Patents Issued in September 2, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040170245
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to integrated circuits, and in particular to method and circuitry for implementing an improved phase-locked loop (PLL) in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)technology using current-controlled CMOS (C3MOS) logic. In an exemplary embodiment, a phase-locked loop includes a phase-frequency detector, a Gm cell block, a low pass filter and a voltage controlled oscillator. These various elements of the phase-locked loop are connected to one another in a fully differential manner, i.e., each element has an input and/or an output each having at least a differential signal. In one embodiment, each of these various elements of the phase-locked loop is implemented using C3MOS logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Armond Hairapetian, Jun Cao, Afshin Momtaz
  • Publication number: 20040170246
    Abstract: A very fast reconstruction is undertaken in an image reconstruction process by tomography, by dividing measurements through the subject into a series of subsequent sets that are inverted by back projections giving partial result blocks used to search for the change law for the subject. Partial contents of the image can then be predicted at a reference time and their accumulation gives the image. The law for how the subject changes with time is evaluated and is used to compensate for partial results before their accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Anne Koenig, Pierre Grangeat
  • Publication number: 20040170247
    Abstract: A computer automated method for setting visualization parameter boundaries in a preset for displaying an image from a 3D data set applicable to magnetic resonance (MR) data, computer tomography (CT) data and other 3D data sets obtained in medical imaging is described. In one example the visualization parameter boundaries are color boundaries. A histogram of data values of voxels within a user-selected volume of interest (VOI) is generated and an analysis of a convex hull spanning the histogram is made to provide one or more visualization thresholds which divide the histogram into sub-regions. The sub-regions relate to different tissue types within the VOI and color boundaries are set based on the visualization thresholds for displaying the different tissue types in different colors. The method allows color boundaries in a preset to be set objectively and automatically so that images can be displayed consistently and with less user manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Ian Poole, Andrew John Bissell
  • Publication number: 20040170248
    Abstract: A method and system for reconstructing a three-dimensional image of an object from cone beam projection data. The method comprising the steps of: acquiring the projection data, wherein the projection data comprises a set of cone beam projection images; selecting at least one cone beam projection image; identifying a region of interest within each selected cone beam projection image; defining a three-dimensional lattice of points, wherein the projection into each selected cone beam projection image of the points in the three-dimensional lattice provides a sampling of the identified region of interest in the corresponding selected cone beam projection image; and, reconstructing an image of the object at each point in the three-dimensional lattice to form a three-dimensional image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Nathan D. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20040170249
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mapping film thickness of textured polycrystalline thin films. Multiple sample films of known thicknesses are provided, and each is irradiated by x-ray at a measurement point to generate a diffraction image that captures a plurality of diffraction arcs. Texture information (i.e., pole densities) of each sample film is calculated based on multiple incomplete pole figures collected from the diffraction image and used to correct the x-ray diffraction intensities obtained from such sample film. Corrected and integrated diffraction intensities of the sample films are then correlated to respective known film thicknesses of such films, and the correlation so determined can be used to map the film thickness of a textured polycrystalline thin film of unknown thickness, based on the corrected and integrated diffraction intensity calculated for such thin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Krzysztof J. Kozaczek, David S. Kurtz, Paul R. Moran, Roger I. Martin, Patrick W. Dehaven, Kenneth P. Rodbell, Sandra G. Malhotra
  • Publication number: 20040170250
    Abstract: An x-ray optical device includes an optic and an adjustable aperture that selectively occludes a portion of an x-ray beam. The adjustable aperture may be positioned between the optic and a sample and may be integrated with the optic or located in close proximity to the optic. The adjustable aperture enables a user to easily and effectively adjust the convergence of the x-rays. In doing so, the flux and resolution of the x-ray optical device can be optimized by using an optic having the maximum convergence allowed for all potential measurements, and then selecting a convergence for a particular measurement by adjusting the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Osmic, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Verman, Licai Jiang
  • Publication number: 20040170251
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray examination device which is designed to automatically process one or a series of X-ray examinations. The automatic processing in this device relates to all phases of the examination and includes the setting of the power of the X-ray equipment, the setting of the parameters of the X-ray table, the type of examination to be performed, and the reporting and archiving functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Bernardus Johannes Pronk
  • Publication number: 20040170252
    Abstract: Special liquid droplet targets that are irradiated by a high power laser and are plasmarized to form a point source EUV, XUV and x-ray source. Various types of liquid droplet targets include metallic solutions, and nano-sized particles in solutions having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of some or all of the constituent metals, used a laser point source target droplets. The solutions have no damaging debris and can produce plasma emissions in the X-rays, XUV, and EUV(extreme ultra violet) spectral ranges of approximately 0.1 nm to approximately 100 nm, approximately 11.7 nm and 13 nm, approximately 0.5 nm to approximately 1.5 nm, and approximately 2.3 nm to approximately 4.5 nm. The second type of target consists of various types of liquids which contain as a miscible fluid various nano-size particles of different types of metals and non-metal materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: University of Central Florida
    Inventor: Martin Richardson
  • Publication number: 20040170253
    Abstract: A radiographic sensor retention apparatus for retaining a radiographic sensor and allowing it to be properly positioned within the mouth of a dental patient during x-ray image registration. The apparatus is held in position within the mouth of the patient in response to biting pressure from the upper and lower dental surfaces, and comprises a bite block with an extending first jaw member, a second jaw member slidably engaged with the bite block, and a threadable member connecting the second jaw member to either the bite block or the first jaw member, wherein the separation between the jaws is continuously variable in response to the rotation of the threadable member. Compliant members are preferably joined to one or both of the jaw members to aid in distributing the retention forces and to reduce sensor slippage. The bite block is preferably configured for the attachment of at least one alignment guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: OP-D-OP, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Landis, Clay D. Allen
  • Publication number: 20040170254
    Abstract: A robotically controlled five degree-of-freedom x-ray gantry positioning apparatus, which is connected to a mobile cart, ceiling, floor; wall, or patient table, is being disclosed. The positioning system can be attached to a cantilevered o-shaped or c-shaped gantry. The positioning system can precisely translate the attached gantry in the three orthogonal axes X-Y-Z and orient the gantry about the X-axis and Y-axis while keeping the center of the gantry fixed, (see FIG. 1). The positioning apparatus provides both iso-centric and non iso-centric “Tilt” and “Wag” rotations of the gantry around the X-axis and Y-axis respectively. The iso-centric “Wag” rotation is a multi-axis combination of two translations and one rotation. Additionally, a field of view larger than that provided by the detector is provided in pure AP (anterior/posterior) and lateral detector positions through additional combinations of multi-axis coordinated motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Breakaway Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Richard K. Grant, Norbert J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040170255
    Abstract: The radiographic X-ray device according to this invention is constituted in such a way that positional relation detecting unit 25 detects in real time the information regarding the positional relations between X-ray imaging systems 4 and 8 that thoroughly represents the overall current status of the positional relations of external surfaces of both X-ray imaging systems 4 and 8 where collisions between first and second X-ray imaging systems 4 and 8 may occur, that the information regarding the positional relations detected by positional relation detecting unit 25 is taken into consideration in controlling the motions of X-ray imaging systems 4 and 8, and that the current status of the positional relations of external surfaces of both X-ray imaging systems 4 and 8 can be thoroughly and accurately reflected upon the motions of X-ray imaging systems 4 and 8 without any difficulty, so that any collisions of X-ray imaging systems 4 and 8 can be avoided without fail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Akutsu, Mitsuhiro Hashimoto, Mitsuru Umeda
  • Publication number: 20040170256
    Abstract: A method for placing a test call in a telecommunications network. The method includes retrieving an indication of a translation change for a telecommunications switch from storage and placing a test call to test whether the translation change was successful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Robert H. Wright, Charles E. Raymond, Gary R. Archibald, Edward Davis
  • Publication number: 20040170257
    Abstract: A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Karen A. Gross, Thomas J. Galvan, Rupika Chib
  • Publication number: 20040170258
    Abstract: Predictive dialing system (100) and method is disclosed. Telephone numbers from a call list (FIG. 2) are automatically dialed and response received is analyzed. Message content in the response is detected using a speech recognizer and one or more follow-up actions based on the message content are performed. The follow-up actions may include rescheduling the call if the telephone number dialed is busy, not answering, or otherwise not working. Another follow-up action may include dynamically updating the list of telephone numbers in the call list, for example, if an operator message indicating that the phone number is no longer in service or that phone number has changed to a new number. Yet another follow-up action may include transferring the call to a live agent, for example, if a live greeting is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Mitch Levin, Amarish M Pathak, Edward H Currie, Sonal R Pathak
  • Publication number: 20040170259
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an Internet video phone. The Internet video phone has a display unit, a camera unit, a Local Area Network (LAN) interface and a control unit. The Internet video phone includes an interface that is adapted to be controlled by the control unit and to exchange data with a smart card reader that writes and reads data on and from a smart card, thus being capable of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP)-accessing a server via the Internet at the time of smart card charging and an electronic payment, and transmitting/receiving payment information to and from the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Jae Hun Park
  • Publication number: 20040170260
    Abstract: In an information assistance system, when a first party calls the service to request a communications number (i.e., phone number) of a second party, an indicator of the second party, such as the second party's name, is inserted into an event record to be provided to a billing platform. The indicator may also be the second party's address, instead of or along with the second party's name. The name may thereby be readily provided in a bill for the call. In a carrier network, the name of a second party called by a first party is inserted in an event record, so that the second party's name may be included in a bill for the call. The name may be determined by submitting the second party's communications number, which may be derived from call set up signals, to a database correlating communications numbers with corresponding parties' names. This may take place while the communication is being connected. Methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Nathan Bryant Baker
  • Publication number: 20040170261
    Abstract: A communications system provides a bill for services provided to a user of the system, to a display device via a network. The display device may be a personal computer and the network may be the Internet, for example. A plurality of users may be parties to an account with the system and an indicator of the one of the plurality of users requesting a service may be associated with an entry in the bill for the requested service. A bill for communications services requested by a first party with respect to a second party may include an indicator, such as a name and/or location information, of the second party. The user may also have an option of receiving a bill without indicators. Information about a second party associated with a requested service may be transferred to a contacts folder maintained by the communications system. Methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Nathan B. Baker
  • Publication number: 20040170262
    Abstract: A doorphone is provided with a camera, a microphone, a button serving as an input device, and a loudspeaker serving as an output device. When a visitor pushes the button, the camera starts recording an image and the microphone becomes ready for input of voice. The doorphone sends the recorded image and the input voice to an operation panel. The doorphone sends the recorded image and the input voice to the home server as well. Upon reception of the image and the voice, the home server recognizes which sensor senses a user through the use of a LAN, and selects a video/audio device (e.g., a personal computer) associated with that sensor as a data destination device. The image and voice received from the doorphone are transferred to the selected video/audio device through the LAN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Katsuya Ohno
  • Publication number: 20040170263
    Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a telephone routing system; and a presence database manager unit operably coupled to the routing system and adapted to maintain one or more watcher lists of registered users. The routing system is adapted to receive phone calls and provide an indication to the presence database manager unit whether the phone calls originate from registered users. The presence database manager unit is adapted to determine if such a user has a watcher list and transmit an indication to parties associated with the watcher list that said user is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Michelle Michael, Randy Wuerfel, Jeffrey Blohm
  • Publication number: 20040170264
    Abstract: Participants on a conference call are managed by terminating incoming calls at a conference bridge and storing a record for each call entering the conference call, each record including identification of the caller and a corresponding port number of the conference bridge assigned to the call. A list of all callers currently connected to the conference call is maintained. Upon receiving a request from an administrative host of the conference call, the list of current conference call participants is communicated to the host. Upon receipt of a disconnect request from the host identifying a first record associated with a first conference call participant to be disconnected, the first record a corresponding first port number is located, and the call associated with the first port number is disconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: David S. Benco, Daisy Diaz, Ronald Bruce Martin
  • Publication number: 20040170265
    Abstract: Conference call security is enhanced by a process for validating participants seeking to join the conference call by terminating an incoming call at a conference bridge and requiring a valid conference code input by the caller. A type of security to be utilized for the particular conference call is determined. A first validation method determines if the caller is authorized to access the conference call, and if the caller is validated, granting the caller access to participate in the conference call. If the first validation method does not validate the caller, a second validation method that is different from the first validation method is used to determine if the caller is authorized to access the conference call. If the second validation method validates the caller, the caller is granted access to participate in the conference call. If the second validation method does not validate the caller, the caller is denied access to participate in the conference call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: David S. Benco, Daisy Diaz, Karla Rae Hunter, Ronald Bruce Martin
  • Publication number: 20040170266
    Abstract: A conferencing method for providing reservation-less instant group conferencing. A subscriber dials in a conference code and a group code in his/her phone. The input signal is received in the switch serving the phone on sensing the conference code activates a trigger which results in communications with a conferencing system. The conference call is set up in a conferencing bridge and the phone of the subscriber is routed to the conferencing bridge. The conferencing system using group code obtains a group of phone numbers of participants from a database and calls each participant and connects each call participant to the conference call. Subscriber setting lists of participants and phone numbers in advance of the conference call with Internet access to the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Adams, James Brennan
  • Publication number: 20040170267
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forwarding signals directed to a first telecommunications terminal to a second telecommunications terminal only when such forwarding is authorized are disclosed. In particular, the illustrative embodiment employs an authorization table associated with the first telecommunications terminal and an authorization table associated with the second telecommunications terminal and forwards signals directed to the first terminal to the second terminal only when the authorization tables indicate that such forwarding is permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Doree Duncan Seligmann
  • Publication number: 20040170268
    Abstract: Modular internet telephony feature servers allow individual users to manage internet telephone calls. Modular internet telephony feature servers may be used in a hierarchical internet telephony system in which a higher tier internet telephony feature server forwards telephone calls to one or more lower tier internet telephony feature servers, and each lower tier internet telephony feature server is configurable separately from the higher tier internet telephony feature server and from other lower tier internet telephony feature servers to direct telephone calls received from the higher tier internet telephony feature server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Shigeaki Hakusui
  • Publication number: 20040170269
    Abstract: A method of operating a virtual private network includes the steps of: (a) dialing a custom number; (b) receiving the custom number at a switch (20) of a first carrier; (c) routing the call to a switch (18) of a second carrier based on having received the custom number; and (d) when the call to the switch (18) of the second carrier includes a plain old telephone number translation of the customer number, routing the call over the second carrier to a service switching point (26) of a third carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Pitsa Madoch, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Christopher Michael LeBeau, John Wesley Moss, Dianna Inara Tiliks, Walter Martin Malinowski
  • Publication number: 20040170270
    Abstract: An information input device is provided which is to make input of information by operating a disk-shaped rotating member. The device includes the rotating member (36) which is rotatable with one main side thereof being operated, rotation detecting means (23, 32) for detecting a rotation of the rotating member (36), a central switch activator (26) provided at the center of rotation of the rotating member (36), a central switch (270) which is activated by operating the central switch activator (26), and a plurality of peripheral switches (27) which are turned on when a portion, apart from the center of rotation, of the rotating member (36) is pressed. Rotating the rotating member and pressing the apart portion makes input of information, and operating the central switch activator sets the information thus entered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Kouichiro Takashima, Shun Kayama, Yasuhiro Kataoka, Hiroshi Azuma, Yoshihiro Tanabe, Tsuyoshi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20040170271
    Abstract: An echo canceller includes: an echo cancellation part canceling echo included in a near-end input signal; a noise suppression part employing a low-pass filter having a variable cut-off frequency adaptive to power of an input signal, the noise suppression part removing a residual echo component from an output of the echo canceller part; a threshold generation part generating a variable threshold varying in accordance with a power level of a far-end input signal; a determination part making a determination based on a comparison between a power level of the output of the echo cancellation part and the variable threshold; and a processing part performing noise suppression using the low-pass filter on the output of the echo cancellation part when the determination part determines that the power level of the output of the echo cancellation part is lower than or equal to the variable threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Syuji Kubota
  • Publication number: 20040170272
    Abstract: A sound guide for a speaker is capable of guiding a sound of a desired volume to a desired position regardless of installation structure of the speaker. The sound guide for a speaker includes a speaker support for supporting the speaker in a case, and a sound guide groove formed in an inner side of the speaker support, for guiding the direction of the audible signal of the speaker at a predetermined angle. The sound propagation groove has one side coupled with the speaker and other side coupled with a sound propagation hole which is formed in the case. A handset for mobile communication using the sound guide includes a case having a speaker therein, and a sound propagation hole for propagating the audible signal generated by the speaker to outside, wherein the speaker is slanted at a predetermined angle with respect to a front side of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: LG Information & Communications, Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Hwan Sung
  • Publication number: 20040170273
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding an input string A into an output string B, whose items an and bn belong to an alphabet S of M symbols sm, the method being characterised by providing an ordered arrangement of the M symbols sm of the alphabet S, by performing a scanning operation on the items an of the input string A and in that, for each of the items ak, where k &egr;{0, 1, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Luigi Carabiniere, Pierluigi Mirto, Giancarlo Formicuccia
  • Publication number: 20040170274
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention for forming an image based on input image data includes an encryption and decryption unit that encrypts image data using an encryption key prior to the storage of the input image data onto an image storage unit, and decrypts the encrypted image data subsequent to the reading of the encrypted image data from the image storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironobu Machida, Toshiyuki Mitsudomi
  • Publication number: 20040170275
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for cryptographing and/or deciphering an image. The apparatus includes an image segmenting unit, a random image generating unit, a cryptographing unit, and a phase card generating unit. The image segmenting unit segments an input binary image into images. The random image generating unit generates as many random images as the segmented images. The cryptographing unit performs XOR operations on the segmented images and the random images on a one-to-one basis to produce as many cryptographed images as the segmented images. The phase card generating unit assigns phase values of &pgr; and 0 to black and white pixels of the cryptographed images to generate phase cards corresponding to the cryptographed images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Sang Su Lee, Jong Wook Han, Sung Won Sohn, Chee Hang Park, Jong Yun Kim
  • Publication number: 20040170276
    Abstract: A first information recorder comprises a limited number-of-times of copying information setting unit for setting information on the limited number-of-times of copying electronic data, a first limited number-of-times of copying information updating unit for reading out the electronic data from a first information recording medium containing electronic data set with limited number of times of copying information by the limited number-of-times of copying information setting unit and updating the limited number-of-times of copying information set with respect to the electronic data, and a first transmitter for transmitting electronic data whose limited number-of-times of copying information is updated by the first limited number of times of copying information updating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Fumitomo Yamasaki, Takao Hayashi, Hideki Aikoh
  • Publication number: 20040170277
    Abstract: On an encrypted object code obtained by encrypting an object code, there is discriminated whether an inhibited code defined in data format is present in a code concerning such encrypted object code, and, in case such inhibited code is judged absent, the encrypted object code is determined as an encryption result of the object code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Iwamura, Yuji Suga
  • Publication number: 20040170278
    Abstract: Device (120), smart card (300) and method for selectively supplying access to a service (202) encrypted using a control word. A service (202) is received with an entitlement control message (ECM) (203) comprising authorization data and a specifier of a validity period of the authorization data. The service is decrypted only if the ECM (203) is found valid. The service (202) can be stored on a storage medium such as a DVD. An ECM transcoding module (211) obtains the authorization data from the ECM (203) supplies to writing means (215) a device-specific ECM comprising the authorization data. The device-specific ECM may be encrypted with a key specific to the device (120) and/or comprise an identifier for the device (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Schipper
  • Publication number: 20040170279
    Abstract: A method of decompressing data words of an instruction set includes:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sophie Wilson, John Redford
  • Publication number: 20040170280
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide encryption and decryption using wavelet transforms over finite fields. The wavelet encryption system and wavelet decryption system include one or more filters that receive a set of wavelet coefficients as input. The wavelet coefficients are then utilized by the wavelet encryption system to cause the filters to encrypt plaintext into cyphertext. The cyphertext is then decrypted by a wavelet decryption system, which is operable to reconstruct the original plaintext using wavelet transforms that reverse the effect of the wavelet encryption system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Faramarz Fekri
  • Publication number: 20040170281
    Abstract: Sound recordings are played through a closely-spaced pair of loudspeakers with a predetermined listener position having an included angle of between 6° and 20°, and filter means being employed in creating said sound recordings, the filter means having characteristics such that when the sound recordings are played, the need to provide a virtual imaging filter means at the inputs to the loudspeakers to create virtual sound sources is avoided, the sound recording being such that when played through the loudspeakers a phase difference between vibrations of the two loudspeakers results where the phase difference varies with frequency from low frequencies where the vibrations are substantially out of phase to high frequencies where the vibrations are in phase, the lowest frequency at which the vibrations are in phase being determined approximately by a ringing frequency, f0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Adaptive Audio Limited
    Inventors: Philip Arthur Nelson, Ole Kirkeby, Hareo Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040170282
    Abstract: An acoustic simulation apparatus (10) comprises a model (12) having an acoustic space (11), a substantially nondirectional polyhedral loud speaker (20) provided with a plurality of piezoelectric loud speakers (22) and arranged at a prescribed position within the acoustic space (11), an amplifier (13a) for driving the plural piezoelectric loud speakers (22), a microphone (14a) for receiving a response acoustic signal generated in the acoustic space due to the driving of the loud speaker (20) in the acoustic space (11), a microphone amplifier (14b) for amplifying the output of the microphone (14a) to a prescribed amplitude, and a computer (17) for analyzing the output signal of the microphone amplifier (14b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Tahara, Shinichi Sasaki, Katsuyuki Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20040170283
    Abstract: A howling control apparatus and howling control method for controlling time up to the cancellation of howling suppression according to a howling occurrence situation, thereby eliminating the repetition of howling suppression and cancellation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Terada, Atsunobu Murase
  • Publication number: 20040170284
    Abstract: A sound reinforcement system (1) comprises several microphones (2), a microphone beamformer (5) coupled to the microphones (2), adaptive echo compensation (EC) means (4) coupled to the microphone beamformer (5) for generating an echo compensated microphone signal, and several loudspeakers (3) coupled to the adaptive EC means (4). The sound reinforcement system (1) further comprises an adaptive loudspeaker beamformer (11) coupled between the adaptive EC means (4) and the loudspeakers (3) for shaping the directional pattern of the loudspeakers (3). Advantageously the adaptive loudspeaker beamformer creates a beam pattern which is capable of creating a “null” in the direction of speaker(s) such that howling is effectively prevented. The loudspeaker beamformer (11) may for example be a Weighted Sum Beamformer, a Delay and Sum Beamformer or a Filtered Sum Beamformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Cornelis Pieter Janse, Harm Jan Willem Belt
  • Publication number: 20040170285
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a stethoscope as one part of an interface unit for biological signals. An electroacoustic driver is provided with a signal from e.g. a sound card in a personal computer, and special leak-free coupling means are provided to enable a faithful transmission of the biological signal from e.g. the digital domain in a computer to the ears of a physician used to auscultation—or training to become proficient. The communication of and about physiological signals is remarkably improved with respect to traditional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Knud Erik Baekgaard, Bjorn Knud Andersen
  • Publication number: 20040170286
    Abstract: A method of controlling an acoustic system in a vehicle, in which the interior is monitored by an interior sensing system, at least the position of the occupant's head in the interior is recognized by an object recognition system on the basis of the data supplied by the interior sensing system, and a setting of the acoustic system that is optimized for the occupants is performed automatically by a control unit as a function of seat occupancy and the position of the occupant's head in the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Durach, Danny Borke, Alexander Augst
  • Publication number: 20040170287
    Abstract: A sound source device is connected to one end of a pipe arrangement to supply sound into the pipe arrangement. Regenerators are installed to the pipe arrangement. Each regenerator serves as an energy converter that converts energy of an acoustic wave of the sound, which is propagated in the pipe arrangement, into another form of energy. Acoustic wave amplifier/attenuator apparatuses are provided in the pipe arrangement at a corresponding location between the sound source device and a corresponding one of the regenerators. Each acoustic wave amplifier/attenuator apparatus uses thermoacoustic effect to amplify or attenuate the acoustic wave and includes a cold heat exchanger, a hot heat exchanger and a stack that is held between the cold heat exchanger and the hot heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsushi Biwa, Taichi Yazaki, Yusuke Tashiro, Yuki Ueda, Motoki Kozuka
  • Publication number: 20040170288
    Abstract: A sound synthesizer for a vehicle includes a driving operation detector that detects an operation amount of a driving operation input device by a driver. A speed calculator calculates a revolution speed of a drive unit based on the detected operation amount. A sound controller outputs a sound control signal based on an input of the operation amount and based on the revolution speed. A memory stores drive sound data in advance. A synthesized sound output generator reads out drive sound data from the memory and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to a sound pressure signal. The sound controller outputs sound control signals so that the drive sound data within a range of the operational state corresponding to the inputted operation amount and the revolution speed is repetitively played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Osamu Maeda
  • Publication number: 20040170289
    Abstract: An audio conference system with the quality-improving features by compensating sensitivities of microphones was developed to increase the exercise range of microphones and greatly improve the output quality. The audio conference system includes a microphone array, which is consisted of at least three microphones with known locations, a converter, which digitizes analog signals, a processor, two digital gain controls, and a digital compensation software. The quality-improving advantage is obtained by the method that the travel time differences form voice source to the respective microphones are distinguished, that the location of the voice source is calculated and located and that particular microphones are selected for compensating the sensitivity. Consequently such an Audio Conference System would allow a conference held in a large space and with multiudinous conferees, and be usable for remote conference through phone, Internet or other communication method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Wen Jea Whan
  • Publication number: 20040170290
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping quantization noise generated when compressing audio data at a low bit rate is disclosed. A predetermined quantization noise threshold allowed during quantization of sampled audio data and quantization noise energy information of a quantized MDCT coefficient are received in all frequency bands of an audio frequency. The quantization noise energy of the quantized MDCT coefficient is attenuated in a predetermined number of frequency bands in which a difference between the predetermined quantization noise threshold and the quantization noise energy of the quantized MDCT coefficient is large.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-gyu Chang, Heung-yeop Jang
  • Publication number: 20040170291
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mobile device with improved acoustic porting. The mobile device includes a housing that has at least one sound hole, a transducer for converting an electrical signal into an acoustical signal, and a grommet that engages the housing and the transducer to form an interior cavity. A passage acoustically couples the interior cavity with the interior of the housing. The transducer emits sound into the interior cavity. The sound travels from the interior cavity through the passage into the interior of the housing and then to the user's ear via the sound hole(s) in the housing. The passage may be any channel, tube, passageway, or pathway that allows an acoustical signal to travel from the interior cavity to the interior of the housing. The transducer may also emit sound into the interior of the housing that mixes with the sound traveling from the interior cavity through the passage into the interior of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: W. Chris Eaton
  • Publication number: 20040170292
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile membrane loudspeaker equipped with a partial closure optimising its radiation. The invention is characterised in that the loudspeaker with mobile diaphragm (19) attached to a rigid frame (15) defining an acoustic emission plane (P) comprises a closure (25) for only one central zone of said emission plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Eric Vincenot
  • Publication number: 20040170293
    Abstract: A microphone assembly includes one or more transducers positioned in a housing. Circuitry is coupled to the transducer for outputting an electrical signal such that the microphone has a main lobe directed forwardly and attenuates signals originating from the sides and/or rear. The transducers can advantageously include multiple transducers, which, with the circuit, produce a desired sensitivity pattern. The microphone assembly can be employed in a vehicle accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Alan R. Watson, Robert C. Knapp, Robert R. Turnbull, William R. Spence, G. Bruce Poe, Michael A. Bryson
  • Publication number: 20040170294
    Abstract: In order to obtain an ear-hook headphone that is light and comfortable to wear, a supporting portion that supports a housing portion is provided in the vicinity of one end of an approximately U-shaped bend of an arm-shaped guide portion; a pushing portion that resiliently pushes from behind the auricle of a user toward the housing portion is provided in the vicinity of the other end; and a sound-outputting surface of the housing portion is disposed on the face side of the listener wearing the headphone to be approximately perpendicular to the surface formed by the bend of the arm-shaped guide portion. According to this construction, the housing portion can be easily accommodated in the earhole of the user's ear with the guide portion being slipped along the base of the user's ear, and the headphone can be reliably worn with the pushing portion resiliently pushing from behind his/her auricle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Katsunori Murozaki, Koji Nageno