Abstract: In a database, inner joins are performed in a depth-first manner. Depth-first joins differ from breadth-first joins in that rows are examined a page at a time during execution from every table that is participating in the query. Thus, the depth-first join is a constant-space operation with respect to the size of the data set, with the storage required approximately equal to the sum of the sizes of a page from each table.

Abstract: The invention provides a system that preserves the synchronization of the audio and video presented at a secure conferencing site without necessitating decryption, decompression, compression, and encryption of signals at the hub. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for synchronizing audio and video in encrypted videoconferences that comprises a plurality of conference sites; and a hub for receiving a compressed and encrypted, composite audio and video signal from each site, for determining a currently active site, and for transmitting said composite audio and video signal from said currently active site to all other sites; said hub receiving a compressed and encrypted audio only signal from each site; wherein said hub routes all incoming compressed and encrypted audio only signals to each site.

Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing (AVTC) system uniquely combines a number of features to promote a realistic “same room” experience for meeting participants. These features include an autodirector to select audio and video sources and to compose shots, a collaboration interface for each participant to communicate nonverbal information, directional LEDs to privately alert participants, audio reflected from the main display, and a collaborative table to share a view of objects or papers on a table. When implemented with sufficient bandwidth for take advantage of these features and to keep latency time low, this AVTC system results in a highly realistic and productive teleconferencing experience.

Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing system facilitates an engaging and realistic video conferencing experience. Key design elements and video, audio, and control capabilities are provided for a video conferencing experience that cannot be attained with conventional methods, which elements and capabilities include careful design of the table and room at each site, supplementary displays showing imagery in a mirrored manner, networked environmental control, an AutoDirector with keyword and gesture recognition, and audio reflection from a display or beam splitter.

Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing (AVTC) system uniquely combines a number of features to promote a realistic “same room” experience for meeting participants. These features include an autodirector to select audio and video sources and to compose shots, a collaboration interface for each participant to communicate nonverbal information, directional LEDs to privately alert participants, audio reflected from the main display, and a collaborative table to share a video of objects or papers on a table. When implemented with sufficient bandwidth for take advantage of these features and to keep latency time low, this AVTC system results in a highly realistic and productive teleconferencing experience.

Abstract: An advanced video teleconferencing (AVTC) system uniquely combines a number of features to promote a realistic “same room” experience for meeting participants. These features include an autodirector to select audio and video sources and to compose shots, a collaboration interface for each participant to communicate nonverbal information, directional LEDs to privately alert to participants, audio reflected from the main display, and a collaborative table to share a view of objects or papers on a table. When implemented with sufficient bandwidth for take advantage of these features and to keep latency time low, this AVTC system results in a highly realistic and productive teleconferencing experience.

Abstract: A virtual wheel provides a leg pair as a conveyance mechanism for a land vehicle. The virtual wheel propels the vehicle across a surface using a repetitive motion of the legs that contact the ground as would a wheel, due to their geometry. Vehicle embodiments include at least two-, three-, four- and six-wheeled vehicles, both transverse and in-line. Additionally, the invention provides a bipedal walking robot. One embodiment provides a robotic mule—a payload-carrying vehicle. The invention combines the flexible mobility of bipedal vehicles with the stability and functionality of very large-wheeled vehicles. Additionally, a bimodal conveyance mechanism readily converts between walking and rolling modes.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for gathering user feedback of one or more units of hypermedia content. Notice is made available to a user explaining a preestablished mapping between (1) at least one prescribed aspect of an operation of performing a predefined SELECT function to feedback objects and (2) user-indicated opinion of content units. Feedback objects comprise predetermined types of display objects provided to depart content units for different content units. Responsive to a user positioning a cursor upon a feedback object of a current content unit and performing the SELECT function, user-indicated opinion of the current content unit is ascertained by applying the preestablished mapping to the prescribed aspect of how the SELECT function was performed. Storage is initiated for a machine-readable record of the ascertained user-indicated opinion.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention dynamically generates content and presentation to a user by modifying conventional content, e.g. rendering, restructuring, filtering, or supplementing such content, based on information, e.g. annotations, stored in a database. The invention, referred to as the Meta-Web, allows a user at a Web browser, which may be any standard Web browser supported by a standard computing platform, to posit a query which is routed to a Meta-Web server. The Meta-Web server returns search results to the Web browser and the user may then explore the results, for example by clicking on a URL in the search results. The results returned to the user are produced after the Meta-Web server forwards the query to a search engine. The search engine then returns the results to the Meta-Web server.

Abstract: In a communications system, after parties form a voice telephone connection, the parties respective communications devices automatically create or leverage machine readable features or content of the telephone connection to identify the parties to each other or to a rendezvous server, and thereafter the communications devices and/or the rendezvous server automatically establishes a data link between the parties.

Abstract: An apparatus and method efficiently delete a first items within a distributed datastore. In particular, an already well defined procedure for insertion of data is used for deletion. Deletion of a first item is effected through the insertion of a second item. The second item can contain a deletion key or be denoted by an appended flag or modified associated meta-data value. The first item can be deleted upon arrival of the second item or subsequent to arrival through an offline garbage collection process.

Abstract: A view morphing algorithm is applied to synchronous collections of video images from at least two video imaging devices, and interpolating between the images, creates a composite image view of the local participant. This composite image approximates what might be seen from a point between the video imaging devices, presenting the image to other video session participants.

Abstract: Essentially coincident with the capture of an image by the imaging device, biometric information indicating the identity of the operator of the device is obtained from at least one biometric sensor. The biometric information and captured image are then stored in a manner reliably associating each with the other. At a later time, biometric information is obtained from a supposed operator of the imaging device. By comparing this candidate biometric information with the stored biometric information, the supposed operator may be authenticated as the operator of the imaging device at the time of capture of the stored image.

Abstract: A virtual wheel provides a leg pair as a conveyance mechanism for a land vehicle. The virtual wheel propels the vehicle across a surface using a repetitive motion of the legs that contact the ground as would a wheel, due to their geometry. Vehicle embodiments include at least two-, three-, four- and six-wheeled vehicles, both transverse and in-line. Additionally, the invention provides a bipedal walking robot. One embodiment provides a robotic mule—a payload-carrying vehicle. The invention combines the flexible mobility of bipedal vehicles with the stability and functionality of very large-wheeled vehicles.

Abstract: A low-profile genderless connector uses interlocking tabs and spring levers to form a secure mechanical link with another identical genderless connector using rotational engagement. Upon full engagement of two opposing yet identical connectors, electrical contacts on each connector complete multiple signal paths for ground, power, and signal communication in a preferred sequential order. In an alternative embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling having optical contacts. In yet another embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling to provide strictly mechanical or structural connectivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and kits for positive selection of species of interest based on peptide/protein sequence from a biological sample. The species of interest may be proteins and/or peptides of interest which may be placed through a mass spectrometer to obtain a blood peptide/protein signature. The blood peptide/protein signature may be used in proteomic analysis. The techniques include but are not limited to the use of collectors comprising nucleic acid molecules to extract a composition that has a lower concentration of a high abundance species of interest from a sample. This limits the level of influence that any collectors species may have on the results of a mass spectra.

Abstract: An interactive display system, including a touch sensitive display, establishes a first image and at least one secondary image, each image representing various spatial coordinates, the spatial coordinates overlapping at least in part such that each image comprises an alternate depiction of subject matter common to all of the images. The first image is presented upon the display. Responsive to user input including contact with the display, imagery presented by the display is updated to integrate a region of at least one of the secondary images into the display. Each integrated region has substantially identical represented coordinates as a counterpart region of the first image. Further, each integrated region is presented in same scale and display location as the counterpart region of the first image.

Abstract: A graphical user interface transforms objects into nodes and relationships that are shared between the objects into edges. The edges are labeled with the relationship types. Multiple edges are ordered automatically or manually. Multiple edges are collapsed onto a single line and labels applied to the single line for each collapsed edge. The labels applied to the single line are ordered along the line according to relationship type. When there are multiple types of relationships within the same class, each class is collapsed onto a single line and ordered accordingly. A user selects the objects that are displayed by the GUI. The user can add additional objects or relationships and filter the results.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for gathering user feedback of one or more units of hypermedia content. Notice is made available to a user explaining a preestablished mapping between (1) at least one prescribed aspect of an operation of performing a predefined SELECT function to feedback objects and (2) user-indicated opinion of content units. Feedback objects comprise predetermined types of display objects provided to depart content units for different content units. Responsive to a user positioning a cursor upon a feedback object of a current content unit and performing the SELECT function, user-indicated opinion of the current content unit is ascertained by applying the preestablished mapping to the prescribed aspect of how the SELECT function was performed. Storage is initiated for a machine-readable record of the ascertained user-indicated opinion.

Abstract: A virtual wheel provides a leg pair as a conveyance mechanism for a land vehicle. The virtual wheel propels the vehicle across a surface using a repetitive motion of the legs that contact the ground as would a wheel, due to their geometry. Vehicle embodiments include at least two-, three-, four- and six-wheeled vehicles, both transverse and in-line. Additionally, the invention provides a bipedal walking robot. One embodiment provides a robotic mule—a payload-carrying vehicle. The invention combines the flexible mobility of bipedal vehicles with the stability and functionality of very large-wheeled vehicles. Additionally, a bimodal conveyance mechanism readily converts between walking and rolling modes.