Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for defending against attacks in a distributed computing environment, including (1) distinguishing attack traffic patterns from legitimate traffic patterns, (2) responsive to nature of message patterns; (3) attack traffic has few origination points, and does not divide further from target device; (4) detectors of illegitimate traffic can cooperate to confirm the suspected attack, with the effect of providing more information to each other.

Abstract: A method and a system allow presentation of web pages to an internet appliance (e.g., a hand-held computer, a mobile telephone, or a digital personal assistant) according to user preferences. The user preferences are captured by a management server, which provides a web page customization service in conjunction with a document manager, which parses the web pages to identify information units. The customized web pages are stored in a database using a standardized hypertext document representation device, such as XML. The customized web pages are accessible from a portal adapted for accessing by the internet appliance. In one implementation, the user is also offered pre-configured resources for frequently used services when accessing the portal using the internet device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for collaborative planning among multiple collaborators and multiple trading partners, in which individual collaborators and individual trading partners can both make use of global information regarding parties using the system, while still being able to maintain secure and separate information regarding how those individual parties treat their counterparts. The system includes a many-to-many hub at which multiple collaborators and multiple trading partners can exchange information, the hub including a global database having public information about those multiple collaborators and multiple trading partners; the system also includes within the hub a set of private databases having secure and separate information for individual collaborators or individual trading partners.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for object-level database monitoring and tuning in a performance management system. Performance data for a plurality of database objects in a database server computer system are collected and stored. A performance problem in the database server computer system is detected. A problematic database object is identified using the performance data for the plurality of database objects, wherein the problematic database object is related to the performance problem. The problematic database object is tuned to improve performance of the database server computer system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a B2B communication or integration environment, operating using a web browser to access systems protected by an enterprise network firewall, to transfer files in a manner that is reliable, restartable, and secure. After assuring the transfer is allowed, a web browser sends a signed applet to a file transfer client, which makes an out-of-band connection to a file transfer server. The file transfer client and file transfer server interact using a bi-directional protocol suited to file transfer operations. The techniques are applicable to transferring relatively large files, for example in excess of 1 Gigabyte, and relatively smaller files in network environments that are relatively less reliable.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for providing improved defect detection and analysis using infrared thermography. Test vectors heat features of a device under test to produce thermal characteristics useful in identifying defects. The test vectors are timed to enhance the thermal contrast between defects and the surrounding features, enabling IR imaging equipment to acquire improved thermographic images. In some embodiments, a combination of AC and DC test vectors maximize power transfer to expedite heating, and therefore testing. Mathematical transformations applied to the improved images further enhance defect detection and analysis. Some defects produce image artifacts, or “defect artifacts,” that obscure the defects, rendering difficult the task of defect location. Some embodiments employ defect-location algorithms that analyze defect artifacts to precisely locate corresponding defects.

Abstract: Described are autofocusing algorithms and system implementations for machine inspection applications. The disclosed algorithms depend neither on the type of image (visual, infrared, spectrometric, scanning, etc.) nor on the type of image detector. Disclosed image filtering techniques, image focus measure functions and adaptive velocity control methods can be used in computer-based inspection systems for many different types of cameras and detectors as well as for a variety of magnification levels. The proposed autofocusing system can utilize the existing imaging hardware of the inspection system and does not require any additional components.

Abstract: A global supply chain management system in an environment of multiple suppliers forming supply chains for one or more buyers connected over the Internet. The system includes a global processor with logic that maps “local” supply information for each buyer and each supplier, represented in one or more property tables having master information correlated to local information for each buyer and each supplier. The system manages processes from an input of lots to an output through supplier stages where clients each use fragmented different local information. A correlation means uses base lot indicators, one for each of the lots in common for all of said stages and executes supply chain management functions for tracking lots through the supplier stages and for dynamic creation of sets of purchase orders among groups of suppliers for processing the same lot through the supply chain.

Abstract: A technique wherein the number and position of a quantization parameter node is determined in response to the quantization parameters and a preselected error. The size of scene graph and the corresponding amount of memory required to store the scene graph can be reduced by selective placement of quantization parameter nodes in a scene graph. The scene graph is traversed depth first to establish an order and then traversed in reverse. At each node, a calculation relating to (1) the relative cost of inserting a quantization parameter node and (2) the relative savings that result from insertion of a quantization node is performed. Quantization parameter nodes are selectively placed in response to a result of these calculations. The maximum degree of acceptable error value is chosen for each quantization type. This error value limits the number of quantization parameter nodes that can be placed in a scene graph.

Abstract: The present invention considers a direct sequence spread spectrum system wherein every user employs the same spreading code. In a preferred embodiment, received signal is correlated with the training signal. Peaks of correlator output are used to identify the delays corresponding to the significant multipath components. The delays that are within a predetermined number of chips of each other are associated with a hypothesized user. In an alternate embodiment, a user separation technique is used which is based on the observation that after the training period, different users send uncorrelated data. In another alternate embodiment, linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) based correlators locked to individual users are employed. These correlators only provide multipath components of their corresponding users as output.

Abstract: A method and system for rendering mixed media at a presentation workstation in response to a mixed media stream, in which the amount of computation is minimized. A tree structure includes nodes, each of which might point to sub-trees, and each of which designates a geometric object, a transformation to be applied to a geometric object, or a time-varying presentation. A scene includes nodes for each element in the scene. Depending from these would be nodes describing aspects of those elements, such as their texture and shape. A root node join the descriptions of each of the objects in the scene. Optimizing the amount of computation includes selecting nodes in the tree and calculating how to render each sub-tree. When possible, rendering information is calculated for only those portions of objects that will ultimately be shown to the user.

Abstract: An improved chair is disclosed. The chair includes: (i) a seat; (ii) a base portion connected to the bottom of the seat; (iv) an upwardly extending support frame connected to either the seat or the base; and (v) a backrest connected to the support frame by a number of fasteners. The fasteners include a resilient member located between the backrest and the support frame, such that the backrest is spaced apart from the support frame.

Abstract: Techniques in which a 1st force, field, or effect caused by a Casimir effect is converted into a 2nd force, field, or effect. The 1st force, field, or effect might be distinct from the 2nd force, field, or effect only in the net vector or might be distinct in other ways. For example, the distinction might involve substituting a torque for a linear force vector or converting a force, field, or effect associated with the Casimir effect into movement or into an electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic force, field, or effect. These changes preferably are caused by an independent element placed proximate or between to the Casimir effect surfaces. Preferably, the torque causes rotation (i.e., spinning) of an element. This rotation is significantly different from prior-art embodiment because energy does not have to be put back into the system to “reset” the structures.

Abstract: A system that adapts wireless link parameters for a wireless communication link. A measure is determined of errors occurring in communication over a wireless link. In a case that the measure of errors corresponds to more errors than a first predetermined threshold, communication changes from a first set of wireless link parameters to a second set of wireless link parameters. The second set of wireless link parameters corresponds to higher error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters. In a case that the measure of errors corresponds to fewer errors than a second predetermined threshold, communication changes from the first set of wireless link parameters to a third set of wireless link parameters. The third set of wireless link parameters corresponds to lower error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters. Preferably, the measure of errors is determined by monitoring a number of NACK messages and a number of ACK messages that occur.

Abstract: Jointly encoding signals from multiple sources, by cooperating stations, with retransmission of those jointly encoded signals to receivers. A cooperating station decodes signals from multiple sources, jointly encodes them to form a joint protection signal responsive to the decoded signals from those multiple sources, simultaneously responsive to more than one of them. The cooperating station sends the protection signal to one or more receivers, which use that joint protection signal to decode those signals from multiple sources. More than one cooperating stations can each perform similar tasks. Each of those cooperating stations performs those tasks using a distinct protection code, such as a similar error-correcting code, but with distinct parameters. The cooperative stations use an error-correcting block code, including decoding data and parity values of the multiple signals; computing the error-correcting block code; and sending a differing portion of the computed block code.

Abstract: The invention provides interactive streaming mixed media production. A mixed media content creation tool includes a resource-computation element that computes the likely resource load to be imposed on a server, communication link, and client device, when sent by the server to the client and presented to a user at the client. The resource-computation element is responsive to amounts of communication bandwidth available using the communication link, presentation buffer space and computing resources available at the client, and other measures of resource load. The resource-computation element attempts to optimize resource usage by the mixed media content. The system also includes a presentation element that responds to the resource-computation element, and to user requests, and interactively presents measures of projected resource usage by the mixed media content, comparisons of that projected resource usage with available resources, and comparisons of that projected resource usage before and after optimization.

Abstract: A method for minimizing power consumption in a wireless device which utilizes backscatter transmission in half-duplex mode, wherein a switching device is interposed between an antenna and a transmitter-receiver, and the switching device is capable of causing the antenna load impedance characteristic to be either a short, a value which substantially matches the antenna impedance, or an open, depending on the portion of the half-duplex mode.

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive point to multipoint wireless communication. The method and system integrate adaptive and dynamic responsiveness for communication parameters related to multiple characteristics of wireless communication links, both for a single sender and a single receiver, and for sets of multiple senders and multiple receivers. Moreover, the method and system are self-optimizing in the sense that they are adaptively and dynamically responsive to results of attempts to optimize parameters related to multiple characteristics of wireless communication links. Multiple characteristics of wireless communication links are optimized simultaneously, in that the optimal set of values for a plurality of N characteristics, rather fan N individual optimal values for each characteristic, is adaptively and dynamically selected.

Abstract: An Integrated, Self-Optimizing, Multi-Parameter/Multi-Variable Point-to-Multipoint Communication System provides integrated adaptive and dynamic responsiveness for communication parameters related to multiple characteristics of wireless communication links for a single sender, a single receiver, and for sets of multiple senders and multiple receivers. The method and system are self-optimizing and adaptively and dynamically respond to results of attempts to optimize parameters related to multiple characteristics of wireless communication links. Multiple characteristics of wireless communication links are optimized simultaneously, in that the optimal set of values for a plurality of N characteristics, rather than N individual optimal values for each characteristic, is adaptively and dynamically selected. A wireless PHY layer and wireless MAC layer collectively include a set of communication parameters, which are adaptively modified by a BSC for communication with a plurality of CPE.

Abstract: A gravel vacuum, including a pump, a detachable suction base connected to the pump to which a suction tube can be attached, a filter connected to the suction base, a return assembly, at least one valve, and an alternate flow path. The pump impels a flow of water from the suction base, through the filter, and out the return assembly. The valve permits adjustment of volume of the flow for different sizes of fish aquariums. The alternate flow path reduces back pressure on the pump when the valve is used to adjust the volume of the flow. Also, a method of using the gravel vacuum.