Abstract: A cantilever system for use in an atomic force microscope (AFM) is disclosed. The cantilever system comprises a base cantilever portion and a paddle connected to the base cantilever portion with one end free to move relative to the base cantilever portion. The base cantilever portion has an effective bending stiffness, k1, and the paddle has an effective bending stiffness, k2. The ratio of the effective bending stiffness, k1, to the bending stiffness, k2, is at least greater than 4. Such a cantilever system provides a stable, i.e., invariant contact resonant frequency, independent of the changes in the local contact stiffness.

Abstract: A method of performing analysis-based conflict mediation is performed by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The method provides an analytic hierarchy process (AHP), that is stored on a computing device. The method of the present manages a conflict-mediation profile that includes client accounts. Each of which is associated to one of the opposing parties to the mediation process. The method uses mediation criteria, mediation demands, and business objectives and user-supplied importance values as the inputs for the AHP. The AHP generates weights that quantify how emotional and logical the opposing parties are. This analysis is used to rank the parties' desired outcomes and to present the parties with a set of resolutions which are logically based and mutually beneficial.

Abstract: A cantilever system for use in an atomic force microscope (AFM) is disclosed. The cantilever system comprises a base cantilever portion and a paddle connected to the base cantilever portion with one end free to move relative to the base cantilever portion. The base cantilever portion has an effective bending stiffness, k1, and the paddle has an effective bending stiffness, k2. The ratio of the effective bending stiffness, k1, to the bending stiffness, k2, is at least greater than 4. Such a cantilever system provides a stable, i.e., invariant contact resonant frequency, independent of the changes in the local contact stiffness.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically generating computer executable technical support procedures, as well as updating/augmenting such executable procedures, by tracking and processing sequences of actions (execution traces) that are taken by experts (or users) when performing a procedure or when executing an executable procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for describing video content establish video description records which include an object set (24), an object hierarchy (26) and entity relation graphs (28). Video objects can include global objects, segment objects and local objects. The video objects are further defined by a number of features organized in classes, which in turn are further defined by a number of feature descriptors (36, 38, and 40). The relationships (44) between and among the objects in the object set (24) are defined by the object hierarchy (26) and entity relation graphs (28). The video description records provide a standard vehicle for describing the content and context of video information for subsequent access and processing by computer applications such as search engines, filters and archive systems.

Abstract: In an embodiment, provided are nanoresonators, nanoresonator components and related methods using the nanoresonators to measure parameters of interest. In an aspect, provided is a nanoresonator component comprising an elongated nanostructure having a central portion, a first end, and a second end and an electrode having a protrusion ending in a tip that is positioned adjacent to the elongated nanostructure. The electrode is used to impart a highly-localized driving force in a perpendicular direction to the nanostructure to induce geometric non-linear deformation, thereby generating non-linear resonance having a broadband resonance range that spans a frequency range of at least one times the elongated nanostructure natural resonance frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically generating computer executable technical support procedures, as well as updating/augmenting such executable procedures, by tracking and processing sequences of actions (execution traces) that are taken by experts (or users) when performing a procedure or when executing an executable procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for auctioning time and desktop space to product and service suppliers are provided. The apparatus and methods obtain bids from various product and service suppliers and determine which of the bids are the highest ranking bids. The particular product and service suppliers from which bids are obtained may be determined based on user preferences stored in a user profile, for example. Based on the ranking of the bids, commercial information from the product and/or service suppliers is presented to the user. Higher ranking bids are provided with larger display space on a user's client device display and are provided with a longer display time before cycling to the next lower ranking bid. In addition, multiple displays of commercial information may be provided at a same time with the size and duration of the displays being determined based on the ranking of the associated bid from the product/service supplier.

Abstract: A system for and method of constructing an executable reusable procedure which includes determining an executable procedure from at least one scored trace of a procedure execution.

Abstract: A method of automatically identifying entity aggregates for use in creating entity libraries is provided. The method includes: identifying one or more sub-entities of a first application; identifying one or more sub-entities of a second application; determining common usage patterns between the one or more sub-entities of the first application and the one or more sub-entities of the second application; and generating one or more entity aggregates based on the common usage patterns.

Abstract: A method of recommending a next component includes: identifying one or more candidate software applications based on a first similarity metric, wherein the one or more candidate software applications include one or more reusable software components; identifying one or more candidate software components from the one or more reusable software components based on a second similarity metric; estimating a score for each of the one or more candidate software components based on a composition of the one or more candidate software applications; and generating a recommendation based on the scores of each of the one or more candidate components.

Abstract: A nonlinear attachment induces energy to be transferred and/or to be pumped from a primary system or primary structure to the nonlinear attachment. The nonlinear attachment is an essentially nonlinear device and functions as a nonlinear energy sink. The nonlinear attachment attaches to the primary system or primary structure as a module and does not require connection to a ground. The energy is irreversibly pumped from the primary system or primary structure to the nonlinear attachment during transient resonance capture between the nonlinear attachment and the primary system or primary structure. The nonlinear attachment attenuates the energy of the primary system or primary structure. The nonlinear attachment locally confines the energy and/or dissipates the energy through a passive means and/or an active means.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically generating computer executable technical support procedures, as well as updating/augmenting such executable procedures, by tracking and processing sequences of actions (execution traces) that are taken by experts (or users) when performing a procedure or when executing an executable procedure.

Abstract: Techniques for altering application user-interface controls are provided. More particularly the customization of a new or existing user-interface control in an application user-interface is provided. In one aspect of the invention, a method for customizing user-interface controls of an existing application comprises the recording of a procedure description performed by a user in the application user-interface. A new or modified application user-interface control relating to the procedure description is then installed in the existing application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for describing video content establish video description records which include an object set (24), an object hierarchy (26) and entity relation graphs (28). Video objects can include global objects, segment objects and local objects. The video objects are further defined by a number of features organized in classes, which in turn are further defined by a number of feature descriptors (36, 38, and 40). The relationships (44) between and among the objects in the object set (24) are defined by the object hierarchy (26) and entity relation graphs (28). The video description records provide a standard vehicle for describing the content and context of video information for subsequent access and processing by computer applications such as search engines, filters and archive systems.

Abstract: A method for incrementally generating a computer-executable model of a procedure from observations of user actions is described. The method includes maintaining a collection of computer-executable procedure models consistent with observed actions of a user, and augmenting the collection when a user action is observed, wherein the user actions are performed while executing a procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a process definition; determining the current process; determining the current process step; determining whether a whether a user has requested creation or modification of an annotation of the current process or step; receiving information from the user for creating the annotation when a user has requested creation of an annotation; and displaying the annotation.

Abstract: A system for and method of executing mixed-initiative procedures to allow at least one of a user and a computer system to take initiative of the procedure from the other at any point of the procedure, in which the mixed-initiative procedure can include a computer-based procedure in which the user and the computer system cooperate during the execution to allow each other to take the initiative at any point of the procedure.

Abstract: A system for and method of constructing an executable reusable procedure which includes determining an executable procedure from at least one scored trace of a procedure execution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for generating a description record from multimedia information including, e.g., video data. A multimedia information input interface is used to receive multimedia information. A computer processor receives the multimedia information, processes the video information by performing video object extraction processing to generate video object descriptions from the video information, processes the generated video object descriptions by object hierarchy construction and extraction processing to generate video object hierarchy descriptions, and processes the generated video object descriptions by entity relation graph descriptions.