US08943604B2
An online services system includes a mechanism for providing user confidence information to an external data consumer, and for determining user contribution quality. Using stored information about user actions and interactions, user confidence is evaluated for one or more parameters associated with the validity of the user's account and/or quality of the user's contributions to the online services system. Confidence values are assigned to each parameter, and the values are exposed to external data consumers. Using stored information, user actions and interactions are correlated with contribution quality to produce a metric indicative of user contribution quality. Users with low quality parameter metrics may have their contributions shown to a smaller audience or have a lower prominence in a news feed.
US08943601B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that executes an application designed for one application framework in a different application framework. First, the system receives an application designed to operate in the first application framework. The system determines a first set of security permissions used by the application in the first application framework, and maps these security permissions into a second set of security permissions associated with the second application framework. The system then configures the second application framework to provide the second set of security permissions. These steps allow the application to execute transparently in the second application framework with substantially similar security behavior as in the first application framework.
US08943600B2
A method, computer program product, and system for transforming unit tests is described. A unit test associated with one or more software units is identified. A graphical representation of a portion of a computer program is built, wherein the graphical representation includes a control flow edge. A potentially vulnerable data flow associated with the control flow edge is identified. A control flow weight is assigned to the control flow edge, based upon, at least in part, identifying the potentially vulnerable data flow. A security analysis is applied to the portion of the computer program based upon, at least in part, the control flow weight.
US08943598B1
Embodiments of the invention provide a method a authenticating a transaction at the point of transaction. In some embodiments of the invention, a unique signature is created based at least in part on a hardware profile of the system. In some embodiments, a request is received from a user to perform a transaction using the system. In some embodiments, in response to receiving the request the system may determine whether malware has compromised the signature creation algorithm, and if so, prevent the signature creation algorithm from creating a key based on the unique signature. Alternatively, if not, the system may allow the signature creation algorithm to create a key based on the unique signature.
US08943597B2
Systems, methods, and software for processing received network traffic in view of content detection data and configuration data that defines policies to either block, permit, or to further evaluate network traffic content on the policies when network traffic is entering a network.
US08943594B1
Apparatus and method for disrupting cyber attacks. In accordance with some embodiments, the apparatus includes a local computer system and an associated security system. The security system employs a decoy environment operationally isolated from the local computer system. The decoy environment operates to, responsive to receipt of a payload from an outside source, load the received payload into a memory of the decoy environment and detonate the loaded payload a plurality of times.
US08943589B2
A method, computer program product, and computer system for sending, by a first computing device, a payload from a plurality of payloads to a second computing device. A response from the second computing device responding to the payload is received at the first computing device. It is determined whether the payload has successfully attacked an application executing at the second computing device based upon, at least in part, the response. If not, at least a portion of the plurality of payloads that shares a structural overlap with the first payload is identified. At least a second payload of the portion is prevented from being sent to the second computing device in response to identifying that the second payload shares the structural overlap with the first payload.
US08943587B2
A computer-implemented method for performing selective deep packet inspection may include 1) identify a traffic flow that includes a stream of data packets, 2) sample at least one packet from the stream of data packets, 3) analyze the sampled packet using a computing resource to determine whether the traffic flow is trustworthy, 4) determine that the traffic flow is trustworthy based on analyzing the sampled packet, and 5) divert the traffic flow to a hardware accelerator in response to determining that the traffic flow is trustworthy. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08943585B2
In an access monitoring method executed by a computer: information on a first link is recorded when a request for access through the first link is detected and authentication information is transmitted through the first link; and when an email containing information on a second link is received and a request for access through the second link is detected, a determination whether or not the information on the second link is identical, in a predetermined part, to the recorded information on the first link is made. In the case where yes is determined, access through a link is forbidden when the information on the link is identical, in the predetermined part, to the recorded information on the first link, and the recorded information on the first link is transmitted to a server which collects information on links.
US08943583B2
A hand-held token can be operated to generate an acoustic signal representing the digital signature generated by a private key of a public key/private key pair. Verifiers that might be located at, e.g., buildings, in vehicles, at bank ATMs, etc. receive the signal and retrieve the corresponding public key to selectively grant access authorization to components served by the verifiers. Methods and systems permit adding and removing a token from the access list of a verifier. Other methods and systems enable the token to be used with several verifiers that are nearby each other, such as might be the case with multiple vehicles owned by the same user and parked nearby each other, without more than one verifier being operated to grant access.
US08943581B2
Various embodiments of the invention may be used to verify that a person being authorized by biometric techniques to use a device is a living person and not some form of recording intended to spoof the system. Some embodiments may try to cause a change in a measured biometric feature, and compare images taken before and after the change to verify the change occurred. In some embodiments, multiple stages of verification may be used, either to increase the difficulty of spoofing the security system, or to provide different levels of security for different levels of access to the device's functionality.
US08943573B2
An authentication system including: (i) a user device, such as a mobile phone or media player, for storing random identification data for a user of the user device, and for processing entered token data to generate response data on the basis of the identification data; (ii) a client device, such as a personal computer, for use by the user to request a session, such as an online banking session, with a server system, for receiving the token data in response to the request, and for sending the response data to the server system; and (iii) a server of the server system, for storing the random identification data for the user, generating the token data for the client device on the basis of the identification data in response to the request, and for processing the response data to determine authentication for the client device for the session.
US08943572B2
The present invention discloses a method for accessing a storage server of an IM service system and an IM service system. The method comprises: IM client sending registration request message to IM service system using first user identifier; after receiving registration request message, IM service system obtaining other user identifiers associated with the first user identifier, sending registration success response message comprising other user identifiers associated with the first user identifier to IM client; IM storage client sending login request comprising any one of multiple user identifiers to storage server; storage server receiving login request and obtaining other user identifiers associated with the user identifier in login request; the storage server passing identity verification of multiple user identifiers. The problem of repeat login of a user with multiple identifiers is effectively solved when accessing a storage server, the system access efficiency is improved and the user experience is enhanced.
US08943571B2
Disclosed is a method for protecting a single sign-on domain from credential leakage. In the method, an authentication server provides an authentication cookie to a browser client. The cookie has at least one user authentication credential for the domain, and is associated with an authentication subdomain of the domain. The server receives the cookie from the browser client. Upon authentication of the user authentication credential in the received cookie, the server responds to the access request by forwarding, to the browser client, a limited-use cookie for the domain. The server receives a request from the content server to validate a session identifier of the limited-use cookie received from the browser client. Upon validation of the session identifier of the limited-use cookie, the server provides a valid session message to the content server for enabling the content server to forward requested content to the browser client.
US08943567B2
An additional service that authenticates personal information of a second person by using the mobile identification service in response to a first person requesting authentication is provided. As a result, the authenticated personal information of the second person is shown to the first person.
US08943566B2
A computer determines whether current location information of the computer indicates that the computer is at a home location. The computer determines a minimum number of characters to be entered by a user into a userID field to cause the computer to automatically display previously entered userIDs based on whether the computer is located at a home location. If fewer than the minimum characters are entered, previously entered userIDs are not displayed. Location information can be based on one or more of: wi-fi signal strengths, cell tower signal strengths and signal arrival timing information, whether the network connection is wireless or Ethernet cable, the wireless protocol, whether a wi-fi connection is secured or public, whether the computer is a mobile device, and satellite navigation system location.
US08943557B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for enrolling a user in a device identification program. In some embodiments, a system is configured to: receive device identification information from a mobile device, receive user information associated with a user, the user information enabling identification of the user, associate the device identification information with the user information, and create a record based on the device identification information and the user information.
US08943550B2
Methods, systems, and machine-readable storage medium are described wherein, in one embodiment, identifiers, such as bookmarks, are used to allow access to files or folders in a sandboxed environment. One or more applications are restricted by an access control system, which can be, for example, a trusted software component of an operating system. In one embodiment, the bookmarks or other identifiers allow an application to have access to a file even if the file is renamed or moved by a user while the application has been terminated. In one embodiment, a resource manager, or other trusted access control system, can interact with an application to allow for the use of bookmarks in an environment in which a sandbox application controls access to the files such that each application must make a request to the sandbox application in order to obtain access to a particular file or folder.
US08943548B2
A method of authenticating a user. The method comprises the step of sending an authentication request to a remote authentication device and generating a first piece of authentication information. A mobile device receives the first piece of authentication information from either an access terminal or the remote authentication device. The mobile device of the user generating a second piece of authentication information which is at least partially based on the received first piece of authentication information. The second piece of authentication information is sent to the remote authentication devices and the second piece of authentication information validated. If the second piece of authentication information is successfully validated an authentication signal is generated.
US08943547B2
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for configuring application control rules. The system creates a new application control rule that specifies restrictions or permission on execution a software application, a function of an application or a category of applications. The system then collects information about one or more computers in a network, including information about software applications deployed on the computers and existing application control rules. The system then tests the new application control rule using the collected information to determine verdicts rendered by the new application control rule that restrict or permit execution of an application, certain function of an application or a category of applications. The system then compares verdicts rendered by the new application rule with the verdicts rendered by the existing application control rules to identify conflicting rules, and reconfigures the new application control rule to eliminate conflicts.
US08943545B2
A Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) system and method of providing content therein are provided. A legacy media player displays a content list for content stored in the legacy media player or in an add-in server, and when a content item is selected from the list, the legacy media player determines whether the content item is reproducible by a registered digital media renderer. If the selected content item is reproducible by the registered digital media renderer, the legacy media player transmits a reproducing request for the selected content item, and the corresponding digital media renderer receives and reproduces the selected content.
US08943540B2
A method and apparatus for automatically delivering data files (e.g. television and movies) via a personalized channel to a user, that are based on a user's profile and viewing habits, are provided. A client receives meta-data broadcasts from a server system that includes descriptions of a plurality of data files currently being broadcasted or to be broadcast by the server system. In response to a content rating table that is based on a user's profile and viewing habits, a data file is automatically selected. The selected data file is displayed on a personalized channel on a display device to the user. The selected data file can be, for example, a currently broadcasting data file or a data file stored in a cache memory of the client. Thus, the user only needs to tune to his or her personalized channel to view personalized content.
US08943537B2
A novel electronic program guide (EPG) based method and system provides viewer/user groups with an improved program recommendation feature for predicting programs that are likely to be of interest.
US08943536B2
Community content ratings are provided to users for one or more multimedia programs. The community content ratings are generated from appropriateness data collected from members of one or more community groups. The members of the community groups may be selected automatically based on stored profiles that include demographic data. Alternatively, community group membership may occur by choice and at the request of potential members. The community content ratings may be presented using appropriateness indicators (e.g., checkmarks or numerical scores) that are presented to a user in response to the user selecting the multimedia program from an electronic programming guide.
US08943529B2
Systems, methods, and media for inhibiting the presentation of spoiler content based on requested content are provided. In some embodiments, a method or content management is provided, the method comprising: determining a channel that has been selected for presenting content to a user; identifying the content presented on the channel as requested content based on a comparison of first metadata associated with the content and second metadata associated with recorded content on a storage device; determining that the requested content contains spoiler content based on one or more criterion, wherein the one or more criterion include (i) determining that the first metadata associated with the content includes episode data or airing data; (ii) determining that the first metadata associated with the content indicates that the content belongs to a non-excluded content category; or (iii) determining, for the recorded content not viewed to completion, that the second metadata associated with the recorded content indicates an earlier occurrence than the first metadata associated with the requested program; and, in response to determining that a plurality of the one or more criterion have been met, selecting an alternate channel for presentation.
US08943526B2
Technologies described herein relate to estimating engagement of a person with respect to content being presented to the person. A sensor outputs a stream of data relating to the person as the person is consuming the content. At least one feature is extracted from the stream of data, and a level of engagement of the person is estimated based at least in part upon the at least one feature. A computing function is performed based upon the estimated level of engagement of the person.
US08943524B2
A channel selective information transmitting device is provided for making it possible to carry out the collection of viewing information more accurately even if there is dispersion of viewing channels while suppressing useless facility arrangements. The present invention is directed to a channel selective information transmitting device that transmits channel selective information to inform channels of broadcast signals selected by the users to a viewing information receiving server. The channel selective information transmitting device is provided with a channel change detecting section for detecting channel changes, a transmission waiting time acquiring section for acquiring a transmission waiting time until channel selective information in connection with the changes is transmitted, and a transmitting section for transmitting the channel selective information after a lapse of the acquired transmission waiting time.
US08943515B2
A method of pasting data from a source application to a destination application, where the source and destination applications are not the same; the method comprising the steps of: identifying a data type for the data and an appropriate input handler for the data type; converting the data using the appropriate input handle to a standard format based on the data type; in an output module determining the context of the data in the standard format to identify an appropriate output handler; obtaining a suggested paste operation from a suggestion engine based on the type and context of the data; and instructing a paste operation on the basis of the suggested paste operation.
US08943513B2
A file system that balances the loading of filers and the capacity of drives that are associated with the filers is described. The file system includes a first disk drive that includes a first unused capacity and a second disk drive that includes a second unused capacity, wherein the second unused capacity is smaller than the first unused capacity. The file system further includes a first filer that is configured to fill requests from clients through access to at least the first disk drive. The file system further includes a second filer that is configured to fill requests from clients through access to at least the second disk drive. The second filer is configured to select an infrequently accessed file from the second disk drive and to push the infrequently accessed files to the first disk drive, thereby improving a balance of unused capacity between the first and second disk drives without substantially affecting a loading for each of the first and second filers.
US08943509B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for scheduling stream-based applications in a distributed computer system with configurable networks are provided. The method includes choosing, at a highest temporal level, jobs that will run, an optimal template alternative for the jobs that will run, network topology, and candidate processing nodes for processing elements of the optimal template alternative for each running job to maximize importance of work performed by the system. The method further includes making, at a medium temporal level, fractional allocations and re-allocations of the candidate processing elements to the processing nodes in the system to react to changing importance of the work. The method also includes revising, at a lowest temporal level, the fractional allocations and re-allocations on a continual basis to react to burstiness of the work, and to differences between projected and real progress of the work.
US08943508B2
When a service is requested at a platform in a collaborative services environment, a service orchestration engine accesses a service definition from a repository and schedules a number of tasks at a number of end points in accordance with a number of end point profiles and a number of policies associated with the end points.
US08943503B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for measuring a performance or a progress state of an application program to perform data processing and execute particular functions in a computing environment using a micro architecture. A thread progress tracking apparatus may include a selector to select at least one thread constituting an application program; a determination unit to determine, based on a predetermined criterion, whether an instruction execution scheme corresponds to a deterministic execution scheme having a regular cycle or a nondeterministic execution scheme having an irregular delay cycle with respect to each of at least one instruction constituting a corresponding thread; and a deterministic progress counter to generate a deterministic progress index with respect to an instruction that is executed by the deterministic execution scheme, excluding an instruction that is executed by the nondeterministic execution scheme.
US08943492B2
A reverse patch for undoing a forward patch for obtaining a new binary image from an old binary image is generated in two parts. First a reverse index file is generated when the forward patch is created at a host or server. The reverse index file identifies regions of similarity between the old binary image and the new binary image. The reverse index file is transmitted with the forward patch to an electronic device. Second, while applying the forward patch to obtain the new binary image from the old binary image, the electronic device generates the reverse patch based upon the new binary image, the old binary image, and the reverse index file. The forward patch and reverse patch may both be incremental patches. Incremental patches are generated and applied on a sector-by-sector basis.
US08943489B1
Techniques are described for providing high availability during an in-service software upgrade (ISSU) of an appliance within a network device, e.g., a router, by running a pair of virtual machines on each of a primary appliance and a secondary appliance within the router. Examples of the appliances include a routing engine within a router, and a service physical interface card (PIC) within a forwarding engine of a router. An ISSU of the primary appliance may first upgrade the operating system instance of a secondary virtual machine, switch operation from a primary virtual machine to the secondary virtual machine, and then upgrade the operating system instance on the primary virtual machine. During the ISSU of the primary appliance, primary and secondary virtual machines on the secondary appliance provide high availability to the virtual machine on the primary appliance executing the original operating system.
US08943485B2
Detecting localizable native methods may include statically analyzing a native binary file of a native method. For each function call invoked in the native binary, it is checked whether resources accessed through the function call is locally available or not. If all resources accessed though the native method is locally available, the method is annotated as localizable.
US08943482B2
One embodiment of a method for constructing executable code for a component-based application includes receiving a request to compile source code for the component-based application, wherein the request identifies the source code, and wherein the source code comprises a plurality of source code components, each of the source code components implementing a different component of the application, and performing a series of steps for each source code component where the series of steps includes: deriving a signature for the source code component, retrieving a stored signature corresponding to a currently available instance of executable code for the source code component, comparing the derived signature with the stored signature, compiling the source code component into the executable code when the derived signature does not match the stored signature, and obtaining the executable code for the source code component from a repository when the derived signature matches the stored signature.
US08943479B1
Systems and methods for generating profiling data include monitoring the execution of a task on a thread of a program. Profiling data may be generated that includes metrics regarding the execution of the task. A profiling data aggregation service may aggregate generated profiling data from a plurality of devices that execute the program.
US08943471B2
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to inserting a declaration of a non-overwritable variable pointing to a current object in a source code, and inserting a code of storing a value referencing the current object to the non-overwritable variable. Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to converting a source code to generate a shared object in a lock-free mode by inserting a declaration of a non-overwritable variable pointing to a current object in the source code, and inserting a code of storing a value referencing the current object to the non-overwritable variable.
US08943467B2
An on-target rapid control prototyping (RCP) system includes a host control module that generates a first RCP model based on selected function blocks in a block library. A target language compiler converts the first RCP model into source code. A cross-compiler coverts the source code into object code. A download module performs an on-target download of the object code from a host that includes the host control module to a production control module of a production system that is separate from the host.
US08943466B2
A method for designing software in a software design includes providing, in a software design tool, a software block including one or more data elements of one of signal-type or parameter-type. At least one of the one or more data elements is designated as one of a port or a property. If the at least one data element is designated as a property, a value associated with the property is established. Alternatively, if the at least one data element is designated as a port, a connection with one or more software blocks associated with the software design environment is established. The method also includes generating at least a portion of software code associated with the software block based on the designation of the at least one data element.
US08943464B2
A system and method to automatically and continuously update the urgency rating of a backlog item associated with a technical debt item in a software development project are described. The technical debt represents potential additional work or rework associated with current code. The method includes a user defining a plurality of components that comprise the software development project. The method also includes a processor associating the technical debt with one or more components of the plurality of components, and the processor updating the urgency of the backlog item associated with the technical debt according to a function based on a development event associated with at least one of the one or more components.
US08943457B2
An aspect of the present invention replaces memory elements in a scan chain with corresponding new (memory) elements, with each new element having two paths to provide the corresponding data output. One of the two paths is operable to connect the data value to the combinational logic only during a capture phase of said test mode, and the second path is operable to connect the data value to the next element in the chain during a shift phase of said test mode. As a result, unneeded transitions/evaluations in the combinational logic are avoided during shift time, thereby reducing the resource requirements in the corresponding duration. However, the further processes (including various design phases and fabrication) are continued based on the original data (i.e., without the new elements) such that unneeded delays are avoided during the eventual operation in functional mode of the various fabricated IC units.
US08943452B2
A computer-implemented method for debugging the power aspect of an IC design by integrating the power specification expressed in certain power specification format and its corresponding circuit design within a power schematic diagram called power map. Power map is created by using a power data base generated by regrouping the original circuit design hierarchy to new hierarchies defined by the power specification. Power map contains power cell symbols (such as isolation cells, level shifters, power switches) and signal nets, and can show the relationship between power domains. Power map can also display mismatches or errors between the power specification and the circuit design for those signals connecting the power domains. Furthermore, power map can be used in conjunction with simulation result.
US08943449B1
The present patent document relates to a method and apparatus for enabling direct memory access into a target memory subsystem of an electronic system modeled in dual abstractions while maintaining coherency. The portions of the memory subsystem shared between the first abstraction and the second abstraction are shadowed in both abstractions, allowing either abstraction to coherently access memory written by the other. Flags associated with memory pages of the memory subsystem are set to indicate which abstraction has most recently updated the memory page. Where the first abstraction is SystemC using TLM2, DMI access may be selectively enabled to facilitate faster access from SystemC, and DMI access disabled when an access from the second abstraction is detected in order to invoke coherency procedures. This allows coherency to be maintained and may enable faster software code execution where most access are DMI accesses from SystemC.
US08943437B2
A system and method for entering USSD codes through an ambiguous text entry interface. The disclosed system may be embedded in mobile devices or other devices having reduced (e.g., 12 key) keypads for text entry. The system receives text entry from users, disambiguates the text entry, and presents the user with descriptors (i.e., representative words, icons, or other visual indicators) that are associated with the entered text and correlated with USSD codes. In response to a user selecting a descriptor, the system retrieves the corresponding USSD code and causes the device to transmit a message to the USSD service. The USSD service receives the message and invokes appropriate processes to respond to the message. In some embodiments, the system presents the list of descriptors representing USSD codes to the user in an order that is related to the probability that the user will select the descriptor.
US08943432B2
An improved solution for portlets is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for automatically configuring a portlet includes: a module for receiving a portlet; a module for searching content of the portlet for a contextual aspect; and a module for automatically applying attribute information to a portlet window object based on a discovered contextual aspect.
US08943415B2
Controlling access to location information by entities hosted by an execution extension environment. After receiving a request from the entity for location information associated with a computing device, access rights of the entity for the requested location information are accessed. A request is sent to another computing device to determine whether to authorize access by the entity to the requested location information. Based on a response from the other computing device, access to the requested location information is enabled.
US08943408B2
Techniques that facilitate review of bitmapped representations of text in a file are described. In some embodiments, one or more signals representative of cursor movements over a bitmapped representation of text in a bitmap image may be received. One or more selected text elements may be determined based on the cursor movements. Determining may include searching a data structure, separate from the bitmap image, which includes information regarding text element locations corresponding to the bitmapped text representation in the bitmap image. A portion of the bitmapped representation of text corresponding to the determined selected text elements may be highlighted.
US08943407B2
Snooze support for event reminders produced on a hand held mobile device is disclosed. Snooze support in at least one example embodiment is characterized by an event reminder rescheduling method. This event reminder rescheduling method includes the step of prompting for a device user to take one of a number of actions in relation to an event reminder released from an event reminders queue. One of the number of actions is requesting, through operation of one or more input components of the mobile device, that the event reminder be generated again after a lapse of a snooze time.
US08943401B2
Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a digital media benefit attachment mechanism for generating or attaching revenue rights and other benefits to one or more entities associated with socially distributed media.
US08943398B2
Systems and methods for generating presentationally-rich email messages having imagery and variable height content entry areas that are compatible across multiple email readers.
US08943394B2
Embodiments of an interface system that enables a call center agent to access and intervene in an interaction between an automated call center system and a caller whenever necessary for complex application tasks is described. The system includes a user interface that presents the agent with one or more categories of information, including the conversation flow, obtained semantic information, the recognized utterances, and access to the utterance waveforms. This information is cross-linked and attached with a confidence level for better access and navigation within the dialog system for the generation of appropriate responses to the caller.
US08943391B2
In a cyclic code decoding method, a decoder analyzes a received codeword to identify unreliable symbols in the codeword, and sets candidate syndrome patterns accordingly. Then, a syndrome calculator calculates evaluated syndrome values associated with one of the candidate syndrome patterns, and an error location polynomial (ELP) generator generates an ELP according to the syndrome values. An error correction device corrects the errors in the codeword according to the ELP when a degree of the ELP is not more than a threshold value, and the syndrome calculator adjusts the syndrome values and the ELP generator generates another ELP according to the adjusted syndrome values when otherwise.
US08943389B2
A data buffer section stores input words, and outputs them to a first signal line group in order. An error checking and correcting code is generated that has the same number of bits as the words. Some bits are not to be output at the same time within the range of the first and second signal line groups or within the range of a partial signal line group included in the first and second signal line groups. A code transmission section outputs the error checking and correcting code to different signal lines of the second signal line group respectively, such that a plurality of bits in a code word are not output at the same time within the range of the first and second signal line groups or within the range of a partial signal line group included in the first and second signal line groups.
US08943385B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods to manage NAND memory are described. In one embodiment, a memory controller logic is configured to apply a binary parity check code to a binary string and convert the binary string to a ternary string.
US08943383B2
Systems and methods for encoding and decoding check-irregular non-systematic IRA codes of messages in any communication or electronic system where capacity achieving coding is desired. According to these systems and methods, IRA coding strategies, including ones that employ capacity-approaching non-systematic IRA codes that are irregular and that exhibit a low error floor, are employed. These non-systematic IRA codes are particularly advantageous in scenarios in which up to half of coded bits could be lost due to channel impairments and/or where complementary coded bits are desired to transmit over two or more communications sub-channels. An encoder includes information bit repeaters and encoders, one or more interleavers, check node combiners, a check node by-pass and an accumulator. A decoder includes a demapper, one or more check node processors, an accumulator decoder, a bit decoder, and one or more interleavers/deinterleavers.
US08943381B1
Systems and methods are provided for decoding data using hard decisions and erasures. Circuitry receives data from each of a plurality of variable nodes which correspond to bits of data being decoded. Each variable node stores one of at least three values. The circuitry determines processes the values received from the plurality of variable nodes according to a set of processing rules. The processing rules are used to determine a condition related to the values stored by the plurality of variable nodes. The circuitry stores an indication of the stored condition at a check node.
US08943373B1
A computer program product includes computer readable program code causing a keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch to communicate over a network with service processors of a plurality of compute nodes, computer readable program code for causing the KVM switch to identify a compute node from among the plurality of compute nodes that is experiencing one or more predetermined problems, and computer readable program code for causing the KVM switch to automatically generate a graphical user interface including the identity of the identified compute node for display on a display device that is connected to the KVM switch.
US08943364B2
Systems and methods of managing problem determination (PD) data provide for obtaining PD data from a plurality of data sources via an input/output (I/O) interface of a data management device and storing the PD data to a memory of the data management device. In addition, an automated diagnostic analysis of the PD data may be conducted on the data management device. An automated discovery manager may provide the ability to find new sources of PD data and to either reconfigure remote systems to send data to the data management device or to automatically retrieve data from remote systems on a configurable schedule. Dynamically updateable database of symptom information can also be used, wherein the data management device may include a dynamically updateable set of analysis modules with which to conduct analysis on the PD data.
US08943362B2
A method for fast and efficient data downloading in wireless communications. The method includes ways to download file data of a large size from a server (access point) to a user's client (mobile device) at high speed and efficiency by using both mmWave wireless communication and conventional wireless communication (WiFi, 3G, etc.). A server transmits packetized file data to a client. The file data is transmitted as data packets via mmWave. In parallel, the server transmits check packets (roll-call packets) corresponding to the data packets. As a test at the time of establishing links, the latency for each communication line is measured. The receiver side, upon completion of receiving the check packets, checks whether their corresponding mmWave packets have arrived. If any corresponding mmWave packet has not arrived, it is determined that the mmWave packet has been lost and a retransmission request is immediately returned to the server via WiFi.
US08943353B2
Assigning nodes to jobs based on reliability factors includes calculating the maximum value of a processor utilization efficiency and assigning an optimal number of spare nodes to the job based on the value of the processor utilization efficiency.
US08943348B2
A decision method considering time and power consumption for offloading computations is provided. The method includes: obtaining a computing mission; obtaining a plurality of static effect factors from an effect factor table; collecting a plurality of dynamic effect factors. The method also includes: generating power consumptions and computing time that each of the computing unit and each of the server consumes according to the dynamic effect factors and the static effect factors; calculating cost values of executing the computing mission according to the power consumptions and the computing time; determining a target unit to execute the computing mission according to the cost values, in which the target unit is a computing unit or a server; executing the computing mission by the target unit. Therefore, the power consumptions and the computing time are simultaneously considered, and computations are adequately allocated to one of the computing unit and the servers.
US08943342B2
A power supply circuit includes a basic input output system (BIOS), a super input output (SIO), a bivibrator, a logical selector, and a voltage converter. The basic input output system (BIOS) is configured for storing different operation modes of a computer. The super input output (SIO) is configured for generating standby mode signals according to the different operation modes. The bivibrator is configured for generating a reference signal when upon receiving a clock signal from the computer when the computer is turned on. The logical selector is configured for generating a standby control signal in response to the reference signal and one of the standby mode signals. The voltage converter is configured for transforming the first standby voltage into a second standby voltage to drive the SIO. The SIO receives the second standby voltage before the clock signal is delayed and provided to the SIO to start the computer.
US08943339B2
A data transmitting apparatus for processing data to be transmitted to a data receiving apparatus which reproduces received data stored in a received data storage unit, comprising: a signal processor for processing data; a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the data processed in the signal processor to the data receiving apparatus; a signal processing controller for controlling the signal processor to operate intermittently; a clock/power controller for restricting a clock signal supply and/or power supply to the signal processing controller during a non-operating time period of the intermittent operation; and a wake-up controller for lifting the restriction put by the clock/power controller based on an amount of data stored in the received data storage unit.
US08943336B2
Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for configurable processor thermal management. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a processor arranged to operate in a plurality of thermal modes comprising a thermal limit down mode, a normal thermal limit mode and a thermal limit up mode, and thermal management logic operative to select a thermal mode based on one or more properties of the apparatus. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08943332B2
A method of establishing the integrity of an audit record set is described. The method comprises receiving a set of audit records and generating a first set of random values wherein each audit record in the set corresponds to at least one value of the first set. The method further comprises generating a second set of values based on an audit record and a corresponding value of the first set for each audit record in the set and generating a summary value based on the second set of values. The method further comprises certifying the summary value to generate an integrity certificate enabling verification of the integrity of the audit record set and storing the audit record set and at least one of the first set of values and the generated digital signature.
US08943330B2
A processor is utilized for processing data from a buffer memory. The processor, implemented in hardware, may allow writing of output data, processed based on input data from at least one secure location associate with a secure address range of the buffer memory, to one or more secure locations associated with the secure address range. Further, the processor may block writing of output data, processed based on input data from at least one secure location associated with the secure address range, to one or more insecure locations associated with an insecure address range of the buffer memory.
US08943322B2
Systems and methods for authenticating a request between a client computer and a transaction server are provided. An application request, comprising an identity of a user originating the request, is received at an application server from the client. The application server constructs a signing key based on (i) the identity of the user making the request, (ii) a time based salt value, (iii) a secret shared between the application and transaction servers and, optionally, (iv) an identifier of the distributor or developer of the application. The signing key is embedded in an unbranded version of the application thereby branding the application. The branded application can sign a request with the signing key and submit the signed request to the transaction server with the identity of the user and the identifier of the distributor or developer of the application.
US08943321B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate authentication of a request, such as by a mobile terminal, while also supplying information about the user to a service, website, application or the like A method, apparatus and computer program product may provide for interworking a bootstrapping architecture, such as Generic Bootstrapping Architecture, and a shared identity service, such as OpenID architecture In this regard, a method, apparatus and computer program product may provide for a secure session with a service provider through Generic Bootstrapping Architecture while being able to supply the service provider with the user information and/or accessing a user account using OpenID architecture.
US08943318B2
A system is configured to receive a first authentication request from a first device, authenticate the first device, establish a secure connection with the first device based on authenticating the first device, and receive, via the secure connection with the first device, a set of parameters from the first device. The first device is capable of generating an encryption key for a secure message, intended for a second device, based on the set of parameters. The system is also configured to receive a second authentication request from a second device, authenticate the second device and establish a secure connection with the second device based on receiving the second authentication request, and send, via the secure connection with the second device, the set of parameters to the second device. The second user device is capable of generating a decryption key for the secure message based on the set of parameters.
US08943308B2
An e-mail relay provides message filtering services to an e-mail network. The e-mail relay monitors incoming communication and intercepts e-mail messages. The e-mail relay compares attributes of the messages to data derived from SPAM messages, which are stored in a SPAM database. The e-mail relay restricts the delivery of messages based on the comparison such as by restricting the delivery of messages having attributes close to those of SPAM messages from the SPAM database. The SPAM database is constructed by responding to user or administrator indications as to whether received messages are SPAM messages.
US08943298B2
Methods and apparatus for restoring a meta predictor system upon detecting a branch or binary misprediction, are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a base misprediction history register to store a set of misprediction history values each indicating whether a previous branch prediction taken by a previous branch instruction was predicted correctly or incorrectly. The apparatus may comprise a meta predictor to detect a branch misprediction of a current branch prediction based at least in part on an output of the base misprediction history register. The meta predictor may restore the base misprediction history register based on the detecting of the branch misprediction. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08943296B2
One or more unused bits of a virtual address range are allocated for aliasing so that multiple virtually addressed sub-pages can be mapped to a common memory page. When one bit is allocated for aliasing, dirty bit information can be provided at a granularity that is one-half of a memory page. When M bits are allocated for aliasing, dirty bit information can be provided at a granularity that is 1/(2M)-th of a memory page.
US08943291B2
A solution for managing a software image being stored in a plurality of physical blocks of a storage system comprises monitoring each access to the physical blocks, calculating a predicted sequence of access to the physical blocks according to the monitored accesses, and reorganizing the physical blocks according to the predicted sequence. The monitoring may be performed as the physical blocks are accessed during the booting of virtual images on the software image.
US08943284B2
A data processing and storage system includes a compute module for running at least one virtual machine for processing guest data. State data on the at least one virtual machine is collected. The system also includes a storage module communicating with the compute module and storing the guest data. The storage module accesses the state data for controlling storage operations. A cloud storage/compute system is provided that includes a storage module for storing guest data for a virtual machine and operating based on a clock. The cloud storage/compute system also includes a compute module coupled to the storage module for performing operations on the guest data for the virtual machine and operating based on the clock. A method is provided that includes collecting state data on a virtual machine that processes guest data, and controlling storage operations relating to the guest data based on the state data.
US08943281B1
A method and apparatus for optimizing a backup chain using synthetic backups is described. In one embodiment, a method for creating synthetic incremental backups to optimize a backup chain comprises accessing a backup chain, which further comprises a plurality of incremental backups and determining schedule information defining a number of incremental backups to use to create one or more synthetic incremental backups representing the plurality of incremental backups from the backup chain, wherein the number of backups is defined by a numerical progression.
US08943265B2
A storage array controller provides a method and system for autonomously issuing trim commands to one or more solid-state storage devices in a storage array. The storage array controller is separate from any operating system running on a host system and separate from any controller in the solid-state storage device(s). The trim commands allow the solid-state storage device to operate more efficiently.
US08943258B2
A data storage system includes a first server including: a first plurality of storage disks configured to store data, and a first host bus adapter including a first processor configured to provide a first virtual expander and a first logic component; and a second server including: a second plurality of storage disks configured to store data, and a second host bus adapter including a second processor configured to provide a second virtual expander and a second logic component, wherein the first host bus adapter of the first server is coupled to the second host bus adapter of the second server via a SAS connection, and wherein each of the first plurality of storage disks and the second plurality of storage disks are accessible by each of the first server and the second server.
US08943252B2
Various embodiments provide an ability to schedule latency-sensitive tasks based, at least in part, upon one or more processor cores usage metrics. Some embodiments gather information associated with whether one or more processor cores are in a heavily loaded state. Alternately or additionally, some embodiments gather information identifying latency-sensitive tasks. Task(s) can be (re)assigned to different processor core(s) for execution when it has been determined that an originally assigned processor core has exceeded a usage threshold.
US08943247B1
Described herein are systems and methods for identifying which input of a sink device a source device is coupled to. The source devices provide content and are coupled to the sink devices which present at least a portion of the content. The source device provides a predetermined reference signal to the sink device. Selection of a plurality of inputs on the sink device is initiated until an emitted signal from the sink device which is based on the reference signal is detected by a sensor coupled to the source device. Once detected, the selected input may be associated with the source device. The source device may then use the associated input for automatic configuration of the sink device during future presentation of content.
US08943243B1
An apparent load is determined based on assigning weightings to commands based on various factors including, but not limited to, the limitations of the underlying storage media device(s), where the command queue fullness is viewed from that perspective rather than simply the number of commands outstanding in a storage media device. Also disclosed is the use of a positive bias and a negative bias to artificially influence the apparent load based on the read rate of storage media devices.
US08943241B1
The components of communication network device ingress systems and methods cooperate to manage information ingress and prevent denial of service attempts. A classifier classifies incoming information. A classification filter filters the information on a classification basis to prevent denial of service. The classification filter includes a classification filter counter for tracking the flow of information associated with the classification filter. A zero value in the classification filter counter indicates that a buffer capacity limit associated with the classification is reached. The counter permits information to flow to a packet buffer if the classification filter counter value is not zero and discards information if the classification filter counter value is zero. In one exemplary implementation the classification filter counter decrements a classification filter counter value when the information is placed in the buffer. The classification filter counter value is incremented when the information is processed out of the buffer.
US08943240B1
A direct memory access circuit includes a buffer handler configured to store received data within a buffer in a buffer memory coupled to the direct memory access circuit and to generate a descriptor for the buffer. The direct memory access circuit further includes a descriptor handler coupled to the buffer handler. The descriptor handler is configured to determine a descriptor address for the descriptor and to store the descriptor at the determined address within a descriptor memory coupled to the direct memory access circuit.
US08943230B2
A method for sharing peripheral devices in dual operating systems for an electronic device having at least one peripheral device is provided. The method includes: receiving a setting value for the peripheral device under the first operating system from a user; activating a second operating system; transmitting the setting value to the second operating system; and switching from the first operating system to the second operating system, wherein the second operating system sets the peripheral device with the setting value and enables the electronic device to operate under the second operating system.
US08943229B2
In general, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for configuring a mobile device according to detection of one or more peripheral devices in an environment using short-range wireless communication. In one example, a method includes, receiving, by a computing device that communicates with a peripheral device using short-range wireless communication, a unique identifier of the peripheral device. If the computing device recognizes the unique identifier of the peripheral device, the computing device may determine a configuration operation based on the unique identifier that changes a current operating state of at least one application executing on the computing device to a different operating state. If the computing device does not recognize the unique identifier of the peripheral device, the computing device may send a lookup request to a network resource external to the computing device that requests data specifying the configuration operation for the computing device.
US08943226B1
Disclosed is a storage device interface. The storage device interface includes a plurality of PCIe device request engines. These PCIe device request engines receive I/O commands formatted for a respective one of a plurality of PCIe storage device communication standards. The storage device interface also includes a plurality of PCIe device completion engines. These PCIe device completion engines receive notifications of command completions from a plurality of PCIe storage devices that communicate using the aforementioned plurality of PCIe storage device communication standards. These notifications are validated. If an error is detected, processing of notifications of command completions associated with that device are blocked until the error is resolved. The plurality of PCIe device request engines and the PCIe device completion engines operate concurrently to process received I/O commands and received command completions.
US08943221B2
Methods, servers and systems for communicating signaling information in a telecommunications signaling network implement methods that include receiving a first message encoding signaling information from a source component and processing the message using a fixed pipeline having a plurality of modules, each module having at least one procedure for performing a specific set of tasks. Application level routing operations may be performed to identify a suitable destination component. Information contained in the first message may be used to generate a second message encoding signaling information, which is sent to the identified destination component.
US08943217B2
Systems and methods for operating an appliance control device for controlling the operation of a variety of appliances are provided. The appliance control device may acquire a list identifying one or more functions executable by an appliance. The list may further identify a corresponding protocol corresponding to each function included in the list. The appliance control device may transmit a request to the appliance for execution of a desired function selected from the list using a specified protocol selected based on the corresponding protocol corresponding to the desired function. In turn, the appliance may transmit the list to the appliance control device upon request. Further, the appliance may also receive the request to execute the desired function in accordance with the selected specified protocol, and execute the desired function in response to the request.
US08943206B2
Prioritizing network traffic among two or more distinct channels of communication within a single application in a node configured to communicate with one or more other nodes over a network is disclosed. For a particular time quantum, a bandwidth quantum may be distributed amongst two or more communication channels according to priorities associated with those channels. Ready data for each channel may be transmitted over a network path up to the size of the reserved portion for that channel and not greater than a path maximum transmission unit (MTU) size for a network path. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08943201B2
A technique is disclosed for establishing a secure communication link between a first computer and a second computer over a computer network. Initially, a secure communication mode of communication is enabled at a first computer without a user entering any cryptographic information for establishing the secure communication mode of communication. Then, a secure communication link is established between the first computer and a second computer over a computer network based on the enabled secure communication mode of communication. The secure communication link is a virtual private network communication link over the computer network in which one or more data values that vary according to a pseudo-random sequence are inserted into each data packet.
US08943192B2
A device managing apparatus for monitoring and managing a device connected to a data transmission path includes an obtaining part configured to obtain power consumption status data from the device, the power consumption status data indicating a power consumption status of a communication unit included in the device, a selecting part configured to select a communication method according to the power consumption status data obtained from the obtaining part, and a communicating part configured to perform data communications with the device by using the communication method selected by the selecting part.
US08943191B2
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product for determining if an application has become unresponsive. Network traffic at a receiver node is monitored. The receiver node is determined to have generated a window probe response indicating a predetermined window size. A threshold associated with the window size of the receiver node is set in response to the receiver node having generated the window probe response. The window size of the receiver is determined to have been at the predetermined size for at least one of a time period greater than the threshold and a count greater than the threshold. An application associated with the receiver node is classified as unresponsive in response to the window size of the receiver node having been the predetermined size for at least one of a timer period greater than the threshold and a count greater than the threshold.
US08943174B2
A relay node identified by a unique relay node identifier relays communications between a donor base station and one or more user terminals. The donor base station acquires the relay node identifier during a relay node attach procedure from where the relay node or another node in the core network (e.g., mobile management entity). The donor base station may use the relay node identifier to retrieve configuration information for the relay node. The configuration information may be used to configure the relay node, to perform radio resource management functions, and/or to monitor the performance of the relay node.
US08943173B1
A method for data bridging and synchronization between a mobile device and a computer network, using a computer connected to the mobile device over a short range communication channel.
US08943163B2
A system for automating experimentation is disclosed. The system comprises an automated experimentation platform (AEP) for automating research, development, and engineering experimentation processes and work and a generalized exchange module (GEM) for automating data exchanges between the AEP and external software applications, devices, or the instrument control programs (ICPs) controlling the devices; a generalization of the exchange module enables all automated data exchanges to be generic. Through the use of the automated experimentation platform (AEP) and the generalized exchange module (GEM), the automation can be adapted to any targeted external software application, device or a devices' controlling software program.
US08943162B2
Pre-caching may decrease the response time necessary for a wireless communication network to fulfill a user request. Pre-caching includes predicting what data the user will request next and preemptively fetching that data from a network (e.g., the Internet). Additionally, the wireless communication network may predict the geographic location of the mobile device when it makes the request. Instead of pre-caching the data in the memory of the mobile device, the data may be stored at a wireless access point that has a radiation pattern that covers the predicted geographic location of the mobile device. Once the wireless access point receives the request from the mobile device for the pre-cached data, the pre-cached data may be transmitted wirelessly to the mobile device, thereby avoiding having to forward the request to rest of the communication network.
US08943159B1
Communication systems and methods are described. In an illustrative embodiment, embeddable code is provided to a user to embed on a user web page. A communication request is received from a visitor via a user interface displayed on the user web page, the user interface including an address field configured to receive from the visitor an address associated with the visitor, and a text entry field configured to receive a text message from the visitor, wherein the user interface is generated at least in part by the code. If the visitor enters a phone address into the address field, a determination is made as to whether the phone address is valid at least partly in response to a first action by the visitor. If the visitor enters text into the text entry field, the text is transmitted to the user at least partly in response to a second action by the visitor.
US08943153B2
A client computer with one or more processors and memory transmits, to a server system, a search query including one or more query terms and receives, from the sever system, a response to the search query including a search result. The client computer displays a representation of a respective message from the search result, where the respective message includes a message body and a respective attachment with attachment content. When the attachment content of the respective attachment includes content that matches a query term from the search query, displaying the respective message includes highlighting a representation of the respective attachment in the message. When the attachment content of the respective attachment does not include content that matches a query term from the search query, displaying the respective message includes forgoing highlighting the representation of the respective attachment in the message.
US08943150B2
Systems and methods for customizing mobile applications are provided. The systems and methods may include storing one or more computers, an identifier associated with (i) a user and (ii) an entity with whom the user is affiliated; receiving a mobile application request; facilitating delivery of a mobile application to a mobile device associated with the user; receiving the identifier; and directing a delivery of customization information for customizing the mobile application of the mobile device, the customization information associated with one or both of the user or the entity with whom the user is affiliated.
US08943147B2
In an embodiment, a plurality of respective context keywords are stored to a plurality of contexts, wherein each of the plurality of respective context keywords is different. In response to sending of a first plurality of instant messages from an electronic device, a first context is selected at the electronic device from among the plurality of contexts. A first context keyword of the plurality of respective context keywords that matches respective first terms in the first plurality of instant messages is stored in the first context. The first plurality of instant messages are stored to a first chat session in the first context that was selected by the selecting. The first context that comprises the first plurality of instant messages and the first context keyword is sent to a recipient device.
US08943143B2
A method of converting a document for a user. The method includes receiving the document in a first format from a first user device through a telecommunications network. The method also includes automatically producing a new version of the document upon receipt of the document. The new version of the document is in a second format, which is selected from a group including a plurality of formats distinct from the first format.
US08943141B2
A social networking system that allows video chatting in combination with other interactive social activities such as, for example, shopping, picture sharing and viewing streaming videos, amongst others, is disclosed. A method implemented in a computing infrastructure includes initiating a user session by generating a unique user ID and group ID for the user session. The method further includes streaming at least one of music and video to a plurality of users on separate computing devices within the user session. The method further includes providing video chatting amongst the plurality of users on the separate computing devices, within the session, at the same time as the streaming.
US08943130B2
A method of transferring a preview version of material from a first entertainment apparatus to a second entertainment apparatus is disclosed. In said first entertainment apparatus, said method comprises the steps of: extracting said preview material from a package containing both a full version of the material and said preview version of the material, said preview version being an illustration of said full version of the material; and uploading at least part of said preview material to said second apparatus over a network.
US08943129B2
Various embodiments described herein provide one or more of systems, methods, software, and data structures that allow a document, or other file type, to be used to connect to a network-based conference, such as over the Internet. Some embodiments may further allow a local copy of a document, viewed by each conference participant on their local computing devices, to be used as a conferencing tool by synchronizing document views across each local document copy and edits or other modifications and notations made by each participant. As a result, an actual image of the document of a document-based conference need not be shared. Rather, only the edits or other modifications and notations made by each participant are captured, transmitted, and recreated and displayed within the local document copies of the other participants.
US08943125B2
A method of handling a step execution result in software and application control management object (SACMO) for a client of a service system supporting Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) device management (DM) is disclosed. The method comprises handling an execution result of a step in software and application control management object for a service system.
US08943119B2
A system and a method are configured to improve the performance of general-purpose processors by implementing a functional unit that computes the product of a matrix operand with a vector operand, producing a vector result. The functional unit fully utilizes the entire resources of a 128 b by 128 b multiplier regardless of the operand size, as the number of elements of the matrix and vector operands increase as operand size is reduced. The unit performs both fixed-point and floating-point multiplications and additions with the highest-possible intermediate accuracy with modest resources.
US08943111B2
Systems. Methods, and Computer Program Products are provided for managing a global cache coherency in a distributed shared caching for a clustered file systems (CFS). The CFS manages access permissions to an entire space of data segments by using the DSM module. In response to receiving a request to access one of the data segments, a calculation operation is performed for obtaining most recent contents of one of the data segments. The calculation operation performs one of providing the most recent contents via communication with a remote DSM module which obtains the one of the data segments from an associated external cache memory, instructing by the DSM module to read from storage the one of the data segments, and determining that any existing contents of the one of the data segments in the local external cache are the most recent contents.
US08943105B1
Exposing a proprietary disk file to a hypervisor as a native hypervisor disk file. In one example embodiment, a method includes various steps. For example, the method includes creating a plugin file corresponding to a proprietary disk file having a proprietary file format. The method also includes intercepting, using a file system filter driver that sits between the hypervisor and a file system where the plugin file is stored, file read requests directed to the plugin file. The method further includes responding, using the file system filter driver, to each of the file read requests with data gathered from the plugin file and/or the proprietary disk file, where the data is structured such that the data appears to be gathered from a native hypervisor disk file due to being formatted in a native file format of the hypervisor.
US08943101B2
A keyword related to a user's interest is acquired. A keyword acquiring device including a tree storage unit that stores a keyword tree obtained by performing hierarchization according to the number of appearances and relevance in advance using a keyword associated with content as a node records a keyword associated with content previously selected by a user as a log, extracts a plurality of keywords based on a predetermined condition from a log corresponding to a certain user recorded in the log, extracts a partial tree including the extracted keywords from the keyword tree, and acquires a keyword in a node having no other lower node as a keyword related to the user's interest.
US08943099B1
Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable mediums, including a method for determining codomain relationship measures between domains pairs. The method includes accessing domain data specifying first and second domains; for each first domain: determining a total number of image links on web pages on the first domain, each image link being a link to an image on a second domain; identifying second domains hosting images to which image links on web pages on the first domain link; for each second domain: determining a number of image links from web pages on the first domain linking to images on the second domain; determining a codomain relationship measure for the first and second domain based on the number of image links from web pages on the first domain linking to images on the second domain and the total number of image links on web pages on the first domain.
US08943093B2
A system and method are disclosed for one-stop shopping for health-care services and related needs. The one-stop shopping system and method provide objective information for the system enrollee to assess and decide on health-care insurance and services. The system and method provide this objective information in a way that is easily accessible by system enrollees in an economical and rapid manner.
US08943091B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for performing a string search. In use, a first string and a second string are identified. Additionally, a string search is performed, utilizing the first string and the second string.
US08943087B2
Method, system and computer usable medium are provided for processing information items from first and second databases, wherein information items in the first database are related in first way, and information items in the second database are related in a second way. The method comprises providing a semantic relationship between the information items in the first database and the information items in the second database, the semantic relationship providing a single point of entry to the first and second databases. That single point of entry is used to enter a query to the databases, and the semantic relationship is used to navigate between the first and second databases to provide a response to the query.
US08943082B2
In response to a stimulus indicating configuration of a node into a cluster of a plurality of nodes including the node, the node determines whether or not the node has a universally unique identifier (UUID), and if not, the node provides its own persistent self-assigned UUID. The node searches a cluster configuration database for a temporary identifier associated with the node. In response to the node locating the temporary identifier of the node in the cluster configuration database, the node writes its self-assigned UUID into the cluster configuration database and joins the cluster.
US08943078B2
Methods and systems for simplifying object mapping for a client request for action. A client request for action may be received from an external interface. The external interface may comprise a human being or a computer program. The client request may be associated to a logical object in order to minimize a representational gap between the client request and a physical object using the logical object. The query request may be responded to using object relational mapping in order to simplify the external interface by minimizing the representational gap between the external interface and the physical object using the logical object.
US08943076B2
Profiles associated with two applications are received. Each profile identifies a set of data fields identified by a corresponding full path name. Associations between data fields of the profiles are identified based on mapping pairs included in a full path mapping database, mapping pairs included in a shortest unique path mapping database, and mapping pairs included in a leaf mapping database. A prioritized list of mapping suggestions is provided based on the identified associations. A mapping suggestion can include a data manipulation operation according to information associated with a corresponding mapping pair.
US08943074B2
A method, system and a computer program product for generating an image tour in response to a search query in one or more multimedia databases includes determining information corresponding to a first and last image of the image tour by conducting an analysis of the search query. Based on this information, the first and last images satisfying a first pre-defined criteria are identified from the multimedia database. At least one intermediate image satisfying a second pre-defined criteria is identified from one or more videos of the multimedia database based on the identified first and last images. The image tour is generated by placing the identified intermediate images between the first and last images.
US08943073B2
A system, method, and computer readable medium. A method of characterizing and comparatively scoring travel records of a plurality of travelers includes, for each traveler in the plurality of travelers, calculating a point value for each of a plurality of characteristics of a travel record of the traveler. The method also includes comparing the point values for the plurality of travelers and ordering the plurality of travelers according to the comparison. The method further includes, for each traveler in the plurality of travelers, storing a total score value representative of the position of the traveler in the ordered plurality of travelers.
US08943071B2
Techniques for automatic sort and propagation of information relating to electronic documents are presented. With regard to an electronic document, such as an incoming message, an enhanced information management component (EIMC) can analyze the document to identify a file folder associated with a subject to which the document relates. Based on interaction with or tagging of the document in a first user interface (UI) and predefined user preferences, the EIMC can propagate information relating to the subject and/or document to a second UI. The EIMC can archive the document in the identified file folder automatically or in response to as little as one UI control manipulation. The EIMC can analyze audio or video content to facilitate tagging and archiving of such content using the first UI and propagation of information relating to such content and/or related subject to a second UI.
US08943066B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and program product for managing data sets. According to one aspect of the present invention, a data group of one or more related data sets is reorganized. Utilizing one or more specified criteria, data sets that should be cataloged in the data group are identified and cataloged in the data group such that they are arranged in a chronological order and are named with appropriate generation numbers.
US08943063B2
Deterministic Finite Automatons (DFAs) and Nondeterministic Finite Automatons (NFAs) are two typical automatons used in the Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS). Although they both perform regular expression matching, they have quite different performance and memory usage properties. DFAs provide fast and deterministic matching performance but suffer from the well-known state explosion problem. NFAs are compact, but their matching performance is unpredictable and with no worst case guarantee. A new automaton representation of regular expressions, called Tunable Finite Automaton (TFA), is described. TFAs resolve the DFAs' state explosion problem and the NFAs' unpredictable performance problem. Different from a DFA, which has only one active state, a TFA allows multiple concurrent active states. Thus, the total number of states required by the TFA to track the matching status is much smaller than that required by the DFA. Different from an NFA, a TFA guarantees that the number of concurrent active states is bounded by a bound factor b that can be tuned during the construction of the TFA according to the needs of the application for speed and storage. A TFA can achieve significant reductions in the number of states and memory space.
US08943047B1
A method to qualify a partner candidate, including accessing a social network to retrieve social network data about the partner candidate; parsing the social network data to extract a social network data item corresponding to a characteristics category relating to a characteristic of the partner candidate; determining per category weighting factors corresponding to characteristics categories and representing a focus of the social network; comparing, using a keyword library comprising pre-determined keywords and pre-determined keyword similarity measures, the social network data item and a self-described attribute of the partner candidate to generate a characteristics category score, wherein a range of the characteristics category score is determined by a corresponding per category weighting factor; and assigning the characteristics category score to the self-described attribute, wherein the characteristics category score represents a validity measure of the self-described attribute based on the social network data.
US08943045B2
Mechanisms are described for providing auto-completion capability in a user interface that allows users to search for XML tags and data in a collection of XML documents. A user searching for data in XML documents might not be aware of the entire structure of the data. A path context may be specified for narrowing the search to a particular set of nodes within the documents in the collection. When the user is in the process of typing in an XML tag name, but prior to submitting the tag name to the search engine, the user interface presents an ordered list of completed XML tags that match the prefix typed by the user. The order of the tags in the list reflects the frequency of the completed tags found within the specified path context of the collection of documents. Likewise, when the user is in the process of typing a string of text to be searched for within the value of XML nodes in the set of documents, but prior to submitting the test string to the search engine, the user interface presents an ordered list of completed text strings that match the partially specified text, where the order of the completed text strings reflects their frequency within the specified path context in the collection of documents.
US08943037B2
A method of providing advertising to a user or community of users over a network includes receiving from the user a query identifying a contemplated route, accessing a computer database of self-reported business information from vendors, each vendor having an identified geographic location, wherein the self-reported business information has been previously supplied by the vendors through an interface and stored in the database, wherein the interface is configured so that each vendor can also specify an advertising budget, providing to the user or community information from the database concerning the business information of a set of vendors extracted from the database on the basis of geographic proximity to the route identified by the user, and providing to the user or community advertising from the set of vendors based, at least in part, on data retrieved from the database and on advertising budgets supplied by the set of vendors.
US08943033B2
A system and method is provided for avoiding duplication of effort in drafting documents and, in particular, to a system and method for avoiding duplication of effort in preparing patent related submissions. The method is implemented on a computer infrastructure comprises storing disclosure information related to non-public proprietary innovation and receiving terms associated with an innovation. The method further comprises matching the terms with the stored disclosure information and providing an alert to a user that certain of the terms overlap with the stored disclosure information.
US08943032B1
Techniques for data migration of a storage system are described herein. According to one embodiment, a list of files stored in a source storage tier is identified as candidate files to be migrated to a target storage tier based on a migration policy. One of a regular data movement method and a bulk data movement method is selected based on a characteristic of the candidate files. The candidate files are then migrated from the source storage tier to the target storage tier using the selected data movement method.
US08943030B2
A method for managing digital content is provided. The method includes accessing the digital content and applying at least one content management rule by a set-top box to the digital content. The content management rule operative to place the digital content in one of a first storage location and a second storage location, which are associated with the set-top box. The digital content may include programs or movies and the storage locations are generally operable to store multiple programs and/or movies.
US08943026B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing data. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a user input to present a visual representation of a first prior state of a file system; generating the first visual representation of a first prior state of the file system at a first time in the past according to a first virtual file system corresponding to that first time; presenting the first visual representation, where the first virtual file system is a reduced representation of the file system at that first time; receiving a user input to present a second visual representation of a second prior state of the file system at a second time in the past according to a second virtual file system corresponding to that second time; and presenting the second visual representation.
US08943023B2
Methods and apparatus for receiving uploaded data from a sender at a receiver. A data deduplication technique is described that may reduce the bandwidth used in uploading data from the sender to the receiver. In the technique, the receiver, rather than the sender, maintains a fingerprint dictionary for previously uploaded data. When a sender has additional data to be uploaded, the sender extracts fingerprints for units of the data and sends the fingerprints to the receiver. The receiver checks its fingerprint dictionary to determine the data units to be uploaded and notifies the sender of the identified units, which then sends the identified units of data to the receiver. The technique may, for example, be applied in virtualized data store systems to reduce bandwidth usage in uploading data.
US08943017B2
Embodiments are directed towards a method and a computer server for receiving assertions, wherein an assertion can have a functional property such that for a given subject and a given property the object has a single value at any time, maintaining a knowledge base that includes (1) a history table that stores previously received assertions, and (2) a snapshot table that stores currently valid assertions, maintaining a snapshot cache in memory that stores a subset of the assertions in the snapshot table, initiating a processing cycle, selecting an assertion for processing, generating an assertion tuple that corresponds to the selected assertion, determining that the property of the selected assertion is functional, writing a retraction tuple to the history table, writing the assertion tuple to the snapshot table; and writing the assertion tuple to the history table.
US08943016B2
Computer-implemented systems and methods for synthesis of concept definitions and concept relationships from a domain of data, utilizing different semantic processing protocols such as formal concept analysis and faceted classification synthesis from existing domain concepts that have a confidence gradient built into them. A cognitive of an input agent provides an input of an active concept which is matched against existing domain concepts. The resultant pool of relevant domain concepts is then used to derive virtual concept definitions using a semantic processing protocol. The derivation is then overlaid with a concept of relative proximity of an attribute from another within an attribute set. An additional layer of coherence is given by the relative proximity measure. The end result is a pool of related virtual concept definitions in a tree structure.
US08943015B2
In a hierarchical profile, each node represents at least one feature of behavioral data collected about an entity profiled, with the topmost node selected as the “statistically most informative” feature of the data. A profile can cover numerous domains and be predictively very powerful in each domain. A number of observations can be “aggregated” together into a single datapoint. In use, the structure of the profile is compared against current information associated with the entity to produce a recommendation or prediction. If the profile represents at least some data aggregation, then new observations are folded into the profile based on statistical weights of the aggregations. Because of the way the profile is created and updated, its hierarchical structure maps the collected observations. Therefore, as new observations are incorporated, if the new observations change the profile's structure significantly, then it can be hypothesized that something “interesting” has happened to the entity.
US08943002B2
Various embodiments relate to an engagement server and a related method of initiating an engagement between an agent device and a user device based on formed and modified engagement rules. In one embodiment, the engagement server can receive one or more third-party analytic reports and use them to form engagement rules that determine when the engagement server initiates an engagement between the agent device and user device. In some embodiments, the engagement server can also receive user interaction data from the user device to modify engagement rules to fit a particular user. In some embodiments, the engagement server can use the third-party analytic reports and/or user interaction data from a plurality of users to form a statistical model. The engagement server may then use the statistical model to form and/or modify the engagement rules.
US08943001B1
A deferred payment authorization system that allows users to exercise an instant purchase, deferred payment option for online payment without providing payment information. multiple transaction costs for frequent or recurring purchases can be reduced to a single transaction that can be processed offline at the user's convenience, particularly for small, online purchases made on a frequent or reoccurring basis.
US08942997B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of processing payment authorization requests for payment transactions to be conducted via a data communications network on behalf of online merchants, the payment authorization requests are conducted as a result of orders by financial instrument holders via a plurality of different online merchant systems. Each of the online merchants has an online merchant identity. The method is conducted by a trusted central intermediary system which is arranged to transmit payment authorization requests to each of a plurality of different online merchant Internet Payment Service Provider (IPSP) systems. Each merchant IPSP system is arranged to transmit payment authorization requests to at least one of a plurality of acquiring bank payment processor systems, and each of said plurality of acquiring bank payment processor systems is responsible for processing payment authorizations for at least one of said acquiring banks. Embodiments of the invention enable a user to select a payment method on a per transaction basis, while removing the requirement for the user to provide payment details to individual online merchant systems or to their merchant IPSP systems. Thus, providing that online merchants, or their merchant IPSPs, subscribe to a service arranged to perform the method, users only have to submit their respective payment details, preferably only once, to a separate, trusted entity.
US08942990B2
A method and a system for determining a return fraud at a store are described. The return fraud protection system has a video recording module, a face capture module, a face icon generator module, and an entrance video clip module. The video recording module records a video at an entrance of the store. The face capture module captures a face of a customer entering the store from the video. The face icon generator module generates a face icon comprising the face of the customer. The entrance video clip generator module generates a video clip of the customer entering the store, associates the video clip of the customer with the corresponding face icon, and provides a client device with a list of face icons with corresponding video clips.
US08942986B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium related to operating an intelligent digital assistant are disclosed. A plurality of predefined domains each representing a respective area of service offered by an intelligent automated assistant are stored. A text string derived from a user request is obtained, the text string including at least one or more words derived from a speech input received from a user. From the plurality of predefined domains, a relevant domain for the user request is identified based at least on respective degrees of match between the text string derived from the user request and a respective plurality of words associated with each predefined domain. A task is executed in accordance with steps specified in a task flow associated with the relevant domain, and in accordance with one or more task parameters derived from the user request.
US08942981B2
A natural language call router forwards an incoming call from a caller to an appropriate destination. The call router has a speech recognition mechanism responsive to words spoken by a caller for producing recognized text corresponding to the spoken words. A robust parsing mechanism is responsive to the recognized text for detecting a class of words in the recognized text. The class is defined as a group of words having a common attribute. An interpreting mechanism is responsive to the detected class for determining the appropriate destination for routing the call.
US08942980B2
A method of navigating in a sound content wherein at least one key word is stored in association with at least two positions representative of said key word in the sound content, and wherein the method comprises: a step of displaying a representation of the sound content; during playback of the sound content, a step of detecting a current extract representative of a key word stored at a first position; a step of determining at least one second extract representative of said key word and a second position as a function of the stored positions; and a step of highlighting the position of the extracts in the representation of the sound content.The invention also relates to a system adapted to implement the navigation method.
US08942974B1
A device searches for an available network. The device automatically sends a request message to an identified available network. After the device receives a response message from the identified available network, the device selects a language and/or other device setting based on contents of the response message.
US08942972B1
A computer-implemented method for data loss prevention may include 1) identifying a network configured with a data loss prevention system including at least one data loss prevention policy directed to textual data expressed in a primary natural language, 2) identifying a textual object subject to a data loss prevention assessment within the network, 3) determining that the textual object includes a textual component that is not expressed in the primary natural language, 4) in response to determining that the textual object includes the textual component, translating the textual component from a secondary natural language that the data loss prevention policy does not recognize into the primary natural language that the data loss prevention policy does recognize, and 5) after translating the textual component into the primary natural language, applying the data loss prevention policy to a modified textual object including the translated textual component. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08942971B1
Applications can be localized by localization experts to allow them to be used by a broader customer base. The localization can be done given resource files containing localization resources. A localization resource may contain a programming component and non-programming component. The non-programming component can be sent to a machine localizer. The machine localizer may provide a plurality of localizations corresponding to a plurality of languages based on the non-programming component of the localization resource. A plurality of localized applications can be complied based on the localized non-programming components and the original programming component.
US08942969B2
Systems and methods for event simulation with energy analysis. A method includes receiving a plurality of environment objects, and receiving energy attributes corresponding to one or more of the environment objects. The method includes simulating the operation of the environment objects and, during the simulation, calculating values for the energy attributes reflecting the energy use for the respective energy attributes. The method includes displaying the calculated values for the energy attributes.
US08942964B2
The present disclosure relates to a method and system for simulating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and simulating an environment in which the UAV may be flying. A plurality of visual sensors, e.g., cameras, positioned on the UAV, may be simulated. A UAV simulator is configured to simulate the UAV and a graphical simulator is configured to simulate the environment. The UAV simulator may be configured to: estimate pitch, roll and/or groundspeed based, at least in part, on outputs from the visual sensors, determine a position and/or an orientation of the simulated UAV in the simulated environment based, at least in part, on the estimate(s) and provide the position and/or orientation to the graphical simulator. The graphical simulator may be configured to display the simulated UAV at the position and/or orientation in the simulated environment and/or to display the simulated camera view(s).
US08942963B1
A system or method includes a simulated model that has a plurality of simulated components, the plurality of components are arranged in a component hierarchical graph such that the combination of the simulated components forms the simulated model. The system includes an inference engine configured to generate one or more redesign recommendations for a component in the simulated model based on redesign recommendation rules. The system may include a display generator for displaying the redesign recommendations to a first user.
US08942962B2
A method, system and computer program product for measured value simulation. The method including the steps of: observing measured values of an event to provide observed values, where the step of observing starts at a predetermined observation time; concurrently running a plurality of simulations, where the simulations have behaviors that are characterized by different parameters and start at the predetermined observation time; producing a discrete distribution at a predetermined timing after the predetermined observation time, where the discrete distribution are based on distances between the measured values provided by the predetermined timing and calculation of the simulations; and producing a second plurality of simulations based on the discrete distribution.
US08942959B2
An output of a photovoltaic (PV) device is predicted by applying Fourier analysis to historical data to obtain frequencies and a mean of the frequencies in the data. Regression analysis is applied to the data to obtain a regression coefficient. Then, the prediction is a sum of the mean at the time step and a deviation from the mean at a previous time step, wherein the means are represented and approximated by selected frequencies, and the deviation for the previous time step is weighted by the regression coefficient.
US08942952B2
A first third harmonic component removing portion calculates an approximate value (sin θ)n of a signal sin θ that is an output signal of a first magnetic sensor from which third harmonic components have been removed. A second third harmonic component removing portion calculates an approximate value (cos θ)n of a signal cos θ that is an output signal of a second magnetic sensor from which third harmonic components have been removed. A rotation angle calculation portion calculates a rotation angle θ of a rotor based on the approximate value (sin θ)n of sin θ, which has been calculated by the first third harmonic component removing portion and the approximate value (cos θ)n of cos θ, which has been calculated by the second third harmonic component removing portion.
US08942942B2
A controller for a generator set is disclosed. The controller may have a memory module having stored therein calibration factors associated with an offset error, a scale error, and a time delay error, and a processor module in communication with the memory module. The processor module may be configured to monitor at least one parameter of electric power directed from the generator set to a load, detect connection of the generator set to the load, and determine adjustments to the calibration factors after connection of the generator set to the load based on a comparison of the at least one parameter monitored by the processor module and measured at the load.
US08942941B2
An apparatus for modifying an output signal indicative of a downhole parameter that may include a carrier conveyable in a wellbore; a negative error compensator; and an output signal device. The negative error compensator may be configured to modify the output of the device to increase or decrease a characteristic of the output signal from the output signal device. Also, a method for modifying an output signal indicative of a downhole parameter that may include modifying a characteristic of an output signal produced by a output signal device in a wellbore using a negative error compensator.
US08942928B2
Methods and are provided for determining, monitoring or detecting particle size distribution of a medium. An example method includes comparing a measured ultrasound attenuation spectrum of the medium with a calculated attenuation spectrum, where the calculated attenuation spectrum is obtained by accounting for the scattering of ultrasound waves into the receiver. The methods of the present invention can be used to determine particle size distribution in a dense suspension of particles in the intermediate wavelength regime. In other aspects, methods of the present invention may also be used to monitor changes in particle size distribution, infer the shape of particles, provide feedback to a process involving a change in particle size, and determine the completion of a dissolution process.
US08942921B1
An apparatus provides street-level images that include entertainment information. The apparatus may include a memory that stores at least one street-level image that includes a sign for displaying entertainment information. The sign may be located anywhere in the street-level image and the apparatus may be operative to identify a geometric shape associated with the sign. The geometric shape may define where entertainment information is to be displayed. Moreover, the apparatus may be operative to define different regions within the geometric shape such that the different regions display different types of entertainment information. Moreover, the entertainment information may be selectable by a user such that selection of the entertainment information displays a graphic, audiovisual file, or other media to the user regarding the selected entertainment information.
US08942920B1
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for determining the accuracy of map data. In one embodiment, map data and collected telematics data can be compared. The difference between the map data and the telematics data can be used to determine the accuracy of the map data.
US08942915B2
Method for identifying an airplane in connection to parking of the airplane at a gate or a stand, for possible connection of a passenger bridge (1) or a loading bridge to a door of an airplane, where the airplane is positioned and stopped at a predetermined position using a touchless measurement of the distance between the airplane and a fixed point, where the distance is indicated on a display (6) mounted in front of the pilot of the airplane on for instance an airport building (7), which display (6) shows the position of the airplane (5) in relation to a stop point for the airplane and shows the current airplane type, where the distance measurement and display are caused to be activated by a computer system (20) belonging to the airport or manually, and wherein an antenna (16) is caused to receive information (17) transmitted by an airplane.
US08942914B2
Methods and system are provided for scheduling and negotiating air traffic within an airspace surrounding an airport and scheduled to land at the airport. An air traffic control (ATC) system is used to monitor the altitudes, speeds and lateral routes of aircraft. The ATC system generates a scheduled time-of-arrival (STA) at one or more meter fix points associated with the airport, the STA is stored, and data is received or inferred with the ATC system for at least a first of the aircraft, including a minimum fuel-cost speed and predicted trajectory parameters of the first aircraft based on current values of its existing trajectory parameters. Auxiliary data, including earliest and latest estimated time-of-arrival (ETAmin) and (ETAmax) at the meter fix point, STA being within/ outside ETAmin, ETAmax are generated, instructions are transmitted to the first aircraft, and the STA is updated for each aircraft stored in a queue.
US08942912B2
Method for estimating NOx creation in a combustion process of an engine including a variable volume combustion chamber includes monitoring engine sensor inputs including a cylinder pressure within the combustion chamber. A mass fraction burn value for combustion can be modeled within the combustion chamber based upon said sensor inputs, wherein said mass fraction burn value indexes a crank angle at which a selected percentage of injected fuel is burned in a combustion cycle. The state of combustion within the combustion chamber can be estimated based upon the mass fraction burn value, the state of combustion including a combustion phasing and a combustion strength. NOx creation within the combustion chamber can be estimated with a non-linear function based upon said state of combustion.
US08942908B2
An engine control system includes a coordinated torque control (CTC) module, a diagnostic module, and an actuator limiting module. The CTC module determines a first position for a throttle valve of a spark-ignition, internal combustion engine and controls opening of the throttle valve based on the first position. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses an engine shutdown fault and disables the control of the opening of the throttle valve based on the first position when the engine shutdown fault is diagnosed. The actuator limiting module determines a second position for the throttle valve based on an accelerator pedal position, selects a lesser one of the first and second positions, and selectively limits the opening of the throttle valve to the lesser one of the first second positions when the engine shutdown fault is diagnosed.
US08942905B2
A safeguard system for a vehicle is provided which works as an unintended operation control system. The safeguard system works to calculate an accelerator-manipulated variable representing a degree to which an accelerator of the vehicle is manipulated. When it is found that the accelerator-manipulated variable has dropped at a given rate and then risen within a preselected rise time period, the safeguard system determines that such an operation is an unintended action and controls an operation of the vehicle such as acceleration or speed of the vehicle to minimize the probability of encountering a hazard to the vehicle.
US08942879B2
A hybrid drive device having an input member drivingly coupled to an internal combustion engine. Control is performed so that motor torque output by the motor produces at least a part of inertia torque needed for rotation change of input-related members during the shifting. The control device limits the motor torque in an inertia phase during the shifting to a set value that has been set to or below a value having a smaller absolute value between values of performance limit torque of the motor at times before and after the shifting, sets a target input rotational speed of the input member during the shifting, and controls the engagement state of the friction engagement elements that control the rotation change of the input-related members in the inertia phase so as to generate the inertia torque calculated from the target input rotational speed in the input-related members.
US08942873B2
Disclosed is charging safety control system for a fuel-cell vehicle. In particular, a charging switch is provided in a fuel-cell vehicle to be manipulated in hydrogen charging as well as a vehicle speed detector for detecting a current vehicle speed. A controller within the vehicle is configured to receiving a signal corresponding to on/off-manipulation of the charging switch and a detected current vehicle speed and control the ignition of the vehicle based thereon. Particularly, the controller is configured to switch off the ignition of the vehicle upon receiving the on-manipulation signal of the charging switch, and upon determining that the vehicle is stopped based on the current vehicle speed.
US08942871B2
Water contained in exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack is separated by a gas-liquid separator and is accumulated in a recovery tank. The procedure of the invention sets a release amount of water and selects one or multiple positions for water release, based on the driving conditions including the vehicle speed and the acceleration, the turning state, activation or non-activation of skid reduction control, the distance from any object detected by clearance sonars, a distance from a subsequent vehicle measured by an extremely high frequency radar, and the presence of raindrops detected by a raindrop detection sensor, and releases the water accumulated in the recovery tank from water outlets at the selected one or multiple positions among water outlets at multiple different locations. This arrangement ensures adequate release of the water produced by the fuel cell stack to the atmosphere.
US08942869B2
A tower control system, under an indexing mode of operation, receives a first signal from rail yard equipment. In response to the first signal, the tower control system establishes a positioning mode of operation. Under the positioning mode of operation, and in response to actuation of an interface of the tower control system, the tower control system sends a second signal to a lead powered rail vehicle of a consist. The second signal includes a first command to adjust a throttle setting of the lead powered rail vehicle, along with a second command to idle a throttle of any remote powered rail vehicle of the consist.
US08942865B2
Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and an off-board network are provided. The method includes pre-loading data for the aircraft onto a secure power unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the secure power unit, validating the aircraft at the secure power unit based on air traffic management information, absolute (GMT) time, and aircraft location data, and transferring data between the aircraft and the secure power unit based on the validation.
US08942858B2
A controlling device comprises: a temperature ramp-up time estimating portion for estimating a required temperature ramp-up time for the controlled quantity in each individual control loop to reach a set point when the operating quantity output upper limit value of each individual control loop has been sent to a specified output upper limit value; a required output estimating portion for estimating, for each individual control loop, a required operating quantity output for the controlled quantity to reach the set point within the temperature ramp-up time; an output upper limit value setting portion for setting, temporarily, the operating quantity output as the operating quantity output upper limit value of the individual control loop; and a controlling portion that is provided for each individual control loop.
US08942856B2
A power delivery system includes at least one conductor having a first end and a second end and a phasor measurement unit (PMU) coupled to the first end of the conductor. The PMU is configured to obtain phasor data at the first end and generate a phasor signal that includes the phasor data. The power delivery system also includes a power generation system coupled to the second end of the conductor and configured to provide power to the conductor. The power generation system includes a power source, a power converter, and a controller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the PMU and is configured to receive the phasor signal and control the power converter based at least partially on the phasor data.
US08942855B2
A power distribution system for distributing an electric power charged in a battery to a plurality of dwelling units includes a power generation device which has a independent power generation function and is configured to generate an electric power and charge the battery with at least a part of the electric power thus generated, a first control device having a residual amount measuring unit for measuring a residual amount of the electric power charged in the battery and a plurality of second control devices which are provided in a corresponding relationship with the dwelling units and make communications with the first control device. The first control device is configured to adjust an amount of the electric power supplied from the battery to the dwelling units based on a measurement result of the residual amount measuring unit and information received from each of the second control devices.
US08942851B1
A device which permits two additional tools to be attached to the robot arm of a Talon® robot with remote operation of these same tools, from the existing operator control unit. The invention permits an operator to merely carry two tools down range while preserving full use of the robot's gripper, and then allow an operator to remotely use those two tools. These do not increase the amount of space the robot occupies, and still allow for continued use of existing equipment.
US08942849B2
A humanoid robot equipped with an interface for natural dialog with an interlocutor is provided. Previously, the modalities of dialog between humanoid robots equipped moreover with evolved displacement functionalities and human beings are limited notably by the capabilities for voice and visual recognition processing that can be embedded onboard said robots. The present disclosure provides robots are presently equipped with capabilities to resolve doubt on a several modalities of communication of the messages that they receive and for combining these various modalities which make it possible to greatly improve the quality and the natural character of dialogs with the robots' interlocutors. This affords simple and user-friendly means for carrying out the programming of the functions making it possible to ensure the fluidity of these multimodal dialogs.
US08942845B2
A robot includes a gripping section and a main body section to which the pair of finger sections are attached, having one end sections of the pair of finger sections rotatably connected to each other around a first rotating shaft disposed at a position separate from the main body section, and adapted to open and close the pair of finger sections by swinging the other side of the pair of finger sections on a plane parallel to a mounting surface on which an object is mounted centered on the first rotating shaft to thereby grip the object, a moving device adapted to relatively move the object and the gripping section, and a control device adapted to control the moving device to move the gripping section relatively toward the object, and grip the object with the gripping section at at least three contact points.
US08942842B2
A method of generating a library of reference spectra includes storing an optical model for a layer stack having at a plurality of layers, receiving user input identifying a set of one or more refractive index functions and a set of one or more extinction coefficient functions a first layer from the plurality of layers, wherein the set of one or more refractive index functions includes a plurality of different refractive index functions or the set of one or more extinction coefficient functions includes a plurality of different extinction coefficient functions, and for each combination of a refractive index function from the set of refractive index functions and an extinction coefficient function from the set of extinction coefficient functions, calculating a reference spectrum using the optical model based on the refractive index function, the extinction coefficient function and a first thickness of the first layer.
US08942839B2
The description refers to a method, computer program product, and computer system for displaying a chart for production planning. The chart includes a timeline, a material area associated with each of one or more materials and a resource area associated with each of one or more resources. The chart also includes a material sufficiency indicator provided within one or more of the material areas to indicate whether or not a sufficient amount of the associated material is available at one or more identified times to meet a demand of the one or more scheduled operations. The chart includes a scheduling hint that is displayed within a material area when an operation identifier has been selected. The scheduling hint identifies one or more portions within the material area for a material as providing either sufficient material or insufficient material for performance of the operation associated with the selected operation identifier.
US08942838B2
This disclosure provides a method and system for measurement system analysis (MSA) that present a structured and effective way of performing an MSA. The MSA system and method involves determination of a category of MSA for a measurement system based on an application of the measurement system, a quantification of measurement variation, calculation of a decision rule value based on the quantified measurement variation and a decision rule associated with the determined category, a determination of whether the measurement system is capable of performing MSA for the category based on a comparison of the calculated decision rule value and a decision rule threshold value, and applying a measurement system determined as capable for performing MSA to manage.
US08942834B2
An industrial control system includes an industrial controller and a programming interface. The programming interface is operable to communicate a plurality of operations for modifying a control program maintained by the industrial controller followed by a commit transaction command. The industrial controller is configured to designate the plurality of operations with a pending status and preprocess the plurality of operations. The industrial controller is further configured to commit the operations and clear the pending status responsive to receiving the commit transaction command.
US08942824B2
By targeting on selected branches or fascicles of a vagus nerve using electrode placement and/or selection, one or more target branches of the vagus nerve are substantially activated by electrical stimulation pulses delivered to a branch without substantially activating one or more non-target branches. In one embodiment, vagus nerve stimulation is delivered through an electrode placed on a thoracic vagus nerve that is separated from a recurrent laryngeal nerve, such that the vagus nerve is stimulated without causing laryngeal muscle contractions. In another embodiment, vagus nerve stimulation is delivered through a multi-contact electrode with one or more contacts selected for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses to stimulate the vagus nerve without causing laryngeal muscle contractions.
US08942822B2
A visual apparatus includes at least one set of probes and a signal generation unit. The at least one set of probes includes a plurality of probes. The signal generation unit is configured to generate a stimulation pattern signal corresponding to information on color, and to input, to at least a part of an area ranging from a retina to a visual nerve, a plurality of pattern signals as the generated stimulation pattern signal via the plurality of probes in the at least one set of probes.
US08942820B2
An implantable electrode lead comprising an electric supply lead. The electric supply lead is designed to assume, after implantation of the electrode lead in a deformable supply lead section, a shape that is changed such that it induces higher inductance in the deformable supply lead section after deformation than before deformation, wherein the inductance is at least 0.1 μH. The implantable electrode lead can also comprise an outer sleeve within which the supply lead is disposed. The electric supply lead is designed to assume, after implantation of the electrode lead in a deformable supply lead section, a shape that has changed compared to the original shape thereof. The supply lead is also designed and disposed inside the sleeve such that the supply lead, in the deformable supply lead section thereof, is deformable relative to the outer sleeve and inside the outer sleeve.
US08942819B2
Various neural stimulator embodiments comprise controller circuitry, neural stimulation output circuitry, sensor circuitry and a memory. The neural stimulation output circuitry is configured to deliver the neural stimulation. The controller circuitry is configured to control stimulation parameters of the neural stimulation delivered by the neural stimulation output circuitry. The sensor circuitry, including at least one sensor, is configured to sense a response to the neural stimulation. The controller is configured to communicate with the sensor circuitry. The memory has instructions stored therein, operable on by the controller circuitry. The instructions include instructions for delivering neural stimulation using the neural stimulation output circuitry, instructions for controlling a titration sweep wherein the titration sweep varies stimulation parameter values, and instructions for monitoring a response to the titration sweep and automatically selecting stimulation parameters that provide an efficacious neural stimulation and provide a desirable safety margin to prevent injury to neural tissue.
US08942813B1
Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a combination electroencephalography and non-invasive stimulation devices. Upon measuring an electrical anomaly in a region of a brain, various non-invasive stimulation techniques are utilized to correct neural activity. Stimulation techniques include transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial alternating current stimulation and transcranial random noise stimulation, low threshold transcranial magnetic stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation. Devices of the disclosed technology may utilize visual, balance, auditory, and other stimuli to test the subject, analyze necessary brain stimulations, and administer stimulation to the brain.
US08942806B2
According to some methods, for example, preprogrammed in a microprocessor element of an implantable cardiac pacing system, at least one of a number of periodic pacing threshold searches includes steps to reduce an evoked response amplitude threshold for evoked response signal detection. The reduction may be to a minimum value measurable above zero, for example, as determined by establishing a ‘noise floor’. Alternately, amplitudes of test pacing pulses and corresponding post pulse signals are collected and reviewed to search for a break, to determine a lower value to which the evoked response threshold may be adjusted without detecting noise. Subsequent to reducing the threshold, if no evoked response signal is detected for a test pulse applied at or above a predetermined maximum desirable pulse energy, an operational pacing pulse energy is set to greater than or equal to the maximum desirable in conjunction with a reduction in pacing rate.
US08942800B2
An automated external defibrillator (AED) and methods for a corrective CPR prompting system. The AED includes a sensor that obtains compression measurement data of CPR chest compressions and a control system including a microprocessor programmed to run a non-parametric, Information-Theoretic analysis of the compression measurement data. The analysis includes ranking provided compression measurement data, determining a prompt time TN for review, locating the compression measurement data at TN in an initial expected histogram of depth and rate aspects of the compression data measurements with upper and lower limits, that divides the intervals of the histogram into a plurality of sections, weighting the compression measurement data based on a plurality of factors, deriving information content of the compression measurement data by mapping a probability density function into an information content function, and determining if a particular corrective prompt is necessary. The AED also includes a prompting device that provides corrective CPR.
US08942796B2
An exercise determination method includes: acquiring a detection value from an acceleration sensor; and controlling, by a processor, starting or stopping of a heart rate sensor depending on the acquired detection value. An electronic device includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to acquire a detection value from an acceleration sensor, and control starting or stopping of a heart rate sensor depending on the acquired detection value.
US08942793B2
A method and system for discriminating ventricular arrhythmia is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method can include implementing an arrhythmia discrimination algorithm that can discriminate between supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) using at least one programmable parameter programmed to a first value. The method can include analyzing an SVT event, where analyzing the SVT event can include sensing a physiological signal during the SVT event and identifying characteristics of the sensed physiological signal. The method can further include analyzing a cardiac signal to classify the cardiac signal as either an SVT or a VT using the arrhythmia discrimination algorithm with the programmable parameter (programmed to a second value. The second value can be determined from the identified characteristics of the sensed physiological signal.
US08942792B2
A method for generating an ECG measurement associated with a point on a patient's body such as one of the precordial points is disclosed for use with an apparatus that cannot make contact with the leg and the point simultaneously. The method includes simultaneously recording a hand signal and a leg signal during a first time period. The hand signal is also measured during a second time period together with a chest signal corresponding to one of the precordial points. A signal representing the leg signal in the second time period is then computed from the first time period data. A reference signal is then generated from the hand signal and computed leg signal during the second time period. The reference signal is then combined with the chest signal to provide the corresponding precordial signal.
US08942787B2
An iteration method for computing a distribution of one or more properties within an object comprises defining a first mesh of the object, applying an excitation to the object, computing a response of the object to the applied excitation, obtaining a reference response of the object corresponding to the applied excitation, computing a distribution of one or more properties of the object, and updating at least a subset of the nodes of the first mesh to form an updated mesh of the object. The distribution of one or more properties of the object is computed using the computed response, the reference response, and the first mesh. The first mesh includes a plurality of nodes and elements. A connectivity relationship of the subset of the nodes in the updated mesh remains the same as in the first mesh.
US08942786B2
Methods and systems for determining the position of an object, such as tracking the position of one or more catheters in a patient's heart cavity are disclosed herein.
US08942785B2
A probe is provided. The probe may include a shaft portion rotatably attachable to a position sensing device, a nonlinear portion at least partially removed from a center axis of the shaft portion, and a tip disposed at a distal end of the nonlinear portion and positioned on the center axis. The nonlinear portion may be selectably rotatable about the center axis to one of a plurality of rotational orientations. The tip may have a substantially constant position relative to the position sensing device.
US08942780B2
Miniaturized, five and six degrees-of-freedom magnetic sensors, responsive to pulsed DC magnetic fields waveforms generated by multiple transmitter options, provide an improved and cost-effective means of guiding medical instruments to targets inside the human body. The end result is achieved by integrating DC tracking, 3D reconstructions of pre-acquired patient scans and imaging software into a system enabling a physician to internally guide an instrument with real-time 3D vision for diagnostic and interventional purposes. The integration allows physicians to navigate within the human body by following 3D sensor tip locations superimposed on anatomical images reconstructed into 3D volumetric computer models. Sensor data can also be integrated with real-time imaging modalities, such as endoscopes, for intrabody navigation of instruments with instantaneous feedback through critical anatomy to locate and remove tissue. To meet stringent medical requirements, the system generates and senses pulsed DC magnetic fields embodied in an assemblage of miniaturized, disposable and reposable sensors functional with both dipole and co-planar transmitters.
US08942777B2
The present invention involves a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals, including the determination of a measurement of correlation in the measured signals during a calculation of a physiological parameter of a monitored patient. Use of this invention is described in particular detail with respect to blood oximetry measurements.
US08942776B2
A method of monitoring a subject includes attaching a sensor module having at least one optical emitter and detector to a body of the subject, delivering light from the at least one optical emitter into the body of the subject via a first light guide that is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter, and collecting light from the body of the subject via a second light guide that is in optical communication with the at least one optical detector. The first light guide has a proximal end optically coupled to the at least one optical emitter and delivers light from the at least one optical emitter via a distal end thereof. The second light guide has a proximal end optically coupled to the at least one optical detector and collects light from the body of the subject via the distal end thereof.
US08942766B2
The present invention relates to a node in a wireless communication system, the node having a central point and comprising at least two antenna functions. Each antenna function is arranged to cover a corresponding sector area, the sector areas being positioned around the central point successively such that each sector area is adjacent to at least one other sector area separated by corresponding borders. The polarization of at least one of said antenna functions is variable between the borders of the corresponding sector area such that for each border, the polarizations of the antenna functions at each side of the border are essentially orthogonal at the border. The present invention also relates to a corresponding wireless communication system and corresponding antenna functions.
US08942762B1
Disclosed herein are methods and systems that may help to adjust, e.g., CDMA paging and access parameters in a coverage area, based on the prevalence of devices that are configured for enhanced circuit switch fallback (eCSFB) in the coverage area. For example, a base station in a radio access network (RAN) may: (a) determine a measure CSFB-device prevalence in a coverage area, (b) use the measure of CSFB-device prevalence in the coverage area as a basis for adjusting one or more parameters for communications with via a first channel (e.g., a CDMA paging or access channel), and (c) apply the one or more adjusted parameters to communications with devices via the first channel.
US08942761B2
A communication structure may include a mobile terminal ground plane including a ground point. A primary radiator is electrically coupled to the ground point. A first antenna branch includes a first filter circuit that is coupled between a first point on the primary radiator and a first antenna port and that corresponds to a first frequency band. A second antenna branch includes a second filter circuit that is coupled between a second point on the primary radiator and a second antenna port that corresponds to a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band. In addition, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or receiver may be provided with the ground plane and the primary radiator being electrically coupled to the RF transmitter and/or receiver.
US08942759B2
A detected information correction apparatus configured to correct detected information, includes: a usage status detecting configured to detect status information on the basis of detected information detected by one or more sensors, the status information indicating how a portable apparatus is being used; a correction data acquiring configured to acquire correction data at specific timing intervals, the correction data being used to correct the detected information; and a detected information correcting configured to correct the detected information with the correction data.
US08942755B1
A method and system are provided for dynamically adjusting gain in a cell site. Network devices, such as an eNodeB, NodeB, base transceiver station, base station server, radio network controller, and base station controller can provide instructions directly or through remote radio heads to an amplification system to change the power distribution levels. The instructions are received over an AISG protocol and cause a mechanical motor in an amplification system to move a magnetic core in a solenoid causing a change in the electromagnetic field resulting in a change in an electrical current. The change in the electrical current causes a change in gain, thus, resulting in a change in the power distribution level in a cell.
US08942746B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate resource management and admission control with respect to non-members of a closed subscriber group associated with femto access points. A set of parameters can be provisions to a femto access point, wherein the set of parameters specify an access mode, a maximum number of concurrent non-members, and/or a maximum amount of resources assignable to non-members. The femto access point can implement resource scheduling decisions and/or access control decisions in accordance with the set of parameters.
US08942737B2
Measuring a location of a communication terminal using a wireless local area access point based on location coordinates of the access points and location information of a nearby lamp.
US08942716B2
A radio resource control method of controlling a radio resource for transmitting user data by a mobile station via an uplink, including: sending, from a radio base station, a signal indicative of a reduction of a maximum allowable transmission rate of the user data signaled to the mobile station connected to the radio base station, to a radio network controller; and controlling, at the radio network controller, the radio resource based on the reported signal indicative of the reduction of the maximum allowable transmission rate.
US08942715B2
Distributed computing in a wireless communication system. Reports may be received from a plurality of nodes in a wireless communication system. Each respective report may include information regarding computing resources at the respective node. A notification of a request for a computing resource may be received from a first wireless user equipment device. A first node may be selected from the plurality of nodes to provide the computing resource based on the reports received from the plurality of nodes. The first node may be assigned to provide the computing resource.
US08942704B1
In systems and methods of tracking area configuration, a number of tracking area update messages received by a plurality of access nodes using a first tracking area configuration are monitored. It is determined that a number of tracking area update messages received by one of the plurality of access nodes meets an update message criteria. It is also determined that a number of connected wireless devices at the one of the plurality of access nodes meets a connection criteria. When the number of tracking area update messages meets the update message criteria and when the number of connected wireless devices meets the connection criteria, the second tracking area configuration is used at the access node.
US08942703B2
Disclosed is a method for smoothly switching between services to allow networks or devices to coexist. The method of switching between services of a television band device (TVBD) network or device includes: receiving a request for switching between services of the TVBD network or device from a coexistence manager (CM); and transmitting a response with respect to the request to the CM, wherein the services include an information service obtaining, by the TVBD network or device, neighbor information of the TVBD network or device from the CM and a management service providing measurement results to the CM by the TVBD network or device, and the response includes an indicator indicating whether or not the request has been successfully processed.
US08942696B2
The present invention relates to a method and arrangement in a cellular communication system, in particular to methods and arrangements in a user equipment and a network node for reporting cell measurement results. The present invention provides improved methods and arrangements for reporting cell measurements without significantly increasing the complexity in the cell measurement procedure. The user equipment reports the number of transmit antenna ports used for performing cell measurements on each of the neighbouring cell in its measurement report to the network node. The network node receives the number of transmit antenna ports which enables the network to be aware of the actual number of antenna ports that are used for cell measurements.
US08942693B2
Provided is a system and method for targeting one or more receiving data processing systems with data by aiming a sending data processing system at the receiving data processing system(s) and performing a shoot action. Aiming information is transmitted from the sending data processing system to the receiving data processing system(s) to facilitate determining whether or not the one or more receiving data processing systems was targeted by the sending data processing system, for example, to subsequently pull data, push data, or interact. Aiming information may include location information, directional and posture information, distance information, target size, and/or other shooting data to further qualify the shoot action. Permissions and configurations can govern data pulled or pushed. Wave forms which are not controllably aimed by nature can be accurately aimed.
US08942690B2
Access control techniques enable an access terminal to obtain service through an access point. In some aspects, access control techniques may be used to enable a user (e.g., an owner) of an access point to control whether an access terminal obtains service through the access point. For example, a user may temporarily disable access control at an access point to enable access points that register with the access point while access control is disabled to thereafter be allowed to obtain service through the access point. As another example, a shared secret may be provided to an access terminal whereby, upon presenting the shared secret to an access point, the access terminal is allowed to obtain service through the access point.
US08942689B2
A remote administrator to allow a caregiver to configure a user's wireless device includes a master software client in the remote administrator and a controllable software client in the wireless device. Commands transmitted to the wireless device from the remote administrator allow the caregiver to configure the user's wireless device based on user initiated configuration requested.
US08942679B2
A method is disclosed in which a server generates and transmits a reply to a mobile device via a wireless communication link in response to receiving a request from a mobile device. The reply includes first pattern information and data elements retrieved from a logical data model. The mobile device renders a first page on a screen thereof in response to receiving the reply. The first page includes visual representations of the data elements, and the first page presents the visual representations in a first pattern corresponding to the first pattern information.
US08942678B2
In a MBMS system, a base station generates a data control task and a first header control task and second header control task corresponding to each terminal device for a MBMS function module. Each header control task synchronizes a compression state with an associated terminal device and transmits only header information to the terminal device, and the data control task distributes content information to the terminal device separately from header information.
US08942665B2
Embodiments contemplate methods and systems that may route an emergency call from an enterprise user and/or a user in a private number plan, or an emergency call that may be initiated by a service on behalf of the user. Architectural extensions to the IMS emergency services architecture may allow an emergency call to be handled in a home network or a local network in which the user may be visiting (e.g., roaming) such that appropriate public safety systems may be apprised of the emergency communication.
US08942660B2
Techniques for supporting handover of an emergency call between wireless networks are described. A UE may communicate with a first wireless network (e.g., a 3GPP E-UTRAN) for an emergency call and may receive an indication to perform handover to a second wireless network (e.g., a CDMA2000 1xRTT network). In an aspect, the UE may send a message including an emergency indication (an emergency global number, or a reserved emergency number, or some other indication) to initiate handover to the second wireless network. A designated network entity may recognize the emergency call based on the emergency indication and may map the emergency indication to a local emergency number or an Emergency Session Transfer Number for SRVCC (E-STN-SR), which may be used to establish a new incoming call leg to a network server anchoring the emergency call. The UE may then communicate with the second wireless network via the network server for the emergency call after handover.
US08942656B2
In a radio receiver, a method of reducing second order distortion components, involves at a first mixer, mixing an input signal with an oscillator signal to generate an I component of a received radio signal; at a second mixer, mixing the input signal with a phase shifted oscillator signal to generate a Q component of the received radio signal; where the I and Q components of the received signal have a receive bandwidth; computing an estimate of second order distortion components as a power output of the I and Q components between approximately the receive bandwidth and twice the receive bandwidth of the received radio signals; and adjusting an operational parameter of the radio receiver to reduce the estimated value of second order distortion components. This abstract is not to be considered limiting.
US08942651B2
A first radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) stage, a second RF PA stage, and an alpha RF switch are disclosed. The first RF PA stage provides a first RF output signal. During a first alpha mode, the alpha RF switch forwards the first RF output signal to the second RF PA stage, such that the first RF PA stage functions as a driver stage and the second RF PA stage functions as a final stage. However, during one of a group of alpha modes, the alpha RF switch forwards the first RF output signal to provide a corresponding one of a group of alpha transmit signals, such that the first RF PA stage functions as a final stage. Further, the first alpha mode is not one of the group of alpha modes.
US08942645B2
Methods and systems for communication via subbands in a 60 GHz distributed communication system are disclosed and may include enabling one or more antenna configurations in remote RF modules within a wireless communication device based on a measured signal characteristic. The RF modules may receive IF signals from baseband signals via one or more coaxial lines. Output RF signals may be communicated in frequency subbands via the antenna configurations with external devices. The IF signals in the coaxial lines may be tapped at taps coupled to the RF modules. The baseband signals may include video, Internet streamed, and/or data from a local data source. Frequency division duplexed signals may be communicated to a display device. Control signals may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines. The signal characteristic may include a received signal strength indicator, and or a bit error rate. The output RF signals may include 60 GHz subband signals.
US08942637B2
A message playing system includes a plurality of comfort devices, each having a soft, huggable body and an electronic circuit in the body. The electronic circuit includes a WiFi or other wireless communication circuit for wireless electronic message communications. Each comfort device includes a display device for displaying messages. A server is connected over a communication network that includes at least one wireless communication link to each comfort device. The server is configured to receive and store messages and identification information for each message. The server is further configured to transmit the plurality of messages from the server to the comfort devices associated with the messages.
US08942632B2
In some embodiments, an electronic device includes a host processor and a module, coupled to the host processor, to communicate over a wireless network using a first wireless communications protocol. The electronic device also includes a controller, coupled to the host processor and the module, to communicate wirelessly with a remote device using a second wireless communications protocol, to obtain a status of the wireless network from the module independently of the host processor, and to transmit the status of the wireless network to the remote device.
US08942629B2
A communication system and communication method enable various types of near field communication. NFC communication apparatuses have two features in that each can perform communication in two communication modes and that each can perform data transmission at a plurality of transfer rates. The two communication modes consist of a passive mode and an active mode. In the passive mode, between the NFC communication apparatuses, for example, a first NFC communication apparatus transmits data to a second NFC communication apparatus by modulating electromagnetic waves generated by itself, while the second NFC communication apparatus transmits data to the first NFC communication apparatus by performing load modulation on the electromagnetic waves generated by the first NFC communication apparatus. Alternatively, in the active mode, either of the NFC communication apparatuses transmits data by modulating electromagnetic waves generated by itself. The present innovation can be applied to, for example, an IC card system, etc.
US08942622B2
A communication device includes an electrode, a communication unit configured to process a communication signal that is transmitted from/received by the electrode, and a control unit configured to control a communication operation in the electrode and the communication unit depending on a communication state.
US08942616B2
A cleaning member for removing a developer from a surface of a member to be cleaned is provided. The cleaning member includes a blade portion contactable to the member to be cleaned and a flexible supporting member for supporting the blade portion. The supporting member includes a blade supporting portion for supporting the blade portion, a portion to be fixed to a fixing portion, and a bent portion provided at a longitudinal end portion of the blade supporting portion.
US08942612B2
An image heating apparatus includes: first and second rotatable members configured to heat an image on a recording material at a nip therebetween; an endless belt configured to heat the first rotatable member in contact with an outer surface of the first rotatable member; and first and second rollers configured to rotatably support the endless belt from an inside of the endless belt. A heating portion by the endless belt is formed from a position where the endless belt is contacted to the first rotatable member by the first roller to a position where the endless belt is contacted to the first rotatable member by the second roller along a rotational direction of the first rotatable member. A pressure between the second roller and the first rotatable member is larger than a pressure between the first roller and the first rotatable member.
US08942610B2
A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes a tubular member, a nip plate, a heater, a reflection plate, and a backup member. The tubular member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and an axis defining an axial direction. The nip plate is disposed in the internal space, and the inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip plate. A heater is disposed in the internal space and confronts the nip plate in a confronting direction. The reflection plate is configured to reflect radiant heat from the heater toward the nip plate. A backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip plate for nipping the fusing member between the backup member and the nip plate.
US08942608B2
The print performance of an image forming apparatus is improved by adequately estimating the behavior of a sheet receiving separation air and controlling the output of separation air. A fixing control unit 50 controls a shutter drive unit 52 defining the flow passage area on the basis of the displacement detected of the separation claw 42 to control the output of separation air. Since the sheet receiving separation air exerts a force on the separation claw 42, it is possible to estimate whether or not the behavior of the sheet is appropriate by monitoring the displacement of the separation claw 42. While different types of paper may move in different ways, the influence of separation air is dominant in the behavior of a sheet which is conveyed, and therefore the sheet can be prevented from moving in an inappropriate condition by controlling the output of separation air.
US08942601B2
A developer storage container includes a developer storage portion in which a developer is stored, the developer storage portion having a wall, a rotating body rotatably provided in the developer storage portion, and an agitating plate that engages the rotating body and agitates the developer at least in the vicinity of the wall.
US08942600B2
A developing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a developing roller, a development housing, a first agitating screw, a toner supply inlet, a downstream-side reduction wall, and an upstream-side reduction wall. The developing roller is driven to rotate in the development housing, and carries toner on the circumferential surface thereof. Toner is circulated and conveyed in a first conveying path and a second conveying path in the development housing. The first agitating screw is disposed in the first conveying path, and conveys toner in a first direction. The downstream-side reduction wall is disposed downstream of the toner supply inlet. Further, the upstream-side reduction wall is disposed upstream of the toner supply inlet. An accumulation portion for toner is formed downstream and upstream of the toner supply inlet due to the downstream-side reduction wall and the upstream-side reduction wall.
US08942599B2
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a cover to open and close a front of the main body, a tray slidably mounted in the main body through the front of the main body, at least one developing cartridge mounted in the main body in a state in which the developing cartridge is received in the tray, at least one driving coupler member provided at one side of the main body to drive the developing cartridge mounted in the main body, a link member operating simultaneously with opening and closing of the cover to move in a first direction, and a guide member to support the at least one driving coupler member, the guide member operating simultaneously with the link member to move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the guide member is pressed by the link member, when the cover opens the main body, to separate the driving coupler member from the developing cartridge.
US08942590B2
A developing apparatus, including: a developer container; a toner bearing member including a roller portion; a seal; a regulating member; and a development entrance sealing member, wherein the seal includes a contact portion which contacts the roller portion, wherein the contact portion includes a low-friction region including a material on at least a part of a contact surface with the roller portion, wherein the low-frictional region including the material has frictional resistance between the contact surface and the roller portion lower than frictional resistance between the contact portion without the material and the roller portion, and the material reduces the frictional resistance at the contact surface, and wherein a circumferential surface of the roller portion contacting the low-friction region is arranged to face outward in a longitudinal direction of the photoconductor from a contact region of the cleaning unit with the photoconductor.
US08942583B2
An optical sensor is disclosed, including an irradiating system; a first photodetecting system including a first photodetector which is arranged on an optical path of a light which is specularly reflected from a subject; a second photodetecting system including an optical element which is arranged on an optical path of a light which is diffuse reflected from the subject within an incident face in the subject and which separates a linearly polarized component in a second polarizing direction which is orthogonal to a first polarizing direction and a second photodetector which receives a light separated by the optical element; and a restricting member which is arranged on an optical path of an incident light with respect to at least one of the first photodetector and the second photodetector and which restricts a light receiving range in the at least one photodetector.
US08942582B2
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor; an intermediate transfer belt to which a toner image formed on the photoconductor is transferred, the intermediate transfer belt holding the toner image transferred thereto; a first transfer roller that nips the intermediate transfer belt between the first transfer roller and the photoconductor to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor to the intermediate transfer belt; a second transfer roller that transfers the toner image held by the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium; a detection unit that detects an environmental condition; and a separation position changing unit that changes a first separation position in accordance with the environmental condition, the first separation position being a position at which the intermediate transfer belt becomes separated from the first transfer roller.
US08942579B2
The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including: a developing unit; a developer supply unit; a toner density detecting unit; a mode setting unit; a first supply control unit; a second supply control unit; and a second standard value setting unit. The toner density detecting unit detects toner density. The mode setting unit, when toner density detected by the toner density detecting unit is less than a first standard value and a second standard value that is lower than the first standard value or more, sets a first developer supply mode as a mode for supplying developer to the developing unit and when the toner density detected by the toner density detecting unit is less than the second standard value, sets a second developer supply mode as a mode for supplying developer to the developing unit.
US08942577B2
A printing apparatus for performing printing using a recording material includes a plurality of storing units, a movement unit, and an execution unit. The plurality of storing units store the recording material. The movement unit moves one storing unit of the plurality of storing units to a replaceable position. The execution unit execute check processing for checking an operation of a storing unit if all of one storing unit or a plurality of the storing units determined to be lacking the recording material are moved to the replaceable position by the movement unit.
US08942569B2
An optical transmission/reception system includes a modulator for modulating light based on data to output signal light; a transmission-side signal processor performing transmission-side digital signal processing which imparts a polarization change to the signal light by the optical modulation with respect to an input signal; an optical transmitter in which the modulator performs the optical modulation based on the input signal subjected to the transmission-side digital signal processing in the transmission-side signal processor; and an optical receiver including a converter converting the signal light inputted from the optical transmitter via a transmission path to a digital electric signal for each polarization component, and a reception-side signal processor performing reception-side digital signal processing which imparts a polarization change having a property substantially inverse to a property of the polarization change in the transmission-side signal processor with respect to the digital electric signal from the converter.
US08942567B2
An optical receiving device includes multiple input ports to which light is input; multiple amplifiers that are arrayed and provided corresponding to the input ports, respectively, each of the amplifiers amplifying and outputting light input from a corresponding input port among of the input ports; a photo diode that converts light into an electrical signal; and a lens that inputs to the photo diode light output from the amplifiers.
US08942556B2
An optical transceiver having an integrated optical time domain reflectometer monitoring unit and methods for using the same are disclosed. The disclosure relates to an optical transceiver comprising an optical device comprising a wavelength division multiplexing system (WDM), a data signal driver, a data signal limiting amplifier, and an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) data processing module. Furthermore, the optical transceiver is particularly advantageous in an optical line terminal (OLT) and/or a passive optical network (PON). The integrated OTDR data processing module can protect the optical transceiver, ensure successful monitoring data, simplify network wiring and decrease system and network costs by decreasing the number of OTDR modules and WDM units.
US08942547B2
The recorder apparatus includes the controller that sets conversion mode used when input stream is processed and converted into recording stream to any of two-dimensional mode that converts the input stream into two-dimensional recording stream and three-dimensional mode that converts the input stream into three-dimensional recording stream, the controller that sets one recording mode that can be used when the video signal is converted and processed in the two-dimensional mode and the three-dimensional mode and specifies recording rate, and the signal processor that processes the video signal based on the set conversion mode and the set recording mode to convert the video signal into recording video signal. The controller sets the recording modes such that combination of the recording modes that can be set when the two-dimensional mode is set is different from combination of recording modes that can be set when the three-dimensional mode is set.
US08942546B2
An information processing apparatus, as a recording apparatus, formulates a Clip Information file of a still picture file (TS file), made up by plural still pictures, and a PlayList, composed of plural PlayItems, indicating the replay path of a slide show, and records the information on a DVD along with the TS file. The Clip Information file has an EP_map, as a table indicating the relationship of correspondence between the value of the presentation time stamp PTS of the transport stream TS and the source packet number SPN in the TS the PTS value indicates. The information processing apparatus, as a reproducing apparatus, reads out and reproduces the data address of the TS, represented by the replay start time IN_time and the replay end time OUT_time of the PlayItem.
US08942544B2
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a storage part for storing criteria information of a plurality of destinations, and a display control part for performing control to display transmission capability information indicating whether it is possible to transmit, to each of the destinations, a selected motion picture file in a predetermined range selected from a motion picture file by a user, the transmission capability information being derived based on information about the selected motion picture file and the criteria information.
US08942534B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a search information notification section which notifies a search device of search information via a communication section, a search result acquisition section which acquires a plurality of search result pages retrieved from a plurality of search pages, respectively, in accordance with the search information, from the search device via the communication section, and a display control section which causes a display section to display one of the plurality of search result pages acquired by the search result acquisition section from the search device, and which causes the display section to display another one of the plurality of search result pages based on the operation information an input of which is accepted by an input section.
US08942523B2
Optical probe having, independently, an irradiation light guide path for irradiation light and a received light guide path for acquiring radiated light. A first optical fiber configures the irradiation light guide path, and a second optical fiber configures the received light guide path. A condensing lens receives on one surface irradiation light from the first optical fiber and emits same on the other surface, and receives radiated light radiated from the other surface and concentrates same on the side of the first and second optical fibers. The central axis of the exit end of the first optical fiber is deviated relative to the optical axis of the condensing lens, moving reflected light at the condensing lens surface away from, and moving radiated light concentrated by the condensing lens closer to, the center of the light-receiving end of the second optical fiber.
US08942521B2
Disclosed is a planar waveguide element including a first cylindrical lens disposed based on an z-axis and configured to collimate beams emitted from a plurality of emitters of a laser diode bar; a lens array configured to gather the beam emitted from each emitter via the first cylindrical lens; a plurality of first waveguides existing on an x-y plane by a number of the plurality of emitters and configured to gather at one place via a bending section; a taper configured to connect the lens array and each first waveguide, a width of the taper being narrower from the lens array to the plurality of first waveguide; and a combined waveguide configured to combine the plurality of first waveguides into one.
US08942510B2
There is provided an image processing device including an input image acquisition portion that acquires an input image, a past image acquisition portion that acquires a past image of a photographic subject in the input image, a mode selection portion that selects one of modes, using the input image, from among a plurality of modes including a first mode in which the photographic subject in the past image is overlapped with the photographic subject in the input image and a second mode in which the photographic subject in the past image is arranged side by side with the photographic subject in the input image, and a display control portion that superimposes the past image on the input image in accordance with the mode selected by the mode selection portion.
US08942509B2
An apparatus and method creating a ghost-free High Dynamic Range Image (HDRI) based on filtering are provided. It is possible to effectively prevent a ghost phenomenon from occurring when a single HDRI is created from a plurality of LDRIs, by defining a ghost area using a probability based on a global transfer function indicating a relationship for intensities of several frames, rather than searching for or identifying a ghost area in a single or each image.
US08942505B2
The present invention teaches a filter process used in intra or inter prediction of pixel blocks. A first, optionally interpolation, filter is applied in the first filter process to get filtered, optionally interpolated, pixel values. A differential filter and an adaptive gain are utilized in the second process for improving the prediction performance. The adaptivity of the gain can be made even on block basis, allowing a fine tuning of the pixel prediction and/or a fine tuning of pixel rotation and zooming. Alternatively, a combined one-step filter process using the interpolation filter, the differential filter and the adaptive gain is applied to the pixel values.
US08942500B2
Medium having image decoding program effecting: extracting motion vector information, quantized DCT coefficients, and rounding method information from input information; dequantizing quantized DCT coefficients to DCT coefficients; performing inverse DCT conversion on the DCT coefficients to an error image; synthesizing a prediction image of a currently decoded image by performing motion compensation using motion vector information, rounding method information, and a previously decoded reference image; and adding the prediction and error images to obtain a decoded image; wherein motion compensation is performed with half-pixel accuracy using bilinear interpolation to calculate intensity values of chrominance or luminance at points where no pixels exist in the reference image, the interpolation performable using a positive or negative rounding method, specified by rounding method information specifying one of plural values and included in coded information of the currently decoded image, in a header section of the coded information of the current image.
US08942486B1
Elements of an electronic image are organized into groups to obtain descriptive data associated with the electronic image. A wide field view of the electronic image is obtained from a first component and a higher resolution image of a selected portion of the wide field view of the electronic image is obtained from a second component to resolve ambiguity associated the selected portion of the wide field view of the electronic image. At least one primitive is formed using pixels of the electronic image, where the primitive is a curve primitive or a region primitive. The at least one primitive is analyzed using at least one level in a ladder of abstraction to organize elements of the electronic image into groups from which descriptive data can be obtained about at least one of objects or activities associated with the electronic image.
US08942482B2
Methods and systems for image quality assessment are disclosed. A method includes accessing an image, identifying features of the image, assessing the features and generating subjective scores for the features based upon a mapping of the features to the subjective scores and based on the subjective scores, generating an image quality score. Access is provided to the image quality score.
US08942481B2
Disclose embodiments include an image processor for feature detection comprising a single non-planar chip containing a plurality of integrated sensing and processing resources across two or more layers adapted to capture image frames and extract image features. In a particular embodiment, the non-planar chip is a three dimensional CMOS integrated circuit (3D CMOS IC) with vertical distribution of sensing and processing resources across two or more vertical integrated circuit layers. The 3D CMOS IC implements two or more feature detectors in a single chip by reusing a plurality of circuits employed for gradient and keypoint detection. Feature detectors include a scale invariant feature transform detector (SIFT), a Harris-based feature detector, and a Hessian-based feature detector.
US08942476B1
Color contributions from one or more light sources to scene entities are separated from the scene entities' respective unilluminated colors. This enables the color contributions of light sources as well as scene entities' unilluminated colors to be adjusted or modified independently of each other. Light source color contributions may be combined by groups of light sources, by light source to scene entity interaction, and/or by light source type. Adjustments to light source color contributions and/or unilluminated colors may be performed using a saturation varying color space or general tone mapping techniques. The light source color contributions and unilluminated colors of scene entities may be employed in contexts including an image processing application and within or as a shader of a renderer.
US08942472B2
With a pixel included in image data as a reference pixel, a pixel that shares the same pixel value as the reference pixel or a pixel similar to the reference pixel is judged as a shared pixel, and for the pixel judged as the shared pixel, color of the reference pixel is regarded as a color judgment result of the shared pixel, thus making it possible to reduce color calculation processing for the shared pixel. This makes it possible to provide a color judging apparatus operating at higher speed and the like. Thereby, it is possible to provide the color judging apparatus operable at high speed and the like by reducing the number of times of the color calculation processing executed for an input image.
US08942469B2
A method for classifying a video regarding a subjective characteristic, the method comprising: measuring a plurality of basic features (11) per frame thus obtaining a plurality of basic features measurements; creating a plurality of second-level features by pooling (12) said basic features (11) measurements using a plurality of statistics of said basic features measurements in a determined period of time of footage; creating a plurality of video features by pooling (13) said plurality of second-level features using a plurality of statistics of said second level features along the duration of the video; choosing at least one video feature of said plurality of video features for classifying a video regarding a subjective characteristic.
US08942460B2
According to one embodiment, storage unit stores three-dimensional function image data concerning a function index of the heart. The extraction unit extracts a myocardial region from the three-dimensional function image data. The normalization unit normalizes the distance between the inner wall and outer wall of the myocardial region with a predetermined numerical value range. The generation unit generates a bull's eye map expressing a spatial distribution of pixel values at positions on the myocardial region by two-dimensional polar coordinates. The positions correspond to predetermined values in the predetermined numerical value range. The display unit displays the bull's eye map.
US08942457B2
The present invention relates to navigating an interventional device. In particular, the invention relates to a system for navigating an interventional device within a tubular structure of an object, a method for navigating an interventional device within a tubular structure of an object as well as a computer program element and a computer-readable medium. In order to provide enhanced information to the user in an easily comprehensible manner while keeping the X-ray dose to a minimum, a system and a method for navigating an interventional device within a tubular structure of an object are provided, wherein the method comprised the following steps: a) Acquiring 2D X-ray fluoroscopy image data in one projection geometry of a region of interest of the tubular structure; b) detecting the interventional device in the 2D X-ray image; c) determining the 2D position of the interventional device in the 2D X-ray image; d) registering the at least one 2D X-ray image with a previously acquired 3D dataset of the region of interest of the tubular structure; e) mapping the determined 2D position of the interventional device to a position in the 3D dataset; f) extracting local 3D parameters of the tubular structure at the position of the interventional device; g) generating navigational information on behalf of the determined 3D position of the interventional device and the extracted local 3D parameters; and h) providing the navigational information to the user.
US08942446B2
A system (10) and method (20) for planning a neurosurgical operation are provided the system (10) comprises an input (11) for receiving functional data (25) and anatomical data of a brain region (31), and a processor (12) configured to perform the method (20) according to the invention. The method (20) comprises analyzing (26) the functional data (25) to form a network representation (27) of functional connections, mapping the network representation (27) of the functional connections and the anatomical data to a common coordinate system, determining an expected function loss associated with a simulated removal of network nodes (32) or network connections (42) from the network representation (27), and identifying critical network connections and/or critical network nodes based on the expected function loss.
US08942438B2
Methods and apparatuses for authenticating a biometric scanner, such as swipe type finger print scanners, involves estimating unique intrinsic characteristics of the scanner (scanner pattern), that are permanent over time, and can identify a scanner even among scanners of the same manufacturer and model. Image processing and analysis are used to extract a scanner pattern from images acquired with the scanner. The scanner pattern is used to verify whether the scanner that acquired a particular image is the same as the scanner that acquired one or several images during enrollment of the biometric information. Authenticating the scanner can prevent subsequent security attacks using counterfeit biometric information on the scanner, or on the user authentication system.
US08942436B2
An image including a face is input (S201), a plurality of local features are detected from the input image, a region of a face in the image is specified using the plurality of detected local features (S202), and an expression of the face is determined on the basis of differences between the detection results of the local features in the region of the face and detection results which are calculated in advance as references for respective local features in the region of the face (S204).
US08942433B2
A system for scheduling and recording interpersonal interactions using biometric validation to verify user identity and assure user conformance with preselected criteria upon which approval of an interpersonal interaction is contingent.
US08942431B2
Disclosed are computer-implemented methods and systems for authentication of users through capturing and analyzing biometrics data such as keystroke dynamics. Once the keystroke dynamics is acquired, a corresponding feature vector related is calculated by calculating multiple sub-feature values using various algorithms such as normalization, relations between keystroke dynamics events, relations of sums of various sub-feature values, and so forth. The feature vector is then selectively compared to a group of reference feature vectors associated with the user. If it is determined that the newly obtained feature vector is similar to the selected group reference feature vectors, the user is authenticated. The process of determining similarity involves decomposition of feature vectors and reference feature vectors onto multiple sub-vectors and calculation similarity therebetween.
US08942430B2
Methods and apparatuses for authenticating a biometric scanner, such as area type finger print scanners, involves estimating unique intrinsic characteristics of the scanner (scanner pattern), that are permanent over time, and can identify a scanner even among scanners of the same manufacturer and model. Image processing and analysis are used to extract a scanner pattern from images acquired with the scanner. The scanner pattern is used to verify whether the scanner that acquired a particular image is the same as the scanner that acquired one or several images during enrollment of the biometric information. Authenticating the scanner can prevent subsequent security attacks using counterfeit biometric information on the scanner, or on the user authentication system.
US08942423B2
In one embodiment, a method of detecting centerline of a vessel is provided. The method comprises steps of acquiring a 3D image volume, initializing a centerline, initializing a Kalman filter, predicting a next center point using the Kalman filter, checking validity of the prediction made using the Kalman filter, performing template matching, updating the Kalman filter based on the template matching and repeating the steps of predicting, checking, performing, and updating for a predetermined number of times. Methods of automatic vessel segmentation and temporal tracking of the segmented vessel is further described with reference to the method of detecting centerline.
US08942418B2
A method of providing a descriptor for at least one feature of an image comprises the steps of providing an image captured by a capturing device and extracting at least one feature from the image, and assigning a descriptor to the at least one feature, the descriptor depending on at least one parameter which is indicative of an orientation, wherein the at least one parameter is determined from the orientation of the capturing device measured by a tracking system. The invention also relates to a method of matching features of two or more images.
US08942417B2
A method for detecting the specimen region includes the first step for the first region detecting unit to detect the first region which is a region with contrast in the first image of an object for observation which is photographed under illumination with visible light, the second step for the second region detecting unit to detect the second region which is a region with contrast in the second image of the object for observation which is photographed under illumination with ultraviolet light, and the third step for the specimen region defining unit to define, based on the first and second regions mentioned above, the specimen region where there exists the specimen in the object for observation.
US08942416B2
This patent application is generally related to watermarking and steganography. One claim recites a method of transmarking an audio or video signal previously embedded with a first digital watermark using a first digital watermark embedding method. The method includes: utilizing a programmed electronic processor, decoding the first digital watermark from the audio or video signal, in which the decoding determines relationships or values associated with local masking opportunities of the media signal; converting the audio or video signal into a different form; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor, embedding decoded message information from the first digital watermark into a second digital watermark in the different form such that the second digital watermark is adapted to robustness or perceptibility parameters associated with the different form. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided as well.
US08942415B1
A system and method is provided wherein, in one aspect, a processor determines whether multiple street level images have captured a nearly-identical face. If so, the images are processed to determine whether the face appears to be part of an advertisement. Once it is determined that the face is displayed on an advertisement, the boundaries of the advertisement may be determined and the location of the advertisement is stored for future use, e.g., potentially replacing the advertisement in the image with a different advertisement.
US08942403B2
A wiring harness for clothing, and garments so equipped. The wiring harness is of asymmetrical configuration, and may extend through channels positioned substantially along reinforced portions of the garment. The wiring harness includes a T-junction from which extend a male media connector and two media cables, a first media cable extending along seams of one side of the garment, and a second media cable extending along a neck portion of the garment from the T-junction at one side to another side, both media cables terminating in male media connectors. The male media connector of the T-junction and the male media connector of the second media cable connect to female media connectors of earphone cables, while the male media connector of the first media cable connects to a female media connector of a portable media device, which may be disposed within a pocket of the garment.
US08942391B2
A distortion compensation system minimizes distortion in an audio system by monitoring a supply voltage and adjusting a clipping threshold and/or compression knee. An adjustable gain circuit controls the gain of the audio signal according whether the audio signal exceeds a variable threshold. The variable threshold is adjusted within a threshold range based on the supply voltage. Distortion due to clipping of the audio signal is minimized while available power at any given time is maximized.
US08942387B2
In one embodiment, a directional microphone array having (at least) two microphones generates forward and backward cardioid signals from two (e.g., omnidirectional) microphone signals. An adaptation factor is applied to the backward cardioid signal, and the resulting adjusted backward cardioid signal is subtracted from the forward cardioid signal to generate a (first-order) output audio signal corresponding to a beampattern having no nulls for negative values of the adaptation factor. After low-pass filtering, spatial noise suppression can be applied to the output audio signal. Microphone arrays having one (or more) additional microphones can be designed to generate second- (or higher-) order output audio signals.
US08942386B2
A method for real-time monitoring of audio signals reception quality includes receiving output signals from a plurality of microphone clusters, each microphone cluster having at least two microphone units to receive audio signals from at least two distinct directions and output corresponding electrical signals; identifying comparative features of output signals for each of the microphone clusters; and selecting at least one microphone cluster based on the identified features. A system for real-time monitoring of audio signals reception quality includes a plurality of microphone clusters, each microphone cluster having at least two microphone units to receive audio signals from at least two distinct directions and output corresponding electrical signals; and a main audio unit to identify comparative features of output signals for each of the microphone clusters and to select at least one microphone cluster based on the identified features.
US08942379B2
An Optical Transport Network (OTN) frame comprises an optical channel payload unit that is divided into a plurality of timeslots. This OTN frame is received at a transmitter and the timeslots are grouped into blocks of timeslots. Two or more blocks of timeslots are selected for encryption and are encrypted/authenticated in parallel to generate an encrypted OTN frame in which only certain blocks of timeslots are encrypted.
US08942375B2
Multiple encryption in a multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless network may include receiving on a first PHY channel of an access point, a request for initiation of a communication session from an originating access device. The received request may be acknowledged on the first PHY channel and the originating access device may be authenticated on a second PHY channel. One or more encryption/decryption keys may be provided for use during the communication session. A third PHY channel or the first or second PHY channels may host the communication session. The authentication information may be requested and delivered to the originating access device via a second PHY channel. The encryption key may be delivered to the originating access device via the first PHY channel or the second PHY channel. Additionally, information may be tunneled over a virtual channel established between the originating and a terminating access device.
US08942374B2
According to an embodiment, an encryption device includes a symmetric-key operation unit; a division unit; an exclusive OR operation unit; a multiplication unit that performs multiplication on a Galois field; and a control unit that controls the above units. When the input data is divided into blocks, with the predetermined length, and the first mode of operation is designated on a (j−1)-th block, the control unit performs control such that the multiplication unit performs multiplication with a predetermined value based on the (j−1)-th block, performs control such that the exclusive OR operation unit sums a multiplication result and data of a j-th block, and performs control such that the exclusive OR operation unit sums an operation result of the exclusive OR operation unit and an operation result of the multiplication unit on the (j−1)-th block.
US08942370B2
A communications device is presented for providing bi-directional audio communications between a near-end user and a far-end user via a bidirectional communications channel. The communications device includes an adaptive echo canceller receiving a near-end audio signal and a far-end audio signal and providing an echo-canceled near-end audio signal for transmission to the far-end user via the communications channel. The adaptive echo canceller includes a first bank of analysis filters for filtering the near-end audio signal, a second bank of analysis filters for filtering the far-end audio signal, and a bank of synthesis filters for filtering sub-band echo-canceled signals generated within the adaptive echo canceller. The first and second filter banks have a frequency response optimized to reduce echo residual gain.
US08942369B2
A service center receives a command from a remote device over a network, where the service center provides support services to users on products on behalf clients. Based on the command, a context element of a route sequence map associated with a user of the remote device is identified, where the identified context element is one of context elements of the route sequence map in a hierarchical structure. Each context element having one or more property values specifying at least one of an action to be performed by the service center and a link to one or more child context elements. It is determined whether the identified context element is an action context element or a navigation context element based on one or more property values associated with the identified context element. If so, an action specified by the identified context is performed.
US08942365B2
A method for monitoring and providing access to back to back scheduled conference calls within a teleconferencing system. The method includes receiving a call and a password entry from a caller. The method includes determining the password entry is valid for a scheduled conference call. The method includes determining the scheduled conference call is scheduled back to back with a previous conference call and that the previous conference call is not over. The method then includes determining the password entry is a specific password, wherein the specific password is issued only to callers accessing back to back scheduled conference calls and placing the caller on hold.
US08942362B2
A communication administration system includes: a administration system, for managing basis information of at least one user; and a service system, for fetching basic information and current location information of a called party from the administration system in response to a communication request from a calling party, obtaining current location information and preference information of the called party from the called party, and generating a communication mechanism scenario according to a communication mechanism system for the calling party to make a selection and to make a call accordingly.
US08942350B2
A radiographic system includes: a radiographic apparatus; a radiation generator that irradiates radiation to the radiographic apparatus; and a console which forms a radiation image based on an image data transmitted from the radiographic apparatus, wherein when a radiation image capturing is completed, a controller transmits thinned-out data in which read-out image data are thinned at a prescribed ratio, to the console, which displays a preview image on a display section based on the thinned-out data, when a rejection operation that rejects the preview image through an input section is conducted, the console transmits a stop signal that instructs the radiographic apparatus to stop a series of processing, and wherein when the controller receives the stop signal, the controller stops the series of processing currently in progress, and returns an operation state of each functional section to an operation state before the radiation image capturing is carried out.
US08942345B2
A method for obtaining a 3D image dataset of an object of interest is proposed. A plurality of 2D X-ray images are captured and a 3D reconstruction is carried out using filtered back projection. The projection parameters have been measured with the aid of a calibrating phantom, possibly using an interpolation or extrapolation of such measurements. A model of effect strings of the components in an X-ray imaging device is obtained, and the model parameters are identified based on imaging of a calibrating phantom. A projection matrix can then be calculated for any positions on any desired trajectories, without having to use imaging of a calibrating phantom at precisely that position and desired trajectory.
US08942338B2
A traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, fuel assembly, and a method of controlling burnup therein. In a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly comprises a plurality of nuclear fission fuel rods that are exposed to a deflagration wave burnfront that, in turn, travels through the fuel rods. The excess reactivity is controlled by a plurality of movable neutron absorber structures that are selectively inserted into and withdrawn from the fuel assembly in order to control the excess reactivity and thus the location, speed and shape of the burnfront. Controlling location, speed and shape of the burnfront manages neutron fluence seen by fuel assembly structural materials in order to reduce risk of temperature and irradiation damage to the structural materials.
US08942336B2
A method and system is provided for detecting the presence of a DVB (digital video broadcasting) transmission. The method includes receiving an RF (radio frequency) signal in a selected channel (1101); creating signal samples from the received RF signal (1102); creating averaged samples from the signal samples, each averaged sample being an average of a predetermined number of signal samples that are separated by a minimum pilot pattern repetition period from one to the next signal sample (1103); correlating the averaged samples with a reference sequence (1104); and comparing a correlation result with a threshold correlation value (1105).
US08942335B2
The burden of designing multiple training sequences for systems having multiple transmit antennas, is drastically reduced by employing a single sequence from which the necessary multiple sequences are developed. The single sequence is selected to create sequences that have an impulse-like autocorrelation function and zero cross correlations. A sequence of any desired length Nt can be realized for an arbitrary number of channel taps, L. The created sequences can be restricted to a standard constellation (that is used in transmitting information symbols) so that a common constellation mapper is used for both the information signals and the training sequence. In some applications a training sequence may be selected so that it is encoded with the same encoder that is used for encoding information symbols. Both block and trellis coding is possible in embodiments that employ this approach.
US08942334B1
Apparatus and methods reduce channel-dependent phase detector offset and/or gain errors. A conventional Mueller-Muller phase detector places a main cursor at the midpoint of a pre-cursor and a post-cursor. However, for example, when the impulse response of an associated transmission line is not symmetric, the main cursor can be misaligned by conventional Mueller-Muller techniques. By providing a replica clock and data recovery path, trial and error experiments on the phase detector offset and/or gain can be performed, and relatively good values found for the phase detector offset and/or gain without disturbing the reception of data by the phase detector that is being used to receive data. These settings can then be used by the phase detector that is being used to receive data, which can improve the bit error rate of the phase detector.
US08942333B2
Apparatuses and methods for phase aligning at least two clocks used by respective first and second circuitry systems, such as a memory controller and a DDR PHY interface in a system on a chip system. A first circuit samples a phase of a first clock used by the first circuitry system, and then a delay circuit selectively delays a second clock used by the second circuitry system and sets a delayed timing of the second clock. To economize resources and reduce chip area, a logic circuit receives the sampled phase of the first clock, determines which delayed timing matches timing of the sampled phase, and sets the delay circuit to a fixed delayed timing corresponding to the delayed timing that matches the sampled phase. Thus, phase alignment of the two clocks is achieved with fewer resources.
US08942331B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for initializing an equalizer in a diversity receiver. In one aspect, the initialization includes estimating a channel impulse response (CIR) for each receiver chain of the diversity receiver; determining noise power estimates for each receiver chain based on the CIRs; and adaptively adjusting equalizer taps of each receiver chain based on the noise power estimates. In one aspect, the adaptive adjusting of the equalizer taps is based on scaling the CIR and covariance metrics for the receiver chain with higher noise power by a scale factor determined from the noise power estimates. In another aspect, the adaptive adjusting of the equalizer taps is based adaptive conditioning on the diagonal of the covariance matrix.
US08942328B2
A timing recovery apparatus for compensating a sampling frequency offset of an input signal is provided. The timing recovery apparatus includes a timing error corrector configured to generate an output signal according to the input signal and a calibration signal, a gain controller configured to adjust at least one of a signal edge low-frequency error component and a signal edge high-frequency error component of the output signal and accordingly generate an adjusted signal, a timing error detector configured to generate an error signal according to the adjusted signal, and a calibration signal generator coupled to the timing error detector and the timing error corrector, for generating the calibration signal according to the error signal and outputting the calibration signal to the timing error corrector to compensate the sampling frequency offset of the input signal.
US08942322B2
The present invention relates to a method of a Relay Node (RN) using a reference signal. The method includes receiving information about a Dedicated Reference Signal (DRS) which is used to demodulate a control channel via high-layer signaling from an evolved-NodeB (eNB), receiving control information through the control channel from the eNB, receiving data through a data channel from the eNB, and demodulating the control information and the data. The control information is demodulated using a DRS indicated by the information about the DRS, and the data are demodulated using a DRS indicated by the control information.
US08942319B2
A multi-phase partial response receiver supports various incoming data rates by sampling PrDFE output values at a selected one of at least two clock phases. The receiver includes a calibration circuit that performs a timing analysis of critical data paths in the circuit, and this analysis is then used to select the particular clock phase used to latch the output values. These techniques permit the multiplexer outputs from for each phase of the partial response receiver to directly drive selection of a multiplexer for the ensuing phase, i.e., by avoiding regions of instability or uncertainty in the respective multiplexer outputs.
US08942315B1
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for implementing frequency calibration circuits. The devices may include a data source configured to generate a first data signal based on a first data value and a second data signal based on a second data value. The devices may include a gain control circuit configured to receive the first and second data signals from the data source, and generate a first modified data signal and a second modified data signal. The devices may include an oscillator circuit configured to generate a first output signal and a second output signal based, at least in part, on the first and second modified data signals. The devices may include a calibration circuit configured to determine an adjustment value based on the first and second output signals, and further configured to change a gain of the gain control circuit based on the determined adjustment value.
US08942314B2
A method for Tx interference cancellation and power detection in a wireless device is described. A portion of a Tx output signal is down-converted to generate a feedback signal. A reconstructed interference signal and a weight are generated based on the feedback signal. A Tx power level is detected based on the weight. The reconstructed interference signal is subtracted from the Tx output signal.
US08942311B2
A method for generating signals to be transmitted within a basic service set (BSS) channel, where a set of component channels is collectively coextensive with the BSS channel, includes determining that a first duplicate, in frequency, of a low bandwidth mode data unit will be located at an edge of the BSS channel. Each duplicate includes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones and has a bandwidth less than the narrowest channel of the component channels. The OFDM tones in each duplicate include one or more data tones, one or more pilot tones, and one or more guard tones. The method also includes generating a transmission signal comprising the duplicates, at least in part by scaling down at least one data tone, and/or zeroing out at least one data tone, of the first duplicate in response to determining that the first duplicate will be located at an edge of the BSS channel.
US08942310B2
Transmission channel estimation is performed for NT×NR reception signals and estimated transmission channel values are thereby output. The estimated transmission channel values are divided into N groups of NT×M estimated transmission channel values and a covariance matrix with M rows and N columns is obtained for each of the estimated transmission channel value groups. The N covariance matrixes are averaged over a predetermined range in terms of at least a time or a frequency (first averaging). Eigenvectors are generated based on respective N averaging outputs. Transmission channels between base station antennas and terminal antennas are generated from the eigenvectors and the estimated transmission channel values. Covariance matrixes are obtained for the generated transmission channels. The covariance matrixes are averaged over a different range from the range used in the first averaging (second averaging) and a beam forming weight is obtained by combining the generated eigenvectors.
US08942303B1
Systems and methods are described for the implementation of a receiver that includes a channel estimation block that uses known pilots to estimate the value of channel gain and phase at data subcarrier indexes. Time interpolation as well as an auto regression filter can be to estimate the channel gain and phase at the “missing” pilot indexes as well as frequency interpolation to estimate the value of the channel at data subcarrier indexes.
US08942302B2
A method and apparatus provide antenna array channel feedback. The method can include receiving, at a wireless terminal, a set of channel state information reference signals. The method can include determining, by the wireless terminal, based on the received set of channel state information reference signals, a precoding matrix that is a product of a first precoding matrix and a second precoding matrix. The first precoding matrix can have at least a representation in terms of a representation matrix. The representation matrix can be based on a matrix selected from a first codebook. The second precoding matrix can be based on a second codebook. The method can include transmitting, by the wireless terminal, a representation of at least one of the first precoding matrix and the second precoding matrix.
US08942300B1
A digitizer system (DS) may include one or more input channels to receive sample data, and an acquisition state machine (ASM) to organize the sample data into one or more acquisition records according to events of interest, and generate framing information corresponding to the one or more acquisition records. The events of interest may be identified by a trigger circuit in the DS, and relayed to the ASM for organizing the sample data. The DS may further include a data interface capable of receiving the one or more acquisition records and the framing information, encoding the one or more acquisition records and the framing information into encoded data, and transmitting the encoded data to an expansion module. The expansion module may receive the encoded data, decode the encoded data, and recover the sample data from the decoded data according to the framing information and the one or more acquisition records.
US08942297B2
In a data transmission system, one or more signal supply voltages for generating the signaling voltage of a signal to be transmitted are generated in a first circuit and forwarded from the first circuit to a second circuit. The second circuit may use the forwarded signal supply voltages to generate another signal to be transmitted back from the second circuit to the first circuit, thereby obviating the need to generate signal supply voltages separately in the second circuit. The first circuit may also adjust the signal supply voltages based on the signal transmitted back from the second circuit to the first circuit. The data transmission system may employ a single-ended signaling system in which the signaling voltage is referenced to a reference voltage that is a power supply voltage such as ground, shared by the first circuit and the second circuit.
US08942286B2
Video coding in which at least two bandwidth values are obtained. A base layer is coded so that a rate of the coded base layer data is less than or equal to the lowest bandwidth. For at least one bandwidth greater than the lowest bandwidth, at least one enhancement layer is coded so that the sum of a rate of the data of the coded enhancement layer and a rate of a subset of data of a reference layer serving as a reference for interlayer prediction of the enhancement layer is less than the bandwidth greater than the lowest bandwidth.
US08942280B1
A timing jitter measurement circuit for measuring timing jitter in the digital domain may use an interpolator bank to over-sample a signal from a media reader, a zero crossing estimator to estimate a zero crossing moment in the output of the interpolator bank and a time interval analyzer (TIA) to calculate the timing jitter as the deviation of the estimated zero crossing moment from an expected zero crossing moment in a clock signal. The timing jitter measurement circuit may be integrated into digital circuitry since it avoids using analog devices. Consequently, it may simplify the chip design, lower power consumption and save space.
US08942269B2
A nitride semiconductor light-emitting device having an optical waveguide includes, in the following order, at least: a first cladding layer; an active layer; and a second cladding layer, wherein the second cladding layer includes (i) a transparent conductive layer comprising a transparent conductor and (ii) a nitride semiconductor layer comprising a nitride semiconductor, the nitride semiconductor layer being formed closer to the active layer than the transparent conductive layer.
US08942268B2
Embodiments of silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus for a gain medium of a laser system are provided. In one aspect, a silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus includes silicon-based first and second manifolds each having internal coolant flow channels therein. When the first and second manifolds are coupled together, a first groove on the first manifold and a second groove on the second manifold form a through hole configured to receive the gain medium therein. The through hole has a polygonal cross section when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the gain medium.
US08942267B2
A tunable laser has a solid state laser medium having an optical gain region and generates coherent radiation through a facet. A lens collects the coherent radiation and generates a collimated light beam. Components of an external cavity include a reflective surface and an optical filter, the reflective surface reflecting the collimated beam back to the lens and the laser medium, the optical filter positioned between the reflective surface and the lens and having two surfaces with a thermally tunable optical transmission band within the optical gain region of the laser medium. The optical filter (1) transmits a predominant portion of the collimated beam at a desired wavelength of operation, and (2) specularly reflects a remaining portion of the collimated beam from each surface, the collimated beam being incident on the optical filter such that the reflected collimated beams propagate at a non-zero angle with respect to the incident collimated beam.
US08942260B2
Methods and systems for determining time delays of networks are disclosed. For example, a method for determining a time delay of a network having i) a transmitting node and ii) a receiving node, wherein each of the transmitting node and the receiving node comprises a Data Link Layer (DLL), a management layer, and a Physical Layer (PHY) is disclosed. The method includes determining a time that the first packet was received by the transmitting node, forwarding the time that the first packet was received to the management layer of the transmitting node; forwarding information in the first packet to the transmitting node; and determining the time delay of the network by subtracting the time the time that the first packet was received by the DLL of the transmitting node from a transmit time provided via the management layer of the receiving node.
US08942257B2
A receiver that generates side information associated with information that is transmitted with packet data and that is included in received packet data, and that feeds back the side information to the transmitter, is provided. The transmitter may generate and transmit additional redundant bits based on the side information.
US08942254B2
A method for transmitting/receiving data between first and second terminals in which data can be transmitted flexibly in each particular situation, i.e. according to the network environment of terminals between which visible light communication occurs, including the type and characteristics of transmitted data. The method includes the steps of: (a) connecting a communication link between a first terminal supposed to transmit data and a second terminal supposed to receive data; (b) determining a data transmission rate to be used for data communication; (c) allocating a transmission channel of a specific band within a frequency band enabling wireless communication; (d) establishing a data transmission environment based on consideration of the transmission rate and the transmission channel; and (e) conducting data communication between the first and second terminals with reference to the data transmission environment.
US08942248B1
Methods, integrated circuits, and computer programs for managing a communication path carrying multiple channels are presented. Each channel includes a first-in first-out (FIFO) queue. In one method, the time difference between the start of a cycle for receiving data in a particular channel and a start of a cycle for transmitting data in the same particular channel is identified. Further, the method includes an operation for buffering arriving data in the communication path. The arriving data is buffered for an amount of time equal to the identified time difference, and the result is delayed data. FIFO registers are loaded from memory, which includes loading FIFO control and status data for a single FIFO queue, where the single FIFO queue is associated with the current channel of the produced delayed data at any time. Additionally, method includes an operation for processing contemporaneously read and write requests for the single FIFO queue using the loaded FIFO registers.
US08942246B2
A method and a Mobile Access Gateway (MAG) node for use in an IP network. The MAG node comprises a server for providing configuration information. The server includes a memory for storing configuration information, and a processing unit configured to generate a request for configuration information associated with a mobile terminal that has attached to the network. The server caches the configuration information in the server memory, and includes one or more items of configuration information from the cached information in a message to be sent to the mobile terminal.
US08942244B2
Disclosed are new methods of fax-over-IP (FoIP), modem-over-IP (MoIP) or text-over-IP (ToIP) call establishment based on detecting a combination of contra-propagating signals from calling and answering terminals for autonomous connection of media gateways.
US08942241B2
A method equalizing sizes of data packets by blocks of a multimedia stream including a succession of data packets of variable sizes. The method includes: storing a group of N (a predefined integer) data packets in a buffer memory; computing average size Tm of a packet from the different sizes of the N packets; generating a base stream including N data packets to be transmitted, wherein each has a size equal either to the rounded-down integer part └Tm┘, or to the rounded-up integer part └Tm┘ of the average size, and at least one additional stream including N redundant data packets computed from the base stream packets, having same size as the base stream packets, and intended to enable a receiver to restore any lost packets if the loss rate is greater than a predefined threshold; and transmitting the base stream and the additional stream(s) to the receivers.
US08942231B2
Call Control entities in a network communicate between themselves by amending call processing messages to include encrypted network information. As such, a call may be established whose path through the network is dependent on the paths of other calls. Information of a scope larger than a Call Controller normally possesses can, as a result of this communication, be made available to Call Controllers for constraining call establishment. This information could relate to other calls and connections associated with those other calls. The information may also relate to gateways in and to adjacent networks and the Call Controllers in the adjacent networks that are related to the current Call Controller.
US08942227B1
The present invention provides a call/session control function in an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem capable of providing enhanced filtering to select multimedia services to invoke upon processing a signaling message. In addition to analyzing internal information contained within the signaling message, external information can be used to identify multimedia services to invoke and when those multimedia services should be invoked. Upon receiving a signaling message, filtering criteria to apply for the signaling message is accessed. The filtering criteria define rules for invoking multimedia services. These rules will take into consideration external information, which is not found within the signaling message. The external information may relate to the date, time, presence information, location information, user information, group information, or network information. The external information may change dynamically, wherein different multimedia services may be invoked with the same signaling message if the external information changes.
US08942226B2
Software Defined Networking systems and methods are described via a Path Computation and Control Element (PCCE) that is based in part on a Path Computation Element (PCE). A common, simple interface is designed based on an existing PCE interface that allows a centralized entity (i.e., a Path Computation and Control Element or PCCE) to control the initiation of new connections or tunnels and by default to manage the state of these connections or tunnels once established. In particular, the systems and methods create an extension to the PCE architecture to allow a centralized application or applications to control the creation, rerouting and deletion of connections within a network.
US08942224B2
A method and system for handling security synchronization for prolonged periods of no-reception of voice frames. The method includes receiving one or more protocol data units (PDUs) by a radio link control (RLC) sub layer and determining a time period between the receiving of each PDU and a previously received PDU by the RLC sub layer. Further, the method includes initiating recovery procedure for the time period exceeding a first predefined time. The recovery procedure includes identifying count of the one or more PDUs to be recovered, deciphering each PDU using a plurality of hyper frame numbers (HFNs) and updating a master HFN based on the deciphering. The master HFN deciphers each PDU among the one or more protocol data units. Further, the method also includes delivering the one or more PDUs to a packet data convergence protocol sub layer where type verification of the PDU is performed.
US08942215B2
There is disclosed a system and method for transmission of multiple data streams from a mobile device to a network. In an embodiment, the system includes a multipath wireless router configured to provide a plurality of network connections including cellular, satellite, or wired Ethernet. An encoding module provided on the mobile device is configured to encode high volume data (e.g. high definition video) recorded by the mobile device into multiple data streams in dependence on the number of network connections available for transmission via the multipath wireless router. The encoding module provided on the mobile device transmits the multiple data streams to the wireless router using Wi-Fi to provide a local, short-hop, high capacity network connection. The plurality of network connections available via the multipath wireless router provides the necessary capacity and reliability to transmit a high volume of data, such as high definition video, virtually live.
US08942212B2
The present invention enables connection between a wireless sensor node and a service server while reducing load on the wireless sensor node.The wireless sensor node transmits a router solicitation message to a gateway apparatus; the gateway apparatus analyzes the message to extract the discrete information of a device or service, searches for a service server based on such information and acquires the configuration information necessary for execution of a service application of the wireless sensor node; the gateway apparatus multicasts the received router solicitation message into a link; a router within the link receives the router solicitation message, and multicast a router advertisement message which contains the prefix information of an address, etc. into a link; the gateway apparatus sets the acquired configuration information in the router advertisement message and transfers the resultant message to the wireless sensor node; and the wireless sensor node analyzes the message.
US08942195B2
Method and arrangement in a base station for scheduling physical resources in a transmission bandwidth to a user equipment served by the base station. The physical resources may be physical channels or radio resource blocks. Some physical resources within the transmission bandwidth are subjected to a performance requirement power restriction value. The method comprises scheduling physical resources based on the performance requirement power restriction value of the physical resources to be scheduled. Also, a method and arrangement in a user equipment for assisting a base station in scheduling physical resources in a transmission bandwidth to the user equipment is described.
US08942194B2
A user equipment (UE) is configured for carrier aggregation in a wireless communication system. The UE selects control information to be transmitted in an uplink control channel format in a component carrier of two or more component carriers, where the control information includes information types associated with different information reliability requirements. The UE generates an open-loop power control parameter and/or a closed-loop power control parameter based on the information types. The UE transmits the control information in the uplink control channel format at a power level determined by the open-loop power control parameter and/or the closed-loop power control parameter.
US08942184B2
A method and apparatus for link adaptation in a wireless communication network is provided. The method includes computing a first channel quality parameter based on one or more channel quality parameters. The one or more channel quality parameters are associated with a communication link between a Mobile Station (MS) and a Base Station (BS). The method further includes determining a qualifying transmission unit to compute a correction parameter. The correction parameter is computed based on the first channel quality parameter and one or more transmission parameters. The one or more transmission parameter is associated with the communication link. Thereafter, the method schedules a transmission mode of the communication link based on a second channel quality parameter. The second channel quality parameter is estimated based the first channel quality parameter and the correction parameter.
US08942179B2
A virtual broadband transmitting unit includes a stream generator to generate a multiplicity of data streams from an incoming media datastream, and a transmission manager to control the upload of the multiplicity of data streams along a multiplicity of transmission channels to at least one wireless communication network. A virtual broadband receiver includes means to receive a multiplicity of media data streams from a multiplicity of data connections, and an assembly engine to assemble the data streams into a single media stream.
US08942161B2
Systems and methods are described that facilitate data communication in a wireless communication environment. According to various aspects, a node, such as an access point or an access terminal, may determine a number of channels over which it will transmit a communication signal. The node may then select channels based on whether the channels are available or unavailable, wherein available channels are preferentially selected over unavailable channels. The node may then transmit a signal over the at least one of the selected channels.
US08942158B2
Partner relay systems and methods are provided in which relaying is performed by a pair of partner relays. Signals received from a base station are translated by a first of the pair of partner relays to a different transmission resource for communication between the pair of partner relays, and then upon reception by a second of the pair of partner relays, the signal is translated back to the original transmission resource and re-transmitted towards the receiver.
US08942148B2
A method and an apparatus for switching a Frequency Assignment (FA) by a base station in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes, upon detecting movement of the base station, communicating with a mobile terminal using a first FA via a first FA-transceiver among a plurality of FA-transceivers which process signals transceived via each of the plurality of FAs, and selecting, upon detecting a change in a wireless environment caused by the movement, a second FA from among the plurality of FAs, operating a second FA-transceiver which processes signals transceived via the second FA, transmitting, to the mobile terminal, a scanning-instructing message for instructing the reference signal transmitted via the second FA to be scanned, and switching the first FA to the second FA in accordance with the result of the scanning received from the mobile terminal in response to the scanning-instructing message.
US08942147B2
Apparatus and methods for communicating in a wireless network include receiving a weight vector in a slot for providing closed loop transmit diversity to signals in a next slot, holding the weight vector over a plurality of slots following a transmission burst, and applying the weight vector to signals in at least one slot of a subsequent transmission burst in discontinuous transmit. Additional apparatus and methods for communicating in a wireless network include determining a weight vector based on signals received from a device to provide closed loop transmit diversity feedback to the device, holding the weight vector over a plurality of slots following receiving a transmission burst, and applying the weight vector for signals received in at least one slot of a subsequent transmission burst from the device.
US08942146B2
A signal transmission method and apparatus in a wireless communication system using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The signal transmission apparatus divides packet signals to be transmitted into a control signal and data, stores the control signal and the data in a protocol stack queue using a predetermined scheme such that the control signal is transmitted prior to the data, and transmits the control signal and the data in order of storage in the protocol stack queue.
US08942132B2
It is possible to solve the problem that a downstream control information amount is significantly increased if allocation information is periodically reported because no allocation method of a default E-DCH resource configuration is defined for a preamble signature. A base station and a mobile station decide a default resource configuration by using a total number of resource configurations or a value obtained from the total number.
US08942121B2
The invention relates to a communication device (2) comprising an antenna system (4) provided with at least one antenna (6a, 6b, 6c) for receiving a radio signal and supplying a received radio signal to an output (8) of the antenna system, a low noise amplifier (10) for amplification of the received radio signal to obtain an amplified radio signal, and a processing unit (12) for processing the amplified radio signal. The antenna system (4) is configured to supply in a first state a first antenna signal as the received radio signal and in a second state second antenna signal as the received radio signal, wherein the first antenna signal and second antenna signal differ in amplitude. The antenna system is further configured to switch from state in response to a control signal (14) generated by the processing unit (12).
US08942118B2
A mobile communication terminal 10 receives “HCS_PRIO” of a notice data (System Information Block Type 3) of a base station 1 or 3, and determines whether the terminal 10 is present “indoor” and is in “a stationary state or a state moving at a low speed” based on the receiving result. Since there is a high possibility that the terminal 10 is connectable with a wireless LAN when the terminal 10 is present “indoor” and is in “a stationary state or a state moving at a low speed”, the terminal 10 sets a period for monitoring arrival of a beacon signal.
US08942114B2
A system and method are provided for monitoring traffic in a network comprising a plurality of links, wherein each of the plurality of links comprises a plurality of neighboring pairs of slots. The system and method may include identifying a first usage status and a second usage status, calculating a utilization entropy value based at least on the difference between the first and second usage status, iteratively calculating a set of utilization entropy values for a portion of the network, and calculating an overall utilization entropy value for the portion of the network under analysis based at least on a statistical analysis of the set of utilization entropy values.
US08942104B2
A method and apparatus for packet classification and prioritization using a user datagram protocol (UDP) header in a mobile wireless device. The mobile wireless device includes an application processor and a transceiver. The application processor sets a value of a field embedded in a higher layer packet and transfers the higher layer packet to the transceiver. The transceiver receives the higher layer packet from the application processor and reads the set value of the embedded field. The transceiver clears the value in the embedded field and creates at least one lower layer protocol data unit from the higher layer packet. The transceiver maps the lower layer protocol data unit to a wireless access channel having a transmission property based on the read value of the embedded field. In representative embodiments, the embedded field is an optional checksum in a UDP header.
US08942103B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for performing wideband short range wireless communication in a millimeter wave band, and the method for wideband short range wireless communication may include checking information of a reception device by performing signaling with the reception device, receiving information about a state of a receive buffer from the reception device based on the information of the reception device, and transmitting data based on the information about a state of the receive buffer.
US08942097B2
A network system has: a node performing transmission and reception of a frame based on FCoE (Fiber Channel Over Ethernet); a network; a controller performing management of the node and the network; and a gateway provided with respect to the node. The gateway determines whether a frame received from the node is a control frame or a data frame, forwards the control frame to the controller, and forwards the data frame to the network. The controller performs the management based on the control frame received from the gateway. The network transfers the data frame received from the gateway to a target node without through the controller. The controller comprises a flow management unit that manages a transfer route of the data frame in the network with respect to each flow.
US08942084B2
A method includes continuously receiving N data frames encoded from K source data packets by an erasure coding method; checking for errors in the received N data frames; and transmitting an acknowledge (ACK) message informing that the source data packets are capable of being restored, when the number (R) of data frames not containing errors is equal to or greater than the number (K) of source data packets, and transmitting an ACK message including the number (X) of data frames for which retransmission is to be requested when the number (R) of data frames not containing errors is less than the number (K) of source data packets, as a result of the checking.
US08942066B2
A composite assembly for a motor vehicle having at least one electroacoustic transducer for outputting sound waves and at least one wall element of the motor vehicle, behind which the transducer is mounted in a concealed manner, wherein an intermediate element for influencing the sound emission behavior is arranged between the transducer and the wall element, the intermediate element having a contact surface facing the wall element for passing on the sound waves. At least one recess is formed within the contact surface, in which recess no contact is made between the intermediate element and the wall element. In this way, it is possible to influence the emission characteristics of the electroacoustic transducer in a very flexible and need-oriented manner.
US08942057B1
When a measured current of a resistor is less than a preset current value after a device is inserted into a memory slot, a control chip and a storage chip does not receive voltages. When the measured current is not less than the preset current value and a count time reaches a preset time value, the control chip and the storage chip receive voltages, to read or write data. When measured current of the resistor is not less than the preset current value after the device is removed from the memory slot, the control chip and the storage chip receive voltages, to backup data. When the measured current is less than the preset current value and the count time reaches the preset time value, the control chip and the storage chip do not receive voltages.
US08942055B2
A circuit includes a voltage generating circuit and a voltage keeper circuit. The voltage generating circuit includes a first node. The voltage keeper circuit includes a second node and a third node. The first node is coupled with the second node. The voltage generating circuit is configured to generate a voltage value at the first node and the second node to maintain the third node at a particular third node voltage.
US08942047B2
Upon selecting non-volatile storage elements to be sensed, the system obtains information about the position of these non-volatile storage elements, determines sensing parameters based at least in part on this information, pre-charges a charge storage device and, while maintaining the voltage level of the bit lines of these memory cells at a constant value, applies a reference signal to these non-volatile storage elements for a certain duration of time, afterwards determining whether, for the certain duration of time, the current conducted by these non-volatile storage elements exceeds a predetermined value.
US08942045B2
Embodiments of apparatus and methods having a memory device can include a line to exchange information with a string of memory cells and a transistor coupled between the string of memory cells and the line. Such a memory device can also include a module configured to couple a gate of the transistor to a node during a first time interval of a memory operation and decouple the gate from the node during a second time interval of the memory operation. Additional apparatus and methods are described.
US08942044B2
A flash memory device is provided. The flash memory device includes a memory cell array and a pre-charge unit. The pre-charge unit, coupled to a plurality of bit lines corresponding with the memory cell array, pre-charges the bit lines to a predetermined voltage during a pre-charge stage. The pre-charge unit includes a voltage stabilizing unit to provide a constant current to the bit lines. Due to the voltage stabilizing unit, in a programming process, the voltage applied to the bit lines which are not related with programming may not drop as a result of current leakage. Therefore, the memory cells except the memory cell to be programmed are kept in cut off state, without a current passing. As a result, interference with the memory cells which are not to be programmed may be effectively avoided and the accuracy of programming may be improved.
US08942020B2
A phase leg for a three-level power converter includes a heat sink device that includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The phase leg also includes a first portion including at least one semiconductor switching device coupled to the first surface. The phase leg further includes a second portion including at least one semiconductor switching device coupled to the second surface.
US08942016B2
A second control circuit is configured to switch a pulse signal to a level which turns off a second switching transistor when a coil current that flows through a primary winding reaches a predetermined threshold current. The second control circuit is configured to start a switching operation when a power supply for an electronic device is turned on, to set the threshold current to a first value when an intermediate voltage is higher than a predetermined level, and to set the threshold current to a second value that is lower than the first value when the intermediate voltage is lower than a predetermined level. A first control circuit is configured to start a switching operation upon receiving an instruction from a microcontroller to start operating.
US08942009B2
A power switch assembly includes a flip-chip type integrated circuit chip and a lead-frame with a plurality of spaced apart parallel lead sections. The flip-chip type integrated circuit chip includes a distributed transistor, and first and second pluralities of flip-chip interconnects connected to source and drain regions, respectively. The first and second lead sections at least partially overlap along the first axis. Each of the plurality of lead sections includes a contact portion and an extended portion extending laterally from the contact portion. The extended portions of the first and second lead section extend from the contact portion in opposite directions. The first side of the first and second lead section contacts at least two of the first and plurality of flip-chip interconnects, respectively. The second side of the first and second lead are configured to contact a first and second contact area on a printed circuit board, respectively.
US08942001B2
A seal structure for an electronic control device having a circuit board housed in a watertight space a housing that is formed by fitting a plurality of fitting members together, has first and second seal portions which are formed at a fitting surface portion between the fitting members that are fitted together. One side of a pair of the fitting members of each of the first and second seal portions is provided with a seal groove, the other side is provided with a protruding line. An auxiliary seal groove and an auxiliary protruding line are formed on opposing surfaces of the seal groove and the protruding line at a merged part where the first and second seal portions meet each other. The auxiliary seal groove and the auxiliary protruding line continuously extend from the seal groove up to an end surface of the protruding line.
US08941995B2
A fixing bracket includes a bracket body, at least one connecting rod assembly, and at least one elastic buckling arm. One side of the bracket body has a first pivoting point and a second pivoting point. The at least one connecting rod assembly includes a first rod, a second rod, a third rod. The first rod has a third pivoting point and a fourth pivoting point. The second rod has a first limiting part, a fifth pivoting point, and a sixth pivoting point. The third rod has a second limiting part, a seventh pivoting point, and a eighth pivoting point. The at least one elastic buckling arm is located on the first rod. The connecting rod assembly drives the elastic buckling arm to move between a release position and a fastening position. When located at the fastening position, the first limiting part is against the second limiting part.
US08941993B2
An air-cooling apparatus is provided which includes a heat exchanger door and a catch bracket. The door is hingedly mounted to the air inlet or outlet side of an electronics rack, and includes: a door frame spanning at least a portion of the air inlet or outlet side of the rack, wherein the frame includes an airflow opening which facilitates airflow through the rack; an air-to-coolant heat exchanger supported by the door frame and disposed so that airflow through the airflow opening passes thereacross; and a door latch mechanism to selectively latch the heat exchanger door to the rack. The catch bracket is attached to the rack and sized to extend from the rack into the heat exchanger door through a catch opening, and the door latch mechanism is configured and mounted within the heat exchanger door to physically engage the catch bracket within the heat exchanger door.
US08941985B2
An expandable keyboard device for use in connection with an electronic device includes a keyboard module having a keyboard housing, a pivot unit connected to the keyboard housing, and a clamping mechanism including a mounting seat connected to the pivot unit and rotatable relative to the keyboard module, and at least one clamping arm cooperating with the mounting seat to define a receiving slot for receiving the electronic device. The clamping arm is movable relative to the mounting seat for clamping the electronic device.
US08941973B2
There are provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component and a manufacturing method thereof, the multilayer ceramic electronic component including: a ceramic body including dielectric layers; a plurality of internal electrodes facing each other with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; and external electrodes electrically connected to the internal electrodes, wherein a thickness to of the internal electrode satisfies 0.1 μm≦Te≦0.5 μm, and when, in a cross-section of the ceramic body taken in length and thickness directions, cut through a central portion of the ceramic body in a width direction, a distance, in the length direction, of a central portion of an internal electrode grain closest to a disconnected portion of the internal electrode is denoted by Tc, and a distance, in the length direction, of the internal electrode grain at a point equal to 25% of the thickness thereof above or below the central portion thereof is denoted by Tl, 0.7≦Tl/Tc≦1.3 is satisfied.
US08941969B2
An electrostatic chuck includes a thermally conductive base having a plurality of heating elements disposed therein. A metal layer covers at least a portion of the thermally conductive base, wherein the metal layer shields the plurality of heating elements from radio frequency (RF) coupling and functions as an electrode for the electrostatic chuck. A plasma resistant dielectric layer covers the metal layer.
US08941968B2
An electrostatic clamp is provided, having a clamping plate, wherein a clamping surface of the clamping plate is configured to contact the workpiece. A voltage applied to one or more electrodes selectively electrostatically attracts the workpiece to the clamping surface. One or more auxiliary clamping members are further provided wherein the one or more auxiliary clamping members are configured to selectively secure at least a portion of the workpiece to the clamping surface. A temperature monitoring device configured to determine a temperature of the workpiece is provided, and a controller is configured to selectively clamp the workpiece to the clamping surface via a control of the voltage to the one or more electrodes and the one or more auxiliary clamping members, based, at least in part, on the temperature of the workpiece.
US08941959B2
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure comprises a first NPN transistor and a second NPN transistor connected in parallel. The bases of the first NPN transistor and the second NPN transistor are coupled together and further coupled to a first voltage potential and a second voltage potential through two deep trench capacitors respectively. The ESD protection structure further comprises a third deep trench capacitor and a fourth deep trench capacitor coupled between the first voltage potential and the second voltage potential.
US08941958B2
To provide a protection circuit having a small area, redundancy, and small leak current. In the protection circuit, a plurality of nonlinear elements is provided so as to overlap with each other and so as to be electrically connected in series. At least one nonlinear element in the protection circuit is a diode-connected transistor including an oxide semiconductor in its channel formation region. The other nonlinear element is a diode-connected transistor including silicon in its channel formation region or a diode including silicon in its junction region.
US08941953B2
An actuator mounting section includes a plate member including a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is formed with an opening which accommodates an actuator element. The second plate includes a main body portion which overlaps the first plate and supporting portions which support opposite ends of the actuator element. A narrow portion narrower than the first plate is formed at a part of the main body portion of the second plate. A weld seal portion is formed by laser-welding the first plate and the second plate at the narrow portion. Adhesive is provided between the opposite ends of the actuator element and an inner surface of the opening of the first plate.
US08941951B2
Various embodiments concern a method for manufacturing a disk drive head suspension component. Such methods can comprise providing a head suspension component comprising a layer of insulating material on a spring metal layer. Such methods can further comprise forming a strain gauge element and a trace seed layer by depositing a first metal on the insulating material layer, such as by sputtering. The strain gauge element and the trace seed layer can be formed simultaneously by the depositing of the first metal as part of the same process step. The first metal can be of a strain gauge class of metal having relatively high resistivity, such as constantan. Such methods can further comprise plating a second metal on the trace seed layer to form one or more traces.
US08941948B2
In one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole; a leading shield below a leading side of the main magnetic pole; a leading gap between the leading shield and the main magnetic pole; a trailing shield above a trailing side of the main magnetic pole; a trailing gap between the trailing shield and the main magnetic pole; and a nonmagnetic leading bump between the main magnetic pole and the leading shield. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.
US08941942B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a method, implemented in a magnetic disk drive, for adjusting a linear recording density. The method obtains a first flying-dependent error sensitivity for each of two or more heads. The first flying-dependent error sensitivity represents a change in read error rate corresponding to a change in flying height of the head during write. In addition, the method reduces the linear recording density of a first recording surface associated with a first head of the two or more heads if the first flying-dependent error sensitivity is a second flying-dependent error sensitivity higher than a threshold and corresponds to the first head.
US08941936B1
Embodiments of the invention relate to a hard disk drive (HDD) formatted with at least two surfaces, each of the surfaces serviced a write head, each write head configured for the respective surface. At least one of the surfaces of the HDD is serviced by a random block overwrite (RBO) head for an associated surface. Similarly, at least one of the surfaces of the HDD is serviced by a shingled magnetic recording (SMR) head for an associated SMR surface. The properties of both the RBO and SMR surfaces are retained, and at the same time leveraged to maximize data density and write performance in a single HDD.
US08941929B2
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.
US08941925B2
A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, a negative fourth lens group, and a positive fifth lens group. Upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, the distance between the first and second lens groups increases, and the distance between the second and third lens groups decreases. The following conditions are satisfied: 0.30
US08941924B2
A head-up display device which can be applied to various types of vehicles is provided without causing cost increase. A head-up display device which makes a virtual image to be formed by projecting display light on a windshield of a vehicle includes a housing, an indicator which is provided in the housing, and a reflector which is provided in the housing, and includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces which are arranged in parallel with each other and inclined at the same angle so that the display light which is irradiated from the indicator is reflected by the reflecting surfaces.
US08941920B2
Provided are an optical element and a method of producing an optical element in which sufficient adhesion with an upper layer can be secured without damaging spectral characteristics. The production method includes the step of forming a first structural body in which a space part and a structural part are alternately and repeatedly arranged, the step of forming an etching stopper layer on an upper part of the structural part, and the step of forming a second structural body on the etching stopper layer by etching.
US08941919B2
A source video comprising a sequence of 2D image frames is acquired, a value for an inter-ocular distance of a viewer is determined, and an image frame is obtained from the source video that includes two or more motion vectors that describe motion in the image frame where each of the motion vectors is associated with a region of the image frame. Parameters for a lateral speed of the image frame and a direction of motion of the image frame are determined. A deformation value is generated based on the inter-ocular distance and both of the parameters, and the deformation value is applied to the image frame to identify a modified image frame. The modified image frame is blended with a first bridge frame and with a second bridge frame that are different from the modified image frame and different from each other to generate first and second blended frames. The first blended frame and the second blended frame are displayed to a viewer. The direction of motion and velocity of motion parameters are calculated only from the motion vectors input along with the image frame.
US08941918B2
The 3D image display device disclosed herein includes an image display panel outputting image signals; and a parallax barrier arranged in front of the panel, being spaced at a particular distance, and having a plurality of transparent portions. The transparent portions of the barrier have a plurality of transverse lines, each of which forms one cycle, and the transparent portions that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction in one cycle are arranged to emit images to different fields of view, respectively. The panel operates on and off by lines in the transverse direction based on views.
US08941912B2
An ytterbium-doped optical fiber includes: a core which contains at least ytterbium, aluminum, and phosphorus; and a cladding which encircles the core, wherein an aluminum oxide equivalent concentration of the aluminum in the core is 0.2 mol % or more, a diphosphorus pentaoxide equivalent concentration of the phosphorus is higher than the aluminum oxide equivalent concentration, and the core either does not contain germanium or contains less than 1.1 mol % of germanium in a germanium dioxide equivalent concentration.
US08941907B2
A microelectromechanical shutter system includes an actuator beam formed in a substrate, at least one actuator electrode spaced apart and electrically isolated from the actuator beam, the at least one actuator electrode angling away from a base of the actuator beam to actuate the actuator beam using a zipper action, and a fiber-optic channel in the substrate to receive a fiber-optic cable. A shutter mirror is included on a distal end of the actuator beam, with the shutter mirror in substantial alignment with a centerline of the fiber-optic channel. Upon application of a voltage between the actuator beam and the at least one actuator electrode, an electrostatic force is created between them to move the shutter mirror across the end of the fiber-optic channel.
US08941903B2
A laser processing apparatus including a laser light source, a phase modulation type spatial light modulator, a driving unit, a control unit, and an imaging optical system. A storage unit that is included in the driving unit stores a plurality of basic holograms corresponding to a plurality of basic processing patterns and a focusing hologram corresponding to a Fresnel lens pattern. The control unit arranges in parallel two or more basic holograms selected from the plurality of basic holograms stored in the storage unit, overlaps the focusing hologram with each of the basic holograms arranged in parallel to form the whole hologram, and presents the formed whole hologram to the spatial light modulator.
US08941895B2
A scanning device is capable of scanning both sides of a medium and includes a lens module, an optical-electric coupling unit, and a processor. The lens module faces the medium to be scanned. The optical-electric coupling unit is optically connected to the lens module. The processor is optically connected to the optical-electric coupling unit, and includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light beams emitted from the light emitting unit are directed into the lens module through the optical-electric coupling unit, and illuminate the medium to be scanned. The light beams reflected by the medium enter into the optical-electric coupling unit through the optical-electric coupling unit, and then to the light receiving unit. The processor processes the reflected light beams into electrical signals to obtain scanning signals.
US08941887B2
An image processing apparatus configured to convert input image data into halftone image data by halftone-processing the input image data includes a prediction unit configured to predict a density of a pixel of interest, which is achieved when the halftone image data is printed, based on a group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest according to a prediction method determined according to a halftone-processed pixel value of the pixel of interest, and a control unit configured to control the halftone processing according to the density predicted by the prediction unit.
US08941882B2
The software on the host machine examines a pixel, either alone or in relation to adjacent pixels. Based on the image data contained in the pixel or group of pixels, a multi-bit value is generated that can be used by the printing device to easily reproduce the necessary detail of the original pixel. The multi-bit value also contains print engine control parameters to handle items such as toner miser mode, toner explosion, edge roll off, etc. The multi-bit value can be generated algorithmically by using a lookup table or by some combination of these methods.
US08941877B2
A conveying mechanism is disposed inside a housing of an image scanning device and is configured to convey the sheet along a common path to the scanning position in a first direction, and to convey the sheet having passed the scanning position selectively along a return path in a second direction and along a one-way path in the first direction. A scanning unit disposed inside the housing scans, at the scanning position, an image of a sheet. The discharge cover is openably and closably disposed in the housing and is configured, when open relative to the housing, to define a discharge port and receive the sheet conveyed along the one-way path and discharged through the discharge port. The maintenance cover is openably and closably disposed in the housing and is configured, when open relative to the housing, to expose the one-way path and the return path.
US08941872B1
System, method and program product, comprising computers configured with components to receive access data from a device for an item that may be printed and validated; access a device identity computer that determines a device identity based at least in part on X parameters; obtain risk data associated with that ID; access a database that lists a number of item copies associated with the ID; determine based on the print number data or risk data, whether to transmit the image data; transmit the image data containing a print request element but missing an essential element for validation; receive activation for the print request element; record print number data based on a number of times the activation data has been received; obtain the missing essential element for validation, bypass dialog communication with the device and transmit to a print spooler the basic print image data and the missing essential element for validation.
US08941870B2
There is disclosed multifunction peripheral and a method for automated file generation. The multifunction peripheral includes a network interface for accessing a data source including data to be inserted into a plurality of files generated using a template and the data source and for sending the plurality of files to the output destination. The multifunction peripheral also includes a user interface for receiving identification of template elements within an electronic document and for receiving selection of an output destination for the plurality of files generated using the template and the data source. The multifunction peripheral also includes a controller for generating the template from the electronic document using the identified template elements, for generating a preview of a file generated using the template and the data source, the preview visible on the display device and for generating the plurality of files using the template and the data source.
US08941868B2
Methods and systems for processing multiple mailing services orders for print items of varying quantities include filling 3-dimensional gangs configured to receive print-ready items with print-ready items in a stack-wise manner. Individual stacks can be submitted to the system for reprint without holding up remaining items in an order.
US08941859B2
An information processing method which is capable of easily and reliably giving a user information on whether or not the user's information processing apparatus satisfies the requirements for receiving services provided by a service provider. It is determined whether or not a predetermined function and a program for enabling the function are installed in a multi-function printer, as a requirement for receiving a service provided by an application service provider. The result of the determination is displayed on a display of an operating section of the multi-function printer.
US08941847B2
Example embodiments described herein are directed to utilizing image matching technology to allow people to use their mobile device to setup scan workflows (or “Scan Flows”) in advance of a future scanning operation. Using an application on a mobile device, the user takes a photo of the first page of a document that he/she will scan at some later time and associates the image of the document with a simple workflow (e.g., where to store the document once the document has been scanned). Additional workflow actions may include automatic document sharing and notification, automatic document segmentation, and automatic document cropping.
US08941846B2
The copy machine selects either of a first direction in which a long-side direction of the paper matches the writing sub-scan direction and a second direction in which a short-side direction of the paper matches the writing sub-scan direction, with considering, when the paper is fed in the first direction, the number of documents, the number of copies, the time required for a reading process, the time required for an image forming process, and the time the reading process and the image forming process overlap, and with considering, when the paper is fed in the second direction, the number of documents, the number of copies, the time required for the reading process, the time required for a rotation process, and the time required for an image forming process.
US08941832B2
Alignment of layers during manufacture of a multi-layer sample is controlled by applying optical measurements to a measurement site in the sample. The measurement site includes two diffractive structures located one above the other in two different layers, respectively. The optical measurements include at least two measurements with different polarization states of incident light, each measurement including illuminating the measurement site so as to illuminate one of the diffractive structures through the other. The diffraction properties of the measurement site are indicative of a lateral shift between the diffractive structures. The diffraction properties detected are analyzed for the different polarization states of the incident light to determine an existing lateral shift between the layers.
US08941830B2
Systems and methods are described for measuring a tissue parameter such as % StO2 in a tissue sample. One such method includes receiving first and second scattered light intensity signals at unique locations on a selected region of tissue from light injected into the region of tissue from a light source to identify a measured light attenuation data value. An electronic data store can be accessed that includes simulated light attenuation data determined from a mathematical tissue model at discrete points over a range of two or more tissue parameters, where the simulated light attenuation data are a function of one or more temperature-dependent light source spectra. The tissue parameter in the tissue sample can be determined by selecting a closest match between the measured light attenuation data and the simulated light attenuation data. An electronic signal representative of the determined tissue parameter can be sent to an output register.
US08941829B2
A spectral characteristic measurement method for measuring spectral characteristics of measured light with higher accuracy is provided. The spectral characteristic measurement method includes causing an optical measurement instrument having detection sensitivity in a first wavelength range to receive light in a second wavelength range which is a part of the first wavelength range, obtaining characteristic information indicating a stray light component from a portion of a first spectrum detected by the optical measurement instrument, that corresponds to a range other than the second wavelength range, and obtaining a pattern indicating a stray light component generated in the optical measurement instrument by subjecting the characteristic information to extrapolation processing as far as the second wavelength range in the first wavelength range.
US08941825B2
Method and apparatus for detecting commercial variations in at least a portion of an at least partially transparent container. A light pattern in an angular domain is established from signals generated by a plurality of light sensors, wherein a point in the light pattern is generated by a signal from a corresponding portion of the light sensors and represents a light intensity corresponding to a particular reflection angle of a light ray reflected off the container. Different types of commercial variations in the container can be differentiated by analyzing the light pattern in the angular domain.
US08941816B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to positioning for geophysical sensing and provide a method, system and apparatus for rotary laser positioning in geophysical sensing. In an embodiment of the invention, a geophysical sensing data processing system can be provided to include multiple laser energy sources disposed about a target scene, and a mobile sensor unit. The mobile sensor unit can include at least one laser energy source sensor coupled to a laser positioning system, and one or multiple geophysical sensor communicatively linked to the laser positioning system. In one aspect of the invention, the laser positioning system can be a Rotary Laser Positioning System (RLPS). Complementary positioning sensors further can be provided.
US08941809B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a resist cover film processing block, a resist cover film removal block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block. The interface block includes first and second inspection units. The first inspection unit inspects the state of the substrate before exposure processing, and the second inspection unit inspects the state of the substrate after exposure processing.
US08941807B2
An exemplary liquid crystal display panel includes a substrate and first conductive wires. The first conductive wires are arranged at a surface of the substrate. Each of the first conductive wires includes a plurality of first connecting portions, a plurality of second connecting portions and a conductive portion with a plurality of conductive particles. The conductive portion is sandwiched between the first connecting portions and the second connecting portions, thus electrically connecting the first connecting portions to the second connecting portions. A method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel is also provided.
US08941794B2
A backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display device including the backlight assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, the backlight assembly includes a light guide plate configured to guide light, emitted from a light source, to a liquid crystal display panel and an optical sheet disposed on an upper surface of the light guide plate and configured to diffuse and collimate the light. The backlight assembly further includes a frame configured to support the liquid crystal display panel and the light guide plate and a shielding tape connected to an upper surface of the frame and extending from the frame to one side of the optical sheet.
US08941790B2
A semiconductor device or the like with low off-state current is provided. A semiconductor device or the like for displaying images accurately is provided. A display device or the like with a wide viewing angle is provided. A display device or the like in which image burn-in is suppressed is provided. In order to achieve any of the above objects, a circuit is formed using a transistor including an oxide semiconductor (OS), particularly a thin film MOS transistor including an oxide semiconductor. The oxide semiconductor is a substantially intrinsic semiconductor. Thus, the off-state current of the transistor is extremely low.
US08941784B2
A television service provider system includes a first set top box, a second set top box, and a remote control. The remote control transmits an infrared pairing signal which is only received by one of the set top boxes. The receiving set top box pairs itself to the remote control. The non receiving set top box is not paired to the remote control. The remote control then transmits control signals to operate the receiving set top box. The control signals are received by both set top boxes, but are executed only by the set top box that is paired to the remote control.
US08941779B2
Methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums for providing and/or processing non-closed caption data. The reception apparatus includes a receiver, a parser, and a processor. The receiver receives closed caption service data. The closed caption service data includes closed caption data within a first service block having a service number in the range of 1-6, and non-closed caption data within a second service block having a different service number in the range of 1-6. The closed caption data includes closed caption text. The parser parses the non-closed caption data within the second service block having the different service number in the range of 1-6. The processor performs a function based on the parsed non-closed caption data.
US08941772B2
An imaging lens includes four lenses arranged in order from the object side to the image side: an aperture stop, positive (refractive power) first lens having a convex object-side surface near the optical axis, second lens having a positive meniscus shape near the axis, positive third lens having a convex image-side surface near the axis, and negative fourth lens having a concave image-side surface near the axis. All lens surfaces are aspheric. The image-side aspheric surface of the fourth lens has a pole-change point off the optical axis and conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.75
US08941768B2
According to an aspect, an electronic device includes an image display unit, an image taking unit, and a control unit. The image display unit displays a first image. The image taking unit takes a second image of a target object. The control unit detects a motion of the target object in the second image taken by the image taking unit, and changes the first image displayed by the image display unit in accordance with the detected motion of the target object.
US08941766B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the pixel unit includes first pixel groups having two or more pixels and second pixel groups being different from the first pixel groups, wherein a portion of the pixels in the first pixel groups and a portion of the pixels in the second pixel groups share a floating diffusion element.
US08941761B2
A capturing parameter and a capturing image are obtained by an image capturing device which uses the capturing parameter. Correction data, which corresponds to an optical transfer function of the image capturing device derived from the capturing parameter, and a noise amount of the capturing image dependent on the capturing parameter, is acquired to correct a blur of the capturing image. A first degree of correction by the correction data for a high noise amount is less than a second degree of correction by the correction data for a low noise amount.
US08941759B2
An interchangeable lens includes a zoom lens, a driver configured to drive the zoom lens, an operation unit configured to receive a user's operation for changing a magnification of the zoom lens, and a controller configured to control the driver according to the operation of the operation unit. The controller controls the driver in either one of a first operation mode for enabling the zoom lens to stop at an arbitrary position according to the operation of the operation unit and a second operation mode for enabling the zoom lens to stop at one of discrete predetermined stop positions according to the operation of the operation unit.
US08941746B2
Adapter (3, 5) for processing electrical signals in an installation comprising a video camera equipment (1) and a remote equipment (7). A first aim of the present invention is to provide an adapter system which allows automatically providing an output video signal that is co-timed to the master timing reference of the remote equipment. A second aim of the invention is to provide an adapter system which improves the security of the installation when power for the camera is transmitted by the remote equipment.
US08941744B2
A method of compensating for camera shake includes reading a sequential series of images from an image sensing array, establishing a sharpness value for each of the sequential series of images, and performing an image selection based upon each sharpness value. The sharpness value is calculated for each image of the sequential series thereof during the reading.
US08941743B2
Digital video stabilization is selectively turned off in circumstances where it could actually decrease the quality of a captured video. A video camera includes a device for directly detecting physical motion of the camera. Motion data from the motion detector are analyzed to see if video stabilization is appropriate. If the motion data indicate that the video camera is stable, for example, then video stabilization is not applied to the video, thus preventing the possibility of introducing “motion artifacts” into the captured video. In another example, motion as detected by the motion detector can be compared with motion as detected by the video-stabilization engine. If the two motions disagree significantly, then the video-stabilization engine is probably responding more to motion in the captured video rather than to motion of the camera itself, and video stabilization should probably not be applied to the video.
US08941739B2
Disclosed is a technique for detecting a road surface property. More specifically, the technique includes a reflectivity table that stores a degree of reflectivity of a rainy road relative to a reference reflectivity and a degree of reflectivity of a snowy road relative to the reference reflectivity. A reflection measurement unit measures a reflection which is the amount of a laser beam that is emitted through a light emitting unit of a laser sensor, reflected from the road surface, and received by a light receiving unit, and a reflectivity calculation unit calculates a degree of reflectivity for the road in front of the vehicle via a ratio of the measured reflection and the reference reflectivity. A road surface property determination unit then detects the corresponding road surface property based on the reflectivity table.
US08941725B2
A method of processing three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image data is provided that includes comparing the polarity of image data of a present frame with the polarity of image data of a previous frame. The image data of the present frame are compensated according to the result of the comparison. The image data of the present frame is compensated to generate first compensation data, when the polarity of the image data of the present frame is opposite to the polarity of the image data of the previous frame, with respect a reference voltage.
US08941724B2
A receiver enabling to receive 2D and 3D content from a content distributor, including a content list obtaining unit obtaining a list screen of content receivable from the content distributor, a content obtaining unit obtaining 2D or 3D content from the content distributor, a display unit displaying the list screen and reproduced screen of the content on an external or built-in monitor, and a function determining unit determining a function for viewing/listening to 3D and 2D content, wherein the content list obtaining unit determines if 3D content is visible/listenable and obtains a content list of only 2D content or both 2D and 3D content, in accordance with a result of determination, from the content distributor, and the display unit displays the content list obtained through the content list obtaining unit, thereby enabling the receiver of content to receive, memorize and/or output outside the content, being distributed from various networks.
US08941719B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus, which is capable of setting areas in a screen in either a 3D mode or a 2D mode, includes a 3D video display module, a candidate area calculation module, a 2D area determination module, and a 2D video display module. The 3D video display module displays 3D video on a 3D area in the 3D mode. The candidate area calculation module calculates, upon receiving a request for displaying 2D video, a first candidate area for displaying the 2D video, based on a position of the 3D area. The 2D area determination module determines the first candidate area to be a 2D area for displaying the 2D video if the first candidate area falls within the screen and is in the 3D mode. The 2D video display module displays the 2D video on the 2D area set in the 2D mode.
US08941712B2
Providing high availability multi-way conferencing. Separate signaling and media components may be provided within an MCU or among a cluster of MCUs. A signaling server may control signaling aspects of a conference while a media server may provide media support for the conference. In the event of media server failure, the signaling server may assign a new media server to provide media support for the conference. A backup signaling server may also monitor the signaling server and may provide signaling support for the conference in the event of signaling server failure.
US08941710B2
A system facilitates managing one or more devices utilized for communicating data within a telepresence session. A telepresence session can be initiated within a communication framework that includes a first user and one or more second users. In response to determining a temporary absence of the first user from the telepresence session, a recordation of the telepresence session is initialized to enable a playback of a portion or a summary of the telepresence session that the first user has missed.
US08941704B2
An image recording apparatus includes a toner transporting member that transports a toner layer while carrying the toner layer on a first surface of the toner transporting member, the toner transporting member including the first surface and a second surface; a heating unit including heating elements that contact the second surface that is opposite to the first surface of the toner transporting member, and that generate heat in accordance with image information, the first surface contacting a recording medium and carrying the toner layer; and a transferring unit that selectively transfers toner at an image portion to the recording medium as a result of causing each heating element of the heating unit to generate the heat with a temperature of the heating elements at the image portion and a temperature of the heating elements at a non-image portion being different from each other.
US08941694B2
A method of driving an electro-optic display comprising providing a current source, digitally modulating the current source and generating a modulated digital signal, and converting the modulated digital signal into an effective analog drive signal so that the display pixels receive an effective analog drive current, wherein the internal capacitance of the electro-optic display smooths the digitally modulated signal and generates the effective analog drive signal.
US08941691B2
A method, system, computer software and display for generating and displaying a target image (14) on a multi-layered display (1). The target image (14) includes a graphical object (9) displayed on a first display layer (2) of the multi-layered display (1) and contextual elements (10) displayed on a second display layer (3). The graphical object (9) is provided with a peripheral boundary region (12) composed of contextual elements (10) displayed on the second display layer (3). A projection of the peripheral boundary region (12) on the first display layer (2) demarcates a silhouette (11) on the second display layer (3).
US08941687B2
A method of user interaction in augmented reality comprises the steps of capturing a video image of a scene, and for each pixel in at least a sub-region of the captured video, classifying the pixel as either a skin or non-skin pixel responsive to whether the color of the pixel exceeds a predetermined threshold purity of red; and generating a mask based upon the classification of the pixels of the captured video, generating an augmentation image layer to superpose on the captured video image, and limiting a mode of combination of the captured video and the augmentation image layer, responsive to the mask.
US08941686B2
An information display apparatus performs a visual light communication and superimposes light source information transmitted from a light source onto images captured in time sequence for display on a screen. The information display apparatus includes an imaging section for capturing an image in an imaging range, a cache memory sequentially caching the light source information transmitted from the light source in the image, a priority level setting section for setting a higher priority to the light source information, cached in the cache memory, in order starting from a light source closest to a current imaging range, and a communications information processing section for deleting the light source information cached in the cache memory in order starting from light source information having the lowest priority level.
US08941685B1
Methods and systems for providing a graphic, such as an advertisement, in a 3D geographical information system (GIS) view are described. A method for providing a graphic in a 3D GIS view may include obtaining a graphic and determining a 3D geographical space in the GIS view based on a geographical reference in the GIS view. The method may also include rendering and displaying a curvilinear representation of the graphic in the geographical space. The method may further include adjusting the curvilinear representation of the graphic according to an updated viewpoint of the GIS view. The curvilinear representation may be oriented directly towards the updated viewpoint. A system for providing a graphic in a 3D GIS view may include a geographical space manager, a graphic representation generator and a display module.
US08941684B2
A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation.
US08941683B2
In embodiments of transparent display interaction, a portable device includes a handheld base movably coupled to a display device. The display device includes a display panel system that displays an image, and includes display surfaces through which the image is viewable. The image may appear as being projected into an environment behind the display device and viewable through the display surfaces of the display device. The display device is also configurable to open relative the handheld base to a position that the environment is viewable through the display device.
US08941680B2
Systems, apparatus, and methods for displaying volumetric data using motion-based visualization techniques are provided. An apparatus storing computer executable instructions to be executed by a processor, causing the processor to carryout out a method for displaying data with multiple graphical features visually representing portions of the data and to impart motion to a graphical feature relative to a remainder of the volumetric image to highlight the first graphical feature is provided. A method for displaying a volumetric image in which motion is used to highlight a graphical feature visually representing a portion of the volumetric image relative to the remainder of the image is provided. A system for displaying a volumetric image comprising a user interface, a display, a memory for storing graphical data, and a processor that displays a volumetric image with multiple graphical features of the data and imparts motion to a user-identified graphical feature relative to a remainder of the volumetric image to highlight the first graphical feature are provided.
US08941675B2
A device, system and method are provided for managing memory for rendering webpages and other structured documents that contain multiple regions. A backing store is created in memory for storing rendered document content. A main region of the structured document is rendered for display, divided into a set of tiles, and stored in the backing store. A subregion of the document is rendered and stored as tiles in the same backing store as well. At least a portion of the tiles for the main region and subregion intersecting with corresponding viewports are outputted to a display. When an active one of the viewports is changed and additional content of the document is to be rendered for display, tiles in the backing store used to store rendered but undisplayed data for the inactive viewport are released to store new rendered content for the active viewport.
US08941673B2
A processing device receives graphical output data from an application. The processing device generates, based on the graphical output data, at least one of an image or a drawing command that is formatted for an application programming interface (API) of a web browser. The processing device then transmits at least one of the image or the drawing command to a web browser instance executing on a remote client device, wherein the web browser instance is natively capable of rendering at least one of the image or the drawing command to a display on the remote client device.
US08941666B1
A system includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method that includes representing animation states of a virtual character in editable graphical representations. Each animation state represents each individual action of the character for an instance in time. The method also includes storing data that represents one or more changes in the animation states of the virtual character from the editable graphical representations. A pose of the virtual character is reconstructable upon retrieval of the stored data.
US08941659B1
In an aspect, a method of monitoring one or more symptoms of a person include repeating, over a period of time, the steps of: selecting, by the person, one or more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms from a predefined set of symbolic representations presented to the person; and electronically recording data regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by the person such that the data is electronically accessible later for generating a history of the symptoms of the person over the period of time. The one or more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using an electronic device having a component for displaying the predefined set of symbolic representations that is coupled to a user input for receiving the selection of the one or more symbolic representations by the person.
US08941657B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for calculating zoom level timeline data. Event aggregators are configured to read execution data from sequentially received input buffers and pre-calculate data chunks for a specified zoom level to create a zoom tree. The density of execution data can be used to determine when pre-calculation is beneficial. In response to a user request, pre-calculated data can be combined with responsively calculated data for presentation to a user. User requests can specify zoom levels and time ranges over which data is to be presented.
US08941655B2
The example techniques described in this disclosure may be directed to interaction between a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a system memory. For example, the GPU may include a memory copy engine that handles tasks related to accessing data that is stored or is to be stored in the system memory. In addition, in some examples, the memory copy engine may perform additional tasks such as modification tasks to increase the performance of the GPU.
US08941653B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for rendering graphics primitives in parallel while maintaining the API primitive ordering. Multiple, independent geometry units perform geometry processing concurrently on different graphics primitives. A primitive distribution scheme delivers primitives concurrently to multiple rasterizers at rates of multiple primitives per clock while maintaining the primitive ordering for each pixel. The multiple, independent rasterizer units perform rasterization concurrently on one or more graphics primitives, enabling the rendering of multiple primitives per system clock.
US08941652B1
Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums are provided for filling missing data in a spatially distributed, graphically represented data set. An example method includes dividing the data set into a first plurality of tiles along a first plurality of boundary lines. For each of the first plurality of tiles, a first set of fill data is generated to fill missing data in the data set. Then, for each of a determined number of dimensions of the tiles, the data set is divided into a new plurality of tiles along a new plurality of boundary lines offset from the last immediately determined plurality of boundary lines and a new set of fill data is generated to fill the missing data. A portion of the new set of fill data includes a portion of the last immediately generated set of fill data that fall along the boundary of the respective new tile.
US08941644B2
This document describes techniques for creating three-dimensional models of image collections using a network-accessible (e.g., cloud-based) computation service, rather than a client computing device. In some instances described below, the computation service performs at least a portion of the operations for creating these models in parallel.
US08941643B1
A system includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method that includes projecting a first simulated ray from a moveable character within an interactive virtual environment to intersect one or more virtual surfaces represented in the environment. The method also includes rendering a graphical representation of the first simulated ray to identify the absence of an intersection with the one or more virtual surfaces represented in the interactive virtual environment.
US08941642B2
A three-dimensional model display device and a model display system in which even a beginner can easily edit a model, and edit and watch a moving image using a model while maintaining harmony of a model, a texture, and a motion. When a user clicks a selection button of “trying-on”, performed is a preview display about how an avatar possessed by the user is displayed when the avatar wears a cloth, a hairstyle, an item, and an accessory desired to be tried on. A head size, a body portion size, and a bust portion size of the avatar possessed by the user are managed in a user management table. Display data related to the preview display displayed on the display screen of the model display device is dynamically generated by a model display server based on the head size, the body portion size, and the bust portion size.
US08941635B2
There is offered a driving circuit for an electrophoretic display device directed to avoiding a problem that clearing display on a display unit is not performed when the power supply is lost and a wrong display such as wrong time display is left unchanged. In the driving circuit for the electrophoretic display device, either a display clearing signal or a display retaining signal is set in a display setting register in advance. When the loss of the power supply is detected by a low voltage detection circuit while the display clearing signal is retained in the display setting register, the display on the display unit is cleared or retained in accordance with the setting in the display setting register.
US08941628B2
A display device includes liquid crystal capacitor element formed between a pixel electrode and a counter electrode. One terminals of the pixel electrode, a first switch circuit, and a second switch circuit, and a first terminal of a second transistor form an internal node. The first switch circuit and the second switch circuit have other terminals connected to a source line. The second switch circuit is configured by a series circuit of transistors, and a control terminal of the transistor, a second terminal of the transistor, and one terminal of a boost capacitor element form an output node. The other terminal of the boost capacitor element is connected to a boost line, the control terminal of the transistor is connected to a reference line, and the control terminal of the transistor is connected to a selecting line.
US08941626B1
A method for compensating electromagnetic inductive pressure level of an electromagnetic pen is disclosed. First of all, an electromagnetic pen is provided on a touch panel, wherein the touch panel has a sensor layer and at least one sensor coil on a transparent substrate, the sensor coil is located on the peripheral region of the transparent substrate and around the sensor layer. Then a signal amplitude of the electromagnetic pen is calculated and a pressure level value is calculated via a frequency of the electromagnetic pen. Next distances between the sensor coil and the electromagnetic pen are calculated to obtain the location of the electromagnetic pen. Then a pressure level compensation value is obtained from a pressure level compensation value table. Finally, a compensated pressure level value is obtained by adding the pressure level value and the pressure level compensation value.
US08941623B2
Methods and devices are provided for determining location of an input on a surface of a device using a plurality of acoustic sensing elements. An exemplary method comprises determining a current support configuration of the device, selecting a device acoustic signature corresponding to the current support configuration, measuring acoustic response corresponding to the input at each acoustic sensing element of the plurality of acoustic sensing elements, and determining the location of the input based on the measured acoustic responses and the selected device acoustic signature for the current support configuration.
US08941606B2
An electronic device includes a touch panel, and a controlling unit which detects a user touch operation of drawing a circular trajectory on the touch panel and a size of a circular portion surrounded by the circular trajectory on the touch panel, calculates an aspect ratio of the circular portion with reference to the longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction on the touch panel, inputs the calculated aspect ratio of the circular portion as control information of the electronic device, and changes a setting value of the electronic device according to the input aspect ratio of the circular portion.
US08941604B2
Provided is a touch window including an upper substrate including a first extension portion from which a first transparent electrode having a first pattern in one direction is extended to an outside of the boundary portion of a view area, and a lower substrate including a second extension portion from which a second transparent electrode having a second pattern in orthogonal direction to the one direction is extended to an outside of the boundary portion of a view area in the orthogonal direction.
US08941601B2
An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: detect an angle of tilt of a device comprising a touch-sensitive display, the touch-sensitive display configured to provide visual content associated with an application and a virtual keyboard for inputting characters in connection with the application, wherein the virtual keyboard is provided on top of the visual content; and adjust the opacity of the virtual keyboard according to the angle of tilt such that the underlying visual content is visible to a greater or lesser extent.
US08941598B2
A driving method adapted to a touch-sensing display apparatus is provided. The touch-sensing display apparatus includes a display panel and a touch panel. The driving method includes following steps. I scan signals are sequentially sent to drive the display panel to receive a plurality of data signals. M driving signals are sequentially sent to drive the touch panel to generate a plurality of sensing signals during a sensing period. The mth driving signal is synchronized with the ith scan signal, wherein 1≦i≦I and 1≦m≦M. The touch panel is delayed by a predetermined time period within each pulse width of the M driving signals for generating the sensing signals. Furthermore, a touch controller is also provided.
US08941594B2
An interface, apparatus, circuit and method for interfacing with an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, are disclosed. The interface includes a key pad with a number of keys, each operable for providing a unique input to the electronic device, and a actuator for selectively actuating one or more of the keys. A controller, coupled to the key pad, scans the keys according to a mode of operation of the electronic device. A mode selector, operable with the controller, selects a first or second operating mode. In the first, useful for instance in performing telephonic functions, each key provides its unique input discretely. In the second mode, useful for instance for providing a game related function, certain of the keys are selectively chorded to function for providing their respective inputs together, effectively simultaneously, according to a manipulation of the actuator by the user.
US08941586B2
An input apparatus, a control apparatus, a control system, and a control method that are capable of making a movement of a pointer on a screen a natural movement that matches an intuition of a user are provided. An input apparatus includes a casing, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The acceleration sensor detects an acceleration value of the casing in a first direction. The angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity about an axis in a second direction different from the first direction. Instead of calculating a velocity value of the casing by simply integrating the detected acceleration value, the velocity value of the casing in the first direction is calculated based on the acceleration value and the angular velocity value that have been detected. As a result, a highly-accurate calculation of the velocity value of the casing becomes possible, and a movement of a pointer on a screen becomes a natural movement that matches a sense of a user based on a displacement corresponding to the velocity value.
US08941577B2
A first gate driver that drives a gate bus line corresponding to a first sub-pixel section and a second gate driver that drives a gate bus line corresponding to a second sub-pixel section are monolithically formed inside a panel. A shift register inside the second gate driver has a configuration where stages corresponding to respective rows and dummy stages each disposed for each row, are connected in series with one another. In such a configuration, a frequency of a clock signal for controlling an operation of the second gate driver is made twice as large as a frequency of a clock signal for controlling an operation of the first gate driver.
US08941575B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a timing controller for a display, includes a first unit, a second unit and a third unit. The first unit is configured to generate an image signal from a first input signal. The second unit is configured to generate a multitude of timing signals and a control signal from a multitude of second input signals, the control signal being generated after the multitude of timing signals are generated. The third unit is configured to generate a multitude of first signals from the multitude of timing signals after receipt of the control signal from the second unit. The image signal and the multitude of first signals are configured to drive the display when the timing controller is connected to the display.
US08941574B2
A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines crossing each other; a first source drive IC for outputting a data voltage to the data lines and inverting the polarity of the data voltage in response to a first polarity control signal; a second source drive IC for outputting the data voltage to the data lines and inverting the polarity of the data voltage in response to a second polarity control signal; and a timing controller for generating the first and second polarity control signals in the same phase when the source drive ICs output data voltages whose polarity is inverted by horizontal 1-dot inversion and generating the first and second polarity control signals in the opposite phase to each other when the source drive ICs output data voltages whose polarity is inverted by horizontal 2-dot inversion.
US08941566B2
Light emitting systems and method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The light emitting system includes two or more monolithically integrated luminescent elements. Each luminescent element includes an electroluminescent device and a dedicated switching circuit for driving the electroluminescent device. At least one luminescent element includes a potential well for down converting light emitted by the electroluminescent device in the luminescent element.
US08941563B2
The invention relates to a display device comprising a first light for emitting light rays and a first modulator operable to modulate those light rays for generating primary modulated light ray (10). A second light-source having a second modulator operable to generate secondary modulated light rays is also provided (14). The second light-source is transparent and is disposed relative to the first light-source such that primary modulated light rays generated by the first light-source are transmittable though the second light-source whereby a composite light-output comprising both primary and secondary modulated light rays is generated.
US08941561B1
Methods and systems for capturing and storing an image are provided. In one example, eye-movement data associated with a head-mountable device (HMD) may be received. The HMD may include an image-capture device arranged to capture image data corresponding to a wearer-view associated with the HMD. In one case, the received eye-movement data may indicate sustained gaze. In this case, a location of the sustained gaze may be determined, and an image including a view of the location of the sustained gaze may be captured. At least one indication of a context of the captured image, such as time and/or geographic location of the HMD when the image was captured may be determined and stored in a data-item attribute database as part of a record of the captured image. In a further example, movements associated with the HMD may also be determined and based on to determine sustained gaze and the location of the sustained gaze.
US08941557B2
An electronic display apparatus comprising a control device and an electronic display panel that can be turned off by the control device. In order to support an energy-saving state in which information can continue to be displayed at least to a certain extent, an electrochromic display is additionally provided that is switchable into different display states by the control device. The invention furthermore relates to an installation appertaining to automation technology, and to a method for operating an electronic display apparatus.
US08941554B2
The present disclosure relates generally to an anti-backlash component. In one embodiment, the anti-backlash component includes a housing, the housing comprising a first threaded opening and a second opening, a bolt coupled to the housing through the first threaded opening and the second opening, the bolt comprising a spherical end, a nut coupled to the bolt and an exterior side of the second opening of the housing and a socket coupled to the spherical end of the bolt.
US08941551B2
Ground connecting system for microwave plane or helical antenna structures comprising a radiating body that is connected to a power supply source located at ground level. In a plane antenna structure the radiating body is a flat plate with a plurality of ground connecting iron strips applied within appropriate recesses at selected regions thereof, whilst in a helical antenna structure the radiating body comprises a plurality of dielectric cylinders arranged along the circumference and inwardly the radiating surface, each dielectric cylinder located at the top of a coaxial power supply cable and being helicoidally wound with a conducting wire with ground connecting iron strips at the upper and bottom ends thereof. This selective grounding system results in a magnetic field being applied in between grounded and non-grounded regions that provides improved antenna transmission performance and effective isolation of the radiating body from the power supply source.
US08941549B2
A compact four-way transducer (FWT) is provided for a microwave communications system. The compact FWT is a compact assembly that is configured to process microwave signals in dual-polarization antenna feeds and to provide single polarized signals for four communications channels. The compact FWT includes four terminals facing different directions at one end for receiving/sending single polarized signals, and a terminal at an opposite end for receiving/sending dual polarized signals.
US08941543B2
An apparatus for a case for an electronic device containing one or more antennas is disclosed. The apparatus for the electronic device comprises a metal layer, a dielectric layer and a masking layer, wherein the masking layer has one or more channels, and some of the channels have antenna therein. The antenna extends from one wall to another wall of the case.
US08941541B2
An apparatus includes an antenna concealed within a portable communication device and configured to operate in non-overlapping frequency bands. The antenna includes an antenna element with a multilevel structure of geometric elements arranged to define empty spaces to provide winding current paths through the antenna element which circumvent the empty spaces, the winding current paths respectively corresponding to the non-overlapping frequency bands. The antenna further includes a ground plane, with the antenna element being electrically coupled to the ground plane. The antenna element provides a substantially similar impedance level and radiation pattern in the non-overlapping frequency bands. The geometric elements are arranged such that the antenna element does not comprise a group of single band antennas that respectively operate in the non-overlapping frequency bands, and the antenna element is not a fractal type antenna element.
US08941531B2
A remote control device tracks the Likely Current Channel (LCC) to which an associated controlled electronic consumer device is tuned. The remote determines an amount of time that the LCC remains unchanged. Based at least in part on this amount of time, the remote determines whether the LCC should be stored as a favorite Channel (FC). When the user subsequently presses a favorite key on the remote the remote uses a codeset and the stored FC information to output a transmitter operational signal. The operation signal carries the FC number such that the electronic consumer device is commanded to tune to the FC. Automatic detection, storage, and ranking of FCs eliminates the need for complex user programming of the remote. Because the ranking of FCs is automatically updated over time, changing user preferences are automatically accommodated without manual intervention, resulting in an effortless user interface.
US08941530B2
An electronic apparatus, control method thereof, remote control apparatus that controls the electronic apparatus, and control method thereof. The remote control apparatus includes a communication unit which communicates with the electronic apparatus; a user input unit which receives a user button selection indicating an input button; a sensing unit which senses movement of the remote control apparatus; and a control unit which controls the communication unit to transmit information about the user button selection to perform a function corresponding to the input button if the remote control apparatus is in a button input mode, and to transmit information about the movement of the remote control apparatus to the electronic apparatus to control the electronic apparatus by the movement if the remote control apparatus is in a motion recognition mode. Accordingly, controlling a game or a multimedia content is easier, and the user is provided with a new and interesting experience.
US08941527B2
A method of an aspect includes acquiring analog image data with a pixel array, and reading out the analog image data from the pixel array. The analog image data is converted to digital image data by performing an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion using a multiple slope voltage ramp. At least some of the digital image data is adjusted with calibration data. Other methods, apparatus, and systems, are also disclosed.
US08941522B2
A digital input to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is divided into a most significant portion and a lesser significant portion. At least one tap voltage generator generates a plurality of voltages, preferably using a resistor string. A decoder decodes at least one sub-word that forms the lesser significant portion to generate a corresponding at least one control signal. A switching unit accesses voltages generated by the at least one tap voltage generator in response to the at least one control signal. A scaled current generator generates a respective weighted current from each accessed voltage. An output stage combines all the weighted currents with a voltage that is an analog representation of the most significant portion of the digital input to generate an analog approximation of the entire digital input.
US08941521B2
To decrease the burden of digital processing, provided is an AD conversion apparatus comprising a pattern generating section that, for each target bit specified one bit at a time moving downward in the output data, generates a pattern signal having a pulse width or number of pulses corresponding to a weighting of the target bit; an integrating section that integrates the pattern signals according to a judgment value for judging a value of the target bit each time a pattern signal is generated, and outputs a reference signal obtained by accumulating the integrated value of each pattern signal; a comparing section that, each time generation of a pattern signal is finished, compares the input signal to the reference signal; and an output section that outputs the output data to have values corresponding to the comparison results obtained after each generation of a pattern signal corresponding to a bit is finished.
US08941509B2
A characteristic of a first utility meter is detected with a first probe head, and a characteristic of a second utility meter is detected with a second probe head. The characteristic of the first utility meter is dependent on a usage of a first utility metered by the first utility meter, and the characteristic of the second utility meter is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered by the second utility meter. Information related to the characteristic of the first utility meter is communicated from the first probe head to a communication unit, and information related to the characteristic of the second utility meter is communicated from the second probe head to the communication unit. A message is also sent from the communication unit indicating the usage of the first utility or the usage of the second utility.
US08941507B2
An flight-safe indicator for a battery displays the flight-safety state of a battery to be transported by an aircraft. The indicator can be easily recognized by ground personnel anywhere regardless of the language they speak or read. The indicator comprises an icon indicating that the battery is safe for flight and would be easily recognized by personnel at an airport. The icon would be placed on the battery or on the battery packaging prior to loading on the aircraft. When the magnitude of power stored on the battery exceeds a safety threshold, the icon changes to an indication that the battery is not safe for transporting by aircraft and the operator may discharge the battery using a load until it reaches a safe level.
US08941505B2
This smoke detector is provided with: a plurality of light emitting devices which emit light beams of mutually different wavelengths; and a plurality of scattered light receiving sections which receive, at a different scattering angle for each light beam of the respective wavelengths, scattered light generated due to the plurality of light beams emitted simultaneously from these light emitting devices impinging on smoke.
US08941500B1
A computing device is described that can receive contextual information related to a user associated with the computing device. The contextual information may relate to at least one of a physiological condition of the user at a current time or a type of activity associated with the user at the current time. The computing device can select, based at least in part on the contextual information, a type of alert to output as an indication of notification data. The type of alert may include at least one of an electric stimulus type alert, a shape-memory alloy type alert, and a vibration type alert. Responsive to selecting the type of alert, the computing device can output an alert based on the notification data, the alert being of the selected type of alert.
US08941496B2
An RFID system according to one embodiment includes an electronic device being powered by a battery; an RFID device in electrical communication with the electronic device; and a mechanism for estimating a remaining potential energy of the battery, wherein a flag is set on the RFID device when an estimated remaining potential energy of the battery is below a predefined threshold. In an RFID system according to another embodiment, the RFID device stores an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device. An RFID device according to yet another embodiment of the invention includes an interface for providing a direct physical connection to an electronic device that is powered by a battery; a memory for storing an indication of a condition of the battery powering the electronic device; and circuitry for sending the indication stored in the memory to a remote device via an air interface.
US08941495B2
According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are provided for implementing a wireless shelf pusher activity detection system. One example apparatus is a monitoring device for monitoring theft or sales activity associated with a product pusher device. The monitoring device may include a sensor configured to detect movement of a pusher member of the product pusher device, a wireless communications interface, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive at least one sensor signal from the sensor indicating movement of the pusher member, determine a product movement activity type based on characteristics of the at least one sensor signal, and generate, for transmission via the wireless communications interface, a pusher activity message indicating the product movement activity type.
US08941479B2
An object recognition system of a vehicle includes detecting means for detecting an object that is present around the vehicle, and enlarging means for enlarging the size of the object detected by the detecting means and recognizing the enlarged object, wherein a direction of enlargement of the object is determined according to a basis other than the object. When an object that is present around the vehicle is detected, the enlarging means enlarges the size of the object in a direction parallel to an indicator indicative of a lane boundary.
US08941470B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a Radio Frequency identification (RFID) tag that includes an OTP-based hardened memory system for the RFID tag.
US08941461B2
A circuit protection device includes a substrate with first and second electrodes connected to the circuit to be protected. The circuit protection device also includes a heater element between the first and second electrodes. A sliding contact is connected by a sensing element to the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element, thereby bridging and providing a conductive path between each. A spring element is held in tension by, and exerts a force parallel to a length of the substrate against, the sliding contact. Upon detection of an activation condition, the sensing element releases the sliding contact and the force exerted by the spring element moves the sliding contact to another location on the substrate at which the sliding contact no longer provides a conductive path between the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element.
US08941460B2
A rolled-up transformer structure comprises a multilayer sheet having a rolled configuration comprising multiple turns about a longitudinal axis. The multilayer sheet comprises more than one conductive pattern layer on a strain-relieved layer, including a first conductive film and a second conductive film separated from the first conductive film in a thickness direction. The first conductive film comprises an even number of primary conductive strips, where each primary conductive strip has a length extending in the rolling direction, and the second conductive film comprises an even number of secondary conductive strips, where each secondary conductive strip has a length extending in the rolling direction. In the rolled configuration, turns of the primary conductive strips and turns of the secondary conductive strips wrap around the longitudinal axis. The primary conductive strips serve as a primary winding and the secondary conductive strips serve as a secondary winding of the rolled-up transformer structure.
US08941458B2
In the coil unit 1A of the power supply device 1, the U-shaped plate 51C constituting the U-shaped terminal 50 is used to electrically connect the print-coil substrates 30, 40. Further, the print-coil substrates 30, 40 constituting the coil unit 1A can be connected to the main circuit substrate 20 also by using the U-shaped terminal 50. Here, the print-coil substrate 30 is connected to the print-coil substrate 40 by using the U-shaped terminal 50, by which soldering for fixing the U-shaped terminal 50 is performed from the lower face side of the print-coil substrate 30. Therefore, as compared with a conventional constitution where soldering is performed from both sides of the stacked print-coil substrates, the print coils can be connected by soldering only from one side face, thus making it possible to reduce the amount of work necessary for connecting the print coils.
US08941432B2
A resonant clock network includes an inductor coupled to the clock network through a plurality of switches. When the clock network enters resonant mode, the turn-on of the switches to couple the inductor to the clock network is staggered. The clock network may be formed of multiple regions, each with its own inductor and switches. The turn-on of switches of each region may be staggered with respect to the turn-on off the switches of the other regions as well as to the turn-on of switches within a region. In addition to staggering the turn-on of the switches when entering the resonant mode, the switches may be turned off in a staggered manner when exiting the resonant mode of operation.
US08941425B2
Provided is a semiconductor device for compensating for an internal skew without training with an external device. The semiconductor device includes a signal generating unit configured to generate and output a reference signal, a first receiving unit configured to receive the reference signal and output a first output signal, a second receiving unit configured to receive the reference signal and output a second output signal, a delay unit configured to delay the first output signal by a certain time and output a delayed signal, a sampling unit configured to sample the second output signal based on the delayed signal and output sampling data, and a skew controlling unit configured to control the delaying unit based on the sampling data.
US08941419B2
The invention concerns a device for providing a spread frequency clock signal, comprising: —an input (51) to receive a first clock signal having a first frequency; —a programmable clock divider (52) to generate the spread frequency clock signal from the first clock signal; —a first Feedback Shift Register (21), FSR, comprising at least one stage, the FSR being adapted to generate any of an odd number M of different values, the FSR being adapted to pseudo-randomly generate a first sequence of first output values, each corresponding to one of said M different values, and to provide a first output value, according to the sequence, during each clock cycle of the spread frequency clock signal; —a control unit (22) adapted to select a division factor of the programmable clock divider based on the first output value of the FSR during each clock cycle of the spread frequency clock signal; —an output (53) for providing the spread frequency clock signal.
US08941414B2
A track-and-hold circuit is provided. This track-and-hold circuit is adapted to track an analog input signal and hold a sampled voltage of the analog input signal at a sampling instant for processing by other circuitry, in response to a track signal that alternates with a hold signal. Preferably, the track-and-hold circuit includes a bi-directional current source that sources and sinks current through a first output node and a second output node, a unity gain amplifier that is coupled to first and second output nodes of the bi-directional current source and that receives the analog input signal, a resistor coupled to an output of the unity gain amplifier, and a capacitor coupled between the resistor and ground. Of interest, however, is the bi-directional current source, which includes a differential input circuit that is adapted to receive the track signal and the hold signal and that is coupled to the first and second output nodes and an RC network that is coupled to the differential input circuit. The RC network receives the analog input signal and is scaled to change the location of a zero to reduce the signal-dependence of the sampling instant.
US08941413B2
The light receiving circuit includes: a photoelectric conversion element for causing a current corresponding to an amount of incident light to flow to a node; a voltage detection circuit for outputting a detection signal when a voltage of the node becomes equal to or higher than a first voltage; a reset circuit for causing, when the detection signal of the voltage detection circuit is input, the current of the photoelectric conversion element to flow to a GND terminal so that the voltage of the node becomes a second voltage lower than the first voltage, and for holding this state when the detection signal is no longer input; and a voltage increase detection circuit for detecting a fluctuation in the voltage of the node and outputting a detection result.
US08941408B2
Techniques and mechanisms dynamically configure shift registers among registers composing data registers in a circuit such as a Programmable Logic Device (PLD). A configuration bit stream used to configure the PLD may have a reduced size if “phantom bits” not corresponding to configuration elements are removed. Shift registers may be dynamically configured such that registers which do not correspond to physical configuration elements may be skipped. Thus, a PLD may be programmed with a configuration bit stream without phantom bits.
US08941407B2
Described are integrated-circuit die with differential receivers, the inputs of which are coupled to external signal pads. Termination legs coupled to the signal pads support multiple termination topologies. These termination legs can support adjustable impedances, capacitances, or both, which may be controlled using an integrated memory.
US08941394B2
A system for reducing noise when detecting the capacitance value of a capacitor in a touch display that operates in a potentially noisy environment. A capacitance sensor is provided for determining the size of the capacitor in the touch screen display and includes a charging circuit that charges the capacitor and a discharge circuit that resets the charge of the capacitor to substantially zero. A control circuit controls the capacitance sensor and the operation of the charge and discharge circuits in accordance with a predetermined charging/discharging algorithm to resolve the value of the capacitor and output such value in a sampling operation. The operation of the control circuit and the charging/discharging algorithm is subject to errors as a function of the noisy environment, which errors will be reflected in the output value. A noise reduction circuit is provided to modify the operation of the control circuit to reduce noise.
US08941387B2
An electrical waveform is received over an electrical power line. A plurality of nominal electrical parameters are determined for the electrical power network and the plurality of nominal electrical parameters are associated with a state of the electrical power network in the absence of at least one transitory electrical fault in the network. Subsequently, a plurality of electrical parameters of the electrical waveform are sampled when the at least one transitory electrical fault exists in the network. A plurality of inductances are determined based at least in part upon a comparison of the nominal electrical parameters and the plurality of sampled electrical parameters. The plurality of inductances are representative of inductances present in the network when the at least one transitory electrical fault exists in the network. The plurality of inductances are analyzed to determine a distance and/or direction to the at least one electrical fault.
US08941378B2
A magnetic sensor includes a plurality of magnetoresistive elements that are formed by stacking a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer on a substrate and that exhibit a magnetoresistive effect and a soft magnetic member that converts a vertical magnetic field component into a horizontal magnetic field component. The soft magnetic member is formed of a plurality of first and second soft magnetic portions respectively extending in an X1-X2 direction and a Y1-Y2 direction, combined together in the shape of a lattice. The magnetoresistive elements have a sensitivity direction in the Y2 direction and include a magnetoresistive element located on a Y1 side portion side of the first soft magnetic portion and a magnetoresistive element located on a Y2 side portion side of the first soft magnetic portion, respectively receiving horizontal magnetic field components from the Y1 direction and Y2 direction.
US08941376B2
The invention relates to a method for the automated measurement of the residual magnetic field strength of magnetized ferromagnetic workpieces, especially steel tubes, the residual magnetic field exiting the face of the tube end being measured by means of a measuring probe. Instead of directly measuring the residual field strength on the face, the curve of at least one magnetic field component is measured on the outer surface of the tube at least in the region of the tube ends and beyond the tube ends and the residual field strength on the face is inferred on the basis of the previously determined correlations between the residual field strength measured on the face and on the tube surface.
US08941366B2
A DC-DC converter includes efficiency reporting circuitry having an output that is a measure of efficiency. In an example, the DC-DC converter has an input voltage, an output voltage, and a switching circuit converting the input voltage to an intermediate voltage, and the efficiency reporting circuitry determines the ratio between the output voltage and the intermediate voltage.
US08941349B2
A motor drive circuit includes: an advance angle setting correcting device having a correction reference cycle according to a reference advance angle count value, in which a correction amount is calculated as a ratio of the correction reference cycle to a cycle of a detection signal indicating a detected frequency proportional to a motor rotation speed, and in which an advance angle setting signal is obtained by multiplying the correction amount by a proportionality factor; and an advance angle setting device in which the advance angle correction value is added to the reference advance angle count value thereby outputting an advance angle setting signal, wherein a drive command signal containing a rotation speed information based on a target rotation speed is externally fed, the motor rotation speed is variably controlled in response to the drive command signal, and the detection signal is fed from a rotation speed detecting device.
US08941334B2
A method for minimizing the insulation stress of a high-pressure discharge lamp system, with an operating device, which generates a high voltage for starting the high-pressure discharge lamp, wherein a starting voltage time sum applied during lamp starting is minimized, the starting voltage time sum is the sum of all time segments Zi during which the magnitude of the starting voltage exceeds a starting voltage limit, and the starting voltage limit is defined as the factor range of a maximum value, in terms of magnitude, of the applied high voltages.
US08941331B2
A lighting system includes a lighting panel having a string of solid state lighting devices and a current supply circuit having a voltage input terminal, a control input terminal, and first and second output terminals coupled to the string of solid state lighting devices. The current supply circuit is configured to supply an on-state drive current to the string of solid state lighting devices in response to a control signal. The current supply circuit includes a charging inductor coupled to the voltage input terminal and an output capacitor coupled to the first output terminal. The current supply circuit is configured to operate in continuous conduction mode in which current continuously flows through the charging inductor while the on-state drive current is supplied to the string of solid state light emitting devices.
US08941329B2
A tunable light-emitting diode (LED) lamp for producing an adjustable light output is provided. In one embodiment, the LED lamp includes a drive circuit for driving LED dies in one of a plurality of light output configurations (e.g., a pre-sleep configuration, a phase-shift configuration, and a general lighting configuration). Further, the LED lamp may include an output select controller and/or input sensor electrically coupled to the drive circuit to select the light output configuration. As such, the LED lamp is tunable to generate different levels of spectral output, appropriate for varying biological circumstance, while maintaining a commercially acceptable light quality and color rendering index.
US08941327B2
A Light Emitting Diode (LED) driver circuit and a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controlling circuit thereof is provided. The LED driver circuit includes a voltage detector connected to a plurality of LED arrays, the voltage detector being configured to determine a connection status of each of the LED arrays according to a level of a feedback voltage of each of the LED arrays, and detect a minimum feedback voltage from the feedback voltage of each of the LED arrays that are determined to be connected, a controller configured to output a control signal to control boosting of the LED arrays according to the detected minimum feedback voltage, a PWM signal generator configured to output a PWM signal corresponding to the outputted control signal, and a driving voltage generator configured to supply a driving voltage commonly to the LED arrays according to the PWM signal.
US08941326B2
An Alternating-current-Direct-current (AC-DC dual-use) Light Emitting Diode (LED) driving circuit includes an input power circuit, a buck-boost converter, and a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal controller. The buck-boost converter, including a switching transistor and a feedback resistor, receives a current signal output from the input power circuit, and drives an LED with a driving signal. The PWM signal controller outputs a PWM signal according to the driving signal, so as to sequentially turn on and turn off the switching transistor. One end of the feedback resistor is coupled to the LED, and a floating ground terminal of the PWM signal controller is coupled to the switching transistor and the other end of the feedback resistor. Therefore, the AC-DC dual-use LED driving circuit is capable of dynamically adjusting the duty ratio of the PWM signal without connecting an external photocoupler.
US08941320B2
A method of driving a light source includes outputting a variable driving voltage to a light source part, sensing a first voltage based on the driving voltage and developed at a first end of the light source part, sensing a second voltage developed at a second end of the light source part due to current passing through the light source part and adjusting the driving voltage while using the first and second voltages so that power consumption by the light source part is substantially constant irrespective of temperature of the light source part and/or irrespective of a duty cycle ration being used to drive the light source part. Thus, a luminance of the light source part may be maintained at substantially uniform levels.
US08941319B2
An LED constant-current drive circuit includes a BUCK circuit consisting of a transformer T1, a diode D9, a capacitor C5 and a field effect transistor Q1; a voltage limiting circuit consisting of a resistor R1, a diode D8, a capacitor C1, a resistor R3, a triode Q2, a zener diode DZ1 and a diode D10; and a current limiting circuit consisting of a resistor R4, a triode Q3, a triode Q4 and a resistor R2. When the transistor Q1 is turned on, a current flows through a primary side of the transformer T1 and an LED load, and then flows through the transistor Q1 and the resistor R2, and then flows back to a negative electrode of a power supply. When the transistor Q1 is turned off, the current flows through the primary side of the transformer T1, the LED load and the diode D9, thus forming a loop.
US08941312B2
An enhanced control mechanism for an LED light string system is provided for switching between one of two DC output phases or polarities so as to actuate one or the other of two LEDs within the bulbs on the light string. The control mechanism is further configured to allow switching so as to pass through the input power provided by a high-to-low voltage converter that is plugged into its electrical power feeding end. The control mechanism may then provide rectified AC voltage, or DC voltage, of various switched values to the LED string according to the particular needs of the LED bulbs.
US08941306B2
This invention is a night light assembly containing a multiple LED light source and an electronic controller whereby the electronic controller causes the multiple LED light source to continually change its light output from a high intensity photopic light output to a low intensity scotopic light output in response to a transition from light to dark of an ambient light, matching a human eye response to a sudden decrease in ambient light.
US08941297B2
The present invention relates to white-emitting organic electroluminescent devices which have a fluorescent emitter layer and a phosphorescent emitter layer.
US08941290B2
Provided are a vibrating body and a vibration wave actuator, which can suppress vibration attenuation along with a reduction in size with an inexpensive structure, to thereby improve vibration efficiency, and can output stable vibration energy. A vibrating body includes: a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric layer and an electrode layer; a ceramic substrate to which the piezoelectric element is fixed; and a ceramic layer including the same main component as a main component of the ceramic substrate, which is provided between the piezoelectric element and the ceramic substrate, and the piezoelectric element is fixed to the ceramic substrate through intermediation of the ceramic layer.
US08941287B2
The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring a structural component. The system may include an electromechanical device to generate guided waves having a measurement surface and a bonding agent disposed on the measurement surface and configured to engage with the surface of the structural component. The system may also include a heating element for heating the measurement surface, the bonding agent, and capable of heating a portion of the structural component surface. In addition, the system may include a clamp for retaining the measurement surface relative to the structural component.
US08941277B2
A motor includes a bearing holder and an attachment plate fixed to a radial outer surface of the bearing holder. The attachment plate includes a flat portion including a circular hole and a burring portion axially protruding from the circular hole. The bearing holder includes holder protrusion portions each including a radial outer surface at least partially making contact with the burring portion and holder recess portions and the holder protrusion portions and the holder recess portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction. The burring portion includes a plurality of caulking sections extending radially outward to make contact with the circuit board and the plurality of caulking sections are arranged radially outward of the holder recess portions.
US08941276B2
In one arrangement, a motor assembly includes a housing defining a housing chamber, a stator disposed within the housing chamber, and a rotor assembly disposed within the housing chamber. The rotor assembly includes a spindle housing defining a spindle housing chamber extending along a longitudinal axis of the spindle housing and a set of magnets disposed about an outer periphery of the spindle housing and in proximity to the stator. The rotor assembly includes a ball nut cartridge disposed within the spindle housing chamber of the spindle housing and a securing mechanism configured to secure the ball nut cartridge to the spindle housing.
US08941271B2
The linear motor includes: a frame; a slider having an mounting portion to allow the suction nozzle to be coupled thereto, wherein the slider is support by the frame in a movable manner in an up and down direction; a plurality of permanent magnets fixed to the slider while being aligned in the up and down direction; a spring member installed between the frame and a region of the slider spaced from the fixation position of the permanent magnets in the up and down direction, to bias the slider upwardly; a coil supported by the frame in such a manner as to be opposed to the permanent magnets; and an encoder supported by the frame in side-by-side relation with the coil in the up and down direction and adapted to detect a movement of the slider. The encoder and the spring member are arranged side-by-side in a horizontal direction.
US08941263B2
An energy storage system and a method of controlling the energy storage system are disclosed. The energy storage system includes an integrated controller configured to determine a functional state of a power converting unit, a bidirectional converter, and a bidirectional inverter based on conditions of the power generation system, the battery, and the load.
US08941262B2
A power supply device having a first load operating with a first voltage in a normal operation mode, a second load operating with a second voltage lower than the first voltage in the normal operation mode, and a third load operating with the second voltage in the normal operation mode and a power-saving mode. An auxiliary second-voltage generating circuit configured to, when a main supply voltage is supplied from a main power supply circuit and a primary second-voltage generating circuit does not generate the second voltage with a third-load electric path for carrying therethrough the main supply voltage from the main power supply circuit to the third load without passing through the primary second-voltage generating circuit being broken by a switching circuit, generate the second voltage from the main supply.
US08941243B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of signal lines, and at least one power line. The substrate includes an integrated circuit unit. The signal lines are disposed on the substrate and are configured to provide the integrated circuit unit with signals. The power line is disposed on the substrate and is configured to provide the integrated circuit unit with power supply on the substrate. The power line includes a stacked structure including a first power line and a second power line stacked on the first power line.
US08941210B2
Semiconductor devices including a trench isolation layer are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a trench therein, a liner insulation layer that covers a bottom surface and sidewalls of the trench and includes micro trenches located at bottom inner corners of the liner insulation layer, a first isolating insulation layer filling the micro trenches and a lower region of the trench that are surrounded by the liner insulation layer, and a second isolating insulation layer filling the trench on the first isolating insulation layer. The liner insulation layer on sidewalls of an upper region of the trench having a thickness that gradually increases toward a bottom surface of the trench, and the liner insulation layer on sidewalls of the lower region of the trench having a thickness that is uniform. Related methods are also provided.
US08941205B2
An integrated circuit may include a region containing a thermoelectric material and be configured to be subjected to a temperature gradient resulting from a flow of an electric current in a part of the integrated circuit during its operation, and an electrically conducting output coupled to the region for delivering the electrical energy produced by thermoelectric material.
US08941203B2
Methods and structures for providing single-color or multi-color photo-detectors leveraging plasmon resonance for performance benefits. In one example, a radiation detector includes a semiconductor absorber layer having a first electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a first spectral region, a semiconductor collector layer coupled to the absorber layer and having a second electrical conductivity type, and a plasmonic resonator coupled to the collector layer and having a periodic structure including a plurality of features arranged in a regularly repeating pattern.
US08941184B2
A semiconductor device including an NMOS region and a PMOS region; the NMOS region having a gate structure including a first high-k gate dielectric, a first work function setting metal and a gate electrode fill material; the PMOS region having a gate structure comprising a second high-k gate dielectric, a second work function setting metal and a gate electrode fill material; wherein the first gate dielectric is different than the second gate dielectric and the first work function setting metal is different than the second work function setting metal. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating the semiconductor device which include a gate last process.
US08941181B2
An integrated circuit with a shallow trench isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode. An integrated circuit with a gate space isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode. An integrated circuit with a gate space isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode in parallel with a shallow trench isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode.
US08941177B2
A method of manufacturing multiple finFET devices having different thickness gate oxides. The method may include depositing a first dielectric layer on top of the semiconductor substrate, on top of a first fin, and on top of a second fin; forming a first dummy gate stack; forming a second dummy gate stack; removing the first and second dummy gates selective to the first and second gate oxides; masking a portion of the semiconductor structure comprising the second fin, and removing the first gate oxide from atop the first fin; and depositing a second dielectric layer within the first opening, and within the second opening, the second dielectric layer being located on top of the first fin and adjacent to the exposed sidewalls of the first pair of dielectric spacers, and on top of the second gate oxide and adjacent to the exposed sidewalls of the second pair of dielectric spacers.
US08941175B2
A power array with a staggered arrangement for improving on-resistance and safe operating area of a device is provided. Each power array includes two or more rows with a plurality of parallel device units arranged along the row. Each device unit includes a source region, a drain region, and a gate disposed between the source region and the drain region, wherein each drain region is offset from the adjacent drain region of adjacent rows in a row direction.
US08941172B2
A non-volatile memory device includes first and second vertical channel layers generally protruding upwardly from a semiconductor substrate substantially in parallel; a first gate group configured to include a plurality of memory cell gates which are stacked substantially along the first vertical channel layer and are isolated from each other with an interlayer insulating layer interposed substantially between the memory cell gates; a second gate group configured to include a plurality of memory cell gates which are stacked substantially along the second vertical channel layer and are isolated from each other with the interlayer insulating layer interposed substantially between the memory cell gates; a pipe channel layer configured to couple the first and the second vertical channel layers; and a channel layer extension part generally extended from the pipe channel layer to the semiconductor substrate and configured to couple the pipe channel layer and the semiconductor substrate.
US08941171B2
Memory devices, methods for fabricating, and methods for adjusting flatband voltages are disclosed. In one such memory device, a pair of source/drain regions are formed in a semiconductor. A dielectric material is formed on the semiconductor between the pair of source/drain regions. A control gate is formed on the dielectric material. A charged species is introduced into the dielectric material. The charged species, e.g., mobile ions, has an energy barrier in a range of greater than about 0.5 eV to about 3.0 eV. A flatband voltage of the memory device can be adjusted by moving the charged species to different levels within the dielectric material, thus programming different states into the device.
US08941167B2
An erasable programmable single-poly nonvolatile memory includes a first PMOS transistor comprising a select gate, a first p-type doped region, and a second p-type doped region, wherein the select gate is connected to a select gate voltage, and the first p-type doped region is connected to a source line voltage; a second PMOS transistor comprising the second p-type doped region, a third p-type doped region, and a floating gate, wherein the third p-type doped region is connected to a bit line voltage; and an erase gate region adjacent to the floating gate, wherein the erase gate region is connected to an erase line voltage.
US08941161B2
A semiconductor device comprises a first substrate portion and a second substrate portion disposed a distance away from the first substrate portion. The first substrate portion includes a first active semiconductor layer defining at least one semiconductor fin and a first polycrystalline layer formed directly on the fin. The first polycrystalline layer is patterned to define at least one semiconductor gate. The second substrate portion includes a doped region interposed between a second active semiconductor region and an oxide layer. The oxide layer protects the second active semiconductor region and the doped region. The doped region includes a first doped area and a second doped area separated by the first doped region to define a depletion region.
US08941158B2
Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type having a first face and a second face that is the opposite side from the first face; a plurality of pixels provided on the first face of the semiconductor substrate, each of the pixels including a semiconductor region of a second conductivity type that converts incident light into signal charges, and stores the signal charges; a readout circuit provided on the second face of the semiconductor substrate to read the signal charges stored in the pixels; an ultrafine metal structure placed at intervals on a face on a side of the semiconductor region, the light being incident on the face; and an insulating layer provided between the ultrafine metal structure and the semiconductor region.
US08941157B2
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first conductive patterns separated by a damascene pattern, a second conductive pattern buried in the damascene pattern, and a spacer including an air gap between the second conductive pattern and the first conductive patterns.
US08941156B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a set of device features on top of a substrate; forming a first dielectric layer directly on top of the set of device features and on top of the substrate, thereby creating a height profile of the first dielectric layer measured from a top surface of the substrate, the height profile being associated with a pattern of an insulating structure that fully surrounds the set of device features; and forming a second dielectric layer in areas that are defined by the pattern to create the insulating structure. A structure formed by the method is also disclosed.
US08941155B2
A Field Effect Transistor (FET) structure may include a fin on a substrate having a first lattice constant and at least two different lattice constant layers on respective different axially oriented surfaces of the fin, wherein the at least two different lattice constant layers each comprise lattice constants that are different than the first lattice constant and each other.
US08941147B2
A device and method for fabrication includes providing a first substrate assembly including a first substrate and a first metal layer formed on the first substrate and a second substrate assembly including a second substrate and a second metal layer formed on the second substrate. The first metal layer is joined to the second metal layer using a cold welding process wherein one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes a semiconductor channel layer for forming a transistor device.
US08941145B2
Systems and methods for dry eteching a photodetector array based on InAsSb are provided. A method for fabricating an array of photodetectors includes receiving a pattern of an array of photodetectors formed from InAsSb, the pattern including at least one trench defined between adjacent photodetectors, and dry etching the at least one trench with a plasma including BrCl3 and Ar.
US08941127B2
A first transistor in which an image signal is input to one of a first source and a first drain through an image signal line and a first scan signal is input to the first gate through a first scan signal line; a capacitor whose one of two electrodes is electrically connected to the other of the first source and the first drain of the first transistor; a second transistor in which one of a second source and a second drain is electrically connected to the other of the first source and the first drain of the first transistor and a second scan signal is input to a second gate through a second scan signal line; and a liquid crystal element whose first electrode is electrically connected to the other of the second source and the second drain of the second transistor.
US08941122B2
In a manufacturing method of a silicon carbide semiconductor device, a semiconductor substrate made of single crystal silicon carbide is prepared. At a portion of the semiconductor substrate where a first electrode is to be formed, a metal thin film made of electrode material including an impurity is formed. After the metal thin film is formed, the first electrode including a metal reaction layer in which the impurity is introduced is formed by irradiating the metal thin film with a laser light.
