Abstract: A system and method facilitating image smoothing is provided. The invention includes an image processor having an image receptor and an image smoother. The invention provides for the image smoother to alter the value of a don't care pixel based, at least in part, upon a weighted average of care pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved order fulfillment system. The system is provided with improved data entry system for selecting items for purchase by a customer, and an improved item collection terminal and order delivery system. The portable terminal to be used for collecting of items is provided with an audio as well as video presentation means which are used to provide assistance to the to terminal user.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring events of a plurality of members configured as an entity. Configurable event logging settings can be defined at a first member and dynamically propagated to each member of the entity to establish event logging configuration settings at each of the plurality of members. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method log different event types in accordance with configuration settings into a common event type data format at a plurality of members. The different event types can then be coalesced for the entire entity and returned to a requestor residing at a single location. Additionally, a unique identifier can be assigned to assist in monitoring of events. Also, to assist in monitoring, data that is common to all event types can be stored in a separate table from data specific to an event type.

Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for improving directory operations within a system providing an electronic hierarchical directory of items. The system includes a component which analyzes probabilities and utilities associated with determining potential target directories for storing and accessing data, and a component for building a subset of the potential target directories that are predicted to be the target directory. The probabilities and/or utilities are functions of expected navigation costs associated with traversing from a displayed directory to at least one of the potential target directories. Methods in accordance with the present invention can be coupled with displays of substructures that format the substructures into a coherent hierarchical view.

Abstract: A system and method for generating color gradients is provided. The system generates color gradients using techniques from geometric surface modeling. The system and method of the present invention allow designers to specify very complex gradients in a simple way. The system can employ, for example, a vector-based interpolation method and/or a pixel-based partial differential equation (PDE) interpolation methods to facilitate generation of the color gradients. In one example, input boundary curves and/or feature curves are approximated by line segments, which are then utilized to generate a triangulation approximating a smooth color gradient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate XML data communications and processing. A diffgram data structure is provided that includes one or more states of a plurality of data records. The state information can be determined by examining one or more data sources for differences from one or more reference data sources. If differences are detected between the data sources, the diffgram can be constructed in an XML compatible format with both previous state indications and current state indications that describes the state differences between the data sources. Error information and/or other administrative information or codes can also be provided to facilitate database management and/or processing.

Abstract: A method and system for multicast network transmissions dynamically sets response time parameters for handling negative acknowledgments (NAKs). When the sender receives a NAK for a lost packet, it returns an NAK confirmation (NCF), waits for a back-off time before sending requested repair data, and then waits for a “linger time” during which the sender does not respond to other NAKs for the same lost packet. The back-off time and the linger time are dynamically set according to the position of the requested sequence number in the sender's transmit window such that the back-off time is shorter when the requested data is closer to being flushed out of the transmit window. After receiving the NCF, the receiver waits for a timeout period and resends the NAK if no repair data is received. The timeout period for data receipt is dynamically set according to a statistical average time for receiving repair data from the sender and the estimated sender's transmit window size.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that facilitate semiconductor processing, including etch processes. The invention provides real-time two-dimensional etch rate control. Prior to starting an etch process, a control model is selected that relates to the etch process. A formula or function description is developed from the model and solved to obtain process parameter values that are predicted to produce the desired etch rates. During the fabrication etch process, critical dimension measurements of a polysilicon gate are obtained. From these measurements, the etch process is modified so as to achieve a desired horizontal etch rate and a desired vertical etch rate. The etch process results in a polysilicon gate having a desired rectangular profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating material-driven processing in an industrial controller environment. Various models supported by database objects are provided to automatically and dynamically map inventory systems/processes to control systems/process such as in batch or recipe operations. A material model is provided that tracks to an inventory database and includes such aspects as defining material types and containers to house such materials. An area model maps the material model to possible units and equipment modules to process the materials. These models include phased-based parameters that define amounts of material that flow into and out of a determined area for processing the materials. Before, during and/or after automated manufacturing operations, object binding operations occur between material-based servers associated with an inventory system and batch servers associated with a process-control system.

Abstract: A system that facilitates in situ determination of lubricity in a fluid comprises a multi-element sensor positioned within a machine, wherein the multi-element sensor obtains data regarding a plurality of parameters of a fluid. A component calculates lubricity of the fluid based at least in part upon the measured parameters.

Abstract: Dynamic pagination for electronic documents, such as electronic books, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method first processes a document made up of at least text, as a number of segments. Second, the method determines a number of page breaks within a predetermined segment. This segment, for example, may be entered into the memory of a viewing device, such as an electronic book device. Third, the method renders a predetermined page within the predetermined segment, and finally displays the predetermined page. For example, the page can be displayed on a display device such as a flat-panel display of an electronic book device.

Abstract: An improved raster engine adapted to render video data from a frame buffer to one of a plurality of disparate displays is disclosed which comprises an integral bounded video signature analyzer, a hardware cursor apparatus supporting dual scanned displays, programmatic support for multiple disparate display types, multi-mode programmable hardware blinking, programmable multiple color depth digital display interface, and programmable matrix controlled grayscale generation.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies for fabrication of a memory cell or array are disclosed. The memory cell employs a functional zone with passive and active layers. Such passive and active layers facilitate electron migration, and allow a plurality of states for the memory cell. A memory device formed in accordance with the disclosed methodology can include a top-electrode formed over the functional layer, which in turn over lays a lower conductive layer.

Abstract: A path for a linear motor system includes routing system between a trunk of the path and two or more branches. The routing system is operative to couple the trunk with a selected branch to enable a stage to travel between the trunk and the selected branch. The routing system includes armature windings that may be energized to effect movement of the stage in a desired direction between the trunk and the selected branch.

Abstract: A machine diagnostic system for on-line diagnosis of a machine including a package for a machine diagnostic module that collects data relating to operation of the machine. The package is mounted to an outer mounting surface of the machine and includes a container which contains the machine diagnostic module. The package further includes a heat dissipation device between the container and the outer mounting surface of the machine which dissipates heat generated by the machine into surrounding air thereby minimizing heat transfer to the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing the image acquisition time in a digital imaging device by processing segments of the image through an image processing pipeline and storing the processed image segments. Processing segments of the image allows the digital imaging device to write processed data segments to a storage medium while other image segments are being processed. Any portion of the image processing pipeline may be divided to perform parallel processing on the image segments to increase processing speed.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a list is provided. The system includes a seed item input subsystem, an item identifying subsystem, a descriptive metadata similarity determining subsystem and a list generating subsystem that builds a list based, at least in part, on similarity processing performed on seed item descriptive metadata and user item descriptive metadata and user selected thresholds applied to such similarity processing. The method includes inexact matching between identifying metadata associated with new user items and identifying metadata stored in a reference metadata database. The method further includes subjecting candidate user items to similarity processing, where the degree to which the candidate user items are similar to the seed item is determined, and placing user items in a list of items based on user selected preferences for (dis)similarity between items in the list and the seed item.

Abstract: A system and method facilitating image retouching is provided. The invention includes an image retoucher having a boundary detector and an image extender. The invention provides for the image retoucher to extend care pixels of at least one of a foreground and a background near a detected spurious boundary by altering the binary mask used for compression of the foreground and/or the background.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pesticide delivery system, containing a continuous film having a thickness from about 1 ?m to about 1,000 ?m and noncontinuous areas having sizes less than about 100 ?m, the continuous film containing a particulate material wherein at least 90% by weight of the particulate material has a particle size of about 10 microns or less, and a pest control agent at least partially coating the particulate material.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a communication port integral with a battery pack assembly is disclosed. The system provides a pathway between an external unit and a host unit via a printed circuit board of the battery pack. The battery pack can include communication ports mounted on the printed circuit board for interfacing with external units. The printed circuit board further includes a substrate(s) formed with a predetermined wiring pattern electrically and/or mechanically joined to the CPU of the host unit, as well as the battery cell(s).