Abstract: A stroller covering including a removable cover shade is provided. Embodiments of this invention are directed to a removable shade for a stroller hood or bassinet hood to shield a stroller occupant (i.e., an infant or child) from rain, snow, sunlight, noise, etc., while allowing his/her caregiver quick and easy access to the child. In these embodiments, the removable shade comprises a curtain configured to cover an opening formed by the stroller hood, and a flange extending from the curtain for engaging a surface of the stroller hood.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an apparatus, computer architecture, method, operating system, compiler, and application program products for MPEs as well as virtualization across physical boundaries that define physical partitions in a symmetric MCP. Among other things, the disclosure is applied to a generic microprocessor architecture with a set (e.g., one or more) of controlling/main processing elements (e.g., MPEs) and a set of groups of sub-processing elements (e.g., SPEs). The arrangement also enables MPEs to delegate functionality to one or more groups of SPEs such that those group(s) of SPEs may act as pseudo MPEs. Such delegation may occur across the physical boundaries. Regardless, the pseudo MPEs may utilize pseudo virtualized control threads to control the behavior of other groups of SPEs also across physical boundaries.

Abstract: A loan repayment system and method comprises a loan account for a purchased item, and a personal fund account used to manage discretionary money. A user deposits discretionary money periodically into the fund account. Typically, the fund account has a starting balance of at least one full cycle's worth of such deposits. Additional principal payments, leveraged from the fund account to front-load against the loan account, are used to exponentially counter the total interest. As the method recycles with each full cycle, the loan account balance is reduced faster.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a multifaceted tool (e.g., graphical representation/object) for searching and displaying data (e.g., search results). Specifically, aspects of the present invention build on “seed” terms to find and display related words, presenting them in a graduated manner by closeness to the seed. The tool allows a user to select variable weights which indicate the desired degree of closeness to the seed word/idea, or it may be randomly generated. Additionally, this tool may be used to create brainstorm teams with a desired level of variance from a target subject. In a typical embodiment, the a search or seed term and corresponding results are displayed in a hub and spoke-like graphical representation whereby the seed term is positioned in a center window of the graphic, and results are displayed in branches that extend radially from the center. Each branch can correspond to a different information source from which the corresponding results were obtained.

Abstract: An approach is provided for pre-fetching of virtual content in a virtual universe based on previous traversals. In one embodiment, there is a pre-fetching tool, including a ranking component configured to rank each of a plurality of parcels of locations previously visited by an avatar according to predefined ranking criteria. The pre-fetching tool further includes a pre-fetching component configured to pre-fetch a virtual content of said parcels of locations based on the ranking.

Abstract: An approach that allows for model based people counting is provided. In one embodiment, there is a generating tool configured to generate a set of person-shape models based on results of a cumulative training process; a detecting tool configured to detect persons in a camera field-of-view by using the set of person-shape models, and a counting tool configured to track detected persons upon crossing by the detected persons of a previously established virtual boundary.

Abstract: A device for selectively stowing a flag in a coiled condition and displaying the flag in an unfurled condition. The flag may be affixed to a pole. The device comprises a hollow cylindrical member which encloses the flag and pole. The pole may be captively retained to the hollow cylinder. An illuminable light source may be formed as part of the device. The device may visually simulate sports equipment such as a baseball bat, hockey stick, golf club, and others. The device may have a symbolic object such as a ball, hockey puck, or object symbolic of automobile racing such as an engine fluid dipstick removably affixed thereto. The device may be a toy or souvenir in some embodiments.

Abstract: In general, the present invention protects actual search queries submitted to web search engines using a set (i.e., at least one) of supplemental queries (hereinafter referred to as securing search queries). As a result, collections of search queries will not form statistically stable categories, and will not disclose the search subject. Any hits resulting from securing search queries will be filtered from results that are returned to the requestor. In addition, the securing search queries can be associated with protective Internet Protocol addresses to reduce the possibility of the requestor of the actual search query to be identified.

Abstract: The present invention permits performance adjustment in a virtual universe. In particular, the invention proposes a mixed server-based/peer-to-peer approach, in which transmission responsibilities are shifted towards peer-to-peer computing as the number of avatars within a region increases. The invention may foster fluid business transactions (e.g., sales) during times of high avatar load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to provide Cloud roaming services. It allows Cloud services to be offered to requesters that are abstracted from the underlying Cloud provider used to fulfill those services. The present invention provides the ability for Cloud providers to be dynamically associated with currently available Cloud services for requesters. The system and method describes two scenarios—a pull and push model—to align requester required services to currently available services from Cloud providers. The requester has a profile determining a prioritized list of Cloud providers that may be used, or the primary Cloud provider may delegate services to a partner cloud. The algorithm of the invention shows how the provider decides which requesters have access to which services—based on current utilization and forecasting.

Abstract: As indicated above, the present invention provides a flameless, portable heating kit. In a typical embodiment, the heat pack contains a liquid activated heating material (e.g., in pack form) and utilizes a recycled heat design. This design includes an opening between a heat chamber and a content chamber where the contents (materials to be heated such as food, or a packet containing food such as a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE)) are placed. The heat materials such as steam, air or liquid are transported through a controlled opening that transfers heat to the heat chamber. The present invention also provides a heat control method that uses a filter or filters that filter by-product materials such as moisture and channels the by-products outside, while keeping the heating liquid material inside of the heat space chamber. Optimal control of the heating (chemical) materials' temperature offers a safe heating experience.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for service-supporting resources (e.g., IT resources such as processor, storage, network, etc.). Specifically, the present invention will first create a resource configuration data repository that includes resource scaling capabilities of a set of IT resources. A unit of work data repository that includes details of jobs handled by the IT resources will also be included. Then, a profile will be created for the set of IT resources, the profile typically including information related to a service demand, a capacity, a utilization, and a performance of the set of IT resources. Resource utilization and performance data (e.g., historical and/or real-time data) will then be collected. Using the resource configuration data repository, the unit of work data repository, the profile, and the resource utilization and performance data, a scaling strategy will be generated/developed and implemented for the IT resources.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide time-varying barcodes in an active display for information exchange. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for communicating information between electronic devices via a barcode image sequence. In a typical embodiment, a barcode image sequence is displayed on the display screen of a first electronic device. A second electronic device reads and decodes the barcode image sequence. The second electronic device displays an acknowledgement on the display screen of the second electronic device. The acknowledgement is read by the first electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for flexible data archival using a model-driven approach. The data archive system and method of the present invention provides the operation of moving data from original data repository into archive data repository. Users can specify archive conditions describing which portions of the data will be moved. The method may have steps such as analyzing application content, defining an archive model, transforming the model by generating an archive specification based upon the modeling result and building an application based upon the archive model and deploying the new model and archive application.

Abstract: This invention describes an apparatus, computer architecture, method, operating system, compiler, and application program products for MPEs as well as virtualization in a symmetric MCP. The disclosure is applied to a generic microprocessor architecture with a set (e.g., one or more) of controlling elements (e.g., MPEs) and a set of groups of sub-processing elements (e.g., SPEs). Under this arrangement, MPEs and SPEs are organized in a way that a smaller number MPEs control the behavior of a group of SPEs. The apparatus enables virtualized control threads within MPEs to be assigned to different groups of SPEs for controlling the same. The apparatus further includes a MCP coupled to a power supply coupled with cores to provide a supply voltage to each core (or core group) and controlling-digital elements and multiple instances of sub-processing elements.

Abstract: An approach that manages a service oriented architecture (SOA) shared service is provided. In one embodiment, there is a service management tool, including an identification component configured to identify a SOA shared service that needs to be revised; and a revision component configured to develop a revision procedure to address the SOA shared service that needs to be revised, and implement the revision procedure for the SOA shared service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide time-varying barcodes for information exchange. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for communicating information between electronic devices via a time-varying barcode image sequence. In a typical embodiment, information to be transmitted is divided into packets. A barcode image is generated from each packet. Each barcode image is displayed sequentially with varying display times based on the complexity of the barcode image. A second electronic device reads and decodes the barcode image sequence until the entire information is received.

Abstract: The present invention provides an LED and method of manufacture in which white light is produced. Specifically, under the present invention, a wavelength of a light output by an LED (e.g., blue or ultra-violet (UV)) is measured (e.g., at the wafer level). Based on the wavelength measurement, a conformal coating is applied to the LED. The conformal coating has a phosphor ratio that is based on the wavelength. Moreover, the phosphor ratio is comprised of at least one of the following colors: yellow, green, or red. The light output of the LED is then converted to white light using the conformal coating. In a typical embodiment, these steps are performed at the wafer level so that uniformity and consistency in results can be better obtained. However, it should be understood that the same teachings could be applied at the chip level. Moreover, several different approaches can be implemented for isolating the coating area. Examples include the use of a paraffin wax, a silk screen, or a photo resist.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides a tailpiece for a musical instrument. Among other things, the tailpiece includes a treble side, a bass side, and a surface topography (i.e., along its bottom surface) causes the tailpiece to twist/rock when the bass side is brought under tension. Among other features, the topography includes a protrusion positioned proximate the treble side, and that comes in contact with the actual musical instrument. The twisting or rocking action causes a lower set of strings attached to the tailpiece to be lengthened, thus, creating difference musical sounds and/or tones.

Abstract: A dental implant having a unique thread configuration, which increases the total load bearing area to maximize support values of a successful implant for the same osteotomy when compared to other implant designs. At least one course of helical threads surrounds an elongated, cylindrical body. In an embodiment chosen for the purposes of disclosure, the threads have relatively broad crestal surfaces, typically having a rounded profile. One or more helical secondary threaded grooves are disposed in the crestal surface of the threads. The helical grooves facilitate collection of bone and promote immediate stabilization and osseointegration of the implant. The broad crestal thread design compresses bone in one direction while bone is being collected by the helical grooves in the opposite direction. The result is that the implant is immediately stable in a patient's jaw. The method of installing the dental implant is also novel.