Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for evaluating an individual's affect or emotional state by extracting emotional meaning from audio, visual and/or textual input into a handset, mobile communication device or other peripheral device. The audio, visual and/or textual input may be collected, gathered or obtained using one or more data modules which may include, but are not limited to, a microphone, a camera, an accelerometer and a peripheral device. The data modules collect one or more sets of potential imprecise characteristics which may then be analyzed and/or evaluated. When analyzing and/or evaluating the imprecise characteristics, the imprecise characteristics may be assigned one or more weighted descriptive values and a weighted time value. The weighted descriptive values and the weighted time value are then compiled or fused to create one or more precise characteristics which may define the emotional state of an individual.

Abstract: A novel process and system for flexibly adding supplemental digital program content such as, for example, transactional advertising content, games, polls, contests, interactive music videos, and e-commerce content generally and the like, into pre-prepared digital media files, such as an MP3 audio file or the like, for playback by digital playback apparatus, wherein the pre-prepared media file is modified by embedding therein executable code representing such supplemental program content, and enabling the playback apparatus to decode and execute the presentation of the supplemental program material as an addition to the playback of the pre-prepared media file content.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, devices and methods for assessing, verifying and adjusting the affective state of a user. An electronic communication is received in a computer terminal from a user. The communication may be a verbal, visual and/or biometric communication. The electronic communication may be assigned at least weighted descriptive value and a weighted time value which are used to calculate a current affective state of the user. Optionally, the computer terminal may be triggered to interact with the user to verify the current affective state if the current affective state is ambiguous. The optional interaction may continue until the current affective state is achieved. Next, the computer terminal may be triggered to interact with the user to adjust the current affective state upon a determination that the current affective state is outside an acceptable range from a pre-defined affective state.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for evaluating an individual's affect or emotional state by extracting emotional meaning from audio, visual and/or textual input into a handset, mobile communication device or other peripheral device. The audio, visual and/or textual input may be collected, gathered or obtained using one or more data modules which may include, but are not limited to, a microphone, a camera, an accelerometer and a peripheral device. The data modules collect one or more sets of potential imprecise characteristics which may then be analyzed and/or evaluated. When analyzing and/or evaluating the imprecise characteristics, the imprecise characteristics may be assigned one or more weighted descriptive values and a weighted time value. The weighted descriptive values and the weighted time value are then compiled or fused to create one or more precise characteristics which may define the emotional state of an individual.

Abstract: An apparatus including a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a feature to physically interface a sidewall of the wellbore, and first and second setting pistons each extendable from the downhole tool opposite the feature. The downhole tool also includes a rigid member spanning and extendable with the first and second setting pistons, wherein a length of the rigid member is variable.

Abstract: A novel process and system for flexibly adding supplemental digital program content such as, for example, transactional advertising content, games, polls, contests, interactive music videos, and e-commerce content generally and the like, into pre-prepared digital media files, such as an MP3 audio file or the like, for playback by digital playback apparatus, wherein the pre-prepared media file is modified by embedding therein executable code representing such supplemental program content, and enabling the playback apparatus to decode and execute the presentation of the supplemental program material as an addition to the playback of the pre-prepared media file content.

Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3?-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.

Abstract: A novel process and system for flexibly adding supplemental digital program content such as, for example, transactional advertising content, games, polls, contests, interactive music videos, and e-commerce content generally and the like, into pre-prepared digital media files, such as an MP3 audio file or the like, for playback by digital playback apparatus, wherein the pre-prepared media file is modified by embedding therein executable code representing such supplemental program content, and enabling the playback apparatus to decode and execute the presentation of the supplemental program material as an addition to the playback of the pre-prepared media file content.

Abstract: An apparatus including a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a feature to physically interface a sidewall of the wellbore, and first and second setting pistons each extendable from the downhole tool opposite the feature. The downhole tool also includes a rigid member spanning and extendable with the first and second setting pistons, wherein a length of the rigid member is variable.

Abstract: A novel process and system for flexibly adding supplemental digital program content such as, for example, transactional advertising content, games, polls, contests, interactive music videos, and e-commerce content generally and the like, into pre-prepared digital media files, such as an MP3 audio file or the like, for playback by digital playback apparatus, wherein the pre-prepared media file is modified by embedding therein executable code representing such supplemental program content, and enabling the playback apparatus to decode and execute the presentation of the supplemental program material as an addition to the playback of the pre-prepared media file content.

Abstract: A novel process and system for flexibly adding supplemental digital program content such as, for example, transactional advertising content, games, polls, contests, interactive music videos, and e-commerce content generally and the like, into pre-prepared digital media files, such as an MP3 audio file or the like, for playback by digital playback apparatus, wherein the pre--prepared media file is modified by embedding therein executable code representing such supplemental program content, and enabling the playback apparatus to decode and execute the presentation of the supplemental program material as an addition to the playback of the pre-prepared media file content.

Abstract: A novel technique for high-bandwidth steganographic embedding of supplemental data in a series of digital signals or measurements, such as taken from analog data streams or subsampled and/or transformed digital data, wherein the series of measurements are derived through functional transformations and involving quantization and/or aliasing, with the supplemental data bits modulating or modifying the quantized and/or aliased components with only slight adjustments thereof to embed the supplemental data without substantially affecting the quality of the measurements; and all, preferably, through not exclusively, with the use of least-significant-bit parity encoding designed to choose the appropriate components to be so modulated or modified

Abstract: A novel process and system for enabling the seamless and facile embedding of relatively large quantities of supplemental digital data into pre-prepared digital media files (audio, image, video, 3D, volumetric and multimedia and the like) by compressing such files and encoding them into sets of coefficient representations (preferably frequency-domain coefficient representations) of the pre-prepared media file information, and embedding bits of the supplemental digital data at selected coefficients, preferably, though not exclusively, using the least significant bit of the selected coefficients, and with stenographic encoding processes.

Abstract: A system and method for loading a scene graph in a plurality of loads, associates one or more undesignated nodes of a scene graph with an appropriate one of a plurality of loads. The technique is accomplished by traversing the scene graph to detect an undesignated node. Then, it is determined whether the detected node has one or more parent nodes. If so, the one or more parent nodes are examined to determine a load associated with said one or more parent nodes. Where at least one of the parent nodes is associated with the first load, the undesignated node is designated as associated with the first load. If all parent nodes are associated with the same node, the unlabeled node is designated as associated with the parents' load. Where an ambiguity arises, any of several techniques can be utilized to resolve the ambiguity.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently coding an animation sequence, utilizes a single instance of an encoded function, having an operation code specifying a function and arguments to be used in carrying out said function. A list of one or more arguments associated with the function is created for each animation sequence in which the function is called. At least one of the arguments is copied from the list into arguments of the encoded function. As a result, arguments in the list can be altered to alter the animation sequence during subsequent iterations without having to recreate an additional instance of the encoded function.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently coding an animation sequence, converts a series of opcodes and associated opcode parameters into an array of integers. The array of integers is converting into an alphanumeric representation which is coded. The alphanumeric expression can also be compressed as well as encoded. The array of integers can be created by representing each opcode with an integer value, determining a number of parameters associated with each opcode, and creating an array of integers which includes, for each opcode, that opcode's integer value, followed by the number of parameters associated with that opcode, followed by said parameters associated with said opcode.

Abstract: A photon storage tube high power laser system having a repetitively pulsed or pumped laser therein and a photon storage tube. An initial pulse of electromagnetic radiation generated by the repetitively pulsed laser is directed into the storage tube for storage until amplified by redirection through the gain medium of the repetitively pulsed laser. As a result of appropriate adjustment of related focusing optics the repetitively pulsed laser acts only as a gain medium after the initial pulse generation. Continued storage and amplification of the initial pulse produces a high energy pulse of electromagnetic radiation which is subsequently output from the system.

Abstract: A low volume, lightweight, high voltage electron gun having an overall size and weight of approximately 50% the size and weight of a conventional electron gun of the same output. This is accomplished by interposing between the cathode and the walls of the housing of the electron gun a thin piece of dielectric material of preselected breakdown strength. The dielectric material is in direct contact with both the cathode and the housing of the electron gun, with the voltage stress between the walls of the housing and the cathode being such that it does not exceed the breakdown strength of the dielectric material.