. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for an enterprise wide e-discovery system that provides for data to be identified, located, retrieved, preserved, searched, reviewed and produced in an efficient and cost-effective manner across the entire enterprise system. In addition, by structuring management of e-discovery based on case/matter, custodian and data and providing for linkage between the same, further efficiencies are realized in terms of identifying, locating and retrieving data and leveraging results of previous e-discoveries with current requests.
US08903816B2 Methods and systems for deriving a score with which item listings are ordered when presented in search results
Methods and systems for analyzing, ordering and presenting item listings are described. In one example embodiment, a search query is processed to identify item listings satisfying the search query. Then, for each item listing that satisfies the search query, a ranking score is derived and assigned to the item listing. The ranking score is based in part on a relevance score, a listing quality score and a business rules score (or, adjustment factor). Finally, the item listings are ordered, based on their corresponding ranking score, and presented in order in a search results page.
US08903814B2 Indexing timestamp with time zone value
Techniques are described for processing a query to produce query results, the query specifying at least a first timestamp value. Embodiments receive the query for processing and access a database index containing a plurality of database keys. The database index contains one or more database index keys, each of which includes at least a timestamp value and a time zone value. Embodiments compare the first timestamp value specified in the query with a portion of one the database index keys to locate at least a portion of the query results. More specifically, the compared portion of the database index key excludes the time zone value. The located portion of the query results is then retrieved.
US08903793B2 System and method for speech-based incremental search
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for receiving a user's spoken search query that the system will incrementally recognize and identify search terms. After the query has been incrementally recognized, the system will use the search terms to retrieve a portion of the search results that are based on usable identified search terms. As the results are found, the system will then output at least part at least part of the retrieved portion of search results on the display prior to the user concluding his or her search query.
US08903792B2 Method and system for intent queries and results
A search engine compares entered search terms to an index of terms signifying a specific or local intent. If an entered term matches term in the index, then the search engine identifies and outputs information corresponding to the specific or local intent. Terms to include in the index of terms can be identified by monitoring the searching behavior of a set of users.
US08903789B2 Derived presence-aware service from associated entities
A method may include receiving first event information about a first entity; receiving second event information about a second entity different from the first entity; associating the first entity and the second entity based on a user associated with the first entity and the second entity; and deriving presence event information based on the first event information and the second event information.
US08903788B2 Synchronizing distributed work through document logs
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for synchronizing distributed work. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving first and second metadata entries, adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object, and providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, where the first and second unique identifiers are based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively.
US08903785B2 Baselines over indexed, versioned data
Provided are techniques for receiving a request to create a current baseline with a baseline identifier and selecting data elements that are to be included in the current baseline. For each of the data elements, for a version of the data element to be included in the current baseline, a reference to the version of the data element is added to the current baseline and a baseline index element for the version of the data element is maintained by one of creating a new baseline index element or updating an existing baseline index element.
US08903783B2 System and method for publishing and displaying digital materials
The present invention provides a system for publishing and displaying digital materials, comprising an ePub publishing module comprising a mechanism for publishers to upload ePub files, a user management module providing a means to add, edit and remove end users from the system, a bookshelf module for organizing the user's content in order to create a logical grouping of content, a reading content module for reading content after the user has been mapped to the content, and an annotating content module for annotating user selected text.
US08903782B2 Application instance and query stores
An instance persistence command for an update to a state of an instance of an application can be issued. In response to the persistence command, a transaction with an instance store can be initiated. As part of the transaction, a first representation of the update can be stored in the instance store and a second representation of the update can be stored in a queue. The transaction can be committed after storing the first and second representations. After the transaction is committed, the second representation can be processed to store a third representation of the update in a query store. Application instance state information in the query store can be updated and queried without locking the instance store so that such operations in the query store can be performed asynchronously with operations in the instance store.
US08903778B2 Visible personalization
A system for effectively rating and/or dynamically generating one or more electronic media files with respect to information associated with a user, the user's preferences, and/or the user's past behavior with respect to electronic media.
US08903775B2 Using a heartbeat signal to maintain data consistency for writes to source storage copied to target storage
Provided are a method, system, and program for using a heartbeat signal to maintain data consistency for writes to source storage copied to target storage. A copy relationship associates a source storage and target storage pair, wherein writes received at the source storage are transferred to the target storage. A determination is made whether a signal has been received from a system within a receive signal interval. A freeze operation is initiated to cease receiving writes at the source storage from an application in response to determining that the signal has not been received within the receive signal interval. A thaw operation is initiated to continue receiving write operations at the source storage from applications after a lapse of a freeze timeout in response to the freeze operation, wherein after the thaw operation, received writes completed at the source storage are not transferred to the target storage.
US08903774B2 Techniques for leveraging replication to provide rolling point in time backup with simplified restoration through distributed transactional re-creation
Techniques to leverage replication to provide rolling point in time backup are described. Some embodiments are directed to techniques to provide rolling point in time backup with simplified restoration through distributed transactional re-creation. In one embodiment, for example, a technique may comprise creating a plurality of availability copies of a primary set of data; designating at least one of the plurality of availability copies as a backup copy; creating a log file that indicates changes to the primary set of data; updating the plurality of availability copies from the log file in near real time, without updating the backup copy; and restoring at least one of: the primary set of data and an availability copy using the backup copy and content resubmitted from a content contributor when an error occurs in at least one of: the primary set of data and an availability copy. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08903768B2 Method and system for synchronization and management of system activities with locally installed applications
The present invention will enable the user to follow a presentation while waiting for presentation files to download to the user's local machine. This invention provides a dynamic cloud based approach to local hand-off. It will enable users to view a cloud or other remotely-based (found via a URL) or screen-shared version of the presentation until source material has downloaded.
US08903762B2 Modeling data exchange in a data flow of an extract, transform, and load (ETL) process
Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating code from a data flow associated with an extract, transform, and load (ETL) process. In one implementation, the method includes identifying a data exchange requirement between a first operator and a second operator in the data flow. The first operator is a graphical object that represents a first data transformation step in the data flow and is associated with a first type of runtime engine, and the second operator is a graphical object that represents a second data transformation step in the data flow and is associated with a second type of runtime engine. The method further includes generating code to manage data staging between the first operator and the second operator in the data flow. The code exchanges data from a format associated with the first type of runtime engine to a format associated with the second type of runtime engine.
US08903759B2 Determining actions involving captured information and electronic content associated with rendered documents
Information is captured from a rendered document with a handheld document data capture device. Electronic information associated with the rendered document is applied to determine the system's actions and/or behaviors in response to the data capture. In some embodiments, the electronic information is markup data or an action map associated with the rendered document. In some embodiments, an electronic counterpart corresponding to the rendered document is located, and information associated with the electronic counterpart is applied to determine actions and/or behaviors available to a user of the handheld document data capture device.
US08903756B2 System and method for knowledge pattern search from networked agents
One or more systems and methods for knowledge pattern search from networked agents are disclosed in various embodiments of the invention. A system and a related method can utilizes a knowledge pattern discovery process, which involves analyzing historical data, contextualizing, conceptualizing, clustering, and modeling of data to pattern and discover information of interest. This process may involve constructing a pattern-identifying model using a computer system by applying a context-concept-cluster (CCC) data analysis method, and visualizing that information using a computer system interface. In one embodiment of the invention, once the pattern-identifying model is constructed, the real-time data can be gathered using multiple learning agent devices, and then analyzed by the pattern-identifying model to identify various patterns for gains analysis and derivation of an anomalousness score. This system can be useful for knowledge discovery applications in various industries, including business, competitive intelligence, and academic research.
US08903752B1 Classifying documents based on automatically detected rules
Systems and methods for classifying a set of documents are provided. In some aspects, a method includes receiving a subset of the set of documents. The method also includes automatically determining at least one classification rule for the subset of documents based on the documents in the subset. At least a true-positive threshold proportion of documents in the subset of documents follows the at least one classification rule. At most a false-positive threshold proportion of documents in the set of documents and not in the subset of documents follow the at least one classification rule. The method also includes storing the at least one classification rule in association with the subset of documents.
US08903751B1 Detecting participant helpfulness in communications
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided. Methods for detecting helpful query responses include generating helpfulness terminology data corresponding to words, terms, phrases and/or symbols that correspond to an expression of helpfulness. A query based exchange including multiple messages is identified. The messages are analyzed using the helpfulness terminology data to detect a helpful message. The helpful message is associated with a source participant and a helpfulness value that corresponds to the source participant is modified. A value corresponding to the query based exchange indicating that the query based exchange was successful is stored.
US08903749B2 Method of identifying a protocol giving rise to a data flow
Method of identifying a protocol at the origin of a data flow. The method of identifying a protocol giving rise to a packet flow comprises the following steps: —a capture of the flow of the protocol to be identified, —statistical classification of the flow, comprising an extraction of the classification parameters and a comparison of the classification parameters with statistical models constructed during a learning phase. The statistical classification comprises: —a first phase of global statistical classification; and —a step of synthesis of the results of the first and second classification phases so as to identify the protocol giving rise to the flow.
US08903748B2 Systems and methods for large-scale randomized optimization for problems with decomposable loss functions
Systems and methods directed toward processing optimization problems using loss functions, wherein a loss function is decomposed into at least one stratum loss function, a loss is decreased for each stratum loss function to a predefined stratum loss threshold individually using gradient descent, and the overall loss is decreased to a predefined threshold for the loss function by appropriately ordering the processing of the strata and spending appropriate processing time in each stratum. Other embodiments and aspects are also described herein.
US08903738B2 System and method for constructing and displaying active virtual reality cyber malls, show rooms, galleries, stores, museums, and objects within
A system and method for virtually displaying on-line a gallery, a showroom, a store, a mall or any other room or space and the objects contained in said room or space, wherein the data displayed is comprised of a virtual reality data packet. The system displays still photographs of virtual reality shots and textual materials, and plays virtual reality video clips and audio stories about the room and/or the objects contained therein. Links are associated with each object and are stored external to the virtual reality data packet can be retrieved on demand from an external database for presentation to the viewer. The system also provides on-line controls that enable the viewer to move around the space, and a feature that enables a viewer to view an object from 360° around the object.
US08903730B2 Content feature-preserving and complexity-scalable system and method to modify time scaling of digital audio signals
A time-domain system and method of modifying the time scale of digital audio signals includes a pre-processor. The pre-processor forms a synthesized signal for processing with minimum computation and that has optional features to give preference to certain audio channels and/or frequency bands, a mechanism of adaptively characterizing the temporal features of the synthesized signal by its normalized power and zero-crossing count, and a mechanism of identifying a segment of the synthesized signal where the time scale can be modified without introducing artifacts or losing content.
US08903722B2 Noise reduction for dual-microphone communication devices
A method, system, and computer program product for managing noise in a noise reduction system, comprising: receiving a first signal at a first microphone; receiving a second signal at a second microphone; identifying noise estimation in the first signal and the second signal; identifying a transfer function of the noise reduction system using a ratio of a power spectral density of the second signal minus the noise estimation to a power spectral density of the first signal, wherein the noise estimation is removed from only the power spectral density of the second signal; and identifying a gain of the noise reduction system using the transfer function.
US08903721B1 Smart auto mute
A mute setting is automatically set based on a speech detection result for acoustic signals received by a device. A device detects the speech based on a variety of cues from acoustic signals received using one or more microphones. If speech is detected within one or more frames, a mute setting may be automatically turned off. If speech is not detected, a mute setting may be automatically turned on. A mute setting may remain on as long as speech is not detected within the received acoustic signals. A varying delay may be implemented to help avoid false detections. The delay may be utilized during a mute-on state, and gradually removed during a transition from a mute-on state to a mute-off state.
US08903717B2 Method and system for generating a parser and parsing complex data
Computer-implemented systems and methods are disclosed for constructing a parser that parses complex data. In some embodiments, a method is provided for receiving a parser definition as an input to a parser generator and generating a parser at least in part from the parser definition. In some embodiments, the generated parser comprises two or more handlers forming a processing pipeline. In some embodiments, the parser receives as input a first string into the processing pipeline. In some embodiments, the parser generates a second string by a first handler and inputs the second string regeneratively into the parsing pipeline, if the first string matches an expression specified for the first handler in the parser definition.
US08903711B2 System and methods for semiautomatic generation and tuning of natural language interaction applications
A system for supervised automatic code generation and tuning for natural language interaction applications, comprising a build environment comprising a developer user interface, automated coding tools, automated testing tools, and automated optimization tools, and an analytics framework software module. Text samples are imported into the build environment and automated clustering is performed to assign them to a plurality of input groups, each input group comprising a plurality of semantically related inputs. Language recognition rules are generated by automated coding tools. Automated testing tools carry out automated testing of language recognition rules and generate recommendations for tuning language recognition rules. The analytics framework performs analysis of interaction log files to identify problems in a candidate natural language interaction application. Optimizations to the candidate natural language interaction application are carried out and an optimized natural language interaction application is deployed into production and stored in the solution data repository.
US08903704B2 Information processing device, information processing system, and recording medium
In an information processing device connected to an external device via a network, the external device includes an application platform of an image forming device and the information processing device includes a platform emulator that emulates the application platform. The platform emulator includes an implementing information acquiring part that receives a list of information items of interfaces implemented on the application platform in the external device from the external device and stores the list of information items in a holding part, a determining part that determines, in response to an interface calling request from an application using the platform emulator, whether an interface is implemented in the external device based on the stored list of information items, and an external calling part that transmits, when the interface is implemented, a request of execution of the interface to the external device.
US08903699B2 Determining large-scale finite state machines using constraint relaxation
A computer-implemented method of finite state machine using constraint relaxation. A first expression having a plurality of variables is accessed. A second expression is accessed that describes a constraint with respect to a first variable of the plurality of variables. At least one of the variables from the second expression is eliminated to create a third expression with the constraint relaxed. The third expression is applied to the first expression to determine a finite state machine for the first expression.
US08903697B2 Solutions for modeling spatially correlated variations in an integrated circuit
A computer-implemented method for modeling Spatially Correlated Variation (SCV) in a design of an Integrated Circuit (IC) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: generating a set of coefficient values for a position dependent SCV function, the set of coefficient values being selected from a set of random variables; obtaining a set of coordinates defining a position of each of a plurality of devices in a defined field; evaluating the position dependent SCV function to determine a device attribute variation for each of the plurality of devices based upon the coordinates of each of the plurality of devices; modifying at least one model parameter based upon the evaluation of the position dependent SCV function; and running a circuit simulation using the at least one modified model parameter.
US08903694B2 System and method for performing reservoir simulation using preconditioning
A computer-implemented system, method, and software are provided for solving linear systems of equations arising in reservoir simulation. A linear system of fluid flow equations, including a plurality of unknown variables, is provided that represents fluid flow properties in a geological formation of a subterranean reservoir. Block diagonal scaling is applied to the linear system of fluid flow equations. Threshold incomplete lower-upper approximate factorization is applied to obtain a preconditioning matrix, which can be used to iteratively solve unknown variables associated with the system of fluid flow equations. Preconditioning can be used directly as part of a preconditioned Krylov subspace method or alternatively as a 2nd stage preconditioner in a CPR algorithm.
US08903674B2 Automated emergency power supply system (EPSS) test reporting criticality of EPSS test failure
An automated emergency power supply system (EPSS) and testing solution that records generator load values and engine exhaust temperature values to evaluate whether an EPSS test satisfies legislated test criteria. The EPSS test is carried out under software control, which initiates a test by instructing an automatic transfer switch (ATS) to change its status to a test status, causing the essential loads to be powered by a generator instead of a main utility power source. Power monitors record the ATS and generator status during the test as well as electrical parameter data from the ATS and generator and exhaust temperature data and other engine parameter data from the generator. When the test is concluded, the ATS is instructed to return the status to normal so that power delivery is resumed from the main power source. The electrical and engine parameter data is analyzed and compared against legislated test criteria to determine a pass/fail result of the EPSS test.
US08903669B1 Multi-band receiver using harmonic synchronous detection
A method and apparatus for detecting an object. A first collimated beam having a first frequency and a second collimated beam having a second frequency is transmitted. At least one of the first frequency and the second frequency is changed through a range of frequencies and a power level for at least one of the first collimated beam and the second collimated beam is changed through a range of power levels. A range of fundamental difference frequency signals for each power level in the range of power levels are monitored for, in response to transmitting the first collimated beam and the second collimated beam using the range of frequencies and the range of power levels. The range of fundamental difference frequency signals is generated by the object having non-linear electrical characteristics in response to receiving the first collimated beam and the second collimated beam.
US08903665B2 Method and device for protecting an elecronic payment terminal
A device is provided for protecting an electronic payment terminal. The device includes at least one capacitive detector placed between a lower mechanical supporting element of a keypad of the terminal and an upper mechanical supporting element of the keypad of the terminal. The at least one detector is configured to deliver a reference capacitance. A capacitive measurement microprocessor is electrically connected to the at least one capacitive detector and configured to detect a variation of capacitance of the at least one capacitive measurement support. A transmitter is configured for transmitting a piece of information representing the capacitive variation, when an absolute value of a difference between the measured capacitance and the reference capacitance exceeds a predetermined threshold. The capacitive detector is conformed so that it extends between holes of the lower mechanical supporting element.
US08903663B2 Flow measurement device
To find the propagation time of an ultrasonic wave, a difference occurs between the waveforms received upstream and downstream in a portion where the reception amplitude is comparatively large and it is prevented from being detected as an error of the propagation time. A reception signal is amplified in a reception unit 35 and reception point storage units 38 store the most recent reception point data in a plurality of storage sections in order until the signal level becomes a predetermined value (Vref). An average value of the two zero crossing points before and after the signal level becomes Vref can be adopted as a reception point, the propagation time with a small error of up and down offset, etc., is measured, and it is made possible to realize power saving operation by shortening the measurement time.
US08903654B2 Non-causal attitude estimation for real-time motion compensation of sensed images on a moving platform
An attitude estimator provides non-causal attitude estimates for real-time motion compensation of sensed images on a moving platform. A non-causal filter processes uncompensated attitude samples received with a latency from an IMU at a high rate clock to provide an attitude estimate that is strictly non-causal but satisfies a just-in-time (JIT) criteria for real-time motion compensation of images captured at a low rate clock. On-average the error of the non-causal attitude estimate is less than the error of a causal attitude estimate. If the lag added by the non-causal filter is greater than the latency, the effective transfer function of the non-causal filter has a negative gain slope that attenuates high frequency noise of the uncompensated attitude samples. The attitude estimator may also include a causal filter to generate a causal attitude estimate for real-time active stabilization of the image sensor at the high rate clock.
US08903641B2 Collaborative robot manifold tracker
A collaborative control method for tracking Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) and manifolds on flows employs at least three autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) each equipped with a local flow sensor. A first flow sensor is a tracking sensor and the other sensors are herding sensors for controlling and determining the actions of the tracking sensor. The AUVs are deployed in a body of water whereby the tracking sensor is positioned with respect to the herding sensors such that the herding sensors maintain a straddle formation across a boundary. A local flow velocity measurement is obtained from each AUV; and based on the local flow velocity measurements a global flow structure that is useful for plotting an optimal course for a vessel between two or more locations is predicted.
US08903634B2 Engine control apparatus
The engine control apparatus includes a governor control mechanism for keeping the engine frequency constant, decides the “presence” or “absence” of the engine load by the throttle aperture and forcibly changes the engine frequency to a predetermined frequency depending on the presence or absence of the load, the engine control apparatus includes an engine controlling unit (10) for controlling fuel supply to an engine (1), an engine temperature detecting unit (4) for detecting an engine temperature of the engine (1), and a threshold changing unit (10a) for changing each throttle aperture as a threshold for deciding the “presence” or “absence” of an engine load depending on the engine temperature detected by the engine temperature detecting unit (4).
US08903632B2 Methods and systems for exhaust gas recirculation cooler regeneration
Various methods and systems are provided for regenerating an exhaust gas recirculation cooler. One example method includes, initiating an EGR cooler regeneration mode, wherein the EGR cooler regeneration mode comprises changing a fuel distribution of a donor cylinder group relative to a non-donor cylinder group of an engine, and increasing at least one of engine speed or load of the engine.
US08903626B2 Method of adjusting a fuel composition estimate
A method is provided for adjusting a fuel composition estimate. The method generally uses a non-fuel related property to determine fuel composition. In some cases the method can be used after refueling and when the engine is operating without the benefit of oxygen sensor data, which can include evaluating data not based on characteristics of the fuel or exhaust from its combustion, such as engine torque variations while using the fuel. The method can include monitoring estimated engine torque to determine whether first variations in engine torque exceed a threshold, and, if so, modifying the previous estimate of fuel composition prior to the refueling event by a pre-determined amount.
US08903619B2 Vehicle control system
In a vehicle control system that obtains an index based on a running condition of a vehicle and changes a running characteristic of the vehicle according to the index, includes index setting means for making a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in a direction toward crisp running of the vehicle, faster than a change in the index in response to a change in the running condition in such a direction as to reduce crispness with which the vehicle is running.
US08903609B2 Hybrid motor driven power steering system for commercial vehicle and method of improving performance and fuel efficiency through control thereof
A hybrid motor driven power steering system for a commercial vehicle may include a MDPS unit to generate motor output torque depending on driver steering torque, an EHPS unit to generate hydraulic output torque considering the motor output torque of the MDPS unit, a ball nut type gear box to generate output torque which operates a tie rod leading to left and right wheels after being input with the driver steering torque, the motor output torque, and the hydraulic output torque, and two torsion bars to block torque fluctuation rates at respective regions of a joint by detecting a road surface reaction force transferred to a steering column through the ball nut type gear box in at least two different positions. Accordingly, it may be possible to provide a steering capacity required in small-sized, medium-sized and full-sized commercial vehicles.
US08903608B2 Method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle
A method for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a driving maneuver in which the vehicle is guided automatically along a previously calculated trajectory, or the lateral guidance for travel along the trajectory is carried out automatically, and after the driving maneuver is completed, the steering of the vehicle is returned to the driver, information being provided to the driver concerning the vehicle's surroundings and suitable steering settings before and/or during the transfer of the steering to the driver. Also described is a device for carrying out the method, including a steering arrangement for steering the vehicle along a previously calculated trajectory as well as an output arrangement for outputting information concerning the vehicle's surroundings and suitable steering settings to the driver before and/or during the transfer of the steering to the driver.
US08903605B2 System to remotely unlatch a pickup box tailgate
A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
US08903604B2 Display system in hydraulic shovel and control method therefor
A calculation unit of a hydraulic shovel display system sets a predetermined display range displayed as a guidance picture for land shape data. The guidance picture shows a cross section of a target surface included in a display range as seen from a side of a main vehicle body, and a current position of the hydraulic shovel. The calculation unit calculates a position of a start point nearest the main vehicle body and a position of an end point set apart from the start point by a maximum reach length of the work machine in the cross section of the target surface as seen from the side based on land shape data, work machine data and a current position of the main vehicle body. The calculation unit calculates a predetermined reference point of the display range based on the positions of the start point and the end point.
US08903600B2 Vehicle-mounted device, control method and program with parking spot detection
An ITS vehicle-mounted device (17) sends/receives data in multi-content form. As a vehicle enters the communication area of a roadside apparatus (11), past drop-in place information is sent to the device (17) so that the driver can receive beneficial advertisement information. Places where the power of the ITS vehicle-mounted device (17) is turned off may be registered as past drop-in places contained in said past drop-in place information, and places of an idling stop may also be registered in the past drop-in place information. Highly accurate past drop-in place information can be produced by not registering when the stop time is short at a place where the power of the ITS vehicle-mounted device (17) is turned off or when a place is on the road right before an intersection as indicated by comparison with map data.
US08903597B2 Multipurpose in-vehicle diagnostic II adapter
The present invention is directed to an extension connector. The extension connector may include a first connector communicatively coupled to an in-vehicle connector associated with an automobile. The extension connector may further include a second connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector. The extension connector may further include a third connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector and the second connector.
US08903589B2 Method and apparatus for simultaneous localization and mapping of mobile robot environment
Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized. In another embodiment, mapping is suspended when it is determined that the device is acquiring data regarding its physical environment in such a way that use of the data for mapping will incorporate distortions into the map, as for example when the robotic device is tilted.
US08903587B2 Non-manipulation operation system and method for preparing for non-manipulation operation of vehicle
A notification unit causes a notification device to notify that a consent input person has whereabouts of a responsibility related to a non-manipulation operation to operate a vehicle without manipulation of an occupant of the vehicle. An information acquisition unit obtains consent-input person information for identifying the consent input person who inputs a consent into an operation unit, after the notification unit notifies the whereabouts of the responsibility. A record unit associates consent information on the inputted consent with the obtained consent-input person information to cause a storage unit to store the associated information. A control unit starts the non-manipulation operation of the vehicle, in response to input of the consent, after the notification unit notifies the whereabouts of the responsibility.
US08903582B2 Method and device for controlling hybrid automobile
A method of controlling a hybrid automobile is provided. Only a drive force of the motor is outputted to wheels by stopping the engine while operating the motor when a required drive force is below a predetermined switch value, and at least a drive force of the engine is outputted to the wheels by operating at least the engine when the required drive force is above the switch value. The method includes estimating, when the required drive force is below the switch value, a switching possibility of the required drive force increasing above the switch value, operating the engine so that a temperature of a catalyst becomes a first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is above a predetermined level, and operating the engine so that the temperature of the catalyst becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature when the estimated switching possibility is below the predetermined level.
US08903580B2 Hybrid vehicle with dynamically-allocated high-voltage electrical power
A vehicle includes a high-voltage (HV) battery pack, an HV electric traction motor, an additional HV system such as suspension motors of an active suspension system, sensors, and a controller in communication with the sensors. The controller dynamically allocates HV power from the battery pack between the traction motor(s) and the additional HV system using signals from the sensors. Signals may include steering angle, acceleration, and throttle request. A method includes measuring input signals using sensor(s) and processing the measured input signals, including comparing each of the measured input signals to a corresponding threshold. The method also includes allocating some of the HV power from the battery pack via between the traction motor(s) and the additional HV system when the values of any one of the input signals exceeds a corresponding threshold.
US08903575B2 Methods and systems for air fuel ratio control
Various methods and systems for an engine driving an electrical power generation system are provided. In one embodiment, an example method for an engine driving an electrical power generation system includes adjusting an engine speed in response to a relationship between oxygen and fuel while maintaining a power transmitted to the electrical power generation system.
US08903574B2 System and method for vehicle communication, vehicle control, and/or route inspection
In a system and method for communicating data in a locomotive consist or other vehicle consist (comprising at least first and second linked vehicles), a first electronic component in the first vehicle of the vehicle consist is monitored to determine if the component is in (or enters) a failure state. In the failure state, the first electronic component is unable to perform a designated function. Upon determining the failure state, data is transmitted from the first vehicle to a second electronic component on the second vehicle, over a communication channel linking the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The second electronic component is operated based on the transmitted data, with the second electronic component performing the designated function that the first electronic component is unable to perform.
US08903572B1 Aircraft landing evaluation system
In one embodiment an aircraft landing evaluation system comprises a first sensor to detect at least one landing trigger condition in an aircraft landing environment and a second sensor to detect at least one touchdown trigger condition in the aircraft landing environment. The system further comprises a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, and a memory module coupled to the processor. The memory module comprises logic instructions stored in a computer readable medium which, when executed, configure the processor to collect a plurality of flight parameters associated with the aircraft landing, and to collect a one or more additional flight parameters associated with the aircraft landing. A subset of the plurality of flight parameters are stored in a computer readable memory module coupled to the processing device, and may be presented on a display device coupled to the processing device.
US08903546B2 Smooth control of an articulated instrument across areas with different work space conditions
An articulated instrument is controllably movable between areas of different work space limits, such as when it is extendable out of and retractable into a guide tube. To avoid abrupt transitions in joint actuations as the joint moves between areas of different work space limits, a controller limits error feedback used to control its movement. To provide smooth joint control as the instrument moves between areas of different work space limits, the controller imposes barrier and ratcheting constraints on each directly actuatable joint of the instrument when the joint is commanded to cross between areas of different work space limits.
US08903538B2 Efficient movement of storage media in a storage media library
An apparatus comprises a network interface, a processor and a computer readable storage medium coupled with the processor. The computer readable storage medium includes computer usable program code. The computer usable program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a request for a first storage medium located in a first library unit in a storage medium library. The processor is caused to determine that the first storage medium is to be moved by a transportation component. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that the transportation component is located in a second library unit. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that a second storage medium located in the second library unit can be transported to the first library unit. Responsive to said determination, the processor is caused to transport the second storage medium to the first library unit.
US08903536B2 Apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause the processor to perform a process that includes arranging, based on image data of an image that is an aggregate of a plurality of pixels, a plurality of line segments in an area corresponding to the image. The plurality of line segments each have two endpoints, which are a starting point and an ending point. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes sequentially connecting the arranged plurality of line segments. The computer-readable instructions further cause the processor to perform a process that includes creating, as embroidery data, data for stitches that correspond to the connected plurality of line segments.
US08903522B1 Online platform for maintaining multidisciplinary sport performance statistics and computing performance forecasts
The present disclosure describes a platform that allows individual users to maintain personal performance statistics, which, collectively, are used to determine and update difficulty ratings for various multi-stage sport courses. Ratings are determined for each leg of a given course. The platform enables a user to predict his or her performance on an unfamiliar course based on course ratings and the user's historical performance on other courses.
US08903515B2 Implant sleep apnea treatment device including an antenna
A sleep apnea treatment device may include a flexible carrier configured to be implanted in a body of a subject. The device may also include at least one electrode disposed on the flexible carrier, the at least one electrode being configured to modulate nerve fibers of the subject. A flexible antenna may be disposed on the flexible carrier, the flexible antenna electrically connected to the at least one electrode in a manner permitting at least some energy received by the flexible antenna to be transferred to the at least one electrode. The flexible antenna may include: at least a first conductive trace arranged on a first side of the flexible carrier, the at least a first conductive trace defining at least a first elongated space between portions thereof; and at least a second conductive trace arranged on a second side of the flexible carrier, the at least a second conductive trace defining at least a second elongated space between portions thereof, wherein the at least a first conductive trace is at least partially offset from the at least a second conductive trace such that portions of the first conductive trace overly the at least a second elongated space and wherein portions of the second conductive trace underlay the at least a first elongated space.
US08903510B2 Electrode configurations for leads or catheters to enhance localization using a localization system
An exemplary method includes positioning a lead in a patient where the lead has a longitudinal axis that extends from a proximal end to a distal end and where the lead includes an electrode with an electrical center offset from the longitudinal axis of the lead body; measuring electrical potential in a three-dimensional potential field using the electrode; and based on the measuring and the offset of the electrical center, determining lead roll about the longitudinal axis of the lead body where lead roll may be used for correction of field heterogeneity, placement or navigation of the lead or physiological monitoring (e.g., cardiac function, respiration, etc.). Various other methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08903502B2 Methods and devices for modulating excitable tissue of the exiting spinal nerves
A method for modulating nerve tissue in a body of a patient includes implanting a wireless stimulation device in proximity to a dorsal root ganglion or an exiting nerve root such that an electrode, circuitry and a receiving antenna are positioned completely within the body of the patient. An input signal containing electrical energy and waveform parameters is transmitted to the receiving antenna(s) from a control device located outside of the patient's body via radiative coupling. The circuitry within the stimulation device generates one or more electrical impulses and applies the electrical impulses to the dorsal root ganglion or the exiting nerve roots through the electrode.
US08903487B1 Pacemaker enabled ischemia detection with selective ischemia tests
A device for detecting cardiac ischemia is disclosed. The device includes a processor that is configured to distinguish between two different heart beats types such as ventricularly paced beats and supraventricular beats. The processor collects separate reference data for a first one of the beat types indicative of the normal values of a cardiac feature. The processor performs an ischemia test to beats of the first type by first checking whether valid reference data exists for that beat type. If so, the ischemia test is based on this reference data. If no valid reference data exists for the first beat type, the processor applies an ischemia test that is not based on reference data for the first beat type.
US08903475B2 Multi-function optical probe system for medical and veterinary applications
A device includes a handpiece having a probe tip disposed at an end thereof, and, connected to the handpiece such that, at the probe tip, a functionality of each is provided, a plurality of probes. The probes may include an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe, an endoillumination probe, a laser therapy probe, an ultrasound imaging probe, an electrocautery probe, an RF ablation probe, a cryosurgical probe, an irrigator, and/or a mechanical probe.
US08903470B2 Determining velocity of cerebrospinal fluid by magnetic resonance imaging
A velocity-image creating unit creates a velocity image that indicates a distribution of velocity components with respect to each of a plurality of images obtained by repeating a plurality of number of times Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) that is capable of obtaining velocity components of a Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) flowing inside a subject. A velocity-variance image creating unit calculates variance of velocity components along the time sequence by same position on velocity images by using a plurality of created velocity images. A superimposed-image processing unit then superimposes the distribution of the variance of the velocity components according to the velocity-variance image on an average absolute-value image, and an image display unit displays a superimposed image.
US08903461B2 Handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device including a first body, a second body and a transmission mechanism is provided. The second body is stacked with the first body. The second body has a recess at a side facing the first body. The transmission mechanism includes a first plate, a second plate and a rotating member. The first plate is fixed on the first body. The second plate is slidingly coupled to the first plate. An end of the rotating member is pivoted on the second body, and another end of the rotating member is pivoted on the second plate. When the first body slides with respect to the second body toward the recess, the rotating member rotates and drives the first body enters the recess.
US08903454B2 Base station and radio unit for creating overlaid sectors with carrier aggregation
The embodiments relate to a base station and/or radio unit for creating overlaid sectors with carrier aggregation. The radio unit includes a first antenna array including a plurality of first antenna elements. The plurality of first antenna elements are arranged to provide wireless coverage for user equipments on a first frequency carrier in a first coverage area of a cell site. The radio unit also includes a second antenna array including a plurality of second antenna elements. The plurality of second antenna elements are arranged to create at least one sector for providing wireless coverage for the user equipments on a second frequency carrier in a second coverage area within the first coverage area. The radio unit also includes a central unit configured to dynamically adjust one of a location of the second coverage area within the first coverage area and a size of the second coverage area.
US08903444B2 Measurements and information gathering in a wireless network environment
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, computer readable media and other implementations, including a method for communicating network information. The method includes transmitting a request message from a mobile device to an access point, and receiving, at the mobile device, a reply message transmitted from the access point in response to receiving the request message, the reply message including data representative of a transmitted signal power level at the access point of the reply message. The method further includes determining, based on the received reply message including the data representative of the transmitted signal power level at the access point, a received signal power level at the mobile device of the reply message, and a round trip time from a first time instance when the request message was transmitted from the mobile device to a second time instance when the reply message was received at the mobile device.
US08903443B2 Methods and systems for slow associated control channel signaling
Methods and systems for slow associated control channel signaling are disclosed. An example method for securing communications in a mobile network disclosed herein comprises transmitting a first variant of a message of a first type on a first slow associated control channel (SACCH) before ciphering is started on the first SACCH, and after ciphering is started on the first SACCH, transmitting a second variant of the message of the first type on the first SACCH, and subsequently transmitting the second variant of the message of the first type on the first SACCH, wherein the subsequently transmitted second variant of the message of the first type is the next transmitted message of the first type on the first SACCH.
US08903435B2 Method and system for short message termination traffic control
The present invention discloses a method for controlling short message terminated flow, including: a process that a SMS message center setting a terminated flow control threshold of a mobile switching center and controlling the terminated flow according to the threshold; the process including a step of the SMS message center dynamically setting the terminated flow control threshold according to the operation blocking level of short message service of the mobile switching center. The present invention also discloses a system for controlling short message terminated flow. With the SMS message center dynamically adjusting the terminated flow control threshold according to the load condition of the short message service of the mobile switching center, the present invention achieves adaptive terminated flow control of the mobile switching center and improves effectiveness of the flow control.
US08903433B2 Paging method and apparatus considering carrier aggregation environment in mobile communication system
Provided is a paging method and apparatus considering a carrier aggregation (CA) environment in a mobile communication system. A paging method of a user equipment may include: selecting a component carrier (CC) set of the user equipment by selecting a CC for each component carrier element (CCE); receiving, from an evolved Node-B (eNB), a paging message containing a CC set; setting up a connection with the eNB through the CC set of the user equipment when the received CC set is the same as the CC set of the user equipment, or when all the CCs are included in the received CC set; and changing the CC set of the user equipment to the received CC set and setting up the connection with the eNB through the changed CC set when the received CC set is different from the CC set of the user equipment.
US08903417B2 Mobile terminal and control method therefor
A mobile terminal receives information adapted to the current location of the mobile terminal via a mobile communication network from an information service providing communication apparatus that sends information adapted to current locations of mobile terminals to mobile terminals. The mobile terminal repeats identifying the location of the mobile terminal, and calculates a linear movement distance of the mobile terminal between a past location of the mobile terminal and the current location of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal transmits a signal indicating the current location if the linear movement distance is greater than a threshold, but does not transmit the signal indicating the current location if the linear movement distance is less than the threshold.
US08903398B2 Systems and methods for providing a content proxy in a wireless network
Systems and methods for providing a content proxy in a wireless network. A set of media is provided to an edge proxy server located at a wireless site using satellite communications and stored by the edge proxy server independent of a local mobile station request for media in the set of media. Mobile stations can access live streams of media selected from the set of media by wireless communications with a wireless node and as mobile station move from one wireless site to another, the live media stream can be provided uninterrupted to the mobile station.
US08903397B2 Neighbor cell list automatic configuration apparatus and method for self-organizing network and mobile telecommunication system for the same
Provided are a Neighbor Cell List (NCL) automatic configuration apparatus and method for implementing Self-organizing Network (SON) and a mobile communication system for the same. The NCL automatic configuration apparatus and method collect at least one of neighbor cell information including cell searching information necessary for a handover of a user equipment to a neighbor cell and distance information between a corresponding base station and a neighbor cell. An NCL generator calculates weightings of neighbor base stations, calculates sum of the weightings and configures an NCL with base stations having higher weightings, on the basis of the at least one neighbor cell information.
US08903382B2 Method and apparatus for multi-mode system selection
Devices and methods are provided for optimizing the timing of multi-mode system scans in a wireless communication environment. In one embodiment, the method may involve determining at least one of location and movement of a mobile entity (ME). The method may involve adjusting a timer between preferred system scans based on the at least one of the location and the movement of the ME. For example, determining may involve utilizing a movement sensor (e.g., an accelerometer and/or a voltage-controlled oscillator accumulator) to detect the movement of the ME, and/or receiving signals from a Global Positioning System or the like.
US08903380B2 Location-based network selection method for a mobile device
A method for connecting a mobile device with one of a plurality of wireless networks, involves initiating a registration of the mobile device with one of the plurality of wireless networks. A geographic position of the mobile device is determined with respect to at least one of the plurality of wireless networks. A connection is established to one of the plurality of wireless networks responsive to the determined geographic position of the mobile device.
US08903379B2 Broadband telecommunication system between one or more control centers and one or more mobile units
A broadband telecommunication system between one or more control centers (CC) and one or more mobile units (MU) moving at high speed, the communication being supported by a wireless radiosystem with handover (HO) roaming. According to the main aspect of the invention, it is possible to minimize the scan step of the handover, thanks to the introduction in the procedure of a certain number of parameters and the setting thereof suitably handled via a specific algorithm.
US08903365B2 Mobile device management
The invention provides systems and methods for managing mobile devices of supported by different platforms. In some embodiments, the invention provides this management capability by utilizing one or more agents or modules native to the platforms themselves to provide interaction with individual mobile. In some embodiments, the invention provides an abstraction layer by which management tasks or other functions relating to mobile devices of different types may be generally defined and translated for application to mobile devices supported by different platforms. In some embodiments, the invention utilizes existing organizational structure of an enterprise or organization to define management permission for mobile device administrators and end users as well as to define policy configuration schemes for mobile devices. In some embodiments, the invention tracks the lifecycle of mobile devices within an enterprise or organization as assets within the organization.
US08903360B2 Mobile device validation
The illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for validating a mobile device. Voice data is received from the mobile device. The voice data comprises a recording of a pass phrase spoken by a user at the mobile device. A determination is made as to whether the mobile device is a valid mobile device using the voice data. An access code to the mobile device is sent in response to a determination that the mobile device is the valid mobile device.
US08903356B1 Method and system for suggesting individual payments for a common billing account
In a shared communication service plan in which multiple subscribers operate under a common billing account, a method and system is provided for more equitably allocating service costs among the subscribers in the group, by allocating overage costs based on the extent to which each subscriber used base services available to the group. For instance, if the group plan includes a designated number of base minutes of service per month and defines a per-minute overage cost for minutes used beyond the base number, the method and system may allocate to a given subscriber a portion of the group's overage cost, with the portion being determined based on the portion of the group's base minutes used by the subscriber. Advantageously, an invoice may then be generated setting forth the equitable allocation among the subscribers in the group, thus allowing the group to more readily determine how much each subscriber should pay.
US08903347B2 Simplified high frequency tuner and tuning method
A disclosed method tunes a signal from a channelized spectrum having a predetermined channel spacing. A signal of interest having a predetermined maximum bandwidth is mixed with a local oscillator signal, which has a frequency that is an integer multiple of the channel spacing or one-half of a channel spacing displaced from an integer multiple of the channel spacing. The local oscillator signal is selected to frequency translate the signal of interest to within a near-baseband passband whose lower edge is spaced from DC by at least about the maximum bandwidth of the signal of interest. Problems associated with 1/f noise, DC offsets, and self-mixing products are avoided or substantially diminished. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08903335B2 Electronic device
An electronic component (encoder) including an operation body is mounted on a circuit board. The electronic component causes a controller to perform processing in accordance with an operation input by the operation body. The mounting board includes a power-feeding leg piece connected to a wireless communication processor so that high frequency communication is allowed, a first short-circuiting leg piece that is adjacent to the power-feeding leg piece via a cut-out portion, and a second short-circuiting leg piece separated from the power-feeding leg piece. The short-circuiting leg pieces are connected to grounded portions. The impedance is adjusted by appropriately selecting the width or the depth of the cut-out portion. The resonance frequency is adjusted by appropriately selecting the size or the position of the short-circuiting leg piece. Thus, the mounting board operates as an inverted-F antenna in which the power-feeding leg piece functions as a power feeding portion.
US08903332B2 Circuit device and method of coupling to an antenna
In an embodiment, a circuit device for coupling to an antenna includes a first impedance matching circuit configured to couple to the antenna and a second impedance matching circuit configured to couple to the antenna. The circuit device further includes a power amplifier coupled to the first impedance matching circuit and includes a low-noise amplifier coupled to the second impedance matching circuit. Additionally, the circuit device includes a selectable impedance adjustment circuit coupled between the low-noise amplifier and the second impedance matching circuit, which selectable impedance adjustment circuit is configured to selectively adjust an impedance associated with the low-noise amplifier when the power amplifier is transmitting a signal through the antenna.
US08903317B2 System and method for controlling an infrared camera using a mobile phone
The present application provides a system and method for controlling an infrared camera by using a mobile phone. The system includes a client and an infrared camera used as a server and connected to the client through a communication network. The infrared camera is mounted in a location to perform infrared measuring and/or monitoring, so as to provide infrared image videos of a monitored object and temperature data of the points contained in an infrared image. The client is mounted in a position far away from the location of the infrared camera to provide a remote control for the infrared camera. The present application allows monitoring personnel or a user to remotely monitor and control an infrared camera by using a mobile phone.
US08903314B2 Bluetooth introduction sequence that replaces frequencies unusable due to other wireless technology co-resident on a bluetooth-capable device
Interference from other wireless technology co-resident on a Bluetooth-capable device may render one or more Bluetooth frequencies unusable for a Bluetooth introduction sequence. In this case, one or more usable frequencies may be substituted for the one or more unusable frequencies to permit the introduction sequence to proceed. The one or more usable frequencies may be selected from a known set of usable frequencies in the current Bluetooth frequency train. Alternatively, a frequency re-mapping process may be used to select the one or more usable frequencies from the current Bluetooth frequency train.
US08903313B2 Adaptive slicer for a discrete level amplitude modulation receiver
In a wireless communication system, an initiator, such as a card reader, can communicate with a target, such as a smart card or other device emulating a smart card, by amplitude modulating a radio frequency signal. In a receiver, levels of samples of a digital baseband signal of the amplitude modulated signal can vary. Apparatus and methods associate a received sample with a hard or sliced output state (such as +1, 0, or −1) and update a value associated with the hard output state for accurate slicing of the samples. This permits the use of hard symbols in further processing rather than soft samples, which can dramatically reduce the complexity of circuitry.
US08903311B1 Method of signal transmission using fiber composite sandwich panel
A method of wireless communication uses a fiber composite structure including a first conductive fiber composite layer comprising carbon fiber, a second conductive fiber composite layer comprising carbon fiber, and an insulating layer electrically isolating the first composite layer from the second composite layer. Communication devices such as transceivers are connected to the first and second composite layers and signals may be communicated to and from the communication devices through the composite layers. An AC or DC voltage may be applied to the first and second composite layers to conduct electrical power to the electrical devices without the requirement of separate wires.
US08903307B2 Broadcast response system
A broadcast response system provides, e.g., a radio broadcast listener with the ability to obtain media content such as music or speech while listening to the radio. The user can respond to items in the radio broadcast such as advertisements, fund raising drives, or interactive listener polls during the broadcast. Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored, can be transmitted using, e.g., the RBDS/RDS data stream. A reference number representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This reference number can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by broadcast response server.
US08903302B2 Information processor, printing system, method for printing and recording medium
In a sheet collection planned to be prepared, when there exists a monochrome sheet group comprised of one or more consecutive monochrome sheets all of whose front and back sides are monochrome pages, between two color sheet groups comprised of one or more consecutive color sheets having a color page on at least one of front and back sides, an information processor determines that sheets in the monochrome sheet group and each one or each two sheets before and after the monochrome sheet group sandwiching the monochrome sheet group are saddle-stitched sheets formed by papers for saddle-stitching. The information processor determines that any sheet other than those determined to be the saddle-stitched sheets are sheets of an adhesive bound group.
US08903301B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit; a first conveying path, along which a recording medium accommodated in a paper feeding cassette is conveyed to the image forming unit; and a second conveying path, along which a recording medium inserted into a manual paper feeding port is conveyed to the image forming unit; wherein the manual paper feeding port is formed at a front side of the image forming apparatus on an upper surface of an apparatus main body and wherein an inclined path obliquely extending from the manual paper feeding port to below and toward a rear of the apparatus main body is also formed, wherein the second conveying path is structured so that a recording medium inserted into the manual paper feeding port can fall into the inclined path due to the weight of the recording medium.
US08903300B2 Multi-function device architecture
Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-function device including a housing, a printing assembly disposed within the housing, the printing assembly being configured to print a document, and a copying assembly comprising a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and an illumination source disposed within the housing, the copying assembly further including a substantially flat transparent surface disposed in an optical path of the CMOS image sensor, the substantially flat transparent surface to support an object for image capture by the CMOS image sensor, wherein the illumination source is configured to provide illumination during image capture. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08903283B2 Shutter assembly, powder container, cleaning device, and image forming apparatus
A shutter assembly includes an internal shutter and an external shutter. The internal shutter including a contact member is movable between a first position at which the internal shutter closes the outlet, a third position at which the internal shutter opens the outlet, and a second position between the first position and the third position. The internal shutter at the second position is movable to the third position while closing the outlet. The external shutter is movable between a closed position at which the external shutter closes the outlet and an open position at which the external shutter opens the outlet, and includes an interlocking member to contact the contact member to move the internal shutter. As the external shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position, the internal shutter is moved from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the external shutter.
US08903272B2 Image forming apparatus including charging unit positioning
An image forming apparatus includes a latent-image forming member including a latent-image carrier and support members disposed at both ends of the latent-image carrier to support the latent-image carrier, a charging member including a discharge electrode that supplies an electric charge to the latent-image carrier and a control electrode that is disposed between the discharge electrode and the latent-image carrier and controls a potential of the latent-image carrier, a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion that are respectively formed on the latent-image forming member and the charging member and that are connected to each other to connect the latent-image forming member and the charging member to each other, and an urging member that is disposed between the latent-image forming member and the charging member to urge them away from each other.
US08903261B2 Heating apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same
A heating apparatus includes a switching circuit configured to switch on/off current-feeding from an AC power source to the heater, a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the heater, and a current-feed controller configured to execute a first current-feed mode of changing a current-feed ratio of current-feeding time to unit time by controlling switching of the switching circuit so that the temperature detected by the temperature detector falls within a target range. The current-feed controller executes a second current-feed mode of fixing the current-feed ratio to almost 100% or almost 0% during execution of the first current-feed mode in place of the first current-feed mode.
US08903260B2 Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus and a control method include a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive drum, an exposure unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, a developing unit to form a toner image by sequentially supplying a plurality of color toners to the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer unit having an intermediate transfer belt to perform a first transfer of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum in a sequential manner by color, a transfer roller configured to perform a second transfer of the toner image on a printing medium , a transfer belt cleaning unit to perform a cleaning task to remove a waste toner that remains on the intermediate transfer belt after the second transfer is performed, and a control unit to start performing idling of the intermediate transfer belt when an exposure with respect to one page toner image is completed and the first transfer is in progress, and to start the second transfer by having the transfer roller make contact with the intermediate transfer belt while the intermediate transfer belt is in an idling state.
US08903258B2 Image forming apparatus and method of controlling transfer current in the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer member, a controller, a discharge electrode, a detector, and a storage section. The controller, based on an amount of change between parameter value detected by the detector after transfer by the transfer member and parameter value stored in the storage section, determines voltage necessary for the discharge electrode to take the same amount of current as an increase in transfer current of the transfer member from previously determined transfer current and applies the determined voltage to the discharge electrode.
US08903253B2 Optical signal modulation
A 2n-QAM (e.g. 16-QAM) optical modulator comprising cascaded I-Q modulators. The first I-Q modulator applies 2n−2 (e.g. 4) QAM to an optical signal, having a constellation diagram with the 2n−2 (e.g., 4) constellation points located in quadrant I. The second I-Q modulator subsequently applies a quaternary phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation scheme to the optical signal, thereby rotating the constellation points of the 2n−2-QAM modulation scheme to quadrants II, III and IV, to produce a 2n-QAM modulation constellation diagram. The rotation causes the 2n-QAM modulator to inherently apply four quadrant differential encoding to the optical signal. A method of 2n-QAM optical modulation is also provided and optical signal transmission apparatus comprising the 2n-QAM optical modulator.
US08903251B2 Power saving in passive optical networks using dynamic data rate scaling
An Optical Network Unit (ONU) in a Passive Optical Network (PON), the ONU comprising: a receiver module configured to receive a first rate selection signal from an optical line terminal (OLT) that indicates a reduced rate mode, and a component comprised within the receiver module, the component configured to transition from a normal operation mode to the reduced rate mode in response to the receiver module receiving the first rate selection signal, wherein operating in the normal operation mode comprises receiving a downstream signal from the OLT at a nominal data rate, and wherein operating in the reduced rate mode comprises receiving the downstream signal from the OLT at a reduced data rate that is less than the nominal data rate but greater than zero.
US08903250B2 Cost-effective multi-rate upstream for 10GEPON based on high efficiency coding
Systems and methods are disclosed to provide an upstream rate between 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps in a cost effective manner in a 10 GEPON. In an embodiment, an optical network unit (ONU) transmitter includes a burst transceiver and a physical layer (PHY) including a high performance digital to analog converter (DAC), a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) module configured to encode end user data using a modulation scheme having more than two levels, and a laser. The ONU transmitter transmits the encoded end user data to an optical line terminal (OLT) receiver, which demodulates the data using a PAM demodulator and sends it to a service provider.
US08903249B2 Method and apparatus for suppressing optical beat interference noise in raman amplifiers
A method and apparatus for suppressing pump-mode optical beat interference noise in a Raman amplified fiber link of an optical network, wherein a wavelength of a laser beam generated by a first pump laser and a wavelength of a laser beam generated by a second pump laser of a pair of polarization multiplexed pump lasers are detuned with respect to each other to suppress the optical beat interference, OBI, noise in the Raman amplified fiber link of said optical network.
US08903241B2 Registration of device characteristics with optical layer for use in establishing connections through an optical network
Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media, mechanisms, and means associated with registration of optical device characteristics of optical network devices with an optical control layer of the optical network for use in establishing compatible connections through the optical network. Especially end network devices and internal network optical devices that regenerate the optical signal register their communication capabilities of their optical interfaces with the optical control layer of an optical network. This registration allows a light path to be established through the optical network which is compatible with the registered capabilities. The optical control layer may be centralized in an optical layer server and/or distributed among optical devices in the optical network, such as on control processors in multiple, optical layer devices.
US08903236B2 Camera matte box
A matte box system for a camera is presented, including one or more filter rings each capable of accommodating a filter or filter holder, the filter rings each having a substantially planar forward face and a substantially planar rear face, one face having one or more bearing elements and the other face having a corresponding bearing surface adapted to engage with the bearing element. The bearing surface includes one or more circular or arcuate channels, and the bearing element including a spring-loaded or otherwise biased surface that protrudes from the face and is urged in a generally axial direction to engage with the bearing surface such that the bearing surface and bearing element of consecutive filter rings allow the filter rings to independently rotate about the optical axis, while resisting radial movement of the filter rings.
US08903231B2 Image stabilizing apparatus
An image stabilizing apparatus includes: a base; a first frame movably coupled to the base in a first direction; a first vibration axis that movably support the first frame; a first vibration unit that vibrates the first vibration axis; a first sensing unit that senses a position variation of the first frame; a second frame movably coupled to the first frame in a second direction that crosses the first direction; a lens coupled to the second frame; a second vibration axis that is disposed on the first frame to movably support the second frame; a second vibration unit that vibrates the second vibration axis; a second sensing unit that senses a position variation of the second frame; and a first elastic plate including a connecting portion that is connected to the first frame and a pressing portion that is bent from the connecting portion and presses the first vibration axis.
US08903225B2 Video editing device, video editing method, program, and medium in which the program is recorded
A video editing device includes a storage unit, a detection unit and an composite unit. The storage unit stores a detection target, a similarity determination condition for determining a similarity of an original video content to the detection target, and a message in association with one another. The detection unit determines in accordance with the similarity determination condition whether or not the detection target is included in the original video content. The composite unit adds the message to the original video content in a case where a determination result by the detection unit indicates that the detection target is included in the original video content.
US08903218B2 Method for synchronizing audio playback of a plurality of digital media renders, and related digital media controller and digital audio media render
A method for synchronizing audio playback of a plurality of digital media renders including a first digital audio media render and at least one second digital audio media render. The method includes: detecting a relative time difference between the first digital audio media render and the at least one second digital audio media render, and controlling audio playback of the at least one second digital audio media render according to the relative time difference, to make audio playback of the at least one second digital media render synchronized with audio playback of the first digital audio media render.
US08903217B2 Device and method for synchronizing different parts of a digital service
The invention relates to a reproduction device (21), with a device (20) acting as a source of digital services. It also relates to a method of synchronizing two parts of a digital service in a system including a source device according to the invention and at least one reproduction device according to the invention.According to the invention, the reproduction device (21) includes means for receiving the data forming at least a part of a digital service originating from a digital service source device (20), means for processing (210) at least some of the data received, means (211) for reproducing an output of at least a part of the digital service, the time for processing and reproducing the data introducing a delay in the output of the reproduced data. This device also includes communication means (213) for informing the source device of the delay introduced.
US08903207B1 System for and method of extending vertical field of view in head up display utilizing a waveguide combiner
A Head Up Display can be utilized to find light from an energy source. The Head Up Display includes a first waveguide having a first input coupler and a first output coupler. The Head Up Display can also include a second waveguide having a second input coupler and a second output coupler. The first waveguide has a first major surface and the second waveguide has a second major surface, which are disposed approximately parallel to each other. The first waveguide and the second waveguide are positioned as a combiner and allowing viewing an outside feed and information from an image source. The first input coupler diffracts light in the first field of view into the first waveguide and light in a second field of view reaches the second input coupler and is diffracted into the second waveguide.
US08903203B2 Optical waveguide device and method of manufacturing the same
An optical waveguide device includes a wiring substrate, an optical waveguide bonded on the wiring substrate and having a light path conversion inclined surface on both ends, and a light path conversion mirror formed to contact the light path conversion inclined surface of the optical waveguide and formed of a light reflective resin layer or a metal paste layer. In case the light reflective resin layer is used as the light path conversion mirror, the light reflective resin layer may be formed partially only on the side of the light path conversion inclined surface, or may be formed on the whole of the wiring substrate to coat the optical waveguide.
US08903202B1 Mach-Zehnder optical modulator having a travelling wave electrode with a distributed ground bridging structure
A Mach-Zehnder optical modulator with a travelling wave electrode having one or more signal transmission line conductors and one or more ground transmission line conductors is provided. The modulator includes a ground strip conductor extending substantially in parallel to the ground transmission line conductors, and a distributed bridging structure electrically connecting the ground strip conductor and at least one of the ground transmission line conductors along a substantial portion of a length thereof. The distributed bridging structure may be embodied by a plurality of electrical connections at disposed regularly spaced intervals.
US08903199B2 Methods and apparatus for automated true object-based image analysis and retrieval
An automated and extensible system for analysis and retrieval of images based on region-of-interest (ROI) analysis of one or more true objects depicted by an image is provided. The system uses an database that is a relational or analytical database containing searchable vectors that represent the images stored in a repository. Entries in the database are created by an image locator and ROI classifier working together to locate images within the repository and extract relevant information to be stored in the ROI database. The ROI classifier analyzes objects in an image to arrive at actual features of the true object. Graphical searches are performed by the collaborative workings of an image retrieval module, an image search requestor and an ROI query module. The image search requestor is an abstraction layer that translates user or agent search requests into the language understood by the ROI query.
US08903198B2 Image ranking based on attribute correlation
Images are retrieved and ranked according to relevance to attributes of a multi-attribute query through training image attribute detectors for different attributes annotated in a training dataset. Pair-wise correlations are learned between pairs of the annotated attributes from the training dataset of images. Image datasets may then be searched via the trained attribute detectors for images comprising attributes in a multi-attribute query, wherein images are retrieved from the searching that each comprise one or more of the query attributes and also in response to information from the trained attribute detectors corresponding to attributes that are not a part of the query but are relevant to the query attributes as a function of the learned plurality of pair-wise correlations. The retrieved images are ranked as a function of respective total numbers of attributes within the query subset attributes.
US08903191B2 Method and apparatus for noise reduction in video
In some embodiments, a method of processing a video sequence may include receiving an input video sequence having an input video sequence resolution, aligning images from the input video sequence, reducing noise in the aligned images, and producing an output video sequence from the reduced noise images, wherein the output video sequence has the same resolution as the input video sequence resolution. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08903190B2 Median filtering method and apparatus
A median filtering apparatus and method for removing noise and improving an image quality with respect to all types of input images are provided. The median filtering apparatus may receive an input of N pieces of data, may form a data set including the N pieces of data, may calculate a difference array having an N×N size based on the N pieces of data in the data set, may sum component values for each column of the difference array, and may calculate an index of a column having a smallest value among sum values that are obtained by the summing operation and that are greater than or equal to a preset value.
US08903188B2 Method and device for processing components of an image for encoding or decoding
A method of processing components of an image for coding of an image portion of the image, the image being composed of a first component and a different second component. Samples of the second component are predictable from samples of the first component using a prediction model having a model parameter value. The method comprises: determining a plurality of subsets of samples usable for computing the model parameter value, wherein each subset of samples comprises samples of neighboring borders of the first component and the corresponding second component of the image portion, according to at least one predetermined sampling pattern and corresponding predetermined shifting offset, selecting, based on predetermined criteria, a subset of samples from among the plurality of subsets of samples; and predicting samples of the image portion using the prediction model and the model parameter value determined from the selected subset of samples.
US08903184B2 Image-encoding method, image-encoding device, and computer-readable recording medium storing image-encoding program
A method for encoding an image having a resolution that is not a multiple of a size of a block to be encoded, includes adding, by a processor, an extension image to the image to generate an image to be encoded, the extension image being an image to be added to the image and being an image in which a boundary pixel that is present at a boundary between the extension image and the image, and an adjacent pixel that is adjacent to the boundary pixel have a difference in pixel value therebetween that has an absolute value that is equal to or greater than a certain value; and disabling a deblocking filter process at the boundary between the extension image and the image in a locally decoded image that corresponds to the image to be encoded.
US08903183B2 Image recognition device, image recognizing method, storage medium that stores computer program for image recognition
An image identifying device includes: a setting unit which sets a section having at least one image in a video; a first recognizing unit which calculates a plurality of feature amounts related to at least the one image and which acquires a plurality of identification results corresponding to each of the feature amounts from an identifier which may identify a plurality of objects belonging to a first category; a selecting unit which selects, based on the identification results, a second category of a third category; and a second recognizing unit which calculates another feature amount related to an image included in another section and acquires another identification result corresponding to the feature amount from another identifier which may identify the objects included in the second category.
US08903179B2 Adjusting application properties
A method, computer program product, and computer system for identifying a first reference point on a display. A second reference point of an object of an application is identified, wherein the object is on the display. A distance is determined of the first reference point on the display from the second reference point of the object on the display. One or more properties of the application is adjusted based upon, at least in part, the distance of the first reference point on the display from the second reference point of the object on the display.
US08903178B2 Adjusting application properties
A method, computer program product, and computer system for identifying a first reference point on a display. A second reference point of an object of an application is identified, wherein the object is on the display. A distance is determined of the first reference point on the display from the second reference point of the object on the display. One or more properties of the application is adjusted based upon, at least in part, the distance of the first reference point on the display from the second reference point of the object on the display.
US08903173B2 Automatic image processing for document de-skewing and cropping
An image of a rectangular target is resolved. First and second dimensions for the rectangular target are determined from an initial image. A cropped and de-skewed final image for the rectangular target is produced responsive to the first and second dimensions.
US08903172B2 Imaging terminal operative for decoding
There is set forth herein an imaging terminal operative for decoding of bar codes. In one embodiment the terminal can include a color imaging assembly having a color image sensor array. The terminal can be operative for capture of a color frame of image data. Responsively to the capture of the color frame of image data the terminal can convert the color image data to monochrome image data while maintaining the color image data. The terminal can utilize the monochrome image data to search for a color bar code finder pattern. The terminal can be operative so that if the color bar code pattern is found utilizing the monochrome image data the terminal can utilize the color image data for attempting to decode a color bar code.
US08903169B1 Automatic adaptation to image processing pipeline
Techniques are disclosed relating to generating generic labels, translating generic labels to image pipeline-specific labels, and automatically adjusting images. In one embodiment, generic labels may be generated. Generic algorithm parameters may be generated based on training a regression algorithm with the generic labels. The generic labels may be translated to pipeline-specific labels, which may be usable to automatically adjust an image.
US08903168B2 Method and device for selecting transform matrices for down-sampling DCT image using learning with forgetting algorithm
Down-sampling of an image may be performed in the DCT domain. A multiple layered network is used to select transform matrices for down-sampling a DCT image of size M×N to a DCT image of size I×J. A spatial domain down-sampling method is selected and applied to the DCT image to produce a down-sampled DCT reference image. A learning with forgetting algorithm is used to apply a decay to the elements of the transform matrix and select a transform matrices which solve an optimization problem. The optimization problem is a function of the visual quality of images obtained using the transform matrices and the computational complexity associated with using the transform matrices. The visual quality is a measure of the difference between the down-sampled DCT image obtained using the transform matrices and the visual quality of the DCT reference image obtained using a spatial domain down-sampling method.
US08903162B2 Method and apparatus for separating an image object from an image using three-dimensional (3D) image depth
A method of image processing is provided for separating an image object from a captured or provided image according to a three-dimensional (3 D) depth and generating a synthesized image from the image portions identified and selectively modified in the process. The method retrieves or determines a corresponding three-dimensional (3D) depth for each portion of an image, and enables capturing a selective portion of the image as an image object according to the 3D depth of each portion of the image, so as to synthesize the image object with other image objects by selective processing and superimposing of the image objects to provide synthesized imagery.
US08903155B2 Optical waveform generation and use based on print characteristics for MICR data of paper documents
A method and system for determining an optical waveform based on a plurality of print features of a selected marking of a document. The method and system comprise obtaining optical image data representing the print features of the selected marking. The optical image data is corrected for at least one of print contrast or reflectance of the print features in the optical image data using respective print contrast thresholds or reflectance thresholds to produce a converted pixel map of the selected marking, the pixel map containing an ordered sequence of values. Also included is a generation module to transform the print features represented in the converted pixel map to a plurality of corresponding waveform features to produce the optical waveform of the selected marking, the corresponding waveform features including a plurality of spaced apart peaks representing respective optical signal levels of the print features.
US08903151B2 System and method for assessing operation of an imaging system
A system and method for assessing the operation of a imaging system, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, is disclosed including a that computer is programmed to access an image of a phantom from image data, identify a plurality of seed point in the image of the phantom using a shape recognition algorithm, and rank combinations of the seed points using a pattern recognition algorithm using a priori information about the predefined pattern. The computer is programmed to rank the combinations of the seed points to generate an indication of an imaging quality characteristic of the imaging system.
US08903149B1 System and method of communicating information about an object concealed by a scanned surface
A system for communicating information about one or both of an object with a scanned surface and an object at least partially concealed by the scanned surface comprises a scanner and a projector. The scanner is adapted to scan the surface to obtain information that is unattainable through visual observation. The projector is adapted to project an image related to the obtained information onto the scanned surface. The projected image is a dynamic image that is mapped in substantially real-time to a location on the scanned surface from or through which the information is obtained.
US08903147B2 Medical report generation apparatus, method and program
A medical report generation apparatus includes a key image selection unit that selects, as a key image representing a diagnostic characteristic feature, a slice image generated based on three-dimensional medical image data obtained by imaging a subject, a selected position input unit that inputs a selected position in the key image, a supplementary image determination unit that determines, based on the key image and the selected position, a slice image that includes the selected position and represents a cross section different from a cross section represented by the key image, as a supplementary image, in the three-dimensional medical image data, and a medical report generation unit that generates a medical report including the key image and information for identifying the supplementary image.
US08903142B2 Biometric verification device and method
The invention relates to a biometric device (1) for capturing fingerprint information and for extracting significant data from a partial fingerprint area, comprising processing means (8), a line sensor (2) for consecutively capturing fractional fingerprint images from fractional areas of a finger through a relative sliding movement between the finger and the line sensor, means for consecutively storing the fingerprint information in a first memory (6), decision-making means (3) for deciding when the information stored in the first memory constitutes a partial fingerprint area, extraction means (4) for extracting significant data from the partial fingerprint area stored in the first (7), where the captured fractional fingerprint images are stored in the first memory (6) in such a way that several consecutive fractional images are compared with the previously captured images, and are combined together to form a partial fingerprint area which is large enough for the extraction of the significant data, and where the oldest stored fingerprint image data is discarded from the first memory (6) when new fingerprint image data is stored in the first memory (6). In this way, it is possible to use a line sensor with a limited surface and still be able to reduce the memory requirements by extracting significant data representing the fingerprint.
US08903139B2 Method of reconstructing three-dimensional facial shape
A method of reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) facial shape with super resolution even from a short moving picture having a front facial image by acquiring a super-resolution facial image by applying, as a weighting factor, a per-unit-patch similarity between a target frame and frames remaining after excluding the target frame from among a plurality of continuous frames including the front facial image, and reconstructing the 3D facial shape based on the acquired super-resolution facial image.
US08903138B1 Face recognition using pre-templates
Disclosed herein is a method for creating a pre-template for use in facial recognition including detecting a face in a source image, determining face information for the detected face, cropping the source image around the detected face, adjusting a compression level based on a contrast of at least a portion of the detected face, encoding the cropped image based on the adjusted compression level, and storing the encoded cropped image and the face information in a storage medium, wherein the encoded cropped image is subsequently retrieved from the storage medium, decoded and converted to a numerical representation of the detected face to compare the numerical representation with a face in an input image.
US08903133B2 Periodic stationary object detection system and periodic stationary object detection method
A periodic stationary object detection system extracts a feature point of a three-dimensional object from image data on a predetermined region of a bird's eye view image for each of multiple sub regions included in the predetermined region, calculates waveform data corresponding to a distribution of the feature points in the predetermined region on the bird's eye view image, and judges whether or not the three-dimensional object having the extracted feature point is a periodic stationary object candidate on the basis of whether or not peak information of the waveform data is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value.
US08903132B2 Efficient system and method for body part detection and tracking
A method is provided for detecting a body part in a video stream from a mobile device. A video stream of a human subject is received from a camera connected to the mobile device. The video stream has frames. A first frame of the video stream is identified for processing. This first frame is then partitioned into observation windows, each observation window having pixels. In each observation window, non-skin-toned pixels are eliminated; and the remaining pixels are compared to determine a degree of entropy of the pixels in the observation window. In any observation window having a degree of entropy above a predetermined threshold, a bounded area is made around the region of high entropy pixels. The consistency of the entropy is analyzed in the bounded area. If the bounded area has inconsistently high entropy, a body part is determined to be detected at that bounded area.
US08903131B2 Real-time camera dictionary
Information display equipment that can display translated words and/or translation information in real time. The information display equipment relates to a camera dictionary that can perform dictionary display in real time. In addition, this equipment distinguishes characters included in an object photographed by a photographing portion. Then this equipment extracts information corresponding to these characters from a dictionary. Examples of the information corresponding to the characters are translated words or illustrative examples for a certain term. Then a display portion displays the information corresponding to the characters.
US08903116B2 Parametric transducers and related methods
An audio emitter comprises a support member operable to support a sound emittive material and a sound emittive material carried by the support member. A protective screen has a plurality of apertures formed therein, the protective screen being spaced a predetermined distance from the sound emittive material, said predetermined distance being a function of a resonant frequency of the audio emitter.
US08903115B2 Enclosure and acoustic device using the same
The present disclosure relates to an acoustic device. The acoustic device includes an enclosure and a speaker enclosed by the enclosure. The enclosure includes a magnesium based composite material. The magnesium based composite material includes a magnesium based metal matrix and nanoparticles dispersed therein. The present disclosure also relates to an earphone.
US08903113B2 Inflatable ear mold with protected inflation air inlet
An ear piece is formed for insertion and placement in an external auditory canal. The ear piece has an inflatable which, when it is inflated, expands and braces against the walls of the auditory canal. When it is deflated, it may be withdrawn from the auditory canal. The ear piece may be used in connection with a hearing aid, an MP3 player, a cell phone, or the like. A pump is provided for inflating the balloon and a valve may be controlled for selectively deflating the balloon. The air intake to the pump is disposed so as to be protected against contamination from inside the auditory canal. For that purpose it is formed inside a housing the air inlet of which is as far outside the ear canal as possible. In the case of a behind-the-ear application, the intake opening is formed in the housing that is to be placed behind the user's ear.
US08903106B2 Augmented elliptical microphone array
In one embodiment, an audio system has a microphone array and a signal processing subsystem that processes audio signals generated by the microphone array to produce an output beampattern. The microphone array has (i) a plurality microphones arranged in a circular portion and (ii) a center microphone. The signal processing subsystem has (1) a decomposer that spatially decomposes the microphone audio signals to generate a plurality of eigenbeams and (2) a beamformer that generates the output beampattern as a weighted sum of the eigenbeams. By adding the center microphone, the audio system is able to provide some degree of control over the beamforming in the vertical direction as well as provide reduction of modal aliasin.
US08903105B2 Sound processing unit, sound processing system, audio output unit and display device
Practical speaker connection is identified using a device having a sound channel of a 5.1 channel or 7.1 channel, and a device is provided that can easily reproduce the optimum multiple channels. Actual speaker arrangement can be identified by, for example, measuring the impedance of a terminal at the side of an audio amplifier. If incorrect connection is found, a warning is issued. This information is transmitted to a signal source with an EDID and a signal with the optimum a number of sound channel is sent. The EDID is also used for the connection with a display unit and the speaker connection with which the display unit is provided uniquely. For example, a sound through the 7.1 channel is easily reproduced using the speaker of the display unit in the channel of the front speaker.
US08903097B2 Information processing device and method and program
An information processing device includes: an output device configured to perform notification to a user by outputting ringing sound; a sound pickup device configured to pick up surrounding sound as ambient sound; an adaptive filtering process device configured to perform an adaptive filtering process using the picked-up ambient sound and the ringing sound output from the output device, to thereby extract, from the ambient sound, estimated environmental sound from which the ringing sound picked up by the sound pickup device has been removed; and a control device configured to control, on the basis of the feature quantity of a predetermined feature extracted from the estimated environmental sound, the adjustment of at least one of the sound volume and the sound quality of the ringing sound.
US08903095B2 Methods and apparatuses for avoiding damage in network attacks
Methods and apparatuses in a client terminal (400) and a web server (402) for enabling safe communication between said terminal and server. When the terminal obtains a web page from the server in a session, the terminal creates a context-specific key, Ks_NAF′, based on one or more context parameters, P1, . . . Pn, pertaining to said session and/or web page. The terminal then indicates the context-specific key in a login request to the server, and the server determines a context-specific key, Ks_NAF′, in the same manner to verify the client if the context-specific key determined in the web server matches the context-specific key received from the client terminal. The context-specific key is thus bound to and valid for the present context or session only and cannot be used in other contexts or sessions.
US08903093B2 Mobile device, method of processing an input in a mobile device and electronic payment method using a mobile device
Handheld wireless communications devices include a data input device, which is configured to receive first input data provided by a user, a main processor and a security processor. The security processor includes an input interface and input processing block configured to extract second data from a first portion of the first input data using, for example, a data mapping operation. The security processor also includes an encryption circuit, which is configured generate secure data from the extracted second data by encrypting the extracted second data using an encryption key, and a data/control interface, which is configured to transfer the secure data to the main processor.
US08903092B2 High speed digital to analog converter with reduced spurious outputs
A system includes a first circuit including a scrambling module that receives N digital data streams and that scrambles the N digital data streams using a scrambling sequence. A data bus receives the N scrambled digital data streams and the scrambling sequence. A second circuit communicates with the data bus and includes a first processing module that processes the N scrambled digital data streams and that outputs M digital data streams, where M and N are integers greater than one. The second circuit includes one or more descrambling and processing modules that receive the M digital data streams, that descramble the M digital data streams based on the scrambling sequence, and that further process the M digital data streams. The second circuit includes a digital to analog converter (DAC) module that receives an output of the one or more descrambling and processing modules.
US08903087B2 Method and device for distributing secure digital audiovisual contents by interoperable solutions
A method for distributing a nominal audiovisual stream to a recipient device including modifying, in the nominal audiovisual stream, at least one nominal coefficient among the nominal coefficients to generate a modified main stream; generating complementary information such that the nominal audiovisual stream may be implemented based from the complementary information and on the modified main stream, applying a plurality of methods for protecting the complementary information to generate multiple protected complementary information, each of the protected complementary information enabling the nominal stream of the main stream to be implemented upon application of an access method compatible with the protection method which has been used to protect it; and transmitting to the recipient device the modified main stream and the multiple protected complementary information.
US08903085B2 Adding randomness internally to a wireless mobile communication device
An electronic device is provided with an integral transducer used to update a random data pool without connection to an external source of new random data. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for providing random data on an electronic device, the method comprising: storing random data in a random data pool in a memory; sensing motion of the electronic device using a transducer integrally carried as part of the electronic device, wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output in response to sensed motion; generating new random data in accordance with the output of a transducer when sensed motion exceeds a threshold; and storing the new random data in the random data pool in the memory.
US08903084B2 Efficient key derivation for end-to-end network security with traffic visibility
Both end-to-end security and traffic visibility may be achieved by a system using a controller that derives a cryptographic key that is different for each client based on a derivation key and a client identifier that is conveyed in each data packet. The controller distributes the derivation key to information technology monitoring devices and a server to provide traffic visibility. For large key sizes, the key may be derived using a derivation formula as follows: client_key_MSB=AES128(base_key_1,client_ID),  (1) client_key_LSB=AES128(base_key_2,client_ID+pad),and  (2) client_key=client_key_MSB∥client_key_LSB, where (1) and (2) are executed in parallel. The client key and a client identifier may be used so that end-to-end security may be achieved.
US08903083B2 Fast evaluation of many polynomials with small coefficients on the same point
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for evaluating at point r one or more polynomials p1(x), . . . , pl(x) of maximum degree up to n−1, where the polynomial pi(x) has a degree of ti−1, the method including: partitioning each polynomial pi(x) into a bottom half pibot(x) with bottom terms of lowest si coefficients and a top half pitop(x) with top terms of remaining ti−si coefficients; recursively partitioning the bottom half pibot(x) and the top half pitop(x) of each polynomial pi(x) obtaining further terms having a lower degree than previous terms, performed until at least one condition is met yielding a plurality of partitioned terms; evaluating the bottom half pibot(x) and the top half pitop(x) at the point r for each polynomial pi(x) by evaluating the partitioned terms at the point r and iteratively combining the evaluated partitioned terms; and evaluating each polynomial pi(x) at the point r by setting pi(r)=rsipitop(r)+pibot(r).
US08903080B2 Goal-based estimated wait time
A contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The contact center proposed herein provides the ability to, among other things, determine an estimated wait time for contacts waiting to be serviced by resources of the contact center without relying on the traditional First-In-First-Out behavior of contact centers.
US08903074B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for congestion-based routing of telecommunications signaling messages
Methods, systems, and computer program products for congestion-based routing of telecommunications signaling messages are disclosed. One method includes determining whether congestion exists on a primary SS7 signaling route to a destination. In response to determining that congestion exists on the primary SS7 signaling route, the method includes redirecting messages to be sent over the primary SS7 signaling route to an alternate SS7 signaling route to the destination independently of whether the primary route is in a failed state.
US08903069B2 Interactive content for click-to-call calls
In a click-to-call (C2C) communication environment, a web client of a computing terminal is configured to initiate a C2C call when a user selects a call tag provided in a web page being presented to the user. The call is intended to be established between a remote endpoint associated with the call tag and one of either the computing terminal or another terminal associated with the user. If the C2C call is directed to an automated system and placed in a queue or on hold, the present invention allows supplemental content intended for the user to be delivered to the web client from which the C2C call was initiated. The web client may present the supplemental content to the user.
US08903058B2 Conveying call subject matter with voice data
Embodiments are configured to provide information associated with a communication event to a communication party. In an embodiment, components of a communication system operate to provide a recorded call subject to a receiving party as part of a communication event. In one embodiment, a communication device can be used to record, package, and transmit subject matter as part of a communication event, wherein the recorded subject matter can be used to inform a receiving party of a communication subject.
US08903054B2 Methods and apparatus to provide a telephone system configuration interface
Methods and apparatus for a telephone customer to configure telephone service for multiple users at a single location associated with the customer. The location has at least two telephones, at least two phone numbers and a voice mail box. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign one of the phone numbers to one of the telephones. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign each of the multiple users exclusive access to at least one of the telephone numbers via their account identifier. The telephone customer is visually provided the option to, for each of the multiple users, allow access or deny access via their account identifier to the voicemail box.
US08903053B2 Mass-scale, user-independent, device-independent voice messaging system
A mass-scale, user-independent, device-independent, voice messaging system that converts unstructured voice messages into text for display on a screen is disclosed. The system comprises (i) computer implemented sub-systems and also (ii) a network connection to human operators providing transcription and quality control; the system being adapted to optimize the effectiveness of the human operators by further comprising 3 core sub-systems, namely (i) a pre-processing front end that determines an appropriate conversion strategy; (ii) one or more conversion resources; and (iii) a quality control sub-system.
US08903049B2 Systems and methods for characterizing transmission lines using broadband signals in a multi-carrier DSL environment
Using DSL modems as data collectors, the modems processes the data to, for example, allow easier interpretation of the line characteristics. In particular, the modems postprocess the data including calibration, filter compensation, determination of the SNR medley from the bits and gains tables and rate conversion. The interpretation process uses the postprocessed data and determines loop characterization, interferer detection, a data reduction estimation and a data rate estimation. The outputs of these determinations least allow for the characterization of the line conditions between the two modems.
US08903044B2 X-ray diffraction apparatus
An X-ray shielding member is provided so as to confront an X-ray incident face of a sample, and a gap through which an X-ray emitted from an X-ray source is passed and irradiated to an X-ray incident face of the sample is formed between the X-ray shielding member and the X-ray incident face of the sample. A gap adjusting mechanism for moving the X-ray shielding member is further provided to move the X-ray shielding member in accordance with change of an X-ray incident angle to the sample by a goniometer, whereby the breadth of the gap formed between the X-ray shielding member and the X-ray incident face of the sample can be adjusted.
US08903039B2 Tomographic image generation device and method
Radiographic images for different imaging directions taken by applying radiation to a subject from the different imaging directions are obtained, and a plurality of tomographic images of the subject are generated based on the obtained plurality of radiographic images. Then, compression processing in the direction perpendicular to slice planes of the generated tomographic images is applied to the tomographic images to generate compressed tomographic images, wherein a range of the imaging directions is obtained, and a compression rate of the compression processing is set based on the obtained range of the imaging directions.
US08903037B2 System and method for automatic tube potential selection for dose reduction in medical imaging
A method for CT imaging that utilizes an automatic tube potential selection for individual subjects and diagnostic tasks. The method quantifies the relative radiation dose of different tube potentials for achieving a specific image quality. This allows the selection of a tube potential that provides a reduced radiation dose while still providing CT images of a sufficient quality.
US08903036B2 Jet pump and reactor
A nozzle apparatus of a jet pump includes a nozzle base member, and a plurality of nozzles installed to the nozzle base member and forming a plurality of narrowing portions, in which a fluid passage cross-sectional area of a driving fluid passage formed in the nozzle is reduced.
US08903032B2 Structure for suppressing flow vibration of instrumentation guide tube
An upper hole 37A and a lower hole 37B are provided at two positions, namely, upper and lower portions, of a side surface of a guide tube 27, and a thimble tube 22 is pressed against an inner circumferential surface of the guide tube 27, by a differential pressure between coolant inside and outside the upper hole 37A and the lower hole 37B. It is preferable that an upper pressure adjustment hole and a lower pressure adjustment hole are provided at two positions, namely, upper and lower portions, of a side surface of an upper core support column 21, and a coolant flowing into the guide tube from an upper end of the guide tube flows out to the outside from inside the guide tube through a gap between the thimble tube and the upper hole, and also flows out to the outside from inside the upper core support column through the upper pressure adjustment hole, and a coolant flowing into the guide tube from a lower end of the guide tube flows out to the outside from inside the guide tube through a gap between the thimble tube and the lower hole, and also flows out to the outside from inside the upper core support column through the lower pressure adjustment hole.
US08903017B2 Array amplitude modulation system and method
Array amplitude modulation which includes mapping a data symbol to a phase modulation signal and an amplitude modulation signal for transmission from antenna elements; applying the phase modulation signal to the antenna element amplifiers; and generating a pattern of enabling/disabling the antenna element amplifiers as a function of the amplitude modulation to produce a phase and amplitude modulated transmission from the antenna elements.
US08903010B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for low power multimode interconnect for lossy and tightly coupled multi-channel
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for low power multimode interconnect for lossy and tightly coupled multi-channel are disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for low power multimode interconnect includes a receiver for receiving a plurality of input signals that have been encoded by a multimode encoding equation to have voltage levels according to the multimode encoding equation and for decoding the received signals according to a multimode decoding equation to produce binary data as output, wherein the receiver includes a set of frequency-compensated amplifiers for emphasizing high-frequency components of the received input signals and a set of latches for receiving amplified signals from the frequency-compensated amplifiers and for decoding the amplified signals according to the multimode decoding equation to produce binary data as output.
US08903003B2 Communication station and method for transmitting OFDM symbols with cyclic-delay diversity (CDD)
A communication station uses a plurality of antennas for transmission of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols. The communication station includes an interleaver to interleave a block of encoded bits of an associated input bit stream for use in generating an output bit stream having a desired code rate. The communication station also includes circuitry to modulate the bits of the output bit stream to generate complex-valued modulation symbols, circuitry to map the modulation symbols for transmit diversity to layers for each of the antennas based on a number of antennas used and to further map the modulation symbols for each antenna onto resource elements, circuitry to cyclically shift the mapped modulation elements, circuitry to provide the cyclically-shifted modulation symbols for transmission by an associated one of the antennas, and circuitry to add a cyclic prefix to the modulation symbols prior to transmission.
US08902996B2 Adaptive wireless video transmission systems and methods
A method for providing error-resilient video content may include receiving video data reflective of multiple video frames and encoding the video data to generate a plurality of packets. The method may also include transmitting the first group of packets to at least two receivers and receiving feedback information regarding receiving status of respective ones of the plurality of packets, the feedback information being indicative of packets not received correctly. The method may further include examining error indications based on the feedback information and implementing a first error-correction policy if a variation in the error indications among the at least two receivers is below a first error threshold and a second error-correction policy if the variation is above the first error threshold. At least one of the first and second error-correction policies may include transmitting or retransmitting at least one packet using a different coding scheme.
US08902991B2 Decoding apparatus for encoded video signals
The present invention is a decoding apparatus for decoding an encoded video signal capable of displaying a secondary video synchronously with a primary video. The decoding apparatus includes: an auxiliary information analyzing part that analyzes auxiliary information including display auxiliary information about a display position and/or a display size of the secondary video, and applied time information by which the display auxiliary information is applied; a reference time counter that indicates a reference time at which a video is decoded and displayed; a comparing part that compares the applied time information with the reference time counter; a display screen forming part that uses a primary video and a secondary video to form a display screen; and a control part that controls the display screen forming part, wherein the control part controls the display position and/or the display size of the secondary video by affording a command to the display screen forming part using the display auxiliary information, based on an output result of the comparing part.
US08902988B2 Zero-out of high frequency coefficients and entropy coding retained coefficients using a joint context model
This disclosure describes techniques for performing entropy encoding and decoding of video coefficients using a joint context model shared between transform units having different sizes. For example, the joint context model may be shared between transform units having a first size of 32×32 and transform units having a second size of 16×16. Performing entropy coding using a joint context model shared between transform units having different sizes may reduce an amount of memory necessary to store contexts and probabilities, and reduce computational costs of maintaining context models. In one example, the joint context model may be shared between transform units having the first size with coefficients zeroed out to generate a retained coefficient block having the second size and transform units having the second size. In another example, the joint context model may be shared between transform units having the first size and transform units having the second size.
US08902987B2 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.
US08902984B2 Method for predicting a bi-predictive block of a moving picture
A block prediction method using improved direct mode for B picture in a moving picture coding system obtains forward and backward motion vectors of direct mode, obtains two distinct motion-compensated blocks using the forward and backward motion vectors, and predicts a block of the B picture which is about to be coded (or decoded) presently by applying an interpolative prediction to the above blocks, and thereby, accuracy of the predicted block can be improved and the coding efficiency also can be improved.
US08902970B1 Altering streaming video encoding based on user attention
Disclosed are various embodiments for adjusting the encoding of a video signal into a video stream based on user attention. A video signal generated by an interactive application is encoded into a video stream. A temporary lapse of attention by a user of the interactive application is predicted. The encoding of the video signal into the video stream is adjusted from an initial state to a conservation state in response to predicting the temporary lapse of attention by the user. The conservation state is configured to conserve one or more resources used for the video stream relative to the initial state.
US08902969B1 Home-video digital-master package
A method for determining digital video data includes receiving digital data comprising a plurality of digital images, wherein each digital image is encoded in a first color space, determining a plurality of color-graded digital images in response to the plurality of digital images and in response to color grading input data, wherein each color-graded digital image is encoded in a second color space, and wherein the second color space is associated with HD video, encoding each color-graded image with a compression encoding substantially independent of integer pixel translation of the plurality of color-graded digital images to form encoded image data package, storing the encoded image data package in a tangible media, and determining the digital video data for a video display device in a remote server in response to the encoded image data package.
US08902968B2 Apparatus and method to accommodate changes in communication quality
A transmission apparatus which may include an image encoder, a transmitter, and a controller. The apparatus may encode image data, wirelessly transmit the encoded image data, detect a quality of a wireless transmission of the encoded image data and control an image transmission rate based on the detected quality. The image transmission rate may be controlled within a first response time when being lowered and controlled within a second response time longer than the first response time when being raised.
US08902967B2 Systems and methods for distributed media stream transcoding and sharing
A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support distributed stream media transcoding and sharing in real time. Under the approach, a host associated with a sender generates a high quality stream of media content that is to be shared with a plurality of viewers over a communication network. The hosting devices associated with the plurality of viewers are evaluated for their capability to process and/or transcode the high quality media stream. Based on the evaluation, the host of the sender encodes and transmits the high quality media stream to at least one selected host associated a viewer. Besides decoding the received high quality media stream and displaying it for its own consumption, the selected host of the sender further transcodes the media stream by re-encoding the high quality media steam into a different, probably lower quality media stream, and transmits the re-encoded media stream to a mobile device associated with another viewer, which then decodes and displays the lower quality media stream on the mobile device.
US08902963B2 Methods and apparatus for determining threshold of one or more DFE transition latches based on incoming data eye
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the threshold position of one or mote DFE latches using an evaluation of the incoming data eye. A threshold position is determined for one or more transition latches employed by a decision-feedback equalizer by obtaining a plurality of samples of a data eye using a data eye monitor; obtaining a vertical eye opening metric from the data eye monitor; and determining the threshold position for the one or more transition latches based on the vertical eye opening metric. A decision-feedback equalizer is also disclosed that comprises at least one data latch having a data threshold; and at least one transition latching having a transition threshold, wherein the transition threshold and the data threshold ate unequal.
US08902960B2 Eye diagram scan circuit and associated method
Eye diagram scan circuit and associated method for a receiver circuit, including a level adjust circuit, a phase interpolator and a control module. The receiver circuit provides a first data signal and a primary phase data according to a received signal. The control module provides a phase offset data and a level offset data. The level adjust circuit adjusts a level of the received signal in respond to the level offset data; the phase interpolator triggers according to a sum of the phase offset data and the primary phase data, so a second data signal is provide in response to the level-adjusted received signal. The control module compares the first data signal and the second data signal, and accordingly provides an eye diagram scan result for the phase offset data and the level offset data.
US08902945B1 Semiconductor laser gain device with mode filter
A semiconductor gain device comprising a substrate; an optical waveguide layer extending from a first end of the substrate to a second end of the substrate opposite to the first end, the optical waveguide layer including an active layer formed on the upper surface; a reflective mirror provided at one end of the optical waveguide layer, and an exit aperture on the other end of the optical waveguide layer for emitting optical energy; wherein at least a portion of the optical waveguide layer is curved on the surface of the substrate from the first end to the second end with a radius of curvature of less than 4 mm.
US08902944B2 High power multi-wavelength laser source
An optical assembly comprises a combination of semiconductor optical gain elements, microlenses, and a wavelength-selective planar lightwave circuit (PLC) that routes light of different wavelengths from a different inputs to a single output. The microlenses couple light from the semiconductor optical gain elements into the PLC. The positions of the microlenses can be adjusted using micromechanical holders that are part of their carriers, and are free to move initially, and fixed in place after optimization of the optical coupling. In operation, the gain elements are activated simultaneously, with one wavelength of light lasing within each gain element. All output wavelengths of light exit from a single output of the PLC in a single spatial mode.
US08902941B2 Methods and apparatus for swept-source optical coherence tomography
In one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in a laser ring is chosen to provide low polarization-dependent gain (PDG) and a booster semiconductor optical amplifier, outside of the ring, is chosen to provide high polarization-dependent gain. The use of a semiconductor optical amplifier with low polarization-dependent gain nearly eliminates variations in the polarization state of the light at the output of the laser, but does not eliminate the intra-sweep variations in the polarization state at the output of the laser, which can degrade the performance of the SS-OCT system.
US08902928B2 System and method for efficient transmission of multimedia and data
A system and method for efficient transmission of different types of source data in the same packet, hence, enabling efficient transmission of multimedia and data content with unequal error protection are provided. The present packet structure is defined wherein the packet consists of a number of segments or payloads. The packet includes a field indicative of a number of payloads included in the packet; and at least one data field for each payload in the packet, the at least one data field defining at least one characteristic of the payload. The at least one data field includes a length of the payload, modulation and coding scheme, existence of a frame check sum (FCS), and existence of a midamble. The at least one data field may further include a continuation element indicative of whether two consecutive payloads are portions of a same data frame.
US08902919B1 Scheduling for mixed RFoG and HFC networks based on transmission history
Methods, systems, and apparatuses used to avoid the scheduling of devices for transmission in overlapping time slots in a mixed HFC and RFoG network. A method of scheduling the transmission of user devices on a mixed RFoG and HFC network can include determining whether a lost transmission event occurred between a first device and second device in a mixed HFC and RFoG network when the transmission of the first device and the transmission of the second device overlapped in time. If a lost transmission event occurred, a data element can be associated with the lost transmission event grouping the first device and second device into a category. The data element can be used to prevent the first device and the second device from transmitting in overlapping time slots.
US08902917B2 Method for coordination of wireless transceivers of a network node and network node
A method for coordination of wireless transceivers of a network node, in particular for application in communication nodes of a vehicular network, wherein the network node is equipped with one or more wireless transceivers that are capable of simultaneously generating and/or receiving electromagnetic signals on different electromagnetic channels, the electromagnetic signals being potentially able to interfere with each other, is characterized in the steps of, for each pending packet transmission on a particular of the electromagnetic channels, checking the presence of ongoing and/or scheduled activity on one or more of the other of the electromagnetic channels, and deferring the pending packet transmission in case ongoing and/or scheduled activity is detected on one or more of the other of the electromagnetic channels, at least until the detected ongoing and/or scheduled activity on one or more of the other of the electromagnetic channels is completed. Furthermore, a corresponding network node is disclosed.
US08902916B2 Rate controlled opitcal burst switching
The invention provides a method and network communication equipment for low latency loss-free burst switching. Burst-transfer schedules are determined by controllers of bufferless core nodes according to specified bitrate allocations and distributed to respective edge nodes. In a composite-star network, burst schedules are initiated by any core node. Burst formation takes place at source edge nodes and a permissible burst size is determined according to an allocated bitrate of a burst stream to which the burst belongs. The permissible burst size is subject to constraints such as permissible burst-formation delay, a minimum guard-time requirement, and permissible delay jitter. A method of control-burst exchange between each edge node and each bufferless core node enables burst scheduling, time coordination, and loss-free burst switching. Both the payload bursts and control bursts are carried by optical channels connecting the edge nodes and the core notes.
US08902912B2 Differential frame based scheduling for input queued switches
A differential frame-based scheduling scheme is employed for input queued (IQ) switches with virtual output queues (VOQ). Differential scheduling adjusts previous scheduling based on a traffic difference in two consecutive frames. To guarantee quality of service (QoS) with low complexity, the adjustment first reserves some slots for each port pair in each frame, then releases surplus allocations and supplements deficit allocations according to a dichotomy order, designed for high throughput, low jitter, fairness, and low computational complexity.
US08902905B2 Area update procedures for a multiple USIM mobile terminal
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for improving location area and routing area update procedures in a multiple-USIM mobile terminal. A technique is provided for allowing the mobile terminal to reduce update procedures by using a message for multiple USIMs. The discussed technique reduces the number of messages exchanged and CPU processing.
US08902899B2 Input buffered switching device including bypass logic
A method includes receiving a first packet at an input of a switching device and determining whether to insert first data associated with the first packet into a normal buffer of the input. The determination of whether to insert first data associated with the first packet into the normal buffer includes determining whether the first output identifier matches a second output identifier corresponding to second data in the normal buffer that is associated with a second packet. The first data is inserted into the normal buffer when the first output identifier matches the second output identifier.
US08902891B2 Method of managing broadcasts and multicasts by a network device
A method of managing broadcasts and multicasts in a network. A packet having a packet number is received and compared to a last received packet number stored in memory. If the packet number is smaller than or equal to the last received packet number, then the packet is dropped. If the packet number is greater than the last received packet number then the packet is processed.
US08902888B2 Two-stage port-channel resolution in a multistage fabric switch
In some embodiments, a data packet may be received at a leaf switch. A port-channel associated with a destination port for the data packet may be identified, and the data packet may be transmitted to the destination port via the identified port-channel.
US08902887B2 Load-balancing structure for packet switches and its constructing method
This invention provides a load-balancing structure for packet switches and its constructing method. In this method, the structure based on self-routing concentrators is divided into two stages, that is, a first stage and a second stage fabric. A virtual output group queue (VOGQ) is appended to each input group port of the first stage fabric, and a reordering buffer (RB) is configured behind each output group port of the second stage fabric. Packets stored in the VOGQ are combined into data blocks with preset length, which is divided into data slices of fixed size, finally each data slice is added an address tag and is delivered to the first stage fabric for self-routing. Once reaching the RB, data slices are recombined into data blocks. This invention solves the packet out-of-sequence problem in the load-balancing Birkhoff-von Neumann switching structure and improves the end-to-end throughput.
US08902884B2 MCCH notification scheduling and contents
A multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) may be transmitted from a wireless network and may be received by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). From the perspective of the WTRU, an MBMS control channel (MCCH) notification may be received over a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The PDCCH may include an MBMS radio network temporary identifier (M-RNTI) and the PDCCH may be on a multimedia broadcast on a single frequency network (MBSFN) subframe for MBMS. The MCCH notification may be monitored on the MBSFN subframe. The MCCH notification may be received periodically within a scheduling period for the MBSFN subframe. The MCCH notification may also be received in an MCCH message modification period that may occur prior to an MCCH message modification period that may include a new MCCH message.
US08902882B2 Systems and methods for providing customer support
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sales or customer support using a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service; wherein the at least partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service.
US08902881B2 Internet Protocol (IP) address exchange service
Internet Protocol addresses are exchanged between parties to a telephone call. A network server queries a telecommunications switch for the Internet Protocol addresses. Once the Internet Protocol addresses are known, the Internet Protocol addresses may then be shared between parties to the call.
US08902880B2 Local terminal device and method for exchanging VoIP signaling
A local terminal device receives a local mail address of a local user, and converts the local mail address into a local domain name. The local terminal device transmits the local domain name and a local Internet protocol (IP) address to a dynamic domain name serve (DDNS) server to register with the DDNS server. The local terminal device receives a remote mail address of a remote user, and converts the remote mail address into a remote domain name. The local terminal device queries the DDNS server for a remote IP address corresponding to the remote domain name. The local terminal device exchanges VoIP signaling with a remote terminal device according to the remote IP address.
US08902876B2 Method of transmitting sounding reference signal
A method of transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) includes receiving SRS operation information including a sounding indicator, the sounding indicator indicating whether SRS transmission takes place at a subframe; generating the SRS according to the SRS operation information, and if the sounding indicator indicates occurrence of SRS transmission, transmitting the SRS at the subframe. Multiplexing can be achieved without collision between data and a sounding reference signal and single carrier characteristics required in uplink transmission can be preserved.
US08902868B2 Method and apparatus for wirelessly distributing multiplex signal comprising multimedia data over a local area network
Described herein are various techniques for gathering multimedia data from one or more sources and transmiting that data over a local network to one or more devices, thereby providing ubiquitous multimedia across the network. In one configuration, a device comprising a server receives multimedia data from one or more devices on a local network, creates a multiplex signal from the various multimedia data received from the devices, and wirelessly transmits the multiplex signal over the local network. The server is further configured wherein the multiplex signal comprises a plurality of logical channels, with at least one of the logical channels representing multimedia data received from one of the devices on the network. By then tuning into one or more of the logical channels of the transmitted multiplex signal, a device on the local network can present to a user multimedia data that originates from or resides on another device on the network. According to other configurations, the multiplex signal contains not only multimedia data retrieved from devices on a local network, but can also include multimedia data that originated from sources on a wide area network, such as the Internet or a cellular telephone network.
US08902844B2 Method and device for allocating wireless resources for a machine type communication device in a wireless communication system
Provided are a method and device for allocating wireless resources in a wireless communication system. The wireless resource allocating method comprises allocating a machine type communication (MTC)-dedicated wireless resource and a general wireless resource, and communicating with at least one MTC device through the MTC-dedicated wireless resource. Herein, the MTC-dedicated wireless resource supports only the communication with the at least one MTC device, and the MTC-dedicated wireless resource and the general wireless resource may be different from each other.
US08902839B2 Service/mobility domain with handover for private short-range wireless networks
A system manages the integration of a private short-range wireless network into a service/mobility domain with handover of a wireless terminal device between access points registered with a domain server. The server maintains information specifying rules for responding to first wireless terminal devices authorized for private network access and to second wireless terminal devices authorized for shared network access, in response to requests for information on resources available from one or more access points registered with the server.
US08902838B2 Method for random access in wireless communication system, wireless communication system, wireless terminal, and base station unit
Random access in a wireless communication system including a base station and a wireless terminal, whereby at the wireless terminal, selecting first information used for first random access or second information used for second random access; and transmitting, during or after the completion of random access using selected information, third information with a response message to be transmitted to the base station during random access using information which is not selected.
US08902834B2 Feedback interval control
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems that includes a plurality of adjacent cells, each containing one or more base stations operable to transmit signals to, and receive signals transmitted from, one or more users. The users are operable to feed back to the relevant base station(s) channel state information relating to channel(s) between the relevant base station(s) and the users, and the base stations are operable to adapt signals for transmission to users, based on the fed back channel state information, to account for channel variations. The proposed method involves obtaining information related to time-variation in channel spatial structure, and adjusting the timing with which a user feeds back channel state information, based on the time variation in channel spatial structure. The invention helps to achieve a suitable balance between the feedback overhead and system performance, and may be operable in systems operating according to various CoMP transmission modes.
US08902830B2 Energy-saving base station and method
A wireless communication user terminal obtains uplink access configuration information on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) addressed to a plurality of user terminals by processing the PDCCH based on a first system information received from a base station on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and based on synchronization information. The terminal sends a signature waveform based on the uplink access configuration information, prior to receiving system information in addition to the first system information, whereby the signature waveform enables the base station to transition from a relatively low power operating mode to a relatively high power operating mode.
US08902825B2 Wireless network system and method of configuring the same
Provided are a wireless network system and a method of configuring the same, more particularly, a wireless network system and a method of configuring the same, in which a wireless network station desiring to transmit or receive data in a high-frequency band notifies a wireless network coordinator of its carrier transmission method to enable the wireless network coordinator to efficiently manage a network. An apparatus for transmitting or receiving data includes: a request command generation unit which generates a request command to secure network resources required to transmit or receive data before actually transmitting or receiving the data over a network; and a communication unit which transmits the request command.
US08902822B2 Arrangements for association and re-association in a wireless network
A method is disclosed for associating network devices to a network. The method can include receiving a beacon from a source by an antenna array, allocating resources to beamform and beamforming after receiving at least a portion of the beacon. The beamforming can be accomplished prior to completion of an association request and prior to receipt of an acceptance signal in response to the association request. Accordingly directional transmissions can be utilized transmit at least part of an association request and to transmit an acceptance signal corresponding to the association request.
US08902820B2 Handshaking method and apparatus for OFDM systems with unknown sub-channel availability
A method and device for determining available communication sub-channels in an OFDM communication system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of transmitting, on at least one first sub-channel (207), information (210) regarding sub-channels available for a first transmission of at least one first data packet (245), receiving, on at least one second sub-channel (250), information (225) regarding sub-channels available for a second transmission, determining at least one set of available sub-channels based on the information regarding the first and second transmissions (430). In one aspect of the invention, at least one set of the determined available sub-channels is further provided to a receiving system. The information is being provided in a separate transmission, or within a data packet, or within each subsequent data packet or in selected data packets.
US08902818B2 System for communicating between a non-connected equipment and a management server
The present invention concerns the field of communication between a server and target devices not connected to a communications network. The context of use is typically the management of a fleet of devices by an operator.A generic mobile application is described, for relaying messages between these non-connected devices and a management server. This application is intended to operate on a mobile terminal hold by a person moving close to the equipment. The terminal and the equipment are provided with point to point communication means. The terminal communicates with the management server when it is located within range of a communication network. The application makes it possible to store and resend the messages between the moment when the terminal is connected to the communications network and the moment when the terminal is connected to the equipment.
US08902807B2 Relay system based on resource allocation
A communication system which transmits data using a relay is disclosed. The communication system efficiently divides and allocates wireless resources allocated to a data transmission system to reception and transmission links between a base station and a relay, reception and transmission links between the base station and a terminal, and reception and transmission links between the relay and the terminal.
US08902806B2 Repeater-assisted management of macro network coverage
A method of managing macro network coverage among a plurality of repeaters deployed to extend coverage of one or more base stations may include receiving feedback information from at least two repeaters indicative of macro network coverage at locations corresponding to each repeater, determining a coverage status of the macro network based on the feedback information, and sending a control signal to at least one repeater instructing the repeater to adjust one or more operating parameters based on the determined coverage status.
US08902805B2 Cell relay packet routing
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate packet routing among relay eNBs in a wireless network. A donor eNB can create at least a portion of a tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) for a relay eNB communicating with a UE or other device. In addition, the relay eNB communicating with the UE can create a portion of the TEID. Upon receiving packets with a TEID, the donor eNB can route the packets to downstream eNBs based on the portion of the TEID that it created. Other downstream eNBs can continue to route packets to next hop eNBs based on the portion of the TEID created by the donor eNB or the downstream eNBs themselves. The relay eNB communicating with the UE can route packets to the UE based on the portion of the TEID it created and/or the portion created by the donor eNB.
US08902799B2 Power reduction with multiple receive paths
Methods and apparatus for power reduction in a wireless device having multiple receive paths are described herein. A wireless device configured for any one of multiple operating modes may utilize multiple receive signal paths to improve the receive signal quality in each of the operating modes. The wireless device may be configured to dynamically reconfigure a modulation coding scheme to compensate for varying signal qualities in some modes. The wireless receiver may be configured in other operating modes where the modulation coding scheme is fixed for a duration of the operating mode. The wireless device can conserve power when it is operating in a mode supporting a constant modulation coding scheme. The wireless device can determine a signal metric value of the received signals and can selectively power down or deactivate a receive signal path based on the value of the signal metric.
US08902798B2 Physical layer frame format design for wideband wireless communications systems
Systems and methods are provided for processing a payload portion of a received signal in a single carrier mode or a multiple carrier mode based on a portion of the received signal. A single carrier signaling portion is received at a first rate, and whether the payload portion of the signal is a single carrier signal or a multiple carrier signal is detected from the received single carrier signaling portion. The payload portion of the received signal is received at the first rate and demodulated in a single carrier mode if the detecting determines that the payload portion of the received signal is a single carrier signal, and the payload portion of the received signal is demodulated in a multiple carrier mode if the detecting determines that the payload portion of the received signal is a multiple carrier signal.
US08902796B2 Power-efficient multi-mode transceiver synthesizer configurations
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide power-efficient time division duplexing (TDD) mode configurations of frequency division duplexing (FDD) transceivers. Embodiments avoid time slotted operation of the receive and transmit synthesizers, thereby avoiding undesired operation under transient conditions, frequent calibration, and reduced power supply efficiency. In embodiments, a single synthesizer is used to enable TDD operation, thereby reducing power consumption and calibration requirements by approximately 50%. The single synthesizer may be maintained ON at all times, thus allowing the power supply's switching regulator to operate with substantially constant load conditions.
US08902788B2 Method and system for energy efficient routing of IP packets over optical backbone networks
A method and system for energy-efficient routing of IP packets in which ingress traffic is forward from ingress nodes directly to source dominator nodes without address destination processing such that related address processing elements may be avoided in the ingress nodes. The source dominator nodes perform address destination processing and forward the packets to destination dominator nodes proximate the destination node.
US08902777B1 Methods and apparatus for self-tuning aggregation of data units
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an access point (AP) wirelessly coupled to a set of mobile communication devices. The AP is configured to determine a set of weights for a set of metrics based on a performance goal collectively associated with the AP and the set of mobile communication devices. The AP is configured to define, for each mobile communication device from the set of mobile communication devices, a maximum aggregation data unit size, a minimum aggregation data unit count, and a maximum aggregation data unit count based on the set of weights and a set of values for the set of metrics. The AP is configured to send, to each mobile communication device from the set of mobile communication devices, a signal based on the maximum aggregation data unit size, the minimum aggregation data unit count and the maximum aggregation data unit count.
US08902767B2 Communications effects in network simulations
Real-time, high fidelity communication effects are simulated. A transmitter in a platform simulation is requested to send a surrogate message to a receiver in the platform simulation. Communications effects are computed in response to the message, and the communications effects are saved for later use. When a future communication event involving the transmitter and receiver occurs, the saved effects are used to simulate the communication effects for that event.
US08902758B2 Light path priority in dense wavelength division multiplexed networks
Techniques are provided for using light path priority of service information in an optical network. At a node in the optical network, priority of service information is stored for a plurality of light paths used in the optical network. The node serves traffic in the optical network using the plurality of light paths based on the priority of service information. These techniques provide for prioritizing light paths (wavelengths) for scenarios such as restoration, congestion and resource contention.
US08902752B2 Cell processing method, source line card, and network card in switching network
The present invention provides a source line card. The source line card segments a data packet in a data stream into cells first, then inserts Time Stamps and Flow Identifications into cell headers, and sends the marked cell headers and cell payloads to the network card. The network card sends the cells to a destination line card or a lower-level network card in sequence according to the Time Stamps and the Flow Identifications, where the Time Stamps and the Flow Identifications are in the cell headers of the received cells. By inserting the Time Stamps and the Flow Identifications into the cell headers, it is ensured that an output sequence and an input sequence of cells that belong to a stream in the switching network are the same, so that the destination line card may reassembles a data packet easily according to a sequence in which the cells are received.
US08902745B1 Mesh network operations
Various embodiments provide improved mesh networks with properties that address various shortcomings of current mesh network implementations. At least some embodiments are directed to improving operations of mesh networks in connection with battery powered devices and address concerns associated with latency issues due to power save nodes as well as load balancing. Yet other embodiments address route cache timeouts, reduce route discovery overhead, perform proactive route maintenance based on a node's battery, and provide a straightforward battery-aware process based sleep protocol.
US08902744B2 Bandwidth advertisement model for shared mesh protection
Methods and nodes are disclosed. In the methods, circuitry of a first node generates a link state advertising message including bandwidth information indicative of unreserved aggregate bandwidth for multiple priority connections where aggregate bandwidth is greater than available bandwidth. The link state advertising message is transmitted from the first node to a plurality of second nodes within a mesh network. Node bandwidth constraints may be established that contain some designated allocated bandwidth which is not shared with any other Class Types (CT); however, the bandwidth constraints may also allow segregation of other CTs so that within those CTs allocation of designated bandwidth is guaranteed for high priority traffic and low priority traffic is left with the remaining bandwidth in the CT's allocation.
US08902740B2 Methods, systems, and products for security services
Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms in security systems. Two separate communications paths are established from an alarm controller. Connectivity messages are sent from the alarm controller over each of the two separate communications paths. When a timer counts down to a final value, then more connectivity messages are sent from the alarm controller to report connectivity.
US08902734B2 System and method for providing communication connection resilience
A system and method for providing communication connection resilience between a mobile subscriber device and a network, such as the Internet. In one aspect, the invention provides improved communication connection resilience by using multiple nodes in multiple chassis to create redundant communication routes and to provide redundancy for control data relating to a mobile subscriber device. In one embodiment, a first node resides in a first chassis and a second node resides in a second chassis, and when an active communication link between the mobile subscriber device and the network via the first node becomes disrupted, the active communication link is rerouted such that data is communicated between the mobile subscriber device and the network via both of the first and second nodes.
US08902731B2 Method, network card, and communication system for binding physical network ports
A method for binding physical network ports for network communications creates in an application layer virtual ports that correspond to virtual network cards. Each virtual port is capable of being bound in the application layer with other created virtual ports. Multiple physical network ports, which need to be bound, are added to the created virtual ports. To receive or transmit a packet, one or more available physical network ports are selected according to a configured mode for receiving or transmitting the packet. If the configured mode is a server load balancing mode, a physical network port that corresponds to a quintuple of the packet is identified, and the packet is received or transmitted through the identified physical network port. When no corresponding physical port is found, a physical network port with minimum traffic is selected for receiving or transmitting the packet.
US08902720B1 Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with protective film for near-field transducer
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head has a protective film confined to a window of the disk-facing surface of the slider than surrounds the near-field transducer (NFT) and write pole end. Materials for the protective film include TiO2, ZrO2, HfO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, Sc2O3, Y2O3, MgO SiN, BN, SiBN and SiBNC. The slider overcoat is located in the non-window region on the slider's disk-facing surface and optionally also on the window region, with the outer surface of the overcoat forming the slider's ABS. An optional recess may be formed on the disk-facing surface of the slider in the window region, with the protective film located in the recess.
US08902718B1 Disk drive calibrating dynamic fly height write profile for fly height actuator
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk, the head comprising a fly height actuator (FHA). The disk drive further comprises control circuitry including disk access circuitry, wherein during a calibration operation, the disk access circuitry is configured into a calibration mode that increases a heating of the head, and a fly height of the head is measured periodically to generate periodic fly height measurements that vary due to the heating of the head. A dynamic fly height (DFH) write profile is generated based on the periodic fly height measurements. During a write operation, the disk access circuitry is configured into a write mode and a DFH control signal is generated and applied to the FHA based on the DFH write profile.
US08902716B2 Sensitivity adjustment device, radio wave communication device and watch
A sensitivity adjustment device adjusts radio wave sensitivity of an antenna which wirelessly transmits/receives a signal to/from an external device. The sensitivity adjustment device includes a case and a ring-shaped rotating member. The case houses the antenna. The rotating member is disposed on the outside of the case in such a way as to be rotatable. The rotating member includes (a) a shielding part which shields a radio wave and (b) a penetration part which allows penetration of a radio wave. A positional relationship between (a) the antenna and (b) the shielding part and the penetration part is changed by rotation of the rotating member so that the radio wave sensitivity of the antenna is adjusted.
US08902710B2 Method for determining discrete fracture networks from passive seismic signals and its application to subsurface reservoir simulation
A method for mapping a fracture network that includes determining a source of at least one seismic event from features in recorded seismic signals exceeding a selected amplitude (“visible seismic event”). The signals are generated by a plurality of seismic receivers disposed proximate a volume of subsurface to be evaluated. The signals are electrical or optical and represent seismic amplitude. A source mechanism of the at least one visible seismic event is determined. A fracture size and orientation are determined from the source mechanism. Seismic events are determined from the signals from features less than the selected amplitude (“invisible seismic events”) using a stacking procedure. A source mechanism for the invisible seismic events is determined by matched filtering. At least one fracture is defined from the invisible seismic events. A fracture network model is generated by combining the fracture determined from the visible seismic event with the fracture determined from the invisible seismic events.