Abstract: A novel method of automated, real-time website optimization at least includes: a) receiving website optimization data including an optimization goal, and website source code; b) receiving website optimization criteria indicative of the completion of a website optimization experiment; c) executing an optimization algorithm used to select an optimized website version; d) comparing the output of the optimization algorithm with the website optimization goal to determine whether the website version under consideration is optimized; e) providing feedback from the output of the executed optimization algorithm to an input of the optimization algorithm; f) based upon the feedback, determining the next iterative step of the optimization algorithm; g) performing new iterative steps of the optimization algorithm; h) converging to an optimized website state; and i) modifying the website source code to implement the optimum version of the website.

Abstract: A novel method of virtual application enabling of a web site at least includes: a) via a end-user device, connecting to a website targeted for application enabling; b) generating end-user device compliant code for rendering of a web page on the end-user device; c) rendering a web page on the end-user device; d) providing locations on a rendered web page designated for virtual website application enabling; e) automatically mapping locations selected in element d) into corresponding locations in the end-user or website source code; f) providing application enabling code to be inserted at the locations identified in element e) or other general website code locations; g) generating and managing a virtual application enabling setup package adapted to store application enabling information generated in elements d), e), and f); and h) virtually (i.e., just in time) generating the application enabled end-user code in accordance with the information and directions contained in the application enabling setup package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relocating application programs, settings, menus, files and documents from a source computer to a target computer. The method and apparatus function properly regardless of whether the source and target computers have the same hardware or operating system. The method includes scanning the source and target machines for all applications programs, settings, menus, files, and documents in order to create a relocation strategy. The relocation strategy is created in view of pre-programmed selection rules or selection rules created by the user. The strategy is then implemented by copying, replacing or merging data from the source machine to the target machine.

Abstract: A system for shielding sensors from airborne particulate matter in the environment of an electrostatic image reproduction device at least includes: a moving surface; at least one sensor; and a shield having at least one shield window, the shield adapted to be placed between the moving surface and the sensor, and the shield at least partially encloses a subsystem of the image reproduction device; wherein the movement of the surface, and the shield and the shield window cooperate to move air through the shield window past the sensor toward the moving surface.

Abstract: A system and methods for discouraging unwanted electronic communications requires a communication sender who is not recognized by the intended recipient, or who is not approved by the intended recipient, to a post a bond to accompany the communication. Adaptable to eliminating spam, unwanted faxes, unwanted telephone calls, etc., the system and method forces the money associated with the bond to be forfeited if the communication is rejected or deemed undesirable by the recipient. To prevent financially motivated abuse on the part of recipients, the preferred embodiment forfeits the bond money in favor of a third party such as a charity or governmental entity, to which the recipient has no legal obligation. A further safeguard against recipient abuse gives senders a predetermined number of unsolicited communications to send to system subscribers, after which bonds are required to send unapproved communications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relocating application programs, settings, menus, files and documents from a source computer to a target computer. The method and apparatus function properly regardless of whether the source and target computers have the same hardware or operating system. The method includes scanning the source and target machines for all applications programs, settings, menus, files, and documents in order to create a relocation strategy. The relocation strategy is created in view of pre-programmed selection rules or selection rules created by the user. The strategy is then implemented by copying, replacing or merging data from the source machine to the target machine.

Abstract: An intelligent-networked telecommunication system avoids redundant billing for telephone transactions in which there is a billing conflict between the Intelligent Network (IN) and another component of the system by its Service Control Point (SCP) creating a service-dependent pseudo Calling Line Identifier (CLI). When a Pseudo CLI look-up table stored in the SCP database indicates that a pseudo CLI is to be created (based upon the Destination Number, DN, or the Service Key, SK), the SCP combines a prefix listed in the table with the Calling Party Number (CgPN) to form a pseudo CLI or create a totally new CLI number string. When the call is connected to the DN, the created pseudo CLI, rather than the original CLI, is transferred to the DN. A pseudo CLI is indicated where the IN is programmed to handle the billing of a particular transaction, and where the instrumentality of the DN (e.g., toll switch or special service platform) is also set up to handle billing.

Abstract: A telephone calling card (prepaid or postpaid) service system with an intelligent network (IN) for automated call processing novelly associates a Virtual Destination Number (VDN) with each calling card account to significantly broaden service options to calling card account subscribers. As a result, a calling card customer can combine calling card service with voice mail service and call forwarding service, which was heretofore not possible. More particularly, the additional services include: the ability of a calling card customer to check a voice mailbox associated with the calling card VDN; the ability of a calling card customer to create and change voice mail greeting options; the ability of a calling card customer to establishing a call forwarding number; and the ability of third parties dialing the VDN to either be connected to a call forwarding number if established, or access the calling card account subscriber's voice mailbox.

Abstract: An abbreviated dialing code capability is introduced to a telephone calling card (prepaid or postpaid) system. A calling card account customer can, via an intelligent network (IN) dial a recognized abbreviated dialing code in place of a full-length destination telephone number. A table of abbreviated codes and corresponding telephone numbers is stored for each calling card account. The calling card account subscriber or calling card customer (if given access by the calling subscriber when they are not the same person or entity) can modify the table by changing the destination number associated with a particular code, or changing the abbreviated code by changing the actual digits in the code, the number of digits, designating start, stop or cancel digits, or combinations of the above. The IN includes a service switching point (SSP) and a service control point (SCP).

Abstract: An improved information management system permits remote, on-demand storage and retrieval of documents including multimedia content, over low-speed communication links, while requiring only "thin" computing capability and a "thin wire" communication link. Heavy computing and data transfer-intensive processes are concentrated at the back end of the system, enabling the use of low bandwidth communication links, thereby obviating the need for users to purchase powerful (and hence expensive) microcomputers, servers, and complex software. The low bandwidth requirement leads to greater flexibility, whereby all manner of communication links can be used, including commonplace analog telephone lines, without significant degradation in performance. In real time retrieval and presentation of imaged documents, the system dynamically transforms stored documents to match the characteristics of a user's terminal and viewing option to avoid the transfer of a higher resolution document on lower resolution terminals.

Abstract: In a computer system, a direct access, independently arbitrated video bus (connected to a personal computer (PC) -compatible video subsystem) is directly coupled to one or more dual-ported processors to eliminate video cycle traffic over the system bus or buses and I/O bus, thereby improving system performance. The preferred embodiment architecture has, in addition to the video bus, multiple processors coupled to at least two independently arbitrated system buses which are coupled to at least two independently arbitrated input/output (I/O) buses, to provide for rapid bus information signal transfer rates.

Abstract: An interactive television system where interactive information is inserted in the vertical blanking interval of a standard television signal or some other appropriate medium. The signal is received and decoded by a settop device which sends the decoder signal, via an infrared signal, to a handheld device. The system includes an interactive program authoring system, and programmer tables in the memory of the handheld device which store data for the various interactive events. This system allows a viewer to enter and exit events at any time without having to wait for information to be downloaded and without losing scores. Furthermore, this system allows many interactive programs to run concurrently over extended periods of time while maintaining cumulative scores in the handheld for each interactive program or series of programs.

Abstract: An oscillator containing a chain of delay components (10.1, . . . , 10.l) and emitting an output signal, the period T of which substantially corresponds to the total delay of the chain. The oscillator has a logic stage (11) to which are applied signals which can be tapped along the chain or generated by additional means. The logic stage affects the input signal of the first delay component (10.1) in the chain. The oscillator may be used as part of a phase detector.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring the performance of skeletal muscle used in a skeletal muscle powered cardiac assist system. The longest term monitoring is performed by an oxygen sensor which determines the adequacy of circulatory support to the skeletal muscle. An adequately supported skeletal muscle can offer the desired cardiac assistance chronically. Insufficient support indicates that the skeletal muscle will easily fatigue if adequate vascularization is not achieved. If the circulatory support is chronically insufficient, the risk of ischemia becomes high and additional surgical intervention may be required. A somewhat shorter term concern is the adequacy of the conditioning needed to render a fast twitch skeletal muscle useful in assisting the slow twitch myocardium. A pressure transducer is used to measure conditioning sufficiency. A third type of monitoring provides an indication of changes in cardiac requirements utilizing an activity sensor.

Abstract: An implantable medical device telemetry system provides a means for decoding telemetry downlink information transmitted from an external unit to an implanted medical device, and for encoding telemetry uplink signals to be transmitted from the implanted device to the external unit. A novel system architecture results in a very small telemetry subsystem in the implanted device and a very flexible system adaptable to be used in conjunction with various telemetry formats of various implanted devices. A programmable logic array (PLA) structure that is mask programmable and which may further be partially RAM programmable serves as the basis of the telemetry subsystem. For downlink telemetry, a counter is enabled during intervals of interest in the downlink RF burst stream. The counter value at the end of such an interval is then applied to the variable inputs of the PLA tier decoding in accordance with a selected telemetry protocol.

Abstract: An implantable physiologic device, e.g., a multi-programmable, microprocessor based cardiac pacemaker, is provided with data storage and transmission capabilities for transmitting out certain current operating parameters and sensed events and for storing counted events for transmission of counts, histograms and real-time clock data out on command. The device preferably comprises a rate responsive cardiac pacemaker for providing an optimized pacing rate of stimulation pulses as a function of at least one selected rate control parameter. Each rate control parameter has a value which varies as a function of changes in a patient's physiologic demand and includes a sensor system for sensing the rate control parameter value and for providing a sensor output representative thereof.

Abstract: To improve the throughput of bridges in a multiple ring token ring network, External Copy Hardware (ECH) is provided for each source routing bridge to determine when a frame is to be copied as a candidate for forwarding to another ring by a given bridge. Each frame may contain a Routing Information Field (RIF), which the ECH searches for Segment Numbers in the RIF that are compared with host processor developed Primary Segment Numbers (each representing a primary ring number and a bridge number) and Secondary Segment Numbers (each representing an alternate ring number and a bridge number). The ECH uses the results of the comparisons along with a look-up table and a Routing Control Word (also present in the RIF) to determine if the frame under consideration is to be copied by a Protocol Handler (which interfaces with the ECH) and forwarded by the corresponding bridge to another ring.

Abstract: A lead connection suitable for use in connecting a flexible coiled lead to an implantable device. The implantable device is provided with a threaded projection having an outer diameter sized with respect to the inner diameter of the lead's conductor coil to provide a secure interconnection therewith when attached thereto. The threaded projection is disposed on top and around a feedthrough pin projecting out of the implanted device's hermetic canister. The threaded projection is screwed into the conductor coil establishing sound electrical contact between the projection and the conductor. A strain relief collar surrounds the post and lead, and a twist-and-pull type connecting ring surrounds the base of the strain relief collar. The connecting post is prevented from being unscrewed from the conductor coil, since an unscrewing motion tends to tighten the conductor coil around the threaded post.

Abstract: A pacemaker having two bipolar leads, one atrial, one ventricular, each with TIP and RING electrodes, configured as for conventional bipolar pacing/sensing in both chambers. Switching circuitry in the pacemaker is operable to select from among various possible sensing configurations, including one configuration in which sensing is performed between the ring electrodes of the respective pacing/sensing leads. Pacing is preferably performed in a conventional unipolar configuration in each chamber, from the respective tip electrodes. The "ring-to-ring" EGM signal is applied to filtering and EGM amplifier circuitry, and then provided to a telemetry system for transmission to an external receiver. The ring-to-ring EGM signal possesses the high resolution properties of conventional intracardiac signals, and is relatively unaffected by the after-potentials and tissue polarization effects that arise when the same lead is used for pacing and sensing.

Abstract: An automatic capture restoration and threshold-seeking method and apparatus for use with a cardiac pacemaker derives control signals for restoring cardiac capture from a cardiac pressure sensor. The pressure sensor also provides input control signals for a threshold-seeking apparatus. Both pulse width and amplitude thresholds can be changed contemporaneously during both capture restoration and threshold seeking.