Abstract: A method for estimating unknown parameters (pan angle (?), instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry of an upcoming road segment) for a vehicle object detection system. The vehicle object detection system is preferably a forward looking, radar-cued vision system having a camera, a radar sensor and an processing unit. The method first estimates the pan angle (?), then corrects the coordinates from a radar track so that pan angle (?) can be treated as zero, and finally solves a least squares problem that determines best estimates for instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry. Estimating these parameters enables the vehicle object detection system to identify, interpret and locate objects in a more accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: An improved probabilistic lane assignment method for detected objects in the scene forward of a host vehicle. Road/lane model parameters, preferably including an angular orientation of the host vehicle in its lane, are estimated from host vehicle sensor systems, taking into account measurement uncertainty in each of the constituent parameters. A probabilistic assignment of the object's lane is then assessed based on the road/lane model parameters and object measurements, again taking into account measurement uncertainty in both the road/lane model and object measurements. According to a first embodiment, the probabilistic assignment is discrete in nature, indicating a confidence or degree-of-belief that the detected object resides in each of a number of lanes. According to a second embodiment, the probabilistic assignment is continuous in nature, providing a lateral separation distance between the host vehicle and the object, and a confidence or degree-of-belief in the lateral separation distance.

Abstract: A sizing center for sizing different styles of window coverings includes at least two sizing mechanisms disposed on the sizing center in which each sizing mechanism is adapted to size a different style of window covering. The sizing center includes a squaring block for orienting a window covering on the sizing center. The squaring block includes a first side and a second side. A cutout for receiving a plurality of slats of a window covering is located in a top surface of the squaring block, the cutout extends from the first side of the squaring block to the second side of the squaring block.

Abstract: A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder's mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions can be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions can be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or “widget.” The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring funds among registered and unregistered users of a value exchange system comprises a server system for receiving value exchange instructions from a sender, where the value exchange instructions include a recipient who may not be registered with the system. The value exchange instructions initiate a computer-generated sequence for authenticating the identity of the recipient, permitting the recipient to designate a payment method, and transferring funds to properly authenticated recipients.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to identify polymorphisms at the human TLR4 locus, as well as methods to identify individuals at risk of indications that increase their morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: A method of screening a subject for a serotonergic neurotransmission dysregulation disorder comprises detecting the presence or absence of an Tph2 mutation in the subject; and then determining that the subject is at increased risk of a serotonergic neurotransmission dysregulation disorder due to the presence or absence of the Tph2 mutation.

Abstract: Immunomodulatory oligonucleotide compositions are disclosed. These oligonucleotides comprise an immunostimulatory hexanucleotide sequence comprising a modified cytosine. These oligonucleotides can be administered in conjunction with an immunomodulatory peptide or antigen. Methods of modulating an immune response upon administration of the oligonucleotide comprising a modified immunostimulatory sequence are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for packet telephony includes receiving over a packet communication network (22) a first message originating from a first end-user (32A) in a first aggregating organization (28) to place a call to a second end-user (32D) in a second aggregating organization (30). Responsively to the first message, respective values are assigned to one or more security attributes that are indicative of a likelihood that the call is a spam call. A second message is transmitted over the packet communication network toward the second end-user, the second message containing at least one of the respective values that was assigned to at least one of the security attributes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to identify polymorphisms at the human TLR4 locus, as well as methods to identify individuals at risk of indications that increase their morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for programmatically responding to a privilege request on behalf of a user by pre-configuring a trusted entity with a list of processes requiring elevated user credentials and a set of user's credentials having such privilege. The trusted entity determines if a requested process is included in the list of processes, and responds to the privilege requests generated by the kernel of the operating system for such processes, eliminating the need for the user to manually authenticate using some type of input mechanism.

Abstract: Reagents and methods are provided for crosslinking and immobilizing biomolecules, drugs and synthetic polymers. The reagents possess (i) a thiol or amino reactive group; and (ii) a hydrazino or oxyamino moiety. Conjugates and immobilized biomolecules are also provided.

Abstract: Conjugationally extended hydrazine compositions of the formula (RR2)N(H)n(NH2)n, fluorescent hydrazone compositions of the formula (RR2)NN?C(R1R2), methods of the formation of hydrazones from the reaction of conjugationally extended hydrazines with conjugationally extended carbonyls and methods of their use in assays systems are described. Use of these conjugationally extended hydrazine and oxime compositions for direct calorimetric and fluorometric assays wherein a chromophore or the fluorophore is incorporated into the linker that is positioned between a reactive linking moiety and a biotin molecule.

Abstract: A method for telephony includes receiving at a facility of a telephone service provider a first subscriber request to place a first call to a specified telephone number. A provider request is sent to a remote server (26), which maintains a database (28) of records associating telephone numbers with respective packet network addresses, for a record (72) indicating a packet network address to which calls to the specified telephone number should be placed. Upon receiving the record from the remote server, the record is stored in a local cache (42) at the facility of the telephone service provider. After storing the record, upon receiving at the facility of the telephone service provider a second subscriber request to place a second call to the specified telephone number, the record is read from the local cache and is used in placing the second call to the packet network address.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a system for communicating data includes a data switch coupled to one or more CPE devices. The data switch may communicate with one or more CPE devices using a first predetermined PSD and using a second predetermined PSD. The operability of the switch is provided by software embodied in a computer-readable medium. In a more particular embodiment, the data switch may also communicate substantially simultaneously with two or more CPE devices using at least two different PSDs.

Abstract: A method of lane marker detection and lane fitting is provided for lane tracking. A lane marker is modeled and split into left and right steps. A filter response is calculated from a cumulative row sum, and normalized for filter pixel size, lane marker brightness and road brightness. A lane marker response is peak detected for positive and negative peaks and checked for having a magnitude above a threshold and being a local peak in a five point neighborhood. A Hough transform is extended to multiple planes to use lane marker features to determine a best line. Lane marker features include a mean and variance of lane marker brightness, lane marker width, lane marker parallelism to a host vehicle direction of travel, and consistence with a predicted lane marker characteristic. A closest lane marker line to a host vehicle is identified, and refitted to account for any curvature.

Abstract: The invention provides the compounds of formula ( ): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y, a, b and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of formula (I) and their use in treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and dysfunctional sphingolipid signal transduction. The invention also encompasses the use of the compounds in combination with an apoptosis-signaling ligand, such as Fas ligand. Preferably, the Fas ligand is administered in the form of a gene therapy agent.

Abstract: A sizing center for and a method of sizing different styles of window coverings includes at least two sizing mechanisms disposed on a sizing center in which each sizing mechanism is adapted to size a different style of window covering. Each window covering includes a color marking. At least two measuring scales are disposed on the sizing center, each measuring scale being associated with a sizing mechanism and having a different color, and each color associated with a sizing center being associated with a color marking of a window covering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recording and maintaining stored information system object relationship information. Information contained within a stored information system (including system catalogs, referential constraints, triggers, table hierarchies, column references, indexes, stored program packages, system catalogs, stored procedures, stored queries, log/trace files of dynamically executed code, etc.) are searched to identify dependency relationships between objects. This object relationship information is stored and maintained in an information base. Information within the information based may be organized based upon subsets of objects that support a common application, service, or capability.

Abstract: A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder's mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions can be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions can be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or “widget.” The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.