Abstract: A system (200) for monitoring a railroad grade crossing (100, 250) includes an illumination device (220, 230) for illuminating a section of a railroad grade crossing (100, 250), and a control device (240) in communication with the illumination device (220, 230). The illumination device (220, 230) is configured to obtain data of the section of the railroad grade crossing (100, 250) while illuminating the section, and the control device (240) is configured to receive and evaluate the data. Further, a method (600) for monitoring a railroad grade crossing (100, 250) is provided.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant replication system includes a first machine running a first hypervisor. A second machine is failure-independent of the first machine. The second machine runs a second hypervisor. A first plurality of virtual machines runs on the first hypervisor. A second plurality of virtual machines runs on the second hypervisor. Each of the virtual machines of the first and second plurality of virtual machines constitutes either a virtual machine replica server of a fault-tolerant replicated state machine or a backup corresponding to a virtual machine replica server of the fault-tolerant replicated state machine. Every backup is embodied on a different machine, of the first and second machines, from its corresponding virtual machine replica server.

Abstract: A system for automatically monitoring and controlling an infrastructure or process includes a plurality of remote clients installed along various portions of an industrial infrastructure or an infrastructure performing a process. Each of the remote clients collects data. A plurality of server replicas is in communication with the plurality of remote clients. The server replicas receive the collected data from the remote clients and process the received data. The plurality of remote clients and the plurality of server replicas communicate across an electronic network. The plurality of server replicas includes a state machine replication system that is tolerant of a failure of one or more of the server replicas.

Abstract: A network of replicated servers providing a service includes a plurality of server replicas. A leader is elected from among the plurality of server replicas for coordinating ordering of operations among the plurality of server replicas. A view change protocol is executed by the plurality of server replicas after the election of the leader. Each iteration of the view change protocol corresponds to a unique view number. The server replicas are directed by the view change protocol to cooperate to order operations by exchange of information associated with particular view numbers. The information is prioritized in accordance with the view numbers. The non-leaders monitor the response time of the leader and elect a new leader when it is determined that the monitored length of time is greater than a threshold value that is dependent upon current network conditions.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a touch-sensitive device to receive a bias and to generate touch location information based on the bias, an element to secure a printed medium in contact with the touch sensitive device, the printed medium to depict a plurality of telephone interface controls, a memory to store a telephone interface layout associating one or more of the telephone interface controls with a respective touch location and a respective action, and a processor to receive touch location information from the touch-sensitive device, to determine a telephone interface control based on the touch location information and on the telephone interface layout, to determine an action based on the telephone interface control and on the telephone interface layout, and to perform the determined action.

Abstract: A system and methods for activating and interacting by a user with at least a 3D object displayed on a 3D computer display by at least the user's gestures which may be combined with a user's gaze at the 3D computer display. In a first instance the 3D object is a 3D CAD object. In a second instance the 3D object is a radial menu. A user's gaze is captured by ahead frame containing at least an endo camera and an exo camera worn by a user. A user's gesture is captured by a camera and is recognized from a plurality of gestures. User's gestures are captured by a sensor and are calibrated to the 3D computer display.

Abstract: A system for automatically monitoring and controlling an infrastructure or process includes a plurality of remote clients installed along various portions of an industrial infrastructure or an infrastructure performing a process. Each of the remote clients collects data. A plurality of server replicas is in communication with the plurality of remote clients. The server replicas receive the collected data from the remote clients and process the received data. The plurality of remote clients and the plurality of server replicas communicate across an electronic network. The plurality of server replicas includes a state machine replication system that is tolerant of a failure of one or more of the server replicas.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant replication system includes a first machine running a first hypervisor. A second machine is failure-independent of the first machine. The second machine runs a second hypervisor. A first plurality of virtual machines runs on the first hypervisor. A second plurality of virtual machines runs on the second hypervisor. Each of the virtual machines of the first and second plurality of virtual machines constitutes either a virtual machine replica server of a fault-tolerant replicated state machine or a backup corresponding to a virtual machine replica server of the fault-tolerant replicated state machine. Every backup is embodied on a different machine, of the first and second machines, from its corresponding virtual machine replica server.

Abstract: A telecommunications system including a plurality of switches defining an Ethernet ring; a plurality of virtual local area networks defined on the Ethernet ring, defining a number of virtual local area networks (VLANs) equal in number to the number of links; and a ring recovery system configured to recover from a link failure by rerouting traffic to a destination on the Ethernet ring via a VLAN not including a failed link.

Abstract: A network of replicated servers providing a service includes a plurality of server replicas. A leader is elected from among the plurality of server replicas for coordinating ordering of operations among the plurality of server replicas. A view change protocol is executed by the plurality of server replicas after the election of the leader. Each iteration of the view change protocol corresponds to a unique view number. The server replicas are directed by the view change protocol to cooperate to order operations by exchange of information associated with particular view numbers. The information is prioritized in accordance with the view numbers. The non-leaders monitor the response time of the leader and elect a new leader when it is determined that the monitored length of time is greater than a threshold value that is dependent upon current network conditions.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method and a system are provided to receive a first video signal at a first client and to receive a second video signal at a second client. The first video signal comprises an image of a first person and the second video signal comprises an image of a second person. The received first video signal and an image of a conference room are combined at the first client to create a first modified video signal comprising the image of the first person in the conference room. The received second video signal and the image of the conference room are combined at the second client to create a second modified video signal comprising the image of the second person in the conference room.

Abstract: A specially-configured interactive user interface for use in eye typing takes the form of a three-layer arrangement that allows for controlling computer input with eye gazes. The three-layer arrangement includes an outer, rectangular ring of letters, displayed clockwise in alphabetical order (forming the first layer). A group of “frequently-used words” associated with the letters being typed forms an inner ring (and is defined as the second layer). This second layer of words is constantly updated as the user continues to enter text. The third layer is a central “open” portion of the interface and forms the typing space—the “text box” that will be filled as the user continues to type. A separate row of control/function keys (including mode-switching for upper case vs. lower case, numbers and punctuation) is positioned adjacent to the three-layer on-screen keyboard display.

Abstract: Speakers deployed in a space and divided into groups associated with different zones produce a mix of sounds that create internal noise pollution and, combined with external noise, an unpleasant environment for occupants. The present invention contemplates sound systems and methods for creating personalized sound zones to address these and related problems.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a system for discovering potential devices on a peer-to peer (P2P) network is provided. The system includes a seeker device and a plurality of potential devices operatively connected to the P2P network. Each of the plurality of potential devices is associated with one or more identity files. Each of the identity files comprising a plurality of searchable elements. One or more of the plurality of potential end-user devices post their one or more identity files on the P2P network. The seeker device searches the P2P network to discover one or more of the plurality of potential devices based on the one or more identity files of the plurality of the potential devices. The seeker device initiates a collaboration session with the one or more potential devices. The collaboration session may be independent of the P2P network.

Abstract: A telecommunications system including a plurality of switches defining an Ethernet ring; a plurality of virtual local area networks defined on the Ethernet ring, defining a number of virtual local area networks (VLANs) equal in number to the number of links; and a ring recovery system configured to recover from a link failure by rerouting traffic to a destination on the Ethernet ring via a VLAN not including a failed link

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method and a system are provided to receive a first video signal at a first client and to receive a second video signal at a second client. The first video signal comprises an image of a first person and the second video signal comprises an image of a second person. The received first video signal and an image of a conference room are combined at the first client to create a first modified video signal comprising the image of the first person in the conference room. The received second video signal and the image of the conference room are combined at the second client to create a second modified video signal comprising the image of the second person in the conference room.

Abstract: Centralized video on demand (VoD) systems offer limited content and limited archival ability. Peer-to-peer networks allow users to share a wide selection of content directly among peers, but connections between peers may have limited uplink bandwidth and may be unreliable.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a touch-sensitive device to receive a bias and to generate touch location information based on the bias, an element to secure a printed medium in contact with the touch sensitive device, the printed medium to depict a plurality of telephone interface controls, a memory to store a telephone interface layout associating one or more of the telephone interface controls with a respective touch location and a respective action, and a processor to receive touch location information from the touch-sensitive device, to determine a telephone interface control based on the touch location information and on the telephone interface layout, to determine an action based on the telephone interface control and on the telephone interface layout, and to perform the determined action.

Abstract: Speakers deployed in a space and divided into groups associated with different zones produce a mix of sounds that create internal noise pollution and, combined with external noise, an unpleasant environment for occupants. The present invention contemplates sound systems and methods for creating personalized sound zones to address these and related problems.

Abstract: A general interaction interface system comprises a composite device access point connected to a client device, wherein the composite device is adapted to receive a request from the client device. The system further comprises a composite device gateway connected to the composite device access point, wherein the composite device gateway determines content and delivery parameters based on interaction primitives of the composite device access point, and a composite device resource, selected by the composite device gateway, for servicing the request of the client device.