Abstract: A method of adapting a playout schedule of a stream of media packets according to network and channel conditions includes (a) setting a playout schedule for a next packet i+1 of the stream upon receiving a current packet i; (b) computing a length of the current packet i based at least in part on a target playout schedule for the next packet i+1; (c) scaling packet i if necessary; (d) outputting packet i; and (e) updating the playout schedule for next packet i+1 based at least in part on the playout schedule and the length of current packet i.

Abstract: Integrated nanotube sensors are adapted for detecting various chemical and biological molecules. In one implementation, nanotube sensor arrays are formed as nano-electronic noses capable of such detection, and can be implemented in devices including carbon nanotube-based electronic noses and biochips. Various implementations of the present invention are also directed to nanoscience and nanotechnology applications, such as medical, military and biological applications. In a more particular implementation, nanotubes are produced on full-scale wafers and functionalized. In another more particular implementation, functionalized nanotubes are integrated into addressable devices. With these approaches, various aspects of the present invention have been found to be useful in sensor applications having small size, high density and extreme sensitivity. Such sensor applications are applicable to many aspects of society, and can be implemented for making human lives more safe, secure and healthy.

Abstract: Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects is facilitated with a micro-mirror-based access approach. According to an example embodiment, a micro-mirror is implemented to direct light to a live being such as a biological specimen or a living being. Light from the live being is detected and implemented for use in analyzing the live being. In certain applications, the micro-mirror is fastened to a live being, such as to a skull of a live mouse, while the live being is allowed to move in an unanesthetized state. Behavior of the live being and detected response from the live being are concurrently used to analyze the live being.

Abstract: A system and method for arbitrating for access to a resource group between agents according to a respective programmable weight for each agent. For each agent, a programmable mapping module selectively couples a respective arbitration handshake signal of the agent to one or more arbitration ports, and the number of the coupled arbitration ports for the agent is the respective programmable weight. A selection module selects one of the arbitration ports in response to a priority ranking of the arbitration ports, and access to the resource group is granted to the agent that has the respective arbitration handshake signal that is selectively coupled by the programmable mapping module to the selected arbitration port. A ranking module provides the priority ranking of the arbitration ports and updates the priority ranking in response to the selection module selecting the selected arbitration port.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for operating a data processing system. The data processing system hosts an operating system that is coupled to a management interface processor, wherein the management interface processor is coupled to a network having a plurality of computer systems coupled thereto. One or more instances of an independently operable console view are initiated on one or more of the computer systems, and one or more logical console objects are instantiated on the management interface processor. On selected ones of the computer systems, one or more instances of a system operations program are configured to transmit data received from a console view to the logical console object and transmit data received from a logical console object to one or more instances of a console view.

Abstract: An arrangement which includes a telephone and an interface unit, which interfaces the telephone to both a standard switched telephone communications network and an Internet communications network, is disclosed. The interface unit includes an input coupled to the telephone to receive audio information and two output ports configured to be respectively coupled to the standard switched telephone communications network and the Internet communications network. A processing unit couples the audio information received from the telephone to the first output port when the telephonic communication is to be performed using the standard switched telephone communications network. Alternatively, the processing unit processes the audio information received from the telephone in accordance with standard Internet transfer protocols and couples the processed audio information to the second output port when the telephonic communication is to be performed using the Internet communications network and the standard protocols.

Abstract: The growth of carbon nanotubes such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is achieved using a catalyst and carbon feedstock gas, with the catalyst being delivered using an approach for relatively clean delivery and placement thereof. In one example embodiment, nanoparticles are deposited from solution onto a substrate, and the substrate is subsequently heated to form catalyst material from the nanoparticles. A carbon nanotube is then grown from the catalyst material, using the catalyst material to catalyze a reaction that is used to grow the carbon nanotube. In one implementation, hydroxylamine is used in the deposition of nanoparticles of a catalyst precursor material from aqueous iron-containing solutions onto an SiO2 substrate. The nanoparticles are heated and used to form catalyst material on the SiO2 substrate, which is used in the subsequent growth of carbon nanotubes via the introduction of carbon-containing gas to the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Excellent capacitor-voltage characteristics with near-ideal hysteresis are realized in a capacitive-like structure that uses an electrode substrate-type material with a high-k dielectric layer having a thickness of a few-to-several Angstroms capacitance-based SiO2 equivalent (“TOx, Eq”). According to one particular example embodiment, a semiconductor device structure has an electrode substrate-type material having a Germanium-rich surface material. The electrode substrate-type material is processed to provide this particular electrode surface material in a form that is thermodynamically stable with a high-k dielectric material. A dielectric layer is then formed over the electrode surface material with the high-k dielectric material at a surface that faces, lies against and is thermodynamically stable with the electrode surface material.

Abstract: A speech signal processing approach modifies the amplitudes of pulses within a multi-pulse sequence to improve and/or modify the perceived quality of reconstructed speech. According to one embodiment that is consistent with the present invention, an input frame processing arrangement generates the short-term characteristics of an input speech signal and also a target vector. The processing arrangement includes an analyzer that operates to provide an optimal analysis, from a maximum-likelihood standpoint, with respect to determining the best possible pulse sequence to match the target. The analyzer receives the target vector and the short term characteristics and generates a plurality of sequences of variable-amplitude pulses, each of said sequences having a different average amplitude value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exposing an application object model to web-based clients. The various embodiments involve parsing each HTTP-form-processing request received from a client by a web server. As the property names are obtained form the HTTP-form-processing request, the objects in the object model are traversed. When the end of the HTTP-form-processing request is reached and the object model is traversed, a selected property of a referenced object is returned to the client.

Abstract: A computing system with a mode-selectable bus interface. In one embodiment, the computing system includes a system bus, a processor coupled to the bus via an interface unit, and a controller coupled to the bus. The system bus implements one of a first and a second system bus protocols. The interface unit is compatible with the first system bus protocol in a first selectable mode and the second system bus protocol in a second selectable mode, and the controller is compatible with one of the system bus protocols. A mode register is coupled to the interface unit, and the interface unit selects the first mode responsive to a first value of the mode register and selects the second mode responsive to a second value of the mode register. A scan controller is coupled to the mode register for scanning a value into the mode register.

Abstract: A signal-repeating device control arrangement facilitates user control of various types of media equipment in a facility. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the different types of user-controllable media equipment are located with respective user-interface units in various zones of the facility to provide user-selectable interaction for the user. The signal-repeating device control arrangement includes a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a user's remote control, a data-routing circuit for communication with packet-communicating devices such as over an Ethernet, and an emulation circuit for providing an interface to manufacturer-specific equipment for control of other devices types and/or user input devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing numerical values in a computer program. In various embodiments, the invention provides an arbitrary and expandable high-precision datatype. The datatype encapsulates large-integer data and associated operators. The large-integer data has runtime expandable precision, and the operations perform functions on large-integer data and system integer data in a manner that is functionally equivalent to corresponding language-provided integer operations. The language-provided integer operations are overloaded with the operations of the large-integer datatype, whereby a user is unburdened with special commands and syntax, and large-integer data is inter-operable with system integer data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for routing communications. A plurality of communication devices are coupled to a communications network. Each communication device has a device identifier. A user-programmable database associates each of a plurality of user identifiers with a device identifier. A call-routing switch arrangement is coupled to the communication network through a portal communication device having a portal identifier. A user designates a destination user identifier when making a communication. The call-routing switches the call, directing the call to a destination device identifier responsive to the user-programmable database association between the destination user identifier and a device identifier. According to the present invention, communications are directed to users and are routed to associated equipment, a user identifier serving as a virtual extension number.

Abstract: A memory processing approach involves implementation of memory status-driven access. According to an example embodiment, addresses received at an address buffer are processed for access to a memory relative to an active location in the memory. Addresses corresponding to an active location in the memory array are processed prior to addresses that do not correspond to an active location. Data is read from the memory to a read buffer and ordered in a manner commensurate with the order of received addresses at the address buffer (e.g., thus facilitating access to the memory in an order different from that received at the address buffer while maintaining the order from the read buffer).

Abstract: Light is processed and, in some instances, generated using an approach involving a photonic crystal resonator arrangement. According to an example embodiment, a photonic crystal resonator array includes an array of defect locations configured for controlling the group velocity of light passing through the photonic crystal resonator array. In one implementation, holes are selectively formed in a membrane, with certain periodic locations in the membrane being substantially free of holes. In other implementations, certain periodic locations as discussed above are characterized by holes having a relatively differently-shaped opening, relative to a plurality of the holes. Still other implementations involve optical delay components, lasers, sensors and other devices implemented with a photonic crystal resonator array.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low-cost, remotely accessible surveillance method and system easily adaptable for personal or small-entity use. In one example embodiment, a request for image data is delivered via a first communications system, such as a telephone system, to a programmable surveillance system. The programmable surveillance system has a camera adapted to capture images that are processed as data by a first computer arrangement. In response to the request from the first communications system, the programmable surveillance system automatically accesses and delivers image data captured by the camera to a second communications system. A second computer arrangement is adapted to communicatively couple with the second communications system and to receive and process data including the image data delivered by the first computer arrangement. The received image data is displayed using the second computer arrangement, facilitating on-demand, remote image monitoring.