Patents Issued in October 2, 2007
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Patent number: 7277816Abstract: A system for directly measuring tire grip conditions is provided which can measure a skidding condition with no need of applying a vibration. A tire rotation speed sensor comprising a detection gear and a magnet sensor is mounted to a rotating shaft of a tire. An output of the tire rotation speed sensor is analyzed in time-frequency domain to detect vibrations caused by slips, thereby determining tire grip conditions, such as a slip ratio and a slip angle. By detecting fluctuations in rotation based on the cause-effect relation between the occurrence of tire slips and the occurrence of fluctuations in rotation, the tire slips can be directly detected. Therefore, the tire grip conditions can be confirmed with high accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Cable, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Masatoshi Hoshino, Kazuhiro Komatsuzaki, Masayoshi Kaneyasu
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Patent number: 7277817Abstract: A position sensing device having an insulating board, a first conductive sensing element, a second conductive sensing element, an oscillator, conductive material, a differential amplifier, and a processor. The first and second spaced conductive sensing elements are on the insulating board. The oscillator generates an oscillating signals and the conductive material is spaced from the sensing elements. The conductive material receives the oscillating signal to create an electric field between the conductive material and the first and second sensing elements. The differential amplifier includes differential inputs that are connected to the conductive sensing elements. The signal levels at the differential inputs vary based on the position of a pointing object of a user relative to the first and second conductive sensing elements. The processor generates a position signal based on an output of the differential amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Ethertouch LimitedInventors: Bernard J. Hall, Francois B. Kapp
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Patent number: 7277818Abstract: The invention provides an aspherical workpiece leveling method for leveling an aspherical workpiece mounted on a tilt correction table. The method includes three-dimensionally measuring a surface of the aspherical workpiece containing an extreme value; deriving a secondary curved surface from the obtained three-dimensionally measured values to obtain an extreme value of the secondary curved surface as a temporary extreme value; obtaining three-dimensionally measured values at three or more points from the surround about the obtained temporary extreme value; obtaining a plane defined by the obtained three-dimensionally measured values at three or more points; and adjusting the tilt correction table for leveling the obtained plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Yukihiro Sakata, Fumihiro Takemura
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Patent number: 7277819Abstract: A method of measuring the thickness or the rate of change of thickness of a layer as the layer is being formed on a substrate, includes illuminating the layer through the substrate with low coherence light that transmits through the layer; collecting a portion of the reflected light from each optical interface of the substrate and layer with a low coherence interferometer; and, calculating the thickness or the rate of change of thickness of the layer according to the obtained interferometric data.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Michael A. Marcus, Steven C. Switalski
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Patent number: 7277820Abstract: In apparatus for generating a Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function (CCDF) curve for an input signal, an analog to digital converter (ADC) samples the input signal at sampling points to provide a parameter value corresponding to a desired parameter of the input signal at each sampled point. A memory element provides a frequency count of occurrence of each received parameter value from an address in the memory corresponding to the received parameter value. An adder receives the frequency count, increments the count and provides the incremented count to an input of the memory element for writing back into the address corresponding to the received parameter value. A CCDF curve generating module reads the frequency count stored in the memory element corresponding to each parameter value and generates a CCDF curve therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Colin Johnstone, Eric Breakenridge
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Patent number: 7277821Abstract: To provide a method of collecting and storing storage network performance information that allows tracking of the cause of application performance deterioration. It is automatically judged whether or not performance information collected, to be stored, from components of a storage network including a host server and a storage system has a possibility of ever being used in a search for the cause of application performance deterioration, and the degree of importance of performance information is determined based on the result of the judgment. The preservation period of performance information that is high in degree of importance is set long, while a short preservation period is set to performance information of low degree of importance. After the preservation period set to the respective performance information expires, the corresponding performance information is deleted.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ochi, Hideo Ohata, Kei Takeda
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Patent number: 7277822Abstract: An apparatus providing a means for assessment of the integrity of insulated conduits, harnesses, cables, pipelines and other interconnection systems constructed with integral sensitized media, discrete sensors, and electronics providing a means for transforming sensed data into information and a means for communicating information for the purpose of understanding the location, degree and risk of damage and deterioration, and the probable causes thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Inventor: Kenneth G. Blemel
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Patent number: 7277823Abstract: A neural network learns the operating modes of a system being monitored under normal operating conditions. Anomalies can be automatically detected and learned. A control command can be issued or an alert can be issued in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Gregory A. Harrison, Alexey Turischev
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Patent number: 7277824Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for classifying faults. The method includes accessing wafer state data associated with at least one wafer processed by at least one processing tool and sensor tool trace data associated with the at least one processing tool and determining that at least one fault occurred based upon at least one of the wafer state data and the sensor tool trace data. The method also includes selecting, in response to determining that the at least one fault occurred, a subset of a plurality of faults based upon at least one of the wafer state data and the sensor tool trace data and selecting at least one fault from the subset of the plurality of faults based upon at least one of the wafer state data and the sensor tool trace data.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Matthew S. Ryskoski, Kevin R. Lensing
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Patent number: 7277825Abstract: An improved system and method for completing performance analysis for a target system is disclosed. According to the current invention, different types of configurations files are created, each to describe one or more respective aspects and/or portions of the target system. Each of these file types may include a combination of parameter values and equations that represent the respective portion of the system. After the configuration files are defined, scenarios are created. Each scenario includes a set of configuration files, with some or all of the files being of different file types. The files included within a scenario provide all parameter values and equations needed to calculate performance data for a particular revision of the target system. Next, a performance study is defined to include one or more of the scenarios. Finally, performance data is derived for each of the scenarios in the performance study.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Unisys CorporationInventors: Marwan A. Orfali, Mitchell A. Bauman, Myoungran Kim
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Patent number: 7277826Abstract: A system and method of detecting and forecasting resource bottlenecks of a computer system. In one aspect, a method includes the steps of: monitoring with successive measurements a utilization parameter of a system resource; computing a change parameter by comparing the differences between successive measurements of the utilization parameter; comparing the change parameter to a threshold change parameter; and reporting a resource bottleneck if the change parameter exceeds the threshold change parameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Vittorio Castelli, Peter Franaszek, Luis A. Lastras
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Patent number: 7277827Abstract: A target test framework and method are provided which can enable scenario writer(s) to design and implement driver test(s) by providing a platform to build scenario-based automated tests for device(s) and device driver(s) by using a set of components designed for target testing. The framework enables scenario writer(s) to perform a set of actions across different types device(s). The framework further enables the testing of technology areas common to many targets (e.g., plug and play, power management, install/uninstall, security etc.). Additionally, the framework facilitates automatic identification and/or running of prewritten core functionality test that apply to a particular device. The framework further can allow runtime control of tests and the combining of framework components to form new device functionality tests and large scale scenarios.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Adam Jonathan Shapiro, Dieter G. Achtelstetter, Travis J. Martin
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Patent number: 7277828Abstract: A method, and associated storage medium containing software and a system, includes extracting a time domain impulse response from parameters that characterize a communication channel, generating a probability distribution function (PDF) of an output voltage based on the impulse response; and computing a relationship between bit error rate and voltage margin based on the final probability distribution function. Generating the PDF of the output voltage may comprise one or more of the following acts: quantizing the impulse response into a plurality of quantized levels, assigning taps to the quantized levels and determining a number of taps assigned to each quantized level, determining allowable voltage levels for each quantized level, and determining a probability of occurrence of each allowable voltage level, determining a PDF for each voltage level; and convolving all of the PDFs for the various voltage levels to obtain the PDF of the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Sridhar Ramaswamy, Song Wu, Bhavesh G. Bhakta
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Patent number: 7277829Abstract: A method for generating a synthetic data signal is described. A synthetic data signal having any desired duration is generated from a data signal and a background signal of shorter duration. The duration of the background signal is extended by sampling the background signal at random times and for random durations. The sampled background signal is used to extend the background signal. Event data is identified from the data signal. The extended background signal is randomly populated with event data randomly sampled from the data signal to generate the synthetic data signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: David W. Sickenberger, Jerry B. Cabalo, Richard Sickenberger
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Patent number: 7277830Abstract: Software for designing interior and/or exterior spaces efficiently ensures that user intent is captured in a timely, practical manner. When a user creates an input, such as selecting a shape of a table to put into a design space, the design software creates an initial object that is managed as part of a data structure. Generally, the initial object includes a type element having one or more options. Program code in the created initial object determines an appropriate option based on any number of factors including, but not limited to, elements of the user's original input. A subsequent child object with a set of independent program code is also created, which has as its type the option determined from the previous initial object. The subsequent object also determines its options based on attributes of the user's input, and creates any additional child objects where appropriate.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Dirtt Environmental Solutions Ltd.Inventor: Barrie Arnold Loberg
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Patent number: 7277831Abstract: In a method for detecting the modes of a dynamic system with a large number of modes that each have a set ? (t) of characteristic system parameters, a time series of at least one system variable x(t) is subjected to modeling, for example switch segmentation, so that in each time segment of a predetermined minimum length a predetermined prediction model, for example a neural network, for a system mode is detected for each system variable x(t), whereby modeling of the time series is followed by drift segmentation in which, in each time segment in which there is transition of the system from a first system mode to a second system mode, a series of mixed prediction models is detected produced by linear, paired superimposition of the prediction models of the two system modes.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.Inventors: Klaus Pawelzik, Klaus-Robert Müller, Jens Kohlmorgen
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Patent number: 7277832Abstract: A method for obtaining a global optimal solution of general nonlinear programming problems includes the steps of first finding, in a deterministic manner, all stable equilibrium points of a nonlinear dynamical system that satisfies conditions (C1) and (C2), and then finding from said points a global optimal solution. A practical numerical method for reliably computing a dynamical decomposition point for large-scale systems comprises the steps of moving along a search path ?t(xs)?{xs+ t×?, t?+} starting from xs and detecting an exit point, xex, at which the search path ?t(xs) exits a stability boundary of a stable equilibrium point xs using the exit point xex as an initial condition and integrating a nonlinear system to an equilibrium point xd, and computing said dynamical decomposition point with respect to a local optimal solution xs wherein the search path is xd.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Bigwood Technology, Inc.Inventor: Hsiao-Dong Chiang
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Patent number: 7277833Abstract: A method is provided for simulating a flexible tube in an environment. The method comprises determining a model of the flexible tube according to a plurality of internal constraints of the flexible tube and a plurality of external constraints of the flexible tube, determining a workspace of the flexible tube according to a model of the flexible tube, and determining a model of an active bending behavior of a tip of the flexible tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.Inventor: Markus Kukuk
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Patent number: 7277834Abstract: A method for adapting electromagnetic (EM) field model parameters including the steps of minimizing the difference between a model for the measurements and one or more measurements. The minimizing may be done by estimating model parameters, and at least position and/or orientation. The model may further include system model parameters, wherein the system may include one or more sensors and one or more radiators.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.Inventors: Meir Bar Tal, Eytan Paldi, Mark Gandelsman, Eugene Gurovich
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Patent number: 7277835Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems for CAD data exchange, and in particular for creating boundary representations (“breps”) on a feature-by-feature basis are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the techniques described herein, a parameterized feature from a parametric based design system is exported from a source CAD system (404). Iterative steps and complimentary extraction techniques are employed by one or more processors (452, 456) to create an importable design model of the parameterized feature (433), which is imported into a target CAD system (408). While the techniques can include API (436), pattern matching (440), and user emulation (444) techniques, they include a brep per feature (450) technique. By exporting the brep on a per feature (453) basis from the source CAD system (404), the design intent of a CAD designer can be preserved on importation into the target CAD system (408).Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Proficiency, Ltd.Inventors: Steven Spitz, Ari Rappoport
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Patent number: 7277836Abstract: The invention relates to a computer system and method for simulating transport phenomena in a complex system. The computer system comprises memory means, storage means, and an object-oriented software product. The software product comprises an object-oriented extensible class hierarchy comprising a first set of generic classes that represent a plurality of object types and a second set of generic classes that represent member variables for the object types. The extensible class hierarchy permits the addition of additional object types or additional member variables without any modifications to the class hierarchy itself. The invention is particularly useful in simulating a hydrocarbon system that may include one or more of the following: a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation, injection wells that penetrate the formation, production wells that penetrate the formation, surface flowlines, associated aquifers, and surface fluid processing facilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Netemeyer, Attila D. Banki
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Patent number: 7277837Abstract: A method for generating hydrologically correct flow vectors based on elevation data in a watershed which includes any one or more of depressions, flat areas and peaks. The watershed is typically divided into a plurality of major cells each of which encompasses a plurality of minor cells, and a user selects one or more major cells for which flow vectors are desired. Flow vectors are then calculated pursuant to the D8 method and assigned to those minor cells in the selected major cell and in surrounding major cells for which an optimal D8 solution is possible. The remaining minor cells are designated as zero vector cells and include those cells located in the problem areas. The method then generates flow vectors for minor cells in all depressions, flat areas and peaks, in that order, which exist in the selected major cells.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Grayson Minton, Jr.
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Patent number: 7277838Abstract: A method for modeling engine operation comprising the steps of: 1. collecting a first plurality of sensory data, 2. partitioning a flight envelope into a plurality of sub-regions, 3. assigning the first plurality of sensory data into the plurality of sub-regions, 4. generating an empirical model of at least one of the plurality of sub-regions, 5. generating a statistical summary model for at least one of the plurality of sub-regions, 6. collecting an additional plurality of sensory data, 7. partitioning the second plurality of sensory data into the plurality of sub-regions, 8. generating a plurality of pseudo-data using the empirical model, and 9. concatenating the plurality of pseudo-data and the additional plurality of sensory data to generate an updated empirical model and an updated statistical summary model for at least one of the plurality of sub-regions.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Allan J. Volponi, Thomas Brotherton
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Patent number: 7277839Abstract: A method using a computer program for numerically simulating an electrical circuit, in a computer system, having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of circuit elements. A circuit description of the electrical circuit together with tstart and tstop times of a time interval are read into the computer system with at least one input value of the electrical circuit for at least one specific time in the time interval. Voltage values and/or current values at the nodes of the electrical circuit are calculated in the selected time interval using table-based models for the circuit elements. From these voltage values and/or current values, a simulation time tn in the time interval [tstart; tstop] under consideration is selected at which system equations are determined describing the circuit elements by physical formulas and dynamic effects of the elements are described by differential equations.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Jörg-Uwe Feldmann, Reinhart Schultz
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Patent number: 7277840Abstract: A method for efficiently detecting bus contention from a register transfer level (RTL) description is provided. A bus contention occurs if more than two components try to propagate data onto a bus at the same time. The provided method simulates possible input combinations and detects whether there is a possibility for a bus contention. In addition, the provided method is designed for testability, therefore using the method, the designer may identify contention that may exist in test mode at the RTL level of the design even when such conditions may not occur in system mode. The method provides the designer with the input combination as well as the RTL statement that caused the contention. The method detects the bus contention by simulating a small number of input combinations.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Atrenta, Inc.Inventor: Ralph Marlett
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Patent number: 7277841Abstract: An adaptive subgridding method for power/ground plane simulations. The method includes superimposing a grid of cells onto a circuit plane. For each cell, the method may determine a fill ratio representing the amount of area in a given cell that overlaps with the circuit plane. For each cell having a fill ratio that is less than a predetermined upper limit or a predetermined lower limit the cell may be divided into a plurality of subcells. The method may then determine the fill ratio for each of the subcells. As with the original cells, each of the subcells having a fill ratio less than the predetermined upper limit and greater than the predetermined lower limit may be further subdivided into additional subcells. The loop may repeat itself until a predetermined integer value is reached, wherein the integer value indicates the number of times a cell may be subdivided.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Istvan Novak, Jason R. Miller, Eric L. Blomberg, Deborah Foltz, Kenneth Laird
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Patent number: 7277842Abstract: A helical scan drum design for use in non-tracking tape devices which assures 70% coverage of a track to be read by overscanning with at least two read heads at approximate 1X speed. The present invention further provides a simulation method for evaluating potential drum designs for such overscan applications. The preferred drum design uses pairs of read heads having identical azimuth angles and positioned on the rotating drum such that in combination they overlap the scan of a track by 130% the track width. These dimensions assure at least 70% coverage of each track by at least one of the pair of heads at up to 1X speed while assuring no overlap with another recorded track recorded along an identical azimuth angle. The simulation method allows for evaluation of potential drum designs by accepting parameters describing the intended drum application and then simulating track read operations over a plurality of simulated tracks to determine the efficacy of the design over a range of tape speeds and gap widths.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Tandberg Data CorporationInventors: Michael A. Blatchley, David L. Detro, Paul Dunn
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Patent number: 7277843Abstract: A moving window of data is used to determine a local baseline as a moving average of the data weighted by the number of measurements in each time interval. A next measurement associated with a next time interval is compared to a value associated with the baseline to determine an outlier. In some cases, for example where the time series of the data shows small variability around a local mean, the next measurement is compared to a multiple of the weighted moving average to determine an outlier. In other cases, for example where the time series of the data shows significant variability around the local mean, the next measurement is compared to the sum of the weighted moving average and a multiple of a moving root mean square deviation value weighted by the number of measurements in each time interval and in some cases, a damping factor.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Network PhysicsInventors: Han C. Wen, Tomas J. Pavel
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Patent number: 7277844Abstract: A method for emulating one or more file system functions is provided. On a first processing device, a request is received. The request comprises a first data indicating a first file that a file system resident on the first processing device does not support. In an emulation library a second data for emulation of the first file is located. A response based upon the first and second data is formed.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Wind River Systems, IncInventors: Benoit Perrin, Christophe Cleraux, Morvan Le Goff
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Patent number: 7277845Abstract: An input unit inputs a drawing information based on a first language on a display by at least one of a plurality of users each locating at predetermined position relative to the display. A conversion unit converts the drawing information based on the first language to an information based on a second language. A control unit presents the information based on the second language on the display according to a location of another user of the plurality of users as a person to present the information based on the second language.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Tetsuro Chino
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Patent number: 7277846Abstract: A navigation system includes a speech-recognition unit for performing speech-recognition processing on input speech. The system also includes a language-determining unit for determining the language of a speaker based on the contents of the input speech as recognized by the speech-recognition unit. The system further includes a navigation-processing unit for performing a vehicle-installed-type navigation operation corresponding to the language as determined by the language-determining unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kouichi Satoh
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Patent number: 7277847Abstract: A method for determining intensity characteristics of background noise during speech pauses of speech signals includes determining a proportion of speech pauses in the undisturbed source speech signal so as to define a frequency threshold. The disturbed speech signal is divided into short successive signal elements, an intensity value is determined for each of the signal elements, and a cumulative relative frequency distribution is formed from the determined intensity values of the signal elements. The cumulative relative frequency distribution is used to determine an intensity threshold value which corresponds to the defined frequency threshold. At least one intensity characteristic of the background noise during the speech pauses is determined using a region of the cumulative relative frequency distribution below the intensity threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AGInventor: Jens Berger
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Patent number: 7277848Abstract: An audio encoder regulates quality and bitrate with a control strategy. The strategy includes several features. First, an encoder regulates quantization using quality, minimum bit count, and maximum bit count parameters. Second, an encoder regulates quantization using a noise measure that indicates reliability of a complexity measure. Third, an encoder normalizes a control parameter value according to block size for a variable-size block. Fourth, an encoder uses a bit-count control loop de-linked from a quality control loop. Fifth, an encoder addresses non-monotonicity of quality measurement as a function of quantization level when selecting a quantization level. Sixth, an encoder uses particular interpolation rules to find a quantization level In a quality or bit-count control loop. Seventh, an encoder filters a control parameter value to smooth quality. Eighth, an encoder corrects model bias by adjusting a control parameter value in view of current buffer fullness.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Wei-Ge Chen, Naveen Thumpudi, Ming-Chieh Lee
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Patent number: 7277849Abstract: An audio encoding method of coding audio signals into a layered data stream having a first layer and a second layer is presented. The second layer serves as an enhancement of the first layer. The method involves forming an original digital audio signal, encoding the original signal to obtain a first layer signal, producing a residual signal to reflect a difference between the original signal and the first layer signal, selecting either the original signal or the residual signal for encoding, and producing a second layer signal by encoding the selected signal. Moreover, the residual signal is evaluated and, in case the result of the evaluation meets given criteria, a predetermined low-entropy signal is selected to be encoded as the second layer signal, instead of the original signal or the residual signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Sebastian Streich, Miikka Vilermo
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Patent number: 7277850Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of decomposing a lattice transition matrix into a block diagonal matrix. The method is applicable to automatic speech recognition but can be used in other contexts as well, such as parsing, named entity extraction and any other methods. The method normalizes the topology of any input graph according to a canonical form.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Dilek Z. Hakkani-Tur, Giuseppe Riccardi
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Patent number: 7277851Abstract: A method of generating a phonemic transcription for a word using a computer system is described. In one embodiment, an existing pronunciation generation program is applied to generate an initial transcription. The initial transcription can then be evaluated to identify likely bad pronunciations by looking for phonotactically impossible co-occurrences. Additionally, one or more rules can be applied to generate additional phonemic transcriptions. The resulting transcriptions may be used in place of the initial transcription and/or in addition to the initial transcription. Additionally, when multiple transcriptions result, the transcriptions are ordered according to preference and/or likelihood of use.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Tellme Networks, Inc.Inventor: Caroline G. Henton
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Patent number: 7277852Abstract: A playlist generating method for generating a playlist of content from received broadcasted data is provided. The playlist generating method includes the steps of: extracting features of broadcast content beforehand, storing the features in a content feature file, and storing information relating to the broadcast content in a content information DB; extracting features from the received data, and storing the features in a data feature file; searching for broadcast content of a predetermined kind by comparing data in the content feature file and data in the data feature file; when a name of the predetermined kind of content is determined, storing data corresponding to the broadcast content of the predetermined kind in a search result file; generating a playlist for the broadcast content of the predetermined kind from the search result file and the content information DB.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: NTT Communications CorporationInventors: Miwako Iyoku, Tatsuhiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7277853Abstract: According to a disclosed embodiment, an endpointer determines the background energy of a first portion of a speech signal, and a cepstral computing module extracts one or more features of the first portion. The endpointer calculates an average distance of the first portion based on the features. Subsequently, an energy computing module measures the energy of a second portion of the speech signal, and the cepstral computing module extracts one or more features of the second portion. Based on the features of the second portion, the endpointer calculates a distance of the second portion. Thereafter, the endpointer contrasts the energy of the second portion with the background energy of the first portion, and compares the distance of the second portion with the distance of the first portion. The second portion of the speech signal is classified by the endpointer as speech or non-speech based on the contrast and the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Mindspeed Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sahar E. Bou-Ghazale, Ayman O. Asadi, Khaled Assaleh
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Patent number: 7277854Abstract: A speech recognition system includes distributed processing across a client and server for recognizing a spoken query by a user. A number of different speech models for different languages are used to support and detect a language spoken by a user. In some implementations an interactive electronic agent responds in the user's language to facilitate a real-time, human like dialogue.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Phoenix Solutions, IncInventors: Ian M. Bennett, Bandi Ramesh Babu, Kishor Morkhandikar, Pallaki Gururaj
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Patent number: 7277855Abstract: A personalized text-to-speech (pTTS) system provides a method for converting text data to speech data utilizing a pTTS template representing the voice characteristics of an individual. A memory stores executable program code that converts text data to speech data. Text data represents a textual message directed to a system user and speech data represents a spoken form of text data having the characteristics of an individual's voice. A processor executes the program code, and a storage device stores a pTTS template and may store speech data. The pTTS system can be used to provide various services that provide immediate spoken presentation of the speech data converted from text data and/or combine stored speech data with generated speech data for spoken presentation.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Edmund Gale Acker, Frederick Murray Burg
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Patent number: 7277856Abstract: A speech synthesis system for controlling a discontinuous distortion that occurs at the transition portion between concatenated phonemes which are speech units of a synthesized speech using a smoothing technique, comprising: a discontinuous distortion processing means adapted to predict a discontinuity at the transition portion between concatenated samples of phonemes used for a speech synthesis through a predetermined learning process, and control a discontinuity at the transition portion between the concatenated phonemes of the synthesized speech in such a fashion that it is smoothed adaptively to correspond to a degree of the predicted discontinuity. The smoothing filter smoothes the synthesized speech so that the discontinuity degree of synthesized speech follows the predicted discontinuity degree according to the filter coefficient (a) changed adaptively to correspond to a ratio of the predicted discontinuity degree to the real discontinuity degree.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ki-seung Lee, Jeong-su Kim, Jae-won Lee
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Patent number: 7277857Abstract: A method and system for facilitating restoration of a voice command session. A voice command platform may send to an application server a signal indicative of a system disconnect. In response to receiving the signal indicative of the system disconnect, the application server may send information to the voice command platform. The information may allow the voice command platform to restore the voice command session with a user. The voice command platform may send the information back to the application server when the user is reconnected back to the voice command platform. Responsively, the application server may send logic executable by the voice command platform. The voice command platform may execute the logic so as to restore the voice command session with the user.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Thenthiruperai S. Balaji, Kevin Packingham, Elizabeth Roche
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Patent number: 7277858Abstract: A method and system is provided for communicating a interpreted sign-language communication in a communication system having a plurality of nodes including at least a source node, a destination node, and a network node. To facilitate communicating the interpreted sign-language communication, the network node receives from the source node non-sign-language content. The network node stores sign-language-interpreted content in a network queue for retrieval by the destination node. The sign-language-interpreted content defines at least one sign-language translation of the non-sign-language content. When the destination node retrieves and displays the sign-language-interpreted content, a user of the destination node, such as a hearing-impaired individual, can receive communications from the source node that originate in a form other than sign-language format.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Farni Weaver, Piyush Jethwa
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Patent number: 7277859Abstract: A method for a digest generating apparatus to generate a digest of image content or sound content is provided. The digest generating apparatus obtains an audience rating or an audience count of image content or sound content at established time intervals, and extracts images from the image content or extracts sounds from the sound content. The extracted images or the extracted sounds correspond to a time when the audience rating or the audience count exceeds a threshold. Then, the digest generating apparatus generates a digest by using the extracted images or the extracted sounds. The audience rating or the audience count can be obtained by using audience data corresponding to an audience group having a specific user profile.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone CorporationInventors: Tomoki Watanabe, Shinya Uegaki, Katsumi Kishida, Koichiro Yamamoto, Takashi Hosobuchi, Wataru Inoue, Hisashi Matsukawa
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Patent number: 7277860Abstract: An integrated digital BTSC encoder substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. By saturating and adding offsets to the value of the feedback control signal in regions of operation where the calculation for the control signal is dominated by noise, an integrated circuit selectively adjusts the control signal for the spectral or wideband feedback loop, as required, so that the performance of a very low noise digital BTSC encoder complies with the requirements of the BTSC standard.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Hosahalli Srinivas, Gopal Venkatesan, Erik Berg, Amy Hundhausen
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Patent number: 7277861Abstract: A new business model incorporating the advantages of endowing a remote field agent with sole discretion to legally bind an insurance carrier to a renewal insurance policy contract is provided. Policy data associated with eligible renewal policies is generated according to specified criteria on a periodic basis. The policy data relating to a given policy subscriber is transmitted over the Internet to a data memory of a remote computer, where a field agent updates the policy data, as necessary, with new information gained about the policy subscriber. The field agent legally binds an insurance carrier to a resulting renewal policy reflecting the evaluated policy data, where the binding step is accomplished by the field agent acting independently without prior underwriting analysis, rating, or authorization by the insurance carrier, and where the entire transaction is accomplished in not more than five minutes.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Westport Insurance CorporationInventors: Mark H. Benson, John Goldwater, Dean Watters, George Kowalsky, Michael Healey
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Patent number: 7277862Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for repair planning for a location in a repair network includes modeling: (1) an uninspected buffer for parts received but not yet inspected at the location; (2) a first buffer for parts inspected at the location and repairable at the location; (3) a second buffer for parts inspected at the location and not repairable at the location; (4) a third buffer for parts inspected at the location and not repairable at any location in the repair network; and (5) a fourth buffer for parts inspected at the location and serviceable without repair. The parts in the uninspected buffer are assigned to the first, second, third, and fourth buffers at corresponding rates according to an inspection operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: i2 Technologies US, Inc.Inventors: Amol B. Adgaonkar, Deepak Rammohan, Pradip Som, Thomas Burkhardt
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Patent number: 7277863Abstract: A communication system provides an exchange service between multiple companies. Messages between companies are routed through the exchange. These messages may represent any data or functionality desired by the companies. These messages may be requests, quotes, replies, and similar messages. Certain types of messages are designated as events to the exchange system. A portion of the exchange handles these events with rules, producing actions and additional events in response to occurrences consistent with the rules.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: i2 Technologies US, Inc.Inventors: Israel Hilerio, Vijayasarathy S. Chakravarthy, Ajit Sagar
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Patent number: 7277864Abstract: Computer-based rating of the sustainability of legal entities. Data is stored concerning at least non-economic factors of legal entities, and is used to compute sustainability scores for each entity's performance. Financial and economic criteria may also be stored and computed. Sustainability scores may be used to rate companies, governments, products and executives on a scale, with respect to each other, or within groups such as whole industries. In one embodiment, a subscriber is permitted to customize how scores are computed, to reflect subscriber preferences.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Asset4Inventors: Peter Ohnemus, Henrik Steffensen
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Patent number: 7277865Abstract: The present disclosure provides for affording an information portal in a contract manufacturing framework. First, a database including a plurality of service provider data structures is provided, wherein each service provider data structure includes a description of a particular service provider, and wherein the database further includes a plurality of links to information. Then, a particular service provider data structure is identified based on request data from a user. A particular link is identified based on the request data. The user is then sent the identified service provider data structure and the identified link. Finally, the user is allowed to obtain additional information utilizing the identified link.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Accenture LLPInventors: Yaarit Silverstone, Paul McGowan