US08146147B2
A method of providing a firewall to protect a set of virtual machines on a host node that is one of multiple host nodes that host virtual machines. The method stores a table of allowed connections for each virtual machine on the host node. Upon a particular virtual machine moving from the host node to another host node, the method deletes records of a first set of allowed connections that each identify the particular virtual machine and do not identify any other virtual machine in the set of virtual machines. Also upon the virtual machine moving, the method edits records of a second set of allowed connections, each identifying the particular machine and one other virtual machine in the set of virtual machines on the first host node, to remove an identifier of the particular virtual machine.
US08146145B2
Method and apparatus for enabling enhanced control of traffic propagation through a network firewall
A distributed firewall system is used to implement a network firewall with enhanced control over network traffic to allow policy to be implemented on a per-user basis, a per-application basis, a per-user and application basis, and to allow ports to be dynamically opened and closed as needed by the applications. The distributed firewall system may include application identifiers associated with applications running on a network element, one or more firewall agents instantiated on the network element hosting the applications, and a firewall configured to interface with the firewall agents. Communications between the distributed components are secured to allow the firewall to detect if an agent has been compromised, and to allow the firewall agent to determine if the application has been compromised. The distributed firewall system may work in a VPN environment, such as in connection with a VPN server, to implement firewall policy at the point where VPN traffic enters the protected network.
US08146135B2
Method, system, and computer code for implementing privacy protection in a web application, wherein the web application is executed in a web application language execution environment within a web server, the method containing the steps of: establishing at least one inbound tagging rule for tagging objects entering the web application language execution environment, referred to as inbound objects, according to a respective source of each of the inbound objects; assigning a tag to at least one of the inbound objects being operated on by the web application language execution environment based on the at least one inbound tagging rule; establishing at least one privacy rule for performing privacy actions on at least one object that is outbound from the web application language execution environment, referred to as outbound objects, according to a respective tag of each of the outbound objects; and performing a privacy action on the at least one outbound object being operated on by the web application language execution environment based on the at least one privacy rule.
US08146122B2
A receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive television broadcasting to generate an output signal, a signal processing unit configured to generate image data of a broadcast program using the output signal, a display unit configured to display an image represented by the image data of the broadcast program on a display apparatus, a reservation information obtaining unit configured to obtain program reservation information for reserving reception of a scheduled broadcast program, and a control unit configured to, responsive to the receiving unit receiving a program preview of a scheduled broadcast program associated with the program reservation information, control the display unit to display the program reservation information on the display apparatus.
US08146119B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to generate a playlist that identifies multimedia content and to provide access to the playlist in response to a request for access, where the request for access is transmitted over the Internet, and where the multimedia content is stored remotely from the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08146114B2
The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted disk playback device, and more particularly to a disk playback device having the function of locking and unlocking a vibration insulating mechanism of a playback deck. According to the present invention, the disk playback device can transmit a conveyance force of the disk to a lock member to cause the member to unlock the playback deck by arranging a lever member, a clamp member, and an urging member with a specific feature.
US08146110B2
Various embodiments provide a service platform that integrates services, such as web services and/or local services, across a variety of applications. In at least some embodiments, services can be integrated with legacy applications that are “unaware” of such services, as well as applications that are aware of such services.
US08146102B2
This disclosure relates to application integration and, more particularly, groupware integration with enterprise applications. Various embodiments herein provide systems, methods, and software to integrate one or more computer applications with one or more groupware applications. Some embodiments include a groupware integration engine that receives, stores, and sends messages between computer applications and groupware clients applications.
US08146100B2
A method including receiving a plurality of event descriptors, each event descriptor of the plurality of event descriptors corresponding to a respective event relevant to a software development process, transmitting the plurality of event descriptors to a subscriber; and receiving a subscription message from a subscriber, the subscription message including an indication of an event descriptor selected from the plurality of event descriptors.
US08146095B2
Provided are method, apparatus and computer program product for managing persistence in a messaging network. A determination of whether to save data relating to a message-based communication to persistent storage at a message server is made with reference to characteristics of at least one messaging client involved in the message-based communication. The characteristics may include, for example, connection reliability information for the client's previous connections to the message server, such as numbers of disconnections within a defined period or average connection duration, for a messaging client to which at least one message is to be transmitted by the message server. The characteristics may represent a number of matching subscribers per publication. These and/or other example characteristics may be captured in a database at the message server and may be evaluated (for example by SQL queries applied to the database) to determine whether a persistent save operation is required or can be omitted.
US08146082B2
Virtual machines that utilize pass-through devices are migrated from a source host computer to a destination host computer. During preparation for migration, the pass-through device is substituted with an emulation handler that simulates the pass-through device experiencing errors. Upon successful migration, an error reporting signal is triggered to cause the device driver in the virtual machine to initiate a reset of the pass-through device at the destination host computer, upon which the pass-through device is mapped to the migrated virtual machine.
US08146078B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to transition control to a virtual machine (VM) from a virtual machine monitor (VMM), calculating an offset value, receiving, during operation of the VM, a request for a current value of the timer, adjusting the current value of the timer based on the offset value, and providing the adjusted timer value to the VM.
US08146075B2
A social networking application manager (“SNAM”) initializes a set of modules for an application with their most updated versions. SNAM then iterates through the following operations. SNAM obtains the specification attributes for an updated version of the application. SNAM then obtains specification attributes for each module. SNAM compares the specification attributes of the modules with the specification attributes of the application to identify incompatible specification attributes. SNAM identifies the least compatible module. And SNAM replaces the least compatible module with a version of the module that results from decrementing a version number for the module. This iteration continues until there are no more incompatible specification attributes.
US08146069B2
The invention includes a method and apparatus for upgrading software represented as a graph, where the graph has a plurality of states and a plurality of state transitions and tokens traverse the graph executing functions. A method includes identifying a target region of the graph, obtaining a new region for the graph, determining a correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph, and replacing the target region of the graph with the new region for the graph using the correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph. The target region of the graph may be replaced by suspending the operation of the target region of the graph, or while the target region of the graph continues running.
US08146067B2
Vectorizing misaligned references in compiled code for SIMD architectures that support only aligned loads and stores is presented. In the framework presented herein, a loop is first simdized as if the memory unit imposes no alignment constraints. The compiler then inserts data reorganization operations to satisfy the actual alignment requirement of the hardware. Finally, the code generation algorithm generates SIMD codes based on the data reorganization graph, addressing realistic issues such as runtime alignments, unknown loop bounds, residue iteration counts, and multiple statements with arbitrary alignment combinations. Beyond generating a valid simdization, a preferred embodiment further improves the quality of the generated codes. Four stream-shift placement policies are disclosed, which minimize the number of data reorganization generated by the alignment handling.
US08146064B2
Dynamically controlling a prefetching range of a software controlled cache is provided. A compiler analyzes source code to identify at least one of a plurality of loops that contain irregular memory references. For each irregular memory reference in the source code, the compiler determines whether the irregular memory reference is a candidate for optimization. Responsive to identifying an irregular memory reference that may be optimized, the complier determines whether the irregular memory reference is valid for prefetching. If the irregular memory reference is valid for prefetching, a store statement for an address of the irregular memory reference is inserted into the at least one loop. A runtime library call is inserted into a prefetch runtime library to dynamically prefetch the irregular memory references. Data associated with the irregular memory references are dynamically prefetched into the software controlled cache when the runtime library call is invoked.
US08146059B2
An IDE or program operable with an IDE retrieves automated test results for a code sequence. The IDE or separate program detects the code sequence during source code development in an IDE. The test results are then presented in the IDE during source code development.
US08146057B1
One or more test controls within code under test are enabled and then executing the code under test is executed. When enabled, the test control will interact with a tester when the code under test is executed (e.g., by providing data to the tester). The selection to enable the test control can be made based on whether the system accessing the code under test is a tester. If the system is a tester, the test control is enabled. Otherwise, the test control is disabled. The test control can include an execution control, a data definition control, and/or a log control.
US08146055B2
A software tool is provided to analyze static source code. Source Code files are selected to define the project work space. A class and a method in the class are selected from said selected source code files. The tool generates a Call Tree as an ordered recursive sequence of all method calls in different classes or their instances that are invoked by said selected method in said selected class. A Sequence Diagram is generated from said Call Tree. The tool remembers all updates to the Call Tree used to generate the Sequence Diagram. This information is used when a generated Sequence Diagram is impacted due to changes made to any source code file included in the project.
US08146048B2
A system and method for removing T-point elements with unused stubs from a printed circuit board (PCB) layout design obtains each signal line including one or more T-point elements in the PCB layout design, divides the obtained signal line into a plurality of lines according to the one or more T-point elements with unused stubs, and obtains properties of each of the plurality of lines. The system and method further deletes the original layout of the signal line and reconnects the plurality of lines according to the properties of each of the plurality of lines to generate a reconnected signal line, and outputs the reconnected signal line on a display device.
US08146044B2
Aiming at providing a method of designing a semiconductor device capable of producing a semiconductor device which expresses performances adapted to required performances, the present invention sets a plurality of suites of device parameters, containing parameters relevant to transistor characteristics (transistor parameters) and parameters relevant to interconnect characteristics (interconnect parameters) corresponded to the transistor characteristics, for a single CMOS generation, selecting, out of the plurality of suites, a suite matched to performances required for a semiconductor to be designed, and designing the semiconductor device.
US08146042B1
An approach is provided for selectively optimizing a circuit design to be physical implemented. The approach includes generating a circuit routing solution in accordance with a plurality of constraints for parametric resources of the circuit design, with the constraints being defined respectively by a plurality of corresponding constraint instances. Each constraint instance variably indicates an effective constraining limit and degree of consumption for at least one of the parametric resources. At least one of the constraints is selectively adjusted by a predetermined over-constraining amount, and the circuit routing solution is preliminarily modified by applying at least one routing action selected responsive to the constraint adjustment. An automatic evaluation is then made of the potential impact upon constraint compliance. The evaluation includes generating a relative cost measure for the preliminary modification of the circuit routing solution, based at least partially upon each of the constraint instances. Thereafter, the preliminary modification of said circuit routing solution is either discarded or accepted responsive to the evaluation. A number of these operations may be repeated in recursive manner, if appropriate for the given application.
US08146037B2
A method for the design and layout for a patterned deep N-well. A tile is specified as a fundamental building block for the deep N-well pattern. The tile comprises a first element on a first layer and may comprise a second element on a second layer. A two dimensional region is covered with an array of contiguous tiles, with the elements on each layer connecting with elements of adjacent tiles to form extended shapes. The array may be converted to a collection of sub-arrays through the removal of tiles. The array or collection of sub-arrays may be merged to produce a first layer pattern and second layer pattern. Design rule checks may be applied to verify the pattern. The first layer shapes and second layer shapes may be edited. The first layer shapes and the second layer shapes may then be combined to produce a deep N-well pattern.
US08146035B1
Approaches for estimating power consumption of a circuit from a circuit design. According to one embodiment, a representation of the circuit design specifies a plurality of circuit elements for implementing the circuit design. The circuit elements are matched to structural templates. Each structural template is representative of one or more circuit elements and has associated information descriptive of one or more toggle rates. Respective estimated toggle rates are determined for the circuit elements of the circuit design based on the information descriptive of one or more toggle rates associated with the matched structural templates. An estimated power consumption level is determined as a function of the estimated toggle rates of the circuit elements, and data indicative of the estimated power consumption level is output.
US08146030B2
A behavioral synthesis tool for generating an integrated circuit design is described. The behavioral synthesis tool allows a designer to interactively allocate loop configuration information without having to modify a source code description of the integrated circuit. The behavioral synthesis tool reads the source code description and generates a synthesis intermediate format stored in memory. The synthesis tool searches the in-memory synthesis intermediate format to find loops. The loops are then listed in a graphical user interface (GUI) in hierarchical fashion. The GUI also lists loop configuration information associated with the loops, such as loop frequency, loop unrolling and loop pipelining. The GUI allows the designer to modify the loop configuration information without having to update the source code description. Upon completion of modifying the loop configuration information, the designer saves the changes illustrated in the GUI and such changes are effectuated by automatically updating the synthesis intermediate format.
US08146028B1
An integrated circuit (“IC”) (100) is configured to have two instantiations of a user design (103, 105). Register values from the first instantiation (RA1, RA2, RA3, RA4) are compared (102) to corresponding registers of the second instantiation (RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4). If a register pair does not match, the user designs are halted, re-loaded, and re-started.
US08146027B1
A computer-implemented method of incorporating a module within a circuit design can include, responsive to identifying the module to be imported into the circuit design, automatically identifying each port of the module, displaying a list of the ports of the module, and receiving a user input selecting a plurality of ports of the module for inclusion in an interface through which the module communicates with the circuit design. Responsive to a user input specifying an interface type, the interface type can be associated with the plurality of ports. The interface type can be associated with a port list including standardized ports. Individual ones of the plurality of ports can be automatically matched with standardized ports from the port list. A programmatic interface description specifying the interface for the module can be output.
US08146023B1
A method for selecting a process for a new integrated circuit design. Structures that are used in existing integrated circuit designs are identified, as well as the photolithography processes that are used to fabricate integrated circuits that are based on the existing designs. A process window is determined for each structure/process combination by running tests on different combinations of process variables, and a database of the process windows is compiled. The structures that are to be used in the new integrated circuit design are identified, and the process windows associated with the identified structures for the new integrated circuit design are selected from the database. The selected process windows for the identified structures are overlaid, grouped by common process, thereby creating a resultant process window for each process. One of the processes is selected, based at least in part on comparative sizes of the resultant process windows.
US08146016B2
An improved user interface is provided for displaying a gallery of images showing different formatting options combinations that may be applied to a selected object. When a particular image is selected an associated formatting options combination is automatically applied to the selected object.
US08146010B2
A method and system for combining tabs of a tabbed document interface (“TDI”) is provided. A combinable TDI system allows tabs of a TDI to be combined to form a single tab of the TDI. To combine tabs, the combinable TDI system generates a combined tab name from the tab names of the tabs to be combined and combined tab content from the content of the tabs to be combined. If the width of the content is greater than what can be currently displayed in the window, the combinable TDI system may add a scroll bar to the TDI so that the user can scroll and make visible portions of the content that were previously not visible. The combinable TDI system then displays the combined tab and removes the tabs that have been combined. The combinable TDI system may also allow a user to split a combined tab into separate tabs.
US08146006B2
A technique to facilitate the automatic obtaining or extraction of dialogs or screens such as a graphical user interface from executable program code and saving a snapshot of such dialogs or screens in a graphical format. The executable program code is scanned or searched for particular modules within such program code that are used to generate a user interface or dialogue. Each one of these identified GUI-accessible modules is then processed in order to generate, display, and capture their associated user interface(s) or dialogue(s). Any requisite user input or sample data that is required by these modules is automatically generated and provided to assist in the generation, display, and capture of the interfaces/dialogues.
US08146004B2
Selection of contacts and files for electronic messaging are facilitated by displaying a first set of graphical indicia for each of a plurality of contacts on a user contact list, displaying a second set of graphical indicia for each of one or more files stored in a data storage device, detecting a manipulation of a user interface device wherein a first graphical indicia from the first set of graphical indicia and a second graphical indicia from the second set of graphical indicia are made to at least partially overlap, and generating an electronic message for sending to a contact associated with the first graphical indicia wherein the electronic message includes a file associated with the second graphical indicia.
US08145994B2
Identifying panel types of elements for display on a computing device. Documents such as web pages have a layout for the elements with some elements positioned in the header, footer, and sidebar regions of the document. A browser or other application receives the elements for display (e.g., on a mobile computing device) and analyzes each of the elements to define header, footer, sidebar, and content regions. The panel types are assigned based on the region in which the element resides. Aspects of the disclosure enable manipulation of the elements by, for example, presenting the elements corresponding to content panels, centering the web page within a display area on the computing device, and preventing advertisements from being displayed.
US08145969B2
The invention provides a quality manager for use in a digital content delivery system. The digital content delivery system comprises a plurality of user devices, a source unit connected through a communication network to the user devices for delivering digital content to the user devices in the form of bursts of content. The quality manager is connected to the user devices and adapted to receive notifications therefrom, each notification received from a given user device identifying a burst received by the given user device and including a quality indicator related to the quality of the received burst. The quality manager is further adapted to select a set of bursts among the bursts identified by the notifications, based on predefined rules comprising a rule related to the quality indicator included in the notifications, and for sending a request for retransmission of the selected bursts to the source unit.
US08145961B2
The present invention relates to the architecture and operation of computer hardware memory logic, and in particular to a method and respective system for verifying hardware memory logic, wherein an Error Correction Code (ECC) is used for correcting single-bit or multi-bit errors when the ECC-bits cannot be accessed directly for a read or write process. The system and process employs the selection of data patterns that produce check bits that are all ones to ferret out errors in the ECC circuitry.
US08145952B2
A storage system includes a storage device for storing data, a pair of adapters connected with the storage device, each of the adapters transmitting and receiving the data to and from the storage device respectively. The storage system includes a controller, connected with the adapters, for collecting performance information indicating performance of each of the adapters, comparing the collected performance information of the adapters with each other, and detecting a suspected adapter that is suspected of having a performance failure on the basis of a result of the comparison.
US08145949B2
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for performing regression testing on a simulated hardware is provided, the method comprising: scanning a defect database for fixed signatures; retrieving all tests in a failing instance database that correspond to the fixed signatures from the defect database; running one or more of the retrieved tests; determining if any of the retrieved tests failed during running; and for any retrieved test that failed during running, refiling the failed retrieved tests in the failing instance database and placing one or more generalized signatures for the failed retrieved tests in the defect database.
US08145946B2
A task execution apparatus includes an execution unit configured to execute a task on a plurality of devices, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a cause of failure in execution by the execution unit, a confirmation unit configured to confirm that each device of the plurality of devices on which the execution unit failed to execute the task does not support the task based on the cause, and a re-execution unit configured to re-execute the task on each of the plurality of devices on which the execution unit failed to execute the task, wherein the re-execution unit excludes each of the plurality of devices from a re-execution target of the task, in a case where the confirmation unit confirms that each of the plurality of devices does not support the task.
US08145941B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide fault-tolerant, redundancy-based data-storage systems that rely on disk-controller-implemented error detection and error correction, at the disk-block level, and RAID-controller-implemented data-redundancy methods, at the disk and disk-stripe level, in order to provide comprehensive, efficient, and system-wide error detection and error correction. Embodiments of the present invention use disk-level and stripe-level data redundancy to provide error detection and error correction for stored data objects, obviating the need for certain costly, intermediate levels of error detection and error correction commonly employed in currently available fault-tolerant, redundancy-based data-storage systems.
US08145929B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, computer-readable media and system configurations for stochastic power management of one or more computer systems. A method may include ascertaining a workload of a plurality of computer systems (e.g., a data center). Additionally or alternatively, a method may include initiating, by a control module operated by a processor of a first of the plurality of computer systems, a stochastic power management process to manage power consumption of the first of the plurality of computer systems. The stochastic power management process may be conditionally initiated based at least in part on the ascertained workload of the plurality of computer systems. The stochastic power management process may include a plurality of virtual machine management actions having corresponding probabilities being taken, one or more of which may result in power savings. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08145927B2
In a computer room including information processing devices and air conditioners, power saving of the computer room by means of optimization of workload allocation to the information processing devices is achieved in a short time. There, a coefficient of air conditioner performance with respect to the information processing device (device-specific COP) is calculated for each air conditioner. Further, a device-associated power consumption expression representing a total of device power and air conditioner power is created for each information processing device. Also, power consumption of the entire computer room is calculated from the device-associated power consumption expression of the information processing devices. Also, workload allocation is determined by using power saving performance evaluation indexes based on the device-associated power consumption expression of the information processing devices. Further, output of the air conditioner is controlled based on a result of the air conditioner power calculation.
US08145923B2
A method of minimizing power consumption in an integrated device is disclosed. The method comprises providing a plurality of circuit blocks having circuits for performing logic functions, wherein each circuit block consumes power in a static state; coupling one of a plurality of operating voltages to each circuit block of the plurality of circuit blocks; enabling a reduction of power consumed by a first set of circuit blocks by way of a first power reduction signal; and enabling a reduction of power consumed by a second set of circuit blocks by way of a second power reduction signal. A circuit for minimizing power consumption in a device is also disclosed.
US08145917B2
Securing the boot phase of a computing system implemented as a distributed architecture device can be performed by a system or method that uses hash functions and public key infrastructure (PKI) to verify the authenticity of modular subsystems. The modular subsystems can verify each other's authenticity, and can prevent unauthorized components from being inserted into the system when the system is without power.
US08145915B2
The inventive data processing system and method enable verifiable secure transfer of information between two or more parties, each having access to at least one identity verification system utilizing a platform-independent architecture to enable verification of identities of parties sending and receiving secured information, and ensuring that only an authorized receiving party gains access to the secured information, regardless of the type, model, ownership and/or quantity of biometric identity verification (BIV) systems being utilized by each party. Parties desiring to securely transfer information between one another register at a central security management system, and each provide at least one biometric enrollment to their unique record configured for storing multiple BIV system enrollments for each party. Thereafter, the inventive system also enables any registered party to send, or make available, biometrically (and otherwise) secured information to the other party utilizing any available BIV system (or systems) that is compatible with one or more of their registered biometric enrollments, regardless of BIV system ownership, and without requiring local enrollment. The inventive system and method also provide an adaptive enrollment feature which enables the system to function automatically and transparently with new BIV systems that have not been previously enrolled by the user, if such systems produce enrollments that are sufficiently similar to the ones already stored in the user's record.
US08145913B1
Disclose are system, method and computer program product for protecting passwords from interception. An example method comprise: intercepting a plurality of data entry events generated by a data entry device, wherein the plurality of data entry events comprise a user-entered password; detecting an anomaly event in the plurality of intercepted data entry events; comparing the detected anomaly event with one or more preset anomalies; if the detected anomaly event matches at least one preset anomaly, identifying a replacement character string associated with said at least one preset anomaly; replacing the detected anomaly event in the plurality of intercepted data entry events with the replacement character string to generate a converted password; and sending the converted password instead of the user-entered password to a user authentication device for authentication of the user.
US08145912B2
A system and method for inputting a password. The system and method operates to associate unique non-descriptive graphical features with unique text-based characters. The system and method operates to receive in sequence, a plurality of text-based characters. The system and method operates to display in sequence, in accordance with a sequence scheme, the non-descriptive graphical features associated with the plurality of text-based characters. The system and method also operates to process the plurality of text-based characters as the password. In addition, the system and method operates wherein the password, including text-based characters, may be deciphered from both the display of the non-descriptive graphical features associated with the plurality of text-based characters and the sequence scheme.
US08145910B1
A method to enforce collaboration rules, in one example embodiment, comprises receiving a request to report a collaboration event to a collaboration workflow, receiving a reported time of the collaboration event, determining an origin of the reported time, updating the reported time with a central time service time when the origin of the reported time is not a central time service, and based on the updated reported time, selectively reporting the collaboration event into the collaboration workflow.
US08145904B2
Disclosed are systems and methods which examine information communication streams to identify and/or eliminate malicious code, while allowing the good code to pass unaffected. Embodiments operate to provide spam filtering, e.g., filtering of unsolicited and/or unwanted communications. Embodiments provide network based or inline devices that scan and scrub information communication in its traffic pattern. Embodiments are adapted to accommodate various information communication protocols, such as simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), post office protocol (POP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), Internet message access protocol (IMAP), file transfer protocol (FTP), domain name service (DNS), and/or the like, and/or routing protocols, such as hot standby router protocol (HSRP), border gateway protocol (BGP), open shortest path first (OSPF), enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP), and/or the like.
US08145898B2
A method, system, and computer program product for providing security for files transferred across a network, such as the Internet is provided. In one embodiment, a web service receives a request for content from a partner. The web service contacts a certificate authority to authenticate the partner and retrieves the requested content. The web service then generates a secret key and encrypts the content with the secret key to produce encrypted content. The secret key and the encrypted content are then embedded within a digital certificate issued by the certificate authority by using the public key of a public/private key pair issued by the certificate authority. The digital certificate is then transmitted to the partner where the partner decrypts the digital certificate to obtain the secret key and then uses the secret key to decrypt the encrypted content. A similar process may be used for the partner to send content to the web service.
US08145896B2
A system and method for implementing an enhanced transport layer security (ETLS) protocol is provided. The system includes a primary server, an ETLS servlet and an ETLS software module. The primary server operates on a computer network and is configured to communicate over the computer network using a non-proprietary security protocol. The ETLS servlet also operates on the computer network and is securely coupled to the primary server. The ETLS servlet is configured to communicate over the computer network using an ETLS security protocol. The ETLS software module operates on a mobile device, and is configured to communicate over the computer network using either the non-proprietary security protocol or the ETLS security protocol. Operationally, the ETLS software module initially contacts the server over the computer network using the non-proprietary security protocol, and subsequently contacts the server through the ETLS servlet using the ETLS security protocol.
US08145895B2
Described herein is an information transmission apparatus for encrypting and transmitting first data and second data, the information transmission apparatus including: encryption element for deriving a second key from a first key by using an irreversible function, encrypting the first data by using the first key to generate encrypted first data and encrypting the second data by using the second key to generate encrypted second data; and transmission element for transmitting the encrypted first data, the encrypted second data and the first key.
US08145893B2
An extensible firmware interface (EFI) framework is to enable hot-plugging and hot-removal of memory devices. The security phase of the EFI may enable a cache to operate as RAM (CAR mode) to support execution of pre-EFI (PEI) tasks. In one embodiment, the PEI phase may move the memory reference code (MRC) as a driver to the driver execution phase and hand-over the CAR information to the driver execution environment (DXE). The MRC driver may be registered as a run-time API, which may be called by the operating system to receive a dynamically created memory map. In other embodiment, the PEI phase executes the MRC and may hand-over the memory information and a memory pointer to the MRC to the DXE. The OS may call the DMD driver provisioned in the DXE, which in turn may call the MRC provisioned in the PEI to dynamically create a memory map.
US08145890B2
A microprocessor includes a memory that stores instructions of a non-user program to implement a user program instruction of the user-visible instruction set of the microprocessor. The non-user program includes a conditional branch instruction. A first fetch unit fetches instructions of the user program that includes the instruction that is implemented by the non-user program. An instruction decoder decodes the user program instructions and saves a state in response to decoding the user program instruction that is implemented by the non-user program. An execution unit executes the user program instructions fetched by the first fetch unit and executes instructions of the non-user program other than the conditional branch instruction. A second fetch unit fetches the non-user program instructions from the memory and resolves the conditional branch instruction based on the saved state without sending the conditional branch instruction to the execution unit to resolve the conditional branch instruction.
US08145876B2
A data processing device employs a first translation look-aside buffer (TLB) to translate virtual addresses to physical addresses. If a virtual address to be translated is not located in the first TLB, the physical address is requested from a set of page tables. When the data processing device is in a hypervisor mode, a second TLB is accessed in response to the request to access the page tables. If the virtual address is located in the second TLB, the hypervisor page tables are bypassed and the second TLB provides a physical address or information to access another table in the set of page tables. By bypassing the hypervisor page tables, the time to translate an address in the hypervisor mode is reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of the data processing device.
US08145868B2
A method and system for providing frame start indication in a memory system having indeterminate read data latency. The method includes receiving a data transfer and determining if the data transfer includes a frame start indicator. The method also includes capturing the data transfer and “n” subsequent data transfers in response to determining that the data transfer includes a frame start indicator. The data transfer and the “n” subsequent data transfers comprise a data frame.
US08145853B2
In order to provide a semiconductor memory apparatus which can flexibly change the priority of reading requests when the reading request is issued and which do not exclusively use the memory bus, a semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a main memory which stores data at an address while maintaining a corresponding relationship between the data and the address; a read request input portion receiving a read request which maintains a corresponding relationship between address information that is referred to when reading the data and priority information that indicates priority for reading the data; a read data storing portion which stores the data and priority while maintaining a corresponding relationship thereof; a data reading portion reads the data corresponding to address information which is input by the read request input portion from the main memory; a read data registration portion storing both the priority information input by the read request input and the data read by the data reading portion to the read data storing portion while maintaining a corresponding relationship between the priority information and the data read; and a priority operation control portion which chooses and outputs the data with a highest priority among the priority information and the data that are stored in the read data storing portion while maintaining a corresponding relationship between the priority information and the data.
US08145847B2
A system comprises a first node having an associated cache including data having an associated first cache state. The first cache state is capable of identifying the first node as being an ordering point for serializing requests from other nodes for the data.
US08145845B2
A method and apparatus for retrieving data from a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for data in a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) directory. The method may further include checking any one or more of an LDAP cache and an LDAP index for an LDAP attribute pertaining to requested data, the checking comprising determining if a time-to-live for the LDAP attribute or the LDAP index has expired, and returning the data to the client.
US08145843B2
Deduplication of data using a low-latency random read memory (LLRRM) is described herein. Upon receiving a block, if a matching block stored on a disk device is found, the received block is deduplicated by producing an index to the address location of the matching block. In some embodiments, a matching block having a predetermined threshold number of associated indexes that reference the matching block is transferred to LLRRM, the threshold number being one or greater. Associated indexes may be modified to reflect the new address location in LLRRM. Deduplication may be performed using a mapping mechanism containing mappings of deduplicated blocks to matching blocks, the mappings being used for performing read requests. Deduplication described herein may reduce read latency as LLRRM has relatively low latency in performing random read requests relative to disk devices.
US08145840B2
A method and system for storing excess data in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) level 6 are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for storing excess data in a RAID 6 volume includes writing excess data to Q parity blocks of a first RAID 6 volume when a receipt of the excess data directed to the first RAID 6 volume is detected subsequent to a saturation of the first RAID 6 volume, where the first RAID 6 volume is converted to a pseudo-RAID 5 volume with P parity blocks. The method further includes re-computing the P parity blocks of the pseudo-RAID 5 volume based on data blocks of the pseudo-RAID 5 volume. In addition, the method includes constructing a second RAID 6 volume based on the pseudo-RAID 5 volume when at least one additional drive is inserted to the pseudo-RAID 5 volume.
US08145839B2
By taking advantage of parallel data processing and transmission techniques, the data access rate of a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) level 5 can be boosted significantly. A data distribution and aggregation unit is utilized to distribute a data stream into a plurality of data sub-streams based on the primitive data access block of storage devices as a processing unit of data writing, or to aggregate a plurality of data sub-streams to form a data stream based on the primitive data access block of storage devices as a processing unit of data reading. An exclusive OR operation unit capable of parallel data processing is introduced for performing data processing on the plurality of data sub-streams simultaneously. The data transmission of each data sub-stream is controlled individually by one of a plurality of transmission controllers.
US08145837B2
According to one embodiment, a computer storage system includes one or more redundant storage servers coupled to one or more cache servers. A redundant storage server is coupled to each disk server. A disk server comprises at least one mass storage disk operable to store data. The data is segmented according to logical blocks, where each logical block has an associated logical block identifier. The redundant storage servers are operable to replicate each logical block of at least two of the disk servers. The cache servers comprise a cache memory and are coupled to each redundant storage server. Each cache server is operable to access the replicated logical blocks according to the associated logical block identifiers, and cache, in the cache memory, the replicated logical block according to the associated logical block identifier.
US08145830B2
A flash memory device includes a storage area having a main memory portion and a cache memory portion storing at least one bit per cell less than the main memory portion; and a controller that manages data transfer between the cache memory portion and the main memory portion according to at least one caching command received from a host. The management of data transfer, by the controller, includes transferring new data from the host to the cache memory portion, copying the data from the cache memory portion to the main memory portion and controlling (enabling/disabling) the scheduling of cache cleaning operations.
US08145825B2
A storage library is described including a first tape drive that is identified as a target tape drive to a host via a first address and a second tape drive that is masked from being identified by the host. The storage library further includes a controller that is linked with a switch system that shifts the first address to the second drive from the first drive such that after the shift, the second drive is identified as the target drive to the host and the first drive is masked from being identified by the host.
US08145824B1
Pluggable modules communicate via a switch fabric dataplane accessible via a backplane. Various embodiments are comprised of varying numbers and arrangements of the pluggable modules in accordance with a system architecture that provides for provisioning virtual servers and clusters of servers from underlying hardware and software resources. The system architecture is a unifying solution for applications requiring a combination of computation and networking performance. Resources may be pooled, scaled, and reclaimed dynamically for new purposes as requirements change, using dynamic reconfiguration of virtual computing and communication hardware and software.
US08145816B2
A method and system of deadlock free bus protection of memory and I/O resources during secure execution. A bus cycle initiates entry of a bus agent into a secure execution mode. The chipset records an identifier of the secure mode processor. Thereafter, the chipset intercedes if another bus agent attempts a security sensitive bus cycle before the secure mode processor exits the secure mode.
US08145805B2
Re-sequencing commands and data between a master and slave device utilizing parallel processing is disclosed. When utilizing parallel processing while reading and writing data, there is a chance that the data will be read or written in an improper order, given the time delays associated with different slave devices and the processing time associated with various commands. Therefore, to retain the speed and improved performance of parallel processing while maintaining data coherency, the instructions and data are re-sequenced and processed in the proper order, and the returned data are re-sequenced and returned to the processor in the proper order.
US08145803B2
Disclosed is provided an apparatus and a method for operating a macro command and inputting a macro command, wherein the apparatus including a storing unit storing control signals received from a control device for selecting of a menu item of a host device, a creating unit creating the macro command combined with the control signals, and an executing unit reading the macro command and executing functions corresponding to the respective menu item of the host device according to a combination sequence of the control signals included in the read macro command.
US08145801B2
A method and system controls an optical disk driver (ODD) of a computer. The method detects whether an eject button connected with an I/O (input/output) chip of the computer has been pressed, and determines if an optical disk exists in the ODD when the eject button has been pressed. Additionally, the method sends a control signal to the ODD, and control the ODD to eject the optical disk when the optical disk exists in the ODD.
US08145800B2
In some aspects, a method includes determining whether a universal serial bus (USB) peripheral device is connected to a USB monitoring device that is connected to a medical device and drawing power from the medical device. The medical device is configured for use in a medical procedure with a patient. The method also includes determining whether the USB peripheral device is drawing power from the medical device if the USB peripheral device is determined to be connected to the USB monitoring device.
US08145799B2
Systems and methods for modifying a parameter value of a controller are described. In one embodiment, the method includes verifying a local presence at the controller, modifying a parameter value at a remote device, confirming the identity of the remote device, and storing the modified parameter value in the controller.
US08145798B1
An automatic provisioning system is activated within a DSL, cable modem or other residential or gateway or hub, and accesses a remote directory service to locate appropriate addressing and other information to initialize the equipment. The gateway interface may automatically update its configuration, heal bugs and perform other maintenance and other tasks. Multiple gateway interfaces or products or services may be configured at one premise, and version control maintained to ensure compatibility.
US08145788B1
The present invention relates to a device and method for managing inbound and outbound communications for a multi-homed network. A connection manager is located on a local network that is connected to an external network, such as the Internet, through multiple service provider connections. The connection manager intercepts all communication packets that are inbound to the local network from the external network and all packets that are outbound from the local network to the external network. The connection manager then associates the packets with a particular ISP connection based on the availability and bandwidth load status of the ISP connections.
US08145785B1
Real time provisioning and management of fabric-backplane enterprise servers includes monitoring system status and configuration, displaying monitoring results, accepting user commands, and providing hardware and software management and configuration commands to the system. In one embodiment, an event is generated when a pluggable module is inserted into the system. In response to the event, the availability of the pluggable module is displayed to a system operator, and the operator enters a command to provision a server that includes the pluggable module. The server provisioning command is processed, resulting in a hardware configuration command being issued to the system, and an event indicating a status associated with processing the command is returned. The recognition of the inserted module, the display to the operator, and the processing of the server provisioning command occur in real time.
US08145782B2
Systems and methods for chunking a media file for streaming over a network are disclosed. These systems and methods provide for receiving requests for chunks of a media file and responding to these requests by generating the requested chunks dynamically. The chunks can then be provided to the requesting entity. These systems and methods, which can be utilized with a dynamic file index generator, enable a high degree of flexibility in streaming chunked media files and preclude the need to chunk the media files and store the chunks prior to streaming.
US08145779B2
Dynamic transcoding of media content based on transcoding parameters. Upon receiving a request for media content to be delivered to a client, various parameters for transcoding the media content are identified. Such transcoding parameters might be tailored to the particular capabilities of the client presentation system. It not already done, the requested media content may then be transcoded in accordance with the identified parameters. The resulting media stream may then be provided to the client presentation device. In one example, if another request for that same media content is made and the transcoding parameters are identified to be the same, a second media stream may be provided to the second client presentation system.
US08145778B2
A technique for transitioning streamed digital video content between stream servers involves identifying a transition identifier that indicates a point at which streaming of the digital video content transitions from a first stream server to a second stream server and then transitioning the streaming from the first stream server the second stream server at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier. For example, the first stream server stops streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier and the second stream server starts streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier.
US08145759B2
A dynamically configurable resource pool may provide a pool of computing resource for use in a computing system or application, such as a connection pool or a thread pool for server systems such as application and web server systems. In one embodiment, a server may include a resource pool configured to provide a plurality of computing resources. Other components in the server may be configured to request use of one of the computing resources from the connection pool. The resource pool may include a resource pool manager configured to service requests for the computing resources. The resource pool manager may manage configuration of the resource pool. The resource pool manager may also be configured to receive a configuration change request to change the configuration of the resource pool while the resource pool is available for use.
US08145755B2
A ubiquitous communication system that can be used without changing a user ID etc. of a terminal of others or causing problems such as information leakage is provided. A terminal management apparatus for managing terminals on a ubiquitous communication system is provided with a terminal management portion for retaining information about terminals belonging to each of the users, a parent registration list in which a terminal that another user is allowed to use and the another user who is allowed to use the terminal are pre-registered, a child registration list in which a terminal borrowable from another user and the another user to which the terminal belongs are pre-registered, and an association setting portion for, when a first user makes an association setting request on a terminal belonging to a second user, referring to the lists and, if it is judged that the first user may be allowed to use the terminal belonging to the second user, registering the terminal belonging to the second user in the terminal management portion of the first user.
US08145738B2
A method and apparatus for managing a network is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device having a controller element to modify a communication parameter of the network device based on a policy of the communication system, wherein the policy is generated based at least in part on a client request to modify the communication system and a policy template retrieved according to a policy identification communicated over the Internet by an operations support system. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08145731B2
A method comprises receiving, into a capacity planning system, workload information representing an expected workload of client accesses of streaming media files from a site. The method further comprises the capacity planning system determining, for at least one server configuration, how many servers of the at least one server configuration to be included at the site for supporting the expected workload in a desired manner.
US08145727B2
A real-time locater for digital media objects, related to one or more creative compositions and accessible over a network, is described. A service-provider maintains a master index of the digital media objects. The master index is organized by considering each media object to be an example of a primary attribute associated with the media object by a multitude of users. The reference is constructed as a data structure of primary attributes and means of locating the media objects as instances of primary attributes. Each such media object may be further categorized by associating it with one or more secondary attributes. The data structure is augmented to provide for efficient location of media objects by relating secondary attributes.
US08145715B2
This invention provides for an off-the-record e-mail system that can ensure that messages, particularly sensitive messages, are available only for the intended recipient and never reside on permanent storage media. Control of the existence of the off-the-record e-mail can lie completely with the sender. The sender of the off-the-record e-mail sets the time-to-live (TTL) for the message content. When an off-the-record e-mail message is deleted, there is preferably no trace of the e-mail message on any computer backup system. The sender may also update the e-mail content at any time. The off-the-record e-mail system can include a personal server that combines the functions of a web server and an e-mail transfer server. The personal server may reside on an individual's personal workstation and might serve no one but that particular user. The personal server acts as a broker between the sender and the sender's SMTP server.
US08145710B2
Systems and methods for filtering spam messages utilizing a URL filtering module are described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting, in an incoming message, data indicative of a URL and comparing the URL from the incoming message with URLs characterizing spam. The method further includes determining whether the incoming message is spam based on the comparison of the URL from the incoming message with the URLs characterizing spam.
US08145694B2
Provided is a fast Fourier transformation circuit capable of optimizing an operation resource while matching a plurality of communication systems. In this circuit, an FFT circuit (100) comprises a first FFT operation unit (110) for subjecting two-parallel 2
US08145689B2
A folder storage device includes a folder storage unit which stores folders with hierarchy structures, a first folder hierarchy information generation unit arranged to generate first folder hierarchy information which indicates a related path and a hierarchical location of each folder based on the folders stored in the folder storage unit, a second folder hierarchy information generation unit arranged to generate second hierarchy information which indicates the hierarchical location of each folder based on the first folder hierarchy information, a display unit which displays the second hierarchy information, and a folder update unit in which contents to be updated of the folders stored in the folder storage unit are specified and the updates of the folders stored in the folder storage unit are executed based on the first folder hierarchy information in response to a receipt of update instructions at a prescribed hierarchical location of the second folder hierarchy information.
US08145680B2
A system and method for creating an editable service metadata asset lifecycle event notification distribution list in a service metadata repository. The system provides the capability for a distribution list owner to create a distribution list of one or more distribution recipients. A sender can send a service metadata asset lifecycle event notification to the distribution list owner, and the members of the distribution list will also receive the service metadata asset lifecycle event notification. The system further provides the capability for the sender to edit the distribution list, prior to sending the message to the distribution list owner and the members of the distribution list.
US08145675B2
Systems and methods for automatically processing a textual document by identifying occurrences of a piece of text having a predetermined format in the textual document; determining a depth-of-treatment value for each piece of formatted text in the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value indicating a depth of treatment in the textual document afforded to the particular piece of formatted text; associating an abstract with each piece of formatted text in the textual document; and generating a data record containing each identified piece of formatted text from the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value and the abstract associated with each piece of formatted text in the textual document.
US08145669B2
Methods and apparatus for representing probabilistic data using a probabilistic histogram are disclosed. An example method comprises partitioning a plurality of ordered data items into a plurality of buckets, each of the data items capable of having a data value from a plurality of possible data values with a probability characterized by a respective individual probability distribution function (PDF), each bucket associated with a respective subset of the ordered data items bounded by a respective beginning data item and a respective ending data item, and determining a first representative PDF for a first bucket associated with a first subset of the ordered data items by partitioning the plurality of possible data values into a first plurality of representative data ranges and respective representative probabilities based on an error between the first representative PDF and a first plurality of individual PDFs characterizing the first subset of the ordered data items.
US08145668B2
A system for associating information related to a component of a structured document that is stored in its native format in a database system includes generating a hierarchical node tree comprising a plurality of nodes, where each node represents a component in the structured document, and generating a path associated with each node, where the path follows the hierarchical structure of the structured document from a root node to the node. In each node, an identifier associated with the path is stored. A table is provided that correlates the identifier with information related to the associated path. The information applies to the component represented by the node.
US08145663B2
An apparatus that enables real-time processing of mobile based transactions in a three-tier database by employing pending operation/locks databases at each mirror in the three-tier database and generating a token for each proposed transaction that indicates the operations/locks needed to perform the transaction. The token is passed to each mirror database to compare with the corresponding operation/lock database. When a conflict is detected, a flag indicating such is set.
US08145662B2
There is provided a method and system generate a data dictionary for searching data items stored in an information resource. In one embodiment, the system generates a list of synonyms for keywords entered in search queries to the system. A keyword and synonym form a token pair. Token pairs are evaluated according to a bidirectional divergence value calculated for distributions of search results, wherein the searches are based on the token pairs. Token pairs are then selected based on the divergence value. The selected token pairs are compiled into a data dictionary. In one embodiment, the data dictionary is a synonym dictionary used for user search query expansion to find matching items.
US08145659B1
One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of providing a real-time communications enhanced search service. When a search request from a client application, a search is obtained based on the search request. In addition, information as to relevant real-time communications channels, if any, is determined based on the search request. The results of the search and the information as to the relevant real-time communications channels may be combined and returned to the client application. Upon receiving a request from the client application to initiate opening of a relevant real-time communications channel, the relevant real-time communications channel may be established by communications with a second client application of a third party. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08145655B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for generating information on database queries in source code into object code compiled from the source code. Source code including query statements to perform operations with respect to a database is translated into executable object code. A statement descriptor for at least one query statement is generated into the object code, wherein the statement descriptor for the at least one query statement includes information on the query statement including the query statement in the source code. The statement descriptors in the object code are processed to output information on the query statements indicated in the statement descriptors.
US08145649B2
A system for selecting electronic advertisements from an advertisement pool to match the surrounding content is disclosed. To select advertisements, the system takes an approach to content match that takes advantage of machine translation technologies. The system of the present invention implements this goal by means of simple and efficient machine translation features that are extracted from the surrounding context to match with the pool of potential advertisements. Machine translation features used as features for training a machine learning model. In one embodiment, a ranking SVM (Support Vector Machines) trained to identify advertisements relevant to a particular context. The trained machine learning model can then be used to rank advertisements for a particular context by supplying the machine learning model with the machine translation features measures for the advertisements and the surrounding context.
US08145647B2
A method for electronically responding to requests for product related data, the method includes: collecting product related data from feeder systems; organizing the collected product related data into digital libraries within a document management system; receiving a discovery request from legal counsel to identify related documents; searching the product related data for documents; tagging documents identified in the search and placing copies of the documents in a holding queue; and importing the documents in the holding queue to a litigation support system.
US08145645B2
A system and method are disclosed for identifying relevant content/advertisements to be displayed in response to receiving a search query. The relevant advertisements may be identified based on the contextual relevance compared with the root term of the search query and based on the geographic relevance as compared with a location term of the search query and/or a localness associated with the root term. The search query may be assigned a location identifier based on the location term or based on the localness, which may be used to expand the geographic range for ranking and selecting relevant content/advertisements.
US08145644B2
Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to providing a medical application with access to medical information from validated medical information experts. The medical information experts can be validated by scoring attributes of a purported medical information expert, generating a rank based on the score, and comparing the score to a pre-set threshold. The medical information from validated medical information experts can be stored in a knowledge database. A request from a medical application can be received and used to search the knowledge database to generate a response to the request that includes part of the medical information. The response can be provided to the medical application in a format that can be customized by the medical application.
US08145642B2
Techniques are described for combining pieces of information from two sources. The techniques may be used to improve the performance, for example, of hash join operations that are parallelized using slaves distributed across multiple nodes. According to one technique, bitmap filtering operations are performed by the probe-phase producer slaves, rather than the probe-phase consumer slaves. To avoid having to merge separately built bitmap filter chunks, the left-hand rows may be sent to every probe-phase consumer slave. Alternatively, the merge operation may be avoided by distributing the rows of one source based on how the other source has been statically partitioned.
US08145637B2
Methods and apparatus for searching data and grouping search results into clusters that are ordered according to search relevance. Each cluster comprises one or more data type, such as images, web pages, local information, news, advertisements, and the like. In one embodiment, a search term is evaluated for related concepts indicating categories of data sources to search. Data sources may also be identified by context information such as a location of a client device, a currently running application, and the like. Search results in each cluster are ordered by relevance and each cluster is given a score based on an aggregate of the relevance within the cluster. Each cluster score may be modified based on one or more corresponding concepts and/or context information. The clusters are ordered based on the modified scores. Content, including advertisements, may also be added to the ordered list to appear as another cluster.
US08145632B2
A computer identifies multiple resource identifiers, each resource identifier corresponding to a document at a respective data source. For at least one of the resource identifiers, the computer retrieves the corresponding document from the respective document source, identifies within the retrieved document a chunk that satisfies one or more user-specified search keywords, and displays the identified chunk and a link to the identified chunk within the document to the user.
US08145619B2
A method for identifying companies with specific business objectives that includes using existing sources of company firmographic data to identify a broad set of companies and associated websites, crawling the websites associated with the identified companies and indexing web site content for each of the identified companies with the specific business objective to realize indexed web content. The method further includes joining the company firmographic data with the indexed web content using a business objective common identifier to generate a store of joined structured firmographic data and indexed web content and presenting a display image representation of the store of joined structured firmographic data and indexed web content for user review. The display image further receives user input to score each of said companies identified therein, and using a search interface, querying the store of scored, joined structured firmographic data and indexed web content. The method further includes augmenting the search interface, or search results from a query, with predictive, machine-leaning processes that allow rapid identification of companies possibly missed in the query.
US08145615B2
Searching and exploration using a data-driven analytics model. The analytics model includes an analytical modeling component that defines analytical relationships between model variables using a number of analytical relations. In response to a search request, the output variable(s) of the solve operation are identified. The output variable(s) may have even been identified based on the search request. The analytical relations of the model may then be used to solve for the identified output variable(s). The resulting value(s) for the now solved-for output variable(s) may then be used to formulate the response to the search request. The nature of the response may vary depending on the scope of the application that embodied the search request capability. The results of the search request may be used for further exploration of the model by, for example, submitting follow-up search requests, resulting in follow-up solve operations.
US08145612B2
A system and method for receiving data on an aircraft, the data including a tail number of the aircraft, storing the data in a database, receiving a request including further data, the further data being related to the aircraft, querying the data in the database using the further data and returning the tail number of the aircraft.
US08145610B1
Processing for a data package is disclosed. An operation is received including a data package. The operation is performed with respect to each of one or more data objects included in the data package, in a manner determined at least in part by a context data applicable to the operation.
US08145607B1
A system, method and computer program product for backup and restore of MS Exchange server. The method for MS Exchange Server backup and restore comprises launching a system filter and applying logs; mounting a data base from files located in a virtual folder; moving the file data from the archive into the real folder while the MS Exchange Server remains open and the database being restored is mounted. The data is moved into the real folder from the archive by blocks. The database files of the MS Exchange Server are divided into data sets (i.e., blocks). For each block a special bit in its bitmap is marked to indicate, whether this block has been moved to the real folder or still remains in the archive (i.e., backup). When the blocks are moved, the updated blocks do not need to be transferred from the archive into the real folder. After the data blocks are moved into the real folder, the restored database is dismounted and the virtual folder is dismounted. The system filter is turned off and the database is mounted without employing the system filter.
US08145601B2
A method for transmitting records of changes to data from a production location to a storage location. The method stores in a log, records of changes to data stored at a production location. Those records are transmitted and a transmitted records checkpoint is generated that is transmitted at the end of the transmitted records. A records checkpoint conformation is received and the plurality of transmitted records are purged from the log.
US08145597B1
A system integrator for modeling an object instance of a COBOL data set, the object instance including representations of OCCURS DEPENDING ON clauses or REDEFINE clauses. The system comprises a client interface module, an import module, an object model module and modeler module. The client interface module generates an interface and receives a copybook selection and a set of REDEFINE criteria. The import module receives the copybook selection and imports a copybook from a database. The object model module receives the copybook and the set of REDEFINE criteria, and creates a customized object model for the copybook. The modeler module receives the customized object model and a set of COBOL data, and forms an object instance equivalent to the set of COBOL data, the object instance including representations of a OCCURS DEPENDING ON clause or REDEFINE clause.
US08145582B2
Generating synthetic events based on a vast amount of data. First and second data are received. The first data is organized into a first cohort. The second data is organized into a second cohort. The first cohort and the second cohort are processed to generate a synthetic event. The synthetic event comprises third data representing a result of a mathematical computation defined by S(p1)==>F(p2), wherein S comprises input facts with probability p1, wherein the input facts comprise the first cohort and the second cohort, and wherein F comprises an inferred event with probability p2. The term “event” means a particular set of data that represents, encodes, or records at least one of a thing or happening. Each of the first data, the second data, the first cohort, the second cohort, the synthetic event, and subcomponents thereof all comprise different events. The synthetic event is stored.
US08145579B2
System, method and program product for estimating a cost of reconciling heterogeneous data sources. A transition cost for integrating together a first program to identify semantic conflicts, a second program to classify semantic conflicts and a third program to reconcile semantic conflicts is estimated. A steady state cost for managing and maintaining the integrated first, second and third programs is estimated. Another system, method and program product for estimating a cost of integrating heterogeneous data sources. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a first program which identifies semantic conflicts between a cross data source query and schema elements in a data source is estimated. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a second program which classifies semantic conflicts between the cross data source query and schema elements in the data source is estimated. A steady state cost of managing and maintaining a third program which reconciles semantic conflicts between the cross data source query and schema elements in the data source is estimated.
US08145576B2
Method of making airline luggage inspection secure while accommodating the needs of the traveler comprises making a special lock available to airline travelers, the special lock having a combination lock portion and a master key lock, the master key lock portion receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of any special lock of this type. The special lock is designed to be applied to an individual piece of airline luggage and has indicia conveying to luggage purchasers that the special lock is “approved”by a luggage screening authority and conveying to the luggage screening authority that the special lock can be opened using the master key. The method includes providing the luggage screening authority directly or indirectly with exclusive access to the master key. The manufacturers and/or provider of the master key and special lock retain copies of the master key.
US08145572B2
When a conflict occurs among usage rules for content data, a verification on the content data is made in accordance with the conflict solution policy defined in the usage rule for each of the content data. Available content data are determined in correspondence with a combination of grant verification results individually made on the content data.
US08145571B2
A content transfer control system for a wireless device and a method of controlling content transfer from a wireless device are described. The system includes a content transfer control component arranged to (a) detect licensed content and (b) transfer a content source indicating a source of the licensed content responsive to detection of licensed content. The method includes transmitting content from the wireless device if the content is not determined to be licensed content and transmitting a content source from the wireless device if the content is determined to be licensed content.
US08145568B2
Methods and systems for indicating a mobile financial payment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user and is also coupled for electronic communications with one or more payment instruction recipients that can make a payment to a payee in behalf of the user. The mobile device allows for selection of a pre-existing payee or entry of payee information. The user provides input at the mobile device selecting a payee for a payment and a payment source for the payment. A mobile payment instruction comprising information corresponding to the payment to make and a payment source for the payment is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates and communicates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient which includes information identifying a selected account at a financial service provider, an amount, and information corresponding to the identified payee. The payment instruction recipient then effects the payment to the identified payee.
US08145565B1
Account shadowing is provided such that when a charge is made on a first credit card (e.g., a high interest rate credit card) of a user, a transfer of funds is made from a second credit card (e.g., a low interest rate credit card) of the user to pay the charge made to the first credit card. This may transfer the balance from a user's high interest rate credit card to a user's low interest rate credit card. In this manner, the user may receive the reward incentives of a high interest rate credit card while using a low interest rate credit card to satisfy balances due.
US08145556B2
A method for automatically fulfilling lending conditions includes the steps of maintaining a database of a plurality of registered service providers, receiving a loan application having one or more conditions to be fulfilled for the loan application to be approved, evaluating the one or more conditions to determine one or more actions to be taken towards fulfilling the one or more conditions, and automatically executing at least one action of the one or more actions to be taken towards fulfilling at least one of the one or more conditions, wherein the at least one action includes automatically requesting information for fulfilling the at least one condition from a registered service provider of the plurality of registered service providers.
US08145547B2
Method for communication between a central server and a computerized juke-box which operates in a conference mode, including: sending a header before any transaction, which includes the identity of the destination together, the identity of the emitter, and the size of the packets; responding from the server in the form of a data packet, each packet sent by the server being encoded using the identification code of the juke-box software; and receiving a data packet by the juke-box, which decodes the packet, simultaneously performs a check on the data received by the CRC method and sends an acknowledgement of receipt to the server indicating the accuracy of the information received, to allow it to prepare and send another packet to the juke-box.
US08145545B2
A method of receiving input image data for an image search engine includes providing a two-dimensional input image on a display screen, enabling a user to rotate the input image on the display screen about an axis that is non-perpendicular to a plane of the input image, and enabling the user to electronically draw modifications on the rotated input image.
US08145543B2
Under the present invention, an approver will log into a purchase application or the like. Upon logging in, the approver will be presented with a view of all item requests for which he/she must make an approval determination. The approver can also be presented with informational messages for the requested items. In any event, the approver can make an approval determination for the item requests and post comments related thereto. Once the approval determination has been made for a particular item request, an approver list and approval status corresponding thereto is updated. It should be understood that as used herein, the term “item” is intended to refer to goods or services.
US08145540B2
The present invention relates to a management platform for monitoring and managing one or more smart meters. The management platform comprises means for communicating with smart meters and a workflow handler for executing a workflow. A workflow specifies a process for management of the smart meters.
US08145539B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer program product for auditing rates based on server access of databases. In one embodiment, an expected rate is received, and a rate request is sent to a server, wherein the rate request promotes an entry of the rate request to access a database. A rate response is received from the server, wherein the rate response corresponds to the rate request and includes a specified rate. A sale request is sent to the server, wherein the sale request corresponds to the rate request and promotes an entry of the sale request to access the database. A sale response is received from the server, wherein the sale response corresponds to the sale request and includes a sale rate. A message is output based on the expected rate, the specified rate, and/or the sale rate.
US08145538B2
A quote-to-order system builds an order for cabinets for a house directly from the quote provided to the builder. This reduces data entry time and errors. The system also validates the final order relative to the quote and relative to the builder's purchase order. The quote-to-order system takes the user step-by-step through the process of building an order based upon the quote. The quote includes the floorplans in the development, optional layouts and available styles of cabinets. The quote also associates each of these options with a set of SKUs representing the cabinet components and hardware that would be needed for those options. By building the order based upon the underlying quote to the builder, the order is guaranteed to have the correct SKUs and pricing.
US08145531B1
In one implementation, products in a shopping cart are provided to a point of sale system. The products are removed from the shopping cart and scanned with a transducer system. A database association system queries a database and determines the likelihood that the scanned products are indicative of products located in a lower support unit of the shopping cart. A notification is displayed on a user interface indicating the possibility of products located in the lower support unit of the shopping cart. A user is then queried as to whether a product was located in the lower support unit and the association system is updated to reflect a revised probability that the scanned products are indicative of products located in a lower support unit of the shopping cart.
US08145527B2
Helping advertisers to control marketing expenditures by governing the delivery of an advertisement over a time period. Such governing may be accomplished by (a) determining an expected cost associated with delivering the advertisement, ungoverned, over the time period; and (b) governing the delivery of the advertisement based on the expected cost and a target cost. The delivery of the advertisement may be also governed based on time remaining in the time period, budget deficits from past periods, budget surpluses from past periods, a start date and an end date associated with the advertisement, time since a start date associated with the advertisement, and/or time until an end date associated with the advertisement. The target cost may be based on a predefined budget.
US08145523B2
Code processing for promotional games and the like. In a preferred application, a lottery ticket holder who has purchased a lottery ticket is encouraged to access a designated Internet site by rewarding access thereat on the condition that information visibly supported on the lottery ticket from a given drawing is input at an Internet site and a test indicates that the information so-input matches lottery numbers that were picked for that drawing. Access to predetermined Internet-based services or sites can also be had as an award to an individual for inputting an iconic code at a machine connected to the Internet if the input code tests as valid, with the code being marked so as to be usable only once. Preferably, the iconic code is input by click-selecting displayed icons one after another in an order that corresponds to that of a code provided to the individual. POS methods for code processing are also described.
US08145522B2
Techniques for administering an account with a financial institution are disclosed. The financial institution may establish the account for the account holder. An account holder may execute purchase transactions using the account. A first and second affiliate may be associated with the account. Rewards information associated with the first affiliate may be calculated based on use of the account for purchase transactions. A compensation, to be provided by the financial institution to the second affiliate, may be calculated based on use of the account for purchase transactions.
US08145519B2
The present invention is designed to develop research protocols for clinical trials. The invention also can track and enhance subject compliance with a research protocol. The invention further provides evaluability data related to subject performance in the clinical trial. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device is used to query and collect data from the subject.
US08145518B2
A method and system for analyzing business performance and opportunities by generating one or more series of heat map views of business components by a plurality of dimensions associate information related to a plurality of dimensions with one or more business components; define one or more dimensions from the plurality of dimensions; generate one or more series of heat map views of the said business components by said defined one of more dimensions; and present said series of heat map views of the business components.
US08145517B2
A system of scheduling a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment may include resources and a computer-readable storage medium including programming instructions for performing a method of processing print jobs. The method may include receiving print jobs and setup characteristics corresponding to each print job. Each print job may have a corresponding job size. The print jobs may be grouped into sets based on a common characteristic and each set may be identified as a fast job set or a slow job set based on setup characteristics associated with the set and the job sizes of the print jobs in the set. The fast job set may be routed to a fast job autonomous cell and the slow job set may be routed to a slow job autonomous cell.
US08145513B2
A haul road maintenance management system has a vehicle diagnostic module located onboard a haul vehicle and a database, which stores historical repair data relating to the haul vehicle. The haul road maintenance management system also has a controller in communication with the vehicle diagnostic module and the database. The controller is configured to analyze data from the vehicle diagnostic module and the database, and recommend road maintenance in response to the analysis.
US08145502B2
An algorithm and associated program for performing method steps in the maintaining of records and generating of reports used in the processing of radioactive pharmaceuticals. The algorithm is used as the basis of a program which can accomplish this method automatically. The method involves the determination of dose, the acquisition of the materials, scheduling for the issuance of doses and for future doses, the actual monitoring and control of material and equipment disposal. The algorithm and method are also adapted for the generation of reports on a periodic basis. In short, the method performed by the algorithm allows for an automation through a computer system and this, in turn, allows for the automatic processing of the steps performed and the controls involved in the dispensing of radioactive pharmaceuticals and automatically allows for the generation of governmental and other reports therefor.
US08145499B2
In a case of transient audio input signals, in a multi-channel audio reconstruction, uncorrelated output signals are generated from an audio input signal in that the audio input signal is mixed with a representation of the audio input signal delayed by a delay time such that, in a first time interval, a first output signal corresponds to the audio input signal, and a second output signal corresponds to the delayed representation of the audio input signal, wherein, in a second time interval, the first output signal corresponds to the delayed representation of the audio input signal, and the second output signal corresponds to the audio input signal.
US08145493B2
Establishing a preferred mode of interaction between a user and a multimodal application, including evaluating, by a multimodal application operating on a multimodal device supporting multiple modes of interaction including a voice mode and one or more non-voice modes, user modal preference, and dynamically configuring multimodal content of the multimodal application in dependence upon the evaluation of user modal preference.
US08145487B2
A voice recognition apparatus recognizes speaker's voice collected by a microphone, determines whether a telephone number is grouped into categories based on an inclusion of vocabulary in the telephone number that divides the telephone number into groups such as an area code, a city code and a subscriber number, and displays the telephone number in a display part in a grouped form of the area code, city code and subscriber number.
US08145485B2
A device receives a voice recognition statistic from a voice recognition application and applies a grammar improvement rule based on the voice recognition statistic. The device also automatically adjusts a weight of the voice recognition statistic based on the grammar improvement rule, and outputs the weight adjusted voice recognition statistic for use in the voice recognition application.
US08145481B2
Speech recognition models are dynamically re-configurable based on user information, application information, background information such as background noise and transducer information such as transducer response characteristics to provide users with alternate input modes to keyboard text entry. Word recognition lattices are generated for each data field of an application and dynamically concatenated into a single word recognition lattice. A language model is applied to the concatenated word recognition lattice to determine the relationships between the word recognition lattices and repeated until the generated word recognition lattices are acceptable or differ from a predetermined value only by a threshold amount. These techniques of dynamic re-configurable speech recognition provide for deployment of speech recognition on small devices such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants as well environments such as office, home or vehicle while maintaining the accuracy of the speech recognition.
US08145480B2
The present disclosure relates to a decoding method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving data frames from the coder; if any erroneous frame appears, calculating a pitch lag parameter of the erroneous frame; decoding the data frames according to the calculated pitch lag parameter of the erroneous frame, and obtaining decoded data. The process of determining the pitch lag parameter includes: determining the number of continuous erroneous frames and the pitch lag parameter of the previous frame; adjusting the pitch lag parameter of the previous frame according to the number of the continuous erroneous frames and a preset adjustment policy, and calculating and determining the pitch lag parameter of a current erroneous frame, wherein the preset adjustment policy is adjusting the determined pitch lag parameter of the current erroneous frame within a preset value range according to the number of the continuous erroneous frames.
US08145477B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus described include waveform alignment operations in which a single set of evaluated cosines and sines is used to calculate cross-correlations of two periodic waveforms at two different phase shifts.
US08145470B2
A hypervisor environment configured for accelerated access to device emulators comprises a hypervisor that intercepts a device access instruction to a child partition processor and routes said device access instruction to a root partition. A processor instruction emulator emulates said device access instruction along with any number of next instructions of the processor in said child partition, thereby dispatching accesses to a device emulator on behalf of the processor in said child partition. By emulating these instructions in the root partition, accesses to the device emulator are greatly accelerated.
US08145457B2
Hot embossing may be more advantageous than other polymer microfabrication processes. An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for developing a computationally inexpensive viscoelastic model for the hot embossing of complex patterns. These developed models may help engineers refine their selection of processing parameters based upon successive simulations of the embossing process. The example embodiment models deformation of a deformable body embossed with a stamp as a function of convolving a point-load-time response and a contact pressure distribution. In order to generate the point-load-time response, a time-dependent response of a surface of the thermoplastic to system inputs applied to an elemental region of the surface of the thermoplastic may be employed. The example embodiment generates an estimate of the contact pressure distribution as a function of the point-load-time response and an average pressure applied to the stamp.
US08145446B2
A portable coordinate measurement machine for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume includes a positionable articulated arm having a plurality of jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner mounted thereon. The laser may be a fiber coupled laser. Wireless data transfer and communication capability for the CMM is also possible.
US08145444B1
A computer-implemented asset surveillance system and method for self calibrating at least one fault detector providing asset surveillance by calibrating at least the one fault detector with statistics associated with expected asset behavior, acquiring observed data values from an asset, screening the observed data values based upon at least one defined criterion for obtaining screened data values, updating the statistics associated with expected asset behavior as a function of the screened data values for defining updated statistics, and recalibrating the at least one fault detector with the updated statistics.
US08145437B2
This application is based on the concept of the Proteomic Code, PC (discovered and described by Biro, 1981-2011, for review see ref 6) and making use of the biological observation, that co-locating amino acids [in interacting proteins] are coded by partially complementary codons. A method is provided to design and produce a special and distinct set of affinity oligopeptides (AffiSeq) using the PC principle. These designed and artificially produced affinity peptides will be used in any biotechnological or pharmacological applications which benefit of the specific and high affinity protein-protein interactions.
US08145433B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the analysis of the dissociation behavior of nucleic acids and the identification of nucleic acids. In one aspect, methods and systems are disclosed for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample including an unknown nucleic acid and for detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism in a nucleic acid in a sample. In another aspect, methods and systems are disclosed for identification of a nucleic acid in a biological sample including at least one unknown nucleic acid by fitting denaturation data including measurements of a quantifiable physical change of the sample at a plurality of independent sample property points to a function to determine an intrinsic physical value and to obtain an estimated physical change function, and identifying the nucleic acid in the biological sample by comparing the intrinsic physical value for at least one unknown nucleic acid to an intrinsic physical value for a known nucleic acid.
US08145425B2
The present invention is to provide a navigation device having a function of starting a route re-searching early by predicting a route change of a vehicle from a recommended route. A navigation device is formed such that when guiding a vehicle by virtue of a recommended approaching route and a recommended exit route both connected to a branching point, and once the vehicle traveling from the recommended approaching route and heading for the branching point is about to deviate from the recommended exit route, said navigation device starts a route re-searching for finding a new recommended route going through other route. The navigation device detects that a turning angle θx of the vehicle is about to be in a direction within an angle range not including an angle formed between the direction θa of the recommended approaching route and the direction θb of the recommended exit route, and starts a route re-searching to find a new recommended route going through other route existing within an angle range excluding an angle formed between the directions θa and θb.
US08145413B2
When vehicle group constituent vehicles V1 to V4 form a vehicle group, a logical unit 40a for distributing perimeter monitoring regions among the vehicles controls a monitoring region s of a sensor 23 of each vehicle so that the monitoring region s is changed with comparison to that during independent traveling. As a result, even in a state in which an area surrounding the vehicle group cannot be sufficiently monitored with the monitoring region identical to that during independent traveling, the monitoring capacity of the area surrounding the vehicle group can be increased by changing the monitoring region s of the sensor 23 of each vehicle during traveling as a vehicle group.
US08145407B2
Disclosed is an automobile equipped with an engine having an electronically-controlled throttle valve adapted to have an opening angle which is controlled according to an accelerator-pedal depression amount. The engine further includes an accelerator pedal sensor, an actuator adapted to selectively open and close the throttle valve, and a controller. The controller is adapted to calculate a target throttle opening angle corresponding to the accelerator-pedal depression amount, and output a continuous control signal corresponding to the target throttle opening angle, to the actuator. The controller is operable, in a traveling environment of the automobile or an operating condition of the engine where a required engine power is less than an engine power corresponding to the target throttle opening angle, to convert the continuous control signal into a pulsed control signal, and output the pulsed control signal to the actuator.
US08145390B2
A GPS-based vehicle guidance system method for providing an integrated display for the operator of a vehicle and provides determining the ideal swath path based on predetermined and user inputted parameters. The method is applied to both manual and automatic modes of operation, and includes the use of an integrated display that clearly indicates whether the system is operating in chase or pull mode of operation with continuous indicators. The method also includes providing guidance to the vehicle operator at the beginning of the process and during end of row turns, to enable the vehicle to align with the predetermined swath paths.
US08145384B2
The present invention provides a traveling speed reduction gear lubricating oil cooling device that enables optimal temperature control for lubricating oil delivered via a lubricating oil pump that can be started up with a relatively small motor without running the risk of damage to an oil cooler in a cold work environment even when a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the lubricating oil is installed outside a wheel mounting sleeve. During a startup operation, provided that the detected temperature at a traveling motor is higher than the reference temperature, the lubricating oil pump is driven at a speed in a lower speed range relative to the normal operation speed range. In addition, during the startup operation, the rotation speed of the drive motor for the lubricating oil pump is increased in correspondence to a rise in the temperature detected by a lubricating oil temperature detection sensor.
US08145373B2
A method of programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive modes comprises: displaying a menu image on an interactive display screen, the menu image including settings of a plurality of wheelchair parameters for a plurality of drive modes of the wheelchair; selecting a wheelchair parameter for a drive mode from the displayed menu image; and programming the setting of the selected wheelchair parameter to a desired setting.
US08145370B2
A steering system for a marine vessel includes one or more steering devices operable to turn a marine vessel; a steering input device arranged to generate a desired turn rate signal; a rate sensor arranged to generate a turn rate signal indicative of vessel turn rate; and a control system configured to receive the vessel and desired turn rate signals and to control the steering device(s) to turn the marine vessel so as to minimise any difference between the signals.
US08145369B1
An intercepting vehicle, which is being towed by a towing vehicle, may home in on and attach to a retrievable vehicle that catches up to the intercepting vehicle from behind. Then, the intercepting vehicle, with the retrievable vehicle docked thereto, may be brought to the towing vehicle by reeling in the intercepting vehicle with the retrievable vehicle docked thereto.
US08145368B2
A method of controlling merging of a plurality of streams of vehicles in an automated vehicle system. The method comprises: Defining a merge control zone associated with a merge point, the merge control zone defining at least respective sections of the upstream tracks leading to the merge point; detecting a vehicle entering the merge control zone on a first one of the upstream tracks; allocating a passage time to the vehicle, the passage time being indicative of a time at which the vehicle is scheduled to pass the merge point; wherein allocating the passage time is based on a merge priority assigned to the vehicle according to a predetermined set of merge priority rules; controlling a speed of the vehicle responsive to the allocated passage time.
US08145363B2
A pumped refrigerant cooling system for use in a row of equipment racks is configured to contain electronic equipment. The system includes a communication network and a refrigerant distribution unit in fluid communication with a chilled refrigerant supply and a heated refrigerant return. A cooling module is in fluid communication with the refrigerant distribution unit by a supply line and a return line. The cooling module is coupled to the communication network, and includes an evaporator and a fan configured to direct air over the evaporator. A sensor package is configured to monitor temperature and pressure reference points provided in the pumped refrigerant cooling system and the equipment racks. The system further includes a controller forming part of the cooling module and coupled to the communication network and the sensor package. The controller, based on information obtained from the sensor package, is configured to manipulate the flow of refrigerant through the evaporator by controlling the delivery of refrigerant to the evaporator and is configured to manipulate the flow of air over the evaporator by controlling the speed of the fan.
US08145352B2
A showing management system for programmatically matching a specific electronic lockbox with a specific Listing ID, whereby lockbox access data from an electronic lockbox are matched with showing appointment records maintained in the showing management system to complete the lockbox access records when the Listing ID for a particular showing appointment is missing from the lockbox access record. The disclosed methods and algorithms are also applied to programmatically verify a manual assignment of a lockbox, to a real property, utilizing a showing management system.
US08145349B2
Methods and systems, in one embodiment, for receiving a warped flexible wafer to be transferred between a first mechanism and a second mechanism are described. The method and system senses a first vacuum suction between the warped flexible wafer and the first mechanism. The warped flexible wafer is positioned to define a gap between the warped flexible wafer and the second mechanism. Methods and systems for closing the gap incrementally between the warped flexible wafer and the second mechanism are described. At each increment, the methods and systems detect whether a second vacuum suction is created between the warped flexible wafer and the second mechanism. When a second vacuum suction is detected between the warped flexible wafer and the second mechanism, the first vacuum suction between the warped flexible wafer and the first mechanism is released.
US08145327B2
A system of electrical modules includes a plurality of modules, including power modules, control modules, and output modules. Power modules provide power for powering one or more control and output modules. Control modules provide control signals to one or more output modules. Output modules perform predefined functions responsive to receiving power from a power module and/or a control signal from a control module. All of the modules have like mating connectors and like connector wiring. This arrangement forms a system bus across any given plurality of modules, when those modules are serially interconnected in a daisy chain. In at least one embodiment, the mating connectors and the connector wiring are standardized across the system such that any module can be coupled to any other module, and the ordering of the modules in the daisy chain is not fixed.
US08145324B1
A medical lead system includes at least one bandstop filter for attenuating current flow through the lead across a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency or range of frequencies. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems.
US08145321B2
An implant system including a transurethral prostatic implant positioned in a prostate and including a lumen with an inner perimeter that surrounds an outer perimeter of a urethra at the prostate. The implant system may include a delivery tool including a shaft having a distal portion and an implant-holding portion proximal to the distal portion, the distal portion being sized for entry into a urethra, and the implant-holding portion being thicker than the distal portion, and an implant positioned on the implant-holding portion.
US08145316B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for extravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.
US08145312B2
A power supply comprises transistors whose conduction paths are connected in series and whose control terminals receive a reference voltage. The common terminal at one end of the series-connected conduction paths provides a regulator output whereas output terminals of the transistors are connected to charge storage capacitors, which are charged by respective power generators for scavenging energy from the environment. The transistors begin conducting in sequence so that the storage capacitors begin contributing sequentially to the output current as each transistor conducts in sequence. The capacitors are charged up when they are not contributing to the output current.
US08145311B2
Techniques are provided for use by implantable medical devices for determining a preferred or optimal pair of electrodes for delivering biventricular pacing therapy. In one example, the implantable device is equipped with a right ventricular (RV) lead and a multi-pole left ventricular (LV) lead. Briefly, for each of a selected set of RV/LV electrode pairs, electrocardiac parameters are detected within a patient in which the device is implanted, including parameters representative of an intrinsic biventricular electrical separation between LV and RV and parameters representative of a mechanical contraction delay in the LV. An optimal RV/LV electrode pair is then determined for delivering biventricular pacing based on an analysis of the intrinsic biventricular electrical separation and the mechanical contraction delay. Pacing latency, pacing delay from LV to RV, and the maximum slope of an LV evoked response may be used as proxies or surrogates for mechanical contraction delay.
US08145302B1
A method and system are provided to determine a defibrillation threshold (DFT). The method and system determine local conduction (LC) information for at least one LV region of the heart, and designate a ULV pacing electrode, where the ULV pacing electrode is located proximate to a region of the heart for which the LC information satisfies a predetermined LC characteristic. The method and system pace the heart from the ULV pacing electrode such that the region of the heart, for which the LC information satisfies the predetermined LC characteristic, becomes re-polarized early in a repolarization phase following pacing of the heart. The method and system deliver a ULV shock, obtain upper limit of vulnerability (ULV) information based on a heart response to the ULV shock; and obtain a DFT based on the ULV information.
US08145299B2
Systems and methods for treating metabolic syndrome and/or Type 2 diabetes, and/or one or more of their attendant conditions, by neural stimulation. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator is electrically coupled to a peripheral nerve, such as the splanchnic nerve. Neural stimulation configured to either block transmission or stimulate transmission of the peripheral nerve may be used to treat metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.
US08145286B2
A device and method for optically measuring a substance in blood using the nail as an optical window are provided. A device for optically measuring a test substance in blood by using the nail as an optical window and correcting or eliminating fluctuation of a measurement value based on optical characteristics of the nail plate, comprising irradiation means applying light within a wavelength range for measuring absorption by the test substance to the nail of a subject, detection means detecting light diffused/reflected from or transmitted through the body of the subject, and processing means processing a signal obtained by the detection means to convert the signal into a concentration of the test substance.
US08145274B2
Systems and methods for automatically setting reminders. A method for automatically setting reminders includes receiving utterances, determining whether the utterances match a stored phrase, and in response to determining that there is a match, automatically setting a reminder in a mobile communication device. Various filters can be applied to determine whether or not to set a reminder. Examples of suitable filters include location, date/time, callee's phone number, etc.
US08145273B2
A method for operating a mobile terminal, and which includes performing voice recognition on call content to produce recognized call content, converting the recognized call content into one or more units of character information, registering the one or more units of character information to one or more particular functions of the mobile terminal based on a type of the character information or a field of the character information, inputting a search parameter, searching one of a plurality of file types and identifying a file related to both the search parameter and the one or more registered units of character information, and displaying or automatically executing the identified file.
US08145268B1
Video signals for a mobile terminal are converted to accommodate reproduction by an alternative display terminal. The video signal is processed to provide a converted video signal appropriate for an alternative display terminal that is separate from the mobile terminal. This converted video signal is then provided for the alternative display terminal to accommodate the corresponding video display on a screen provided by the alternative (e.g., external) display terminal.
US08145267B2
A biological sample measurement apparatus includes a measurement component for detecting a blood glucose level, a transmitter for sending the detected blood glucose level to a portable terminal, a receiver for receiving an acknowledge signal and a portable terminal ID sent from the portable terminal, a storage component for associating the communication frequency at the point of successful communication with the received portable terminal ID and storing it as communication success history along with successful information from the past, and a communication frequency selector for selecting a communication frequency on the basis of this communication success history.
US08145265B2
A method for producing hard copies of electronic information employing a portable personal receiving device includes the steps of selecting information to print and utilizing the receiving device to identify available printers based on the location of the receiving device for printing the selected information in hard copy form. The portable receiving device is connected to one of the available printers and the selected information is printed in hard copy form. A system for producing hard copies of electronic information employing a portable personal receiving device includes a portable receiving device having a program enabling selection of information to print. The portable device includes a program to identify available printers based on the location of the receiving device. A communications link connects the portable receiving device to an available printer. The receiving device may be a cell phone and global positioning satellite functionality and/or cell phone tower positions may be employed to determine the location of the receiving device.
US08145263B2
In an RF communication system, aspects for cellular network and intelligent integrated broadcast television downlink with intelligent service control with feedback may comprise a mobile terminal (MT) generating a request for media comprising a specified quality of service (QoS) to be delivered to the mobile terminal. The request may be sent via a cellular service. The QoS may be negotiated between the MT and the cellular service and/or a broadcast service, where the cellular service and/or the broadcast service may provide the requested media. The specified QoS may be determined based on, for example, a received channel condition. The media may be received by the MT via a single integrated cellular and VHF/UHF baseband processor, and the received media may be consumed by the MT. The broadcast service may comprise, for example, a cellular broadcast service and VHF/UHF broadcast services such as, for example, DVB, ISDB, ISDB terrestrial, and ATSC services.
US08145262B2
A multimode land mobile radio (LMR) and a method of communicating land mobile radio (LMR) content using an LMR device are provided. The LMR includes an LMR communication portion configured to provide communication with an LMR network and a cellular data network communication portion configured to provide communication with a cellular data network.
US08145257B2
The present invention relates to apparatus and method for providing a mobile instant messaging service. The apparatus includes a buddy status managing unit for recording and managing a status information of at least one mobile messenger subscriber; a buddy list managing unit cooperating with the buddy status managing unit for managing a buddy list of the mobile messenger subscriber based on a telephone number, and providing the buddy list to the mobile messenger subscriber; and a chatting service unit for providing a chatting service between the mobile messenger subscriber and a buddy selected by the mobile messenger subscriber in the buddy list provided to the mobile messenger subscriber by the buddy list managing unit.
US08145255B2
It is characterized by including a storage section (214) in which location information of a base station (30) that performs wireless communication with a wireless terminal (40) and base station identification information uniquely assigned to each base station are registered in association with each other, a receiving section for receiving signal strength information in which a signal strength of a signal received by the wireless terminal from each base station or information obtained from the signal strength and the base station identification information of the base station that transmitted the signal are associated with each other, a registration judging section (222) judging, by referring to the base station identification information registered in the storage section, whether or not the base station identification information included in the signal strength information received by the receiving section is registered in the storage section in association with the location information, and a registering section (226) for registering in the storage section in association with each other the base station identification information judged by the registration judging section as not registered in the storage section and predetermined location information dependent on the location of the wireless terminal.
US08145254B1
Methods and systems are provided for dynamic adjustment of the pilot-channel, paging-channel, and sync-channel transmission-power levels based on forward-link and reverse-link RF conditions. In an exemplary embodiment, a base station provides service on a carrier in a wireless coverage area, and computes both an Ec/Ior value and a reverse noise rise (RNR) value for the carrier. Based at least in part on the Ec/Ior value and at least in part on the RNR value, the base station adjusts at least one of a pilot-channel power level, a paging-channel power level, and a sync-channel power level for the carrier. As an example, if (a) Ec/Ior is above a first threshold and (b) RNR is below a second threshold, the base station may increase all three of the power levels, so as to improve service quality and coverage, among other advantages.
US08145242B2
Included are embodiments for determining data for at least one geographic zone. At least one embodiment of a method includes determining at least one geographic zone for monitoring and receiving data related to at least one contact of a user entering the at least one geographic zone. Some embodiments include providing an indication, to the user, that the at least one contact of the user is currently located in the determined geographic zone.
US08145241B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for role- and locale-based mobile user device feature control are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for controlling at least one feature of a mobile user device based on a locale and a role of a user of the mobile user device is disclosed. The method includes storing, in a database, role information defining a plurality of different roles assigned to different user types and corresponding locale-based mobile user device feature control policies. In response to a mobile user device being within the locale, a role of the mobile user device is determined. A policy corresponding to the role is selected from a database. At least one feature of the mobile user device is controlled based on the locale-based feature control policy.
US08145233B2
Methods of providing power overload control in a communication system having a least one base station serving one or more users of at least one cell are described which may avoid an overload condition in the system. In one aspect, a target signal-to-interference ratio (SIRtarget) may be controlled for inner loop power control implemented by the base station, so as to maintain the loading of the communication system below an overload condition. In another aspect, a target block error rate (BLERtarget) may be controlled for outer loop power control implemented by the base station, so as to maintain the loading of communication system below an overload condition.
US08145232B2
A visited policy controlling device decides the amount of a visited network bearer resource that is provided by a visited user plane device for an end-to-end service based on the amount of a bearer service resource requested to be used in the end-to-end service. A home policy controlling device decides the amount of a core network bearer resource that a home gateway device provides for the end-to-end service based on the amount of the bearer service resource requested to be used in the end-to-end service. Further, a home policy controlling device performs processing to match the amount of the core network bearer resource decided by itself and the amount of the visited network bearer resource decided by visited policy controlling device, if they do not match.
US08145221B2
Techniques for enabling a radio access network to cause an access terminal in communication with the radio access network to send an update including information about a location of the access terminal.
US08145215B2
A system and method are disclosed to achieve improvements in scanning that can be implemented by a wireless device. A method to control scanning performed by a mobile unit includes detecting the presence or absence of audio for transmission from the mobile unit. A performance of a scan can be deferred depending on the detection of the presence or absence of audio.
US08145212B2
Tools and techniques for activating a wireless device on a wireless network. In an aspect, such tools can allow an unactivated wireless device (that is, a wireless device that generally would be inoperable on a wireless network) to be given limited functionality in order to activate itself on the network. In some cases, such tools can be implemented within business processes to generate revenue streams for entities involved in the wireless activation process.
US08145208B2
The Multi-Link Aircraft Cellular System makes use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques to improve the call handling capacity of the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network. These additional techniques can include polarization domain and ground antenna pattern shaping (in azimuth, in elevation, or in both planes). Further, if code domain separation is added, dramatic increases in capacity are realized. Thus, the Air-To-Ground cellular communications network can increase its capacity on a per aircraft basis by sharing its traffic load among more than one cell or sector and by making use of multiple physically separated antennas mounted on the aircraft, as well as the use of additional optional signal isolation and optimization techniques.
US08145205B2
A method of estimating the quality of speech information associated with a voice call over a communication system comprising a core network and an access network where speech information is carried between the access network and the core network and within the core network in frames. The method comprises determining a rate of frame loss for frames transported between the access network and the core network and/or within the core network, and mapping the rate of frame loss to a quality estimation value using data collected by simulating frame loss on representative speech samples and determining quality estimation values for the damaged speech samples.
US08145204B2
There is provided a communication terminal out of range determination method, a wireless communication system switching method and a communication terminal, capable of determining accurately whether or not a communication terminal is out of range. Determining whether or not the communication terminal is out of range is based on a transmission level of a transmission signal from the communication terminal to a base station.
US08145198B2
The invention relates to a method of initializing an electronic radio communication module making it possible to execute a radio communication program, stored in a first non-volatile memory, the initialization being based on values of calibration parameters. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps, performed by the module when it executes the program: reading (E11) of at least one compressed calibration parameter in a second non-volatile memory; decompressing (E12) each compressed calibration parameter read, so as to obtain a decompressed calibration parameter; and initializing (E14) the module, based on the values of the decompressed calibration parameters.
US08145188B2
A mobile terminal and method for transferring call charges between mobile terminals are disclosed. To transfer call-related charges between mobile terminals, the mobile terminal and call charge transfer method place a call by a calling mobile terminal to a called mobile terminal to establish a call connection for conversation, transmit a call transfer request by the calling mobile terminal to impose call-related charges on the called mobile terminal, and perform, if the called mobile terminal accepts the call transfer request, a call transfer operation to impose the call-related charges on the called mobile terminal, and maintain, if the called mobile terminal rejects the call transfer request, the call to impose the call-related charges on the calling mobile terminal. As a result, during a call between mobile terminals, the called user can accept a call transfer request of the calling user to transfer call-related charges to the called party, thereby enabling flexible and efficient billing.
US08145184B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving disposition data from a subscriber. The disposition data indicates a first particular condition predicate for performing a particular action on data associated with the subscriber and archived by a service provider. After receiving the disposition data, first data associated with the subscriber is received by the service provider in near-real time. If it is determined that the particular condition is not satisfied, then the service provider performs a different second particular action.
US08145175B2
The sampling filter apparatus 100 includes the first sampling switch 130, the second sampling switch 131, the first integrator 1500 for integrating the charge input from the first sampling switch, the second integrator 1501 for integrating the charge input from the second sampling switch, a plurality of integrators connected to both of the first integrator and the second integrator via a charging switch, respectively, the control section 140, a plurality of charging switches, and a plurality of discharge switches. A charge input from the sampling switch 130, a charge accumulated in the capacitor 1500 and a charge accumulated in a capacitor 1510 are shared by the capacitor 1500, the capacitor 1510 and the capacitor 1530, and the charge accumulated in the capacitor 1530 is output.
US08145172B2
A receiver (400) includes a tracking bandpass filter (420) and a signal processing circuit (430-480). The tracking bandpass filter (420) has a first input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, and an output, and includes a first portion (731) on a semiconductor die (730), and at least one inductor (721). The at least one inductor (721) is operatively coupled to the first portion of the tracking bandpass filter (420). The signal processing circuit (430-480) has an input coupled to the output of the tracking bandpass filter (420), and an output for providing a processed signal. The semiconductor die (730) and the at least one inductor (721) are integrated into a single multi-chip module (MCM) (710).
US08145164B2
Methods and apparatus for handling a signaling message the relates to transmission rate restrictions
A method for handling a signaling message that specifies transmission rate restrictions may include operating in a first state. The method may also include receiving the signaling message from a network. The signaling message may include an activation time, the transmission rate restrictions and the control duration. The method may also include receiving a state transition trigger to operate in a second state. The method may also include determining the user equipment's behavior regarding the transmission rate restrictions upon receiving the state transition trigger.
US08145161B2
An integrated circuit radio transceiver and method therefor is operable to determine an antenna configuration for receive operations. More specifically, the system is operable to determine a receive antenna configuration in a network that includes a number of spatial streams, antenna configuration information, code rate, quadrature modulation type, and transmission protocol modulation scheme, etc. Generally, a selected antenna configuration for transmissions to a remote transceiver is used as an initial antenna configuration for receive operations.
US08145154B2
An approximation method for SNR soft information for a transmitter of a communications system includes obtaining a conditional probability density function (PDF) corresponding to a response message of a transmitted packet, obtaining a PDF of a probability distribution model, and a mean and a variance of the PDF, by approximating the conditional PDF corresponding to the response message with the probability distribution model, and calculating a second mean and a second variance of a second PDF approximated to a conditional PDF of SNR corresponding to the transmitted packet according to the mean and the variance of the PDF, and a first mean and a first variance of a first PDF approximated to a conditional PDF of SNR corresponding to another transmitted packet immediately preceding the transmitted packet.
US08145149B2
Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of a wireless transceiver are disclosed. For one embodiment, the wireless transceiver includes a transmit chain, wherein the transmit chain includes a power amplifier. The wireless transceiver additionally includes a receiver chain that is tunable to receive wireless signals over at least one of multiple channels, wherein the multiple channels are predefined. Further, the wireless transceiver includes a voltage converter. The voltage converter provides a supply voltage to the power amplifier, and operates at a single switching frequency, wherein the single switching frequency and all harmonics of the single switching frequency fall outside of the multiple channels.
US08145140B2
Methods and systems for clocking FM transmit, FM receive and near field communication functions using DDFS are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include generating a Bluetooth signal that may comprise, for example, I and Q components, or Bluetooth local oscillator (LO) signals, for use in Bluetooth communication. One of the two Bluetooth LO signals may then be used by a DDFS to generate I and Q LO signals for FM reception and/or transmission. One of the I and Q LO signals for FM communication may be used by another DDFS to generate at least one LO signal for near field communication (NFC) transmission and/or reception. While the Bluetooth LO signal may vary in frequency as Bluetooth frequency hopping occurs, the FM LO signals may remain constant for a specific channel frequency. Similarly, while the FM LO signals may be changed to tune to different FM channels, the NFC LO signals may remain at a constant frequency.
US08145125B2
An emergency communications device contains dispatch consoles for use by user that contains multiple repeaters and multiple communication networks. The multiple repeaters and multiple communication networks are used for redundancy purposes, in case the repeater or communication network in use becomes disabled for any reason. The device also contains a recorder unit capable of provided instant playback to emergency dispatch personnel independently of whether the unit is recording. The device does not require an external computer to operate.
US08145124B2
Delivery of programming from a content provider to one or more hand held devices is effected via a set-top box (STB). The STB receives a transport stream, recognizes and de-multiplexes out a co-cast content association table containing a list of all available co-cast programming, and broadcasts table to the one or more hand held devices. Each hand held device displays the list and a program therefrom is selected. The selection is transmitted to the STB, which de-multiplexes out the selection from the delivered programming, and re-multiplexes the requested co-cast programming into a transport stream for broadcast to the requesting hand held device.
US08145122B2
Disclosed herein is a power supply adapter for supplying DC power to a broadcast receiver that processes a broadcast signal. The power supply adapter includes: a converter configured to generate the DC power from AC power; a broadcast signal reception section configured to receive the broadcast signal; a mixer configured to mix the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal reception section with an output from the converter; and a supply section configured to supply an output from the mixer to the broadcast receiver.
US08145116B2
The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image on a receiver, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image on the receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. A transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing layer that includes transparent alumina inorganic particles of siloxane coated gamma-alumina, dispersed in an organic binder, and a fluorosurfactant.
US08145115B2
Disclosed is an image formation method in which clear dots comprised of clear toner are formed on an image with a 75° glossiness of from 10 to 60, the image formation method comprising the steps of forming a clear toner image on the image, employing clear toner, and fixing the clear toner image by non-contact heat fixation to form clear dots in the form of protrusions, wherein the clear dots have an average height H and an average circle equivalent diameter R, a ratio H/R of the average height H to the average circle equivalent diameter R satisfying the following inequality: 0.005≦H/R≦10.
US08145109B2
A sheet separator using air includes a plurality of nozzles and a guide member. The plurality of nozzles, through which compressed air is ejected against a nip portion where a plurality of rotating members meets, presses each other, and carries a sheet of a recording medium therebetween, is disposed downstream in a direction of sheet transport and also in a direction of a width of the recording medium. The guide member holds and secures the nozzles, and includes a conduit to supply the compressed air to the nozzles, and a guide surface to direct the recording medium separated from the nip portion. A tip of each of the nozzles from which air is ejected projects beyond the leading edge of the guide member on the nip portion side. A fixing unit includes the sheet separator. An image forming apparatus includes the sheet separator.
US08145103B2
There is provided an image formation device including a developer holding body having a developer holding surface; and a developer supply unit to supply the developer to a position facing the developer holding surface by carrying the developer in a developer transport direction intersecting with the main scanning direction through use of effect of an electric field. The developer supply unit includes a plurality of carrying electrodes each of which is formed to have a longer side extending along the main scanning direction. The carrying electrodes are arranged along the developer transport direction to carry the developer when a drive voltage is applied to the carrying electrodes. The developer supply unit has a developer carrying area formed such that, in the main scanning direction, the developer carrying area becomes narrower from an upstream side in the developer transport direction toward the position along the developer transport direction.
US08145101B2
A developing device capable of conveying discharged developer to the outside of the device well by preventing developer from firmly adhering within a discharge conveyance path, as well as an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge having this developing device. A developing device, having: a developing roller; a developer conveyance path having a supply screw and a supply conveyance path; a toner replenishment controller for replenishing the developer to the developer conveyance path; a discharge conveyance path for conveying the developer to the outside of the developing device; a discharge screw serving as a discharge conveying member for applying a conveying force to the developer within the discharge conveyance path; and a developer discharge port serving as developer discharge means for discharging the developer to the discharge conveyance path, wherein the conveying force is applied to the discharged developer intermittently by the discharge screw serving as a discharge conveying member, whereby a shock is applied intermittently to the discharged developer within the discharge conveyance path.
US08145096B2
The present invention includes two side-plates configured to be opposed to each other and to form a frame of a main body of the apparatus, a cartridge with an image bearing member, a moving member configured to support and move the cartridge, a connecting member configured to connect the two side-plates, and a positioning member configured to be held by the connecting member, wherein the moving member, which is movable between the two side-plates, the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the moving member when the moving member is withdrawn to the outside of the main body of the apparatus, and the cartridge is positioned by the positioning member when the moving member is moved and the cartridge is contained in the main body of the apparatus.
US08145095B2
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge which is mounted on a pull-out type cartridge tray to enable front access. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an urging unit for urging and moving the cartridge tray toward a front of a main assembly of the apparatus and a clocking member for locking the cartridge tray in a proper position so that the cartridge tray is returned back to an outside position of the apparatus when the cartridge tray is pushed to the proper position.
US08145089B2
A technique of easily detaching a cleaner with a simple configuration is provided. At the time of drawing out a drawing unit, an elastic supporting section is allowed to move against the pressing force of the elastic supporting section to a position where the elastic supporting of the cleaner is released by a support releasing section.
US08145069B2
A signal Data1 and Data2 are output from a DQPSK signal source. The output signal is input to the modulator drivers 1 and 2 of the differential output. A drive signal is applied from the drivers 1 and 2 to a modulator, and modulated light is output. An optical coupler 20 branches modulator output, and a power monitor 21 detects the power of the branched light. A detection result is transmitted to an amplitude control unit 22. The amplitude control unit 22 adjusts the amplitude of the drivers 1 and 2 such that the detection result of the power monitor 21 can be the maximum.
US08145064B2
A system for suppressing noise by frequency dither includes a transmitter, receiver and a frequency dither circuit, as well as a cavity along a propagation path of the electromagnetic signal between the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the receiver at each of one or more selectable frequencies. The frequency dither circuit is configured to apply a frequency dither to the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver at each of the selectable frequencies. In this regard, the applied frequency dither has a span having been selected as a function of a minimum frequency period of an expected standing wave in the system, and a rate having been selected as a function of a signal processing bandwidth for sampling a frequency spectrum including the selectable frequencies.
US08145047B2
There is described a heating panel comprising: a heat conductive plate having a first surface that is grooveless and planar and an opposite surface thereof; a self-regulating heating cable residing on the first surface; and an insulating layer covering the self-regulating cable and the first surface to direct the heat towards the opposite surface.
US08145046B2
In light-irradiation heating with a total irradiation time of one second or less, two-stage irradiation is performed, including a first stage of light irradiation of a semiconductor wafer, which irradiation produces an output waveform that reaches a peak at a given emission output; and a second stage of supplemental light irradiation of the semiconductor wafer, which irradiation is started after the peak, producing an emission output smaller than the above given emission output. The emission output in the second stage is two thirds or less than the above given emission output at the peak. The first-stage light-irradiation time is between 0.1 and 10 milliseconds, and the second-stage light-irradiation time is 5 milliseconds or more. This allows the temperature of the semiconductor wafer even at a somewhat greater depth below the surface to be raised to some extent while allowing the surface temperature to be maintained at a generally constant processing temperature.
US08145045B2
A filament lamp has a bulb comprised of a straight light emitting tube from which a pair of flat hermetically sealed portions extend, a plurality of coiled filaments arranged within the light emitting tube, in the tube axis direction a pair of internal leads are connected to ends of the filament by a respective one of a plurality of metal foils that are embedded in the hermetically sealed portions, and external leads are connected to the metal foils. The width of metal foils embedded in the hermetically sealed portions is increased so as not to cause them to melt even when an electric current to be supplied to the filament lamp is increased, the hermetically sealed portions being made wider than the external diameter of the light emitting tube and the width between outer margins of the metal foils in a direction at right angles of the tube axis is greater than the internal diameter of the light emitting tube.
US08145037B2
A recording medium capable of executing menu calls based on the particular characteristics of different versions of the same movie work when these different versions are recorded on a single recording medium. An AV clip and a dynamic scenario are recorded on a BD-ROM 100 (recording medium). The dynamic scenario is a command string showing a playback control procedure relating to video data, and has attribute information attached thereto. Attribute information is information showing a control procedure for when a user requests a menu call during AV clip playback, and includes a resume_intension_flag. The resume_intension_flag shows whether playback resumption of video data after the menu call ends is intended.
US08145029B2
A method and an apparatus for interlace scanning video signal frequency multiplication are provided. The method includes the following steps: first, removing a part of a first vertical synchronous signal (V-sync signal) which is asynchronous with a first horizontal synchronous signal (H-sync signal); next, capturing a first field and a second field from an interlace scan video signal according to the first V-sync signal obtained in the previous step; performing a frequency multiplication on a frame made up by the first and second fields, and producing a second V-sync signal and a second H-sync signal; finally, compensating for the second V-sync signal on a border between two fields of the frame after the frequency multiplication according to the second H-sync signal. Thereby, the method can be used to perform frequency multiplication using a line buffer instead of a frame buffer, to output through interface scanning without sacrificing image quality.
US08145026B2
Disclosed is an improved optical fiber that employs a novel coating system. When combined with a bend-insensitive glass fiber, the novel coating system according to the present invention yields an optical fiber having exceptionally low losses.The coating system features (i) a softer primary coating with excellent low-temperature characteristics to protect against microbending in any environment and in the toughest physical situations and, optionally, (ii) a colored secondary coating possessing enhanced color strength and vividness.The improved coating system provides optical fibers that are useful in reduced-size drop cables.
US08145024B2
The present invention relates to an optical communications system that allows improving OSNR while suppressing the power increase of pumping light for distributed Raman amplification. In the optical communications system, an optical fiber is laid in a transmission section between a transmitter station (or repeater station) and a receiver station (or repeater station), and optical signals are transmitted from the transmitter station to the receiver station via the optical fiber. In the optical communications system, pumping light for Raman amplification, outputted by a pumping light source provided in the receiver station, is fed into the optical fiber via an optical coupler, and the optical signals are distributed-Raman-amplified in the optical fiber. The transmission loss and the effective area of the optical fiber satisfy, at the wavelength of 1550 nm, a predetermined relationship.
US08145023B2
The disclosure relates to an optical fiber including a core and a cladding having a core material and a cladding material, respectively, wherein the fiber is a non-linear microstructured optical fiber, the microstructured optical fiber being obtainable by a method including loading the core material and optionally the cladding material with hydrogen and/or deuterium whereby the lifetime of the fiber may be extended in high pulse applications.
US08145018B2
Exemplary apparatus for obtaining information for a structure can be provided. For example, first optical fiber arrangement(s) can be provided which transceives at least one first electro-magnetic radiation, and can include at least one fiber. Second focusing arrangement(s) can be provided in optical communication with the optical fiber arrangement. The second arrangement can be configured to focus and provide there through the first electro-magnetic radiation. Third dispersive arrangement(s) can receive a particular radiation which is the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or the focused electro-magnetic radiation, and forward a dispersed radiation thereof to at least one section of the structure. At least one end of the fiber can be directly connected to the second focusing arrangement and/or the third dispersive arrangement.
US08145016B1
A system whereby a potential advertiser can see a motorist's view of an outdoor ad space without the need to actually drive past the outdoor ad space. A video image is recorded of the outdoor ad space from a vehicle driving past the outdoor ad space using a video recorder. A database is populated with images of each outdoor ad space. An advertiser queries the database using some identifier in order to retrieve the image and once retrieved, view the image.
US08145014B2
There is provided an apparatus for removing color noise including: a color interpolation unit performing color interpolation on a bayer pattern image output from an image sensor; a high-pass filter unit performing high-pass filtering on each of the pixels of the bayer pattern image to generate high-pass filtered values of each of the pixels; a high frequency region determining unit comparing pixel values of a target pixel, from which color noise is removed, and pixels adjacent to the target pixel with the high-pass filtered values to determine whether the target pixel is included in a high frequency region; and a color noise region determining unit using differences between color values of the target pixel interpolated by the color interpolation unit and determining whether the target pixel is included in a color noise region when it is determined that the target pixel is included in the high frequency region.
US08145008B2
A non-uniform image defect inspection method includes steps of inputting an original two-dimensional image; separating a non-uniform background image from the original two-dimensional image by Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) to obtain a residual image without the non-uniform background image; binarization segmenting the residual image to extract defects from the residual image, wherein the segmented defects are the inspection results.
US08145001B2
In accordance with one or more implementations of the present principles, digital medical images may be efficiently transmitted between industry protocol compliant stations. Proxies may be employed to intercept messages and data transmitted between the stations and to enable transmission of data between the stations in compressed form. Further, the proxies may be incorporated into existing systems without altering integrated components to permit efficient and seamless implementation of one or more compression schemes.
US08144994B2
A plurality of type identifiers are stored that contains one or a plurality of image identifiers each for identifying each of a plurality of reference images and thereby identifies a type of a document. Then, it is determined whether each of a plurality of obtained document images is similar to a reference image. When a document image is determined as being similar to a reference image, an image identifier that identifies the reference image is selected from among a plurality of image identifiers. Then, a type identifier is identified that contains the selected image identifier. Then, document images each similar to a reference image are classified for each identified type identifier.
US08144978B2
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of identifying token regions in the image, each token region comprising a connected image region of similar color and intensity, and utilizing the identified token regions to generate single material token regions for use in processing material and illumination aspects of the image.
US08144976B1
An Active Appearance Model AAM is trained using expanded library having examples of true outlier images. The AAM creates a first statistical fitting pair (a model image of the class of object and corresponding statistical model fitting) using characteristic features drawn only from the expanded library. All images within the expanded library that the first statistical fitting pair cannot align are collected into a smaller, second library of true outlier cases. A second statistical fitting pair is created using characteristic features drawn only from the second library, and samples not aligned by the second statistical fitting pair are collected into a still smaller, third library. This process is repeated until a desired percentage of all the images within the initial, expanded library have been aligned. In operation, the AAM applies each of its created statistical fitting pairs, in turn, until it has successfully aligned a submitted test image, or until a stop criterion has been reached.
US08144967B2
The invention provides a generation method of generating data of a mask, comprising a calculation step of calculating an aerial image formed on an image plane of a projection optical system, an extraction step of extracting a two-dimensional image from the aerial image, a determination step of determining a main pattern of the mask based on the two-dimensional image, an extraction step of extracting, from the aerial image, a peak portion at which a light intensity takes a peak value in a region other than a region in which the main pattern is projected, a determination step of determining an assist pattern based on the light intensity of the peak portion, and a generation step of inserting the assist pattern into a portion of the mask, which corresponds to the peak portion, thereby generating, as the data of the mask, pattern data including the assist pattern and the main pattern.
US08144962B2
A method for locally correcting motion in an image reconstructed by a reconstruction system (42) of an imaging system (10) with raw data includes estimating a characteristic feature of a region of interest within the reconstructed image from the raw data, correcting the raw data associated with the region of interest for motion with the estimated region characteristic feature, and reconstructing a motion-corrected image corresponding to the region of interest with the corrected raw data.
US08144959B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating temporal comparison of medical images is provided, with one exemplary application being for breast mammograms. In one embodiment, prior and subsequent mammographic images of a breast acquired using at least partially different mammogram acquisition systems are displayed for simultaneous viewing on a same mammogram display at an identical tissue distance per unit display distance without requiring a scale-adjusting viewer input. Also described are other embodiments for optimally scaling, windowing and/or otherwise advantageously processing and/or displaying prior and subsequent mammographic image sets in manners that facilitate temporal comparison therebetween.
US08144958B2
This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
US08144952B2
A method for pharmacokinetic analysis, including: receiving time-series medical image data of a patient introduced with a contrast agent; identifying a reference region in the medical image data; identifying a plurality of points of interest in the medical image data; measuring an intensity of voxels in the reference region; and for each point of interest, measure an intensity of voxels therein, use the measured reference region and point of interest intensities to obtain an expression relating the point of interest's voxel concentration to that of the reference region, wherein the expression is a five-parameter nonlinear model with no reference to an arterial input function; and obtain values for each of the five-parameters by solving the expression and use the obtained values to determine whether the point of interest is malignant.
US08144951B2
A method for data evaluation of first and second measured data records acquired substantially simultaneously with the aid of a combined medical examination device suitable for simultaneous and isocentric acquisition of first measured data, includes reconstructing a first image data record from the measured data of the at least one first measured data record, reconstructing a second image data record from the measured data of the at least one second measured data record, fusing the image data records as a function of registering the coordinate systems of the first measured data record and of the second measured data record to form a fusion image data record, and displaying and/or storing the fusion image data record.
US08144950B2
Method and system for facilitating post-processing of images using deformable meshes in which a deformable mesh model of an object such as an organ is extended by attaching information thereon in order to simplify and/or facilitate a desired post-processing task so that the post-processing task effected when the mesh is applied to the same object in an additional image can expeditiously use this information. The information may be attached to the mesh after its creation, for example, upon segmentation of the same object in some training image. The post-processing task can therefore be performed automatically without user interaction upon segmentation of the object in the additional image. Information is encoded on the mesh by enumerating a list of triangles or vertices of the mesh which have to be considered in the subsequent, post-processing task and by optionally providing additional parameters defining the precise post-processing algorithm(s) to be used.
US08144946B2
A method for identifying symbolic points on the image of a face including images of a right eye, left eye and mouth, includes: detecting and identifying elements with strong contrasts such as the irises, nostrils, or mouth; selecting zones of the image with respect to the elements with strong contrasts including a priori two sought-after symbolic points interrelated by a morphological criterion; searching within the zones for natural points through the convergence of lines of the image and, for each natural point, determining a signature, determining a score with respect to pre-established signatures and selecting the natural points having a score above a threshold value; in each zone, identifying pairs of natural points and determining for each identified pair a score with respect to pairs of standard symbolic points and selecting the pair of natural points having the best score as symbolic points of the zone.
US08144940B2
Systems and methods for detecting forged magnetic stripe data through relative variations in flux transition location are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting forged magnetic stripe data. The method provides for reading a magnetic strip multiple times to obtain multiple signatures and then generating a signature mask and weight based on the multiple signatures. These signatures are then compared with a known authentic signature. Based on the comparison results, a forged magnetic stripe may be detected. Additional embodiments focus on variations in the placement of the flux data transitions on the magnetic slurry rather than on the noise inherent in the slurry.
US08144931B1
A real time digital correlation system is disclosed. Reference filters are constructed to define a region of filter space, and filters may be predictively selected based on a trajectory of selected filters through the filter space. In some instances, selected features of a spacecraft are selected for correlation to produce full 6DoF information. In other instances, portions of a correlation target are selected for correlation to produce 6DoF information. Digital filters of the invention are preferably 4-bit filters, and use unique mapping algorithms to map phase and intensity information from larger images, such as 12, 16, 32 and 64 bit images, to the 4-bit format.
US08144927B2
Processing of image data derived from radiation emanating from a scene and acquired by a multi-channel enhanced vision system renders an image of the scene for display. Detected first and second wavelength bands of radiation produce respective first and second sets of image data that include representations of relatively low contrast, high spatial frequency detail of features of the scene. Nonlinear intensity transformation of data derived from the first and second sets of image data produces, respectively, first and second sets of low dynamic range image data representing, respectively, first and second sets of intensity values. Different pairs of associated intensity values of the first and second sets correspond to different pixels forming an image. The associated intensity values of the different pairs are combined to form fused image data representing brightness levels of the pixels forming a displayed image that exhibits with high brightness and in great detail the features of the scene.
US08144926B2
There is provided an image acquisition means (2) for acquiring a color image of a road via an imaging means (9) mounted on a vehicle (8), a lane mark detection means (3, 4) for performing processing of detecting lane marks of a plurality of predetermined colors different from each other on the road based on color information of the color image, and outputting a result of the processing as lane mark candidate data, and a selection means (6) for selecting lane mark candidate data corresponding to a lane mark defining an actual lane on which the vehicle (8) is traveling from among at least the lane mark candidate data for the respective predetermined colors output from the lane mark detection means (3, 4), and determining and outputting lane data indicating information of the actual lane based on the selected lane mark candidate data. Therefore, even if there are lane marks of different colors on the road, the lane marks of the respective colors can be recognized appropriately from the color image of the road acquired via the imaging means such as a camera.
US08144922B2
A two-dimensional code with a logo, wherein a two-dimensional code that represents information by means of a cell dot distribution pattern formed by having a plurality of cells colored and a logo mark visually representing characters are superimposed. In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the cell dot color area is smaller than the cell area while the two-dimensional code that represents the information by means of the cell dot distribution pattern that color codes the cells and the logo mark that visually represents the character are superimposed.
US08144918B2
A diaphragm for a planar speaker and a planar speaker having a long-term stability and a high reliability and exhibiting a flat sound pressure frequency property. The diaphragm for a planar speaker includes a voice coil formed by winding a wire conductor, two adhesive layers sandwiching the voice coil therebetween, and bases bonded to the two adhesive layers on the side opposite to the voice coil. The planar speaker employs the diaphragm.
US08144905B2
A volume control in a hearing aid which has a signal path from a microphone to a receiver and which provides amplification of the signal delivered to the receiver, the volume control including first and second user input elements to allow the user to change the amplification in a downward and an upward direction, whereby use of the first and second user input elements has different impact on the size of the amplification change effected.
US08144893B2
A method centrally controls communication at a single venue. A central communications point with a moderator is provided. User information, at least at the venue, is provided to users for transmitting electronic signals to the central communication point. The moderator enables at least one electronic communication transmission from a user who has access to the central communication point to have at least part of the transmission broadcast at the venue or allow open communication from the user to be broadcast at the venue.
US08144890B2
At initialization of an ANR circuit (i.e., at so-called boot time), attempts are made to alternately obtain ANR settings from an external storage device by operating the ANR circuit as a master of a bus and from an external processing device by operating the ANR circuit as a slave of the bus. Such alternating attempts may be repeated until the ANR settings are loaded.
US08144889B2
A noise control system operable within a box-like structure provided by the dual bulkhead plenum of the vehicle dashboard positioned within the transfer path along which the noise is being transmitted from the source of the generated noise to the receiver of the noise in the passenger compartment of an automobile. The plenum is divided into discrete chambers into each of which is provided smart materials affixed to the walls of the plenum to be operable for selectively changing a property characteristic of the chambers to vary the acoustic resonance of the plenum and change the effectiveness of controlling the transmission of noise energy therethrough. A controller is coupled to the smart materials to change said property characteristic of the smart material in response to noise cancellation requirements.
US08144887B2
The present invention relates to a stethoscope auscultation method, adapted for an improved stethoscope so as to be used for assisting a medical diagnosis according to visceral sounds. The stethoscope auscultation method comprises the steps of: providing a stethoscope, whereas the stethoscope is composed of a stethoscope head module, a processing unit and a signal output unit, and the stethoscope head module further comprises a sensor and a visceral sound receiver; enabling the sensor to issue an activation signal to the processing unit as soon as it detects that the stethoscope head module enters an auscultation mode, and thereby activating the stethoscope; using the stethoscope to perform an auscultation process upon a living body as the visceral sound receiver is enabled to obtain audio signals originated from the visceral organs of the living body; enabling the processing unit to shut off the stethoscope automatically when the visceral sound receiver is unable to obtain the audio signals originated from the visceral organs for environmental purposes, such as reducing power consumption of the stethoscope, prolonging lifespan of the battery used in the stethoscope.
US08144884B2
The present invention provides a stand-alone microphone test system for a hearing device, comprising a hearing device having at least one microphone, a sound source in communication with the hearing device, wherein, when in operation, the sound source receives a signal from the hearing device, and a mold oriented to hold the hearing device and the sound source such that output from the sound source may be directed to the at least one microphone. There is also provided a stand-alone microphone test method for a hearing device, comprising providing a test signal/sequence output to a sound source/receiver, providing a reference signal to a comparator, receiving output from the sound source/receiver in a microphone, transmitting the received signal to the comparator, comparing the received signal with the reference signal, and providing a test result.
US08144883B2
The invention relates to a method and a system for adapting a loudspeaker to a specific listening position relative to the loudspeaker according to which method and system the acoustic power radiated by the loudspeaker is corrected by means of a correction filter inserted in the signal path through the loudspeaker, the response of said correction filter being determined by comparison between the a quantity characterising the radiated acoustic power measured at an actual listening position and a similar quantity measured at a reference listening position. According to a specific embodiment of the invention said characterising quantities are the radiation resistances measured at the actual listening position and the reference listening position respectively.
US08144878B2
An FM receiver and a pilot detector thereof, and a method for determining a type of a processed signal are provided. The FM receiver comprises a demodulator, a band pass filter (BPF), and a pilot detector. The demodulator generates a multiplexed (MPX) signal. The BPF filters the MPX signal to generate a pilot signal. The pilot detector comprises a signal addition device and a comparator. The signal addition device adds the processed signal for a period of time and to generate a result signal in response to the addition. The comparator compares the result signal with a reference to determine whether the type is stereo. The method comprises the steps of: adding the processed signal for a period of time; generating a result signal in response to the addition; and comparing the result signal with a reference to determine whether the type is stereo.
US08144873B2
A method and device are provided for handling network activation between a computer and a carrier. In one example, the method involves receiving a command to initiate network activation procedures. The network activation status of the computer is then determined. If the computer is network enabled, a request is sent to a device having network activation information. The network activation information is received from the device. The computer is then configured with the network activation information in order to establish network activation with the carrier.
US08144871B2
A system and method is disclosed for assuring that networked communications between parties playing a game on a network (e.g., the Internet) are not tampered with by either of the parties for illicitly gaining an advantage over the other party. An initial sequence of tokens (e.g., card representations) for playing the game are doubly encrypted using an encryption key from each of the parties. Accordingly, during play of the game neither party can modify the initial sequence of game tokens during the game. At termination of the game, at least one of the parties can fully decrypt the initial sequence of tokens, and thereby, if desired, compare the played token sequence with the corresponding the initial token sequence.
US08144866B2
A system and method which protects a data processing system against encryption key errors by providing redundant encryption keys stored in different locations, and providing the software with the ability to select an alternate redundant key if there is any possibility that the encryption key being used may be corrupted. In the preferred embodiment, a memory control module in the data processing device is configured to accommodate the storage of multiple (for example up to four or more) independent password/key pairs, and the control module duplicates a password key at the time of creation. The redundant passwords and encryption keys are forced into different memory slots for later retrieval if necessary. The probability of redundant keys being corrupted simultaneously is infinitesimal, so the system and method of the invention ensures that there is always an uncorrupted encryption key available.
US08144858B2
Communication address identification information is obtained. A communication address number is collected from a customer at a telecommunications apparatus in response to a trigger being initiated at a switch and a connection being established between the switch and the telecommunications apparatus. Communication address identification information is obtained from a memory in response to collecting the communication address number from the customer. The communication address identification information is returned to the customer when communication address identification information corresponding to the communication address number is available at the memory.
US08144857B1
The present invention is a method and system for transferring calls among communicating devices connected through a public network. The service is offered by a public network to permit a party in a ongoing conversation to transfer a call to another communicating device that may be more convenient to use, such as from a mobile telephone experiencing static to a land-based telephone, or from a home telephone to a mobile phone as a party leaves the home. In a method according to the invention, the network first establishes a connection between two communicating parties. The network then receives from one of the parties a request to transfer the call to another communications device. The network then transfers the call. The invention may be entirely network-based, in which case there may be a database of transferee devices stored on the network. Alternatively, the invention may be hybrid network-based and premises equipment-based, in which case the database of transferee devices may be stored in the premises equipment.
US08144856B2
A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a wireless connect unit connected between an enterprise private branch exchange (PBX) network and a public switched telephone network. The wireless connect unit preferably serves as a gateway between the PBX and one or more remote communication devices. The remote devices can be used as standard PBX office telephones for both inbound and outbound telephone calls. Thus, features of the PBX network (e.g., voice mail, direct extension dialing, corporate calling plan, etc.) are available to the remote device even though they are not physically connected to the PBX. When the system receives an incoming call, it can route the call to an office telephone and one or more of the remote devices simultaneously or as desired by the user.
US08144855B2
A method of and system for optimizing interactive voice response (IVR) unit port utilization starts each call of a plurality of calls on a separate IVR unit port. The method launches an IVR call flow for each call. Each IVR call flow includes a section that is common to all of the call flows. The method conferences together on a single IVR unit port at least some of the plurality of calls for the common section of the call flow by transferring calls to the single IVR unit port when each transferred call reaches the common section. The method synchronizes the calls conferenced together on the single port by inserting into the call flow on the single IVR unit port an on-hold treatment. The method starts the common section of the call flow when all calls have been transferred to the single IVR unit port.
US08144848B2
A directory advertising system includes a user interface module, a database, and a control module. The user interface module displays a special telephone number for an advertiser in a directory advertisement. The database stores the directory advertisement, the special telephone number, and a maximum amount to be charged to the advertiser. The control module decrements the amount stored in the database when the special telephone number is dialed and deactivates the special telephone number when the amount reaches a predetermined level.
US08144847B2
Various example embodiments are described. According to one example, a method may include maintaining a database of a plurality of direct inward dial telephone numbers, including a subset of the direct inward dial telephone numbers which are available for assignment; receiving, through a website, an application from a customer for an alias telephone number to be associated with a customer telephone number; processing the application, the processing including assigning to the customer an alias telephone number selected from the subset of available telephone numbers which are available for assignment and associating the alias number with the customer telephone number; and receiving a telephone call from a third party to the alias telephone number and routing the telephone call from the alias telephone number to the customer telephone number.
US08144842B2
A Unified Messaging (UM) gateway device located at a branch office of a UM system manages calls if the network connecting the branch office to a UM server of the UM system is unavailable. The UM gateway device contains relatively simple hardware and software as compared to the hardware and software of a UM server. The UM gateway device provides call answering functionality, in the absence of the UM server. In various configurations, the UM gateway device provides access to mailboxes, manages incoming calls, provides an outgoing message (e.g., an announcement or prompt), provides an indication where the called-for person can be reached, and, when the network becomes available, returns management of incoming calls to the UM server and/or handles incoming calls in conjunction with the Unified Messaging server.
US08144837B2
A system and method for providing enhanced quality audio streaming, including an audio streaming server providing an audio stream, a client including a buffer storing at least portions of the audio stream received from the audio streaming server, a buffer status sensor operative to monitor the contents of the buffer and a client audio output enhancer operative in response to an output from the buffer status sensor for providing a modified audio stream output.
US08144835B2
Digital subscriber line (DSL) diagnostic tools and methods to use the same are disclosed. An example DSL diagnostic tool comprises a data collector to automatically collect real-time performance data associated with a subscriber, a database interface module to automatically collect historical data associated with the subscriber and to collect performance data associated with a neighbor subscriber line, a data analyzer to automatically analyze the real-time and historical performance data associated with the subscriber and the performance data associated with the neighbor subscriber line to identify a potential problem with an analyzed subscriber line associated with the subscriber, and a trouble ticket system interface module to automatically submit a repair ticket when the data analyzer does not identify a potential problem.
US08144833B2
The present invention provides a method for updating and optimizing a treatment plan for radiotherapy. An initial treatment plan, calculated using a constraint-driven method, may be updated using a weighted-sum method, where Lagrange multipliers generated in the constraint method are reused as the weights for the weighted sum. This method results in acceptable updated treatment plans that are generated in a small fraction of the time taken to generate an entirely new treatment plan, reducing patient discomfort and ensuring the radiotherapy facility can treat more patients.
US08144831B2
Disclosed herein is a metal sorting device including an X-ray tube, a dual energy detector array, a microprocessor, and an air ejector array. The device senses the presence of samples in the x-ray sensing region and initiates identifying and sorting the samples. After identifying and classifying the category of a sample, at a specific time, the device activates an array of air ejectors located at specific positions in order to place the sample in the proper collection bin.
US08144826B2
A clock signal recovery device has a digital data signal input for the input of a digital data signal and a clock signal output for the output of a recovered clock signal. The digital data signal has a given nominal clock signal frequency. The clock signal recovery device is a digital circuit.
US08144824B2
A method for determining a communication channel location is disclosed. A first subset of a plurality of channel impulse responses is averaged over a first time period to produce a first filtered channel impulse response, and a second subset of the plurality of channel impulse responses is averaged over a second time period to produce a second filtered channel impulse response. The second time period is different from the first time period, and the second subset is different from the first subset. The communication channel location is determined using the first filtered channel impulse response and the second filtered channel impulse response.
US08144820B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for relative phase shift keying. In one embodiment, an analog waveform is converted to digital signals. A specified frequency range is isolated and the magnitudes of tones corresponding to a channel are measured. The relative phase of a subset of the tones having the greatest magnitude is measured and a relative phase component is generated. At least one symbol is associated with the subset of tones and the relative phase component.
US08144818B2
Apparatus and methods for use in a wireless communication system are disclosed for determining a timing position for channel activity in order to resolve timing ambiguity. A disclosed apparatus includes a processor that determines when channel activity occurs in at least one of an early or a late arrival position in a communication channel estimate and unwraps the channel activity in either the early arrival position or the late arrival position to a corresponding late or early arrival unwrapped channel activity position in the wireless channel estimate. The processor correlates symbol data in the communication signal corresponding to both the channel activity and the unwrapped channel activity to symbol data of the main channel activity. The processor determines whether a correct timing position of the channel activity is one of the early or late arrival positions based on the correlations, thus resolving timing ambiguity. Complementary methods are also disclosed.
US08144816B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of a programmable slicer in a digital signal processing system and/or software radio system. In one embodiment, a plurality of demodulation schemes and a plurality of channel definitions are stored in a channel allocation table. An analog waveform is received and converted into at least one digital waveform. A specified frequency range is isolated from the at least one digital waveform. The magnitude of tones within the specified frequency range is measured and stored in a signal magnitude table. Symbols and/or bits are decoded from the signal magnitude table by applying a demodulation schemes and channel definitions to the magnitudes stored in the signal magnitude table.
US08144805B2
A method for establishing a cyclic shift sequence to provide against the frequency offset is disclosed. The method calculates a distance between a channel response position of the sequence and an alias channel response position caused by a frequency offset, calculates the number of cyclic shifts per group according to the calculated distance, and establishes the cyclic shift (CS)-applying interval. This method easily establishes a cyclic shift (CS) interval at a specific location having no overlapping by considering a channel response of a reception (Rx) sequence and an alias location of this reception (Rx) sequence, although a reception (Rx) signal is shifted by a channel delay spreading or a propagation delay irrespective of categories of a domain generating a sequence, so that it can greatly reduce the number of the detection errors and the false alarm rate. And, if a sequence of the cyclic shift (CS) is allocated to a cell having a frequency offset of more than a predetermined level, the present invention can minimize the influence of a frequency offset on a high-mobility cell.
US08144800B2
A headend transmitter that transmits 1024 QAM including a 256 QAM modulator which has been modified to have more aggressive forward error correction processing. The 256 QAM modulator outputs 256 QAM points to a summer. Another data modulator receives additional data to be transmitted in a separate, substantially less complex constellation. This modulator processes the additional data to do forward error correction thereon and then maps the encoded data into a less complex constellation such as QPSK, 16 QAM etc. The additional data constellation points are then amplified in a variable gain amplifier and fed to a summer where each additional data point is added by vector summation to one 256 QAM point. The output 1024 QAM point is filtered and shifted to the desired transmission frequency. Legacy cable modem receivers can still receive the 256 QAM point since the addition of the new data just appears to be noise which they can overcome using the parity bits encoded in the transmitted symbols. 1024 QAM cable modem receivers receive both the 256 QAM points and the new data points and output both.
US08144797B2
A Channel Quality Indicator table for wireless multiple input multiple output (MIMO) networks is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of generating a table for channel quality indicator (CQI) for an open loop MIMO transmission includes calculating performance of a link between a transmitter and a user end unit for each MIMO transmission mode over a range of average signal-to-noise ratio, and selecting the MIMO transmission mode that maximizes performance for each subset of the range of average signal-to-noise ratio. The method further includes storing the selected MIMO transmission mode and the corresponding subset of the range of average signal-to-noise ratio in a CQI table, the CQI table being stored in an user end unit and a base transceiver station of the open loop MIMO network.
US08144787B2
A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture.
US08144786B2
A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture.
US08144782B2
An adaptive motion estimation/compensation device and a method thereof for MB-based illumination change are disclosed. If a macro block mode is determined as a newly designed P_L0_16×16_Mean by calculating the sum of an absolute difference, the motion estimation device CABAC-codes the absolute difference between the pixel mean of a current frame and the pixel mean of a candidate pattern block and transmits the CABAC-coded absolute difference to a pertinent decoder. With the present invention, the transmission amount of the bit stream transmitted to the decoder for decoding can be minimized by maximizing corresponding compressing rate.
US08144778B2
Systems and methods of motion compensated frame rate conversion are described herein. These systems and methods convert an input video sequence at a first frame rate to an output video sequence at a second frame rate through a novel motion estimation and motion vector processing stage that produces a motion field having a plurality of motion vectors that describe the movement of objects between input video frames from the perspective of an interpolated video frame. A subsequent motion compensated interpolation stage then constructs the interpolated video frame using an adaptively blended combination of a motion compensated prediction and a temporal average prediction of the pixel values from the input video frames. Motion estimation in these systems and methods is enhanced by utilizing spatial and temporal biasing on the predictions of moving objects between and within the input frames, and also by removing aberrational motion vectors from the motion field through a hierarchy of motion vector processing blocks.
US08144776B2
The present invention provides a video coding method which includes, as one of a plurality of coding modes, a direct mode generating a piece of motion information of each of Macro Blocks, which are obtained by dividing a first picture, by predicting from motion information of a coded Macro Block of other plurality of second pictures, including: a first step for selecting the direct mode as the coding mode by using a variable selection criterion; and a second step for coding the Macro Blocks based on the selected coding mode.
US08144771B2
An image compression method and apparatus, in which coding efficiency is improved by coding multiple pictures through cross-reference between the pictures, and an image decompression method and apparatus. The image compression method includes dividing each of the pictures into predetermined slices, determining a prediction mode having higher efficiency and a coding order for each of corresponding slices of the pictures by performing prediction on the corresponding slices, and coding each of the slices in the determined prediction mode according to the determined order of coding. The pictures are coded through cross-reference between them.
US08144768B2
Decoding time stamps (DTSs) and presentation time stamps (PTSs) are used in fine granularity scalability (FGS) coding during MPEG-4 video coding. An input video is encoded in an FGS encoder into a base layer bitstream and an enhancement bitstream. The bitstreams are provided over a variable bandwidth channel to an FGS decoder. The DTSs and the PTSs are selected during encoding as to conserve memory during FGS decoding. The video object planes (VOP) in the bitstreams include base VOPs and FGS VOPs, and may also include fine granularity temporal scalability (FGST) VOPs. The FGS VOPs and the FGST VOPs may be organized in the same layer or in different layers. The base VOPs are combined with the FGS VOPs and the FGST VOPs to generate enhanced VOPs.
US08144757B2
A dual adaptive importance-sampling system and method is provided that can estimate the probability of events by combining dual complementary importance-sampling simulations. The present invention exploits the ability to determine an optimal biased pdf using an iterative procedure that requires relatively little a priori knowledge of how to bias. Hence, the present invention is particularly suited for evaluating the BERs and/or WERs of coded communication and storage systems, and is generally applicable to arbitrarily chosen codes. When applied to coded communication and storage systems, the present invention provides a versatile technique for the fast and accurate estimation of BERs and WERs of FEC codes down to values of 10−20 or lower.
US08144755B2
The invention provides a method and an apparatus for determining a skew of each data bit of an encoded data word received by a receiver via an interface from a transmitter comprising the steps of performing an error check and correction of the received and sampled encoded data word to calculate an error corrected encoded data word corresponding to the encoded data word transmitted by the transmitter, and correlating a sequence of error corrected encoded data words with the sampled encoded data words to determine a skew of each data bit of said received encoded data words.
US08144743B2
A nitride based semiconductor device includes: an n-type cladding layer; an n-type GaN based guide layer placed on the n-type cladding layer; an active layer placed on the n-type GaN based guide layer; a p-type GaN based guide layer placed on the active layer; an electron block layer placed on the p-type GaN based guide layer; a stress relaxation layer placed on the electron block layer; and a p-type cladding layer placed on the stress relaxation layer, and the nitride based semiconductor device alleviates the stress occurred under the influence of the electron block layer, does not affect light distribution by the electron block layer, reduces threshold current, can suppress the degradation of reliability, can suppress degradation of the emitting end surface of the laser beam, can improve the far field pattern, and is long lasting, and fabrication method of the device is also provided.
US08144729B2
Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system.
US08144727B2
A hardware-centric medium access control (MAC) device comprises a control plane module and a hardware media access planed module. The control plane module is configured for providing control functions of the hardware-centric MAC device. The hardware media access plane module communicatively coupled to the control plane module is configured for performing real-time data communication functions without requiring a microprocessor.
US08144715B2
To allow seamless interworking between an 802.1ah service instance (ISID) and a VPLS service instance, the AGI value used to signal the setup of the pseudowire portion of the VPLS may carry the ISID value of an associated 802.1ah service instance. This allows the service instance to be identified end-to-end across the Ethernet and VPLS networks using the same value without modifying how the MPLS network operates. The VPLS network will use AGI/AII signaling to set up pseudowires on the MPLS network, but instead of using an AGI value assigned by the MPLS network, the AGI value that is assigned will be taken from the ISID value of the Ethernet frame or from ISIDs registered by the Ethernet network. The AGI message may be given a new type value indicating that the AGI message carries a value that corresponds to the ISID value on an attached Ethernet network. Alternatively, an existing AGI message type may be used to carry the ISID value, and a second type field may be used to indicate that the AGI contains an ISID value.
US08144714B1
In method of providing assured message delivery across a distributed message delivery system with low delivery latency and network traffic, a set of destinations is first identified for a set of destinations for a message received at an ingress router to the network. The received message is stored in persistent storage along with meta-data about each destination for the message before the message is routed to each identified destination. The message is only removed from persistent storage when an acknowledgement has been received from each destination indicating that the message has been successfully received.
US08144712B2
A wireless communication infrastructure entity including a transceiver coupled to a controller configured to generate parity bits based on scheduling grant information and to encode the parity bits based on additional scheduling grant information not used to generate the parity bits, wherein the encoded parity bits are combined with the scheduling grant information. The additional scheduling grant information may be transport block size or redundancy version information.
US08144710B2
A method of partitioning the header stack of a data packet, the header stack conforming to a label switching protocol, the method comprising: receiving the packet at an edge mode of a routing domain in the communication system; and processing the label header stack at the edge node to add a new stack entry having a label field comprising a value which delimits the header stack entries between a stack domain configurable by the node belonging to a first routing domain of the label switching protocol and at least one other stack domain configurable by a node belonging to another routing domain of the communications system.
US08144709B2
Method for processing content of an Internet Protocol (IP) packet and method for processing a full broadcast IP packet. Processing content of an IP packet includes: extracting IP source and destination addresses and payload from the IP packet; and generating an IP frame encapsulating the IP source and destination addresses and the payload between a preamble field and an error checking field. Processing a full broadcast IP packet includes: receiving the full broadcast IP packet including an IP source address and a full broadcast IP destination address; ascertaining a closest matching IP address and a subnet thereof in a switching table of an IP switch; replacing the full broadcast IP destination address in the IP packet with a subnetted source address generated by applying the subnet mask to the IP source address; transmitting the IP packet to all IP addresses in the switching table within the subnetted source address.
US08144708B1
The present invention provides a scalable and reliable collaborative multicast routing for multicasting in hybrid, multi-tiered, mobile heterogeneous wireless networks. It establishes a multicast tree, maintains the established route, detects and prevents most link breakage within the multicast tree by a neighboring node or the cooperation of the neighboring node, and enables merging of partitioned multicast trees of the same multicast group by nodes that participate in one of the partitioned multicast trees. The use of local nodes to collaboratively establish, maintain, recover, and merge the hybrid, multi-tiered mobile wireless networks that use heterogeneous set of mobile wireless nodes is the fundamental basis for the collaborative multicast routing scheme of the present invention.
US08144704B2
An IP terminal apparatus has a SIP controller, a UDP packet controller, and an RTP controller. The SIP controller transmits and receives a call control message in order to establish a connection to and from a destination apparatus. The UDP packet controller transmits and receives media data with the destination apparatus in a media session after the connection was established. The RTP controller obtains source port number information of a media data packet that the UDP packet controller has received from the destination apparatus, and sets the obtained source port number as a destination port number for a packet to be transmitted to the destination apparatus. Thereby, a feasible range of NAT traversal can be improved in a simple and secure manner, even when at least one relay apparatuses employs symmetric NAT.
US08144683B1
After detecting the predetermined phase rotation, a receiver can advantageously remove any cyclic shifting delays (CSDs) from the mixed mode packet for each chain. Once any CSDs are removed, the receiver can perform timing offset estimation and decode the mixed mode packet. In another embodiment, a timing offset from a channel for a first chain without any CSDs can be estimated. Compensation for the timing offset in the first chain can then be performed. At this point, the CSDs from other chains can then be removed. After CSD removal, compensation for any timing offsets in the other chains can be performed using the timing offset in the first chain.
US08144679B2
Systems, methods and wireless devices are provided that utilize a timer to ensure a receiver of a wireless device is on to receive downlink transmissions. In the event the timer runs out without further resource allocation, the mobile device turns its radio off. If a further resource allocation occurs while the timer is running, the timer is restarted.
US08144676B2
Included are embodiments for network allocation. More specifically, one embodiment of a method includes receiving, at a first communications device, without a prior RTS signal being sent, a first clear to send (CTS) signal from a second communications device, addressed to the first communications device, the CTS signal indicating a data exchange duration and sending a second CTS signal, from the first communications device, to the second communications device.
US08144660B2
A multi-mode terminal (MMT) including a plurality of interfaces which provides access capability to heterogeneous networks respectively to provide quick handover between the heterogeneous networks, is provided. In this instance, when a Binding Update (BU) message is transmitted to a home agent via each of the plurality of interfaces, routers existing in a path to the home agent may update path latency information and path bandwidth information as a Binding Unique Identifier (BID) sub-option extension of Mobile Nodes and Multiple Interfaces in Internet Protocol version 6 (MONAMI6). In this case, the home agent may receive the BU message and select a care-of address (CoA) by referring to path latency information and path bandwidth information, included in the BU message. Also, the home agent may transmit a success binding acknowledgement (BAck) message with respect to the BU message of the selected path.
US08144659B2
A handover processing system in mobile communication system, implemented in gateway connected to subscriber network including base station in the mobile communication system, public network and IP network and accompanied by movement of radio terminal in the mobile communication system, wherein the gateway comprises line exchanger performing line exchange processing, VoIP connection unit controlling communication function to transmit/receive IP-packetized data to make communication and call control function for the VoIP communication function, handover detector determining whether or not call originating request from the base station is handover call, communication call detector determining whether or not communication source call of handover is present, call information storage unit storing call information, handover source call retriever retrieving handover source call in IP network, and handover processor taking over communication call from communication partner to continue the communication, and performing handover processing of VoIP communication call.
US08144654B2
A communication device includes a CPU, a wireless LAN communication controller, and a digital cordless communication controller. The wireless LAN communication controller is capable of communicating wirelessly with the access point according to a data communication method. The digital cordless communication controller is also capable of communicating wirelessly with the handset according to a voice communication method. The CPU sets a first frequency band used for wireless communications by the wireless LAN communication controller. The CPU sets a second frequency band used for wireless communications by the digital cordless communication controller. When another communication device interferes with wireless communications between the communication device and the handset, the communication device changes this interference from the other communication device to interference received from wireless communications with the access point by shifting the second frequency band to the first frequency band.
US08144648B2
A method and apparatus for selecting a radio bearer type for providing a service to a plurality of mobile terminals according to a count of mobile terminals obtained through responses to a service response request message from a network is provided. An MBMS radio bearer type is selected according to a count that includes RRC-connected mobile terminals that still need to establish a connection in order to receive an MBMS such that the radio bearer type established is sufficient to provide the MBMS to all mobile terminals desiring to receive the service.
US08144642B2
In order to prevent in a communication system covering at least one cell for wireless communication, the system having a line-limited or across-line wireless direct communication possibility between mobile phones that is synchronized with a base station, that mobile parts attempt to synchronize in the communication system with a continuous broadcast downlink service provided by a hybrid mobile part, it is proposed to mark the continuous broadcast downlink service of the hybrid mobile part, which assumes the role of a radio fixed part, so that mobile parts, which want to synchronize with a true radio fixed part, can detect that the service provided by the hybrid mobile part is not permanently available, or even incomplete.
US08144641B2
A method for implementing an in-band relay scheme includes establishing a connection between a base station and a relay station and between the relay station and a mobile station using a frequency. The method also includes receiving data from the base station during a frame via the frequency, the frame comprising a downlink sub-frame, and an uplink sub-frame, wherein the data is received during a beginning portion of the downlink sub-frame. The method further includes transitioning from receive to transmit during the downlink sub-frame. The method additionally includes transmitting data, received from the base station during a previous frame, to the endpoint during a later portion of the downlink sub-frame via the frequency. The method also includes transmitting data received from the endpoint during a previous frame, to the base station during a beginning portion of the uplink sub-frame via the frequency. The method further includes transitioning from transmit to receive during the uplink sub-frame. The method also includes receiving data from the endpoint during a later portion of the uplink sub-frame via the frequency.
US08144640B2
A location tracking apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving information from each repeater indicating which packets wirelessly transmitted by a mobile station were received by each repeater including received signal strength of each of those packets, and determining location of the mobile station with respect to the repeaters based on power levels of individual wirelessly transmitted packets received at the repeaters.
US08144638B2
System and method thereof for dynamically adjusting sleep/awake intervals of wireless network device
A system and a method thereof for dynamically adjusting sleep/awake intervals of a wireless network device are provided. The system has at least one base station (BS) and at least one wireless network device. The system performs the method to dynamically adjust the sleep/awake intervals by properly delaying and combining delivery of data such that the wireless network device is turned into a sleep mode after finishing data delivery within an adjusted period. Thereby, the number of awake frames of a mobile subscriber station (MSS) can be reduced without sacrificing the quality of service (QoS).
US08144637B2
A method and system is disclosed for a device to quickly determine if data is being sent to it. If no data is being sent to the device, the device may return to a sleep mode so as to conserve energy. The present invention includes organizing and transmitting, one at a time, all device destination identifiers. If a message listing search indicates that no message is being sent for a device, the device can continue with any other activity that needs servicing, or if no other activity is pending, it may shut down to conserve power until the next wake up period arrives. If the search returns a positive indication, the count value when the identifier is found can be used to determine the location of the pointer to the message.
US08144635B1
A first device comprising: a pin interface having a plurality of pins; a data signal transmitter configured to respectively transmit, to a second device, a first plurality of data signals over a first set of pins of the plurality of pins of the pin interface; an encoder configured to generate a first encoded control signal based on having encoded a first plurality of control signals; and a control signal transmitter configured to transmit, to the second device, the first encoded control signal over a first pin of the plurality of pins of the pin interface, wherein the first pin is not of the first set of pins.
US08144634B2
In TDD mobile networks, an incoming signal is received during a time period where no uplink communication takes place. The incoming signal is measured and analyzed to determine a noise level. Based on the noise level and on an uplink signal level from expected in a future uplink time slot, a gain for the automatic gain controller is set for use in future uplink communications. The gain is set to optimize the operation of an analog-to-digital converter.
US08144628B2
Various techniques for exchanging control messages in order to gracefully reroute multicast traffic are disclosed. For example, one method involves sending a join message for a multicast group towards a root of a new multicast tree and forwarding multicast traffic, addressed to the multicast group, on a current multicast tree until an acknowledgment corresponding to the join message is received. The new multicast tree can be identified in response to detection of a topology change within the network. Until the acknowledgment is received, multicast traffic that is received via the new multicast tree can be dropped.
US08144625B2
A system and a method for exchanging communication data between devices using a bi-directional communication channel are disclosed. A combiner is coupled to a source device via first bi-directional configuration channel and to a sink device via a second bi-directional configuration channel. Upon receiving data from the first bi-directional configuration channel and not receiving data from the second bi-directional configuration channel, the combiner transmits the received data to the sink device using the second bi-directional configuration channel and prevents data transmission from the sink device to the source device using the second bi-directional configuration channel. Similarly, upon receiving data from the second bi-directional configuration channel and not receiving from the first bi-directional configuration channel, the combiner prevents data transmission from the source device to the sink device and transmits the received data to the source device using the first bi-directional configuration channel.
US08144623B2
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of setting an IP address of an electronic apparatus including receiving a router advertisement transmitted from the router, receiving prefix information of the router advertisement, additionally storing an IP address based upon the received prefix information as an IP address of the electronic apparatus when the electronic apparatus has setting for maintaining the prefix information, and rewriting a presently registered IP address with an IP address based upon the received prefix information when the electronic apparatus does not have the setting for maintaining the prefix information.
US08144618B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus for automatic verification of a zone configuration of a plurality of network switches. In one method embodiment, the present invention accesses an actual network access control construct and an actual zone configuration for a plurality of network switching devices. Additionally, a machine-readable map of the network is accessed, the map providing a pre-determined network access control construct defining the device which should be coupled with the network switching device and a pre-determined zone configuration defining the switching devices which should be part of the zone. An automatic verification is performed, wherein the verification verifies that the actual network access control construct and the actual zone configuration of network switching devices correlates with the pre-determined network access control construct and zone configuration defined by the machine-readable map.
US08144602B2
A load tester is configured to generate traffic streams for testing a network. The traffic streams can include one or more stream objects. Each stream object can be characterized by a unique identifier and can include a fixed number of frames. The frames can share the same S_ID and D_ID while being characterized by a unique sequence count. The load tester can receive a plurality of frames, all or some of which belong to a stream object, and analyze the received frames in real-time to identify the occurrence of one or more errors such as out-of-order frame errors, dropped frame errors, and misdirected frame errors. The different types of errors can be individually recorded.
US08144585B2
A method of receiving communications at a data processing device includes receiving a packet from a virtual channel associated with a physical communication link. The packet is associated with a link virtual channel, and is stored in a storage location with the link virtual channel. Multiple internal virtual channels can be associated with the link virtual channel. A pointer to the storage location is enqueued in one of a plurality of FIFOs associated with one of the internal virtual channels. Each FIFO of the plurality of FIFOs stores pointers associated with a different internal virtual channel, allowing receiver arbitration logic to reorder between internal virtual channels based on internal resource availability and current priorities among virtual channels. This reduces the likelihood of communication deadlock and supports multiple classes of service.
US08144584B1
A method includes receiving network information for calculating weighted round-robin (WRR) weights, calculating WRR weights associated with queues based on the network information, and determining whether a highest common factor (HCF) exists in relation to the calculated WRR weights. The method further includes reducing the calculated WRR weights in accordance with the HCF, when it is determined that the HCF exists, and performing a WRR scheduling of packets, stored in the queues, based on the reduced WRR weights.
US08144579B2
Packets are duplicated, delayed, and spread in time as a form of forward error correction. If a client device receives duplicate packets, they can be discarded. If one of the duplicate packets is lost, then the duplication provides forward error correction with no change to the device that receives the packet.
US08144570B2
A method is provided for block spreading individual control symbol sequences, mapping the block spread control symbol sequences, adding a cyclic prefix to the block spread control symbol sequences to form a data-non-associated control signaling information, and transmitting the data-non-associated control signaling information.
US08144561B2
A multilayer recording medium has a three-layered structure for an increased capacity, including an L0 layer, an L1 layer, and an L2 layer in order from the side farthest away from the incident surface of laser light. The recording layers are made of respective recording film materials selected so that the recording films of the recording layers have respective recording-reaction temperatures T0, T1, and T2, where T0≦T1≦T2 and T0
US08144554B2
A method and apparatus recording and/or reproducing data on/from a write-once disc, and a write-once disc therefor, the write-once disc having at least one recording layer including: a plurality of update areas in which predetermined updated information is recorded; and at least one access information area in which access information indicating an update area in which final recorded updated information is recorded. Reducing access time for reading the updated information using a location of predetermined updated information. Also, when a plurality of update areas for writing updated information required to use the write-once disc exist, a recording apparatus or a reproducing apparatus can quickly and easily determine an update area in which final updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas.
US08144552B2
A tracking error (TE) signal polarity determining method, comprising: (a) obtaining a wobble related signal and a TE signal from an optical pick-up unit accessing an optical disc; (b) determining an accessing direction; and (c) determining if an original polarity of the TE signal from the optical disc should be changed or not according to the relation between the wobble related signal and the accessing direction.
US08144548B2
An electronic device corrects its device side time with a time correction information supplied from outside the device. The electronic device includes a reception section and a time correction section. The reception section receives the time correction information. The time correction section judges whether the information is received during any correction inhibiting periods of the device side time, then either discards the time correction information if it is received during the correction inhibiting periods, or corrects the device side time with the time correction information if it is received other than the correction inhibiting periods.
US08144547B2
A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.
US08144546B2
A method and apparatus for detecting and classifying submerged swimming object from a passive signal generated by, and an active signal reflected from the object. In a first input of a passive mode branch a first signal representative of the passive signal is received. A second signal representative of the active signal is received in a second input of an active mode branch. In the active mode branch, the first signal is processed to generate a first classification estimate output, with first clues, of the most probable class of target for the object. In the passive mode branch, the second signal is processed to generate a second classification estimate output, with first clues, of the most probable class of target for the object. Both estimate outputs are received in a merger, for generating a merged classification estimate output with clues, which is input to a joint classifier that classifies the object.
US08144542B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a clock input unit configured to receive a system clock and a data clock, a data clock phase regulation unit configured to regulate a frequency of the data clock, and delay the data clock by a delay varied in accordance with a training information signal, and a clock phase comparison unit configured to compare a phase of an output clock of the data clock phase regulation unit with a phase of the system clock, and generate the training information signal according to a result of the comparison.
US08144538B2
A semiconductor device to improve layout uniformity may include an active region formed in a substrate, a dummy active region formed in the substrate and separated from the active region, a word line crossing over the active region, and a dummy word line. The dummy word line is formed over the dummy active region to overlap at least part of the dummy active region and may have an end positioned within the dummy active region.
US08144537B2
A balanced differential amplifier sense amplifier senses the voltage level in a selected single bit line memory cell. The output of the selected single bit-line memory cell is connected to one input of the balanced differential sense amplifier while the other input receives a reference voltage provided by a corresponding single bit-line memory cell from a complementary memory bank. A supporting voltage is added-to/subtracted-from the reference voltage by providing a “bump” or “dip” mechanism or by utilizing a charge-sharing structure, in order to compensate for the variation in the sensed bit-line voltage over the duration of the sensing interval as well as for the disparity in voltage level from cell to cell.
US08144533B2
A compensatory memory system is described. This memory system substantially improves performance by adapting an associated delay in a way that optimizes circuit performance.
US08144530B2
A semiconductor memory device is able to generate an output enable signal in response to a read command and CAS latency information. The semiconductor memory device includes a delay locked loop configured to detect a phase difference of an external clock signal and a feedback clock signal, generate a delay control signal corresponding to the detected phase difference, and generate a DLL clock signal by delaying the external clock signal for a time corresponding to the delay control signal, a delay configured to output an active signal as an output enable reset signal in response to the delay control signal and an output enable signal generator configured to be reset in response to the output enable reset signal and generate an output enable signal in response to a read signal and a CAS latency signal by counting the external clock signal and the DLL clock signal.
US08144529B2
Embodiments of the present invention describe a memory device comprising a delay line and a feedback circuit coupled to the delay line. The feedback circuit has the capability to adjust a delay interval, which is then locked on the delay line. The feedback circuit is switched off after the delay interval is locked to reduce power consumption. The feedback circuit periodically switches on to adjust and lock the delay interval.
US08144523B2
A semiconductor storage device in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix pattern, a plurality of word lines each provided so as to correspond to each line of the memory cells, a plurality of bit lines each connected to respective one of the memory cells, and a row selection circuit that, in a read operation, drives the word line to a set potential at a drive speed slower than a discharge speed of the bit line exhibited when the word line is raised roughly vertically to VDD.
US08144513B2
A non-volatile semiconductor device has a memory cell array having electrically erasable programmable non-volatile memory cells, reprogramming and retrieval circuits that temporarily store data to be programmed in the memory cell array and sense data retrieved from the memory cell array. Each reprogramming and retrieval circuit has first and second latches that are selectively connected to the memory cell array and transfer data. A controller controls the reprogramming and retrieval circuits on a data-reprogramming operation to and a data-retrieval operation from the memory cell array. Each reprogramming and retrieval circuit has a multilevel logical operation mode and a caching operation mode. In the multilevel logical operation mode, re-programming and retrieval of upper and lower bits of two-bit four-level data is performed using the first and the second latches to store the two-bit four-level data in one of the memory cells in a predetermined threshold level range. In the caching operation mode, data transfer between one of the memory cells selected in accordance with a first address and the first latch is performed while data transfer is performed between the second latch and input/output terminals in accordance with a second address with respect to one-bit two-level data to be stored in one of the memory cells.
US08144506B2
Memory devices comprise a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell including a memory element and a selection device. A plurality of first (e.g., row) address lines can be adjacent (e.g., under) a first side of at least some cells of the plurality. A plurality of second (e.g., column) address lines extend across the plurality of row address lines, each column address line being adjacent (e.g., over) a second, opposing side of at least some of the cells. Control circuitry can be configured to selectively apply a read voltage or a write voltage substantially simultaneously to the address lines. Systems including such memory devices and methods of accessing a plurality of cells at least substantially simultaneously are also disclosed.
US08144505B2
Nonvolatile memory devices include a memory cell array including a first memory cell and an adjacent second memory cell and a data input/output circuit configured to operate the first memory cell as an m-bit cell and to operate the second memory cell as an n-bit cell, wherein m is not equal to n. The first and second memory cells may be adjacent cells connected to same word line or to the same bit line. The memory cell array may include a third memory cell adjacent the first memory cell and the data input/output circuit may be further configured to operate the third memory cell as a k-bit cell. The first and second memory cells may be connected to the same word line and the first and third memory cells may be connected to the same bit line. The data input/output circuit may be configured to operate the first memory cell as a j-bit cell responsive to detecting a number of erase operations for the first memory cell meeting a predetermined criterion, wherein j is less than n. In some embodiments, j may be equal to m.
US08144500B2
According to one embodiment, semiconductor memory device includes: semiconductor substrate; parallel first lines stacked on substrate; parallel second lines intersecting first lines; memory cell array including memory cells at intersections of first and second lines and each including variable resistance element and selecting element series-connected together; first control circuit provided in second region of substrate adjoining first region immediately under array; second control circuit provided in first region of substrate; and dummy lines formed in same layer as second lines, such that they intersect first lines in region above first control circuit. First control circuit applies first voltage to selected first line. Second control circuit applies second voltage lower than first voltage to selected second line, and to dummy lines, third voltage by which potential difference applied to memory cells at intersections of selected first line and dummy lines becomes lower than on-voltage of selecting element.
US08144494B2
A resistance change memory device including: a cell array having a resistance change type of memory cells disposed at the cross-points of word lines and bit lines, the resistance value of the memory cell being reversibly settable; a word line driver circuit configured to apply a selecting drive voltage to one selected in the word lines; and a bit line driver circuit configured to drive multiple bit lines in such a manner that a set mode and a reset mode are set simultaneously for multiple memory cells selected by the selected word line, the set mode being for changing a selected memory cell from a first resistance state into a second resistance state while the reset mode is for changing a selected memory cell from the second resistance state into the first resistance state.
US08144481B2
A memory system includes; a main board having memory bus with a wiring line communicating a signal from a memory controller mounted on the main board, first and second module sockets mounted on the main board and connecting the wiring line to first and second memory modules respectively inserted into the first and second module sockets, where the first memory module includes a first electrode connected to the wiring line and the second memory module includes a second electrode connected to the wiring line, and first and second stub resistors disposed on the main board and arranged as primary dual-branching stub resistors forming a T-branch connection structure between the first and second electrodes and a branching node connected to the wiring line.
US08144471B2
A cable routing structure includes a flexible flat cable and a wiring board. The wiring board has a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The wiring board includes a cable attachment component, a first access component and a second access component. The cable attachment component is formed on the first side of a wiring board and electrically coupled to an end portion of the flexible flat cable. The first access component includes a first slit formed on the wiring board. The flexible flat cable extends through the first slit from the first side of the wiring board to a second side of the wiring board. The second access component is spaced from the first access component. The flexible flat cable extends through the second access component from the second side of the wiring board to the first side of the wiring board.
US08144470B2
A fastening system for a heat sink mounted on a circuit board utilizes a self-clinching stud assembly constructed by axially interfitting two flat sheet metal members. Each member has forked ends which when axially plugged together in criss-cross fashion create a unified fastener with side structures that can permanently clinch into a heat sink. After attachment to the heat sink, the stud presents two opposite attachment ends with tines which extend from the top and bottom of the heat sink. As finally assembled, a fan attaches to the top end of the studs above the heat sink while the opposite end of the stud which extends from the bottom of the heat sink passes through the circuit board to attach to a retaining leaf spring which presses against the back side of the board. Thus, all of the components are joined by a single stud.
US08144465B2
An exemplary fan assembly includes a fan and a muffler. The fan includes an air outlet. The muffler is disposed at the air outlet of the fan. The muffler includes a base plate. The base plate defines vents therein and blades thereon corresponding to the air outlet of the fan. The blades extend from the base plate toward the fan. An electronic device incorporating the fan assembly is also provided.
US08144463B2
A card retention system includes a chassis comprising a chassis wall. A plurality of actuation channels are defined by the chassis wall. Each of the plurality of actuation channels includes an unsecured section, a secured section, and an arcuate section extending between the unsecured section and the secured section. A securing member is coupled to the chassis wall through the plurality of actuation channels. The securing member is operable to move relative to the chassis wall along a path defined by the plurality of actuation channels. A plurality of engagement members are located on the securing member. The securing member may be moved through the plurality of actuation channels to retain a plurality of cards in the chassis.
US08144457B2
The present invention relates to a telecommunications termination panel with a housing including a front opening and a rear opening. Pivotably mounted within the housing is a tray within the front opening, pivoting about a vertical axis located adjacent a first side of the housing. A cable path is defined along a bottom of the housing along the first side between the cable entry of the tray and the rear opening. A movable plate is positioned adjacent the first side and is movable between a first position defining an upper limit of the cable path when the tray is closed and a second position allowing access to the cable path when the tray is open. The movement of the plate between the first and second positions is actuated by the movement of the tray between the closed and open positions. The present invention further relates to a telecommunications termination panel with a housing including a front opening. Pivotably mounted within the housing is a tray within the front opening, pivoting about a vertical axis located adjacent a first side of the housing. The tray is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The tray includes a cover which can be moved between an operational position and an access position when the tray is in the open position. With the cover in the operational position, the tray is prevented from moving from the open position to the closed position.
US08144455B2
A mounting apparatus for an expansion card with a blocking piece is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a fixing piece. The mounting bracket includes a support plate with two bent portions. The fixing piece is pivotably mounted on the mounting bracket. The fixing piece includes a resisting piece, two resilient pressing pieces, and an engaging portion. The resisting piece secures the blocking piece to the support plate. The two resilient pressing pieces are connected to the resisting piece. The engaging portion retains the fixing piece to the mounting bracket. A pivot portion protrudes from each pressing piece and is received in each bent portion. The two pressing pieces are oppositely pressed to disengage the pivot portion from the bent portion.
US08144446B2
The present disclosure includes a power measurement, circuit breaker or integrated protection system including isolated analog-to-digital modulators for measuring current using current sensors, such as, for example, current shunts, in a single or multiphase power system. In one embodiment, the modulators are divided into a line-side device with an analog-to-digital modulator and a host-side device including a decimation filter and a processor. In one embodiment, an isolation barrier, such as, for example, a pulse transformer, divides the line-side device from the host-side device.
US08144441B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing an electrostatic discharge protection circuit for compound semiconductor devices and circuits. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit comprises a first terminal and a second terminal. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit further comprises a transistor shunt element that is operably coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal; the transistor shunt element is capable of providing a bi-directional discharge path between the first terminal and the second terminal. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit further comprises a shut-off element that is operably coupled with the second terminal; the shut-off element is capable of keeping the transistor shunt element turned-off.
US08144428B2
The present invention provides a recording tape cartridge that when loaded in a drive device, generation of abrasion dust from a case can be restrained. The recording tape cartridge includes: a case in which a single reel with a recording tape being wound thereon is rotatably accommodated; a first region of the case, through which a plate spring provided in a drive device passes during loading of the recording tape cartridge into the drive device; and a second region of the case, which is disposed at a position higher than the first region and with which the plate spring comes into contact with pressure after the recording tape cartridge is loaded into the drive device.
US08144427B2
The present invention relates to a magnetic head, a head assembly, and a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus which are capable of effectively detecting thermal asperity. The magnetic head according to the present invention includes a heat-generating resistor, a recording coil, and a resistive element. The heat-generating resistor is adapted to generate heat when power is fed thereto so that the heat generation causes at least a part of the air bearing surface to thermally expand and protrude. The recording coil is adapted to generate a recording magnetic field, and the resistive element is disposed closer to the air bearing surface than the recording coil and connected in series or in parallel with the heater. Thus, the resistive element can share a common wiring with the heater for power feeding, which eliminates the waste of wiring and achieves miniaturization.
US08144423B2
A fluid dynamic pressure bearing device includes a shaft, an annular member, and a rotating member. The annular member is fixed to or seamlessly defined with the shaft and is radially opposed to the rotating member. The annular member and the rotating member are covered with a seal member. A first gap is defined between the seal member and the annular member. A second gap is defined between the rotating member and the seal member. A third gap is defined between the annular member and the rotating member. The first gap preferably has a width smaller than that of the second gap but greater than that of the third gap.
US08144405B2
An imaging lens is provided and includes: in order from the object side, a negative first lens, a negative second lens, a positive third lens, a stop, and a positive fourth lens. In the lens, each of the second lens, the third lens, and the fourth lens has at least one aspheric surface, and an Abbe number of a material of the third lens at the d-line is 35 or less. In addition, the imaging lens satisfies the following Conditional Expression (1): −0.2<(R3+R4)/(R3−R4)<0.2 (1) where R3 is a paraxial radius of curvature of the object side surface of the second lens, and R4 is a paraxial radius of curvature of the image side surface of the second lens.
US08144400B2
Provided is a lens apparatus including: a lens barrel; a fixed stopper fixed to the lens barrel; an optical unit moving in a direction of an optical axis relative to the lens barrel; a cylindrical grooved cam which includes a stopper restrictor and is held in the lens barrel to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis, for restricting movement of the optical unit in the direction of the optical axis; and a movable stopper which is movable within a limit of the stopper restrictor, in which the movable stopper is in contact with the stopper restrictor and the fixed stopper to restrict a rotation range of the cylindrical grooved cam.
US08144395B2
A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing apparatus for forming an image in an intermediate image zone, and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting apparatus for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing apparatus includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.
US08144382B2
The present invention enhances the repeatability of a low gray scale display of an image display device which uses oil layers. The enhancement of the repeatability of a low gray scale display can be realized by an image display device which includes a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer, a first oil layer which is arranged between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer and, at the same time, is provided on a first insulation layer side, a second oil layer which is arranged between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer and, at the same time, is provided on a second insulation layer side, first electrodes which are arranged outside the first insulation layer, and second electrodes which are arranged outside the second insulation layer.
US08144375B2
When a monochromatic copy mode is to be executed, a control section sets a read mode in a scanner section so as to enable the scanner section to read an image at high speed by means of only a line sensor K, sets in an image processing section an image process that can print monochromatic image information, which is sent from the scanner section, with a single black color in the printer section, and sets in the printer section a monochromatic print mode that can print a black image at high speed, thereby controlling a monochromatic copy operation.
US08144373B2
An image writing device is provided and includes: a case including an accommodating part that accommodates a plurality of display media stacked, a entrance and exit port which is communicated with the accommodating part and through which the display media enter and exit the case, and a window through which an image on a display surface of a display medium can be externally browsed, the image being written in the display medium by applying external stimulation; a conveying part that conveys the display medium into and out of the case through the entrance and exit port; and a writing part arranged near the entrance and exit port of the case, the writing part applying the external stimulation to the display medium to write the image in the display medium when the display medium is conveyed into or out of the case by way of the conveying part.
US08144369B2
An object of the present invention is to solve dissatisfaction of the user who cannot take out the source data in a case where a code image in the original can not be decoded. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising code image detection unit that determines whether or not an code image is included in the original image data, code image decoding unit that decodes the code image to extract source data if it is determined that the code image is included by the code image detection unit, and synthesizing unit that encodes information obtained by decoding a partial area of the code image and overlaying encoded information on the area where the code image is included, if the code image decoding unit is successful in decoding only the partial area of the code image.
US08144364B2
A production printing system for processing a plurality of print jobs may include a plurality of print job processing resources and a computer-readable storage medium including one or more programming instructions for performing a method of processing a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment. The method may include identifying a print job size distribution for a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment and determining whether the print job size distribution exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic. For each print job size distribution that exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic, the plurality of print jobs may be grouped into a plurality of subgroups such that at least one of the plurality of subgroups exhibits a non-heavy-tail characteristic, and each job in the at least one of the plurality of subgroups exhibiting the non-heavy-tail characteristic may be processed by one or more print job processing resources.
US08144352B2
There is provided a communication device comprising: a conversion unit configured to convert first data to second data having a predetermined format; a communication interface configured to interface the communication device with a network; a transmission unit configured to transmit the second data to an external device through the communication interface; a judgment unit configured to judge whether trouble would arise with respect to transmission of the second data to be executed by the transmission unit; and a storage control unit configured to store the second data while associating identification information of the external device with the second data in response to a fact that the judgment unit judges that the trouble would arise with respect to the transmission of the second data.
US08144350B2
An image forming apparatus including a video controller that increases or reduces a pulse width of video data when video data is generated in synchronization with a video clock so as to vary a frequency of the video data. It is possible to effectively cope with emission of electromagnetic waves (electromagnetic interference) whose frequency increases when the same type of pulses is repeated, so that the electromagnetic waves are out of the recognition range of a user and image quality is prevented from deteriorating.
US08144347B2
A printing system including a first memory unit storing a printer operating system and at least two interpreters; a second memory unit having an operating area for the printer operating system, an operating area and a heap area for each interpreter of the first memory unit, and at least two reception buffers temporarily storing incoming print job data; a printing control unit controlling operation of the printing system based on the printer operating system, controlling the interpreters of the first memory unit to interpret the print job data, and transmitting the interpreted print job data to a printer engine; and a print job scheduling unit providing a first scheduling procedure regarding initiation of the interpreters for multiple print jobs and a second scheduling procedure regarding interpretation of the multiple print jobs that have been initiated, the printer control unit using the first scheduling procedure and the second scheduling procedure to control the operation of the interpreters.
US08144342B2
An apparatus and method are disclosed for separating print jobs. Print jobs may be separated by alternating between outputting entire print jobs in straight and askew orientations. Print jobs may also be separated by outputting jobs in a straight orientation and outputting a separator page between each print job in an askew orientation. In one embodiment, separator pages may be input from a specified input tray that may contain sheets of a different color than that used for print jobs.
US08144341B2
A method for making a sample for evaluation of laser irradiation position and evaluating the sample, and an apparatus which is switchable between a first mode of modification of semiconductor and a second mode of making and evaluating the sample. Specifically, a sample is made by irradiating a semiconductor substrate for evaluation with a pulse laser beam while the semiconductor substrate is moved for evaluation at an evaluation speed higher than a modifying treatment speed, each relative positional information between pulse-irradiated regions in the sample is extracted, and stability of the each relative positional information between pulse-irradiated regions is evaluated. The evaluation speed is such a speed that separates the pulse-irradiated regions on the sample from each other in a moving direction.
US08144340B2
A surface sensing device for use in position determining apparatus has an elongate stylus with a tip for scanning the surface of a workpiece to be measured. Lateral displacements of the stylus tip are detected by a light beam which passes along the stylus from a light source to a retroreflector. This reflects the beam back via a beamsplitter to a position sensitive detector. The stylus is mounted for longitudinal displacement on a carriage. The longitudinal displacement is measured by another light beam projected by the beamsplitter onto a second position sensitive detector.
US08144335B2
The present invention relates to a vibration-insensitive interferometer using a high-speed camera and a continuous phase scanning method. The interferometer measures a measurement target by completely isolating influences of externally occurring vibrations from a frequency domain. The interferometer includes a light source unit for emitting light. A light transmission unit radiates the light emitted from the light source unit to the measurement target, splits light reflected from the measurement target into reference light and measurement light, and allows the reference light and the measurement light to interfere with each other, thus generating an interference fringe. A continuous phase scanning unit for radiates the reference light split by the light transmission unit through continuous phase scanning. A high-speed camera acquires an interference fringe generated by both the measurement light radiated through the light transmission unit and the reference light radiated through the continuous phase scanning unit.
US08144324B2
The apparatus for scanning at least one hyper-spectral image comprises an optical system, the hyper-spectrometer and the relay module. The hyper-spectrometer is disposed apart from the optical system. The optical system can focus an optical image of a target in a focal plane thereof, where the focal plane contains a plurality of row portions of the optical image. The relay module can selectively relay one of the row portions of the optical image to the hyper-spectrometer. Moreover, a method for scanning at least one hyper-spectral image is disclosed in specification.
US08144311B2
A technique for selecting two or more wavelengths of output light by a simpler structure is provided. A laser apparatus includes a laser oscillation portion for oscillating laser light; a nonlinear crystal inputting the laser light from the laser oscillation portion as a fundamental wave, the nonlinear crystal converting the fundamental wave into a second harmonic wave and changing conversion efficiency according to a temperature thereof, the nonlinear crystal having a periodically poled structure; and a ratio control means for controlling a ratio of the fundamental wave and the second harmonic wave outputting from the nonlinear crystal by controlling the temperature of the nonlinear crystal.
US08144309B2
A chuck apparatus for holding a substrate is the disclosed. The chuck apparatus includes a first surface portion on which the substrate is to be held and a second surface portion adjacent to the first surface portion and extending at least partially around an edge of the first surface portion and which, in use, is arranged to deflect gas over the first surface portion and thus the substrate that is to be held on the first surface portion.
US08144305B2
An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which a gas knife is shaped and a liquid removal device is positioned to improve removal of liquid from the surface of the substrate.
US08144303B2
A liquid crystal apparatus includes: a liquid crystal panel having a pair of substrates and including a display area; and a case body having an opening in an area corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal panel and being attached to the liquid crystal panel, in which the case body includes: a plurality of panel-shaped members having a laminated structure including a clearance in the direction of the thickness of the liquid crystal panel, openings provided at portions on the side of one side of the liquid crystal panel and on the side of the other side thereof opposing the one side corresponding to the clearance, a diaphragm formed in the clearance of the plurality of panel-shaped members from the side of the one side toward the side of the other side.
US08144297B2
A display device includes a pair of substrates with liquid crystal therebetween, and a plurality of pixel regions provided on one substrate. Each pixel region is constituted of one and another region including a switching element, a pixel electrode, and a counter electrode. In the one region, the counter electrode extends substantially planar at a center except at a periphery of the one region, and the pixel electrode is constituted of a first group of electrodes which extend in one direction and arranged in parallel at a first distance. In the another region the counter electrode is constituted of a group of electrodes which extend in one direction and arranged in parallel in a direction which intersects the one direction in the another region, and the pixel electrode is constituted of a second group of electrodes which extend in the one direction and arranged in parallel at a second distance.
US08144294B2
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first insulation substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first insulation substrate and including a first cutout; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation substrate; and a common electrode disposed on the second insulation substrate and a second cutout arranged alternately with the first cutout, wherein at least one of the first cutout and the second cutout includes a stem and a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second slits extended from the stem and obliquely inclined with respect to the length direction of the stem, and an inclined direction of the first slits is opposite to an inclined direction of the second slits.
US08144287B2
An optical member 15 is constituted by sticking a lens sheet 28 capable of transmitting light irradiated toward a liquid crystal panel 11 and a diffuser sheet 27 together. The lens sheet 28 is provided with a lens portion 30 having a large number of unit lenses 29 aligned on the front surface, while on the rear surface, provided with a reflecting layer 32 having an opening 31 corresponding to the lens portion 30. The optical member 15 is received on the backside by receiving members 21 and 24 provided respectively in a holder 17 and a lamp holder 16, while being held from the front by a frame 18. An inclined posture supporting member 33 is provided in the receiving member 24 in the holder 17, which supports the optical member 15 in a posture so that the edge 15a of the optical member 15 and the arrangement of the unit lenses 29 are inclined relatively to the arrangement of the pixel electrodes PE in the liquid crystal panel 11, by abutting an outer circumferential end surface 15b in the optical member 15.
US08144285B2
An exemplary liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a liquid crystal panel, a light guide plate, and blocks. The light guide plate includes a light emitting surface and cutouts. The blocks engage the cutouts, forming an accommodating space. The liquid crystal panel is accommodated in the accommodating space, and attached on the light emitting surface.
US08144276B2
An LC-based optical device compensates for differences in optical path lengths of polarization components of input beam. As a result, PDL and PMD of the optical device are reduced. The compensation mechanism may be a glass plate that is disposed in an optical path of a polarization component so that the optical path length of that polarization component can be made substantially equal to the optical path length of the other polarization component that traverses through a half-wave plate. Another compensation mechanism is a birefringent displacer that has two sections sandwiching a half-wave plate, wherein the two sections are of different widths and the planar front surface of the birefringent displacer can be positioned to be non-orthogonal with respect to the incident input light beam.
US08144269B2
Disclosed are display systems using reflective liquid-crystal microdisplays that efficiently use unpolarized light sources without needing to double the étendue of the source as occurs with conventional polarization conversion systems. Furthermore, the display systems can utilize on-axis projection lenses, and fast-switching ferroelectric-liquid-crystal-on-silicon (FLCOS) microdisplays. The systems utilize beam splitters that split unpolarized incident light into two diverged beams of opposite polarization. Ferroelectric liquid crystal display elements are combined with fixed retarders to enable an element that can selectively flip or not flip the handedness of incident circularly polarized light.
US08144261B2
In a rear-projection TV system in which the image is generated by an optical engine and projected through a mirror towards a diffusion plate screen, picture quality adjustment is undertaken at the optical block level to reduce the distance between the adjustment device and screen and thereby improve production throughput in the dark room in which the adjustments are made.
US08144260B2
Apparatus and methods to receive and display digital television signals are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to receive digital television signals comprises an antenna assembly coupled to the signal processing circuitry and comprising a first antenna positioned to maximize reception in a first direction and a second antenna positioned to maximize reception in a second direction, different from the first direction, and a processor coupled to the antenna assembly and comprising a selection logic module to select an antenna to receive a digital television signal for a specific channel, and a tuning logic module to configure the antenna assembly to receive a signal via a selected antenna.
US08144259B2
A broadcast receiving apparatus is equipped with a plurality of tuners that can respectively receive a control signal including region information identifying a region and channel designation information designating a program broadcast channel. A channel selection action of each tuner, display processing for a display unit, and recording processing for a storage unit are controlled based on a channel selection state of each tuner and the control signal. Furthermore, a tuner to select a channel designated by the channel designation information is determined based on a state of use of each tuner.
US08144245B2
A method of determining a machine for operating at an actual site includes establishing a three-dimensional geographical model representing the actual site, determining at least one operation characteristic relating to the operation of each of a set of machines in relation to the model, and predicting at least one performance characteristic for each machine based on the at least one operation characteristic and at least one respective characteristic of the different machines. The method further includes comparing the predicted performance characteristics for the different machines, and determining a target machine based on the comparison.
US08144243B2
The present invention relates to a camera module assembled by using a connector. The present invention provides a camera module including: a main substrate having an image sensor mounted on an upper surface and a connector insertion groove formed at one side of the image sensor; a plurality of connectors mounted in a row in the connector insertion groove; a housing mounted on the main substrate and having a lens barrel vertically movably coupled therein; a flexible printed circuit board mounted to surround an outer peripheral surface of the housing while being electrically connected to a lens transfer device coupled to one side of the housing; and a shield case coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the housing. Since it is possible to minimize a distance between pads which are connectable through the connector, there is an advantage of miniaturizing the camera module as a whole by size reduction of the main substrate.
US08144241B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an object to obtain an image signal, a detection unit configured to set a detection area in a captured image based on the image signal obtained by the imaging unit and calculate a detection value from an image signal in the detection area, an exposure adjustment unit configured to perform exposure adjustment, a control unit configured to control the exposure adjustment unit so that the detection value becomes equal to a predetermined value, and a presentation-image detecting unit configured to detect a presentation image presented by an image presentation device from the captured image on the basis of a difference in luminance in the captured image. When the presentation-image detecting unit detects the presentation image, the detection unit sets the detection area in a location different from a location of the detected presentation image.
US08144233B2
A display control device includes: a composite image generating unit configured to generate a composite image by compositing a unit image and a still image, such that a still image which is correlated with a moving image and has a still image aspect ratio different from a moving image aspect ratio, is superimposed on a portion of a unit image of the moving image which is formed of multiple temporally continuous unit images having a moving image aspect ratio; and a display control unit configured to display the composite image on a display screen of a display unit.
US08144211B2
The invention relates to a chromatic aberration correction apparatus. A judgment unit judges whether a selected pixel of interest is a white overexposure pixel or not on the basis of white overexposure pixel distribution information that is held in a white overexposure distribution information memory. A white overexposure pixel judgment is made for each of pixels that make up an image. A reader reads, for each selected pixel of interest that is judged as a white overexposure pixel by the judgment unit, chromatic aberration amount distribution information for a certain area that is determined on the basis of the selected pixel of interest out of a chromatic aberration distribution information memory. An adder adds each chromatic aberration amount contained in the chromatic aberration amount distribution information that is read by the reader to a value of the corresponding position in the storage area of a chromatic aberration amount memory.
US08144207B2
A computer executes performing template matching upon each frame of an input image with each of a plurality of template images, extracting a plurality of regions whose similarities with each of the template images are the highest from within the input image, classifying the extracted regions into regions that are to be used for specifying a photographic subject position within the input image and another region, on the basis of the mutual distances between the extracted regions within the input image, specifying the photographic subject position, on the basis of the positions of the regions that have been classified as the regions that are to be used for specifying the photographic subject position within the input image, and tracking the movement of the photographic subject over the image consisting of a plurality of frames, by tracking the photographic subject position between frames.
US08144203B2
An image pickup apparatus includes a first detection unit for detecting a rotation shake, a first computation unit for processing a detection signal of the rotation shake into a rotation shake correction target value, a second detection unit for detecting a parallel shake in a plane surface perpendicular to an optical axis, a second computation unit for process a detection signal of the parallel shake into a parallel shake correction target value, a shake correction unit for correcting an image shake in the plane surface of the image pickup apparatus based on the rotation and parallel shake correction target values, an initialization unit for initializing the parallel shake correction target value, and a control unit for moving the shake correction unit based on an image pickup start instruction prior to an image pickup operation while initializing the parallel shake correction target value.
US08144193B2
A system and method of visual monitoring of a work implement (e.g., a welding torch) while a task is being performed (e.g., forming a welding joint) to train workers (e.g., apprentices, inexperienced workers) in proper welding technique, for example) and/or to evaluate the worker's use of a particular work implement (e.g., to determine if the welding torch was held in a desired relationship to the items being welded together, determine if the welding torch formed the joint at the current speed, etc.). In general, one or more cameras may acquire images of a target secured to and/or formed on the work implement. The images may be analyzed to provide feedback to the user, to be evaluated for weld integrity purposes; and/or may be used to compare the performance of a task (e.g., forming a welding joint) with a database of one or more profiles made by experienced and/or expert craftsmen.
US08144191B2
An endoscope apparatus comprises: a scope comprising a solid imaging device; a processor unit which forms an observation image from signals emitted from the solid imaging device, the processor being connected to the scope; and a plurality of monitors each of which is connected to the processor unit, wherein a whole image of the observation image is displayed on at least one of said plurality of monitors, and a partial image of the observation image is enlarged and displayed on the other one(s) of said plurality of monitors.
US08144190B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus for three-dimensional (3-D) image acquisition can include: (i) first and second lenses configured to receive light from a scene; (ii) first, second, third, and fourth sensors; (iii) a first beam splitter arranged proximate to the first lens, where the first beam splitter can provide a first split beam to the first sensor, and a second split beam to the second sensor; and (iv) a second beam splitter arranged proximate to the second lens, where the second beam splitter can provide a third split beam to the third sensor, and a fourth and split beam to the fourth sensor. For example, the sensors can include charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or CMOS sensors.
US08144189B2
This invention provides an inexpensive image acquisition apparatus capable of capturing not only an image of a still object, but also an image of a moving object with the use of an appropriate quantity of illumination light. The image acquisition apparatus includes a head section incorporating an image acquisition device therein and including a lens module and an illuminating part, a main body section including an illumination light source, an image acquisition control part and an image processing part, and a cable section connecting between the main body section and the head section. The lens module is one of a first lens module incorporating therein a lens for high-speed observation and a second lens module incorporating therein a lens for enlargement observation, which is selectively attached to the head section. In a case where the first lens module is attached to the head section, the illuminating part is a first lens illumination unit for illuminating a region of which an image is captured by the first lens module. Herein, the first lens illumination unit is attached to the head section.
US08144187B2
Video send and receive capabilities of participants are determined by the respective machines determining available combinations, as well as preferences for the receivers. Receiver capabilities are forwarded to the source for computation of negotiated video capabilities through a logic intersection of the determined capabilities based on desired number of streams and resolutions. If a resolution of a send capability exists within the receive capability, the highest frame and/or bit rate may be selected for transmission.
US08144186B2
Methods and systems for presenting video images generated by multiple endpoints in a videoconference such that the displayed images have consistent appearance, for example consistent brightness levels are disclosed. Sampling methods and algorithms are used to calculate an appropriate amount of correction for each video image and the images are adjusted accordingly. Brightness correction may implement one or more brightness sampling and analyzing logical modules (BSAM) and one or more transforming logical module (TLM). The brightness matching methods may be implemented in centralized architecture, for example, as part of a multipoint control unit (MCU). Alternatively, the methods may be implemented using a distributed architecture.
US08144185B2
A computer system has a presence server having a presence management unit that carries out a processing associated with presence data; and a conference management server that carries out a control processing of a conference. Then, when a request of an image delivery to another participant of a voice-based teleconference is received from a terminal of a first participant of the voice-based teleconference, the conference management server secures a resource for the image delivery, and transmits a presence setting request to the presence server so that the first participant and another participant can subscribe data concerning the resource for the image delivery. In addition, in response to the presence setting request, the presence management unit of the presence server carries out a setting so that the first participant and another participant can subscribe the data concerning the resource for the image delivery as presence data, which is delivered to subscribers when updated.
US08144179B2
An image forming apparatus that includes: a laser beam source; plural photoconductive members corresponding to plural colors; a modulation drive unit for performing pulse width modulation for each of colors by an image clock having a cycle of a pixel length,; a single piece of polygon mirror whose reflection surfaces are disposed in a rotation direction thereof with a plurality of different inclination angles with colors; a beam detector that is disposed adjacent to the photoconductive member; and an image clock/data switching unit configured to generate the image clock of a frequency varying with the colors for making the same a color-based image magnification, and switch the image clocks generated for each of the colors in synchronization with a detection signal coming from the beam detector.
US08144178B2
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical scanning apparatus which includes a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser including a plurality of light-emitting portions that are spaced from each other in at least a sub-scanning direction, a first optical system including a light-condensing element that converts each of light beams from the laser into a light beam in another state; a deflector that reflects and deflects the light beams from the first optical system, and a second optical system that focuses the light beams deflected by the deflecting member on a surface to be scanned, where the second optical system includes at least an imaging optical element having an optical surface with a non-arc shape in a sub-scanning cross section.
US08144160B2
Modification to frame buffer memory information associated with a first display may be used to update information displayed on a second display. The first display may be mapped to a matrix of display areas. The modification to the frame buffer memory information may be detected be detecting write memory address. One or more display areas affected by the modification to the frame buffer memory information may be identified based on display parameters associated with the first display. Frame buffer memory information associated with the one or more affected display areas may be retrieved and compressed before being transmitted over a communication link to be displayed on the second display.
US08144146B2
The display device of the invention includes a light emitting element, a monitoring light emitting element, a constant current source which supplies a constant current to the monitoring light emitting element, a time-based measurement circuit which measures time to supply a power source to the light emitting element, a memory circuit which stores V-I characteristics with time of the light emitting element, a correction data forming circuit which forms correction data based on an output of the monitoring light emitting element, an output of the time-based measurement circuit, and the characteristics with time, and a power source circuit which corrects a power source potential based on the correction data and supplies the corrected power source potential to the light emitting element.
US08144137B2
A display panel drive circuit is provided with a first display output terminal to be connected with a data line of a display panel, first and second output stages, and a control circuit. The first output stage is directly connected with the first display output terminal and configured to output a data signal with the positive polarity with respect to a standard voltage level. The second output stage is also directly connected with the first display output terminal and configured to output a data signal with the negative polarity with respect to the standard voltage level. The control circuit controls the first and second output stages so that one of the first and second output stages is selectively activated while the other of the first and second output stages is deactivated.
US08144130B2
A secure touch screen device comprises a resistive touch screen having a plurality of touch positions, having a first pair of first and second terminals at opposite ends of a first axis of the touch screen, and a second pair of first and second terminals at opposite ends of a second axis of the touch screen, the second axis being orthogonal to the first axis. Upon pressing on a certain position on the touch screen there exist an electrical resistance between the first pair of terminals and an electrical resistance between the second pair of terminals, indicative of the position pressed. The first terminal of each pair of terminals is grounded, and the second terminal of each pair of terminals is connected to a variable resistance component connectable to a voltage source. The resistance of the variable resistance component is variable in a predetermined manner, the second terminal of each pairs of terminals being used to measure the resistance indicative of the position pressed.
US08144128B2
A touch panel includes a lower conductive film, four electrodes disposed in edge portions of four sides of the lower conductive film, and an upper conductive film disposed over the lower conductive film so that the upper and lower conductive films are opposed to each other, to detect an electric potential in the lower conductive film when the upper conductive film is in contact with the lower conductive film. The upper conductive film includes split portions containing no transparent conductive material and split conductive portions divided by the split portions. The touch panel is arranged to detect an electric potential of each of contact points in the split conductive portions when the upper and lower conductive films are brought in contact with each other at the contact points, and detect respective coordinates of the contact points based on the electrical potentials.
US08144121B2
An apparatus for controlling an electronic appliance having a display is provided. A plurality of control buttons are displayed on the display. An operator in front of the display is photographed with a video camera and is displayed on the display. The operator holds his or her hand to specify one of the control buttons on the display. The control buttons are provided with numbers or marks according to the order of priority. A feature detector of the apparatus detects various features from the photographed image. According to the features, a controller of the apparatus selects one of the control buttons on which the hand of the operator is superimposed and carries out an operation corresponding to the selected control button with respect to the electronic appliance.
US08144117B2
When not receiving the next display-switch starting signal even after a specified time elapses from the application of a previous display driving voltage, a driving unit applies another preparatory driving voltage for generating a preparatory electric field capable of improving the response of colored particles to a driving electric field to an extent so as not to change the arrangement of the colored particles between pixel electrodes and a transparent electrode for a preparatory driving time.
US08144115B2
A system and method are disclosed that determines the location of an object touching a display screen. The system and method modifies already existing display technology, including using the underlying structure of many types of existing displays as the touch detecting structure. The systems and methods are applicable to virtually all LCD and LCD-like displays, including emissive displays (OLED, PLED, quantum dot displays, etc.), electronic paper, and others.
US08144100B2
Methods of driving source lines and/or circuits/systems for driving source lines are provided. Source lines of a display device are driven by comparing first data for driving a first buffer associated with a first source line of the display device and second data for driving a second buffer associated with a second source line of the display device and selectively disabling the second buffer and driving the second source line of the display device with the first buffer based on the comparison of the first and second data.
US08144096B2
Provided is a drive circuit low in power consumption and high in display quality for a liquid crystal display device that is used in a small-sized portable device. The liquid crystal display device includes liquid crystal display elements and a liquid crystal driving circuit. The liquid crystal driving circuit is mounted to one of the four sides of a liquid crystal display panel, and is capable of outputting two-system counter electrode voltages. A variable resistor circuit having a resistance value which is variably adjusted by a register is used to correct and output a gray scale voltage according to a position of a relevant scanning signal line. Equalization is also performed by short-circuiting two counter electrode signal lines.
US08144086B2
An organic light emitting display device having a pixel unit including a plurality of scan lines, data lines and pixel power lines arranged in a matrix type and forming respective sub pixels in an intersection region of the plurality of scan lines, data lines and pixel power lines; a thin film transistor including a pad unit receiving signals to drive driving the respective sub pixels, a scan driver and a data driver supplying the signals to the plurality of scan lines and data lines through the pad unit, and non-pixel unit formed with a power supply line supplying power to the pixel powers line, the sub-pixel including an oxide semiconductor layer; a capacitor having a lower electrode and an upper electrode formed of a transparent conductive material; and an organic light emitting element electrically coupled to the thin transistor and disposed on the capacitor.
US08144085B2
A display device includes: a light emission amount detecting section which inputs video signals having linear property and detects an amount of light emission from the video signals; a light emitting time calculating section which calculates light emitting time of the light emitting elements based on the amount of light emission detected by the light emission amount detecting section; a light emitting time recording section which records the calculated light emitting time; a luminance acquiring section which, acquires luminance information of the light emitting elements using the light emitting time recorded in the light emitting time recording section; a coefficient calculating section which calculates coefficients by which the video signals are multiplied based on the luminance information acquired by the luminance acquiring section; and a coefficient multiplying section which multiplies the video signals by the coefficients calculated by the coefficient calculating section.
US08144079B2
Techniques are disclosed for reducing the visibility of crosstalk between images in a multiple view display for simultaneously displaying two or more images independently of each other for viewing in different directions by different viewers. A multiple view display typically comprises a liquid crystal panel (20) and a parallax barrier (21) forming a dual view display for two viewers. The panel (20) comprises an array of pixels of elongate shape and arranged so as to be elongate in the horizontal direction of the normal image orientation on the panel (20). Crosstalk compensation may be provided in a display controller for the display.
US08144078B2
A method and apparatus for controlling brightness, color and contrast in CRT monitors used in information handling systems. In accordance with the present invention, a viewing area on a CRT monitor is enhanced by applying appropriate signals directly to the grids in the CRT. In one embodiment of the present invention, appropriate voltage signals are applied to the G1 grid of the CRT. Parameter data is provided to the CRT using a DDC2/CI data channel, with the parameter data being based on the VESA MCCS command set. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to achieve significantly greater brightness, color and contrast control in enhanced viewing areas displayed on a CRT monitor used in an information handling system.
US08144075B2
There are provided a display apparatus, a display system and a display method. The display apparatus includes: a first input unit through which a first image signal having a first type is inputted; an image processing unit which processes the first image signal for display; a converting unit which converts the type of the first image signal into a second type different from the first type; and an output unit which outputs the first image signal converted into the second type to a next connected display apparatus.
US08144070B2
Portable yagi antenna kit for being frequency/wavelength adjustable by virtue of being knockdownable
A portable Yagi antenna kit for being frequency/wavelength adjustable by virtue of being knockdownable, wherein the Yagi antenna is for mounting to a mast. The antenna includes a boom, a reflector element, a driven element, and a director element. The reflector element, the driven element, and the director element each extend outwardly from the boom, respectively. The boom, the reflector element, the driven element, and the director element are each knockdownable so as to be portable and form the kit, and as such, are length adjustable, and as such, are frequency/wavelength adjustable.
US08144069B2
A low-cost compact wideband antenna (200) has two triangular-shaped arms (500 and 510) formed by winding the conductive wire into a zigzag pattern. The two arms (500 and 510) form a compact bow-tie type antenna having equivalent electrical size larger then its mechanical dimensions. Two straight wires (530 and 540) are joined to, and electrically connected between two respective largest segment ends of two zigzag structures. The compact wideband antenna (200) is hidden inside the decorative household item (210) to provide antenna having external appearance appropriate for modern home furnishing setting with improved broadband characteristic across VHF and UHF bands but without the inconvenience of the large size.
US08144067B2
A portable satellite tracking antenna utilizes a tiltable reflector surface, and a parabolic reflector surface to direct a satellite signal to a feed horn. A fixed flat reflector surface is utilized in conjunction with the parabolic reflector surface to increase the strength of a signal that is transmitted from the parabolic reflector surface to the feed horn. In one preferred embodiment the parabolic reflector surface is fixed, and the feed horn and tiltable reflector surface are rotatable to selected azimuth settings. The cant of the tiltable reflector surface is adjusted by pivoting the tiltable reflector surface.
US08144065B2
The present invention relates to planar compound field antennas. Improvements relate particularly, but not exclusively, to compound loop antennas having coplanar electric field radiators and magnetic loops with electric fields orthogonal to magnetic fields that achieve performance benefits in higher bandwidth (lower Q), greater radiation intensity/power/gain, and greater efficiency.
US08144059B2
A dielectric resonator antenna that has active components on a selected surface. Also a feed element in the form of a slot may be formed on the surface to efficiently generate the proper resonance mode within the bulk of the dielectric resonator antenna. The entire dielectric resonator antenna may be flip-chip mounted onto a suitable microwave substrate.
US08144054B2
Embodiments of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and method for navigation are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the GNSS receiver includes signal processing circuitry to systematically identify clear channels from channels with persistent interference by performing two or more signal measurements within each of a plurality of channel bands. The channel bands include at least channel bands of at least two or more different global positioning satellite systems such as GPS satellites, GALILEO system satellites or GLONASS system satellites. In some embodiments, the GNSS receiver provides for self-adapting jamming avoidance in satellite navigation systems.
US08144053B2
Systems and methods are provided for verifying whether a set of satellite signals may be used to calculate an estimated position. Example systems and methods may include a GPS receiver for receiving the satellite signals and a measurement consistency verifier to analyze a geometric configuration of the satellites from which the satellite signals were acquired. The measurement consistency verifier may determine if the satellites are sufficiently close to one another to provide consistent measurements.
US08144052B2
A three-dimensional imaging radar operating at high frequency e.g., 670 GHz radar using low phase-noise synthesizers and a fast chirper to generate a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) waveform, is disclosed that operates with a multiplexed beam to obtain range information simultaneously on multiple pixels of a target. A source transmit beam may be divided by a hybrid coupler into multiple transmit beams multiplexed together and directed to be reflected off a target and return as a single receive beam which is demultiplexed and processed to reveal range information of separate pixels of the target associated with each transmit beam simultaneously. The multiple transmit beams may be developed with appropriate optics to be temporally and spatially differentiated before being directed to the target. Temporal differentiation corresponds to a different intermediate frequencies separating the range information of the multiple pixels. Collinear transmit beams having differentiated polarizations may also be implemented.
US08144038B2
A signal processing apparatus is provided, which generates a data signal having a signal waveform corresponding to a first bit value of a signal waveform transitioning from a high level to a low level or a signal waveform transitioning from a low level to a high level, a pre-transition signal level corresponding to a second bit value of one of a plurality of high levels and a plurality of low levels, and a post-transition signal level corresponding to a third bit value of the other.
US08144031B2
A parking assisting device includes an ambient area detecting unit that detects an obstacle or a parking frame in an ambient area surrounding a vehicle, and a guiding unit guides the vehicle to a parking initial position from which parking of the vehicle to a parking space, adjacent to the detected obstacle, or the detected parking frame is permissible. In the parking assisting device, a guidance mode in which the guiding unit guides the vehicle to the parking initial position is set up based on a distance between the vehicle and the detected obstacle or the detected parking frame in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle.
US08144030B1
A personal signal device for automatically displaying one of a plurality of patterns automatically based on the orientation of the device, such as is useful in the direction of vehicular traffic, is described. The device typically comprises a plurality of lights, often high intensity LEDs, an orientation sensor and a controller that illuminates a portion of the LEDs depending upon the orientation information provided by the sensor. The device can be adapted to couple to a user's arm or hand such as being coupled with a glove.
US08144023B2
A transceiver includes a receiver, a signal strength determiner, and a controller. The receiver receives a trigger signal transmitted by a triggering device; the trigger signal indicates both a signal strength range and a command. The signal strength determiner determines the strength of the trigger signal received by the receiver. The controller is configured to: 1) determine whether the strength of the trigger signal determined by the signal strength determiner is within the signal strength range indicated by the trigger signal; 2) and perform a task in accordance with the command indicated by the trigger signal only when the strength of the trigger signal is within the signal strength range.
US08144013B2
A semiconductor device with improved reliability, in which increase in power consumption can be reduced. The semiconductor device includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to/from a communication device and at least first and second functional circuits electrically connected to the antenna. The first functional circuit includes a power supply control circuit for controlling power supply voltage output from a power supply circuit in the second functional circuit. A power supply control circuit in the second functional circuit includes a transistor of which first terminal is electrically connected to an output terminal of the power supply circuit and second terminal is electrically connected to a ground line. A gate terminal of the transistor is electrically connected to the power supply control circuit included in one functional circuit.
US08144000B2
In a method for avoiding a collision on a job site, information is received regarding a plurality of selected entities on the job site. The information is received at a location independent from the entities. The information is evaluated to determine whether a trigger has occurred. The trigger is associated with a potential collision situation involving an entity of the entities. A collision alert message is issued for the entity if the trigger has occurred.
US08143984B2
A linear solenoid has a first magnetic pulling portion for attracting a forward end of a plunger in a forward direction. The linear solenoid further has a second magnetic pulling portion at a rear end of the solenoid. A magnetic path portion is formed at the rear end of the solenoid and composed of a constant overlapping area and a temporal overlapping area. A plunger side-gap portion is formed at a rear end of the plunger so as to face to the overlapping areas in a radial direction. A first radial gap, which is formed between the constant overlapping area and the plunger side-gap portion, is made larger than a second radial gap, which is formed between the temporal overlapping area and the plunger side-gap portion.
US08143982B1
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
US08143975B2
In a microwave transition from a coaxial line (1) to a coplanar line system (3), in a longitudinal hole (5) of an outer conductor housing (6), the round inner conductor (4) of the coaxial line (1) continues in a planar inner conductor in the form of a narrow piece of foil (9), of an elastically flexible insulating material and metalized on at least one side. The end of this planar inner conductor (9, 10) then narrows in a transition section (16) to the width of a coplanar middle conductor (13; 20), with coplanar earthing areas (14, 15; 21, 22) on both sides.
US08143972B2
The present invention provides a resonator and a filter that reduce the resonator radiation loss so as to achieve a high Q value that is inherent to a low-loss material while maintaining high power handling capability. In this manner, both high power handling capability and a high Q value can be achieved at the same time. The resonator is a microstripline structure and includes a line structure formed with resonance lines in which current standing waves are generated in a resonant state in a line, and currents in each two adjacent lines flow in the opposite directions from each other, and a connection line that connects the resonance lines at the portions having in-phase voltages among the nodes of the current standing waves of the resonance lines in the resonant state. The filter includes resonators of the same type as the above resonator.
US08143954B2
A device can be coupled to an electrical load for supplying electrical power to the electrical load. The device contains an oscillator unit and an auxiliary oscillator unit. The oscillator unit is configured to generate an output signal of the device which can be supplied to the electrical load and which has a first frequency. The auxiliary oscillator unit is electrically coupled to the oscillator unit. The auxiliary oscillator unit is configured to excite the oscillator unit to oscillate at a second frequency greater than the first frequency. The auxiliary oscillator unit contains a timing element which is configured and arranged to terminate the excitation of the oscillator unit after the expiration of a pre-specified period of time after the start of the oscillator unit and the auxiliary oscillator unit.
US08143951B2
An amplifying circuit for use in, for example, broadband transceivers is described. A bias filter is connected between an amplifying transistor and a power supply to block a wide range of frequencies associated with amplified RF input signals from reaching the power supply, while permitting DC power to reach the transistor.
US08143948B2
An error amplifier expected to exhibit rail-to-rail operation, high bandwidth, and high slew rate, is described, the error amplifier comprising a first stage to receive an input differential voltage and to provide transconductance gain, an intermediate stage to provide current gain, and an output stage to drive a load.
US08143942B2
A circuit includes a first filter comprising a first inductor coupled to a first variable capacitor, wherein the first filter is associated with a first resonant frequency. The circuit further comprises an amplifier coupled to the first filter and a second filter coupled to the amplifier. The second filter comprises a second inductor coupled to a second variable capacitor, wherein the second filter is associated with a second resonant frequency that is substantially the same as the first resonant frequency. At least a portion of the first filter and at least a portion of the second filter are formed on an integrated circuit.
US08143940B2
An internal supply voltage generating circuit includes a clock comparator configured to compare a first clock signal having clock information corresponding to a level of a reference voltage with a second clock signal having clock information corresponding to a level of an internal supply voltage, a control signal generator configured to generate a driving control voltage having a voltage level corresponding to an output signal of the clock comparator; and a driver configured to drive a terminal of the internal supply voltage in response to the driving control voltage.
US08143939B2
A charge pump driving circuit for generating a driving pulse signal to drive a charge pump circuit is disclosed. The charge pump driving circuit includes a control signal generator and a driving signal generator. The control signal generator generates a first control signal, a second control signal, and a third control signal, in which the third control signal transits in the first place, the first control signal transits next, and the second control signal transits last. The driving signal generator, controlled by the first control signal, the second control signal and the third control signal, generates the driving pulse signal, in which the driving signal generator has a rare short circuit current flowing from a supply terminal providing a supply voltage to a ground terminal providing a ground voltage.
US08143937B2
An internal negative voltage generation device includes a first internal negative voltage generation block configured to generate a first internal negative voltage which is lower than a ground voltage; a second internal negative voltage generation block configured to generate a second internal negative voltage according to the first internal negative voltage, the second internal negative voltage being higher than the first internal negative voltage and lower than the ground voltage; and an initial driving block configured to additionally drive a second internal negative voltage terminal to the first internal negative voltage during an initial set time interval of an active operation time interval.
US08143935B2
A circuit and method for controlling charge injection in a circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the circuit and method are employed in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) Radio Frequency (RF) switch. In one embodiment, an SOI RF switch comprises a plurality of switching transistors coupled in series, referred to as “stacked” transistors, and implemented as a monolithic integrated circuit on an SOI substrate. Charge injection control elements are coupled to receive injected charge from resistively-isolated nodes located between the switching transistors, and to convey the injected charge to at least one node that is not resistively-isolated. In one embodiment, the charge injection control elements comprise resistors. In another embodiment, the charge injection control elements comprise transistors. A method for controlling charge injection in a switch circuit is disclosed whereby injected charge is generated at resistively-isolated nodes between series coupled switching transistors, and the injected charge is conveyed to at least one node of the switch circuit that is not resistively-isolated.
US08143926B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data signal generating apparatus which is small in size, and can output the serial data in a desired sequence without assuming an indefinite state as well as being capable of dealing with the jitter measurement. In the data signal generating apparatus according to the present invention, synchronization means 25 for synchronizing a data output unit 11 with a multiplexer 13 has a phase comparator 16 for comparing the phase of a data synchronization clock signal outputted from a data output unit 11 in synchronization with the timing to update parallel data, with the phase of a divided clock signal A produced by dividing the frequency of a reference clock signal CK1 by a plural number “m” in the multiplexer 13, the signal A being used for determining the timing to performing parallel-serial conversion, a variable delay device 30 for adding a desired delay to a data request signal A′, the variable delay device 30 being constituted by an orthogonal modulation type delay device, and a control unit 26 for controlling a direct control signal to be inputted into the variable delay device 30 on the basis of a comparing result obtained from the phase comparator 16 to synchronize the timing to have the data output unit 11 update the parallel data with the timing to have the multiplexer 13 perform parallel-serial conversion processing.
US08143916B2
A level shift circuit includes a level shift section for receiving a low potential signal oscillating between a high potential and a ground potential and converting it into a high potential signal oscillating between the high potential and the ground potential, the level shift section being connected to at least a high potential power supply for generating the high potential, a low potential power supply for generating the low potential, and a ground power supply for generating the ground potential, an inverter section for inverting-amplifying the high potential signal from the level shift section, and an N-type MOS transistor for supplying the ground potential to the inverter section, the N-type MOS transistor being connected in series to the inverter section between the high potential power supply and the ground power supply and having its gate electrode connected to the low potential power supply.
US08143910B2
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit including: a first path that includes a first logic circuit; a second path that includes a second logic circuit; and a subsequent-stage circuit that is connected to an output of the first path and is connected to an output of the second path, in which the second path further includes a first internal path that is selected as a propagation path during a normal operation period; and a second internal path that is selected as a propagation path during a test operation period and includes a delay circuit having a delay amount larger than a delay amount of the first internal path.
US08143899B2
A method of detecting partial discharge associated with at least a portion of an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes at least one electrical machine electrically coupled within the electrical system, includes generating an electromagnetic field within the electrical machine. The method also includes collecting partial discharge data from at least a portion of the electrical system. The method further includes determining a first partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method also includes generating at least one trending comparison of the first PDIV value and at least one second PDIV value of at least a portion of partial discharge activity within the electrical system. The method further includes outputting the results.
US08143898B1
Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
US08143896B2
The present invention provides microcoil magnetic resonance based modules, detection devices, and methods for their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a module including a microcoil possessing an inner diameter of between 25 microns and 550 microns, a conduit disposed proximate to the microcoil, in which the conduit is in fluid communication with a sample reservoir, an affinity column in fluid communication with the conduit and the sample reservoir, and a connector for connecting the module to a magnetic resonance detector.
US08143886B2
A device to test the good working order of a magnetic field generator, and namely a demining coil, such device comprising at least one evaluation means for the magnetic field coupled with at least one display means, device wherein said evaluation means comprise at least one wound coil able to be positioned so that the lines of the magnetic field pass through it, said wound coil linked to evaluation electronics powered by said wound coil itself.
US08143881B2
A current measuring apparatus includes a shunt circuit, a current detecting circuit, and a signal amplifying circuit. The current measuring apparatus applies the shunt circuit to receive a current to be measured. The current measuring apparatus applies the current detecting circuit to measure the voltage between two terminals of the shunt circuit. The current measuring apparatus applies the signal amplifying circuit to amplify the measured voltage. The measured current can be calculated according an expression determined by the current detecting circuit and the signal amplifying circuit.
US08143879B2
A multi-phase electrical power distribution network includes a substation; a signal generator for providing a different signal on each of a plurality of phases leaving the substation; and a signal discriminator for detecting each of the different signals at a consumer of the electrical power.
US08143873B2
A step-up switching power supply circuit is provided. Within a delay period immediately after start of operation, a switching element (SW2) is subjected to constant-current control by a switching control signal (E) of a constant-current source buffer circuit (9). Control is also effected such that during halt of control for a stepping-up action in this circuit, or within the delay period, when an output voltage (VOUT)
US08143869B2
A circuit for providing an output voltage substantially equal to a reference voltage includes: a low drop-out (LDO) regulator coupled to the reference voltage for producing the output voltage at an output terminal; a reference current source having a first end and a second end for providing a predetermined reference current; a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to a first supply voltage, a second terminal, and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor; a first switch for selectively coupling the second terminal of the first transistor to the first end of the reference current source according to a first control signal; and a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the first supply voltage, a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor, and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal.
US08143861B2
At the time of charging a power storage device from a commercial power supply, electric power from the commercial power supply is applied to a neutral point of each of first and second motor generators. A rotation preventing control unit (222) determines one phase to be subjected to switching control in the first inverter, based on a rotation angle (θ1) of the first motor generator. Further, rotation preventing control unit (222) calculates torque generated in the first motor generator, generates a torque control value for canceling out the torque, and outputs the value to a phase voltage operating unit (214) for motor control.
US08143860B2
A microcontroller is disclosed. The microcontroller comprises a processor system and a high voltage interface coupled to the processor system and adapted to be coupled to a battery. The microcontroller further includes a battery management system for monitoring the battery and managing the battery based upon the monitoring of the battery. The microcontroller is a single chip. This one-chip solution saves design cost and PCB space in addition to broadening the functionality of the smart battery application. With the accuracy of the microcontroller, the charge status of the battery can be predicted more accurately and therefore effectively increases actual battery capacity.
US08143850B2
The invention is a device and system for providing power to a portable electronic device. A battery unit includes a rechargeable battery and is configured to be removably secured to a portable electronic device to provide power thereto. A base unit is configured to receive and charge one or more battery units, either alone or with the battery units secured to portable electronic devices. The battery unit includes a battery charge indicator, which can be a visible signal. An optical bath is defined through the base unit to transmit the visible signal of the battery unit to a base unit battery charge display.
US08143848B2
A video game controller charging system is provided. The video game controller charging system includes a base; at least one structure on the base for providing physical support to at least one video game controller while it is being charged; and at least one DC port on the base configured to couple to and provide DC power to a power input port of the at least one video game controller. The video game controller charging system may also include a current detector, a charging status indicator, at least one docking bay, and/or an AC-to-DC converter adapted to convert externally supplied power to the DC power provided to the power input port of at least one video game controller. The base of a charging station may include a recess having at least one electrical contact and a power input for connection to a power supply.
US08143845B2
A battery charger may be configured to charge a battery by way of a charging cable. A DC gain of a voltage control loop of the battery charger may be limited to a predetermined value to compensate for voltage drop on the charging cable. For example, a DC gain of an error amplifier on the voltage control loop may be limited to a predetermined value for cable voltage drop compensation. The error amplifier may use a reference signal that is generated as a function of the error signal. The DC gain of the error amplifier may be limited by connecting a resistor to form an RC circuit on an output node of the error amplifier.
US08143843B2
In an electrically-driven vehicle comprising a battery which can be charged from an external power supply, a charger, a charger controller which controls the charger, and a battery controller which monitors a battery state, energy loss during the charging is reduced and charging efficiency is improved. A hybrid electric vehicle which is the electrically-driven vehicle includes a charging circuit having a charger which is connected to a high-voltage battery and a charge-time connection switch which is connected between the high-voltage battery and the charger, a charger ECU, and a battery ECU. The battery ECU is activated when a voltage signal is input, and when determining that the state of the high-voltage battery satisfies a chargeable condition, connects the charge-time connection switch, activates the charger ECU and transmits a signal representing the battery state to the charger ECU.
US08143839B2
An alternating-current motor control apparatus includes a stator frequency computing unit configured to compute a stator frequency of a motor magnetic flux; a torque error computing unit configured to compute a torque error by using the motor magnetic flux, an estimated current, and a motor current; and a speed estimator configured to estimate a speed of the alternating-current motor by using the stator frequency and the torque error. The speed estimator includes a proportional controller configured to reduce the torque error to zero, and an adaptive filter configured to eliminate a high-frequency component of the torque error.
US08143837B2
An inverter control apparatus includes: a state estimator that calculates an estimated current vector and an estimated magnetic flux vector from a motor command voltage vector, a detected current vector, and a motor parameter; a correction voltage calculator that calculates a correction voltage vector on the basis of a current error between the detected current vector and the estimated current vector; and a correction voltage unit that adds the correction voltage vector to the motor command voltage vector.
US08143833B2
The invention relates to a processing unit of a measuring signal related to conditions of an object controlled by power electronics. The processing unit comprises an interface with digital terminals, wherein the interface is provided with at least one terminal for a sensor which generates the measuring signal. Further, the processing unit comprises a calculating unit to which the interface is connected. The calculating unit is equipped with a real-time control system. In addition, the calculating unit comprises a general-purpose processor.
US08143829B2
An embodiment of a disk drive power system is described. The system is operable such that during power interruption, the system taps electric power by rectifying the back-EMF generated across each winding of a DC motor and supplying power to a voice-coil motor to park a read/write head safely away from an associated magnetic disk surface.
US08143812B2
An output stage for an LED driver is provided. In particular, a low voltage clamp, which uses several cascode circuits, is provided to protect low voltage switching transistors in the range of two times higher voltage application under both normal and fault conditions. Additionally, a circuit for regulating the bias voltage applied to each of the cascode circuits is provided to prevent damage during startup, while an internal voltage regulator is settling.
US08143807B2
This invention discloses a color temperature controller and a color temperature control method of a light emitting diode (LED). The color temperature controller applied in an LED lamp includes touch switches and a control element. After a color of a color pattern on any touch switch is clicked and selected by a user, a signal of the color is outputted to the control element, and the control element outputs a corresponding pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to control either the current or the voltage of a three-color LED in the LED lamp, so that the LED lamp produces a same color temperature change of the signal of the color to improve the color temperature control of a conventional LED lamp, and provides a flexible color change of the LED lamp.
US08143806B2
A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators.
US08143803B2
In a method of driving a lamp using a lamp control circuit, the lamp control circuit comprises a communication circuit and a lamp driving circuit. The lamp driving circuit is configured to drive a lamp in accordance with a number of lamp operating parameters. The method comprises providing a lamp operating parameter to a memory of the communication circuit; providing a supply voltage to the lamp driving circuit; and supplying the lamp operating parameter from the memory to the lamp driving circuit. Then, driving the lamp by the lamp driving circuit corresponding to the supplied lamp operating parameter In the lamp control circuit, the communication circuit comprises a memory and is configured to supply the lamp operating parameter to the lamp driving circuit, when the lamp driving circuit is supplied with a supply voltage. In an embodiment, the lamp operating parameter may be supplied to the memory when no supply voltage is supplied to the lamp control circuit.
US08143798B2
A driving device for a discharge lamp includes: a discharge-lamp lighting unit that supplies an alternating current to the discharge lamp to thereby supply electric power to between two electrodes of the discharge lamp; an inter-electrode-voltage detecting unit that detects an inter-electrode voltage applied when predetermined electric power is supplied to between the two electrodes; and a power-supply-condition switching unit that switches, on the basis of the detected inter-electrode voltage, the power supply by the discharge-lamp lighting unit with a predetermined hysteresis given to the switching of the power supply conditions, wherein the power supply conditions are switched by changing at least one of a frequency of the alternating current, a duty ratio of the alternating current, a modulation pattern of the frequency, and a modulation pattern of the duty ratio.
US08143795B2
A circuit arrangement for starting a discharge lamp, comprising: a first and a second input terminal for connecting an input voltage; an inverter, which has an input and an output, the input being coupled to the first and the second input terminal; a first and a second output terminal for connecting the discharge lamp; a resonant inductor, which is coupled between the output of the inverter and the first output terminal; a resonant circuit, which comprises the resonant inductor; a regulating apparatus for regulating the frequency of the signal provided at the inverter output; and a current measuring apparatus, which is arranged so as to measure a current which is correlated with the current in the resonant circuit, wherein the regulating apparatus is adapted to regulate the frequency at the output of the inverter as a function of the measured current.
US08143794B1
A low voltage LED (Light Emitting Diode) driving circuit operates under low supply voltage to provide stable and reliable control of LEDs. The LED driving circuit includes a switching transistor to turn on or off an output current in the LED. The LED driving circuit also includes a control transistor for controlling the level of the output current. The two transistors are coupled via a node that is maintained at a low voltage to increase the voltage across the switching transistor. The increased voltage across the switching transistor allows faster switching and more stable control over different levels of output voltage. The LED driver also includes circuit components for matching the turn-on times and turn-off times for different levels of the output current.
US08143787B2
A xenon lamp having a lamp tube made of silica glass containing titanium oxide and having a discharge chamber with a light emitting part containing xenon and in which a cathode and an anode are arranged in opposition to each other, the cathode and anode being mounted on an end of a respective lead rod, the lamp tube also having side tube parts extending from each of opposite sides of the light emitting part, each lead rod being sealed by a gradient binding part which is arranged in a respective side tube part, and the side tube parts having a narrowed shrink part in a region facing the light emitting part, wherein a conductive film is provided on an outer surface area of the shrink part and an adjoining area of an outer surface of the light emitting part at the cathode side of the lamp tube; and wherein the conductive film is electrically connected to the cathode.
US08143779B2
A system for displaying images is provided. The system includes a tandem electroluminescent device having a first electrode. N electroluminescent units are disposed on the first electrode in sequence, wherein N is an integral and not less than 2. A second electrode is disposed on the Nth electroluminescent unit. N−1 interconnecting electrodes are provided, wherein each of the interconnecting electrodes is disposed between two adjacent electroluminescent units. The first electroluminescent unit includes a first emitting layer and a second emitting layer in sequence from the first electrode, and the first and second emitting layer have different physical quantities. The Nth electroluminescent unit includes a third emitting layer and a fourth emitting layer in sequence from the first electrode. The physical quantity of the third emitting layer is the same as that of the second emitting layer. The physical quantity of the fourth emitting layer is the same as that of the first emitting layer.
US08143768B2
Novel configurations for a miniature vibrating beam mechanical resonator provide low energy transfer to a supporting structure and low sensitivity to mounting misalignment. A symmetric suspended portion includes two vibrating beams that vibrate normal to a quiescent plane of the resonator, 180 degrees out of phase relative to one another. The vibrating beams are attached, at least at one end, to a torsional coupling element that is joined to a mounting pad along a non-translating suspension boundary. Counterbalances are attached to the vibrating beams, and the resonator is configured such that dynamic forces and moments coupled to each torsional coupling element from the vibrating beams are balanced along each nominal non-translating suspension boundary proximate to the symmetry axis and along the symmetry axis proximate to each nominal non-translating suspension boundary. Each non-translating suspension boundary is a torsional axis for a twisting deformation of the first torsional coupling element.
US08143761B2
A motor assembly includes a flexible base mount having an integrally formed axial tube, support ledges disposed on the axial tube to axially support a stator disposed on the axial tube to be firmly engaged with the stator for further ensuring immobility, a flexible mounting shell member axially insertable into the axial tube and having a receptacle cap at a lower end thereof, retaining and retained members disposed between the mounting shell member and the axial tube to guard relative movement therebetween, and an antifriction bearing disposed in the mounting shell member to bear a revolving shaft of a rotor. All the constituted components can be standardized and modularized. With such simple construction, the motor assembly can be easily assembled.
US08143759B2
A stator core for a generator includes a multiple of core laminations along an axis, each of the multiple of core laminations define at least one leg which extends in a radial direction from the axis.
US08143756B2
A cooling fan includes a base having a hollow bearing cup for receiving a bearing therein, a motor winding support mounted to a top of the bearing cup, and a blade hub mounted atop the motor winding support. The bearing cup is externally provided with channels and stop portions communicating with the channels. Each of the stop portions includes a recess and a projection. The motor winding support is internally provided with stoppers corresponding to the stop portions. Each of the radial stoppers includes a raised portion for engaging with the recess, and a sideward extended portion for abutting on a bottom of the projection. The motor winding support can be rotated to lock to the bearing cup through engagement of the stop portions with the radial stoppers. No glue dispensing is needed, and the problems of a deformed bearing and noise during fan operation are avoided.
US08143755B2
A generator housing includes a top portion, a plurality of side portions, and a base portion. The top, sides, and base portions are connected to form an enclosure, such that a generator can be housed inside the enclosure. The top and side portions include an air and exhaust flow structure that facilitates cooling of a generator maintained inside the housing, that provides a sound attenuation function, and that releases exhaust created by a generator. At least one of the side portions and the top portion may be opened and closed to provide access inside the housing. The base portion includes a structure that facilitates installation and transport.
US08143745B2
A power transmission control device provided in a power transmission device included in a contactless power transmission system that transmits power by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil and a secondary coil from the power transmission device to a power receiving device so as to supply the power to a load on the power receiving device. The power transmission control device includes a controller that controls the power transmission control device, and a register section. The register section includes a power receiving side information register that stores power receiving side information received from the power receiving device, and a power transmission side information register that stores power transmission side information. The controller performs at least one of an authentication processing of the power receiving device; a power transmission control of the contactless power transmission; and a communication processing between the power transmission device and the power receiving device based on the power receiving side information stored in the power receiving side information register and the power transmission side information stored in the power transmission side register.
US08143741B2
An electric power generation control device for a motor vehicle is provided which ensures a satisfactory regenerative effect without entailing flickering of or reduction in life of headlights even if the headlights are turned on at all times. The electric power generation control device lowers the power generation voltage of an alternator when the electricity storage amount of a battery is at or above a predetermined level. While lighting of a headlight bulb is detected, lowering of the power generation voltage is restrained if the state of sunlight is equivalent to nighttime, and the power generation voltage is allowed to be lowered if the sunlight state is equivalent to daytime.
US08143739B2
A wind turbine includes a wind-driven rotor and a drive chain for transmitting the driving force to a power converter, the drive chain including at least one rotatable driving element, including e.g. a gear with associated input and output shafts. The rotor and the driving element of the drive chain define a torsional resonance frequency, which is controlled or influenced by a detuner of the wind turbine. The detuner comprises a mass element and an elastic element. The resonance frequency is controlled or influenced by the detuner, so that it does not coincide with frequencies occurring in the drive chain during operation of the wind turbine, so as to thereby reduce undesired loads in the drive chain and/or tonality, i.e. noise.
US08143738B2
An electric generator capable of generating electric power using kinetic energy of wind includes a first plurality of rotor plates, a second plurality of rotor plates, and a first plurality of blades capable of driving the first plurality of rotor plates, a second plurality of blades being formed to enable counter-rotation with respect to the first plurality of blades, wherein rotation of the first plurality of rotor plates relative to the second plurality of rotor plates induces electricity in a plurality of coils disposed on the second plurality of rotor plates, and wherein at least one of the first and second plurality of rotor plates are arranged co-axially with the shaft such that respective radii of the at least one of the first and second plurality of rotor plates are varied along the axial direction.
US08143732B2
A stationary genset power may have a combustion engine configured to produce a mechanical output, and a main generator driven by the combustion engine to convert a majority portion of the mechanical output to electricity directed to an external load. The stationary genset power system may also have a turbine fluidly connected to the combustion engine, a compressor operatively driven by the turbine to compress combustion air directed to the combustion engine, and a secondary generator operatively driven by the turbine to produce electricity directed to the external load. The stationary genset power system may further have a controller in communication with the primary and second generators. The controller may be configured to synchronize an electrical power output of the secondary generator with an electrical power output of the primary generator prior to connection of the secondary generator to the external load.
US08143731B2
An integrated alignment and overlay mark includes a pre-layer pattern for reticle-to-wafer registration implemented in an exposure tool, and a current-layer pattern incorporated with the pre-layer pattern. The pre-layer pattern and the current-layer pattern constitute an overlay mark for determining registration accuracy between two patterned layers on a semiconductor wafer.
US08143729B2
A power semiconductor package that includes a power semiconductor device having a threshold voltage that does not vary when subjected to an autoclave test.
US08143722B2
An interconnect structure comprises a solder including nickel (Ni) and tin (Sn), with the nickel in a range of 0.01 to 0.20 percent by weight. The interconnect structure further includes an intermetallic compound (IMC) layer in contact with the solder. The (IMC) layer comprises a compound of copper and nickel.
US08143720B2
The semiconductor module includes a plurality of memory die on a first side of a substrate and a plurality of buffer die on a second side of the substrate. Each of the memory die is disposed opposite and electrically coupled to one of the buffer die.
US08143716B2
The invention provides a semiconductor device including a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips, which offers a higher degree of freedom in selecting a chip size of the semiconductor chip and arranging the routing, and increase of the reliability and speed in signal transmission between the semiconductor chips. The semiconductor device includes a lower semiconductor chip, an upper semiconductor chip and a silicon spacer formed between the lower semiconductor chip and the upper semiconductor chip and including a projecting portion projecting farther outward than an outer periphery of the upper semiconductor chip, and the silicon spacer includes through electrodes and reroutings.
US08143714B2
An integrated circuit provides a carrier substrate, a wiring level above a carrier substrate, wherein the wiring level comprises a first conductor track composed of a first conductive material and a second conductor track composed of the first conductive material, an insulating layer above the wiring level, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first opening in a region of the first conductor track of the wiring level and a second opening in a region of the second conductor track of the wiring level and a contact bridge composed of a second conductive material, wherein the contact bridge is connected to the first conductor track in a region of the first opening and is connected to the second conductor track in a region of the second opening.
US08143709B2
A semiconductor package having a solder ball having a double connection structure which reduces a total height of a package on package (POP). The semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor package in which a semiconductor device is mounted on a lower surface of a first substrate, and a through hole is formed in a solder ball pad region of the first substrate, a second semiconductor package in which a semiconductor device is mounted on an upper surface of a second substrate, and a solder ball pad of the second substrate is formed to correspond to the through hole of the first substrate and is mounted on the first substrate, and a common solder ball that is disposed below the first substrate and is connected to the solder ball pad of the second substrate through the through hole.
US08143698B2
A problem of an increased manufacturing cost is caused in conventional semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device 1 includes: a lower electrode 102 provided on a semiconductor substrate 101; an insulating film 105, provided on the lower electrode 102 so as to be in contact with the lower electrode 102; an upper electrode 103, provided on the insulating film 105 so as to be in contact with the insulating film 105; an opening portion 121, provided in the lower electrode 102 and extending through the lower electrode 102; and an opening portion 122, provided in the upper electrode 103 and extending through the upper electrode 103. The insulating film 123 is embedded in the opening portion 121 that is provided in the lower electrode 102. Similarly, the insulating film 124 is embedded in the opening portion 122 that is provided in the upper electrode 103.
US08143687B2
A broadband radiation detector includes a first layer having a first type of electrical conductivity type. A second layer has a second type of electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a first spectral region. A third layer has the second type of electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a second spectral region comprising longer wavelengths than the wavelengths of the first spectral region. The broadband radiation detector further includes a plurality of internal regions. Each internal region may be disposed at least partially within the third layer and each internal region may include a refractive index that is different from a refractive index of the third layer. The plurality of internal regions may be arranged according to a regularly repeating pattern.
US08143686B2
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of processing a substrate, e.g., a semiconductor substrate, by irradiating a surface of the substrate (or at least a portion of the surface) with a first set of polarized short laser pulses while exposing the surface to a fluid to generate a plurality of structures on the surface, e.g., within a top layer of the surface. Subsequently, the structured surface can be irradiated with another set of polarized short laser pulses having a different polarization than that of the initial set while exposing the structured surface to a fluid, e.g., the same fluid initially utilized to form the structured surface or a different fluid. In many embodiments, the second set of polarized laser pulses cause the surface structures formed by the first set to break up into smaller-sized structures, e.g., nano-sized features such as nano-sized rods.
US08143685B2
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels disposed in an array, each pixel comprising a first region and a second region, the first region and the second region separated from each other in a semiconductor layer, and doped with impurities having different conductivities from each other, a photoelectric conversion region formed between the first and second regions, and at least one metal nanodot that focuses an incident light onto the photoelectric conversion region.
US08143684B2
A magnetoresistive element includes a first magnetic layer which includes a first surface and a second surface and has a first standard electrode potential, a second magnetic layer, a barrier layer which is provided between the second magnetic layer and the first surface of the first magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic cap layer which contacts the second surface of the first magnetic layer and is formed from an alloy of a first metal material and a second metal material, the first metal material having a second standard electrode potential lower than the first standard electrode potential, the second metal material having a third standard electrode potential higher than the first standard electrode potential.
US08143683B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) layers; etching the MTJ layers to form a MTJ cell; and forming a dielectric capping layer on sidewalls of the MTJ cell, wherein the step of forming the dielectric capping layer is in-situ performed with the step of etching the MTJ layers.
US08143678B2
A transistor may include: a gate insulting layer; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating layer; a channel layer formed on the gate insulating layer; and source and drain electrodes that contact the channel layer. The channel layer may have a double-layer structure, including upper and lower layers. The upper layer may have a carrier concentration lower than the lower layer. A method of manufacturing a transistor may include: forming a channel layer on a substrate; forming source and drain electrodes on the substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the substrate; and forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer above the channel layer. A method of manufacturing a transistor may include: forming a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the substrate; forming a channel layer on the gate insulating layer; and forming source and drain electrodes on the gate insulating layer.
US08143676B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having first and second regions on a surface thereof, a first conductivity type first MISFET formed in the first region and a second conductivity type second MISFET formed in the second region. The first MISFET includes a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film formed on the surface of the substrate and a first insulating film which is formed in contact with the silicon oxide film or the silicon oxynitride film and which has a first element forming electric dipoles that reduce a threshold voltage of the first MISFET and the second MISFET includes a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film formed on the surface of the substrate, and a second insulating film which is formed in contact with the silicon oxide film or the silicon oxynitride film formed on the surface of the substrate and which has a second element forming electric dipoles in a direction opposite to that in the first MISFET.
US08143661B2
A memory cell system is provided including a first insulator layer over a semiconductor substrate, a charge trap layer over the first insulator layer, and slot where the charge trap layer includes a second insulator layer having the characteristic of being grown.
US08143654B1
Embodiments of apparatuses, articles, methods, and systems for a monolithic microwave integrated circuit with a substrate having a diamond layer are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08143651B2
A processing layer, such as silicon, is formed on a metal silicide contact followed by a metal layer. The silicon and metal layers are annealed to increase the thickness of the metal silicide contact. By selectively increasing the thickness of silicide contacts, Rs of transistors in iso and nested regions can be matched.
US08143645B2
Each of first base regions of sequentially layered first IGBT and second IGBT has a peripheral section in the vicinity of the side face of the semiconductor substrate. Each of the IGBTs includes a P-type peripheral base region that is adjacent to the peripheral section of the first base region of the N-type to form a diode and a diode electrode that is formed on an upper face of the peripheral section of the first base region, thereby electrically connecting the diode electrode and a collector electrode of each of the IGBTs. When the semiconductor device is ON, current flows at the center side of the semiconductor substrate separated from the side face. When current in a reverse direction is generated when the semiconductor device is OFF, current in a reverse direction flows in the vicinity of the side face of the semiconductor substrate.
US08143643B2
The present invention discloses a light device and a fabrication method thereof. An object of the present invention is to provide the light device and the fabrication method thereof an electric/thermal/structural stability is obtained, and a P-type electrode and an N-type electrode can be simultaneously formed. In order to achieve the above object, the inventive light device includes: a GaN-based layer; a high concentration GaN-based layer formed on the GaN-based layer; a first metal-Ga compound layer formed on the high concentration GaN-based layer; a first metal layer formed on the first metal-Ga compound layer; a third metal-Al compound layer formed on the first metal layer; and a conductive oxidation preventive layer formed on the third metal-Al compound layer.
US08143641B2
The present invention provides an integrated-type LED and method for manufacturing the same. This integrated-type LED comprises a base board which having a preplaced circuit and at least one LED chip. P electrode and N electrode of the LED chip are respectively connected, conducting and fixing on the base board; The manufacturing method is a) making and arranging circuit on the base board, b) installing at least one LED chip on the base board, aligned P electrode and N electrode of LED chip with the corresponding circuit on the base board, c) directly connecting P electrode and N electrode of LED chip, conducting and fixing on the base board. The present invention has the advantage of good dispersing heat effect, low cost, high lifetime and high luminescent efficiency.
US08143640B2
The present invention relates to a gallium nitride (GaN) compound semiconductor light emitting element (LED) and a method of manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a vertical GaN LED capable of improving the characteristics of a horizontal LED by means of a metallic protective film layer and a metallic support layer. According to the present invention, a thick metallic protective film layer with a thickness of at least 10 microns is formed on the lateral and/or bottom sides of the vertical GaN LED to protect the element against external impact and to easily separate the chip. Further, a metallic substrate is used instead of a sapphire substrate to efficiently release the generated heat to the outside when the element is operated, so that the LED can be suitable for a high-power application and an element having improved optical output characteristics can also be manufactured. A metallic support layer is formed to protect the element from being distorted or damaged due to impact. Furthermore, a P-type electrode is partially formed on a P-GaN layer in a mesh form to thereby maximize the emission of photons generated in the active layer toward the N-GaN layer.
US08143637B2
An optically coupled device includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element which are electrically isolated from each other, and an optical waveguide allowing therethrough transmission of light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element, wherein the optical waveguide is covered with an encapsulation resin containing a light reflective inorganic particle which is typically composed of titanium oxide, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are respectively provided on a base (for example, package terminals), and the entire portion of the outer surface of the optical waveguide, brought into contact with none of the light emitting element, the light receiving element and the base, is covered with the encapsulation resin.
US08143635B2
The present invention provides a gallium nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device that prevents an increase in the specific resistance of a p-type semiconductor layer due to hydrogen annealing and reduces the specific resistance of a translucent conductive oxide film to lower a driving voltage Vf, a method of manufacturing the same, and a lamp including the same. The method of manufacturing the gallium nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting device includes: forming a positive electrode 15 composed of a translucent conductive oxide film on a p-type GaN layer 14 of a gallium nitride compound semiconductor device; and a hydrogen annealing process of annealing the positive electrode 15 in a gas atmosphere including hydrogen (H2).
US08143633B2
A process for manufacturing an LED package structure includes the following steps: (A) providing a T-shaped heat-sink block and an integral material sheet, wherein the T-shaped heat-sink block includes a base portion and a rise portion extending from the base portion, and wherein the integral material sheet includes a side frame and a pair of electrode lead frames extending, respectively, from two opposite internal sides of the side frame; (B) forming an insulating layer on an upper surface of the base portion; (C) disposing the electrode lead frames on the insulating layer; and (D) forming an insulating outer frame around the T-shaped heat-sink block, wherein the insulating layer is enveloped in the insulating outer frame, and part of the base portion of the heat-sink block exposes out of the insulating outer frame. As a result, the LED package structure can improve voltage resistance and insulation.
US08143632B2
To provide a light emitting device that does not experience a decline in radiant efficiency in use, enables luminous flux from LED elements to be increased, and white light of good color rendering to be produced, and heat generated by the LED elements to be smoothly transmitted to an SiC fluorescent substrate. The light emitting device is provided with first LED elements for emitting UV radiation, second LED elements for emitting visible light, an SiC fluorescent substrate that is mounted with the first LED elements and the second LED elements and is made of SiC doped with at least one of B and Al as well as N and emits visible light when excited by radiation emitted from the first LED elements, and has a body made of inorganic material.
US08143600B2
A method for 3D imaging of cells in an optical tomography system includes moving a biological object relatively to a microscope objective to present varying angles of view. The biological object is illuminated with radiation having a spectral bandwidth limited to wavelengths between 150 nm and 390 nm. Radiation transmitted through the biological object and the microscope objective is sensed with a camera from a plurality of differing view angles. A plurality of pseudoprojections of the biological object from the sensed radiation is formed and the plurality of pseudoprojections is reconstructed to form a 3D image of the cell.
US08143598B2
Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the use of photoluminescent material to improve the presentation of images being displayed by a user interface device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface device including a cuplet microstructure sheet that includes a plurality of cuplets. Each cuplet forms a light input opening and a light output opening. The light output opening has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the light input opening. The user interface device further includes a photoluminescent material that at least partially fills one or more cuplets of the plurality of cuplets. The user interface device further includes a light source configured to generate light that is directed to one or more selected cuplets of the plurality of cuplets.
US08143582B2
A detector includes a scintillator crystal having a front face and a rear face, a backplate disposed proximal to the rear face of the scintillator crystal, and a biasing member disposed proximal to the backplate and applying a biasing force to the backplate. In turn, the backplate applies a biasing force to the scintillator crystal in a direction toward the front face. The biasing member comprises a single-turn, round-section wire wave spring.
US08143580B1
An NDIR gas sensor methodology for the design of a dual-gas sensor for the detection of two gases having a mutually interfering infrared absorption band such as that for CO2 and H2O at around 2.70μ or N2O and CO at around 4.40μ. The output of this two-channel NDIR gas sensor remains drift-free over time and is also temperature independent because it uses three detection channels sharing the same sample chamber and all have exactly the same narrow band-pass filter. The first detection channel is filled with 100% nitrogen and its output is proportional to the concentration levels for both CO2 and H2O in the sample chamber. The second detection channel has two cells in series, one filled with a known concentration of H2O and another one with 100% CO2 gas, and its output is proportional principally only to the presence of H2O in the sample chamber. The third detection channel is filled with 100% CO2 gas and its output serves as the biased reference for this dual-gas NDIR gas sensor. Outputs from the three detection channels are used to produce a calibration curve for the combined presence of CO2 and H2O in the sample chamber and also a CO2-independent calibration curve for H2O for generating a methodology for determining simultaneously the concentration of both CO2 and H2O in the sample chamber.
US08143571B1
A method for fractionating a target fraction from a sample is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a polymer brush having a substrate and a polymer chain attached to and extending outwardly from the substrate. The method further comprising contacting the polymer brush with the sample to allow for sorption of the target fraction by the polymer chain. The polymer chain is then stimulated with a stimulus to contract and release the target fraction.
US08143563B2
The driver of a vehicle (10) is protected from glare caused by the bright lights of an oncoming vehicle at night, or by the Sun lying low in the sky. The vehicle windshield (20) is divided into pixels (42) whose transparency can be reduced. The transparency of a limited area of the windshield is controlled by reducing the transparency of windshield pixels that lie along the light path (32) of bright light that passes through an area (34) of the windshield to the driver's eyes. In one system, a small sensor (44) includes a sensor plate (50) with an array of sensor pixels (54), and a lens (56) that forms an image of a forward portion of the environment on the sensor pixel array. An electronic circuit (70) couples sensor pixels to corresponding windshield pixels, and reduces the transparency of windshield pixels when corresponding sensor pixels are brightly illuminated. In another system, a sensor is provided that senses a finger (84) of the driver touching one of the windshield pixels to reduce the transparency of that window pixel for a selected time period.
US08143561B2
A Micro Electronic Mechanical System (MEMS) scan controller generating clock frequency and a control method thereof are disclosed. The MEMS scan controller is for a MEMS mirror in a bi-direction laser scanning units (LSU). By detecting resonant frequency of the MEMS mirror, the scan controller sends frequency modulation signal and amplitude modulation signal of the MEMS mirror to a bridge circuit of the MEMS mirror for adjusting and stabilizing the MEMS mirror. A clock signal corresponding to the resonant frequency of the MEMS mirror at the moment is also sent so that scan data is sent within the effective scanning window in forward direction/reverse direction. Thus high-precision scanning is achieved.
US08143553B2
The present invention comprises a portable apparatus for warming and sterilizing a towel or other fabric article. Provided is an enclosure having at least five sides an opening at the top and means for using the unit in either a free standing or hanging configuration. The present invention is formed of lightweight heat resistant material, the invention's overall size is only slightly larger than that of a standard bath towel, and moreover, the overall size and weight of the device are conducive to travel and allow the unit to be stored compactly under a bed or in a small closet when not in use. The device features a door, a pivoting towel support with integrated heating means and a sterilizing means.
