Abstract: The centralized resource routing and distribution improves upon the routing of interactions and distribution of resources for interactions between users and operator entities. A centralized gateway is provided through which interactions may be routed and resources distributed using one or more substitute interfaces. The one or more substitute interfaces may mimic interfaces of the operator, or otherwise provide a universal interface for use of multiple resource pools for the interactions. Use of the gateway and substitute interfaces increases processing capacity, reduces memory requirements, and/or improves processing time for both the operator entities and the organization entities since it provides for centralized routing and distribution for multiple operator entities without the operator entities having to store and/or process user information or the interactions associated therewith.

Abstract: The centralized resource routing and distribution improves upon the routing of interactions and distribution of resources for interactions between users and operator entities. A centralized gateway is provided through which interactions may be routed and resources distributed using one or more substitute interfaces. The one or more substitute interfaces may mimic interfaces of the operator, or otherwise provide a universal interface for use of multiple resource pools for the interactions. Use of the gateway and substitute interfaces increases processing capacity, reduces memory requirements, and/or improves processing time for both the operator entities and the organization entities since it provides for centralized routing and distribution for multiple operator entities without the operator entities having to store and/or process user information or the interactions associated therewith.

Abstract: A virtual resource control and distribution system is provided that utilizes virtual resource pools coupled to authentic resource pools in order to reduce processing capacity requirements, memory requirements, and processing time. In particular, the present invention utilizes a reduced number of authentic resource pools, such as one single authentic resource pool, that is coupled to one or more virtual resource pools. The virtual resource pools may be utilized to enter into interactions. However, when interactions are entered, the virtual resource pools may be adjusted based on the resources associated with the interaction without actually having any resources associated with the virtual resource pools. As such, the virtual resource pools may illustrate a change in virtual resources in the virtual resource pool, but the authentic resource pool to which the virtual resource pool is associated, will be utilized for distributing the resources and processing the interactions.

Abstract: Processes for the manufacture of dispensers for an agent, for example, a therapeutic agent, for example a particulate therapeutic agent or a particulate foodstuff or snuff. The processes comprise the steps of continuously advancing, longitudinally, a flow of longitudinally extending dispensers and wrapping these dispensers by a common product wrapper. The dispensers comprise at least a base element (72), a cylindrical tubular element (73) with a cavity (74), a capping element (76) and a common outer wrapper (77).

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for supporting automated recall of a message (e.g., a chat message) from an originator's device, or at least media that accompanied the message. An original message may convey one or more media files that are temporarily stored on a system or apparatus that hosts the communication application used to create, send, and receive messages. The media files may be lost in transit because of failure of a system component, failure of a storage device, purging of the files before they are retrieved by a recipient, or for some other reason. When the recipient's device receives an error in response to an attempt to retrieve the media file(s), it automatically initiates a recall request that is returned to the originating device. If the message and media are still available on the device, an abbreviated version of the message is re-sent, with the media.

Abstract: Provide improved delivery of resources to a recipient entity when the recipient entity is involved in an interaction with a provider entity. One or more application programing interfaces (APIs) are utilized to identify delivery channels, and potentially substitute an original delivery channel with an alternate delivery channel. The present invention utilizes entity information, such as a recipient entity identifier, in order to determine recipient entity delivery preferences from a stored preference or from communications with the recipient entity. The system provides the resources to the recipient entity according to the preferences identified. A more efficient delivery of resources to the recipient entity is provided that improves the capacity, memory, and processing speed of the delivery systems and improve the ability to identify the identity of the recipient entity before the resources are delivered to the recipient entity.

Abstract: Provide improved validation of a recipient entity when the recipient entity is involved in an interaction with a provider entity. One or more application programing interfaces (APIs) are provided that are utilized to validate the recipient entity. Recipient entity information, such as a recipient entity identifier, is utilized and communicated to the resource systems to more efficiently validate the recipient entity in order to improve the processing capacity, reduce memory requirements, and improve processing speeds for validating the recipient entity for an interaction. Moreover, a more accurate determination of the actual identity of the recipient entity may be provided, thus improving the security of the interaction between the entities and reducing the potential for misappropriation of the resources involved in the interactions.

Abstract: An improved method for examining an article by using a vision system is presented. Also presented is a vision system for use within such a method.

Abstract: A request for information relating to a commodity is sent to a server using a client computer. The requested commodity information is received at the client computer and rendered on a display. A client action with respect to the commodity information is detected, and, using the client computer, a determination is made whether communication with the server is required to respond to the client action and, if the communication is not necessary, responding to the client action without communicating with the server regarding the response.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for establishing and supporting a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) call from one computing/communication device to another. The system receives a call offer from a caller, forwards it to the callee, and identifies to each party multiple candidate relay entities for relaying their digitized voice communications. Each device binds with one or all relays, and either or both of them select one of the relays to use in a relay mode of operation of the call, if necessary. One or more of the relays inform the devices of their external network addresses, and each device passes its (internal and external) addresses to each other, through the system. The devices attempt to establish a direct connection to conduct their call in a peer-to-peer mode of operation, but may dynamically switch between peer-to-peer and relay modes as necessary.

Abstract: A surveying target assembly is disclosed for monitoring movements in surveyed bodies, such as buildings and rail tracks. The assembly comprises a docking bay and a radiation reflecting target which is arranged to detachably couple with the docking bay.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a messaging server component operative to determine a sharing event for a data item, the sharing event associated with a source client device with a local storage of the data item. The apparatus may request that the source client device upload the data item to a destination storage device in response to a determination that network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation from a source storage device to the destination storage device. The apparatus may include a storage management component operative to determine that the network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation from a source storage device to a destination storage device and de-schedule the relocation of the data item.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: Techniques to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a first load balancer component, a second load balancer component, a first relay server component, a second relay server component, and a persistent shared-memory storage component. The apparatus may be operative to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations for a two-tier relay system using persistent shared-memory storage in which a session identifier received from client devices is used to coordinate the activities of the relay server components based on information shared via the persistent shared-memory storage component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to smoking articles, for example electronic cigarettes (h referred to as “e-cigarettes”), and fluid reservoirs for use therewith or therein

Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.

Abstract: Disturb from the reset to the set state may be reduced by creating an amorphous phase that is substantially free of crystal nuclei when programming the reset state in a phase change memory. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by using a current or a voltage to program that exceeds the threshold voltage of the phase change memory element, but does not exceed a safe current voltage which would cause a disturb.