Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example method includes determining respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, determining a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, comparing a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and outputting a positive indication when the measurement is within an acceptable difference range, the acceptable difference range based on the amount of power drawn by the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example method includes determining respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, determining a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, comparing a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and outputting a positive indication when the measurement is within an acceptable difference range, the acceptable difference range based on the amount of power drawn by the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, a calculator to determine a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, and a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, a calculator to determine a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, and a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, the counts indicating respective numbers of times the respective measurements were detected. The example apparatus also includes a calculator to identify a first threshold based on at least one of the counts, and determine a second threshold. The example apparatus also includes a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and a state detector to store an indication that the device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing a game includes a plurality of channels, each of the plurality of channels configured to hold and display a column of spherical game-pieces, each of the plurality of channels having an upper end and a lower end, each upper end configured to individually receive at least one of the spherical game-pieces, each lower end configured to support a respective column of spherical game-pieces by preventing passage of a bottom game-piece from a respective channel; a funnel affixed to the plurality of channels and configured to receive a thrown spherical game-piece and to direct the thrown spherical game-piece into the upper end of one of the plurality of channels; and a base stand operably connected to the plurality of channels and configured to rest upon a horizontal surface and to retain the plurality of channels at an acute angle relative to the horizontal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing a game includes a plurality of channels, each of the plurality of channels configured to hold and display a column of spherical game-pieces, each of the plurality of channels having an upper end and a lower end, each upper end configured to individually receive at least one of the spherical game-pieces, each lower end configured to support a respective column of spherical game-pieces by preventing passage of a bottom game-piece from a respective channel; a funnel affixed to the plurality of channels and configured to receive a thrown spherical game-piece and to direct the thrown spherical game-piece into the upper end of one of the plurality of channels; and a base stand operably connected to the plurality of channels and configured to rest upon a horizontal surface and to retain the plurality of channels at an acute angle relative to the horizontal surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, the counts indicating respective numbers of times the respective measurements were detected. The example apparatus also includes a calculator to identify a first threshold based on at least one of the counts, and determine a second threshold. The example apparatus also includes a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and a state detector to store an indication that the device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing a game includes a first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color and a second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color, each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand. A base stand that supports a plurality of vertically oriented channels each configured to hold and display a column of the spherical game-pieces. A funnel is affixed to the base stand that is configured to receive a thrown game-piece, and to direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels. A storage container may be located under the plurality of vertical channels configured to receive and store the game-pieces. The apparatus for playing a game is useful for playing a game with at least one participant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes measuring power drawn by the information presentation device during a calibration period to generate a log of measurement values, determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, respective counts indicating respective numbers of times respective different ones of the measurement values were detected during the calibration period, and determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, a first threshold based on at least one of the counts. The method also includes determining whether the presentation device is in an ON state based on a comparison of measured power drawn by the information presentation device after the calibration period to the first threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes measuring power drawn by the information presentation device during a calibration period to generate a log of measurement values, determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, respective counts indicating respective numbers of times respective different ones of the measurement values were detected during the calibration period, and determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, a first threshold based on at least one of the counts. The method also includes determining whether the presentation device is in an ON state based on a comparison of measured power drawn by the information presentation device after the calibration period to the first threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatic TV ON/OFF detection. An example method includes detecting a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes comparing, using a processor, a measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device to a first threshold. The method also includes comparing the measurement to a second threshold. The method also includes storing an indication that the information presentation device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating dynamic zero-downtime updating of formats of software applications in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes receiving a request to facilitate a format change to a current version of a software application at a computing device, and retrieving a trigger corresponding to the format change, where a trigger may include a version indicator to indicate a past version of the software application relating to the format change. The method may further include comparing the current version and the indicated past version of the software application, and invoking the format change to the current version of the software application based on the retrieved trigger and the version indicator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatic TV ON/OFF detection. An example method includes detecting a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes comparing, using a processor, a measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device to a first threshold. The method also includes comparing the measurement to a second threshold. The method also includes storing an indication that the information presentation device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating dynamic zero-downtime updating of formats of software applications in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes receiving a request to facilitate a format change to a current version of a software application at a computing device, and retrieving a trigger corresponding to the format change, where a trigger may include a version indicator to indicate a past version of the software application relating to the format change. The method may further include comparing the current version and the indicated past version of the software application, and invoking the format change to the current version of the software application based on the retrieved trigger and the version indicator.