Abstract: A computer system receives customer reviews for a subject, for example, a product, service, or market participant. Each review includes a rating of the subject and a comment about the subject. The rating may be favorable, unfavorable, or intermediate. The system sorts the reviews in a default order, for example, chronologically, and displays the reviews in the default order on a first webpage. The first webpage includes an input for requesting a non-default order of the reviews, for example, in accordance with the ratings of the reviews. The system sorts the reviews in the non-default order, and, when a user activates the input to request the reviews in the non-default order, displays a second webpage with the reviews in the non-default order. The non-default order may require all reviews with less than favorable ratings to be placed ahead of all reviews with favorable ratings. The system may be Internet-based.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture enable a telephone system to distinguish between actual events and echoes. Events may include conferees' voice and DTMF commands. In selected embodiments, the system categorizes an event received on one channel as a real event if the energy of the event's waveform is greater than concurrent energy of every other channel of the same conference. Otherwise, the event is stored. When the system receives a new event of the same type on a channel of the same conference during a predetermined period, it compares the energies of the new and stored events. If the energy of the new event exceeds that of the stored event, the new event becomes the stored event, and the old stored event is ignored. At the end of the period, the stored event is categorized as a real event and forwarded to appropriate application code.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying and/or analyzing potential patent infringement, including a processing device for processing the information regarding the patent, wherein the processing device identifies at least one independent claim of the patent, wherein the processing device formulates a search or a search query containing information corresponding to the at least one independent claim, wherein the processing device searches information regarding at least one of a product, products, a service, and services, wherein the processing device obtains and processes information regarding at least one of a product, products, a service, and services, relevant to the at least one independent claim in conjunction with information contained in the at least one independent claim, and further wherein the processing device generates claim chart information containing information regarding the at least one of a product, products, a service, and services.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for facilitating a purchase in conjunction with media content information. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a transmission of media content, information regarding the content, and information for facilitating a purchase of at least one of a copy of the content, a good, and/or a service. The content may include broadcast media content and entertainment media content. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to process the information regarding the content and the information for facilitating a purchase of the copy of the content, the good, and/or the service. The apparatus also includes a display device for displaying information.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and storage medium with embedded code automate search for products that potentially infringe patents or similar rights of exclusion. The computer system receives an identifier of the patent, retrieves the patent's text, parses the text to identify contextually important terms of a claim, and then formulates queries that include these key terms. The system launches the queries and receives search results. If the number of results is excessive, the queries are reformulated more restrictively. The system determines contextual relevance of the results and arranges the results in order of their relevance.

Abstract: Patent valuation method uses discounted present value analysis and statistical adjustment techniques to compute an estimate of the value of a patent or portfolio of patents. The present value of the projected incremental annual income generated by the patent rights is adjusted for the probabilities of actual infringement, the owner's willingness and ability to enforce the patent rights, and the probabilities that the individual patents will be held not invalid, not unenforceable, and infringed. A formal matrix approach is used to arrive at an estimate of the relative values of the individual patents within the portfolio.

Abstract: A method for identifying end of voiced speech within an audio stream of a noisy environment employs a speech discriminator. The discriminator analyzes each window of the audio stream, producing an output corresponding to the window. The output is used to classify the window in one of several classes, for example, (1) speech, (2) silence, or (3) noise. A state machine processes the window classifications, incrementing counters as each window is classified: speech counter for speech windows, silence counter for silence, and noise counter for noise. If the speech counter indicates a predefined number of windows, the state machine clears all counters. Otherwise, the state machine appropriately weights the values in the silence and noise counters, adds the weighted values, and compares the sum to a limit imposed on the number of non-voice windows. When the non-voice limit is reached, the state machine terminates processing of the audio stream.

Abstract: In a driver training program, a manager conducts an observation drive with a program participant. During the observation drive, the manager observes the participant's driving without commenting on the driving. The manager discusses the observations with the participant during the conference, and provides reports to appropriate departments of the company, e.g., human resources, benefits, and fleet maintenance departments. Based on the manager's observations during the observation drive and other information regarding driving skills of the participant, a driver training curriculum is designed for the participant.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for searching and submitting intellectual property listings, goods and services offered for sale online. Tailored searching is provided in a convenient and efficient manner on the Internet via an Aggregation Portal. The Aggregation Portal provides a uniform and user-friendly interface, whereby intermediary services are provided to facilitate transactions utilizing the Internet. Such services include legal, valuation, insurance, escrow, brokering, consulting and other professional services. Further, a multiple-listing type of commission sharing is created between the Aggregation Portal and various Internet auctions and exchanges. In one embodiment, a software application is downloaded on a user's personal computer (or network terminal) for searching, marketing and transacting goods and services, especially intellectual property.

Abstract: Patent valuation method uses discounted present value analysis and statistical risk adjustment techniques to compute an estimate of the value of a patent or portfolio of patents. The present value of the projected incremental annual income generated by the patent monopoly is adjusted for the probabilities of actual infringement, the owner's willingness and ability to enforce the patent rights, and the probabilities that the individual patents will be held not invalid, not unenforceable, and infringed. A formal matrix approach is used to construct a patent portfolio weight matrix and arrive at an estimate of the relative values of the individual patents within the portfolio.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant computer uses multiple commercial processors operating synchronously, i.e., in lock-step. In an exemplary embodiment, redundancy logic isolates the outputs of the processors from other computer components, so that the other components see only majority vote outputs of the processors. Processor resynchronization, initiated at predetermined time, milestones, and/or in response to processor faults, protects the computer from single event upsets. During resynchronization, processor state data is flushed and an instance of these data in accordance with processor majority vote is stored. Processor caches are flushed to update computer memory with more recent data stored in the caches. The caches are invalidated and disabled, and snooping is disabled. A controller is notified that snooping has been disabled. In response to the notification, the controller performs a hardware reset of the processors. The processors are loaded with the stored state data, and snooping and caches are enabled.

Abstract: A radiation shielding integrated circuit device comprising a x-ray shielding layer for shielding an electronic circuit device from receiving an amount of x-rays greater than the total dose tolerance of the electronic circuit device; a base coupled to the x-ray shielding layer; a radiation shielding top coupled to the base; a radiation shielding bottom coupled to the base; and the electronic circuit device coupled to the x-ray shielding layer; wherein the electronic circuit device is shielded from receiving an amount of radiation greater than a total dose tolerance of the electronic circuit device.

Abstract: A method of operating a call management system enables a subscriber to acknowledge a call, without taking the call. When the system receives the call, it identifies the called subscriber, obtains caller information, and presents the caller information to the subscriber when notifying the subscriber of the pending call. Caller information is information relating to the caller or to the call, such as the caller's name and telephone number. If the subscriber chooses to acknowledge the call, the system records an acknowledgement message from the subscriber. The system then plays the acknowledgement message to the caller. After playing the acknowledgement message, the system offers the caller an opportunity to leave a message for the subscriber. The system may allow such message exchange between the caller and subscriber to continue, enabling the subscriber to acknowledge the caller's additional messages, and the caller to leave messages in response to the acknowledgements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to automated reception systems that may receive voice information indicating action to be taken by the system. The automated reception system may receive a call and transmit a speech message to the caller identifying actions that the caller may ask the system to take. The caller may verbally select an action for the system to execute. Possible actions may depend upon the system context and information about possible actions may be provided to the caller through dynamically generated messages. The caller may also access voicemail or electronic mail messages using embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a caller may be able to control a separate communication session using voice or other commands input during a telephone session.

Abstract: A radiation shielded and packaged integrated circuit semiconductor device includes a lid secured to a base to enclose an integrated circuit die within, wherein the lid and the base are each constructed from a high Z material to prevent radiation from penetrating therethrough. Another embodiment includes a die attach slug constructed from a high Z material disposed between the integrated circuit die and the base, in combination with a high Z material lid to substantially block incident radiation.

Abstract: A system operable with a passive anti theft security system having a first coil connected to a passive anti theft controller for transmitting a first signal to a first transponder having a third coil and a first code therein, said first transponder responsive to said signal transmitting said first code to said first coil, the system comprising a second transponder having a second code and a fourth coil with two terminal ends wound about said third coil of said second transponder; and a relay selectively shorting or opening said terminal ends of said fourth coil to selectively enable and disable said second transponder.

Abstract: A remote starting system operable with a passive anti theft security system. The passive anti theft security system includes a first coil connected to a passive anti theft controller, which is used for transmitting a first signal to a first transponder. The first transponder has a third coil and a first code. The first transponder is responsive to the first signal and transmits the first code to the first coil. The remote starting system comprises a second transponder, which has a second code and a fourth coil. The fourth coil has two terminal ends wound about the second transponder. The system further comprises a relay that selectively shorts or opens the terminal ends of the fourth coil so as to selectively enable and disable the second transponder.