Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture providing analytically enhanced user interfaces and smart CAPTCHAs. The analytically enhanced user interfaces may collect information regarding a user's interaction with the user interface, and asynchronously transmit the collected information to a logging service. The smart CAPTCHAs may gather information regarding a user based on the input the user provides to the smart CAPTCHA.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing a payment at a network node is described. The method includes operating a processor to identify a set of agreed purchase parameters, the agreed purchase parameters including data indicative of a purchase location, a purchase amount, a first device associated with a first user, and a second device associated with a second user, determine a first location of the first device, determine a second location of the second device, and responsive to determining that the first location and the second location are within a predefined distance from the purchase location, effecting a transfer of the purchase amount from a first account associated with the first user to a second account associated with the second user.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for enhancing television with wireless broadcast messages. The system including a television, a mobile device, and a server, wherein the television is configured to transmit a broadcast message to the mobile device, the broadcast message used by the television to request enhancement data from the server, the mobile device is configured to receive the broadcast message from the television and transmit a request to the server in response to receiving the broadcast message, and the server configured to receive the request from the mobile device and transmit the enhancement data to the television in response to receiving the request, wherein the enhancement data is used by the television to enhance media content being displayed on a display. The television may transmit the broadcast message to the mobile device using Bluetooth low energy and receive the enhancement data from the server using the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for document encoding using block encoding of text are disclosed. A computing device is configured to detect, within a digitized image object, a plurality of element groups, where each group comprises one or more text image elements and is separated from other groups by at least one delimiter. The device generates a numerical representation of the groups, comprising a plurality of numerical values, where a particular value corresponding to a particular group is determined based at least in part on a combined size of text image elements of the particular group. The device stores at least a subset of the numerical representation as a fingerprint representing text contents of the digitized image object.

Abstract: A linear water meter system may include a metering system, a ball valve, a power generation system, a wireless communication system, or a combination thereof. The linear water meter system may provide a linear pathway through the meter that minimizes pressure loss in the system. Two pathways may be provided through the power generation system. One pathway may be utilized to generate power, and the other pathway may provide a bypass that can be utilized to maintain a desired water pressure level in the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carrying out infrared emission spectroscopic measurements using a sample directly or a substrate, on which a sample is placed, coated, spun-on, deposited or in some way attached, as an external source to produce a time dependent infrared emissive signature from said sample or substrate with a subsequent analysis of this signature by an infrared spectrograph equipped with a focal plane array detector.

Abstract: Artificially synthesizing 29 homozygous cystic fibrosis core panel controls demonstrates placing multiple homozygous mutant sequences on the same single control DNA sequence to streamline quality control by minimizing extra control assays, time, and costly formatted test materials and testing all controls during every test. Any rare or unavailable reported DNA sequence can be PCR amplified using primer pairs synthesized with the designated mutation or variant sequence with paired adjacent upstream and downstream primers to amplify target sequences in total genomic DNA.

Abstract: The resilient plate (2) may be in the form of a nail plate with punched out nails (6) on respective flanges (3) and a resilient connecting portion (5). A plurality of the resilient plates (2) connect spaced apart pairs of studs and top and bottom plates to form a prefabricated building frame such as a wall. The resilient plates (2), utilising mass-spring-mass principles of sound attenuation, will react to sound impacting on the elements of the building frame to provide a required sound attenuation. In alternative embodiments the plate (2) may define a stud and/or may have one of its flanges securable to a masonry or concrete wall.

Abstract: Artificially synthesizing 29 homozygous cystic fibrosis core panel controls demonstrates placing multiple homozygous mutant sequences on the same single control DNA sequence to streamline quality control by minimizing extra control assays, time, and costly formatted test materials and testing all controls during every test. Any rare or unavailable reported DNA sequence can be PCR amplified using primer pairs synthesized with the designated mutation or variant sequence with paired adjacent upstream and downstream primers to amplify target sequences in total genomic DNA.

Abstract: A system and process for constructing a magnetic storage drive capable of single pass self-servowriting. A plurality of heads are sorted, or “binned,” into classifications based on at least an approximate magnetic width of each head. Only heads from a single classification are installed in a particular disk drive system. A track overlap value is calculated, preferably empirically, for the approximate magnetic widths of typical heads in the single classification. The overlap value is used to determine a track spacing utilized during a self-servowriting process.

Abstract: A system and method for managing servo defects in a data storage device. During operation of the device, a servo sector recorded on a medium is identified. A lookup is performed in a servo defect table resource to determine whether the servo sector contains defective servo information. A responsive servo control action is taken if the servo sector is found to contain defective servo information. Media having servo defect information recorded thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and process for constructing a magnetic storage drive capable of single pass self-servowriting. A plurality of heads are sorted, or “binned,” into classifications based on at least an approximate magnetic width of each head. Only heads from a single classification are installed in a particular disk drive system. A track overlap value is calculated, preferably empirically, for the approximate magnetic widths of typical heads in the single classification. The overlap value is used to determine a track spacing utilized during a self-servowriting process.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a recreational vehicle having an internal compartment including a floor and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the floor comprises a vacuum cleaner having a suction inlet, a vacuum hose having inlet and outlet ends and a vacuum line in or extending along one of the walls. The vacuum line is connected to the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner and to the outlet end of the vacuum hose for cleaning the compartment. The vacuum cleaner can be portable and releasably connected to the vacuum line from outside the vehicle, or can be mounted inside the vehicle and permanently connected to the vacuum line.

Abstract: A system and method for managing servo defects in a data storage device. During operation of the device, a servo sector recorded on a medium is identified. A lookup is performed in a servo defect table resource to determine whether the servo sector contains defective servo information. A responsive servo control action is taken if the servo sector is found to contain defective servo information. Media having servo defect information recorded thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a recreational vehicle having an internal compartment including a floor and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the floor comprises a vacuum cleaner having a suction inlet, a vacuum hose having inlet and outlet ends and a vacuum line in or extending along one of the walls. The vacuum line is connected to the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner and to the outlet end of the vacuum hose for cleaning the compartment. The vacuum cleaner can be portable and releasably connected to the vacuum line from outside the vehicle, or can be mounted inside the vehicle and permanently connected to the vacuum line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an “early read” just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an “early read” just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution.

Abstract: A method is described for storing data on a target track of a recordable medium in a storage device via a magnetic write head therein. The storage device has an operating parameter having an operational range with extreme at which the writing of data to said device is prohibited. A first threshold within said range is defined and proximate said first extreme and delimits a first operational subrange. The method including the steps of: monitoring said operating parameter; and determining whether the monitored parameter lies within said first subrange and if so, performing a first predetermined operation to compensate for deleterious effects on data storage caused thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and data format wherein a redundant sync byte or group of sync bytes is provided in a data sector at a distance sufficient to isolate the redundant sync byte from the primary sync byte in the event of multiple byte defects. In a first embodiment, a redundant sync byte, or group of sync bytes, is provided in the AGC field preceding the primary sync region. Upon failure to detect the primary sync byte, an attempt is made on a subsequent revolution to read the secondary sync byte, either by holding the AGC gain prior to reaching the data block, or initiating an “early read” just prior to reaching the data block. In a second embodiment of the invention, the redundant sync byte is provided within the data field subsequent to the primary sync region. On failing to detect the primary sync byte, the secondary sync byte can be read immediately or can be postponed until a subsequent revolution.

Abstract: A direct access storage device (DASD) servo control system controls movement of a magneto-resistive (MR) read/write head in response to a readback signal generated when the MR head repeatedly passes adjacent multiple servo fields and data fields of the recording medium. The servo control system receives multiple data samples, detects a thermal asperity in the readback signal when the MR transducer is adjacent a servo field of the recording medium, determines that the servo field data samples affected by the thermal asperity are invalid due to possible data errors, and operates a servo demodulator in response to the servo field thermal asperity before the MR transducer is next adjacent the servo field. In a DASD with a rotating disk, for example, the thermal asperity response can be implemented before one revolution of the disk has been completed after the thermal asperity is encountered.