Abstract: A system may include a cloud-based virtual machine connected to multiple virtual hard drives and associated with a guest of a first datacenter. A recovery management server may, substantially simultaneously for each virtual hard drive, create an Infrastructure-as-a-Service snapshot of data on the virtual hard drive without utilizing an agent of the virtual machine. The recovery management server may also directly replicate the snapshot of data for each virtual hard drive at a second datacenter, which may be geographically remote from the first datacenter, without re-creating Input Output (“IO”) operations for each virtual hard drive via a log file. Upon an indication of failure of the first datacenter, the recovery management server may arrange to have each virtual hard drive's replicated snapshot of data be consumed by a recovery service for the guest at the second datacenter.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include a processing unit that (1) identifies an initial forwarding key that corresponds to a forwarding feature of a network device, (2) identifies an initial hash value that represents the initial forwarding key and is derived from the initial forwarding key, (3) identifies an additional forwarding key that corresponds to the forwarding feature of the network device, (4) determines that the initial forwarding key and the additional forwarding key exceed a threshold level of similarity relative to one another, (5) derives an additional hash value that represents the additional forwarding key by applying the initial forwarding key and the initial hash value as inputs to a hash function, and then (6) implements the additional hash value in connection with the forwarding feature of the network device and the forwarding information stored in the storage device. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for making an electronic document easier to use based on prior interactions with the same or a similar document by other users. An electronic document is presented to one or more users in an interactive environment. Interactions between the users and the document can be recorded as usage data. The usage data may represent one or more operations performed on the electronic document by the users. Based on the usage data, an enhanced user interaction feature associated with the document is configured. The electronic document and the enhanced user interaction feature are then presented to another user in another interactive environment. The enhanced user interaction feature makes using the document easier than it would be if the feature was not present, particularly for users who are unfamiliar with the document.

Abstract: Improved document processing workflows provide a secure electronic signature framework by reducing attack vectors that could be used to gain unauthorized access to digital assets. In one embodiment an electronically signed document is removed from an electronic signature server after signed copies of the document are distributed to all signatories. The electronic signature server optionally retains an encrypted copy of the signed document, but does not retain the decryption password. This limits the amount of data retained by the electronic signature server, making it a less attractive target for hackers. However, the electronic signature server still maintains audit data that can be used to identify a signed document and validate an electronic signature. For example, a hash of the document (or other document metadata) can be used to validate the authenticity of an electronically signed document based on a logical association between an electronic signature and the signed document.

Abstract: A system and method for applying a set of road noise cancellation parameters to a road noise cancellation system in a vehicle traveling from a first road surface type to a second road surface type, the set being associated with a vehicle type, a tire type, a road surface type, or a vehicle location. The system and method collects and compares data with the set of road noise cancellation parameters in a database to identify when the vehicle has traveled from a first road surface type to a second road surface type and, upon identifying the vehicle has traveled from a first road surface type to a second road surface type, applies the adjusted set of road noise cancellation parameters in the database that optimize the road noise cancellation system for the second road surface type.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a data analysis system that may automatically generate memory-efficient clustered data structures, automatically analyze those clustered data structures, automatically tag and group those clustered data structures, and provide results of the automated analysis and grouping in an optimized way to an analyst. The automated analysis of the clustered data structures (also referred to herein as data clusters) may include an automated application of various criteria, rules, indicators, or scenarios so as to generate scores, reports, alerts, or conclusions that the analyst may quickly and efficiently use to evaluate the groups of data clusters.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include a processing unit may manage memory in connection with a computing device by (1) searching a root index of a root node for a bit indicating that a specific lookup index within the root node corresponds to a leaf node that references an unallocated memory location, (2) identifying, within the specific lookup index, a bit indicating that a specific leaf node references the unallocated memory location, (3) searching a leaf index of the specific leaf node for a bit indicating that a specific object within the leaf node corresponds to the unallocated memory location, (4) identifying, within the specific object, a bit that corresponds to a specific memory location and indicates that the specific memory location is currently unallocated, and then (5) allocating the specific memory location for use by the computing device. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to perform prognostic health monitoring of a turbine engine.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include a decoder circuit, a scheduler circuit, and an execution circuit. The decoder circuit may be configured to detect, within an instruction stream, a first instruction followed by a second instruction, wherein the first instruction takes as input a dividend and a divisor, and wherein the second instruction produces a remainder. The scheduler circuit may be configured to: merge the first and second instructions into a third instruction, wherein the third instruction takes as input the dividend and the divisor, and produces the remainder, replace, within an instruction pipeline, the first instruction with the third instruction, and delete, within the instruction pipeline, the second instruction. The execution circuit may be configured to execute the third instruction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a data analysis system that may automatically generate memory-efficient clustered data structures, automatically analyze those clustered data structures, automatically tag and group those clustered data structures, and provide results of the automated analysis and grouping in an optimized way to an analyst. The automated analysis of the clustered data structures (also referred to herein as data clusters) may include an automated application of various criteria, rules, indicators, or scenarios so as to generate scores, reports, alerts, or conclusions that the analyst may quickly and efficiently use to evaluate the groups of data clusters.

Abstract: Methods of forming a contact for a semiconductor device with double barrier layer sets, and a device so formed are disclosed. Methods may include: depositing a first metal layer contacting a semiconductor substrate in a contact opening; depositing a first nitride barrier layer on the first metal layer; and annealing after depositing the first nitride barrier layer to form silicide region in a junction area underlying the contact opening with the first metal layer and the semiconductor substrate. After the annealing, a second metal layer may be deposited, followed by a second nitride barrier layer. A conductor is formed in a remaining portion of the contact opening. The double barrier layer sets prevent the formation of volcano defects and also advantageously reduce contact resistance.

Abstract: A simulation technique that handles accesses to a frame of memory via a proxy object provides improved throughput in simulation environments. The proxy object, if present, processes the access at a head of a linked list of frames. If a check frame is not inserted in the list, the memory frame handles the request directly, but if a check frame is inserted, then the check operation is performed. The check frame can be a synchronization frame that blocks access to a memory frame while the check frame is present, or the check frame may be a breakpoint, watch or exception frame that calls a suitable handling routine. Additional check frames may be chained between the interface and the memory subsystem to handle synchronization, breakpoints, memory watches or other accesses to or information gathering associated with the memory frame.

Abstract: A simulation technique that handles accesses to a frame of memory via a proxy object provides improved throughput in simulation environments. The proxy object, if present, processes the access at a head of a linked list of frames. If a check frame is not inserted in the list, the memory frame handles the request directly, but if a check frame is inserted, then the check operation is performed. The check frame can be a synchronization frame that blocks access to a memory frame while the check frame is present, or the check frame may be a breakpoint, watch or exception frame that calls a suitable handling routine. Additional check frames may be chained between the interface and the memory subsystem to handle synchronization, breakpoints, memory watches or other accesses to or information gathering associated with the memory frame.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for detecting, validating, and correlating form-fields in a scanned document. The method comprises displaying a plurality of interactive form-fields associated with a scanned document, wherein each interactive form-field in the plurality of form-fields is defined by a location in the document where one or more previous users entered information on the scanned document, and a data type for the entered information.

Abstract: A method of operating a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) having at least one of an aerobic digester (AD) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR) is described. The method of operating AD is comprised of monitoring and controlling AD in real-time using an online extended Kalman filter (EKF) having a online dynamic model of AD. The EKF uses real-time AD measured data, and online dynamic model of AD to update adapted model parameters and estimate model based inferred variables for AD, which are used for AD control by AD control system having supervisory and low-level control layers. The method of operating MBR is similar to that of AD. The supervisory control ensures the WWTP satisfying the effluent quality requirement while minimize the operation cost. A WWTP having at least one of an AD or MBR is disclosed. The method of operating a WWTP can be implemented using a computer.

Abstract: A method for identifying an ingress router with collected IP network traffic data captured at an egress router is described. The method includes receiving, at a learning database, an ingress network traffic data flow exported from the ingress router and an ingress interface. The method then proceeds to receive, at a flow processing module, an egress network traffic data flow exported from the egress router and an egress interface. The method then enables the flow processing module to query the learning database with the egress network traffic data flow. The method determines the ingress router corresponding to the egress network traffic data flow, when the learning database matches the egress network traffic data flow with the ingress network traffic data flow.

Abstract: A method includes supplying feed water in a forward direction into a ceramic membrane treatment system at a first rate the ceramic membrane treatment system including at least one ceramic membrane (120), and determining production cycle data of the system, the production cycle data including one of more of accumulation data, feed pressure data, and time since last backflush. The method further includes determining optimal physical flux parameters based on the production cycle data and efficiency of a previous flux maintenance event, conducting a flux maintenance event including accelerated cleaning of the at least one ceramic membrane at a second rate by using a square step backwash rate based on optimal physical flux parameters. The squre step rate can be generated by ramping up pressure by a pump (220) against a closed valve (222) and a sudden openin of said valve.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a peer business relationship value is described. The system and method enables at least one peer to communicate with a communications service provider (CSP). The CSP includes a CSP sub-system that determines a data traffic flow for each peer. The CSP sub-system also receives peer information including a total network cost for each peer. The total network cost includes a network asset cost. Additionally, the CSP sub-system determines an attributed revenue for each peer. The CSP sub-system then proceeds to calculate a net margin by subtracting the total network cost from the attributed revenue. The CSP sub-system then calculates the margin per unit traffic by taking the net margin and dividing by the data traffic flow. The CSP sub-system then calculates the net margin percentage by taking the net margin and dividing it by the attributed revenue.

Abstract: A dispatch optimization system leverages ambient and market forecast data as well as asset performance and parts-life models to generate recommended operating schedules for gas turbines or other power-generating plant assets that substantially maximize profit while satisfying parts-life constraints. The system generates operating profiles that balance optimal peak fire opportunities with optimal cold part-load opportunities within a maintenance interval or other operating horizon. To reduce the computational burden associated with generating the profit-maximizing operating profile, the system uses an estimated price of life value that accounts for creation (by cold part-loading) and exhaustion (by peak fire operation) of factored fired hour credits by means of computing the cost of such credits.

Abstract: A dispatch optimization system leverages ambient and market forecast data as well as asset performance and parts-life models to generate recommended operating schedules for gas turbines or other power-generating plant assets that substantially maximize profit while satisfying parts-life constraints. The system generates operating profiles that balance optimal peak fire opportunities with optimal cold part-load opportunities within a maintenance interval or other operating horizon. During real-time operation of the assets, the optimization system can update the operating schedule based on actual market, ambient, and operating data. The system provides information that can assist operators in determining suitable conditions in which to cold part-load or peak-fire the assets in an optimally profitable manner without violating target life constraints.