Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing an input signal with a substantial mitigation of race conditions and a substantial increase in resolving time are provided. One embodiment includes a system comprising a first latching device configured to latch a first output signal from the input signal and a delay element configured to receive the first output signal and output a delay signal that is a delayed version of the first output signal. The system also includes a pass-gate element configured to receive the first output signal and to output a second output signal in response to a logic state of the delay signal. The second output signal has a delayed input edge without a delayed resolving edge. The system can be configured to force the first output signal to a stable logic state in response to the first output signal having a metastable state.

Abstract: A synchronous optical bus system for communication between computer system components is described. In one example, the optical bus system is used for communication between a memory controller and memory devices optically coupled to an optical interconnect. Optical bus interface units couple the components to the optical interconnect and are arranged on the optical interconnect in order that a sum of an optical path length from a controller component to each computer system component and from each computer system component to the controller component is the same for all the coupled computer system components. A synchronous protocol is used for communication between the components.

Abstract: Systems and methods of face and skin sensitive image enhancement are disclosed. In one aspect, a face map that includes for each pixel of an input image a respective face probability value indicating a degree to which the pixel corresponds to a human face is calculated. A skin map that includes for each pixel of the input image a respective skin probability value indicating a degree to which the pixel corresponds to human skin is ascertained. The input image is enhanced with an enhancement level that varies pixel-by-pixel in accordance with the respective face probability values and the respective skin probability values. In another aspect, a facial content measurement value indicating a degree to which an input image contains human face content is ascertained. A tone-correction process is tuned in accordance with the facial content measurement value. The input image is enhanced in accordance with the tuned tone-correction process.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices, including computer executable instructions for transferring threads are described. The method comprises determining an idle processor by checking a handoff state of the processor prior to placing an identified runnable thread in a run queue of an idle processor. The method also comprises transferring the runnable thread to a determined idle processor by setting the handoff state of the processor to a handle of the runnable thread.

Abstract: An initial external bid of an enterprise that is based on initial component bids of plural entities is received by a tool. The tool receives margin values representing margins acceptable to the entities. A new external bid is received that is different from the initial bid, and adjusted component bids of the plural entities are generated by the tool according to the new external bid and the margins of the entities.

Abstract: To control update of content in a programmable read-only memory in a system, the security status associated with the system is determined, where the security status is one of a secure mode and non-secure mode. In response to detecting that the system is in secure mode, a write to the programmable read-only memory is enabled. In response to detecting that the system is in non-secure mode, a write to the programmable read-only memory is disabled.

Abstract: A representational object contains a visual representation of a character and a memory tag comprising a digital memory adapted to be read from when inductively powered. The digital memory contains digital content relating to the character represented visually on the representational object. At least a part of the digital content relates to function of the character in a game carried out by a gaming application and comprises executable code for execution in connection with operation of the gaming application.

Abstract: A method comprises on a first port, receiving a frame from a network device and determining whether the received frame includes a system identifier (ID) that matches a system ID corresponding to a second port. If the received frame's system ID matches the second port's system ID, the method further comprises discontinuing an aggregation protocol that otherwise enables multiple ports to be operated together as a virtual port.

Abstract: The monitor is for monitoring the status of a first client telephone, and for sending this status information via a central server to an authorized second client telephone. The central server stores a database of registered client telephones and corresponding client telephones that the client may monitor. A user of a registered client telephone monitors in real time the telephone status of registered friends, family, or co-workers that have agreed to be monitored by the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for optimizing financial performance. Time series data describing the financial performance generated by corresponding marketing investments is provided to configure an econometric model. Linear coefficients of the econometric model are adjusted in accordance with the qualitative factors received as inputs from experts. The econometric model is transformed into an aggregated non-linear econometric model that includes non-linear factors that cause the financial performance to change at a varying rate as a function of the marketing investments. An allocation of the marketing investments generated by the aggregated non-linear econometric model is adjusted by applying an optimization algorithm to provide an optimized financial performance.

Abstract: An image-forming device and method for determining use of consumable items therein includes a consumable item memory storing a substantially unique identifier designating the consumable item as one of a starter item and a normal item. A computer program retrieves the identifier from the consumable item memory and determines whether to allow formation of images using the consumable item based on whether the consumable item is a starter item or a normal item.

Abstract: A portable wireless system is described. The portable wireless system has a controller that is operable to selectively configure the portable wireless system as a personal electronic appliance or a third party wireless repeater that is configured to relay wireless signals between a third party electronic appliance and a wireless network. Accordingly, the portable wireless system (e.g., a cellular telephone, a pager or a personal digital assistant) may act as a wireless repeater for third party wireless communications when the portable wireless system otherwise is not in use. In this way, the portable wireless system increases the utilization of existing wireless network infrastructures (e.g., a cellular telephone network) by making one or more unused wireless channels available to other devices. A novel incentives-based business model that encourages owners of portable electronic appliances to fully utilize existing wireless network capacity also is described.

Abstract: Providing enhanced emergency services (E-911) to an IP Telephony-based PBX or similar system, by utilizing aspects of the intelligence of end-user SIP client devices to address challenges and difficulties associated with E-911-like services in LAN-based telephony environments.

Abstract: A trusted platform field upgrade system comprises a trusted platform module (TPM) having a volatile memory, the volatile memory having a flag for verifying physical presence in a non-ownership state of the TPM, the TPM configured to enable a field upgrade to the TPM in an operating system (OS) environment based on assertion of the physical presence flag.

Abstract: A hierarchical digital signature method is provided by which different levels of data elements of a data entry are processed in turn to derive function values (for example hash function values) for data elements in the level which are to form part of the digital signature. All function values for one level are combined in a further function to provide an additional function value, and the additional function value is used in the processing of data elements in the next level nearer to the root. This provides a digital signature which can use only selected data elements of a data entry, and which is not sensitive to the ordering of the data entry structure.

Abstract: In a method of processing an image containing undesirable pixels, a coarse identification of a location of the undesirable pixels is received. The coarse identification includes identification of at least one undesirable pixel and at least one desirable pixel in the image. An area in the image to be analyzed for undesirable pixel values is automatically determined according to the coarse identification received. In addition, in the area determined to be analyzed, the pixels are automatically classified as one of undesirable and desirable and the classifications of the pixels are stored.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge library, comprises a management component comprising a first processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the first processor module, an interface controller comprising a second processor module and a memory medium communicatively connected to the second processor module, wherein the interface controller comprises logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed, cause the second processor module to, record, in a memory medium coupled to the cartridge library, at least one access control parameter, wherein the access control parameter identifies at least one of a user, a server, a command, or a time, receive, in an interface controller coupled to the cartridge library, a request for at least one resource of the cartridge library, and implement an access control routine in the interface controller to use the access control parameter to determine whether to limit a user's ability to perform at least one command on at least one resou

Abstract: Software release validation is disclosed. A plan of record is provided, having entity information for a software application associated with a plurality of platforms, and planning information for a plurality of releases of the software application. A set of rules is provided having at least a first object representing an instance of an entity type, a second object, and an operator for expressing a date dependency between the first object and the second object. An event is detected, and the plan of record is validated against the set of rules responsively to the event.

Abstract: To visualize and analyze data, selection of at least one focus area in a visualization of a data set is received. Based on characteristics of the selected at least one focus area, using at least one analytic technique to mine relationships between data items and at least one attribute in the selected at least one focus area and data items and at least one attribute in remaining portions of the data set. At least one visual representation is generated to show mining results produced from selected data items and one or more attributes in the selected at least one focus area and the remaining portions of the data set, where the generated visual representation is composed to have an order and layout to represent the mined results.

Abstract: A fabrication process for a device such as a backplane for a flat panel display includes depositing thin film layers on a substrate, forming a 3D template overlying the thin film layers, and etching the 3D template and the thin film layers to form gate lines and transistors from the thin film layers. An insulating or passivation layer can then be deposited on the gate lines and the transistors, so that column or data lines can be formed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: Structures and methods allow: transfer of quantum information represented using the states of light to a representation using the states of matter systems; transfer of quantum information represented by the states of matter systems to a representation using the states of light; and error resistant encoding of quantum information using entangled states of matter and light to minimize errors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention that pertain to methods and systems for the calculation of resource requirements for a composite application are described. In one embodiment, information describing what component applications are associated with the composite application is received. Information describing metrics that are to be measured for the component applications is received. Information describing interrelationships between the component applications associated with the composite application is received. Information describing rules for calculating the resource requirements for the component applications is received. The rules are based on the interrelationships between the component applications and the metrics that are to be measured.

Abstract: Method and system for synchronizing Access Points in a WLAN, such as a CSMA/CA Access Point. A method of synchronizing a first Access Point and a second Access Point includes the steps of deploying the first and the second Access Point within a wireless network and utilizing the first Access Point to detect a presence of the second Access Point. A first periodic Beacon Frame of the first Access Point is synchronized with a first periodic Beacon Frame of the second Access Point.

Abstract: A system for defining a bounding box include one or more image projectors; one or more optical beam generators; a display surface; a computing element; and a digital image sensor. The digital image sensor is configured to sense a location of image orientation indicators generated by the optical beam generators. The computing element is configured to communicate with the digital image sensor to determine a bounding box defined by the locations of the image orientation indicators and to control the one or more image projectors to project an image in, and corresponding to, the bounding box on the display surface.

Abstract: A system including a first node configured to receive first data in a first format that specifies a network destination for the first data and convert the first data to second data in a second format that does not specify a network destination for the second data and a second node configured to receive the second data from the first node over a first connection and convert the second data to third data in a third format that specifies a network destination for the third data is provided.

Abstract: A distributed computing system includes a plurality of processors and shared memory service entities executable on the processors. Each of the shared memory service entities is associated with a local shared memory buffer. A producer is associated with a particular shared memory service entity, and the producer provides data that is stored in the local shared memory buffer associated with the particular shared memory service entity. The shared memory service entities propagate content of the local shared memory buffers into a global shared memory, wherein propagation of content of the local shared memory buffers to the global shared memory is performed using a procedure that relaxes guarantees of consistency between the global shared memory and the local shared memory buffers.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, and other embodiments are associated with a heat sink with a fin configured with a stator blade. One example includes a heat sink apparatus configured to experience a fan-assisted air flow. The example heat sink apparatus may be configured to include a fan that is configured to produce an air flow in the heat sink apparatus and a heat sink that houses the fan. The example heat sink may include a base and fins that are configured with stator blades.

Abstract: Computer resources from a pool of resources are allocated for executing an application. An amount of unutilized resources in the pool of resources is determined. One or more sets of resources previously allocated to execute the application are selected, and the unutilized resources are distributed among the sets of resources.

Abstract: A keypad is provided for a computing device. The keypad includes one or more lighting devices or mechanisms for illuminating a plurality of keys structures. In an embodiment, the plurality of key structures are formed from a milky material.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using state ranges for processing regular expressions in intrusion-prevention systems. In an embodiment, in an intrusion-prevention system for examining network traffic and identifying therein the presence of signature data patterns, a state-transition table is provided. The state-transition table is representative of a predetermined data pattern, and includes states each having one or more egress events defining transitions to other states. A subject is received for evaluation for the presence of the predetermined data pattern. While using the state-transition table for said evaluation, the presence of a first egress event of a first state is detected in the subject, resulting in a transition from the first state to a second state. A second-state range in the subject is calculated, and the second-state range is searched for the presence of at least one of the second state's egress events.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a coated substrate for ink-jet ink printing. The substrate can have an ink-receiving coating on the imaging side. On the opposite, or back, surface, the substrate can have two coatings: a curl control coating and a photo feel coating designed to provide scratch resistance. The curl control coating can be nearest the substrate, with the photo feel coating coated over the curl control coating. The photo feel coating can have a contact angle greater than about 90 degrees and a water vapor transport rate of greater than about 5 g/m2/12 hour.

Abstract: A method for handling peripheral signals in an extensible three dimensional circuit includes forming an extensible three dimensional circuit with a plurality of stacked crossbar arrays and at least one class of traveling lines which travel vertically and laterally through the circuit. The method also includes alternating the traveling direction of bundles of traveling lines such that there are a substantially equal number of undriven lines and underutilized lines which exit out of a given side of the circuit and creating loopback traces which connect the undriven traveling lines and the underutilized traveling lines to form driven traveling lines with a full complement of memory elements and eliminate addressing gaps within the circuit.

Abstract: Provided are, inter alia, systems, methods and techniques for facilitating identification of a skilled resource's skill set. Initially, a master set of previously identified skills is filtered in order to identify a subset of skills that appear to be potentially applicable to a skilled resource. Then, based on the identified subset, a query regarding skills actually possessed by the skilled resource is created and presented. A response that designates skills possessed by the skilled resource is received and incorporated into a user skills database. The above-referenced filtering is performed by utilizing an automated tool to analyze content from a set of computer files.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a signaling packet that includes an indication that the packet is not part of a data transmission. The signaling packet may also include a specific value that is adapted to signal a condition. The indication may be purposely set to indicate that the signaling packet is not part of the data transmission to facilitate examination of the specific value by a receiver of the signaling packet.

Abstract: By supplying auxiliary power to a blade's optional components, instead of polling the blade for the power requirements of a fully configured module, each installed component can be individually polled and the values summed to produce a more accurate value representing the actual power needs of a blade system prior to booting.

Abstract: A method for communicating media program information is provided. The method includes receiving a content-augmented broadcast signal at a conventional broadcast receiver, the content-augmented broadcast signal having a program content and a program cookie relating to the program content, demodulating the content-augmented broadcast signal, rendering the program content, recovering the program cookie from the demodulated content-augmented broadcast signal at substantially the same time the program content is rendered, determining whether the program cookie comprises information relating to a current media program a user is currently watching or listening to, or to an advertisement of a future media program, and sending the program cookie to an electronic device.

Abstract: To transfer a memory module between controllers, an external power source is connected to a memory module mounted to a first controller. The memory module is removed from the first controller with the external power source connected to the memory module to maintain data stored in volatile memory of the memory module. The memory module is mounted to a second controller.

Abstract: A standalone open frame of an apparatus in one example is configured to support a rack-mount electronic component of a predetermined size selected from any of a plurality of predetermined sizes. The standalone open frame is configured to securely engage the rack-mount electronic component through employment of at least one set of rack-mount adapters that is configured for the predetermined size of the rack-mount electronic component.

Abstract: Subscribers to a communications infrastructure, such as a GPRS network, can pre-pay for use of metered resources of the infrastructure. When a pre-payment subscriber joins the network, the current credit amount for the subscriber is distributed as credit values between user-specific virtual purses each associated with a respective metered resource. Upon use of a metered resource by the subscriber, the credit value held in the associated purse is correspondingly reduced, with use of the resource being dependent on the purse being in credit. The virtual purses are preferably electronically distributed to be close by the metered resources to which they relate whereby to reduce network billing traffic. When the subscriber leaves the network, the remaining credit values are consolidated from the purses.

Abstract: A display system encompasses electrodes that induce a convective flow of a carrier fluid that transports a colorant species that is suspended in the carrier fluid. At least one of the convection flow, speed, and direction of the colorant species is controlled by operation of the electrodes.

Abstract: A network-based game system includes a game processing subsystem for providing a virtual game environment in which player-controlled virtual game entities can move. Players communicate with the game processing subsystem via connectivity subsystems, such as wireless and wired LANs, that each permit access by multiple players. The processing subsystem associates each connectivity subsystem with a respective particular location in the game environment. Each particular location has at least one special game-play significance for a virtual game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem; for example, the game entity can only enter and leave the game at this location.

Abstract: Memory devices and systems include a voltage sense line for addressing voltage tolerances across variable loadings. The memory devices and systems comprise a memory module connector with a first plurality of pins coupled to circuitry on a memory module, and a second plurality of pins coupled to power rails on the memory module that enable monitoring of the power rails from external to the memory module.

Abstract: A framework for automatically provisioning computing devices includes a central database system and a central file system. Information stored in the database comprises a model of the individual devices, as well as the interconnections of the devices. The central file system stores the software components to be installed on the devices. When provisioning is carried out, the database sends commands to agents located on each device which cause them to retrieve and install the software components from the file system, and to configure the components according to the stored model.

Abstract: A liquid toner-based pattern mask system and methods of masking and patterning a substrate employ a polymer-based liquid toner as a pattern mask. The liquid toner is deposited on the substrate in a masking pattern. The pattern mask is lifted off of the substrate after patterning the substrate using a lift-off technique that breaks a bond between the surface of the substrate and the pattern mask.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods relating to the use of alignment assist images and non-alignment assist images for capturing images of one or more targets are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of granting a public-key certificate to a managed node in an IT network is provided. A request from the managed node to grant the certificate is received at a certification server. It is ascertained whether an initialization-to-request time interval between an initialization time of the managed node and a request time assigned to the request is within a maximum time interval for automatic certificate grant. The requested certificate is automatically granted if the initialization-to-request time interval is within the maximum time interval.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and a method of dynamically controlling the number of busy waiters in for a synchronization object. The apparatus and method perform the steps of increasing a number of allowed busy waiters if there is a waiter in a sleep state and there are no current busy waiters when a requester releases the synchronization object, and decreasing the number of allowed busy waiters if a busy waiter moves from a busy waiting state to the sleep state.

Abstract: A method for controlling one or more computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units configured to receive return air for energy efficient operation. In the method, the temperature of the air returned (Trat) into the one or more CRAC units is detected. It is determined whether the Trat is within a predetermined setpoint temperature range and at least one operation of the one or more CRAC units is reduced in response to the Trat being within the predetermined setpoint temperature range to thereby increase the efficiencies of the one or more CRAC units.