Document Document Title
US08955076B1 Controlling access to a protected resource using multiple user devices
A technique controls access to a protected resource residing on a protected resource server. The technique involves conveying, in response to a user request to access the protected resource residing on the protected resource server, a challenge from a resource accessing device to an access control device. The technique further involves transmitting an answer to the challenge from the access control device to the resource accessing device. The technique further involves completing an authentication operation based on the answer to the challenge. The resource accessing device obtains electronic access to the protected resource residing on the protected resource server when the authentication operation results in successful authentication. The resource accessing device does not obtain electronic access to the protected resource residing on the protected resource server when the authentication operation results in unsuccessful authentication.
US08955075B2 Hardware-based device authentication
An opportunity for a computing device to participate in a secure session with a particular domain is identified. A secured microcontroller of the computing device is used to identify a secured, persistent seed corresponding to the particular domain and stored in secured memory of the computing device. A secure identifier is derived based on the seed and sent for use by the particular domain in authenticating the computing device to the particular domain for the secure session. The particular domain can further apply security policies to transactions involving the computing device and particular domain based at least in part on the secure identifier.
US08955073B1 System and method for user identification and authentication
Systems and methods for user identification and authentication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of authenticating a first party to a second party may include the following: (1) receiving, from one of an electronic device of a first party and an electronic device of a second party, a request to generate authenticating indicia; (2) using at least one of a plurality of computer processors, generating the authenticating indicia; (3) transmitting, over a network, the authenticating indicia to the electronic device of a first party and to the electronic device of the second party; (4) receiving, from an electronic device of the second party, an indication that the second party has confirmed that the first party is authentic; and (5) storing an identity of the first party, the second party, and the authenticating indicia in a database.
US08955066B1 Knowledge based authentication using recent user internet activity
A technique of knowledge-based authentication receives information from third parties as to a user's recent web history including purchase history at an on-line retailer or search engine queries to produce a challenge question to authenticate the user based on that recent web history.
US08955064B2 Control over access to device management tree of device management client
Provided is a control over access to a Device Management (DM) tree of a client. The client receives a secure area creation password from a server, creates a secure area by using the received creation password, and moves the DM tree to the secure area. In addition, the client receives a secure area access password from the server, accesses the secure area by using the received access password, and performs a remote management through a DM command received from the server. The authority to access the DM tree is given to only the client acquiring a password from the server, which effectively prevents an unauthorized change of a DM tree.
US08955061B2 Information processing apparatus, authentication system, authentication method, and program
An information processing apparatus for executing authentication processing, characterized by comprises: storage means for storing, in association with each other, an image, region information indicating a region included in the image, and word information indicating an object linked with the region; determination means for determining an image to be used for the authentication processing among the images stored in the storage means; display means for displaying the image determined by the determination means; specification means for specifying, in a case where a user designates a position within the image displayed by the display means, word information associated with region information of a region including the position; and authentication means for executing authentication processing using the word information specified by the specification means.
US08955050B1 Generating secure roaming user profiles over a network
Embodiments are directed to providing access to a resource over a network. A client device may request access to a server. An application may be provided to the client device. The application may cause control of the client device to be switched from a first desktop to a secure desktop. The secure desktop may be configured to restrict applications access to within the secure desktop. An indication of the resource on the server to map to may be received at the client device. The indicated resource may be mapped onto a file system on the client device. Mapping may comprise using a remote file access protocol, using DLL injection, or adding a kernel module to an operating system on the client device. The mapped resource may be constrained to be accessed through the secure desktop.
US08955042B2 Systems and methods for implementing transparent encryption
A method of providing transparent encryption for a web resource includes a key manager receiving an encryption key policy; receiving user identifiers and resource locators; defining an access control list based the user identifiers; generating an encryption key and a key identifier for a first resource locator; and establishing a secure communication channel between first and second watchdog modules. The method also includes the watchdog sending encryption information using the secure communication channel. The method also includes a transparent encryption module storing the encryption key and the access control list in protected memory; receiving an input comprising a request to access the first resource stored in the web resource; determining that the user identifier is included in the access control list; encrypting data using the encryption key; and decrypting data using the encryption key.
US08955041B2 Authentication collaboration system, ID provider device, and program
A policy storage unit of an ID provider device according to an embodiment stores, for each service provider ID, policy information representing a user to which transmission of service data is permitted and policy information representing a user of a target in which transmission permission of service data is deleted. When a predetermined cycle comes or when a use status of the service provider device changes, the ID provider device acquires use status information of the service provider device transmitted from the service provider device, and updates a service use status storage unit based on the acquired use status information. When the service use status storage unit is updated, the ID provider device decides a deletion target account of each service provider ID.
US08955036B2 System asset repository management
A plurality of system entities described in an asset repository are identified, the asset repository defining a particular hierarchical organization of the plurality of system entities within a computing environment. A particular system entity in the plurality of system entities is tagged with a particular tag. The particular system entity is associated with a particular security policy based on the particular system entity being tagged with the particular tag. The particular security policy is applied to system entities in the asset repository tagged with one or more tags in a particular set of tags including the particular tag.
US08955029B2 System for data management and on-demand rental and purchase of digital data products
A system for handling data and transactions involving data through the use of a virtual transaction zone, which virtual transaction zone removes the dependency of such transaction on the delivery medium of the product. The invention may reside and operate on a variety of electronic devices such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, personal computers, WebTV, any other known electronic recorder/player, or as a stand alone unit. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for combining mediums, data feeds, and manipulation of those feeds. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for controlling the content, delivery, and timing of delivery of the end consumer's product.
US08955011B1 Location-based movie identification systems and methods
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for movie identification based on a location. In the embodiment, a method includes locating a mobile communication device associated with a user to form location data, accessing a location database to determine a geographic location of the mobile communication device based on the location data, and identifying a set of movies related to the geographic location by accessing a movie database. Each of the set of movies in the movie database is associated with one or more respective geographic locations. The method also includes presenting a set of movie results corresponding to the set of movies on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device. In another embodiment, the method may also validate an object photographed by a camera of the mobile communication device, and use the recognized object to identify the set of movies.
US08955008B2 Television decoding unit with multiple wireless access modules
The present invention proposes a system comprising a television decoding unit and a plurality of access modules, said access modules comprising wireless communication means with the television decoding unit, a memory comprising an identification of said module, said television decoding unit comprising means for detecting the presence and to receive the identification of an access module, means to apply a filter on events displayed on the television unit, said filter being defined with pre-defined filter category attached to the identification, and means to record the events consumption while the access module is detected by the television unit.
US08955001B2 Mobile remote media control platform apparatuses and methods
The MOBILE REMOTE MEDIA CONTROL PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS (“MR-Control”) transforms TV program schedule listing information and user channel selection via MR-Control components, into TV audience viewing data and ad effects data. A system is disclosed, comprising: a memory; a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions for: obtaining TV program schedule listing data; providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device; receiving an indication of user channel selection; determining a media program associated with the received indication of user channel selection; determining an ad associated with the determined media program; providing a survey question related to the determined ad to the user mobile device; and receiving a user response to the survey question.
US08954993B2 Local message queue processing for co-located workers
Technologies are provided for locally processing queue requests from co-located workers. In some examples, information about the usage of remote datacenter queues by co-located workers may be used to determine one or more matched queues. Messages from local workers to a remote datacenter queue classified as a matched queue may be stored locally. Subsequently, local workers that request messages from matched queues may be provided with the locally-stored messages.
US08954991B2 Acknowledging incoming messages
Acknowledging incoming messages, including: determining, by an acknowledgement dispatching module, whether an incoming message has been received in an active message queue; responsive to determining that the incoming message has been received in the active message queue, resetting, by the acknowledgement dispatching module, an acknowledgment iteration counter; incrementing, by the acknowledgement dispatching module, the acknowledgment iteration counter; determining, by the acknowledgement dispatching module, whether the acknowledgment iteration counter has reached a predetermined threshold; and responsive to determining that the acknowledgment iteration counter has reached the predetermined threshold, processing, by the acknowledgement dispatching module, all messages in the active message queue.
US08954986B2 Systems and methods for data-parallel processing
Methods, systems, and mediums are described for scheduling data parallel tasks onto multiple thread execution units of processing system. Embodiments of a lock-free queue structure and methods of operation are described to implement a method for scheduling fine-grained data-parallel tasks for execution in a computing system. The work of one of a plurality of worker threads is wait-free with respect to the other worker threads. Each node of the queue holds a reference to a task that may be concurrently performed by multiple thread execution units, but each on a different subset of data. Various embodiments relate to software-based scheduling of data-parallel tasks on a multi-threaded computing platform that does not perform such scheduling in hardware. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08954984B2 Environmentally aware load-balancing
A method and associated systems for the environmentally aware load-balancing of components of a multi-component power-consuming system. The environmentally aware load-balancer receives continually updated values from at least two environmental sensors that monitor and report the values of environmental metrics that characterize components of the power-consuming system and the environments within which those components are located. When the load-balancer receives a task request directed to the power-consuming system, the load-balancer selects a balanced workload allocation as a function of the values of the received environmental metrics and communicates that balanced workload allocation to a routing mechanism. The routing mechanism then uses the communicated balanced workload allocation to determine which component or components of the power-consuming system should receive the task request.
US08954980B2 Conserving power through work load estimation for a portable computing device using scheduled resource set transitions
A start time to begin transitioning resources to states indicated in the second resource state set is scheduled based upon an estimated amount of processing time to complete transitioning the resources. At a scheduled start time, a process starts in which the states of one or more resources are switched from states indicated by the first resource state set to states indicated by the second resource state set. Scheduling the process of transitioning resource states to begin at a time that allows the process to be completed just in time for the resource states to be immediately available to the processor upon entering the second application state helps minimize adverse effects of resource latency. This calculation for the time that the process should be completed just in time may be enhanced when system states and transitions between states are measured accurately and stored in memory of the portable computing device.
US08954972B2 Systems and methods for event stream processing
Disclosed are systems and methods for processing events in an event stream using a map-update application. The events may be embodied as a key-attribute pair. An event is processed by one or more instances implementing either a map or an update function. A map function receives an input event from the event stream and publishes one or more events to the event stream. An update function receives an event and updates a corresponding slate and publishes zero or more events. Systems and methods are also disclosed herein for implementing a map-update application in a multithreaded architecture and for handling overloading of a particular thread or node. Systems and methods for providing access to slates updated according to update operations are also disclosed.
US08954963B2 Method and apparatus for resetting a physical I/O adapter without stopping a guest OS running on a virtual machine
A method of controlling a virtual machine of a computer, the computer comprising: a physical machine comprising an I/O adapter having a physical function that creates a virtual function; a virtualization unit that provides computer resources of the physical machine to the virtual machine; and an OS that is executed on the virtual machine, the virtualization unit creating a virtual machine to which the virtual function is assigned, the virtual machine running the OS thereon, the method comprising: a first step of detecting, by the virtualization unit, a state change of the I/O adapter; a second step of identifying, by the virtualization unit, when a state of the I/O adapter becomes a predetermined state, the virtual machine to which the virtual function is assigned; and a third step of notifying, by the virtualization unit, the OS running on the identified virtual machine of the state of the I/O adapter.
US08954962B2 Automatically reconfiguring physical switches to be in synchronization with changes made to associated virtual system
Changes to a virtual system, such as a set of virtual machines in a data center, may be automatically synchronized with the corresponding physical system. In one implementation, an application may receive information regarding changes made to a virtual system. The application may determine whether the information regarding the changes necessitates a change in the configuration of one or more physical switches, and may reconfigure affected ones of the physical switches for compatibility with the changes made to the virtual system.
US08954956B2 Distributing and executing software code
Systems and methods for distributing and executing software code. In some embodiments, a method may include storing program instructions configured to invoke interactions with one or more of a plurality of automation devices, the plurality of automation devices divided into sets of one or more automation devices, each set of one or more automation devices associated with a respective Distributed Execution System (DES) node. The method may also include distributing the program instructions to each DES node, each DES node configured to operate in a discovery mode to evaluate the program instructions and identify one or more semantic statements that are applicable to its associated set of one or more automation devices, each DES node configured to operate in an execution mode subsequently to the discovery mode to execute the identified one or more semantic statements with respect to that DES node's associated set of one or more automation devices.
US08954954B2 Method and device for application installation to multiple memory components
A method and device for installing an application to a device are provided. The method includes: receiving, at the device, application files associated with the application, the application files including computer readable instruction files and resource files; installing, by an installation manager, the computer readable instruction files to a first memory component associated with the device; and storing the resource files on a second memory component associated with the device.
US08954953B2 Systems and methods for deploying a customized operating system
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include extracting an operating system install image from a source installation package. The method may also include receiving target information regarding information handling resources of a target information handling system. The method may further include generating executable custom scripts based on an identity of the operating system and the target information, the custom scripts configured to, when executed by the target information handling system, initiate execution of the operating system install image and perform target information handling system-based customizations to the operating system based on the target information.
US08954944B2 Profile-based global live-range splitting
A system is provided for splitting a live-range of a variable in frequently executed regions of program instructions. The live-range of a variable is split into multiple sub-ranges, each of which can be assigned to a different register or spilled into memory. The amount of spill code is reduced in frequently used regions of code by coalescing the live ranges based on profile information obtained after splitting the live ranges at every join and fork point in a control flow graph.
US08954942B2 Optimizations using a BPEL compiler
Various arrangements for reducing a size of a Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) data blob for storage may be presented. One or more dehydration points within compiled BPEL code may be identified. A liveness analysis for the one or more dehydration points may be performed. At each of the one or more dehydration points, one or more live variables from a set of variables may be identified. An optimization data structure may be created for each dehydration point identifies the one or more live variables.
US08954933B2 Interactive semi-automatic test case maintenance
Embodiments of the invention relate to test case maintenance for user interfaces. In one embodiment, user source and test cases are linked for test case maintenance. A link is determined to have been created between a user interface and at least one test script. The test script includes a set of test instructions. The user interface includes a set of user interface elements. Each test instruction is run against the user interface. Mapping information for each test instruction is generated. A change is determined to have occurred in at least one of the user interface and the test script. In response to a change having occurred to the user interface, at least one test instruction affected by the change is identified. In response to a change having occurred to the test script, at least one user interface element affected by the change to the test script is identified.
US08954932B2 Crash notification between debuggers
Crash notification between debuggers, including: initiating, by a first debugger, a first debug session of a first application; detecting, by the first debugger, an error condition in the first application; determining, by the first debugger, whether any variables utilized by the first application are related to variables utilized by a second application, wherein the second application is being debugged in a second debug session by a second debugger; and communicating, by the first debugger to a second debugger, information associated with the error condition in the first application.
US08954922B2 Service emulator substituting for backend components to satisfy needs of front end components
Interface requirements for a set of services to be implemented between service oriented architecture (SOA) front end components and SOA back end components can be identified. A service emulator can be created that satisfies service call and data needs of the SOA front end components. The SOA front end components are operable to be combined with the service emulator to form an interactive prototype. The SOA front end components are operable to be combined with the SOA back end components to form an operable SOA solution.
US08954920B2 Apparatus for developing embedded software and a process for making the same
An apparatus used as a platform for developing embedded real-time software for controlling fault tolerant opto-electro-mechanical systems. The platform provides a portable model-based design environment conducive to validation and verification of the Control Laws and of the Plant model. The platform is also useful for observing the overall system behavior by injecting faults or failures which can be destructive, expensive or difficult if applied to the real system. The platform is comprised of multiplicities of serial data ports, serial port converters, single board microcontrollers, and external interfaces. The apparatus includes at least one interface board that cross connects at least two microcontrollers and allows the downloading of the Plant and Control algorithms to each microcontroller through available serial interfaces enabling evaluation of the modeled system behavior. The apparatus includes an embedded software development tool-chain facilitating an order of magnitude increase in embedded software development productivity.
US08954918B2 Test design optimizer for configurable scan architectures
Roughly described, a scan-based test architecture is optimized in dependence upon the circuit design under consideration. In one embodiment, a plurality of candidate test designs are developed. For each, a plurality of test vectors are generated in dependence upon the circuit design and the candidate test design, preferably using the same ATPG algorithm that will be used downstream to generate the final test vectors for the production integrated circuit device. A test protocol quality measure such as fault coverage is determined for each of the candidate test designs, and one of the candidate test designs is selected for implementation in an integrated circuit device in dependence upon a comparison of such test protocol quality measures. Preferably, only a sampling of the full set of test vectors that ATPG could generate, is used to determine the number of potential faults that would be found by each particular candidate test design.
US08954916B2 Test circuit, integrated circuit, and test circuit layout method
A test circuit includes a substrate, a wiring section having a plurality of pieces of wiring, and a device-under-test section formed on the substrate, and having a device-under-test main body and a plurality of connecting electrodes for establishing connection between the main body and the plurality of pieces of wiring, an extending direction of a straight line connecting a position of a center of rotation in a plane of pattern formation of the main body and each electrodes being inclined at a predetermined angle to an extending direction of the pieces of wiring, and the connecting electrodes being arranged at positions such that connection relation between the electrodes and the plurality of pieces of wiring is maintained even when the main body and the electrodes are rotated about the position of the center of rotation by 90 degrees relative to the wiring section in the plane of the pattern formation.
US08954912B2 Structured placement of latches/flip-flops to minimize clock power in high-performance designs
A latch placement tool determines a shape for a cluster of latches from a preliminary layout (or based on a netlist), including an aspect ratio of the shape, and generates a template for placement of the latches in conformity with the shape. Latches are placed around a local clock buffer (LCB) based on latch size, from largest latch first to smallest latch last, and based on their ideal locations given the target aspect ratio. The ideal locations may be further based on the clock driver pin configuration of the LCB. The final template preferably has an aspect ratio that is approximately equal to the aspect ratio of the shape of the cluster, but the latch placement may be constrained by clock routing topology. Latch placement within a cluster can be further optimized by swapping one of the latches with another to minimize total wirelength of the design.
US08954911B2 Circuit analysis device and circuit analysis method
A circuit analysis device includes: a processor configured to execute a procedure by: calculating, for power supply noise included in a power supply voltage supplied to a semiconductor memory device, variation characteristics of an electric potential relative to the power supply voltage in a specific memory cell included in a memory cell array; calculating power supply noise of a power supply system that occurs when a current is supplied to an equivalent circuit of the power supply system under a predetermined condition, the power supply system including a power supply line and an element for supplying a power supply voltage from a voltage source to a semiconductor device; calculating, from the variation characteristics, the electric potential obtained when the power supply noise is equal to a specific magnitude; and determining, by comparing the calculated electric potential with a threshold, whether memory latch-up will occur in the specific memory cell.
US08954901B2 Parameter variation improvement
Variation of a parameter of interest is reduced over a field of interest in, for example, an object design, such as a circuit design. The field of interest is divided into tiles. A parameter value is found for each tile and for a group of tiles around each tile. Using these values, variation of the parameter is determined. An adjusted value of the parameter for each tile is determined taking limits into account, iterating until variation is below a threshold value. Parameter uniformity is improved in some applications by over 30% with runtime reduced by an order of magnitude.
US08954895B1 Dial control for mobile devices
Implementations of the present disclosure provide dial controls on a mobile computing device. In one aspect, a method includes displaying a first function graphic in a dial control, the first function graphic being displayed at a first base position on a touchscreen display of a mobile device, detecting a user selection in a first region of the touchscreen display, the first region being associated with the first function graphic, detecting user motion corresponding to the user selection, animating the dial control to rotate for arcing movement of the first function graphic from the first base position on the touchscreen display in response to detecting user motion, determining a measure of user motion, comparing the measure of user motion to a threshold measure, and performing one or more functions on the mobile device in response to the measure of user motion exceeding the threshold measure.
US08954892B2 Flexible reporting on storage resources
A method for providing flexible reporting for applications which utilize storage in at least one storage system comprises presenting a plurality of business views which aggregate application storage characteristics for a plurality of applications according to a reporting structure which is defined by a user, each of the business views being a hierarchical folder structure of the applications and a plurality of folders, wherein at least one folder in the hierarchical folder structure contains at least one of an application or another folder; for each of the business views, presenting the applications and folders as a plurality of nodes which are selectable by the user; and in response to a selection of one of the nodes from the plurality of business views and a report type specified by the user, generating a report based on the report type of the selected node, the report aggregating any of the application storage characteristics for the selected node according to the report type.
US08954886B2 System to present additional item information
A computer-implemented system and method for displaying additional information corresponding to an item represented by a visual indicator in response to a mouseover event is disclosed. Various embodiments receive a mouseover event corresponding to a visual indicator displayed on a display screen and generate additional information corresponding to an item represented by the visual indicator in response to the mouseover event, the additional information being obtained from various databases and used to generate additional information corresponding to the item.
US08954885B2 Display system using metadata to adjust area of interest and method
A method of and apparatus for preparing an image signal includes combining with a video signal having a number of objects of interest metadata identifying the objects as Area of Interest (AOI). Exemplary objects includes an object in a group of objects, such as a horse in a horse race, a sports object, such as a hockey puck, and so on. The object may be an objectionable, such as a representation of violence, sex or vulgar language. A user may provide an input to select an object of interest to alter the prominence of the selected object. A display system responsive to the image signal for showing images having AOI with altered prominence based on user input. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing logic code for carrying out the foregoing.
US08954882B2 Recording medium storing information processing program, information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method
An example information processing device includes an information processing unit which scrolls a screen of a display unit on which a web page is displayed, in response to a flick gesture or operation, and during flick scroll, reduces the web page in size and displays a portion of the web page reduced in size on the screen of the display unit.
US08954878B2 Information navigation on electronic devices
In one example, a method includes outputting for display a first graphical user interface (GUI) of an application executing at the portable computer terminal, wherein the first GUI displays information received from the mobile computing device at a first degree of specificity. The method also includes, in response to receiving input to display a second GUI of the application: outputting, for display at a presence-sensitive display device of the portable computer terminal, the second GUI and removing the first GUI from display. The second GUI may be different from the first GUI, and the second GUI may display information received from the mobile computing device at a second degree of specificity that is different than the first degree of specificity.
US08954877B2 Portable electronic device including virtual keyboard and method of controlling same
A method includes displaying a keyboard on a display of an electronic device, detecting a tilt of the device, and when the detected tilt is associated with a keyboard transformation function, resizing one or keys of the keyboard.
US08954876B1 Method and apparatus for providing a session status indicator
A method and apparatus for generating display status information for a computer in a remote computing environment. The method comprises receiving, from a remote computer, a first data set associated with a display image, where the first data set comprises an encoding of a source image to be rendered at the remote computer; decoding, at a client computer, the first data set to generate a first portion of the display image; and determining, from the first data set, a perceptual quality level for the display image. The apparatus comprises: a client resource for receiving display data and decoding the display data; a session monitor for determining a state of the display data decoded by the client resource; and a user interface for presenting the display status information, the display status information comprising the state of the display data.
US08954875B2 Floral arrangement creation system, method and computer program product
A method for providing a floral arrangement including providing, by using at least one processor, a plurality of flower choices to a user, receiving, by using at least one processor, from the user at least two flower inputs from the plurality of flower choices, where each of the at least two flower inputs comprise a flower type, each flower type comprising at least one of: a line flower, a focal flower, or a filler flower, generating, by using at least one processor, a floral arrangement based on the flower types of the flower inputs, and providing, by using at least one processor, the floral arrangement to the user.
US08954867B2 System and method for gathering product, service, entity and/or feature opinions
A scraper system comprises a first scraper including a scraper manager for determining when to initiate content capture from a first website, the first website including content containing at least one end-user opinion corresponding to a category of interest; a navigation engine coupled to the scraper manager for navigating to the first website; a content capture engine coupled to the navigation engine for capturing the content on the first website; and a scraper database manager coupled to the content capture engine for controlling the storage of the captured content.
US08954862B1 System and method for collaborative viewing of a four dimensional model requiring decision by the collaborators
A method and system for documenting collaboration by a team analyzing telemetry data, where the data is used to generate a three dimensional visual display modeling the objects and events recorded by the telemetry data. One of the collaborating team members controls display of the model, and each collaborator is able to interact with the visual display and to employ a virtual camera to display and record operation of the model from a perspective selected by the member. Collaborating team members enter time-stamped notes which are displayed in sequential order for all collaborators on a common portion of a display screen upon replay of the simulation. Each team member is provided with a microphone and audio gear to collaborate by voice with other members of the team. The notes and virtual camera views coupled to the simulation provide decision makers on the team with an improved understanding of the problem modeled by the simulation, thereby facilitating an improved decision.
US08954859B2 Visually analyzing, clustering, transforming and consolidating real and virtual machine images in a computing environment
System, method and computer program product for generating a GUI that facilitates the management of real and/or virtual images on computing machines in a computing environment. The system and method provides for an interactive visualization of virtual images (machines) and the software components included in each virtual image or real image. According to a consolidating and clustering processes, the images are bundled and displayed in a dendogram to show a hierarchy of the similarity between images. Further, software components are represented by small coded cells and organized into logical groupings. The system and method provides for user interactive functionality that facilitates the gathering of details on certain aspects of the images and/or components. The end result is a software program that facilitates user's ability to consolidate and manage real and virtual images.
US08954852B2 Adaptive intervals in navigating content and/or media
The present embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for use in navigating through content. Some embodiments provide methods for use in navigating through content that receive an initial first directional control command, activate a seek mode upon receipt of the initial first directional control command comprising advancing over a first amount of content in a first direction from a first point in the content to a second point in the content, receive an initial second directional control command following the receipt of the initial first directional command, and activate a search mode upon receipt of the initial second directional control command, comprising advancing back over a second amount of the first amount of the content where the second amount is less than the first amount of the content.
US08954845B2 Image processing device, method and storage medium for two-way linking between related graphics and text in an electronic document
A region division portion extracts an “object”, an “anchor expression accompanying the object” and a “text including the anchor expression” from image data based on a paper document and an electronic document. A link processing portion generates link information that associates, in two ways, the “object”, the “anchor expression included in the text” or the “text including the anchor expression” with each other. Then, a format conversion portion converts the link information into electronic document data including two-way link information. When this electronic document data is displayed by an application and one of the “object” and the “anchor expression included in the text” is selected, the other can be displayed according to the link information.
US08954844B2 Differential dynamic content delivery with text display in dependence upon sound level
Differential dynamic content delivery including providing a session document for a presentation, where the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon user classifications of a user participant in the presentation; presenting the selected structural element to the user; streaming speech to the user from one or more users participating in the presentation; converting the speech to text; detecting a total sound level for the user; and determining whether to display the text in dependence upon the total sound level for the user.
US08954836B1 Systems and methods for directing access to products and services
In a system for enabling a user to access a product or service, resources for accessing the product or service, such as apps on a user device, are explored in a specified order. A relatively lower priority resource is not explored until it is determined that all higher priority resources are unavailable. Within the content corresponding to an available resource, the user can be readily directed to the portion of the content that is associated with the particular product or service.
US08954833B2 Half width counting leading zero circuit using comparators
An approach for determining a value representing the number of leading zero count value in a binary input data word, is described. The binary input data word contains random data. The binary input data word is logically divided into odd and even bit positions. The approach includes a first comparator circuit for comparing data in the odd bit positions to data in the even bit positions. The approach further includes a second comparator circuit for comparing the data in the odd bit positions to a result of a logical operation performed on the data in the odd and even bit positions. The approach further includes a half-width leading zero counting circuit that provides a value representing the number of leading zero bits in the binary input data word.
US08954826B2 Systems, methods and devices for multi-tiered error correction
An error control encoding system produces a codeword from a data word, where the resulting codeword includes the data word and three or more parity segments produced using the data word. The system includes a first encoder to encode the data word in two or more first data segments in order to produce two or more first parity segments, where each of the two or more first data segments includes a respective sequential portion of the data word. The system includes a second encoder to encode the data word in one or more second data segments in order to produce a corresponding one or more second parity segments, where each of the one or more second data segments includes a respective sequential portion of the data word, and each of the one or more second data segments also includes a sequential portion of the data included in a plurality of the two or more first data segments. Further, the system includes a controller configured to provide the two or more first data segments of the data word to the first encoder for encoding and to provide the one or more second data segments of the data word to the second encoder for encoding.
US08954825B2 Apparatuses and methods including error correction code organization
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having first memory cells, a first access line configured to access the first memory cells, second memory cells, and a second access line configured to access the second memory cells. One of such apparatuses can include a controller configured to cause data to be stored in a memory portion of the first memory cells, to cause a first portion of an error correction code associated with the data to be stored in another memory portion of the first memory cells, and to cause a second portion of the error correction code to be stored in the second memory cells. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
US08954824B2 Error detection or correction of stored signals after one or more heat events in one or more memory devices
In some embodiments, a non-volatile memory device comprises an error correction component to re-program at least a portion of a non-volatile memory array at least in part in response to detection of one or more heat events and detection of one or more errors in contents of the at least a portion of the non-volatile memory array.
US08954821B2 Memory device having address and command selectable capabilities
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to memory management, and more particularly to partitioning a memory based on memory attributes.
US08954820B2 Reduced complexity non-binary LDPC decoding algorithm
A custom decoding algorithm is introduced, in connection with a corresponding decoding structure, to resolve many complexity and large memory requirements of known decoders. A system. A variable node forms a confidence vector of four components, one component for each state of a memory cell, and passes the current primary component (e.g., the largest) to one or more check nodes. The check nodes calculate a temporary component and corresponding index based on all components received from the variable nodes, which they pass back to the respective variable nodes. The variable node updates the confidence vector based on the temporary nodes received from respective check nodes, and determines the correct state for corresponding memory cell based on which component in the confidence vector is currently the primary component.
US08954819B2 Method and apparatus for reading a disc
Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit that includes a decoder, an error checking module, and a controller. The decoder is configured to receive codewords, and decode the codewords based on an error correcting code. The error checking module is configured to error-check sectors using an error detecting code in the sectors. Each sector is formed of a plurality of decoded codewords. The controller is configured to store in a memory, when the error checking fails for at least one sector, the decoded codewords and corresponding flags indicative of pass or fail of the decoding of the codewords.
US08954816B2 Error correction coding (ECC) decode operation scheduling
A method includes receiving, at an error correction coding (ECC) controller, information indicating one or more data chunks to be decoded, populating a schedule according to an order of decoding of the data chunks, and initiating decode of the data chunks according to the schedule.
US08954812B2 Computer error detection device and method
An exemplary computer error detection device for detecting the warning sounds emitted by a malfunctioning computer is provided. The computer error detection device includes a storage unit, a display unit, a detection unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit includes a look-up table (LUT). The LUT includes a plurality of solution plans each corresponding to a predetermined warning sound. The display unit displays a selecting interface thereon for a user to input a basic input output system (BIOS) type or a computer model of the computer. The detection unit records a warning sound emitted from the malfunctioning computer and generates an electronic sample of the warning sound. The processing unit searches the LUT to determine a solution plan corresponding to the sample, and controls the display unit to display the determined solution plan.
US08954811B2 Administering incident pools for incident analysis
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for administering incident pools for incident analysis in a distributed processing system are provided. Embodiments include an incident analyzer receiving a plurality of incidents from an incident queue. The incident analyzer also assigns each received incident to an incident pool having a predetermined initial period of time. The predetermined initial period of time is the time within which the incident pool is open to the assignment of incidents. The incident analyzer calculates an arrival rate that incidents are assigned to the incident pool. The incident analyzer also extends based on the arrival rate, for each incident assigned to the incident pool, the predetermined initial period of time by a particular period of time.
US08954809B2 Method for generating descriptive trace gaps
A method of managing a debug trace data stream by detecting conditions where the trace data generated exceeds the available transmission bandwidth, and inserting a trace data gap into the trace data stream. The gap may contain additional information relating to the amount and type of data that is being lost during the overflow condition. In an alternate embodiment the generated trace may be throttled to ensure the available bandwidth is not exceeded.
US08954803B2 Programmable test engine (PCDTE) for emerging memory technologies
A programmable characterization-debug-test engine (PCDTE) on an integrated circuit chip. The PCDTE includes an instruction memory that receives and stores instructions provided on a chip interface, and a configuration memory that receives and stores configuration values provided on the chip interface. The PCDTE also includes a controller that configures a plurality of address counters and data registers in response to the configuration values. The controller also executes the instructions, wherein read/write addresses and write data are retrieved from the counters in response to the instructions. The retrieved read/write addresses and write data are used to access a memory under test. Multiple ports of the memory under test may be simultaneously accessed. Multiple instructions may be linked. The instructions may specify special counting functions within the counters and/or specify integrated (linked) counters. The PCDTE may transmit information off of the chip to exercise transmit/receive circuitry of the chip.
US08954801B2 Microcomputer and method of operation thereof
Disclosed is a microcomputer such that even when a program cannot be executed in a CPU of the microcomputer due to an external noise, an unstable power-supply voltage, and other causes, and an fatal error such as runaway occurs, returning to the original state is possible within an extremely short time while preferably avoiding initialization of the entire system. During execution of normal software processing, an interrupt signal and a reset signal are output at an arbitrary time, and if it is determined that a CPU of a microcomputer gets into a runaway state, data which has been stored in a RAM as recovery information is read out, and the CPU is recovered to the state before the runaway. Because such recovery from a fatal error occurs within a short time, software which is being executed can continue its processing as if the fatal error had not occurred.
US08954794B2 Method and system for detection of latent faults in microcontrollers
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for detecting register corruption within CPUs operating on the same input data enabling non-invasive read access to and comparison of contents of at least one set of according ones of registers of different CPUs to detect corrupted registers in form of according registers with inconsistent contents.
US08954777B2 Electronic apparatus and image forming apparatus
An electronic apparatus comprising: a main body including a reception unit and a processing unit; and a power supply device switches between an operation state for supplying power from an external power source to the main body and a standby state for supplying power from a secondary battery to the reception unit without supplying power from the power source to the main body. Charging of the battery with power from the power source is performed during the operation state and is terminated when a value indicating power level of the battery reaches a threshold value Vt satisfying (discharge lower limit VL+Vs)≦Vt
US08954772B2 Data processing apparatus capable of controlling power supply, control method therefor, and storage medium
A data processing apparatus that has first to fourth power modes in which power consumption becomes larger in this order, and is capable of changing into a mode selected and set by a user. A receiving unit receives the instruction for bringing the data processing apparatus into the third power mode or the fourth power mode. A first transition unit brings, when the apparatus is working in the second power mode, the apparatus into the first power mode in response to the receiving unit receiving the transition instruction. A determination unit determines which mode the apparatus is to be brought into between the third power mode and the fourth power mode in response to the first transition unit bringing the apparatus into the first power mode. A second transition unit brings the apparatus into a power mode determined by the determination unit.
US08954764B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic power management
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first power supply node that is arranged to receive a first power supply signal. The IC also includes process detection circuits. Each process detection circuit provides a process detection output signal such that a value associated with the process detection output signal is a function of process variation at a location of the process detection circuit outputting the process detection signal. The IC also includes a processing unit that executes processor-executable instructions to provide at least one voltage control signal, based, at least in part, on the process detection signals. The voltage control signal(s) include a first voltage control signal is associated with a target voltage for the first power supply signal.
US08954754B2 Method and apparatus to process SHA-1 secure hashing algorithm
A processor includes an instruction decoder to receive a first instruction to process a SHA-1 hash algorithm, the first instruction having a first operand to store a SHA-1 state, a second operand to store a plurality of messages, and a third operand to specify a hash function, and an execution unit coupled to the instruction decoder to perform a plurality of rounds of the SHA-1 hash algorithm on the SHA-1 state specified in the first operand and the plurality of messages specified in the second operand, using the hash function specified in the third operand.
US08954752B2 Building and distributing secure object software
A method and structure for enhancing protection for at least one of software and data being executed on a computer. A file to comprise a secure object is constructed, using a processor on a build machine, the secure object to be executed on a target machine different from the build machine. The secure object comprises at least one of code and data that is to be encrypted when the secure object is stored on the target machine. The encrypted stored secure object is decrypted by the target machine when executed by the target machine after retrieval from a memory on the target machine. The decryption uses a system key of the target machine. The secure object is stored, upon completion of construction, in an encrypted state as a completed secure object, and the secure object is completed without the build machine having the system key of the target machine.
US08954747B2 Protecting keystrokes received from a keyboard in a platform containing embedded controllers
Systems and methods of managing keystroke data in embedded keyboard environments may involve transferring a mode request from a management controller to an embedded controller of a keyboard via a dedicated communication channel. Keystroke activity can be detected at the keyboard, and keystroke data may be transferred from the embedded controller to the management controller via the dedicated communication channel in response to the keystroke activity and the mode request. In addition, the management controller may be used to encrypt the keystroke data, wherein the encrypted keystroke data can be transmitted from the management controller to an off-platform service via a network controller.
US08954745B2 Method and apparatus for generating one-time passwords
A method and apparatus are provided to allow a user of a communications device to utilize one-time password generators for two-way authentication of users and servers, i.e., proving to users that servers are genuine and proving to servers that users are genuine. The present invention removes the need for a user to have a separate physical device, e.g., token, per company or service, reduces the cost burden on the companies and allows for two-way authentication via multiple access methods, e.g., telephone, web interfaces, automatic teller machines (ATMs), etc. Also, the present invention may be utilized in consumer and enterprise applications.
US08954741B2 Apparatus and method for supporting family cloud in cloud computing system
A method and an apparatus for effective data sharing between users in a cloud computing system are provided. The cloud computing system includes a first cloud hub and a User Equipment (UE). The first cloud hub provides a cloud service to a UE connected by a public cloud access and provides a cloud service to a UE connected to a public personal cloud system installed by a service provider, and is installed by a user. The UE subscribes to the first cloud hub as a main cloud and inquires as to data stored in the first cloud hub.
US08954739B2 Efficient terminal authentication in telecommunication networks
The invention relates to AKA procedures for terminals (3) in a network. A method for enabling authentication and/or key agreement for a terminal (3) in a network is disclosed. The method involves the transfer of at least one AKA parameter (RANDn+m; RANDn+m, AUTNn+m) from the network to the terminal (3) during a terminal session n. The AKA parameter enables authentication and/or key agreement procedure of the terminal (3) in the network for a subsequent terminal session n+m.
US08954737B2 Method and apparatus for performing distributed privacy-preserving computations on user locations
A location-trace comparison system can perform privacy-preserving computations on locations traces for two or more users, for example, to determine a location-visit overlap for these users. During operation, the system obtains location-event descriptions for locations that a local user has visited and/or is likely to visit, such that a respective location-event description indicates a location identifier and a time-interval identifier. The system encrypts the location-event descriptions to generate a corresponding set of encrypted local-user events, and receives encrypted remote-user events from a remote device, for at least one remote user. The system compares the encrypted location events to determine an overlap between the set of encrypted local-user events and the set of encrypted remote-user events. The system then determines, from the encrypted-event overlap, location-event descriptions for locations that the local and remote users have both visited and/or are both likely to visit during the same time interval.
US08954735B2 Device, method, and system for secure trust anchor provisioning and protection using tamper-resistant hardware
A method and device for securely provisioning trust anchors includes generating a database wrapper key as a function of computing device hardware. The database wrapper key encrypts a key database when it is not in use by a trusted execution environment and may be generated using a Physical Unclonable Function (PUF). A local computing device establishes a secure connection and security protocols with a remote computing device. In establishing the secure connection, the local computing device and remote computing device may exchange and/or authenticate cryptographic keys, including Enhanced Privacy Identification (EPID) keys, and establish a session key and device identifier(s). One or more trust anchors are then provisioned depending on whether unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral trust is established. The local computing device may act as a group or domain controller in establishing multilateral trust. Any of the devices may also require user presence to be verified.
US08954734B2 Method for transmitting contents for contents management technology interworking, and recording medium for storing program thereof
A DRM technique interoperability system includes an exporter and an importer. The exporter cancels the DRM technique from the contents to which the DRM technique of a DRM device is applied to generate a contents stream, generates a plurality of packets from the contents stream, and transmits the packets to the importer. The importer receives a plurality of packets from the exporter, generates a contents stream from the plurality of packets, applies a DRM technique of a second DRM device to the contents stream, and provides it to the second DRM device.
US08954732B1 Authenticating third-party programs for platforms
In one example, a platform device includes a control unit configured to receive a first software package signed by a first software development entity with a first certificate of a first certificate hierarchy associated with the first software development entity, execute the first software package only after determining that a root of the first certificate hierarchy corresponds to a certificate authority of a developer of the platform device, receive a second software package signed by a second software development entity with a second certificate of a second certificate hierarchy associated with the second software development entity, wherein the second certificate hierarchy is different than the first certificate hierarchy, and execute the second software package only after determining that a root of the second certificate hierarchy corresponds to the certificate authority of the developer of the platform device.
US08954729B2 Creating and using a specific user unique id for security login authentication
A method of monitoring all network login activity, which includes a real-time analysis of intercepting all network login activity, analyzing network login activity, authenticating network login activity and closing (i.e., terminating) those network login connections that are not authenticated to proceed and access the network.
US08954727B2 Security control in a communication system
A method includes controlling security in a communication system that involves a node capable of routing traffic according to one or more security algorithms with respective security levels. The node is adapted to estimate at least one safety degree relating to the node, to select at least one security algorithm of the one or more security algorithms, depending on the estimated safety degree; and to activate the at least one security algorithm.
US08954725B2 Sanitization of packets
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed for packet sanitization. A particular method intercepts a packet of a packet stream, where the packet stream is transmitted in accordance with a particular protocol. The packet is analyzed based on a specification associated with the particular protocol. Based on the analysis, a data value of a field of the packet is replaced with a sanitized data value to create a sanitized packet. The sanitized packet may be injected into the packet stream or may optionally be forwarded to a signature module that checks the sanitized packet for malicious content. When malicious content is found, the sanitized packet may be dropped, the sanitized packet may be logged, the sanitized packet may be redirected, or a notification regarding the sanitized packet may be sent to an administrator.
US08954710B2 Variable length encoding in a storage system
A system and method for maintaining a mapping table in a data storage subsystem. A data storage subsystem supports multiple mapping tables including a plurality of entries. Each of the entries comprise a tuple including a key. A data storage controller is configured to encode each tuple in the mapping table using a variable length encoding. Additionally, the mapping table may be organized as a plurality of time ordered levels, with each level including one or more mapping table entries. Further, a particular encoding of a plurality of encodings for a given tuple may be selected based at least in part on a size of the given tuple as unencoded, a size of the given tuple as encoded, and a time to encode the given tuple.
US08954708B2 Method of storing data in non-volatile memory having multiple planes, non-volatile memory controller therefor, and memory system including the same
A method of controlling a non-volatile memory device having multiple planes including receiving write requests from a host, the write requests each including a logical address, a write command, and a data set; storing the data sets at an address of a buffer; storing the buffer address in a mapping table that maps addresses of the buffer to the multiple planes; sequentially transmitting the data sets stored at respective buffer addresses to page buffers, respectively, of the planes corresponding to the buffer addresses according to the mapping table; and programming in parallel at least two data sets stored in respective page buffers to memory cells of the non-volatile memory device.
US08954707B2 Automatic use of large pages
A mechanism is provided for automatic use of large pages. An operating system loader performs aggressive contiguous allocation followed by demand paging of small pages into a best-effort contiguous and naturally aligned physical address range sized for a large page. The operating system detects when the large page is fully populated and switches the mapping to use large pages. If the operating system runs low on memory, the operating system can free portions and degrade gracefully.
US08954701B2 Address space management while switching optically-connected memory
Memory is dynamically switched through the optical-switching fabric using at least one communication pattern to transfer memory space in the memory blades from one processor to an alternative processor in the processor blades without physically copying data in the memory to the processors. Various communication patterns for the dynamically switching are supported.
US08954688B2 Handling storage pages in a database system
An operation is disclosed for handling storage pages in a database system. The database system may include a management component and a storage component. The storage component may include storage locations with different hierarchical levels. Each storage page of the storage pages may include a number of records. The operation may include copying a storage page from the storage component to a buffer pool controlled by the management component, monitoring which records of the storage page in the buffer pool are being accessed, and setting information indicating access for each record accessed. The operation may also include determining, based on the information indicating access, whether to split the storage page into at least two resulting storage pages. The operation may also include writing the at least two resulting storage pages to the storage component at storage locations, where the at least two resulting storage pages have different hierarchy levels.
US08954684B2 Translation table and method for compressed data
A translation table has entries that each include a share bit and a delta bit, with pointers that point to a memory block that includes reuse bits. When two translation table entries reference identical fragments in a memory block, one of the translation table entries is changed to refer to the same memory block referenced in the other translation table entry, which frees up a memory block. The share bit is set to indicate a translation table entry is sharing its memory block with another translation table entry. In addition, a translation table entry may include a private delta in the form of a pointer that references a memory fragment in the memory block that is not shared with other translation table entries. When a translation table has a private delta, its delta bit is set.
US08954670B1 Systems and methods for improved fault tolerance in RAID configurations
A RAID bad block module is added to a RAID controller. The bad block module intercepts bad block errors and marks them in a bad block table. When a bad block error is intercepted the bad block module logs the error and determines, based on the error and previously received errors logged in the table, whether the RAID controller can handle the error without failing the entire array. If so, the bad block module passes the error to the RAID controller. Else, the bad block module passes the error to an application or operating system where it is handled like any other disk error. Thus, instead of failing the entire array, the bad block errors are dealt with by the operating system.
US08954655B2 Systems and methods of configuring a mode of operation in a solid-state memory
Disclosed herein is an architecture that pairs a controller with a NVM (non-volatile memory) storage system. The NVM storage system includes a bridge device that communicates with the controller. In one embodiment, the bridge device allows for certain data locations (blocks, pages or units at any other granularity) in the flash dies to be (1) placed into a reserved mode where data access is prevented (2) assigned into an SLC (Single-Level Cell) mode or an MLC (Multi-Level Cell) mode in response to controller command, (3) made available for data access after the assignment of mode. This flexibility enables the controller to increase SLC mode or MLC mode data locations based on run-time conditions. In one embodiment, the assignment of the reserved data locations is performed in a way to ensure that warranty conditions imposed by the memory vendors are observed.
US08954648B2 Memory device and operating method thereof
The invention provides a memory device. In one embodiment, the memory device comprises a flash memory, a memory, and a controller. The flash memory comprises a plurality of blocks for data storage. The memory stores an address mapping table recording relationships between logical addresses and physical addresses of the blocks therein. The controller divides the address mapping table stored in the memory to a plurality of mapping table units, updates relationships between the logical addresses and the physical addresses stored in the mapping table units, determines whether data access performed to the flash memory fulfills the conditions of a first specific requirement, and when the data access fulfills the conditions of the first requirement, the controller selects a target mapping table unit from the mapping table units, and stores the target mapping table unit and a corresponding time stamp as a mapping table unit data to the flash memory.
US08954645B2 Storage writes in a mirrored virtual machine system
Performing storage writes in a mirrored virtual machine system by receiving a state of a primary virtual machine during execution of an application, wherein the primary virtual machine runs on a first physical machine and a secondary virtual machine runs on a second physical machine, wherein the state is captured by checkpointing, and the primary virtual machine is configured to write data to a first block and concurrently write the data to a write buffer on the secondary virtual machine. The method also includes storing a copy of data within a second block to a rollback buffer for the secondary virtual machine, in response to identifying a checkpoint in the application, merging the rollback buffer with the write buffer, in response to detecting a failover, writing a copy of the rollback buffer to the disk storage, and continuing execution on the secondary virtual machine from the last checkpoint.
US08954644B2 Apparatus and method for controlling memory
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for controlling memory. The apparatus includes a memory access request buffer unit, a memory access request control unit, and a bank control unit. The memory access request buffer unit determines and stores memory access request order so that the plurality of memory access requests is processed in the order of input except that memory access requests attempting to access the same bank and the same row are successively processed. The memory access request control unit reads the memory access requests from the memory access request buffer unit in the determined order, distributes the memory access requests to banks, and transfers the memory access requests to memory. The bank control unit stores a preset number of memory access requests in each of buffer units for respective banks, and controls the operating state of each of the banks.
US08954640B1 In-system programming of memory external to integrated circuit
An integrated circuit (IC) can include an interface configured to receive packetized data specifying a programming instruction for a memory external to the integrated circuit over a first communication channel. The first communication channel can be an in-band signaling channel also used by the IC when performing a function independent of programming the memory. The IC can include a buffer having a first port coupled to the interface and a second port. The buffer can be configured to store the programming instruction extracted from the packetized data. The IC also can include a programmer coupled to the second port. The programmer can be configured to program the memory over a second communication channel different from the first communication channel responsive to interpretation of the programming instruction from the buffer.
US08954626B2 Transmission system and method thereof
A transmission system receiving a first token packet and a second token packet is disclosed. The transmission system is coupled to a first peripheral device and a second peripheral device. The transmission system includes an upstream port to receive the first and the second token packets. A first transmission path occurs between the upstream port and the first peripheral device. A second transmission path occurs between the upstream port and the second peripheral device. The transmission system analyzes the first and the second token packets. The first token packet includes information corresponding to the first peripheral device. When the second token packet includes information corresponding to the first peripheral device, the transmission system disables the second transmission path.
US08954625B2 System, method and computer program product for portable multimedia content display
A system, method and computer program product for performing a method for presenting multimedia data are disclosed. The method includes but is not limited to detecting insertion of a portable storage device into a first end user device; automatically launching transfer of multimedia data and Meta data describing the multimedia data from the first end user device to the portable storage device; transferring the multimedia data from the first end user device to the portable storage device; detecting insertion of the portable storage device into a second end user device; automatically launching transfer of multimedia data and Meta data describing the multimedia data from the portable storage device to the second end user device; and transferring the multimedia data from the portable storage device to the second end user device.
US08954620B2 Techniques for using an assigned switch identification at an input/output device
Examples are disclosed for assigning a switch identification to data received at an input/output device coupled to a host device. In some examples, the data may be associated with a virtual station interface (VSI) for a virtual machine implemented at the host device. For these examples, a switch identification may be assigned to the data based on an assigned port identifier, identification information for the data, or an originator of at least a portion of the identification information. The assigned switch identification may then be used as part of a lookup table to determine one or more actions for processing the data at the input/output device. Other examples are described and claimed.
US08954616B1 System, method and article of manufacture for monitoring, controlling and improving storage media system performance based on storage media device write rate
An apparent load is determined based on assigning weightings to commands based on various factors including, but not limited to, the limitations of the underlying storage media device(s), where the command queue fullness is viewed from that perspective rather than simply the number of commands outstanding in a storage media device. Also disclosed is the use of a positive bias and a negative bias to artificially influence the apparent load based on write rate of storage media devices.
US08954597B2 Method and apparatus for synchronizing paused playback across platforms
A method and apparatus for resuming playback of a media program, the playback initiated on a first device and resumed on a second device is disclosed. The method does not rely on additional messages transmitted from the playback devices, but rather on server side monitoring of the transmission of the media program.
US08954590B2 Tunneling apparatus and method for client-server communication
An HTTP tunneling service is described for creating a tunneled path between a client and a server (e.g., over a firewall or other data/protocol filtering device). According to one embodiment of the invention the client sends the server an initial request to open a preliminary socket connection which includes a secure client ID previously assigned to the client. The server opens the preliminary socket connection, generates a random client ID and transmits the random client ID to the client. The preliminary socket connection is then closed. The client then sends a second request to open a second socket connection using both the unique ID and the secure client ID for authentication purposes.
US08954585B2 Apparatus for resource allocation in a frequency overlay system and a method thereof
A resource allocation method and apparatus for a frequency overlay system that is capable of reducing the overhead of the resource allocation information transmitted by the base station is provided. A frequency overlay system of the present invention includes a base station which transmits resource allocation information including an address type selected among multiple address types designating addresses for transmission resource in different patterns and an address value indicating a resource region allocated according to the selected address type and at least one mobile station which receives the resource allocation information and receives data through the resource region identified with reference to the resource type and address value indicated by the resource allocation information; and a resource allocation method of the present invention includes transmitting, at a base station, resource allocation information including an address type selected among multiple address types designating addresses for transmission resource in different patterns and an address value indicating a resource region allocated according to the selected address type, and receiving, at a mobile station, data through the resource region identified with reference to the resource type and address value indicated by the resource allocation information.
US08954577B2 Estimating a composition of a population
A method performed by one or more processing devices includes receiving data indicative of amounts of users in population segments that access a resource; applying an expectation-maximization algorithm to the data received; generating, based on applying, estimates of weights indicative of an accuracy of the amounts of users; wherein the expectation-maximization algorithm is applied and the estimates are generated until the estimates reach an asymptotic approximation of the weights; adjusting the amounts of the users in accordance with the estimates of the weights; and generating, based on the amounts of the users adjusted, an estimate of a composition of a population of users that access the resource.
US08954566B1 Method for counting without the use of unique identifiers
Embodiments relate to determining the number of unique users of computer software without individually identifying users with a unique identification. In an embodiment, data elements are communicated from clients to a server. Each data element contains the number of days that have elapsed since the last communication from the client to the server. Based on the communicated data elements and the time and date at which each data element is received, the server can determine a count of unique users over a specified time period.
US08954563B2 Event enrichment using data correlation
Systems and methods for enriching events using data correlation are described herein. At least some embodiments include a method for enriching events reflecting the state of a plurality of computer systems, the method including storing a plurality of event messages and system metric data that includes service metric data, determining a degree of correlation between a system metric and at least one of a plurality of service metrics, and enriching an event message of the plurality of event messages based at least in part on the degree of correlation. At least one system metric data value triggers the event message. The degree of correlation is based at least in part on the system metric data and the service metric data.
US08954560B2 Incremental browser-based device fingerprinting
A method for incrementally fingerprinting a computing device includes steps for executing device-identification code programmed to retrieve a complete set of device configuration metrics from a web browser of the computing device, interrupting execution of the device-identification code after retrieval of a first subset of the device configuration metrics, generating a partial device fingerprint from the first subset, generating a temporary device identifier from the partial device fingerprint, and generating a subset indicator identifying the device configuration metrics that compose the first subset. Additional steps include writing the temporary device identifier and the subset indicator to browser-based storage of the computing device, resuming execution of the device-identification code, querying the browser-based storage for presence of the temporary device identifier, and retrieving, responsive to detecting the temporary device identifier, a second subset of the device configuration metrics, the second subset comprising device configuration metrics not identified by the subset indicator.
US08954551B2 Virtualization of groups of devices
A virtualization mechanism may create a virtual representation of a group of physical computers and the physical connections between the computers. The mechanism may comprise a discovery tool for determining a topology of connected physical computers and selecting the elements to virtualize, a device virtualization tool that may create virtual versions of the physical computers, and a connection virtualization tool that may create virtual connections between the virtual computers. The virtual devices and virtual connections may then be operated virtually. In many cases, optimized versions of the virtual devices and virtual connections may be performed.
US08954549B2 Automatic detection of a network interface on a host for accessing networked storage
A host computer is coupled to data storage and has access to the data storage. The host computer has multiple network interfaces, which are associated with multiple logical networks. The host computer detects a network address of the data storage, and identifies one of the network interfaces that is associated with a best-performing logical network for accessing the data storage. The host computer then receives a routing configuration that routes traffic to the data storage via the identified network interface.
US08954546B2 Tracing with a workload distributor
A load balanced system may incorporate instrumented systems within a group of managed devices and distribute workload among the devices to meet both load balancing and data collection. A workload distributor may communicate with and configure several managed devices, some of which may have instrumentation that may collect trace data for workload run on those devices. Authentication may be performed between the managed devices and the workload distributor to verify that the managed devices are able to receive the workloads and to verify the workloads prior to execution. The workload distributor may increase or decrease the amount of instrumentation in relation to the workload experienced at any given time.
US08954543B2 Flexible graphical extension engine
A flexible graphical extension engine having a function block engine combined with extensions in communications with a wall module bus to make it possible to provide fixed function, configurable function and programmable function devices which implement additional function block behavior, and provide an automated configuration approach for generating configuration files for a programmable wall module. In other words, the engine not only depends on fixed inputs and outputs (I/O's) and fixed features in a control solution, but also may allow for flexible blocks and the ability to change an interface on the fly (i.e., during operation).
US08954542B2 Method and system for transmitting and receiving configuration and registration information for session initiation protocol devices
A system is provided for configuring a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) device. The system includes at least one SIP server in communication with the SIP device over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The at least one SIP server includes a database that stores SIP device configuration data and a receiver that receives a first SIP message to initiate SIP device configuration. The at least one SIP server also includes a transmitter that transmits configuration data to the SIP device in response to receiving the first SIP message. The receiver also receives a second message from the SIP device indicating whether the SIP device was successfully configured based on the configuration data.
US08954531B2 Intelligent messaging label results related to a character stream
Information may be presented to a user by using a first application to receive a character stream of one or more noncompletion characters. The noncompletion characters indicate that additional characters may be received. The character stream is exchanged with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user's predicted interest. Results are received and displayed so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to the selected result.
US08954521B1 Management and presentation of notification content
An example method includes, responsive to receiving an indication of an incoming communication, identifying, by a computing device, first and second portions of an image that are associated with respective first and second portions of a face of a human user, wherein the human user has been determined to be an originator of the incoming communication. The example method further includes outputting, by the computing device and for display, the first and second portions of the image that are associated with the respective first and second portions of the face of the human user, and outputting, by the computing device and for display, message content associated with the incoming communication, such that the message content as displayed at least partially overlays the second portion of the image.
US08954514B2 System and method for displaying time-sensitive alerts in a mobile device
In various embodiments, a system and a method for receiving alerts through a network includes providing a device which may include a user interface, a pop-up management module and a display. Further, a communications interface between the device and one or more database systems located outside the network may be provided. Using the user interface, a user is allowed to selectively choose to display, on the display, one or more message types generated by the one or more database systems. The message types may be received via the network, processed and displayed on the display by the pop-up management module as a pop-up message. The device may be a WiMAX-enabled device and the network may be a WiMAX network.
US08954513B2 Auditor system
An auditing system and method for analyzing email, including capturing email transferred over a network and transferring the email to a data analyzer. The email can be encrypted for safe transfer to the analysis location. Once the email is delivered to the analysis location, it is decrypted and the analysis process begins. The analysis of the email includes scanning the email for specific search terms found in a lexicon and then identifying trends based on scanning results.
US08954512B2 System and method for full wireless synchronization of a data processing apparatus with a data service
A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.
US08954511B2 System and method for collecting and presenting records in a journal on an electronic device
A device and a method of organizing journaling items from applications processed by an electronic device are provided. The method comprises: defining a journal having a parameter for storing journaling items; defining contexts for the parameter by creating a context for each record using data from an application operating on the device which matches a relevant aspect of the parameter; upon detection of a new journaling item processed by the device, determining whether the new journaling item matches any of the contexts, and if so, updating the journal with details associated with the journaling item; and determining whether any previously processed journaling items processed by the device matches any of the contexts, and if so, updating the journal with details associated with the any previously received item. The device incorporates modules to perform the method.
US08954508B2 Communication apparatus, control method of communication apparatus, communication system, and program
An apparatus to communicate with a partner includes a transmission unit configured to directly transmit address information of the apparatus to the partner, a reception unit configured to receive data from the partner connected to the apparatus via a relay apparatus, using the address information, an acquisition unit configured to acquire global address information corresponding to the partner from the received data, and a notification unit configured to notify the communication partner of the acquired global address information.
US08954504B2 Managing a message subscription in a publish/subscribe messaging system
A method and computer program product is disclosed for managing a message broker and subscriber application programs in a publish/subscribe messaging system so as to maintain the state of the subscriber application program on the broker subscriber application program.
US08954500B2 Identifying and employing social network relationships
Methods and apparatus are described for detecting social relationships across multiple networks and/or communication channels. These social relationships may then be utilized in a wide variety of ways to support and enhance a broad range of user services.
US08954487B2 Management server and method for providing cloud computing service
A management server and method for providing a cloud computing service at high speed and reasonable cost, are provided. The management server provides a virtual machine to a client as a computing resource. The virtual machine is multiplexed by operating multiple virtual devices on a single virtual machine. Accordingly, demand for computing resources may be predicted in advance and may be provided to a user more efficiently.
US08954471B2 Method and system for providing process-based access control for a collaboration service in enterprise business software
The present invention relates to access control objects directly associated with collaboration process nodes, which are themselves associated with a collaborative software object. The direct association of the access control objects allows for a fine granularity of per-party access control at every step of a collaborative process. Systems and methods for constructing access lists from the access control objects are described, as well as restricted GUI rendering according to access indicators associated with an access control object.
US08954467B2 Systems and methods for automatically associating communication streams with a file presented during a meeting
Systems and method for sharing a file presented during a meeting are described. In some aspects, an operating system of a first client computing device of a presenter in an online meeting is monitored during the online meeting. The first client computing device of the presenter is engaged in screen sharing with a second client computing device of at least one other participant in the online meeting. That one or more files accessible via the operating system are being presented in the online meeting is determined based on the monitoring. The one or more files are provided to a set of users in response to determining that the one or more files are being presented in the online meeting.
US08954460B2 Apparatus and method for scheduling user defined operator (UDO) in data stream management system (DSMS)
An apparatus and a method of optimizing queries through scheduling User Defined Operators (UDOs) in a Data Stream Management System (DSMS), are provided. The apparatus includes a query optimizer configured to receive queries, each of the queries including the UDOs and data streams subject to respective operations of the UDOs, and group the data streams and UDOs into scheduling units, each of the scheduling units including one of the data streams and one of the UDOs. The apparatus further includes a scheduler configured to schedule an execution order in which the scheduling units are executed.
US08954456B1 Translation and transcription content conversion
A system and method for accepting content in a first form, identifying the type of the content, specifying at least a second form, converting the content form from the first to the second form, and continuing conversion for any forms subsequent to the second form. Variant Production Functions create specification-based variant files and supplemental metadata using data from existing resources. A Variant Production Function provides functionality for parsing an existing resource's data, and generating a complete or partial alternate translated form of that resource. The Variant Production Function includes at least the input of the content of the primary target resource file used as the basis for the new variant. Variant Production Functions may be in Auto Generation Configuration Objects, or used as components within a Translation and Transcription Service.
US08954452B2 Method and apparatus for characterizing user behavior patterns from user interaction history
An approach is provided for characterizing user behavior patterns. The behavior pattern platform receives a plurality of context records from a device. Next, the behavior pattern platform places one or more contexts from the context records. Then, the behavior pattern platform places the contexts into one or more context groups. Then, the behavior pattern platform receives interaction data from the device, associates the context groups with the interaction data, and determines a behavior pattern based, at least in part, on the association of the context groups and the interaction data.
US08954443B1 Multi-protocol data object scanning by a storage virtualization system
The present invention is a method for performing a multi-protocol scan of a NAS system by a storage virtualization system to create a multi-protocol file index. Current NAS systems may utilize two protocols, CIFS and NFS. Storage virtualization systems migrate, redirect or synchronize data between a primary and a secondary NAS. Present storage virtualization systems are designed to work with NFS or CIFS systems, but not both. The present invention enables a storage virtualization system to simultaneously or near-simultaneously operate using NFS and CIFS protocols. The present invention also provides for a multi-protocol scan of a NAS device to ensure that all data files and data file attributes are recognized and preserved during storage virtualization.
US08954441B1 Graph-based system and method of information storage and retrieval
Structure of a resultant Every Document as a Graph (EVG) graph may be outlined using an EVG query. First metadata for a first data source may be retrieved. At least one entity key may be determined for a first entity, the entity key coming directly from the EVG query or from an entity on a preceding level of the EVG graph. Based on the first metadata and entity key, an edge may be created in the EVG graph beginning at the first entity, wherein the edge contains information retrieved from the first data source. Second metadata for a second data source may be retrieved. Based on the second metadata and information contained in the edge retrieved from first data source, a second entity may be created in the EVG graph, wherein the edge connects to the second entity, wherein the second entity contains information retrieved from the second data source.
US08954420B1 Methods and systems for improving a search ranking using article information
Systems and methods that improve client-side searching are described. In one aspect, a system and method for identifying an article, and determining a ranking score for the article based at least in part on duration data, access data, URL data, or trajectory data associated with the article is described.
US08954419B2 Method for serial and condition-based execution of operators by parallel processes
Techniques are provided for improving performance of parallel execution plans that include serial operations. A database server generates a parallel execution plan and includes one or more serial data flow objects in the parallel execution plan, each data flow object including one or more serial row sources. A parallel selector row source is associated with each serial data flow object included in the parallel execution plan. Each parallel selector row source coordinates with a query coordinator process the execution of the associated serial data flow object. In the event that that a plurality of serial data flow objects are included in a parallel execution plan, serial row sources included in the serial data flow objects may be executed concurrently by a separate parallel slave process, instead of sequential execution of each serial row source by the query coordinator process.
US08954414B2 Search model updates
Search model updates are described. In one or more implementations, a search service uses a model to rank items in a search result, the model formed using an initial set of data. An update is generated using a subsequent set of data, which is formed after the initial set of data, that provides feedback describing user interaction with one or more items in the search result formed using the model, the generating of the update performed without use of at least a portion of the initial set of data. The model and the update are employed to rank items in a search result for a subsequent search.
US08954413B2 Methods and apparatus for adaptively harvesting pertinent data
Methods and apparatus are provided for developing user profiles via search query analysis and linking the user profiles and data sources, to adaptively facilitate the discovery, transfer, and distribution of pertinent knowledge. A user profile builder, linker, and manager analyze users' search queries to learn their interests and habits, build user profiles to reflect the users' interests and habits, and link together profiles of the users with common interests. A data harvester utilizes the user profiles to provide pertinent data to the users based on their interests and habits or those of other users with common interests.
US08954412B1 Corroborating facts in electronic documents
A query is defined that has an answer formed of terms from electronic documents. A repository having facts is examined to identify attributes corresponding to terms in the query. The electronic documents are examined to find other terms that commonly appear near the query terms. Hypothetical facts representing possible answers to the query are created based on the information identified in the fact repository and the commonly-appearing terms. These hypothetical facts are corroborated using the electronic documents to determine how many documents support each fact. Additionally, contextual clues in the documents are examined to determine whether the hypothetical facts can be expanded to include additional terms. A hypothetical fact that is supported by at least a certain number of documents, and is not contained within another fact with at least the same level of support, is presented as likely correct.
US08954405B2 Content validation for documentation topics using provider information
At least one processor may determine one or more issues in one or more of a plurality of documentation topics that document at least one software functionality based at least upon applying one or more business rules to the one or more of the plurality of documentation topics. Responsive to determining the one or more issues, one or more entries may be inserted into an issues report, wherein the one or more entries include information regarding the one or more issues.
US08954404B2 Rule-based system and method to associate attributes to text strings
A system and method for selecting a title for content to be published online. A plurality of text strings are received. A plurality of rules are applied to the text strings. If a condition specified in one of the rules exists in a given text string, one or more attributes are associated to that text string as metadata. One or more of the text strings are selected, using the metadata, as a potential title for the content. A final title is prepared based on the potential title, and the content is published online under the final title.
US08954401B2 Systems and methods for providing increased scalability in deduplication storage systems
A computer-implemented method for providing increased scalability in deduplication storage systems may include (1) identifying a database that stores a plurality of reference objects, (2) determining that at least one size-related characteristic of the database has reached a predetermined threshold, (3) partitioning the database into a plurality of sub-databases capable of being updated independent of one another, (4) identifying a request to perform an update operation that updates one or more reference objects stored within at least one sub-database, and then (5) performing the update operation on less than all of the sub-databases to avoid processing costs associated with performing the update operation on all of the sub-databases. Various other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08954398B1 Systems and methods for managing deduplication reference data
A method for managing deduplication reference data may include (1) identifying multiple of data containers configured to store a plurality of deduplicated data segments that are referenced by multiple data objects within a deduplicated data system, (2) maintaining multiple reference databases including (i) a first reference database corresponding to a first subset of the data containers and (ii) a second reference database corresponding to a second subset of the data containers, the second subset differing from the first subset, (3) determining that a data object references at least one segment within a first data container within the first subset but does not reference any data segment within a second data container within the second subset and (4) updating the first reference database with information specifying that the data object references at least one data segment within at least one data container within the first subset of data containers.
US08954396B2 Validating and enabling validation of package structures
This document describes tools capable of validating and enabling validation of a package's structure. To do so, constraint grammar is provided that is capable of enabling a person to build a set of machine-readable constraints for a package's structure. Based on this set of constraints, a package validator module may accurately and automatically validate that a package's structure meets these constraints.
US08954384B2 File storage system and file storage method
The file storage system of the present invention comprises a first server including a first file system (FS), and a second server including a second FS. The first and second servers respectively store first and second difference management tables. Upon receiving a write request, the first server stores a difference of a first file in the first FS, updates the first difference management table, and sends, to the second server, a difference storage notification showing that the difference of the first file has been stored in the first FS. The second server receives the difference storage notification, and updates the second difference management table.
US08954378B2 Data model optimization
A name of one or more entity classes of the data model may be refined to conform to a naming convention. A semantic meaning of each of the names and one or more attributes of each entity class may be determined. It may be determined that the name of a first entity class is semantically similar to the name of a second entity class based on a semantic distance between the semantic meaning of the names, where a substantial similarity may be determined between the first entity class and the second entity class by comparing the semantic meaning of the one or more attributes of the first entity class to the semantic meaning of the one or more attributes of the second entity class. The data model may be normalized based on the substantial similarity.
US08954374B2 Community-driven map creation and access
Techniques for creating and enabling access to a community-augmented map are provided. The techniques include uploading user-generated content about one or more locations on a map, processing the user-generated content about one or more locations on the map and storing the user-generated content about one or more locations on the map in an intelligent knowledgebase, applying one or more domain concepts from the intelligent knowledgebase to the user-generated content to infer one or more derivatives in connection with one or more locations in the map, and retrieving information of the one or more locations on the map from the intelligent knowledgebase to provide the map information as augmented metadata on the map.
US08954362B2 System and method for predictive analytics in an electrical grid network
Systems and methods for performing predictive analytics in an electrical grid network are disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method comprises aggregating a plurality of events from an electrical grid network, analyzing the plurality of events to recognize at least one event pattern, serializing at least one of the event patterns in a database, and predicting a future event pattern based on a correlation of the plurality of event patterns.
US08954360B2 Semantic request normalizer
A cascading learning system as a normalized semantic search is described. The cascading learning system has a request analyzer, a request dispatcher and classifier, a search module, a terminology manager, and a cluster manager. The request analyzer receives a request for search terms from a client application. The request analyzer has a normalization manager, a semantic parser, and a context builder. The normalization manager normalizes the search terms and generates a normalized semantic request based on a context. The request dispatcher and classifier classifies and dispatches the normalized semantic request to a corresponding domain-specific module that generates a prediction with a trained probability of an expected output. The terminology manager receives the normalized semantic request from the request dispatcher and classifier, and manages terminology stored in a contextual network.
US08954354B2 Automated intravenous fluid container delivery device and system
An IV product transport device is configured to transport an IV product from one location to another in automated fashion. The transport device may comprise a chassis with one or more ports for IV products. A drive mechanism is configured to move the transport device. In one embodiment, the transport device includes a controller. Information may be provided to the controller about an IV product, such as its intended destination or use. The controller may also exchange information with a delivery device, such as an infusion pump, to verify that the IV product is delivered to the proper destination. The transport device may include a delivery mechanism for off-loading an IV product. The transport device may deliver IV products of various configurations, including one in which the product comprises a flexible bag and a container housing for supporting and protecting the fluid bag.
US08954340B2 Risk evaluation based on vehicle operator behavior
A method for ascertaining the risk associated with the driver of a vehicle utilizes three-dimensional (3D) motion sensing data. A server gathers motion sensing data from one or more motion sensing modules and clusters the motion sensing data into movement categories. The server then assigns an indication of risk to at least some of the movement categories and combines the motion sensing data from a plurality of movement categories to generate a collective measure of risk associated with the driver of the vehicle.
US08954329B2 Methods and apparatus for acoustic disambiguation by insertion of disambiguating textual information
Techniques for disambiguating at least one text segment from at least one acoustically similar word and/or phrase. The techniques include identifying at least one text segment, in a textual representation having a plurality of text segments, having at least one acoustically similar word and/or phrase which has a different spelling, annotating the textual representation with disambiguating information to help disambiguate the at least one text segment from the at least one acoustically similar word and/or phrase, and synthesizing a speech signal, at least in part, by performing text-to-speech synthesis on at least a portion of the textual representation that includes the at least one text segment, wherein the speech signal includes speech corresponding to the disambiguating information located proximate the portion of the speech signal corresponding to the at least one text segment.
US08954325B1 Speech recognition in automated information services systems
The present invention allows feedback from operator workstations to be used to update databases used for providing automated information services. When an automated process fails, recorded speech of the caller is passed on to the operator for decision making. Based on the selections made by the operator in light of the speech or other interactions with the caller, a comparison is made between the speech and the selections made by the operator to arrive at information to update the databases in the information services automation system. Thus, when the operator inputs the words corresponding to the speech provided at the information services automation system, the speech may be associated with those words. The association between the speech and the words may be used to update different databases in the information services automation system.
US08954322B2 Acoustic shock protection device and method thereof
An acoustic shock protection device includes a prediction gain estimator and an audio compressor. The prediction gain estimator is configured to analyze a plurality of linear prediction coefficients of an audio signal and determine a category of the audio signal. The audio compressor is coupled to the prediction gain estimator, and the audio compressor is configured to adjust a signal level of the audio signal according to the category of the audio signal.
US08954320B2 System and method for noise reduction in processing speech signals by targeting speech and disregarding noise
An exemplary noise reduction system and method processes a speech signal that is delivered in a noisy channel or with ambient noise. Some exemplary embodiments of the system and method use filters to extract speech information, and focus on a subset of harmonics that are least corrupted by noise. Some exemplary embodiments disregard signal harmonics with low signal-to-noise ratio(s), and disregard amplitude modulations that are inconsistent with speech. An exemplary system and method processes a signal that focuses on a subset of harmonics that are least corrupted by noise, disregards the signal harmonics with low signal-to-noise ratio(s), and disregards amplitude modulations that are inconsistent with speech.
US08954319B2 System and method for generating manually designed and automatically optimized spoken dialog systems
Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable storage media for generating a natural language spoken dialog system. The method includes nominating a set of allowed dialog actions and a set of contextual features at each turn in a dialog, and selecting an optimal action from the set of nominated allowed dialog actions using a machine learning algorithm. The method includes generating a response based on the selected optimal action at each turn in the dialog. The set of manually nominated allowed dialog actions can incorporate a set of business rules. Prompt wordings in the generated natural language spoken dialog system can be tailored to a current context while following the set of business rules. A compression label can represent at least one of the manually nominated allowed dialog actions.
US08954308B2 Modeling of multi-layered power/ground planes using triangle elements
In a method of simulating electrical characteristics of a circuit board having a plurality of features, the plurality of features is projected onto a planar construct. A Delaunay triangulation routine for generating a triangular mesh that corresponds to the single planar construct is executed on the digital computer. A routine that generates a Voronoi diagram corresponding to the triangular mesh. An equivalent circuit for each triangle is determined. The equivalent circuit includes exactly three sub-circuits that couple a vertex within the triangle to a vertex within an adjacent triangle and exactly one sub-circuit that couples the vertex within the triangle to a reference plane. A routine solves, for each triangle, an equation describing an electrical characteristic value based on the equivalent circuit corresponding to the triangle. A routine for generating a human-perceptible indication of the electrical characteristic value for each triangle is executed on the digital computer.
US08954307B1 Chained programming language preprocessors for circuit simulation
A netlist description that includes embedded code segments for describing a circuit is preprocessed in order to replace the embedded code segments with corresponding preprocessed code segments, where the preprocessed code segments include netlist code that can be parsed and executed. To perform this preprocessing, programming languages that include scripting operations are identified for the embedded code segments in the netlist description. A pipeline preprocessor that includes preprocessors for the identified programming languages is configured to sequentially process the netlist description and replace the embedded code segments with the corresponding preprocessed code segments.
US08954291B2 Alarm setting and interfacing with gesture contact interfacing controls
A device configured for capture of activity data for a user includes a housing, a sensor, a motor, a memory, and a processor. The sensor is disposed in the housing to capture physical contact upon the housing. The motor causes vibration of the housing. The memory stores an alarm setting that defines a time of day for triggering an alarm on the device. The processor activates the alarm upon reaching the time of day defined by the alarm setting, with the alarm causing the motor to produce the vibration of the housing. The sensor, which is interfaced with the processor, is configured to detect a physical contact upon the housing. The processor is configured to deactivate the alarm if the physical contact qualifies as an input to deactivate the alarm. The deactivating of the alarm causes the vibration of the device to be suspended.
US08954290B2 Motion-activated display of messages on an activity monitoring device
Methods, systems and devices are provided for motion-activated display of messages on an activity monitoring device. In one embodiment, method for presenting a message on an activity monitoring device is provided, including the following method operations: storing a plurality of messages to the device; detecting a stationary state of the device; detecting a movement of the device from the stationary state; in response to detecting the movement from the stationary state, selecting one of a plurality of messages, and displaying the selected message on the device.
US08954289B2 Methods, systems and devices for generating real-time activity data updates to display devices
Methods, systems and devices are provided for displaying monitored activity data in substantial real-time on a screen of a computing device. One example method includes capturing motion data associated with activity of a user via an activity tracking device. The motion data is quantified into a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user. The method includes connecting the activity tracking device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, and sending motion data from the activity tracking device to the computing device for display of one or more of the plurality of metrics on a graphical user interface of the computing device. At least one of the plurality of metrics displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in substantial real-time based on the motion data.
US08954282B2 Autonomic seismic data processing
Implementations of various technologies for a method for processing seismic data. In one implementation, the method may include receiving a record of seismic data. The record of seismic data may have a plurality of attributes. A first seismic data process may be performed on the record of seismic data. The first seismic data process may generate a plurality of datasets. A selection of a portion of the plurality of attributes for ranking the datasets may be received. A quality score may be determined for each attribute of the portion of the plurality of attributes for each dataset. A ranking may be determined for each dataset based on the quality score.
US08954280B2 Methods and systems for determining formation parameters using a rotating tool equipped with tilted antenna loops
Methods and systems for characterizing a formation are disclosed. A tool is placed in the formation. The tool comprises a perpendicular antenna set and a parallel antenna set. The perpendicular antenna set comprises at least one transmitter antenna oriented perpendicular to at least one receiver antenna and the parallel antenna set comprises at least one transmitter antenna oriented parallel to at least one receiver antenna. Data is obtained from the tool and used to determine a compensated geosignal for each of the perpendicular antenna set and the parallel antenna set. The determined compensated geosignal is used to characterize the formation.
US08954278B2 Speed profile dictionary
A speed profile dictionary and associated lookup tables are disclosed. A set of distinct speed profiles is defined using a statistical analysis routine. Preferably, the statistical analysis routine uses clustering. The speed profiles are then matched to location codes identifying physical locations on a road network and days of the week. Applications using historic traffic data may use the speed profile dictionary and one or more lookup tables instead of a complete historic traffic database, thereby reducing the amount of memory needed to store historic traffic data.
US08954274B2 Indicating a travel route based on a user selection
Techniques are provided for presenting a route in a manner that emphasizes the route and provides context information. For example, a vivid color or vivid colors may be used to display the route, and pastel colors or other desaturated colors may be used for non-route context information. This may result in a map in which the vivid colors of the route stand out over the faded style of the non-route context information to emphasize the route. In this manner, the map may both emphasize the route and provide context information for the route.
US08954270B2 System and method for detecting accident location
Provided is a system for detecting an accident location, including: a navigation apparatus to extract identification information of a preinstalled apparatus, first distance information between the apparatus and at least one base station, and second distance information between the apparatus and a geostationary satellite, when an impact is applied to the apparatus; and an apparatus control center to compute location information of the navigation apparatus based on the identification information, the first distance information, and the second distance information, wherein the at least one base station receives the first distance information from the navigation apparatus and transmits the first distance information to the apparatus control center, and the geostationary satellite receives the second distance information from the navigation apparatus and transmits the second distance information to the apparatus control center.
US08954266B2 Providing routes through information collection and retrieval
Providing directions from point A to point B may be treated as an information retrieval problem. In one example, actual routes that are traveled by people are received, and are stored in a database. When a person requests directions from point A to point B, a system searches the database to determine whether a route from A to B exists. If the route does exist, then the route may be provided as directions in response to the request. If no such route exists, then the system looks in the database for routes that have some amount of overlap with each other, and attempts to construct a route from A to B by joining known routes that overlap with each other. Rules may govern the degree of overlap that routes are to have before they can be joined.
US08954258B2 Electronically operated pressure reducing regulator
A pressure-reducing regulator for CNG fuel includes a high pressure sensor that detects fuel pressure at an inlet, a filter element that filters fuel, an orifice that provides access to a pressure reduction chamber, and a movable pintle located within the orifice, such that a flow rate of fuel through the orifice varies according to a position of the pintle within the orifice. The pressure-reducing regulator further includes a motor that moves the pintle, a low pressure sensor that detects fuel pressure at an outlet and a control unit comprising a processor. The process is configured for reading data from the high pressure sensor, data from the low pressure sensor and vehicle data from an engine, calculating a desired position of the pintle based on the sensor data and the vehicle data, and transmitting a signal to the motor for moving the pintle to the desired position.
US08954248B2 Control apparatus for vehicle
A control apparatus for a vehicle including a differential section having a first rotating element coupled to a prime mover and a second rotating element connected to drive wheels via an engaging and disengaging apparatus, including: a controller configured to control connection of the engaging and disengaging apparatus, the controller being configured to adjust a power of the prime mover, the controller being configured to reduce the power of the prime mover when performing connection of the engaging and disengaging apparatus, and the controller being configured to reduce more power of the prime mover as a speed of rotation of the first rotating element is lower.
US08954245B2 Method of controlling gear ratio rate of change in continuously variable transmission
A method for controlling a gear ratio rate of change in a machine having a continuously variable transmission includes moving an operator input device to a changed position, receiving electronic data indicative of the changed position, and determining a non-limited desired gear ratio based on the changed position. A maximum gear ratio rate of change corresponding to the non-limited desired gear ratio and an actual gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is selected from an electronically stored gear ratio rate map. A current desired gear ratio is determined based on a previous desired gear ratio and the maximum gear ratio rate of change. A commanded gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is changed to the current desired gear ratio using electronic signals.
US08954244B2 Method and apparatus for actuating an automated transmission, in particular an automated transmission of a commercial vehicle, and test bench
A method for actuating an automated transmission, in particular an automated transmission of a commercial vehicle, which is coupled to a drive motor, where data and/or signals are supplied to a controller of the automated transmission via an interface. When a defined event occurs, a temporally predictive non-steady profile of the drive motor torque for this event is transmitted to the controller of the automated transmission. The transmission controller ascertains and/or specifies a transmission shifting strategy on the basis of the transmitted data. There is also provided an apparatus for actuating an automated transmission, and also a test bench.
US08954238B2 Vehicle emergency evacuation device
An emergency evacuation device of a vehicle that executes an automatic vehicle stop control based on a command of a driver is disclosed. The emergency evacuation device comprises a driver's physiological condition estimation portion that estimates a driver's physiological condition; a driver's command input portion, operated by the driver, that receives a driver's command input and outputs a command of an execution of an automatic vehicle stop control in accordance with the command input; and an automatic vehicle stop control portion that executes the automatic vehicle stop control in response to the command from the driver's command input portion, wherein based on the driver's physiological condition estimated in the driver's physiological condition estimation portion, the structure of the driver's command input portion, for example, the arrangement of receptor(s) of the driver's command input portion receiving the command from the driver is changed.
US08954235B2 System and method for enhanced steering override detection during automated lane centering
A method and system may measure one or more vehicle steering measurements or quantities and calculate one or more expected vehicle steering measurements. The method and system may deactivate an automatic vehicle control system based on the one or more measured vehicle steering measurements and the one or more expected vehicle steering measurements. The vehicle steering measurements may include a vehicle steering angle measurement, vehicle steering torque measurement, or other vehicle dynamics measurements. The automatic vehicle control system may include an automated lane centering system, lane keeping assist, or other autonomous vehicle steering control system.
US08954229B2 Method of dynamically changing content displayed in a vehicular head unit and mobile terminal for the same
A method of dynamically changing content in a head unit mirroring a mobile terminal by dynamically changing content displayed in the mobile terminal, and a mobile terminal for the same, the method including receiving state information indicating a current state of a vehicle equipped with the head unit from the head unit, determining the content to be displayed in the head unit based on the state information and transmitting the determined content to the head unit.
US08954228B2 Gas turbine engine failure detection
A gas turbine engine control system is disclosed having a fault detection system capable of detecting a high N1 condition. N1 rotational speed is measured and, in two different locations, subtracted from a target N1 value and a requested N1 value. The resultant error values are scaled by a gain that is scheduled as a function of N2 rotational rate. Each error value is accumulated with separate integrators that have independent maximum and minimum limits. The integrators are reset based upon a number of conditions. A number of additional conditions must also be satisfied for the fault detection system to trigger a fault condition. If the additional conditions are satisfied and the integrators are accumulating values, then a fault condition is set if either or both integrators accumulate a value that reaches a selected limit.
US08954227B2 User configurable scan tool
A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, the processor receiving a selected information of a user and configuration of the diagnostic tool through the input device and correlating the configuration information with the user information, the processor processing the received diagnostic data according to the selected configuration information corresponding to the selected user by the input unit, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing the configuration information according to the corresponding user information, and a display unit receiving and displaying diagnostic information according to the selected stored configuration information according to the user.
US08954225B2 Remote monitoring of a plurality of vehicles
A method for remotely monitoring and gathering information about a plurality of vehicles, including the steps of accessing the plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle is individually operated, selecting vehicle data from the plurality of vehicles, communicating the vehicle data from the plurality of vehicles to a remote processor, and processing the plurality of vehicle data into population data by the remote processor. The individual operation of each vehicle preferably includes the steps of generating vehicle data, operating the vehicle based on the vehicle data with a vehicle controller, and storing the vehicle data in a database located on the vehicle.
US08954218B2 Method and apparatus for streamlined remote telematics authorization
A vehicle system providing a temporary validation authorization request for one or more processors configured to transmit a signal from the vehicle system to a server once the one or more processors are installed in the vehicle. Once the server receives the installation signal, the processor may receive an in-vehicle authorization message from the server. The in-vehicle authorization message may be accepted by a user-input acceptance transmitted to the server. The system may determine temporary validation authorization if it is determined that the user accepted the in-vehicle authorization message within a predetermined amount of time following transmission of the signal to the server indicating that the processor was installed. Once authorized, the system may initialize to allow for assembly line testing. The temporary validation authorization initializes the vehicle system for temporary communication with the server while on a vehicle manufacturing assembly line for testing to ensure a quality product.
US08954217B1 Determining when to drive autonomously
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to determining whether an autonomous vehicle should be driven in an autonomous or semiautonomous mode (where steering, acceleration, and braking are controlled by the vehicle's computer). For example, a computer may maneuver a vehicle in an autonomous or a semiautonomous mode. The computer may continuously receive data from one or more sensors. This data may be processed to identify objects and the characteristics of the objects. The detected objects and their respective characteristics may be compared to a traffic pattern model and detailed map information. If the characteristics of the objects deviate from the traffic pattern model or detailed map information by more than some acceptable deviation threshold value, the computer may generate an alert to inform the driver of the need to take control of the vehicle or the computer may maneuver the vehicle in order to avoid any problems.
US08954214B2 Motor assembly
A motor assembly comprises an electric power train that is adapted to be connected to a power source and is also adapted to impart a torque to a wheel when the motor assembly is operating. The assembly further comprises a power determination means adapted to determine the amount of power supplied from the power source to the electric power train when the motor assembly is operating. In addition, the assembly comprises a rotational speed determination means adapted to determine a rotational speed of the wheel when the motor assembly is operating. Moreover, the assembly comprises a torque determination means adapted to determine a command torque value indicative of a requested torque to the wheel.
US08954206B2 Unmanned aerial vehicle
The present disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) able to harvest energy from updrafts and a method of enhancing operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle with a gliding capability comprises a generator arranged to be driven by a rotor, and a battery, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle can operate in an energy harvesting mode in which the motion of the unmanned aerial vehicle drives the rotor to rotate, the rotor drives the generator, and the generator charges the battery. In the energy harvesting mode regenerative braking of the generator reduces the forward speed of the unmanned aerial vehicle to generate electricity and prevent the unmanned aerial vehicle from flying above a predetermined altitude.
US08954199B2 Home appliance that can operate in a time range
A home appliance can operate in a future time frame. Information is obtained from a power distributor in order to determine a time when to operate the home appliance in this future time frame. The home appliance then operates at the time determined with information from the power distributor.
US08954192B2 Navigating autonomous coverage robots
A method of navigating an autonomous coverage robot between bounded areas includes positioning a navigation beacon in a gateway between adjoining first and second bounded areas. The beacon configured to transmit a gateway marking emission across the gateway. The method also includes placing the coverage robot within the first bounded area. The robot autonomously traverses the first bounded area in a cleaning mode and upon encountering the gateway marking emission in the gateway, the robot remains in the first bounded area, thereby avoiding the robot migration into the second area. Upon termination of the cleaning mode in the first area, the robot autonomously initiates a migration mode to move through the gateway, past the beacon, into the second bounded area.
US08954182B2 Robot system
A robot system includes a manipulator; a work table arranged within a movement extent of the manipulator; an imaging unit for taking a two-dimensional image of the workpieces loaded on the work table; a workpiece supply unit for supplying workpieces onto the work table; and a control system for controlling operations of the manipulator and the imaging unit. The control system includes an imaging control unit for controlling the imaging unit to take the two-dimensional image of the workpieces loaded on the work table, a workpiece detecting unit for detecting a position and a posture of each of the workpieces loaded on the work table by comparing the two-dimensional image taken by the imaging unit with templates stored in advance, and a manipulator control unit for operating the manipulator to perform a work with respect to the workpieces detected by the workpiece detecting unit.
US08954179B2 Sine wave generating device, digital signal processor and audio output device
A sine wave generating device includes at least one adder configured to add two input signals thereof, at least one delay unit configured to delay an input signal thereof by one sample time and at least one multiplier configured to receive the delayed signal from the at least one delay unit, multiply the delayed signal by a coefficient and output the multiplied signal to provide to the at least one adder. The coefficient is arbitrarily set from outside the sine wave generating device.
US08954176B2 Expandable multimedia control system and method
A multimedia control system which may be expanded without creating or modifying source code. The system is based on a master programmable multimedia controller. The master programmable multimedia controller has a list of unique identifiers that indicate valid subordinate programmable multimedia controllers that are eligible to become part of the system. One or more subordinate programmable multimedia controllers having a matching unique identifier to a unique identifier on the master's list may be added to the system to provide additional control ports, increase audio or video processing or switching capacity. A method is provided for determining whether a particular subordinate programmable multimedia controller may be added to the system.
US08954172B2 Method and apparatus to process an audio user interface and audio device using the same
A method and apparatus to process a user-defined audio user interface (UI), and an audio device using the same. The method includes designating a specific portion of an audio signal being reproduced, using a specific input member, capturing audio data of the designated specific portion, mapping the captured audio data of the designated specific portion to information on the specific input member, and constructing an audio UI database using the audio data of the designated specific portion mapped to the information on the specific input member. Accordingly, by constructing an audio UI database by selecting sounds preferred by a user, demands of various users, which cannot be provided by existing MP3 players, can be satisfied.
US08954171B2 Analog/digital audio converter and a method thereof
An analog/digital audio converting apparatus enables listening to both digital and analog audio signals received from a digital receiving apparatus and analog audio signals input from an external source using the same receiver by providing a formatter capable of converting the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal with the digital broadcasting receiving apparatus.
US08954170B2 Power management unit with multi-input arbitration
In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
US08954169B2 Systems and methods for loading a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member
Exemplary systems and methods for loading a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member are described herein. An exemplary system may include a loading tool including a housing and a slider member disposed at least partially within the housing. The slider member may be slidable from a first position to a second position and configured to move a pre-curved electrode array from a curved configuration to a straightened configuration as it slides from the first position to the second position. The exemplary system may also include a straightening member configured to be inserted into the pre-curved electrode array. Corresponding methods are also described.
US08954158B2 Multi-electrode channel configurations
An apparatus and method optimizing complex channel configurations to produce minimal channel interactions is provided. The method includes selecting multiple channels from a channel configuration including a plurality of channels, each of the plurality of channels includes multiple electrodes. The method also includes measuring an interaction between selected channels and determining a significance of the measured interaction. The method further includes adjusting a focus of the channel configuration based on the significance of measured interaction, wherein the focus of the channel configuration is not adjusted if the interaction between the selected channels determined to be insignificant. The measuring, determining and adjusting is repeated until the interaction between the selected channels is determined to be insignificant or the magnitude of the interaction is determined to be minimized, thereby optimizing the channel configuration for the selected channels. Another set of channels from the channel configuration is selected and the measuring, determining, adjusting and repeating is performed for each set until full channel configuration is optimized.
US08954150B2 Side mount feedthrough system for sealed components
The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for manufacturing an encasement for a component of an implantable medical device having a main circuit board. The method includes forming an encasement aperture on a lateral side of the encasement. The lateral side of the encasement is adapted to be placed substantially parallel to a surface of the main circuit board. A feedthrough assembly is connected through the encasement aperture. The feedthrough assembly includes at least one terminal conductor at least partially passing through the encasement aperture.
US08954145B2 Animal and plant cell electric stimulator with randomized spatial distribution of electrodes for both current injection and for electric field shaping
An electric stimulator for heart, brain, organs and general cells with a random shape and position of electrodes which enhances its performance for breaking the symmetry. Two types of electrodes are introduced: type-1, or active electrodes are similar to prior art, while type-2, or passive electrodes have not been used in this context. Passive electrodes are electrically insulated, being unable to inject current in the surrounding medium, but they are capable of shaping the electric field, which has consequence on the path of the stimulating currents injected by type-1 electrodes.
US08954136B2 Implantable cardiac systems with baseline correction in response to noise detection
Implantable cardiac devices and methods of their use. A method of operation in an implantable cardiac device may include steps for characterizing detected events as noise or not noise, identifying a set of consecutive noise events or a threshold quantity of noise events in a set period of time and declaring a noisy series to have occurred. In response to the declaration of a noisy series, the method initiates a baseline correction algorithm. Devices for performing such methods are also disclosed.
US08954133B1 Spectroscopic detection of brain damage
The present invention provides a non-invasive device and method of detecting or evaluating brain damage in a living subject.
US08954130B2 Apparatus and method for irradiating a medium
A method for irradiating a medium includes irradiating the medium with an electromagnetic wave which is scattered in the medium and modulated in frequency at a position in the medium; obtaining information corresponding to an interference pattern generated by interference between the modulated electromagnetic wave and a reference wave; and generating a phase conjugate wave, based on the obtained information, which irradiates the medium.
US08954124B2 Roll-back cover for an electronic device
A protective roll-back cover for an electronic device is provided. The roll-back cover is suitable for use in association with an iPad®, Kindle®, Nook®, a cell phone, a reader, a tablet or other similar electronic devices. The device has a protective cover which rolls from a closed First Position A to an open Second Position B. In the closed First Position A, the screen of the electronic device is covered and protected. In the open Second Position B, the protective cover is rolled back into a storage area and a user may access the screen of the electronic device. The device further has a removable additional storage compartment(s), a rotatable stand, a sun screen and a movable storage area for storing a stylist.
US08954120B2 Cradling apparatus for portable communication device
Provided is a cradling apparatus for a portable communication device to allow the portable communication device to slide and be inclinedly cradled through pressurization. To this end, a cradling apparatus for a portable communication device includes a first housing, a second housing, and link portions provided between the first housing and the second housing to slide and inclinedly cradle the second housing. The apparatus further includes guide portions coupled to both sides of the first housing, guide members slidably coupled with the guide portions, hinge portions protruding from the guide members, the hinge portions being rotatably coupled with the second housing, and pressurizing portions provided on one ends of the hinge portions to pressurize the hinge portions and the guide members.
US08954118B2 Portable information system
An example portable information terminal has a used and an unused state and includes a wireless communication module configured to search for a predetermined access point at least when the portable information terminal operates in the unused state and a processor configured to, when the predetermined access point is detected, connect to the predetermined access point and perform a data communication process.
US08954115B2 Method and apparatus for informing a user through haptic signals
According to an embodiment, a computing device is provided that includes a receiver and a signal generator. The receiver may be configured to receive a user query for information regarding a received call or message. The user query may include a physical act performed on the computing device. The signal generator may be configured to generate a haptic signal indicating a response to the user query for the information regarding the call or message.
US08954113B2 Service provider activation with subscriber identity module policy
Systems and methods for activating a mobile device for use with a service provider are described. In one exemplary method, a mobile device having a currently inserted SIM card may be prepared for activation using a signing process in which an activation server generates a signed activation ticket encoded with SIM policy data that corresponds to the combination of the device and one of a number of SIM cards belonging to a set of SIM cards defined by the SIM policy data. The activation ticket is securely stored on the mobile device. In another exemplary method the mobile device may be activated in an activation process in which the device verifies an activation ticket against information specific to the device and SIM card in accordance with the SIM policy in the activation ticket, and initiates activation when the verification of the activation ticket is successful.
US08954111B2 Method and wireless device for reducing power consumption by transferring servicing of a SIM channel to a first radio system and at least partially shutting down a second radio system of the wireless device
A wireless device has at least a first radio system for a first SIM channel and a second radio system for a second SIM channel. A processing system is arranged to determine whether a first of the first and second radio systems is capable of providing service for both of the first and second SIM channels currently being serviced by the first and second radio systems respectively. Servicing of the second SIM channel is transferred from the second radio system to the first radio system if it is determined that the first radio system is capable of providing service for both of first and second SIM channels. At least a part of the second radio system is shut down to reduce the power consumed by the second radio system after servicing of the second SIM channel has been transferred.
US08954107B2 Method, apparatus, and system for reporting power headroom in a mobile communication system
A method, apparatus, and system for efficiently reporting Power Headroom (PH) for optimizing uplink coverage are provided. A method in which user equipment reports power headroom in a mobile communication system includes receiving Power Headroom Report (PHR) configuration information including a PH threshold value from a first base station, determining whether to perform a PHR trigger by comparing the PH value, which indicates the available transmission power of the user equipment, with the PH threshold value, and, when the PH value is less than the PH threshold value, transmitting, to the first base station, PHR-related report information including information corresponding to an influence caused by the scheduling of the first base station.
US08954095B2 Measurement system, moving-object-mounted terminal and data processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a measurement system includes a wireless relay device, a moving-object-mounted terminal and a data processor. The wireless relay device forms a wireless area for performing wireless communication. The moving-object-mounted terminal is mounted to a moving object within the wireless area. The moving-object-mounted terminal includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and a wireless unit. The GPS unit acquires positional data of the moving object and time data indicating the time when the positional data has been acquired by GPS. The wireless unit converts the positional data and the time data into a wireless signal, and transmits the wireless signal to the wireless relay device. The data processor receives the wireless signal from the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device, and calculates time required for the moving object to move a predetermined distance within the wireless area based on the positional data and the time data.
US08954083B1 System and method for preventing or allowing occurrence of a base station function
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for preventing or allowing a base station (BS) to perform a particular BS function are described. The BS and/or a base station controller (BSC) determine and compare a location of the BS to respective location(s) of one or more other BSs. The BS and/or BSC determine whether the BS location is at least a threshold distance respectively from each of one or more other BSs. If the BS location is at least a threshold distance respectively from each of one or more other BSs, the BS and/or BSC sets at least one parameter to prevent the BS from performing the particular BS function. If the BS location is less than the threshold distance respectively from at least one of the one or more other BSs, the BS and/or BSC sets at least one parameter to allow the BS to perform the particular BS function.
US08954082B2 Maintaining information facilitating deterministic network routing
In a wireless network that includes a plurality of nodes, a method of maintaining, by a first node, information regarding communications links between nodes in the wireless network includes: for each communications link that is established with another node, recording an identification of the other node; and for each message received by the first node from the other node through the communications link with the other node, recording a network pathway by which the message has been sent in the wireless network, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent. Another method includes recording, by a server, for each message that is received by the server from the wireless network, a network pathway by which the message has been sent, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent.
US08954062B2 Method for loading a list of preferred networks into a secure element contained in a mobile terminal
The invention relates to a method for loading a list of preferred networks into a secure element contained in a mobile terminal. The loading is accomplished when the secure element detects that it is in a roaming condition within a telecommunication network. The method consists of: i) asking (12) for an IP channel to be opened between the telecommunication network and the secure element, the request for opening originating with the secure element; ii) requesting (13) the loading of the list of preferred networks; iii) uploading (14) via the IP channel the list of preferred networks into the secure element; and iv) transmitting (16) a request by the secure element to the mobile terminal to use one of said preferred networks in said list.
US08954053B2 Method for link adaptation and apparatus thereof
A method for link adaptation includes: classifying a radio channel; setting a set of link adaptation modes; and selecting a corresponding link adaptation mode according to a radio channel type. An apparatus for link adaptation includes: a classification module for performing a classification on a radio channel; a setting module for setting a set of link adaptation modes; and a mode selection module for selecting a corresponding link adaptation mode from the setting module according to a radio channel type of the classification. The present invention accordingly selects effective link adaptation modes in accordance with different types of radio channels, and is able to ensure to implement the maximum system throughput in different fading channels and maintain the stable and reliable link quality.
US08954048B2 System and methods for multi-tasking in a clientless mobile phone
A method for supporting execution of a plurality of applications over a clientless mobile phone is disclosed. The method comprises displaying over a display of the mobile phone a menu of at least one application of a plurality of applications executed by a clientless mobile interaction (CMI) server, wherein the CMI server communicates the menu of the plurality of applications to the mobile phone using a USSD protocol; receiving an input responsive of a selection of one application of the at least one application displayed in the menu; communicating the selected application to the CMI server using the USSD protocol; receiving contents of the selected application from the CMI server using the USSD protocol; and displaying the received contents over the display of the mobile phone.
US08954041B1 System and method for ID platform
A system is provided. The system comprises a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application receives a plurality of first messages from a first plurality of handsets, each of the first messages indicating that one of the first plurality of handsets has installed a first ID, wherein the first ID is associated with a first ID provider, receives a second message from the first ID provider, the second message indicating that new content associated with the first ID is available, and in response to the second message, transmits a plurality of third messages, each of the third messages directed to one of the first plurality of handsets, indicating that new content associated with the first ID is available.
US08954039B2 Electronic device and electronic device control method
Disclosed are an electronic device and an electronic device control method that can use address information on the basis of an inputted string. The disclosed electronic device is provided with: a memory (44) that stores an address book that has names and address information; input keys (14) for inputting strings; a display unit (21) that displays both an input string inputted via the input keys (14) and a conversion candidate string which is a conversion candidate for the input string; a search execution unit (46) that searches the address book on the basis of an input string inputted via the input keys (14); and a control unit (45) that has the display unit (21) display, as a conversion candidate string, a name or address information that corresponds to the input string and was searched for by the search execution unit (46).
US08954036B2 Data arrival control server and method for notifying a communication terminal of a plurality of communication terminals of data arrival at a certain communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals
There are provided a data arrival control server and a data arrival control method, whereby in a case where an identical user uses plural communication terminals, even if a data-receiving terminal is powered off, it is made possible to know with another communication terminal that there is a data arrival at the data-receiving terminal. A data arrival notification unit 143 of a data arrival control server 10 notifies a data arrival notification target terminal 20 that there is the data arrival at a data-receiving terminal 30, when there is the data arrival at the data-receiving terminal 30.
US08954035B2 Wi-Fi authentication by proxy
In one example, a method may include a telecommunication service provider detecting that a cellular device is located within a transmission-receiving distance of an Internet router, determining that the cellular device is associated with a client device, transmitting stored authentication credentials for the client device to the Internet router, and the router registering the client device.
US08954033B2 Method of authorization for a cellular system
A method and entity of authorizing in a communication system are disclosed. The method includes using authorizing data to reference other data to define an authorization associated with the other data. The authorizing data includes one of a data component, data group, or data element. Further, a user profile can be provided and includes a user profile data component and an authorization data component. The authorization data component or the user profile data component references another authorization component. Access is authorized to data associated with the user profile data component in accordance with the authorization data component.
US08954029B2 Integrated services user part (ISUP)/ session initiation protocol (SIP) gateway for unlicensed mobile access (UMA) emergency services call flow
An ISUP/SIP gateway is implemented to encapsulate SS7 location requests from a switched telephone network into an Internet protocol SIP message including one or more location objects. The ISUP/SIP gateway is implemented between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIP positioning center (VPC) to provide support of unlicensed mobile access (UMA) voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call routing, e.g., for E9-1-1, 4-1-1, 2-1-1, etc. The disclosed location objects that are encapsulated into a SIP message includes calling party number, called party number, CGI, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), mobility indicator, and/or access point MAC address. At the SIP/ISUP gateway, SS7 integrated services user part (ISUP) location request messages are encapsulated within SIP. The SIP encapsulated location request message is then routed over the Internet to a destination VoIP positioning center (VPC).
US08954024B2 Full duplex wireless method and apparatus
A full duplex wireless system is employed for communicating data between an access point and a client. The full duplex wireless system includes a receive path configured to receive radio frequency data, including self interference, from an antenna and generates baseband output to a demodulator, the receive path includes a combiner that combines the received radio frequency with a self interference canceller path output to generate a combiner output. Further, a self interference tracking path is configured to receive the combiner output and to generate a self interference tracking path output, the self interference tracking path converts the combiner output to baseband and tracks the self-interference. Additionally, a self interference canceller path receives the self interference tracking path output and generates the self interference canceller path output that is at radio frequency (RF).
US08954022B2 Feedback receiver for antenna tuner calculations
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a feedback receiver comprising a threshold comparator configured to determine if the amplitude of a baseband signal is within a selection corridor (e.g., defined by an upper and lower threshold value). If the amplitude is within the selection corridor, a feedback receiver is configured to accumulate RF signal samples (e.g., amplitude and phase samples) over a time period. The accumulated RF signal samples, which correspond to substantially constant baseband amplitude values, are then averaged. The calculated averages are utilized for impedance measurements used tune an antenna tuner to limit impedance mismatch. By limiting RF amplitude and phase sample collection to associated baseband signals having an amplitude falling within the selection corridor, substantially equal average amplitudes and phases can be achieved over a relatively short measurement period (i.e., without the need for long measurement period).
US08954018B2 Tunable wideband distribution circuit
A tunable wideband distribution circuit for transmitting a wireless signal over a transmission line is disclosed. The tunable wideband distribution circuit may include a programmable gain buffer, wherein the gain of the programmable gain buffer is based at least in part on a frequency of the wireless signal. The tunable wideband distribution circuit may also include a tuning element configured to modify an effective impedance of the transmission line based at least on the frequency of the wireless signal, wherein the tuning element is electrically coupled to the transmission line.
US08954015B2 Method and device for performing logged measurement in wireless communication system
A method of performing a logged measurement in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes: receiving by a user equipment a measurement configuration from a network, wherein the measurement configuration includes a logging interval; detecting by the user equipment a mobility state of the user equipment; adjusting by the user equipment the logging interval on the basis of the detected mobility state; and logging by the user equipment a measurement by using the adjusted logging interval.
US08954014B2 Over-the air test
A testing system comprises a noise source coupled to at least two antenna elements. The noise source forms a total noise power on the basis of a total signal power received by the emulator, a gain of at least one antenna-specific channel between the emulator and the antenna elements, and a desired signal-to-noise ratio. The noise source transmits noise at the total noise power from the at least two antenna elements to the device under test wirelessly.
US08954011B2 Method and system for a wireless integrated test and measurement device
Aspects of a method and system for a wireless integrated power test and measurement are provided. In this regard, concurrently with receiving a first signal via a first antenna, a second signal that indicates received signal strength of the first signal may be generated and transmitted via a second antenna. The second signal may be utilized to determine performance of the first antenna. A frequency of the generated second signal may be controlled so as to mitigate interference between the transmitted second signal and the received first signal. The first signal may be formatted in accordance with one or more first wireless standards and the second signal may be formatted in accordance with one or more second wireless standards. The received signal strength of the first signal may be determined via an analog-to-digital converter and the second signal may be updated at the sample rate of the analog-to-digital converter.
US08954010B2 Spectrum management system for municipal spectrum using guided cognitive radio
Described is a system and method for assigning a frequency to an access point in a wireless network comprising a plurality of access points. The system and method includes accessing a rule-base to obtain a set of rules for the wireless network, accessing a license database to obtain information about relevant wireless nodes in a region, creating a list of possible primary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with primary wireless nodes in the license database, creating a list of possible secondary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with secondary wireless nodes in the license database, identifying a list of clear frequencies from a set of unused frequencies, selecting a frequency from frequencies in the lists of possible primary node frequencies, possible secondary node frequencies, and clear frequencies and registering the frequency in the license database.
US08954007B2 Systems and methods for low power short range wireless device communication scanning
The present invention relates to a system and method for improving scanning in a low energy Bluetooth device. The host configures a scan interval length, and a scan window length. The scan window length is equal to or shorter than the scan interval length. Next, a link layer initiates a scan interval, and also generates a random delay. The random delay may be anywhere between zero and the difference between the scan window length and the scan interval length. The link layer waits for the delay to complete before scanning is performed by the transceiver. The transceiver scans for the duration of the scan window. After scanning, the system waits for the end of the scan interval before the link layer generates a subsequent randomized delay and the transceiver again scans for the duration o the scan window. This process may continue indefinitely until a connection is established. In some embodiments, the scan window may be subdivided into a number of sub-windows, each preceded by a randomized delay. In some embodiments, the scan window may be interrupted for other high priority radio procedures. In other embodiments, the link layer may identify these radio usage conflicts, and may recalculate the random delay in order to avoid the conflict entirely.
US08954006B2 Computer to vehicle wireless link
A wireless data link system between a vehicle having a vehicle controller and a computing device having a computing processor is provided. The wireless data link system includes a vehicle data link (“VDL”) device and a computing data link (“CDL”). The VDL device has a VDL controller, a VDL memory, and a VDL interface circuitry. The VDL interface circuitry provides a connection to the vehicle controller for exchanging data. The VDL memory stores a passcode that provides a secure connection and a VDL recognizable code that is associated with the VDL device. The CDL device has a CDL controller, a CDL memory, and CDL interface circuitry. The CDL interface circuitry provides a connection to the computing processor for exchanging data.
US08954000B2 Real-time signal validation method and system
Systems and methods for real-time signal validation are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a subset of terminals in a peer group of satellite terminals is determined. Operational statistics of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is measured. Operational statistics of each of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is compared to a prior measurement of the same operational statistics. An offset between a current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined. An average offset of the current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined for the subset of terminals. The average offset for the subset of terminals is merged with a previously determined peer group operational statistic. A signal validation of a terminal is performed using an updated deviation value.
US08953997B2 Print system and method for monitoring print jobs
A print system including a print engine for printing a receiving material, a plurality of holders, each for holding one type of receiving material and delivering said material for printing to the print engine, a receiver for receiving jobs, a job being an order containing printing information on one or more types of receiving material specified in said order, and a control system for planning jobs, wherein the jobs are placed in a print queue in a sequence of finishing, and the control system is adapted to establish: a) the types of receiving material specified for a set of different jobs in the print queue, b) a shortage of a type of receiving material if there is insufficient receiving material present in the plurality of holders in order to finish a job of the said set, c) an indication of the time when said type of receiving material is no longer present in the plurality of holders, and wherein the print system further comprises a unit for displaying an image adapted to show an operator of the print system the items established under b) and c) by the control system.
US08953987B2 Development device, and process cartridge and image forming apparatus including same
A development device includes a development casing, a developer bearer, a first developer conveyance member to supply developer to the developer bearer, a second developer conveyance member to transport developer axially, and a partition dividing an interior of the development casing into a supply channel and a collecting channel via which developer received from a downstream end portion of the supply channel is forwarded to an upstream end portion of the supply channel. The supply channel includes a conveyance area and a buffer area disposed adjacent to the conveyance area in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction to temporarily retain developer and midway in the developer conveyance direction inside the supply channel, and an upstream end face defining an upstream end of the buffer area is inclined relative to the axial direction to draw away from the conveyance area downstream in the developer conveyance direction.
US08953986B2 Powder container, powder conveying apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A powder container includes: a powder containing unit which has an opening portion formed at one end portion thereof, contains a powder therein, and is formed of a flexible material; a discharging unit which is provided in the end portion provided with the opening portion, is fixed to a powder conveying apparatus, and discharges the powder delivered from the opening portion out to the powder conveying apparatus; and a portion to be locked which is provided in an end portion opposite to the opening portion and is locked to a locking portion of the powder conveying apparatus while a delivery member is biased in a direction opposite to the movement direction. When the delivery member is pressed inward from the outside of the powder containing unit so as to move toward the opening portion, the powder is delivered out from the opening portion.
US08953980B2 Member mounting structure and image forming apparatus
A member mounting structure includes: a removable member mountable to and removable from an apparatus body upon application of a moving force in a first direction; a moving member that moves the removable member in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the removable member is moved in the first direction to be mounted to the apparatus body to dispose the removable member at a mounting position with respect to the apparatus body; a restriction member that restricts movement of the removable member at the mounting position toward a removal side in the first direction; and a suppression member that is mountable to and removable from the apparatus body when moved in the first direction and that suppresses movement of the removable member at the mounting position toward a restriction removing side in the second direction for removal of restriction imposed by the restriction member.
US08953978B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotary member which rotates with respect to an apparatus main body between a first position and a second position; and a buffering member connected to the apparatus main body and the rotary member for buffering an impact attributable to the rotation of the rotary member. The buffering member includes: a hollow member; a movable member moveable between an evacuation position and an advance position; and a slide member provided to the movable member and contactable with an inner circumferential surface of the hollow member. The slide member is deformable such that a first pressure on the hollow member when the rotary member rotates from the first position to the second position is larger than a second pressure on the hollow member when the rotary member rotates from the second position to the first position.
US08953974B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus comprising: an upstream side unit which discharges a conveyed developer from a discharge port; a downstream side unit which receives the developer discharged from the discharge port from a receiving port located at a position opposite to the discharge port; and a sealing member which includes a multiple layer with an elastic member and a sheet material alternately stacked and is nipped between the upstream side unit and the downstream side unit to seal a periphery of the discharge port and the receiving port, wherein at least one of the upstream side unit and the downstream side unit is detachably attachable to an apparatus body.
US08953971B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charge roller, a cleaning brush and a distance changing mechanism. The charge roller includes a surface having protrusions and depressions and to electrically charge the image carrier. The cleaning brush includes a brush part cleaning the surface of the charge roller and a main body part supporting the brush part. The brush part includes a top end part and a belly part being nearer to the main body part than the top end part. The distance changing mechanism changes a distance between the charge roller and main body part so that, by adjusting the distance to a first distance, the top end part contacts with the depression and, by adjusting the distance to a second distance shorter than the first distance, the belly part contacts with the protrusion.
US08953968B2 Air-bearing photoreceptor backer bar for eliminating transfer streaks
An apparatus for eliminating transfer streaks in a printing system is provided and comprises a hollow transfer backer bar including sealed ends. The transfer backer bar further includes a plurality of holes with the holes spaced along the photoreceptor supporting surface of the transfer backer bar. Air pressure can be applied within a hollow transfer backer bar thereby creating an air flow outward through the holes. The air flow contacts the underside of a photoreceptor and floats the photoreceptor on a thin cushion of air flow during transfer of an image to paper.
US08953962B2 Image forming apparatus to transfer toner
An image forming apparatus may include a first and second mode. In the first mode, the image forming apparatus uses a second charging member to charge toner that remains on an intermediate transfer member and then transfers the charged, remaining toner to an image carrier in a primary transfer portion. In the second mode, the image forming apparatus transfers the remaining toner adhered to the second charging member in the first mode to the intermediate transfer member. Also in a second mode, the image forming apparatus controls so that a surface potential of the image carrier that reaches the primary transfer portion at a timing at which the remaining toner transferred to the intermediate transfer member passes through the primary transfer portion has a same polarity as that of a surface potential of the image carrier in the first mode and also has an absolute value smaller than that thereof.
US08953961B2 Toner adhesion measuring device, toner adhesion measuring method, and image forming apparatus
A device includes a laser source configured to irradiate a toner image on a bearing member with light, a base extracting unit configured to extract a base area of a reflection waveform of light reflected from the toner image irradiated by the laser source, and a toner adhesion computing unit configured to compute the amount of toner adhesion in the toner image in accordance with a change in position of the base area of the reflection waveform.
US08953954B2 Monitoring device system, image forming apparatus, and monitoring device method
A monitoring device system that includes a user apparatus, including a monitoring device application, and an image forming apparatus. The user apparatus includes an application information sending unit configured to send application information corresponding to the monitoring device application to the image forming apparatus, and a notice information control unit configured to acquire information about the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a display unit configured to display an application information item corresponding to the received application information from the user apparatus, and a communication control unit configured to send the information about the image forming apparatus to the user apparatus in response to a user selecting the displayed application information item at the image forming apparatus.
US08953953B2 Coherent optical receiver, apparatus and method for detecting inter-channel skew in coherent optical receiver
In a coherent optical receiver, sufficient demodulation becomes impossible and consequently receiving performance deteriorates if an inter-channel skew arises, therefore, a method for detecting inter-channel skew in a coherent optical receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes the steps of: outputting a plurality of optical signals separated into a plurality of signal components by making a test light from a test light source interfere with a local light from a local light source; detecting the optical signals and outputting detected electrical signals; quantizing the detected electrical signals and outputting quantized signals; performing a fast Fourier transform process on the quantized signals; and calculating a difference in propagation delay between the plurality of signal components on the basis of a plurality of peak values in the results of performing the fast Fourier transform process.
US08953951B1 Fast chromatic dispersion estimation
This disclosure describes the Fast Chromatic Dispersion Estimation (FCDE) techniques which corrects for chromatic dispersion in high data rate optical communications systems such as some coherent optical communications systems. FCDE may utilize transform such as fast-Fourier transforms to estimate the chromatic dispersion. From an estimation of the chromatic dispersion, the techniques may determine filter tap coefficients for compensating the chromatic dispersion.
US08953949B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting high-level QAM optical signals with binary drive signals
Methods and apparatus for power-efficiently and reliably transmitting high-level quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) optical signals using binary drive signals. Even though binary signals are used to drive a QAM modulator directly, without digital-to-analog conversion, the methods and apparatus disclosed allow the transmission of pilot symbol sequences having near optimal properties, such as a constant power profile in the time domain; a mean power that is approximately the same as the mean power of the data symbols; and roughly uniform amplitude in the frequency domain for non-zero frequency components of the pilot symbol sequence. The binary drive signals can be processed so that the modulated optical signals are selectively constrained to a subset of points of the QAM constellation to form a QAM constellation with reduced size and a mean power that is approximately the same as the mean power of the original QAM constellation.
US08953947B2 Bandwidth efficient dual carrier
In some examples, a transmit assembly is described that may include a first optical transmitter, a second optical transmitter, and a polarizing beam combiner. The first optical transmitter may be configured to emit a first optical data signal centered at a first frequency. The second optical transmitter may be configured to emit a second optical data signal centered at a second frequency offset from the first frequency by a nominal offset n. The polarizing beam combiner may be configured to generate a dual carrier optical data signal by polarization interleaving the first optical data signal with the second optical data signal. An output of the polarizing beam combiner may be configured to be communicatively coupled via an optical transmission medium to a polarization-insensitive receive assembly.
US08953937B2 Arrangement for generating a signal having an adjustable time position or phase position
The invention relates to a system for producing a signal having a variably adjustable time position or phase position, comprising at least one light source for producing a first light component (2) having a first wavelength and a second light component (2′) having a second wavelength deviating from the first wavelength and a phase modulator (5) for varying a phase of the first light component (2), wherein the system is designed to produce a beat note signal by superposing the two light components (2, 2′) and has a common optical fiber (4) for coupling in both light components (2, 2′), wherein furthermore the phase modulator (5) is arranged at an end or in the course of said optical fiber (4) and is transparent to both light components (2, 2′) and is designed to vary the phase of the first light component (2) selectively independently of a phase of the second light component (2′) or more intensely than the phase of the second light component (2′). The invention further relates to a use of such a system.
US08953930B2 System and method for personal video recording
A system and method for personal video recording (PVR) is provided for recording digitally encoded streams, and for playing back and decoding the recorded streams. The PVR system may receive the digitally encoded streams from a digital cable box or a network server. The system enables trick modes including fast forward and reverse mode displays at various speeds. The system an method for PVR may also be applied to digitally encoded streams without I-pictures, such as, for example, progressive refresh streams or HITS streams. Reverse decode and display may be implemented by starting at a suitable entry point, decoding quickly up to the point of the desired picture, and displaying the result, and repeating the process. Index tables of entry points may be used for proper operation in some modes where the entry points are entry pictures (E-pictures) which start a pattern of progressively refreshing I-slices.
US08953923B2 Traverse module
A traverse module includes a frame, a guiding shaft, an optical module, a cover, and a conductive member. The guiding shaft is mounted to the frame. The optical module is slidably mounted to the guiding shaft, and the optical module is capable of generating high frequency electrical signals which cause electro magnetic interference. The high frequency electrical signals are capable of flowing to the guiding shaft. The cover is grounded, the cover covers the frame. The conductive member projects from the cover and tightly clamps the guiding shaft, and the high frequency electrical signals generated by the optical module can flow to ground by using the conductive member.
US08953922B1 Fiber ribbon strain relief clamp
An apparatus for clamping and relieving strain in a set of optical fiber ribbon. The strain relief clamp includes a first attachment portion and second attachment portion configured to secure the strain relief clamp to a system component and a set of optical fiber ribbons to the strain relief clamp. When secured the strain relief clamp is configured to relieve strain in the set of optical fiber ribbons.
US08953914B2 Light diffusing fibers with integrated mode shaping lenses
A method including the steps of providing a light-diffusing optical fiber (12a) having a glass core (20), a cladding (40) surrounding the core (20), and a plurality of nano-sized structures in the form of voids (32) situated within said core (20) or at a core-cladding boundary; cleaving the light-diffusing fiber (12a), thereby forming a cleaved end face (66); and applying energy to one or more of 1) the cleaved end face (66) and 2) the light-diffusing fiber (12b) along a portion of the length thereof adjacent the cleaved end face (66), the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids (32) exposed at the cleaved end face (66), leaving a sealed cleaved end face (68). A lens may then be attached to the sealed cleaved end face (68), or the sealed cleaved end face (68) may be softened sufficiently to induce formation of a lensing surface such as a convex lensing surface (60) on the sealed end face (68).
US08953910B2 Proof reading of text data generated through optical character recognition
A method includes preparing respective proof reading tools for performing carpet proof reading and side-by-side proof reading of text data, recording a log of time to perform proof reading operations by using the first and second proof reading tools. The method further includes estimating, based on times stored in a log, times to perform proof reading of a character using 1) the first proof reading tool followed by using the second proof reading tool, and 2) the second proof reading tool. The method further includes determining for each character value, based on the estimated times, to use the first proof reading tool along with using the second proof reading tool or to use the second proof reading tool without using the first proof reading tool.
US08953905B2 Rapid workflow system and method for image sequence depth enhancement
Movies to be colorized/depth enhanced (2D→3D) are broken into backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined into composite frame which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting/reshaping. Colors/depths are automatically applied with masks throughout a scene from the composite background and to motion objects. Areas never exposed by motion or foreground objects may be partially or fully realistically drawn/rendered/applied to the occluded areas and applied throughout the images to generate artifact-free secondary viewpoints during 2D→3D conversion. Iterative workflow is eliminated for simple artifact correction through real-time manipulation of images to avoid re-rendering of images and associated delays of sending work product to other workgroups for correction.
US08953900B2 Increased quality of image objects based on depth in scene
Systems, methods, and software for operating an image processing system are provided herein. In a first example, a method of operating an image processing system is provided. The method includes identifying object pixels associated with an object of interest in a scene, identifying additional pixels to associate with the object of interest, and performing an operation based on a depth of the object in the scene on target pixels comprised of the object pixels and the additional pixels to change a quality of the object of interest.
US08953895B2 Image classification apparatus, image classification method, program, recording medium, integrated circuit, and model creation apparatus
The image classification apparatus extracts first features of each received image (S22) and second features of a relevant image relevant to each received image (S25). Subsequently, the image classification apparatus obtains a third feature by calculation using locality of the extracted first and second features, the third feature being distinctive of a target object of each received image (S26), and creates model data based on the obtained third feature (S27).
US08953893B2 System and method to determine feature candidate pixels of an image
A system and method of processing an image is disclosed. A particular method of determining whether a particular pixel of an image is a feature candidate includes receiving data corresponding to a subset of a plurality of pixels surrounding the particular pixel. Each of the plurality of pixels may be from the image. The method further includes excluding the particular pixel from consideration as a feature candidate based on a comparison of values of the data to a comparison value. The comparison value may be based on an attribute value of the particular pixel and a threshold attribute value.
US08953892B2 Efficient inner product computation for image and video analysis
A computationally efficient approach to determining inner products between feature vectors is provided that eliminates or reduces the need for multiplication, and more specifically, provides an efficient and accurate basis selection for techniques such as Orthogonal Matching Pursuit.
US08953879B2 System, method and medium performing color correction of display images
A system, method and medium correcting a display image. The system includes a parameter calculation module to calculate a plurality of parameters required for a transform of a first image, based on a plurality of characteristic differences between the first image and a second image, into which the first image is to be transformed to visually match the second image, a first characteristic transform module to transform a first characteristic of the first image using the plurality of calculated parameters, the transformation resulting in an unrelated change to a second characteristic of the first image, and a second characteristic restoration module to restore the second characteristic changed by the transforming of the first characteristic.
US08953873B2 Method for objectively evaluating quality of stereo image
A method for objectively evaluating quality of a stereo image is provided. The method obtains a cyclopean image of a stereo image formed in the human visual system by simulating a process that the human visual system deals with the stereo image. The cyclopean image includes three areas: an occlusion area, a binocular fusion area and a binocular suppression area. Representing characteristics of the image according to the singular value of the image has a strong stability. According characteristics of different areas of the human visual system while dealing with the cyclopean image, the distortion degree of the cyclopean image corresponding to the testing stereo image is presented by the singular value distance between cyclopean images respectively corresponding to the testing stereo image and the reference stereo image, in such a manner that an overall visual quality of the testing stereo image is finally evaluated.
US08953871B2 Method and system for adjusting depth values of objects in a three dimensional (3D) display
A method of setting a plurality of depth values of a plurality of objects in a scene. The method comprises providing an image dataset depicting a scene comprising a plurality of objects having a plurality of depth values with a plurality of depth differences thereamong, selecting a depth range, simultaneously adjusting the plurality of depth values while maintaining the plurality of depth differences, the adjusting being limited by the depth range, and instructing the generation of an output image depicting the scene so that the plurality of objects having the plurality of adjusted depth values.
US08953869B2 Apparatus and methods for inspecting extreme ultra violet reticles
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for inspecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle is disclosed. An optical inspection tool is used to obtain a phase defect map for the EUV reticle before a pattern is formed on the EUV reticle, and the phase defect map identifies a position of each phase defect on the EUV reticle. After the pattern is formed on the EUV reticle, a charged particle tool is used to obtain an image of each reticle portion that is proximate to each position of each phase defect as identified in the phase defect map. The phase defect map and one or images of each reticle portion that is proximate to each position of each phase defect are displayed or stored so as to facilitate analysis of whether to repair or discard the EUV reticle.
US08953860B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus may include an obtaining unit to obtain a number of users from information on detection of a face region including a face in a captured image provided at the apparatus. The apparatus also may include a setting unit to set a display region for content and a display region for a captured image in a display screen; and a display image generation unit to generate a display image to be displayed in the display region for a captured image, in accordance with the information on the detection, the number of users, and the display region set for a captured image.
US08953858B2 Methods and systems for analyzing, prioritizing, visualizing, and reporting medical images
Methods and systems for retrieving and processing medical diagnostic images are provided, comprising using picture analysis prioritization visualization and reporting system (“PAPVR system”) to determine whether each of one or more images from an image database or imaging device is of medical interest to a reviewing physician, determine whether one or more of the images is representative of the images, and provide the one or more images to a display and analysis system for review by a reviewing physician. The PAPVR system can provide the one or more images with a Key Image that is representative of the images. In addition, the PAPVR system can detect whether a patient suffers from a particular ailment, and provide a reviewing physician quantitative information that is relevant to the patient's condition.
US08953854B2 Contactless 3D biometric feature identification system and method thereof
The present invention discloses a contactless 3D biometric feature identification system and the method thereof. The system comprises of a fixed-viewpoint image capturing means, a lighting module capable of producing different illuminations on the object of interest and a microprocessor configured to execute a biometric identification algorithm. The algorithm starts with capturing a plurality of images with different illuminations. The captured images are then utilized to reconstruct a three dimensional surface model. Different features, for instance 2D and 3D coordinates and orientations of the biometric feature, surface curvature of the object and the local surface orientation of the object, are extracted from the captured images and the reconstructed 3D surface model. Different matching scores are also developed based on the aforesaid features to establish the identity of the biometric features.
US08953849B2 Method and system for biometric recognition
High quality, sharply focused images of an iris and the face of a person are acquired in rapid succession in either sequence by a single sensor and one or more illuminators, preferably within less than one second of each other, by changing the sensor settings or illumination levels between each acquisition.
US08953840B2 Vehicle perimeter monitoring device
An imaging means mounted on a vehicle performs imaging resulting in grayscale images having brightness values corresponding to object temperature, and objects around the vehicle are detected from said images. On the basis of said grayscale images, display images to be displayed on a display device mounted on the vehicle are generated and displayed on the display device. The display images are generated by lowering the brightness of areas not corresponding to the objects detected in the grayscale images. The display device is positioned in the vehicle width direction at no more than a prescribed distance away from an imaginary line passing through the center of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, because display images are generated in which only the objects are spotlighted, the driver can quickly comprehend the objects present when using a display device.
US08953839B2 Recognition object detecting apparatus
A recognition object detecting apparatus is provided which includes an imaging unit which generates image data representing a taken image, and a detection unit which detects a recognition object from the image represented by the image data. The imaging unit has a characteristic in which a relation between luminance and output pixel values varies depending on a luminance range. The detection unit binarizes the output pixel values of the image represented by the image data by using a plurality of threshold values to generate a plurality of binary images, and detects the recognition object based on the plurality of binary images.
US08953835B2 Mobile terminal and method for forming human network using the same
A mobile terminal and a method of forming a human network using the same are provided. The method for forming a human network includes selecting a person of interest from an image; selecting a relay person from the first stored image to which information about the selected person of interest is relayed through facial recognition; and acquiring the personal information for the selected person of interest from a mobile terminal of the selected relay person.
US08953832B2 Audio output device and video/audio output device using the same
An audio output device including a casing, a first speaker component, a second speaker component and a sound-guiding board, and a video/audio output device using the same are disclosed. The first speaker component is a circular speaker, and is disposed at the casing. The first speaker component faces towards a first direction. The second speaker component is disposed at the casing, and faces towards a second direction which is different from the first direction. The sound-guiding board is a square plate body, located above the first speaker component, and is separated at a predetermined distance from the first speaker component.
US08953830B2 Horn loudspeaker and a sound source
A horn loudspeaker, in particular for reproducing bass sound in public address systems, in which the horn (23) is mounted directly to the driver element (21) without any intervening compression chamber. The back side of the driver element (21) is covered by a back chamber (24) designed with walls of a semi-permeable material. The walls may be perforated or made of a “leaky” material such as cell foam with open structure, or a fibrous material. The “leaky” back chamber will prevent the build up of high pressures in the back chamber at large cone excursions. The horn loudspeaker is suitable for stacking in groups of two or more, so as to produce a sound source scalable for reproducing any frequency range heard by humans in public address systems or hi-fi systems. Due to the back chamber design, the horn loudspeaker, for high frequencies especially in conical horn shaped versions, can be stacked close together. Thus, a sound source including a number of such closely stacked loudspeakers can provide a homogeneous sound field covering a wide area even at high audio frequencies.
US08953826B2 System, method and apparatus for television speaker configuration
An application for present invention includes a television with a set of speaker outputs including at least a left speaker and a right speaker. On screen displays are used to properly configure the speakers and assure maximum audio quality from the television. In some embodiments, a cross-point switch connects the speakers attached to the television with the correct outputs of an internal amplifier.
US08953825B2 Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus including a speaker and a control method thereof which controls the speaker to output a sound wave adjusted according to an installation condition of the display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a signal processor which processes an image signal and an audio signal; a display unit which displays an image corresponding to the image signal processed by the signal processor; a speaker which outputs a sound wave corresponding to the audio signal processed by the signal processor; and a controller which controls the signal processor to adjust the sound wave corresponding to the audio signal to an adjustment value according to an installation condition of the display apparatus.
US08953820B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting volume using distance sensors
An electronic device includes a volume adjustment activating module, a distance detection module, and an adjusting module. The volume adjustment activating module is configured for activating the distance detection module to measure distances between a volume adjusting member and the distance detection module. The distance detection module includes at least one distance sensor, the at least one distance sensor is configured for detecting distances between the volume adjusting member and the distance detection module to obtain a plurality of distance measure values. The adjusting module is configured to adjust a volume of the electronic device according to the distance measure values.
US08953816B1 Method and apparatus to dynamically configure a vehicle audio system
A vehicle audio system senses the availability of a wireless audio device in or near a vehicle, and uses logic circuitry to identify a device-specific record from among many records available in a memory. The identified record contains data codes from the available wireless audio device and from a software application running on the device. Upon identifying the data code record, the system downloads a copy of an alternate software application selected from the memory and configures the alternate software application to process data from the wireless audio device. The system provides a user the option to play sound from the vehicle speakers or play sound from the wireless audio device.
US08953812B2 Voice signals improvements in compressed wireless communications systems
Improvements in voice signals transmitted within communication systems are obtained by use of adaptive filters, front and rear microphones, noise cancelling systems and other means and methods. Disclosed embodiments include the use of directional microphones, primary inputs, secondary inputs, adaptive weight generators, canceller outputs to improve signal to noise ratios and other communication attributes.
US08953800B2 Method for transporting low-bit rate information
A method is presented that uses steganographic codeword(s) carried in a speech payload in such a way that (i) the steganographic codeword(s) survive compression and/or transcoding as the payload travels from a transmitter to a receiver across at least one diverse network, and (ii) the embedded steganographic codeword(s) do not degrade the perceived voice quality of the received signal below an acceptable level. The steganographic codewords are combined with a speech payload by summing the amplitude of a steganographic codeword to the amplitude of the speech payload at a relatively low steganographic-to-speech bit rate. Advantageously, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables (i) steganographic codewords to be decoded by a compliant receiver and applied accordingly, and (ii) legacy or non-compliant receivers to play the received speech payload with resultant voice quality that is acceptable to listeners even though the steganographic codeword(s) remain in the received speech payload.
US08953794B1 Apparatus and method for securing beacons
A short-range communication tag includes a transmitter, a clock circuit providing a clock value and a memory containing a unique identification value. The tag further includes a processor which generates encryption keys with a period of K seconds and combines the unique identification value with the encryption key, according to a predetermined encryption method, to generate an obfuscated unique identification value. The tag further includes a short-range transmitter to transmit the tag identification value.
US08953790B2 Secure generation of a device root key in the field
Methods and systems for secure key generation are provided. In embodiments, during the manufacturing process, a device generates a primary seed for the device and stores the seed within the device. The device exports the device primary key to a secure manufacturer server. The secure manufacturer server generates a public/private root key for the device and requests a certificate for the public root key of the device from a certificate authority. The device, having the stored primary seed, is integrated into an end-user system. Upon occurrence of a condition, the device after integration into the end-user system generates the public/private root key in the field. The system also receives and installs the certificate for the public root key.
US08953786B2 User input based data encryption
Systems and methods for securing data by a user input based data encryption are described. In one aspect of the invention, the method may include receiving an authentication string from a user to authenticate access to the application. On successful authentication of the user, the data to be secured is obtained from the user. The obtained data is then secured by encryption, which results in generation of a private key. The private key is then associated with the authentication string to form a first secure key. The first secure key is stored with the encrypted data in a data file. The data file is then transferred to a server associated with the application. The data file in the server is further encrypted to generate a second secure key.
US08953780B2 Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device including a first section, a second section and a connecting section. The first section has a user input section and a first tubular housing member. The first tubular housing member forms e majority of opposite exterior lateral sides of the first section. The second section has a display and a second tubular housing member. The second tubular housing member forms a majority of opposite exterior lateral sides of the second section. The connecting section movably connects the second section with the first section. The first tubular housing member at least partially houses the user input section. The second tubular housing member at least partially houses the display.
US08953779B2 Piezoelectric user interface
An apparatus includes a touchscreen keypad and one or more devices that generate a tactile response to a user of the apparatus when a key in the keypad is pressed. In order accomplish a simple construction requiring a minimum of space, the one or more devices that generate that tactile response may include at least one piezoelectric element configured to generate vibration which is forwarded to the user in response to a key of the touchscreen keypad being pressed.
US08953774B2 Apparatuses, methods and systems for accessing a new customer service representative and for monitoring customer service
This disclosure details the implementation of methods, systems and computer program products for a customer satisfaction engine (CSE). Embodiments of the CSE allow callers to key in customer satisfaction data using a rating system and/or to change customer service representatives (CSR) during the course of a customer service call rather than after the call has ended. Caller generated ratings may be stored in a database in association with the respective CSR profile for later access, analysis, and/or review. CSE embodiments may also allow customers to log in to a website and view operations made by the CSR as a service call progresses. CSE systems may provide for improved customer service and allow companies improved efficiency, monitoring and reporting of CSR performance.
US08953768B2 Call-handling rules
Call-handling rules may be provided. A user interface may access a plurality of information associated with a user and provide functionality for creating a plurality of rules based on the information. An incoming call intended for the user may be received and processed according to the created rules.
US08953767B2 Managing group of location based triggers
A location-based triggering system and method allow location-based triggers to be created and associated with POI, landmark, and/or location-based information categories comprised of a plurality of POIs, landmarks, and/or location-based information, POI, landmark, and/or location-based information sub-categories, as well as POI, landmark, and location-based information searches. A trigger is created, where the trigger comprises trigger criteria. At least one POI, landmark, and/or location-based information database containing a plurality of POIs, landmarks, and/or location-based information data is monitored for a match between the trigger criteria and at least one POI, landmark, and/or location-based information category. If a match exists, the trigger is activated, thereby executing a related action or event. Furthermore, additional search criteria can be combined with the trigger criteria to enhance the LBT process.
US08953762B1 Telephone system, apparatus, and method for providing enhanced privacy features
A telephone system for enhanced privacy management includes a telephone switch, a rejected call handler, a user preference database, and an internet app privacy manager, whereby an incoming call can be assigned to a calling class, and routed according to a calling rule associated with the calling class. Using an interactive voice response menu or an application portal, the user can assign callers to calling classes and specify call handling rules and schedules. A rejected call handler includes a voice interface, a switch control, a voicemail, interactive voice response, call progress simulator, in-message options, in-call options, post-call options, and other components. Further disclosed is a method for determining a calling rule, including determining the caller id status, querying a calling rules table, and determining a calling rule.
US08953758B2 Terminating a call according to reverse signaling data
An incoming call is communicated to a first endpoint and a second endpoint. A call redirection message comprising a redirection number is received from the first endpoint, and it is determined whether the first endpoint should be disconnected from the call according to the redirection number. The call is disconnected from the first endpoint if the redirection number indicates that the call should be disconnected.
US08953757B2 Preloading contextual information for applications using a conversation assistant
Usage data associated with a user of a telephonic device is accessed by a remote learning engine. A service or a product is identified by the remote learning engine based on the accessed usage data. A recommended voice bundle application is determined by the remote learning engine. A recommendation associated with the recommended voice bundle application is transmitted to the telephonic device. The recommendation is presented to the user through voice communications. One or more input parameters associated with the recommended voice bundle application is collected by the telephonic device. The user through voice communications has accepted the recommendation determining is determined. In response to determining that the user has accepted the recommendation, the one or more input parameters to the recommended voice bundle application are loaded by the telephonic device, and the recommended voice bundle application is executed by the telephonic device.
US08953748B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring power consumption value of DSL subscriber board
A method and an apparatus for monitoring a power consumption value of a DSL subscriber board in real time are provided. The method includes: monitoring a working state of each subscriber port on the DSL subscriber board, the number of subscriber ports in each working state, and an output power of each LD subunit in an LD unit on the DSL subscriber board; and calculating a power consumption value of the DSL subscriber board in real time according to a monitoring result and preset electrical parameters of each functional unit.
US08953744B2 Radiation image detecting device and method for detecting start of irradiation
An FPD, being offline from an X-ray source, detects X-ray irradiation from the X-ray source to detect an X-ray image. The FPD includes pixels arranged in two dimensions, scan lines corresponding to respective rows of the pixels, signal lines corresponding to respective columns of the pixels, and switching elements provided to the respective pixels to allow performing accumulation operation or readout operation. At least one of the pixels is used as a detection pixel to detect a start of the X-ray irradiation. First and second voltage signals are obtained successively through the signal line to which the detection pixel is connected. The start of the X-ray irradiation is judged based on a difference between the first and second voltage signals.
US08953740B2 X-ray device and X-ray sensitive camera for panoramic tomography and 3D shots
The invention relates to an X-ray device comprising an x-ray sensitive camera for creating tomograms, especially panoramic tomograms. Means for creating 3D shots of a partial volume of the mandibular arch are also provided, said 3D shots being created especially by a second image receiver for creating a 2D shot and means for taking a plurality of 2D shots from different directions and creating a 3D shot therefrom, preferably according to conebeam technology with the associated reconstruction algorithms. The x-ray sensitive camera comprises a first x-ray sensitive image receiver for creating a tomogram, and a second x-ray sensitive image receiver for creating plane shots.
US08953739B2 Image processing apparatus and X-ray CT system
An image processing apparatus and X-ray CT system, having a tracheal bifurcation area extraction part, for extracting the tracheal bifurcation area from an X-ray image and a tracheal bifurcation identification part, for identifying the tracheal bifurcation from the tracheal bifurcation area.
US08953738B2 Method and apparatus for inspecting honeycomb structure
Obtaining computer-tomography images of a first section at a distance Z1 from one end surface 112d of a honeycomb structure 100 and a second section at a distance Z2 larger than the distance Z1 from the end surface 112d of the honeycomb structure, determining the existence/nonexistence of a plugging portion 114 in at least one of the plurality of passages based on the computer-tomography image of the first section, determining the existence/nonexistence of the plugging portion in the at least one passage based on the computer-tomography image of the second section, and determining the length of the plugging portion based on the result of determination of the existence/nonexistence of the plugging portion based on the computer-tomography image of the first section and the result of determination of the existence/nonexistence of the plugging portion based on the computer-tomography image of the second section.
US08953733B2 Method for joint configuration of nuclear power plant fuel
A method for joint configuration of nuclear power plant fuel includes the following steps: (S1) for at least one operating unit, based on an equilibrium cycle or transition cycle reactor core design, at least one new fuel element is added to at least one operating unit; (S2) after running a combustion cycle, and on basis of the new fuel elements in step (S1), more first spent fuel elements are obtained from the at least one operating unit than are obtained from the equilibrium cycle or transition cycle reactor core design, and said first spent fuel elements are kept in reserve; (S3) for at least one new starting unit, a scheduled number of new fuel elements, as well as the first spent fuel elements obtained for reserve in step (S2), are set in the first reactor cores of at least one new starting unit.
US08953732B2 Nuclear reactor internal hydraulic control rod drive mechanism assembly
A control rod drive system for a nuclear reactor that employs hydraulic cylinders to operate a conventional plunger/gripper drive system to incrementally move control rods into and out of the core of a reactor. The pressure differential for driving hydraulic pistons within the cylinders is obtained from the difference in pressure between the outside and inside of the core barrel of the reactor and control of the pistons is obtained from external solenoids attached to the reactor control system. The external solenoids regulate a charging pump feed to Poppet valves that control the hydraulic feed to the cylinders. A hydraulic piston/cylinder drive is also provided for the shutdown rods which operate in either an all in or out of the core condition.
US08953731B2 Method of producing isotopes in power nuclear reactors
In a method of producing isotopes in a light water power reactor, one or more targets within the reactor may be irradiated under a neutron flux to produce one or more isotopes. The targets may be assembled into one or more fuel bundles that are to be loaded in a core of the reactor at a given outage. Power operations in the reactor irradiate the fuel bundles so as to generate desired isotopes, such as one or more radioisotopes at a desired specific activity or stable isotopes at a desired concentration.
US08953730B2 Auto frequency calibration for a phase locked loop and method of use
A phase locked loop includes a phase difference detector configured to receive a reference frequency and a divider frequency and output a phase difference signal. The phase locked loop includes a code generator configured to receive the reference frequency and the phase difference signal, and output a coarse tuning signal and a reset signal. The phase locked loop includes a digital loop filter configured to receive the phase difference signal and output a fine tuning signal. The phase locked loop includes a voltage control oscillator configured to receive the coarse and fine tuning signals, and output an output frequency. The phase locked loop includes a divider configured to receive the reset signal, a divider number control signal and the output frequency, and output the divider frequency. The phase locked loop includes a delta-sigma modulator configured to receive a divisor ratio and the reset signal, and output divider number control signal.
US08953719B2 Signal detector, signal detection method, and communication terminal apparatus
There is provided a signal detector which includes a correlation emphasis unit configured to generate correlation emphasis signals corresponding to the respective fixed intervals, an autocorrelation matrix generation unit configured to generate an autocorrelation matrix, a noise power estimation unit configured to estimate noise power in the correlation emphasis signals, a noise power matrix generation unit configured to generate, a noise power matrix having noise power components, a noise removal unit configured to remove an influence of noise from the autocorrelation matrix, an eigenvalue calculation unit configured to calculate an eigenvalue of the autocorrelation matrix from which the influence of noise has been removed by the noise removal unit, and a signal judgment unit configured to determine whether a signal transmitted from an external apparatus is included in the received signals.
US08953718B2 Energy-saving receiver assembly for the wireless reception of data
A receiver assembly for the wireless reception of data that are modulated onto a carrier signal includes an analog receiver, an evaluating device and a control device. The control device controls the receiver by means of sampling pulses such that the receiver is activated during the sampling pulses and is ready to receive transmission signals and is deactivated during the sampling pauses. The evaluating device generates a data bit sequence from the received signals that are supplied by the receiver during the sampling pulses. The control device is further designed to actuate the receiver between phases having differing sampling frequency ranges in dependence on at least one predefined switching criterion.
US08953705B2 User equipment apparatus and method for feeding back channel state information in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting a Channel State Information (CSI) reporting at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a rank indicator (RI) and a first type precoding matrix indicator (PMI) to a base station (BS) according to a first CSI feedback type; transmitting a second type PMI to the BS according to a second CSI feedback type, wherein the RI and the first type PMI are jointly coded, and transmitted through a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), wherein the RI and the second type PMI are not jointly coded, and transmitted through the PUCCH, wherein a transmission period of the first type PMI is different than a transmission period of the second type PMI, and wherein the transmission period of the first type PMI is longer than the transmission period of the second type PMI.
US08953686B2 Image encoding/decoding apparatus and method
Provided is an image encoding/decoding apparatus and method. The image encoding apparatus may include a motion vector prediction unit to perform a prediction with respect to an arbitrary motion vector of a current block within an image, using at least one of vector information of a motion vector corresponding to an adjacent block and vector information of a previous motion vector of the current block, and a differential determination unit to determine differential information of a motion vector of the current block based on the motion vector predicted in the motion vector prediction unit and an actual motion vector of the current block.
US08953684B2 Multiview coding with geometry-based disparity prediction
Described herein is technology for, among other things, multiview coding with geometry-based disparity prediction. The geometry-based disparity prediction involves determining corresponding block pairs in a number of reconstructed images for an image being coded. The reconstructed images and the image represent different views of a scene at a point in time. Each corresponding block pair is projected on the image. This enables determination of disparity vector candidates. For each coding block of the image, a predicted disparity vector is determined based on the disparity vector candidates. Then, the predicted disparity vector may be utilized to obtain the bits to be encoded. The geometry-based disparity prediction reduces the number of encoded bits.
US08953674B2 Recording a sequence of images using two recording procedures
A sequence of images received from a camera is recorded according to a first procedure. The images are analyzed to identify events of interest, and upon identifying an event of interest, an area of interest of a plurality of said images is identified. The identified area is recorded according to a second procedure.
US08953669B2 Decision feedback equalizer
A decision feedback equalizer that can operate at higher speed is provided. The decision feedback equalizer includes a weighting addition circuit (adder 21, coefficient units Tap1a, Tap2 to Tapn) that sums an input signal to weighted versions of feedback signals FB1 to FBn, n being an integer not less than 2. The decision feedback equalizer also includes a decision circuit 11 that decides whether or not the result of addition by the weighting addition circuit is not less than a defined threshold value and that outputs the result of the decision to outside and to a shift register (latch circuits L2 to Ln). The decision circuit operates in synchronism with a clock signal. The shift register sequentially holds the result of decision of the decision circuit 11 in synchronism with the clock signal, and outputs the contents held by its component registers as feedback signals FB2 to FBn. The decision feedback equalizer includes a decision circuit 12 that decides whether or not the result of addition by the weighting addition circuit is not less than a defined threshold value and that outputs the result of decision as feedback signal FB1. The second decision circuit operates in synchronism with the clock signal.
US08953664B2 Method, equipment, system, and program product for activating DSL
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for activating a DSL. The method includes: sending, by a central office equipment, a sync frame period indication message to a customer premises equipment, where a sync frame period indicated by the sync frame period indication message is smaller than a specified sync frame period threshold; receiving a reply message sent by the customer premises equipment in response to the sync frame period indication message, where the reply message indicates whether the customer premises equipment accepts the sync frame period indicated by the sync frame period indication message; and if the reply message indicates that the customer premises equipment accepts the sync frame period, performing, by the central office equipment, vectoring training by using a corresponding sync frame within the sync frame period. The embodiments of the present invention further provide corresponding equipments, a system, and a program product.
US08953652B2 Method and apparatus for differentially controlling population inversion in gain medium
A method and apparatus are operative to control the desired level of population inversion in a gain medium having an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectrum which is characterized by distinct short- and long-wavelength regions. The control is realized by the apparatus configured to determine a relationship between the regions of the ASE spectrum represented by respective frequencies which are filtered by respective frequency discriminators. The apparatus includes a controller operative to process the filtered frequencies by determining a relationship between amplitudes of the respective filtered frequencies which represents a measured level of population inversion. Upon mismatch between the measured level and desired level of the population inversion, a control signal is coupled into a pulse generator or pump or both. In response, the pulse generator may output a pulse, or/and the pump may be completely shut down to lower the level of the measured inversion.
US08953648B2 Fiber laser pumping configuration and method
The invention is an apparatus and method for free space pumping of active double-clad fiber based lasers and amplifiers. The apparatus comprises a laser emitting a signal laser beam; an active double-clad fiber having a core defining an optical axis of the apparatus and a pump cladding defining a cone of numerical aperture; an optical arrangement directing the signal laser beam along the optical axis through the core of the active double-clad fiber; at least one pump source emitting a pump beam; at least one delivery means coupling the pump beam to the pump cladding of the active double-clad fiber; and an optical arrangement coupling the amplified signal laser beam exiting the active double-clad fiber out of the apparatus.
US08953642B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting a downlink reference signal in a wireless communication system supporting multiple antennas
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for transmitting a downlink reference signal in a wireless communication system that supports multiple antennas. A method for transmitting channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RS) for two or more antenna ports according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: mapping the CSI-RSs for the two or more antenna ports in predetermined patterns on a data region of a downlink subframe: an transmitting the downlink subframe mapped with the CSI-RSs for the two or more antenna ports, wherein the predetermined patterns are defined as patterns differing by a cell, and the different patterns may be defined as the predetermined patterns being shifted in a temporal range, frequency range, or a temporal range and a frequency range.
US08953641B2 Methods and apparatus for multi-carrier communications with variable channel bandwidth
Methods and apparatus for multi-carrier communication with variable channel bandwidth are disclosed, where the time frame structure and the OFDM symbol structure are invariant and the frequency-domain signal structure is flexible. In one embodiment, a mobile station, upon entering a geographic area, uses a core-band to initiate communication and obtain essential information and subsequently switches to full operating bandwidth of the area for the remainder of the communication. If the mobile station operates in a wide range of bandwidths, the mobile station divides the full range into sub-ranges and adjusts its sampling frequency and its FFT size in each sub-range.
US08953625B2 Applying backpressure to a subset of nodes in a deficit weighted round robin scheduler
A scheduler in a network element may include a dequeuer to dequeue packets from a set of scheduling nodes using a deficit weighted round robin process, where the dequeuer is to determine whether a subset of the set of scheduling nodes is being backpressured. The dequeuer may set a root rich most negative credits (MNC) value, associated with a root node, to a root poor MNC value, associated with the root node, and set the root poor MNC value to zero, when the subset is not being backpressured, and may set the rich MNC value to a maximum of the root poor MNC value and a root backpressured rich MNC value, associated with the subset, and set the root poor MNC value to a root backpressured poor MNC value, associated with the subset, when the subset is being backpressured.
US08953623B1 Predictive network services load balancing within a network device
In general, techniques are described for performing load balancing across resources of a network device. In one example, upon receiving an initial packet, a load balancer module of the network device is configured to perform a lookup in a routing table based on a subscriber identifier associated with the initial packet, and determine whether a line card is pre-assigned to process the initial packet based at least in part on the lookup result. A packet forwarding engine is configured to when one of the line cards is pre-assigned, direct the initial packet to the pre-assigned line card, and, when one of the line cards is not pre-assigned, dynamically identify one of the line cards to process the initial packet based at least in part on header information of the initial packet, and direct the initial packet to the dynamically identified line card.
US08953600B2 Telemetry data routing
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for routing telemetry data to one or more receivers. That is, telemetry data, such as activity data associated with a network device (e.g., a switch, a router, etc.), may be routed to one or more receivers in-flight (e.g., while the telemetry data is being processed by a network device, as opposed to being stored within a storage device for processing). In one example, telemetry data may be forked into a first telemetry data stream for a first receiver, a second telemetry data stream for a second receiver, and/or other telemetry data streams. Respective telemetry data streams may be formatted according to a receiver destination policy. In this way, one or more telemetry data streams, forked from the telemetry data in-flight, may be delivered to one or more receivers in-flight.
US08953598B2 Method and system for determining the existence of broadcast and multicast frames buffered in an access point
A method and a system for determining the existence of broadcast/multicast frames buffered in an access point (AP) are used to avoid wakening a station (STA) unnecessarily. The method includes: when receiving broadcast/multicast frames sent from a service network and/or multicast group, an AP sets a broadcast/multicast indication bit that associates the service network and/or multicast group to the valid state and sends frames that carry the broadcast/multicast indication bit to a STA; the STA determines whether there are broadcast/multicast frames buffered in the AP according to the associated service network and/or multicast group and the received broadcast/multicast indication bit. Embodiments of the present disclosure also disclose an AP and a STA. The AP can identify whether there are broadcast/multicast frames buffered in an AP.
US08953597B2 Computing point-to-multipoint paths
An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) configured to communicate with a path computation client (PCC) and compute a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) path across an autonomous system (AS) domain. Also included is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a computation request for a P2MP path across a plurality of AS domains, attempting to calculate the P2MP path across the AS domains, thereby generating a computed path or a failure reason, and transmitting a reply comprising the computed path or an indication of the failure reason. Included is a method comprising exchanging a request message and a reply message about a P2MP path across an AS domain between a PCC and a PCE.
US08953593B2 Method for generating an address field, method and device for transmitting electronic message and data packet
A simple and flexible method for generating an address field for an electronic message involves forming first and second address part from a string with several characters, such that the second address part denotes those characters of an address whose value is determined by the corresponding character in the first address part and/or denote those characters of the address whose values are variable and generating an address field from the first and the second address parts.
US08953587B2 UE based CSFB enhancement
A mobile station for notification of a circuit switched event. The mobile station includes a circuit switched modem, a packetized data modem, a radio, and a tune away controller. The circuit switched communicates circuit switched data over a circuit switched network. The packetized data modem communicates packetized data over a packetized data network. The radio couples the packetized data modem to the packetized data network via a packetized data radio link, and couples the circuit switched modem to the circuit switched network via a circuit switched radio link. Only one of the links may be active at a time. The tune away controller is coupled to the circuit switched modem and to the packetized data modem, and indicates tune away events over the packetized data network so that the circuit switched event is processed by the mobile station. The tune away controller directs switching between the links.
US08953583B2 Method and system for selective call forwarding based on media attributes in telecommunication network
A method of forwarding a call based on media attributes of the call in a telecommunications network is disclosed. The call forwarding services includes call forwarding based on SDP attributes, media-based partial call forwarding and partial call forwarding to multiple destinations. The method comprises comparing parameters of SDP with call forwarding parameter of the user, obtaining a match between one of the SDP parameters and the call forwarding parameters, sending a REFER message in case of partial call forwarding, multiple REFER messages in case of partial call forwarding to multiple destinations to network of calling user, and forwarding the call to other terminals as specified in the call forwarding parameters. The call forwarding based on media attributes enables a served user to forward communications based on media attributes conveyed over SDP for an IMS/SIP user.
US08953579B2 Frequency duplication mode for use in wireless local area networks (WLANs)
In generating a physical layer (PHY) frequency duplication mode data unit for transmission via a communication channel, a preamble of the PHY frequency duplication mode data unit is generated. The preamble includes a signal field, and the preamble is configured so that a receiver can determine that the data unit is a frequency duplication mode-type data unit prior to decoding the signal field of the preamble. A payload of the PHY frequency duplication mode data unit is generated, and the PHY frequency duplication mode data unit is transmitted.
US08953567B2 System and method for utilizing IP-based wireless telecommunications client location data
A location provision facility communicates with a mobile telecommunications device over an IP-based telecommunications network to obtain information that enables the facility to determine a location of the telecommunications device. The facility and/or the telecommunications device store the determined location. In response to requests from location-based applications for the location of the telecommunications device, the facility can provide the location-based applications with the stored or calculated location.
US08953565B1 Providing adaptive network access
A method, system, and medium are provided for adaptively providing network access to mobile devices. The mobile devices have a first interface for a wireless access network and a second interface for a personal area network. The wireless access network connects the mobile devices to a base station, and the personal area network connects the mobile device to other mobile devices that are part of the personal area network. Wireless access conditions are generated by the base station and communicated over the wireless access network to mobile devices that generate network access requests. Additionally, the mobile devices may transmit the wireless access conditions over the personal are network to other mobile devices that are within a predetermined distance. The mobile devices detect that the wireless access conditions in the wireless access network have degraded and adaptively select alternate routes to complete the network access requests.
US08953563B2 Method and system for multi-layer beamforming
A base station includes a reference signal sequence generator configured to generate a reference signal sequence for each of n antenna ports using one initialization seed, n being a positive integer. The base station also includes n spreaders. Each spreader corresponds to a respective one of the n antenna ports and is configured to receive a respective reference signal sequence for the respective antenna port from the reference signal sequence generator and spread the respective reference signal sequence using a respective Walsh code. The base station further includes n resource element mappers. Each mapper corresponds to a respective one of the n antenna ports and is configured to receive a respective spread reference signal sequence from a respective spreader and map the respective spread reference signal sequence to a set of reference signal resource elements corresponding to a respective antenna port.
US08953557B2 Roaming method for a mobile terminal in WLAN, related access controller and access point device
A roaming method for a mobile terminal in a wireless local area network is disclosed. In the method, a target access point (AP) device receives an access request for roaming from the mobile terminal, and a target access controller (AC) obtains mobility information of the mobile terminal in an original extended service set based on the access request, wherein the mobility information include information of an AP device, an AC and a mobile agent server associated with the mobile terminal. Then the target AC determines whether the roaming for the mobile terminal is an inter-IP subnet roaming or an intra-IP subnet roaming based on the obtained mobility information. The target AC performs mobile IP based handover when the roaming is determined as the inter-IP subnet roaming and performs Inter Access Point Protocol based handover when the roaming is determined as the intra-IP subnet roaming.
US08953547B2 Power-saving TDMA MAC for wireless body area networks
A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize a reservation-based power saving polling (RESP) MAC protocol for communication. The RESP MAC can be configured to provide methods for emergency event handling of both bursty data and streaming data.
US08953539B2 Method for updating carrier information in a broadband wireless access system
The present invention relates to a broadband wireless access system, and more particularly, to a method in which a terminal acquires and updates global carrier configuration information of base stations in a network, and to an apparatus for performing the method. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method in which a terminal acquires carrier configuration information in a broadband wireless access system that supports multiple carriers comprises the following steps; transmitting a first message containing a change count value of the carrier configuration information acquired by the terminal: receiving, from the base station and in response to the first message, a second message containing the current change count value of the carrier configuration information; and, if the change count value of the first message and the change count value of the second message are different from each other, receiving a third message containing current carrier configuration information and the current change count value from the base station.
US08953538B2 Network access method and system for machine type communications
The present invention provides a network access method and system for Machine Type Communications (MTC), wherein the method comprises the following steps: an MTC device sends a preamble to a base station; the base station sends a Random Access Response (RAR) to the MTC device; if the RAR does not contain a temporary access resource assignment indication, the MTC device sends a Layer 2/Layer 3 message to the base station; otherwise, the MTC device re-attempts to perform network access; the base station sends a contention resolution message to the MTC device; if the contention resolution message contains a self-identification contained in the Layer 2/Layer 3 message sent by the MTC device, the network access is completed; if the contention resolution message contains the temporary access resource assignment indication, the MTC device re-attempts to perform the network access; otherwise, the MTC device attempts to perform the network access using the originally used access resource again. According to the present invention, it is enabled to dynamically and quickly perform assignment and release of MTC access resources based on actual access resource collisions, which thereby avoids waste of uplink resources in a semi-static configuration, reduces the possibility of collision, and protects normal access of non-MTC devices.
US08953528B2 Apparatus and method for ambient noise adaptation in wireless sensor networks
Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for adapting wireless sensor network device operation to ambient RF noise. An example embodiment includes: initializing a noise threshold value to a default value; detecting an ambient RF noise level on a plurality of channels of a wireless network device; if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is above the noise threshold value, adjusting the noise threshold value by an increment and retesting the ambient RF noise level on the plurality of channels; if the noise threshold value exceeds a pre-determined maximum noise threshold value, suspending data communications by the wireless network device; and if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is below the noise threshold value, retaining the noise threshold value and enabling data communications by the wireless network device.
US08953514B2 System and method for wireless communication of uncompressed video having beacon design
A system and method for efficiently communicating messages over a low-rate channel between multiple devices in a system for wireless communication of uncompressed video is disclosed. The method includes various control bits in a beacon control field of a beacon frame to improve the efficiency of the beacon processing, thereby reducing beacon processing time and size of the beacon frame itself. The transmitting device can use one or more of the various control bits to indicate whether there are changes in various MAC payload information fields. The receiving station can use one or more of the control bits to eliminate the need to parse one or more MAC payload information fields whose values have not changed from the previous beacon frame.
US08953507B2 Frequency and time domain range expansion
For range expansion, a determination to enter range expansion may be made based on a signal strength differential for user equipment (UE) communications between a first class of base stations and a second class of base stations. If the signal strength differential is beyond a certain threshold, range expansion may be implemented. In range expansion, a signal is transmitted, on a resource coordinated with at least one of the first class of base stations, from one of the second class of base stations to the UE which could experience dominant interference from one of the first class of base stations if coordination were not performed. Transmission power may be reduced from one of the first class of base stations on that resource. The second signal may be transmitted within the region of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel.
US08953506B2 Time multiplexing for coexistence within multiple communication systems
Methods and apparatus permitting the coexistence of multiple communication links to distinct wireless systems in a client device are disclosed. A wireless device can interface with both a primary communications system and at least one distinct communications system by managing the coexistence of active communications with the multiple communication systems. The wireless device can initially configure communications with the primary communications system for dynamically reconfigurable time multiplexed operation having scheduled periods of inactivity. The wireless device can determine timing and scheduling of communications with the distinct communications systems and can schedule the communications with the distinct communications systems during periods of inactivity in the primary communications system. The periods of inactivity may be limited to the scheduled periods of inactivity or can include unscheduled periods of inactivity occurring during active periods of the time multiplexed operation. The device may also use data priorities of communications to override overlapping communication activity.
US08953503B2 Isolation measurement and self oscillation prevention in TDD-OFDM repeater for wireless broadband distribution to shadowed areas
A method for determining isolation status of the RF repeater is provided. A modem in the repeater registers with a base transceiver station (BTS). Uplink output levels of a donor RF transceiver are calibrated and stored in the modem. The modem is synchronized to a BTS transmission received at the donor RF transceiver and the synchronization information is provided to a server RF transceiver of the repeater. Isolation detection and measurement can then be performed between donor transmit antenna and receive server antenna of the RF repeater and the automatic gain control parameter of donor RF transceiver and server RF transceiver are adjusted based upon the isolation detection and measurement value. The isolation and detection can be implemented in a co-processor coupled to the donor and server transceivers.
US08953502B2 Receiver for receiving RF-signals in a plurality of different communication bands and transceiver
A receiver for receiving RF-signals in a plurality of different communication bands, each communication band including a receive frequency range and a transmit frequency range includes a plurality of receiving ports, a plurality of input circuits, a first inductor and a second inductor. Each receiving port is configured to receive RF-signals in a receive frequency range of a communication band. Each input circuit is connected to an associated receiving port for processing RF-signals applied to the receiving port. The first inductor is connected to a first group of input circuits and the second inductor is connected to a second group of input circuits, wherein the first group of input circuits and the second group of input circuits are disjunct. The receiving ports associated with the first group of input circuits are configured to receive RF-signals in a first group of communication bands, wherein in the first group of communication bands, none of the transmit frequency ranges overlap with one of the receive frequency ranges. The receiving ports associated with the second group of input circuits are configured to receive RF-signals in a second group of communication bands, wherein in the second group of communication bands, none of the transmit frequency ranges overlaps with one of the receive frequency ranges.
US08953500B1 Branch node-initiated point to multi-point label switched path signaling with centralized path computation
Techniques are described for establishing a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) label switched path (LSP) using a branch node-initiated signaling model in which branch node to leaf (B2L) sub-LSPs are signaled and utilized to form a P2MP LSP. The techniques described herein provides a scalable solution in which the number of sub-LSPs for which the source node or any given branch node need maintain state is equal to the number of physical data flows output from that node to downstream nodes, i.e., the number of output interfaces used for the P2MP LSP by that node to output data flows to downstream nodes. As such, unlike the conventional source node-initiated model in which each node maintains state for sub-LSPs that service each of the leaf nodes downstream from the device, the size and scalability of a P2MP LSP is no longer bound to the number of leaves that are downstream from that node.
US08953496B2 Detection of asymmetric network routes
Route asymmetry is detected in a network by running a route tracing program to trace routes between a first element of the network and a second element of the network. The route tracing program need be run at only a single network element, such as the first network element. Forward and reverse routes between the first and second network elements are identified as asymmetric if performance data from the route tracing program indicates a significant deviation from an expected monotonic characteristic as a function of time-to-live values of respective packets transmitted by the route tracing program.
US08953495B2 Methods and systems for provisioning logical circuits for intermittent use in a data network
A customer order is received for routing data for a time period. A logical circuit is provisioned through a first LATA, an IEC, and a second LATA. The logical circuit includes first variable communication paths that automatically reroute from a first set of switches to a second set of switches of the first LATA while maintaining the logical circuit, second variable communication paths to route the data through the second LATA, and fixed communication paths to route the data between the first LATA, the second LATA, and the IEC. The second set of switches forms a route associated with the first variable communication paths that is not predefined and that is dynamically defined at a time of automatic rerouting. The logical circuit is disconnected following the end of the time period.
US08953493B2 Setting method of field device and setting system of field device
A setting system of field devices may include a first communication path, a terminal device, a relay device, and a second communication path. The terminal device may include a receiving unit that receives an input operation of information, a first setting unit that performs the first setting for each of the field devices by transmitting information necessary for the first setting from the terminal device to each of the field devices through the second communication path in response to the input operation received by the receiving unit, and a second setting unit that performs a second setting for the terminal device, the second setting being necessary with the first setting for each of the field devices in response to the input operation received by the receiving unit.
US08953491B2 System and method for providing wireless network configuration information
A portable computing device for configuring wireless network settings based on received network configuration information includes an input device configured to receive wireless network information from a network device independent of whether the portable computing device is connected to a wireless network that is implemented by the network device and a network configuration application for configuring one or more wireless network settings to initiate wireless network communication through the network device based on the received network information. The network configuration application is configured to facilitate communication of the received wireless network information to a client device. The network information may include a security key and may be entered into a client device either manually after being displayed on the portable computing device or by being transmitted to client device.
US08953476B2 Method and apparatuses for data transfer within a relay enhanced telecommunication network
A method for scheduling a first user equipment, UE, with a first performance causing a first self interference of a relay system between a first access link extending between the relay system and the first UE and a relay link extending between the relay system and a base station, BS, and scheduling a second UE with a second performance causing a second self interference of the relay system between a second access link extending between the relay system and the second UE and the relay link extending between the relay system and the BS. Thereby, if the first self interference is larger than the second self interference, the first performance is smaller than the second performance. Alternatively, if the first self interference is smaller than the second self interference, the first performance is larger than the second performance.
US08953472B2 Method for monitoring a network and network including a monitoring functionality
A method for monitoring a network, wherein the network has a connected graph topology, in particular a tree structure, including a plurality of monitoring nodes that collect network measurement data, a plurality of mediator nodes each performing at least the task of aggregating network measurement data received from different monitoring nodes and/or other mediator nodes, and at least one root entity that receives network measurement data and/or aggregated network measurement data from the mediator nodes, is characterized in that the aggregation of network measurement data is performed by condensing network measurement data into a summarized probabilistic data structure. Furthermore, a network including a monitoring functionality is disclosed.
US08953471B2 Counteracting spam in voice over internet protocol telephony systems
An approach is provided to detect a spam message transmitted over a packetized, network-based telephony system. A request to initiate a first voice communication session is received from a requestor. A voice communications session is established with the requestor over the computer network. An audible ringing tone is sent to the requestor over the established voice communications session. While the audible ringing tone is being sent, audio data that is received from the requestor is analyzed. If the analysis detects an audible message in the audio data, then the requestor is identified as a possible spam source. On the other hand, if the analysis fails to detect the audible message in the audio data then the established voice communications session is handled as a non-spam event.
US08953470B2 System and method for enhancing network stability by selectively controlling adjacency formation
A system and method for facilitating connecting a switch to a network to improve network performance. In an illustrative embodiment, the system includes a first module for determining when the switch is initially connected to a network and providing a signal in response thereto. A second module selectively forms adjacencies with peers of the switch in response to the signal and based on one or more predetermined parameters. In a more specific embodiment, the switch is a router or Layer-3 (L3) switch. The one or more predetermined parameters include a load factor, values pertaining to capabilities of a processor included in the router, bandwidth capabilities of the interface and/or the router, internal router queue counts, and so on. The router employs a routing protocol such as Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP). The second module throttles and adjacency-formation rate based on the predetermined parameters.
US08953466B2 Enhanced formation of mesh-type networks
An enhanced formation of mesh type networks supports an initial mesh formation by advertising additional information which specifies at least one of an association with other mesh stations and a channel environment at a concerned mesh station.
US08953458B2 Systems and methods for implementing a traffic visibility network
A method of packet processing, includes: providing a plurality of network appliances that form a cluster, wherein two or more of the plurality of network appliances in the cluster are located at different geographical locations, are communicatively coupled via a private network or an Internet, and are configured to collectively perform out-of-band packet processing; receiving a packet by one of the network appliances in the cluster; processing the packet using two or more of the plurality of the appliances in the cluster; and passing the packet to one or more network monitoring tools after the packet is processed.
US08953453B1 System and method for throttling service requests using work-based tokens
A system that provides services to clients may receive and service requests, various ones of which may require different amounts of work. An admission control mechanism may manage requests based on tokens, each of which represents a fixed amount of work. The tokens may be added to a token bucket at rate that is dependent on a target work throughput rate while the number of tokens in the bucket does not exceed its maximum capacity. If at least a pre-determined minimum number of tokens is present in the bucket when a service request is received, it may be serviced. Servicing a request may include deducting an initial number of tokens from the bucket, determining that the amount of work performed in servicing the request is different than that represented by the initially deducted tokens, and deducting additional tokens from or replacing tokens in the bucket to reflect the difference.
US08953451B2 Apparatus, methods, and systems for character set surveying of network traffic
Apparatus, methods, and systems for use in analyzing a flow of network traffic between a first network and a second network are provided. One example method includes scanning the network traffic between the first and second networks. The network traffic includes a plurality of data packets. The method includes determining a character set included in each of the plurality of data packets, and storing an indication of each character set included in each scanned data packet.
US08953449B2 Virtual subport data traffic management
A network element includes an ingress interface, a VSP queue, and a switch fabric (SWF). The ingress interface includes a first virtual subport (VSP) and a second VSP. The first VSP is configured to receive data traffic. The VSP queue is coupled to the second VSP such that data traffic transmitted to the VSP queue is transmitted from the network element via the second VSP. The SWF is configured to receive data traffic from the first VSP, determine whether an intended recipient of the data traffic is associated with the second VSP, and hairpin the data traffic to the VSP queue when the SWF determines that the intended recipient is associated with the second VSP.
US08953442B2 Congestion detection in a network interconnect
A method and system for detecting congestion in a network of nodes, abating the network congestion, and identifying the cause of the network congestion is provided. A congestion detection system may comprise a detection system, an abatement system, and a cauzation system. The detection system monitors the performance of network components such as the network interface controllers and tiles of routers to determine whether the network is congested such that a delay in delivering packets becomes unacceptable. Upon detecting that the network is congested, an abatement system abates the congestion by limiting the rate at which packets are injected into the network from the nodes. Upon detecting that the network is congested, a cauzation system may identify the job that is executing on a node that is the cause of the network congestion.
US08953437B1 Graceful restart for label distribution protocol downstream on demand
In general, techniques are described for performing a graceful restart for a computing network utilizing downstream on demand (DOD) label distribution. In one example, a method is provided that includes establishing a communication session for Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) that uses a downstream on demand label distribution mechanism for distributing labels. A first label mapping message is exchanged between two routers that defines at least a first label to be applied by an upstream router when forwarding one or more of the data packets to a destination. When the communication session fails, a forwarding state comprising the first label is preserved, and one or more data packets are forwarded based on the first label. The communication session is gracefully restarted. Once the communication session is reestablished, a second label mapping message is exchanged between the routers.
US08953435B2 Methods and systems for automatically tracking the rerouting of logical circuit data in a data network
An example method involves generating, without manual intervention, a table to store current reroute statistics based on rerouting of data from a logical circuit that has failed to a logical failover circuit in a network. The current reroute statistics include trap data corresponding to the logical circuit. The trap data includes a committed burst size. The logical circuit is identified by a first logical circuit identifier. The logical failover circuit is identified by a second logical circuit identifier. The first and second logical circuit identifiers are renamed until the logical circuit has been restored from failure. The table is updated, without manual intervention, to store updated reroute statistics. The updated reroute statistics include updated trap data corresponding to the logical circuit. The updated reroute statistics are based on a change in status of the logical circuit corresponding to a dropped frame when the committed burst size has been exceeded.
US08953428B2 Objective lens, optical head, optical disk device, and information processing device
Assuming that third-order coma aberration per unit angle generated by tilt of BD (60) in recording or reproducing information on or from BD (60) is CMDbd, third-order coma aberration per unit angle generated by tilt of CD (80) in recording or reproducing information on or from CD (80) is CMDcd, third-order coma aberration per unit angle generated by tilt of a compatible objective lens (8) in recording or reproducing information on or from BD (60) is CMLbd, and third-order coma aberration per unit angle generated by tilt of the compatible objective lens (8) in recording or reproducing information on or from CD (80) is CMLcd, a sine condition deviation amount (SCbd) in recording or reproducing information on or from BD (60) is expressed by CMDbd+CMLbd, a sine condition deviation amount (SCcd) in recording or reproducing information on or from CD (80) is expressed by CMDcd+CMLcd, and the sine condition deviation amount (SCbd) and the sine condition deviation amount (SCcd) satisfy SCbd>0 and SCcd<0.
US08953423B2 Disc cartridge and changer
There is provided a cartridge including a plurality of optical information recording media having unique information recorded thereon, an accommodation body configured to accommodate the plurality of optical information recording media, and an identification device configured to store the unique information of the plurality of optical information recording media and supply the unique information to a changer in a non-contact manner, the identification device being provided in the accommodation body.
US08953418B2 Timepiece
A timepiece includes two hands (14, 16) advancing in superposition to display a first item of information regarding the current time. On demand, by operating a control (17), one of the two hands moves relative to the first to display a second item of information regarding the current time, the two hands returning to a superposed position when the control is released.
US08953416B2 Electronic timepiece and control method for an electronic timepiece
An electronic device comprises a receiver configured to receive a satellite signal; a time generator configured to generate time; and a processor configured to selectively execute a first time correction processing or a second time correction processing. The first time correction processing includes acquiring time information based on the received satellite signal and correcting the time based on the acquired time information. The second time correction processing includes calculating the position of the electronic device based on satellite orbit information and the received satellite signal, and correcting the time based on the calculated position.
US08953413B2 Method and device for scaring birds acoustically, in particular for an aircraft
A device for acoustically scaring avian species includes means for emitting an acoustic sequence including the repetition of a combination of at least three categories of different synthetic signals, including warning signals representative of alert noises from birds of prey, interspecies distress signals, and taking-flight signals from various species representing beatings of wings.
US08953408B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a block decoder configured to output block selection signals for selecting memory blocks in response to a row address signal, a first memory block including a first drain select line, a first source select line, and a first word line group including a plurality of first word lines disposed between the first drain select line and the first source select line, the first memory block disposed between the block decoder and a first switching group, the first switching group configured to transmit first operating voltages to the first memory block in response to a first block selection signal among the block selection signals, and a first block word line configured to transmit the first block selection signal to the first switching group and disposed over the first memory block to avoid overlapping with the first word line group.
US08953398B2 Block level grading for reliability and yield improvement
A system for grading blocks may be used to improve memory usage. Blocks of memory, such as on a flash card, may be graded on a sliding scale that may identify a level of “goodness” or a level of “badness” for each block rather than a binary good or bad identification. This grading system may utilize at least three tiers of grades which may improve efficiency by better utilizing each block based on the individual grades for each block. The block leveling grading system may be used for optimizing the competing needs of minimizing yield loss while minimizing testing defect escapes.
US08953394B2 Semiconductor device capable of operating in both a wide input/output mode and a high-bandwidth mode
A logic chip and memory chip stacked over the logic chip, the logic chip having a first surface facing the memory chip and a second surface opposite to the first surface and including: first and second internal input/output circuit units for exchanging signals; first external input/output circuit unit for exchanging signals through first external input/output pads formed according to an external interface standard of a first memory over the second surface; and second external input/output circuit unit for exchanging signals through second external input/output pads formed according to an external interface standard of a second memory over the second surface, wherein semiconductor device operates in one of a first mode in which the first internal input/output circuit unit and the first external input/output circuit unit are enabled and a second mode in which the first and second internal input/output circuit units and the second external input/output circuit unit are enabled.
US08953393B2 Semiconductor device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor device may test a semiconductor memory device by storing a data sample that is sampled from among data requested to be written into a semiconductor memory device and by comparing the data sample with data read from the semiconductor memory device which corresponds to the data sample.
US08953388B2 Memory cell assembly including an avoid disturb cell
A memory array assembly and a method for performing a write operation without disturbing data stored in other SRAM cells are provided. The memory array assembly comprises a plurality of SRAM cells, a plurality of avoid-disturb cells, a plurality of sense amplifiers and a plurality of write drivers. The SRAM cells are arranged in rows and columns, wherein each column is coupled to an avoid-disturb cell, a sense amplifier, and a write driver. The avoid-disturb cell receives a select signal capable of assuming first or second states. An output of the sense amplifier is coupled to an input of the write driver when the select signal is in the first state. A data-in bus is coupled to the input of the write driver if the select signal is in the second state. The write driver then sends the output signal to the SRAM cell.
US08953383B2 Operating circuit controlling device, semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device is kept in a busy state by controlling a ready/busy pad when a detection signal is output since an external voltage is less than a reference voltage, prevents generation of an operating voltage by a pump circuit by preventing generation of a pump clock, and resets a microcontroller by preventing generation of micro clock. Accordingly, the semiconductor memory device may be prevented from malfunctioning through a series of operations when the external voltage is less than the reference voltage.
US08953380B1 Systems, methods, and apparatus for memory cells with common source lines
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for implementing memory cells having common source lines. The methods may include receiving a first voltage at a first transistor. The first transistor may be coupled to a second transistor and included in a first memory cell. The methods include receiving a second voltage at a third transistor. The third transistor may be coupled to a fourth transistor and included in a second memory cell. The first and second memory cells may be coupled to a common source line. The methods include receiving a third voltage at a gate of the second transistor and a gate of the fourth transistor that may cause them to operate in cutoff mode. The methods may include receiving a fourth voltage at a gate of the first transistor. The fourth voltage may cause, via Fowler-Nordheim tunneling, a change in a charge storage layer included in the first transistor.
US08953379B2 Apparatuses and methods of reprogramming memory cells
Apparatuses and methods for reprogramming memory cells are described. One or more methods for memory cell operation includes programming a number of memory cells such that each of the number of memory cells are at either a first program state or a second program state, the second program state having a first program verify voltage associated therewith; and reprogramming the number of memory cells such that at least one of the number of memory cells is reprogrammed to a third program state having a second program verify voltage associated therewith, wherein those of the number of memory cells having a threshold voltage less than the second program verify voltage represent a same data value.
US08953374B2 Programming based on controller performance requirements
Methods and solid state drives are disclosed, for example a solid state drive that is adapted to receive and transmit analog data signals representative of bit patterns of three or more levels (such as to facilitate increases in data transfer rates relative to devices communicating data signals indicative of individual bits). Programming of the solid state drive, comprising an array of non-volatile memory cells, might include adjusting the level of each memory cell being programmed in response to a desired performance level of a controller circuit.
US08953371B2 Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory cells each having a control gate that are formed on a well. The semiconductor storage device has a control circuit that applies a voltage to the well and the control gates.In an erase operation of the memory cell, the control circuit applies a first pulse wave of a first erasure voltage that rises stepwise to the well and then applies a second pulse wave of a second erasure voltage to the well.
US08953369B2 Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory using the same
According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element includes first and second magnetic layers and a first nonmagnetic layer. The first magnetic layer has an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and a variable magnetization. The second magnetic layer has an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and an invariable magnetization. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The second magnetic layer includes third and fourth magnetic layers, and a second nonmagnetic layer formed between the third and fourth magnetic layers. The third magnetic layer is in contact with the first nonmagnetic layer and includes Co and at least one of Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W.
US08953364B2 Voltage rail noise sensing circuit and method
Apparatus and methods level shift a direct current (DC) component of a voltage rail signal from a first DC level to a second DC level such that voltage rail noise can be determined. The actual voltage rail noise can be compared to an expected amount of noise for analysis and validation of simulation models. Such assessment can be used to validate simulation models used to refine a design of an integrated circuit or as part of built-in self test.
US08953359B2 Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell and a control circuit. The memory cell is such that a ferroelectric film is provided as a gate dielectric film. When data is stored in the memory cell, the control circuit applies a first voltage to the gate dielectric film and thereafter applies a second voltage, whose amplitude is smaller than that of the first voltage and whose polarity is opposite to that of the first voltage.
US08953354B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of driving semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory portion that includes i (i is a natural number) sets each including j (j is a natural number of 2 or larger) arrays each including k (k is a natural number of 2 or larger) lines to each of which a first bit column of an address is assigned in advance; a comparison circuit; and a control circuit. The i×j lines to each of which a first bit column of an objective address is assigned in advance are searched more than once and less than or equal to j times with the use of the control circuit and a cache hit signal or a cache miss signal output from the selection circuit. In such a manner, the line storing the objective data is specified.
US08953346B2 Converting circuit for converting input voltage into output current
A converting circuit for receiving an input voltage and generating an output current, including: a transistor, coupled to a supply voltage at a drain of the transistor, and a source of the transistor is coupled to a first voltage, and a gate of the transistor is coupled to the input voltage and a fixed voltage; and a resistor, coupled to the input voltage and the gate of the transistor, and the output current flows through the resistor, wherein the output current is related to the fixed voltage, the input voltage and the resistor.
US08953342B2 Systems and methods for regulating power conversion systems with output detection and synchronized rectifying mechanisms
System and method for regulating a power conversion system. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system includes a first controller terminal and a second controller terminal. The system controller is configured to receive at least an input signal at the first controller terminal, and generate a gate drive signal at the second controller terminal based on at least information associated with the input signal to turn on or off a transistor in order to affect a current associated with a secondary winding of the power conversion system. The system controller is further configured to, if the input signal is larger than a first threshold, generate the gate drive signal at a first logic level to turn off the transistor.
US08953332B2 Positive pressure-applying compliant latch mechanism
A latch mechanism is provided for latching a field-replaceable unit within an enclosure. The latch mechanism includes a rotatable latch coupled to the field-replaceable unit, via a pivot, at a first side of the field-replaceable unit, and a compliant spring member disposed to act on the pivot. The compliant spring member acts on the pivot and compresses with rotating of the latch from an open position to a latched position during latching of the field-replaceable unit within the enclosure. The compressing facilitates provision of a positive pressure on or across the field-replaceable unit directed towards a second side of the field-replaceable unit opposite to the first side. This positive pressure facilitates, for example, fixed coupling of a first connector at the second side of the field-replaceable unit to a second connector associated with the enclosure when the field-replaceable unit is latched within the enclosure.
US08953326B2 Rack-mount server assembly
A rack-mount server assembly includes a rack and a server module received in an upper portion of the rack. The server module includes two opposite sliding rails installed in the rack, and a hard disk drive unit detachably attached between the sliding rails. The hard disk drive unit includes a frame defining an opening and a number of hard disk drives installed in the frame through the opening. The opening of the hard disk drive unit faces a bottom of the rack.
US08953325B2 Electronic device with heat dissipating and electromagnetic shielding mask
An electronic device, including a circuit board, a communication chip, a first heat sink, a fixer and a shielding mask, is provided. The circuit board has a frame having an opening and several rims surrounding the opening. The communication chip, disposed on the circuit board, is located in the opening of the frame. The first heat sink, disposed on the communication chip, has a first surface facing and contacting the communication chip. The fixer is fixed into the circuit board and the first heat sink, such that the first heat sink remains contacting the communication chip. The shielding mask, disposed on the circuit board, includes a cover and several side boards. The cover covers the communication chip and the first heat sink, such that the cover contacts a second surface of the first heat sink. The side boards are opposite and connected to the rims in parallel.
US08953324B2 Media content device chassis with internal extension members
A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis.
US08953319B2 Heat-dissipating module
A heat-dissipating module applied to a circuit board having an electronic element is disclosed. The heat-dissipating module includes a plurality of connecting portions, a contacting portion and a folded portion. The heat-dissipating module is connected to the circuit board by the connecting portions, and a first surface of the contacting portion contacts the electronic element. The folded portion is connected to the contacting portion. The heat-dissipating module is suitable for a thin and light electronic device and has firm structure.
US08953315B2 Axial fan and electronic device including the same
In an axial fan, a housing includes a side wall arranged to surround an outer circumference of an impeller, and a substantially square or substantially rectangular flange arranged to project radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the side wall. The side wall preferably includes three slit groups each including a plurality of slits arranged in a circumferential direction and arranged to extend through the side wall from an inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface thereof. Two of the slit groups are defined in portions of the side wall which correspond to two adjacent corner portions in an upper half portion of the flange, while the remaining slit group is defined in a portion of the side wall which corresponds to a lower half portion of the flange. The upper and lower half portions are divided at a line parallel or substantially parallel to two opposing sides of the flange and passing through a central axis.
US08953313B2 Method and apparatus for enhanced cooling of mobile computing device surfaces
An apparatus with some embodiments is described having ducts positioned above and below a main device housing to provide cooling air flow to at least a portion of the top and bottom surfaces of the associated computing device. In some embodiments, the device is a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, air may be drawn through inlets located on at least one side of the device. The inlet air may be supplied via upper and lower air ducts to an air mover positioned on an opposite side of the device. In some embodiments, air discharged from the air mover may be supplied to a main housing of the device in which heat producing components may be located. Other embodiments are described.
US08953310B2 Magnetic systems for electronic devices and accessories
A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.
US08953305B2 Electrical switching apparatus and levering assembly therefor
A drive shaft extension assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus which is removably disposed in a cassette. The electrical switching apparatus includes a levering assembly with a drive shaft. The drive shaft extension assembly includes a housing assembly, a shaft extension including an elongated body, and a racking gear. The shaft extension is structured to be coupled to the drive shaft in a fixed orientation, thereby increasing the width of the levering assembly.
US08953301B2 Capacitor and multilayer circuit board using the same
A capacitor includes at least two electrode layers opposite to each other and a dielectric layer positioned between the at least two electrode layers. The at least two electrode layers have opposite polarities. Each electrode layer includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a plurality of first coupling portions spaced substantially evenly and arranged in parallel. The negative electrode includes a plurality of second coupling portions spaced substantially evenly and arranged in parallel. The positive electrode and the negative electrode of each electrode layer are coplanar, and the plurality of first coupling portions interlace with the plurality of second coupling portions.
US08953300B2 Multilayer ceramic capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including: a ceramic body in which a plurality of dielectric layers are laminated; a plurality of first and second internal electrodes formed to be alternately exposed to both end surfaces of the ceramic body with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; and first and second external electrodes formed on both end surfaces of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes, wherein when it is defined that a thickness of a band of the first and second external electrodes is T1 and a thickness of the ceramic body is T2, a ratio (T1/T2) of the thickness of the band of the first or second external electrode to the thickness of the ceramic body is equal to or less than 0.18.
US08953299B2 Capacitors adapted for acoustic resonance cancellation
An embodiment of a tunable capacitor can include a plurality of capacitors connected in series where at least two capacitors of the plurality of capacitors share a common electrode where the at least two capacitors are in lateral proximity and a bias that is capable of being applied to the at least two capacitors whereby the at least two capacitors vibrate in opposite phase to each other when the bias and an RF signal is applied to the at least two capacitors.
US08953297B2 Apparatus and methods for a wire-tethered electrode for an electronic weapon
An electronic weapon has an installed deployment unit from which an electrode is launched. The electrode is tethered to the deployment unit by a wire or filament. According to various aspects of the present invention, a wire-tethered electrode for launching from a weapon, for impacting clothing of a human target, and for conducting a stimulus signal through the target to inhibit locomotion by the target includes an insulated wire, a spear, and a body. The wire mechanically couples the electrode to the weapon. The spear lodges in the clothing. The body has an interior. The interior confines the wire against the spear so that the stimulus signal ionizes air in a gap between an uninsulated end of the wire and the spear, and ionizes air between the barb and tissue of the target to facilitate conducting the stimulus signal through the spear and through the target.
US08953289B2 Electrical wiring device
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a detection assembly coupled to a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals, the detection assembly being configured to detect a wiring state associated with the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The detection assembly includes a primary wiring state detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals, and a secondary wiring state detection circuit coupled to the plurality of load terminals.
US08953280B2 Spindle motor having labyrinth sealing portion and hard disk drive including the same
There is provided a spindle motor including: a shaft including a body portion having a fixing recess formed on a lower portion thereof, a flange portion extending in an outer radial direction from an upper portion of the body portion, and a first insertion portion extending downwardly from the flange portion in an axial direction; a lower thrust member including a fixed portion inserted into the fixing recess, a disk portion extending from the fixed portion in an outer radial direction, and first and second protrusion portions extending from the disk portion in the axial direction; a base member coupled to the second protrusion portion; and a rotating member forming a bearing clearance with the shaft and provided to be rotatable with respect to the shaft.
US08953278B1 Disk drive selecting disturbance signal for feed-forward compensation
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head, and control circuitry comprising a servo control system operable to actuate the head over the disk. A plurality of disturbance signals is generated in response to a vibration. A plurality of correlations is generated in response to each disturbance signal and an error signal of the servo control system. At least one of the disturbance signals is selected in response to the correlations. A feed-forward compensation value is generated in response to the selected disturbance signal, and the feed-forward compensation value is applied to the servo control system to compensate for the vibration.
US08953277B1 Data storage device writing tracks on a disk with equal spacing
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk. A plurality of data tracks on the disk are first written, and a metric representing a spacing between at least two of the first written data tracks is generated. At least two of the plurality of data tracks are rewritten based on the generated metric such that the rewritten data tracks comprise a more equal spacing compared to the first written data tracks.
US08953274B1 Deceleration of spindle motor in disk drive
A spindle motor of a disk drive includes a stator with windings and a rotor configured to rotate a disk of the disk drive. It is determined whether the disk drive is in a falling state while the disk rotates, and when the disk drive is in the falling state, a negative torque is applied to the rotor to reduce an angular velocity of the disk. When the angular velocity of the disk reaches a threshold angular velocity, an electrical short is caused across the windings of the stator to further reduce the angular velocity of the disk.
US08953273B1 Magnetic disk apparatus
According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk apparatus includes a main magnetic pole configured to apply a recording magnetic field to a recording medium, a recording coil configured to magnetize the main magnetic pole, a spin-torque oscillator adjacent to the main magnetic pole, and configured to generate a high frequency magnetic field, a recording current control circuit configured to supply a recording current to the recording coil, a driving current control circuit configured to supply a fixed driving current to the spin-torque oscillator, and an overshoot control circuit configured to control overshoot current of the recording current in proportion to the magnitude of the driving current after the recording current has reversed.
US08953269B1 Management of data objects in a data object zone
Managing data objects in a Data Storage Device (DSD) including a disk and a volatile memory for storing data. A data object is written from the volatile memory in a data object zone of the disk of the DSD. At least one most recent version of a previously written data object is rewritten in the data object zone so that an earlier version of the data object written from the volatile memory does not interrupt a contiguous plurality of most recent versions of data objects stored in the data object zone.
US08953267B2 Digital input detector and associated adaptive power supply
Interface circuitry of a storage device or other type of processing device comprises a digital input detector and an adaptive power supply. The digital input detector comprises an input transistor. The adaptive power supply provides a variable supply voltage to the digital input detector that varies with a threshold voltage of the input transistor. In one embodiment, the variable supply voltage provided to the digital input detector by the adaptive power supply varies with the threshold voltage of the input transistor about a set point value determined as a function of an expected logic level of an input signal. For example, the set point value may be determined as a function of a minimum expected logic high input signal level. In such an arrangement, the input transistor is biased at or close to the threshold voltage for an input signal having the minimum expected logic high input signal level.
US08953263B2 Optical unit and image pickup unit
An optical unit and an image pickup unit are provided that allow a full angular field to be increased in spite of small size and low cost. An image pickup lens 100 has a first lens 111 with a positive power, a second lens 113 with a positive power, a third lens 114 with a positive power, and a fourth lens 115 with a negative power that are arranged in order from an object side OBJS toward an image surface side, that are arranged in order from the object side toward the image surface side.
US08953255B2 Imaging lens and electronic apparatus having the same
An imaging lens includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. The first, second, and third lens elements have positive, negative, and negative refractive powers, respectively. The third lens element has an image-side surface having a convex portion in a vicinity of a periphery of the third lens element. The fourth lens element has a concave object-side surface. The fifth lens element has an object-side surface that has a convex portion in a vicinity of an optical axis of the imaging lens, and an image-side surface that has a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis and a convex portion in a vicinity of a periphery of the fifth lens element.
US08953250B2 Optical arrangement of autofocus elements for use with immersion lithography
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a projection system having a last element, by which an exposure light is projected onto an upper surface of a wafer through liquid locally covering a portion of the upper surface of the wafer. The last element has a lower surface from which the exposure light is emitted. The last element also has an outer surface which extends upwardly from an edge portion of the lower surface. The apparatus also includes a space along the outer surface of the last element, to which the liquid is supplied from above the lower surface of the last element. The space is defined by the outer surface of the last element and a surface opposing the outer surface of the last element.
US08953244B2 Color-shiftable antireflection film for curved face of display device for vehicle
A display device for a vehicle includes a front face cover that covers a front face of a display section for displaying information of the vehicle, and an antireflection film provided on a surface of the front face cover. The surface of the front face cover has a curved face which is formed so that an observation color of the curved face viewed from an eye range of a person sitting on a seat of the vehicle differs depending on an observation position in the eye range due to a difference in an interference wavelength of reflection light reflected by the antireflection film, the reflection light advancing toward the eye range from the front surface.
US08953234B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and printer
An image processing apparatus is provided that is capable of very accurately and efficiently reducing uneven color caused by variation in ejection characteristics among nozzles that eject ink and that occurs in a color image that is formed by mixing a plurality of different kinds of ink. A patch is printed by ejected ink from a plurality of nozzles, a region is specified so as to perform color correction in a test color image that is printed on a printing medium, a plurality of different color correction processing is performed on color signals that correspond to a color correction region, a plurality of color correction patches are printed, a color correction patch to be used is selected from among the plurality of different color correction patches and table parameters that correspond to the nozzles are created based on the selected color correction processing.
US08953230B2 Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus is provided with a registration roller configured such that a downstream end in a sheet feeding direction of a sheet abut to correct a skew of the sheet, and a pulling roller that conveys the sheet to the registration roller. The pulling roller is disposed such that a center of an arrangement in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction of the pulling roller is located on a side of the first restricting plate from a widthwise center of the sheet conveying path.
US08953223B2 Image processing apparatus for processing multi-values image data corresponding to a predetermined area of a recording medium
Multi-valued image data corresponding to a pixel area is divided into the first scanning multi-valued data, first and second scanning common multi-valued data, and second scanning multi-valued data. A quantization processing is executed on each of the multi-valued data to generate first scanning quantized data, first and second scanning common quantized data, and second scanning quantized data. After that, these pieces of quantized data are combined for each scanning to generate first scanning combined quantized data and second scanning combined quantized data. According to this, the amount of pixels where dots are both recorded by performing a scanning by plural times (the amount of overlapping dots) is controlled, and while suppressing the image density variations, the granularity is held to a low level.
US08953221B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and control method for specifying color names of sheets
The present invention prevents a printing result desired by a user from being unable to be printed out, due to registration of the same color name for sheets of different colors. To accomplish this, an image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads in a sheet; a generating unit that generates color data indicating a color of the sheet read by the reading unit; an obtaining unit that obtains a color name corresponding to the color data generated with the generating unit, by searching a color sample database, wherein color data and color names corresponding to the color data are stored in the color sample database; and a setting unit that sets a sheet feed cassette to the color name obtained by the obtaining unit.
US08953218B2 Imaging data stream method and apparatus for full-color support
A method and apparatus for extending LCDS imaging data stream imaging capabilities. An imaging data stream can be modified to permit the imaging data stream to implement at least one full-color call for rendering full-color forms and full-color jobs via at least one rendering device within a rendering system. This can be accomplished by creating and associating at least one full-color extension with a syntax of the imaging data stream in order to implement the at least one full-color call in an extensible set of color spaces, and also compactly decoding, storing indexing and searching the at least one full-color call within a particular job. In addition, an LCDS imaging data stream can be modified to provide an image substitution pathway to permit at least one full-color image included in said LCDS imaging data stream to be substituted for monochrome images or highlight color images.
US08953213B2 Image reading apparatus, control method thereof, and recording medium
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit that, after reading an image of a first side of a first document and an image of a first side of a second document, reads an image of a second side of the first document and an image of a second side of the second document, and an output unit configured to output the image of the first side of the first document read by the reading unit, store the image of the second side of the first document read by the reading unit in a storage unit, and after outputting the image of the first side of the second document read by the reading unit, output the image of the second side of the first document stored in the storage unit, and output the image of the second side of the second document read by the reading unit.
US08953208B2 Cooperative image processing system, cooperation method, portable terminal apparatus, and recording medium
A cooperative system comprises an image processing apparatus and a portable terminal; the image processing apparatus comprises: a display; a judgment portion judging whether an operation screen requested from the portable terminal apparatus is a first screen including a file area or a second screen including no file area; and a transmitter transmitting screen data for reproducing the first or second screen depending on the judgment result, along with a file and area reproduction information; the portable terminal comprises: a requestor requesting for the screen data; a reproducer reproducing the first or second screen; a display displaying the first or second screen; a judgment portion judging whether user operates on the file area or the other area; and a controller showing in the file area an appropriate portion of the file for user operation if user operates on the file area.
US08953200B2 Casino print system and corresponding methods
Systems and methods for providing customized coupons in a casino gaming environment are provided. A printer resident in a gaming machine is provided and has at least one communication port for communication external to the gaming machine. A coupon layout generator may also be provided for creating customized coupons. A server manager may be provided for distributing the customized coupons to one or more targeted recipients. A server port device may be provided for connecting the server manager to the communication port of the printer and for converting an Ethernet signal from the server manager to a serial signal recognizable by the printer. With such a system, an IP address may be assigned to the server port device. The IP address, together with player identification information, is used by the server manager to determine appropriate coupons for distribution to the gaming machine.
US08953197B2 Image processing system, image inputting apparatus, display controlling apparatus, management method and program for image processing system, and storage medium
An image processing system, connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network for outputting an input image using one of image forming apparatuses, includes an output-specifying information obtaining unit that obtains output-specifying information including to-be-output image data and information designating one of the image forming apparatuses as an output destination to output the to-be-output image data; an output-able size information obtaining unit to obtain output-able size information linking information identifying each image forming apparatus and output-able image size information at each image forming apparatus; an output-able size information display unit to display an output-able image size of each image forming apparatuses on a display area; an image data converter to convert image data to a data format suitable for the designated image forming apparatus; and an image data transmission unit to transmit the converted image data to one of the image forming apparatuses designated as the output destination.
US08953195B2 Receipt issuing device, control method for a receipt issuing device, printing device, and control method for a printing device
A receipt issuing device, control method for a receipt issuing device, printing device, and a control method for a printing device can eliminate issuing unnecessary receipts without requiring changing the application of the host device. A transaction information reception unit 61 receives transaction information from a host device 2 that outputs transaction information and specific commands. A transaction identification command reception unit 62 receives a specific command after the transaction information is received. A decision unit 64 decides whether or not to issue a receipt R based on whether or not the specific command was received and/or the content received. A receipt issuing unit 65 prints the transaction information and issues a receipt R when the decision unit 64 decides to issue a receipt.
US08953193B2 Management system, monitoring apparatus and management
A monitoring apparatus monitors a job processing status of an image forming apparatus. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus is not processing a job, creation of a snapshot of a sub-set (minimum required charging counter values for charging) is requested from the image forming apparatus. When charging information is transmitted to a management server, if it is determined that a usual full-set (department counter values and charging counter values) of data has not been acquired, the created sub-set is transmitted.
US08953185B2 Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a document conveyance path, a plate-like transparent member, a reader, a guide member, a transparent sheet member and a pressing member. The guide member is arranged on the transparent member at a side downstream of the first position in a conveying direction of the document and guides the document to a downstream side in the conveying direction. The transparent sheet member includes a first sheet portion which is arranged on the transparent member to cover the first position and a second sheet portion which is held in contact with the guide member and with which the document being conveyed along the document conveyance path comes into contact. The pressing member presses a side of the first sheet portion upstream of the first position in the conveying direction against the transparent member.
US08953183B2 Image forming apparatus for registering a user with a server
A multifunctional image forming apparatus includes: a communication device communicable with a server providing a service related to image formation with the user; a display operation device having a display function, for receiving a user operation; and an image forming unit for forming an image in response to a user instruction received through the display operation device. The multifunctional image forming apparatus receives an input operation by the user through the display operation device, displays a screen in accordance with the input operation and, in addition, executes a user registration process for the service provided by the server through communication with the server through the communication device, and displays a screen thereof.
US08953178B2 Camera system with color display and processor for reed-solomon decoding
A handheld digital camera device including: a digital camera unit having a first image sensor for capturing images and a color display for displaying captured images to a user; an integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the first image sensor and color display; decoding an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate, the printed coding pattern employing Reed-Solomon encoding; and performing an action in the handheld digital camera device based on the decoded coding pattern. The decoding includes the steps of: detecting target structures defining an extent of a data area; determining the data area using the detected target structures; and Reed-Solomon decoding the coding pattern contained in the determined data area.
US08953168B2 Optical sensing devices and methods for detecting samples using the same
An optical sensing device including a source unit configured to generate a polychromatic light beam containing p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam; an interferometric unit configured to introduce birefringent retardation for generating optical path difference between the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam; a SPR sensing unit configured to receive both p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam and induce a SPR effect to the p-polarized beam associated with a target sample; and a detection unit for detecting target sample characteristics by obtaining an interference spectrum of the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam from the SPR sensing unit.
US08953165B2 Validation and correction of spectrometer performance using a validation cell
Light intensity data quantifying intensity of light generated by a light source and received at a detector during a validation mode of an absorption spectrometer can be compared with a stored data set representing at least one previous measurement in a validation mode of an analytical system. The validation mode can include causing the light to pass at least once through each of a zero gas and a reference gas contained within a validation cell and including a known amount of a target analyte. The zero gas can have at least one of known and negligible first light absorbance characteristics within a range of wavelengths produced by the light source. A validation failure can be determined to have occurred if the first light intensity data and the stored data set are out of agreement by more than a predefined threshold amount. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
US08953153B2 System and method for post-tensioned tendon monitoring
A system and method for post-tensioned tendon monitoring includes at least one optical sensor arranged in monitoring proximity to a post-tensioned tendon, a test instrument in communication with the optical sensor, a processor capable of managing operation of the test instrument, a storage device and a display. They further include a database adapted to contain sensor baseline information and sensor measurement data. The test instrument is capable of sending a first wavelength to the optical sensor and receiving a second wavelength from the optical sensor, wherein at least one of the instrument or the processor is configured to analyze the second wavelength and output sensor measurement data for storage in the database. The processor is configured to calculate an amount of tensile loading which exists in the post-tensioned tendon, based on the sensor measurement data and the sensor baseline data, and to provide an output.
US08953152B2 Depth sensors, depth information error compensation methods thereof, and signal processing systems having the depth sensors
According to at least one example embodiment, a depth information error compensation method includes outputting modulated light to a target object, detecting a plurality of first pixel signals at different detection time points in a first time interval, the first pixel signals representing light reflected from the target object during the first time interval, detecting a plurality of second pixel signals at different detection time points in a second time interval, the second pixel signals representing light reflected from the target object during the second time interval, comparing each of the plurality of first pixel signals with each of the plurality of second pixel signals and calculating depth information to the target object according to the comparing.
US08953150B2 Observation device with range finder
The invention relates to a binocular observation device, in particular binoculars, having two visual beam paths and a laser range finder with a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and with an opto-electronic display element. A part of one of the beam paths of the laser transmitter is integrated into a first visual beam path, wherein a part of one beam path of the laser receiver is furthermore also integrated into the first visual beam path.
US08953149B2 CMOS three-dimensional image sensor detectors having reduced inter-gate capacitance, and enhanced modulation contrast
A CMOS detector with pairs of interdigitated elongated finger-like collection gates includes p+ implanted regions that create charge barrier regions that can intentionally be overcome. These regions steer charge to a desired collection gate pair for collection. The p+ implanted regions may be formed before and/or after formation of the collection gates. These regions form charge barrier regions when an associated collection gate is biased low. The barriers are overcome when an associated collection gate is high. These barrier regions steer substantially all charge to collection gates that are biased high, enhancing modulation contrast. Advantageously, the resultant structure has reduced power requirements in that inter-gate capacitance is reduced in that inter-gate spacing can be increased over prior art gate spacing and lower swing voltages may be used. Also higher modulation contrast is achieved in that the charge collection area of the low gate(s) is significantly reduced.
US08953144B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced.
US08953142B2 Lithographic apparatus, drying device, metrology apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus is described in which a two-phase flow is separated into liquid-rich and gas-rich flows by causing the liquid-rich flow to preferentially flow along a surface.
US08953141B2 Immersion lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method with asymmetric acceleration profile of substrate table to maintain meniscus of immersion liquid
A lithographic apparatus includes a liquid supply system configured to supply an immersion liquid between a downstream optical element of a projection system of the lithographic apparatus and the substrate, and a control system which is arranged to drive the substrate table so as to perform an acceleration profile to accelerate the substrate table from a first velocity in a first direction to a second velocity in a second direction. The acceleration profile is asymmetric in time and is dimensioned so that when the substrate table is accelerated according to the acceleration profile, a force to break a meniscus of the immersion liquid remains lower than a force to maintain the meniscus of the immersion liquid.
US08953136B2 Color filter substrate, liquid crystal display device including color filter substrate, and method of fabricating color filter substrate
In a color filter substrate and a liquid crystal display device including the same, the color filter substrate includes: a first black matrix not having an opening; a second black matrix having an opening; the first black matrix and the second black matrix being formed on a substrate; an auxiliary pattern disposed in the opening; a color filter covering the first and second black matrixes and formed in each of a plurality of pixels; an overcoat layer formed on the color filter; a first column spacer formed on the overcoat layer so as to correspond to the first black matrix; and a second column spacer formed above the auxiliary pattern so as to correspond to the second black matrix.
US08953132B2 Pixel array of fringe field switching liquid crystal display panel and driving method thereof
A pixel array of a fringe field switching (FFS) liquid crystal display panel includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data line, a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of common lines, and a plurality of pixel units aligned in an array configuration. The gate lines are disposed parallel to each other along a first direction. The data lines are disposed parallel to each other along a second direction. Each of the pixel units includes at least one sub-pixel region. The common lines are disposed along the first direction and electrically isolated from each other. Each of the common lines includes a plurality of common electrodes extending along the second direction. The two adjacent common electrodes of each common line are respectively disposed in the two adjacent pixel units which are located in different rows.
US08953121B2 Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device which uses a white LED as the light source, in order to avoid/suppress the reduction in the speed of response of the liquid crystal while increasing the color reproducibility and red chromaticity without the use of a special purpose color filter, a band cut filter which absorbs the wavelength component neighboring orange in light that is transmitted is provided between the liquid crystal display and the backlight unit.
US08953115B2 Flat panel display device, stereoscopic display device, and plasma display device
The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a backlight system and a display panel. The backlight system includes a light source, a light homogenization mechanism, and a back frame. The back frame carries the light source and the light homogenization mechanism, and the light homogenization mechanism guides light from the light source into the display panel. The back frame includes primary assembling pieces, secondary assembling pieces, and a bracing piece for fixing a circuit board. The primary assembling pieces are connected through joining and use different thermally conductive materials. Further, the primary assembling piece includes a joint section that forms a reinforcement structure and a circuit board is mountable through a bracing piece. The present invention also provides a backlight system. The back frame and the backlight system of the present invention have a back frame of simple structure, reduce the expenditure of a back frame mold, facilitate heat dissipation, allow strength of the back frame to meet a desired requirement, improve fixing of circuit board, and save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the manufacturing cost of flat panel display device.
US08953110B2 Liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display includes an insulating substrate having a pixel portion divided into a thin film transistor region and a storage region, a first active layer formed on the substrate to cover at least the thin film transistor region, and a storage electrode formed on the first active layer to selectively cover the storage region.
US08953109B2 Image display apparatus and variable lens array
An image display apparatus including an image display section that displays a two-dimensional image; and a variable lens array that includes a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed by a voltage which is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The variable lens array is disposed to be opposed to the image display section. Wall-shaped or columnar spacers are provided in a place, in which an orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is unchanged when the value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed, between the first substrate and the second substrate of the variable lens array.
US08953103B2 Projector embedded into a portable communication device
The device comprises a projection display module is coupled to the control IC for the data projection. The projection display module includes three liquid crystal panels that perform image displays in red, green, and blue, respectively; light emitting sources are employed and positioned in correspondence with the liquid crystal panels, respectively. A prism is used for each display color combination, wherein the liquid crystal panels and the light emitting sources are positioned on the light-incidence side of the side surfaces of the prism. A projection lens is provided on the light emission side of the prism.
US08953102B2 Vehicle entertainment tablet unit and cradle
A vehicle entertainment system includes a tablet unit and a cradle. The tablet unit includes a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first electrical connection, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user. The cradle is disposed in a headrest in a vehicle and includes a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism. The tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle.
US08953096B2 Camera module
A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configured to have an image sensor mounted thereon; a housing unit disposed over the first PCB; a holder module spaced apart from a bottom surface within the housing unit at a specific interval and configured to have first coils wound on its outer circumferential face and to include at least lens therein; a second PCB combined with the bottom surface of the holder module; a third PCB disposed over the holder module; a plurality of wire springs each configured to have one end connected to the second PCB and the other end connected to the third PCB; and buffer units provided at the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB and configured to surround the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB.
US08953091B2 Apparatus and method for adjusting focal point by using imaging device for outputting phase difference signal
Apparatus and method for adjusting a focal point using an imaging device including phase difference detection pixels are disclosed. An apparatus is provided that includes an imaging device comprising an optical aperture disposed between a micro lens and a photoelectric conversion unit of each of a plurality of pixels, the optical aperture being eccentric with respect to an optical axis of the respective micro lens, the imaging device configured to output a phase difference signal; and a control unit that detects a focal position from the phase difference signal detected from entire pixels of the imaging device to drive a focus lens and that adjusts a focal point.
US08953089B2 Imaging apparatus and controlling method therefor, and lens unit and controlling method therefor, and imaging system
In a camera unit that is mountable to a lens unit having a focus lens, an AF signal processing unit generates an AF evaluation value from an imaging signal obtained by an imaging element, and a camera control unit generates drive information for moving the focus lens to an in-focus point using the AF evaluation value and transmits the drive information to the mounted lens unit. The camera control unit transmits drive information including a focus lens position served as a reference for micro vibration and an amount of movement of the focus lens indicated by shift amount of an image plane with reference to the focus lens position to a lens unit.
US08953076B2 Photoelectric conversion device and camera having a photodiode cathode formed by an n-type buried layer
A photoelectric conversion device comprises a p-type region, an n-type buried layer formed under the p-type region, an element isolation region, and a channel stop region which covers at least a lower portion of the element isolation region, wherein the p-type region and the buried layer form a photodiode, and a diffusion coefficient of a dominant impurity of the channel stop region is smaller than a diffusion coefficient of a dominant impurity of the buried layer.
US08953071B2 Lens optical unit and imaging device
Provided is a lens optical unit, including at least one lens arranged at an object side of a solid-state image sensor. An imaging plane of the image sensor has a non-planar shape causing a sag amount in an optical axis direction to increase as a distance from an optical axis increases, and satisfies the expression: ρ×Sag>0, where ρ represents a Petzval curvature of an optical unit represented by ρ: ρ = ∑ k ⁢ ⁢ 1 r k · ( 1 n k ′ - 1 n k ) , rk represents a curvature radius of a kth lens surface from the object side, nk represents a refractive index of a medium before being incident to the kth lens surface from the object side, n′k represents a refractive index of a medium after being emitted from the kth lens surface from the object side, and Sag represents a sag amount in the optical axis direction related to a given point other than the optical axis on the imaging plane.
US08953066B2 Image file generation device, camera and image file generation method
An image file generation device includes: an image file generation unit that generates an image file having stored therein a plurality of sets of image data obtained in a batch via an image sensor; and an image recording unit that records the image file into a storage medium, wherein: if the image file generation unit determines that an image file-splitting condition has been satisfied while the batch of image data is being obtained via the image sensor, the image file generation unit ends image data storage into the current image file and starts image data storage into a new image file.
US08953063B2 Method for white balance adjustment
A white balance adjustment method includes capturing a raw image by an image capturing device, setting an initial maximum and an initial minimum threshold values of each channels, and obtaining a reference white and a reference black. Color scale values of each R, G, and B channels are extracted and a minimum, a maximum, and an average values of the color scale values corresponding to each channels are obtained. A modulation factor of each channel is defined by using above defined three values, according to the modulation factor of each channels to re-define a new maximum threshold value as a reference white and a new minimum threshold value as a reference black. According to the obtained reference black and the reference white to complete the white balance adjustment of the image.
US08953054B2 System to augment a visual data stream based on a combination of geographical and visual information
According to an example, a computing device includes a memory on which is stored machine readable instructions that may cause a processor to access a video stream, generate geographical information associated with frames of the video stream, extract features of points of interest in the frames, transmit the extracted features of the points of interest and the geographical information to a server computer that is to use the extracted features of the points of interest and the geographical information to identify augment information, receive the augment information from the server computer, and augment the video stream with the augment information to generate an augmented video stream.
US08953051B2 Imaging device and imaging method
A transmission unit of the imaging device transmits a captured image via a network. A reception unit receives instructions to change a view angle from another device via the network. A view angle changing unit changes the view angle on the basis of the instructions to change a view angle which are received from the reception unit. A view angle changing instruction information storage unit stores view angle changing instruction information. A failure monitoring unit detects that a failure occurred in communication with the another device. A control unit instructs the view angle changing unit to change the view angle on the basis of the view angle changing instruction information stored in the view angle changing instruction information storage unit, according to the detection of the failure monitoring unit. An image storage unit stores the captured image.
US08953036B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and information processing system
Provided is an information processing apparatus including an image acquisition unit for acquiring a real space image including an image of another apparatus, a coordinate system generation unit for generating a spatial coordinate system of the real space image acquired by the image acquisition unit, and a transmission unit for transmitting spatial information constituting the spatial coordinate system generated by the coordinate system generation unit to the other apparatus sharing the spatial coordinate system.
US08953034B1 Video imaging device with an integrated battery
A compact, battery powered video imaging device for use in XYZ stage equipped machines (such as milling machines, jig borers, coordinate measuring machines, etc.) that mounts into the spindle of such a machine and displays a magnified image of a part on the XYZ stage of the machine on an integrated video monitor such as a Liquid Crystal Display panel equipped with crosshairs or similar reference marks. The XYZ stage of the host machine is used to move the part so that various features of the part are brought into the crosshairs of the video monitor. In such a way the XYZ coordinates of various features of the part with respect to a selected reference feature, displayed on the host machine's position readout, can be obtained. This procedure can be used to aid work piece setup, measure parts in-process without disturbing the setup, or to inspect finished parts for dimensional accuracy.If a known good part or a specially manufactured precision gage plate is inspected by a host machine in such a way, the result is reflective of the accuracy of the XYZ stage and position display of the host machine and can be used to qualify the host machine for positional accuracy.
US08953026B2 Stereoscopic image display device
An autostereoscopic image display device in which an image of each viewpoint can be observed in each one of a plurality of observation areas, wherein one or both of a pair of images having relationship of a reverse view near an end portion of the observation area are displayed by using first image data and added image data acquired by weighting values of the first image data and second image data based on relationship of parallax between the second image data different from the first image data and the first image data and adding the weighted values.
US08953022B2 System and method for sharing virtual and augmented reality scenes between users and viewers
A preferred method for sharing user-generated virtual and augmented reality scenes can include receiving at a server a virtual and/or augmented reality (VAR) scene generated by a user mobile device. Preferably, the VAR scene includes visual data and orientation data, which includes a real orientation of the user mobile device relative to a projection matrix. The preferred method can also include compositing the visual data and the orientation data into a viewable VAR scene; locally storing the viewable VAR scene at the server; and in response to a request received at the server, distributing the processed VAR scene to a viewer mobile device.
US08953020B2 Image processing device, image processing method and program
An image processing device includes an operation reception portion which receives an instruction operation for displaying a desired image from a plane image or a stereoscopic image that is stored in a recording medium; an information output portion that is connected to a display device which displays the plane image or the stereoscopic image to output image information for displaying the image stored in the recording medium on the display device; and a control portion.
US08953017B2 Source device, sink device, communication system and method for wirelessly transmitting three-dimensional video data using packets
A source device combines right-eye video frame data with left-eye video frame data into combined video frame data every video frame. Then, the source device generates a plurality of packets by dividing the combined video frame data into packets so as to insert information on a horizontal position for a horizontal display time interval and information on a vertical position for a vertical display time interval of a first pixel of the combined video frame data stored in the packets, into a header of each packet for transmitting the combined video frame data, as information for identifying right-eye video frame data and left-eye video frame data.
US08953015B2 Critical alignment of parallax images for autostereoscopic display
A method is provided for generating an autostereoscopic display. The method includes acquiring a first parallax image and at least one other parallax image. At least a portion of the first parallax image may be aligned with a corresponding portion of the at least one other parallax image. Alternating views of the first parallax image and the at least one other parallax image may be displayed.
US08953009B2 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus using the laser scan method or the LED method, which is capable of reducing a variation of spot diameter with a simple mechanism, and of forming a high-quality image by adjusting the density depending on the image resolution with a low cost. The image forming apparatus forms an image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed by irradiating a charged photoconductor with light emitted from a light source with developer. A detecting unit detects a distance between an attention pixel and an adjacent image that is adjacent to an image including the attention pixel across a white background. An adjustment unit adjusts a density of the attention pixel based on the distance measured with the detecting unit and a spot diameter of the light on a surface of the photoconductor.
US08953004B2 Image erasing apparatus
According to an embodiment, an image erasing apparatus that erases an image printed on a sheet is provided. When it is determined that a sheet after an erasing process of the image is not reusable, the image erasing apparatus accommodates the sheet in a reject tray in a state where a face with a small information amount of the erased image is directed in a state direction. When it is determined that the sheet after the erasing process of the image is not reusable, the image erasing apparatus accommodates the sheet in a reuse tray in a state where a face with a large information amount of the erased image is directed in the state direction.
US08953003B2 Transferred medium
A recording apparatus is provided and in one exemplary embodiment includes a tray, a first roller, a second roller opposing the first roller, a recording part, and an urging member. The tray can have a tip part, which can include a first tip portion and a second tip portion. The second tip portion can be disposed at an upstream position relative to the first tip portion in a first direction. The recording part can be configured to record on the medium mounted on the tray, and the urging member can be configured to urge the second roller towards the first roller to transfer the tray in the first direction. In some embodiments, a width of the first tip portion can be narrower than a width of the second tip portion. The first and second tip portions can each include tapered portions that have thicknesses that decrease in the first direction.
US08952995B2 Driving method of display device and display device
It is an object to reduce power consumption of a display device which can perform multi-gray scale display and to suppress deterioration of an element included in the display device. The usage of a display device includes a first initialization period in which the gray scale level of an entire pixel portion is converted into a first gray scale level and a second initialization period in which the gray scale level of an entire pixel portion is converted into a second gray scale level. In the first initialization period, scanning of a plurality of signals and weighting of a holding period of each signal are performed. Therefore, the small number of scanning of signals can realize voltage application for an appropriate time with respect to each of a plurality of gray scale storage display elements included in the display device.
US08952993B2 Information processing apparatus, method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a designation unit which designates an object, a sensing unit which senses a change which exceeds a threshold value in at least a part of the object when a user zooms in on the object, and a zoom unit which zooms in on the object at the zoom rate which is just less than that when there is a change that exceeds the threshold value in at least a part of the object if there is a change that exceeds the threshold value in at least a part of the object when the user zooms in on the object at the designated zoom rate, and which zooms in on the object if there is no change that exceeds the threshold value in at least a part of the object even when the user zooms in on the object at the designated zoom rate.
US08952983B2 Method and apparatus for annotating point of interest information
An approach is provided for annotating point of interest information to structures. One or more representations of at least one structure are determined. One or more partitions of the at least one structure is determined based, at least in part, on one or more features of the one or more representations. One or more points of interest associated with the at least one structure are determined. One or more points of interest are determined to be rendered for presentation based, at least in part, on the one or more partitions.
US08952971B2 Rendering processing apparatus and method using multiprocessing
A rendering processing apparatus and method using multiprocessing are disclosed. The rendering processing method includes dividing an application execution window into frames and generating a rendering processing command for rendering processing of an image on a frame basis by a pre-rendering manager, generating a rendering image on a frame basis according to the rendering processing command by a rendering manager, and storing the generated rendering image in a memory. The generation of a rendering processing command and the generation of a rendering image are performed in a plurality of threads.
US08952969B2 Transfer of motion between animated characters
Motion may be transferred between portions of two characters if those portions have a minimum topological similarity. The elements of the topology that are similar are referred to as basic elements. To transfer motion between the source and target characters, the motion associated with the basic elements of the source character is determined. This motion is retargetted to the basic elements of the target character. The retargetted motion is then attached to the basic elements of the target character. As a result, the animation of the basic elements in the topology of the target character effectively animates the target character with motion that is similar to that of the source character.
US08952968B1 Wave modeling for computer-generated imagery using intersection prevention on water surfaces
A wave modeler usable with a rendering engine and for generating surface models usable for rendering images of scenes having surfaces therein reads user inputs including a desired displacement value, determines a vertical displacement wave representing displacements along a wave, determines a plurality of sample points each having an ordinal position on the vertical displacement wave, determines a horizontal displacement wave, maps the horizontal displacement wave to the plurality of sample points, adjusts horizontal displacement of one or more of the plurality of sample points to prevent, avoid or reduce intersection of the wave with itself, and generates a representation of the wave that is storable as a geometric model usable by a rendering image to generate an image with corresponding displacements of the wave.
US08952957B2 Three-dimensional display apparatus
A three-dimensional display apparatus includes a display panel, a display driver, an active polarizing layer, and an active polarizer. The display driver controls the display panel to display input image data categorized into data containing pixels in a first state, a second state, and a third state. The active polarizing layer is located on the display panel. The active polarizer controls the polarization direction of the active polarizing layer to enable the image displayed on the display panel to have the polarization direction after passing through the active polarizing layer. The active polarizing layer has first, second, and third polarization directions respectively corresponding to the pixels in the first state, the second state, and the third state in the display panel.
US08952956B2 Computer-readable storage medium having stored therein display control program, display control apparatus, display control system, and display control method
A game apparatus acquires a designated position Q, on an image, which corresponds to a touch position T detected by a touch panel, and a depth value of the designated position Q. A game apparatus calculates a designated three-dimensional position P in a three-dimensional virtual space, based on the designated position Q on the image and the depth value. The game apparatus next determines an orientation of a cursor object to arrange the cursor object at the calculated designated three-dimensional position P. The game apparatus next uses a virtual camera to take an image of the virtual space including the cursor object, and displays the image on an upper LCD.
US08952948B2 Liquid crystal display device
An LCD device is discussed in which a level shifter generates two switching signals, and transmits the generated signals to a gate driver of a liquid crystal display panel by the use of one voltage signal transmitted from a timing controller. The LCD device according to an embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel in which a gate driver for alternately driving two transistors is formed; a data driver which drives data lines of the liquid crystal display panel; a timing controller which generates one voltage signal for switching the two transistors, and outputs the one voltage signal; and a level shifter which generates two of first and second switching signals to switch the two transistors by using the one voltage signal, and outputs the generated switching signals to the gate driver.
US08952947B2 Display method for sunlight readable and electronic device using the same
A display method for sunlight readable is provided, which is applicable to an electronic device having a display panel. The display method includes the following steps. An ambient light sensor value and image content are obtained. Next, a liquid crystal (LC) driving voltage is altered based on the ambient light sensor value and the image content, wherein the LC driving voltage is increasingly proportional to the ambient light sensor value and exceeds a normal operation driving voltage when the ambient light sensor value exceeds a high luminance value. Then, the display panel is drived under the LC driving voltage. Finally, a sunlight readable image is displayed on the display panel.
US08952942B2 Image display device capable of implementing 2D image and 3D image and driving method thereof
An image display device and a method for driving the same are disclosed. The image display device includes a display panel, which includes a plurality of red, green, and blue subpixels to selectively implement a 2D image and a 3D image, and a patterned retarder dividing light from the display panel, on which the 3D image is implemented, into a first polarization component and a second polarization component. When the 3D image is implemented, a black image is displayed on (4j)th subpixels of the display panel disposed along a column direction, j is a positive integer. When the 2D image is implemented, one of red, green, and blue 2D images is displayed on the (4j)th subpixels.
US08952939B2 Conductive brush for use with a computing device
A conductive brush, or stylus, for use with touch screen computing devices. The bristles or filaments are attached to an electrically conductive ferrule, so that even when the brush is pressed against the tablet to make the bristles splay apart, the conductive ferrule itself maintains electrical communication with the tablet. The brush thus allows users to conduct paint operations in an uninterrupted manner, even when its bristles spread apart. Further, this ferrule can be made removable so that users can swap out different brush heads quickly and easily. Additionally, the ferrule has at least a portion that is flexible, deforming visibly upon application of pressures commonly achieved during a typical painting operation. This deformation at least partially absorbs stresses on the filaments, preventing them from splaying apart excessively during painting, and thus helping to prevent loss of detection by the tablet and/or undesired visual effects.
US08952936B2 Method and device for position detection
The present invention provides a method and device for position detection. For detection of a touch position, a segment of surface acoustic wave (SAW) is provided multiple times to be propagated on a SAW touch panel, and the multiple SAW segments are received by the SAW touch panel. In addition, during or after reception, partial output electrical signals are provided based on different portions of each received SAW segment to construct a complete output electrical signal.
US08952935B2 Touch display
A touch display, including: a light source; a light guide plate, having a first refractive index and having a side face close to the light source; a cover layer, having a second refractive index and being placed over the light guide plate, and the second refractive index is smaller than the first refractive index; a plurality of pillar structures, having a third refractive index and being placed under the light guide plate, and the third refractive index is larger than or equal to the first refractive index; a touch structure, placed over the cover layer; and an electronic paper device, placed under the pillar structures.
US08952933B2 Optical touch module
An optical touch module disposed on a reference plane and having a sensing area is provided. The optical touch module includes a first light sensing device and a light source module. The first light sensing device is disposed on a first side of the sensing area. The light source module includes a linear light source, a transparent plate and a reflecting device. The linear light source is disposed beside a second side of the sensing area to emit light to the sensing area. The transparent plate is disposed between the linear light source and the second side opposite to the first side. A part of the light is reflected by the transparent plate. Another part of the light passes through the transparent plate. The reflecting device is disposed beside a second surface of the transparent plate to reflect the light reflected from the transparent plate back to the transparent plate.
US08952932B2 Method and apparatus for sensing touch input using illumination sensors
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for sensing touch input using illumination sensors. The apparatus includes: a touch pad on which at least one illumination sensor is arranged; and a controller collecting sensor values of the at least one illumination sensor to perform touch recognition suitable for a present illumination environment.
US08952928B2 Device and method for detecting touch screen
The invention discloses a full screen driven detection. A driving signal is simultaneously provided to all first conductive strips arranged in parallel in a first direction in a touch screen, and mutual capacitive signals are detected from all second conductive strips arranged in parallel in a second direction. The mutual capacitive signals can be used for determining whether an external conductive object coupled to the ground is touching or approaching the touch screen or not even if water or other conductive object not coupled to ground is on the touch screen. Thus, the baseline of the mutual capacitive signals can be updated if the touch screen is not touched or approached by any external conductive object coupled to ground over a predetermined period of time.
US08952901B2 Mobile device and method for providing user interface (UI) thereof
A mobile device and a method for providing a User Interface (UI) thereof are provided. The mobile device activates a manipulation unit upon detecting pressure through a pressure detecting unit. Accordingly, the user is able to manipulate various types of UIs, using a combination of pressure and various manipulation units.
US08952895B2 Motion-based device operations
Methods, program products, and systems of motion-based device operations are described. A mobile device can coordinate operations of a motion sensor and a proximity sensor. The mobile device can determine a gesture event using the motion sensor. The mobile device can determine a proximity event using the proximity sensor. The mobile device can use the gesture event and proximity event to confirm one another, and determine that the mobile device has moved in proximity to a target object following a specified gesture. Upon confirmation, the mobile device can perform a specified task.
US08952894B2 Computer vision-based multi-touch sensing using infrared lasers
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates detecting a plurality of inputs simultaneously. A laser component can be coupled to a line generating (LG) optic that can create a laser line from an infrared (IR) laser spot, wherein the laser component and line generating (LG) optic emit a plane of IR light. A camera device can capture a portion of imagery within an area covered by the plane of light. The camera device can be coupled to an IR-pass filter that can block visible light and pass IR light in order to detect a break in the emitted plane of IR light. An image processing component can ascertain a location of the break within the area covered by the emitted plane of IR light.
US08952893B2 Portable device and method for controlling the same
A method for controlling a portable device is provided. The method includes detecting bending of the portable device and determining whether to perform motion sensing correction due to the bending; acquiring a motion sensing correction factor for performing the motion sensing correction due to the bending; performing motion sensing correction of at least one motion sensor using the motion sensing correction factor; and controlling the portable device according to the corrected motion sensing.
US08952885B2 Driving device for driving display medium, display device, method of driving display medium, and display method
There is provided a driving device for driving a display medium that includes a pair of substrates and plural particle groups which are provided between the pair of substrates and have different colors and different threshold voltages for separation from the substrates, including an application unit that applies reset voltages for moving the plural particle groups to one of the pair of substrates between the substrates, each reset voltage being different from each other according to each of the plural particle groups.
US08952882B2 Method for adjusting a backlight of a display device and device thereof
Adjust a backlight of a display device according to image loading and edge statistics of an input image. When the input image is a dark scene and includes relatively more edges, a luminance of the backlight would be controlled according to the image loading of the input image and compensated the backlight for showing details of the input image clearly. When the input image is a dark scene with negligible edges, the luminance of the backlight would be controlled by image loading with no or few compensation for lowering the power consumption. When the input image is a bright scene, or when the input image includes no edge or only negligible edges, minimum compensation is applied to the backlight for lowering the power consumption.
US08952877B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and a driving method therefor includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix form, a plurality of gate lines extending in a row direction and connected to the unit pixels, respectively, pluralities of first and second data lines extending in a column direction and connected to the unit pixels, respectively, a plurality of charge control lines extending in the row direction and connected to the unit pixels, respectively, a plurality of gate connection lines connected to at least two adjacent gate lines, respectively, and a plurality of charge connection lines connected to at least two adjacent charge control lines, respectively.
US08952874B2 Organic light emitting display and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display includes an organic light emitting display panel, a temperature detecting unit for detecting a temperature of the organic light emitting display panel, a driving voltage determining unit for outputting voltage data by calculating the driving voltage of the organic light emitting display panel on the basis of the temperature data detected by the temperature detecting unit, and a DC/DC converter having a variable resistor determining unit for setting a variable resistor on the basis of the voltage data output from the driving voltage determining unit, the DC/DC converter supplying the driving voltage corresponding to the variable resistor to the organic light emitting display panel.
US08952868B2 Method, apparatus and system on a chip for controlling a stereoscopic display device
This disclosure provides a technique for controlling the slew rate and number of transition segments used to move the LC drive voltage level from one voltage to another. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a polarization modulator in a polarization-based stereoscopic display device may comprise providing digital signals to each of a plurality of drive circuits to generate a drive voltage from each drive circuit, where the drive voltages drive the polarization modulator. Such an exemplary method may also include determining a time sequential list of transition specifications configured to provide discrete transitions in one or more of the drive voltages. Then, in such methods, the digital signals provided to each of the one or more drive circuits receiving a transition may be adjusted, in accordance with the time sequential list, thereby altering their drive voltages based on the transition specifications.
US08952861B2 Multi-band MIMO antenna
A multi-band antenna system for MIMO applications is adapted to provide high isolation between antennas across a wide range of frequencies. Multiple Isolated Magnetic Dipole (IMD) antennas are co-located and connected with a feed network that can include switches that adjust phase length for transmission lines connecting the antennas. Filtering is integrated into the feed network to improve rejection of unwanted frequencies. Filtering can also be implemented on the antenna structure. Either one or multi-port antennas can be used.
US08952858B2 Frequency-selective dipole antennas
A dipole antenna provides electrical dipole conductors folded to form distributed inductive and/or capacitive reactive loads between selected portions of one or more coupled line segments of the individual dipole conductors or between one dipole conductor to another, wherein the electrical dipole conductors form a selective frequency filter. An antenna provides a substrate, electrical conductors formed on and/or in the substrate, and one or more ceramic dielectric elements having relative permittivity ∈R≧10 and/or relative permeability μR≧10 formed on and/or in the substrate between selected portions of the electrical conductors for determining a distributed reactance within the selected portions. A folded dipole antenna provides conducting dipole arms, a distributed network filter having distributed reactance within and between the conducting dipole arms, and a tunable reactance connected to an input of the distributed network filter for adjusting a resonant frequency of the antenna.
US08952856B2 Transmission/reception element for switching radiation frequency
A transmission/reception element includes: a plurality of metal layers each disposed with space from another; and a switch for controlling electrical coupling between the metal layers. The switch includes a contact-point group including a plurality of contact-point pairs each disposed in parallel between each two of the metal layers, and a drive section mechanically driving the contact-point group for state change of each of the contact-point pairs between in-contact and no-contact.
US08952850B2 Mimo antenna apparatus
A MIMO antenna apparatus is provided. The MIMO antenna apparatus includes a plurality of antenna devices each having an operation line extending parallel by a predetermined extension length from one end portion and configured to operate in a resonant frequency band when power is supplied. The apparatus also includes a main board divided into a device area and aground area. The apparatus further includes a plurality of ground pads each extending from the ground plate to the device area in the main board and configured to connect the one end portion of each of the antenna devices to the ground plate. The apparatus also includes a plurality of feeding pads mounted adjacent to the ground pad in the device area and configured to connect each of the antenna devices to the main board and to provide power to each of the antenna devices.
US08952843B1 Directional AESA with interferometer direction finding mode
A multi-functional reconfigurable radar system and a method for configuring such a radar system are disclosed. The multi-functional reconfigurable radar system that is operable as a directional antenna or a DF interferometer. The antenna system in accordance with the present disclosure may be installed on a size-constrained platform such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and utilized as a common shared asset aperture for intelligence-gathering, electronic countermeasure, self-protection, electronic support, electronic attack as well as direction finding and the like.
US08952841B1 System and method for TCAS based navigation
A traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) based navigation system including a TCAS equipped with a directional antenna, the TCAS configured to generate a RF transmission pattern at a selected frequency, the transmission pattern including a plurality of directional beams, receive a plurality of RF signals reflected from the ground across a selected frequency band, the selected frequency band including the selected frequency, and measure frequency differences between one or more beams of the plurality of RF beams and one or more beams of the plurality of RF signals reflected from the ground, and a computing systems in communication with the TCAS, the computing system configured to calculate a ground speed of the aircraft utilizing the measured frequency differences, calculate a drift angle of the aircraft utilizing the measured plurality of frequency differences, receive a heading reference of the aircraft, and determine an aircraft navigation parameter of the aircraft.
US08952838B2 Time domain switched analog-to-digital converter apparatus and methods
A time domain switching analog-to-digital converter apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. In one implementation, the converter apparatus comprises a carrier signal source, and at least one reference source. The carrier signal is summed with the input signal and the summed modulated signal is fed to a comparator circuit. The comparator is configured detects crossings of the reference level by the modulated waveform thereby generating trigger events. The time period between consecutive trigger events is used to obtain modulated signal deviation due to the input signal thus enabling input signal measurement. Control of the carrier oscillation amplitude and frequency enables real time adjustment of the converter dynamic range and resolution. The use of additional reference signal levels increases sensor frequency response and accuracy. A dual channel converter apparatus enables estimation and removal of common mode noise, thereby improving signal conversion accuracy.
US08952832B2 Interfacing application programs and motion sensors of a device
Interfacing application programs and motion sensors of a device. In one aspect, a high-level command is received from an application program running on a motion sensing device, where the application program implements one of multiple different types of applications available for use on the device. The high-level command requests high-level information derived from the output of motion sensors of the device that include rotational motion sensors and linear motion sensors. The command is translated to cause low-level processing of motion sensor data output by the motion sensors, the low-level processing following requirements of the type of application and determining the high-level information in response to the command. The application program is ignorant of the low-level processing, and the high-level information is provided to the application program.
US08952831B2 Enhancement of cockpit external visibility
A cockpit display system for a cockpit of an aircraft includes a primary flight display moveably located in the cockpit and viewable from a pilot position and/or a copilot position in the cockpit. The primary flight display is movable from a first position utilized for a first operating condition of the aircraft to a second position to increase external visibility during a second operating condition of the aircraft. A cockpit system includes a pilot operating position and a first flight display moveably located in the cockpit and viewable from the pilot operating position. The first flight display is movable from a first position utilized during a first operating condition of the aircraft to a second position to increase external visibility from the pilot operating position during a second operating condition of the aircraft.
US08952821B2 Smoke detector utilizing ambient-light sensor, external sampling volume, and internally reflected light
In accordance with certain embodiments, a smoke detector utilizes a reflected-light signal and sensed ambient light to determine the presence of smoke particles.
US08952810B2 System and method for automated/semi-automated entry filtering
An automated gatekeeper system and method are disclosed. The system and method comprise a control unit, sensors monitoring a checkpoint and gates to controlled premises and controllable gates. A person who wishes to enter may be inquired by the system in order to monitor and identify his or her identity, to verify whether the identified person is listed in at least one list of classified persons and to define whether that person is in a state of mind or mood which may have implication on the decision whether to allow his or her entrance to the premises.
US08952808B2 Arrow mounted tracking apparatus
An animal tracking device removably attachable to an arrow and including an antenna, a controller, a battery for powering the controller, a housing for housing the antenna, controller, and battery, and an animal attachment component fixed to the housing. The controller may transmit wireless signals to a receiver via the antenna. The housing may have a first and second portion pivotally attached at a first joint. The first and second portions may also meet, but not attach with each other, at a second joint in a closed position. The first and second portions may pivot between the closed position and an open position about the first joint, may be naturally biased in the open position, and may be detachably attached in the closed position to the arrow shaft. The animal attachment component may attach to an animal shot by the arrow, forcing the housing away from the arrow.
US08952807B2 Active wireless tag and auxiliary device for use with monitoring center for tracking individuals or objects
A location tracking device is provided. Wireless communications circuitry is configured to transmit position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location, and communicate locally within an auxiliary device. The tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, where the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode. The tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, where in the second operational mode at least a portion of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode.
US08952804B2 Systems and methods to overlay additional information onto foundation fieldbus alerts
An industrial control system is provided that includes a field device configured to provide an alert having a first parameter and a controller configured to receive the alert and overlay a second plurality of parameters on the alert, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the alert having the first parameter and the second plurality of parameters.
US08952803B2 System and method for protecting a security system
A regional security system includes a control panel which can receive one or more delay parameters, associated with a type of sensor or detector, or a portion of a region being monitored. The delay parameters can be stored in a programmable storage unit. When an alarm indicator has been received from one of the sensors or detectors, an alarm indicating message along with an associated, programmed and pre-stored delay can be forwarded to a central station. If the system is disarmed before the delay interval has terminated, a cancel message can be sent to the central station.
US08952791B2 Method and system for tracking RFID tags for use in advertising and marketing
The current invention is a method and system for tracking an RFID tag within a defined 3D space and can be used to identify objects within a live performance and create hotspots with respect to the objects, which allows viewers the ability to select objects that are associated with one of the hotspots, and transmits their interest in the selected object to one or more users. Preferably, the system operates such that hotspots can be created for previously created video, newly created video media, as well as live broadcasts.
US08952789B2 Method and apparatus for communication in ultra-wide bandwidth RFID systems
A method for communication in ultra-wide bandwidth RFID systems comprising generating through a transceiver device an interrogated signal, composed of at least a sequence of equally time spaced pulses with period (T3), transmitting said signal to at least one RFID identification device which generates a response signal and transmits it back to said transceiver device, said method further comprising coding said interrogation signal according to a numerical coding sequence, generating said response signal by varying, in each period (T3) of said pulse sequence of the interrogation signal, the polarity of pulses using said numerical coding sequence. An apparatus for communication in ultra-wide bandwidth RFID systems comprising a transceiver device (1,101) and a RFID identification device (11), suitable for communicating each other, said RFID identification device (11) comprises a backscatter modulator (12) suitable for modulating a signal reflected by an antenna (18) of the identification device RFID.
US08952788B1 Battery assisted RFID system RF power control and interference mitigation methods
A method for controlling RF power within an RFID system according to one embodiment includes returning a first set of RFID tags that were successfully accessed at a first reader forward mode power level to a hibernate state; initiating a timer operation in each of the RFID tags within the first set of RFID tags, the timer operation defining a period of time; and preventing the first set of RFID tags from responding to an activation command at a second reader forward power level during the period of time, the second reader forward power level being higher than the first reader forward power level; and wherein a flag state stored in each of the RFID tags within the first set of RFID tags indicates whether the timer operation is active to prevent undesired activation at the second reader forward power level.
US08952787B2 Laboratory sample archiving apparatus and method
An archive apparatus is provided for storing and archiving laboratory samples including radio frequency identification means. The apparatus comprises a support structure or cabinet (4), a drawer (6) translatable in a translation direction (12) into and out of the support structure (4), and sample support means comprising ribs (8) associated with the drawer (6) for supporting an array (10) of samples or slides (20) spaced along the translation direction (12) for movement with the drawer (6). A radio frequency reader antenna (14) is connected to the support structure (4) adjacent to the drawer (6) and recording means (34, 38) are adapted to operatively communicate with the reader antenna (14) to store information obtained from the radio frequency identification means of laboratory samples or slides (20) supported by the drawer (6). The apparatus can automatically collect and store current information concerning the samples or slides (20) in the drawer (6) as a consequence of opening and closing of the drawer (6).
US08952785B2 Reduction of IMU/AP link requirements for SDI
A method, controller and system in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure facilitate reduced energy consumption in a motion sensing device having an inertial measurement unit (IMU), with a strap down integration unit, and an application processing unit (AP). The system and method include sensing acceleration values and rotational values at the IMU and converting the sensed acceleration and rotational values into velocity and orientation increments by strap down integration. The velocity and orientation increments are stored in a first buffer at the IMU between updates to the AP. When an update request is received at the IMU from the AP over an interrupt link, the buffer contents are transmitted over a serial link from the IMU to the AP.
US08952783B2 Barrier movement operator communications
A moveable barrier operator actuates an actuator thereby causing a message to be formed. The message indicates that the user at the moveable barrier operator requires assistance. A communication channel is established between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center. The message is transmitted to the assistance center over the communication channel. An assistance action is performed to provide assistance to the user at the moveable barrier operator.
US08952782B2 Remotely actuatable locking system and method for forming doors for accommodating such systems
A door usable for after market installation of remotely actuatable locking systems is provided with a spacer element within its interior. The spacer element includes an orifice sized for accommodating a motor and locking mechanism. A tubular element is also provided through the interior of the door body adjacent to the first orifice, the tubular element being usable to accommodate wiring. A motor disposed within the first orifice can be placed in communication with a power source and/or receiver using wiring extending through the tubular element, while a lock assembly can be installed within the first orifice in operative engagement with the motor. Receipt of a remote signal by the receiver causes actuation of the motor, which then actuates the lock assembly. Use of the spacer and tubular elements enables all primary components of the remotely actuatable locking system to be installed within the interior of the door, after market.
US08952780B2 Security case
The present invention is a self contained, portable security case or container. The case is secure in its locked condition by locks which are preferably operated by an electronic key. The electronic key can be programmed to open the case or container dependent upon various different conditions, for example, location, time, identification of operator, etc. In addition to the electronic key, a biometric identification device can be employed. The exterior of the case or container is made from different materials which are impermeable and resistant to heat, drilling and ballistic impact. A GPS type of location device located within the case enables the case to be tracked from remote locations.
US08952775B2 Superconductive magnet
A superconductive magnet includes a superconductive coil that is an air-core coil; a pair of bobbin bodies that support the superconductive coil while interposing the superconductive coil therebetween on both sides of a center axial line direction of the superconductive coil; an outer circumference-side binding portion that extends in the center axial line direction on an outer circumferential side of the superconductive coil to bind the pair of bobbin bodies; and a belt-shaped or a wire-shaped inner circumference-side tension imparted portion which extends in the center axial line direction on an inner circumferential side of the superconductive coil to connect the pair of bobbin bodies, and on which tension is imparted in the center axial line direction.
US08952773B2 Magnetic propulsion device using superconductors
A device for the creation of propulsive force comprising a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or a superconductive solenoid, fixedly mounted at the narrow end of a converging nozzle made of a superconductor, such as a type II superconductor, e.g. like the rare earth Ba—Cu—O superconductors Sm—Ba—Cu—O or Y—Ba—Cu—O. The magnetic field generated by the interaction of the magnet with the superconducting nozzle due to Meissner effect, acts in the form of pressure on nozzle thereby producing a propulsive force directed toward the nozzle's converging end. The propulsive force being developed may be used for propelling or actuating any machine or vehicle, as well as in the production of energy.
US08952772B2 Electromagnetic contactor and electromagnetic contactor gas encapsulating method
An electromagnetic contactor includes a base plate having an aperture hole; an arc extinguishing chamber formed by a fixed terminal support insulating substrate and a cylinder portion; and a bottomed tubular cap in which one end thereof is open. An arc extinguishing chamber connection portion is formed by the arc extinguishing chamber and a first connection member having a flange portion. A cap connection portion is formed by the cap and a second connection member having a tube portion and a flange portion. The flange portion of the first connection member is attached to one surface of the base plate, and the flange portion of the second connection member is attached to the other surface of the base plate, so that the arc extinguishing chamber connection portion and the cap connection portion are in communication through the aperture hole of the base plate.
US08952769B2 Dual mode dielectric resonator operating in a HE mode with a Q factor no less than 5000
A dual mode dielectric resonator (DR) filter has a first DR, and is configured to operate at a HE12δ mode within a first frequency band while exhibiting a Q factor of no less than 5000. A first characteristic size of the first DR may be substantially similar to a size of a second DR, where the second DR is configured to operate in a conventional DR filter at a HE11δ mode within a second frequency band, the second frequency band being substantially lower than the first frequency band.
US08952767B2 Layered bandpass filter
A bandpass filter includes a layered structure including a plurality of stacked dielectric layers, and first to third resonators provided within the layered structure. In terms of circuit configuration, the second resonator is located between the first and third resonators. The first resonator includes a first inductor and a first capacitor. The second resonator includes a second inductor and a second capacitor. The third resonator includes a third inductor and a third capacitor. The second inductor is disposed at a position different from that of each of the first and third inductors in the stacking direction of the dielectric layers. The second inductor is lower in inductance than the first and third inductors. The second capacitor is higher in capacitance than the first and third capacitors.
US08952763B2 Frequency modulator having digitally-controlled oscillator with modulation tuning and phase-locked loop tuning
A frequency modulator includes a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) arranged for producing a frequency deviation in response to a modulation tuning word and a phase-locked loop (PLL) tuning word. In addition, another frequency modulator includes a DCO and a DCO interface circuit. The DCO is arranged for producing a frequency deviation in response to an integer tuning word and a fractional tuning word. The DCO interface circuit is arranged for generating the integer tuning word and the fractional tuning word to the DCO, wherein the fractional tuning word is obtained through asynchronous sampling of a fixed-point tuning word.
US08952759B2 Circuit and method for controlling mixed mode controlled oscillator and CDR circuit using the same
A circuit for controlling a mixed mode controlled oscillator. The circuit comprises a charge pump, and a digital loop filter. The charge pump is coupled to the mixed mode controlled oscillator. The charge pump receives an up/down signal and sends a current signal to the mixed mode controlled oscillator. The digital loop filter receives the up/down signal and generates a digital code signal to the mixed mode controlled oscillator. An output frequency of the mixed mode controlled oscillator is controlled by the current signal and the digital code signal.
US08952751B2 Amplifier circuits and methods of amplifying an input signal
A method of operating an amplifier circuit having a pre-charge phase and a sample/conversion phase includes, during a pre-charge phase, charging first and second capacitors to first and second bias voltages. The first capacitor is coupled to a first input of an amplifier circuit, which has a second input and an output. The second capacitor is coupled to the second input. During a sample/conversion phase, the first input of the amplifier circuit is coupled to an input signal through the first capacitor to level-shift the input signal according to the first bias voltage and the output of the amplifier is coupled to the second input through the second capacitor to level shift a feedback signal according to the second bias voltage.
US08952749B1 Filter with combined resonator and integrator
A filter comprises an integrator, a signal feeding path, a first operational amplifier and a second capacitor. The integrator comprises a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The signal feeding path comprises: a first resistor, having a first terminal coupled to the first output terminal; a first capacitor, having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor; and a second resistor, having a first terminal coupled to the integrator and having a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first capacitor. The first operational amplifier comprises a second input terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor and the first terminal of the first capacitor, and comprises a second output terminal. The second capacitor comprises a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and comprises a second terminal coupled to the second output terminal.
US08952745B2 Temperature detecting circuit, temperature compensating circuit, and buffer circuit
A temperature detecting circuit includes a first rectifying element with a cathode at a first reference voltage and an anode connected to a first node, a first impedance element connected in series with a second rectifying element between the first rectifying element and a second reference voltage, a third rectifying element with a cathode at the first reference voltage and an anode connected to a second node, a second impedance element and a fourth rectifying element connected in series between the third rectifying element and the second reference voltage, and a differential amplifier that outputs a differential signal pair corresponding to the difference in potential between the first node and the second node. The differential signals in the pair vary in magnitude in opposite directions in response to temperature changes.
US08952739B2 Input circuit
A combination circuit generates first and second internal signals according to first and second input signals, respectively. A first master latch circuit selectively captures and holds a scan-in signal and the first internal signal, and generates a first output signal and a first intermediate signal based on the signals thus captured and held. A first slave latch circuit selectively captures and holds the first intermediate signal and the second internal signal, and generates a second output signal and a scan-out signal based on the signals thus captured and held. This arrangement reduces a circuit scale and power consumption of the input circuited provided in a semiconductor integrated circuit to which a scan path test method is applied.
US08952734B2 Frequency-control circuits and signal generation devices using the same
A signal generation device is provided to generate an output signal with constant frequency. The signal generation device includes a frequency-control circuit and a voltage-controlled delay line. The frequency-control circuit includes a pulse generator, generating a reference pulse signal according to a transition of the reference signal and a comparison pulse signal according to a transition of the comparison result signal, to re-shape the reference signal and the comparison result signal into narrow pulses suitable for clocking and resetting flip-flops.
US08952732B2 Signal processor with frequency converters and P/S converters and signal processing method using same
A signal processor includes: a plurality of frequency converters which perform frequency conversion of input signals to output converted signals; and an output section which combines the converted signals output from the plurality of frequency converters and outputs a composite signal, wherein the plurality of frequency converters are formed in a one-chip semiconductor chip, and the plurality of frequency converters perform frequency conversion into converted signals in different frequency bands.
US08952724B2 Semiconductor device capable of switching operation modes and operation mode setting method therefor
A semiconductor device includes a first pad and a second pad. A first conductivity type transistor is coupled between a first potential and the second pad, and a second conductivity type transistor is coupled between a second potential and the second pad. A comparator includes a first input node coupled to the first pad and a second input node coupled to the second pad. A circuit receives a signal from the first pad or outputs a signal to the first pad, wherein the first pad is coupled to gate electrodes of the first and second conductivity type transistors.
US08952721B2 Semiconductor device
Disclosed is a semiconductor device which is intended to reduce the total number of storage element blocks that constitute a desired logic circuit. The semiconductor device includes N address lines (N is an integer equal to two or more), N data lines, and a plurality of storage sections. Each of the storage sections includes an address decoder for decoding an address supplied via the N address lines to output a word select signal to word lines; and a plurality of storage elements which are connected to the word lines and the data lines, each store data that constitute a truth table, and input or output the data via the data lines in accordance with the word select signal supplied via the word lines. The semiconductor device is adapted such that the N address lines for the storage sections are connected to the respective data lines of other N ones of the storage sections, while the N data lines for the storage sections are connected to the respective address lines of other N ones of the storage sections.
US08952715B2 Wireless current-voltage tracer with uninterrupted bypass system and method
A measurement instrument capable of electrically isolating the connected photovoltaic (“PV”) module in an array of PV modules to perform a health diagnosis including of current versus voltage measurements on the attached device by using a resistive load to acquire the current-voltage (“IV”) curve in the positive power quadrant of the module. The instrument is capable of switching a charge storage element into the array during the period when the solar module is under test to provide uninterrupted electrical power to the PV array. The measurement instrument contains a battery and charger allowing the device to run from the connected PV module's energy. The instrument contains a microprocessor to allow a high degree of configuration through software, including altering the speed of an IV sweep, the interval between sweeps, and integrating temperature and tilt measurements. The instrument is equipped with low power radio devices to communicate wirelessly, further negating the need for a common ground.
US08952713B1 Method and apparatus for die testing
A device tester is provided. The device tester includes a probe card and a substrate coupled to the probe card. The substrate has a plurality of layers for routing a signal. An integrated circuit is coupled to the substrate. The integrated circuit is operable to transmit an input signal received from a testing apparatus to a device under test through the substrate to a signal probe. The signal probe is further operable to receive a test signal from the device under test in response to the input signal, wherein the integrated circuit is operable to amplify the test signal, and transmit the amplified test signal to the testing apparatus.
US08952710B2 Pulsed behavior modeling with steady state average conditions
A method for pulsed behavior modeling of a device under test (DUT) using steady state conditions is disclosed. The method includes providing an automated test system (ATS) programmed to capture at least one behavior of the DUT. The ATS then generates a DUT input power pulse that transitions from a predetermined steady state level to a predetermined pulse level and back to the predetermined steady state level. At least one behavior of the DUT is then captured by the ATS while the input power is at the predetermined pulse level. The ATS then steps the predetermined pulse level to a different predetermined pulse level, and the above steps are repeated until a range of predetermined pulse levels is swept. The ATS then steps the predetermined steady state level to a different steady state level, and the above steps are repeated until a range of predetermined steady state levels is swept.
US08952708B2 Impedance resonance sensor for real time monitoring of different processes and methods of using same
Processes and apparatuses are provided for contactless measuring or monitoring in-situ and in real time composition or other electromagnetic impedance correlated properties of liquid or gaseous substances or bulk materials. One or more apparatus may include a resonance type impedance sensor having at least two coils, at least one coil of the at least two coils being at least one excitation coil connectable to at least one alternating current source with frequency sweep, at least one other coil of the at least two coils being at least one sensing coil connectable to at least one data processing system. The one or more methods may include calculating changes in amplitude and resonant frequency induced by electromagnetic interaction between said sensor and object to determine impedance of said object under test; and matching said impedance with predetermined calibration data to determine said chemical or physical properties of said object under test.
US08952701B2 Isolation resistance measuring apparatus having fault self-diagnosing function and self-diagnosing method using the same
Disclosed is an isolation resistance measuring apparatus having a fault self-diagnosing function. The isolation resistance measuring apparatus having a fault self-diagnosing function forms a diagnosis circuit by means of a first isolation resistance measuring unit and a second isolation resistance measuring unit respectively connected to a cathode terminal and an anode terminal of a battery, and includes a control unit for determining whether a fault arises at the isolation resistance measuring apparatus by using a circuit equation derived from the diagnosis circuit and first and second diagnosis voltages. Therefore, the isolation resistance measuring apparatus may diagnose whether a fault arises at a device which measures isolation resistance of a battery.
US08952694B2 Magnetic resonance coil device
A combined head and nape magnetic-resonance coil device for a magnetic-resonance examination using a magnetic-resonance device, includes at least one posterior coil unit and at least two anterior coil units. At least one anterior coil unit of the at least two anterior coil units is mounted in relation to the posterior coil unit such that the at least one anterior coil unit may move along at least one direction of a spacing between the posterior coil unit and the at least one anterior coil unit.