Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
  • Patent number: 8848862
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for inverse geometry volume computed tomography medical imaging of a human patient. A plurality of stationary x-ray sources for producing x-ray radiation are used. A rotating collimator located between the plurality of x-ray sources and the human patient is also used. A rotating detector can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Joseph Anthony Heanue, Waldo Stephen Hinshaw, Edward Gerald Solomon, Brian Patrick Wilfley
  • Patent number: 8848863
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-rayimage acquisition technology in general. Employing phase-contrast imaging for X-rayimage acquisition may significantly enhance the visibility of structures in images acquired. However, phase-contrast information may only be obtainable in a small detector region with subsequent image acquisitions requiring individual phase stepping states to allow reconstruction of an X-ray image. Accordingly, a grating arrangement for phase-contrast imaging is provided which may allow on the fly phase stepping during a field of view scan. According to the present invention a grating arrangement (1) for phase-contrast imaging is provided, comprising a first grating element (8) and a second grating element (10). Each of the first grating element (8) and the second grating element (10) comprises a trench structure. The trench structure comprises at least one trench region (9) and at least one barrier region (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Sebastian Schusser, Gereon Vogtmeier
  • Patent number: 8848864
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tomosynthesis system in which the maintenance is easily performed. The tomosynthesis system of the present disclosure includes a vacuum chamber, a plurality of X-ray sources configured to be coupled to the vacuum chamber so as to protrude from the vacuum chamber to generate X-rays in a direction of a subject, and an image sensor configured to detect an X-ray projection image that passes through the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jin Woo Jeong, Yoon Ho Song
  • Patent number: 8848865
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing apparatus includes a compression member, which is displaceable with respect to a holding member that holds a target object to be examined. The compression member is displaced toward the holding member for compressing the target object held by the holding member while the compression member is tilted with respect to the holding member along lateral directions of the target object as viewed in front elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8848866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Patent number: 8848867
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for adaptive exposure in imaging systems. An x-ray source for producing x-ray radiation and an x-ray detector for measuring amount of x-ray radiation passing through the human patient and striking the detector can be used. A tomographic image of the human patient or a tomosynthetic image of the human patient can be generated. Region of interest filtering and equalization filtering can be utilized. Filtering can be accomplished with a mechanical shield or shutter or with electronic control of the x-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Funk, Steve Denis Burion, Kate Leeann Bechtel, Joseph Anthony Heanue, Brian Patrick Wilfley, Augustus Percival Lowell
  • Patent number: 8848868
    Abstract: An X-ray system including an X-ray source generating X-rays, an X-ray receptor receiving the X-rays and generating X-ray images, a patient satellite and a server connected to the X-ray source, the X-ray receptor and the patient satellite. The patient satellite is secured to a patient positioned between the X-ray source and the X-ray receptor and includes an angular orientation sensor and a distance sensor. The angular orientation sensor detects an angular orientation of the patient and outputs a signal to an operator allowing the operator to position the patient with respect to the X-ray source and the X-ray receptor so as to eliminate an angular distortion in the X-ray images. The distance sensor measures a distance between the patient and the X-ray receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Albert Davydov, Peter Usov
  • Patent number: 8848869
    Abstract: Embodiments provide method and systems for determining alignment of a patient's body part, such as an eye, in an external coordinate system of a treatment or diagnostic device, such as a radiotherapy device, so as to define a reference axis for guiding device operation. Additional embodiments provide image-based methods and systems for aligning, tracking and monitoring motion of a body part and a treatment target in relation to a radiation beam axis. Particular ophthalmic embodiments provide method and systems including an eye-contact guide device and imaging system for aligning and tracking motion of an eye and ocular treatment target in relation to an orthovoltage X-ray beam axis, so as to monitor application of radiation to a lesion, such as a macular lesion of the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gertner, Mark Arnoldussen, Erik Chell, Steven D. Hansen, Matt Herron, Igor Koruga, Junzhong Liang
  • Patent number: 8848870
    Abstract: An X-ray optical configuration for irradiation of a sample (1) with an X-ray beam having a line-shaped cross-section, wherein the configuration contains an X-ray source (2) and a beam-conditioning X-ray optics, is characterized in that the X-ray source (2) comprises a brilliant point source (4) and the X-ray optics comprises an X-ray optical element (3) which conditions X-ray light emitted by the point source in such a fashion that the X-ray beam is rendered parallel in one direction perpendicular to the beam propagation direction and remains divergent in a direction which is perpendicular thereto and also to the beam propagation direction. An X-ray optical element of this type enables use of both point-shaped and line-shaped beam geometries without complicated and time-consuming conversion work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bruker AXS GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Bruegemann, Carsten Michaelsen, Keisuke Saito
  • Patent number: 8848871
    Abstract: The energy of an X-ray beam and critical depth are selected to detect structural discontinuities in a material having an atomic number Z of 57 or greater. The critical depth is selected by adjusting the geometry of a collimator that blocks backscattered radiation so that backscattered X-ray originating from a depth less than the critical depth is not detected. Structures of Lanthanides and Actinides, including nuclear fuel rod materials, can be inspected for structural discontinuities such as gaps, cracks, and chipping employing the backscattered X-ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Chapman, John E. Gunning, Daniel F. Hollenbach, Larry J. Ott, Daniel Shedlock
  • Patent number: 8848872
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital radiography system which provides detachable and portable flat panel detectors (hereinafter, referred to as ‘electronic cassettes’) and transreceives data recorded in the electronic cassettes in on-line through a network. The digital radiography system includes bucky trays on which a plurality of portable electronic cassettes is detachably mounted, and a workstation connected with the bucky trays through communication to identify the plurality of portable electronic cassettes mounted on the bucky trays and to download pre-processing files of the identified electronic cassettes through the network or a portable storage device or to store files, generated by the plurality of electronic cassettes, in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Jong In Lee
  • Patent number: 8848873
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system can include an X-ray tube, an X-ray generator, a precharging module and a triaxial cable. The X-ray tube can be configured to generate an X-ray emission and include an anode, a cathode and a filament. The X-ray generator can be coupled with the X-ray tube and include a high voltage module and a low voltage module. The high voltage module can be being configured to supply a dosing voltage across the X-ray tube and the low voltage module can be configured to supply a dosing current to the filament. The precharging module can be configured to supply a precharge voltage. The triaxial cable can electrically connect the X-ray generator to the X-ray tube. The outer shield conductor of the triaxial cable can carry a ground voltage, the inner shield conductor can carry the precharge voltage and the center conductor can carry the dosing voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric V. Duhamel
  • Patent number: 8848874
    Abstract: A system provides recovery from an X-ray system C-arm and patient table collision. A collision recovery system enables a user to recover from a collision or near collision of movable components of an X-ray imaging system including a movable C-arm hosting an X-ray emitter and detector. The system includes a C-arm position tracking processor for automatically recording C-arm position data indicating a valid stationary position of a C-arm and a path from the valid stationary position to an invalid position of the C-arm enabling retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A user interface enables a user to initiate retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A C-arm is movable to retrace the path to the valid stationary position using the recorded C-arm data in response to user command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Soroosh Kargar, Weng Lei
  • Patent number: 8848875
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the prevention of high voltage instabilities within X-ray tubes. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a stationary member, and a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube also includes a liquid metal bearing material disposed in a space between the shaft and the sleeve, a seal disposed adjacent to the space to seal the liquid metal bearing material in the space, and an enhanced surface area material disposed on a side of the seal axially opposite the space and configured to trap within the enhanced surface area material liquid metal bearing material that escapes the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Donald Robert Allen, Kenwood Dayton, Andrew Triscari
  • Patent number: 8848876
    Abstract: According to a radiographic apparatus of this invention, parameters obtained on an assumption that an X-ray tube 2 is moved Wd×m, which is an integral multiple of pixel pitch Wd, in a B? direction opposite to B+ direction which is a direction of movement by Y-direction adjust screws of a moving mechanism, are corrected as parameters obtained when X-rays are emitted from the X-ray tube 2 in a state of a grid 6 having been moved Wd×m by the Y-direction adjust screws. This allows only the grid 6 to be moved without moving the X-ray tube 2. Therefore, parameters equivalent to the parameters which should be obtained when the X-ray tube 2 is moved are obtained by moving the grid 6, and position shifting can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shoji Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8848877
    Abstract: An emergency responder reply system (ERRS) and method are disclosed that minimize, and in many instances eliminate, the delays frequently associated with responding to emergency and other events requiring response services. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a telephonic response from a responder to a dispatch for services; obtaining information about the responder from which a telephonic response has been received; and providing the information via an Internet-based web portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: IAM Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Seidberg, Bradley M. Pinsky
  • Patent number: 8848878
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating emergency callbacks are provided. A request to permit the connection of a telephone call originated by a user device may be received by a call processing system. The call processing system may include any number of computers or computing devices. The telephone call may be identified by the call processing system as an emergency call. Based upon the identification, the call processing system may override one or more incoming call parameters to permit connection of a return call to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Timm Peddie, Michael Poffenberger
  • Patent number: 8848879
    Abstract: The present invention provides a feature for phones and other communication devices. More particularly, the feature allows a user to customize the notification for an incoming call or contact. The customization may be based on the user's recent communication history with the user currently calling. This allows the user receiving the call to determine its possible importance prior to answering the call or even identifying the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Coughlan, Ralph Warta, Peter D. Runcie, Ciaran Gannon, Alexander Forbes
  • Patent number: 8848880
    Abstract: In one aspect, a communication system allows telephone users to roam between cellular and broadband domains and obtain equivalent level of service and features in the broadband network as in the cellular network. For example, such users can make use of Push-To Talk service, as well as continuous telephone call service, independent of which domain they are connected through. In another aspect, users can pass messages, including voice messages, or establish two-way voice communication between disparate push-to-talk (PTT) or messaging and/or voice systems. For example, a user on a cellular network using a PTT service is able to communicate with a user on a data network using an IM service. In addition, information is passed between the systems to provide coordinated presence information for users. For example, a user can have presence information in multiple networks enabling users form different networks to communication with that user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgeport Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Wiatrak, Ivan Dean Bogdanovic
  • Patent number: 8848881
    Abstract: A method for accessing and browsing the interne through the use of a telephone and the associated DTMF signals is disclosed. The preferred embodiment provides a system that converts the information content of a web page from text to speech (voice signals), signals the hyperlink selections of a web page in an audio manner, and allows selection of the hyperlinks through the use of DTMF signals generated from a telephone keypad. Upon receiving a DTMF signal corresponding to a hyperlink, the corresponding web page is fetched and again delivered to the user via one of the available delivery methods such as voice, fax-on-demand, electronic mail, or regular mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventors: Kyung H. Rhie, Richard J. Kwan, Lee E. Olsen, John S. Hahn
  • Patent number: 8848882
    Abstract: A system for and method of monitoring caller interactions during a call session is presented. The system and method for monitoring caller interaction may include receiving information from a call session between a caller and an automated voice portal system via a communication network, monitoring caller interaction points accumulated during the call session, comparing a sum of caller interaction points accumulated during the call session with the automated voice portal system with the caller interaction threshold, and taking one or more actions in response to the sum of the caller interaction points exceeds the caller interaction threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Sumit Kumar Mukherjee, Vishal Bhasin, Prateek Mehrotra, Kannan Venugopal
  • Patent number: 8848883
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first customer premises equipment device, an indication of an incoming call. The indication is received in response to a call signal of the incoming call being received at a second customer premises equipment device from a session initiation protocol agent associated with the second customer premises equipment. The call signal is received when the second customer premises equipment device is engaged in a call. The call is distinct from the incoming call. The method includes, in response to receiving the indication, storing, at the first customer premises equipment device, a voice message from a calling party. The voice message is associated with the call signal of the incoming call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Goangshiuan Shawn Ying, Eugene L. Edmon
  • Patent number: 8848884
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for compiling electronic identifiers is provided. In one embodiment a computer-based engine is provided that includes a processor and two communication gateways. The first communication gateway connects to a plurality of first-type communication devices. The second communication gateway connects to a plurality of second-type communication devices. The processor is configured to randomly connect to at least one of the first-type communication devices and receive input representing an address of at least one of the second-type communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Forum Research Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher George Bandak
  • Patent number: 8848885
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a device information communication method applied to a video display device, includes: obtaining device information on a device being connected to the video display device; controlling an outgoing call to a communication partner and an incoming call from the communication partner; and sending the device information to the communication partner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Fujihito Numano
  • Patent number: 8848886
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying information to a user of a telephone during a telephone call may include requesting information from a plurality of applications in response to receiving data indicative of a telecommunications device during a telephone call. The information may include information associated with a second user of the telecommunications device. The information received from the applications may be displayed for the first user to view during the telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Victoria M. Toner, Johnny Hawkins, Rich Schermerhorn, Shekhar Gupta, Mike A. Roberts, Koushik Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 8848887
    Abstract: A device receives ordered call routing lists, receives information about a call, from an originating location, to a terminating location of a network, and determines a jurisdictional index for the call based on the originating and terminating locations and based on jurisdiction definitions of carriers associated with the network. The device also selects a route list from the ordered call routing lists based on the determined jurisdictional index and based on the terminating location, selects a route from the selected route list, and provides routing instructions to network elements associated with the selected route, where the call is routed to the terminating location via the selected route and based on the routing instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Willman
  • Patent number: 8848888
    Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide charging for long duration sessions. A charging data system of the communication network receives interim accounting request messages from a network element that is serving a session. The charging data system identifies interim timestamps for the interim accounting request messages, and stores the interim timestamps. After a time period during the long duration session, the charging data system generates a partial CDR. The charging data system then inserts duration information for the long duration session in the partial CDR based on the stored interim timestamps, and transmits the partial CDR to a correlation system. The correlation system may then calculate a total duration for the session based on the duration information in the partial CDR. Even if a start/stop timestamp is not available, the correlation system may estimate the total duration of the session based on the interim timestamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Yigang Cai
  • Patent number: 8848889
    Abstract: An embodiment according to the invention provides automatic discovery, via Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Voice Biometrics, of the identification of a caller, when the caller is making a phone call from, for example, a residential line. The caller may, for example, initiate a phone call by voice request to a computer or other device. The device initiates the call, but rather than using the conventional technique of determining Calling Name via lookup to the Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) database, the embodiment uses a technique of ASR in tandem with voice or other biometrics to recognize who within the residence is making the call, and to use the name associated with the requesting caller's voiceprint for determining the Calling Name to display to the called party. Other forms of biometrics, such as image biometrics (e.g., facial or iris biometrics), may alternatively be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Wood, Russell Vetrano
  • Patent number: 8848890
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for routing an incoming call includes receiving an incoming call addressed to a single phone number associated with a plurality of users at a network routing device. The method further includes determining, by the network routing device, an incoming caller identifier associated with the incoming call and determining, by the network routing device whether the incoming caller identifier matches at least one caller identifier in a caller list associated with at least one particular user of the plurality of users. If the caller identifier matches a caller identifier in a caller list associated with the particular user, the incoming call is routed, by the network routing device, to at least one telephone associated with the particular user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Mike A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8848891
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing caller identification services to an Internet Protocol-enabled device are provided. The method includes receiving a communication request from a caller device over a voice network, the communication request including a caller party number, mapping a called party number to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of a called party, and sending the caller party number to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address corresponding to the called party number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Cassanova, James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr., Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 8848892
    Abstract: The present invention relates to contact list with means to attach memo to contact list entry. Memo comprises of one or more of data, voice, image, and video files. Memo is displayed on communication device when corresponding contact list entry is activated, such as when contact list entry is selected to initiate outgoing communication; and when incoming communication is received from entity corresponding to contact list entry. Present invention provides users means to remember desired conversation points at the time communication is initiated with an entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Nitesh Ratnakar
  • Patent number: 8848893
    Abstract: A method for callback processing in telecommunication capability opening, a telecommunication capability opening server, a client, and a telecommunication capability opening service system are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a telecommunication capability application programming interface (API) call request sent by a client, where the telecommunication capability API call request includes a callback information parameter; performing callback processing according to the telecommunication capability API call request, and generating a callback message according to the callback information parameter; and pushing the callback message to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhihong Qiu, Youliang Yan, Wangbin Zhu, Hongbo Jin, Wenyang Zang
  • Patent number: 8848894
    Abstract: A system includes a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to a PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his/her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. The TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the subscriber's central office. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number. When the second call is answered, the answering phone is connected by the TAC to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Focal IP, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel F. Wood, Jerry A. Klein, Margaret Susan Asprey
  • Patent number: 8848895
    Abstract: A system for and method of providing a gateway transfer mechanism is presented. In one exemplary embodiment, the system and method of providing a gateway transfer mechanism may be realized as a method, comprising identifying, at a gateway, a call to be routed to a first location, determining whether to transfer the call to a second location, in the event the call is to be transferred to the second location, transferring the call, wherein transferring the call comprises ending a process to route the call to the first location, generating transfer information for the second location, and transferring the call to the second location using the generated transfer information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant B. Desai, Juan M. Vasquez, Meyuresh M. Hegde, Parind S. Poi, Haridas Bhogade
  • Patent number: 8848896
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a message-based notifying method for notifying a waiting queue and an application server, wherein the method includes: sending, by a calling terminal, a call request to a called terminal; forwarding, by an application server, to the called terminal the call request sent from the calling terminal, and determining from a response message returned from the called terminal whether the called terminal is in an idle status; and if the called terminal is in a busy status, then adding by the application server the calling terminal into a waiting enqueuing queue of the called terminal, and sending to the calling terminal a waiting notification message containing a waiting queue value corresponding to the calling terminal; or if the called terminal is in an idle status, then establishing directly a communication connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: China Mobile Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Jianming Zhou, Congxing Ouyang, Jinglei Liu
  • Patent number: 8848897
    Abstract: An automated multimedia call center device may receive a verbal request for information from a user device during a multimedia session between the automated multimedia call center device and the user device. The automated multimedia call center device may further obtain a group of recognition results for the verbal request using speech recognition, cause at least two recognition results of the group of recognition results to be visually displayed on the user device, receive selection of one recognition result of the at least two recognition results, perform a search using the selected one recognition result to obtain multimedia content, and provide the multimedia content to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Schultz, Robert A. Sartini
  • Patent number: 8848898
    Abstract: Aspects of systems and methods for maintaining and operating agent nodes are provided. In some embodiments, calls, contacts, and other work units may be routed to individual customer service agents via a centralized queue based on a variety of factors. Some embodiments may provide market-based call pricing and customer service agent compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon R. Jay, Jeremy A. Dashe, Yung-Chun Lin, Kenneth C. Macfarlane, Eric S. Stone, Paul Sharpe, Nate Glissmeyer
  • Patent number: 8848899
    Abstract: An operator network is capable of routing incoming customer care calls to specific customer care representatives based on a subscriber profile and customer service representative (CSR) skill set. The device profile is retrieved from the mobile handset while the incoming customer care call is in a queue waiting to be connected to a CSR. The retrieved device profile is also used to determine an appropriate CSR to handle an incoming customer care call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brunet, Ian Collins, Yousuf Chowdhary, Bindu Rama Rao
  • Patent number: 8848900
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for updating customer service agent skillset definitions within a customer relationship management system. According to one embodiment, updating a skillset definition for an agent in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can comprise defining an initial skillset for the agent including indications of areas of expertise for which the agent is available to handle related customer requests. A request can be received from the agent to update the initial skillset definition to indicate a new area of expertise for which the agent wishes to be considered qualified. A determination can be made as to whether the agent is qualified for the new area of expertise. In response to determining the agent is qualified, the skillset for the agent can be updated to indicate the agent is qualified to begin handling customer requests related to the new area of expertise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Farmer
  • Patent number: 8848901
    Abstract: A call-center has agents using headsets, which are connected to a private business exchange (PBX). Noise cancellation occurs in a noise filter, within or connected to the PBX. Noise cancellation for a particular agent's conversation is achieved by receiving the voice signals from neighboring agents' headsets and by using adaptive noise cancellation in the noise filter to remove the other agents' conversations from the particular agent's conversation. Microphones may also be placed at other noise sources, such as HVAC equipment, so that offending noises are accurately received at the noise filter and removed from the agents' conversations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric John Diethorn
  • Patent number: 8848902
    Abstract: A headphone device includes: two output units for outputting playback audio which has been played back; a contact determination unit determining the occurrence of contact with respect to a telephone device; a first audio-collecting unit for collecting call voice generated from the telephone device; a second audio-collecting unit for collecting ambient external sound; and an output audio control unit performing control so that the call voice is outputted from one output unit of the two output units and the external sound is outputted from the other output unit when it is determined that contact has occurred by the contact determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Chisato Kemmochi, Shiro Suzuki, Kyosuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8848903
    Abstract: A side channel attack resistance evaluation apparatus includes: a measurement section that measures side channel information leaking from an encryption device to be evaluated; a noise removal section that removes noise from the measured side channel information using a band-pass filter (BPF); a passband determination section that determines the passband of the band-pass filter; and a DSCA (Differential Side-Channel Analysis) evaluation section that evaluates resistance against the differential side channel analysis. The passband determination section preferably has a DFT processing section and a power spectrum analysis section, or has a DFT processing and a DFA processing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Hisakado, Noritaka Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8848904
    Abstract: The replacement of secret keys is a central problem in key management. Typical solutions exchange handshaking messages, involve complex computations, or require the cooperation of trusted third parties. Disclosed herein is a key replacement method that exploits the randomness of Markov models to efficiently provide fresh keys to users. Unlike other methods, the proposed method removes the need for extra communications, intensive computation, or third parties. It is demonstrated that the proposed method has perfect forward secrecy as well as resistance to known-key attacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park, The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John S. Baras, Paul L. Yu, Brian M. Sadler
  • Patent number: 8848905
    Abstract: Deterrence of device subversion by substitution may be achieved by including a cryptographic fingerprint unit within a computing device for authenticating a hardware platform of the computing device. The cryptographic fingerprint unit includes a physically unclonable function (“PUF”) circuit disposed in or on the hardware platform. The PUF circuit is used to generate a PUF value. A key generator is coupled to generate a private key and a public key based on the PUF value while a decryptor is coupled to receive an authentication challenge posed to the computing device and encrypted with the public key and coupled to output a response to the authentication challenge decrypted with the private key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Hamlet, Todd M. Bauer, Lyndon G. Pierson
  • Patent number: 8848906
    Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module encrypting a plurality of data segments of the data using a plurality of encryption keys to produce a plurality of encrypted data segments and generating a plurality of deterministic values from the plurality of encrypted data segments. The method continues with the DS processing module establishing a data intermingling pattern and generating a plurality of masked keys by selecting one or more of the plurality of deterministic values in accordance with the data intermingling pattern and performing a masking function on the plurality of encryption keys and the selected one or more of the plurality of deterministic values. The method continues with the DS processing module appending the plurality of masked keys to the plurality of encrypted data segments to produce a plurality of secure data packages and outputting the plurality of secure data packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Grube, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 8848907
    Abstract: One embodiment is a computer program product for processing information to obtain an HMAC, comprising: by using a padding circuit, generating first key data by adding 0 with respect to secret key data, setting the secret key data as second key data, or generating third key data by adding 0 with respect to a first digest value, according to comparison result of a second key length and a block length of the hash function, and performing an exclusive OR operation with a second constant with respect to one of the first key data, the second key data, and the third key data to calculate first data; by using a hash calculation circuit, obtaining the first digest value, and obtaining a second digest value, by using a holding circuit, storing the secret key data or the first digest value; and by using a control unit, managing a processing state for calculating the HMAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Koichi Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 8848908
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether secret information that should not be transmitted to a web server is contained in an HTML file provided by a web server. A web browser does not transmit the secret information determined by the determination unit to the web server. A job control unit executes a device function using the secret information that is not transmitted to the web server according to determination by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kousuke Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8848909
    Abstract: Systems (100) and methods for selectively controlling access to data streams communicated from a first communication device (FCD) using a timeslotted shared frequency spectrum and shared spreading codes. Protected data signals (1301, . . . , 130S) are modulated to form first modulated signals (1321, . . . , 132S). The first modulated signals are combined with first chaotic spreading codes to form digital chaotic signals. The digital chaotic signals are additively combined to form a protected data communication signal (PDCS). The PDCS (136) and a global data communication signal (GDCS) are time division multiplexed to form an output communication signal (OCS). The OCS (140) is transmitted from FCD (102) to a second communication device (SCD) over a communications channel. The SCD (106, 108, 110) is configured to recover (a) only global data from the OCS, or (b) global data and at least some protected data from the OCS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Alan J. Michaels, David B. Chester
  • Patent number: 8848910
    Abstract: A system includes an HDCP-over-USB controller including an HDCP module for encrypting or decrypting video data according to an HDCP standard prior to transmission or display of said video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Luke Mulcahy
  • Patent number: 8848911
    Abstract: Provided is a content receiving device that can reduce processing loads at a time when an encrypted stream is decrypted. A video recording and reproducing device 5 includes: a receiving section 20 that receives a video stream in which data of a content containing video is divided into a plurality of TS packets; an extraction section 23 that extracts from the video stream, in a case where the video stream received by the receiving section 20 is an encrypted stream, a scramble key for decrypting the encrypted stream; a decryption section 24 that decrypts, by using the scramble key, only a specific packet among the plurality of TS packets; and an obtaining section 25 that obtains predetermined information of the video stream, based on data decrypted by the decryption section 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Honke, Shinya Uemachi, Yoshinori Matsuda