Abstract: A system for evaluating a noise management module of a vehicle includes a controller programmed to filter speaker signals from the noise management module using an auralization model to produce auralized sound signals that create a spatial effect to simulate sound in the vehicle at a predetermined position within the vehicle that is different than the positions corresponding to microphones used by the noise management module.

Abstract: A system may include a cloud-based virtual machine connected to multiple virtual hard drives and associated with a guest of a first datacenter. A recovery management server may, substantially simultaneously for each virtual hard drive, create an Infrastructure-as-a-Service snapshot of data on the virtual hard drive without utilizing an agent of the virtual machine. The recovery management server may also directly replicate the snapshot of data for each virtual hard drive at a second datacenter, which may be geographically remote from the first datacenter, without re-creating Input Output (“IO”) operations for each virtual hard drive via a log file. Upon an indication of failure of the first datacenter, the recovery management server may arrange to have each virtual hard drive's replicated snapshot of data be consumed by a recovery service for the guest at the second datacenter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to deferring delivery of non-Internet Protocol (IP) data in a wireless communication system via a Non-IP Data Delivery (NIDD) procedure based on a power source status of a serving Radio Access Network (RAN) node of a target wireless device. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node comprises receiving, from an exposure function, a NIDD request comprising data from an application server to be delivered to a wireless device via a NIDD procedure. The method further comprises making a determination as to whether to deliver the data to the wireless device via the NIDD procedure based on a power source status of a RAN node associated with the wireless device. In this manner, delivery of the non-IP data can be deferred depending on the power source status of the RAN node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically matching a plurality of resistors to a sensor are disclosed. In the method and apparatus, a switching block of a plurality of switching blocks receives a plurality of selection signals. The switching block is coupled to a resistor array having a plurality of resistors that are coupled in series and arranged in a closed loop. Each two resistors are coupled to each other by a respective resistor node of a plurality of resistor nodes. The switching block of the plurality of switching blocks has a plurality of input nodes and an output node, where the output node is coupled to the respective resistor node of the plurality of resistor nodes. In the method and apparatus, the switching block couples an input node of the plurality of input nodes to the output node based on the selection signals.

Abstract: A method utilizes event-driven reoptimization to reallocate one or more logical partitions within a pool of logically-partitioned data processing systems in a logically-partitioned computing environment in response to detection of a system event that is likely to increase or decrease the collective resource demands of logical partitions resident in a logically-partitioned computing environment. The reoptimization may be used to consolidate logical partitions on fewer processor nodes to improve the potential for powering down hardware resources and thereby reduce power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing a box cover to a watthour meter socket box. In certain embodiments, the apparatus has a clamping member that fits over a wall of a meter box and a lock housing that locks to the clamping member after a box cover has been installed thereby securing the cover to the box. Further embodiments relate to a clamping member and a lock housing wherein the clamping member generally comprises a clamp, clamp actuating member, and fastening shelf, and wherein the clamp actuating member may comprise a lever or threaded member to attach the clamping member to a wall of a meter box base. The box cover is secured to the meter box base when the clamping member is secured to the wall and used in combination with the lock housing and a locking shaft.

Abstract: An E-signing workflow enables an E-document to be signed by multiple parties including a document signer and a third-party, such as a guarantor. The E-signing workflow employs various online detours that enable addition of third parties to an E-document. The E-signing workflow enables a complete audit trail to be easily and automatically developed for a document sender and signers, and associated with a particular E-document. Privacy concerns are addressed by way of secure electronic communications that take place between the parties within the E-signing workflow. The E-signing workflow reduces reliance on e-mail for document execution insofar as most if not all relevant activities in the E-signing workflow take place within the workflow and result in storage of the E-document and all relevant information within the E-signing solution itself.

Abstract: Security devices including a lock, shroud, and plug are described. In embodiments the security devices include a shroud that includes a shroud sidewall having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. The security devices further include a lock that includes a barrel, wherein the lock is integral with or coupled to the shroud to define a shroud cavity between an outward facing surface of the barrel and the inward facing surface of the shroud sidewall. The plug includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a plug sidewall receivable within the shroud cavity. The plug sidewall includes an inward facing surface defining a plug cavity configured to receive the barrel of the lock therein. Such security devices may be advanced from an assembly state to an unlocked state, and may then be reversibly moved between the unlocked state and the locked state. Security device kits are also described.

Abstract: An electronic system having a linear voltage regulator and method of operating the linear voltage regulator. A linear voltage regulator of an electronic system has at least three ballast devices. The method of operating includes producing a voltage at an output terminal that is electrically coupled to a node of a first one of the three or more ballast devices; receiving a power mode indication; activating a first additional ballast device of the linear voltage regulator to add first additional capacitance to a load corresponding to the power mode; generating one or more successively delayed ballast control signals based at least in part on the power mode indication; and activating, using the successively delayed ballast control signals, second additional ballast devices of the linear voltage regulator to add second capacitances to the load of the linear voltage regulator.

Abstract: An electronic system having a linear voltage regulator and method of operating the linear voltage regulator. A linear voltage regulator of an electronic system has at least three ballast devices. The method of operating includes producing a voltage at an output terminal that is electrically coupled to a node of a first one of the three or more ballast devices; receiving a power mode indication; activating a first additional ballast device of the linear voltage regulator to add first additional capacitance to a load corresponding to the power mode; generating one or more successively delayed ballast control signals based at least in part on the power mode indication; and activating, using the successively delayed ballast control signals, second additional ballast devices of the linear voltage regulator to add second capacitances to the load of the linear voltage regulator.

Abstract: A linear voltage regulator including a pass element, an error amplifier, and in-rush current protection (ICP) circuitry. The pass element is configured to produce an output voltage across a capacitor based on a received input voltage. The error amplifier is configured to output a control voltage based at least in part on the output voltage and a reference voltage. The control voltage is used to control a flow of output current through the pass element. The ICP circuitry is coupled to the pass element and the error amplifier and configured to maintain the output current below a threshold level while charging the capacitor from a discharged state to the output voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for managing electronic documents. For example, systems and methods described herein can enable parties to an agreement outlined in an electronic document to add, track, and save electronic signatures associated with the electronic document. Furthermore, systems and methods described herein automatically identify expiration information associated with the electronic document and generate alerts for the electronic document based on the expiration information.

Abstract: A dispatch optimization system leverages ambient and market forecast data as well as asset performance and parts-life models to generate recommended operating schedules for gas turbines or other power-generating plant assets that substantially maximize profit while satisfying parts-life constraints. The system generates operating profiles that balance optimal peak fire opportunities with optimal cold part-load opportunities within a maintenance interval or other operating horizon. During real-time operation of the assets, the optimization system can update the operating schedule based on actual market, ambient, and operating data. The system provides information that can assist operators in determining suitable conditions in which to cold part-load or peak-fire the assets in an optimally profitable manner without violating target life constraints.

Abstract: Methods of forming a contact for a semiconductor device with double barrier layer sets, and a device so formed are disclosed. Methods may include: depositing a first metal layer contacting a semiconductor substrate in a contact opening; depositing a first nitride barrier layer on the first metal layer; and annealing after depositing the first nitride barrier layer to form silicide region in a junction area underlying the contact opening with the first metal layer and the semiconductor substrate. After the annealing, a second metal layer may be deposited, followed by a second nitride barrier layer. A conductor is formed in a remaining portion of the contact opening. The double barrier layer sets prevent the formation of volcano defects and also advantageously reduce contact resistance.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for classifying and comparing similar documents using base templates. The method comprises accessing a document; extracting metadata from the document; matching the metadata to at least one base template of a plurality of base templates; and storing the document with one or more similar documents, wherein the one or more similar documents are documents that match the at least one base template.

Abstract: A system may include a cloud-based virtual machine connected to multiple virtual hard drives and associated with a guest of a first datacenter. A recovery management server may, substantially simultaneously for each virtual hard drive, create an Infrastructure-as-a-Service snapshot of data on the virtual hard drive without utilizing an agent of the virtual machine. The recovery management server may also directly replicate the snapshot of data for each virtual hard drive at a second datacenter, which may be geographically remote from the first datacenter, without re-creating Input Output (“IO”) operations for each virtual hard drive via a log file. Upon an indication of failure of the first datacenter, the recovery management server may arrange to have each virtual hard drive's replicated snapshot of data be consumed by a recovery service for the guest at the second datacenter.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include a processing unit that (1) identifies an initial forwarding key that corresponds to a forwarding feature of a network device, (2) identifies an initial hash value that represents the initial forwarding key and is derived from the initial forwarding key, (3) identifies an additional forwarding key that corresponds to the forwarding feature of the network device, (4) determines that the initial forwarding key and the additional forwarding key exceed a threshold level of similarity relative to one another, (5) derives an additional hash value that represents the additional forwarding key by applying the initial forwarding key and the initial hash value as inputs to a hash function, and then (6) implements the additional hash value in connection with the forwarding feature of the network device and the forwarding information stored in the storage device. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for making an electronic document easier to use based on prior interactions with the same or a similar document by other users. An electronic document is presented to one or more users in an interactive environment. Interactions between the users and the document can be recorded as usage data. The usage data may represent one or more operations performed on the electronic document by the users. Based on the usage data, an enhanced user interaction feature associated with the document is configured. The electronic document and the enhanced user interaction feature are then presented to another user in another interactive environment. The enhanced user interaction feature makes using the document easier than it would be if the feature was not present, particularly for users who are unfamiliar with the document.

Abstract: Improved document processing workflows provide a secure electronic signature framework by reducing attack vectors that could be used to gain unauthorized access to digital assets. In one embodiment an electronically signed document is removed from an electronic signature server after signed copies of the document are distributed to all signatories. The electronic signature server optionally retains an encrypted copy of the signed document, but does not retain the decryption password. This limits the amount of data retained by the electronic signature server, making it a less attractive target for hackers. However, the electronic signature server still maintains audit data that can be used to identify a signed document and validate an electronic signature. For example, a hash of the document (or other document metadata) can be used to validate the authenticity of an electronically signed document based on a logical association between an electronic signature and the signed document.

Abstract: A system and method for applying a set of road noise cancellation parameters to a road noise cancellation system in a vehicle traveling from a first road surface type to a second road surface type, the set being associated with a vehicle type, a tire type, a road surface type, or a vehicle location. The system and method collects and compares data with the set of road noise cancellation parameters in a database to identify when the vehicle has traveled from a first road surface type to a second road surface type and, upon identifying the vehicle has traveled from a first road surface type to a second road surface type, applies the adjusted set of road noise cancellation parameters in the database that optimize the road noise cancellation system for the second road surface type.