Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system for predicting the availability of hot water for bathing. One or more parameters corresponding to the operation of a water heater are monitored over time and/or a temperature distribution of water in a hot water tank measured. Data corresponding to the monitored parameters and/or temperature distribution are processed to determine a rate at which hot water is being consumed by filling a bath and/or due to other hot water consumers and/or to determine a current hot water availability condition. Based on a hot water consumption rate and/or determination of a current hot water availability condition, a projection is made to whether there will be adequate hot water to fill the bathtub to a desired level or volume at a desired temperature.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a chip includes transmitters and generation circuitry to provide data symbols and special characters to the transmitters to be transmitted. The chip also includes match detection circuitry to detect when the data symbols match the special characters; and indicator symbol generation circuitry to create data indicator symbols in response to detected matches and to provide the data indicator symbols to the generation circuitry to be provided to the transmitters to be transmitted. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and software for creating resolution-independent display of Internet (Web) content to allow Web pages to be scaled (zoomed) and panned for better viewing and/or to fit any resolution or screen size. According to one aspect, novel client-side processing of markup language-based Web content is provided that employs a rendering engine to interpret original page layout information. The page layout information is scaled and employed to enable the Web content to be rapidly rendered, zoomed, and panned. According to another aspect, display lists are generated to provide further enhancements in rendering speed. According to other aspects, bounding boxes are generated and scaled to lay out text and/or images on scaled Web content that is used to facilitate browsing of Web pages with zooming and panning.

Abstract: Mobile devices enabled to support resolution-independent scalable display of Internet (Web) content to allow Web pages to be scaled (zoomed) and panned for better viewing on smaller screen sizes. The mobile devices employ software-based processing of original Web content, including HTML-based content, XML, cascade style sheets, etc. to generate scalable content. The scalable content and/or data derived therefrom are then employed to enable the Web content to be rapidly rendered, zoomed, and panned. Display lists may also be employed to provide further enhancements in rendering speed.

Abstract: Method, browser client, and apparatus for enabling users of hand-held devices to perform full page browsing of Web pages with zooming and panning. A proxy or proxy server is used to process HTML-based Web content corresponding to requested Web pages in their original form and generate translated content that is configured to be processed by a browser client running on hand-held devices to support full page browsing of the Web pages with zooming and panning support while preserving the original page layout and design of the Web pages. Thus, users are enabled to use their hand-held devices to browse their favorite Web pages in a similar manner to which they are accustomed when using their desktop browser. Moreover, since the original form of the HTML-based Web content is employed, hand-held device users are enabled to browse from among billions of Web pages available via the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transferring a communication and computer session between devices. A user launches a communication session on a first device, such as a personal computer. The user may then selectively transfer the communication session to another device, such as a wireless device, through activation of a triggering signal. In response, the context of the communication session is determined as it is being performed on the first device, including a type of the communication session. The communication session is then transferred to the second device by launching a new communication session on the second device and transferring the context of the communication session corresponding to the first device to the new communication session on the second device. The communications session is continued via use of the first device as a proxy for the second device.

Abstract: Method, proxy, and system for enabling users of hand-held devices to perform full page browsing of Web pages with zooming and panning. A proxy or proxy server is used to process HTML-based Web content corresponding to requested Web pages in their original form and generate translated content that is configured to be processed by a browser client running on hand-held devices to support full page browsing of the Web pages with zooming and panning support while preserving the original page layout and design of the Web pages. Thus, users are enabled to use their hand-held devices to browse their favorite Web pages in a similar manner to which they are accustomed when using their desktop browser. Moreover, since the original form of the HTML-based Web content is employed, hand-held device users are enabled to browse from among billions of Web pages available via the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting the availability of hot water for showering and bathing. One or more parameters corresponding to the operation of a water heater are monitored over time. Data corresponding to the monitored parameters are processed to determine a rate at which hot water is being consumed by the shower/bath and/or other hot water consumers. Based on a hot water consumption rate and determination of a current hot water availability condition, a time at which the temperature of hot water supplied by the water heater is projected to fall below a minimum temperature threshold is determined. In one embodiment, the apparatus include a thermal-modeling computer and a control/monitor interface that is disposed in or proximate to a shower. In one embodiment, the thermal-modeling computer is installed at a water heater and data is transmitted between the thermal-modeling computer and the control/monitor interface via a wireless signal.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring a computer session between devices, such as a land-line device to a wireless device. A user launches a computer session on a first device, such as a personal computer. The user may then selectively transfer the computer session to another device, such as a wireless device, through activation of a triggering signal or other transfer request means. In response, the context of the computer session is determined as it is being performed on the first device, and corresponding context data is transferred to the second device. An applicable application on the second device is opened and loaded with applicable context data to continue the session. Several session transfer mechanisms, including use of an online service, proxy mechanisms, and peer-to-peer communication links, are disclosed.

Abstract: Mobile devices enabled to support resolution-independent scalable display of Internet (Web) content to allow Web pages to be scaled (zoomed) and panned for better viewing on smaller screen sizes. The mobile devices employ software-based processing of original Web content, including HTML-based content, XML, cascade style sheets, etc. to generate scalable content. The scalable content and/or data derived therefrom are then employed to enable the Web content to be rapidly rendered, zoomed, and panned. Moreover, the rendered displays provide substantially the same or identical layout as the original Web page, enabling users to easily navigate to selected content and features on familiar Web pages. Display lists may also be employed to provide further enhancements in rendering speed. Additionally, hardware-based programmed logic may be employed to facilitate various operations.

Abstract: Methods for securing bibs to garments and related articles of clothing. Various schemes are disclosed for securing a bib to a mating garment using one or more points of attachment employing a respective mating pair of fastener halves at each point of attachment. The schemes include employment of a mating pair of fasteners to secure the lower portion of a bib to the front of a garment. Meanwhile, in some embodiments the neck straps of a bib are secured to the back of the neck area of the garment.

Abstract: Methods for securing bibs to garments and related articles of clothing. Various schemes are disclosed for securing a bib to a mating garment using one or more points of attachment employing a respective mating pair of fastener halves at each point of attachment. The schemes include employment of a mating pair of fastener to secure the bib to a shoulder of a garment. Meanwhile, in some embodiments a mating pair of fastener is used to secure the lower portion of the bib to a chest area of the garment. Under other embodiments, a three-point attachment scheme is employed including using a pairs of fasteners to secure the straps of a bib to the shoulders of the garment and another mating pair of fasteners to secure the lower portion of the bib to the garment.

Abstract: An XML-based symbolic computer language, interpreter, and corresponding execution environments are disclosed. The XML-based symbolic computer language, called “OLIN” (One Language Intelligent Network) enables a computer program to be written as an XML-compliant document. OLIN programs are interpreted by an interpreter by parsing the XML content to extract symbolic expressions embedded therein, and evaluating those symbolic expressions. The XML-based symbolic computer language is object-oriented and is based on inherent principles of the LISP programming language. Accordingly, code and data are treated the same. The language provides built-in structures and functions for implementing neural networks and genetic programming. OLIN programs may be executed by a single computer, or via a multiprocessing environment, including distributing processing environments and multiprocessor computers.

Abstract: A system and method for automating the migration of configuration settings and data from computer systems running the LINUX operating system to computer systems running the WINDOWS operating system. The invention utilizes data from one or more sources to create the configuration of the target system, and translates between settings related to the LINUX systems and WINDOWS systems involved. As a result, it simplifies the otherwise complex and time-consuming task of migrating from one server to another, specifically when migrating between two operating systems that provide similar functionality but are configured in distinctly different ways.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for creating resolution-independent vector display of Internet content to allow it to be scaled (zoomed) larger and smaller for better viewing or to fit any resolution or screen size. According to one embodiment, novel server processing of Web content is provided that converts Web content requested by a client to a scalable vector format, such as Simple Vector Format. The vector format enables the Web content to be rendered by the client such that the rendered display substantially retains an original page layout defined in mark-up language document(s) in which the Web content is stored. In one embodiment, a proxy server receives Web content requests from a client and translates the content from an original format into a scalable vector representation. The scalable vector representation is then sent to client, where it is scaled and/or offset, enabling users to zoom and/or pan the Web content.