US08020896B2
A hose connector (19, 59) for the assembly in a housing opening (13) of a tank of a portable handheld work apparatus is formed as one piece and has a base plate (20). A sealing rim (21) for mounting in the housing opening (13) is provided on the base plate (20) at a first side (57). The hose connector (19, 59) has at least one connecting channel (31, 32) which projects through the base plate (20) and which, at least at one end, has at least one connecting stub (24, 24′, 25, 26, 26′) for connecting to a hose line. A first connecting stub (26, 26′) is fixed within the sealing rim (21) on the base plate (20) and has a pull-off protector (54). The pull-off protector (54) is at a distance (e) to the base plate (20) perpendicularly to the plane of the base plate (20) which is greater than the distance (f) of the lower edge (51) of the sealing rim (21) to the base plate (20). The lower edge (51) faces away from the base plate (20).
US08020892B2
The invention provides a cushion structure of a side airbag that includes: an inflator generating inflation gas in response to an inflation signal that is inputted in a collision; and a cushion inflated by the inflation gas supplied from the inflator. The cushion is divided into an upper cushion and a lower cushion by an intermediate diaphragm. The upper cushion and the lower cushion are fluidly communicated with each other through the intermediate diaphragm having at least a communication hole, and receive the inflation gas from the inflator. The upper cushion inflates in larger width than the lower cushion.
US08020878B2
A body leaning control system includes a support mechanism arranged to support at least a pair of traveling members that contact a traveling surface and are provided at opposite sides of the vehicle body to be movable up and down relative to the vehicle body, a resistance applying mechanism arranged to apply to the support mechanism a resistance to up-and-down motions of the pair of wheels, a lean information detecting device arranged to detect information on a lean amount of the vehicle body, and a controller arranged to perform control, based on detection results received from the lean information detecting device, to set the resistance of the resistance applying mechanism to a first resistance when the lean amount of the vehicle body is increasing, and to set the resistance of the resistance applying mechanism to a second resistance smaller than the first resistance when the lean amount of the vehicle body is decreasing.
US08020876B2
A tool includes a shank having an engaging hole for receiving one end of a tool member and having a number of orifices for receiving detents, a control ferrule rotatably engaged onto the shank and having a number of notches each of which includes a deeper portion for selectively receiving the detents and for disengaging the detents from the tool member and a shallower portion for selectively forcing and actuating the detents to engage with the tool member and to detachably couple the tool member to the shank, and a spring member may actuate the shallower portions of the notches of the control ferrule to engage with the detents and then to detachably couple the tool member to the shank.
US08020871B2
A board game includes a board assembly and an operation unit mating with the board assembly. The board assembly includes at least one outer frame, at least one inner board mounted in the outer frame and a plurality of separating edges located in the outer frame and the inner board to separate the outer frame and the inner board respectively. The outer frame of the board assembly includes a plurality of sections which are juxtaposed and combined to form an endless loop. Thus, the outer frame and the inner board of the board assembly co-operate to function as a monopoly and a puzzle so as to enhance the amusement of playing the board game.
US08020869B2
A game apparatus includes a game execution unit, casing, card arrangement panel, luminator that illuminates the panel, sensor unit that receives light from the panel and generates image data, and recognition unit to separate data of each card, and detect positions of the cards. Each of the plurality of cards is printed with a game character on one of its surfaces and formed on the other of the surfaces with a code pattern including data relating the game character. The sensor unit generates data of the image including the code patterns of the cards on the panel. The recognition unit separates data of each card, and detects position on play field of cards arranged on the panel, from the data of the image and supplies information thus obtained to the execution unit. The execution unit executes a game in response to card manipulation by an operator.
US08020864B1
A printing system and method using alternating control modes for one or more, but not all, sheet transport devices in order to avoid contention. In a printer having first, second and third sheet transport devices in series (e.g., registration, image transfer and image fixing devices), the second device can always operate in a velocity control mode. However, the first and/or third devices can alternate between velocity and torque control modes. For example, the first device can operate in a torque control mode, when a sheet is concurrently engaged by both the first and second devices, and in a velocity control mode at other times. Additionally or alternatively, the third device can operate in a torque control mode, when a sheet is concurrently engaged by both the second and third devices, and in a velocity control mode at other times. Transition control modes can be implemented to generate smooth transitions between modes.
US08020863B2
A method and a device transport a flat object, especially a mail item, over a conveyor path. The transport device has two conveyor elements, a thickness sensor and a gap-altering device. With the aid of the thickness sensor the thickness of the object is measured, before the object reaches the conveyor path. With the aid of the gap-altering device the gap between the two conveyor elements is set to a computed value. The effect of this setting is that after the setting the gap is smaller than the measured thickness and the difference between the measured thickness and the gap is smaller than a predetermined limit. This setting is concluded before the subject matter reaches the conveyor path. The two conveyor elements clamp the object for a time between themselves and transport the clamped object over the conveyor path.
US08020859B2
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method, a system, and a printmaking device for calibrating sensors. The method begins by transporting a media sheet along a media path, the sheet having a lead edge, a trail edge and a measurement edge. Next, the method halts the forward motion of the sheet after the lead edge of the sheet passes a fixed reference. After that, the method moves the sheet laterally relative to the media path across the at least one edge sensor using a sheet actuator. Then, the method records an actual position of the sheet actuator and an output of at least one edge sensor. Finally, the method calculates a calibration factor based on the actual position of the sheet actuator and the output of the at least one edge sensor.
US08020843B2
A clamping fixture is provided for mounting work pieces. The clamping fixture includes a base, a supporting member, a covering member, and a positioning member. The supporting member and the positioning member are attached to the base. The work piece is clamped by the covering member and the supporting member. The positioning member is used for changing its position with respect to the base and fixedly mounted thereby for abutting against the work pieces.
US08020841B2
A fastener (12) for a car-body straightening device (10), by means of which fastener (12) a vehicle is fastened to a straightening table (11) of the car-body straightening device (10) for the time of straightening work. The fastener (12) comprises an arm part (21), which provides additional support when during the car-body straightening work a force is applied to the area to be straightened, and a fastening device (24) for fastening the fastener (12) to the car to be straightened. The arm part (21) is movable in the fastener (12) and the fastener (12) can be placed moveably on a beam (13) of the car-body straightening table (11), and locked on said beam in a desired position. the fastener (12) comprises an upper frame part (16) and a lower frame part (17) of a fastener frame (15) and, between them, guides (18) to which an intermediate part (19) is connected floatingly. The fastening and the locking are carried out by means of a wedge part (20) such that in the locking the intermediate part (19) is pressed against the arm part (21) and against the beam (13).
US08020838B2
Improved contacting stages for carrying out vapor-liquid contacting are described. Particular aspects are directed to co-current vapor-liquid contacting devices with non-parallel contacting stages that provide an efficient usage of column space for fluid flow and contacting, in order to achieve high capacity, high efficiency, and low pressure drop. The fabrication of such contacting stages is improved using one or more structural enhancements, preferably a combination of enhancements, to achieve easy installation and significantly improved rigidity between the various parts and thereby avoid movement/separation of these parts. This reduces the possibility of fluid leakage across, and consequently vapor and/or liquid bypassing of, the contacting stage.
US08020824B2
An adjustment assembly for a satellite antenna has a first bracket, a second bracket, a pivotal bolt and an adjustment device. The second bracket is mounted pivotally on the first bracket. The pivotal bolt is mounted through the first bracket and the second bracket and serves as a fulcrum when the brackets pivot relatively. The adjustment device is mounted between the first bracket and the second bracket and has a positioning fastener, a driving fastener and an adjustment shaft. The positioning fastener is mounted on the first bracket. The driving fastener is mounted on the second bracket. The adjustment shaft is mounted rotatably through the driving fastener and into positioning fastener and has a threaded section and a positioning section. The threaded section allows the driving fastener to move along the adjustment shaft when the adjustment shaft is rotated.
US08020820B2
Herein are disclosed methods and assemblies for adhesively mounting an article to two walls that meet at an angle (e.g., a corner). The methods and assemblies use first and second mounting plates that are deflectably and removably attachable to the article, with the first mounting plate being adhesively attachable to a first wall (e.g., by a piece of double-faced adhesive), and the second mounting plate being adhesively attachable to the second wall.
US08020819B2
A container [10] is disclosed having a universal bracket system [300] that allows attachment of the container [10] to a plurality of upstanding outdoor supports including posts, angle iron, and signs supported in cylindrical frameworks. In the preferred embodiment, the container [10] has a box [100] with a lid [200] pivotally attached thereto. The box [100] has a bracket system [300] comprised of an upper bracket [310], a central bracket [320] and a lower bracket [340] which have complementary geometric relationships that facilitate attachment to the multiple structures.
US08020815B2
The stand has modules to form a support base with elongated support members with wheels or legs. The stand can either incorporate two spaced load supporting posts or a single post extending from a spanner module that connects between the elongated support members. When two load support members are employed the user can step between the posts. When a single post and spanner are employed the user can step as far as the spanner near the center of support. The support members diverge from their centers provide a wide stance of the wheels or legs for stability. At the upper end of the post or posts a load support platform is carried either directly on a single post or through a cross-piece on a two post configuration. T-shaped slots in the post can be utilized to attach loads to the posts and a panel extending between posts. In either configuration a spilt wheel at the level of the load support allows for the user to maneuver a wheeled version of the stand and serves as a fender protecting equipment carried on the load support platform.
US08020812B2
A clamp for corrugated tubes capable of holding a corrugated tube, whether a corrugated tube of large diameter or a corrugated tube of small diameter, with adequate holding force. The clamp comprises a main fastener body, a body attachment part for attaching the main fastener body to a body panel, and a fastener cover that turns about a hinge of the main fastener body and presses and holds a corrugated tube to the main fastener body, which fastener cover comprises a small corrugated tube fastener cover for pressing against a corrugated tube of small diameter, and large corrugated tube fastener covers for pressing against a corrugated tube of large diameter, which small corrugated tube fastener cover and large corrugated tube fastener covers are arranged so as to be aligned in the axial direction of the corrugated tube being pressed against and held, and which, respectively, are coupled by the hinge to the main fastener body so that, with the main fastener body, they can separately press and hold a corrugated tube on the main fastener body.
US08020805B2
A new High Altitude Airship (HAA) capable of various extended applications and mission scenarios utilizing inventive onboard energy harvesting and power distribution systems. The power technology comprises an advanced thermoelectric (ATE) thermal energy conversion system. The high efficiency of multiple stages of ATE materials in a tandem mode, each suited for best performance within a particular temperature range, permits the ATE system to generate a high quantity of harvested energy for the extended mission scenarios. When the figure of merit 5 is considered, the cascaded efficiency of the three-stage ATE system approaches an efficiency greater than 60 percent.
US08020804B2
A vehicle, particularly a VTOL air vehicle, includes a duct carried by the vehicle frame with the longitudinal axis of the duct perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame; a propeller rotatably mounted within the duct about the longitudinal axis of the duct to force an ambient fluid therethrough from its inlet at the upper end of the duct through its exit at the lower end of the duct, and thereby to produce an upward lift force applied to the vehicle, and a plurality of spaced vanes mounted to and across the inlet and exit ends of the duct about axes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the duct and selectively operational to produce a desired horizontal control force in addition to the lift force applied to the vehicle.
US08020801B2
A gyratory crusher has a crushing head on which a first crushing shell is mounted, a frame on which a second crushing shell is mounted, and a driving device, which is arranged with a rotating eccentric to cause the crushing head to execute a gyratory movement for crushing of material. The crushing head is connected to the frame of a rotation-restricting arrangement, which comprises a beater in a tank. Spinning of the crushing head is restricted by the beater being braked, during operation of the crusher, by a liquid contained in the tank.
US08020797B2
A device for aligning the refining disc of a refining apparatus, in which refining apparatus lignocellulose-containing material is disintegrated and refined, which device is intended to be arranged in a support (701) for the axle package of the refining apparatus, the supporting (701) resting on a ground surface, which axle package comprises the rotary refining disc of the refining apparatus, a rotation axle to which the rotary refining disc is attached, and a bearing housing (702) in which the axle is journalled by means of bearings arranged in the bearing housing (704). The device comprises a first wedge-shaped member (703), which is slidable in a direction along said ground surface, and a second wedge-shaped member (704) provided between the first member (703) and the bearing housing (702) of the axle package, which second member (704) is slidable in a direction transverse to the sliding direction of the first member (703), and the first member (703) when displaced in its sliding direction is arrange to displace the second member (704). The device comprises a control device for displacing the first member (703) and a support means (706), on which the bearing housing (702) rests, which is provided between the second member (704) and the bearing housing (702) and arranged to engage with a to the support means (706) complementary recess (707) of the bearing housing (702). The support means (706) has a convex contact surface (708) against the recess (707) of the bearing housing (702), and the convex contact surface (708) of the support means (706) is displaceable in relation to the surface of the complementary recess (707) of the bearing housing (702). Support and refining apparatus comprising said device.
US08020795B2
A shredder head adapted to vary the power consumed by the shredder according to the thickness of the material to be shredded.
US08020790B2
Improved ball mill disruption techniques. In different embodiments, disrupting particles that are not substantially spherical are used. In other embodiments, roughened disrupting particles are used. In other embodiments, larger disrupting particles are used. In each instance, improved disruption can be achieved.
US08020788B2
A showerhead providing an improved pause mode that restricts the amount of water emanating from the head. The showerhead includes a first and second outlet nozzle, a valve body operative to be in fluid communication with a shower pipe, the valve body having first and second flow channels in fluid communication with the shower pipe, each of which is also in fluid communication with one of the outlet nozzles. The first and second flow channels have different cross-sectional areas. In another embodiment, the valve body further includes a valve center in fluid communication between the first flow channel and the shower pipe, and is also in fluid communication between the second flow channel and the shower pipe. The valve body further defines a first hole in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the valve center, and a second hole in fluid communication with the second flow channel and the valve center, with the second hole having a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first hole.
US08020787B2
A showerhead system is provided. The showerhead system may provide a plurality of spray modes using a control mode selector located adjacent to a shower pipe. The showerhead system may also include an adjustment mechanism located near or about the shower pipe. The showerhead system may also have dual support structures.
US08020779B2
There is described a mixer tap with integrated thermostatic mixing valve (TMV). The tap comprises in a single housing: hot and cold water inlets; an outlet for mixed water; hot and cold lever controls and a thermostatic mixing device within the single housing to prevent water above a certain temperature being emitted from the common outlet. The cold water control opens a fluid path from the cold inlet to the common outlet, bypassing said thermostatic mixing device, allowing better assurance of purity. The thermostatic mixing device and strainer/check valve cartridges are housed in an internal body so as to be readily accessible for servicing after installation of the device by removing only a cap part of the housing.
US08020774B2
This disclosure discloses a tag label producing apparatus comprises a feeding device that feeds a tag medium including an RFID circuit element having an IC circuit part configured to store information and a tag antenna configured to transmit/receive information, a communication device that transmits and receives information via a wireless communication to and from the RFID circuit element provided in the tag medium; and a communication facilitation processing portion that executes predetermined facilitation processing related to a communication during the wireless communication based on the communication device.
US08020773B2
Key information is stored in a memory of a chip card for the purposes of partial personalization. For a complete personalization, an instruction sequence definition and an instruction sequence designed for a chip card application and including instructions to be carried out by the chip card are transmitted to the chip card. A check which is secured by the key information is carried out for each chip card instruction to determine whether the chip card instruction satisfies the instruction sequence definition, and if it does, the chip card instruction is carried out by the chip card.
US08020768B2
A portable container inventory control system uses RFID technology for automatically monitoring the taking and returning operations of items such as, but not limited to, tools, weapons, jewelry, surgical instruments, from one or more receptacles inside a portable container to maintain a status of each item as well as an operational record of each item. Furthermore, the system may register which item has been taken from or stored from which receptacle by which worker and when it was taken and returned, and compile the information of all storage locations in one database and system for administering, reporting and sending alarms in order to have total item control, accountability, item service control (maintenance, calibration, repairs, and/or replacement), and administration of usage for the items controlled by the system.
US08020766B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, systems, and computer program products pertaining to obtaining, providing, and using dynamic card verification values for portable consumer devices, such as credit cards and debit cards. An exemplary method comprises receiving, at a server, a request for a device verification value for a portable consumer device associated with a user; obtaining, at the server, a datum indicative of a device verification value for a portable consumer device; and sending, from the server, the datum to at least one of a phone number or network address of a personal communication device associated with the user.
US08020763B1
Systems and methods for assessing transaction risk. A consumer tenders a transaction card to a merchant to purchase a good or service. A payment device of the merchant, such as a payment terminal or mobile communication device of the merchant, is used to process the payment utilizing a risk assessment system. Card data received by the payment device is sent to the risk assessment system, which processes card data and generates an indicator representing the risk associated with accepting payment using the card. The indicator is sent to the payment device to provide the merchant input regarding risk associated with using the card (e.g., likelihood of fraud or chargeback) in a seamless manner. If the risk level is too high, the merchant may reject the card. The risk indicator may be based on different types of data from different sources, e.g., data from a first source related to the credit history of the consumer and data from a second source related to the identity of the consumer.
US08020758B2
A note presenter and method is disclosed for dispensing notes at a plurality of dispensing locations that are spaced apart such that two or more persons can be positioned at the dispensing locations at one time. The note presenter is attached to a secure container for receiving the cash at a single exit slot and includes a rotatable mechanism for repositioning the cash in alignment with either one of the two dispensing locations, and a linearly moveable part to withdraw the notes from the exit slot and to extend the notes to either one of the two dispensing locations to two or more persons who can be positioned at the dispensing locations. Several different configurations are disclosed.
US08020752B2
A security receptacle generally includes an outer housing defining an inner chamber and having an inlet thereto, and a movably connected top door for selectably closing the inlet, wherein the top door is configured for movement between an open position and a closed position. The security receptacle further includes an inner shield for dividing the inner chamber into a receipt chamber and a holding chamber to prevent user access to the holding chamber from the inlet, wherein the inner shield is driven by the movement of the top door through a cam assembly.
US08020748B2
A method for producing a sputtering target assembly bonded to a backing plate. The method includes bonding a target (100) to a high strength backing plate (110) and further creating a vacuum seal between the target and the backing plate using friction stir welding processes.
US08020747B2
Along with miniaturization of a solder connection portion in a bump repair or a local reflow, a void generated at the time of soldering remains in a solder to remarkably reduce connection strength, and there occurs a non-connection phenomenon in which the solder connection portion and a solder paste are melted, but are not fused with each other. During melting of a solder, a target component is clamped, ultrasonic oscillation is directly applied only to the target component. Further, start of solidification of the solder connection portion is detected by change of an electric impedance of a transducer while applying the ultrasonic oscillation, and the clamp is released before a substrate is warped.
US08020738B2
A harness (10) for use with breathing apparatus comprises: a back plate (11); two support straps (13, 14), each of which extends between an upper part of the back plate and a lower part of the back plate, the two support straps being disposed on opposite sides of a central axis of the back plate (11); and a tension equalizing mechanism (15, 16; 30, 32) connected to the support straps and being arranged such that, when tension is applied to a first strap (13, 14) of the support straps, it acts to transfer the tension to the other, second strap (13, 14), thereby increasing the tension in the second strap, the tension equalizing mechanism being resiliently biased towards a neutral configuration.
US08020728B2
A container for accommodating liquid and/or pasty substances is provided with a tubular outlet connector that is sealed via a film or a similar membrane relative to the substance accommodated in the container for storage. An inlet connector of a dispensing element can be inserted into the outlet connector. Furthermore, a piercing sleeve is displaceably accommodated in the outlet connector. The piercing sleeve can be displaced via setting on the inlet connector of the dispensing element so that the film or similar membrane is cut open. Furthermore, a combination of such a container and a dispensing element that can be connected with it, as well as a method for opening a container, are provided.
US08020726B1
A powder dispersion method and apparatus comprising an air eductor and a powder dispensing syringe inserted into a suction connection of the air eductor.
US08020721B2
The invention relates to a tank (11) for storage of cryogenic fluids. The tank (11) comprises a base section (12), a vertical wall element (14) and preferably an upper top (19). The tank (11) is provided with a fluid tight barrier (26) intended to prevent the stored fluids to escape to the surroundings. The fluid tight barrier (26) is formed of thin metal plates joined together. At least the vertical wall (14) comprises an inner structurally supporting wall element (24) and an outer structurally supporting wall element (25). The fluid tight barrier (26) is arranged between the inner (24) and the outer (25) structurally supporting wall element. The invention relates also to a method for constructing such tank (11), where the base part (12) is firstly erected whereupon a vertical wall (14) is concreted, preferably by means of slipforming or jumpforming. Firstly, the inner structurally supporting wall element (24) of the wall (14) is reinforced and concreted, whereupon a fluid tight barrier (26) is arranged on the external side of the inner structurally supporting wall element (24), whereupon the outer structurally supporting wall element (25) is reinforced and concreted.
US08020717B2
Molded preform for blow molding a plastic container for pressurized applications, the preform having a base with a multilayer wall for forming a delamination and crack resistant multilayer footed container base. The preform base forming region has an end cap portion with a non-spherical inner wall, including a flattened central section joined by arcuate corner sections to a generally cylindrical outer section. The inner wall sections provide a varying end cap thickness profile which enhances orientation in select portions of the footed container base for improved performance and/or lightweighting of the container base.
US08020708B2
A valve assembly that is useable with a fuel filter housing to control the flow of fuel through the fuel filter housing. The valve assembly comprises two primary parts that are connected together via a snap connection, and when the valve assembly is installed on the fuel filter housing, means on the fuel filter housing prevent disconnection of the snap connection. One or both of the primary parts of the valve assembly can be provided with a tamper evident feature that will indicate whether someone has tried to remove or disassemble the valve assembly.
US08020704B2
There is provided a storing case adapted to be disposed on top of an amplifier, an amplifier head, or an amplifier stack. The storing case is adapted to receive various accessories normally used by a musician and for storing them. The storing case has an external surface which is made of a material at least visually similar to the material of external surfaces of the amplifier, amplifier head, or amplifier stack. When the storing case is disposed on the amplifier, amplifier head, or amplifier stack, which is disposed on a stage, the storing case seems to be, for a spectator in front of the stage, an integral part of a set comprising the storing case and the amplifier, amplifier head, or amplifier stack.
US08020699B2
A shoe box having one or more integrally formed dividers extending from the end of the shoe box, with the dividers shaped and sized to extend laterally across and to be positioned between a pair of shoes within the box to secure the shoes in fixed space relation to one another. In one embodiment, one divider is integrally formed from the shoe box blank extending from one end of the box with a separate, removable insert divider having a similar function at the other end of the box.
US08020695B2
A carrier includes multiple rows of container receptacles on each side of a central handle. The bottom of the carrier is reinforced with web panels. The container receptacles can be separated by longitudinal and transverse separator panels. The top edge of the longitudinal separator panel can be curved to facilitate erection of the carrier.
US08020673B2
A braking system for a high speed, high load rotor operating in a vacuum and suspended by a magnetic field such as in a flywheel energy storage device includes a pair of calipers disposed on opposed sides of the rotor for actuating a pair of annular friction discs into engagement with opposed sides of the rotor. Each caliper includes a mounting ring on its outer edge and an inner shallow annular groove in which it disposed one of the friction discs. A circulating fluid under pressure is directed into each annular groove for urging each friction disc into engagement with one of the opposed surfaces of the rotor for safely bringing the rotor to a stop such as in an emergency. The circulating fluid removes the heat generated by the braking action, while the controlled pressure applied by the discs also controls the position of the rotor when static such as during initialization.
US08020672B2
An elevator control system (24) provides elevator dispatch and door control based on passenger data received from a video monitoring system. The video monitoring system includes a video processor (16) connected to receive video input from at least one video camera (12). The video processor (16) tracks objects located within the field of view of the video camera, and calculates passenger data parameters associated with each tracked object. The elevator controller (24) provides elevator dispatch (26), door control (28), and security functions (30) based in part on passenger data provided by the video processor (16). The security functions may also be based in part on data from access control systems (14).
US08020663B2
According to the invention, at least part of the edge of the hole is loosely surrounded with a mesh structure so as to create a space between the latter and said edge part.
US08020661B2
The invention relates to a steering system (10) for a motor vehicle. It is characterized in that at least one component part of the steering system (10) is made from a fiber composite material and that a strain gauge (16) for measuring a steering torque is integrated at least in parts into the fiber composite plastic material.
US08020650B2
A method sustains auxiliary power generation aboard a mild hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in response to a high-voltage (HV) electrical fault condition and executes one of a pair of default limp-home modes depending on the state of the engine at the time of the fault. Each limp-home mode sustains auxiliary power generation during the fault, and at least one mode charges capacitors in the HV bus circuit to provide magnetizing current to a motor generator unit (MGU). An HEV includes a controller and algorithm for sustaining auxiliary power generation during the above fault condition, with the algorithm adapted to control output of an auxiliary power module (APM) and execute one of a pair of default limp-home modes, including a mode in which the APM charges the capacitors to enable a power inverter module (PIM) to provide an initial excitation current to the MGU after the starter motor restarts the engine.
US08020646B2
The present invention relates to an electric charging roof on an automobile. The present invention can be or a method of manufacture of an automobile having a body with an interior, a roof attached to the body, a layer of paint coated on top of the roof, an energy storage unit located within the interior of the body, and a layer of photovoltaic material deposited on top of the layer of paint to form a solar panel connected to the energy storage unit.
US08020645B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding. In an embodiment, PCD includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. A metal-solvent catalyst occupies at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oersteads (“Oe”) or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 Gauss·cm3/grams (“G·cm3/g”) or less. Other embodiments are directed to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) employing such PCD, methods of forming PCD and PDCs, and various applications for such PCD and PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.
US08020643B2
Ultra-hard constructions include an ultra-hard body having a first region including a polycrystalline matrix first phase and a second phase material interposed therein. The first region is substantially free of a catalyst material used to form the first phase. The body is formed by removing the catalyst material and then replacing it with the second phase material. A second region is disposed within the body and includes the polycrystalline matrix first phase and a catalyst material used to form the first phase. The second phase material has a thermal characteristic that is more closely matched to the matrix first phase than the catalyst material. The body may be joined to a substrate, and the ultra-hard body may consist entirely of the first region. The second phase material can include non-refractory metals, ceramics, silicon, silicon-containing compounds, diamond, cubic boron nitride, polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, and mixtures thereof.
US08020642B2
A polycrystalline diamond abrasive element, particularly a cutting element, comprises a table of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, particularly a cemented carbide substrate, along a non-planar interface. The non-planar interface typically has a cruciform configuration. The polycrystalline diamond has a high wear-resistance, and has a region adjacent the working surface lean in catalysing material and a region rich in catalysing material. The region lean in catalysing material extends to a depth of 40 to 90 microns, which is much shallower than in the prior art. Notwithstanding the shallow region lean in catalysing material, the polycrystalline diamond cutters have a wear resistance, impact strength and cutter life comparable to that of prior art cutters, but requiring only 20% of the treatment times of the prior art cutters.
US08020640B2
A drill bit that includes a body having a lower end face for engaging a rock formation is disclosed. The end face has a plurality of raised ribs extending from the face of the bit body and separated by a plurality of channels therebetween. At least one of the plurality of ribs has a leading portion and a trailing portion, the leading portion comprising a first matrix material impregnated with super abrasive particles and the trailing portion comprising a second matrix material impregnated with super abrasive particles, wherein the first and second matrix materials differ from each other.
US08020636B2
In a method for introducing a geothermal probe into the earth, a geothermal probe is introduced in a radiating manner with the drill head into the earth. After the drilling operation, the drill head remains in the earth. The drill head is introduced into the earth with the assistance of a rod linkage.
US08020629B1
A low till agricultural implement has a frame with a hitch for attachment to a tractor. An shallow-angled blade gang composed of an array of parallel ultra-shallow inclined disk blades is mounted to the front of the frame, and is followed by at least one wheel, spiral reel, and spike tooth harrow. The ultra-shallow inclined disk blades are mounted perpendicular to rotating shafts, and slice through field residue and soil with minimal lateral movement of material. The blades of the following reel then make cuts nearly perpendicular to those made by the circular blades. A trailing rolling basket or other finishing implement follows the spiral reel. The implement aids in drying the soil surface layer. Also, by cutting up residue and evenly spreading debris and topsoil, the implement helps to warm up the soil.
US08020628B2
A fire extinguishing device comprises an extinguishing agent tank and pressurised gas generation means such that the generated gas can enter into the tank when the extinguishing agent is to be ejected on a fire area.The device according to the invention also comprises means of regulating the pressure inside the extinguishing agent tank: thus, the pressure inside the tank remains controlled with time, with a profile predetermined by the user as a function of regulatory parameters and criteria, in order to optimise the action of the extinguishing agent and the necessary quantity.
US08020611B2
A heat dissipation device includes two heat pipes, three extruded heat sinks and a heat conducting plate. Each heat pipe has a substantially G-shaped configuration and includes a heat absorbing section and first and second heat dissipating sections. The first and second heat dissipating sections extend along opposite directions, wherein the second heat dissipating section is located above the first heat dissipating section. Each heat sink includes a main body and a plurality of fins extending from the main body. The main body of each heat sink has a same profile with that of each heat pipe. Each heat pipe is sandwiched between the main bodies of two adjacent heat sinks. The heat conducting plate is attached to the main bodies of the heat sinks and the heat absorbing sections of the heat pipes.
US08020606B2
A method of making a wax mold for a golf club head includes the steps of: a) positioning a male die in a cavity of a female die; b) injecting and filling dissolvable wax into a gap between an outer surface of the male die and an inner surface of the female die; c) cooling and solidifying the dissolvable wax in the gap to obtain a wax shell; d) removing the wax shell from the male die and the female die, the wax shell being provided with a hole extending through inner and outer surfaces of the wax shell; and e) inserting a wax plug into the hole to form the wax mold.
US08020593B2
A method of changing the distance between a rotary cutter disposed on a carriage assembly and a work surface. The method includes the steps of providing a first mechanism on the carriage assembly for making small distance changes between the rotary cutter and the work surface and providing a second mechanism on the carriage assembly for making larger distance changes between the rotary cutter and the work surface. The user selects one of the first and the second mechanisms to adjust the distance between the rotary cutter and the work surface and then activates the selected one of the first and the second mechanisms. Activation of the second mechanism automatically disengages the first mechanism.
US08020585B2
A leak detection system for detecting a leak within a duplex valve assembly is disclosed. The duplex valve assembly includes a first valve, a second valve and an intermediate fluid flow passageway fluidly interconnecting the first valve to the second valve. The leak detection system includes a means for indicating whether the first valve is maintained in a closed position or an open position, a means for indicating whether the second valve is maintained in a closed position or an open position, and a pressure change detector within the intermediate fluid flow passageway. The pressure change sensing means is at least partially positioned within the intermediate fluid flow passageway for detecting a pressure change within the intermediate fluid flow passageway.
US08020579B2
This invention provides a fire hydrant security system having an inner cap with an outlet port on a fire hydrant in a fixed position which includes a member capable of extending from the periphery of the inner cap into a slot in the inner part of an outer cap wherein the member's position can be retracted and retained in the inner cap, wherein said outer cap can be attached to the inner cap so that the outer cap can spin freely with respect to the inner cap, and a key wrench that's fits over the outer cap for aligning the outer cap and the key wrench in a fixed position so that a magnet located on the wall of the key wrench can be aligned with a slot on inner wall of the outer cap and wherein the rotation of the key wrench causes the magnet to align with the member and to extend the member into the slot on the inside of the outer cap thereby joining the outer cap to the inner cap.
US08020576B2
An emergency shutoff valve is provided that includes a housing defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween. The valve includes a valve element disposed within the housing and releasably latched in an open position by a latching mechanism. An expansible member defines at least a portion of a sealed expansible chamber that is sealed at locations downstream and upstream of a weakened portion of the housing. The valve includes an access port in fluid communication with the chamber. The access port may be used to test the integrity of the expansible member. An expandable material may also be disposed in the chamber and used to shut off the valve on the occasion the housing is compromised to an extent wherein fuel can flow into the expansible chamber.
US08020575B1
A method for tapping a water line, the water line being buried below a subterranean frost line, the water line traversing a water meter box's lower end, and having first and second sections within the water meter box respectively extending upwardly to and extending downwardly from a water meter, the method for tapping the water line including steps of providing a flexible tube having an intake end and an output end, the flexible tube having a length sufficient for, upon attachment of the flexible tube's intake end to the water line within the water meter box, extensions and retractions of the flexible tube between first and second positions, the flexible tube's output end residing below the subterranean frost line while in the first position and the flexible tube's output end extending upwardly from the water meter box while in the second position; attaching the flexible tube's intake end to the water line within the water meter box; providing a spigot and attaching the spigot to the flexible tube's output end; providing a mounting bracket for releasably holding the spigot within the water meter box; and performing further steps of grasping the spigot, releasing the spigot from the mounting means, raising the spigot and the flexible tube's output end to the second position, opening the spigot for emission of water sample, closing the spigot, and lowering the spigot and the flexible tube's output end to the first position.
US08020572B2
An umbrella is provided that comprises a canopy and a support structure upon which the canopy is supported. The canopy can comprise a first panel and a second panel. The support structure can comprise a spacer configured to provide a gap separating the first and second panels to permit air to be vented through the canopy.
US08020570B2
A part of the opening of the nozzle insertion hole located in the liquid discharging direction relative to the nozzle inserted in the nozzle insertion hole is enlarged in the liquid discharging direction. Therefore, the droplets which have migrated to the nozzle insertion hole adheres to the internal surface in the liquid discharging direction relative to the nozzle, that is, to the slanted part via the enlarged part. Moreover, the slanted part is provided slanted from the central portion of the nozzle insertion hole toward the enlarged part and separated away from the central portion of the substrate top surface. Hence, the adhering droplets flow in the liquid discharging direction along the slanted part to be discharged from the opening of the nozzle insertion hole.
US08020569B2
Apparatuses and methods can reduce washout water use and facilitate removal of waste. A transport vehicle can include a water holding tank, a washout tub, and a means for conveying water. Water can be conveyed from the water holding tank to clean concrete from utensils, chutes, pumps, and other implements through a hose. The water can then be separated from the concrete and conveyed back into the water holding tank using a hose and a strainer.
US08020565B2
A method and apparatus for delivering energy during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include applying energy during at least one pulsed energy on period, typically sufficient or intended to rapidly induce and beneficially employ transient cavitation. Applying energy during the pulsed energy on period comprises applying energy during a first high energy period, and applying energy during a second nonzero lower energy period.
US08020562B2
The combination chin protector and mouth guard provides a device for protecting both the user's teeth and chin. The device is particularly adapted for use in combination with a motorcycle or motocross helmet, for example. The combination chin protector and mouth guard includes a chin protector having opposed front and rear faces, and a mouth guard, adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user, having a front face adapted for positioning against the lips of the user and at least one substantially U-shaped recess being formed in the mouth guard to receive and protect the user's teeth. A support having opposed upper and lower ends is further provided, the upper end thereof being attached to the mouth guard, and the lower end thereof being secured to the chin protector in order to tether the mouth guard to the chin protector.
US08020555B2
Described is a method and system providing therapeutic positive airway pressure to a particular area of patient's airways. The system may include a flow generator and a processing arrangement. The flow generator supplies an airflow to an airway of the patient. The processing arrangement is connected to the flow generator to control a supply pressure at which the airflow is generated by the flow generator. The processing arrangement continuously adjusts the supply pressure to maintain a pressure in a predetermined portion of the patent's airway substantially constant. The predetermined portion of the patient's airway includes a collapsible portion of an upper airway of the patient. The processing arrangement also controls the supply pressure to maintain the pressure in the collapsible portion of the patient's airway at a value at least as great as a tissue pressure below which the collapsible portion collapses.
US08020541B2
A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine comprises an intake manifold having a plurality of intake runners configured to deliver combustion air to the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold positive crankcase ventilation passage is disposed in the intake manifold and is in fluid communication with a source of blow-by gas from the engine. A positive crankcase ventilation distribution channel is formed adjacent to the sealing face of the intake manifold and a modular positive crankcase ventilation distribution conduit assembly is disposed in the positive crankcase ventilation distribution channel and extends from the positive crankcase ventilation passage to the plurality of intake runners for delivery of the blow-by gas thereto.
US08020540B2
A crankcase ventilation apparatus of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, including an oil-mist separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of the internal combustion engine and including an assembly for the return of lubricating oil from the oil-mist separator to an oil pan of the internal combustion engine. The oil-mist separator includes at least one preliminary separator and at least one fine separator, wherein the preliminary separator is connected to the oil pan via a first oil return flow passage allowing a continuous flow of oil there through during operation and wherein an oil collection chamber is provided downstream of an oil outlet of the fine separator, said oil collection chamber being connected to the oil pan via a second oil return flow passage which is equipped with a check valve to discontinue the flow of oil during operation. The first oil return flow passage is designed in the form of a siphon comprising a pipe section which immerses into a siphon reservoir comprising an overflow and the second oil return flow passage ends in the siphon reservoir downstream of the check valve.
US08020525B2
A method is disclosed for operating an engine with a first cylinder providing a net flow of gases from the intake to the exhaust while combusting; and a second cylinder providing a net flow of gases from the exhaust to the intake. Both the first and second cylinders may carry out combustion during such operation.
US08020520B2
The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.
US08020513B2
A device for plasma depositing a thin film of a barrier material on an internal wall of a container includes: an electromagnetic wave generator; a cavity connected to the generator and made of a conductive material; a chamber positioned in the cavity and made of a material that is transparent to electromagnetic waves coming from the generator; and openings made in the cavity and oriented parallel to one another.
US08020511B2
An exemplary film coating holder includes a main body, a plurality of workpiece holders, and a driving module. The main body includes a plurality of through holes defined therein and a central axis. The main body is capable of rotating around the central axis. Each workpiece holder is arranged in each through hole and pivotally connected with the main body by an axle. A rotating guide groove is defined around each axle. The driving module includes a control unit and a shaft. The control unit inserts the shaft in the rotating guide groove of the workpiece holder. When the main body is rotating around the central axis, the shaft can drive the workpiece holder to turn over by the guiding of the rotating guide groove.
US08020507B2
The present invention is directed toward a food storage container comprising a body with a mechanism for denoting a time in which a food item was placed in the storage container for storage. In one embodiment, the time designation mechanism comprises a plurality of rings where each ring comprises at least one marker. Time is denoted by aligning the marker with a label located proximate to said ring.
US08020506B2
A double level flight deck type aircraft carrier is disclosed to include a second level of flight deck so that aircraft launching and landing operations can be separately performed on the decks. The double deck design doubles the operation capacity and capability.
US08020503B2
A system and method for assembling a prosthetic heart valve, including a procedure for sewing fabric around a heart valve support stent. The system includes a support stent handling component that works in conjunction with a sewing machine component. The sewing machine has a bobbin, and the system includes a non-contact sensor to monitor the passage of a needle thread loop over the bobbin. The sensor may be a monitoring laser, and a controlling processor receives information therefrom for 100% real-time inspection of each stitch. The occurrence of an unsuccessful stitch may prompt the processor to repeat the stitch at a slower speed. The automation of the fabric sewing procedure greatly enhances manufacturing throughput and reduces ergonomic strain on workers.
US08020500B2
An embroiderable sewing machine, including a plurality types of embroidery frames that hold a workpiece cloth to be embroidered; a carriage allowing selective attachment and detachment of the embroidery frames; a transfer mechanism that transfers the carriage independently in two orthogonal directions; a first detector that outputs a constant signal corresponding to the type of embroidery frame attached to the carriage; a second detector capable of outputting a detection signal based on presence and absence of a detection subject provided at the embroidery frame; and a signal converter that converts the constant signal outputted from the first detector into a periodic signal based on the detection signal outputted from the second detector.
US08020497B2
A two-tiered, interlocking, knockdown, sturdy furniture article such as a table, stool or stand which is fabricated and assembled easily from sheet-like material. Two (2) table tops are fabricated by being cut from two (2) base members. The lower table top rests horizontally and is vertically supported by a supporting means within inside walls of the interlocked base members. The upper table top is vertically supported by upper table top receiving ends of the assembled base members. The disassembled primary components can be arranged in a compact orientation for storage or transportation. The disassembled lower table top fits flush within the base member it was cut from and the other base member and upper table top can be similarly flatly arranged and stacked on top.
US08020495B2
A vehicle includes a longitudinal axis, a first superstructure, a second superstructure that adjoins the first superstructure in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a pitch joint that connects the first superstructure and the second superstructure. The pitch joint is embodied as a rod assembly, which extends substantially on one pitch joint plane and comprises two pitch joint arms, two pitch joint rods, and a coupling device. The pitch joint arms are pivotally hinged to the first superstructure in the region of their first end, each of the pitch joint rods is pivotally hinged to the free second end of one of the pitch joint arms in the region of its first end, the pitch joint rods are pivotally hinged to the second superstructure in the region of their second end, and the coupling device couples the two pitch joint such that they perform swiveling movements in opposite directions about their hinged points.
US08020494B2
An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly for use with vehicles that ride on a track, which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins. The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins.
US08020486B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a device that accurately communicates a subtle variation of an operation side to an action side. Specifically, in the present invention, an operating device is provided to perform a lock release operation of an extension device. The operating device feeds oil to a valve chamber by pressing a piston. When the flow rate of the fed oil is excessive, the valve is pressed to an opening resisting a biasing force of a compressed spring, thereby a rapid increase in the oil supplied to the action section is suppressed. Further, the supplied oil is suppressed to a very small amount by the throttle section, thereby an increase in the operation amount on the action section side is suppressed while maintaining the supply of the oil.
US08020482B1
An air-based vertical launch system is described by means of which ballistic missile defense can be achieved effectively from a large aircraft. A method for ensuring safe missile egress is proposed. A method for ensuring that the missile strikes the ballistic missile payload section is also proposed. Together, the air basing method employing vertical (or near-vertical) launch and semi-active laser guidance yield an affordable and operationally effective missile defense against both tactical and long-range ballistic missiles. The affordability of missile defense is enhanced by the ability of an aircraft equipped with a vertical launcher to simultaneously carry out several defensive and offensive missions and to provide other capabilities such as satellite launch at other times. Methods for employing an aircraft equipped with a vertical (or near-vertical launcher) and one or more of the proposed egress assurance mechanisms in offensive ground attack missions, mine laying, and satellite launch missions are also proposed.
US08020481B1
A system for performing a function with respect to a zone includes a controller, a network, and a plurality of subsystems. The controller issues a first series of commands. Each command of the first series has a first ordinal. The plurality of subsystems is coupled to the controller via the network. A particular subsystem determines a role in accordance with a physical position of the particular subsystem relative to another subsystem of the plurality of subsystems. The particular subsystem counts commands of the series to determine for a particular command the first ordinal. The particular subsystem performs a function with respect to the zone in accordance with the particular command of the series, in further accordance with the first ordinal, and in further accordance with the role.
US08020474B2
A tool holder (1) has a shaft (2) intended to be arranged in a tool holder in a manufacturing machine, a head (3) on which a cutter is intended to be arranged and a viscoelastic materials (4) arranged so that the cutter is in contact with the manufacturing machine solely via the viscoelastic material (4), in which at least those parts on the surface (5) of the shaft (2) that are intended to be in contact with the manufacturing machine are provided with the viscoelastic material (4). The viscoelastic material (4) is attached on a bearer material that is attached to the surface (5) of the shaft (2).
US08020471B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has a body intermediate a shank and a working face, the working face comprising a plurality of blades formed on the working face and extending outwardly from the bit body. Each blade comprises at least one cutting element. The drill bit also has a jack element coaxial with an axis of rotation and extending out of an opening formed in the working face. A portion of the jack element is coated with a stop-off.
US08020468B2
A belt tension adjustment apparatus and a robot arm having the belt tension adjustment apparatus are disclosed. The belt tension adjustment apparatus includes a tension measurement part for measuring tension of a belt running on an endless track, a tension adjustment part for pressing the belt in a direction inclined with respect to a surface of the belt to apply a pressing force to the belt, and a controller for controlling the tension adjustment part depending on the measured tension. The belt tension adjustment apparatus prevents variation of a running speed of the belt and maintains tension of the belt.
US08020466B2
An umbilical-member processing structure for an industrial robot which includes a forearm having a tool managing and relaying device and a wrist with proximal end rotatably connected to the forearm and having a work tool mounted on the distal end thereof, with an umbilical-member connected to the work tool being disposed to run along the wrist via the tool managing and relaying device: wherein the forearm has a first reduction gear which reduces the rotational speed of a driving source to drive the forearm in rotation; the first reduction gear having a first insertion hole for passing the umbilical-member therein; and wherein the wrist comprises a first wrist element having a through-path in communication with the first insertion hole and rotatably connected to the forearm, and a second wrist element having a second insertion hole in communication with the through-path and rotatably connected to the first wrist element.
US08020456B2
A sensor is provided, which includes a plurality of conducting elements spaced apart from each other and at least one deformable electrolyte bridge contacting each of the conducting elements at one or more contact points having an aggregate contact area. Upon formation of an ionic circuit between two of the conducting elements, a first resistivity between the two conducting element exists. Upon application of a compressive force on the at least one deformable electrolyte bridge directed toward at least one of the conducting elements, the aggregate contact area increases such that a second resistivity between the two conducting elements exists.
US08020451B2
An apparatus and method for determination of susceptibility of asphalt concrete materials to moisture damage. An asphalt sample of known bulk specific gravity (density) is placed inside a chamber filled with water, which is capable of heating the sample to a pre-determined temperature. The chamber is pressurized by introduction of air pressure to a flexible membrane that decreases the volume within a chamber containing the sample and water, increasing the pore pressure in the sample. The pressure is then released and allowed to come to ambient pressure. This process is repeated a predetermined number of times (cycles). When a selected number of cycles are complete, the asphalt sample is removed from the chamber and its bulk specific gravity (density) measured again. The difference between the density before and after conditioning is an excellent method of rating the degree at which moisture would deteriorate asphalt samples due to introduction of moisture. The cyclic nature of the increased/decreased pore pressure is observed to significantly decrease bulk specific gravity (density) for poor quality asphalt designs. Furthermore, the sample conditioned by this method can be used for other conventional mechanical test methods, such as tensile strength and modulus determination. Computerized controls are used to automate the procedure and to record and display data from sensors.
US08020448B2
A pressure sensor adapted to provide a high resolution at a low pressure and a high pressure of an operating range is provided. The pressure sensor includes a body having an interface sur ace, a membrane sealingly disposed in the cavity adjacent the interface surface, and a sensing element in communication with the membrane. A fuel cell system including the pressure sensor is also provided.
US08020437B2
The invention relates to fluid sampling in a test that is used to determine physical and chemical characteristics of the fluids in a subterranean reservoir. The method reconstructs the entire pressure history of the fluid parcel that is captured in the fluid samplers during a test. Using this reconstructed pressure history of the samples, the quality of the samples, particularly, whether there is a phase change in the samples during the test, can be accurately quantified.
US08020432B1
A rigid, planar, non-resonating boundary is introduced parallel to the surface of the piezoelectric resonator in a measurand chamber in order to both reduce the separation space (l) between the resonator and confining wall and confine the measurand fluid between those surfaces in order to reliably measure acoustic viscosity independently form the mass density (ρ) of the measurand fluid. The hypothesis is that when the penetration depth (δ) is comparable to the separation distance (l) between the resonator and the confining wall, then resonator perturbation is a sensitive function of the abbreviated separation space. Variations in the spacing between the resonator and confining wall are accomplished by adjusting the rigid, planar, non-resonating boundary, or confining wall, with a means for lateral movement. The ability to accurately adjust and control small spaces thereby enables MEMS versions of viscometers and associated types of fluid sensors.
US08020429B2
An engine ECU executes a program including calculating a correlation coefficient by dividing the sum of respective absolute values, which are each a difference between a magnitude in an engine vibration waveform and a magnitude in a knock waveform model for every crank angle, by an area corresponding to magnitudes equal to or larger than a positive reference value in the knock waveform model, and determining whether or not knocking has occurred based on the correlation coefficient.
US08020428B2
A system and method for determining a fluid property for a fluid flowing in a pipe may include sensing baseline vibrations when test fluids with known values for a fluid property (e.g., fluid density or fluid viscosity) flow through the pipe, or computer modeling the baseline vibrations. The baseline vibrations are analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the fluid filled pipe's baseline combined structural response from excitation and base coupling effects. During field or other operations, sensors may take vibrational readings along the pipe when an operational fluid (e.g., drilling fluid) flows through the pipe. The operational vibrations may be analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the operational combined structural response of the fluid filled pipe from excitation and base coupling effects. The baseline and operational structural responses may compared. Similarities or differences in the structural responses may be used to determine fluid properties of the operational fluid.
US08020426B2
An apparatus determines gas sorption properties of a large number of material samples simultaneously. The apparatus includes a switchable manifold of low-volume conduits and an array of sensors, where each low-volume conduit fluidly couples a single sample of gas-sorbing material to a dedicated detector. The switchable manifold is also configured to fluidly couple the samples to a vacuum source or a dosing gas source. Because of the very low internal volume of the conduits, essentially all gas released from a particular sample is accurately detected by the corresponding detector, either through sorption of the released gas, by measuring pressure, or by other means. In this way, a very accurate measurement of the quantity of gas released by the sample is made. In one embodiment, the array of sensors includes hydride-based sensors, which contain a material that forms an optically and/or electrically responsive hydride upon exposure to hydrogen-containing gas.
US08020405B2
An air conditioning apparatus includes a supercooling heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a high-pressure refrigerant and a low-pressure refrigerant. A high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe is wound around an external periphery of a low-pressure refrigerant suction pipe. Preferably, the supercooling heat exchanger is disposed inside the indoor unit at a position below an evaporator. Drain water from the evaporator is dispersed over the supercooling heat exchanger or a drain pipe leading from a drain pan of the evaporator is wound together with the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe around the low-pressure refrigerant suction pipe. In either case, cold energy of the drain water effectively acts on the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe to exchange heat. The supercooling heat exchanger operates with improved efficiency without any increase in the volume of the heat exchanger so that the evaporator can be made as small and compact as possible.
US08020398B2
The fluid delivery mechanism of the present disclosure provides a solution for use in a single axis of motion that allows the connection of one or more fluid flow paths over a wide range of temperatures into a vacuum environment. The mechanism does not employ flexible tubing that is prone to fatigue, especially at very low temperatures. In one embodiment, a tube is axially moved within a sealed piston to allow for fluid delivery. In a second embodiment, bellows are used to provide the required functionality. In another embodiment, it is possible to achieve movement in two or more axis of motion by utilizing two or more appropriately configured mechanisms.
US08020393B2
A heat pump type hot water supply outdoor apparatus, in a compressor, a water heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, a medium pressure receiver, a second expansion valve, and an air heat exchanger are connected circularly, has an injection circuit, which is a bypass for a part of the refrigerant between the medium pressure receiver and the second pressure reduction unit, to inject the part of refrigerant into a compression chamber of the compressor, and has a third expansion valve and an internal heat exchanger for carrying out heat exchange between the refrigerant whose pressure is reduced by the third expansion valve and the refrigerant between the medium pressure receiver and the second expansion valve, a pressure detection sensor for detecting a condensing pressure, and a controller for starting an injection control by the third expansion valve at the time when the condensing pressure detected by the pressure sensor or the condensing temperature calculated from the condensing pressure becomes a first predetermined value or more and stopping the injection control at the time when the condensing pressure or the condensing temperature becomes a second predetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined value, or less. With this arrangement, an appropriate injection control can be realized and a high hot water supply/heating capability operation can be carried out.
US08020392B2
A refrigerating appliance comprising a storage compartment, a refrigerant circuit which serves to cool the storage compartment and contains a compressor, and comprising a collecting receptacle for condensed water flowing out of the storage compartment. The collecting receptacle can be heated by a heating device that can be independently operated by the operation of the compressor.
US08020390B2
Energy-efficient data center cooling techniques that utilize free cooling and/or solar cooling are provided. In one aspect, a cooling system is provided including a cooling tower; one or more modular refrigeration chiller units; and a water loop that can be selectively directed through the cooling tower, through one or more of the modular refrigeration chiller units or through a combination thereof. Another cooling system is provided including a solar cooling unit; one or more modular refrigeration chiller units; and a water loop that can be selectively directed through the solar cooling unit, through one or more of the modular refrigeration chiller units or through a combination thereof.
US08020383B2
A steam valve 1 includes: a valve seat 9 being accommodated in a steam flow path of a casing 2 provided with a steam inlet pipe 14 and a steam outlet pipe 15; and a valve body 22, 27 capable of contacting the valve seat 9, the valve body 22, 27 being accommodated in the steam flow path of the casing 2. An expansion part 10 that smoothly projects toward an inside of the steam outlet pipe 15 is disposed at a downstream side on a contact surface of the valve seat 9.
US08020373B2
A method and a system for regenerating an exhaust gas treatment device for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder are presented. The system comprises an exhaust gas treatment device, a fuel storage means, a fuel vapor retainer, and an engine control unit adapted to selectively allow fuel vapors from the fuel vapor retainer to reach the engine. The method comprises regenerating an exhaust gas treatment by allowing fuel vapors from the fuel vapor retainer into at least one of the engine cylinders, and inhibiting combustion in at least one of the cylinders into which fuel vapors are to allowed.
US08020370B2
In a method for the lambda control in an internal combustion engine with at least one catalytic converter, with the exhaust system being provided with front and rear lambda control circuits lambda with at least one rear oxygen sensor downstream in reference to the catalytic converter, with an output signal of the rear oxygen sensor being processed by the rear lambda control circuit, a difference value being formed to a rear target lambda value, and an actuating variable being formed acting on the target lambda value of the front lambda control circuit it is provided that after a change of the algebraic sign of the difference value a balanced oxygen amount is determined for a time interval since the sign change from the oxygen amount entered into and removed from the catalytic converter and the actuating variable of the rear lambda control circuit being selected depending on the balanced oxygen amount.
US08020367B2
An exhaust vane disposed in a divergent section of an aircraft gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle is sideways pivotable about a vane pivot axis. The nozzle vane pivot axis may be centrally located at an unvectored nozzle throat. Transversely spaced apart upper and lower tips of the exhaust vane may be incorporated to sealingly engage a nozzle outer wall along upper and lower surfaces of the outer wall of the nozzle. The exhaust vane has flat or contoured vane sidewalls and contoured vane sidewalls may be concave. The exhaust vane may have transversely biased apart upper and lower vane sections extending transversely inwardly from the upper and lower tips of the exhaust vane respectively. The exhaust vane may be articulated having upstream and downstream sections separately sideways pivotable about the vane pivot axis and a second pivot axis downstream of and parallel to the vane pivot axis respectively.
US08020364B2
A haymaking machine hitched to a tractor, including a frame carrying a cutting mechanism having cutting tools and a carrying structure intended to support a protective device, said protective device including one central protector articulated on said carrying structure by means of one connecting rod.
US08020361B2
The transfer machine extends between the die-cut blank erecting station and the discharge conveyor on which the resulting boxes are carried away. It has a carriage that moves lengthwise underneath the sole plate of the various stations over which the box blank progresses. The carriage carries a system of clamps having movable upstream and downstream arms for gripping the blanks and a pusher. Together, the clamps and the pusher are used to move the blanks along the sole plate and push the box onto the discharge conveyor. The arms and the pusher are situated on a plate which is vertically movable relative to the carriage and the height of the projecting part of the upstream arms is greater than the height of the downstream arms and than that of the pushers. The upstream arm couple is hinged to the plate and pivots to allow it to retract upstream relative to the machine and beneath the sole plate. This pivoting of the arm couple is combined with the up-down movement of the plate.
US08020356B2
There is provided a medicine packaging apparatus, which is capable of rapidly coping with errors occurring during processes. The medicine packaging apparatus includes: a medicine supply means 1 for supplying a medicine according to prescription data; a medicine standby means 11 for temporarily holding the medicine supplied by the medicine supply means 1 and having the medicine stand by; a printing means 2 for printing relevant data on a packaging paper according to the prescription data; a packaging paper conveyance means for conveying a packaging paper 15; a medicine packaging means 3 for packaging the medicine supplied by the medicine supply means 1 into the packaging paper 15 in a packaging position; and a control means 4 for allowing the packaging paper conveyance means to convey a relevant portion of the packaging paper 15, on which the relevant data is printed by the printing means 2, to the packaging position and allowing the medicine packaging means to package the corresponding medicine standing by in the medicine standby means 11.
US08020354B2
A molding retainer is provided for securing a molding to a return flange in a roof ditch. The retainer generally includes a throat, a stop, a molding seat and a molding clip. In the case of a discontinuous flange having individual flange coupons, the throat may define a through-hole that fits over each flange coupon. The throat may include a plurality of fingers adapted to snap fit into windows in the flange coupons, with the fingers being mounted at different heights to accommodate variations in the placement of the windows. In the case of a continuous flange, the throat may define a channel that fits over the flange. The stop engages the floor of the roof ditch to provide a reference point for the height of the molding, and the molding clip engages and holds the molding.
US08020351B2
A structural frame typically comprised of steel metallic material that is utilized in retrofitting a small basement window in an older residence with an egress window is described that comprises pieces of linear L-channel that has been formed into a rectangular frame. The thickness of the channel is relatively thin permitting an installer to retrofit the smaller window with a larger one that is only marginally less wide without having to cut an opening within the foundation wall that is wider than the original window's steel buck. Excepting the bottom side of the original window's buck, it can be left in place during retrofit. Accordingly, a substantial portion of the foundation wall's load carrying capacity around the window opening is maintained during retrofit eliminating the need for additional reinforcement.
US08020349B2
A silo storage unit is created to enable an owner to conveniently store and dispense any number of materials. In one implementation, the storage silo is configured to store and dispense a heating fuel material. The silo storage unit may be implemented as a temporary installation or a year-round installation. Also, the silo storage unit includes a storage chamber configured with at least one outlet aperture, an inlet aperture. The storage chamber is formed with at least one attachment point configured to secure a facade cover to the silo storage unit. The facade cover may be formed from a cloth material, plastic material or any other number of materials. Further the facade cover may be configured as a holiday implementation, a housing element implementation, or a non-intrusive implementation. In the non-intrusive implementation, the facade cover may be configured to with artificial branches or leaves.
US08020342B2
A compressed wafer mulch, the compressed wafer mulch including corn stover fibers, paper fibers, compost or a mixture thereof, and a method of making the same.
US08020341B2
The present invention provides for a novel, but simply structured pest control system that protects structures such as buildings and humans by providing a system that is selectively attached to the exterior of structures and/or to the surrounding perimeter of structures which creates a physical and chemical barrier where crawling insects and/or pests cannot survive without food and/or exposition to chemical agents such as pesticide. Alternatively the pest control system provides for the possibility that the crawling insects and/or pests agents may abandon the structure without exposition to the chemical agent, thus furthering an ecological homeostasis.
US08020339B1
A fishing lure release apparatus is a quick release system that allows rapid interchanging of fishing lures on a fishing. An closed wire loop eyelet opposite a posterior open end clasp are opposed along a linearly elongated wire form. The posterior open end clasp forms an attachable hook element that is impinged by a spring urged closure. The hook element is inserted into a inner tubular cavity of the closure causing an impingement of the hook opening for securely holding and maintaining a mechanical coupling to anything attached thereto, while at the same time providing easy removal by sliding the closure upward along the body of the wire form.
US08020322B2
A cleat for a shoe has an annular array of different types of angularly spaced traction elements disposed about and depending from a hub periphery. The array includes plural types of flexible traction elements and plural types inflexible traction elements interleaved within the array. The dynamic elements are longer than the static elements and are of two different lengths. The static elements have two different configurations. The flexible elements are sufficiently close to adjacent inflexible elements to permit grass to be trapped therebetween when the flexible elements are flexed.
US08020307B2
A system for aligning a device on a body of a vehicle relative to a drive axis of the vehicle defined by a pair of rear wheels. A bar is configured to be wedged against the pair of rear wheels to assume an orientation perpendicular to the vehicle drive axis. A target is configured to be positioned in the line of sight of the device to be oriented. Two substantially equal length elongated members are coupled between the bar and the target such that a parallelogram is created by the bar, the target, and the two elongated members, regardless of the position of the target relative to the vehicle and the bar. Multiple alignment methods are capable of being carried out with the alignment system.
US08020301B2
A method for manufacturing a hydro dynamic bearing device is provided for the finishing treatment of lubricating oil after lubricating the hydro dynamic bearing device, specifically for properly and effectively wiping off the lubricating oil adhering to the outside of the housing and adjusting the oil-level height of the lubricating oil filled in the housing. The method for manufacturing the hydro dynamic bearing constructed of an axial member housed in a housing, a radial bearing part for supporting the axial member in a non-contact manner in a radial direction by a hydro dynamic pressure action of the lubricating oil generated in a radial bearing clearance, and a sealing part arranged in an opening part of the housing, has the steps of: applying the lubricating oil to an unlubricated hydro dynamic bearing device; and blowing a gas on the outer peripheral surface of the housing, while sucking the lubricating oil from the sealing space of the sealing part or the vicinity thereof using a suction device that generates a negative-pressure suction force.
US08020300B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a product including an annular portion including a frictional surface and a first flange portion extending from the frictional surface, wherein the first flange portion comprises a first face, a second face, and a third face; and a hub portion and a second flange portion extending from the hub portion, wherein the second flange portion engages the first face, the second face, and the third face of the first flange portion.
US08020294B2
A technique involves a packer formed as an expandable packer with an internal expandable bladder. The expandable bladder is formed with a section that is radially enlarged relative to an axial end of the expandable bladder when the bladder is in a relaxed state. The bladder configuration enables use of a reduced expansion ratio while still allowing expansion of the packer to a desired large diameter.
US08020281B2
The present invention relates to a bonding device for bonding a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) to a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a printhead carrier and an ink ejection printhead carried by the carrier. The bonding device includes a support structure assembly and a first heater assembly arranged on the support structure assembly to be movable along a first path and configured to bond the flexible PCB to the printhead. A bending mechanism is arranged on the support structure and is configured to bend the bonded PCB. A second heater assembly is arranged on the support structure assembly to be movable along a second path and is configured to bond the bent PCB to the printhead carrier. A control system controls operation of the heater assemblies and the bending mechanism.
US08020280B2
An object is to provide a rotor manufacturing method capable of reducing a rotor unbalance amount by controlling a magnet arrangement position in a rotor core and improving work efficiency when fixing a magnet to the rotor core by using resin. A lower surface of a rotor core is arranged in a lower mold. A magnet is arranged in a lower mold. A magnet is contained in each of magnet containing holes formed in the rotor core in such a manner that a predetermined space is assumed between an upper surface of the rotor core and an upper surface of the magnet. An upper mold is arranged on the upper surface of the rotor core. The upper mold and the lower mold apply a pressure to the rotor core and a molten resin is supplied with pressure from an internal diameter side via the predetermined space into the plurality of magnet containing holes from respective cylinder arranged in the upper mold. Thus, the magnets are molded by resin while pressing the magnets toward the outer diameter side of the magnet containing holes.
US08020272B2
A method is provided for joining tubes. An outer tube and an inner tube are provided. An end of the inner tube is inserted into an end of the outer tube to form an overlapped region of tube wall and form a pressure tight joint between the tubes. The overlapped region of the tubes is heated. The tubes are placed in pair of dies having a die cavity adjacent to the outer tube. Pressure is introduced into the tubes to expand the overlapped region of the tubes outwardly into the die cavity and thereby form an interlocking joint between the overlapped region of the outer tube and the inner tube.
US08020271B2
A self-raising form control system and method is provided that that may be used to form elevator shafts and other vertical building structures. The apparatus includes one or more form elements for defining an area to receive a formable material, such as concrete. Each element is attached to the form structure. A lift apparatus is provided for lifting the form elements. The lift apparatus comprises a measurement device for measuring the position of said lift apparatus relative to a fixed point. The lift apparatus is connected to the form structure. A control unit is provided for controlling the lift apparatus. The control unit is signal connected to the measurement device and is signal connected to the lift apparatus.
US08020268B2
There is provided a precision roll turning lathe which can machine with high precision a three-dimensional pattern of three-sided pyramids or four-sided pyramids in the surface of a roll. The precision roll turning lather includes: a bed; a headstock, mounted on the bed, having a main spindle for rotating a roll as a workpiece while holding one end of the roll by means of a chuck; a tail stock, mounted on the bed and disposed opposite the headstock, for rotatably supporting the other end of the roll; a carriage including a saddle mounted on the bed movably in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the roll, and a table mounted on the saddle movably in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the roll; a tool swivel mounted on the table; a tool post mounted on the tool swivel and having a plurality of cutting tools attached thereto; a C-axis control means for performing control for carrying out circumferential indexing of the roll and control for continuously rotating the main shaft at a predetermined rotating speed; and a switching means for selective switching between the roll-indexing control and the control of continuous rotation of the main spindle.
US08020262B2
The invention provides a patch of a male fastening means, in particular, a hook patch with decreased bending resistance. The patch according to the invention comprises a backing bearing a plurality of male fastening elements, in particular hook elements. The patch is integral and comprises a plurality of incisions. Said incisions do not extend across the whole width of the patch but preferably leave at least one intact bridge across the cross-direction of the patch. Furthermore, a fastening tape tab having a manufacturer's and user's end is provided, the fastening tape tab comprising a support layer bearing on its major surface of the user's end at least one fastening patch according to the invention. Furthermore, a strip is provided from which a patch according to the invention is cut.
US08020261B2
A concealed type slide fastener comprising a box, a box pin and an insert pin, wherein the box includes an insert pin insertion/removal space into/from which the box insertion/removal portion of the insert pin is inserted and removed, an engaged/disengaged portion with/from which an engaging/disengaging portion of the insert pin is engaged and disengaged, the insert pin insertion/removal space of the box and the engaged/disengaged portion are separated from each other through a partition wall, an end portion of the partition wall on the box pin side has a notch portion for guiding the side wall portion of the insert pin throughout an entire length, and tape folding end sides of the box insertion/removal portion and the engaging/disengaging portion of the insert pin are connected throughout at least the entire length of the engaging/disengaging portion by a side wall portion.
US08020255B2
A hinge includes a rack, a shaft, and an interfering assembly. The interfering assembly includes a first interfering member fixed to the rack, and a second interfering member capable of rotating with the shaft. The first interfering member includes a first end surface. A first tab is formed on the first end surface. Each of two opposite ends of the first tab forms a first slope surface. The second interfering member includes a second end surface. A first recess is defined in the second end surface for receiving the first tab therein. Each of two opposite ends of recess forms a second slope surface. The shaft rotates with respect to the rack. One of the first slope surfaces of the first tab is able to engage with a corresponding one of the two second slope surfaces of the first recess to guide the first tab sliding into the first recess.
US08020254B2
A hinge assembly has a pintle, a rotating bracket, a sliding bracket, a mounting bracket, a compression assembly and an elastic member. The rotating bracket is mounted rotatably around the shaft and has a latching portion. The sliding bracket is attached securely to the pintle and has a track. The mounting bracket and a latching arm. The latching arm selectively presses against the latching portion to hold the hinge closed. The compression assembly is mounted around and expands when the pintle is rotated to close. The elastic member is compressed by expansion of the compression assembly so automatically rotates the pintle to open. Therefore, with the hinge mounted in an electronic device, when the latching portion is slid out of the latching arm, the hinge is forced to open by the elastic member and compression assembly so a cover pops up and is opened easily.
US08020253B1
There is disclosed a hinge (10) which includes a mounting flange assembly (12) pivotally coupled to a strap assembly (15). The mounting flange assembly includes a mounting flange (16) having four mounting holes (17) therethrough, a lower hinge barrel (18) extending from the mounting flange, and an upper hinge barrel (19) extending from the mounting flange. The strap assembly includes a strap (31) extending from a cylinder portion (32). The hinge also includes a main cover (57) covering the strap assembly, an upper flange cover (28) covering the upper hinge barrel, and a lower flange cover (29) covering the lower hinge barrel.
US08020245B2
The claimed carpet cleaning apparatus incorporates recesses in a rigid surface of a roller, a hand-operated cleaning device, or a rigid disk. The rigid surface compresses the fibers of the soft surface as the device and the recesses decompress the fibers. The repeated compression and decompression, preferably in combination with a cleaning compound, provide the mechanical action necessary for removal of foreign material.
US08020241B1
The invention is a squeegee, consisting of a handle and blade assembly that is mounted on a set of tracks. The blade assembly has a left and a right side mounted roller which are designed to operate inside of each track. The side mounted rollers will allow the blade to move upwards and downwards on the tracks. Once installed, the track system ensures that the squeegee maintains constant pressure against the planar surface. In the preferred embodiment, the top of the tracks will feature a hook type design for the use of attaching the invention to the top of a planar surface. An alternative embodiment has the track mounted to the frame of the door or window. A third embodiment integrates a motorized squeegee that has the track mounted to the shower door or window.
US08020239B2
A tire and wheel washing apparatus for cleaning exterior surfaces of tire and wheel combinations of a vehicle as the vehicle is conveyed past the apparatus. The tire washing apparatus preferably includes a longitudinally-extending cleaning element rotating about a shaft having a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the conveyed direction of the vehicle. The cleaning element is adapted to clean the exterior surfaces of tire and wheel combinations of the vehicle, and preferably has an undulating cleaning surface with a repeating pattern of a peak portion followed by a valley portion. Preferably, an intermediate portion located between the peak and valley portions has a substantially curvilinear edge surface.
US08020236B2
A light weight floor sweeper having a very low profile sweeper head that uses a sweeping brush and cleaning pad to slide across the surface to be cleaned. The floor sweeper head is mounted to an elongated handle by means of a universal pivot or universal joint which allows the floor sweeper head to easily pivot about the handle in any direction to pick up debris under over hanging cabinets or under furniture. A sweeping brush is mounted on the bottom of the sweeper head to provide sweeping action as the floor sweeper is moved in any direction. Furthermore there is a soft cleaning pad releasably mounted adjacent to the brush to entrap dust and particles that the brush does not pick up. The brush is powered by a small electric motor. A removable dust-receiving tray is mounted in the sweeper head to receive debris swept by the brush.
US08020231B2
A control method of a washing machine is capable of safely achieving a tub washing operation control with low power consumption. At the time of performing tub washing, water of which the amount is decided depending on a volume inside a drum and a volume inside a water tub is supplied to the water tub, and the rotation speed of the drum is controlled to be inversely proportional to the volume of the supplied water, thereby efficiently controlling a tub washing operation with low power consumption. Also, the rotation state of the drum is controlled, at the time of performing the tub washing, to maintain the temperature of a motor or a printed circuit board (PCB) to be a predetermined level or less, thereby safely controlling a tub washing operation with low power consumption. In addition, it is determined whether the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the drum rotating at the tub washing operation belong to a resonance band, and the RPM are controlled such that the RPM deviate from the resonance band, thereby achieving a tub washing operation procedure with small noise and vibration.
US08020227B2
An apparatus for supporting a patient in radiation therapy and other applications. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure and a panel carried by the support structure. The support structure can have first and second support members, such as rigid girders or other structures comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel is also a rigid structure comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panels can further include a pass-through zone or other type of zone that is compatible with an ionizing radiation beam. For example, the panel can have a grid or solid low-density structure that mitigates beam contamination. The support structure and the panel together are configured to position a magnetic marker implanted in the patient in a navigational zone in which a magnetic field transmitted from the marker is not affected by conductive components or loops of conductive material in the pedestals or cantilevered support structures of conventional patient systems.
US08020226B2
A crib safety sheet and separable blanket with a sheet portion for selectively removing at least the blanket from the sheet, when the sheet is attached to a sleep surface. The separable blanket defining at least two edges for wrapping the blanket about an infant. The blanket may be removed from the sheet by separating the blanket, or by separating a sheet material portion attached to the blanket, from the sheet covering the sleep surface.
US08020224B2
An internal corner structures for mattress foundations that sit at each corner between the frame and the grid. The rigid member contains a base, body and grid support deck. The base member sits atop the foundation frame and contains two flanges that overlap the frame and guide the positioning of the internal corner structure relative to the frame. The body structure supports the grid deck and has a rounded exterior profile to provide a rounded smooth contour to the mattress foundation corners, and has a plurality of square shaped openings that extend in both a vertical and horizontal direction. The grid support deck sits atop the body structure and provides support to the mattress foundation grid, and has engagement clips that engage and position the grid and an edge guard that functions to disperse a load and protect the engagement clips from impact.
US08024816B2
In detecting a displacement of a cantilever (2) by a displacement detecting mechanism (5) and allowing a probe (1) and a sample (8) to approach each other by at least one of a coarse-movement mechanism (13) and a vertical direction fine-movement mechanism (11) at the same time, an excitation mechanism (4) excites the cantilever (2) with a first excitation condition and the probe (1) and the sample (8) are allowed to approach each other with a first stop condition, and then the cantilever (2) is excited with a second excitation condition different from the first excitation condition, a second stop condition is set, and the probe (1) and the sample (8) are allowed to approach each other by the at least one of the vertical direction fine-movement mechanism (11) and the coarse-movement mechanism (13) until the second stop condition is satisfied.
US08024813B2
Systems and/or methods are described that enable a user to elevate his or her rights. In one embodiment, these systems and/or methods detect a task which is not authorized for a user account. Responsive to detecting the task, the embodiment presents a different user account that is authorized to allow the task and information relating to the task.
US08024808B1
A broadband network device is configured, in a broadband network, for dynamically controlling an upstream link bandwidth of a user node configured for downloading content via a downstream link having a prescribed bandwidth and uploading content through the broadband network via an upstream link according to the upstream link bandwidth. The broadband network device sets the upstream link bandwidth to a bandwidth value optimized for minimal-size data (e.g., message-based) transfers and that substantially restricts transfers of media-based (e.g., digital video or audio) data transfers to substantially long time intervals. The broadband network device is configured for dynamically increasing the upstream link bandwidth to an increased bandwidth value optimized for media-based data transfers, based on an identified authorization. The authorization may be supplied externally, for example, by a content provider, or based on a verification supplied by an authorization server that the user node is authorized to redistribute the content. Hence, content distribution can be controlled based on dynamically controlling the upstream link bandwidth according to content authorization, substantially minimizing the occurrences of unauthorized content redistribution.
US08024805B2
A policy verification method in an information processing system for verifying whether the policy rule operates correctly. The method verifies the policy in an information processing system including at least one component, using policies describing a series of system management operations to be performed when an event occurs, and automatically executing system management operations according to the policies when the event occurs. The method acquires configuration information on the component constituting the information processing system. The method acquires all the events that may occur in the information processing system from an event list stored in advance and the configuration information acquired, and generates them as a test item. The method executes the test item generated and verifying the propriety of the policy according to the result of the system management operations executed by the policy.
US08024798B2
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for monitoring and protecting a program system against buffer overrun attacks. The method includes identification of whether there is an unsafe combination of rights for a loaded memory segment; a check to determine whether an unsafe combination of rights is permissible as an exception, and a defense measure, through deletion of the right if there is an unsafe combination of rights and this combination of rights is not permissible. The method also may include a repair measure which repairs the damage which has been caused by the deletion of the right.
US08024794B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided for role based authorization. Included is a plurality of resources and roles associated with an authorization domain. In use, access to the resources is controlled utilizing expressions that operate as a function of the roles and the resources.
US08024788B2
A method and apparatus for passing data from a first application at a first security level to a second application in a second security level higher than the first security level is disclosed. A backchannel communications link is established between the first application and the second application, and the backchannel link is used to transmit information such as an acknowledgement message from the second application to the first application.
US08024781B2
The present invention automatically signs or logs a user in to access secured features within a software application without prompting manual intervention when a user starts the software application having secured features. When the software application is started and an automatic sign-in condition is enabled, the software application transitions to a signed-in or logged-in state as long as security criteria are met. As a result, unnecessary and repetitive steps are avoided when signing-in. The automatic sign-in condition may be enabled through initial system setup, from a prompt to enter a credential, or through a service options menu. The present invention improves network efficiency by limiting network transmissions to an as needed basis. The automatic sign-in condition is capable of roaming to other computers within a network, thereby following mobile users. Further, the automatic sign-in condition is controllable by network administrative policy, giving network administrators the ability to disable its functionality when desired.
US08024779B2
A solution for transparently verifying the authentication of a real user includes a monitor that receives network packets and a collector. The monitor identifies an authentication exchange packet from network traffic, extracts information from the packet and sends it to the collector, which obtains objects from a directory service and determines if the information includes a user name equivalent to a name attribute in an object. If so, authentication is deemed verified. For additional verification, the monitor extracts from the packet a destination address if it is an response packet, or a source address if it is a request packet. Monitor sends the extracted address to the collector, which uses the extracted address to obtain a hostname and determines whether a user account associated with the name attribute is active on a computing device having the hostname. If so, the authentication of the real user is deemed further verified.
US08024774B2
The present invention relates to a method for configuring a policy management protocol for a web crawler, the method further comprising the steps of determining a web space that is to be crawled by a web crawler, wherein the web space is comprised of an IP address and/or a range of IP addresses, and determining additional hostnames that are associated with the IP address and/range of IP addresses. The method further comprises the steps of configuring the web crawler to crawl the IP address and/range of IP addresses, and determine additional hostnames that are associated with the IP address or range of IP addresses, and performing a web crawling function upon the determined additional hostnames by the web crawler.
US08024761B1
Method and apparatus of load sharing and fault tolerance in an interactive video distribution system
A method and apparatus for load sharing and increasing fault tolerance at a head-end of an interactive information distribution system during a subscriber's video session. A primary head-end controller processes video session data to manage the distribution of streamed video information to a subscriber. In the event of a failure at the primary head-end controller, a secondary head-end controller continues to process session-state data, with minimal interruption to the subscriber's video session.
US08024760B2
There is provided video switching circuitry for use in a KVM switch and similar devices. Video signal switching circuitry can supply video signals from a one of a plurality of video sources connected to the circuit to a display device connected to the circuit. The high data signalling rate signals are converted into a greater number of lower data signalling rate signals for switching by a bus architecture. Also provided are video display systems in which analogue and digital video signals are switched synchronously to allow them to be displayed on common or separate display devices. Also described is a high-resolution monitor digital video data switching device.
US08024748B1
A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive are described. The EAMR disk drive includes a slider, at least one EAMR transducer on the slider, and at least one laser coupled with the slider. The slider has a slider back side, a trailing face, and an intersection. The trailing face and the slider back side meet at the intersection. The trailing face makes an angle different from ninety degrees with the slider back side at the intersection. The laser(s) have an optical axis and are optically coupled with the trailing face of the slider. The optical axis is substantially perpendicular to the intersection and parallel to the slider back side.
US08024745B2
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to enable communication between disconnected applications in a computer system. A bridge object is created in a secondary application. Further, an interface for the bridge object enables communication with the secondary application through the bridge object. The interface for the bridge object is registered in a global interface table (GIT). A cookie is retrieved from the GIT in response to the registration. Such a cookie comprises information for utilizing the interface for the bridge object. The cookie is then stored in an environment variable. The environment variable is accessible to a disconnected application (e.g., ActiveX control) such that the cookie may be retrieved to enable use of the interface.
US08024744B2
A system and computer program product that off-loads the processing associated with responding to user status requests for software task execution queues or for queued software tasks that are managed by a software task manager. A software task manager is periodically queried for status and the results of that periodic query are stored in a file. User queries for the status of the software task manager are handled by a separate process on a separate computing node. Queries submitted by users for the status of queues or queued software tasks managed by the software task manager are satisfied by retrieving the status data that are stored in the file. Alternative embodiments distribute copies of the file to several computing nodes to further alleviate the processing bottleneck caused by responding to frequent task manager status queries from many users.
US08024743B2
A system and method for connection of clients for management of systems. According to an embodiment of the invention, a method includes generating an instance of a program object for a client system, the client system being of a computer platform type, the program object being compatible with a plurality of different computer platform types; connecting the instance of the program object with an interface of a server; and managing an application on the server using the instance of the program object.
US08024736B1
Computer resources from a pool of resources are allocated for executing an application. An amount of unutilized resources in the pool of resources is determined. One or more sets of resources previously allocated to execute the application are selected, and the unutilized resources are distributed among the sets of resources.
US08024734B2
Enabling a designer to specify workflows to process various results of execution of transactions. A user specifies the specific workflow to be executed on the corresponding result of a transaction. A transaction mapping filter then detects the occurrence of each result and initiates execution of the corresponding workflow. As the transaction mapping filter can be implemented decoupled from the application software/code, a user can flexibly change the links of workflows to results of transactions, as desired in the specific situation.
US08024730B2
Disclosed is a processor having a normal execution mode and a host execution mode. A virtual machine monitor (VMM) operable in conjunction with the host execution mode creates at least one protected mode environment to operate guest software in a protected memory area. Responsive to a command to switch between protected modes, the VMM causes the processor to atomically switch between an original protected mode environment and a target protected mode environment. A virtual machine execution (VMX) mode may be utilized to enable virtual machine functionality for use in switching between protected modes.
US08024717B2
An apparatus and a method for processing an array in a loop in a computer system, including: applying loop unrolling to a multi-dimensional array included in a loop based on a predetermined unrolling factor to generate a plurality of unrolled multi-dimensional arrays; and transforming each of the plurality of unrolled multi-dimensional arrays into a one-dimensional array having an array subscript expression in a form of an affine function with respect to a loop counter variable.
US08024714B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for transforming a sequential loop into a parallel loop for use with a transactional memory system. Open ended and/or closed ended sequential loops can be transformed to parallel loops. For example, a section of code containing an original sequential loop is analyzed to determine a fixed number of iterations for the original sequential loop. The original sequential loop is transformed into a parallel loop that can generate transactions in an amount up to the fixed number of iterations. As another example, an open ended sequential loop can be transformed into a parallel loop that generates a separate transaction containing a respective work item for each iteration of a speculation pipeline. The parallel loop is then executed using the transactional memory system, with at least some of the separate transactions being executed on different threads.
US08024713B2
A method for supporting an application can include the step of receiving a problem indication relating to the application. The method can also identify a host within a grid environment, wherein a host can be a software object used by said application. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The actions of the host can be replicated for use by the ghost agent. Data relating to the replicated actions can be recorded using the ghost agent. The indicated problem can be responded to, where the response can be based at least in part upon the recorded data.
US08024712B1
Techniques for locating and collecting application logs are disclosed. Embodiments disclosed herein can be advantageously utilized to collect application logs from a plurality of computers in a network. For example, embodiments disclosed herein can be used to identify and collect application logs from a plurality of host computers in a storage area network.
US08024689B2
It is an object to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit which can easily be designed and has a low wiring resistance, and a method and apparatus for designing the semiconductor integrated circuit.In a semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus according to the invention, a first wiring layer is provided with a plurality of signal wirings having an equal width which is disposed in parallel with each other at a regular interval, and at least two of the signal wirings which are adjacent to each other are electrically connected to each other.
US08024688B1
A method for detecting reverse engineering of a configuration bitstream for an integrated circuit is described. A user design is obtained. It is determined if the user design is a degenerate design. If the user design is a degenerate design, it is determined if a trip point for bitstream generation has been tripped. If the trip point for the bitstream generation has not been tripped, deterrence information is updated and the bitstream generation is allowed to take place. If the trip point for the bitstream generation has been tripped, at least one reverse engineering countermeasure is initiated.
US08024686B2
Methods and apparatuses for retiming of multirate system for clock period minimization with a polynomial time without sub-optimality. In an embodiment, a normalized factor vector for the nodes of multirate graph is introduced, allowing the formulation of the multirate graph retiming constraints to a form similar to a single rate graph. In an aspect, the retiming constraints are formulated to allowed the usage of linear programming methodology instead of integer linear programming, thus significantly reducing the complexity of the solving algorithm. The present methodology also uses multirate constraints, avoiding unfolding to single rate equivalent, thus avoiding graph size increase. In a preferred embodiment, the parameters of the multirate system are normalized to the normalized factor vector, providing efficient algorithm in term of computational time and memory usage, without any sub-optimality.
US08024683B2
An apparatus, method and program product create multiple copies of a clock signal, or phase, to analyze timing operations within a single timing run of a static timing analysis operation. At least one path comprising logical user defined delay segments and a timing point may be associated with both a common point and no delay. An original clock signal may propagate along the logical path without incurring delay until arriving back at the common point, along with the original signal. All other clocks may be ignored or prevented from propagating long the path. Multiple replicated copies may be accomplished without requiring additional hardware.
US08024680B2
A minimal leakage power Standard Cell Library is provided. The minimal leakage power Standard Cell Library provides minimal leakage power cells with improved speed characteristics. The minimal leakage power Standard Cell Library includes cells from an existing Standard Cell Library and a set of minimal leakage power cells for a selected set of logic functions. The minimal leakage power Standard Cell Library is formed by identifying a set of logic functions. For each logic function in the identified set, a base case for an unfolded implementation of the logic function is determined. Widths for transistors in a transistor topology used in the unfolded implementation of the logic function are determined based on the non-linear leakage power characteristics for the transistor topology to achieve minimal leakage power. The determined widths are then assigned to the transistors and the minimal leakage cell is added to the library.
US08024669B2
An image pickup apparatus allows a user to quickly find a changed setting value in a list screen after the user changes the setting value of a desired setting item and returns to the list screen. When a rightward direction button is pressed with the list screen being displayed on a display unit, a setting screen of a drive mode is displayed. When a desired drive mode is selected in the setting screen by using a rightward or leftward direction button, an icon is displayed in a predetermined color for indicating selection. When the setting is activated by a set button, a highlight is displayed on the icon in order to indicate activation. After the highlight is displayed for a predetermined period of time, the screen is changed to the list screen, and the previously set drive mode is highlighted so that the user quickly recognizes the changed drive mode.
US08024664B1
Co-brands, virtual wrappers for web sites that allow clients to expand client inventories across different web sites, are disclosed. Different types of travel inventory can be provided across these web sites. A client can create different URLs, domains, look and feel, product filters, pricing rules, business logic, payment methods, languages, currencies, etc. off a single instance. A client can create a co-brand and, using an administrator application, configure its settings to target specific geographic locations, targets markets or even themes. Additionally, co-brands are used to allow third party vendors to direct traffic to client sites. Co-brand tools are designed to make items such as navigation, images, buttons, domain names, colors, fonts, languages and currencies. Co-brands make it easier for travel companies to have sites based on demographics, destination, and events that can lead to greater adoption and conversion.
US08024662B2
An apparatus for providing for virtual communication and collaboration comprises a collaborative virtual environment (CVE) application executing within a distributed data processing system, and a shadow module implemented within the CVE application. The CVE application provides a virtual world represented as a grid of an interconnected set of locations each divided into a set of zones and each having an assigned context through a user interface provided to a plurality of users through one or more client systems. The CVE provides each user with a respective avatar representation for navigating and interacting within the locations of the virtual world. The shadow module provides a first user interface element through which a first user can create and leave a shadow object representation for the first user within a zone of a subset of the set of locations when the avatar representation for the user is currently located in that zone. The shadow object representation persists in the zone after the avatar representation for the first user has navigated away from the zone. The shadow module provides a second user interface element providing a second user with one or more selectable options for corresponding with the first user when the avatar representation for the second user is located in the zone with the shadow object representation.
US08024660B1
Method and apparatus for variable help content and abandonment intervention based on customer behavior in computer applications. A pattern detection and intervention mechanism may be provided that may collect usage and possibly other data for the application for a plurality of users of the application and analyze the usage data to determine usage patterns. The collected data and determined usage patterns may then be used by the pattern detection and intervention mechanism to look for and detect deviations from expected behavior and/or patterns of abnormal behavior. Embodiments may provide one or more methods of intervention to provide context-specific help or otherwise assist users for which deviations from expected behavior and/or abnormal patterns of behavior are detected. The detection that users are having difficulty with the application and proactive intervention when such difficulties are detected may help to prevent the users from abandoning the application.
US08024652B2
Techniques to cross-reference information for application programs are described. An apparatus may comprise a first application program to create notes for an operator, a second application program to display a target document, and a context reference module to generate a context reference for the target document indicating a source for the target document, display the context reference, and associate the context reference with a note. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08024642B2
A system and method for providing constrained transmission and storage in a random access memory. A system includes a memory device for providing constrained transmission and storage. The memory device includes an interface to a data bus, the data bus having a previous state. The memory device also includes an interface to an address and command bus for receiving a request to read data at an address, and a mechanism for initiating a programmable mode. The programmable mode facilitates retrieving data at the address, and executing an exclusive or (XOR) using the retrieved data and the previous state of the data bus as input. The result of the XOR operation is transmitted to the requester via the data bus.
US08024641B2
A method for constructing a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code using a structured base parity check matrix with permutation matrix, pseudo-permutation matrix, or zero matrix as constituent sub-matrices; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for constructing a LDPC code using a structured base parity check matrix H=[Hd|Hp], Hd is the data portion, and Hp is the parity portion of the parity check matrix; the parity portion of the structured base parity check matrix is such so that when expanded, an inverse of the parity portion of the expanded parity check matrix is sparse; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for encoding variable sized data by using the expanded LDPC code; and applying shortening, puncturing.
US08024638B2
A memory controller and method that provide a read-refresh (also called “distributed-refresh”) mode of operation, in which every row of memory is read within the refresh-rate requirements of the memory parts, with data from different columns within the rows being read on subsequent read-refresh cycles until all rows for each and every column address have been read, scrubbing errors if found, thus providing a scrubbing function that is integrated into the read-refresh operation, rather than being an independent operation. For scrubbing, an atomic read-correct-write operation is scheduled. A variable-priority, variable-timing refresh interval is described. An integrated card self-tester and/or card reciprocal-tester is described. A memory bit-swapping-within-address-range circuit, and a method and apparatus for bit swapping on the fly and testing are described.
US08024637B2
Super block error correction code (ECC) adaptable to communication systems including hard disk drives (HDDs) and other memory storage devices. A means is presented by which a number of blocks of information can be organized, with a degree of ECC provided thereto, and transmitted via a signal into a communication channel. In some instances, the communication channel is coupled to a storage media as in the context of an HDD, and information is written to and read from the storage media via this communication channel (e.g., “read channel”). This means is particularly well suited to applications that provide large amounts of data via any one transmission (e.g., DVR/PVR (Digital/Personal Video Recorder)). A redundant block is generated using the information of each of a number of information blocks thereby provided extra ECC on a large portion of data, and that redundant block also undergoes ECC encoding.
US08024632B1
A method and apparatus are provided for detecting faults in a queue (also known as FIFO) in a digital system. The method augments the FIFO with an external monitoring mechanism which, on demand, checks the FIFO's operation and alerts the system to malfunctioning of the FIFO's control mechanism or corruption of data contained therein. The detection apparatus does not depend on the implementation of the FIFO; the checking is based solely on observing the data entering and exiting the FIFO. Furthermore, the apparatus works in a non-intrusive manner during a normal operation of the FIFO as part of the system. The method and apparatus allow for many variants, all derived from the same general scheme, and which allow different levels of protection against faults.
US08024623B2
In a proximity communication system, transmit elements on one chip are aligned with receive elements on a second chip juxtaposed with the first chip. However, if the elements are misaligned, either statically or dynamically, the coupling between chips is degraded. The misalignment may be compensated by controllably degrading performance of the system. For example, the transmit signal strength may be increased. The bit period or the time period for biasing each bit may be increased, thereby decreasing the bandwidth. Multiple coupling elements, such as capacitors, may be ganged together, thereby decreasing the number of channels. The granularity of symbols, such as images, may be increased by decreasing the number of bits per symbol.
US08024618B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products for network diagnostics and repair are provided. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes scanning a network for one or more network problems, identifying one or more problem, the identifying including comparing configuration data of a plurality of electronic devices for inconsistencies, and correcting the one or more identified problems.
US08024611B1
Described is automated learning of failure recovery policies based upon existing information regarding previous policies and actions. A learning mechanism automatically constructs a new policy for controlling a recovery process, based upon collected observable interactions of an existing policy with the process. In one aspect, the learning mechanism builds a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) model, and computes the new policy base upon the learned model. The new policy may perform automatic fault recovery, e.g., on a machine in a datacenter corresponding to the controlled process.
US08024610B2
A method and system for diagnosing any combination of persistent and intermittent faults. The behavior of a system under test is obtained by measuring or probing the system at a particular location(s). The predicted behavior of a modeled system corresponding to the system under test is investigated by drawing inferences based on at least conditional probabilities, prior observations and component models. The predictions are compared to their corresponding points in the system under test. A determination is made if a conflict exists between the measured behavior and the predicted behavior, and the conditional probabilities are adjusted to more and more accurately reflect the action fault(s) in the system under test. The conflicts or deviations between the obtained predicted behavior and the actual behavior are used to isolate the components of the system causing the faults.
US08024606B2
Power restoration to blade servers including maintaining a list of blade server identifications and a value of power saving for each capped blade server; identifying losing power to the capped blade servers; restoring power to the previously capped blade servers in order of the values of power savings.
US08024603B2
The invention is directed to a storage system including a storage subsystem providing a data storage service to a host computer, and a management device managing the storage subsystem. The management device issues a command to a controller in the storage subsystem for migrating data on a migration-source volume to a migration-destination volume in accordance with a predetermined task. When the migration-destination volume is not available for use for some reason, and when the data migration is not completed normally, the management device searches an alternative volume in accordance with migration-destination requirements including essential and arbitrary requirements, and then issues a command for data migration to thus found alternative volume. With such a configuration, even if a migration-destination volume is not available for use for some reason during data migration, any other volume can be used as a migration destination in accordance with the migration-destination requirement(s).
US08024583B2
In the case where a target device stores: m keys {Ka1, . . . , Kam} (m is a natural number) in a manner that the Kai (i is a natural number satisfying 1≦i≦m) is encrypted with the Ka (i−1); and n keys {Kb1, . . . , Kbn} (n is a natural number) in a manner that the Kbj (j is a natural number satisfying 1≦j≦n) is encrypted with the Kb (j−1), a confidential information processing unit is caused to perform a processing of re-encrypting the encrypted key Enc (Kai, Ka (i−1)), which has been encrypted with the Ka (i−1), by using the Kb (j−1) and outputting as an encrypted key Enc (Kai, Kb (j−1)).
US08024571B2
A method of creating and using a software application module includes coding, by a developer, a software application module for extending a functionality of a main software application. The software application module is adapted to interface with the main software application using an application programming interface (API). The method further includes compiling the software application module to produce an executable software application module, determining if the developer is authorized to use the API, and embedding a watermark in the executable software application module if it is determined that the developer is authorized to use the API. The method still further includes executing the main software application, reading the watermark from a executable software application module, verifying if the watermark is correct, and executing the software application module if the watermark is verified as correct.
US08024567B2
A method for authenticating a user of certain service provided by a system through a first communication channel, in one aspect including receiving an access request from a first terminal of the user through the first communication channel; receiving an address or number of a second terminal of the user through the first communication channel; transferring data including an identification code, to the second terminal of the user through a second communication channel; receiving a user confirmation response, including the user identification code, from the second terminal of the user through the second communication channel; determining whether the identification code transferred to the second terminal is identical to the user identification code received from the second terminal; generating an authentication code if it is determined that both the user identification codes are identical to each other; transferring the user authentication code to the first terminal of the user through the first communication channel.
US08024566B2
A system is described in which similar session objects are managed within session domains. In addition, in one embodiment, a persistence storage interface is employed which maps each session domain to a table within a relational database or other persistent storage implementation. For example, one embodiment of the invention is a system comprising: an object-oriented application server generating a plurality of session objects in response to client requests, the session objects storing session data defining a state of interaction with each of a respective plurality of clients; a hierarchy of session object storage units, the session object storage units configured to store session objects having one or more related characteristics, the session manager to group the session objects within the session object storage units based on the one or more related characteristics of each of the session objects; and a persistence management layer to provide a persistent representation of the hierarchy of session object storage units, the persistent representation of the session object storage units mapping each session storage object unit and each individual session object within each session object storage unit to different persistent data structures within a persistent storage device.
US08024564B2
A solution is proposed for populating a policy file in a Java environment automatically. For this purpose, there is provided a wrapper for a security manager in charge of controlling any access to protected resources. A generic Java application is run in a test environment. Whenever a specific operation must be executed on a secured resource, the Java application submits a corresponding permission request to the wrapper. The wrapper forwards the permission request to the security manager, which verifies whether the required permission is available in the policy file. The wrapper logs any denied permission. In any case, the wrapper always grants the required permission to the Java application, so that its operation can continue without any problem. At the end of the running of the Java application, the logged missing permissions are added to the policy file.
US08024562B2
In the setup phase, the certification authority (CA 120) generates validation proof data structures for greater time than the maximum validity period of any digital certificate. Therefore, new certificates can be added to the existing data structures after the setup phase.
US08024557B2
An integrated circuit comprising: a processor; a plurality of external pins operatively coupled to the processor; and a permanently written memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory having a plurality of regions each storing one or more respective boot properties for booting the processor. The processor is programmed to select one of the regions in dependence on an indication received via one or more of the external pins, to retrieve the one or more respective boot properties from the selected region, and to boot using the one or more retrieved boot properties.
US08024552B2
Some embodiments present a method of performing a variable shift operation. This method can be used by a microprocessor that does not allow variable shift operation for certain operand sizes. The method simulates a shift instruction that shifts an operand by a shift count. The method identifies a first shift command and a second shift command. The method computes a mask value. The mask value depends on whether the shift count is less than half of the operand size or greater than or equal to half of the operand size. The method uses the mask value to cause one of the first shift command and the second shift command to produce no shift. In some embodiments, the method allows for the shift count to be specified in bytes or in bits.
US08024549B2
A data processor apparatus comprises a plurality of data receiving means each for receiving data from a data source; a computational element coupleable to each of said data receiving means for performing an operation on said data; and a controller for controlling the flow of data from each data receiving means to the computational element.
US08024548B2
A processor, integrated with re-configurable logic and memory elements, is disclosed which is to be used as part of a shared memory, multiprocessor computer system. The invention utilizes the re-configurable elements to construct persistent finite state machines based on information decoded by the invention from sequences of CISC or RISC type processor machine instructions residing in memory. The invention implements the same algorithm represented by the sequence of encoded instructions, but executes the algorithm consuming significantly fewer clock cycles than would be consumed by the processor originally targeted to execute the sequence of encoded instructions.
US08024543B2
A memory management system and method for a memory system of a mobile device includes initializing memory blocks of the memory system, obtaining a peak utilization rate and an average fragmentation rate of each memory block, adjusting configuration of each memory block P1 having a maximum peak utilization rate and each memory block P2 having a minimum peak utilization rate if a preset statistical count has been reached. The method further includes adjusting a size of each memory block P3 whose peak utilization rate is greater than a preset peak utilization rate and the average fragmentation rate is a maximum, or adjusting a size of each memory block P4 whose size is less than the size of a memory block P3, and merging residual parts generated by the adjustment to form one or more memory blocks P1.
US08024541B2
An architecture for use in packet processing and supporting compatibility with current BSD implementations for packet processing is proposed wherein two MBUF formats are supported. A first format includes a header portion and a data portion for storing data therein. A second format includes a header portion but is absent a data portion and is for addressing data stored within a cluster and external to the MBUF itself.
US08024540B2
An integrated memory control apparatus including a first interface decoder, a second interface decoder and an interface controller is provided. Wherein, the first interface decoder is coupled to a control chip through a first serial peripheral interface (SPI), the second interface decoder is coupled to a micro-processor unit through a general transmission interface, and the interface controller is coupled to a memory through a second SPI. When the interface controller receives the request signals from the control chip and the micro-processor unit, the control chip may correctly read data from the memory through the first and second SPI. On the other hand, the micro-processor unit may stop reading data from the memory through the general transmission interface. Therefore, the control chip and the micro-processor unit may share the same memory.
US08024533B2
A memory interface for a parallel processor which has an array of processing elements and can receive a memory address and supply the memory address to a memory connected to the processing elements. The processing elements transfer data to and from the memory at the memory address. The memory interface can connect to a host configured to access data in a conventional SDRAM memory device so that the host can access data in the memory.
US08024528B2
Methods, systems and computer program products for global address space management are described herein. A System on Chip (SOC) unit configured for a global address space is provided. The SOC includes an on-chip memory, a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is enabled to decode addresses that map to memory locations in the on-chip memory and the second controller is enabled to decode addresses that map to memory locations in an off-chip memory.
US08024527B2
According to a method of data processing in a multiprocessor data processing system, in response to a processor request to read a target granule of a target cache line of data containing multiple granules, a processing unit originates on an interconnect of the multiprocessor data processing system a partial read request that requests permission to read only the target granule of the target cache line. In response to a combined response to the partial read request indicating success, the combined response representing a system-wide response to the partial read request, the processing unit receives the target granule of the target cache line, supplies the target granule to a requesting processor core, and updates a coherency state of the target granule while retaining a coherency state of at least one other granule of the target cache line.
US08024526B2
A system may include several nodes coupled by an inter-node network configured to convey coherency messages between the nodes. Each node may include several active devices coupled by an address network and a data network. The nodes implement a coherency protocol such that if an active device in one of the nodes has an ownership responsibility for a coherency unit, no active device in any of the other nodes has a valid access right to the coherency unit. For example, if a node receives a coherency message requesting read access to a coherency unit from another node, the node may respond by conveying a proxy address packet, receipt of which removes ownership, on the node's address network to an owning active device. In contrast, the active device's ownership responsibility may not be removed in response to a device within the same node requesting read access to the coherency unit.
US08024521B2
Atomic operation may be implemented in a processor system comprising a main memory and a power processor element (PPE) including a power processor unit (PPU) coupled to an external cache. The PPE may atomically load data from a lock-line in the main memory into a first location X in the external cache. A size of the data and the lock line may be larger than a data size for the standard atomic operations that may be performed with the PPE. The data may be reserved in a second location Y in the external cache.
US08024520B2
To transfer a memory module between controllers, an external power source is connected to a memory module mounted to a first controller. The memory module is removed from the first controller with the external power source connected to the memory module to maintain data stored in volatile memory of the memory module. The memory module is mounted to a second controller.
US08024519B2
A method for forward recovery of a catalog of a data storage system, comprising providing a recovery catalog and SMF records. In reverse chronological order, the (i)th entry of the record is checked for a data set change command. If none, the next entry is examined. Otherwise, the (j)th data set is identified and checked for inclusion in the recovery catalog. If it already is, the next entry is selected. If not, a data set location record is added. This process is repeated for each entry in the SMF record. Next, a (h)th data set on the (k)th volume is selected and checked for inclusion in the recovery catalog. If that (h)th data set has been added to the recovery catalog, a next data set is selected. Otherwise, a data set location record for the (h)th data set is added. The process is repeated for each data set on each volume.
US08024518B1
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for optimizing reads in a mirrored file system. The apparatus and method receives a plurality of read request blocks for reading the target regions in disks. The apparatus and method will chain the read request blocks in a first set, where all of the read request blocks in the first set are targeted to a first disk. The read request blocks in the first set are then sent as a read request to the first disk. When each read request block in the first set has completed accessing their respective target regions in the first disk, then the read data is generated from the first disk. Therefore, by chaining the read request blocks in a read request to a single disk, read striping is not performed across multiple disks during a read operation.
US08024517B2
Provided are techniques for introducing a delay in responding to host write requests. A percentage of fullness of a write cache is determined. Based on the determined percentage of fullness of the write cache (f), a low cache threshold (L), alpha (α), and k, an amount of delay to introduce into responding to a host write request is determined. Techniques wait the amount of the delay before responding to the host write request although the host write request processing has completed.
US08024516B2
A storage apparatus sets up part of non-volatile cache memory as a cache-resident area, and in an emergency such as an unexpected power shutdown, backs up dirty data of data cached in volatile memory to an area other than the cache-resident area in the non-volatile cache memory, together with the relevant cache management information. Further, the storage apparatus monitors the amount of the dirty data in the volatile cache memory so that the dirty data cached in the volatile cache memory is reliably contained in a backup area in the non-volatile memory, and when the dirty data amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the storage apparatus releases the cache-resident area to serve as the backup area.
US08024507B2
Concepts for enhancing operation of transaction-safe file allocation table systems are described. The concepts include writing a file to non-volatile memory media and rendering an update of file size to the TFAT storage medium; and receiving a request to locate data in a non-volatile memory having a TFAT file management system, selecting a sector of the memory to parse to locate the data, determining when the selected sector is a first sector of a directory or subdirectory of the memory and when determining reveals that the selected sector is a first sector, skipping reading data from the selected sector. The concepts also include flushing a cache and synchronizing FATs.
US08024506B1
The invention is used in a virtual machine monitor for a multiprocessing system that includes a virtual memory system. During a software-based processing of a guest instruction, including translating or interpreting a guest instruction, mappings between virtual addresses and physical addresses are retained in memory until processing of the guest instruction is completed. The retained mappings may be cleared after each guest instruction has been processed, or after multiple guest instructions have been processed. Information may also be stored to indicate that an attempt to map a virtual address to a physical address was not successful. The invention may be extended beyond virtual machine monitors to other systems involving the software-based processing of instructions, and beyond multiprocessing systems to other systems involving concurrent access to virtual memory management data.
US08024482B2
A method is disclosed that includes detecting a network entity and determining a type of the detected network entity. The method includes retrieving firewall configuration information based on at least the type of the network entity. Based on the firewall configuration information, a configuration of a firewall at a host is automatically and dynamically modified.
US08024480B2
A distributed system of CEP Services hosted by a CEP Cloud where the CEP Cloud is composed of a network of CEP Engines connected by an IPC Protocol is provided. CEP Services interact with each other via a series of Event Streams transported by an IPC protocol between one or multiple CEP Services. CEP Services have no theoretical limit to the number of CEP Engines that compose said services.
US08024472B1
Techniques for third party verification using override IP addresses is described, including detecting a request header from an endpoint, the request header being associated with a request for a media file, initiating a download of the media file to the endpoint, evaluating the request header to identify an address associated with the endpoint, generating a notification comprising the address, the notification being configured to indicate the address overrides a source address identified by a field in a packet associated with the request header, and sending the notification to report data associated with the media file, wherein the address overrides the source address to identify a source of the request.
US08024468B2
Embodiments include a domain name service (DNS) resolver for returning Internet protocol (IP) addresses. The DNS resolver includes a connection with an Internet application or device. The connection receives a domain name resolution request that originates outside of the Internet. A DNS resolver includes a direct DNS resolver that processes domain name resolutions for a predetermined list of domain names without referring to the Internet after receiving a domain name resolution request. The DNS resolver also includes a cache of domain names different from the predetermined list of domain names. The DNS resolver also includes an address store comprising the predetermined list of domain names and corresponding IP addresses that are specified from a point remote to the DNS resolver.
US08024456B2
A Hosting Entity or another entity may provide a framework for collecting DNS Business Information from a Controlling Party of a domain name and entering it into DNS. The framework may include a website, webpage, web service, web resource, software, API, or another technological solution suitable for collecting DNS Business Information from Controlling Party. The website, webpage, web service, or the web resource may be located at URL associated with a Controlling Party's domain name, e.g. an active or a parked page for the domain name. DNS Business Information will be typically available for viewing to everyone along with the traditional DNS information.
US08024455B2
A system, method and computer-readable medium for simulating intelligent network triggers in a network system are provided. A mobile terminal is configured with an intelligent network Simulator adapted to detect call events and originate simulated intelligent network triggers in response to the call events. Call progressions implemented according to the simulated intelligent network triggers may be managed or coordinated by at least one of a carrier-gateway server and an Enterprise-gateway server. Call progressions implemented by simulated intelligent network triggers may be specified according to Enterprise member policies or general Enterprise behaviors. Advantageously, if a carrier network does not support a trigger infrastructure that has capabilities of originating triggers and terminating triggers, or if a roaming agreement is not in place that allows transfer of triggers between carriers, the use of an intelligent network Simulator provides an alternative mechanism for providing IN service functionality without network support for intelligent network triggers.
US08024448B2
A method can be used to analyze the “real-estate” performance of content items within a network site. The method can comprise determining the click distance to reach each content item and determining the performance of each content item. The method can also comprise calculating a predicted value for performance based on statistical relationship between location and performance observed in a population of content items. The method can comprise comparing the predicted and actual performance. If a content item has an actual performance greater than its predicted performance, then it may be promoted to a better location in the site and the converse for poorer performing content. Such an analysis may be performed using a graph or tabular data.
US08024447B1
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture of the present invention may assist in planning, execution, and evaluation of advertising campaigns on the Internet. Particularly, methods, systems, and articles of manufacture of the present invention may help evaluate and/or predict traffic volume on the Internet. An exemplary method for predicting traffic may comprise receiving historical traffic data for a location, and computing a prediction of traffic volume for a particular time at the location using the historical traffic data and at least one prediction algorithm.
US08024446B2
An add-on module provides extrinsic management functionality to legacy and other devices. Contemplated modules include: (a) a state agent that provides at least one of the MILARRS function, and (b) a product agent that communicates with the device using at least one serial interface. Implementations are contemplated for both legacy devices that natively provide less than complete MILARRS functionality, and newly developed devices for which the developer desires a ready-made implementation of MILARRS functionality.
US08024444B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an ability to associate telemetry data received from different entities, such as guest and/or host machines residing on one or more particular physical computers (e.g., server computers) executing virtualization software. In some embodiments, telemetry data supplied by each entity includes information that identifies, and preserves the anonymity of, the entity (e.g., the computer(s) on which the guest and/or host machine(s) reside(s)). For example, if the entities comprise guest and/or host machines residing on a single computer, the information may comprise a one-way hash of the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the computer. If the entities are guest and/or host machines residing on a group of computers, the information may comprise a one-way hash of a portion of an FQDN for each computer which is common to all computers in the group. If the group of computers belong to a network domain having a globally unique identifier (GUID) (e.g., as employed by Microsoft Active Directory), the information may comprise a one-way hash of a portion of the GUID.
US08024433B2
Methods of managing application resources in a computer system. The methods may comprise the steps of determining a configuration of the computer system and receiving a request to access an application resource. The methods may also comprise the step of directing the request to a data file. The data file may include a plurality of streams, and each of the plurality of streams may comprise a configuration-specific version of the application resource. In various embodiments, the methods may also comprise the step of directing the request to a first stream of the plurality of streams. The first stream may comprise version of the application resource specific to the configuration. Various system embodiments are also provided.
US08024432B1
A method and apparatus for partitioning a computer cluster through coordination point devices that provide enhanced split brain arbitration during I/O fencing. In one embodiment, a method for using coordination point devices to support Input/Output fencing in a computer cluster comprises processing at least one arbitration request from at least one client computer upon an occurrence of a split brain within a computer cluster, wherein each arbitration request indicates at least one established connection between at least one coordination point device and each client computer of the at least one client computer and each client sub-cluster membership, wherein the at least one coordination point device form a coordination point cluster membership and selecting a client computer of the at least one client computer to continue to be a portion of the computer cluster based on the arbitration request.
US08024431B2
A system and method for identifying transient friends for a social network of a user are provided. A transient friend processing function obtains locations of a number of users or locations otherwise associated with the number of users. In order to identify transient friends for a first user, the transient friend processing function identifies other users associated with locations within a proximate area of the first user. For each of the identified users, the transient friend processing function compares a user profile of the first user to a user profile of the identified user to determine whether to add the identified user as a transient friend of the first user. If the transient friend processing function determines that the identified friend is to be added as a transient friend of the first user, the identified friend is then added as a transient friend of the first user.
US08024429B2
A method and apparatus for establishing a Quality of Service QoS in an access network for a multimedia session between a home network and a remote device located outside the home network. At least one of the remote device and the home network is connected to the access network. When a session invite message is received from the remote device for device discovery in the home network, a default QoS is enforced in the access network. When a session re-invite message is received from the remote device for media communication with a selected home device in the home network, the QoS requirements are determined for the media communication based on session parameters exchanged during the setup of the media communication. An updated QoS is then enforced for the session in the access network based on the determined QoS requirements.
US08024427B2
Various systems and techniques are disclosed relating to dynamic storage of documents. According to one or more exemplary systems and techniques, a location may be dynamically determined from a group of locations to store a state associated with a document based on one or more criteria.
US08024415B2
The present invention relates to a system (10, 200) and methodology (74) to enable a plurality of information associated with electronic messages, for example, to be automatically prioritized by a priorities system (12, 230) for transmittal to a user or system. The priorities system (12,230) can employ classifiers (20) that can be explicitly and/or implicitly trained to prioritize one or more received messages (14) according to a learned importance to the user. As an example, messages (14) can be classified as high, medium, low or other degrees of importance via a training set of examples (30) or types of messages having similar degrees of importance. A background monitor (34) can be provided to monitor a user's activities regarding message processing to further refine or tune the classifier (20) according to the user's personal decisions relating to message importance. Other priorities classifications can involve determinations relating to a loss associated with a time for delayed review or processing of the message.
US08024414B2
A method for responding to an electronic mail (“email”) message presented to a user on a display screen of a data processing system, comprising: receiving a command from the user to generate a reply to the email message using content from one or more template replies, the reply having a subject line and a body; presenting a choice of the one or more template replies to the user; receiving a command to select a template reply from the choice, the template reply having a subject line and a body; and generating the reply by inserting content from the body of the template reply into the body of the reply.
US08024413B1
In one aspect, a data item is input into a scoring classifier such that the scoring classifier indicates that the data item belongs to a first class. A determination is made as to the amount of retraining of the scoring classifier, based on the data item, that is required to cause the scoring classifier to indicate that the data item belongs to a second class. A reliability measure is determined based on the required amount of retraining and a class of the data item is determined based, at least in part, on the reliability measure.
US08024408B1
A forum monitoring device allows an agent to monitor the traffic in a computer-mediated discussion. When the agent determines that there is a significant degree of traffic on a particular topic, or other predetermined rules are satisfied, the agent proposes to the contributors of messages on that topic that a new discussion forum, for example, a new discussion list, be created. If any of the contributors agrees to this suggestion, a new discussion forum, or child forum, is created by the agent. The agent and the contributors are then automatically subscribed to the child forum, and an invitation to join the new forum is sent optionally to the full membership of the parent forum plus any other recipients of postings on the topic.
US08024403B2
In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a critical time when a current presence state associated with a first client is scheduled to change to a timed presence state. The method also includes generating a first presence document before the critical time, and providing the first presence document to at least a second client. The first presence document has an indication of the current presence state and the timed presence state, and is provided to the second client before the critical time.
US08024402B1
One method for joining a meet-me conference call includes establishing a communication channel, in response to a request to join a conference call; receiving, over the channel, information as to whether the conference call is still ongoing; and if the conference call is no longer ongoing, giving notification that the conference call is no longer ongoing. The communication channel can be a non-media-transport-supporting channel. If the information indicates that the conference call is still in progress, a media transport channel can be established.
US08024397B1
A repository of services, a system for building a repository of services, a method of building a repository of services and various other embodiments associated with the repository are disclosed. The method relates to a method of building a repository of services using a target services roadmap. The method comprises receiving from a user an identification of an implemented service and zero or more target services and mapping the implemented service to the zero or more target services. The target services and/or mapped implemented services are added to the repository.
US08024395B1
Described is a system and methods for multiple tier distribution of task portions for distributed processing. Essentially, a task is divided into portions by a first computer and a task portion transferred to second participatory computer on the network, whereupon an allocated task portion is again portioned by the second computer into subtask portions, and a subtask portion transferred by the second computer to a third participatory computer on the network, whereby distributed processing transpires, and results collated as required.
US08024394B2
Included are embodiments of a Multiply-Accumulate Unit to process multiple format floating point operands. For short format operands, embodiments of the Multiply Accumulate Unit are configured to process data with twice the throughput as long and mixed format data. At least one embodiment can include a short exponent calculation component configured to receive short format data, a long exponent calculation component configured to receive long format data, and a mixed exponent calculation component configured to receive short exponent data, the mixed exponent calculation component further configured to received long format data. Embodiments also include a mantissa datapath configured for implementation to accommodate processing of long, mixed, and short floating point operands.
US08024384B2
An automated form filler and script executor is integrated with a web browser engine, which is communicatively coupled to a web crawler, thereby enabling the crawler to identify dynamic web content based on submission of forms completed by the form filler. The crawler is capable of identifying web pages containing forms that require submission, and JavaScript code that requires execution, respectively, for requesting dynamic web content from a server. The form filler systematically completes the form based on various combinations of search parameter values provided by the web page for requesting dynamic content. Duplicate forms are detected, so that the crawler does not unnecessarily re-process forms that are similar to forms that have already been processed. The crawler may also determine which JavaScript links in a page are relevant for execution, so as to avoid unnecessary execution of irrelevant JavaScript links.
US08024375B2
A memory stores a file attached to a message generated by using a structure language. Data containing an element contained in the message to which information for obtaining type information and a file referred by the element are obtained from the memory is added is constructed. This data has a construction corresponding to an application programming interface for the structured language.
US08024358B2
According to the invention, a system for downloading audio or video to a browser is disclosed. The system includes a media server, a content database and a web page. The content database includes the content object, and the content database is linked to the media server. The web page presented to the browser and includes a link to the content object. The link avoids activating an autoplay feature of the browsers should the link be activated.
US08024352B2
A system and method are disclosed for one-stop shopping for health-care services and related needs. The one-stop shopping system and method provide objective information for the system enrollee to assess and decide on health-care insurance and services. The system and method provide this objective information in a way that is easily accessible by system enrollees in an economical and rapid manner.
US08024345B2
A computer implemented method and system for associating advertisements with a web page comprises: obtaining advertisement keyword meanings associated with the advertisements; indexing the advertisements according to the keyword meanings; disambiguating the page to identify page keyword meanings; expanding the page keyword meanings; searching for matches between the advertisement keyword meanings and the expanded page keyword meanings to identify relevant advertisements; and providing the relevant advertisements in association with the web page.
US08024343B2
A method of identifying images containing a unique object found in at least two separate image collections of different users comprising identifying the unique object and providing features for the unique object; at least one user identifying at least two separate image collections produced by separate users that potentially have images of the unique object; and using the features to search the at least two separate collections to identify images that contain the unique object.
US08024342B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for determining a tag match ratio. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises selecting a content item, identifying one or more tags that are associated with the content item and determining a weight for each of the one or more tags associated with the content item. The method further comprises extracting one or more keywords from the content item. A tag match ratio for the one or more tags associated with the content item is then calculated and stored.
US08024337B1
A system determines query similarity. The system determines a volume per unit time of an issued first query over a time period and determines a volume per unit time of issued other queries over the time period. The system compares the volume per unit time of each of the issued other queries to the volume per unit time of the issued first query. The system identifies ones of the issued other queries as similar to the first query based on the comparison.
US08024329B1
Information retrieval systems face challenging problems with delivering highly relevant and highly inclusive search results in response to a user's query. Contextual personalized information retrieval uses a set of integrated methodologies that can combine automatic concept extraction/matching from text, a powerful fuzzy search engine, and a collaborative user preference learning engine to provide accurate and personalized search results. The system can include constructing a search query to execute a search of a database. The system can parse an input query from a user conducting the search of the database into sub-strings, and can match the sub-strings to concepts in a semantic concept network of a knowledge base. The system can further map the matched concepts to criteria and criteria values that specify a set of constraints on and scoring parameters for the matched concepts.
US08024321B2
An apparatus, program product and method that employ a dynamic use of Look Ahead Predicate Generation that will enable the database, database engine, and/or query optimizer to alter the processing of a query, and react to sub-optimal access plan selection and additional factors arising after processing has begun, to heal many poor performing queries. Conventional use of LPG requires the query optimizer to decide whether or not to use LPG before the processing of a query begins. As a result, the query optimizer may not only make sub-optimal decisions, but the query optimizer may not consider additional factors that may arise as the query is processing. However, the dynamic use of LPG allows predicates to be built after processing of the query has started and the ability to alter the query's processing to improve query performance.
US08024318B2
A method and computer system for identifying internet web pages containing documents that comply with a predetermined XML schema. The method includes searching the internet with a search engine for web pages using initial search terms and identifying a first set of HTTP URLs, web crawling at least the first set of HTTP URLs to identify additional HTTP URLs, appending a query to the identified URLs, and evaluating the responses to the query to determine which responses comply with the predetermined XML schema. The XML schema can be a Web Mapping Services schema. The system can store responses that comply with the XML schema in a database of servers, periodically check the database for validity, and convert the map requests for map servers in the database to a GIDB Portal Interface API.
US08024317B2
A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.
US08024315B2
A method and system for dynamically providing a composite source information report whenever source information of a composite object is updated. The system includes a subscription handler for receiving a subscription request and generating a subscription query, a means for determining whether source information of an element in a composite object has been edited (added, deleted and/or modified), a source information determining handler for automatically determining source information of an element in a composite object and a composite source information report generation handler for generating a composite source information report and providing the report to users. The system further comprises an authentication handler, an editing handler, an editing monitor, a source information recording handler, subscription source information retrieving handler and a server database.
US08024313B2
The successful development of digital production content within a development organization requires that the intellectual property rights of the multiple elements of digital content introduced into the digital production content. According to the invention there is provided a means of automatically identifying the source, licenses and other associated intellectual property information associated with the digital content introduced. The invention providing for the direction of a dynamic search engine according to metadata relating to the digital content produced, wherein the digital content introduced is not identified within existing databases of intellectual properties indexed according to digital content. Further the invention provides for interfacing the dynamic search engine with a web crawler to data mine a region of the World Wide Web around the location of the digital content introduced determined by the dynamic search engine.
US08024312B2
Embodiments are provided to enable a user to easily and conveniently assign, share, and/or locate characteristic and other information associated with others. In an embodiment, a user can assign, share, and use one or more characterizing tags. A user can use the one or more characterizing tags to characterize a person of interest and/or a relationship or association between the user and the person of interest. A user can also perform searches using one or more characterizing tags to locate others who may be associated with the one or more characterizing tags. Users can also view user profiles including any characterizing tags and/or communicate with others based in part on a characterizing tag. The various embodiments provide a forum for social tagging, allowing a user to apply and use one or more characterizing tags that are associated with a person of interest.
US08024309B1
According to an embodiment of the invention, a filer or other storage server is coupled to a network to store files for users of the network. Agents are coupled to the filer, and performs a scan or file walk for a Multi-Appliance Management Application (MMA) which is coupled to the filer and can monitor and manage the filer. A directory structure of the filer may be divided into two or more paths, each of which may be scanned by an independent agent. The results of the scan, or file walk, are saved to a database server. In this way, multiple agents may be used to scan a single storage server, and the amount of time required for the scan is reduced.
US08024306B2
Provided are methods, apparatus and computer programs for enhanced access to resources within a network, including for controlling use of bandwidth-sensitive connections within a network and/or for automated recovery. Hash values are used as ‘unique’ identifiers for resources distributed across a network, and each one of a set of pool servers store the hash values for a set of computers within a LAN. When a resource is required, a hash value representing the resource can be retrieved and compared with hash values stored at a pool server to determine whether the pool server holds a matching hash value. Any such matching hash value found on the pool server represents an identification of a local copy of the required resource, because of the uniqueness property of secure ash values. The information within the pool server can be used to access the required resource. If a large resource such as a BLOB or new version of a computer program can be obtained from another computer within a LAN, a reduction in reliance on bandwidth-sensitive Internet connections and reduced load on remote servers becomes possible.
US08024303B2
Software release validation is disclosed. A plan of record is provided, having entity information for a software application associated with a plurality of platforms, and planning information for a plurality of releases of the software application. A set of rules is provided having at least a first object representing an instance of an entity type, a second object, and an operator for expressing a date dependency between the first object and the second object. An event is detected, and the plan of record is validated against the set of rules responsively to the event.
US08024300B2
In an image forming apparatus, a first document manager stores image data in an image storage device, associates the image data with a first identifier, outputs the image data via an image output device when the first identifier is specified via an operation device, and deletes the image data from the image storage device when a first condition is satisfied. A second document manager associates the image data with a second identifier, outputs the second identifier via the image output device, and outputs the image data via the image output device when the second identifier is input via an image input device. The first document manager does not delete the image data from the image storage device and prohibits the operation device from specifying the first identifier when the image data is associated with both the first and second identifiers.
US08024292B2
Systems and methods for backing up and/or restoring data. When a backup operation is initiated, systems and methods are provided for creating a single snapshot of the backup items, including backup groupings. The single snapshot is used by a backup/recovery application to perform a save process on each backup grouping. By using the same snapshot, the backup is performed based on the same point in time so that the backed up data across the client system is consistent and synchronized. When a recovery operation is initiated, recovery items (e.g., backup groupings, writers and writer components) are selected from backup grouping of the client.
US08024288B2
Particular embodiments store multidimensional block data using a value-bit format. A block of data is determined that includes a first dimension and a second dimension. The occurrences of unique values in the block of data is then determined. If the number of unique values does not violate a threshold, a value-bit format may be used instead of storing the data in a fully-exploded array. In this case, the value for the unique values is stored with an indication of where the unique values occur in the block of data. When a request for a value at an index position in the array is received, the value-bit format is used to retrieve the value requested. A bit that indicates the value that is associated with the index position in the array is determined and that value is returned.
US08024285B2
Described herein is a method that includes receiving user history data and generating an indication of quality of a tier assignment used to store searchable digital items in a tiered storage system, wherein the indication is based at least in part upon a subset of the user history data. Also described herein is a system that includes a receiver component that receives user history data. The system further includes a quality indicator component that determines an indication of quality of a tier assignment used to store digital items that are retrievable by way of querying, wherein the quality indicator component generates the indication based at least in part upon a subset of the user history data and the tier assignment indicates where digital items are to be stored in a tiered storage system.
US08024280B2
Techniques are described herein for analyzing textual responses to questions by evaluating the responses according to varying sets of rules. The text of a response is analyzed against the sets of rules and a series of values are generated as a result of, and based upon, the analysis. These values are calculated to determine a score value for the response, which is compared to a threshold value and/or to the scores of other responses to the same or a different question. The score value of the response is used to determine the likelihood of the response containing useful information in response to the question. Also, based on the third numerical value, the text of the response is displayed on a web page according to a specified format or order.
US08024277B2
Gene regulation network is reconstructed using time series microarray data under the method of the Bayesian network. Particular power-law function is used to calculate the joint probabilities among genes across time points. This invention discloses the use of the downhill simplex algorithm to find global maxima of interrelational likelihood. Arcs with higher frequencies are selected to establish the gene regulation network. Prior knowledge may be included into candidate gene networks to accelerate search for best networks.
US08024273B2
A database system, which stores electronic medical records, may assign a child-application-identification-code to a healthcare provider via a clinical system intermediary acting on behalf of the healthcare provider. The database system may associate the child-application-identification-code assigned to the healthcare provider with a privacy statement and terms of use associated with the clinical system. The privacy statement and terms of use may be presented to the patient when the patient is prompted by the database system to approve or deny a request by the healthcare provider to access the electronic medical record of the patient stored at the database system.
US08024268B2
This document describes tools capable of determining ways in which to alter interchange categories assigned to credit-card transactions. In some embodiments, the tools receive parameters for interchange categories and transaction information for merchants that have been charged interchange fees based on some of these categories. The tools may determine, based on these parameters and transaction information, how parameters may be changed to enable similar credit-card transactions to be assigned a lower-cost interchange category and the accompanying potential fee savings.
US08024257B2
Software implemented system has a guarantee valuation engine and methodology that configures a processor with code which enables a fund that is continuously offered and always fully invested in traditional assets that correlate to a benchmark and which is subject to a guarantee with respect to net asset value on a specified future date to be re-priced on a daily basis and to have the effect of such re-pricing in the reported NAV of the fund.
US08024256B2
A method for prioritizing features that can be incorporated into a product, the method including: issuing a weighting factor to each stakeholder having an economic interest in the product, a size of the weighting factor being proportional to a size of a budget for each stakeholder; bidding an amount of the weighting factor for each feature by each stakeholder, a total amount bid by each stakeholder is not to exceed the size of the weighting factor issued to each stakeholder; summing the amounts bid for each feature to provide a total feature bid for each feature; and prioritizing the features in order from highest total feature bid to lowest total feature bid.
US08024251B2
The present invention provides an auction system that allows bond issue sales to be offered in an open and transparent manner, wherein, a certain percentage (up to 100%) of bonds in a bond issue can be offered to qualified bidders at a “buy now” pre-auction price, set by an issuer and/or lead manager. Investors can be allowed to “bid some bonds out of the auction process” and thus guarantee their allocation and also allow bidders to participate in an open auction for other bonds. Bonds to be offered in a bond issue can include a subset of pre-auction price bonds and a subset of auction price bonds. The pre-auction price bonds are offered to pre-auction bidders at a pre-auction price, and auction bonds are generally sold to the highest bidder. Pre-auction sales can serve as a catalyst for generating enthusiasm for an associated bond issue auction.
US08024246B2
A family of hedge funds, serving as “feeder funds” into underlying single-manager hedge funds, formed to provide smaller investors with the ability to allocate and reallocate assets among alternative strategies, and this basic structure combining interrelated systems and methods for offering, redeeming, exchanging, valuing, reporting and servicing the same is a new approach. The system and methods described herein provide investors having less than ultra-high net worth portfolios with access to hedge funds and the potential valuable diversification to an overall portfolio, and the ability to customize their portfolio of hedge funds to their individual needs and adjust such portfolio over time as seen fit in light of changing financial needs and market conditions. This invention gives a wide range of investors access to hedge funds, creating economic value using a new source of stable investor capital for hedge fund managers, a value shared with investors through reduced costs.
US08024244B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a personalized exchange market, and more specifically, to systems and methods for establishing personalized pledge agreements for uncertain future events or occurrences. In one embodiment, the invention includes a method including the steps of facilitating a pledge offer via a network, the pledge offer specifying an outcome of an uncertain future occurrence, the uncertain future occurrence being independently definable; facilitating an acceptance of the pledge offer over via the network, the acceptance forming a pledge agreement; determining the outcome; and facilitating performance of the pledge agreement based on the outcome.
US08024240B2
A method of managing accounts relating to presentation instruments includes receiving at a host computer system information from a client defining an account management rule. The rule includes an event, a condition, and an action to be taken if the condition is satisfied upon the occurrence of the event. The method also includes monitoring a plurality of accounts for the occurrence of the event, upon the occurrence of the event for a specific account, evaluating the condition, based on the evaluation, taking the action, thereby managing the account without human intervention, and providing notification of the action to an individual.
US08024231B2
An automated printing system for producing an image-based product comprises a server computer that receives from a first user a group of one or more copyright protected digital images and price information for image-based product. The price information can be distinct for each group of copyright protected digital images. The automated printing system also includes a computer processor that processes the copyright protected digital images in response to an order from a second user and calculates payment to the first user based on the price information and a digital printer that produces the image-based product in response to the processed copyright protected digital image.
US08024230B2
An embodiment of a method, system, and apparatus for providing a virtual inventory program for wireless sales and services includes receiving an indication of a selected wireless device, and receiving an indication of a selected wireless rate plan associated with the selected wireless device. The method further includes storing a customer order including the selected wireless device and the selected wireless rate plan, and sending the customer order to a wireless service provider associated with at least one of the selected wireless devices and the selected wireless rate plan. The wireless service provider activates the selected wireless device for use with one or more wireless networks provided by the wireless service provider in response to receiving the customer order. The activated selected wireless device is then shipped to a shipping address.
US08024213B1
A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for balancing attainment of goals. First, a plurality of goals are presented to a user. The goals may be previously selected by the user or may include a default set of goals, for example. The user is permitted to adjust preferences related to a selected one or more of the goals. An impact on attaining some or all of the goals is determined based on the adjusted preferences. The impact on attaining the goals is then displayed to the user.
US08024211B1
Automatically generating assessments of qualification relevance and qualification issuer credibility
A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for generating assessments of relevance of qualifications and of credibility of qualification issuers, such as in an automatic manner and for use by users in an electronic marketplace that facilitates interactions between task requesters who have tasks that are available to be performed and task performers who are available to perform tasks. Such assessments may in some situations be provided to users in various manners and for various purposes, such as to allow task requester users to identify appropriate qualifications to associate with their tasks and/or to allow task performer users to identify appropriate qualifications to acquire to assist in future performance of tasks. The assessments may be generated in various manners, including based on analyzing usage data related to the use of qualifications by task performers and task requesters and based on feedback provided by human users.
US08024210B2
The invention concerns a method for managing ground assistance teams of a transport vehicle in a parking zone (19), wherein a management center (3) determines the tasks for the respective assistance teams and provides each team with data specifying its task, comprising the following steps: the management center (3) transmits task data over a radiotelephone network (10); the teams receive the respective data over terminals (15, 16) of the network, which presents the data to them; and after executing the tasks, the teams transmit back to the center (3), from the terminals (15, 16) task performance reports.
US08024209B2
A method for utilizing the Monte Carlo method to determine the most efficient arrangement of schedulers for a grid using a Scheduler Optimization Program (SOP). The SOP obtains the schedulers and scheduler timetable from memory and randomly selects a time period and scheduler to analyze. The SOP then uses the selected scheduler to modify the scheduler timetable. The SOP then runs the ROI calculator to obtain a ROI property for the modified timetable. If the ROI property for the modified timetable is greater than the ROI property for the original scheduler timetable, the SOP replaces the scheduler timetable with the modified timetable.
US08024183B2
A method and system for speaker recognition and identification includes transforming features of a speaker utterance in a first condition state to match a second condition state and provide a transformed utterance. A discriminative criterion is used to generate a transform that maps an utterance to obtain a computed result. The discriminative criterion is maximized over a plurality of speakers to obtain a best transform for recognizing speech and/or identifying a speaker under the second condition state. Speech recognition and speaker identity may be determined by employing the best transform for decoding speech to reduce channel mismatch.
US08024180B2
Provided are a methods and apparatuses for encoding/decoding an audio signal to efficiently encode/decode a harmonic envelope. The method of encoding an audio signal includes performing harmonic analysis with respect to an input signal to determine harmonic parameters with respect to harmonic signals; correlating the amplitudes of the harmonic signals to signals in a time domain instead of signals in a frequency domain; applying a time-frequency transformation operation to the amplitudes in the time domain to generate time-frequency transformed values in the frequency domain; and encoding the time-frequency transformed values. When expressing a harmonic envelope, the amplitudes of the harmonic signals are regarded as signals in the time domain so as to perform a time-frequency transformation and only a part from among the transformed values is selected to be encoded. Therefore, sound quality is not affected and coding efficiency greatly improves.
US08024174B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for training a prosody statistic model and prosody parsing, a method and system for text to speech synthesis. Said method for training a prosody statistic model with a raw corpus that includes a plurality of sentences with punctuation, comprising: transforming said plurality of sentences in said raw corpus into a plurality of token sequences respectively; counting a frequency for each adjacent token pair occurring in said plurality of token sequences and frequencies of punctuation that represents a pause occurring at associated positions of said each token pair; calculating pause probabilities at said associated positions of said each token pair; and constructing said prosody statistic model based on said token pairs and said pause probabilities at associated positions thereof. With the present invention a prosody statistic model can be trained from a raw corpus without manually prosody parsing tags. And the prosody statistic model can be used in the prosody parsing and further voice synthesis.
US08024166B2
The invention is a method for real-time estimation of the instantaneous engine speed produced by each cylinder of an internal-combustion engine, from an instantaneous engine speed measurement at the end of the engine transmission system. A physical model, representing in real time the dynamics of the transmission system according to the crankshaft angle and to coefficients of a Fourier series decomposition of the instantaneous speed produced by each cylinder, is constructed. These coefficients are determined in real time from coupling between the model and an adaptive type non-linear estimator. The instantaneous speed produced by each cylinder is then deduced from these coefficients. The mean torque produced by each cylinder can also be deduced therefrom. An application is: engine controls.
US08024165B2
A locus-interference verification apparatus and method including generating locus models for the respective objects and storing the locus models, where each locus model represents a locus of at least a position where a maximum size is obtained and is generated by virtually moving model data of a corresponding object in accordance with the data regarding the locus of the corresponding object. The data regarding the locus is stored in a locus data storage and the model data is stored in a model data storage for each of the objects, and an intersection calculation is performed for all of the combinations of the locus models stored in the locus model data storage, and presence/absence of an overlapping model between the locus models is determined, where the overlapping model indicates an occurrence of an interference during a movement and/or a rotation of the objects.
US08024164B1
A system may include a memory to store a graphical block diagram model including a graphical block, the graphical block being associated with a lookup table and one or more inputs for receiving input data. The system may further include one or more processors to update data stored in the lookup table based on the received input data, where data stored in the lookup table includes data for simulating an embedded control system.
US08024161B2
A method and system for optimal model-based multivariable balancing for distributed hydronic networks based on global differential pressure/flow rate information. A simplified mathematical model of a hydronic system can be determined utilizing an analogy between hydronic systems and electrical circuits. Thereafter, unknown parameters can be identified utilizing the simplified mathematical model and a set of available measurements. Next, balancing valve settings can be calculated by reformulating the simplified mathematical model based on the parameterized model. The sum of pressure drops across selected balancing valves can be then minimized to achieve optimal economic performances of the system. The data can be collected and transferred to a central unit either by wireless communication or manually by reading the local measurement devices. Such a multivariable balancing approach provides a fast and accurate balancing of distributed hydronic heating systems based on a centralized and non-iterative approach.
US08024158B2
A management system of CAD data is provided, which stores sets of the CAD data, and a set of mesh conditions under which a CAE model is created from each of the sets of the CAD data and a set of analysis conditions under which CAE analysis on the created CAE model is performed associated with each set of the CAD data. Moreover, the management system of CAD data, to perform the CAE analysis on one of the sets of the CAD data, reads from the storage unit the set of the CAD data, and the set of the mesh conditions and the set of the analysis conditions associated with the set of the CAD data, creates the CAE model from the set of the CAD data under the read set of the mesh conditions, and perform the CAE analysis on the created CAE model under the read set of the analysis conditions.
US08024156B2
Computation of variance or variance of the autocorrelation over a moving window of various sizes of a signal containing noise and possibly a small digital signal provides a sensitive, frequency independent indication of the likelihood of the presence of a small pulse, chirp or even spread spectrum digital signal possibly obscured by noise or larger signals in the signal to much lower signal-to-noise ratios than previously possible. Large signals in the signal which may also obscure any small signal are removed to a different signal path from the noise and small signals by subtraction after compression and reconstruction of the large signal. The compression noise thus added to the signal may also increase sensitivity of the variance of the autocorrelation to small signals obscured by the large signals. Controlling storage in response to the computed variance or variance of the autocorrelation allows substantial avoidance or limitation of storage of signals which contain only noise.
US08024150B2
Acceleration is detected by an acceleration sensor in information equipment and information of detected acceleration is compared with a threshold value. Then, if the information of the detected acceleration is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the information equipment is in a weightless condition.
US08024147B2
An offset compensation circuit for a yaw rate sensor, having a subtracter, which is provided for subtracting a correction value from an input signal, the correction value being obtainable by dividing each of n measurements of the input signal by the constant n and subsequently integrating a number of n quotients into an integrator. Furthermore, a yaw rate sensor having such an offset compensation circuit.
US08024146B2
A multi-gas/gas-mixture or liquid flow sensor apparatus utilizing a specific media calibration capability. The flow sensor can be coupled with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that incorporates a signal conditioner and a memory module. The signal conditioner provides a high order calibration and signal processing of flow signals from the sensor to a processed signal output representative of the flow. The processed signal output can be stored in the memory module. A correction factor can be calculated and stored in the memory module in response to the stored values of the processed signal output, which tends to linearize the relationship between the flow rate and the processed signal output of a measuring system. The correction factor and/or the processed signal output provided by the signal conditioner can be utilized by the measuring system.
US08024143B2
A method for ascertaining a mains frequency from a voltage signal which has a particularly high proportion of harmonics includes stipulating a sample frequency for a sample collection, polling a voltage signal at equidistant times during periods of the sample oscillation. A discrete Fourier transform may be used to calculate two phases, and a phase interval between these two phases is used to infer the mains frequency.
US08024141B2
A test and measurement instrument and method for providing post-acquisition trigger control and presentation of associated waveforms on a display. An electrical signal under test is sampled and digitized, and stored in an acquisition memory as a data record. A display device draws a waveform associated with the signal under test. After the acquisition of the digital samples is stopped, a user selects trigger criteria using trigger controls such as a trigger level control. A trigger circuit detects a post-acquisition trigger event in the data record based on the trigger criteria causing an automatic adjustment of the waveform to conform to a time of the post-acquisition trigger event. One or more configurable trigger controls can be used to adjust a display of post-acquisition trigger events and waveforms. Upon resumption of the live-acquisition of data, the live waveform conforms to the newly selected trigger criteria as previewed during the post-acquisition mode.
US08024139B2
A method for monitoring device characteristics of semiconductor integrated circuits. The device characteristics includes censored data and uncensored data. The method includes determining a plurality of minimum breakdown voltages numbered from 1 through N, respectively, for a plurality of lots (e.g., wafer fabrication lots) numbered from 1 through N. Each of the plurality of minimum breakdown voltages is respectively indicative of the plurality of samples through order statistics. One or more of the plurality of samples includes one or more uncensored data points and one or more censored data points. The method includes processing the minimum breakdown voltages, respectively, for the plurality of lots. Each of the minimum breakdown voltages is processed for the respective plurality of lots and is indicative of a population characteristic breakdown voltage numbered from 1 through N for the respective lot numbered from 1 through N. The method includes determining one or more anomalies based upon the processing of the minimum breakdown voltages. The one or more anomalies is associated with one or more processes associated with at least one of the lots.
US08024126B2
Techniques for analyzing protein structures, such as a tertiary protein structure, are provided. A centroid of the residue centroids is calculated. The centroid of the residue centroids is used as a spatial origin of a global linear hydrophobic moment. The correlation between residue centroid magnitude and residue solvent accessibility is enhanced. The global linear hydrophobic moment is defined, wherein each of the residue centroids contributes a magnitude and direction to the global linear hydrophobic moment. A method for comparing at least two tertiary protein structures is also disclosed.
US08024124B2
The invention relates to a method for determining maximum horizontal stress in an earth formation. The method includes obtaining fast shear wave velocities (Vs1) and slow shear wave velocities (Vs2) for various depths in the earth formation, calculating shear wave anisotropy (Adata) using Vs1 and Vs2, obtaining vertical stress (Sv) and minimum horizontal stress (Sh) for the formation, representing maximum horizontal stress (SH) using a parameterized function having at least one parameter and using Sh and Sv as input, determining a value of the at least one parameter by minimizing a cost function that represents a measure of difference between Adata and Apred for the various depths and Apred is predicted shear wave anisotropy determined using Sv, Sh, and SH, calculating SH using the parameterized function and the value of the at least one parameter, and storing SH in relation to the earth formation.
US08024123B2
A method for predicting subterranean formation properties of a wellsite. The method includes obtaining seismic data for an area of interest, obtaining an initial seismic cube using the seismic data, and obtaining a shifted seismic cubes using the seismic data, where each of the shifted seismic cubes is shifted from the initial seismic cube obtaining a shifted seismic cubes using the seismic data, where each of the shifted seismic cubes is shifted from the initial seismic cube. The method further includes generating a neural network using the initial seismic cube, the shifted seismic cubes, and well log data and applying the neural network to the seismic data to obtain a model for the area of interest, where the model is used to adjust an operation of the wellsite.
US08024121B2
Borehole image data is compressed and transmitted to the surface one pixilated trace at a time. The compression methodology typically includes transform, quantization, and entropy encoding steps. The invention advantageously provides for sufficient data compression to enable conventional telemetry techniques (e.g., mud pulse telemetry) to be utilized for transmitting borehole images to the surface. By compressing and transmitting sensor data trace by trace the invention also tends to significantly reduce latency.
US08024120B2
A method of estimating an instantaneous frequency of a component of interest in a complex primary signal via a complex Phase Locked Loop (PLL). A complex incident signal including a complex exponential evaluated at a synthesis frequency is calculated according to a complex Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) function. A complex mixed signal is calculated according to a function that includes multiplying the complex primary signal by a representation of the complex incident signal. A complex baseband signal is calculated according to a function that includes filtering the complex mixed signal such that the bandwidth of the complex baseband signal is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the complex mixed signal. A residual frequency of the complex baseband signal is calculated via a complex Phase Discriminator (PD). The synthesis frequency is modified according to a function that includes the synthesis frequency and the residual frequency, such that the residual frequency is minimized. The instantaneous frequency is calculated according to a function that includes a representation of the synthesis frequency and stored.
US08024119B2
A navigation system and method for gyrocompass alignment in a mobile object. The system includes an inertial measurement device configured to provide a first set of sensor data and a positioning unit configured to provide a second set of data. In an example embodiment, the navigation system includes a processing device configured to receive the data sets provided by the inertial measurement device and the positioning device, and the processing device is configured to dynamically calibrate the received first data set the processing device includes a Kalman filter, and the processing device is further configured to generate a gyrocompass alignment using the first dynamically calibrated first data set, the second data set, and the Kalman filter. The method includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors, dynamically calibrating at least a portion of the sensor data, and generating gyrocompass alignment information based on the dynamically calibrated sensor data.
US08024117B2
A remaining distance to an intersection regarded as a guide point is calculated based on map matching process. When the remaining distance is decreased to less than or equal to 100 m, an advancement display process is executed to advance a display position of a vehicle mark of the subject vehicle in the forward direction ahead of the map matched position. The vehicle mark is thus displayed, in an enlarged view of the guide point, at a position corresponding to an advanced display remaining distance, which is calculated using a predetermined formula.
US08024115B2
An onboard navigation apparatus provides travel guidance on a road including a plurality of roadways heading in the same direction. The road specifically includes a special roadway such as a carpool lane having no exits to other roads, an ordinary roadway having exits to the other roads and a predetermined traveling-path changing area provided as a sole area allowing a vehicle to change a traveling path thereof between the special roadway and the ordinary roadway. The apparatus determines a present position of a vehicle, determines whether the detected position is in the special roadway or in an ordinary roadway. The apparatus provides, in addition to normal travel guidance, information on the traveling-path changing area existing ahead of the vehicle on a display, when the detected position is in the special roadway.
US08024107B2
An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of ensuring both stability of control in a steady operating condition of the engine, and an excellent follow-up property of a controlled variable to a target value in a transient operating condition of the engine, even when the controlled variable contains a lot of high-frequency noise components. In the ignition timing control system, a maximum pressure angle-calculating section calculates a maximum pressure angle based on an in-cylinder pressure and a crank angle position. A target angle-calculating section calculates a target angle. A maximum pressure angle controller calculates a maximum pressure angle correction term with a control algorithm to which is applied a sliding mode control algorithm, using a value obtained by performing ε-filtering on a switching function, such that the maximum pressure angle converges to the target angle. The ignition timing is calculated by adding corrected ignition timing to the value.
US08024105B2
An apparatus and a method for detecting abnormal air-fuel ratio variation among cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine are provided. The apparatus includes: a catalyst that is provided in an exhaust passage of the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine; a catalyst temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the catalyst; a catalyst temperature estimation unit that estimates a temperature of the catalyst based on an engine operating state; and an abnormality detection unit that determines whether abnormal air-fuel ratio variation among the cylinders has occurred based on the detected temperature of the catalyst and the estimated temperature of the catalyst.
US08024103B2
A method and a device are described for monitoring an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine, which allow a diagnosis of the oil supply to an exhaust gas turbocharger. In at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine, a variable that is characteristic for the rotational speed of the exhaust gas turbocharger is ascertained. A variable that is characteristic for the rotational speed of the exhaust gas turbocharger is ascertained in the at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine. An operating state which is characterized by a change in the exhaust gas mass flow, which is linked to a change in the variable that is characteristic for the rotational speed of the exhaust gas turbocharger within a predefined tolerance range, is selected as the at least one operating state. A fault is recognized if one or more values outside the predefined tolerance range are established for the change in the variable that is characteristic for the rotational speed of the exhaust gas turbocharger in the selected operating state.
US08024096B2
When an automatic transmission is shifted from neutral to a forward gear, an ECU calculates the appropriate target gear. If the target gear speed is the second forward gear or higher, a target command pressure of a first engagement element is immediately increased to a maximum pressure regardless of an input torque, and a target command pressure of a second engagement element is gradually increased in accordance with the input torque.
US08024090B2
A vehicle steering system includes: a steeling operation member (20) that includes an auxiliary grip portion (154, 156) the position of which is changed between the expected grip position, in which the auxiliary grip portion is expected to be gripped by a driver during a steering operation, and the retracted position, which is reached when the auxiliary grip portion has been retracted from the expected grip position and in which the auxiliary grip portion is not expected to be gripped by the driver during the steering operation; an auxiliary-grip-portion position changing device that changes the position of the auxiliary grip portion between the expected grip position and the retracted position; an airbag device that deploys an airbag toward the driver; and a control unit that controls an operation of the auxiliary-grip-portion position changing device.
US08024086B2
For determination of a relative movement of a chassis and a body of a wheeled vehicle, which is movably joined to the chassis, three linear accelerations of the wheeled vehicle, which extend perpendicular to each other, respectively, as well as at least two rotational speeds of one respective rotational movement or a component of a rotational movement about a coordinate axis of the wheeled vehicle are measured (in measuring device 1), the at least two coordinate axes running perpendicular to each other, respectively. A momentary position of the relative movement is determined (in evaluation unit 9) using the three linear accelerations and the at least two rotational rates.
US08024085B2
The navigation apparatus in a vehicle receives physical condition data regarding user's condition from a measurement instrument through a power line when the vehicle is connected to the power line. The navigation apparatus determines whether a travel condition of the vehicle that is driven by using the sensors disposed in the vehicle, in terms of the driving operation concerning the fuel consumption rate of the vehicle. If the driving operation is not determined as fuel-consumption-conscious, an advice for the driving operation is output from the navigation apparatus according to the physical condition of the user. The user thus can have an appropriate advice for the driving operation that improves the fuel consumption rate of the vehicle at an appropriate timing that takes into consideration of the physical condition of the user under measurement outside of the vehicle.
US08024081B2
A method and a device for controlling a hybrid vehicle drive. The device contains a multiplicity of control parameter sets with different set point charge states for a high performance battery of the electric motor. The set point charge states are assigned to a respective operating mode of the vehicle. A definition device for defining a current operating mode of the vehicle, as a result of which a control parameter set which corresponds to the defined current operating mode of the vehicle can be used to control a charge mode of the high performance battery of the electric motor with a corresponding set point charge state.
US08024075B2
The invention is a centralized server-based system containing a database with relevant information regarding features, parameters, and characteristics of a particular irrigation system, which utilizes proprietary irrigation software to control a plurality of field modules, at one or more remote locations, via a network bridge adapter. An irrigation system may comprise a single server, or multiple servers that may be configured so that control of the entire system is centralized, and control of one or multiple irrigation locations may be accomplished remotely by wirelessly accessing, monitoring and controlling a location's field module matrix.
US08024070B2
The present disclosure provides a fixed point stabilization device for a legged mobile body having a generating mechanism for generating a fixed point. The present disclosure also provides a fixed point stabilization device for a legged mobile body comprising a stabilizing device for stabilizing the fixed point in accordance with a leg grounding position of the legged mobile body. The fixed point is generated by inputting a predetermined constant torque to a joint of a leg of the legged mobile body on the basis of the energy balance in the legged mobile body, leg switching, and a leg swinging motion. The fixed point is stabilized globally by keeping the leg grounding position of the legged mobile body constant using a stopper.
US08024066B2
An autonomous inspector mobile platform robot that is used to inspect a pipe or network of pipes. The robot includes a locomotion device that enables the device to autonomously progress through the pipe and accurately track its pose and odometry during movement. At the same time, image data is autonomously captured to detail the interior portions of the pipe. Images are taken at periodic intervals using a wide angle lens, and additional video images may be captured at locations of interest. Either onboard or offboard the device, each captured image is unwarped (if necessary) and combined with images of adjacent pipe sections to create a complete image of the interior features of the inspected pipe. Optional features include additional sensors and measurement devices, various communications systems to communicate with an end node or the surface, and/or image compression software.
US08024065B2
In one aspect, a method is provided for electronic device manufacturing. The method includes receiving a request to transfer a carrier to or from a first substrate loading station of an electronic device manufacturing facility, and assigning one of a plurality of carrier supports to carry out the transfer based on a spacing on either side of the assigned carrier being greater than an acceptable spacing. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08024062B2
A portable data storage cartridge, comprising a housing and a data storage medium disposed within the housing. The portable data storage cartridge further comprises a first label reciting an identifier disposed on a front portion of the housing, and a second label displaying said identifier at one or more places disposed on a side portion of said housing. A plurality of portable data storage cartridges can be disposed in a storage slot dimensioned to accommodate (N) portable data storage cartridges in a row. The storage slot is formed to include (N−1) visualization apertures extending through a side. In addition, the storage slot further comprises (N−1) reflective members, where each reflective member comprises a first end attached to the side with a second end extending outwardly from that side.
US08024061B2
A method of and apparatus to generate a position profile using lower-order polynomials. The device includes a pattern coefficient generator to generate pattern and time coefficients of a position pattern that is classified by velocity change, a contour generator to generate a pattern polynomial to define a contour of each section of the position pattern using the generated pattern and time coefficients, and a dual filter for generating a position profile by selectively activating one of a plurality of filters, which receive the pattern polynomial generated by the contour generator. The device uses lower-order polynomials and a small number of coefficients, thereby reducing the number of calculations required in the procedure to generate the position profile. The device generates a seamless and smooth position profile by preventing switching errors due to the difference between filter sizes.
US08024058B2
A handheld electronic pen having an audio recording mode and an audio playback mode. In the audio recording mode, the pen is configured to activate a microphone for recording audio, determine a position on an encoded substrate during interaction with the substrate associate said the position with the recorded audio. In the audio playback mode, the pen is configured to: determine a position on the encoded substrate, retrieve recorded audio associated with the position, and playback the recorded audio via an audio output device.
US08024043B2
A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.
US08024040B2
A method and apparatus for treating or preventing neurocardiogenic syncope is disclosed. Upon detection of bradycardia or a drop in blood pressure indicating the onset of syncope, electrostimulation pulses are delivered during the heart's refractory period. The pulses are non-excitatory but increase myocardial contractility and thereby increase cardiac output.
US08024037B2
An external defibrillator having a battery; a capacitor electrically communicable with the battery; at least two electrodes electrically communicable with the capacitor and with the skin of a patient; a controller configured to charge the capacitor from the battery and to discharge the capacitor through the electrodes; and a support supporting the battery, capacitor, electrodes and controller in a deployment configuration, the defibrillator having a maximum weight per unit area in the deployment configuration of 0.1 lb/in2 and/or a maximum thickness of 1 inch. The support may be a waterproof housing.
US08024036B2
Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.
US08024031B2
Device for classifying tachyarrhythmia that obtains pre-defined values, monitors atrial intervals and compares lengths of each interval with pre-defined value IL, stores length of atrial interval if length is shorter than IL, in case X of most recent Y number of atrial intervals have length shorter than IL, evaluates most recent <=N atrial intervals with length
US08024027B2
Balloon probes, adapted for use in endoscopy and other medical procedures, are useful to obtain spectroscopic information reflected or emitted from a tissue of interest in the infrared spectral region. The information collected by the probe is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The invention also relates to methods utilizing these probes to analyze a surface of interest, in a minimally invasive manner, in connection with the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
US08024021B2
To measure oxygen saturation in blood, living tissue is irradiated with a first light beam having a first wavelength and a second light beam having a second wavelength. A first electrical signal is generated from the first light beam reflected from or transmitted through the tissue. A second electrical signal is generated from the second light beam reflected from or transmitted through the tissue. The first electrical signal is divided into a plurality of first segments, each including a part of the first electrical signal for a predetermined time period. The second electrical signal is divided into a plurality of second segments, each including a part of the second electrical signal for the predetermined time period. A gradient of a regression line is calculated between every one of the first segments and an associated one of the second segments, thereby obtaining a plurality of gradients.
US08024019B2
A portable information terminal has a first casing with operating buttons primarily mounted thereupon, and a second casing with primarily an output screen exposed. A sliding supporting member and casing turning supporting member are provided which realize a state wherein the first casing and second casing are overlapped, a state of mutually sliding, and a state wherein the first casing and second casing are turned to do away with any mutually overlapped portions. The sliding supporting members are positioned on both sides of the first casing and the casing turning supporting member is positioned on the central portion of the first casing. Thus, a sliding-type portable information terminal is provided with an expanded operating face and output face by doing away with any overlapped portions.
US08024018B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes: an outer case formed of a thin metal plate and having a front plate and side plates surrounding the front plate, the side plate having a protrusion formed by bending an edge of the side plates inward of the outer case to prevent exposing the edge to exterior of the electronic apparatus; a middle member formed of a resin material and formed correspondingly to an inner surface of the outer case, the middle member having a side member that confronts the side plate, the side member having a retaining portion to engage with the protrusion; and a casing having a support portion and configured to confront an inside of the side member to keep the protrusion engaged with the retaining portion by preventing the side member from deflection.
US08024013B2
Various methods and associated wireless communication mobile terminals are provided that repetitively switch power on and off to a RF transmitter and/or to a RF transceiver, and that regulate the power duty cycle in response to movement of the associated communication terminal. Movement of the communication terminal may be sensed in response to an acceleration signal from an accelerometer, a position signal from a GPS receiver, a light level signal from an ambient light sensor, and/or a pressure level signal from a pressure sensor.
US08024005B2
A mobile communication terminal which displays screen location information and a method of controlling the mobile communication terminal are provided. When a portion of a display object is displayed on a display screen of a display module, the mobile communication terminal displays screen location information regarding the relative location of the display object portion to the entire display object. Thus, a user can easily determine which part of the display object is currently being displayed. In addition, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption caused by performing screen loading while continuously moving the display object portion.
US08024002B2
In an adaptive array terminal, at least one of two antennas (ANT#1, ANT#2) is a movable antenna. A display unit (6) of the terminal displays reception levels of, or level difference between, the two antennas. Thus, it becomes possible for a user to adjust an angle of the antenna such that reception levels of the two antennas come closer to the same level. Alternatively, a control unit (8) of the terminal automatically adjusts the antenna angle so that reception level difference between the two antennas becomes not higher than a prescribed value.
US08024000B2
Disclosed is method and apparatus for operation of a base station in wireless communications, including self-configuration of the base station for secure and authenticated communications with other base stations.
US08023994B2
Methods and apparatus for use in provisioning mobile communication devices in wireless local area networks (WLANs) are described. In one illustrative example, a provisioning network identifier (“provisioning ESSID”) is derived based on both predetermined provisioning criteria (e.g. a fixed alphanumeric string) and network-specific criteria associated with a WLAN (eg a network domain name). The mobile device associates with a wireless access point of a provisioning virtual local area network (VLAN) of the network with use of the provisioning network identifier. After associating with the wireless access point with the provisioning network identifier, a primary network identifier (“primary ESSID”) associated with a primary VLAN of the network is received from the WLAN in a provisioning procedure and stored in memory of the mobile device after authentication. For subsequent communications with the WLAN, the mobile device associates with a wireless access point of the primary VLAN of the network with use of the primary network identifier. The technique of deriving an ESSID may alternatively be utilized in producing a primary ESSID of the WLAN.
US08023989B2
A system and method are provided for boosting power for a communications link between a base station and a user device, or user equipment, over a communications link channel in a cellular communications network. In one embodiment, the base station determines whether a communications link for a user device located within a sector of a cell served by the base station needs a power boost. If a power boost is needed, the base station provides a power boost for the communications link for the user device and, for each of one or more neighboring sectors that neighbor the sector in which the user device is located, coordinates the power boost in both frequency and time with a power backoff for a downlink to another user device located in a cell center area of the neighboring sector.
US08023976B2
A high accuracy clock synchronization mechanism between a sender and a receiver in a communication network achieves time synchronization using broadcast beacons, directly at the PHY/MAC layer of the sender and the receiver, to minimize synchronization delay jitter. This provides a more efficient synchronization method than either NTP or SNTP, because multiple handshaking information exchange is avoided. Further, using beacons avoids the overhead of introducing additional synchronization packets in higher layer synchronization.
US08023975B2
A secondary display system on a mobile device to allow a user to check the status of mobile device services without having to turn on or otherwise rely upon the primary display of the mobile device. The secondary display presents a count of messages that are waiting to be accessed by the mobile device user. When a new message is received for the user, a summary of the message is displayed to the mobile device user. When a user accesses one of the waiting messages, the count of unopened messages is decremented. The secondary display system may perform queue management to ensure that only counts of recently received messages are displayed. The secondary display system may offer different status modes to highlight the status of different mobile device services or states. The secondary display system may also allow a user to respond to a received message in a limited manner.
US08023974B1
In one embodiment, a content filtering system generates a support vector machine (SVM) learning model in a server computer and provides the SVM learning model to a mobile phone for use in classifying text messages. The SVM learning model may be generated in the server computer by training a support vector machine with sample text messages that include spam and legitimate text messages. A resulting intermediate SVM learning model from the support vector machine may include a threshold value, support vectors and alpha values. The SVM learning model in the mobile phone may include the threshold value, the features, and the weights of the features. An incoming text message may be parsed for the features. The weights of features found in the incoming text message may be added and compared to the threshold value to determine whether or not the incoming text message is spam.
US08023973B2
An expandable text messaging service protocol for use with a two-way radio transceiver includes an extension bit field for creating an expandable header for controlling the overall size of data packets used for communicating message traffic. The protocol further includes a control bit field for designing the message as a control message or user message and a protocol data unit (PDU) type field for identifying the message type. A payload field may further be used for carrying message content.
US08023968B2
Optimized delivery of locally applicable Internet content to users. A cache of locally applicable Internet content is maintained in a local content server, based upon a monitoring of locations of users requesting Internet content. Requests for Internet content are received from user equipment through a wireless network base station, and served from the local content server, which is logically proximate to the wireless network base station. The caching of locally applicable Internet content may be maintained on a layered basis. Secure action request receipt and corresponding performance, and item condition alerts are also described.
US08023959B2
A system (160) and method (400) is provided for validating a location of a tracking device. The method can include monitoring (902) a set of signal strengths (600) to one or more personal area networks (104) and one or more cellular towers (110), generating (906) a Radio Frequency Time Profile RFTP (700) from the set of signal strengths, comparing (908) the RFTP o coverage variation limits (720) of one or more pre-calibrated paths, and signaling (910) an alert if the set of signal strengths are not within the coverage variation limit of the one or more pre-calibrated paths. The RFTP is a time series of the signal strengths between the tracking device and the one or more PANs resulting from a change in location of the tracking device.
US08023950B2
Systems and methods for setting parameters for transmissions of data from a mobile station to a base station in a wireless communications system. One embodiment comprises a method including a network detecting a mobile station entering or leaving soft handoff and responsively modifying a transmission parameter. The transmission parameter may comprise frame duration, wherein if the mobile station enters soft handoff, the frame duration is set to a larger value and if the mobile station leaves soft handoff, the frame duration is set to a smaller value. The network may determine whether the mobile station should enter or leave soft handoff based upon PSMMs and may send handoff direction messages (HDMs) to the mobile station, thereby causing the mobile station to enter or leave soft handoff and to set the transmission parameter accordingly.
US08023940B2
A hyper-scatternet includes a first ad hoc piconet, a second ad hoc piconet and a wide area network, wherein the first and second ad hoc piconets are configured to communicate with one another via the wide area network. Each ad hoc piconet can include an application server that includes an ad hoc piconet interface that is configured to communicate with an ad hoc piconet using an ad hoc piconet protocol, and a wide area network interface that is configured to communicate with a wide area network using a wide area network protocol. The application server also includes a service manifest that is configured to determine ad hoc piconet services that are available from the ad hoc piconet via the ad hoc piconet interface, and to advertise the ad hoc piconet services to the wide area network as wide area network services via the wide area network interface.
US08023939B2
A communications system includes a first wireless communications system configured to provide wireless communications over a first frequency band, and a second wireless communications system configured to provide wireless communications using at least a portion of the first frequency band. The system includes an inter-system communications link between the first wireless communications system and the second wireless communications system. The inter-system communications link is used to coordinate the use of the first frequency band. The system further includes an interference reducer configured to reduce interference between the first wireless communications system and the second wireless communications system. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08023934B2
A system, method, and computer program product for synchronizing communications, data, application workflow events, and business processes between a mobile device and a server are described herein. In an embodiment, the method operates by determining whether there is a data object to be synchronized between a source and a target, wherein the source and target are one of either a mobile device or a server. An indication is sent to the target when there is a data object to be synchronized from the source. The data object to be synchronized is saved in a cache on the source and it is determined whether the mobile device is connected to the server. The synchronization operation is queued for the target until it is determined that the mobile device is connected to the server, and results are returned to the source after the data object is synchronized on the target.
US08023920B1
Systems and techniques relating to image cancellation in received communications signals are described. A described technique includes receiving a communications signal including a desired signal and an image signal; generating a leakage tracing signal at a frequency band of the image signal, the leakage tracing signal including a noise signal, a frequency of the leakage tracing signal being within the frequency band of the image signal; and removing the image signal from a signal that is based on the communications signal and the leakage tracing signal to resolve the desired signal, where the removing is based on an addition of the leakage tracing signal to the communications signal. Removing the image signal can include using one or more weights to control one or more filters to resolve the desired signal. The one or more weights can be determined based on the noise signal.
US08023916B2
This onboard reception device includes: a first receiver; a second receiver which is tuned to a second frequency which is different from a first frequency to which the first receiver is tuned, and whose reception level is low; a noise cancellation means which cancels noise included in a first demodulated received signal which is demodulated by the first receiver, based upon a second demodulated received signal which is observed by the second receiver; and an output means which outputs the first demodulated received signal in which noise has been cancelled, in a manner in which it can be appreciated by a user.
US08023915B2
Beams are used to communicate in a wireless network including mobile and stationary receivers. The network operates according to the IEEE 802.11p in wireless access to vehicular environments (WAVE). A direction from the mobile transceiver to the stationary receiver is predicted using geographic information available to the mobile transceiver. A set of signals are received in the mobile transceiver from the stationary transceiver, wherein the signals are received by an array of antennas, and wherein the signals are received using a set of beams, and wherein each beam is approximately directed at the stationary receiver. A signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is measured for each beam, and the beam with an optimal SNR is selected as an optimal beam for communicating data between the mobile transceiver and the stationary transceiver.
US08023911B2
An amplifying device has an amplifier which amplifies an input signal supplied from an input terminal and outputs the amplified input signal, a feedback loop which has at least one of a resistive element and a capacitance connected between an output terminal of the amplifier and the input terminal, a variable current unit which adjusts a current value in accordance with a controlling signal and supplies an operating current to the amplifier, a signal analyzing unit which generates a time difference signal having a value corresponding to a slew rate of the input signal and outputs the time difference signal, and a controlling unit which generates the controlling signal in accordance with the time difference signal and outputs the controlling signal.
US08023907B2
Diversity processing for closed loops may include combining a plurality of received multipath signals to estimate at least one processed diversity signal based on information from at one or more common channels. The common channels may include a dedicated pilot channel transmitted by each diversity antenna. The received multipath signals may originate from diversity transmit antennas at a base station, which may be transmitting information via a closed loop diversity transmission mode. The closed loop diversity transmission mode may be WCDMA/HSDPA closed loop 1 or closed loop 2. Estimations may be made of the closed loop transmit weights used by the base station for transmission of the symbols. Closed loop symbols transmitted by the diversity transmit antennas may then be estimated based on received diversity signals and at least one dedicated pilot channel. At least a portion of the at least one processed diversity signal may be despread.
US08023896B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a radio communication device, to a receiver controller of a radio communication device, and to a method for searching for a radio cell. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for searching for a radio cell is provided. The method may include scanning at least one frequency band of a first radio access technology, scanning at least one frequency band of a second radio access technology, wherein the at least one frequency band of the second radio access technology at least partially overlaps with the at least one frequency band of the first radio access technology, wherein at least one frequency sub-band of the first radio access technology is not scanned in the at least one frequency band of the second radio access technology.
US08023887B2
The present invention concerns a telecommunication network for establishing radiofrequency links between at least one gateway and ground terminals via a multispot telecommunication satellite. The network includes a service zone composed of a plurality of cells each including a plurality of ground terminals, the said service zone being split into N sub-zones, N being an integer strictly greater than 1, each sub-zone having a capacity profile evolving in time over a given period and presenting a maximum value, the said maximum values of each of the capacities being shifted with regard to time and a multispot satellite including a transponder including amplification of the signals emitted by the gateway on the forward link and the signals emitted by the cells on the return link and a continuous power supply system of the amplifier. The said supply system includes means for supplying the amplifier providing the whole of the sub-zones with their respective capacity profile evolving over the said given period, the maximum continuous power delivered by the supply system being less than the continuous power which the amplifier would consume to provide simultaneously the whole of the sub-zones with their maximum capacity value.
US08023878B2
A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade that contacts a surface of a member to be cleaned to remove a residue remaining on the surface of the member to be cleaned, and that includes multiple layers, wherein a leading end portion of the cleaning blade shifts in a separating direction from the surface of the member to be cleaned due to a difference in thermal expansion property among the multiple layers when temperature rises.
US08023870B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotating belt which rotates around a roller; a drive section which rotates the belt; a detection section which detects a position of the belt in a width direction; a moving section which moves the belt in the width direction; a control section which corrects a deviation of the belt by controlling the moving section. The control section conducts a preparatory operation in which the control section changes an amount of control to be given to the moving section under the condition where the belt is rotated to obtain a correction data showing a relation between the amount of control and a change of a position of the belt in the width direction detected by the detection section, stores the correction data in a memory section, and then corrects the deviation based on the correction data stored in the memory section.
US08023863B2
A charging apparatus is provided in which electrodes can be protected from corrosion induced by water content in the air, ozone, nitrogen oxide and the like and thereby lack of uniformity in charged potential on photoreceptor surface can be prevented, and in which a charged potential on photoreceptor surface can be kept in an adequate range for a longer period of time. As an electrode disposed in the charging apparatus for charging photoreceptor surface, an electrode formed with a protective layer made of nickel and phosphorus for surface protection is used. In the protective layer, phosphorus concentration and thickness proportion are each set to fall within a specified range.
US08023859B2
An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording unit; a reading unit rotatably supported to the upper portion of the recording unit so as to be openable and closable about one end as a fulcrum and reads an original; an L-shaped guide groove which is provided for the recording unit and in which a long groove portion and a short groove portion are connected by a bending portion; and a stay at one end is fitted into the guide groove and coupled therewith, the other end is swingably coupled with the reading unit. The guide groove has a restricting mechanism configured to alternately guide the projecting portion to the long groove portion and the short groove portion when the projecting portion moves from the bending portion.
US08023858B2
A material supplying container and an image forming apparatus are provided. The material supplying container includes two or more containers each of which contains a material; supply openings respectively formed in and corresponding to the containers; and seal members that respectively close the supply openings, wherein the supply openings can be opened by simultaneously operating the seal members.
US08023844B2
An image forming apparatus, includes: an exposure head that includes an imaging optical system which is arranged in a first direction and a light emitting element which emits light to be focused by the imaging optical system; a latent image carrier that moves in a second direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the first direction and carries a latent image which is formed by the exposure head; a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the latent image carrier by the exposure head; and a detector that detects an image which is developed by the developing unit and is formed using one imaging optical system.
US08023841B2
A fixing controller capable of rapidly detecting an excessive temperature rise, even if an abnormal temperature rise takes place in a state that a rotor of a fixing unit, such as a thin-walled roller or belt, stops rotating. A rotating belt is heated by a coil, a belt temperature is detected by a thermistor, and a drive frequency of a driving circuit for driving the coil is controlled by a control circuit. When the temperature detected by the thermistor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the drive circuit is stopped by an excessive temperature rise detecting circuit. The thermistor is heated such that a difference between the temperatures detected by the thermistor when the belt is rotating and when the belt stops rotating becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined temperature difference.
US08023835B2
An optical receiver with a threshold voltage convergence and audio apparatus and communication apparatus using the optical receiver are provided. The optical receiver of the present invention includes an optical detector for converting a received optical signal to a current signal; a transimpedance amplifier for converting the current signal to a voltage signal; a level shifter for converging the voltage signal to a threshold voltage by removing an offset of the voltage signal, the level shifter comprising a plurality of linear subtractors connected in series; a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage in proportion to a variation of the offset of the voltage signal; and a comparator for comparing the threshold voltage and the reference voltage and generating a digital signal of a logic level according to a comparison result. The optical receiver of the present invention can compensate the shortcomings of the automatic voltage gain control and automatic threshold control techniques and reduce system complexity, thereby minimizing pulse-width distortion with a compact and low power consumption design and reducing the manufacturing costs of high performance digital interfaces.
US08023833B2
Techniques, devices and systems based on optical receivers with controllable transfer function bandwidth and gain imbalance.
US08023825B2
Switching architectures for WDM mesh and ring network nodes are presented. In mesh networks, the switching architectures have multiple levels—a network level having wavelength routers for add, drop and pass-through functions, an intermediate level having device units which handle add and drop signals, and a local level having port units for receiving signals dropped from the network and transmitting signals to be added to the network. The intermediate level device units are selected and arranged for performance and cost considerations. The multilevel architecture also permits the design of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers for ring network nodes, the easy expansion of ring networks into mesh networks, and the accommodation of protection mechanisms in ring networks.
US08023819B2
Current network switching architectures require communication with a higher level network control plane, which can be slow to reroute communications, resulting in unacceptable losses of communications for customers. Examples embodiments of the present invention reroute communications faster detecting optical power of an optical signal at optical switches coupled via optical communication paths, and causing at least one optical communication path between a first optical switch and second optical switch to switch to an alternative optical communication path, in part, through physical layer triggering in an event optical power at at least one of the first or second optical switches falls below a threshold level. Switching in response to physical layer triggering may result in reduced switching times and, consequently, faster restoration of communications to customers after a network fault interruption.
US08023808B2
A device for transferring heat to a fluid with a heat generator comprising an electric resistance inserted in a first pipe integrally connected to a second pipe in which the fluid flows. The second pipe may comprise a steel tube coaxially inserted inside. First and second pipes are obtained inside a single block by means of an extrusion process.
US08023804B2
A moving image coding method that can prevent playback discontinuity without an increase in processing load during playback is provided.The moving image coding method codes a video stream that includes a first moving image and a second moving image to be overlaid on the first moving image. The moving image coding method includes: a step of determining a continuous playback section that is a group of partial sections and is subject to continuous playback, in the video stream (S5301 to S5303); a step of coding the first and second moving images in the partial sections constituting the continuous playback section, under a constraint that prevents a threshold from being changed in the continuous playback section, the threshold being used for a transparency process by a luminance key in the overlaying (S5304); and a step of generating management information including flag information which indicates that the threshold is fixed in the continuous playback section (S5305).
US08023794B2
Apparatus and method for establishing an optical path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel
An apparatus for establishing an optical circuit path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel supported by a first cable oriented about a first axis on a first side of the discontinuity and supported by a second cable section oriented about a second axis on a second side of the discontinuity includes: (a) a first coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the first side; (b) a first supporting member fixed with the first coupling member in an installed orientation in a clamping relation with the first cable section; (c) a second coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the second side; (d) a second supporting member fixed with the second coupling member in an installed orientation clamped with the second cable section; and (e) a connecting member optically coupling the first coupling member with the second coupling member to establish the optical circuit path.
US08023793B2
An external grounding arrangement for a fiber access terminal includes a lug extending through a housing of the terminal. The lug is connected to strength members of a fiber optic cable extending to the terminal by a clamp about the cable within the terminal and a rod extending from the clamp to the lug.
US08023788B2
Various embodiments described include optical fiber designs and fabrication processes for ultra high numerical aperture optical fibers (UHNAF) having a numerical aperture (NA) of about 1. Various embodiments of UHNAF may have an NA greater than about 0.7, greater than about 0.8, greater than about 0.9, or greater than about 0.95. Embodiments of UHNAF may have a small core diameter and may have low transmission loss. Embodiments of UHNAF having a sufficiently small core diameter provide single mode operation. Some embodiments have a low V number, for example, less than 2.4 and large dispersion. Some embodiments of UHNAF have extremely large negative dispersion, for example, less than about −300 ps/nm/km in some embodiments. Systems and apparatus using UHNAF are also disclosed.
US08023786B2
In order to improve a cable, comprising an inner cable body, in which at least one conductor strand of an optical and/or electrical conductor runs in the longitudinal direction of the cable, an outer cable sheath, enclosing the inner cable body and lying between an outer sheath surface of the cable and the inner cable body, and at least one information carrier unit, disposed within the outer sheath surface of the cable such that the cable also comprises a shielding, the invention proposes that the information carrier unit having an antenna unit lying in an antenna surface running approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable, by the antenna surface running at a distance from an electrical shielding of the cable and by providing, between the antenna surface and the shielding, a spacing layer, in which the electromagnetic field that couples to the antenna unit and passes through the antenna surface can extend between the antenna unit and the shielding.
US08023781B2
Two Mach-Zehnder optical interferometer circuits are accurately point-symmetrically connected to each other to form a first point-symmetrically connected optical interferometer circuit constituting a light input side circuit. Optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths are input to a light input terminal. A second point-symmetrically connected optical interferometer circuit having the same functional structure as the first point-symmetrically connected optical interferometer circuit is connected to a through port, which is an output terminal of the light input side circuit, as a first light output side circuit. A cross port, which is the other output terminal of the light input side circuit, is connected to a second light output side circuit having at least one of Mach-Zehnder optical interferometer circuits whose transmittance characteristics are different from those of the Mach-Zehnder optical interferometer circuits.
US08023774B2
A method, apparatus and system for minimally intrusive fiber identification includes imparting a time-varying modulation onto an optical signal propagating in an optical fiber and subsequently detecting the presence of the time-varying modulation in the optical signal transmitting through the fiber to identify the fiber. In a specific embodiment of the invention, a time-varying curvature is imposed on the fiber to be identified and the presence of the resultant time variation in the transmitted power of a propagating optical signal is subsequently detected for identification of the manipulated fiber.
US08023773B2
The present invention generally relates to deriving and/or utilizing content signatures (e.g., so-called “fingerprints”). One claim recites a method including: obtaining data from a remote device, the data comprising a reduce-bit representation of an audio or video signal; utilizing at least a processor or electronic processing circuitry, deriving a fingerprint of the data, the fingerprint of the data serves as an identifier of the audio or video signal, and comprises an even more reduce-bit representation of the audio or video signal relative to the data; using at least the fingerprint, obtaining information or content associated with the audio or video signal; and providing the information or content to the remote device or to a device associated with the remote device. Of course, additional claims and combinations are provided as well.
US08023768B2
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for editing a digital image with automatic conversion of region modalities. Input comprising an instruction to perform an operation on a first portion of the digital image may be received. The first portion of the digital image may comprise data defined by a first region modality. The operation may be applicable to data defined by a second region modality. In response to receiving the input, the first portion of the digital image may be automatically converted from the first region modality to the second region modality. The operation may be automatically performed on the converted first portion of the digital image (i.e., as defined by the second region modality).
US08023759B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of monitoring a focus position on a surface of a wafer for an exposure apparatus which transfers by exposure a pattern formed on a mask onto the wafer, including tilting at least one of the mask and an exposure area on the wafer and performing exposure while the mask and the exposure area have a relative angle, to form two spurious resolution images of the pattern of the mask in the exposure area; measuring positions of the two spurious resolution images formed in the exposure area and detecting an optimal focus position of the exposure apparatus on the basis of a middle point between the measured positions of the two spurious resolution images.
US08023747B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward methods for an effective blind, passive, splicing/tampering detection. The methods of the various embodiments of the invention use a natural image model to detect image splicing/tampering with a model that is based on statistical features extracted from a given test image and multiple 2-D arrays generated by applying the block discrete cosine transform (BDCT) with several different block-sizes to the test images. Experimental results have demonstrated that the new splicing detection scheme outperforms state-of-the-art methods by a significant margin when applied to the Columbia Image Splicing Detection Evaluation Dataset.
US08023746B2
A method is provided for decoding an image of a pattern on an object to determine a digital identifier. An image of a pattern on the object is received. The image includes a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels having an optical attribute with a corresponding value. The image is divided into a plurality of tiles, each of the tiles containing a contiguous plurality of the pixels of the image. A digital bit is assigned to each of the tiles based on the values of the optical attribute of the pixels in the tile. A digital identifier is determined based on the digital bits assigned to the tiles.
US08023740B2
To perform notes detection, candidate reference marks are identified in a document. A starting note zone is identified in the document. A pair of similar reference marks is identified from the candidate reference marks including a first reference mark in the note zone and a second reference mark outside the note zone. The document is marked up to indicate a note associated with the first and second reference marks.
US08023738B1
Processing content in a digital image into reflow content is presented. In operation, a computer system is configured to obtain a digital image from a source. The digital image comprises content including both reflow content and non-reflow content. The computer system identifies non-reflow blocks of content within the digital image and processes the digital image into reflow content, excluding the identified non-reflow blocks of content. The reflow content is copied to a digital content file or stream. The identified non-reflow blocks of content are also copied to the digital content file/stream. Information regarding the non-reflow blocks of content, such as its location in the digital image and a confidence rating, are included with the non-reflow block copied to the digital content file/stream.
US08023734B2
A general purpose method to segment any kind of lesions in 3D images is provided. Based on a click or a stroke inside the lesion from the user, a distribution of intensity level properties is learned. The random walker segmentation method combines multiple 2D segmentation results to produce the final 3D segmentation of the lesion.
US08023729B2
A method of reducing color smearing or color artifacts in a low resolution picture that is subjected to chrominance downsampling prior to display on a display device first upsamples the pixels in each row of the picture to double the picture width, then downsamples the chrominance values to produce a compressed data stream for transmission to the display device, and finally decompresses the compressed data stream for display. In order to maintain the aspect ration of the original picture, each doubled row may be repeated prior to transmission to the display device.
US08023724B2
An apparatus for information extraction from electromagnetic energy via multi-characteristic spatial geometry processing to determine three-dimensional aspects of an object from which the electromagnetic energy is proceeding. The apparatus receives the electromagnetic energy. The received electromagnetic energy has a plurality of spatial phase characteristics. The apparatus separates the plurality of spatial phase characteristics of the received electromagnetic energy. The apparatus r identifies spatially segregated portions of each spatial phase characteristic, with each spatially segregated portion of each spatial phase characteristic corresponding to a spatially segregated portion of each of the other spatial phase characteristics in a group. The apparatus quantifies each segregated portion to provide a spatial phase metric of each segregated portion for providing a data map of the spatial phase metric of each separated spatial phase characteristic. The apparatus processes the spatial phase metrics to determine surface contour information for each segregated portion of the data map.
US08023709B2
A method includes performing an automatic partitioning of Neuro-vessels into a plurality of anatomically relevant circulatory systems using a CT system.
US08023697B1
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for detection of spam in raster images. In one example embodiment, a method comprises identifying objects in the raster image; tracing contours of identified objects; computing, angles of inclination of tangents at plurality of points on an object contour; determining, based on the computed angles of inclination, one or more attributes of the object contour, including lengths of line segments of the contour, angles between the line segments, lengths of arcs the contour and radii of curvature of the arcs; generating object signatures containing one or more attributes of the object contours; comparing object signatures of the image with known spam image signatures; and determining that the image contains spam if the number of object signatures that are substantially similar to the known spam image signatures exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US08023694B2
The presently claimed invention relates to deriving or extracting information from audio, images and video. One claim recites a method of operating a network filter. The network includes a plurality of network nodes, the network filter is for filtering video or audio. The method includes: monitoring video or audio traffic to a particular network node; identifying a first video or audio at the particular network node through deriving identifying data from data representing the first video or audio, the deriving utilizes at least one programmed multi-purpose computer processor; determining additional information associated with the first video or audio based at least in part on the identifying information; and notifying the network node of the presence of the additional information.
US08023691B2
The present invention relates generally to steganography, data hiding and digital watermarking as they may apply to maps, images and video. One claim recites a method of identifying locations on a map. The map is to be displayed via a computer display. The method includes: receiving data representing a first image; analyzing the data to obtain information steganographically encoded therein, the information comprises or links to first location information associated with the first image; providing a map including an area associated with the first location information, wherein the map is to be displayed via a computer display; and visually or graphically identifying a first location on the map that is associated with the first location information. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.
US08023685B2
An electroacoustic transducer has a magnetic circuit, a frame combined with the magnetic circuit, a diaphragm combined with a periphery of the frame, a voice coil, a terminal, and a holder covering the frame. The voice coil is combined with the diaphragm and a part of the voice coil is arranged in a magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit. The terminal, made of a metal plate having spring property and electric conductivity, electrically connects an outside circuit and the voice coil utilizing spring pressure generated when the metal plate is bent. The holder forms a stopper for restricting a bend of the metal plate forming the terminal to within a reversible limit of a metallic material.
US08023683B2
A tweeter sound source angle adjustment arrangement is disclosed to include a holder member fastened to a T-iron of a speaker assembly and having a top recess and a through hole cut through the top recess, a face panel fastened to the holder member to secure a tweeter to the top recess of the holder member, a hub, which has a top round cup portion and a tubular bottom shank downwardly extending from the top round cup portion, a cushion ring set between the face panel and the hollow hub, and a sliding ring set in the top round cup portion of the hub and freely rotatable in the top round cup portion of the hub.
US08023682B2
A portable electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board, a speaker and a spatial module. The housing includes a bottom wall and a circular wall extending from the bottom wall. The bottom wall defines a sound-emitting hole. The bottom wall and the circular wall define a receiving cavity. The circuit board is positioned on the circular wall to cover the receiving cavity and includes a first surface and an opposite second surface and defines a through hole running through the circuit board. The through hole is in communication with the receiving cavity. The speaker is electrically fixed to the first surface and received in the receiving cavity with the sound-emitting surface thereof facing the sound-emitting hole. The spatial module positioned on the second surface defines a groove in communication with the through hole.
US08023669B2
A system and method for detecting a sound originating from a body and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio with respect to noise originated outside the body is disclosed. The system comprises a light source for producing a quasi-monochromatic, spatially-coherent light beam; and interferometer for interfering alight beam originated from the source, incident upon the body and reflected from it, with a reference beam, which also originates from the light source; and a detector for detecting changes caused by motion of a least one interference fringe across the detector, and for generation a corresponding electric signal.
US08023660B2
An apparatus for providing a set of spatial cues associated with an upmix audio signal having more than two channels on the basis of a two-channel microphone signal has a signal analyzer and a spatial side information generator. The signal analyzer is configured to obtain a component energy information and a direction information on the basis of the two-channel microphone signal, such that the component energy information describes estimates of energies of a direct sound component of the two-channel microphone signal and of a diffuse sound component of the two-channel microphone signal, and such that the directional information describes an estimate of a direction from which the direct sound component of the two-channel microphone signal originates. The spatial side information generator is configured to map the component energy information and the direction information onto a spatial cue information describing the set of spatial cues associated with an upmix audio signal having more than two channels.
US08023649B2
A compact apparatus for generation of desired pseudorandom sequences with controllable period. The apparatus includes two-dimensional cellular automata for generating a first sequence, 2-by-L cellular automata for generating a second sequence, adders for performing bit-to-bit mod2 sum of the first sequences and the second sequences, and a buffer for buffering the resultant sequences from the adders.
US08023648B2
The invention allows anonymization of user identifications associated with telecommunication traffic measurement data that is fast, secure, and easy to use with distributed traffic measurements. Acquired user identification is input as an initialization vector to a block cipher. The block cipher is executed in cipher-block chaining mode to output a ciphertext. The output ciphertext is provided for use as an anonymized user identification in place of the user identification in further processing of the telecommunication traffic measurement data.
US08023645B2
In order to further develop a circuit arrangement for as well as a method of performing an inversion operation in a cryptographic calculation, wherein only inversion modulo an odd number is allowed, it is proposed that the inversion operation is performed modulo at least one even number.
US08023642B2
An Ethernet extension device is provided for metro or last mile Ethernet service via twisted pairs as opposed to fiber optics. The Ethernet extension device is implemented as a plug-in extension for existing infrastructure (e.g., in a standard electrical wall box or Type-200™ Mechanics card) that employs lighting and power cross protection required by the telephone companies for Ethernet connectivity to the telephone network (e.g., for connection between a user's building and a telephone company building over existing outdoor telephone cables).
US08023636B2
A computer readable medium stores a computer program for interactive training based on a simulated customer interaction. The computer readable medium includes a dialog code segment that provides a predetermined customer portion of a dialog segment from the simulated customer interaction to a trainee. The dialog segment includes the customer portion and at least one predetermined keyword associated with the customer portion. The computer readable medium further includes a response code segment, which receives a response to the customer portion from the trainee, and a determining code segment, which determines whether the response includes the at least one keyword.
US08023632B2
A menu is provided in a telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A first selection of one of the destination options is received in the telephone call, and the telephone call is routed to a first telephone number corresponding to the first selection. Thereafter, an originating dual-tone multi-frequency trigger is detected. The telephone call to the first telephone number is interrupted, a second selection of the destination options is received, and the telephone call is routed to a second telephone number corresponding to the second selection.
US08023622B2
In providing an information assistance service in a call by a user, the context of the call is ascertained. Context information is derived from information exchanges during the call. Inferences as to types of advertisement pertinent to the user location, event, etc. are drawn based on the context information. Pertinent advertisements, which may be further individualized based on personal preferences, are provided to the user at the conclusion of the call, or otherwise transmitted to the user via voicemail, SMS, email, WAP, paging, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, picture phone, video phone, etc.
US08023618B2
The broadening of the lines in NRF from an isotope that is part of a material may be due to several causes: the temperature of the material, the molecular structure of the material and the crystalline structure of the material. By measuring the broadening caused by the molecular structure and the crystalline structure the material itself can be identified. The exact energy of the lines in NRF may also depend on the nature of the crystalline and molecular structure of the material. By measuring the changes in the energy of the NRF lines caused by the structure of the material the material itself may be identified. These techniques provide a “fingerprint” of the molecule or crystal that is involved. The fingerprint information may be used to determine a potential threat.
US08023609B2
Disclosed is a method for reducing electrostatic deposition of charged particles on wetted surfaces that are exposed, periodically or substantially continuously to high velocity fluid flow within a coolant flow path in a nuclear reactor. The method includes depositing a first or base dielectric layer and a second or outer dielectric layer on a conductive surface that forms a portion of a high velocity flow path. The first dielectric layer material is selected to provide improved adhesion and insulation to the conductive surface and the second dielectric layer material is selected to provide suitable adhesion to the first dielectric layer and improved corrosion and/or mechanical resistance in the anticipated operating environment.
US08023603B2
An interface circuit includes a detector to detect a particular pattern from a sequence of output data, a shift clock generator to change a cycle of a shift clock according to the detection result, a shift register section to change a data output width by the shift clock and output it as drive data, and an open-drain output section including an N-channel transistor driven by the drive data and a pull-up resistor. The detector detects a sequence where the current output data is “0” and the next output data is “1”, and the shift clock generator shortens and extends the cycles of the shift clock corresponding to “0” and “1”, respectively.
US08023599B2
Interfering signals coming at random timings from different radio stations are identified. In order to attain this, a method for storing the characterizing quantity of an interfering signal included in a received signal includes calculating the characterizing quantity of the received signal, determining a probability that a desired signal is included in the received signal, determining that the received signal is an interfering signal when determining that there is no probability that the desired signal is included in the received signal, and storing the characterizing quantity of the received signal as an interfering signal characterizing quantity when it is determined at the received signal determination step that there is no probability that the desired signal is included in the received signal.
US08023585B2
A bit adding part acquires RSSI as measured by an RSSI measuring part, and adds “1” to each bit of protected audio data of an audio vocoder, if the acquired RSSI is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. If the acquired RSSI is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the bit adding part adds the bits of additional data to the respective bits of the protected data of the audio vocoder. A frame recovery part separates upper and lower order bits of deinterleaved data, and determines, based on CRC, whether eight data parts as obtained by combining the lower order bits as separated are valid. If so, the frame recovery part combines the eight data parts as the additional data to recovery additional information. In this way, additional data can be efficiently transmitted, while error correction being performed in accordance with communication environment.
US08023580B2
A device may be capable of communicating using at least two type types of modulation methods. The device may include a transceiver capable of acting as a master according to a master/slave relationship in which communication from a slave to a master occurs in response to communication from the master to the slave. The master transceiver may send transmissions discrete transmissions structured with a first portion and a payload portion. Information in the first portion may be modulated according to a first modulation method and indicate an impending change to a second modulation method, which is used for transmitting the payload portion. The discrete transmissions may be addressed for an intended destination of the payload portion.
US08023576B2
A sampling offset estimation apparatus including a pilot sub-carrier refiner, an information sub-carrier refiner, a data sub-carrier refiner, and a sampling offset estimator. The pilot sub-carrier refiner to refine a pilot sub-carrier extracted from a differential demodulated signal, and to generate a reference pilot sub-carrier. The information sub-carrier refiner to refine an information sub-carrier extracted from the differential demodulated signal, and to generate a reference information sub-carrier. The data sub-carrier refiner to refine a data sub-carrier extracted from the differential demodulated signal, and to generate a reference data sub-carrier. The sampling offset estimator to estimate a sampling offset included in the differential demodulated signal, on a basis of the reference pilot sub-carrier, the reference information sub-carrier, and the reference data sub-carrier.
US08023572B2
A communication interface employing a differential circuit and method of use is disclosed. In one form, a circuit operable to communicate signals via a communication bus can include a differential signaling circuit operable to be coupled to a communication bus. The differential signaling circuit can include a first current carrying element and a second current carrying element. The circuit can also include a shunt circuit including a first transformer. The first transformer can include a primary transformer element and a secondary transformer element. The first transformer can be operably associated with the communication bus.
US08023567B2
Simulation of a block of film grain for addition to a block of an image occurs by first establishing at least one parameter at least in part in accordance with an attribute of the image block. At least one at least one block of film grain is simulated from at least one film grain pattern generated in accordance with the at least one parameter. In particular, the film grain pattern is generated using a bit accurate technique.
US08023566B2
The present invention relates to a protocol tester and method for performing a test task relating to a specific protocol layer (E2) of a protocol stack in an apparatus to be tested where the specific protocol layer (E2) is superordinated to a higher-level protocol layer (E3) as a next higher protocol layer and is subordinated to a lower-level layer (E1) as a next lower layer. In the protocol tester there is inserted between the higher-level protocol layer (E3) and the lower-level layer (E1) a test layer into the protocol stack, the test layer in the protocol tester having the specific protocol layer (E2) and a complementary layer (ES).
US08023559B2
Techniques for minimizing blocking artifacts in video images or frames are disclosed. In general, these blocking artifacts are the result of block-based compression standards, such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.261, H.263, and H.264. According to one aspect of the present invention, a blurring process is configured to replace pixels on the blocking boundaries with randomly selected pixels within respective regions, each of the regions is predefined with respect to a pixel being replaced. In a certain perspective, a blocking boundary is diffused without introducing blurring to other than the blocking artifacts. According to another aspect to the present invention, pixels in an image or frame are sequentially processed by a moving average process that is configured to smooth only those pixels that may cause subjective perception of the blocking artifacts.
US08023558B2
A frequency response measurement circuit includes a generation circuit operative to provide an input signal having a voltage and programmable frequency characteristics in response to a frequency control signal. A decision circuit is coupled to the generation circuit and is operative to sample the input signal at predetermined intervals in response to a sampling clock signal and determine the amplitude characteristics of the input signal relative to a variable threshold signal. A control circuit is coupled to the decision circuit, and is operative to determine the frequency response characteristics of the input signal at varying frequencies and threshold voltages in response to the frequency control signal.
US08023556B2
In one implementation, a method includes receiving control information in a transceiver from a baseband processor and computing ramp values in the transceiver based on the control information. The ramp values may be computed in a signal generator of the transceiver such as an algorithmic generator. Depending on mode of operation, the ramp values may be provided to a power amplifier or a gain block of the transceiver.
US08023554B2
Aspects of a method and system for a single antenna receiver system for W-CDMA are provided and may comprise computing channel estimates based on received multipath signals. Timing correction signals indicating a location of the received multipath signals may be generated and the received multipath signals may be combined based on the computed channel estimates and/or the generated timing reference signals. The multipath signals may be combined as a signal cluster. Circuitry may be provided that computes channel estimates based on at least one of a plurality of received multipath signals, and generates timing reference signals indicating a location of at least one of the plurality of received multipath signals. Circuitry may also be provided that combines at least a portion of the plurality of received multipath signals based on at least a portion of the computed channel estimates and/or the generated timing reference signals.
US08023537B2
An optical pulse train generator 10 includes beat light generation means 11 for generating a beat light 21 having a predetermined repeated frequency, a highly nonlinear fiber 12 for generating a pulse train 22 formed by adding a side mode to the beat light 21 by a four-wave mixing (FWM), and a band pass filter (BPF) 13 for adjusting a power balance of the side mode of the pulse train 22 so as to shape the frequency spectrum.
US08023535B2
A broadcasting signal receiver and a method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal are disclosed. An identifier of a cell is configured in second program table information or signaling information of the broadcasting signal. If the cell is changed, channel information of the changed cell can be obtained from second program table information in which transmission channel information of each cell for a broadcasting program is configured. Accordingly, the broadcasting signal receiver can continuously output the program although the cell is changed.
US08023529B2
In a method for using resources in a communication system, a communication region is divided into inter-sector boundary regions, sector central regions, and a sector common region, and predetermined resources are allocated to the divided regions.
US08023528B2
A method of resolving mutex contention within a network interface unit which includes providing a plurality of memory access channels, and moving a thread via at least one of the plurality of memory access channels, the plurality of memory access channels allowing moving of the thread while avoiding mutex contention when moving the thread via the at least one of the plurality of memory access channels is disclosed.
US08023527B2
A method and apparatus for adjusting timeslot fragments of multiple links in an Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON). The method includes the steps of: obtaining link information of multiple links necessary for timeslot fragment adjustment, calculating adjusted link information of each link according to the link information, and adjusting a timeslot allocation of each link according to the adjusted link information.
US08023526B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for changing a channel prediction depending on the degree of downlink channel variation in predicting an uplink channel for uplink pre-equalization. N number of Doppler frequency ranges are set according to downlink channel variation degrees, and uplink channel prediction schemes corresponding to the respective Doppler frequency ranges are established. A Doppler frequency is measured from a signal received over a downlink channel, and the Doppler frequency range, within which the measured Doppler frequency is included, is determined from among the Doppler frequency ranges. The channel prediction scheme established corresponding to the determined Doppler frequency is selected, and the uplink pre-equalization is performed by using the selected channel prediction scheme. This enables uplink pre-equalization that is suitable for a channel varying with a terminal's moving speed or other channel environments.
US08023525B2
A digital broadcasting system which is robust against an error when mobile service data is transmitted and a method of processing data are disclosed. The mobile service data is subjected to an additional coding process and the coded mobile service data is transmitted. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a serious channel variation while applying robustness to the mobile service data.
US08023520B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a signaling packet that includes an indication that the packet is not part of a data transmission. The signaling packet may also include a specific value that is adapted to signal a condition. The indication may be purposely set to indicate that the signaling packet is not part of the data transmission to facilitate examination of the specific value by a receiver of the signaling packet.
US08023517B2
System and method for improving network performance and security by controlling topology information
A system for optimizing the performance of a network. In an illustrative embodiment, the system includes a memory containing one or more data structures data structures. A first module determines transit-only information. A second module selectively omits the transit-only information from the one or more data structures. In a more specific embodiment, the one or more data structures include one or more tables. The transit-only information includes interface Internet Protocol (IP) addresses associated with network interfaces that are transit-only interfaces. The route information may include network topology information. The one or more tables may include a network topology table. Plural routers positioned in the network incorporate one or more instances of the system. The routers may employ one or more routing protocols, such as include Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) or Routing Information Protocol (RIP).
US08023514B2
A communication resource management device changes the transfer rate of a first control channel related to a first mobile terminal according to a communication condition. The device determines whether there is a frequency band for which it is not determined whether the frequency band is to be used in a predetermined time period based on a current transfer rate of a second control channel related to a second mobile terminal and an amount of data to be transmitted in the second control channel; and allocates, to the first mobile terminal, at least a part of the frequency band for the second control channel with respect to the second mobile terminal in a predetermined period of time. The device changes the transfer rate in the first control channel while maintaining the total frequency band for plural control channels related to plural mobile terminals at a constant value.
US08023505B2
It is disclosed a method for implementing a circuit emulation service through a packet-switched network, wherein the packet-switched network cooperates with a first interface and a second interface suitable to connect a first user and a second user, respectively, to the packet-switched network. The method comprises: a) at the first interface, receiving a TDM flow from the first user; b) converting the TDM flow in packets formatted according to the circuit emulation service, wherein at least one of the packets comprises a header in turn comprising a redundant field; c) compressing the header into a compressed header by processing the redundant field, and forming a compressed packet comprising the compressed header; d) transmitting the compressed packet through the packet-switched network to the second interface.
US08023503B2
In one embodiment, a method of providing mobile internet comprises receiving a down-link packet having a endpoint identity protocol element (EIP), the EIP comprising a global locator associated with a provider network, a first local locator set to a predetermined value, and an endpoint identifier associated with a mobile host; querying the provider network to obtain a second local locator value associated with the mobile host, the second local locator indicates the location of a first radio router with which the mobile host had previously exchange authentication; overwriting the first local locator portion of the EIP with the second local locator; and routing the down-link packet towards the mobile host using the second local locator.
US08023501B1
Methods and wireless sensor nodes for aggregation-driven topology formation in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) are provided. A method for aggregation-driven topology formation in a WSN includes aggregating sensor data by one or more first sensor nodes, sending, by each of the one or more first sensor nodes, at least one activity diffusion message to each of at least one neighboring node of one or more second sensor nodes, wherein each activity diffusion message includes an activity diffusion weight, receiving, by each of the one or more second sensor nodes, respective of the at least one activity diffusion message from at least one neighboring node of the one or more first sensor nodes, accumulating, by each of the one or more second sensor nodes, activity diffusion weights included in the at least one activity diffusion message received from the at least one neighboring node of the one or more first sensor nodes, sending, by each of the one or more first sensor nodes, the aggregated data to at least one of the at least one neighboring node of the one or more second sensor nodes, and receiving, by the at least one of the at least one neighboring node of the one or more second sensor nodes, the aggregated data from respective of the one or more first sensor nodes.
US08023494B2
In a mobile terminal in which a communication service is being executed, communication networks can be switched without causing a loss of communication data while maintaining the execution of the communication service. In a server which provides a communication service via communication networks provided in parallel and a mobile terminal which obtains the communication service using one of the communication networks, the mobile terminal activates another communication network in parallel while maintaining execution of the communication service to thereby transmit pieces of information having the same content, generated by copying, through the respective communication networks, and switches the one communication network being used to the other communication network.
US08023493B2
In a packet communications system, a control apparatus implements routing control of a received packet directed for the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a plurality of network interface cards; a communication manager configured to select at least one network interface card among from the plurality of network interface cards, in accordance with information regarding the network interface card; and an upper layer manager configured to receive the packet transmitted from the control apparatus, with using a selected network interface card.
US08023481B2
A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting a data frame using channel bonding in a wireless local area network in which high throughput (HT) stations and legacy systems coexist. The method includes adding a legacy format physical layer header including information, which indicates that a medium is being used while a frame exchange sequence is performed with respect to the HT format data frame, to the HT format data frame, transmitting the HT format data frame with the physical layer header by using channel bonding, and broadcasting the legacy format CF-End frame through a plurality of channels used in the channel bonding. Accordingly, after a frame exchange sequence is completed, the legacy stations which use channels used in the channel bonding can participate in a fair contention for medium access.
US08023479B2
A mobile application gateway for connecting devices on a cellular network with individual networks, such as enterprise voice and data networks and/or residential networks. The effects of the present invention are far reaching in terms of transferring effective call control from the cellular network into the control of the individual network such as the enterprise, and enabling new business models for the purchase of cellular service from a public cellular carrier by an enterprise. The invention may consist of a primarily of core network and services components based on the IMS network architecture, and is backward compatible to support legacy systems in place in current telecom and data networks.
US08023475B2
The present invention discloses a method and system for efficiently supporting data calls to WTRUs in systems that also support telephony. Various types of data is transmitted on a known schedule which is tightly synchronized to a predetermined time frame. The WTRUs synchronize their wake-up periods to search for data at times when data may or will actually be transmitted to them.
US08023466B2
The soft handoff in an OFDMA system. If the pilot signal strength for a base station exceeds the defined threshold, the base station is added to an active set list. Subcarriers in a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are divided and allocated into subchannels. The OFDM symbols are divided and multiplexed. A soft handoff zone with a first dimension of the subchannels and a second dimension of the divided and multiplexed OFDM symbols is defined. The soft handoff zone have subcarriers with a subchannel definition, for example, an identical permutation.
US08023464B2
Mobile unassisted dormant handoff in a wireless communication system supporting packet data communications. While in a dormant mode, a mobile node may change packet zones, wherein different packet zones are serviced by at least one different infrastructure element, without identifying the change to the system. The change in packet zone does not necessarily trigger establishment of a communication path for the mobile node until there is packet data ready for communication. In one embodiment, mobile assistance is adapted to the system, and is disabled at the mobile node by an indication in a system parameter message transmitted by the system and received by the mobile node.
US08023461B2
A method and an apparatus are described for increasing the flexibility of uplink resource allocation for a mobile station (MS) (100), that is backwards compatible with earlier standards that provide only a single data flow per MS. The method includes steps of (A) associating an allocated uplink resource (an Uplink State Flag (USF)) with one or more Temporary Block Flows (TBFs) for a Packet Data Channel (PDCH), and not with a MS per se (although a given USF is associated with only a single MS); and (B) using a Temporary Flow Identity (TFI) for identifying a TBF, where a TFI may be unique to a PDCH and, if not, is unique with respect to the MS on a PDCH (and hence with respect to the USF). The result is that the MS is enabled to send any of its TBFs on allocated resources of the same PDCH. An uplink resource may be allocated to the MS dynamically using the Uplink State Flag (USF) or by using a fixed allocation. A total of n Radio Bearers are associated with a single TBF, where n≧1.
US08023456B2
A method distributes transport bearer capacity in a communication system. The method comprises defining a total need for transport capacity for a set of transport bearers sharing a physical channel. The method also comprises reserving transport bearer capacity from the physical channel based on total need. The method also comprises distributing transport bearer capacity to at least one individual transport bearer of the set of transport bearers from the transport bearer capacity reserved from the physical channel Furthermore, a network entity for a communication system and a communication system are configured to execute the method.
US08023443B2
Providing wireless communication between an access point and a wireless device includes the wireless device operating in a first reduced power mode for a first period of time, where the wireless device does not receive communications while operating in the first reduced power mode and includes the wireless device operating in a full power mode for a second period of time, where the wireless device transitions back into the first reduced power mode in response to there being no communication from the access point to the wireless device during the second period of time. The wireless device may be a wireless sensor. In response to the access point directing the wireless sensor to collect data at a particular collection time, the wireless sensor may enter the first reduced power mode for a time prior to the collection time.
US08023438B2
Described herein is a device that includes at least one radio frequency transmitter; at least one radio frequency receiver; a copy block configurable to output a digital representation of a currently transmitted signal and a model having a representation of at least analog circuitry of the at least one radio frequency transmitter and analog circuitry of the at least one radio frequency receiver, as well as possibly one or more antennas. The model generates, in response to the digital representation of the currently transmitted signal, a self-interference compensation signal to compensate, in the digital domain, a signal that is received simultaneously with the currently transmitted signal. Also described are corresponding apparatus, methods, computer program instructions stored in a memory medium, and an integrated circuit embodiment.
US08023435B2
The present invention relates to a method and network node for distributing a network parameter information among network nodes of a transmission network. A spanning tree of routing paths corresponding to the shortest paths from said network node to other nodes is determined based on a topology information of the transmission network, and is used to distribute the network parameter information from the network node to the other network nodes. Thereby, the updating message or packet traffic can be reduced dramatically as compared to the conventional flooding scheme.
US08023423B2
A solution to the problem of automated policy generation for mobile ad hoc networks includes an optimization-based, utility-driven approach aimed at generating optimal policies with respect to the given network objectives. The combination of optimization heuristics and network simulation is used to solve the problem. Specifically, the problem of automated generation of network management policies based on available network plans and related information is solved by converting the policy generation into the following optimization problem: given network information and objectives as input, generate optimal policies as output. The optimization process is guided by a utility function based on performance evaluation criteria reflecting the network objectives.
US08023419B2
In one embodiment, a packet filter (or “trap”) is installed on one or more interfaces of a router, switch (intermediary) or other node in an IP network that identifies multimedia packets for a particular media stream. A packet replicator (or “cloner”) duplicates the identified packets allowing the original packets to continue through the IP network. A forwarder (“tunneler”) encapsulates and sends the cloned media packets to a central facility where the tunneled media stream is further analyzed.
US08023407B2
A method for providing redundancy within a communication network, the method provides means for using the same IP address with a plurality of hosts located in different subnets, non-simultaneously, without requiring any additional programming for routers in the network.
US08023404B1
A method includes operating in a normal mode to receive and transmit packets, where the network device is one of multiple network devices that operate as a virtual chassis, where the virtual chassis corresponds to a single logical network device, and detecting when the network device crashes. The method further includes initiating a resetting process and operating in a pass through mode, during the resetting process, where the pass through mode permits packets to be received and transmitted to the network devices of the virtual chassis.
US08023399B2
A plurality of communication bursts are transmitted substantially simultaneously in a time slot of a time division duplex/code division multiple access communication system. The communication system has a maximum number of K midamble shifts. Each burst has an assigned midamble. Each midamble is a shifted version of a basic midamble code having a period of P. A combined signal is received. The combined signal includes a received version of each of the communication burst's midambles. A P by P square circulant matrix is constructed including the K midamble shifts. A channel response is determined for each of the K midamble shifts using a prime factor algorithm (PFA) discrete Fourier transform (DFT) algorithm, the received combined signal and the P by P square circulant matrix. The PFA DFT algorithm has a plurality of stages. Each stage has P inputs.
US08023398B2
Aspects describe a Fast Hadamard Transform that is common to multiple mobile devices. A scrambled sequence produced by the Fast Hadamard Transform can be utilized to decode access-based handoff probes from multiple terminals within a wireless communications system. A Walsh Sequence can be scrambled with a common random sequence to produce a scrambled sequence. At least a portion of the scrambled sequence is included in an access probe.
US08023396B2
In one embodiment of a communications network, the predetermined encoding scheme and symbol constellation configurations are chosen so that the range in channel qualities that the encoding scheme and symbol constellation configurations are designed to be utilized within overlap with each other. This overlapping provides hysteresis, which reduces the frequency with which a subscriber must alter encoding scheme and symbol constellations. Reducing the frequency of changing encoding scheme and/or symbol constellation eliminates the communication overhead associated with these changes and increases throughput by enabling the subscriber to spend more time transmitting data.
US08023393B2
The present invention relates to a method of reducing the wear of a tip of a probe when the tip is in contact with a surface of a substrate and when the probe is mounted on a support structure. A method is provided where a load force is applied to the probe, thereby causing the tip to be maintained substantially in contact with the substrate surface and a modulation step where the e magnitude of the load force is modulated at a modulation frequency. The modulation frequency is selected to be greater than a fundamental vibration frequency of the support structure on which the probe is mounted.
US08023391B2
A photodetection device is provided with a photoelectric converter portion that converts light to electric current, an electrical current/voltage converter portion, including a feedback circuit that returns at least part of the output to the input side, that converts the electrical current received from the photoelectric converter portion to a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the feedback circuit and outputs the voltage, where the feedback circuit includes a first MOS transistor that allows the resistance value to be varied in accordance with the gate voltage.
US08023387B2
An optical pickup device radiates laser light to a disc having a plurality of recording layers in a direction of lamination. The optical pickup device includes an astigmatic element and a spectral element. The astigmatic element allows reflected light from the disc to converge in a first direction and form a first focal line at a first position, and allows reflected light to converge in a second direction and form a second focal line at a second position closer to the disc than the first position. The spectral element splits a reflected light flux in two along a straight line parallel to the first direction and turns traveling directions of the split two light fluxes into directions separated from each other. Here, the spectral element is interposed between the second focal line of the reflected light from a target recording layer and the second focal line of the reflected light from a deeper recording layer than the target recording layer. The photodetector is interposed between the first and second focal lines of the reflected light from the target recording layer.
US08023380B2
The optical data recording method comprising the steps of: modulating data to be recorded, to generate a plurality of recording modulation codes; and emitting a pulse-like light beam to an optical disc, so that a plurality of recording marks and spaces which have lengths corresponding to the plurality of recording modulation codes are formed on the optical disc. In the optical data recording method, at least two of the plurality of recording marks comprises: a first pulse which is disposed at a front and forms a leading edge of the recording mark, a last pulse which is disposed at a backend and forms a trailing edge of the recording mark, and a multi-pulse train which is disposed between the first pulse and the last pulse and forms a center of the recording mark. The multi-pulse train has a pulse period longer than T which represents a reference period of the recording modulation code.
US08023375B2
A recording/reproducing device includes an optical head unit which performs writing and reading of information expressed by marks and spaces on an optical recording medium by irradiating laser light onto the optical recording medium, a laser driving pulse generating unit that generates a laser driving pulse according to the recorded information to supply a laser driving signal to the optical head unit, and executes the irradiation of the laser light onto the optical head unit for recording, an evaluation value calculating unit that calculates a quality evaluation value, which is an index of recording signal quality based on a signal read from the optical recording medium by the optical head unit, and an adjustment controlling unit that performs an adjustment setting of the laser driving pulse generated in the laser driving pulse generating unit.
US08023372B2
An address detection circuit includes a correction signal generator that generates a plurality of timing correction signals based on an ADIP (Address In Pre-groove) signal that is read out from a wobble of an optical disk, the timing correction signals having different cycles with each other, a correction signal selector that selects one of the timing correction signals generated by the correction signal generator and outputs the selected signal, and a timing corrector that outputs a data address detected based on a data signal that is read out from a data track of the optical disk at a timing in accordance with the timing correction signal transmitted from the correction signal selector.
US08023370B2
An apparatus for converting a groove/land polarity on an optical medium, comprises a physical identification (PID) detector for detecting a first PID value from a first sector, a sector information unit for providing an information which includes a second PID value indicative of either a second sector or at least one reference groove/land changing point, a sector counter for counting a first value whose an initiation is set by the sector information unit based on the information and/or by the PID detector based on the first PID value, and a comparing unit for determining at least one oncoming groove/land changing points, when the first value approaches a second value predetermined in or generated by the sector information unit according to the information.
US08023359B2
An ultrasound device generates polar-coordinate image data divided up into an (N×M) array of polar-coordinate image data blocks; a first external memory configured to store the (N×M) array of data blocks; a second external memory configured to store x-y coordinate image data corresponding to the polar-coordinate image data; a video processing chip comprising an internal memory configured to store an (N×R) array of the polar-coordinate image data blocks; and a controller configured to perform a data conversion operation on the (N×R) array of data blocks to generate x-y coordinate image data, and to store the x-y coordinate image data to the second external memory. N, M, and R are integers greater than 1; R is less than M; and an internal access time for the internal memory element is shorter than an external access time for the first external memory element.
US08023354B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a fuse set configured to form a current path including at least one of a plurality of fuses in response to address information corresponding to a plurality of memory cells and to output a redundancy address corresponding to a programming state of the plurality of fuses where the plurality of fuses are programmed with address information corresponding to a target memory cell to be repaired among the plurality of memory cells, and at least one current controlling unit configured to control a driving current flowing through the current path according to at least one detection signal.
US08023353B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device which reduces current consumption in a standby state owing to a suitable refresh-thinning-out function, and a refresh control method thereof. When the refresh-thinning-out function is added while a refresh operation and an external access operation are being executed independently of each other, a refresh address counter outputs a refresh address Add(C) and inputs predetermined high-order bits thereof to a refresh-thinning-out control as a high-order refresh address Add(C) (m), where judgment as to whether the refresh operation is performed, is made. A refresh permission signal RFEN corresponding to the result of judgment is inputted to a word driver to activate and control the word driver. The process of judgment by the refresh-thinning-out control circuit can be embedded in an access time of a row system.
US08023351B2
A semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory cell array including a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit line pairs containing a first bit line and a second bit line, and a plurality of memory cells; a plurality of replica bit lines formed in the same manner as the first and second bit lines; a write buffer circuit operative to drive the first or second bit line to the ground voltage; a replica write buffer circuit operative to drive the replica bit lines to the ground voltage; and a boot strap circuit operative to drive the first or second bit line currently driven to the ground voltage further to a negative potential at a timing when the potential on the replica bit lines reaches a certain value.
US08023350B2
A memory malfunction prediction system and method, such as those that sequentially stress each row of memory cells in an array by decreasing the refresh rate of the row. Prior to doing so, the data stored in the row can be copied to a holding row, and a CRC value for the data can be generated and stored. After the test, the data stored in the row being tested can be read, and a CRC value for the data can then be generated. This after test CRC value can be compared to the stored pre-test CRC value. In the event of a match, the row can be considered to be functioning properly, and the next row can then be tested. If the CRC values do not match, a predicted malfunction of the row can be considered to exist, and corrective action can be taken, such as by repairing the row by substituting a redundant row of memory cells.
US08023346B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory block, a second memory block, and a signal controller. The first memory block is configured to generate a first blocking signal, a second blocking signal, and a first enable signal in response to a row address, and to block and enable wordlines of the memory block in response to the first blocking signal and the first enable signal, respectively. The second memory block is configured to generate a third blocking signal, a fourth blocking signal, and a second enable signal in response to the row address, and to block and enable wordlines of the second memory block in response to the third blocking signal and the second enable signal, respectively. The signal controller is connected between the first memory block and the second memory block and is configured to enable the third blocking signal when the second blocking signal is enabled, and to enable the first blocking signal when the fourth blocking signal is enabled.
US08023345B2
Systems, methods, and devices for iteratively writing contents to memory locations are provided. A statistical model is used to determine a sequence of pulses to write desired contents to a memory location. The contents can be expressed as a resistance value in a range to store one or more bits in a memory cell. For phase change memory, an adaptive reset pulse and one or more annealing pulses are selected based on a desired resistance range. Reading the resistance value of the memory cell can provide feedback to determine adjustments in an overall pulse application strategy. The statistical model and a look up table can be used to select and modify pulses. Adaptively updating the statistical model and look up table may reduce the number of looping iterations to shift the resistance value of the memory cell into the desired resistance range.
US08023342B2
A memory controller, such as a memory controller for reading data received from a DDR SDRAM memory, may detect the beginning and end of a read cycle. The memory controller may include a preamble detection circuit to receive a strobe signal and output a first control signal indicating detection of a preamble window in the strobe signal that indicates a beginning of the read cycle, where the first control signal is delayed based on a selectable delay period applied to the first control signal. The memory controller may further include a first gate to, based on the first control signal, either output the strobe signal for reading of the data lines or block the strobe signal, and the control logic to set an amount of the selectable delay period for the preamble detection circuit.
US08023340B2
Some embodiments include a number of nodes configured to receive a number of signals. The signals may represent information stored in a number of memory cells of a device such as a memory device. The device may include a number of transfer paths having storage elements coupled between the nodes and an output node. The transfer paths may be configured to transfer a selected signal of the signals from one of the nodes to the output node via one of the transfer paths. The transfer paths may be configured to hold a value of the selected signal in only one of the storage elements. Each of the transfer paths may include only one of the storage elements. Other embodiments including additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08023336B2
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a main memory array, at least one erase status memory cell associated with the main memory array and configured to store a value indicative of an erase completion status of the main memory array, and a control module operatively coupled to the at least one erase status memory cell, the control module configured to perform operations on the main memory array based at least in part on the value stored in the at least one erase status memory cell. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08023329B2
A selected word line that is coupled to cells for programming is biased with an initial programming voltage. The unselected word lines that are adjacent to the selected word line are biased at an initial Vpass. As the quantity of program/erase cycles on the memory device increases, the programming voltage required to successfully program the cells decreases incrementally. Vpass tracks the decrease of the programming voltage.
US08023321B2
A method for minimizing program disturb in Flash memories. To reduce program disturb in a NAND Flash memory cell string where no programming from the erased state is desired, a local boosted channel inhibit scheme is used. In the local boosted channel inhibit scheme, the selected memory cell in a NAND string where no programming is desired, is decoupled from the other cells in the NAND string. This allows the channel of the decoupled cell to be locally boosted to a voltage level sufficient for inhibiting F-N tunneling when the corresponding wordline is raised to a programming voltage. Due to the high boosting efficiency, the pass voltage applied to the gates of the remaining memory cells in the NAND string can be reduced relative to prior art schemes, thereby minimizing program disturb while allowing for random page programming.
US08023316B2
A magnetic tunnel junction having a compensation element is disclosed. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a synthetic antiferromagnetic reference element, and a synthetic antiferromagnetic compensation element having an opposite magnetization moment to a magnetization moment of the synthetic antiferromagnetic reference element. A free magnetic layer is between the synthetic antiferromagnetic reference element and the synthetic antiferromagnetic compensation element, and an electrically insulating and non-magnetic tunneling barrier layer separates the free magnetic layer from the synthetic antiferromagnetic reference element. The free magnetic layer includes Co100-X-YFeXBY wherein X is a value being greater than 30 and Y is a value being greater than 15.
US08023313B2
A resistance change memory device includes a cell array having multiple layers of mats laminated thereon, each of the mats having word lines and bit lines intersecting each other as well as resistance change type memory cells arranged at intersections thereof, each of the mats further having therein a reference cell and a reference bit line connected to the reference cell, the reference cell set to a state of a certain resistance value; a selection circuit configured to select a word line in each mat of the cell array, and select a bit line intersecting a selected word line and the reference bit line at the same time; and a sense amplifier configured to sense data by comparing respective cell currents of a selected memory cell on the selected bit line and the reference cell on the reference bit line.
US08023312B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device include: a two terminal structured variable resistive element, wherein resistive characteristics defined by current-voltage characteristics at both ends transit between low and high resistance states stably by applying a voltage satisfying predetermined conditions to the both ends. A transition from the low resistance state to the high resistance state occurs by applying a voltage of a first polarity whose absolute value is at or higher than first threshold voltage, and the reverse transition occurs by applying a voltage of a second polarity whose absolute value is at or higher than a second threshold voltage. A load circuit is connected to the variable resistive element in series having an adjustable load resistance. A voltage generation circuit applies a voltage to both ends of a serial circuit. The variable resistive element can transit between the states by adjusting a resistance of the load circuit.
US08023309B2
A first electrode is formed on a stacked-layer film, which is formed of a ferroelectric layer and a semiconductor layer, at the ferroelectric layer and a plurality of second electrodes are formed on the stacked-layer film at the semiconductor layer side. Each of parts of the semiconductor layer located in regions in which the second electrodes are formed functions as a resistance modulation element (memory) using the polarization assist effect of the ferroelectric layer. Information (a low resistance state or a high resistance state) held in a memory is read by detecting a value of a current flowing in each part of the semiconductor layer. Information is written in a memory by inverting a polarization of the ferroelectric layer.
US08023302B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an involatile memory device, in which additional writing of data is possible other than in manufacturing steps and forgery and the like due to rewriting can be prevented, and a semiconductor device having the memory device. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive involatile memory device and a semiconductor device having high reliability. According to the present invention, a memory device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an insulating layer interposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, where the first conductive layer has a convex portion.
US08023301B1
Present embodiments allow a search engine to quickly save and restore state information to and from an external state memory when switching between multiple data flows by transferring the state information between the search engine and the external state memory in a parallel manner. More specifically, for CAM-based search engines configured according to present embodiments, the CAM array includes state information gating circuits that selectively allow state information stored in the CAM array's match latches to be transposed onto the array's bit lines and then read from the array using the array's sense amplifiers.
US08023292B2
The present invention reduces switching noise generated in a switching control device having a switching element such as a switching power supply in linear linkage with the state of a load of the output and without increasing the control circuit scale which is a factor of cost increase. The present invention adopts a configuration of a control circuit having an ON/OFF circuit that controls the switching element such that one or both of two specified values (upper limit and lower limit) that specify triangular waves of a triangular wave generation circuit that specifies a drive oscillating frequency of the switching element is/are changed in linear linkage with the output load state.
US08023290B2
A power converter nearly losslessly delivers energy and recovers energy from capacitors associated with controlled rectifiers in a secondary winding circuit, each controlled rectifier having a parallel uncontrolled rectifier. First and second primary switches in series with first and second primary windings, respectively, are turned on for a fixed duty cycle, each for approximately one half of the switching cycle. Switched transition times are short relative to the on-state and off-state times of the controlled rectifiers. The control inputs to the controlled rectifiers are cross-coupled from opposite secondary transformer windings.
US08023287B2
An electronic device includes: a board having a first connector; a housing in which the board is disposed and which has a work opening for allowing external work for the board; and a cable which has an end reaching the board by passing through a path within the housing and has a second connector to be mated with the first connector and disposed at the end. The electronic device further includes a cable holding section provided at an inner wall of the housing and having a slit whose width is smaller than a size of the second connector. The cable holding section holds the cable so that a part of the cable reaches the work opening.
US08023274B2
Insulating ribs are formed into one or more portions of a housing that encloses circuitry of an electrical device. Components mounted on a board are separated according to whether they are related to a primary side of a power transformer or a secondary side. Primary related components are typically mounted on the primary side of an isolation slot formed into a circuit board and components related to the secondary are mounted on the other side. The insulating ribs are strategically placed to protrude through the slots when circuit board is mounted to the housing portion. Thus, when the housing portion is joined to another housing portion, which also may include insulating ribs strategically placed, the ribs increase the breakdown voltage of the boundary.
US08023270B2
An optoelectronic transceiver module includes a cage, a transceiver module, and a release mechanism. The release mechanism includes a latch and a trigger. The latch pivotally attaches to the transceiver module with a first pivot. The latch includes a latch block projecting from a first end of the latch operable to be received in the cage. The trigger pivotally attaches to a second end of the latch with a second pivot. The trigger includes a cam mechanism around the second pivot. When the transceiver module is received in the cage, the first end of the latch separates from the transceiver module. When the trigger rotates about the second pivot, the cam mechanism drives the second end of the latch apart from the transceiver module, and the first end of the latch moves correspondingly toward the transceiver module and the latch block withdraws from the cage.
US08023269B2
A circuit assembly (34) resistant to high-temperature and high g centrifugal force is disclosed. A printed circuit board (42) is first fabricated from alumina and has conductive traces of said circuit formed thereon by the use of a thick film gold paste. Active and passive components of the circuit assembly are attached to the printed circuit board by means of gold powder diffused under high temperature. Gold wire is used for bonding between the circuit traces and the active components in order to complete the circuit assembly (34). Also, a method for manufacturing a circuit assembly resistant to elevated temperature is disclosed.
US08023266B2
An AC photovoltaic module includes a DC photovoltaic module for converting solar energy to DC electrical power, and an inverter for converting DC electrical power to AC electrical power, the inverter being adapted for connection to a frame portion of the module and being sized and configured, and provided with arrangements of electrical components thereof, to dispense heat from the inverter, whereby to prolong operational life and reliability of the inverter.
US08023265B2
A centrifugal fan includes a plurality of blades, a housing for receiving the blades therein and an air guiding mechanism. The housing includes a top wall and a sidewall around the top wall. The sidewall defines a first air outlet and a second air outlet adjacent and perpendicular to the first air outlet. The air guiding mechanism is located between the first air outlet and the second air outlet. The air guiding mechanism includes an air guiding wall parallel to the second air outlet and an air partition wall extending inwardly from the air guiding wall towards the blades. The first air outlet is defined between the air partition wall and the sidewall. The second air outlet is defined between the air guiding wall and the sidewall of the housing.
US08023260B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include a plate placed behind a screen formed from a window and a display module to provide the screen with additional stiffness (e.g., to resist dropping events). The window may be maintained in the electronic device by trapping the window between a bezel and the display module. In some embodiments, the window may include a chamfered edge operative to be received by a recessed edge in the bezel. In some embodiments, the input mechanism of the electronic device may be metallic and need to be grounded, but may be surrounded by plastic components or other non-grounding components. The electronic device may include screws operative to pass through a circuit board to reach a frame, which may serve as a ground, where the screws are located in proximity of the button. In some embodiments, the circuit board may include an additional component for grounding the button
US08023256B2
A portable folding electronic device has a base with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a user interface on one surface. The user interface may be oriented for use when the base has a portrait orientation. The device also has a screen unit with a longer length dimension and a shorter width dimension and a screen on one surface. A linkage connects the base to the screen unit. The linkage provides at least two degrees of freedom between the base and the screen unit such that the screen unit may be moved to a first position folded onto the base, with the length dimension of said screen unit aligned with the length dimension of the base, and to a second position tilted with respect to the base, with the length dimension of the screen unit aligned with the width dimension of the base.
US08023247B2
The present invention is directed to an electrostatic chuck (ESC) with a compliant layer formed from TT-Kote® and a method of forming a clamping plate for an ESC. The ESC comprises a compliant layer having a low friction surface for reducing or eliminating particulates generated from thermal expansion. The method comprises forming a clamping member for a substrate comprising a ceramic material and a ceramic surface, and coating the ceramic surface with a compliant layer comprising an organic silicide or TT-Kote®.
US08023246B2
In a method of manufacturing an electrostatic chuck, the method includes: a step of providing an electrostatic chucking portion including an electrode to which a voltage is applied and a film-like insulating layer covering the electrode; a step of bonding an elastomer layer onto the electrostatic chucking portion; a step of bonding a metal base onto the elastomer layer such that recess portions formed on a surface of the metal base face the elastomer layer.
US08023240B2
An operating device is provided having a first button, a second button, and a regulating member. The first button has a tubular hole having a bottom, and is able to be pressed in the direction from the opening edge of said tubular hole to the bottom. The second button freely fits the inside surface of said tubular hole on the outside surface of the second button. The regulating member engages the edge of the first button and regulates the movement of the first button in the pressing direction. The first button is swingable on its edge.
US08023238B2
A universal trip unit for use with a circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a personality module of the circuit breaker apparatus and to thereby receive key breaker personality parameters that relate to operational characteristics of the circuit breaker apparatus, and a controller. The controller includes a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with information determined from the universal register, and components to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage Within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.
US08023233B2
A tunneling magnetic sensing element includes a pinned magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is pinned in one direction, an insulating barrier layer disposed on the pinned magnetic layer, a free magnetic layer whose magnetization direction varies in response to an external magnetic field disposed on the insulating barrier layer, and a first protective layer composed of iridium-manganese (IrMn) disposed on the free magnetic layer. Consequently, a high rate of change in resistance is obtained and the magnetostriction of the free magnetic layer is low, compared with a tunneling magnetic sensing element which is not provided with a first protective layer.
US08023232B2
A method of generating a thin film for use in a spin valve of a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor having a nano-constricted spacer is provided. The bottom portion of the spin valve is deposited up to the pinned layer, a deposition chamber is provided, and the spacer layer is sputtered thereon. A main ion beam generates ions onto a composite surface including magnetic chips and insulator material. Simultaneously, an assisted ion beam provides ions directly to the substrate, thus improving the softness of the free layer and smoothness of the spacer layer. Neutralizers are also provided to prevent ion repulsion and improve ion beam focus. As a result, a thin film spacer can be formed, and the nano-constricted MR spin valve having low free layer coercivity and low interlayer coupling between the free layer and pinned layer is formed.
US08023229B2
A flexible mounting slider with anti-static structure includes a slider body, an anti-static structure and a lead layer. The slider body includes an ABS, a slider back surface opposite to the ABS and a trailing edge connected with the ABS and the slider back surface. The trailing edge forms a plurality of slider pads thereon. The anti-static structure is provided on the slider back surface, which includes an insulation plate formed on the slider back surface, an anti-static plate formed on the insulation plate and a grounding element. In the invention, the anti-static plate comprises an insulation layer and an anti-static layer. The grounding element is electrically contacting with the anti-static layer of the anti-static plate and the slider back surface simultaneously. The lead layer is sandwiched between the insulation plate and the insulation layer of the anti-static plate and electrically connected with the slider pads of the slider body.
US08023228B2
A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head and manufacturing method are provided. The HAMR head is mounted on a slider having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and includes a substrate; a recording unit formed on the substrate and having a stepped end; a waveguide located in a space formed by the stepped end; and a near field light emission (NFE) pole located adjacent to the recording unit and having an end located on a same plane as the ABS. The method includes forming a cladding layer on a substrate; forming a first metal layer on the cladding layer; etching a part of the first metal layer; forming a core layer on the etched region; forming a refraction part in a part of the core layer; forming a second metal layer the first metal layer and the core layer; and forming a recording unit on the second metal layer.
US08023221B1
A system including a signal generating module and a position control module. The signal generating module generates position error signals based on servo bursts read from a servo region of a track of a disk drive. The servo bursts are read by a head of the disk drive and include first, second, third, and fourth servo bursts. The position control module generates differences between the position error signals and determines a position of the head relative to the track based on (i) a first difference of the differences and (ii) a second difference of the differences. The first difference is based on the first servo burst and the second servo burst. The second difference is based on (i) the third servo burst and (ii) the first servo burst or the second servo burst and is independent of the fourth servo burst.
US08023213B2
A defect inspection method and device for a perpendicular magnetic recording medium that has discrete recording tracks and grooves between recording tracks, including DC demagnetizing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, detecting a reproduced signal from the perpendicular magnetic recording medium after the DC demagnetizing, removing output fluctuation components caused by the grooves from the reproduced signal using a filter with a prescribed cutoff frequency and separating a peak output of the reproduced signal, comparing the peak output with a prescribed reference signal, and identifying a location where the peak output exceeds the reference signal as a defect location. The method further includes performing an envelope-detection on the reproduced signal, detecting a pre-format region in the perpendicular magnetic recording medium using the envelope-detection result, masking the detected pre-format region, and detecting the defect location in a region outside the masked pre-format region in the perpendicular magnetic recording medium.
US08023205B2
A lens array includes a lens assembly member and a light blocking member. The lens assembly member includes lens elements arranged in an arrangement direction substantially perpendicular to optical axes thereof. The light blocking member includes apertures extending and passing thought the optical axes. The lens assembly members and the light blocking member are arranged so that the following relationship is satisfied: RAY/RLY
US08023203B2
An miniature three-piece optical imaging lens with short back focal length, along an optical axis from the object side to the image side including: a first lens of positive refractive power that is a meniscus aspherical lens having a convex surface on the object side, an aperture stop, a second lens of negative refractive power that is a meniscus aspherical lens having a convex surface on the image side, a third lens of negative refractive power that is an aspherical lens whose center is on the optical axis, while on the lens center the convex surface is on the object side and the concave surface is on the image side. Moreover, from the center of the third lens element toward the edge, the refractive power changes from negative power, through an inflection point, to positive power. Furthermore, the optical imaging lens further satisfies conditions: 0.25 ≤ bf TL ≤ 0.4 wherein bf is back focal length, TL is total distance on the optical axis from the object side of the first lens to the image plane. Thereby, the imaging lens achieves effective aberration correction, high resolution and minimum total length.
US08023202B2
The present invention is an imaging lens of which optical performance does not deteriorate even in a high temperature environment, various aberrations are well corrected, optical length is short, and back focus is sufficiently secured, the imaging lens comprising a first diaphragm S1, a first junction type compound lens, a second diaphragm S2, and a second junction type compound lens, characterized in that the first diaphragm, the first junction type compound lens, the second diaphragm and the second junction type compound lens are arranged in this sequence from an object side to an image side. The first junction type compound lens comprises a first lens L1, a second lens L2 and a third lens L3, arranged in the sequence from the object side to the image side, and the second junction type compound lens comprises a fourth lens L4, a fifth lens L5 and a sixth lens L6, arranged in this sequence from the object side to the image side. The first lens, the third lens, the fourth lens and the sixth lens are formed of a curable resin material. The second lens and the fifth lens are formed of a high softening temperature optical glass material.
US08023197B2
The zoom lens is a retractable bent-type zoom lens capable of providing a high zoom ratio and a reduced thickness, and capable of retracting into a camera body with an easily-configured mechanism. The zoom lens includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a prism including a reflective surface, and a posterior lens group which includes plural lens units and has as a whole a positive refractive power. The first and second lens units are retractable into a space formed by movement of the prism in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the first lens unit, and, during zooming, the second lens unit and the plural lens units in the posterior lens group are moved while the first lens unit and the prism are fixed.
US08023194B2
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a front side that is exposed the outside. A refractor or set of refractors is positioned so as to minimize the appearance of a shield member to a viewer, thus causing a non-display region of the display apparatus to appear to be smaller than its actual size, thus increasing a size of an image display region of the display apparatus.
US08023180B2
A fluoroberyllium borate non-linear optical single crystal is represented by a molecular formula of MBe2BO3F2, wherein M is Rb or Cs. The crystal can be grown by the flux method comprising the steps of mixing a fluoroberyllium borate compound and a flux in proportion, heating the mixture up to 750-800° C., keeping at this temperature and then cooling it to the temperature of 2-10° C. above the saturating point to obtain a fluoroberyllium borate solution at high temperature; putting the seed crystal fixed on the end of a crystal hanging bar into the fluoroberyllium borate solution at high temperature, rotating the crystal hanging bar, cooling the melt solution to its saturating point, then cooling it again slowly, pulling the obtained crystal out of the solution surface, cooling it to room temperature, then obtaining the present fluoroberyllium borate non-linear optical crystal. The crystal has nonlinear optical effect, broad transmittance wave and UV cut-off edge at 150 nm; neither deliquesces nor dissolves in dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute nitric acid; and has good chemical stability. The present crystal is applicable to the need of harmonic generations in the UV range and can be used to make nonlinear optical devices, achieve the output device for the second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth harmonic generations of Nd:YAG laser. They can be also used in harmonic generation devices of other laser wavelength and to generate coherent light with wavelength at or less than 266 nm.
US08023179B2
In accordance with the present invention, a bulk optic material (for example, silica) is processed to form a spatially microstructured element, such as a photonic bandgap (PBG) structure. An ultra-short laser pulse source is used as an input signal that is applied to the bulk optic PBG structure to generate an enhanced continuum output. The PBG structure may comprise any type of one-, two- or three-dimensional grating structure, where the selected structure will dictate the type(s) of enhancement(s) that are present in the generated continuum—generally in the form of a broadened continuum and/or the inclusion of one or peaks in the continuum. The use of a relatively small-dimensioned bulk material allows for the continuum to be generated without the need for any type of optical confinement (waveguide). In one embodiment, the bulk PBG structure may be is subjected to one or more additional processes (such as UV exposure, electromagnetic field application, etc.) to modify the nonlinearity of the bulk optic material, in one case resulting in the reduction of the inherent chromatic dispersion and enhancement of the generated continuum.
US08023175B2
A preferred embodiment comprises a dynamic display based on a program image element which will only generate a preprogrammed image. As an example, the image element may comprise electrically-driven MEMS mirrors. This example may be embedded in an ID card. At the time of issue of the ID card, pixels in the mirror array will be permanently programmed as either ‘alive’ or ‘dead’ in a pattern matching the photo of the person in question. When stimulated, only ‘alive’ pixels will actuate, creating an image for comparison to the adjacent printed photo. Due to its dynamic behavior, delicate mechanical structures, and single-time hard-wiring, duplication of, or tampering with, this secondary dynamic image will be nearly impossible. The ID car is but one exemplary application and other embodiments, applications, and methods are described in the specification and claims.
US08023174B2
A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) array substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of first signal lines, a plurality of second signal lines, a plurality of MEMS switches and a plurality of pixel electrodes. The first signal lines are disposed on the substrate in parallel with one another as well as the second signal lines. The second signal lines intersect with the first signal lines, such that a plurality of pixel regions is defined on the substrate. Each MEMS switch is located at corresponding one of the intersections between the first signal lines and the second signal lines. Each pixel electrode is configured in corresponding one of the pixel regions and electrically connected with the corresponding MEMS switch Compare to thin film transistor, since the operation performance of the MEMS switches would not affected by carrier mobility and on-off current ratio, display performance of the display device can be easily improved. In addition, a display device using the MEMS array substrate is also provided.
US08023158B2
An image processing system comprising: an image acquisition unit for acquiring a scanned image; a non-voltage storage medium that stores correction information corresponding to a known object having a three-dimensional shape defined by the standard; when an object of the scanned image is the known object, a correction unit that corrects a shadow area of the scanned image corresponding to a shadow resulting from thickness of the known object, on the basis of the correction information.
US08023156B2
Disclosed is an image color management system and method for controlling an image output device. The method for controlling the image output device comprises generating an image output device profile LUT (look-up-table) characterizing the color profile of the image output device for a plurality of drift states associated with the image output device; generating a set of basis vectors representing the LUT; storing the set of basis vectors in an image output device controller; and generating an image output device active profile associated with a current drift state of the image output device to convert image color data for display or printing by the image output device, wherein the image output device active profile is generated from the set of basis vectors.
US08023152B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing halftone dots in the field of image hard copying, more particularly to a method for frequency-modulation screening using error diffusion based on dual-feedback. In the known frequency-modulation and amplitude-modulation screening technology, it is hard to output a halftone image with high quality using an output equipment with a low resolution (600 dpi) and the satisfactory effect of representing the gradations of the original image in detail and holding the smoothness of the original image can not be achieved. By using the dual-feedback technology based on a basic algorithm of the error distribution, the method in the present invention realizes the organic combination of the conventional frequency-modulation and amplitude-modulation screens and achieves the effect of mixed screening. The method in the present invention can effectively solve the problem of losing gradations of dots in an output equipment with low resolution and can reduce the moire caused by the random distribution characteristic so as to output halftone images with high quality and full gradations.
US08023150B2
A method and system reconstructs a contone image from a binary image by first tagging pixels to identify one of a multiplicity of image content types. The tag information and the pattern of bits surrounding the pixel to be converted to a contone value are used to reconstruct a contone image from a binary image. The pattern of bits in the neighborhood is used to generate a unique identifier. The unique identifier is used as the address for a lookup table with the contone value to be used wherein each lookup table corresponds to an image context type.
US08023147B2
An image processing method and image processing apparatus which can execute vector conversion processing by appropriately dividing a clipart image including gradation into regions are provided. To this end, a color document image including a clipart image having an area of gradation is input, the clipart image is selected, and outline information of the clipart image is extracted. The color document image is separated into an achromatic color area and a chromatic color area, which are respectively divided into a plurality of regions. Of the plurality of regions of each of the achromatic color area and the chromatic color area divided in the dividing of region step, regions which meet a set condition are integrated. After that, the clipart image is converted into vector data using a region group after integrating of region and the outline information.
US08023142B2
System, method and computer program product for managing a document. A printer driver of a computer outputs printing data corresponding to the document to an IP port of the computer. A program detects the printing data en route to or at the IP port and determines whether there exists, apart from the printing data, a file containing classification information for storing the printing data. If so, the program appends the classification information to the printing data and sends the printing data and appended classification information to a storage server for storage. The classification information specifies a format for storing the printing data. The program determines whether there exists a file containing classification information by searching for a file with a name which corresponds by convention to a name of the document represented by the printing data. The program appends the classification information to the printing data as comments.
US08023141B2
A method of delivering a facsimile is provided. The method starts by printing, by a printer, a document on a substrate. The document has printed thereon visible user information and invisible coded tags. Each tag encodes an identity of the document and a location of the tag on the substrate. A sensing device senses the printed coded tags when the sensing device is moved relative to the document by a user so as to compose a message. The message is electronically captured by the sensing device using the identity of the document and a sequence of the respective locations of tags sensed by the sensing device. The message is then transmitted to a recipient address for facsimile delivery.
US08023133B2
An image forming job management apparatus includes a virtual job assignment unit, a real job assignment unit, and a schedule managing unit. The virtual job assignment unit assigns an image forming job for forming images to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The real job assignment unit assigns an image forming job for forming images to a single image forming apparatus. The schedule managing unit manages image forming jobs according to a schedule. The schedule is generated by assigning each of the image forming jobs to at least one image forming apparatus using either the virtual job assignment unit or the real job assignment unit.
US08023130B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for maintaining imaging device (IDev) accounting data in the event that an imaging device's primary accounting server becomes unavailable. Some aspects relate to the use of a lightweight accounting backup server (LABS) that may reside on an imaging device, a networked computer or another computing device for the purpose of storing and communication accounting data when a primary accounting server fails.
US08023128B2
An object is to provide a user with various options on a processing method of an original document including a code image. To accomplish the object, the image processing apparatus includes a decoding section for extracting information by decoding the code image contained in the original document image, and a decision section for making a decision according to selection of the user as to whether to output the original document image or the information extracted by the decoding section.
US08023124B2
A printer includes a print document receiving unit that receives document data, a document analysis unit that generates output document data from the document data, a print mode determination unit that selects a print mode to be executed by the document analysis unit, a layout processing unit that processes the output document data, and a print execution unit that executes printing. The document analysis unit has a serial print mode, a batch print mode, and a partial serial print mode. The print mode determination unit switches the print modes according to a streamable attribute value or a memory usage.
US08023121B2
A method to generate an optical signature of a coin is disclosed. A plurality of parameters are generated and recorded related to rotational positions around the circumference of a coin. The data from these parameters are combined to produce a searchable value.
US08023120B2
An ophthalmic surgical microscope (100) has a microscope main objective (101) and a viewing beam path (105) which passes through the microscope main objective (101) for visualizing an object region. The ophthalmic surgical microscope (100) includes an OCT-system (140) for recording images of the object region (108). The OCT-system (140) includes an OCT-scanning beam (142) which is guided via a scan mirror arrangement (146) to the object region (108). An optic element (147) is provided between the scan mirror arrangement (146) and the microscope main objective (101). This optic element (147) bundles the OCT-scanning radiation exiting from the scan mirror arrangement (146) and transfers the same into a beam path which passes through the microscope main objective (101). Alternatively or in addition, the ophthalmic surgical microscope (100) includes an ophthalmoscopic magnifier lens (132) which can be pivoted into and out of the viewing beam path (105) and the OCT-scanning beam (142).
US08023118B2
The concentration of impurities contained in ultrapure water or press water can be efficiently analyzed with high precision. A portion of a liquid to be measured is introduced into an absorption spectrometric portion from a predetermined line. The liquid is irradiated with exciting light from an exciting light irradiation system, and a measurement object region in which a photothermal effect of the impurities in the liquid is produced by the irradiation is irradiated with measuring light from a measuring light irradiation system. A change in phase of the measuring light is detected by a predetermined optical system and a photodetector, and the impurity concentration in the liquid is determined on the basis of the change in phase.
US08023116B1
Techniques and devices for digitally resolving quadrature fringe signals from interferometers such as optical interferometers and interferometer-based sensing devices. In one implementation, two quadrature fringe signals from an interferometer which causes two signals in two signal paths to interfere with each other are sampled to obtain digital data samples from the two quadrature fringe signals. The digital data samples are used to perform a linear least square fitting to establish coefficients for an ellipse traced by the two quadrature fringe signals as a phase difference between the two signal paths changes. A pair of digital data samples are respectively obtained from the two quadrature signals at a given moment and are used to compute a corresponding phase difference between the two signal paths of the interferometer from established coefficients of the ellipse. The coefficient for the ellipse can be updated over time. This digital processing allows for real time processing.
