Patents Issued in March 11, 2014
  • Patent number: 8670549
    Abstract: Processing a communication received at a communications center over a communications network includes determining whether a sender of the communication sent previous communications to a communications center based on identification information obtained from the communication. Communication is routed to an agent, from a first group of agents, when it is determined that the sender did not send previous communications to the communications center. The communication is processed by generating a report by the agent from the first group of agents. Communication is routed to an agent, from a second group of agents, when it is determined that the sender sent send previous communications to the communications center. The communication is re-processed by retrieving an existing report by the agent from the second group of agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robin Williams
  • Patent number: 8670550
    Abstract: A queueless contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The contact center proposed herein provides the ability to, among other things, achieve true one-to-one matching. Solutions are also provided for managing data structures utilized by the queueless contact center. Furthermore, mechanisms for generating traditional queue-based performance views and metrics for the queueless contact center are proposed to help facilitate a smooth transition from traditional queue-based contact centers to the next generation contact centers described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Flockhart, Robert C. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8670551
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a graphical depiction of a communication system incorporating multiple call centers distributed around the globe are provided. The user interface can present the graphical depiction in two or three dimensions. In addition, the user interface can provide a view of details concerning the performance of communication system components or events affecting the performance of such components, and can enable a supervisor to manipulate contact center parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Onkar Birk, Jeff Chu, Barrett Davis, Rodney A. Thomson, Brian J. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8670552
    Abstract: Method and systems are presented for presenting multiple activities associated with one of a plurality of call center agents correlated in time. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: determining at least one of the agents to be displayed; and displaying activity information in visual correlation with a timeline. The activity information includes a first plurality of activities originating from a first source and a second plurality of activities originating from a second source. Each of the activities is associated with the at least one agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Verint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shimon Keren, Jeff Iannone, James Gordon Nies, Srivijaya Srinivasa
  • Patent number: 8670553
    Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for real-time monitoring of agent adherence. The method comprises collecting events and data for an agent from at least one phone router, collecting time keeping data from a time clock system, collecting data and events from a scheduling system, normalizing the events, data, time keeping data and generating at least one user interface comprising normalized data, presenting at least one view of the at least one user interface to at least one application, and refreshing the at least one view with updated events and data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Marr, Joseph S. Cox, Maureen A. Mahoney, Mark D. Helm, Michael Joseph Parmeley, Brent Donald Hansen
  • Patent number: 8670554
    Abstract: A method is provided for encoding multiple microphone signals into a composite source-separable audio (SSA) signal, conducive for transmission over a voice network. The embodiments enable the processing of source separation of the target voice signal from its ambient sound to be performed at any point in the voice communication network, including the internet cloud. A multiplicity of processing is possible over the SSA signal, based on the intended voice application. The level of processing is adapted with the availability of the processing power at the chosen processing node in the network in one embodiment. An apparatus for separating out the target source voice from its ambient sound is also provided. The apparatus includes a directed source separation (DSS) unit, which processes the two virtual microphone signals in the SSA representation, to generate a new SSA signal including the enhanced target voice and the enhanced ambient noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aurenta Inc.
    Inventor: Shridhar K. Mukund
  • Patent number: 8670555
    Abstract: A communication apparatus is disclosed including: an analog-front-end circuit for receiving and processing an analog input signal; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled with the analog-front-end circuit for converting processed signal from the analog-front-end circuit into a digital input signal; and a control unit coupled with the ADC for adjusting at least one resistance and/or at least one capacitance in an analog echo cancellation circuit according to the digital input signal before the analog-front-end circuit receives a training sequence that is the first training sequence transmitted from a second communication apparatus after the second communication apparatus begins communicating with the communication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Liang-Wei Huang, Shieh-Hsing Kuo, Jui-Yi Liu, Tzu-Han Hsu
  • Patent number: 8670556
    Abstract: A communication system includes a local communication device that communicates with a remote communication device via a wired or wireless communication link between the devices. The local communication device and the remote communication device are each capable of switching between a multiple user mode and a single user private mode in response to a mode change request. The local and remote communication devices include respective profiles that include profile attributes that define how the respective communication device responds to a mode change request. A user of one communication device may send a mode change request to the other communication device. In response to the mode change request, the other communication device changes mode between multiple participant mode and single participant mode if the profile of that communication device permits the mode change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P Fried, Priyanka Jade, Suresh Sabarathinam, Silpa Kosanam
  • Patent number: 8670557
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods that facilitate secure electronic communication of data are presented. A cryptographic component facilitates securing data associated with messages in accordance with a cryptographic protocol. The cryptographic component includes a randomized exponentiation component that facilitates decryption of data and generation of digital signatures by exponentiating exponents associated with messages. An exponent is divided into more than one subexponent at an exponent bit that corresponds to a random number. Exponentiation of the first subexponent can be performed based on a left-to-right-type of exponentiation algorithm, and exponentiation of the second subexponent can be performed based on a right-to-left square-and-multiply-type of exponentiation algorithm. The final value is based on the exponentiations of the subexponents and can be decrypted data or a digital signature, which can be provided as an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Elena Trichina, Helena Handschuh, Arnaud Boscher
  • Patent number: 8670558
    Abstract: To realize a common-key block cipher process configuration with increased difficulty of key analysis and improved security. In a configuration for storing in a register an intermediate key generated by using a secret key transformation process and performing a transformation process on the register-stored data to generate a round key, a process of swapping (permuting) data segments constituting the register-stored data is executed to generate a round key. For example, four data segments are produced so that two sets of data segments having an equal number of bits are set, and a process of swapping the individual data segments is repeatedly executed to generate a plurality of different round keys. With this configuration, the bit array of each round key can be effectively permuted, and round keys with low relevance can be generated. A high-security cryptographic process with increased difficulty of key analysis can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Taizo Shirai, Kyoji Shibutani, Toru Akishita, Shiho Moriai
  • Patent number: 8670559
    Abstract: A system for enabling a device to compute an outcome of an exponentiation Cx having a base C and/or an exponent x, the system comprising means for establishing a plurality of values ?i; means for establishing a plurality of values ?i satisfying ?i=C?i; means for establishing a plurality of values ?i satisfying that the sum of the values ?i?i equals x; and an output for providing the device with the plurality of values ?i. A device computes an outcome of the exponentiation Cx. The device comprises means for computing a product of the values ?i to the power of ?i. The device is arranged for using the product as a result of the exponentiation Cx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Irdeto Corporate B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus P. A. J. Michiels, Paulus M. H. M. A. Gorissen
  • Patent number: 8670560
    Abstract: There is described a method of encrypting a set of 2D input data, preferably image data. The method comprises obtaining the hash value of a password and re-sizing the hash value to fit the size of the 2D input data. The re-sized data is transformed using an irreversible transform, and the output of the transform is then used to encode the 2D data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: University of Ulster
    Inventors: Abbas Cheddad, Joan Condell, Kevin Curran, Paul McKevitt
  • Patent number: 8670561
    Abstract: Use of a megafunction, IP core or other IP in a configurable device is controlled by a combination of a protection circuit implemented in the configurable device with the IP and a secure device. The protection circuit includes an authorization code generator having a sequence generator and an encryption core implementing an encryption algorithm. The secure device uses an identical sequence generator and encryption core in its own authorization code generator. The sequence generators in the devices generate identical streams of values that are encrypted using the encryption algorithm. The encrypted values are compared in the protection circuit. When the streams of encrypted values are not identical, the IP and/or configurable device are prevented from operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Langhammer
  • Patent number: 8670562
    Abstract: In a control system comprising control device adapted for, on the one hand, receiving signal indicating a first biometric datum (W), and, on the other hand, obtaining a second biometric datum captured (w?), at the level of the control device, the first and second biometric date are compared. Next, it is decided whether the first and second biometric data correspond on the basis of the comparison. Thereafter, at least a secret cryptographic key part (H(w)) is generated by applying cryptographic function to the first biometric datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: Morpho, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique—CNRS, Ecole Normale Superieure
    Inventors: Julien Bringer, Hervé Chabanne, David Pointcheval, Sébastien Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8670563
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating secure client server communication using elliptical curve cryptography and certificateless public key infrastructure has been disclosed. The system includes a secret key generation means which generates a secret key of m-bits based on the elliptic curve diffie hellman algorithm. The system further includes a session key generation means which makes use of said secret key and elliptic curve diffie hellman algorithm to generate a session key. The session key is used to facilitate secured communication between the client and the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Vijayarangan Natarajan
  • Patent number: 8670564
    Abstract: A sender apparatus encrypts data using a key. The apparatus then calculates various parameters based on the key and a shared secret between the sender apparatus and a recipient apparatus that is remote from the sender apparatus. The calculated parameters are transmitted to the recipient apparatus, which uses such parameters to calculate the key based on the shared secret. The recipient apparatus then decrypts the data using the calculated key, which does not need to be transmitted from the sender apparatus to the recipient apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Key Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ray Clayton, Eliel J. Mendoza, Ronn Warren Cochran
  • Patent number: 8670565
    Abstract: The communications between terminals are encrypted, and even a gateway device is permitted to analyze the encrypted communications, thereby to incarnate censorship for the prevention of information leakage. A gateway device 3 prepares a public key and a secret key in a pair on the basis of a public key encryption system, and distributes the public key to terminals 2a-2c which are managed by the gateway device 3. The terminals 2a-2c subject a communication packet to a prior-art common key encryption, and they thereafter encrypt a common key with the public key and bestow the encrypted common key on the packet. The gateway device 3 decrypts the common key by using the secret key, censors the packet and returns the packet into a prior-art encrypted packet format, and it thereafter transfers the packet to a network 1c where opposite terminals 2d-2f exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Josuke Matsuki, Masashi Takatsuki, Yukihiro Shimmura
  • Patent number: 8670566
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing additional security for data being transmitted across a wireless connection that has been established using a known wireless protocol (e.g. Bluetooth) are described. An encryption key is exchanged between a computing device (e.g. a mobile device) and a wireless peripheral output device (e.g. a printer, a headset). In some embodiments, the encryption key is generated at the peripheral output device. Data associated with the encryption key is output at the peripheral output device, which can be input by the user at the computing device. The encryption key is then recovered at the computing device from the input, thereby completing the key exchange. The encryption key can then be used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted over the established wireless connection, providing additional security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Kirkup, Michael K. Brown, Michael S. Brown
  • Patent number: 8670567
    Abstract: At least one expired decryption key intended to be used for asymmetrical decryption of encrypted data is recovered in a terminal after generation of a cryptographic encryption key/decryption key pair stored in a cryptographic medium such as a microchip card. The expired decryption key is stored in a database accessible to a user of the terminal and encrypted beforehand as a function of the new generated encryption key. In the terminal connected to the cryptographic medium, the encrypted expired encryption key is decrypted as a function of the decryption key stored in the cryptographic medium so that the encrypted data is decrypted as a function of the thus decrypted expired decryption key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: France Telecom
    Inventors: Julie Loc'H, David Arditi, Sylvie Camus
  • Patent number: 8670568
    Abstract: A computer platform is provided that comprises a processor and a cryptographic co-processor coupled to the processor. The computer platform further comprises a platform entity coupled to the processor. The platform entity establishes a secure relationship with the cryptographic co-processor that enables the platform entity to utilize cryptographic functions provided by the cryptographic co-processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wael M. Ibrahim, Graeme J. Proudler, Liqun Chen, Manuel Novoa
  • Patent number: 8670569
    Abstract: A method for checking availability of audio interface between a display apparatus and an AV apparatus in an AV system, and an AV apparatus using the same are provided. The checking includes transmitting a command to check an audio interface to a second AV apparatus where an audio from a first AV apparatus is output, and receiving a result of checking the audio interface in response to the command from the second AV apparatus. Therefore, a user can recognize whether or not an audio interface has a problem in an AV system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Si-hong Park
  • Patent number: 8670570
    Abstract: An device and method of generating environmental reverberation effects for digital audio signals is presented. The device includes a reverberation controller. The reverberation controller pre-processes one or more predetermined characteristics of a first audio signal to produce a pre-processed signal and generates a plurality of delayed outputs from the pre-processed signal, each output having a predetermined delay. The reverberation controller also produces a plurality of reflection outputs from the plurality of delayed outputs and combines the plurality of reflection outputs to produce a second audio signal having a desired reverberation response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific PTE., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wenbo Zong, Yuan Wu, Sapna George
  • Patent number: 8670571
    Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a noise cancellation system, the noise cancellation system being for use in a device comprising a speaker for receiving a wanted signal and generating a sound signal therefrom, and the noise cancellation system comprising: a digital filter, for generating a noise cancellation signal from an input signal representative of ambient noise; and an output for applying the noise cancellation signal to the speaker in addition to the wanted signal to generate a sound signal from which the ambient noise has been at least partially cancelled. The method comprises: determining a resonant frequency of the speaker; based on the determined resonant frequency, selecting a set of filter coefficients; and applying the selected set of filter coefficients to the digital filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Wolfson Microelectronics plc
    Inventor: Richard Clemow
  • Patent number: 8670572
    Abstract: The invention provides an analog-to-digital converter. In one embodiment, the analog-to-digital converter receives a first audio signal from a microphone, and comprises a coding selection module, a pre-amplifier, a 1-bit ?? modulator, and a signal coding module. The coding selection module receives a mode signal and a channel selection signal, and generates a control signal according to the mode signal and the channel selection signal. The pre-amplifier amplifies the first audio signal to obtain a second audio signal. The 1-bit ?? modulator converts the second audio signal from analog to digital to obtain a third audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Yung Shih, Jui-Te Chiu, Yann-Ming Way, Ching-Tzung Lin, Kuo-Hsuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8670573
    Abstract: A wireless communication system for use in aircraft includes a wireless headset having at least one ear cup with a housing. A first ultra wideband transceiver is disposed in the ear cup housing. A base station includes a second ultra wideband transceiver. The second ultra wideband transceiver wirelessly communicates with the first ultra wideband transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Lalin S. Theverapperuma, Darcy Zehnder, Talal Aly-Youssef
  • Patent number: 8670574
    Abstract: A sound volume adjuster includes: a storage which stores a first value of a volume setting value and an allowable maximum change amount; a receiver which receives a change request indicating a second value of the volume setting value; a determiner which, when a change amount of the volume setting value between the first value and the second value exceeds the allowable maximum change amount, determines that the change request is an excessive request; and an adjuster which, when the determiner determines that the change request is the excessive request: changes the first value stored in the storage by a change amount which is equal to or smaller than the allowable maximum change amount to set a third value of the volume setting value; and adjusts a sound volume by the third value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Taini Ito, Koichi Fuse
  • Patent number: 8670575
    Abstract: A method of processing an audio signal, comprising: receiving a downmix signal, a residual signal and object information; extracting at least one of a background-object signal and a foreground-object signal from the downmix signal using the residual signal; receiving mix information comprising gain control information for the background-object signal; generating a downmix processing information based on the object information and the mix information; and, generating a processed downmix signal comprising a modified background-object signal to which an adjusted gain corresponding to the gain control information is applied, by applying the downmix processing information to the at least one of the background-object signal and the foreground-object signal is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8670576
    Abstract: A method of processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving a downmix signal including at least one object signal and object information extracted when the downmix signal is generated, receiving mix information including mode selection information, the mix information for controlling the object signal, bypassing the downmix signal or extracting a background object and at least one independent object from the downmix signal, based on the mode selection information, and if the downmix signal is bypassed, generating multi-channel information using the object information and the mix information, wherein the downmix signal corresponds to a mono signal and wherein the mode selection information includes information indicating which one of modes including a normal mode, a mode for controlling the background object, and a mode for controlling the at least one independent object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8670577
    Abstract: A method for producing an electronically-simulated live musical performance, the method comprising providing morph-friendly solo tracks, morphing the morph-friendly solo tracks to produce a morphed track, and post-processing the morphed track. The method may also include combining the post-processed morphed track with one or more supporting tracks to produce an acoustic image for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Convey Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Batchelder, J. Samuel Batchelder
  • Patent number: 8670578
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 60 includes a piezoelectric element 10 expanding and contracting according to a state of an electric field, a pedestal 20, a vibration film 30, and a support member. In the vibration mode of the divided vibration occurring in the piezoelectric actuator in a high frequency band, one or more reinforcement members 50 are selectively disposed on an upper surface or a lower surface of the piezoelectric element 10, in a region where a node of divided vibration occurs. With such configurations, the vibration mode can be changed in the piezoelectric element 10. Therefore, in the frequency sound pressure level characteristics, the divided vibration causing hills or valleys (peaks or dips) can be effectively suppressed, thus enabling the achievement of flatness of frequency sound pressure level characteristics and of reproduction of excellent sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Onishi, Masatake Takahashi, Yasuhiro Sasaki, Shigeo Satou
  • Patent number: 8670579
    Abstract: A MEMS microphone includes a cover, a housing engaging with the cover for forming a cavity, at least one transducer accommodated in the cavity, and a conductive case covering the cover and the sidewall of the housing. The housing includes a cover and a sidewall extending from the base. The conductive case defines a first part covering the cover, a second part extending from the first part for covering the sidewall and a third part perpendicularly extending from the second part for covering a periphery part of the base, the third part forming an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhi-Jiang Wu, Xing-Fu Chen, Yong-Ze Su
  • Patent number: 8670580
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided, including a conductive substrate, an electret diaphragm, a plurality of spacers, a first electrode, and two second electrodes. The conductive substrate has a plurality of openings. The spacers are disposed between the conductive substrate and the electret diaphragm to define an acoustic projecting portion and two acoustic receiving portions on the electret diaphragm. The first electrode is disposed on the acoustic projecting portion and coupled with the conductive substrate for generating an acoustic signal. The second electrodes are disposed on the acoustic receiving portions and coupled with the conductive substrate, wherein the acoustic receiving portions receive the acoustic signal and vibrate to vary an electrical field between the second electrodes and the conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Fang-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 8670581
    Abstract: An electrostatic loudspeaker (ESL) assembly providing curvature in two directions for improved dispersion of sound waves. The ESL comprises at least one stator panel, a flexible diaphragm and a spacer that impedes contact between the stator panel and the diaphragm. The stator is formed from a material that comprises an array of apertures. Furthermore, the material can be annealed. The material temper, along with the aperture geometry and patter, affect the stretchability of the material. The two-axis curved structure enables a compact form of ESL to be realized, including bookshelf type loudspeakers whereas all known commercial units are comparable in height to that of a human listener. The individual curved ESL panels can also be readily combined to create larger transducer assemblies including omni-directional units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Murray R. Harman
  • Patent number: 8670582
    Abstract: A signal processing device comprising a signal processing unit for processing an electrical SPU-input signal comprising frequencies in the audible frequency range between a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency, and providing a processed SPU output signal. An FM to AM transformation unit transforms an FM2AM input signal originating from the SPU-input signal and comprising at least a part of the frequency range of the SPU-input signal from a frequency modulated signal to an amplitude modulated signal to provide an FM2AM output signal, which is used in the generation of the processed SPU output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Lunner, Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
  • Patent number: 8670583
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hearing aid system capable of increasing the clearness of sound spoken by a speaker while reproducing the incoming direction of the sound spoken by the speaker without using an inverse mapping rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Endo, Koichiro Mizushima, Takeo Kanamori
  • Patent number: 8670584
    Abstract: Among other things, embodiments of systems for assisting hearing for individuals are disclosed. A hand-carryable transceiver having inputs for sound or other audio signals is provided, with a transmitter for transmitting digital packets or signals with identifying information relating to the transmitter. An earpiece is adapted to receive the packets or signals from the transmitter, and direct signals to a speaker on the earpiece for hearing by an individual user. Methods for making and using the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Theodore F. Moran
  • Patent number: 8670585
    Abstract: Spherical sound source comprising two coaxial loudspeakers and two mid-high frequency compression drivers. Low frequencies are radiated by the two low-frequency sections of the coaxial loudspeakers. Mid-frequencies 500 Hz-2000 Hz are radiated by the two mid-high frequency compression drivers. High-frequencies 2 kHz-10 kHz are radiated in the horizontal plane by the same mid-high frequency arrangement together with two compression drivers of the coaxial loudspeakers in each vertical direction. Identical drivers form three pairs. One driver from each pair is enclosed in one of two symmetrically opposite half-embodiments, spaced at predetermined distance to create a common radially expanding horn for the two mid-high frequency compression drivers. All loudspeakers share the same vertical axis of rotational symmetry. The two half-embodiments might be used as separate standalone spherically radiating sources when installed on hard surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Plamen Ivanov Valtchev, Dimitar Kirilov Dimitrov
  • Patent number: 8670586
    Abstract: A plate attached to the back shell of an earphone includes an exit cavity corresponding in dimension to and aligned with a first opening through the back shell. A channel in the bottom surface of the plate begins at a point aligned with a second opening through the back shell and ends at an aperture through a side wall of the exit cavity. The channel and the outer surface of the back shell together form a reactive acoustic port from a back cavity enclosed by the back shell to the exit cavity, the first opening through the shell forms a resistive acoustic port from the back cavity to the exit cavity, and the exit cavity couples the reactive acoustic port and the resistive acoustic port to free space without introducing additional acoustic impedance. In some examples, a water-resistant screen covers the upper aperture of the exit cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Boyle, Kenneth D. Gagnon, Jonathan A. Knudsen, William Tice, Kevin J. Winter
  • Patent number: 8670587
    Abstract: A hat that allows the wearer to select and play one of a plurality of pre-recorded audio tracks at an event is disclosed. The hat has a visor or brim formed of two layers between which are disposed an electronic audio-playing module having a plurality of pre-recorded audio tracks, a speaker and a plurality of switches. By pressing the appropriate switch, the sound module is activated and plays the selected audio. The provision of multiple tracks allows the wearer to select and broadcast audio appropriate for the event and to play different audios in response to changing circumstances during the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Entertainment Headwear Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Townsend
  • Patent number: 8670588
    Abstract: This is directed to several handheld device components to be placed in a handheld device, as well as methods or systems for mounting or retaining components within the device. In particular, this is directed to a rigid shield used in an SMT process and securing connected flex connectors by adhering the flexes together. This is also directed to using foam in combination with a hard material to create an acoustic seal, or several layers of foam to create an acoustic and mechanical seal. This is also directed to selectively folding a sheet of material placed around a battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher Rothkopf, Brian Lynch, Wey-Jiun Lin, Kyle Yeates
  • Patent number: 8670590
    Abstract: An image processing device for improving the accuracy of optical flow calculation when an optical flow is calculated in a window unit. An image processing device for calculating an optical flow on the basis of image information within a window for a processing target using a plurality of images captured at different times includes position acquisition means which acquires position information of the processing target and setting means which sets a size of a window for calculating an optical flow on the basis of the position information acquired by the position acquisition means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naohide Uchida
  • Patent number: 8670591
    Abstract: A method for detecting terrain, through foliage, includes the steps of: receiving point cloud data in a three-dimensional (3D) space from an airborne platform, in which the point cloud data includes foliage that obscures the object; reformatting the point cloud data from the 3D space into a one-dimensional (1D) space to form a 1D signal; and decomposing the 1D signal using a wavelet transform (WT) to form a decomposed WT signal. The decomposed WT signal is reconstructed to form a low-pass filtered profile. The method classifies the low-pass filtered profile as terrain. The terrain includes a natural terrain, or a ground profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Mendez-Rodriguez, Pedro J. Sanchez-Reyes, Sol M. Cruz-Rivera, Gabriel Maladonado-Diaz
  • Patent number: 8670592
    Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle by segmenting an image generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the image, analyzing the image with a plurality of analysis methods to segment a region of the image that cannot represent the clear path of travel from a region of the image that can represent the clear path of travel, defining the clear path of travel based upon the analyzing, and utilizing the clear path of travel to navigate the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wende Zhang
  • Patent number: 8670593
    Abstract: An integration time dynamic control apparatus and method for dynamically controlling an integration time of a depth camera based on a motion of a depth image, are provided to improve an accuracy of the depth image. The integration time dynamic control apparatus may measure a motion of a depth image acquired from the depth camera, may determine whether the measured motion is greater than or equal to a reference value set in advance, and may control the integration time of the depth camera based on a result of the determination, thereby improving the accuracy of the depth image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Kyu Lee, Do Kyoon Kim, Kee Chang Lee, Byong Min Kang
  • Patent number: 8670594
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of plant breeding and concerns a method for determining the point at which a plant starts to flower. More specifically, the invention concerns a method for determining the start of flowering on an individual plant basis by measuring the reproductive structures of plants from digital images of these structures and deducing the start of flowering from the measurements and average growth rates. The invention also concerns apparatus for determining the start of flowering in plants, particularly in a high-throughput manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: CropDesign N.V.
    Inventors: Pierre Lejeune, Frederik Leyns
  • Patent number: 8670595
    Abstract: A road estimation device receives data including core points assigned along a road and assigned with attributes for identifying the road. An input unit inputs map data including links in a unit of a divided region being one of divided areas. When the core points cross a boundary of an indicated divided region to be indicated, a selection unit selects a processing object core point inside the indicated divided region from the core points in the map data. An extraction unit extracts candidate links being candidate of a road represented by the processing object core point from the map data according to attributes of the links and the attribute of the processing object core point for estimating the road on a map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taichi Satoh
  • Patent number: 8670596
    Abstract: A personal identification apparatus includes a finger inlet into which a finger inserted; an interface where the finger is introduced through the finger inlet; a plurality of light sources provided inside the interface to irradiate light to the finger from a plurality of directions; image pick-up units being respectively arranged opposite to the plurality of light sources and respectively capturing an image from light transmitted from the plurality of light sources through the finger; a unit for adjusting when the plurality of light sources transmit light onto the finger; and a unit for extracting blood vessel patterns contained in images captured by the image pick-up units from the light transmitted though the finger and collating each of the extracted blood vessel patterns with a registered blood vessel pattern for personal identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Miura, Akio Nagasaka, Takafumi Miyatake
  • Patent number: 8670597
    Abstract: A facial recognition search system identifies one or more likely names (or other personal identifiers) corresponding to the facial image(s) in a query as follows. After receiving the visual query with one or more facial images, the system identifies images that potentially match the respective facial image in accordance with visual similarity criteria. Then one or more persons associated with the potential images are identified. For each identified person, person-specific data comprising metrics of social connectivity to the requester are retrieved from a plurality of applications such as communications applications, social networking applications, calendar applications, and collaborative applications. An ordered list of persons is then generated by ranking the identified persons in accordance with at least metrics of visual similarity between the respective facial image and the potential image matches and with the social connection metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Petrou, Andrew Rabinovich, Hartwig Adam
  • Patent number: 8670598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for creating and/or processing an object signature of an object from a scene, wherein the object signature is designed to describe and/or identify the object, comprising a characteristic extraction unit (5) designed to extract at least one characteristic value of the object from the scene, and wherein the characteristic value can be displayed in a characteristics space of the characteristic. The device further comprises a coding unit (8) designed to code the characteristic value into an identification data unit, wherein the identification data unit forms part of the object signature, and wherein the identification data unit refers to a partial region of the characteristic space of the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Loos, Jan Karl Warzelhan
  • Patent number: 8670599
    Abstract: A fingerprint authentication apparatus and method which processes fingerprint data input through a plurality of fingerprint sensors and uses the processed fingerprint data in authentication to thereby increase security and performance. The fingerprint authentication apparatus includes a first sensor configured to acquire first fingerprint data from a user; a second sensor configured to acquire second fingerprint data that is different from the first fingerprint data; and a control unit configured to determine whether or not to authenticate the user based on similarities obtained from the comparison of each of the first fingerprint data and the second fingerprint data with registered fingerprint data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: SUPREMA Inc.
    Inventors: Jea-Won Lee, Bong-Seop Song, Young-Soo Moon, Ja-Sung Ku, Seong-Jik Lee, Dong-Mok Shin