Abstract: Disclosed is a method for efficiently distributing content by leveraging the use of a peer-to-peer network infrastructure. In a network of peers, a handful peers can receive content from centralized servers. These peers can then flood this content out to more clients who in turn can send the content along to others. Ultimately, a request for content can be fulfilled by locating the closest peer and obtaining the content from that peer. In one embodiment the method can be used to distribute content by creating content distribution groups of one or more client computing devices and redirecting requests for content from the server to the content distribution group. A further contemplated embodiment efficiently streams time sensitive data through the use of a spanning tree architecture of peer-to-peer clients. In yet another embodiment the present invention provides for more efficient use of bandwidth for shared residential broadband connections.

Abstract: A high level shader language compiler incorporates transforms to optimize shader code for graphics processing hardware. An instruction reordering transform determines instruction encapsulations of dependent instructions that reduce concurrent register usage by the shader. A phase pulling transform re-organizes the shader's instructions into phases that reduce a measure of depth of texture loads. A register assigning transform assigns registers to lower register usage by the shader.

Abstract: Operating system virtual memory management for hardware transactional memory. A system includes an operating system deciding to unmap a first virtual page. As a result, the operating system removes the mapping of the first virtual page to the first physical page from the virtual memory page table. As a result, the operating system performs an action to discard transactional memory hardware state for at least the first physical page. Embodiments may further suspend hardware transactions in kernel mode. Embodiments may further perform soft page fault handling without aborting a hardware transaction, resuming the hardware transaction upon return to user mode, and even successfully committing the hardware transaction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating a low dimension pose space and using the pose space to estimate one or more head rotation angles of a user head. In one example, training image frames including a test subject head are captured under a plurality of conditions. For each frame an actual head rotation angle about a rotation axis is recorded. In each frame a face image is detected and converted to an LBP feature vector. Using principal component analysis a PCA feature vector is generated. Pose classes related to rotation angles about a rotation axis are defined. The PCA feature vectors are grouped into a pose class that corresponds to the actual rotation angle associated with the PCA feature vector. Linear discriminant analysis is applied to the pose classes to generate the low dimension pose space.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer system accesses an event associated with an activity, where the activity has been executed by a runtime as part of a software application. The runtime includes a software hook configured to listen for event stream operation indications from the user. The computer system tags the accessed event with an additional portion of identification information that uniquely identifies the executed activity. The computer system receives an event stream operation indication from the user indicating that event transmission for an identified event stream is to be dynamically enabled or disabled and identifies the user-indicated event stream using the tagged identification information. The computer system also dynamically performs the indicated event stream operation on the identified event stream according to the user's indication.

Abstract: Compatibility between a depth image consumer and a plurality of different depth image producers is provided by receiving a native depth image having unsupported depth camera parameters that are not compatible with a depth image consumer, and converting the native depth image to a virtual depth image having supported virtual depth camera parameters that are compatible with the depth image consumer. This virtual depth image is then output to the depth image consumer.

Abstract: Architecture that generates a notification when a user arrives at a location, but without exposing identity of the location. Moreover, the notification can be generated and transmitted at all times. The architecture comprises a reminder service that manages all reminder requests and approvals, a notification engine that notifies a requesting user when target user arrived at a specific location or one of a general category of location, and a user interface that allows the user to set reminders that are displayed when the target user arrives at the point of interest and approves other user reminder requests. The architecture can be run on a mobile phone, and manages user requests and user approvals for location based notifications, alerts a requesting user the target user arrived at one of previously-specified points of interest. Similarly, a general category of destination can be specified, rather than a specific point of interest.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses are provided for switching of streaming data bitstreams, such as, for example, used in video streaming and other related applications. Some desired functionalities provided herein include random access, fast forward and fast backward, error-resilience and bandwidth adaptation. The improved methods and apparatuses can be configured to increase coding efficiency of and/or reduce the amount of data needed to encode a switching bitstream.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to allow remote initialization of a Trusted Platform Module. The results may be trusted and confidential even if the target device has malicious operating system or other software running.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the molding of an item having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure. One disclosed embodiment provides an injection molding device for molding a part having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure, the injection molding device comprising a pair of opposing end walls, a first mold surface being stationary with respect to the pair of opposing end walls, and a second mold surface being movable toward the first mold surface such that a first end of the second mold surface is movable a larger travel distance toward the first mold surface than a second end during a molding process. Further, the pair of opposing end walls comprises a slider with an undercut mold surface that is movable in a direction transverse to a direction in which the second mold surface is movable toward the first mold surface.

Abstract: A computing device includes an immersive environment module for facilitating simultaneous display of a plurality of applications on a display device without relying on system chrome. At least a first of the applications is displayed in a primary region of the display. The computing device also includes a UI management component for enabling a user selection of an application for simultaneous display on the display device with at least one other application. Processing logic is configured to determine a size in at least one direction of content of a user-selected application as it is displayed on a non-primary region of the display device simultaneous with display of content of the first application on the primary region of the display device. The determination is based at least in part on one or more pre-defined size requirements specified by the selected application.

Abstract: A power and data connector includes an extension that protrudes from a lip surface. The extension is configured to mate with an electronic device. A connection surface at a terminal end of the extension separately surrounds openings, through which power interfaces extend.

Abstract: Storing and retrieving files based on hashes for the files. One method for storing files includes: identifying a file; identifying a hash calculated based on the file; renaming the file based on the hash based on the file; and storing the file in a particular location based on the hash calculated based on the file. Another method for retrieving files includes: identifying a hash for a given file; using the hash, traversing a hierarchical file structure to find a location where the given file should be stored; determining that the file is at the location; and as a result, retrieving the file.

Abstract: The use of a hybrid camera tool may capture high resolution multispectral images without sacrificing resolution in exchange for spectral accuracy. The capture of a high resolution multispectral image may include forming a high spatial resolution image based on a portion of incoming light and generating a high spectral resolution image that includes multispectral samples based on another portion of the incoming light. The high resolution multispectral image is then synthesized by consolidating the high spatial resolution image with the high spectral resolution image.

Abstract: Dynamic utilization of condensing metadata is enabled by condensing information being communicated to/from a mobile device. The communication exchange occurs between a mobile device and an internet service, and it involves a mobile internet service proxy. The information is condensed or compressed responsive to condensing metadata and uncondensed or uncompressed using the condensing metadata. The mobile internet service proxy may provide condensing metadata to the mobile device. This condensing metadata may be provided to the mobile device so that condensed data may be communicated at least between the mobile device and the mobile internet service proxy. In some instances, the mobile device may request that information be compressed and receive compressed information as a result. The mobile device may then utilize the condensing metadata to uncompress data provided from the internet service and/or the mobile internet service proxy.

Abstract: Where a label for an item to be represented by an icon is customized, the icon is generated to dynamically display all of the label. Thus, at some point, the entire label is displayed, even though only a portion of the label is eventually displayed in the icon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a method and system for storing content based on one or more attributes associated with the content. Specifically, the present disclosure provides for determining storage capabilities of one or more storage devices associated with a computing device and also determining a retention policy associated with the content. In certain embodiments, the retention policy is identified by the one or more attributes. When the retention policy and the capabilities of the one or more storage devices have been determined, the content is written to the one or more storage devices based on the retention policy.

Abstract: Presented is a system and method for evaluating relational database queries in a distributed system. An optimized query plan is received by a control node. The query plan is decoded to a SQL statement that is semantically equivalent to the query plan, even though the query plan contains elements that have no direct analogue in SQL. The decoded SQL is transmitted to a compute node for execution.

Abstract: A determination is made that a player's avatar has performed an action while an audio signal representing a narrative of a non-player character is being produced. The action is mapped to an impression, which is mapped to a response. The audio signal is stopped before it is completed and the response is played by providing audio for the non-player character and/or animating the non-player character. After the response is played, steps ensure that critical information in the narrative has been provided to the player.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a mood-actuated device. In various embodiments, mood information corresponding to a current mood of a user is received. An emotional state of the user is determined based on the mood information, and a mood-actuated device is controlled to react based on the emotional state of the user. In some embodiments, the mood-actuated device includes a flexible material that is configured to react by changing to a shape based on the emotional state of the user.