Abstract: Disclosed herein is a quantization method and apparatus of an audio encoder. The quantization method comprises calculating an absolute value of a maximum frequency spectrum of a first frame, externally received, by analyzing frequency spectrum data of the first frame, setting an initial value of a common scale factor to be used to quantize the first frame based on the absolute value of the maximum frequency spectrum of the first frame and an absolute value of a maximum frequency spectrum of a second frame, which has previously been calculated, and quantizing the frequency spectrum data of the first frame based on the set initial value of the common scale factor. Accordingly, before quantization is performed, an initial value of a common scale factor which is almost close to a value of an actual common scale factor can be previously set.

Abstract: The floor in a network-based instant connect communication session is managed such that a mobile device user can cause voice data to be transmitted to a remote party without the remote party giving consent to relinquishing the floor. After the network-based instant connect communication session is established, and as the remote party holds the floor, the mobile device user presses a talk button on the mobile device or otherwise provides input. The input causes the network-based instant connect communication session to transition from the original half-duplex communication to full-duplex communication. The mobile device user can then cause voice data to be sent to the remote device. In this manner, the mobile device user can interrupt or spontaneously respond to the remote party without waiting for the remote party to relinquish the floor. This facilitates comfortable two-way communication in a network-based instant connect communication session.

Abstract: A multi-function pillow for therapeutic neck and head support is provided. The pillow generally includes first and second pillow sides united so as to form a sealable pillow cavity, and fluid retaining and neck support elements receivable within the cavity. The first pillow side includes a chamber containing a fill material therethrough. The second pillow side includes at least two chambers, at least one chamber of the at least two chambers containing a fill material therethrough, and one chamber of the at least two chambers defining a central depression for the second pillow side. The fluid retaining element, which is substantially co-extensive with the pillow sides, includes a fluid chamber circumscribing a central region thereof which is to underlie the central depression of the second pillow side.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the sterilization of a biological preparation including desired viable biological entities. The method includes irradiating a dried (e.g. freeze-dried) biological preparation with UV radiation at an intensity and for a duration sufficient to reduce the amount or activity of living-matter contaminants in the biological preparation, the intensity and duration selected such that at least part of the desired biological entities in the sample remains viable. The described method is particularly suitable for the reduction of the amount or activity of contaminants such as bacteria or viruses from biological preparations including red blood cells or platelets.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and computer readable storage media are described for encoding images in a video. In one aspect, a method performed by an encoding device to encode a video is described. The method includes sequentially performing a motion estimation operation and an encoding operation, which includes determining an operation mode of the motion estimation operation based on a quantity of calculations for the encoding operation. Sequentially performing a motion estimation operation and an encoding operation include performing the motion estimation operation with respect to an image of the video based on the determined operation mode. Additionally, sequentially performing a motion estimation operation and an encoding operation includes performing the encoding operation based on a result of the motion estimation operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is configured to perform a method of recording the movement of a user during a sporting event session. The method may include detecting the user's movement during a first portion of the sporting event session, and recording the user's movement via a recording device upon the user's first location being confirmed via a location determination device. Examples of sporting event sessions may include, BMX biking, race tracks, motocross, skate boarding, skiing, snowboarding, etc.

Abstract: The invention pertains to medical devices for anchoring a suture engaged with soft tissue to a bone, the devices including one or more of tissue fastening medical devices, bone anchor medical devices, bone anchor driving tools, implantation tools, and impactor tools, and procedures for using the same.

Abstract: A system is provided for performing penetration testing of a target computer network by installing a remote agent in the target computer network. The system includes a local agent provided in a computer console and configured to receive and execute commands. A user interface is provided in the console and configured to send commands to and receive information from the local agent, process the information, and present the processed information. A database is configured to store the information received from the local agent. A network interface is connected to the local agent and configured to communicate with the remote agent installed in the target computer network via a network. Security vulnerability exploitation modules are provided for execution by the local agent and/or the remote agent.

Abstract: In connection with thermal recovery projects, a system determines temperature gradients for a heat affected zone associated with a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir. An exemplary system includes a plurality of temperature sensors distributed in the wellbore at least partially along the heat affected zone. A downhole processor positioned proximate and substantially outside of the heat affected zone receives and digitizes the temperature measurements. A data link such as a data cable coupled to the downhole processor conveys the temperature measurements to a surface interface.

Abstract: A communication session between a wireless communication device and one or more recipient communication devices is initiated in response to user input received at a separate computing device. The intended parties of the call are identified at the computing device in response to the user input. Once the intended parties have been identified, the calling instructions are generated and transmitted to the wireless communication device or a server, which cause a call to be initiated between a wireless communication device and one or more recipient communication devices. This allows a caller to utilize the functionality and resources available on a computer to initiate a call, while enabling the caller to utilize the functionality and resources available on the caller's wireless communication device to engage in and complete the call, without requiring the caller to communicate through the telephony applications of a computer.

Abstract: Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers. When a ticker item is selected from the ticker, a location associated with the selected ticker item and/or a location of the communication device is used to generate a map that is displayed on the display of the device to the user.

Abstract: Tickers are populated with location-based information that is selected according to the geographic location of communication devices. The location of a communication device is identified based on a GPS system, proximity to transmitters in a wireless network, user input, or using other techniques. Location-appropriate content is obtained either in real-time from the network or from a local data store at the communication device. In general location-based, context-aware content can be displayed on tickers associated with a variety of communication devices, including mobile communication devices and “immobile” or stationary personal computers.

Abstract: A correctional facility communication system for sending an external message to an offender of a correctional facility is disclosed. The correctional facility communication system includes a messaging system and a correctional facility system coupled together with a wide area network. The messaging system is at a first location and the correctional facility system is at a second location, different from the first location. The messaging system authenticates a sender of the external message, receives the external message in electronic form at the first location, checks the external message against criteria specified by the correctional facility, determine a second location of the offender and a corresponding printer, and sends the external message to the second location for automatic printing with the corresponding printer.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for performing variable length decoding. In one aspect, a variable length decoding apparatus includes a first computation unit to determine whether a symbol corresponding to an input data is included in an upper group or a lower group of a variable length code tree. Responsive to the determination, when the symbol corresponding to the input data is included in the lower group, the first computation unit detects look-up table information corresponding to a subgroup that includes the symbol corresponding to the input data within the lower group that includes multiple subgroups. The variable length decoding apparatus includes a second computation unit to detect the symbol corresponding to the input data by searching a look-up table corresponding to the look-up table information when the look-up table information is received from the first computation unit.

Abstract: According to the described techniques, apparatus and systems, a multimedia data processing device can include an input unit to receive media data from input devices. A data compression and information generating unit can compress the received media data and generate information based on the received media data. A buffer can temporarily store the compressed media data and generated information received from the data compression and information generating unit as a packet that includes a data packet and an information packet; output the temporarily stored media data packet and the information packet to be stored in an external storage device; and store a file offset that identifies a location of the information packet stored in the external storage device. A file format generating unit can generate a media data file format based on the information packet stored in the external storage device identified by the file offset stored in the buffer.

Abstract: A powder alloy rolling case (1) includes a side face configuring member (10) formed like a rectangular frame with two members (10a, 10a) combined, and surrounding side faces of metal powder (2); an upper lid configuring member (11) provided to cover one opening of the side face configuring member (10), and covering an upper face of the metal powder; and a lower lid configuring member (12) provided to cover the other opening of the side face configuring member (10), and covering a lower face of the metal powder (2), wherein joints (10b, 10b) between the members (10a, 10a) configuring member (10) are provided in opposing two side faces out of four side faces of the side face configuring member (10).

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns cell therapy and products for use in such therapy. Particularly, the invention provides a preserved cell preparation essentially free of one or more members of a group of cryoprotecting agents consisting of polyalcohols, DMSO and cryoprotecting proteins, the preserved cell preparation comprising somatic cells and at least one polyphenol, wherein upon reconstitution of cells in the cell preparation, at least a portion of said stem cells are viable, said portion being sufficient for use of the cell preparation in stem cell therapy. The invention also provides cells reconstituted from preserved somatic cells, and the use of the reconstituted cells in cell therapy. A preferred cell preparation in accordance with the invention comprises stem cells, preferably human stem cells.

Abstract: This description is not intended to limit the scope of the claims herein. An exercise device comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which is designed to carry and restrain one end of a cantilevered resilient member. Said connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. The resilient members can be affixed to any of the connection interfaces that the user desires, so that the resilient members can be positioned in a correspondingly wide range of locations and angular orientations relative to the base to enable the user to perform a wide range of exercises on the apparatus by gripping and exerting a force on the resilient members or other handles attached to the resilient members.

Abstract: A pump for generating fluid flow in an elastic tubular conduit. The pump comprises a plurality of electrically operated valves, each valve being positionable adjacent to the conduit. Each valve has a valve head configured to alternate from a first position in which the lumen of the conduit adjacent to the valve head is unobstructed and a second position in which the lumen of the conduit adjacent to the valve head is obstructed. The pump also comprises a driver configured to control the positions of the valve heads, so as to execute a predetermined temporo-spatial array of valve head positions.