Abstract: An alarm generation system within an industrial automation environment comprises a packaging component that packages contextual data together with an alarm. A provision component relays the packaged contextual data and the alarm to an appropriate device. Thus, customized alarms can be provided for certain recipients given particular situations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a large capacity, user defined audio content delivery system. The system delivers uninterrupted music and delivers information content (e.g., news by evaluating and encoding an input audio stream while outputting another stream. Undesirable audio content (e.g., advertisements and unwanted news) are not present in the output audio stream as only desired portions of information content are stored for playback on demand. The invention also includes a user interface that is simple enough to facilitate utilization of the audio system in an automobile and employs standard hardware available in typical computing and/or personal digital assistant equipment. Additionally, the audio system can be portable (e.g., as portable as a personal digital assistant) and can be updated in real time or off line via a personal computer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling access to a secure network, system or application is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for requesting authentication includes a storage medium that stores a cryptographic key, a processor that generates an access code using the cryptographic key, a converter that converts the access code into sound waves, and an audio output unit that outputs the sound waves encoded with the access code for authentication. An apparatus for granting authentication includes a storage medium that stores a cryptographic key, an audio input unit that receives sound waves encoded with a access code, a converter that recovers the access code from the sound waves, and a processor that generates a second access code using the cryptographic key and grants authentication if the access code corresponds to the second access code.

Abstract: Groups of photo thumbnails are presented to the user, and where a user selects one of the thumbnails, a transition is provided replacing the group of thumbnails with the photo represented by the selected thumbnail. The photo may be displayed without cropping or stretching. In addition, a zoom/enlargement animation of the selected thumbnail is provided, and also possibly of the remaining thumbnails in the group, which then transitions into the represented photo. In addition, after or during the zooming animation, a cross-fading may occur such that the thumbnails fade out and the represented photo fades in. These types of transitions and user inputs both while the user is manually browsing thumbnails and when the user is viewing an automated slideshow of the thumbnails.

Abstract: A system for sensing vibration of a machine is provided. A light source directs a beam of light toward a light receiving system adapted to receive at least a portion of the beam of light. A light modulating system modulates the light beam received by the light receiving system so as to correspond to vibration of the machine. A processing system operatively coupled to the light receiving system processes data received from the light receiving system to facilitate determining vibration of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that facilitates multi-tasking in a computing environment. A focus area component defines a focus area within a display space—the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space area. A scaling component scales display objects as a function of proximity to the focus area, and a behavior modification component modifies respective behavior of the display objects as a function their location of the display space. Thus, and more particularly the subject invention provides for interaction technique(s) and user interface(s) in connection with managing display objects on a display surface. One aspect of the invention defines a central focus area where the display objects are displayed and behave as usual, and a periphery outside the focus area where the display objects are reduced in size based on their location, getting smaller as they near an edge of the display surface so that many more objects can remain visible.

Abstract: Providing differentiation between overlapping memory cell bits in multi-cell memory devices is described herein. By way of example, select groups of memory cells of the multi-cell memory devices can be iteratively disabled to render state distributions of remaining, non-disabled memory cells, non-overlapped. System components can measure distributions rendered non-overlapped to uniquely identify states of such distributions. Identified state distributions can subsequently be disabled to render other state distributions non-overlapped, and therefore identifiable. In such a manner, read errors associated with overlapped bit states of multi-cell memory devices can be mitigated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating network security and data access in an industrial control environment. An industrial control system is provided that includes an industrial controller to communicate with a network. At least one security layer can be configured in the industrial controller, wherein the security layer can be associated with one or more security components to control and/or restrict data access to the controller. An operating system manages the security layer in accordance with a processor to limit or mitigate communications from the network based upon the configured security layer or layers.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a system and/or method that facilitates executing a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) process by employing a reader application markup language (RAML) schema that provides a portable format to setup and deploy such RFID process. A schema component can receive RFID data relating to an RFID architecture wherein a RAML schema can be created based at least upon such RFID data (e.g., discovered readers including settings and/or configurations). The RAML schema can include a sub-system definition (e.g., containing the definition of server state and entities in such server) and a process definition (e.g., containing process related entities and inter-relationships).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes first and second cell arrays which have memory cells arrayed in row and column directions, first and second bit lines which are connected to the memory cells arrayed in the column direction, and first and second sense amplifiers which are connected to the first, second bit lines, respectively. The device also includes first and second dummy cell arrays which have dummy cells arrayed in the row and column directions, a dummy word line which is connected to the dummy cells arrayed in the row direction, first and second dummy bit lines which are connected to the dummy cells arrayed in the column direction and receive an output from the dummy word line, and first and second sense amplifier activation circuits which activate the first, second sense amplifiers in accordance with first and second control signals output from the first and second dummy bit lines, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enhance estimate(s) of features (e.g., word associations), via employing a sampling component (e.g., sketches) that facilitates computations of sample contingency tables, and designates occurrences (or absence) of features in data (e.g., words in document lists). The sampling component can further include a contingency table generator and an estimation that employs a likelihood argument (e.g., partial likelihood, maximum likelihood, and the like) to estimate features/word pair(s) associations in the contingency tables.

Abstract: Systems and methods of risk management that employ a risk assessment component to continuously update risk estimation associated with a machine of a manufacturing system. A data input component is provided for receiving a measured parameter associated with a current machine condition. A comparison is performed between the measured parameter from current machine condition with predetermined risk estimations/assessment parameters to determine whether the current machine condition is within the range of acceptable operator risk conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for secure over-the-air (OTA) programming, and particularly, activation, of a wireless unit in a particular communications system. The unit stores a stored key having been generated by using a key algorithm (K-algorithm) with an identifier associated with the unit as an input to the K-algorithm. The unit may receive information such as parameters and a verification number from a communications system for the purpose of programming the unit. The verification number is generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) having the parameters and a key as A-algorithm inputs. The key is generated by the K-algorithm having the identifier associated with the as K-algorithm input. In response to receipt of the parameters and the verification number, the wireless unit generates a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameters and the stored key as trial inputs. The unit compares the verification number to the trial verification number for a match.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing printed sheets includes a processing tray and a standby tray having a pair of tray members that are movable in a width direction of sheets. The tray members are movable between a first position where a sheet is placed on the tray members and a second position where the sheet is dropped from the tray members. A roller mechanism for feeding the sheet onto the standby tray, a paddle mechanism, and an assist arm are arranged near a rear end of the standby tray. As the tray member moves from the first position to the second position, the paddle mechanism strikes a rear end of the sheet downward. The assist arm is placed near the roller mechanism to inhibit the rear end of the sheet from floating from the standby tray while the tray member is moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an AD converter including: a first conversion stage including a quantizing part to generate m parallel pieces of quantized signals from m pieces of input analog signals representing n-dimensional vectors (n?m?2n), a decoding part to generate m pieces of decoded analog signals from the m parallel pieces of quantized signals, and a residual amplifying part to output m pieces of amplified residual signals by multiplying respective differences between each of the m pieces of analog signals and each of the m pieces of decoded analog signals; a second conversion stage including a quantizing part to generate m parallel pieces of quantized signals from the m pieces of amplified residual signals; and a synthesizing part to generate m parallel pieces of digital signals by synthesizing each of the quantized signals in the first conversion stage and in the second conversion stage at each parallel position.

Abstract: Apparatus for demultiplexing a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal comprising a plurality of signals each having a different wavelength. The apparatus comprises a demultiplexer sub-assembly and a multi-channel receiver optical sub-assembly. The demultiplexer sub-assembly comprises a filter block sub-assembly for splitting the input optical signal. The receiver optical sub-assembly comprises an array of photo detectors for converting the optical signals from the filter block sub-assembly into electrical signals. The electrical signals are amplified by amplifier ICs and transmitted through electrical leads. The demultiplexer sub-assembly and the multi-channel receiver optical sub-assembly are actively aligned and fixed together.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for efficiently pinning references to the managed heap. The system and method allow for references to managed objects to be declared as pinned during a call to unmanaged code. The references are then reported as pinned to a garbage collector in response to invocation of a garbage collection service. The reference can be declared as pinned by a programmer within the source code or automatically invoked at run-time based on an unsafe condition. The garbage collection service will not move or relocate objects that are referenced by the active pinned local variables. If a garbage collection does not occur, the fact that the local variables are declared pinned is ignored.

Abstract: A freeze forecasting device for a hot water heating apparatus, for forecasting a possibility of freeze of water in a water passage circuit due to reduction in outside air temperature at a forecast target time on a forecast target day. The device includes a clock portion; an outside air temperature sensor; an outside air temperature history storage portion; a retrieval portion for retrieving a past outside air temperature; and a forecasting portion for determining whether the retrieved past outside air temperature is not higher than a freezing critical temperature of the water in the water passage circuit and forecasting the possibility of freeze of the water in the water passage circuit at the forecast target time on the forecast target day.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit for receiving a signal having been propagated through a transmission line, has a control circuit that controls on/off of a first to fourth switching circuits, wherein the control circuit turns off the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit and turns on the third switching circuit and the fourth switching circuit in a test operation mode for measuring a resistance value of the terminator resistor, and the control circuit turns on the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit and turns off the third switching circuit and the fourth switching circuit in a normal operation mode for a normal operation.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes driving rollers that are arranged in a leading end position in a sheet conveying direction of a standby tray and axis of which are perpendicular to the conveying direction and driven rollers that rotate following the driving rollers and are provided in a front portion in the sheet conveying direction of the standby tray such that an interval thereof narrows in the sheet conveying direction. The driven rollers may be arranged in the front in the sheet conveying direction of the standby tray while being spaced apart from the standby tray.