Abstract: Employing an asymmetric protocol, multiple sources reliably broadcast dynamically changing routing tables incrementally across multiple consumers from a single distributor. Each of multiple sources send current tables to the distributor using a snapshot mechanism. Message are buffered, segmented, paced by timers, and broadcast to the consumers repetitively at the distributor. Negative acknowledgments from the consumer request missing messages from the distributor after receipt of a keepalive message from the distributor. The distributor marks the missing messages and retransmits replacements from a history buffer only after firing of a resend timer. A unique Session ID included in all messages originating from each particular source facilitates reliable table distribution from multiple sources to multiple consumers via a single distributor.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that accesses coefficient vectors each of which represent an entity within a persistent virtual environment. Each accessed coefficient vector includes coefficients having coefficient values related to the represented entity. The coefficients represent a temporal profile of the entity in the persistent virtual environment. This aspect assigns a coefficient weight to at least one of the coefficients. and partitions the coefficient vectors responsive to the coefficient weight and at least one of the coefficients of each of the coefficient vectors into clusters. Finally, the technology presents a recommendation responsive to the clusters. Furthermore, a compatibility metric can be determined by comparing weighted coefficient vectors of two entities, and the compatibility metric can also be presented.

Abstract: A mirror system includes an image sensor coupled to a mirror, and gathers consumer shopping preferences for merchandise items. During operation, the system gathers one or more sequential images, from the image sensor, of a consumer wearing a first wearable merchandise item in front of the image sensor. Next, the system identifies in the one or more sequential images a first merchandise item being worn by the consumer. Then, the system determines a demographic group associated with the consumer, and detects behavior patterns for the consumer, wherein the behavior pattern indicates an interest level of the consumer for the identified merchandise item. The system then determines a mapping between the identified consumer demographic group and an interest level for the identified merchandise item, and produces a model which encodes the mapping.

Abstract: A power source with multiple cells connected in parallel to a common node or power supply point. The individual cells within the power source may also have a dedicated controller for each of the individual cells. Additionally, a system controller is coupled to each controller in a feedback loop and is configured to selectively connect each cell of the plurality of cells to a power bus to control the discharge of each of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a battery for a computer system. During operation, the system disconnects the battery by simulating a fault condition using a safety circuit of the battery. The fault condition may be simulated to facilitate safe assembly of a computer system containing the battery. After assembly is complete, the system enables use of the battery in the computer system by applying external power to the computer system, which resets the safety circuit and reconnects the battery.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and program products are disclosed that provide a technology that implicitly isolates a portion of a transactional memory that is shared between multiple threads for exclusive use by an isolating thread without the possibility of other transactions modifying the isolated portion of the transactional memory. In some of the described embodiments read locations of a shared memory are covered by a first set of lock objects, and write locations are covered by a second set of lock objects, each lock object in each set having a reader mode and a writer mode. Some of these embodiments acquiring each lock object in the first set using the reader mode, and acquire each lock object in the second set using the writer mode. These embodiments store result data values at write locations in the shared memory subsequent to the acquiring said first and second set of lock objects.

Abstract: An orientation-determining system determines a person's compass orientation from data generated by one or more sensors embedded within a portable device transported by the person. In some scenarios, the system uses the person's initial orientation to calculate an initial orientation delta describing a difference between the person's initial orientation and an initial orientation of the device. In other scenarios, the system calculates the person's current orientation based on an initial orientation of the device and a known or assumed orientation delta. The system can apply the orientation delta to the device's current orientation to determine the person's current orientation. The system can update the orientation delta based on any changes to the orientation of the person or the device.

Abstract: A communication system includes devices configured to communicate with each other through a temporal sequence of frames. Each of these frames includes multiple sub-channels and network-context information associated with communication between the devices. For example, network-context information associated with a data packet transmitted by a first device using a first sub-channel during a first frame is included in the first sub-channel. Furthermore, a second device, which communicates with the first device and a third device, arbitrates potential conflicts between the first device and the third device over use of the first sub-channel by providing feedback information to the first device. This feedback information is determined based on the network-context information in multiple frames, which is accumulated by the second device.

Abstract: A local device broadcasts a service advertisement in a wireless network, where the service advertisement includes one or more service identifiers (IDs) identifying one or more services being advertised and an availability schedule of the local device. Optionally, the local device reduces power to at least a portion of the local device and wakes up at a time according to the availability schedule. The local device listens in the wireless network according to the availability schedule of the local device. In response to a service request received from a remote device during the availability window, the local device transmits a service response to the remote device. The service request includes one or more service IDs identifying one or more services being inquired by the remote device and the service response includes detailed information associated with one or more services identified by the one or more service IDs.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that measures single cell mechanics using a scanning probe microscope. During operation, the system positions a modified probe of the scanning probe microscope above a cell which is located on a surface, wherein the modified probe is configured with a geometry for compressing the cell. The system then comprises the cell against the surface using the modified probe, thereby causing the cell to deform. Next, the system extracts mechanical properties of the cell from cell deformation behavior and cell response to the compression force.

Abstract: The described embodiments provide a processor (e.g., processor 102) for executing instructions. During execution, the processor starts by transactionally executing instructions from a protected section of program code. The processor then encounters a transactional failure condition while transactionally executing the instructions from the protected section of program code. In response to encountering the transactional failure condition, the processor enters a transactional-scout mode and speculatively executes subsequent instructions in the transactional-scout mode.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that enables a computing device to save additional power by entering a “hibernation mode,” wherein the active state of the computing device is preserved in non-volatile storage while power to volatile storage is turned off. During operation, the system reanimates a computing device from a hibernation image by restoring reanimation code from the hibernation image and then executing the reanimation code. While executing this reanimation code, the system restores the rest of the hibernation image by, reading compressed data containing the rest of the hibernation image, and decompressing the compressed data using computational circuitry within the computing device. During this process, the decompression operations are overlapped with the reading operations to improve performance.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for establishing multiple sessions between a database and a middle-tier client. During operation, the system receives a request for a plurality of sessions at a database from a middle-tier client. In response to the request, the system authenticates the middle-tier client, and creates a session between the database and the middle-tier client. The system clones the session one or more times to create the plurality of sessions. Finally, the system sends a plurality of session-handles associated with the plurality of sessions to the middle-tier client. This enables the middle-tier client to distribute the session-handles to end-user clients in response to subsequent requests from the end-user clients to access the database.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates adjusting the wavelengths of lasers via temperature control. This system includes a chip with an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside. A thermal-control mechanism provides localized thermal control of two lasers mounted upon the active face of the chip. By individually controlling the temperature of the lasers, the thermal-control mechanism controls the wavelengths emitted by each respective laser. By creating a temperature gradient that causes a temperature difference between two or more lasers, the system can cause the lasers to emit different wavelengths.

Abstract: Systems are provided that support millimeter-wave wireless communications between hosts and electronic devices. A host may be formed using a personal computer associated with a user or computing equipment associated with a public establishment. Content can be automatically synchronized between the host and the user's electronic device over a millimeter-wave wireless communications link in a communications band such as a 60 GHz wireless communications band. Synchronization operations may be performed based on user content preferences. Content preference information may be gathered explicitly from a user using on-screen options or may be gathered by monitoring user media playback activities and media rating activities. The content preference information may be transmitted automatically from an electronic device to a host when the electronic device is brought within range of the host.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that efficiently converts between a lower input voltage and a higher output voltage. This system includes an input which receives the input voltage, and an output which provides the output voltage. The system also includes a first capacitor with a higher potential terminal and a lower potential terminal, as well as a first set of switching devices which selectively couple the higher potential and lower potential terminals of the first capacitor between the input voltage, the output voltage and a base voltage. The system additionally includes a resonant clocking circuit which generates clock signals with substantially non-overlapping clock phases, including a first phase and a second phase.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of synchronizing a datum between a plurality of stores is disclosed. A version history is associated with the datum in each store. The version history has one or more entries, and each entry has an identifier and a value. The identifier identifies a store that has modified the datum, and the value indicates a number of modifications to the datum made by the store. When synchronizing the datum between stores, the version histories of the datum are compared to determine whether one version history is subordinate to another version history. The datum in the store having the subordinate version history is then replaced with the datum having the dominant version history. When compared, a conflict resolution by a user is required if the version histories are not identical, if the version histories do not have all the same identifiers, and if one version history does not contain all of the identifiers with equal or greater values of those in the other version history.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bidirectional 3-way optical splitter are described. This bidirectional 3-way optical splitter includes an optical splitter having: a first external node, a second external node, a third external node, and a fourth external node. In one mode of operation, the optical splitter may be configured to receive an external input optical signal on the first external node and to provide external output optical signals on the other external nodes. Moreover, in another mode of operation, the optical splitter may be configured to receive the external input optical signal on the third external node and to provide the external output optical signals on the other external nodes.

Abstract: A system and method by which users via programs on one computer may seamlessly access files remotely stored on other computers that run a well known file access protocol. An operating system extension and an application level network access program are provided. The operating system extension receives file system requests for remote files from the operating system that were issued according to a well known application program interface. The operating system extension forwards the remote file system request to the network access program. The network access program reformats the request according to a well known application level network protocol extension and sends it over a network to a remote computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing intermittent or interruptible power to an electronic device. The circuit may provide power upon user initiation and interrupt that power in response to a user command, fault state, period of inactivity and so forth. As one example, interruptible power may be initially provided to activate or “power up” an electronic device and constant power provided after the initial activation. The initial powering up of the device may be facilitated by closing two contacts. The circuit may continue to provide power after the button is released through a monitoring and/or feedback mechanism.