US08371329B2
A pilot device cooperates with a gas pressure regulator suitable for use in gas distribution systems and consists of: a head with two chambers separated by a first membrane, one chamber at the gas pressure regulator outlet pressure and the other at atmospheric pressure; a body with elastic means and an axial thrust unit acting on the first membrane and cooperating with a regulation unit having at the inlet a supply pressure and at the outlet the motorization gas which is transferred to the motorization chamber of the gas pressure regulator. The pilot device features a tank having a wall with a further membrane provided with the mechanical elastic setting means. Gas is conveyed into the tank with a load pressure to modify the thrust of the elastic setting means. The device has a closed compensation chamber at atmospheric pressure, having the further membrane in common with the tank.
US08371328B2
A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.
US08371326B2
A fuel vapor vent valve assembly includes an anti-trickle valve having a casing defining a first cavity. A movable element is disposed within the first cavity. The casing defines a lower dynamic vapor passage in fluid communication with an interior of a fuel tank. A concave ramp is disposed concentrically about the lower dynamic vapor passage, within the first cavity. The movable element moves upward along the concave ramp in response to a change in motion to open fluid communication through the lower dynamic vapor passage to vent vapor pressure from within the fuel tank during movement.
US08371325B1
A housing has at least one port for allowing entry of subterranean water into an interior of the housing when the housing is buried in soil. The housing has an inlet fitting configured to be coupled to drip tubing and an outlet for discharging water conveyed from a pressurized water source conveyed through the tubing. A valve includes a valve member that is movable to open and close a fluid communication path between the inlet fitting and the outlet. A hygroscopic member is positioned in the interior of the housing and is capable of absorbing subterranean water and expanding to move the valve member to close the fluid communication path. A spring element is positioned to bias the valve member to open the fluid communication path.
US08371321B2
A free floating canopy shade system for use in a pool or at a beach. The canopy has four legs each leg supported by an open top float, each float having an outer tapered cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall being sized to receive a leg, an attachment to attach the leg to the float. The float being water tight and open at the top. Wherein an open shaded area is created beneath the canopy bounded only on four corners by each float.
US08371320B1
An improved forearm crutch includes an adjustable shaft, a forearm cuff affixed to an upper end of the shaft, a manifold affixed in proximity to the lower end of the shaft, and three legs affixed to said manifold, the legs including an anterior leg, a posterior leg, and a lateral leg, wherein each leg is disposed at an acute angle to the shaft, wherein the anterior and posterior legs are over six inches in length, wherein the lateral leg is at least two inches longer than the anterior and posterior leg, and wherein the lateral leg is flexibly engageable to the ground by means of either flexible legs or gel-type crutch tips engageable to the ground.
US08371317B2
A surface treating jig of the present invention includes a treatment solution collecting section having (i) a ring-like groove formed on a surface (a) facing to a surface (a) to be treated of a semiconductor wafer and (ii) a through hole for collecting the treatment solution, the through hole formed so as to be continuous with the ring-like groove. With this arrangement, the present invention provides a surface treatment apparatus that prevents the treatment solution from spattering to a surface other than the surface (a) to be treated, and thereby, treatment with the treatment solution can be performed only with respect to the target surface.
US08371310B2
A hand-held apparatus (100) to vaporize volatile compounds disposed in a solid source material is disclosed. The hand-held apparatus comprises a housing (105), a mouthpiece tube (118) removeably disposed within, and extending outwardly from, said housing, a heating element assembly (114) in communication with said mouthpiece tube, wherein said heating element assembly heats to an operating temperature of about 450° F. in about 60 seconds.
US08371307B2
Methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, sleep apnea and snoring are disclosed. In some embodiments, a glossal suspension system includes a tissue tensioner that includes a suture loop made of one or more sutures configured to suspend the tongue with at least one portion configured to extend laterally through the tongue, and a securement mechanism configured to be attached to a patient's mandible that includes one more adjustment assemblies for engaging the one or more sutures and adjusting tension on the suture loop. Various tethers and anchors that can be used with the glossal suspension system are also disclosed.
US08371303B2
Described herein is an apparatus that includes an endotracheal tube or airway device having a proximal end and a distal end and an occlusion cuff. The occlusion cuff includes a sensor for helping determine proper endotracheal or airway device placement.
US08371294B2
An inhaler is disclosed wherein medicament in a flat-bottomed container is aerosolized with a vibrator piezoelectric transducer. The transducer is driven by a signal that excites multiple harmonic frequencies to create a complex pattern of oscillations. A circuit for generating the drive signal to the transducer is also disclosed.
US08371289B2
An inhaler includes a medicine cartridge having at least an ejection head and a first electrical connection section for supplying the ejection head with electric power necessary for ejecting medicine, an inhaler body having a medicine cartridge mounting section and an inhalation piece. The inhaler is so constructed that an electric circuit for supplying the ejection head with electric power necessary for ejecting medicine by way of the first electrical connection section is made operable by mounting and rigidly securing the inhalation piece onto the inhaler body. The inhaler can be operated by a user with ease and the ejection head is reliably electrically energized only when the inhaler is operated.
US08371282B2
A device for projecting a soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer, the device comprising a holder designed for containing the soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer; and a firing mechanism operatively arranged to accelerate the holder from a firing position.
US08371279B2
An internal combustion engine that includes a crankcase having a crankcase pressure defined within the crankcase relative to an ambient pressure. The crankcase pressure varies in response to operation of the internal combustion engine. A crankcase pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the crankcase, and the crankcase pressure regulator includes a first passageway defining a first flow path, a second passageway defining a second flow path in a parallel arrangement to the first passageway. When the crankcase pressure is less than a first predetermined pressure, the first valve moves to the open position to allow a fluid flow into the crankcase through the first passageway. When the crankcase pressure is greater than a second predetermined pressure, the second valve moves from the closed position to the open position to allow a fluid flow from the crankcase through the second passageway.
US08371269B2
A common rail electronic control injection system which uses a DME or a low-viscosity fuel similar with DME to inject into a combustion engine, includes a fuel container, a common rail tube, a high-pressure tube, an electronic control injector, an electronic control unit, a high-pressure pump, a working medium case, a reversing component, and a pressure convertor, wherein the pressure convertor includes at least two working components, each working component is divided into a fuel chamber and a working medium chamber by an dividing element, the dividing element can freely deform or move between the fuel chamber and the working medium chamber by pressure effect. The invention avoids the sealing and abrasion problem in the plunger matching portions which is caused by the low-viscosity fuel so as to greatly improve the lifetime and reliability of system.
US08371264B2
A method is provided for controlling an engine via an outlet control device of an intake manifold, such as via variable valve lift operation. The engine may further include an inlet control device, such as an electronic throttle, as well as coordination between the inlet and outlet control devices for controlling airflow in the engine.
US08371253B2
Various systems and methods are described for a controlling a flow of reformate fuel in a fuel system which includes a reformer and a storage tank coupled to an engine in a vehicle. The system includes a pump located between the reformer and the storage tank that is selectively operated in order to reduce parasitic losses on the system.
US08371250B2
A non powered, canine barking suppression device that can rapidly altering a dog's behavior so as to visibly reduce anxiousness and unwanted barking.The device subjects the dog to random vibrations and audible tones generated by an enclosed tuning fork that is worn around the dog's neck. The tuning forks when struck, emit a selected frequency selected for a specific purpose and or specific breed of canine. This frequency lies between 0 and 200,000 Hz, which is the range of sound that has been shown that most canines can hear. Since it is non powered it is not prone to failure in wet or cold environments, is durable and inexpensive. The device has claims of additional therapeutic properties and the general physical structure has applications elsewhere, although the preferred embodiment and best mode are directed to stopping unnecessary barking.
US08371249B1
The spring-loaded dog toy includes a self-supporting stand composed of a generally vertical tube resting atop a flat base, and from which a generally horizontal extends atop said vertical tube to support a dog toy there from. The dog toy is usually a ball that attaches to a first spring, which is separated from a second spring via a ring stop. The second string traverses across the length of the horizontal tube and attaches at a rear end. The ring stop creates a biasing force upon the second spring. Upon pulling the dog toy and subsequent release, both the first spring and the second spring generate wild and random movement of the dog toy, which entertains and amuses a pet.
US08371247B2
The present invention relates to a device for cleaning an animal's paw. Specifically, the paw cleaning device easily and efficiently removes dirt and debris from the paw of a pet. The paw cleaning device includes an elongated body with a splashguard designed to receive the paw of a pet and further the method for using the paw cleaning device to clean the pet's paw.
US08371240B2
An apparatus and method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc is presented to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.
US08371239B2
A metering disk for dispensing two or more crop inputs to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.
US08371236B2
Disclosed is a rail car body having a roof, side walls, and a floor for supporting a series of vehicles in end to end relation longitudinally within the body so that they can be transported in a train. The rail car body includes an adjustable deck mounted within the body to support a second series of vehicles also in end to end relation. The adjustable deck has adjustable supports for vertically adjustment between at least two vertical positions in the body. The rail car body also includes a removable intermediate deck for supporting a third series of vehicles in end to end relation within the body. The removable intermediate deck is removably mounted on wheels (of a cart) and can be rolled longitudinally into and out of the rail car body. Thus, the rail car can be used in a two tier configuration or a three tier configuration.
US08371235B1
A hopper car gate having a frame, a moveable door supported by the frame, and a set of walls coupled with the frame. The walls have a lower edge partially spaced above the door, and are positioned to define a vacuum chamber between the walls and the frame. The vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with a vacuum opening formed in the frame. A vacuum adapter configured for mounting on a hopper car gate. The adapter has first and second sets of walls with a vacuum chamber between the sets of walls. The vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with a vacuum opening in the first set of walls.
US08371231B2
A locomotive (or other rail vehicle) truck and method for distributing weight asymmetrically to axles of the truck includes a first axle of a truck uncoupled from a traction system of the locomotive and a first suspension assembly coupling the first axle to the truck for applying to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight. The truck also includes a second axle coupled to the traction system and a second suspension assembly coupling the second axle to the truck for applying a second portion of the locomotive weight to the second axle that is greater than the first portion so that weight is asymmetrically distributed to the first axle and the second axle so as to transmit a corresponding incremental amount of tractive effort for a given amount of a driving torque applied to the second axle via the traction system of the locomotive. The axle weight distribution involves relatively slight weight distribution compared to the nominal weights normally carried by the axles.
US08371230B2
A rail vehicle system includes a locomotive and a plurality of load units (freight cars) attached to the locomotive for movement along a railroad track. The load units may be tanker cars, box cars, and/or flatbed cars. Each load unit includes a traction motor (connected to one or more wheels of the load unit), an electrical energy storage system onboard the load unit for providing electrical power to the load unit traction motor; and a load unit engine onboard the load unit that provides charging electric energy to the electrical energy storage system. (Alternatively or in addition, the electrical energy storage system may be charged through dynamic braking.) In a train formed of only the locomotive(s) and load units, all rail vehicles of the train, even freight cars, provide tractive effort.
US08371217B2
A screen printing head which, in a printing operation, is displaceable in a first direction over a surface of a workpiece to print deposits of a print medium on the workpiece, the screen printing head comprising: a print head assembly comprising a print unit comprising a main body including a print medium, cavity, which in use contains print medium, and a delivery aperture, which is in fluid communication with the print medium cavity and through which print medium is in use delivered from the print medium cavity to the surface of the workpiece, and a rotatable unit which is disposed in the print medium cavity of the main body and rotatable to displace print medium as contained in the print medium cavity; and a drive unit for rotating the rotatable unit such as to displace print medium as contained in the print medium cavity, wherein the drive unit is operative to rotate the rotatable unit to apply a force to the print medium at the delivery aperture in the main body in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction of displacement of the screen printing head.
US08371212B1
In an embodiment, a cell assembly for use in a high-pressure cubic press comprises a substantially tubular heating element including a proximal end region having a proximal mouth, a distal end region having a distal mouth spaced from the proximal mouth, and a passageway extending between the proximal mouth and the distal mouth configured to receive at least partially receive at least one can assembly therein. A pressure transmitting medium extends about at least the substantially tubular heating element. A proximal electrical contact electrically contacts the substantially tubular heating element at the proximal end region thereof. A distal electrical contact electrically contacts the substantially tubular heating element at the distal end region thereof. A gasket medium defines a receiving space that receives at least the substantially tubular heating element and the pressure transmitting medium.
US08371211B2
A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.
US08371207B2
A barrier that includes attack resistant pane(s) (see DEFINITIONS section). In this way, a person behind the barrier can be protected when they are outside. More specifically, the person behind the barrier is protected, at least to some extent, from both: (i) vehicular attacks; and (ii) blast (for example, bombs) and/or ballistic (for example, bullet) attacks. Also, the protected person can see what is happening across the barrier because of the attack-resistant pane(s). Also, if the barrier is unanchored then it can be moved from place to place, for example, by heavy equipment, so that the same barrier can be re-deployed at different outdoor locations (or indoor locations) on an as-needed basis. Preferably, the barrier also includes framing pieces that secure the attack-resistant pane(s) to the body of the barrier, with the framing pieces being covered on one side by an attack-resistant material (preferably, hardened steel).
US08371205B1
An electromagnetic railgun (10) comprising at least two elongated high voltage rails (11), a sliding armature (50) making electrical contact with each high voltage rail (11), at least two elongated metal support beams (14) adapted to provide mechanical strength to the railgun (10), said support beams (14) being substantially parallel to the high voltage rails (11), and a plurality of metal support plates (30) aligned circumferentially around the support beams (14) and along the length of the railgun (10), said support plates (30) adapted to provide additional mechanical strength to the railgun (10); wherein the support plates (30) are electrically isolated from each other and from the support beams (14).
US08371203B2
The mine and explosive clearing machine and implement includes a long reach excavator modified with a float-type hydraulic valve for vertical control of the arm. The mine and explosive clearing implement is installed on the distal end of the arm in place of a conventional tool. The implement includes a frame having multiple tilling blades separated by shoes defining blade penetration depth. Multiple cables are pivotally attached to the rear of the frame, each cable having another tilling blade at its distal end and a brush blade opposite the tilling blade. The cables may be inverted to orient either blade downward. The prime mover of the excavator is positioned and the arm extended rearward. The implement is then lowered and dragged forward toward the prime mover so that the blades engage the surface to dislodge and/or detonate explosives at a safe distance from the prime mover.
US08371191B2
A wrenching device includes a driving member, a hole and at a slit defined therein, and defines an engaging portion. The slit communicates with the hole. The wrenching device further includes an actuating member moveably disposed in the hole of the driving member, and a control member including a connecting end pivotally joining to the actuating member and including first and second engaging sides selectively abutting against a wall defined on the driving member in response to first and second operating positions thereof, respectively.
US08371190B2
The present invention relates to a tool holder for holding tools by means of a magnet, which includes a finger socket permitting the tool holder to be mounted on a fingertip for manipulating tool bits or other accessories. The tool holder includes a finger socket and a tool holding portion coupled to the finger socket. The tool holding portion is at least partially formed of material having magnetic properties. Preferably, the magnetic tool holder may include a bit wrench, a socket wrench, screw bits or an element holder.
US08371188B2
A transmission control assembly having a housing and a bracket pivotally coupled to the housing for movement along a first path. A yoke is selectively coupled to the bracket for concurrent movement with the bracket along the first path. The yoke is also selectively pivotal about a second pivot axis substantially transverse to the first pivot axis for movement along a second path. A tactile device is supported by the bracket and engageable with the housing. The tactile device moves about the bracket during the movement of the bracket along the first path. A locking mechanism is coupled between the bracket and the yoke. The locking mechanism moves between an unlocked position when the yoke is coupled to the bracket for allowing movement of the tactile device and a locked position engaged with the tactile device when the yoke moves along the second path for preventing movement of the tactile device.
US08371186B2
A supporting structure includes a casing, a bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and an attachment member which detachably and directly attaches a shaft to the inner ring. The outer ring is supported by the casing, and the shaft is adapted to be able to be directly fixed to or removed from the inner ring by the attachment member in a state where the bearing is assembled to the casing.
US08371181B2
A continuous flow syringe pump includes a first syringe configured for at least one of loading or dispensing at least one fluid, a second syringe configured for at least one of loading or dispensing the at least one fluid, and a first valve connected to the first syringe and the second syringe. The continuous flow syringe pump also includes a second valve connected to the first valve. The continuous flow syringe pump further includes at least one outlet connected to the first valve. The at least one outlet is configured to alternate output of the at least one fluid between the first syringe and the second syringe in a substantially continuous operation.
US08371175B2
A pressure transmitter with pressure sensor mount includes pressure measurement circuitry. A metal body of the pressure transmitter has a pressure coupling configured to couple to a process pressure. A pressure sensor is configured to provide an output related to an applied pressure to the pressure measurement circuitry. A conduit is coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to apply an applied pressure corresponding to the process pressure to pressure sensor. A non-conductive spacer is configured to electrically isolate the conduit from the metal body. The non-conductive spacer has an opening formed therein and is arranged to convey the applied from the metal body to the conduit.
US08371167B2
According to the present invention, an in-plane sensor comprises a structure unit which includes: a fixed structure including a fixed finger and a fixed column connected to each other, the fixed finger having a supported end supported by the fixed column and a suspended end; and a movable structure including at least one proof mass which surrounds the fixed finger in a horizontal plane.
US08371165B2
An MEMS gyroscope is disclosed, capable of computing the rotating angle of a DUT being attached thereto without the need to execute an off-line calibration process, of precluding the execution of an integration process, and of executing an on-line compensation process for the error introduced by the sensing circuit defect and by the mechanical structure defect of its gyroscope module. The disclosed MEMS gyroscope comprises: a gyroscope module, a sensing module coupled with the gyroscope module, and a control module couple with the gyroscope module and the sensing module, respectively. The control module receives the system dynamic of the gyroscope module sensed by the sensing module, and applies a gyroscope control method for controlling the gyroscope module and computing the rotating angle of the DUT. Moreover, the control module outputs a control signal including two extra frequency signals, to the gyroscope module, for driving the gyroscope module into operation.
US08371161B2
An apparatus made according to one embodiment may include a first chamber configured to receive fluid under pressure and to compress a gas in a second chamber in pressure communication with the first chamber, wherein the second chamber is configured to discharge the fluid out from the first chamber when pressure of the fluid in the first chamber is reduced.
US08371155B2
An apparatus and associated method for topographically characterizing a workpiece. A scanning probe obtains topographical data from the workpiece. A processor controls the scanning probe to scan a reference surface of the workpiece to derive a first digital file and to scan a surface of interest that includes at least a portion of the reference surface to derive a second digital file. Correlation pattern recognition logic integrates the first and second digital files together to align the reference surface with the surface of interest.
US08371154B2
Performance of a sport equipment, such as a ball bat, is measured by applying a force through a spring of known elastic properties to compress the sport equipment and indicating compliance of the sport equipment to a known standard based on the compression of the sport equipment.
US08371152B2
A device for conserving helium gas in a gas chromatograph system is characterized in that during the majority of an analytical separation, helium is used as the carrier gas while an auxiliary non-helium gas is used to pressurize the inlet and provide for septum purge and split vent flow. Prior an injection period, a coaxial helium flow is established at the column entrance wherein the coaxial helium flow is less than the column flow. Following the injection and sample transfer period, a coaxial helium flow is established wherein the flow is greater than the column flow.
US08371144B1
A sinker includes a sliding segment with a sliding portion slidably located in a sinker groove, a loop forming and loosening ancillary segment extended upwards from one side of the sliding portion and then extended outwards, a passive segment located above the sliding segment and driven by a cam, and an indented abrasion-reducing space located at a lateral side of the sliding portion and below the loop forming and loosening ancillary segment. Through the abrasion-reducing space, the loop forming and loosening ancillary segment can move directly and horizontally above a needle cylinder. The loop forming and loosening mechanism for circular knitting machines of the invention can simplify fabrication of the needle cylinder, reduce labor and material costs, improve quality and production yield of the needle cylinder, and also reduce abrasion of the sinker, thus can improve performance of the mechanism and enhance lifespan of the sinker.
US08371142B2
The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing fibres comprising a melting furnace, a crucible within said furnace comprising at least one orifice (6) and at least one induction coil (4) for heating the melting furnace and the crucible. In a typical system according to the invention, the crucible comprises at least a first part (1) made of graphite and comprising said at least one orifice (6). The invention also relates to the use of the system as well as to a method for manufacturing fibres and to said fibres.
US08371135B2
Provided are a refrigerator and a controlling method thereof. The refrigerator includes a main body, a display device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, an audio output, an audio input, a voice recognizer, and a display controller. The display device is on the main body and includes a display. The RFID reader is on the display device or the main body. The audio output outputs through audio to an outside whether to enter a food name, when an RFID tag attached to a food item or a container holding the food item is read by the RFID reader. The audio input is on the display device, to which audio from the outside can be input. The voice recognizer reads audio input to the audio input. The display controller controls the display device to display on the display a screen corresponding to data read by the voice recognizer. Thus, a food name can be entered by a user's selection or through reading an RFID tag, and a food name can be entered through audio or through a screen on a display, so that a user's range of options is broadened, and convenience is increased.
US08371115B2
A exhaust component assembly includes an exhaust component and a divider plate. The exhaust component includes an inner wall defining a gas passageway. The divider plate is inserted in the gas passageway and secured to the exhaust component by mechanical locking means, generally in an interference-fit relationship.
US08371096B2
A sickle bar assembly employs a plurality of laminated strips that are secured and that may be stacked vertically upon each other in abutting relation to form a sickle bar. The individual sickle sections are secured to the sickle bar in side-by-side relation. Laminated stacks may also be joined to each other by way of a splice joint to provide for even longer bar. The strips may be heat treated strips of steel as opposed to cold rolled steel or other high strength strip material.
US08371089B2
The present invention relates to the field of modular building systems. Embodiments of the invention include, a modular building system comprising planar sheets of material and moment connections, which are combined with tool-less or limited tool assembly mechanisms and can be used, for example, as spatial partitions, platforms, structural supports, or supports for articles. Specific embodiments of the invention provide structures having a seemingly homogenous, flowing ribbon structure. One embodiment of the invention provides an exhibition support system comprising: (a) at least two planar support members comprising: (i) a top panel with a top planar surface; (ii) a parallel bottom panel with a bottom planar surface; and (iii) multiple walls disposed lengthwise between the panels; wherein the panels and walls define interior hollow cells with inner surfaces and a selected inner cell height and inner cell width; and (b) at least one moment connection with two elongated members: (i) disposed at an angle of orientation relative to one another; and (ii) having a height or width to allow for a pressure fit within one of the cells along the inner cell height or width of the planar member when inserted therein; whereby structural support for the system is internal and is provided lengthwise within the planar support members at the inner surfaces of the cell that interfaces with the elongated members when inserted therein.
US08371083B2
Disclosed is a retrofit arrangement for securing a new roof structure above an already existing roof structure. The system uses thermal blocks placed crosswise between the ribs on the existing roof structure. Above a series of these thermal blocks, a longitudinal support strip is provided onto which a plurality of clips can be fastened. The blocks provide thermal resistance, and enable a reduction in number of fasteners required for assembly.
US08371081B2
A wall guard for use around wall corners is disclosed in which the wall guard includes a pair of retainers are flexibly mounted to one another. The retainers are coupled to one another by way of an adhesive tape material that extends over the back sides of the retainers. A cover is secured to the pair of retainers for absorbing impacts from passing traffic to thereby protect the corner of the wall against wear and tear.
US08371078B2
In some embodiments, a sunlight collection system has an upper portion with prismatic elements and a lower cylindrical portion extending from the periphery of the upper portion down to terminate in an open lower end through which light can pass. In certain embodiments, a prism ring is positioned within the cylindrical portion and is configured to refract sunlight entering the sunlight collection system.
US08371071B2
A stepped structure (100) comprising a plurality of separate run portions (1), wherein at least one of said plurality of separate run portions (1) comprises upper and lower sheets (20) each sheet having a forward longitudinal end portion (14, 24) bent downwards and a rear longitudinal end portion (12, 22) bent upwards, and a core material (30) between said upper and lower sheets (10, 20).
US08371069B2
A fastening strip (10, 30) and seal (40) arrangement are described. By use of a plurality of individual retention elements (20) that are coupled—either integrally or separate—to the fastening strip it is possible to effect inter-engagement of the seal and strip. The retention elements are received into the seal, which is deformable and engages with the retention elements to effect the retention of the fastening strip to the seal.
US08371052B2
An illuminated sign that includes a base configured to face a front direction and configured to be placed in a first orientation and a second orientation when the base faces the front direction. A first character is configured to rotate with respect to the base between a first position facing the front direction and a second position facing the front direction. A second character is configured to rotate with respect to the base between the first position facing the front direction and the second position facing the front direction. A rotation mechanism is configured to enable at least one of the first character and the second character to rotate between the first and the second positions.
US08371048B2
The present disclosure provides an excavation machine that is configured to minimize or otherwise account for the unintended stoppage (i.e., jamming/stalling) of a digger tool. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure a machine is provided with one or more drive systems that automatically stop and reverse to avoid excavation tool jamming. The machine and methods of the present disclosure provide an efficient method and machine for excavation operations.
US08371045B2
In one embodiment, a hiking boot attachment is provided that assists in the descent of slopes. The hiking boot attachment includes a platform that engages the underside of a mid-portion of a sole of a hiking boot, in a region under a ball of a hiker's foot. A strap system is attached to the platform and secures the platform to the hiking boot. Further, one or more supports are secured to the platform. The one or more supports each have a portion that extends downward from a bottom face of the platform to engage the ground and lift the platform above the ground. This may reduce incline of the hiking boot when descending a slope. The portions of the one or more supports that engage the ground deliver downward force to regions of ground disposed to lateral sides of the hiking boot, to promote stability.
US08371037B2
A system for slurrifying drill cuttings including a cuttings dryer, a pump, and a transfer line fluidly connecting the cuttings dryer and the pump, the transfer line having a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid. Furthermore, the system for slurrifying drill cuttings including a storage vessel fluidly connected to the pump for storing a slurry. Additionally, a method for slurrifying drill cuttings including drying drill cuttings in a cuttings drying to produce dry cuttings and combining a fluid with the dry cuttings to produce a slurry. Furthermore, the method includes mixing the slurry and the dry cuttings in a mixing pump and transferring the slurry to a storage vessel.
US08371036B2
A method and template enable the testing of fusion joints of plastic pipes to be conducted by a single operator in the field at the welding site by the efficient and precise extraction from the joints to be tested of a number of high quality tensile coupons. The coupons are tested to failure in a field-suitable, well controlled, self contained, tensile testing apparatus. A narrowing bow-tie-like pattern of the coupon ensures that the failure of the coupon in the tensile test will occur at the narrowest section of the coupon. The template can be visually aligned with the joint to ensure that it is the joint that will be tested.
US08371033B2
To solve problems in a conventional electric can opening apparatus wherein it is impractical to drain the unwanted liquid from the inside of the can after opening the container and disposing of the top lid or top without touching it. The composite can opener includes a body with a gripping member gripping a can while an opening member cuts the top of the can open and a piston that selectively pushes the top into and out of the can after it has been cut.
US08371025B2
A device is provided for repairing a damaged location in an underwater region of a wall of a vessel or pool, in particular in the region of a wall of a pool of a nuclear reactor plant. The device includes a guiding system, which can be attached along a side wall at a distance therefrom and can be fixed thereto, for guiding a carriage which can be made to move in a longitudinal direction of the guiding system. Arranged on the carriage is a displaceably mounted holder for a repair support, which can be placed with an adhesive surface against the wall region containing the damaged location. With such a device, wall regions that are at a great depth and can only be accessed through narrow gaps can be repaired quickly and reliably.
US08371018B2
In an electromechanical transducer which includes a vibration membrane provided with an upper electrode, a substrate provided with a lower electrode, and a support member adapted to support the vibration membrane in such a manner that a gap is formed between the vibration membrane and the substrate with these electrodes being arranged in opposition to each other, it is constructed such that a part of the vibration membrane and a region of the substrate are kept in contact with each other without application of an external force, and a remaining region of the vibration membrane other than its region in which the contact state is kept is able to vibrate.
US08371016B2
An assembling method of an injection mold includes the steps of: disposing guide rods and a ejection pin plate on a punch template; inserting guide bushes into the ejection pin plate; inserting ejection pins respectively into the ejection pin plate and the punch template; fastening a ejection pin fixing plate to the ejection pin plate; fastening a die fixing plate and spacer plates to the punch template, and inserting the other ends of the guide rods into the die fixing plate; and disposing a press plate into the die fixing plate, and fastening the guide rods to the die fixing plate by tightening screws. The assembling method set the guide rods first o achieve a positioning function before ejection pin plate is assembled, and thereby capable of effectively eliminating the problems of deformation of the ejection pin plate, breaking of the ejection pin, and abrasion occurring in the return stroke.
US08371007B2
In one embodiment, a system is provided, including a plug removal shield. The plug removal shield further includes a tube configured to surround a plug retaining a fluid volume, and a mount configured to hold the tube relative to the plug. The tube includes a port configured to pass a plug removal tool into proximity with the plug.
US08371005B2
A method of manufacturing a stacked piezoelectric element that can suppress periodic damping on miniaturization of a vibration wave motor and improve its performance. A stacked piezoelectric element comprises piezoelectric layers and electrode layers alternately stacked to have a shape of a cylinder. The electrode layers are divided into a plurality of electrode layer regions along a circumferential surface of the shape of a cylinder.
US08370998B2
The electronic device includes a body, a strap, and a strap connecting member. The strap connecting member further includes a pin, a torsion spring one end of which is connected to the pin, a receiving chamber accommodating the pin and defining an opening notch passing through the sidewall thereof, and a cover connected with the torsion spring and engaging with the receiving chamber. The strap is double-layered. The double-layered strap forms a folded end and an open end, the folded end is connected with the pin and is wrapped around the pin, and the open end is separated into two portions which pass at the opening notch and are respectively connected to the body. When the torsion spring is elastically deformed and generates a torsion force, the pin is rotated and the strap automatically shrinks in the receiving chamber under the torsion force.
US08370996B2
Systems and methods for treating small elongated fibrous and particles of certain materials, e.g., PTFE materials in a suspension are presented. In some instances, high-intensity ultrasound (or acoustical energy) is applied to a sample of the material, through a fluid coupling medium or suspension, to achieve a material transformation in the sample. In various embodiments, fibrillation of particles of PTFE or similar materials is accomplished, or the formation of extended structures of these materials is caused or enhanced. Also, the ability to separate long fiber samples by ultrasonic or acoustic cavitation action is provided.
US08370990B2
The present invention is an improved structure for robotic cleaner primarily comprising of a chassis with plurality of spherical casters fixed to the periphery of bottom deck, a dust collector mounted on the chassis, a lifting actuation mechanism mounted on the chassis that includes a lifting power supply at least to drive two parallel and extendable first swing arms and two parallel and extending second swing arms through a relevant linking device, a first gear train and a second gear train that can pivotally rotate in reverse direction, a drive wheel mounted at the moveable end of the two parallel and extending first swing arms each, a driven wheel mounted at the moveable end of the two parallel and extending second swing arms each, plural advancing power supplies mounted at the middle section of the first swing arms.
US08370979B2
Provided is a mattress wherein the elastic characteristics of each portion can be changed simply and inexpensively depending on the user's preference. A mattress (10) has a plurality of spring units (60, 70, 80, 90) respectively constituted by holding a plurality of vertically stretchable pocket coils integrally, a lower elastic body (40) in which a housing space (44) capable of housing and holding the spring units (60, 70, 80, 90) is formed, and an upper enclosure (21) and a lower enclosure (30) for covering the outer periphery of the lower elastic body (40), wherein the lower elastic body (40) is provided with a partitioning elastic body (50) for dividing the housing space (44) into a plurality of spaces, and the spring units (60, 70, 80, 90) are formed in such a shape that each of the spring units can be housed in the divided housing spaces (44), and are housed and held in the respective divided housing spaces (44).
US08370978B2
A hospital bed is equipped with a patient mobility aid device having at least one adjustable lateral grip that aids the patient in performing certain movements such as entering or exiting the bed. The patient mobility aid device includes a support crossmember having a length oriented along a width of the bed. Couplers at the ends of the crossmember attach to frame elements of the bed. The crossmember houses at least one arm to which the adjustable lateral grip is coupled. The at least one arm extends and retracts with respect to the crossmember.
US08370974B2
A fitted top sheet is provided with a lip having an elastic member that runs side to side along at least a portion of the lip. This provides corners that grab the corners of the mattress for a form fit, while at the same time permitting movement of the sheet upwardly to accommodate an individual's toes without having to provide a so-called zone of expansion.
US08370965B2
A detachable solar thermal coat assembly with carbon nanocapsule composite material includes an outer jacket, an inner lining and a conducting wire. The outer jacket has therein a power input device that provides electric power to a carbon nanocapsule fiber composite layer of the inner lining through the conducting wire so that the carbon nanocapsule fiber composite layer is powered to give out heat and warm a user wearing the solar thermal coat assembly.
US08375454B2
A method for locking the application program includes: when running a application program stored in a terminal, it judges whether a first unlocking key of the application program exists in the terminal; in the case that the first unlocking key does not exist, the terminal generates and stores the first unlocking key, and sends it to a device; judging whether the device has locked the application program, in the case that the result of judgment is no, proceeding to the first step, otherwise proceeding to the second step: the first step, the device locks the application program, generates a second unlocking key, and notifies the second unlocking key to a user, proceeding to the second step; the second step, performing the authentication process for the user; in the case that the first unlocking key exists in the terminal, the first unlocking key is sent to the device, judging whether the device has locked the application program or not, if not, proceeding to the third step, otherwise proceeding to the forth step; the third step, the device locks the application program, generates the second unlocking key and notifies the second unlocking key to the user, proceeding to the forth step; the forth step, performing the verification process.
US08375451B1
Scanning is disclosed. A system is monitored to detect object events, and it is determined whether an object event requires an update to a scan list. If an update is required, the scan list is authenticated. The scan list is updated with information regarding objects associated with the object event. Authentication may be performed by comparing a stored hash value of the scan list with a computed hash value of the scan list. If the scan list is not successfully authenticated, a full scan may be performed or a remotely stored scan list may be used.
US08375446B2
An intrusion masquerade detection system and method that includes a grammar inference engine. A grammar-based Minimum Description Length (MDL) compression algorithm is used to determine a masquerade based on a distance from a threshold in a model of an estimated algorithmic minimum sufficient statistic.
US08375438B1
Unauthorized access to modules, especially modules in automation systems, is prevented by controlling access between modules and a central processing unit. At least one first device transmits an identifier to at least one of the central processing unit and a second device which evaluate(s) the identifier by comparison with at least one comparative identifier stored in the at least one of the central processing unit and the second device. Operation of the first device on the system is denied by the at least one of the central processing unit and the second device if the received identifier does not correspond to the comparative identifier.
US08375435B2
Disclosed is a computer implemented method and computer program product to throttle traffic from a source internet protocol address. The reverse firewall inspects payloads of a plurality of packets each packet having a source address identical to the source internet protocol address and a target address corresponding to a receiver host. Responsive to detecting purported good content within at least one of the plurality of packets, the reverse firewall forwards packets having the source address. The reverse firewall determines whether a count of packets having the source address exceeds a safe threshold. The reverse firewall requests a demanded positive trust report from the receiver host, responsive to a determination that the count of packets having the source address exceeds the safe threshold. The reverse firewall determines whether a positive trust report is received from the receiver host that indicates that the source internet protocol address is good. The reverse firewall analyzes a header of packet having the source address without analyzing a payload of the packet, responsive to a determination that the positive trust report is received from the receiver host.
US08375424B2
A domain controller hierarchy includes one or more hub domain controllers in communication with one or more local domain controllers, such as local domain controllers at a branch office. The hub domain controller(s) is writable, while the local domain controller(s) is typically read-only. Non-secure and secure information is partitioned to specific local domain controllers at the one or more hub domain controllers. The non-secure and secure information is then passed from the hub domain controller only to the local domain controller associated with the given partition at the hub domain controller on request. For example, a user requests a logon at a client computer system at a local branch office, and the logon is passed from the local domain controller to the hub domain controller. If authenticated, the user logon account is passed to the local domain controller, where it can be cached to authenticate subsequent requests.
US08375422B2
Systems, methods and computer readable media for remotely disabling communication devices. When a communication device is identified for disablement, a disable signal may be transmitted to the emergency communication device. If the emergency communication device receives the disable signal, the emergency communication device may authenticate the source of the disable signal. If the source of the disable signal has been authenticated, the emergency communication device may disable itself. Disablement may include physical destruction or physical alteration of hardware or software necessary for the communication device to operate. Disablement may also include being locked-out from access to or use of hardware or software necessary for the communication device to operate.
US08375420B2
A content-based authorization method is described, wherein the method is operable to validate that a user has access to certain content. By having access to the content, the system is able to decide that the user is authorized to access the content, and may perform operations or set access rights accordingly.
US08375419B2
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus includes storing identification information to identify a type of authentication information which is necessary to use each of a plurality of files stored in a memory unit from among a plurality of types of authentication information, and causing a display unit to display the plurality of files stored in the memory unit and the stored identification information in association with each other.
US08375414B2
The present invention refers to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product for dynamic bandwidth management in an IP-network, wherein a channel identifier indicating a channel for a program content is detected (S0), a state identifier indicating a high bandwidth permission for a terminal equipment is checked (S1), a high bandwidth IP address for said detected channel identifier is determined (S2), and in case a high bandwidth permission exists a joining (S3) is realized to said high bandwidth IP address to receive a high bandwidth content of said channel, or a high bandwidth permission is requested (S10) in case no high bandwidth permission exists.
US08375412B2
A set-top box may include a storage unit, input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate with a network node of a service provider over a communications network, memory unit, and a processing unit in communication with the storage unit, I/O unit, and memory unit. A user control panel module may be executed by the processing unit and configured to cause the processing unit to present a graphical user interface to a user to control access to one or more content stores of a content mall operating on the network node. A service provider control panel module may be executed by the processing unit and be configured to cause the processing unit to enable the communications service provider to control operation of the processing unit. A codec module may be executed by the processing unit and configured to enable the processing unit to display content downloaded from a content store of the content mall.
US08375410B2
A digital broadcast receiver is disclosed. The receiver includes a network interface configured to receive provisioning information from a service provider during SP (Service Provider) attachment, wherein the provisioning information has both first metadata on EPG provider information giving locations where EPG data from an EPG data provider can be accessed and second metadata on EPG data locator giving a location where EPG data can be accessed in a pull mode or a push mode, the first metadata having both a target service ID element giving the identifier of a service, which is covered by each of the EPG data provider's EPG data sources, and a type of target services element giving a type of service, which is covered by each of the EPG data provider's EPG data sources, and a controller configured to perform a services discovery procedure using service discovery metadata including at least two components supplied by the service provider.
US08375406B2
In the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for recommending contents. The information processing apparatus may include recommended content extracting means for, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, during a period within a predetermined time from a point in time at which the predetermined condition is satisfied, with one or more contents that are being distributed or whose distribution is to be started from one or more distribution sources, respectively, as processing objects, extracting a recommended content to be recommended to a user from the processing objects on a basis of content information on each of the processing objects and preference information.
US08375403B2
An optical disc device prevents a rail guide from falling off from a bottom case when a housing receives an impact force. The bottom case 2 includes a bottom plate 2a, a side plate 2b and a second bottom plate 2c. The rail guide 3 has a bottom surface 3a, a side surface 3b and an upper surface 3c. The side surface 3b of the rail guide is engaged with the side plate 2b of the bottom case. The rail guide has a convex portion 3d that is located on the side surface 3b of the rail guide, the convex portion extending from the upper surface of the rail guide and being in contact with the second bottom plate 2c of the bottom case. The convex portion 3d prevents the rail guide 3 from falling off from the bottom case 2 when the bottom case 2 is deformed.
US08375394B2
Techniques for automatically classifying processes are presented. Processes executing on a multicore processor machine are evaluated to determine shared resources between the processes, excluding shared system resources. A determination is then made based on the evaluation to group the processes as a single managed resource within an operating system of the multicore processor machine.
US08375393B2
Resource management architectures implemented in computer systems to manage resources are described. In one embodiment, a general architecture includes a resource manager and multiple resource providers that support one or more resource consumers such as a system component or application. Each provider is associated with a resource and acts as the manager for the resource when interfacing with the resource manager. The resource manager arbitrates access to the resources provided by the resource providers on behalf of the consumers. A policy manager sets various policies that are used by the resource manager to allocate resources. A resource consumer creates an “activity” at the resource manager and builds one or more “configurations” that describe various sets of preferred resources required to perform the activity. Each resource consumer can specify one or more configurations for each activity.
US08375391B2
Whether a job execution instruction has been issued or not is determined. When it is determined that the job execution instruction has been issued, a job ID is issued. Contents of the job in accordance with the job execution instruction are checked. Then, whether the job is a Scan to USB memory job in an emulation mode or not is determined. When it is determined that the job is the Scan to USB memory job in the emulation mode, a sub job ID brought in correspondence with the issued job ID is issued.
US08375390B2
Thread information is retained in a main memory. The thread information includes a bit string and last executed information. Each bit of the bit string is allocated to a thread, and the number and the value of the bit indicate the number of the thread and whether or not the thread is in an executable state, respectively. The last executed information is the number of a last executed thread. A processor rotates the bit string so that a bit indicating the last executed thread comes to the end of the bit string. It searches the rotated bit string for a bit corresponding to a thread in the executable state in succession from the top, and selects the number of the first obtained bit as the number of the next thread to be executed. Then, the thread information is updated by changing the value of the bit of this number to indicate not being executable, and setting the last executed information to the number of this bit. This operation is performed by using an atomic command.
US08375382B2
A computer implemented method, a tangible storage medium, and a data processing system build a runtime environment of a system. A profile manager receives a service request containing a profile identifier. The profile identifier specifies a required version of at least one software component. The profile manager identifies a complete installation of the software component, and at least one delta file. The profile manager dynamically constructs a classpath for the required version by preferentially utilizing files from the at least one delta file followed by files from the complete installation. The runtime environment is then built utilizing the classpath.
US08375368B2
A runtime system implemented in accordance with the present invention provides an application platform for parallel-processing computer systems. Such a runtime system enables users to leverage the computational power of the parallel-processing computer systems to accelerate/optimize numeric and array-intensive computations in their application programs. A profiling tool is used to collect, analyze, and visualize the performance data of an application in connection with its execution on a parallel-processing computer system through the runtime system. This profiling tool greatly enhances an application developer's ability to understand how an application is executed on the parallel-processing computer system and fine-tune the application to achieve high performance.
US08375364B2
Size of a software application testing project is determined, and person/hours required for the testing project is estimated. The software application is sized by counting the number of different parameter types that occur within testing activities associated with the application. The parameter type numbers are then divided by a scaling weight to arrive at a Testing Unit number, which is then divided by a Testing Unit rate, e.g., person hours associated with each testing unit, to arrive at an estimated testing project effort. Some embodiments include an uncertainty calculation that potentially increases testing time based on clarity of the project requirements, the tester familiarity with the application area and the tester familiarity with the domain. Some embodiments calculate separate testing project times for different phases of the testing project.
US08375356B2
A tabular completion list displays customizable rows and columns including information such as but not limited to return types of methods, types of local variables and properties, parameters for methods, a namespace in which a type is defined, an assembly in which a type is defined, accessibility, or a type from which members are inherited. The context of the tabular completion list may be preserved by persisting the completion list display or by transferring the context of a selected row of field in a row of the tabular completion list to a different feature. User interaction options with the tabular completion list may include: selection of the columns that are displayed in the completion list, persisting the completion list display, transferring the context of the completion list window to other features and sorting of the rows of tabular information according to different columns.
US08375347B2
A method of designing an integrated circuit (“IC”) is provided that includes placing an IC design, where the IC design includes a first element, a second element, and a path coupling the first and second elements, and routing the IC design. Further, the method includes obtaining at least one of resistivity data and capacitance data related to the path, and obtaining timing data related to the path. The method also includes using at least one of the resistivity data, the capacitance data, and the timing data to determine a critical dimension (“CD”) bias to be applied to the path, and modifying the IC design, where modifying includes applying the CD bias to the path.
US08375337B2
Techniques are disclosed for modifying an existing microdevice design to improve its manufacturability. With these techniques, a designer receives manufacturing criteria associated with data in a design. The associated design data then is identified and provided to the microdevice designer, who may choose to modify the design based upon the manufacturing criteria. In this manner, the designer can directly incorporate manufacturing criteria from the foundry in the original design of the microdevice.
US08375336B2
Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for intuitively invoking a panning action (e.g., moving content within a content region of a display area) by applying a user-initiated input at the content region rendered at a touchscreen interface are provided. Initially, aspects of the user-initiated input include a location of actuation (e.g., touch point on the touchscreen interface) and a gesture. Upon ascertaining that the actuation location occurred within the content region and that the gesture is a drag operation, based on a distance of uninterrupted tactile contact with the touchscreen interface, a panning mode may be initiated. When in the panning mode, and if the application rendering the content at the display area supports scrolling functionality, the gesture will control movement of the content within the content region. In particular, the drag operation of the gesture will pan the content within the display area when surfaced at the touchscreen interface.
US08375334B2
Predetermined travel locuss are set in a three-dimensional virtual space. Menu panels displaying menu items are arranged along the travel locuss assuming a display position set as a local origin so that the normal to each LCD panel will face a virtual camera. The transparency of a menu panel is raised in accordance with its distance to the virtual camera. A scroll operation moves menu panels along the travel locuss connecting display positions P until a selected specific menu panel reaches the display position P0. A display screen is drawn with the virtual camera and menu panels are three-dimensionally displayed in rolls.By sliding a stylus pen on the LCD panel, the menu screen displayed on the LCD panel scrolls at a velocity corresponding to the drag velocity. When the stylus pen is released from the LCD panel, an application program corresponding to the menu display entity (crosshatched) is activated.
US08375323B2
A device including an update request section making an update request to update a display on a display device, and a display update section updating the display on the display device in response to the update request. In addition, the device includes a layout holding section holding layout information of each of screens hierarchically displayed on the display device, and a group assigning section, based on the layout information, assigning screens, which are displayed on the display device so as to be partially or entirely visible, to one group. The device also includes a group holding section holding group information consisting of the assigned group, and a switching request section for making a list display request to display a switching destination screen candidate list, which shows the screens included in the held group information as switching destination screen candidates in a group unit, on the display device so as to be visible.
US08375298B2
A plurality of other contents are placed in one content placement region so that a priority content to which a priority attribute is set is displayed larger than the other contents to which the priority attribute is not set.
US08375295B2
A hand-held electronic device, method of operation and computer readable medium are disclosed. The device may include a case having one or more major surfaces. A visual display and a touch interface are disposed on at least one of the major surfaces.A processor is operably coupled to the visual display and touch screen. Instructions executable by the processor may be configured to a) present an image on the visual display containing one or more active elements; b) correlate one or more active portions of the touch interface to one or more corresponding active elements in the image on the visual display; and c) adjust a layout of content shown on the display according to a probability of one or more actions that may be taken with the one or more active elements.
US08375285B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing access to data files. A first computer device sends a data file to a web server which hosts the data file. Responsive to sending the data file to the web server, the first computer device receives from the web server a web page link to the data file hosted at the web server. The first computer device creates, in a web browser application in the first computer device, a bookmark associated with the web page link. The first computer device then synchronizes the bookmarks in its web browser application with the bookmarks in the web browser application of a second computer device to allow a bookmark associated with the web page link to also be created in the web browser application of the second computer device.
US08375276B2
The embodiments of the present invention provide a data coding method. In this data coding method, a synchronization header is added to the data that has undergone line coding and FEC coding, and then the data is framed and sent out. The embodiments of the present invention also provide the corresponding data decoding method, data coding apparatus, and data decoding apparatus. Because the redundant information for synchronization is added, the synchronization performance of the transmission system is ensured effectively even if the algorithm selected in the line coding provides low redundancy; moreover, the added synchronization header does not participate in the FEC coding calculation, thus preventing impact on the FEC coding gain.
US08375274B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk. The disk comprises a plurality of tracks, wherein each track comprises a plurality of data sectors including a parity sector, the parity sector comprising at least a P0 parity codeword and a P1 parity codeword. A plurality of data sectors are read from the disk (including the parity sector) to generate a plurality of data codewords CW0-CWn. The data sectors are decoded using an error correction code (ECC) decoder. When a single data codeword in CW0-CWn is unrecoverable using the ECC decoder, the single data codeword is recovered using the P0 parity codeword. When two data codewords in CW0-CWn are unrecoverable using the ECC decoder, the two data codewords are recovered using the P0 and P1 parity codewords.
US08375269B2
A data transmission system includes parallel data paths for transmitting data, and an encoder for encoding the data such that an error correction code is generated for data at a same bit position across the parallel data paths.
US08375268B2
A receiving apparatus includes: a first decoding means for performing, every time frame data in which an inner code and an outer code are used as error correction codes is transmitted thereto, decoding processing employing the inner code and outputting decoded data; a storing means for storing the decoded data; a second decoding means for applying decoding processing employing the outer code to the decoded data; and a control means for controlling storage and output of the decoded data in and from the storing means to suspend, while the control means causes the storing means to output first decoded data as the decoded data of a decoding result of first frame data to the second decoding means, when the first decoding means starts output of second decoded data as the decoded data of a decoding result of second frame data following the first frame data, the output of the first decoded data to the second decoding means and cause the storing means to store the second decoded data and, when the storage of the second decoded data ends, cause the storing means to resume the output of the first decoded data to the second decoding means.
US08375260B2
An apparatus and method for transmitting a signal using a bit grouping method in a wireless communication system is disclosed. Interleaved subblocks are maintained, and output bit sequences are modulated in due order after bit grouping and bit selection. The bit grouping method is advantageous in that bit reliability is uniformly distributed.
US08375258B1
A method and apparatus to operate a watchdog timer having a first time out period in a processing system. The watchdog timer receives an indication of a change in a mode of operation in the processing system. In response to the change in the mode of operation of the processing system, the watchdog timer changes the time out period to a second time out period corresponding to the new mode of operation.
US08375255B2
A device detects and diagnoses correlated anomalies of a network. The device includes an anomaly detection module receiving a first data stream including an event-series related to the network. The anomaly detection module executes at least one algorithm to detect a potential anomaly in the event-series. The device further includes a correlating module receiving a second data stream including other event-series related to the network. The correlating module determines whether the potential anomaly is false and determines whether the potential anomaly is a true anomaly.
US08375248B2
A data management system (“DMS”) provides an automated, continuous, real-time, substantially no downtime data protection service to one or more data sources. A host driver embedded in an application server captures real-time data transactions, preferably in the form of an event journal. The driver functions to translate traditional file/database/block I/O and the like into a continuous, application-aware, output data stream. The host driver includes an event processor that can perform a recovery operation to an entire data source or a subset of the data source using former point-in-time data in the DMS. The recovery operation may have two phases. First, the structure of the host data in primary storage is recovered to the intended recovering point-in-time. Thereafter, the actual data itself is recovered. The event processor enables such data recovery in an on-demand manner, by allowing recovery to happen simultaneously while an application accesses and updates the recovering data.
US08375247B2
Embodiments include a computer processor-error controller, a computerized device, a device, an apparatus, and a method. A computer processor-error controller includes a monitoring circuit operable to detect a computational error corresponding to an execution of a second instruction by a processor operable to execute a sequence of program instructions that includes a first instruction that is fetched before the second instruction. The computer processor-error controller includes an error recovery circuit operable to restore an execution of the sequence of program instructions to the first instruction in response to the detected computational error.
US08375243B1
A system-failure determination system fo a vehicle, made up of processors linked together that control or monitor the systems of a vehicle, that includes critical and non-critical applications that generate data. Certain data from the critical applications would be useful for the reconstruction of a system failure or for the reconstruction of an accident; and configuring an executive to monitor and store data for later recovery to determine cause.
US08375238B2
A memory controller takes in the first to (N−1)th pieces of data respectively in synchronization with the second to Nth return read clocks. The memory controller takes in the Nth piece of data from stop of output of the Nth read clock and before a first predetermined time. The memory controller sets an output period of the Nth read clock to be longer than an output period of each of the first to (N−1)th read clocks.
US08375237B2
Systems and methods for synchronization of an external control system with Fieldbus devices are described. A message including timing information for at least one Fieldbus device in direct or indirect communication with a controller may be received by the controller. Based upon information included in the received message, the controller may determine a start time for a current operation cycle of the at least one Fieldbus device. The controller may then utilize the start time and a duration of the current operation cycle to determine a specific time at which the controller will execute control functionality for the at least one Fieldbus device such that a control message output by the controller will be received by the at least one Fieldbus device within the current operation cycle.
US08375234B2
Universal serial bus wakeup when the bus is not powered. In one embodiment, a method of waking up a universal serial bus (USB) from a non-powered state, comprises: upon detection of a wakeup condition, a wakeup generation module associated with a USB device generating a wakeup signal on a power line of a USB bus coupled to the USB device, or on a single-wire sideband; and a host wakeup module detecting the wakeup signal and causing the USB bus that is coupled to the USB device to be supplied with power.
US08375231B2
A method is disclosed that includes receiving a classification voltage at a powered device from a network. The classification voltage includes a baseline voltage level that is below an operating voltage range of the powered device and includes a sequence of distinct signal elements derived from the classification voltage. The method further includes detecting a number of signal elements of the sequence of distinct signal elements. A current is drawn until the number of signal elements exceeds a predetermined number.
US08375228B2
A multiple-node system having a number of nodes has its power utilization managed. A node power cap of a node specifies a maximum power that the node is individually able to utilize. A system-wide power cap specifies a maximum power that the multiple-node system is able to utilize overall. In response to determining that a node power cap of a selected node is to be increased, where a total of the node power caps of all the nodes is equal to the system-wide power cap, the node power caps of one or more nodes are reduced so that the total of the node power caps of all the nodes is less than the system-wide power cap. The node power cap of the selected node is then increased such that the total of the node power caps of all the nodes is equal to or less than the system-wide power cap.
US08375227B2
Providing for a paradigm shift in block-level abstraction for storage devices is described herein. At a block-level, storage is characterized as a variable size data record, rather than a fixed size sector. In some aspects, the variable size data record can comprise a variable binary key-data pair, for addressing and identifying a variable size block of data, and for dynamically specifying the size of such block in terms of data storage. By changing the key or data values, the location, identity or size of block-level storage can be modified. Data records can be passed to and from the storage device to facilitate operational commands over ranges of such records. Block-level data compression, space management and transactional operations are provided, mitigating a need of higher level systems to characterize underlying data storage for implementation of such operations.
US08375222B2
An information processing system has a power supply section which detects a predetermined potential applied to a USB terminal and supplying the potential as a source potential, an information detection section which detects the predetermined information supplied to the USB terminal, and a processing section which executes, subsequent to the detection of the predetermined potential, the encryption process or the decryption process in accordance with at least the operating information supplied from the operation key arranged on the body and in accordance with the predetermined information supplied to the USB terminal after detection of the predetermined information. The recording and reproducing operation can be performed with the operating key on the body with power supplied only from the USB terminal.
US08375216B2
Determination is executed as to whether an electronic document has been edited after addition of a second signature added after addition of a first signature. When it is determined that editing is made after the addition of the second signature, a verification result of the electronic document is output without determining whether editing is made after the addition of the first signature. If it is determined that editing is not made after the addition of the second signature, determination is executed as to whether editing is made after the addition of the first signature and the verification result of the electronic document is output based on an obtained determination result.
US08375212B2
An authentication token using a smart card that an organization would issue to its customer, the smart card having a processor for executing a software application that is responsive to a user input to generate a one-time password as an output. The smart card co-operates with an interface device for inputting the user input and displaying the one-time password. The authentication token may be used in combination with a remote authentication server for validation of the password and hence authentication of the user.
US08375201B2
A system and method are provided for securing links at the physical (PHY) layer in an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet communication system. A local device (LD) receives an electrical waveform representing link partner security information from a network-connected link partner (LP) via unformatted message pages. The LD accesses predetermined LP reference information stored in a tangible memory medium. The LD compares the received LP security information to the LP reference information. In response to the LD matching the received LP security information to the LP reference information, a secure link to the LP is verified. Likewise, the LD may send electrical waveforms representing security information to the LP via the unformatted message pages. In response to the LP matching the LD security information to the LD reference information, a secure link to the LD is verified.
US08375200B2
A file change notification method of an embedded device that includes a first operating system (OS) and a second OS. The first OS corresponds to a first central processing unit (CPU) and connects to a storage system, the second OS corresponds to a second CPU for sharing with the configuration file via a network file system (NFS). The method monitors the configuration file stored in the storage system, determines whether the configuration file has been modified, and generates a notification message to notify a first application program that the configuration file has been changed. The method further sends the notification message from the first OS to the second OS through a communication network, and notifies a second application program that the configuration file has been changed when the notification message is received from the first OS.
US08375182B2
A method of limiting redundant storage of data comprises receiving a data stream and partitioning the data stream into a series of data chunks. At least one content hash value for a set of data chunks is generated based on data content of the set of data chunks. One or more data chunks are grouped into a segment with at least one boundary of the segment defined based on an evaluation of content hash values of data chunks. Content hash values of data chunks of the segment are compared to content hash values of data chunks of segments stored on a backup mass storage device. A pointer to a stored data chunk of an existing segment is stored on the backup mass storage device if a content hash value of a data chunk of the segment matches the content hash value of the stored data chunk.
US08375178B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with selecting a memory page for removal from a buffer pool based on the operating conditions of a computing system.
US08375174B1
Described are techniques for partitioning memory. A plurality of boards is provided. Each of the plurality of boards includes a physical memory portion and a set of one or more processor. The physical memory portion in each of said plurality of boards is partitioned into a plurality of logical partitions including a global memory partition accessible by any processor on any of the plurality of boards and one or more other memory partitions configured for use by one or more processors of said each board. Each of the one or more other memory partitions not being accessible to a processor on a board other than said each board.
US08375172B2
A mechanism is provided for enabling a proper write through during a write-through operation. Responsive to determining the memory access as a write-through operation, first circuitry determines whether a data input signal is in a first state or a second state. Responsive to the data input signal being in the second state, the first circuitry outputs a global write line signal in the first state. Responsive to the global write line signal being in the first state, second circuitry outputs a column select signal in the second state. Responsive to the column select signal being in the second state, third circuitry keeps a downstream read path of the cache access memory at the first state such that data output by the cache memory array is in the first state.
US08375169B2
An address comparator stores an address of data read out by a host system. Also, a buffer reads out the data from a memory and stores the data. If an address of data which is expected to be newly read out by the host system is included in addresses which have already been stored in the address comparator, the host system 1 newly reads out the data from the buffer, not from the memory. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or lessen the possibility of unintentional rewriting of data which is likely to be caused due to repeated readout of data.
US08375147B2
An electronic device includes a response-request transmitting unit and a response receiving unit. The response-request transmitting unit transmits a response request including an identifier of the response-request transmitting unit on a second network to an external device through a first net work. The response receiving unit that receives a response including an identifier of the external device on the first network, transmitted through the second network in response to the response request.
US08375142B2
Computer-readable media, systems, and methods for model-based data center management. In embodiments, a request to perform a management operation on a device in a data center is received and available paths to the device are determined. The paths are determined based on an artifact storing a topology of the data center. Further, a current favored path that is one of the available paths is determined based on a policy and the device is bound for performance of the management operation using the current favored path. In embodiments, the model-based data center management is configured to provide a generic description of the data center architecture and a generic description for one or more devices in the data center. The generic description provides for dynamic runtime data center configuration.
US08375136B2
Embodiments of a system configured to manage policies, including decision policies and active policies, on an Open Mobile Alliance Device Management (OMA DM) enabled mobile client devices is described. The system is configured to manage policies, including decision policies and active policies, on mobile devices. The system includes a device policy repository, a policy decision point, a decision policy enforcer, and an active policy enforcer. The system includes a server-side process configured to allow creation, modification and transmission of defined policies to the mobile client device, and a client-side process executed on the mobile client device and configured store the defined policies in an OMA DM management tree in the mobile client device as management objects, wherein each policy of the defined policies is represented as a subnode of the management tree.
US08375134B2
Systems and methods for use in communication between a client and a server, via a networking device, are provided. The method may include sending a request to establish a data connection from the client to the server via the networking device, setting a data connection keep-alive interval for the data connection to a predetermined safe value, and sending a request to establish a test connection between the client and the server. The method may further include determining an efficient keep-alive interval for communication between the client and server via the networking device, using the test connection, setting the data connection keep-alive interval to the efficient keep-alive interval determined using the test connection, and uploading the efficient keep-alive interval from the client to the server in an efficient keep-alive interval notification message, for communication to other clients connected to the server.
US08375128B2
Systems and methods for providing differentiated user service options on communications networks are disclosed. Devices can be configured to generate service change requests, and to transmit the service change requests to a network node. The service change request can be routed to a node that determines if the service change request should be granted. The device and network can begin operation in accordance with the service change request almost instantly since no negotiation is required between the device and the network. Methods and computer-readable media embodying methods for providing differentiated user service options, are also disclosed.
US08375120B2
In one embodiment, a DNS security network includes several DNS appliances and a security operations center (SOC) server computer. The SOC server computer may receive telemetry data from the DNS appliances, the telemetry data comprising information about DNS client queries received in the respective DNS appliances. From the telemetry data, the SOC server computer may generate security policies for distribution to the DNS appliances. The security policies may be used by the DNS appliances to determine whether a DNS client query is originated by a client computer performing a prohibited activity (e.g., sending spam, communicating with a zombie control computer, navigating to a prohibited website, etc.). An answer to a client query may be replaced or discarded altogether in cases where the originator is performing a prohibited activity.
US08375104B2
A remote access service is provided by receiving remote access transport agent (RATA) capability information of a home remote access server (RAS) and a remote RAS from the home RAS and the remote RAS, respectively, generating a RATA profile based on the RATA capability information, supported by the home RAS and the remote RAS, and transmitting the generated RATA profile to the home RAS and the remote RAS, respectively.
US08375101B2
A message prompting method applied in the field of computer technology is disclosed, which comprises acquiring a feature of an operation of a user on software as well as whether or not the operation is successful, determining a feature group of the feature and its corresponding weight, the feature group containing features of a same category and having a weight which represents a relevance among the features within the group, and determining the message to be prompted to the user according to the weight and a pre-determined threshold in combination with whether or not the operation is successful. A message prompting device is also disclosed. The disclosure prompts software features with better pertinence to a user according to behavior features of the user, provide a personalized way of feature notification, avoid disturbing the user, improve the user experience, enhance friendliness, and can provide effective guidance to the user.
US08375096B2
Server computers and methods for updating or changing user alert message settings when changes are made to one or more user accounts are disclosed. The change in the user accounts can include transfers of a user account or user account identifier from one user account issuer to another user account issuer. The change in user accounts can be initiated by a user or issuer associated with the user account. When changes are made to the user accounts or changes are made to the user alert message settings, the server computer can confirm the changes with the user or issuer associated with the user accounts that are changed.
US08375086B2
A shared state manager (SSM) for collaboration includes an updating module for updating a shared state of data based on a request to edit the data made by a client, and a notifying module for, upon the updating the shared state, notifying another client of the updated state.
US08375080B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving filtered content based on an age limit. A client transmits to a server a content request message requesting original content, part of which is blocked due to an age limit, and receives from the server filtered content according to the age limit in response to the content request message.
US08375077B2
Methods, apparatus and media for performing polynomial arithmetic operations over a Galois field having characteristic 2 and size 1 are disclosed. Such methods, apparatus and media include generating a binary representation of a polynomial over a Galois field having characteristic 2 and size 1, generating a plurality of right shifted binary representations of the first polynomial, and generating a binary representation of the polynomial reciprocal based upon a bitwise exclusive-OR of the binary representation of the polynomial and one or more right shifted binary representations selected from the plurality of right shifted binary representations.
US08375063B2
A method for migrating data from a legacy system is provided. The method comprises providing a legacy database having metadata describing one or more legacy data fields in the legacy database and creating a legacy value table in the legacy database that corresponds to a recipient value table in the recipient database. Further, the method comprises updating a translation table in the legacy database that defines one or more recipient data elements in the recipient database based upon the metadata of the legacy database, and translating legacy data elements in the legacy database to correspond to the one or more recipient data elements in the recipient database by utilizing the translation table. Furthermore, the method comprises populating a legacy interface table using the translation table and remotely extracting the data from the legacy interface table to the recipient database.
US08375053B2
A fuzzy, or ambiguous, keyword searching process and systems for implementing the fuzzy keyword searching process are provided. In general, one or more keyword search terms are first identified for a search. Next, a user is enabled to adjust a logical fuzziness, or logical ambiguity, for each of the one or more keyword search terms. As used herein, logical fuzziness of a keyword search term refers to the extent to which associated keywords are considered for the search. In one embodiment, the user may also be enabled to view and adjust keyword associations for each of the keyword search terms. A search is then performed based on the one or more keyword search terms and the logical fuzziness of the one or more keyword search terms, and results of the search are presented to the user.
US08375043B2
An XQuery access API is described, for providing access to XML data from a data source, using the XQuery language. A requestor can request, from a server, performance of an operation on XML data, wherein request messages and response messages conform to the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP). Request and response messages can be transmitted using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Hypertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS). The format of the request and response messages is specified in a definition of a Web service, where the definition conforms to the Web Service Description Language (WSDL).
US08375038B2
A method to transmit SMS messages to a Related Object by selecting the Base Object and transmit SMS messages to both, the Base Object as well as to the Related Object, simultaneously, in a CRM application is disclosed. The relationship between the Base Object and the Related Object may be any one of one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one or many-to-many that can be defined while deploying the CRM application. The process takes place in different levels wherein the system decides whether the SMS message should be sent to the Base Object or different Related Objects depending upon the Campaign Workflow and locates the mobile phone number of the entity and finally transmits the SMS message via SMS Service Provider chosen from the user Interface.
US08375037B2
In one embodiment, a system and method of predicting sale transaction conversion rate of an item operates through a search of information in response to a query over a network. The system and method can includes discovering available information of the item of interest, extracting certain of the available information of the item, analyzing the certain information by comparing the information to other item information, weighting the information for the item in comparison to other items of the category, calculating a predictive score for the item of interest, and presenting the information of the item of interest ranked according to the predictive score as compared to other items of the category.
US08375032B2
Method and apparatus for predicting properties of a target object, in particular, one of an origin and a source, comprise application of a search manager for analyzing parameters of a plurality of databases for a plurality of objects, the databases comprising an electrical, electromagnetic, acoustic spectral database (ESD), a micro-body assemblage database (MAD) and a database of image data whereby the databases store data objects containing identifying features, source information and information on site properties and context including time and frequency varying data. The method comprises application of multivariate statistical analysis and principal component analysis in combination with content-based image retrieval for providing two-dimensional attributes of three dimensional objects, for example, via preferential image segmentation using a tree of shapes and to predict further properties of objects by means of k-means clustering and related methods. By way of example, a fire event and residual objects may be located and qualified such that, for example, properties of the residual objects may be qualified, for example, via black body radiation and micro-body databases including charcoal assemblages.
US08375018B2
Techniques for exchanging data are provided herein. An “open” data type is established on a computer system to define the structure of data. The open data type includes one or more predefined properties, and enables one or more extension properties to be optionally included. Data that is defined according to the open data type includes data values for the predefined properties, and may optionally include data values for extension properties. A second computer system may consider the extension properties to be extension properties or predefined properties of a data type known at the second computer system. In this manner, the type system that is used to exchange data between nodes need not necessarily be commonly known among the nodes, and/or may be dynamically modified, even for a particular data instance. Furthermore, queries may be performed against the data that query against the predefined properties and/or extension properties.
US08375015B2
Retrieving stored data is disclosed. A retrieval request is received for an object. A retrieval response is generated that includes: 1) a first set of searchable attributes associated with the object, wherein an attribute of the first set of attributes is stored in a database in a manner that enables a database query to be performed against the attribute of the first set of attributes; and 2) a second set of non-searchable attributes associated with the object, wherein an attribute of the second set of attributes is stored in the database in a manner that does not enable a database query to be performed against the attribute of the second set of attributes.
US08375009B2
A layered architecture for a web service is provided with a data tier, object representation, data transformation, and a service tier. Scalability is achieved by relying on relatively high degree of decoupling, lightweight data interaction, and reducing overhead of transaction demands. Custom web services can be built on top and leverage the capabilities of the flexible framework including lightweight transaction support, event-based business logic extensibility, and efficient data contract binding.
US08375005B1
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for restoring or transmitting files from a first location to a second location, comprising prioritizing the files, and restoring or transmitting the files in prioritized order. In one embodiment, the files may be prioritized according to file type, and may be subsorted by timestamp. In one embodiment, the files may be prioritized according to timestamp or timestamp range, and subsorted by file type. File types may be grouped such that all file types in a group have the same priority, and the group may be associated with an application or application suite. In one embodiment, the files may be prioritized according to predicted file usage.
US08375004B2
In a previous storage apparatus, differential JNLs are reflected in order of the update numbers, to the data volumes thereof. If a first storage apparatus is suspended, it is determined which is newer: the update number which the journal recently reflected in a second storage apparatus or the update number reflected in a third storage apparatus. In the newer storage apparatus having the newer update number, it is determined whether one or more JNLs from the journal having the update number next to the update number which is not determined to be the newer to the journal having the update number determined to be the newer exist, or not. If the result of the determination is positive, from the newer storage apparatus to the previous storage apparatus which is not the newer of the second and the third storage apparatuses, one or more differential JNLs are copied.
US08374990B2
A computer-implemented system may include determination of a similarity of a semantic projection of a set of interests of a first user to a semantic projection of a first resource, wherein the semantic projection of the set of interests of the first user and the semantic projection of the first resource conforms to a common semantic projection model. Also included may be determination of a semantic interest of the first user for the first resource in a first context based on the similarity of the semantic projection of the set of the interests of the first user to the semantic projection of the first resource, and determination of an interest measure associated with the first user, the first resource and the first context based on a rating prediction for the first user to the first resource in the first context and on the determined semantic interest of the first user for the first resource in the first context.
US08374986B2
Disclosed herein is a method and system for hardware-accelerating various data processing operations in a rule-based decision-making system such as a business rules engine, an event stream processor, and a complex event stream processor. Preferably, incoming data streams are checked against a plurality of rule conditions. Among the data processing operations that are hardware-accelerated include rule condition check operations, filtering operations, and path merging operations. The rule condition check operations generate rule condition check results for the processed data streams, wherein the rule condition check results are indicative of any rule conditions which have been satisfied by the data streams. The generation of such results with a low degree of latency provides enterprises with the ability to perform timely decision-making based on the data present in received data streams.
US08374977B2
A system, method, data processing apparatus, and article of manufacture are provided for classifying data. Labeled data points are received, each of the labeled data points having at least one label indicating whether the data point is a training example for data points for being included in a designated category or a training example for data points being excluded from a designated category; receiving unlabeled data points; receiving at least one predetermined cost factor of the labeled data points and unlabeled data points; training a transductive classifier using MED through iterative calculation using the at least one cost factor and the labeled data points and the unlabeled data points as training examples; applying the trained classifier to classify at least one of the unlabeled data points, the labeled data points, and input data points; and outputting a classification of the classified data points, or derivative thereof.
US08374974B2
A system and method for selecting a training data set from a set of multidimensional geophysical input data samples for training a model to predict target data. The input data may be data sets produced by a pulsed neutron logging tool at multiple depth points in a cases well. Target data may be responses of an open hole logging tool. The input data is divided into clusters. Actual target data from the training well is linked to the clusters. The linked clusters are analyzed for variance, etc. and fuzzy inference is used to select a portion of each cluster to include in a training set. The reduced set is used to train a model, such as an artificial neural network. The trained model may then be used to produce synthetic open hole logs in response to inputs of cased hole log data.
US08374968B2
The provided software application includes a module that determines a machine fingerprint of a client device at an appropriate time, such as during initial software load on the client. The fingerprint may comprise various machine-determinable measures of system configuration for the client. Each application copy may be associated with a serial number. A license host may collect serial number, fingerprint and/or IP address information from clients on which the application is installed. The host may generate a map of application installations, including geographic locations of installations and number of unique serial numbers per client in specified regions.
US08374965B2
A method of verifying the identity of a dispensed pharmaceutical includes the steps of: reading identifying indicia on a pharmaceutical vial containing a dispensed pharmaceutical; determining the identity of a prescribed pharmaceutical called for by the identifying indicia; acquiring an image of the dispensed pharmaceutical through the vial; comparing the image of the dispensed pharmaceutical to data storage comprising image data associated with pharmaceuticals; acquiring spectral data for the dispensed pharmaceutical through the vial; comparing the spectral data of the dispensed pharmaceutical to data storage comprising spectral data associated with pharmaceuticals; and automatically determining whether the image and the spectral data of the dispensed pharmaceutical confirm that the dispensed pharmaceutical matches the prescribed pharmaceutical.
US08374963B1
Methods and systems for electronic checking are described. A graphical representation of an electronic check may be provided for presentation to a providing user from which an electronic funds transfer may be initiated. The electronic check may be generated when desired. A payment date selection may be received for an electronic check on a date within the electronic account register and the electronic check may be indicated for the particular date in the electronic account register. The electronic check may be received and associated with a receiving user. An estimated charge for an actual charge may be replaced in the electronic account register in accordance with analyzing one or more actual charges.
US08374957B1
Apparatus and methods to process loss payments are described herein. In one example, an apparatus includes one or more data stores, a rules engine, an audit engine and a payment engine. In another example, the method may include receiving a notice of loss, deriving a payee, processing one or more rules using the information, determining whether an automatic payment can be made and transferring funds if the automatic payment can be made. In a further example, the method may include receiving a notice of loss, the loss having one or more exposures, processing one or more rules for each of the exposures in parallel, determining if an automatic payment can be made for each of the exposures and removing the automatic payment for an exposure if it can not be made while continuing processing payments for the remaining exposures.
US08374949B2
A method is disclosed for integration of open advertisements with targeted websites, including enabling a seller to place a product on auction through an auction website, wherein an auction server creates an auction listing for the product together with a first software code affiliated with the auction listing; marking the first software code to function with a targeted website in response to the seller requesting an open advertisement of the auction listing; receiving a call of the software code from a targeted website server; generating a second software code with the first software code, wherein the second software code includes a product identification to provide access to the auction server; and sending the second software code to the targeted website server, the second software code configured to create the open advertisement that displays specific information related to the auction listing to be served to an advertisement position of the targeted website.
US08374941B2
A computer-based method for determining a value of an index-offset deposit product, having a principal amount, a term, a specified guaranteed amount, and an index credit comprising the step of setting trial values for fixed-income-linked crediting parameters for the product implying an expected fixed-income-linked credit component at the end of the term. The method further comprises the steps of determining a cost for an option paying an index-linked credit component such that a composite index credit together with the principal is at least equal to a specified guaranteed amount.
US08374935B1
Methods, systems and computer program products for customizing one or more advertisements are described. Specifically, advertisements may be customized using information from content of a web page prior to viewing by a user. For example, the rendering of the text of an advertisement may be in a same size, color, and font type as the text on the web page into which the advertisement is integrated. In addition, the advertisement may be displayed using a same color scheme as that used by the web page such that the advertisement may be enhanced in terms of notice and interaction by the user.
US08374930B2
A certified email system for providing a time stamp for a presented file, particularly when the presented file is an email. Preferably a demanding party receives the email; generates a unique HASH; digitally signs the unique HASH; and sends the signed HASH and a time-stamp request call to a web services time-stamp conduit (WSTC). The WSTC receives the request and signed HASH from the demanding party and obtains a time stamp. The WSTC sends the time stamp back to the demanding party, which sends a time-stamp notification to the original sender of the email and, optionally, the recipient(s) of the email. Multiple branded or customized demanding servers can efficiently run using one web services time-stamp conduit.An integrated detailed billing system capable of pass-through client billing, keyword search functionality, a multi-party content management system, and convenient web-based automated verification (file or HASH) services are provided.
US08374926B2
The inventory control system includes a portable controller for receiving information relating to an item to be tracked by the inventory control system. The portable controller is in communication with a database that stores the information relating to the item. Preferably, the item includes a readable tag having a unique identification code affixed thereto. A sensor may monitor the general location of the tag after the item is entered into the inventory control system. Furthermore, a tag reader associated with the portable controller is able to pinpoint the specific location of the item via a laser-light beam within the area generally identified by the sensor.
US08374924B2
A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process.
US08374921B2
An online ordering system for ordering of items of real time availability in inventory online employs An interactive TV system connected to a plurality of TV equipment units via a TV services platform, whereby a TV viewer can view an advertisement for a transactable item on the TV display and send a request for ordering the item by signals sent by the TV remote control unit to the TV services platform. A transaction-ordering web server is co-located with and operatively connected to the TV services platform for processing requests from TV viewers into web orders sent online via Internet connection to online ordering websites for processing against real time vendor inventories and confirming transactions of ordered items. The TV system may be a hotel in-room TV system coupled to a hotel purchase management system to manage guest billings for purchases. The hotel in-room TV system can provide guests with updates of activities and advertisements for guest activities on the in-room TV. It can also send messages to guest cellphones or mobile devices and process billings for guest requests.
US08374917B1
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. In one embodiment, a call manager system is configured to place a call to a pay-per-call service, or to cause such a call to be placed by a user computer terminal, in response to a user initiating a purchase transaction over a computer network. In addition, the call may include billing information, such as the user's phone number, which is provided to the pay-per-call service so that the user can be billed for the call in an appropriate amount.
US08374912B2
The system of the present invention is used to optimize the returns of advertising campaigns on the internet. The system allows to create portfolios of keywords and to optimize these portfolios. Moreover, the system allows to classify the keywords in the portfolios according to their past data and to agitate the keywords which held a stagnant position over a pre-set period of time.The system support different implementations of the keyword classification in portfolios, different implementations of keyword bids agitation and different implementations of optimization. The various implementations can meet the specific aspects of different industries and/or the distinctive optimization approach of different agencies.The system can leverage the cloud computing whereby shared data, process and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand. The delivery model involves the provision of dynamically scalable and virtualized resources as a service over the Internet. Some or all of the system components can be executed in the cloud through an on-demand instantiation of the resources required to perform the task.
US08374910B1
Disclosed are an automated system for the parking of vehicles and methods for the management of a parking facility. The system comprises a communication center module for interacting with a consumer, a payment module for processing payments, a data storage module, an analysis module for detecting potential parking violations and producing one or more enforcement alerts that are communicated to enforcement officers by a parking authority. The communication center module may recognize previous users of the system using at least one of: consumer identity data, consumer biometric data, and consumer behavioral data. Parking unit identity data and consumer identity data may be conveyed by consumer contact with the parking facility. The management method comprises the steps of: communicating with a consumer, receiving parking facility controlling parameters from a parking authority, storing data, processing payments, analyzing a current operational state, detecting a potential parking violation, generating an enforcement alert, communicating the alert to a parking authority, and generating a dispatch order for parking enforcement.
US08374904B2
Methods, machine readable media, and systems for market forecasting are provided. An example of a method for market forecasting includes modeling market characteristics of market participants for a type of product and deriving variability of an attribute corresponding to a market characteristic coefficient of the type of product for each of the market participants. The method includes resampling from a distribution of the variability of the attribute for each of the market participants and remodeling the market characteristics of the market participants for the type of product using the resampled attribute. The method includes forecasting future market characteristics of the market participants for the type of product according to the remodeled market characteristics.
US08374901B2
Systems, methods, distributed networks, and computer-readable media are provided that relate to recruiting and employment. Background information associated with talent-capability attributes is received from talent. Job description information is received from employers. Prospective matches are identified between employers and candidates, and employers and candidates are given an opportunity to exchange information.
US08374898B2
The present invention is a computational system to generate feasible marine transportation schedules given a proposed bulk material supply chain. The decision support tool will fulfill the objectives and scope defined above. The technology employed will require (a) the use of mathematical programming modeling techniques (mixed integer linear programming) to mathematically formulate the business problem, and (b) advanced proprietary solution methods to produce solutions satisfying all constraints of the mathematical model while optimizing an objective function. The decision support tool has the following capabilities: Read input data, Generate feasible bulk material ship Schedule, Evaluate bulk material ship Schedule with User-defined Objective Function, Allow Case comparison, Graphical user interface (GUI) for specifying input data and displaying results.
US08374895B2
A method and system for presenting travel information in a way that facilitates identifying travel plans that satisfy objectives is provided. A travel information system collects travel information for the travel items on various observation dates including the current date and presents the travel information to a user in a way that facilitates travel planning and travel shopping. The travel information system stores the travel information in an observation store. To provide travel information that satisfies a search criterion, the travel information system retrieves the travel information that satisfies the search criterion either from flight information of the observation store or from current flight information provided in real time from a source of travel information. The flight information system provides the travel information in various formats to facilitate travel planning. These formats include a fare history graph, an interval grid, a route map, a future fare graph, and/or a departure date/duration grid.
US08374894B2
Extended web enabled multi-featured business to business computer system for rental vehicle services
An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access a plurality of service providers including an integrated business computer network for at least one rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner and also those other service providers who may or may not have the same integrated business computer system and software. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention.
US08374891B2
A system and method for accessing health care data are disclosed. A data retrieval service module is coupled to a client device and to one or more data sources, such as medical data sources, a master patient index or additional data retrieval service modules. The data retrieval service module receives a data request from the client device and transmits the data request to the one or more data sources. The data retrieval service module then receives data associated with the data request from die one or more data sources and generates catalog by aggregating data from multiple data sources. The catalog is then transmitted from the data retrieval service module to the client device, allowing the client device to access data obtained from various data sources.
US08374877B2
A hearing aid for improving diminished hearing caused by reduced temporal resolution includes: a speech input unit which receives a speech signal from outside; a speech analysis unit which detects a sound segment and a segment acoustically regarded as soundless from the speech signal received by the speech input unit and detects a consonant segment and a vowel segment within the detected sound segment; and a signal processing unit which temporally increments the consonant segment detected by the speech analysis unit and temporally decrements at least one of the vowel segment and the segment acoustically regarded as soundless detected by the speech analysis unit.
US08374876B2
A system and a method for speech generation which assist the speech of those with a disability or a medical condition such as cerebral palsy, motor neurone disease or a dysarthia following a stroke. The system has a user interface having a multiplicity of states each of which correspond to a sound and a selector for making a selection of a state or a combination of states. The system also has a processor for processing the selected state or combination of states and an audio output for outputting the sound or combination of sounds. The sounds associated with the states can be phonemes or phonics and the user interface is typically a manually operable device such as a mouse, trackball, joystick or other device that allows a user to distinguish between states by manipulating the interface to a number of positions.
US08374868B2
A method for recognizing speech involves reciting, into a speech recognition system, an utterance including a numeric sequence that contains a digit string including a plurality of tokens and detecting a co-articulation problem related to at least two potentially co-articulated tokens in the digit string. The numeric sequence may be identified using i) a dynamically generated possible numeric sequence that potentially corresponds with the numeric sequence, and/or ii) at least one supplemental acoustic model. Also disclosed herein is a system for accomplishing the same.
US08374865B1
A set of benchmark text strings may be classified to provide a set of benchmark classifications. The benchmark text strings in the set may correspond to a benchmark corpus of benchmark utterances in a particular language. A benchmark classification distribution of the set of benchmark classifications may be determined. A respective classification for each text string in a corpus of text strings may also be determined. Text strings from the corpus of text strings may be sampled to form a training corpus of training text strings such that the classifications of the training text strings have a training text string classification distribution that is based on the benchmark classification distribution. The training corpus of training text strings may be used to train an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system.
US08374862B2
A single utterance having a name portion and a qualifier portion is received. The name portion represents a spoken name of a desired contact of a contacts database, and the qualifier portion represents a spoken word or words for disambiguating the name of the desired contact from any homophone names in the contacts database. From the utterance, a digital name representation corresponding to the name portion and a digital qualifier representation corresponding to the qualifier portion are generated. The digital representations may be textual or phonetic representations for example and may result from conversion of the utterance to a digital utterance representation and a parsing of the digital utterance representation. The digital name and qualifier representations are processed to uniquely identify the desired contact within the contacts database. The utterance may contain a disambiguation field identifier portion which facilitates the identification of a disambiguation field.
US08374856B2
A method and apparatus for concealing frame loss and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a speech signal that are capable of reducing speech quality degradation caused by packet loss are provided. In the method, when loss of a current received frame occurs, a random excitation signal having the highest correlation with a periodic excitation signal (i.e., a pitch excitation signal) decoded from a previous frame received without loss is used as a noise excitation signal to recover an excitation signal of a current lost frame. Furthermore, a third, new attenuation constant (AS) is obtained by summing a first attenuation constant (NS) obtained based on the number of continuously lost frames and a second attenuation constant (PS) predicted in consideration of change in amplitude of previously received frames to adjust the amplitude of the recovered excitation signal for the current lost frame. Speech quality degradation caused by packet loss can be reduced for enhanced communication quality in a packet network environment with continuous frame loss.
US08374842B2
An access monitoring section (11) obtains access information including an address conforming to an address stored in a monitoring address setting section (10) from an access signal output from a CPU (1) to a peripheral device (3). An access judging section (13) compares the access information received from the access monitoring section (11) and the last access information stored in an access storing section (12), and stores the obtained access information in the access storing section (12) and requests the transmission of an exception generation notification to an exception generating section (14) when the received access information is different from the last access information while excluding the last access information stored in the access storing section (12) from access information to be compared when the received access information is the same as the last access information. By this construction, throughput can be reduced at the time of emulation and the peripheral device can be efficiently emulated.
US08374838B2
The present invention relates to a method for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of telomerase. Compounds of the invention are identified by designing or screening for a compound which binds to at least one amino acid residue of the TRBD, “thumb,” “finger,” and/or “palm” domain of telomerase and testing the compound for its ability to modulate the activity of telomerase.
US08374833B2
Hybrid elements that enable coupling effects between SPH particles and FEM solid are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, hybrid elements are configured to facilitate coupling effect of solid element based on finite element method (FEM) and one or more corresponding particles based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). Hybrid elements are defined in a computer aided engineering (CAE) grid model as a buffer or interface between the SPH particles and FEM solids. For example, a portion of the grid model comprises SPH particles because the likelihood of enduring large deformation, while the rest of the model comprises FEM solid elements. Hybrid elements are placed between the solids and the particles. Each hybrid element comprises two layers: solid layer and particle layer.
US08374832B1
Techniques are provided for simulating dissemination of at least one target substance in a scene that has been contaminated with the at least one target substance. Data is received from a user to select at least one target substance whose dissemination is to be simulated as well as parameters for the scene within which the simulation is to be performed. Simulation of the dissemination is performed and data can be displayed to illustrate, statistically and/or graphically, the results of the simulation. The simulation may include simulating interrogation of at least one surface in the scene with a sensor that detects ambient or scattered radiation from the at least one surface. Data may then be generated that indicates overlap of an interrogation spot of the sensor with the at least one target substance on at least one surface in the scene. A user may change parameters and repeat the simulation. The data generated by the simulation techniques is useful in designing sensors as well as developing strategies for deployment of sensors for certain applications.
US08374822B2
Test characteristics are determined at vertices of a rectangle defined on a sequential probability ratio test plot of a number of failures of a new physical system versus a number of failures of a baseline physical system. Based on the test characteristics, errors of first and second order are approximated as planes. Based on the approximating, intercepts of accept and reject boundaries are estimated. Based on slopes of the planes and actual values of the errors of the first and second orders, a starting point is determined on a graph of values of an intercept of the reject boundary and values of an intercept of the accept boundary. A minimum of an operating characteristic function is determined by alternative advances, commencing at the starting point, parallel to an axis representing the accept boundary intercept and an axis representing the reject boundary intercept.
US08374820B2
A first output pin of a microcontroller is connected to a control pin of a high speed switch chip. A second output pin of the microcontroller is connected to two control pins of first and second switch chips. Two output pins of the high speed switch chip are connected to two input pins of the first switch chip. Two input pins of a third switch chip are connected to two output pins of the second switch chip. Two control pins of the third switch chip are connected to a third output pin of the microcontroller. Three input pins of a bus switch chip are connected to fourth to sixth output pins of the microcontroller. A load board is connected to six output pins of the bus switch chip and four switch pins of the first and second switch chips.
US08374810B2
A method for calculating insertion indices for a phase leg of a DC to AC modular multilevel converter. Each phase leg includes two serially connected arms, wherein each arm includes a number of submodules, wherein each submodule can be in a bypass state or a voltage insert mode. The insertion index includes data representing the portion of available submodules that should be in the voltage insert mode. The method includes the steps of: calculating a desired arm voltage for an upper arm connected to the upper DC source common bar and a lower arm connected to the lower DC source common bar, obtaining values representing actual total arm voltages in the upper arm and lower arm, respectively, and calculating modulation indices for the upper and lower arm, respectively, using the respective desired arm voltage and the respective value representing the total actual arm voltage. A corresponding apparatus is also presented.
US08374808B2
A method for determining a failure of a membrane in a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack. The method includes measuring the voltage of each fuel cell in the fuel cell stack, calculating an average cell voltage from all of the cell voltages of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack, and identifying a minimum cell voltage from all of the cell voltages of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack. The method then determines an absolute delta voltage value as the difference between the average cell voltage of the fuel cells and the minimum cell voltage of the fuel cells at a plurality of sample points during the sample period. A plurality of absolute delta voltage values determined over a plurality of sample periods, filtered for low current density are used to determine whether there is a membrane failure and, by filtering for high current density, to determine whether there is an electrode failure.
US08374797B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for improving the administration and usage of antibiotic/antimicrobial regimens. The method and system of the invention includes (a) establishing a multidisciplinary antimicrobial treatment team; (b) obtaining patient data; (c) reviewing patient data for sub-optimal antibiotic regimens and when necessary, conferring if MATT members regarding regimen recommendations; (d) generating reports with recommendations for optimal antibiotic regimens based on the review of the patient data.
US08374794B1
The invention provides a high resolution three-dimensional structure of cycloheximide, either alone or in association with a large ribosomal subunit. The invention provides methods for designing and/or identifying cycloheximide analogs and derivatives that bind and/or modulate the protein biosynthetic activity of the ribosome.
US08374789B2
Marking information relating to the use of a marking system or a marking tool configured to dispense one or more markers to mark, on ground, pavement, or other surface, a location of an underground utility, is used to control a display device so as to visually display a dispensing of the one or more markers on an electronic representation of an area that is marked and includes the location of the underground utility.
US08374782B2
A method for providing map tiles associated to a route is described. Generally, a route comprising a number of route segments is received. Then, a respective route segment attribute for each of the route segments is determined. Next, associated map tiles for each of the route segments are determined, using said route segment attributes, and finally an indication of the determined map tiles are transmitted to a map tile fetcher.
US08374781B2
A method of planning a vehicle route includes estimating fuel requirements of identified alternative routes or route segments using navigation, vehicle, and powertrain information. The method also includes displaying for a vehicle operator a list of alternate routes that features either absolute or relative values representative of such estimated fuel requirements. The method further includes adapting values used to estimate fuel requirements based upon current powertrain operating parameters, and alerting the vehicle operator when actual vehicle fuel economy along a selected route varies significantly from the estimated fuel requirement.
US08374778B2
A system for providing a tailored route to a mobile communications device over a wireless communications network. The system includes a map server including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to make the map server operable to prepare a basic route from a route origin to a route destination and obtain information regarding characteristics of the wireless communications network along the basic route. The processor is further made operable to prepare the tailored route using the basic route and the network characteristics information and provide the tailored route to the mobile communications device over the wireless communications network.
US08374777B2
A method for providing and utilizing navigation data can include identifying a grid that includes a plurality of geographical regions. Each geographical region can have an associated navigation data set which includes street level mapping data. Linking references for each geographical region can be defined. Geographical navigation bundles can be identified that conform to an OSGi compliant framework. Each bundle can correspond to one of the geographical regions and can include a navigation data set and a manifest file. The manifest file can include a version, date, and the linking references. A GPS equipped device can dynamically install and activate the geographical navigation bundles. The GPS equipped device can perform at least one navigation process based upon the navigation data set. The GPS device can predict when new navigation data is needed and can automatically acquire suitable geographical navigation bundles in response to these predictions.
US08374776B2
A method for indicating a relative altitude of a vehicle includes obtaining, from at least one navigation instrument, a current geographic position and a current altitude of the vehicle. One or more geographic areas substantially surrounding the current geographic position is defined. A minimum safe altitude (MSA) is determined for each geographic area based at least in part on a minimum clearance height and a maximum terrain elevation or a maximum obstruction elevation within the geographic area. A relative altitude representing the current altitude of the vehicle relative to the MSA for each geographic area is determined. A relative altitude indicator is displayed via a presentation device for each geographic area based at least in part on the corresponding relative altitude. A relative altitude indicator corresponding to an MSA below the current altitude is graphically distinguished from a relative altitude indicator corresponding to an MSA above the current altitude.
US08374774B2
When a vehicle climbs up/down a step, driving torque suitable for the step climbing operation is applied to a driving wheel, and the center of gravity of a vehicle body is moved in an upward direction of the step. Thus, a stable traveling state and stable posture of the vehicle body can be maintained both when climbing up a step and when climbing down a step, whereby an occupant can operate the vehicle safely and comfortably even on a place having steps. In view of this, the vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a driving wheel rotatably attached to the vehicle body; and a vehicle control apparatus for controlling driving torque that is applied to the driving wheel and controlling posture of the vehicle body. When climbing up/down a step on a road, the vehicle control apparatus controls a position of center of gravity of the vehicle body in accordance with the step.
US08374769B2
A control apparatus and a control method for a variable valve operating mechanism are employed for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine including the variable valve operating mechanism and a valve stop mechanism. The variable valve operating mechanism includes a variable mechanism portion that changes a valve characteristic of an engine valve, and an actuator that drives the variable mechanism portion. The valve stop mechanism stops opening/closing of the engine valve in at least one cylinder. A controlled variable for the actuator is set so that an actual value of the valve characteristic matches a target value. A control characteristic value used to set the controlled variable, and used to make the actual value match the target value, is set such that when a reduced-cylinder operation is performed, the control characteristic value is different from the control characteristic value when an all-cylinder operation is performed.
US08374762B2
A travel speed limiting apparatus including: a travel speed measurement device which measures a travel speed of a vehicle; a speed limit memory device which stores a speed limit set by an operator; a first driving force limit value calculation device which calculates a first driving force limit value based on a deviation of the travel speed from the speed limit; a requested driving force calculation device which calculates a requested driving force based on an operator's acceleration operation; and a second driving force limit value calculation device which calculates a second driving force limit value based on the requested driving force, wherein the driving force limiting device sets an eventual driving force limit value to the smaller of the first driving force limit value and the second driving force limit value, and controls the driving force of the vehicle to be less than the eventual driving force limit value.
US08374759B2
A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain having an automatic transmission coupled to an engine through a lock-up torque converter includes determining when a torque converter unlock is imminent during a deceleration fuel shut-off event, and delaying the resumption of fuel flow to the engine for a calibratable time period to reduce the likelihood of an undesirable increase in engine output torque when the torque converter has not fully transitioned to an unlocked state. The method also includes determining whether one or more breakout conditions exist that require enabling fuel flow to the engine and, perhaps, triggering an active unlocking of the lock-up torque converter.
US08374754B2
An apparatus for detecting objects on or beneath a surface of a medium having a reach-in arm, the base of the reach in arm connected to a platform, and the distal end of the reach-in arm connected to a sensor. The sensor detects objects on or beneath the surface of a medium and is capable of monitoring the distance of the sensor from objects in the path of the sensor. Motor controllers are connected to the reach-in arm and the sensor for controlling the movements of the reach-in arm and sensor. A computer is in communication with the reach-in arm, the sensor, and the motor controllers. The computer detects objects on or beneath the surface of a medium; determines the location of the reach-in arm and sensor relative to objects in their paths; and controls the movement of the reach-in arm and sensor either automatically using pre-programmed software or according to user inputted commands.
US08374752B2
A device and a method for activating a personal protection device are provided, in which a feature vector with at least two features is formed by an evaluation circuit from at least one signal of an accident sensor system. The evaluation circuit classifies the feature vector in the corresponding dimension using at least one class boundary. The activation circuit generates an activation signal which activates the personal protection device.
US08374751B2
A motor vehicle impact sensing system for a vehicle that includes a controller that is connected to a pressure sensor that cooperates with a discrete deformable vessel. The pressure sensor is operatively positioned relative to the deformable vessel such that changes in the vessel generate a signal indicative of a pressure change. The signal associated with the pressure change is communicated from the pressure sensor to the controller. If the signal exceeds a threshold, such as where there is a rapid pressure increase in the vessel, the controller initiates one or more safety measures, such as deploying airbags or the like, to reduce the effects of an undesired impact. The deformable vessel and pressure sensor form a sensor assembly that can be located in one or more of various locations throughout the vehicle including its front end, its doors, quarter panels, side panels, and/or its rear end.
US08374750B2
A method is provided for recognizing the fatigue of a driver of a vehicle. In the method a torque variable representing the torque applied to the steering wheel by the driver is detected, and the presence of fatigue of the driver is detected on the basis of the torque variable.
US08374747B2
A failure diagnostic apparatus determines the environment in which the condition of a vehicle is examined and selects an appropriate storage location for information regarding the condition of the vehicle. In particular, the failure diagnostic apparatus includes a vehicle-condition diagnostic portion, a plurality of failure-information storage portions, a diagnostic-environment determination portion, and a storage selection portion. When the vehicle-condition diagnostic portion determines that a failure has occurred, the diagnostic-environment determination portion determines the environment in which the condition of the vehicle is examined. Then, based on the diagnostic environment determined by the diagnostic-environment determination portion, the storage selection portion selects at least one storage portion of the plurality of failure-information storage portions to store information regarding the failure.
US08374740B2
A self-learning assisted hybrid vehicle system that includes a main power source for providing power to the vehicle, a supplemental power source for providing supplemental power for providing power to the vehicle and an electric motor or other mechanical system for driving the vehicle. The system also includes a self-learning controls unit that receives and stores information from a plurality of inputs associated with the vehicle. The self-learning controls unit uses the information to make predictions about future driving conditions of the vehicle to efficiently utilize the power sources of the hybrid vehicle.
US08374738B2
A method for operating a train includes: (a) using a processor carried by the train, creating a trip profile which is computed at so as to substantially optimize an operating parameter of the train which depends on multiple operating variables; (b) operating the train along a route at speeds determined by the trip profile; (c) identifying a target location ahead of the train which cannot be cleared in a desired time if the train operates in accordance with the trip profile; and (d) operating the train at a clearing speed substantially faster than determined by the trip profile until the target location is cleared. A computer program product is provided for carrying out the method.
US08374730B2
Methods and apparatuses for dynamically budgeting power usage to control temperatures in a data processing system. In one aspect, a data processing system includes: a first sensor to determine an ambient temperature of an environment in which the data processing system is; and a controller (e.g., a microcontroller or a microprocessor) coupled to the sensor to control operations of the data processing system according to the ambient temperature. In one example, the data processing system further includes a second sensor to determine an actual temperature of a component of the data processing system. In one example, a controller is coupled to the temperature sensors to determine an operating setting of the data processing system based on a prediction of a temperature of the data processing system which is a function of the plurality of actual temperatures and the operating setting of the data processing system.
US08374726B2
The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.
US08374716B1
A computer program product stored in a computing device has a processor and a communication interface to determine cooling specifications of a remote housing. The computer program product includes a machine-readable storage medium and machine-readable program code, stored on the machine-readable storage medium. The machine readable program code includes instructions, which when executed, to cause the processor to interact with a user to obtain fan motor operating parameters and conditions. Motor operation is then controlled in accordance with the user-provided operating parameters and conditions.
US08374714B2
The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a combination of digital three-dimensional modeling and rapid fabrication technologies to provide pre-indexed, pre-registered, and/or precut components for articulated dental models. Dental articulators and components of dental models as described herein use a positioning key to encode positional information for components of the dental model, and/or a reference grid on mounting surfaces to enforce local accuracy of fabricated parts against a fixed reference array.
US08374706B2
In a method for moving a machine element of an automation machine with separately controlled drive shafts moving in a common direction, a first controller receives a first desired control variable, which is filtered using a filter having a frequency-dependent transfer function. In one embodiment, first desired control variable represents an overall movement of a machine element. A difference is determined between the filtered first desired variable and a first actual variable, and the difference is supplied as a desired control variable to the second controller for controlling the movement of the second drive shaft. In another embodiment, the filtered first desired variable and a second desired variable are added to form a sum, and a difference between the formed sum and the first actual variable is supplied as a desired control variable to the second controller for controlling the movement of the second drive shaft.
US08374704B2
The present invention provides medical devices that contain polyisobutylene urethane copolymers, polyisobutylene urea copolymers and polyisobutylene urethane/urea copolymers. More particularly, the present invention provides medical leads that contain such copolymers.
US08374701B2
Stimulating a nervous system component of a mammal in response to contactlessly acquired information
Described embodiments include a system, an apparatus, and a method. A described system includes a sensor device configured to sense a property of a mammal without physically contacting the mammal. The system also includes a signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal. The system further describes a neuromodulation device configured to output a stimulus operable to modulate a nervous system component of the mammal in response to the signal indicative of the sensed property of the mammal.
US08374697B2
Stimulation of bone growth to facilitate healing of a dental implant utilizing a interiorly threaded dental screw of nonconductive material in conjunction with a healing cap abutment whereby electrical stimulation facilitates healing of the surgical site. The device is powered by a battery for the purpose of creating an electrical-magnetic field to promote bone healing and bone formation. The electric magnetic field is directed to the bone around the device through a battery of a rechargeable type. A constant current is generated in a preferred range of about 5 μA to about 20 μA to stimulate bone healing and bone formation.
US08374694B2
A system and method for handling data received from an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. The method includes communicating a device parameter value of an IMD device parameter from the IMD to an external device and determining, at the external device, that the communicated device parameter value is at an improper value. Additionally, in response to the determining that the communicated device parameter value is at an improper value, automatically performing at least one of re-programming the IMD device parameter with a selected substitute device parameter value, ignoring, or purging non-programmable data.
US08374687B2
A method and system are provided that prioritize the output of an image triage that is based on rapid serial visual presentation. User responses and estimates of the effectiveness with which each image is likely to have been processed by a user are employed for post triage image prioritization of potential targets. Images associated with a user response, processed during optimal user states, are assigned the highest priority for post triage examination, as targets are likely. Images without a user response that are processed during optimal user states are assigned the lowest priority, as these are unlikely to contain targets. Images with a user response that are processed during suboptimal states are assigned a medium priority, as these are likely to contain a high number of false positives. Images without a user response, processed during suboptimal user states are flagged for reprocessing as these may contain targets that the user may not have detected.
US08374677B2
An MRI-guided interventional system for use with a body of patient and an interventional device includes a base and a targeting cannula. The base is configured to be secured to the body of the patient. The targeting cannula has an elongate guide bore extending axially therethrough and an inlet and an outlet at opposed ends of the guide bore. The guide bore defines a trajectory axis extending through the inlet and the outlet and being configured to guide placement of the interventional device. The frame is operable to move the targeting cannula relative to the base to position the trajectory axis to a desired intrabody trajectory to guide placement of the interventional device in vivo. The inlet tapers from an outer diameter distal from the guide bore to an inner diameter proximate the guide bore to guide and facilitate insertion of the interventional device into the guide bore.
US08374670B2
A mapping and ablation catheter with contact force sensing capabilities at a distal end, includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a tip distal section which has a tip electrode and a contact force sensor for sensing a 3D contact force vector applied to the tip electrode. In contact with the tip electrode, the contact force sensor has a body and has at least one sensor with an electrical characteristic that is responsive to deformation of the body resulting from force vector. The sensor is adapted to receive an electrical current and to output an electrical signal indicative of a change in the electrical characteristic. In one embodiment, the sensor is a strain gage responsive to tension and compression of at least a portion of the body of the force sensor and the electrical characteristic of the strain gage that is monitored is electrical resistivity. In another embodiment, the sensor is responsive to strain and stress of at least a portion of the body, and the electrical characteristic being monitored is inductance or hysteresis loss.
US08374667B2
Systems and methods for dynamically and intelligently estimating analyte data from a continuous analyte sensor, including receiving a data stream, selecting one of a plurality of algorithms, and employing the selected algorithm to estimate analyte values. Additional data processing includes evaluating the selected estimative algorithms, analyzing a variation of the estimated analyte values based on statistical, clinical, or physiological parameters, comparing the estimated analyte values with corresponding measure analyte values, and providing output to a user. Estimation can be used to compensate for time lag, match sensor data with corresponding reference data, warn of upcoming clinical risk, replace erroneous sensor data signals, and provide more timely analyte information encourage proactive behavior and preempt clinical risk.
US08374664B2
The invention offers a container for a superconducting apparatus and a superconducting apparatus. The container mounts in it a superconducting coil as a member including a superconductor. The container is provided with a vacuum insulated container 20 as a housing case made of resin and provided with an opening, a lead electrode 50 as a metal member positioned such that it passes through the opening, and a combination of connecting members 63 and 65 that covers the opening, that connects the lead electrode 50 to the vacuum insulated container 20, and that is provided with a curved portion as a thermal-stress-alleviating portion. Having the foregoing structure, the container can suppress the development of separation and cracks at the portion where the metal member passes though and is fixed to the wall of the container that mounts in it a superconductor such as a superconducting coil.
US08374663B2
A cooling system and method for cooling superconducting magnet coils are provided. One magnet system for a superconducting magnet device includes a cooling system having at least one coil support shell, a plurality of superconducting magnet coils supported by the at least one coil support shell and a plurality of cooling tubes thermally coupled to the at least one coil support shell. The magnet system also includes a cryorefrigerator system fluidly coupled with the plurality of cooling tubes forming a closed circulation cooling system.
US08374653B2
There is provided a communication apparatus and an air-cooling method for the same, in which the air-cooling mode can be easily changed to reduce the cost to increase the number of transceiver units and the space for the housing. The communication apparatus includes transceiver units of a transmission system for communication, the units being installed in a housing and being attachable onto and detachable from the communication apparatus; fan units for forcibly air-cooling heat generated from the transceiver units, the fan units being installed in the housing and being attachable onto and detachable from the communication apparatus. Each transceiver unit includes a transceiver function section including a transceiver function; a forced air-cooling radiator fixedly mounted in the transceiver function section for forcibly air-cooling heat generated from the transceiver function section; and a natural air-cooling radiator mounted in the transceiver function section for naturally air-cooling heat generated from the transceiver function section. The natural air-cooling radiator is attachable onto and detachable from the main transceiver section.
US08374651B2
A communications terminal comprises a display, a first storage for storing data, a second storage unit that stores a first and a second information set, the first information set including a first communications address and a communications recipient's name, and the second information set includes a second communications address and a communications recipient's name, a first display controller displays a text string expressed by data stored in the first storage unit; and a second display controller that identifies a name from the second storage unit included in the text string being displayed. When the name is associated with the first communications address, a screen prompts communications to the first communications address, or when the name is associated with the second communications address, a screen prompts communications to the second communications address.
US08374638B2
According to a particular embodiment, a method for distributing messages is provided that includes receiving one or more short message service (SMS) messages. The method also includes distributing one or more of the messages to a selected one or a plurality of short message service center (SMSC) servers.
US08374631B2
The invention relates to a mechanism for providing location information regarding mobile terminals, especially regarding WLAN terminals. In order that the known mechanism for locating users of a mobile cellular network could be utilized for locating WLAN terminals, a location service request concerning a WLAN terminal is received and routed by the same network elements that receive and route location service requests concerning users of a mobile cellular network. However, in the case of a WLAN terminal the location service request is diverted to a predetermined network element, where the access point currently serving the WLAN terminal is identified. The location information corresponding to the said access point is then determined, and the location information is returned as the location of the terminal. The location of the serving WLAN access point thus represents the location of the WLAN terminal.
US08374629B2
A mobility management method includes: receiving a first location update request sent by a Mobile Agent (MA); and determining, according to the first location update request and a binding relation between an MA context and a UE context, that a User Equipment (UE) moves together with the MA. A mobility management apparatus includes: a location update request receiving unit, configured to receive a first location update request sent by the MA; and a location moving determining unit, configured to determine, according to the first location update request and a binding relation between the MA context and the UE context, that the UE moves together with the MA.
US08374628B1
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a first telephone device and at a second telephone device, a request to accept a telephone call. The method further includes obtaining information that indicates a first current geographic location of the first telephone device or the associated first user based on the second telephone device or an associated second user being a member of a group of call recipients that are permitted to receive the information that indicates the first current geographic location. The method additionally includes, using the obtained information, providing a representation of the first current geographic location of the first telephone device on the second telephone device in association with the telephone call from the first telephone device.
US08374627B2
The present invention relates to a method and system to display information about an object. The system includes a mobile device to relay information about an object to a location content provider. The location content provider formats the information into a visual representation and transmits the information to, one or more digital television provides. One or more of the digital television provides can forward the information to a recipient to display on the recipient's television.
US08374623B2
Methods are disclosed for controlling mobile computing devices such as laptops, PDAs and cellular telephones, based on their location. A mobile computing device may include a software-rendered map of defined geographic regions, location handlers for defining behavior of a mobile device in a given geographic region, and a location handling engine for determining when a new geographic zone has been entered and exited, and for executing and terminating location handlers accordingly.
US08374619B2
Embodiments of the invention provide for allocating spectrum in a wireless communication system that supports simultaneously at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. Logic is arranged for determining a proportion of spectrum required for the wireless communication unit to operate simultaneously in both the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. Logic for allocating spectrum allocates a temporary guard band between a first portion of spectrum for the first mode of operation and a second portion of spectrum for the second mode of operation for use while the wireless communication unit operates simultaneously in the first mode of operation and second mode of operation.
US08374611B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for performing a handover by a serving base station in a communication system. A handover request message is received from a mobile station. A first handover response message is transmitted to the mobile station. The first handover response message includes a list of at least one neighbor base station. A handover indication message including a value of a handover indication type field is received. The value is determined by the mobile station from among at least two values individually indicating at least one of a handover cancel and the handover rejection. The value representing the handover cancel indicates that the mobile station intends to cancel a handover procedure, and the value representing the handover rejection indicates that the mobile station intends to reject performing handover with any of the at least one neighbor base stations in the list.
US08374610B2
Systems and Methods for Independent Setting of Cell Change Network Control Mode and Notification of Cell Change Mode for Uncontrolled Cells are provided. In some cases, separate behavior is specified for mobile stations in respect of uncontrolled cells. In some cases, behavior is signaled by the signaling used for normal cells, but different meaning is attributed to the signaling. In some cases, at least one further criterion is combined with the signaling for controlled cells to determine the behavior for controlled cells. In some cases, additional signaling is employed.
US08374599B2
In a communication network architecture, a service provider monitors its customer's experience as the customer selects and uses services offered by the service provider. An agent, such as software installed on-board the customer's mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the services, and communicates the measured parameters to the service provider, over the communication network.
US08374597B2
A cooperative system for testing signal strength near a target area selected by a wireless provider is disclosed, using test units installed in the fleet vehicles of an unrelated service enterprise. The system in one embodiment includes an algorithm for comparing test parameters to the route data contained in the dispatch plan for the fleet vehicles, in order to identify the optimal routes on which to send test units. A computer software product for storing the parameters and executing the algorithms is also disclosed. Signal testing in a target area is accomplished through the symbiotic relationship between the testing units and the fleet vehicles, whereby the wireless provider benefits from unit carriage along routes already being traveled by the fleet vehicles for a different purpose. This Abstract is provided quickly inform a reader about the subject matter, and not for use interpreting the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08374595B2
A handheld electronic device and an operating method thereof are provided, in which at least two sets of sound outputting modules and sound receiving modules are disposed in the handheld electronic device. The operating method detects an orientation of the handheld electronic device by a motion detecting module and enables different sets of the sound outputting modules and the sound receiving modules according to a variation of the orientation of the handheld electronic device, so as to change a direction of a call operation, and thus a user can successfully make a phone call, even if the handheld electronic device is held upside down. Furthermore, the operating method can control the sound outputting modules and the sound receiving modules individually or collectively according to actual demands to achieve a multifunctional product design.
US08374589B2
A method, arrangement and network entities for controlling supplementary subscriber services in first (1) and second (12) operatively connected, overlayed telecommunications networks. Supplementary subscriber services available to a subscriber (4) in the first telecommunications network (1) may be executed in the second telecommunications network (12). These supplementary subscriber services are controlled by the subscriber (4) from the first telecommunications network (1). The first telecommunications network (1) is provided with a supplementary subscriber services handling indicator (20), indicating in which one of the first (1) and second (12) telecommunications network a supplementary subscriber service of a subscriber (4) is to be executed. Based on this supplementary subscriber services handling indicator (20), while maintaining a user control interface in the first telecommunications network (1), supplementary subscriber services control messages are processed in the respective network (1; 12) in which a particular supplementary service is to be executed.
US08374588B2
Methods and systems for sending marketing messages to mobile-device users from a mobile-commerce platform are described. In various illustrative embodiments, a marketing message is transmitted to a mobile-device user before, during, or after a transaction between the mobile-device user's mobile device and the mobile-commerce platform. The marketing message can be generated and timed based on rules input to the mobile-commerce platform by a merchant and can be based on historical transaction data associated with the mobile-device user, transaction parameters associated with a current or a most-recently-completed transaction involving the mobile-device user, a transaction type of a current or a most-recently-completed transaction involving the mobile-device user, or a combination thereof, depending on the particular embodiment.
US08374586B2
A system and method including one or more cameras or other sensors to monitor an area, and to transmit such images or sensory data to a local hub that may include a cellular modem. The hub may transmit images or data to a remote cellular handset, where a user may view the images or data, and may transmit a signal back to the hub to take an action in or relating to the area being monitored or relating to the camera or sensor monitoring the area.
US08374582B2
A method and system for accessing a cellular mobile communication network, the method includes: after a terminal and a base station complete a ranging process, the terminal carrying out a basic capability negotiation with the base station, the base station and the terminal carrying out a WAPI access authentication process; and the terminal carrying out a subsequent access flow to access the cellular mobile communication network; wherein the WAPI access authentication process includes: the terminal sending an access authentication request packet, including a certificate and a signature of the terminal, to the base station; the base station authenticating the signature of the terminal, including the certificate into a certificate authentication request packet to send to an authentication server to perform validation; the base station sending an access authentication response packet to the terminal, and carrying out a unicast session key negotiation with the terminal to obtain a unicast session key.
US08374581B2
Wireless communications device and method for use with telephone network edge node providing privacy
A wireless device connects to one or more network node devices that are in turn connected to one or more wirelines. The wireless device has one or more wireless signal generators supporting one or more of the wireless connections and one or more memories to store an identifier. One or more negotiators negotiate with the network node device in order to establish a connection to one or more wirelines connected to the network node and a requesting process requests bridging to a call in progress.
US08374576B2
The cumulative utilization of communication system resources by a communication terminal is determined. An alert is generated through the communication terminal in response to the cumulative utilization exceeding a threshold amount. The cumulative utilization of resources may be determine by a core network of the communication system and/or by the communication terminal. The core network may transmit an alert message to the communication terminal to trigger an alert therefrom in response to the cumulative utilization of resources exceeding a threshold value.
US08374574B1
A wireless device such as a cellular phone is disclosed. The cellular phone is adapted to store a voice message picked-up by a microphone and store voice data representing the voice message in a memory. The cellular phone is further adapted to initiate a call such as an emergency 911 call in response to a turbo-dial or speed-dial key stroke initiated by the user. The cellular phone transmits the stored voice message, along with position data obtained by an onboard geolocation receiver, when the call is established.
US08374573B1
An automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system signal processing technique which provides improved performance and reliability and which substantially eliminates the adverse effect of ambient noise signals on the detection of permissible code sequences by an AVI receiver. Input signals to an AVI receiver are filtered to strip off all frequency components except those at the carrier frequency. The filtered signals are subjected to variable gain amplification over a substantially linear operating range with the maximum amplitude of the amplified signals limited to a maximum value below the supply voltage and within the linear range of the variable gain amplifier. The amplified signals are converted to a binary pulse train signifying the temporal length of each active carrier period and the temporal length of each quiescent carrier period. The binary pulse train is decoded and a valid vehicle signal is generated if the decoded binary pulse train matches a permissible code sequence.
US08374566B2
Integrated wideband RF tracking filter for RF front end with parallel band switched tuned amplifiers
A wideband RF tracking filter having a set of parallel tuned resonator amplifier stages with a de-Q resistor for each subband is disclosed. The resonant amplifier contains programmable tuned LC tank impedance and an array of parallel voltage to current converters (V2I) for each subband. The de-Q resistor together with the array of V2I converters provides a flat gain over each subband and each of the other subbands covering different frequencies.
US08374555B2
A method for compensating the axial ratio of an antenna for testing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method includes the following steps. An initial location of the RFID tag (or a tagged product) is set to obtain an initial vector. The RFID tag and the antenna are respectively rotated with a first axis and a second axis to detect characteristics of the RFID tag in all directions, and the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular. A polarization angle of the RFID tag is calculated according to the initial vector of the RFID tag and a location of the RFID tag after rotation. A compensation value is obtained through a look up table according to the polarization angle, so as to compensate for the axial ratio of the antenna.
US08374553B1
A wireless sub-surface soil sensor having a switchable configuration antenna that can be optimized for various soils is disclosed herein. The wireless sub-surface sensor also measures the moisture and salinity of a material. The wireless sub-surface sensor preferably includes a cover for protecting circuitry of the sensor. The wireless soil sensor is designed to be buried underground and to transmit to above ground receivers, which provide feedback for configuring the switchable antenna.
US08374548B2
A system for controlling the operation of a remote device via wireless communication. The remote device includes resources for communication via at least two different short-range wireless mediums with different operational ranges. The sensing of a scanning communication signal from a first wireless medium may trigger the disconnection of the remote device from an already established connection, through a second wireless communication medium, to the scanning device. The remote device may provide a remote device ID to the scanning device. As a result of this transaction, one or both devices may experience a mode change, which may be signaled by a audible, visual or tactile confirmation to a user.
US08374543B2
An apparatus and method for location estimation in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes identifying if a received at least one signal passed through at least one repeater, when the received at least one signal is identified as having passed through at least one repeater, measuring a Base Station (BS) basis delay time and calculating a repeater basis delay time using the measured BS basis delay time, and estimating a location of the Mobile Station (MS) using the repeater basis delay time.
US08374530B2
Methods and apparatus to develop an electrostatic latent image using conductive particles, such as carbon and metal particles with a low resistance value, without treating the surface with insulation membrane or other insulators that generate impurities in the conductive material printed by the imaging system.
US08374526B2
Disclosed are a transfer unit and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body frame on which one or more image carrying bodies are is supported and a transfer unit coupled to the main body frame. The transfer unit receives one or more images respectively from the one or more image carrying bodies, and may include, for example, an intermediate transfer belt for receiving thereon the one or more images, a transfer roller corresponding to an image carrying body and movable between a first position at which the transfer roller contacts the image carrying body and a second position at which the transfer roller is spaced apart from the image carrying body, an elastic member elastically biasing the transfer roller toward the first position and a guide structure that guides the movement of the transfer roller in a manner opposing the elastic force of the elastic member so as to reduce the speed at which the transfer roller moves from the second position to the first position and to thereby reduce the force of impact with which the transfer roller makes contact with the image carrying body.
US08374523B2
A developing cartridge includes a frame, a developer carrying member, a developer supplying member, and an electrode member. The developer carrying member has a first rotational axis defining an axial direction. The developer supplying member has a second rotational axis parallel to the first rotational axis. Both of the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis lie in a first plane. The electrode member is provided on the frame, and configured to receive an electrical power from an external power supplying member. The electrode member has a contact portion that is configured to contact with the external power supplying member. The contact portion has a linear shape and lies in an imaginary plane that extends parallel to the first rotational axis. The first plane intersects with the imaginary plane at an angle between 45 degrees and 90 degrees.
US08374502B2
A network component comprising a generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) control plane controller configured to implement a method comprising transmitting a message to at least one adjacent control plane controller, wherein the message comprises a Type-Length-Value (TLV) indicating Routing and Wavelength Assignment (RWA) information, wherein the TLV comprises a Node Attribute TLV, a Link Set TLV, or both, and wherein the TLV further comprises at least one sub-TLV indicating additional RWA information. A method comprising communicating an open shortest path first (OSPF) link state advertisement (LSA) message comprising a TLV with at least one sub-TLV to a GMPLS control plane controller, wherein the TLV comprises a Node Attribute TLV, a Link Set TLV, or both, and wherein the TLV further comprises at least one sub-TLV indicating RWA information.
US08374498B2
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising: a diffuser defining a camera lens hole in a top portion of said diffuser, said diffuser adapted to receive at least one set of low angle lights; and a plurality of lights mounted on said diffuser in proximity to said camera lens hole.
US08374484B2
In an information recording apparatus and method, information reproducing apparatus and method, information recording medium, program storage medium, and program, the titles of contents can be read out rapidly to be displayed. Allocation class is provided as attribute information relating to the attributes of files to be recorded on an optical disc, and files with the class of Gathered File are collectively recorded in a Gathered File area which is formed at a prescribed position on the optical disc. File 1 to File 3 including the titles of the contents are recorded in this Gathered File area. The recording area between A1 and A2 for FSD (File System Descriptor) is fixed but the recording area between A3 and A4 of the Gathered File area can be changed if necessary.
US08374475B2
An optical waveguide assembly is described that comprises a storage device having a housing (7) and a rotatable reel (2), configured for storing a flexible optical waveguide, wherein the reel (2) is coupled to a flexible optical waveguide unit (1) having an external diameter (D1) of at most 2 mm for winding and/or unwinding the waveguide unit (1).
US08374467B2
There is provided an optical device including a plurality of Mach-Zehnder modulators; and an input branching waveguide to split an input light so as to direct the resulting light to the plurality of Mach-Zehnder modulators; the Mach-Zehnder modulator comprising: a splitter coupled to the input branching waveguide; pair of waveguides coupled to the splitter; a combiner coupled to the pair of waveguides; and a signal electrode to apply signals to the pair of waveguides; wherein the splitters are disposed in a different orientation to each other.
US08374466B2
A method and apparatus for organizing digital images that contain a persons face is disclosed. A database of known faces allows the faces in the images to be identified. The names of the people identified in the image are used in naming the image files and in naming the path to the image files.
US08374458B2
A face detecting unit detects presence/non-presence of a face and its position from an input image or its reduced image. A parameter calculation control unit calculates a correction parameter according to the presence/non-presence of the face. When the face is detected, a face area correction parameter calculating unit calculates a correction parameter having characteristics such that as a representative luminance value is larger, the image becomes darker, and as smaller, the image becomes brighter based on a boundary luminance level. When a face is not detected, a standard correction parameter calculating unit 4 calculates the correction parameter based on image data of the input image or its reduced image regardless of image contents. An image converting unit converts a pixel value of the input image using the obtained correction parameter so as to correct tone.
US08374453B2
The technology described herein includes integration of image frames. The integration of image frames includes determining a sharpness metric for each image frame in a plurality of image frames. The sharpness metric is indicative of at least one of edge content and an edge size of the image frame. The integration of image frames further includes determining a noise metric for each image frame in the plurality of image frames. The noise metric is indicative of a variation in brightness or color in the image frame. The integration of image frames further includes determining a jitter metric for each image frame in the plurality of image frames. The jitter metric is indicative of spatial shifts between the image frame and other image frames in the plurality of image frames. The integration of image frames further includes generating an integrated image frame from one or more of the plurality of image frames based on the sharpness metric, the noise metric, and the jitter metric.
US08374442B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to classify an input image by determining a spatial-pyramid image representation based on sparse coding; determining a descriptor for each interest point in the input image; encoding the descriptor; and applying max pooling to form the spatial pyramid representation of images.
US08374439B2
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an inputting unit for inputting photography information of an image, a judging unit for judging whether or not information of a major subject in the image is stored in the photography information, a detecting unit for detecting the major subject in the image, a comparing unit for comparing an area of the major subject detected by the detecting unit with an area of the major subject stored in the photography information when it is judged by the judging unit that the information of the major subject in the image is stored in the photography information, and a correcting unit for determining an area of the major subject in accordance with the result of the comparison by the comparing unit to make a correction to the area of the major subject.
US08374434B2
To extract a feature advantageous for classification and correlation by using the information difficult to be acquired even when it is impossible to acquire the information difficult-to-be-acquired from all individuals. Sub-information input device inputs information difficult to be acquired and accumulates the inputted sub-information. Main information input device inputs information easy to be acquired as main information, and accumulates the inputted main information. Sub-information selection device evaluates a category attribution degree of each sub-information accumulated and selects the sub-information of a high category attribution degree. The correlation feature extraction device uses the sub-information selected by the sub-information selection device as the feature extraction filter, and extracts a feature corresponding to the main information from a correlation between the main information and the sub-information.
US08374430B2
A feature-based contrast enhancement apparatus comprises a histogram calculator, a feature value calculator, a first combining circuit, a histogram equalizer and a remapper. By keeping the hardware cost as low as a picture-based contrast enhancement apparatus, the invention has an advantage of suppressing the background noise and enhancing the image details.
US08374429B2
Correction for color fog is securely achieved with limited load of processing. The RGB image data are converted into the luminance and the chromaticity values C1, C2, then a highlight point and a shadow point are determined and are connected to define the axis of the color solid. The color solid is rotated so as that the axis becomes parallel to the luminance axis Y and is so translated in parallel manner that the pixel of the minimum luminance coincides with the original point of the color space.
US08374427B2
An image processing method and an image processing system adapted to processing image information with multiple process pixels are disclosed. The image processing method includes steps of: setting a group of parameters; establishing a luminance lookup table; establishing a chrominance-luminance lookup table; retrieving the image information; determining a format of the image information; and if the format of the image is a first format, utilizing the chrominance-luminance lookup table to generate an adjusted chrominance and a first adjusted luminance corresponding to one of the process pixels; if the format of the image is a second format, utilizing the chrominance-luminance lookup table and the luminance lookup table to generate an adjusted chrominance, a first adjusted luminance, and a second adjusted luminance corresponding to one of the process pixels.
US08374422B2
In the last few years, face expression measurement has been receiving significant attention mainly due to advancements in areas such as face detection, face tracking and face recognition. For face recognition systems, detecting the locations in two-dimension (2D) images where faces are present is a first step to be performed before face expressions can be measured. However, face detection from a 2D image is a challenging task because of variability in imaging conditions, image orientation, pose, presence/absence of facial artefacts facial expression and occlusion. Existing efforts to address the shortcomings of existing face recognition systems deal with technologies for creation of three-dimensional (3D) models of a human subject's face based on a digital photograph of the human subject. However, such technologies are computationally intensive nature and susceptible to errors and hence might not be suitable for deployment. An embodiment of the invention describes a method for identifying face expressions of image objects.
US08374415B2
A method and system for detecting and modeling a catheter in a fluoroscopic image is disclosed. Catheter tip candidates and catheter body candidates are detected in the fluoroscopic image. One of a plurality of trained shape models is fitted to the catheter tip candidates and the catheter body candidates in order to model a shape of the catheter in the fluoroscopic image.
US08374413B2
A method for reconstructing a high quality image from undersampled image data is provided. The image reconstruction method is applicable to a number of different imaging modalities. Specifically, the present invention provides an image reconstruction method that incorporates an appropriate prior image into the image reconstruction process. Thus, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that requires less number of data samples to reconstruct an accurate reconstruction of a desired image than previous methods, such as, compressed sensing. Another aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that imparts the signal-to-noise ratio of a prior image to the desired image being reconstructed. Another aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that, when practiced in the field of x-ray imaging, allows for exposing a subject to substantially less radiation dose than is required in conventional x-ray imaging techniques.
US08374408B2
Paper fingerprint information that represents a fiber pattern unique to a paper sheet is scanned, and the paper fingerprint information and its position information are embedded at two corners as the cater-cornered positions on a paper sheet. The paper fingerprint information is extracted based on the embedded position information.
US08374399B1
An apparatus for authenticating a standardized document is provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a detector operable to detect the presence of the standardized document when the standardized document is being received by the apparatus; (b) a source operable to illuminate the standardized document; and (c) an imaging device operable to capture for authentication an image of the standardized document, wherein the apparatus is operable to determine its location. The apparatus may include a communications module operable to transmit a communication containing information selected from the group consisting of: an indication of time, an indication of location, an indication of the presence of the standardized document, a digital representation of the image, an identification of the standardized document, an indication whether the standardized document has been authenticated, and an indication of a parameter of the apparatus.
US08374385B2
A method of embedding information in an input image, wherein the information includes a plurality of characters, includes: utilizing a processing circuit to receive the information and convert each character included in the information into a corresponding symbol according to a conversion look-up table; setting a position of the corresponding symbol of each character in a data block according to a sequence look-up table to generate the data block; and adding at least the data block to the input image.
US08374369B2
Hearing apparatuses and in particular hearing devices are to be designed to be smaller. To this end, provision is made for an assembly device for fastening a component in the housing of a hearing apparatus with a first arm for retaining the component and a second arm, which can be plugged at least partially into/onto a corresponding fastening element on the interior of the housing. A hinge connects the two arms in a pivotable fashion. After connecting the assembly device to the fastening element, the two arms are snapped onto one another by pivoting about the hinge and thus adopt a final assembly position. This retractable mechanism also allows the use of space below a cover segment of the housing.
US08374360B2
A sound setting apparatus includes: a manipulating unit capable of making an input manipulation in upward, downward, left, right, and rotation directions; a band setting unit that sets each of individual frequency bands corresponding to low, midrange, and high frequencies in controlling an equalizer, in response to an input manipulation to the manipulating unit in the left and right directions; a level setting unit that sets an output level of each of the bands set by the band setting unit, in response to an input manipulation in the upward and downward directions; a center frequency setting unit that sets a center frequency of each of the bands set by the band setting unit, in response to an input manipulation in the rotation directions; and a display unit that collectively displays setting images to set the band, the output level, and the center frequency on a screen on the same layer.
US08374358B2
The invention provides a method for determining a noise reference signal for noise compensation and/or noise reduction. A first audio signal on a first signal path and a second audio signal on a second signal path are received. The first audio signal is filtered using a first adaptive filter to obtain a first filtered audio signal. The second audio signal is filtered using a second adaptive filter to obtain a second filtered audio signal. The first and the second filtered audio signal are combined to obtain the noise reference signal. The first and the second adaptive filter are adapted such as to minimize a wanted signal component in the noise reference signal.
US08374354B2
A method includes receiving, via a network, a request to provision and provide a private key, the private key being for use with a public and private key system. The method further includes identifying a requester that has made the request via the network and initiating a secure session with the requester. The method also includes providing the private key using the secure session, and provisioning the private key. A system is provided including a distribution location providing access to a network, a terminal selectively connected to the network via the distribution location. The system further includes a network authority selectively connected to the network and the terminal, and a certificate authority selectively connected to the network. The certificate authority is configured to provide and provision a private key, and the network authority is configured to selectively provide a secure session between the terminal and the certificate authority.
US08374352B2
Described herein is a context-free protocol (i.e., the COFFEE protocol) for stimulating cooperation among selfish nodes. Various embodiments have the ability to transmit a packet over the path successfully without the dependency on the information of other packets' transmissions. It is assumed that every node in the network is rational, and therefore during the packet forwarding stage, if the intermediate nodes can not clearly tell whether the packet is destined to them or not, they do not simply drop the packet. Thus, in the COFFEE protocol, by introducing several techniques, for a packet received by a node, the node thinks the packet could potentially be destined to itself and forwards the packet to find out the answer. Detailed analysis and performance evaluations have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the COFFEE protocol.
US08374347B2
In record or content control management systems, various selected reference, record control, copy protection or control information signals, or other signifiers, are used to identify control signals, for example, bits, to provide control of subsequent use of data, audio and video signals in the analog and digital domain. Method and apparatus are disclosed for modifying the effects of a content control system as well as for modifying an effect of a copy protection signal. To this end, the reference, record control, copy protection signals, or other control information signals, e.g., content control signals, may be modified to cause an erroneous or unintended reading subsequently of the reference or control signals which in turn correspondingly alters the control command of the record or content control system. Also, included are unique methods for synthesizing a copy protection signal, such as, for example, reducing the amplitude of a portion of a color burst envelope to provide a sporatic color distortion and fluctuating color reproduction on a recording played back from a video recorder.
US08374346B2
A method, apparatus and system for providing pre-authentication and keep-authentication of content protected ports system employing a ratio of one decipher processing engine (e.g., HDCP engine) associated with multiple ports is disclosed is disclosed. In one embodiment, a receiving device is pre-authenticated by a transmitting device, wherein the receiving device to receive a data stream from the transmitting device via a first data path. Further, a first High-Definition Content Protection (HDCP) engine is associated with a first port in the first data path, the first HDCP engine coupled with a second HDCP engine. The second HDCP engine is associated with a plurality of ports in a second data path, each of the plurality of ports associated with a memory pipe having state information relating to each of the plurality of ports, the state information being used to pre-authenticate the receiving device.
US08374342B2
Provided are a scalar multiplier and a scalar multiplication program for performing a scalar multiplication at a high speed. In computing a scalar multiplication [s]P of a rational point P of an additive group E(Fp) including rational points on an elliptic curve where a characteristic p, an order r, and a trace t of a Frobenius endomorphism at an embedding degree k=12 using an integer variable χ are given by: p(χ)=36χ4−36χ3+24χ2−6χ+1, r(χ)=36χ4−36χ3+18χ2−6χ+1=p(χ)+1−t(χ), t(χ)=6χ2+1, the scalar multiplication [s]P is computed as: [s]P=([A]φ′2+[B])P, using a Frobenius map φ′2 given by: [p2]P=φ′2(P) assuming that a twist degree d is 6 and a positive integer e is 2 where k=d×e.
US08374341B2
In the computer data security field, cryptographic hash function processes embodied in a computer system and which are typically keyless, but are highly secure. The processes are based on the type of randomness exhibited by well known table “cue sports” games such as billiards, snooker, and pool played on a billiards table involving the players striking one of a plurality of balls with a cue, the struck ball then hitting other balls, the raised sides of the table, and in some cases one or more balls going into pockets in the corners and/or sides of the table. Computation of the hash value (digest) is the result of providing a model (such as expressed in computer code) of such a game algorithm and using the message as an input to the game algorithm, then executing the game algorithm. A state of the game after one or several “shots” gives the hash digest value of the message.
US08374335B2
Method and system for an Intelligent Prefix Dialer eliminates the necessity for manually dialing an area code as a prefix to a call in telephone systems in which such action is a requirement. The Intelligent Prefix Dialer can be resident in a service provider's Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and is capable of analyzing the dialing sequence from the caller's Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) to determine when the caller wishes to dial seven digits. In the event that the caller has dialed seven digits or less, the present invention can append the abbreviated digits the caller has dialed to a caller defined default prefix, in order to form a complete telephone number to be used by the telephone network to establish the connection to a called party.
US08374331B2
A device for implementing a method of remotely routing a voice call forward to a telematic device is disclosed. The device first maintains a call state of the voice call in response to an answering of call forwarding rings by the telematic device. The device then forwards the calls to the next assigned device in response to a failure of a user of the telematic device to answer fake rings from the telematic device. Such a failure can be indicated by a monitoring of a prescribed number of back ring tones or a dropping of call within a prescribed timer window.
US08374330B2
A method of call control in which a first communications network, detecting calls directed to a destination in the first network; redirects at least some of the calls to a destination in a second network (e.g. on no answer from the destination in the first network). The first network then operates in two phases. In a first phase, for a group of calls redirected to the second network, the time delay before the call is answered in the second network is recorded. When a number of time delays have been recorded, a delay period is set to a value less than the maximum value of the recorded time delays. In a second phase, for a second group of calls redirected to the second network subsequent to the calls of the first group, when a call of the second group is not answered in the second network within the delay period, the call is redirected to a message service associated with the first network.
US08374328B2
A method and system for adding a caller (102) in a blocked list is provided. The blocked list is stored at a communication server (104). The method includes receiving (604) a call from the caller (102) at a communication device (108). Further, the method includes receiving (606) a set of inputs at the communication device (108) in response to the call. The set of inputs includes a set of instructions to add the caller (102) in the blocked list. Furthermore, the method includes transmitting (608) a call termination request to the communication server (104). The call termination request includes the set of instructions to add the caller (102) in the blocked list. Transmission of the call termination request initiates addition of the caller (102) in the blocked list at the communication server (104).
US08374321B2
This relates to a method for determining a receive bit rate over a data link. The method includes setting a receive bit rate to an initial bit rate. A bit pattern over the data link is detected using the initial bit rate. A determination is made as to whether the detected bit pattern matches one of a plurality of known bit patterns corresponding to fractional bit rates. If the detected bit pattern does not match one of the plurality of known bit patterns, then a determination is made as to whether the received data includes a framing error. If it does, then the receive bit rate is lowered to a low detection bit rate that is lower than the fractional bit rates corresponding to the plurality of known bit patterns.
US08374317B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to interactive voice response (IVR) system session management and provide a method, system and computer program product for call interruption handling in an IVR data processing system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for call interruption handling in an IVR data processing system can include detecting a call interruption of a telephone call between a caller and an IVR system during an established IVR session for the caller. The method also can include saving state information for the established IVR session in connection with the caller in response to detecting the call interruption. The method further can include determining a call back number for the caller and initiating a call back of the caller from the IVR system using the call back number of the caller thereby re-establishing an IVR session for the caller. Finally, the method can include restoring the saved state information for the re-established IVR session for the caller.
US08374314B2
The invention comprises an X-ray system that is orientated to provide X-ray images of a patient in the same orientation as viewed by a proton therapy beam, is synchronized with patient respiration, is operable on a patient positioned for proton therapy, and does not interfere with a proton beam treatment path. Preferably, the synchronized system is used in conjunction with a negative ion beam source, synchrotron, and/or targeting method apparatus to provide an X-ray timed with patient respiration and performed immediately prior to and/or concurrently with particle beam therapy irradiation to ensure targeted and controlled delivery of energy relative to a patient position resulting in efficient, precise, and/or accurate noninvasive, in-vivo treatment of a solid cancerous tumor with minimization of damage to surrounding healthy tissue in a patient using the proton beam position verification system.
US08374313B2
A device, system and method for administering radiation therapy to a tissue surface of a patient utilizes an applicator capable of controlled movement and repositioning over a selected area of tissue, under the control of a computer or controller. A servo-controlled manipulator can effect a raster scan of the desired area, such as an area of the skin, and this can be in any desired pattern such as serpentine, spiral, parallel but unidirectional, or irregular patterns. Preferably a third direction of control is included, i.e. a depth direction, with an appropriate form of depth sensor, a signal from which can be used to adjust the radiation source so that radiation of the tissue surface is consistent over varied contoured.
US08374311B2
A method of determining whether a stack of components in a device are in a desired order includes irradiating each of the components in the device with an energy beam. The radiation emissions from each of the irradiated components are detected with a radiation detector. The detected radiation emissions are analyzed using a central processing unit (CPU) to determine whether the components in the device are stacked in the desired order.
US08374303B2
An object is to provide a clock synchronization circuit capable of stable communication even in the case where different clock signals are used in a plurality of circuits, and a semiconductor device provided therewith. Circuit for detecting a change point of received data, and outputting a reset signal; reference clock generating means for generating a clock signal; and circuit for counting the clock signals outputted from the reference clock generation means, and resetting a counter value obtained by counting the clock signals in the case where the reset signal is inputted are provided.
US08374294B2
An apparatus and an associated method for automatic gain control (AGC) are provided to improve the ability to lock effective signal power when interference exists, thereby upgrading the receiver performance of a communication system. The apparatus includes a variable-gain circuit for adjusting the power level of an input signal. The apparatus also includes a gain adjustment circuit and a target value adjustment circuit. The gain adjustment circuit is for adjusting the gain of the variable-gain circuit according to the adjusted input signal and a target value, while the target value adjustment is for dynamically adjusting the target value according to the strength of the adjusted input signal.
US08374293B1
Signal power of a received signal, which has a plurality of preamble sequences associated with sub-carrier signals received from a plurality of sub-carriers, in a cellular Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing system may be estimated by estimating as power for at least one preamble sequence of a signal received at a selected receive antenna. The preamble sequence is associated with a base station and a set of sub-carriers. A differential received signal developed for one of the set of sub-carriers is correlated with a normalized differential transmit signal for the preamble sequence, and the estimate of the power for the at least one preamble sequence is extracted based on the correlation.
US08374273B1
A rake receiver having a plurality of rake fingers is adapted based on a plurality of received signals. The plurality of received signals correspond to a single signal transmitted by a single antenna transceiver and received by a multiple antenna transceiver that includes the rake receiver. Each of a plurality of groups of rake fingers corresponds to a single-input, multiple output (SIMO) channel estimate. One coefficient from each of the plurality of SIMO channel estimates is selected, and a transmit steering vector is calculated based on the selected coefficients. The transmit steering vector is applied to a signal to be transmitted by the multiple antenna transceiver to the single antenna transceiver.
US08374269B2
A data processing apparatus is arranged to map input data symbols to be communicated onto a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed OFDM symbols. The predetermined number of sub-carrier signals is determined in accordance with one of a plurality of operating modes and the input data symbols are divided into first sets of input data symbols and second sets of input data symbols. The data processing apparatus comprises an interleaver operable to perform an odd interleaving process which interleaves the first sets of input data symbols on to the sub-carrier signals of first OFDM symbols and an even interleaving process which interleaves the second sets of input data symbols on to the sub-carrier signals of second OFDM symbols.
US08374268B2
In an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing communication system, a user equipment reports channel quality information that is sufficient to construct a fading profile of a frequency bandwidth and that does not consuming the overhead resulting from the reporting of CQI for every sub-band of the frequency bandwidth. In the communication system, the frequency bandwidth may be represented by multiple sub-band levels, wherein each sub-band level comprises a division of the frequency bandwidth into a number of sub-bands different from the number of sub-bands of the other sub-band levels. The user equipment measures a channel quality associated with each sub-band of a sub-band level of the multiple sub-band levels, selects a sub-band of the sub-band level based on the measured channel qualities, and reports channel quality information associated with the selected sub-band to a radio access network.
US08374266B2
A linear iterative channel estimation scheme and corresponding pilot allocation scheme are provided to perfect a channel model that cancels the Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI) for multi-carrier systems (e.g., OFDM, SC-FDMA, MC-CDMA, etc.) under high mobility conditions. Two issues of the linear iterative channel estimation scheme of the channel model, namely, overloaded pilots and increased Gauss noise are specifically addressed by exemplary embodiments. With the iterative channel estimation scheme provided by the present invention, the minimum pilot number is equal to the length of multi-path delay, and the Gauss noise is not increased.
US08374260B2
A method and a customer's wireless communication device are provided that perform uplink transmit diversity in a switched antenna OFDM communication system. A switching of antennas used by the customer's wireless communication device to transmit an uplink signal is restricted to switching time periods that comprise one or more of a transition gap immediately preceding a transmission of a channel quality-related uplink signal and a time period subsequent to the occurrence of the transition gap but prior to the transmission of the channel quality-related uplink signal, which channel quality-related uplink signal may be used by a serving radio access network to update a channel response and antenna array weights associated with the customer's wireless communication device. The customer's wireless communication device then switches antennas used for uplink transmissions only during the switching time periods.
US08374257B2
The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for superposition coding and interference cancellation in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system. In one example, the method includes demultiplexing a signal of a user into at least first and second signal portions and demultiplexing a signal of another user into at least third and fourth signal portions. Superposition coding is performed on the first and third signal portions to form a first composite signal and performed on the second and fourth signal portions to form a second composite signal. The first composite signal is transmitted via at least one antenna of a MIMO system and the second composite signal is transmitted via at least another antenna of the MIMO system.
US08374255B2
A moving picture sequence is divided into key frames, which are coded by a conventional method, and non-key frames, which are coded to obtain error-correcting information. The encoder and decoder independently generate predicted images for each non-key frame. The encoder compares its predicted image with the original non-key frame to estimate how much error-correcting information the decoder will need to decode the non-key frame by correcting prediction errors in the decoder's predicted image, and sends the decoder that amount of error-correcting information together with correlation information indicating how closely the predicted image and the original non-key frame are correlated. Before decoding the non-key frame, the decoder modifies the correlation information to compensate for differences in the prediction methods employed by the encoder and decoder. The modification enables the decoding process to converge faster.
US08374251B2
This invention is a digital television receiver receiving alternative broadcasts. Separate tuners receive separate broadcast signals, such as 12-segment HDTV and 1-segment QVGA. A multiplexer selects one tuner based upon receiver status of a first tuner. The selected signal is decoded and resized for a display. The decoder uses a frame buffer of images in the resized size. In the preferred embodiment the input signals are a 12-segment HDTV broadcast and a 1-segment QVGA broadcast and the resized size is VGA.
US08374240B1
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with image frame management are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes classifier logic to categorize frames that represent an image as either reference frames or non-reference frames, where the categorization is based, at least in part, on motion vectors between the frames. The apparatus further includes management logic to store the reference frames and to delete the non-reference frames. Image generation logic may then reproduce the image by using the stored reference frames.
US08374237B2
Methods, systems, and computer programs for improved quality video compression. Image quality from MPEG-style video coding may be improved by preserving a higher number of bits during intermediate encoding and decoding processing steps. Problems of inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) mismatch can be eliminated by exactly matching the IDCT function numerical algorithm of the decoder to the IDCT function numerical algorithm used for the decoding portion of the encoder. Also included is an application of high precision compression to wide dynamic range images by extending the range of the “quantization parameter” or “QP”. The extension of QP may be accomplished either by increasing the range of QP directly, or indirectly through a non-linear transformation. Also included is an application of extended intermediate processing precision and an extended QP range to reduced contrast regions of an image to extend the precision with which the low-contrast portions are compression coded.
US08374235B2
A digital broadcast system and a data processing method are disclosed. A data processing method of a digital broadcast transmission system includes delaying a reference time of a program clock reference (PCR) based on a size of mobile service data, when processing a broadcasting signal including main service data and the mobile service data, verifying a transport stream system target decoder (T-STD) model based on the PCR of the delayed reference time, and storing a packet of the main service data in an auxiliary buffer, when overflow of a buffer in the T-STD model is estimated as the verification result of the T-STD model.
US08374227B2
The invention refers to analyzing a digitally modulated test signal received from a device under test -DUT-, comprising providing a first sampled signal by assigning a first sequence of digital values as result of a level comparison of the test signal with a first threshold at first successive timing points, generating a first masking signal indicating matches between a second sequence of digital values expected from the DUT and one or a plurality of first data patterns, and analyzing the first sampled signal in conjunction with the masking signal.
US08374226B2
A multicarrier modem has a plurality of carriers over which data is transmitted. By assigning, for example, one or more different margins to the individual carriers the data rate and impairment immunity can be increased.
US08374223B2
A BOC signal acquisition and tracking apparatus and method. In the present invention, at least a BOC signal, a BOC-cos signal and a PRN coded signal are generated for a received signal. Depending on application condition (e.g. acquisition mode or tracking mode), autocorrelation of the BOC signal is combined with cross-correlation of the BOC signal and one of the BOC-cos signal and the PRN coded signal to generate a proper combined correlation result.
US08374220B2
A communication receiver includes first and second antenna elements for receiving first and second signals respectively representative of first and second symbols encoded with a first or second channel coefficient and first and second delay lines for delaying the first and second signals respectively. A master rake module up-samples a pilot channel sequence at chip rate to mix it with the second delayed signals to deliver correlated delayed signals and to determine first and second channel coefficient estimates from the first delayed signals and the correlated delayed signals. A slave rake module determines first and second auxiliary composite symbols from the first and second delayed signals, a scrambling code sequence and a spreading code sequence. Lastly the first and second auxiliary composite symbols combine with the first and second channel coefficient estimates to determine first and second output signals.
US08374210B2
Data is received with a transceiver circuit with a receiver branch (14) that comprises a notch filter (140) and a digital Fourier transformer (146). Furthermore the transceiver circuit has a transmitter branch (16) comprising an inverse digital Fourier transformer (160). Prior to reception the transceiver circuit is switched to a calibration mode, wherein an output of the transmitter branch (16) is coupled to an input of the notch filter (140). The inverse digital Fourier transformer (160) of the transmitter is used to compute an inverse transform of a spectrum with a frequency component at a selected position. A signal derived from the inverse transform is applied to an input of the notch filter (140) in the calibration mode. The digital Fourier transformer (146) is used to Fourier transform an output signal of the notch filter (140). A control setting of the notch filter to suppress the frequency component from an output of the digital Fourier transformer (146) is determined. A parameter derived from said control setting is stored in a memory (149a). After the transceiver circuit is switched to a reception mode, a received interfering signal and an interference frequency of the received interfering signal are detected. The stored parameter to translate the detected interference frequency into a control setting of the notch filter (140).
US08374206B2
Combining multiple laser beams to form high repetition rate, high average power polarized laser beam
Two pulsed lasers (14) or sets of lasers propagate beams of pulses (20) having orthogonally related polarization states. A beam combiner (24) combines the orthogonal beams to form a combined beam propagating along a common beam path (16) to intersect an optical modulator (30) that selectively changes the polarization state of selected pulses of either beam to provide a composite beam (18) including similarly polarized pulses from the orthogonal beams. The composite polarized beam has a composite average power and a composite repetition rate that are greater than those provided by either laser. The optical modulator can also selectively control the polarization states of pulses from either laser to pass through or be blocked by a downstream polarizer (32). Additional modulators may facilitate pulse shaping of the pulses. The system is scalable by addition of sets of single lasers or pairs of lasers with beam combiners and modulators.
US08374205B2
Provided is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser that includes a plurality of laminated semiconductor layers including an active layer and that oscillates at a wavelength λ1, wherein a resonator is formed by upper and lower multilayer reflecting mirrors has a structure that generates a longitudinal multimode, and the first active layer is arranged at a position shifted from a standing wave loop of the first longitudinal mode. According to the vertical cavity surface emitting laser capable of suppressing oscillation of the second longitudinal mode with a large gain and capable of single longitudinal mode oscillation based on the first longitudinal mode, the longitudinal mode spacing is narrowed by increasing the length of the resonator for single transverse mode oscillation at a high output, and the single longitudinal mode oscillation is possible even if longitudinal multimode oscillation occurs.
US08374203B2
Apparatus and method to achieve a constant sample rate for multiplexed signals with frame boundaries
Given a hardware platform capable of capturing framed data in a multiplexed fashion from multiple sources, a method and apparatus are shown for providing a constant frame rate for each logical stream.
US08374202B2
A wireless communication method wherein the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the conventional one and a wireless communication apparatus can synchronize its super-frame with the super-frame of another wireless communication apparatus in an ad hoc network. According to this method, in the ad hoc network where a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses use broadband signals to data-communicate with each other, a wireless communication apparatus transmits an end tone (201) for identifying the end of a super-frame (221), and when another wireless communication apparatus receives the end tone (202), it synchronizes the end of its super-frame (221) with the end of the foregoing super-frame (221). In this way, the super-frames (221) can be synchronized even without any beacons.
US08374199B2
The present invention allows communicating devices to control the amount of compression used in packet sessions for transmitting streaming media to and from each other. When a communicating device detects a decrease in performance or quality of service indicative of a limited bandwidth condition, the amount of compression for the current or subsequent sessions is temporarily increased to allow the currently available bandwidth to support the session or subsequent sessions. After a set period of time, or when the limited bandwidth condition is removed, communications associated with the sessions can revert back to transporting uncompressed data or reducing the amount of compression for the sessions, thus using more of the available bandwidth.
US08374197B2
A method for link adaptation at a base station using metric feedback is disclosed. The method can include the steps of communicating with a mobile station over a communication link having one or more sub-channels and during the communication, receiving from the mobile station a plurality of mutual information per coded bit metrics for a plurality of candidate modulation types per coding layer. The mutual information per coded bit metrics can be based on channel state knowledge of the sub-channels. Also, based on the received information, the operational performance of the mobile station can be predicted in view of one or more transmission parameters and performance factors and one or more of the transmission parameters, including a modulation type selected from one of the plurality of candidate modulation types per coding layer, can be selected based on a transmission condition of the communication link.
US08374196B2
Methods and apparatus for a switchable balun for combined BLUETOOTH® and WLAN operation. A switchable balun is provided that includes an input circuit for receiving an amplified signal, the input circuit comprising first and second coils connected at a center tap, an output circuit comprising a third coil that is inductively coupled to the first and second coils, the output circuit for outputting an adjusted version of the amplified signal for transmission in a selected transmission mode, and a switch coupled to the center tap, wherein the switch is configured to couple a first voltage to the center tap to select operation in a first transmission mode and to couple a second voltage to the center tap to select operation in a second transmission mode.
US08374193B2
A communication method for performing a communication among a plurality of communication devices sharing a communication band, includes a first step of transmitting notification signal during a first period to notify information for arbitrating the communication device capable of performing data transmission during a second period subsequent to the first period, and a second step of transmitting data from the communication device, capable of performing the data transmission during the second period based on the notification signal transmitted during the first period, in specific period in the second period allocated to the data transmitted from the communication device.
US08374190B2
Wireless communication method and apparatus for providing high speed downlink packet access services
A method and wireless multi-cell communication system for providing high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) services. The system includes a radio network controller (RNC) in communication with a plurality of base stations. The RNC sends a control signal to at least one base station having a plurality of timeslots, e.g., in a time division duplex (TDD) system and/or frames including transmission timing intervals (TTIs), e.g., in a frequency division duplex (FDD) system assigned thereto for the establishment of HSDPA channels. The control signal indicates a maximum allowed HSDPA transmit power for each of the timeslots and/or TTIs. The base station sends a feedback signal to the RNC indicating the results of measurements of the power of the transmitted HSDPA timeslots and/or TTIs during a predetermined time period.
US08374187B2
The aim of the invention is to localise a terminal (10) when accessing an IP service (15), by means of an access network (1, 2). To this end, a method for allocating an IP address to the terminal (10) is carried out, a database (8) memorises the IP address allocated to the terminal (10) in association with a terminal or user identifier and an identifier of an access point wherein the terminal accesses the access network (1, 2), the access point being associated with localisation information, and the database transmits the localisation information associated with the identifier of the terminal or the user to the service.
US08374184B2
A method and mobile terminal for acquiring a packet service in a mobile communication system is provided. A mobile terminal of the present invention determines, when it powers on, whether to register with a network on the basis of previously stored packet service usage frequency and updates, when using the packet service after registering with the network, the packet service usage frequency. The mobile terminal of the present invention can reduce waste of resources required for the packet service by reducing communication with the network. A packet service acquisition method of the present invention helps reduces a number of mobile terminals registered with a network, whereby the network can reduce its processing load, resulting in improvement of network throughput.
US08374178B2
An apparatus and a method for operating an exchange in order to support Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system are provided. In the method, when a setup request signal is received from a calling Internet phone, first mapping of an IP address and a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port of the calling Internet phone to first embedded Media Proxy Solution (eMPS) IP address and UDP port is performed. A setup request of the calling Internet phone including the first eMPS IP address and UDP port information is relayed to a called Internet phone. A response signal including an IP address and an UDP port of the called Internet phone is received from the called Internet phone in response to the setup request. Second mapping of the IP address and UDP port of the called Internet phone to second eMPS address and UDP port is performed. A response signal including the second eMPS IP address and UDP port information is relayed to the calling Internet phone in response to the setup request.
US08374174B2
A method of operation of a communication device. A first communication module is operatively coupled to a second communication module within the communication device. The second communication module is designed for carrier sensing. An instruction is communicated from the first communication module to the second communication module to begin sensing a channel on behalf of the first communication module. Next, the first communication module is informed of channel activity status by the second communication module. Thereafter, the first communication module transmits on the channel when no activity is detected on the channel.
US08374168B2
A telephone connection is established between a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is presumed to be associated with a subscription in a first home telephone network in which the terminal is identified by a first network identity. Correspondingly, the second terminal is presumed to be associated with a subscription in a second home telephone network in which the second terminal is identified by a second network identity. A host resource routes a call from the first terminal to the second terminal based on a combination of the first network identity and a first common telephone number in the first home telephone network dialed by the first terminal. The first common telephone number is selected such that it is unique and is adapted to be shared among a group of users in the first home telephone network.
US08374166B1
A method that includes receiving a first call request from a second user to a first user, establishing a first dialog between a network element and the first user, establishing a second dialog between the network element and the second user, establishing a third dialog between the network element and a third user in response to a second call request from a third user, establishing a fourth dialog between the network element and the first user as a result of establishing the third dialog, waiting for a response from the first user in the fourth dialog and receiving one or more indications of actions from the first user to manage the disposition of the second call request.
US08374163B2
A first wireless node may synchronize its timeslots with the timeslots of a second wireless node that was previously transmitting and receiving data in an asynchronous manner with respect to the timeslots of the first wireless node. By synchronizing timeslots, the wireless nodes may avoid interference that may otherwise occur if the wireless nodes operate in an asynchronous manner. A wireless node shares its timing information with other wireless nodes by repeatedly transmitting timing reference signals in conjunction with a synchronization metric that defines the relative priority of the timing reference. In the event a wireless node does not receive a GPS-based timing reference, the wireless node may synchronize to a timing reference based on the parameters of the synchronization metric of that timing reference. In the event a wireless node does not receive any timing references, the wireless node may define and advertise it's a timing reference and associated synchronization metric. To avoid synchronization race conditions, the synchronization metrics may be defined such that wireless nodes that have different timing references will advertise different synchronization metrics.
US08374152B2
A cell selection system selects a cell to be used for communications by a mobile terminal in a network having a cell of a mobile phone network and WLAN cells included in the cell. Broadcast information including cell selection information is transmitted in the cell of the mobile phone network. This cell selection information has cell change judgment parameters whose patterns are less than the WLAN cells. The mobile terminal reads the cell selection information from the broadcast information of the mobile phone network, determines a parameter to be used for the judgment on cell selection of a WLAN cell, and judges whether the cell can be changed or not. The cell reselection system restricts the amount of data in the broadcast information even with an increase in the number of WLAN cells included in the cell of the mobile phone network.
US08374151B2
A method and system for acquiring continuous packet connectivity technology support capability information. The method comprises the following steps: sending a radio link establishing request message or a radio link adding request message to a drift radio network controller when it is monitored that a UE needs to establish or add a radio link with a cell dominated by the drift radio network controller, by means of a serving radio network controller; adding a continuous packet connectivity technology support capability information of an adjacent cell into a radio link establishing response message or a radio link adding response message after the radio link establishing request message or the radio link adding request message is received, and returning the radio link establishing response message or the radio link adding response message to the serving radio network controller, by means of the drift radio network controller; acquiring the continuous packet connectivity technology support capability information of the adjacent cell from the radio link establishing response message or the radio link adding response message, after the radio link establishing response message or the radio link adding response message is received, by means of the serving radio network controller.
US08374143B2
A method of transmitting uplink data in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving an uplink grant and transmitting uplink data through a resource block which is indicated by the resource block index in a control region of a slot indicated by the slot indicator in the subframe.
US08374136B2
A method for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) using a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmit diversity scheme is described. A UCI is coded with a Reed-Muller code to obtain a coded UCI. The coded UCI is mapped to quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) symbols to obtain a mapped coded UCI. A phase shift is applied to the mapped coded UCI based on an acknowledge/negative-acknowledge (ACK/NACK) to obtain a phase shifted mapped coded UCI. The mapped coded UCI is sent using a PUCCH resource on a first antenna. The phase shifted mapped coded UCI is sent using a PUCCH resource on a second antenna.
US08374122B2
A system and method wherein mobile nodes scan both 802.16 and 802.11 radio channels for neighbor access points. A mobile node reports both WiMax and WiFi neighbor access points to its parent access point. A parent access point advertises both WiMax and WiFi neighbor access points to child mobile nodes to facilitate faster roaming and load balancing. A parent WiMax AP can direct a mobile node to roam to a neighbor WiFi access point that has a lighter load or offers enhanced services. As an option, a location tracking protocol is used to determine the location of a mobile node and the mobile node's parent AP advertises neighbor APs that offer services in the mobile node's location.
US08374121B2
One illustrative method for use in efficiently establishing a data connection, such as a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context, between a mobile station and a wireless communication network includes the steps of causing at least one data connection request to be transmitted to the wireless network in attempt to establish a data connection between the mobile station and the wireless network; setting a delay timer to an initial value and running the delay timer; if the data connection has not been established in response to transmitting the at least one data connection request, causing at least one subsequent data connection request to be transmitted after expiration of the delay timer set to the initial value; setting the delay timer to a subsequent initial value which is greater than the initial value and running the delay timer; and if the data connection has not been established in response to transmitting the at least one subsequent data connection request, causing at least one other subsequent data connection request to be transmitted after expiration of the delay timer set to the subsequent initial value. This technique continues until the data connection is established with the wireless network, if at all. If a new wireless network is selected during the technique, the process is reset such that the first initial value is again utilized first for the delay timer. Preferably, the technique works in combination with relatively more quick retries implemented in lower radio layer(s) (i.e. the physical, data link, or network layer). Thus, each data connection request may be a plurality of data connection retries which are performed much closer together in time than other retry attempts.
US08374119B2
A method for adjusting a granularity of resource allocation in a wireless mobile communication system supporting a compact scheduling is discussed. A resource indication value (RIV) corresponds to a start index (S) of one set of consecutive virtual resource blocks (VRBs) and a length of the VRBs. The start index (S) is selected from among ‘s’ values (where s=P+mT
US08374104B2
One embodiment of the invention employs techniques for the self-installation of network devices using fire-and-forget principles. These devices modify their own network configuration data, but do not modify the network configuration data of other devices. Utilizing fire-and-forget principles, the need for a central database and central authority on the network is not required but may still be used.
US08374102B2
A system and method for collecting packet flow statistics within a network node includes forwarding packet flows received at the network node between subscribers of one or more network services and one or more providers of the network services. The flow statistics related to each of the packet flows passing through the network node are collected and statistics summaries are generated in real-time within the network node summarizing the flow statistics on a per subscriber basis.
US08374100B2
A system and method for multiband rate scaling for communication, particularly wireless communication. A band is used as a parameter for wireless communication performance when a wireless communication channel has a plurality of available bands for communication. A selected communication band may be switched to another available communication band, where the switching may be based on a desired performance determination.
US08374083B2
A method for priority-based network congestion control may be implemented by a network entity. The method may include determining one or more priorities associated with a service request that is being processed by the network entity. The method may also include determining resource availability. The method may also include determining whether to grant the service request based on the one or more priorities associated with the service request and the resource availability.
US08374082B2
An advanced bandwidth manager (ABM) comprises a session/call admission controller (S/CAC) to manage network ingress traffic when a packet-switched network nears or exceeds its capacity due to changes in the network, e.g., component failures or incremental growth. Ever-changing network topology information is gathered from remote listeners about how traffic is being routed through various parts of the network. These reports are harmonized to build a single view of the network topology, and the point-to-point connections are abstracted into path tables. Autonomous policy enforcement points (PEP's) provide short-term, application-aware controls on their own that are applied to the corresponding network ingress traffic. The S/CAC uses the path tables constructed to calculate whether the PEP's can admit more or should shed sessions/calls to keep service up for all existing application traffic. Long-term controls are periodically downloaded as admission tables from the S/CAC to the PEP's.
US08374081B2
In a telecommunications network including a gateway network element in communication with a control system and a user device, a system and method of controlling a data consumption rate of the user device including: a first control system node periodically transmitting a command to a second control system node, the message including information relating to a user's data usage, received from the gateway network node; in response to each command, the second control system node transmitting a reply message to the first control system node; controlling the transmission of the periodic commands according to a variable time interval; and the second control system node using the data usage information received in the periodic reply messages to control the data consumption of the user device. Preferably the control system conforms to a 3GPP Policy Charging Control Architecture and the first node is a PCEF and the second node is a PCRF. It is also preferable that the command is a DIAMETER protocol Accounting Request (ACR) command and the reply message is a DIAMETER protocol Accounting Answer (ACA) message.
US08374079B2
A proxy server in an SIP network includes the common SIP proxy server function 11, the function of determining whether an SIP request and an SIP response received by the proxy server 10 belong to a call flow encountering a failure of the working SIP server 30, and the function of, when determination is made that they belong to a call flow encountering a failure, referring to the contents of the received SIP request and SIP response to specify a destination to which the SIP request and the SIP response are to be transmitted next.
US08374074B2
A method of reducing a signal peak to average power ratio (PAPR) for a transmission channel in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The transmission channel is divided into a plurality of channel segments, and the method includes calculating PAPRs corresponding to the plurality of channel segments by a plurality of phase rotation vectors; selecting a plurality of specified phase rotation vectors from the plurality of phase rotation vectors according to the calculated PAPRs; and using one of the plurality of specified phase rotation vectors to rotate a phase of a signal to be transmitted.
US08374072B2
Efficient apparatus and method for Zadoff-Chu (“Chu”) sequence generation avoids additional processing and hardware complexity of conventional quadratic generating formula followed by Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) with a reference signal generator that produces both a Zadoff-Chu sequence and its DFT. In the wireless communication system (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) system), Chu sequences are extensively used, especially in the uplink (UL). Because of the single carrier operating mode, transmitting a Chu sequence in principle involves a succession of generating that sequence, performing a DFT operation and then an IFFT operation. Assuming that the sequence length is N, the initial sequence generation requires 2N multiplications and the DFT requires more than N log 2(N) multiplications. Given the frequent processing of Chu sequences, this would represent a complexity burden. The invention makes it possible to perform the sequence generation and DFT steps without any multiplication operation, except for possibly calculating certain initial parameters.
US08374066B2
An optical pickup having a one-plane, two-wavelength diffraction grating and a two-wavelength laser generator is provided in which crosstalk noise caused by leakage of a track error signal into a focus error signal is reduced to improve focus control performance. A main beam and sub-beams generated by the one-plane, two-wavelength diffraction grating and reflected from the surface of an optical disc are incident on corresponding light receiving elements among which the one to receive the main beam and those to receive the sub-beams are relatively shifted in a linear-speed direction of the optical disc. The distance of the shifting is determined based on the characteristic, relative to the relative positions of the light receiving elements, of the leakage of the tracking error signal into the focus error signal detected based on the main beam and sub-beams.
US08374042B2
A command decoder includes a snoop read control signal generation unit that generates a snoop read control signal from a internal chip select signal according to a level of a transmission mode control signal, and an internal snoop read command generation unit that generates an internal snoop read command by driving a first node in response to an internal command and the snoop read control signal.
US08374039B2
A multi-port memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes a plurality of memory subblocks and an output network. Each memory subblock includes a plurality of single-read-port memory cells. The output network is configured to redirect information read for a first read port to a second read port on a condition that an equivalence signal indicates that read addresses for the first read port and the second read port are the same. The latching and multiplexing operation may be integrated. The memory cells may be 6-transistor synchronous random access memory (SRAM) cells, 8-transistor SRAM cells, or any type of memory cells.
US08374034B2
A nonvolatile memory device comprises includes a program unit configured to generate program data, information about the number of program data, and digital sum value information (hereinafter referred to as ‘DSVi’) of the program data, a memory unit configured to store or read the program data, the information about the number of program data, and the DSVi the program data, and a data read control circuit configured to read program data programmed into the memory unit, generate digital sum value information (hereinafter referred to as ‘DSVo’) of the read program data, and generate a read voltage control signal using the DSVi of the program data, the DSVo of the read program data, and the information about the number of program data.
US08374025B1
A spin-torque transfer memory random access memory (STTMRAM) element includes a fixed layer having a magnetization that is substantially fixed in one direction and a barrier layer formed on top of the fixed layer and a free layer. The free layer has a number of alternating laminates, each laminate being made of a magnetic layer and an insulating layer. The magnetic layer is switchable and formed on top of the barrier layer. The free layer is capable of switching its magnetization to a parallel or an anti-parallel state relative to the magnetization of the fixed layer during a write operation when bidirectional electric current is applied across the STTMRAM element. Magnetic layers of the laminates are ferromagnetically coupled to switch together as a single domain during the write operation and the magnetization of the fixed and free layers and the magnetic layers of the laminates have either in-plane or perpendicular anisotropy.
US08374023B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a first write control code generation unit configured to generate first write control codes which are updated with different cycles in a plurality of respective periods, in response to a programming verification flag signal and a programming enable signal, the first write control code generation unit determining the number of the plurality of periods depending upon a code value of the repetition times setting codes and an update cycle of the first write control codes in an initial period among the plurality of periods depending upon a code value of initial setting codes; and a data write unit configured to output a first programming current pulse with a magnitude corresponding to a code combination of the first write control codes which are updated.
US08374021B2
According to an aspect of embodiments, there is provided a random number generating circuit including at least one magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element and a control circuit. The MTJ element comes into a high resistance state corresponding to a first logical value and also comes into a low resistance state corresponding to a second logical value different from the first logical value. The control circuit supplies the MTJ element with a first current for stochastically reversing the MTJ element from the high resistance state to the low resistance state when the MTJ element is in the high resistance state, and supplies the MTJ element with a second current for stochastically reversing the MTJ element from the low resistance state to the high resistance state when the MTJ element is in the low resistance state.
US08374019B2
A memory device including programmable resistance memory cells, including electrically pre-stressed target memory cells. The pre-stressed target memory cells have one of a lower voltage transition threshold, a shorter duration set interval and a longer reset state retention characteristic. Biasing circuitry is included on the device configured to control the pre-stressing operations, and to apply read, set and reset operations that can be modified for the pre-stressed memory cells.
US08374018B2
A resistive memory device includes a first electrode; a second electrode having a polycrystalline semiconductor layer that includes silicon; a non-crystalline silicon structure provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode, second electrode and non-crystalline silicon structure define a two-terminal resistive memory cell.
US08374016B2
An apparatus includes a bit cell of a programmable memory circuit. The bit cell includes a programmable device. The bit cell includes a first device having a first type. The first device is configured to conduct a first current between a first node and a second node in response to a first value of a signal on the word line and a signal on a bit line. The programmable device is configured to be programmed in response to a first level of the first current. The bit cell includes a circuit coupled to the second node. The circuit is configured to reduce a leakage current through the first device in response to a second value of the signal on the word line and based on a feedback signal. In at least one embodiment of the apparatus, the feedback signal is based on a signal on the bit line.
US08374014B2
A method for data storage in a memory that includes multiple analog memory cells fabricated using respective physical media, includes identifying a group of the memory cells whose physical media have deteriorated over time below a given storage quality level. A rejuvenation process, which causes the physical media of the memory cells in the group to meet the given storage quality level, is applied to the identified group. Data is stored in the rejuvenated group of the memory cells.
US08374013B2
A power supply includes an AC-to-DC circuit, a DC-to-DC circuit, an interface used by both of the AC-to-DC circuit and the DC-to-DC circuit, and a control circuit for controlling the interface. The interface includes an ACL/DC+ input terminal, an ACN/DC− input terminal and a ground. The control circuit includes an AC/DC detecting circuit for determining whether an input voltage is AC or DC, an AC/DC converting circuit for selectively conducting AC or DC, and a conversion-controlling circuit for controlling the direction of the input voltage based on the determination in the AC/DC detecting circuit.
US08374006B2
An example controller for a primary side control power converter includes a feedback circuit, a driver circuit, and an adjustable voltage reference circuit. The feedback circuit is coupled to compare a feedback signal representative of a bias winding voltage of the power converter with a voltage reference. The driver circuit is coupled to output a switching signal to control a switch of the power converter to regulate an output of the power converter in response the feedback circuit. The adjustable voltage reference circuit is coupled to adjust the voltage reference such that the bias winding voltage is adjusted nonlinearly in response to a load condition at the output of the power converter. The adjustable voltage reference circuit is further coupled to detect the load condition in response to the switching signal.
US08374002B2
An isolated switching power supply apparatus includes a direct-current input power supply, a power transmission transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, at least one main switching element configured to perform switching control on a direct-current voltage applied to the primary winding of the power transmission transformer, a rectification circuit that includes at least one rectification switching element and is connected to the secondary winding of the power transmission transformer, a smoothing circuit connected to the secondary winding of the power transmission transformer, a power conversion circuit configured to obtain an output voltage from the smoothing circuit, and a control circuit configured to control an operation of the power conversion circuit.
US08374001B2
The present invention discloses a power supply control circuit, the power supply providing an output voltage to an output terminal from an input terminal through a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the power supply control circuit comprising: a power switch electrically connected with the primary winding; a switch control circuit controlling the power switch; and a sensing circuit supplying an output signal to the switch control circuit according to voltage signals obtained from two sides of the primary winding, wherein the sensing circuit includes a setting circuit for deciding the output voltage according to a reference signal. The present invention also relates to a voltage sensing method in the power supply control circuit.
US08374000B2
An interleaved flyback converter device with leakage energy recycling includes: two flyback converters and an input power. Each flyback converter includes a capacitor, a switch, two diodes, and a transformer. The input power is connected to the capacitors of the two flyback converters respectively. By using the capacitors as input voltage, the two flyback converters are provided with lower voltage rating. The diodes are used to recycle leakage energy directly, and to clamp voltage on power components. Therefore, in addition to enhancing efficiency via recycling leakage energy, the two flyback converters have lower switching losses due to lower switching voltage.
US08373983B2
A server includes a chassis, a hard disc module and a cable arranging module. The hard disc module disposed in the chassis is suitable for being pulled out from the chassis. The hard disc module includes a hard disc frame, a back plate and a hard disc plugging opening. The hard disc frame has first and second sides. The back plate and the hard disc plugging opening are located at the first and second sides respectively. The cable arranging module includes a cable set, a fixed frame and a flexible frame. The cable set is connected to the hard disc module. The fixed frame is fixed in the chassis, in which a part of the cable set is fixed to the fixed frame. The flexible frame is connected between the fixed frame and the hard disc frame. The cable set is located in the fixed frame and the flexible frame.
US08373976B2
A novel integrated computer includes a support base, a computer component pivotally coupled to the support base, and a display component slidably coupled to the computer component. The pivotal connection between the support base and the computer component facilitates adjustment of the tilt of the display. The slidable connection between the computer component and the display component facilitates height adjustment of the display, without affecting the tilt of the display. A biasing member prevents unwanted movement of the display, while allowing adjustment of the display. A method for manufacturing the integrated computer is also disclosed.
US08373974B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a display module, a first component, a second component, a reinforcing member, a wiring, and a supporting member. The display module includes a display screen. The first component includes a first wall and a first engagement portion. The second component includes a second wall located opposite the first wall with respect to the display module and a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion. The reinforcing member is located between the display module and the first and second engagement portions and extends along at least part of the periphery of the display module. The wiring is located between the reinforcing member and the display module. The supporting member is provided to at least one of the first component and the second component and is located between the display module and the wiring to support the display module.
US08373963B2
An ion/ozone wind generation device includes an electrode pair including a needle-shaped electrode and an opposite electrode, and generates ions and ion/ozone wind using corona discharge by generating a potential difference between the needle-shaped electrode and the opposite electrode, wherein the opposite electrode includes a plane-shaped main ring-shaped opposite electrode and a plane-shaped sub ring-shaped opposite electrode surrounding the plane-shaped main ring-shaped opposite electrode, and the longest distance between a tip of the needle-shaped electrode and the main ring-shaped opposite electrode is shorter than the shortest distance between the tip of the needle-shaped electrode and the sub ring-shaped opposite electrode.
US08373957B2
A load driving circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor that are bipolar transistors connected in series between a first fixed voltage (Vdd) and a second fixed voltage (GND), and supplies a drive current, according to ON-OFF states of the two transistors, to a load connected to an output terminal that is a connection point of the two transistors. A current source controls a base current supplying the first transistor. A protection circuit compares output voltage of the output terminal with a predetermined threshold voltage, and additionally monitors ON and OFF states of the first transistor. In a state in which Vout
US08373947B1
A magnetic head slider includes a magnetic recording part and/or a reproducing part. The magnetic head slider includes a resistance film having temperature dependence of electrical resistance, the resistance film being positioned in the vicinity of an air bearing surface or on the air bearing surface, separately from the magnetic recording part and the reproducing part. The magnetic head slider further includes a first protective film with a smaller milling rate than the resistance film, the first protective film contacting a lower surface of the resistance film in a lamination direction of the magnetic head slider and on the air bearing surface, and/or a second protective film with a smaller milling rate than the resistance film, the second protective film contacting an upper surface of the resistance film in the lamination direction of the magnetic head slider and on the air bearing surface.
US08373943B2
According to one embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic head includes depositing a first film above a substrate, etching a pattern into the first film, depositing a second film on the etched portion of the first film, and depositing a third film above the first and second film to form a multilayer magnetic film, wherein the second film is embedded between the first and third film in a portion of the first film that is removed. In another embodiment, a differential magnetic read head includes a magnetic multilayer film comprising a stack of a first magnetic sensor film and a second magnetic sensor film which are not magnetically connected and a hard magnetic film provided on both sides in a track width direction of the magnetic multilayer film for controlling a magnetic domain of the magnetic multilayer film. The hard magnetic film is a laminated structure as described above.
US08373942B1
There is provided a base for a motor, the base including: a mounting part having a core mounted therein, the core having a coil wound therearoud in order to generate rotational driving force of a motor; a body part extended from the mounting part in an outer diameter direction; and a first step part formed by depressing a lower surface of the body part facing the core, towards the core, and accommodating a substrate for supplying power to the coil therein and a second step part formed to be spaced apart from the first step part.
US08373941B2
A system and method for automatically unthreading a tape. The system and method determine whether the drive being at the stop state could cause the tape sticking condition in future after a defined dwell time (e.g., 20 minutes). The tape sticking tends to increase with time and humidity. Moreover, it is known that worn tape is stickier than new tape. With a plurality of attempts (e.g., four attempts) of moving tape (e.g., every 5 minutes), the drive is able to identify whether the tape needs to be unthreaded. Such a system allows a tape drive to handle the tape in safety at severe condition for the sticking tape, and minimize the penalty for the response to the command in normal condition.
US08373938B2
Among three lenses housed in a lens barrel, a first lens and a second lens are adjacent to each other. A position regulating section is a part where a first protrusion of the first lens is formed. A shielding member is provided at a position interposed between the first lens and the second lens and limits a passing luminous flux. An engagement section is a part of the shielding member, and in this part, there is formed an opening into which the first protrusion of the first lens enters. The engagement section engages with the position regulating section, and thereby the position of the shielding member in a direction crossing an optical axis is regulated.
US08373937B2
A miniaturized optical lens system comprises, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a concave image-side surface and one of the surfaces being aspheric; and a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface, a convex image-side surface and one of the surfaces being aspheric. The optical lens system is further provided with an aperture stop. Such arrangements can effectively reduce the volume of the optical lens system, correct aberrations and astigmatism of the system in order to obtain higher image quality.
US08373924B2
Fundamental-wavelength pulses from a fiber a laser are divided into three or more pulse portions and the three or more portions are separately amplified. Two or more of the amplified fundamental-wavelength pulse-portions are combined and frequency-doubled. The frequency doubled portion is sum-frequency mixed with one or more of the other amplified fundamental wavelength pulse-portions to provide third-harmonic radiation pulses.
US08373919B2
Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.
US08373917B2
An electrowetting display, a pixel array substrate thereof, and an electrowetting display pixel structure thereof are provided. The electrowetting display pixel structure is disposed on a substrate. The electrowetting display pixel structure includes a pixel electrode, a hydrophobic insulating layer and a wall. The pixel electrode is covered by the hydrophobic insulating layer. The wall is disposed on the hydrophobic insulating layer. The wall has a first side surface, a second side surface and at least one opening penetrating the first side surface and the second side surface. The opening is used for fluid medium to flow therethrough.
US08373914B2
A computer generated hologram which forms a light intensity distribution on a predetermined plane by giving a phase distribution to a wavefront of incident light, the hologram comprising a plurality of anisotropic cells each including an anisotropic medium configured to change a polarization state of the incident light, and a plurality of isotropic cells each including an isotropic medium configured not to change a polarization state of the incident light, wherein a linearly polarized light component, in a first direction, of the incident light forms a first light intensity distribution on the predetermined plane, and a linearly polarized light component, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the incident light forms a second light intensity distribution different from the first light intensity distribution on the predetermined plane.
US08373911B2
An image reading apparatus is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a main unit and a conveyer unit swingably coupled to the main unit via a hinge. The conveyer unit includes a lower cover with an opening, which extends orthogonally to a swing axis of the conveyer unit, and an attachable member. The attachable member includes a main part and an auxiliary part and is fixed to the lower cover by the main part and to a rotatable fixing section of the hinge by the auxiliary part.
US08373907B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image receiving unit, an image processing unit, an image storage unit, a usage-log managing unit, an operation display unit, and a control unit. The usage-log managing unit manages processing contents used for image data processed by the image processing unit in association with the processed image data as usage log information. When the operation display unit receives a request for an output process, the control unit acquires a processing content of the output process from the usage log information and displays information about the acquired processing content in association with image data processed based on the acquired processing content via the operation display unit.
US08373894B2
A method for selecting a printing device for printing a proof is provided. The method entails providing a production printer and a plurality of remote proof printers and computing a native color gamut covered by the production printer and the plurality of remote proof printers. The method includes calculating a gamut intersection volume between the production printer and the plurality of remote proof printers and comparing the gamut intersection volume between the production printer and the plurality of remote proof printers. The method further include presenting a rating of the plurality of proof printers, the rating configured to provide data pertaining to the gamut intersection volume difference between each of the plurality of proof printers and the production printer.
US08373893B2
An image forming apparatus includes a light emission element, a lighting signal generation section, a storage section, a communication line, a control section and an electromagnetic noise generation source. The storage section stores data used when the lighting signal generation section generates a lighting signal. The lighting signal generation section and the storage section transmit and receive the data therebetween through the communication line. The control section that controls the transmitting and receiving of the data between the lighting signal generation section and the storage section. The control section controls so as to start the transmitting and receiving of the data between the storage section and the lighting signal generation section in a state where a magnitude of the electromagnetic noise, at a position where the lighting signal generation section is disposed, generated by the electromagnetic noise generation source is smaller than a predetermined value.
US08373889B2
In plug-in software capable of creating a sheet size to be set in an application based on an output size and sheet sizes allowed to be set in the application, when the plug-in software supports a plurality of applications, if there is a difference in sheet size among the applications, it is necessary to change setting in terms of the size when data is shared by the applications. This necessity of changing the setting in terms of the size is avoided by detecting a smallest sheet size from maximum sheet sizes usable in the respective applications and determining the sheet size for common use by the applications based on the detected smallest size.
US08373883B2
A system and method is disclosed for managing resource consumption during print production. The method discloses receiving a print job and a set of print job constraints; calculating a set of printing resources required to produce a print job output from the print job according to the set of print job constraints; measuring a set of available printing resources; producing the print job output from the print job, if the required printing resources are less than the available printing resources; and identifying a set of fall-back print job constraints and repeating the calculating and producing steps using the fall-back constraints, if the required printing resources are greater than the available printing resources. The system discloses various modules for effecting the method and including: a processor, a color transformation module, a printing resource module, a printing module, and a print job dialog module.
US08373881B2
An image formation apparatus, which includes: a detector unit that detects a status of consumables; a prediction unit that predicts a run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the status detected by the detector unit; a transmission unit that transmits the status detected by the detector unit to a management apparatus as consumables information; a reception unit that receives run-out timing information indicating a run-out timing predicted by the management apparatus on the basis of the consumables information transmitted by the transmission unit; and a notification unit that notifies the run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the run-out timing information received by the reception unit if communication with the management apparatus is possible, or notifies the run-out timing of the consumables on the basis of the run-out timing predicted by the prediction unit if communication with the management apparatus is not possible.
US08373876B2
A document management system and method of efficiently controlling a document print operation that entails storing specifying information pertaining to identification information of document data for a printing apparatus, determining whether or not the document data corresponding to the identification information has been updated after a prior printing of the document, and transmitting to the printing apparatus either the document data or the specifying information depending on the results of the determination.
US08373873B2
A data processing apparatus allocates a page number in a record to each of a plurality of records of a variable data print job and performs a preflight check every page number. After that, the data processing apparatus extracts the records in which the same kind of (or same) problem has occurred in a page of the same page number from the records included in the variable data print job. The data processing apparatus calculates a ratio of the extracted records to all records having the page of the page number and presumes whether the problem relates to a master object or relates to a variable object according to the ratio. The data processing apparatus displays whether the problem in the page relates to the master object or relates to the variable object every page having the problem.
US08373868B2
A method and device for invoking a set of services corresponding to a plug-in application installed on an image handling device. The method including launching a host application of an image handling device, accessing a configuration file of the image handling device, launching the at least one plug-in based on the information regarding the activation of each service and presenting a graphical interface that includes a graphical indicia of each activated service corresponding to each activated plug-in.
US08373865B2
A method detects a topology of a reflective surface. The method includes providing an optical fiber positioned such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by at least a portion of the reflective surface. The optical fiber and the portion of the reflective surface form an optical resonator having an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape. The method further includes emitting light from the optical fiber while the optical fiber is at a plurality of positions along the reflective surface. The light emitted from the optical fiber irradiates a corresponding plurality of portions of the reflective surface. The method further includes measuring a change of the resonance lineshape due to the irradiation of the plurality of portions of the reflective surface.
US08373855B2
A Raman head is provided capable of operating at high surrounding pressures. The Raman head has housing having a first, sealed chamber filled with an incompressible liquid and a second chamber that is open to the surrounding environment. At least one bellows can be used to equalize pressure between the first sealed chamber and the surrounding environment. A planar side of a pair of plano-concave lens is positioned within the first chamber and the concave side of each plano-concave lens is positioned within the second chamber of the Raman head. Light emitted as a result of a laser beam in communication with the pair of plano-concave lens can be analyzed by a Raman analyzer.
US08373841B2
A system and method for cooling back to back electronic displays. Transparent first and second gas chambers are co-existive with the front display surfaces of the first and second electronic displays. A closed loop of isolated gas enters the first and second gas chambers and contacts the front surfaces of the electronic displays, where it may extract heat from the front display surfaces. The isolated gas is then directed into a cooling chamber where it is cooled and re-introduced into the first and second gas chambers. Fans may be used to propel the isolated gas through the cooling chamber and the first and second gas chambers. The circulating gas removes heat directly from the electronic display surfaces. The isolated gas is transparent or at least semi-transparent to ensure that the image quality of the electronic displays is minimally impacted.
US08373833B2
An array substrate for a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines on a substrate; a gate insulating layer on the plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines crossing the plurality of gate lines to define a plurality of pixel regions; a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate and data lines in each pixel region; a pixel electrode having a plate shape in each pixel region, and connected to a portion of the thin film transistor; a first passivation layer on the pixel electrode and over the thin film transistor; and a common electrode on the first passivation layer and having a plurality of openings of a bar shape in each pixel region, wherein a center portion of each opening overlaps the pixel electrode, and both ends along a major axis of each opening protrude beyond the pixel electrode.
US08373831B2
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, scanning lines, signal lines, pixel switches, first electrodes, a scanning line drive circuit, a second electrode, a voltage supply wiring, a control mechanism, a first switching mechanism, a second switching mechanism, and an output timing switching mechanism. The output timing switching mechanism is configured to simultaneously output a second scanning signal of switching the pixel switch into conductive state to the scanning lines, based on the control signal.
US08373830B2
A liquid crystal display device including a first substrate, a second substrate facing and spaced away from the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates, a switching device formed on the first substrate, a first electrically insulating film randomly patterned on the first substrate, a second electrically insulating film covering the first electrically insulating film therewith, and having a wavy surface, and a reflection electrode formed on the second electrically insulating film, and electrically connected to an electrode of the switching device, wherein a light passing through the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer is reflected at the reflection electrode, and the second electrically insulating film extends outwardly from the first electrically insulating film by a certain length at an end of a display region in which images are to be displayed, such that a step formed by the first and second electrically insulating films in the vicinity of the end of the display region is smoothed.
US08373828B2
A display apparatus includes a display-controlling substrate and an opposite substrate facing the display-controlling substrate. The display-controlling substrate includes a base substrate portion and has a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area with pixel units being formed in the display area of the display-controlling substrate. Each pixel unit includes a gate line segment extending in a first direction and having a respective first width (W1), a data line segment, a color filter, a pixel electrode, and a storage electrode segment having a second width and extending in a direction different from that of the gate line segment. Spaces between adjacent pixel electrodes, where uncontrolled light might leak out are overlapped by one or the other of the first and second width segments where the widths of the opaque segments are wider than the overlapped space.
US08373815B2
An optical sheet and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) incorporating the same. The LCD includes a sheet-like transparent substrate made of a transparent material and a microscopic structure layer formed on one surface of the transparent substrate. The microscopic structure layer has an array of microscopic structures to emit light. A liquid crystal panel is formed above the microscopic structure layer, and has defined therein a plurality of pixels to display an image. When seen from above the transparent substrate, at least a portion of the microscopic structures has parallel and non-parallel arrangements repeated one or more times in a longitudinal direction thereof with respect to one side-edge of the pixels of the liquid crystal panel.
US08373804B2
A tuner includes, in part, one or mixers, one or more filters, one or more variable gain stages, one or more analog to digital converters, and a baseband processor. Each filter is responsive to an associated mixer's output signal. Each variable gain stage is responsive to an associated filter's output. Each analog-to-digital converter is adapted to convert the output signal of an associated variable gain stage to a digital signal. The baseband processor is responsive to the digital signal supplied by the analog-to-digital converter(s). The baseband processor is further configured to supply a signal to be demodulated by a processing unit external to the integrated circuit. The baseband processor performs no or a fraction of the required demodulation functions. The processing unit may be a central processing unit or a graphical processing unit.
US08373795B2
A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a shutter, a shutter drive device, and an electronic viewfinder. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The shutter is disposed between the body mount and the imaging element, and arranged to block light passing through the lens unit. The shutter drive device controls the exposure time of the imaging element by driving the shutter. The electronic viewfinder includes an eyepiece, a viewfinder image display unit configured to electronically display an image of the subject, and a viewfinder optical system arranged to guide the subject image displayed by the viewfinder image display unit to the eyepiece. The electronic viewfinder is disposed above the shutter drive device and beside the body mount when viewed in a first direction perpendicular to the light receiving face in a landscape orientation.
US08373788B2
An image processing apparatus includes: an image display device; an instruction position detecting unit to accept, via an operating screen having multiple operating areas provided to a display screen of the image display device, instructions from a user and detect and output the position of the instruction operation on the operating face; a storage unit to store and hold image data; and a display control unit to control display of an image according to the image data stored and held in at least the storage unit on the image display device; wherein, if the user performs a tracing operation on the operating face, the display control unit controls the display of the image on the display screen of the image display device so as to change, according to the operated operating area and direction of operation that is distinguished based on the detecting output from the instruction position detecting unit.
US08373782B2
An image sensor including a noise removing unit may sense images accurately by measuring the amount of noise generated when the image sensor does not perform a sensing operation, storing information about the measured noise amount in each pixel, and removing photocharge corresponding to the information about the measured noise amount during image sensing.
US08373778B2
A system for detecting high speed noise in active pixel sensors includes a photodiode for receiving low levels of light, a reset transistor, an amplifier transistor, a row select transistor, and a high-speed analog-to-digital converter. The reset transistor gate receives a reset signal, and the reset transistor drain receives a reset voltage. The amplifier transistor gate is connected to the photodiode and the reset transistor's source. The amplifier transistor receives a supply voltage at the drain terminal. The row select transistor gate terminal receives a row select signal. The row select drain terminal is connected to the amplifier transistor source terminal. The high-speed analog-to-digital converter includes an analog input port connected to the row select transistor source and a digital output port capable of resolving high-speed excitation events received by the photodiode.
US08373772B2
An imaging apparatus according to an implementation of the present invention is connected to a memory and includes: an imaging device reading any given area; a main image storage unit reading an image of a main image area, the image representing a whole image formed on the imaging device, and store in the memory an image associated with the read image as a main image; a sub image storage unit reading an image of a watch area from the imaging device, the watch area being an area to be watched, and store the read image in the memory as a sub image; an encoder encoding the main image and the sub image stored in the memory by the main image storage unit and the sub image storage unit; and a recording unit recording the main image and the sub image encoded by the encoder on a recording medium.
US08373766B2
An image shooting device includes an image shooting component, a brightness detector, a flash component, a shift detector, a controller, and a flash amount determining component. The shift detector detects a shift amount of a subject position in a set of image data that has arisen due to shaking of the image shooting device. The controller corrects, on the basis of the detected shift amount, at least one of two sets of image data acquired within non-flash state and flash-emitting state, such that positions of a detection target region with respect to the subject position of the respective sets of image data are substantially matched. The flash amount determining component determines a flash amount of the flash component on the basis of the detected brightness level.
US08373751B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring a location and a distance of an object by using a camera including: a camera module for photographing an external image; a parameter setup unit for setting internal and external parameters of the camera module; an image processor unit for receiving a captured image of an image photographed from the camera module, extracting a target object within the captured image, and extracting specific point coordinates of the extracted target object; and a location and distance calculating unit for calculating three-dimensional object location information in a two-dimensional camera coordinate system through the internal and external parameters of the camera module and coordinates of the target object, and calculating distance information from the location information of the object.
US08373740B2
A method and apparatus for video conferencing in a mobile terminal are disclosed. The method includes receiving audio-visual signals comprising a video signal and a voice signal from participating users, selecting one of the audio-visual signals associated with a currently talking user based on properties of the audio-visual signals, decoding all frames of a video signal from the selected audio-visual signal and selectively decoding frames of video signals of the remaining audio-visual signals, and reproducing the decoded frames of the video signals.
US08373738B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a latent image bearing member; an exposure head having an imaging optical system and N light-emitting elements (where N is an integer) disposed in a first direction that emit light forming an image upon the latent image bearing member through the imaging optical system; an FM screen whose unit of processing is M in the first direction, M being greater than N; and a controller that performs a screening process on image data using the FM screen.
US08373728B2
When an arbitrary position and an arbitrary size on a display screen are specified as an emphasized display region so as to be interlocked with a display content of an application program, only for another region part excluding the emphasized display region, power consumed by the region part is aggressively reduced and simultaneously image quality is aggressively lowered as compared with the emphasized display region. Thereby, visibility and reduction in power consumption can be surely made compatible with each other.
US08373714B2
Virtualization of graphics resources and thread blocking is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a system and method of a kernel in an operating system including generating a data structure having an identifier of a graphics resource assigned to a physical memory location in video memory, and blocking access to the physical memory location if a data within the physical memory location is in transition between video memory and system memory wherein a client application accesses memory in the system memory directly and accesses memory in the video memory through a virtual memory map.
US08373711B2
An image processing apparatus has a memory in which a plurality of image processing commands are stored, a dependent information producing unit which produces dependent information in each image data block becoming a target image processing, the dependent information indicating a dependency relationship between image processing of the image data block and another processing, a dependency relationship solving unit which makes a determination of a practicable image processing based on the dependent information, the dependency relationship solving unit writing an image processing command of the practicable image processing in the memory, and a plurality of image processing units which read an image processing command stored in the memory, the image processing units performing the image processing to the image data block based on the image processing command.
US08373699B2
Novel method and system for distributed database ray-tracing is presented, based on modular mapping of scene-data among processors. Its inherent properties include scattering data among processors for improved load balancing, and matching between geographical proximity in the scene with communication proximity between processors. High utilization is enabled by unique mechanism of cache sharing. The resulting improved performance enables deep level of ray tracing for real time applications.
US08373694B2
A transistor causes fluctuation in the threshold and mobility due to the factor such as fluctuation of the gate length, the gate width, and the gate insulating film thickness generated by the difference of the manufacturing steps and the substrate to be used. As a result, there is caused fluctuation in the current value supplied to the pixel due to the influence of the characteristic fluctuation of the transistor, resulting in generating streaks in the display image. A light emitting device is provided which reduces influence of characteristics of transistors in a current source circuit constituting a signal line driving circuit until the transistor characteristics do not affect the device and which can display a clear image with no irregularities. A signal line driving circuit of the present invention can prevent streaks in a displayed image and uneven luminance. Also, the present invention makes it possible to form elements of a pixel portion and driving circuit portion from polysilicon on the same substrate integrally. In this way, a display device with reduced size and current consumption is provided as well as electronic equipment using the display device.
US08373692B2
A first linearly polarized bundle of rays of incident rays is converted by optical modulation with an input video signal into a second linearly polarized bundle of rays orthogonal to the first rays in polarization. The first rays pass through a polarizer before optically modulated. A second linearly polarized bundle of rays originally involved in the incident rays is reflected by the polarizer in a first direction. The second rays obtained by the optical modulation are reflected by the polarizer in a second direction. The second rays reflected in the second direction pass through another polarizer. A first linearly polarized bundle of rays involved in the reflected second rays is reflected by the other polarizer. The reflected first rays is detected by an optical sensor that is positioned outside an optical path of the second rays originally involved in the incident rays and reflected in the first direction.
US08373690B2
A scanning image display apparatus includes a light source section that emits a laser beam, a scan mirror that scans the laser beam two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction which intersects the first direction, and a control section that drives the scan mirror. Herein, the control section drives the scan mirror such that a scan frequency in the first direction becomes higher than a scan frequency in the second direction, and changes the scan frequency in the first direction in synchronization with a period of the scan frequency in the second direction to change a scan amplitude in the first direction.
US08373689B2
An organic light emitting diode display device capable of achieving a considerable reduction in power consumption by generating a drive signal only for a period, in which the drive signal is actually required, is disclosed. The organic light emitting diode display device includes a DC-DC converter including a switching element to generate a drive signal by controlling an input voltage under a control of a logic, and a driver to supply, to pixels, the drive signal generated from the DC-DC converter in accordance with a timing. The logic includes an AND circuit to AND a control signal for drive signal generation and an output control signal maintained at a logic-high voltage only for a period in which the drive signal is to be supplied, and to supply a result of the ANDing operation.
US08373686B2
A multi-level point-to-point transmission system including at least one terminal resistor, a transmitter circuit, and a receiver circuit is disclosed. The transmitter circuit includes a first external resistor and a transmitter. The transmitter generates a first reference current according to the first external resistor and determines a current flowed through an output terminal thereof according to a transmission data and the first reference current. The receiver circuit includes a second external resistor, a third external resistor, and at least one receiver. The receiver generates a second reference current according to the second external resistor and generates a reference voltage difference according to the second reference current and the third external resistor. The receiver judges a voltage at the receiving terminal thereof according to the reference voltage difference so as to receive the transmission data correctly.
US08373667B2
There is disclosed a display device with an integral touch screen. A display panel includes a plurality of pixels controlled by a plurality of column electrodes and a plurality of row electrodes. A column driver having a plurality of outputs drives the plurality of column electrodes, and a row driver having a plurality of outputs drives the plurality of row electrodes. A column sensor and a row sensor sense capacitive coupling between the row and column electrodes and a probe adjacent to an external surface of the display panel.
US08373664B2
An apparatus and method for detecting a presence of a conductive object on a sensor array of a first circuit board using active electronic components of a second circuit board, which is coupled to the first circuit board. The apparatus may include a first circuit board, which includes a sensor array of sensor elements, and a second circuit board, coupled to the first circuit board, including sensing circuitry to measure capacitance on the sensor array of the first circuit board. The method may include measuring a capacitance on the sensor array using the active electronic components of the second circuit board, and processing the measured capacitance.
US08373663B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.
US08373662B2
An illuminating plug includes a cable, a terminal electrically connected to the cable, an illuminating unit formed on the cable, a light guiding layer covering around the cable and optically coupled to the illuminating unit, and a reflecting layer covering the illuminating unit and the light guiding layer. The light guiding layer includes a light emitting surface formed adjacent to the terminal such that light emitting from the illuminating unit reaches the light emitting surface through the light guiding layer and emits out to illuminate at least the terminal.
US08373660B2
Mobile devices are described, along with related services, systems, and methods. These devices include displays with pixel dimensions and pixel densities in ranges that are chosen to allow users to enjoy a more intuitive and more “desktop-like” Web or multi-media experience compared to other devices, while still enabling the devices to be pocketsize. Also described are devices with touch sensitive areas on the edges or back that let users efficiently and intuitively control some behaviors of the devices by touching the touch sensitive areas in certain ways. Embodiments of the present invention reduces the need for mechanical controls, which enables keeping the frame around the device's display unusually narrow, thereby permitting larger displays without increasing the overall sizes of the devices.
US08373659B2
A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.
US08373653B2
One embodiment of a hand integrated mouse platform remotely operates one or more computer applications while worn on the user's hand and the hand is also free to do other things such as keyboarding, driving, and flying.
US08373651B2
Systems and methods are provided for inputting data to a mobile device using multi-character keys. A first input may be generated by pressing a multi-character key on the mobile device. In response to the first input, the mobile device may sequentially display a plurality of characters associated with the pressed multi-character key. When a desired character is displayed, a second input may be generated to select the currently displayed character as character data input.
US08373650B2
A flexible electrophoretic display includes a backside plate, a display structure and a side reinforcement. The backside plate has a cover area. The display structure is arranged on the backside plate and a surface thereof facing toward the backside plate has an area less than the cover area of the backside plate. The side reinforcement is arranged in juxtaposition with the display structure and on the backside plate. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a flexible electrophoretic display.
US08373644B2
In a video display apparatus, a backlight for illuminating a liquid crystal panel is segmented into a plurality of areas. A frequency distribution processing unit calculates a dark pixel amount from the frequency distribution of the gradation values of pixels in a video image. A backlight control unit calculates a lower limit of luminance in each area included in the backlight so that the lower limit increases as the dark pixel amount becomes smaller. The backlight control unit adjusts the luminance in each area individually according to the gradation values in each portion of the video image, and adjusts the luminance in an area where the luminance is less than the lower limit to the lower limit. The difference in luminance between the areas illuminating dark portions of the video image is decreased, and the occurrence of luminance blur resulting from the difference in luminance between the areas is reduced.
US08373640B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a display device is disclosed which performs a divided-screen active driving, and which allows (i) its emitting region to be divided into smaller units, irrespective of the smallest module unit of a light source; and (ii) minimizing increase in costs for a driving system and manufacturing of an area light source, a display device of the present invention includes: a display panel having unit display pixels; an area light source arranged on a back surface of the display panel, the area light source having an emitting region which is divided into divided emitting regions; and a controlling section for controlling luminance of each of the divided emitting regions of the area light source, based on luminance information of video signals input, wherein the area light source includes: unit emitting pixels which controls light emission of the divided emitting regions through a matrix driving; the unit emitting pixels each having an electron emitting element for emitting an electron, and a fluorescent substance which emits light by being excited by the electron emitted from the electron emitting element, the unit emitting pixels each occupying an area which is equivalent to an area of plural pixels out of the unit display pixels.
US08373635B2
A method for reducing resonance energy of an LCD panel includes providing a plurality of driving signal patterns, each defining a non-overlap area width of a synchronization signal and a scan-line charging frequency, and determining an order of the plurality of driving signal patterns to modulate driving signals of the LCD panel accordingly.
US08373627B1
A driver circuit for driving a light emitting semiconductor device. The driver circuit of this invention includes a capacitor connected between a source of voltage pulses and a light emitting semiconductor device.
US08373621B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a first thin film transistor connected to a first data line and controlling a first voltage output, a second thin film transistor connected to a second data line parallel to the first data line and controlling a second voltage output, a third thin film transistor connected to a third data line disposed between the first data line and the second data line and controlling a third voltage output, a first liquid crystal capacitor electrically connected to the first thin film transistor and the third thin film transistor, and a second liquid crystal capacitor electrically connected to the second thin film transistor and the third thin film transistor.
US08373617B2
The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image display device including an active barrier for varying a barrier display pattern so as to display various stereoscopic images. In further detail, the stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel, a barrier, a barrier driver, and a controller. A stereoscopic image is displayed on the display panel. The barrier is placed corresponding to the display panel, and includes a plurality of liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix format. The barrier driver drives the barrier such that the barrier display pattern may be a display pattern corresponding to the image signal by controlling the respective plurality of liquid crystal cells to become selectively transparent or opaque based on the mode information signal.
US08373614B2
A data viewing system for an aircraft includes a concentration unit including a first element for acquiring all of the compound images generated by a plurality of image sources, a second element for processing the acquired compound images, and a third element for managing the display of the processed compound images implemented on a plurality of viewing screens.
US08373612B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for enabling installation of antennas in a cost effective and efficient manner. The methods and systems disclosed herein provide a hollow pole and an elevating mechanism, wherein the elevating mechanism can be used to position antenna equipment located in one or more capsules attached to the elevating mechanism. The antenna equipment may be attached to a removable power source located in the capsule or to a non-removable power source located at the base of the hollow pole. Additionally, the antenna equipment may also be attached to communications equipment adapted to communicate with one or more communications networks. In an embodiment disclosed herein, the capsules may be adapted to rotate around a one or more axis in response to received commands and/or in accordance with instructions stored on a memory module attached to the capsules.
US08373610B2
Microslot antennas may be provided for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices. The microslot antennas may have dielectric-filled microslots that are formed in a ground plane element. The ground plane element may be formed from part of a conductive device housing. The microslots may be narrow enough that they are not readily noticeable to the naked eye. The microslots may have lengths that allow the microslot antenna to provide antenna coverage in one or more communications bands. A first group of the microslots may be used to provide coverage in a first communications band and a second group of the microslots may be used to provide coverage in a second communications band.
US08373599B2
An antenna module includes an antenna, a substrate defining a plurality of notches, and a plurality of filling blocks. The antenna is attached to the substrate. The filling blocks have a permittivity higher than the substrate and are received in a portion of the notches covered by the antenna to raise the permittivity of the substrate.
US08373595B2
Provided is a simultaneous radio detection and bearing system. More specifically, the radio detection and bearing system includes an RF conditioning subsystem having a plurality of First Frequency Range and Second Frequency Range signal receiving channels. The RF conditioning subsystem operable to combine First Frequency Range and Second Frequency Range signals as a first internal data stream. A coherent multi-channel digitizer subsystem is coupled to the RF conditioning system, the coherent multi-channel digitizer subsystem operable to generate a time domain snapshot of the first internal data stream. An audio recording subsystem is also coupled to the RF conditioning subsystem. A processor is coupled to the coherent multi-channel digitizer subsystem and the audio recording subsystem. The processor is operable to transform the time domain snapshot to a frequency spectrum and identify at least one signal above a threshold at a determined frequency, determine the bearing of the signal, and provide the determined frequency to the audio recording subsystem. The audio subsystem contemporaneously records the signal upon the determined frequency. An associated method of radio detection and bearing determination is also provided.
US08373594B1
A method and apparatus for use in generating and imparting a low frequency, directed energy wavefield are disclosed. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a low frequency directional array, comprising: a plurality of array elements capable of generating a low frequency, directed energy wavefront; and a canceling element capable of actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method, comprising: imparting a low frequency, directed wavefront; and actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront.
US08373590B1
The invention relates to a method of processing an image sensed by an image sensor on board an aircraft fitted with an obstacle-locator system, in which the position and the extent of a zone in the sensed image, referred to as the zone of interest, is determined as a function of obstacle location data delivered by the obstacle-locator system, after which at least one parameter for modifying the brightness of points/pixels in said zone of interest is determined to enable the contrast to be increased in said zone of interest, and as a function of said modification parameter, the brightness of at least a portion of the image is modified.
US08373589B2
A rotational antenna includes a stationary feed which is disposed in a substantially vertical orientation. A parabolic dish is rotationally mounted about the stationary feed in a state of being tipped with respect to the stationary, substantially vertically oriented feed. The rotational parabolic antenna may alternatively be provided with a rotating radio frequency (RF) and acoustic feed. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08373588B2
Wireless and other external connectivity technology is used in various ways to enhance or improve upon existing radar detector and police activity detection systems. External memory interfaces, such as SD cards or USB, provide external storage. Wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, 802.11, and wireless personal area network communication protocols, allow a detector processor to interact wirelessly with external devices, such as a Bluetooth headset, a cellular network device providing a server connection, or toggle buttons used to indicate the presence of police activity at a current position. Further, radar detectors are upgraded to provide GPS capabilities, using the existing power/data connector of the radar detector.
US08373587B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes first to N-th comparators to compare an input voltage with a threshold value; and a control circuit to perform first and second operations, set a threshold value of the first comparator as a first threshold value, and set a threshold value of an M-th comparator as a second threshold value, wherein the first operation includes an operation where a value obtained by multiplying a value obtained by subtracting the threshold value of the M-th comparator from a threshold value of an (M+1)th comparator by a real number is added to the threshold value of the M-th comparator, and wherein the second operation includes an operation where a value obtained by multiplying a value obtained by subtracting the threshold value of the M-th comparator from a threshold value of an (M−1)th comparator by a real number is added to the threshold value of the M-th comparator.
US08373585B2
Described is monitoring of an analog-digital conversion of a measured value of at least one of a pressure gauge, a level gauge and a flowmeter. Different measured values can be provided for the analog-digital converter by means of a first microcontroller, wherein these measured values are subsequently transmitted from this first area into a second area by means of a unidirectional coupler. These values are acquired by a second microcontroller in the second area and compared with reference values that are stored in the second area or at another location. This diagnostic circuit may make it possible to detect drifts of resistances and of reference voltages, as well as a faulty analog-digital converter or a program execution error of the first microcontroller.
US08373579B2
A monitoring system for alerting pilots of aircraft or operators of vehicles when the aircraft or vehicle is approaching a geographical feature of interest, such as a runway, includes a database including at least one geo-referenced chart; a processor; a positioning system configured to identify at least one of the position, heading, track and velocity of the vehicle, and transmit such data to the processor; and a display unit configured to display the present position of the aircraft on the at least one geo-referenced chart. After receiving the position, heading, track and/or velocity data, the processor determines whether the aircraft has entered a containment area associated with a geographical feature of interest, and if so, provides a visible notification to the pilot or operator, which may comprise a change in display of the geographical feature of interest.
US08373578B1
A wireless head for a traffic preemption system. Implementations may include one or more optical receivers adapted to identify an optical signal transmitted by an optical transmitter included in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and one or more head radio transceivers adapted to identify a radio signal transmitted by a vehicle radio transceiver included in the vehicle preemption unit. A head radio frequency (RF) modem may also be included adapted to transmit one or more radio signals to an intersection RF modem. The head may be mounted to a traffic support fixture. The one or more optical receivers, one or more head radio transceivers, and the head RF modem may all be operably coupled together within the wireless head. The intersection preemption unit may be adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted.
US08373574B2
A device and advertising method utilizes a sound and light display device, which often holds a bottle of a beverage to be dispended, and customer based remote which is distributed to customers in any number of ways. In one embodiment the sound playing device can be incorporated into a chiller. In one embodiment the sound playing device is incorporate into a stand for the beverage bottle. Other display devices are also possible. Examples include, but are not limited to, a small audio sound playing device, a beverage sign or sculpture which also evokes the brand. More than one type of remote can be created, allowing different types of customers to have different control levels or access to different areas of an establishment.
US08373569B2
A method and system for remotely monitoring the status of a standby generator. The system includes a PLC transmitter in communication with the control unit for the generator. The PLC transmitter receives error codes from the control unit of the generator and transmits encoded error codes over the power distribution network in a home using a PLC frequency. A remote status display device can be connected to the power distribution network in the home at any convenient location. The remote status display device includes a PLC receiver that decodes the error codes. The decoded error codes are displayed on a display of the remote status display device for viewing by the home occupant at a location remote from the standby generator.
US08373567B2
Valid driving events and non-events are identified, and detailed information is stored for valid events. Valid events are those captured driving events that are essential to testing of a driver's risky behavior. Remaining captured events which are not identified as involving risky behavior are non-events. At least one event capture device captures location, trigger force, images, and other information that collectively comprise an event. An event detector compares the captured event data to previously created non-event profiles and determines whether the captured event is a non-event. An abbreviated record is created for each identified non-event. For valid driving events, detailed driving event records are created. The records are stored at an evaluation server and are accessible to an analysis station for scoring and review.
US08373565B2
An electronic article surveillance (EAS) security apparatus is comprised of a housing, base plate, ribbon pad, and electrically conductive ribbons. In one embodiment, the ribbons pre-attached to the ribbon pad and extend from the ribbon pad. The ribbon pad and base plate on installed on opposite sides of an object to be protected. The ribbons are extended around the object and their extended ends attached to the base plate. The housing has electrical contacts and encloses electronics and is attached to the base plate so that the electrical contacts complete circuits through the ribbons. The electronics in the housing monitor the ribbons to detect unauthorized removal of the apparatus. A switch on the bottom of the housing detects that the housing is attached to a plate and object. The apparatus has a locking mechanism to maintain the housing and plate together, which can be released by application of a magnet.
US08373561B2
An infrared detector comprising a plurality of bolometer detectors, bias circuitry for applying a bias to the bolometer detectors, and connectors for connecting the bolometer detectors together to form a network, wherein the bolometer detectors are arranged in an environment at substantially atmospheric pressure. A method for increasing the sensitivity of an infrared detector, having a plurality of bolometer detectors arranged in an environment at substantially atmospheric pressure so as to at least partly compensate for a reduction in the sensitivity of the infrared detector due to conduction of thermal energy from the bolometer detectors through the environment, the method comprising at least one of the steps of connecting the bolometer detectors together in at least one of series and parallel, and operating the bolometer detectors at a DC bias current.
US08373554B2
Systems and methods are disclosed that detect uninsured vehicles. An insurance monitoring system described herein receives a message over a mobile network from a mobile device embedded in a vehicle, where the message from the mobile device includes a vehicle identification for the vehicle. The insurance monitoring system queries an insurance database based on the vehicle identification to determine whether the vehicle is uninsured. If the vehicle is uninsured, then the insurance monitoring system sends a notification message to a law enforcement entity.
US08373546B2
A system that remotely controls a mobile body includes a guideway (i.e., balanced feeder line) for guiding the mobile body to its destination, and a coupling device provided on the mobile body for transmitting and receiving control information to control movement of the mobile body along the guideway. The coupling device includes a first loop antenna and a second loop antenna that are cross-connected to each other. A distance from the center of the balanced feeder line to the center of the first loop antenna is less than a distance from the center of the balanced feeder line to the center of the second loop antenna. The system can operate with an extremely low power of emission with a weak electric field intensity of a radio wave for controlling the movement of the mobile body.
US08373545B2
An EPC provisioning system comprising a EPC server can dynamically provide EPC code blocks for one product to multiple client sites. The EPC server can use business rules to determine the EPC codes for the multiple client sites.
US08373544B2
RFID apparatus includes transmission means for transmitting an RF signal; reception means for receiving a modulated RF signal; and demodulation means for demodulating a received modulated signal. The apparatus comprises generating means for generating a RF signal dependent on an incoming RF signal, the incoming RF signal being generated by different apparatus, and the apparatus is arranged to transmit the generated RF signal such that the generated RF signal interferes with the incoming RF signal. The RFID apparatus has both the means to respond to an RF reader device, in tag emulation mode, and means to function as an RF reader device, in reader mode.
US08373541B2
A remote control system for use with vehicles and other devices having remotely controllable features. The system may include a fob or other similar type of device to support wireless signal communications used to facilitate the remote control. The system may further include a portable device to support display dependent controls or other controls unsuited to the fob. The fob may support wireless communications between the portable device and the controlled device.
US08373536B2
The invention relates to a magnetoresistive device formed to sense an externally applied magnetic field, and a related method. The magnetoresistive device includes a magnetoresistive stripe formed over an underlying, metallic layer that is patterned to produce electrically isolated conductive regions over a substrate, such as a silicon substrate. An insulating layer separates the patterned metallic layer from the magnetoresistive stripe. A plurality of conductive vias is formed to couple the isolated regions of the metallic layer to the magnetoresistive stripe. The conductive vias form local short circuits between the magnetoresistive stripe and the isolated regions of the metallic layer to alter the uniformity of a current flow therein, thereby improving the position and angular sensing accuracy of the magnetoresistive device. In an advantageous embodiment, the metallic layer is formed as electrically conductive stripes oriented at approximately a 45° angle with respect to an axis of the magnetoresistive device.
US08373528B2
There is provided a magnetic field control method and a magnetic field generator which are capable of moving a local maximum point of magnetic field intensity on a predetermined plane easily to any given point within a predetermined area on the predetermined plane. A magnetic field generator 10 includes a pair of permanent magnets 16a, 16b provided axially of a predetermined axis A, with a gap G in between. The permanent magnet 16a is formed on a drive unit 14a in such a way that a center region 30a of a first main surface 26a is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16b is formed on a drive unit 14b in such a way that a center region 30b of a first main surface 26b is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16a revolves on a path R1 as a rotating member 24a rotates. The permanent magnet 16b revolves on a path R2 as a rotating member 24b rotates. A local maximum point M is moved on an X-Y plane by performing at least one of a first operation of revolving the permanent magnets 16a, 16b relatively to each other and a second operation of revolving the permanent magnets 16a, 16b in the same direction by the same angle.
US08373520B2
The invention relates to a device for coupling individual high-frequency amplifiers (M1, M2, . . . Mn) operating at a frequency f, including n high-frequency inputs E1, E2, . . . Ei, . . . Ep, . . . En, n being an integer greater than 1, i and p being two integers between 1 and n, p being different from i, and a power high-frequency output (S) to supply a load (R) with a power which is the sum of the powers supplied by all the individual amplifiers connected via their power outputs to said high-frequency inputs. The coupling device includes n inductors L1, L2, Li, . . . Lp, . . . Ln connected by one of their ends to a respective high-frequency input, their other ends being connected together to one end (B) of an output capacitor (Cs) the other end of which is connected to the high-frequency output (S) in order to form as many series resonant LC circuits, resonating at the operating frequency f, between the inputs E1, E2, . . . Ei, . . . Ep, . . . En and the high-frequency output (S), as there are amplifiers to be coupled.
US08373516B2
A waveguide matching unit is disclosed. The waveguide matching unit includes gyrator having first and second waveguides. The first waveguide includes first and second ports that are connected by a first waveguide channel. An RF signal propagating through the first waveguide channel is phase shifted by about 90° when propagating from the first to the second port, and is phase shifted by about 0° when propagating from the second port to the first port. The second waveguide includes third and fourth ports that are connected by a second waveguide channel. An RF signal propagating through the second waveguide channel is phase shifted by about 0° when propagating from the third to the fourth port, and is phase shifted by about 90° when propagating from the fourth port to the third port.
US08373513B2
The resonator comprises an oscillating element and first and second excitation electrodes of the oscillating element. An AC signal generator is connected to the first and second excitation electrodes and delivers first and second signals of the same amplitudes and in antiphase on the first and second electrodes. A first DC voltage source is connected to a third electrode. A second DC voltage source is connected to a fourth electrode. An additional electrode is electrically connected to the oscillating element. A signal representative of oscillation of the oscillating element is provided by the additional electrode formed by an anchoring point of the oscillating element and biased by a third DC voltage.
US08373509B2
Techniques to improve low noise amplifiers (LNAs) with noise canceling are described. LNA includes a first and a second amplifier which work together to noise cancel the noise generated at an input stage circuit. The input stage circuit receives an RF signal and is characterized by a first node and a second node. The first amplifier converts a noise voltage at the first node into a first noise current at an output of the first amplifier. The second amplifier is directly coupled to the output of the first amplifier and provides noise canceling by summing the first noise current with a second noise current generated by the second amplifier as a function of the noise voltage at the second node. The proposed techniques eliminate the need for large ac coupling capacitors and reduce the die size occupied by the LNA.
US08373480B2
A delay locked loop semiconductor apparatus that models a delay of an internal clock path is presented. The semiconductor apparatus includes: a DLL and a detection code output block. The DLL includes a delay model unit in which a delay value of an internal clock path is modeled and is configured to output a DLL clock signal of which the phase is controlled by reflecting the delay value of the internal clock path into an applied input clock signal. The detection code output block is configured to output a phase difference detection code having a code value corresponding to a phase difference between a first phase correction clock signal generated by reflecting a model delay value of the delay model unit into the DLL clock signal and a second phase correction clock signal generated by reflecting an actual delay value of the internal clock path into the DLL clock signal.
US08373475B2
A phase interpolator includes a delay difference detector and a phase interpolation driver. The delay difference detector receives a delay code to detect a delay difference. The phase interpolation driver includes two or more driver blocks complementarily operating, and the phase interpolation driver interpolate two input signals in response to the delay difference to provide an interpolated output signal. Each of two or more driver blocks includes a plurality of unit drivers, each input of the unit drivers is commonly connected, and each delay of the two or more driver blocks is varied according to the delay difference.
US08373465B1
A phase locked loop (PLL) is provided. The PLL includes a control stage comprising N storage elements each having an output coupled to the output of the control stage. The N storage elements being coupled in a chain, and each storage element being configurable in an analog mode, where a stored signal at the storage node of the storage element is changed continuously in response to the output signal of a charge pump. Each storage element is configurable in a digital mode in which the stored value is one value out of a predetermined set of values, and the storage element can assume the analog mode if a preceding storage element and a subsequent storage element are in the digital mode and have different values of the stored signal.
US08373461B2
A VCO oscillates at a frequency that corresponds to a control voltage. A frequency mixer performs frequency mixing of the output signal of the VCO and a local signal having a local frequency. A first filter extracts a difference frequency signal obtained by the mixing operation of the mixer. A phase difference detection unit makes a comparison between the phase of the difference frequency signal extracted by the first filter and the phase of a reference signal having a reference frequency, and generates a phase difference signal that corresponds to the phase difference. A loop filter performs filtering of the phase difference signal so as to generate the control signal. A second filter extracts a summation frequency signal obtained by the mixing operation of the mixer, and outputs the summation frequency signal via an output terminal thereof.
US08373460B2
A dual loop PLL for generating an oscillator signal initially operates in a digital loop to achieve a frequency lock between an input reference signal and a feedback signal and then the PLL operates in an analog loop to achieve a phase lock. After attaining the phase lock, the analog loop is used to maintain the phase lock across frequency and phase variation due to changes in temperature and supply.
US08373454B2
An power stage has a differential output stage 2 driven by one or more buffer stages 4. The buffer stages 4 are implemented as high and low side buffers 12,14, each of which is itself a differential buffer implemented using transistors formed in an isolated-well technology such as triple-well CMOS.
US08373441B1
Described embodiments provide for a semiconductor device comprising a core and one or more input/output (I/O) buffers surrounding the core. The I/O buffers are adapted to transfer signals associated with core circuitry of the core. The I/O buffers comprise I/O cells having a first orientation and I/O cells having a second orientation. Each I/O cell has a corresponding translator having low voltage transistors in a corresponding footprint. The low voltage transistors in the first orientation I/O cells have the first orientation, and the low voltage transistors in the second orientation I/O cells have the first orientation. The footprints of the first orientation I/O cells and the second orientation I/O cells are compatible with one another.
US08373439B2
A wafer includes a group of tiles of programmable logic formed thereon, wherein each tile comprises a micro control unit (MCU) communicating with adjacent MCUs, and wherein each MCU is controlled in a predetermined order of priority by adjacent MCUs; and dice lines on the wafer to separate the group into one or more end-devices.
US08373438B2
Semiconductor industry seeks to replace traditional volatile logic and memory devices with the improved nonvolatile devices. The increased demand for a significantly advanced, efficient, and nonvolatile data retention technique has driven the development of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) employing a giant magneto-resistance (GMR). The present application relates to nonvolatile logic circuits with integrated MTJs and, in particular, concerns a nonvolatile spin dependent logic device that may be integrated with conventional semiconductor-based logic devices to construct the nonvolatile logic circuits performing NOT, NOR, NAND and other logic functions.
US08373433B2
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, having two operational modes which are (i) an edge strobe mode in which the test apparatus judges acceptability of a value of an output signal from the device under test at sequentially designated reference timings, based on expected value information, and (ii) a multi-strobe mode in which the test apparatus judges the acceptability of values of the output signal at a plurality of strobes for each reference timing, based on expected value information, the plurality of strobes being generated based on the reference timing, and comprising a conversion control section that converts an expected value pattern supplied thereto into expected value information to be used in the edge strobe mode or into expected value information to be used in the multi-strobe mode, depending on which of the edge strobe mode and the multi-strobe mode is selected.
US08373429B2
A method and apparatus for interrogating an electronic component, includes a body having an interface for an interrogating device to use as a conduit in reliably performing multiple discrete interrogations of the electronic component without the interrogating device physically touching the electronic component.
US08373422B2
A system including an interface and a plurality of solder joint testing modules. The interface is configured to receive test configuration data to configure each of a plurality of integrated system test (IST) modules. Each of the plurality of solder joint testing modules is configured to, based on the test configuration data, i) apply a pulse having a predetermined amplitude and width to a solder joint associated with a respective one of the plurality of IST modules, ii) monitor a resultant waveform that is generated in response to the pulse, and iii) determine an integrity of the solder joint in response to the resultant waveform. Each of the plurality of solder joint testing modules and the respective ones of the plurality of IST modules are located on a same system on chip (SOC).
US08373420B2
A ground fault detection system detects an earth fault or ground fault in a network device. The network device may be used in a fire alarm network. The ground fault detection system includes a power device that electrically isolates the ground fault detection system. A controller sequences a series of switches or relays to charge an energy storing element, such as a capacitor, with the isolated power supply. The capacitor is placed in communication with each port of the network device one at a time. If the connected port includes an inadvertent connection to ground, a detection circuit will detect the bias on the earth ground. The detection circuit may then output an indication of the inadvertent connection to ground to either a workstation or a fire alarm control panel.
US08373415B2
A method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in which a signal contribution of a chemical species is depicted and a signal contribution of another chemical species is substantially separated is provided. For example, the provided method is applicable for water-fat separation. Spectral differences between at least two different chemical species are exploited to produce a weighting map that depicts the likelihood that one chemical species being depicted as another. A weighting map that characterizes the smoothness of a field map variation is also produced. These weighting maps are utilized to produce a correct field map estimate, such that a robust separation of the signal contributions of the at least two chemical species can be performed.
US08373407B2
A method and apparatus provides improved resolution in an analog signal, relative to the resolution of a digital-to-analog converter producing the signal. In one embodiment, a digital electrical power and energy meter varies a digital input to a digital-to-analog converter such that an average of the output of the digital-to-analog converter indicates a value with greater resolution than the instantaneous resolution of the digital-to-analog converter.
US08373404B2
A flyback voltage converter includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a switch serially connected to the primary winding for being switched to produce a current in the secondary winding, and a negative lock loop to adjust the peak value of the current in the secondary winding according to a current conduction time during which the current in the secondary winding is higher than a current threshold, such that the peak value of the current in the secondary winding will be in inverse proportion to the time.
US08373401B2
A step-up/step-down DC-DC converter includes a control section to compare an output value from voltage decrease or increase sections and a preset target value. A computation circuit provides a voltage value resulting from subtracting a difference between the voltage value of the comparison result and a first preset voltage value from a first voltage value. A drive pulse generation section generates a drive pulse for turning on and off a voltage decrease switch and a voltage increase switch in response to the result of a comparison between the computation output voltage and a ramp wave. When the voltage value of the computation output voltage exists between the first voltage value and the second voltage value, the drive pulse generation section provides control to selectively switch the on and off operation of the voltage decrease switch and the on and off operation of the voltage increase switch.
US08373399B2
A control circuit of an interleaved PFC power converter according to the present invention comprises a master switching control circuit, a slave switching control circuit, and a slave reference signal generator. The master switching control circuit generates a control signal and a first switching signal in response to an input voltage and a feedback signal. The first switching signal is utilized to control a first switch of the PFC power converter. The slave reference signal generator generates a slave control signal in response to a load condition of the PFC power converter and the control signal. The slave switching control circuit generates a second switching signal in response to the slave control signal. The slave control signal is utilized to control a second switch of the PFC power converter. The slave reference signal generator adjusts the control signal in response to the load condition for generating the slave control signal correspondingly. The slave control signal drives the slave switching control circuit to adjust the switching frequency of the second switch for reducing the switching loss.
US08373393B2
In one example embodiment, a power control system includes one or more stages, a plurality of primary busbars operatively coupled to the one or more stages, and an intelligent controller operatively coupled to the one or more stages. Each of the one or more stages is configured to generate a lead current when coupled in parallel to a power distribution system, and at least one of the one or more stages comprises a notch filter and a power tank circuit. Each of the plurality of primary busbars is configured to carry one phase of a multiple phase power signal. The controller is configured to determine when to switch each of the one or more stages one and off, to count a number of times each stage is switched on, and to track one or more electrical parameters of the power distribution system, power control system, or both.
US08373392B2
A battery system includes a battery and a battery protection apparatus. The battery protection apparatus protects the battery from over-discharge. The battery protection apparatus includes a voltage controlled switch, a start switch, and a voltage detecting unit. The voltage controlled switch establishes an electrical connection between the battery and the load. The start switch turns on the voltage controlled switch when actuated. The voltage detecting unit detects a battery voltage of the battery and generates a detecting voltage according to the battery voltage. The voltage controlled switch is turned off when the detecting voltage is lower than a predetermined value.
US08373388B2
Provided is a portable device. The portable device includes a near distance antenna, a long distance antenna, a first power generation circuit, a second power generation circuit, and a battery. The near distance antenna receives a first power source signal in an electromagnetic inductive coupling scheme. The long distance antenna receives a second power source signal in a magnetic resonance scheme. The first power generation circuit generates a power source from the first power source signal. The second power generation circuit generates a power source from the second power source signal. The battery is charged with the generated power source.
US08373387B2
An inductive charger adapter element includes a housing, a coil comprising electrically conductive material, the coil contained within the housing, the coil configured to inductively couple to an external primary coil; and a connector supported on the housing, the connector coupled to the coil and configured to couple the inductive charger adapter element to a port provided on a device, the connector including a first pair of conductors for providing power and charging current to a battery in the device.
US08373386B2
A method of controlling an inductive charging system on those occasions in which the combined power requests of a plurality of secondary devices exceed the power capacity of the power supply. The method includes at least one of (a) powering each device at a level below its requested level, (b) powering each device sequentially, and/or (c) powering each device in a repetitive pattern (e.g. time multiplexing). Also disclosed is a method of controlling an inductive charging system at least partially as a function of information received from the power management unit (PMU) of each secondary device.
US08373385B2
A non-contact charger includes: a casing having a recessed portion in which a cordless handset is placeable; a primary coil which is provided in the casing to be opposed to the cordless handset upon placement of the cordless handset in the recessed portion of the casing; an oscillating portion which is oscillatable to generate a magnetic flux energy from the primary coil; a detecting portion which detects at least one of a current value and a voltage value in the oscillating portion; and a controller which stops a generation of the magnetic flux energy based on at least one of the current value and the voltage value detected by the detecting portion.
US08373374B2
An apparatus including a DC motor includes a driven member configured to be driven by the DC motor, and a drive control unit configured to define a plurality of predetermined phases of the DC motor as target stop phases and to cause the DC motor to make at least one rotation to perform preliminary driving that rotates the DC motor to each target stop phase by driving and stopping the DC motor, configured to acquire a difference value between the target stop phase and an actual stop phase for each target stop phase, and configured to drive the DC motor so that the driven member is repeatedly moved and stopped in the operation of the driven member and to perform control so that, based on the difference value acquired by the acquisition unit, electric power is supplied to the DC motor in a phase corresponding to a stop position of the driven member.
US08373373B2
An input circuit includes an interface structured to output a logic signal from an alternating current signal of a pair of elongated conductors. A load is switchable to the elongated conductors. A processor outputs a control signal to switch the load to the elongated conductors asynchronously with respect to the alternating current signal for a first predetermined time, inputs the logic signal, determines if the input logic signal is active a plurality of times during the first predetermined time and responsively sets a first state of the alternating current signal, and, otherwise, sets an opposite second state of the alternating current signal, and delays for a second predetermined time, which is longer than the first predetermined time, for the opposite second state before repeating the output, and, otherwise, delays for a third predetermined time, which is longer than the second predetermined time, for the first state before repeating the output.
US08373367B2
A dynamo-electric machine control system including a dynamo-electric machine and an inverter that is interposed between a battery and the dynamo-electric machine and that controls a current flowing through the dynamo-electric machine, wherein a rotation speed and an output torque of the dynamo-electric machine are controlled by the inverter, the dynamo-electric machine control system includes a battery power deriving unit that derives a battery power to be supplied from the battery when the dynamo-electric machine is operated at the rotation speed and the output torque; a limit power determining unit that variably determines a limit power, which is a maximum allowable value of the battery power, in accordance with a battery voltage; and a torque limiting unit that limits the torque of the dynamo-electric machine such that the battery power derived by the battery power deriving unit does not exceed the limit power.
US08373362B2
In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
US08373358B2
A method includes receiving a variable reference voltage at a power converter and generating a regulated output voltage based on the variable reference voltage. The method also includes sequentially driving multiple sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs) using the regulated output voltage, where each set includes at least one LED. The variable reference voltage varies based on the set of LEDs being driven. For example, the method could include receiving a first reference voltage, generating a first output voltage based on the first reference voltage, and driving a first set of LEDs using the first output voltage. The method could then include receiving a second reference voltage, generating a second output voltage based on the second reference voltage, and driving a second set of LEDs using the second output voltage. At least one additional set of LEDs could be driven concurrently with the sequential driving of the multiple sets of LEDs.
US08373356B2
A system and method for providing a constant current source driver for a light emitting diode string. The converter includes a current sensor that derives feedback signal corresponding to a peak current through the light emitting diode string. The feedback signal is used by a controller to vary a duty cycle of the controller to regulate the average current. The controller is operable to regulate the average current as the number of light emitting diodes is increased and/or decreased.
US08373355B2
An apparatus and method for controlling the brightness and luminance of a light, such as an LED. The embodiment may vary the brightness and luminance of the LED in a variety of ways to achieve a variety of effects. The exemplary embodiment may vary the rate at which the LED's luminance changes, such that an observer perceives the change in the LED's brightness to be smooth and linear as a function of time, regardless of the ambient light level. Changes to the LED's luminance may be time-constrained and/or constrained by a maximum or minimum rate of change.
US08373344B2
The embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic electro-luminescence display device and a method for fabricating the same, which can improve reliability and reduce production cost. The organic electro-luminescence EL display device has a thin film transistor array unit formed on a lower substrate, an organic EL array unit on the thin film transistor array unit having a matrix of organic EL cells, and a glass cap bonded to the lower substrate with sealant at edges of the lower substrate for protecting the organic EL array unit, wherein the glass cap includes a vertical portion bonded to the lower substrate with the sealant, a horizontal portion connected to the vertical portion to face the organic EL array unit including a first region and a second region having rectangular flat recesses each with a thickness thinner than the first region, and moisture absorbent within each of the recesses.
US08373341B2
Embodiments of the invention can provide organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with enhanced outcoupling efficiency. Specific embodiments can enhance the outcoupling efficiency by more than four times. Embodiments of the invention incorporate microlens 5 arrays on the emitting surface of a top-emission OLED. Incorporation of microlens arrays on the emitting surface of a top-emission OLED can greatly enhance the outcoupling efficiency in OLEDs. With a microlens array attached to the emitting surface, much of, if not all, of the waveguiding modes can be extracted. The microlens array can be fabricated using the inkjet printing method or using other methods, including molding.
US08373337B2
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, including an electrical connecting arrangement on a connection-side end, an end on the combustion-chamber side pointing toward a combustion chamber, an insulator and a housing having a thread for attaching the spark plug to an engine component, a first sealing area and a second sealing area being provided between the insulator and the housing, the first sealing area being situated closer to the connection-side end and the second sealing area being situated closer to the end on the combustion-chamber side, a tool engagement area for transmitting a torque to the spark plug for fitting or removing the spark plug being situated in an area of the spark plug which lies between the connection-side end and the first sealing area.
US08373334B2
There are provided a piezoelectric vibrating reed which can be reliably bonded ultrasonically and which can be efficiently manufactured, a piezoelectric vibrator, a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrator, an oscillator, an electronic apparatus, and a radio-controlled timepiece. A piezoelectric vibrating reed includes: a piezoelectric plate having vibrating portions and a base portion adjacent to the vibrating portions; excitation electrodes formed in the vibrating portions; mount electrodes formed in the base portion; lead-out electrodes for making the excitation electrodes and the mount electrodes electrically connected to each other; and a passivation film which is formed of an electrically insulating material and covers the excitation electrodes and the lead-out electrodes. These electrodes disposed on one surface of the base portion are formed only in a region covered by the passivation film.
US08373333B2
A resonator element includes at least one resonating arm that vibrates in a torsional mode, wherein the resonating arm includes a structural portion having a first portion disposed in a first direction in a sectional view in the width direction and a second portion connected to the first portion so that the center of gravity departs from the center of gravity of the first portion in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first portion vibrates in a stretch mode in the length direction of the resonating arm with an application of a voltage, and wherein the second portion does not substantially vibrate in the stretch mode in the length direction of the resonating arm with the application of the voltage or vibrates in a stretch mode with a phase different from that of the first portion.
US08373332B2
Provided is an energy harvesting electric device capable of increasing output power. The energy harvesting electric device includes an energy harvester array including a plurality of energy harvesters, a single rectifier connected to the energy harvester array, and an output unit which is connected to the single rectifier and has a load resistance. The energy harvesters include a plurality of first energy harvesters connected to each other in parallel and a single second energy harvester connected in parallel to the first energy harvesters. The first energy harvesters have a first specific resistance higher than the load resistance and the second energy harvester has a second specific resistance higher than the first specific resistance.
US08373328B2
An electric motor with two or more stator sections, each possessing at least two salient pole projections having power windings, and two or more armature sections on a common shaft. The armature sections are at an angle to each other: e.g. 90 degrees for two armatures, 120 degrees for three armatures. Each armature has a lamination stack or ferrite core. The armature sections form a constant air gap with the field poles, and have an elliptical profile with respect to the output shaft. The armature sections have no electrical windings, or conductors and require no slip rings, rotor coils or permanent magnets. The power windings are energized by pulses of electric current. Said pulses are automatically supplied to the salient pole nearest the longest rotor flux path available, as determined by a shaft position sensor.
US08373325B2
A rotating electric machine system includes a rotor having a rotor plane. The rotor includes magnetic salient poles in a circumferential direction on the rotor plane. Adjacent magnetic salient poles are magnetized in different polarities from each other by a permanent magnet. A control magnet is arranged in an inside part of the adjacent magnetic salient poles. An excitation coil is placed so as to make an excitation flux collectively in the rotor. The magnetization state of the control magnet where the magnetic flux by the armature coils and the excitation flux flow in a same direction is changed irreversibly. An amount of the magnetic flux flowing through the armature coils is controlled by changing the magnetization state of the control magnet in accordance with an output of the rotating electric machine system so that the output is optimized.
US08373317B2
A hand tool RFI suppression system comprising a DC motor having a conductive housing, a power supply and a suppression circuit board supporting at least one suppression assembly and at least one ground circuit electrically coupled to the suppression assembly. The suppression circuit board is mounted to the motor housing with the at least one suppression assembly electrically coupled in parallel between the power supply and the DC motor and the ground circuit is electrically coupled to the motor housing. A method of suppressing RFI in a power hand tool is also provided.
US08373313B2
A switch for premises electrical circuits provides wireless control compatible with at least one home automation control system technology. A single switch design can operate two-, three-, and four-way circuits without alteration, and without recourse to coordinating remote switches. The switch includes processor functions for restoring a previous state after power interruption, and for establishing a state commanded during the power interruption. The switch uses two single-pole, single-throw relays for positive safety lockout, and adjusts relay actuation timing with reference to power waveform zero-crossing for contact arc reduction with inductive, tungsten, and capacitive loads.
US08373312B2
A power generation system including a photovoltaic (PV) module to generate DC power is provided. The system includes a combination of a DC to DC converter and a DC to AC converter coupled to the DC to DC converter for supplying power from the PV module to a power grid. The system further includes a bidirectional converter and an energy storage device coupled to the bidirectional converter. The system also includes a control system to generate commands for controlling a state of charge of the energy storage device. The control system comprises a deadband limiter to detect a deviation of the frequency signal outside of a respective signal range, a power shaper to provide a transient power generation adjustment signal in response to the signal being outside of the respective signal range and a limit controller for preventing the adjustment signal from causing the energy storage device to operate outside of at least one operating constraint.
US08373295B2
A method is provided for operating a power station (10), with turbine shafting (11), that includes a gas turbine (12) and a generator (18) driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of the generator is connected with an electrical grid (21) with given grid frequency. An electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox (27) is arranged between the generator (18) and the grid (21), the decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency. Increased service life of the station and reduced emissions are achieved in that, when there are longer-lasting changes in the grid frequency, the mechanical or aerodynamic rotational speed of the gas turbine (12) is kept constant and the output of the gas turbine (12) is adjusted without a delay.
US08373294B2
A vertical axis wind turbine including a generator, a central shaft in rotatable communication with the generator and positioned along a central axis of the vertical-axis wind turbine, a plurality of blades, and a power management subsystem operable to induce a forward current in the generator when the measured wind speed is above a minimum speed required for the blades to rotate but below the wind speed required to overcome a static friction exerted on the central shaft and the blades.
US08373280B2
An assembly component and a technique for assembling a chip package using the assembly component are described. This chip package includes a set of semiconductor dies that are arranged in a stack in a vertical direction, which are offset from each other in a horizontal direction to define a stepped terraced at one side of the vertical stack. Moreover, the chip package may be assembled using the assembly component. In particular, the assembly component may include a housing having another stepped terrace. This other stepped terrace may include a sequence of steps in the vertical direction, which are offset from each other in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the housing may be configured to mate with the set of semiconductor dies such that the set of semiconductor dies are arranged in the stack in the vertical direction. For example, the other stepped terrace may approximately be a mirror image of the stepped terrace.
