Patents Issued in June 1, 2010
  • Patent number: 7729480
    Abstract: A method and system manages content delivery to a multi-modal client device. The system may include a session manager logically connected between a server and the client device. The session manager can maintain a record of the state of a user's session, and if the user or the client device switches from an initial presentation mode to a second presentation mode, the session manager can use the record to effect a seamless transfer from the initial presentation mode to the subsequent presentation mode. The session manager may also transcode content delivered to the client device so that the content is compatible with the presentation mode selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Packingham, Jason Guesman
  • Patent number: 7729481
    Abstract: An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Brooke Thompson, Greg Rosenberg, Ryan Michael Olshavsky, Brian Kobashikawa
  • Patent number: 7729482
    Abstract: A method for providing communication protocol interoperability may include receiving a request from a first endpoint to establish a communication session with a second endpoint, the request uses a first communication protocol. The method also includes receiving a first response from the second endpoint, the first response uses a second communication protocol different than the first communication protocol. The method may also include initiating a timer for receiving a set of capabilities from the second endpoint and establishing the communication session between the first endpoint and the second endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Restrick, Jr., Tripti (nmi) Agarwal, Rongxuan V. Chen, Ho (nmi) Bao, David Wayne Mills
  • Patent number: 7729483
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for constructing a billing statement from detailed usage file (DUF) records received from an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC). A master file contains routing information associating each of a plurality of telephone numbering plan addresses plus additional telephone number digits (NPA-NXX) with a corresponding local access transport area (LATA). Telephone operator services (TOPS) assignment files are downloaded and used to edit the master file, thereby generating an enhanced master file. DUF records are downloaded. A set of enhanced DUF records is generated by filtering the downloaded DUF records. A rate table of customer price plans is applied to the set of enhanced DUF records and the enhanced master file to construct a billing statement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Van Natter, Bettye Shratter, Ronald Proctor, Linda Wigley
  • Patent number: 7729484
    Abstract: A method and system for network-based control over voice calling from a client telephony device. A client telephony device receives a user-request to place a voice call from the client telephony device and responsively sends to a controller, via a packet-data connection, a request for authorization to place the voice call. The client telephony device then receives from the controller, via the packet-data connection, a response to the request. And the client telephony device then sends to a network entity (e.g., a switch) a call origination request message seeking to initiate the voice call, only if the response from the controller indicates that the client telephony device is authorized to place the voice call. Further, the controller can also monitor a account balance for the client telephony device and direct the device to disconnect the call when the balance is exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Carl M. Coppage
  • Patent number: 7729485
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring number portability in a communication system, comprising transmitting ported-out information to a network element are disclosed. The system includes an originating network and a recipient network. The originating network includes a first network element for establishing a call to a ported-out subscriber and for transmitting ported-out information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Juha-Pekka Koskinen, Juha R. Vallinen
  • Patent number: 7729486
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a private branch exchange includes a receiver which receives caller ID information divided into a plurality of packets, the caller ID information specifying a caller side telephone set, when receiving an incoming call, a measurement unit which measures an elapsed time after the receiver has received the packets, a reset unit which resets the elapsed time measured by the measurement unit when the receiver receives the packets, and a transmitter which transmits the packets received by the receiver to a private telephone set on an incoming call side, as caller ID information, when the elapsed time measured by the measurement unit exceeds a specified time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsushi Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 7729487
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for selecting a ringtone to accompany an incoming call to a wireline telephone. The incoming call is received at a switch, the ringtone is selected, and a data message is sent to the called station. The data message includes information representing the selected ringtone. The incoming call is connected to the called station via a wireline connection. Another embodiment allows a user to select the ringtone, and the selected ringtone is communicated to an intelligent telecommunications switch. The user's selected ringtone is then presented during the incoming call to the wireline telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert A. Koch
  • Patent number: 7729488
    Abstract: Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification services identify an actual communications address (or other called party identifier) of an answering communications device in a simultaneous ring service. In some of the exemplary embodiments, a calling party uses a communications device that includes a computer program product—a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification Module—that requests a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal that includes a communications address of an answering communications device. In exemplary embodiments, the Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal is updated with an second incoming communication from a third party (e.g., call waiting caller) and is communicated to the communications address of an answering communications device and to some of the associated communications devices and/or addresses. The Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Brian K. Daigle
  • Patent number: 7729489
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring a communications exchange using a mobile handset are described. A radio frequency (RF) signal is transmitted from a mobile handset to a base station to provide a communications exchange. The communications exchange exists between the mobile handset and a first communications device. The mobile handset automatically detects a second communications device when it is in close proximity to the second communications device. The second communications device is capable of receiving a call handoff. If the mobile handset is in close proximity to the second communications device, then a transfer request including information associated with the second communications device is received from the second communications device. The transfer request is accepted and the communications exchange is seamlessly transferred to the second communications device form the mobile handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cheng-Wei Lee, Johnny Hsienchow Lee, Fadi Ramzi Jabbour, Eric HengChih Lee
  • Patent number: 7729490
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for servicing a transaction in a contact center. When a communication associated with a transaction is terminated prematurely, special treatment may be provided to the transaction initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Hemm, Joylee E. Kohler, Rodney A. Thomson
  • Patent number: 7729491
    Abstract: A method and a device for amplifying a reception signal are provided, involving the adjustment of a gain by which the reception signal is amplified, in particular as a function of a signal level of the reception signal. For example, lowpass filtering with a variable cutoff frequency is used to filter out a gain-dependent frequency range of the reception signal, which may especially contain an undesirable echo signal. Such a method and such a device are suitable in particular for the reception of ADSL signals in a central office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alexander Kahl, Peter Pessl, Sergio Walter
  • Patent number: 7729492
    Abstract: A portable communication device includes a base assembly and a top assembly that is coupled to the base assembly by a multi-axis hinge assembly. The multi-axis hinge assembly is configured to facilitate sliding motion between the top assembly and the base assembly along a first direction, as well as rotation of the top assembly relative to the base assembly along perpendicular axes. The portable communication device is provided with versatile configurations and modes of operation with a smaller footprint often associated with traditional clamshell devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Randolph C. Demuynck, Charles C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7729493
    Abstract: A handheld computer comprises a housing and a cover removably connected thereto by a universal hinge assembly. The universal hinge assembly includes a tubular member or arm having a proximal end fixedly (non-rotatably) secured to an edge of the cover and a distal end pivotally coupled to an edge of the cover. The pivotal coupling may comprise a ball and socket arrangement, a pin and slot arrangement, or any other type of coupling arrangement that enables universal pivoting movement and releasable attachment between the cover and the housing. The cover may include a cushion designed to abut a display screen mounted in the housing when the cover is in a closed position. A method of reconfiguring an encasement of a handheld computer having a cover releasably coupled thereto includes removing the first cover and replacing it with a second cover of a different type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Krieger, Randall Clark Lewis
  • Patent number: 7729494
    Abstract: Methods and apparati are provided for use in determining “Squared Weil pairings” and/or “Squared Tate Pairing” based on an elliptic curve, for example, and which are then used to support cryptographic processing of selected information. Significant improvements are provided in computing efficiency over the conventional implementation of the Weil and Tate pairings. The resulting Squared Weil and/or Tate pairings can be substituted for conventional Weil or Tate pairings in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Anne Kirsten Eisentraeger, Kristin E. Lauter, Peter L. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7729495
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting unauthorized actions with respect to encrypted data on a media disk, the media disk including a first portion for prerecorded content and a second portion for written content. The method includes reading an identifier on the media disk, wherein the identifier includes one or more sections located in one of the first portion for pre-recorded content, the second portion for written content, and both the first portion for pre-recorded content and the second portion for written content, determining whether the identifier includes a section located in the second portion written content, comparing the identifier with one or more predetermined types of identifiers for which a section is located in the second portion for written content, and if the identifier is of a type that is one of the one or more predetermined types of identifiers, detecting an unauthorized action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: DPHI Acquisitions, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane W. Lee, Timothy R. Feldman, Douglas M. Rayburn, Gary G. Kiwimagi
  • Patent number: 7729496
    Abstract: A system, method and programmed article of manufacture to perform efficient encryption key updates in encrypted database-as-a-service (DAS) environments using a key registry and key locks. A database as a service environment allows organizations to send their data management infrastructures to a database service provider. The service provider employs data encryption techniques to ensure the privacy of hosted data. The security of encryption techniques relies on the confidentiality of the encryption keys. The dynamic nature of the encrypted database in the DAS model adds complexity and raises specific requirements on key management techniques. The solution is provided by the key registry and by the key update lock, key management process and log management process to allow data update access to data concurrently with encryption key update for the same data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Vahit Hakan Hacigumus
  • Patent number: 7729497
    Abstract: An audio signal (A) is enhanced by dividing the signal into time segments of a selected frequency range and scaling the audio signal in each time segment. The time segments (S) are defined by zero crossings (Z) of the audio signal, thus avoiding the introduction of any undesired harmonics. The scaling may involve linear or non-linear scaling factors. When the selected frequency range comprises bass frequencies, a very effective and distortion-free bass enhancement is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Kristof Van Reck
  • Patent number: 7729498
    Abstract: A parametric loudspeaker system using improved modulators to compensate for the non-linearity of the parametric process in air when driving the air at saturation levels and below saturation levels. The parametric loudspeaker uses a pre-processed single sideband modulator that offers ideal linearity as characterized by square root pre-processed double sideband modulators but with a lower carrier frequency and without the wide bandwidth requirements. By eliminating some or all of the lower sideband the carrier frequency can be reduced without producing sideband frequencies in the audible range. Lower operational frequencies result in greater translation efficiency and greater output capability before reaching the saturation limit of air. A pre-processor minimizes the effects of saturation limits for double sideband, truncated double sideband or single sideband processing to achieve superior output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Spencer, James J. Croft, III, Joseph O. Norris
  • Patent number: 7729499
    Abstract: The present invention provides a speaker apparatus and reproducing apparatus with no limitation on their listening areas. The apparatus includes; the housing 2 substantially in the shape of a spheroid; the left speaker 5A, which is attached to the left end of the long side of the housing 2 such that the left speaker 5A faces outwardly of the housing 2; and the right speaker 5B, which is attached to the right end of the long side of the housing 2 such that the right speaker 5B faces outwardly of the housing 2. Therefore, the left speaker 5A and the right speaker 5B are approximately equivalent to a point sound source, and the sound from the left speaker 5A and the right speaker 5B smoothly radiates from the housing 2 in every direction. Thus, a listener can have good quality of sound from anywhere around the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Kokubo, Tomohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7729500
    Abstract: A microphone array comprises a circuit board, a first microphone, and a second microphone. The circuit board comprises a first layer, a third layer, and a second layer sandwiched between the first and third layers. The first layer comprises a first shielding part with a fixed electric potential. The third layer comprises a second shielding part with the fixed electric potential. The second layer comprises an electrically conductive part running between the first and second shielding parts. The first microphone is attached to the first layer of the circuit board. The second microphone is attached to the first layer of the circuit board and electrically connected to the first microphone through the electrically conductive part of the second layer of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Fortmedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Te Wu, Wei-Chan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7729501
    Abstract: The present invention thus provides a hearing device with at least one programmable signal processing unit for the temporary or permanent activation or deactivation of features of the hearing device, comprising at least one counter for the logging of discrete actions and at least one stored threshold value related to at least one specific type of said actions, the counter being connected to said signal processing unit for activating or deactivating a feature of said signal processing unit when reaching or passing said threshold value. As long as the threshold value is not reached by the counter, the hearing device will have its originally predetermined functionality or programmed features without any further limitations. If the counter reaches or passes its threshold value, an action will be triggered by the counter directed to the signal processing unit causing any predefined reaction of the hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Ivo Hasler
  • Patent number: 7729502
    Abstract: An improved device for heating hearing aid microtubes is presented, the invention comprised of inexpensive electrical parts and a simple plastic base. The device possesses a heater flue that is shaped to concentrate the heat from the heating element along a short length of the hearing aid audio tube to be formed as well as a metal reflector to increase the efficiency of the heater element. The device has nonskid feet and air holes to improve the cooling of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Beck
  • Patent number: 7729503
    Abstract: An armored voice coil assembly comprises a former that is impregnated with a curable resin, preferably polyimide resin. Voice coil wire is wound around the outside surface of the former and is then preferably encased with an outer layer of resin impregnated glass fabric wrapped around the voice coil windings, effectively enveloping the voice coil within inner and outer layers of fabric and resin. The armored voice coil assembly is then cured into a solid shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Acoustic Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry J. Young
  • Patent number: 7729504
    Abstract: An audio speaker has a driver unit having a support frame with a central portion forming a magnetic structure defining an annular gap around a central magnetic post, a vibration system having a diaphragm and a voice coil, the voice coil is attached to one side of the diaphragm where the vibration system is fixed to the support frame and where the voice coil is movably mounted in the annular gap, and a magnetic fluid disposed in the annular gap only in a space between one side of the voice coil and a surface of the annular gap having a higher magnetic flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ferrotec Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Tsuda, Ronald E. Rosensweig
  • Patent number: 7729505
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of inserting a watermark in an image comprising at least three components, the method comprises the steps of decomposing at least one component of the image into detail sub-bands in various directions and comprising coefficients, each coefficient being characterized by its position in the detail sub-band to which it belongs and its amplitude, of determining, for each position, information representing local amplitude variations from the amplitudes of the coefficients at this position in the various detail sub-bands and the coefficients close to this position in the various detail sub-bands, of determining a watermarking strength at each position from the information representing determined local amplitude variations in the said position and inserting a watermark composed of a plurality of binary information in the image, inserting each item of binary information at a position on the image according to the watermarking strength determined for a position corresponding to the posi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: France Telecom, SA
    Inventors: Alice Parisis, Philippe Carre, Nathalie Laurent
  • Patent number: 7729506
    Abstract: An electronic file containing height field mapping data is output to a specialized printer and used to create one or more three dimensional molds. The molds, in turn, may be used to fabricate bas-relief tiles and similar three-dimensional objects from various materials. The process allows for rapid deployment of customized design elements in many construction applications and environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Keith R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7729507
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a system for stabilizing a rear view image. The system comprises a camera for capturing a rear view image, wherein the rear view image comprises elements located outside of a passenger vehicle and located behind the passenger vehicle. The system further comprises a motion detector for determining a relative movement between two or more objects e.g., the driver's head and an object within the vehicle. The system further includes an electronic image stabilizer for adjusting the rear view image according to the relative movement and a display device for displaying a stabilized rear view image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventor: Chris Alan Malachowsky
  • Patent number: 7729508
    Abstract: Embodiments of modifying data are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matthew J. West
  • Patent number: 7729509
    Abstract: An illuminated lens device for use in viewing authentication images is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a housing interior. The housing has a proximal end with a proximal aperture and an opposing distal end with a distal aperture. The lens device further includes a lens disposed at least partially within the housing interior. The lens is configured and positioned so that at least a portion of an authentication image is viewable through the proximal aperture when the housing is placed with the distal aperture aligned with and adjacent the at least a portion of the authentication image. The lens device also includes at least one light source disposed within the housing interior. The at least one light source is configured to illuminate the authentication image with light in a predetermined frequency range when the housing is placed with the distal aperture adjacent the authentication image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Graphic Security Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred V. Alasia, Alfred J. Alasia, Thomas C. Alasia
  • Patent number: 7729510
    Abstract: Detecting video phenomena, such as fire in an aircraft cargo bay, includes receiving a plurality of video images from a plurality of sources, compensating the images to provide enhanced images, extracting features from the enhanced images, and combining the features from the plurality of sources to detect the video phenomena. Extracting features may include determining an energy indicator for each of a subset of the plurality of frames. Detecting video phenomena may also include comparing energy indicators for each of the subset of the plurality of frames to a reference frame. The reference frame corresponds to a video frame taken when no fire is present, video frame immediately preceding each of the subset of the plurality of frames, or a video frame immediately preceding a frame that is immediately preceding each of the subset of the plurality of frames. Image-based and non-image based techniques are described herein in connection with fire detection and/or verification and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Radoslaw Romuald Zakrzewski, Mokhtar Sadok, Jeffrey James Shirer, Robert Lowell Zeliff
  • Patent number: 7729511
    Abstract: In order to safeguard a hazardous area, in particular the hazardous area of an automatically operating machine, images of the hazardous area are recorded with at least a first and a second image recording unit that are arranged offset from one another. The images of the scene are subjected to three-dimensional scene analyses using different three-dimensional scene analysis methods, and the hazardous area is safeguarded when at least one of the scene analysis methods detects a foreign object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christian Wöhler, Werner Progscha, Lars Krüger, Dietmar Döttling, Martin Wendler
  • Patent number: 7729512
    Abstract: A first image and a second image are obtained by sensing an image of a moving object from two different viewpoints using a first imaging device and a second imaging device. A plurality of feature points are detected from the first image. A disparity distribution representing a disparity for each feature point is obtained by performing stereo image processing using the first image and the second image. A threshold is determined for disparities in the disparity distribution. A feature point having a disparity exceeding the threshold in the disparity distribution is classified as an intra-moving-object feature point. An image area of the moving object in the first image is detected by using the intra-moving-object feature point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Manabu Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7729513
    Abstract: Two arbitrary points belonging to a single object in an image captured by an camera installed in a vehicle body are extracted as evaluation points, the absolute value representing the difference between the coordinate values of the extracted two points, which are taken in reference to an arbitrary coordinate axis set on the image, is calculated and a time differential value of the absolute value representing the difference between the coordinate values of the two points is determined. Based upon the absolute value representing the difference between the coordinate values and the time differential value, the length of time to elapse before the object containing the two extracted points contacts the vehicle body is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoko Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7729514
    Abstract: A display section displays a speedometer having a substantially circular shape on an outer circumference of which a speed scale is provided. Then, that point on the outer circumference of the speedometer which indicates a speed at a moment is calculated. Further a speed that is attained at a given time period (e.g. 0.5 second) after the moment if the speed is increased at an acceleration at the moment is calculated. An arc-shaped pointer is displayed, the arc-shaped pointer passing (i) the calculated point of the speed scale, (ii) a middle point between the calculated point of the speed scale and a center of the speedometer, and (iii) the center of the speedometer. With this arrangement, a display device displaying the speedometer allows a driver to easily recognize the speed and an amount of a change therein (i.e. acceleration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Megumi Itoh, Toshiya Takahashi, Shinichirou Ota, Aki Miake, Takeshi Yamamoto, Keiichiro Sato
  • Patent number: 7729515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical navigation system for determining a pose, which includes the position and orientation of an object in an environment. The optical navigation system uses a number of beacons affixed at known locations in the environment to provide electromagnetic radiation in a sequenced pattern. An on-board optic images the radiation from the beacons onto an on-board centroid sensing device to obtain an imaged distribution of the radiation on the on-board centroid sensing device. The centroid sensing device determines the centroid of the imaged distribution and provides centroid information to a navigation unit for determining the pose of the object from the centroid. The navigation system is particularly well-suited for navigating hand-held objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Electronic Scripting Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mandella, Hector H. Gonzalez-Banos, Timothy J. Hawks, Marek Alboszta
  • Patent number: 7729516
    Abstract: An image size changing section obtains a size changed image by changing the size of one of two original images captured by a pair of cameras. If an edge of an object has many oblique components, the edge is difficult to detect as a vertical edge but, when the image is horizontally reduced, an oblique edge becomes close to a vertical edge. For this reason, feature end points are extracted with reliability by a feature extracting section and, thereby, an object is recognized and the distance to the object is determined reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Nobukazu Shima, Akihiro Oota, Kenji Oka
  • Patent number: 7729517
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for estimating the fiber fineness of a known mass of fibers, the apparatus including: an image capturing device for capturing either i) all of the fibers selected for testing or ii) a fraction thereof, in one or more images; a computer capable of automatically determining the total length of fiber or fibers in the or each image; and a means for estimating the fiber fineness of the fibers using the total fiber length in the image(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Geoffrey Robert Stewart Naylor, Mark Michael Purmalis
  • Patent number: 7729518
    Abstract: A biometrics authentication device, which uses blood vessel images of a human body to perform individual authentication, performs verification processing according to a detected body temperature. A temperature sensor, which detects the temperature of a body, is provided in a blood vessel image capture device. The temperature at the time of registration of a blood vessel image is stored together with the blood vessel image, and the temperature of the body at the time of use (at the time of verification) is detected; the temperature difference at the time of registration and at the time of use is reflected in the verification processing, and when there is a verification error, the cause of the verification error is judged from the temperatures at the time of registration and at the time of use. Whether a verification error is due to temperature can be easily distinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Awatsu, Masanori Ohkoshi, Takahiro Kudoh
  • Patent number: 7729519
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, a pad button section and a switch board. The housing includes a cover member including an opening part. One of a first switch board on which a fingerprint authentication unit is mounted, and a second switch board on which no fingerprint authentication units are mounted is selectively adopted as the switch board. One of a first pad button section including a fingerprint authentication cover between buttons, and a second pad button section in which a pair of buttons are adjacent to each other is selectively adopted as the pad button section. The cover member is identical in shape between a case where the first pad button section is adopted and a case where the second pad button section is adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoya Shigenobu, Yuichi Hirai, Toshio Konno
  • Patent number: 7729520
    Abstract: Biometric writing system having a pen housing (3) for carrying out hand-guided movements on a substrate (4) at least one microphone (5), which is integrated in a housing (3), for acoustic recording of sound signals which are caused by the hand-guided movements; and a data processing unit (ii) for calculation of biometric data as a function of the recorded sound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Fachhochschule Regensburg
    Inventor: Jürgen Kempf
  • Patent number: 7729521
    Abstract: Method of comparing a test fingerprint with a stored reference fingerprint. The stored reference fingerprint and an image strip sequence of the test fingerprint are produced, wherein image strips of the image strip sequence represent different areas of the test fingerprint. Individual distance values between each image strip of the test fingerprint and at least one section of the reference fingerprint using a distance function are determined. An overall distance value from the individual distance values are determined, the overall distance value being a measure of similarity between the test fingerprint and the reference fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Peter Morguet
  • Patent number: 7729522
    Abstract: A method for creating a representation of a fingerprint is disclosed. The method comprises creating unique pairs of minutiae points identified in the fingerprint, each pair of minutiae points being represented by a distance between the minutiae points and by angles associated with the respective minutiae points included in the pair. Moreover, methods are disclosed for use in checking a person's identity and in creating reference data for checking a person's identify. Moreover, computer program products and devices for carrying out the methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Precise Biometrics AB
    Inventor: Bjorn Nordin
  • Patent number: 7729523
    Abstract: A technique is provided for viewing image data via a user interface. The technique includes displaying two or more selectable tabs and displaying a corresponding analysis for a selected tab. Each tab corresponds to an analysis of a set of radiological images and the corresponding analysis comprises one or more identified features. The technique also includes displaying a corresponding image for a selected feature such that the selected feature is visually indicated on the corresponding image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christopher Reynolds Hammond
  • Patent number: 7729524
    Abstract: A method for image quality assessment of a digital radiography system extracts and isolates one or more individual targets from a phantom image, then obtains operator responses by displaying each isolated individual target and recording a corresponding operator response related to image appearance for each isolated individual target. The accumulated operator responses are stored to obtain the image quality assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Rogers, Xiaohui Wang, Lynn M. Fletcher-Heath, Michael D. Heath
  • Patent number: 7729525
    Abstract: 2-D projection images show the temporal course of the distribution of a contrast medium in an examination object containing a vascular system and the surroundings thereof. Each projection image has pixels with pixel values defined by the same areas of the examination object. A computer determines a 2-D evaluation image having pixels corresponding to those of the projection images and assigns each pixel in a sub-area to one of three types, vessel, perfused part of the surroundings or non-perfused part of the surroundings. The computer assigns an extent of a perfusion in the pixels of the evaluation image assigned the type of perfused part of the surroundings to the respective pixel. The type and extend are determined from the temporal course of the pixel values of the pixels of the projection image which is in a two-dimensional evaluation core defined by a respective pixel of the evaluation image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschat
    Inventors: Estelle Camus, Thomas Redel
  • Patent number: 7729526
    Abstract: Pixel images f are created from projections (q1 . . . qp) by backprojecting (100) selected projections to produce intermediate images (I1, m), and performing digital image coordinate transformations (102) and/or resampling (FIG. 31, 186, 192, 196) on selected intermediate images. The digital image coordinate transformations (102) are chosen to account for view angles of the constituent projections of the intermediate images and for their Fourier characteristics, so that the intermediate images may be accurately represented by sparse samples. The resulting intermediate images are aggregated into subsets (104), and this process is repeated in a recursive manner until sufficient projections and intermediate images have been processed and aggregated to form the pixel image f. Digital image coordinate transformation can include rotation (FIG. 18, 102), shearing (FIG. 10B, 120, 122), stretching, contractions (109), etc. Resampling can include up-sampling (101, 106), down-sampling (109), and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Ashvin K. George, Yoram Bresler
  • Patent number: 7729527
    Abstract: In a method for correction of an image data set that was acquired with a planar image detector using at least two calibration images that were acquired in a preliminary procedure, as well as a method for generation of an image from a raw image data set that was acquired with a planar image detector with a high-sensitivity dynamic range and with a low-sensitivity dynamic range and which is composed of two image data sets, of which one was acquired in the high-sensitivity dynamic range and the other was acquired in the low-sensitivity dynamic range, at least two calibration images are generated in each dynamic range in a preliminary process. These calibration images are used in a correction procedure for the correction of the individual image data sets, as well as in a combination procedure to merge the two corrected image data sets into one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Maschauer, Dieter Ritter, Christian Schmidgunst
  • Patent number: 7729528
    Abstract: An automated defect inspection system has been invented and is used on patterned wafers, whole wafers, broken wafers, partial wafers, sawn wafers such as on film frames, JEDEC trays, Auer boats, die in gel or waffle packs, MCMs, etc. and is specifically intended and designed for second optical wafer inspection for such defects as metalization defects (such as scratches, voids, corrosion, and bridging), diffusion defects, passivation layer defects, scribing defects, glassivation defects, chips and cracks from sawing, solder bump defects, and bond pad area defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey O'Dell, Thomas Verburgt, Mark Harless, Cory Watkins
  • Patent number: 7729529
    Abstract: Various computer-implemented methods are provided. One method for sorting defects in a design pattern of a reticle includes searching for defects of interest in inspection data using priority information associated with individual defects in combination with one or more characteristics of a region proximate the individual defects. The priority information corresponds to modulation levels associated with the individual defects. The inspection data is generated by comparing images of the reticle generated for different values of a lithographic variable. The images include at least one reference image and at least one modulated image. A composite reference image can be generated from two or more reference images. The method also includes assigning one or more identifiers to the defects of interest. The identifier(s) may include, for example, a defect classification and/or an indicator identifying if the defects of interest are to be used for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Kenong Wu, David Randall, Kourosh Nafisi, Ramon Ynzunza, Ingrid B. Peterson, Ariel Tribble, Michal Kowalski, Lisheng Gao, Ashok Kulkarni