US08262059B2
A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device.
US08262056B2
A prop head (17) of a formwork prop for a concrete ceiling has an end piece (15) facing the concrete ceiling, the end piece (15) having a longitudinal axis which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the concrete formwork. The prop head (17) also has a hinge mechanism (20) at the end piece (15) end facing away from the concrete ceiling. The longitudinal axis of the end piece (15) can be placed in swiveled positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the prop in hinged positions of the hinge mechanism (20), the hinged positions being lockable by means of fastening means (30), preferably on the hinge mechanism (20). A load-introducing center of gravity formed by the end piece (15) end facing the concrete ceiling essentially lies on a line encompassing the longitudinal axis (62) of the prop (2, 3, 4) in the hinged positions.
US08262053B1
A supporting apparatus includes a U-shaped first bracket, a U-shaped second bracket pivotably attached to the first bracket through a connection mechanism, and a positioning mechanism. The connection mechanism includes a first gear mounted to the second bracket, and a second gear pivotably mounted to the first bracket and mating with the first gear. The positioning mechanism includes a positioning member slidably attached to the first bracket, a resilient member arranged between the positioning member and the first bracket, and a positioning gear pivotably attached to the first bracket and linked with the second gear. The positioning member includes a positioning pole. When the second bracket is rotated to a desired position relative to the first bracket, the resilient member biases the positioning member, such that the positioning pole engages in the positioning gear to position the second bracket.
US08262050B2
Apparatus and method for removing an aircraft engine. A method includes mounting a frame assembly in supported connection with a support member of an associated aircraft. The frame assembly includes a frame member, a movable assembly mounted in movable relationship to the frame member, and a plurality of engine winches mounted in supported connection with the movable member. Each engine winch has an associated engine cable operably connected thereto. The movable assembly is movable between forward and rearward positions. The method further includes supporting the weight of at least a portion of an aircraft engine with the engine cables and moving the movable member relative to the frame member to displace the portion of the aircraft engine.
US08262047B2
A stand for supporting an object. The stand includes a base, a support member coupled to the base, and a movement mechanism adapted to allow the object to move along a range of travel relative to the base. The base includes a planar surface for resting on a support surface. The planar surface includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a pad for providing frictional resistance between the base and the support surface on which the base is placed. The second portion includes at least first and second wheels, for rotating the base about the pad such that the object is rotated about the pad when the base is rotated about the pad.
US08262045B2
A support device for a flat appliance is disclosed. The support device includes a mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein. The mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a side of the flat appliance with a fastener extending through the at least one hole and into at least one corresponding receiving hole in the flat appliance. The device further includes a mounting bracket that is adapted for attachment to a stand structure. The device also includes a brace disposed between the mounting plate and the mounting bracket. The at least one hole in the mounting plate is adapted for accommodating the receiving hole of a variety of different flat appliances.
US08262035B2
A cable retention clip (20) attached or attachable to equipment with which a plurality of cables are or will be operatively associated, wherein the clip comprises a row of upstanding open-topped cable guide members (24) and a semi-flexible or substantially rigid closure member (22) (hereinafter “lid”) securable on top of the guide members to retain cables when present therein, wherein the lid (22) is selectively securable at two or more different heights relative to the guide member (24), to retain cables of different diameters.
US08262032B2
A wing, such as a wing for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), includes a beam or box that can be selectively expanded from a collapsed condition, to increase the thickness of the wing. The beam may include a pair of plates that are close together when the beam is in a collapsed condition, and separate from one another to put the beam in an expanded condition. The plates may be substantially parallel to each other, and may have shape memory foam and/or resilient devices, such as coil springs, between them, in order to provide a force to separate the plates before, during, and/or after deployment of the wing. The expandable/collapsible beam may have a lock mechanism to lock it into place when the beam is in an expanded condition.
US08262030B2
A method and apparatus for varying the twist of a wing such that induced drag is minimized or reduced during cruise and lift is maximized or increased at least during takeoff and landings. In addition, variations in the twist may produce yawing and rolling moments. The twist amount is varied pursuant to the operating conditions, including those parameters used to determine the lift coefficient. The twist for reducing induced drag and/or improving lift may be employed by geometric or aerodynamic twist, including full span control surfaces used to provide roll control, high-lift and reduced induced drag. The twist may also be employed by twisting just a portion of the wing or the entire wing, either geometrically or aerodynamically.
US08262022B2
An ergonomically improved stowage system includes a supporting structure, a bin having a volume with an opening to receive a load, the bin being movable with respect to the supporting structure from a closed to an open position, and an attaching mechanism for attaching the bin to the structure. The attaching mechanism includes a bin pivot axis that is located in substantial alignment with a center of gravity of the bin in the closed position.
US08262019B2
The invention relates to a new method and system for health monitoring of aircraft landing gear. The system includes sensors that are attached to the landing gear structure and equipment (e.g., one or more of brakes, tires, hydraulics, electrical systems and switches) and analyzed to report and alert personnel such as pilots, maintenance personnel, airline operators, ground crew and regulatory authorities of the health of the landing gear and the potential need for service, maintenance or replacement. The system monitors and reports critical health issues as real-time information which can be analyzed in conjunction with an extensive database of information and used to alert pilots or other relevant personnel to the condition of the landing gear and actions that may be required as a result.
US08262016B2
An airborne vehicle having a wing-body which defines a wing-body axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the wing-body axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends. A propulsion system is provided comprising one or more pairs of propulsion devices, each pair comprising a first propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a first side of a plane including the wing-body axis, and a second propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a second side of the plane including the wing-body axis. A direction of thrust of the first propulsion device can be adjusted independently of the direction of thrust of the second propulsion device and/or a magnitude of thrust of the first propulsion device can be adjusted independently of the magnitude of thrust of the second propulsion device. In certain embodiments the wing-body appears swept forward when viewed from a first viewing angle, and swept backward when viewed from a second viewing position at right angles to the first viewing angle.
US08262015B2
A flying object capable of being launched in air is detachably mounted on a wing body of a launching apparatus. The launching apparatus is towed by an aircraft through a cable so as to be run and taken off. After raising the launching apparatus to a launching height of the flying object by the aircraft, the flying object is released from the wing body in air and then the flying object is ignited and launched in air in a launching system. The system for launching in air can be developed without newly developing a platform as a mother ship so that a research cost can be remarkably reduced. In the case that a small artificial satellite is installed in a flying object, it is possible to develop an artificial satellite smoothly and quickly applicable to security matters and disaster observation.
US08262006B2
The invention relates to a roll mill having a grinding plate rotatable about an axis of rotation, at least one grinding roller in rolling engagement with the grinding plate, and a main drive for driving the grinding plate. An auxiliary drive for driving the grinding plate, and a regulating device are also provided, the regulating device including at least one damping regulator which regulates the auxiliary drive in dependence on torque variations of the main drive and/or variations in the speed of rotation of the grinding plate.
US08262003B2
The invention concerns a two-part spray application system and method for applying a two-part spray on an object. First and second pumps have outlets, with the pressure at each outlet monitored by pressure transducers. During the spraying process for each object, the pressure at the outlet of each pump must exceed a minimum threshold pressure at least once, or a fault condition is indicated. Such fault conditions may indicate a leak or disconnect in a hose downstream of the pumps.
US08261995B2
A financial transaction card includes a substrate, a member, and a rim. The substrate is formed of a first material and defines a first major surface and an aperture extending though the substrate. The substrate further includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record and is configured for use a payment toward a purchase. The member is formed separately from the substrate and defines a perimeter edge. The rim extends around at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the member and is coupled with the first major surface of the substrate adjacent the aperture in a manner at least partially coupling the member to the substrate such that the aperture and the member align with one another. Other products and methods are also disclosed.
US08261985B2
A method for counting or recounting an optically readable sheet may comprise receiving an image the sheet and displaying the received image of the sheet for determining from the displayed image of the sheet the marking of mark spaces therein. Indications of information decoded therefrom may be superimposed and/or provided by highlighting. The counting and/or recounting need not require handling of the original sheets.
US08261984B2
A ballot processing system for processing a plurality of ballots having one or more voting selections marked thereon. The system includes an input area configured to receive a stack of ballots to be processed, an output area configured to store the processed ballots, and a transport path operable to transport each of the ballots from the input area to the output area. In an exemplary embodiment, the transport path comprises a planar section positioned between a first curve section and a second curve section to form a generally S-shaped path. The length of the transport path allows each of the ballots to be processed prior to reaching the output area.
US08261978B2
A wallet consolidator to warehouse information pertaining to at least one card and to retrieve the warehoused information to facilitate a transaction is provided. An embodiment of a Wallet consolidator can include a housing, one or more input devices positioned to receive information, and a memory device positioned to store at least a portion of the information received by the one or more input devices. The wallet consolidator can also include a radio frequency wireless communication interface associated with the housing and adapted to communicate with a point-of-sale terminal thereby to provide at least a portion of the Information stored in the memory device to the point-of-sale terminal, a display screen, and a controller positioned within the housing in communication with and to control each of the one or more input devices, the memory device, the radio frequency wireless communication interface, and the display screen.
US08261976B1
An automated banking machine transaction request is authorized based on the determined location of an authorized user relative to the machine. Identification of an authorized machine user is linked to a remotely locatable item (e.g., a cell phone) of the authorized user. A machine receiving the user identification causes the location of the cell phone to be determined. A comparison is then made of the cell phone location and the machine location. If the locations correspond, then the current machine user is recognized as the authorized user and machine transactions are permitted. If the locations do not correspond, then the current user is denied transactions at the machine. The security arrangement helps prevent an unauthorized person from using a fraudulent machine card to access a financial account.
US08261975B2
An automated banking machine controlled responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that reads identifying data from a user card. The automated banking machine is operative to receive and display on a display device of the automated banking machine, electronic documents for the user. The automated banking machine may digitally sign the electronic document for the user of the machine. The automated banking machine may be in operative connection with a storage server. The storage server is operative responsive to the automated banking machine to maintain electronic documents in a data store in association with the user's financial account such as checking, savings, debit, or credit account.
US08261973B2
Systems and methods are provided for associating traceability codes on clamshells with unique identifiers on containers in which the empty clamshells are packed for later use. In various methods, the clamshells are marked with traceability codes and stacked together, one traceability code is read from one of the clamshells in each stack, a unique identifier is read from a container, and the stack is placed in the container. The traceability code is stored in association with the unique identifier for later retrieval. An exemplary table for making clamshell-to-container associations comprises a scanner for reading traceability codes and rails for positioning stacks of clamshells proximate to the scanner. The table can also comprise a second scanner positioned to read unique identifiers from containers placed proximate thereto. The table can further comprise a computing system to make and store the associations.
US08261970B2
The present invention provides an electronic payment system with which even without an operation for payment by a customer who has a card etc. for electronic payment, credit processing can be performed in advance based on personal identification information of the card etc. and therefore, at the time of payment at a register, communications with a host are omitted, and a payment can be made in a short time. The electronic payment system detects an ID symbol of a portable telephone 1 comprising the IC card installed inside by middle-distance communication functions 12 and 31, introduces authentication data and a usable upper limit amount of the user from a payment server 4 in the shop server 3 and stores and credits these in advance, and when a payment terminal 2 detects an IC card ID symbol of the IC card 11, the IC card 11 is authenticated by using the authentication data stored in the shop server 3, and a payment of purchase is made within the usable upper limit amount.
US08261958B1
A surgical apparatus may include a cartridge, and surgical staples affixed to and frangibly separable from that cartridge. A method for surgical stapling utilizing that apparatus may include providing at least one wedge; and moving at least one wedge into the cartridge, where that moving deforms and then shears from the cartridge at least one staple. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for use with a surgical stapler may include fabricating a cartridge configured to be received by the surgical stapler; fabricating staples; and fixing the staples to the cartridge.
US08261954B2
A mount for motorcycles and other vehicles is provided that resists relative rotational movement at the connection between the mount and the vehicle, and at the connection between the mount and a plate that supports a portable device such as a GPS, toll transponder, radar collector and the like, while permitting disengagement at such connections in response to the application of a force to the mount.
US08261953B2
A resilient unitary beverage container comprises a body portion, a ring portion, and a lid portion. In one embodiment, the body portion comprises a fluid reception cavity and has a first thickness. The ring portion is integrated to the body portion and comprises a second thickness. The lid portion comprises a spout and an opening, with the lid portion having a third thickness and also being integrated to the ring portion.
US08261942B2
A liquid dispenser has a liquid filled container which is attached to a pump for dispensing. The pump has at least two sensors, a first sensor that identifies whether a person's hand is present and activates the pump, and a second sensor that identifies when the pump has been fully actuated which then switches the direction of the pump's actuation back to its starting point. The dispensing nozzle serves as the pump's actuator and is moved by a motor powered gear system and a toothed rack to move the nozzle.
US08261940B2
Embodiments of the invention provide vending dispenser assemblies for beverage dispensers. In particular, embodiments of the invention can provide a beverage dispenser with a manually operated vending dispenser assembly that consumes little or no additional electrical power to dispense a beverage container using the assembly. Embodiments of a vending dispenser assembly can be used with a heated or chilled compartment associated with a beverage dispenser. Furthermore, embodiments of a vending dispenser assembly can operate in conjunction with a relatively small dispenser opening to limit heat transfer loss via the dispenser opening. One embodiment can provide a dispenser for dispensing a number of products. The dispenser can include at least one storage column adapted to dispense a number of products, and a product selection device operable to permit one of the number of products to advance from the storage column, wherein the advanced product can be dispensed from the dispenser.
US08261937B2
A dispenser includes an upper member having a slot and a lower member attached to the upper member thereby forming a housing, the lower member having an outer surface; a stack of sheets assembled in a fan-fold configuration disposed in the housing; and a polymeric holding film having a first surface attached to the outer surface of the lower member. The holding film having a flexural modulus less than about 50 MPa, as measured according to ASTMD790 standard, and a roughness parameter, Ra of less than about 1 micrometer, as calculated according to ASME B46.1 standard.
US08261930B2
A portable tank includes a tank interior defined by a plurality of panels, with the floor panel supported by a floor support structure. The floor support structure includes side channels with cross members connecting the side channels. A mid floor beam is received in notches formed in some of the cross members, and a rear floor beam is received in notches formed in different cross members. The mid floor beam and the rear floor beam do not span the entire length of the tank. There are cross members with smooth sided upper support surfaces in front of and behind the mid floor beam, and cross members with smooth sided upper support surfaces in front of the rear floor beam.
US08261923B2
A collapsible container is provided that incorporates various features for improving the stability of the container and for reducing damage to the items carried by the container. The container may include a stabilizing hinge assembly including a stabilizing ledge and a stabilizing hook that securely engage the respective sidewalls to the base of the container to stiffen the container and distribute the loads more evenly. The sidewalls and base of the container may also define contact areas to support the carried items without bruising or damaging the items. Non-contact areas of the container that do not come into contact with the items may include openings that are aligned with other openings in the container and other adjacent containers to provide a consistent flow of air through a number of containers stacked beside one another. The sidewalls may also include various latching features to maintain the container in the expanded configuration.
US08261920B1
A shelf unit configured to be supported between a towel bar and a wall includes a tray and an end bracket extending downward adjacent each end edge of the tray. Each of the end brackets includes a mounting block and a spring extending forward from the end block to engage the towel bar.
US08261916B2
A paper sorting apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to scan an image printed on a paper, a printing ratio determining unit configured to determine a printing ratio as a ratio of an area of the printed image as scanned by the scanning unit to a whole area on the paper with the printed image thereon, a classification determining unit configured to determine a recycling classification of the paper based upon the printing ratio determined by the printing ratio determining unit, and a sorting assist unit configured to assist sorting of the paper in accordance with the recycling classification of the paper determined by the classification determining unit.
US08261911B2
The present invention discloses a wrench holder comprising a main frame, a hand grip, a slidable fastener, two knobs and a cover plate. There is a plurality of recesses defined on the main frame for wrenches to be held. The hand grip is rotatably allocated at the bottom of the main frame, and the slidable fastener is movably applied at the bottom of the main frame as well to limit the hand grip revolving against the main frame. The cover plate provides the wrenches held within the main frame to be sheltered. The wrench holder of the present invention is designed to improve protection for wrenches and convenience for users.
US08261910B2
Package housing for an elongate object (8), including a base element (2) having a housing wall (6) defining a receptacle (4) for the object (8), wherein the receptacle (4) has a longitudinal axis (L) which runs substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the object (8) in the packed state. The base element (2) comprises a head part (10) and a holding part (12) arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) next to the head part (10), which holding part is connected to the head part (10) by a weakening zone (30) and including at least one holding portion (34), which is intended to hold the object (8) in the holding part (12). According to the invention, the weakening zone (30) is a predetermined breaking point (32). The holding portion (34) includes at least one spacer (42a, 42b), which is configured such that the object (8), in the packed state, is held in a contact-free manner with respect to that part of the housing wall (6) of the holding part (12) which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L).
US08261904B2
A coin depositing and dispensing machine prevents a foreign object mixed together with coins put in a coin receiving port from causing a malfunction, facilitates distinguishing coins of a depositing and transporting system from coins of a dispensing and transporting system, and facilitates removal of a coin jam. Coins received from a coin receiving port are fed separately by a feeding unit to a depositing and transporting unit. A rotary disc rotated at a position tilted at a predetermined angle is used for the feeding unit. By using the rotary disc, only coins are fed to the depositing and transporting unit, and foreign objects are eliminated. The depositing and transporting unit and a dispensing and transporting unit are arranged opposite to each other in a machine body, and the depositing and transporting unit is tilted together with the rotary disc. Coins in each unit are thereby easily distinguished from each other.
US08261892B2
Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material.
US08261885B2
A safety arrangement of an elevator includes a mechanical safety device (3, 4, 11) that ensures the safety of the elevator hoistway (2) and that can be moved into a use position (2), and which safety arrangement of an elevator includes a detector (5) of intrusion into the elevator hoistway, which detector is fitted to receive measuring data (6) from the sensors (7) that determine the status of the entrances (9, 10) of the elevator hoistway, and also to determine intrusion into the elevator hoistway (2) from the measuring data received, and after verifying an intrusion to switch into an operating mode (8) in which driving with the elevator is prevented.
US08261879B2
Disclosed is a scaffold installed within a large structure such as a pressure vessel or a tank of a ship, and an insulation system construction method using the same. The scaffold for use in performing desired work within a large structure includes a supporting structure installed adjacent to both side surfaces and a top surface of the large structure, and a carrying unit installed movable along the supporting structure to allow materials to be carried or to provide a working space for a worker thereon, wherein the supporting structure is installed to be movable along a wall surface of the large structure.
US08261872B2
A work machine having an engine, a hydraulic system powered by the engine, a source of electrical power, and electrical systems which run on the electrical power includes an ignition system and a modular ignition switch keypad to control the ignition system. The modular ignition keypad is mounted to the work machine in the operator compartment and generates a latching output to control electrical power distribution to the electrical systems and to control ignition functions to turn on and turn off the engine. The modular ignition switch keypad includes a start user input, a run user input, a stop user input and latching logic circuitry providing the latching output.
US08261870B2
A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels. The method includes: removing the bearing caps from the carrier structure; disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly; moving the differential assembly away from carrier structure; mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing; replacing the bearing caps to the carrier structure; and re-engaging the shafts to the differential assembly.
US08261865B2
In exemplary embodiments, a regenerative suspension system replaces or complements a standard shock absorber on a vehicle. A pump attaches via a hose to a central accumulator cylinder that is mounted on a vehicle. Pressurized fluid, air, or other material charges the accumulator. The Pressurized fluid, air, or other material is controllably released via a valve in order to perform work.
US08261863B2
A process for operating a fuel cell system (2) arranged in a vehicle (1), in which process a foreseeable travel time duration and/or a foreseeable travel time end point are communicated to a control device (4) of the fuel cell system (2) at the beginning of a travel of the vehicle (1) or during the travel. The control device (4) operates the fuel cell system (2) such that a switch-off procedure for switching off the fuel cell system (2) is started so far ahead of the foreseeable end of the travel in time that the switch-off procedure will have been completed extensively simultaneously with the foreseeable end of the travel and the fuel cell system (2) is switched off.
US08261861B2
A cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including a power unit which is arranged at a position between a pair of right and left-hand members so as to be offset towards an engine-side side member of the pair of right and left-hand members. A gap formed between the generator and a generator-side side member of the pair of right and left-hand members is larger than a gap formed between the engine and the engine-side side member, thereby avoiding propagation of heat from the generator and the drive motor to the inverter and improving the heat radiating performance of the first radiator.
US08261852B2
A power tool is provided with a prime mover which causes the tool to rotate and a housing which houses the prime mover. In a back-end face that is positioned on an opposite side on the housing from a tool side, a back-end groove, into which a user can position his/her web between his/her thumb and forefinger, is formed. A pair of side-face grooves, into which the user can place the thumb and forefinger, are formed in both side faces of the housing. A depth changing portion is formed in at least one of the side-face grooves, such that the depth is reduced toward the back-end face of the housing. According to this structure, even when the housing is gripped directly from the back-end face, the user can easily draw up or raise the power tool.
US08261846B2
A support stand for an implement such as a tiller is provided. During use of the implement when the implement is connected to a tractor, the support stand is in a stowed position adjacent to a side of the implement. When the implement is disconnected from the tractor, the support stand is rotatable outwards from the side of the implement and frontwards toward the front of the implement and rests against the ground to maintain the implement in a generally upright position.
US08261845B2
A tillage machine has an undercarriage that utilizes a triple axle walking beam wheel assembly for each load-supporting wheel assembly of the center section of the machine. Hydraulically powered lift arms are connected with the wheel assemblies to raise and lower the chassis of the machine as the wheel arms are swung downwardly and upwardly relative to the chassis. Each wheel assembly includes a primary walking beam pivoted to the lower end of the wheel arm, and a secondary walking beam pivoted to the rear end of the primary beam. A single front wheel is disposed at the front end of the primary beam, while a pair of wheels are disposed on the secondary beam on opposite fore-and-aft sides of the pivot connection with the primary beam. An abutment on the wheel arm engages a stop on the primary beam upon downward rotation of the wheel arm by a predetermined amount relative to the chassis such that continued downward movement of the wheel arm causes load to shift partially off the front wheel and onto the rear wheels.
US08261843B2
Portable wall-attachable firefighting monitor apparatus and method of use, including structure designed in combination to affix a monitor to a wall rim portion.
US08261842B2
A setting tool has an expansion cone drive sub-assembly operable to axially move an expansion cone of the setting tool through the liner to radially, plastically expand the liner. With the wellbore liner residing outside of a wellbore, the setting tool is changed to enable decoupling the wellbore liner from the setting tool while leaving at least the expansion cone drive sub-assembly substantially assembled.
US08261836B2
Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.
US08261834B2
A technique provides an electric submersible pumping system to facilitate a well treatment, such as a hydraulic fracturing well treatment. The electric submersible pumping system is positioned downhole and oriented to intake a fluid delivered downhole for use in the well treatment. Once the fluid is delivered downhole, the electric submersible pumping system pumps, pressurizes and discharges this fluid to perform the well treatment, e.g. the hydraulic fracturing treatment. The pumping system reduces the pressure at which the treatment fluid must be delivered downhole.
US08261826B2
A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include placing a barrier substance in the wellbore while a fluid is present in the wellbore, and flowing another fluid into the wellbore while the first fluid and the barrier substance are in the wellbore. The first and second fluids may have different densities. Another method can include circulating a fluid through a tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore, then placing a barrier substance in the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore and then flowing another fluid into the wellbore. A well system can include at least two fluids in a wellbore, the fluids having different densities, and a barrier substance separating the fluids.
US08261822B2
A system for and method of supplying an injection fluid to a well assembly so that the injection fluid flows at a substantially constant flow rate. The fluid can be injected at a single site in the well assembly or multiple sites. A flow control regulator is included that attaches to the well assembly and provides a self adjusting flow control for the fluid being injected. The regulator includes a slidable floating sleeve having an orifice through which the fluid flows. The sleeve includes an inlet port that can register with a fluid supply port to allow the injection fluid to make its way into the sleeve. The fluid exits the sleeve through the orifice to generate a pressure differential across the orifice that in turn exerts a sliding force onto the sleeve. Moving the sleeve misaligns the inlet port and fluid supply port thereby throttling flow through the regulator to a predetermined flow rate.
US08261816B2
A heat exchanger with a plurality of stacked flat tubes and a collecting tank having a wall extending around the entire periphery of, and connected to, the end of the stacked flat tubes. A first medium may be distributed through the collecting tank and flat tubes. Internal inserts are in the flat tubes, with the inserts being bonded between the broad sides of the tubes and, in the region of connection of the tubes to the collecting tank, being configured to compensate for length changes in the stacking direction caused by temperature changes, as by recesses in connectors such as wave flanks or by corrugated wave flanks. The flat tubes with inserts such as described may be separately provided for use in manufacture of heat exchangers.
US08261806B2
A barrier for the control of people has a stand (10,11) supporting a housing (12) for a flexible band (14) extensible from the housing through a slot (15) in the side wall thereof. The spool and band are removable through the open upper end of the housing (12) and a tensioning cassette (16) for the spool is engaged with the housing and is drivingly coupled to the spool (13). A spring tensioner (29) acts between an outer wall (26) of the cassette and a drive shaft (30) for the spool. Tension may be applied to the spring (29) by freeing the cassette (16) from the housing (10) while leaving the drive shaft (30) connected to the spool (13) and then rotating the cassette, relative to the housing.
US08261804B1
An IC layers separator includes a bed; two sets of two opposite seats secured onto the bed; two guide bars each interconnecting the two opposite seats of either set; a carrier assembly secured onto the bed and including a lower vacuum device and an upper vacuum device including a ramp at one end; an IC layer assembly including an upper layer and a lower layer; and a blade assembly moveably mounted on the guide bars and including a pressing roller pressing the IC layer assembly on the ramp, a spring biased blade for separating the upper layer from the lower layer, and two opposite rolls for conveying the separated upper layer and the lower layer.
US08261799B2
Various modifications to a printer to allow the printer to print on linerless adhesive media are described. In one embodiment, a release block is attached to the printer superior to a rubber drive roller. The release block limits the linerless adhesive media from contacting and/or remaining on the rubber drive roller when the linerless adhesive media is fed past print head. The release block may be a guide label, a piece of tape, or fixture. A guide label is adhesively attached and comprises a substrate, an adhesive layer, and release layers so that the linerless adhesive media does not stick to the guide label. Tape may be adhesively attached with a release layer attached to the tape. The fixture may be mechanically attached, magnetically attached, or adhesively attached to the printer. The release block may be removed at any time to allow for standard operation of the printer.
US08261798B2
A polyurethaneurea system that includes in some embodiments Parts A and B reaction components for a polyurethaneurea, wherein an exemplary embodiment provides a Part A that comprises between 55 and 75 wt. % of an oligomeric polyol, between 3 and 7 wt. % of an aromatic diamine chain extender, and between 0.1 and 1.5% of a reactivity catalyst; Part B includes between 1 and 15 wt. % of a short aromatic diisocyanate and between 5 and 35 wt. % of an aromatic diisocyanate prepolymer that is the reaction product of a short aromatic diisocyanate and a diol. The polyurethaneurea system may further comprise an elastomer-surface activator comprising a second short aromatic diisocyanate and a second aromatic diisocyanate prepolymer, wherein at least one of the second diisocyanates may be the same as at least one of the diisocyanates of Part B.
US08261795B2
There are provided a pneumatic radial tire of heavy load vehicles, in which durability of a belt is improved.A pneumatic radial tire for heavy load vehicles comprises a pair of bead portions in each of which a bead core is embedded, a radial carcass ply 1 extending from one bead portion to the other bead portion and turned around the bead core from an inner side to an outer side of the bead core in a width direction of the tire and at least six belt layers 2 disposed on an outer side of this radial carcass ply 1 in a radial direction of the tire, wherein the following relations are satisfied: W56>W34>W12, where W12 is a maximum width of first and second belts 2a f the belt layers 2, W34 is a maximum width of third and forth belts 2b of the belt layers 2 and W56 is a maximum width of fifth and sixth belts 2c of the belt layers 2; and 1>D12/D34>0.6, where D12 is a cord diameter of the first and second belts and D34 is a cord diameter of the third and forth belts. In addition, a steel cord of each belt layer has a double twist structure in which a plurality of steel filaments are twisted to form a cable and two to ten cables are further twisted.
US08261789B2
A pneumatic tire (10) has an inner shoulder (11), an outer shoulder (12) and a tread (13) therebetween. The tread includes a plurality of circumferential grooves 30, 32, 34, 36 38) dividing the tread into a plurality of ribs including inner and outer shoulder ribs (14, 14′), inner and outer intermediate ribs (18, 18′) between the shoulder ribs and a central rib (16) between the intermediate ribs. First sipes (20) are provided in the shoulder ribs and the central rib. Each first sipe has an interlocking shape. Second sipes (22) are provided in the intermediate ribs. Each second sipe has a shape different from that of the first sipes. Third sipes (24) are provided in the intermediate ribs. Each third sipe has a shape different from that of the first and second sipes.
US08261784B2
A method and system for dispensing fuel to a vehicle includes a sensor generating a fuel identifier signal associated with the vehicle and a fuel dispenser having a fuel type a fuel type selector generating a fuel type selector signal. The system also includes a control module in communication with the sensor and the fuel dispenser. The control module compares the fuel identifier with fuel type. When the fuel type corresponds to the fuel identifier, the control module enables a dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser. When the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier, the control module prevents the dispensing of fuel.
US08261777B2
A duck beak valve and/or pumps/pump systems that use such a valve are disclosed. The valve may include a flexible tube having an inlet portion and an outlet portion and a spigot having a spigot inlet portion and a spigot outlet portion. The inlet portion of the flexible tube is sealed relative to the spigot. Inner surfaces of the flexible tube outlet portion downstream of the spigot outlet portion close together when the valve is closed. At least one reinforcement engages the flexible tube and is adapted to pivot at an inlet end so that an outlet end of the reinforcement moves toward and away from a centerline of the flexible tube. The reinforcement reinforces the flexible tube against an externally applied backpressure when the outlet end of the reinforcement is disposed toward the centerline and the valve is closed.
US08261775B2
A scavenging valve assembly is used in a carburetor. The valve assembly includes a throttle valve and a rotary air valve. The throttle valve opens and closes an air-fuel passage. The rotary air valve opens and closes an air passage and has one or more air bore(s). When the rotary air valve begins to rotate, airflow travels through the bore(s) and the size of an opening area that airflow travels through continuously increases in size.
US08261769B1
A controller and method of using same are disclosed. Preferably, the controller includes a pilot cartridge housing supporting an invertible pilot cartridge assembly (“cartridge”). The cartridge preferably includes a cartridge body supporting a number of pneumatic seals adjacent the housing, wherein at least two of the seals are diaphragms. The cartridge preferably provides a first pilot activation feature and an opposing second pilot activation feature. The operating mode of the cartridge is determined by a selected orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; and preferably the method of operating the controller includes the steps of: selecting an orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; setting a span control mechanism to a neutral position relative to the housing; adjusting a float communicating with the cartridge to a neutral position; and adjusting said span control mechanism to determine a response type of said cartridge.
US08261765B2
A diaphragm for use in a valve assembly, comprising at least one sealing portion and a fixation portion, characterized in that the fixation portion and the at least one sealing portion are connected by a flexible portion.
US08261761B2
Disclosed herein is a selectively movable seat arrangement. The seat arrangement includes, one or more seat members movable between a passable position where a member is passable therethrough and an impassable position where the member is prevented from passing therethrough, and a counter in operable communication with the one or more seat members, the counter capable of allowing movement of the one or more seat members to the passable position to allow passage of a member a selected number of times and then to the impassable position thereby preventing passage of another such member for a period of time.
US08261757B2
A device for wet treatment of wafers includes a first plate and a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate, and a wafer is held between the first and the second plate substantially parallel. A first dispenser introduces fluid into a first gap between the first plate and the wafer when being treated, and a second dispenser introduces fluid into a second gap between the second plate and the wafer when being treated. At least one vibrating element is acoustically coupled to at least the second plate, and a holder and the second plate are rotated relative to each other about an axis substantially perpendicular to the second plate.
US08261752B2
A crank type cigarette tube injector, for injecting tobacco leaves into a hollow cigarette paper tube, includes a housing having a tobacco cavity for the tobacco leaves disposing thereat, and a feeding opening for the cigarette paper tube alignedly supporting thereat, an electric motor, having an output shaft, received in the housing, and a cigarette filling arrangement, which is driven by the electric motor via the output shaft for feeding the tobacco leaves to the cigarette paper tube through the feeding opening of the housing. The crank type cigarette tube injector not only can make a tight and evenly injection to have a better quality of cigarettes, but also has a length lesser than two cigarette lengths of the cigarette paper tube such that it has a reduce dimension and improved portability.
US08261747B2
The present invention provides an improved means of treating tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia in the nosocomial patient, preferably with aerosolized anti gram-positive and anti-gram negative antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim in reliably sufficient amounts for therapeutic effect. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when aerosol is delivered into the ventilator circuit. In one embodiment the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the ventilator circuit. The treatment means eliminates the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the ventilator circuit. The treatment means also concentrates the therapeutic agent specifically at affected sites in the lung such that therapeutic levels of administrated drug are achieved without significant systemic exposure of the patient to the drug. The invention further provides a dose control device to govern this specialized regimen.
US08261746B2
A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion, and a reinforcing member. The cushion has a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use. The face-contacting portion includes a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall. The reinforcing member is provided to at least a portion of an interior and/or exterior surface of the side wall of the cushion. The reinforcing member provides reinforcement to the side wall of the cushion to at least limit lateral expansion of the cushion in use. The reinforcing member may have a stiffness that is selectively varied along its length.
US08261743B2
The invention relates to a breathing apparatus for providing a respiratory gas to a crewmember in a cabin of an aircraft, said breathable apparatus comprising an air inlet (5) for admission of ambient air in said breathing apparatus, an additional gas inlet (2) for admission of additional gas in said breathing apparatus, an outlet nozzle (4) for feeding said crew member with the respiratory gas comprising said ambient air and/or additional gas, said breathing apparatus further comprising neutralizing means (70, 141) for neutralizing at least partially the admission of said additional gas below a predefined cabin altitude (Z1).
US08261734B2
A heat generating body including a a moldable heat generating composition containing surplus water as a connecting substance interposed and heat sealed between packaging materials, which is characterized in that the packaging materials are each constituted of a substrate and a covering material; that the substrate is substantially planar and does not have an accommodating pocket; that the packaging materials each has a bending resistance of not more than 100 mm; that the packaging materials are each a non-elastic body at least at a temperature between 25° C. and 60° C., has a breaking strength of 500 g/mm2 or more at 25° C. and has a breaking elongation of 30% or more at 90° C. The heat generating body is suitable for relaxation of symptoms of menstrual pain.
US08261730B2
An integrated wafer processing system and a method thereof is disclosed. In one embodiment, a wafer stack of sliced wafers includes a base, and a plurality of sliced wafers extending outwardly from the base, where the plurality of sliced wafers are obtained by slicing a portion of a work piece, where the base is an uncut portion which is the remaining portion of the work piece or a plate attached by welding to the plurality of sliced wafers and where the work piece is mono-crystalline or multi-crystalline silicon. Further, the wafer stack of sliced wafers are treated in-situ in cleaning and wet chemical tanks for processes such as damage etching, texturization and oxide etching and also treated in-situ in high temperature furnaces for processes such as diffusion and anti-reflection coating.
US08261727B2
A system includes an offset determination module and a correction determination module. The offset determination module determines an offset value based on an average response time of an exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor located upstream of a catalyst in an exhaust system. The offset value relates one of a predetermined number of cylinder imbalance values to a cylinder of an engine. The correction determination module determines a fueling correction for the cylinder based on the offset value and one of the predetermined number of cylinder imbalance values.
US08261723B2
A fuel return block has a body with a coaxial inlet and outlet generally perpendicular to the body, a return port communicating with an inlet, and a vent generally parallel to the inlet and the outlet while communicating with the return port. The inlet and the outlet have external threading for connection to a fuel tank and to a fuel line. A common space between the inlet, the outlet, the return port, and the vent has a particular geometry conducive to ventilation of the fuel return block but not allowing escape of fuel through the vent. The inlet secures to a manufacturer's fitting upon the fuel tank so no second opening is required. The fuel return block equalizes pressures of the inlet, the outlet, and the return port preventing tank damage and interruptions to fuel delivery from negative pressure.
US08261717B2
A power management system, in certain aspects, may utilize direct load sensing feedback from the prime mover (e.g., engine), thereby reducing the possibility of overloading the prime mover. The use of direct load sense feedback from the prime mover can then be used with additional feedback, such as prime mover RPM feedback and individual output load sensing feedback, to directly control the output loads and set the primary power sources rpm set-point to better manage the power available and reduce the possibility of overloading the primary power source.
US08261715B2
Internal combustion engine has intake with compression in piston/cylinders and combustion and exhaust in a turbine. Turbine assembly includes a rotor connected to an output shaft and has variable blades pivotally mounted to rotor. The output shaft is connected to a crankshaft that is connects to the pistons to synchronizes intake and compression with combustion and exhaust. While the rotor spins centrifugal force causes the blades to swivel outwardly. The blades swivel inboard of the rotor as the space between them and the turbine housing cam contour gradually decreases. After partial compression, air enters the turbine assembly's combustion and exhaust chamber. Once full compression is attained, combustion takes place initiating a power cycle causing the turbine to rotate. When the power cycle is completed, the inner cam contour forces the blades inboard and exhaust is cleared by the subsequent variable blade, facilitating the next combustion and exhaust cycle.
US08261708B2
A system for mounting a control valve on an engine includes an engine head operatively disposed on a cylinder block of the engine. The engine head has one or more open receptacles. A retainer is operatively configured to hold the control valve in the open receptacle. The retainer is further configured to be removeably engaged with the open receptacle. The retainer is co-axial with the open receptacle.
US08261707B2
The valve timing controller for the internal combustion engine determines, based on a control parameter during phase angle feedback control, whether or not the valve timing variable mechanism is pressed against a limiting position defined by a stopper, sets a second target phase angle on a reference rotational phase angle value side of the camshaft by a first predetermined value from a detected real phase angle value of the camshaft when the stopper pressing determination means determines that the valve timing variable mechanism is pressed against the limiting position defined by the stopper, and switches a target phase angle during the phase angle feedback control from the first target phase angle to the second target phase angle.
US08261704B2
A variable valve timing control apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine that has a crankshaft, a camshaft, a hydraulic variable valve timing unit, a lock pin, and a hydraulic control valve. The hydraulic control valve is configured to control oil pressure that actuates the variable valve timing unit and the lock pin. The control apparatus switches a control, based on an operational state, between (a) a variable cam timing (VCT) phase control for controlling the VCT phase to a target phase and (b) a lock pin projection control for allowing the lock pin to project. The control apparatus executes, when an abnormality occurs, a foreign object release control for changing a control amount of the hydraulic control valve based on a predetermined pattern, wherein the control apparatus changes the predetermined pattern depending on the abnormality in the execution of the foreign object release control.
US08261697B2
A cage net (3) includes a plurality of screen sheets (31) each having an upper section (311) and a tapered lower section (312). The upper sections (311) are interconnected side by side to form a surrounding wall (300), and the lower sections (312) are interconnected side by side to form a bottom wall (301). The lower sections (312) are folded inwardly from the respective upper sections (311) and have tapered ends extending to a substantially central part of the bottom wall (301). The case net (3) can be fabricated conveniently at low cost.
US08261695B2
A method for automatically maintaining a birdbath, a kit for automating maintenance of a birdbath, and a birdbath with integrated automated maintenance are provided. Maintenance of a birdbath includes placing a barrier in a birdbath bowl. Further, maintenance comprises performing a cleaning phase that streams water from a nozzle located remotely from the barrier such that water is sprayed into the bowl with sufficient force to cause water to swirl around the barrier, which cleans the bowl and discharges debris and contaminated water in the bowl when such debris and contaminated water crosses in line with the water stream. Still further, the maintenance comprises performing a filling phase after the cleaning phase, which streams water through the nozzle such that water is sprayed from the nozzle to fill the birdbath bowl with water.
US08261688B2
A torch (1) for thermal spraying of surface coatings, of the type that comprises a head (3) and a bracket (2) for the head (3), in which the head (3) pivots relative to the bracket (2). The invention also relates to the coatings obtained using the torch, whether of polymer, metal or ceramic materials, on any substrate coated thereby, whether of polymer, metal or ceramic or composite materials. The invention is applicable to different types of thermal spray torches, using plasma spray, combustion spray, High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF), or Low Velocity processes.
US08261683B2
An interchangeable seat system for a water vehicle includes a front seat member, a common base member, at least two rear seat members, and at least two hand grips. One of the at least two rear seat members and one of the at least two hand grips are configured such that a combination of the front seat member, the common base member, the one of the at least two rear seat member and the one of the at least two hand grips provides a two-person seat configuration for the water vehicle, and another one of the at least two rear seat members and another one of the at least two hand grips are configured such that a combination of the front seat member, the common base member, the another one of the at least two rear seat member and the another one of the at least two hand grips provides a three-person seat configuration for the water vehicle.
US08261682B1
A boat trim tab system having an automatic controller for positioning trim tabs to perform user selected preset functions or maintain previously used positions in response to real time operating conditions. The system is intended to be a stand alone system that is installed on a boat using a master control module to operate the trim tabs and a manual keypad to provide a user interface to the master control module. The system gathers real time data from a variety of onboard sources and uses the data to determine the optimal position of the trim tabs to enhance boat performance.
US08261680B2
A decoration-making assist tool includes a first and a second plates. Each plate includes a straight base edge and a peripheral edge connected to the ends of the base edge. A connecting portion pivotally connects the two plates to each other so that they can be folded to overlap each other. The first plate includes recesses formed at the peripheral edge and N elongated holes. The second plate includes (N+1) elongated holes. The ends of these elongated holes are adjacent to the peripheral edges of the plates. When the two plates overlap each other, the recesses and the ends of the elongated holes of the first plate communicate with corresponding ends of the elongated holes of the second plate.
US08261678B2
A workpiece processing attachment detachably attached to a sewing machine including a presser foot, a presser bar having the presser foot detachably attached to its lower end, a presser bar vertically moving mechanism, a sewing needle, a needle clamp having the sewing needle detachably attached thereto, a needle bar having the needle clamp attached thereto, and a needle bar vertically moving mechanism, the workpiece processing attachment, including a body detachably attached to the lower end of the presser bar; a connecting element capable of being connected to the needle clamp and movable up and down with the needle bar being moved up and down by the needle bar vertically moving mechanism; a needle penetrating the workpiece to form a hole in the workpiece; and a needle vertically moving mechanism moving the needle up and down by the up and down movement of the connecting element.
US08261677B2
The invention relates to a gasification boiler for the combustion of solid fuels, in particular bales of straw, for heating purposes and for the production of hot water. The inventive boiler is characterized by optimal combustion and ash separation. The aim of the invention is to carry out the combustion of small particles in the most complete manner possible and to achieve an almost total separation of the ashes from the combustion gas upstream of the heat exchangers. To achieve this, according to the first feature of claim 1, the combustion and gasification chamber comprises lateral depressions that are configured next to the central grating and combustion chamber. Coarse particles collect in said depressions, leaving the fine particles to be carried with the combustion gas into the combustion chamber. According to the second feature of said claim, a cylindrical combustion chamber, configured as an additional component, is connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber. Said secondary combustion chamber significantly increases the combustion time, allowing small particles and partially oxidized gases to burn completely. According to the third feature, a cylindrical ash separator, configured as an additional component, is connected to the combustion chamber.
US08261675B2
A plastic pallet system is provided for the support, storage, and transportation of articles. The plastic pallet system includes a plurality of top boards and a plurality of runner assemblies. Both the plurality of top boards and the plurality of runner assemblies may be formed of plastic. A method for manufacturing the plastic pallet system is also provided.
US08261673B2
A pallet having an upper deck and a lower deck secured by supporting block members. The upper deck may include a plurality of board members and may be provided with at least one lead board operable to serve as an energy attenuator. The lead board may comprise a composite material and may be formed using pultrusion techniques. The lead board may be separated or spaced from an adjacent board member by a gap or scallop type area and may be operable to flex inwardly or otherwise upon impact to absorb energy. The gap or scallop type area may be suitable to operate in combination with the lead board as a handle mechanism for grabbing or lifting the pallet. The lead board may also be used to attach shipping straps.
US08261671B2
A bogie lateral movement-limiting system capable of effectively restricting the lateral movement of a derailed bogie. The system comprises derailment prevention guards (62a, 62b) laid along the inside of paired left and right rails, and a lateral movement-limiting device (52) installed on the lower part of the bogie (30). The device (52) has a stopper (51) projecting downward at a position between the wheels of the bogie and slidingly contacts with the inner surfaces of the derailment prevention guards (62a, 62b) in case of a derailment of bogie.
US08261654B2
An axial piston machine is provided, which has a swivel cradle, the inclination of which can be modified in relation to a rotational axis of a cylinder drum. A regulation system acts on the swivel cradle, which has a first regulator for adjusting the inclination of the swivel cradle in a first displacement direction and a second regulator for adjusting the inclination in an opposite second displacement direction. The first and second regulators are located on opposite sides of the swivel cradle in relation to the rotational axis. The axial piston machine also has a device for limiting the displacement of the swivel cradle, which has a first adjustable limiting device and a second adjustable limiting device, which each act on the swivel cradle and are located on opposite sides of the swivel cradle in relation to the rotational axis.
US08261652B2
An ambidextrous bolt stop for use with a firearm generally includes a first bolt stop element having a bolt stop finger and a first release lever operatively connected to a left side of a receiver of the firearm and a second bolt stop element having a second release lever operatively connected to a right side of the firearm. The second bolt stop element engages the first bolt stop element via a yoke and pin type configuration interior to the receiver of the firearm. The first and second release levers include first and second buttons located exterior to the receiver on respective sides thereof to actuate the bolt stop.
US08261648B1
A device and method for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The braiding machine comprises a disc with a mandrel extending from the center in a perpendicular direction and a plurality of catch mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the edge of the disc. A plurality of filaments are temporarily affixed to the mandrel, each filament extending from the mandrel toward the edge of the disc and engaging the edge of the disc at a discrete point of engagement The plurality of catch mechanisms are attached to actuators adapted to move the catch mechanisms in a generally radial direction relative to the edge of the disc to allow the catch mechanism to engage a subset of the filaments and move the engaged filaments beyond the circumferential edge of the disc.
US08261643B2
A method for dismantling pallets includes hanging a pallet on the upstream end of a cantilevered support having a substantially horizontal top surface with the bottom surfaces of the upper deck boards of the pallet resting on the top surface of the cantilevered support and with the stringer boards and lower deck boards extending downwardly from the top surface, advancing the hanging pallet in a downstream direction along the cantilevered support toward a band saw blade which lies directly on the top surface of the cantilevered support and defines a cutting plane aligned with the top surface of the cantilevered support, thereby automatically aligning the band saw blade with the pallet joints between the upper deck boards and the stringer boards; and advancing the pallet past the band saw blade to separate the upper deck boards from the stringer boards at the pallet joints.
US08261636B2
A quick-turn wrench includes a driving head with an axle hole. One side of the axle hole has a claw. A ratchet ring is accommodated in the axle hole. One end of the ratchet ring extends outside the axle hole and connects to a wrench handle. The ratchet ring is surrounded by a ratchet part that correspondingly engages the claw. A transmission rod is inserted into the ratchet ring, with one end having a transmission part. A bottom plate is disposed at the bottom of the axle hole. The end surface of the bottom plate facing the axle hole has a sliding groove. A pushing element is disposed in the sliding groove corresponding to the claw. The transmission part of the transmission rod connects to the pushing element. As the transmission rod rotates, the pushing element is driven to push the claw to release the fixing state between the claw and the ratchet ring.
US08261623B2
An inline tool tracking system for tracking an inline tool traveling along a pipe includes a detection and communication device operable to detect an inline tool as it passes generally near the device. The detection and communication device is operable to generate a detection output, which includes data indicative of the detection of the tool and a geographical location of the device. A control is operable to wirelessly receive the detection output and to process the detection output. The control generates a control output responsive to the processing, and the control output is indicative of the detection of the tool and the geographical location of the detection and communication device. A display device receives an input indicative of the control output and displays the information indicative of the detection of the tool and the geographical location of the detection and communication device to a user of the display device.
US08261622B2
A device and method for sampling a fluid, especially a fluid of varying densities, are provided. The device includes a retention tube configured to receive a sample of the fluid, and can include a support jacket to support the retention tube. A control member is positioned within the retention tube with a plug attached to the distal end. The plug is movable away from the opening to facilitate laminar flow of the fluid into the retention tube. The plug can sealably engage the retention tube by affixing a portion of the control member. The device can be jolted to cause the control member to stretch, which disengages the plug temporarily, thereby releasing a lab sample portion from the retention tube. The rest of the sample of fluid can be released by completely releasing the plug from sealing contact.
US08261621B2
Force sensors may be useful for the measurement of forces on objects or packaging material in shipping articles during a packaging process. In some embodiments, a part of those force sensors may be similar or complementary to those objects or packaging material. Force data may be collected during packaging processes and may be used to determine conditions useful for improving those packaging processes.
US08261617B2
A micro semiconductor-type pressure sensor and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The micro semi-conductor-type pressure sensor is implemented by etching a cavity-formation region of a substrate to form a plurality of trenches, oxidizing the plurality of trenches through a thermal oxidation process to form a cavity-formation oxide layer, forming a membrane-formation material layer on upper portions of the cavity-formation oxide layer and the substrate, forming a plurality of etching holes in the membrane-formation material layer, removing the cavity-formation oxide layer through the plurality of etching holes to form a cavity buried in the substrate, forming a membrane reinforcing layer on an upper portion of the membrane-formation material layer to form a membrane for closing the cavity, and forming sensitive films made of a piezoresisive material on an upper portion of the membrane.
US08261616B2
A method for testing rotors is disclosed, wherein a rotor to be tested is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to an activating motor and is set in rotation. Vibrations of the rotor to be tested are measured, wherein the activating motor is operated such that torsional excitations are generated in the rotor.
US08261612B2
An apparatus for determining the fluid level of a container, such as an accumulator, may include both a remote quantity indicator and a direct quantity indicator. The remote quantity indicator may include a remote dial at the end of a flexible cable or an electrical signal receiver receiving an electrical signal from a rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT), such as a potentiometer. The RVDT type of indicator may include an electrical connector on the accumulator to attach an electrical cable to carry the quantity level signal. The direct quantity indicator may include a dial directly mounted on the accumulator. The remote/direct quantity indicators may include, for example, one of the following three combinations: 1) a dial directly on the accumulator and a remote dial at the end of a flexible cable; 2) an RVDT output and a dial directly on the accumulator; and 3) an RVDT output on an accumulator, a remote dial at the end of a flexible cable and a dial directly on the accumulator.
US08261593B1
A heat exchanger leak detector employs a bubble detector to detect gas pressure build up in a heat exchanger second side from leakage of pressurized gas introduced in a heat exchanger first side.
US08261590B2
A roll position setting method for a Sendzimir mill that can easily adapt to combinations of roll sets and enables each roll to be set in a position optimal for operation. Each eccentric angle of first and second backing bearings is set by adjusting a bottom screw device so that an upper surface of the bottom work roll reaches a pass line of the rolled material based on first function. For top side roll setting, the eccentric angle of fourth backing bearings is set by adjusting top side screw devices so that a second function, different from the first function, is optimized.
US08261587B2
A substantially burglary-proof lock, comprises a housing formed with a cylindrical bore defining an inner cylindrical surface, and a cylinder within said bore carrying locking elements movable to locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, said cylinder having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of said bore so as to be rotatable when the locking elements are in unlocking position with respect to said housing, said cylinder being formed with a keyway for receiving a proper key in order to move said locking elements to their locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, characterized in that said cylinder carries at least one insert of a hard material configured, dimensioned and located such as to prevent pull-out of the cylinder from the housing by a pull-out force applied to the cylinder, and/or by drilling through the locking elements.
US08261580B2
A drum washing machine allows a plurality of electric wires to be easily secured in a cabinet, in addition to reinforcing strength of a top plate. The drum washing machine includes a cabinet having an opening at an upper portion thereof, a top plate to cover the opening, and a reinforcement placed at a predetermined position of the opening to support and reinforce the top plate. A wire holder is provided at a predetermined portion of the reinforcement to hold the electric wires arranged in the cabinet. The drum washing machine is provided with the reinforcement, which reinforces the strength of the top plate, and allows the electric wires to be easily arranged and held in the cabinet.
US08261571B2
A multifunctional ventilating fan comprises a machine body, a panel provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The machine body includes a first area, a second area, and a third area separated by several partition plates. The first area is provided with a first heat exchanger and a ventilating blower. A exhaust port of the ventilating blower is communicated with the outdoor. The second area is provided with a second heat exchanger and a circulating blower. The third area is provided with a compressor. The air inlet of the panel is communicated with the first area to form a first air path. The air inlet of the panel, the first area, the second area and the air outlet of the panel are communicated in turn to form a second air path. A first valve is provided in the second air path for isolating the first area so that a third air path is formed by the air inlet of the panel, the second area and the air outlet of the panel communicated in turn. The present invention can effect ventilating, dehumidifying, heating, cooling and the like functions.
US08261566B2
Method for chilling foodstuffs contained in a chilling compartment at controllable temperature, and adapted to perform according to an operating procedure that includes continuously pulling down a temperature inside the foodstuff to be chilled, until a pre-set value (Tf) is eventually reached, provided that the temperature inside the chilling compartment is lower than a pre-set value, and the temperature at the core of the foodstuff is lower than a pre-set value. In addition, before the process is allowed to move on to a final temperature pull-down step, further conditions are defined to ensure that the temperature pull-down pattern and rate inside the foodstuff are complying with the requirements set forth by applicable standards.
US08261562B2
A helium management control system for controlling the helium refrigerant supply from a common manifold supplies a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators with an appropriate helium supply. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators depending on the computed aggregate cooling demand of all of the cryogenic refrigerators. An appropriate supply of helium is distributed to each cryopump by sensing excess and sparse helium refrigerant and redistributing refrigerant accordingly. If the total refrigeration supply exceeds the total refrigerant demand, or consumption, excess refrigerant is directed to cryogenic refrigerators which can utilize the excess helium to complete a current cooling function more quickly. Similarly, if the total refrigeration demand exceeds the total refrigeration supply, the refrigerant supply to some or all of the cryogenic refrigerators will be reduced accordingly so that detrimental or slowing effects are minimized based upon the current cooling function.
US08261557B2
A heat transfer device exploits the properties of photonic crystal solids with resonant defect cavities to execute a thermodynamic cycle to accomplish the conversion between heat flow and useful energy. In a heat pump or refrigerator configuration, an actuator cyclically performs work on the photonic crystal to cycle the photonic crystal between a first state to permit the crystal to collect thermal energy from a cold region to heat the crystal and a second state to permit the photonic crystal to radiate electromagnetic energy to a hot region to cool the photonic crystal. A mechanism cycles the emission band of the photonic crystal for more efficient collection of heat energy and radiation of electromagnetic energy in the cycle.
US08261551B2
An energy producing device is provided that includes a heat exchanger section to provide a heat exchange material, and a thermal riser to receive the heat exchange material from the heat exchange section and to heat the heat exchange material based on a down-hole resource. The thermal riser may include: an outer spiral pipe to circulate the heat exchange material in a downward manner, and an inner return pipe provided inside the outer spiral pipe to receive the heat exchange material from the outer pipe after passing through the spiral pipe.
US08261545B2
An electric power actuator and a method of controlling such an actuator are disclosed. The actuator (1) can include means (17, 26) for limiting the pressure difference in both chambers (9, 10) of a hydraulic jack (8) of the actuator (1) to a limit pressure which is lower than an opening pressure of a pressure relief valve (11) of the actuator (1).
US08261533B2
An internal combustion engine wherein exhaust gas from the cylinder groups (1, 2) is supplied to a common NOx storage catalyst (12). When the NOx storage catalyst (12) should release the SOx, the average air-fuel ratio of one cylinder group (1) is made rich and the average air-fuel ratio of the other cylinder group (2) is made lean. At this time, the air-fuel ratios of the cylinders (3) of one cylinder group (1) are made one target rich air-fuel ratio selected from two predetermined target rich air-fuel ratios, while the air-fuel ratios of the cylinders (3) of the other cylinder group (2) are made one target lean air-fuel ratio selected from two predetermined target lean air-fuel ratios.
US08261530B2
An inlet of a nacelle for channeling inlet airflow to a fan of a gas turbine engine includes a forward lip and an inner surface. The forward lip extends around a centerline axis of the engine and is adapted to accommodate a flow angle of incoming airflow. The inner surface extends from the forward lip along the centerline axis of the engine to adjacent the fan. The inner surface has a first profile above the centerline axis of the engine and a second profile below the centerline axis of the engine. The first profile and the second profile are adapted to define an inlet centerline axis that extends below the centerline axis of the engine at a face of the fan.
US08261522B2
A reel gang mower has a row of front reel cutting units and a row of rear reel cutting units that cut an unbroken swath of grass in each pass. Each cutting unit is connected for propulsion to the mower frame by a four-bar linkage having front and rear pivot links that converge towards a focal point that establishes a virtual pull point through which propulsive force acts on the cutting unit. The rear pivot links can attach to the mower frame at a selected one of different attachment points to thereby longitudinally shift the pull point fore-and-aft relative to the center of gravity of the cutting unit, thus changing the fore-and-aft weight distribution. The rear cutting units in the gang can be configured to have a tail heavy weight distribution relative to the front cutting units to help eliminate marking in the overlap areas between the cutting units.
US08261521B2
A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage, and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical and cylindrical bearings. The lower linkage arms of the four-bar linkage are maintained in compression while the upper linkage arms are maintained in tension. Due to the compression and tension in the linkage arms, the floating head will self-level in the transverse direction when raised, yet allow the header to float during operation.
US08261510B2
The disclosed liquid storage tank has a concrete tower section. A steel tank shell above the tower section encompasses a tank volume that has a capacity of at least 100,000 U.S. gallons. A concrete ringbeam at the top of the tower section surrounds an internal area between the ringbeam and an access tube that extends from within the tank volume into an interior of the tower section. The ringbeam has an integral upper wall above a ring-shaped, upwardly-facing supporting face that is at least about 4″ inches wide and resists downward forces. A series of laterally adjacent concrete dome segments creates a dome that has a vaulted upper surface and essentially covers the internal area. Each of the dome segments has an outer end that sits on the supporting face of the ringbeam, and an inner end that is positioned above the outer end. Lateral sides on each segment define a segment angle, and the sum of the segment angles of the adjacent segments is less than 360 degrees. Fill sections extend between adjacent dome segments. A pourback creates a continuous surface from the top of the upper wall on the ringbeam to a raised portion of the dome segments. A steel liner covers the dome. The liner has a vaulted upper surface and is connected to the tank shell. In building the tank, precast dome segments can be temporarily supported, with the support being removed after all the segments are placed.
US08261508B2
Floor panel of the type having, at least at two opposite sides, coupling means enabling two of such floor panels to be locked in a mutual position at which the upper edges of the respective floor panels are located substantially in the same horizontal plane, with a space being present at the level of the upper edges between the respective sides and where the respective coupled floor panels in said mutual position are mutually locked free from play at least in the horizontal direction. The space between the sides defines a mutual distance of one to three millimeters between the upper edges.
US08261506B2
Described is a simple and inexpensive method of manufacturing a floor panel (2) with which a floor panel (2) can be produced with a beveled or recessed edge (10a, 10b, 25, 26), a top surface layer (4) extending continuously and in one piece from a top side (3a) of a core (3) over the beveled edge (10a, 10b, 25, 26). A panel body (12) is first of all provided with a core (3, 13), a top side (3a, 13a) of the core (3, 13) being provided with a top surface layer (4). A recess (15) is then formed from a side surface (13b) into the panel body (12), the recess extending under the top surface layer (4) and leaving a freestanding ledge (16) which includes the top surface layer (4). The recess (15) is then closed by fixing the first and second recess surfaces (15a, 15b) to one another.
US08261497B2
An embedment tile with a replaceable upper plate and a lower plate joined by fasteners in a manner that permits replacement of the upper plate when desired. The embedment tile upper plate comprises a plate having a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern.
US08261488B2
A transplantable plant container assembly is provided for containing a growing medium for a plant that significantly promotes air root pruning. The container assembly includes a container device that includes a sidewall support and a bottom support collectively defining an interior cavity. The sidewall support is comprised of a lattice framework defining a plurality of spaced apertures that extend from an interior wall to an exterior wall thereof. A relatively thin, moisture absorbent liner material is disposed adjacent to the lattice framework. The liner material is sufficiently penetrable to enable root penetration therethrough, by the plant, at the apertures. However, the liner material must also have sufficient structural integrity, when moist, to bound the growing medium and moisture across the spaced apertures of the lattice framework when contained in the interior cavity.
US08261487B2
A plant growing assembly configured to grow a plurality of plants in multiple directions above a ground surface. The assembly includes a growing container and a support structure for elevating the container above the ground surface. The container presents a generally hollow body to retain a plant-growing medium and the plurality of plants. The body extends along an axis to present opposite axial end margins and a radial peripheral wall. The wall defines a plurality of discrete plant-receiving ports extending therethrough, and disposed generally radially about the wall. A method of growing plants above ground in substantially opposite directions from one another is also disclosed.
US08261483B2
A receptacle that is removably attached onto a support means and is functional for supporting a fishing rod and reel therein in an upright vertical position. More particularly, the invention pertains to a cradle that is of a shape and size to firmly support the fishing rod and reel without the need for any type of brackets, bolts, straps, clips or the like. More importantly, the cradle is easily supported in a manner that allows the fisherman to freely move about without any interference from the rod and reel and further the invention is completely hands-free in function.
US08261480B2
A rigid composite structure has a bore formed in a metallic material and a super hard interior segment or segments disposed within the bore. Each segment may be lined adjacent to one another and held under compression within the bore. The segments may be made of super hard materials such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, polycrystalline diamond, single crystalline diamond, cubic boron nitrate or other superhard composite materials which exhibit low thermal expansion rates and are generally chemically inert. The resultant rigid composite structure may possess higher tolerances to high pressures and high temperatures.
US08261476B2
A collapsible tradeshow display includes curved end panels that provide for easier attachment and eliminate the possibility of dramatic disengagement of the panel from the display. Each end panel has a generally planar body comprised of a resilient material having a tendency to return to a generally flat configuration when in a curved configuration. A pair of side margins extend along opposing vertical sides of the body, each having a bridge portion attached thereto. A connecting means can connect the bridge portions to retain the panel in the curved configuration.
US08261465B2
Device and process for producing and treating a fibrous web. The device includes a moistening unit structured and arranged to simultaneously influence a cross machine moisture profile of the web and the curl of the web independently of each other. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08261460B2
A relatively thin, stiff, flat guide line holder or “trig” for accurately supporting and positioning intermediate portions of tautly stretched guide lines such as are used by bricklayers and stone masons in laying courses of bricks, blocks and stones during the erection of masonry walls has a centrally located body portion, and an integrally formed, forwardly projecting guide line support portion. During use, the body portion is positioned atop a flat surface of a wall being erected to support the line holder at a desired height to be met by masonry elements added to the wall, with the support portion projecting forwardly beyond a front surface plane of the wall being erected. Passage formations defined by the support portion open downwardly through a bottom surface of the support portion at two spaced locations along the front surface plane when the line holder is properly positioned. Slot formations defined by the support portion provide a track, or tracks, along which a loop of the guide line can be moved into the passage formations so lengthy portions of the guide line located on opposite sides of the loop can extend along the front surface plane in opposite directions away from the line holder when the guide line is drawn taut at the desired height.
US08261455B2
An arcuate action tool attachment is adapted to receive an input and to convert that input into reciprocating output motion along an arcuate path. The tool may be adapted to be combined with an existing linear reciprocating device or a rotary device, or the tool may comprise a single unit including a linear reciprocating device or a rotary device. The tool may be fitted with one or more curved or arc-shaped accessories, such as saw blades or the like, that reciprocate along the arcuate paths that may have substantially the same radius of curvature as the accessory.
US08261453B2
The present invention relates to a plastic pipe cutting tool comprising a housing body with handle, a blade holder mounted on the housing body and a rotatable blade associated with the blade holder to form a cutting opening, is characterized in that said housing body is provided with a motor which is drivable connected with said blade, and is further provided with a power supply which is electrically connected with the motor by switch to form a loop circuit. The plastic pipe cutting tool according to the present invention is driven by electric and can decrease labor intensity, and is light and easy-carried.
US08261442B2
A method of splicing a bend-optimized optical fiber in which a mesh of nanometer-scale pockets is formed in the cladding of the fiber is provided. The method may include cleaving the fiber; heating a section of the fiber at a distance from an end of the fiber; allowing the fiber to cool; transmitting light through the fiber; and splicing the fiber by analyzing an image of the fiber. Alternatively, the method may include heating a section of the fiber; allowing the fiber to cool; cleaving the fiber through the section of the fiber that was heated; transmitting light through the fiber; and splicing the fiber by analyzing an image of the fiber.
US08261441B1
In one aspect, a method to repair a cable jacket includes disposing a shrink tube on a damaged area of a cable jacket of a cable. The shrink tube includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The method also includes heating the shrink tube to seal the damaged area and tapering the first end portion of the shrink tube by cutting the shrink tube. Another aspect includes a device to taper end portions of a cable jacket shrink tube repair. A further aspect includes a device to dispose a tube on a cable.
US08261440B2
A terminal insertion apparatus having a connector housing holding unit, a terminal insertion unit, and a control unit. The connector housing holding unit holds a connector housing movably in horizontal and vertical directions. The terminal insertion unit inserts a terminal attached to an electric wire into a terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing. After the terminal insertion unit has inserted an end of the terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber, the control unit controls a movable supporting unit of the connector housing holding unit so as to move a holding jig by amounts of movement in horizontal and vertical directions so that the terminal is not caught on an inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber, and then the terminal is completely inserted in the terminal accommodating chamber.
US08261433B1
An electrical device removal tool, such as for circuit breakers, that is lightweight, portable, and rugged for providing electrically operated controlled insertion and removal of electrical equipment by an operator from a remote location using a coupling device for engagement with the electrical equipment housing.
US08261429B2
An axial gap EDM deploys as a stator coils a series of two parallel serpentine windings that each circumscribe an arc segment of a circle. Each arc segment that forms the stator winding assembly is powered as a separate phase. The two winding are readily formed by shaping one or more wire segment. Preferably the parallel winding are arranged to overlap with a half period rotational offset such that the radial directed serpentine segments of that are disposed above and below the stator disk are interlaced when viewed in projection through the disk. In one embodiment, each series of serpentine winding are separated by a gap so that they can be inserted on the stator disk from the edge. A separate rotor disk is adjacent each side of this stator disk. In another embodiment, each series of serpentine winding are separated by a gap, so they can be inserted to surround a single rotor disk which has two series of magnets disposed on opposite sides.
US08261426B2
This is a toner-dispensing unit using a blow-molded, one-piece toner bottle with integral tabs. The tabs are uniquely designed so that they can only be used with specific marking machines. The tabs fit into mating slots in a drive dog so that installation, while usually a blind installation of bottles, is easily accomplished. The one-piece, blow-molded bottle with integral tabs used with mating slots in a drive dog provides an improvement over prior used toner-dispensing units.
US08261416B2
A cord management system includes a strap. The strap has a first set of magnets attached to a first location on the strap and a second set of magnets attached to a second location on the strap. The strap also includes at least two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the first set of magnets is magnetically attached to the second set of magnets so that a first segment of the strap located between the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets forms a loop configured to secure a cord that is wrapped around the strap. In a second mode of operation, the first set of magnets is magnetically detached from the second set of magnets so that the first segment no longer forms the loop. The strap is also configured to be coupled to an object.
US08261413B2
A hinge assembly includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, a first fixing member, and a second fixing member. The first fixing member can extend through the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The first fixing member includes a first magnet. The second fixing member can extend through the second connecting member and be received in the first connecting member. The second fixing member includes a second magnet. The first fixing member is engaged with the second fixing member under the magnet force between the first magnet and the second magnet.
US08261412B1
A hinge is operable to a fixed open position where it is prevented from being closed and to a position where it is released from the fixed open position and is capable of being operated to a closed position.
US08261403B2
The present invention is directed to a wiper blade system that includes a wiper blade assembly having a wiping element, at least one elongated beam and a carrier that is operatively engaged to the elongated beam. The wiper blade assembly further includes an airfoil and a coupler assembly having a coupler and an adapter that is removably attached to the coupler. The coupler is removably secured the carrier and includes a corridor having a cross member extending therethrough that operatively receives the adapter. Together, the coupler and adapter facilitate mounting the wiper blade assembly to wiper arms having different wiper arm attachment members.
US08261398B2
A paint brush has a handle and a paint brush head. The paint brush head is detachable from the paint brush handle. The paint brush head may be rotatable to a number of positions relative to the paint brush handle.
US08261396B2
The present invention is a ceiling fan cleaning apparatus comprising a roller cleaner (20) enveloping a central hub (22) and rotatable with respect to the central hub (22), the central hub (22) attached at one end to an elongated member (10), and a first pulley (32) connected fixedly to one end of the roller cleaner (20) and such that rotation of the first pulley (32) causes an equal rotation of the roller cleaner (20), and a second pulley (34) located close to a second end of the elongated member (10) and a chain (36) connecting the first and second pulleys (32, 34). A hand crank (38) is connected to the second pulley (34) so that a user is able to rotate the roller cleaner (20) by turning the hand crank (38).
US08261389B2
A control method of the same are disclosed. A control method of a laundry treating machine comprising an accommodating space receiving laundry therein, the control method includes selecting one of at least two sanitary courses to sanitize objects, and supplying steam to the objects, with controlling a temperature of the accommodating space and a steam supplying time to maintain a temperature of the object to be at a predetermined sanitary standard temperature or higher for a predetermined sanitary standard time according to the selected course. According to the control method of the present invention, steam may be supplied appropriately according to the load amount of the laundry treating machine such that damage of laundry fabric may be prevented, sanitizing, or sterilizing the laundry.
US08261385B2
A support for the head of a patient lying in a generally prone position. The support features a tray adapted for support on an underlying operating table surface. A plurality of pins projecting from an engagement with the tray are positioned to engage and suspend either a cushion directly or a cushion engaged in a casing. The pins may be adjusted to raise or lower the engaged cushion or casing. A mirror is also provided to provide a reflective view a patient's eyes through slots in the cushion and casing engaged over a patient's face. A video camera may also concurrently be employed to capture electronic images of the patient's eyes and mouth through an aperture in the mirror.
US08261380B2
A stretcher is provided as an accessory to a bed to facilitate a supine-to-prone or prone-to-supine transfer of a patient from the bed to the stretcher or vice-versa. The stretcher comprises a base frame, anchor means for clamping or otherwise securing the stretcher to a position adjacent the bed, and a patient support litter. The stretcher also includes a mechanical, non-bladder-based lift mechanism operable to preferentially raise either a left longitudinal side, or a right longitudinal side, but not both, of the patient support litter, in order to tilt the patient support litter toward the patient support surface of the adjacent bed. The stretcher is also collapsible for easy storage.
US08261377B2
A bidet device for toilet bowls is mounted on a toilet bowl for washing an anus and the inner part of an intestine or a vagina, and includes a main body (10) mounted on a rear side of a toilet bowl and having a control part C, a main wash bidet part (15) provided below a center protrusion (11) of the main body (10) for spraying water, an in-body wash bidet part (30 or 40) attached to the main body (10) for cleansing the intestine and the vagina, a purifier part (20) for purifying the water ejected through the main wash bidet part (15) and the in-body wash bidet part (30 or 40), and a water ejection regulator part (14) provided on the control part C for selectively supplying the water to one of the main wash bidet part (15) and the in-body wash bidet part (30 or 40).
US08261374B2
A protective helmet is composed of an external crown made from plastic material, and a semi-rigid neckband adjustable by adjustment means. At least one end of the neckband is joined to the crown by a sliding mechanical link comprising position indexing means controlled from a slide able to be moved from the outside in a slit of the crown. The indexing means are formed by a rack molded directly along with the crown.
US08261373B2
A necklace that does not fully encircle the neck of the user but, instead, has its two free ends with an affixing device at each free end to attach to the straps of the wearers garment or undergarment, such as a bra. In the preferred embodiment, the straps have a plurality of affixing devices vertically spaced along the strap so as to enable the user to position the necklace at differing heights on the wearer to suit the particular neckline of the attire worn by the user. In addition, the affixation and removal of the necklace takes place at the front of the wearer and thus is more convenient and easier to carry out than the use of a clasp that is intended to be manipulated behind the neck of the wearer.
US08266716B2
A captured content rights controller detects a first portion of streaming captured content and a second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content is detected. The captured content rights controller determines whether rendering the second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content is subject to at least one digital rights management protection rule for streaming captured content as specified by at least one owner of at least one restricted element within the streaming captured content captured independent of distribution of the content by the owner of the at least one restricted element within the streaming captured content. The captured content rights controller applies the at least one digital rights management protection rule to restrict rendering of the second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content.
US08266715B2
A method of performing Digital Rights Management (DRM) and tracking using a virus characteristic and a system for executing the method are provided. The method of performing DRM and tracking with respect to a digital content, includes the steps of: providing a DRM code to the digital content in a DRM system, wherein the DRM code includes a virus characteristic; and performing the DRM and tracking with respect to the digital content, based on DRM information, wherein the DRM information is generated based on the DRM code.
US08266705B2
In order to enable utilization of a personal address book by another person while maintaining security, in case display of information on an information destination registered in the address book is requested from an unauthenticated user, a display is executed in a state where address information (fax number, e-mail address etc.) is concealed (for example by a mosaic pattern), and information on the information destination, displayed with the address information in such concealed state, can be designated as the information designation.
US08266689B2
A bilateral data transfer system comprising a first node, a second node, a first one-way link for unidirectional transfer of first data from the first node to the second node, and a second one-way link for unidirectional transfer of second data from the second node to the first node, wherein the unidirectional transfer of the first data across the first one-way link and the unidirectional transfer of the second data across the second one-way link are independently administered by the bilateral data transfer system. Under such bilateral data transfer system, each of the one-way data links may be subject to separately administered security restrictions and data filtering processes. Hence, it enables secure bilateral communications across different network security domains.
US08266685B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a firewall installer that receives a set of configuration instructions for configuring a firewall in a declarative format that describes one or more rules to be implemented by the firewall, and that automatically configures the firewall. Providing a firewall installer that is capable of configuring a firewall based upon declarative input rather than procedural process-oriented input facilitates administration of a firewall by allowing an administrator to specify desired firewall configuration at a higher, declarative level and frees the administrator from the need to specify procedures for implementing configuration changes in the firewall. In one embodiment of the invention, the firewall installer can receive and store input for configuring a firewall even when the firewall is not running, such that the firewall executes on those configuration changes when it next comes online.
US08266683B2
A method of secure communication involves determining that a remote system is trusted prior to authorizing secure communication therewith. A removable security device is coupled with a first system. When the first system communicates with a remote system securely, the remote system is evaluated to ensure that it is a trusted remote system prior to secure communication therewith being allowed.
US08266675B2
An information processor is provided that can maintain security in the entire network and use recording media resources efficiently. An image forming apparatus includes a user information memorizing portion for memorizing local user data of users who have ever used the image forming apparatus, a user information deleting portion for deleting any one or more of the local user data when the local user data memorized in the user information memorizing portion has an amount greater than a predetermined value, an authentication request portion for requesting an authentication server to authenticate a user who desires to use the image forming apparatus, and a user information generating portion, when local user data of the user authenticated by the authentication server are not memorized in the user information memorizing portion, for generating local user data of the user in the user information memorizing portion to let the same memorize the generated data.
US08266665B2
A method may include receiving, by a video client, a screen capture request, determining a type of screen capture, generating screen capture type information based on a result of determining the type of screen capture, analyzing at least one of screen capture data or screen capture type information, and providing a service to a user of the video client based on the analysis of the at least one of screen capture data or screen capture type information.
US08266662B2
An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.
US08266645B2
Methods and apparatus for detecting a channel change event are disclosed. capturing a television audio signal having first, second, and third portions, the first portion occurring earlier in time than the second portion and the second portion occurring earlier in time than the third portion, identifying at least one of a first muted audio condition or a first transient audio condition in the second portion of the television audio signal, and identifying a channel change event in response to: 1) identifying the at least one of the first muted audio condition or the first transient audio condition, 2) failing to identify a second muted audio condition or a second transient audio condition in the first and third portions of the television audio signal, and 3) determining that a time domain length of the second portion of the television audio signal is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold.
US08266644B2
Channel trending, including determining a number of viewers watching a multimedia program, is achieved in a digital television network. Cached multimedia frames that correspond to portions of the multimedia program are maintained, for example, on a device located on an edge (i.e., in a network edge device) of the digital television network. In response to a request from a client device (e.g., a set-top box) to receive the multimedia program, cached multimedia frames are fed from the edge device to the client device. Upon a seamless transfer or handoff resulting in a simulcast replicator or multicast replicator providing further portions of the multimedia program, a signal (e.g., a simple network management protocol TRAP statement) is sent to a viewership statistic server for incrementing a counter.
US08266640B2
The present invention is related to a disk guiding device disposed on a disk process device, the disk guiding device comprises a base, a transmitting portion and a slaver. The base is disposed on a main body of the disk process device; the transmitting portion comprises a gear and a positioning module, wherein the gear is pivotally connected to the base and has a long gear and a plurality of short gears, the positioning module is disposed on the base for sustaining and taking the crown of the long gear for confining the rotation angle of the gear. The slaver is disposed and capable of sliding on a plane portion of the base, wherein a plurality of holes are disposed on the salver in sequence from an end-side of the salver toward the perpendicular direction of the end-side, and used for correspondingly engaging with the gear.
US08266639B2
A service module that provides for discovery of one or more network interfaces connecting a prospective remote procedure call (RPC) client, facilitates the provision of RPC programs in a network including multi-horned systems. When a request for a network address to an RPC application providing an RPC program is received from the RPC client, the RPC bind daemon discovers from the module, using the client response address, over which interface(s) the client is accessible. The daemon then selects an address of a network path to the RPC application that the prospective client can access and returns the corresponding network address. The service module monitors the network stack for RPC get address requests and builds tables of client address entries with corresponding network interface identifiers. The entries are retired according to an aging policy. When multiple network paths to the RPC application are available, the service can be selected using a heuristic such as preferred interface, non-firewalled interface, least number of return path links or other criteria.
US08266631B1
A method, system, and computer readable medium for calling a second functionality by a first functionality comprises calling a third functionality by the first functionality, wherein the calling includes passing arguments to the third functionality, calling a fourth functionality by the third functionality, wherein the calling includes passing the arguments to the fourth functionality, calling a fifth functionality via the fourth functionality, wherein the calling includes marshalling a request related to the arguments and passing the marshaled request to the fifth functionality, calling a sixth functionality via the fifth functionality, wherein the calling includes unmarshalling the marshaled request, calling the second functionality by the sixth functionality, wherein the calling includes passing the arguments related to the unmarshalled request to the second functionality, returning a response related to the arguments by the second functionality to the fifth functionality via the sixth functionality, calling the fourth functionality by the fifth functionality, wherein the calling includes marshalling the response and passing the marshaled response to the fourth functionality, returning a reply to the third functionality by the fourth functionality, wherein the reply includes unmarshalling the marshaled response, and returning the unmarshalled response to the first functionality by the third functionality.
US08266626B2
A system, method, and service associated with a computing grid or a virtual organization include a request for proposal (RFP) generator, where the RFP describes a data processing task. The RFP is provided to multiple resource providers via the computing grid where each of the resource providers is potentially suitable for performing the data processing task on behalf of the resource consumer. An RFP response processor receives and evaluates RFP responses generated by one or more of the resource providers. An exception processor accessible to the RFP response processor evaluates any exception in the RFP to determine if the exception disqualifies the RFP response. The exceptions may include, for example, job time limit exceptions, resource requirement exceptions, hardware/software platform requirement exceptions and others. Exception rules may be defined to guide the evaluation of the exception.
US08266624B2
Computer resource management techniques involving receiving notification of an available resource, generating a set of tasks that could be performed by the resource, and dispatching one of the tasks on the resource. Related systems and software are also discussed. Some techniques can be used for automatic software building and testing.
US08266610B2
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for scheduling instructions for execution. Identify a series of instructions in a loop, wherein the series of instructions has a cyclic data dependency. Determine whether the series of instructions is a uniform series of instructions. Schedule execution of the uniform series of instructions within the loop to optimize execution of the loop in response to the identified series of instructions being the uniform series of instructions.
US08266603B2
The present invention relates to allocating registers to variables in order to compile a program. In an embodiment of the present invention a compiler apparatus stores interference information indicating an interference relationship between variables, selects a register and allocates the register to each variables in accordance with a predetermined procedure, without allocating the same register to a set of variables having interference relationships. The compiler further replaces multiple variables having the same register allocated thereto with a new variable and generates an interference relationship by merging the interference relationships each concerning one of multiple variables. The compiler further updates interference information according to the generated interference relationship and allocates to each variable in the program using the new variable a register, selected in accordance with the predetermined procedure without allocating the same register to a set of variables having the interference relationships, based on the updated interference information.
US08266601B2
A framework may be provided for facilitating adoption of mathematical and logical solvers. A model, representing a problem, may be defined. The model may be defined: via a series of statements in a type safe common-language-specification compliant modeling language; via an intermediate format; or via a series of calls to a standardized application program interface. The framework may translate the defined model to an intermediate format, which many solvers may understand. The framework may provide a number of solver-related services including, but not limited to, services for creating a model, analyzing a model, selecting a well-suited solver based on analysis of a model, decomposing a model into multiple sub-models and providing the multiple sub-models to multiple solvers as multiple parallel threads, data binding, simulation, and post optimality analysis.
US08266595B2
A method and apparatus for identifying a minimum call tree data structure from a plurality of call tree data structures are provided. With the apparatus and method, call tree data structures are generated for two or more executions of a build of a computer program. The apparatus and method perform a “tree-minimization” operation in which the two or more call trees generated during runs of the computer program are walked and only those nodes that are present in each of the tree data structures are maintained in a minimized tree data structure. In addition, the minimum values for these common nodes are maintained in the minimized tree data structure. In this way, asynchronous events are removed from the minimum tree data structure and analysis may focus on those areas of the computer program that are consistent between runs of the computer program.
US08266588B2
Automatically creating a current project in an application developer workspace is provided. In response to reading a project file for the current project, it is automatically determined whether the current project has one or more dependent projects based on data contained within the project file. In response to determining that the current project does have one or more dependent projects, a build file is automatically generated for each of the one or more dependent projects. The build file calls importing targets within each of the one or more dependent projects. Then, the current project and the one or more dependent projects are automatically imported into the application developer workspace to form a created current project. The created current project is created without launching an application developer application. In addition, the created current project is stored in a source code control repository.
US08266573B2
It is desired to suppress an increase of the TAT or a repetition of processing in inserting a test circuit on designing. A test point insertion method includes: extracting a plurality of logic cones from a net list; generating an order for the plurality of logic cones based on a connection relation of logic cells in each of the plurality of logic cones; and setting a test point in each of the plurality of logic cones in turn in accordance with the order.
US08266570B2
Some embodiments provide techniques and systems for improving the efficiency of area recovery in an electronic design automation (EDA) flow. During operation, the system determines a utilization of a region from a set of regions in a design floorplan. Next, the system performs area recovery (e.g., by using a processor) on the region based at least on the utilization. Specifically, the system can overlay the design floorplan with a grid, wherein the grid comprises a set of grid cells and uses the grid cells as the set of regions. The grid can be associated with a predetermined number of rows and a predetermined number of columns. The system can determine the utilization of the region by calculating the utilization as a cell area of the region divided by a placement area of the region. The utilization can be incrementally calculated during the creation and optimization of the design.
US08266567B2
A method of modification of a semiconductor layout is provided. The layout comprises objects of semiconductor material with corners and edges. The method comprises a step of receiving (61) a set of proximities, triggers and design rules, the proximities indicating relations between neighboring edges and/or corners, the triggers defining boundaries for the modification within which boundaries the proximities are valid, the design rules describing physical requirements for the semiconductor layout. The method further comprises a step of generating (62) a set of constraints, based on the received proximities, triggers and design rules, each constraint in the set of constraints defining a limit within which the semiconductor layout may be modified without changing the proximities. Then the set of constraints to obtain a modified semiconductor layout is solved (63).
US08266566B2
Spare cells are placed in an IC design using stability values associated with logic cones of the design. A desired spare cell utilization rate is assigned to a cone based on its stability value, and an actual spare cell utilization rate for the cone bounding box is calculated. If the actual utilization rate is less than the desired utilization rate, additional spare cells are inserted as needed to attain the desired utilization rate. The stability value is provided by a logic or circuit designer, or derived from historical information regarding the logic cone in a previous design iteration. Spare cells are placed for each logic cone in the design until a global spare cell utilization target is exceeded. The spare cell placement method can be an integrated part of a placement directed synthesis which is followed by early mode padding and design routing.
US08266560B2
Methods and systems for generating and verifying circuit layouts from computer-aided design tools for vertically integrated, three-dimensional integrated circuits are disclosed. In one instance, a 3-D technology file of these teachings is obtained by providing an identifier for two or more circuit levels, providing for each one of the two or more circuit levels an identifier for a 2-D technology file corresponding to each of the one or more circuit levels and providing a file structure including the two or more circuit levels and each identifier, corresponding to each one of the one or more circuit levels, for the 2-D technology file corresponding to each one of the two or more circuit levels. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08266552B2
Pattern formation simulations are performed based on design layout data subjected to OPC processing with a plurality of process parameters set in process conditions. A worst condition of the process conditions is calculated based on risk points extracted from simulation results. The design layout data or the OPC processing is changed such that when a pattern is formed under the worst condition based on the changed design layout data or the changed OPC processing a number of the risk points or a risk degree of the risk points of the pattern is smaller than the simulation result.
US08266543B2
A device driver or method that operate a periphery device. A display mode storage unit stores setting items, which are operable by a user using a user interface interfacing the device driver, into functionally mutually-related groups, as plates, the plates indicating display modes of the user interface for each group of the setting items. An alignment sequence setting unit sets an alignment sequence for the plates by allowing the user to set the alignment sequence. An arrangement unit arranges the plates in a plate display area on the user interface depending on the alignment sequence set by the alignment sequence setting. Each of the plates has a width that equals either a whole length or a half length of a width of the plate display area, and the arrangement unit arranges the plates in the plate display area depending on the alignment sequence set by the alignment sequence setting unit.
US08266541B2
A disclosed technology is for controlling the operation of displaying message windows. Plural message windows are not displayed at the same time in response to plural requests being made to start displaying the same message window.
US08266535B2
A method and apparatus of providing a teleforum. The method includes generating simultaneous outbound invitation calls to multiple invitees and transmitting a message to each invitee, inviting him or her to become a teleforum participant. Teleforum participants who accept the invitation are connected to the teleforum in a listen-only mode. During the teleforum, a teleforum participant may request active participation in the teleforum. The method also includes allowing the participant to actively participate in the teleforum. Active participation may include but is not limited to such activities as: speaking to the teleforum, asking a question, responding to a poll, making a donation, providing information, leaving a message, being transferred to a subconference, receiving feedback from participants, leaving a voicemail, volunteering for future activities or receiving media transmitted outside of the teleforum.
US08266534B2
Members working on the same project can access similar resources at substantially the same time to facilitate active participation in the project. A meeting associated with the project can be given a unique identifier that can allow the project members to access a meeting or other content and view similar documents or other content as it is discussed in the meeting. As information is edited, modified, created, etc. the members can selectively be presented with the information. A common repository can provide the members with an area or platform in which the project material can be accessed, discussed or other functions performed by the project members, allowing for collaboration of the project details.
US08266523B2
A method and computer system are described for conducting commercial transactions. An enhanced type of XML schema may be used which supports integrity constraints and polymorphism. Schemas are identified by the use of Uniform Resource Names. XML processors residing on transaction servers or trading partner servers parse document instances by retrieving the URNs corresponding to the schemas used to interpret the document. The URNs are converted to location-dependent URIs in order to locate the schemas. URNs are resolved to location-dependent URIs by use of the LDAP protocol. URNs may be converted to LDAP URLs which are used to search LDAP compliant directories. The directories serve as registries for the URI values corresponding to the URNs.
US08266518B2
A tool set is provided that uses a series of modules (e.g. spreadsheet workbooks) for assessing risks/threats to and attacks against a project and developing countermeasures against such risks/threats/attacks. The project may cover a wide berth of functionality from alarm systems, computer security, building projects, etc. The roll up feature of the spreadsheet may be employed to evaluate changing scenarios in a short period of time. Ranked threats and countermeasures operable to defeat such threats may be displayed in a tree diagram generated by one or more of the modules.
US08266506B2
A method and apparatus providing improved set membership determination and group membership identification of candidate data elements using a single Bloom filter programmed to provide a plurality of non-zero f-bit binary vectors, where each of the f-bit binary vectors is associated with a respective group. The Bloom filter is programmed using one or more (but not all) of a plurality of hash filter sets.
US08266498B2
A cache includes a plurality of cache lines, where each cache line includes a detection type field, corresponding cache data field, a detection field, and a corresponding tag field. The detection type field indicates an error detection scheme from a plurality of error detection schemes currently in use for the corresponding cache data field. One example of an error detection scheme is a multiple bit error detection scheme (e.g. an error detection coding (EDC) or an error correction coding (ECC)). Another type is a single bit error detection scheme (e.g. parity error detection). The detection bits field stores parity bits if parity error detection is used. The detection bits field stores checking bits if EDC coding is used.
US08266496B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing data in a solid-state storage device. A solid-state storage and solid-state controller are included. The solid-state storage controller includes a write data pipeline and a read data pipeline The write data pipeline includes a packetizer and an ECC generator. The packetizer receives a data segment and creates one or more data packets sized for the solid-state storage. The ECC generator generates one or more error-correcting codes (“ECC”) for the data packets received from the packetizer. The read data pipeline includes an ECC correction module, a depacketizer, and an alignment module. The ECC correction module reads a data packet from solid-state storage, determines if a data error exists using corresponding ECC and corrects errors. The depacketizer checks and removes one or more packet headers. The alignment module removes unwanted data, and re-formats the data as data segments of an object.
US08266484B1
A system including a plurality of data storage cells, where each of the plurality of data storage cells is configured to store a plurality of data bits, and a plurality of reserved cells configured to store status information of one or more of the plurality of data storage cells. Each of the plurality of reserved cells includes a multi-bit cell configured to store the status information at a lower density than each of the data storage cells.
US08266445B2
To allow viewers to view a plain document depending on levels of the authorized powers of the viewers without inserting identifiers into the plain document. An encrypting device includes devices for: storing encrypting role information which includes encrypting keys and key IDs of the encrypting keys; grasping the encrypting range of the plain document, and creating an encrypted part by encrypting the encrypting range using the encrypting key in the encrypting role information; creating the encrypting information configured with one, two, or more record(s) containing the front position and rear position of the encrypted part, the key ID corresponding to the encrypting key that is applied for the encrypted part, and the processing order of the encrypted part; creating the encrypted document by combining an encrypted document main body configured with a document containing the encrypted part with the encrypting information; and storing the encrypted document to a prescribed medium.
US08266441B2
A one-time password (OTP) generator in combination with a conventional credit/debit card comprising a card having a magnetic bar stripe, raised imprint card numbers and name, expiration date and four digit code as are known in the art is provided. Full smart card functionality may also be provided. The card also includes a microprocessor and software, dedicated chip or a memory chip for generating the OTP. A visual and/or audio display is provided on the card to output the OTP to the user. The end user inputs the OTP to access the secured system. The credit/debit card functionality may be used apart from the OTP generator functionality.
US08266440B2
An information processing apparatus of the present invention converts user authentication information based on a second one-way function into a second converted value if authentication with a first converted value obtained by converting the user authentication information based on the first one-way function is successful.
US08266435B2
The invention pertains to a method, computer readable medium, and data processing system for generation of an asymmetric cryptographic key pair including reception of an arbitrarily selectable login name, calculation of a first data object key, whereby a random value and the login name are included in the calculation, and calculation of a second data object key from the first data object key, whereby the first and second data object keys form the asymmetric cryptographic key pair.
US08266432B2
A method and system is provided by a Central-Entity, for identification and authorization of users over a communication network such as Internet. Central-Entity centralizes users personal and financial information in a secure environment in order to prevent the distribution of user's information in e-commerce. This information is then used to create digital identity for the users. The digital identity of each user is dynamic, non predictable and time dependable, because it is a combination of user name and a dynamic, non predictable and time dependable secure code that will be provided to the user for his identification. The user will provide his digital identity to an External-Entity such as merchant or service provider. The External-Entity is dependent on Central-Entity to identify the user based on the digital identity given by the user. The External-Entity forwards user's digital identity to the Central-Entity for identification and authentication of the user and the transaction. The identification and authentication system provided by the Central-Entity, determines whether the user is an authorized user by checking whether the digital identity provided by the user to the External-Entity, corresponds to the digital identity being held for the user by the authentication system. If they correspond, then the authentication system identifies the user as an authorized user, and sends an approval identification and authorization message to the External-Entity, otherwise the authentication system will not identify the user as an authorized user and sends a denial identification and authorization message to the External-Entity.
US08266423B2
A method for securing a program against attacks by error, i.e. in a chip card, wherein at least one jump instruction, including a relative address chosen from a plurality of possible relative addresses, is identified in the program, wherein the at least one jump instruction makes it possible to reach a targeted address inside the memory area extending before and after the jump instruction and regrouping the plurality of possible relative addresses, inside the memory area, wherein an instruction to be preserved is identified and, in order to secure at least the instruction, at least one first non-operative batch including at least one instruction is inserted, the insertion being carried out in such a way as to ensure that the insertion is compatible with maintenance of the address targeted by the jump instruction inside the memory area and that the insertion is compatible with the normal running of the program.
US08266418B2
Provided are a computer system and a method of booting the same. The computer system includes: a first storage unit for storing a booting-related program including an operating system program and data, the stored program and data being retained even when a power voltage is not supplied; and a second storage unit for storing data, the data being lost when the power voltage is not supplied for a predetermined time or longer. The method includes: a first step of performing a booting operation using the booting-related program stored in the first storage unit and storing the booting-related program stored in the first storage unit in the second storage unit when the second storage unit is detected and the booting-related program is not stored in the second storage unit; a second step for performing a booting operation by executing the booting-related program stored in the second storage unit when the second storage unit is detected and the booting-related program is stored in the second storage unit; and a third step of backing up the booting-related program stored in the second storage unit to the first storage unit when a predefined backup condition is met.
US08266415B2
A system may include a printed circuit board, a first component located on the printed circuit board, the first component having a first unique identifier and a processor located on the printed circuit board, the processor including a one time programming section. The processor may acquire the first unique identifier from the first component and store the first unique identifier in the one time programming section during the first time initialization. Upon subsequent initializations, the processor may acquire the first unique identifier from the first component and compare the first unique identifier to the stored first unique identifier. The processor may allow the subsequent initializations to proceed if the first unique identifier matches the stored first unique. The processor may disallow the subsequent initializations from proceeding if the first unique identifier does not match the stored first unique identifier.
US08266413B2
A processor triggers a first advanced execution processing pass to an instruction sequence in response to a first stalled instruction and initiates execution of a further instruction in the instruction sequence that stalls during the performance of the first advanced execution processing pass. A second advanced execution pass is performed through the instruction sequence in which the further instruction is processed again to provide a valid result after stalling. In one form, the first instruction is performed while the processor operates in a normal execution mode and the first and second advanced execution processing passes are performed while the processor operates in an advance execution mode.
US08266409B2
In a particular embodiment, a cache is disclosed that includes a tag state array that includes a tag area addressable by a set index. The tag state array also includes a state area addressable by a state address, where the set index and the state address include at least one common bit.
US08266408B2
A system and method for providing high-speed memory operations is disclosed. The technique uses virtualization of memory space to map a virtual address space to a larger physical address space wherein no memory bank conflicts will occur. The larger physical address space is used to prevent memory bank conflicts from occurring by moving the virtualized memory addresses of data being written to memory to a different location in physical memory that will eliminate a memory bank conflict.
US08266407B2
A memory controller writes to a virtual address associated with data residing within an asymmetric memory component of main memory that is within a computer system and that has a symmetric memory component, while preserving proximate other data residing within the asymmetric memory component. The symmetric memory component within the main memory of the computer system is configured to enable random access write operations in which an address within a block of the symmetric memory component is written without affecting the availability of other addresses within the block of the symmetric memory component during the writing of that address. The asymmetric memory component is configured to enable block write operations in which writing to an address within a region of the asymmetric memory component affects the availability of other addresses within the region of the asymmetric memory component during the block write operations involving the address.
US08266393B2
Systems and methods that coordinate operations among a plurality of memory controllers to make a decision for performing an action based in part on state information. A control component facilitates exchange of information among memory controllers, wherein exchanged state information of the memory controllers are further employed to perform computations that facilitate the decision making process.
US08266392B2
Techniques for improving cache accesses in an object-relational mapping space are described herein. In one embodiment, in response to a first cache request received at a first cache API associated with a transaction for updating a data entry of the relational database, the updated data of the data entry is stored in a local cache, where the local cache is one of members of a cache cluster, and an invalidation message is sent to remaining members of the cache cluster to invalidate corresponding cache entries of the remaining members. In response to a second cache request received at a second cache API associated with a transaction for loading data from a data entry of the relational database, the loaded data is stored in the local cache without sending an invalidation message to the remaining members of the cache cluster. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08266390B2
Systems and methods that provide a one-time programmable (OTP) memory with fault tolerance are provided. In one example, the OTM memory may include a data portion and a multistage programming (MSP) portion. The data of the data portion may be protected by error coding. The MSP portion may include at least one MSP bit and at least one respective redundant MSP bit.
US08266384B1
In order to optimize efficiency of deserialization, a serialization cache is maintained at an object server. The serialization cache is maintained in conjunction with an object cache and stores serialized forms of objects cached within the object cache. When an inbound request is received, a serialized object received in the request is compared to the serialization cache. If the serialized byte stream is present in the serialization cache, then the equivalent object is retrieved from the object cache, thereby avoiding deserialization of the received serialized object. If the serialized byte stream is not present in the serialization cache, then the serialized byte stream is deserialized, the deserialized object is cached in the object cache, and the serialized object is cached in the serialization cache.
US08266382B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for arbitrating requests received from one of the multiple clients of an L1 cache and for providing hints to the client to assist in arbitration. The L1 cache services multiple clients with diverse latency and bandwidth requirements and may be reconfigured to provide memory spaces for clients executing multiple parallel threads, where the memory spaces each have a different scope.
US08266379B2
A multithreaded processor includes multiple level-1 program caches and multiple level-1 data caches to decrease the likelihood of cache misses after thread switches. By using multiple level-1 caches, execution of a first thread does not cause instructions or data cached for a second thread to be replaced. Thus, when the second thread is being executed the occurrence of cache misses is reduced.
US08266377B2
A computer system including a first storage system connected to a first host computer, a second storage system connected to a second host computer and a third storage system connected to the first and second storage systems. The second storage system sets transfer setting before an occurrence of a failure, the transfer setting being provided with a dedicated storage area to be used for transferring data to the third storage system by asynchronous copy in response to a failure at the first host computer. Before the start of data transfer between the second storage system and third storage system to be executed after an occurrence of the failure, the second storage system checks the dedicated storage area, data transfer line and transfer setting information, and if an abnormal state is detected, this abnormal state is reported to the host computer as information attached to the transfer setting.
US08266370B2
The present invention discloses a method for processing data of a flash memory by differentiating levels, which includes steps of separating the communication between a host and a flash memory by a high-level translation layer (HTL) and a low-level abstraction layer (LAL). The HTL receives commands and logical addresses from the host and translates the received logical addresses to the physical addresses of the flash memory. The LAL executes data processing to the corresponding memory cells according to the commands and the physical addresses from the HTL. Since the LAL is disposed between the HTL and the flash memory, the HTL is irrelevant to the structure of the flash memory, and does not have to re-designed with the flash memory which is replaced with another new flash memory.
US08266364B2
A portable electronic device is provided with a storage section which stores various pieces of information and a transmitter/receiver section which transmits and receives data to and from external equipment. It is determined whether or not data paired with write data contained in a write command is stored by the storage section when the write command is received by the transmitter/receiver section, the write data is written to the storage section if it is concluded that the data paired with the write data contained in the write command is stored by the storage section, and the transmitter/receiver section is caused to transmit a result of determination on abnormality to the external equipment if it is concluded that the data paired with the write data contained in the write command is not stored by the storage section.
US08266358B2
An image processing device including a first control unit to control a normal operating mode during which image processing is performed, a second control unit to control an energy-saving mode during which power consumption is lower than during the normal operating mode, an interrupt request receiver connected to an external device to receive an interrupt request from the external device, interrupt factor distributors to distribute the interrupt request received by the interrupt request receiver based on whether or not the interrupt request includes a predetermined interrupt factor, interrupt request notification units to notify the second control unit as well as the first control unit of the interrupt request in accordance with distribution results from the interrupt factor distributors, and job adjustors to control transfer of a job between the first control unit and the second control unit based on notification from the interrupt request notification units.
US08266357B2
The disclosure recites a system and method for updating a resource to an electronic device. The system comprises: a resource providing information for the device; a server to maintain the resource; a communication link providing the device with access to the resource; a data transmission module for extracting and transmitting access information about the resource to the device; and a data processing module for processing the received information at the device. In the device, a GUI provides information on a topic retrieved from local storage on the device and additional information about the resource is incorporated into the GUI for that topic.
US08266345B2
A dynamic A-MSDU enabling method is disclosed. The method enables the recipient of an aggregate MAC service data unit (A-MSDU) under a block ACK agreement to reject the A-MSDU. The method thus distinguishes between A-MSDU outside of the block ACK agreement, which is mandatory, from A-MSDU under the block ACK agreement, which is optional. The method thus complies with the 802.11n specification while enabling the recipient to intelligently allocate memory during block ACK operations.
US08266343B2
A device may include polling logic configured to store a table of received addresses, sequentially receive sensor data from each address in the table via a serial data bus, store the sensor data in a memory, receive an address from a processor via a high speed data bus, and provide stored sensor data from the memory to the processor via a parallel data bus.
US08266336B2
A video device includes a signal generating circuit configured for generating video signals; an internal resistor connected to the output port of the signal generating circuit and matching with an external resistor of an external device; a detecting circuit connected to two ends of the internal resistor through two input ports thereof, and configured for detecting voltages of the two ends of the internal resistor and outputting a voltage difference therebetween; a controlling circuit connected to the output port of the detecting circuit, and configured for determining whether or not the external device is connected to the video device according to the voltage deference, and outputting a controlling signal to the signal generating circuit; an auxiliary detecting circuit connected to the output port of the controlling circuit, and configured for generating an auxiliary detecting signal transmitted to the internal resistor.
US08266331B2
In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, at a first computing device coupled to a second computing device via a bus, receiving a request from the second computing device to complete a non-posted command, where the request is received via a request credit channel of the bus, and where the first computing device is configured to receive requests to complete non-posted commands and requests to complete posted commands via the request credit channel. The method also includes removing the request to complete the non-posted command from the request credit channel. The method further includes transmitting a retry request associated with the non-posted command to the second computing device via a response credit channel of the bus.
US08266330B2
A controller for processing a command in a data storage device includes at least one bitmap and a firmware command que. The at least one bitmap is formed in hardware to indicate that the command is received. The firmware command que is generated by firmware for storing the command when the at least one bitmap indicates receipt of the command. The firmware generates the firmware command que that is of variable size for processing a high number of commands. In addition, the bitmaps are generated in the hardware for quickly receiving the high number of commands.
US08266327B2
A network infrastructure element such as a router or switch performs brokering network user identity and credential information. An application or administrative user can declare a policy for user identity information extraction, authentication and authorization. Based on the policy, the network element extracts user identity information or credentials from a transport-layer message header, application-layer message header, and message body. Based on the policy, the network element performs one or more authentication or authorization operations with the user identity information or credentials. As a result, a network element can broker identity information among incompatible applications and perform identity operations for the applications.
US08266292B2
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for generating a human memorable resource name. Both a first part of the resource name and a second part of the resource name are generated, where both parts respectively comprise a memorable alphanumeric string (e.g., easily remembered). The first and second parts of the resource name are combined with an intervening separator symbol to generate the first resource name, comprising the first part, the symbol, and the second part. The first resource name is compared against a desired threshold to determine if it can be used as the name for the resource. If the first resource name does not meet the threshold a second resource name is generated for the resource.
US08266289B2
Systems, methods, and computer media for scheduling vertices in a distributed data processing network and allocating computing resources on a processing node in a distributed data processing network are provided. Vertices, subparts of a data job including both data and computer code that runs on the data, are assigned by a job manager to a distributed cluster of process nodes for processing. The process nodes run the vertices and transmit computing resource usage information, including memory and processing core usage, back to the job manager. The job manager uses this information to estimate computing resource usage information for other vertices in the data job that are either still running or waiting to be run. Using the estimated computing resource usage information, each process node can run multiple vertices concurrently.
US08266287B2
Methods, apparatus, and products for managing computer resources in a distributed computing system are disclosed that include registering, in a configuration management database by a discovery module in response to a modification of a resource in a resource container, the resource in association with a configuration management database identifier, the resource characterized by a resource type and a resource identification, the resource container including a manageability endpoint characterized by a manageability endpoint reference; and managing the resource by a management module in dependence upon a resource management policy and the manageability endpoint reference, the resource management policy including management actions for the resource.
US08266285B2
In order to limit host computers permitted to control a storage area from host computers, provided is a storage management computer coupled to one or more host computers for providing services and one or more storage systems, in which the storage management computer judges whether the host computer is permitted to control the storage area based on data indicating the configuration information of the storage system and service management information for managing the services provided by the host computers, and in case of which it is judged that the host computer is permitted to control the storage area, the storage management computer sets access control data to permit the host computer to control the storage area.
US08266281B1
Technologies are described herein for collecting client-side performance metrics and latencies. A web page received by a web browser application executing on a user computing device includes markup or scripting code that instructs the browser to collect performance measures during the rendering of the content of the web page. The performance measures may include operation timings that measure the time it takes for a particular operation to complete during the rendering of the content and/or event counters that count the number of times that a specific event occurs during the rendering of the content. The web browser application sends an event report containing the collected performance measures to a reporting module executing on a server computer. The reporting module receives the event report, validates the content of the event report, and adds the event report to a database or other data storage system.
US08266273B2
The disclosure relates to a realtime process history server for use in a process control system comprising a process information management system (PIMS) and one or more distributed processing systems (distributed control systems DCS, 14.1 to 14.n). The realtime process history server features a combined PIMS/DCS server and a report server and is set up such that, by means of the report server, both clients and operator workstations of the DCS systems (14.1 to 14.n) have concurrent access under realtime conditions to the PIMS/DCS server and process history data which is stored therein.
US08266269B2
Systems and methods for managing and providing content and services on a network system. Aspects of the invention include location-based determination of network content and services that may be provided to client computers. Other aspects of the invention include authorization and authentication components that determine access rights of client computers. Additional aspects include systems and methods for redirecting client computers to different network content. The disclosed systems and methods may be used in numerous network system applications.
US08266268B1
The present invention provides a method and a system for deploying a network monitoring service within a communication network. In accordance with the present invention, the method identifies the location types within the network and the associated costs of service installation for each location type. The method analyzes the traffic types present at each location type and determines the location type with the lowest cost for the selected traffic type. In another aspect of the invention, various methods to determine network devices to deploy a network monitoring service for the lowest cost are described.
US08266261B2
Provided is a server system, a collective server apparatus, and a MAC address management method that enables to change a MAC address and a flexible assignment of a MAC address. A server system according to the present invention includes a plurality of network control units that control communication performed with another device via a network, an address storage unit that stores a MAC address to be assigned to the network control unit, an assignment change processing unit that changes an assignment of the MAC address stored in the address storage unit and writes in the address storage unit, and an assignment execution unit that specifies the assignment stored in the address storage unit to each of the network control units.
US08266260B2
A method and system for updating a group of network nodes, such as a group of MFPs, with replacement software in a manner that improves network performance and the predictability of a completion time for installation of the replacement software involves throttling distribution of a software update package to avoid resource oversubscription while time-bounding distribution so that installation of the software update on all of the network nodes can be completed by a certain time and, in some embodiments, further involves determining a start time for distribution of the software update package based at least in part on a scheduled installation time selected by a network administrator, which provides a high degree of confidence that installation of the software update across the entire group of network nodes will be completed around a scheduled time (e.g. during “off hours”) notwithstanding the staggered distribution of the software update package.
US08266256B2
Techniques are generally described that relate to a method and system for associating a virtual device operating in a virtual network having a virtual device coordinator with a low-power device. Example methods may include receiving, by the virtual device coordinator, a low-power device descriptor from the low-power device. The virtual device coordinator may be arranged to determine a low-power device classification based on the received low-power device descriptor. The virtual device may be configured, by the virtual device coordinator, based on one or more of the low-power device classification and/or the low-power device descriptor. The virtual device coordinator may be adapted to store an association record indicating that the virtual device is associated with the low-power device.
US08266255B2
Method and system for configuring settings for a communications client utilizing host device drivers
A system and method for configuring a client on a host device using a configuration application on a configuring device, the system comprising: a link between the configuring device and the host device; host drivers for communicating between the host device and the configuring device over the link; and an interface between the host drivers and the configuration application, wherein said interface allows said configuration application to be independent of the host drivers while allowing the configuration application to configure the client.
US08266253B2
The present invention provides techniques for allowing a server system to reduce the amount of communications and perform efficient operations. A server system returns an event message in response to an HTTP request including an application identifier from a client terminal. The server system comprises a first through a fourth server, where the first server receives the HTTP request from the client device and transfers the HTTP request to a plurality of installed second servers, the third server transmits a server identifier of the second server, to which the HTTP request has been transferred, to the fourth server after the HTTP request has been made, and the fourth server transmits an application identifier included in the HTTP request and an event message to the second transmission server indicated by the server identifier, and the second server suspends the HTTP request transferred from the request reception server, and transmits the HTTP request to the client device when it receives the event message from the fourth server.
US08266246B1
A method, device and/or system for syndicating customization files, which define playback experience for content rendered on media players. The customization files are referenced by links distributed to the media players. Each customization file references a plurality of content objects that are stitched together to create the playback experience. A delivery network is used to distribute the customization files to the media players. Updates to the customization files can be done after distribution of their corresponding links. Usage information for the customization files are reported from the media players.
US08266233B1
A system and method for suppressing operation of alert logic at a communication device so as to reduce a quantity of alerts presented by various alert logic elements, where each alert logic element is operable to cause an alert for a given event to be presented. Conflict-resolution logic executable by a processor may receive an alert notification for the given event, determine which alert logic elements are operable to present an alert for the given event, determine which of the alert logic elements are running and a priority for each of the alert logic elements, suppressing operation of the alert logic elements that are running and do not have the highest priority, and providing alert notification to the alert logic element that is running and having the highest priority. The alert logic element receiving the alert notification causes the alert for the given event to be presented.
US08266228B2
To associate an email with a tag, an email client may receive a tag corresponding to an email attribute, wherein the email attribute is an historical email tag. The email client stores the tag to a record keyed by the email attribute, and receives an email tag request, the email tag request having a word attribute, and looks up at least one record based on the word attribute to find the tag. The email client presents the tag of the at least one record to a user. The email client receives a user selection of the tag to form a selected tag, and sends an email having the selected tag as part of the email header, wherein the email comprises the email tag request.
US08266224B2
In an embodiment, a data processing system comprises application workflow optimizing logic and which when executed is operable to receive first workflow data that defines a sequence of processing operations to perform on an application-layer message; rewrite the first workflow data by separation of dependent update operations to result in creating rewritten workflow data; and store the rewritten workflow data in a data repository. Application gateway logic may be operable to receive one or more packets; construct a received message from one or more payloads of the packets; classify the received message to identify a particular workflow associated with the message; apply the particular workflow, using the rewritten workflow data, to the received message to result in identifying a destination application server and creating an outgoing message; send the outgoing message to the destination application server.
US08266223B2
A method, Internet protocol television (IPTV) enabled communication device, and computer program product for automatic message services are provided. A processor executes instructions from a memory. An input and output (I/O) device is for transmitting and receiving, respectively. A client application is stored in the memory and configured to provide the automatic message service. The client application receives input of a message to be presented at an appropriate time, receives input of an action associated with the message, receives input of a recipient for the message, and presents the message for display to the recipient at the appropriate time.
US08266222B2
A handheld computer includes a housing and a display supported by the housing and configured to display images representative of computer program applications. The handheld computer also includes a memory and a microprocessor coupled to the memory and the display and configured to run applications stored in the memory. The handheld computer also includes a software application that is stored in the memory. The handheld computer further includes a launching application stored in the memory. This launching application has an image on the display representative of the software application and the launching application carries out computer program steps to modify the launching environment prior to running the software application such that the software application runs properly on the handheld computer, the software application not originally designed to run on the handheld computer.
US08266217B2
An unsolicited electronic message source verification and tracking method and system for providing an efficient and convenient mechanism for tracking identification of unsolicited electronic message (e.g., e-mails) sources is presented. In one embodiment, a request for authorization to forward an electronic message is received. The request for authorization includes a request source address. A response is sent including an authorization indicator (e.g., a unique bit string) is sent to the request source address. An electronic message is received and a determination is made if the electronic message includes a valid authorization indictor. If the electronic message does include a valid authorization indicator the electronic message is associated with the request source address and the association is tracked. In one exemplary implementation, a source address included in the electronic message is compared to the request source address and discrepancies are noted.
US08266215B2
A system and method are disclosed for classifying a message. The method includes receiving the message, identifying in the message a distinguishing property; generating a signature using the distinguishing property; and comparing the signature to a database of signatures generated by previously classified messages.
US08266214B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for creating a collaborative file in a shared network including: accessing one or more user machines in a shared space, wherein the shared space is created by interaction of executable codes in a host and a user application and the shared space is described by a session attribute list; loading a media application with tools into one or more user machines; using a stage manager tool from the media application to stage and correlating media-layer events according to spatial, temporal and relational coordinate data in the user application, wherein the content composed of the media-layer events are described by at least a user, media-layer events, time and command; recording content associated with one or more of layers according to a user, media-layer events, time and command; and accessing said content based upon a user, media-layer events, time and command.
US08266204B2
Cloud computing platforms having computer-readable media that perform methods for direct addressability and direct server return are provided. The cloud computing platform includes a load balancer and several servers. The servers are configured with public addresses, private addresses, and an address of the load balancer. The loopback interface of the servers is configured with the address of the load balancer. This allows a server to bypass the load balancer when replying to communication messages. Additionally, the public and private addresses of the servers enable direct addressability in the cloud computing platform. Accordingly, an application executing in the cloud computing platform may connect two or more clients on the same server.
US08266197B1
The method of the present invention provides a fast, robust, and automated multivariate statistical analysis of gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) data sets. The method can involve systematic elimination of undesired, saturated peak masses to yield data that follow a linear, additive model. The cleaned data can then be subjected to a combination of PCA and orthogonal factor rotation followed by refinement with MCR-ALS to yield highly interpretable results.
US08266195B2
In signal processing using digital filtering the representation of a filter is adapted depending on the filter characteristics If e.g. a digital filter is represented by filter coefficients for transform bands Nos. 0, 1, . . . , K in the frequency domain, a reduced digital filter having coefficients for combined transform bands, i.e. subsets of the transformed bands, Nos. 0, 1, . . . , L, is formed and only these coefficients are stored. When the actual filtering in the digital filter is to be performed, an actual digital filter is obtained by expanding the coefficients of the reduced digital filter according to a mapping table and then used instead of the original digital filter.
US08266181B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for providing additional functionality to a data processing program. This is achieved by various means, including preprocessing records in a data volume, designating certain records with a key-break, and creating an aggregation structure that user programs may use to store previously-processed records from the data volume.
US08266179B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of processing an electronic text document. The method includes obtaining a character from the document. The method also includes obtaining a hash input code from a character map, the hash input code corresponding to the character. The method also includes modifying a hash value based on the hash input code if the hash input code indicates that the character is part of a token, or asserting the hash value if the hash input code indicates that character is not part of a token.
US08266178B2
A management apparatus to manage log information related to a process in a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus operating in cooperation with each other. The management apparatus includes a reception unit to receive first log information associated with a first user managed by the first information processing apparatus and to receive second log information associated with a second user managed by the second information processing apparatus from the first and second information processing apparatuses, respectively, which independently perform user management. The management apparatus also includes a log management unit to manage third log information. If the first user corresponds to the second user, then the third log information is generated by merging the first log information associated with the first user and the second log information.
US08266174B2
A meta classification section assigns the degree of accuracy capable of identifying an individual to person feature information containing a face, color, shape, etc., and person passage information and stores the metadata of the person feature information and the person passage information for each degree of accuracy, a discrete retrieval section retrieves the person to be retrieved in the high accuracy metadata stored by the meta classification section, a dependence determination section determines a person having a dependence on the person to be retrieved using a plurality of retrieval results hit in the discrete retrieval and the high accuracy metadata, a query generation section regenerates a retrieval key from the identifier of the person having a dependence and the identifier of the person to be retrieved, and a discrete candidate-to-candidate retrieval section retrieves the person corresponding to the regenerated retrieval key in the low accuracy metadata.
US08266171B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for tracking the effectiveness of a modification that has been installed into a product in response to an issued modification notice. A product removal database having removal data stored therein that are associated with one or more products is periodically accessed at a user-specified periodicity. One or more user-selected fix-effectiveness algorithms are executed to determine if at least a portion of the periodically accessed removal data matches one or more user-specified keywords that correlate to the modification. If it is determined that at least a portion of the periodically accessed removal data matches the one or more user-specified keywords, then an alert is transmitted to a preset destination.
US08266169B2
Computer methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture therefor, are disclosed for developing a complex-query pattern that is transformed into a region-matching transducer. A corpus-level transducer and the region matching transducer are combined. The combined transducer is applied to a corpus to identify strings therein that satisfy patterns defined in the corpus-level transducer, including the complex-query pattern, with each identified pattern being recorded in a corpus index. The corpus and the corpus index are made available for receiving a query with the query tag for querying the corpus and applying the query using the corpus index to identify locations in the corpus that satisfy the query.
US08266167B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing scenario based content responsive to a given client. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a content request from a given client. Characteristics associated with a client from whom the content request is received are then identified. One or more scenarios corresponding to the one or more characteristics associated with the client are subsequently identified and the client is provided with the content associated with the one or more identified scenarios.
US08266163B2
Utilizing reference/identification (ID) linking in extensible markup language (XML) wrapper code generation in a data processing system. A code generator receives a type document and reference/ID constraints document and accesses the reference/ID constraints document to translate between XML structures and object structures.
US08266159B2
A system and method for providing a user with efficient access to a log data file. The system takes a computer generated log data file and applies a user defined filter criteria to the log data file. The indexed and filtered log data file is then displayed to the user in an application player where the user can interact with the log data file.
US08266155B2
Systems and methods of displaying and re-using document chunks in a document development application
A method for searching and displaying documents at a computer includes: receiving one or more search keywords from a user of the computer, identifying a set of documents stored at a plurality of data sources, each document including one or more chunks that match at least one search keyword; and displaying in a search results window a set of search results in a text-based display format, each search result including at least one chunk retrieved from a respective document and the chunk includes at least one instance of a highlighted search keyword. In response to a user selection of a first search result in the search results window, the computer launches a first document preview window adjacent to the first search result and displays within the first document preview window a portion of a first document in a display format consistent with a document type of the first document.
US08266153B2
In embodiments, the number of references to an object which is deployed into an application server framework may be determined by examining metadata extracted from configuration data sources within a multi-tier application framework. In embodiments, an object relevance value based on the extracted number of references to an object may be associated with the object. In embodiments, the number of references extracted from a data source may be weighted using a weight factor that is associated with the data source. In embodiments, the number of references to a source object may be extracted by traversing a source inheritance hierarchy and parsing the objects within the hierarchy. In embodiments, an object relevance display of a set of objects may be generated based in part on object relevance values of the set of objects. In embodiments, an object relevance display may be a molecular display, a flash tag cloud, and/or a source tree hierarchy.
US08266142B2
A method for use in identifying a segment of audio and/or video information comprises obtaining a query fingerprint at each of a plurality of spaced-apart time locations in said segment, searching fingerprints in a database for a potential match for each such query fingerprint, obtaining a confidence level of a potential match to a found fingerprint in the database for each such query fingerprint, and combining the results of searching for potential matches, wherein each potential match result is weighted by respective confidence level. A confidence level may be a function of at least one or both of (1) a measure of difference between a query fingerprint and a found fingerprint and (2) the relative timing relationship between the time location of a query fingerprint and the time location of a found fingerprint.
US08266141B2
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for improving the efficiency of the interleaving process. Once it is determined that a search query is to be used in an interleaving experiment, a primary ranking system and a secondary ranking system are analyzed to determine whether their respective search results for that search query would be identical. If the search results would be identical, the search query is routed only to the primary ranking system and not the secondary ranking system. If, however, it is determined that the search results would not be identical, both the primary ranking system and the secondary ranking system receive the search query for processing.
US08266128B2
A method and apparatus for displaying received data, analyze the quality of the displayed data formulating a media-parameter suggestion for the encoder to alter the characteristics of data to be sent to the receiver, and sending from the receiver, the formulated suggestion.
US08266117B2
In an information system, a web server records web access logs of a client outside of a LAN. A mail server records transmission/reception logs of e-mails. A DB server records access right operation logs. A task application server records DB access log. An administrative server collects logs recorded in the web server, the mail server, the DB server, and the task application server, and operation logs of the client terminals to trace a person and an operation related to information leakage using the collected logs.
US08266114B2
A log structured content addressable deduplicated data storage system may be used to store deduplicated data. Data to be stored is partitioned into data segments. Each unique data segment is associated with a label. The storage system maintains a transaction log. Mutating storage operations are initiated by storing transaction records in the transaction log. Additional transaction records are stored in the log when storage operations are completed. Upon restarting an embodiment of the data storage system, the transaction records from the transaction logs are replayed to recreate the state of the data storage system. The data storage system updates file system metadata with transaction information while a storage operation associated with the file is being processed. This transaction information serves as atomically updated transaction commit points, allowing fully internally consistent snapshots of deduplicated volumes to be taken at any time.
US08266102B2
Subsequent to a storage operation performed on the source instance by a source component, a synchronization message is sent to a replicated component for the replicated instance. The synchronization message is stored locally in a persistent storage location associated with the source component along with an indicator representative of a time the storage operation was performed. Pursuant to receipt of the synchronization message by the replicated component, the replicated component is updated to a dirty state to indicate a lack of full synchronization between the source and replicated instances. Receipt of the synchronization message is acknowledged by the replicated component by sending a dirty state acknowledgement. If, during a subsequent recovery process, the dirty state is not yet cleared, the replicated component is deemed ineligible for participation in a full restoration operation.
US08266100B2
This invention provides an information processing apparatus which shortens the memory access time and reduces the cost while ensuring data reliability. To accomplish this, the information processing apparatus shifts each write start timing so that data to be written in at least one memory is not influenced by noise during write when writing the same information in a plurality of memories. When reading data from a plurality of memories, the information processing apparatus compares the data with each other to estimate normal data.
US08266098B2
In a computerized social network, expert and user chat sessions are stored and rated probabilistically. Later user requests for information are met with an expert ranking, based on a balance of similarities between expert profile and questions; similarity between expert profile and prior chat sessions, and dynamically updated chat session ratings. New sessions can be rated automatically with reference to keywords distilled from past sessions responsive to user ratings—and based on session length.
US08266087B2
An eForm with integrated business logic is created from an existing eForm using a parser to parse a source eForm to extract attributes of items on the source eForm. An item recognition unit recognizes interactive items in the source eForm according to the attributes of the items extracted by the parser. A business logic recognition unit recognizes business logic integrated into the source eForm according to the attributes of the items. An object eForm generator generates an object eForm containing the recognized interactive items and business logic.
US08266085B1
A network of coupled neurons for implementing Non-Lipschitz dynamics for modeling nonlinear processes or conditions comprising: a plurality of neurons, each being configurable in attractor and repulsion modes of operation, and programmable by an external signal; a plurality of synaptic connections for connecting at least a portion of the plurality of neurons for passage of data from one neuron to another; feedback circuitry for incrementing and decrementing an analog voltage output depending upon the output of the synaptic connection; whereby by the circuit solves Non-Lipschitz problems by programmably controlling the attractor and repulsion modes. A method of programming a network for solving Non-Lipschitz problems comprising providing a plurality of neurons, each programmable into a plurality of modes including repulsion and attraction modes; interconnecting the plurality of neurons using synaptic connections; providing feedback to at least one of the neurons; whereby by programming the neurons Non-Lipschitz terminal dynamics can be achieved.
US08266082B2
A context inference system including a mobile device and at least one information sending unit is provided. The mobile device includes an information receiving unit and a context operation platform. The information receiving unit receives a context information. The context operation platform includes an information collection module for collecting the information used for inferring a context based on a convergent search and an expanded search, a data classification and storage module for storing and classifying a user preference information of a user, and an inference module for inferring a context. The information sending unit transmits the context information to the mobile device. The context operation platform performs a context inference process according to the context information and the user preference information in order to forecast the user's need and provide a recommendation information to the user.
US08266056B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing an irregularly shaped Radio Frequency operable transaction device using conventional International Standards Organization dimensions for conventional transaction cards. The invention provides for normal manufacture of a plurality of transaction cards joined together in a single sheet. The outline of a RFID transaction device is impressed in a center portion of one of the transaction cards. A RFID transaction device may then be removed, or punched out of the transaction card in accordance with the transaction device outline.
US08266052B1
A computer-implemented method and system along with a processor readable medium for structuring a financial transaction. The invention includes the steps of associating, by a computer system, a first senior holder and a first subordinate holder with a first credit having a first obligation to make at least one payment, including holding in a first sub-pool a first subordinate obligation of the first obligation to pay the first subordinate holder from the first credit; associating, by the computer system, a second senior holder and a second subordinate holder with a second credit having a second obligation to make at least one payment, including holding in a second sub-pool a second subordinate obligation of the second obligation to pay the second subordinate holder from the second credit; and structuring in at least one computer memory, payments from the second subordinate holder financial instrument to perform the obligation of the first credit for the benefit of the first senior holder to the extent that the first credit enters a default state and payments due the first senior holder from all obligations in the first sub-pool to make the payments are not available.
US08266042B2
A computer implemented method and system for automatically setting prices of financial products in a financial activity having a plurality of possible outcomes, includes receiving a first request from a participant terminal to purchase a financial product for one of the possible outcomes, i; and electronically computing a price for the requested financial product, in response to the first request, based at least in part on a first formula. Also included is a method for automatically updating the prices for all other outcomes, other than the outcome, i, based at least in part on a second formula. In one example, the financial products include contracts in a one-sided market of buyer participants where the outcomes are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive.
US08266037B2
A system mitigates the effects of a market spike caused by the triggering and the election of a conditional order in an automated matching system. Conditional orders submitted to a trading engine are evaluated to compare a price of an order to a predetermined price range. Matching of the orders may be delayed when the price of the orders lies outside of the predetermined price range. An opening price to be used by the trading engine is derived and a time interval is used to delay a matching of the orders until the opening price is within a predetermined price range up to a maximum delay time set by a control center. Implied spreads are also removed until other instruments within a trading unit are verified open.
US08266031B2
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate the sharing of account features. In one aspect, a system includes a transaction handler to process transactions and a data warehouse to record the transactions and store account data identifying account features of separate accounts, such as a second account having a feature and a first account without this feature. Account holders of the first and second accounts are in a same household and thus, in accordance with a set of rules, eligible to share the account features. A portal is configured to receive a request identifying the first account and to determine whether a transaction initiated in the first account and qualified for a benefit of the account feature is entitled to the benefit; and if so, a notification engine is to transmit a notification message to an account holder of the first account.
US08266030B2
An electronic trading system utilizes a Match Engine that receives orders, stores them internally, calculates tradable combinations and advertises the availability of real and implied orders in the form of market data. New tradable items defined as combinations of other tradable items may be included in the calculation of tradable combinations. A technique is disclosed for transforming a combination or strategy contract with an arbitrary number of buy and sell legs with an arbitrary volume ratio for each leg into a form that can be used for rapid implied order calculations.
US08266021B2
A system for providing industry-wide reference cost of fraud data related to financial presentation devices that are presentable to providers of goods and services is provided. A fraud assessment module executable by a processor of the system receives, from multiple business entities, sales data and operating cost data both related to financial presentation devices. The fraud assessment module determines, based on the received data, the reference cost of fraud data including a direct fraud loss, fraud operating cost and opportunity cost for use by individual entities as benchmark cost of fraud data.
US08266018B2
Methods and apparatus for managing tote deliveries by a tote delivery service. The tote delivery service directs delivery of items ordered by customers via a network site to delivery addresses corresponding to the customers in reusable totes on upcoming tote delivery days. A user interface to the network site may provide a tote management user interface that includes one or more user interface elements via which a customer may view the customer's upcoming tote orders and modify the content, destination, or scheduling of upcoming totes. For example, the customer may move an item from one tote into another tote, remove or delete an item from a tote, and replicate an item or an entire tote order to another tote. A customer may have multiple tote delivery days and multiple delivery addresses; the tote management user interface enables the customer to manage tote deliveries across time and across location.
US08266016B2
A method to facilitate network-based commerce includes determining a site that a user accesses, the site being one of multiple sites operated by a network-based commerce facility. A category list available for the site is retrieved, the category list identifying categories of offerings available via the site. The category list is communicated to the user. The site is a regional site, and the category list is a region-specific category list.
US08266015B2
A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired.
US08266014B1
A shared “universal” virtual shopping cart (“the cart”) may be provided by a host to enable information sharing between multiple disparate electronic marketplaces provided by various merchants. The host may obtain user information via the cart to improve interactions with a user. The host may recommend an item to the user that is offered at a lower price and related to an item retained in the user's cart. The host may also recommend items based on a user's purchase history, such as complementary items (e.g., up-sell items) and items other users may recommend. In some aspects, the host may compile best selling lists based on data from multiple electronic marketplaces. The host may also perform user specific operations such as indicate an item in a cart is a duplicate of a previous purchase and monitor a price and/or available quantities of an item in the cart.
US08266008B1
Techniques are described for facilitating a supply of used items on behalf of an entity that desires to acquire such used items, such as a merchant that sells used items to customers. The used items are obtained based on interactions with recipients who receive items that are sold or otherwise provided by one or more merchants (or other suppliers of items), such as by supplying appropriate information and materials to the recipients along with the items. In some situations, when an item is delivered or otherwise supplied to a recipient by a merchant, the merchant also supplies information to the recipient that indicates an offer from a used item acquirer entity to re-acquire the item from the recipient (such as after the recipient has used the item) and shipping materials for use in returning the item to an indicated destination if the recipient accepts the offer.
US08266004B2
Provided are an electronic commerce method and system that are capable of collecting information on a variety of goods or quotations in broad, intermediate, and narrow categories corresponding to attributes of goods that a buyer requests according to his or her needs, and managing the information in a database. The method and system are also capable of enabling a buyer to read and refer to quotation history, including quotation requests or process details for goods or services, and suggest appropriate price and conditions in a process of requesting a quotation. The method and system are also capable of enabling a plurality of verified sellers to respond to the quotation request, by storing, processing, and publishing the quotation history, such that the seller can obtain online sales routes at low cost and the buyer can purchase desired goods or services at a better price and under better conditions due to competition among sellers.
US08265999B1
A method and system for facilitating the transfer of intellectual property are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method of facilitating the transfer of intellectual property includes obtaining at a computer system of a first entity information concerning intellectual property in which an interest is available for transfer (the “available intellectual property”) from a second entity. The method further includes transferring the interest in the available intellectual property by concluding an agreement between the first and second entities. The agreement is representative of an acceptance of an offer concerning the transferring of the interest in the available intellectual property and consideration for the transferring of the interest. At least a portion of the interest in the available intellectual property that is transferred to the first entity is intended to be transferred from the first entity to a third entity.
US08265995B2
A method, system, and medium are provided for targeting advertisements to users of mobile devices based on geo-temporal models. Time-stamped location information is collected for a mobile device and a dynamic geo-temporal model is constructed and updated when new data is collected according to a sample design. Using the geo-temporal model, device location and instances of user interaction with the device can be predicted, and advertisements can be provided based on the predicted location. Advertisements can be cached on the mobile device for later presentation, and the sample design can be updated to improve efficiency and accuracy in the modeling system.
US08265972B2
A ranking method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, business requirements and associated weighting factors. The computing system receives a list of software/hardware products and associated assessment data. The business requirements are associated with product features of the software/hardware products. The computing system calculates total requirement weighting factors for the product features. The computing system stores the total requirement weighting factors.
US08265971B2
A method and system of generating at least one of a solution and a profile of solutions for a problem, including trading off a reduction of an objective of the problem against a number of activities utilized in a solution. The method and system further include partitioning activities into known and potential new activities, and generating, via non-linear integer programming, a model comprising a profile of solutions based on the known and potential new activities.
US08265961B2
A computerized medical care system provides validation of a diagnosis of a medical condition and requested medical services for treating the medical condition. The medial care system invokes multiple filters to determine the appropriateness of the diagnosis and medical service. Real time feedback is provided based on the determination. If the medical care cannot be validated, the feedback includes the reasons for the failure to validate, and any supporting materials for the lack of validation. The feedback may also prompt the requesting entity to provide additional information to help support the medical provider's position as to why the requested medical care is appropriate.
US08265959B2
An online application for approving prior authorization requests for prescription drugs. The application is used by pharmacy benefits providers, physicians, and pharmacies to request prior authorizations for drugs and to receive approvals automatically if a requested drug meets authorization criteria. The online application is accessible through a group pharmacy benefits provider portal on a web site. Requests are processed through a pharmacy benefits manager computer that determines whether prior authorization is required and through a pharmacy benefits provider computer when the pharmacy benefits manager computer determines that prior authorization is required. Requests that meet certain authorization criteria are approved automatically. Requests that cannot be approved automatically are submitted for review by a clinical pharmacy review division that access requests through a drug request transaction computer.
US08265958B2
Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to aggregated access to healthcare information. One aspect of the invention relates to providing a single point of access to multiple stakeholders with respect to a medical case that may include information from multiple healthcare providers.
US08265954B2
A computer system that extracts health care data from one or more health care payors to identify meaningful relationships or patterns in treatments to compare the effectiveness of various treatment of specific diseases is provided. This computer system includes a computer and a staging database. The computer is configured to communicate with one or more payor computer systems of a type that includes one or more databases storing records of the health care data from one or more payors over the Internet. The staging database is in communication with the computer and is configured to receive the health care data from each of the payor computer systems. The health care data from each of the payor computer systems is configured to be converted into a normalized format. The normalized data is the made available to determine comparative effectiveness of various treatments of specific diseases.
US08265946B2
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: determining whether a plurality of end users deviated from compliantly executing a template designed to facilitate the plurality of end users in achieving one or more target outcomes when one or more emulatable aspects included in the template are emulated by the plurality of end users, the one or more emulatable aspects being based on one or more relevant reported aspects of one or more source users that were deemed to have been relevant to achieving the one or more target outcomes; and modifying the template based, at least in part, on determining that the plurality of end users deviated from compliantly executing the template In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08265940B2
A method for the artificial extension of the bandwidth of speech signals involves: a) Provision of a wideband input speech signal (swbi(k)); b) Determination of the signal components (seb(k)) of the wideband input speech signal (swbi(k)) required for the bandwidth extension from an extension band from the wideband input speech signal (swbi(k)); c) Determination of the temporal envelopes of the signal components (seb(k)) determined for the bandwidth extension; d) Determination of the spectral envelopes of the signal components (seb(k)) determined for bandwidth extension; e) Encoding of the information for the temporal envelopes and the spectral envelopes, and provision of the encoded information by carrying out the extension of the bandwidth; f) Decoding of the encoded information and generation of the temporal envelopes and the spectral envelopes from the encoded information for the production of a bandwidth-extended output speech signal (swbo(k)).
US08265933B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and article of manufacture for adjusting a language model within a voice recognition system, based on text received from an external application. The external application may supply text representing the words of one participant to a text-based conversation. In such a case, changes may be made to a language model by analyzing the external text received from the external application.
US08265929B2
Provides is an embedded code-excited linear prediction speech coding/decoding apparatus and method that can deal with the capacity change of speech transmission channel by modeling an error signal not coded at a core speech coder based on a transmission rate in a multiple pulse search mode or gain compensation mode and then transmitting it in an optimum mode. The apparatus includes a core speech coding unit for coding an input speech signal with spectral envelop and an excitation signal, a transmission rate determination unit for allocating the number of bits additionally allowed depending on a capacity of a transmission channel, and an embedded excitation signal coding unit for coding a residual excitation signal that is not coded in the core speech coding unit based on the number of additionally allowed bits using one of a multiple pulse excitation coding mode and a gain compensation mode.
US08265927B2
A relay device 20 duplicates speech data received from a communication terminal that is engaged in voice communication with another communication terminal. The duplicated speech data is transmitted to and is stored at a media processing device 40. Media processing device 40 builds a database for speech synthesis based on the stored speech data.
US08265901B2
A device for measuring and displaying body parameters includes a sensor that generates a signal representing a detected body parameter, such as body fat, body water and weight, of an individual; a transmitter to wirelessly transmit the signal; a receiver to receiver and display the sensed measurements as well as a user's name, time, date and temperature. The invention also pertains a method for determining fitness comprising the steps of: inputting, data pertaining to one of date, time, an individual's name, and fitness statistics, sensing parameters of one or more of an a body fat, a body a water and a weight; recording sensed parameters and said data; and transmitting the sensed parameters and said data; receiving said sensed parameters and said data and a signal proportional to a temperature and displaying one or more of said sensed parameters, data and temperature on a portable display unit.
US08265894B2
A method is provided for estimating the temperature in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of providing a sensor resistor (RTD) in the internal combustion engine, the sensor resistor (RTD) having a predetermined resistance-temperature characteristic, measuring a sensor voltage (VRTD) across the sensor resistor (RTD), calculating a resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and estimating the temperature using the resistance value and the resistance-temperature characteristic. The method further comprises the steps of connecting, in series to the sensor resistor (RTD), a first branch of a current mirror arrangement, connecting a reference resistor (R0) in series to a second branch of the current mirror arrangement, measuring a reference voltage (V0) across the reference resistor (R0) and calculating the resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and the reference voltage (V0).
US08265884B2
A method of measuring the elastic modulus and hardness of a thin film on substrate using nanoindentation technique is provided. The method includes calculating a series of experimental corrected stiffness and contact radius pairs associated with one or more presumed parameters and information obtained from a loading curve associated with the thin film and substrate. Also, the method includes calculating a series of theoretical corrected stiffness and contact radius pairs associated with the same one or more presumed parameters and information obtained from the loading curve associated with the thin film and substrate. Furthermore, the method includes using results obtained from the experimental and theoretical corrected stiffness and contact radius pairs to compute the elastic modulus and hardness of the film material.
US08265883B2
Systems and methods are provided for calibrating emission data or other information signals collected during a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplification reaction, assay, process, or other reaction. Calibration of multiple detectable materials can be achieved during a single cycle or run, or during a plurality of runs of the reaction. A reading from every well, container, or other support region of a sample support does not have to be taken. Interpolation can be used to determine values for emission data or other information signals that were not taken, or are unknown, using detected emission data, or other detected information signals. By calibrating the detected emission data and the interpolated data, a more accurate reading of emission data or information signal can be obtained.
US08265876B1
A method is disclosed for automatically extending interpreter horizon picks over a wider area of traces in such manner that the automatically generated picks are very similar to picks that an interpreter would pick manually. The method applies optical filters to seismic sections to determine the intrinsic orientation of seismic events. Seismic orientation is captured in the Orientation Vector Field, which is then used to guide the picking process.
US08265875B2
A method for interpolating data. The method includes receiving data acquired at one or more locations where the data represents subterranean formations in the earth. The method also includes selecting one or more of the locations such that the selected locations are within a vicinity of an interpolation location. Next, the method includes forming a matrix of interpolation coefficients based on a first function having one or more interpolation variables, a bandwidth for an interpolation operator and one or more differences between the selected locations, wherein at least one of the interpolation variables is periodic. The method then includes forming a differences vector based on a second function having the interpolation variables, the bandwidth and one or more differences between the selected locations and the interpolation location. Using the matrix of interpolation coefficients and the differences vector, the method then forms an interpolation operator vector by applying an inverse of the matrix of interpolation coefficients to the differences vector. The method then estimates a data value for the interpolation location using the interpolation operator vector.
US08265866B2
A navigation device is described that includes a processing device, a memory communicatively coupled to the processing device, the memory including a database of cartographic navigation map data, a first sensor operable to provide location data to the processing device, a display operatively coupled to the processing device, and an image acquisition device operatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to, when in a first mode of operation, to cause the display to display a portion of the cartographic navigation map data, the displayed portion based on the location data received by the processing device. The processing device is further configured, when in a second mode of operation, to cause the display to display an image acquired by the image acquisition device, the image overlaid by one or more symbols indicative of one or more points of interest within the database of cartographic navigation map data, the one or more symbols correlated to the acquired image based on the location data received by the processing device.
US08265864B1
A method of providing geographic information for a navigation system comprises obtaining a request for a geographic region and accessing geographic data corresponding to the geographic region from a geographic database. The method also comprises providing a plurality of first map images generated from the geographic data. Each of the first map images represents a unique portion of the geographic region. When the first map images are displayed together, they provide a first map depicting the geographic region.
US08265863B2
A method of displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes obtaining map data for rendering the map to be displayed on the wireless communications device, the map data including label data for rendering labels on the map. The device generates a collision-avoidance array representative of the map to be rendered for testing potential label positions prior to actually rendering the labels on the map. The collision-avoidance array is populated by provisionally designating, for each successive label to be rendered, a label space in the collision-avoidance array that corresponds to a map space that is to be occupied by the label on the map. The device then determines whether each successive label to be rendered collides in the collision-avoidance array with any previously designated label spaces. If no collision exists for a given label, the label can be rendered on the map.
US08265862B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for communicating location-related information. In operation, a vehicular assembly is utilized to communicate with a mobile device. Additionally, a location of a vehicle associated with the vehicular assembly is identified, utilizing the vehicular assembly. Furthermore, information based on the location is generated. Still yet, the information is communicated utilizing the mobile device.
US08265861B2
There is provided a driving assist system comprising: a road side apparatus which transmits the traffic circumstance information; and a vehicle-mounted apparatus including: an outputting part which outputs driving assist information for assisting a driving operation on the basis of output data on the basis of the at least one kind of the traffic circumstance information; and a controller for: generating the output data for outputting the driving assist information based on the traffic circumstance information; determining whether the output data is valid; and selecting one the output data which is determined as valid, on the basis of a predetermined standard validity, wherein the outputting part outputs the driving assist information using the selected output data.
US08265853B2
An engine control system includes a piston movement modeling module, a cylinder volume determination module, and a cylinder pressure estimation module. The piston movement modeling module models movement of a piston within a corresponding cylinder based on angular change of an engine crankshaft. The cylinder volume determination module determines a volume of the cylinder based on an angular position of the engine crankshaft and the modeled movement of the piston. The cylinder pressure estimation module estimates pressure in the cylinder based on the determined volume, an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), an intake valve timing, an exhaust valve timing, and an exhaust back pressure (EBP).
US08265848B2
A method adaptively learns torque converter (TC) slip in a transmission having a hydrodynamic torque converter assembly by setting a baseline TC slip profile, determining an actual TC slip value at different temperatures, generating an adapted TC slip profile by adapting the baseline TC slip profile in response to the actual TC slip values, and controlling the amount of TC slip during a neutral idle (NI) state of the transmission using the adapted TC slip profile. A vehicle includes a torque converter and a controller. The controller calibrates the TC slip during a first transmission state, and controls the amount of TC slip during a second transmission state. The controller measures actual TC slip data points, and adapts a TC slip profile to more closely approximate a natural slip curve of the vehicle in response to the actual slip TC slip value data points.
US08265842B2
A method for controlling a clutch of an electronic locking differential for a vehicle includes determining either that a speed of the vehicle is less than a reference speed or that a desired state of the clutch is a disengaged state, determining that an angular displacement of a steering wheel from a centered position is less than a first reference angle, and disengaging the clutch.
US08265831B2
A method for determining a crash condition including sensing crash acceleration in a vehicle X-direction at a central vehicle location and providing a first acceleration signal indicative thereof, sensing crash acceleration in a vehicle Y-direction, sensing crash acceleration in the X-direction at two locations near opposite sides of the vehicle remote from the central location and providing acceleration signals indicative thereof, determining a transverse crash evaluation value functionally related to the second acceleration signal, and determining remote crash evaluation values functionally related to the acceleration signals at the remote locations. The method further comprises the steps of comparing the determined transverse crash evaluation value as a function of the determined remote evaluation values against an associated threshold and determining a crash condition of the vehicle in response to (a) the comparison and (b) the first acceleration signal.
US08265826B2
A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) and gyroscope control system for vehicle steering control comprising a GNSS receiver and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase position differences. The roll angle facilitates correction of the lateral motion induced position errors resultant from motion of the antennae as the vehicle moves based on an offset to ground and the roll angle. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system. The system includes gyroscopes for determining system attitude change with respect to multiple axes for integrating with GNSS-derived positioning information to determine vehicle position, velocity, rate-of-turn, attitude and other operating characteristics. A vehicle control method includes the steps of computing a position and a heading for the vehicle using GNSS positioning and a rate gyro for determining vehicle attitude, which is used for generating a steering command.
US08265823B2
In order to suppress an instantaneous carrying current (surge current) and power supply noise caused by the instantaneous carrying current (the surge current), the power supply cutoff structure of a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprises a switching circuit for controlling a power supply to a controlled circuit. The switching circuit includes a plurality of transistors each having a different current capability. The transistors are sequentially provided with a certain regularity, including from a low current capability transistor up to a high current capability transistor.
US08265820B2
A saddle riding type vehicle includes a support mechanism arranged to support a pair of wheels to be movable up and down relative to a vehicle body, a lock mechanism connectable to the support mechanism and arranged to limit up-and-down motion of the pair of wheels, various sensors arranged to detect vehicle states, and a controller arranged to control the lock mechanism based on results of detection by the various sensors. The controller controls the lean limitation to the up-and-down motion of the pair of wheels and its cancellation automatically. The rider need not carry out a special control for operating the lock mechanism. In addition, the lock mechanism is controlled according to the vehicle states, which allows the rider to travel lightly and comfortably.
US08265814B2
A control method and unit of an electric traction motorcycle; there are provided: an accelerator grip pivotally mounted to rotate in a first rotation direction and about a rotation axis from a neutral position towards a maximum acceleration position; an elastic member which tends to keep the accelerator grip in the neutral position; at least one position sensor for detecting the angular position of the accelerator grip about the rotation axis; and a control device which drives an electric machine of the motorcycle according to the angular position of the accelerator grip; the accelerator grip is mounted to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction and about the rotation axis from the neutral position towards a deceleration position which is arranged in the direction opposite to the maximum acceleration position with respect to the neutral position.
US08265812B2
An autopilot system includes a navigation application for computing angular position and angular turn rate of a pilot line and an autopilot steering application for calculating steering commands for a ship steering device. The pilot line provides directional guidance to a ship and is a vector having one end attached to a point on the ship and a second end pointing to a desired direction. The autopilot steering application receives the computed pilot line angular position and angular turn rate and calculates angular position steering commands for the steering device. The steering commands are calculated by taking into account the difference between the pilot line angular position and the ship's angular position and the difference between the pilot line angular turn rate and the ship's angular turn rate.
US08265804B1
A method for controlling a vehicle may include sensing a position of each of a plurality of stars relative to the vehicle. The method may also include determining an attitude of the vehicle using the sensed positions of the plurality of stars, and the attitude may be determined either with or without using information from a gyro or sensor for measuring angular velocity. The method may additionally include implementing a set of strategies to optimize determination of the attitude of the vehicle when using only the sensed positions of the plurality of stars, without information from the sensor for measuring angular velocity. The method may further include controlling the vehicle based on the determined attitude of the vehicle.
US08265798B2
A system and method of curtailing energy production within congestive grid operating environments including a method of managing power generation of a power generation site operable to be coupled to a transmission line is disclosed. The method can also include detecting curtailment action data and energy pricing data of the power generation site. Additionally, the method can include analyzing the curtailment action data and the energy pricing data to detect a curtailment probability level and initiate a reduction of the electricity being transmitted from the power generating site to the transmission line in response to the detected curtailment probability level being above a curtailment set level. According to a further aspect of the invention, the electricity being transmitted from the power generating site to the transmission line may be reduced by diverting at least a portion of the electricity being transmitted from the power generating site to a storage system.
US08265788B2
An automated mail sorting system including a display for displaying the image of an item of mail belonging to a carrier route, and input device for associating the image with any of a plurality of stations in a walking sequence of the carrier route, and a sorter having a reader for identifying the item of mail, to sorter for placing the item of mail in a location corresponding to the station in the walking sequence.
US08265783B2
Lift data in which a lift amount is set based on a lift data rotation angle is read to identify the shape of a non-circular workpiece, and a profile point group that is formed of a plurality of profile points, each of which indicates a tool reciprocation position that corresponds to a spindle rotation angle, is calculated based on the read lift data. Then, the calculated profile point group is divided into a plurality of groups each of which is formed of the profile points that satisfy a group division condition, the two groups that satisfy a group comparison condition are selected, and the profile point that satisfies a specific point deletion condition that is set in advance for the combination of the selected two groups is deleted.
US08265769B2
This disclosure describes a chopper stabilized instrumentation amplifier. The amplifier is configured to achieve stable measurements at low frequency with very low power consumption. The instrumentation amplifier uses a differential architecture and a mixer amplifier to substantially eliminate noise and offset from an output signal produced by the amplifier. Dynamic limitations, i.e., glitching, that result from chopper stabilization at low power are substantially eliminated through a combination of chopping at low impedance nodes within the mixer amplifier and feedback. The signal path of the amplifier operates as a continuous time system, providing minimal aliasing of noise or external signals entering the signal pathway at the chop frequency or its harmonics. The amplifier can be used in a low power system, such as an implantable medical device. The amplifier may be used for physiological signal sensing, impedance sensing, telemetry or other test and measurement applications.
US08265766B1
Methods and systems for automatically detecting an impedance of one or more electrodes in a cochlear implant system include providing an implantable cochlear stimulator coupled to one or more electrodes, generating an electrical stimulation current with the implantable cochlear stimulator in accordance with stimulation parameters, automatically detecting an impedance of at least one of the electrodes in accordance with a predefined schedule, and performing a predefined action in accordance with the detected impedance.
US08265764B2
An object is to provide an artificial vision system ensuring a wide field of view without damaging a retina. In the artificial vision system, a plurality of electrodes (23) are to be implanted so as to stick in an optic papilla of an eye of a patient. A signal for stimulation pulse is generated based on an image captured by an image pick up device (11) to be disposed outside a body of the patient. The electrical stimulation signals outputted from the electrodes (23) based on the signals for stimulation pulse stimulate an optic nerve of the eye, thereby enabling the patient to visually recognize the image from the image pickup device (11).
US08265763B2
The invention provides systems and methods for neuromuscular electrical stimulation to muscle tissue. Stimulation electrodes may be provided on a stimulation pad, configured to provide electrical stimulation to a target tissue. A system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation may also include pressure generating mechanisms that may provide a compressive force to a region with the target tissue, thereby removing some excess third space fluid from the region.
US08265744B2
The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to: (a) determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site; (b) assess the pathology (health or status) of a nerve or nerve root before, during, or after a surgical procedure; and/or (c) assess pedicle integrity before, during or after pedicle screw placement, all in an automated, easy to use, and easy to interpret fashion so as to provide a surgeon-driven system.
US08265743B2
Fixation-locked measurement of brain activity generates time-coded cues indicative of whether an operator exhibited a significant cognitive response to task-relevant stimuli. The free-viewing environment is one in which the presentation of stimuli is natural to the task encompassing both pre- and post-fixation stimuli and the operator is allowed to move his or her eyes naturally to perform the task.
US08265740B2
Disclosed is a system for the detection of cardiac events that includes an implanted device called a cardiosaver, a physician's programmer and an external alarm system. The system is designed to provide early detection of cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction or exercise induced myocardial ischemia caused by an increased heart rate or exertion. The system can also alert the patient with a less urgent alarm if a heart arrhythmia is detected. Using different algorithms, the cardiosaver can detect a change in the patient's electrogram that is indicative of a cardiac event within five minutes after it occurs and then automatically warn the patient that the event is occurring. To provide this warning, the system includes an internal alarm sub-system (internal alarm means) within the cardiosaver and/or an external alarm system (external alarm means) which are activated after the ST segment of the electrogram exceeds a preset threshold.
US08265735B2
An optical coherence tomography (OCT) anterior eye part imaging apparatus includes a tomographic image obtaining unit obtaining a tomographic image of an anterior eye part of subject's eye in a depth direction by optical coherence tomography, an imaging unit imaging a frontal image of subject's eye, a display unit displaying the image of subject's eye, a corneal apex location detecting unit detecting a location of subject's eye, an alignment unit moving an apparatus body relative to the holder so that the location of corneal apex corresponds with a predetermined image obtaining location, a designating unit designating an area or a location where the tomographic image is obtained on subject's frontal image displayed on the display unit, and a scan line setting unit setting a scan line in the tomographic image obtaining unit on a straight line passing the corneal apex according to the designated area or location.
US08265734B2
An imaging and displaying system comprises an imaging unit for acquiring images of a treatment site of a subject, a display unit for displaying the images acquired by the imaging unit, and a unit-to-unit connecting device for detachably connecting the imaging unit and the display unit. The imaging unit and the display unit are spatially and movably supported. At least one of the imaging unit and the display unit is detachably attached to an arm with a unit-to-arm detachable device therebetween.
US08265733B2
To facilitate imaging of a patient two different image recording methods are to be carried out at the same time. An auxiliary fluid, for example a contrast medium or a tracer, may be introduced into the body in each image recording method. The invention proposes mixing the two auxiliary fluids in situ immediately before dispensing to the patient. For this purpose it provides an injector with which the auxiliary fluids may be mixed and supplied to the patient. Devices for controlling dispensing of fluid from containers connected to the injector to produce a mixed solution may be electronically controlled by a control unit which calculates the total quantities, and optionally sub-quantities, of auxiliary fluids, which are used for a mixed solution, before activating the devices.
US08265720B2
Disclosed herein is a hinge device for a cellular phone, which has no device housing and thus, can achieve a greater slimness of the cellular phone and reduce the generation of a noise during a sliding operation of a slide body included in the cellular phone. The hinge device includes a first push rod connected to a main body of the cellular phone and having a pin and a pin hole, and a second push rod connected to a slide body of the cellular phone and having a pin and a pin hole. The pin of the first push rod is penetrated through the pin hole of the second push rod, and the pin of the second push rod is penetrated through the pin hole of the first push rod. A spring is provided around each pin.
US08265714B2
A method and system for supporting an energy saving function in a communication system are provided. An evolved Node B (eNB) Element Management System (EMS) receives usage statistical data from an eNB and compares the usage statistical data with a threshold value. The eNB EMS determines whether to turn on or off power sources of Power Amplifier (PA) units connected to antennas corresponding to sectors included in a serving cell of the eNB according to the compared result, and transmits, to the eNB, a command message directing the eNB to turn on or off power sources of corresponding PA units according to the determined result.
US08265707B2
A cellular multiscreen system forms an image which can be a frame of a video or still image, divides that image into a number of parts, and sends each part to a different cellular telephone. The cellular telephones which receives the images collectively can display the images so that one can see the original image by looking at the multiple different cellular telephones. A game can also be played by determining which of the cellular phones receive which portion of the image.
US08265704B2
A mobile terminal includes a display screen to display a screen image of a particular character and a virtual keypad, and to detect touch inputs; and a controller to detect a first touch input of touching the particular character and a second touch input of touching a particular key of the virtual keypad, and to control display of display characters on respective key buttons of the virtual keypad, the display characters having at least one attribute of the particular character, if the first and second inputs are a multi-touch. Because a font of particular character is applied to the display character of the virtual keypad or to a newly input character, characters or numbers can be easily input using the display screen of the mobile terminal.
US08265691B2
A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.
US08265684B2
There is provided a method for controlling a transmission power in a second communication service making secondary usage of a spectrum assigned to a first communication service, with use of any node of one or more secondary usage node that transmits a radio signal of the second communication service, comprising the steps of: acquiring an acceptable interference power allocated to the second communication service; calculating a total sum of interference power levels on the first communication service based on transmission powers respectively required for the one or more secondary usage node; and excluding any secondary usage node of the one or more secondary usage node from allocation of the transmission power when the calculated total sum of interference power levels is larger than the acceptable interference power.
US08265682B2
A cell within cellular network includes user equipment (UE) that transmits data to a base station (eNB). When a UE does not have data to transmit, it may enter a low power mode (DRX) having silent intervals during which the eNB does not expect to receive a transmission from the UE and the UE is not required to monitor DL control channels from the eNB. While in DRX mode, the UE may detect an event, such as data ready for transmission or a need to request a timing adjustment (TA) update. The UE transmits a scheduling request indicator (SRI) to the eNB in response to detection of the event, wherein the SRI carries information identifying the triggering event.
US08265679B2
Systems and methods for bundling signals in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A connection request and a reservation for QoS resources can be bundled into an access message at an access terminal. The access message with the bundled communication signals can then be transmitted to an access network. An application layer (e.g., a DataOverSignaling (DOS)) message can also be bundled with the connection request and the reservation into the access message.
US08265668B2
Systems and methods for assigning a short codes to provide uniformity among wireless carriers. In the systems and methods, a Universal Short Code (USC) Administrator maintains a list of short codes and their lease status so that SMS messages sent to a particular short code may be routed to the proper holder of the short code. A network facilitator is in communication with both the USC Administrator and at least one wireless carrier to route the SMS message to the proper holder of the short code. The short code may be leased for a specified period of time so that the short code can be reassigned after expiration of the lease.
US08265663B2
A communication system providing messaging services can have a receiving unit configured to receive a request to send a message, an authorization unit configured to authorize the sending of the message in response to the request, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the authorization to send the message.
US08265658B2
Systems and methods relating to location-based applications, such as widgets, are disclosed. In general, in one embodiment, a mobile device obtains a list of applications associated with a current or anticipated location of the mobile device from a centralized or distributed application service. One or more desired applications to be activated are either manually or automatically selected from the list of applications associated with the current location or the anticipated location of the mobile device. The mobile device then activates the one or more desired applications. Optionally, for each desired application that has been activated, the desired application may be deactivated once one or more deactivation criteria are satisfied.
US08265657B2
A method and system for device discovery in a wireless network is provided. The device discovery involves directionally transmitting a data unit from a transmitting station over a channel in different directions to emulate omni-directional transmission, receiving the data unit transmissions from different directions at a receiving station, determining the quality of the transmissions received from the different directions, and detecting location information for the transmitting station relative to the receiving station based on the highest quality transmission among the transmissions received from the different directions. Further, if a channel has sufficient bandwidth to satisfy direct link communication between two stations, then during a direct link set-up stage, the two stations conduct a probing message exchange using omni-direction transmission, and upon successful probing, obtain communication link status information and set proper communication configurations for the two stations based on the communication link status information.
US08265653B2
The present invention is a method and apparatus to provide remote communication using network telephony. In a transmitter, an activation message is decoded to generate an activation command. The activation message is sent from an activator via a communication medium in response to a telephony call. An information message is transmitted, responsive to the activation command, to a receiver using a communication protocol. In a receiver, an activation message is decoded to generate an activation command. The activation message is sent in response to a telephone call. An information message is received, responsive to the activation command. The information message is sent from a transmitter according to a communication protocol via a communication medium.
US08265648B2
A method of using resource blocks in a communication system with a plurality of Base Stations (BSs), including assigning resource blocks to a first BS, the first BS communicating to a second BS a message comprising information about at least one resource block assigned to the first BS and not planned to be used by the first BS, and the second BS receiving the message. Optionally, the second BS using the at least one resource block. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US08265636B2
An apparatus and method are disclosed, which adjusts the number of neighbor cells managed by a multi-mode portable terminal according to the system environment. The method includes measuring the network environment periodically and adaptively changing the number of neighbor cells of a licensed wireless system according to the measured network environment.
US08265623B2
The present invention relates to a system conducting multi-carrier communications between a base station and a plurality of mobile terminals. When a transmission format of an individual information channel transmitted from the base station to the mobile terminals is output over a control channel from the base station to the mobile terminals, the transmission is conducted over the control channel of the same chunk as the chunk used in the individual information channel.
US08265616B2
The present invention provides a system and method for traffic routing. An embodiment includes an engine for identifying groupings of subscriber stations within a particular ISP. The engine can also obtain a block of contiguous addresses for assignment to the subscriber stations. The addresses are assigned from the block to each of the subscriber stations in substantially contiguous sub-blocks based on the groupings. The groupings can be geographic or based on other desired criteria.
US08265613B2
Methods and apparatus for employing femto technology in an enterprise kiosk are presented herein. A content component can receive multimedia content from a base station coupled to a core network. Further, a transfer component can wirelessly transfer the received multimedia content to a mobile device utilizing a femto based wireless protocol based on, at least in part, a sale of the received multimedia content. A database component can store the received multimedia content in a data store, and the transfer component can wirelessly transfer the stored multimedia content to the mobile device utilizing the femto based wireless protocol. The transfer component can alternatively record the received multimedia content in a removable data storage device.
US08265606B2
Targeted advertisements to social contacts is described. In embodiment(s), social contacts can be correlated based on messaging interactions between mobile communication devices that are associated with the social contacts. Feedback about an advertisement can be received from mobile communication devices that are associated with the social contacts, and the advertisement can then be targeted to one or more of the social contacts based on the feedback about the advertisement.
US08265603B2
Methods, graphical user interfaces and devices for creation and management of voicemail greetings are disclosed. A user of a mobile communication device can create and manage multiple voicemail greetings. In one aspect, a user of a mobile communication device can create customized voicemails. The customized voicemails can be assigned to specific contacts (or groups of contacts) known to the mobile communication device. The customized voicemail greetings can also have controlled expiration dates. In another aspect, customized voicemails can be assigned to incoming calls in real-time.
US08265596B2
A mobile terminal and personal information protection method thereof using a protection function shortcut key are provided. The personal information protection method determines, when at least one key is input, whether the key is substantially identical with one of a plurality of protection function shortcut keys, displays, when the input key is substantially identical with a protection function shortcut key, a protection function setting menu having at least one item of personal information, sets, when at least one item of personal information is selected, the protection function in association with the selected personal information, and enables the protection function on the selected personal information. Therefore, the personal information protected by the protection function is not displayed on a display unit of the mobile terminal.
US08265592B2
A telephone apparatus is disclosed. The telephone apparatus acquires card information on multiple calling cards from a communication terminal and stores the acquired card information. The telephone apparatus performs, via the communication terminal, telephone communication with a communication counterpart by using a first one of the calling cards stored in the telephone apparatus. When the balance on the first one of the calling cards is changed into zero balance and when the telephone communication link is forcibly disconnected, the telephone apparatus causes the communication terminal to redial by using a second one of the calling cards in order to restart the telephone communication with the same communication counterpart.
US08265590B2
When a device, such as a cellular phone, enters into a region, usage information pertaining to usage of devices in the region is provided to the device. For example, restrictions pertaining to usage of cellular phones while driving can be provided. Usage information also can be provided upon request or in accordance with various factors, such as subscriber preferences, elapsed time since the last time usage information was sent to the device, elapsed time since usage regulations have been enacted or updated, and/or the frequency of which the device is in the region. A region can include a geographic region, a political boundary, a country, a state, a municipality, a county, a parish, a township, a building (e.g., school, library, movie theatre, court house, local, state, or federal government building), a public place (e.g., restaurant, bus, train, taxi), a zip code, a telephone area code, or the like.
US08265589B2
A method and system for collecting and tracking statistics of a mobile device having the steps of: adding a call statistics server at an enterprise, the call statistics server adapted to receive call statistics information from one or more mobile devices or adapted to gather call statistics information directly through monitoring call setup, throughput and disconnection traffic; and providing call statistics information to a recipient. The mobile device can then obtain and display the call statistics.
US08265585B2
An broadcasting receiver suitable for receiving a broadcasting signal transmitted in an IBOC signal format, includes: a narrowband filtering means suitable for processing an analog broadcasting signal included in the broadcasting signal; a wideband filtering means suitable for processing a digital broadcasting signal included in the broadcasting signal; a demodulating means for demodulating the broadcasting signal; a signal level detecting means for detecting a level of the broadcasting signal; a digital determining means for determining whether the broadcasting signal includes digital broadcasting signal or not; and a filter switching means for switching filtering means for use in processing the broadcasting signal to be input to the demodulating means between the narrowband filtering means and the wideband filtering means, according to the level of the detected broadcasting signal, when the digital determining means determines that the broadcasting signal does not include the digital broadcasting signal.
US08265584B2
According to one embodiment, a method for updating filter values of an image canceller is provided. The method may include determining a channel-to-image (C/I) ratio between a channel signal and an image signal at the canceller input and generating a gain control value based at least in part on the C/I ratio. Then correlations between the channel signal and the image signal at the canceller's input and output can be generated, along with a gear control value based at least in part on a ratio between the correlations. In turn, one or more filters of the canceller can be updated using the control values.
US08265582B2
A semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer that are joined by sandwiching a depletion layer with a thickness that allows transmission of a plurality of electrons and holes by direct-tunneling.
US08265581B2
Provided is a transceiver using a millimeter-wave (MM-wave). The transceiver determines output power of a transmitting signal according to a receiving signal of a receiving end in the same device so that a possible loss value occurring in the air may be predicted. By doing so, performance of a whole link budget may be enhanced, and the transmitting signal may be rapidly controlled.
US08265580B2
An incoming RF signal can be amplified in a RF front end of a RF receiver by conveying the signal through one of a multiple amplification paths. On each path, the gain can be controlled by RF automatic gain control (AGC) circuits. Each amplification path can be designed to handle incoming signals in a designated power range and to optimize receiver performance characteristics such as the noise figure (NF) and odd harmonic linearity in that power range. Signal power can be measured at different locations of the receiver and bypass switches can be used to convey the RF signals down one of the multiple paths based on the power measurements, according to executable logical code. An incoming signal power hysteresis can be applied to stabilize the system. Further, signal power averaging and switch delaying mechanisms can be employed to stabilize the system for rapidly fluctuating signals.
US08265576B2
A customer relationship management (CRM) method using IBOC-radio signals is provided. A message in the radio signal is parsed to obtain a key. The key is compared to a plurality of stored keys. When the received key matches a stored key, a data structure associated with the message is outputted. A device comprising a lookup table with a plurality of stored keys, a tuner unit that receives a CRM in an IBOC signal, and a controller in electrical communication with the lookup table and tuner is provided. The controller comprises (i) instructions for comparing a key in the CRM to one or more stored keys in the plurality of stored keys and (ii) instructions for permitting the display of a display text associated with the received key when there is a match between the received key and a key in the plurality of stored keys.
US08265573B2
A wireless subscriber communication unit comprises a transmitter having a power amplifier and a feedback power control loop having a power control function arranged to set an output power level of the power amplifier. The power control function is arranged to perform a back-off of the output power prior to completion of a transmission burst.
US08265565B2
Transmitting non-polluting dummy pilot signals in a wireless communication network permits estimation of the downlink propagation channels between a number of joint transmitters and a lesser number of receivers. With fewer receivers than transmitters, loop back information from the receivers is not sufficient to determine the downlink propagation channels between the transmitters and receivers. For N transmitters and M receivers, (N−M) dummy pilot symbols are transmitted to facilitate downlink channel estimation. Each dummy pilot signal is transmitted to an imagined or dummy receiver that is virtually located such that its downlink channel coefficient vector is orthogonal to those of the real receivers. Transmit pre-filtering based on estimated propagation channels is applied to the information signals for the real receivers and to the dummy pilot signals. The extent to which the dummy pilot signals interfere at each receiver is an indication of mismatch between estimated and actual propagation channels.
US08265562B2
In a wireless communication system, short-term interference mitigation may be used to mitigate (e.g., to avoid or reduce) interference on a given link in order to improve performance of data transmission. The interference mitigation reduces transmit power of interfering transmissions so that a higher signal-to-noise-and-interference ratio (SINR) can be achieved for a desired data transmission. A node may observe high interference from an interfering node that degrades performance of data transmission sent on that link. By taking advantage of an communication path with the interfering node (e.g., wireless data/control channel, backhaul network connection, or analog broadcast signal), the transmitting node can successfully complete time critical communications while allowing the interfering node to also simultaneously communicate without reducing overall resources nor burdening any managing nodes.
US08265554B2
A communication device and method using the human body are provided. The communication device determines an arrangement direction of signal electrodes and ground electrodes according to a signal transmission direction and whether the ground electrodes come into contact with the human body according to a transmission/receiving distance and then performs data communication with the other communication device connected to the human body for the purpose of efficient human body communication.
US08265552B2
A method includes scanning beams of a multiple beam antenna to collect metrics associated with the beams; selecting a best beam based on the collected metrics or based on a manual selection received from an operator; retrieving thresholds associated with the metrics; comparing the collected metrics, associated with the selected best beam, to the retrieved thresholds; and determining whether the antenna unit is in an acceptable location based on the comparison. Another method includes scanning beams of the multiple beam antenna to collect metrics associated with the beams; selecting a best beam based on the collected metrics; determining a serving beam; comparing a set of metrics associated with the selected best beam with a corresponding set of metrics associated with the serving beam; and determining whether to switch from the serving beam to the selected best beam based on the comparison.
US08265546B2
A method for controlling gain in a wireless repeater includes providing one or more gain control metrics where the gain control metrics is indicative of a loop gain of the repeater; measuring the one or more gain control metrics; and adjusting a variable gain of the repeater using a gain adjustment step size being a function of at least the loop gain of the repeater as measured by the one or more gain control metrics. In another embodiment, the gain control algorithm block is configured to divide the loop gain of the repeater into multiple gain adjustment control zones. The gain adjustment control zones may include a first zone having a loop gain in a stable operating region and a second zone having a loop gain outside the stable operating region.
US08265544B1
An online voting game that teaches the participants the mechanics behind running for office. Registered users can run for office or participate as a voter or do neither and, for example, observe the results as they roll in. Registered users that run for office are required to comply with a set of predetermined rules. Voting at state and city level is performed based on each voter's recorded residence (e.g., city and state); users can run in national elections such as running for President so long as they satisfy the age, residency and citizenship requirements to run for President. In one embodiment, registered users running for office provide photographs and video clips that disclose their views on political issues of the day.
US08265540B2
A document pressing apparatus is provided with a document pressing cover including a first lateral part and a second lateral part facing the first lateral part and openable and closable with respect to a housing fitted with a contact glass, a supporting member for supporting the document pressing cover rotatably with respect to the housing at the side of the first lateral part, a plate member connected with the document pressing cover for pressing a document against the contact glass, a first resilient member arranged at the side of the first lateral part between the plate member and the document pressing cover for exerting a pressing force to the document, and a second resilient member provided at the side of the second lateral part between the plate member and the document pressing cover for exerting a pressing force smaller than that of the first resilient member to the document.
US08265538B2
Fixing belt is brought into pressure-contact with the surface of fixing roller such that fixing belt rotates according to rotation of fixing roller, thereby forming, between fixing belt and fixing roller, fixing nip portion through which recording sheets pass. A pressing area of an opposing surface of pressing member contacting the surface of fixing roller via fixing belt is smaller in each end portion of the opposing surface in the axis direction of fixing roller than in a central portion of the opposing surface in the axis direction of fixing roller. This makes speed of conveying recording sheets faster in each edge portion in the width direction perpendicular to a recording sheet conveyance direction than in a central portion in the width direction. Thus, creases of recording sheets can be prevented while a recording sheet passes through fixing nip portion between fixing roller and fixing belt mutually brought into pressure-contact.
US08265537B2
A fixing device slide member has a surface 40a of a sheet body 40, which surface is made of heat-resistant resin. A specific wear rate on the surface 40a of the sheet body 40 in the ring-on-disc test is 10×10−8 mm3/(N×m) or less on condition that a counterpart material is aluminum, roughness Ra is equal to 0.2 micrometer, PV is equal to 51.2 MPa×m/min, and measuring time is 50 hours. Thus, the surface 40a of the sheet body 40 is enhanced in wear resistance so as to be free from generation of worn powder, which suppresses torque increase in a pressurizing belt caused by the worn powder.
US08265531B2
An image forming apparatus which is capable of detecting the direction and amount of an image shift in the main scanning direction without wasting toner, to thereby provide a higher-quality image with reduced running costs. A conductor is disposed such that the conductor partially overlaps an electrostatic latent image line formed on a photosensitive drum in a manner extending in a main scanning direction of the photosensitive drum, while moving relative to the electrostatic latent image line. The conductor generates induced current by the relative motion. An image shift in the main scanning direction is detected based on a result of measurement of the induced current generated by the conductor.
US08265530B2
A developer carrying device is provided with a group of carrying electrodes configured to form a traveling wave field as voltages are sequentially applied thereto, charged developer being carried by an effect of the traveling wave field, a developer carrying member having a surface on which the group of carrying electrodes are arranged, and a plurality of leveling electrodes provided above the surface and configured to form electric fields in a direction substantially along the surface, the plurality of leveling electrodes being needle like electrodes extending in a direction intersecting with the surface, the plurality of leveling electrodes being spaced from each other in a direction along the surface and intersecting with a direction in which the developer is carried.
US08265529B2
A developing device include: a case; a developing roller supported by the case to be rotatable in a rotational direction; and a blade including a base end supported by the case and a tip end provided upstream of the base end in the rotational direction and contacting the surface of the developing roller at a contact portion to regulate a thickness of the toner on the developing roller. The blade further includes a bent portion that is bent from the contact portion at a radius of curvature from 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm to be separated from the developing roller as extending toward the tip end. An angle defined between a segment connecting the contact portion with a center of curvature of the bent portion and a segment connecting the tip end with the center of curvature of the bent portion is in the range from 45° to 90°.
US08265521B2
An image-forming device includes a main body and a tandem photosensitive-member unit. The tandem photosensitive-member unit includes a unit frame, a plurality of photosensitive members, a front-side grip part, and a rear-side grip. The unit frame is configured to be slidably installed to and removed from the main body in a predetermined direction. The unit frame has a leading side and a trailing side with respect to the predetermined direction. The plurality of photosensitive members is provided corresponding to a plurality of colors and is supported by the unit frame. The front-side grip part is provided at the leading side of the unit frame. The rear-side grip part is provided at the trailing side of the unit frame.
US08265518B2
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a sheet feeding unit; an upper frame; a sheet feeding frame; and a lower frame. The upper frame includes: a pair of sheet-metal components, each of which is punched out in a right-left direction; and a first contact part facing a first direction. The sheet feeding frame is made of a resin component and is arranged between a space defined by the pair of sheet-metal components and includes a second contact part at a face facing the first direction. The lower frame supports the upper frame and the sheet feeding frame from below and includes a contacted part facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. A relative position in a front-rear direction between the upper frame and the lower frame is defined by contacting the contacted part with both of the first contact part and the second contact part.
US08265516B2
A belt unit includes an endless belt that transports a recording medium thereon. The endless belt has a Young's modulus in the range of 3.5≦Y≦7.0. The endless belt is disposed about a plurality of rollers, and runs about the rollers. The endless belt has a thickness such that 0.0025≦Y×T3≦0.007 where Y is the Young's modulus and T is the thickness. A cleaning member removes deposits from the surface of the endless belt. The belt unit may also operate as a transfer unit and include a cleaning member disposed about a plurality of rollers. The cleaning member removes deposits from the surface of the endless belt. An image forming apparatus may include the belt unit or transfer unit.
US08265510B2
A multi-function apparatus having a plurality of functions relating to an image processing and configured to selectively realize one of the plurality of functions, including: a plurality of operation keys which are operated by a user so as to control the multi-function apparatus; a display device configured to display an operation view for assisting the user in operating the plurality of operation keys; and a display control section configured to control the display device to display the operation view in which a plurality of images respectively representing the plurality of operation keys are displayed, such that an image of each of at least one active key each as an active one of the plurality of operation keys is displayed in the view in a first manner, while an image of each of at least one inactive key each as an inactive one of the plurality of operation keys is displayed in the view in a second manner which is different from the first manner.
US08265509B2
A multifunctional apparatus control system includes a multifunctional apparatus an authentication information input device, an I/F converter, and a control server. The control server includes: a UI control section which transmits, to the multifunctional apparatus over a network, data of authentication screen which prompts the user to make preparations for causing the authentication information input device to acquire authentication information; an authentication information input device driver which controls the operation of the authentication information input device over the network and receives, over the network, the authentication information that the authentication information input device has acquired; an authenticating section which performs authentication based on the authentication information that the authentication information input device driver has received; and a device control section which permits the multifunctional apparatus to execute the job, in accordance with the authentication result of the authenticating section. This arrangement makes it possible to construct a flexible authentication system.
US08265508B2
An image forming apparatus, for which a heated roller fixing device is employed but for which a savings in power can still be obtained, is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device, which is a heated roller fixing device that requires pre-heating in a stand-by state; an operation panel, with which a power-saving mode transition time period can be changed; and a control part, which selects pre-heating or does not select pre-heating of the heated roller fixing device. The control part employs the power-saving mode transition time period, entered at the operation panel, to change the pre-heating or to not change the pre-heating of the heated roller fixing device.
US08265506B2
A device for fusing and fixing a transferred toner of a predetermined image onto a print paper is provided. In particular, a fusing device which can instantly control induced current provided to a fusing unit in an image printing apparatus which heats the fusing unit using the induced current is provided. The fusing device includes a fusing unit which is resistance heated or induction heated by an induced current, and fuses the toner onto the print paper using the generated heat. A sensing unit senses the temperature of the fusing unit. A reference current generating unit generates a predetermined reference current to heat the fusing unit to reach a predetermined temperature based on the temperature of the sensed fusing unit and the reference temperature. A pulse width modulation signal generating unit generates a pulse width modulation signal for generating the induced current so that the induced current corresponding to the reference current is supplied to the fusing unit.
US08265495B2
A heating device includes: a driving member configured to rotate; a driven member configured to rotate with the rotation of the driving member; a heater configured to heat a surface of one of the driving member and the driven member; a temperature detector configured to measure the temperature of the heated surface; and a controller operable to control heating of the heater based on the measurement result of the temperature detector. The controller includes: a calculator operable to calculate a change ratio of a slope of a temperature change of the heated surface with time, based on a first temperature detected by the temperature detector at a first time point and a second temperature detected by the temperature detector at a second time point a predetermined time interval after the first time point; and a determiner operable to determine that an abnormality occurs when the change ratio exceeds a threshold.
US08265494B2
An image-information acquiring unit acquires the image information divided at least in one of a main-scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction. A supply control unit calculates basic-supply patterns of a supply amount of toner and controls the supply amount at a supply point in a developing unit using a toner supply pattern combined with the basic-supply patterns that eliminate temporal variation in toner density of the developer, at the specific point, due to development of the latent image.
US08265483B2
A system to communicate optical data signals in parallel includes an optical splitter to split the data signals into two polarization multiplexed (PM) signals; and two reception channels coupled to the optical splitter, where each reception channel tracks and isolates a PM signal independently.
US08265478B1
Methods and apparatus for light-field capture with large depth of field. A design methodology is described in which the relationships among various plenoptic camera parameters, including inverse magnification, F-number, focal length, wavelength, and pixel size, may be analyzed to design plenoptic cameras that provide increased depth-of-field when compared to conventional plenoptic cameras. Plenoptic cameras are described, which may be implemented according to the design methodology, and in which both Keplerian telescopic and Galilean telescopic imaging can be realized at the same time while providing a larger depth of field than is realized in conventional plenoptic cameras, thus capturing light-field images that capture “both sides” in which all but a small region of the scene is in focus. In some embodiments, apertures may be added to the microlenses so that depth of field is increased.
US08265470B2
Methods and devices for implementing a camera restriction on a wireless handheld communication device. As more handheld devices incorporate camera functionalities, organizations and individuals with privacy concerns are more vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure. The camera restriction prevents a user from taking a picture of a subject if the device has not been steadily focused on the subject in question for a predetermined period of time. In short, this process extends the normal camera-taking procedure and thus requires the camera user to take pictures in a conspicuous manner—the rationale being that a camera user would be less likely to take unauthorized pictures if such actions could be easily recognized. The camera restriction can be communicated to the device via a wireless communication network. Additionally, the restrictions and boundaries can be communicated to the device as part of an IT security policy.
US08265467B2
A light support assembly includes a circular body having a slot at one end for receiving a light string therein which is secured by a cap at the one end. A magnet is mounted in a cavity at an opposite end of the body. An applicator holds the body during mounting of the light support assembly to a building or other structure.
US08265466B2
A combination aroma diffuser includes a lower housing, a control unit, a display screen, an upper housing, a light-emitting heating unit, a cover member and a speaker. The upper housing and the lower housing admits light so that the displayed digits of the display screen that is kept inside the lower housing are visible when the display screen emits light. The control unit has stored therein music and sounds for output through the speaker. The light-emitting heating unit emits light through the upper housing to heat an aromatic fluid in the cover member into vapor that goes out of air vents of the cover member to the outside open air.
US08265465B2
A pebble stone-shaped aroma diffuser includes a top cover shell, an upper panel, a gasket ring, a lower panel, a bottom cover shell, a heater and a base member. The gasket ring is tightly set between the top cover shell and the upper panel, thereby forming with the top cover shell and the upper panel a fluid container. The lower panel is supported on the bottom cover shell and closely attached to the upper panel of the fluid container. The heater is kept in contact with the bottom side of the lower panel. The base member is arranged at the bottom side of the bottom cover shell to provide power supply to the heater for producing heat that is transferred through the lower panel and the upper panel to heat the aromatic fluid in the fluid container. The fluid container is rapidly detachable from the lower panel for cleaning.
US08265463B2
Video data and audio data corresponding to a predetermined attribute is retrieved from the video data and the audio data, each of which is stored in association with an attribute, and the retrieved items of the video data and the audio data are listed in a form showing a correlation between the video data and the audio data. In a case that items of the video data and audio data are selected, wherein said items of the video data and audio data are displayed and correlated with each other, the selected video data and audio data can be synchronized with each other and played-back.
US08265441B2
A hydrogen-resistant optical fiber particularly well-suitable for downhole applications comprises a relatively thick pure silica core and a depressed-index cladding layer. Interposed between the depressed-index cladding layer and the core is a relatively thin germanium-doped interface. By maintaining a proper relationship between the pure silica core diameter and the thickness of the germanium-doped interface, a majority (preferably, more than 65%) of the propagating signal can be confined within the pure silica core and, therefore, be protected from hydrogen-induced attenuation problems associated with the presence of germanium (as is common in downhole fiber applications). The hydrogen-resistant fiber of the present invention can be formed to include one or more Bragg gratings within the germanium-doped interface, useful for sensing applications.
US08265440B2
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform includes the steps of depositing an inner cladding and a central core inside a fluorine doped silica tube and thereafter collapsing the silica tube to form a primary preform. The fluorine doped silica tube has a cross section area that is no more than about 15 percent smaller than the cross section area of the resulting primary preform. The present method facilitates reduced-cost manufacturing of a high-capacity optical fiber preform, which may be drawn to produce an optical fiber having reduced transmission losses.
US08265436B2
A bonding system and a bonding method for alignment are provided. An optical semiconductor includes a light source and a plurality of protruded elements on a surface thereof. A semiconductor bench includes a light receiving element and a plurality of recess elements on a surface thereof. A sidewall of the protruded elements or a sidewall of the recess elements is slanted. A first metallized layer is disposed on a bonding surface of each protruded element and a second metallized layer is disposed on a bottom surface of each recess element, wherein the first metallized layer is used for bonding with the second metallized layer.
US08265426B2
According to one embodiment, an image processor comprises an image converter and a controller. The image converter is configured to convert a first video signal of a first resolution to a second video signal of a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The conversion is based on a parameter indicating a ratio of high-frequency component pixels of the first video signal to be interpolated and pixels forming the first video signal to be interpolated. The controller is configured to change the parameter based on a type of broadcast wave of the first video signal. The type of broadcast wave may include, but is not limited or restricted to satellite broadcasting or terrestrial broadcasting.
US08265420B2
Techniques are disclosed for correcting the exposure of a digital image. An exposure predictor may be generated based on a set of images for which ground truth data are known. After identifying an optimal set of features, the exposure of the digital image may be corrected by extracting values of the selected optimal features from the image, using the predictor to predict a desired exposure correction for the image, and correcting the exposure of the image by the predicted desired amount. Exposure correction is based on a model that relates intensity of light in the world to the RGB digits of the digital image. The model comprises a gamma function that models the response of a typical monitor and a S-shaped curve that compresses the large dynamic range of the world to the small dynamic range of the RGB digit space.
US08265415B2
An apparatus for transforming an image in a mobile device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pen style transformation unit for transforming an original image to a pen style image using a separated Gaussian filter and outputting pen style image, a cartoon style transformation unit for transforming the original image to a cartoon style image and outputting the cartoon style image, a mosaic creation unit for creating a photomosaic to which the original image is applied based on an optimum photo image set and outputting the created photo mosaic by applying the created photo mosaic to the original image, and an image output unit for outputting the images output from the pen style transformation unit, the cartoon style transformation unit, and the mosaic creation unit to an output unit.
US08265400B2
Establishments are identified in geo-tagged images. According to one aspect, text regions are located in a geo-tagged image and text strings in the text regions are recognized using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) techniques. Text phrases are extracted from information associated with establishments known to be near the geographic location specified in the geo-tag of the image. The text strings recognized in the image are compared with the phrases for the establishments for approximate matches, and an establishment is selected as the establishment in the image based on the approximate matches. According to another aspect, text strings recognized in a collection of geo-tagged images are compared with phrases for establishments in the geographic area identified by the geo-tags to generate scores for image-establishment pairs. Establishments in each of the large collection of images as well as representative images showing each establishment are identified using the scores.
US08265399B2
A method of automatically establishing the correct orientation of an image using facial information. This method is based on the exploitation of the inherent property of image recognition algorithms in general and face detection in particular, where the recognition is based on criteria that is highly orientation sensitive. By applying a detection algorithm to images in various orientations, or alternatively by rotating the classifiers, and comparing the number of successful faces that are detected in each orientation, one may conclude as to the most likely correct orientation. Such method can be implemented as an automated method or a semi automatic method to guide users in viewing, capturing or printing of images.
US08265391B1
An adaptive histogram equalization-based approach improves contrast in a video signal. For each video frame, the histogram of the pixel luminance values is calculated. The calculated histogram is divided into three programmably-sized regions that are equalized independently of each other. The equalization is performed in a controlled fashion by clamping the peaks of the histogram thereby ensuring limited stretching of sharp peaks. The equalized values are averaged with the original pixel values with a weighting factor that is different for the three regions chosen such that the darker regions are enhanced more than the brighter ones. To ensure smooth enhancement, programmable guard band regions can be defined between the three divisions of the histogram. The statistics calculated from one frame may be used to enhance the next frame to eliminate the need for frame buffers. Many of the calculations may be performed in the inactive time between two frames.
US08265387B2
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for performing spatial gamut mapping on a received input color image having a plurality of pixels. A standard gamut-mapping algorithm is applied to the input color image to produce a gamut-mapped color image. A difference is computed between a selected channel of the input color image and the gamut-mapped image to produce a difference image. A local measure of complexity is derived for a given pixel in the difference image. One or more parameter values of a spatial bilateral filter are obtained from a lookup table based on the computed local measure of complexity. The spatial bilateral filter is applied, using the obtained parameter values, to the current pixel of the difference image to produce a modified pixel in a modified difference image. Thereafter, a modified gamut-mapped color image is obtained from the modified difference image and the gamut-mapped color image.
US08265378B2
Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for converting a digital image represented in a lower bit depth representation to a higher bit depth representation. A saturation region is identified, where a color model value of the pixels in the saturation region is above an upper saturation threshold or below a lower saturation threshold. The color model value for each pixel in the saturation region is then adjusted by a corresponding adjustment. The magnitude of the adjustment for each pixel is based on characteristics of the image data.
US08265377B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that improve cursive handwriting recognition. Cursive handwriting input is received from a user. The system performs a hierarchical prototype search as part of a recognition operation. A same space search is performed against a mixed database that has both print and cursive samples. A same space search is also performed against a cursive database that has only cursive samples. The results of these two same space searches are merged into a combined alternate list. The combined alternate list is then used as a constraint for the dynamic time warp searches that are performed against the mixed and cursive databases, respectively. The results of the dynamic time warp searches are also merged into a final combined alternate list, and the combined alternate list is used to make a recognition decision regarding the user's handwritten input.
US08265371B2
A novel method for evaluating cell detachment which can be used in passage operation and the like in culture of adhesive cells; a method of detaching a cultured cell utilizing the same; an apparatus for evaluating cell detachment for carrying out the aforementioned method for evaluating cell detachment; and an automated cell culture apparatus in which the apparatus is used are provided.
US08265368B2
Plural sectional images are acquired at a plurality of slice positions arranged in a predetermined direction in a subject. Each of the plural sectional images acquired by the image acquisition section is binarized based on a predetermined reference image density. Each image included in the sectional images binarized by the binarizing section is classified into a first image group having the images inside the subject and a second image group having the images outside the subject, based on the relative position of the each image from the other images in the same sectional image and also the relative position of the each image from other images contained in another sectional images.
US08265352B1
The present invention regards a system comprised of a camera lens, a sensor, a light source and a structure for directly collecting (imaging) latent fingerprints from surfaces, either naturally or with a reagent to fluoresce, and suitable for use in military tactical environments. The present invention is intended to be used with a portable computer, having software capable of receiving, storing and processing images collected by the device of the present invention.
US08265347B2
A biometric identification system (30) for identifying a person, the system (30) comprising: an image acquisition module (31) to capture a three-dimensional (3D) image of a palm of the person; a region of interest (ROI) extraction module (34) to extract a 3D subimage from the captured image; and a 3D features extraction module (36) to extract 3D palmprint features from the 3D subimage; wherein the extracted 3D palmprint features are compared to reference 3D palmprint features to verify the identity of the person.
US08265345B2
A document matching process section calculates feature points (e.g., the centroid) on the basis of an inputted document image, then selects a plurality of feature points from among the calculated feature points, and then calculates a hash value on the basis of the selected feature points. Then, on the basis of the calculated features, the document matching process section determines whether the document image is similar to a preliminary reference format (reference image). When it is determined as being similar, the document matching process section determines whether write-in is present in the document image, and then outputs a determination signal (a determination result indicating the presence or absence of write-in). In the determination of similarity of the document image, permission or non-permission for processing such as copying is determined more accurately than in the prior art.
US08265324B2
An improved monaural and stereophonic headset is provided that allows subscribers to safely stow away an unused earpiece. The headset includes a connector that is constructed in a manner such that it is capable of directly interfacing with and retaining an ear plug. In another aspect of the invention, an ear plug is provided that is adapted to be received by the connector in the monaural and stereophonic headset.
US08265315B2
A listening system, e.g. a hearing aid system, including a charging station and one or more listening devices, e.g. hearing instruments. The hearing aid system includes a) a hearing instrument including a rechargeable battery for energizing the hearing instrument, and a volatile data memory, wherein basic data for the configuration of the hearing instrument are stored during normal operation, b) a charging station adapted for allowing a hearing instrument to be mounted and the battery to be recharged without removing the battery from the hearing instrument, and c) a connection allowing communication between the charging station and the hearing instrument, to allow the basic data for the configuration of the hearing instrument to be transferred from the data memory of the charging station to the data memory of the hearing instrument, when the hearing instrument is mounted in the charging station.
US08265303B2
In one embodiment the present invention includes a method for starting up a class D amplifier. The method comprises increasing, gating, and driving. The increasing includes increasing a duty cycle of a pulse train from a first duty cycle to a second duty cycle. The gating includes gating a signal based on the increasing of the duty cycle. The gating results in a gated signal. The driving includes driving an output signal from the gated signal to charge an output capacitor. The output capacitor is coupled to a speaker. The increasing of the duty cycle contributes to the charging of the output capacitor such that switching sounds detectable by the human ear are reduced.
US08265297B2
A sound reproducing device is provided including a communication unit that transmits/receives signals; at least one sound output unit that outputs sound based upon a signal having been received, a sound pickup unit that picks up sound and generates audio data, an echo canceller unit that stores any echo signal contained in the signal having been received at the communication unit and generates a dummy echo signal by using the stored echo signal, and a noise reducing unit that generates a cancel signal to be used to cancel noise by using the audio data if the sound picked up at the sound pickup unit contains noise originating from a noise source and outputs a composite signal generated by combining the output signal from the echo canceller unit and the cancel signal.
US08265296B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for encoding/decoding an audio signal. Sections which are not used to output noise components near important spectral components and sub-bands which are not used to output noise components, are determined to be encoded or decoded, so that the efficiency of encoding and decoding an audio signal increases, and sound quality can be improved using less bits.
US08265278B2
A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data. The additional steps of descrambling and decoding may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition may include, for example, reaching a desired signal quality of the data object.
US08265276B2
A method for combining transfer functions with predetermined key creation. In one embodiment, digital information, including a digital sample and format information, is protected by identifying and encoding a portion of the format information. Encoded digital information, including the digital sample and the encoded format information, is generated to protect the original digital information. In another embodiment, a digital signal, including digital samples in a file format having an inherent granularity, is protected by creating a predetermined key. The predetermined key is comprised of a transfer function-based mask set to manipulate data at the inherent granularity of the file format of the underlying digitized samples.
US08265265B2
In order to further develop a circuit arrangement for as well as a method of performing at least one operation, in particular at least one cryptographic calculation, wherein the problem of creating at least one key, in particular the R[ivest-]S[hamir-]A[dleman] key, satisfying at least one defined digital signature laws, in particular satisfying the German Digital Signature Law, is solved it is proposed that at least one, preferably two, prime numbers (p; q) for key generation, in particular for R[ivest-]S[hamir-]A[dleman] key generation, are searched in compliance with at least one defined digital signature law, in particular with the German Digital Signature Law.
US08265254B2
A system and methods for telephoning individuals associated with a domain. A current location of a given individual within a domain is automatically determined and the given individual is automatically associated with a telephone extension number based on the current location of the given individual. As the given individual moves around within the domain, the associated telephone extension number associated with the given individual is updated. A receptionist or other individual within the domain may select to telephone the given individual thereby automatically accessing and dialing the telephone extension number currently associated with the given individual in response to selecting to telephone the given individual. If the given individual is not currently located within the domain, an external telephone number associated with the given individual may be automatically accessed and dialed in response to selecting to telephone the given individual.
US08265246B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a device and method for implementing a Coloring Ring Back Tone (CRBT) service and a device for acquiring a CRBT file. The device for implementing a CRBT service includes a first receiving module adapted to receive CRBT access information, a channel management module adapted to acquire a real-time CRBT file according to the CRBT access information, and a playing module adapted to play the real-time CRBT file. The method for implementing a CRBT service includes acquiring a real-time CRBT file customized by a subscriber according to CRBT access information and playing the real-time CRBT file to a calling subscriber. The device for acquiring a CRBT file includes a determination module adapted to determine whether to use a real-time CRBT service according to a subscribed CRBT identifier of a subscriber, a real-time CRBT information module adapted to determine real-time CRBT information according to a real-time CRBT identifier of the subscriber, and a real-time CRBT file module adapted to determine a real-time CRBT file according to the real-time CRBT information. Thus, a real-time update of a CRBT heard by the calling subscriber is realized through the embodiments of the invention.
US08265243B2
Subscribers of a telephone service can define a calling circle, which includes a group of other telephone subscribers with whom the subscriber receives preferential billing rates. The members of the calling circle may include customers of a telephone service provider other than the subscriber's telephone service provider.
US08265240B2
According to one embodiment, a selectively-expandable speakerphone system allows one or more portable computers to automatically, wirelessly interface with a speakerphone console via an audio access point. A scheduling module initiates the conference call at a scheduled time, whereupon the wireless network interface of each portable computer is automatically switched to an SSID uniquely associated with the audio access point, for connecting to the speakerphone console. The audio signals generated by the laptop microphones are mixed with any audio signal generated by an optional microphone on the speakerphone console, and the mixed audio signals are transmitted over the telephone line. Incoming audio signals are passed to the speakerphone console and wirelessly transmitted to the portable computers for substantially simultaneous playback on the respective loudspeakers.
US08265236B2
A method may include selecting a voice mail out-dial access number corresponding to a local access transport area (LATA) boundary, storing the voice mail out-dial access number on a voice mail system, and providing, by the voice mail system, voice mail out-dial service based on the LATA boundary associated with the voice mail out-dial access number. A method for providing toll-free access to the voice mail system that may be used by customers from both on-network and off-network end points.
US08265229B2
A broadband service, such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service, may be tested by a technician installing or performing maintenance on the broadband service. The technician may use the subscriber's computer as a test set, in which the technician may login to a testing service that may test the line using test equipment located externally to the subscriber premise. A test application may receive, from a computing device located at the subscriber premise, a request to test the broadband service at the subscriber premise as part of installation of the broadband service. The test application may initiate a test of the broadband service using test equipment located externally to the subscriber premise. The test may include tests relating at least to the physical layer of the broadband network connection. Results of the test may be transmitted to the subscriber premise.
US08265226B2
The present invention relates to an X-ray image acquiring apparatus having a structure for improving the quality of an image signal representing an X-ray image captured. The X-ray image acquiring apparatus (5) comprises an imaging section (7), a connecting section (8), and a signal cable (L1). The imaging section (7) outputs an image signal representing an X-ray image captured. The connecting section (8) has a structure attachable/detachable to a control circuit (6) for controlling the imaging section (7). The signal cable (L1) has one end connected to the imaging section (7) and the other end connected to the connecting section (8), and is flexible. The signal cable (L1) includes a detection signal line (L11), a control signal line (L12), an image signal line (L13), and a GND line (L14), which are used for transmitting signals exchanged between the imaging section (7) and the control circuit (6), and a shield member (5a) covering these lines (L11 to L14). The connecting section (8) includes a resistor (5c) provide between the shield member (5a) and a grounding terminal (81a) of the connecting section (8).
US08265220B2
The present invention includes a time-division-multiple-access (TDMA) communication system having a base station and at least one mobile station, each transmitting and receiving an analog radio-frequency signal carrying digitally coded speech. The speech is encoded using a vocoder which samples a voice signal at variable encoding rates. During periods when the radio-frequency channel is experiencing high levels of channel interference, the encoded voice channel having a lower encoding rate is chosen. This low-rate encoded voice is combined with the high degree of channel coding necessary to ensure reliable transmission. When the radio-frequency channel is experiencing low levels of channel interference, less channel coding is necessary and the vocoder having a higher encoding rate is used. The high-rate encoded voice is combined with the lower degree of channel coding necessary to ensure reliable transmission. The appropriate levels of channel coding necessary for reliable transmission are determined by various channel metrics, such as frame erase rate and bit error rate. The determination of the appropriate vocoder rate and level of channel coding for both the uplink and downlink may be determined centrally at the base station, with the vocoder rate and level of channel coding for the uplink being relayed to the mobile station. Alternatively, the appropriate vocoder rate and level of channel coding for the downlink may be determined by the mobile station, and the appropriate vocoder rate and level of channel coding for the uplink may be determined by the base station.
US08265218B2
A phase detection circuit includes a phase frequency detector for comparing a first input signal and a second input signal and outputting a first phase comparison signal and a second phase comparison signal, and a sensing circuit for sensing a pulse width difference between the first phase comparison signal and the second phase comparison signal and outputting phase detection signals which have different logic values.
US08265216B2
A data recovery circuit includes a pulse width indicator circuit, an edge detection circuit and a first storage. The pulse width indicator circuit is configured to receive, at an input, a data stream and provide pulses, at respective outputs, that are indicative of respective data bits in the received data stream. The edge detection circuit is configured to receive, on respective inputs, the pulses from the pulse width indicator circuit and provide respective storage signals, on respective outputs that are indicative of a logic level of the respective data bits, responsive to the pulses. The first storage is configured to receive and store the respective storage signals.
US08265208B2
Techniques for detecting and demodulating a signal/transmission are described. Signal detection is performed in multiple stages using different types of signal processing, e.g., using time-domain correlation for a first stage, frequency-domain processing for a second stage, and time-domain processing for a third stage. For the first stage, products of symbols are generated for at least two different delays, correlation between the products for each delay and known values is performed, and correlation results for all delays are combined and used to declare the presence of a signal. For demodulation, the timing of input samples is adjusted to obtain timing-adjusted samples. A frequency offset is estimated and removed from the timing-adjusted samples to obtain frequency-corrected samples, which are processed with a channel estimate to obtain detected symbols. The phases of the detected symbols are corrected to obtain phase-corrected symbols, which are demodulated, deinterleaved, and decoded.
US08265202B2
For the reduction of the multipath error of received GNSS navigation signals, a sequential Bayesian estimation is used, with a movement model underlying this estimation, which model is particularly designed for dynamic channel situations. Sequential Monte Carlo methods are used to calculate the posterior probability density functions of the signal parameters. To facilitate an efficient integration in received signal tracking loops, the invention builds on complexity reduction concepts that have previously been used in maximum likelihood (ML) estimators.Applicable with GNSS satellite navigation receivers, e.g. GPS and Galileo.
US08265201B1
Circuits and methods are provided for adjusting a frequency of a local clock signal in approximating a frequency of a host clock signal. A phase locked loop generates a local clock signal having a first phase and a first frequency. An offset adjustment circuit receives timing information relating the local clock signal to an incoming data signal and calculates a phase offset and a frequency offset indicative of adjustments to be made to the local clock signal. A first phase interpolator generates a receive clock signal from the local clock signal, the receive clock signal having a second phase and a second frequency responsive to the phase and frequency offsets. A second phase interpolator generates a transmit clock signal from the local clock signal having a third frequency responsive to the frequency offset.
US08265195B2
A data transmitter having a parallel-to-serial conversion function is supplied with a clock by a PLL circuit unit. In the PLL circuit unit, a first multiphase clock supplied to a first parallel-to-serial conversion circuit is generated and output by a multiphase VCO circuit, while a second multiphase clock supplied to a second parallel-to-serial conversion circuit is generated and output by a multiphase clock generator. The multiphase clock generator generates the second multiphase clock based on the clock output from the multiphase VCO circuit.
US08265194B2
The present invention provides a method for enabling side channel communication between wireless devices. In one embodiment of the invention the guard tones in wireless OFDM signals are used for side channel communication. In another embodiment of the invention, unused bits in OFDM symbols are used as side channels instead of being padded with zeros or random bits.
US08265191B2
A communications system, such as part of a real-time location system, includes a transmitter that can be part of a location processor, tag emission reader or tag interrogator that generates a frequency shift key (FSK) modulated wireless communication signal representative of digital data and transmits the communications signal over a wireless communications channel. A receiver such as incorporated within a tag transceiver used in the real-time location system receives the FSK modulated communication signal. The receiver includes a circuit for calculating the magnitude of low and high tones of the FSK modulated communication signal and a threshold for amplitude shift keyed (ASK) channel data and FSK channel data to derive the digital data even in the presence of on-tone jammers in the communications channel.
US08265186B2
Block-encoded transmissions of a multi-antenna terminal unit are effectively detected in the presence of co-channel interfering transmissions when the base station has a plurality of antennas, and interference cancellation is combined with maximum likelihood decoding. More specifically, the signals received at the base station antennas are combined in a linear combination that relates to the channel coefficients between the various transmitting terminal units and the base antennas. By selecting proper coefficients for the linear combination and choosing probable transmitted signals that minimize a minimum mean squared error function, the signals of the various terminal units are canceled when detecting the signal of a particular unit. In another embodiment of the invention, the basic approach is used to obtain an initial estimate of the signals transmitted by one terminal unit, and the contribution of those signals is removed from the received signals prior to detecting the signals of other terminal units. In still another embodiment, the decoding process is repeated at least twice by detecting the signals of the terminal units in a different order, and selecting the detections that produce the lowest uncertainty measure. The disclosed techniques are viable for any number K of terminal units transmitting concurrently over a given channel, where each terminal unit is using a space-time block code with N transmit antennas, and a base station has at least K receive antennas.
US08265184B2
A carrier frequency offset can be present in a signal received by a communications receiver when the receiver has a local frequency oscillator that generates a carrier frequency different from a carrier frequency generated by a local frequency oscillator at a transmitter that transmitted the signal. A residual carrier frequency offset can remain after most of the carrier frequency offset has been removed from the received signal using conventional techniques. The residual carrier frequency offset is estimated using first and second channel impulse responses derived from first and second portions of the received signal. An estimated phase difference between the first and second channel impulse responses is computed. An estimate of the residual carrier frequency offset is computed using the estimated phase difference.
US08265174B2
A method and apparatus for detection of load impedance modulation as a result of communication of data from the secondary to the primary side of a transformer are presented. The load impedance on the secondary of the transformer barrier is modulated differentially using data to be communicated across the barrier. A detection circuit on the primary side isolates the load current from the magnetizing current in the primary. The load current is subsequently integrated over two consecutive Manchester periods and the integrated value from the first Manchester period is compared against that of the second period thereby recovering the receive data.
US08265171B2
Systems and methods for delivering real-time video imagery to a receiver over a channel. A current video frame is captured and digitized. The digitized frame is divided into a plurality of macroblocks. For each macroblock an intra, inter or skip mode coding mode is determined. Based on instantaneous feedback received from a receiver regarding successfully received video packets for a prior video frame, a quantization parameter is set and the macroblocks are encoded in accordance with their respective selected coding mode. Synchronized error concealment is performed at both the encoder and decoder sides of the system and retransmission of lost video packets, using an adaptive retransmission scheme, are performed in accordance with the instantaneous feedback from the receiver.
US08265167B2
A method, system, and medium are provided for formatting video frames such that a region of interest is emphasized and the video frames can be encoded, communicated, and rendered without excessive processing burdens. A region of interest is identified in a video frame and a feature mask is created that represents the region of interest. The feature mask can be used to crop the video frame to remove background images that are not within the region of interest and the cropped video frame can be overlayed on a simulated background before being encoded and communicated to a display device.
US08265163B2
Horizontal and vertical video shape padding (with or without attendant motion compensation) are facilitated through use of a two-dimensional small array of processing elements. Multiple pixel value assignments are determined and made with each clock cycle or iteration, thereby greatly reducing overall cycle time to complete the shape padding. This approach is compatible with MPEG 4.
US08265157B2
A method for transcoding is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a decoded frame by decoding an input video stream in an MPEG-2 format, the decoded frame including a plurality of decoded macroblocks; (B) determining a current search center to be used in encoding a current macroblock into an H.264 format, the current macroblock corresponding to a pair of the decoded macroblocks on consecutive macroblock rows, wherein when (i) the encoding uses a predictive field mode and (ii) a current field being encoded comprises a second field of a current frame and has a first field of the current frame as a reference field, the current search center comprises a temporally scaled version of a decoded motion vector from one of an upper macroblock of the pair and a lower macroblock in the pair; (C) generating a refined motion vector by searching in a temporal search direction about the current search center; and (D) generating an output video stream in the H.264 format by the encoding of the current macroblock based on the refined motion vector.
US08265154B2
The transmitting end of a content distribution system selectively employs a redundancy mechanism to encoded video data based on the frame type of each frame being transmitted. In the event that a particular frame contains information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the transmitting end can apply a redundancy mechanism to redundantly distribute the data of the frame throughout a set of data segments, each of which is separately transmitted via the network to the receiving end. Otherwise, in the event that a particular frame to be transmitted does not contain substantial information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the loss of some or all of the data of the frame may not appreciably affect the presentation of the video content at the receiving end and thus the transmitting end can forgo application of the redundancy mechanism to such frames so as to avoid unnecessarily processing and reduce the overall network bandwidth used to transmit the encoded video data.
US08265145B1
Reference frames are selected for use in a frame reference buffer in a video encoding system, so as to provide long term prediction of motion in video sequences. Candidate reference frames are characterized by characteristic vectors. From the candidate reference frames, a number of reference frames are maintained in the frame buffer so as to obtain a specified distribution of the characteristic vectors over a vector space. Frames are selected for use in encoding a current frame based on the characteristic vector of the current frame and the reference frames in the frame buffer.
US08265139B2
A packet comparator includes a match packet buffer and a first in first out (FIFO) buffer that stores a reference packet stream. Once a packet in the reference stream and a candidate stream are matched to the match packet, the reference stream and the candidate stream are considered synchronized. Thereafter, the two streams are passed through a compare function and a resultant stream is output from the packet comparator. Possible resultant streams include the results of an exclusive OR (XOR) operation between all, or selected parts, of packets in each of the streams.
US08265131B2
A channel estimation value of each path timing is determined, a path timing, the channel estimation value of which is to be set to zero, is determined based on a reception power of each path timing and a predetermined power threshold (P0), and a channel estimation value of the detected path timing to zero.
US08265126B2
A receiving device for spread spectrum communication includes a phase determining unit and a data demodulating unit. The receiving device receives a signal spread and modulated with first spreading code. The phase determining unit calculates a cross correlation between the received signal and a second spreading code and determines a phase P(0) of the received signal based on the cross correlation. The data demodulating unit synchronizes the phase P(0) and the first spreading code and despreads and demodulates the received signal with the first spreading code. The number of components in each of the first spreading code and the second spreading code is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
US08265119B2
A frequency allocation method and apparatus using a mirroring-assisted frequency hopping pattern is provided for retransmission in a wireless communication system operating in frequency hopping mode. A frequency allocation method for a wireless communication system operating in frequency hopping mode includes generating a mirroring pattern having a mirroring-assisted frequency hopping interval identical with a data retransmission interval; and allocating different frequency bands for an initial transmission and retransmission by performing frequency hopping according to the mirroring pattern. Preferably, the mirroring-assisted frequency hopping interval is shorter than the data retransmission interval.
US08265111B2
When a laser light source module includes a heat sink in which a solid laser element, an excitation light source, and a wavelength conversion element are arranged and a stem that supports the heat sink, wherein the heat sink is separated into three blocks, namely a first block including a laser oscillating unit for the solid laser element is arranged, a second block including a semiconductor laser element that emits excitation light for the laser oscillating unit and a first temperature sensor are arranged and on a specific surface of which the first heater is arranged, and a third block including the wavelength conversion element that converts the wavelength of the fundamental laser beam and a second temperature sensor are arranged and on a specific surface of which a second heater is arranged, enabling thus downsizing of the module and improvement of the positioning accuracy of the elements.
US08265110B2
A laser and monitoring system is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser, pulse shaper and detection device. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and binary pulse shaping (BPS). Still another aspect of the present invention uses a laser beam pulse, a pulse shaper and a SHG crystal. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (hereinafter “MIIPS”) method is used to characterize the spectral phase of femtosecond laser pulses and to correct them. A further aspect of the system of the present invention is employed to monitor environmental chemicals and biological agents, including toxins, explosives, and diseases.
US08265109B2
A laser crystallization apparatus and method are disclosed for selectively melting a film such as amorphous silicon that is deposited on a substrate. The apparatus may comprise an optical system for producing stretched laser pulses for use in melting the film. In still another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system and method are provided for stretching a laser pulse. In another aspect, a system is provided for maintaining a divergence of a pulsed laser beam (stretched or non-stretched) at a location along a beam path within a predetermined range. In another aspect, a system may be provided for maintaining the energy density at a film within a predetermined range during an interaction of the film with a shaped line beam.
US08265106B2
A tunable pulsed laser source comprising a seed source adapted to generate a seed signal and an optical circulator. The optical circulator includes a first port coupled to the seed source, a second port, and a third port. The laser source also includes an amplitude modulator characterized by a first side and a second side. The first side is coupled to the second port of the optical circulator. The laser source further includes a first optical amplifier characterized by an input end and a reflective end including a spectral-domain reflectance filter. The input end is coupled to the second side of the amplitude modulator. Moreover, the laser source includes a second optical amplifier coupled to the third port of the optical circulator.
US08265102B2
Systems and techniques are disclosed wherein a gated pilot signal can be re-acquired faster by searching a last known pilot offset and/or searching a last coset in which the last pilot signal was found.
US08265097B2
A communication apparatus including multiplexed data receiving unit that receives multiplexed data including at least audio data, an extracting unit that extracts the audio data from the multiplexed data, a telephone unit that transmits/receives telephone audio data, and an audio output unit that outputs at least one of the extracted audio data and the telephone audio data. The telephone unit continues to transmit/receive the telephone audio data when an occurrence of an initiating event of the multiplexed data receiving unit is detected while the telephone audio data is being received. The audio output unit outputs the telephone audio data when the occurrence of the initiating event is detected while the telephone audio data is being received. The multiplexed data receiving unit initiates receiving the multiplexed data when the occurrence of the initiating event is detected while the telephone audio is being received.
US08265096B2
A method of constructing a frame structure for data transmission, the method comprising generating a first section comprising data configured in a first format compatible with a first communication system, generating a second section following the first section, the second section comprising data configured in a second format compatible with a second communication system, wherein the second format is different from the first format, generating at least one non-data section containing information describing an aspect of data in at least one of the first section and the second section, and combining the first section, the second section and the at least one non-data section to form the frame structure.
US08265094B2
Aspects of de-registering a multicast group member from a multicast group within a wireless communications network are disclosed. An access terminal sends a first multicast registration message to an access network, with the first multicast registration message identifying a first set of multicast groups. The access network receives the first multicast registration message and registers the access terminal for each of the first set of multicast groups. The access terminal sends a second multicast registration message, the second multicast registration message omitting at least one multicast group from among the first set of multicast groups, the second multicast registration message being sent to request de-registration, for the access terminal, from at least one multicast group. The access network receives the second multicast registration message and interprets the second multicast registration message as a request to de-register the access terminal from the omitted at least one multicast group.
US08265084B2
A local network connecting system includes a first local network, a second local network, a mobile terminal. The first local network is connected with a gateway and a first server assigned with a first local address. The second local network is connected with a second server. The mobile terminal VPN “Virtual Private Network”-connect to the second server through the first local network. The gateway provide mapping of local address for a terminal connected to the first local network. When a packet is sent to the first server from mobile terminal, the mobile terminal assigns a second local address unused over the VPN-connection to a destination address of the packet instead of the first local address, and transmits the packet to the gateway. The gateway translate the second local address into the first local address as destination address of the packet, and transmits the packet to the first server based on the translated destination.
US08265072B2
A header processing unit includes a key information supply unit that manages MAC addresses and MAC key information having a short bit length that corresponds to the addresses, and decides key information corresponding to a source MAC address and a destination MAC address of an input frame. A destination decision unit performs destination decision processing based on corresponding key information instead of destination MAC addresses. A flow decision unit decides a flow based on key information corresponding to a destination MAC address and a source MAC address. Since the key information supply unit does not need to set plural identical MAC addresses, the header processing unit becomes inexpensive. Thus, this invention achieves an inexpensive switch that performs output decision processing and flow decision processing.
US08265065B2
The invention is a method and system for reliably detecting the start and/or end of silence periods during voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) sessions in a wireless communications network. A VoIP session typically includes “talkspurt” periods, during which VoIP packets are transmitted, and silence periods, during which silence indication (SID) packets are transmitted. Both the base station (eNodeB or eNb) and the mobile device (user equipment or UE) may inspect the packets to identify them as VoIP or SID packets. Alternatively, only the eNB inspects the packets. The eNB then flags the first SID packet after a VoIP packet as the start of a silence period, and flags the first VoIP packet after a SID packet as the end of a silence period. The eNB then modifies the header of the medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (PDU) prior to transmission to the UE. The UE then detects the modified MAC headers to identify the start and/or end of silence periods.
US08265058B2
A method and an apparatus to select a route in a network device within a networked system have been disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving at a router in a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) network a first route entry via local redistribution from a first protocol to BGP and a second route entry from a peer router coupled to the router via the network, wherein the first route entry is received earlier than the second route entry. The method may further include downloading administrative distances of the first and the second route entries to a route information base (RIB) of the router and redistributing the administrative distances from the RIB to a BGP table maintained by a BGP module of the router. In some embodiments, the method further includes selecting one of the first and the second route entries based on their administrative distances.
US08265056B2
Techniques for efficiently decoding packets sent with H-ARQ are described. Packet decoding for H-ARQ may be performed based on local search around a start of packet (SOP) decision for a packet. The SOP decision for the packet may be made based on traffic detection results for received transmissions. At least one SOP hypothesis may be determined for the packet based on the SOP decision, and the received transmissions may be decoded based on the at least one SOP hypothesis. A sliding SOP window may be used to keep track of SOP hypotheses for the packet. The sliding window may be initialized at an earliest received transmission, moved forward for each subsequent received transmission with no detected packet data, and maintained at the first received transmission with detected traffic. Rotating buffers may be used to store received transmissions for packets for decoding.
US08265051B2
A beacon signal used in data communications, such as the IEEE 802.11, is provided with data extensions. The data extensions permit additional information to be provided by the beacon signal, thereby reducing the traffic overhead of the network. The data extensions further permit handoffs and handoffs based on offset values. Periodic beacon requests are made during connection between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and an access point (AP) on a WLAN. A Measurement Request field corresponding to a beacon request contains a measurement duration value and channel number for which the request applies. The beacon request permits a scan mode which includes “Active Scan” mode, “Passive Scan” mode and “Beacon Table” mode. In Active Scan mode, the measuring station (STA) transmits a probe request with a broadcast SSID. In Passive Scan mode, the measuring STA passively receives on the specified channel and return a beacon report containing one information element for each STA from which it detects a beacon or probe response. In Beacon Table mode, the measuring STA returns a beacon report containing the current contents of its beacon table without performing additional measurements.
US08265043B2
Transmitting device, receiving device, and method used in mobile communication system employing OFDM
A transmitting device includes a transmission signal generating unit configured to generate a transmission signal by inverse-Fourier-transforming reference signals and data signals mapped to subcarriers and a transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit the transmission signal. In the transmitting device, a total power level allocated to signals to be transmitted in a time slot is equal to a total power level allocated to signals to be transmitted in any other time slot, and a power density per unit bandwidth of the reference signals is greater than a power density per unit bandwidth of the data signals. This configuration makes it possible to equalize the total transmission power level of all time slots and thereby to improve the power amplification efficiency. Also, with this configuration, since the reference signals are transmitted with a higher power than that for other signals, it is possible to improve the accuracy of channel estimation.
US08265036B2
An apparatus and method for a centrally managed handoff comprising originating a service using a first technology and connecting the service using the first technology; activating a second technology that is different from the first technology; receiving a first request for the handoff from the first technology to the second technology; sending a second request for the handoff from the first technology to the second technology, wherein the second request relates to the first request; receiving an acknowledgement that the second technology is available; implementing the handoff from the first technology to the second technology; and determining that the handoff is successfully implemented before terminating the first technology.
US08265035B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a method for performing cell reselection in a mobile communication system. The method comprises the steps of reading, by a user equipment (UE), the Access Class (AC) barring parameters of the serving cell which are broadcast from a base station, and performing an AC barring check; calculating the cell reselection values of the serving cell and the adjacent cells according to the cell reselection parameters broadcast by the base station when the AC barring check fails; and ranking the calculated cell reselection values, selecting by the UE the cell corresponding to the maximum value of the calculated cell reselection values as the serving cell of the UE.
US08265021B2
Methods and apparatus for downlink Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat-reQuest (HARQ) Indicator Channel (PHICH) mapping and channelization in a communication system. First, a base station assigns uplink (UL) physical resource block (PRB) indices to a set of units of user equipment in a cell. Then, for each user equipment, the base station calculates an index triple (KPHICH,0,KPHICH,1,KPHICH,2) for three repetitions of a PHICH signal to be transmitted to the user equipment, with KPHICH, i being a PHICH index indicating a PHICH resource for transmitting the i-th repetition of the PHICH signal to the user equipment, and i=1, 2, 3. When a data packet is received from a unit of user equipment transmitted via at least one physical resource block (PRB) indicated by the at least one PRB index that is assigned to the user equipment, the base station transmits PHICH signals to the user equipment by using the PHICH resources indicated by the PHICH indices assigned to the user equipment.
US08265018B2
A wireless communication system is described for allocating limited network access according to priorities designated for requested transactions of wireless communications. The wireless network has a number of access links for transmitting transactions for wireless communications. A plurality of wireless communications devices request transmission of transactions on the wireless network. A designated priority level is associated with each transaction. In response to the transaction requests, an access control manager in the wireless network schedules transmission of transactions when all of the plurality of access links are occupied, by authorizing a transmission of a transaction of higher priority than another transaction that is being transmitted, and discontinuing the transmission of the transaction of lower priority.
US08265017B2
Methods and apparatus for enhancing network capacity in a network comprising multiple wireless communication that overlap at least partly in frequency spectrum. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a portable device such as a laptop or smartphone having both a WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface and a PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface which each operate with approximately the same frequency range. One variant places the WLAN interface into a power-saving mode as a default, thereby mitigating interference with the PAN interface in cases where the WLAN interface is not in active use. In another variant, an aggressive PAN management algorithm is used to enforce network policy on the PAN interface, thereby mitigating interference between the PAN interface and the WLAN interfaces of other devices in the network (as well as the parent device). AP-based variants are also described. Methods of operation and doing business utilizing the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.
US08265016B2
A method for instructing a mobile node to reduce the power used to transmit channel quality information is described. A scheduling mode of a mobile node is determined. An uplink control channel in a first format is allocated to the mobile node if the mobile node is in a first scheduling mode. The number of bits to use to insert channel quality information (CQI) on the uplink control channel is provided. The mobile node is instructed to reduce the power used to transmit CQI by a power reduction amount if the mobile node is in the first scheduling mode.
US08265015B2
A communication path allocating entity and method are described. The entity (10) comprises a receiver (11) for receiving session requests for requesting one or both of an establishment of a new communication session and a change in existing communication session between a network and one or more terminals (20), and a processor (12) for processing the session requests and for allocating one or more communication paths (21, 23, 25) to each of the communication sessions. A session database (28) is provided for keeping record of the allocated communication path and their associated sessions.
US08265013B2
An apparatus and method for providing an interactive broadcasting service in a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) system are provided. The method includes receiving content attributes, including a terminal interaction request time index information, and corresponding contents from a content provider; after transmitting the contents to a terminal, sending a burst allocation request message to a Base Station (BS) to allocate an uplink bandwidth to the terminal at the terminal interaction request time; and receiving interactive information from the terminal over the uplink bandwidth allocated to the terminal. The content provider or the service provider can request a response from a plurality of recipients through the MBS service, gather their responses, and reflect the gathered information in the contents.
US08265012B2
An adaptive subchannel and bit allocation method in a wireless communication system. A mobile station analyzes channel quality information of a subchannel at a predetermined period and determines a feedback band index with a maximum decision criterion. The mobile station feeds back the determined feedback band index with the maximum decision criterion to a base station. The base station generates band allocation information using the feedback information from the mobile station, and transmits the band allocation information to the mobile station. The mobile station transmits AMC information using the band allocation information received from the base station. The base station estimates a channel using the AMC information transmitted from the mobile station and allocates bits to the allocated band according to the channel estimation result.
US08265011B2
Two or more data packets transmitted through a wireless channel are received using a receiver device. The two or more data packets are a result of two or more transmissions that are made sequentially in time at different center frequencies in order to span a desired bandwidth. Each data packet of the two or more data packets is transmitted at a single center frequency. Time differences and/or carrier phase differences among the two or more transmissions are estimated. A time-of-arrival of one or more data packets of the two or more data packets is calculated using each data packet of the two or more data packets and one or more of the estimated time differences, the different center frequencies, and the estimated carrier phase differences.
US08265010B2
A wireless communication system, a routing method for a packet switched service, and a Femto AP (FAP) using the routing method are provided. The wireless communication system may include a core network, a broadband IP network, a FAP and at least a user equipment (UE). The UE connects the core network through the FAP and the broadband IP network. The routing method is as follows. The FAP may evaluate a request of the packet switched service sent by the UE, and may reply an accept message to the UE. The accept message may include a FAP address. The UE may use the FAP address to send a packet switching data to the FAP in order to obtain the packet switched service. The FAP may directly conduct the packet switched service with a packet switched service supply end through the broadband IP network without routing through the core network.
US08265009B2
Some embodiments provide methods for selecting tracking areas in a network, comprising: receiving messages from a plurality of base transceiver stations, the messages identifying a previous tracking area identity and a current tracking area identity; storing probabilities based on a count of transitions between the received previous tracking area identities and current tracking area identities; receiving a message from a user equipment device indicating the user equipment device is located in a first tracking area identified by a first tracking area identity; and selecting at least a second tracking area identity based on the stored probabilities and the first tracking area identity; and sending a tracking area identity list to the user equipment device based on the selected second tracking area.
US08265005B2
A communication system that allows multiple data applications to work simultaneously within a distributed execution environment in which only one IP address is assigned to the mobile system by an external wireless network. The mobile system comprises a wireless communication system with a first processing device (such as a cell phone or a network card) and a second device with another processor (such as a laptop computer or a personal digital assistant). The single IP address is assigned to the second processor, and all incoming external communications are stored in the second processor. In some embodiments the first processing device includes a filter; in other embodiments the second processing device includes a proxy for each processor. Additional processors can be connected to the mobile system by adding an additional filter or additional proxy.
US08265003B2
Provided is a technique for switching a session between a terminal and a network to a session using a plurality of peripheral terminals having respective functions, by considering the load on the distribution side system and distributing a packet to the plurality of peripheral terminals. This application for relaying a packet transmitted from a distribution node via a communication device in response to a request from a terminal to a relay destination peripheral terminal that becomes a relay destination, characterized in comprising: data acquiring means for decapsulating the packet encapsulated by the communication device, thereby to acquire a payload data; outputting means for outputting the acquired data by the data acquiring means to a predetermined reproduction function; and relay processing means for, based upon header information being contained in the decapsulated packet, relaying the decapsulated packet to the relay destination peripheral terminal.
US08265000B2
A method for receiving a common channel of a mobile terminal is disclosed. The mobile terminal receives a shared control channel, determines whether to receive a shared data channel or a common channel, and receives the shared data channel or the common channel according to control information transmitted via the shared control channel.
US08264999B2
A method for realizing paging in a mobile switching center (MSC) pool includes the following steps. An MSC server selects a media gateway (MGW) from more than one MGW connected to a base station controller (BSC)/radio network controller (RNC), delivers a paging message of an international mobile station identity (IMSI) paging type to the selected MGW, and stores a corresponding relation between an IMSI carried in the paging message and the MSC server in the MGW which is connected to the BSC/RNC and does not receive the paging message. The MGW that does not receive the paging message receives a paging response message sent by the BSC/RNC, determines an MSC server corresponding to an IMSI carried in the paging response message by looking up the corresponding relation between the IMSI and the MSC server stored therein, and routes the received paging response message to the corresponding MSC server. Several other methods and devices for realizing paging are also provided.
US08264998B2
A method, apparatus, and system for controlling multicast bearer resources are disclosed, which employ a resource and admission control subsystem (RACS) to control the multicast bearer resources. The method includes: a network entity in a RACS receives a request for controlling multicast bearer resources from a bearer-layer network entity and controls the multicast bearer resources. The network entity in the RACS includes: a receiving unit adapted to receive a request for controlling multicast bearer resources from a bearer-layer network entity and a control unit adapted to control the multicast bearer resources.
US08264994B2
A method of paging for a wireless device with multiple radio interfaces corresponding to multiple access networks. The method provides a first interface from the multiple radio interfaces to listen to paging for the multiple radio interfaces; turns the rest of the multiple radio interfaces into deep-sleep mode; and maintains attachment for each of the deep-sleep interfaces to a corresponding serving base station or access point.
US08264991B2
A data transmission/reception method in Near Field Communications (NFC) for improving data throughput is provided. Communications between a first NFC device and a second NFC device which perform NFC includes (a) transmitting, by the first NFC device, a data frame to the second NFC device, (b) setting, by the second NFC device, an indication of presence or absence of more-data in a bit of a Logical Link Control (LLC) information frame and transmitting the LLC information frame as a response frame responding to the data frame transmitted from the first NFC device, and (c) checking, by the first NFC device, the bit of the response frame and waiting for predetermined time or immediately transmitting a next transmission data bit without waiting for the predetermined time according to the check result.
US08264987B2
Limiting or controlling access to various services thereby performing a firewall function. An access router may permit or deny a packet based on at least a portion of a unique bit string (or context information) which replaced layer 2 header information (e.g., the layer 2 (e.g., MAC) address). Further, a particular quality of service may be indicated by at least a part of the unique bit string (or context information). The service provided to a group of customers, that group of customers being defined by at least a portion of the unique bit string (or context information), may be monitored. Multicast groups may be supported by checking at least a part of the unique bit string (or context information) to determine whether or not a customer associated with that port is permitted to join the multicast group.
US08264983B2
A method and system for provisioning circuits on multiple parallel links with a single setup message is disclosed. A setup message specifying links in a circuit path is transmitted to switches along the circuit path. If a switch determines that a link specified in the setup message has insufficient bandwidth for the circuit, the switch substitutes a parallel link having sufficient bandwidth for the specified link in the circuit path. The setup message can indicate whether substitution for a link is permitted. This can be used to prevent substitution for links when provisioning service routes for new circuits in order to maintain diversity requirements, while allowing substitution for links when provisioning restoration routes for failed circuits in order to reduce restoration time.
US08264974B1
A network device may include logic configured to receive a first problem report from a first network device in a first network, receive a second problem report from a second network device in a second network, receive reconfiguration information from a third network device in a third network, store event data included in the first and second problem reports, determine whether the event data included in the first or second problem reports is associated with the reconfiguration information, transmit at least one of the first or second problem reports to the third network device when the reconfiguration information is not associated with the event data included in the first or second problem reports and transmit the reconfiguration information to at least one of the first or second network devices when the reconfiguration information is associated with the event data included in the first or second problem reports.
US08264970B2
An OAM link trace message is sent from a source node to a target node in a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network. The link trace message using an 802.1ag format except, as a destination address, it uses either the unicast Ethernet MAC node ID of the target node, or the multicast destination address of the service instance. A method of network topology verification in a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network checks the link state protocol database at a node to ascertain the control plane topology view of at least part of the network. It then executes one or more Ethernet OAM commands from the node to ascertain the data plane topology view of the same part of the network. The control plane topology view of the network is compared to the data plane topology view of the network to see if they match. An error is flagged if they do not match.
US08264963B2
If a condition in a data transfer path is modeled appropriately, then a filter-based approach can be used to provide an estimate of the condition. This permits accurate, real-time estimates of the condition with modest requirements for data processing and memory resources. Change detection can be implemented to control a parameter of the filter.
US08264958B1
One or more computer readable media, methods and systems that allow phone calls involving a mobile telephone to be to be conducted using VOIP technology with header compression of the voice packets and dynamically adjustable tiered subscriber service. A dynamic, tiered-subscriber service allows the bandwidth allotted to users subscribing to different levels of service to be adjusted between sessions to accommodate changing network conditions. Header compression involves compressing the voice packet header into a reduced number of bites. Embodiments of the present invention enable simultaneous header compression and dynamic tiered-subscriber service through a new call flow set up that includes a new policy. The new policy is given preference over the other installed policies and includes new attribute value pairs that enables both header compression and dynamic bandwidth adjustments.
US08264955B2
A scheme to achieve fast recovery from SRLG failures in the IP layer is described. An exemplary scheme, called multi-section shortest path first (“MSSPF”), builds on the idea of IP Fast Reroute (“IPFRR”), guarantees 100% recovery of SRLG failures and causes no dead loops. Given a source node, a destination node, and a shared risk group failure on a next hop from the source node to the destination node, failure recovery information may be determined by (1) accepting a graph representing network topology information including the source node and the destination node, (2) determining a node which is able to reach the destination node using a route which does not include the source node, wherein a path from the source node to the determined node is not affected by the shared risk group failure, and (3) storing, in association with the shared risk group failure, both (i) a network address associated with the determined node and (ii) an alternative output port of the source node using the shortest path from the source node to the determined node.
US08264946B2
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction of a transmission signal in a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system. The proposed methods and systems are based on manipulations of an SC-FDMA transmission signal in a time- and/or a frequency-domain.
US08264945B2
A signal mapping method and a signal transmission method applying a subcarrier shift method are described. A signal mapping method using shifted subcarriers includes shifting positions of data subcarriers by as much as a frequency band corresponding to half of spacing between data subcarriers on a frequency axis, and shifting positions of random access preamble subcarriers by as much as a frequency band corresponding to half of spacing between the data subcarriers and to a specific ratio of spacing between the random access preamble subcarriers, and mapping data and a random access preamble to the data subcarriers and the random access preamble subcarrier, respectively. Even when the spacing between the data subcarriers is a multiple of the spacing between the random access preamble subcarriers, DC distortion can be minimized.
US08264944B2
An optical recording medium includes a cover layer, a plurality of recording surfaces, and a plurality of intermediate layers. The thicknesses of the layers are specifically determined and set at values which suppress a back focus problem. Because the optical recording medium suppresses back focus, the recording and reproducing of information using the optical recording medium is not obstructed.
US08264936B2
A diffractive optical element includes a first optical part and a second optical part bonded to each other with a bonded surface therebetween configured as a diffraction surface. In this diffractive optical element, the diffraction order of diffracted light with the largest quantity of light out of diffracted light for one of a plurality of kinds of laser beams obtained on the diffraction surface is different from the diffraction order for at least another laser beam.
US08264935B2
A player is provided that is capable of playing discs of either a first or a second configuration. Both types of discs can be double-sided optical discs formed with data tracks. In one configuration, the tracks on one side follow one spiral while the tracks on the other side follow a second spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, and therefore being mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from both sides of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc. In the other configuration, the tracks follow identical spirals. The disc is then rotated in one direction for one side and the other direction for the other side.
US08264928B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.
US08264924B2
A data writing control device enable quickly writing data to optical discs. A reading process unit 62a, 62b reads data in predetermined read units from a storage device (hard disk drive 14) that has a head and stores the data. A storage unit (buffers 63a and 63b) has a storage area for storing the read units of data read by the reading process unit 62a, 62b. A writing process unit 64a, 64b acquires data stored in the storage unit in write units, which are smaller than the read units, and supplies the acquired write units of data to an optical disc drive is connected as a peripheral device.
US08264922B2
There is provided an optical disc drive, which includes a light source emitting a light beam, a beam dividing element that divides the light beam into main and sub-beams, an objective lens, an astigmatism producing unit that gives astigmatism to the main and sub-beams, a signal generation unit that has sensors for the beams and generates a focus error signal based on output signals of the sensors; and an optical element that has a function of adjusting intensity distribution of the main beam such that the main beam incident on the optical disc has a predetermined intensity distribution where a maximum intensity level is positioned at a predetermined height within a range of 70% of a pupil diameter, the predetermined height is not equal to an optical axis, and an intensity of the main beam decreases gradually from the predetermined height to a peripheral portion of the pupil.
US08264920B1
A near-field light generator includes a waveguide, a plasmon generator, and a metal layer. The waveguide includes a core having an evanescent light generating surface. The plasmon generator includes a base part, and a protruding part that protrudes from the base part toward the evanescent light generating surface. The protruding part has: a front end face located at an end in a direction parallel to the evanescent light generating surface; a band-shaped flat surface facing toward the evanescent light generating surface; and two side surfaces connected to the flat surface. In at least a portion of the protruding part, the distance between the two side surfaces increases with increasing distance from the evanescent light generating surface. The flat surface includes a first portion contiguous with the front end face, and a second portion that is located farther from the front end face than is the first portion. The metal layer has an end face facing the first portion. The evanescent light generating surface faces the second portion.
US08264919B2
A spot size converter according to the present invention is capable of shortening the waveguide length in the spot size converter and of promoting a size reduction of the optical waveguide itself because two cores having a taper portion are combined and those tapering angles are mutually aligned. Furthermore, spot size conversion efficiency is favorable even in a small size.
US08264911B2
A universal wristwatch and relevant system for setting the time according to the time zone, the wristwatch (1) including concentric dials (A, B, C) showing the 24 hours (dial B), the 24 time zones (dial C) and the minutes (winder A) and including also selecting devices (11) suitable to implement a temporary connection between the rotation of the time zone dial (C) and the 24-hour dial (B) in order to realize an identical synchronous rotation further to which it will be possible to set the hour hand (O) on the new place thus obtaining independently and at the same time the collimation with the joint unit of dials (B) and (C). Once the collimation is completed, the previous different rotation of dials (B) and (C) is restored. The wristwatch (1) showing the time of the current time zone in twelfths and twenty-fourths, universal wristwatch, in addition to the other 23 places.
US08264906B2
A system is provided with clock skew measurement and correction technology. A first circuit or memory controller 4 includes measuring circuits to measure relative timing or phase offsets of multiple clock signals of a second circuit or memory 6. One measuring circuit is configured for incremental changing of the phase of a transmitted test data sequence to measure and correct timing of a memory receiver circuit's quadrature clocks based on results of a data comparison of transmitted and received test data. Another measuring circuit is configured to scan a received test data sequence for data transitions to measure and correct timing of a memory transmitter circuit's quadrature clocks based on spacing or timing between detected transitions. Individual memory clock generators 30 are controlled with adjustable delay circuits 47 for changing phase of different clock signals of the memory to set the clock signals based on the measurements of the controller.
US08264904B2
In a method of estimating a self refresh period of a semiconductor memory device according to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of internal address signals are reset in response to a refresh reset signal. The plurality of internal address signals are sequentially changed synchronously with an oscillation signal. A refresh completion signal is generated based on the plurality of internal address signals. The self refresh period is detected based on the refresh reset signal and the refresh completion signal.
US08264901B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor memory and a control method therefor, the semiconductor device including a first current-voltage conversion circuit (16) connected to a core cell (12) provided in a nonvolatile memory cell array (10), a second current-voltage conversion circuit (26) connected to a reference cell (22) through a reference cell data line (24), a sense amplifier (18) sensing an output from the first current-voltage conversion circuit and an output from the second current-voltage conversion circuit, a compare circuit (28) comparing a voltage level at the reference cell data line with a predefined voltage level, and a charging circuit (30) charging the reference cell data line, if the voltage level at the reference cell data line is lower than the predefined voltage level during pre-charging the reference cell data line. According to the present invention, the pre-charging period of the reference cell data line can be shortened, and the data read time can be shortened.
US08264896B2
An integrated circuit comprises a plurality of memory cells and an array supply voltage control circuit. The plurality of memory cells are organized in rows and columns. A row comprises a word line and all of the memory cells coupled to the word line. A column comprises a bit line pair and all of the memory cells coupled to the bit line pair. The array supply voltage control circuit is coupled to the plurality of memory cells. The array supply voltage control circuit is for receiving a power supply voltage and for providing a reduced power supply voltage to memory cells of a selected column during a write operation in response to a voltage differential on the bit line pair of the selected column.
US08264893B2
A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing.
US08264890B2
Techniques are disclosed herein for erasing non-volatile memory cells. A subset of the memory cells are pre-conditioned prior to erase. The pre-conditioning alters the threshold voltage of the memory cells in a way that may help make later calculations more accurate. As an example, memory cells along a single word line might be pre-conditioned. After the pre-conditioning, the memory cells are erased using a trial erase pulse. A suitable magnitude for a second pulse is determined based on the magnitude of the trial erase pulse and data collected about the threshold voltage distribution after the trial erase. The second erase pulse is used to erase the memory cells. Determining an appropriate magnitude for the second erase pulse minimizes or eliminates over-erasing.
US08264883B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including an even page cell group and an odd page cell group, and a page buffer configured to read data stored in memory cells of the even page cell group and the odd page cell group and store the read data. The page buffer comprises a first latch configured to store first even page data of the even page cell group when a first read operation is performed, a second latch configured to store odd page data of the odd page cell group when a second read operation is performed, and a third latch configured to store second even page data of the even page cell group when a third read operation is performed.
US08264879B2
Methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating memory cells are taught. A method for operating memory cells includes programming at least one of the memory cells to one of a number of states. Operating memory cells also includes programming at least another one of the memory cells, which is adjacent to the programmed at least one of the memory cells, to one of a different number of states. Operating memory cells also includes sensing non-erased states of the memory cells using at least one common voltage level.
US08264878B2
A method of efficiently programming charge-trapping memory cells includes sense amplifiers being dynamically connected to cells to be programmed, by switching bit lines. The method increases a number of cells that can be programmed simultaneously, such that an optimal use of sense amplifier resources is obtained.
US08264872B2
A column decoder is for a phase-change memory device provided with an array of memory cells, a reading stage for reading data contained in the memory cells, and a programming stage for programming the data. The column decoder selects and enables biasing of a bitline of the array and generates a current path between the bitline and the reading stage or, alternatively, the programming stage, respectively during a reading or a programming operation of the contents of the memory cells. In the column decoder, a first decoder circuit generates a first current path between the bitline and the reading stage, and a second decoder circuit, distinct and separate from the first decoder circuit, generates a second current path, distinct from the first current path, between the bitline and the programming stage.
US08264868B2
A memory array with Metal-Insulator Transition (MIT) switching devices includes a set of row lines intersecting a set of column lines and a memory element disposed at an intersection between one of the row lines and one of the column lines. The memory element includes a switching layer in series with an MIT material. A method of accessing a target memory element within a memory array includes applying half of an access voltage to a row line connected to the target memory element, the target memory element comprising a switching layer in series with an MIT material, and applying an inverted half of the access voltage to a column line connected to the target memory element.
US08264867B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device having a plurality of operation modes, includes: a plurality of first lines; a plurality of second lines; a plurality of memory cells; a first selection unit that charges the first line to a first selection voltage; and a second selection unit that charges a second line to an unselection voltage and discharges the second line to a second selection voltage after the first line is charged to the first selection voltage by the first selection unit, wherein the second selection unit adjusts at least one of a level of the second selection voltage to which the second line to be selected is to be discharged and a time constant when discharging the second line to be selected, in accordance with an operation mode in which the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device operates among the plurality of operation modes.
US08264865B2
A nonvolatile memory element of the present invention comprises a first electrode (103), a second electrode (108); a resistance variable layer (107) which is interposed between the first electrode (103) and the second electrode (107) and is configured to switch a resistance value reversibly in response to an electric signal applied between the electrodes (103) and (108), and the resistance variable layer (107) has at least a multi-layer structure in which a first hafnium-containing layer having a composition expressed as HfOx (0.9≦x≦1.6), and a second hafnium-containing layer having a composition expressed as HfOy (1.8
US08264860B2
A power factor correction (PFC) system includes a period determination module, a frequency generation module, an angle generation module, a signal generation module, and an angle correction module. The period determination module determines a period of an input alternating current (AC) line signal based on a time between rising edges of the input AC line signal. The frequency generation module generates a frequency based on the period. The angle generation module generates an angle based on the frequency. The signal generation module generates a sinusoidal reference signal based on the frequency and an adjusted angle. The angle correction module generates the adjusted angle based on the angle and based on a comparison of a falling edge of the sinusoidal reference signal, the period, and a rising edge of the input AC line signal.
US08264844B2
A conductive chassis plate faces a printed circuit board at a distance. One end of the conductive chassis plate is aligned with one end of the printed circuit board. One end of the conductive chassis plate is electrically connected to a ground wiring pattern provided on one end of the printed circuit board. One end of the conductive chassis plate is electrically connected to a conductive member that extends from one end of the conductive chassis plate toward the other end. As a result, in transmitting or receiving a signal with respect to external equipment attached to a connector, an influence of electrostatic discharge is reduced with a simple configuration.
