Patents Issued in August 14, 2007
  • Patent number: 7257187
    Abstract: A method for determining tracking control parameters for positioning an x-ray beam of a computed tomography imaging system, the imaging system including a movable collimator positionable in steps and a detector array including a plurality of detector elements arranged in rows and channels, the rows extending from a detector A-side to a detector B-side. The method includes determining a detector A-side and a detector B-side target beam penumbra position, computing a plurality of Z-ratio curves corresponding to different detector rows and detector channels, and comparing the Z-ratio curves at the detector A-side and detector B-side target beam positions to determine the optimal Z-ratio curve and corresponding detector channels and rows for controlling the X-ray beam positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Henry Chao, Thomas Louis Toth, Maryam Shaukat Hameed
  • Patent number: 7257188
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising scanning an object at first and second radiation energies, detecting radiation at the first and second energies, and calculating a function of the radiation detected at the first and second energies, for corresponding pixels. A pixel is a projection of radiation through the object onto the detector. The first functions of a plurality of pixels are grouped and a second function of the group is analyzed to determine whether the object at least potentially contains material having an atomic number greater than the predetermined atomic number. The second function may be compared to a third function, which may be a threshold having a value based, at least in part, on material having a predetermined atomic number. Systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bjorkholm
  • Patent number: 7257189
    Abstract: A method and system for using Threat Imaging Projection (TIP) technology, and the operator testing data that it generates, in order to certify x-ray inspection system operators and thereby assure an acceptable and uniform level of operator performance. In a preferred configuration, the operator views x-ray images of objects on a screening system equipped with TIP technology. When the operator believes that a threat item image appears on the screening system, the operator indicates such via an indicating means. The system is capable of recording, storing and transmitting individual operator performance data relating to proper detections, missed detections, and false alarms, i.e., when an operator indicates that a threat item image appears when no such image actually appears on the screening system. The system preferably contains a library of various threat item images, e.g., guns, bombs, knives, etc., which are classified according to type of threat and difficulty of detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Modica, Khai Le, Phong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7257190
    Abstract: A radiographic device includes a radiation source which generates radiation and a detector which detects radiation from the radiation source on a two-dimensional plane and outputs an image signal, and performs radiography of a subject to be examined while rotating the radiation source and the detector relative to the subject. In this radiography, the first resolution or the second resolution lower than the first resolution is selected in accordance with a rotational position in the relative rotation. An image signal from the detector is stored as data corresponding to the resolution selected by a selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7257191
    Abstract: A medical examination and treatment system comprises a radiation source that emits particle radiation, an X-ray emitter located on one side of a target volume and diametrically opposite to the radiation source, and a detector located between the target volume and the radiation source. The target volume is positioned to be exposed to the particle radiation. A radiation direction of the X-ray emitter is oriented opposite to a radiation direction of the particle radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andres Sommer
  • Patent number: 7257192
    Abstract: In a method for X-ray reflectance measurement in which an intensity of a reflected X-ray is observed for each incident angle, a measuring scale for the incident angle ? is corrected, before the reflectance measurement, using an analyzer crystal. In the corrective operation, the aperture width of the receiving slit is made wider than in the X-ray reflectance measurement, and the analyzer crystal is inserted in the reflection path, and then the reflected X-ray intensity is detected. In this condition, the incident angle ? of the incident X-ray to the sample surface can be determined accurately, and thus the measuring scale for the incident angle can be corrected. Thereafter, the analyzer crystal is removed from the reflection path, and the X-ray reflectance measurement for the sample surface is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Rigaku Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Omote
  • Patent number: 7257193
    Abstract: An x-ray source assembly includes an anode having a spot upon which electrons impinge based on power level supplied to the assembly, and an optic coupled to receive divergent x-rays generated at the spot and transmit output x-rays from the assembly. A control system is provided for maintaining intensity of the output x-rays dynamically during operation of the x-ray source assembly, notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the x-ray source assembly, by changing the power level supplied to the assembly. The control system may include at least one actuator for effecting the change in the power level supplied to the assembly, by, e.g., controlling a power supply associated with the assembly. The control system may also change the temperature and/or the position of the anode to maintain the output intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Radley, Michael D. Moore, Mark Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7257194
    Abstract: A cathode head is provide that is suitable for use in an x-ray device that includes an anode having a target surface configured and arranged to receive electrons emitted by the cathode head. The cathode head may be constructed of magnetic or non-magnetic material and includes an emitter block carrying a filament that defines a longitudinal axis about which is disposed one or more magnetic coils. The filament is configured and arranged to emit an electron beam that defines a focal spot on the target surface of the anode. The magnetic coil, or coils, disposed about the longitudinal axis defined by the filament generate a magnetic field that enables control of the location of the focal spot on the target surface of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricky Smith
  • Patent number: 7257195
    Abstract: A collimator for a computer tomograph includes a number of collimator plates and a holder for the collimator plates. The collimator plates include, at the edge, a number of tabs spaced apart from one another. In a fashion corresponding to this, the holder has receptacles that are assigned to the tabs and that are spaced apart from one another, into which the tabs of the collimator plates engage. This configuration ensures highly accurate positioning of even long collimator plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Freund, Claus Pohan
  • Patent number: 7257196
    Abstract: A radiotherapeutic apparatus employs a collimator (52) set below a radiation source (50) and is adapted to move along an arc (54) substantially centered on the radiation source (50). As it sweeps the arc, the collimator (52) is adjusted so as to define the appropriate shape of radiation beam. A continuous sweep over the patient avoids edge artefacts and localized accumulation of leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin John Brown, David Anthony Jaffray
  • Patent number: 7257197
    Abstract: A stackable rack may comprise: at least two rails, a cross-section of each rail having a shape resembling a staircase, first step portion of which represents a first surface upon which a reflector can be disposed; and a second step portion of which represents a second surface which can support another rail. A method of making a narrow band x-ray filter may comprise: providing a substrate; and stacking one or more reflection units in succession upon the substrate, each reflection unit including a rack (such as mentioned above) and a reflector held by the rack. An apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam may include such a filter. An apparatus to make an x-ray image of a subject may include: the apparatus to produce a substantially narrow band x-ray beam, e.g., as set forth above, and an x-ray detector arranged to receive the narrow band x-ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Monochromatic X-Ray Filter Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Min Cho
  • Patent number: 7257198
    Abstract: A performance of a telecommunication feature for a telecommunication customer is monitored. Based on the monitored performance, if an estimate of future performance of the telecommunication feature for the telecommunication customer is determined to be unfavorable, the telecommunication customer is informed of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Edmond W. Israelski, Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr., Jordan Howard Light, Denise Violetta Kagan, Jose M. Cruz, Bruce Edward Stuckman, Raymond Walden Bennett, III, Michael Steven Pickard, Barry James Sullivan, Richard Peter Krupka, Philip Martin Stebbings
  • Patent number: 7257199
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for telephony based remote location monitoring are provided. A telephone network receives the caller request to listen only to a remote location telephony device. The telephone network allocates a listen only channel between the caller telephony device and the remote location telephony device. The telephone network activates a microphone at the remote location telephony device via the listen only channel. Then, audio detected at the microphone is streamed via the listen only channel to the caller telephony device, such that the telephone network enables a caller to monitor a remote location through the remote location telephony device with minimized allocation of telephone network resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Pierre Carlson, Herman Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7257200
    Abstract: An automated notification method comprises detecting an event requiring a notification to a user, determining a level of urgency of the event, selecting a notification method (from predetermined user-specified notification methods) based on the level of urgency of the event, performing the notification method, and dynamically changing the notification method depending upon a change in the level of urgency of the event and upon user response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Francisco M. Valeriano, Daniel Manchala
  • Patent number: 7257201
    Abstract: A network telephony system is provided which enables unified messaging services. The system generally includes at least one user agent (102,104) operatively coupled to a data network (106) and a signalling server operatively coupled to the data network (106). The user agents (102,104) are telephony endpoints, such as standalone Internet telephony appliances or personal computers with appropriate telephony software. A messaging server (110) is provided which is operatively coupled to the data network (106) and is responsive to the signaling server (108). The system also includes a media server (112A,112B) which is operatively coupled to the network and includes computer data storage media for storing message files. The media server is responsive to the messaging server (110) and, on occurrence of a message condition, is directly accessible to a calling party to store a message file for subsequent retrieval by a called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City Of New York
    Inventors: Kundan Singh, Henning Schulzrinne
  • Patent number: 7257202
    Abstract: A video-phone call with a portable video-phone terminal is enabled for a cellular phone which has not video-phone service provided, by making use of cameras and display devices placed on the street. For a video-phone call to a portable video-phone terminal, a media converter in a service center distributes data so as to send video data to a public communication terminal on the street, and voice data to a cellular phone without video recording/reproducing capability. A call agent in a service center issues an ID in response to a request from the cellular phone without video recording/reproducing capability on voice call. This ID may be received by a service center via a detector such as a sensor deployed on the street, to provide a video-phone service by using a public communication terminal on the street in the vicinity of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Umemura, Takeo Tomokane, Kazushige Hiroi
  • Patent number: 7257203
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and structures are discussed that enhance media processing. One aspect of the present invention includes a data structure to enhance media processing. The data structure includes a terminal data structure to instantiate terminal objects and a speech recognition terminal data structure that extends the terminal data structure. Another aspect of the present invention includes a data structure to enhance media processing. This data structure includes a terminal data structure to instantiate terminal objects and a speech generation terminal data structure that extends the terminal data structure. These data structures may be used to implement an internet protocol interactive voice response system, an internet protocol unified message system, and speech-enabled Web applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Mary Michelle Quinton
  • Patent number: 7257204
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method allows a subscriber to create a data message. The subscriber may associate the data message to an originating party and to a recipient. When a communication from the originating party is received, the data message is communicated to the recipient via an Internet Protocol communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Koch
  • Patent number: 7257205
    Abstract: A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number during a disaster or disaster recovery period. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes two wireless connection units, each connected between a respective private branch exchange (PBX) network and a public switched telephone network. Each wireless connection unit preferably serves as a gateway between its respective PBX network and one or more remote communication devices. The wireless connection units replicate each others databases. In the event of a disaster that destroys or renders one of the wireless connect/PBX networks inoperable, telephone calls destined for the inoperable network are seamlessly routed to the operable wireless connect/PBX network. Since the operable wireless connection unit contains information for both networks, inbound, outbound and extension to extension calls for each network can be handled despite the disaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ascendent Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Forte
  • Patent number: 7257206
    Abstract: A system for performing skip tracing provides a first user interface including an area for presenting at least one telephone number associated with account information of a customer retrieved from a mainframe computer system, a documentation area for inputting skip tracing results, a user interface control for indicating that a telephone number presented in the area is bad, wherein selection of the user interface control causes the documentation area to be populated with data indicating that the telephone number is bad, a second user interface control for indicating that a second telephone number presented in the area is good, wherein selection of the second user interface control causes the documentation area to be populated with data indicating that the second telephone number is good, and a third user interface control for causing data populating the documentation area to be recorded in a skip tracing data structure of the mainframe computer system and for causing display of a fourth user interface control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Karn Janveja, Ray Yashwant Nath
  • Patent number: 7257207
    Abstract: A method and system for prepaying credits to a user account for communications services is provided. A system receives an origination number and a code. The code corresponds to a predefined payment amount for prepaid credit. The system credits an account associated with the origination number with the predefined payment amount for prepaid credit. Software for implementing the method and system may be implemented in a number of environments, including a computer system accessible remotely or a processor located on a user communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: John Ruckart, Rimas Rauba, Jerome Wendell Myers
  • Patent number: 7257208
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to billing for services in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) environment. A first call is received at a service node from a service switching point located in the AIN. A second call is established through the service switching point to a called party. The first call is bridged with the second call and the bridged call is monitored for signaling information. The bridged call is processed based on the monitored signaling information. A billing module is created for the processed call at the service node. The billing module may include service values related to billing information for the processed call. The processed call may be merged back into the service switching point and the created billing module for the processed call may be sent to the service switching point for ultimate delivery to a billing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Devinne H. Brown, Hwey Chang, Romel R. Khan, Michael Koptiw, Antoinette Rule, Tejanand Sarju
  • Patent number: 7257209
    Abstract: An enhanced Calling Party Pays (CPP) or Paging Party Pays (PPP) system that enables 1) billing of calls originating from traditionally non-billable sources, 2) routing of incoming calls to voicemail if the caller does not wish to incur the additional charges, 3) allowing the caller to complete the call and charge the cellular (or paging) subscriber for additional air-time usage when the caller enters a PIN or security code, also referred to as a billing override code, and 4) allowing the caller to block CPP/PPP charges from being billed to the calling party
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Carol Shifrin Gruchala, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, Douglas Marshall, Roger Albert Sosa, Carlos Donoso
  • Patent number: 7257210
    Abstract: Pictures are transmitted to a wireless picture phone with caller ID from a message originator and used by the message recipient to identify who is to sending the picture. In one embodiment the pictures are sent to a message center along with the caller ID of the message originator, with a caller ID and picture transmitted from the message center to the picture phone. The picture message may be encrypted, compressed or encoded. Additionally, the received caller ID may be used by the message recipient to place a call to the message originator using a cellular or wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Intellect Wireless Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7257211
    Abstract: At least one MULAP line in a communication installation is controlled and/or monitored using an application. To simplify the combination of MULAP lines and CTI applications, or to allow it at all, each MULAP line has an associated MULAP call number, and a plurality of terminals can access these MULAP lines, each of the MULAP lines having a respective associated terminal as master terminal. First, the application sends an order for a MULAP call number to the communication installation. The communication installation then converts the MULAP call number into the terminal call number of the master terminal associated with this MULAP line and carries out the order for this terminal call number, all messages relating to MULAP line being sent as those associated with the master terminal from the communication installation to the application as messages associated with this MULAP call number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Luc Crevits, Freddy De Clercq
  • Patent number: 7257212
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Bedingfield, Stephen R. LaPierre
  • Patent number: 7257213
    Abstract: A system and method to allow telephone subscribers to schedule calls for future placement on a telephone network using a telephone interface. In an illustrative implementation, a telephone subscriber part of an AIN telephone network is offered a call scheduling service whereby the subscriber may schedule future placed calls according to various parameters (e.g. telephone number(s) to call, the time of the scheduled call, and the frequency of the call, i.e. every day, month, week, or year) by inputting parameters using a telephone interface of a telephone station that is connected to the AIN telephone network. In operation, a participating user would connect to the service switch point (SSP) of the AIN telephone network using his/her telephone station. The SSP communicates this request to a service control point (SCP) having an administrative application and a call scheduling application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Ghulam Abbas Laljiani
  • Patent number: 7257214
    Abstract: A call management method includes receiving an incoming call and transferring the call to an intended recipient device. If the recipient device does not answer the incoming call, the call is transferred to an intranet gateway. If the intended recipient is logged on to the intranet or is otherwise accessible on the network, the intranet gateway determines the network location of the intended recipient and transfers the call to the intended recipient. If the intended recipient is inaccessible, the incoming call is transferred to a call recordation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Anish Pulikottil Joseph
  • Patent number: 7257215
    Abstract: A service indicator SI field is used for load sharing in SS7 networks, in addition to the service link selection SLS field. If there are only two links or connections between two points of the SS7 network, load sharing can also be performed on the basis of the SI field only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Angermayr, Hanns Jürgen Schwarzbauer, Michael Tüxen
  • Patent number: 7257216
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium having computer readable code embodied therein is disclosed. The computer readable code is configured to enable selective discarding of messages received at a receiving device coupled to a telecommunication network. There is included code for ascertaining whether a type associated with a received message at the receiving device is one of protected message types. There is further included code for passing, if the type associated with the received message is the one of the protected message types, the received message to an application irrespective of an age of the received message, the age being representative of a time duration that the message has been present in the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John L. Schantz
  • Patent number: 7257217
    Abstract: Call features for an Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) system implemented within a packet-based telephone environment are disclosed. Within a packet-based network, data messages are transferred between the ACD system and customer telephone stations while the customer waits for an attendant to become available. These data messages allow the customer to be informed of his/her current status within the priority order and further allows the customer to initiate a number of customer oriented operations. These operations include selecting music to listen to while waiting, requesting to be alerted when an attendant becomes available, and initiating a browser session for accessing data information. Overall, the status reports in combination with the initiating of one or more of the customer oriented operations can make the time spent waiting for an attendant a more productive and pleasant experience for the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Michael G. Lee
  • Patent number: 7257218
    Abstract: The present invention allows a queue management system (QMS) to use presence information from a presence system to efficiently match requestors of information with qualified resources capable of providing the necessary response. The resources for information may be humans or automated systems, which may be configured to facilitate communications with the requestors using different types of communication technologies. Further, these resources may be associated with different skill sets, experience, or areas of expertise. Thus, the resources may provide different roles, and any given resource may provide multiple roles, in addition to facilitating communications using different mediums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: John H. Yoakum
  • Patent number: 7257219
    Abstract: To select routing of communications in a network with a plurality of paths between a first location and a second location, a routing choice is determined from among the plurality of paths based at least in part upon at least one of a communication-success amount of monetary relevance for each of the plurality of paths and a communication-failure amount of monetary relevance for each of the plurality of paths, and further upon at least one of a likelihood of successfully completing communication for each of the plurality of paths and a likelihood of failing to complete communication for each of the plurality of paths. At least one routing device is informed of the determined routing choice, whereby the routing device can select routing information for routing the data between the first location and the second location based on the determined routing choice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Enzmann, Dennis Price
  • Patent number: 7257220
    Abstract: A method for providing extended reach of a digital subscriber line signal includes receiving an incoming DSL signal, splitting the DSL signal into separate voice and data signals, demodulating the data signal, requantizing the demodulated data signal, modulating the requantized data signal, amplifying the modulated requantized data signal and the voice signal, combining the amplified voice and data signal into a combined signal, and transmitting the combined signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Marshall, Michael H. Capon
  • Patent number: 7257221
    Abstract: To make a call, a calling-end terminal station (3) notifies a call-up control unit (71) of a communications network (7) of the terminal station number of a called-end terminal station (5) so as to cause it to stand by for a connection. The calling-end terminal station (3) notifies a calling party information server (9) of the calling-end-terminal-station number and the called-end-terminal-station number and instructs it to transmit to the called-end terminal station (5) calling party information stored in advance for the caller and called parties. The calling party information server (9) transmits the calling party information to the called-end terminal station (5) which in turn instructs the call-up control unit (71) to exit standby mode. This amounts to the communications network (7) calling up the called-end terminal station (5), resulting in the called-end terminal station (5) reproducing the received calling party information to alert the user to the call from the calling-end terminal station (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadahide Shibao
  • Patent number: 7257222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring voltage generation circuit for generating a ring voltage (VTR) between a TIP lead (9) and a RING lead (10) with minimized power loss for electronic subscriber circuits, comprising: a) an amplifier circuit (2) which receives an input voltage (VI) for amplifying the input voltage (VI) to provide the ring voltage (VTR); b) an absolute value generator (3) which receives the input voltage (VI), measures an absolute value (|VI|) of the input voltage (VI) and outputs the measured absolute value (|VI|) of the input voltage (VI); c) a DC/DC converter (4) which receives the measured absolute value (|VI|) of the input voltage (VI) and converts the measured absolute value (|VI|) of the input voltage (VI) into a supply voltage (VSUPPLY) for the amplifier circuit (2); and d) a common mode feedback device (5) which receives the supply voltage (VSUPPLY), a TIP potential (VT) of the TIP lead (9) and a RING potential (VR) of the RING lead (10) and which generates thereof a control volt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Zojer, Joachim Pichler, Maria Giovanna Lagiola
  • Patent number: 7257223
    Abstract: A telecommunications device including a chassis having a housing in which a plurality of splitter devices are contained. The housing includes top and bottom walls, front and back ends, and opposing sides. A circuit board is positioned at the back end of the housing. The circuit board includes a front face that faces toward the front end of the housing. The circuit board also includes an upper portion that extends higher than the top wall of the housing and a lower portion that extends lower than the bottom wall of the housing. First telecommunications connectors are mechanically coupled to the front face of the circuit board at the upper portion, and second telecommunications connectors are mechanically coupled to the front face of the circuit board at the lower portion. The chassis of the telecommunications device defines upper open side regions for allowing cables to be routed laterally from adjacent the sides of the chassis to the first telecommunications connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad R. Sajadi, Jennifer Miller
  • Patent number: 7257224
    Abstract: Natural numbers c, o, and a, and p-bit bit strings w1 and w2 are inputted. w1 and w2 are stored in an internal status storage unit and a generator storage unit respectively. The value g of p bits stored in the internal status storage unit is defined as a generator. The value of high order bits of the p bits stored in the internal status storage unit is defined as s. Then, gs represented by p bits is calculated, stored in the internal status storage unit, and high order o bits of the stored p bits are output. The series of processes are repeated a times, and a pseudo-random numbers are generated. Thus, pseudo-random numbers whose security has been mathematically guaranteed can be quickly generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Koshiba
  • Patent number: 7257225
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating encryption and decryption of data. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an encryption key having a number of characters is located. A character in the encryption key is located to provide a located character in the encryption key. The number of characters in the data is determined. The position of the located character in the encryption key is shifted by a predetermined amount to determine a shifted position of the located character in the encryption key. Accordingly, the shifted position is located at a position in the encryption key that is the located character shifted by the predetermined amount. A first character in the data is translated with the character located at the shifted position to provide an encrypted character. The shifting and translating are repeated for any remaining characters in the data to provide encrypted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas V. Dasari, Kevin T. Harvey
  • Patent number: 7257226
    Abstract: An information management method and an information management apparatus can minimize the confusion and the degradation of signal quality that can arise in terms of the compatibility of an apparatus adapted to a set of new standards and another apparatus adapted to a set of old standards. The protection flag of track mode is made equal to 1 as protection information for protecting the recording area of a disk carrying strings of codes according to the new standards from recording, editing and erasing operations of an apparatus conforming to the old standards and adapted to be able to refer only the management data area of the disk. When the disk carrying strings of codes recorded according to the new standards is used by the apparatus conforming to the old standards, the recording area of the disk is protected from recording, editing and erasing operations of the apparatus conforming to the old standards as the protection flag is 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Honma
  • Patent number: 7257227
    Abstract: A method for forwarding messages containing cryptographic keys from a conditional access system that controls a population of set-top boxes to an encryption renewal system. The method includes storing a fictitious address of a virtual set-top box; generating a message based on the fictitious address, the message containing a cryptographic key; and forwarding the message to the fictitious address of the virtual set-top box. The encryption renewal system has information regarding the virtual set-top box, and is the recipient of the message. In addition, the encryption renewal system is for controlling access to pre-encrypted content generated by an encryption device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Annie On-yee Chen, Lawrence W. Tang, Akiko Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7257228
    Abstract: In a system for performing an action regarding an account in response to an electronic communication received from a sender by a receiver, wherein the electronic communication includes sender identity information associated with the account and predetermined encoded information derived using a private key of a public-private key pair, and wherein the public key of the pair has been associated with the account by the receiver such that the public key is retrievable based on the sender identity information, a method of validating the identity of the sender for the electronic communication includes: (a) retrieving the public key based on the received sender identity information; and (b) comparing a function of the public key and the predetermined encoded information with a function of the electronic message. Neither a PIN nor a password is required to be transmitted to the receiver for validating the identity of the sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Lynn Henry Wheeler, Anne M. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 7257229
    Abstract: A key scheduler for encryption/decryption produces a new ciphering key by a key expansion process or recovers a previous ciphering key by an inverse expansion process. The key scheduler includes a set of adders and transformation circuitry. Each of adders receives a portion of a round key value as its first input. Some of the adders receive either a portion of the round key value or the output of some of the adders, as its second input, be control of arbitration devices. One adder receives as its second input an output from the transformation circuitry, which output is selected by an arbitration device from either a portion of the round key value or an output of an adder. The selection done by the arbitration devices depending on whether the process desired is the key expansion or inverse expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ziv Leshem
  • Patent number: 7257230
    Abstract: A TSP signal that is a measurement signal is generated N times by a signal generating portion. The generated TSP signals are supplied to a steel-echo apparatus. Reverberation generated by the steel-plate echo apparatus corresponding to the TSP signals is arranged N times corresponding to the start points of the TSP signals and synchronously added by a synchronously adding portion. Generating impluse signal is convoluted by an inverse function to TSP signal. The added result of the synchronously adding portion is supplied to an impulse response converting portion. By dividing the added result by the inverse characteristics of the TSP signals, the added reverberation is converted into an impulse response. The impulse response data obtained by the converting portion is recorded to for example a CD-ROM and supplied to a reverberator. The reverberator reproduces an impulse response recorded on the CD-ROM and performs a convolution calculation process for the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigetaka Nagatani
  • Patent number: 7257231
    Abstract: Separating a source in a stereo signal having a left channel and a right channel includes transforming the signal into a short-time transform domain; computing a short-time similarity measure between the left channel and the right channel; classifying portions of the signals having similar panning coefficients according to the short-time similarity measure; segregating a selected one of the classified portions of the signals corresponding to the source; and reconstructing the source from the selected portions of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Carlos M. Avendano, Jean-Marc M. Jot
  • Patent number: 7257232
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mixing digital audio signals are described. In one embodiment, a result buffer is configured to hold resultant mixed digital audio signals that represent multiple combined input signals. A volume ramp function is calculated based, at least in part, on one or more previously-processed result buffers. A current digital audio signal is processed using the volume ramp function to provide a processed audio signal. In one embodiment, the volume ramp function is a linearly varying function and the current digital audio signal is divided by the volume ramp function. At least portions of the processed audio signal are then written into the result buffer. The process constitutes a one-pass method for autogain control for mixing audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Eric H. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 7257233
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method which are high in user-friendliness and entertainment and enhanced in convenience in viewing broadcast programs. Through a modem (40), program guide data are obtained from a server arranged on the Internet, the obtained program guide data are stored in an EPG memory, and viewing log data for a selected broadcast program are stored in a viewing log memory (35). On the basis of the viewing log data and the program attribute of the program guide data, the viewing period of time for each program attribute is summarized and, on the basis of the summarized data, each character image formed by the image data stored in a character data memory is altered in accordance with user's liking in viewing broadcast programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Kimata, Katsutoshi Sakao, Yasunori Matsui
  • Patent number: 7257234
    Abstract: An implementation is described herein facilitates certification of goods and/or identifications of the source of such goods. At least one implementation, described herein, embeds a watermark into a relatively small amount of data in a deterministic manner. At least one implementation, described herein, generates an authentication transformation matrix based, at least in part, upon an authentication watermark and a pre-defined humanly perceptible authentication pattern (e.g., image, audio). With this implementation, it obtains subject goods that may have the authentication watermark embedded therein. It generates a humanly perceptible resultant pattern (e.g., image, audio) based, at least in part, upon the watermark detected in subject goods and the transformation matrix. If the detected watermark is the authentication watermark, then the resultant pattern and the pre-defined authentication pattern will match (or nearly so).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mustafa Kesal, M. Kivanc Mihcak, Ramarathnam Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 7257235
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus according to the present invention has an image taking section which captures images of a plurality of image capturing areas, a detecting section which detects an object to be monitored based on an image obtained by the image taking section, a command receiving section which receives a command for remote control, and a command executing section which executes a process corresponding to the received command when the object is not detected by the detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kawakami, Tomoyuki Terada, Kyoko Nakamura, Ken Yoshii, Yasuhisa Kinto
  • Patent number: 7257236
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for high-speed observation and recognition of objects or persons within a controlled area using 3D image data and tomography, stereo-photogrammetry, range finding and/or structured illumination. A wide area security system may comprise multiple pairs of 3D sensors surrounding a controlled area. Using at least two pairs of 3D sensors and a first 3D data collection technique such as tomography, a zone of interest within the controlled area is detected. Using at least one pair of 3D sensors and a second 3D data collection technique such as structured illumination, more 3D image data related to an object of interest is collected. The 3D image data may be compared to data representing known objects and used to identify an object of interest. Methods for fast processing of 3D data and recognition of objects of interest are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: A4Vision
    Inventors: Artiom Yukhin, Andrei Klimov