US08667331B2
It is provided a storage system for storing write data requested by a host computer, comprising: a data storage device, first and second cache memories, first and second non-volatile memories and at least one power storage device, wherein the storage system stores the requested write data in the data storage device, without storing the requested write data in neither the first cache memory nor the second cache memory in a case where the amount of charge of the at least one power storage device is smaller than the predetermined amount of power, and stores the requested write data in at least one of the first and second cache memories, and then store the requested write data in the data storage device in a case where the amount of charge of the at least one power storage device is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount of power.
US08667325B2
Techniques for implementing memory sparing with a memory controller. In an embodiment, a memory controller stores memory sparing information which is specific to a first line of memory in a memory coupled to and controller by the memory controller. In another embodiment, the memory controller includes a second memory line which is to operate as a spare for the first line of memory, where accessing the second memory line is to be a substitute for accessing the first memory line.
US08667322B1
Technologies are described herein for achieving data consistency during a failover from a primary node to a secondary node in a storage cluster with a shared RAID array in a degraded mode. When the primary storage node receives a write I/O operation, a volume module on the primary node reads the missing data strip data from the failed disk belonging to the stripe targeted by the write I/O operation. The primary storage node communicates the missing data strip to the secondary storage node, which writes the missing strip data to an outstanding strip log. Upon the failure of the primary node, the secondary storage node reads the missing data strip from the outstanding strip log and writes the missing data strip to the shared RAID array, thus restoring data consistency to the stripe of the RAID array containing the missing data strip.
US08667317B1
The present disclosure relates to RF front-end (RFFE) circuitry that includes multiple RFFE circuits, each of which may be provided by a separate integrated circuit (IC), front-end module, or both. As such, the RFFE circuits may be connected to one another using an RFFE serial communications bus. Further, one or more of the RFFE circuits may need an accurate clock source for analog-to-digital conversion (ADC), digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), calibration, sensor measurements, or the like. Instead of including an integral clock source circuit or receiving a separate external clock signal, an RFFE circuit may extract clock information from the RFFE serial communications bus to provide one or more clock signal. The clock information may be associated with one or more serial communications command via the RFFE serial communications bus.
US08667316B2
A method of providing a synchronization channel to a SuperSpeed USB device is provided. The method including a SuperSpeed communication channel connection to the SuperSpeed USB device with a USB cable that has USB 2.0 D+ and D− data signalling lines disabled or disconnected at an upstream connection point; multiplexing synchronization information onto the D+/D− data signalling lines at the upstream connection point; and demultiplexing the synchronization information from the D+/D− signalling lines at a downstream connection point of the cable; whereby the synchronization channel is maintained across the D+/D− data signalling lines.
US08667310B2
A circuit is provided. The circuit includes a control circuit, a voltage sensor coupled to the control circuit, and an indicator signal coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit, responsive to the voltage sensor, is configured to detect a first classification voltage within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit, detect, after detecting the first classification voltage, an indexing voltage outside of the classification voltage range, and detect, after detecting the indexing voltage, a second classification voltage within the classification voltage range. The control circuit is further configured to set the indicator signal to a first predetermined state indicating a power type based on the detected first classification voltage, indexing voltage and second classification voltage.
US08667307B2
A power control circuit and a power control method applied to a computer system are disclosed. A regulator receives a first voltage, the regulator converting the first voltage to an embedded controller voltage when the regulator is enabled. A detecting and controlling circuit receives the first voltage and the button signal, and the regulator is enabled when the detecting and controlling circuit detects the button signal. An embedded controller connects to the regulator for receiving the embedded controller voltage and outputting the plurality of power control signals. The embedded controller sends a power on signal to the detecting and controlling circuit to keep the regulator enabled.
US08667303B2
This document describes techniques (300, 400) and apparatuses (100, 500, 600, 700) for peripheral authentication. These techniques (300, 400) and apparatuses (100, 500, 600, 700) may configure data lines for authentication between host device (102) and peripheral (106), use these configured data lines to authenticate the peripheral (106), and then reconfigure the data lines for use.
US08667290B2
The system relates to a method for collecting signatures from pre-validated signers. In one aspect of the method, a pre-validated signer's signature is affixed to an electronic document in an appropriate location after the pre-validated signer authorizes the use of his or her signature.
US08667287B2
Data security devices are provided which store user data and interact with terminal devices to provide information about the stored user data. Security device has memory for storing user data, an interface for transmission of data communications connectable to a data communications network, and a controller. The controller processes a request from the terminal device for information about said user data by first generating a message. The message is generated to permit verification, using secret data, that the message was generated by the controller. The controller sends the message to the terminal device for communication to a publication entity for publication of the message. The controller then receives from the terminal device a cryptographic construction. The controller checks validity of the cryptographic construction for said message, and subsequent supply of the information requested about the user data to the terminal device is then dependent on said cryptographic construction.
US08667284B2
A secure hash, such as a Hash-based Message Authentication Code (“HMAC”), is generated using a piece of secret information (e.g., a secret key) and a piece of public information specific to each escrow key (e.g., a certificate hash or public key). Using the secret key ensures that escrow key validation data can only be generated by knowing the secret key, which prevents an attacker from generating the appropriate escrow key validation data. Using the certificate hash as the public data ties each escrow key validation data to a particular certificate, thereby preventing the attacker from simply copying the validation data from another escrow key. Any escrow key that is found to be invalid may be removed from the file container and a system audit log may be generated so that a company, individual, or other entity can be aware of the possible attempt at a security breach.
US08667273B1
A method and apparatus for secure transparent backup and encryption of data including compression, elimination of redundant information, all working integrated whether data is stored locally or shared in networks. When data is shared in networks, several computers may access encrypted objects simultaneously with the same limitations as for non-encrypted objects. The method and apparatus can automatically and invisible take backups and can easily restore any object to the exact content as it existed for a selected point in time using a snapshot capability in combination with the user interface described that has its focus on making the use very easy for the end user. The invention offers security and performance enhancements when used with tables containing approved hashes for executables and other objects based on company policy and virus scanning. Specific objects may also be easily detected even if they are encrypted.
US08667271B2
A method and system for resolving addresses of a message including looking up, from a source directory, a group name associated with a message address of the message, looking up through a cache of user names mapped to user addresses, a user address for each of the looked up user names and returning an associated user address, and addressing the message to each looked up user addresses. Expanding group address by looking up user name in for group from source directory, looking up user address for each user name from user cache, addressing message to looked up user, address, and transmitting message to looked up user address.
US08667270B2
A method for securely altering a platform component is provided, comprising: assigning certificates for public encryption and signature verification keys for the device; assigning certificates for public encryption and signature verification keys for an upgrade server; mutually authenticating a device containing the platform component and the upgrade server; causing the device and the upgrade server to exchange a session key; and providing an alteration to be made to the platform component from the upgrade server to the device using the session key.
US08667268B2
Web-based authentication includes receiving a packet in a network switch having at least one associative store configured to forward packet traffic to a first one or more processors of the switch that are dedicated to cryptographic processing if a destination port of the packet indicates a secure transport protocol, and to a second one or more processors of the switch that are not dedicated to cryptographic processing if the destination port does not indicate a secure transport protocol. If a source of the packet is an authenticated user, the packet is forwarded via an output port of the switch, based on the associative store. If the source is an unauthenticated user, the packet is forwarded to the first one or more processors if the destination port indicates a secure transport protocol, and to the second one or more processors if the destination port does not indicate a secure transport protocol.
US08667267B1
A method for providing authenticated access to an encrypted file system includes generating a first seed; providing a request for a key to a key server, the request including at least a first seed block having a first encryption, a message block having a second encryption, and an encryption encapsulation block having a third encryption, the encryption encapsulation block including information for decrypting the message block; at the key server, decrypting the encryption encapsulation block and using the information therein to decrypt the at least a first seed block and the message block; and authenticating the message if the first seed in the at least a first seed block matches a first predetermined seed.
US08667263B2
A method is provided for determining with a first device, staleness of attestation measurements at a second device. The method includes booting up the second device at a first time, the second device having a communication portion, a security portion, a basic input/output system and a trusted protection module. Further, the method includes generating an initial counter based on the booting up of the second device at the first time. A current counter is then generated based on a second time after the first time. The method additionally includes providing a request to the second device from the first device, the request requesting booting information and current information, the booting information being based on the initial counter, the current information being based on the current counter. Still further, the method includes providing a response to the first device from the second device, the response including the booting information and the current information. Finally, the method includes determining, via the first device, the generated initial counter and the current counter based on the response.
US08667262B2
An information processing apparatus includes: a first recording medium that stores a first system controller for allowing to execute boot processing of the information processing apparatus and is accessed by using a first access path in a tree structure or by using a second access path based on a first conversion table representing a correspondence between the first and second access path; a memory disk generation section allowing to secure a memory disk section that operates as a second recording medium and is accessed by using a third access path; a conversion table generation section allowing to generate a second conversion table representing a correspondence between the second and third access path; and a duplication controller allowing to copy the first system controller onto the memory disk section as a second system controller and allowing to duplicate the first and second system controllers based on the second conversion table.
US08667261B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus for configuring utility meters are provided. A meter configuration application may be executed by a device that includes one or more computers and that facilitates utility meter configuration. A plug-in module associated with a utility meter type may be received by the device. Based at least in part upon providing the plug-in module to the meter configuration application, a configuration file may be built for the utility meter type. The utility meter may then be configured utilizing the configuration file.
US08667258B2
A computer processing system method and apparatus having a processor employing an operating system (O/S) multi-task control between multiple user programs and which ensures that the programs do not interfere with each other, said computing processing system having a branch multiple page size prediction mechanism which predicts a page size along with a branch direction and a branch target of a branch for instructions of a processing pipeline, having a branch target buffer (BTB) predicting the branch target, said branch prediction mechanism storing recently used instructions close to the processor in a local cache, and having a translation look-aside buffer TLB mechanism which tracks the translation of the most recent pages and supports multiple page sizes.
US08667253B2
A processor of a data processing system executes a controlling thread of a program and detects occurrence of a particular asynchronous event during execution of the controlling thread of the program. In response to occurrence of the particular asynchronous event during execution of the controlling thread of the program, the processor initiates execution of an assist thread of the program such that the processor simultaneously executes the assist thread and controlling thread of the program.
US08667251B2
This electronic chip includes functional modules each including a single processing unit and a single routing unit (110E) connected to one another, and connections, called routing connections, each of which has at least one end connected to the routing unit of a functional module, where the routing connections connect between themselves the routing units of the functional modules so as to allow routing of data between the processing units of the functional modules.The routing unit (110E) of at least one functional module, called a split routing unit, includes two routers (112E, 114E), called respectively a first-level router and a second-level router, which are connected to one another, where the first-level router is moreover connected to at least two routing connections, and where the second-level router is moreover connected to the processing unit of this functional module and connected to at least one other routing connection.
US08667242B2
A data access method for writing data into a storage apparatus is provided, wherein the storage apparatus has a storage unit, the storage unit has a partition, the storage property of the partition is set as a write protect mode and the storage apparatus is coupled to a host system having an operation system. The data access method includes transmitting a command from the host system to the storage apparatus through a human interface device path and setting the storage property of the first partition as a writable mode in response the command. The data access method also includes storing data into the partition by using built-in commands of the operation system. Accordingly, the data access method can write data into a partition that has been at the write protect mode when a user logins the operation system with a limited user authority mode.
US08667234B2
A method for writing updated data into a flash memory module having a plurality of physical pages is provided, wherein each physical page is the smallest writing unit of the flash memory module. The method includes partitioning a physical page into storage segments and configuring a state mark for each storage segment, wherein the state marks indicate the validity of data stored in the storage segments. The method also includes writing the updated data into at least one of the storage segments and changing the state mark corresponding to the storage segment containing the updated data, wherein the state mark corresponding to the storage segment containing the updated data indicates a valid state, and the state marks corresponding to the other storage segments of the physical page not containing the updated data indicate an invalid state. Thereby, the time for writing data into a physical page is effectively shortened.
US08667231B2
A computer implemented method for use by a transaction program for managing memory access to a shared memory location for transaction data of a first thread, the shared memory location being accessible by the first thread and a second thread. A string of instructions to complete a transaction of the first thread are executed, beginning with one instruction of the string of instructions. It is determined whether the one instruction is part of an active atomic instruction group (AIG) of instructions associated with the transaction of the first thread. A cache structure and a transaction table which together provide for entries in an active mode for the AIG are located if the one instruction is part of an active AIG. The next instruction is executed under a normal execution mode in response to determining that the one instruction is not part of an active AIG.
US08667230B1
A digital memory architecture for recognition and recall in support of a host comprises a plurality of pattern processors, each of which has its own random access memory (RAM) and controller, an external data bus and external data bus controller, a results bus and results bus controller, an internal data bus and internal data bus controller, and an external control bus and external control bus and controller. Each of the pattern processors may be a general purpose set theoretic processor (GPSTP) operating in interrupt and block modes.
US08667227B2
Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for accessing a data block in a cache with a domain based cache coherence protocol. A first processor in a first tile and first domain can be configured to evaluate a request to access the data block. A cache in a second tile in the first domain can be configured to send the data block to the first tile when the data block is cached in the second tile. The first processor can be configured to send the request to a third tile in another domain when the cached location is outside the first processor's domain. The third processor can be configured to determine and send the request to a data domain associated with the cached location of the data block. A fourth tile can be configured to receive the request and send the data block to the first tile.
US08667217B1
A selection module selects memory blocks of a flash memory in response to (i) the memory blocks being partially written with first data and (ii) receiving a write command to write second data to the memory blocks. A control module, prior to erasing the first data from the memory blocks, collects the first data and writes the collected data in a portion of a dynamic random access memory instead of writing the collected data in the flash memory. A location description module generates a description table indicating whether data in memory locations in the portion of the dynamic random access memory are valid or invalid. A rate of adding data to the portion becomes equal to a rate at which data in memory locations in the portion becomes invalid so that the collected data is written in the portion without first merging the collected data.
US08667215B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those that provide dynamic block allocations in NAND flash memory between single-level cells (SLC) and multi-level cells (MLC) based on characteristics. In one embodiment, a memory controller dynamically switches between programming and/or reprogramming blocks between SLC mode and MLC mode based on the amount of memory available for use. When memory usage is low, SLC mode is used. When memory usage is high, MLC mode is used. Dynamic block allocation allows a memory controller to obtain the performance and reliability benefits of SLC mode while retaining the space saving benefits of MLC mode.
US08667212B2
A data processing system includes one or more nodes, each node including a memory sub-system. The sub-system includes a fine-grained, memory, and a less-fine-grained (e.g., page-based) memory. The fine-grained memory optionally serves as a cache and/or as a write buffer for the page-based memory. Software executing on the system uses a node address space which enables access to the page-based memories of all nodes. Each node optionally provides ACID memory properties for at least a portion of the space. In at least a portion of the space, memory elements are mapped to locations in the page-based memory. In various embodiments, some of the elements are compressed, the compressed elements are packed into pages, the pages are written into available locations in the page-based memory, and a map maintains an association between the some of the elements and the locations.
US08667207B2
Described are methods and systems for dynamically reallocating memory amongst virtual machines executing within a virtualization environment. A computer can execute a virtualization environment that can include one or more virtual machines and that can include a memory manager. The memory manager can dynamically reallocate memory by identifying a maximum and minimum memory value for each virtual machine, determining a target memory value for each virtual machine using the maximum and minimum memory value, and identifying one or more virtual machines that have an actual memory usage value that is less than the target memory value calculated for those virtual machines. To re-allocate the memory, the memory manager can allocate additional memory to the identified virtual machines by inflating a balloon driver, then de-allocate the additional memory, and reallocate the de-allocated, additional memory to other virtual machines within the virtualization environment.
US08667197B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for selecting a requester to service during an arbitration round, and updating counters associated with the selected requester including a command unit counter and a data unit counter, determining if the counters are in compliance with corresponding threshold values, and if so granting a transaction for the selected requester, and otherwise denying the transaction. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08667193B2
Techniques are disclosed for utilizing a non-ported generic device (NGD) or other non-ported hardware to couple processing device(s) to access components on a serial data bus without the need for integrated manager hardware. Using the NGD, a processing device(s) can utilize available unused bandwidth on the serial data bus to communicate with components coupled with the serial data bus, including a processing device having the manager hardware. Various alterations and embodiments are disclosed.
US08667180B2
For facilitating data compression, a set of logical extents, each having compressed logical tracks of data, is mapped to a head physical extent and, if the head physical extent is determined to have been filled, to at least one overflow extent having spatial proximity to the head physical extent. Pursuant to at least one subsequent write operation and destage operation, the at least one subsequent write operation and destage operation determined to be associated with the head physical extent, the write operation is mapped to one of the head physical extent, the at least one overflow extent, and an additional extent having spatial proximity to the at least one overflow extent.
US08667172B2
A networking system comprising a plurality of content routers coupled to each other and to a plurality of providers and configured to route and cache content data, wherein the content routers are further configured to locate and route requested content to a user node coupled to the content routers, wherein the providers are configured to publish content and the content routers are further configured to receive and cache the content data in response to an interest request for content and to flood a content identifier for the content data to a plurality of neighboring content routers within a specified radius, wherein the content identifier enables the plurality of neighboring content routers to determine a nearest location from which to obtain the content data to enable efficient content routing.
US08667165B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for dynamically modifying an application program's behavior in response to changing environmental conditions (such as network changes, system changes, and so forth). The application may solicit such information, and/or may receive unsolicited environmental change notifications. In response to a change notification, the application may take one or more of the following approaches to adapt to the changing conditions: (1) alter its execution; (2) modify its use of, or control of, other cooperating application; and (3) modify the selection of application execution threads. (An application might also decide to make no changes in its behavior.)
US08667157B2
Example embodiments relate to hardware bus redirection switching. In example embodiments, a computing device receives a selection of a new remote desktop protocol to be used for communication with a remote server. The computing device may then selectively enable hardware bus redirection for the new remote desktop protocol based on whether the new protocol supports hardware bus redirection.
US08667154B1
Authentication of an unknown party in a secure computer communication may be performed even without consulting a public whitelist of trusted parties. A digital certificate from an unknown party not authenticated by a trusted certificate authority may be locally processed to determine if the digital certificate is a trusted, non-trusted, or unknown digital certificate. For example, a model may be created by training a support vector machine to classify a digital certificate. The model may be provided to a computer involved in secure computer communication. The computer may receive an incoming digital certificate, extract fields from the incoming digital certificate, and take a hash of the extracted fields perform input data that may be employed by the model to determine if the incoming digital certificate is a trusted, non-trusted, or unknown digital certificate.
US08667146B2
The present disclosure provides solutions for an enterprise providing services to a variety of clients to enable the client to use the resources provided by the enterprise by modifying URLs received and the URLs from the responses from the servers to the client's requests before forwarding the requests and the responses to the intended destinations. An intermediary may identify an access profile for a clients' request to access a server via a clientless SSL VPN session. The intermediary may detect one or more URLs in content served by the server in response to the request using one or more regular expressions of the access profile. The intermediary may rewrite or modify, responsive to detecting, the one or more detected URLs in accordance with a URL transformation specified by one or more rewrite policies of the access profile. The response with modified URLs may be forwarded to the client.
US08667141B2
A method, a system and a computer program product for handling requests in a network are disclosed. A load pattern at a first service component is extracted. A capacity and pending requests at the first service component are calculated based on the load pattern. Thereafter, an insertion delay is calculated based on the capacity, pending requests, and a time period required to increase the capacity by applying various alternative adaptation techniques. The insertion delay is then distributed among a plurality of upstream service components.
US08667138B2
Techniques are provided herein for distributed and hierarchical rendering and provisioning of cloud services. At a device in a cloud computing system comprising a plurality of hierarchical levels, a cloud service request is received for rendering and provisioning of a virtual data center. A determination is made as to which aspects of the cloud service request are to be satisfied by devices in a first hierarchical level and which aspects of the cloud service request are to be satisfied by devices in a second hierarchical level and in subsequent hierarchical levels. Rendering and provisioning commands are provided to one or more devices in the first hierarchical level that are selected to satisfy aspects of the cloud service request in the first hierarchical level. A subset cloud service request for aspects of the cloud service request that are to be satisfied by devices in the second hierarchical level is sent to a device in the second hierarchical level.
US08667131B2
A network system comprising memory configured to store a service offer set identifying one or more service plans available to an end-user device, the one or more service plans enabling the end-user device to communicate over a wireless access network; and one or more network elements configured to obtain the service offer set from memory, send information associated with the service offer set to the end-user device over the wireless access network, the information enabling the end-user device to present, through a user interface, one or more service plan selection options associated with the one or more service plans available to the end-user device, receive an offer set user selection from the end-user device, the offer set user selection indicating a user selection of at least one of the one or more service plan selection options, and provision one or more functions based on the offer set user selection.
US08667130B2
Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a system, apparatus and method for monitoring a user's activities and displaying and presenting unsolicited content to users over a wide area network. Embodiments of the instant invention include a monitoring system comprising an activity monitor and a content transfer and display means, wherein the activity monitor comprises an event identifier and a timer. The monitoring system monitors user activities, identifies trigger events, measures the elapsed time of inactivity of the user and initiates the presentation of unsolicited data, or content, to the user computer. In general, the monitoring system identifies trigger events and measures the elapsed time between trigger events. If the elapsed time between the trigger events exceeds a predefined time period the monitoring system causes unsolicited data to be presented on the user computer.
US08667127B2
Systems and methods for monitoring Web page content associated with processing a resource request are provided. A client computing device generates a sample image corresponding to a set of resources rendered in response to a resource request. A processing component, such as an image analysis component, then compares the sample image with an averaged reference image to identify a compared image. The averaged reference image is determined from averaging a pixel intensity value for each pixel in a first reference image with a pixel intensity value for each pixel in a second reference image. These first and second reference images both correspond to the same set of requested resources. The processing component then weights the compared image to produce a weighted compared image and determines whether a sum of the intensity values for each pixel in the weighted compared image exceeds a threshold. Aspects of systems and methods for generating an alert message if the threshold is exceeded are also provided.
US08667126B2
A scheme for monitoring node operational status according to communications transmits messages periodically according to a heartbeat rate among the nodes. The messages may be gossip messages containing the status of the other nodes in the pairs, are received at the nodes and indications of the communications delays of the received messages are stored, which are used to compute statistics of the stored communications delays. Parameters of the node status monitoring, which are used for determining operational status of the nodes, are adjusted according to the statistics, which may include adjusting the heartbeat rate, the maximum wait time before a message is considered missed, and/or the maximum number of missed messages, e.g., the sequence number deviation, before the node is considered non-operational (down).
US08667120B2
The number of response-waiting requests which are already sent to a server (4) but to which a response is not yet returned from the server (4) is limited. To limit this number, received requests are temporarily accumulated in a buffer if the number of response-waiting requests has reached a threshold and, until the number of response-waiting requests falls below the threshold, requests are not sent from the buffer. The execution status of the server (4) is monitored, and the threshold is increased when the response time from the server (4) to a request is within an allowable range, and the threshold is decreased when the response time exceeds the allowable range. In addition, TCP connections between a load control device (3) and clients (1-1, . . . , 1-n) are aggregated so that the number of simultaneous connections of TCP connections between the server (4) and the load control device (3) becomes equal to or smaller than the threshold of the number of response-waiting requests.
US08667119B2
A system for re-generating a packet load for a load test includes a packet collector for collecting a packet transmitted between a game client application and a game server application, a packet data storage for storing the collected packet in a list form, a central manager for editing and re-defining the stored packet as an action and constructing a test scenario by combining the re-defined packet and an agent for generating a load according to the re-defined packet and the test scenario.
US08667118B2
In a computer system including physical servers on which virtual servers for business use operate and a management server communicably connected to the physical servers, the management server requests physical servers that are targets of performance measurement to activate a performance measurement virtual server based on a virtual server image including an operating system and a performance measurement program. Performance information measured by the performance measurement virtual server activated on each physical server is fed to the management server. It is therefore possible in the communication system to measure a margin processing performance of each physical server according to the same criterion.
US08667113B2
Techniques for detecting device changes using SNMP polling are described. In response to determining that an MIB of a managed device has changed, the device's SNMP agent identifies the altered objects in the device's MIB. In response to detecting such a change, the SNMP agent generates a bitmap. This bitmap identifies all the MIB's objects that have changed. The NMS may access and use this bitmap to take further action. For example, the NMS may use the bitmap to poll only the changed objects in the MIB, rather than all of the objects in the MIB (including the unchanged objects). Because fewer than all of the MIB's objects need to be polled in order to identify changes to the managed device, both the burden on the device and the bandwidth required for the polling is significantly reduced.
US08667112B2
Selective interaction between networked smart devices is disclosed. One embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to an apparatus for interacting with associated smart appliances via a network, where the apparatus comprises a memory; and a processor. The processor is configured to identify one or more associated smart appliances upon activation of a smart device in a network, where the smart device and the associated smart appliances are configured to communicate with each other for notification or for executing one or more commands. The processor is also configured to determine a mode of the smart device upon receiving data from the associated smart appliances, where the mode of the smart device is set through configuring a user experience environment of the smart device. The processor is further configured to selectively process the data from the associated smart appliances based on the mode of the smart device.
US08667108B2
A method of managing a domain, a method of extending a domain, and a method of selecting a reference point controller are provided. The method of operating the domain includes: receiving a request for authenticating a reference point controller from a reference point controller candidate; invalidating a membership of the stored reference point controller; generating a unique reference point controller membership for verifying that the reference point controller candidate is a new reference point controller; and transmitting the generated reference point controller membership to the reference point controller candidate. Accordingly, even when an error occurs in the reference point controller, the function of the reference point controller can be rapidly replaced by using the reference point controller candidate.
US08667090B2
In certain embodiments, a server receives a request from a client for a webpage comprising portlets. A framework corresponding to the webpage is retrieved. The framework indicates whether a portlet is to be executed by the server or whether execution of the portlet is to be initiated by the client. The framework indicates that one or more first portlets are to be executed by the server. The server executes the first portlets to yield one or more first portlet markups. The first portlet markups are placed into the webpage. Execution of one or more second portlets is to be initiated by the client according to the framework. One or more placeholder tags for the second portlets are placed into the webpage. A placeholder tag allows the client to initiate execution of a second portlet. The webpage comprising the first portlet markups and the placeholder tags is sent to the client.
US08667083B2
An aspect of the present invention simplifies provisioning of asynchronous interaction with enterprise suites having synchronous integration points. In one embodiment, a digital processing system receives, from a user, data indicating that asynchronous interaction is required for a synchronous integration point of an enterprise suite, and in response, auto-generates a set of service oriented architecture (SOA) artifacts designed to synchronously invoke the synchronous integration point and provide asynchronous interaction with external systems. The auto-generated SOA artifacts are then deployed in SOA server, whereby external systems can interact asynchronously to access a functionality provided by the synchronous integration point. According to another aspect, the system, also receives from the user, a second data indicating a set of policies to be applied, and in response, auto-generates the set of SOA artifacts to implement the set of policies during asynchronous interaction with external systems.
US08667081B2
The present invention relates to interactive virtual reality networked computer systems and methods that facilitate communication and operation in a virtual reality environment. The virtual reality networked computer system has an infrastructure that includes a number of users, hosts and servers. The interconnected hosts and servers allow users to effectively locate, activate, access and interact within virtual reality environments in a variety of different ways. For example, users can establish user groups such that interaction within the virtual reality environment occurs between hosts (accessed by users) without the need of a central or dedicated server.
US08667080B2
The present description refers in particular to a computer-implemented method, a computer program product, and an embedded system for increasing the speed of data retrieval by a client on the embedded system. The embedded system executes a client and an intermediary, wherein the client and the intermediary are executed separately, and wherein the intermediary manages the storing component. A request may be received from the client at the intermediary, for a first content element of a document. The intermediary determines whether the first content element is stored in a storing component and when the first content element is stored in the storing component: retrieves the first content element from the storing component; and sends the first content element from the intermediary to the client.
US08667075B1
Systems and methods for implementing a subscription-based social media platform are provided. A content creator generates live content on a mobile device and sends requests to a server for initializing a live stream from the mobile device. The server sends requests to encoding service providers. The encoded live content is send to a content storage server. Subscribers of the social media platform can access the live content on their mobile devices from the content storage server.
US08667073B2
A method for presenting information contained in messages in a terminal (MS). In the method, the message includes at least one component. The message is transmitted to a terminal (MS) in a system for transmitting multimedia messages. In the method, a presentation model (SMIL) is formed to contain information related to the presentation of each component attached in the message. The aforementioned presentation model (SMIL) is supplemented with a reference about the location of each component in the message, and the aforementioned presentation model (SMIL) is attached to the aforementioned message.
US08667070B2
A storage medium storing a mail management program, the mail management program causing a computer to execute: receiving from a first user, a designation of a first electronic mail addressed to the first user as an open mail, which is made open to a second user, first setting a receiving date and time at which the designation is received as date and time information corresponding to the open mail, second setting another receiving date and time at which a second electronic mail which is not the open mail and is addressed to the second user is received by the computer, as the date and time information corresponding to the second electronic mail and outputting, upon receipt of an output instruction from the second user, the open mail and the second electronic mail in accordance with the date and time information.
US08667064B2
A user device requests a web page from a web server of a third-party website, which is separate from a social networking system. The web server from the third-party website sends a markup language document for the requested web page to the user device which includes an instruction for a browser application running on the user device to incorporate information obtained from the social networking system within the web page. Based on the instruction in the received markup language document, the user device requests personalized content from the social networking system, which generates the requested personalized content based on social information about the user. The user device then renders the web page with the personalized content contained in a frame and displays the rendered web page and the frame to the user.
US08667062B2
An approach is provided for preserving privacy for appointment scheduling. A scheduling platform receives a request to schedule an appointment among one or more users. The scheduling platform determines availability information for the one or more users from one or more respective devices, wherein the availability information is encrypted using homomorphic encryption. The scheduling platform then processes and/or facilitates a processing of the availability information using, at least in part, one or more homomorphic functions to determine one or more recommended time slots for the appointment.
US08667060B2
Communicating data via an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). An infrastructure is disclosed that includes: a plurality of communication modules incorporated into a plurality of associated utility meters; a data aggregator configured for communicating with each of the plurality of communication modules, wherein the data aggregator includes a system for translating meter specific data formats into an aggregated format that includes data quality attributes and a timestamp, and includes a system for synchronizing aggregated data over a back haul; and a head end system having a communication management system that receives and processes synchronization messages from the data aggregator received over the back haul, wherein the head end system includes a metering system for requesting and obtaining meter data from the associated utility meters via the data aggregator, and issuing signals to individual meters and groups of meters.
US08667055B2
A method for implementing an online mutual aid question-answer service comprises: a questioning user uploading an edited question to an extensible markup language document management (XDM) server; an answering user subscribing for a question from the XDM server, the XDM server sending the question subscribed for to the answering user; and after the answering user receives the question, the answering user answering the question, and informing the questioning user of the question about an answer of the question.
US08667050B2
Methods and systems for displaying data associated with a client drive of a client computing device in a virtualized desktop executing on a remote computing device without explicitly mapping the client drive onto the remote computing device are described. A first client agent executing on a client computing device establishes a user session with a remote computing device. The first client agent transmits data identifying the client drive of the client computing device to a second client agent executing on the remote computing device. The second client agent receives data associated with the client drive and generates a shell link using the received data associated with the client drive in the context of the user session. The second client agent displays the data associated with the client drive of the client computing device in a virtualized desktop executing on the remote computing device.
US08667032B1
The method and apparatus collect file recipes from deduplicated data storage systems, the file recipes consist of a list of fingerprints of data chunks of a file. Detailed meta-data for each unique data chunk is also collected. In an offline process, research and analysis can be performed on either the meta-data itself or on a reconstruction of a full trace of meta-data constructed by matching recipe fingerprints to the corresponding meta-data. The method and system can generate the full meta-data trace efficiently in an on-line or off-line process. Typical deduplicated storage systems achieve 10× or higher deduplication rates, and the meta-data collection is faster than processing all of the original files and produces compact meta-data that is smaller to store.
US08667029B2
A computer system having a transaction based file system is disclosed. The computer system includes file system software that manages the file data and the file system structure of files stored on a persistent data storage device and maintains a transaction file that includes a plurality of transaction records. The file system software executes a startup process in which a reconstructed file system is generated in random access memory from the transaction records. The startup process may skip verification of some of the transactions. The file system software may error check at least one of the skipped transactions in response to a request to access a file identified by a file node record in the reconstructed filed system after the startup process is completed.
US08667028B2
Database management systems associate a user identifier with an application and monitor access by the application to a database replication. Any changes to a schema associated with the database replication or different instances of the database are identified based on the monitoring. Identified changes are verified and a usage parameter of the database or database replication is analyzed to determine usage data, which can be stored in a database usage repository. A determination regarding the expected impact of an identified change is determined from the usage data.
US08667025B2
In an embodiment the present invention relates to a method comprising: inputting data in binary form; arranging the input data in segments; determining a plurality of values based on respective ones of said segments; using said values to determine locations where a predetermined transformation is to be applied to a sequence of bits; performing said predetermined transformation on said sequence of bits at each of said locations; outputting the sequence of bits as first output data. The present invention can be applied to encryption and decryption of data, data comparison and verification, and random data generation.
US08667024B2
Shared data management in software-as-a-service platform may provide a common object data schema for one or more data objects and one or more data attributes associated with said one or more data objects stored in a master database. A plurality of applications may be enabled to be deployed dynamically on a platform and interoperate by sharing said data values stored in the master database. Data trading is enabled in which applications request permissions to read from or write to, or both, the master database, and in which the requests are mediated by granting or denying permissions.
US08667023B2
Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requestor. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requestors that may or may not be utilizing this same container system.
US08667019B2
Models and tools for facilitating database instance consolidation are described. One approach obtains standardized database instance performance data, receives instance isolation criteria which are applied to divide instances into sets, determines resource usage for each set, and assigns instance sets to target machines based on resource usage and capacity. Each instance set is associated with a virtual machine in some cases. A security isolation criterion indicates that specified instances shall not co-reside on a target machine; an organizational criterion indicates that specified instances shall be located together in a single data center; a compatibility criterion indicates that instances shall not reside in the same virtual machine, the same physical server, or the same server pool. Users iteratively reach an acceptable consolidation of instances at one or more data centers, such as an enhanced assignment of instances that is more efficient than a linear additive solution.
US08667018B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that implements a security policy in a database. During operation, the system receives a request associated with a set of objects in the database. Next, the system obtains a set of access control lists (ACLs) associated with the database, wherein a respective ACL specifies one or more access privileges associated with a user or user group, and wherein a respective ACLs is not specific to a particular object in the database. The system then evaluates the ACLs to obtain a set of ACL results associated with the request and processes the request by applying the set of ACL results to the objects without evaluating the ACLs repeatedly for each of the objects.
US08667017B1
A method for collaborative management of a process is disclosed herein. The method includes electronically creating a declaration document containing information relating to one or more characteristics of an equipment unit involved in effecting the process. The method further includes electronically creating, at least partially based upon the information contained within the declaration document, an instruction document prescribing changes in one or more operational parameters of the equipment unit. The declaration document may be created by an operator of the equipment unit and the instruction document may be created by a user entity having electronic access to the declaration document.
US08667016B2
This application describes a system and associated methods for enabling users of video editing, compositing, motion graphics, and other applications to easily store and retrieve presets, have presets modified for compatibility with other applications, share presets with each other, and search for shared presets. The users may utilize different applications that store presets according to different application-specific schemas. The system can automatically translate or conform presets from one application-specific schema to a neutral schema and from the neutral schema to another application-specific schema. This allows a user of one application to share his or her presets with users of different applications. Among other things, this cross-application sharing of presets allows the system implementor to create one user community (e.g., of users of different applications), rather than several individual ones (e.g., an individual user community for each different application). Other features of the system and associated methods are also described.
US08667014B2
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and non-transitory, tangible computer-readable media associated with utilizing a central storage and maintainer which has knowledge of one or more reusable boxes, and maintains information about the boxes. The system maintains reusable box information with respect to a unique identifier or tracking code which is associated with each tracked box. The association between a unique identifier and a box allows future shipping using the box to be tracked using the identifier. This enables a narrative of the box's travels to be developed through the addition of narrative entries or comments provided by recipients of the box. The narrative may in turn be searched for and displayed via one or more web-based interfaces, providing a snapshot of the box's travels.
US08667006B2
A facet peer category navigation system enables enhanced navigation of a faceted search system by a facet peer agent enabled enhanced navigation of a faceted search system by identifying a plurality of targets in a database searchable by a faceted search system. A web page configured to run the faceted search system is displayed, and responsive to a display of a target anywhere on the web page and to an activation of a control associated with the target, a list of all peer targets of the target is displayed in a window on the web page.
US08666998B2
A method, system and computer program product provides a first characteristic associated with a first data set and a single data value, and a second characteristic associated with a second data set; and calculates at least one of: 1) the similarity of the first data set with the second data set based on the first and second characteristics, 2) the similarity of the first data set with the single data value based on the first characteristic and the single data value, 3) confidence indicating how well the first characteristic reflects properties of the first data set based on the first characteristic, and 4) confidence indicating how well the similarity of the first data set with the single data value reflects properties of the single data value based on the first characteristic and the single data value.
US08666994B2
Methods and systems for indexing a plurality of documents, each document comprising a text portion, the method parses the text portion of each of the plurality of documents to form a plurality of respective local document indexes each associated with a respective document, and stores the local document index in a database, Each local document index has a plurality of local text terms and a local weighting associated with each text term From the plurality of local document indexes, forming a global document index associated with each global text term. The global weighting is determined with respect to a parameter associated with a reference global text term. Also, methods and systems for analyzing a text portion, retrieving documents from a database relevant to the text portion and for refining the results of a search are disclosed.
US08666989B1
Techniques for storing and retrieving content associated with a specific geographic location include identifying discrete regions included in a bounding region and initializing a list of discrete regions and a count of identified local content. For each identified region: determining a number of content items included in the region; updating the region list with an ID of the identified region if it contains at least one content item; and adding the determined number of content items to the count of identified local content. Deciding whether to proceed to a next identified region includes determining if unprocessed regions remain and if a predetermined content limit was reached. The next region is then processed if there is a next region and the content limit has not been reached. The regions are processed, content IDs for content items associated with processed regions are located in a content database for further selection or serving.
US08666982B2
A document may be received at a processing module. One or more tags may be applied to the document, each tag applied to a term, each tag representing a part of speech. One or more terms may be extracted from the document based on the tag. A weighting assignment parameter may be determined for each of the one or more extracted terms. Based on the weighting assignment parameter associated with each of the extracted terms, it may be determined whether the domain ontology includes the one or more extracted terms. If the domain ontology does not include the one or more extracted terms, the domain ontology may be augmented such that the domain ontology comprises the one or more extracted terms.
US08666969B2
Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to receiving, by a computing device, a first table join query that may include a first group of table identifiers that identify the two or more tables. The computing device may determine whether the first table join query includes an outer join command. When the first table join query includes the outer join command, the computing device may compare the first group of table identifiers and a second group of table identifiers of one or more pre-joined tables to determine whether each of the first table identifiers matches at least one of the second group of table identifiers. The computing device may further determine whether a predicate associated with each table identifier matches a predicate associated with a matching second table identifier. When each of the predicates match, the computing device may rewrite the first table join query.
US08666967B2
An exemplary system for managing an applications and data space includes a strategy layer configured to receive a query statement and to formulate one or more custom queries based on the query statement and a query scheduler layer configured to schedule issuance of the one or more custom queries to one or more query response modules associated with the applications and data space. Other methods, devices and systems are also disclosed.
US08666947B2
In one embodiment a method for providing recoverability to a system includes: protecting a critical PDSE by creating a copy of the critical PDSE, providing a CDR task with exclusive access to the PDSE copy, initiating a transaction queue for tracking updates to the critical PDSE, adding any updates performed to the critical PDSE to the transaction queue, updating the PDSE copy according to the transaction queue, quiescing the critical PDSE, corralling open connections to the critical PDSE, completing each update resident in the transaction queue to the PDSE copy up to a last known uncorrupted state of the critical PDSE, providing a replacement critical PDSE by redirecting the corralled connections to the PDSE copy, protecting the replacement critical PDSE by creating a copy of the replacement critical PDSE, referred to as a replacement PDSE copy, and providing the CDR task with exclusive access to the replacement PDSE copy.
US08666941B2
For interactive television subscribers, a system (10) and method for persistent storage of common information relating to a user (25) required by multiple disparate iTV applications to be shared among said applications to ease the burden of data entry off the user. Subscribers do not have to repeatedly enter the same common user information required by multiple applications. The registration information inputted by a user (25) is logged, temporarily stored in the STB (35), and its contents transmitted to a remote central repository (100) at predetermined intervals.
US08666929B2
The method and system of the present invention include, responsive to a receipt of a customer input, customizing an agent interface menu. The customizing includes selecting a plurality of action items for the agent interface menu, and ordering the plurality or more action items in the agent interface menu. The customizing is performed using the customer input and an item of stored customer information. The method further includes presenting an item of the customer input in an agent interface. The agent interface includes the agent interface menu, a communication window, and a customer attributes display. Responsive to a selection of one of the plurality of action items, wherein the plurality of action items is presented by the agent interface menu, an input field in a form provided in support of an action selected from the agent interface menu is populated with the customer input received from the customer interface.
US08666919B2
A data quality management system includes a rules repository configured to store profiling data quality rules, cleansing data quality rules, and linking data that links profiling data quality rules to cleansing data quality rules. The data quality management system also includes a rules management module configured to manage the rules repository. The data quality management system further includes a data quality job management module configured to migrate data quality rules from the rules repository to a data quality processing system and manage a data quality process performed by the data quality processing system using the migrated data quality rules.
US08666917B2
A hierarchy of computing modules is configured to learn a cause of input data sensed over space and time, and is further configured to determine a cause of novel sensed input data dependent on the learned cause. At least one of the computing modules has a sequence learner module configured to associate sequences of input data received by the computing module to a set of causes previously learned in the hierarchy.
US08666913B2
The present invention relates to a method of checking data gathered from a content source comprising: receiving initial data from the content source; training a data profiler to generate a set of trusted constraint modules, said training comprising (1) selecting constraint modules having parameters that are applicable to the initial data, (2) adjusting the parameters of the applicable constraint modules to conform with new data from the content source, (3) identifying non-stable constraint modules, and (4) generating a set of trusted constraint modules by removing the non-stable constraint modules; applying the set of trusted constraint modules to subsequently received data from the content source to determine whether the subsequently received data meets the parameters of the set of trusted constraint modules; and signaling a failure upon the subsequently received data failing to meet the parameters of the set of trusted constraint modules.
US08666910B2
A search device and associated methods use music emotions to browse, organize and retrieve music collections. The search device comprises a processor and an interface. The processor uses machine learning techniques to determine music emotion according to music features and organizes music by emotions for browsing and retrieving music collections. The interface connects to the processor and allows a person to retrieve desired music from the processor. Methods associated with the search device comprise a processor initialization method, a method of loading new music into the search device and several methods of retrieving desired music from the search device.
US08666898B2
A system for information retrieval within a database of large size includes a first module for extracting the descriptors associated with each object in the database, and for constructing a table containing the objects and the value of a descriptor associated with an object. The system also includes a second module for applying a number of classification algorithms, for each of the tables obtained from the module, a third module to fusion the results obtained from the module in order to determine, for each type of descriptor, a class number associated with an object, a fourth module for finding which column of a table is closest to the column obtained during the first fusion of the step, and for selecting the map that is closest contained in the table, or best map, and a fifth module to fusion the aggregate “best maps”, and applying an algorithm for searching for the best map to be transmitted to a display means.
US08666896B1
The invention provides a method, business method, and system for conducting micropayment transactions between consumers and merchants. A merchant offers micropayment transactions to a consumer. The micropayment transaction is authorized, and the micropayment transaction is executed between the merchant and the consumer. A value parameter associated with a prepaid instrument, such as a prepaid calling card, is decremented by an amount corresponding to the value provided by the merchant. A payment is transferred to the merchant to settle the micropayment transaction. The invention also provides a system for conducting micropayment transactions between consumers and merchants. At least one prepaid calling card is issued to a consumer in exchange for a payment from the consumer. A merchant site conducts micropayment transactions and accepts the prepaid calling card as payment. A clearinghouse receives data associated with the prepaid calling card from the merchant site and processes the data to settle the micropayment transaction.
US08666894B1
A system for remotely authenticating credit card transactions of a consumer comprises at least one subsystem that alerts the consumer via a communication device of the consumer when a credit card transaction that meets certain criteria is being attempted on the consumer's credit card account. Also, a system for remotely authenticating credit card transactions of a consumer may comprise at least one subsystem that receives an authorization request from a merchant for completing the credit card transaction and at least one subsystem that disallows the transaction to complete if a response is received from the consumer rejecting the transaction. The communication device may be a cell phone, computer, PDA, land line telephone, or any other communication device.
US08666883B1
A transaction process prevents short sales and foreclosures by changing a mortgage loan balance. Once it has been established that a borrowing owner of a home serving as collateral for a mortgage has an impending loan default, a transaction is initiated whereby the borrowing owner conveys a portion of ownership of the home to the lender for a credit amount. The lender agrees to convey the portion of ownership of the home back to the borrowing owner at a later time and the borrowing owner agrees to re-purchase the portion of ownership of the home from the lender at the later time. After the conveyance, the lender credits the credit amount to the borrowing owner in order to achieve decreased periodic payments associated with the mortgage due from the borrowing owner.
US08666881B2
A loan management system and method includes an alternative repayment amortization method. Each installment on repayment of the loan includes an equal fixed principal repayment amount and an interest amount. The equal fixed principal repayment amount is based on the amount of the loan and the number of installments to be paid over the life of the loan. The interest due for each installment is based on the interest rate and the amount of outstanding principal at the time a given installment is due.
US08666873B2
In a computerized trading system, at least one passive order from a liquidity provider is placed on a book of orders. An order received from a liquidity consumer is held for a holding period. During the holding period the order from the liquidity consumer is checked and information relating to the received order from the liquidity consumer is sent to eligible ones of one or more liquidity providers. If, during the holding period, changes to the orders on the book of orders are made by the liquidity providers, those orders are modified on the book and the book of orders is revised. Upon expiration of the holding period, the order from the liquidity consumer is matched with orders that remain on the book after any revisions.
US08666870B2
Methods and systems for supply chain management in accordance with a state model. A supply chain management system includes a transaction state module within an inter-enterprise server assessable by trading partners. The transaction state module can define a state model which allows a trading partner to view a transaction and perform an action in accordance with a state of the transaction. The state model describes, in association with each state, which of the trading partners have visibility to the transaction and ability to perform an action. The trading partners can include consumers, retailers, distributors, etc. The transactions can include a forecast order, a purchase order, a billing, a product shipment, a payment, an invoice, a credit memo, a request for quote (RFQ), and a return material authorization (RMA). States of the transaction can include, for example, create, open, public view, private view, publish, commit, cancel, supersede, and the like.
US08666869B2
Systems are provided to manage option information. According to some embodiments, a user interface is provided including at least one option quote area presenting a plurality of option quotes, and an order entry area comprising input areas for inputting two or more option orders. A selection of one of the presented plurality of option quotes may be received and details of an option order corresponding to the selected option quote may be presented in appropriate input areas of the order entry area. In some aspects, a number of option quotes to present in at least one of the at least one option quote area is received, and the number of option quotes is presented in the at least one of the at least one option quote area.
US08666867B2
Systems and methods valuate financial contracts and assess associated risk. Particular embodiments comprise: calibrating parameters of models based on market data; determining a metric for the risk of the models to changes in the parameters; determining a metric for the risk of the parameters to changes in the market data; generating a set of valuation functions corresponding to the contract and depending on the calibrated parameters of the models; generating a corresponding set of derivatives of the valuation functions, the derivatives depending on the metric for the risk of the parameters to changes in the market data; determining a value for the contract to comprise an expected value of one of the valuation functions; and assessing a risk of the value of the contract to one or more variables by determining an expected value of one or more of the set of derivatives of the valuation functions.
US08666862B2
The present invention relates to analysis of trusts that have multiple beneficiaries whose interests mature in different time periods or under different conditions. In particular, we disclose automatic mapping of interests in one or more trusts, optionally subject to user confirmation, to long and short positions in financial or derivative interests that have expected payouts and costs that can be offset against underlying trust assets. The underlying assets and long and short positions in the mapped instruments can be attributed to various beneficiaries and subjected to various risk and investment analysis.
US08666856B2
STL(0), STL(X) and ESTL(X) are processes for determining unique measures of risk for fixed income derivatives and securities. The processes are based on determining this unique concept of risk for a given outer capital structure layer and then combining that risk measure with the average of a similar risk measure of securities referenced by that capital structure repetitively until a base reference level is reached. In particular, a storage device comprises computer-executable instructions for determining risk of a financial instrument which is affected by or offered as a plurality of tranches. The computer-executable instructions, when executed on a programmable computer: identify a width, W, of a given tranche of the instrument; identify an attachment ratio, A, of the given tranche; and determine a liability ratio of the tranche by subtracting the attachment ratio from unity; and determine a simple tranche leverage value, STL(0), of the tranche by dividing the liability ratio by the width.
US08666855B2
Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.
US08666852B1
In an example embodiment, a mass reversal of documents in a convergent invoicing system may be accomplished by first receiving a first set of one or more reversal triggers, wherein each of the one or more task triggers corresponds to a document in the convergent invoicing system. Then a reversal task is received, wherein the reversal task corresponds to the first set of one or more reversal triggers. A second set of reversal triggers may then be automatically corresponded to the reversal task, based upon documents corresponding to the one or more task triggers in the first set of one or more reversal triggers. Once an indication that the reversal task has been released is received, for each reversal trigger corresponding to the reversal task, the reversal trigger is processed, causing a corresponding document to be reversed.
US08666847B1
Methods, systems, and computer program products for an inventory story monitor are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves predicting a number of inventory items on a future date based at least in part upon a number of the inventory items on the current date and a rate of consumption of the inventory items, which is determined based on prior sales of the inventory items. The method also involves determining a price trend of the inventory items. In addition, the method involves determining whether to purchase the inventory items on the current date based at least in part upon the predicted number of inventory items, a rate of consumption of the inventory items, and a price trend of the inventory items. Further, the method involves displaying to the user an indicator of whether to purchase the inventory items on the current date or on a later date.
US08666845B2
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, computer readable mediums, and distributed systems for providing a message-based interface for exchanging customer requirement information. One method includes receiving, via a message-based interface derived from a common business object model that includes business objects having relationships enabling derivation of message-based interfaces and message packages, a first message for providing a notification of an update of product availability including a first message package hierarchically organized as a product available to promise update notification and fulfillment confirmation message entity and an accompanying set of specific, ordered packages, each including specifically ordered elements. The first message is processed according to the first message package's specific hierarchical organization, and a second message responsive to the first message is sent, the second message including a second message package derived from the common business object model to provide consistent semantics with the first message package.
US08666837B2
A computer program product having code that when executed implements steps in a method for displaying to the user a recalculated sales price of realty. The recalculated sales price reflects user-selected brokerage services and not a fixed-commission percentage, typical with the sale of realty. Steps include establishing a database of itemized broker services; accessing a sales price of the realty; providing user access to the database; recording user-selected broker services; producing a recalculated sales price of the real estate property factoring the user-selected broker services into the sales price; and then displaying to the user the recalculated sales price. A system using the computer program product gets smarter with use because the method may include steps of automatically recalculating average factors used to produce a recalculated sales price of the real estate property.
US08666835B2
A method is provided for determining a website user behavioral portrait based on navigation on the website and dynamically reconfiguring web pages based on those portraits. In accordance with the method, data relating to the progress of a user through a website is recorded, and an ongoing behavioral portrait of the user is built based on the data. The portrait is then used to dynamically reconfigure web content.
US08666821B2
Methods and systems for selecting advertisements to present to a user of a computing device are provided. An advertisement system selects advertisements to display to a user based on the serving area of candidate advertisements. The advertisement system selects those candidate advertisements whose serving area encompasses the user's current location. The advertisement system may also select candidate advertisements to present to a user based on a map area currently being displayed to the user. The advertisement system may filter the candidate advertisements based on the provider location being within the map area that is currently being displayed to the user.
US08666820B2
Ad rendering parameters for a set of two or more ads may be determined by (a) accepting, for a set of two or more ads, ad information which includes at least one ad feature having a value that depends on ad rendering parameters, and (b) determining ad rendering parameters for at least one ad from the set of two or more ads using the accepted ad information. The act of determining ad rendering parameters may use accepted ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering constraints may include space available for rendering the ads, a footprint available for rendering the ads, and/or a maximum number of ads permitted to be rendered. The act of determining ad rendering parameters may include maximizing a value associated with serving at least one ad from the set of two or more ads with ad rendering parameters subject to the ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering parameters may include sizes of the served ads, and/or a layout of the served ads.
US08666812B1
Content providers can target individuals for receipt of selected content based, at least in part, on profiles associated with users. The associations between the users and the profiles are determined based on analysis of receipts for transactions completed by the users. These receipts contain information that is indicative of the individuals' spending habits. Electronic correspondence associated with the users is scanned to identify the receipts and information is extracted from the receipts for use in the analysis. The individuals can opt-in to receive content targeted to the profiles associated with their accounts without allowing the content providers to have direct access to their receipts or their identity. The individuals can also opt-out if they no longer want to receive targeted content.
US08666799B1
A system and method for generating a community contribution index (CCI) for organizations and providing reports pertaining to the CCI for one or more organizations is described. The CCI for an organization is calculated based upon monetary donations provided by the organization and the members associated with the organization and the number of volunteer hours provided by the members. The CCI provides a standardized way to measure an organization's contributions to the community.
US08666792B1
Systems and methods for facilitating identification and prioritization of opportunities for marketers of goods and services. According to one aspect of the disclosed system, upon identification of one or more opportunities for a marketer, the system verifies whether or not the one or more opportunities satisfy certain preexisting threshold criteria. Those opportunities that satisfy certain preexisting threshold criteria are then scored, prioritized and presented to marketers. The disclosed system generates opportunity scores by analyzing various kinds of lead- and non-lead-based information and data. Aspects of the disclosed system are communicably coupled to marketers, leads, and third party information services to extract such information and data.
US08666781B2
A system and method of a clinical trial is provided. The system comprises a summary page providing an overview of each clinical trial participant in a graphical format, each clinical trial participant being represented by a unique clinical trial participant identifier and one or more clinical trial participant identifier modifiers applicable to modify one or more of the clinical trial participant identifiers, each modifier indicative of a different status of the particular participant identifier to which it is applied. A zoom selector is provided for zooming in on a subset of the clinical trial participant identifiers included with the summary page. Upon selection of a particular level of zoom, a corresponding amount of detailed information related to the subset of the clinical trial identifiers is provided; the detailed information including at least an indication of the level of compliance of a clinical trial participant to a prescribed clinical trial protocol represented by a corresponding clinical trial participant identifier, and further information related to any particular clinical trial participant identifier modifiers applied to any one of the clinical trial participant identifiers included within the subset.
US08666778B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus for managing patients in need of a predetermined pharmaceutical that requires preauthorization based upon patient clinical data are provided. Prescription information is obtained for each respective patient. Such information includes an identity of the patients and amounts of the pharmaceutical that has been prescribed to the patients. Further, clinical information associated with each patient is received. The clinical information one or more determinants that each contributes to providing a basis for authorizing or denying patient coverage for the pharmaceutical. At least one determinant in the one or more determinants is not a standardized code. Coverage for a patient for the predetermined pharmaceutical is requested by transmitting the prescription and clinical information to a specialty pharmaceutical distributor at a remote location. A grant or denial of coverage for the patient is then received from the remote location and stored in an electronic record associated with the patient.
US08666777B2
A method for providing comparative reports regarding nursing quality of nursing units at multiple healthcare facilities includes storing information received from multiple healthcare facilities, analyzing the information received from multiple healthcare facilities, obtaining first data associated with a first healthcare facility, transmitting the first data to and storing the first data in the database, obtaining second data associated with a second healthcare facility, and transmitting the second data to and storing the second data in the database. When the first unit type of the first data is a same type as the second unit type of the second data, the method includes performing statistical analysis on the first data and the second data, and outputting results of the statistical analysis.
US08666776B1
The method and system allows alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, such that the plurality of prescriptions all require refills on the same date, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the recommended medication regimen. Further, the method and system provides various methods of delivery to the customer of the plurality of aligned prescriptions on the refill dates.
US08666771B2
A system for planning at a healthcare facility employs a database that stores health care facility impacting data including demographic data describing a preselected set of aspects of a population residing within a defined geographic area. A simulator applies modeling tools to the health care facility impacting data and generates output data corresponding to selected data in the health care facility impacting data. The modeling tools include a protocols of care tool; a service configuration modeling tool; a financial analysis tool; and a facility modeling tool. A video monitor displays an image of a map with a visual representation of the geographic area and a plurality of dynamically configurable data display objects that are superimposed on the map. Each data display object is disposed adjacent to a location of a different healthcare facility and each displays output data generated by the simulator.
US08666757B2
Fraud and abuse detection in an entity's payment coding practices includes the ability to search for fraud at all levels of the hierarchical coded payment system within the context of an unsupervised model. The model uses variables derived and profiles created at any level or at all levels of the hierarchical coded payment system to create a comprehensive description of the payment coding activities submitted by the entity. That description is compared with other peer entities to determine unusual and potentially inappropriate activity. The profiles created may themselves be utilized for purposes other than the detection of fraud and abuse.
US08666745B2
The invention deals with speech recognition, such as a system for recognizing words in continuous speech. A speech recognition system is disclosed which is capable of recognizing a huge number of words, and in principle even an unlimited number of words. The speech recognition system comprises a word recognizer for deriving a best path through a word graph, and wherein words are assigned to the speech based on the best path. The word score being obtained from applying a phonemic language model to each word of the word graph. Moreover, the invention deals with an apparatus and a method for identifying words from a sound block and to computer readable code for implementing the method.
US08666742B2
An error detection and correction system extracts editing patterns and derives correction rules from them by observing differences between draft documents and corresponding edited documents, and/or by observing editing operations performed on the draft documents to produce the edited documents. The system develops classifiers that partition the space of all possible contexts into equivalence classes and assigns one or more correction rules to each such class). Once the system has been trained, it may be used to detect and (optionally) correct errors in new draft documents. When presented with a draft document, the system identifies first content (e.g., text) in the draft document and identifies a context of the first content. The system identifies a correction rule based on the first content and the first context. The system may use a classifier to identify the correction rule. The system applies the correction rule to the first content to produce second content.
US08666741B2
A system and method for remote speech recognition includes one or more customer premise equipment, a speech engine, and a communication engine. The customer premise equipment interfaces with a host from which the customer premise equipment is remotely located. The speech engine, remotely located from the host, recognizes a plurality of speech spoken by a user of the customer premise equipment and translates the speech into the language of the host. The speech engine further converts the recognized speech into one or more text data packets where the text data packets include the recognized speech as data instead of voice. The communication engine encrypts the text data packets and transmits the text data packets to the host. Transmitting data instead of voice to the host reduces the computational demands on the host. Additionally, the communication engine receives a plurality of information from the host.
US08666738B2
A biometric-sensor assembly, e.g., for acoustic reflectometry of the vocal tract. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly includes a dental appliance for in-mouth mounting, an acoustic sensor attached to the dental appliance, and an optional headset. The dental appliance enables secure placement of the acoustic sensor in the mouth of the user, e.g., for tracking movements of the tongue and/or other internal articulators of the vocal tract. A boom arm of the headset can be used for holding an additional acoustic sensor and/or a miniature video camera, e.g., for tracking movements of the lips.
US08666731B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, computer program and apparatus for processing a computer message, the method comprising: upon receipt of a computer message at a computer, classifying the computer message and assigning it a message cluster identification in dependence thereon; and, utilizing a message template to trans-denotate the message, wherein the message template is selected in dependence on the message cluster identification.
US08666721B2
A system and method is disclosed in an emulation environment that dynamically remaps user designs. In one embodiment, a request is received to load an integrated circuit design to be emulated in a desired partition within the emulator. The emulator automatically determines the availability of the partition requested. If the partition is not available, the design is dynamically remapped to a different partition that is available. In another embodiment, clocks associated with the integrated circuit design are also dynamically remapped. In yet another embodiment, the user can control the size of the partitions (e.g., the number of printed circuit boards in a partition).
US08666718B2
The present invention relates generally to structural studies of the insulin binding site of the insulin receptor (IR) and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R). More particularly, the present invention relates to the crystal structure of the low affinity insulin binding site of the IR ectodomain comprising the C-terminal region of the IR α-chain, as well as the corresponding region of IGF-1R, and to methods of using the crystal and related structural information to screen for and design compounds that interact with or modulate the function of IR and/or IGF-1R.
US08666717B2
Methods for modeling subsurface reservoirs are provided. In at least one embodiment, the process includes building a numerical model of a reservoir having at least one injection well and at least one producing well, and incorporating at least one of an Eulerian boundary condition (EBC) into each of the at least one injection well and at least one producing well, an advanced constitutive model (ACM) int the reservoir, and an adaptive re-meshing technique (ART) into the reservoir model. Then generating a simulation result from the integrated reservoir model, wherein the simulation result includes at least a volume of produced fluids and produced particulate solids from the reservoir, a volume of injected fluids and injected particulate solids into the reservoir, and a simulation of movement of at least a volume of particulate solids and fluids in the reservoir.
US08666715B2
A computer-aided method suitable for assisting in the design of an aircraft by providing relevant dimensioning values corresponding to an aircraft component in transonic conditions inside a predefined parameter space by means of a reconstruction of the CFD computations for an initial group of points in the parameter space using a POD reduced-order model, comprising the following steps: a) Decomposing for each flow variable the complete flow field into a smooth field and a shock wave field in each of said computations; b) Obtaining the POD modes associated with the smooth field and the shock wave field considering all said computations; c) Obtaining the POD coefficients using a genetic algorithm (GA) that minimizes a fitness function; d) Calculating said dimensioning values for whatever combination of values of said parameters using the reduced-order model. The invention also refers to a system able to perform the method.
US08666708B2
A PID adjustment support device has: a recognition tolerance interval storing portion for storing, in advance, a recognition tolerance interval understood by a user regarding target quantity data of a model to be controlled; and a display processing portion for graphing and displaying, on a displaying portion, the target quantity data and, as a modeling result, a model-response waveform that is a control-response waveform calculated based on the model to be controlled, and for overlaying with the modeling result and displaying the recognition tolerance interval stored in the recognition tolerance interval storing means.
US08666702B2
A first data structure stores one or more components of a modular system, wherein each component includes a quantity of features. A second data structure stores one or more component position numbers, wherein at least one component is assignable to each of the one or more component position numbers, and each design variant is describable by assignment of the components of the modular system to component position numbers of the second data structure. A third data structure stores one or more rules, wherein each rule is to set at least two component position numbers in a relationship, and an assembly module in a computing device is to select the rules from the third data structure that correspond to the one or more component position numbers, and to cause a design drawing to be displayed according to the selected rules.
US08666700B2
The invention concerns the compact representation of a reflectance spectrum of a material. For example, for in compression, identification and comparison of reflectance spectrum data of multiple materials. The compressed representation interpolating a spline curve to the reflectance spectrum data, the spline curve having a set of control points, a knot vector, and representing wavelength and reflectance as functions of an independent parameter (42). Then removing one or more knots from the knot vector that minimise a cost function in a parameter domain of the spline curve based on the wavelength function (44). Aspects of the invention include a method, software, a computer system and the compact representation itself.
US08666698B2
A method of calculating the takeoff weight of an aircraft, characterized by including the steps of: recording a first and second value of a first quantity associated with the weight of the aircraft at least a first and second instant, in which the aircraft is in horizontal flight at constant height; and calculating the takeoff weight of the aircraft on the basis of the first and second value.
US08666695B2
A system and method that may sense and recognize a motion of a user is provided. The system and method may recognize a variety of motions of the user based on sensing data received from a remote controller.
US08666694B2
An inertial device for determining an initial condition reference frame for a body is provided. The inertial device includes at least one inertial measurement unit, one or more processing devices, and one or more memory devices. The inertial measurement unit provides rotation information along at least one axis to the one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices use the rotation information to estimate the current attitude of the body, based on estimates of a total rotation angle experienced by the body from the beginning of body motion to when the inertial measurement unit initialized.
US08666689B1
In one embodiment of the invention, a method and a system for phase noise analysis of oscillators is provided using frequency aware perturbation projection vector techniques. The method and system includes performing steady state analysis on the oscillator by generating an augmented Jacobian matrix. A transfer function for frequency deviation is extracted for the augmented Jacobian matrix for a predetermined frequency range including the oscillation frequency of the oscillator. The phase noise is predicted based on the extracted transfer function.
US08666682B2
A device for measuring torque applied through a rotating member. A first torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a first axial position and a second torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a second axial position. A first detector detects the passage of the first torsion reference member past the first detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a first signal upon each passage of the first torsion reference member. A second detector detects the passage of the second torsion reference member past the second detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a second signal upon each passage of the second torsion reference member. A controller calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal relative during rotation of the rotating member under a torsional load.
US08666678B2
A method of obtaining a more accurate estimate of a signal correction parameter(s) in sequencing-by-synthesis operations, such as incomplete extension rates, carry forward rates, and/or signal droop rates. The sequencing operation produces signal data. A model is constructed to simulate a population of template strands as it undergoes the sequencing process and becomes divided into different phase-states as the sequencing-by-synthesis progresses. For example, the model may be a phase-state model. The output from the model is used to adjust the signal correction parameter(s). For example, the model may be fitted to the signal data. This fitting results in a more accurate estimate of the signal correction parameter(s). In another embodiment, the signal droop rate is modeled as a decaying function and this decaying function is fitted to the signal data to obtain an improved estimate of the signal droop rate.
US08666676B2
A system and method are provided for measuring dynamic phenomena in a biological, chemical or physical sample, including the measurement of Ca2+ transients in a living system. The system and method include measuring dynamic phenomena in an in vitro cardiac cell culture system. Computing system environments and computing systems for implementing the method are provided.
US08666675B2
Method of conducting chromatography comprising controlling a retention time of one or more chemical species in a mixture by determining at least one conceptual segment of: a) the one or more chemical species, b) a mobile phase component, and c) a stationary phase component. The method further includes defining an identity and an equivalent number of each of the at least one conceptual segment.
US08666672B2
The present invention is a mood sensing and communicating system and method that includes a biometric sensor configured to sense biometric information from a person. A mood interpretive system is supported on a computing device or on a remote server. The mood interpretive system is in communication with the biometric sensor and is configured to assign a psychological or emotional mood state with the sensed biometric information. A communication system is supported on the computing device and is configured to communicate the assigned psychological mood state across an Internet to a web-site for positing on a web page. The method includes sensing biometric information from a user with a biometric sensor, associating a psychological mood state with the sensed biometric information with a mood interpretive module, and communicating the assigned psychological mood state to a web-site supported on a server across an Internet.
US08666670B1
The invention is a new method to computationally analyze nucleic acid-protein binding data in a systematic or statistical manner in order to determine the DNA binding sequence for proteins which bind to DNA and are usually involved in the regulation of the expression of genes, and may enhance, promote or repress the expression of the gene.
US08666661B2
A system and method for video navigation are disclosed. Motion analysis can be performed upon camera images to determine movement of a vehicle, and consequently present position of the vehicle. Feature points can be identified upon a video image. Movement of the feature points between video frames is indicative of movement of the vehicle. Video navigation can be used, for example, in those instances wherein GPS navigation is unavailable.
US08666659B2
A geographic information providing system in a personal webpage is disclosed. The geographic information providing system can include a GPS information storing unit, receiving GPS coordinate information related to a location of a user and additional information from a mobile communication terminal and storing the received GPS coordinate information and additional information; a map data loading unit, loading map data having a location corresponding to the GPS coordinate information if a request to access the stored GPS coordinate information and additional information is received; and a temporary layer generating controlling unit, generating a temporary layer to mark the location corresponding to the GPS coordinate information on a loaded map in a form capable of being identified by the user and providing control information for displaying the location corresponding to the GPS coordinate information.
US08666657B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for generating a continuum of image data sprayed over three-dimensional models. The three-dimensional models can be representative of features captured by the image data and based upon multiple image data sets capturing the features. The image data can be captured at multiple disparate points along another continuum.
US08666652B2
Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for displaying analytic geography data in a zero-footprint client environment. Data indicative of a geographic focus area is received via a first user interface region that displays a geographical map from a geographical information system that is executable on a first server, the geographical information system configured to capture, store, analyze, and manage data and associated attributes that are spatially referenced to earth. Data indicative of a selected analytic routine is received via a second user interface region that displays a plurality of candidate analytic routines. The selected routine and data indicated by the selected analytic routine are accessed from a second server. The selected analytic routine is executed using the accessed data and the geographic focus area to produce analytic results, and the analytic results are provided to the user interface display for presentation with respect to the geographic map, wherein the candidate analytic routines are statistical models for generating analytic results.
US08666649B2
Systems and methods for use in identifying at least one alternate airport for an aircraft. One example method includes identifying a plurality of alternate airports based on static data associated with the plurality of alternate airports, identifying, at a processing device, at least one preferred alternate airport from the plurality of alternate airports based on dynamic data associated with the plurality of alternate airports, and storing the at least one preferred alternate airport. The dynamic data includes at least one of visibility information and traffic density information.
US08666648B2
A system and method for aircraft taxiing and guidance using ground station's communication network is disclosed. In one embodiment, in a method of aircraft taxiing and guidance, a communication link between an aircraft computing system and a ground station system is established using a communication network provided by the ground station system. An aircraft taxi selection and guidance application residing in the aircraft computing system is displayed on a display device upon establishing the communication link. Further, one or more pilot selectable taxiing and ground services are displayed upon selecting the aircraft taxi selection and guidance application. One of the displayed pilot selectable taxiing and ground services is selected by a pilot of an aircraft. Information associated with the selected pilot selectable taxiing and ground service is then displayed on the display device using ground station data. The aircraft is taxied and guided by the pilot using displayed information.
US08666646B2
A vehicle guidance device includes: an inter- vehicle distance specification unit that specifies an inter-vehicle distance, which is an inter-vehicle distance in a prescribed lane, between vehicles up to a reference point of a lane change; a recommended section specification unit that ,based on the specified inter-vehicle distance, specifies a recommended section in which a lane change to the prescribed lane should be made before reaching the reference point; and a communication unit that, based on the specified recommended section, outputs guidance information pertaining to the lane change to the prescribed lane.
US08666643B2
A method and system are provided for modeling and optimizing the performance of transportation networks, e.g. for traffic signal retiming. The modeling and optimization may be implemented by obtaining a video signal from a camera at a first intersection; processing data from the video signal to determine at least one value indicative of a corresponding traffic flow through the first intersection; sending the at least one value to a remote processing entity via a wireless network to enable the remote processing entity to update a model of the transportation network, the transportation network comprising the first intersection and at least a second intersection; receiving from the remote processing entity, an instruction for a controller at the first intersection, the instruction having been determined from an update of the model based on data from at least the second intersection; and having the instruction implemented by the controller at the first intersection to optimize at least a portion of the transportation network.
US08666640B2
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes phase change means (60) for advancing or retarding phases of an opening timing and a closing timing of an intake valve (62); duration change means (60) for increasing or decreasing a duration of the intake valve (62); and EGR gas amount increase means (50) for increasing an amount of EGR gas, based on an operating state of an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus further includes intake-valve closing timing advancing means (50) for advancing the intake-valve closing timing when the amount of EGR gas is increased. The intake-valve closing timing advancing means (50) advances the intake-valve closing timing by performing a first operation that advances the phases using the phase change means (60), and performing a second operation that decreases the duration using the duration change means (60), and makes a timing at which the second operation is started later than a timing at which the first operation is started.
US08666627B2
An electromechanical braking system includes first and second electromechanical actuator controllers (EMACs) that each independently generate a complete set of drive control signals for an associated set of electromechanical actuators (EMAs). The drive control signals are generated in accordance with an antiskid algorithm to impart antiskid control to the braking of wheels associated with the EMAs. Drive signals for some of the EMAs from the set of EMAs are output by drivers of the first EMAC and drive signals for the other EMAs from the set of EMAs are output by drivers of the second EMAC. Drive control signals from one of the EMACs are used to control output the drive signals for all the EMAs from the set of EMAs, regardless of the EMAC in which the associated drivers are present. The drive control signals from the other of the EMACs are used as a backup set of drive control signals.
US08666626B2
A turning control device for a vehicle which generates a yaw moment in the body of a vehicle includes: a steering wheel turning amount detection device which detects a steering wheel turning amount of the vehicle; a vehicle speed detection device which detects a vehicle speed of the vehicle; a feedforward control amount calculation unit which calculates a feedforward control amount based on at least the steering wheel turning amount; a braking force control amount calculation unit which determines a braking force control amount based on the feedforward control amount; a braking control device which controls the braking force based on the braking force control amount; and a steering direction determination device which determines whether a steering direction is an incremental steering direction or a returning-steering direction. The feedforward control amount calculation unit includes a feedforward control amount correction unit which corrects the feedforward control amount.
US08666625B1
A method of automatically adjusting at least one electric actuator of a brake to prevent dragging is provided including measuring a force applied by the at least one electrical actuator to a load measuring device The measured force is determined to be below a predetermined threshold. A predefined offset is subtracted from a current zero torque position of the at least one electrical actuator. Similarly, a drag offset is subtracted from the current zero torque position of the at least one electrical actuator to compensate for a dragging brake condition. The new zero torque position is then stored within a brake actuator controller coupled configured to control the brake.
US08666615B1
A method of controlling a transmission of a vehicle with a DCT or AMT in which a reference center point of an actuator for gear shifting with respect to a shift direction can always be maintained at a correct position. Therefore, despite different kinds of electrical disturbances or mechanical vibration or deformation which may be caused when the vehicle is running, reliable gear shifting manipulation ability can always be secured, thus enhancing the merchantability of the vehicle.
US08666613B2
A swing control system for a hybrid construction machine has a swing operating lever, an electric swing motor, a speed detection sensor which detects the rotary speed of a swing motor, a controller that calculates the driving speed of the swing motor by a swing operating signal created by the operation of the swing operating lever and by a detecting signal of the rotary speed, an inverter which drives the swing motor by a control signal from the controller, a swing inertia detector that detects the swing inertia of equipment and an inertia torque compensator which compares the torque compensation value in accordance with the equipment inertia, and outputs a calculated torque value for controlling the swing motor to the inverter.
US08666606B2
The steering system of the invention includes a processing means (26) comprising a means for determining (30) a driving signal (S3) of the power means (25) on the basis of: a first control signal (S1) determined from the measure of a torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel by applying a gain that depends on the longitudinal speed of the vehicle; a second correction signal (S2) determined from the measure of the torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel, and a setpoint determined on the basis of at least one characteristic parameter of the lateral dynamics of the vehicle.
US08666590B2
System and method for capturing video data, comprising buffering video data captured from a video recording device in a vehicle, detecting a triggering event, saving a portion of the video data occurring within a specified period of time near the event, and naming a saved portion of video data with a label associated with the triggering event.
US08666587B2
The illustrative embodiments provide a method for processing sensor data and controlling the movement of a vehicle. In one illustrative embodiment, a vehicle having a plurality of sensors attempts to receive sensor data. In response to an inability of the vehicle to obtain needed sensor data, collected sensor data is requested from a plurality of other vehicles to form alternate sensor data. The alternate sensor data is received and the vehicle is controlled using the alternate sensor data. In another illustrative embodiment, a request is received at a first vehicle for sensor data from a different vehicle. Sensor data is collected from a plurality of sensors at the first vehicle. The sensor data is then sent to the different vehicle.
US08666581B2
A bicycle motor control apparatus includes a bicycle crank position detecting device, a bicycle crank position determining section, a stop determining section and a motor control section. The bicycle crank position detecting device detects a position of a bicycle crank. The bicycle crank position determining section determines if the bicycle crank is in a prescribed region including a bottom dead center position based on a detection result from the bicycle crank position detecting device. The stop determining section that determines a stopped state indicative of at least one a bicycle crank stopped state and a bicycle stopped state. The motor control section selectively outputs a motor driving command and stops the output of the motor driving command during a period in which the bicycle crank position determining section determines that the bicycle crank is in the prescribed region and the stop determining section determines that the stopped state exists.
US08666576B2
Disclosed is a technique for calculating Distance to Empty (DTE) in an electric vehicle. In the disclosed technique, a past driving average fuel efficiency is calculated. An air conditioning average energy consumption rate during past driving is calculated. A past driving average fuel efficiency when assuming an air conditioning apparatus is not used from the past driving average fuel efficiency and the air conditioning average energy consumption rate is calculated. A current driving fuel efficiency is calculated. Then the past driving average fuel efficiency when assuming the air conditioning apparatus is not used and the current driving fuel efficiency are blended, and the DTE is calculated from the blended driving fuel efficiency.
US08666560B2
A power control system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under control of local or remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.
US08666552B2
Method and device for the removal of a part of a crop, such as a leaf (14). To this end, the crop is approached from a low position with vision techniques and the stem (12) and the parts protruding therefrom are observed from beneath. Based upon the number of images observed, an arm is controlled and moved towards the relevant stalk (13). This movement is primarily parallel to the stalk and is performed from a low proximity position. When the stalk (13) is approached, the stalk (13) is positioned within an opening between two rotating parts (3). The stalk is grasped by way of rotation and the stalk is moved in respect of the arm so that the cutting point of the stalk is manipulated towards the arm. The stalk (13) is subsequently cut through and the leaf is disposed of.
US08666549B2
An automatic machine includes N output units, a storage unit and a control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the output units and the storage unit. The storage unit stores a first reaction pattern corresponding to a first command. The first reaction pattern includes a header and N reaction modes and each of the reaction modes is corresponding to one of the output units. Each of the reaction modes includes M reaction frames. The header records a number of the reaction frames of each reaction mode. The control unit receives the first command, looks the first reaction pattern up in the storage unit according to the first command, and selectively controls at least one of the output units to perform the reaction frames correspondingly according to the header and the reaction modes.
US08666545B2
Disclosed herein is a user interface apparatus and control method for the control of service robots. The user interface apparatus for the control of service robots includes an interaction server, an index block, and a robot control server. The interaction server receives control commands to control a service robot from a user, analyzes the control commands, and outputs the results of the analysis to the user. The index block determines the degree of difficulty of each of the analyzed control commands. The robot control server determines the operating mode of the service robot depending on the analyzed control command and the degree of difficulty, and controls the service robot in the determined operating mode.
US08666538B2
Data content providers transfer data content (including DRM protected content) over a broadband network onto one or more information filling stations (IFSs) situated at one or more physical locations. Users are able to wirelessly communicate with the IFSs via one or more of portable devices that are operable in close proximity to the IFS. Data content requested by the portable devices include, but are not limited to: multimedia files, WWW data, real-time and interactive games, e-mail (with or without attachments), electronic newspapers, news and sports information, traffic and weather information, e-books, interactive messaging, and/or data files. Additionally, the portable devices are also capable of facilitating point-of-sale purchases and electronic funds transfers. Optionally, the IFS also forwards advertisements promoting products and services to the portable devices. The portable device is also able to instruct the IFS to selectively send each content of interest or product of interest to one or more identified locations (e.g., users can send large multimedia to their home PCs).
US08666536B2
A method and an apparatus for manual order picking of items in an order-picking installation with a dynamic-storage rack (1) as a store for the manual order picking. It is proposed that the items are automatically transported, preferably separately according to type, in containers or boxes (2) to the dynamic-storage rack/flow shelf (1) on a driven conveying line (4). After reading and identifying the containers (2), they are automatically introduced by an activated stationary lift (5) and activated level conveyor unit (6) of the dynamic-storage rack (1) into selected dynamic-storage channels (3) of the dynamic-storage rack. The channels have exits (A) that can be manually reached by an order picker (17). Items are fed by an order picker (17) at the picker's order-picking station in an order-related manner from a container/box (2) at a selected exit (A) of a dynamic-storage channel (3) to a provided order container (30).
US08666529B2
A method of controlling a quantity of non-process of record (POR) process limiting yield (PLY) inspections in wafer processing includes setting aside planned capacity for non-POR work, upon receipt of a request for non-POR work, estimating a time required for completion of the request and comparing the estimated time against a remainder of the set aside planned capacity, approving the request in an event the comparison indicates that the estimated time is available in the set aside planned capacity and rejecting the request in an event the comparison indicates that the estimated time is not available in the set aside planned capacity.
US08666525B2
A portable digital media player and method for providing convenient music recommendation are presented. A collection of music is maintained and includes a multiplicity of music stored in digital media form. A music recommendation is automatically generated in response to a recommender input. An identifier for a recipient is provided. Music to be recommended is identified from one of the music collection and a sample of music in an ambient environment. Information to the music recommendation to describe the music to be recommended, to identify the recommender, to capture a context of the recommendation, and to specify a rating for the music to be recommended is ascertained and added to the music recommendation. The music recommendation is sent for electronic receipt by the recipient.
US08666523B2
A device, method and timeline user interface for controlling home devices are provided. The method for controlling home devices includes displaying a virtual track on a display unit of a control device, displaying an indicator indicating operation information of a home device connected to the control device through the network along the virtual track, moving the indicator along the virtual track based on a user input; and controlling an operation time of the home device based on the location of the indicator along the virtual track.
US08666521B2
A method for operating an automation system which executes, as an automation solution, a control program having a plurality of software modules, where the method comprises replacing at least one software module comprising an old software module at the runtime of the control program with a new software module wherein the new software module is loaded into a memory of the automation system, an old data area associated with the old software module is compared with a new data area associated with the new software module, program code instructions for converting data for or from the old data area into data for or from the new data area is generated, and a program code instruction for invoking the old software module is replaced with program code instructions for invoking the generated program code instructions for data conversion and for invoking the new software module.
US08666518B2
A method, a system, and a computer program product for managing one or more electronic devices. Performance of an electronic device is monitored and presented to a user through a digital agent interface. The performance of the electronic device is controlled automatically by digital agent through the digital agent interface. The invention also enables automatic testing of the electronic device through the digital agent interface by setting up test configurations, activating test signals, and interpreting any error codes that may be generated.
US08666506B2
Techniques for selecting electrode combinations for stimulation therapy are described. The techniques include selecting one or more electrode combinations based on information associating a plurality of electrode combinations with at least one value of a therapy metric. The therapy metric comprises a quantifiable result of delivery of stimulation, and may be generated computer modeling of delivery of stimulation via the electrode combinations. In one embodiment, a clinician may deliver stimulation via a baseline electrode combination, receive patient feedback to the baseline electrode combination, select a therapy metric based on the patient feedback, and select additional electrode combinations based on the selected therapy metric and the information associating the electrode combinations with therapy metric values. In another embodiment, the clinician may select a therapy metric prior to providing a test stimulation and select additional electrode combinations based on the selected therapy metric and the information associating electrode combinations with metric values.
US08666494B2
A header for use in implantable pulse generator devices. The header is part of electrical connector assembly having one or more openings designed to receive the terminal pin of an electrical lead wire or electrode. The header is designed to provide and sustain long-term electrical and mechanical lead wire connections between the electrodes of a terminal pin and the implantable pulse generator device.
US08666491B2
Disclosed is an improved external controller useable in an implantable medical device system. The communication coil in the external controller is formed in a printed circuit board (PCB), i.e., by using the various tracing layers and vias of the PCB. As illustrated, the PCB coil is formed at a plurality of trace layers in the PCB, and comprises a plurality of turns at some or all of the layers. The communication coil may wrap around the other circuitry used in the external controller, which circuitry may be mounted to the front and/or back of the PCB. The geometry of the coil is specially tailored to maximize its inductance, and hence maximize its ability to communicate in the sub-4 MHz range which is not significantly attenuated by the human body.
US08666487B2
A device for skin treatment, which precisely transmits high-frequency energy to a target portion of skin tissue without causing a burn on the outer layer of the skin, thus artificially damaging the portion and inducing a wound curing reaction, therefore leading to the regeneration of skin and the propagation of collagen. The device prevents the surface of skin from suffering an injury during insertion, alleviates pain, and keeps the depth to which the needle is inserted into the skin uniform. The device includes a plurality of needles coated with an insulator except for sharp ends. A needle holding unit holds the needles. A drive unit directly or indirectly transmits a force to the needle holding unit, thus allowing the needles to be inserted into the skin. An electromagnetic wave transmitting unit is electrically connected to the needles and transmits electromagnetic waves to the needles.
US08666475B2
The disclosed subject matter provides on ore more imaging techniques during passive auditory stimulation to objectively provide a diagnostic indicator of ASD. These techniques include functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that uniquely provides an objective (imaging) physiological technique to diagnose early autism and to monitor progress following therapeutic intervention.
US08666473B2
Magnetic particle imaging allows the imaging of fast tracer dynamics, but there is no native tissue contrast. A combination with MRI solves this issue. However, coil geometries in MPI and MRI differ significantly, making direct use impractical. According to one aspect of the present invention it is proposed to use pre-polarized MRI to overcome these difficulties. Further, methods and arrangements are proposed to achieve MRI imaging with minimal additional hardware.
US08666470B2
The present invention is directed to membranes composed liquid crystals having continuous aqueous channels, such as a lyotropic liquid crystal, including a cubic phase lyotropic liquid crystal, and to electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes. The membranes are useful in limiting the diffusion of an analyte to a working electrode in an electrochemical sensor so that the sensor does not saturate and/or remains linearly responsive over a large range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with membranes of the present invention demonstrate considerable sensitivity and stability, and a large signal-to-noise ratio, in a variety of conditions.
US08666467B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for analyzing data. An exemplary method comprises the acts of receiving data corresponding to at least one time series, and computing a plurality of sequential instability index values of the data. An exemplary system comprises a source of data indicative of at least one time series of data, and a processor that is adapted to compute at least one of a plurality of sequential instability index values of the data.
US08666454B2
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same are provided. The mobile terminal comprises a camera; a display displaying an image obtained by the camera; and a controller superposing one or more information items corresponding to one or more specific locations included in the obtained image on the one or more specific locations and displaying the obtained image with the one or more information items. The one or more information items and position information tagged on the one or more specific locations are acquired from a social network service (SNS) server. The present invention acquires information on which position information is tagged from the SNS server, superposes the information on a obtained image and displays the obtained image with the information superposed thereon to thereby effectively transmit information to a user of the mobile terminal.
US08666450B2
A antenna for transmitting radio signals of a lower frequency and a higher frequency includes a driven element comprising two first radiating units for a lower frequency band and two radiating units for a higher frequency band, and a reflector element comprising a first reflecting unit for the lower frequency band and a second reflecting unit for the higher frequency band. The second radiating units are disposed at a side of the first radiating units and respectively coupled to a corresponding first radiating unit. The first reflecting unit is disposed at the other side of the first radiating units, and the second reflecting unit is disposed between the first radiating units and the first reflecting unit.
US08666449B2
A portable telephone set includes a case having first and second sides opposite to each other, a group of keys is located on the first side of the case, and a card loading mechanism. The case includes first and second portions located on the second side. The first portion can accommodate a battery pack, and the second portion is next to the first portion and accommodates the card loading mechanism. A card in which information is stored can be loaded to the card loading mechanism.
US08666445B2
An apparatus, system, and method manage a transmission antenna system by measuring an antenna performance indicator of an alternate antenna configuration during a reduced data rate transmission. After an antenna performance indicator is measured in a current (first) antenna system configuration, the antenna system is configured to an alternate (second) configuration during a reduced data rate transmission and the antenna performance indicator of the alternate (second) configuration is measured. The antenna performance indicators for both configurations are evaluated to determine the optimum antenna system configuration for transmission. If the alternate (second) configuration will result in decreased performance, the antenna system is changed back to the first antenna system configuration. Otherwise, the alternate (second) configuration is defined as the current configuration and the first antenna configuration is evaluated during reduced rate transmissions.
US08666444B2
A communication device has an input keypad having physical input keys arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, a mode input mechanism to select a specific mode, and software or firmware responsive to mode selected through the mode input mechanism, comprising a specific mapping of input keys and process of input to output characters, depending on mode selected. In any specific mode, inputs by the physical input keys are mapped to output characters according to the specific mapping and process associated with the selected mode.
US08666437B2
A mobile communications resource manager including a smart card configured to accept and store a user's personal information suitable for use in commercial transactions (physical tap or electronically) and communications operations, a cellular radio modem, at least one non-cellular radio modem and a controller. The controller is configured for establishing a short-range wireless connection via said non-cellular modem to at least one user accessible electronic device with human interface functionality and accepting a service request from the at least one user accessible electronic device and making a modem selection by selecting either a cellular or a non-cellular connection via a modem resident in the mobile communications resource manager to provide the communications link for the service request, based on a rule resident in the mobile communications resource manager.
US08666436B2
A method of operation of a location based system includes: detecting an event representing a gathering of event participants; establishing a geofence associated with the event; and identifying a matching target from the event participants located within the geofence during the search time window for displaying on a device.
US08666434B1
A location of a network user computing device is determined relative to a location of a point of interest. If the user device is determined to be stationary, the user device is monitored for movement, the movement resulting in re-determining the location of the user device relative to a location of the point of interest. If the user device is determined to be moving, the velocity of the user device is matched with a predetermined velocity, and a preliminary estimated time of arrival to the point of interest is determined based on the predetermined velocity matched to the user device. At a later time that is based on a function of the preliminary estimated time of arrival, an estimated time of arrival to the point of interest is verified based on the predetermined velocity matched to the user device.
US08666433B2
A location positioning methoded device using a wireless LAN signal, comprising: a database that includes a first DB, which matches grid cells distinguished by pCell ID with partial wireless LAN-related information related to a wireless LAN signal and stores the matched information, and a second DB, which stores overall wireless LAN-related information related to the wireless LAN signal; an information reception unit that receives terminal wireless LAN-related information from a terminal, which performs communication by using the WLAN signal; a record determination unit; and a location positioning unit.
US08666418B2
The present invention discloses a method and system for softly unloading a core network element in a multi-homing networking mode, for solving the technical problem of high call loss rate caused by unloading the multi-homing core network element due to reasons like upgrading, failure, or removal. In the present invention, the to-be-unloaded multi-homing core network element is set into an office direction blockage state, and the multi-homing core network element will not be distributed with a new service; and the to-be-unloaded multi-homing core network element is unloaded when the existing services thereon are processed into a predetermined state. The present invention reduces the call loss rate and mitigates the impact on the existing services when the multi-homing core network element needs to be unloaded.
US08666412B2
In a communications terminal, a wireless portion receives, from each PLMN, notification information including a name that specifies the PLMN and communication speed information that indicates communication speed for that PLMN. A generation portion generates a list of names included in each of the notification information received by the wireless portion, in order of communication speed shown in the communication speed information associated with the relevant name. A display portion displays the list generated by the generation portion.
US08666407B2
It is presented a method for a femtocell base station, for facilitating communication between a communication terminal and a core network. The method comprises the steps, performed in the femtocell base station, of: sending a first femtocell base station message to the communication terminal; receiving a first terminal message from the communication terminal, the first terminal message comprising a first sequence number; and repeatedly sending further femtocell base station messages to the communication terminal and receiving corresponding terminal messages, comprising incremented sequence numbers, from the communication terminal, such that an expected next terminal message from the communication terminal comprises a sequence number being equal to the first sequence number. A corresponding femtocell base station, computer program and computer program product are also presented.
US08666404B2
A method and an apparatus for quickly unloading a terminal are provided. The method comprises: paging a user terminal which is registered in a mobile switch to unload through a wireless access node after the mobile switch to unload receives a command of unloading the user terminal; the mobile switch to unload detecting whether a paging acknowledgement returned from the user terminal is received, if yes, sending a message to notify that the user terminal is to be unloaded, and then releasing the current signaling connection with the user terminal.
US08666396B2
A method may include receiving a request from an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, where the request relates to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem service associated with user equipment. The method may further include obtaining location or time zone information associated with the user equipment from an access network; providing the obtained location or time zone information to the Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem; and providing the obtained location or time zone information to an on-line or off-line charging system.
US08666395B2
A mobile application gateway configured to interconnect mobile communication devices on a cellular network with an enterprise network is provided. The mobile application gateway includes a voice and data signaling gateway configured to provide routing functionalities, service functionalities and admission control. A gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) is configured to establish a secure data session between one or more of the mobile communication devices and the enterprise network by establishing a GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel between a carrier-hosted serving GPRS support node (SGSN) and the GGSN.
US08666393B2
A basic idea is to introduce an additional paging schedule for user equipment in connected mode that differs from the paging schedule used for user equipment in idle mode. Consequently, the inventive mechanism relies on distributing (S1) a notification of an upcoming change of system information in paging messages according to a first paging schedule for user equipment in idle mode, and distributing (S2) a notification of an upcoming change of system information in paging messages according to a second paging schedule for user equipment in connected mode. The second paging schedule for user equipment in connected mode is different from the first paging schedule for user equipment in idle mode. In this way, a satisfactory load distribution is achieved, at the same time as UEs in both connected and idle mode are able to receive important system information notifications.
US08666377B2
A method, a system, and a computer-readable medium for synchronizing spot information, adapted to synchronize a plurality of spot information displayed on a mobile device and a terminal device, are provided. In the present method, when the mobile device logs in to a service end device, the spot information in a spot database of the mobile device is synchronized to the service end device. When the terminal device logs in to the service end device, the spot information synchronized from the mobile device to the service end device is downloaded to the terminal device and displayed in a spot information browsing webpage. When the mobile device receives spot information edited by a user, the mobile device synchronizes the edited spot information to the service end device, and the service end device updates the spot information displayed in the spot information browsing webpage of the terminal device.
US08666376B2
In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for presenting an affinity program enrollment opportunity to a mobile communication facility based at least in part on a navigation request made on the mobile communication facility and a location of the mobile communication facility, providing a sponsored affinity program content to an affinity program enrollee, and providing an incentive to the enrollee for an interaction with the sponsored affinity program content.
US08666373B2
A computer-implemented method for determining a zone of relevance for locating wireless subscribers of interest to a location based application and making a user notification decision including: obtaining application specific information from an application service provider; obtaining wireless subscriber profile and real time information from a serving wireless network operator; accessing a geographical database to extract related geographic information; extracting relevant dynamic inputs from external sources; determining the value of user notification based on weighting of said extracted information and historical use information; and determining a corresponding zone of relevance wherein notifying the user meets certain criteria for the determined value of notification.
US08666368B2
Apparatus and methods for authenticating and granting a client device (e.g., cellular telephone) access to a network. In one embodiment, a network service provider such as a cellular telephone company may distribute user access (e.g., Universal Subscriber Identity Module or “USIM”) credentials to a services manager via a USIM vendor. The services manager may maintain a list of authorized users. A user at a client may authenticate to the services manager. Once authenticated, the services manager may provide the user with a set of USIM credentials. When the user desires to use wireless network services, the user equipment may establish a wireless link between the user equipment and the network service provider. During authentication operations, the user equipment may use the USIM credentials to authenticate to the network service provider. Following successful authentication, the network service provider may provide the user equipment with wireless services.
US08666365B2
A method and network system for obtaining, from a management entity, a bill-by-account service policy applicable to a device group managed at least in part by the management entity, the device group including a plurality of devices including a particular device identified by a particular credential, the bill-by-account service policy comprising classification and accounting policies; identifying wireless access network data traffic associated with the particular device; based on the classification policy, identifying a particular service activity within the wireless access network data traffic, the particular service activity being a bill-by-account service activity; obtaining a record comprising the particular credential and a usage measure indicating a wireless access network usage associated with the particular service activity; and, based on the accounting policy, allocating the usage measure to an account associated with an entity that is financially responsible for usage of the wireless access network associated with the device group.
US08666363B2
A method of processing a user interface component is provided and includes receiving one or more user interface components that can be communicated to a wireless device. A component risk level for each of the one or more user interface components is determined and assigned to each of the one or more user interface components. Each of the one or more user interface components can be digitally signed using an embedded risk code that indicates the assigned risk level. Further, the component risk level can be selected from a plurality of component risk levels. In a particular embodiment, the component risk level can be determined based on the type of the user interface component. Further, the component risk level can be determined based on a developer of the user interface component.
US08666355B2
Various aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying network events. In one aspect, a method includes monitoring signal characteristic values for signals transmitted over a communications channel of a power line communications system and determining that a signal level value for the channel is less than a threshold signal level value for the channel. In response to determining that the signal level value for the channel is less than the threshold signal level value for the channel, a signal to noise ratio for the communications channel is computed and it is determined that the signal to noise ratio for the channel exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the signal to noise ratio for the communications channel exceeds the threshold value, data received over the communications channel is stored as valid data.
US08666351B2
A SAW-less receiver includes an FEM interface module, an RF to IF receiver section, and a receiver IF to baseband section. The RF to IF receiver section includes a frequency translated bandpass filter (FTBPF), an LNA, and a mixing section. The FTBPF includes a switching network and baseband impedances. The switching network is operable to frequency translate a baseband filter response to a first RF band frequency response and/or to a second RF frequency band response. The FTBPF filters the inbound RF signal to pass, substantially unattenuated, the first and/or second RF band signal components. The LNA amplifies the first and/or second filtered inbound RF signals and the mixing section mixes the first and/or second amplified inbound RF signals with a corresponding first and/or second local oscillation. The IF to baseband section converts the first and/or second inbound IF signals into first inbound symbol stream(s) and/or second inbound symbol stream(s).
US08666339B2
Embodiments provide a multi-stage radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) having a low dynamic error vector magnitude (EVM). A first stage of the RF PA may include a first active device configured to receive an enable signal and to turn on in response to the enable signal, thereby activating the first stage. The RF PA may further include a second active device coupled in series with the first active device and configured to receive a main supply voltage. The second active device may provide a first supply voltage across the first active device that is less than and independent of the main supply voltage. One of the first active device or the second active device may be configured to receive an RF input signal and to pass an amplified RF output signal to a second stage of the RF PA circuit.
US08666334B2
An apparatus and a method for mapping virtual antennas and physical antennas in a wireless communication system. The method for mapping the virtual antennas and the physical antennas includes generating at least two virtual antenna signals for at least two virtual antennas. The method also includes generating at least two physical antenna signals by applying a corresponding matrix, which maps the at least two virtual antennas and the at least two physical antennas in many-to-many relation, to the at least two virtual antenna signals. The method further includes transmitting the at least two physical antenna signals over respective physical antennas.
US08666328B2
An electronic device has wireless communications circuitry that includes transmitters and receivers. Antenna structures may be coupled to the transmitters and receivers to support radio-frequency signal transmission and radio-frequency signal reception operations. Switching circuitry such as first and second radio-frequency switches may be used to support multiple communications bands of interest. A low band set of transmitters may be associated with the first switch and a high band set of transmitters may be associated with the second switch. The switches can be configured in real time to switch a desired communications band into use. As transmitted signals at frequency f pass through the switches, harmonics at 2f, 3f, and other integral multiples of the transmitted signals may be produced. A diplexer may be interposed between the switching circuitry and the antenna structures that prevents the harmonics from reaching the antenna structures.
US08666323B2
Provided are an RFID reader and a method for suppressing transmission leakage signals thereof. The RFID reader includes a first loop, a second loop, and a digital signal processor. The first loop suppresses a first transmission leakage signal of an RX signal in response to a first leakage control signal. The second loop suppresses a second transmission leakage signal of the RX signal, received through the first loop, in response to a second leakage control signal. The digital signal processor generates the first leakage control signal and the second leakage control signal. The digital signal processor generates the first leakage control signal until the level of the first transmission leakage signal becomes equal to or lower than the level of a first reference transmission leakage signal.
US08666321B2
A method in a wireless communication terminal including generating a first averaged signal measurement on a first carrier frequency, wherein the first averaged signal measurement is based on a first averaging period, producing a first filter output based on the first averaged signal measurement weighted by a first weight, generating a second averaged signal measurement on the first carrier frequency, wherein the second averaged signal measurement is based on a second averaging period, and producing a second filter output based on the first filter output and based on the second averaged signal measurement weighted by a second weight, wherein the first weight is less than the second weight if the second averaging period is greater than a threshold.
US08666318B2
A method and apparatus used in an interfering cell of a cellular radio communication system for managing uplink transmissions. Information is received at the interfering cell, including a magnitude of an interference measured in a neighboring cell. The interfering cell has one or more active communication links to respective communication devices. A determination is made that a communication device will transmit pending data using a data repetition mode. The determination is based on the magnitude of the interference. In some embodiments, a specific data repetition mode is determined, based at least on the magnitude of the interference. A command is sent to the communication device to transmit the pending data using the specific data repetition mode.
US08666317B2
There is provided a method including obtaining, by a database entity, a-priori channel occupancy rate information of at least one channel from at least one of an entity of a primary system and an entity of a secondary system, wherein a database of the database entity includes information on white space channels, and availing the channel occupancy rate information to the secondary users in order to assist the secondary user to select a channel from the database.
US08666314B2
A wireless audio transmission, for example from a television to a hearing device, is to be achieved simply and with a low signal delay. For this purpose are proposed a transmission facility with a transmission device for transmitting audio data in a signal conforming to a Bluetooth® communications protocol, a hearing-aid-specific coder which is integrated into the transmission device for the purpose of compressing the audio data before its transmission, and a relay station for converting the Bluetooth® signal from the transmission device into a signal for inductive transmission to the hearing device. In the relay station, no recoding is performed during the conversion. The transmission device transmits in accordance with the Bluetooth® A2DP protocol. The hearing-aid-specific coder has a lower sampling rate than the standard Bluetooth® coder SBC. Encoding delays and processing delays in the relay station can be minimized by this system.
US08666304B2
A host system for downloading one or more Radio Data System (RDS) group type processing routines for RDS data includes a data processor and a host processor. The host processor is configured to download one or more RDS group type processing routines for the data processor, each of the one or more RDS group type processing routines configured to process RDS data for a respective RDS group type. The host processor is further configured to assign a reference in the data processor to a corresponding one of the one or more RDS group type processing routines, so that the corresponding RDS group type processing routine is to be invoked by RDS data having the respective RDS group type. A method is also provided for downloading one or more RDS group type processing routines for RDS data.
US08666299B2
The present invention is a system and method that proactively identifies a student in need at an educational institution. The system allows for the educational institution to connect with the student, gather information, and provide assistance. Student needs that may be addressed are various and include academic, social, emotional, and spiritual. Because student needs are addressed in a timely and effective manner, the present invention may be used as a tool to increase retention rates at the educational institution.
US08666298B2
A computer-based learning system uses knowledge points organized with a predefined multilevel arrangement. Each knowledge point has an information set which may include a knowledge content, an evaluation content and a solution content. For a given knowledge point, the learning system provides the knowledge content and evaluation content, analyzes the user's answers to the evaluation content and determines the next knowledge point to be studied by the user based on the user's answers and the predefined multilevel arrangement of the knowledge points. The learning system thus provides a different learning course for different users to achieve individualized learning. User's learning history may be recorded to facilitate reviews by the user and improve the selection of the next knowledge point. Users may provide feedbacks on knowledge contents and evaluation contents, and may even suggest their own knowledge contents and evaluation contents to improve the learning system and user participation.
US08666287B2
A cleaning device includes a cleaning member provided at a first side of a curved grid electrode plate that is curved in a short-side direction, the cleaning member being pressed against the curved grid electrode plate to clean the first side thereof; a receiving member provided at a second side of the curved grid electrode plate, the receiving member receiving a pressing load applied by the cleaning member; and a moving unit that moves the cleaning member and the receiving member in a long-side direction of the curved grid electrode plate. The cleaning member and the receiving member are formed such that a pressure based on the load that is applied to an end portion of the curved grid electrode plate in the short-side direction is higher than that applied to a central portion of the curved grid electrode plate in the short-side direction.
US08666284B2
An upstream end of a guide surface of a recording material guide in the recording-material conveying direction is located on the same side as a separation belt-stretching roller with respect to an extension of the belt surface from the separation belt-stretching roller to a recessed portion formed in the belt surface by the separation assistance rollers.
US08666281B2
A developing device detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, with the developing roller including an elastic roller portion and a core metal portion for supporting the roller portion, a developing device frame for rotatably supporting the developing roller, and a developer layer thickness regulating member, contacting the roller portion of the developing roller, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developing roller. In addition, a movement preventing portion prevents movement of the developing roller in an axial direction, wherein the movement preventing portion is detachably mounted in the developing device and is inserted into a spacing between an end portion of the core metal portion and an opposing portion of the developing device frame opposing the end portion of the core metal portion with respect to the axial direction of the developing roller. The movement preventing portion is removed from the developing device when the developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image.
US08666277B2
A developer supply container includes a cover plate mounted on an outer surface of a container body and provided with an opening corresponding to a developer supply port of the container body, which is sealed by a seal tape. The seal tape has a folded section extending through a gap between the container body and the cover plate and a through hole of the cover plate such that an end portion of the seal tape is exposed. A seal piece is mounted on an outer surface of the cover plate. On the outer surface of the container body a door member is slidably mounted. The developer supply container can prevent developer from leak out and has a good manufacturing yield rate.
US08666268B2
The present invention provides a fixing device that can interrupt power supply to the resistive heat layer more reliably than the conventional technology, for example, at occurrence of abnormality. Electrodes 52a and 52b are provided on a circumferential surface of a fixing roller that includes a resistive heat layer that generates heat by receiving power supply, and power is supplied to the resistive heat layer when power supplying electrodes 54a and 54b that are electrically connected to an electric power source 55 are slidingly in contact with the electrodes 52a and 52b. An insulating tape 522a is attached on the electrode 52a, and the drive controller 59 rotates a motor 58 until the electrode 52a and the insulating tape 522a are in contact with each other, so that power supply to the resistive heat layer is interrupted.
US08666264B2
In a new printer, a toner cartridge is mounted in the state where there is no toner in a reserve tank, and toner of the amount of filling toner D therein is supplied with the amount of full accommodation toner E for filling up the reserve tank by a toner supply mechanism. The toner of the amount of remaining surplus toner F remains in the toner cartridge. The amount of toner consumption G is measured by a dot counter during a printing execution. In the case where a toner density sensor detects a toner decreasing, the toner is supplied to a developing unit from the reserve tank. When it becomes G>F, it display-informs a user of “toner cartridge exchange is allowed”. Hereby, it enables to exchange the toner cartridge without stopping operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus using a two-component developer.
US08666260B2
A burst mode laser transmitter includes a burst mode laser diode and a controller having an input for receiving an RF data signal. The controller includes a triggering arrangement and a modulation arrangement. The triggering arrangement is configured to bias the laser diode to an on-state bias level when an RF data signal is present at the input to the controller and to an off-state bias level when no RF data signal is present at the input to the controller. The modulation arrangement is configured to modulate the on-state bias level at which the laser diode is biased with the RF data signal only when the RF data signal is present at the input of the controller.
US08666259B2
An apparatus for transmitting data for visible light communication sets up the pulse width control step of pulse width modulation (PWM) in a unit time interval, modulates each symbol of VLC source data input into a PWM signal in accordance with the pulse width control step, generates a visible light modulation signal by controlling the turn-on time or turn-off time of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in response to the PWM signal, and transmits the visible light modulation signal.
US08666255B2
An optical and/or optoelectrical transceiver and system are disclosed that enable parallel transmission of data and management signals via an optical fiber without affecting data signal transmissions transmitted on the optical fiber. Furthermore, the present transceiver and system provide a fault diagnosis function for an optical fiber link. The transceiver and system generally comprise an interface, an intersecting transmission management unit, a driver, a management signal driving unit, an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, an amplifier, a management signal recovery unit, a management unit, and optionally, a power supply unit.
US08666253B2
In a first aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transceiver, comprising: a radio frequency receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus, comprising: a radio frequency photonic receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a third aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency, photonic transceiver, comprising: means for generating a radio frequency modulated optical signal; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and means for switching between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a fourth aspect, the invention includes a method, comprising: generating a first optical signal; electro-optically generating a first radio frequency signal from the first optical signal; transmitting the first radio frequency signal; receiving a second radio frequency signal; and electro-optically modulating a second optical signal with the frequency of the second radio frequency signal. In a fifth aspect, the invention includes a zero-intermediate frequency radio frequency photonic transmitter-receiver unit. In a sixth aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transmitter-receiver unit including a direct conversion receiver with receiver output.
US08666243B2
An optical transmission device that is installed at a node of a network and that performs transmission of an optical signal transmits the optical signal to an optical transmission device at the next node without amplifying the optical signal. The optical transmission device generates an adjustment optical signal used by a reception-side optical amplifier in the optical transmission device at the next node to adjust gain for a transmission loss of the optical signal. At the time of booting of the optical transmission device, the optical transmission device transmits the generated adjustment optical signal to the reception-side optical amplifier in the optical transmission device at the next node. Upon receiving a gain-adjustment-completion signal for notifying completion of gain adjustment using the adjustment optical signal from the reception-side optical amplifier, the optical transmission device controls the transmission of the adjustment optical signal to be stopped.
US08666241B2
A stereographic camera system and method of operating a stereographic camera system are disclosed. The stereographic camera system may include a left camera and a right camera including respective lenses having a focal length and a focus distance, an interocular distance mechanism to set an intraocular distance between the left and right cameras, and a controller. The controller may receive inputs indicating the focal length and the focus distance of the lenses. The controller may control the intraocular distance mechanism, based on the focal length and focus distance of the lenses and one or both of a distance to a nearest foreground object and a distance to a furthest background object, to automatically set the interocular distance such that a maximum disparity of a stereographic image captured by the left and right cameras does not exceed a predetermined maximum disparity.
US08666239B2
In an image capturing apparatus that allows input of instructions to the image capturing apparatus by shaking the apparatus, without using an operation unit, it is determined whether or not the image capturing apparatus is shaking. Then, in a case in which it is determined that the image capturing apparatus is shaking, at least some of the operations of the operation unit are invalidated.
US08666236B2
Disclosed herein are more energy efficient heaters for dispensing volatile air treatment chemicals. The heaters have a housing with a base and a cover, the base and cover together defining an enclosure with an internal generally ring-shaped cavity and an axial through bore. One of the base and cover has an essentially cylindrical extension that is integral therewith, extends towards the other of the base and cover, and forms a portion of the axial through bore. First and second electrical contacts are positioned in the cavity with portions overlapping against a heater. A metallic heat transfer sleeve formed separately from the base and cover is positioned radially outward and around the essentially cylindrical extension, and has a flange abutting one of the contacts. Also disclosed are dispensers that incorporate these heaters.
US08666234B1
An aroma dispensing device includes a flexible film having opposite first and second sides, with the first side having a releasable agent to removably adhere the film to a surface. An aroma source is mounted to the second side of the film for dispensing a fragrance to an area adjacent the surface. The film adheres by static cling or an adhesive which does not leave a residue on the surface when the film is removed. The device may include an activator for actuating dispensement of the fragrance from the aroma source, as well as a power source for actuating a fan and providing power to the activator.
US08666230B2
A mechanism that enables authoring of new optical disc physical media (e.g., HD-DVD) while maintaining backwards compatibility with previous physical media (e.g., DVD-ROM, DVD-Video). The system eliminates film system “switching” and avoids adding new commands to the command specification, while still allowing legacy (e.g., DVD-ROM) drives to use of the content on the legacy layer. The mechanism enables seamless use of any layer should the drive be able to recognize it. The system can employ a single logical block address (LBA) range together with the concept of “sessions” to effect backwards compatibility. As well, logical overwrite techniques can also be employed to accomplish seamless backwards compatibility.
US08666223B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a storage device, a first display process module, and a second display process module. The storage device is configured to store a plurality of moving picture data, and still images which are composed of a plurality of still images extracted from the moving picture data with respect to each of the moving picture data. The first display process module is configured to display a list of the plurality of moving picture data. The second display process module is configured to display, in a case where to-be-deleted moving picture data is selected by a user from the list of the moving picture data, a deletion confirmation screen on which still images corresponding to the to-be-deleted moving picture data are arranged and which prompts the user to confirm whether or not to delete the to-be-deleted moving picture data.
US08666209B2
Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging, monitoring, medical diagnostics and medical treatment applications.
US08666204B2
An optical transmission module includes a semiconductor substrate, a first film layer, an electronic component layer and a waveguide structure. The electronic component layer is used for converting a first electrical signal into an optical signal. The waveguide structure is formed on the first film layer, and includes a first reflective surface, a waveguide body and a second reflective surface. After the optical signal is transmitted through the semiconductor substrate and the first film layer and enters the waveguide structure, the optical signal is reflected by the first reflective surface, transmitted within the waveguide body and reflected by the second reflective surface. After the optical signal reflected by the second reflective surface is transmitted through the first film layer and the semiconductor substrate and received by the electronic component layer, the optical signal is converted into a second electrical signal by the electronic component layer.
US08666197B2
A diagnosis image generation apparatus is provided. The diagnosis image generation apparatus includes a low resolution image signal synthesis unit configured to synthesize each of a plurality of low resolution image signals by using a signal reflected from a subject, a weight calculation unit configured to calculate a weight, which is used to synthesize a high resolution image signal, with a signal value which corresponds to each of positions of some pixels among a plurality of signal values corresponding to respective positions of a plurality of pixels forming each of the synthesized low resolution image signals, and a high resolution image signal synthesis unit configured to synthesize the high resolution image signal by applying the calculated weight to each of the low resolution image signals.
US08666194B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for editing the frequency content of an image may provide an intuitive interface for examining and/or modifying the frequency content. The methods may include accessing image data, performing a wavelet transform of the image data (or another MRA technique) to produce a time-frequency representation (TFR) of the image representing frequency content in multiple frequency bands, and displaying an indication of the frequency content of the image by displaying a sub-image of the TFR or numerical data representing the frequency content at selected pixels. In response to receiving input specifying a desired frequency content modification, the methods may include performing a Fourier transform of the image data to produce frequency content data, modifying the frequency content data, and performing an inverse transformation of the modified data to produce modified image data. The modification may be applied globally or to a selected portion of the image.
US08666186B1
A high dynamic range (HDR) video can be compressed using inter-frame or intra-frame compression. The compression results in multiple encoded macroblocks and associated residual images. The residual images can be lossy compressed by mapping floating point image data values of the residual image from a light linear space to a perceptually linear space using a first non-linear mapping function. A value in the light linear space is proportionate to the power of a light source, and a value in the perceptually linear space is proportionate to a visual perceived brightness. Floating point discrete cosine transform (DCT) frequency coefficients of the floating point image data values of the residual image are determined. The floating point DCT frequency coefficients are quantized. The quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients are compressed. The compression of the quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients is lossless. The compressed quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients are stored.
US08666180B2
Compressed sensing can be mapped to a more general set of problems in computer graphics and computer imaging. Representation of a rendered scene in the formulation y=A{circumflex over (x)} produces higher-quality rendering with less samples than previous approaches. A filter formulation Φ makes point samples compatible with wavelet and therefore allows reconstruction of 2-D images from a set of measured pixels (point samples).
US08666178B2
A processing system, such as typically a CPU, is used for converting a digital signal organized in pixels, such as a video signal, between a first format and a second multiple-description format. The system comprises at least one input register and at least one output register, and is configured via instructions, that can be constituted at least in part by instructions of a SIMD type, so as to: order the pixels of the signal to be converted in a set of input registers; and take selectively the pixels from the aforesaid set of input registers and place them in an orderly way in at least one output register.
US08666169B2
Methods, devices, and systems for determining feature descriptors are provided. An example includes defining a plurality of anchor points within a patch of pixels in a particular area that includes a detected feature in an image, defining a first set of subpatches and calculating an intensity of each of the first set of subpatches, defining a second set of subpatches and calculating an intensity of each of the second set of subpatches, comparing the intensity of each of the second set of subpatches to the intensity of each of the first set of subpatches and if the intensity of a second set subpatch is higher than the intensity of a first set subpatch assign a binary value, otherwise assign an alternative binary value, and concatenating all the assigned binary values into a binary feature descriptor.
US08666166B2
A method and system for performing a 2D transform is disclosed. The 2D transform may include a row transform and/or a column transform. When performing the row or column transform, it may be determined whether each of different subsets of the data values including a partition of a row or column includes at least one zero value, whether each of different subsets of a first subset of the partition includes at least one zero value, and whether each of different subsets of at least one other subset of the partition includes at least one zero value. When performing the row or column transform, at least one transformation operation on at least one zero value may be bypassed or performed in a reduced-power manner, where such transformation operation would otherwise be performed in a manner consuming full power if the zero value were a non-zero value.
US08666144B2
A method and system to determine the disparity associated with one or more textured regions of a plurality of images is presented. The method comprises the steps of breaking up the texture into its color primitives, further segmenting the textured object into any number of objects comprising such primitives, and then calculating a disparity of these objects. The textured objects emerge in the disparity domain, after having their disparity calculated. Accordingly, the method is further comprised of defining one or more textured regions in a first of a plurality of images, determining a corresponding one or more textured regions in a second of the plurality of images, segmenting the textured regions into their color primitives, and calculating a disparity between the first and second of the plurality of images in accordance with the segmented color primitives.
US08666138B2
One embodiment of these teachings includes an imaging modality that is based on the ability of imaging technologies to detect wave-induced tissue deformation at depth, that allows viewing the propagation of action potentials deep within myocardial tissue, thereby helping to clarify clinical and physiological dynamical issues.
US08666130B2
Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer program products for bio-image calibration are described. One aspect provides a bio-image calibration device including: a calibration portion comprising predetermined color areas; wherein the predetermined color areas are arranged in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a watermark; wherein the predetermined color areas are a predetermined size and a predetermined shape; and wherein the predetermined color areas are located on one or more edges of the bio-image device. Other embodiments are described.
US08666119B1
A first frame includes a first 2D image of a motion capture subject in the real 3D space. A 3D model is deformed into a first deformation and placing the deformed 3D model in a virtual 3D space in a first location so that the deformed 3D model corresponds to the first 2D image. A second frame includes a second 2D image of the motion capture subject in the real 3D space. 2D changes in the second 2D image relative to the first 2D image are tracked. The 2D changes are projected on the virtual 3D space as 3D constraints. Based on the second 2D image, the 3D model is again deformed into a second deformation and placing the 3D model in the virtual 3D space in a second location in conformance with the 3D constraints.
US08666110B2
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for masking a privacy area of an image. The method for masking a privacy area of an image includes: detecting a privacy area required to be protected in an image; and performing masking on the image. An important area (a face area of a person, a number plate area of a vehicle, a window area of a house, etc.) detected from an image inputted through a CCTV camera can be effectively and easily encrypted, scrambled, decoded, and descrambled. Also, the position of the important area detected before or after the important area is scrambled can be maintained to be consistent without having to use a metadata file. In addition, a scrambling algorithm of the same key value can be applicable regardless of the size of the important area. As a result, the system efficiency can be enhanced by effectively protecting personal information compared with a CCTV-based video security system.
US08666096B2
The present invention pertains to a device for using audio plug-ins in a mixer, provided with a mixer and a computer, whereby the mixer has a control panel and signal-processing electronics and the computer has an audio interface, and audio plug-ins can be installed on it, in which an audio plug-in host is installed on the computer for receiving plug-ins, that the mixer has a plug-in control system, that computer and mixer are connected to one another by means of audio tie lines and at least one control line, and that the entire control, including that of the audio plug-ins, can be carried out by the mixer. Furthermore, the present invention proposes a process for using audio plug-ins in a mixer, in which audio plug-ins to be used are automatically sought by a control system of the mixer in a file folder containing plug-ins installed on a computer, and that the audio plug-ins are each assigned to an effect slot (FX slot), whereby the audio tie lines required for this are occupied, as a result of which the audio plug-in is available for use in the mixer.
US08666093B2
An audio input signal is processed to produce a processed audio output signal. An audio input signal is received as an original signal. The audio input signal is dynamically filtered to produce a first stage signal consisting of a selected frequency band of the input signal. Gain applied to the first stage signal is dynamically controlled in response to a control signal to produce a second stage signal. The control signal is derived from the first stage signal. Processing the original signal in combination with the second stage signal to produce a processed audio output signal. Processing the original signal in combination with the second stage signal and the first stage signal to produce a processed audio output signal.
US08666091B2
A method for reducing a disturbance in an input signal caused by an output signal in a multi-port connector, a multi-port connector circuit for reducing a disturbance in an input signal caused by an output signal, and a mobile device are described.
US08666090B1
Disclosed is a system and method with independent adjustment of on and off-axis tonality and a system and method for modeling an idealized off-axis polar response of a directional microphone. The system can include two or more microphone capsules arranged in close proximity within a single housing and a filtering algorithm applied to the output of each microphone capsule that results in a signal that has a predominantly idealized on and off-axis user selectable polar pattern responses and user selectable microphone modeling which models the on-axis frequency response of a physical or virtual microphone. Optionally, the system and method can compensate for the on and off-axis polar response changes due to low-frequency proximity-effect.
US08666073B2
The present invention provides a safe handover method and system which are applied in a handover process of a terminal in the next generation network, wherein the next generation network comprises a handover management module, an authentication server and a terminal. The safe handover method comprises: presetting initial safety parameters in the authentication server and the terminal, and generating safety parameters from the initial safety parameters; the handover management module obtaining the safety parameters; and the handover management module and the terminal interacting with each other by using the generated safety parameters to ensure a communication safety between the two communication parties. The present invention can ensure the communication safety between the terminal and the handover management module.
US08666055B2
Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, user devices and computer program products for providing human-assisted natural language call routing. Systems include a call interface device on an IVR system for receiving a telephone call from a caller. The system also includes a level one agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when it is not directed by the IVR system after an initial interaction and a second interaction between the caller and the IVR system. The system further includes a level two agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when it is not directed by the IVR system after the initial interaction and when a level two agent is available. In addition the system includes a level three agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when a level three agent is available.
US08666044B2
An Electronic Document Answering Machine is adapted to connect to remote information sources and to download digital documents including e-mail and WEB pages, and to store the documents for later review by a user. The Answering machine has an alert device for alerting a user that new documents are available for review, and an initializing device for a user to cause documents to be communicated for review one-at-a-time. In a preferred embodiment documents are communicated over a speaker via voice synthesis. In an alternative preferred embodiment a small display is provided wherein documents may be displayed in alphanumeric characters. The answering machine can be implemented as a stand-alone device or can be connected via a serial port to a host PC for transferring documents to the PC for processing and review. In other embodiments the Answering Machine is implemented as a system in a PC, with alert and selective input added as an interface. The interface can be in a keyboard, and can be provided by existing keys and LEDs on a keyboard. An Answering Machine is also provided as a set-top-box for a TV, downloading digital documents from the Internet and providing the documents with user prompting to a TV via an audio/video output. prompting may be by infra-red input from a remote controller.
US08666032B2
A system and method for processing a call between a caller and a live agent is provided. A stream of verbal speech utterances is received from the caller and converted into text. Text messages are received from the agent in response to the stream of verbal speech utterances and converted into synthesized speech utterances. The synthesized speech utterances are provided to the caller. A record of the call is processed and presented to a further live agent for manipulation. The manipulated record is stored.
US08666028B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for allowing a monitoring party to have intermediary control over a communication between a calling party and a called party. A notification may be sent to a monitoring party of an incoming communication attempt to a called party, and the monitoring party may control the routing and/or processing of the communication based on a real-time response to the notification.
US08666023B2
A radiation imaging apparatus communicating with a radiation imaging control apparatus for controlling an operation of acquiring a radiation image includes a radiation detection unit configured to detect radiation and to acquire the radiation image, a storage unit configured to store information about a plurality of the radiation imaging control apparatuses, a selection unit configured to select one of the plurality of the radiation imaging control apparatuses as an apparatus to communicate with the radiation imaging apparatus, and a setting unit configured to set communication with the radiation imaging control apparatus selected by the selection unit.
US08666020B2
A method and apparatus are provided to filter x-ray beams generated using a CT apparatus or other x-ray based system with displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102), a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data, and a filter (146). The filter may absorb at least a portion of overlapping radiation emitted by the source at opposing angular positions. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined for a desired field of view configuration and amount of overlapping radiation. The detector may be adjusted to correspond to the amount of determined transverse displacement. The size and location of the filter may be determined based on the amount of overlapping radiation. The filter may be adjusted to correspond to the determined size and location of the filter.
US08666018B2
A nuclear fuel rod plenum spring assembly that has a spacer affixed to the lower end of the ground torsion spring. The spacer has a substantially flat surface on its underside that presses against the upper surface of the upper fuel pellets to spread the load of the spring over the top surface of the upper most fuel pellet.
US08666012B2
An apparatus and method for operating a frequency synthesizer wherein a value of an first control signal associated with a fine frequency feedback loop connected to a signal generator is monitored, and a second control signal associated with a medium or coarse frequency feedback loop connected to the signal generator is adjusted based on the monitoring. The first and second control signals are then output to control the frequency synthesizer.
US08666004B2
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hybrid receiver diversity scheme that involves combining received signals in accordance with a combination of multiple receive diversity schemes. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hybrid transmit diversity scheme that involves transmitting diversity signals to a receiver according to a transmit diversity scheme selected based on signal quality measurements received from the receiver.
US08666001B2
A radio receiver (100) includes a symbol recovery unit (108) the produces a raw symbol stream (112) and a recovered symbol stream (116). The recovered symbol stream is produced by applying symbol recovery parameters to the raw symbols. The symbol recovery parameters are updated (218) when the symbol recovery parameters used by the symbol recovery unit lack a requisite level of validity and there is a sufficient indication, based on successive instance of sync information using instance-specific recovery parameters, updated recovery parameters are valid.
US08666000B2
A receiver may be operable to receive an inter-symbol correlated (ISC) signal, and generate a plurality of soft decisions as to information carried in the ISC signal. The soft decisions may be generated using a reduced-state sequence estimation (RSSE) process. The RSSE process may be such that the number of symbol survivors retained after each iteration of the RSSE process is less than the maximum likelihood state space. The plurality of soft decisions may comprise a plurality of log likelihood ratios (LLRs). Each of the plurality of LLRs may correspond to a respective one of a plurality of subwords of a forward error correction (FEC) codeword.
US08665996B2
A configurable decoder within a receiver (for example, within a wireless communication device) includes numerous decoders. In one mode, the multiple decoders are used to decode different sub-packets of a packet. When one decoder completes decoding the last sub-packet assigned to it of the packet, then that decoder generates a packet done indication. A control circuit receives the packet done indications, and when all the decoders have generated packet done indications then the control circuit initiates an action. In one example, the action is the interrupting of a processor. The processor responds by reading status information from the control circuit, thereby resetting the interrupt. End-of-packet markers are usable to generate packet done indications and to generate EOP interrupts. Similarly, end-of-group markers are usable to generate group done indications and to generate EOG interrupts. The decoder block is configurable to process sub-packets of a packet using either one or multiple decoders.
US08665995B2
There is provided a solution for dual channel transmission in a radio communication device. Both transmission signals to be transmitted on different channels are mixed two times by using oscillator signals having the same frequencies for both transmission signals, and the transmission circuitry is arranged to process the signals so that the transmission signals are nevertheless up-converted to different frequency channels.
US08665992B1
A transmitter may be operable to generate a sequence of symbols which may comprise information symbols and one or more pilot symbols. The transmitter may transmit the information symbols at a first power and transmit the one or more pilot symbols at a second power. In instances when a particular performance indicator is below a determined threshold, the first power may be set to a first value and the second power may be set to zero value. In instances when the particular performance indicator is above the determined threshold, the first power may be set to a second value and the second power may be set to a non-zero value. A value of the first power and a value of the second power may be based on an applicable average power limit determined by a communications standard with which the transmitter is to comply.
US08665988B2
The present invention provides a device and method for realizing prefix code construction. The device includes a sort indexer, a generator and a sequence regulator. The sort indexer is used to sort a group of received code lengths to obtain a group of sorted code lengths, and record the position correspondence relationship. The generator receives the sorted code lengths and orderly generates the prefix codes. Except that the first prefix code is preconfigured, the generator generates a current prefix code by adding one to the adjacently previous prefix code and then shifting left by a certain number of bits. The sequence regulator is used to receive the prefix codes corresponding to the sorted code lengths, and regulates the sequence of the prefix codes corresponding to the sorted code lengths according to the position correspondence relationship recorded by the sort indexer to obtain the prefix codes corresponding to the code lengths.
US08665985B1
A low level secondary communication signal is summed with an existing primary communication signal in a manner that prevents interference to the existing primary communication signal while providing secondary communication signal benefits such as increased data rate, range, or interference immunity. Examples are presented in which a M-QAM secondary signal is summed with either an ATC Mode S PPM reply or DPSK interrogation primary signal. Legacy Mode S transponders, TCAS, and ADS-B equipment continue to demodulate and decode the primary signal information in accordance with preexisting formats while new enhanced equipment obtains the benefits of the secondary signal.
US08665982B2
A wireless communication system uses a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna in the transceiver mode. The system includes the technical features of a stage in which m bits of a first set of information is transmitted for a first pre-coding matrix (where m is an integer greater than 1), and a stage in which n bits of a second set of information is transmitted for a second pre-coding matrix (where n is an integer greater than 1 but less than n).
US08665974B2
In a method for detecting a clock rate of a data unit, the data unit is received via a communication channel. The data unit includes i) a first preamble portion and ii) an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) portion following the first preamble portion. The OFDM portion includes a second preamble portion including one or more long training fields. Based on the first preamble portion, whether a clock rate of the OFDM portion is a first clock rate or a second clock rate lower than the first clock rate is determined based on the first preamble portion.
US08665971B2
An apparatus and method for channel estimation comprising obtaining a response matrix G(l) using Q quantity pilots; constructing a sensing matrix Wsensing based on K quantity tones, L quantity symbols and P quantity multipaths; and using compressive sensing channel estimation to determine an equivalent channel matrix Gp(i) based on the response matrix G(l) and the sensing matrix Wsensing.
US08665963B2
A communication terminal, includes: a communicator, configured to transmit and receive data to and from a server storing video contents; an accumulator, configured to accumulate a plurality of partial streams extracted from different time positions within the video contents received through the communicator as asynchronous streams; a decoder, configured to decode at least one of the asynchronous streams and synchronous streams that are not extracted as the asynchronous streams from the video contents, the synchronous streams being streaming-distributed from the server; and a controller, configured to acquire streams having time position information before and after a reproduction time position of the at least one of the asynchronous streams and the synchronous streams decoded by the decoder while the at least one of the asynchronous streams and the synchronous streams are reproduced on the display, and control the display to display the acquired streams after the reproduction.
US08665958B2
A video encoding method and apparatus are provided. The video encoding method includes determining whether a current block includes an affine-transformation object having an affine transformation; if the current block includes an affine-transformation object, generating a prediction block by performing affine transformation-based motion compensation on the current block in consideration of an affine transformation of the affine-transformation object; and if the current block does not include any affine-transformation object, generating a prediction block by performing motion vector-based motion compensation on the current block using a motion vector of the current block. Therefore, it is possible to achieve high video encoding/decoding efficiency even when a block to be encoded or decoded includes an affine transformation.
US08665957B2
When a prediction is made between fields with different parity, the predicative efficiency of a chrominance vector is improved by adaptively switching the generation of a chrominance motion vector depending on a encoding/decoding field parity (top/bottom) and a reference field parity (top/bottom), and the coding efficiency is improved accordingly.
US08665949B1
In a method for generating a physical layer (PHY) data unit for transmission via a communication channel, first data and second data that correspond to a unit of audio, video, and/or image information is received. The first data and the second data are encoded and modulated so that a resulting data rate of the first data is less than a resulting data rate of the second data. The first data and the second data are parsed to a plurality of spatial streams, and a single PHY data unit that includes the plurality of spatial streams is generated.
US08665941B1
One or more embodiments describe a decision feedback equalizer for highly spectrally efficient communications. A method may be performed in a decision feedback equalizer (DFE). The method may include initializing values of tap coefficients of the DFE based on values of tap coefficients of a partial response filter through which said transmitted symbols passed en route to said sequence estimation circuit. The method may include receiving estimates of transmitted symbols from a sequence estimation circuit, and receiving an error signal that is generated based on an estimated partial response signal output by the sequence estimation circuit. The method may include updating values of tap coefficients of the DFE based on the error signal and the estimates of transmitted symbols. The method may include generating one or more constraints that restrict the impact of the error signal on the updating of the values of the tap coefficients of the DFE.
US08665937B2
A method for noise rise estimation in a wireless communication system comprises receiving (210) of radio signals. An interference whitening (212) is performed. A useful signal power for a first user after the interference whitening is determined (214) for a plurality of time instances. Furthermore, a first user noise floor compensation factor is derived (216) based on combining weights for the first user used in the interference whitening. A probability distribution for a compensated useful signal power for the first user is estimated (218). A conditional probability distribution of a noise floor measure is computed (220). A noise rise measure for the first user is then calculated (222) based at least on the compensated useful signal power for the first user and the conditional probability distribution of a noise floor measure.
US08665936B2
A communication system and method are disclosed. The system includes a receiver to receive and process a transmission signal provided from a transmitter based on a digital input signal, and to generate a receiver signal that indicates eye characteristics associated with transmission characteristics of the processed transmission signal. The transmission characteristics can be set by a digital filter associated with the transmitter based on filter parameters. The system further includes a transmitter training system to implement a plurality of experiments based on implementing Design of Experiments (DOE) to provide the filter parameters to the transmitter and to evaluate the corresponding eye characteristics to determine an output set of filter parameters.
US08665920B2
The luminance of a laser diode is a function of laser diode drive current. The luminance is also a function of other factors, such as age and temperature. A laser projection device includes laser diodes to generate light in response to a commanded luminance, and also includes photodiodes to provide a measured luminance. The commanded luminance and measured luminance are compared, and drive currents for the laser diodes are adjusted to compensate for changes in laser diode characteristics.
US08665914B2
A signal analysis/control system includes: a signal analysis unit which analyzes an input signal of a transmission unit and generates analysis information; and a signal control unit which controls the input signal of a reception unit by using the analysis information. Thus, the signal analysis is performed in the transmission unit. This reduces the calculation amount concerning the signal analysis in the reception unit. Furthermore, the reception unit can control each of the constituent elements of the input signal according to the signal analysis information obtained in the transmission unit.
US08665913B2
A communication device that is to be connected to a providing server for providing time information via a network is provided. The communication device includes a congestion-degree obtainer to obtain a congestion degree indicating a condition of traffic in the network, a time information obtainer to obtain the time information provided by the providing server, and an obtainment restrictor to compare the obtained congestion degree with a predetermined reference degree of congestion, and restricts the time information obtainer from obtaining the time information if the comparison indicates that the traffic in the network is busier than the reference degree of congestion.
US08665911B2
The occurrence of false positives and the post-processing of digital streams subjected to examination by a deterministic finite state machine for character strings are reduced by combining location-based pattern matching, e.g. on packet headers, and content-based pattern matching, e.g. on payloads of packets. One scheme allows automatic transition from a header match state into an initial state of a content matching machine. Another scheme is based on a rules graph defining strings of match states and the examination of a list of match states (rather than characters) which have been previously determined, for example by means of header matching and content matching. The latter is also capable of comparing offset and depth values associated with the match states with offset and depth criteria.
US08665908B1
In a wireless network in which communication devices are configured to use a first guard interval between symbols or a second guard interval between symbols, wherein the first guard interval has a length shorter than a length of the second guard interval, a field is generated to indicate a set of one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) supported by a first device in the wireless network and to indicate whether each of the one or more MCSs is supported when using the first guard interval. A data unit that includes the field is generated and transmitted to a second device in the wireless network.
US08665897B2
System and methods for High-speed Digital Subscriber Line Software Download are provided. In one embodiment, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Transceiver Unit is provided. The transceiver unit comprises at least one DSL transceiver, wherein the at least one DSL transceiver implements an Embedded Operations Channel (EOC) and a data path over at least one DSL pair; a first memory for storing a software file for transfer over the DSL pair, wherein the software file comprises a header and at least one file record; and a second memory for storing a provisioning table, wherein the provisioning table establishes timeslot allocations for a plurality of channels communicated over the data path, including provisions for a software download channel for transmitting the software file from the first memory to a target unit over the data path.
US08665894B2
A mechanism for combining plurality of point-to-point data channels to provide a high-bandwidth data channel having an aggregated bandwidth equivalent to the sum of the bandwidths of the data channels used is provided. A mechanism for scattering segments of incoming data packets, called data chunks, among available point-to-point data channel interfaces is further provided. A decision as to the data channel interface over which to send a data chunk to can be made by examining a fullness status of a FIFO coupled to each interface. An identifier of a data channel on which to expect a subsequent data chunk can be provided in a control word associated with a present chunk of data. Using such information in control words, a receive-end interface can reassemble packets by looking to the control word in a currently processing data chunk to find a subsequent data chunk.
US08665893B2
Methods and systems for managing multiple receive queues of a networking device of a host machine in a virtual machine system. The networking device includes multiple receive queues that are used to receive packets intended for a guest of the virtual machine system and pass the packets to the intended virtual machine. A hypervisor of the virtual machine system manages the switching from one or more receive queues (i.e., old receive queues) to one or more other receive queues (i.e., new receive queues) by managing the provisioning of packets from the receive queues to one or more virtual machines in the virtual machine system.
US08665881B2
Systems and methods for scheduling wireless communications of a base station with multiple user mobile stations involve grouping the user mobile stations in clusters based on a predetermined criterion, such as a QoS profile of a user mobile station. Each cluster is assigned with a cluster weight factor that defines a priority level of the cluster. For each user mobile station in each cluster, a priority index may be determined based on the cluster weight factor of a respective cluster, and throughput and fairness factors respectively selected to maximize throughput and provide fairness to user mobile stations. The user mobile stations may be served in an order based on their priority indexes.
US08665876B2
An approach is provided in which a data traffic module executing on a network interface card receives a data packet initiated by a first virtual machine with a destination at a second virtual machine. The data traffic module identifies one or more physical path translations corresponding to a logical connectivity that is independent of physical topology constraints of a physical network. In turn, the data traffic module encapsulates the data packet with the one or more physical path translations and sends the encapsulated data packet to the second virtual machine over the physical network.
US08665874B2
Method and apparatus for supporting the forwarding of received data packets in a router (402,702) of a packet-switched network. A forwarding table (706a) is configured in the router based on aggregating router keys and associated aggregation related instructions received from a key manager (400,700). Each aggregating router key represents a set of destinations. When a data packet (P) is received comprising an ingress tag derived from a sender key or router key, the ingress tag is matched with entries in the forwarding table. An outgoing port is selected for the packet according to a found matching table entry that further comprises an associated aggregation related instruction. An egress tag is then created according to the aggregation related instruction, and the packet with the created egress tag attached is sent from the selected outgoing port to a next hop router.
US08665871B2
Systems and methods for tagging packets in a wireless network are described. The methods can comprise detecting initial entry of subscriber equipment into a wireless network at a first base station and generating a network tag for the subscriber equipment, the network tag associating the subscriber equipment with the first base station. The tag can be distributed to other base stations and, upon reentry of the subscriber equipment to the network, a network connection can be configured for the subscriber equipment based on the tag. Detecting initial entry includes receiving a network entry packet a including a unique identifier associated with the subscriber equipment. The network connection can be configured by providing an IP address assigned to the subscriber equipment and the IP address may be distributed through a relay agent instantiated for the network connection. The network tag can be an IEEE 802.1q tags, MPLS tags, etc.
US08665867B2
The present invention provides a method for processing a switch control command for solving the problem that consistency of data of the network device and the network management is unable to be kept in the process of processing the switch control command in the prior art. This method includes: when a priority of obtained trigger information is higher than a priority of a switch control command, discarding the switch control command (103); and reporting the discarded switch control command to a control system which manages the network device (104). The present invention further provides an device for processing a switch control command.
US08665865B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sales or customer support using a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service; wherein the at least partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service.
US08665862B1
A mobile station attached to a first type service domain determines that the mobile station should deregister in a second, different type service domain. In response to the determination to deregister, a deregistration request is sent through the first type service domain. The deregistration request indicates that the mobile station is to be deregistered in the second type service domain.
US08665859B2
A multi-point communications system is set forth herein. The communications system includes a transmitter for transmitting OFDM/DMT symbols over a predetermined number of bins across a transmission medium. The OFDM/DMT symbols are generated using at least one timing signal. At least one of the predetermined number of bins includes a pilot tone sub-symbol having a frequency corresponding to a clock signal. The communications system may also include a receiver for receiving the OFDM/DMT symbols via the transmission medium. The receiver demodulates the received symbols using at least one timing signal.
US08665854B2
A method of enabling improved soft noise power floor estimation in a code division multiple access wireless communication system, measuring (SO) samples of a received total wideband power, estimating (S1) a probability distribution for a first power quantity from the measured received total wideband power, estimating (S2) a mean power level for the first power quantity and adapting (S3) the width of the probability density function based on the estimated mean power level to enable computation of a probability density function of a noise floor measure that is a discretization on a grid.
US08665850B2
A wireless access device in a local area network (LAN) having a plurality of transceivers. Each transceiver has a directional antenna positioned in a substantially circular array to communicate signals with a plurality of stations in a corresponding sector. Each sector defines a portion of a coverage area surrounding the wireless access device. The wireless access device has a network interface to a data network, and an array controller to control communication of data between the stations and the transceivers, and between the transceivers and the network interface. The array controller is configured to modify channel assignments so as to minimize channel interference dynamically.
US08665848B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods of combined Bluetooth and WLAN signaling. Such systems and methods may use a Bluetooth connection to signal WLAN capabilities and to exchange WLAN security keys. Once the file transfer has started, the actual data may be transmitted over the WLAN connection rather than over the Bluetooth connection. The WLAN connection may have a much higher throughput than the Bluetooth connection, and WLAN capability has increasingly become present inside Bluetooth enabled devices. The Bluetooth connection may be used as a control channel, while the WLAN connection may be used for data transfer.
US08665846B2
A wireless communication system comprises a network element (315) operably coupled to an antenna array for communicating with a remote wireless communication unit (305). The antenna array comprises a plurality of radiating elements where at least one first radiating element of the plurality of radiating elements is arranged to create a radiation pattern that comprises a sector beam (405). The plurality of radiating elements comprises at least one second radiating element arranged to create a major portion of at least one sub-sector beam (420, 425, 430) within the sector beam (405).
US08665835B2
Optimizing a plurality cell sites or sectors in a wireless network including receiving network data regarding a plurality of cell sites or sectors; determining a critical zone in which communication is degraded; determining best neighbor cell sites or sectors among the neighbor cell sites or sectors associated with the critical cell sites or sectors; determining if the critical cell sites or sectors in the critical zone have available resources for achieving a desired improvement in communications; determining if the best neighbor cell sites or sectors have available resources for achieving the desired improvement in communications; and altering wireless network parameters of the critical cell sites or sectors, or the best neighbor cells sites or sectors for achieving the desired improvement in communications.
US08665823B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and entities involved in enabling and improving inter-domain handover. A PS based RAN such as eUTRAN can identify which potential handover to prepare and which handover to initiate, PS-PS or SR-VCC based on: (1) the UE's SR-VCC capabilities, (2) “SR-VCC indication” from the MME, (3) active VoIP bearer, and (4) target cell capabilities.
US08665822B2
A method for handling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) orders in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless communication system supports Carrier Aggregation, which enables the UE to perform transmission and/or reception through multiple carriers. The method includes steps of configuring a plurality of carriers, receiving a PDCCH order, and using a specific carrier within the plurality of carriers to trigger a random access procedure according to the PDCCH order.
US08665809B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate sending a power control command in a wireless communication environment. A base station can send a power control command to a UE through resource elements reserved for at least one Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Thus, the power control command can be punctured into a control channel element (CCE) reserved for the at least one PDCCH. Further, the base station can convey an indicator that specifies the resource elements reserved for the at least one PDCCH used for sending the power control command to the UE. Moreover, the base station can use a structure similar to a conventional (e.g., Release 8, . . . ) PHICH structure for sending the power control command using the resource elements reserved for the at least one PDCCH. For example, the power control command can be spread using one or more Walsh codes assigned to the UE.
US08665803B2
Tones within a channel can be selected randomly and/or based on orthogonal tone selection. Random selection can include selecting tones randomly from a fixed set, which is referred to as channelized tone selection. Channelized tone selection can be chosen if a critical tone exists. Random selection can also include selecting resources randomly from the total number of resources available, which is referred to as non-channelized tone selection. Orthogonal tone selection can be chosen to mitigate the probability of receiver desensitization and/or to attempt to mitigate interference.
US08665802B2
A method of transmitting and receiving radio resource information is provided. The present invention includes transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble to a network, receiving an acknowledgement for the PRACH preamble from the network, where the acknowledgement for the PRACH preamble includes an identifier identifying the UE and uplink grant information, transmitting a connection request message for requesting a connection to the network using the uplink grant information, and receiving a connection response message from the network in response to the connection request message.
US08665801B2
In one embodiment the method includes allocating, for a mobile, forward link resources for transmitting data over a shared forward link data channel without allocating reverse link resources for reverse link data transmission in association with the allocated forward link resources. At least a portion of the received data is repeatedly sent to the mobile on the shared forward link data channel over a time division multiple access air interface using the allocated forward link resources until an acknowledgement is received from the mobile or a number of transmissions have taken place.
US08665798B2
The present invention is related to a method and system for transferring wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)-specific information to support enhanced uplink (EU) operation in a wireless communication system. A radio network controller (RNC) obtains WTRU-specific information, and transfers the WTRU-specific information to the Node-Bs. Each Node-B is configured to schedule uplink transmissions from a WTRU and utilizes the WTRU-specific information in operation of EU transmissions.
US08665795B2
Techniques to support beamforming for stations in a wireless network are described. A station may support beamforming with implicit or explicit feedback by having capabilities to transmit and receive sounding frames, responding to training request by sending a sounding frame, and responding to request for explicit feedback. In one explicit beamforming embodiment, the station may send a first frame with an explicit feedback request and may also send a Null Data Packet (NDP) having at least one training field but no data field. The station may receive a second frame with explicit feedback, which may be derived based on the NDP. The station may derive steering information based on explicit feedback and may then send a steered frame with beamforming based on steering information. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
US08665794B2
A method and system is provided for transmitting data frames from a first device to a second device in a wireless network. The method includes concatenating a plurality of data frames (303) into an aggregated frame (100) by the first device; transmitting the aggregated frame (100) from the first device to the second device; validating each of the plurality of data frames (303) individually by the second device; and retransmitting each of the data frames (303) that contains an error by the first device, without retransmitting the data frames that are valid.
US08665791B2
A mobile communication system for supporting a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) is provided. More particularly, an apparatus and a method for applying a direct tunnel feature in order to reduce a transmission delay of a mobile communication system for providing an MBMS. The system includes a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). The GGSN omits transmission of data to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and transmits data to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) using the direct tunnel feature when transmitting data.
US08665788B1
A preamble sequence according to the disclosed systems and methods of setting a preamble sequence for multilevel frequency modulations is comprised of four sections: an initiation sequence, based on a repeatable unique word; a start of frame delimiter, which consists of the negation of the unique word; a continuous wave signal with a certain duration and frequency added after the start of frame delimiter; and an additional sequence for further training of the receiver, also based on repetitions of the unique word and/or its negations.
US08665787B2
A data processing unit selects either one of a base station mode and a terminal mode so as to perform communications using packet signals. The base station mode is a mode in which a packet signal, containing data indicating that an initial source and a final destination are not its own radio apparatus, is to be communicated; the terminal mode is a mode in which a packet signal, containing data indicating that the initial source or the final destination is its own radio apparatus, is to be communicated. A control unit starts the radio apparatus by setting the data processing unit in the terminal mode. When a packet signal, which has been transmitted from another radio apparatus and which contains broadcast information, has not been received before a certain period of time elapses after the start, the control unit switches the mode of the data processing unit to the base station mode.
US08665777B2
A satellite communication network includes one or more satellites and multiple ground stations, or ground stations. An originating ground station receives an Internet communication, determines when a satellite will be within range, and transmits a stream of data packets including part or all of the communication to the satellite when in communication range. The satellite either forwards the data packets to another satellite, or determines when a destination ground station will be in sight and transmits the data packets to the destination ground station when in range.
US08665771B2
Disclosed is a communication method of a satellite mobile communication system. The communication method of a satellite mobile communication system, includes: receiving system information indicating frame intervals in which first user equipments using a satellite radio interface in commonality with a terrestrial radio interface do not perform communications from a base station; accessing the base station in the rest frame intervals other than frame intervals in which the first user equipments do not perform communications, based on the system information; transmitting the system information from the base station to second user equipments using a satellite radio interface optimized for satellite environment; and accessing the base station in the rest frame intervals based on the system information received in the second user equipments.
US08665765B2
A wireless communication apparatus (100) includes a broadcast/multicast reception determination unit (120) for determining whether data distributed by broadcast/multicast is being received or not; a wireless session close process unit (140) for performing a wireless session close process when a wireless session close timer is expired; and a control unit (150) for controlling the wireless session close process unit to hold the wireless session close process activated based on expiration of the wireless session close timer until reception of data distributed by broadcast/multicast is completed, in case that it is determined that data distributed by the broadcast/multicast is being received when the wireless session close timer is expired.
US08665755B2
A route allocation method including: calculating a route between a sending node and a receiving node in a network; and allocating the route to a communication slot, wherein the allocating selects route allocation for the communication slot based on a number of allocatable routes that are other routes not including a link the transfer direction of which is the same as that of a route, the link being located in the route embedded into the communication slot.
US08665753B2
A system and method for causing concurrent setup of a wireless network adapter and a network host device. The method involves receiving a request to install either a wireless network adapter or a network host device. If the request is to install the wireless network adapter, then the method further involves detecting that the network host device is not yet installed, and prompting a user to connect to the network host device. Alternatively, if the request is to install the network host device, then the method further involves detecting that the wireless network adapter is not yet installed, and prompting the user to connect to the wireless network adapter. The method also involves causing a connection to be established between the wireless network adapter and the network host device.
US08665735B2
Aspects of a method and system for quality of service management in a multi-standard mesh of networks are provided. In a wireless mobile communication device (WMCD) enabled to communicate utilizing a variety of communication networks, QoS information, such as latency, available bandwidth, and/or throughput, communicated to the WMCD may enable the coordination of data transfers to and/or from the WMCD. In this regard, the WMCD and each of the networks may comprise a QoS management entity. A QoS management entity may be enabled to poll other QoS management entities to discover QoS information. Similarly, a QoS management entity may be enabled to receive QoS information broadcast by other QoS management entities. A QoS management entity may enable selecting a network and/or communication protocol for the transmission and/or reception of data based on exchanged QoS information.
US08665733B2
A method and apparatus for Round Trip Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network using a user plane probe session is disclosed for measuring round trip delays in a manner that allows latency to be apportioned to network elements. The method and apparatus for Round Trip Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network using a user plane probe session includes transmitting a loopback packet containing a probe session indicator and capturing timestamps of arrival and departure times at each network element traversed by the loopback packet, and then transmitting the timestamps to a Network Management System.
US08665730B2
To reduce the load of a communication process performed between pseudo base stations of different communication standards. An LTE pseudo base station unit 3 includes: an LTE message processing unit 3b that transmits broadcast information including base station information about a C2K pseudo base station unit 4 to a mobile communication terminal 10, which is a test target, extracts location registration request message information from data when receiving the data including the location registration request message information as response message information to the transmitted broadcast information, and outputs the location registration request message information; and a specific C2K message processing unit 3c that outputs the location registration request message information as response message information when receiving the location registration request message information from the LTE message processing unit 3b.
US08665726B2
Methods and apparatus for dynamically configuring a parent circuit through a subscriber record on an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server responsive to an authorization event for the subscriber session on the network element. According to one embodiment of the invention, the AAA server accesses the subscriber record for a subscriber session on the network element. Based on this subscriber record, a set of one or more attributes for a subscriber circuit and a set of one or more attributes for a parent circuit of the subscriber circuit are determined. The network element applies the set of subscriber circuit attributes to the subscriber circuit and the set of parent circuit attributes to the parent circuit.
US08665724B2
Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler parameters such as weights and credits to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof. Scheduling parameters may be dynamic and incorporate the notions of “duration neglect” and “recency effect” in an end-user's perception of video quality in order to optimally manage video traffic during periods of congestion.
US08665722B2
Methods to achieve bounded router buffer sizes and Quality of Service guarantees for traffic flows in a packet-switched network are described. The network can be an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a Differentiated Services network, an MPLS network, wireless mesh network or an optical network. The routers can use input queueing, possibly in combination with crosspoint queueing and/or output queueing. Routers may schedule QoS-enabled traffic flows to ensure a bounded normalized service lead/lag. Each QoS-enabled traffic flow will buffer O(K) packets per router, where K is an integer bound on the normalized service lead/lag. Three flow-scheduling methods are analysed. Non-work-conserving flow-scheduling methods can guarantee a bound on the normalized service lead/lag, while work-conserving flow-scheduling methods typically cannot guarantee the same small bound. The amount of buffering required in a router can be reduced significantly, the network links can operate near peak capacity, and strict QoS guarantees can be achieved.
US08665718B2
The present invention provides a method and a device for implementing a V-Switch. Through setting up a V-Switch correlation with respect to at least two VLAN tags, a DRE performs a V-Switch transmission on an Ethernet frame received according to the V-Switch correlation with respect to at least two VLAN tags. The invention can expand the number of V-Switch connections carried on a local link to 4096×4096, or even to 4096×4096×4096 . . . . Therefore, the problem of insufficient VLAN tag resources is solved, and the requirements for the scale of V-Switch technology is met. Moreover, a more effective V-Switch method is provided, the switching capability of V-Switch is improved, and the application scale of V-Switch technology is enlarged.
US08665701B2
A double ring network system configured with two or more transmission stations each including a pair of bi-directionally communicative communication ports, including any adjacent two transmission stations as terminal stations, and any transmission station as a base, as mutually connected in a ring form by communication ports through a transmission line, for intercommunications between transmission stations, in which the transmission stations are each adapted to determine whether or not frame signals are received from adjacent transmission stations, transmit route identifying frame signals for identification of routes to adjacent transmission stations, when having failed in reception, and set own station as a terminal station substituting for a current terminal station, when having received no responses to the route identifying frames from adjacent transmission stations, so they are kept from arriving at ring-like connected subsequent transmission stations.
US08665698B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable media for modifying IP backbone link weights such that multicast traffic and unicast traffic will not travel on a same path between nodes. The method comprises assigning link weights to nodes within an IP backbone such that multicast forwarding paths and unicast forwarding paths are failure disjoint, and delivering undelivered multicast packets using IP unicast encapsulation to the loopback address of next hop router on a multicast tree upon link/interface failure.
US08665697B1
Sub-channels in cells of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network are formed based on random permutations of a set of subcarrier indices. The random permutations are performed for each cell of the network using a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) and a shuffle technique. Different initial states of the PRNG are used to generate the random permutation of the subcarrier indices for each cell. In an embodiment, sub-carriers represented by a contiguous group of indices in the random permutation obtained for a cell are assigned to form a sub-channel. Interference diversity for the OFDMA network is thereby improved.
US08665696B2
An OFDM system uses a normal mode which has a symbol length T, a guard time TG and a set of N sub-carriers, which are orthogonal over the time T, and one or more fallback modes which have symbol lengths KT and guard times KTG where K is an integer greater than unity. The same set of N sub-carriers is used for the fallback modes as for the normal mode. Since the same set of sub-carriers is used, the overall bandwidth is substantially constant, so alias filtering does not need to be adaptive. The Fourier transform operations are the same as for the normal mode. Thus fallback modes are provided with little hardware cost. In the fallback modes the increased guard time provides better delay spread tolerance and the increased symbol length provides improved signal to noise performance, and thus increased range, at the cost of reduced data rate.
US08665680B2
A recording/reproducing apparatus, for producing a virtual disc independent upon a host PC, and for managing virtual discs with an easy operation, comprises a CPU 100, a memory 101, a storage I/F 102, an external I/F 103, a device portion (DP) controller portion 201, a virtual device portion (VDP) controller portion 202, a virtual serial ATA 601, a virtual ATAIP 602, and at least two (2) or more numbers of recording/reproducing apparatuses, wherein it is notices to a HOST PC that a device is connected to the device portion when a virtual disc is produced, and the virtual disc is cut off and also information corresponding thereto is deleted when taking out or an order of taking out is made from the HOST PC.
US08665678B2
A reproduction device, contains a rotatable operation disk part for performing an input related to reading of data stored in a memory and a capacitance sensor section for outputting a sensor value expressing a change of a capacitance according to depression of the rotatable operation disk part. The device also contains a storage part for storing a reference value corresponding to the sensor value obtained while the rotatable operation disk part is not depressed, and a control part for judging presence/absence of pressing on the rotatable operation disk part based on a vector quantity being a relative value obtained from a difference between the sensor value output from the capacitance sensor section and the reference value stored in the storage part.
US08665677B1
A disk drive read head includes a slider. The slider has an air bearing surface, a trailing face, and a mounting face opposite the air bearing surface. The mounting face includes a mounting face recession. An interior surface of the mounting face recession includes an electrically conductive terminal. The read head also includes a magnetic transducer disposed on the trailing face of the slider. The read head also includes a laser device affixed to the electrically conductive terminal by a solder material. The laser device is at least partially recessed into the mounting face recession.
US08665674B2
Disclosed is a time code discrimination apparatus that discriminates a time code including one-minute digit and ten-minute digit codes. The time code discrimination apparatus includes: a first code acquiring section to acquire a plurality of sets of one-minute digit codes at a time interval in which the plurality of sets of one-minute digit codes are equal in value of one-minute digit; and a first code discrimination section to execute a process of reducing erroneous discrimination on the plurality of sets of one-minute digit codes acquired by the first code acquiring section, and to discriminate the one-minute digit codes.
US08665672B2
A process for producing a capacitive electromechanical conversion device by bonding together a substrate and a membrane member to form a cavity sealed between the substrate and the membrane member, the process for producing a capacitive electromechanical conversion device comprises the steps of: providing a gas release path penetrating from a bonded interface between the substrate and the membrane member to the outside, and forming the cavity by bonding the membrane member with the substrate with the gas release path provided; the gas release path being provided at a location where the path does not communicate with the cavity.
US08665671B2
A sensor device (100) is adapted to be installed at a land-air interface. The sensor device (100) comprises a fluid-filled housing (101) and a sensor arrangement (102, 103) supported within the housing (101) and coupled directly to the fluid so as to detect movement thereof. A seismic sensor installation comprises a sensor device (100) installed at a land-air boundary, wherein the sensor device comprises a fluid-filled housing (101) and a sensor arrangement (102, 103) supported within the housing (101) and coupled directly to the fluid as to detect movement thereof.
US08665661B2
A semiconductor memory device capable of preventing a defect caused by lowering the etching precision in an end area of the memory cell array is provided. A first block is constructed by first memory cell units each having of memory cells, a second block is constructed by second memory cell units each having memory cells, and the memory cell array is constructed by arranging the first blocks on both end portions thereof and arranging the second blocks on other portions thereof. The structure of the first memory cell unit on the end side of the memory cell array is different from the second memory cell unit. Wirings for connecting the selection gate lines of the memory cell array to corresponding transistors in a row decoder are formed of wiring layers formed above wirings for connecting control gate lines of the memory cell array to the transistors in the row decoder.
US08665660B2
A clock handoff circuit outputting data in synchronism with a first clock input thereto as output data in synchronism with a second clock, includes: a dual port RAM capable of performing writing and reading independently of each other; a write address control section controlling write addresses of the dual port RAM in which the input data is written; a blank address detecting section detecting blank addresses among the write addresses in which the input data is not written; and a read address conversion section converting the write addresses of the dual port RAM excluding the blank address into read addresses from which the output data are read out.
US08665653B2
A memory system includes a plurality of memory devices having data terminals that are commonly connected to a memory controller. Each of the memory devices includes a data output circuit that outputs read data that is read from a memory cell array in response to a read command to the data terminal, and an output-timing adjustment circuit that adjusts an output timing of read data that is output from the data output circuit. The memory controller sets an adjustment amount of adjustment performed by an output-timing adjustment circuit such that delay times from when the read command is issued until when the read data is received match in the memory devices, by issuing a setting command to each of the memory devices.
US08665645B2
A plurality of memory cells are managed by obtaining values of one or more environmental parameters of the cells and adjusting values of one or more reference voltages of the cells accordingly. Alternatively, a statistic of at least some of the cells, relative to a single reference parameter that corresponds to a control parameter of the cells, is measured, and the value of the reference voltage is adjusted accordingly. Examples of environmental parameters include program-erase cycle count, data retention time and temperature. Examples of reference voltages include read reference voltages and program verify reference voltages. Examples of statistics include the fraction of cells whose threshold voltages exceed initial lower bounds or initial medians.
US08665641B2
A memory cell changes a potential of a bit line to a discharge potential from a precharge potential in correspondence with held data. A sense amplifier precharges a bit line by a precharge circuit, compares potential at a decision point linked with the potential of the bit line with a decision threshold and outputs a comparison result by an output circuit, and sets the potential at the decision point at a time of precharging in correspondence with the decision threshold. A capacitor element connects between the bit line and an input end of the output circuit. A potential setting circuit enables setting of an input end of the output circuit forming a decision point, to a prescribed potential between a precharge voltage of the bit line and the decision threshold at a time of precharging the bit line. Operating range of memory function is enlarged.
US08665632B2
A semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment comprises memory cells each having asymmetrical voltage-current characteristics, wherein the memory cell has a first state, and a second state and a third state of higher resistances than that in the first state, wherein the memory cell, (1) in the second state, makes a transition to the first state on application of a first voltage of the first polarity, (2) in the first state, makes a transition to the second state on application of a second voltage of the second polarity, (3) in the first state, makes a transition to the third state on application of a third voltage of the second polarity (the third voltage
US08665631B2
The present disclosure provides a resistive random memory cell and a resistive random memory. The resistive random memory cell comprises an upper electrode, a resistive layer, an intermediate electrode, an asymmetric tunneling barrier layer, and a lower electrode. The upper electrode, the resistive layer, and the intermediate electrode constitute a resistive storage portion. The intermediate electrode, the asymmetric tunneling barrier layer, and the lower electrode constitute a selection portion. The resistive storage portion and the selection portion share the intermediate electrode. The selection portion may be disposed above or under the resistive storage portion. The asymmetric tunneling barrier layer comprises at least two materials having different barrier heights, and is configured for rectifying forward tunneling current and reverse tunneling current flowing through the resistive random memory cell. The present disclosure uses the asymmetric tunneling barrier layer for rectifying, so as to enable selection of the resistive random memory cell. The method for manufacturing the asymmetric tunneling barrier layer does not involve doping or high-temperature annealing processes, and the thickness of the asymmetric tunneling barrier layer is relatively small, which helps 3D high-density integration of the resistive random memory.
US08665627B2
An apparatus and method of testing one-time-programmable memory provides one-time-programmable memory having one or more memory locations for storing data and corresponding programming circuitry for each memory location. In addition, each programming circuitry has a circuit element configured to permanently change state to store the data in the memory. The method also reads each memory location to verify that the memory location is unprogrammed and activates the programming circuitry for each memory location, which applies a test current to the programming circuitry. The test current is less than a threshold current needed to permanently change the state of the circuit element. The method then determines whether the programming circuitry is functioning properly.
US08665622B2
There is provided a power supply unit supplying a standby power by sharing a switch of a main converter. The power supply unit includes: a main converter, and a standby converter. The main converter controls a current flowing in a primary side winding of a main transformer and supplies a main power through a secondary side winding of the main transformer. The standby converter controls a current flowing in a primary side winding of a standby transformer and supplies a standby power through a secondary side winding of the standby transformer, and a portion of a plurality of switches of the main converter is included in switches of the standby converter.
US08665618B2
A harmonic input current reduction and power factor correction circuit for three phase, power supplies. The circuit includes passive elements including a series inductance and capacitor connected between each AC line of a three phase voltage source, and each input phase of the uncorrected power supply. The inductance and capacitor are designed and chosen to meet linearity and volt ampere requirements to achieve total harmonic current levels of less than 10%, and power factors greater than 0.98. This is achieved with less than 1% loss in line operating input voltage range and overall efficiency of greater than 99.5%. Further, the dynamic response of a circuit to power supply load transient demands is limited in voltage overshoot or undershoot effects.
US08665616B2
The present invention relates to a near zero current-ripple inversion circuit including top and bottom cells, a transformer (T1) comprising primary windings (P1, P2) and a secondary winding (S1), and at least one middle cell connected in series between the top and bottom cells. The top cell comprises two capacitors (C1, C2) and a switch (Q1) each connecting to the middle cell, and an inductor (Lr1) and the primary winding (P1) connected in series between the capacitor (C1) and switch (Q1), wherein the switch (Q1) is connected to the capacitors (C1, C2) respectively. The bottom cell comprises a capacitor (C3) and a switch (Q2) each connecting to the middle cell, and an inductor (Lr2) and the primary winding (P2) connected in series between the capacitor (C3) and switch (Q2), wherein the primary winding (P2) is connected to the middle cell, and the capacitor (C3) and switch (Q2) are connected.
US08665614B2
A control device for controlling a switching power supply adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage according to a switching rate of a switching element. The control device includes first control means for switching the switching element in a first working mode at a constant frequency and second control means for switching the switching element in a second working mode at a variable frequency, under a maximum frequency, in response to the detection of a predefined operative condition of the switching power supply. The control device further includes means for selecting the first working mode or the second working mode.
US08665596B2
Power switching circuitry has a heat absorbing structure, and a heat conductive substrate having power switching components on a first surface and a second surface adjacent to the heat absorbing structure. Electrically conductive members, comprising first and second members, are on the first surface and extend along a first axis orthogonal to the heat conductive substrate. The second portion is more remote from the heat conductive substrate, and has a smaller cross-sectional area than, the first portion to define a shoulder region orthogonal to the first axis. A circuit board is located on the shoulder regions, with the second portions extending through the circuit board. An urging mechanism urges the circuit board against the shoulder regions, whereby the electrically conductive members provide a current path between the heat conductive substrate and the circuit board, and urge the heat conductive substrate into thermal contact with the heat absorbing structure.
US08665593B2
In one embodiment, a support tray that may be used in a notebook computer charging system includes a body adapted to support a power adapter, and a platform extending out from the body, the platform being adapted to support a notebook computer.
US08665592B2
A multi-core microprocessor provides an indication of the power management state of each of the cores on output terminals. Cooling of the cores is adjusted responsive to the indication of the power management state of the respective cores with additional cooling being provided to those cores in a more active state and less cooling provided to those cores in a less active state.
US08665566B1
A method of assembling a head stack assembly of a magnetic storage drive is provided. The method includes attaching a flexible printed circuit (FPC) with a suspension tail of a head gimbal assembly, wherein the suspension tail includes a plurality of discrete segments positioned within a bonding area and other portions of a structural layer outside of the bonding area, and pressing tail bond pads of the suspension tail against corresponding ones of FPC bond pads of the FPC by bringing a single flat surface of a thermode in contact with each of the discrete segments.
US08665559B2
A magnetic storage and retrieval system and a manufacturing technique thereof are disclosed herein. A chemical reaction is triggered upon a surface of each metallic layer of a plurality of metallic layers disposed on a substrate. It is also determined whether a metallic material of the surface has transformed to a new metallic material that is more chemically resistant than the metallic material.
US08665557B1
A base member includes a base groove portion, at least one base through-hole, and a first insulating sheet portion. The base groove portion is positioned on a lower surface of the base member. The base through-hole extends through the base member. The first insulating sheet portion is arranged on a bottom surface of the base groove portion. A lead wire extending from a coil is led out into the base groove portion through the base through-hole. The base through-hole includes a major axis extending in a radial direction and a minor axis extending in a circumferential direction. The base through-hole has a radial length larger than a circumferential width thereof. A portion of an edge of the first insulating sheet portion is arranged on the lower surface of the base member to intersect the major axis of the base through-hole and to cover a portion of the base through-hole.
US08665556B2
A sleeve supports a shaft. A housing member is arranged so as to surround the sleeve and make the end of the sleeve protrude. A base member holds the housing member and fixes a stator core so as to surround the housing member. A hub drives a recording disk by being rotated integrally with the shaft, with a magnet being fixed to an annular portion concentric with the shaft so as to face the stator core fixed to the base member. A thrust member is rotated integrally with the hub, and a descender portion and a ring portion.
US08665551B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head, and a voice coil motor (VCM) operable to actuate the head over the disk, wherein the VCM generates a back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage. At least one reference track is written on the disk, and the head is positioned near a first diameter of the disk. While moving the head from the first diameter toward a second diameter of the disk, the reference track is read and a first estimated state error is measured. While moving the head from the second diameter of the disk toward the first diameter of the disk, the reference track is read and a second estimated state error is measured. A gain and an offset of a velocity sensor are adjusted in response to the first and second estimated state errors.
US08665549B2
A magnetic data storage system having a magnetic disk having burst patterns for providing a position error signal (PES) wherein each magnetic burst pattern is offset from an adjacent burst pattern by ¼ track pitch. All of the magnetic bits of the burst patterns can be unipolar magnetized, and the bits of each burst pattern can be aligned with one another in radial and circumferential direction. The magnetic media can be a bit patterned media wherein the magnetic bits of the burst patterns are magnetically isolated portions separated by non-magnetic spaces or non-magnetic material.
US08665548B2
A magnetic disk device includes: a recording medium provided with a plurality of write tracks; a magnetic write head including a magnetic pole, side shields, and a leading shield, a distance from the magnetic pole to each of the side shields being maintained to be uniform with a gap layer therebetween, and a distance from the magnetic pole to the leading shield being maintained to be uniform with a gap layer therebetween; and a control section rotating the recording medium, and allowing magnetic information to be recorded on the recording medium while allowing the magnetic write head to travel in a direction from an inner write track toward an outer write track or in a direction from the outer write track toward the inner write track, across write tracks in the recording medium. With such a configuration, format efficiency may be improved, and a width of an erase band on a magnetic disk may be minimized. Therefore, surface recording density of a recording medium may be improved without reducing an effective write track width.
US08665547B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of servo tracks defined by servo sectors, and a head actuated over the disk, wherein the head comprises a read element operable to generate a read signal. The disk drive further comprises a fly height sensor operable to generate a fly height signal for the head, and control circuitry comprising a multiplexer operable to multiplex the read signal and the fly height signal to a transmission line. The multiplexer is configured to select the read signal when reading the servo sectors of a servo track, and configured to select the fly height signal when reading a segment of the servo track between consecutive servo sectors.
US08665546B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head for writing data to the disk, and control circuitry coupled to the head. The control circuitry is operable to determine a first set of fly height values and determine a threshold based on the first set of fly height values. The control circuitry determines a second set of fly height values, adjusts the threshold based on the second set of fly height values, and detects a head characteristic based on the adjusted threshold. The head characteristic is detected by detecting a head touchdown event and/or detecting contamination related to the head based on the adjusted threshold.
US08665545B2
A “write-squeeze-verify” method is used for verification of the data that has been written in the annular bands of a shingled magnetic recording disk drive. The writing of data along a track overwrites a portion of the previously written track and thus “squeezes” the data of the previously written track to thereby form a “shingled data track” (SDT). The data in each SDT is read back and verified by an error correction check using error correction bits associated with the data written in the SDT, or by comparing the readback data with the data stored in memory. If the data read back is not verified, a write error counter is incremented and a write error frequency is calculated. One or more attempts to write the data can be performed. If the data in the SDT cannot be verified after the attempted rewrite(s), then a “re-try fail” is reported.
US08665540B2
A lens barrel is provided that includes a base, a motor, a drive gear, and a rotary frame. The motor is fixed to the base and produces a driving force. The drive gear is coupled to the base and configured to transmit the driving force. The rotary frame has a substantially cylindrical shape and a gear component disposed on at least part of its inner peripheral surface. The gear component meshes with the drive gear so that during rotation of the drive gear the rotary frame rotates, via the driving force, relative to the base component and advances and retracts along a rotational axis of the lens barrel. The length of the drive gear is greater than the length of the gear component, and as the rotary frame and the gear component advance and retract, the gear component remains within a range of opposing ends of the drive gear.
US08665537B2
What is described is a modified retrofocus-type wide-angle lens, with, as seen from the object, a front group (G1) with negative refractive power, a first rear group (Gh1) with positive refractive power displaceable along the optical axis for focusing purposes and a second rear group (Gh2) with positive refractive power facing an image plane.
US08665529B2
An embodiment of this invention provides a zoom lens, which comprises, in order from an object side to an image-forming side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a third lens group having positive refractive power. Further, the zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: (1) DG1/fw>0.72; (2) DG2/fw<0.72; and (3) TTL/fw<7.0, wherein fw is the focal length of the optical zoom lens at a wide-angle end, DG1 is the thickness of the first lens group, DG2 is the thickness of the second lens group, and TTL is the total thickness of the zoom lens, i.e., the distance between the object side of the first lens group and an image-forming plane of the zoom lens.
US08665522B2
There is provided a lenticular sheet including: a lenticular lens having a plurality of convex lens parts arranged two-dimensionally; a first ink absorbing layer which is provided on a surface, of the lenticular lens, opposite the convex lens parts and in which ink permeates; a suppressing part provided on the first ink absorbing layer to divide the first ink absorbing layer into a plurality of regions and suppressing the ink from permeating across the plurality of the regions; and a second ink absorbing layer provided to cover the suppressing part.
US08665510B2
A reflective element assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes front and rear substrates with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween. An electrical connector has an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion for receiving an electrical wire therein. A flange of the attachment portion is configured to be disposed at a fourth surface of the rear substrate and a tab is configured to extend at least partially across a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrically conductive material is disposed in an uncured state and uncured electrically conductive material flows at least partially through the aperture and is cured to secure the electrical connector at the rear substrate. The wire receiving portion of the electrical connector is configured to receive the electrical wire therein and includes at least one tang that engages the electrical wire when the electrical wire is inserted into the wire receiving portion.
US08665506B2
A micro-mirror includes stiffer end sections for limiting curvature, and thin middle sections forming ground electrodes and a hinge. Spacers arc provided beneath the thin middle sections of the micro-mirror for supporting hot electrodes, which attract the ground electrodes for rotating the micro-mirror about a tilt axis. The spacers enable the gap between the hot electrode and the micro-mirror to be designed separately from the thickness of the micro-mirror, and the gap between the ends of the micro-mirror and the substrate.
US08665503B2
A document reading section includes a document load table, a document load tray, a first document receiving tray, a linear conveyance path, a first guide member and a first reading section. The linear conveyance path, inclining downward from the document load tray, reaches the first document receiving tray. The first guide member is disposed in the linear conveyance path, and its top surface inclines downward along the linear conveyance path toward a downstream side in a document conveying direction in relation to the document load table. The first guide member is disposed in such a manner that part of its top surface intersects with a plane containing a top surface of the document load table.
US08665491B2
A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a print job to be printed, determining if the print job is to be processed according to a formula based workflow and invoking formula based International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles to perform color transformations if the print job is determined to be processed according to the formula based workflow.
US08665478B2
A print server includes a registration unit configured to register a virtual printer according to a printer registration request received from a information processing apparatus, a storage unit configured to store printer information about the virtual printer registered by the registration unit, and a notification unit configured to notify the printing apparatus of a printer registration notification indicating that the virtual printer is registered by the registration unit, wherein the printer information is acquired by the printing apparatus which receives the printer registration notification.
US08665467B2
An image processing apparatus extracts still images from a moving image and performs an image process. A parameter indicating characteristics of moving image data is extracted, and the number of still images is determined based on the parameter indicating characteristics of the moving image data. Then, based on a determined number of still images, still images are extracted from the moving image, the extracted still images are saved as a single file, and the image process is carried out using saved still images.
US08665464B2
If a change is made in configuration information, an image forming apparatus transmits a configuration data generation request, including the configuration information which has been changed, to a setting value management service. If the image forming apparatus receives an error notification indicating the failure of the configuration data generation request from the setting value management service, the image forming apparatus multicasts a search packet on a network and searches an image forming apparatus storing address information of the setting value management service. Based on a response from the searched image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transmits a configuration data generation request to the setting value management service that manages the image forming apparatus.
US08665454B2
The specification discloses a pulsed time-of-flight laser range finding system used to obtain vehicle classification information. The sensor determines a distance range to portions of a vehicle traveling within a sensing zone of the sensor. A scanning mechanism made of a four facet cube, having reflective surfaces, is used to collimate and direct the laser toward traveling vehicles. A processing system processes the respective distance range data and angle range data for determining the three-dimensional shape of the vehicle.
US08665444B2
The shape of a prism is set such that an excitation light beam that enters the prism to cause surface plasmon resonance to be generated is not irradiated onto the corners of the prism after being totally reflected within the prism. The angle of a surface that the excitation light exits the prism is set to an angle at which the excitation light beam is not totally reflected. Thereby, the excitation light beam returning to a light source, and being scattered within the prism are prevented, and therefore the accuracy of measurements can be improved.
US08665440B1
A spectral imaging system comprises a plurality of spectral units arranged in an array, each spectral unit of the plurality of spectral units comprising: a microlens having an optical axis; a spectral filter having a center wavelength and aligned with the optical axis; a fiber optic bundle, the fiber optic bundle having a curved light receiving surface and a planar light output surface, wherein the curved light receiving surface is aligned with the optical axis; and a plurality of pixel sensors configured to receive light from the planar light output surface of the fiber optic taper portion.
US08665436B2
The invention relates to a method and to a device for determining a piece of polarisation information on a measurement point of a target sample, the device comprising: —a light source capable of emitting a rectilinearly polarised light beam in a predefined direction, the light beam being intended to be reflected by the measurement point of the target sample; —a unit for computing the piece of polarisation information on the measurement point using the beam reflected by the target sample; -a waveguide for guiding the incident beam towards the target sample and the reflected beam towards the computing means; and —a unit for rotating the polarisation, capable of rotating two orthogonal polarimetric components of the incident beam exiting the waveguide and two orthogonal polarimetric components of the reflected beam before passing through the waveguide.
US08665431B2
A cuvette (10) for storing a biological sample to be analyzed by means of a predefined detection technique is disclosed. The cuvette (10) is formed from a moldable material that contains particles (15a, 15b) at a concentration within a predefined range. The particles (15a, 15b) are randomly distributed, in order to form a unique pattern. Moreover, the particles (15a, 15b) have measurable physical properties, so that the unique pattern is detectable using the detection technique that is used to analyze the biological sample. The unique properties obtained by the randomly distributed particles (15a, 15b) render copying nearly impossible, since it is more complicated to distribute the particles in a predetermined pattern than to let them distribute randomly.
US08665425B2
In an eccentricity measuring method according to the present invention, a first position of a light source image formed by reflection at one optical surface is measured (S2), a predetermined second position related to another optical surface is measured (S3), and a relative eccentricity between both optical surfaces is calculated based on the first and second positions (S5). Therefore, the eccentricity measuring method enables measurement of eccentricity by a same measurement optical system regardless of a radius of curvature of an optical surface of an optical element.
US08665420B2
A spectral purity filter is configured to reflect extreme ultraviolet radiation. The spectral purity filter includes a substrate, and an anti-reflective coating on a top surface of the substrate. The anti-reflective coating is configured to transmit infrared radiation. The filter also includes a multi-layer stack configured to reflect extreme ultraviolet radiation and to substantially transmit infrared radiation.
US08665415B2
An exposure apparatus which projects exposure light from a pattern of an illuminated original onto a substrate, comprises a projection system including an optical element and configured to project the exposure light onto the substrate, an enclosure configured to enclose the projection system, and a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the optical element by irradiating the optical element with ultraviolet light under an environment in which oxygen is present within the enclosure, the cleaning mechanism including a light source configured to generate ultraviolet light, a tubular member including an exit window and configured to partially enclose an optical path between the light source and the optical element, and a regulating device configured to regulate an environment of a space inside the tubular member so that a partial pressure of oxygen becomes lower in the space inside the tubular member than in a space which is outside the tubular member.
US08665414B2
Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a depolarizer in a nematic state. The filter acts as a wave block when the liquid crystal is in an isotropic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films and materials.
US08665409B2
A display device of the present invention includes a thin film transistor in a pixel region formed over a substrate, the thin film transistor including an active layer and a gate electrode with a gate insulating film interposed between the active layer and the gate electrode, a silicon nitride film formed over the thin film transistor, a resin film formed over the silicon nitride film, an inorganic insulating film formed over the resin film; a metal layer formed over the substrate; and a sealing material formed over the metal layer, wherein the sealing material covers a region where the resin film is not formed over the silicon nitride film.
US08665406B2
A display IC chip includes a plurality of sides, a plurality of output terminals, two first color short-circuit lines, one second color short-circuit line, one third color short-circuit line, and conductive wires. The two first color short-circuit lines are parallel disposed in the IC chip and coupled to a first output terminal group of the output terminals. The second color short-circuit line is disposed between and parallel with the first color short-circuit lines. The second color short-circuit line is coupled to a second output terminal group of the output terminals. The third color short-circuit line is disposed between and parallel with the first color short-circuit lines. The third color short-circuit line is coupled to a third output terminal group of the output terminals. The conductive wires are coupled the first color short-circuit lines with the first output terminal group do not cross the second and third color short-circuit lines.
US08665403B2
Reflection efficiency of reflected light is improved and white display is efficiently performed in a liquid crystal display device which performs display by reflecting incident external light. A liquid crystal display device with higher visibility and higher image quality is provided. White display is performed utilizing reflected light which is efficiently scattered with the use of a pixel electrode layer whose surface has depressions and projections, whereby reflection efficiency of the reflected light can be improved and white display can be efficiently performed. Further, a liquid crystal display device with higher visibility and higher image quality can be provided.
US08665396B2
The present invention discloses a backlight module which includes a waveguide and a spot light source. Wherein the waveguide includes an incident face and a refractive surface adjacent to the waveguide, the light beam emitted from the spot light source will be directed toward the refractive surface, and then the light beam enters the waveguide after the light beam is refracted by the refractive surface. The present invention also discloses a liquid crystal display device incorporated with the backlight module disclosed. The backlight module can readily improve the corner vignette and enhanced with more evenly distributed brightness across the waveguide. The liquid crystal display device incorporated with the module also enjoy the evenly distributed brightness.
US08665392B2
The invention relates to the field of LCDs, and more particularly to an LCD module and an LCD device. The LCD module includes a front frame, and a backplane. The front frame includes a vertical wall, and the backplane includes a horizontal wall, and a vertical wall. The vertical wall of the front frame is vertically aligned with the vertical wall of the backplane. Because the frame of the conventional LCD module is already made very narrow, the space for further narrowing the frame width is limited; the single edge of the frame of the LCD module is narrowed by a wall thickness of the front frame or the backplane because the vertical wall of the front frame of the LCD module of the invention is conventionally aligned with the vertical wall of the backplane, and then an LCD module with a narrower frame is obtained.
US08665391B2
An LCD device and its case, the case includes a front frame and a back cover cooperating with each other and a fastener for assembling them together, and side walls of them are overlapped and holes are disposed in the side walls correspondingly. It further includes a connector member, the connector member includes a fixing portion closely fitted with a bottom wall of the back cover; a connecting portion closely fitted with the side wall of the front frame; a stopping portion inserted into the holes in the side walls of the front frame and the back cover correspondingly; an installation pole is disposed on the bottom wall of the back cover, the fixing portion of the connector member has an installation hole corresponding to the installation pole, the fastener goes through the installation hole and is fastened in the installation pole, and thus the connector member is fixed.
US08665389B2
The present invention provides a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display including the backlight assembly, where the liquid crystal display device is slim, lightweight, and requires low manufacturing costs because the device integrates a bottom chassis and a lamp cover. The bottom chassis includes an accommodating portion for mounting a light guide plate, an optical sheet, and a reflection sheet; an inner sidewall for accommodating the light guide plate, the optical sheet, and the reflection sheet; and a lamp cover, where both ends of the accommodating portion are bent to enclose the lamp.
US08665384B2
A coated article includes a low-E coating supported by a substrate (e.g., glass substrate), the low-E coating including first and second IR reflecting layers comprising silver and/or gold, and at least one UV blocking layer that blocks significant amounts of UV light having a wavelength of from 380-400 nm so that no more than about 20% of light having a wavelength of from 380-400 passes through the low-E coating. The UV blocking layer may be positioned so as to not directly contact the first and second IR reflecting layers.
US08665382B1
A pivoting device especially useful in aircraft passenger cabins that can pivot a monitor between stowed and open positions, the pivoting device including a forward/reverse rotatable driving motor. An electromagnetic brake holds the monitor in stowed and opened positions A power unit powers the motor and the electromagnetic brake. A controller controls the pivoting movement of the monitor. The power unit includes a rectifier circuit that transforms AC to a DC, a step-up circuit that steps up the transformed voltage, a voltage regulator that adjusts the transformed voltage to a prescribed DC voltage, and a retraction power retention circuit including a capacitor. When no source voltage is detected while the monitor is in its opened state, the capacitor supplies the power to a voltage regulator of the power circuit, deactivates the electromagnetic brake and reverse rotates the motor to drive the monitor to its stowed position.
US08665380B2
In accord with embodiments and implementations consistent with the present invention, rather than perform a full scan of every frequency to find a channel, the tuner is programmed to find a reasonable sample of channels. For example, the tuner can search for at least two or three channels to determine the frequency plan of the channels (by virtue of detection of at least one channel) and then use one of the known plans to directly identify the frequency map. The process can then step quickly through each frequency, without optimizing or fine tuning each channel, to determine the existence of a channel. With this process the number of tunable channels is found quicker and the initial setup time is shortened. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08665378B2
A filter for a video stream is provided. The filter generates a filtered picture according to a current picture and its previous picture. A motion difference calculator accumulates differences between current picture values and previous picture values within a neighborhood of each pixel to provide a corresponding motion difference. A histogram counter performs histogram counting according to motion differences of the pixels. A filter value calculator provides a filter value for each pixel according to operations of the motion difference calculator and the histogram counter. A blender blends the current picture value and the previous picture value of each pixel according to weightings correlated to the filter value, and provides a filtered picture value for each pixel of the filtered picture.
US08665365B2
An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element, a first wiring substrate where the image-pickup element is mounted, a second wiring substrate which is electrically connected with the first wiring substrate and a structure which has electrical conductivity. The first wiring substrate has a first wiring portion where a differential signal line is formed and a second wiring portion where a power-supply line is formed, a ground portion is formed on at least one surface of the first and second wiring portion which faces each other, the first wiring substrate is bended so that at least parts of the first and second wiring portion are overlapped with each other and the ground portion is located between the differential signal line and the power-supply line, and the bended first wiring substrate is arranged in the structure so that the second wiring portion is located between the first wiring portion and the structure.
US08665362B2
A positionable mechanism includes a frame unit, an OIS unit, and a positioning unit that are mounted on a base unit. The frame unit is retractable with respect to the base unit between a storage position and a working position. The positioning unit is movable with respect to the OIS unit between an abutting position and a releasing position, and is subjected to a restoring force. When the frame unit is at the storage position, a pressing part of the frame unit presses the positioning unit to the abutting position where the positioning unit abuts against a movable carrier of the OIS unit. When the frame unit is at the working position, the positioning unit is restored to the releasing position and releases the movable carrier.
US08665361B1
A system for capturing super-resolved images includes a camera and a projector. The projector projects a spatially periodic illumination pattern onto the scene to be captured. The spatially periodic illumination patterns may include any pattern or combination of patterns that result in complex modulation. The objects of the scene modulate the spatially periodic illumination patterns, shifting high spatial frequencies into the passband of the camera's optical transfer function. The images may be demodulated, and the demodulated components may be combined with un-modulated components. The resulting image has characteristics of the high spatial frequencies previously beyond the optical passband of the camera.
US08665359B2
An image pickup apparatus includes lens barrels 12 and 13 that house an image pickup optical system L1 to L5, an image pickup element 8 that performs a photoelectric conversion of an object image, an image pickup element holding member 10 that is movable in an optical axis direction with respect to the lens barrels, guide bars 15 and 16 that guide a movement of the image pickup element holding member, and adjustment mechanisms 9a and 9b that perform an inclination adjustment of the image pickup element. Ends at an object side of the guide bars are held by the lens barrels, and ends at an image side of the guide bars are held by a cover member 14 that includes an opening 14c to operate the adjustment mechanism from an outside at the opposite side and that is connected with the lens barrels.
US08665355B2
Image capture with an image capture device including an imaging assembly having a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. A first capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A preview image of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the first capture parameter. A user interface is displayed by which first and second regions of the preview image are designated, and by which a target range is set for contrast between the first and second regions. A second capture parameter is derived for the imaging assembly, by implementing the target range for contrast between the first and second regions. The second capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A second image of the scene is captured by using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the second capture parameter.
US08665353B2
A solid-state image pickup apparatus has: a pixel area having unit pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; a plurality of analog/digital converters, each provided for the unit pixels on the same column; a plurality of first/second memory units, provided to respective analog/digital converters, for storing the digital signals of one/another row; and a digital signal processing unit for generating an output signal based on the signals from the first and second memory units, wherein the first and second memory units store the digital signals of a same row at a non-addition operation and store the digital signals of different rows at an addition operation, and wherein, at the non-addition operation, if one of the first and second memory units on a same column is defective, the digital signal processing unit generates the output signal based on the signal from the other one of the units on the same column.
US08665346B2
An image pickup apparatus includes: a first sound-collection unit that detects an ambient sound and outputs first sound information; a second sound-collection unit other than the first sound-collection unit that detects the sound and outputs second sound information; and a signal processing unit that generates a sound signal corresponding to the sound by eliminating a common noise signal included in the first sound information and the second sound information based on the first sound information and the second sound information.
US08665342B2
A method, an apparatus and/or a system of model-independent generation of an enhanced resolution of image from a number of low resolution images is disclosed. A method includes capturing a number of low resolution images through a first sensor (e.g., first plurality of low resolution images) and a number of low resolution images through a second sensor (e.g., second plurality of low resolution images). The first sensor has a higher resolution than the second sensor. The method also includes estimating expansion coefficients of polyphase components of an enhanced resolution image based on the number of low resolution images through a second sensor (e.g., second plurality of low resolution images) through a processor. The expansion coefficients are expressed in terms of the number of low resolution images through a first sensor (e.g., first plurality of low resolution images).
US08665335B2
Use of a custom insert is obviated when a digital camera is attached to a base (dock). Two movable pins are provided, in such a way that a connector is sandwiched between the movable pins, on a digital camera attachment surface of a base (dock) which provides a digital camera with a recharging function and a printing function. The movable pins fit to holes in a bottom of the digital camera to thus act as guides during the course of attachment of the digital camera. Alternatively, the attachment surface itself may be configured so as to be vertically movable, and the attachment surface may descend during attachment of the digital camera and the attachment surface may be latched in a lower position after attachment of the same.
US08665327B2
Provided is an endoscope system including an endoscope which includes an illumination optical system having a fluorescent substance and an imaging optical system having an imaging element; and a control device which is connected to the endoscope. The control device includes a light source unit having a semiconductor light emitting element generating excitation light used to excite the fluorescent substance, a storage section storing predetermined color correction information, and an image processing section creating captured image data by performing a calculation process on an image signal output from the imaging element on the basis of the color correction information. At least one of optical characteristics of the fluorescent substance and the semiconductor light emitting element is detected, and the color correction information stored in the storage section is corrected on the basis of the detected optical characteristic.
US08665317B2
A digital camera captures at least photographic subjects intended to be positioned on left and right ends of a group photograph (temporary imaging), and prompts a user to designate the photographic subjects (may move) intended to be positioned on the left and right ends. Next, the digital camera, which has been placed on a suitable surface (such as on a desk), moves the optical zoom further to the wide-angle side than during the temporary imaging, and performs actual imaging when the self-timer reaches time up. Then, the digital camera identifies the photographic subjects designated by the temporary imaging within the actually captured image, and after determining the left, right, upper, and lower ends of a clipping area such that the identified photographic subjects are included, clips an image of the determined clipping area as a final image.
US08665314B2
A processing method of an image processing system, which is applied with at least one real-time messaging video communication system of an electronic device and contains a start module, a process detecting module and an image processing module, includes the steps of: installing the process detecting module into the real-time messaging video communication system by the start module; detecting whether the real-time messaging video communication system starts the real-time communication by the process detecting module; installing the image processing module into the real-time messaging video communication system when the real-time messaging video communication system starts the real-time communication; and generating a plurality of converted frame data by the image processing module in accordance with a plurality of frame data to be displayed by the real-time messaging video communication system. In addition, the image processing system is also disclosed.
US08665311B2
Improved methods and apparatus for sharing and collaborating around a video source by maintaining and providing to users a list of a plurality of contacts containing both video source device contacts and interactive message source contacts. This allows for collaboration among users by permitting them to communicate with each other around an automatically-shared video source, to interact with automatically shared video sources, and to make decisions based on these shared video sources.
US08665304B2
A 3D video conferencing system includes two cameras at each of two video conferencing locations. Images from the two cameras are exchanged between the locations and are combined at the receiving location in accordance with the angle at which the viewer at the receiving location is viewing an otherwise 2D display to give the illusion of depth perception.
US08665303B2
First and second light amount detection elements are arranged on a scanning line of a laser beam. The first light amount detection element receives a laser beam having a first light amount, and the second light amount detection element receives a laser beam having a second light amount that is lower than the first light amount. The detection signal that is output by the second light amount detection element is amplified by an amplifier and used as a synchronization signal. Here, an amplification factor of this amplifier is greater than an amplification factor of another amplifier for amplifying the detection signal that is output by the first light amount detection element. The detection signals amplified by the amplifiers are modified by a modification coefficient that correspond to the amplification factors, and used as signals that indicate the light amounts.
US08665296B2
A system for generating a colored light comprises a set of illuminant types and a processor. The set of illuminant types is associated with a chromaticity gamut, and the set of illuminant types comprises at least five illuminant types that are each associated with an illuminant type hue angle. The processor is configured to determine, based at least in part on a mapping, a sequence of one or more output level sets that are associated with changing a first generated colored light associated with a first color coordinate to a second generated colored light associated with a second color coordinate. The mapping comprises associating each color coordinate with an output level set that uses a set of hue-adjacent illuminant types. Hue-adjacent illuminant types comprise a group of illuminant types that are determined to be adjacent in a circular ordered list of illuminant types which is circularly ordered according to the illuminant type hue angle.
US08665293B2
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for automating a draw order of entities output from a computer. A drawing output from a computer (e.g., on a display device) is obtained by a drawing program and examined to identify two or more entities that overlap/intersect. The drawing program then automatically determines the drawing order for the two or more entities based on a set of one or more predefined rules.
US08665290B2
Color management which converts source device colors into counterpart colors in a destination device color space. Device independent source and destination device gamut boundaries are obtained. A color image is generated in the source device color space. The color image is transformed into an image in a device independent color space. A gamut boundary for the device independent image is generated, based on the content of the device independent image. The source device gamut boundary is shrunk in a hue symmetric manner, such that color hues do not change, until it touches the image gamut boundary. Colors of the device independent image are mapped onto a gamut of the destination device by invoking a compression-type gamut mapping algorithm that uses the modified source device gamut boundary and the destination device gamut boundary to perform gamut mapping. The gamut mapped colors are converted into colors in destination device dependent color space.
US08665287B2
A color information interpolation method is disclosed. The color information interpolation method comprises steps of receiving a luminance information corresponding to a pixel matrix, wherein the luminance information is arranged in a Bayer pattern and records a specific color information of each pixel of the pixel matrix, and the specific color information is one of a red color information, a green color information and a blue color information, calculating a horizontal variance and a vertical variance of a pixel according to the luminance information, and interpolating the pixel of the luminance information with one of a horizontal color estimate, a vertical color estimate and a directionless color estimate according to the horizontal variance and the vertical variance, to derive color information of the pixel other than the specific color information.
US08665282B2
There is provided with an image generating apparatus, including a storage having first and second buffers, a write buffer selecting unit selecting a buffer for each of areas to be written, a writing unit, a read buffer selecting unit selecting a buffer for each area of one frame to be readout, a reading unit read outing at regular intervals an image from each area. The write buffer selecting unit selects an other buffer than a buffer read out in a frame reading period for each area to be written in the period. The read buffer selecting unit selects in the period a buffer to which the writing was performed in an immediately preceding reading period for an area for which writing was performed in the preceding period, and a same buffer as a buffer readout in the preceding period for an area for which the writing was not performed.
US08665281B2
Technologies are described herein for buffer management during real-time streaming. A video frame buffer stores video frames generated by a real-time streaming video capture device. New video frames received from the video capture device are stored in the video frame buffer prior to processing by a video processing pipeline that processes frames stored in the video frame buffer. A buffer manager determines whether a new video frame has been received from the video capture device and stored in the video frame buffer. When the buffer manager determines that a new video frame has arrived at the video frame buffer, it then determines whether the video processing pipeline has an unprocessed video frame. If the video processing pipeline has an unprocessed video frame, the buffer manager discards the new video frame stored in the video frame buffer or performs other processing on the new video frame.
US08665279B2
An electrical device supporting switchable graphics function, electrically connected with a display unit, includes a first graphic chip, a second graphic chip, a peripheral, an Embedded Controller (EC) and a processing unit. Information of a present graphic chip is stored in an EC RAM of the EC, wherein the present graphic chip is one of the first graphic chip and the second graphic chip. A control unit of the EC obtains the information of the present graphic chip from the EC RAM and controls operation status of the peripheral according to the obtained information of the present graphic chip. The processing unit obtains the information of the present graphic chip from the EC RAM. The processing unit drives the present graphic chip to process an image signal and transmit the processed image signal to the display unit for display according to the obtained information of the present graphic chip.
US08665274B2
A method and system for generating a graph view on a user interface in a computing environment, is provided. One implementation involves, at a server, generating graph coordinate data for a dependency graph view of bi-directional impact analysis results for multiply connected objects in a data source; transmitting the graph coordinate data to a client as lightweight object data; and at the client, based on the lightweight object data rendering an interactive dynamic dependency graph view on a user interface.
US08665273B2
Method of mapping image information from one face onto another continuous face of different geometry
An information processing method transfers information from a start face to an end face with a minimum local distortion by maintaining one-to-one correspondence between the original information on the start face and the transferred information on the end face. The method includes an operation of mapping information taken from a three-dimensional surface onto a rectangular plane, or vice versa, by dividing the start face into a plurality of divisional start faces and preparing divisional end faces that just fill the end face, then deforming each divisional start face to just fit a corresponding one of the divisional end faces, so as to maintain lines and points defining each divisional end face as lines and points also on the end face and to ensure that a first area ratio between each divisional start face relative to the entire start face and a second area ratio between each divisional end face relative to the entire end face is substantially equal.
US08665271B2
A method comprises receiving scene model data including a scene geometry model and a plurality of pixel data describing objects arranged in a scene. The method generates a primary ray based on a selected first pixel data. In the event the primary ray intersects an object in the scene, the method determines primary hit color data and generates a plurality of secondary rays. The method groups the secondary packets and arranges the packets in a queue based on the octant of each direction vector in the secondary ray packet. The method generates secondary color data based on the secondary ray packets in the queue and generates a pixel color based on the primary hit color data, and the secondary color data. The method generates an image based on the pixel color for the pixel data.
US08665261B1
An interactive multi-mesh modeling system may allow users to employ a variety of modeling techniques to interactively create one or more objects for a variety of different tasks or tools. The interactive multi-mesh modeling system may employ a variety of techniques for taking a source computer-generated representation of an object and providing the automatic creation, management, and maintenance of instances or versions of the source, and any information defined thereon or associated therewith, that are suitable for several different tasks. The interactive multi-mesh modeling system may further employ a variety of techniques for resolving ambiguities between various meshes based on establishing a correspondence between a first manifold and a second manifold based on a first metric of the first manifold, a second metric of the second manifold, and a third distinct metric of an embedding space.
US08665256B2
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including, a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels disposed in rows and columns, and a number of power supply lines and scanning lines equal to the number of the rows of the pixels, each of the power supply lines being wired commonly to those of the pixels which are juxtaposed in a direction of a row.
US08665255B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply circuit including a charge-pumping booster section which uses switching elements provided only by N-channel transistors yet does not have a problem of voltage drop by threshold value. In a booster section (11a), capacitors (C1) and (C2) have their respective first terminals connected with transistors (Q1, Q3) and (Q2, Q4) respectively. Each transistor has its gate terminal supplied with control signals generated in a driver section (11b). The driver section (11b) includes capacitors (C3, C4) connected with input terminals (Ti3, Ti4) for respective supply of clock signals DCK2, DCK2B each having a voltage alternating between −VDD and VDD (VDD represents an input supply voltage from outside), as level-shifted signals of clock signals DCK1, DCK1B which are supplied to second terminals of the capacitors (C1, C2) respectively. In this arrangement, the driver section 11b generates signals each having a voltage alternating between VDD and 3VDD, as the control signals.
US08665254B2
A pixel circuit of a display panel, a method of driving the pixel circuit, and an organic light emitting display device including the display panel. All of a plurality of transistors included in the pixel circuit are NMOS transistors, and the pixel circuit configured to compensate for a voltage change at a source electrode of a driving transistor during light emission.
US08665251B2
The display device includes stacked layers including a display element layer and a control layer including a capacitor including an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer that face each other in a layer-stacking direction, wherein the upper electrode layer includes a first upper capacitor electrode connecting two circuit elements, a disconnectable portion, and a second upper capacitor electrode connected to the first upper electrode layer through the disconnectable portion, and the lower electrode layer includes a first lower capacitor electrode connecting two circuit elements, a disconnectable portion, and a second lower capacitor electrode connected to the first lower electrode layer through the disconnectable portion. The capacitor has a capacitance each between the first upper capacitor electrode and the second lower capacitor electrode, and the first lower capacitor electrode and the second upper capacitor electrode.
US08665250B2
A shift register circuit includes plural stages of shift registers. Each stage of shift register includes a pull-up circuit, a control signal generator and a voltage-stabilizing circuit. The pull-up circuit is used for charging a first node. The control signal generator is electrically connected with the first node. According to a voltage level of the first node, a corresponding control signal is outputted from an output terminal of the control signal generator. The voltage-stabilizing circuit is electrically connected with the output terminal of the control signal generator for stabilizing the control signal from the control signal generator. Some circuits of some other shift registers are controlled according to the control signal.
US08665248B2
A drive circuit is disclosed. The drive circuit includes a first p-typed thin film transistor (PTFT), a second PTFT, a first n-typed thin film transistor (NTFT), a second NTFT and a capacitor. The drain of the first PTFT is coupled to a first electrical line, and the gate thereof is coupled to a first clock line. The drain of the second PTFT is coupled to a second clock line, and the source thereof is coupled to an output. The source of the first NTFT is coupled to a second electrical line, and the gate thereof is couple to an output of a preceding drive circuit. The source of the second NTFT is couple to a third electrical line, the gate thereof is coupled to a third clock line, and the drain thereof is coupled to the output. The capacitor has one end coupled to the second electrical line, while the other end is coupled to the source of the first PTFT, the drain of the first NTFT and the gate of the second PTFT.
US08665244B2
Optical touch detection is provided by an interactive display device including an elastomer layer, a reflector configured to transmit light having a first characteristic and to reflect light having a second characteristic, and a display positioned to output modulated light having the first characteristic through the elastomer layer and the reflector as a display image. The interactive display device further comprises a test light source positioned to output light having the second characteristic through the elastomer layer for reflection off of the reflector, and a sensor configured to receive light having the second characteristic reflected from the reflector.
US08665237B2
An information display apparatus with proximity detection performance contains a display device that displays image information, a sensor constituted of plural detection electrodes, and an adjusting device of detection resolution that adjusts the detection resolution to be detected based on a distance between the sensor and an object that is contacted to any one of the detection electrodes.
US08665235B2
A touch structure having an antenna function includes a substrate unit and an antenna unit. The substrate unit has a touch surface on the top surface thereof for an external object to touch in order to operate a touch-controlled module. The substrate unit includes at least one transparent substrate having at least one transparent portion and at least one nontransparent portion disposed around the transparent portion and combined with the transparent portion, the transparent portion has an image-viewing area on the top surface thereof, and the nontransparent portion has a non-image-viewing area on the top surface thereof. The antenna unit includes at least one antenna radiation structure disposed on the transparent substrate or embedded in the transparent substrate, and the layout of the antenna radiation structure shows an antenna radiation pattern having a predetermined operation band.
US08665231B2
A sensing method for a touch sensing device is provided. In one embodiment, for one set of interlaced receiving electrode and transmitting electrodes of the touch sensing device, an integrator coupled to the receiving electrode is reset only one time. In another embodiment, for each group of sensing electrodes, an integrator coupled to the sensing electrodes is reset only one time. Accordingly, the rate at which the touch sensing array is sensed may be increased. Noise reduced by the process of resetting the integrator due to charge injection effects may be decreased.
US08665218B2
A portable device including a body, a panel display, a touch sensor, and a positioning determining element is provided. The panel display and the touch sensor are disposed at a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the body. The positioning determining element is disposed in the body for determining the locations of each finger when the body is hold and defining a conformal keyboard corresponding to the shape of hands, so the user can execute programs via the finger actions on the touch sensor conveniently.
US08665215B2
A multi-screen user device and methods for controlling data displayed thereby are disclosed. Specifically, a gesture sequence is disclosed which enables a user to toggle or shift though applications that are displayed by the multi-screen user device. The gesture sequence may correspond to various rotation or partial rotations of the multi-screen user device.
US08665210B2
A human input system is described herein that provides an interaction modality that utilizes the human body as an antenna to receive electromagnetic noise that exists in various environments. By observing the properties of the noise picked up by the body, the system can infer human input on and around existing surfaces and objects. Home power lines have been shown to be a relatively good transmitting antenna that creates a particularly noisy environment. The human input system leverages the body as a receiving antenna and electromagnetic noise modulation for gestural interaction. It is possible to robustly recognize touched locations on an uninstrumented home wall using no specialized sensors. The receiving device for which the human body is the antenna can be built into common, widely available electronics, such as mobile phones or other devices the user is likely to commonly carry.
US08665209B2
The use of pressure-sensitive selection tools in a graphical user interface is disclosed in which the amount of pressure during a selection operation may modify selection behavior. Upon receiving a selection input, the pressure applied is determined and the selection behavior modified. In some embodiments, the number of objects selected is increased when more pressure is applied and decreased when less pressure is applied.
US08665200B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a display device which prevents effective voltages applied to liquid crystal from differing between positive and negative polarities, even when a generation timing of a timing signal is shifted. In at least one example embodiment, a driving signal has an electric potential waveform where one frame period is made up of first period, second period, third period, and fourth period. In first frame, each of a Low level in the first period and a Low level in the third period is lower in electric potential than a Low level in the second period. In second frame, each of a High level in the first period and a High level in the third period is higher in electric potential than a High level in the second period.
US08665192B2
A display device having pixels disposed in a matrix and a pixel row in which a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel are disposed in one direction, includes: a gate signal line having a first gate signal line to which the first pixel and the third pixel are connected and a second gate signal line to which the second pixel and the fourth pixel are connected; a drain signal line supplying a video signal to two pixel columns; and a storage line including a first storage line and a second storage line disposed so as to interpose the pixel row therebetween, wherein the first storage line and the second storage line are electrically connected to each other in a region where the drain signal line is not disposed, and a pixel electrode of each of the pixels has a portion overlapping with the drain signal line and a portion overlapping with the storage line.
US08665190B2
The invention provides an electro-optical device in which a voltage drop due to the wiring resistance of a cathode is reduced and therefore steady image signals are transmitted such that erroneous image display, such as low contrast, is reduced or prevented. The invention also provides an electronic apparatus including such an electro-optical device. An electro-optical device includes red, green, and blue luminescent power-supply lines to apply currents to light-emitting elements arranged in an actual display region in a matrix; and a cathode line disposed between the light-emitting elements and a cathode. The cathode line has a width larger than a width of red, green, and blue luminescent power-supply lines.
US08665189B2
A display apparatus includes: a display panel that includes display elements having a current-driven light-emitting portion, in which the display elements are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in a first direction and a second direction, and that displays an image on the basis of a video signal; and a luminance correcting unit that corrects the luminance of the display elements when displaying an image on the display panel by correcting a gradation value of an input signal and outputting the corrected input signal as the video signal. The luminance correcting unit includes a reference operating time calculator, an accumulated reference operating time storage, a reference curve storage, a black-level shift amount holder, and a video signal generator.
US08665187B2
A pixel array substrate includes: a first through fourth transistors (Ta through Td); a light-emitting element (OEL); a scanning line connected with a control terminal of the fourth transistor; a data line connected with one conducting terminal of the fourth transistor; a first control line (AZi) connected with one conducting terminal of the third transistor; a second control line (Ei) connected with a control terminal of the first transistor; and a first power source line (Ypj) connected with one conducting terminal of the first transistor. One conducting terminal of the second transistor is connected with the first power source line via the first transistor. A control terminal of the second transistor is connected with the data line via the fourth transistor and with a terminal of the light-emitting element via a capacitor (C).
US08665185B2
A pixel unit for driving an organic light emitting diode (OLED) is disclosed. The pixel unit includes a driving transistor, a compensating capacitor, a selecting switch module, a power switch and a configuration switch. One terminal of the compensating capacitor is coupled to a gate of the driving transistor. The selecting switch module provides the ground voltage or the compensating voltage to the other terminal of the compensating capacitor according to a first control signal. The power switch is coupled between a power voltage and a drain of the driving transistor and is controlled by a second control signal. The configuration switch receives the first control signal for controlling a connecting configuration of the driving transistor. The pixel unit is driven according to the first and the second control signals for compensating threshold voltage shifting of the OLED and the driving transistor.
US08665182B2
An emission control driver includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including an output terminal coupled to a corresponding one of the emission control lines; input terminals respectively coupled to two or more scan lines of the scan lines for generating a corresponding one of the emission control signals; an input circuit for controlling voltages at a first node and a second node corresponding to scan signals supplied from the two or more scan lines; and an output circuit coupled to the input circuit, the output circuit for controlling the corresponding one of the emission control signals according to the voltages at the first node and the second node.
US08665179B2
A light emission state of each of the plurality of different types of light-emitting elements is controlled in accordance with i) a color image formation period in which a color image is formed by using light emitted from the different types of light-emitting elements, ii) a synchronization period in which at least two different types of light-emitting elements are simultaneously driven to output a synchronization signal synchronized with projection timing of a left-eye image or a synchronization signal synchronized with projection timing of a right-eye image, and iii) off-state periods between which the synchronization period is interposed, and in which all the light-emitting elements are in the off-state.
US08665173B2
A Continuous Current Rod Antenna that may be positioned in close proximity to a conductive backplane and has extremely tight lattices which stabilize the radiation impedance and allows dense T/R modules packaging. The Continuous Current Rod Antenna offers lower profile packaging, with higher gain over larger bandwidths than other collinear array techniques.
US08665172B2
A chip carrier for contacting with a chip and an antenna is disposed on an antenna substrate. The chip carrier features a carrier substrate having a chip contact arrangement located at a distance from longitudinal ends of the carrier substrate for electrical contacting with a chip. The carrier substrate includes two antenna contact surfaces having the chip contact arrangement therebetween for electrical contacting with the antenna. The chip contact arrangement and the antenna contact surfaces are located on an application surface of the chip carrier. At least one insulation surface-is formed on the application surface between the chip contact arrangement and the antenna contact surfaces.
US08665169B2
Provided is a small monopole antenna, which can generate a plurality of resonant frequencies, have a high antenna efficiency, and be easily installed. The antenna includes a first antenna element formed of a coaxial cable; a second antenna element sealing the first antenna element and sharing a feed point with the first antenna element; and a feeder cable for feeding electric power to the feed point. This antenna is applied as a small antenna.
US08665167B2
A method for reducing a resistance of an antenna circuit capable of obtaining a desired property by reducing wiring resistance to a suitable value while ensuring inductance is provided. An antenna circuit is disposed to a transponder having a carrier frequency band of 13.56 MHz. The antenna circuit is formed of a prescribed base material and two antenna conductors each of which is formed of the same conductor pattern forming an antenna coil, formed on respective front and back surfaces of the base material by electrically parallel connection. Each of the two antenna conductors has a thickness of greater than equal to 5% and less than 50% of an overall thickness formed of the two antenna conductors and the base material.
US08665157B2
An antenna structure includes a microwave substrate, a main-antenna unit, an extension grounding unit. The main antenna unit is arranged on the surface of the microwave substrate. The main antenna unit includes a main-radiation portion, a main-feeding portion, a main-grounding portion. The extension grounding unit is arranged on the surface of the microwave substrate. The extension grounding unit includes a first extension grounding portion and a second extension grounding portion. The antenna structure can adjust the radiation pattern and improve the antenna directivity. The main-antenna unit and the sub-antenna unit share the extension grounding unit in common. So, the antenna structure can reduce the antenna occupied volume and save the mass production cost.
US08665152B1
An antenna assembly for receiving the GPS signals in a global positioning system (GPS) receiver module automatically orients the antenna to better receive the GPS signals. The antenna is oriented by a positioner (e.g., a counterweight) that automatically rotates a frame on which the antenna is mounted. The GPS receiver module may also include multiple antennas oriented in different directions to maintain good reception of the GPS signals in any position. The multiple antennas are oriented in a manner so that the poor reception range an antenna is covered by other antennas. Signals from multiple antennas may be combined or chosen for processing by a GPS processor. Also, multiple GPS receiver modules may be deployed in close proximity so that wireless communication between the GPS receiver modules may be established.
US08665151B2
A Global Positioning System (GPS) commercial receiver includes programmable logic that utilizes P-code modulated L1 and L2 GPS signals to derive estimates of in-phase and quadrature-phase components of both L1 and L2 signals, a programmable processor that calculates pseudoranges and pseudo-Doppler phases, and derives navigation solutions. A resulting complex accumulated L2 signal comprises near-ML estimates of desired L2 amplitude and pseudo-Doppler phase.
US08665150B1
In embodiments of sync feedback for time to first fix (TTFF), satellite data signals are received from which a geographic position of a positioning-system device can be determined. The satellite data signals each include a time reference and ephemeris data that indicates an orbital position of a satellite. A sync feedback is generated that includes a time-free position fix determined from a satellite data signal before bit sync and/or frame sync of the satellite data signal are obtained. The sync feedback is then utilized as a feedback input to determine the bit sync and/or the frame sync of the satellite data signal.
US08665139B2
Disclosed is a distance measuring apparatus which includes: a first pulse generating means (135) which generates reference signals; a second pulse generating means (137) which generates subject detection signals; a time measuring section (139) which measures a period of time from a time when a first pulse is generated to a time when a second pulse is generated; a first phase detecting section (141) which detects the first phase of a signal received using a signal at a first frequency; a second phase detecting section (163) which detects the second phase of a signal received using a signal at a second frequency; and a distance calculating section (165) which calculates the distance to the subject on the basis of output from the time measuring section, the first phase detecting section and the second phase detecting section.
US08665138B2
A system for preventing light pollution includes one or more radar units that monitor for vehicles in a volume surrounding or containing one or more obstructions having one or more obstruction lights. A master radar detection processing unit receives sensed radar detection information from the one or more radar units with associated radar signal processing units and determines whether a vehicle is present within the monitored volume. A plurality of obstruction light controller units are interconnected in a network, such as a wireless network. Each obstruction light controller unit turns on an obstruction light when a vehicle enters the monitored volume or a failure condition exists, and turns off the obstruction light when the vehicle has vacated the monitored volume and no failure condition exists. The one or more radar units can transmit sensed radar detection information to a master radar detection processing unit via the network.
US08665129B2
An oversampling A/D converter with a few operational amplifiers is configured using a complex second-order integrator including first and second second-order integrators and first and second coupling circuits configured to couple these integrators together. Each of the second-order integrators includes an operational amplifier, four resistance elements, and three capacitance elements. The first coupling circuit cross-couples one of two serially-connected capacitance elements inserted between the inverted input terminal and output terminal of the operational amplifier in the first second-order integrator to the counterpart in the second second-order integrator using two resistance elements. The second coupling circuit cross-couples the other capacitance element in the first second-order integrator to the counterpart in the second second-order integrator using two resistance elements.
US08665124B2
Method, apparatus, and systems employing dictionary-based high-bandwidth lossless compression. A pair of dictionaries having entries that are synchronized and encoded to support compression and decompression operations are implemented via logic at a compressor and decompressor. The compressor/decompressor logic operatives in a cooperative manner, including implementing the same dictionary update schemes, resulting in the data in the respective dictionaries being synchronized. The dictionaries are also configured with replaceable entries, and replacement policies are implemented based on matching bytes of data within sets of data being transferred over the link. Various schemes are disclosed for entry replacement, as well as a delayed dictionary update technique. The techniques support line-speed compression and decompression using parallel operations resulting in substantially no latency overhead.
US08665120B2
A system for displaying pitch- and power-based guidance commands and flight path information for a variety of display modes (climb, cruise, descent, landing) to pilots in response to situations wherein the measured air data should not be relied upon. This information is presented in an intuitive and expedient manner exactly when and where it is needed on the primary flight display. The displayed information dynamically changes in response to airplane parameters.
US08665116B2
A parking assist system overlay that adjusts the color and/or intensity of locus lines at a predetermined steering wheel angle to alert a vehicle operator that static or dynamic locus lines should be followed to ensure the vehicle successfully reaches a target parking space.
US08665098B2
A non-contact motion detection apparatus includes at least one reception antenna, at least one transmission antenna, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a phase lock loop (PLL). The at least one reception antenna receives a first wireless radio frequency (RF) signal. The at least one transmission antenna transmits a second wireless RF signal to an object which reflects the second wireless RF signal into the first wireless RF signal. The VCO outputs an oscillation signal to the at least one transmission antenna. The first wireless RF signal received by the at least one reception antenna is injected to the VCO. The PLL generates a control voltage to the VCO according to the oscillation signal from the VCO and a reference frequency. Controlled by the control voltage, which represents a motion information of the object, the oscillation signal of the VCO is locked to the reference frequency.
US08665094B2
Disclosed is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag-embedded casino chip. The RFID tag-embedded casino chip includes an Integrated Circuit (IC) and an antennae connected to the IC. The RFID tag has a frequency which is equal to or greater than 20 MHz and is equal to or less than 25 MHz.
US08665083B2
A system for providing communications for container security is provided. The system includes a sensing system for monitoring the contents of the container; a signal receiving element for receiving sensor data from the sensing system; a control element for analyzing received sensor data; a first transceiver element for receiving signals containing sensor data from within the container and for transmitting those signals outside of the container; and a satellite transceiver element for receiving signals from the first transceiver element and for forwarding the received signals via satellite uplink to a remote location.
US08665082B2
An apparatus and method for efficiently collecting data at a remote device with a device that is able to use both analog and digital signals, especially those that are compliant with serial data interface twelve (SDI-12) protocol. The collected data is compressed into a packet and sent to a base station where it is made available. Additionally, the present invention is able to produce alarms in response to the detection of an alarm condition. This data is able to be viewed from virtually anywhere.
US08665080B2
Disclosed is a driving assistance apparatus for assisting a driving operation by outputting a reverse sound at the time of a reversing maneuver of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an information acquisition unit for acquiring driving assistance information including a vehicle condition and a vehicle surrounding condition, a reverse sound management unit for managing reverse sounds belonging in a musical scale including the reverse sound as the tonic note thereof as musical scale reverse sounds, an output reverse sound determination unit for determining a sequence of musical scale in the form of temporal sequence corresponding to the driving assistance information, and a reverse sound output control unit configured to select from the reverse sounds managed by the reverse sound management unit and output to a speaker reverse sounds suitable for the sequence of the musical scale determined by the reverse sound determination unit.
US08665074B1
RFID tags, ICs for RFID tags, and methods are provided. In some embodiments, an RFID tag includes a memory with multiple sections, and a processing block. The processing block may map one of these sections, or another of these sections, for purposes of responding to a first command from an RFID reader. As such, an RFID tag can operate according to the data stored in the section mapped at the time. In some embodiments, a tag can even transition from mapping one of the sections to mapping another of the sections. This can amount to the tag exhibiting alternative behaviors, and permits hiding data on the tag.
US08665073B2
An RFID tag is capable of storing data, receiving a signal from a reader, determining a response taking into account the tag mode and the data, and transmitting a response to the reader. The data includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits. The tag mode may be set by a current or a prior command by the reader. Depending on the tag mode, the response may be complete, or the second plurality of bits may be truncated, compressed, or encrypted. In an aspect of the invention, the response includes an implicit indication of whether the response is complete, truncated, encrypted, or compressed. In another aspect of the invention, a command from the reader indicates how many bits should be truncated, compressed, or encrypted.
US08665072B2
A shipping container has passive radio antenna element having internal and external antennas. A connector spanning the wall joins the two antennas. An internal communications device is disposed within the container and an external communications device is disposed external to the container. Another shipping container has a repeater element having internal and external antennas. A repeater unit spans the wall joining the two antennas. A communications device is disposed within the container and another communications device is disposed externally. RF signals are re-radiated by the antennas. Methodology includes inputting PF signals from a communication device disposed at a first location, receiving the signals through an antenna comprised by an antenna element, and re-radiating the signal from a second antenna comprised by the element, where the element spans the wall of a shipping container. The re-radiated signal is received by a second communications device disposed at a second location.
US08665071B2
Biological reagent carrier devices and methods are disclosed, which employ RFID techniques to associate information with biological reagents.
US08665070B2
According to one embodiment, a mobile electronic device that makes an initial response in a slot marker system, includes a reception unit configured to receive an initial response command from a terminal, a recognition unit configured to recognize a total slot number N (integer equal to or greater than 2) set in the terminal, from the initial response command received by the reception unit, a logic unit configured to generate an integer n from a random number, a storage unit configured to store data set to the mobile electronic device and representing whether the mobile electronic device is a main device or a sub device, and a control unit configured to cause the logic unit to generate 0 as integer n, thereby responding to the initial response command for the first time, if the mobile electronic device is set as the main device.
US08665069B2
An RFID tag comprising an antenna assembly, including a shielding layer comprising an electromagnetic shielding material, a radio frequency loop antenna, and a spacer comprising a spacer material having a permittivity less than about 2 interposed between the antenna and the shielding layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such an RFID tag. Also disclosed is the use of such an RFID tag for use in identifying a vehicle, for example in the context of fuel-purchase authorization.
US08665068B2
Systems and/or Methods are disclosed for acquiring data from a transceiver responsive to one or more signals that are received at the transceiver from one or more devices. In one embodiment, a transceiver is configured to transmit a signal responsive to having received a first signal from a first device, wherein the signal that is transmitted by the transceiver is configured to trigger a second device to transmit a second signal. The transceiver is further configured to transmit data responsive to having received the second signal that is transmitted by the second device. In other embodiments, a transceiver is configured to receive a signal from a first device over frequencies of a predetermined frequency band that the first device is authorized to use, to receive a signal from a second device over frequencies of the predetermined frequency band and to transmit data responsive to having received both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device. The transceiver is further configured to require that both the signal from the first device and the signal from the second device be received at the transceiver before the data is transmitted. Analogous methods are also disclosed.
US08665065B2
A barrier operator system is provided including a controller, a motor, a barrier, a power source, and a remote transmitter. The controller scans for a reduced range of radio frequencies while operating in a standby mode to conserve energy. In response to receiving a signal from the remote transmitter, the barrier operator will exit the standby mode and scan for a broader range of frequencies. In response to receiving a command signal from the remote transmitter, the controller will operate the barrier. The controller also scans for signals from an accessory device after exiting the standby mode. The accessory device may also operate in multiple modes with respect to scanning for transmissions and sending signals to the controller.
US08665064B1
A security control system includes a remote access control system to receive wireless information from a central access control system. The remote access control system includes a remote access controller electrically coupled to a remote wireless communicator. The remote access controller receives information from the remote wireless communicator and uses the information to control locking and unlocking of the door. The remote wireless communicator also transmits wireless information to the central access control system and a switch is provided for selectively choosing between the receiving and transmitting the wireless information. The remote wireless communicator communicates via RF information, such as spread-spectrum RF. The remote access control system also includes a reader to read user data when presented to the reader.
US08665063B2
A system including a number of wireless communication nodes spaced apart from one another. The nodes are structured to transmit and receive unique signatures. A neighborhood of nodes may be discovered based on the unique signatures.
US08665060B2
A storage device is capable of switching its wireless sharing mode while sensing occurrence of a flip-over on itself. With the aid of the storage device, a user may easily and intuitively activate an operation of sharing information with other external storage devices or determine a degree of sharing the information.
US08665058B2
A variable speed toggle switch that allows a user to reverse a rotational direction of a motor and supply variable amounts of power to a motor, such as in a power tool, for example, a power drill. A trigger can include a gear segment that meshingly engages a gear on a potentiometer to electrically communicate the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger to a microprocessor. The microprocessor can then signal to an H-bridge, or to a series of transistors, the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger. A motor or other device can be powered by a power source in an amount corresponding to the actuation amount, and in a direction corresponding to the actuation direction of the trigger.
US08665055B2
The invention discloses a soft magnetic amorphous alloy and a soft magnetic nanocomposite alloy formed from the amorphous alloy. Both alloys comprise a composition expressed by the following formula: (Fe1-x-yCoxMy)100-a-b-cTaBbNc where, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni and Mn; T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, W, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti, Cr, Cu, Mo, V and combinations thereof, and the content of Cu when present is less than or equal to 2 atomic %; N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, C, P and Al; and 0.01≦x+y≦0.5; 0≦y≦0.4; 1≦a≦5 atomic %; 10≦b≦30 atomic %; and 0≦c≦10 atomic %. A core, which may be used in transformers and wire coils, is made by charging a furnace with elements necessary to form the amorphous alloy, rapidly quenching the alloy, forming a core from the alloy; and heating the core in the presence of a magnetic field to form the nanocomposite alloy. The resulting nanocomposite alloy of the core comprises the amorphous alloy having embedded therein, fine grain nanocrystalline particles, about 90% of which are 20 nm in any dimension.
US08665054B2
A semiconductor component has integrated a coreless transformer with a first connection contact, a second connection contact, an electrically conductive spiral first coil, an electrically conductive first ring, and an electrically conductive second ring. The electrically conductive spiral first coil is electrically connected between the first connection contact and the second connection contact. The electrically conductive first ring surrounds the first coil and one or both of the first connection contact and the second connection contact. The electrically conductive second ring is arranged between the first coil and the first ring, electrically connected to the first coil, and surrounds the first coil and one or both of the first connection contact and the second connection contact.
US08665047B1
A transformer system includes a cabinet and at least one toroidal transformer with each toroidal transformer being supported in a cradle. Each cradle is mounted in the cabinet and supports its toroidal transformer in a vertical or horizontal orientation such that a central air-filled region thereof is arranged in a substantially horizontal or vertical orientation, respectively. The cradle supports active and passive cooling arrangements for the toroidal transformer, while also providing modular attributes for the transformer system.
US08665046B2
An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece (20) and coil assembly (30). The pole piece (20) may be magnetically susceptible and have a channel structure and a first flange member (22). The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall (24), an annular outer side wall (26) and an annular end wall (28) that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls (24, 26) to one another on a first axial end (27) of the pole piece (20). The channel structure may be open on a second axial end (29) of the pole piece (20) that is opposite the first axial end (27). The first flange member (22) may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls (24, 26) on the second axial end (29) and extend in a radial direction of the pole piece (20) towards an interior of the channel structure. The coil assembly (30) may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls (24, 26).
US08665045B2
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
US08665042B2
A wireless switch comprises a mechanical oscillator, a mechanical impulse deliverer, a first array of magnets positioned on a planar surface, a first conductor, and a power management circuit. The mechanical impulse deliverer delivers a mechanical impulse to the mechanical oscillator when the wireless switch is switched. The first array comprises a one dimensional or two dimensional array of magnets. The first conductor comprises a first serpentine conductor. The power management circuit provides DC power as a result of relative motion due to the mechanical oscillator between the first array of magnets and the first conductor.
US08665038B2
A filtering circuit with BAW type acoustic resonators having at least a first quadripole and a second quadripole connected in cascade, each quadripole having a branch series with a first acoustic resonator of type BAW and a branch parallel with each branch having an acoustic resonator of type BAW, the first acoustic resonator having a frequency of resonance series approximately equal to the frequency of parallel resonance of the second acoustic resonator, the branch parallel of the first quadripole having a first capacitance connected in series with the second resonator and, in parallel with the capacitance, a first switching transistor to short circuit the capacitance.
US08665037B2
The invention relates to a cross polarization multiplexer which doubles the capacity of radio links using a vertical polarization diplexer, a horizontal polarization diplexer and an octagonal transducer module for separating the vertically polarized waves from the horizontally polarized waves. The invention is characterized in that the vertical diplexer and the horizontal diplexer are integrated in a module forming a monoblock body having a specific, simple and inexpensive configuration. This configuration allows the use a single transceiver unit which also provides a cost saving.
US08665034B2
Techniques for improved tuning control of varactor circuits are disclosed. For example, an apparatus comprises a plurality of varactors for tuning a frequency value. The plurality of varactors comprises approximately sqrt(2N) varactors, where N is a number of tuning steps and the plurality of varactors are respectively sized as 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, . . . , approximately sqrt(2N)x, and where x is a unit of capacitance. A given one of the N tuning steps may be represented by more than one combination of varactors. This may be referred to as redundant numbering.
US08665031B2
An oscillating circuit for determining a resonant frequency of an electro-mechanical oscillating device and for driving the electro-mechanical oscillating device at the determined resonant frequency includes a driving circuit and a start-up, impetus injection circuit. The driving circuit is configured to receive one or more reference signals and further configured to provide a driving signal related to the reference signals to the electro-mechanical oscillating device. The start-up, impetus injection circuit is operably coupled to the electro-mechanical oscillating device and configured to selectively provide a start-up excitation signal to the electro-mechanical oscillation device. The start-up, impetus injection circuit is activated upon start-up of the oscillating circuit to drive the electro-mechanical oscillation device and the driving circuit determines a resonant frequency by measuring a parameter related to the resonant frequency of the electro-mechanical oscillating device.
US08665024B2
An amplifier including: an output stage having two first power supply terminals capable of receiving a first voltage defined by first positive and negative variable potentials with respect to a reference potential; and a circuit for controlling the current in transistors of the output stage with a reference value, wherein the output stage includes a first and a second MOS transistors in series between the first two terminals, the junction point of this series association defining an output terminal of the amplifier; the control circuit includes two measurement MOS transistors having their respective sources and gates coupled to the respective sources and gates of the first and second transistors of the output stage; at least one control branch, comprising transistors in series between two terminals of application of a second voltage, defines nodes connected to the gates of the output transistors, said second voltage being greater than the first one.
US08665019B2
A power amplifier is provided. The power amplifier includes a loading circuit, a first stage amplifying circuit, an analog pre-distorter, a loading circuit and a second stage amplifying circuit. The first stage amplifying circuit is coupled to the loading circuit to receive a first signal and output a second signal accordingly. The analog pre-distorter is coupled to the first stage amplifying circuit to detect the envelope of the second signal and generates a third signal according to the envelope. The second stage amplifying circuit is coupled to the first stage amplifying circuit to receive the second signal. The loading circuit is biased on the third signal. The gain of the first stage amplifying circuit is related to the third signal.
US08665008B2
Disclosed herein is a device that includes a bias line to which a bias current flows, a switch circuit controlling an amount of the bias current based on a control signal, a control line to which the control signal is supplied, and a cancellation circuit substantially cancelling a potential fluctuation of the bias line caused by changing the control signal, the potential fluctuation propagating via a parasitic capacitance between the control line and the bias line.
US08665007B2
A clamp circuit for an RFID tag includes a power supply node, a dynamic clamp coupled between the power supply node and ground, and an active clamp coupled between the power supply and ground, having a shunt combined effect for providing a clamped power supply node VDDR voltage. The dynamic clamp includes a capacitor divider circuit, a resistor coupled to the capacitor divider circuit, and an N-channel transistor coupled to the capacitor divider circuit. The active clamp includes a differential amplifier having a first input coupled to a resistor divider, a second input for receiving a reference voltage, and an output coupled to a P-channel transistor for the clamped VDDR voltage.
US08664999B2
A mixer arrangement for generating an analog output signal by mixing an analog input signal with a discrete-time mixing signal. The mixer arrangement comprises a plurality of unit elements. Each unit element is adapted to be in an enabled mode in a first state of an enable signal supplied to the unit element, and in a disabled mode in a second state of the enable signal. Each unit element is adapted to generate the output signal of the unit element based on the analog input signal of the mixer arrangement in the enabled mode but not in the disabled mode. The unit elements are connected for generating a common output signal as the sum of the output signals from the unit elements. The mixer arrangement is adapted to generate the analog output signal of the mixer arrangement based on the common output signal. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08664979B2
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a tracking system and method. The system includes a transistor switch having a gate node and a source node, a power source circuit connected to the gate node, and a bootstrapping circuit connected to the source node and to the gate node. The power source circuit charges the switch during a first tracking phase, and the bootstrapping circuit charges the switch during a second tracking phase.
US08664971B2
A method of testing a semiconductor device including applying a reference test pattern to the semiconductor device in which a preset number of power pins of the semiconductor device are supplied with current, incrementally disconnecting the power pins from the current to set a number of removal power pins, and determining a final number of power pins which represents a minimum number of power pins with which the semiconductor device operates normally. The method additionally includes applying a delay test pattern to the semiconductor device to set a cycle of the delay test pattern corresponding to the number of removal power pins to reduce or prevent an overkill phenomenon.
US08664964B2
A system for inspecting bonding resistance of a display device includes a display panel, at least one circuit board, at least one driving chip and a testing board. The display panel includes at least one testing conductive line and connecting conductive lines. The circuit board is connected with the testing conductive line and the connecting conductive lines. The driving chip includes at least one testing pad and connecting pads, respectively electrically connected to the testing conductive line and the connecting conductive lines; at least one comparator connected to the testing pad; and at least one logic circuit connected to the comparator. The testing board is connected to the circuit board and provides a test signal to the testing pad through the circuit board and the testing conductive line. The test signal is compared with a reference signal in the comparator, and the logic circuit determines a comparing result.
US08664963B2
A test device for measuring permeability of a barrier material. An exemplary device comprises a test card having a thin-film conductor-pattern formed thereon and an edge seal which seals the test card to the barrier material. Another exemplary embodiment is an electrical calcium test device comprising: a test card an impermeable spacer, an edge seal which seals the test card to the spacer and an edge seal which seals the spacer to the barrier material.
US08664953B2
When the settings of the region of interest are received from the operator, the measurement data acquisition control unit performs control so that an image for generating profile data is taken, and the data processing unit generates profile data in the encoding directions of the set region of interest. Then, the field-of-view setting unit sets the field of view in each of the encoding directions, based on the relationship between the dimensions of the subject P in the encoding directions that are calculated from the profile data of the encoding directions and the dimensions of the region of interest in the corresponding encoding directions, by use of coefficients stored in the coefficient storage unit.
US08664951B2
A tuning fork gyroscope that is insensitive to magnetic field gradients is provided. The tuning fork gyroscope includes a first electrically conducting proof mass and a second electrically conducting proof mass connected through electrically conducting suspensions to anchors attached to one or more insulating substrates, and an electrical-resistance mid-point electrically connected to opposing ends of the first electrically conducting proof mass and to opposing ends of the second electrically conducting proof mass. The tuning fork gyroscope provides an input to a sense charge amplifier. The sense charge amplifier generates an output signal indicative of a rotation of the tuning fork gyroscope. The output signal is independent of a magnetic field gradient.
US08664941B2
A magnetic sensing system, including: a magnetic component proximate a movable mechanical component; and a magnetic sensor configured to determine a movement of the mechanical component based on a magnetic field produced by the magnetic component. The magnetic sensor includes: a low-offset magnetic sensing element; a high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element; and an offset compensation circuit configured to: determine a zero-crossing of a sensing field from an output of the low-offset magnetic sensing element; sample an offset value of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element at the zero-crossing; and subtract the offset value from an output of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element.
US08664934B2
A system and method are presented for verifying the operating frequency of digital control circuitry. The system and method according to the present disclosure provide for a digitally controlled system, such as an electrosurgical system, to confirm or verify its operating frequency using a single external device, and software and/or firmware.
US08664933B2
A frequency measuring apparatus includes: a counter section adapted to count a signal including a pulse signal for a predetermined time period, and output a binary count value corresponding to a frequency of the signal including the pulse signal; and a low pass filter section adapted to perform a filtering process on the count value, wherein the low pass filter section includes a first stage filter and a second stage filter, the first stage filter is a moving average filter to which the count value is input, and which provides a binary output with a high-frequency component reduced, and the second stage filter performs an average value calculation on the binary output to provide an output with the high-frequency component reduced.
US08664932B2
A voltage generating circuit includes a range adjusting unit configured to output a code signal for adjusting the range of an output voltage and to determine a magnitude of the output voltage to set a control code while an output range adjusting operation is performed. The range adjusting unit is configured to output the code signal in response to a data code received from the outside after the output range adjusting operation is complete. The voltage generating circuit includes a digital analog converter configured to output a conversion voltage in response to the code signal, and an output unit configured to set an amplification gain thereof according to the control code and to amplify the conversion voltage according to the amplification gain to output the output voltage.
US08664930B2
While an electronic product including passive elements is connected to an AC input voltage source, corresponding decreased currents are calculated according to a constant input/output work and a voltage curve of the input voltage source. Therefore, while the electronic product is activated under voltage sources having different scales or being unstable, the calculated decreased currents are applied so as to stabilize the input work or the output work.
US08664928B2
A digital power factor correction device is provided, which is an all-digital control module. The digital power factor correction device includes a voltage loop control unit, an input power control unit, a current loop control unit, and a pulse width modulation generation unit, to perform power factor correction for minimizing the phase difference between input current and input voltage through adjusting input current with an external driver and a switch unit. The voltage loop control unit and the current loop control unit contain a proportion-integral-differentiation controller to form a voltage control loop and a current control loop, respectively. The input power control unit adjusts current waveform according to the input power, while the pulse width modulation generation unit determines the stop time of pulse width modulation to produce a pulse width modulation signal, to control the external driver and the switch unit for eliminating loading effect.
US08664917B2
The present disclosure includes an adapter and associated method of use for mobile unit (MU) charging and communication that enables multiple connector types to be utilized with a single charger or charging station. The adapter enables standardization of a connector scheme on newer MUs while maintaining compatibility with current or older MU devices. Specifically, the adapter resides between the MU and a charging device or station. The adapter may include various connector features mimicking connectors of various different MUs, thus allowing it to interface with a device of a different connector design. Advantageously, the adapter enables enterprises to deploy various cradles throughout facilities and achieves universal connections for a plurality of different MUs. In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter provides connectivity between various MUs and their associated cradles and a hook and pivoting latching system.
US08664914B2
In a battery charger cradle, a battery incorporated in a battery built-in device is charged by electric power induced to an induction coil. The cradle includes a primary coil for inducing electromotive force to the induction coil, a casing having a top plate atop of which the battery built-in device is placed, a movement mechanism for moving the primary coil along an inner surface of the top plate, and a position detection controller for detecting a position of the battery built-in device placed on the top plate and controlling the movement mechanism to bring the primary coil closer to the induction coil in the battery built-in device. When the battery built-in device is placed on the top plate, the position detection controller detects the position of the battery built-in device, and the movement mechanism moves the primary coil closer to the induction coil in the battery built-in device.
US08664912B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for alerting a low battery charge condition in a jump-starter. In an embodiment, the system is portable. The system includes a first battery. The first battery is configured to provide a first battery voltage across a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the first battery. The system also includes a voltage comparison circuit that is electrically connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the first battery. The voltage comparison circuit is configured to compare a reference voltage to the first battery voltage. The system includes an alert circuit electrically connected to the voltage comparison circuit and configured to generate an output signal for a speaker. The system also includes a switch configured to toggle between an enabled state and a disabled state. In an embodiment, the switch includes a stopper tap. The alert circuit is configured to cause an audible alert when the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage, and when the enabled state is true. When the enabled state is false (or the disabled state is true), the alert circuit will not cause the audible alert. In an embodiment, the system includes a display circuit to visually indicate the first battery voltage.
US08664904B2
A booster circuit of a motor drive apparatus has at least two sub-booster circuits connected in series. Each sub-booster circuit includes a booster coil, a boosting switching element, a reducing switching element and an output capacitor, and outputs, by boosting an input voltage, a boosted output voltage. The booster circuit 20 outputs from its final stage sub-booster circuit a booster output voltage, a total boosting ratio of which is a product of sub-boosting ratios of the series-connected sub-booster circuits. Thus, the booster output voltage supplied to a motor drive circuit is prevented from falling even when high power output is required.
US08664903B2
This disclosure relates to a variable speed drive for driving a motor having a starting circuit. The variable speed drive adaptively generates motor voltages to reduce the likelihood of starting circuit intrusions.
US08664901B2
Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for estimating electrical angular speed of a permanent magnet machine based on two-phase stationary reference frame feedback stator current samples, and a dimensionless gain (K) that is computed based on a sampling time (T) and machine parameters.
US08664893B2
The present invention provides a feedback control circuit and an LED driving circuit for using the same, wherein the feedback control circuit receives a dimming signal. The dimming signal is changed between a first state and a second state. When being in the first state, the feedback control circuit controls a converter circuit to drive the LED module for lighting stably. When being in the second state, the feedback control circuit controls the converter circuit to maintain the power conversion of the converter circuit to have an output voltage outputted by the converter circuit maintained at a level close to a lighting threshold voltage of the LED module.
US08664892B2
The invention relates to a light emitting system (100), the system comprising a light emitting diode (104), a socket adapter for retrofitting a fluorescent lamp and an electric circuit (112; 200; 306), the electric circuit (112; 200; 306) being adapted for emulating the presence of a fluorescent lamp to a fluorescent lamp driver (102).
US08664888B2
A converter for an LED driver for an LED light source. The converter has a flyback transformer. The primary receives a rectified AC voltage. A switching transistor is coupled in series with the primary. A controller controls the switching transistor on and off to generate a bus voltage across the secondary and a center tap voltage at a center tap of the secondary. The controller is powered by a first low-voltage DC voltage. A first power supply receives the center tap voltage and generates a second low-voltage DC voltage when the center tap voltage is above a cutover voltage. A second power supply has an output coupled to the first power supply output. The second power supply receives the bus voltage and generates the second DC voltage when the center tap voltage is below the cutover voltage.
US08664887B2
A xenon lamp drive unit of the present invention comprises: a charging circuit; and a current control circuit adapted to supply a current to a xenon lamp by using a charged voltage of the charging circuit as a power source, wherein the current control circuit is adapted to supply, in a first period after a lamp ignition, a high output lamp current having a higher current value than a steady output lamp current to the xenon lamp by constant current control and supply, in a second period after the first period, the steady output lamp current to the xenon lamp by constant current control.
