US08701403B2
A system and method for generating energy from the tuning masses relative to a ground plane and an external force. In some embodiments the external force is the action of the waves. The system has a first mass movable relative to the ground plane, wherein the external force induces an oscillation in the first mass relative to the ground plane. A second movable mass is carried by and movable relative to the first movable mass. The second movable mass creates kinetic energy as the result of varying the position of the second movable mass relative to the first mass. The system adjusts or tunes the frequency of various components in relation to the natural frequency of the waves. The second mass can move relative to the first mass by various methods including rolling on a track or pendulum. The energy created by the relative motion can be converted to various forms of energy including electrical energy.
US08701402B2
A reservoir-less power steering system having a hydraulic pump, a storage tube, a steering gear assembly, and a return line. The storage tube accommodates and provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. Further, the hydraulic pump increases the hydraulic fluid pressure and transfers the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the steering gear assembly. A return line is connected to the steering gear assembly and coupled to the storage tube for returning the hydraulic fluid from the steering gear assembly to the hydraulic pump. Moreover, the storage tube extends upwards from the hydraulic pump to include a hydraulic fluid level measurement assembly.
US08701399B2
A pair of dozer control valves V3, V6 concurrently operable; a pilot pressure valve V14 switchable between an independent position 27 where, when only track devices 5 are operated, discharged fluid from one hydraulic-fluid discharge port P1 is independently supplied to one track control valve and one dozer control valve, and discharged fluid from the other hydraulic-fluid discharge port P2 is independently supplied to the other track control valve and the other dozer control valve, and a merging position 28 where, when the other control valves are operated, discharged fluid from the one hydraulic-fluid discharge port and from the other hydraulic-fluid discharge port are merged and supplied to the control valves V1 to 10; and pressure compensation valves V11 in the control valves and for distributing hydraulic fluid at flow rates based on extent of actuation of the other control valves operated, irrespective of the magnitude of the loads.
US08701393B2
An internal combustion engine in which an SOx trap catalyst (13) for trapping SOx contained in the exhaust gas contains an oxygen adsorbing and releasing material (54) which can adsorb SO2 contained in the exhaust gas and an SOx storage material (55) which can store SOx in the form of sulfates. The SO2 which is contained in the exhaust gas is chemically adsorbed at the oxygen adsorbing and releasing material (54) without being oxidized. If the temperature of the SOx trap catalyst (13) becomes higher than the start temperature of adsorbed SO2 movement, the SO2 which is chemically adsorbed at the oxygen adsorbing and releasing material (54) is oxidized and stored in the form of sulfates in the SOx storage material (55).
US08701389B2
A reagent injector control system includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) control module and an injector driver module. The PWM control module monitors current through a reagent injector during an injection control cycle, generates a PWM signal based on an amount of reagent to be injected during the injection control cycle, and at least one of selectively increases and selectively decreases a duty cycle of a PWM signal during the injection control cycle based on the current. The injector driver module selectively enables and disables the current based on the PWM signal. The reagent injector opens and injects a reagent into an exhaust system based on the current. The exhaust system receives exhaust output from an engine. The reagent reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx).
US08701387B2
An engaging groove (47) with which a gasket (42) is engaged is provided in each of a front side projecting portion (44) and a rear side projecting portion (46) formed in a filter accommodating cylinder (37) to be positioned on an outer peripheral surface (44A, 46A) of each projecting portion (44, 46). Therefore, when the gasket (42) latches on each of the projecting portion (44; 46) to be fitted thereon from an outside, the gasket (42) can be engaged with the engaging groove (47) provided in each of the projecting portions (44, 46). In consequence, at the time of mounting and removing the filter accommodating cylinder (37), the falling-off of the gasket (42) can be prevented, and, for example, an inspection operation, a cleaning operation and the like of an accommodated particulate matter removing filter (41) can be easily performed.
US08701384B2
The invention relates to the field of Hall effect thrusters. The invention provides a Hall effect thruster having a discharge channel of annular shape extending along an axis, the discharge channel being defined by an outer wall of annular shape and an inner wall of annular shape situated inside the space defined by the outer wall, a cathode situated outside the discharge channel, and an injector system situated at the upstream end of the discharge channel and also forming an anode, the downstream end of the discharge channel being open, wherein the thruster includes a heat sink device comprising a heat sink in contact with the inner wall and of thermal conductivity that is greater than the thermal conductivity of the inner wall, the heat sink being a sleeve and the heat sink device being suitable for discharging heat from the inner wall to the outside of the thruster so as to reduce the temperature difference between the inner wall and the outer wall.
US08701378B2
A mobile rake device for displacing mown crop has a frame with a rake tool assembly that has a path-shaped working range and includes two rake tools with rake tines. In an operative position, the rake tools are arranged behind each other in a staggered manner in the direction of travel to provide two path parallel sections to achieve the path-shaped working range. The rake tools displace the mown crop located in the path section to one side in a flow of crop in order to form ultimately one final windrow. The rake tool assembly has an auxiliary displacing tool, that is arranged to throw the crop, which has been collected by the first rake tool in a flow of crop or in the form of a windrow, a pre-windrow, across the front of the next rake tool towards the final windrow to be formed.
US08701377B1
A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.
US08701374B2
A refrigerator door includes an outer wall and an inner wall which surround an intermediate space as well as vertical bars that protrude from the inner wall and are provided with catching steps for door shelves. The bars are formed at least in part by a vertical profiled part while the catching steps are embodied on the vertical profiled part.
US08701373B2
The invention relates to a flashing member for use with a roof window mounted on an upstand, said flashing member having at least one insulating member and a compensation member on the inner side. The compensation member, which allows use of one flashing member for different angles of the window, is preferably compressible, expandable or provided with removal indications, such as cutting lines, for allowing an easy removable of a part thereof as well as elastic. A kit including at least one such flashing member may include corner flashing members, gable flashing members, a ridge flashing members and/or supplementary insulating members. The invention further relates to a method for mounting a flashing for a roof window mounted on an upstand, where one or more connector brackets are attached to the window and where the/each flashing member is attached to the window frame via at least one connector bracket.
US08701372B2
A photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic module including a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and a frame surrounding the photovoltaic cells. The frame includes a lower flange. A module rail includes a module-support portion supporting the lower flange of the photovoltaic module. A clip fastener defines a press-fit channel in which the lower flange of the photovoltaic module and the module-support portion of the module rail are press fit to secure the module to the module-support portion of the module rail.
US08701371B2
Examples of construction systems and methods of constructing multi-story buildings utilizing premanufactured and prefinished components are disclosed. Examples of premanufactured and prefinished components include floor and ceiling slabs, non-weight bearing window walls, demising walls, exterior walls, and utility walls. The premanufactured and prefinished components may be transported to the construction site and assembled at the construction site.
US08701368B2
A set of panels comprises a first panel having a first edge including an undercut which accommodates a fastening member, and a second panel having a second edge including a locking region. The first and second edges are positioned adjacent to each other when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member. The fastening member comprises a displaceable activating portion and a locking portion which is displaceable with respect to the first panel upon displacement of the activating portion in opposite direction of the displacement of the activating portion such that the locking portion engages the locking region of the second panel when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member. The activating portion is intended to be contacted by the second panel upon moving the second panel and the first panel with respect to each other to a fastened condition and the locking portion is intended to fasten the first and second panels with respect to each other at least perpendicularly to the direction of displacement of the locking portion. The activating portion is spaced from the locking portion in a direction substantially parallel to the first edge.
US08701367B2
A roof structure for covering a roof substrate includes a waterproof membrane having a layer of fleece material disposed on a first side thereof. The roof structure also includes a moisture curing, substantially non-volatile polyether based adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the first side of the waterproof membrane. At least some of the adhesive is disposed within the fleece material to permit bonding of the waterproof membrane to a roof substrate of a low slope roof of a building structure.
US08701360B2
A method of assembling a solar array includes forming at least one substrate member that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is contoured with a shape that at least partially conforms to at least a portion of a contoured roof. The upper surface includes at least one elevated portion and a plurality of substantially planar regions. The at least one elevated portion is offset a predetermined height above at least one other portion of the substrate member. Each of the plurality of substantially planar regions is a distance above the at least one elevated portion and is oriented to receive at least one photovoltaic laminate. The method also includes coupling the at least one substrate member to at least a portion of the contoured roof.
US08701357B2
In certain embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to modular subunit based on a has a frame having three equal length structural segments joined at each end to form a triangular shape, and wherein the structural segments form a bounded section. The bounded section may be a load bearing structure. The bounded section may include three trapezoidal elements arranged to form a triangle. The bounded section may include one of the following: SIP, flooring system, a ceiling system, a roofing system, glass, drop panels, empty. A modular unit may be formed having two of the triangular frames separated by a perpendicular column at each corner to form a normal right pentahedral shape; and wherein the triangular frame further comprising three equal length structural segments joined at each end forming a triangular shape; wherein the structural segments form a bounded section.
US08701351B2
A seal assembly located at the intersection of an extension room and wall of a recreation vehicle, the seal assembly having a flap seal, a bulb snap-in member attached to the flap seal, and a bulb seal member attachable to the bulb snap-in member in a snap-fit manner. The bulb seal member may be attached to the bulb snap-in member by a living hinge. The flap seal may be made removable from the bulb snap-in member. Two flap seals may be used to attach to either side of the recreation vehicle wall. The two flap seals may be connectable with each other and adjustable via a longitudinal mating shaft on one flap seal and a longitudinal mating shaft receiving member on the second flap seal. The seal assembly may be manufactured by a multi-extrusion process so that various components can be made of different materials, such as different types of plastic.
US08701349B2
The invention relates to a guide arrangement (10), in particular for a motor vehicle door, which comprises at least one movable window pane (20, 120), at least one guide part (30, 130) and at least one receptacle (40, 140) for the guide part (30, 130), wherein the guide part (30, 130) or the receptacle (40, 140) is fastened to the window pane (20, 120) and the guide part (30, 130) extends, at least in sections, into the receptacle (40, 140) in a direction which runs substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window pane (20, 120). The invention also relates to a method for assembling a guide arrangement (10) of said type.
US08701341B2
This invention relates to control method and apparatus of wind machine for plant frost protection, and belongs to the domain of agro-meteorological disaster monitoring and control. Existing wind machines for plant frost protection only rely on critical damage temperature or wind speed as a condition to start. If there is no thermal inversion, operation of the wind machine will aggravate freezing injury to plants. If the strength of thermal inversion is weak, the effect will be minimal. The feature of this invention is that when temperature at the plant canopy is lower than the critical damage temperature of a certain plant and temperature difference between the top and bottom of the thermal inversion layers exceeds set threshold, wind machine will start automatically. Otherwise it will remain off. The control apparatus mainly consists of sensor 5 at the top of thermal inversion layer, sensor 7 at bottom of thermal inversion layer, and controller 4. This invention of the control of frost protection wind machine ensures rational and effective operation and avoids aggravated freezing risk due to misuse of energy and incorrect operation.
US08701339B1
The vacuum-based pest capture container works in-line between an automated vacuum-based pest control system and an existing vacuum cleaner in order to detect a pest, operate the vacuum cleaner in order to generate a vacuum force capable of sucking said pest into the container for capture. The container includes an inlet opposite of an outlet, which enables fluid communication between the automated pest control system and a vacuum hose. The inlet features a one-way flap that opens inwardly upon reaction to a vacuum force generated by said vacuum; whereas the outlet includes a fixed screen so as to prevent a pest from traversing through the container. The container includes a removable lid to enable extraction of a caught pest from within. A handle shall be provided to enable articulation of the container as needed.
US08701336B2
An improved pest control device having a bottom, two side walls, two end walls with holes therethrough to permit an animal to enter, and a lid, with a bait holder inside the trap, which may optionally be raised off of the floor of the trap and magnets positioned near the top edge of at least two of the walls to secure the trap to a dumpster, thereby holding the lid in the closed position when the trap is secured to the dumpster to prevent access to the bait other than through the holes in the end walls.
US08701335B2
This disclosure relates to the field of illuminating insect-catching devices, in particular to insect-catching devices comprising an adhesive surface. In particular the illuminating portion is electrically powered.
US08701331B2
An assembly for mounting on a standard mounting platform, such as a Picatinny-type rail, the assembly provides engaged contact between the rail and the surfaces of a base and a clamp. The clamp is rotatably attached to a base, allowing a user to quickly shift the assembly between a rail-engaging position and a disengaged position. The base also preferably contains a locking mechanism that allows a user to lock the assembly in a rail-engaging position. The assembly is particularly useful for the mounting of accessories, such as scopes and sights, onto Picatinny-type rails that are affixed to firearms.
US08701325B1
A duplex weapon system that is capable of firing a high-mass/low-velocity (“HMLV”) projectile followed by a conventional projectile such as a bullet. A barrel adapter is aligned with the bore of the barrel of a conventional firearm. The barrel adapter includes an adapter bore running completely through its length, with the adapter bore terminating in an exit in the forward portion of the barrel adapter. The HMLV projectile is slidably attached to the exterior of the barrel adapter. The HMLV projectile includes a launch tube that covers the exit of the barrel adapter. When a first cartridge is fired b the firearm, expanding propellant gas rushes down the adapter bore and out the exit The expanding gas forces the launch tube and the attached HMLV projectile away from the barrel adapter. The HMLV projectile then flies toward a target.
US08701316B2
An aerial advertising device for providing predictable and consistent oscillations to a banner towed behind an aircraft. The aerial advertising device may be disposed at the bottom of the leading edge of a banner. The device may generally comprise a weight box disposed above a wind box. The device may be rotatable about the leading edge or extension, wherein the range of motion of such rotation may be limited by a restriction arm preventing further motion of the device relative to the leading edge. Such rotation may allow the inside walls of the wind box to transfer the applied wind force to the rotation of the device and thereby the rotation of the leading edge of the banner. The weight box may further comprise a horizontal translation arm upon which a slidable weight may slide as the translation arm is moved into greater angular positions relative to horizontal.
US08701315B2
A reduced profile gift card holder includes a pocket for storing a gift card and a tear away panel for holding a gift card prior to purchase, yet is dimensioned so that one or more of such holders may be presented for sale in prior art display boxes designed to hold only gift cards. The holder may include enhancement elements such as graphics and text upon the holder surfaces and pop-up elements that move and stand off from the surfaces of the holder when the holder is opened.
US08701311B2
A tube of material comprising a decorative portion with an inner layer having an attachment member(s) inserted therein. The attachment member(s) is connected to the rim of a boot through user interaction with the boot. Various jewelry items have connection member(s) attached to the inner layer. Each of the connection member(s) is attached to another connection member and or to a decorative jewelry item. A tube comprising a decorative portion; an inner layer sewn at its border to the decorative portion; and a sock sewn to a top side of the sewn border so that it folds inwards into the sock. A connection member(s) is attached to the inner layer. Each of the connection member(s) is further attached to another connection member and or to a decorative jewelry item. The connection member(s) is from the group of: a spring activated jeweler's lock, a keychain ring and a strip of material.
US08701295B2
An embodiment includes a cutting device having a blade; a device architecture configured to hold the blade that includes: a pressure body operable to remain rigid in response to a substrate pressing against a portion of the pressure body at a first pressure, and a portion of the pressure body operable to deform in response to the substrate pressing against a portion of the pressure body at a second pressure, and thereby provide variable resistance against the substrate; and, a cutter slot at a first device architecture end defined by the blade and the pressure body, the cutter slot configured to receive the substrate and operable to open rearwardly toward a second end as the pressure body deforms.
US08701293B2
A utility knife includes an elongaged handle having an internal cavity, two opposing ends and a side having at least one locking opening. A shuttle is sized to slide within the cavity and has a side surface. The shuttle has a spring-loaded locking button projecting from the side surface and into the handle. The button is sized and shaped to selectively project into the at least one locking opening. The shuttle is bonded to a conventionally shaped utility knife blade of the type which includes two opposing cutting regions. The shuttle can slide within the handle between the two opposing ends so that both cutting regions of the blade can be easily used as necessary. This utility knife is meant to be lost cost and disposable, but offers the user TWO cutting edges, doubling its effective use.
US08701291B2
A multi-purpose hair cutter according to the present invention includes a body member, a blade member, and a projection member. The blade member is attached to a first side of the body member in a height direction. The projection member has a base part and at least one projecting part. The base part is attached to a second side of the body member opposite to the blade member in the height direction. The projecting part is formed to project from the base part and rises in a direction opposite to the blade member.
US08701290B2
A method of making a compressible elastomeric spring including at least one compressible elastomeric pad enclosed by a pair of metal plates includes the steps of forming plates with a center aperture and a plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge thereof, forming each end of the pad with an axial projection and abutting groove, aligning the plurality of prongs with each respective projection and respective groove and applying axial force to one end of the spring to frictionally interlock the plurality of prongs with such projection and groove. The method also provides for making a multi-tiered stack of pads separated by plates in the above described manner and pre-shortening the spring prior to installation into the conventional yoke. The above described method additionally improves axial straightness and lateral stability of the multi-tiered spring assembly.
US08701272B2
A method of forming a power module located on a conductive substrate by providing power conversion circuitry. The method of providing the power conversion circuitry includes forming a magnetic device by placing a magnetic core proximate a conductive substrate with a surface thereof facing a conductive substrate, and placing a conductive clip proximate a surface of the magnetic core. The method of forming the magnetic device also includes electrically coupling ends of the conductive clip to the conductive substrate to cooperatively form a winding therewith about the magnetic core. The method of providing the power conversion circuitry also includes providing at least one switch on the conductive substrate. The method of forming the power module also includes depositing an encapsulant about the power conversion circuitry.
US08701271B2
An assembly method for first and second articles is disclosed. A first substrate with a plurality of first articles and a second substrate with a plurality of second articles are selected. The articles on the flexible substrate webs with different pitches are assembled together by displacing portions between the first articles of one web out of plane to move the first articles on that web to the same shorter pitch as the second articles on the other web, aligning the two webs to register corresponding first and second articles on the two webs, and assembling the corresponding articles together. The assembly may be used for example in the making of RFID tags, labels and inlays.
US08701257B2
A work holding device that secures a workpiece includes a first support column, a second support column, and a plurality of part fixturing anchors. The first support column and the second support column are coupled to one another forming a longitudinal loading envelope having a width-wise dimension, a height-wise dimension, and a length-wise dimension. At least one of the support columns includes a plurality of part fixturing recesses passing through the support column in the width-wise dimension and arranged within the height-wise dimension and the length-wise dimension of the longitudinal loading envelope. The part fixturing anchors extend through the support column at the part fixturing recesses into the longitudinal loading envelope and couple the workpiece to the first and second support columns.
US08701256B2
Methods and apparatus for removing condensed metal from the surfaces of metal processing chambers, such as, vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnaces having, for example, condensed Mg or Ti, are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide a robotic arm end positioned in the furnace having a nozzle operatively connected to a source of dry ice. The robotic arm end directs a stream of dry ice particles against the surface of the furnace to displace condensed metal. The displaced metal is collected for reuse or disposal. Aspects of the invention provide a safe and automated process for cleaning process chambers and recovering metal that can typically be dangerous when performed by conventional methods.
US08701244B2
A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a body having a vacuum motor provided therein; a dust collection device provided in the body to collect dust; a dust compression device expandable or contractible selectively; a passage switching device configured to selectively communicate the dust compression device with a low pressure part having a lower pressure than a pressure of the dust collection device and a high pressure part having a higher pressure than a pressure of the dust collection device.
US08701242B2
A paint roller tray (20) includes a pivoting bail handle (21) attached thereto. The bail handle (21) is horizontally disposed in a default position while the tray (20) is being used for painting. The handle pivots with respect to the tray (20) to move a handle portion upward for easy one hand grasping by a user. The bail handle includes foot extensions (72) and (73) that extend outboard of the tray (20) that a user can step on to pivot the bail handle (21) to a lift position for easier grasping. The tray (20) includes a paint brush rest surface (35) and one or more brush handle holders (36) and (37) to secure the brush handle and prevent the brush from falling as the tray is moved. The tray (20) further includes elements (44-49) for cantilevering the tray from the rung of a step ladder and is configured for nesting one tray inside another.
US08701241B2
A flat wiper blade with spoilers is provided. The flat wiper blade has a wiper strip, a single elongated frame, first and second spoilers and a connecting unit for connection to a wiper arm. The frame holds and supports the wiper strip. The first and second spoilers have a pair of longitudinally extending fitting grooves and a receiving groove in the fitting groove. The receiving groove has a width greater than that of the fitting groove. The first and second spoilers are joined to the frame as opposed to each other in such a manner that the frame is fitted to the fitting grooves and an edge of the frame is received in the receiving groove. The connecting unit is joined to the frame between the first spoiler and the second spoiler. The connecting unit engages the first spoiler and the second spoiler.
US08701238B1
A hand operated sweeping mop applicator with a unique disposable cloth retaining assembly where the cloth is retained by cloth retaining members attached to the bottom of a top plate which extend perpendicularly away from a bottom of the top plate and extend through aligned openings in a bottom plate to retain a cleaning cloth against a bottom surface of the bottom plate. Separation force members such as force springs are sandwiched between the bottom of the top plate and the top of the bottom plate and retained in a compressed state buy a force from a shotgun closing member.
US08701232B1
A method of forming an article of footwear includes knitting a knitted workpiece formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted workpiece is configured to at least partially form an upper of the article of footwear. The knitted workpiece has a body and a trim region. The trim region defines at least a portion of an outer edge of the knitted workpiece. A first dimension of the knitted workpiece is at least partly defined by the outer edge. The method also includes heating the knitted workpiece. Also, the method includes trimming the knitted workpiece within the trim region after heating the knitted workpiece to remove a piece from the knitted workpiece and to reduce the first dimension to a second dimension. Also, the method includes forming the upper from the trimmed knitted workpiece.
US08701231B2
The invention relates to a mat intended for a person for whom some mobility is desired, and who can easily be taken care of while preventing any risk of fall when the person lying on the mat moves and is unattended. Such a secure fall-prevention mat mainly includes a core, holding means intended for holding a person lying on said mat and a ballasted set. As an exemplary preferred embodiment, such a mat is a mat used for changing babies.
US08701226B2
A patient hoist is provided on a trolley which tides along a track, with the hoist being powered by a conductor extending along the track. A contact carrier is loosely fit within the trolley, and it bears a contact which elastically biased against the track conductor, with die contact being in electrical communication with the hoist: The contact carrier is tree to laterally displace with respect to the trolley so that it (and its contact) follows the contour of the track, with the contact remaining in electrical communication with the track conductor.
US08701224B2
A press touch pop-up stopper is used in a basin and contains a pipe set fixed in an opening of a bottom end of the basin and including a hole disposed therein and having an outlet fixed on a top end of the hole; a stopper assembly received in the pipe set and including a plug, after the plug is pressed, it bounces automatically to turn on the outlet so as to flow water, after the plug is pressed again, it closing the outlet to stop flowing the water; a vertical connecting structure defined between the pipe set and the stopper assembly so that when the stopper assembly is pulled upward, it disengages from the pipe set, and when the stopper assembly is pressed downward to be received in the pipe set, it is connected with the pipe set.
US08701222B2
A sanitary washing device includes: a water discharge nozzle configured to squirt water from a water discharge port; a first channel configured to guide water supplied from a water supply source to the water discharge nozzle; a first channel opening/closing valve provided in the first channel and configured to control passage of water through the first channel; a heat exchange unit provided in the first channel between the first channel opening/closing valve and the water discharge nozzle and configured to heat water passed therethrough; and a draining device configured to drain water in the heat exchange unit toward the water supply source.
US08701217B2
A men's undergarment (1) comprises an upper portion (2) looped to encircle the waist of a wearer; a front portion supported by the upper portion (2) and extending downwards from it; a rear area (5), extending downwards from the upper portion (2) and connected to the front portion, with which it forms a first and a second opening (6, 7) for the legs of the wearer; the rear area comprising a portion (5a, 5b, 5c) made of elastic fabric and comprising a system (9) for confining the elastic stretching of the rear portion (5a, 5b, 5c); the elastic stretching confining system comprising at least one sector (14) in the rear area (5) where stretching is reduced compared with the stretching of the remaining part of the rear area (5).
US08707461B2
The method relates to a method of scanning a sample. Scanning a sample is typically done by scanning the sample with a probe along a multitude of parallel lines. In prior art scan methods a sample is scanned multiple times with a nominally identical scan pattern. The invention is based on the insight that the coherence between adjacent points in a direction along the scan direction is much better than the coherence of adjacent points perpendicular to the scan direction. By combining two images that are scanned perpendicular to each other, it should thus be possible to form an image making use of the improved coherence (due to shorter temporal distance) in both directions. The method thus involves scanning the sample with two scan patterns, the lines of one scan pattern preferably perpendicular to the lines of the other scan pattern. Hereby it is possible to use the temporal coherence of scan points on a line of one scan pattern to align the lines of the other scan pattern, and vice versa.
US08707454B1
Multi-party messaging is disclosed. An encapsulation is received from a first client. The received encapsulation encapsulates an encrypted message encrypted using a symmetric key, and a plurality of keys. Each key in the plurality of keys comprises the symmetric key as encrypted with a respective public key of a respective recipient. An account associated with each of the respective recipients is determined. For each of the respective recipients, a flag is set that is indicative of the arrival of the encapsulation. For each of the respective recipients, which recipients have download the encapsulation is tracked. The encapsulation is deleted.
US08707451B2
A flexible and extensible architecture allows for secure searching across an enterprise. Such an architecture can provide a simple Internet-like search experience to users searching secure content inside (and outside) the enterprise. The architecture allows for the crawling and searching of a variety of sources across an enterprise, regardless of whether any of these sources conform to a conventional user role model. The architecture further allows for security attributes to be submitted at query time, for example, in order to provide real-time secure access to enterprise resources. The user query also can be transformed to provide for dynamic querying that provides for a more current result list than can be obtained for static queries.
US08707442B1
A dynamic URLs construction system includes a publisher server and one content accessor server. The publisher server has a content URL access module, a content access module and a content database for storing media content and providing content URL accessing instructions and media content to a content accessor server. Media content provided by a publisher is accessed using dynamic URLs. A content accessor server includes at least one dynamic URL generation module and one content retrieval module. The content accessor server receives a content ID and a template URL containing instruction for constructing the corresponding dynamic URL from the publisher server. The dynamic URL generation module parses the template URL instructions, obtains an access key associated with the dynamic URL and constructs the dynamic URL using the access key and the content ID. The content retrieval module retrieves the content referenced by the dynamic URL.
US08707433B1
Fake exception handlers resulting from malicious stack buffer overflows that overwrite an exception handling record on the stack are detected. The operating system exception processing logic is monitored. Responsive to an exception occurring, an exception handler to be called by the monitored operating system exception processing logic is identified. A specific number of the first bytes of the identified exception handler are scanned to determine whether a return instruction is present therein. Instructions of the identified exception handler that are positioned prior to the return instruction are analyzed to determine whether they modify the value of the stack pointer so as to shrink the stack. The identified exception handler is adjudicated as being fake, responsive to determining that a return instruction is present in the first specific number of bytes of the exception handler and/or that the instructions positioned prior to the return instruction shrink the stack.
US08707431B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for insider threat detection are provided. Embodiments detect insiders who act on documents and/or files to which they have access but whose activity is inappropriate or uncharacteristic of them based on their identity, past activity, and/or organizational context. Embodiments work by monitoring the network to detect network activity associated with a set of network protocols; processing the detected activity to generate information-use events; generating contextual information associated with users of the network; and processing the information-use events based on the generated contextual information to generate alerts and threat scores for users of the network. Embodiments provide several information-misuse detectors that are used to examine generated information-use events in view of collected contextual information to detect volumetric anomalies, suspicious and/or evasive behavior. Embodiments provide a user threat ranking system and a user interface to examine user threat scores and analyze user activity.
US08707428B2
A system for defending against internet-based attacks is disclosed. The system may include a processor which may be configured to receive information associated with a device when a web request is transmitted by the device to access a web page monitored by the processor. The processor may also determine whether traffic associated with the web request from the device is suspected of being used for malicious activity and, if not, enable the device to access the web page. If the traffic is suspected of being used for malicious activity, then the processor may transmit a challenge to the device if the traffic is determined to be suspected. Furthermore, the processor may receive information associated with the web request, which may be provided by a uniform resource locator invoked in response to the traffic being determined to be suspected.
US08707426B1
A method and apparatus for resolving a cousin domain name to detect web-based fraud is described. In one embodiment, the method for resolving cousin domain names of a legitimate domain name comprising applying at least one rule to a domain name to generate one or more candidate cousin domain names and comparing the at least one candidate cousin domain name with legitimate domain information to identify the legitimate domain name that is imitated by at least one portion of the domain name.
US08707425B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for preventing scanning of a copy of a message. In use, it is determined whether an identifier of a message is stored in a data structure. Further, the scanning of a copy of the message is prevented, based on the determination.
US08707422B2
A system for and method of automatically enforcing a configuration change process for change requests of one or more configurable element within one or more configurable computation systems. The system comprises means for managing a configuration change process for one or more configurable elements within a corresponding configurable computation system, means for generation a configuration request, means for applying a set of authorization rules to the configuration change requests to generate selective authorization of the CEs, and means for selectively locking and unlocking changes to configurable elements within the configurable computational systems.
US08707415B2
A method includes: establishing a first connection between a first ID token and a first computer system via a second computer system for reading at least one first attribute from the first ID token, establishing a second connection between a second ID token and the first computer system via the second computer system for reading at least one second attribute from the second ID token, sending the first and second attributes from the first computer system to a third computer system, receiving the data from the third computer system by the first computer system, writing the data into the second ID token via the second connection by the first computer system thereby storing the data in the second ID token, where the first connection still exists, wherein the first and the second connection are respectively connection with end-to-end encryption and a connection oriented protocol.
US08707414B2
Described herein are systems and methods for access control management, these generally being directed towards location aware access control management. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for providing additional functionalities in access control systems having disconnected devices, and the present disclosure is primarily focused accordingly. For example, embodiments include access control devices configured to operate in conjunction with a GPS receiver or other source of geographical positional information, and methods associated with the use of such devices.
US08707413B2
A system is configured for authenticating a chip card interface device (CCID) during a transaction with the CCID. The system has a communication device configured for communicating with the CCID over a network and a processing device coupled with the communication device. The processing device is configured for receiving a transaction initiation communication from the CCID and instructing the communication device to communicate a request for authentication information including a random number to the CCID. The CCID encrypts the random number with a unique chip key (UCK) previously created with a master chip key (MCK). Then, the CCID communicates the encrypted random number to the system along with a serial number. The system recalculates the UCK using the serial number, encrypts a copy of the random number using the recalculated UCK and compares the encrypted copy with the encrypted random number received from the CCID to authenticate the CCID.
US08707412B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing user credentials over a network to a remote computer application. User credentials for the remote computer application are stored in a central repository that is accessible through the network. A request is sent to a service to perform, on behalf of a user, a particular task involving the remote computer application. It is determined whether the service has been granted permission to act on behalf of the user with respect to the remote computer application. When the service has permission to act on behalf of the user, the service is used to retrieve the user's credentials for the remote computer application from the central repository and to supply the retrieved user credentials to the remote computer application.
US08707410B2
A method and system for cross-system authentication or credentialing of clients. Credentials from one system (e.g., system 2) are placed on a client, such as with a cookie on a browser, and the credentials are then extracted by another system (e.g., system 1), and used by system 1 to impersonate the client to system 2. If the client's credentials with system 2 are valid, system 2 provides that information to system 1 (which is impersonating the client), and system 1 uses the validity of the credentials from system 2 to grant the client access to protected resources on system 1.
US08707405B2
A method for selectively refreshing group membership for an identifier associated with an authenticated user. The identifier represents an application server security context, and it is generated to enable a user credential associated with the authenticated user to be persisted. Following such authentication, the client is provided with a time-bounded, renewable security token. The method begins by configuring an option whether group membership information is refreshed during renewal of an expired security token. During renewal of an expired security token, the method determines whether the option is set. If so, an attempt is made to refresh information. This attempt performs a set of checks to verify certain conditions. If these checks are valid, the identifier is refreshed and the security token renewed with updated group membership information. If any check is not valid, the identifier is refreshed and the security token renewed with existing information.
US08707403B2
The present application provides a subscription interface positioned between client devices and third-party digital subscription providers. The subscription interface allows multiple different publication-related applications (e.g., Sports Illustrated, Time magazine, etc.) running on different client devices (e.g., tablets, desktop computers, laptop computers, smart phones, etc.) to obtain a list of digital issues available from an associated third-party digital subscription provider based on entitlements of the user of the client device. The subscription interface ensures that the application receives the list and associated metadata in a desired format for that particular application on a particular client device.
US08707397B1
Methods and systems provide indirect and temporary access to a company's IT infrastructure and business applications. The methods/systems involve establishing an access control center (ACC) to control the access that technical support personnel may have to the company's IT infrastructure and business applications. Thin client terminals with limited functionality may then be set up in the ACC for use by the technical support personnel. The thin client terminals connect the technical support personnel to workstations outside the ACC that operate as virtual desktops. The virtual desktops in turn connect the technical support personnel to the IT infrastructure and business applications. An ACC application may be used to automatically establish the connection between the thin client terminals and the virtual desktops and the virtual desktops and the IT infrastructure and business applications.
US08707390B2
Secure access to a wireless network access can be provided in a system where wireless devices access a wireless network through a wireless access point (WAP). For example, a plurality of pre-shared keys (PSKs) may be generated and distributed to the WAP and the wireless device. The wireless device may automatically rotate an active one of the plurality of PSKs, while the WAP receives one or more rotation signals identifying the active one of the plurality of PSKs. The wireless device and the WAP may encrypt information relating to the active one of the PSKs within communications between them, thus securing the communications.
US08707388B1
A system and method for allowing a user to access enterprise resources comprising authentication devices and an authentication server. The authentication devices allow a user to enter authentication data. The authentication server is in communication with the authentication devices. The authentication server comprises a policy database storing a policy. The policy comprises guidelines including a first guideline establishes a qualification necessary for the user to access enterprise resources and a second guideline establishes a qualification necessary for the user to activate a silent signal. The authentication server is adapted to request assistance for the user if the silent signal is activated.
US08707384B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for maintaining a software system. During operation, the system obtains a compliance policy for the software system and monitors the software system for a violation of the compliance policy. If a violation is detected, the system generates a change recommendation associated with the violation using the compliance policy and provides the change recommendation to an administrator, so that the administrator can use the change recommendation to resolve the violation.
US08707380B2
A method and apparatus for integrating a bi-directional control channel into an entertainment display device to deliver content and exchange control information. The system collects request and response information from the entertainment display device. The system also provides format translation of received and collected content to and from a plurality of formats such as N-PCS technology formats and video display formats in such a manner that the integrated system is independent of broadcasters, satellite, IPTV and cable operators. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08707378B2
A method performed by a video provisioning system may include receiving metadata associated with a video asset; storing the metadata in a catalog of video assets available through the video provisioning system; publishing information from the stored metadata to a first device associated with a video assets store front for set top boxes; and publishing information from the stored metadata to a second device associated with a video assets store front for devices other than set top boxes. A method may further include registering a user device with a user profile; identifying a media manager application for the user device that is configured to play video assets available via the video provisioning system on the user device; providing the media manager application to the user device; and synchronizing settings associated with the media manager application with settings associated with another user device registered with the user profile.
US08707374B2
An electronic device includes: a digital signal transmission/reception unit configured to perform two-way transmission of a digital signal using multiple differential signal lanes prepared at a transmission path with an external device; a transmission path arrangement determining unit configured to determine a transmission path arrangement including the number of use lanes, a use lane number, and a transmission direction by performing communication with the external device using a two-way communication line prepared at the transmission path with the external device; and a transmission path arrangement control unit configured to control the arrangement of the digital signal transmission/reception unit based on the information of the transmission path arrangement determined at the transmission path arrangement determining unit.
US08707371B2
An Internet protocol low noise block downconverter (IP LNB) assembly, within a satellite reception assembly, may be operable to determine location information and/or time information of the IP LNB assembly, via a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) module in the IP LNB assembly. The IP LNB assembly may provide services based on the determined location information and/or the determined time information of the IP LNB assembly. The IP LNB assembly may communicate the determined location information and/or the determined time information to a wireless communication device for determining location information of the wireless communication device. The IP LNB assembly may determine location information of a wireless source device, based on the determined location, information and the determined time information of the IP LNB assembly along with a plurality of other location information and a plurality of corresponding other time information associated with a plurality of other IP LNB assemblies.
US08707368B2
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US08707364B2
A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08707360B2
The present invention relates to simultaneously playing back a plurality of content items, wherein preferred content items can be played back in overlays (203, 205, 207, 209) alongside a main screen area (201) playing back a currently selected content item.
US08707356B2
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
US08707354B1
A user interface arranged as hierarchical grid of tiles configurable to be individually and dynamically programmed for both content type and content placement according to a set of rules defining content placement and display specified by a content controller.
US08707341B2
Disclosed example methods to determine a time offset between a first media content signature comprising a first sequence of first data pairs and a second media content signature comprising a second sequence of second data pairs include determining a histogram comprising a plurality of bins representative of a plurality of determined time differences. The plurality of determined time differences include each respective time difference determined between each first data pair and second data pair combination. Each respective bin of the histogram represents a respective window of time differences and has a respective value representative of a number of the plurality of determined time differences lying within the respective window of time differences represented by the respective bin. Such disclosed example methods also include selecting at least one bin of the histogram to correspond to the time offset between the first signature and the second signature.
US08707328B2
An application program switching method for an electronic device having a first body and a second body is provided. A relative position of the first body and the second body is changed from a first state to a second state to activate a second application program while an external message is received during a first application program being executed, and an image displayed by the electronic device is switched from an executing frame of the first application program to an executing frame of the second application program for replying the external message via a keyboard of the second body. Next, the relative position of the first body and the second body is changed from the second state to the first state, and the image displayed by the electronic device is switched from the executing frame of the second application program to the executing frame of the first application program.
US08707327B2
Arrangements for permitting incoming mail to be transferred from a WAN Drive to a notebook computer hard drive under conditions that are not stressful to the hard drive. Preferably, a WAN card is configured to wake a notebook when mail capacity is full or close to full. Mail is then preferably moved from the flash drive to the hard drive, subject to verification that this will not overly stress the hard drive. In a variant embodiment, the WAN card may preferably be configured to wake a notebook when mail is received at all. Again, mail is then preferably moved from the flash drive to the hard drive, subject to verification that this will not overly stress the hard drive. Once mail is moved to the hard drive, the system preferably runs an embedded email program that allows the user to employ an existing VPN infrastructure.
US08707325B2
A method of locating an object across a network comprises locating the copy of object that is the best copy available through either JNDI object location and webservice location. The method initially comprises attempting to locate a local copy of the object (step 8). If a local copy of the object is not located, the method then attempts (step 10) to locate a remote copy of the object. If a remote copy of the object is not located, the method then attempts (step 12) to locate a remote web service object.
US08707323B2
A connection manager includes a dispatcher that dispatches requests to worker nodes in an application server according to a load balancing algorithm.
US08707320B2
Dynamic partitioning of data by occasionally doubling data chunk size for data-parallel applications
Dynamic data partitioning is disclosed for use with a multiple node processing system that consumes items from a data stream of any length and independent of whether the length is undeclared. Dynamic data partitioning takes items from the data stream when a thread is idle and assigns the taken items to an idle thread, and it varies the size of data chunks taken from the stream and assigned to a thread to efficiently distribute work loads among the nodes. In one example, data chunk sizes taken from the beginning of the data stream are relatively smaller than data chunk sizes taken towards the middle or end of the data stream. Dynamic data partitioning employs a growth function where chunks have a size related to single aligned cache lines and efficiently increases the size of the data chunks to occasionally double the amount of data assigned to concurrent threads.
US08707318B2
The application discloses a generic partitioning manager for partitioning resources across one or more owner nodes. In illustrated embodiments described, the partitioning manager interfaces with the one or more owner nodes through an owner library. A lookup node or application interfaces with the partitioning manager through the lookup library to lookup address or locations of the partitioned resources. In illustrated embodiments, resources are partitioned via the partitioning manager in response to lease request messages from an owner library. In illustrated embodiments, the lease grant message includes a complete list of the leases for the owner node.
US08707316B1
Method and apparatus including processes, mechanisms, and devices for use with a networked mission system. The method includes receiving a mission representation including a plurality of actions in a mission and temporal and functional associations between the actions, wherein the actions are to be executed using a plurality of computing nodes. A Time Petri Net (TPN) model of the mission is generated based on the mission representation. The TPN model represents the actions in the mission, temporal constraints for the actions, and functional associations between the actions. An importance value and an urgency value associated with each action are determined based on the TPN model. One or more QoS policies are generated based on the importance values and the urgency values of the actions, wherein the QoS policies are applied to the computing nodes.
US08707313B1
A search engine crawler includes a distributed set of schedulers that are associated with one or more segments of document identifiers (e.g., URLs) corresponding to documents on a network (e.g., WWW). Each scheduler handles the scheduling of document identifiers (for crawling) for a subset of the known document identifiers. Using a starting set of document identifiers, such as the document identifiers crawled (or scheduled for crawling) during the most recent completed crawl, the scheduler removes from the starting set those document identifiers that have been unreachable in each of the last X crawls. Other filtering mechanisms may also be used to filter out some of the document identifiers in the starting set. The resulting list of document identifiers is written to a scheduled output file for use in a next crawl cycle.
US08707310B2
A system for processing a batch of jobs is provided. The system comprises a plurality of processing elements that are characterized in that each processing element is configured to sequentially process jobs with an estimated process time within a respective allotted range of values. The jobs may comprise packets of data within a data processing system. The system is particularly useful for processing data corresponding to translated text in a text translation system.
US08707309B2
An image processing apparatus capable of registering in a memory the execution time interval or the next execution time for the periodic processing periodically executed, comprising: a unit adapted to registration for registering in the memory the execution time interval or the next execution time for a second periodic processing after registering in the memory the execution time interval and the next execution time for a first periodic processing; and a unit adapted to revising for comparing the next execution time for said second periodic processing and the next execution time for said first periodic processing according to the registration by said unit adapted to registration, and revising either of the next execution time for said second periodic processing and the next execution time for said first periodic processing.
US08707307B2
When there is a job activation request accompanied with variable information in which an execution attribute and an identifier of a job are associated, a job definition in which an execution attribute is described with an arbitrary identifier is referred, and based on the variable information, an identifier within the job definition is replaced with the execution attribute to create a job. Then, the job created in this manner is activated.
US08707304B2
Automatic optimization of application performance parameters is provided. This optimization may be provided by identifying the resource demands of applications using virtual resources, identifying the virtual resources that can be available to the applications, and allocating the virtual resources to the applications to be run on a virtual machine.
US08707303B2
A method includes executing a hypervisor (165) with computing hardware (105) to implement a virtual machine (175); responsive to detecting a removable storage medium (115) communicatively coupled to the computing hardware (105), executing a virtualized migration control appliance (180) through the hypervisor (165) separate from the virtual machine (175); and blocking the virtual machine (175) from accessing data (185) stored by the removable storage medium (115) with the virtualized migration control appliance (180) if at least one governing policy prohibits the virtual machine (175) from accessing the data (185).
US08707302B2
A technique for personalizing feed content in virtualized computing environments includes accessing, using a data processing system, metadata associated with a virtual machine instance that is stored in a database. The technique also includes prioritizing, using the data processing system, feed content delivered to a client associated with the virtual machine instance based on the metadata.
US08707290B2
An information handling system includes a set of processing resources and a management resource. The processing resources include a microprocessor and memory accessible to the microprocessor. The management resource is operable to power-up, reset, and power-off the processing resources. The management resource includes a first management module and a redundant second management module. The management resource responds to a single firmware update request by updating firmware on the first management module while maintaining the second management module in a slave mode and, upon successfully updating the firmware on the first management module, updating firmware on the second management module while maintaining the first management module in a passive mode.
US08707276B2
A method and system for an open application programming interface (API) dashboard system for monitoring and managing one or more developer programmed applications configured to use one or more services provided by a service owner are provided. The system includes an application area associated with a corresponding programmed application, each application area including a call metrics group configured to display summarized metrics, a services used group configured to display a listing of each service called by the programmed application and metrics associated with each service, and a key management group configured to prompt a developer of the programmed application to request or revoke a key, wherein the key includes a developer identification, a programmed application identification, and signed certificates relating to services used by the programmed application.
US08707273B2
There is provided a precondition generating apparatus in which a storage stores a set “S” of logical expressions; a creating unit creates a first logical expression being a logical product of the “S”, logical expressions of a program and a negation of a logical expression indicating a postcondition; a solver finds a solution that makes the first logical expression true and specifies a set of clauses that cannot be simultaneously true in the first logical expression if not found; wherein the creating unit sets relaxing variables for the logical expressions belonging to the set “S” in the set of clauses wherein the logical expressions indicates a precondition of the program, generates a second logical expression by alleviating the clauses of logical expressions corresponding to the relaxing variables in the first logical expression, and applies same process as in the first logical expression to the second logical expression.
US08707272B2
A computer implemented testing methodology employing a scenario-driven modeling of specific instances of bug patterns that commonly occur in concurrent programs which encodes these instances in an SMT-based symbolic analysis. Such modeling and encoding advantageously allow the symbolic analysis framework to focus on real bugs, thereby allowing effective utilization of resources. Experimentation determined a number of previously unknown bugs in public benchmarks and advantageously scenario-specific modeling and encoding improves the scalability of symbolic technique and, therefore, improves overall quality of concurrency testing.
US08707270B2
A system, method, and computer readable medium. A method includes loading a first language definition and a second language definition. The method includes loading a transformation definition corresponding to the first language definition and the second language definition and loading a validation rule definition. The method includes applying the validation rule definition to the transformation definition to produce a validation result indicating whether the transformation definition produces a valid transformation between the first language definition and the second language definition. The method includes storing the validation result.
US08707262B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for code scoring. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving metadata including information representative of at least one custom code module used in a business system; receiving at least one rule from a rules template; and calculating, based on the received metadata and the received at least one rule, a score representative of whether the at least one custom code module is maintained. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08707256B2
The invention relates to a system for writing a simulation program for simulating an automation installation. To facilitate the writing of a simulation program for a complex automation installation, the system comprises: means for defining a respective resource object for at least two components of the automation installation, means for defining port data for each port, which define characteristics of the values which can be interchanged on the associated port, means for identifying a first port of a first resource object, which is provided for interchanging values with a second port of a second resource object, on the basis of the port data associated with the first and second ports, means for defining precisely one variable which can be engaged with the values to be interchanged between the first and second ports, and means for integrating the program fragments associated with the first and second resource objects into the simulation program and for engaging the variables with the values to be interchanged between the first and second ports.
US08707251B2
A system, program storage device, and method of buffering an electronic document received from a host computer, wherein the method comprises determining whether an original source code of the electronic document includes executable coding which when executed by a client computer, causes the client computer to perform undesired operations, and producing an alternate source code of the electronic document, which eliminates the coding, wherein the undesired operations are characterized as undesirable based on predetermined settings established by the client computer. The electronic document comprises any of a web page, electronic mail message, an electronic mail attachment, a note in a hypertext format, a text document, a text file, and an application-specific electronic document. Each of the original source code and the alternate source code comprises a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) source code.
US08707249B2
A generalized workflow execution model is configured to provide access to workflow elements. A computer system instantiates a generalized workflow execution model that provides access to workflow elements stored in a database that is connected to the workflow execution model. The workflow execution model includes the following: activity models that include both agents which are configured to express the control flow of the activity models and symbols which represent values usable by the activity models and metadata configured to identify the workflow execution model. The computer system also receives user input requesting workflow elements and accesses the database to provide the requested workflow elements using the generalized workflow execution model.
US08707246B2
Engineering team activities are facilitated through social networked collaboration driven by engineering project events. An engineering team member profile on a private network contains an identification of the team member including an offline name, direct links to profiles of other team members, automatically generated news items of team member engineering activities, and a summarized view of engineering project data. A news generator automatically collects engineering events and includes corresponding event descriptions in the profile, for wiki article updates, software bug reports, software modifications, project schedule changes, and other engineering events. Some news items automatically include a suggested engineering activity as a follow up for the team member to perform. For example, the team member may click a news item link to view an updated product specification, create a product test, view detailed test results, or create a virtual machine session.
US08707235B2
An apparatus having two or more parallel carry chain structures, each of the carry chain structures comprising a series of logical structures, where at least one of the logical structures within each of the carry chain structures has an associated input node, output node and carry node. The input node corresponds to a function input term, the output node corresponds to an output term of the function and the carry node corresponds to a carry value to a following logical structure in the series of logical structures.
US08707223B2
A method of generating an integrated circuit with a DPT compatible interconnect pattern using a reduced DPT compatible design rule set and color covers. A method of operating a computer to generate an integrated circuit with a DPT compatible interconnect pattern using a reduced DPT compatible design rule set and using color covers. A reduced DPT compatible design rule set.
US08707213B2
Methods and systems for implementing hot keys for operating a medical instrument are disclosed. The hot keys may be implemented by: receiving a user input selecting a function from a menu, tracking a frequency with which each function is selected from the menu, associating the hot keys with functions according to the frequency with which each function is selected from the menu, and displaying the hot keys in the hot key display area on a display device of the medical instrument.
US08707211B2
Systems, methods, and machine-readable and executable instructions are provided for displaying a radial graphical user interface. The radial graphical user interface can include displaying a first layer radial menu item as a circular shape and displaying a second layer radial menu of a number of first menu sub-items related to the first layer menu item grouped concentrically around the first layer radial menu in response to a user selecting the first menu item. The graphical user interface can also include replacing the first layer menu with a user selected first menu sub-item and replacing the second layer radial menu with a number of second menu sub-items related to the selected first menu sub-item in response to a user selecting one of the number of first menu sub-items, wherein the second layer is rotatable by a user.
US08707203B2
An object display apparatus displays a plurality of object at respective display positions, and receive a designation to set one of the plurality of displayed object as an object of interest. Upon reception of an addition or deletion instruction of one or more objects with respect to the plurality of displayed objects, a display of the objects is updated by moving object other than the object of interest while keeping the display position of the designated object of interest.
US08707201B1
Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology include systems and methods for determining the priority of a notification on a mobile device using machine learning. Other aspects of the disclosed technology include selectively displaying notifications based on the priority of a notification. According to an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a computer-implement method is provided that comprises outputting, to a display device operatively coupled to a mobile device, a plurality of notifications, wherein each respective notification from the plurality of notifications is associated with a respective priority score; modifying, by the mobile device, a ranking model based on a user input received responsive to a first notification from the plurality of notifications and a characteristic of a second notification from the plurality of notifications; determining, by the mobile device, a priority score associated with a third notification based on the modified ranking model; and outputting, to the display device, the third notification based on the priority score associated with the third notification, wherein the third notification is graphically emphasized responsive to the priority score associated with the third notification being greater than at least one respective priority score associated with a corresponding respective notification from the plurality of notifications.
US08707195B2
An accessible electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface: displays a first plurality of user-selectable objects; detects a finger contact on the touch-sensitive surface; detects movement of the finger contact across the touch sensitive surface to an activation region that corresponds to a first user-selectable object; while detecting the finger contact at the activation region, initiates output of audible accessibility information associated with the first user-selectable object; detects termination of the finger contact while the finger contact is at the activation region that corresponds to the first user-selectable object; and, in response: performs a predefined operation associated with the first user-selectable object if the device has output at least a predefined portion of the audible accessibility information associated with the first user-selectable object when the termination of the finger contact is detected; and forgoes performing the predefined operation otherwise.
US08707188B2
Presence information of a first user is relayed to a second user. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others includes, can be implemented as follows. A first communications client of a first user detects a change in the presence status of a first user and sends an alert message to a second communications client of a second user.
US08707185B2
Disclosed are tools, methods, and systems for establishing generally live, Content-based social networks, and for concurrently sharing Content and Content-relevant information within a social network. A Service registers Viewers and/or n-Users, and provides tools that enable a Viewer to identify n-Users concurrently viewing the same or similar Content, or having an interest in the same or similar Content. A Viewer can initiate or join a Content-based social network, and can share their Content with others, or view others' Content, and interact with n-Users via any of several methods. Service tools also enable a Viewer to define and selectively block or alter objectionable material so that it is no longer perceivable in its objectionable form. The described tools, methods, and systems also enable numerous innovative approaches to generate revenue for a Service, for providers of product and/or services, for Content providers, and others.
US08707182B2
An exemplary method includes maintaining data representative of a recorded media content instance comprising a media content program and a first advertisement and an index file corresponding to the recorded media content instance, playing back the recorded media content instance in accordance with timestamp data and storage location data included in the index file, dynamically replacing, during the playback of the recorded media content instance, a portion of the storage location data in the index file that corresponds to the first advertisement with storage location data corresponding to a second advertisement, and presenting the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement during the playback of the recorded media content instance in accordance with the modified index file. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
US08707178B2
Apparatus, and associated method, for alerting a user of a mobile station of a received data message
Apparatus, and an associated method, for visually alerting a user of a newly-received data message at a mobile station. A detector detects delivery of the message at the mobile station. And, in response to the detection of the delivery, a display driver causes display on a display device of an animated icon to alert the user of the newly-received message.
US08707175B2
A method of controlling a mobile terminal is presented. The method includes detecting a first touch on the mobile terminal for a predetermined time when the mobile terminal is in a locked state, simultaneously displaying a locking icon and an unlocking icon in response to the detected first touch, and detecting a second touch on the locking icon or the unlocking icon, wherein touching the locking icon for a predetermined time will partially unlock the mobile terminal, and wherein touching and dragging the unlocking icon to the locking icon will fully unlock the mobile terminal.
US08707173B2
Methods and systems are provided for maintaining the aspect ratio of an image in the form of a graphic element or a photograph on a printed product in a theme collage. The aspect ratio of each image in the theme collage is maintained independent of any aspect ratio or resolution of the theme collage. Other methods provide for maintaining the resolution of a graphic element on a printed product in a theme collage using any desired combination of bitmap or vector based graphic data and alpha data when rendering the graphic element. An exemplary system may include one or more modules for determining the size of an image on a page while maintaining an aspect ratio of the image, displaying the image, receiving graphic data for the image, receiving alpha-transparency data for the image, and changing the image appearance according to a rendering parameter.
US08707172B2
Internationalizing a target program includes associating a text string in the program with an attribute of a user interface element. The user interface element is defined in the program and the associating is provided at least partly by a non-executable user interface element annotation in the program. A resource bundle annotation in the program defines a name for a resource bundle to which the text string of the user interface element annotation may be extracted. An annotation processor program automatically creates the resource bundle by processing source code of the target program, including the user interface element annotation and the resource bundle annotation. Executing a method in the target program causes the text string to be displayed on the attribute for a displayed instance of the user interface element. The method determines whether to obtain the displayed text string from the user interface element annotation or from the resource bundle.
US08707164B2
In various embodiments of the present invention, documents (eg, PDFs) are converted into HTML 5 (and CSS 3) formats and integrated into existing HTML 5 web pages to preserve the original embedded fonts. The fonts can also be integrated or embedded (e.g., via the standard HTML “iframe” tag) into other web pages. The original appearance of the source document is maintained, the text is preserved as searchable text, and the document is integrated into a web page that can be searched, zoomed, scrolled, and printed utilizing standard web browser controls. A significantly increased “ad inventory” is thereby enabled, wherein advertisements can be integrated between pages, or even within a page. Moreover, the resulting document can be passively shared with members of a user's external social networks (including those within the host website), along with other activities and behaviors performed by the user on the hosting website.
US08707162B1
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to reduction of web page transmission bandwidth by resolving a web page into static and dynamic components. An embodiment includes intercepting a request for a web page, retrieving the requested web page from a server, reading transmission instructions for the web page, the instructions based on an analysis of two or more identified versions of the web page, the analysis having identified one or more static and dynamic components of the web page, extracting the dynamic components of the retrieved web page based on the instructions, and providing the dynamic components of the web page along with one or more references to the static components in response to the request. Another embodiment includes constructing a web page for display using the received dynamic components and static components retrieved from a cache using the one or more references.
US08707148B2
An apparatus and method for producing error correction code and error correction decoding are provided. The method for producing error correction code includes generating an asymmetric matrix by arranging input data bits in a matrix of a predefined size and adding a zero bit column and/or a zero bit row, each of the column and the row consisting of zero bits, to the matrix; primarily encoding the asymmetric matrix by adding one or more parity bits to each row; and secondarily encoding the primarily encoded matrix by adding one or more parity bits to each column of the encoded matrix.
US08707144B2
A non-binary low density parity check data decoder comprises a variable node processor operable to update variable node symbol values according to a plurality of elements in a non-binary Galois Field, a check node processor connected to the variable node processor and operable to perform parity check calculations, and a controller operable to perform symbol flipping and to control decoding iterations in the variable node processor and the check node processor.
US08707143B1
Circuitry for generating a first number of Reed-Solomon check symbols from a second number of input data symbols includes storage for a plurality of generator coefficients, a plurality of multipliers, each of the multipliers having a data symbol input, and a coefficient input connected to the storage, and having an output. The circuitry also includes accumulator circuitry that accumulates outputs of the multipliers to generate the check symbols. The circuitry can be provided in fixed logic, or configured in a programmable integrated circuit device, such as a programmable logic device.
US08707142B2
Briefly, techniques to provide varying levels of enhanced forward error correction without modifying a line rate of a frame.
US08707138B2
A received optical signal is coherently demodulated and converted into orthogonal x-polarization samples, and y-polarization samples. These samples are converted into signal x-samples and signal y-samples by an FIR butterfly filter. Correction values are calculated in an error calculating circuit of a control unit and added to filter transfer functions derived by a standard algorithm to determine corrected filter coefficients. Degenerate convergences calculating the transfer functions are avoided.
US08707129B2
A method of feedback in a wireless transmit receive unit includes providing a precoding matrix index (PMI), error checking the (PMI) to produce an error check (EC) bit, coding the PMI and the EC bit and transmitting the coded PMI and EC bit.
US08707125B2
A method for transmitting encoded data, which improves a diversity effect in a communication system, including generating parity bits for an information word, generating a codeword by encoding an information word using the generated parity bits, puncturing some of the parity bits of the codeword, transmitting a frame including the information word, and generating additional parity bits for decoding the information word and transmitting the additional parity bits in one or more other frames.
US08707113B1
A method for operating a data processing system to generate a test for a device under test (DUT) is disclosed. The method utilizes a model of the DUT that includes a plurality of blocks connected by wires and a set of control inputs. Each block includes a plurality of ports, each port being either active or inactive. Each block is also characterized by a set of constraints that limit which ports are active. The active ports of at least one of the blocks are constrained by one of the control inputs. A test vector having one component for each port of each block and one component for each control input is determined such that each set of constraints for each block is satisfied. The test vector defines a test for the DUT.
US08707112B2
In one or more of the disclosed embodiments, memory cells in a memory device are refreshed upon an indication of a fatigue condition. In one such embodiment, controller monitors behavior parameters of the cells and determines if any of the parameters are outside of a normal range set for each one, thus indicating a fatigue condition. If any cell indicates a fatigue condition, the data from the block of cells indicating the fatigue is moved to another block. In one embodiment, an error detection and correction process is performed on the data prior to being written into another memory block.
US08707109B2
A computer apparatus includes a managing unit realizing virtual computers including device driver virtual computers and user virtual computers, the user virtual computers communicating with various devices via the device driver virtual computers. Error detection information is received from one of the virtual computers upon detection of error in one of the device drivers used for communication with one of the devices in one of the virtual computers. One or more types of the virtual computers and the contents of recovery process corresponding to the type of device driver and the type of error indicated in the received error detection information are acquired from error recovery control information. A recovery instruction is transmitted to one or more of the virtual computers identified by the one or more acquired types of virtual computers in order to cause the one or more identified virtual computers to perform the acquired contents of the recovery process.
US08707101B2
Verification of a system-under-test (SUT) supporting the functionality of operating a self modifying code is disclosed. A generator may generate a self modifying code. In response to identification that a simulator is about to simulate code generated by the self modifying code, the simulator may simulate the execution in a “rollover mode”. The code may include instruction codes having variable byte size, branching instructions, loops or the like. The simulator may further simulate execution of an invalid instruction. The simulator may perform rollback the simulation of the rollover mode in certain cases and avoid entering the rollover mode. The simulator may perform rollback in response to identifying a termination condition, as to insure avoiding endless loops. The simulator may perform rollback in response to reading an initialized value that is indefinite.
US08707098B2
A method of recovering a value in a data storage system includes maintaining a list of entries corresponding to values that have been inserted into the data storage system, determining whether the values are at an At Maximum Redundancy (AMR) state, and if not, the converging the values to the AMR state.
US08707095B2
A datacenter housing servers, computers, data storage devices, telecommunications and related equipment for storing and accessing large amounts of data on a continuous, uninterrupted and reliable basis, which is provided with a supporting system or infrastructure for supplying power and cooling to the datacenter, which involves equipment primarily contained in modules situated outside the building that houses the primary computer and server equipment, whereby said supporting system or infrastructure is designed with redundant equipment, connections, and controls to avoid any single point of potential failure.
US08707088B2
A method begins by a processing module determining access performance to copies of dispersed storage encoded data, wherein the copies of the dispersed storage encoded data are stored in a set of a plurality of dispersed storage networks (DSNs). The method continues with the processing module modifying the set of the plurality of DSNs based on the access performance and the desired access performance level to produce a modified set of the plurality of DSNs when the access performance is not at a desired access performance level. The method continues with the processing module, for a new DSN of the modified set of the plurality of DSNs, determining error coding dispersal storage parameters based on local data retrieval accesses allocated to the new DSN and facilitating the new DSN storing another copy of the dispersed storage encoded data.
US08707083B2
A method includes executing, in each of a number of nodes of a cluster communication system, a specialized instance of an operating system privileged to control a corresponding hypervisor configured to consolidate one or more VM(s) on a system hardware. The one or more VM(s) is configured to be associated with a non-privileged operating system. The method also includes providing a cluster stack associated with the specialized instance of the operating system on the each of the number of nodes to enable communication between peers thereof in different nodes, and controlling the one or more VM(s) as a cluster resource through the cluster stack.
US08707079B2
A semiconductor device comprising an interface logic module for transmitting data frames across an interface, and controller logic module arranged to control a rate at which the interface logic transmits data across the interface. Upon receipt of data frames to transmit across the interface, the controller logic module is arranged to determine a sequence of data rates with which to transmit sequential data frames across the interface, and to configure the transmission of the data frames across the interface according to the determined data rate sequence. The selection of these data rates will be dependent on specific critical RF frequencies where EMI impacts have to be minimized.
US08707078B2
Clock buffers in a clock and data recovery (CDR) system are trimmed by receiving a first transmitted clock-like data pattern in a reduced rate mode, locking the CDR using the received version of the first transmitted clock-like data pattern; and receiving a second transmitted clock-like data pattern. The first transmitted clock-like data pattern is transmitted using a first rate mode and the reduced rate mode divides the first rate mode by an integer value. The second transmitted clock-like data pattern has a run-length that is an integer division of a run-length of the first transmitted clock-like data pattern. A phase of the clock buffers is adjusted using the second transmitted clock-like data pattern. The received first transmitted clock-like data pattern has edges that correspond to only positive or negative edges of the first transmitted clock-like data pattern.
US08707076B2
A system and method for power management of storage resources are disclosed. A method may include detecting an occurrence of an event associated with a storage resource disposed in an array of storage resources. The method may further include transitioning the storage resource into a specified power state in response to the detection of the occurrence of the event. A system may include a storage resource and a power management module communicatively coupled to the storage resource. The storage resource may be disposed in an array of storage resources. The power management module may be operable to detect an occurrence of an event associated with the storage resource, and may be operable to transition the storage resource into a specified power state in response to the detection of the occurrence of the event.
US08707074B2
A mechanism is provided for priority-based power capping. A power management controller identifies a set of priorities for a set of partitions of the data processing system. The power management controller determines whether a measured power of the data processing system exceeds a power cap for the data processing system. Responsive to the measured power exceeding the power cap, the power management controller sends a set of commands to a set of component actuators to adjust one or more of a set of operation parameters for a set of components associated with the set of partitions using the set of priorities. The set of component actuators adjust the one or more of the set of operational parameters associated with the set of component in order to reduce a power consumption of the data processing system.
US08707071B2
One power management method of a communication interface includes: when receiving a command transmitted via the communication interface, checking if a predetermined criterion is met; and when the predetermined criterion is met, controlling the communication interface to enter a power-saving mode before an end of the received command. Another power management method of a communication interface includes: when the communication interface is operated under a power-saving mode, checking if a predetermined criterion of an executed command is met; and when the predetermined criterion is met, controlling the communication interface to leave the power-saving mode.
US08707058B1
Systems and methods for cryptographically masking private data are described. The apparatus may include a masking engine to hash private data and a masking values table to provide a masked value using a lookup value derived from the hashed private data. The method my include receiving private data, transforming the private data into a set of masked data items and providing the set of masked data items.
US08707049B2
The present invention discloses an authentication method and a key device and relates to the information security field. The authentication method comprises initiating user authentication, generating a dynamic code and then a first verification code on the basis of the dynamic code, and outputting the dynamic code, by a key device; and receiving a second verification code entered by a user via a host, and collating the second verification code with the first verification code, by the key device, and if a match is found, the user access is authorized to the key device; otherwise, the user access is prohibited. The key device comprises a trigger module, a generator module, an output module, a communication module, a collator module, a controller module and a security module. According to the present invention, better security is achieved by reducing the possibility of sensitive information disclosure and misuse in case of password theft for the key device.
US08707044B2
A system and method for using networked mobile devices in a vehicle in a tightly integrated manner is presented. The vehicle has an OBE, a mobile device client, and vehicle components, and the mobile device has a mobile device proxy and applications, such that the mobile device client and the mobile device proxy communicate, enabling dynamic transfer of the applications to the OBE and execution of the applications on the mobile device and the OBE using the plurality of vehicle components at runtime. In one embodiment, the mobile device client and the mobile device proxy authenticate each other. The authentication can be performed using digital certificates. The mobile device client can communicate the vehicle components on the vehicle to the mobile device proxy. The mobile device client and the mobile device proxy can communicate using Bluetooth. The vehicle components can include dashboard displays, speakers, and voice I/O systems.
US08707030B2
Providing path validation information for a system includes determining paths between a subset of certificate of the system and at least one trust root, storing each of the paths in a table prior to a request for path validation information, and fetching the validation information stored in the table in response to a request for path validation information. Providing path validation information may also include digitally signing the validation information. Providing path validation information may also include applying constraints to the validation information and only providing validation information that is consistent with the constraints. Determining paths may include constructing a directed graph of trusted roots and the subset of certificates and performing a depth-first acyclic search of the graph.
US08707029B2
Disclosed is a system and method for authenticating a communications channel between a mobile handset associated with a user and an application server, for uniquely identifying the mobile handset and for encrypting communications between the mobile handset and the application server over the communication channel is provided. The system includes a certificate authority configured to issue digital certificates to the handset and the application server, as well as software applications operating on both the handset and application server. The digital certificates may be used by the handset and application server to uniquely identify one another as well as to exchange encryption keys by means of which further communication between them may be encrypted.
US08707028B2
A cookie attribute for use during secure HTTP transport sessions. This attribute points to a server-supplied certificate and, in particular, a digital certificate. The cookie attribute includes a value, and that value is designed to correspond to one or more content fields in the digital certificate. During a first https session, a first web application executing on a first server provides a web browser with the cookie having the server certificate identifier attribute set to a value corresponding to a content field in a server certificate. Later, when the browser is accessing a second server during a second https session, the browser verifies that the value in the cookie matches a corresponding value in the server certificate received from the second server before sending the cookie to the second server. This approach ensures that the cookie is presented only over specified https connections and to trusted organizations.
US08707026B2
A cookie attribute for use during secure HTTP transport sessions. This attribute points to a server-supplied certificate and, in particular, a digital certificate. The cookie attribute includes a value, and that value is designed to correspond to one or more content fields in the digital certificate. During a first https session, a first web application executing on a first server provides a web browser with the cookie having the server certificate identifier attribute set to a value corresponding to a content field in a server certificate. Later, when the browser is accessing a second server during a second https session, the browser verifies that the value in the cookie matches a corresponding value in the server certificate received from the second server before sending the cookie to the second server. This approach ensures that the cookie is presented only over specified https connections and to trusted organizations.
US08707025B2
A communication apparatus makes a request to issue an electronic certificate of a first instrument to a certificate authority and acquires the electronic certificate from the certificate authority. The communication apparatus communicates with a second instrument using the electronic certificate of the first instrument in response to reception of a request for communication with the second instrument from the first instrument. Therefore, the communication apparatus mediates information communication between the second instrument and the first instrument.
US08707016B2
A set of helper thread binaries is created to retrieve data used by a set of main thread binaries. The set of helper thread binaries and the set of main thread binaries are partitioned according to common instruction boundaries. As a first partition in the set of main thread binaries executes within a first core, a second partition in the set of helper thread binaries executes within a second core, thus “warming up” the cache in the second core. When the first partition of the main completes execution, a second partition of the main core moves to the second core, and executes using the warmed up cache in the second core.
US08707015B2
A method of operating a processor includes reclaiming a physical register renamed as a microcode architectural register used by a microcode routine. The physical register is reclaimed according to an indicator corresponding to the microcode architectural register and indicating that a pointer to the physical register and corresponding to the microcode architectural register is an active pointer.
US08707004B2
In order to properly use resources according to the application or search for available resources in an environment in which a block storage apparatus and a file storage apparatus coexist, knowledge and experience of applications and storage apparatuses, as well manpower were required. Thus, a policy pre-defined with a preferred type of interface and a preferred type of storage area for each type of application that is loaded in the host computers is predetermined, configuration information is collected from each storage apparatus, each intermediate storage apparatus and each host computer, respectively, a combination of a storage apparatus, an intermediate storage apparatus and a host computer that is suitable for the type of application designated by a user is detected based on the collected configuration information of each storage apparatus, each intermediate storage apparatus and each host computer, the policy, and the type of application designated by the user, and the detected combination is presented to the user.
US08706999B2
A method of performing cascaded flashcopy (FC) including starting a flashcopy map when a target disk is already a source of an active FC map. A computer storage system includes a configuration that allows a flashcopy (FC) map to be started when a target disk is already the source of an active FC map.
US08706996B2
The data processor can form a system including a combination of two or more operating systems running in parallel, which achieves a higher data transfer rate between operating systems and the increase in system performance without impairing the system reliability. In the system, data transfer between domains is performed in an enhanced access mode as well as an access mode in which an access from a domain manager having control of domains is handled as one from the domain manager. The enhanced access mode is arranged by enhancing, to a CPU scale, an access mode in which an access from the domain manager is treated as an access from a software program working on a domain, and the software program of domain manager transfers data between the domains. For example, in case that the domain manager performs data transfer between domains in the enhanced access mode, a read access from the domain manager is disguised as a read access from a first domain, and a write access from the domain manager is disguised as a write access from a second domain.
US08706987B1
Structured block transfer module, system architecture, and method for transferring content or data. Circuit allowing content in one memory to be shifted, moved, or copied to another memory with no direction from a host, the circuit comprising: a connection manager, at least one copy engine, and a connection between the connection manager and the copy engine. Method for transferring the contents of one of a number of blocks of source memory to one of a number of possible destination memories comprising: selecting source memory; selecting available destination memory; marking the selected destination as no longer available; copying contents of selected source memory into selected destination memory; and marking selected source as available.
US08706985B1
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for optimizing garbage collection in data storage. The data storage may be a shingled disk drive or a non-volatile solid-state memory device. Garbage collection is optimized by selectively saving data read from certain locations of the data storage in response to host read commands and using the saved data for subsequent garbage collection operations. The decision of whether to save data may be based on a number of criteria, including whether the data is located in an area of the data storage that is due to be garbage collected in the near future. In this manner, certain garbage collection operations can be performed without having to re-read the saved data.
US08706984B2
A delete notification can be received at a storage stack filter in a storage stack. It can be determined whether the delete notification applies to an entire storage device. If the delete notification does not apply to the entire storage device, a first set of actions can be taken with the storage stack filter in response to the delete notification. If the delete notification does apply to the entire storage device, a second set of actions can be taken with the storage stack filter in response to the delete notification.
US08706983B2
A method and system for performing garbage collection operations on update blocks in a memory device using volatile memory is disclosed. When performing a garbage collection operation, a first part of the data related to the garbage collection operation is written to a volatile memory in the memory device, and a second part of the data related to the garbage collection operation is written to a non-volatile memory in the memory device. The first part of the data that is written to the volatile memory (such as a random access memory) may comprise control information (such as mapping information of the logical addressable unit to a physical metablock). The second part of the data related to the garbage collection that is written to the non-volatile memory (such as a flash memory) may comprise the consolidated data in the update block.
US08706981B2
An electronic communication unit which is in the form of a sensor and/or actuator unit, including at least a first status information processing module having a status memory unit which stores status information for the communication unit in the form of a status data item (stat), wherein the first status information processing module further includes a masking memory unit connected to the status memory unit and also a status processing element connected to the masking memory unit, wherein the first status information processing module is designed such that at least one status information item from the status data item (stat) is selected by the masking memory unit and the resultant selective status data item (sel-stat) is processed by the status processing element such that the output of the latter provides a short status data item (k-stat) which has a shorter data word length than the selective status data item (sel-stat).
US08706968B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for redundant write caching. The apparatus, system, and method are provided with a plurality of modules including a write request module, a first cache write module, a second cache write module, and a trim module. The write request module detects a write request to store data on a storage device. The first cache write module writes data of the write request to a first cache. The second cache write module writes the data to a second cache. The trim module trims the data from one of the first cache and the second cache in response to an indicator that the storage device stores the data. The data remains available in the other of the first cache and the second cache to service read requests.
US08706962B2
In one embodiment, a configuration adviser provides configuration options for a multi-tiered storage system that includes a number of different storage tiers, each of which include storage devices of a particular storage type. Data access information for storage extents to be stored in the storage system are received. Resource information for available storage tiers in the storage system to place the storage extents on are also received. A cost incurred by the storage system for placing each of the storage extents on each of the storage tiers is determined. Each storage extent is assigned to a particular one of the storage tiers that would incur the lowest cost to the storage system for storing the storage extent. For each storage tier, a minimum number of storage devices are selected, within the assigned storage tier, that would satisfy data access and capacity requirements for all storage extents assigned to that tier.
US08706958B2
Devices, circuits, and methods for data mask and data bit inversion encoding and decoding for a memory circuit. According to these methods and circuits, the number of data lines/pins required to encode data mask information and data bit inversion information can be reduced. In an embodiment the data mask and data inversion functions for a portion of data, such as a data word, can be merged onto a common pin/data line. In other embodiments, a data mask instruction can be conveyed through a transmitted data word itself without using any extra pins. According to these embodiments, the pin overhead can be reduced from two pins per byte to one pin per byte.
US08706949B2
A memory device includes an executable flash memory partition and a non-executable partition, both partitions being fabricated on a common die. Preferably, both partitions are fabricated using the same flash memory technology. Most preferably, the flash cells of both partitions have insulating floating gates.
US08706940B2
Multiprocessor systems often share access to a centralized memory and experience conflicting access requests. An arbitration unit mediates priorities of requestor preferably ensuring both priority and fairness. In this invention upon an access conflict the arbitrator grants access to one requestor having the highest priority level and stalls other conflicting requestors. If plural requestors have the same priority level, the arbiter grants access to one and stalls the others. The arbiter then adjusts the priority levels of the requestors. The priority of the requestor granted access is decreased by the number of stalled requestors. The stalled requestors have their priority levels increased by one. The arbitration decision is thus based on the stall history and the caused stall history of each requestor.
US08706923B2
In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system includes a processing entity configured to run multiple threads. The system also includes a direct memory access (DMA) engine coupled to the processing entity, the DMA engine being configured to track DMA in-flight status information for each of a plurality of DMA channels. The processing entity is configured to manage overlapping DMA requests to a DMA channel of the DMA engine based on said DMA in-flight status information.
US08706921B2
A method of initializing programmable devices on a shared bus, comprises, on power up, loading control instructions on a processor from an attached tangible, non-transient computer-readable medium, automatically allowing a first programmable device on a common bus to exit its reset state and enter a read-to-program state as the computer system powers up, automatically holding a second programmable device on the common bus in its reset state, querying the common bus by the processor to identify the first programmable device, copying the contents of a program image file by the processor from the computer-readable medium across the common bus to the first programmable device, and once the first programmable device has been programmed with the contents of the program image file, signaling the first programmable device to release the reset hold on the second programmable device.
US08706914B2
An affordable, highly trustworthy, survivable and available, operationally efficient distributed supercomputing infrastructure for processing, sharing and protecting both structured and unstructured information. A primary objective of the SHADOWS infrastructure is to establish a highly survivable, essentially maintenance-free shared platform for extremely high-performance computing (i.e., supercomputing)—with “high performance” defined both in terms of total throughput, but also in terms of very low-latency (although not every problem or customer necessarily requires very low latency)—while achieving unprecedented levels of affordability at its simplest, the idea is to use distributed “teams” of nodes in a self-healing network as the basis for managing and coordinating both the work to be accomplished and the resources available to do the work. The SHADOWS concept of “teams” is responsible for its ability to “self-heal” and “adapt” its distributed resources in an “organic” manner. Furthermore, the “teams” themselves are at the heart of decision-making, processing, and storage in the SHADOWS infrastructure. Everything that's important is handled under the auspices and stewardship of a team.
US08706906B2
Methods and apparatus that enable more than one server to host a resource using a shared IP address such that a client may generally access the resource on any of the servers using the shared IP address are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for providing paths that allow a client to access a resource in a TCP/IP network includes obtaining an IP address, as well as associating the IP address to first and second servers. The first and second servers support the resource at the IP address, and a first path of the plurality of paths that allow the client to access the resource is between the client and the first server and a second path of the plurality of paths that allow the client to access the resource is between the client and the second server.
US08706903B2
An audio-on-demand communication system provides real-time playback of audio data transferred via telephone lines or other communication links. One or more audio servers include memory banks which store compressed audio data. At the request of a user at a subscriber PC, an audio server transmits the compressed audio data over the communication link to the subscriber PC. The subscriber PC receives and decompresses the transmitted audio data in less than real-time using only the processing power of the CPU within the subscriber PC. According to one aspect of the present invention, high quality audio data compressed according to lossless compression techniques is transmitted together with normal quality audio data. According to another aspect of the present invention, metadata, or extra data, such as text, captions, still images, etc., is transmitted with audio data and is simultaneously displayed with corresponding audio data.
US08706883B2
In one embodiment, a plurality of spoke-to-hub virtual private network (VPN) tunnels are established from a spoke router located at an edge of a spoke network to a hub network. The spoke router is configured as an optimized edge routing (OER) node. The spoke router monitors a network statistic for each of a plurality of prefixes on each of the plurality of spoke-to-hub VPN tunnels. The monitored network statistic is analyzed to determine whether a distribution of traffic between the spoke network and the hub network can be optimized. In the event the distribution of traffic between the spoke network and the hub network can be optimized, traffic is redistributed on a per-prefix basis among the plurality of spoke-to-hub VPN tunnels based on the monitored network statistic, such that at least a portion of the traffic is routed over each of the plurality of spoke-to-hub VPN tunnels.
US08706878B1
Infrastructure is disclosed for optimizing performance and minimizing errors during normal operation of replicated data centers. In some implementations, systems that are replicated in each data center under a common IP address may have service requests routed to them using routing tables that favor one of the systems. The routing tables may prefer the system that resides in the data center where the service requests originated, or they may prefer the system that meets other criteria. Other systems replicated in the data center may have service requests routed to them using configuration tables that favor one of the systems. The configuration tables may also prefer the system that resides in the data center where the service requests originated, or they may prefer the system that meets other criteria. This arrangement helps optimize performance during normal operation and minimize potential for disruption of service should one of the data centers fail.
US08706875B2
This patent application relates to a method, a computer program product, a computer program, an apparatus, and a system for sharing an access to at least one application located on a smart card unit.
US08706868B2
An image processing apparatus capable of requesting a service providing apparatus via an external network to perform processing and communicating with an information processing apparatus via an internal network includes an activation unit configured to activate a check unit configured to check a status of the processing acquired by the information processing apparatus, a stopping unit configured to stop the check unit if the check unit activated by the activation unit recognizes that the status of the processing is not a stopped state, and a request unit configured to request the service providing apparatus to perform the processing if the check unit is stopped.
US08706867B2
A method and system for streaming media to a client from a media server is described. In some examples, the system utilizes a virtualization layer to generate a virtual computing environment, or virtual machine, at a UPnP server, which is configured to receive requests for media, identify locations for the media within the secondary storage devices, access the media, and present the media to a client computing device associated with the media requests.
US08706866B2
Provided are a virtual server and method for identifying a zombie, and a sinkhole server and method for integratedly managing zombie information. The virtual server includes an authentication processing module authenticating a host using a CAPTCHA test and providing a cookie to the authenticated host when a web server access request message received from the host does not include a cookie, a cookie value verification module for extracting a cookie value from the web server access request message and verifying the extracted cookie value when the web server access request message includes a cookie, a web page access inducement module for inducing the host to access a web server when the cookie value is verified, and a zombie identification module for blocking access of the host when the cookie value is not verified, and identifying the host as a zombie when the number of blocking operations exceeds a threshold value.
US08706864B1
The behavior of multiple users with access to a multi-tenant resource can be monitored and compliance enforced by monitoring state information for each user. The state information can be captured across a level of a network environment, such that any activity across that layer can be monitored and the data aggregated to give a global view of user behavior. If user behavior is determined to fall outside an acceptable range of behavior, any of a number of remedial actions can be taken, which can include notifying the user, billing the user for the inappropriate behavior, or modifying that behavior outside of the control of the user.
US08706844B2
In an embodiment, a method is provided for providing a tool used for troubleshooting a component. This tool is included in an application server that is in communication with multiple client computing devices. Here, a request to activate the tool is received from one or more client computing devices. This request includes a diagnostic identifier that uniquely identifies the client computing device that transmitted the request. Upon receipt of the request, the tool is activated at the application server with the diagnostic identifier used as an input parameter. When activated, the tool can identify the client computing device based on the diagnostic identifier and can provide a functionality associated with the troubleshooting to the client computing device.
US08706842B2
Embodiments provide searching features and functionality that can be used to provide service provider data, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computing system can include a client application or client that includes functionality to provide a number of service providers associated with a particular function, service, and/or other provider feature(s). In one embodiment, a computing device can include a client that can be used in conjunction with other end-user applications to automatically provide a number of service providers based in part on a user request.
US08706839B2
A method and system of conveying data to a remote computer, which may act as a management console. A virtual communications port is provided to a central processing unit. The virtual communications port is provided using a device distinct from the central processing unit, such as a network controller card with manageability features inborn. The device providing the virtual communications port receives the data written to the virtual communications port. Thereafter, the device transmits the data into a network, addressed for reception by the remote computer. The remote computer may be used as a management console so that keystrokes entered thereupon may be relayed through the virtual communications port to the aforementioned central processing unit.
US08706837B2
An SAS domain map is automatically generated at an SAS concentrator switch by a virtual mapping device that presents itself as a target for discovery by SAS devices interfaced with the concentrator, such as information handling systems and storage devices. During the SAS protocol discovery process, the virtual mapping device generates the SAS domain map by acquiring the device name and the device port for each concentrator port that interfaces with a device. A management application running on the concentrator applies the SAS domain map to provide network functions, such as zoning or diagnostics.
US08706822B2
Many scenarios involve the delivery of messages received from various message sources to recipients, based on subscriptions established between various recipients and message sources. The recipients may be distributively assigned to one or more message servers, either operating independently or as part of an interoperating message server set. Respective message servers may generate a subscription filter indicating whether at least one assigned recipient subscribes to respective message sources, and may utilize the subscription filter to determine, upon receiving a message from a message source, whether to discard the message or store the message for delivery. Interoperating message servers may also exchange subscription filters, and upon receiving a message from any message source, a message server may utilize the subscription filters of the other message servers to determine which other message servers are assigned at least one subscribing recipient, and may retransmit the message only to such message servers.
US08706821B2
An approach is provided for time adaption of online services. Timing information relating to usage by a user of one or more online services is retrieved. A pattern of consistent usage is determined from the timing information. Scheduling information is generated for transmission of a message based on the determined pattern.
US08706811B2
A system for preventing redirection loops during collaborative web browsing is provided comprising: a CPU; a memory in communication with the CPU; instructions stored in the memory and executable by the CPU to prevent redirects encountered during a collaborative web browsing session, the instructions further comprising: instructions enabling a device to join a collaborative web browsing session; instructions enabling detection of a redirection loop; and instructions enabling termination of the redirect loop.
US08706786B2
A signal processing device and an image processing device are provided. The signal processing device includes a matrix calculator for performing a matrix operation selected by a switch part among a DCT matrix operation, a Haar matrix operation, and a Slant matrix operation, with respect to an input signal. Thus, the signal processing device can be implemented in a hybrid architecture capable of selectively processing the DCT-II transform, the Haar transform, and the Slant transform with a single chip.
US08706785B2
A method of operation of a communication system includes: generating a filter impulse response and a filter time-domain data with a shortening filter; generating a filter frequency response based on the filter impulse response with a filter frequency response calculator; generating a filter frequency-domain data based on the filter time-domain data with a first process unit; and generating a raw channel impulse response with a filter frequency removal unit for removing the filter frequency response from the filter frequency-domain data.
US08706783B2
Various embodiments of systems and methods for storing a hierarchical table as a markup language file are described herein. Initially the position of the cells included in the hierarchical table may be identified. The position of the plurality of cells includes a first dimension coordinate and a second dimension coordinate. The first dimension coordinate is inserted as a markup tag in the markup language file. The second dimension coordinate is inserted as a markup attribute corresponding to the markup language file. One or more cells, corresponding to a first dimension of the hierarchical table is selected. Data included in the selected cells is identified and stored in the markup attribute inserted in the markup language file.
US08706781B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores content data, a movement instruction unit that provides instructions to move the content data stored in the storage unit in accordance with a user operation, a detection unit that detects characteristic information of the content data in accordance with movement instructions of the content data by the movement instruction unit, a basic interval setting unit that sets one or two or more basic intervals to the content data based on detection points of the characteristic information, and a data generation unit that generates content data for movement made of a plurality of the one or two or more basic intervals set by the basic interval setting unit.
US08706773B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for distributing content pursuant to audit-based processes. Audit content in runtime workpapers may be dynamically constructed in response to industry-driven and response-driven rules using information from one or more of the distributed content libraries. Dynamic updates may also be provided for generated runtime workpapers constructed from the distributed content. The system and method may also provide drilldown functionality for enabling a user to view a source workpaper for a specified data value which has flowed into the generated dynamic workpaper and/or tip functionality to provide a user with additional guidance based on the status and data associated with the generated workpaper.
US08706770B2
A method for managing a collection of objects, comprises selecting a property which is common to all of the objects; creating a plurality of exemplar structures, at least one exemplar structure for each object; prototypically categorizing the exemplar structures; and using the exemplar structures to access information regarding said collection. Each exemplar structure comprises an exemplar, which is a good example of the property; a broader term, which provides context to the exemplar; an object identifier, which identifies one of the collection of objects; and at least one attribute, which describes the exemplar.
US08706766B2
Systems and methods are provided for triggering a provisioning event in a service provider using a provisioning request message generated by an external system. A provisioning system may be used to receive the provisioning request message from the external system and transmit information in the provisioning request message to the service provider to trigger the provisioning event. The provisioning request message may have a data structure that includes a header section and a body section. The body section may contain a provisioning entity section that includes information identifying an entity to which the provisioning event pertains, wherein the provisioning entity section includes one or more attributes defined by the external system.
US08706765B2
To enhance the targeting accuracy in providing services such as provision of samples for members by performing management of member information and authentication while securing personal anonymity. There is provided a center server and a store terminal. The center server gives a unique ID to a member application, sends it to a particular mobile information terminal and manages it as authentication information about a member who is the user of the mobile information terminal. In response to purchases of a particular article by the member, the store terminal inputs the ID from the mobile information terminal and inputs purchase information about the article the member purchases. The center server then acquires attribute information about a member identified by the ID. Then, by checking the purchase information, the attribute information and service information set in association with attribute information about the member and kinds of articles and stored in particular storage means, information about a service to be provided for the member is identified.
US08706763B1
A method using a field-accessed database system identifies an object by a data identifier, and stores and/or retrieves object data using the associated data identifier. In one mode of operation, a field terminal uploads to a database object-based data and employs the associated data identifier to group the uploaded object data with object data relating to other objects having substantially similar data identifiers. In another mode of operation, the system identifies one or more data products stored in a database and previously grouped according to an identified object's data identifier, and a field terminal downloads from database one or more data products related to the identified object and processes downloaded data products for user access.
US08706759B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for displaying messages in context. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure at least one transaction notification is received. At least one node for the at least one transaction notification is generated. The node is stored in a hierarchical tree data structure.
US08706755B2
A distributed file system enables the intelligent storing and retrieval of files among a plurality of storage units. The distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy. The distributed file system includes a switch to receive a read request for a file and to send the read request to one of the storage units. Each of the plurality of storage units is operable to monitor access to the file, such that a block cache module is operable to perform a scalable number of packet read aheads, wherein the scalable number is based on at least a current read rate and a current latency of a link to access the at least one file.
US08706749B1
A method involves identifying, within each of a plurality of structured data strings within a data file having a serialized data format, each of the plurality of structured data strings contained within an atomic element of an atom within the data file, data particles located within substantially the same location within each structured data string and that match a pre-defined regular expression, and generating a plurality of indexed structured data strings by creating, within each of the plurality of structured data strings, a separate index across all of the plurality of structured data strings for each identified data particle matching a particular pre-defined regular expression. The method may be incorporated into a GUI, where the indexed structured data strings may be displayed to a user and the user may then provide feedback. The user feedback may be a data query, resulting in data that was otherwise not readily searchable.
US08706748B2
Methods for using task-related information to enhance digital searching are provided. A task-oriented user activity system maintains task-related information about resources accessed by a user and current user task. This task-related information is used to enhance search queries to include task-related search criteria that improve relevance of search results. The task-related information can also be used to include task-related metadata in search engine index, e.g., by storing the metadata in the index or by storing it in resources which are subsequently indexed. Task-related information can also be used to enhance search results by filtering and ranking results to increase relevance with respect to a user's current task.
US08706747B2
Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. Queries can be expressed using character sets and/or languages that are different from the character set and/or language of at least some of the data that is to be searched. A translation between these character sets and/or languages can be performed by examining the use of terms in aligned text. Probabilities can be associated with each possible translation. Refinements can be made to these probabilities by examining user interactions with the search results.
US08706743B2
An alert notification distribution tool is disclosed. In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving raw data from a first data source in a first format and converting the raw data to conditioned data. The method also includes selecting, based on user input, a first category of a plurality of categories included in the conditioned data. The method also includes selecting, based on user input, one or more values from a plurality of values associated with the selected first category and generating a distribution group based on the selected first category and the selected one or more values associated with the selected first category, the distribution group including one or more contact addresses.
US08706742B1
A system including an electronic repository having a multiplicity of accesses to a respective multiplicity of electronic documents and metadata; a document rater using a processor to run a first computer algorithm on the multiplicity of electronic documents which yields a score which rates each of the multiplicity of electronic documents to an issue; and a metadata-based document discriminator to run a second computer algorithm on at least some of the metadata which yields leads, each lead having at least one metadata value for at least one metadata parameter, whose value correlates with the score of the electronic documents to the issue, typically used in combination with an electronic document analysis method receiving N electronic documents pertaining to a case encompassing a set of issues including at least one issue and establishing relevance of at least the N documents to at least one individual issue in the set of issues.
US08706736B2
A hash table supports extended entries. The extended entries permit a base entry to extend its associated data into one or more neighboring entries. Extended entries thereby provide a mechanism through which a hash table entry may store additional data compared to a base entry. Extended entries may coexist with base entries in the hash table. The hash table thereby provides the flexibility to adapt dynamically to meet system requirements and to balance the needs of additional data storage by blending the number of extended entries (that each store more data than a base entry) and the number of base entries (each storing less data than an extended entry).
US08706734B2
A distributed system is described in which resource utilisation decisions depend upon the categorisation of resource descriptions stored in the distributed system. In the principal embodiment, the resource descriptions are web service descriptions which are augmented with tags (i.e. descriptive words or phrases) entered by users and/or by web service administrators. A service taxonomy is constructed on the basis of the tags, and is subsequently used in suggesting tags to the user which the user might want to ascribe to the service in question. This leads to a more coherent and focused set of tags in the system, which in turns results in better resource utilisation decisions and hence a more efficient use of the resources of the distributed system.
US08706733B1
A system and method for facilitating automatic objective-based feature improvement, the method including receiving a request to identify an optimal alternative for each of one or more features of a computer-implemented entity, determining an alternative feature range for each of the one or more features, the alternative feature range defining a range of possible alternative features available with respect to the feature, selecting one or more alternative features for each feature from the alternative feature range of the feature, generating a plurality of alternative sets, each including an alternative feature for at least one of the one or more features, selecting a plurality of user groups from a pool of users and assigning each user group of the plurality of users groups to one of the plurality of alternative sets based on user characteristics of the users and historical information regarding the interaction of the user with the computer-implemented entity.
US08706725B2
Methods are provided for re-ranking documents based on user-specific features. Search results are received from a non-contextual ranking system such that the search results are not specific toward a particular user, such as the user who submitted the search query. Contextual signals are received and provide user-specific features that are used to re-rank documents so that the most important and relevant documents are listed at the top of the list of search results. Each of the user-specific features are evaluated and compared to determine a new position of each document. A set of contextual search results is then generated based on the new positions.
US08706718B2
Techniques for creating and searching a database that stores information about a plurality of individual habitable units (IHUs) are provided. An example of an IHU is a hotel room. Image data that depicts where a plurality of IHUs reside relative to each other is placed on a base image, such as a satellite/map image. The base image is associated with a mapping that maps points on the base image to spatial (e.g., geographical) coordinates. The coordinates of the IHU may be used to generate a computer-rendered view from a window of an IHU. Also, label input is received that labels each IHU reflected in the image data with certain information. Each label indicates a value of an attribute of an IHU, such as its size, price, distance from elevators, etc. A query that targets information about each IHU may be processed and results returned that are ranked based on criteria associated with the query.
US08706707B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for modeling costed entities and performing a value chain analysis. In one implementation, methods and systems may implement a costing platform. The costing platform may be adapted for modeling any set of costed entities and processing value chains. Value chains may be modeled by a user via the costing platform, so that networks comprised of objects and edges, and costed entities located at the objects can be modeled and functions can be added to determine key figures.
US08706702B2
A method for managing data in a collaborative service-oriented workshop, which is adapted to treat objects associated with data representative of real or process data, is provided to share data and resources in an architecture of a workspace. The architecture is adapted to design complex objects and manipulate information technology objects that represent data, which may be representative of a real object or a process based on metadata representing characteristic data. The metadata includes a generic part that is common to all data, a specific part that is inherent to the type of data, and links to other objects. The links make it possible to establish, at a later time, the traceability of the data, or in other words the traceability between the different data produced or used during execution of processes.
US08706698B2
A plurality of log processes are synchronized. Each is independently performed in parallel with one another, into a single set of log files. A line buffering mechanism of an operating system (OS) of the computing environment forecloses interleaving of the log processes. Log management operations are concurrently performed by a single process protected by a file-system lock of the OS. The log management operations include at least one of a log compression, log retention, and log rotation operation.
US08706690B2
Apparatus and methods for space management in file systems provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. For example, an apparatus may be configured to execute a method of synchronizing media content with a destination file system, including: receiving a request to synchronize one or more playlists from a music library to a destination file system; determining an amount of space on the destination file system utilized for files from external sources; predicting an amount of space on the destination file system to hold the one or more playlists; and displaying the amount of space utilized for files from external sources and the amount of space to hold the one or more playlists prior to synchronizing with the destination file system. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08706687B2
A method of updating database volumes by writing database updates to a smart storage controller, and having the smart storage controller generate the log update records for updating local and remote log volumes, and data volumes.
US08706676B2
The method includes receiving a plurality of target observations from a respective plurality of sensors and using the target observations to compute target state estimates. Each of the target state estimates is assessed to check if it suffers from one of a set of modelled possible fault types. The target state estimates are adjusted to compensate for any modelled fault type when it is assessed to be suffering from that fault type. A reliability value is computed for each of the target state estimates and the target state estimates are fused together based on the computed reliability values to produce a fused target state estimate.
US08706670B2
The present invention discloses a relative variable selection system and a selection method thereof. In the present invention, the receiving module receives a plurality of variables. Based on a correlation coefficient of variables, a first selection module sequentially selects variables with a correlation coefficient greater than a first threshold value. Based on the variables selected by the first selection module, a first calculating module selects a regression value and a weighted value corresponding to the foregoing variables. Based on the weighted values, a second selection module sequentially selects variables with a weighted value smaller than a second threshold value. Based on the variables selected by the second selection module, a second calculating module calculates analyzed values of the foregoing variables. Based on the analyzed values of the variables, a third selection module selects analyzed values which are greater than the target value.
US08706667B2
Processing transactions using graph-based computations includes determining that at least one of a plurality of graph elements of a computation graph of a set of one or more computation graphs includes a computation to be performed for a given transaction, associating the given transaction with an instance of the computation graph that includes reusable computation elements associated with respective graph elements, and executing the graph to perform the computation.
US08706664B2
Techniques are described for determining and using relevant information related to domains of interest. In at least some situations, the techniques include automatically analyzing documents, terms and other information related to a domain of interest in order to automatically determine information about relevant themes within the domain and/or about which documents have contents that are relevant to such themes. Such automatically determined information related to a domain may then be used in various ways, including to assist users in specifying themes of interest and/or in obtaining documents and/or document fragments with contents that are relevant to specified themes. In addition, information about how the automatically determined information is used by users may be tracked and used as feedback for learning improved determinations of relevant themes and relevant documents within the domain, such as by using automated machine learning techniques.
US08706659B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on one or more computer storage devices, for training a predictive model. In one aspect, a method includes receiving over a network predictive modeling training data from a client computing system. The training data and multiple training functions obtained from a repository of training functions are used to train multiple predictive models. A score is generated for each of the trained predictive models, where each score represents an estimation of the effectiveness of the respective trained predictive model. A first trained predictive model is selected from among the trained predictive models based on the generated scores. Access to the first trained predictive model is provided to the client computing system.
US08706653B2
Knowledge corroboration is described. In an embodiment many judges provide answers to many questions so that at least one answer is provided to each question and at least some of the questions have answers from more than one judge. In an example a probabilistic learning system takes features describing the judges or the questions or both and uses those features to learn an expertise of each judge. For example, the probabilistic learning system has a graphical assessment component which aggregates the answers in a manner which takes into account the learnt expertise in order to determine enhanced answers. In an example the enhanced answers are used for knowledge base clean-up or web-page classification and the learnt expertise is used to select judges for future questions. In an example the probabilistic learning system has a logical component that propagates answers according to logical relations between the questions.
US08706648B2
An approach is provided in which a risk assessment is performed that accesses the risk to a user of an information handling system due to the user's link to a social network contact. Risky action values is received with the values corresponding to the social network contact. A risk level is calculated with the risk level corresponding to one or more of the risky action values. A preventative security action is then performed based on the calculated risk level. In another embodiment, an approach is provided in which the potential risks posed by a user are transmitted to the user's social network contacts. In this approach, potentially risky actions that are performed by the user are detected. Risky action values are identified that correspond to the detected potentially risky actions. The risky action values are then transmitted to the user's social network contacts over a computer network.
US08706647B2
The social influence that each person in a computer network system exercises over others in the system may be valued by aggregating the differences in value of each of the others to the network both with and without the person being present. This calculated influence may be used as a basis for charging advertisers for advertisements to the users, as well as for providing preferential treatment to users that exert the greatest influence.
US08706638B2
A video on demand system in the context of the Internet, for video rentals. A user accesses an on-line store to rent a video program or movie. The rental is for a limited time (such as 30 days) and within that thirty days, the video program or movie can only be viewed for a 24 hour time window. The time limits are enforced by the on-line store which maintains a database of each rental transaction and allows supply of the needed keys for decrypting the (encrypted) video or movie only if within the time limits.
US08706627B2
The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods to wirelessly pay for purchases, electronically interface with financial accounting systems, and electronically record and wirelessly communicate authorization transactions using Personal Digital Assistant (“PDA”)(also referred to as Personal Intelligent Communicators (PICs), and Personal Communicators), palm computers, intelligent handheld cellular and other wireless telephones, and other personal handheld electronic devices configured with infrared or other short range data communications (for referential simplicity, such devices are referred to herein as “PDA's”). The present invention further provides apparatus, firmware, software programs and computer-implemented methods for making service and/or sale service charge payments for credit card charges, debit card charges, electronic cash transfers, ticket and other like financial transactions and for other types of transactions, such as for electronic coupons, where the amount of the transaction is for a small amount of money, such as, for example, less than $5.00.
US08706610B2
Systems and methods are provided for conducting securities lending transactions using an electronic trading platform. In accordance with an implementation, the electronic trading platform receives, from a trader, order data comprising a plurality of orders to lend or borrow shares of securities, and information identifying a matching criterion associated with a transaction to lend or borrow the shares. The electronic trading platform identifies a counterparty capable of fulfilling at least a portion of the orders in accordance with the proposed matching criterion. The electronic trading platform may then execute transactions between the trader and the identified counterparty to lend or borrow at least a portion of the shares in accordance with terms of an active bilateral agreement between the trader and the identified counterparty.
US08706593B2
A system and method for real-time access to information and for information exchange regarding securities markets. The system allows access to securities data obtained from multiple sources, and allows a wide variety of data pertaining to a particular security to be simultaneously displayed. The data may further be automatically and continuously updated in real time, and users may contribute securities data to the system. The system further eases the creation of investment portfolios by relieving the user of the need to type bond identification numbers, issue names, coupons, or maturity data when creating and editing a portfolio.
US08706591B2
Methods, devices and systems are provided for event participation. One method embodiment includes a method for generating income for an owner of an entrant to an event. The method includes defining the event by the owner. The method further includes offering remuneration based upon a fulfillment of the defined event. The remuneration can be memorialized by a remuneration right. The remuneration can be granted from the owner to a participant. And, the remuneration right is granted in exchange for the participant accepting to give consideration to the owner for receiving the remuneration.
US08706588B1
A method of provisioning confidential information to a target device is provided. The method comprises a mobile device wirelessly transmitting using a public land mobile network a message to request confidential information, wherein the confidential information is associated with at least one of a credit card, a transit card, a transit token, an electronic coupon, a loyalty program access code, an access badge, and an access code. The method also comprises the mobile device wirelessly receiving the confidential information from the public land mobile network and transmitting the confidential information using near field communication technology to the target device. The method also comprises the target device receiving the confidential information using near field communication technology and storing the confidential information.
US08706586B2
A method for identifying select ones of insurance records which possess a favorable subrogation potential. The method includes receiving data indicative of a plurality of claims; automatically calculating a base score to identify select ones of the claims which demonstrate at least a given probability of expected subrogation recovery dependently upon the received data; automatically identifying risk factors for each of the select claims; and, automatically scoring each of the select claims dependently upon the base scores and identified risk factors to provide a value indicative of an expected subrogation recovery.
US08706575B2
A system, method, apparatus, means and computer program products for establishing, monitoring and maintaining spending controls in a payment system are provided.
US08706574B2
A pharmaceutical waste identification system presents pharmaceutical waste information and, in response to a client entering a pharmaceutical name, the system provides a pharmaceutical waste disposal recommendation. This recommendation can include a labeling recommendation for a container for the pharmaceutical, a disposal recommendation for an empty container previously containing the pharmaceutical, and a disposal recommendation for the pharmaceutical.
US08706570B2
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for transmitting streams of data. The present invention also relates to generating packet watermarks and packet watermark keys. The present invention also relates to a computerized system for packaging data for transmission to a user. The system may utilize computer code to generate a bandwidth rights certificate that may include: at least one cryptographic credential; routing information for the transmission; and, optionally, a digital signature of a certificate owner; a unique identification code of a certificate owner; a certificate validity period; and pricing information for use of bandwidth. The present invention also relates to an electronic method and system for purchasing good and services by establishing an account whereby a customer is credited with a predetermined amount of bandwidth usage, and then charges are assessed against the account in an amount of bandwidth usage which corresponds to the agreed upon purchase value for the selected item.
US08706561B2
Stored product management information in a first format for use by a first computerized system is transformed to readily make the stored product management information available for use in a second computerized system that utilizes a second format in a cost-efficient and time-efficient manner.
US08706556B2
A payment-enabled mobile device such as a “smart phone” incorporates risk management features that are applicable to its use in contactless payment transactions. Some features may govern when verification of the cardholder's identity is required for consummation of the current transaction. The features may be configurable by the payment card account issuer and/or the user of the mobile device.
US08706554B1
Apparatus and methods for determining a transaction cost recovery amount are provided. The transaction cost recovery amount may be determined for each of a plurality of locations. The locations may include point-of-sale terminals and/or checkout lanes. The transaction cost recovery amount may be determined based on Merchant Category Code (“MCC”) information. When a customer leaves a first location associated with a first MCC, the customer may be informed of a transaction cost recovery amount at a second location. The second location may be associated with a second MCC. The transaction cost recovery amount may be determined based on a product inventory. The transaction cost recovery amount may be imposed to maintain an inventory level above a critical level. The transaction cost recovery amount may be based on a decrease and/or increase in an inventory level.
US08706545B2
Methods and related system are described for making decisions. A described method includes selecting a choice from the available choices, receiving an outcome relating to the selected choice, and automatically learning from the received outcome by incorporating the received outcome into subsequent steps of selecting a choice. The method may also include calculating estimated probabilities associated with the each choice using Bayesian networks. The automated learning can be based on a learning rate which is variable with time, and influences the degree on which prior outcomes are relied upon when calculating an estimated probability associated with a choice. The learning rate can be a function of time and an estimate of drift of the probability associated with the selected choice.
US08706541B2
A method of reservoir management linking. The method includes receiving a reservoir volume from a submitter, the reservoir volume modeling hydrocarbons in a reservoir, and determining that the submitter is authorized to submit the reservoir volume and sending notification of the reservoir volume to a first approver. The method further includes storing the reservoir volume on a storage device, receiving approval of the reservoir volume from the first approver, determining that the first approver is authorized to approve the reservoir volume, generating a standardized report associated with the reservoir volume, and displaying the standardized report.
US08706540B2
Incoming audio from mobile devices can be centrally processed, where a server can filter background noise in real time, such as by using an XOR function. Instead of discarding the filtered noise, however, it can be processed in parallel to dynamically construct an acoustic map of the environment. The acoustic map can be generated from an aggregation of sound data from multiple devices positioned in a geographic environment. The acoustic map can be linked to a configurable set of rules, conditions, and events, which can cause dynamic adjustments to be made to a workforce task management system. For example, employee availability can be assessed using the acoustic map and workforce tasks can be assigned based in part upon this availability.
US08706537B1
A method for remote site monitoring includes receiving data from a data site, converting those data into a site-level quality score using a metric risk profile, and calculating a risk indicator based on the site-level quality score. The metric risk profile may be based on historic data and study data, where the study data is received from a plurality of data sites. In some embodiments, converting the data includes normalizing a value of a metric by applying to it the metric risk profile and aggregating the normalized metric values to calculate the site-level quality score. An apparatus for remote site monitoring is also described.
US08706534B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for expediting how rental vehicle reservations can be booked by employing deep-link uniform resource locators (URLs) that encode aspects of a rental vehicle reservation transaction to relieve users of a need to enter reservation data themselves when booking a rental vehicle reservation.
US08706531B1
The present disclosure includes a method and system for detecting a change in circumstances of a customer and for proactively providing a response thereto, such as insurance quotes and/or coverage changes, to the customer and/or to one or more dependents of the customer. The customer may also initiate and accept an insurance quote for the dependent, and the dependent may initiate and accept an insurance quote on his/her own behalf. The insurance company may utilize data known to the company, or provided by an existing dependent of the customer, to communicate the response to the customer. The response may be communicated independently of a direct request from the dependents. Other dependents of the customer may also receive communications and provide authorization to change an existing policy. The response may also be communicated to a batch of customers meeting certain common criteria, independent of a direct customer request.
US08706530B2
A unique health score computation method is disclosed which masks underlying health statistics, yet provides a benchmark for a variety of applications. A system and method for collecting health related information, processing the information into a composite numerical value, and publishing the value is provided. The system includes a computer having a processor, memory, and code modules executing in the processor for implementation of the method. Information concerning a plurality of intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of a user is collected. Weighting factors are applied to the parameter in order control the relative affect each parameter has on the user's calculated numerical. The health score is computed using the processor by combining the weighted parameters in accordance with an algorithm. The numerical value is published to a designated group via a portal, while the underlying parameters remain private. In one implementation, the portal is an internet based information sharing forum.
US08706524B2
Techniques and apparatus for managing contributions to an accruable health spending account in an employer-sponsored plan offering a member an employer-funded defined contribution, at least one insurance premium option and the ability to specify an allocation of the defined contribution for payment of option premiums and in turn, a directed contribution amount designated to such accruable account are disclosed. The accruable account may be used to reimburse the member for qualified medical expenses, and the member may pay any premium shortfall using a tax-advantaged process such as a premium only payment plan. Also disclosed are techniques and apparatus directed to presenting member-specific out-of-pocket expenses for a selected procedure offered by at least one health-care provider.
US08706518B2
Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one indication of use of an inhalation device configured to dispense a bioactive agent to an individual and presenting at Least one artificial sensory experience to monitor at Least one side effect of the bioactive agent on the individual.
US08706516B2
A system and method to manage progression of patients through a workflow of events that employs at least one resource in delivering healthcare is provided. The system comprises a sensor operable to track at least one property of the plurality of patients, and at least one processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is operable to execute computer readable program instructions generally representative of the steps of calculating a bid of the more than one of the series of patients relative to one another directed to a slot in a schedule of utilization of the at least one resource dependent on tracked data of the at least one property of the more than one of the series of patients, and assigning one of the patients to the slot in the schedule of the at least one resource dependent on a comparison of the bids.
US08706513B2
A process to create a fungible global standard for diamonds and gemstones. The process involves grouping diamonds in an investment standard according to their gemological, proportional, optical and light behavior characteristics. Diamonds that conform to the investment grade standard are interchangeable within a specific size range according to an equivalent monetary bundling process. Diamonds subjected to the standard conform to a holistic set of gemological, proportional, optical and light characteristic requirements that enables diamonds to be classified into a extraordinarily homogeneous, visually indistinguishable and highly fungible group which can be used to create baskets of diamonds to form an index/benchmark for diamond pricing, financial instruments, and a standard that can be used for certifying diamonds as investment grade to insure quality.
US08706512B2
An information processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a storing element for storing content data; a managing element for managing preference data by which to determine preferences of a user; a reading element for reading the content data from the storing element in response to an instruction from the user; a sorting element for sorting the content data read by the reading element, in accordance with the preference data managed by the managing element; and a composing element for composing the content data sorted by the sorting element, into a single item ready to be handled by the user.
US08706505B1
A computing device is configured to initiate actions in response to speech input that includes a name or other indication of an entity, in a first spoken utterance, followed by an action, in a second spoken utterance. The computing device receives the first spoken utterance, identifies an entity based on the first spoke utterance, and indicates a plurality of available actions based on the identified entity. The computing device then receives the second spoken utterance and identifies a selection of at least one of the available actions based on the second spoken utterance. The computing device then initiates the at least one selected action.
US08706489B2
A system and method for selecting audio contents by using the speech recognition to obtain a textual phrase from a series of audio contents are provided. The system includes an output module outputting the audio contents, an input module receiving a speech input from a user, a buffer temporarily storing the audio contents within a desired period and the speech input, and a recognizing module performing a speech recognition between the audio contents within the desired period and the speech input to generate an audio phrase and the corresponding textual phrase matching with the speech input.
US08706484B2
Voice recognition dictionary generation apparatus and voice recognition dictionary generation method
A voice recognition dictionary generation apparatus and method for suppressing reduction of processing speed at the time of updating. The apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive a text subjected to voice recognition, a storage unit configured to store the text with respect to each file of a predetermined item, a reading data generation unit configured to analyze the text and generate a reading data, and a voice recognition dictionary configured to include content dictionaries that store therein the reading data of the text with respect to each file of the predetermined item. When the file of the predetermined item including the text stored in the storage unit is updated, a control unit detects a total number of the content dictionaries, and when the total number is smaller than a predetermined limit, the control unit generates the content dictionaries with respect to each updated predetermined item.
US08706482B2
The present invention provides a voice coder for voice communication that employs a multi-microphone system as part of an improved approach to enhancing signal quality and improving the signal to noise ratio for such voice communications, where there is a special relationship between the position of a first microphone and a second microphone to provide the communication device with certain advantageous physical and acoustic properties. In addition, the communication device can have certain physical characteristics and design features. In a two microphone arrangement, the first microphone is located in a location directed toward the speech source, while the second microphone is located in a location that provides a voice signal with significantly lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
US08706471B2
A translation between a source language and a target language is disclosed. The source language items are divided, with primary and secondary source language items or named entities being identified, where the primary and secondary source languages being different from each other and from the target language. The entities in the second source language are translated in a different way. For example, they may be copied into the target language, or translated in a special way that is based on their meaning, e.g, into a term that has a more descriptive meaning in the target language.
US08706468B2
Circuit component connectivity evaluation and validation method provides comparing and validating the correctness of electrical phase connectivity at connection nodes between conducting components within a circuit model of a power distribution network or other circuit. Phase connectivity requirements of each connected component/device/equipment in a particular circuit are obtained from a Common Interface Model (CIM) file containing parameter data describing the circuit. XML data strings obtained from the CIM file are parsed into enumerated data objects representing each component's phase connectivity requirements and assigned unique four bit binary phase connectivity mask values indicative of the particular electrical phase connectivity requirements of each component. Associated mask values corresponding to connection nodes between pairs of connected components are bit-wise logically “AND”ed and the result compared to each component's bit mask to validate that each connected component in the circuit is a correct phase type match with other components to which it is connected.
US08706462B2
There is provided a system and method for creating a physical property model representative of a physical property of a region. An exemplary method comprises transforming information from a model domain that represents the physical property model into simulated data in a data domain, the data domain comprising simulated data and measured data representative of a plurality of observations of the region. The exemplary method also comprises determining an areal misfit between the simulated data and the measured data representative of the plurality of observations of the region. The exemplary method additionally comprises performing an evaluation of the areal misfit based on known criteria. The exemplary method comprises adjusting data in the data domain or information in the model domain corresponding to a region in the model domain based on the evaluation of the areal misfit.
US08706444B2
A method for accurately acquiring multiple analog input signals that are converted using a plurality of A/D converters into corresponding digital single measured values. A first measurement averaging cycle having a predetermined total number of measuring intervals is predetermined by a higher-order control unit. First and second input signals are acquired by first and second A/D converters in a first and second number of measuring intervals, the second number being smaller than the first number. The first and second input signals are averaged to form first and second measured values, respectively. The first input signal is acquired by the second A/D converter in a third number of measuring intervals as at least one further single measured value. A message is output if a deviation of the at least one further single measured value from a single measured value of the first input signals measured by the first A/D converter or from the first measured values averaged up to that point exceeds a maximum permissible absolute value of the deviation.
US08706442B2
A lithographic system includes a lithographic apparatus comprising a projection system which projects a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate and an alignment system which measures the position of a feature of the pattern on the substrate at a number of locations over the substrate. A controller compares the measured positions with points on a grid of values and extrapolates values for intermediate positions on the substrate based on values of corresponding intermediate points on the grid, so as to provide an indication of the intermediate positions on the substrate and their displacements relative to the grid. The grid is based on at least one orthogonal basis function, the measurement on the substrate being performed at positions corresponding to the root values of the at least one orthogonal basis function.
US08706437B2
A method of calibrating an optical detector arrangement (38,42) comprises simultaneously generating a plurality of entangled photon pairs, such that one photon from each pair traverses a first path (36-38-42) and the other photon from each pair traverses a second path (36-40-44). The number of photons received along the first path is calculated using the detector arrangement (38,42), while the number of simultaneously-generated photons received along the second path is calculated using a second detector arrangement (40,44). These photon numbers are used to calculated an estimate of the detection efficiency (50) of the first detector arrangement (38,42).
US08706427B2
Methods and algorithms are presented that implement linear algebraic techniques for rapidly estimating chemical similarities for several popular measures. The methods of the present invention reflect source similarity measures for both Tanimoto calculation and rank ordering. After a precalculation step on a database, the methods of the present invention afford several orders of magnitude of speedup in database screening. The present invention also provides an asymptotic speedup for large similarity matrix construction problems, reducing the number of conventional slow similarity evaluations required from quadratic to linear scaling.
US08706419B1
A system and method for monitoring the permeability of a well structure defining a bore hole. The system comprises a wave generator, a sensor adapted to receive current wave data, and a processor programmed to compare the current wave data to prior wave data in order to determine the permeability of the well structure. The processor can calculate a correlation value and/or a decay value that reflects changes between the current wave data and the prior wave data, and these values can be displayed for the user. The method comprises creating a pressure wave in the bore hole, sensing current wave data, and comparing the current wave data to prior wave data in order to determine the permeability of the well structure. The step of comparing can include calculating a correlation value and/or a decay value that corresponds with the change in the data, and the values can be displayed.
US08706415B2
A map navigation tool presents directions using a map navigation user interface that simplifies navigation in various ways. In particular, the map navigation tool dynamically adjusts presentation of graphics and/or text for directions depending on current location, so as to emphasize upcoming instructions. For example, based on current location, the tool identifies an upcoming list item in a list of directions for a route. The map navigation tool renders a view of at least part of the list of directions, rendering a given list item differently depending on whether it is the upcoming list item, a future list item, or a previous list item. Upon successful completion of navigation for the upcoming list item, the tool outputs an indication of positive feedback, changes the upcoming list item to be the next list item, and renders a new view in which the next list item is emphasized.
US08706413B2
Techniques are provided, which may be implemented in various methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture, to obtain an encoded routability graph representative of feasible paths in an indoor environment represented by an encoded map, and assign likelihoods of transition from an ingress edge in the encoded routability graph to individual egress edges through a junction connecting the ingress edge to a plurality of egress edges based, at least in part, on one or more features of the encoded map.
US08706412B2
A communication controller transmits current location information of a subject apparatus to another pre-registered apparatus, and receives current location information of the another pre-registered apparatus. A location relationship determiner determines whether the subject apparatus precedes the another apparatus in a heading direction. An operation mode determiner operates the subject apparatus as a main device when it is determined that the subject apparatus precedes the another apparatus in the heading direction, and operates the subject apparatus as a sub device when it is determined that the subject apparatus does not precede the another apparatus in the heading direction. A function selector activates a function of transmitting heading direction information to the another apparatus when the subject apparatus is determined to be a main device, and activates a function of receiving the heading direction information from a main device when the subject apparatus is determined to be a sub device.
US08706408B2
When a destination is set, a CPU transmits to an information distribution center average vehicle speed information and so on together with a request command requesting for statistical traffic information. On the other hand, a CPU selects statistical traffic information per vehicle speed region of a predetermined vehicle speed region for each secondary mesh to thereby search for a basic route to the destination. Subsequently, the CPU identifies a vehicle speed region for each road type from the average vehicle speed information and a vehicle speed region determination table, selects for each mesh ID of all the secondary meshes through which the basic route passes the statistical traffic information per vehicle speed region corresponding to the vehicle speed region identified for each road type from the statistical traffic information per vehicle speed region classified by road types, and distributes it to a navigation device.
US08706398B2
The present invention discloses an electronic device with object guiding function and the method thereof. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a view window area, via which a user may watch a view. The electronic device may determine whether an object is located in the view window area when the user inputs the position of the object, and may further show an object indicating message or an object guiding message according to the determination result. Therefore, the electronic device is able to provide the user with short distance guiding function. In another embodiment, the electronic device may also show information related to the object located in the view window area, such as information about every mountain range, constellation, user's friends, or specific landmark that is located in the view window area.
US08706394B2
An autonomous controller for a vehicle. The controller has a processor configured to receive position signals from position sensors and to generate operation control signals defining an updated travel path for the vehicle. The controller has a programmable interface providing communication among the position sensors, the operation control mechanisms, and the processor. The controller is configured to normalize inputs to the processor from the position sensors and to generate compatible operation control signals applied as the inputs to the operation control mechanisms. The processor and the programmable interface define a self-contained unit configurable for operation with a variety of different remote sensors and different remote operation control mechanisms.
US08706392B2
A collision determination ECU (1) includes: a first information generation section (101) that acquires time information from a timer (4) every predetermined time period PA, and associates own vehicle time information representing an own vehicle time, which is the acquired time information, with own vehicle identification information, to thereby generate first output information; a transmission control section (102) that transmits the generated first output information by broadcasting; a reception control section (103) that receives own vehicle time information representing an own vehicle time and own vehicle identification information, which are included in first output information from an other vehicle VCB, as other vehicle time information representing an other vehicle time and other vehicle identification information, respectively; a reception time acquisition section (104) that acquires reception time information representing a reception time from the timer (4), when the first output information is received by the other vehicle VCB; and a distance calculation section (105) that obtains a distance to the other vehicle, based on the other vehicle time information included in the received first output information and the acquired reception time information. In this manner, a distance to a vehicle in a wide range is accurately detected through car-to-car communication.
US08706381B2
A system for a parallel intake engine includes first, second, third, and fourth modules. The first module estimates a total mass air flow (MAF) into the engine based on a cross-sectional area of a throttle and a pressure ratio across the throttle. The second module estimates first and second MAFs through first and second induction paths, respectively, based on the estimated total MAF and a factor. The third module calculates first and second differences between the estimated first and second MAFs and first and second MAFs measured by first and second MAF sensors, respectively. The fourth module detects failures of the first and second MAF sensors based on the first and second differences and first and second thresholds, respectively.
US08706376B2
To provide an ABS control system and software with an automatic parameter calibration function. An ABS control system according to the present invention includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a wheel speed sensor, and a brake pressure sensor. The wheel speed sensor and the brake pressure sensor measure wheel speed and brake pressure during ABS braking, and the ABS control system automatically calibrates an internal parameter used in ABS control in response to the wheel speed and brake pressure measurement results.
US08706370B2
A lockup clutch control apparatus controls slippage of a lockup clutch to a desired slippage by manipulating clutch engagement force of the lockup clutch, wherein an engine is provided with a supercharger, and a torque converter is disposed between the engine and an automatic transmission, and provided with the lockup clutch. The lockup clutch control apparatus includes a controller configured to: set the clutch engagement force based on a measured value of torque inputted to the lockup clutch; determine whether the engine is operating in a predetermined supercharger lag region in which the measured value deviates from an actual value of the torque; and perform a first operation of correcting the clutch engagement force by reducing the clutch engagement force in response to determination that the engine is operating in the supercharger lag region.
US08706366B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling engine using height information capable of preventing an engine from stopping according to a position of a vehicle. An apparatus for controlling an engine of a vehicle using height information includes: a height information management unit storing a plurality of height information; and an idling controller that extracts one or more height information according to a position of the vehicle from the height information management unit to determine a slope of the vehicle and controls the idling of the vehicle according to the determination result.
US08706359B2
A surveillance module may be deployed from a vehicle. The vehicle to deploy the surveillance module includes a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle. A second portion includes a module configured to accommodate the user and comprising a roof and an entrance accessible through an interior of the vehicle from the first portion. The second portion also includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position. A third portion defines an opening to accommodate the module, wherein the roof of the module couples to a periphery of the opening in the retracted position.
US08706356B2
Disclosed is a method and a system for detecting a reducer fault, which extracts an angle of a steering angle sensor and an angle of a motor position sensor after the initialization of the steering angle sensor and the motor position sensor, and when a difference value between two extracted angles is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, detects a fault of a reducer for rotation connection between a steering wheel and a motor. The method and the system can accurately detect the fault of the reducer for rotation connection between the steering wheel and the motor included in the motor driven power steering system, thereby effectively preventing occurrence of an accident due to the fault of the reducer.
US08706349B2
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for altering permitted settings of a vehicle according to a driver identified through short range wireless communication. The vehicle captures a unique identifier from a wireless communication device of the driver of the vehicle. This unique identifier is used to reference a database to determine the identity of the driver as well as settings for the driver created by a controlling authority. The controlling authority may be, for instance, a parent or employer of the driver. The settings may limit certain devices within the vehicle and/or the vehicle itself. Speed control settings, radio settings, wireless communication device settings, and various other settings are all possible to limit distractions to the driver. Further, the settings may be influenced by the number or identities of passengers within the vehicle.
US08706348B2
A vehicular telemetry apparatus, operable to initiate a telemetry processing operation in response to an aperiodic, nonrandom trigger signal cued by a sensed, operationally-variable vehicular condition. A trigger unit provides the trigger signal which in turn switches the telemetry apparatus from a resource-conserving idle state to a state in which a session is initiated, so that operationally salient variations in information on changes in vehicle sensor data are detected and processed.
US08706345B2
A starter relay structure for a vehicle, where an electronic control unit of the vehicle controls the starter relay structure. The starter relay structure comprises a first relay and a second relay activated by an ignition signal from the electronic control unit. The starter relay structure further include a third relay activated by an output of the second relay, where an output of the first relay is provided as an input to the third relay.
US08706344B2
A system for identifying an object impacting a vehicle bumper during a collision. The system receives acceleration values from each of a plurality of sensors and calculates a center strength value based on the acceleration values. The center strength value is indicative of the amount of force that is applied to the center of the vehicle bumper. The system then determines a preliminary impact location on the vehicle bumper based at least in part on the acceleration values. A normalized intrusion value is calculated based on the center strength value, the impact location, and a bumper stiffness factor. The bumper stiffness factor is indicative of the stiffness of the bumper at the impact location. The system then identifies the object impacting the vehicle bumper based at least in part on the normalized intrusion value.
US08706333B2
A method of controlling an electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a battery having a state of charge (SOC) and an open circuit voltage (OCV), is provided. The method includes establishing a system for estimating battery SOC. The system includes an OCV estimation subsystem including an adaptive observer for estimating battery OCV. Estimated battery OCV is related to estimated battery SOC by a nonlinear mapping. An output is generated based on the estimated battery SOC.
US08706332B2
The present invention has an object of providing an electric vehicle which makes an assisting movement based on an operation by an operator without making a movement when an operator is not operating the electric vehicle or a movement which widely differs from a movement intended by the operator in direction or distance, and a method of controlling the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle (1) includes an operating force measurement unit (4) which measures an operating force applied by an operator (13) to the electric vehicle (1), an obstacle measurement unit (8) which measures a distance and a direction from the electric vehicle (1) to an obstacle, a virtual repulsive force calculation unit (9) which calculates a virtual repulsive force having a magnitude inversely proportional to a magnitude of the distance measured by the obstacle measurement unit (8) and a direction opposite to the direction to the obstacle, and an assisting force calculation unit (10) which calculates an assisting force for moving the electric vehicle (1) based on a resultant force of the operating force and the virtual repulsive force. The assisting force calculation unit (10) has an upper limit X to a magnitude of the calculated assisting force, and sets the upper limit X based on a magnitude of the operating force and an angle between a direction of the operating force and a direction of the resultant force.
US08706331B2
A two wheeled vehicle with a first wheel and a second wheel includes a first electrical motor operable to drivingly rotate the first wheel and a second electrical motor operable to drivingly rotate the second wheel. The vehicle also includes a controller operable to independently control the first and second electrical motors to drive rotation of the first and second wheels independent of each other.
US08706324B2
This device for displaying information relative to a flight configuration of the aircraft provided with at least one propulsion system, able to generate a thrust force on said aircraft comprised in a thrust range, said information comprising information relative to an energy variation of the aircraft, is characterized in that the energy variation of the aircraft is expressed by a size representative of this energy variation and homogenous at a gradient of the aircraft, and in that said device is capable of representing a range of energy variations that can be achieved by said aircraft and a current energy variation of said aircraft. Corresponding method and system for displaying an energy variation.
US08706320B2
A measuring device for an aircraft is provided in order to determine physical properties of aerosol particles in real time. The device includes a heating device that separates volatile and solid aerosol particles, and a particle sensor that measures acquired data. The physical properties of the solid aerosol particles are determined with an analyzer. The determined analytical data is forwarded to other internal aircraft systems via a communication interface. Due to the formation of a measuring data or analytical data network with several airliners equipped with the measuring device, accurate and up-to-date information on the particle pollution, for example, along flight paths, can be obtained and used for defining no-fly zones, if so required.
US08706317B2
A data processing method for determining the drift values of at least one tire comprising, for various positions of the vehicle on a track, determining coordinates of GPS antennas, determining values of roll of the vehicle, determining various points of contact between tire and track based on coordinates of at least one GPS antenna and based on various values of roll of the vehicle, said contact points defining a trajectory of the tire on the track; determining a tangent to the trajectory of the tire at at least one contact point, determining, based on coordinates of the GPS antenna, an orientation of a wheel plane associated with the tire, and determining a drift value based on the tangent and on the orientation of the wheel plane.
US08706312B2
A charging device includes a power delivery system configured to supply power to at least one load coupled to the charging device. The charging device also includes a processor coupled to the power delivery system, and the processor is programmed to transmit a charging request to a remote device. The charging request includes an amount of power requested to be supplied to the at least one load. The processor is programmed to receive data related to a loading of a power distribution device, wherein the power distribution device is configured to supply power to the charging device. The processor is further programmed to selectively activate the power delivery system to supply power to the at least one load based on the data received.
US08706311B2
An electric power planning apparatus is provided. The apparatus has an initial plan creating section, a generation amount probability density distribution creating section, an economic load dispatch calculating section, and a display section. The initial plan creating section creates an initial plan based on a demand predicted value, a predicted value of a natural energy electric power source power generation output amount, and electric power source equipment data. The generation amount probability density distribution creating section creates a probability density distribution using fluctuation bands of the demand and of the natural energy electric power source power generation output amount. The economic load dispatch calculating section calculates an output allocation based on the initial plan and the probability density distribution to create a prediction distribution of a power generation output of the controllable electric power source. The display section displays the prediction distribution.
US08706309B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for calculating load models and associated tunable parameters that may be used to describe the behavior of loads connected to an electric power distribution system. The load models may be utilized to predict variations in demand caused by changes in the supply voltage, and may be utilized in determining an optimized control strategy based on load dynamics. Any action which causes a disruption to the electric power distribution system may provide information regarding the composition or dynamics of connected loads. Such actions may be referred to as modeling events. Modeling events may occur with some frequency in electric power distribution systems, and accordingly, a number of data sets may be acquired under a variety of conditions and at a variety of times. Load models may include static load models, dynamic load models, or a combination of static and dynamic load models.
US08706308B2
System and method include precisely modeling of a facility's energy usage over time based on historic data, and precisely predicting or measuring its actual, reduced energy usage over time after a redesign, retrofit, or renovation, or other positive change to the facility. The energy cost savings, whether over a time point of view (POV) of predicted, real-time, or historic, are creditable to the intervening remediation or renovation of the facility's energy footprint. In accordance with one embodiment, multiple-variable inputs are modeled using arithmetic regression and steepest-descent convergence arithmetic solutions based in large part on building-science (construction) data versus outside average temperature (t) that simplifies the modeling and measurements. Additionality is thus addressed along with a system and method that is more accurate, more repeatable, more reliable, and thus more credible and more readily monetized.
US08706298B2
A temporal controller for mobile robot path planning includes a sensor module for receiving data corresponding to spatial locations of at least one object, and a temporal control module operatively coupled to the sensor module, the temporal control module configured to predict future locations of the at least one object based on data received by the sensor module. The controller further includes a temporal simulation module operatively coupled to the temporal control module, wherein the temporal simulation module configured to use the predicted future locations of the at least one object to simulate multiple robot motion hypothesis for object avoidance and trajectory planning.
US08706297B2
A method of establishing an area of confinement and an autonomous robot for performing a task within the area of confinement. In one aspect, the invention can be a method of defining an area of confinement for an autonomous robot comprising: a) positioning the autonomous robot at a first location point P1, the autonomous robot comprising a location tracking unit, and recording the first location point P1 within a memory device; b) moving the autonomous robot from the first location point P1 to a plurality of location points P2-N and recording each of the plurality of location points P2-N within the memory device; and c) defining, with a central processing unit, a first closed-geometry comprising the first location point P1 and the plurality of location points P2-N as a perimeter of the area of confinement within the memory device.
US08706288B2
A laser-based displacement detector is used to detect cosmetic coatings applied to one surface of the transparent article and thereby determine which side is uppermost when loaded into the laser processing system. In particular, articles that are transparent to visible light and are particularly difficult to orient properly in laser processing systems are oriented using a laser-based displacement detector in conjunction with a partial coating on the article.
US08706282B2
In one or more embodiments, a weldability of a stack-up for use in vehicle part production may be determined. The determination may include receiving general stack-up information, welding standards data for forming a stack-up, and one or more inputs defining one or more stack-up design variables. Additionally, standardized stack-up information may be generated based on the general stack-up information, the one or more design variables, and the welding standards data. Furthermore, historical welding data may be received for predicting a weldability of the stack-up. Predictive logic may be applied to the standardized stack-up information based on the historical welding data to obtain one or more weldability predictions for the stack-up. The one or more weldability predictions may be transmitted for use in vehicle part production.
US08706275B2
Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods, apparatuses and program products configured to intelligently manage sound options for applications of a computer system based on display device characteristics. Various embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for optimizing the sound options of two or more applications running on two or more display screens of the computer system simultaneously.
US08706274B2
An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a metadata extraction unit for analyzing an audio signal in which a plurality of instrument sounds are present in a mixed manner and for extracting, as a feature quantity of the audio signal, metadata changing along with passing of a playing time, and a player parameter determination unit for determining, based on the metadata extracted by the metadata extraction unit, a player parameter for controlling a movement of a player object corresponding to each instrument sound.
US08706273B2
An apparatus for conveying audio signals from an input locus to an output locus remote from the input locus includes: (a) a multi-pin unit configured for receiving at least three signal paths at the input locus, including at least two audio signal paths for conveying the audio signals and at least one ground path; (b) at least one cable unit coupled with the multi-pin unit, substantially spanning an interval between the multi-pin unit and the output locus, and presenting the at least three signal paths at the output locus; (c) a connector pin unit coupled with the at least one cable unit at the output locus, and presenting the at least three signal paths in a single-pin configuration; and (d) a filter unit coupled with the at least one cable unit for filtering at least one predetermined signal component from the at least two audio signal paths.
US08706272B2
Various techniques for adaptively encoding and compressing audio broadcast data to create a digital representation of the broadcast for storage on an electronic device are provided. In one embodiment, the audio broadcast data may be encoded and stored onto the electronic device using a particular codec and/or compression rate, the selection of which may be based upon one or more characteristics of the audio broadcast data signal, such as a genre parameter or a quality parameter. Particularly, the audio broadcast data may be encoded using either a music codec or a speech codec depending upon the genre parameter. Further, some embodiments may also provide for an adjustable compression bit-rate based at least partially upon the quality parameter of the audio broadcast.
US08706270B2
A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.
US08706266B2
A power control system is provided with a plurality of electric appliances and a power control apparatus that controls the operation of the plurality of electric devices. The plurality of electric devices are grouped into one or a plurality of groups, each group containing a plurality of electric devices, and on the basis of state information of the electric devices, the power control apparatus controls the operation of each electric device by group according to a plurality of sets of control contents prepared ahead of time.
US08706253B2
An integrated activation system for an implantable medical device (IMD) sharing a power source, the activation system comprising a switching circuit having first and second inputs and having an output coupled to the acute use device, a gating element coupled to the first input and configured to gate power from the power source to the switching circuit, and a sensing element coupled to the second input of the switching circuit. The sensing element is configured to sense an activation condition, enable an operation interval of the switching circuit, and transmit a signal to the switching circuit during the activation condition. The switching circuit is configured to transmit power to the acute use device upon receipt of a pre-determined number of signals from the sensing element.
US08706242B2
A dressing for treating a damaged tissue, incorporates a pair of electrodes and a conductive gel between the electrodes. An electric current passes between the electrodes through the gel to repair the damaged tissue. Sensors can be incorporated into the dressing along with a control unit. The control unit can vary the current supplied to the electrodes according to environmental parameters detected by the sensors. Alternatively, one or more pre-defined programs can be stored in the control unit for supplying an alternating current to the electrodes with a varying amplitude, frequency and waveform.
US08706240B2
A method for treating a patient suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, comprises epidurally applying electrical stimulation energy to a spinothalamic tract of the patient, thereby treating the chronic neuropathic pain. The method may further comprise increasing the activation threshold of a side-effect exhibiting neural structure relative to the activation threshold of the spinothalamic tract of the patient, wherein the electrical stimulation energy is applied to the spinothalamic tract of the patient while the activation threshold of the neural structure relative to the spinothalamic tract is increased, thereby treating the chronic neuropathic pain without stimulating the neural structure.
US08706238B2
Disclosed herein is a current generation architecture for an implantable stimulator device such as an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG). Current source and sink circuitry are both divided into coarse and fine portions, which respectively can provide a coarse and fine current resolution to a specified electrode on the IPG. The coarse portion is distributed across all of the electrodes and so can source or sink current to any of the electrodes. The coarse portion is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking a coarse amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes on the device. The fine portion of the current generation circuit preferably includes source and sink circuitry dedicated to each of the electrode on the device, which can comprise digital-to-analog current converters (DACs). The DACs also receives the above-noted reference current, which is amplified by the DACs in fine increments by appropriate selection of fine current control signals. When the coarse and fine current control circuitry are used in tandem, ample current with a fine current resolution can be achieved at any electrode and in a space- and power-efficient manner.
US08706232B2
A medical device is configured to deliver a first stimulation therapy to a patient, and, upon detecting a trigger event, deliver a second stimulation therapy to the patient. In some examples, the first stimulation therapy includes bilateral stimulation in which stimulation is delivered at different times to two lateral sides of the patient and the second stimulation therapy includes substantially simultaneous bilateral stimulation therapy to two lateral sides of the patient. In some examples, the second stimulation therapy may elicit a stronger inhibitory physiological response related to incontinence (e.g., inhibition of bladder contractions) than the first stimulation therapy. The trigger event may include, for example, any one or more of detection of a physiological condition indicative of an increased possibility of an involuntary voiding event or an imminent involuntary voiding event, input from the patient, a predetermined time of day, or expiration of a timer.
US08706230B2
An implantable lead connector configured for long term implantation and to electrically interconnect multiple medical devices and to channel electrical signals between said interconnected devices and a target organ, comprising: a first port adapted to receive a first signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, a second port adapted to receive a second signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, and a third port configured to connect to a target organ, wherein at least one of said first and second ports is configured to connect to a signal generator not integrated with said connector.
US08706224B1
Techniques are described for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device for performing paired/coupled pacing either alone or in conjunction with dynamic overdrive/underdrive pacing. In one technique, dynamic overdrive/underdrive pacing is delivered to the ventricles using paired pulses during an episode of atrial fibrillation. The use of paired pulses during dynamic ventricular overdrive/underdrive pacing helps lower and stabilize the ventricular rate to thereby reduce the risk of a ventricular arrhythmia. In another technique, the inter-pulse interval between paired pulses is optimized to lengthen the resulting refractory period to improve hemodynamics. Preferably, the optimized inter-pulse interval is used when applying dynamic ventricular overdrive/underdrive pacing with paired pulses so that the benefits of both techniques are obtained. The optimization technique is also applicable to setting the coupling interval for use with coupled pacing.
US08706219B2
An apparatus for determining tissue versus fluid components of an organ include a detector that generates a detector signal based on electrical signals derived from tissue and fluid. The apparatus includes a signal processor in communication with the detector which subtracts in real time a tissue component from the detector signal and produces a fluid volume signal. A method for monitoring a patient's fluid volume of a patient's organ. An apparatus for monitoring a patient's organ. A method for monitoring a patient's organ. A method to piggyback an admittance system onto a AICD/Bi-ventricular Pacemaker for a heart of a patient, in particular a weakened heart having features consistent with congestive heart failure. An apparatus for monitoring an organ, such as a heart, lungs, brain, skeletal muscle, and bladder of a patient which includes a detector which detects the admittance of the organ. The apparatus includes a transmitter in communication with the detector which transmits a wireless signal indicative of the admittance of the organ. A method for monitoring an organ of a patient includes the steps of detecting with a detector the admittance of the organ. There is the step of transmitting with a transmitter in communication with the detector a wireless signal indicative of admittance of the organ.
US08706207B2
Methods and apparatus for the prevention and treatment of shivering encountered during therapeutic temperature regulation are disclosed that utilize an active system of counterwarming such that the timing and intensity of warmth provided to selected body areas is regulated dynamically in response to such factors as the extent of cooling applied to the core, the degree of shivering encountered, and patient temperature. Additionally, methods and apparatus are disclosed for the measurement and quantification of shivering for use in this and other applications.
US08706203B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for classifying an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Classifying an ECG signal can include analyzing the ECG signal using a stream of pulses generated by a sampler, extracting cardiac pulse features from a timing of the stream of pulses, and classifying the ECG signal based on the extracted cardiac pulse feature.
US08706202B2
A medical device having a sensor sensing an n-dimensional signal during a first known variable condition and during a second known variable condition different from the first known variable condition, a processor performing principal component analysis (PCA) on the sensed n-dimensional signal to generate a first template corresponding to a principal component of variation associated with the first known variable condition and a second template corresponding to a principal component of variation associated with the second known variable condition, a storage device storing the first template and the second template, and a controller detecting a patient condition in response to the stored templates.
US08706201B2
An apparatus for QRS waveform quantifying, comprising: an input unit, for receiving one or more high frequency (HF) range QRS complexes from one or more ECG leads, a primary analyzer, for calculating a primary index from the high frequency (HF) range QRS complex, and a secondary analyzer, connected after the primary analyzer, for deriving a secondary index from the primary index, thereby to provide a quantification of QRS complexes.
US08706184B2
In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes a display device. The display device displays a desaturated image of tissue captured in the visible electro-magnetic (EM) spectrum from a body cavity; and a first color enhanced image combined with the desaturated image. The first color enhanced image represents the first data captured from the body cavity outside the visible electromagnetic spectrum. The relative brightness between the desaturated image and the first color enhanced image is set to emphasize the first data over the tissue captured in the visible electromagnetic spectrum to provide improved information content.
US08706173B2
The disclosure provides a system and method for managing power and activation of a communication device. The system comprises: a microprocessor controlling the electronic device; an accelerometer; and a power application operating on the microprocessor. The application provides instructions to the microprocessor to place the electronic device in a low power state from a higher power state upon determining from movement data generated by the accelerometer that the electronic device has been returned to around a resting location where the electronic device was previously in a stationary state from a first location that is in a spaced relationship to the resting location.
US08706158B2
The present invention provides a mobile phone for authenticating Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card and a SIM card authentication method adapted for the mobile phone. Once a SIM card is inserted into the mobile phone, the mobile phone acquires a phone number associated with the inserted SIM card and identifies whether the acquired phone number has been stored in the non-erasable programmable memory of the mobile phone. If yes, the user is legal and can use the mobile phone, if no, then the user is illegal and cannot use the mobile phone. Therefore, the mobile phone protects and hides stored information from the user.
US08706154B2
An uplink power control method and apparatus in a wireless communication system are provided. The uplink power control method in a terminal of a wireless communication system includes mapping one or more codewords to one or more layers, and multiplying the codewords mapped to the layers by a layer power control matrix so as to perform layer power control.
US08706153B2
A communication device is provided with: a transmission power control section that controls the transmission power of a signal, and a transmission state detection section that detects the transmission state of the signal, and transmits the signal wirelessly to a communication partner. The transmission power control section controls the transmission power in accordance with the transmission state that is detected by the transmission state detection section. In this way, optimisation of the transmission power can be implemented with high accuracy.
US08706150B2
A method and apparatus for power control in a wireless communication system are provided. A Mobile Station (MS) operation method for power control in a wireless communication system includes assigning an UpLink (UL) control channel to the MS from a Base Station (BS), determining a location to receive a Transmit Power Control (TPC) command based on the UL control channel, and receiving a TPC command in the determined location and increasing or decreasing transmit power, thus advantageously being capable of reducing an overhead for power control command assignment information.
US08706147B2
A method system and apparatus for enhancing digital voice call initiation between a first telephony device and a second telephony device is provided. Text data is associated with digital voice data conveyed between the first telephony device and the second telephony device, the associating occurring prior to initiating transmitting the digital voice data, the text data based on input data received via an input device associated with the first telephony device. The text data is transmitted to the second telephony device in conjunction with transmitting the digital voice data, the text data to be provided synchronously at the second telephony device with an announcement of the digital voice data.
US08706139B2
An apparatus, and an associated method, estimates a time zone at which an electronic device, such as a wireless device, is positioned. Parameters, such as a mobile country code, a GMT offset, a daylight savings time parameter, and geo location parameters are all candidate parameters from which to make an estimate. Received parameters are identified, and selectably used to obtain an estimate that is matched or verified to ensure likely accuracy.
US08706137B2
The subject matter disclosed herein may relate to methods, apparatuses, systems, devices, articles, or means for conditionally performing a scan responsive to a likelihood of a portal transition, etc. For certain example implementations, a method for a mobile device may comprise determining an indication of a likelihood that a position of the mobile device is transitioning from a first area identifiable by a first location context identifier to a second area identifiable by a second location context identifier via a portal linking the first area and the second area; and conditionally performing a scan for signals transmitted by one or more transmitter devices corresponding to the second area responsive to the indication of the likelihood that the position of the mobile device is transitioning to the second area via the portal. Other example implementations are described herein.
US08706134B2
An approach is disclosed for providing navigation information for a requested listing to a mobile device caller of a directory assistance call. If the caller selects an option to receive driving directions to the listing destination, the directory assistance provider forwards the listing address to a platform that correlates the address with location coordinates. The platform can poll the calling device to obtain GPS identifying data for the mobile device and derive mapping and routing information.
US08706127B2
A system and method are disclosed that allow changes of a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) without overhead signaling. A priori, a network device and a user device know the manner in which the MCS will be changed. In one embodiment, the network device indicates the MCS to be used to decode a second portion of a message in a first portion of the message. In another embodiment, the user device blind detects the MCS used over a sub-set of MCSs.
US08706116B2
When carrying out a downlink handover, a source base transceiver station from which a mobile node is moving receives packets to be transmitted, via a wireless section, to the mobile node from an IP network, and copies and transfers them to a destination base transceiver station to which the mobile node is moving. On the other hand, when carrying out an uplink handover, the source base transceiver station compares the reliability of transport blocks which are received via a wireless section, from the mobile node and which are demodulated and decoded by the local station with that of transport blocks which are received via an IP network, from another base transceiver station and which are demodulated and decoded thereby, packetizes selected transport blocks with a better quality, and transmits them to a communications-partner node according to a route table, thereby implementing distribution of traffic via the IP network.
US08706101B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method, in a communication network, of associating a subscriber directory identifier to a first subscriber identifier. The method comprises receiving a request to connect a communication device to the network, the request including a subscriber identifier derived from the first subscriber identifier, determining the first subscriber identifier from the received subscriber identifier, and associating a subscriber directory identifier with the determined subscriber identifier.
US08706100B1
User controlled temporary mobile phone service device swapping systems and methods including particular implementations and embodiments comprising a plurality of mobile phone user control accounts at least a first telephone number registered with each of the plurality of mobile phone user control accounts, and at least two different mobile phone devices registered with each of the plurality of mobile phone user control accounts, and a mobile phone user interface configured to receive input from the mobile phone user to indicate which of the at least two different mobile phone devices associated with the mobile phone user control account is to be associated and to transmit data indicating the association to a phone number registry.
US08706096B2
In accordance with one configuration, a network communication manager identifies an expected duration of time to complete playback of the streaming content. Subsequent to receiving a do not disturb command, the network communication manager prevents visual notifications of future phone calls during the estimated duration of time to provide undisturbed playback of the streaming content on the display screen. Accordingly, embodiments herein support a do not disturb function in which a subscriber can prevent display of visual notifications such as phone call alerts (e.g., pop-up text messages) on the display screen during playback of the streaming content. The do not disturb functionality can be disabled in response to any suitable trigger such as that the subscriber has terminated playback of the streaming content, playback of the streaming content completed, etc.
US08706093B2
A method for obtaining content using a calendar application is executed on a first electronic device. The method may include receiving travel parameters from a first user through a user interface of the calendar application. The travel parameters may include a destination and a date of travel. The method may further include obtaining destination information from a content source communicatively coupled to the first electronic device based on the travel parameters and notifying the first user of the obtained destination information at a predetermined time before the date of travel.
US08706079B1
A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the establishment and enforcement of policies or rules associated with the feature or functions that may be performed with the device, such as making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. If a child or employee is using the device, there may be a need to regulate how that device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.
US08706077B2
A method of determining reference signal received power (RSRP) by user equipment (UE) associated with a distributed antenna system (DAS) may include detecting at least three different reference signals in one or more common reference signals (CRSs) that are associated with different antennas in the DAS. The method may also include determining at least three different RSRPs corresponding to the at least three different reference signals. The at least three different RSRPs may be level 3 filtered to produce at least three corresponding filtered powers. The UE may report a maximum of the at least three corresponding filtered powers to the distributed antenna system.
US08706062B1
In one embodiment a mixed-signal adaptive integrated circuit is comprised of a pre-distortion circuit operable to receive an RF input signal and to add a pre-distortion signal to the RF input signal to thereby provide a pre-distorted RF input signal, and a power amplifier coupled to the pre-distortion circuit and operable to receive the pre-distorted RF input signal and to provide an amplified RF output signal. The circuit further comprises a compensation module operable to receive the RF input signal and to provide a compensation signal, an auxiliary amplifier coupled to the compensation module and operable to selectively add the compensation signal to the amplified RF output signal, and a signal analyzer operable to receive and process the RF input signal and an RF output feedback signal to generate a first digital control signal for the pre-distortion circuit and a second digital control signal for the compensation module. A method for adaptive control of such a mixed-signal integrated circuit is also provided.
US08706061B2
A method and system mitigates receiver desensitization caused by a reverse inter-modulation distortion (IMD) signal generated by a power amplifier associated with one of at least two concurrently operating transmitters. A power amplifier controller (PAC) determines whether at least one power amplifier operating in a first operating state generates a reverse IMD signal that can substantially interfere with at least one receive channel due to a concurrent operation of at least two concurrently operating transmitters. In response to determining that at least one power amplifier generates the reverse IMD signal when in the first operating state, the PAC initiates a second operating state of the power amplifier to increase the linearity of the at least one power amplifier in order to reduce the reverse IMD signal. The PAC initiates the second operating state by adjusting parameters of the power amplifier.
US08706055B2
This disclosure describes techniques for reducing adverse effects of TX signal leakage in a full-duplex, wireless communication system. In particular, the disclosure describes techniques for reducing adverse effects of second order distortion of TX signal leakage. To reduce or eliminate second order distortion of transmit signal leakage, a wireless device squares a combined signal that carries both a desired RX signal and a TX leakage signal. For example, the device may include a device that exhibits a strong, second order nonlinearity to, in effect, square the combined signal. The device subtracts the squared signal from the output of the mixer in the receive path, canceling out at least some of the second-order distortion caused by the mixer. In this manner, the device can reduce the adverse effects of second order distortion of TX signal leakage, and thereby enhance or maintain receiver sensitivity.
US08706050B2
There are provided a matching circuit which is less prone to impedance mismatch even with variations in pattern dimension, and a wiring board, and also a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, and a radar apparatus that succeed in offering stable characteristics with the installation of the matching circuit. Characteristic impedance of a first transmission line including a connection portion is varied between a reflection source including a stub portion and a bonding wire serving as a load. Impedance variation is achieved by varying a distance from the connection portion to a back conductor layer coupled thereto with respect to a distance from the stub portion and a transmission line portion to an inner conductor layer coupled to them.
US08706049B2
Disclosed are integration approaches for mm-wave planar phased array type architectures using multilayer substrate technologies. For instance, an apparatus may include a plurality of substrate layers, an integrated circuit, and a connector module. The plurality of substrate layers includes a first substrate layer having one or more phased array elements. The integrated circuit exchange one or more radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., mm-wave signals) with the one or more phased array elements. The connector module exchange further signals with the integrated circuit that correspond to the one or more RF signals. For example, these further signals may be baseband or intermediate frequency (IF) signals.
US08706036B2
In one embodiment, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a near field communication circuit designed to update at least one event field, associated with a number of occurrences of at least one event, which converted from a first data coding format to a second data coding format and provided in an external communication message that is communicated automatically or in response to receiving an access command. Also included in the instant specification are communication systems, and methods of communicating.
US08706034B2
An on-vehicle information processing apparatus for implementing various functions in cooperation with a portable apparatus connected thereto in a cabin of a vehicle is disclosed. The on-vehicle information processing apparatus comprises: a communication device configured to communicate with the portable apparatus; and a screen generating device configured to generate an operation screen for the functions which can be implemented in cooperation with the portable apparatus. The screen generating device is configured to identify the functions which can be implemented in cooperation with the portable apparatus connected thereto via the communication device, based on information of the connected portable apparatus, and generate the operation screen which varies according to the identified available function or functions.
US08706029B2
A communication system includes a transmitter including a transmitting circuit to generate radio frequency signals for transmitting data and an electrical field coupling antenna to transmit the radio frequency signals as an electrostatic field or an inductive electrical field; and a receiver including an electrical field coupling antenna and a receiving circuit to perform a reception process on radio frequency signals received by the electrical field coupling antenna. Each of the electrical field coupling antennas of the transmitter and the receiver includes a coupling electrode, a resonant portion to strengthen electrical coupling between the coupling electrodes, and a radio wave absorber placed near the coupling electrode. The radio frequency signals are transmitted through electrical field coupling between the electrical field coupling antennas facing each other of the transmitter and the receiver.
US08706026B2
An embodiment method for power control in a multi-hop communications system includes transmitting a power usage pattern for each relay node in a subset of relay nodes served by a communications controller, where the power usage pattern specifies transmit power levels for the relay node while the relay node is operating in a power control mode. The method also includes receiving channel measurements of access links between the relay nodes in the subset of relay nodes and subscriber equipment served by the relay nodes, determining backhaul link transmit power levels and access link transmit power levels based on the channel measurements of access links and channel measurements of backhaul links between the communications controller and the relay nodes, and transmitting the access link power levels to the subset of relay nodes.
US08706025B2
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for determining link performance metrics for satellite communication terminals. Using link performance metrics and link performance difference metrics, signal modulation and coding may be decided. Link performance metrics may be determined for individual terminal uplinks and downlinks. Fixed and dynamic link adaptation mechanisms are also disclosed that utilize link performance metrics and link performance difference metrics determined under clear sky and dynamic conditions.
US08706019B2
Recording material post-processing device and recording material processing apparatus using the same
The recording material post-processing device includes a post-processing mechanism, and additional post-processing mechanism and a transport control unit. The post-processing mechanism performs a post-process for a recording material transported from one branched transport path of an image forming device. The additional post-processing mechanism performs an additional post-process other than the post-process performed by the post-processing mechanism for the recording material transported from the other branched transport path of the image forming device. The transport control unit controls transport of the recording material such that the post-process using the post-processing mechanism is performed after the post-process using the additional post-processing mechanism is performed.
US08706018B2
A position detection apparatus includes: a moving member in contact with a detection object that moves following movement of the detection object; and a support member that rotatably supports the moving member; a detection unit that detects a positional change of the moving member, the moving member being acted on by a first force as a force to press the moving member against the detection object, a second force as a force to press the moving member substantially in a direction of a rotation shaft of the moving member, and a third force as a force to press the moving member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the rotation shaft of the moving member.
US08706016B2
An elastic layer is provided on a surface of one of a metal core and a substrate. A fixing member and a pressure member press into each other and collectively create a nip therebetween. A toner image is conveyed and fixed when passing through the nip. A thickness of the elastic layer is different in at least two widthwise regions by the same amount from the other region. A pair of edges of a prescribed size of the transfer sheet pass through these two widthwise regions, respectively.
US08706013B2
In order that the air surrounding a fixing member is prevented from entering a blowing section for blowing separation air, a wind speed setting section is provided with switchable control modes, namely, a first control mode (control mode for operating the blower fan at a wind speed for separation) and a second control mode (control mode for operating the blower fan at a low speed). This structure allows the blower fan to be controlled in conformity to any one of these first and second control modes.
US08706011B2
Provided is a developing member capable of exerting stable performance under various environments. The developing member comprises a mandrel, an elastic layer formed on a periphery of the mandrel, and a surface layer covering a peripheral surface of the elastic layer. The surface layer contains a polyurethane and zinc oxide particles dispersed in the polyurethane, and the polyurethane has, between two adjacent urethane bonds, one or both of structures selected from structures according to the following item (A) and the following item (B): (A) a structure represented by the following structural formula (1), and one or both of structures selected from a structure represented by the following structural formula (2) and a structure represented by the following structural formula (3); and (B) a structure represented by the following structural formula (4).
US08706002B2
An image forming apparatus, includes: a main body frame; a process cartridge which comprises a driven gear unit which is driven to form a visible image on an image carrying body; and a bracket device which comprises a bracket main body which is coupled to the main body frame, a driving gear unit which is supported to the bracket main body, and which is to be engaged with the driven gear unit, and a guide which guides the process cartridge into a mounting position in the main body frame.
US08706000B2
A developer collecting device includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member; a collecting member provided along an edge of the opening at a downstream end thereof in a transporting direction of the developer carrying member, the collecting member removing developer from the developer carrying member and collecting the developer into the housing when the collecting member is in contact with the developing carrying member; a suction unit that sucks air from the opening; a flow rate regulating member provided in a suction path between the suction unit and the housing, the flow rate regulating member changing a flow rate of the air; and an operation device that moves the collecting member and operates the flow rate regulating member such that the flow rate regulating member raises the flow rate before the separation of the collecting member from the developer carrying member.
US08705988B2
Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer controller causes a sheet delivery system, the receiver delivery system and the receiver transport system to position a receiver and a sheet in a receiver transport path for travel through a printing area with a cross edge positioned on the sheet to separate a portion of the sheet that is masked from toner transfer from an unmasked portion of the sheet. The printer controller further causes the receiver and the sheet to be moved through the printing area so that the cross edge is moved through printing area during transfer of a toner of the print image. The unmasked portion of the sheet is positioned to receive any portion of the print image that is transferred when the receiver is not in the printing area.
US08705984B2
An optical transmission apparatus including a variable optical attenuator is provided. The optical transmission apparatus includes a module detection portion for detecting a type of module that receives light attenuated by the variable optical attenuator; and a variable optical attenuator control portion for controlling so as to change control parameters of the variable optical attenuator in accordance with the type of module detected by the module detection portion.
US08705980B2
The present invention has an object to provide an optical modulation device and an optical modulation method that achieve an excellent spectral efficiency with a simple and compact configuration and low power consumption. An optical modulation device according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a CW light source (11), a coupler (12), optical modulators (14a) and (14b), an optical frequency shifter (15b), a serial-to-parallel converter (21), and a delay circuit (24a). The serial-to-parallel converter (21) divides a data signal having a bit rate B into two data strings having a bit rate B/2, and extracts a clock signal (CLK). The delay circuit (24a) temporally synchronizes the two data strings. CW light emitted from the CW light source is split into two beams by the coupler (12). The optical modulators (14a) and (14b) generate optical signals by modulating the two split light beams according to the data strings. The optical frequency shifter (15b) shifts center frequencies of the optical signals by Δf=B/(2×2) according to the clock signal (CLK).
US08705971B2
A method for optical network signaling processing of a signal from a first node to an end node through intermediate nodes is presented. The method comprises determining, in a first pass from the first node to the end node, available wavelengths and wavelength conversion at each node, the end node optimizing wavelengths using the available wavelengths and wavelength conversions, at each node, dropping a cross-connect command, in a second pass from the end node to the first node, choosing wavelengths for connection based on the optimizing step, in a third pass from the first node to the end node, receiving at each node a signal message and releasing unused cross-connect commands, the end node identifying the chosen wavelengths and releasing the unused resources, and transmitting the signal on the chosen wavelengths. Restoration paths can also be determined. Optimizing can include selecting and marking one or more backup wavelengths.
US08705970B2
Method for data processing in an optical network, optical network component and communication system
A method for data processing in an optical network includes providing at least one main wavelength and processing a subcarrier modulation for the at least one main wavelength, wherein a portion of the subcarrier modulated signal is suppressed. An optical network component and a communication system having such an optical network component are also provided.
US08705955B2
An optical access network has a first and a second network-side termination node, the first including a first transceiver arrangement connected to a first optical link, configured to send a first signal to a customer side termination node including a transceiver for receiving the first signal, and the second including a second transceiver arrangement connected to a second optical link and configured for sending a second signal to a transceiver of a customer-side termination node via the second link. The transceiver of the customer side termination node has a loopback element emitting a monitoring signal back to the network side termination nodes. Both network-side termination nodes have a link failure detector receiving the monitoring signal.
US08705954B2
An all-optical transmission system includes an optical switch matrix, a plurality of optical components communicating over the optical switch matrix, and a top of rack (ToR) switch coupled to each optical component. Each ToR switch communicates with the optical components and with other ToR switches. The optical component includes a send circuit and a receive circuit with the send circuit having a ToR transceiver to receive data, a multiplexer coupled to the ToR transceiver, a Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) coupled to the multiplexer, and a circulator coupled to the WSS.
US08705953B2
Provided in accordance with the invention is a method for measuring the distance of an object in which a transmitted signal (S) with a pulse train having a prescribed pulse repetition frequency (fw) is generated such that the transmitted signal has a frequency comb in the frequency domain, the transmitted signal is directed onto the object, and a reflected signal (R) reflected from the object is received, the phase difference (φMESS,1) between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal is determined for a prescribed spectral line of the frequency comb, and the distance is determined with the aid of the phase difference.
US08705949B2
Method and system for direct electric heating of a pipeline to contribute to removal or hindrance of plugs of ice and optionally hydrates, distinguished in that heating takes place to a temperature above the ice melting point, but below the hydrate melting point.
US08705944B2
Systems and methods for recording media content are provided. A method of recording media content may include receiving a request to schedule recording of media content at a first digital video recording (DVR) device at a customer premises. The method may also include determining availability of the first DVR device to record the media content. The method may further include sending a recording request to a second DVR device at the customer premises to schedule recording of the media content based on the determined availability.
US08705943B2
A method for editing the playback speed of a partial sequence of video and a digital device therefor are disclosed. A video editing method includes providing a timeline interface corresponding to a video sequence, receiving a first user input for specifying a first location on the timeline interface and a second user input for specifying a second location on the timeline interface, setting an editing interval between the first location and the second location of the timeline interface, receiving a third user input with respect to the editing interval, adjusting at least one of the thickness and length of the editing interval in response to the third user input, and editing playback attributes of the partial sequence based on the adjusted thickness and length of the editing interval.
US08705942B2
Various methods and systems permit digital data, such as video data, audio/video data, audio/video/subpicture data and the like, to be processed in a manner that permits playback at different speeds in both forward and reverse directions. Various embodiments are also directed to handling playback rate changes in a manner that can enhance the experience of a user.
US08705934B2
A moving picture processing apparatus including a representative picture selection unit for selecting a predetermined number of representative pictures that are representative of a plurality of pictures from a plurality of pictures of a moving picture, and a configuration image generation unit for generating a configuration image in which the predetermined number of representative pictures are reduced at a fixed ratio and arranged in order of appearance of the representative pictures of the moving picture. The representative pictures are selected as the predetermined number of pictures adjusted to maximize a display occupancy rate of the configuration image in a predetermined range of display area.
US08705931B2
A dust cap assembly for sealing an end face of a fiber optic ferrule includes a sleeve and a sealant. The sleeve is configured to be placed onto the fiber optic ferrule and frictionally engage a medial portion of the fiber optic ferrule. The sealant, which is at least partially disposed on the sleeve, comprises a curable liquid configured to create a removable seal that directly contacts the end face on the fiber optic ferrule when the sleeve is placed onto the fiber optic ferrule. The sealant is also configured adhere to contaminants present on the end face such that upon removal of the sleeve and sealant from the fiber optic ferule remedial cleaning of the end face occurs.
US08705925B2
An optical waveguide film includes at least one optical waveguide area having an X-direction and a Y-direction orthogonal to the X-direction. Such an optical waveguide film includes a plurality of core portions arranged side by side within the same layer so as to extend along the X-direction, each of the core portions having side surfaces, and the core portions adjoining to each other in the Y-direction being arranged through a gap therebetween; and a plurality of cladding portions provided so as to cover the side surfaces of each of the core portions, each of the cladding portions formed of a resin having an optical refractive index smaller than that of each of the core portions, and the cladding portion between the adjoining core portions providing each gap. In the optical waveguide film, a size of the gap between the adjoining core portions varies along the X-direction in at least a part of the optical waveguide area. This makes it possible to precisely match a gap between core portions in a cut end surface with a desired value by selection of cutting positions of the optical waveguide film even when the optical waveguide film is shrunken.
US08705919B2
A lens-integrated optical waveguide includes an optical conduit, a lens, and a non-wetting coating underlying the lens. A method for making an lens-integrated optical waveguide includes: forming an optical conduit having an end defining a planar end surface through which lights are transmitted out and received in; injecting a curable glue into a mold to form a pool of curable glues, the mold including a cavity having a concave shape to define a lens outer face; dipping the planar end of the optical conduit into the pool of curable glues; and curing the pool of curable glues onto the planar end surface of the optical conduit.
US08705914B2
An optical system having an optical waveguide for collecting light, a receiver for receiving the light, and redirecting optics for transferring the light from the optical waveguide to the receiver. The optical system can be used for concentrating light such as in solar applications. The optical system can also be used for diffusing light in illumination applications by replacing the receiver with a light source such that the light flows in the reverse of the concentration system.
US08705909B2
An optical interconnect device including a first printed wiring board, a second printed wiring board facing the first printed wiring board, a light-emitting device positioned on the first printed wiring board and electrically connected to the first printed wiring board, a light-receiving device positioned on the second printed wiring board and electrically connected to the second printed wiring board such that the light-receiving device faces the light-emitting device and receives an optical signal transmitted in a direct line from the light-emitting device, and an electrical-connection device mounted on the first printed wiring board and the second printed wiring board such that the first printed wiring board is electrically connected to the second printed wiring board.
US08705900B2
Disclosed is an optical modulator which substantially lowers loss and has little attenuation in the intensity of an optical signal after modulation. The optical modulator includes a 1×2 RZ pulse carver wherein optical phase shifters used for modulation are arranged along two arm waveguides held between a 1×2 coupler and a 2×2 coupler, two interferometric modulators connected respectively to two output ports of the 2×2 coupler, and a 2×1 coupler for combining the outputs of the interferometric modulators.
US08705898B2
Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide systems, devices, and methods for tuning resonant wavelengths of an optical resonator. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide systems, devices, and methods for tuning dispersion properties of photonic crystal waveguides. In some embodiments, methods for tuning a resonant wavelength of an optical resonator are provided, the methods including: providing an optical resonator having a surface; determining an initial resonant wavelength emitted by the optical resonator in response to an electromagnetic radiation input; determining a number of layers of dielectric material based on a difference between the initial resonant wavelength and a target resonant wavelength and a predetermined tuning characteristic; and applying the determined number of layers of dielectric material to the surface of the optical resonator to tune the initial resonant wavelength to a tuned resonant wavelength.
US08705887B2
A system for filling in and/or replacing pixel data in a target image uses pixel data from a source image. In one embodiment, the pixel data in the source image are classified and boundaries of local class areas or groups of similarly classified pixels are determined. The pixel data in the local class areas are compared to determine one or more scaling factors. The missing pixel data or data to be replaced in the target image is obtained from the source image and scaled with the one or more scaling factors.
US08705875B1
A facial image may be annotated with the plurality of facial landmarks. These facial landmarks may be points or regions of the face that are indicative, either alone or in combination with other facial landmarks, of at least one demographic characteristic. Demographic characteristics include, for example, age, race, and/or gender. Based on the demographic characteristic being analyzed, one or more of these facial landmarks may be selected and arranged into an input vector. Then, the input vector may be compared to one or more of the training vectors. An outcome of this comparison may involve in the given facial image being classified into a category germane to the analyzed demographic characteristic (e.g., an age range or age, a racial category, and/or a gender).
US08705867B2
Certain embodiments relate to processing images by creating scale space images from an image and using them to identify boundaries of objects in the image. The scale space images can have varying levels of detail. They are used to determine a potential map, which represents a likelihood for pixels to be within or outside a boundary of an object. A label estimating an object boundary can be generated and used to identify pixels that potentially may be within the boundary. An image with object boundaries identified can be further processed before exhibition. For example, the images may be two-dimensional images of a motion picture. Object boundaries can be identified and the two-dimensional (2D) images can be processed using the identified object boundaries and converted to three-dimensional (3D) images for exhibition.
US08705859B2
Methods, storage mediums, and systems for image data processing are provided. Embodiments for the methods, storage mediums, and systems include configurations to perform one or more of the following steps: background signal measurement, particle identification using classification dye emission and cluster rejection, inter-image alignment, inter-image particle correlation, fluorescence integration of reporter emission, and image plane normalization.
US08705857B2
An image processing system and method corrects the perceptual quality of an image by adjusting the image colors. “Color” in this sense is to be understood as encompassing three-dimensional parameterizations of color, incorporating both intensity and hue. These measurements are made using creative computations developed and adapted from the RETINEX™ theory (Land, 1977), where the RETINEX implementation adjusts any pixel in any direction in color space and further to automatically determine the best direction for it to be adjusted to increase the perceptual visibility of the algorithm with a minimal amount of change to the original image values.
US08705843B2
The invention relates to a method for texturizing virtual three-dimensional objects, particularly virtual three-dimensional building objects and city models with a photographic image (1) of a real object, particularly of a picture of a façade. The method is characterized by the following steps: Projecting the photographic image (1) onto a virtual surface (2) of the virtual three-dimensional object to produce a raw texture; localizing a raw texture element (3) in the raw texture by using a classification method; computer-compatible description of the localized raw texture element by a formal feature set for the raw texture element, particularly a feature vector; comparing the formal feature set of the raw texture element with each feature set of predefined library elements (4), and determining degrees of similarity between the raw texture element and each library element; replacing the localized raw texture element with at least one library element when a predefined degree of similarity is present, and reshaping the raw texture into a generalized texture (5) of the virtual object by replacing all raw texture elements with library elements.
US08705842B2
A robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same are provided. A region to be cleaned may be divided into a plurality of sectors based on detection data collected by a detecting device, and a partial map for each sector may be generated. A full map of the cleaning region may then be generated based on a position of a partial map with respect to each sector, and a topological relationship between the partial maps. Based on the full map, the robot cleaner may recognize its position, allowing the entire region to be completely cleaned, and allowing the robot cleaner to rapidly move to sectors that have not yet been cleaned.
US08705838B2
The invention relates to a mask inspection method that can be used for the design and production of masks, in order to detect relevant weak points early on and to correct the same. According to said method for mask inspection, an aerial image simulation, preferably an all-over aerial image simulation, is carried out on the basis of the mask design converted into a mask layout, in order to determine a list of hot spots. The mask/test mask is analysed by means of an AIMS tool, whereby real aerial images are produced and compared with the simulated aerial images. The determined differences between the aerial images are used to improve the mask design. The inventive arrangement enables a method to be carried out for mask inspection for mask design and mask production. The use of the AIMS tool directly in the mask production process essentially accelerates the mask production, while reducing the error rate and cost.
US08705836B2
The systems and methods of the present disclosure use a mobile device equipped with a camera to capture and preprocess images of objects including financial documents, financial cards, and identification cards, and to recognize information in the images of the objects. The methods include detecting quadrangles in images of an object in an image data stream generated by the camera, capturing a first image, transforming the first image, binarizing the transformed image, recognizing information in the binarized image, and determining the validity of the recognized information. The method also includes communicating with a server of a financial institution or other organization to determine the validity of the recognized information. The mobile device may include a camera, a display to display an image data stream and captured images, a memory to store a configuration file including parameters for the preprocessing and recognition functions, captured images, and software, and a communication unit to communicate with a server of the financial institution or other organization.
US08705828B2
Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus for 3-D volume image reconstruction of a subject, executed at least in part on a computer for use with a digital radiographic apparatus can obtain image data for 2-D projection images over a range of scan angles. For each of the plurality of projection images, an enhanced projection image can be generated. In one embodiment, through the application of a resolution increasing interpolator, a prescribed CBCT routine scanning mode with preset binning can increase a spatial resolution, Nyquist frequency or MTF.
US08705823B2
A breast examination system is disclosed that facilitates normalized quantitative comparison of results from multiple examinations performed under differing conditions, such as different viewing angles. The proposed system can operate on a camera-equipped smart-phone, a camera-equipped desk-top computer, or on a dedicated device to perform a guided breast cancer examination, and then store results of the examination in a normalized format that allows effective quantitative comparison to historic results, thereby detecting changes and trends. The results can be stored on the local device, or on a web-based server, providing various data comparison, data management, and data interpretation services in a secure and controlled manner.
US08705822B2
A system and method for the accurate quantitative evaluation of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) projection data that is acquired in a dual-source helical scan includes employing a dual-source z-axis helical interpolation method. The method includes transforming the two helical projection data sets, where corresponding projections of high- and low-energy data sets are shifted with respect to one another by 90 degrees or another angle, into corresponding non-helical projection data sets. A dual-source helical interpolation algorithm allows for projection space dual-energy processing by realigning the high- and low-energy datasets based on the z-axis interpolation. This algorithm may be implemented using a variety of interpolation schemes and can be extended from single slice to multi-slice data acquisitions. Subsequent to the registration of the non-helical projection data sets, projection space processing allows for accurate material quantification and virtual monochromatic images in which beam hardening artifacts have been substantially suppressed.
US08705820B2
Recording a plurality of lesion area extraction processing data generated in advance according to a plurality of types of lesion areas, recording a radiology which includes a character string having a lesion description character and being related to position information of a lesion area in the medical image, determining lesion area extraction processing data used for the extraction from the plurality of lesion area extraction processing data based on the lesion description character provided in the radiology report, and performing the extraction using the determined lesion area extraction processing data and the position information of the lesion area related to the character string.
US08705819B2
The invention relates to automatically adjusting an acquisition protocol for dynamic medical imaging, such as dynamic CT, MRI or PET imaging. The protocols are adjusted based on anatomic and dynamic models (10, 12, 14) which are individualized or fitted to each patient based on a scout scan (6, 8). The adjustment can compensate for changes in the patient due to patient motion (e.g. breathing or heartbeat) or flow of contrast or tracing agent during the sequence. This ensures that changes in the reconstructed images are indicative of pathological changes in the patient and not caused by patient motion or changes in scanning parameters or timing. The dynamic model can be a motion model (12) used to predict the motion of anatomic/physiologic features, typically organs, during scanning, or a haemodynamic model (14) used to predict flow of the contrast agent allowing for precise timing of the scanning sequence.
US08705810B2
Apparatuses, systems, and computer program products that detect and/or index characters of videos are disclosed. One or more embodiments comprise an apparatus an apparatus having a feature extraction module and a cast indexing module. The feature extraction module may extract features of a scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) for face sets of a video and the cast indexing module may detect one or more characters of the video via one or more associations of clusters of the features. Some alternative embodiments may include a cast ranking module to sort characters of the video, considering such factors as appearance times of the characters, appearance frequencies of the characters, and page rankings of the characters. The apparatus may associate or partition the clusters based on a normalized cut process, as well as detect the characters based on measures of distances of nodes associated with the features. Numerous embodiments may detect the characters based upon partitioning the clusters via solutions for eigenvalue systems for matrices of nodes of the clusters.
US08705809B2
Method and apparatus for image generation from biometric data is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the biometric data is in the form of IrisCode and the method comprises constructing a graph of filter responses and bits which define the biometric data; comparing the bits with corresponding bits of reference graphs of a trained database to obtain an optimal graph; updating the filter responses based on the optimal graph; and decompressing the IrisCode based on the updated filter responses to generate an image. The image may be a reconstruction of an original image which is defined by the IrisCode.
US08705803B2
Methods are provided for evaluating the ability of a tire to release materials from its tread during rotation. A tire tread is rotated about an axis while images of the tread are recorded to capture the effect of centrifugal forces on materials that have been loaded into the tread. The images are then used to quantify the location of certain events during the rotation of the tire tread such as when e.g., materials first began releasing from the tread during rotation and/or the rate of such release. These events can be correlated with other variables such as the rpm, centrifugal acceleration, and/or time at which such events occurred. By comparing these quantitative results for different tread patterns, the effect of differences between tread patterns can be evaluated to develop and improve the self-cleaning ability of a tire.
US08705784B2
An apparatus comprising an earpiece and a signal processor is disclosed. The earpiece is suitable to be applied at an auditory opening of a user's ear. The earpiece comprises a speaker enabled to be supplied with an audio signal for rendering, and a microphone arranged in vicinity of the speaker to acquire a sound signal from sounds present inside the auditory opening when the earpiece is applied at the ear. The signal processor is arranged to determine whether the earpiece is applied at the user's ear by analysis of the acquired sound signal comprising any of a sound signal component of an in-ear sound type present when the earpiece is applied or an outside-ear sound type present when the earpiece is not applied. A method and a computer program are also disclosed.
US08705779B2
A surround sound virtualization apparatus and method. The surround sound virtualization apparatus may include an audio decoder to perform head-related transfer function (HRTF) filtering, and a time delay unit to provide a time delay to a plurality of output signals of the audio decoder.
US08705767B2
The invention relates an electrostatic speaker system comprising—a high voltage switching power amplifier,—an extraction filter having an input coupled to an output of the high voltage switching amplifier, and—an electrostatic speaker element having a capacitive load and an input coupled to an output of the extraction filter. The combination of the extraction filter and capacitive load form a filter circuitry having at least a first filter stage and a second filter stage. The first filter stage comprising a RLC circuit having a resonant frequency ωO and a quality factor Q>½ and wherein the second filter stage being a low pass filter comprises at least one electrical element for damping a signal component at the resonant frequency of the RLC circuit at the output of the extraction filter.
US08705763B2
An in-vehicle audio device and an in-vehicle audio system are disclosed. The in-vehicle audio device acquires and registers metadata of music data from multiple music possession devices, at least one of which is a portable music carrier device capable of performing wireless communication. Regarding the metadata acquired from the portable music carrier device, the in-vehicle audio device maintains the registration of the metadata after a communication connection between the portable music carrier device and the in-vehicle audio device is cut off. The in-vehicle audio device creates a playlist based on the registered metadata.
US08705758B2
An audio processing device for reducing the effect on a first signal of echo from a second signal, the device comprising: an echo reduction processor for processing the first signal to reduce echo in it, the echo reduction unit having: a first mode of operation for reducing echo of a first function from the first signal; and a second mode of operation for reducing echo of a second function from the first signal, the second function being more complex than the first function and the echo reduction processor being such as to consume more power in the second mode of operation than in the first mode of operation; and an echo reduction controller for controlling the echo reduction processor to operate in a selected one of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.
US08705751B2
This application relates to a system for compression and mixing for hearing assistance devices by application of compression to individual sound sources before mixing, according to one example. Variations of the present system using surround sound provide separate signals from a surround sound synthesizer which are compressed prior to mixing of the signals.
US08705732B2
A device for generating a session key which is known to a first communication partner and a second communication partner, for the first communication partner, from secret information which may be determined by the first and second communication partners, includes a first module operable to calculate the session key using a concatenation of at least a part of a random number and a part of the secret information. The device also includes a second module operable to use the session key for communication with the second communication partner.
US08705729B2
In some embodiments an embedded processor is to participate in cryptographic key exchange with an audio software application, and a key exchange communication path is coupled between the audio software application and the embedded processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08705714B2
A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.
US08705705B2
Tags, such as XML tags, are inserted into email to separate email content from signature blocks, privacy notices and confidentiality notices, and to separate original email messages from replies and replies from further replies. The tags are detected by a system that renders email as speech, such as voice command platform or network-based virtual assistant or message center. The system can render an original email message in one voice mode and the reply in a different voice mode. The tags can be inserted to identify a voice memo in which a user responds to a particular portion of an email message.
US08705703B2
A system and method for emergency telephone call notification. The system includes an AIN capable switch, a service control point (SCP) having a database of designated contact numbers associated with a service subscriber telephone number, and an intelligent peripheral (IP) in communication with the SCP for contacting the designated contact numbers. The method includes the steps of recognizing an N11 trigger and the SCP initiating telephone calls, via the IP, to each of the contact numbers corresponding to the telephone number of the subscriber making the emergency telephone call.
US08705685B2
The geometric dimensions and shape of a device for removing solid particles from the cooling medium that is circulated in the primary circuit of a nuclear reactor, in particular a boiling water nuclear reactor, are such that the device can be inserted in lieu of a fuel element or fuel assembly into an empty fuel element or assembly position of the reactor core of the nuclear reactor.
US08705679B1
In a method for detecting a synchronization field in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, a plurality of discrete Fourier transform (DFT) values corresponding to the OFDM signal are generated. A plurality of magnitude or power values corresponding to the plurality of DFT values is determined. It is determined whether the plurality of magnitude or power values corresponds to a pattern of magnitude or power values. An indication that the synchronization field is detected in the OFDM signal is generated based on whether it is determined that the plurality of magnitude or power values correspond to the pattern of magnitude or power values.
US08705678B1
A complex acquisition system and method for synchronizing components thereof. The complex acquisition system further including a master acquisition module. The master acquisition module further including an analog to digital acquisition signal generator for generating an analog to digital acquisition signal, a memory acquisition signal generator for generating a memory acquisition signal, a delay calibration signal for generating a delay calibration signal, a step source signal generator for generating a step source signal, and a synchronization module. The complex acquisition system further includes a plurality of slave acquisition modules, each also including a synchronization module. The complex acquisition system additionally includes a distribution system for distributing each of the analog to digital acquisition signal, memory acquisition signal, delay calibration signal and step source signal to each of the synchronization modules in the master and plurality of slave acquisition modules.
US08705675B2
An RF signal reception device including: a transposition device of signals of frequency fRF to a first intermediate frequency IF1
US08705674B2
Multi-band single-carrier modulation. A novel approach is presented by which interference compensation may be performed for signals received by a piconet operable device. The piconet operable device may be implemented within a region that includes two or more SOPs (Simultaneously Operating Piconets). Estimation of the level and location of interference is performed and the input to a decoder (within the piconet operable device) is selectively weighted to ensure that the effect of any existent interference within the signal received by the piconet operable device is minimized. Different interference levels are dealt with differently. For one example, portions of the received signal having undergone a large amount of interference may be simply treated as erasures with respect to the input the decoder. For another example, portions of the received signal having undergone some smaller degree of interference, but some interference nonetheless, may be de-weighted before being provided to the decoder.
US08705672B2
A receiver has an input and a decision feedback equalizer (DFE). The DFE couples to the receiver input and has at least one tap coefficient. An input signal, having a first amplitude level insufficient to cause significant non-linear distortion in the receiver, is applied to the receiver input. After the DFE adapts to the applied input signal having the first amplitude level by adjusting the at least one tap coefficient, the adaptation process is stopped. Then the at least one tap coefficient is scaled by a factor α and the amplitude of input signal is adjusted to a second amplitude level greater than the first amplitude level by the scale factor α. Although the second amplitude level might be sufficient to cause significant non-linear distortion in the receiver, the scaled tap coefficient has the correct values for proper DFE operation in the presence of the non-linear distortion.
US08705670B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal; synchronizing the received RF signal with a preamble to determine a time base; determining a first energy value of the received RF signal by averaging received signal strength indication (RSSI) values of the received RF signal over a first period of time; determining a second energy value of the received RF signal over a second period of time; determining a difference value between the first energy value and the second energy value; comparing the difference value with a predetermined energy threshold value; determining a quality value of the received RF signal; comparing the quality value of the received RF signal with a predetermined quality threshold value; and, if the difference value exceeds the predetermined energy threshold value or the quality value is below the predetermined quality threshold value, then erasing the time base.
US08705666B2
In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving a signal transmitted through a channel; receiving an estimate of the channel; determining from the estimate of the channel at least one statistic representative of a variability of the estimate of the channel; decoding the received signal by at least searching for an output using a plurality of cost metrics determined based on at least the estimate of the channel and the at least one statistic; and providing, based on at least one of the plurality of cost metrics, the output. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08705660B2
Provided is a data transmission system of providing preambles of different classes according to a characteristic of a terminal. A terminal having constraints on using a power with respect to a data reception may receive only a preamble of a particular class and thus decrease a power consumption. A general terminal may receive preambles of plural classes and quickly receive data.
US08705658B2
Modulating method and apparatus in a broadcasting and communication system are provided. The modulating apparatus includes: a first quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulating unit QPSK-modulating first data including in-phase (I) data and quadrature (Q) data to generate a first signal; a phase rotating unit rotating a phase of the first signal by θ to generate a phase rotated signal; a second QPSK modulating unit QPSK-modulating second data different from the first data and including I′ data and Q′ data to generate a second signal; and a layer modulating unit modulating the phase rotated signal and the second signal to output a final signal.
US08705655B2
In a mobile communication system with uncorrelated channel characteristics, transmission using modulation of data symbols with repetition can improve the performance. However, mapping of the original and the repeated symbols into the physical resources may on the other hand reduce a desired level of diversity when the original and the corresponding repeated symbols map on the physical resources close to each other. The present invention provides a method for transmission, a transmitter, a method for receiving, and a receiver capable of efficiently transmit/receive data symbols with an increased level of diversity. This is achieved by grouping of portions of the original and the corresponding data symbols and by mapping the portions of the original and the corresponding data symbols into the different physical resource blocks.
US08705654B1
The present disclosure relates to RF circuitry having delay locked loop (DLL) circuitry that may be used to measure amplitude modulation-to-phase modulation (AMPM) distortion of an RF power amplifier during factory calibration or during real time operation of the RF circuitry. During a calibration mode, the DLL circuitry may be calibrated using a reference clock signal. During a phase measurement mode, the DLL circuitry may use the reference clock signal, which is representative of an RF input signal to the RF power amplifier, and a feedback signal, which is representative of an RF output signal from the RF power amplifier, to measure a phase difference between the RF input signal and the RF output signal. By measuring the phase difference at different amplitudes of the RF output signal, the AMPM distortion of the RF power amplifier may be determined and used to correct for the AMPM distortion.
US08705650B2
A wireless communication system is disclosed. The system performs data transmission from a first terminal including N antennas to a second terminal including M antennas using spatially multiplexed streams (N and M are integers larger than or equal to 2).
US08705629B2
An image decoding method includes decoding encoded image data to generate a decoded image signal including a luma signal and a chroma signal. The method further includes scaling, when a reference field has a different parity from a current field for motion compensation and when the decoded image signal is in a format in which the number of chroma pixels is vertically different from the number of luma pixels, a chroma motion vector of the chroma signal according to an accuracy for a luma motion vector of the luma signal so that a reference frame will coincide in phase of the chroma signal with a current frame. The method also includes performing motion compensation of the decoded image signal using the scaled chroma motion vector according to the accuracy of the luma motion vector of the luma signal.
US08705622B2
This disclosure describes filtering techniques applied by an encoder and a decoder during the prediction stage of a video encoding and/or decoding process. The filtering techniques may enhance the accuracy of predictive data used during fractional interpolation, and may improve predictive data of integer blocks of pixels. There are several aspects to this disclosure, including a useful twelve-pixel filter support that may be used for interpolation, techniques that use coefficient symmetry and pixel symmetry to reduce the amount of data needed to be sent between an encoder and a decoder to configure the filter support for interpolation, and techniques for filtering data at integer pixel locations in a manner that is similar to sub-pixel interpolation. Other aspects of this disclosure concern techniques for encoding information in the bitstream to convey the type of filter used, and possibly the filter coefficients used. Predictive coding of filter coefficients is also described.
US08705616B2
A multiple bitrate (MBR) video encoding management tool utilizes available processing units for parallel MBR video encoding. Instead of focusing only on multi-threading of encoding tasks for a single picture or group of pictures (GOP), the management tool parallelizes the encoding of multiple GOPs between different processing units and/or different computing systems. With this parallel MBR video encoding architecture, different GOPs can be encoded in parallel. To facilitate such parallel encoding, data dependencies between GOPs are removed. The management tool can adjust the number of GOPs to encode in parallel on a computing system so as to favor parallelism of encoding for different GOPs at the expense of parallelism of encoding inside a GOP, or vice versa, and thereby set a suitable balance between encoding latency and throughput.
US08705612B2
A method for generating a downlink signal in a downlink MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) comprises the steps of: mapping at least one transport block to at least one codeword; mapping at least one layer to each codeword; classifying at least one layer mapped to each codeword into a certain number of layer groups and performing layer permutation by the layer groups; and generating an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) symbol using a signal which is permutated by the layer groups. A CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) is attached by the layer groups.
US08705611B2
An image prediction encoding device includes a prediction signal generator that produces a prediction signal with respect to a target pixel signal of a target region that is among regions divided by a block division unit, a motion estimator that searches for a motion vector required for the production of the prediction signal from an already reproduced signal, and a subtractor that produces a residual signal indicating a difference between the prediction signal and the target pixel signal. The prediction signal generator determines a search region that is a partial region of the already reproduced signal based on the motion vector and produces one or more type 2 candidate prediction signals. The prediction signal generator includes a candidate prediction signal combining unit that produces the prediction signal by processing the type 2 candidate prediction signals and a type 1 candidate prediction signal produced based on the motion vector.
US08705610B2
A method of encoding a coordinate interpolator that includes key data and a key header including information regarding encoding of the key data, the key data representing the position of a key frame on a time axis. The method includes, encoding the key header and encoding the key data according to the result of the encoding performed in the encoding the key header. The encoding of the key data includes performing quantization on the key data according to the quantization bit size and generating differential data by performing differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) on the result of the quantization according to a DPCM order. The encoding of the key data also includes performing a divide-and-divide (DND) on the differential data so that a difference between a maximum and minimum of the differential data can be minimized and performing entropy encoding on the result of the DND.
US08705609B2
The present invention relates to a moving image coding apparatus and method involving the simultaneous parallel running of respective modules, namely: a segment-unit-coding module in which an input image frame is divided into segment units and the integer pel (integer pixel) motion is estimated while at the same time the 1/n pixel images are generated with respect to the segments of the image coded in the coding module; and a macroblock-unit-coding module in which the segments of the image frame whose the integer pel motion has been estimated in the segment-unit-coding module are received as input in the form of macroblock units and are coded in macroblock units through the 1/n pixel motion estimation. By separating the coding units into different modules and employing the techniques of parallel processing and pipelining, the present invention makes it possible to effect high-speed encoding with reduced delay in the coding rate due to differences in the processing speeds of the respective modules.
US08705607B1
Various embodiments of the innovation provide adaptive equalization training for a receiver in a communication system. In certain embodiments, the receiver's coefficients are re-optimized while links are active and initialized.
US08705602B1
Transmitter equalizer circuitry, e.g., for a serial, digital, data signal, includes tapped delay line circuitry for outputting a plurality of differently delayed versions of the signal propagating through the delay line circuitry. The equalizer circuitry also includes a plurality of electrical current digital-to-analog converters (“DACs”). The equalizer circuitry still further includes controllable (e.g., programmable) routing circuitry for selectably routing the delayed versions of the signal to the various DACs. The current strengths employed by the various DACs are also preferably controllable (e.g., programmable).
US08705584B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a DBR laser diode is provided where the wavelength selective grating of the laser diode is characterized by an aperiodically shifted grating phase φ and a Bragg wavelength λB. The aperiodically shifted grating phase φ is substantially symmetric or substantially π-shifted symmetric relative to a midpoint CL or shifted midpoint CL* of the DBR section. The phase φ of the wavelength selective grating is characterized by aperiodic phase jumps of magnitude φJ1, J2, . . . and segment lengths l0, 1, . . . . The phase jumps of the wavelength selective grating are arranged substantially symmetrically about a midpoint CL or shifted midpoint CL* of the DBR section along the optical axis of the DBR laser diode. At least two phase jumps reside on each side of the midpoint CL or shifted midpoint CL* of the DBR section.
US08705581B1
The present invention discloses a method of detecting and correcting skew across a plurality of transmitting lanes. Through the use of an N framer system, including a frame start signal and a frame synchronization signal, skew can be detected and corrected by writing data from a plurality of framers into offsetting bit locations of a plurality of buffers. The present invention also provides a method of transmitting data in a multiple lane distribution (MLD) transmission system.
US08705577B2
Disclosed herein is a method, a computer program product, and a carrier for indicating one-way latency in a data network (N) between a first node (A) and a second node (B), wherein the data network (N) lacks continuous clock synchronization, comprising: a pre-synchronisation step, a measuring step, a post-synchronisation step, an interpolation step, and generating a latency profile. The present invention also relates to a computer program product incorporating the method, a carrier comprising the computer program product, and a method for indicating server functionality based on the first aspect.
US08705574B2
A method for wirelessly transmitting user data and at least a first type of control information using a plurality of transmission layers including encoding bits of a first type of control information to form one or more control codewords and encoding bits of user data to form one or more user data codewords. The method also includes generating a plurality of vector symbols based on the control codewords and the user data codewords. Each vector symbol includes a plurality of modulation symbols that are each associated with a transmission layer over which the associated modulation symbol will be transmitted. Generating the plurality of vector symbols includes interleaving bits of the one or more control codewords and bits of the one or more user data codewords so that the first type of control information is carried in modulation symbols associated with the same transmission layers in all the vector symbols transmitted during the subframe that carry the first type of control information. The method also includes transmitting the plurality of vector symbols to a receiver over a plurality of transmission layers.
US08705567B2
A method for increasing upstream bandwidth per cable modem user in a cable communications system that includes a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a plurality of cable modems is provided. The method permits a cable modem to transmit data to the CMTS on multiple upstream channels simultaneously using a technique called “channel bonding.” Bandwidth allocation is achieved by transmitting from a CMTS to a cable modem a unique bandwidth allocation message for each upstream channel in a bonded group of upstream channels, wherein the combination of unique bandwidth allocation messages collectively allocates requested bandwidth across the bonded group.
US08705565B2
A method is provided for transmitting information from a user to a first network entity over a communications network. The user enters information into a browser executed at a user terminal. The browser generates a first message comprising the information using a first communication protocol for despatch over the network via a network port, the first message including an identifier of the first network entity. A client executed at the user terminal receives the first message before the first message reaches the network port. The first message is wrapped in a second message of a second communication protocol used for transmitting messages between the client and a second network entity. The second message is transmitted to the second network entity over the communications network. The first message is unwrapped from the second message at the second network entity, the identifier of the first network entity translated to a network address of the first network entity and the first message is transmitted to the first network entity over the communications network.
US08705560B2
A communication system includes base stations having an antenna arrangement per sector. Each of the antenna arrangements has an antenna element for generating an array of narrow beams covering the sector. Timeslots are simultaneously transmitted over each beam to generate successive sets of simultaneously transmitted timeslots per sector that are each split into orthogonal codes. Common overhead channels are allocated for successive sets of timeslots, which are allocated to the same subset of codes of each timeslot in the set. For successive sets of timeslots, different data is allocated to the same subset of codes of each timeslot in the set. This generates a sector-wide beam carrying the common overhead channels and a plurality of narrow beams, each carrying different data. An inter-beam handoff scheme allows the antenna arrangement to simultaneously transmits data to a user equipment located in a cusp region between adjacent beams on the adjacent beams.
US08705557B2
Methods and apparatus for supporting multicast groups in networks, e.g., wireless peer to peer networks, are described. A member of a multicast group, that does not intend to transmit in a traffic interval, generates and transmits a signal on a traffic transmission request resource indicating that the device transmitting the signal does not intend to transmit multicast traffic data to the multicast group. A member of the multicast group, that intends to transmit in the traffic interval, refrains from transmitting a signal and monitors. The devices in the group which did not transmit decide which one is allowed to proceed with its intended multicast traffic transmission based on relative priority within the group.
US08705553B2
The present invention relates to methods and devices that allow for different types of transportation of data packets (6) in conjunction with a home base station (1). Traffic arriving in the home base station (1) from a mobile terminal (2) connected to the home base station (1) can be transported either via a core network (15) of a mobile telecommunications system or by means of local transportation, which implies that the traffic is forwarded to a local node (4) in a local network (20) without passing the core network (15). The home base station (1) examines data packets (6) that are received from the mobile terminal (1) and determines the appropriate type of transportation for each data packet (6). Thus it is not required for traffic that is destined for local nodes (4) to pass the core network (15), which allows for efficient traffic forwarding with several benefits such as offloading the core network (15).
US08705548B2
There is provided a method for the transmission of data via a bus network to which a plurality of subscribers are connected. The method includes a first step of transmitting data from at least one subscriber, e.g., Master, to at least another subscriber, e.g., TNx or STNx, by employing a data transmission protocol designed for point-to-point transmission. The method includes a second step of defining a broadcast message, within which selected data can be transmitted in a broadcast transmission mode, within the point-to-point transmission protocol. In a supplementary or alternative embodiment, the method includes inserting a safety broadcast message in addition to a standard or general broadcast protocol. There is also provided an apparatus for transmission of data via a bus network.
US08705544B2
A method and apparatus for more efficient routing of packets in a network is provided. The apparatus may include dynamic routing of packets or portions of packets which avoids congestion and blocking by making local decisions within the network. The apparatus may further include creating and updating routing tables which map switch outputs to available network output ports. Additionally the header of packets entering the network are processed prior to entry or as part of the entry to the network to produce a processed packet. The processed packets or portions of packets preferably include complete route information or a final destination address that enables rapid routing through the network without further processing of the packet header. One or more aspects of the inventions may be implemented in combination with other aspects of the invention to further improve network efficiency.
US08705541B2
A network gateway for time-critical and mission-critical networks is provided. The network gateway comprises a decision unit for determining, based on at least one network event; a processing unit for processing frames determined to be associated with the at least one service; a queue for buffering frames; and a traffic shaper for performing bandwidth management on frames stored in the queue.
US08705537B1
One embodiment of a computer-implemented method for eventually-consistent data stream consolidation comprises associating an application-generated undo record with each packet and supplying undo records to the application in order to rewind the application state prior to effecting a merge operation on the packet stream. Other embodiments are described.
US08705536B2
A method may be provided to operate a forwarding element in a forwarding plane of a network including the forwarding plane and a control plane. The method may include receiving a packet through an input/output port of the forwarding element and attempting to match the packet with a flow table of the forwarding element. Responsive to the packet missing a match with the flow table, the forwarding element may attempt to match the packet with a shadow table of the forwarding element. Responsive to the packet matching with the shadow table, a new flow rule may be installed in the flow table based on a matching shadow rule from the shadow table. Related forwarding elements are also discussed.
US08705535B2
A method for processing packets of the IP type within equipment of a wireless communications network comprising an encapsulation of the packets within frames carried over a communications channel of the wireless network. The said encapsulation comprises a first encapsulation of the signalling packets of the IP type within a frame of a first type containing an indication associated with this type of packet, then an additional encapsulation of the said frame of the first type within a frame of a second type different from the first type, and a second encapsulation of the packets transporting the user data of the IP type within a frame of a third type then an additional encapsulation of the said frame of the third type within a frame of the second type.
US08705526B1
Techniques are described for forwarding packets in a VPLS using multi-homing PE routers configured in an “active-active” link topology. As described herein, a PE router receives a packet from a multi-homed VPLS customer site, and processes the packet to determine a portion of a MAC domain to which the packet corresponds. When the packet is determined to correspond to a portion associated with the PE router, the PE router forwards the packet to the destination in accordance with forwarding protocols executing on the PE router. When the packet is determined to correspond to a portion associated with a second PE router, the PE router forwards the packet to the second PE router via a pseudowire that is external to the VPLS domain, and the second PE router forwards the packet to the destination in accordance with forwarding protocols executing on the second PE router.
US08705522B2
A method and system for supporting mobile routers in Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is provided. A mobile router obtains a care-of-address associated with an address configuration. The mobile router registers the care-of-address with a home agent. A bi-directional tunnel is established between the mobile router and the home agent. Packets are then forwarded via the bi-directional tunnel.
US08705506B2
Techniques for combating high interference in a dominant interference scenario are described. A terminal may observe high interference from an interfering base station in a dominant interference scenario. In an aspect, high interference may be combated by reserving time intervals for a serving base station. The terminal may communicate with the serving base station in the reserved time intervals and may avoid high interference that may desensitize a receiver at the terminal. In one design, the terminal may measure received power of base stations and may report its interference condition. The serving base station may receive a report from the terminal, determine that the terminal is observing high interference, and send a reservation request to the interfering base station to reserve time intervals. The interfering base station may grant the request and return a response. The serving base station may thereafter communicate with the terminal in the reserved time intervals.
US08705505B2
Provided is distributed medium access scheduling with implicit ordering (DSIO). The DISO includes the steps of: (a) when any terminal of a plurality of terminals included in a terminal group has data to transmit, promoting the terminal to a transmission data existence layer; (b) when any blue terminal of a plurality of blue terminals included in a blue terminal group has no data to transmit, degrading the blue terminal to a transmission data non-existence layer; and (c) when any red terminal of a plurality of red terminals included in a red terminal group succeeds in intruding between the blue terminals and recognizes whether or not to transmit data without a collision, promoting the red terminal to the blue terminal group.
US08705498B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are related to leveraging mobility management techniques implemented in mobile networks to distribute advertisements to mobile devices. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, advertisements can be transmitted on a broadcast control channel of a base station and in at least one embodiment the advertisements can be relevant to the area the base station services. Mobile devices that detect the broadcast control channel can store the advertisements. If for example, a user is interested in the service, e.g., a product or service, that is offered in the advertisement they can initiate a purchase procedure.
US08705496B2
A method and apparatus for controlling transmission and reception of dedicated pilots according to an MCS level in a wireless communication system are provided, in which an MCS level is determined for a data channel, the amount of resources for sending dedicated pilots is determined in inverse proportion to the MCS level, a pilot channel signal including basic pilots mapped to resources allocated to a pilot channel, a control channel signal including control information mapped to resources allocated to a control channel, and a data channel signal including the dedicated pilots mapped to the determined amount of resources being part of resources allocated to the data channel and data mapped to the remaining of the resources allocated to the data channel are generated, and the pilot channel signal, the control channel signal, and the data channel signal are multiplexed and sent in the mapped resources.
US08705495B2
The invention relates to a communication method using time-division multiplexing, which enables permanent communication between user terminals. One of the terminals is a master terminal, while the others are slave terminals. The transmission channel is divided into consecutive cycles, and each cycle is divided into timeslots. Each slave terminal identifies, in a listening mode, a free timeslot in the current cycle (6) and, in a transmission mode, transmits data in the identified timeslot during at least one subsequent cycle (7). As soon as the slave terminal stops transmitting, the identified slot becomes free again.
US08705493B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for announcing services available in a macro-diversity region of a data frame broadcast by a plurality of base stations in a single frequency network to a plurality of subscriber stations, includes a data frame with at least a data region and a macro-diversity region. A media access control (MAC) management message is generated which identifies content and characteristics of the content in the macro-diversity region. Then the MAC management message is transmitted in the data region of the data frame, wherein the MAC management message is decoded by a client station to determine if there is content of interest to the client station in the macro-diversity region of the data frame.
US08705490B2
A server device may identify that a user device is connected to a first radio access network (“RAN”), via a first technology. The server device may identify that the user device is capable of accessing a second RAN, via a second technology, where the second RAN is different from the first RAN, and where the second technology is different from the first technology. The server device may also receive an indication that the first RAN is congested. The server device may further determine, based on the indication that first RAN is congested, and further based on identifying that the user device is capable of accessing the second RAN via the second technology, that the user device should be handed over to the second RAN. Additionally, the server device may instruct the user device to connect to the second RAN via the second technology.
US08705488B2
Disclosed is a method for supporting an idle mode of a terminal in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. In the method, a first request message for starting an idle mode is transmitted to a first access node to which the terminal is currently connected and a first response message with respect to the first request message is received from the first access node, and in this case, when the first response message includes acceptance information with respect to the start of the idle mode, the idle mode starts.
US08705482B2
The present invention discloses a method and device of reporting channel state information, including: user terminal selects the codebook used in reporting precoding matrix indicator (PMI) from double-stage codebook and selects PMI from the codebook; double-stage codebook involves codebook reflecting long-term/broadband information and that reflecting short-term/frequency selective channel information; and user terminal calculates channel quality indication; therein, when reporting through physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the parameter used in calculating channel quality indication (CQI) includes the precoding matrix indicator (PMI) reported by user terminal through physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); when reporting through physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), the parameter used in calculating CQI includes the precoding matrix indicator (PMI) reported by user terminal through physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); user terminal selects the PMI and calculates CQI according to the specified reporting mode and reporting RI. The present invention can realize double-stage feedback by using the present feedback channel.
US08705481B2
A mobile station device communicates with a base station device. The mobile station device—includes a reception unit receiving downlink data and a downlink control channel including information indicating a radio resource for contention based signal transmission, and a transmission unit-transmitting at least one of ACK/NACK for the downlink data and a contention based signal when the ACK/NACK and the contention based signal collide with each other in the same uplink time frame.
US08705472B2
In order to reduce the amount of feedback information for specifying a precoding weight, the mobile station apparatus generates a control signal for specifying the precoding weight using bits representing a rank indicator (RI) and bits representing a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) from a bit space, including a plurality of bits representing the RI and a plurality of bits representing the PMI, in which the same bits representing the RI are allocated to a plurality of ranks equal to or higher than a predetermined rank. The control signal is transmitted in uplink using the antennas.
US08705468B2
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for wireless communication. The method, apparatus, and computer program product may be configured to provide at least one control channel for downlink grant information, provide at least one other control channel for uplink grant information, and adjust time apportioned for the downlink and uplink grant information in the control channels.
US08705467B2
Methods, apparatus, and program products are disclosed that perform the following: sending an offset to a user equipment; sending an assignment on a control channel, the assignment corresponding to a random access request by the user equipment, wherein the assignment is addressed to the user equipment by using a value determined using the offset; and sending a random access response for the user equipment on resources of a shared channel, the resources corresponding to the assignment. Methods, apparatus, and program products are disclosed that perform the following: receiving at a user equipment an offset; receiving an assignment on a control channel, the assignment corresponding to a random access request, wherein the assignment is addressed to the user equipment by using a value determined using the offset; and receiving a random access response for the user equipment on resources of a shared channel, the resources corresponding to the assignment.
US08705465B2
In a wireless communication system, a wireless base station, if rejecting a connection to a wireless terminal that makes a connection request in accordance with a first connection processing, controls to adopt a second connection processing different from the first connection processing in response to a subsequent connection request by the wireless terminal.
US08705460B1
Communication circuitry that employs persistent scheduling conventionally uses one initiation command to establish the modulation and coding scheme (“MCS”) that will be used for transmission of subsequent payload bursts, at least until it is time to send another initiation command. Inefficiency can result if transmission channel conditions change between initiation commands. To avoid such inefficiency, the disclosed circuitry maintains a count of unsuccessful transmission attempts. When the count deviates from a predetermined reference standard, the circuitry automatically and autonomously makes an appropriate change in the MCS selection without waiting for the next initiation command. Both transmitter and receiver circuits independently operate in the same way at the same time so that both ends of a communication link remain coordinated with one another.
US08705459B2
Disclosed is a method for multiplexing control signals between a plurality of users when control signals for the plurality of users are allocated within one resource block. That is, a method for multiplexing control signals includes coding control signals for at least one user signals to correspond to a structure of a transmission block for the control signals among one or more dedicated resource block, multiplexing the control signals for the at least one user signals in the dedicated resource block, and transmitting the control signals, wherein the dedicated resource block is allocated for transmitting the control signals separately from data signals among a plurality of transmission resource blocks. A frequency division multiplexing (FDM) mode and a code division multiplexing (CDM) mode are used to multiplex the control signals for the plurality of users.
US08705453B2
The present invention relates to a method for receiving system information on a neighboring cell by means of a terminal in a wireless communication system, the method comprising the steps of receiving a system information read command for a neighboring cell from a serving cell over a certain period of time; ending communication with the serving cell, and reading system information from the adjacent cell; and relaying the system information to the serving cell after the certain period of time elapses, wherein a reference signal from the adjacent cell is received over the certain period of time to measure a channel state value. If the channel state value is reduced to a preset value or less, a further step may comprise ending the reading of the system information.
US08705449B2
The method for transmitting a video sequence from a transmitting terminal (1) including at least one short-range radio interface and one long-range radio interface towards at least one receiving terminal (5) comprises the steps of segmenting the video sequence into a base layer, making it possible to obtain a low-quality video sequence, and at least one improvement layer, complementary to the base layer, and making it possible, in combination with the base layer, to obtain a better quality video sequence, transmission by the long-range radio interface of the transmitting terminal (1) of at least the entire base layer towards the receiving terminal (5), transmission by the short-range radio interface (1) of at least the entire improvement layer towards at least one cooperation terminal (2) comprising at least one short-range radio interface and one long-range interface (13), and transmission, by the long-range radio interface, of said cooperation terminal (2), of at least the entire improvement layer towards the receiving terminal (5).
US08705446B2
A communication system which can immediately retransmit data under a condition that it cannot specify number of retransmissions, characterizing in that a mobile station comprises a first transmission unit for transmitting the data through a first physical channel, a first reception unit for receiving a decoded result through a second physical channel from a base station, and a second transmission unit for generating a first control information based on a decoded result and transmitting a first control information through a third physical channel, and a base station comprises a second reception unit for receiving the data, a third transmission unit for decoding the data in the physical layer and transmitting the decoded result through the second physical channel, and a third reception unit for receiving the first control information through the third physical channel, wherein the third transmission unit transmits the second control information through the second physical channel to the mobile station in order to retransmit the data from the beginning in a case when it cannot specify number of the retransmissions from the first control information.
US08705440B2
A cell searching procedure is modified to enable a user terminal to determine whether a detected signal originates in a known cell or a new cell having the same cell identifier as the known cell. When a signal is detected, the user terminal determines the cell identifier and timing of the detected signal. If the cell identifier matches a known cell and the timing is outside the timing window of the known cell, the user terminal compares detected signal with a corresponding received signal received from the known cell having the same cell identifier as the detected signal source. The user terminal determines, based on said comparison, whether the detected signal is from the known cell or a new cell.
US08705409B2
The present invention discloses a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network path search method and system. The method includes: step A, searching out a network element linked list from a source network element of a service to a destination network element according to a inter-network element connection; step B, performing a port search on the network element linked list, performing a validity check on a found node, and ending the search when an invalid node is found; and step C, sorting out a path linked list of all possible paths according to path topology structure data searched out. The searching efficiency is improved by the present invention.
US08705408B2
Techniques are presented for discovering a previously configured network device. In one embodiment, a basic service set identification (BSSID) that uniquely identifies a network device (i.e., a router) is saved when the network device or a client device is configured. The stored BSSID indicates that the network device has previously been configured. After the network device is reset—i.e., one or more user-configurable settings return to their default settings—a client device may execute a setup application to reconfigure the network device. The setup application may compare the BSSID being broadcasted by the network device with the BSSID stored in the memory. If the BSSIDs match, the setup application may automatically select the network device without user input. Because the network device was previously configured, the setup application assumes that the user is attempting to reconfigure the network device after it has been reset.
US08705402B2
Consistent with the present disclosure, client data, which may include multiplexed data sub-streams, is supplied to an ingress node of a network. Each sub-stream typically has a corresponding data rate, i.e., an original data rate, prior to multiplexing. The client data is encapsulated in a plurality of successive frames that are output from the ingress node and propagate, typically through one or more intermediate nodes, to an egress node. At the egress node, data rates associated with the sub-streams included in each frame are determined based on the amount of client data in each frame. The data rates are then averaged over a given number of frames to thereby filter any wander or deviation in the client data rate. Based on the averaged data rate, justification opportunities are added to the client data in each sub-stream, which are then multiplexed into frames that are output from the egress node. By including the justification opportunities, the effective rate of each sub-stream may be set equal to the original data rate when the sub-streams are demultiplexed after being output from the egress node. An advantage of the present disclosure is that the justification opportunities, are not generated based solely on clock signals generated by PLL circuits. As a result, fewer PLL circuits are required, thereby simplifying system design and minimizing power consumption.
US08705380B1
A method and apparatus for ensuring an Internet Protocol (IP) service supported telephony adaptor (TA) is correctly installed and connected into the network for VoIP service usage are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention identifies the TA as one that is supported by the VoIP service, and identifies the correct network configuration topography, e.g., the location of the TA in the user's network.
US08705375B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus featuring performing detection functionality to determine if a wirelessly connected node, point or terminal in a wireless network configured to operate according a predefined power saving scheme operates incorrectly; and adjusting the predefined power saving scheme when wirelessly connected with the particular node, point or terminal if an incorrect power saving operation is detected. The detection functionality may include probing types of power saving protocol tests and using lower and higher-layer protocol information to detect if the mobile device might be missing some data. The adjusting may include: 1) disabling the predefined power saving scheme, or 2) switching entering into the predefined power savings scheme only after a predefined inactivity period, wherein the predefined inactivity is substantially longer than in “normal” operation.
US08705373B2
A method for packet forwarding, including receiving packets; extracting a test packet containing information indicating a path to be verified from the received packets; and forwarding the test packet to the path to be verified, rather than to a first path to which the received packets are forwarded, based on the information indicating the path to be verified contained in the test packet.
US08705371B2
A method includes detecting, at a customer premises equipment (CPE) device, a problem associated with a network device. The network device is communicatively coupled to the CPE device via a local area network. For example, the CPE device may include a residential gateway (RG). The method includes determining, at the CPE device, whether the problem associated with the network device is locally correctable. When the CPE device determines that the problem is locally correctable, the method includes initiating a corrective action to resolve the problem. When the CPE device determines that the problem is not locally correctable, the method includes sending data associated with the problem from the CPE device to a network system via a wide area network.
US08705370B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate monitoring RF channels in a wireless communication environment to determine whether one or more channels comprise a forward-link-only (FLO) signal. A receiver can receive a first RF channel with a FLO signal and can monitor other RF channels for FLO signals. Upon a determination that a monitored RF channel comprises a FLO signal, the receiver can switch between the first RF channel and the monitored RF channel to facilitate providing seamless reception of the FLO signal, which can be superframe synchronized between RF channels. FLO signal detection can be performed using one or more of a wide-area identification channel energy detection protocol and a wide-area overhead information symbol decoding error detection protocol.
US08705367B2
An extension to TCP is generally provided that allows TCP to handle heterogeneous applications, especially those with delay and smoothness-sensitive contents, and wireless transmission media having noisy, fading radio channels. The TCP extension decouples reliability control from rate control, sacrificing reliability for delay control (transmission rate and retransmission decision) that may be suitable for delay and smoothness-sensitive contents. Furthermore, the TCP extension may select TCP variants and modifications to the TCP variants based on one or more of application needs, channel conditions, or local observables such as loss and delay to better adapt to different types of applications and physical layers.
US08705357B2
A method for controlling data traffic with random early detection and window size adjustments including performing random early detection on incoming data packets, calculating a simple moving average of packet dropping probabilities for the data packets as calculated when performing random early detection, decreasing an advertised window size if the simple moving average is greater than a probability target plus a tolerance factor, increasing the advertised window size if the simple moving average is less than the probability target minus a tolerance factor, and not adjusting the window size if the simple moving average is not greater than a probability target plus a tolerance factor and not less than a probability target minus a tolerance factor.
US08705334B2
Data storage replica disks having a surface relief pattern with replica lands and replica grooves are provided.
US08705333B2
A super-resolution optical recording medium includes: a medium information region on which medium identification information is recorded; a content region on which content information is recorded; and a blank region provided between the medium information region and the content region and in which at least two tracks are provided so as to connect a train of prepits in the medium information region and a train of prepits in the content region. No information is recorded on the blank region. Thus a super-resolution optical recording medium is provided in which a region on which medium identification information is recorded and a region on which content information is recorded are different in track pitch and in which a reproduction error hardly occurs when reproduction shifts from the region on which the medium identification information is recorded to the region on which the content information is recorded.
US08705332B2
A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.
US08705330B1
A method, system and apparatus for fault protection using a linear feedback shift register are presented. The system comprises a protected register containing a first portion for holding a value for a sequence of numbers and a second portion for other parameters. The system also comprises a linear feedback shift register circuit configured to write the sequence of numbers to the first portion of the protected register. If the written sequence of numbers of the protected register matches a reference sequence of numbers, a rewrite circuit is configured to write the second portion of the protected register.
US08705319B2
An apparatus for resolving an ambiguity from a DOA estimate includes a DOA estimate analyzer for analyzing the DOA estimate to obtain a plurality of ambiguous analysis parameters by using a bias information, the bias information representing a relation between a biased and an unbiased DOA estimate, and an ambiguity resolver for resolving the ambiguity in the plurality of ambiguous analysis parameters to obtain a non-ambiguous resolved parameter.
US08705317B2
Techniques are disclosed for performing time-lapse seismic monitor surveys with sparsely sampled monitor data sets. A more accurate 3D representation (e.g., image) of a target area (e.g., a hydrocarbon bearing subsurface reservoir) is constructed using the sparsely sampled monitor data set (11). The sparsely sampled monitor data set may be so limited that it alone is insufficient to generate an accurate 3D representation of the target area, but accuracy is achieved through use of certain external information (14). The external information may include information accurately identifying a shape of the seismic reflector(s) present in the target area. The shape may be predetermined from a fully sampled base survey, and used to enable an accurate 3D representation (12) of the target area to be later generated for a monitor survey using a sparsely sampled monitor data set.
US08705315B2
Blind wavelet extraction and de-convolution is performed on seismic data to enable its practical usage in seismic processing and to provide quality control of data obtained in areas where data from wells are not available. The wavelet extraction and deconvolution are realized in the time domain by iteration, producing a mixed phase wavelet with minimal prior knowledge of the actual nature of the wavelet. As a result of the processing, the de-convolved seismic reflectivity is obtained simultaneously.
US08705314B2
A deployment and retrieval method for ocean bottom seismic receivers, the method employs a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a carrier attached thereto to carry a plurality of receivers. The receivers are individually placed on the ocean bottom floor by utilizing a conveyor to move the receivers along a linear path to remove the receivers from the carrier. In one embodiment, multiple linear conveyors may be operated independently to alter the relative positions of the receivers on the respective conveyors to adjust the weight distribution of the receivers within the carrier.
US08705312B2
A clock signal generation apparatus for generating a reference clock signal for outputting data in synchronization with an external clock signal from a semiconductor memory device, including: a clock signal generation unit for receiving an internal clock signal to generate the reference clock signal according to a control signal; and a control unit for generating the control signal based on a read command, a write command and an external address.
US08705309B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a state-monitoring memory element. The state-monitoring memory element may have a reduced ability to retain a logic state than other regular memory elements on an IC. Thus, if the state-monitoring memory elements fails or loses state during testing, it may be a good indicator that the IC's state retention may be in jeopardy, possibly requiring the IC to be reset. The state-monitoring memory element may be implemented by degrading an input voltage supply to the state-monitoring memory element across a diode and/or a transistor. One or more current sources may be used to stress the state-monitoring memory element. A logic analyzer may be used to analyze the integrity of the state-monitoring memory element and trigger appropriate actions in the IC, e.g., reset, halt, remove power, interrupt, responsive to detecting a failure in the state-monitoring memory element. Multiple state-monitoring memory elements may be distributed in different locations on the IC for better coverage.
US08705307B2
An embodiment provided is a memory system with dynamic refreshing that includes a memory device with memory cells. The system also includes a refresh module in communication with the memory device and with a memory controller, the refresh module configured for receiving a refresh command from the memory controller and for refreshing a number of the memory cells in the memory device in response to receiving the refresh command. The number of memory cells refreshed in response to receiving the refresh command is responsive to at least one of a desired bandwidth characteristic and a desired latency characteristic.
US08705304B2
Memories, current mode sense amplifiers, and methods for operating the same are disclosed, including a current mode sense amplifier including cross-coupled p-channel transistors and a load circuit coupled to the cross-coupled p-channel transistors. The load circuit is configured to provide a resistance to control at least in part the loop gain of the current mode sense amplifier, the load circuit including at least passive resistance.
US08705301B2
The timing of output signals can be controlled by coupling a digital signal through a signal distribution tree having a plurality of branches extending from an input node to respective clock inputs of a plurality of latches. A phase interpolator is included in a signal path common to all of the branches, and a respective delay line is included in each of the branches. Each of the latches couples a signal applied to its data input to an output terminal responsive to a transition of the digital signal applied to its clock input. The delay lines are adjusted so that the latches are simultaneously clocked. The delay of the phase interpolator is adjusted so that the signals are coupled to the output terminals of the latches with a predetermined timing relationship relative to signals coupled to output terminals of a second signal distribution tree.
US08705297B2
A semiconductor memory device includes at least one memory cell block and at least one connection unit. The at least one memory cell block has a first region including at least one first memory cell connected to a first bit line, and a second region including at least one second memory cell connected to a second bit line. The at least one connection unit is configured to selectively connect the first bit line to a corresponding bit line sense amplifier based on a first control signal, and configured to selectively connect the second bit line to the corresponding bit line sense amplifier via a corresponding global bit line based on a second control signal.
US08705294B2
A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller. The nonvolatile memory includes a memory cell array storing setup data and reference data, and first and second latch units respectively configured to store the setup data and the reference data sensed from the memory cell array upon a power-up of the memory system. The controller is configured to control a sensing operation of the nonvolatile memory. An operating environment of the nonvolatile memory is determined by the setup data stored in the first latch unit, and the controller controls the nonvolatile memory to re-store the setup data of the memory cell array in the first latch unit when the reference data of the second latch unit is changed.
US08705289B2
A flash memory apparatus is provided. The flash memory apparatus includes a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of programming voltage control generators. Each of the memory cells receives a programming control voltage through a control end thereof, and executes data programming operation according to the programming control voltages. Each of the programming voltage control generators includes a pre-charge voltage transmitter and a pumping capacitor. The pre-charge voltage transmitter provides pre-charge voltage to the end of each of the corresponding memory cells according to pre-charge enable signal during a first period. A pumping voltage is provided to the pumping capacitor during a second period, and the programming control voltage is generated at the control end of each of the memory cells.
US08705277B2
Some embodiments include a memory device and a method of programming memory cells of the memory device. One such method includes applying different voltages to data lines associated with different memory cells based on threshold voltages of the memory cells in an erased state. Other embodiments including additional memory devices and methods are described.
US08705265B2
A device contains a first layer, a second layer; and a membrane between the first and second layers. Mobile ions are in at least one of the first and second layers, and the membrane is permeable to the ions. Interfaces of the conductive membrane with the first layer and the second layer are such that charge of a polarity of the ions collects at the interfaces.
US08705260B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to implement circuits configured to compensate for parameter variations that affect the operation of memory elements, such as memory elements based on third dimensional memory technology. In at least some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes a cross-point array comprising memory elements disposed among word lines and bit lines, where a parameter can affect the operating characteristics of a memory element. The integrated circuit further includes a data signal adjuster configured to modify the operating characteristic to compensate for a deviation from a target value for the operating characteristic based on the parameter. In some embodiments, the memory element, such as a resistive memory element, is configured to generate a data signal having a magnitude substantially at the target value independent of variation in the parameter.
US08705256B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a power system for converting direct current (“DC”) power on a DC bus into alternating current (“AC”) power with a regulated voltage output and for feeding the AC power to an electrical system which may include a power utility or an electric grid, for example. A power conversion control system is used for controlling the power conversion and for maintaining the DC bus voltage (“DC voltage”) at a certain level.
US08705255B2
There is described a method for measuring an alternating current which is generated using inverters and is fed into an AC power system, wherein a zero crossing signal of the AC power system is predefined, and wherein, triggered by the zero crossing signal, the measured alternating current is periodically adjusted in such a manner that an adjustment value which is assigned to the zero crossing signal is predefined, a measured value which is assigned to the zero crossing signal being adapted to said adjustment value. This method makes it possible for the measurement signal detected by a measuring circuit to be periodically adjusted using an adjustment value even during operation.
US08705241B2
An electronic device includes a casing and a battery module removably locked to the casing. The casing includes a connecting wall, two inner side walls connected to opposite ends of the connecting wall and having pillars protruding therefrom, and a first magnetic member disposed at the connecting wall. The battery module includes a first side wall to abut against the connecting wall, and two second side walls connected to two opposite ends of the first sidewall. A second magnetic member is disposed at the first side wall and has a magnetic attraction force with the first magnetic member. Each second side wall is formed with a guiding groove extending along an insertion direction of the battery module for engaging a corresponding pillar.
US08705236B2
A loop heat pipe includes: an evaporator to convert liquid phase working fluid into vapor phase working fluid; a condenser to convert vapor phase working fluid into liquid phase working fluid; a first vapor line and a first liquid line to allow the evaporator to communicate with the condenser and form a circular main loop; and a second vapor line and a second liquid line to allow the evaporator to communicate with the condenser and form a circular auxiliary loop; wherein the evaporator includes a reservoir that temporarily stores the liquid phase working fluid, a first vapor collector that communicates with the first vapor line, a second vapor collector that communicates with the second vapor line, first wick disposed between the reservoir and the first vapor collector, and second wick disposed between the reservoir and the second vapor collector.
US08705233B2
An information handling system's thermal management is selectively altered by coupling a thermal barrier to the bottom surface of the information handling system chassis so that an air channel insulates against the passage of thermal energy from the bottom surface. A vent opening in a side of the thermal barrier allows airflow through the air channel to a vent opening of the information handling system. The airflow through the air channel cools the base of the thermal barrier so that an end user will experience reduced thermal energy if the information handling system rests on the end user, such as in the end user's lap.
US08705228B2
A pivoting apparatus includes first and second pivoting elements, and first and second waterproof structures. The first pivoting element is fixed to a base, and has a first internal space and an opening exposing the first internal space. The second pivoting element is pivoted on the first pivoting element and fixed to an electronic device. A second internal space and a gap exposing the second internal space are formed between the first and second pivoting elements. The second internal space communicates with the first internal space through the opening. The first waterproof structure is fixed to the first pivoting element and surrounds at least a portion of the opening to block liquid from entering the first internal space through the opening. The second waterproof structure is fixed to the second pivoting element and shields the gap to block liquid from entering the second internal space through the gap.
US08705227B2
A latching mechanism for latching a wrist rest to a keyboard defining two latching holes, includes an actuating member slidably coupled to the wrist rest, and two hook members rotatably coupled to the wrist rest. The actuating member includes an abutting post, sliding between an unlatching position extending out of the wrist rest and a latching position hidden in the wrist rest. When the wrist rest contacts the front sidewall, the actuating member slides to the latching position, the hook members extend out of the wrist rest; when the actuating member returns to the unlatching position, the hook members disengage from the latching hole to retract into the wrist rest. A wrist rest and a keyboard assembly having the latching mechanism are also provided.
US08705222B2
Methods and apparatus for adjusting the amount of current provided to a magnetic actuator to compensate for a temperature change associated with the magnetic actuator are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes an actuator, which has at least one magnet and an associated force constant. The apparatus also includes a temperature sensing arrangement and a control arrangement, the temperature sensing arrangement being arranged to determine or measure a temperature of the magnet. The control arrangement adjusts the current provided to the actuator based on the temperature of the magnet. The current is adjusted to maintain a correct or desired force in light of temperature-induced variations to a force constant.
US08705217B2
An integrated circuit includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) detection circuit which detects an ESD event and generates an event signal. In response to that event signal, a control circuit controls the operation of a buffer circuit to function in an additional mode wherein the normal differential operation of the buffer circuit is disabled and the buffer circuit is instead configured to form a conduction path between supply rails to discharge the ESD event. Preferably, a plurality of buffer circuits are driven in parallel by the control circuit to function in the additional mode to form parallel discharge paths for the ESD event. Multiple ESD detection circuits may be provided, and any one of those detection circuits can trigger the control circuitry to place all of the buffer circuits in the additional mode.
US08705213B2
A disclosed device having a principle axis and including a magnetoresistive stack, the magnetoresistive stack having first and second opposing surfaces, the magnetoresistive stack including a free layer, a spacer layer, and a reference layer, wherein the spacer layer is positioned between the first and reference layer, the free layer includes magnetic material having a free magnetic orientation in a first plane; the spacer layer includes nonmagnetic material; and the reference layer includes magnetic material having a pinned magnetic orientation in a second plane, wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the principle axis of the device; an insulating layer at least a portion of the outer surface of the magnetoresistive stack; a shielding layer surrounding at least a portion of the insulating layer; and a conducting layer, wherein the conducting layer provides electrical connection between the magnetoresistive stack and the shielding layer.
US08705209B2
A suspension clamp is disclosed for clamping a disk drive suspension to an actuator arm. The suspension clamp comprises a housing including a spring operable to bias a latching member, wherein the latching member is rotatable about a pivot. After compressing the spring and rotating the latching member in a first direction, the latching member is operable to clamp the suspension to the actuator arm by decompressing the spring.
US08705205B1
A magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) is described. The magnetic transducer includes a pole and at least one coil for energizing the pole. The pole has a pole tip proximate to the ABS, a yoke distal from the ABS, and a bottom surface including a bottom bevel. At least the yoke includes at least one sidewall having a first angle and a second angle. The first angle is between the bottom surface and the at least one sidewall. The second angle is a constant distance along the at least one sidewall from the first angle.
US08705204B2
According to one embodiment, a main pole of a recording head includes a first magnetic pole layer and a second magnetic pole layer laminated on the trailing side of the first magnetic pole layer. The first magnetic pole layer includes a tapered portion and a first tip portion. The second magnetic pole layer includes a tapered portion and a second tip portion. A width in a track direction of the second tip portion is smaller than that of the first tip portion. The high-frequency oscillator is between the second tip portion and the trailing shield and includes a width in the track direction substantially equal to the width in the track direction of the second tip portion, and a height of the first tip portion is taller than that of the second tip portion.
US08705203B2
There is provided a spindle motor for a 2.5″ type disk driving device, including: a base having a stator core seating part protruding upwardly in an axial direction; a stator core including a ring-shaped coreback part, a tooth part, and a front end part; and a coil wound around the stator core, wherein when a length of the stator core from an inner end portion of the coreback part to the endmost part of the front end part is defined as L and a height of the wound coil from the lowermost edge of the coil in an axial direction to the uppermost edge thereof is defined as H, a ratio (H/L) of the height of the wound coil to the length of the stator core in which back electromotive force (B-EMF) is 0.35 V/Krpm or more when the supply of power is stopped satisfies 0.524≦H/L≦0.703.
US08705196B2
A hard disk drive or other disk-based storage device comprises a storage disk, a write head configured to write data to the disk, and control circuitry coupled to the write head. The control circuitry comprises a write driver and degauss circuitry associated with the write driver. The degauss circuitry is configured to control a degauss signal waveform to be applied to the write head by the write driver, and comprises separate amplitude envelope control mechanisms for steady state and overshoot portions of the degauss signal waveform. The separate amplitude envelope control mechanisms may comprise, for example, separate steady state and overshoot controllers for controlling the amplitude envelope decay rates of the respective steady state and overshoot portions of the degauss signal waveform over the plurality of pulses.
US08705189B2
An emergency vision apparatus comprises an inflatable first enclosure, the first enclosure being made of airtight material and having an expanded form when deployed and a deflated form when not in use; and first and second clear members disposed at respective first and second ends of the first enclosure to enable a user to see through the first enclosure when expanded and observe a source of information at a distal end of the first enclosure while smoke or other particulate matter is in the environment. The first enclosure includes a closable opening configured for insertion of a user's hand to allow the user to operate a touch sensitive screen or hardware disposed in front of the first clear member; and a sealable closure for closing the opening and sealing the opening around the user's hand.
US08705188B2
A lens barrel and imaging device with a low likelihood of optical characteristics being degraded by an impact from a fall or the like may be provided. A lens barrel including: a retention member that retains an optical system; and a first guide shaft that guides the retention member to be movable along an optical axis of the optical system, wherein the retention member includes, a first engaging portion that engages with the first guide shaft, and an abutting portion disposed at the opposite side of the optical axis from the side thereof at which the first engaging portion is disposed, at a position that is offset in the optical axis direction from the engaging portion, the abutting portion being abuttable against an abutted portion when a force in the optical axis direction is applied at least to the retention member.
US08705177B1
A head mounted display (“HMD”) includes a frame assembly for wearing on a head of a user and an integrated display module mounted to the frame assembly within a peripheral viewing region of an eye of the user when the HMD is worn by the user. The integrated display module includes a display source for outputting a computer generated image (“CGI”), a lens system optically aligned with the display source to focus the CGI emitted from the integrated display module towards the eye, and an actuator coupled to adjust a focal distance of the lens system for changing an image depth of the CGI displayed to the user.
US08705173B2
A reticle system for a variable optical power sighting device includes front and rear reticles proximate respective front and rear focal planes of the device. Range-compensating features are provided, such as a scale and a pair of bracketing marks formed in the rear reticle which cooperate with an indicator mark formed in the front reticle. The indicator mark is radially offset from the optical axis it appears to move in the field of view along the scale in response to adjustment of the optical power to thereby indicate a measurement corresponding to a size of a distant target subtended in the field of view by the bracketing marks. A two-part electronic reticle system is also disclosed utilizing similar principles of operation. The rear reticle and scale may be electroformed to reduce cost and improve light transmission relative to a glass reticle.
US08705164B2
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus including first and second substrates, at least one of which has a light transmitting characteristic, as well as first and second electrodes provided on the two mutually facing surfaces of the first and second substrates respectively; and an electrophoretic device provided between the first and second substrates, wherein the first substrate and the first electrode each have an external edge folded back so as to cover at least a portion of a terminal surface of the second substrate.
US08705159B2
MEMS and fabrication techniques for positioning the center of mass of released structures in MEMS are provided. In an embodiment, a mirror substrate is affixed to a member partially released from a first substrate and a through hole formed in the second substrate is accessed to complete release of the member.
US08705155B2
A printing method includes the steps of: receiving a color image and separating the color image into a plurality of distinct color planes; dithering a first distinct color plane to obtain dot data for the first distinct color plane; dithering a second distinct color plane to obtain dot data for the second distinct color plane; providing the dot data for the first distinct color plane to a first print head cartridge for printing by a plurality of nozzle rows of the first print head cartridge; and providing the dot data for the second distinct color plane to a second print head cartridge positioned downstream from the first print head cartridge in a direction of print media propagation, the dot data for the second distinct color plane for printing by a plurality of nozzle rows of the second print head cartridge.
US08705153B2
A plurality of line sensors corresponding to a plualrity of color components receive reflected light passed through an imaging unit and convert the light into a plurality of color component data. A correcting unit performs color misalignment correction based on a reference color component for which resolution performance is lowest among the plurality of color component, on the color component data corresponding to other color components.
US08705152B2
A system, medium, and method calibrating gray data. The system calibrating gray data includes a transformation unit to transform red, green, and blue (RGB) data of a source device into transformed color data of a different color space using a color appearance model, and a calibration unit to map a chroma value of gray data, corresponding to the transformed color data, in the different color space to a predetermined value to generate calibrated color space data.
US08705151B2
Imaging device calibration methods, imaging device calibration instruments, imaging devices, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging device calibration method includes emitting light for use in calibration of an imaging device, providing an emission characteristic of the light, sensing the light using an image sensor of the imaging device, generating sensor data indicative of the sensing using the image sensor, and determining at least one optical characteristic of the imaging device using the generated sensor data and the emission characteristic for use in calibration of the imaging device, and wherein the at least one optical characteristic corresponds to the image device used to sense the light.
US08705144B2
A relief print master is created by printing a sequence of layers on top of each other by an inkjet printing system. The top layer corresponds with the binary halftoned image that is to be printed by the print master and the lower intermediate layers are supporting layers. The features in a lower supporting layer have an area that is larger than the corresponding features in a higher supporting layer. A circular spread function is applied on the features of a higher intermediate layer to increase the area of the features in a lower intermediate layer. By using a sequence of two non-circular spread functions, the circular spread function is approximated and the number of required calculations can be reduced.
US08705139B1
A method for creating a high resolution print media using a display resolution screen image approval process, web-based ordering, web based checkout and payment, by an unskilled user to create a message of pre-process data and a display resolution image for rendering a high resolution image on a substrate.
US08705136B2
In a method or system for trapping print data with a plurality of respective objects, the objects being individually transferred into a bit map pixel file, at least one overfill is determined for the respective object relative to color regions bordering the respective object in the pixel file according to predetermined trapping rules. The object and the at least one overfill are inserted into the pixel file, wherein the object and the overfill are rastered in the pixel file upon insertion.
US08705129B2
A printing system of the present invention includes: a generating unit which performs a rasterizing process to print data while performing a color conversion process by applying a multi-dimensional lookup table for calibration, which is for matching a color of the image to be printed by a printing unit by combining base colors to a target color and for keeping the color of the image consistent, to generate image data; a storage unit which stores the image data; a calibration unit which applies a first one-dimensional lookup table for calibration to calibrate the color information of the image data at a first round of printing the image, and applies a second one-dimensional lookup table for calibration newer than the first one-dimensional lookup table for calibration to calibrate the color information of the image data at a second round of newly printing the image.
US08705128B2
Provided is an image processing device for comparing a determination value adjusted by comparing the gradation values of pixels included in inputted image data and threshold values of a dither mask prepared in advance, and a corrected gradation value obtained by correcting the gradation value of the pixel by the diffusion error from an adjacent processed pixel; adjusting a determination value; generating dot data which indicate the presence or absence of the dot formation by applying error diffusion; and reducing the width of the adjustment of the determination value used in determining the dot formation so that the width of the adjustment is smaller in comparison with non-edge pixels in the case that a pixel is determined to be an edge pixel for which the difference in gradation value in relation to an adjacent pixel is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
