US08719961B2

A method and system for probing mobile ion diffusivity and electrochemical reactivity on a nanometer length scale of a free electrochemically active surface includes a control module that biases the surface of the material. An electrical excitation signal is applied to the material and induces the movement of mobile ions. An SPM probe in contact with the surface of the material detects the displacement of mobile ions at the surface of the material. A detector measures an electromechanical strain response at the surface of the material based on the movement and reactions of the mobile ions. The use of an SPM tip to detect local deformations allows highly reproducible measurements in an ambient environment without visible changes in surface structure. The measurements illustrate effective spatial resolution comparable with defect spacing and well below characteristic grain sizes of the material.
US08719951B2

A method for preventing a recipient of an electronically transmitted message from taking at least one action in relation to the message is disclosed. The message has at least two parts with one of the parts having a higher level of security than the other part. The method includes the step of extracting information from the message. The information indicates that the higher level security part is not permitted to have the action taken on it while the other part is so permitted. The method also includes the step of preventing the higher level security part from having the action taken on it in reaction to said recipient making an offending request.
US08719941B2

A method and apparatus for protecting a wireless communication network are disclosed. For example, the method identifies an infected mobile endpoint device via at least one audit by a mal-ware defense platform, and performs an anti-malware application update on the infected mobile endpoint device.
US08719939B2

A computer network device receives a digital file and extracts a plurality of high level features from the file. The plurality of high level features are evaluated using a classifier to determine whether the file is benign or malicious. The file is forwarded to a requesting computer if the file is determined to be benign, and blocked if the file is determined to be malicious.
US08719934B2

A non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to be executed by a processor to receive data associated with access by a first plurality of entities to a first website location and to receive data associated with access by a second plurality of entities to a second website location. The processor is also caused to define a co-visitation factor for each of the first website location and the second website location based on the received data. The processor is also caused to, if the co-visitation factor of the first website location and/or the co-visitation factor of the second website location is over a predefined threshold, select the first website location and/or the second website location as target website locations. The processor is caused to send a signal to set a flag associated with each target website location indicating the target website location as a suspicious website location.
US08719932B2

A system and method for researching an identity of a source of activity that is indicative of pestware is described. In one embodiment the method comprises monitoring, using a kernel-mode driver, API call activity on the computer; storing information related to the API call activity in a log; analyzing, heuristically, the API call activity to determine whether one or more weighted factors associated with the API call activity exceeds a threshold; identifying, based upon the API call activity, a suspected pestware object on the computer; identifying, in response to the identifying the suspected pestware object, a reference to an identity of an externally networked source of the suspected pestware object; and reporting the identity of the externally networked source to an externally networked pestware research entity.
US08719914B2

A system has a virtual overlay infrastructure mapped onto physical resources for processing, storage and network communications, the virtual infrastructure having virtual entities for processing, storage and network communications. Virtual infrastructures of different users share physical resources but are isolated and have their own management entities. An interface between infrastructures allows controlled relaxation of the isolation, using a gateway between virtual nets, or shared virtual storage devices. This can allow businesses to share data or applications, while maintaining control of security.
US08719912B2

A method of generating a pre-authenticated link to access a private feed and providing access to the private feed using the pre-authenticated link. A request to access the private feed is received and a first user sending the request is authenticated. A token for the first user is generated when the first user is authorized to access the private feed. The token may identify the first user, the private feed and an owner of the private feed. The token may be embedded within a link and transmitted to the first user. A user is automatically authorized to access the private feed when the token is sent by the user using the link. The link automatically authenticates the first user and allows access to the private feed. The private feed may become inaccessible to the first user when the owner of the private feed revokes access of the first user.
US08719902B2

A secure communication device for high-speed encryption/decryption authentication including network stack processing. An encryption/decryption authentication controller of the secure communication device acquires the result of processing of the encrypted/decrypted or authenticated previous packet from an encryption/decryption authenticator and controls a network protocol processor so that the second half of the processing of the network protocols of the previous packet and the first half of the processing of the network protocols of the current packet are continuously performed.
US08719893B2

A service module for a dedicated on-site media service. The service module enables a dedicated media service for a broadcast signal. The electronic media module includes a tuner, a media storage device, and an adapter. The tuner, which is coupled to the media storage device, or portion thereof, is tuned to receive a broadcast signal. The media storage device stores this broadcast signal. The adapter is coupled to the media storage device and to the tuner. The adapter further interfaces the tuner and the media storage device of the electronic media module with an electronic media system. A content provider has remote control over the stored content. The content provider also has remote control over on-site presentation of the stored media to the viewer. Multiple dedicated service modules installed on-site allow these functions to be applied across multiple content-providers simultaneously.
US08719889B2

The present invention provides a live time-shift system based on the P2P technology and a method thereof. The system includes a coding server, a live server and a control server arranged at a server end. The method includes: splitting, by the coding server, a received live video data stream into fixed-size live video packets; and then adding live channel information and time information to each of the live video packets; issuing the coded live video packets to the live server, and sending current control information to the control server; continuously obtaining, by the live server, the live video packets from the coding server; upon requesting viewing of the video data, first sending, by the client, a video request to the control server; returning, by the control server, storage information of the video data to the client, and obtaining, by the client, the video data through an established data link. Both of the server and the client of the present invention support the live time-shift function based on the P2P technology, which may support mass parallel applications.
US08719886B2

Embodiments generally disclosed herein include computer-implemented methods for delivery of video content across a network. Such methods comprise a content delivery manager capable of receiving a video stream from a content source for delivery to a end user of a content publisher. The content delivery manager is further capable of detecting a trigger signal within the video stream. For example, the trigger signal can indicate a temporal mark injected into the video stream by the content publisher. During general operation, the content delivery manager processes the trigger signal to determine whether to modify delivery of the video stream to the end user. According to another general embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided for authorizing delivery of a video stream to an end user.
US08719870B1

A computer system includes a touch-screen display that displays an electronic program guide to a user. The EPG includes a list of television programs scheduled to be shown at a current time as well as a timeline and an indicator. The television programs in the EPG have a substantially fixed size, independent of the program duration. The user can adjust the relevant time in the EPG by manipulating the timeline and the indicator so that they slide relative to one another. The EPG is updated to include a list of television programs at a new time according to the new position of the indicator on the timeline. A selectable icon is provided to enable the user to return the EPG to a current time.
US08719866B2

In a method and system for accessing content, a selection of a media content item having at least one set of episodes is received. Each of the at least one set of episodes is displayed as a user-selectable element in a user interface. A selection of a user-selectable element corresponding to a set of the at least one set of episodes is received. The display of the selected user-selectable element is expanded to display the episodes of the set within the selected user-selectable element, with each episode of the episodes of the set being represented by an additional user-selectable element. A selection of an episode from the set of episodes is received. At least one content source from which the selected episode is available to be retrieved is displayed. A content source of the at least one content source from which the selected episode is to be retrieved is received.
US08719856B2

A method of processing an interactive service and an apparatus includes generating an application parameter table including a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein the first identifier identifies a interactive programming segment which application parameter table pertains to, and wherein the second identifier identifies an application within the scope of application parameter table; generating an activation message file that indicates at least one of activation times of the applications, wherein the activation message file includes a third identifier and activation messages, wherein the third identifier matches the first identifier of application parameter table which contains the applications, wherein the activation message includes a fourth identifier and a start time information, wherein the fourth identifier matches the second identifier of the application in the application parameter table.
US08719855B2

Methods and systems for distributing content are disclosed. A first plurality of items of content, including video content, is selected based on one or more criteria. Information is accessed indicating respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times corresponding to items in the first plurality of items of content. The first plurality of items of content or representations thereof is provided for display on the user terminal in association with the respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times. In response to a user selection, a first item of content included in the first plurality of items of content is caused to be played or otherwise distinctly presented by the user terminal in conjunction with a timer corresponding the a respective qualifying viewing time.
US08719853B2

A flexible video-on-demand viewing period is varied depending on whether the customer has completed viewing the entire program, allowing the viewing period to be extended if the customer has not completed viewing the entire program. The approach better assures the customer that they will have the opportunity to complete viewing the entire program, compared to a fixed rental period, while assuring program copyright owners that the utility of the rental is limited, fundamentally as intended, preserving the future value of the asset. The approach also enables viewers to retain bookmarks as needed for content that is not naturally tied to a rental period, such as subscription video-on-demand, without unnecessarily enlarging their list of active rentals.
US08719838B1

Interaction with a web site may be driven by a script. The script may be generated through automated analysis of a web site. A web site may be analyzed by evaluating labels associated with data entry fields, links, and/or other elements of the pages that make up the web site. Moreover, a web site may be analyzed by co-browsing the web site along with a human, and observing the actions that a human takes to operate the web site. The scripts that are generated may be used to perform a transaction at a web site on behalf of a principal, to gather information from a web site, or to perform any other type of action.
US08719831B2

A resource manager manages processing and other resources of schedulers of one or more processes executing on one or more computer systems. For each scheduler, the resource manager determines an initial allocation of resources based on the policy of the scheduler, the availability of resources, and the policies of other schedulers. The resource manager receives feedback from the schedulers and dynamically changes the allocation of resources of schedulers based on the feedback. The resource manager determines if changes improved the performance of schedulers and commits or rolls back the changes based on the determination.
US08719824B2

A method and system in a Service Orchestration Architecture environment that provides rules engine-based service orchestration, task, and alert management for collaboration between one or more nodes of operation. The system provides multiple levels of configurability. In one aspect, the system includes a rules engine to define the command and control (C2) service orchestration.
US08719821B2

A process allocation apparatus includes an evaluation value calculating unit, an internode total communication traffic calculating unit, and a correction evaluation value calculating unit. The evaluation value calculating unit calculates an evaluation value of process allocation in accordance with a hop count and inter-process communication traffic from a communication source node to which a process used as a communication source is allocated to a communication destination node to which a process used as a communication destination is allocated. The internode total communication traffic calculating unit specifies a communication route from the communication source node to the communication destination node and calculates internode total communication traffic indicating that the communication traffic between nodes on the specified communication route. The correction evaluation value calculating unit calculates a correction evaluation value used for the correction in accordance with the calculated evaluation value of the process allocation and the calculated internode total communication traffic.
US08719817B2

A method of direct access by a virtual machine (VM) running on a host machine to physical storage via a virtual function (VF) running on an input/output (IO) adapter comprising: providing by a virtualization intermediary running on the host machine an indication of an active path associated with a virtual storage device; obtaining by a guest driver running within a guest operating system of the VM the stored indication of the active path from the shared memory region; dispatching an IO request by the guest driver to the VF that includes an indication of the active path; and sending by the VF an IO request that includes the indicated active path.
US08719810B2

An apparatus and method for updating a program of a mobile terminal using an Over-The-Air (OTA) programming mechanism is provided. The program upgrade apparatus includes a first memory for storing a reference version of the program and at least one upgrade package; a second memory for loading an upgrade version of the program; a communication unit for enabling the mobile terminal to communicate with an external system; and a control unit for controlling the communication unit to download the upgrade package in response to an upgrade notification message from the external system, installing the upgrade package within the first memory, generating an upgrade version of the program by merging the upgrade package and the reference version in response to an install command, and operating the mobile terminal with the upgraded version of the program.
US08719808B1

Methods and apparatus are provided to generate an enhanced object file for reliable program execution on a programmable chip. The enhanced object file includes additional hardware information added before or after the object file is linked. Various embodiments further provide techniques for reliable execution of a program on a programmable chip. The programmable chip can be verified for the appropriate hardware based on the hardware information in the enhanced object file. The hardware information may include a bitstream to reprogram a device, interface information, joint test action group (JTAG) information, etc.
US08719797B2

A system and method for debugging dynamically generated application code is provided. The system and method compare a received script chunk of the application to the contents of script tags of a source document, and if the script chunk does not match any of the contents of the script tags, it is identified as dynamically generated code. The identified dynamically generated code may then be stored in a separate file for further display and debugging.
US08719792B2

A method of correcting job control language (JCL) jobs scans a JCL job against a set of JCL syntax rules. The method automatically corrects any syntax errors discovered during the scanning, thereby forming a corrected JCL job. The method then runs the corrected JCL job. If the corrected JCL ends abnormally due to an execution error, the method then automatically determines if the execution error is recoverable. If the execution error is recoverable, the method automatically corrects the recoverable error to form a recovered corrected JCL job. The method reruns the recovered corrected JCL job.
US08719780B2

An application server is described for development of telecommunications-based software applications. The application server provides a protocol-neutral programming model for application developers. Rather than having to account for specific protocol entry points into the server, all interactions in the server are abstracted as asynchronous events through the event broker layer. State management and concurrency are implemented as an actor-based model, where each actor owns its own segment of state and other actors wishing to update that state send asynchronous events to the owner. Thus, any communication in the various protocols can be expressed as an asynchronous event passed to, from and between the actors, who are each responsible for maintaining their own segment of state locally. This architecture allows multiple protocols to be consumed in one process, allow applications sessions to span multiple environments and protocols, and allows the programming model to be decoupled from any particular protocol entry point.
US08719764B2

Techniques are provided to allow users of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools to define constraint template types for efficiently associating constraints with design objects to specify design intent. Processes for creating and validating the constraints are provided by user-defined plug-ins, thereby allowing users to annotate circuit designs with constraints for proprietary layout and fabrication processes without exposing the constraints to tool vendors or competitors. The constraints are re-created from the template types whenever the circuit design is loaded into the EDA tool, so that the constraints are based upon the latest version of the template type. The constraints are also re-created when validation fails. Constraint groups are reusable in different designs, technology nodes, and processes because they automatically expand to provide the specific constraints to achieve a goal. The specific constraints in a template type can be modified as technology changes, and the modification will automatically be applied to the design objects.
US08719762B2

A custom prototyping board and a controller are integrated to form an emulation system for emulating a circuit design. The controller may be disposed on an adaptor board. The custom prototyping board is defined by a set of board description files which further define the FPGA device(s) used in the system as well as the wire connections among the FPGA devices and connectors on the custom prototyping board. The FPGA device(s) is configured in accordance with the partitioned circuit design. Each partitioned circuit in the FPGA device is associated with a verification module for communicating with the controller to control and probe the emulation. A host workstation may be used to link with the controller to support co-simulation or co-emulation of the circuit design.
US08719761B2

Testing of memories is done using an optimized memory built-in-self-test (MBIST) approach, including the generation of compact models for memory. Cost functions are constructed from estimated parameters affecting MBIST, and a user is able to assign relative weights to the parameters. Estimated parameters include MBIST area, wiring congestion, and timing overhead, as well as power consumption and timing. The cost functions are minimized using optimization techniques, resulting in an optimized grouping of memory devices and an optimized schedule for MBIST testing. The estimated parameters may be derived from a compact model constructed from data experimentally-derived from various memory devices. This approach allows a circuit designer to generate and revise groupings and schedules prior to running a full design flow, saving time and cost, while still achieving high-quality results.
US08719754B1

A method is provided to align poly features within chain sets in an integrated circuit layout design stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage device comprising: vertically aligning a first poly feature of a first pcell instance in a first chain set with a second poly feature of a second pcell instance in a second chain set; configuring a computer to, starting with the aligned first and second poly features, successively determine multiple changed poly feature spacing values associated with at least one of the first and second pcell instances to align successive poly features in chain order in a first horizontal direction; and assigning respective determined changed poly feature spacing values to their associated first or second pcell instances.
US08719751B1

A method for determining an impact of simultaneous switching noise (SSN) for a linearly based metric is provided. The method includes generating a waveform representing an impact of SSN from a rising aggressor for each of at least two victim pins associated with the metric and generating a waveform representing an impact of SSN from a falling aggressor for each of at least two victim pins associated with the metric. The waveforms from the rising aggressor are collapsed into a single waveform for the rising aggressor and the waveforms from the falling aggressor are collapsed into a single waveform for the falling aggressor. The single waveform for the rising aggressor and the single waveform for the falling aggressor are merged into a merged waveform. Through a computing device, switching window SSN analysis of the circuit design is performed with a common uncertainty removal utilizing the merged waveform.
US08719742B2

A system and method is disclosed for converting an existing circuit description from a lower level description, such as RTL, to a higher-level description, such as TLM, while raising the abstraction level. By changing the abstraction level, the conversion is not simply a code conversion from one language to another, but a process of learning the circuit using neural networks and representing the circuit using a system of equations that approximate the circuit behavior, particularly with respect to timing aspects. A higher level of abstraction eliminates much of the particular implementation details, and allows easier and faster design exploration, analysis, and test, before implementation. In one aspect, a model description of the circuit, protocol information relating to the circuit, and simulation data associated with the lower level description of the circuit are used to generate an abstract model of the circuit that approximates the circuit behavior.
US08719741B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit device is disclosed. The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first circuit whose output never or seldom changes when the output from an Enable generator is off, a second circuit whose output frequently changes, an input controller which receives the respective outputs from the second circuit and the Enable generator and passes through the input from the second circuit only when the output from the Enable generator is on, a combination circuit which receives the respective outputs from the first circuit and the input controller, and a memory which receives the output from the combination circuit and is driven by the output from the clock controller.
US08719740B2

An object of the present invention is to reduce processing time and manufacturing cost for a semiconductor device including a logic circuit. To accomplish the above object, an area (114) for forming a logic circuit includes a first area (114b, 170) which is subjected to optical proximity correction with predetermined accuracy, and a second area (114a, 180) which is subjected to optical proximity correction with accuracy lower than said predetermined accuracy. Especially, the first area (114b, 170) includes a gate interconnection line (172) which acts as a transistor, and the second area (114a, 180) includes a dummy layout pattern (182) which does not act as a transistor.
US08719725B2

Embodiments of the invention include a method of implementing a touch screen optimized pivot table. The method includes providing a view of a hierarchal table on a touch screen. The hierarchal table includes hierarchal levels and each of hierarchal levels includes corresponding data. The method further includes mapping each of the hierarchal levels to each of a corresponding region on the touch screen. Each region's view displays the corresponding data for the mapped hierarchal level. The method further includes displaying on the touch screen the corresponding data for each of the hierarchal levels in each of the mapped regions, receiving at the touch screen input to manipulate at least one of the regions on the touch screen, and in response to the received input, causing each subordinate region to the at least one manipulated region to update the corresponding data displayed in each of the subordinate regions.
US08719723B2

Users are often in environments that require specific inputs into a device. However, it can be advantageous to display a limited number of targets to a user for inputting information. Therefore, the can be a selection of a limited target set based on a user activity and/or environment. The limited target set can be display to a user through a display, commonly a visual display.
US08719720B2

An economizer controller system having a plug and play recognition approach with an automatic user interface population mechanism. A check may be made for sensors connected to the controller. The control type of the sensors may be determined. The menu structure may be repopulated based on the control type. The user interface may then be updated. This approach may be repeated as needed.
US08719719B2

Aspects of this disclosure may be directed to one or more techniques for a mobile device to present a graphical user-interface with different graphical user-interface layouts. The mobile device may present the different graphical user-interface layouts based on whether the mobile device is resting or not resting against a surface. For example, the mobile device may present a graphical user-interface layout that is more conducive for user interface when the mobile device is not held against a surface. The mobile device may present another graphical user-interface layout that is more conducive for user interaction when the mobile device is held against a surface.
US08719717B2

A method and mobile computing device for sharing a calendar database stored at a second computing device, are provided. The mobile computing device comprises a processer and, interconnected thereto, a memory and a photo acquisition module. An image of a graphical indicator of the calendar database is acquired at the mobile computing device. The image of the graphical indicator is processed, at the processor, to extract an identifier of the calendar database to access the calendar database and store at least a portion of the calendar database in the memory.
US08719700B2

A computer-implemented method and system for generation of page templates are provided. The method includes providing a document in computer memory. Using a computer processor, page elements within the document are identified and labeled. For each page of the document, a set of geometric relations between pairs of page elements co-occurring on the page is computed, and the set of geometric relations is associated with the page. The method also includes generating a set of page template candidates based at least in part on the computed geometric relations, selecting page templates from the set of page template candidates, and outputting the selected page templates.
US08719699B2

A method of creating a template for presenting content within a document. The method includes defining a plurality of components, each including at least one content region and at least one of a frame, a template perimeter and an object. A number of links are then defined between the components, each link representing a respective spatial relationship. A processing system is then responsive to the template to populate the content region with content, generate a representation of each component and position the representation of each component in the document using the defined links to control the relative spatial positioning of the components.
US08719689B2

In a method for the implementation of a medical examination via the user interface of at least one imaging device, parameter values in a group of measurement parameters are determined, and are entered via an input device of the user interface. Spatially resolved image information are generated by the at least one imaging device depending on the group of measurement parameters, and the image information is stored on a storage medium. The image information are presented as a data symbol on a screen of the user interface. In order to present the parameters and dependencies to enable a more efficient work process, each measurement parameter of the group of measurement parameters is respectively presented on the screen in a measurement parameter cell of a matrix with multiple rows and multiple columns. The measurement parameters can be contained at least in part in multiple measurement parameter cells. The presentation size of the multiple columns of the matrix depends on their distance from the pointer symbol on the screen.
US08719680B2

Methods and apparatus are disclosed related to a memory device, such as a flash memory device that includes an array of memory cells. One such method includes detecting values of charges stored in selected memory cells in the memory cell array. The method also includes processing the detected values in accordance with a Viterbi algorithm so as to determine data stored in the selected memory cells. In one embodiment, the flash memory cell array includes word lines and bit lines. Detecting the values of charges includes detecting values of charges stored in a selected row of memory cells by selecting one of the word lines. The Viterbi algorithm provides correct data where inter-signal interference between the cells affects the accuracy of read data.
US08719675B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for orthogonal coding for data storage. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a block of data comprising m rows and n columns of data chunks. For each row in the block of data, (c-n) columns of error-correcting row code chunks are generated using a first linear error-correcting code in systematic form and the particular row's data chunks. For each column in the block of data and for each generated column, particular column and (r-m) error-correcting column code chunks for the particular column are allocated to a distinct group of storage nodes, wherein: the column code chunks are generated using a second linear error-correcting code in systematic form and the particular column's data chunks or row code chunks; m and n are greater than one; and c is greater than n and r is greater than m.
US08719667B2

The invention proposes a method and device for adding redundancy data in a distributed data storage system. Among others, the invention allows to keep impact on network resources low through the use of coordinated regenerating codes according to the invention.
US08719666B2

A method of extraction of a key from a physical unclonable function using the states of cells of a volatile memory after a powering on, wherein: cells are read according to addresses stored in a non-volatile memory; an error-correction code corrects the read states; and, in case an error has been corrected, the address of the cell providing an erroneous state is replaced in the non-volatile memory with that of another cell providing the non-erroneous state.
US08719647B2

Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to read performance of phase change memory. During a reading process, a bias condition can be applied to a memory cell to determine the memory cell's state. The determined state of the memory cell can depend on a threshold voltage of the memory cell. The threshold voltage of the memory cell may shift over time. The shift in threshold voltage may result in read errors. The applied bias condition may be modified based on the resulting read errors.
US08719637B2

A system is used for acquiring Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) debug codes. The system includes a platform controller hub (PCH), a storage chip, and a baseboard management controller (BMC). The PCH reads power-on self tests (POST) codes from an address port of a bus, and converts the POST codes to binary data and stores the binary data in the storage chip. The BMC reads the binary data stored in the storage chip and defines the binary data as virtual sensor data, which conform with threshold type data, and decodes the virtual sensor data to POST codes and controls a display unit to display the POST codes.
US08719630B2

In a particular embodiment, a method of monitoring interrupts during a power down event at a processor includes activating an interrupt monitor to detect interrupts. The method also includes isolating an interrupt controller of the processor from the interrupt monitor, where the interrupt controller shares a power domain with the processor. The method also includes detecting interrupts at the interrupt monitor during a power down time period associated with the power down event.
US08719620B2

The present invention reduces the amount of rebuild processing and executes a rebuild process efficiently. Multiple storage devices configure a parity group. Of the multiple storage devices, a prescribed storage device in which a failure has occurred is blocked. Each storage device stores management information. The management information manages from among the storage areas of the storage device a prescribed area having data from a higher-level apparatus. A controller determines whether a storage area of the prescribed storage device is the prescribed area based on the management information, and executes a rebuild process with respect to the area determined to be the prescribed area.
US08719619B2

A method for improving the performance of a RAID under rebuild is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes identifying a RAID requiring rebuild, such as by identifying a RAID having one or more failed storage-drive components. The method then automatically performs the following in response to identifying the RAID: the method identifies hot extents (i.e., extents most heavily accessed) in the RAID; the method migrates the hot extents from the identified failed RAID to a normal RAID not requiring rebuild, such as to an underused RAID; and the method rebuilds the failed RAID. The migration of the hot extents will ideally occur while the RAID is being rebuilt but may also be performed prior to the rebuild process. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.
US08719618B2

A technique is provided for a cache. A cache controller accesses a set in a congruence class and determines that the set contains corrupted data based on an error being found. The cache controller determines that a delete parameter for taking the set offline is met and determines that a number of currently offline sets in the congruence class is higher than an allowable offline number threshold. The cache controller determines not to take the set in which the error was found offline based on determining that the number of currently offline sets in the congruence class is higher than the allowable offline number threshold.
US08719615B2

A semiconductor device performs operation in synchronization with a certain clock signal. The semiconductor device includes a control unit for outputting operation control information, a storage unit for storing data, a first operation unit for performing operation on first data in accordance with first operation control information, and a second operation unit for performing operation on second data in accordance with second operation control information. The first operation unit includes a plurality of operation circuits. The number of logic gates constituting the entire operation circuits is m. The second operation unit includes at least one operation circuit in which the number of logic gates is n (n>m). Each of the total delay of the operation unit or the total delay of the operation unit is set at a value equal to or less than the cycle of the clock signal.
US08719598B2

A method and apparatus for powering up an integrated circuit (IC). An IC includes a plurality of power domains each coupled to receive power from one of a plurality of power sources. Each power domain includes a power-sensing unit. A power-sensing unit in a first one of the plurality of power domains is coupled to receive a first power ok signal from an upstream power domain, and is configured to assert a second power ok signal to be provided to a second power domain. A power-sensing unit in the second power domain is coupled to detect the presence of voltage in the first power domain, and to receive the first power ok signal. When the power-sensing unit in the second power domain has both sensed the presence of power in the first power domain and received the second power ok signal, a third power ok signal is asserted.
US08719595B2

A secure LSI device 1 includes an encryption section 2 for encrypting a program, and an external I/F 50 for inputting/outputting a program or data from/to an external memory 100. In the encryption section 2, the operation of a private key arithmetic processing section 20 is prohibited with respect to a sequence whose execution is determined by a key-generation/update sequencer 30 to be impermissible. In the external I/F 50, a program processing section 51 and a data processing section 55 are structured independently from each other.
US08719590B1

Cloud infrastructure of an information processing system comprises one or more processing devices implementing a plurality of virtual machines. The cloud infrastructure is configured to receive a processing job from a tenant, to obtain a first key specific to the tenant, to determine a second key utilizing information supplied by the tenant, and to encrypt one or more results of the processing job utilizing a combination of the first key and the second key. At least a portion of the second key is determined by at least one application that is run on at least one virtual machine of the cloud infrastructure in conjunction with performance of the processing job. The encrypted results of the processing job may be stored in a virtual memory of the cloud infrastructure and transmitted to the tenant.
US08719579B2

By automatically obtaining the entirety of a received message to be included, an outgoing message that includes the received message can be processed in a manner that securely and accurately represents the intended outgoing message. Alternatively, a server can assemble a composite message from a new message and an original message and, in cooperation with a wireless messaging device, sign the composite message. In both the above contexts, handling message receipts when message processing ahead of message transmission involved more than one component may be facilitated by storing appropriate expected receipt content during the message processing, either on the device or the server. Validation of the receipt can then be accomplished through use of the stored expected receipt content in a manner that retains the benefits of message processing ahead of message transmission that involves more than one component.
US08719577B2

Operations or functions on a device may require an operational certificate to ensure that the user of the device or the device itself is permitted to carry out the operations or functions. A system and a method are provided for providing an operational certificate to a device, whereby the operational certificate is associated with one or more operations of the device. A manufacturing certificate authority, during the manufacture of the device, obtains identity information associated with the device and provides a manufacturing certificate to the device. An operational certificate authority obtains and authenticates at least a portion of the identity information associated with the device from the manufacturing certificate and, if at least the portion of the identity information is authenticated, the operational certificate is provided to the device.
US08719572B2

There is provided a system and method for managing authentication cookie encryption keys. The system comprises a computing device including a memory with authentication data having a key identifier and encrypted data with a session identifier. The key identifier references a key having a validity period, the key capable of decrypting the authentication data. A processor of the computing device can respond to user requests for information by retrieving the authentication data and transmitting it to a server. The server can then authenticate the user by verifying the encrypted session identifier using the referenced key. There is also provided a method by which a key server can manage encryption keys. The key server receives an encryption key having a validity period, receives a validity request, confirms or rejects the validity of the encryption key, and automatically invalidates the encryption key upon expiration of the validity period.
US08719571B2

Systems and methods which facilitate secure multicast communications between any valid node of a cluster using authentication between a node joining the cluster and any single node which is validly part of the cluster are disclosed. In accordance with embodiments, a cluster key is utilized to provide security with respect to intra-cluster communications. The cluster key of embodiments is shared by a node which is already part of the cluster with a node joining the cluster only after these two nodes mutually authenticate one another. The mutual authentication handshake of embodiments implements a protocol in which a session key is calculated by both nodes, thereby providing a secure means by which a cluster key may be shared. Having the cluster key, each node of the cluster is enabled to securely communicate with any other node of the cluster, whether individually (e.g., unicast) or collectively (e.g., multicast), according to embodiments.
US08719570B2

The present invention relates to a roaming electronic transaction terminal. It also relates to a secure system for electronic transactions comprising one or more roaming terminals. The terminal (1) has an application package support (2) and a coupler (3) for carrying out the read and write operations on a medium that are required for the electronic transactions in conjunction with the application package. The coupler (3) comprises means for creating a write time window and a read time window on the basis of a secure input signal, all writing and all reading being disabled outside of the corresponding windows. The invention applies notably for the securing of terminals carrying out checks and contractual transactions on supports equipped with processors and memories, it being possible for these supports to be through contactless read and write cards comprising for example transport entitlements, payment means or any other entitlements to be turned to account.
US08719565B2

A system and method for processing certificates located in a certificate search. Certificates located in a certificate search are processed at a data server (e.g. a mobile data server) coupled to a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) to determine status data that can be used to indicate the status of those certificates to a user of the computing device, without having to download those certificates to the computing device in their entirety. The data server is further adapted to transmit the status data to the computing device. In one embodiment, at least one status property of the certificates is verified at the data server in determining the status data. In another embodiment, additional certificate data is determined and transmitted to the computing device, which can be used by the computing device to verify, at the computing device, at least one other status property of the certificates.
US08719554B2

A processor includes an initiating hardware thread, which initiates a first assist hardware thread to execute a first code segment. Next, the initiating hardware thread sets an assist thread executing indicator in response to initiating the first assist hardware thread. The set assist thread executing indicator indicates whether assist hardware threads are executing. A second assist hardware thread initiates and begins executing a second code segment. In turn, the initiating hardware thread detects a change in the assist thread executing indicator, which signifies that both the first assist hardware thread and the second assist hardware thread terminated. As such, the initiating hardware thread evaluates assist hardware thread results in response to both of the assist hardware threads terminating.
US08719549B2

To provide a device to reconfigure multi-level logic networks, which enable logic modification and reconfiguration of a multi-level logic network with small circuit area and low-power dissipation in a simple manner. For example, in the case of reconfiguring a multi-level logic network following logic modification for deleting an output vector F(b) of an objective logic function F(X) corresponding to an input vector b, unmodified pq elements are selected one by one from the nearest pq element EG to an output side. At this time, among output values of pq elements closer to an input side than selected pq elements, output values corresponding to the input vector, which equal an output value corresponding to any input variable X other than the input vector b are considered modified and thus not selected. Then, a selected output value corresponding to the input vector b is rewritten to an “invalid value”.
US08719547B2

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a memory management unit (MMU) having entries to store virtual address to physical address translations, where each entry includes a location indicator to indicate whether a memory location for the corresponding entry is present in a local or remote memory. In this way, a common virtual memory space can be shared between the two memories, which may be separated by one or more non-coherent links. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08719546B2

Embodiments of techniques and systems for using substitute virtualized-memory page tables are described. In embodiments, a virtual machine monitor (VMM) may determine that a virtualized memory access to be performed by an instruction executing on a guest software virtual machine is not allowed in accordance with a current virtualized-memory page table (VMPT). The VMM may select a substitute VMPT that permits the virtualized memory access, In scenarios where a data access length for the instruction is known, the substitute VMPT may include full execute, read, and write permissions for the entire guest software address space. In scenarios where a data access length for the instruction is not known, the substitute VMPT may include less than full execute, read, and write permissions for the entire guest software address space, and may be modified to allow the requested virtualized memory access. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08719544B2

A method of responding to an attempt to write a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction for execution by a host processor including the steps of marking a memory address including a target instruction which has been translated to a host instruction, detecting a memory address which has been marked when an attempt is made to write to the memory address, and responding to the detection of a memory address which has been marked by protecting a target instruction at the memory address until it has been assured that translations associated with the memory address will not be utilized before being updated.
US08719537B2

Techniques are described for controlling availability of memory. As memory write operations are processed, the contents of memory targeted by the write operations are read and compared to the data to be written. The availability of the memory for subsequent write operations is controlled based on the outcomes of the comparing. How many concurrent write operations are being executed may vary according to the comparing. In one implementation, a pool of tokens is maintained based on the comparing. The tokens represent units of power. When write operations require more power, for example when they will alter the values of more cells in PCM memory, they draw (and eventually return) more tokens. The token pool can act as a memory-availability mechanism in that tokens must be obtained for a write operation to be executed. When and how many tokens are reserved or recycled can vary according to implementation.
US08719522B1

Techniques to backup and restore virtual desktop data are disclosed. User data associated with a plurality of virtual desktop users is backed up at a central data storage location. A request is received from a requesting user to restore data associated with the requesting user's virtual desktop. Data associated with the requesting user's virtual desktop is retrieved from said user data as backed up at the central data storage location said. The retrieved data associated with the requesting user's virtual desktop is used to provide a response to the request to restore said data associated with the requesting user's virtual desktop.
US08719514B2

A method and apparatus for utilizing hardware mechanisms of a transactional memory system is herein described. Various embodiments relate to software-based filtering of operations from read and write barriers and read isolation barriers during transactional execution. Other embodiments relate to software-implemented read barrier processing to accelerate strong atomicity. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08719506B2

In an embodiment, a memory port controller (MPC) is coupled to a memory port and receives transactions from processors and a coherency port (ACP) used by one or more peripheral devices that may be cache coherent. The transactions include various quality of service (QoS) parameters. If a high priority QoS transaction is received on the ACP, the MPC may push previous (lower priority) transactions until the high priority transaction may be completed. The MPC may maintain a count of outstanding high priority QoS transactions. The L2 interface controller and ACP controller may push increment and decrement events based on processing the high priority QoS transactions, and the MPC may push the memory transactions when the count is non-zero. In an embodiment, the MPC may continue pushing transactions until the L2 interface controller informs the MPC that the earlier transactions have been completed.
US08719505B2

A method for increasing storage space in a system containing a block data storage device, a memory, and a processor is provided. Generally, the processor is configured by the memory to tag metadata of a data block of the block storage device indicating the block as free, used, or semifree. The free tag indicates the data block is available to the system for storing data when needed, the used tag indicates the data block contains application data, and the semifree tag indicates the data block contains cache data and is available to the system for storing application data type if no blocks marked with the free tag are available to the system.
US08719501B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for caching data on a solid-state storage device. The solid-state storage device maintains metadata pertaining to cache operations performed on the solid-state storage device, as well as storage operations of the solid-state storage device. The metadata indicates what data in the cache is valid, as well as information about what data in the nonvolatile cache has been stored in a backing store. A backup engine works through units in the nonvolatile cache device and backs up the valid data to the backing store. During grooming operations, the groomer determines whether the data is valid and whether the data is discardable. Data that is both valid and discardable may be removed during the grooming operation. The groomer may also determine whether the data is cold in determining whether to remove the data from the cache device. The cache device may present to clients a logical space that is the same size as the backing store. The cache device may be transparent to the clients.
US08719500B2

A technique to track shared information in a multi-core processor or multi-processor system. In one embodiment, core identification information (“core IDs”) are used to track shared information among multiple cores in a multi-core processor or multiple processors in a multi-processor system.
US08719495B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed for concatenating a first RAID and a second RAID. The apparatus includes a concatenation module and a direction module. The concatenation module concatenates a first Redundant Array of Independent Disks (“RAID”) with a second RAID into a top-level RAID. The first RAID and the second RAID may have disparate operational characteristics. The direction module directs storage operations to one of the first RAID and the second RAID based on a direction policy.
US08719493B2

An information handling system (IHS) includes a memory controller, a memory device, and firmware. A failing memory region and a spare memory region are included on the memory device. A memory buffer in the memory device is coupled to the failing memory region and the spare memory region. The memory buffer is operable to perform copy operations without instruction from the memory controller in order to copy data from the failing memory region to the spare memory region in response to firmware operations performed by the firmware. Firmware operations may include instructing the memory controller to produce additional refresh or calibration operation time periods, or providing an instruction to perform a data transfer operation to the spare memory region. The memory buffer is also operable to route requests from the memory controller to one of the failing memory region and the spare memory region during the copy operations.
US08719484B2

In a path determination unit of a SAS expander connected to a SAS initiator and connected via first and second paths to a SAS target, an SSP controller receives an SSP command frame received from the SAS initiator; a requested-data-length manager stores a requested data length of the SSP command frame in a requested-data-length storage unit; and a data-transfer-amount manager selects one of the first and second paths having a smaller one of the data transfer amounts stored in a data-transfer-amount storage unit, and adds the requested data length to the data transfer amount of the selected path. The SSP command frame is transmitted to the SAS target via the selected path. Upon receipt of an SSP response frame responding thereto, the requested data length is deleted from the requested-data-length storage unit, and the requested data length is subtracted from the data transfer amount of the selected path.
US08719483B2

Provided is an MRA (multi-root aware) PCI express switch accommodating a plurality of root complexes. The MRA PCI express switch includes: a setting register storing necessary information to set a PCI tree based on a switch connection topology and a physical connection state; and a virtual switch bridge controller storing necessary information to establish a virtual PCI tree, irrespective of a status of the setting register. The root complexes can be booted based on the information in the virtual switch bridge controller.
US08719478B2

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media with executable instructions stored thereon for preventing deadlocks are provided. An inter-device mutex (IDM) can be locked for a first client. An error message can be sent to a second client in response to a received first lock command from the second client while the IDM is locked for the first client. A number of second lock commands from the second client while the IDM is locked for the first client can be received. The IDM can be unlocked for the first client in response to an unlock command received from the first client. The IDM can be locked for the second client in response to a received third lock command from the second client, wherein the third lock command is received subsequent to unlocking the IDM for the first client.
US08719473B2

Described is a technology by which an owner node in a server cluster maintains ownership of a storage mechanism through a persistent reservation mechanism, while allowing non-owning nodes read and write access to the storage mechanism. An owner node writes a reservation key to a registration table associated with the storage mechanism. Non-owning nodes write a shared key that gives them read and write access. The owner node validates the shared keys against cluster membership data, and preempts (e.g., removes) any key deemed not valid. The owner node also defends ownership against challenges to ownership made by other nodes, so that another node can take over ownership if a (formerly) owning node is unable to defend, e.g., because of a failure.
US08719470B2

An electronic Input/Output Interface and device abstraction system used in gaming machines includes: a game central processing unit (game “CPU”); an intelligent input/output controller board (“IOCB”); an Industry Standard Architecture PC bus (“ISA” bus); and a framed message transport protocol. The IOCB facilitates communications between the game CPU and virtual device services, which are peripheral devices associated with the gaming system. The game CPU communicates to gaming peripherals by sending virtual device messages across the ISA bus to the IOCB. The IOCB routes virtual device messages to appropriate virtual device services. Virtual device services are responsible for handling specific hardware, and include virtual device drivers on the game CPU that communicate with virtual devices on the IOCB. Use of the IOCB and the high speed interface enables the game CPU to use more of its available functions for controlling gaming functions rather than one operation of its associated peripheral devices.
US08719468B2

The invention relates to a communication system for interchanging data in an automation system for communication between central and peripheral devices. A converter is connected into the communication path between the central devices and peripheral devices and being designed for line-bound communication with the central device and for wireless communication with the peripheral devices.
US08719465B2

A distributed direct memory access (DMA) method, apparatus, and system is provided within a system on chip (SOC). DMA controller units are distributed to various functional modules desiring direct memory access. The functional modules interface to a systems bus over which the direct memory access occurs. A global buffer memory, to which the direct memory access is desired, is coupled to the system bus. Bus arbitrators are utilized to arbitrate which functional modules have access to the system bus to perform the direct memory access. Once a functional module is selected by the bus arbitrator to have access to the system bus, it can establish a DMA routine with the global buffer memory.
US08719462B1

A log file processing system includes a data storage device and a processing circuit configured to retrieve log file data from the data storage device and to create a bundle including a plurality of data chunks using the log file data. The processing circuit is configured to assign the bundle to a first processing pipeline of a set of multiple processing pipelines in response to a request from the first processing pipeline. The processing circuit is configured to store a global available timestamp for the bundle upon assigning the bundle to the first processing pipeline. The global timestamp is a time threshold before which the bundle is ineligible to be assigned to any of the multiple processing pipelines.
US08719461B2

An apparatus and method for automatically switching the operation mode of a switching circuit in a portable terminal are provided. If an external device is connected to a connector interface unit, a signal is detected from the connector interface unit. The type of external device is identified by the detected signal. If the identified external device is a communication device, a communication mode is activated and a signal path is established between an internal module and the external device during the communication mode. A determination is made as to whether an internal event occurs in the portable terminal and an external event occurs in the external device, during the communication mode. The mode of the connector switching circuit is switched to a sleep mode if the internal and external events have not occurred.
US08719451B1

A method and system for on-the-fly post-processing of a Document Object Model of a Web-page server-side is disclosed herein. The present invention analyzes the Web-page and builds a Document Object Model of the Web-page on the server-side. The present invention then identifies a plurality of elements of the Document Object Model of the Web-page for manipulation, manipulates the plurality of elements of the Document Object Model of the web-page to create a Web-page with a manipulated Document Object Model, and transmits the Web-page with the manipulated Document Object Model to the client-side.
US08719449B2

Methods, network address translation (NAT) devices, network nodes and system for allowing identification of a private device in a public network or treating traffic of a private device in a public network. The NAT may allocate a private IPv4 address to the private device, reserve a block of ports on the public IPv4 address for the private device and send an identification of the block of ports to a network node in the public network. The network node of the public network may receive an identification of a block of ports on the public IPv4 address indicating that the block of ports is reserved for the private device and activate a rule for treating traffic of the private device.
US08719439B2

According to one embodiment, a content transmitting and receiving device includes: a content designator receiver receiving a content designator as a uniform resource identifier (URI) over a network; a content transmitter function identifier extracting module extracting a content transmitter function identifier from the received content designator; a content transmitter function identifier comparator comparing the extracted content transmitter function identifier with a content transmitter function identifier stored in the content transmitting and receiving device; a content obtaining method switching module switching between internal transfer of content and external transfer of content over the network based on a comparison result of the content transmitter function identifier comparator; and a content reader reading a designated content from a content accumulating module, wherein if the content obtaining method switching module switches to the internal transfer, the content reader transmits the read designated content to the content receiver function module through the internal transfer.
US08719429B2

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimising a communications network (101) comprising a plurality of heterogeneous network resources. The method comprises receiving a communication request from a device (106a, 106b, 105, 107a, 107b) for setting up a communication through one of a plurality of heterogeneous network resources; selecting, in accordance with at least one communication characteristic, a network resource of the plurality of network resources through which the communication is to be set-up; and establishing the communication through the selected network resource.
US08719421B2

A method and system for cross domain interaction of a Web application are proposed, wherein a Web application belonging to a first domain needs to interact with a service belonging to a second domain. The method comprises: by the Web application, creating an iFrame in a webpage, wherein the iFrame is belonging to the first domain; creating a form in the iFrame; submitting the form to a Web server providing a service belonging to the second domain; and refreshing the iFrame by receiving a response from the Web server, changing the domain, to which the iFrame is belonging, to the second domain, and performing cross domain interaction with the service belonging to the second domain with the information contained in the form.
US08719399B2

An adaptive file delivery system and method transmits a data file, such as an audio-video file, over a network or collection of networks in segments, each segment transmitted during a different time period. Each time period has a transmission portion to transmit its associated file segment and a wait portion in which no further interaction with the network occurs regarding the transmitted segment. In some implementations, the duration of the transmission portion of each time period is sufficient to reach a steady-state throughput condition, which allows the traffic load status of the network or networks to be determined from rate measurements of file segment transmissions. The duration of the wait portion of each time period is at least long enough to limit the average rate of file segment transmission to adapt to network traffic load variations while causing the entire file to be delivered in a predetermined delivery deadline.
US08719398B2

A network performance monitor for a computer. The performance monitor maintains a baseline for communication paths between a networked computer and other networked computers connected. The network performance baseline is established and maintained by measuring and updating network performance parameters of the communication paths. The network performance parameters are updated using values obtained during time intervals when the communication path consumed a bandwidth approximately equal to its estimated bandwidth. If congestion is detected on the network or the network is underutilized, values of the network performance parameters obtained during that interval are not used to update the network performance parameters. Some performance parameters in the baseline, such as minimum and maximum bandwidth values may be updated by computing a moving average of each parameter. Asymmetric weight values for updating the moving average may be selected based on a direction of change of a value of a network parameter.
US08719395B2

A data processing device comprises processing module capable of receiving from equipment in a communications network primary data defining events in at least one primary format, and delivering to a management device in the network secondary data defining alarms representing events, in a secondary format. The processing module comprise an interpreter provided with conversion rules, arranged in the form of scripts associated with the various primary event formats, and arranged to convert, using these rules, primary data received in one of the primary formats into secondary data in the secondary format which can be interpreted by the management device.
US08719394B2

The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement in a communication system in which a network management architecture comprises modules representing a virtual reality of network nodes (24) and network links under management. Organization of said modules and information contained in said modules are based on a pre-determined network management schema, whereby said network nodes (24) and said network links are managed by accessing and manipulating said modules. The network management schema is modified by reducing the amount of information in said modules. Then, the modified network management schema is used for managing said communication network system and thereby facilitating communication network system management.
US08719382B2

Methods and systems are provided for processing data generated in a vehicle group. One example embodiment comprises evaluating one or more quality parameters of a first data set generated at a first vehicle in the vehicle group by a first data capture device, and based on the evaluation, off-boarding the first data set for storage purposes. Based on a link quality of a communication system of the vehicle group, the first data set may be off-boarded to a second vehicle in the vehicle group or to a remote storage device. In one example, if the quality parameter of the first data set is higher, the data may be stored on a second vehicle, while if the quality parameter of the first data set is lower, a second data set generated at the second vehicle by a second data capture device may be stored on the second vehicle.
US08719375B2

A wide-area network (“WAN”)-based service enables remote data access transactions between participating endpoints within a group of participating endpoints that includes at least one server and at least one portable electronic device. Each participating endpoint is configured for communication via one or more communication networks and stores the same or different data items on behalf of a user. The WAN-based service maintains information about each participating endpoint in the group and its network accessibility, and also maintains one or more catalogs of available data items. The WAN-based service identifies a communication network available to both participating endpoints, and a direct or proxied communication session is established between the portable electronic device and the other participating endpoint via the communication network. Selected data items are downloaded, uploaded, accessed or synchronized via the communication session. The use of digital rights and identity management techniques in combination with the WAN-based service is also discussed.
US08719374B1

A method for facilitating access to a large data store is disclosed. The method includes reading the large data store, allocating a heap of at least 100 megabytes in a first memory, and storing the data store in the heap, wherein a memory address is associated with each memory element in the heap, and wherein each memory address comprises a base address unique to the first memory and an offset value from the base address. A second server allocates space in a second memory and stores a particular group of memory elements from the first memory in the second memory. Next, a graphics processing unit calculates new memory addresses for each of the memory elements in the particular group by adding a new base address, unique to the second memory, to the offset value of each memory address, and transmits the new memory addresses to the second memory.
US08719357B2

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for managing message, including: receiving a request to perform a predetermined operation by a first user on a first message, the first message published by a second user and was previously obtained by the first user before the request to perform the predetermined operation, the request comprising information associated with the predetermined operation on the first message; determining status information of the first message based on a first index of the first message; sending the first message to the first user based on the status information.
US08719353B2

A system and method is disclosed for receiving user input data, such as voice data and text data, associating a visualization with the user input data; and creating an MMS message based upon the visualization. Optionally, the system is configured to analyze and process such user input data to generate linguistic, semantic, cultural or other contextual data for association with multimedia files. By using tagging and indexing, user input data is processed to generate one or more associations with visualizations. A processor or engine searches a database to find associated visualizations or multimedia files that match the user input data. The multimedia files may then be concatenated or streamed to communicate one or more series of multimedia files in lieu of the text data. Accordingly, users can transform textual and voice communication into a multimedia-rich means of communication with one another.
US08719352B2

A system derives a reputation for a plurality of network addresses, the reputation of each network address determined by analyzing a plurality of high-level email features related to one or more emails originating from the network address. The plurality of high-level email features include domain registration analysis, hashed term frequency indexing, persistent communication, address age, correlation analysis, zombie detection, and hash vault matching.
US08719351B2

A system and method automatically rescales an electronic message having one or more associated content. When the electronic message is generated and the associated content connected to the message, an agent of the electronic message application checks predefined settings/configurations of the message client. The sender's e-mail client checks a plurality of conditions, such as, the condition of the network, the type of network, the status or capacity of the receiving inbox of an intended recipient client, and the geographic destination of the message. Based on these dynamic content rescale settings, the sender's client dynamically and optimally rescales the associated content before forwarding the electronic message with the rescaled content to the recipient client. Rescaling of the associated content may be performed by the message exchange server or the recipient client. The recipient client may later request and receive a copy of the associated content without rescaling.
US08719350B2

The disclosure is directed to email addressee verification. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: obtaining an email message including at least one email address; evaluating each email address of the email message against at least one email rule, and assigning a score to each email address based on the evaluation; and comparing the score assigned to each email address to a threshold, and flagging any suspect email address based on the comparison.
US08719345B2

Techniques are described herein for propagating continuously generated data from a seed to a plurality of peers without requiring the seed to send the new data to all peers, and without establishing static sender/receiver relationships between the peers. The data generated by the seed is divided into a number of “windows”, where each window is divided into a number of “pieces”. The seed sends the data piece-by-piece to different peers. The peer to which the seed sends any given piece may be selected at random. The peers exchange pieces until all pieces of a window are obtained by each peer. When a peer receives all pieces of a window, the pieces are applied at the peer, and the process repeats for the next window.
US08719343B2

A system and method for managing membership in real-time using a community page that enables communication between a member and a provider is disclosed herein. The membership management system may include an information transferring unit to transfer access information, used to encourage an access to a community page associated with or created by the provider, to at least one member, and a business information providing unit to provide business information of the provider to members who access the community page, via the community page. The membership management system may transmit information associated with an access to a community page to a member, thereby encouraging the member to access the community page. Therefore, the community page may provide real-time communication between the provider and the member.
US08719324B1

A new hardware architecture is disclosed that performs the modular exponentiation operation, i.e., the computation of c=me mod n where c, m, e, n are large integers. The modular exponentiation operation is the most common operation in public-key cryptography. The new method, named the Spectral Modular Exponentiation method, uses the Discrete Fourier Transform over a finite ring, and relies on new techniques to perform the modular multiplication and reduction operations. The method yields an efficient and highly parallel architecture for hardware implementations of public-key cryptosystems which use the modular exponentiation operation as the basic step, such as the RSA and Diffie-Hellman algorithms. The method is extended to perform the multiplication operation in extension fields which is necessary to perform exponentiation or various other operations over these extension fields.
US08719322B2

A computer program product for converting from a first floating point format to a second floating point format, each floating point format having an associated base value and being represented by a significand value and a exponent value, comprising an executable algorithm to perform the steps of: determining the second exponent value by multiplying the first exponent value by a predefined constant and taking the integer portion of the result, the predefined constant being substantially equivalent to the logarithm of the first base value divided by the logarithm of the second base value; determining a bias value substantially equivalent to the second base value raised to the second exponent value divided by the first base value raised to the first exponent value; and determining the second significand value by multiplying the first significand value by the bias value.
US08719315B2

A system, method, and computer program product for combining replicated, analytical, and locally generated data in business objects on top of a database are disclosed. Business data are replicated from a first source to an analytics database. Analytical data based on the replicated business data are generated and combined with the replicated business data in the analytics database. Business objects are created to allow access to the analytics database via a user interface. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US08719311B2

A method, apparatus and computer program product, for generating a framework for supporting a homogeneous view of an information collection managed in a heterogeneous system of information storage sources. The framework includes an information collection data model mapped to an information source data model, and an information storage services data model mapped to the information source data model. The information collection data model defines information to be collected and stored as an information collection in one or more information storage sources. The information source data model references data sets containing the information defined in the information collection data model. The information storage services data model defines information storage services for accessing and performing operations on the one or more information storage sources storing the information collection. The framework allows a user to view and perform operations on the information collection without knowing how the information collection is stored.
US08719303B2

This invention proposed a new algorithm. By multiply the proposed weight coefficients of this invention, CSP and CSS can be computed without computing for the mean(s) of the data. After the proposed weight coefficients of this invention undergo factorization, it can promote a new recursive and real time updatable computation method. To test the accuracy of the new invention, the StRD data were separately tested using SAS ver 9.0, SPSS ver15.0 and EXCEL 2007 for comparison. The results showed that the accuracy of the results of the proposed invention exceeds the level of accuracy of SAS ver9.0, SPSS ver15.0 and EXCEL 2007. Aside from an accurate computation, this new invented algorithm can also produce efficient computations.
US08719300B2

A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing an integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog. An ICF catalog is monitored by a contention detection module. Information related to a detected catalog resource contention is used by the contention detection module to generate a contention event. Information related to the contention event is then provided to a contention resolution module, which uses the information to perform a contention resolution operation. Once the resolution operation has been performed, contention events and contention resolution operations are reported by a contention reporting module.
US08719291B2

A method for extracting tabular information from a web source by determining a plurality of coordinates for a plurality of visualized element nodes on the web source; determining a subset of the plurality of visualized element nodes based on the plurality of coordinates to obtain a candidate web table, wherein each of the subset of the plurality of visualized element nodes constitutes a logical cell of the candidate web table; determining textual content corresponding to the subset of the plurality of visualized element nodes as the textual content would appear after rendering the web source in a browser; and transforming the candidate web table into an explicit representation of relative spatial relation between at least one of the logical cell; and saving the explicit representation in a structured document format.
US08719286B1

Techniques for virtual machine backup are described herein. According to one embodiment, a source virtual machine (VM) disk file associated with a VM is parsed to generate metadata representing files stored in a virtual storage device of the VM, where the VM is one of one or more VMs hosted by a VM monitor (VMM). In response to a request to back up a subdirectory of one or more files stored in the source VM disk file, file records of the one or more files of the requested subdirectory are identified based on the metadata. The identified file records associated with the subdirectory are backed up from the source VM disk file to a target VM disk file, without having to back up remaining files in the source VM disk file.
US08719283B2

Summarizing a set of reviews is disclosed. In some embodiments, a set of reviews is analyzed, e.g., by an at least partially automated process. A summary of the information included in the set of reviews is provided. The summary includes a visual indication of a range and distribution of opinions expressed in the set of reviews. In some embodiments, the set of reviews includes reviews from one or more members of an online or other user community, such as customers of an online store, subscribers to a podcast, blog, or other online source of content, etc.
US08719279B2

A system and method for determining a newsworthiness score for a news story, including the steps of receiving data describing a news story from a client, comparing the data describing the news story to a set of pre-determined factors, locating the factors that are present on the set of pre-determined factors in the data, adding pre-calculated values to a running total, the newsworthiness score, for each factor found in the data.
US08719278B2

In one exemplary embodiment, a set of attributes derived from an element of a first digital document is obtained. The element is identified from eye-tracking data of a user viewing the digital document. A search query of a database comprising at least one query term is received. A set of documents in the database is identified according to the search query. An attribute score is determined for each document. The set of documents are sorted according to the attribute score. Optionally, a commonality between the query term and at least one member of the set of attributes may be determined. The search query may be generated by the user. The database may be a hypermedia database.
US08719276B1

A system includes a ranking component that ranks nodes, such as web sites, to obtain ranking values that define a quality judgment of the nodes. The ranking values are based on links between the nodes and, among other things, deemphasize links between affiliated nodes. Additionally, the amount of rank that any particular node can contribute to another node may be capped at a threshold level, thus tending to prevent some nodes from unduly influencing the ranking values.
US08719272B2

A media data tagging method. The media data includes one or a combination of audio, video and textual data. The method includes surveying at least a portion of media data received by a device, the media data having metadata associated therewith. The surveying process is preferably performed during playback of the media data. The method further includes detecting generation of a tagging instruction. The tagging instruction can be generated via a user interface. A tag data indicative of the media data is then generated in response to the generation of the tagging instruction. The tag data is then transmitted to the device. The tag data is for subsequent at least one of identification and location of the media data.
US08719266B2

In embodiments of the present invention, improved capabilities are described for perturbing non-unique values may comprise finding the non-unique values in a data table, perturbing the non-unique values to render unique values, and using the non-unique values as an identifier for a data item.
US08719257B2

In various embodiments, a semantic space associated with a corpus of electronically stored information (ESI) may be created and used for concept searches. Documents (and any other objects in the ESI, in general) may be represented as vectors in the semantic space. Vectors may correspond to identifiers, such as, for example, indexed terms. The semantic space for a corpus of ESI can be used in information filtering, information retrieval, indexing, and relevancy rankings.
US08719256B2

A system and method of processing a request including improving usage and/or performance of resources is disclosed. Information relating to a user request may be provided to one or more resources which process the information and provide a result. A result and/or other information may be provided to a human assistant or guide who may process information to produce a result and/or review a result(s). Information provided by a guide may be processed and provided to a resource, which may improve the performance of a resource. A resource(s) and/or a guide(s) may be selected and/or provided with activities based on ratings and/or rankings associated with a request, which may optimize usage of system resources. Information obtained may be provided for various purposes.
US08719254B2

Embodiments are directed to replicating database tables for efficient data querying and to using a background task to update a database index table on a periodic basis. In one scenario, a computer system accesses an existing, original time-based database table that includes various entities and properties for each entity. Each entity also includes a time stamp value. The computer system receives an indication that the new index table is to be indexed according to a user-specified property and sorts the new index table based on both the value of the user-specified property and the time stamp value of the entity to which the user-specified property belongs. The computer system then periodically copies the entities and associated properties of the original time-based database table into a new database index table.
US08719251B1

A travel search engine enables a user to share his or her search results with one or more other users in real time. Each of the users has a common set of search results and any user can select share a specific result within the common set. The remaining results in the common set can be independently filtered and sorted. By selectively sharing various ones of the search results, while being able to separately manipulate the remaining search results, users have access to a common set of potentially mutually acceptable results, but can still individually explore the search results by filtering along different criteria.
US08719245B2

A computer program product and method of visual cues is provided through the use of query templates with functional template blocks to assist in building queries by giving visual cues about valid options, expected constructs, and required syntax. The one or more visual cues each have one or more of a valid option, expected construct, and required syntax. The invention provides a graphic user interface display to assist a builder in query creation.
US08719242B2

A database access interceptor includes a statement pool and a table buffer. The statement pool and the table buffer are associated with physical database connections. The interceptor may include a separate instance of the statement pool for each physical database connection. Similarly the interceptor may include a separate instance of the table buffer for each physical database connection.
US08719236B2

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for selecting candidate records for deduplication from a table. A table can be processed to compute an inverse index for each field of the table. A deduplication algorithm can traverse the inverse indices in accordance with a flexible user-defined policy to identify candidate records for deduplication. Both exact matches and approximate matches can be found.
US08719227B1

Transactional database replication techniques are disclosed that do not require altering of the database management system implementation. A replicator module includes a dynamic membership manager, which is configured to manage the persistent membership of a coordination group. The persistent membership can be, for example, a durable set of sites that can replicate changes amongst themselves. Changes from sites not in the persistent membership are discarded. The set of recovered members is a subset of the persistent membership. The persistent membership changes incrementally by either removing or adding members. Failed members may still be part of the persistent membership. The dynamic membership manager module manages the modification of the persistent membership, initialization of replicas, and propagation of membership information.
US08719214B2

In particular embodiments, a method includes accessing first binary decision diagrams (BDDs) representing data streams from sensors, selecting portions from the first BDDs based on ease-of-analysis, and constructing a second BDD by performing an OR operation between the selected portions of the first BDDs.
US08719210B2

A computer-implemented system and method of evaluating the effects of medical treatments, the method including receiving patient record data; identifying relevant characteristics for evaluation; identifying a first treatment; identifying a second treatment; assigning a weight to each patient case; determining the relative likelihood, using the assigned weights, that an identified treatment will result in an identified effect when contrasted with a second identified treatment; and, outputting this estimated relative likelihood.
US08719201B2

A method and a system of making a recommendation to a user that is currently generating events based on a subset of historical event data are provided. Historical event data, which is segmented into a set of sessions, is received. Each session includes events. The sessions are associated with clusters that represent the users that generated the historical event data. Each of the associated sessions is associated with one cluster and the number of the clusters is the same as the number of the users. A determination as to which cluster is associated with events currently being generated by a current user's behavior is made. The determining does not require identification of the current user. A recommendation is made to the current user based on the cluster that is associated with the events currently being generated.
US08719195B2

A system and methods for battery health diagnostics are disclosed. At least one battery property of a battery is measured in real-time to provide measured data, and at least one measurement time at which the measured data is measured is tracked. A battery history model is provided by adaptively modeling the measured data and the measurement time, and a future state of the battery is estimated based on the battery history model.
US08719191B2

A system, method and program product training and verifying using an identity or entity model. A training system is disclosed that includes: a feature correlation system that groups features from an inputted feature data sample into subsets; a plurality of classifiers that determine if each feature classifies into an associated one of a plurality of feature models that make up the entity model; and a boosting system that boosts features from a subset for a next round of training if any of the features classify and at least one correlated feature from the subset does not classify. A verification system is disclosed that includes an identity model for the entity comprising a plurality of feature models, wherein each feature model is utilized to model a unique feature; a system for receiving a feature data sample and partitioning the feature data sample into a plurality of features; a system for determining if each of the plurality of features classifies into an associated feature model; and a voting system for analyzing a result of each attempted classification and determining an overall verification result.
US08719178B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for prioritizing social activity postings. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for prioritized social activity postings, the request being associated with a company identifier. Social activity postings are identified. The social activity postings are available to users on a social activity system of one or more computers, and each social activity posting is associated with a user identifier. For each social activity posting, the user identifier associated with the social activity posting is matched with a customer identifier associated with the company identifier. A respective priority rating is determined for the social activity posting using configuration information associated with the customer identifier.
US08719170B2

A method and system for transferring licenses between electronic devices supporting licensable features. Specifically, in a method a request is generated for transferring a license between first and second electronic devices. The request includes first information unique to the first electronic device, second information unique to the second electronic device. The request is sent to a license distributor to generates a master key. The master key includes a removal key including the first information and an add key including the second information. The removal key is used to remove the license from the first electronic device when the first information matches official versions of the first information. The add key is revealed from the master key when the license is successfully removed. The add key is used to add the license to the second electronic device when the second information matches official versions of the second information.
US08719167B2

A consumer uses a web client to transmit purchase information associated with a transaction to a merchant server. The purchase information is transmitted via a web acceleration server. The web acceleration server identifies enhanced authorization data associated with the transaction. The web acceleration server creates a pseudo authorization message. The web acceleration server transmits the pseudo authorization message to a transaction account issuer. The merchant server transmits an authorization request to the transaction account issuer. The transaction account issuer determines that the authorization request and the pseudo authorization message are associated with the same transaction. The transaction account issuer merges the authorization request and the pseudo authorization message and performs a fraud analysis. The transaction account issuer transmits an authorization response to the merchant.
US08719163B2

Methods and systems for routing payment transactions electronically involve interrogating by computer logic each payment transaction received by a payments interface processor to identify a payment destination and a payment source and to determine, according to pre-defined parameters, whether the payment transaction is eligible for processing via an internal payment transaction processor of the financial institution that minimizes processing costs. Eligible payment transactions may be routed, for example, to an internal debit or credit card processor or ACH processor, and ineligible payment transactions may be routed to external card processing networks.
US08719157B1

A method, system and program product for operating an exchange method for municipal and/or state funds from banking institutions, comprising: accessing, one or more electronic databases holding data on client transaction accounts and funds in aggregated accounts and banking institutions holding Federal government securities; obtaining transaction data; generating instructions to deposit/transfer funds to or withdraw/transfer funds; receiving data for a first deposit from a first one of the banking institutions, where the first deposit comprises municipal funds and/or state funds; selecting, at least another of the banking institutions holding government securities to receive at least a portion of the first deposit of municipal funds and/or state funds; selecting, a plurality of client transaction accounts from one or more of the other banking institutions for the transfer of funds to the first banking institution; generating instructions to deposit/transfer funds.
US08719152B2

A computerized system and method are presented for exchanging information between a buyer, a seller, a lender, and a strategic business source. The system permits sellers, lenders and strategic business sources to input buyers that are then submitted for activation. The buyers use the system to obtain information about items, while the sellers, lenders, and strategic business sources make consistent contact with the buyer in order to work with the buyer. Information about the buyers is shared with the sellers, lenders, and strategic business sources. A business plan is input into the system for the financial institution employing the lender while another business plan is input for the seller institution employing the seller. Activity on the computerized system is calculated for compliance with the business plan. Feedback is provided to management relating to whether the business plan is being met.
US08719150B2

A program for identifying and automatically acting on statistical arbitrage opportunities between related equities and contracts. The present invention describes an improved technique to perform statistical-pairs arbitraging in a dynamic marketplace with less risk than prior art approaches. The present invention employs an array of recent data and performance ratios involving bid and ask prices for correlated items, such as stocks.
US08719148B2

Effective selection of trade execution strategies using a multi-dimensional model is disclosed. A relationship exists between order difficulty and execution strategy. Execution strategy depends on order difficulty, and order difficulty has many dimensions. The multi-dimensional model classifies trade orders according to the dimensions, and then maps these classified trade orders into suitable execution strategies. For each trade order, one or more appropriate strategies are automatically selected and presented to the trader to assist the trader in making an informed and timely decision.
US08719147B1

A method and system are provided for visualizing and analyzing spectrum assets. License, channel, and lease data from a communications authority is collected and formatted into individual polygon maps. The maps could be drawn according to county or state boundaries, or by some other mapping standard. The maps are then divided and redrawn into several market service areas and several basic trading areas. The maps are also divided and redrawn according to the bandwidth spectrum of one or more channels. Since the maps are drawn with several different boundary conditions, the layout of all of the maps result in some maps being partially overlaid onto other maps for the same region. These regions containing partially overlaid maps are redefined as superblocks. Each superblock contains all of the data from each overlaid map portion for that particular region. These superblocks provide a means of displaying or representing a completely mapped region, such as the continental United States in a completely non-overlapping manner. Several methods analyze the newly formed non-overlapping data map for purposes of deriving current assets and forming future marketing strategies.
US08719146B2

A method and an electronic trading system is disclosed for processing orders in a series of intervals. Receiving means of the electronic trading system receives orders in electronic messages via a communications network during a series of intervals, and processing means of the electronic trading system processing each order after the end of an interval during which the order was received. The length of the intervals of the series of intervals is selected by the processing means to vary between consecutive intervals.
US08719141B1

The present invention includes a method and system for trading goods and services through recurring auctions. Recurring auctions are increasingly popular form of markets for perishable and time-sensitive resources. Traditional auctions strive to motivate bidders to bid their true valuation of the resources traded. Yet, when successful, they also quickly divide the recurring auction bidders into permanent winners and permanent losers. The latter have no incentive to stay in the market, so they leave, decreasing the competitive pressure and depressing pricing. The present invention introduces a novel winner selection method to maintain customers' interest in auction participation that employs participant retention mechanism in assigning traded resources to bidders. The winners are selected from a wider range of bidder ranks than in traditional auction mechanisms. For a group of bidders, winner selection takes into account bid values, allocation of resources and participation of each bidder in the previous auction rounds.
US08719128B2

The handling of accounts and account transactions are implemented using a variety of different systems and methods. According to one embodiment a computer-facilitated system is implemented for handling accounts held by a user at a financial institution and an educational institution. A first database stores account balance information associated with a first account held at one of the institutions. A second database stores account balance information associated with a second account held at the other institution. Logic, located at one institution, encrypts an identifier of the first account, associates a resulting encrypted identifier with the second account and decrypts the encrypted identifier. A database interface transmits the encrypted identifier to the second database for storage. A user interface provides the user with the account balance information associated with the accounts in response to the logic decrypting the encrypted identifier.
US08719127B2

A network commerce system comprises a product sale listing searchable by a consumer and comprising one or more products provided by a third-party vendor in a pay-per-lead format. A pay-per-lead tracking module is operable to track consumer leads provided to the third-party vendor; and a feedback system enables at least one of the consumer and the third-party vendor to leave feedback regarding a lead tracked via the pay-per-lead tracking module.
US08719126B2

Tax collection tools and techniques automatically and electronically separate tax amounts from other funds in a commercial transaction, and divert the collected tax into a holding fund. The holding fund bears income, at little or no risk. Funds collected are tracked, as are their payment due dates, and tax payments are made automatically from the holding fund to tax authorities in a timely manner on behalf of merchants. Income from the holding fund may be distributed among various parties. Collection of debt, whether taxes or otherwise, through automatic incremental billing is also described.
US08719116B2

Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant.
US08719110B1

During a marketing technique, lists of desired items and associated prices are received from multiple consumers. For example, consumers may provide lists of desired items and the (discounted) prices at which these items are of interest. By assigning the consumers to different price ranges based on the associated prices and an occurrence of at least one of the items in the lists, an aggregated interest in the item, including numbers of consumers that desire the item in the different price ranges, is determined. Information associated with the aggregated interest in the item is then provided to at least one entity that provides the item, thereby facilitating sales of the item to a subset of the consumers associated with one or more of the price ranges.
US08719106B2

A system and method for preventing personal identity theft when making online and offline purchases requires a Purchaser to first subscribe and become a Member user by registering, providing relevant personal identity information, and establishing two-way multi-factor authentication information for security purposes. The ID protection system obtains a controlled use card (CUC) through a CUC issuer on behalf of the Member for use in making each purchase transaction. The CUC is anonymous with respect to user (Member) identity and may be a purchase-specific single-use card or a multi-purpose card with no traceable connection to any other financial account. When the Member makes a secure purchase, the Merchant is presented with anonymous information, except in instances where the Member's real identity information is required (e.g. airline tickets).
US08719103B2

A system and method for conducting commerce and sales operations is disclosed. A sales representative identifies a customer, chooses a product, and completes a sales transaction using a front-end POS software application. The sales data is transferred to a central storage server, where a master database is created with the data from the front-end POS software application. The central storage server transmits and receives data from back-end corporate servers and databases and creates a master database containing data from corporate applications. The front-end POS software devices uses a holster that includes a docking station, sliding cradle for a mobile device, a card reader, and an infrared scanner to identify products and complete payment.
US08719101B1

A system and method according to which an advertisement associated with a first party that contains an interactive element displayed within the advertisement is displayed to a recipient in a network communication associated with a second party, an interface option within the advertisement is displayed as a result of an interaction by the recipient with the interactive element, contact information in the interface option is received from the recipient, and the contact information is stored in a database.
US08719098B2

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an approach is provided in which a product request is received that corresponds to a point-of-sale (POS) device, which is located at a merchant facility. In addition to identifying a product location corresponding to the product, an employee location of an employee in proximity to the product location is also identified. In turn, an electronic message is sent to the employee's mobile device that includes a request to transport the product from the product location to the POS device.
US08719097B2

Systems, methods, and a user interface for automatically scheduling a media play is disclosed. The user can specify criteria for play of the media play, including times, stations, and/or external criteria such as a weather condition or the occurrence of an event. Information relevant to the entered criteria is received and assessed against the criteria to determine if the criteria are met. Responsive to the received information meeting the criteria for play of the media play, an accessor accesses the media play inventory and inserts the media play into a media feed.
US08719091B2

A method for adding a tag to a message deliverable to a communication device includes monitoring communications to the device to identify a communication with which a tag can be associated. For identified communications with which a tag can be associated, the method includes analyzing at least one of data about the content of the communication, profile data about at least one of the recipient or sender of the communication, data about a commercial relationship between an operator managing communications to the device and an Internet service provider of tags, and data about popularity of an internet site, and selecting a tag to associate with the communication based on the data analysis.
US08719089B1

Systems and methods for improving a content provider's bid efficiency in an auction are disclosed. A bid efficiency improvement module of a data processing system identifies a keyword on which a third-party content provider has placed a bid to serve at least one third-party content item. The module retrieves third-party content performance data for the identified keyword. The module determines that the third-party content performance data is sufficient to calculate one or more bid multipliers for the identified keyword. The bid multipliers are calculated based on the retrieved third-party content performance data. The bid multipliers are based on one of a geographic region in which the third-party content item is to be served, a time-of-day at which the third-party content item is to be served, or a type-of-device on which the third-party content item is to be served. The calculated bid multipliers are stored in a memory.
US08719070B2

A method for conference room scheduling includes detecting a user in a first location, obtaining reservation information associated with the first location, determining based on the reservation information whether the first location is reserved and notifying the user whether the first location is reserved.
US08719066B2

A system for semantically modeling relationships and dependencies between groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities according to an industry specific manner. An exemplary system includes a user interface device, a relational database and a processor. The processor receives relationship information and receives attributes with associated measurements for the groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities for the corporation from the user interface device. The attributes with associated measurements are formatted according the specific industry of the corporation. The processor generates a three dimensional (3D) visualization of the groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities and allows a virtual walkthrough of the 3D visualization as presented on the display device based on user entered commands from the user input device.
US08719062B1

A method, system and program product, the method in one embodiment comprising: A method, comprising: accessing databases comprising: client information for each of a plurality of respective clients, comprising a balance of funds of the client; a distribution percent value, Xi, for tranches; information for each of multiple government backed-insured aggregated time deposit instruments holding a tranche of client funds, comprising: a rate; an identification of the depository institution; a term; and determining a given client available distribution amount, Di; determining an amount of a client tranche to be deposited in each of Ni depository institutions based at least in part on the percentage, Xi, in order that the client tranches are approximately equal and are insured; determining Ni depository institutions to distribute the client tranches; allocating substantially equally respective client tranches to the Ni depository institutions; generating data for instructions to transfer the respective client tranches; updating, the databases.
US08719060B1

A method for modeling insurance coverage includes providing a processor, providing a memory coupled to the processor and including data related to a plurality of claims, and quoting, using the processor, a first insurance policy having coverage limits. The method also includes displaying within a user interface, a first plurality of claim scenario parameters for the first insurance policy, displaying a disparity between the coverage limits of the first insurance policy and the first plurality of claim scenario parameters, and quoting, using the processor, a second insurance policy. The method further includes displaying, within the user interface, a second plurality of claim scenario parameters for the second insurance policy and displaying a disparity between the coverage limits of the second insurance policy and the second plurality of claim scenario parameters.
US08719053B2

An interface point network (IPN) and a method for communication with a laboratory information system using an IPN, wherein the IPN includes at least one host computer in communication with at least one laboratory instrument, the laboratory information system and an interface point server in communication with the host computer and the laboratory information system, the interface point server being configured to function as a communication interface between the host computer and the laboratory information system in a manner responsive to a predetermined communication protocol.
US08719052B2

An Internet-based system involves a database and search capabilities for connecting patients with healthcare providers, e.g., physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, treatment facilities, etc., and further enables such providers to reach patients with whom they may not otherwise come into contact. A patient may access the healthcare provider information through a search conducted using a search engine, such as Google, Yahoo, etc. Alternatively, a patient may access the company Web site's predetermined Web page that provides search capabilities on its database. A patient may research a healthcare provider based on criteria specified by the patient. Information provided to the patient may be in the form of a report, profile, ratings, etc., including patient-provided information, physician-verified information, and information verified by an independent third party. The verified information and ratings provided by the Web site enable patients to differentiate among healthcare providers and thereby select the provider that best meets their individual needs.
US08719041B2

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of customizing a seller application that facilitates communication of listings to a network-based transaction facility. The method includes facilitating selection of at least one targeted site from a plurality of targeted sites presented to a user, wherein the plurality of targeted sites are supported by the network-based transaction facility. The method further includes configuring the seller application according to the at least one targeted site selected.
US08719037B2

Transport apparatus which includes computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a network interface, display device, and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks via a remote entity, such as obtaining desired information relating to maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The downloaded data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related advertising or other content.
US08719034B2

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for displaying speech command input state information in a multimodal browser including displaying an icon representing a speech command type and displaying an icon representing the input state of the speech command. In typical embodiments, the icon representing a speech command type and the icon representing the input state of the speech command also includes attributes of a single icon. Typical embodiments include accepting from a user a speech command of the speech command type, changing the input state of the speech command, and displaying another icon representing the changed input state of the speech command. Typical embodiments also include displaying the text of the speech command in association with the icon representing the speech command type.
US08719032B1

A clear picture of who is speaking in a setting where there are multiple input sources (e.g., a conference room with multiple microphones) can be obtained by comparing input channels against each other. The data from each channel can not only be compared, but can also be organized into portions which logically correspond to statements by a user. These statements, along with information regarding who is speaking, can be presented in a user friendly format via an interactive timeline which can be updated in real time as new audio input data is received.
US08719031B2

An audio conference is supplemented based on speaker content. Speaker content from at least one audio conference participant is monitored using a computer with a tangible non-transitory processor and memory. A set of words is selected from the speaker content. The selected set of words is determined to be associated with supplemental media content from at least one external source. The supplemental media content is made available to at least one audience member for the audio conference. The supplemental media content is selectively presented to the at least one audience member.
US08719030B2

The present invention is a method and system to convert speech signal into a parametric representation in terms of timbre vectors, and to recover the speech signal thereof. The speech signal is first segmented into non-overlapping frames using the glottal closure instant information, each frame is converted into an amplitude spectrum using a Fourier analyzer, and then using Laguerre functions to generate a set of coefficients which constitute a timbre vector. A sequence of timbre vectors can be subject to a variety of manipulations. The new timbre vectors are converted back into voice signals by first transforming into amplitude spectra using Laguerre functions, then generating phase spectra from the amplitude spectra using Kramers-Knonig relations. A Fourier transformer converts the amplitude spectra and phase spectra into elementary acoustic waves, then superposed to become the output voice. The method and system can be used for voice transformation, speech synthesis, and automatic speech recognition.
US08719028B2

An information processing apparatus for playing back data includes an oral reading unit, a storage unit storing text templates for responses to questions from a user and text template conversion rules, an input unit for inputting a question from a user, and a control unit for retrieving data and items of information associated with the data. The control unit analyzes a question about a data from a user, for example, a question about a tune, to select a text template for a response to the question and detects the characters in items of tune information of the tune. The characters are designated to replace replacement symbols included in the text template. The control unit also converts the text template based on whether the characters can be read aloud, generates a text to be read aloud using the converted text template, and causes the oral reading unit to read the text aloud.
US08719025B2

An apparatus and an article of manufacture for contextual voice query dilation in a Spoken Web search include determining a context in which a voice query is created, generating a set of multiple voice query terms based on the context and information derived by a speech recognizer component pertaining to the voice query, and processing the set of query terms with at least one dilation operator to produce a dilated set of queries.
US08719002B2

A method, system, and computer usable program product for revising content translations using shared translation databases are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A translation of some content is presented to a user. A revision to a first portion of the translation is received from the user. A second portion of the translation is identified using the shared translation database, the second portion being a candidate for revising using the revision. The second portion is suggested for revision. The second portion may be identified without user interaction. The revision may be submitted for review along with user-selected portions, and an approval may be received. The user's access to the shared translation database may be controlled such that the user is able to interact with the shared translation database to identify the second portion but the user may be unable to modify the shared translation database.
US08718993B2

An efficient percolation aggregation solver methodology captures media connectivity and continuity to reliably incorporate relevant flow solution trends in subterranean formation models. The approach allows introduction of meaningful physical information that is generally overlooked by state-of-the-art algebraic algorithms in the solution process. Percolation aggregation extends the efficiency and robustness of solution methods used to solve scientific and engineering problems.
US08718990B2

A method of improving the high-speed uniformity of tire performance that reduces low and/or high harmonics. The method includes determining a force variation that is created by rotation of a first tire, having a first tread design, at high speed. A second order harmonic of the force variation is analyzed. A second tire design is generated that circumferentially shifts one or more ribs of the first tread design to minimize the second order harmonic alone or in combination with other order harmonics.
US08718986B2

A method of generating an ion implantation distribution by a computer is disclosed. The method includes calculating ion implantation distribution regions in a case of generating the ion implantation distribution with a large tilt angle and generating an analytical model of the ion implantation distribution in correspondence with each of the ion implantation distribution regions by using a Gauss distribution model, in which the ion implantation distribution regions have different influence on a channel region depending on a gate structure formed on the ion distribution regions.
US08718985B2

In a method for establishing a machine code which can be immediately executed by a computer, the execution of which causes the computer to implement a rolling model and to determine an output variable that quantitatively describes at least one material flow occurring in the rolling stock during a rolling process defined by the condition of the rolling stock and the roll stand setting. The output variable is determined on the basis of the rolling model, a rolling stock condition lying within a predetermined range of conditions, and a roll stand setting lying within a predetermined range of settings. Furthermore, a computer program, a data carrier, a computer, and a rolling train with at least one roll stand are disclosed.
US08718984B2

With respect to a minute flow rate controller comprising inflow passage (12) for introducing a fluid, valve member (2) furnished with main throttle groove (6) for causing the introduced flow to flow from a starting end toward a finishing end thereof, fluid outflow port (20) opened with an optional cross section by a flow rate regulating member and outflow passage (14) for leading out the fluid flowing out from the fluid outflow port (20), there is provided a method of designing the controller with entrance throttle groove, comprising providing the entrance throttle groove (8) communicably preceding the starting end position of the main throttle groove (6), and, on the basis of a relational expression derived from the momentum equation of the fluid flowing through the groove (8) and the main throttle groove (6), determining the size of the groove (8) so as to exhibit a desired flow resistance.
US08718975B2

A method and system for accepting or rejecting a curved surface of a body under evaluation involves conducting a comparison between the curvature of a surface profile for the surface under evaluation and higher and lower curvature tolerance boundaries. The higher and lower curvature tolerance boundaries are determined from a desired surface profile. The curvature at a plurality of locations on the curve profile under evaluation may be defined with reference to a geometric variable for said curved surface and may be plotted on a graph. The higher and lower curvature tolerance boundaries may also be plotted on the graph so as to determine whether the plot of curvature for the surface under evaluation falls within the bounds of the higher and lower tolerance boundaries.
US08718971B2

A system for determining the true airspeed vector, defined by a magnitude and by a direction, of an aircraft comprising a fuselage, comprises four laser anemometers each having a single measurement path so as to measure a local component of the true airspeed and being distributed in different locations around the fuselage of the aircraft; and means for calculating the magnitude and direction of the true airspeed vector of the aircraft using the four measurements of components of the true airspeed.
US08718970B2

A method of estimating a stride length includes: detecting acceleration of a user's vertical movement; and estimating a stride length using the detected acceleration by changing the degree of correlation between the acceleration and the stride length, in which the stride length is increased as the detected acceleration increases, based on user's speed.
US08718967B2

A system for use in automated test equipment. In one embodiment, the system includes a configurable integrated circuit (IC) programmable to provide test patterns for use in automated test equipment. The configurable IC includes a configurable interface core that is programmable to provide functionality of one or more protocol based interfaces for a device under test (DUT) and is programmable to interface with the DUT. The system also includes a connection configurable to couple the configurable IC to the DUT.
US08718963B2

An integrated calibration system and process for a three-axis (X, Y, Z) accelerometer estimates Z-axis bias, Z-axis bias drift and determines X, Y, and Z-axes error sources based on measurements taken when the accelerometer is static, i.e., sensing only the earth's gravitational acceleration. Optimal on-the-fly error estimates for the three-axis accelerometer are obtained so that the measurements provided by the three-axis accelerometer remain error-free.
US08718960B2

Provided is a method of selecting a white Gaussian noise sub-band using singular value decomposition (SVD). The method includes selecting a first frequency band, verifying whether a signal is included in the selected first frequency band, determining the first frequency band as a target measurement frequency when the signal is not included in the selected first frequency band, and measuring a background radio noise in the determined target measurement frequency.
US08718958B2

Method, system and computer program product for providing real time detection of analyte sensor sensitivity decline is continuous glucose monitoring systems are provided.
US08718957B2

A device is provided for monitoring the integrity of a flow circuit in fluid communication with a receptacle. The flow circuit includes a pumping device for transferring fluid through the flow circuit. The device operates according to a monitoring method in which a pressure signal is received from a pressure sensor, the pressure signal being indicative of fluid pressure in the receptacle or the flow circuit. The pressure signal is then processed for detection of a beating signal. The beating signal manifests itself as an amplitude modulation of the pressure signal and is formed by interference between pressure waves generated by a pulse generator associated with the receptacle and pressure waves generated by the pumping device. The integrity of the flow circuit is determined based at least partly on the presence or absence of the beating signal. The device and the flow circuit may be part of an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment, and the method may be implemented as a computer program product.
US08718955B2

An avionics system and process for detecting pneumatic blockages having an air pressure measurement system including a first sensor positioned in association with the air inlet of an air probe component. The air pressure measurement system having a second sensor positioned in association with the air inlet for detecting air pressure in which the second sensor has a frequency response higher than that of the first sensor. An air data computer is coupled to each of the first and second sensors being configured and operable to calculate a first aircraft movement measurement using detected air pressure from the first sensor and is further operative to determine if the first sensor is faulty or if the air inlet is blocked in dependence upon the frequency content and amplitude of the output from the second sensor.
US08718952B2

The present invention includes analyte measurement systems, analyte measurement meters, analyte testing devices, cartridges thereof and integrated circuits for use therewith, and further includes methods related to the use of the integrated circuits and, in certain embodiments, to the counting or tracking of parameters related to the cartridges and analyte test devices.
US08718951B2

Methods, computer-accessible medium, and systems for generating a genome wide probe map and/or a genome wide haplotype sequence are provided. In particular, a genome wide probe map can be generated by obtaining a plurality of detectable oligonucleotide probes hybridized to at least one double stranded nucleic acid molecule cleaved with at least one restriction enzyme, and detecting the location of the detectable oligonucleotide probes. For example, genome wide haplotype sequence can be generated by analyzing at least one genome wide restriction map in conjunction with at least one genome wide probe map to determine distances between restriction sites of the genome wide restriction map(s) and locations of detectable oligonucleotide probes of the genome wide probe map(s) and defining a consensus map indicating restriction sites based on the genome wide restriction map(s) and/or locations of detectable oligonucleotide probes based on each of the genome wide probe map(s).
US08718949B2

An apparatus comprising a pump, an input configured to receive information related to a user, a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pump, the input, and the user interface. The controller includes a timing module configured to initiate delivery of a drug in time and to adjust delivery according to the received information. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08718948B2

Systems and method for detecting optical signals, and for discriminating optical signals emitted by an emission moiety that is excited by an associated excitation signal from background signals and other optical noise, employing digital techniques for determining the portion of a detected optical signal having a modulation frequency corresponding to a modulation of the associated excitation signal.
US08718947B2

A method of determining an Antibiotic Utilization Criteria (AUC) marker includes assigning an AUC=1 to a patient if certain criteria are met: (1) antimicrobials were first dispensed to the patient after an initial number of days has passed since the patient's admission to a hospital, and either (2a) the antimicrobials were dispensed to the patient for a determined number of consecutive days after the day of first dispense, or (2b) the antimicrobials were dispensed to the patient on consecutive days after the day of first dispense up to and including the day on which the patient either was discharged or died. If criteria (1) is not satisfied or both of alternate criteria (2a) and (2b) are not satisfied, an AUC=0 is assigned to the patient.
US08718945B2

Methods and systems for evaluating biological dataset profiles relating to toxic agents including candidate pharmaceuticals, environmental agents, biowarfare and chemical warfare agents are provided, where datasets comprising information for multiple cellular parameters are compared and identified, and used in the evaluation of candidate agents.
US08718943B2

A health-monitoring device assesses the health of a user based on levels of two analytes in a biological fluid. A first analyte that is utilized to assess a user's health is a fat metabolism analyte, such as ketones, free fatty acids and glycerol, which is indicative of fat metabolism. A second analyte that is utilized is a glucose metabolism analyte, such as glucose. The levels of the two analytes may be used to assess insulin sensitivity, to detect both recent hypoglycemia and the cause of high glucose levels, and/or to guide therapeutic intervention.
US08718941B2

A method for developing a landfill with a compactor machine having a three-dimensional position sensing equipment, a computer, and a display. The method includes traversing the worksite with the compactor machine and determining deflection of the worksite at a plurality of locations while each of the locations is beneath the compactor machine. The compactor machine defines wheel tracks over which a plurality of wheels pass while traversing the worksite. The method includes recording the determined deflection of each of the locations on the display. The deflection may be recorded beneath only the wheel tracks of the compactor machine, such that areas passing between the wheel tracks of the compactor machine are not recorded on the display.
US08718939B2

Techniques for measuring one or more physical properties of a water system. A measurement platform is positioned at a first location of a given water system, wherein the measurement platform comprises a plurality of sensor devices distributed over a three dimensional space and configured to acquire data relating to one or more physical properties of the water system. A first set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the first location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform. The measurement platform is moved along a predetermined path to at least a second location in the water system. At least a second set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the second location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform.
US08718932B1

Methods and systems for snapping positions from location aware devices to road segments are provided. Data from the location aware device is received, which includes data about the location and direction of the location aware device. Each of the positions of the location aware device is snapped to a position on a road segment based on various factors, including the log likelihoods of snapping all of the previous positions of the location aware device to other possible positions on road segments, the comparison of direction of the location aware device and the direction of the road segment, and the distance between the location of the location aware device and the location of the road segment. Multiple threads can be generated to determine the most likely path for the location aware device. A most likely path of positions on road segments is determined for the location aware device and stored.
US08718929B2

A method and apparatus for managing location information of a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes determining location information of a current position while in a Global Positioning System (GPS) reception mode, determining at least one of preference routes and interest sites within an interest area in a vicinity of the current position, and presenting at least one of the preference routes and the interest sites on a map. The present invention improves a user's convenience and a utilization efficiency of the location information of the mobile terminal.
US08718925B2

A route-planning system is described that leverages a database of observations about routes taken by drivers in a region to generate context and/or preference sensitive routes. Contextual information such as time of day and day of week, along with such findings as the observed velocities on different roads and the efficiency of trips is noted from the database of trips to inform a route generation component. The route-generation component considers velocities, contextual information, and other findings to compute preferred routes for people requesting directions from a first geographical point to a second geographical point. In one usage, properties of a driver's own prior routes are used to generate personalized routes, including routes between previously unobserved starting and ending locations. In another application, sets of observed routes of other drivers are used in a collaborative manner to generate recommended routes for a specific driver based on inferred preferences of the driver.
US08718911B2

A system and method are provided for presenting a taxi route for an aircraft at an airport. The method, for example, includes, but is not limited to receiving, by a processor, the taxi route, translating, by the processor, the taxi route into a graphical representation, displaying, on an aircraft display, a map of the airport and the graphical representation, and displaying, a location of a hold short instruction on the aircraft display.
US08718907B2

Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring traffic, such as vehicle traffic on a roadway, using identification information acquired using a Bluetooth protocol. A sensor is configured to scan for discoverable Bluetooth devices within a flow of vehicle traffic and to create a log of identified Bluetooth devices. A system includes multiple sensors at known locations along a route and is operable to identify a Bluetooth device identified at multiple sensors.
US08718906B2

A method for advising a driver of a host vehicle on traffic conditions at a road intersection. It is determined that a host vehicle is approaching the intersection. Information is received from a plurality of other vehicles via a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication system indicating respective positions and timing of the other vehicles approach to and/or arrival at the intersection. The times at which the other vehicles have stopped at the intersection are detected, and the times at which the other vehicles have proceeded through the intersection are detected. A past order-of-progression of vehicles through the intersection is determined based upon the stopping times and the proceeding times. The driver of the host vehicle is then advised whether it is the host vehicle's turn to proceed through the intersection in view of the past order-of-progression.
US08718900B2

A method to operate an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of direct or indirect measurement in a cylinder and/or in a working cycle of the time or point or area/band where the combustion process of an internal combustion engine completes the ignition phase or nears the end of the ignition phase and begins or transits into the combustion phase, or which marks the beginning of the combustion phase, or otherwise marks that the combustion process has commenced.
US08718892B2

The invention concerns a method for controlling a starting aid of a motor vehicle, in particular of a bus. The release of the starting aid takes place as follows: reduction of the braking pressure in accordance with a predetermined first gradient; simultaneous detection of the rotational direction of an output shaft of a transmission of the motor vehicle or of another component which rotates as a function of the rotational speed of the drive wheels; upon detection of a rotational-direction signal which indicates forward travel of the motor vehicle, continuation of the reduction in the braking pressure in accordance with the predetermined first gradient and upon detection of another signal, continuation of the reduction of the braking pressure by way of a second gradient which is reduced in comparison with the first gradient or an increase in the braking pressure.
US08718887B1

A method to monitor a torque transfer device configured to transfer torque within an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine includes executing a failure detection strategy in response to a detected slip condition of the torque transfer device. The failure detection strategy includes monitoring a magnitude of energy loss of the torque transfer device. A failure condition in the torque transfer device is detected when the magnitude of energy loss achieves a predetermined energy threshold.
US08718871B2

A method for setting the damping force for at least one motor vehicle vibration damper which is connected between a vehicle body and a wheel, wherein, for the vibration damper or for each vibration damper, a damping force is determined and set within an actuating range defined by a lower limiting value and an upper limiting value, as a function of a vertical movement of the vehicle body, and as a function of a vertical movement of the respective wheel, and wherein the lower limiting value of the actuating range is also determined as a function of the vertical movement of the vehicle body and as a function of the vertical movement of the respective wheel.
US08718870B2

A vehicle control system includes an actuator capable of adjusting a behavior of a vehicle, a temperature detecting device configured to detect a temperature of a tire on a wheel of the vehicle, and a control device configured to control the actuator according to the temperature of the tire detected by the temperature detecting device so as to change a degree of suppressing a behavior change of the vehicle by the actuator. Therefore, the vehicle control system can suppress a variation in a driving feeling.
US08718858B2

A GPS navigation system for a motor vehicle mounted within sight of a driver and/or navigator. The system comprises and/or consists of a memory module that contains a pre-stored map database including a plurality of locations and a receiver supported within the motor vehicle for receiving signals indicative of the current position of the map. The system also includes a monitor positioned in the position within sight of the driver and/or navigator for displaying the location of the vehicle with the respect to a pre-stored map. Means including the memory module, receiver and said monitor display an area of about ½ km in all direction and up to ½ km to 1 km from the current position of the vehicle. Further, means including a zoom optical system for zooming in and out of the ½ to 1 km radius of the vehicle location on the stored map and means for summoning help to the present location of the vehicle. In addition, radar means for sensing an object that obstructs the projected pathway of the vehicle and a plurality of sensors and running control means perform the auto-drive control running of the vehicle based on the detection of signals from the plurality of sensors wherein said auto-drive control includes speed control, steering and breaking. The system includes a change over means for switching between the auto-drive and manual drive modes.
US08718839B2

An automatic trim system and method is disclosed for automatically trimming a flight control surface of an aircraft. A force sensor measures a force applied by a pilot to a flight control system actuator. The length of time that the force is applied by the pilot is then timed by a timer. A trim system to reduce the applied force is included on the flight control surfaces. A processor determines if trim is required if a predetermined amount of time is exceeded based on the force sensor measurement. The processor can set the trim system to the trim required therein. An airspeed sensor is used to verify that the aircraft has sufficient speed for flight. A force sensor can be utilized to measure the input force being applied by the pilot. If a pilot input force is applied to the controls and the aircraft is in a steady state, a timer can be activated. If the force sensor continues to sense a force after the timer times for a predetermined time, the trim can be adjusted in the appropriate direction until the force sensor measures no significant pilot input force.
US08718838B2

A system and methods for autonomously tracking and simultaneously providing surveillance of a target from air vehicles. In one embodiment the system receives inputs from outside sources, creates tracks, identifies the targets and generates flight plans for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and camera controls for surveillance of the targets. The system uses predictive algorithms and aircraft control laws. The system comprises a plurality of modules configured to accomplish these tasks. One embodiment comprises an automatic target recognition (ATR) module configured to receive video information, process the video information, and produce ATR information including target information. The embodiment further comprises a multi-sensor integrator (MSI) module configured to receive the ATR information, an air vehicle state input and a target state input, process the inputs and produce track information for the target. The embodiment further comprises a target module configured to receive the track information, process the track information, and produce predicted future state target information. The embodiment further comprises an ownship module configured to receive the track information, process the track information, and produce predicted future state air vehicle information. The embodiment further comprises a planner module configured to receive the predicted future state target information and the predicted future state air vehicle information and generate travel path information including flight and camera steering commands for the air vehicle.
US08718837B2

A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an imaging system, and a mapping module. The mapping module may access a plan view map of an area and tags associated with the area. In various embodiments, each tag may include tag coordinates and tag information, which may include a tag annotation. A tag identification system may identify tags within a predetermined range of the current position and the control system may execute an action based on an identified tag whose tag information comprises a telepresence robot action modifier. The telepresence robot may rotate an upper portion independent from a lower portion. A remote terminal may allow an operator to control the telepresence robot using any combination of control methods, including by selecting a destination in a live video feed, by selecting a destination on a plan view map, or by using a joystick or other peripheral device.
US08718836B2

A computing device and method controls at least three fans installed in the computing device. Rotational speed of each of the fans is according to the temperature of a specific fan. The computing device reads the temperature of each of the fan by a baseboard management controller (BMC).
US08718831B2

A method for monitoring operating parameters of a rotating blade is provided. The blade includes at least one sensor thereon, the sensor operatively coupled to a data acquisition device. The method includes transferring data from the sensor to the data acquisition device, the data relating to blade acceleration measurements, transmitting a signal representative of the transferred data from the data acquisition device to a control system, and controlling blade loads using the transmitted signal.
US08718830B2

Centralized coordination of setting and adjusting trip settings of electronic circuit breakers in an electrical distribution system by monitoring short circuit current availability (SCCA) and adjusting trip settings based on received SCCA estimates from SCCA monitoring devices installed at main, feeder, and branch nodes of the distribution system. The SCCA monitoring devices are capable of automatically estimating the SCCA in the circuit or node at which the SCCA device is installed and transmitting SCCA estimates to a controller, which uses the SCCA estimates to coordinate adjustments to trip settings for the various circuit breakers. Depending on the node position of the circuit breaker and the corresponding SCCA at that node, the controller adjusts in real-time the short-circuit trip settings for the circuit breakers so that they are below the SCCA value. Optional user-inputted settings can affect the trip setting adjustments, such as transient loading conditions that can influence the SCCA estimates.
US08718825B2

A control system for governing temperature and humidity levels within a confined space including a controller communicatively coupled to a cooling system, a heating system, a duct system, a plurality of environmental sensors for detecting temperature and humidity levels within the confined space and external to the confined space, and an external air intake for introducing air external to the confined space to within the confined space. The control system may further include predictive heating and predictive cooling configurations having a computing device communicatively connected to the controller and to an environmental forecast source.
US08718810B2

While a substrate is polished, it is also irradiated with light from a light source. A current spectrum of the light reflected from the surface of the substrate is measured. A selected peak, having a first parameter value, is identified in the current spectrum. A value of a second parameter associated with the first parameter is determined from a lookup table using a processor. Depending on the value of the second parameter, the polishing of the substrate is changed. An initial spectrum of light reflected from the substrate before the polishing of the substrate can be measured and a wavelength corresponding to a selected peak of the initial spectrum can be determined.
US08718806B2

An apparatus includes a first unit and a second functional units operating in a master-slave configuration. The first and second functional units operate as a master and slave, respectively. The first functional unit conveys clock and framing signals to the second functional unit. The second functional unit includes a buffer and a multiplexer having inputs coupled to the buffer. Digital audio data may be prefetched into the buffer. When a controller of the second functional unit detects assertion of the framing signal, it may cause a change of state to a selection signal provided to the multiplexer. Responsive thereto, the multiplexer selects an input coupled to receive, from the buffer, a next frame of data to be transmitted. A first bit of the frame is transmitted to the first functional unit on the same clock cycle in which assertion of the framing signal was detected.
US08718793B2

Insertion tools, lead assemblies, kits, and methods for placement of cardiac device electrodes. In some embodiments, an insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal, dissecting end includes a structure configured to receive or engage a structure on a lead assembly. Some embodiments include a lead assembly having an end including a structure configured for engaging the distal end of an associated insertion tool. Some embodiments include kits or systems including both an insertion tool and a lead assembly, each having a structure for engaging the other. In these embodiments, the engaging structures may take several forms including threads, small posts, circular or semi-circular receiving members, and/or a slot. Some embodiments also include methods for placement of cardiac device electrodes with the assistance of an associated insertion tool, wherein the cardiac device electrodes are associated with a lead assembly having an end configured to engage a distal, dissecting portion of an associated insertion tool.
US08718788B2

According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.
US08718785B2

A cochlear implant device includes an electrode shell for insertion into a fixed position in cochlear tissue. The electrode shell includes an interior volume that partially encases an implant electrode so that its electrode contacts are exposed for delivering electrical stimulation signals to the cochlear tissue. The electrode shell allows insertion and removal of the implant electrode with minimal trauma to the cochlear tissue.
US08718781B2

Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
US08718780B2

A control system for use with a neurostimulator comprises a user interface for receiving an input from a user and a controller. The user interface has a first control and a second control. The controller is configured for, in response to actuating the first control, operating the neurostimulation control system in a PNFS programming mode, and for, in response to actuating the second control, operating the neurostimulation control system in a PNS programming mode. A method of providing therapy to a patient comprises initially conveying pulsed electrical current at a pulse width into a peripheral tissue region of the patient to create a side effect via stimulation of one of a nerve ending and neural axon, and subsequently conveying pulsed electrical current at an adjusted pulse width into the peripheral tissue region to create a therapeutic effect via stimulation of the other one of the nerve ending and neural axon.
US08718777B2

Methods and systems for intracranial neurostimulation and/or sensing are disclosed. An intracranial signal transmission system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a generally electrically insulating body having a head portion configured to be positioned at least proximate to an outer surface of a patient's skull, and a shaft portion configured to extend into an aperture in the patient's skull. The system can further include at least one electrical contact portion integrated with the support body. The at least one electrical contact portion can be positioned to transfer electrical signals to, from, or both to and from the patient's brain via an aperture in the patient's skull.
US08718774B2

Described herein is an implantable medical device and methods for making a device that includes a metal housing a molding process. In one embodiment, the housing includes a header attachment element extends from the housing. In another embodiment, the implantable medical device includes a header attachment surface comprising one or more header retaining features configured to secure a connector header to the header attachment surface. In another embodiment, the housing includes one or more structural elements extending from and integrally molded with the interior surface of the first or second portions of the housing. Also disclosed are methods of making the implantable medical device.
US08718773B2

Method and systems for optimizing acoustic energy transmission in implantable devices are disclosed. Transducer elements transmit acoustic locator signals towards a receiver assembly, and the receiver responds with a location signal. The location signal can reveal information related to the location of the receiver and the efficiency of the transmitted acoustic beam received by the receiver. This information enables the transmitter to target the receiver and optimize the acoustic energy transfer between the transmitter and the receiver. The energy can be used for therapeutic purposes, for example, stimulating tissue or for diagnostic purposes.
US08718772B2

A system and method for temporary programming of an implantable medical device. The system and method include a repeater uploading temporary programming and instructions to a temporary memory of the device and then instructing the device to operate according to the temporary instructions. If during a first time period, the device is not in continuous periodic communication with the repeater, the device automatically reverts to operation under the normal operating instructions. At the end of the first time period, the caregiver or the patient may decide to revert to the normal programming. During a second time period, the device operates according to the temporary programming unless the caregiver or the patient instructs the device to revert to the normal programming, or the device fails to receive a periodic continuation signal from the repeater. Adverse health effects to the patient may also trigger the device to revert to the normal programming during either the first or second time period.
US08718771B2

One aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for dynamic battery management in implantable medical devices. An embodiment of the system includes two or more devices for measuring battery capacity for an implantable medical device battery. The embodiment also includes a controller connected to the measuring devices. The controller is adapted to combine the measurements from the measuring devices using a weighted average to determine battery capacity consumed. According to various embodiments, at least one of the measuring devices includes a coulometer. At least one of the measuring devices includes a capacity-by-voltage device, according to an embodiment. The system further includes a display in communication with the controller in various embodiments. The display is adapted to provide a depiction of battery longevity in units of time remaining in the life of the implantable medical device battery, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08718759B2

A multi-modal electrotherapy apparatus including circuitry for administering defibrillation therapy and for administering medium voltage therapy (MVT). A combined-use capacitor bank of at least one capacitor stores energy to be administered as defibrillation therapy and MVT. Combined-use discharge circuitry electrically is coupled between the combined-use capacitor bank and patient terminals for selectively administering energy from the capacitor bank according to a plurality of controllable waveforms as either defibrillation therapy or MVT. A controller is configured to cause the discharge circuitry to apply the MVT from the capacitor bank while the capacitor bank undergoes charging in preparation for administration of the defibrillation therapy.
US08718755B2

The present invention relates to methods and devices for determining the state of a neural system. In one embodiment, a plurality of stimuli to the system can be delivered to the system, and then the resulting respective responses can be analyzed to determine whether the system state is static, or whether it is undergoing dynamic changes. In another aspect of the invention, a single stimulus having a plurality of components can be administered, and the responses to each component can be contrasted and compared to determine the state of the neural system. In each case, this information can be used to predict the occurrence of neural perturbations or episodes associated with a change in the state of the neural system.
US08718751B2

A heart monitoring system comprises a ventricular sensing stage sensing excitation or contraction of ventricular myocardium, an activity sensor unit determining a signal reflecting a patient's physical activity, a ventricular impedance or conductance measuring module, said modules comprising a current source unit adapted to provide a sub-threshold excitation current to the myocardium and comprising an impedance or conductance measurement unit for measuring the resulting voltage on said electrode at the myocardium, a signal generator module, a filter module, a memory, a control unit adapted to derive single measures |ΣZ| of magnitude of impedance or conductance change over a preset sample time interval, determine the variability TARVI in the impedance or conductance change, compare this variability and the activity sensor output signal with a threshold and recent history, determine if sleep disturbed breathing (SDB) is present, and log the SDB episode in the memory device.
US08718746B2

A method for implanting a cardiac support device (CSD) on a patient's heart. An amount of contrast agent sufficient to cause structures on the heart to be visible upon fluoroscopic or other imaging is introduced into the pericardial space surrounding the heart. The heart and contrast agent are imaged to provide a visual indication of the location of the structures of the heart. The CSD is placed on the heart using the visual indications provided by the imaging.
US08718740B2

A biomedical sensor is provided. The biomedical sensor comprises a printed bio-potential electrode on the biomedical sheet sensor configured to provide an electrical contact with a surface to be measured, and a bi-stable printed electronic ink indicator provided on the biomedical sheet sensor and configured to indicate a loose contact of a bio-potential electrode operation by switching the color of the bi-stable indicator from a first color to a second color when a loose contact is detected.
US08718736B2

An exemplary sensor includes a sensor pad defining a perimeter, a light source, a light detector, and an adhesive layer. The light source is configured to generate near-infrared light and transmit the near-infrared light through part of a patient's body. The light detector is configured to receive the near-infrared light generated by the light source after it has traveled through part of the patient's body. The light received by the light detector indicates an amount of oxygen in the part of the patient's body through which the near-infrared light traveled. The adhesive layer is offset relative to the sensor pad to, for example, allow a clinician to easily remove the sensor from the patient.
US08718732B2

The invention relates to a superconductor switching arrangement, including: a superconductor having a plurality of first connection zones and at least one second connection zone, the first and second connection zones being connectable by at least one superconducting path in use, a quenching device which is operable to selectively quench portions of the superconductor so as to remove the superconducting path between at least two of the first connection zones and the at least one second connection zone.
US08718730B1

A case for a mobile device including a base wall and a plurality of side walls extending from the base wall to cover side surfaces of the mobile device. A plurality of cushion devices may pass through the side walls to cushion the mobile device from a force exerted upon the case.
US08718729B1

A system for protecting an electronic device. The system includes a pocket, where the pocket is configured to receive an electronic device capable of receiving or transmitting electronic signals. The system also includes a cover, where the cover is directly attached to the pocket. The cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the pocket and prevent the electronic device from receiving or transmitting electronic signals in a direction toward the cover. The electronic device is allowed to receive or transmit electronic signals in a direction not toward the cover. The cover includes an opening. The opening is configured to allow an audio signal to pass through the cover and includes a mesh layer.
US08718726B2

Methods and apparatus for reducing voice call drop rate. Existing devices do not account for the added burden of background services on voice calls. Specifically, multi-RAB scenarios (e.g., a voice call and background services) can experience significant reduction in call quality. Accordingly, in one exemplary embodiment, background services that are not time-critical and/or application-critical can be suspended while a voice call is in progress. By suspending background traffic during a call, the device can avoid unnecessary multi-RAB voice call operation, which significantly improves overall network operation and user experience.
US08718724B2

A portable communication terminal includes a metal plate at least partially covered by a resin, a display-side casing that retains the metal plate thereinside with a part of the metal plate covered by the resin being exposed to the exterior, an elastic member with conductivity that is arranged in an opening formed in the resin which covers the part of the metal plate exposed from the display-side casing, and a communication unit that is electrically connected to the metal plate through the elastic member. Hence, the metal plate and the communication unit are electrically connected together, and the space between the metal plate and the resin is blocked off by the elastic member. Accordingly, the waterproofing property of the interior of the display-side casing can be ensured.
US08718719B2

A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.
US08718705B2

There are provided a dual mode communications device and a method of improving a data rate thereof. The dual mode communications device according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a selection unit 100 connecting antenna terminals to receive terminals or transmit terminals, a receive path circuit unit allowing RF receive signals from each of the first and second antennas to pass therethrough, a transmit path circuit unit providing RF transmit signals to the transmit terminals of the selection unit, an RF circuit unit converting the RF receive signals from the receive path circuit unit into baseband signals and converting the baseband signals to be transmitted into the RF transmit signals, and a baseband circuit unit performing control and signal processing of the selection unit in a single communications mode among a dual mode and a single mode.
US08718703B2

A radio communication apparatus comprises a radio communication setting storage unit that stores a first radio communication setting for performing radio communication on a first radio network, and a second radio communication setting for performing radio communication on a second radio network which is different from said first radio network; a radio communication unit that performs radio communication using one of the first and second radio communication settings; and a radio communication setting switching unit that requests another radio communication apparatus in the first radio network to switch the first radio communication setting to the second radio communication setting in order to join the second radio network.
US08718699B2

A wireless communication system includes a private LTE base station, a commercial carrier LTE base station, and a mobile wireless communications device. The mobile wireless communications device includes an LTE transceiver, a memory, and a controller coupled to the LTE transceiver and the memory. The controller stores an assigned AC value in the memory based upon a priority of use characteristic value, stores a random AC value in the memory, and determines whether access is available to the private LTE base station or the commercial carrier LTE base station. When the private LTE base station is available for access, a connection is made based upon the assigned AC value and a private LTE barring value received from the private LTE base station. When the commercial carrier LTE base station is available for access, a connection is made based upon the random AC value and a commercial carrier barring value.
US08718698B2

A mobile station (201) receives (301) a transmission from a remote source (such as, but not limited to, a reference server (206)) comprising information regarding downloadable content. This information can comprise, in a preferred approach, addresses that can be used to download corresponding selections of downloadable content. This information can further comprise, in a preferred approach, characterizing information regarding at least some of the downloadable content selections identified via such addresses. In a preferred approach, such a mobile station can then also access (302) locally developed information regarding downloading constraints of interest and then make determinations (303) regarding when to automatically download at least a portion of at least one of the selections of downloadable content as a function, at least in part, of both the characterizing information as was received via the aforementioned transmission and the locally developed information regarding relevant downloading constraints.
US08718696B2

Transmit power for a user equipment (UE) is set by a Home NodeB (HNB) in response to interference at a nearby macrocell. The HNB monitors an interference level to the macrocell from a UE communicating with the HNB. An acceptable transmit power for the UE is determined by the HNB in response to the interference level. A power change indicator is transmitted from the HNB to the UE to adjust the transmit power of the UE. In some cases, the interference may be estimated from a busy indicator from the macrocell and the HNB sends a modified version of the busy indicator to the UE to adjust the transmit power of the UE. In other cases, the HNB estimates a path loss for the UE based on received signal power from the macrocell and signals a transmit power change to the UE, if needed, based on the estimated path loss.
US08718695B2

The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing a state transition time from a power saving state for a user equipment (18) in a communication network. The state transition time is reduced by retaining in the user equipment (18) one or more information parameter, such as the radio network temporary identifier for a high speed downlink shared channel (H-RNTI), when performing a state transition to said power saving state so as to enable a time reduction when said user equipment switches back from said power saving state.
US08718686B2

A system and method for enabling a user to invoke a service over a signaling channel in a communication system with a communication device such as a mobile phone. The user dials a series of digits into their phone and enters them into the disclosed system, for example by pressing the send key on a mobile phone. The digits entered by the user include a prefix or routing code, and a data code. The dialed digits are transferred to a call switching system, which determines, based on the prefix code, a processing system to which a message is sent. The processing system further determines, based on the data code of the dialed digits, the service to provide and how the service should be fulfilled. The service can be fulfilled by content over the signaling channel or a transport channel, or both.
US08718676B2

Disclosed is a method for processing readily available radio network, timing and power information about cellular networks and typical measurements made by the mobile device and network. A probabilistic method is disclosed that uses both time (i.e., range) and power differences with known downlink transmitter antenna characteristics to locate mobiles with accuracy better than cell-ID with ranging, with high capacity, and without the need for field calibration.
US08718674B2

A method and system for locating an emitter E transmitting a signal toward a receiver A comprising N radio frequency channels (N≧1), the characteristics of said signal being unknown to the receiver and said signal being reflected off P reflectors Bi (P≧1) of known positions, includes a step of multi-channel joint estimation/detection of the time differences of arrival or TDOA τi and of the frequency differences of arrival or FDOA fi for each reflected path, a step of angular estimation of the direction θ1 of the direct path of the signal emitted by a goniometry procedure, and a step of location in the plane of the position (x,y) of the emitter E on the basis, at least, of the pairs (τi, fi).
US08718672B2

Techniques for determining a status of a user are described. A mobile device equipped with sensors may collect sensor data pertaining to transportation modes of the user, tracking locations of the user, identifying environmental noise levels surrounding the user, or speech being spoken in proximity to the user. Features of the collected sensor readings are then used to infer activities the user may be performing. Based at least in part on the multiple inferred activities, a status of the user is determined.
US08718670B2

A system for transmitting data via a core portion of a computer network to a mobile device is described. The network includes a plurality of access points wherein each access point includes a memory where data for onward transmission to the mobile device may be cached and is operable to communicate with the mobile device over a short-range wireless connection, when the mobile device is in range thereof, and with the core portion of the network over a backhaul connection on a substantially continuous basis. The exemplary system includes: a location collection server for receiving location data from the mobile device; an access point prediction engine for generating predictions of one or more of the access points which the mobile device is considered likely to come in range of in the future based on recent location data received at the location collection server; and a content delivery server for transmitting the data or a portion thereof to the one or more predicted access points via the backhaul connection for caching at the access points and for onward transmission to the mobile device in the event that the mobile device comes into range of the access point, or one or more of the access points where data is transmitted to more than one predicted access point.
US08718665B2

A method and apparatus of transmitting data in a coordinated multi-cell wireless communication system is provided. A base station receives information about beam-forming vectors, aligned with a channel to a user equipment placed in a neighbor cell, and about nulling beam-forming vectors for the channel to the user equipment from the neighbor cell, determines a transmission beam-forming vector based on the information, and transmits data to the user equipment using the transmission beam-forming vector.
US08718660B2

A method and apparatus for measuring a radio environment of a base station is provided. The method includes respectively selecting one or more frames for measuring a radio environment in a first mode in which an Over-The-Air Receiver (OTAR) of the base station is initialized and a second mode in which the OTAR is active, continuously measuring the radio environment based on the selected one or more frames in the first mode and intermittently measuring the radio environment based on the selected one or more frames in the second mode.
US08718634B2

A first user terminal and method of operating the first user terminal so as to provide location information associated with the first user terminal to a second user terminal are disclosed. The first user terminal and the second user terminal are comprised within a wireless communication system, which wireless communication system further comprises a plurality of radio base stations of which a first one of the plurality of radio base stations is serving the first user terminal. A signal is received from one of the radio base stations comprising the absolute geographical coordinates corresponding to the location of that radio base station. Pilot signal measurements are performed on the received signal. The absolute geographical coordinates corresponding to the location of the first user terminal are determined based on the performed pilot signal measurements and the received absolute geographical coordinates of the radio base station. The determined absolute geographical coordinates are transmitted to the second user terminal.
US08718615B2

Disclosed are methods and devices for queue management that allow a person waiting in the queue to choose to receive at least one warning communication, for example on a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. In some embodiments, the person agrees to “buy” the warnings and concomitant free time by agreeing to pay for at least one warning communication and/or by agreeing to accept advertisements.
US08718612B2

In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for presenting information associated with a real estate listing in an augmented reality environment. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes (a) receiving positioning information from a mobile device; (b) identifying, based at least partially on the positioning information, a real estate property; (c) determining that the real estate property is subject to a real estate listing; and (d) presenting, via the mobile device, information that indicates that the real estate property is subject to a real estate listing.
US08718609B2

The present invention relates to the field of data processing, and in particular, to a method for processing data in a message. The method includes: receiving a message sent by a network side or another equipment, wherein the message carries data; identifying a data type of the data; and storing the data into a function module corresponding to the data type according to a corresponding relationship list, wherein the corresponding relationship list is a list of correspondence between the data types and the function module. Meanwhile, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a mobile terminal for processing data in a message. With embodiments of the present invention, the intelligent interaction capability between a mobile terminal and a user is enhanced, and the transaction processing efficiency of the mobile terminal is also improved.
US08718608B2

The disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for unlocking a mobile phone. Both the apparatus and the method support the specific operations of a sensing component module, a judgment module and an unlocking performing module; wherein the sensing component module is configured to recording the time at which a user touches a first sensing component and a second sensing component, and transmitting the time to the judgment module; the judgment module is configured to judging whether an unlocking condition is satisfied according to the time at which the user touches a first sensing component and a second sensing component, and if yes, notifying the unlocking performing module to perform unlocking, if not, continuing being locked. The apparatus and method in the disclosure can reduce the probability of unlocking misoperations, and are convenient and rapid.
US08718596B1

A wireless device identifier and an access point identifier are associated with location information that identifies a location associated with a network access point that is associated with the access point identifier. Call signaling information requesting a call to an emergency service is received from a wireless device connected wirelessly to the network access point via a wireless network connection. The access point identifier is received from the wireless device. Based on the access point identifier, and the wireless device identifier, the location information is retrieved. The location information is transferred to an emergency service system. The call for the emergency service is established to the emergency service system.
US08718595B2

A system and method for providing information associated with public safety answering points may include storing a set of records including information associated with a plurality of PSAPs, each record may include (i) an identifier indicative of a PSAP available to service emergency communications, (ii) at least one cell code identifier indicative of cell sites in which the associated PSAP services, and (iii) at least one network address capable of receiving certain emergency data message types. In response to receiving a request, a PSAP local to a wireless communications device of a user who sent an emergency data message may be identified, and a network address associated with the identified local PSAP may be provided.
US08718592B2

A facility for determining the location of a mobile device when a location determination of a desired accuracy is desired. If available, the facility determines the location of the mobile device using a device-based technique or using a location determination technique that is accessible over a macronetwork. Macronetworks are networks that are designed to cover relatively large areas. If a location determination technique of desired accuracy is not available on the device or over a macronetwork, the facility attempts to use a location determination technique that is accessible over a micronetwork to determine the location of the mobile device. Micronetworks are networks that are designed to cover smaller areas. By forcing a switch from a macronetwork-based location determination technique to a micronetwork-based location determination technique, the facility ensures that a location determination is made for the mobile device of a desired accuracy, time to fix (TTF), and/or yield.
US08718591B2

Embodiments of a radio frequency (RF) circuit provide translational filtering in accordance with an input impedance response that is an impedance image of a reactive circuit impedance response from a poly phase reactive circuit. The RF circuit may include a first mixer circuit that provides a first frequency offset for the impedance image and a second mixer circuit that provides an additional frequency offset. Accordingly, the second mixer circuit may allow for adjustments to a total frequency offset of the impedance image. The second mixer circuit may also be configured so that the impedance image rejects a negative frequency impedance response of the reactive circuit impedance response.
US08718588B2

A signal processing circuit is used for generating a signal output by processing a signal input, and includes a first mixer unit, a second mixer unit, and a frequency-selective combining block. The first mixer unit is arranged for receiving a first signal and a first oscillation signal, and generating a first mixing output by mixing the first oscillation signal and the first signal. The second mixer unit is arranged for receiving a second signal and a second oscillation signal, and generating a second mixing output by mixing the second oscillation signal and the second signal. Each of the first signal and the second signal is part of the signal input. The first and second oscillation signals have a same frequency but different phases. The frequency-selective combining block is arranged for frequency-selectively combining the first mixing output and the second mixing output to generate the signal output.
US08718587B2

A reconfigurable LNA for increased jammer rejection is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment includes an LNA having a tunable resonant frequency, and a detector configured to output a control signal to tune the resonant frequency of the LNA to increase jammer suppression. An exemplary method includes detecting if a jammer is present, tuning a resonant frequency of an LNA away from the jammer to increase jammer rejection if the jammer is present, and tuning the resonant frequency of the LNA to a selected operating frequency if the jammer is not present.
US08718584B2

A dual conversion receiver architecture that converts a radio frequency signal to produce a programmable intermediate frequency whose channel bandwidth and frequency can be changed using variable low-pass filtering to accommodate multiple standards for television and other wireless standards. The dual conversion receiver uses a two stage frequency translation and continual DC offset removal. The dual conversion receiver can be completely implemented on an integrated circuit with no external adjustments.
US08718580B2

Systems and methods are provided for producing an amplified radio frequency (RF) signal representing a baseband input signal. A first amplifier amplifies a first intermediate signal to provide a first amplified signal. Second and third amplifiers amplify a second intermediate signal to provide second and third amplified signals. A signal combiner combines the first, second, and third amplified signals to produce the amplified RF signal. An RF modulator modulates an RF carrier signal with a baseband input signal to provide the first and second intermediate signals. The RF modulator provides the first and second intermediate signals such that the first amplified signal is out-of-phase with each of the second and third amplified signals at an output of an active device within the second amplifier when the amplitude of the baseband input signal exceeds a threshold voltage and in phase when the baseband input signal is below a threshold voltage.
US08718577B1

According to techniques described herein LO leakage may be automatically minimized in a transmitter chain, even though the leakage may be varying in nature. In an embodiment a target signal for transmission is received. An offset for reducing the effects of the LO leakage is applied to the target signal. After the offset is applied, the target signal is converted to a transmission signal using the LO. A power associated with the transmission signal is determined. The offset is then adjusted based on the power associated with the transmission signal. In another embodiment, the offset signal is adjusted in a manner that minimizes the power associated with the transmission signal.
US08718571B2

A transmitting and receiving device includes: a transmission circuit that transmits a signal by FM-modulating a carrier wave of the signal; an FM demodulation circuit that generates a demodulation signal by FM-demodulating the received signal; and a first filter circuit that changes a pass-band for letting the received signal pass through according to the demodulation signal, wherein the transmitting and receiving device perform a power supply line communication through the power supply line in which a signal is transmitted and received among a plurality of the transmitting and receiving devices.
US08718568B2

Methods and systems to configure and/or reconfigure measurement configuration in wireless communications with one or more cells are disclosed. Measurement configuration reporting may be reconfigured based on events associated with the one or more serving cells and/or one or more serving component carriers, among others. Measurement configuration and measurement configuration reporting may also be reconfigured based on events associated with one or more serving component carriers.
US08718567B2

Wireless test equipment may be used to perform over-the-air testing of user equipment. The user equipment may contain an antenna and a receiver. The wireless test equipment may contain a call box that performs network-level testing by sending and receiving protocol-compliant network messages. The call box may transmit a radio-frequency test signal at a predetermined power. The antenna in the user equipment may receive the radio-frequency test signal and may provide the received radio-frequency test signal to the input of the receiver. The call box may send a network message such as a code-division-multiple-access intercode handover command to the user equipment to direct the user equipment to measure the received radio-frequency test signal power at the input of the receiver. The measured power may be transmitted to the call box as part of a pilot measurement message indicator, using an intercode handover command, or using other network messages.
US08718553B2

A communications device includes a housing and a wireless transceiver and processor carried by the housing and operative with each other. A Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit is carried by the housing and coupled to the processor. A touch screen display is connected to the processor. An NFC antenna is integrated with the touch screen display and coupled to the NFC circuit.
US08718541B2

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising optimizing the location and configuration of relay stations in a wireless network that includes at least one base station and at least one relay station by taking into account at least one or more of the following: the distinct antenna heights of said at least one base station and said at least one relay station; the data dependency between said at least one relay station and said at least one base station; the service outage of said wireless network; and the network throughput of said wireless network.
US08718536B2

An apparatus, system, and method for determining the presence of a mobile device located in a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle are disclosed. A detection module receives a communication signal, determines that the communication signal was transmitted by a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, and a control module transmits a control signal to the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone. The system further includes a monitoring logic to monitor a functional system of the vehicle activating the transmission of the control signal by the control module when the monitored functional system is activated and the detection module determines that the communication signal was transmitted by the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone.
US08718529B2

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming stations for forming a toner image having superposed toner image components on a recording material, a fixing portion for fixing the toner image on the recording material, and a glossiness treatment unit, operable when a glossiness treatment mode is selected, for glossiness treatment of the toner image fixed on the recording material by heating the toner image. The glossiness treatment unit includes a film movable in a feeding direction of the recording material, a heating member contacting the film, and a pressing member cooperating with the heating member to form a nip, with the film therebetween, for nipping and feeding the recording material. In the glossiness treatment mode, one of the image forming stations forms, as a topmost layer, a toner image having a tone gradation provided by a dot growth type screening, and an image forming station, other than the one for forming the topmost toner image, forms the toner image having the tone gradation provided by a line growth type screening.
US08718525B2

A fuser includes an endless heat generating part including a conductive layer, an induced current generating part to heat the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction, and a magnetic shunt metal member that is located at a side opposite to the induced current generating part across the heat generating part, forms a first gap between the magnetic shunt metal member and the heat generating part in a first paper passing region of the heat generating part, and forms a second gap, which is different from the first gap in size, between the magnetic shunt metal member and the heat generating part in a second paper passing region different from the first paper passing region.
US08718524B2

A fixation device including: a conveyance member configured to convey media; a heater configured to heat the conveyance member; a pressure member being in contact with the conveyance member; a first sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the first sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member; and a second sandwiching member disposed facing the pressure member with the conveyance member between the second sandwiching member and the pressure member and being in contact with the conveyance member.
US08718516B2

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.
US08718510B2

A recording material processing apparatus includes an apparatus main body including a processing unit, a cover member provided so as to be opened and closed, opened to a predetermined place, and covers a predetermined place on the apparatus main body, a drag applying portion provided in the apparatus main body side and used to apply drag to the cover member opened and closed by a user, and a drag receiving member provided in cover member side, receives the drag from the drag applying portion when drag applying portion presses and the cover member is opened and closed, and is elastically deformed when a portion opposite to the drag applying portion in a state where the cover member is closed and/or a portion opposite to the drag applying portion when the cover member is opened up to the predetermined place is pressed by the drag applying portion.
US08718509B2

A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus, the developer supply container includes an containing portion for containing a developer; a discharge opening, provided in the containing portion, for permitting discharge of the developer; a shutter for opening and closing the discharge opening; an elastic member, provided around the discharge opening, for sealing between the developer supply container and the developer receiving apparatus; and a film member for unsealably sealing the discharge opening.
US08718505B2

The high-voltage output apparatus includes a voltage application part that applies a DC voltage to the charge member; a current detection part that detects a value of a current flowing in the image bearing member when the DC voltage is applied to the charge member; and a control part that calculates a plurality of discharge start voltages for the image bearing member, based on a plurality of current values detected by the current detection part as a result of the voltage application part applying a plurality of different DC voltages to the charge member, and controls the DC voltage applied to the charge member, using the plurality of calculated discharge start voltages. Consequently, a high-quality image can be formed by maintaining a potential on a photosensitive drum to be constant irrespective of the states of the circumstances and/or the drum layer thickness.
US08718504B2

A converter includes a switching element configured to switch an input voltage, a drive unit configured to drive the switching element, a pulse signal generating unit configured to supply a pulse signal to the drive unit, and a bypass unit configured to connect the switching element and the pulse signal generating unit without involving the drive unit. An operation of the bypass unit maintains the switching element in an on state when the input voltage is switched to a lower voltage and switching of the input voltage is stopped.
US08718497B2

A charging device includes a charging member and a pulling device. The charging member charges a surface of an image carrier and includes a charging member body and axial-end members. The charging member body is arranged so as to face the image carrier and extends along an axial direction of a rotation shaft of the image carrier. The axial-end members are supported at both ends of the charging member body in the axial direction and do not extend through the inside of the charging member body in the axial direction. The pulling device pulls the charging member in the axial direction.
US08718496B2

A toner container including a first electrode disposed within the toner container, a second electrode electrically connected to the first electrode and disposed within the toner container, and a sense electrode disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sense electrode and the first electrode form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes in response to a change in toner amount existing therebetween. The sense electrode and the second electrode form a second capacitor having a second capacitance that changes in response to a change in toner amount existing therebetween.
US08718495B2

An image forming apparatus includes a detachable unit having a memory configured to store information. The image forming apparatus further includes a first acquiring unit, a second acquiring unit, and a control unit. The first acquiring unit acquires first information on a used amount of the memory. The second acquiring unit acquires second information on a used amount of the detachable unit. The control unit controls an interval between accesses to the memory based on the first information on the used amount of the memory and the second information on the used amount of the detachable unit.
US08718493B2

A controller for controlling an image forming apparatus having a light detection unit controls at least two operations including: 1) operation of detecting a jam of a recording sheet in a sheet transfer path based on a light intensity level detected by the light detection unit when image forming is performed; and 2) operation of controlling switching of an operation mode of the image forming apparatus to an energy save mode based on a light intensity level detected by the light detection unit.
US08718483B2

A deployable photonic link including a deployable length of optical fiber and an interface module fusion spliced to at least one end of the optical fiber so that the module is directly connected to the fiber. The interface module including at least one of: an input for receiving a first electrical signal including a first radio frequency (RF) signal component; and an output for outputting a second RF signal component. The interface module further including, respectively, at least one of: a device for receiving the first electrical signal from the input and for producing an optical signal modulated with the first RF signal component for transmission in the optical fiber; and a device for receiving a modulated optical signal and for producing therefrom the second RF signal component for output at the output. An interface module may also contain both the input and the output and the devices for receiving RF signals and for receiving modulated optical signals.
US08718481B2

A method and a device are provided for phase recovery of at least two channels comprising the steps of (i) a phase is estimated for each channel; (ii) the phase estimated of each channel is superimposed by a coupling factor with at least one other phase estimated. Further, a communication system is suggested comprising such a device.
US08718475B2

A system and method for sizing transponder pools in a dynamic wavelength division multiplexing optical network having selected nodes designated to have a shared transponder pool is presented. The method comprises performing network simulations, generating transponder pool histograms (for each node having a transponder pool) based on the network simulations, performing statistical analysis using the transponder pool histograms to determine probability distribution and distribution parameters for each node and to calculate the horizontal axis location that has a specified distribution tail area, sizing the transponder pools according to the horizontal axis location that has the desired distribution tail area, executing network call blocking simulations to calculate call blocking probabilities, determining whether the call blocking probabilities meet blocking requirements, when the blocking requirements are met, using the sized transponder pools, and when the blocking requirements are not met, adjusting the distribution tail area and repeating sizing, executing and determining steps.
US08718470B2

An optical packet switching apparatus includes an optical coupler for branching off a received optical packet signal, an optical switch unit for switching the route of one of the branched-off optical packet signals so as to be outputted, and an optical switch control unit for controlling the optical switch unit. The optical switch control unit includes an optical-to-electrical conversion unit for converting the other of the branched-off optical packet signals into an electrical packet signal, a serial/parallel conversion unit capacitively coupled to the optical-to-electrical conversion unit, a packet density detector for detecting the packet density of the received packet signal, and a DC offset adjustment unit for adjusting the DC offset voltage of the packet signal, inputted to the serial/parallel conversion unit, according to the packet density information detected by the packet density detector.
US08718469B2

An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) configured for at least partial impairment aware routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) and to communicate with a path computation client (PCC) based on a PCE protocol (PCEP) that supports path routing, wavelength assignment (WA), and impairment validation (IV). Also disclosed is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising establishing a PCEP session with a PCC, receiving path computation information comprising RWA information and constraints from the PCC, establishing impairment aware RWA (IA-RWA) based on the path computation information and a private impairment information for a vendor's equipment, and sending a path and an assigned wavelength based on the IA-RWA to the PCC. Disclosed is a method comprising establishing impairment aware routing and wavelength assignment for a plurality of network elements (NEs) in an optical network using routing and combined WA and IV.
US08718466B2

A wave division multiplexing (WDM) system is disclosed which accommodates shifts in the resonant frequency of optical modulators by using at least two carriers per optical communications channel and at least two resonant modulator circuits respectively associated with the carriers within each optical modulator. A first resonant modulator circuit resonates with a first carrier and a second resonates with a second carrier when there is a shift in resonance frequency of the at least two resonant optical modulator circuits. A switch circuit controls which carrier is being modulated by its respective resonant modulator circuit.
US08718463B2

An adapter for controlling a first camera and a second camera, which exhibit differing operating characteristics, in a three-dimension (3D) camera imaging system. The adapter provides a camera control signal to the first camera to control operation of the first camera. The adapter converts the camera control signal to a second camera control signal utilizing information from the first and the second cameras indicative of imaging states of the cameras, and provides the second camera control signal to the second camera to control operation of the second camera. The conversion compensates for the differing operating characteristics of the first and second cameras.
US08718445B1

Among other things, videos and commercials are downloaded to a mobile device for storage on the mobile device and later playout on the mobile device. The downloading includes downloading of metadata associated with the commercials and based on which the mobile device can select commercials for insertion into videos being played back to the user of the mobile device. The commercials to be downloaded are selected based on one or a combination of any two or more of the location of the user, the type of mobile device, and personally-identifiable information about a user of the mobile device.
US08718444B2

A video search device extracts a plurality of objects each contained in a different one of frames of a video, assigns a weight value to each of the extracted objects based on a time-series feature of the frame containing the object, and searches for an object similar to each of the extracted objects based on the extracted objects each having the weight value assigned thereto.
US08718442B2

According to one embodiment, a data reproduction apparatus comprises a reproduction module configured to reproduce image data, a resolution selection module configured to select one of resolutions, an image quality mode selection module configured to select on or off state of an image quality mode, a selection disable module configured to disable the resolution selection module to select a prescribed resolution when the image quality mode selection module selects the on state of the image quality mode, and an image processor configured to improve a quality of the image data reproduced by the reproduction module in accordance with the resolution selected by the resolution selection module when the image quality mode selection module selects the on state of the image quality mode.
US08718440B2

The present invention describes a decentralized symmetric configuration of digital video recorders (DVCRs) for monitoring, controlling, analyzing, recording, playback and streaming of audio/visual (A/V) media over a network. Each DVCR is an autonomous device able to operate in its local environment as well as access and operate another DVCR available on the network to facilitate the overall working of the disclosed system. Each DVCR also exhibits storage fail-safe feature whereby it recovers data automatically if storage media gets corrupted such as due to sudden power failure. A DVCR can be configured to scan the network for other DVCR units. A list of discovered DVCRs is displayed. Each DVCR can access, after authentication, any of the listed DVCR for configuration, monitoring, controlling, recording, playback and other available functionality over the network. The same controls used for operating a local DVCR, including use of buttons, can be employed to operate the remote DVCR, giving a virtual presence at the remote location. The functionality exhibited by each of the DVCR, can be identical. A plurality of the DVCR can thus form a decentralized, symmetric network in which there is no master or central controller.
US08718436B2

Methods and apparatuses for providing secure fiber optic connections are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locking apparatus comprising a locking plate to secure fiber optic connections is disclosed. The locking plate is configured to be attached to a fiber optic adapter panel and adjustably positioned to a selected position such that when a fiber optic connector on the end of a fiber optic cable is connected to a fiber optic adapter on the fiber optic adapter panel, the fiber optic cable is allowed to pass through a cut-out area of the locking plate but a finger portion of the locking plate does not allow the fiber optic connector to pass through the cut-out area. A lock disposed on the locking plate is configured to keep the locking plate in the selected position. The locking apparatus may also be used to securely store unused or unconnected ports of an optical splitter in a separate enclosure, such as a parking lot compartment.
US08718435B2

A terminal enclosure (1) for optical fibers for communication comprising a housing, including a base (2) and a cover, and an extractable fiber organizer tray (11), that is disposable in the housing having a first and a second side. The extractable fiber organizer tray comprises a splicing portion (12), a fiber connector mounting portion (28) and portions for storing an entering jacketed cable (14) as well as the fibers (13) of the stripped portion of the cable (6).
US08718428B2

Micromodule subunit cables are constructed to allow for ease of identification between optical fibers in differing groups of optical fibers. In one cable, a first group of fibers is located within a first subunit while a second group of fibers is located within a second subunit, both subunits being enclosed in a cable jacket.
US08718426B2

Described are new cable designs for indoor installations wherein the cable comprises a dual-layer optical fiber buffer encasement of acrylate resin. The buffer encasement has an acrylate compliant inner layer that protects the fiber and minimizes stress transfer to the fiber; and a hard, tough acrylate outer layer that provides crush resistance. The dual-layer optical fiber buffer encasement is wrapped with reinforcing yarn and encased in an outer protective jacket. A dual jacket embodiment adapted for indoor/outdoor installations is also described.
US08718425B2

A cable assembly, for example, a pulling grip for pulling a trunk cable assembly having a plurality of cable legs may include at least one pliable core for receiving the cable legs, the cable legs being wrapped at least one time around the at least one pliable core causing distal ends of the cable legs to be a distance from a furcation point, the distance being shorter than the length of the cable legs, the cable assembly further providing protection from exceeding a minimum bend radius and enabling a relatively short pulling grip.
US08718422B2

An angled coupling for optical fibers can comprise a body (10) having an incoming aperture (18a) and an outgoing aperture (18b), from which an incoming hollow waveguide (12a) and an outgoing hollow waveguide (12b) extend into the body at an angle (22). A reflective surface (24) is situated at the vertex of the angle and is oriented substantially perpendicular to a bisector of the angle. The coupling also comprises an incoming coupling structure (32a) and an outgoing coupling structure (32b), each configured to attach an optical fiber to the corresponding aperture.
US08718420B2

An SPR sensor cell is an SPR sensor cell including an optical waveguide to be brought into contact with a sample. The optical waveguide includes an under clad layer, a core layer provided in the under clad layer such that at least a part thereof is exposed from the under clad layer, and a metal particle layer covering the core layer exposed from the under clad layer to be brought into contact with the sample.
US08718411B2

A method and apparatus for providing optical supercontinuum. The method comprises creating a spectrally narrow phase feature within a supercontinuum spectrum produced from a laser pulse that has been subjected to supercontinuum generation, thereby producing a modified supercontinuum spectrum, and propagating the modified supercontinuum spectrum through an optical waveguide that is suitable for supercontinuum generation, thereby further modifying the modified supercontinuum spectrum. The method may include modifying the modified supercontinuum spectrum by increasing its energy in a vicinity of the phase feature.
US08718404B2

The invention relates to a method for temporal video registration of a target video with a master video comprising steps of automatic selection a plurality of key frames for target video and a plurality of key frames for master video; sparse registration of a plurality of key frames for target video with a plurality of key frames for master video; dense registration of frames of target video with frames of master video belonging to a temporal segment including registered key frames.
US08718388B2

Systems and methods that receive a video stream comprising a sequence of plural compressed pictures, wherein the plural compressed pictures comprises a plurality of sets of compressed pictures, wherein each set in the plurality of sets has a respective picture interdependency characteristic, wherein the compressed pictures in the first set depend for decoding only on pictures from the first set.
US08718386B2

A method for organizing an event timeline for a digital image collection, includes using a processor for detecting events in the digital image collection and each event's associated timespan; determining the detected events that are significant in the digital image collection; and organizing the event timeline so that the event timeline shows the significant events and a clustered representation of the other events, made available to the user at different time granularities. The organized event timeline is also used for selecting images for generating output.
US08718368B2

Providing text flow in or around an irregular container, such as a non-rectangular graphic, is disclosed. In the case of flow around a container, the intersection, if any, between a proposed text rectangle and the irregular container is determined. A valid rectangle, if any, that is not within the bounds in the x-direction of an area of intersection between the proposed text rectangle and the graphic is identified as a valid text area within the proposed text rectangle. In the case of flow around a container, one or more difference areas, if any, in which a proposed text rectangle is present but the container is not present are found. A valid rectangle, if any, that is not within the bounds in the x-direction of any of said one or more difference areas is identified as a valid text area within the proposed text rectangle.
US08718360B2

A color image enhancement method, for enhancing the color of a color image comprising a plurality of pixels. The method comprises: mapping a color saturation value of each pixel to a normalized saturation value, wherein the range of values of normalized saturation is the same independent of the luminance value of the pixel; estimating a probability distribution of the normalized saturation values; defining a transfer function for modifying the normalized saturation values, based on the estimated probability distribution; and applying the transfer function to the normalized saturation values to generate modified values.
US08718348B2

A method for providing a diagnostic image as a combination of two or more images executed, at least in part, on a control logic processor. The method includes obtaining at least first and second image data of a subject and analyzing both the first and second image data to identify at least grid orientation and spacing. Grid suppression is applied to the first and second image data and the grid suppressed first and second image data is pre-processed. The method then combines the grid suppressed first and second image data and decomposes the combined data to obtain one or more diagnostic images for display. The one or more diagnostic images are displayed on a display that is associated with the control logic processor.
US08718341B2

When characterizing a tumor or lesion as malignant or benign, a system (10) receives an image of the lesion volume (50), employs a processor (12) to perform a raw segmentation of the image, the results of which are stored to memory (14). Then processor then executes a hole-filling procedure to fill in dark areas in the image of the lesion representing necrotic tissue that absorbed little or no contrast agent, and optionally a leakage removal procedure to remove image voxels associated with non-lesion tissue, e.g., blood vessels, in which the contrast agent was present during imaging, to generate a complete lesion volume. A voxel analyzer (18) assesses a number of voxels included in the raw segmentation of the lesion image, and the final segmentation (e.g., after filling and optional leakage removal). A segmentation comparator (20) computes a ratio of dark area voxels related to necrotic tissue detected after the raw segmentation to total voxels detected in the final image segmentation. The ratio is then used to determine a likelihood of malignancy, with a higher ratio indicating a higher likelihood.
US08718335B2

This invention concerns apparatus and a method for authenticating a subject using their eye as an identifying biometric, in particular the shape of their cornea. The apparatus comprises an image projection device to generate and project an image of a pattern, made up of plural discrete points, onto at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the person. An image capture device to capture an image of the pattern of plural discrete points, after reflection in at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the person. And, a computer processor to extract a data set defining the locations of the discrete points in the captured image. The method comprises capturing an image of an illuminated pattern, made up of plural discrete points, after reflection in at least a part of the cornea of an eye of the subject. Comparing the locations of the discrete points in the pattern of the captured image against the locations of the discrete points in the pattern of a reference image. And, authenticating the identity of the subject depending on the similarity of comparison. In a further aspect the invention is software for performing the method.
US08718314B2

An earphone comprises an inner shell, a stem and a pivot connection. The inner shell has a generally circular periphery shaped to at least partially fit in a user's concha. The stem is mounted to the inner shell at a position spaced from a rotational center of the inner shell and supports a wire leading to the inner shell. The inner shell and the stem are rotatable relative to each other by the pivot connection to configure the earphone to fit the user's ear with the shell member positioned at least partially in the user's concha and the stem positioned exteriorly along an intertragic notch of the ear.
US08718310B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for waveguide structures and speaker assemblies. In one embodiment, a waveguide may include an input aperture configured to receive a sound signal from a sound source, and a plurality of isolated sound paths having substantially equal path lengths. Each isolated sound path may be formed within a housing of the waveguide and formed with a curved path to reduce the depth of the waveguide. The waveguide may include a plurality of plugs, wherein each plug divides an output of one of the isolated sound paths into a plurality of output sound paths and defines a plurality of output apertures of the waveguide. Each output sound path is characterized by a reduced width relative to the output of the isolated sound path, the plurality of output apertures configured to output a combined sound signal based, at least in part, on the plurality of sound signals.
US08718309B2

In the invention a speaker apparatus acoustically combines the earpiece and hands free functions. Thus a speaker has acoustically separated functions for acting as the earpiece and as the hands free. The speaker apparatus has a back cavity having an outlet so that the damped sound of the outlet operates as the earpiece. The front of the speaker apparatus operates as the louder hands free.
US08718307B2

A bone conduction hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component including a transducer that is carried by the ITE component and positioned in the concha of the ear when in use. A vibrationally conductive structural member of the ITE component conducts vibration produced the transducer into the ear canal and such vibrations are transferred through a housing of the transducer. From there, the vibrations are transferred to a cochlea of the user by way of the mastoid bone, enabling enhanced hearing perception in patients with hearing loss.
US08718306B2

In a hearing device or hearing aid, provision can be made for a sound tube or an in-the-ear loudspeaker to be held in an auditory canal of a user by an earpiece. To couple a sound tube to an earpiece, a connection element can be provided on the sound tube, which connection element can be connected to a connection element for the earpiece. This connection must be detachable so that a user can remove the earpiece from the sound tube. Nevertheless, it must be possible to transmit such a large force over the connection that the earpiece can once again be pulled out of the auditory canal. The object is to simplify a detachable connection for coupling an earpiece to a sound tube or an in-the-ear loudspeaker. Accordingly, the connection element for the earpiece is provided as an independent component, which is attached in or on the earpiece.
US08718303B2

A hearing aid system adapted for establishing a conversation group with other hearing aid systems used by different users, comprises a hearing aid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) with an associated relay device (11, 12, 13, 14, 15). The relay device is (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) adapted for wireless communication (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) with said hearing aid and for wireless communication (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) with a second hearing aid system. The relay device (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is also adapted for receiving and displaying information about said second hearing aid systems being available for participation in said conversation group, and it comprises means for selection of said other hearing aid systems for inclusion into the conversation group. The invention further provides a method for establishing a conversation group among hearing aid users.
US08718298B2

A method is provided for controlling a dynamic range of audio reproduction in an interior of a vehicle. An input audio signal is received by an audio processor. The input audio signal is split into a first and a second processing path. The input audio signal of the second processing path is compressed. A noise-related parameter of the vehicle is characterized. A gain control is applied to the compressed audio signal of the second processing path in response to the noise-related parameter. The compressed and uncompressed audio signals are synchronously recombined. The combined audio signal is reproduced to the interior of the vehicle.
US08718287B2

A method for controlling a maximum signal level output to headphones of a wireless device is provided. The method includes: determining an impedance of the headphones; determining a carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having the impedance; and, adjusting an audio amplifier of the wireless device coupled to the headphones to restrict the maximum signal level output to the headphones to the carrier specific maximum signal level.
US08718275B2

A method and apparatus for finding an estimate of the delay of a signal travelling between two points. A quantity is evaluated from the signal at a final number of time instants, at both a reference point and a reception point. The values are quantized by comparison with a threshold adapted to a typical magnitude of the quantity. If the quantized values from the reception point are shifted back by the true delay with respect to the quantized values from the reference point, then certain co-occurrences of quantized values have very low probability. Hence, the best delay estimate is that shift which yields the least number of low-probability co-occurrences.
US08718264B2

A system for automatically detecting status of an agent in a call center is provided. The system may have a call center management system with a plurality of agent workstations coupled to the call center management system and a plurality of telephones associated with the agent workstations. The system may also have a switch that automatically connects calls to the telephones. An off-hook detector automatically detects a manually initiated off-hook status of at least one of the telephones and signals the switch that the agent at the telephones is unavailable. The switch may then avoid connecting a call to the unavailable agent.
US08718262B2

A method for automatically routing a telephonic communication to at least one of a plurality of communication destination addresses is provided. The method is implemented by a computer readable medium having a plurality of code segments. The method comprises the step of receiving customer identifier and communicating with a customer history database configured to store historic data. The method also includes determining whether the received customer identifier corresponds to a stored customer identifier in the customer history database. Historic data corresponding to the stored customer number is identified based on the comparison of the received customer identifier and the stored customer identifier. The telephonic communication is associated with a predetermined communication destination based on the identified historic data. The associated communication data is transmitted to a switching signal.
US08718260B2

A method, computer program product, and an apparatus for transferring a telephone call and associated data from an IVR system to a live agent or other system are provided. An exemplary embodiment may include a voice portal of the IVR system requesting an access number for a live agent and sending data associated with the telephone call to a CTI system. The CTI system may request and receive a routing label from a router and then send the data associated with the telephone call and the request for an access number to a call center using the routing label provided by the router. The CTI system may receive the access number from the call center and send the access number back through the IVR system to an exchange carrier for transferring the caller to the call center.
US08718251B2

Detailed information about a party can be provided during interparty communication. Data-capable mobile devices query at least a public database to retrieve information about a set of parties engaged in communication. The results of the database query are employed to provide detailed caller identification and detail functionality to telephones or communication devices not utilizing traditional landlines or commercial caller identification service. Storage can be included to include address book function, query caching, and user preferences. An interface can be provided to facilitate display of rich caller identification information. The interface can further update displayed information without user input, or provide user selection control to request more information on a selected portion of displayed information. These features can be applied to determine the information about a party that is either receiving a communication or initiating a communication.
US08718250B2

A billing data interface provides billing data to customers in an accurate and efficient manner. Billing data is processed to preserve client billing information and to meet a customer's individual data requirements. The billing data may be presented in such a way that the customer may input the billing data directly into its client billing system. The billing data may be processed according to client billing specifications corresponding to a client billing system used by the customer. The processed data may preserve leading zeros, separate client code and matter code into two fields, etc. The resulting data file may be delivered to the customer for entry into the customer's client billing system.
US08718248B2

A communication apparatus, which is connected to a phone line, and to which an external telephone is connectable to. The communication apparatus includes: a line-voltage detecting unit which detects a line voltage; a communication-signal detecting unit which performs detection on a communication signal, which is input to the communication apparatus from the phone line or from the external telephone upon the external telephone is hooked up; and a control device which performs a hook-up determining process of determining that the external telephone is in a hook-up state when the line voltage detected by the line-voltage detecting unit is equal to or less than a first threshold value and the communication signal is detected by the communication-signal detecting unit.
US08718229B1

A flexible, durable, sanitary, adhesive-backed sheet is applied to the skin-contacting surfaces of a mammography bucky prior to commencing a mammography procedure, and is removed from the bucky once the procedure is complete, without leaving a residue behind. The sheet is made of a non-woven polymeric material that gives the sheet a fabric-like or cloth feel, and is substantially incompressible in response to forces applied during a mammography procedure. The sheet insulates the patient from the temperature differential between the patient's skin and the bucky surfaces. Additionally, the surface of the sheet is embossed with a texture, markings or raised features to enhance the fabric-like feel.
US08718226B2

A tiled detector assembly (1000) and a method for making a tiled radiation detector (1000) is described. The innovative feature of this method is that the xyz misalignment of the detector tiles (304, 304′), the origin of various image artifacts, can be significantly reduced by accurate sizing and alignment of the detector tiles (304, 304′). Consequently, image quality, yield and reliability of as-produced tiled radiation detectors are considerably improved.
US08718219B2

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 photo-fission arising from the emission of neutrons from almost fully accelerated fragments to unambiguously identify fissile material. The angular distribution of the prompt neutrons from photo-fission and the energy distribution correlated to neutron angle relative to the photon beam are used to distinguish odd-even from even-even nuclei undergoing photo-fission. The independence of the neutron yield curve (yield as a function of electron beam energy or photon energy) on neutron energy also is also used to distinguish photo-fission from other processes such as (γ, n). Different beam geometries are used to detect localized samples of fissile material and also fissile materials dispersed as small fragments or thin sheets over broad regions. These signals from photo-fission are unique and allow the detection of any material in the actinide region of the nuclear periodic table.
US08718217B2

In one embodiment, a circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) configured to generate k first clock signals that each have a first phase based on a charge-pump control voltage signal; one or more phase interpolators (PIs) configured to receive the k first clock signals and one or more first feedback controls signals and generate m second clock signals that each have a second phase based on the k first clock signals and the one or more first feedback control signals; a first phase detector (PD) configured to receive the m second clock signals and generate the one or more first feedback control signals based on the m second clock signals; a second PD configured to generate one or more second feedback control signals based on the m second clock signals; and a charge pump configured to output the charge-pump control voltage signal based on the second feedback control signals.
US08718212B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a rate matching method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving bit data of a first, a second, and a third input subblock, inserting dummy data into bit data in each subblock to respectively form even-numbered rows and odd-numbered rows of a matrix to be buffered for each subblock; inputting bit data of the even-numbered rows in the even-numbered row buffer and bit data of the odd-numbered rows in the odd-numbered row buffer of each subblock to a second buffer, and forming a matrix by using the bit data of the even-numbered rows and the bit data of the odd-numbered rows; controlling the second buffer to send data at the specified address; selecting data sent by the second buffer; and deleting the dummy data from the selected data to obtain valid output data.
US08718204B1

One of a plurality of candidate data symbols is selected. All possible values of the selected one candidate data symbol are grouped into two or more bit groups. A bit group is selected from the two or more bit groups. A local optimum candidate value from values in the selected bit group is determined for the selected one candidate data symbol for a given set of values corresponding to all of the plurality of candidate data symbols but the selected one candidate data symbol, the local optimum candidate value minimizing a distance value corresponding to a distance between the received data symbol vector and a channel matrix multiplied with the candidate vector, without calculating the distance value. A likelihood value is calculated for a bit in the selected one candidate data symbol based at least in part on the determined local optimum candidate value.
US08718200B2

According to one embodiment, a scaling decision device includes a first decision unit and a second decision unit. The first decision unit decides, based on a plurality of input signals, a K-th smallest signal of the plurality of input signals or a range to which the K-th smallest signal belongs of a plurality of ranges which classify the plurality of input signals by intensities. The second decision unit decides, based on a decision result of the first decision unit, a scaling value which prevents the K-th smallest signal from being submerged in quantization errors by normalization.
US08718198B2

A method of processing a boot sequence for a processor forming a part of a module apparatus involves interrogating a host television device to determine if the host television device requires use of an application execution engine residing on the module apparatus; receiving a reply to the interrogation; and responsive to the reply, establishing a mode of operation wherein the application execution engine is used to execute application code for the host television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08718191B2

A method for transmitting, by a transmitting terminal, data to a receiving terminal in a wireless communication system includes: generating a first detection field including symbols modulated by using a BPSK data tone; generating a second detection field including symbols modulated such that an even numbered subcarrier and an odd numbered subcarrier have a phase difference of 90 degrees; generating a data packet including the first detection field, the second detection field, and the data; and transmitting the data packet.
US08718189B2

A digital television (DTV) system uses parallel concatenated coding (PCC), together with QAM constellations for modulating OFDM carriers. A first encoder responds to ONEs' complemented bits of randomized data to generate a first component of PCC. A second encoder responds to delayed bits of the randomized data to generate a second component of PCC. A constellation mapper generates QAM symbols responsive to successive time-slices of the first component of the PCC interleaved with successive time-slices of the second component of the PCC. An OFDM modulator generates a COFDM modulating signal responsive to the QAM symbols. In a receiver for the DTV system, the second component of the PCC and delayed first component of the PCC are iteratively decoded. Soft bits from the second component and delayed first component of the parallel concatenated coding are code-combined to supply soft randomized data used in that iterative decoding.
US08718186B2

Methods for digital signal processing and transmission/reception systems utilizing the methods based on the use of LDPC codes, for example a LDPC code with a 3/5 code rate, in combination with a QAM modulation, for example the 16QAM or 64QAM or 256QAM modulation. In transmission, a bit permutation (Demux) is carried out prior to the QAM constellation mapping function, and in reception, the bit permutation is carried out after the QAM constellation demapping function.
US08718180B2

Precoding information prior to MIMO transmission is described, comprising determining a suitable preceding perturbation. The perturbation is determined by assembling a list of candidate perturbations in reduced lattice space, transforming these back into information lattice space and determining which candidate precoder perturbation is most suitable given a performance criterion.
US08718174B2

A method implemented in a user equipment used in a multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) wireless communications system is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a base station an indication of a first modulation type for the user equipment, receiving a first data signal for the user equipment, receiving a second data signal for a co-scheduled user equipment, where a second modulation type for the co-scheduled user equipment is unknown to the user equipment, and deciding the second modulation type. Other methods, systems, and apparatuses also are disclosed.
US08718165B2

Multi-antenna transmission control presented herein involves generating a set of virtual channel realizations at the transmitter that shares the same second-order statistics as the actual channel realizations observed for a targeted receiver. By making the control-related quantities of interest at the transmitter depend on the long-term statistics of the channel, the actual channel realizations are not needed for transmission control, e.g., for accurate Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) preceding. As such, the use of virtual channel realizations enables transmission control that approaches the “closed-loop” channel capacity that would be provided by full feedback of the (instantaneous) actual channel realizations, without requiring the overhead signaling burden that attends full feedback.
US08718161B2

The present invention provides a method for transmitting pilots in a multi-carrier wireless transmission system. A wireless time-frequency transmission block is composed of N consecutive OFDM symbols in time domain and M consecutive physical sub-carriers in frequency domain, N and M are integers those are greater than or equal to 1. The method includes: partitioning the wireless time-frequency transmission block into several areas, and determining the position of pilots, of which the total number is a preset number, according to the time-frequency domain balancing principle of pilots of various antennas in various areas; inserting pilots at the pilot positions of each antenna corresponding to the antenna for transmission. In accordance with the present invention, the simultaneous transmission of multiple antennas is supported in a wireless time-frequency transmission block of a multi-carrier wireless transmission system.
US08718153B2

The present invention relates to a signal transmitting apparatus, a method thereof, and an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) apparatus for a signal transmitting apparatus. A signal transmitting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention receives data, and performs inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) on the data on the basis of a twiddle factor for shifting output data by the size of a cyclic prefix. In addition, the signal transmitting apparatus sequentially stores data corresponding to the size of the cyclic prefix starting with initial data among the transformed data, and generates an OFDM symbol on the basis of the stored data and the transformed data. According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently reduce a time delay and a memory use amount when a cyclic prefix is added at a transmitting end, without changing the size of hardware and power consumption.
US08718150B2

A disclosed code-division-multiple-access (CDMA) system has a base station (BS) and remote stations (RSs). A BS-spread-spectrum transmitter broadcasts a common-synchronization channel having a chip-sequence signal common to the remote stations served by the BS, and a frame-timing signal. A RS-spread-spectrum receiver receives the broadcast common-synchronization channel, and determines frame timing from the frame-timing signal. A first RS-spread-spectrum transmitter transmits an access-burst signal, which has a plurality of segments. Each access burst signal segment has a plurality of power levels. A BS-spread-spectrum receiver receives the access-burst signal at a detected-power level. In response to receiving the access-burst signal, a BS-spread-spectrum transmitter transmits an acknowledgment signal to the RS-spread-spectrum receiver. The RS-spread-spectrum receiver receives the acknowledgment signal, and in, the RS-spread-spectrum transmitter transmits a spread-spectrum signal having data to the BS-spread-spectrum receiver.
US08718148B2

Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including: a computation block configured, so as to make an error of a VBV occupation amount of a VBV occupation amount target picture next to base data that is variable-length encoded data to be replaced by replacing data greater than an actual value, to compute the VBV occupation amount of the VBV occupation amount target picture from a VBV delay of the VBV occupation amount target picture; and an encoding block configured to variable-length encode the replacing data on the basis of the VBV occupation amount of the VBV occupation amount target picture computed by the computation block.
US08718143B2

Certain aspects of a method and system for optical flow based motion vector estimation for picture rate up-conversion (PRUC) may include generating one or more motion vectors based on extracted picture rate up-conversion (PRUC) data by minimizing a cost function. The cost function may be constrained by any combination of a block matching constraint, a smoothness constraint and a bias constraint. The PRUC data may be extracted from a compressed video data stream while the compressed video data stream is being decompressed by a video decompression engine. The PRUC data may comprise local block motion vectors, block coding modes, quantization levels, quantized residual data and decoded pictures. A plurality of interpolated pictures may be generated based on extracting the PRUC data.
US08718139B2

An image decoding device method for obtaining image signals by decoding compressed data of digital moving image signals in a 4:4:4 format is disclosed. An identification signal is decoded, the identification signal indicating whether three color component signals have been encoded in a common encoding mode or in independent encoding modes. The common encoding mode corresponds to a process of encoding the three color component signals of one frame by a common macroblock type information and the independent encoding mode corresponds to a process of encoding the three color component signals of one frame by an individual independent macroblock type information. The three color component signals are decoded in a common encoding mode or in independent encoding modes according to the identification signal.
US08718132B2

Provided are a scalable video encoding apparatus, a scalable video decoding apparatus, and method. The scalable video encoding apparatus includes a first encoding unit to generate a base layer bitstream, which is to be used for generating a reconstructed image having a second resolution, by encoding an original image having a first resolution into an encoded image having the second resolution, and a second encoding unit to generate an enhancement layer bitstream by reconstructing the reconstructed image having the second resolution, which is received from the first encoding unit, to be a reconstructed image having the first resolution in response to an interpolation mode signal, and then to encode the original image having the first resolution by using the reconstructed image having the first resolution, where the enhancement layer bitstream contains additional information for generating a reconstructed image having the first resolution or a third resolution.
US08718130B2

The invention relates to video image compression technologies, and discloses a method and system for upsampling a spatial scalable coded video image so that during upsampling computation complexity may be reduced while coding performance is substantially unchanged. In the invention, the principle that human eyes are far less sensitive to a chrominance components than to a luminance components is utilized, and a simpler filter is adopted for the chrominance components than that for the luminance components during upsampling in I_BLINTRA_Base inter-layer prediction or residual samples image inter-layer prediction, thereby reducing effectively calculation complexity while coding performance is substantially unchanged.
US08718129B2

A method and system are provided for decoding coded video data by turning off or not loading at least one functional unit or functional subunit of the decoder while decoding a portion of the coded video data. A schedule may be created prior to substantive decoding and then the schedule may be used to decode coded video data. The coded video data may be reordered based on the functional units or subunits the portions of the coded video data need for decoding. The portions of the coded video data are reordered into their original order in an output buffer after being decoded. The decoder may determine which functional units or subunits are needed for decoding based on administration information included with the coded video data. The decoder may decode portions of the coded video data in parallel.
US08718125B2

A device and method for determining and displaying on a display element the status of at least one synchronization implemented in an electronic measuring instrument or a telecommunications device is provided. The device includes several functional units provided within the electronic measuring instrument or the telecommunications device, and each functional unit determines at least one parameter, the value of which corresponds to the status of the synchronization implemented in the respective functional unit.
US08718124B2

For voltage values (observed noise sequence) in an electronic power line (communication medium) which are obtained at a predetermined interval, initial values of noise characteristics based on a statistic of the observed noise sequence itself are decided by a moment method (S301 to S307), the noise characteristics (state transition probabilities and state noise power) for maximization of the likelihood of the observed noise sequence are obtained from the initial values by MAP (Maximum A Posteriori) estimation using a Baum-Welch algorithm (S309 to S312), a state sequence is estimated from the obtained noise characteristics, and an impulsive noise at each time point is detected.
US08718122B2

Improved performance testing of a wireless device is disclosed. The system is particularly suited to testing devices having multiple antennas. The device under test (DUT) is placed in a reverberation chamber with antennas for transmission of a test signal to the DUT. The number of antennas deployed in the reverberation chamber and placement of those antennas is selected such that no line-of-sight transmission component exists from test system antenna to DUT antenna, and the number of antennas deployed in the reverberation chamber is greater than the spatial rank of the signal. The antennas are driven by a programmable channel emulator capable of generating fading, correlation, delay, Doppler and other channel condition phenomena. Furthermore, the antennas are driven individually by a plurality of independent fading processes. The combination of the programmable channel emulator and reverberation chamber creates a multipath environment which simulates signals arriving from different locations, with different delays, as well as the simulation of device motion. The system also includes instruments to produce test signals and to measure the performance of the DUT.
US08718121B2

The present invention provides a test device and a method enabling automatic detection of an imbalance in a power level of a channel. The test device includes a tuner, a power-level measurement system, and an evaluation unit. According to the method, a test channel is selected from a plurality of channels, by means of the tuner. A power level of the test channel and a total power level of the plurality of channels are measured, by means of the power-level measurement system. A ratio of the total power level of the plurality of channels to the power level of the test channel is then evaluated, by means of the evaluation unit, to detect an imbalance in a power level of the test channel.
US08718118B2

There are several exemplary ways to more efficiently communicate an out-of-domain seed to a receiver—in a first technique, the seed can be indicated in the header portion or data portion of a packet. For example, the header portion of the packet could contain one or more bit fields that indicate the value of the LFSR seed used for the preamble portion of the packet. The receiver would learn the out-of-domain seed after receiving a first out-of-domain packet and decoding the header portion of that packet. After learning the out-of-domain seed, the receiver could send a packet indicating the value of the out-of-domain seed to the local master. The local master could then transmit the value of the out-of-domain seed in the header portion or data portion of a local MAP frame.
US08718117B2

A transmitter configured to communicate a data chirp signal to a receiver, the chirp signal comprising at least one symbol, each symbol comprising one or more identical chirps, each symbol having a different gradient to another symbol in the chirp signal, each chirp encoding a symbol value, the transmitter comprising: an address encoding module configured to encode an address associated with the communication via the sequence of gradients of the symbols in the chirp signal; a data encoding module configured to encode data in the chirp signal via the symbol value of each chirp; and a transmitting module configured to transmit the data chirp signal to the receiver.
US08718114B2

An induction melting furnace having an asymmetrical sloping bottom. The melting furnace includes: an induction coil member provided on the melting furnace so as to melt waste contained in the furnace by vitrification; a bottom unit provided in a lower part of the melting furnace, the bottom unit asymmetrically sloping downward in a direction toward a glass discharge port that is formed through the bottom unit; and a cooling member integrated with the bottom unit. Due to the asymmetrical sloping bottom of the furnace, waste in the furnace can be completely melted and can be easily discharged to the outside and, accordingly, the time and cost required to treat the waste are reduced and this improves work efficiency when treating the waste. Further, due to the insulation material, the melting furnace can be protected from electric damage that may be caused by electric arc.
US08718112B2

A high quality factor optical resonator structure includes a substrate, a center disc formed on the substrate, and a plurality of concentric grating rings surrounding the center disc. The concentric rings are spaced apart from the center disc and from one another by regions of lower index of refraction material with respect thereto, and wherein spacing between the grating rings and the center disc is non-periodic such that a magnitude of a displacement distance of a given grating ring with respect to a λ/4 Bragg reflector geometry is largest for a first of the grating rings immediately adjacent the center disk and decreases in a radially outward direction.
US08718111B1

A diode laser includes a p-contact layer, a n-contact layer, and a wafer body disposed between the p-contact layer and the n-contact layer, the wafer body having a front end and a back end. The diode laser further includes a first grating comprising a plurality of grooves defined in the wafer body and extending between the front end and the back end at a first tilt angle, and a second grating comprising a plurality of grooves defined in the wafer body and extending between the front end and the back end at a second tilt angle, the second tilt angle opposite to the first tilt angle. A coupling region is defined in the wafer body by interleaving portions of the first grating and the second grating. The interleaving portions provide coherent coupling of laser beams flowing through the first grating and the second grating.
US08718104B2

An optical pulse source for generating optical supercontinuum pulses comprises an optical pump laser operable to generate optical pump pulses at a pump pulse repetition rate Rf; a nonlinear optical element comprising an optical fiber for generating optical supercontinuum pulses; an optical modulator operable to selectively control the launch of pump pulses into the optical fiber at a reduced, lower repetition rate Rr=Rf/N in order to generate optical supercontinuum pulses at a selectable and lower repetition rate; an optical fiber amplifier located between the optical modulator and the optical pump laser; wherein the optical supercontinuum pulses generated by the optical fiber have a supercontinuum spanning from below 450 nm to greater than 2000 nm; wherein the optical pulse source is provided with a microprocessor configured to determine when supercontinuum pulses are delivered; and wherein the optical pulse source is configured to provide an output trigger signal.
US08718103B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating an ultra-short ultra-high intensity pulse laser, comprising: a pulse laser providing unit which generates an ultra-short ultra-high intensity pulse laser, stretches pulse width, then selects and provides only a pulse laser having a predetermined polarizing angle; a polarization characteristic adjusting unit which divides the pulse laser provided by the pulse laser providing unit into S-polarizing component light and P-polarizing component light, varies the phase difference and amplitude difference between the S-polarizing component light and the P-polarizing component light, and combines the two types of light to generate a pulse laser with varied polarization characteristics; and a pulse compression unit which compresses the pulse width of the pulse laser, the polarization characteristics of which are varied by the polarization characteristic adjusting unit, and outputs the pulse laser.
US08718098B2

A method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing a time stamp is provided, applied in a scenario of compressing a basic compression packet carrying an extended compression packet of type 3 in Robust Header Compression (ROHC). The compression method comprises: storing high bits of a time stamp to be transmitted in a time stamp field of the basic compression packet; storing bits of successive zeros beginning from the highest bit of the remaining bits of the time stamp to be transmitted after removing said high bits in the extended compression packet in a form of number information; and storing the remaining bits of the time stamp to be transmitted after removing said high bits and said bits of successive zeros in the time stamp field of the extended compression packet as low bits. Therefore the compression space can be effectively used and compression efficiency can be improved.
US08718097B2

An inventive method implemented in a communications system includes obtaining a first data rate in a flexible wavelength division multiplexing FWDM network and applying a recursive rate selection for determining a given data rate from the obtained first data rate such that a required spectrum over the FWDM network for the given data rate is minimized, the first data rate being lower than the given data rate.
US08718091B2

A method and system of processing sampled voice packets from a voice packet sender for transmission over a bit-rate sampled data transmission system, such as by a cable modem over a cable modem termination system, to a voice packet recipient. Unsolicited grant arrivals in response to a request from the voice packet sender coupled to the cable modem are determined. The storing of sampled voice packets is synchronized with the unsolicited grant arrivals. Upon receipt of an unsolicited grant arrival, currently stored sampled voice packets are transmitted to the cable modem for further transmission to the voice packet recipient over the cable modem termination system.
US08718087B1

In a network termination device integrated circuit in a point-to-multipoint network, a receiver receives a downstream transmission from a line termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, a transmitter transmits an upstream transmission to the line termination unit within the point-to-multipoint network, and an internal processor operatively coupled to the receiver processes sub-fields within the overhead field of the downstream transmission. The internal processor is also operatively coupled to the transmitter to assemble the overhead field of the upstream transmission. The downstream transmission is an downstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field, and the upstream transmission is an upstream transmission convergence frame format having an overhead field and a payload field.
US08718086B2

A method in a converter station for communication within a DC power transmission system including two or more interconnected converter stations includes receiving, in the converter station, a synchronization signal for synchronizing the two or more converter stations; obtaining, in the converter station, an allocation of a communication time slot; changing, in the converter station, a set-point DC voltage level during the communication time slot; and measuring, in the converter station, a change of DC current in timeslots other than the communication time slot. A communication method utilizing the DC power transmission system itself is thus provided.
US08718083B2

There is provided a mechanism for controlling a transmission of data in a fragmentation transmission mode. When fragments are transmitted in a fragmentation transmission mode, it is determined whether the fragment frame is received successfully or whether an acknowledgment message for confirming a successful transmission of the fragment frame is received. In case the acknowledgment for the successful transmission of the one fragment frame is not received, or the fragment is frame is not successfully received, the fragmentation transmission mode is maintained and a retransmission of the fragment frame is initiated.
US08718080B2

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of quick access channel information loading in wireless networks, comprising mapping at least one quick access channel to one distributed resource unit of control tiles, said control tiles being spread across consecutive sub-carriers and consecutive OFDMA symbols, wherein each control tile and a predetermined number of sub carriers are used to send a bandwidth indicator and a predetermined number of sub carriers are used to send a bandwidth request message, and wherein there exist unique orthogonal sequences for the bandwidth indicator and each of the sequences are capable of being selected as a preamble sequence.
US08718074B2

Included are methods for facilitating routing of control data associated with a communication to a plurality of recorders. One such method, among others, includes receiving control data related to a communication and routing the received control data to at least one recorder via a layer 3 protocol.
US08718054B2

A bridge routing module can be incorporated into a closed network fabric, such as a vehicular network. The bridge routing module includes an interface circuit to be coupled to other elements of the closed network fabric, for example other bridge routing modules or switch modules. The bridge routing module includes memory to store information associating packet content types with packet routing parameters, among other things. A processing module included in the bridge routing module analyzes packets to identify the type of content carried by the packets, and determines packet routing parameters based on the packet's content type. Ingress and egress of the packet are controlled in accordance with the packet routing parameters determined by the processing module.
US08718052B2

A method and system for connecting signal paths in a circuit arrangement with multiband capability for processing and/or influencing signals in radio communication, on the basis of which at least the transmission paths of a corresponding circuit arrangement are activated or deactivated on the basis of the presence of a transmitted signal from a terminal which is operated with the circuit arrangement. The transmission paths, which are deactivated in a basic state of the circuit arrangement, are periodically checked in succession for the presence of a transmitted signal from the terminal with a multiplexer that forms a functional component of a detection unit and that is switched through by a controller for sequential scanning of the transmission paths for the presence of such a transmitted signal. If a signal is present, only a transmission path for the correct frequency band of the transmitted signal is activated and continuously checked for the presence of a transmitted signal.
US08718051B2

The present invention provides systems and methods for providing data transmission speeds at or in excess of 10 gigabits per second between one or more source devices and one or more destination devices. According to one embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a first and second media access control (MAC) interfaces to facilitate receipt and transmission of packets over an associated set of physical interfaces. The system also contemplates a first and second field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) coupled to the MAC interfaces and an associated first and second memory structures, the first and second FPGAs are configured to perform initial processing of packets received from the first and second MAC interfaces and to schedule the transmission of packets to the first and second MAC interface for transmission to one or more destination devices. The first and second FPGAs are further operative to dispatch and retrieve packets to and from the first and second memory structures. A third FPGA, coupled to the first and second memory structures and a backplane, is operative to retrieve and dispatch packets to and from the first and second memory structures, compute appropriate destinations for packets and organize packets for transmission. The third FPGA is further operative to receive and dispatch packets to and from the backplane.
US08718049B2

A system for transmitting messages from a caller location to a receiver location using a plurality of computers 11 each coupled to another such as the Internet. The system also has a plurality of access devices 13a-13l, which are coupled to the network through a telecommunication line. These access devices include computers, workstations, and the like. Each access device includes a voice conversion board for converting a voice message from a telephone device 17, 19 into digital data for transmission through the network.
US08718042B2

The entry and transmission of notes to recipients along the conversation chain. Notes can be created based on an incoming caller. The notes can be transmitted to the conversation recipient for viewing before, during, and after the recipient accepts the conversation. This is facilitated by a communications client that operates to allow entry of the notes, and forwarding of the call recipient via a SIP framework. Moreover, notes previously taken and/or information provided manually and/or automatically by the communications system can be provided to an agent (e.g., ACD, receptionist) receiving the conversation, at any point in the conversation chain for quick identification not only of the conversation source but of previous information already collected.
US08718030B2

Methods and apparatus for performing channel tree operations in a communication system are disclosed that order a channel tree to effect improved computation speed for channel tree operations for scheduling channel resources in the communication system. The disclosed methods include mapping each of one or more node identifiers of real nodes of a channel tree to corresponding virtual node identifiers based on a prescribed ordering scheme. After mapping, the methods include performing one or more operations on one or more of the real nodes of the channel tree using the virtual node identifiers. Corresponding apparatus configured to execute the disclosed methods are also disclosed.
US08718026B2

A method of associating time slots with a transmission path in a wireless interconnected network made of a plurality of network nodes such that the transmission path extends between a source node and a destination node and comprises a plurality of sequential links between adjacent network nodes, data being transmitted in the network on a time slot basis by the association of the time slots to be used with the links of the transmission path, wherein a quality value is determinable for each link within an association sequence of time slots describing an end-to-end data transmission from the source node to the destination node along the transmission path, where the value represents the reliability of the data transfer. An overall quality value for the association sequence can further be determined as a function of the quality values of each of the links.
US08718024B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for analyzing a wide frequency band with respect to signal power levels in specified narrow frequency bands, detecting narrow band signal power levels received in the specified narrow frequency bands, determining an average composite wideband power level from the narrow band signal power levels, determining an adaptive threshold, detecting narrow band interference according to the adaptive threshold, and configuring a variable bandwidth of a filter to substantially suppress the detected narrow band interference. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08718004B2

A technique for distributing channel allocation information in a demand access communication system. Multiple access codes are used that have a defined code repeat period or code epoch. For each such epoch duration, a schedule of assignment of traffic channels to active terminals for each epoch is determined. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, a list of active channels for such terminal unit is assigned. Prior to the start of each epoch, a channel set up message is sent on one of the forward link channels, such as a paging channel, indicating the lists of active channels for epochs of the associated traffic channel(s) that are to follow.
US08717988B2

A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information in a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a DownLink/UpLink (DL/UL) indicator for indicating whether a connection associated with control information to be transmitted is a DL connection or a UL connection and a flow Identification (ID) that identifies the connection are generated and control information including the DL/UL indicator and the flow ID is transmitted to another party to the connection.
US08717986B2

Provided is a data transmission system that may determine a multiple input multiple output dynamic spectrum management (MIMO-DSM) operation mode of a base station based on information associated with a data transmission route and a computational capability of each base station. A terminal may generate feedback information based on a cooperation level between base stations and may transmit the generated feedback information to a serving base station. The serving base station may select terminals that may receive data from among a plurality of terminals through a MIMO-DSM algorithm and a user scheduling based on the feedback information.
US08717984B2

A method for determining a channel status between a first station and a second station in a wireless local area network system includes the first station receiving a beacon from an access point. The first station broadcasts a packet carrying the beacon. The packet provides a basis for the second station to determine the channel status between the first station and the second station.
US08717981B1

A first set of uplink contention slots is allocated for use by a first set of devices. A second set of uplink contention slots is allocated for use by a second set of devices. The first set of uplink contention slots and the second set of uplink contention slots may or may not share contention slots. The first set of uplink contention slots is communicated to the first set of devices. The second set of uplink contention slots is communicated to the second set of devices.
US08717978B2

A method and a system for implementing self-discovery of network element. The method includes that: layout data (containing identifier information and basic information) of a newly-established network element is imported into a network manager of the newly-established network element; after being powered on, the newly-established network element sends its identifier information to one or more adjacent network elements to request to find its own basic information; and the adjacent network element requests the network manager of the newly-established network element to find the basic information according to the identifier information, and returns the basic information found by the network manager of the newly-established network element and the identifier information of the newly-established network element to the newly-established network element. The disclosure avoids problems of complicated manual configuration and vulnerable, highly risky, and elaborated way of configuration with DHCP in implementation of self-discovery of network element in the related art.
US08717977B2

A method for transmitting multi-carrier enhanced dedicated channel data, comprising a first sending step and a first receiving step, wherein the first sending step comprises: when a node B only has an enhanced dedicated channel cell of a single carrier frequency layer in the multi-carrier, setting “uplink multiplexing information” in an enhanced dedicated channel uplink data frame as “null” and sending it to a serving radio network controller; the first receiving step comprises: the serving radio network controller receiving the enhanced dedicated channel uplink data frame sent by the node B of sender which only has the enhanced dedicated channel cell of a single carrier frequency layer in the multi-carrier, and distinguishing which carrier in the multi-carrier is the carrier for receiving data carried in the enhanced dedicated channel uplink data frame based on carrier identifier information corresponding to carrier frequency of the enhanced dedicated channel cell recorded.
US08717972B2

The present invention provides a method for range extension is wireless communication systems. One embodiment of the method includes determining whether a mobile unit is within a first range corresponding to a range of timing advances supported by a timing advance command. This embodiment also includes transmitting a plurality of timing advance commands to the mobile unit when the mobile unit is outside the first range so that the mobile unit can synchronize with the base station by combining information in the plurality of timing advance commands.
US08717968B2

An apparatus and method for controlling a reverse data rate in a mobile station. The method includes determining whether the mobile station has sufficient power to transmit at an increased data rate compared to a current data rate, and transmitting a determination result to a base station.
US08717947B2

Embodiments of the invention relates to a method in a controller node for distributing code text of a joint spatial coding in a communications network. The communications network comprises at least two communication nodes each comprising at least one transmit antenna. The method comprises to joint spatial code (12, S11) a symbol resulting in at least a first code text and a second code text. Then, the method comprises to group (T4, S12) the transmit antennas in the communications network into at least a first transmit antenna group and a second transmit antenna group based on the location of coverage area of the transmit antennas. Finally, the method comprises to distribute (T6) the first code text to the first transmit antenna group and the second code text to the second transmit antenna group. The invention is particularly useful for transmission in Multimedia Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) comprising of communication nodes equipped with unequal number of transmit antennas. Embodiments also relates to a controller node, a second communication node, a user equipment and methods therein.
US08717931B2

In some of the preferred embodiments, a method for network discovery of a mobile device to use at least one of a plurality of access networks within an IP network includes: obtaining specified network information in the vicinity of a given location based on a set of criteria when a mobile is connected to the IP network from any location.
US08717930B2

An access point allows access from at least one user device, which may be a wireless device or a wired local area network device. The access point has radio frequency transceiver circuitry for communicating over a wireless link with a base station selected from a plurality of available base stations, and an antenna, having an adjustable preferred direction for transmission and reception of radio frequency signals. Control circuitry selects a preferred direction for the antenna such that the access point can establish a wireless link with one of said base stations, based on a data rate that is available over the wireless link.
US08717927B2

A first communication node communicates by multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communications with a second communication node of a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) over a plurality of subcarriers transmitted by the second communication node for MIMO communications. Channel quality is measured responsive to the sounding reference signal to output a first channel quality value. A demodulation reference signal is received over a plurality of subcarriers transmitted by the second communication node for MIMO communications. Channel quality is measured responsive to the demodulation reference signal to output a second channel quality value. Reliability of the measurements of the first channel quality value and the second channel quality value is determined. The first and second channel quality values are combined while compensating for the determined reliability difference between the measurements to generate a combined channel quality value. Related communication nodes are disclosed.
US08717926B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for switching from a dual stream to a single stream in an uplink MIMO mode. The method includes: sending a scheduling command with a value of absolute grant being zero_grant to a secondary data stream; and after a preset time since the scheduling command takes effect, sending a switching command that instructs a terminal to switch from an uplink MIMO dual stream to an uplink MIMO single stream. Hence, the embodiments of the present disclosure help to reduce data loss, and meanwhile, to simplify the HARQ design for switching from an uplink MIMO dual stream to an uplink MIMO single stream.
US08717922B2

Spectrum sensing methods and systems for detecting spectrum holes for use in cognitive radio secondary transmissions are disclosed. In one method, an indication of an assignment of a set of subcarriers to a primary user is received. The method further includes determining multitaper spectral estimates for at least a subset of the set of subcarriers based on the assignment of the set of subcarriers to the primary user by processing samples for the at least a subset of the set of subcarriers. In addition, a test statistic that is based on the multitaper spectral estimates is compared to a threshold to determine whether the set of subcarriers is utilized for primary transmissions to the primary user. Moreover, data signals are received on at least one of the subcarriers in the set of subcarriers if the set of subcarriers is not utilized for primary transmissions to the primary user.
US08717915B2

An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system design approach is provided employing a dynamic form that evolves automatically as the user enters content, in order to provide visual guidance relative to possible subsequent steps in the IVR system. The dynamic form follows a tree-view structure for the responses. The IVR content may be entered directly into the tree-view structure in an ad hoc manner, which provides a streamlined experience to the user compared to segmented building blocks.
US08717905B2

A subscriber station for use in a wireless network capable of communicating according to a multicarrier protocol. The subscriber station determines a total average signal level across N subbands within a channel, where each of the subbands comprises a plurality of subcarriers. The subscriber station also determines a first average signal level within a first subband. The subscriber station then transmits a channel quality indicator (CQI) feedback message to the wireless network. The CQI feedback message comprises a first data indicating the total average signal level across the N subbands and a second data indicating the first average signal level within the one subband. The first data may indicate the total average signal level as an absolute value and the second data may indicate the first average signal level relative to the total average signal level using one of two or more unequal quantization levels.
US08717901B2

Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for determining an optimum route for the transmission of a received traffic flow of captured data packets from a network captured traffic distribution device, through a stacked topology of network captured traffic distribution devices, to a target destination are provided. A plurality of routes through a stacked topology may be determined and analyzed according to one or more criterion. An optimum route may then be selected based upon the analysis. On some occasions, the determination of an optimum route may incorporate information regarding operating conditions for the stacked topology.
US08717892B2

A programmable channel-swap crossbar switch for swapping signal flow from one channel to another within an Ethernet physical layer device (PHY) is presented. The crossbar switch includes two or more programmed multiplexers, each multiplexer configured to receive two or more input signals and to select which one of the input signals to pass to a programmed corresponding channel, such that a first input signal associated with a first channel can be swapped to a second channel as operating conditions necessitate. The crossbar switch can be used for Ethernet communications with various communication speeds, such as 10BaseT, 100BaseT, and Gigabit communications. A crossbar switch can be used in both a transmit path and a receive path. Two crossbar switches may be used in a receive path in order to undo channel swapping for control signal processing. A method of channel-swapping in an Ethernet PHY communications system is also presented.
US08717888B2

Techniques are disclosed for providing n-way gateway load-balancing in a fabric path switching Systems (FSS), such as a layer 2 multipath (L2MP) network in a large data center. An access switch in a L2MP network may learn an emulated switch IDs through FHRP “hello” messages sent by an “active” gateway router for each FHRP group. Further, the access switch may learn which links an emulated switch is reachable over by evaluating link state messages (e.g., IS-IS messages) sent by the gateway routers used to construct the emulated switch. Doing so allows the access switch to learn both the ID of an emulated switch and a set of links over which the emulated switch may be reached, thereby allowing the access switch to load balance traffic to the emulated switch.
US08717886B2

In response to a resource acquisition request received from a terminal device, whether or not there is an available communication resource among a plurality of communication resources used for receiving or transmitting broadcast signals is checked. When those communication resources are being used and there is not an available communication resource, that resource acquisition request is held temporarily, and release of a communication resource being used is waited for. When a communication resource that has ceased to be used is released, the released communication resource is allocated to the resource acquisition request that has been held.
US08717874B2

A switching network has a plurality of switches including at least a switch and a managing master switch. At the managing master switch, a first capability vector (CV) is received from the switch. The managing master switch determines whether the first CV is compatible with at least a second CV in a network membership data structure that records CVs of multiple switches in the switching network. In response to detecting an incompatibility, the managing master switch initiates an image update to an image of the switch. In response to a failure of the image update at the switch, the switch boots utilizing a mini-DC module that reestablishes communication between the switch with the managing master switch and retries the image update.
US08717847B2

Sonar apparatus for the location and display of features on the underwater floor in front of a boat includes port and starboard transducer units each containing transducer arrays. A transducer interface and a visual processor process signals from the transducer arrays to generate image data for a display. The transducer arrays emit sound waves into non-overlapping segments of water, reflected by the underwater floor back to the transducer arrays, which convert them to electrical signals. The electrical signals are processed to calculate a three-dimensional position of each point on the underwater floor. The sonar apparatus performs interpolation using the three-dimensional positions of the reflecting points within the segments to calculate three-dimensional positions of points on the underwater floor between these segments. The three-dimensional positions of the points are then used to generate image data showing the underwater floor in front of the boat.
US08717840B2

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including blocks, each block being capable of executing a write, read, or erase operation independently of other blocks. A control portion is configured to execute the operation of a first block among the blocks in a first cycle, set a selection inhibited region within a range of a predetermined distance from the first block, until a temperature relaxation time for relaxing a temperature of the first block has elapsed, set a region except the selection inhibited region among the blocks as a second block, and execute the operation of the second block in a second cycle.
US08717834B2

A programming circuit using an antifuse includes a fuse signal generation unit including an antifuse which connects a node with a low voltage in response to a test address when the node is driven to a level of a high voltage, and configured to output a signal of the node as a fuse signal in response to a test mode signal; and a programming signal generation unit configured to buffer the fuse signal in response to a power-up signal and generate a programming signal.
US08717826B1

A method includes measuring a saturation current flowing through one or more analog memory cells. A wear level of the memory cells is deduced from the measured saturation current. Storage of data in the memory cells is configured based on the deduced wear level.
US08717825B2

An electrically erasable and programmable non-volatile memory device includes memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and each column of memory cells is associated with a respective local bit line. The local bit lines are divided into packets of local bit lines, each packet of local bit lines associated with a respective main bit line. Each local bit line is selectively couplable to the respective main bit line by a corresponding selector. Each local bit line is selectively couplable to a reference terminal, for receiving a reference voltage, by a corresponding discharge selector. Each discharge selector is active when the memory device is in a standby state. The non-volatile memory device further includes biasing circuitry to bias each main bit line to a pre-charge voltage during operation, and reading circuitry to select and access a group of memory cells during reading operations.
US08717823B2

A series of programming pulses are applied to a memory cell to be programmed. A program verify pulse, at an initial program verify voltage, is applied to the memory cell after each programming pulse. The initial program verify voltage is a verify voltage that has been increased by a quick charge loss voltage. The quick charge loss voltage is subtracted from the initial program verify voltage after either a programming pulse has reached a certain reference voltage or a quantity of programming pulses has reached a pulse count threshold.
US08717815B2

In one or more of the disclosed embodiments, a read operation is compensated for back pattern effect. A bit line current is generated by a read operation that biases the word lines. As part of a back pattern effect measurement phase, at predetermined time intervals an indication of the discharge status of the bit line is stored in a latch of a set of N latches coupled to each bit line. At the end of the measurement phase, the set of latches contains a multiple bit word that is an indication of the back pattern effect experienced by that particular series string of memory cells. This back pattern effect indication is used in subsequent read operations to adjust the timing of the operation.
US08717813B2

Techniques are described herein for detecting and recovering over-erased memory cells in a flash memory device. In one embodiment, a flash memory device includes a memory array including a plurality of blocks of memory cells. The device also includes a command interface to receive a command from a source external to the memory device. The device also includes a controller including logic to perform a leakage-suppression process in response to the command. The leakage-suppression process includes performing a soft program operation to increase a threshold voltage of one or more over-erased memory cells in a given block of memory cells and establish an erased state.
US08717810B2

A phase change memory device includes a memory cell array, a register unit and a control unit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of phase change memory cells. The register unit includes a circular queue. The control unit receives a write address and a write data in a write mode, programs the write data in a phase change memory cell corresponding to the write address among the plurality of phase change memory cells, provides the write address and the write data to the register unit, and outputs a write complete signal before a phase of the phase change memory cell is stabilized or after the phase of the phase change memory cell is stabilized based on a logic level of a first result signal received from the register unit. The phase change memory device increases a programming speed.
US08717807B2

The present invention provides an IG 7T FinFET SRAM, which adopts independently-controlled-gate super-high-VT FinFETs to achieve a stacking-like property, whereby to eliminate the read disturb and half-select disturb. Further, the present invention uses keeper circuits and read control voltage to reduce leakage current of the bit lines during read. Furthermore, the present invention can effectively overcome the problem of the conventional 6T SRAM that is likely to have read errors at low operation voltage.
US08717806B2

A storage element capable of retaining data even after supply of power supply voltage is stopped is provided. In the storage element retaining data in synchronization with a clock signal, with the use of a capacitor and a transistor having a channel in an oxide semiconductor layer, the data can be retained even after supply of power supply voltage is stopped. Here, when the transistor is turned off while the level of the clock signal is kept constant before the supply of power supply voltage is stopped, the data can be retained accurately in the capacitor. By applying such a storage element to each of a CPU, a memory, and a peripheral control device, supply of power supply voltage can be stopped in the entire system, so that the power consumption of the entire system can be reduced.
US08717798B2

A semiconductor memory includes a first conductive layer including a first pair of bit lines coupled to a first bit cell and a second conductive layer including a second pair of bit lines coupled to the first bit cell. The first and second conductive layers are vertically separated from each other.
US08717797B2

A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device has a hierarchical bitline structure with local bitlines and global bitlines formed on different metal layers. The local bitlines are separated into a plurality of local bitline sections, and bitline isolation switches are configured to connect or disconnect the local bitline sections to or from the global bitlines. As a result, the local bitlines with higher per-length capacitance can be made shorter, since the global bitline with lower per-length capacitance is used to route the signal from the cell capacitances of the memory cells to the remote sense amplifiers.
US08717794B2

A check engine includes a plurality of comparators each including a first directional characteristic aligned to store at least one reference bit included in a set of reference bits, and a second directional characteristic aligned to present at least one target bit included in a set of target bits. Each of the plurality of comparators is configured to produce an output representing a level of matching between the at least one target bit and the at least one reference bit, based on a relative alignment between the first directional characteristic and the second directional characteristic. The check engine is configured such that the outputs of the plurality of comparators are combined to produce a combined output. The check engine is configured to determine that the set of target bits matches the set of reference bits based on the combined output of the plurality of comparators.
US08717792B2

A method for data storage includes defining a first programming scheme that programs a group of analog memory cells while reducing interference caused by at least one memory cell that neighbors the group, and a second programming scheme that programs the group of the analog memory cells and does not reduce all of the interference reduced by the first programming scheme. One of the first and second programming schemes is selected based on a criterion defined with respect to the analog memory cells. Data is stored in the group of the analog memory cells using the selected programming scheme.
US08717789B2

The configurations of a three-phase buck-boost power factor correction (PFC) circuit and a controlling method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed circuit includes a first single-phase buck-boost PFC circuit receiving a first phase voltage and having a first and a second output terminals and a neutral-point for outputting a first and a second output voltages, a second single-phase buck-boost PFC circuit receiving a second phase voltage and coupled to the first and the second output terminals and the neutral-point, a third single-phase buck-boost PFC circuit receiving a third phase voltage and coupled to the first and the second output terminals and the neutral-point, a first and a second output capacitors coupled to the first and the second output terminals respectively, and to the neutral-point also and a neutral line coupled to the neutral-point.
US08717788B2

A method and system for controlling a power converter system with a direct current (DC)-bus capacitor connected to at least a first converter and a second converter. The first converter is with associated first current and the second converter is with associated second current. Switching states of the first and second converters are determined. The switching states of the second converter are sequenced relative to the first converter to reduce a difference of sums of the associated first and second currents between adjacent time intervals.
US08717787B2

A method and apparatus are provided for operating a converter circuit, which includes at least two phase modules each having first and second subconverter systems, which include power semiconductor switches. The switches of the first and second subconverter systems are driven by first and second drive signals, respectively. To enable dimensioning a capacitive energy store of the converter circuit to be independent of a desired current at an output connection of the converter circuit, for each phase module, the first and second drive signals are respectively formed from a voltage signal across inductances and a switching function for the switches of the first and second subconverter systems, respectively. The switching functions are formed by a voltage signal corresponding to the voltage at the output connection and a selectable reference signal. The voltage signals are selected to be in phase with the voltage at the output connections of the phase modules.
US08717784B2

The present invention provides a control circuit of an LLC resonant converter including a minimum switching frequency variable circuit of varying a minimum switching frequency corresponding to an AC input voltage of the LLC resonant converter; and a first pulse signal generating unit and a second pulse signal generating unit to generate a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal based on a switching frequency limited by the minimum switching frequency variable circuit.
US08717783B2

A method for controlling a direct current gain of a resonant converter to increase power efficiency within a circuit. A phase shift module is configured to the resonant converter for generating a first control signal to control a primary driver of the resonant converter and a secondary control signal to control a secondary driver of the resonant converter. The first control signal and the secondary control signal have a phase shift for controlling a DC gain of the resonant converter.
US08717774B2

A capacitive interposer, electronic package having the capacitive interposer and electronic device with the electronic package is described. The interposer has a first planar face and a second planar face. An array of upper connections is on the first planar face and opposing lower connections are on the second planar face with conduction paths between each upper connection of the upper connections and a lower connection of the lower connections. At least one power feed-through capacitor is provided. The capacitor is mounted on the first planar face with the first external termination in direct electrical contact with a first upper connection and the second external termination is in direct electrical contact with a second upper connection. At least one upper connection, first external termination and second external termination are arranged for direct electrical contact with element contact pads of a common element.
US08717772B2

A printed circuit board includes a core substrate having an opening portion, an electronic component provided in the opening portion of the core substrate and including a dielectric body, a first electrode formed over the dielectric body, and a second electrode formed over the dielectric body such that the dielectric body is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a resin filling a gap between the core substrate and the electronic component in the opening portion of the core substrate. The resin filling the gap includes a filler.
US08717769B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing including a transparent portion, a printed circuit board contained in the housing, a light source provided on the printed circuit board, a first member, a second member, and a reinforcing plate. The first member includes a first opening portion configured to allow light emitted from the light source to the transparent portion to pass therethrough, and a duct-shaped first main body defining the periphery of the first opening portion. The second member includes a second opening portion configured to allow light emitted from the light source to the transparent portion to pass therethrough, and a duct-shaped second main body defining the periphery of the second opening portion, and brought into contact with the first member so that the first opening portion communicates with the second opening portion.
US08717759B2

A transformable enclosure enabling increased functionality, such as storage capacity, is provided. The apparatus enables modular units to be attached to increase capacity without compromising the integrity of the overall structure. The apparatus includes a housing that contains a signal processing circuit, the housing including interfaces for coupling a plurality of removable modules to the circuit, a base coupled to the housing that supports the housing in at least two orientations. The apparatus operates in a first mechanical orientation without the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces and operates in a second mechanical orientation with the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces. A cooling device provides cooling for the circuit in the first mechanical orientation and the plurality of removable modules in the second mechanical orientation.
US08717754B2

A mounting device for hard disk drive includes a cage and a frame. The cage defines a receiving space. The receiving space includes a bottom plate. The frame includes a mounting plate and two limiting plates. The hard disk drive is secured between the two limiting plates. A gap is defined between the mounting plate and the bottom plate. A positioning protrusion is located on the bottom plate. A first mounting piece and a second mounting piece extend from the mounting plate. Two positioning pieces extend from the first mounting piece. The second mounting piece abuts the positioning protrusion, the first mounting piece and the second mounting piece are secured to the positioning protrusion, and the two positioning pieces abut the bottom plate, to prevent the second mounting piece from jolting towards the bottom plate.
US08717744B2

A connection apparatus includes a housing portion comprising a back panel and side panels, the back panel and side panels partially defining a cavity having an access orifice, the side panels partially defining an entry area to the access orifice, a fuse holder assembly disposed in the cavity, and a cover disposed in the cavity between a portion of the fuse holder assembly and the entry area to the access orifice, the cover obscures a portion of the fuse holder assembly.
US08717742B2

A GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) includes a main bus compartment including a main bus-bar unit, a transfer bus compartment including a transfer bus-bar unit, a sealed circuit breaker compartment including a circuit breaker unit and a load side compartment including a current transforming unit and a transfer bus conductor electrically coupling the transfer bus-bar unit and the current transformer unit. The circuit breaker unit is contained in the sealed circuit breaker compartment being separately independent from other compartments. The transfer bus conductor passes from the transfer bus-bar unit through the load side compartment to the current transformer unit without passing through the circuit breaker compartment. The sealed circuit breaker compartment and the load side compartment do not share insulating gas.
US08717739B2

A ceramic electronic component includes a substantially rectangular ceramic element assembly, a first external electrode, and a second external electrode. The first external electrode includes at least one plating film including a first plating film disposed directly on the ceramic element assembly from outside. Likewise, the second external electrode includes at least one plating film including a second plating film disposed directly on the ceramic element assembly from outside. The first and second plating films each have a surface area per unit area equal to or larger than about 1.02 in plan view.
US08717737B2

Disclosed are a substrate conveyance method and substrate conveyance system that are able to quickly transfer a substrate without losing positional accuracy. Using an electrostatic chuck mechanism in the holding of a wafer (W) by the holding surface (210) of a conveyance robot, the wafer (W) is transferred from a supporting surface (303) to the holding surface (210) in the state where an electrostatic attraction force is generated at the holding surface (210). As a result, since it is possible to hold the wafer by means of the electrostatic attraction force starting immediately after the wafer (W) has been transferred to the holding surface (210), it is possible to rapidly execute a wafer (W) conveying operation and thus it is possible to reduce the conveying time of the wafer between processing chambers.
US08717723B2

A driver circuit of an integrated circuit is described. The driver circuit comprises a signal node coupled to receive an output signal of the integrated circuit; an inductor circuit having a resistor coupled in series with an inductor between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the signal node; an electrostatic discharge protection circuit coupled to the second terminal of the inductor circuit; and an output node coupled to the second terminal of the inductor circuit. A method of generating an output signal is also disclosed.
US08717722B2

A protection circuit includes a control unit, a switch unit, a storage unit, and a delay unit, and the protection circuit is used for protecting a processing unit. The control unit is used for receiving a control signal from the processing unit when the processing unit has completed initialization, and generating a pulse voltage. The switch unit is respectively turned on and cut off when the pulse voltage is at a first and second voltage level. The storage unit receives a second supply voltage from the power source and stores energy when the switch unit is turned on, and releases energy to generate a third supply voltage when the switch unit is cut off. The delay unit delays the pulse voltage for a predetermined time period, wherein the third supply voltage is provided to the primary module.
US08717714B2

In a positioning and driving system including a rotating magnetic disk, a magnetic head slider that floats above the surface of the magnetic disk and writes data to and reads data from a track provided on the magnetic disk, an actuator that positions the magnetic head slider in a radial direction of the magnetic disk, and an amplifier that supplies electrical power to the actuator in accordance with the input signal and performs a driving operation, provided is the configuration of an electrothermal actuator driving system that obtains continuous displacement over the entire required operating range with respect to changes in an input voltage by using only one amplifier and that is incorporated into a feedback control system and is suitable for high-speed and high-precision positioning.
US08717709B1

A wafer comprises a transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and including a magnetic structure characterized by a desired thickness, and having a bevel and a flare point a first distance from the ABS. The wafer further comprises a first electronic lapping guide (ELG), a second ELG, and a third ELG. The first ELG has a first edge a first distance from the ABS and a second edge a second distance from the ABS. The second ELG has a third edge a third distance from the ABS and a fourth edge the second distance from the ABS. The third ELG has a fifth edge a fourth distance from the ABS and a sixth edge the second distance from the ABS. At least one of the first distance and the second distance, at least one of the third distance and the second distance, and at least one of the fourth distance and the second distance correspond to an intersection between the bevel and the desired thickness.
US08717707B2

A magnetic recording head includes a magnetic recording write element including a main pole having a leading edge and an opposing trailing edge and a first side surface and a second side surface separating the leading edge from the trailing edge. A first side shield gap separates a first side shield from the first side of the main pole and a second side shield gap separates the second side shield from the second side of the main pole. A front magnetic shield is separated from the main pole trailing edge by a front shield gap. A recess extends into the front shield adjacent to the trailing edge, and parallel to the trailing edge. The recess extends laterally away from the main pole and into the front shield a distance greater than the first side shield gap or second side shield gap.
US08717706B1

Described herein is a balance plug for a disk drive. The balance plug includes a body defining a substantially spherical outer surface and a plurality of ribs along the spherical outer surface and defining at least three meridians along the outer surface of the sphere. The at least three meridians can reside in at least two transverse planes.
US08717701B2

A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.
US08717698B2

In one embodiment, a tape drive system includes a read channel configured for performing a portion of a data transfer operation, logic adapted for monitoring the data transfer operation for detecting one or more temps within a sliding window spanning a last group of datasets processed, logic adapted for measuring interference between first tier and second tier recovery methods based on the monitoring, logic adapted for setting a backhitch delay based on conditions relating to the interference of first tier and second tier recovery methods as it relates to a determined error burst, and logic adapted for performing a backhitch and altering at least one condition of the data transfer operation after the backhitch delay.
US08717693B2

The described lens assembly for use with a camera having a camera body includes a tilt assembly portion configured to allow pivotal movement of the lens body relative to the camera body. The lens assembly further includes a focus assembly configured to axially adjust a position of a removable optic assembly mounted to the focus assembly relative to the lens body to control focus of the lens assembly when the optic assembly is installed in the lens body. The lens body and focus assembly may be structured to remain coupled to the camera body after the optic assembly is removed from the focus assembly.
US08717687B2

An image lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, the first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, the second lens element with negative refractive power, the third lens element with refractive power, the fourth lens element with positive refractive power made of plastic material, the fifth lens element with negative refractive power made of plastic material. At least one surface of the third lens element, the fourth lens element and the fifth lens element are aspheric.
US08717678B2

The present invention provides an interferometer apparatus comprising a matter-wave guide enclosing an area, wherein a flux of particles may be guided in the matter-wave guide in at least two opposite paths, the matter-wave guide is rotatable relative to an inertial frame of reference; a first beam splitter to split the first beam to at least second and third beams, each of the second and third beams is to be guided in another path of the two opposite paths; and a second beam splitter allowing particles of the second and third beams to exit the matter-wave guide in a first probability and to stay in the matter-wave guide in a second probability.
US08717671B2

A projection optical system for projecting an image on a surface is provided. The image is an enlarged image of an image which is formed on an image forming element. The projection optical system includes a coaxial optical system having an optical axis; and a non-coaxial optical system including a rotationally asymmetric curved-surface mirror. The non-coaxial optical system does not share the optical axis with the coaxial optical system. The coaxial optical system includes a first lens having a positive refractive power and being an aspheric plastic lens; and a second lens having a negative refractive power and being an aspheric plastic lens. The first lens has a first refractive index distribution, and the second lens has a second refractive index distribution.
US08717670B2

A fiber-MOPA includes a seed-pulse source followed by fiber amplifier stages. The seed pulse source delivers signal pulses for performing a laser operation and delivers radiation between the seed pulses to maintain the collective average of the seed pulse power and intermediate radiation power constant. Keeping this average power constant keeps the instantaneous available gain of the fiber amplifier stages constant. This provides that the seed pulse delivery can be changed from one regime to a next without a period of instability between the regimes.
US08717666B2

A compact source of polarization-entangled photons includes a laser source, producing a laser beam, a pair of nonlinear crystals, in optical contact with each other, with one of the pair of nonlinear crystals having an input face, with the laser beam incident on the input face, and another of the pair of nonlinear crystals rotated 90°, along an axis perpendicular to the input face, with respect to each other and a fiber coupling point, configured to receive a pair of single-mode fibers. Pairs of polarization-entangled photons are produced through spontaneous parametric down conversion of the laser beam and provided to the fiber coupling point.
US08717664B2

The present invention provides a solution for a highlight or multicolor display device, in which each display cell can display high quality color states. More specifically, an electrophoretic fluid is provided which comprises three types of pigment particles, having different levels of size, threshold voltage or charge intensity.
US08717663B2

Colored fluids for electrowetting, electro fluidic, or electrophoretic devices, and the devices themselves, are disclosed. The colored fluid can include a nonaqueous polar solvent having (a) a dynamic viscosity of 0.1 cP to 50 cP at 250 C, (b) a surface tension of 25 dynes/cm to 55 dynes/cm at 250 C, and (c) an electrowetting relative response of 40% to 80%. Such colored fluids further include a colorant selected from a pigment and/or a dye. In another embodiment, the colored fluid can include a non-polar solvent and an organic colorant selected from a pigment and/or a dye. Such colored fluids can be black in color and have a conductivity from 0 pS/cm to 5 pS/cm and a dielectric constant less than 3. The use of the colored fluids offers improvements in reliability, higher levels of chroma in the dispersed state, and the ability to achieve higher contrast ratios in display technologies.
US08717662B2

A display device includes a display layer provided with a cell in which first particles, second particles, and third particle with colors different to each other are contained, a front side electrode provided on the front side of the display layer, and a first and second back side electrodes provided corresponding to the cell on the back side of the display layer. The first particles are charged. The second particles have a color in a complementary color relation to that of the first particles, are charged with the opposite polarity to that of the first particles, and have a smaller amount of charge than that of the first particles. In the display device, a part where the first particles and the second particles are disproportionately located is set with the third particles dispersed in the cell, to change a color in the cell viewed from the front side electrode side.
US08717659B2

A tunable metamaterial comprising a membrane on which is arranged a two-dimensional array of elements to form a metamaterial, wherein the array is subdivided into blocks of multiple elements, each block being separated from adjacent blocks by a gap to allow each block to be moveable relative to its adjacent blocks. The lattice of the metamaterial and hence its properties are tuned by inducing adjacent blocks to move away from each other or towards each other either in-plane or out-of-plane in a controllable manner in response to an electrical, thermal or optical control signal.
US08717652B2

A mirror axis (MA) is displaced by deformation of a holder (HD) and with resonance of an optical scanner (LS) itself according to the frequency of a voltage applied to a piezoelectric element (PE). The frequency of the applied voltage for causing a resonance deforms the holder (HD) so as to generate at least one node intersecting with respect to the length of the holder (HD) itself.
US08717644B2

An image scanning device includes a first scanner scanning a top side of a transported document at a first scanning position to obtain a first scanned image, a second scanner scanning the back side of the transported document at a second scanning position to obtain a second scanned image, a document feeder transporting a document at the second scanning position at a speed differing from the transportation speed at the first scanning position, and a controller controlling the image scanning device. The controller sets, as a scanning form of a document, either one-side scanning of scanning one side of a document through one transportation, or dual-side scanning of scanning both sides of a document through one transportation. The controller also obtains a set magnification. The controller determines the transportation speed by the document feeder such that, when one-side scanning is set, the scanning magnification in a first direction corresponding to the document transportation direction at the first scanned image attains the set magnification, and when dual-side scanning is set, the scanning magnification in the first direction at the second scanned image attains the set magnification.
US08717641B2

A scanner includes a scan surface, a scan, a controller, and a positioning system. The scan surface is stationary and has a first width while the scan module has a second width substantially less than the first width. The controller is configured to automatically cause two scans of a media on the scan surface, without repositioning the media, and to automatically produce a composite image of the entire media from the two scans. The positioning system is in communication with the controller and includes an identification mechanism configured to identify an edge of a scanning area associated with the scan surface and to stop a position of the scan module at the identified edge.
US08717638B2

An optical scanner includes: a light reflecting section having light reflectivity; a movable section which includes the light reflecting section and can be displaced; two link sections connected to positions of ends of the movable section, the positions facing each other; a supporting section supporting the link sections; and a displacement providing section turning the two link sections, wherein each link section includes a turnable drive section, and a shaft section connecting the movable section and the drive section and bending in a thickness direction of the movable section by turning of the drive section.
US08717637B2

A method for scanning documents in a document scanner (10) includes transporting (45) documents from an input tray (20) to an document detection sensor (135A-135E); detecting documents with the document detection sensor; capturing image data for a document with an image capture device; determining characteristics of the document based on the image data with an image processor; comparing characteristics of the document to document detection sensor data; and excluding document detection sensor data which conflicts with the image data.
US08717635B2

An image processing apparatus which detects a plurality of image areas included in an original plate image to extract a minimum rectangular area including the plurality of image areas, specifies maximum eight line segments acquired by extending four sides of the rectangular area toward corresponding four sides of the original plate image, respectively, extracts pixels existing in a neighborhood area including each of the specified line segments, and determines that the rectangular area and the minimum rectangular area including the extracted pixels are the areas of the original image. With the configuration, the image processing apparatus can accurately decide only an original area even if edge information of an original extracted from a read image is unclear.
US08717628B1

Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for processing a starting image, comprising: a first unit configured to provide starting pixel data from a selected portion of the starting image, wherein the selected portion is less than an entirety of the starting image; and a second unit configured to receive the starting pixel data from the first unit and to selectively provide to a look up table (LUT) an address of replacement pixel data for at least a pixel of the selected portion of the starting image. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08717626B2

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for the processing of a mixed color document. The mixed color document is preferably a digital structured document containing metadata, such as e.g. a PDF document. The mixed color document is split into at least a first part to be processed in a first processing channel and into at least a second part to be processed in a second, color-dedicated, processing channel. In executing the splitting judgement, color functionality rather than bare color content is taken into account.
US08717618B2

There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a pre-decoloring reading unit, a type determining unit, a second sheet conveying unit, a post-decoloring reading unit, a decoloring success or failure determining unit, and a determination criterion setting unit. The type determining unit determines the type of image on the sheet conveyed to the decoloring unit based on the reading result in the pre-decoloring reading unit. The post-decoloring reading unit reads an image on the sheet after the decoloring, which is conveyed by the second sheet conveying unit. The decoloring success or failure determining unit determines whether or not the decoloring in the decoloring unit is successful based on the reading result in the post-decoloring reading unit. The determination criterion setting unit sets a determination criterion in the decoloring success or failure determining unit, based on the type of image, which is determined by the type determining unit.
US08717610B2

A network scanner, communication protocols, and client and server programs and are provided which provide an improved way to transmit legally binding documents, obviating the need for outmoded, legacy fax transmissions. Using the network scanner, a document may be scanned and transferred directly into any shared folder inbox residing on any computer attached to the Internet. Enhanced server systems and network communications and messaging protocols are provided that are more practical to use than email for sending documents such as executed legal documents or other documents requiring robust integrity and authenticatability. Similarly, the inventive network scanner, server systems and communication protocols provide improved ways to perform large file transfers and to manage bandwidth to minimize problems associated with uploading/downloading large files as attachments to/from email servers and for enabling user control over VoIP quality during file transmission sessions.
US08717601B2

For a web application which takes time to execute processing, Internet connection between a web browser and the web application needs to be maintained until the completion of processing. In a web application server which provides conversion processing from document data into print data, the conversion processing itself is provided as a software process asynchronous with the web application. The web application only accepts a conversion processing execution request. The progress is confirmed using Comet communication, and the web server delays a response to an HTTP request.
US08717597B2

The inconsistencies of the function included in the print setting resolving process is conducted, and information to indicate that the aforementioned print setting is not been changed is added. Then, based on the added information, it is determined whether the information regarding the print setting is changed or not. Here, in case the data related to print setting is added and also the print setting has not been changed, then the process is not conducted. Moreover, in case the data related to print setting is not added or the print setting has been changed, the process is conducted.
US08717595B2

A printer includes: a print unit performing a printing operation; and a control unit having an operating system and a device driver installed in an operating system layer, a first application installed in an application layer other than the operating system layer so as to transmit and receive information to and from the print unit through the device driver, a transmission information acquiring module installed in the operating system layer so as to acquire transmission information which is information based on the information transmitted and received between the first application and the print unit through the device driver, and a second application installed in the application layer so as to receive the transmission information and to output processing information which is information based on the input transmission information.
US08717594B2

A system adjusts at least one operational parameter for at least one electrical energy consuming device. The system monitors electrical energy consumption measurements for operational activity periods, identifies an electrical energy consumption measurement difference between an electrical energy consumption measurement for an operational activity period and an electrical energy consumption measurement for a corresponding operational activity period, and modifies an operational parameter for the electrical energy consuming device in response to the difference being greater than a predetermined threshold. The modified operational parameter is sent to the electrical energy consuming device to enable modified operation of the electrical energy consuming device.
US08717591B2

An image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit to receive print data including image to be formed, identification information identifying a print-requesting person, personal identity verification information for verifying identity of person, and execution condition information designating priority between readability and productivity when implementing an information-leak proofed printing; an operation-input receiving unit to receive an input by an administrator; a setting unit to set whether the information-leak proofed printing is mandatory; a personal identity verification unit to verify identity of person when the information-leak proofed printing is mandatory and readability-priority is designated; a watermark embedding unit to generate a watermark-embedded image depending upon a result of the personal identity verification; a text synthesizing unit to generate a composite image by synthesizing text data to image data when the information-leak proofed printing is mandatory, and productivity priority is designated; and a print unit to print the watermark-embedded image or the composite image.
US08717587B2

An image processing apparatus includes an execution portion configured to execute a job, a providing portion configured to provide a Web page in response to a request, a determination portion configured to determine a time-out period, which is a period during which a response from the providing portion to the request is acceptable, depending on conditions of a job that is being executed by the execution portion and conditions of a job that waits to be executed by the execution portion, and a management portion configured to manage execution of a process by the execution portion and a process by the providing portion in such a manner that the former is executed before the latter.
US08717581B2

A method is provided for determining the position of a structure within an image relative to a reference point, in which the structure has a center of symmetry, the method comprising: providing an image which comprises the structure and which has a reference point, carrying out at least one symmetry operation of the image with respect to the reference point, by means of which at least one mirror image is obtained which has a mirrored structure congruent relative to the structure, determining at least one displacement vector between a structure and a mirrored structure or two mirrored structures, and calculating the position of the structure as a position of the center of symmetry of the structure relative to the reference point from the at least one displacement vector. Furthermore, a position measuring device is provided for determining the position of a structure within an image relative to a reference point.
US08717580B2

An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest using values of a beam property from two or more electromagnetic beams that both converge in an optical displacement device. The apparatus may include a Fabry-Perot interferometer, a light source, and a detection array. The electromagnetic beams may be converged one or more of: the interferometer and a convergence device. At least one reflective surface of the interferometer may be operably coupled to an element receiving an external stimulus, such as pressure, force, and/or acceleration. The method includes using the apparatus.
US08717579B2

A portable distance measuring device that works by spanning separately targeted endpoints is described. The device contains a laser distance measuring component and sensing components that track changes in position and orientation of the device, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes. Distance is measured by pointing the laser at an endpoint and measuring the distance to it. Once this measurement is confirmed, the device can be moved to a different vantage location to measure a second endpoint with the laser. The orientation and position of the device for the second distance measurement relative to the first measurement are calculated by the position and orientation sensors. Together these values are sufficient to calculate the distance spanning the endpoints. This calculation is performed by a computer contained in the device and the distance displayed to the user.
US08717564B2

A robotic optical sedimentation recorder is described for the recordation of carbon flux in the oceans wherein both POC and PIC particles are captured at the open end of a submersible sampling platform, the captured particles allowed to drift down onto a collection plate where they can be imaged over time. The particles are imaged using three separate light sources, activated in sequence, one source being a back light, a second source being a side light to provide dark field illumination, and a third source comprising a cross polarized light source to illuminate birefringent particles. The recorder in one embodiment is attached to a buoyancy unit which is capable upon command for bringing the sedimentation recorder to a programmed depth below the ocean surface during recordation mode, and on command returning the unit to the ocean surface for transmission of recorded data and receipt of new instructions. The combined unit is provided with its own power source and is designed to operate autonomously in the ocean for extended periods of time.
US08717541B2

A field facet mirror for an illumination optics of a projection exposure apparatus for EUV microlithography transmits a structure of an object arranged in an object field into an image field. The field facet mirror has a plurality of field facets with reflection surfaces. The arrangement of the field facets next to one another spans a base plane. Projections of the reflection surfaces of at least two of the field facets onto the base plane differ with respect to at least one of the following parameters: size, shape, orientation. A field facet mirror results which can ensure a uniform object field illumination with a simultaneously high EUV throughput.
US08717529B2

A display apparatus that includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a thin film transistor. The first substrate includes a fiber reinforced plastic substrate and a color filter layer formed on the fiber reinforced plastic substrate. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The thin film transistor is formed on the first substrate.
US08717518B2

The present invention relates to a polarizer having an antistatic layer and a liquid crystal display. The present invention may provide a polarizer which may prevent malfunction of devices by static electricity generated in preparation or use procedures even without using the ITO layer conventionally formed between the upper glass substrate of a liquid crystal panel and a polarizer in a liquid crystal display for an antistatic purpose, and has excellent physical properties such as endurance reliability under high temperature or high humidity condition and optical characteristics, and a liquid crystal display thereof.
US08717516B2

According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display unit and a drive circuit. The display unit includes a first display region to display a first image and a second display region to display a second image. The display unit includes a first support substrate, a second support substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The second support substrate is disposed to oppose the first support substrate. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first support substrate and the second support substrate and is held by the first support substrate and the second support substrate. The drive circuit drives the display unit.
US08717501B2

A video display apparatus includes a video display unit configured to display a video image, a viewer detection unit configured to detect a position of a viewer, a moving speed measurement unit configured to measure a moving speed of the viewer, a display area determination unit configured to determine, based on the position and moving speed of the viewer, a video display area where the video image is displayed on the video display unit, and a video control unit configured to display the video image in the video display area determined by the display area determination unit.
US08717499B2

Systems and methods of measuring a temporal offset between audio content and video content that employ audio fingerprints from an audio signal in the audio content, and video fingerprints from video frames in the video content. The systems obtain reference audio and video fingerprints prior to transmission of video over a media channel, and obtain target audio and video fingerprints subsequent to transmission of the video over the media channel. Each fingerprint has an associated time stamp. Using the reference and target audio fingerprints and their associated time stamps, the systems determine an audio time stamp offset. Using the reference and target video fingerprints and their associated time stamps, the systems determine a video time stamp offset. Using the audio and video time stamp offsets, the systems determine a temporal offset between the video content and the audio content introduced by the media channel.
US08717497B2

An apparatus includes housing, a camera lens, a video recorder, a mounting rail, and a mount. The video recorder is located within the housing for recording images captured by the camera lens. The mounting rail is located on the housing and is received by the mount.
US08717494B2

An optical reading device is described having an image sensor having a sensor array of pixels which are exposed to an image; a printed circuit board (PCB) for carrying the image sensor; a lens assembly for focusing light on the sensor array; a lens retainer for retaining the lens; a support assembly integral with the lens retainer, the support assembly having a containment section for containing the image sensor; and a thermally and electrically conductive elastomeric gasket disposed between the containment section and the image sensor and for contacting the image sensor.
US08717475B2

There is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit which converts incident light into an electrical signal and accumulates the electrical signal, an amplifier transistor which amplifies and outputs the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor which transfers the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifier transistor, and a processing transistor which performs predetermined processing, and a control circuit which sets the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the transfer transistor in order to turn off the transfer transistor to be lower than the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the processing transistor in order to turn off the processing transistor.
US08717473B2

A solid-state imaging apparatus of a dynamic range enlarged by reading out a carrier accumulated in a carrier accumulation unit at a plurality of times during a single carrier accumulation time period.
US08717469B2

An embodiment of the invention provides a camera comprising a photosurface that is electronically turned on and off to respectively initiate and terminate an exposure period of the camera at a frequency sufficiently high so that the camera can be used to determine distances to a scene that it images without use of an external fast shutter. In an embodiment, the photosurface comprises pixels formed on a substrate and the photosurface is turned on and turned off by controlling voltage to the substrate. In an embodiment, the substrate pixels comprise light sensitive pixels, also referred to as “photopixels”, in which light incident on the photosurface generates photocharge, and storage pixels that are insensitive to light that generates photocharge in the photopixels. In an embodiment, the photosurface is controlled so that the storage pixels accumulate and store photocharge substantially upon its generation during an exposure period of the photosurface.
US08717456B2

Systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to introduce image attributes into an optical image. A detector converts the optical image to electronic data while maintaining the image attributes. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets, and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data. The processing may optionally be nonlinear. Other imaging systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to form an optical image. A detector generates electronic data having one or more image attributes that are dependent on characteristics of the phase modifying elements and/or the detector. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data.
US08717444B2

A remote control device searches for an image data storing device and a printing device that can be used by a user, and notifies an image taking device of device information obtained as a result of this search. The image taking device searches for a device having a predetermined function in response to an instruction from the remote control device, and if a device included in the device information notified by the remote control device is found, transfers an image to the found device. Alternatively, the image taking device connects to a device notified by the remote control device, and sends the image to the notified device to perform printing or storing thereon.
US08717443B2

A method and system for determining a camera-to-display latency of an electronic device (100) having a camera (134) and touch-sensitive display (108) are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the method (500) includes receiving (511) first light (136) at the camera, and essentially simultaneously receiving second light (138) at a first photosensitive structural portion (102, 602). The method (500) further includes detecting (512) a first simulated touch input at the display (108) in response to a first actuation of the first photosensitive structural portion (102, 602), receiving third light (140) at a second photosensitive structural portion (104, 604), the third light being generated based at least indirectly upon the received first light (136), detecting (514) a second simulated touch input at the display (108) as a result of the receiving of the third light (140), and determining the camera-to-display latency based at least indirectly upon the touch inputs (516).
US08717438B2

A parking assist apparatus includes a display portion mounted at a vehicle and displaying a parking assist image in which an estimated course line generated in association with an operation of a steering wheel is superimposed on a captured image of a surrounding of the vehicle, and an auxiliary image controlling portion displaying an auxiliary image in place of the parking assist image in a state where the parking assist image is displayed on the display portion, the auxiliary image including a virtual vehicle representing the vehicle and a virtual estimated course line corresponding to the estimated course line for the virtual vehicle.
US08717437B2

We describe an end-to-end visual recognition system, where “end-to-end” refers to the ability of the system of performing all aspects of the system, from the construction of “maps” of scenes, or “models” of objects from training data, to the determination of the class, identity, location and other inferred parameters from test data. Our visual recognition system is capable of operating on a mobile hand-held device, such as a mobile phone, tablet or other portable device equipped with sensing and computing power. Our system employs a video based feature descriptor, and we characterize its invariance and discriminative properties. Feature selection and tracking are performed in real-time, and used to train a template-based classifier during a capture phase prompted by the user. During normal operation, the system scores objects in the field of view based on their ranking.
US08717428B2

A light diffusing composition that optimizes image clarity from a SSID comprising a translucent matrix further comprising a plurality of hollow micro-particles. The plurality of hollow micro-particles are dispersed throughout the translucent matrix and a fluid is disposed within the hollow micro-particle. A refractive index of the fluid within the hollow micro-particle is different than a refractive index of the translucent matrix.
US08717424B2

A display apparatus configured to display three-dimensional video viewable by a viewer wearing stereoscopic-viewing glasses. The display apparatus includes: an input module; a display device; an image input module; a detection module; and a recording module. The input module receives video data. The display device displays the three-dimensional video based on the received video data. The image input module receives a captured image from an image-capturing device that captures an image of an area around the display apparatus and on a side facing the display device. The detection module detects an image of the stereoscopic-viewing glasses from the received captured image. The recording module records the received video data when the image of the stereoscopic-viewing glasses is not detected by the detection module.
US08717422B2

Times of receipt of start-of-frame indications associated with frames received from multiple image sensors at a video controller are monitored. Time differences between the times of receipt of the frames are calculated. One or more frame period determining parameter values associated with the image sensors are altered if the time differences equal or exceed frame synchronization hysteresis threshold values. Parameter values are adjusted positively and/or negatively to decrease the time differences. The parameter values may be reset at each image sensor when the time differences become less than the frame synchronization hysteresis threshold value as additional frames are received at the video controller.
US08717420B2

The invention provides a head mounted image-sensing display device including a pair of image-sensing units (18R, 18L) that stereoscopically capture a physical space and output a pair of stereoscopic images, and display units (13R, 13L) for displaying images for the right eye and images for the left eye. Image sensing parameters that are previously measured for the image-sensing units are stored in image sensing parameter storage units (26R, 26L). As a result, a difference in parallax between captured images of a physical space and images of a virtual object is reduced.
US08717419B2

An image processing apparatus executes a distortion correction on coordinates of a target pixel in a virtual viewpoint image based on distortion characteristics of a virtual camera and calculates coordinates in the virtual viewpoint image after the distortion correction. The image process apparatus calculates ideal coordinates in a captured image from the coordinates in the virtual viewpoint image after the distortion correction and calculates real coordinates in the captured image from the ideal coordinates in the captured image based on distortion characteristics of an imaging unit. The image process apparatus calculates a pixel value corresponding to the real coordinates from image data of the virtual viewpoint image and corrects the pixel value corresponding to the real coordinates based on ambient light amount decrease characteristics of the imaging unit and ambient light amount decrease characteristics of the virtual camera.
US08717418B1

By defining an angular separation in a train of sequential images, and using an interlaced sequence of pairs of images matched by that defining angle, it is possible to create live 3D video from a single camera mounted on a remote vehicle as though in the in the immediate vicinity of the object being viewed. Such a camera can be mounted on a moving vehicle such as a plane or a satellite In addition, computational power is provided to adaptively (and predictively) smooth out motion irregularities between these image pairs, so that smooth 3D video may be obtained. Continual feature-based correlation between successive frames allows corrections for various transformations so that there is a one-on-one correspondence in size, projection, orientation, etc. between matched frames, which enables capture and display of smooth 3D video.
US08717417B2

Imaging apparatus includes an illumination subassembly, which is configured to project onto an object a pattern of monochromatic optical radiation in a given wavelength band. An imaging subassembly includes an image sensor, which is configured both to capture a first, monochromatic image of the pattern on the object by receiving the monochromatic optical radiation reflected from the object and to capture a second, color image of the object by receiving polychromatic optical radiation, and to output first and second image signals responsively to the first and second images, respectively. A processor is configured to process the first and second signals so as to generate and output a depth map of the object in registration with the color image.
US08717399B2

The present invention provides a method of processing video data in a video communication system, and a corresponding program and apparatus. The method comprises: receiving first video data at a first terminal from a second terminal; generating second video data at the first terminal for transmission to the second terminal; selecting the size of a first video area for displaying the first data within a display area; and scaling the first video data to the selected size of the first area and displaying it therein. The method further comprises: determining a second video area for displaying the second data within the display area, the determination of the second area comprising at least determining a location of the second area relative to the first area in dependence on the size of the first area; and scaling the second video data to the second video area and displaying it therein.
US08717396B2

According to an embodiment, a sheet discharging device includes: a first conveying path configured to guide a sheet to be conveyed; a second conveying path branched from the first conveying path at a branch point of the first conveying path; a sorting section configured to sort a sheet being conveyed on the first conveying path into either a downstream side of the branch point on the first conveying path or the second conveying path; a first discharge tray configured to receive a sheet discharged from the first conveying path at a first sheet loading surface; and a second discharge tray placed below the first discharge tray and configured to receive a sheet discharged from the second conveying path at a second sheet loading surface whose distance to the first sheet loading surface increases toward a downstream side thereof in a sheet discharging direction.
US08717393B2

A method and system are provided for controlling the display of an mobile device by: capturing an image using a camera device of the mobile device, the camera device being directed in a same direction as a display of the mobile device, the image comprising one or more subjects (e.g. users or other humans seen in the image); determining a point of regard in the image for at least one of the one or more subjects, the point of regard being indicative of an area on the display at which a gaze of the corresponding subject is directed; determining, based on the point of regard, an instruction for controlling the display; and controlling the display according to the instruction, wherein controlling the display includes reducing visibility of at least one portion of what is displayed on the display.
US08717388B2

There is provided a communication control device including: a data storage unit storing feature data representing features of appearances of one or more communication devices; an environment map building unit for building an environment map representing positions of communication devices present in a real space based on an input image obtained by imaging the real space and the feature data stored in the data storage unit; a detecting unit for detecting a user input toward a first communication device designating any data provided in the first communication device and a direction; a selecting unit for selecting a second communication device serving as a transmission destination of the designated data from the environment map based on the direction designated by the user input; and a communication control unit for transmitting the data provided in the first communication device from the first communication device to the second communication device.
US08717365B2

Data is received that describes a polyline having a first endpoint, a second endpoint, and a plurality of intermediate vertices, each of the intermediate vertices lying between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. An estimation line segment is drawn between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. An intermediate vertex is identifies as a pivot vertex from the plurality of intermediate vertices that is a greatest distance from the estimation line segment. A flatness ratio is calculated by dividing a distance of the pivot vertex from the estimation line segment by a length of the estimation line segment In a computer, the flatness ratio is compared to a predetermined threshold value. If the flatness ratio does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, the intermediate vertices are discarded, thereby modifying the polyline.
US08717353B2

An image processing apparatus calculates a near image distance, corresponding to a distance from a virtual viewpoint to a first viewpoint among viewpoints of a plurality of images, and a far image distance, corresponding to a distance from the virtual viewpoint to a second viewpoint among the viewpoints of the plurality of images, which is relatively distant from the virtual viewpoint compared with the first viewpoint, sets a search range, determines parallax vectors corresponding to search reference block coordinates by executing block matching processing within the search range and by using a first block image, included in a near image and corresponding to the search reference block coordinates and the near image distance, and a second block image, included in a far image and corresponding to the search reference block coordinates and the far image distance, and generates an image viewed from the virtual viewpoint by using the parallax vectors.
US08717347B2

The electrophoretic display apparatus includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, an electrophoresis layer, and a driving module. The driving module has an adsorption mode and a display mode. When an adsorption mode is activated, a first voltage difference is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, resulting in electrostatic adsorption to reduce or eliminate the air gap between the second electrode layer and electrophoresis layer. When a display mode is activated, a second voltage difference is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The electrophoresis layer can sense the variation of electric field between the two electrode layers and start the operation of data transmission and display.
US08717345B2

Pre-charging display screen sub-pixels, such as aggressor sub-pixels, prior to the application of a target data voltage to the aggressor sub-pixels is provided. In some examples, a target voltage of a sub-pixel in a previous row in the scanning order of the display can be used to pre-charge sub-pixels. The row of sub-pixels to be pre-charged can be switched on during the updating of another row of sub-pixels. In this way, for example, target voltages applied to data lines while an update row is connected to the data lines, e.g., to update the update row, can be applied to the row to be pre-charged as well.
US08717344B2

A display device, includes: a plurality of thin film transistors which comprise a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; a plurality of pixel electrodes which are respectively connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistors; a plurality of gate lines which are respectively disposed to the opposite edge parts of the pixel electrodes in a lengthwise direction of the pixel electrodes, and connected to the gate electrode of the thin film transistors; and a plurality of data lines which are respectively disposed to a single edge part of the pixel electrodes in a widthwise direction of the pixel electrodes, and connected to the source electrode of the thin film transistors, a pair of pixel electrodes adjoining each other to interpose the single data line therebetween, and a pair of thin film transistors which are respectively connected to the pair of pixel electrodes being connected with the same single data line.
US08717334B2

A display device includes: an optical sensor circuit provided in a display region, the optical sensor circuit including a light-receiving element and detecting intensity of light incident to the light-receiving element; and a pressure detection circuit which detects pressure applied to a display surface of a display panel on a basis of a change of the display surface in a panel thickness direction which change is caused by the pressure, with respect to a region in which the pressure is to be detected, both of the detection of the pressure by the pressure detection circuit and the detection of the intensity of the light by the optical sensor circuit being carried out within a period allocated to acquisition of detection data concerning the pressure in the display region.
US08717332B2

The present invention provides a touch switch having two ITO-free electrode layers that are bonded together, the touch switch having good visibility, and a planar body that forms such a touch switch. The planar body includes a mesh-like electrode formed in a mesh shape by multiple conductor lines L on one side of a substrate, in which the mesh-like electrode is separated into multiple conductive areas disposed at intervals, and non-conductive areas each disposed between each of the conductive areas; each non-conductive area has multiple cutting portions that cut the conductor lines L, and each non-conductive area insulates between the adjacent conductive areas by the cutting portions.
US08717331B2

A method and apparatus for reducing water influence on a touch-sensing device is described.
US08717327B2

A communications terminal comprises a and a touch-sensitive display for displaying content generated by a software application associated with the processor and for receiving touch-based interactions for use with said software application. A display controller is operable to selectively accept and reject touch-based interactions in one or more predetermined sub-region(s) of the touch-sensitive display. Interactions in said sub-region(s) are rejected in response to said software application being woken from an idle state by an event triggered independent of user interaction and subsequently accepted in response to a predetermined event, for example by user action in an active zone outside of the sub-region(s).
US08717318B2

A device includes a processor to receive input data from an image detector, where the input data includes data obtained from tracking air movements of a user's body part interacting with a virtual object of the electronic display, the processor to map the input data to a control input to move the virtual object beyond the display. The device could, for example, include a mobile device such as a smartphone or a laptop. The virtual object could for example move to another display or to a bezel of the device. A touch screen sensor may allow the virtual object to be pinched from the display, before being lifted beyond the display. The processor may map the input data to control input to create a virtual binding of the virtual object in order to create a visual rendering of a connection between the virtual object and the user's body part.
US08717316B2

An interactive media display system comprising at least one digital display panel, at least one touch screen display panel and at least one processor for operating and controlling the display panels. The system preferably includes a media dispensing system which enables the interactive media display to create and/or dispense media related products.