Abstract: Methods and systems for processing and facilitating the processing of payment card transactions between remote merchants and purchaser/card holders as authenticated card-present transactions, and for reducing processing fees charged to merchants. Purchaser/card holders are provided with payment card readers, and optionally, with biometric readers and/or personal identification number (“PIN”) key pads. When a payment card transaction is to be conducted between a merchant and a purchaser/card holder, the purchaser/card holder is connected or redirected to a remote face-to-face (“RF2F”) program/system. The RF2F program/system is configured to receive personal identification information from the purchaser/card holder, and optionally from the biometric reader and/or PIN key pad, and to authenticate the purchaser/card holder. The RF2F program/systemRF2F program/system/system is further configured to receive payment card information from the payment card reader, and to authenticate the payment card.

Abstract: Methods and systems to dynamically control state-retention strengths of a plurality of memory cells during a write operation to a subset of the memory cells. Dynamic control may include weakening state-retention strengths of the plurality of memory cells during a write operation to a subset of the memory cells, while preserving state-retention abilities of remaining ones of the plurality of memory cells. Weakening may include adjusting one or more resistances between one or more power supplies and the plurality of memory cells. Dynamic control may be selectively performed on portions of each of the memory cells in response to an input data logic state. Dynamic control may reduce a write contention within the subset of memory cells without disabling state-retention abilities of remaining ones of the plurality of memory cells, and may improve write response times of the memory cells.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic channel management of a television based on media center set-top box tuner availability. The method includes determining a last channel a television was tuned to prior to being turned off. Then it is determined whether the last channel is a radio frequency remodulated (RF-remodulated) channel. If the last channel is a RF-remodulated channel, then sending a signal to indicate that the television is on line with the RF-remodulated channel. If a tuner is not available for the television, then receiving an indication of a cable channel that was last RF-remodulated to the RF-remodulated channel for the television. Finally, changing the television to the cable channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems to perform point-of-care, user-initiated fluidic assays, using substantially self-contained, portable, user-initiated fluidic assay systems. Exemplary assays include diagnostic assays and chemical detection assays. Diagnostic assays may include, without limitation, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), and may include one or more sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnostic assays. An exemplary assay system includes a housing having one or more fluid chambers, a fluid controller system to dispense fluid from the one or more fluid chambers, and a user-initiated actuator to control the fluid controller system. The actuator may be configured to move fluid controllers from functionally closed positions to functionally open positions, to control fluid flow from the fluid chambers. The fluid controller system may be configured to dispense fluids serially, and may be configured to mix a plurality of fluids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical signaling. In one embodiment, a laser driver converts a digital voltage sequence to a current signal having a bias mode adjustable by a bias control and a modulation mode adjustable by a modulation control. A laser generates an optical signal responsive to the current signal of the laser driver. In one embodiment, a photo-detector receives an optical signal and generates a single ended current signal. A transimpedance amplifier circuit converts the single ended current signal to a differential voltage signal. A clock recovery circuit generates an aligned clock signal and a sampler circuit uses the aligned clock signal to retrieve a digital voltage sequence.

Abstract: A method for memory registration caching comprising enumerating a first process for a first process, in response to a memory registration cache being activated; finding an import table for the first module, wherein one or more pointers, in the import table, refer to memory management routines in a first library; changing the pointers so that the pointers refer to memory management routines in a second library; overloading routines that refer to the memory management routines in the first library so that the routines refer to the memory management routines in the second library; intercepting memory allocation requests, wherein the size of the request is forwarded to the memory registration cache; and de-registering freed memory from the memory registration cache.

Abstract: A method and system for the protected storage of downloaded media content via a virtualized platform. A method comprises downloading content to a special purpose virtual machine and then storing the downloaded content at a location, where the location is only accessible via the special purpose virtual machine. The stored content is then streamed over a virtual network to a general purpose virtual machine, where the special purpose virtual machine and the general purpose virtual machine exist on the same personal computer (PC).

Abstract: Methods and systems to amplify and convert a single-ended analog signal to a differential signal and to convert the differential signal to a digital value, including to time-multiplex a plurality of windowed single-ended analog error signals, amplify a difference between the time-multiplexed analog signals, sample a corresponding amplified difference signal and an inverted amplified difference signal, amplify and center the samples about a common mode, and convert a corresponding amplified differential signal to digital values in a pipeline fashion. Bias adjustable features may be implemented to control a bandwidth, and clock rates may be adjustable to correspond to the bandwidth.

Abstract: A provisioning method and mechanism for computer systems having embedded network devices. After an initial boot-up of a computer platform, an out-of-band (OOB) controller automatically connects to a corporate DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server to obtain an IP (Internet Protocol) address and a domain name in which the computer platform is running. The domain name is concatenated with a pre-defined host name to obtain a FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) for a provisioning server. The OOB controller then establishes a TCP connection to the provisioning server. A server certificate chain received from the provisioning server is validated. An attempt to login to the provisioning server is made. If corporate security policy dictates granting access to the computer platform, then provisioning configuration data is received over a secure and encrypted channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems to write to redundant storage latches, or storage cells, including soft error upset tolerant latches and feedback-interlocked redundant storage cells, including to write a logic value to one of a plurality of same sense storage nodes, and to write a complementary logic value to a selected one of a plurality of opposite sense storage nodes responsive to the logic value. Remaining storage nodes may be written to through circuitry within the storage cell. Logic values may be output substantially simultaneously with corresponding write operations. A system may include a multiple logic level write circuit to write to the first same sense storage node, and first and second single logic level write circuits to write to the first and second opposite sense storage nodes, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide dynamic element matching (DEM) in multi-phase sample systems include multiple uncorrelated, dual data weighted averaging, dynamic element matching (DDWA DEM). DDWA DEM may be implemented in a multiple-phase sample system in which sample paths and feedback paths share capacitances. Compensation feedback is apportioned amongst corresponding banks of capacitive sample circuits to utilize the capacitive sample circuits within each bank substantially equally over multiple sample cycles. The apportioning is substantially un-correlated between banks, which may reduce in-band quantization noise folding. DDWA DEM may be implemented within a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), in a delta-sigma modulator.

Abstract: Data may be marshalled from a managed runtime environment to an unmanaged environment by using a compiler to calculate argument offsets and generate marshalling language code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bus repeater tapering. The sizing of repeaters on a portion of one transmission line is chosen to propagate a signal transition at a particular rate. The sizing of repeaters on a substantially parallel portion of another transmission line, is chosen to propagate a second signal transition at a different rate. Thus, the worst-case capacitance coupling factor between the two transmission lines may be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method that allow for context and language specific data entry via a user interface. A user interface is displayed on a display device, where the user interface includes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections. A menu selection is activated. A data entry method is displayed, where the data entry method is context and language specific to the activated menu selection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and systems to controllably steer multiple phases of a differential signal, including to generate a differential current in response to a differential voltage, to controllably steer the differential current between multiple output circuits in response to corresponding control signals, which may be out of phase with respect to one another, and to generate multiple corresponding outputs corresponding to the multiple steered phases of the current. A differential input circuit and a current steering circuit may be common to multiple output circuits, and a common offset compensation may be provided to compensate for a substantial portion of offset associated with the multiple outputs.