US08359660B2
A method and apparatus of securing data stored in a memory of a portable memory storage device are disclosed. One example may include activating an authentication detection component of the portable memory storage device, and verifying an authentication key via the authentication detection component of the portable memory storage device. Once the authentication is complete, additional operations may include interfacing the portable memory storage device with a computing device and accessing data stored in the memory device. Upon ending the access operation, the discontinuing of the interfacing of the memory storage device with the computing device will automatically lock the memory storage device after a predetermined time has passed.
US08359659B2
There is provided apparatus comprising a user interface for displaying a plurality of items. The apparatus is arranged: a) to receive at least one instruction, by which instruction or instructions, one or more of a plurality of items initially displayed on the user interface is or are categorized as an item or items to be hidden and the remaining one or more of the plurality of items initially displayed on the user interface is or are categorized as an item or items to be displayed; b) to receive an instruction to hide, from the user interface, the one or more items to be hidden; and c) to hide from the user interface, the one or more items to be hidden, such that the item or items categorized as items to be displayed are displayed on the user interface, and the item or items categorized as items to be hidden are not displayed on the user interface. In one preferred arrangement, the apparatus is an electronic device. There is also provided a method for hiding one or more items of a plurality of items displayed on a user interface for a user apparatus. Again, the user apparatus may be an electronic device. There is further provided a method for selecting a new password or entering a predetermined password on a user apparatus. The user apparatus may be an electronic device for storing electronic files.
US08359650B2
A method for evaluating potential attacks of worms, the method includes: associating, in response to information representative of a network and of worm entities, between worm entities and potential worm sources to provide associated worm sources; determining potential worm attacks that start from the associated worm sources; and evaluating at least one potential worm attack security metric associated with the potential worm attacks.
US08359646B2
A method and system for ensuring security and preventing intrusion in a connection between a thin client and a client blade. An encrypted keep-alive protocol is conducted between the client blade and the thin client. The client blade issues keep-alive protocol messages and monitors for keep-alive protocol acknowledgments from the thin client. If a failure in receiving a keep-alive protocol acknowledgment from the thin client is detected and the failure is not due to a momentary glitch in the keep-alive protocol, then a command is generated to enter the client blade in a particular state (e.g., a hard power off state). The command is based on a “privilege mask” which includes code that specifies an action to be performed (i.e., enter a particular state) by the client blade. Based on the action performed by the client blade, the client blade provides different levels of security or protection against intrusion.
US08359644B2
A roaming client in communication with an enterprise site through a virtual private network (VPN) gateway maintains an address for a virtual network interface upon becoming a resident client at the enterprise site. A physical interface for the resident includes two valid addresses. Seamless data networking is achieved while promoting routing efficiency by reducing the amount of local traffic addressed to and from the virtual address that is unnecessarily routed through VPN gateways.
US08359638B2
A service request is received and associated with a subscriber id. Profile information is accessed for the source of the service request. A copy of the profile information is stored in a network element employed by the source of the service request to access the network.
US08359637B2
A system for sharing a device between two independent software platforms and for access control of a network device across the two independent software platforms is provided. The system has a first computing device operating on a first software platform for authenticating at least a first user and accessing a first user's access list having at least one address of a second user. The system also has a second computing device operable with the same first user and a second different software platform. A destination across the first and the second software platforms is mapped to selectively control the device by the second user from the first user's access list with the second user operating on the second computing device.
US08359631B2
Portable on-line identity verification technology includes, for example, portable widgets with an identity rating, and other on-line identification verification icons and identity rating scores.
US08359626B1
A method of transmission of application data (97) in a digital transport stream characterized in providing an application data table (110) containing information regarding the applications (97) carried in each service (91, 92) within the transport stream. The application data table (110) may conveniently be designated by a fixed PID value and a TID extension value varying in dependence on the bouquet of services chosen. The use of a single application data table to provide information across all services within a bouquet provides a number of advantages, in particular when deciding whether or not to maintain certain applications when switching between services.
US08359620B2
An Internet Set-Top Box (ISTB) and a method of providing wideband IP telephony services using the ISTB are provided, which are capable of implementing wideband voice communication services using a wideband voice codec, controlling a Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) packet payload to process a variety of wideband speech frame payloads, and providing high-quality wideband IP telephony services by controlling a jitter buffer to maintain conference call synchronization.
US08359617B2
A apparatus for processing EPG information that EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information can be read prior to display independently of an operation by an input device. The EPG information processing apparatus controls the amount of EPG information stored in a database prior to display so that the speed of acquiring EPG information and the speed of supplying EPG information indicating the frequency of using an acquired electronic program guide are kept in a predetermined relation. In response to a direction for updating an on-display electronic program guide, the EPG processing apparatus supplies new EPG information, and stores another piece of EPG information associated with the EPG information in the database prior to next display. The amount of information stored in the database in advance is decided so that the acquiring speed and supplying speed can be kept in a predetermined relation. Therefore, the amount of information stored in advance is raised with increase in the frequency of using an electronic program guide in correlation with the acquired supplying speed, and the amount of information stored in advance is decreased with decrease in the using frequency.
US08359611B2
A mechanism is provided for indexing commercials. A viewer may query a search engine for a particular product or service. The index may include descriptors that are provided within a blanking interval within the media stream or within program guide information associated with the stream. The index information may also include Internet hyperlinks. Commercials may also have associated therewith a value that is relative to a value of media content. A viewer may accumulate value by viewing advertisements. Accumulated value may then be used to acquire more content.
US08359608B2
There is provided a motor formed to have a simple coupling structure between a base plate and a sleeve holder, thereby implementing a simple structure and reducing costs and processes taken for manufacturing the motor, and an optical disc drive using the same. To this end, the motor includes a base plate having at least one protrusion formed therein, and a sleeve holder having a body part, of which the shape is cylindrical and in which a sleeve is fitted, and a flange protrudingly formed from a lower end of the body part in such a manner as to make surface-to-surface contact with an upper surface of the base plate, wherein the flange is formed to have at least one insertion hole, through which the protrusion is inserted so that the sleeve holder is coupled to the base plate.
US08359602B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for task switching with inline execution. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a first state and a second state are identified for a function executing in the first state. A switch routine is invoked at a particular execution point in the function. A work element is generated in the switch routine. The work element includes status information for the function. The work element is transmitted to at least one alternate state task. The first state is altered to the second state according to the work element. Execution of the function in the second state is resumed at the particular execution point.
US08359600B2
Disclosed is a system for providing personalization of virtual machines for a system on demand (SoD) service includes an SoD server, wherein the SoD server includes an aspect measuring unit that measures user's use habits and aspects with respect to the peripheral devices on the basis of use or not of the peripheral devices; a preference generating unit that calculates preference for each attribute with respect to attributes included in the peripheral devices on the basis of the use habits and aspects measured by the aspect measuring unit; and a configuration unit that calculates satisfaction for each device with respect to peripheral devices which can be used in the virtual machine on the basis of the preference for each attribute calculated by the preference generating unit and configures the peripheral devices of the virtual machine on the basis of the calculated satisfaction for each device.
US08359599B2
Methods and systems for coordinating sharing of resources among a plurality of tasks operating in parallel in a document presentation environment while host communications and task processing may be performed asynchronously with respect to one another. A mapped resource manager manages activation (addition) and deactivation (deletion) of resources shared by a plurality of tasks operating in parallel to assure that each task may continue processing with a consistent set of files as resources despite changes made by other tasks or by operator intervention.
US08359596B2
A grid computing system having a plurality of information processing apparatuses, each of which comprises an index value storing part for storing an index value indicative of the throughput of the information processing apparatus itself; a request acquiring part for acquiring a job execution request that requests an execution of a job; a job executing part for executing the job, based on the index value stored in the index value storing part and also based on the process contents of the job, if determining that the job is to be executed in the foregoing information processing apparatus; and a request transmitting part for forwarding the job execution request to another information processing apparatus connected to the foregoing information processing apparatus if determining that the job is not to be executed in the foregoing information processing apparatus.
US08359594B1
Embodiments disclosed herein utilize Habitats to perform incremental updates on virtual machines (VMs) over time. A VM Habitat comprises a collection of VMs and a specification shared between these VMs. Each Habitat specification may define an image name, processing power, etc. A Habitat specification may exist across a cluster of servers. In some embodiments, to dynamically update a Habitat specification, only “spare” VMs in the Habitat are updated, subject to some scheduling parameters and server concurrency limit. As spare VMs are updated, they move towards the new Habitat specification. Eventually, all VMs reach this goal over time, given sufficient spare VM resources. This approach can allow the service provided by the VMs to remain operational, thus maintaining the service level required for its users. This automated process can also eliminate or otherwise reduce human error either in the server removal/insertion from/to the cluster or in the VM update itself.
US08359591B2
A technique for streaming from a media device involves enabling a local device to function as a streaming server. An example of a method according to the technique includes inserting a removable storage device that includes programs associated with a streaming application, running one or more of the programs, ensuring that a streaming software player is installed, and executing a streaming-related activity associated with the streaming application. An example of a system according to the technique includes a means for providing a streaming application that expects content to be found on a media drive, a means for intercepting requests for content expected to be found on the media drive, and a means for honoring the requests with content from a different media location.
US08359588B2
A method of reducing inter-task latency for software comprising a sequence of instructions including a synchronous remote procedure call to be executed on a multiprocessor system comprising a calling processor and at least one remote engine. The method comprises the steps of: inputting the software; inputting a runtime resource description describing a runtime environment of the multiprocessor system; identifying the synchronous remote procedure call in the sequence of instructions; replacing the synchronous remote procedure call in the sequence of instructions with an initiation instruction and a wait instruction to generate a substitute sequence of instructions; reordering the substitute sequence of instructions with reference to the runtime resource description and the dependencies to generate a reordered sequence of instructions; and outputting the reordered sequence of instructions.
US08359585B1
Methods and systems for obsolescence mitigation of electronic systems including hardware and software components, in particular methods and systems for managing obsolete instrument hardware and application software used in legacy Automated Test Systems (ATS) or Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). When one or more components of a test program set (TPS) has been rendered obsolete, migration to one or more replacement instruments without any impact to the TPS or other remaining legacy instruments in the ATE or ATS is obtained by a translator module interposed between the new instrument and the system bus for translating instructions for the obsolete instrument or set of instruments into instructions or procedures for the new instrument whereby the new instrument thus functions in the same manner as the obsolete instrument or set of instruments.
US08359580B2
A system for tracking the testing of a set of software modification projects in an install plan provides a centralized project database where the testers can update their progress of testing software modification projects as they perform the tests. The central database advantageously eliminates the need to contact individual testers of each and every project every time a status report needs to be generated. Instead, a manager can automatically generate status reports which contain the testing progress of particular projects in real-time to more accurately monitor what projects are on track and what projects may be falling behind schedule.
US08359571B2
A computer method, system and apparatus for selecting version of a software program artifact includes history means and processor means. The history means indicate (a) a baseline version of each artifact in a given plurality of artifacts forming a subject software program configuration, and (b) respective change-set information per artifact. Different change sets correspond to different versions of the artifacts. The processor means determine version of an artifact in the subject software program configuration using the indicated baseline versions and change-set information. The processor means enable the configuration management system to display the determined version of the artifact to a user.
US08359568B2
A data management method includes accessing data objects in an application written in C/C++ for change-logging and multi-step redo/undo, wherein the data objects are organized in a binary format and are devoid of self-describing information, and wherein the accessing the data objects is structured in a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including a semantic layer, a change log layer, and a repository layer, dynamically analyzing the data objects to recognize all changes made by any of a plurality of users for all data types used by the application, the dynamically analyzing the data including using semantic analysis to track changes and identifying any changes in any of the data objects, and using generated wrapper classes to convert between C/C++ data structures and generic data format, wherein the wrapper classes are generated from developer provided annotations with C/C++ data structure declarations.
US08359560B2
Methods for debugging designs are provided. First, signal correlation information for signals of a design at least two design level is obtained. Then, design descriptions corresponding to the design at the at least two design levels are loaded and presented in at least two sets of windows or at least two debugging processes which controls the respective set of windows. A selection of a first signal in a first set of windows or a first debugging process is received. In response to the selection, a second signal corresponding to the first signal is queried according to the signal correlation information, and the second signal in a second set of windows or a second debugging process is automatically selected.
US08359549B1
Methods and apparatuses are provided which may be implemented to provide a multiple-function user interactive tool adapted for manipulating three-dimensional objects graphically presented within a virtual space.
US08359548B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing a subset of user contacts on a telecommunications device are provided. In one embodiment, a software application executed by a processor of a telecommunications device identifies a subset of contacts selected at least in part by a user of the telecommunications device. The subset of contacts includes a portion of the user's contacts accessible by the telecommunications device. The software application executed by the processor of the telecommunications device then causes display of a graphical identifier associated with each contact of the subset of contacts in an arrangement on a display of the telecommunications device about an axis positioned external to the display of the telecommunications device. Aspects of systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for further arranging the graphical identifiers are also provided. Even further, aspects of systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for providing functionality associated with the graphical identifiers are provided.
US08359547B2
A volume setting icon is provided with a slider for indicating a volume increasing from left toward right. A region in a direction of lower volume relative to a position corresponding to a current value, at which the slider is displayed, is identified as a volume low region, and a region in a direction of higher volume is identified as a volume high region. When the slider is selected, the slider can continuously be operated to move in any direction toward the volume low region and the volume high region. When the volume low region other than the slider is touched, the slider is instantaneously operated to move to a position corresponding to a touch position. When the volume high region other than the slider is touched, the slider is not instantaneously operated to move to a position corresponding to a touch position.
US08359544B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for remotely submitting content to a website without navigating to the website are provided. The website is a content-sharing website that accepts public content submissions and makes the content available to multiple users. Initially, a client application may download remote-content-submission instructions from the website. Subsequently, the client application may follow the instructions to format a remote content submission and communicate it to the website.
US08359541B1
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for distributing icons so that they do not overlap certain screen areas of a mobile device. In particular, screen areas of a background image displayed on a screen of a mobile device may be identified as image portions that are desirable for protection. After the desired image portions are identified, foreground screen areas corresponding to the desired image portions are designated as being unavailable to present icons. Icons are then presented on available screen areas of the mobile device so as to avoid overlapping desired image portions.
US08359539B2
In an information processing apparatus for forming print data which can be interpreted by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data formed by an application in order to enable the user to easily set the switching between a printer and a mail box as destinations, a user interface which can set either a mail box mode to accumulate the print data into the printing apparatus without printing it or a printer output mode to sequentially print the print data received by the printing apparatus is provided.
US08359534B1
A system and computer program product produces an output document in any of several formats including any of several page description languages, from a file, in response to server side code.
US08359533B2
A computer receives a user request to replace a first text string with a second text string in a first document and a second document, respectively, wherein the first text string in the first document has a first content type and the first text string in the second document has a second content type that is different from the first content type. The computer substitutes the second text string for the first text string in the first document and the second document, wherein the replacing second text string in the first document has the first content type and the replacing second text string in the second document has the second content type.
US08359526B2
An apparatus for processing streams includes a trellis encoding unit which changes a part of streams with parities, an RS re-encoding unit which corrects at least one of parity part and data part of the streams, and generates new codewords to match the changed part of the streams, and a multiplexer which re-constructs the streams with the generated codewords.
US08359525B2
A method of transmitting data in an optical transport network is provided. The method comprises generating an optical transmission unit frame including an in-band area including a first area to which information data is allocated and a second area to which the information data is not allocated and an out-band area including parity information and transmitting the data through the optical transmission unit frame.
US08359521B2
A system and method for providing a memory device having a shared error feedback pin. The system includes a memory device having a data interface configured to receive data bits and CRC bits, CRC receiving circuitry, CRC creation circuitry, a memory device pad, and driver circuitry. The CRC receiving circuitry utilizes a CRC equation for the detection of errors in one or more of the received data and the received CRC bits. The CRC creation circuitry utilizes the CRC equation for the creation of CRC bits consistent with data to be transmitted to a separate device bits. The memory device pad is configured for reporting of any errors detected in the received data and the received CRC bits. The driver circuitry is connected to the memory device pad and merged with one or more other driver circuitries resident on one or more other memory devices into an error reporting line.
US08359520B2
Detecting, avoiding and/or correcting problematic puncturing patterns in parity bit streams used when implementing punctured Turbo codes is achieved without having to avoid desirable code rates. This enables identification/avoidance of regions of relatively poor Turbo code performance. Forward error correction comprising Turbo coding and puncturing achieves a smooth functional relationship between any measure of performance and the effective coding rate resulting from combining the lower rate code generated by the Turbo encoder with puncturing of the parity bits. In one embodiment, methods to correct/avoid degradations due to Turbo coding are implemented by puncturing interactions when two or more stages of rate matching are employed.
US08359519B2
A cooperative transmission method includes: a first operation of coding, by a source node, a message desired to be transmitted according to a first encoding scheme to generate a first codeword and transmitting the first codeword to a relay node and a destination node; a second operation of decoding, by the relay node, the first codeword which has been received from the source node, coding the decoded message according to a second coding scheme to generate a second codeword, coding a part corresponding to parity of the second codeword according to the first coding scheme to generate a third codeword, and transmitting the third codeword to the destination node; and a third operation of decoding, by the destination node, the first codeword which has been received from the source node and the third codeword which has been received from the relay node, combining the message generated by decoding the first codeword and the parity part of the second codeword generated by decoding the third codeword to generate a fourth codeword according to the second coding scheme, and decoding the fourth codeword to estimate the message desired to be transmitted.
US08359516B2
Apparatus and methods for operating a flash device characterized by use of Lee distance based codes in a flash device so as to increase the number of errors that can be corrected for a given number of redundancy cells, compared with Hamming distance based codes.
US08359508B2
A method and apparatus for selecting a retransmission mode in a MIMO communication system are provided wherein a receiver receives m initial transmission streams from a transmitter, m being an integer of 2 or larger, channel-decodes the m initial transmission streams and checking errors in the m channel-decoded streams, selects, if at least two channel-decoded streams have errors among the m channel-decoded streams, a retransmission mode to be used for the at least two streams having errors in the transmitter, and transmits information including the selected retransmission mode to the transmitter.
US08359506B2
Methods of transmitting data using a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process channels sequentially is disclosed. One of the methods of transmitting data through a plurality of HARQ process channels including a first channel and a second channel includes adding offset to a retransmission data block if the first channel which will transmit the retransmission data block is prescheduled (S702) by another data block, the offset representing the difference in a transmission timing point between the second channel in which positive acknowledgement (ACK) signal has been received (S701) and the first channel; transmitting the retransmission data block through the second channel; and transmitting a data block corresponding to the second channel through the first channel.
US08359497B2
A method, computer program product, and system determining the cause of serialization failures is described. A method may comprise, if a first object that has been serialized with all references to member fields by the first object removed passes deserialization, restoring, via at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, a first reference to a first member field by the first object. The method may further comprise serializing, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, the first object with the restored first reference to the first member field. The method may also comprise, if the serialized first object with the restored first reference to the first member field fails deserialization, determining, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, that the first reference to the first member field by the first object causes the failure.
US08359494B2
A method and an apparatus are provided for parallel fault detection. The method comprises receiving data associated with processing of a workpiece by a first processing tool, receiving data associated with processing of a workpiece by a second processing tool and comparing at least a portion of the received data to a common fault model to determine if a fault associated with at least one of the processing of the workpiece by the first processing tool and processing of the workpiece by the second processing tool occurred.
US08359493B2
A system and method is provided for providing assured recovery for a distributed application. Replica servers associated with the distributed application may be coordinated to perform integrity testing together for the whole distributed application. The replica servers connect to each other in a manner similar to the connection between master servers associated with the distributed application, thereby preventing the replica servers from accessing and/or changing application data on the master servers during integrity testing.
US08359491B1
A system for disaster recovery rehearsals using copy-on-write may include a data set of an application and a disaster recovery manager. The disaster recovery manager may be configured to perform a disaster recovery rehearsal using a copy-on-write snapshot of the data set.
US08359486B2
A high speed input/output (HSIO) system and a power saving control method for the HSIO system are provided. The HSIO system has a plurality of transmission speed modes. When an external device is connected to the HSIO system and an auto-configuration link is completed, the power saving control method forcibly sets an interface controller to any desired transmission speed specification in accordance with an actual transmission speed of to-be-transmitted data. Therefore, transmission speed mode of a single physical layer can be changed to achieve a low power transmission.
US08359485B2
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which comprises (i) an interface having an input for receiving an input clock and a set of data lines for receiving commands issued by a controller including an erase command; (ii) a module having circuit components in a feedback loop configuration and being driven by a reference clock; (iii) a clock control circuit capable of controllably switching between a first state in which the reference clock tracks the input clock and a second state in which the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock; and (iv) a command processing unit configured to recognize the commands and to cause the clock control circuit to switch from the first state to the second state in response to recognizing the erase command. The module consumes less power when the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock than when the reference clock tracks the input clock.
US08359471B2
The present invention provides a system and a method for generating digital signatures. The system comprises a first formula which generates the signature as selected series from at least two, but preferably more digitized biometric features of a user. The signature comprises a different selected series per unit of time of for instance 10 seconds. The invention comprises a second formula which assigns a numerical value to a data file. The second formula can also use the numerical value to define another time interval, on the basis of which another signature can be generated. The invention further provides a number of examples for application of the generated signature during the sending of data files.
US08359467B2
Certain embodiments of the invention relate to an access control system for controlling access to file system objects stored in a digital file system store. The system provides a first compartment rule type for granting a first permission to an entity, associated with a respective compartment to which the rule is applied, to lookup a directory object in a directory path and list the contents of the said directory object, and a second compartment rule type for granting a second permission to an entity, associated with a respective compartment to which the rule is applied, to lookup a directory object in a directory path and not to list the contents of the said directory object.
US08359459B2
A processor configured to synchronize threads in multithreaded applications. The processor includes first and second registers. The processor stores a first bitmask in the first register and a second bitmask in the second register. For each bitmask, each bit corresponds with one of multiple threads. A given bit in the first bitmask indicates the corresponding thread has been assigned to execute a portion of a unit of work. A corresponding bit in the second bitmask indicates the corresponding thread has completed execution of its assigned portion of the unit of work. The processor receives updates to the second bitmask in the second register and provides an indication that the unit of work has been completed in response to detecting that for each bit in the first bitmask that corresponds to a thread that is assigned work, a corresponding bit in the second bitmask indicates its corresponding thread has completed its assigned work.
US08359458B2
A processor is adapted for performing a QR-decomposition. The processor has a program memory, a program controller, connected to the program memory to receive program instructions, and at least one processing unit. The processing unit includes a CORDIC calculation block, and has a distributed memory structure, with separate memory blocks for storing respective parameter values.
US08359456B2
Testing a circuit in a post-silicon stage is performed by enabling the different processing entities of the circuit to determine a consistent access permissions schema in a random manner. Based upon the consistent access permissions schema, addresses to be accessed during the testing of the circuit may be determined. The addresses may be determined in a random manner. The consistent permissions schema may be determined based on a template representative of repetitive portions of access permissions schema. The disclosed subject matter may utilize biasing modules to bias the test generation to provide a test having a predetermined characteristic. The disclosed subject matter may utilize a joint random seed or other techniques to provide for consistent random decisions by the different processing entities.
US08359454B2
A memory access technique, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes selectively overriding attributes contained in a translation lookaside buffer or page table data structure with attributes contained in a context specifier.
US08359445B2
A method and apparatus for signaling between devices of a memory system is provided. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more of several capabilities are implemented to provide heretofore unattainable levels of important system metrics, for example, high performance and/or low cost. These capabilities relate to timing adjustment capabilities, bit time adjustment capabilities, cycle time selection, use of differential and/or non-differential signaling for bus signals and/or clock signals, use of termination structures on a bus, including integrated termination structures, and active control circuitry to allow adjustment to different characteristic bus impedances and power-state control, including a calibration process to optimize the termination value, use of slew rate control circuitry and transfer characteristic control circuitry in the predriver and driver of transmitter blocks to allow adjustment to different characteristic bus impedances and to allow adjustment for other bus properties, including a calibration process to optimize the such circuitry, and/or provision of a memory component designed to prefetch (preaccess) words that are wider than the width of the data bus so that the memory access bandwidth approximately matches the transfer bandwidth, and memory component able to adjust the size of the prefetch (preaccess) word to accommodate connection to data buses of different width.
US08359440B2
The computer system has a plurality of physical server devices, a plurality of physical storage devices, and a management server device, and when migrating at least one of a plurality of first virtual server devices to another physical server device, the management server device compares at least one physical server device in which the plurality of first virtual server devices are disposed after the migration, with at least one physical server device in which a plurality of second virtual server devices are disposed, to calculate a first evaluation value, and also compares at least one physical server device in which the plurality of first virtual server devices are disposed after the migration, with at least one physical server device in which a plurality of third virtual server devices are disposed, to calculate a second evaluation value. Based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value, the management server device issues an instruction to migrate the first virtual storage device to the other physical storage device.
US08359439B2
Proposed are a backup apparatus and a backup method capable of improving the backup performance, as well as a file reading apparatus capable of improving the file reading performance. As a result of determining a read sequence upon reading the respective files from a disk device based on a physical address of the respective storage areas storing data of each of the files in the disk device, and sequentially reading data of each of the files from the disk device according to the determined read sequence, overhead such as the head seek and rotational delay in the disk device upon reading a plurality of files from such disk device can be dramatically reduced.
US08359434B1
Included are systems and methods for distributive network control. In addition, embodiment of a method includes receiving an indication related to recording data stored on a local cache and determining whether to remotely store at least a portion of the data. Some embodiments include sending a request for the stored data.
US08359431B2
The amount of data to be stored in a semiconductor nonvolatile memory can be reduced and overhead associated with data processing can be reduced. When a microprocessor 112 receives a write request from a host computer 300 and data D1 to D3 exist in a cache slot 117, the microprocessor 112 reads the LBA of each piece of the data, manages each piece of the data D1 to D3 using a bitmap table 118 by associating them with their LBAs, generates a specific command CMD based on the LBAs of the data D1 to D3, adds the data D1 to D3 and addresses ADD1 to ADD3 indicating where the data D1 to D3 are to be stored, to the specific command CMD, and sends it to an FMPK 30. The FMPK 130 stores each piece of update data in a specified block in the flash memory 135 based on the specific command CMD.
US08359429B1
System and method for distributing volume status information in a storage system. According to one embodiment, a system may include a plurality of volumes configured to store data, where the volumes are configured as mirrors of one another, and a plurality of hosts configured to access the plurality of volumes. A first one of the plurality of hosts may be configured to execute a mirror recovery process and to maintain a progress indication of the mirror recovery process, and the first host may be further configured to distribute the progress indication to another one or more of the plurality of hosts.
US08359428B1
An associative list processing unit and method comprising employing a plurality of prioritized cell blocks and permitting inserts to occur in a single clock cycle if all of the cell blocks are not full. Also, an associative list processing unit and method comprising employing a plurality of prioritized cell blocks and using a tree of prioritized multiplexers descending from the plurality of cell blocks.
US08359424B2
Provided are a flash memory device and a reading method of the flash memory device. A multi-level cell flash memory device includes: a memory cell array comprising main memory cells storing main data, and indicator cells storing indicate data indicating one of a first mode and a second mode in which the main data of the main memory cell, to which the indicate cells correspond, is written; and an output unit outputting in response to a control signal corresponding to the indicate data, one of main data read from the memory cell array and forced data forcing some bit values of the main data to bit values of mode specific data, as reading data.
US08359422B2
A system for identifying an exiting process and removing traces and shadow page table pages corresponding to the process' page table pages. An accessed minimum virtual address is maintained corresponding to an address space. In one embodiment, whenever a page table entry corresponding to the accessed minimum virtual address changes from present to not present, the process is determined to be exiting and removal of corresponding trace and shadow page table pages is begun. In a second embodiment, consecutive present to not-present PTE transitions are tracked for guest page tables on a per address space basis. When at least two guest page tables each has at least four consecutive present to not-present PTE transitions, a next present to not-present PTE transition event in the address space leads to the corresponding guest page table trace being dropped and the shadow page table page being removed.
US08359413B2
A buffer control device includes a reference time generation unit configured to generate a reference time based on time information included in a data stream input, a buffer configured to receive an encoded data extracted from the data stream, store the encoded data, and output the encoded data at a decoding time or a reproducing time of the encoded data, and a control unit configured to control an input of the encoded data to the buffer based on a relativity between the decoding time or the reproducing time of the encoded data and the reference time.
US08359406B2
A content server provides content to a first network device during a data synchronization between the two devices. A middleware filter selectively filters content provided by the content server such that selected content is provided to the first network device. The middleware filter is included within a second network device coupled between the content server and the first network device. The second network device acts as a proxy for the first network device to receive the content provided by the content server. The content is provided from the content server according to a subscription service between the content server and the first network device. The first network device is preferably a personal digital assistant (PDA) and the second network device is preferably a personal computer. Alternatively, the content server is coupled to the first network device, without the second network device coupled in between. In the alternative case, the middleware filter is included within the content server, and the content is selectively provided from the middleware filter, on the content server, to the first network device.
US08359403B2
A method of routing data from a source to one or more clients over a network, where the data conforms to a structured meta-language; in which the routing is performed by a server applying rules to the data itself, and not any address accompanying the data, to determine where to route that data to. The present invention is predicated on the counter-intuitive insight that data does not need to be concealed within a data envelope and given an address label in order to be routed effectively and efficiently. Instead, routing can be performed on the actual content of a message by applying simple routing rules to the data itself by intelligent ‘routing’ servers within the network which can unpack data from their message envelopes and intelligently filter/combine them with data unpacked from other messages to achieve a routing function.
US08359402B2
Described are computerized methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for network virtualization. An intercept device receives a DNS response message from a DNS server. The DNS response includes a domain name, a network address associated with the domain name, and a destination address of a first network device. The intercept device determines whether the domain name satisfies a DNS intercept criterion. If the domain name satisfies the DNS intercept criterion, then a request intercept criterion is updated to include the network address associated with the domain name. The DNS response message is transmitted on to the first network device by the intercept server.
US08359396B2
In electronic commerce (e-commerce) sites that are executed on a single e-commerce application, a user's session is only associated with a single user identity for e-commerce site domain. Acting under a single identity across the site may not be desired. There may be requirements to associate an individual user with one or more separate identities within parts of the site. Aspects of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for managing multiple user identities for a user of an electronic commerce (e-commerce) site. The method comprises defining the e-commerce site as one or more security domains; and in response to a user's request to invoke an operation of the e-commerce site: determining a one of the one or more security domains to which the operation relates; performing one of a) creating a session and b) reusing a session for the user automatically in accordance with the determined security domain, said session associated with a user identity and a role indicating privileges for invoking operations of the e-commerce site in at least the determined security domain; and persisting said session for reuse. The user's request may be received in association with one or more sessions persisted for the user and a one of the sessions selected in accordance with the determined security domain. In response, either a session may be created or reused. Persisting may comprise providing one or more cookies defining the session to the user for associating with a subsequent request. In accordance with a feature of this aspect, the e-commerce site may define each of the one or more security domains as a hierarchy of organizations and assets owned by the organizations and the determining a one of the one or more security domains to which the operation relates may comprise evaluating the user's request in accordance with the hierarchy.
US08359394B2
The HIP creation technique described herein pertains to a technique for creating a human interactive proof (HIP) by applying tearing and/or a conformal transformation to a string of characters while maintaining readability of text. In one embodiment, the technique tears a character string into two or more pieces and applies conformal transformation to warp the pieces in order to create a HIP. The transformation changes the shape and orientation of the characters but preserves angles of the characters which makes it easy for humans to recognize the characters after the transformation. Other embodiments of the technique create HIPs by applying tearing only to a string of characters, or by applying conformal transformation only to the character string.
US08359388B2
A resource admission control function system having dynamic discovering function in a next generation network is provided. The resource admission control function system comprises a transport resource control function entity and a policy decision function entity that intercommunicate with each other; the system also comprises a dynamic discovering function unit for dynamically collecting and saving information of connection relationship between various function entities in the network, receiving an inquiry request, and feeding back the information of connection relation meeting the inquiry conditions to an inquiry request submitting entity.
US08359387B2
A communication system for providing network access over a shared communication link is disclosed. The communication system includes a user access point, a network access point and a communications link. The user access point is coupled to one or more user terminals that access a remote network. The network access point is coupled to the remote network. The communications link couples the user access point and the network access point. The communications link is at last partially controlled by the network access point, which monitors information passed between the remote network and the user access point to create an estimate of future usage of the communications link by the user access point based on the information. The network access point allocates communications link resources for the user access point based on the estimate.
US08359381B2
Disclosed is an SUPL-based triggered location service which provides a triggered location service capable of pausing an ongoing session and then resuming the paused session by using a dedicated or common message and other certain parameters indicating a session pause/resume.
US08359375B2
Techniques and mechanisms that allow configuration information, applications and/or data to be transferred between computer systems in an automated, or partially automated, manner, which may allow for more efficient transfer as compared to manual transfer. A source computer system may be coupled with a destination computer system directly via a wired or wireless communications channel. Data including, for example, user identification information, network settings, system settings, permissions and/or other data may be transferred from the source computer system to the destination computer system.
US08359371B2
A method for providing input candidates with respect to a form which is embedded in a content to be displayed, the method comprising a parsing result obtaining step of requesting and obtaining a result of parsing performed by a parsing function which parses a content; an analyzing step of passing the result of the parsing to an analyzing function which analyzes a context of the content, letting the analyzing function execute analysis, and obtaining a result of the analysis from the analyzing function; an input candidate determining step of passing the result of the parsing to an input candidate determining function which determines input candidates, letting the input candidate determining function determine the input candidates, and obtaining the input candidates from the input candidate determining function; and an input candidate displaying step of displaying the obtained input candidates on a display as the input candidates with respect to the form.
US08359365B2
A system and method for parallelizing document indexing in a data processing system. The data processing system includes a primary processor for receiving a list of data having embedded data associated therewith, at least one secondary processor to process the data as provided by the primary processor, a data processor to determine a characteristic of the embedded data and process the embedded data based upon the characteristic, and a messaging module to exchange at least one status message between the primary processor and the at least one secondary processor.
US08359353B2
A scheduling method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system first data and second data associated with a user. The first data comprises user identification associated, an activity selection for an activity, and first scheduling information. The second data comprises geographical preference data. The computing system determines facilities associated with the activity. The facilities are located within boundaries specified by the geographical preference data. The computing system generates tentative reservations for the user at each facility. The computing system presents the tentative reservations data to the user. The computing system receives verification data from the user. The computing system posts the tentative reservations data in a social networking environment. The computing system stores the tentative reservations data.
US08359352B2
A method of submitting content on behalf of a client to multiple service providers includes the steps of receiving a request from a client to submit content to a plurality of service providers and processing the request utilizing a server. The step of processing includes the steps of retrieving client login information necessary to submit the content to the plurality of service providers, logging on to the service providers using the client login information, if necessary, and submitting the content to the plurality of service providers through a client device. The steps of processing, retrieving, logging on, and submitting are performed automatically by the server after the request is received without additional input from the client.
US08359347B2
A cooperative data stream processing system is provided that utilizes a plurality of independent, autonomous and possibly heterogeneous sites in a cooperative arrangement to process user-defined job requests over dynamic, continuous streams of data. The sites negotiate peering relationships to share data and processing resources to handle the submitted job requests. These peering relationships can be cooperative or federated and can be expressed using common interest policies. Each site within the system runs an instance of a system architecture for processing job requests and is therefore a self-contained, fully functional instance of the cooperative data stream processing system.
US08359344B2
A database of the location based relationships of points of interest within an environment is automatically generated using a digital representation of the environment that includes the points of interest at different locations within the environment. The locations of the points of interest in the environment are identified and the location based relationships between the points of interest are determined. The points of interest are labeled with the determined relationships and the points of interest and labeled relationships are stored. For example, a graph structure may be produced where each node is a point of interest and the edges between nodes is labeled with the determined relationships.
US08359343B2
A system and method for identifying threat locations including a receiver to receive threat data identifying a threat, one or more processors configured to retrieve location data from one or more databases based on the threat data, and an output to provide floor plan information identifying threat location based on the location data at a display.
US08359339B2
Systems and methods for an interface for the configuration of a system for the association of data records are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide a graphical interface for manipulating a representation of an algorithm for the configuration of such a system, including the configuration of how a system transforms data records from their native format to a standard data format, selects set of candidates and associates data records.
US08359337B2
An apparatus, system, and method for member matching. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an input adapter, a processor, and an output adapter. The input adapter may receive a first data record from a plurality of data records stored in one or more databases. The processor may generate a first data key from one or more field values in the first data record, compare a second data key associated with a second data record with the first data key associated with the first data record, and identify a match between the first data key and the second data key. In one embodiment, the output adapter may produce an output configured to identify the first data record and the second data record in response to identification of the match.
US08359316B2
Techniques for database table look-up are provided. The techniques include storing one or more column attributes of a database table in a data structure, wherein the data structure also comprises a record identification (RID) column of a table, one or more predicate columns corresponding to the RID column, and a sequence number column that is associated with one or more updated records, generating a key using one or more portions from one or more of the one or more predicate columns, using the key to partition the data structure, wherein partitioning the data structure comprises partitioning the one or more predicate columns for evaluation, and evaluating the one or more predicate columns against the data structure for each matching predicate column-data structure partition.
US08359314B2
A system and method for suggesting keywords for tagging a digital image are provided. In general, a requesting node is communicatively coupled to a keyword service via a network. The requesting node sends a request to the keyword service requesting suggested keywords for a digital image. The request includes information relating to the digital image such as positional information. Based on the information, the keyword service generates a list of suggested keywords and provides the list of suggested keywords to the requesting node. At the requesting node, the list of suggested keywords is displayed to a user, and the user selects one or more of the suggested keywords for tagging the digital image.
US08359312B2
A method for generating, by a monitoring program, a list of relevant documents, related to a search query, comprising tracking activities of first user pursuant to retrieval of a first list of primary documents resulting from a first search query; assigning a user interest score to a secondary document whose identifier is referenced within the contents of a primary or another secondary document; adding said identifier and score to a list of relevant documents wherein said list is associated with said first query and said first user; persisting said list of relevant documents to store.
US08359304B1
A system may receive a model, extract information from the model, form a group of tags using the extracted information, and associate the group of tags with the model. The system may further receive a search query including one or more sequences of characters and determine whether to provide the model in a list of models created for the search query, based on the one or more sequences of characters and the group of tags.
US08359300B1
A method of presenting search results includes sending to a server a search query, wherein the search query does not include any term that identifies a geographic location, and receiving a set of search results corresponding to a search query. The search results include first results and second results. The first results match the search query. Each first result corresponds to one or more locations associated with a respective geographic location and include links to additional information about the one or more locations. The respective geographic location is associated with a client or a user of the client. The second results correspond to Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query and include links to the Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query. The method further includes presenting the first results and second results in a single web browser window.
US08359298B2
The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for managing adapter association for a data graph of data objects. Specifically, under the present invention, a data graph of data objects is generated (e.g., on a server), and then serialized. In performing the serialization, the data graph is translated into bits. In one embodiment, the bits are communicated to a client over a network, and then translated back into the data graph (i.e., deserialized). An adapter is associated with each of the data objects after the data graph is deserialized. This avoids the “overhead” involved with associating and having active adapters during deserialization.
US08359296B2
Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for reducing network traffic for database transactions between a requesting client and a database server are provided. For some embodiments, the client may access statistical information regarding the data, such as that commonly contained in indexes (e.g., encoded vector indexes), conventionally generated for use by a query optimizer. For some embodiments, based on the statistical information regarding the data, the client may request that the server send small byte-code representations of data from the database, rather than the actual data. The small byte-code representations may be significantly smaller than the actual represented data, thus reducing network traffic between the client and server. The client may then retrieve the actual represented data from a corresponding data representation record.
US08359293B2
The present invention provides a processing procedure management device which can determine a process procedure by adapting to a performance change of a function engine used for information processing at a high speed.The present invention includes a procedure database 31 which stores a processing procedure and its performance information, a performance history database 32 which stores a performance observed when information processing is carried out according to a processing procedure and a performance observed for each function engine which carries out a processing module that constitutes a processing procedure, a performance observation unit 33 which acquires the observed performance hereof, a future performance calculation unit 34 that calculates a performance at some point in the future for each function engine, a procedure generation unit 35 which reconstructs a processing module based on a performance in the future and generates a new processing procedure, a procedure updating unit 36 which adds a generated processing procedure and its performance information to the procedure database 31, and the procedure solving unit 37 that determines a processing procedure for carrying out designated information processing from the procedure database 31.
US08359289B1
A method of handling messages determines if a message is approved for a recipient of the message. If the message is approved, the method processes the message for subsequent viewing by the recipient. If the message is unapproved, the method notifies the recipient and stores the message.
US08359287B2
A method for training a system to specifically react on a specific input. The method can include defining a set of binary data structures, each representing a real-world component, item, or virtual object; storing each data structure as a binary pattern; creating uniquely identifiable copies of the data structures to represent individual instances of the components, items, or virtual objects; creating a virtual state space of the components, items, or virtual objects by grouping them as relevant for a specific situation; receiving an input to change a status or an attribute value of at least one of the components, items, or virtual objects; storing the received changes in a new version of the applicable data structure instance; analyzing similarities of the stored binary patterns related to a particular action performed; and if a matched binary pattern is identified, proposing at least one possible action related to the matched binary pattern.
US08359286B1
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of optimizing a linear equation optimality problem subject to a change of conditions can be accomplished. The method can include determining a first set of conditions for the linear equation optimality problem; initiating processing by a computer to optimize the optimality problem in accordance with the first set of conditions; determining a second set of conditions different from the first set of conditions; continuing processing with the computer to optimize the optimality problem by using the second set of conditions without having to re-initialize the computer.
US08359284B2
Apparatus and methods for reducing infrastructure failure rates. The apparatus and methods may compile and store data related to the organizational segments associated with the approval and implementation of an infrastructure change. Variables may be derived from the data using a range of methods, and multiple variable values may be consolidated. A model may be developed based on the values and relationships of the derived variables. The model may be applied to assess the risk involved in a prospective infrastructure change.
US08359276B2
An influential persons identification system and method for identifying a set of influential persons (or influencers) in a social network (such as an online social network). The influential persons set is generated such that by sending a message to the set the message will be propagated through the network at the greatest speed and coverage. A ranking of users is generated, and a pruning process is performed starting with the top-ranked user and working down the list. For each user on the list, the user is identified as an influencer and then the user and each of his friends are deleted from the social network users list. Next, the same process is performed for the second-ranked user, the third-ranked user, and so forth. The process terminates when the list of users of the social network is exhausted or the desired number of influencers on the influential person set is reached.
US08359268B2
A system for processing financial transactions based on consumer preferences is disclosed. The system allows a user to specify on a payment device a consumer preference which is communicable to a payment terminal and is determinative in pricing goods and services.
US08359264B2
A system and method for matching a loan consumer with lenders via the Internet includes receiving loan consumer application information. The application information is stored in a database. An internally specified filter is applied to the information to determine if the loan consumer meets a set of loan criteria. A subset of the information is submitted to a credit bureau. A credit report is generated based on the subset of information. A lender database is searched to match the customer information and credit report to ranked lenders. A query is transmitted to one of the lenders. A response is generated and received based on the query. Subsequent query and response steps are repeated only after receipt of the previous response, until all lenders have been queried. Only lenders who responded with an approval are presented for review by the customer.
US08359259B2
A data processing system includes a processor that is configured for determining a percentage share to assign a share of relative risk in an insurance pool between an insurer, a first safety vendor and at least one other safety vendor. The processor is further configured to allocate portions of the insurance pool among the insurer and the safety vendors according to the determined shares assigned to the insurer and the safety vendors, to aggregate by the insurer loss information related to the insurance pool, and transmit the loss information to the safety vendors. Also, the processor is configured to allocate portions of a claim liability or a received premium associated with the insurance pool among the insurer and the safety vendors according to the determined shares assigned to the insurer and the safety vendors. The data processing system also includes a memory for storing the determined shares assigned to the insurer and the safety vendors.
US08359258B2
A system for administering an insurance account includes a processor; a memory in communication with the processor; the processor being adapted to: access data indicative of a value of an index calculated based on a formula including as factors prices of individual equity securities; access data indicative of dividend yield; access data indicative of an asset value of an insurance account having a value based on the index; determine an updated asset value of the insurance account based on change in the index and on the dividend amount paid; store the determined updated asset value in the memory; and provide an output signal indicative of the determined updated asset value.
US08359251B2
A networked system for managing commercial interactions is providing. In some embodiments, the system includes: a bundle-passing interface between a plurality of networked users including distribution logic including a distribution control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles; and a statistics collection engine including a control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles.
US08359250B2
A method for conducting a review including the step of detecting a payment request from a vendor; generating a review based on the payment request; and, transmitting a reference to the review to a customer, wherein the reference provides a link to retrieve the review. A system for performing the method is also described.
US08359246B2
A secondary marketplace can provide potential consumers with a plurality of previously sold digital media content items. Each of the previously sold digital media content items can include a utilization right and a transfer right. A user selection of one of the digital media content items of the secondary marketplace can be received. Responsive to the user selection, a utilization right to the selected one of the digital media content items can be transferred to a user, who is different from the original consumer. The transferring of the utilization right occurs without the secondary marketplace providing the user with a new tangible storage medium that contains the selected one of the digital media content items. Thus, the user received digital media content item can be a digital only item, such as a downloadable one.
US08359239B1
A method to submit transaction data using a mobile device involves obtaining a receipt associated with a financial transaction, transmitting a message, based on the receipt, from the mobile device to a transaction management service, wherein the message comprises a mobile device identifier and transaction data associated with the financial transaction, wherein transaction data associated with financial transaction is stored in a repository based on the mobile device identifier, receiving a form, wherein the form is generated based on transaction data associated with the mobile device identifier, and transmitting and synchronizing transaction data from the repository to a financial management software associated with a user of the mobile device.
US08359237B2
A system and method for context and community based customization for a user experience is disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes a user experience customizer to gather context information, automatically produce user experience customization selections based on the context information, collect user activity feedback from a community of users, and use the user activity feedback to adjust the user experience customizer to automatically produce user experience customization selections likely favored by a user based on a correlation of the user activity feedback with the context information.
US08359230B2
A new internet trading method, concept and process is introduced, enabling users to post goods and services for sale and purchasing, whereby the posted price begins at its maximum, and thereafter is gradually reduced to a minimum, pre-selected price, based on pre-programmed methods and programs, according to a pre-selected schedule of price reduction based on frequencies and sequences of amounts of time, money and percentage, respectively.The new process provides sets of pre-programmed price reduction schedules which may be prepared by the seller, or selected from a pool of sets, or randomly selected from the system, thereby, at every certain amount of pre-selected times, the maximum price of such goods or services is reduced by certain amount of money, or percentage, respectively to the maximum price initially posted during the duration of the sale, enabling a prospective buyer to ‘grab’ (purchase) the item by placing an offer at any given time, for the posted price at that time, thereby instantly purchasing the product or service, thus also, instantly, ending the sale.
US08359228B2
An agent feedback tool includes an agent feedback database and an agent feedback module. The agent feedback module may include a vendor identification program, an agent feedback settings program, an agent feedback program, an agent reporting program, an agent summary program, and an agent profile program. The agent feedback module communicates with the agent feedback database to store mapping records and details relating to agents, vendors, vendor-specific locations, and feedback for the agents. The agent feedback program is operative to autopopulate one or more fields shown in an agent feedback graphical user interface by referring to mapping records stored in the agent feedback database.
US08359223B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to manage resources in a cloud-based computing system by generating a model of a relationship between cloud database resources and an expected profit based on cloud-server system parameters and service level agreements (SLAs) that indicates profits for different system performances, wherein the model comprises a two level optimization/control problem, wherein model receives system metrics, number of replicas, and arrival rate as the multiple input; and dynamically adjusting resource allocation among different customers based on current customer workload and the expected profit to maximize the expected profit for a cloud computing service provider.
US08359219B2
Methods are disclosed for routing callers to agents in a contact center, along with an intelligent routing system. One or more agents are graded on achieving an optimal interaction, such as increasing revenue, decreasing cost, or increasing customer satisfaction. Callers are then preferentially routed to a graded agent to obtain an increased chance at obtaining a chosen optimal interaction. In a more advanced embodiment, caller and agent demographic and psychographic characteristics can also be determined and used in a pattern matching algorithm to preferentially route a caller with certain characteristics to an agent with certain characteristics to increase the chance of an optimal interaction.
US08359210B1
A method and system for providing healthcare expense payment recommendations whereby a computing system implemented data management system, such as a computing system implemented healthcare expense management system is provided and the computing system implemented data management system obtains data indicating that a given healthcare consumer utilizing the computing system implemented data management system has access to a healthcare expense account. The given healthcare consumer incurs a healthcare expense that is potentially eligible for payment using the healthcare expense account. The potentially eligible healthcare expense is then identified by the computing system implemented data management system and the healthcare consumer is prompted to consider using the healthcare expense account to pay the potentially eligible healthcare expense.
US08359204B2
The present invention provides a system and method associating the freeform speech commands with one or more predefined commands from a set of predefined commands. The set of predefined commands are stored and alternate forms associated with each predefined command are retrieved from an external data source. The external data source receives the alternate forms associated with each predefined command from multiple sources so the alternate forms represent paraphrases of the predefined command. A representation including words from the predefined command and the alternate forms of the predefined command, such as a vector representation, is generated for each predefined command. A similarity value between received speech data and each representation of a predefined command is computed and the speech data is classified as the predefined command whose representation has the highest similarity value to the speech data.
US08359202B2
Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices where the portions of the text narrated using the different voices are selected by a user. Also disclosed are techniques and systems for associating characters with portions of a sequence of words selected by a user. Different characters having different voice models can be associated with different portions of a sequence of words.
US08359200B2
Generating a profile of a word, including: receiving the word including at least one phoneme; determining the at least one phoneme in the word; selecting at least one characteristic for each of the determined at least one phoneme in the word using a dictionary of sound symbolism rules; and generating the profile of the word by combining all of the selected at least one characteristic for the at least one phoneme.
US08359194B2
A system and a method for the scalable coding of a multi-channel audio signal comprising a principal component analysis (PCA) transformation of at least two channels (L, R) of the audio signal into a principal component (CP) and at least one residual sub-component (r) by rotation defined by a transformation parameter (θ), comprising the following steps: formation of a frequency subband-based residual structure (Sfr) on the basis of the at least one residual sub-component (r), and definition of a coded audio signal (SC) comprising the principal component (CP), at least one residual structure (Sfr) of a frequency subband and the transformation parameter (θ).
US08359187B2
A system and method are provided for simulating a different number of memory circuits. Included is an interface circuit in communication with a first number of memory circuits and a system. Such interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for simulating at least one memory circuit of a second number. Further, the interface circuit interfaces a majority of address or control signals of the memory circuits.
US08359186B2
An RTL hardware description language simulation accelerator and circuit emulator which operates on data driven asynchronous completion handshaking principles. Deploying Muller C elements to control latches, the system does not depend on externally provided clocks or internal timing circuits with delay logic or clock generators. Each levelized domain of logic signals a successor level to begin execution of instructions with a level complete message produced when all its input operands have produced a completion message. Each predecessor stage holds back data production until the successor stage is ready. Each levelized data-driven asynchronous domain evaluation processor is self-timed receiving completion messages from its predecessors, and sending completion messages to its successors.
US08359173B2
A method for dynamic timing-dependent power estimation for a digital circuit having coupled interconnects and at least two gates. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of capturing information on relative switching activities and timing dependence for the coupled interconnects in the digital circuit, estimating the probabilities associated with switching activities and timing dependence for each gate in the digital circuit from the captured information, and obtaining dynamic power estimation of the digital circuit from the estimations of the probabilities.
US08359168B2
The present invention relates to a fuel identification system and method normally applied to internal combustion engine vehicles of the flex-fuel type by means of which it is possible to identify the composition of the fuel used at each point in time, particularly the ratio used in a gasoline/ethanol blend or detect the presence of air or fuel in the vapor state in the fuel line, using the same device that heats the fuel. The system according to the invention comprises a heating resistor (3) having a variable resistance value as a function of its temperature, said resistor being arranged in contact with the fuel (2); a current measuring device (6), which measures the current through the variable resistor (3); and an electronic control unit (4) connected to the resistor (3) and connected to the current measuring device (6), receiving from it the measured resistor (3) current values, the electronic control unit (4) comprising data processing means to help identify fuel (2) properties based on the current in resistor (3).
US08359167B2
Data representative of a measured carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and of a measured oxygen (O2) concentration at a measurement location can be used to determine whether the measured carbon dioxide concentration at the measurement location is elevated relative to a baseline carbon dioxide concentration due to escape of carbon dioxide from a source associated with a carbon capture and storage process. Optionally, the data can be used to quantify a carbon dioxide concentration increase at the first location that is attributable to escape of carbon dioxide from the source and to calculate a rate of escape of carbon dioxide from the source by executing a model of gas-phase transport using at least the first carbon dioxide concentration increase. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
US08359164B2
The invention provides a multivariate modeling method for quantitative analysis by supervised principal component analysis (SPCA). The method comprises: (a) designing a plurality of calibration samples wherein the desired variances are dominant or greatly enhanced; (b) producing a calibration data matrix using suitable mathematical pretreatment and truncation of the acquired NIR/Raman spectra of the calibration samples; (c) decomposing the matrix using PCA; (d) evaluating the score and loading matrices to ensure a genuine orthogonal relationship between scores of the desired latent variables in a two-dimensional principal component space 7; (e) generating a prediction matrix for quantitative prediction of unknown samples. This method does not require testing of calibration samples using a reference method. In addition, this method has high tolerance to variations in sample composition and manufacturing conditions.
US08359158B2
A method of operating a navigation system determines a route between an origin and a destination and provides a photographic image showing a geographic area through which the route passes. The photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint. The method overlays a route highlight on the photographic image identifying a path to be traveled. The route highlight includes a symbol indicating at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.
US08359154B2
A system for determining a propellant content and a center of gravity in a three-axis stabilized spacecraft includes a ranging device that is coupled to an interior of a propellant tank of the spacecraft. The ranging device is configured to receive a ranging echo to facilitate determining a location of a membrane within the propellant tank.
US08359153B2
An ECU executes a program including: steps of detecting an SOC and a temperature TB of a traction battery; when an EV switch is on, a step of calculating a temperature correction coefficient α from TB; when EV switch not on, a step of calculating a temperature correction coefficient α from TB; steps of calculating an EV traveling allowed power value WOUT based on the SOC and the temperature correction coefficients; and a step of transmitting EV traveling allowed power value WOUT to a meter ECU in order to indicate EV traveling allowed power value WOUT on a power meter.
US08359136B2
An electromechanical parking brake for a motor vehicle is provided. The electromechanical parking brake includes an operating element that operates a wheel brake, a central control unit that provides an electric supply to the operating element via at least one supply line, an electric actuating unit for interrupting the supply to the operating element, and a control line that connects the central control unit with the electric actuating unit. The operating element and the electric actuating unit are arranged at the motor vehicle in a manner protected against external manual access. The central control unit controls the electric actuating unit via the control line in order to interrupt the supply to the operating element or to reestablish the supply to the operating element. The central control unit also monitors the control line to detect a manipulation of the control line.
US08359129B2
A method and device control the thrust of a multi-engine aircraft. At least one engine command is determined by a command determining unit, with the determined command commanding each engine that has not failed to deliver a thrust substantially equal to a reduced thrust value. A command application unit is configured to apply the determined command to each aircraft engine that has not failed. The reduced thrust value is determined, by a weight determining device, according to the current weight of the aircraft and according to a reduced thrust value FOEI, which is calculated by a thrust calculation unit.
US08359125B2
Systems and devices for, and methods of, adaptive local energy storage capacity by changing operating set points of regulated energy load devices based on the presence, or absence, of an excess of available, generated energy.
US08359121B2
Described are systems, methods and products for the shipment of passenger or other traveler containers, e.g. containing personal items for use during travel. In certain aspects, systems and methods for such shipment involve the use of transport vessels other than those that will be occupied by a passenger during travel, e.g. cargo vessels or vehicles.
US08359116B2
A monitoring system includes a control circuit configured to determine scrap values, yield values, and remainder values for at least a first operation and a second operation. The control circuit is configured to transmit one or more display signals. The one or more display signals include instructions to display a first operation status bar and a second operation status bar. The first operation status bar includes a first operation yield value, a first operation scrap value, and a first operation remainder value. The second operation status bar includes a second operation yield value, a second operation scrap value, and a second operation remainder value.
US08359105B2
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for electrically conductive pathways in medical devices. One embodiment of a medical device can include an elongate polymeric body having a proximal end and a distal end. Discrete particles of an electrically conductive material in the elongate polymeric body can form an electrically conductive pathway that extends at least partially between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongate polymeric body.
US08359099B2
A septum for use in an implantable pulse generator. The septum includes a soft sealing material and a hard inner portion or core having a set of lips. The lips are exposed outside the soft sealing material and act to displace the sealing material when a force is applied, for example from a tool used to tighten or loosen a set screw, enlarging a slit, seam or slot into a passageway through the septum.
US08359098B2
An implantable medical device includes an energy storage device with an internal component and an outer case that encloses the internal component. The outer case is electrically connected to the internal component. The energy storage device includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the internal component. Furthermore, the device includes a control assembly with a control component and a control case that encloses the control component. The control case is coupled to and electrically connected to the outer case. The control component is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the outer case to be powered by the internal component of the energy storage device. The control component controls transmission of an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and biological tissue. Also, an outer surface of the outer case and the outer surface of the control case are exposed to the biological material.
US08359094B2
A cardiac arrhythmia may be induced by delivering a sequence of pulses to a patient via one or more extravascular electrodes. In one example, one or more pacing pulses may be delivered to a patient via an extravascular electrode and a shock pulse may be delivered to the patient the extravascular electrode. In some examples, the pacing pulses and the shock pulse may be generated with energy from a common energy storage module and without interim charging of the module. For example, the pacing and shock pulses may be generated as the energy storage module dissipates. In another example, a cardiac arrhythmia may be induced in a patient by delivering a burst of pulses to a patient via an extravascular electrode. In some cases, the burst of pulses may be generated with energy from a common energy storage module and without interim charging of the energy storage module.
US08359086B2
Device for carrying out and monitoring an atherectomy, with which a cutting knife driven in a rotating manner by an external unit and set back to project into an opening in the tip of the catheter can be pressed onto the artery wall by means of an inflatable balloon arranged on the side of the catheter casing opposite the window opening, an atherectomy catheter being connected to an OCT catheter to form an integrated unit.
US08359083B2
A microelectrode array system used to sense physiological signals and stimulate physiological tissue to form signals is disclosed. The array includes a dielectric substrate and a two dimensional array of signal microelectrodes substantially perpendicular to and integrated on the dielectric substrate. At least one reference microelectrode is located adjacent to and integrated with the signal microelectrodes on the dielectric substrate. The reference microelectrodes are positioned on the dielectric substrate relative to the signal microelectrodes to enable a reduced level of electrical noise to be detected between the reference microelectrodes and the recording microelectrodes.
US08359077B2
The present invention relates to an antenna matching structure, an antenna matching method and a wireless communication terminal. In which, the antenna matching structure comprising: a measuring unit configured to measure a RSSI value; a control unit configured to generate a first switching control signal when the RSSI value measured by the measuring unit is less than a predetermined threshold; and a parameter switching unit configured to select one set of matching parameters from predetermined at least one set of matching parameters according to the first switching control signal, and switch current matching parameters of the adjustable antenna matching circuit to the selected matching parameters. According to the embodiments of the present invention, a higher RSSI value can be acquired to ensure the signal transmission quality.
US08359073B2
There is provided a power transmission control device included in a power transmission device in a contactless power transmission system that transmits power from the power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil to a secondary coil to supply the power to a load of the power receiving device. The power transmission control device includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device, a host interface communicating with a power transmission-side host, and a register section accessible from the power transmission-side host via the host interface. The controller shifts into a communication mode that executes communication between the power transmission-side host and a power receiving-side host, when the power transmission-side host writes, via the host interface, a communication request command that requests the communication between the hosts in the register section. Then, the controller transmits the communication request command to the power receiving device.
US08359068B1
A system for forming and transmitting a plurality of video images, at an image transmission rate of at least 1-3 images per sec, from a first cellphone to a second cellphone spaced apart from the first cellphone. A first cellphone user can choose to illuminate and transmit an image of the user or an image of a selected object distinct from the user.
US08359065B2
A method and apparatus that applies medium access control (MAC) transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection for multiple mode operation in a WLAN system. In particular, MAC mechanisms are defined to support multiple mode CTS frames, and multiple mode CF-End frames sent by the AP, each in a format appropriate for the corresponding mode which may also apply to a single mode. MAC mechanisms permit truncation of TXOP duration for releasing the unused portion of the TXOP when no further data for transmission is available. Release of unused protected TXOP is possible for both protected AP transmissions and STA transmissions.
US08359064B2
This invention is directed to a wireless apparatus to carry out transmission and reception by either a digital communication system or an analog communication system and, in particular, provides a technical method to change over a signal system for a transmission electric wave. Concretely, when a carrier is received, a switch (PTT) is pushed in the case of response. In this case, if a default set transmission signal system is different from a reception signal system of a received audio signal, it is possible to modulate the audio signal after the transmission signal system is changed over to the same signal system as the reception signal system. Thus, a wireless apparatus is provided for making it possible to promptly change over a signal system of a transmission electric wave without doing troublesome operations.
US08359059B2
A method of controlling uplink power in a wireless communication system includes receiving a power control message including parameters for uplink power control from a base station, and controlling uplink power based on the power control message, wherein the uplink power is determined according to a target SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio), the target SINR is determined by a minimum rate SINR required at the base station and a control factor for noise and interference. Transmission power of signal can be more accurately controlled and an influence of an inter-cell interference or a path loss can be reduced to thus improve quality of service of the wireless communication system.
US08359057B2
A portable electronics device comprises at least one device subsystem, and a programmable battery. The programmable battery is coupled to a power input of the device subsystem and is configured to dynamically adjust a characteristic of the power that is applied to the power input in accordance with a power configuration command that is received at the battery.
US08359045B1
A method, system and apparatus for wireless device communication. A wireless device may be engaged in a wireless data communication session within a local geographic region. The wireless device may be tracked within the local geographic region. The targeted information may be provided to the wireless device regarding the local geographic region based on the tracking of the wireless device.
US08359043B2
The present invention relates to a transmission rate control method for controlling a transmission rate of user data to be transmitted via an uplink by a mobile station. A radio network controller notifies an initial maximum allowable transmission rate of the user data to the mobile station, when a serving cell of the mobile station is to be changed. The mobile station increases the transmission rate of the user data up to the initial maximum allowable transmission rate notified from the radio network controller automatically, while the serving cell is being changed. The mobile station increases the transmission rate of the user data up to a maximum allowable transmission rate in the changed serving cell of the mobile station automatically, after the serving cell has been changed.
US08359020B2
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a current context associated with a mobile computing device and determining, based on the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from a current mode of operation to a second mode of operation during which the mobile computing device monitors ambient sounds for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation. The method can further include, in response to determining whether to switch to the second mode of operation, activating one or more microphones and a speech analysis subsystem associated with the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device receives a stream of audio data. The method can also include providing output on the mobile computing device that is responsive to voice input that is detected in the stream of audio data and that indicates a request to perform an operation.
US08359015B2
A method is disclosed of providing a call completion service to a not registered or not available user (CCNReg):—sending (9-10) a SUBSCRIBE message, from the originating application server (AS1) to the terminating I-CSCF, —then sending (11) a Location Information Request (LIR), from the terminating I-CSCF towards the HSS, requesting information about the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2),—then sending (12) a Location Info Answer (LIA) containing S-CSCF capabilities or/and name, from the HSS to the terminating I-CSCF,—then assigning (13) a S-CSCF, referred to as the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2), and forwarding the SUBSCRIBE message to said the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2),—then sending (14) a Server Assignment Request (SAR) from the terminating (S-CSCF2) to the HSS,—then sending (15) a Server Assignment Answer (SAA) containing second user's profile info, from the HSS to the terminating S-CSCF (S-CSCF2),—then, forwarding (16) the SUBSCRIBE message to the terminating application server (AS2), for requiring to handle the CCNReg service),—and then sending (21-23) a NOTIFY with the indication that the CCNReg subscription to the CCNReg service is active, and that the CCNReg request for the first user (User A) to communicate with the second user (User B) has been queued.
US08359010B2
A system device and method are provided which determine authorization for access to one or more services grouped together as a package of services without direct intervention of a wireless network provider or wired network access provider. This offers business proprietors, contractors for telecommunication services, service resellers, OEMs and service providers the ability to authorize users, particularly users of mobile communication terminals, hereafter referred to as the “Owner,” access to package services. In this way a large package of features and applications can be available to a mobile device, but access to those features and applications can be controlled by the Owner thus providing the Owner with control over expenses related to accessing those features and applications. It also provides the Owner the ability to secure and prevent unauthorized access to features and applications which could allow an unauthorized user access to sensitive data and equipment.
US08359005B2
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate on-site processing of transaction requests. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm a request and to receive a confirmation of the request via the telephone. The request is received via a user interface embedded in a web page of a first website without reloading or refreshing the web page.
US08359002B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling data transmission based on power cost. A power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a wireless mobile device to a remote endpoint in a communications network is determined. The determined power cost per unit data is compared to a first threshold. Transmission of data from the wireless mobile device to the remote endpoint is delayed based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold.
US08359000B2
A portable emergency device is disclosed. The device contains an internal antenna for allowing two-way communications, a speaker, an activation button to be pressed in case of an emergency, a microphone, a battery for powering the device and a GPS tracking device that allows emergency personnel to locate the person. The device performs in two operation modes, wherein in one mode a call is placed to a public emergency service provider, and in the second mode a call is placed to the public emergency service provider and a recorded message is transmitted along with the location of the device. The device is particularly useful for the elderly and the handicapped that they can use in case of an emergency.
US08358996B2
A receiver (10) for extracting a desired signal component (70) from a received signal, which received signal contains the desired signal component (70) and may contain an interfering signal component (72), wherein the receiver (10) comprises a first mixer (16) which generates an intermediate frequency signal containing a frequency-shifted version of the received signal and a frequency-shifted version of an image of the received signal, the receiver further comprising: a second mixer (26) for shifting the desired signal component (70) of the intermediate frequency signal such that it is centered on a baseband frequency, so as to generate a first composite signal containing the shifted desired signal component (70) and a shifted version of any interfering signal component (76) contained in the image of the received signal; a third mixer (30) for shifting an image of the desired signal such that it is centered on the baseband frequency, so as to generate a second composite signal containing the shifted image (74) of the desired signal component and a shifted version (72) of any interfering signal component contained in the received signal; an estimator (34) for estimating, from the first and second composite signals, a coefficient indicative of the amount of the interfering signal (72) component that is present with the desired signal component (70) in a selected one of the composite signals; a multiplier (36) for scaling the complex conjugate of the selected composite signal by the coefficient so estimated; and an adder (38) for subtracting the scaled signal output by the multiplier (36) from the other composite signal to obtain a scaled version of the desired signal component.
US08358979B2
A method for facilitating noise and interference measurements on an air interface of a wireless network includes obtaining information relating to a time-varying layout of a silent resource element (RE) grid and taking a presence of a silent RE grid into account in the reception of a control or a data channel.
US08358978B2
A multiservice communication device includes a plurality of transceivers that wirelessly transceive network data with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a corresponding plurality of network protocols, wherein the plurality of transceivers includes at least one cognitive radio transceiver that is configured based on cognitive transceiver configuration data received from a management unit in communication with the multiservice communication device via a control channel.
US08358975B2
Techniques for increasing the battery life on a mobile device by decreasing the energy consumption of the mobile device's wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) interface are described. In one embodiment, the mobile device's Wi-Fi interface is automatically disabled when the device is not engaged. When the device receives a wake up call from a server via its Cellular interface, the Wi-Fi interface is enabled if the device answers the wake up call and the Wi-Fi interface is available. Using its Wi-Fi interface, the mobile device then connects to an IP-based network via a Wi-Fi access point.
US08358967B1
The present invention relates to a towed wireless network communications subsystem for use in flight by a towing aircraft. The towed wireless network communications subsystem includes an aerodynamic enclosure having a tether attachment and configured to be towed by the towing aircraft. A directional antenna is disposed on the aerodynamic enclosure and is capable of forming one or more directional communications beams within a wireless network. A communications device is disposed in the aerodynamic enclosure and is coupled to the directional antenna(s). The communications device is configured to relay communications data between the towing aircraft and the wireless network.
US08358961B2
An image-bearing member protecting agent including: a hydrophobic organic compound (A); an inorganic lubricant (B); and inorganic fine particles (C), wherein each of the inorganic fine particles (C) has a specific surface area of 2.0 m2/g to 6.5 m2/g.
US08358959B2
A fixing device includes a first driving system connected to a fixing roller and a separation roller and a second driving system connected to a pressing roller pressed against the fixing roller and the separation roller via a fixing belt. In the first driving system, a first transmission transmits a first driving force generated by a first motor to the fixing roller and the separation roller, and includes a first one-way clutch via which the first driving force is transmitted to the fixing roller. In the second driving system, a second transmission transmits a second driving force generated by a second motor to the pressing roller. When a circumferential velocity of the pressing roller is greater than a circumferential velocity of the fixing roller, the first one-way clutch idles to rotate the fixing roller in accordance with rotation of the pressing roller.
US08358955B2
A transfer device for use in an image forming apparatus includes at least two belt members constituting a secondary nip portion therebetween. The transfer device electrostatically transfers a toner image from one of the belt members onto a recording medium when the recording medium passes through the secondary nip portion. The transfer device includes a mechanism that supports the belt members such that the secondary nip portion is substantially linear; and a bias applying member that applies a secondary transfer bias at a substantially center portion of the secondary nip portion.
US08358939B2
An optical communication device using a digital coherent reception system includes a phase detector configured to generate, based on a signal obtained in a course of digital signal processing, a phase signal indicating a displacement of a sampling of a reception signal, a clock switch-determiner configured to switch from an reference clock to a clock of transferred data when a value of an amplitude of the phase signal exceeds a given threshold value, and a selector configured to synchronize the sampling of the reception signal and an internal clock of the digital signal processing with the reference clock at start time or signal loss time, and synchronize the sampling of the reception signal and the internal clock with the line clock of the reception signal except for the start time and the signal loss time.
US08358937B2
A system for reducing clipping may be used between a multichannel RF source and a laser to reduce or correct clipping that might occur in the laser as a result of negative spikes or peaks in a multichannel RF signal. The system generally includes a clipping correction circuit that receives the multichannel RF signal and responsive to the RF signal, prevents one or more of the negative peaks in the RF signal from causing clipping. The clipping correction circuit may either detect an envelope of the RF signal and/or may detect one or more peaks in the RF signal. One or more negative peaks may be prevented from causing clipping by adjusting a bias current provided by a bias control circuit and/or by modifying the RF signal with one or more clipping correction pulses coinciding with one or more negative peaks.
US08358935B2
A method for generating a visible signal for a data transmission frame in a visible-light communication system includes: receiving specific data constituted by a plurality of frames from a sender; checking and converting a received signal strength indication (RSSI) signal measured from the sender; whenever each frame of the specific data is consecutively received, checking the converted RSSI, determining a level of a visible signal for distinctively displaying a state of a corresponding communication channel, and transmitting the level of the visible signal to the sender; and when reception of the specific data has finished, transmitting a corresponding response message to the sender, according to whether the specific data has been successfully received.
US08358933B2
An optical wireless network includes an optical coupler for diverting received millimeter-wave signals comprised of an optical carrier and second order sidebands into multiple transmission paths; a downstream optical path being one of the multiple transmission paths and including an optical filter for filtering passing through the optical carrier with a single sideband, a converter for converting the optical carrier and single sideband to a corresponding electrical signal for amplification and broadcast transmission from an antenna; and an upstream path being one of the multiple transmission paths and having a filter for passing through the optical carrier only from the mm-wave signals and an intensity modulator driven by data received over the antenna to modulate the optical carrier for optical transmission to a receiving destination.
US08358932B2
A data center network comprising with an all-optical core network which includes a number of separate all-optical networks to connect clusters of computer network equipment at network nodes. Circuit modules in the data center network each includes a memory bank to provide queues to store information scheduled to be transmitted optically through the all-optical core network. Each circuit module also includes a lambda port module which includes a number of optical mux-demux units and an equal number of lambda ports designed to provide communication between the mux-demux units and the memory bank via a number of optical transceivers. In preferred embodiments all logic communication circuits through the core network are all optical fibers. The present invention creates non-interfering circuits by means of their spectral, spatial and temporal separation from each other.
US08358928B2
A lens guard for protecting a camera includes a lens-guard housing, a pressurized gas system, and a gas supply. The housing defines an opening and has a transparent protective lens disposed in the opening and having an outer surface exposed to the environment, an upper portion, and a portion defining apertures shaped to respectively receive therein camera support rods operable to mount the lens-guard housing to the camera in front of a lens. The pressurized gas system is operable to remove fluids and debris from the outer surface of the protective lens. The pressurized gas system includes a blow tube mounted to the upper portion of the housing and having a plurality of outlets directed towards the outer surface of the protective lens. The gas supply fluidically connects to the blow tube and is operable to supply pressurized gas to the blow tube and through the outlets thereof.
US08358924B2
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, comprising a printed wiring board. The printed wiring board comprising a coil and being coupled to an image sensor. Further, the coil, using the magnetic circuitry, is designed to tilt the printed wiring board and automatic focus optomechanics, the automatic focus optomechanics being attached to the printed wiring board over at least one of: a pivot point and a tilting axis to operate an optical imaging stabilizing system. Moreover, a second coil is designed to interact with the magnetic circuitry to move the lens barrel at least one of closer and farther from the image sensor to perform an automatic focus.
US08358920B2
A tank for a water-heating appliance including a body, a first head, and a second head. The body includes a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis. The body extends along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end. The first head includes multiple landings. The first head is coupled to the first end so that the first head is convex and extends away from the body. The longitudinally outermost points of the landings define a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second head includes multiple landings. The second head is identical to the first head except for at least one opening through a landing. The second head is coupled to the second end so that the second head is convex and extends away from the body. The longitudinally outermost points of the landings define a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
US08358919B2
A multi-stage, superheated steam generator for crude oil recovery comprises a plurality of radially spaced-apart first stage electric heating tanks that peripherally surround an inner, second stage electric steam tank. The steam tanks are secured within casing by a slack accommodating mounting comprising a downwardly projecting stub received within a rigid, tubular expansion sockets secured beneath each steam tank. A plurality of serpentine, electric resistive heating elements abut each steam tank. The elements have loop portions proximate the bottoms of each steam tank and vertical portions abutting each tank periphery. First stage tanks output steam to a manifold system that outputs to the second stage heater.
US08358917B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for time-shifted playback of audio/video data. The device comprises: means of storing audio/video data received, means of recording said audio/video data received on said storage means, means of displaying said audio/video data received as it is recorded, means of pausing at a given time the display of said audio/video data while continuing to record it. According to the invention, on switching back to playback mode, said display means display a summary of the audio/video data received during the pause before resuming the playback of said audio/video data received in real time.
US08358916B2
A method annotates information of video streams to enable their subsequent trick mode presentation. Annotations are performed while simultaneously storing the one or more video programs and further in concert while decoding and displaying the one or more video programs.
US08358897B1
Embodiments of the invention are hybrid photonic devices including a first semiconductor slab (i.e. region) comprising a silicon material and a second semiconductor slab, comprising a III-V material, above and partially overlapping the first semiconductor slab to create a lateral overlap region. A bonding layer may be formed on the second semiconductor slab to enable the bonding of the first and second semiconductor slabs at the lateral overlap region. An optical waveguide is formed to be included in the lateral overlap region and comprising the silicon semiconductor material, the III-V semiconductor material and the bonding layer. Thus, in embodiments of the invention the bonding layer comprises a material with a refractive index of at least 2.0 so as to not affect the optical mode shape or propagation loss of the hybrid electro-optical device.
US08358890B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an optical fiber that may have a surface non-normal to a longitudinal axis of a distal end portion of the optical fiber. The surface may define a portion of an interface configured to redirect electromagnetic radiation propagated from within the optical fiber and incident on the interface to a direction offset from the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may also include a doped silica cap that may be fused to the optical fiber such that the surface of the optical fiber may be disposed within a cavity defined by the doped silica cap.
US08358886B2
A low-loss waveguide that can be curved aggressively, that is, curved with a radius of curvature that is substantially zero, in the plane of propagation, without radiating, is formed by a slab of dielectric material having four metal plates, two on each opposite surface of the slab and mutually spaced to define in the dielectric slab between the four metal plates a confinement zone. In use, electromagnetic radiation injected in one end of the zone by suitable input means will propagate throughout the zone to an extraction means. Lower loss and better confinement of the radiation may be obtained by providing plugs of dielectric material adjacent the inwardly-facing edge of each of the metal plates. Embodiments of the invention can be used to implement integrated optical devices and circuits for routing or processing light signals.
US08358884B2
A microoptical component for coupling a laser light to microresonators includes at least two microresonators, each having a form of an axially symmetric body disposed on a pedestal, and at least one waveguide for the laser light. The at least two microresonators are disposed on a first substrate having first side walls. The at least one waveguide is disposed on a second substrate having second side walls. The first side walls and the second side walls are fixedly joined.
US08358875B2
An image display device includes: an acceptance unit that accepts image information including at least one character image as a processing object; a detection unit that detects a size of a character included in the accepted image information; an extraction unit that extracts at least one part of the image information as a display object image; a decision unit that decides an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio based on a size of the character included in the extracted display object image, information on the size of the character detected by the detection unit, and information on a size range for the character; and a display unit that displays the extracted display object image enlarged or reduced at the enlargement ratio or the reduction ratio decided by the decision unit.
US08358874B2
At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a method and/or a computed-tomography system and/or a computed-tomography system assembly for displaying tomographic records, with a first computed-tomography display data record displaying structures of a first type and of a second type by way of a complex recording technique, with an area of interest with structures of a second type being marked there and with relative positions of the structures being determined, with a second computed-tomography display data record subsequently being created by a simpler recording technique, in which only structures of the first type can be identified, and the structures of the second type are made visible in this display on the basis of the known relative positions with respect to the visible structures of the first type or at least their position, or a surrounding boundary.
US08358856B2
A system and method for semantic event detection in digital image content records is provided in which an event-level “Bag-of-Features” (BOF) representation is used to model events, and generic semantic events are detected in a concept space instead of an original low-level visual feature space based on the BOF representation.
US08358855B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for recognizing particular objects of interest in a captured image. One or more salient features that are correlative to an object of interest are detected within a captured image. The captured image is segmented into one or more regions of interest that include a detected salient feature. A covariance appearance model is generated for each of the one or more regions of interest, and first and second comparisons are conducted. The first comparisons comprise comparing each of the generated covariance appearance models to a plurality of stored covariance appearance models, and the second comparisons comprise comparing each of the generated covariance appearance models to each of the other generated covariance appearance model. Based on the first and second comparisons, a determination is made as to whether each of the one or more detected salient features is a particular object of interest.
US08358848B2
An image recognition device of the invention includes an image reading means for reading image information from a manuscript, discriminating a specific image in which a surrounded image is surrounded by a surrounding image from the image information. The image recognition device includes a first determination means for determining whether the surrounding image is included in the image information or not and a second determination means for determining whether there is the specific image in the image information or not by extracting n×n images to be processed by dividing an extraction region positioned at the center of the surrounding image into n×n regions (“n” is an odd-number of three or more) when the first determination means determines that the surrounding image is included in the image information, then, by checking respective images to be processed with a specific image template.
US08358844B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for determining whether text within an image includes unwanted data, utilizing a matrix. In operation, a matrix corresponding to an image is generated. Additionally, text within the image is identified utilizing the matrix. Furthermore, it is determined whether the text includes unwanted data.
US08358841B2
A method for providing improved foreground/background separation in a digital image of a scene is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first map comprising one or more regions provisionally defined as one of foreground or background within the digital image; and providing a subject profile corresponding to a region of interest of the digital image. The provisionally defined regions are compared with the subject profile to determine if any of the regions intersect with the profile region. The definition of one or more of the regions in the map is changed based on the comparison.
US08358838B2
There is provided a red eye detecting apparatus including a red eye region designating section that causes a user to designate a red eye region in an image so as to obtain a designated red eye region, a red eye searching region determining section that determines a red eye searching region including therein the designated red eye region which is obtained by the red eye region designating section, a red eye candidate detecting section that searches for red eye within the red eye searching region which is determined by the red eye searching region determining section, to detect one or more red eye candidates, a face position detecting section that detects one of a position of a face and a position of an area of the face other than eyes within the red eye searching region which is determined by the red eye searching region determining section, and a red eye position judging section that selects, from the red eye candidates detected by the red eye candidate detecting section, a red eye candidate that is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the position detected by the face position detecting section, as a red eye candidate to be subjected to a red eye correcting process.
US08358837B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for detecting whether a video is adult or non-adult. In certain embodiments, a learning system is operable to generate one or more models for adult video detection. The model is generated based on a large set of known videos that have been defined as adult or non-adult. Adult detection is then based on this adult detection model. This adult detection model may be applied to selected key frames of an unknown video. In certain implementations, these key frames can be selected from the frames of the unknown video. Each key frame may generally correspond to a frame that contains key portions that are likely relevant for detecting pornographic or adult aspects of the unknown video. By way of examples, key frames may include moving objects, skin, people, etc. In alternative embodiments, a video is not divided into key frames and all frames are analyzed by a learning system to generate a model, as well as by an adult detection system based on such model.
US08358833B2
A system and method for generating a focused image of an object is provided. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of images of an object, estimating an initial depth profile of the object, estimating a parallax parameter and a blur parameter for each pixel in of the plurality of images and generating a focused image and a corrected depth profile of the object using a posterior energy function. The posterior energy function is based on the estimated parallax parameter and the blur parameter of each pixel in the plurality of images.
US08358830B2
A method of detecting optical defects in a transparency may comprise the steps of providing a digital image of the transparency having a plurality of image pixels and detecting at least one candidate defect. The candidate defect may be detected by determining a grayscale intensity of each one of the image pixels and calculating an intensity gradient across adjacent pairs of the image pixels. Each image pixel may be assigned a gradient value comprising a maximum of the absolute value of the intensity gradients associated with the image pixel. A gradient image may be constructed comprising the gradient values assigned to corresponding ones of the image pixels. Image pixels may be identified as candidate pixels if such image pixels have a gradient value exceeding a gradient threshold. The candidate pixels may comprise the optical defect.
US08358824B2
An X-ray CT apparatus reconstructs a CT image (extended CT image) at each slice position lying outside a relative linear movement range at a helical scan or the like at low exposure and with high image quality. Scans each provided with a residence time are executed at relative linear movement start and end points (Zs and Zf). Projection data in a view range (F) corresponding to a predetermined view angle centering on a view (CVp1,zs) corresponding to a relative linear movement start time or a view shifted previously therefrom by the number of views (M), or a view (CVp1,zf) corresponding to a relative linear movement end time or a view shifted backward therefrom by the number of views (N) are used as image reconstruction projection data for extended CT images in image extension regions (Rs and Rf).
US08358821B2
There is provided an image processing system configured to correct an image of an object inside a physical body. The image processing system includes an object image obtaining section that obtains an object image formed by light from the object, a depth identifying section that identifies a depth from a surface of the physical body to the object, a distance information identifying section that identifies distance information indicating a distance from an image capturing section capturing the object image to the surface of the physical body, and an image correcting section that corrects the object image according to the distance information and the depth.
US08358820B2
A method for adapting a detection algorithm developed for usage with data generated by a first system to data generated with a second system, the algorithm for fail safe diagnosis of irregularities including a first procedure of detecting irregularities with minimal type I errors and a second procedure of filtering out type II errors; the data generated including values for selected features characterizing the irregularities; the method including applying an intermediate step of linearly transposing the values of each selected feature generated by the first procedure, prior to applying the second procedure to those values.
US08358812B2
A method performed by a software process executing on a computer system includes selecting a first set of pixels in a digital image in the RGB color space. The pixels are selected such that, for each pixel in the set, a red component is a highest value component and a blue component is a lowest value component. The method also includes identifying at least a subset of the first set as a region of orange hue in the digital image.
US08358808B2
Systems and methods for detecting and tracking objects, such as motor vehicles, within video data. The systems and method analyze video data, for example, to count objects, determine object speeds, and track the path of objects without relying on the detection and identification of background data within the captured video data. The detection system uses one or more scan lines to generate a spatio-temporal map. A spatio-temporal map is a time progression of a slice of video data representing a history of pixel data corresponding to a scan line. The detection system detects objects in the video data based on intersections of lines within the spatio-temporal map. Once the detection system has detected an object, the detection system may record the detection for counting purposes, display an indication of the object in association with the video data, determine the speed of the object, etc.
US08358799B1
An audio headphone apparatus having ambient noise isolation properties for musicians and sound engineers which allows a user to substantially attenuate ambient noise levels and focus on the electronic audio presented to the headphones. The apparatus utilizes a unique layering of absorber materials with unique geometric shapes which in combination highly attenuate external ambient acoustic energy and control undesirable “boomy” bass response. The apparatus further has a jack adapter holder which retains a ¼ inch adapter for use with an external plug on the headphones.
US08358798B2
An acoustic apparatus, including an acoustic driver, acoustically coupled to a pipe to radiate acoustic energy into the pipe. The pipe includes an elongated opening along at least a portion of the length of the pipe through which acoustic energy is radiated to the environment. The radiating is characterized by a volume velocity. The pipe and the opening are configured so that the volume velocity is substantially constant along the length of the pipe.
US08358796B2
A method and an acoustic signal processing system for noise reduction of a binaural microphone signal are proposed. A source signal and two interfering signals input to a left and a right microphone of a binaural microphone system respectively. A left and a right microphone signal is filtered by a Wiener filter to obtain binaural output signals of the source signal. The Wiener filter is calculated as H W ( Ω ) = 1 - S y 1 , y 1 ( Ω ) S v 1 , v 1 ( Ω ) + S v 2 , v 2 ( Ω ) , wherein Sy1,y1(Ω) is the auto power spectral density of the sum of the interfering signals contained in the left and right microphone signal, Sv1,v1(Ω) is the auto power spectral density of the filtered left microphone signal and Sv2,v2 is the auto power spectral density of the filtered right microphone signal. The method provides the advantage of an improved binaural noise reduction compared to the state of the art with small or less signal distortion.
US08358762B1
Initiating a conference call includes receiving a conference call request message from an initiating user specifying a plurality of other users and determining an availability of the other users to receive conference call invitations. A conference call is initiated between the initiating user and one or more of the other users that are determined to be available. The availability of one or more of the other users determined to be unavailable is monitored and interaction with a conference call invitation by one or more of the other users determined to be unavailable is enabled upon their monitored availability changing from unavailable to available. The interaction with the conference call invitation by the other users is conditioned on whether the conference call is still in progress.
US08358759B2
A method is provided for identifying a calling party to a called party utilizing biometric information. Biometric information of first calling party is received. If stored, a calling party profile is retrieved based on first calling party biometric information. A call is placed to a called party. The first calling party profile is provided to called party. A biometric information change from first calling party biometric information to a second calling party biometric information is automatically detected, and it is determined whether the second party biometric information is stored. If stored, a second calling party profile of second calling party is retrieved and is provided to called party. Responsive to determining that the biometric information for second calling party is not stored, the called party is notified that the second calling party is communicating and the second calling party profile is automatically created based on second calling party biometric information.
US08358752B2
Messages in a message system are converted from one format to another format in accordance with preferred message formats and/or conditions. Message formats can include text messages, multimedia messages, visual voicemail messages, and/or other audio/visual messages. Based on conditions such as recipient device location or velocity and a preferred message format a message can be converted into an appropriate transmission format and transmitted and/or communicated to the recipient in its appropriate format (e.g., text, multimedia, audio, etc. . . . ).
US08358746B2
Methods, devices and systems for sharing content as part of a voice telephony session are provided. More specifically, content can be added to a voice communication session by selecting, dragging, and dropping a representation of that content onto a representation of the voice communication session. Where the selected content comprises an audio file, that content is played over the voice communication channel. Where the selected content comprises text, the text is converted to speech, and then played over the voice communication channel.
US08358745B2
Recording identity data enables telecomm system to provide on-demand services such as Record-ON (RCD), index, bookmark, transcribe, translate and supplement the recording. Party identity uses sender metadata in telecomm data packets. At log-in the station assigns on-demand command (CMD) control tokens and control transfer tokens to each party based on the party's profile. One party has RCD-CMD enabled and, if both parties have a RCD-CMD Transfer Token, parties can transfer RCD-CMD to all. In the absence of RCD-CMD or Transfer, a party cannot activate On-Demand services nor accept control CMD tokens. A call table-database links sender metadata and CMD permissions.
US08358743B2
While determining a leak resistance of a subscriber connection line provided, for example, with two wires in a communication network, a capacitor connected between two said wires is discharged prior to measuring leakage currents. For this purpose, prior to be connected to a high resistance of the other wire, the measurable wire and the other mentioned wire are supplied with a constantly falling and increasing voltage. For that, the final value of said tensions is determined in such a way that, when the connection to the high resistance of the other wire is produced, the voltage of said wire is equal to 0 volt. The leakage current is measured only when the discharge process is over, thereby making it possible to avoid an incorrect measurement caused by a current coming from the capacitor.
US08358737B2
An X-ray treatment apparatus comprises a low energy X-ray generator for detecting a marker, a marker sensor detecting a position of the marker fixed in the patient to a couch, and both low energy X-ray generator and the marker sensor are installed in the couch, a high energy X-ray generator for treatment, a X-ray sensor for treatment detecting the high energy X-ray for treatment. An X-ray treatment method using the X-ray treatment apparatus comprises the steps of detecting a position of a marker by the marker sensor, irradiating to a lesion the high energy X-ray for treatment, detecting the penetrated high energy X-ray for treatment by the X-ray sensor for treatment, modifying the beam profile, the dosage or/and the radiation direction of the X-ray for treatment according to the latest data of the sensors, performing the next radiation for the lesion.
US08358736B2
Provided is an apparatus, method and computer-readable medium analyzing components using an X-ray. The apparatus, method and computer-readable medium may photograph an object using an X-ray of at least two energy bands to output X-ray images, predict a component ratio of the object using the X-ray images, calculate a length of the object for each of the at least two energy bands using an intensity of the X-ray images, when the object is configured in the predicted component ratio, and verify whether an error in the component ratio occurs by comparing the lengths of the object calculated for each of the at least two energy bands.
US08358730B2
Methods and systems for non-intrusively detecting the existence of fissile materials in a container via the measurement of energetic prompt neutrons are disclosed. The methods and systems use the unique nature of the prompt neutron energy spectrum from neutron-induced fission arising from the emission of neutrons from almost fully accelerated fragments to unambiguously identify fissile material. These signals from neutron-induced fission are unique and allow the detection of any material in the actinide region of the nuclear periodic table.
US08358727B2
The present invention has an object to provide a wireless apparatus which is capable of correctly sampling a waveform of a pulse even when a shape of the pulse is varied.A synchronizing apparatus for causing an input signal to be synchronized with a clock signal is equipped with sampling unit 102, 103, and delay control unit 112. The sampling unit 102 and 103 sample the input signal at first sampling timing and second sampling timing, which are separated from each other in a predetermined time interval. The delay control unit 112 shifts both the first and second sampling timing during synchronous pull-in operation, and also, narrows the interval between said first and second sampling timing during synchronous follow-up operation. A synchronous status judging unit 105 judges whether or not the input signal is synchronized with the clock signal based upon a phase error amount outputted from a phase error calculating unit 104, and outputs the synchronous status to a delay amount control unit 106. The delay amount control unit 106 controls to increase/decrease delay amounts which have been presently set in variable delay devices 107 and 108 based upon the phase error amount outputted from the phase error calculating unit 104 and the synchronous status outputted from the synchronous status judging unit 105.
US08358726B2
A source synchronous signal synchronization system includes a differential signal receiver; a tunable input delay element coupled to the receiver; an input serializer/deserializer (ISerDes) coupled to the tunable input delay; an alignment unit coupled to the ISerDes; and a delay control unit coupled to the tunable input delay, the ISerDes, and the alignment unit.
US08358724B2
A radio base station according to the present invention is equipped with a determination unit that compares a first signal quality of a first output signal which is output by an adaptive array antenna and a second signal quality of a second output signal which is output by an adaptive equalizer and determines whether the improvement effect of the second signal quality with respect to the first signal quality is below expectation. When the determination unit determines that the improvement effect is below expectation, a controller stops power supply to the adaptive equalizer and the calculation of an equalization weight by a weight calculator, and outputs the first output signal as the output signal of a receiver.
US08358719B2
A method and device for the simultaneous compensation of several signal errors that occur in an IQ-modulator, using respective inverse correction signals, wherein the optimized signal magnitude of each correction signal is calculated by the determination of the effective signal error and by the subsequent iterative minimization of the effective signal error.
US08358711B2
To reduce the crest factor of a total signal, the signal dynamic range is corrected in baseband upstream of the interpolation filters. To this end, provision is made for the input of a correction device to be coupled to at least two signal sources which are designed to provide digital signals on different frequency bands. The correction device is designed to determine correction factors from the digital signals applied to the input and use them to alter the respective digital signals. The output of the correction device is coupled to a first and at least one second interpolation filter. This allows reduction of the signal dynamic range in baseband, which reduces the crest factor without having to accept substantial losses in signal quality.
US08358708B2
A low offset input circuit and a signal transmission system which can accommodate a high-speed interface and achieve reduction of an offset voltage are provided. An offset voltage compensating circuit block 103 having an input circuit block 108 including an input circuit 104 and an adder-subtractor circuit block 105, switches 108, 109, a detecting circuit block 106, and an adjusting and holding circuit block 107 is provided. To compensate for an offset voltage of the input circuit block 102, an offset voltage of the input circuit block 102 is detected at the detecting circuit block 106 by turning on the switches 108, 109, and the detected offset voltage is held in the adjusting and holding circuit block 107, and negative feedback of the held offset voltage to the adder-subtractor circuit block 105 is performed. Thereby, signals Vop, Von having compensated offset voltages are outputted from the input circuit block 102.
US08358707B2
Provided is a communication system for ultra wide band impulse communication, and more particularly, to a communication apparatus and method that can be used in a sensor network or a low-rate wireless personal area network. To be more specific, the present research suggests a transmitter employing multi-coded bi-orthogonal pulse position modulation/demodulation and a method thereof. The transmitter of the present research provides: a serial-to-parallel converter for convening L-bit serial data to be transmitted into parallel data by performing grouping on the L-bit serial data; a multi-coder for generating a multi-coded symbol by multiplying the parallel data by total L orthogonal codes of length Ns; a bi-orthogonal pulse position modulator for positioning the multi-coded symbol in a predetermined pulse period and performing biorthogonal pulse position modulation; and a pulse generator for multiplying an output signal of the bi-orthogonal pulse position modulator by a predetermined pulse and outputting an output signal.
US08358706B2
An image transmitting apparatus includes input terminals, first frame buffers corresponding to the input terminals, a write controlling portion, a read clock generating portion, a read controlling portion, an image compressing portion, and an image transmitting portion. The image transmitting apparatus inputs data on digital frame images of one frame captured with video cameras and synchronous signals synchronized with the data on the digital frame images, respectively, within a predetermined period of time; processes the data including multiplexing and compressing the data; and outputs the data on the digital frame images encoded by the image compressing portion.
US08358704B2
Apparatus and method to decode video data while maintaining a target video quality using an integrated error control system including error detection, resynchronization and error recovery are described. Robust error control can be provided by a joint encoder-decoder functionality including multiple error resilience designs. In one aspect, error recovery may be an end-to-end integrated multi-layer error detection, resynchronization and recovery mechanism designed to achieve reliable error detection and error localization. The error recovery system may include cross-layer interaction of error detection, resynchronization and error recovery subsystems. In another aspect, error handling of a scalable coded bitstream is coordinated across a base-layer and enhancement layer of scalable compressed video.
US08358697B2
A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding an image by performing motion prediction and compensation on pictures in a group of pictures by selectively using a high-quality key picture that is previously encoded and restored, and a second picture that is previously encoded and restored. The method of encoding an image improves the prediction efficiency of an image by storing a key picture, which is encoded and restored to a high quality by reducing a loss caused by a quantization error using a small quantization coefficient, in a first storage unit and storing a previously encoded and restored second picture in a second storage unit, and then performing motion prediction and compensation by selectively using the key picture stored in the first storage unit and the second picture stored in the second storage unit while encoding a next picture in a group of pictures.
US08358696B2
Techniques for motion estimation are disclosed. For example, embodiments may determine error metric lower bound values for a block in a current image, where each of the error metric lower bound values corresponds to a search position in a reference image. Based on a separation threshold, a plurality of candidate positions may be identified from the search positions. A matching position is then identified from the candidate positions. Based on the matching position, a motion vector is determined.
US08358693B2
Computation scheduling and allocation for visual communication is described. In one aspect, multiple frames of video data are encoded by allocating for at least a subset of inter-coded frames, on frame-by-frame basis, computational resources to encode the inter-coded frame. To this end, a computational budget to encode a current inter-coded frame is estimated. The estimate is based on the actual computational costs to encode a previous inter-coded frame of video data. Next, sets of operations associated with encoding the current inter-coded frame are analyzed to determine computational resources to implement the operations. If the computational resources exceed the computational budget, complexity of the operations is reduced until the associated computational resources are less than or equal to the computational budget. At this point, the current inter-coded frame is encoded using the operations and the computational budget. This process is repeated for the remaining inter-coded frames of video data.
US08358690B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing predictive adaptive communications. Embodiments include a network access unit, in communication with multiple data terminals, and adapted to determine geospatial and other network data (e.g., current capability and position information relating to a designated one of the data terminals, map data, etc.), and to generate a link condition prediction as a function of the network data. The network access unit may then adaptively encode source data (e.g., using adaptive coding and modulation of hierarchically pre-coded data) to preempt impacts of changing link conditions on communications with the designated data terminal as a function of the link condition prediction.
US08358688B2
A method for transmitting moving image data that includes a plurality of frames each divided into a plurality of pieces of data includes setting a priority to each of the plurality of pieces of data based on a characteristic thereof, determining a transmission order of the plurality of pieces of data to transmit the plurality of pieces of data according to the set priority, wherein a transmission order of the plurality of pieces of data having a same priority is determined not to transmit data which is displayed at a same position in successive frames in a same transmission order, and transmitting the plurality of pieces of data in the determined transmission order.
US08358686B2
A video compression system processes images captured from a video camera mounted to a vehicle. Vehicle-mounted sensors generate vehicle motion information corresponding to a current state of motion of the vehicle. An optical flow estimation circuit estimates apparent motion of objects within a visual field. A video encoder circuit in communication with the optical flow estimation circuit compresses the video data from the video camera based on the estimated apparent motion.
US08358682B2
Provided is a reference data converting section that rearranges each of a plurality of frequency components along the frequency axis such that (i) a fundamental wave component and harmonic wave components of a reference digital signal are within a first Nyquist region of a spectrum of the reference digital signal and (ii) image components of the fundamental wave component and the harmonic wave components are within a second Nyquist region of the spectrum; and a distortion detecting section that detects the non-linear distortion of the reference digital signal caused by each harmonic wave component, based on each harmonic wave component having a prescribed order number in the spectrum in which each frequency component has been rearranged by the reference data converting section.
US08358679B2
A relay station for being operative in a mobile communication system, comprising a receiver for receiving a radio signal from a source, the radio signal comprising symbols representing an encoded information, the encoded information being based on an encoding rule and comprising payload information and redundancy information. The relay station comprising a soft detector for detecting a symbol from the radio signal to obtain soft information, the soft information comprising information on the symbol and reliability information on the information on the symbol. The relay station further comprising a quantizer for quantizing the soft information to obtain quantized soft information and a transmitter for transmitting an information on the quantized soft information to a destination.
US08358678B2
First and second groups of mobile terminal communications in a cell are defined. A basic frequency hopping sequence for both groups is identified. An offset from the basic hopping sequence is determined for each mobile terminal communication in the first and second groups and is used along with the basic frequency hopping sequence to generate an assigned frequency hopping sequence for each mobile terminal. Some of the assigned frequency hopping sequences overlap such that a first communication from the first group and a second communication from the second group simultaneously use the same time-frequency radio resource during one hop in their corresponding assigned frequency hopping sequences. The first and second mobile terminal communications use a different time-frequency radio resource during another hop in their respective assigned frequency hopping sequence thereby varying the offset for each mobile terminal communication in the second group to improve interference diversity between the two groups for each hop.
US08358669B2
A data packet communication system employs data encryption in a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) and radio link control (RLC) in Layer 2 of transmission between a transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX). A single sequence number is used for both the PDCP and RLC to reduce overhead by signaling a TX PDCP first ciphering sequence number to the RX prior to encrypted data packet communication. A sequence number accompanies each RLC PDU, which can encompass concatenated or segmented service data units (SDUs) from the higher layer PDCP. This sequence number is sufficient for the RLC to perform re-ordering, gap detection, retransmission, etc., while also allowing the RX upper layer PDCP to reconstruct a sequenced value used to encrypt content.
US08358664B2
Provided is a system and method for performing smart offloads between computer applications module and a network interfacing device within a data communications system. The method includes receiving data requests from the computer applications module and determining whether the received data requests require offloading. The received requests are forwarded along a first data path to the network interfacing device if offloading is required. If offloading is not required, the received data requests are forwarded along a secondary data path to a host protocol stack for processing. Next, the protocol processing is performed and the processed data requests are forwarded to the network interfacing device.
US08358661B2
Systems and methods to remotely configure adapters are described. A particular method may include generating a management frame at a controlling bridge. The management frame may include instructions to configure an operating parameter of the adapter. The management frame may be communicated to a bridge element of a plurality of interconnected bridge elements in communication with the controlling bridge. The bridge element may be coupled to the adapter, and the operating parameter of the adapter may be configured.
US08358655B2
A data processing system adapted for high-speed network communications, a method for managing a network interface and a network interface for such system, are provided, in which processing of packets received over the network is achieved by embedded logic at the network interface level. Incoming packets on the network interface are parsed and classified as they are stored in a buffer memory. Functional logic coupled to the buffer memory on the network interface is enabled to access any data field within a packet in a single cycle, using pointers and packet classification information produced by the parsing and classifying step. Results of operations on the data fields in the packets are available before the packets are transferred out of the buffer memory. A data processing system, a method for management of a network interface and a network interface are also provided by the present invention that include an embedded firewall at the network interface level of the system, which protects against inside and-outside attacks on the security of data processing system. Furthermore, a data processing system, a method for management of a network interface and a network interface are a provided by the present invention that support class of service management for packets incoming from the network, by applying priority rules at the network interface level of the system.
US08358654B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide an improved method for processing a packet transmitted on a network. The method for processing the packet can include defining a set of non-overlapped intervals on a range field, defining one or more range rules that each range rule is in association with a subset of the non-overlapped intervals, identifying a non-overlapped interval, to which a parameter of the packet belongs, and executing an action on the packet based on a range rule associated with the non-overlapped interval to which the parameter belongs.
US08358650B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for communicating CNAM services for SIP originated calls terminating in a circuit switched network is described. In one embodiment, the method includes, at a SIP-SS7 gateway, receiving a SIP call setup message that includes a SIP calling subscriber identifier information, associating a temporary telephone number with the SIP calling subscriber identifier information, generating an SS7 call setup message associated with the SIP call setup message, wherein the SS7 call setup message includes the temporary telephone number, and communicating the temporary telephone number and SIP calling subscriber identifier information to a calling name interworking function (CIF) module. The method also includes, at the CIF module, storing the temporary telephone number and the associated SIP calling subscriber identifier information in a local cache, receiving a CNAM query message containing the temporary telephone number from a terminating switching office, and transmitting a CNAM response message to the terminating switching office including the SIP calling subscriber identifier information.
US08358649B2
A system for handling packet-switched data transmission is provided. The system includes a first RF module, a second RF module, a first subscriber identity card camping on a cell via the first RF module, a second subscriber identity card camping on the same cell or a different cell via the second RF module and a load balancing unit. The load balancing unit receives an uplink IP packet, determines one subscriber identity card from the first and second subscriber identity cards when the uplink IP packet comprises information regarding an unestablished connection of a recognized application, and transmits the uplink IP packet to a destination via the determined subscriber identity card and the RF module corresponding to the determined subscriber identity card.
US08358647B2
A system and method for allowing legacy circuit switched user equipment (CS UE) to operate via a packet-switch system, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) system, is provided. The mobility and session control aspects of communications with a legacy CS UE is separated. A user agent is placed in the receiving node (e.g., a home node B) that acts as the SIP agent for the CS UE for session control. An interworking function is provided to allow mobility between the macro CS network and the PS (e.g., IMS) network.
US08358641B2
The present invention relates to a node for deployment on a peer to peer network. The node is programmed for monitoring the network to receive communication messages therefrom and to forward the communication messages, optionally changing the communications radius parameters to an optimal or near optimal value. The node can forward messages from one network to another or from one network to the same network. The invention also provides a method for monitoring communication messages for selected objects by nodes on a peer to peer network. The method includes interposing the node on the network. The node has at least one stored object corresponding to a communication message object stored the node; and monitors the network to detect communication messages matching at least one of the stored objects and decides whether or not to forward or change communication message radius parameters based on some defined programming or configuration.
US08358638B2
A system and method for the establishment and maintenance of wireless network, such as wireless network enabling access to the World Wide Web. The network can be created by its users as part of social network activity. The users are using automated resources discovery, verification and mapping as a comprehensive wireless resources search engine. Once few locations are mapped as wireless service “hot spots,” the service area can be expanded as users keep discovering and mapping more resources. These existing wireless Internet access resources could be mined by users to create spontaneous wireless network providing wide area high-speed data service.
US08358637B2
A method for preventing or correcting the imbalance in load among interlaces in communications based on CDMA whereby communication resources are allocated to the respective interlaces through an interlacing scheme. A base station measures load information on an interlace-by-interlace basis, and notifies the same to a terminal while the terminal filters the load information to utilize the same for making a decision on transmission timing. Or the base station notifies the terminal of load information on plural transmission timings, and the terminal selects an adequate transmission timing to be then utilized. Otherwise, the base station presents at least two probabilities of transition between interlaces, urging the terminal to update an interlace (transmission timing) on a probabilistic basis.
US08358633B1
Methods and systems are provided for dynamic determination of EV-DO control-channel bit rate based on forward-link timeslot utilization. Service is provided to access terminals on a carrier in a wireless coverage area. The carrier comprises timeslots that can be active or idle. Active timeslots comprise a data channel; idle timeslots do not. The data channel is arranged to transmit user-traffic information, and also to transmit control-channel information at a bit rate that can be set to a first or second value, where the second value is greater than the first value. A number of active timeslots on the carrier in the coverage area over a time period is determined. It is further determined whether that number is less than a threshold number. If so, the bit rate is set to the first value; if not, the bit rate is set to the second value.
US08358629B2
Described herein are mechanisms and methods that facilitate preparation of inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) and/or inter-frequency handover with respect to a mobile device (user equipment). User equipment can indicate to a network servicing the user equipment that the user equipment desires to perform measurements with respect to a different frequency and/or different technology. Data on the downlink channel can then be scheduled to ensure that data intended for the user equipment is not lost while the user equipment is performing the measurements.
US08358626B2
The present invention provides a mobile device that is able to receive content of a server even before a predetermined time interval elapses.The mobile device comprises a first transmission portion, which transmits a content transmission request to a first server, a second transmission portion, which transmits a content transmission request to a second server, a transmission control portion, which outputs transmission instruction information ordering the transmission of a content transmission request to the first transmission portion and second transmission portion, and a notice reception portion, which receives an urgent notice that is transmitted from the first server. The transmission control portion outputs transmission instruction information to the first transmission portion at a predetermined first time interval or when the notice reception portion receives the urgent notice, and outputs transmission instruction information to the second transmission portion at a second predetermined time interval.
US08358623B2
Techniques for transferring a communication connection for a client device from a source network device to a target network device include receiving first and second sequence numbers and applying a first processing technique to data segments associated with sequence numbers that succeed the first and the second sequence numbers.
US08358621B2
A method and apparatus for feeding back and receiving acknowledgment (ACK) information of semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) data packets are disclosed. The method for feeding back ACK information of SPS data packets includes receiving an uplink downlink assignment index (UL DAI) from a base station (BS), wherein the UL DAI indicates a number (N) of downlink data packets, mapping acknowledgements/negative acknowledgements (ACKs/NAKs) of k SPS data packets of the downlink data packets to positions from the (N−k+1)th ACK/NAK to the Nth ACK/NAK, and feeding back N ACKs/NAKs to the BS.
US08358620B2
A communication device has a data application and a voice application. The device establishes a data session between the data application and a data system. During the data session, the device receives a voice session request from a voice communication system, and in response, alerts the user of the request. The device receives a user acceptance of the voice session request, and in response, transfers a voice session acceptance indication from the voice application to the data application and tracks elapsed time since the user acceptance. The communication device transfers a voice session acceptance from the voice application to the voice communication system if the voice application receives a data application ready indication from the data application or if the elapsed time since the user acceptance reaches a set time period, whichever occurs first.
US08358615B2
Transmission of data from a portable communication device to a base station via a radio frequency signal uses a plurality of modulation and coding schemes and a protocol that has recurring frames. Each frame has a plurality of transmission slots, different numbers of which can be used to transmit data. When it is desired to transmit data a higher rate than was used previously, an attempt is made to increase the number transmission slots being used. If doing so, produces a transmission results in a specific absorption rate limit being exceeded, then the modulation and coding scheme is changed to one having a greater data coding rate. The power level and the number transmission slots then are set so that the data transmission does not exceed the specific absorption rate limit. The data is then transmitted by the portable communication device.
US08358610B2
Aspects of a method and system for channel estimation for interference suppression are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits and/or processors of a mobile communication device may generate and/or receive a first set of channel estimates and a second set of channel estimates. The one or more circuits and/or processors may modify the second set of channel estimates based on a comparison of a measure of correlation between the first set of channel estimates and the second set of channel estimates with a threshold. The first set of channel estimates and/or the modified second set of channel estimates may be utilized for cancelling interference in received signals. The first set of channel estimates may be associated with a first transmit antenna of a base transceiver station and the second set of channel estimates may be associated with a second transmit antenna of the base transceiver station.
US08358603B2
A method, a base station (BS), and a user terminal for implementing uplink resource indication are provided. The method includes: carrying an uplink resource index in an uplink resource grant indication (ul grant), in which the uplink resource index is corresponding to at least one uplink resource in terms of indication; and sending the ul grant. The BS includes an index carrying module and an instruction sending module. The user terminal includes an instruction receiving module, an instruction resolving module, and an execution module.
US08358602B2
Methods and systems for providing network connectivity in wireless networks are provided. This network connectivity can involve a mobile node being able to connect with more than one network at the same time and supporting multiple protocol sessions. Additionally, modifications can be made to allow a mobile node to have multiple IP addresses. These modifications include using a packet data network identifier along with a network control protocol to allow a network device to provide to user equipment (UE) multiple packet data network connections. The network device can be a access gateway or HPRD serving gateway (HSGW) that sets up the PDN connections for the UE. The packet data network identifier can be used to distinguish between multiple PDN connections for a UE.
US08358597B2
A method for building scalable Ethernet switch network and huge Ethernet switch is provided. The switch network is composed of a plurality of tiers of Ethernet switches forming a fat-tree topology. The bottommost tier connects to the end-stations. All switches except those in the top tier are typical IEEE802.1Q switches configured purposefully such that all packets from the end-stations are forwarded upstream to the top tier and are tagged with ingress port information. The top-tier switches possess a novel learning and forwarding capability such that a received packet is forwarded downstream to the destination end-station through one of a plurality of possible paths selected by a load balancing algorithm. The method can also be applied to build an Ethernet switch of a large number of ports.
US08358593B2
Some embodiments provide methods for selecting a serving gateway, including: receiving a message from a base transceiver station including a list of tracking areas handled by the base transceiver station; performing a domain name system query for at least one tracking area to retrieve and store in a local memory information identifying a serving gateway serving the at least one tracking area; receiving an attach request from the base transceiver station identifying the user equipment and a tracking area from which the user equipment is connected to the network; searching the information identifying a serving gateway serving the at least one tracking area stored in the local memory to identify a serving gateway to service the user equipment based on the tracking area from which the user equipment is connected to the network; and sending a message identifying the identified serving gateway to the base transceiver station.
US08358587B2
A system for performing a local wireless communication using a predetermined frequency band divided into a plurality of channels. The system includes a hub for scanning each channel to identify available one of the plurality of channels and transmitting data over the available channel. The system further includes a sensor set to start to operate when the sensor detects a signal within the predetermined frequency band. The sensor spectrum-senses the signal of the frequency band for each channel, and analyzes a header of packet data for each channel, and receives and processes the packet data if the signal is identified to have a designated code.
US08358576B2
Techniques for computing a path for a local repair connection to be used to protect a connection traversing an original path from an ingress node to an egress node. The computed path originates at a node (start node) in the original path and terminates at another node (end node) in the original path that is downstream from the start node. A Constraint Shortest Path First (CSPF) algorithm may be used to compute the path. The computed path is such that it satisfies one or more constraints and does not traverse a path from a first node in the original path to a second node in the original path, wherein the first and second nodes are upstream from the start node in the original path and the second node is downstream from the first node in the original path. A local repair connection may then be signaled using the computed path.
US08358574B2
An IS-OFDM system for point-to-point wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference comprises an IS-OFDM transmitter and an IS-OFDM receiver, wherein a transmitted signal comprises a plurality of subcarriers, and further wherein each subcarrier contains more than one and potentially all symbols transmitted in a given frame. The IS-OFDM transmitted signal is at a data rate that is equal to the data rate of the input data stream via the use of P/S converters.
US08358568B2
According to a method for setting the laser beam power applied to reproduce information recorded on an optical disc, information recorded in a region on the optical disc is reproduced using three or more test reproduction powers (S22B), the number of reproductions until the degradation of the quality of the reproduced signal reaches a prescribed value is determined as the degradation number of reproductions (S22F), the relation between the test reproduction power and the degradation number of reproductions is approximated by a curve, and a reproduction power restricting the degradation of the reproduced signal quality to a predetermined amount or less over a certain guaranteed number of reproductions is determined (S25F). In optical reproduction from an optical disc on which information is recorded, the optimum power of irradiation for reproduction can be set, and degradation of the information due to the reproducing light can be prevented.
US08358567B2
According to the present invention, an information reproduction device and an information reproduction method are provided, which are capable of reproducing data using temporary management information that is identified by a simple way of specification. In the present invention, the control receives temporary management information identifying information, searches for and reproduces the most suitable one of a plurality of temporary management information, and reproduces data using the temporary management information. Thus, it is possible to obtain contents of an overwritten file as of before the file was overwritten.
US08358565B2
A thermally assisted magnetic recording head includes a magnetic recording element part for writing, a main waveguide for assistance for receiving light, and a dummy waveguide component part provided in parallel to the main waveguide. The dummy waveguide component part includes a pair of waveguides having the same shape and dimensions including a first waveguide and a second waveguide that receive light from a back end surface opposite to an air bearing surface and guides the light toward the air bearing surface, and light emitting ends of the first waveguide and the second waveguide facing towards the air bearing surface have no shielding material, and are in a free condition so that the light intensity from the light emitting ends can be measured.
US08358551B2
A semiconductor memory storage device is disclosed. The semiconductor memory storage devices comprises: a plurality of data storage cells arranged in an array. The array comprises a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows, each column comprising at least one output line for outputting a data value from a data storage cell in a selected row of the column. Precharge circuitry for precharging the output lines to a predetermined voltage, the precharge circuitry comprising a plurality of switching devices corresponding to the plurality of columns each switching device controlled by a data output request signal and a power mode signal. The plurality of switching devices each comprising at least two switches, the at least two switches comprising a data output switch controlled by the data output request signal and a power switch controlled by the power mode signal, the plurality of switching devices connecting the output lines to the predetermined voltage in response to both the power mode signal indicating an operational mode and the data output request signal indicating data is to be output; wherein the power mode switch is configured to have a higher capacitance than the data output switch.
US08358549B2
A semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of RAM macros; and a test control circuit configured to correlate the plurality of RAM macros with a plurality of memory test execution periods. The test control circuit outputs control signals to the plurality of RAM macros such that one RAM macro of the plurality of RAM macros is tested during one memory test execution period of the plurality of memory test execution periods, the one RAM macro being correlated with the one memory test execution period.
US08358543B1
Techniques for programming a non-volatile memory device, such as a Flash memory, include floating source lines of memory cells based on a data pattern that is being programmed to the memory device. The source lines to float are selected such that a distance between drain bit lines and source bit lines of different memory cells in a row is maximized. In this manner, leakage current between these drain bit lines and source bit lines can be decreased.
US08358541B1
A system including a programming module and an interference module. The programming module is configured to determine a programming value to which a state of a target cell is to be programmed, wherein the programming value is determined based on states of one or more cells near the target cell. The interference module is configured to generate interference values based on (i) the state of the target cell and (ii) the states of the one or more cells near the target cell. The programming module is further configured to determine the programming value based on at least one of the interference values selected according to (i) the state of the target cell and (ii) the states of the one or more cells near the target cell.
US08358540B2
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for access line biasing. One embodiment includes selecting, using a controller external to the memory device, a particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions for use in performing an access operation on an array of memory cells of the memory device, and performing the access operation using the selected particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions. In one or more embodiments, the selected particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions is selected by the controller external to the memory device based, at least partially, on a target access line of the array.
US08358539B2
At least some of the memory transistors included in a first memory string are commonly connected to first conductive layers that are connected to at least some of the memory transistors included in a second memory string connected to the same third and fourth conductive layers as the first memory string. At least one of either the memory transistors or the back-gate transistor in the first memory string and at least one of either the memory transistors or the back-gate transistor in the second memory string are connected to the independent first or fifth conductive layers, respectively.
US08358538B2
Memory devices to facilitate adjustment of program voltages applied during a program operation based upon erase operation cycle counter values stored in the memory device. In one such embodiment, an erase cycle counter is maintained for each block of a memory device and is stored in the associated block of memory. Programming voltage levels utilized during program operations of memory cells are determined, at least in part, based upon the value of the erase cycle counter stored in a memory block undergoing a programming operation, for example.
US08358535B2
A semiconductor device includes a sub word line driver. A first sub word line and a second sub word line transmit an operation signal to a memory cell. A main word line optionally sends the operation signal to the first sub word line and the second sub word line. A switching transistor is disposed between the first sub word line and the second sub word line. A gate of the switching transistor is connected the main word line.
US08358532B2
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell including a selector and a storage element coupled to the selector. A word-line may be coupled to the memory cells and may have a word-line driver including a pull-up resistor coupled to the selectors for the memory cells to access respective storage elements of the memory cells. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08358527B2
Multi-level nonvolatile memory devices using variable resistive elements, the multi-level nonvolatile memory devices including a word line, a bit line, and a multi-level memory cell coupled between the word line and the bit line, the multi-level memory cell having first resistance level and a second resistance level higher than the first resistance level when the first and second write biases having the same polarity are applied thereto, and a third resistance level and a fourth resistance level ranging between the first and second resistance levels, when third and fourth write biases having different polarities from each other are applied thereto.
US08358521B2
Systems and methods presented herein generally provide for the controlled voltage of bipolar electrical energy through the selected operation of power stages. In one embodiment, a system that provides electrical energy includes a power supply and at least two power stages coupled to the power supply. The power stages are operable to selectively output electrical energy. By selecting the number of power stages which are turned on at a given time the total voltage of the electrical energy is controlled at that time. The system may further include one or more controllers coupled to the power stages to control selection of the power stages and thereby vary the output voltage.
US08358519B2
A switch control circuit for controlling a bridge circuit comprising: an upper and a lower transistor, connected to a positive and a negative voltage, respectively, and comprising a flywheel diode connected in parallel with each transistor. An LC-circuit filters the voltage from the junction of the transistors. A drive circuit controls each transistor in order to switch off the corresponding switch element when a reference current has been obtained in the inductor and for switching on the corresponding switch element when the current in the inductor is essentially zero. A first timer circuit is arranged for preventing the on-switch of the switch element until a minimum time period has passed.
US08358518B2
A switching regulator of a power converter is provided and includes a feedback-input circuit, a programming circuit, and a peak-current-threshold circuit. The feedback-input circuit is coupled to a terminal of the switching regulator for receiving a feedback signal. The feedback-input circuit is operated in a first range of a terminal signal. The programming circuit is coupled to the terminal for generating a programming signal. The programming signal is operated in a second range of the feedback signal. The peak-current-threshold circuit generates a threshold signal in accordance with the programming signal. The feedback signal is coupled to regulate the output of the power converter, and the threshold signal is coupled to limit a peak switching current of the power converter.
US08358510B2
A power distribution apparatus includes an outlet board, a fuse board, and at least one connector. The outlet board is connected to the fuse board through the at least one connector.
US08358509B2
An information handling system device includes a plurality of electronic components; an electric circuit including at least one trace for connecting two or more of the plurality of electronic components and transmitting data between the plurality of electronic components via at least one electric signal; and a substrate including an insulating material for serving as a base for the electric circuit and the plurality of electronic components, wherein the at least one electric signal transmitted between the plurality of electronic components is transmitted utilizing slope manipulation to provide a slope directly proportional to a data value.
US08358504B2
Systems and methods for direct cooling of transceivers, including transceivers used in electrical and optical communications systems. An electrical system includes a transceiver module with a housing that contains a plurality of apertures to allow air flow into and out of the transceiver module. The transceiver includes an internal heat sink located within the housing of the transceiver module, where the internal heat sink is thermally coupled to at least one internal component of the transceiver module. The electrical system also includes a cage for receiving and electrically connecting to the transceiver module. The cage contains a second set of apertures such that when the transceiver module is inserted into the cage, air may flow into the cage through the second set of apertures, then flow into the transceiver module through one of the plurality of apertures in the transceiver module housing such that the air dissipates heat from the at least one internal component thermally coupled to the internal heat sink. The air may then flow out of the transceiver module through another of the plurality of apertures in the housing.
US08358503B2
A modular processing module is provided. The modular processing module comprises a set of processing module sides. Each processing module side comprises a circuit board, a plurality of connectors coupled to the circuit board, and a plurality of processing nodes coupled to the circuit board. Each processing module side in the set of processing module sides couples to another processing module side using at least one connector in the plurality of connectors such that, when all of the set of processing module sides are coupled together, the modular processing module is formed. The modular processing module comprises an exterior connection to a power source and a communication system.
US08358495B2
It is harder to realize structural defects when the thickness of an internal electrode is reduced in a laminated ceramic electronic component, such as a laminated ceramic capacitor, when the internal electrodes contain a base metal as their conductive constituent, and the dielectric ceramic layers are formed from a dielectric barium titanate ceramic, and as an accessory constituent, at least one alkali metal element selected from Li, K, and Na, each of the internal electrodes has a thickness of 0.5 μm or less, and the content of the alkali metal element in the dielectric ceramic is 0.2 parts by mol or more with respect to 100 parts by mol of the main constituent.
US08358486B2
A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes at least two write transducers for writing to a magnetic medium; and a shield structure having at least two magnetically connected shields which at least partially cover two opposite sides of the writer. A magnetic head according to another embodiment includes at least two write transducers for writing to a magnetic medium, the at least two write transducers being positioned adjacent each other and aligned along a line; and a shield structure having shields adjacent at least three sides of each of the at least two write transducers, the shields being formed of a magnetically permeable material. Additional devices, systems, and methods are also presented.
US08358481B2
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are devices and processes for producing high resolution lithography or pattern formation on the nanometer scale, using a voltage-biased probe that is slider-mounted along with, or separate from but linked to, a magnetic read head within a HDD mechanism. The probe is guided and positioned over a target layer by the motion of the read head which is, itself, guided by signals from servo tracks on a magnetic layer that activate an electromechanical servomechanism within the HDD. An electric field produced by the probe is capable of modifying the surface of the target layer over which the probe flies either directly, or by current induced or thermally induced effects. Targets such as amorphous or crystalline silicon can be hydrogen passivated and the electric field will produce oxidized or anodized lines with nanometer resolution.
US08358479B1
In a perpendicular magnetic recording system, the data that is being written by the write channel is fed back into the read channel. The read channel processes the data and decides if the written sequence is likely to have very poor DC characteristics. If that is the case, the write channel changes a scrambler seed and rewrites the data using the new scrambler seed. The data may also be inspected for patterns that might cause large baseline wander before being written to disk, i.e., in the write channel. A data sequence may be repeatedly scrambled and encoded until an acceptable level of estimated DC-wander has been achieved. The data sequence may then be written to disk.
US08358472B2
A lens barrel includes: a frame for holding an optical lens, the frame having a bottomed circular recess formed in its outer peripheral surface; a cam follower fixed to an outer diameter portion of the frame with screws, the cam follower including a core and a collar provided on an outer periphery of the core; and a barrel member having a guide groove into which the cam follower is fitted, the guide groove determining a position of the frame, in which under a state in which the cam follower is mounted to the outer diameter portion of the frame, an outer diameter portion of the collar is fitted to an inner diameter portion of the circular recess, and one end surface of the core abuts on a bottom surface of the circular recess and another end surface of the core abuts on a head of the screw.
US08358469B2
An immersion microscope objective comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power comprising a cemented lens composed of a plano-convex lens whose plane surface faces the object side and a meniscus lens whose concave surface faces the object side, and at least one single lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a positive refractive power comprising a three-piece cemented lens; and a third lens group having a negative refractive power including a Gaussian type lens structure, wherein the objective satisfies the following conditions when n1, NAob, d0 and β are a refractive index at a d-line of the single lens having the highest refractive index included in the first lens group, a numerical aperture on the object side of the objective, a working distance of the objective, and a magnification of the objective, respectively. 1.7≦n1 0.75≦NAob≦1.45 0.4≦NAob*d0≦3 0.03≦NAob/β≦0.1.
US08358466B2
Delay line interferometer designs using combinations of basic optical components that are expected to simplify manufacture and reduce costs while still providing precision optical performance. The main operative components of these designs are polarization beam splitters, birefringent crystals, optical delay components, and waveplates. Temperature controllers may be provided for adjusting the delay of the optical delay components.
US08358465B2
A three-dimensional (3D) display system and a method for use in the same are disclosed. The 3D display system includes: a display panel which includes a plurality of pixels, applies several-direction parallax image signals to the pixels according to regulations of a specific mode, and displays the several-direction parallax image signals; and a filter which is located at at least one of a front part and a rear part of the display panel, forms a predetermined barrier pattern according to regulations of the specific mode to implement a three-dimensional image, and separates the several-direction parallax image signals from each other.
US08358462B2
A mini-scope for multi-directional imaging is disclosed. The mini-scope includes an elongated mini-scoped body. An emissions aperture is disposed on the distal end of the elongated mini-scope body, which can be configured to emit a beam of optical energy propagating through a flexible optical conductor. A selective mirror is also positioned at the distal end of the elongated mini-scope body and is configured to selectively pass or reflect the beam of optical energy based on the optical characteristics of the beam. A solid state imaging device is further disposed on the distal end of the elongated mini-scope body for imaging illumination reflected by an external object in response to the beam of optical energy. This illumination is directed to pass through or reflect from the selective mirror to the camera based on optical characteristics of the beam.
US08358461B2
In at least one embodiment of the wavelength-tunable light source, it comprises an output source, which is capable in operation of generating electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the light source has a wavelength-selective first filter element, which is situated downstream from the output source. Moreover, the light source contains a first amplifier medium, which is situated downstream from the first filter element and is capable of at least partial amplification of the radiation emitted by the output source. The light source further comprises at least one wavelength-selective second filter element, which is situated downstream from the first amplifier medium, the second filter element having an optical spacing to the first filter element. The first filter element and the at least one second filter element are tunable via a control unit, which the light source has.
US08358460B2
A QPM waveguide includes an optical substrate having periodic domain-inverted regions and non-inverted regions which are arranged alternately, and a waveguide part passing through the domain-inverted regions and non-inverted regions. The substrate is divided into at least two sections each of which has a wave input facet and a wave output facet. At least one band-pass filter layer is disposed on the wave input facet of one section to filter out a signal wave for preventing back conversion so that the energy of the conversion wave can increase. A method for preventing the back conversion is also disclosed.
US08358447B2
A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light received from the light emitting diode, and at least one elastic member to elastically support at least one longitudinal end of the light guide. As the light guide is elastically supported by the elastic member, convex deformation or bowing of an emission face of the light guide due to thermal expansion can be reduced.
US08358445B2
An image reading apparatus that reads an image. Image data generated by a scanner reading an original is stored in a RAM. The size of the image data and the size of a region for storing the image data in the RAM are compared with each other. The image data is divided when the size of the image data is larger than the size of the region for storing the image data in the RAM. One of a plurality of pieces of image data divided from the image data is stored in the RAM, and the format of the image data stored in the RAM is converted. One image file including image data obtained by converting each piece of the plurality of pieces of image data is generated.
US08358442B2
An image processing device includes a multiplier 1 for multiplying a pixel signal P(x) by a weighting factor α0 (0≦α0≦1), a delay element 2 for delaying the pixel signal P(x) which has not been multiplied yet by the weighting factor α0 by the multiplier 1 by one pixel, and a multiplier 3 for multiplying the pixel signal P(x−1) delayed by the delay element 2 by a weighting factor α1 (0≦α1≦1), the total sum of the weighting factors α0 and α1 being larger than 1 and smaller than an upper limit αmax. An adder 4 adds the multiplication result α0·P(x) of the multiplier 1 and the multiplication result α1·P(x−1) of the multiplier 3, and a limiter 5 limits the addition result P′(x) of the adder 4 in such a way that P′(x) falls within a maximum density value Pmax.
US08358441B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for determining output responses and device targets for multi-colorant output devices. Some aspects relate to methods and systems for multi-dimensional rectilinear sampling, transformation of samples from an unlimited colorant space to a colorant-limited space, obtaining additional samples within a colorant-limitation hyperplane and interpolation of values in a colorant-limited space.
US08358440B2
Methods and systems herein provide for calibrating for a plurality of different paper types. In one embodiment, a system for calibrating a printer includes a measurement module operable to detect colors printed on a first tangible medium by the printer and convert the detected colors to a detected color characterization. The system also includes a storage module operable to store a calibration file. The calibration file includes color characterizations of a plurality of different tangible mediums and each color characterization includes color measurements for one of the plurality of different tangible mediums obtained from the printer via the measurement module when the printer is calibrated. The system also includes a calibration module operable to compare the detected color characterization to at least two color characterizations of the calibration file and determine an adjustment to an output color scheme of the printer based on the comparison to calibrate the printer.
US08358438B2
A method of automatically optimizing a printing apparatus based on media type of a substrate, comprising: (A) inputting a substrate into the printing apparatus; (B) determining the media type of the substrate; (C) automatically adjusting calibration settings according to at least one calibration setting preset, responsive to the determining; and, (D) performing image transfer.
US08358430B2
A method of displaying hyperlinked information using a handheld display device. The method includes the steps of: imaging an area of a printed substrate and generating image data using an image sensor; determining interaction data using the image data; retrieving display data using an identified page description, the display data including a hyperlink associated with the printed content; displaying, on an opaque touch-sensitive display screen of the handheld display device, display information based on the display data and including the hyperlink; interacting with the displayed hyperlink; retrieving hyperlinked information; and displaying the hyperlinked information. The opaque touch-sensitive display screen has real-time virtual transparency through the screen to the printed content from a user's perspective to provide a virtual window to the printed content.
US08358426B2
In an image forming apparatus, a setting part sets a first waiting time, which lasts from a completion of an ejecting operation of one sheet of recording paper to a start of supply of a subsequent sheet in a one-side printing or a second waiting time, or a second waiting time, which lasts from a completion of ejecting operation of one sheet of recording paper to a start of resupply of the one sheet of recording paper in both-side printing. A determining part detects a difference in time length between the first or second waiting time, a maintenance time required by a head maintenance operation and a cap timer time, which is a time during which a nozzle of the recording head is allowed to be maintained in an uncapped state, and determines a time of restarting a printing operation after execution of the maintenance operation based on the detected difference.
US08358422B2
The invention provides a robot including a connection member relatively displaceably connected, and configured to control the displacement of the connection member based on a reference posture that can be adjusted, the robot including: a light emitting unit to emit a laser beam in a predetermined direction; a light receiving unit to receive the laser beam when the connection member is located in a detection posture that is away, by a preset displacement amount, from a predetermined zero posture; and a zeroing unit to relatively displace the connection member so as to make the light receiving unit receive the laser beam, and then to adjust the reference posture to the zero posture based on the posture of the connection member when the laser beam is received as well as on a relationship between the zero posture and the detection posture.
US08358417B2
A valid state of an analytical system that includes a light source and a detector can be verified by determining that deviation of first light intensity data quantifying a first intensity of light received at the detector from the light source after the light has passed at least once through each of a reference gas in a validation cell and a zero gas from a stored data set does not exceed a pre-defined threshold deviation. The stored data set can represent at least one previous measurement collected during a previous instrument validation process performed on the analytical system. The reference gas can include a known amount of an analyte. A concentration of the analyte in a sample gas can be determined by correcting second light intensity data quantifying a second intensity of the light received at the detector after the light passes at least once through each of the reference gas in the validation cell and a sample gas containing an unknown concentration of the analyte compound. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
US08358414B2
A apparatus for use in a borehole in an earth formation. The apparatus may include: an electromagnetic source; an anisotropic permittivity material, either natural or manufactured, receiving electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic source; and a detector for estimating the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the anisotropic permittivity material as an indication of a parameter of interest. Also, a method of estimating a parameter of interest using the aforementioned apparatus.
US08358408B2
An apparatus for performing Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) includes a reflective layer positioned above the substrate, a plurality of tapered nanowires disposed above the reflective layer, each of the plurality of tapered nanowires having a tapered end directed away from the reflective layer.
US08358399B2
An electrically-driven liquid crystal lens wherein electric connection between finely split electrodes and signal lines used to apply signals to the split electrodes can be accomplished using a minimal number of masks and signals can be applied to the finely split electrodes without line resistance, and a stereoscopic display device using the same are disclosed. The liquid crystal lens includes first and second substrates arranged opposite each other and each defining a plurality of lens regions, a plurality of metal lines formed on the first substrate, a first insulating film formed on the first substrate, a plurality of first electrodes formed on the first insulating film in the respective lens regions to intersect the plurality of metal lines, a second insulating film formed on the first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes formed on the second insulating film at positions alternating with the first electrodes, a first contact structure between the first electrodes and the metal lines using a transparent electrode pattern of the same layer as the second electrodes, a second contact structure between the second electrodes and the plurality of metal lines, a common electrode formed over the entire surface of the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08358396B2
In a liquid crystal substrate in which a matrix of reflecting electrodes is formed on a substrate, a transistor is formed corresponding to each reflective electrode and a voltage is applied to the reflective electrode through the transistor. A silicon oxide film having a thickness of 500 to 2,000 angstroms is used as the passivation film and the thickness is set to a value in response to the wavelength of the incident light to maintain a substantially constant reflectance.
US08358390B2
A polarizer of a liquid crystal display device and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device using the same is disclosed. The polarizer includes a main body, a protection film on the main body, and a cutting line formed on the protection film. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device includes providing a liquid crystal panel and a protection film having an active region and a dummy region, the protection film including at least a cutting line in the dummy region or a boundary area between the active region and the dummy region; attaching the protection film to a polarizer; attaching the polarizer to a liquid crystal panel; and, removing the dummy region of the protection film along the cutting line from the liquid crystal panel.
US08358389B2
An active matrix liquid crystal display device of the invention includes a liquid crystal display panel operating in a normally black mode having a first substrate provided with a color filter and a second substrate provided with an active matrix array, wherein the first substrate is provided with a laminated colored layer with three colors, a laminated colored layer with two colors and a colored layer with one color in a frame part surrounding a display area without being provided with a black matrix, and the second substrate is provided with a conductive film formed in a region which is opposed to the laminated colored layer with two colors and the colored layer with one color, between the display area and the laminated colored layer with three colors.
US08358386B2
In a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display panel, and a backlight disposed on the rear surface of the liquid crystal display panel, the backlight is provided with a plurality of white light-emitting diodes arranged in a plane opposing the liquid crystal display panel. Based on a chromaticity coordinate value representing a color of emission identified for each of the white light-emitting diodes, the white light-emitting diodes are selectively combined for arrangement in proximity in such a manner that the color of emission as a result of averaging over the white light-emitting diodes (1a, 1b) to be arranged in proximity takes a predetermined value of chromaticity coordinates. Accordingly, the resulting liquid crystal display device can offer, although using the white light-emitting diodes having the problem of impairing the uniformity of the color of emission, higher-quality display images using a backlight with less non-uniformity of color and light emission as a whole, and prevents the increase of the manufacturing cost.
US08358382B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method that initializes a display device. An exemplary embodiment comprises scanning an input signal to determine the presence of a cable television signal, proceeding to normal operation of the display device if the cable television signal is present in the input signal, scanning the input signal for an over-the-air television signal if the cable television signal is not present in the input signal, and providing a message indicating potential inappropriate reception of over-the-air signals if the over-the-air television signal is present in the input signal.
US08358380B2
In one method embodiment, receiving a first temporal sequence of video frames, the first temporal sequence corrupted with noise; frame matching the video frames according to a first stage of processing; denoising the matched frames according to a second stage of processing, the second stage of processing commencing responsive to completion of the first stage of processing for all of the video frames, the second stage of processing comprising overlapped block processing; and wherein denoising further comprises accumulating denoised pixels for each iteration of the overlapped block processing in a two-dimensional (2D)+c accumulation buffer, the 2D accumulation buffer corresponding to the denoised pixels corresponding to a reference frame of the video frames, where c comprises an integer number of non-reference frame buffers greater than or equal to zero.
US08358375B2
To solve the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a method for measuring a time difference between digital video signals and digital audio signals, wherein said method comprises the steps of extracting respective time series data from respective frequency domains of said digital video signals and said digital audio signals; statistically identifying the cross-correlation of said time series data in said frequency domains, thereby measuring the time difference between said digital video signals and said digital audio signals.
US08358359B2
A system is described for reducing artifacts produced by a rolling shutter capture technique in the presence of high-frequency motion, e.g., produced by large accelerations or jitter. The system operates by computing low-frequency information based on the motion of points from one frame to the next. The system then uses the low-frequency information to infer the high-frequency motion, e.g., by treating the low-frequency information as known integrals of the unknown underlying high-frequency information. The system then uses the high-frequency information to reduce the presence of artifacts. In effect, the correction aims to re-render video information as though all the pixels in each frame were imaged at the same time using a global shutter technique. An auto-calibration module can estimate the value of a capture parameter, which relates to a time interval between the capture of two subsequent rows of video information.
US08358351B2
A device, method, computer useable medium, and processor programmed to automatically generate tone mapping curves in a digital camera based on image metadata are described. By examining image metadata from a digital camera's sensor, such as the light-product, one can detect sun-lit, high-light, and low-light scenes. Once the light-product value has been calculated for a given image, a tone mapping curve can automatically be generated within the sensor and adjusted appropriately for the scene based on predetermined parameters. Further, it has been determined that independently varying the slopes of the tone mapping curve at the low end (S0) and high end (S1) of the curve results in more visually appealing images. By dynamically and independently selecting S0 and S1 values based on image metadata, more visually pleasing images can be generated.
US08358348B2
A system and method are provided for targeted and individualized delivery of multiple skin benefit agents to the skin of a user. The image of a predetermined treatment area of the user's skin is first captured by an imaging device. Selective data input from analysis tools and the end user is then analyzed by a computing device to generate a unique skin profile for the user, which is indicative of the skin conditions at the predetermined treatment area. Based on such skin profile, a printing device prints out one or more cosmetic delivery sheets that can be applied to the predetermined treatment area. Each of the cosmetic delivery sheets contains a substrate with multiple isolate, discrete regions, while at least two of the regions are imprinted with different skin benefit agents for treating different skin conditions of the predetermined treatment area according to the unique skin profile of the user.
US08358339B2
An inspecting method for grasping the inspection result on an intermediate (or an n-th) treatment without long extension of time, in case predetermined treatments of a predetermined number (N times) are exerted on a plurality of sheets running on a conveyor line, before all the treatments of N-times are ended. The inspecting method for inspecting an object subjected to the predetermined treatment includes performing the predetermined treatment repeatedly by the N-times (N: a natural number of 2 or more) sequentially on the individual objects being conveyed on the conveyor line, and an inspecting step of testing such a leading one of the objects as has been subjected to the n-th (n: a natural number of 1 or more but N or less) treatment, and returning the tested object to after such one of the targets as was subjected to the n-th treatment.
US08358336B2
The present invention is a system and method that captures hand geometry, full-length fingerprints, and/or palm prints from a frontal view of a freely posed hand using contactless photography. A system and method for capturing biometric data of a hand includes the steps of and means for (a) digitally photographing a designated contactless capture area not having any predefined hand-positioning structures or platen for receiving a hand, to obtain a captured image of the capture area that includes a naturally-posed hand; (b) extracting a frontal hand image of the naturally-posed hand by applying an Active Appearance Model (AAM) to the captured image; (c) computing a plurality of hand geometry measurements of the frontal hand image; and (d) comparing the plurality of hand geometry measurements from the frontal hand image to corresponding existing hand geometry measurements, wherein the comparison results in a best match.
US08358334B2
Provided are an apparatus, a method, and a program for processing an image which reduces crosstalk and achieves high image quality. The method includes obtaining a differential signal by subtracting one input image signal of an object to be processed from another input image signal; applying a predetermined correction coefficient to the differential signal; determining, for each pixel, whether the differential signal is a negative value; selectively outputting, for each pixel, the differential signal, to which the predetermined correction coefficient is applied, as a correction signal based on a result of the determining; and correcting, for each pixel, the one input image signal based on the one input image signal and the correction signal that is selectively output if the differential signal is the negative value.
US08358326B2
A two-dimensional light scanning apparatus includes: a deflector to drive at a resonance frequency in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction different from the main scanning direction; a position sensor to detect a scanning position of the deflector; a resonance frequency predicting part to predict the resonance frequency of the deflector; and a deflector drive control part to: for drawing a Lissajous figure in which scanning trajectories of the deflector do not overlap with each other for one frame, store a plurality of pairs of respective frequency ratios of driving signals in the sub-scanning direction to driving signals in the main scanning direction, and respective phases of the driving signals in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the driving signals in the main scanning direction; select one pair of a frequency ratio and a phase; and control the deflector with a driving signal.
US08358325B2
The present invention provides an image processing method which includes recording an image by irradiating a recording medium with laser beams which are arrayed in parallel at predetermined intervals to heat the recording medium, so that the image is composed of a plurality of lines written with the laser beams on the recording medium, and wherein in the image recording, the plurality of lines written with the laser beams include a line written first and an overwritten line, a part of which is overlapped with the line written first; and the irradiation energy for the overwritten line is smaller than the irradiation energy for the line written first.
US08358324B2
A thermal printer in which a thermal head can be attached easily to a print unit without requiring a tool such as a screw driver.The thermal printer has a printing unit (40) having a left ribbon frame (43) and a right ribbon frame (42) facing each other. A head housing (60) is attached between the frames (42, 43) while supporting a thermal head (12). A supporting-recess in the surface of the left ribbon frame (43) faces the right ribbon frame (42) and supporting the left side face (64) of the head housing (60). A frame cover (70) is fitted on and removed from a fitting portion provided on the outer surface of the right ribbon frame which is at the back side of the surface facing the left ribbon frame (43) and the cover supporting a right side face (62) of the head housing (60) through a through-hole (50a) formed on the right ribbon frame (42).
US08358315B2
A method and an apparatus for mirroring a frame are provided. The method is suitable for a display device having a first storage unit and a second storage unit. In the present method, pixel values of a pixel row of the frame are read from the first storage unit and written into the second storage unit. Then, the pixel values of the pixel row of the frame are read from the second storage unit and written back to the first storage unit. When performing one of foregoing reading and writing steps, the pixel values of the pixel row are read or written in a reverse direction to mirror the pixel row. Finally, foregoing steps are repeated to mirror each pixel row of the frame, so as to mirror the entire frame.
US08358311B1
The pose of the model at an evaluation time is determined by interpolating pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom from previously defined poses. A neutral value of an attractor function at the evaluation time is based at least on the pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom. Because of this, the attractor function is time coherent. Similarly, pose constraints are determined by interpolating from previously defined pose constraints. Inverse kinematics or error minimization techniques modify the pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom to minimize the difference between the attractor function value for the pose attributes and the neutral value of the attractor function. The final pose of the model at the evaluation time is specified by the pose attributes corresponding with this minimization.
US08358307B2
Upscaling circuits include a difference circuit which calculates a gradation value of a target pixel with use of differentiation or difference of gradation values in vicinity to the target pixel, so that an edge of an article pictured in an image can be extracted; an averaging circuit which calculates a gradation value of a target pixel by averaging gradation values in vicinity to the target pixel; and a correlation operation circuit which calculates a correlation value indicating a correlation between difference image data and averaged image data, the difference image data being produced by carrying out the difference operation process on the divided image data, and the averaged image data being produced by carrying out the difference operation process and the averaging process on the divided image data. Further, an interpolation process is carried out on the divided image data with an interpolation method using the calculated correlation value.
US08358305B2
A method for 3D preprocessing for ray tracing includes: selecting and storing visible surfaces by designating one of a plurality of structures as a reference structure and remaining structures as relative structures, searching for the relative structures from the reference structure, storing relative structures having a surface visible from the reference structure, and removing relative structures having an invisible surface; conducting selection and storage based on distance measurement by measuring the distance from the reference structure to each of the stored relative structures and removing relative structures positioned beyond a reference spot predetermined with reference to the reference structure; and calculating a ray propagation path by calculating the propagation path of the ray between the reference structure and each of the relative structures stored in said conducting selection and storage based on distance measurement.
US08358300B2
The display card determines whether the first power voltage and the second power voltage supplied by the power supply are within inconsistent input timings, and ensure the third power voltage can be generated accurately to the graphics processing unit to work normally. Therefore, even when the display card cooperates with power supplies having different standards, the graphics processing unit is avoided from malfunctioning or being operated imprecisely by inconsistent timings of input power sources in reaching the display card.
US08358297B2
Disclosed herein is a driving method for driving a display apparatus, the display apparatus including: N×M light emitting units; M scan lines; N data lines; a driving circuit provided for each of the light emitting units to serve as a circuit having a signal writing transistor, a device driving transistor, a capacitor and a first switch circuit; and a light emitting device.
US08358294B2
A display device configured to correct gamma characteristics in a simplified and expeditious manner upon renewal of a display portion and a method for driving the same. The display device has a source driver supplied with tentative gradation reference voltages generated by a voltage dividing circuit having a plurality of resistances connected in series. The source driver generates a tentative gradation voltage group based on the tentative gradation reference voltages. Upon a power supply circuit start up, gradation voltage data supplied from a display control circuit is subjected to D/A conversion by a D/A converter, so that normal gradation reference voltages are generated. The normal gradation reference voltages are supplied to the source driver in place of the tentative gradation reference voltages. Thereafter, the source driver generates normal gradation voltages based on the normal gradation reference voltages in place of the tentative gradation voltages.
US08358285B2
A touch panel scan system is disclosed for detecting a change in mutual capacitance on the surface of a touch panel. A first touch detect device is provided having a transmitter for transmitting a transmit signal to a select one of a plurality of first lines on a first edge of a touch panel to facilitate a single line scan operation. A second touch detect device is interfaced with a select one or ones of second lines on a second edge of the touch panel having a receiver for receiving therefrom and processing thereof transmit signals coupled thereto from the select one or ones of the first lines to detect changes in a mutual capacitance associated with the select one or ones of the second lines and the first line. At least one of the first or second touch detect devices functions as a master and the other functions as a slave, with the master coupled to the slave and generating a SYNC signal to initiate a single scan operation of a select one of the first lines.
US08358281B2
Context-sensitive, automated use of a magnification loupe is disclosed to facilitate management and manipulation of user interface content and small user interface elements via gestures on a touch-sensitive surface. In one embodiment, a magnifying loupe is displayed based on the context associated with a finger-based gesture on a touch-sensitive surface. For example, a magnification loupe is displayed when one or more user interface elements corresponding to the location of the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface is smaller than a predefined size threshold, but the loupe is not displayed when the user interface elements corresponding to the location of the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface are larger than the predefined size threshold. In another embodiment, the magnification power of the loupe varies based on the size of the one or more user interface elements corresponding to the location of the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface.
US08358273B2
Improved techniques for controlling power utilization of a display device are disclosed. The improved techniques reduce power consumption by lowering display intensity at appropriate times. In one embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the type of content being displayed. In another embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the characteristics of the content being displayed. In still another embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the type and characteristics of content being displayed. The improved techniques are well suited for use with portable media devices.
US08358270B2
A mouse with a wire arrangement structure is provided. The mouse includes a housing, a base, a connection unit and a wire. The housing includes an opening and an opening edge. The base corresponds to the housing, wherein the base is moved between a first position and a second position, and when the base is in the first position, the base abuts the opening edge to cover the opening, and when the base is in the second position, the base is separated from the opening edge. The connection unit is connected to the housing and the base, allowing the base to move relative to the housing. The wire includes a joint, wherein when the wire is in a receiving state, the wire is wound up around the connection unit.
US08358267B2
A handheld electronic device configured to receive text messages has a body with a front face and top and bottom portions relative to text entry use orientation of the handheld device. A display screen is located on the front face of the body. The display screen presents information to the operator of the handheld device. A microprocessor located within the device is configured to receive operator commands from user inputs located on the device and instruct commensurate changes to the display screen. A navigation row of user inputs is located on the front face of the body below the display. The navigation row of user inputs includes a multi-directional navigation tool assembly laterally flanked by a pair of conjoined, depressibly actuable input keys. Each of the inputs keys is located substantially opposite the other across the navigation tool assembly and positioned adjacent to lateral sides of the navigation tool assembly.
US08358265B2
There is provided an image display apparatus that corrects the gradation of an input video signal in accordance with an ambient illuminance, in which the adaptation amount of the eye and a surface reflection amount are calculated based on an illuminance signal acquired through a sensor, and the screen luminance of the screen and the gamma conversion for the video signal are controlled based on the adaptation amount of the eye and the surface reflection amount.
US08358254B2
A helmet position detection system for aircraft including a helmet comprising a fixed visor used as an optical mixer and a substantially spherical mobile visor that is able to occupy a position of use and a stowage position, the visor being arranged in front of the pilot's eyes in the position of use. The helmet detects the position of the mobile visor and the helmet position detection system detects an orientation of the helmet corresponding to the pilot's line of sight and applies an angular correction due to the mobile visor to the orientation measurements when the mobile visor is detected in the position of use. Optical sensors are preferably used to detect the position of the mobile visor.
US08358250B2
An antenna coil includes a wound body including a magnetic core, a bobbin surrounding the magnetic core, and a coil wound around the bobbin, a case in which the wound body is placed, and a foam disposed in a gap between the wound body and the case. The foam is compressed at a rate of about 45% to about 65% on the basis of a thickness of the foam in a non-load state. The antenna coil prevents breakage of the magnetic core and is suitable for use in a short-distance communication system in an LF-band.
US08358244B2
A multipath signal evaluation method includes, carrying out a correlation calculation on a received signal from a positioning satellite to obtain a peak correlation value, and determining reliability for a received multipath signal by using the peak correlation value and a correlation value at a phase delayed from a peak phase in which the peak correlation is obtained.
US08358242B2
A computer apparatus for post positioning with a selected precision. The apparatus includes a GNSS post processor to post process reference GNSS carrier phases from a reference system and rover GNSS carrier phases from a rover receiver to compute a secure position for the rover receiver not available to a user. The apparatus includes a random process generator to generate a sequence of offset vectors to dither the secure position according to a computed dither level to provide the selected precision for a user-available position for the rover receiver.
US08358236B2
A wireless sensor apparatus includes first and second polarization antennas whose polarization surfaces of radiation waves are mutually orthogonal, a first mixer circuit connected to the first polarization antenna and configured to input a first reception signal received by the first polarization antenna, a second mixer circuit connected to the second polarization antenna and configured to input a second reception signal received by the second polarization antenna, a signal generation circuit configured to generate pulse signals fed to the first and second polarization antennas and also supplied to the first and second mixer circuits, and a differential amplification circuit configured to perform a differential amplification on a mixed output obtained by mixing the first reception signal and the pulse signal by the first mixer circuit and a mixed output obtained by mixing the second reception signal and the pulse signal by the second mixer circuit.
US08358234B2
A system includes a plurality of radar units configured to provide scan data to a network; a signal processing and imaging module connected to the network and configured to receive the scan data, identify a target, and determine a type of the target based on a radar profile of the target; and a display unit in communication with the signal processing and imaging module and configured to provide a tracking display of the target position and type. A method includes scanning an inhabitable area using a plurality of radar detector units to produce scan data; processing the scan data to construct a digitized representation of a target in the inhabitable area; using recovered information of the target to differentiate between a live person, an animal or an object as the target type; and displaying the target type and position on an image display.
US08358226B2
Methods for determining actuation of a capacitive button are described. In some embodiments, indicia from the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button are received, the indicia indicative of interaction of an input object with the at least three distinct sensor electrodes. The actuation of the capacitive button is then determined, based at least in part on satisfying a set of criteria comprising: a location condition concerning a location of the input object relative to a center of the capacitive button, and a coupling condition concerning a change in capacitive coupling of the at least three distinct sensor electrodes associated with the at least three sensor electrode elements comprising the capacitive button.
US08358222B2
Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.
US08358215B2
An attention assistance device configured to help maintain a user's focus on a given task. In one embodiment, text is presenting to a user on a touchscreen. The user tracking the text using a finger is monitored. The user is stimulated when the finger stops tracking the text for a predetermined period of time. In another embodiment, an electronic device presents an output configured to be tracked by a user. A monitoring device observes the user tracking the output. A sensory stimulating device stimulates the user when the “tracking” falls below an attention threshold.
US08358213B2
A method and system are provided for evaluating in patient monitoring whether a signal is sensed optimally by receiving a signal, transforming the signal using a wavelet transform, generating a scalogram based at least in part on the transformed signal, identifying a pulse band in the scalogram, identifying a characteristic of the pulse band, determining, based on the characteristic of the pulse band, whether the signal is sensed optimally; and triggering an event. The characteristics of the pulse band and scalogram may be used to provide an indication of monitoring conditions.
US08358206B2
The invention pertains to a device for acquiring signals from sensors (1) installed in a motor vehicle, where at least two sensors, which are connected by electrical conductors to a source of electrical voltage (2) and to an evaluation unit (3), are mounted in different positions in the vehicle. To simplify the installation of the device, the sensors (1) are attached a certain distance apart to a common ribbon cable (4) with parallel electrical conductors, which cable has at least one conductor which can be connected to the voltage source (2) to supply power to the sensors (1) and several signal conductors, which can be connected to the evaluation unit (3) and possibly also to the voltage source (2), the number of which corresponds to the number of sensors to be connected. All of the sensors (1) are connected to the power-supply conductor, and each one is connected individually to one of the signal conductors.
US08358203B1
A toothbrush alarm consists of an alarm box located in the bedroom. It has an alarm such as a noisemaker, radio, light and/or voice chip saying “please brush your teeth.” In intermittent periods it is controlled ON and OFF by a battery powered alarm clock circuit built into a toothbrush. A wireless transmitter in the toothbrush sends the ON or OFF command to the alarm box.The alarm box will repeatedly remind the child to brush their teeth until it is turned off from the toothbrush. Thus, a child sets his alarm time on his toothbrush in the bathroom and leaves the toothbrush there. At wakeup time (or brushing time) the child must go to the bathroom, pick up the toothbrush, turn off the alarm, and (hopefully) brush his/her teeth.
US08358201B1
A method for facilitating collection and recall of buried asset data on a mobile device on a network is provided. The mobile device transmits current position data of the mobile device to a server via the network, and receives from the server, a) buried asset data including depth data and electrical signal data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the current position data, and b) a stored image of a physical area corresponding to the current position data, wherein the stored image comprises markings indicating a position of the buried assets. The mobile device further displays the buried asset data from the server, and reads a current image of the physical area of the mobile device. The mobile computing device further displays the stored image overlaid onto the current image, and determines that the stored image is aligned with the current image.
US08358200B2
A method and system for controlling computer applications on a computer system(s). The method comprising: detecting at least one finger of a user's hand on an input device; capturing and transmitting the user's fingerprint data to a computer system; identifying the user from the captured fingerprint data; and controlling at least one computer function associated with the fingerprint data of the identified user.
US08358198B2
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for monitoring and tracking an item in a controlled space. In one embodiment, a portal system that monitors the controlled space includes a radio frequency tag that is attached to inventory and a portal device, which includes a computing device, a receiver and a locking door. The receiver is configured to receive a signal from radio frequency tag, and send the signal to the computing device. The locking door is coupled to the computing device. The computing device is configured to verify whether the user is authorized to be taking inventory in and out of the controlled space through the locking door based on the received signal, and to unlock the locking door based on the received signal. The computing device has a database that includes the total value of the inventory that the user has taken out of the controlled space. The computing device determines whether the user have exceeded a threshold value of inventory based on the total value of inventory that the user has taken out of the controlled space, and provides a notification signal to an administrator based on the total value of inventory.
US08358195B2
A delivery system uses secure containers each equipped with means such as a keypad (8) or barcode reader (10) to input a single use delivery key. The delivery key is generated by an external code generator that produces pseudo noise codes. A generator (20) that produces the same sequence is provided in the lock and synchronization between the two generators is provided by the delivered items.
US08358187B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to an electrical overcurrent tripping device for a circuit breaker. The tripping device includes an actuating member which in case of an overcurrent is driven to interact directly or indirectly with a movable contact piece of the circuit breaker to open a contact point in the circuit breaker if the overcurrent is exceeding a preset tripping threshold for a predetermined tripping delay time. The actuating member is coupled to a magnetic circuit such that the driving force acting on the actuating member is created by the magnetic field of the magnetic circuit, said magnetic field being induced by the overcurrent. The actuating member is coupled to an electromagnetic damping arrangement to set the tripping delay time, and is connected to a coupling spring configured to adjust the overcurrent tripping threshold.
US08358185B2
A choke structure including: an inside surface conductive pattern formed in the surrounding of a through hole on the surface of a dielectric substrate opposing a waveguide substrate; an outside surface conductive pattern formed in the surrounding of the inside surface conductive pattern positioned apart therefrom; a conductor opening provided between the inside surface conductive pattern and the outside surface conductive pattern and in which a dielectric member is exposed; a dielectric transmission path short-circuited at an end that is formed by an inner layer conductor, which is provided away from the conductor opening by a predetermined distance in the layer-stacking direction of the dielectric substrate; and a plurality of penetrating conductors, which connect the inner layer conductor to the inside surface conductive pattern.
US08358180B2
A high-frequency module has a wiring board including a dielectric substrate, a line conductor that is formed on a first surface of the dielectric substrate, and a first grounding conductor layer that is formed on a second surface opposed to the first surface of the dielectric substrate, and that has a first opening and a second opening disposed around the first opening; and a waveguide that is connected to the second surface, has an opening opposed to the first opening, and is electromagnetically coupled to the line conductor. The wiring board has a vertical choke portion that at least partially extends from the second opening in a direction perpendicular to the second surface. Furthermore, a horizontal choke portion is formed between the wiring board and the waveguide, along the second surface between the opening of the waveguide and the second opening.
US08358173B2
A CMOS power amplifier includes: a first MOS transistor connected between a first power terminal and a first output stage and having a gate connected to an input stage; a second MOS transistor connected between the first output stage and a ground and having a gate connected to the input stage; a switching circuit unit connecting or separating a feedback line between the input stage and the first output stage to select a linear amplifying operation or a non-linear amplifying operation; and a resistor formed at the feedback line between the input stage and the first output stage to determine a linear amplification gain when the feedback line is turned on.
US08358172B2
A peaking circuit for adjusting peaking of a high-frequency signal, comprises: a first inductor; a second inductor which is electromagnetically coupled with the first inductor; a signal input section which receives an input signal; a transistor which adjusts electric current passing through the second inductor according to the input signal inputted via the signal input section; and a signal output section which outputs a signal whose peaking has been adjusted by the first inductor. Mutual inductance of the electromagnetically coupled first and second inductors is changed by the adjustment of the electric current passing through the second inductor, according to the input signal inputted via the signal input section, with the use of the transistor, thereby adjusting the peaking of signal waveform of electric current passing through the first inductor, and the signal subjected to the peaking adjustment is outputted from the signal output section.
US08358167B2
A photo sensing unit used in a photo sensor includes a photo sensing transistor, a storage capacitor, and a switching transistor. The photo sensing transistor receives a light signal for inducing a photo current correspondingly, and a source and a gate thereof are respectively coupled to the first signal source and the second signal source. The storage capacitor stores electrical charges induced by the light signal, one terminal thereof is coupled to drain of the photo sensing transistor, and another terminal thereof is coupled to a low voltage. The switching transistor is controlled by the second signal source for outputting a readout signal from the storage capacitor to the signal readout line. The threshold voltage of the photo transistor is higher than that of the switching transistor.
US08358158B2
A method and apparatus for generating a clock that can be switched in phase within a reduced interval of dead time are disclosed.
US08358148B1
A programmable integrated circuit is disclosed. The programmable integrated circuit comprises a matrix of circuit blocks, each circuit block of the matrix of circuit blocks comprising configurable blocks; and a routing network coupled to the matrix of circuit blocks, the routing network having a plurality of programmable interconnect points comprising buffers enabling asynchronous communication. A method of asynchronously routing data in an integrated circuit is also disclosed.
US08358145B1
Self-heating integrated circuits are provided. In one embodiment, a self-heating integrated circuit comprises a drive circuit configured to drive a device and a controller configured to selectively operate the drive circuit in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the controller is configured to operate the drive circuit to drive the device and, in the second mode, the controller is configured to operate the drive circuit to heat the integrated circuit to a target temperature.
US08358141B2
A scanning evanescent microwave microscope (SEMM) that uses near-field evanescent electromagnetic waves to probe sample properties is disclosed. The SEMM is capable of high resolution imaging and quantitative measurements of the electrical properties of the sample. The SEMM has the ability to map dielectric constant, loss tangent, conductivity, electrical impedance, and other electrical parameters of materials. Such properties are then used to provide distance control over a wide range, from to microns to nanometers, over dielectric and conductive samples for a scanned evanescent microwave probe, which enable quantitative non-contact and submicron spatial resolution topographic and electrical impedance profiling of dielectric, nonlinear dielectric and conductive materials. The invention also allows quantitative estimation of microwave impedance using signals obtained by the scanned evanescent microwave probe and quasistatic approximation modeling. The SEMM can be used to measure electrical properties of both dielectric and electrically conducting materials.
US08358137B2
A detection membrane is joined to a first surface of an electrolyte membrane. After the detection membrane is hydrogenated, oxygen is supplied to a space facing a second surface of the electrolyte membrane. If the electrolyte membrane has a defect, oxygen leaks to the first surface, resulting in a change in resistance of the detection membrane owing to dehydrogenation of the detection membrane. The defect is recognized by this change. An air electrode is joined to the second surface, and an electric circuit is connected between the detection membrane and the air electrode. After hydrogenating the detection membrane and ionizing oxygen supplied to a space facing the air electrode, oxygen ions permeate through the electrolyte membrane and dehydrogenate the detection membrane. Uniformity of the oxygen ion conductivity is examined by measuring resistance of the detection membrane, which varies depending on the amount of oxygen ions, for each region.
US08358133B2
Efficient mounting of a module to a whole-body coil of a magnetic resonance apparatus is enabled by a circuit board with conductive contact regions located at least in the area of an edge of the circuit board, with which contact regions contacts of an electronic module for a magnetic resonance apparatus are connected in a conductive manner. The contact regions of the circuit board are configured for electrical contact with the whole-body coil.
US08358124B2
A magnetic absolute encoder with enhanced resolution is provided. A first cycle determining section 27 utilizes data stored in a fourth angle data storing section 23 to determine in which cycle of m cycles of the fourth angle data, fifth angle data, which has been newly computed in response to rotation of a rotary shaft 1, occurs. A second cycle determining section 29 determines in which cycle of n cycles of first angle data that occur in first determined cycle, the newly computed fifth angle data occurs. A third cycle determining section 31 determines in which cycle of N1 cycles of the first angle data, the current first angle data occurs, based on the first determined cycle and second determined cycle. An absolute position determining section 33 determines the absolute position based on third determined cycle and the digital value of the current first angle data.
US08358123B2
Method of quantifying an analyte in a liquid medium by means of magnetic particles functionalized by specific ligands of the analyte being quantified, consisting in applying a magnetic field to a liquid medium for a time period several times shorter than that of the reaction between the analyte being quantified and the ligands of the magnetic particles, in measuring the optical density of the liquid medium after applying the magnetic field, in repeating this cycle of applying the magnetic field and of measuring the optical density several times over the duration of the reaction between the analyte and the ligands, in calculating, by extrapolation, a limiting value for the optical density for an infinite magnetic field application time and in deducing therefrom the concentration of the analyte in the liquid medium.
US08358121B2
A multimeter comprising a base unit having at least one test lead terminal. A remote display unit separate from the base unit is also provided. The remote display unit has a display operative to show measured parameters. The multimeter further comprises communication circuitry operative to provide electrical communication between the base unit and the remote display unit. The communication circuitry provides electrical communication in a plurality of alternative communication modes. At least two of the alternative communication modes are preferably wireless communication modes.
US08358117B1
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes output voltage comparison circuitry that compares an output voltage of a regulator and a reference voltage and outputs an output voltage comparison signal based on the comparison. Slope detection circuitry detects a slope of the output voltage and outputs a slope comparison signal based on the slope detected. Duty cycle determination circuitry receives the output comparison signal and the slope comparison signal and outputs a pre-driver signal having a duty cycle based on the output comparison signal and the slope comparison signal. The pre-driver signal is used to regulate the output voltage of the voltage regulator.
US08358116B2
A DC/DC converter converts an input DC voltage into an output DC voltage. The DC/DC converter includes an input capacitor, an inductor, an electronic switch, a diode, an output capacitor and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the first electronic switch as a function of the signals fed to the control unit. The input capacitor is connected between the input voltage and ground or zero point, and the inductor is connected between the input capacitor and the electronic switch. A second electronic switch, which the control unit can drive by means of a switching signal, is disposed between the load and the ground or zero point, and a second diode embodies a connection between the output of the load and the input capacitor. The control unit is fed the value of the input voltage.
US08358108B2
A system and method is provided for initiating a charge cycle for a battery pack left in a battery charger. The battery pack includes a battery control unit which is operable to place the battery pack in a sleep mode after a predefined period of inactivity. The battery charger in turn is operable to deliver a charging signal to the battery pack in response to the battery pack entering a sleep mode.
US08358100B2
In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a USB dedicated charger identification circuit includes a USB D+ port, a USB D− port, a first circuit conforming to a first identification protocol, a second circuit conforming to a second identification protocol, and logic selectively coupling one of the first circuit and the second circuit to the USB D+ port and the USB D− port. In an alternate embodiment set forth by way of example and not limitation, a method to provide USB charger identification includes providing a first USB charger identification at a USB D+ port and a D− port. Next, it is detected if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate. Then, if the first USB charger identification was inappropriate, a second USB charger identification is provided at the USB D+ port and the D− port.
US08358096B2
A linear electro-mechanical actuator comprises a housing with a reversible DC-motor (1), which through a transmission (2) can move an activation element (5) between two end positions. The activation element (5) will in the two end positions cause the electrical end stop switches (17, 25) to be activated for interrupting the current for the DC motor (1) in the end positions of the activation element (5) for running the motor (1) in one direction. Parallel to the end stop switches (17, 25), an extra set of switches (21, 23) are incorporated for determining in which end position the activation element (5) is located.
US08358079B2
A discharge lamp lighting apparatus for lighting a discharge lamp where a voltage generated in a secondary side winding can be superimposed on an output voltage of an inverter and is impressed between electrodes, where while a periodic drive circuit generates an inverter drive signal so that frequency of the inverter becomes a start-up initial frequency, electric supply control circuit controls a power supply circuit to output no-load opening voltage, where the frequency of the inverter gradually decreases until reaching a first threshold frequency from the start-up initial frequency, where when the frequency of the inverter reaches the first threshold frequency, the periodic drive circuit generates the inverter drive signal so that the frequency of the inverter becomes stable lighting frequency, and where the electric supply control circuit controls the power supply circuit to output current which is sufficient to maintain electric discharge of the discharge lamp.
US08358078B2
In one embodiment, a fluorescent lamp dimming circuit includes power factor correction control, dimming control, and switching devices. The power factor correction control may be connected to power factor correction circuitry that produces a regulated DC buss. The dimming control circuit may be connected to the input of the fluorescent lamp dimming circuit for producing a driver signal whose frequency varies depending on the input voltage waveform perhaps as modified by a dimmer. The control circuit may produce a drive signal with a duty cycle profile to drive switching devices. The switching devices invert the DC buss voltage to an AC voltage waveform for driving a resonant tank circuit. The resonant tank circuit may include an inductance, a capacitance, and the impedance of a fluorescent lamp. The AC voltage waveform when applied to the resonant tank circuit may cause the fluorescent lamp to dim based on the dimmer setting.
US08358071B2
The invention relates to a lighting device (10) adapted to fit into a corresponding socket (1). The lighting device (10) has a base or housing (12) that at least partially embeds an OLED (11) and an electronic circuit (13a, 13b) which affects the flow of electrical power from an external terminal (15a, 15b) to the OLED. The electronic circuit may comprise a memory module, a communication module, a sensor etc. for allowing an intelligent control of the OLED and for making the lighting device (10) adaptable to possible changes in driving standards.
US08358069B2
A method of lighting a light source apparatus that has a discharge lamp, a reflection mirror for reflecting light emitted from the discharge lamp, a light emission optical system for irradiating a work piece with light, one or more laser oscillator for emitting a laser beam to the discharge lamp, and a discharge starting unit for starting discharge. The method includes removing deposits adhering to an inner face of the discharge lamp by irradiating a discharge vessel with the laser beam from the first laser oscillator, starting discharge in the discharge vessel by the discharge starting unit, and condensing the laser beam from a second laser oscillator, into the discharge vessel.
US08358067B2
In a lighting apparatus which emits light of a desired wavelength by irradiating excitation light from a light source to a wavelength converting member, a structure is such that a part of wavelength-converted light which is launched from the wavelength converting member is made to launch from an irradiated-light emerging area without making the light incidence again to the wavelength converting member.
US08358064B2
A light emitting and/or receiving apparatus in the form of a panel comprising a lattice of electroluminescent conductive polymer, a layer of transparent conductor, a clear substrate above the other layers and an integrated reflective panel located within the lattice layer.
US08358062B2
The invention relates to an electroluminescent device (10) comprising a layer system with a substrate electrode (20) on top of a substrate (40) and at least one stack of subsequent layers comprising a counter electrode (30) and an electroluminescent layer stack with at least one organic electroluminescent layer (50) wherein the electroluminescent layer stack is arranged between the substrate electrode (20) and the counter electrode (30), and at least one electrical shunt means (122, 122′, 122″) applied to the top of the substrate electrode (20) to improve the current distribution over the substrate electrode (20), characterized in that the electrical shunt means (122, 122′, 122″) is applied to the substrate electrode (20) via at least one electrical connecting means (120), whereas the electrical connecting means (120) and the shunt means (122, 122′, 122″) are arranged outside the stack of subsequent layers. The invention further relates to a method for shunting a substrate electrode of an electroluminescent device by an electrical shunt means.
US08358060B2
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device, wherein distances between pixel electrodes and common electrodes of a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel are referred to as a first resonance distance, a second resonance distance, and a third resonance distance, respectively. A resonance order of a first color light for the first resonance distance is lower than at least one of resonance orders of a second color light and a third color light for the second resonance distance and the third resonance distance, respectively.
US08358058B2
A luminophore consisting of the BAM system as a host lattice, having the stoichiometry MxEu1−xMg1−y+dMnyAl10+2fO17+d+3f, is provided, wherein 0.2≦x≦0.48; 0≦y≦0.3; 0≦d≦0.1; −0.1≦f≦1.0.
US08358057B2
An organic EL display includes an array of electrodes including first and second electrodes, a counter electrode, and an organic layer including a first emitting layer interposed between the array of electrodes and the counter electrode and a second emitting layer interposed between the first emitting layer and the counter electrode. Each of the first and second emitting layers is a continuous layer extending over a display region. Portions of a laminate including the array of electrodes, the organic layer and the counter electrode that correspond to the first and second electrodes form first and second organic EL elements different in luminous colors from each other.
US08358036B2
A control system is provided for use with a plurality of generator sets. The control system may have a bus, an arbitration relay, a switching device, a control module, and first, second, and third discrete signal cables. The control module may be configured to receive a group start signal and initiate startup of a first of the plurality of generator sets, and to generate a signal on the first discrete signal cable based on an operational status of the first of the plurality of generator sets. The control module may also be configured to determine if the second discrete signal cable is active, to activate the second discrete signal cable and the arbitration relay based on the determination, and to activate the switching device to connect the first of the plurality of generator sets to the bus based on a status of the third discrete signal cable.
US08358035B2
An electrical generator arrangement comprising a distribution network having a first generator and a second generator, the first generator arranged to provide electrical power to a transmitter source, the second generator coupled to the distribution network by a switch to enable isolation of the second generator, the switch associated with an electrical characteristic comparator to compare the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator with the incidental modulation of a transmitter signal from the transmitter due to variations in the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the first generator to the transmitter, the comparator arranged to operate the switch to isolate or connect the second generator to the distribution network dependent upon a variation in the change of the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator and the incidental modulation of the transmitted signal.
US08358034B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes voltage supply terminals configured to provide an AC output voltage, at least two converter units, and a control circuit. Each converter unit includes input terminals configured to be connected to an electrical charge storage unit, output terminals, and a switch arrangement connected between the input and output terminals. The switch arrangement is configured to receive a control signal, and provide an output voltage having a duty-cycle dependent on the control signal. The control circuit is configured to provide a set of parameter sets that are dependent on a desired output voltage waveform, define a duty-cycle, and generate the control signals for the at least two converter units such that one parameter set is selected from the set of parameter sets is assigned to one converter unit, and the assignment of parameter sets to the converter stages varies over time.
US08358033B2
Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and an apparatus for converting direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power. According to one embodiment, a system for converting DC power to AC power can be provided. The system can include a DC power source electrically coupled to a DC-to-DC converter. The DC power source can be associated with a first ground, and the DC-to-DC converter can be operable to isolate the power provided by the DC power source from the first ground. The DC-to-DC converter can be further operable to condition the DC power and to provide the conditioned DC power to an inverter. The inverter can receive the conditioned DC power and can convert the conditioned DC power to AC power. The AC power can be associated with a second ground and can be provided to at least one load electrically coupled to the inverter.
US08358032B2
In an electric power supply system, a plurality of batteries (405, 406) are connected in series by a switch group (402 to 404, 407 to 409), and a higher voltage and a lower voltage are output through a terminal and a VOL terminal, respectively, and are respectively converted in the voltage thereof by two step-down DC-DC inverters (105, 106). During a discharge operation upon a serial connection, remaining content of the batteries is measured in a period other than the period of discharge from the batteries (105, 106), and the connection mode of the serial connection is controlled based on the remaining content, to control the discharge of the respective batteries up to the discharge capacity.
US08358027B2
There is a Rogallo wing having an aerodynamic sheet having a leading end and a trailing edge. The trailing edge is curved to form a sheet of increasing concavity away from the leading edge. At least two folded edges extend between the leading end and the trailing edge are on opposed sides of the aerodynamic sheet, the two folded edges comprising integral ribs. A wind energy extraction apparatus comprises one or more concentrator wings that react with a flow of wind to induce a drop in static air pressure that is then used to drive one or more impellers and one or more power converters. The one or more concentrator wings are Rogallo wings.
US08358026B2
The dual rotor turbine configuration efficiently harnesses oceanic wave energy within an oscillating water column system. The up and down movement of the waves creates a bi-directional pneumatic airflow which spins the twin turbine assemblies. The resulting rotary force is then utilized to drive two electrical generators simultaneously. Each turbine rotor set is composed of a radial array of identical asymmetrical airfoil blades (similar to NASA GA(W)-1). The two rotor sets are assembled as back-to-back minor images. Both rotor sets are locked to a common axle by means of sprag-type freewheeling clutches. This configuration provides for smooth and continuous unidirectional movement of the axial drive line which drives the two generators.
US08358018B2
An electronic component, in which the outer perimeter portion of a component (2) is surrounded with a first sealing resin (4), a second sealing resin (3) is filled within the periphery of the first sealing resin (4), the component (2) and a board (1) are electrically connected by a wire (5), the edge, in the vicinity of which the wire (5) passes, of the outer perimeter edge portions of the component (2) is formed to be a chamfered oblique surface (31), and the wire (5) is provided to extend to the board (1) along the oblique surface (31). By this means, the overall height of the electronic component can be kept low.
US08358017B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to flip-chip packages for semiconductor devices, which feature a die sandwiched between metal layers. One metal layer comprises portions of the lead frame configured to be in electrical and thermal communication with various pads on a first surface of the die (e.g. IC pads or MOSFET gate or source pads) through a solder ball contact. The other metal layer is configured to be in at least thermal communication with the opposite side of the die. Embodiments of packages in accordance with the present invention exhibit superior heat dissipation qualities, while avoiding the expense of wire bonding. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited for packaging of power devices.
US08358015B2
A layered chip package includes a main body and wiring. The main body includes: a main part having a top surface and a bottom surface and including three or more layer portions stacked on one another; a plurality of first terminals disposed on the top surface of the main part; and a plurality of second terminals disposed on the bottom surface of the main part. Each layer portion includes a semiconductor chip having first and second surfaces, and a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the wiring. The plurality of electrodes are disposed on a side of the first surface of the semiconductor chip. A first layer portion located closest to the top surface of the main part and a second layer portion located closest to the bottom surface of the main part are arranged so that the second surfaces of their respective semiconductor chips face toward each other. The plurality of first terminals are formed by using the plurality of electrodes of the first layer portion. The plurality of second terminals are formed by using the plurality of electrodes of the second layer portion.
US08358007B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit system includes: fabricating a substrate having an integrated circuit; applying a low-K dielectric layer over the integrated circuit; forming a via and a trench, in the low-K dielectric layer, over the integrated circuit; forming a structure surface by a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) process; and applying a direct implant to the structure surface for forming an implant layer and a metal passivation layer including repairing damage, to the low-K dielectric layer, caused by the CMP process.
US08357982B2
According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a fourth magnetic layer which is provided on the side surface of the magnetoresistive effect element via an insulating film. The magnetoresistive effect element has a first magnetic layer of which the magnetization direction is variable, a second magnetic layer of which the magnetization direction fixed, a third magnetic layer of which the magnetization direction parallel to a film plane is variable, and an intermediate layer between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The fourth magnetic layer collects a magnetic field generated from the end of the third magnetic layer.
US08357979B2
An electronic device comprising a field-effect transistor having an inter digitated structure suitable for high-frequency power applications, and having multiple threshold voltages that are provided in different regions of each a segment of the interdigitated structure. This leads to a dramatic improvement in linearity over a large power range in the back-off region under class AB signal operation.
US08357973B2
This invention discloses bottom-source lateral diffusion MOS (BS-LDMOS) device. The device has a source region disposed laterally opposite a drain region near a top surface of a semiconductor substrate supporting a gate thereon between the source region and a drain region. The BS-LDMOS device further has a combined sinker-channel region disposed at a depth in the semiconductor substrate entirely below a body region disposed adjacent to the source region near the top surface wherein the combined sinker-channel region functioning as a buried source-body contact for electrically connecting the body region and the source region to a bottom of the substrate functioning as a source electrode. A drift region is disposed near the top surface under the gate and at a distance away from the source region and extending to and encompassing the drain region. The combined sinker-channel region extending below the drift region and the combined sinker-channel region that has a dopant-conductivity opposite to and compensating the drift region for reducing the source-drain capacitance.
US08357972B2
A semiconductor power device includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer on the substrate, a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, and a third semiconductor layer on the second semiconductor layer. At least a recessed epitaxial structure is disposed within a cell region and the recessed epitaxial structure may be formed in a pillar or stripe shape. A first vertical diffusion region is disposed in the third semiconductor layer and the recessed epitaxial structure is surrounded by the first vertical diffusion region. A source conductor is disposed on the recessed epitaxial structure and a trench isolation is disposed within a junction termination region surrounding the cell region. In addition, the trench isolation includes a trench, a first insulating layer on an interior surface of the trench, and a conductive layer filled into the trench, wherein the source conductor connects electrically with the conductive layer.
US08357966B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises an active area extending in a first direction, a contact plug located on a first portion of the active area, and a transistor located on a second portion adjacent to the first portion of the active area in the first direction. A width of a top surface area of the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than that of a top surface area of the second portion in the second direction.
US08357964B1
A three-dimensional dynamic random access memory with an ancillary electrode structure includes a substrate, at least one bit line formed on the substrate, at least one pillar element formed on a growth zone of the bit line, an ancillary electrode, a character line parallel with the substrate and perpendicular to the bit line, and at least one capacitor connecting to the pillar element. The bit line is formed on the substrate by doping and diffusing a doping element. The ancillary electrode is located on a separation zone of the bit line and adjacent to the pillar element. The character line is insulated from the ancillary electrode and incorporates with the bit line to output or input electronic data to the capacitor. Through the ancillary electrode, impedance of the bit line can be controlled to enhance conductivity of the bit line.
US08357962B2
A spin transistor includes a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode on a semiconductor substrate. At least one of the source electrode and the drain electrode includes a semiconductor region and a magnetic layer. The semiconductor region is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The magnetic layer is formed on the semiconductor region, and contains a crystalline Heusler alloy containing at least one of cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe). The semiconductor region and the magnetic layer contain the same impurity element.
US08357960B1
This invention relates to photodetector and its array in the form of a image sensor having multispectral detection capability covering the wavelengths from ultra-violet (UV) or near UV to shortwave infrared (over 1700 nm), ultra-violet (UV) or near UV to mid infrared (3500 nm), or ultra-violet (UV) or near UV to 5500 nm. More particularly, this invention is related to the multicolor detector, which can detect the light wavelengths ranges from as low as UV to the wavelengths over 1700 nm covering the most of the communication wavelength, and also from UV to as high as 5500 nm using of the single monolithic detector fabricated on the single wafer. This invention is also related to the multispectral photodetector arrays for multicolor imaging, sensing, and advanced communication. Our innovative approach utilizes surface incident type (either top- or bottom-illuminated type) photodiode structure having single absorption layer and consisting of more than micro-nano-scaled 3-dimensional (3-D) blocks which can provide broader spectral response than that of the absorption layer made from the same type of material having macro-scaled structure.
US08357958B2
A single chip wireless sensor comprises a microcontroller connected to a transmit/receive interface, which is coupled to a wireless antenna by an L-C matching circuit. The sensor senses gas or humidity and temperature. The device is an integrated chip manufactured in a single process in which both the electronics and sensor components are manufactured using standard CMOS processing techniques, applied to achieve both electronic and sensing components in an integrated process. A Low-K material with an organic polymer component is spun onto the wafer to form a top layer incorporating also sensing electrodes. This material is cured at 300° C., which is much lower than CVD temperatures. The polyimide when cured becomes thermoset, and the lower mass-to-volume ratio resulting in K, its dielectric constant, reducing to 2.9. The thermoset dielectric, while not regarded as porous in the conventional sense, has sufficient free space volume to admit enough gas or humidity for sensing.
US08357952B2
A power semiconductor structure with a field effect rectifier having a drain region, a body region, a source region, a gate channel, and a current channel is provided. The body region is substantially located above the drain region. The source region is located in the body region. The gate channel is located in the body region and adjacent to a gate structure. The current channel is located in the body region and is extended from the source region downward to the drain region. The current channel is adjacent to a conductive structure coupled to the source region.
US08357950B2
In the semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention, a reflective layer for reflecting light emitted by a semiconductor light emitting element is formed on a Cu wiring pattern, and a bonding section is formed on a light-emitting-element-mounting area on the Cu wiring pattern, to which an electrode of an LED chip is connected, the bonding section being made of a material allowing the semiconductor light emitting element to be soldered on the reflective layer without flux. Consequently, it is possible to realize a high-quality semiconductor light emitting device which has a semiconductor light emitting element firmly attached to a bonding surface and which is capable of emitting light while reducing deterioration in luminosity and color tone shift.
US08357944B2
The invention relates to semiconductor substrates and methods for producing such semiconductor substrates. In this connection, it is the object of the invention to provide semiconductor substrates which can be produced more cost-effectively and with which a high arrangement density as well as good electrical conductivity and closed surfaces can be achieved. In accordance with the invention, an electrically conductive connection is guided from its front side through the substrate up to the rear side. The electrically conductive connection is completely surrounded from the outside. The insulator is formed by an opening which is filled with material. The inner wall is provided with a dielectric coating and/or filled with an electrically insulating or conductive material. The electrically conductive connection is formed with a further opening which is filled with an electrically conductive material and is arranged in the interior of the insulator. The openings are formed with step-free inner walls aligned orthogonally to the front side or tapering continuously in the direction of the rear side.
US08357936B2
An array substrate for an LCD device includes a gate line crossing a data line to define a pixel region. A thin film transistor (TFT) includes a gate electrode connected to the gate line, insulating and active layers on the gate electrode, a source electrode connected to the data line, and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode. An auxiliary common electrode includes a horizontal portion disposed in the pixel region. A metal layer overlaps the insulating layer and contacts the horizontal portion of the auxiliary common electrode through a contact hole defined through the insulating layer. A passivation layer is disposed on the TFT and the metal layer. A pixel electrode has a horizontal portion overlapping the metal layer with the passivation layer therebetween to form a storage capacitor, the pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode through a second contact hole defined through the passivation layer.
US08357933B2
A probe is contacted to a test pad, without destroying the circuit formed in the chip at the time of a probe test. Therefore, a load jig, a pressing tool, an elastomer, an adhesion ring, and a plunger are made into one by fixation with a nut and a bolt. The elastic force of the spring installed between the spring retaining jig and the load jig acts so that the member used as these one may be depressed toward pad PD. The thrust transmitted from the spring in a plunger to a thin films sheet is used only for the extension of a thin films sheet.
US08357927B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises: growing a carbon nano tube on a semiconductor substrate; forming an insulating film in the inside and the outside of the carbon nano tube; and forming a graphene on the surface of the insulating film, thereby securing a channel region corresponding to a region extended by the carbon nano tube to prevent a short channel effect. As a result, channel resistance is reduced to facilitate the manufacturing of the device that can be operated at a high speed. The carbon nano tube is applied to a semiconductor device of less than 30 nm so that a micro-sized semiconductor device can be manufactured regardless of limitation of exposure light sources.
US08357915B2
Method and device for measuring the multi-dimensional distribution of optical characteristics of an object, by carrying out the following operations: illumination of the object by means of a pulsed light source; and acquisition of an image by modulated detection of light rays coming from the object consecutively to the illumination, the detection being modulated according to an acquisition modulation function G(t) which is continuous, non-sinusoidal and temporal, the acquisition taking place outside the phase of illumination by the light source.
US08357909B2
In the light or radiation detector of this invention, each of the molding structure, the first member, and the second member is formed such that the molding structure to protect the conversion layer and voltage application electrode has the resistance higher than the first member composed of the planar conductive buffer that is laminated on the (light or radiation) incident surface side of the molding structure, and that the first member mentioned above has the resistance higher than the second member composed of the planar conductive member that is laminated on the incident surface side of the first member. Consequently, occurrence of the noise from the static electricity may be suppressed.
US08357906B2
Charged particle beamlet lithography system for transferring a pattern to a surface of a target comprising a sensor for determining one or more characteristics of one or more charged particle beamlets. The sensor comprises a converter element for receiving charged particles and generating photons in response. The converter element comprises a surface for receiving one or more charged particle beamlets, the surface being provided with one or more cells for evaluating one or more individual beamlets. Each cell comprises a predetermined blocking pattern of one or more charged particle blocking structures forming multiple knife edges at transitions between blocking and non-blocking regions along a predetermined beamlet scan trajectory over the converter element surface. The converter element surface is covered with a coating layer substantially permeable for said charged particles and substantially impermeable for ambient light. An electrically conductive layer is located between the coating layer and the blocking structures.
US08357904B2
A radiation imaging apparatus comprises display means for displaying an image obtained by imaging an object and light projection means for projecting a light projection mark onto the object, and displays a light projection position on the object onto which the light projection mark is projected on the image. The light projection mark is projected as a line of intersection which is perpendicular to the surface of a detector and at which two planar flat light beams visually intersect each other, and the light projection position on the image is moved according to the movements of the flat light beams. By calculating projected lines obtained by projecting the light projection lines projected onto the object by the flat light beams onto the surface and displaying the projected lines on the image, the light projection position is displayed as a point of intersection of the projected lines on the image.
US08357903B2
A radiation detector that includes multiple adjacent modular detector segments. Each segment includes an array of scintillation crystal elements, a light guide arranged adjacent to the array of scintillation crystal elements, and reflectors arranged around a periphery of the segment so that light produced by a scintillation event in the segment is substantially confined to the segment. In one embodiment, each segment is coupled to multiple photosensors, each photosensor receiving light from at least one of the segments.
US08357901B2
An infrared sensor and infrared imaging system, wherein said infrared sensor comprises: a first film structure, a second film structure, a gap between said first film structure and said second film structure. Reference light is incident from one of said first film structure and said second film structure. When said gap distance changes, the intensity of transmitted reference light changes, and the intensity of reflected reference light changes. When infrared light is incident, at least one of the said first and second film structures absorbs infrared light and the temperature changes, causing said gap distance to change. By detecting the intensity of said transmitted reference light or reflected reference light, the incident infrared light can be measured. An infrared sensor and infrared imaging system also include a temperature compensation mechanism, and are insensitive to the fluctuations of the environmental temperature.
US08357897B2
A charged particle beam device enabling prevention of degradation of reproducibility of measurement caused by an increase of the beam diameter attributed to an image shift and having a function of dealing with device-to-device variation. The charged particle beam device is used for measuring the dimensions of a pattern on a specimen using a line profile obtained by detecting secondary charged particles emitted from the specimen when the specimen is scanned with a primary charged particle beam converged on the specimen. A lookup table in which the position of image shift and the variation of the beam diameter are associated is prepared in advance by actual measurement or calculation and registered. When the dimensions are measured, image processing is carried out so as to correct the line profile for the variation of the beam diameter while the lookup table is referenced, and thereby the situation where the beam diameter is effectively equal is produced irrespective of the position of the image shift. Whit this, measurement by the charged particle beam excellent reproducibility can be carried out.
US08357896B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a method of analyzing a substance comprising the steps of: fabricating a structure comprising said substance and at least one graphene layer; carrying out at least one measurement step with respect to said structure; and analyzing the measurement result of said measurement step to receive at least one analytical result concerning said substance.
US08357890B2
A method for fabricating image sensor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of photodiodes; forming at least one dielectric layer and a passivation layer on surface of the substrate; using a patterned photomask to perform a first pattern transfer process for forming a plurality of trenches corresponding to each photodiode in the passivation layer; forming a plurality of color filters in the trenches; covering a planarizing layer on the color filters; and using the patterned photomask to perform a second pattern transfer process for forming a plurality of microlenses corresponding to each color filter on the planarizing layer.
US08357881B2
A carbon nanotube fabric includes a heating element and at least two electrodes. The heating element includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined end to end. The at least two electrodes are separately located and electrically connected to the carbon nanotubes of the heating element.
US08357878B2
An ultraviolet (UV) LED-based lamp for UV curing lamp assemblies is disclosed. An array of UV emitting LEDs are packaged together and arranged along the length of a cylindrical lens to form a UV LED-based optical component assembly. The UV LED-based optical component assembly may be made to be modular. A UV LED lamp assembly may comprise a plurality of UV LED-based optical component assemblies arranged around a workpiece tube. The workpiece tube may be filled with an inert gas and may be made of quartz or glass. One or more curved back reflectors may be placed opposite the LED UV LED-based optical component assemblies to collect UV light escaping the workpiece tube and refocus the light to the other side of the workpiece. The UV LEDs may be arranged on a single surface or a multi-level tiered platform.
US08357877B2
A contact tip for a welding torch in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated, generally cylindrical body having a front contact end and an opposite rear retaining end. A central aperture is defined by an inner wall of the body. The aperture extends through the body from an opening at the rear retaining end to an opening at the front contact end. The aperture has a front portion and a wider diameter portion adjacent the front portion. The front portion generally has a length that is shorter than a length of the wider diameter portion. A consumable electrode wire fed through the aperture contacts the inner wall in the front portion but does not contact the inner wall in the wider diameter portion.
US08357875B2
A device for welding a plurality of foils to one another by means of a laser, for use in a packaging machine, comprises a clamping unit configured for applying pressure to a plurality of foils in a predetermined area as well as for conducting the laser radiation used for the purpose of welding to this area. A method for welding a plurality of foils to one another by means of a laser in a sealing station comprises welding the foils to one another along a sealing seam by means of the radiation of the laser while pressing them together in the area of the sealing seam.
US08357871B2
A welding assembly including a current generator, an electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the electrode including a first engagement surface, and a workpiece including at least two members, wherein at least one of the members includes a second engagement surface, defines a recess in the second engagement surface, and is electrically coupled to the current generator.
US08357870B1
An intelligent stepper system and method for controlling weld current in a welding operation includes a welder welding a plurality of spot welds in succession and a controller incrementally increasing the weld current by a first fixed amount or percentage at each of the plurality of spot welds. Weld spatter is sensed at each of the plurality of spot welds and weld current is decreased by a second fixed amount or percentage when weld spatter is sensed.
US08357867B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a controller unit for a switching device. The controller unit includes a body part and an operating axle, which is turnable between a closed position and an open position in relation to the body part and is functionally connectable to contacts of the switching device to change respective states of the contacts between the closed position and the open position. The controller also includes a control axle that is turned by a user between an off-position and an on-position in relation to the body part and is functionally connected to turn the operating axle. A tripping assembly is functionally connected to the operating axle such that the tripping event of the tripping assembly turns the operating axle from the closed position to the open position. Connecting means selectably connect the control axle to the tripping assembly.
US08357853B1
A rapid mount electrical cable entry device including a rigid low voltage frame and a flexible slotted insert for routing low voltage cables through walls. The low voltage frame includes a plate with an opening therein defining an inner periphery on the plate at the opening. The low voltage frame includes mounting fasteners with attached clamp arms for securing the frame to a wall. The slotted insert includes a flexible panel with a hole therein and a plurality of open slots extending radially from the hole. The slots enable the cable entry device to accommodate passage of low voltage cables there. The slots define flaps that close around the cables after they are inserted therein, thus closing the area around the periphery of the inserted cables. Wall preparation requires only a hole saw, which minimizes installation time.
US08357845B2
A method of uncoupling mitochondria in a subject including administering nanotubes to the subject in a therapeutically effective amount, wherein the nanotubes are self-rectifying is provided. A method of decreasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing detrimental loading of Ca2+ into mitochondria is provided, including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject. A method of reducing weight, treating cancer, reducing the effects of traumatic brain injury, or reducing the effects of ageing, in a subject including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject is also provided.
US08357844B1
A novel maize variety designated X8H573 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8H573 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8H573 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8H573, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8H573. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8H573.
US08357838B2
A potato cultivar designated ‘Shelford’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato cultivar ‘Shelford’, to the seeds of potato cultivar ‘Shelford’, to the plants of potato ‘Shelford’, to the plant parts of potato cultivar ‘Shelford’ and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing potato cultivar ‘Shelford’ with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a potato plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic potato plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from potato variety ‘Shelford’, to methods for producing other potato cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from potato cultivar ‘Shelford’ and to the potato plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar ‘Shelford’ with another potato cultivar.
US08357837B2
A Brassica plant comprising a unique recombination event resulting from a break at a position along a nucleic acid segment derived from Ogura Raphanus sativus between the restorer locus and the glucosinolate locus and subsequent rejoining to produce a new recombination event, BLR1. The BLR1 recombination event expresses fertility restoring resulting from expression of the restorer gene derived from Raphanus sativus and a GSL content no higher than normal double low open pollinated varieties. The Brassica inbred line BLR-038, Deposit Number NCIMB-41193, is one example of a plant that contains the BLR1 recombination event. The BLR1 recombination event is introgressed into different Brassica genetic backgrounds using breeding techniques known to those skilled in the art. For example, the Brassica inbred line BLR-038 or another Brassica plant containing the BLR1 recombination event may be crossed with male sterile inbreds to produce hybrids expressing low GSL content and superior agronomic traits.
US08357834B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for transforming soybean, corn, cotton, or canola explants using spectinomycin as a selective agent for transformation of the explants. The method may further comprise treatment of the explants with cytokinin during the transformation and regeneration process.
US08357828B2
To provide a simple and economical process for producing 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, which does not require purification of the raw material component obtained in the form of a mixture of isomers, and a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from the product thereby obtained.A process for producing 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, characterized by bringing a mixture of dichloropentafluoropropane isomers which contains 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane into contact with an aqueous alkali solution in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, and thereby selectively dehydrofluorinating only the 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane in the mixture, and a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from the 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene thereby obtained.
US08357825B2
A process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine comprising converting an olefin oxide, wherein the olefin oxide has been obtained by a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, said process comprising using a catalyst comprising a carrier and silver deposited thereon, wherein the carrier comprises at least 85 weight percent α-alumina and has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 μm, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 μm, and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 μm is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 10 μm.
US08357822B2
There is provided a process capable of preventing the adhesion of a catalyst to an evaporator in a step of separating a chlorophosphite as a target substance from a reaction liquid by evaporation. The process includes a first step of allowing phosphorus trichloride and a phosphorous acid triester represented by (RO)3P to react in the presence of a catalyst having a viscosity at 80° C. of 100 mPa·s or lower to produce a chlorophosphite represented by RO(R′)PCl, and a second step of vaporizing a reaction liquid containing the chlorophosphite obtained in the first step, in a short time, to separate the catalyst.
US08357819B2
The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of (Z)-3-[2-butoxy-3′-(3-heptyl-1-methylureido)biphenyl-4-yl]-2-methoxyacrylic acid of formula (I): and also to the process for the synthesis of the reaction intermediates of general formula (XII), and to the said compounds when R2 is chosen from the methyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl and 4-tolyl radicals:
US08357815B2
A novel metal compound of general formula (1), a material for chemical vapor phase growth containing the compound, and a process for forming a metal-containing thin film by chemical vapor phase growth using the material. Among the compounds of formula (1), those wherein X is a chlorine atom are preferred because of inexpensiveness and high volatility. When M is titanium, those wherein m is 1 are preferred as having a greater difference between a volatilization temperature (vapor temperature) and a deposition temperature (reaction temperature), which provides a broader process margin. In formula (1), M is titanium, zirconium, or hafnium; X is a halogen atom; and m is 1 or 2.
US08357813B2
The invention provides a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a carrier and silver deposited on the carrier, which carrier comprises at least 85 weight percent α-alumina and has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 μm, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore volume is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 μm and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 μm is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 10 μm.
US08357788B2
A polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a thymidine kinase wherein at least one of the nucleotides corresponding to the splice donor site nucleotides is replaced by another nucleotide and wherein the nucleotides of the splice acceptor sites are not altered.
US08357787B2
Chitosan-containing blends and methods of dissolving and using chitosan are disclosed. A blend includes a solid acid or a solid agent that generates a proton in situ in the presence of water mixed together with a dry solid chitosan, and may optionally contain other components. The blends are in a dry, free-flowing, particulate form. Methods of dissolving a blend typically comprise adding a quantity of the blend to a low volume of water and mixing until the chitosan and solid acid or solid agent are dissolved and then further diluting this mixture by the addition of water, or used as-is. Devices containing the blends are also described along with methods of using the devices, such as for controlled release of solubilized chitosan in a body of water, such as a stream, containing impurities (e.g., particles, sediment, or suspended matter or dissolved substances) to cause flocculation or precipitation of such impurities.
US08357784B2
The present invention provides metal-containing compounds that include at least one β-diketiminate ligand, and methods of making and using the same. In certain embodiments, the metal-containing compounds include at least one β-diketiminate ligand with at least one fluorine-containing organic group as a substituent. In other certain embodiments, the metal-containing compounds include at least one β-diketiminate ligand with at least one aliphatic group as a substituent selected to have greater degrees of freedom than the corresponding substituent in the β-diketiminate ligands of certain metal-containing compounds known in the art. The compounds can be used to deposit metal-containing layers using vapor deposition methods. Vapor deposition systems including the compounds are also provided. Sources for β-diketiminate ligands are also provided.
US08357782B2
The present invention has the first object to provide a monoclonal antibody specific to interferon α subtype α8 (IFNα8) and its mutant proteins, the second object to provide a hybridoma capable of producing the monoclonal antibody, the third object to provide a method for detecting the IFNα8 and its mutant proteins by the monoclonal antibody, the fourth object to provide a method for purifying the IFNα8 and its mutant proteins by the monoclonal antibody, and the fifth object to provide a therapeutic agent for treating diseases whose onsets or exacerbation are related with IFNα8. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a monoclonal antibody specific to IFNα8 and its mutant proteins, a hybridoma capable of producing the monoclonal antibody, a method for detecting the IFNα8 and its mutant proteins by immunoreaction using the monoclonal antibody, a method for purifying the IFNα8 and its mutant proteins using the monoclonal antibody, and a therapeutic agent for treating diseases whose onsets or exacerbation are related with IFNα8, which contains the monoclonal antibody as an effective ingredient.
US08357776B2
The present invention provides a composition (composition for suppressing re-elevation of cholesterol) that has the effects of suppressing re-elevation of cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol or pre-high cholesterol, and that can therefore be used to suppress re-elevation of cholesterol in those patients. The present invention also provides a composition which, due to the effects described above, can be used to prevent or treat conditions or diseases caused by high cholesterol due to cholesterol re-elevation, specifically hypercholesterolemia, arteriosclerosis and diseases and conditions stemming therefrom. The composition of this invention uses as an active component an edible protein hydrolysate, preferably a globin proteolysate or a peptide consisting of Val-Val-Tyr-Pro.
US08357774B2
The present invention provides a novel polypeptide or polypeptide derivative which has no risk of infection with a pathogen or propagation of a pathogenic factor and of an undesirable side effect, and which is useful as a carrier of various biologically-active substances or apatite, as well as a process for producing the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a polypeptide comprising a peptide unit having an amino acid sequence represented by the formula: -Pro-X-Gly- (wherein X represents Pro or Hyp) and a peptide unit having an amino acid sequence represented by the formula: -Pro-Hyp(O—Y—Z)-Gly- (wherein Y represents a carbonyl group, a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group with or without a carbonyl group, or a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group with or without a carbonyl group, including an aromatic group, and Z represents a carboxyl group), as well as a process for producing the same.
US08357770B2
Disclosed is an oligoaniline compound represented by the formula (1), (2), (3) or (4) below, which exhibits high solubility in a low-polarity solvent. This oligoaniline compound is suitable as a charge-transporting material which enables to realize excellent device characteristics such as low driving voltage when applied to an OLED device. (In the formulae, R1-R20 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a silanol group, a thiol group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphate group, a phosphoric acid ester group, an ester group, a thioester group, an amide group, a nitro group, a monovalent hydrocarbon group, an organoxy group, an organoamino group, an organosilyl group, an organothio group, an acyl group or a sulfonic group; m, n, l and k independently represent an integer respectively satisfying 1≦m≦20, 1≦n≦20, 1≦l≦20 and 1≦k≦20; and X represents a fluorinated aryl group).
US08357768B2
The present invention is a low haze thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) comprising structural units of a diisocyanate; a diol and three different chain extenders (butanediol chain extender; a different linear diol co-chain-extender and a cyclic co-chain-ex-tender). The TPU has good combinations of light transmission and clarity, low temperature flexibility, and high moisture vapor transition rates compared to other commercial or known TPUs. The preferred composition is a TPU that is based on polycaprolactone as diol, MDI as the diisocyanate monomer, butanediol chain extender, 1,3 propanediol linear chain co-extender and cyclohexanedimethanol cyclic chain co-extenders, and has good clarity and tensile strength.
US08357767B2
The present invention provides a polyurethane or polyurethane/urea composition which has a tensile strength greater than 10 MPa, a modulus of elasticity greater than 400 MPa and an elongation at break greater than 30% at a temperature of between 0° C. and 60° C. and at a relative humidity of between 0% and 100%. The invention further provides uses of the compositions of the invention in biomedical vascular stents, an orthopedic implant, a drug delivery coating or in tissue engineering.
US08357766B2
The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising providing an acidic liquid aqueous monomer mixture containing dissolved oxygen; continuously feeding the aqueous monomer mixture to a reactor; introducing a source of carbonate or hydrogen carbonate into the aqueous monomer mixture prior to entry into the reactor thereby forming a gas phase comprising carbon dioxide and at least a part of the dissolved oxygen, the gas phase being dispersed in the liquid phase; subjecting the gas/liquid mixture to at least partial phase separation immediately prior to or after entry into the reactor and at least partially removing the separated gaseous phase; subjecting the liquid phase in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain the superabsorbent polymer, and continuously removing the superabsorbent polymer from the reactor.
US08357764B2
Epoxy curing agents comprising imidazole-isocyanate adducts, including 1-(aminoalkyl)imidazole-isocyanate adducts and especially 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole-isocyanate adducts, and their use as curing agents in heat curable one-component epoxy resin compositions. Epoxy curing agents comprising imidazole-isocyanate adducts comprising the reaction product of at least one imidazole, at least one polyisocyanate and at least one diamine.
US08357763B2
An adhesion promoter for a hot melt adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive prepared by admixing a silane composition with an aqueous buffer solution, where the silane composition includes at least two silane compounds. The adhesive is able to bind at very low surface free energy substrates, such as Xerographic prints contaminated by silicone fuser oil. The hot melt adhesive maintains a substantially stable viscosity at temperature ranging from about 100° C. to about 200° C.
US08357759B2
A process for making a block copolymer compatibilizer, comprising reacting an acrylic monomer that has functional groups with one or more vinyl monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator and a stable free radical to form a reaction product that includes residual unreacted acrylic monomer, and reacting one or more vinyl monomers with the reaction product to form a second block that incorporates the residual unreacted acrylic monomer. A blend composition comprising a first thermoplastic polymer, which has functional groups, a reactive block copolymer that has functional groups in two or more blocks, and a second thermoplastic polymer that is compatible with one block of the block copolymer, where the functional groups in the first thermoplastic react with the functional groups in the block copolymer.
US08357758B2
A modified natural rubber particle having carbon-carbon double bonds assigned to multifunctional vinyl monomers graft-copolymerized onto the surface of the modified natural rubber particle, which is prepared by graft-copolymerization of multifunctional vinyl monomers having two or more carbon-carbon double bonds onto natural rubber particles or deproteinized natural rubber particles. One of the methods for producing a modified natural rubber particle includes the steps of: forming inclusion complex of the multifunctional vinyl monomers having two or more carbon-carbon double bonds with a guest-protecting agent to protect at least one of the double bonds of the multifunctional vinyl monomers; graft-copolymerizing the resulting inclusion complex onto natural rubber particles or deproteinized natural rubber particles; and deprotecting the protected double bonds by removing the guest-protecting agent from the obtained graft-copolymer.
US08357748B2
Peroxide curable fluoroelastomer compositions and articles made therefrom are disclosed. The compositions contain 5 to 45 weight percent, based on total weight of all fluoroelastomers present in the composition, of a blend of dynamically cured fluoroelastomer particles in an uncured fluoroelastomer. The compositions are unfilled, but have tensile properties adequate for many end use applications and are particularly useful as seals in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
US08357736B2
A defoaming agent which can effectively eliminate foams generated in the occasions of preparation, coating, drying and baking of water-based paint, by addition thereof by itself, without combined use of other kind(s) of defoaming agent(s), and furthermore without impairing appearance of baked coated film of the paint or recoatability of the paint is provided. Such a defoaming agent for water-based paint has the composition comprising (1) polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil triisostearates and (2) polyalkyl vinyl ether, polybutadiene, polybutene or polyisoprene, which are dissolved in (3) liquid normal paraffin, liquid isoparaffin or liquid cycloparaffin, at such a ratio that the blended amount of (1) occupies 2-90% by weight of the total composition.
US08357730B2
To provide a flexible polyurethane foam which is excellent in low resiliency and durability without using a plasticizer and which shows little change in hardness against a change in temperature and at the same time, has high air flow.A process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam, which comprises reacting a polyol mixture comprising the following polyol (A), the following polyol (B) and the following monool (D) with a polyisocyanate compound in the presence of a blowing agent and a foam stabilizer, at an isocyanate index of at least 90, wherein: Polyol (A) is a polyether polyol having an average of from 2 to 3 hydroxyl groups, a hydroxyl value of from 10 to 60 mgKOH/g and an oxyethylene group content of from 0 to 30 mass %, obtained by ring-opening polymerization of an alkylene oxide to an initiator using a phosphazene compound, a Lewis acid compound or an alkali metal compound catalyst; Polyol (B) is a polyether polyol having an average of from 2 to 3 hydroxyl groups and a hydroxyl value of from 70 to 250 mgKOH/g; and Monool (D) is a polyether monool having a hydroxyl value of from 10 to 200 mgKOH/g.
US08357725B2
The invention pertains to a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer having ion exchange groups comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenicalty unsaturated monomer comprising at least one fluorine atom (fluorinated monomer); and a substantial amount of recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising at least one ion exchange group (functional monomer), wherein the amount of unstable end groups of —COF type is of less than 0.05 mmol/kg, and the use of the stabilized fluoropolymer in fuel cells devices, a membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly.
US08357721B2
The invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, i and j have the meanings given in claim 1, and to the use thereof as caspase-10 inhibitors, especially for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
US08357715B2
Hetero-substituted acetanilide derivatives are disclosed as analgesic agents. The compounds of the invention are useful in methods for treating a disease or condition in a mammal characterized by pain and/or fever.
US08357710B2
There is provided a compound of formula I, wherein R1a, R1b, X, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Z1, Z2, R2 and R3 have meanings given in the description, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, which compounds are useful as selective agonists of the AT2 receptor, and thus, in particular, in the treatment of inter alia gastrointestinal conditions, such as dyspepsia, IBS and MOF, and cardiovascular disorders.
US08357709B2
The present invention is directed to 2,4-disubstituted pyrrolidine amide compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08357708B2
The instant invention describes macrocyclic compounds having therapeutic activity, and methods of treating disorders such as cancer, tumors and cell proliferation related disorders, or affect cell differentiation, dedifferentiation or transdifferentiation.
US08357700B2
The present invention is directed to 2,3-disubstituted piperidine amide compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08357689B2
The present invention relates to substituted arylsulphonylaminomethyl-phosphonic acid derivatives of general formula wherein R, X, Y and Z are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, mixtures thereof and salts thereof which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly the suppression of the interaction of glycogen phosphorylase a with the GL subunit of glycogen-associated protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and their use as pharmaceutical compositions.
US08357688B2
Substituted imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones are useful as PDE9 inhibitors.
US08357687B2
Inhibitors of HCV replication of formula (I) including stereochemically isomeric forms, and salts, hydrates, solvates thereof, wherein Y, R1, R2, R4 and n have the meaning defined in the claims. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing said compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in HCV therapy.
US08357684B2
Thiazolopyridin-2-yloxy-phenyl and thiazolopyrazin-2-yloxy-phenyl amine compounds are described, which are useful as LTA4 hydrolase (LTA4H) modulators. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulation of LTA4H and for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by LTA4 hydrolase activity.
US08357678B2
The invention is reported a type of chair ruthenium complexes and their used as anticancer agent. The general formulae of these chair ruthenium complexes is: A-[Ru(bpy)2L](PF6)2, where in A is Δ or Λ, L is tFPIP, IPBP, IPBH or PYNI. These chair ruthenium complexes is characterized with that the center atom is ruthenium ion, the main ligand is 2-phenyl imidazole[4,5f][1,10]phenanthroline and its derivate, the co-ligand is two bipyridine, and the space structure is rigid octahedral. The complexes indicated by the invention are the chair isomer of all of these ruthenium complexes. This type of ruthenium complexes exhibit excellent inhibitory activity against liver cancer cell line BEL-7402, and can be used in preparing anticancer agent.
US08357675B2
The invention relates to 17α-(5-hydroxy-C5-hydrocarbyl)-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-3,17β-diol derivatives having cicatrising activity, preferably for topical use on wounds, without significant systemic effects, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. In particular, the invention relates to estradiol 17α-(5-hydroxypentyn-1-yl)derivatives and 3-esters, 5′-esters and 3,5′-diesters thereof and to a process for the preparation thereof by reaction of 3-OR-protected estrone with an alkali metal derivative of OR-protected 5-pentynol, followed by 3-, 5-′ or 3,5′-esterifÊcation.
US08357669B2
The present invention provides materials and methods for screening for and treating hereditary lymphedema in human subjects.
US08357668B2
Provided herein are compositions and methods for use in promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration following tissue injury in a subject.
US08357665B2
The invention provides novel immune regulatory oligonucleotides (IRO) as antagonist of TLRs and methods of use thereof. These IROs have unique sequences that inhibit or suppress TLR-mediated signaling in response to a TLR ligand or TLR agonist. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of cancer, an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen.
US08357657B2
Administration of a modified natural surfactant in combination with a corticosteroid is effective for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and lowers the markers of pulmonary oxidative stress.
US08357651B2
Aminoplast microcapsules comprising a core of fragrance and a shell of aminoplast polymer, the composition of the shell being from 75-100% of a thermoset resin comprising 50-90% of a terpolymer and from 10-50% of a polymeric stabilizer; the terpolymer comprising: (a) from 20-60% of moieties derived from at least one polyamine; (b) from 3-50% of moieties derived from at least one polyol; and (c) from 20-70% of substituted methylene moieties, the microcapsules additionally optionally comprising up to 25% of a cationic polymer. The capsules are competitive with known aminoplast capsules and have the major advantage that they are formaldehyde-free.
US08357639B2
Nanoemulsions have been discovered to be useful to the oil field. More particularly water-in-oil (W/O), oil-in-water (O/W) and other classes of nanoemulsions have found beneficial application in drilling, completion, well remediation and other oil and gas industry related operations. Additionally, nanoemulsions may reduce friction pressure losses, as well as reduce subsidence of solid weight material during oil and gas operations. New preparation methods for nanoemulsions have also been discovered.
US08357638B2
The invention relates to a method of producing an oligonucleotide library comprising a plurality of oligonucleotides, each oligonucleotide in the library having at least one predetermined position, a randomization codon selected from a defined group of codons, the codons within the defined group coding for different amino acids. Vector, host cells containing such libraries and kits for the production of such libraries are also provided.
US08357631B2
Compositions and methods for enhancing plant growth and crop yield in legumes and non-legumes are described. The compositions include lipo-chitooligosaccharides in combination with chitins/chitosans or in combination with flavonoid compounds or in combination with a herbicide. The method includes applying the compositions to seeds and/or plants either concomitantly or sequentially.
US08357630B2
This invention relates to the use of selected adjuvants to improve the performance of S-(+)-abscisic acid (S-ABA, ABA) or ABA salts on plants.
US08357622B2
A sliding layer and a sliding element with such a sliding layer includes a fiber reinforced plastic with a plastic matrix and a plastic thread as a reinforcing element. The plastic thread has polyester filaments into which are worked PTFE particles by process engineering.
US08357613B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes depositing tungsten on an insulating layer in which a contact hole is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), performing chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) on the tungsten to expose the insulating layer and form a tungsten contact plug, and performing rapid thermal oxidation (RTO) on the tungsten contact plug in an oxygen atmosphere such that the tungsten expands volumetrically into tungsten oxide (WξOψ).
US08357608B2
An in-situ process is described incorporating plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition comprising flowing at least one of a Si, Si+C, B, Si+B, Si+B+C, and B+C containing precursor, and a N containing precursors at first times and removing the N precursor at second times and starting the flow of an oxidant gas and a porogen gas into the chamber. A dielectric layer is described comprising a network having inorganic random three dimensional covalent bonding throughout the network which contains at least one SiCN, SiCNH, SiN, SiNH, BN, BNH, CBN, CBNH, BSiN, BSiNH, SiCBN and SiCBNH as a first component and a low k dielectric as a second component adjacent thereto.
US08357597B2
Si(1-v-w-x)CwAlxNv crystals in a mixed crystal state are formed. A method for manufacturing an easily processable Si(1-v-w-x)CwAlxNv substrate, a method for manufacturing an epitaxial wafer, a Si(1-v-w-x)CwAlxNv substrate, and an epitaxial wafer are provided. A method for manufacturing a Si(1-v-w-x)CwAlxNv substrate 10a includes the following steps. First, a Si substrate 11 is prepared. A Si(1-v-w-x)CwAlxNv layer 12 (0
US08357587B2
The invention relates to a method for routing a chamfered substrate, having applications in the field of electronics, optics, or optoelectronics, which involves depositing a layer of a protective material on a peripheral annular zone of the substrate preferably with the aid of a plasma, partially etching the protective material with the aid of a plasma, so as to preserve a protective ring of the deposited material on the front face of the substrate, this ring located at a distance from the edge of the substrate, so as to delimit an accessible peripheral annular zone, etching a thickness of the material constituting the substrate to be routed, preferably with the aid of a plasma that is level with the accessible peripheral annular zone of the substrate, and removing the ring of protective material preferably with the aid of a plasma.
US08357585B2
An FeRAM is produced by a method including the steps of forming a lower electrode layer (24), forming a first ferroelectric film (25a) on the lower electrode layer (24), forming on the first ferroelectric film (25a) a second ferroelectric film (25b) in an amorphous state containing iridium inside, thermally treating the second ferroelectric film (25b) in an oxidizing atmosphere to crystallize the second ferroelectric film (25b) and to cause iridium in the second ferroelectric film (25b) to diffuse into the first ferroelectric film (25a), forming an upper electrode layer (26) on the second ferroelectric film (25b), and processing each of the upper electrode layer (26), the second ferroelectric film (25b), the first ferroelectric film (25a), and the lower electrode layer (24) to form the capacitor structure. With such a structure, the inversion charge amount in a ferroelectric capacitor structure (30) is improved without increasing the leak current pointlessly, and a high yield can be assured, thereby realizing a highly reliable FeRAM.
US08357584B2
A metal capacitor is formed with good conductivity for both nodes of the capacitor and improved reliability. An embodiment includes a first layer of alternating first and second metal lines, a second layer of alternating third and fourth metal lines, a dielectric layer between the first and second layers, and vias in the dielectric layer connecting the first and second metal lines with the third and fourth metal lines, respectively, wherein each metal line comprises alternating first segments having a first width and second segments having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, each first segment lying adjacent to a second segment of an adjacent metal line, and only first segments of the metal lines overlapping the vias. The design enables the spacing between metal lines to be maintained, the spacing between via to metal to be increased, and via connection to be maintained for both nets, thereby improving the conductivity and reliability of the capacitor and maintaining capacitance density.
US08357583B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes at least forming a lower electrode comprising titanium nitride on a semiconductor substrate, forming a dielectric film comprising zirconium oxide as a primary constituent on the lower electrode, forming a first protective film comprising a titanium compound on the dielectric film, and forming an upper electrode comprising titanium nitride on the first protective film. The method can include a step of forming a second protective film on the lower electrode before the step of forming the dielectric film on the lower electrode.
US08357582B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming electrical components. First and second exposed surface configurations are formed over a first structure, and material is then formed across the surface configurations. The material is sub-divided amongst two or more domains, with a first of the domains being induced by the first surface configuration, and with a second of the domains being induced by the second surface configuration. A second structure is then formed over the material. The first domains of the material are incorporated into electrical components. The second domains may be replaced with dielectric material to provide isolation between adjacent electrical components, or may be utilized as intervening regions between adjacent electrical components.
US08357579B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. Portions of the substrate are removed to form recesses adjacent to the gate structure. A dopant-rich layer having first type dopants is formed on a sidewall and a bottom of each of the recesses. A silicon-containing material structure is formed in each of the recesses. The silicon-containing material structure has second type dopants. The second type dopants are opposite to the first type dopants.
US08357577B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming an insulating pillar on the main surface of a silicon substrate; forming a protective film on the side surface of the insulating pillar; forming a silicon pillar on the main surface of the silicon substrate; forming a gate insulating film on the side surface of the silicon pillar; and forming first and second gate electrodes so as to contact each other and so as to cover the side surfaces of the silicon pillar and insulating pillar, respectively. According to the present manufacturing method, the protective film is formed on the side surface of the insulating pillar as a dummy pillar, thus preventing the dummy pillar from being eroded when the silicon pillar for channel is processed into a transistor. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a probability of occurrence of gate electrode disconnection.
US08357575B2
In a replacement gate approach, the sacrificial gate material is exposed on the basis of enhanced process uniformity, for instance during a wet chemical etch step or a CMP process, by forming a modified portion in the interlayer dielectric material by ion implantation. Consequently, the damaged portion may be removed with an increased removal rate while avoiding the creation of polymer contaminants when applying an etch process or avoiding over-polish time when applying a CMP process.
US08357574B2
A method for fabricating an integrated device is disclosed. The disclosed method provides improved formation selectivity of epitaxial films over a pre-determined region designed for forming an epi film and a protective layer preferred not to form an epi, polycrystalline, or amorphous film thereon during an epi film formation process. In an embodiment, the improved formation selectivity is achieved by providing a nitrogen-rich protective layer to decrease the amount of growth epi, polycrystalline, or amorphous film thereon.
US08357563B2
A method for die stacking is disclosed. In one embodiment a first die is formed overlying a substrate. A first wire is bonded to the first die and to a bond finger of the substrate, wherein the first wire is bonded to the bond finger with a first bond. A first stitch bump is formed overlying the first stitch bond, wherein the first stitch bump is formed from a molten ball of conductive material. A second die is formed overlying the first die. A second wire is bonded to the second die and to the first stitch bump, wherein the second wire is bonded to the first stitch bump with a second bond.
US08357554B2
A display substrate having a low resistance signal line and a method of manufacturing the display substrate are provided. The display substrate includes an insulation substrate, a gate line, a data line and a pixel electrode. The gate line gate line is formed through a sub-trench and an opening portion. The sub-trench is formed in the insulation substrate and the opening portion is formed through a planarization layer on the insulation substrate at a position corresponding to the position of the sub-trench. The data line crosses the gate line. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the gate line and the data line through a switching element. Thus, a signal line is formed through a trench formed by using a planarization layer and an insulation substrate, so that a resistance of the signal line may be reduced.
US08357545B2
The invention concerns hybrid nanoparticles containing: a nanosphere, of mean diameter included in the range from 2 to 9 nm, of which at least 90% by weight consists of Ln2O3 where Ln represents a rare earth, optionally doped with a rare earth or an actinide, or a mixture of rare earths, or a rare earth and actinide mixture, in which at least 50% of the metal ions are rare earth ions, a coating around the nanosphere chiefly consisting of functionalized polysiloxane, having a mean thickness included in the range from 0.5 to 10 nm, preferably greater than 2 nm and no more than 10 nm, and at least one biological ligand grafted by covalent bonding to the polysiloxane coating and their method of preparation.
US08357535B2
This invention relates to industrial production of proteins. More specifically, the invention relates to the res-DHFR surrogate marker, which corresponds to a fusion between DHFR and a protein conferring resistance to a toxic compound or conferring a metabolic advantage. The invention further relates to the use of res-DHFR for screening cells for high expression of a protein of interest. The invention is illustrated by the Puro-DHFR surrogate marker, which corresponds to a fusion between the puromycin N-acetyltransferase and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).
US08357533B2
Methods of processing inactivated artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) and artificial antigen presenting cells with specificity for selected antigenic peptides are described, including their generation and use in cell therapy compositions comprising activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Inactivated aAPCs are advantageously generated through crosslinking, such as via a photoreaction involving a psoralen derivative and UVA irradiation.
US08357531B2
This invention relates to immortalized avian cells, including those deposited under accession numbers 09070701, 09070702, and 09070703 at the ECACC, and to the use of these cells for the production of viruses. The cells according to the invention are particularly useful for the production of recombinant viral vectors which can be used for the preparation of therapeutic and/or prophylactic compositions for the treatment of animals and more particularly humans.
US08357525B2
Methods of thermally inactivating a rotavirus are provided according to the present invention which include exposing the rotavirus to a temperature in the range of about 50° C.-80° C., inclusive, for an incubation time sufficient to render the rotavirus incapable of replication or infection. The thermally inactivated rotavirus is antigenic and retains a substantially intact rotavirus particle structure. Vaccine compositions and methods of vaccinating a subject against rotavirus are provided which include generation and use of thermally inactivated rotavirus.
US08357514B2
Disclosed are methods relating to amplification and expression of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest in recombinant cells, and cell lines and polypeptides produced from such methods. The methods disclosed herein permit the amplification of cell lines that express a polypeptide of interest in a relatively short period of time through the use of a bioreactor.
US08357510B2
A process of obtaining lutein in a high yield from green algae is described. Lutein and lutein-enriched products obtained by the process, which are suitable for use as dietary supplements and/or food additives, or cosmetic or pharmaceutical raw materials, are also described.
US08357508B2
A process for extracting and recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from cellular biomass comprising the steps of: extracting the polyhydroxyalkanoate with at least one non-halogenated solvent which is non-aggressive to the environment; heating the cellular biomass, in order to form a suspension comprising PHA solvent with the dissolved PHA and insoluble residues; recovering the solvent enriched with PHA; injecting the PHA-enriched solvent in a vapor flow in order to rapidly promote the complete precipitation of PHA in water, while processing the solvent evaporation; depleting the residual solvent; separating the purified PHA particles from the suspension and drying them.
US08357505B2
Environmentally stable biosensors are disclosed, which comprise a ligand binding domain from a thermophilic organism conjugated to donor and fluorescent moieties that permit detection and measurement of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer upon ligand binding. Such biosensors demonstrate enhanced acid-, thermal- and chemical stability as compared to sensors constructed using protein domains from mesophilic organisms.
US08357499B2
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences that encode human olfactory cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channel subunits, and the corresponding polypeptides. The invention further relates to the use of human CNG channels to profile, screen for, and identify compounds that modulate the human olfactory CNG channel. More specifically, the invention relates to the expression of the human olfactory CNG channel in cells, preferably mammalian cells, and the use of these cells in high throughput cell-based assays to identify compounds that enhance or block human olfactory CNG function. Compounds that activate the olfactory CNG channel will enhance smell and can be used to make foods more palatable for individuals with attenuated olfactory function. Conversely, compounds that inhibit the olfactory CNG channel will inhibit smell and can be use to block malodors. Additionally, the invention relates to the use of cell-based olfactory CNG channel assays to identify modulates of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCRs) and other proteins that regulate cyclic nucleotide levels.
US08357496B2
Method for the diagnosis or the screening of an arbovirus infection and preferably a flaviviridae infection and more preferably a flavivirus infection, reagents useful in said method and their applications. Said method comprises: (i) contacting a sample from the subject or animal with a solid support sensitized with an Ig binding protein which is directed against a specific class of Ig molecules of the subject or animal species under consideration and (ii) incubating the immunocomplex formed in (i) with a detector molecule consisting of a hybrid protein comprising at least an arboviral ED3 domain and an alkaline phosphatase (PhoA), the detection of said immunocomplex being the sign of the presence of an arbovirus in said sample.
US08357495B2
The disclosure provides among other things an assay method that compensates for the presence of endogenous antibodies, e.g., autoantibodies, which might otherwise compromise the measurement of an analyte in a biological sample. In one embodiment, this method entails the use of a two labeled entities: a labeled detection agent and a labeled species-specific antibody, wherein the labeled species-specific antibody is specific for the species from which the biological sample was obtained. Sample analyte is bound by the detection agent and any anti-analyte autoantibodies present in the sample. Analyte bound by autoantibodies is detected via the species-specific antibody, optionally labeled.
US08357491B2
A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise to both more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell.We have developed a xenograft model in which we have been able to establish tumors from primary tumors via injection of tumors in the mammary gland of severely immunodeficient mice. These xenograft assay have allowed us to do biological and molecular assays to characterize clonogenic solid tumor stem cells.We have also developed evidence that strongly implicates the Notch pathway, especially Notch 4, as playing a central pathway in carcinogenesis.
US08357489B2
A method for evaluating hepatocellular carcinoma in a subject is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) obtaining a hepatocellular carcinoma protein marker profile for a sample obtained from the subject; and b) comparing the protein marker profile to a control profile.
US08357483B2
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition that includes a polymer prepared by using a macromonomer as an alkali soluble resin. The photosensitive resin composition is used for various types of purposes such as a photoresist for preparing a color filter, an overcoat photoresist, a column spacer, and an insulating material having a light blocking property, and improves physical properties such as residue or not, chemical resistance, and heat resistance of the photoresist.
US08357481B2
An image forming method including forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor; developing the latent image with a developer including a toner using a center-feed developing device to form a toner image; transferring the toner image onto a receiving material; and fixing the toner image using a fixing member coated with silicone oil. The toner includes at least a binder resin; a colorant; and a quaternary ammonium salt having a specific formula, wherein when the toner is dispersed in ethanol using ultrasonic waves, the dispersion has a turbidity of from 0.4 to 1.0 when the turbidity is determined using a haze meter. An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor; a center-feed developing device using a developer including the toner; a transferring device; a fixing device using a fixing member coated with silicone oil; and a cleaner for the photoreceptor.
US08357477B2
A method of manufacturing a color filter substrate is provided. The color filter substrate includes a substrate, a light-shielding layer, and a plurality of color filter patterns. The substrate has a plurality of annular trough areas, a plurality of central areas, and a light-shielding area positioned among the annular trough areas. Each of the annular trough areas has an inner edge connected to the central area and an outer edge connected to the light-shielding area. The light-shielding layer is disposed on the light-shielding area and extends from the outer edges of the annular trough areas to the top of the annular trough areas. The color filter patterns are disposed on the annular trough areas and the central areas, and the color filter patterns are in contact with a side surface and a part of the bottom surface of the light-shielding layer.
US08357466B2
A battery cover latching assembly includes a body member defining a guiding slot, a battery cover slidably mounted to the body member, and an elastic member. The battery cover includes a resisting block. The resisting block is slidably received in the guiding slot. The elastic member abuts against the resisting block.
US08357459B2
According to one aspect of the present invention, provided is glass for use in substrate for information recording medium, which comprises, denoted as molar percentages, a total of 70 to 85 percent of SiO2 and Al2O3, where SiO2 content is equal to or greater than 50 percent and Al2O3 content is equal to or greater than 3 percent; a total of equal to or greater than 10 percent of Li2O, Na2O and K2O; a total of 1 to 6 percent of CaO and MgO, where CaO content is greater than MgO content; a total of greater than 0 percent but equal to or lower than 4 percent of ZrO2, HfO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, La2O3Y2O3 and TiO2; with the molar ratio of the total content of Li2O, Na2O and K2O to the total content of SiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, HfO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, La2O3, Y2O3 and TiO2((Li2O+Na2O+K2O)/(SiO2+Al2O3+ZrO2+HfO2+Nb2O5+Ta2O5+La2O3+Y2O3+TiO2)) being equal to or less than 0.28. Further provided are the substrate for information recording medium, information recording medium and their manufacturing methods according to the present invention.
US08357456B2
Disclosed is a solventborne coating composition that provides a high quality basecoat especially for automotive substrates, methods for forming a layer of the solventborne coating composition and substrates coated with the coating composition. The coating composition contains an acrylic polymer that has both acid functional groups and polyether functional groups.
US08357452B2
An article includes a substrate; and a color layer deposited on the substrate, wherein the color layer is a chromium oxide-carbon layer; the color layer has an L* value between about 28 to about 32, an a* value between about −1 to about 1, and a b* value between about −1 to about 1 in the CIE L*a*b* color space.
US08357445B2
A sanitary napkin comprising a topsheet having a body-facing side and comprising a plurality of discrete tufts of fibrous material. The topsheet has a lotion composition applied to at least a portion of the body-facing side thereof. An absorbent core is in fluid communication with the topsheet, the absorbent core having an average thickness of less than about 10 mm, and a free absorbent capacity of from about 4 to about 125 grams per gram.
US08357440B2
The present invention provides for a plastic sheet, especially one used in the construction of a plastic trash bag, which provides improved tear propagation properties. The plastic sheet has a plurality of protuberances in the plastic sheet, the protuberances defining a first set of substantially parallel curvilinear lines in a first direction, and optionally, a second set of curvilinear lines in a second direction. The plurality of protuberances can be either indentations or protrusions in the plastic sheet, preferably formed through an embossing process. Preferably, the protuberances are circular in shape, but not necessarily uniform, and alternate between indentations and protrusions along the first, and possibly the second, curvilinear lines with the curvilinear lines preferably being wave-shaped.
US08357433B2
Polymer brushes (50) in a resin that create phonon pathways therein. The polymer brushes themselves comprise structured polymer hairs having a density of 0.8 to 1.0 g/cc, a chain length of 1 to 1000 nm, and a thermal conductivity of 0.5 to 5.0 W/mK. The polymer brushes are 10-25% by volume of the resin, and the polymer hairs can orient surrounding resin molecules to the polymer hairs alignment (55).
US08357414B2
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging for products (such as fresh red meat) that are enclosed between a support member and a lid (i.e., a film). More specifically, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging comprising an elevation unit that raises the profile of the packaged product to contact the lid at any desired time, such as at the time of retail display.
US08357413B2
Process for the disinfection and/or preservation of harvested plant material by contacting the harvested plant material with a liquid composition containing at least one peroxygen compound and at least one preservative.
US08357407B2
This invention describes an agent for cutaneous photoprotection against UVA (I and II) and UVB radiation that contains an aqueous extract obtained from a plant in the Gramineae family from the Antarctic Continent (Deschampsia Antarctica), which presents both antioxidant and dissipation of excess UV radiation properties.
US08357403B2
Described herein are tissue grafts derived from the placenta. The grafts are composed of at least one layer of amnion tissue where the epithelium layer has been substantially removed in order to expose the basement layer to host cells. By removing the epithelium layer, cells from the host can more readily interact with the cell-adhesion bio-active factors located onto top and within of the basement membrane. Also described herein are methods for making and using the tissue grafts. The laminin structure of amnion tissue is nearly identical to that of native human tissue such as, for example, oral mucosa tissue. This includes high level of laminin-5, a cell adhesion bio-active factor show to bind gingival epithelia-cells, found throughout upper portions of the basement membrane.
US08357396B2
An intrabuccally rapidly disintegrating tablet which is manufactured by a simple method, has an enough practical hardness and is rapidly disintegrated in the buccal cavity and its production method. The intrabuccally rapidly disintegrating tablet is produced by growing a powder material into a granulated material with a fixed particle diameter, the powder material including a sugar alcohol or a saccharide as main ingredient, each of which is first particle having an average particle diameter of not more than 30 μm, by mixing thus obtained granulated material with an active ingredient and a disintegrant, and by compressing the mixture into a predetermined shape.
US08357395B2
The present invention features a method of manufacturing a tablet containing a pharmaceutically active agent by the steps of: (a) adding a powder containing a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier to a die cavity; (b) injecting a liquid drug composition containing the pharmaceutically active agent into the die cavity such that the liquid drug composition contacts the powder; (c) compressing the combination of the powder and the liquid drug composition within the die cavity to form the tablet; and (d) removing the tablet from the die cavity.
US08357386B2
A drug coating for a medical device comprises one or more drug composite layers. The drug composite layer comprises one or more therapeutic agents dispersed within one or more modified bioactive binders. The modified bioactive binders are hydrophobic compounds bonded to bioactive binders, and the modified bioactive binders are not inert polymers.
