Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting a leak in an automotive fuel system. The functions of vacuum sensing, vacuum relief (high vacuum relief level) and pressure relief (high pressure relief level) are all performed by a single self-actuated diaphragm-seal valve mechanism.

Abstract: A computer with multiple software applications has defined for it plural software profiles for selection of one of the profiles in response to a system and/or user signal. Each profile when selected enables a respective set of applications to run on the system.

Abstract: A camera system includes an image sensor and a processing apparatus receiving image frames from the sensor before and after receipt of a user picture signal. The processing apparatus discards frames that do not meet a quality criterion such as under-exposed frames. Also, the processing apparatus compresses only a subset of remaining frames, specifically, those that meet a compression amount threshold. The remaining frames are presented to a user, who can select a representative frame as the “picture” that was taken.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to providing higher resolution images on an embedded device by performing a super resolution technique on a compressed image sequence and one or more motion vectors are described. In one example, the method includes compressing an image sequence using a video compression technique, wherein the image sequence comprises a plurality of lower resolution images and applying a super resolution technique to the compressed image sequence to generate a higher resolution image.

Abstract: A user accesses a website to purchase a replacement computer. As part of the transaction an application is downloaded to an existing computer of the user and used to obtain personal files and settings of the existing computer, which are uploaded to an Internet server. The settings and files may be loaded onto the replacement computer prior to delivery or after delivery, over the Internet.

Abstract: Images are offloaded from a portable camera automatically to a network server at the time the images are taken, transparently to a user of the camera. The server executes processing functions on the images and returns the output of the processing over the network to the camera and/or other user-defined destination device to thereby relieve the camera processor of potentially complex processing chores.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting a leak in an automotive fuel system. The functions of vacuum sensing, vacuum relief (high vacuum relief level) and pressure relief (high pressure relief level) are all performed by a single self-actuated diaphragm-seal valve mechanism.

Abstract: The length portion of part of a multiband superconductor line 10 is used as a closed circuit line part Rc that constitutes part of a closed circuit allowing passage of an electric current Io generated by an electric current source 12. Meantime, the line part extending and continuing into the closed circuit line part Rc is used as an open circuit line part Ro adapted to serve as an open circuit regarding the electric current source 12. By keeping the multiband superconductor line 10 under a temperature environment falling short of the critical soliton temperature and injecting a nonequilibrium electric current Io from the electric current source 12 into the closed circuit line part of the multiband superconductor line, it is rendered possible to induce generation of an interband phase different soliton So. The generated interband phase difference soliton So is forwarded as separated from the electric current Io to the open circuit line part Ro and is made to run therein.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film is disclosed having columnar pinning centers utilizing nano dots, and comprising nano dots (3) which are formed insularly on a substrate (2) and three-dimensionally in shape and composed of a material other than a superconducting material and also other than a material of which the substrate is formed, columnar defects (4) composed of the superconducting material and grown on the nano dots (3), respectively, a lattice defect (6) formed on a said columnar defect (4), and a thin film of the superconducting material (5) formed in those areas on the substrate which are other than those where said columnar defects are formed.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film is disclosed having columnar pinning centers utilizing nano dots, and comprising nano dots (3) which are formed insularly on a substrate (2) and three-dimensionally in shape and composed of a material other than a superconducting material and also other than a material of which the substrate is formed, columnar defects (4) composed of the superconducting material and grown on the nano dots (3), respectively, a lattice defect (6) formed on a said columnar defect (4), and a thin film of the superconducting material (5) formed in those areas on the substrate which are other than those where said columnar defects are formed.

Abstract: A method of searching for a material fated to generate an interband phase difference soliton includes the steps of generating an AC in a soliton candidate material, identifying a loss of AC magnetic susceptibility of the siliton candidate material due to a turn and a twist cut of a vortex line and judging whether or not the soliton candidate material is capable of generating soliton.

Abstract: An on-line service is automatically accessed by the computer as it boots up to determine if a ROM update exists for the system. If so, the updated ROM code is downloaded to the system and the ROM is flashed. The operator of the system is generally uninvolved in this process and the process is preferably performed each time the system initializes. In this manner, the system's ROM is nearly always up to date proactively and the operator or IT administrator need not spend time and energy reacting to a problem, determining whether a ROM update exists, finding the updated ROM, downloading the new ROM code and flashing the ROM him or herself.

Abstract: The length portion of part of a multiband superconductor line 10 is used as a closed circuit line part Rc that constitutes part of a closed circuit allowing passage of an electric current Io generated by an electric current source 12. Meantime, the line part extending and continuing into the closed circuit line part Rc is used as an open circuit line part Ro adapted to serve as an open circuit regarding the electric current source 12. By keeping the multiband superconductor line 10 under a temperature environment falling short of the critical soliton temperature and injecting a nonequilibrium electric current Io from the electric current source 12 into the closed circuit line part of the multiband superconductor line, it is rendered possible to induce generation of an interband phase different soliton So. The generated interband phase difference soliton So is forwarded as separated from the electric current Io to the open circuit line part Ro and is made to run therein.

Abstract: A data entry device is provided. The data entry device includes a key having a first data entry value associated with depressing the key, and one or more additional discrete data entry values associated with deflecting the key in a predetermined direction, where a user-readable indication is provided for each discrete data entry value. The key is adapted for being depressed or deflected by a human fingertip.

Abstract: An automatic configuration system automatically analyzes a user's computer system configuration and recommends a more optimal configuration of components. The system determines the hardware and software components currently contained in the user's computer including versions of hardware and software components. The system uses a knowledge base of previously identified problems to determine an overall problem index value for the user's particular configuration. Generally, the overall problem index value is generally indicative of the quantity and/or severity of the problems associated with the user's computer. The automatic configuration system then varies the configuration (e.g., the versions of software) and determines a new overall problem index value for each variation. The system selects the configuration with the lowest overall problem index value, which generally will have the fewest and/or less severe problems and recommends that configuration to the user.

Abstract: A superconducting thin film is disclosed having columnar pinning centers utilizing nano dots, and comprising nano dots (3) which are formed insularly on a substrate (2) and three-dimensionally in shape and composed of a material other than a superconducting material and also other than a material of which the substrate is formed, columnar defects (4) composed of the superconducting material and grown on the nano dots (3), respectively, a lattice defect (6) formed on a said columnar defect (4), and a thin film of the superconducting material (5) formed in those areas on the substrate which are other than those where said columnar defects are formed.

Abstract: A computer network includes at least one client computer coupled to a server computer that dynamically changes a user's password each time the user logs on to the computer network. By changing the password during the log on process, network security is increased. The server computer includes a users databases that contains a password, a username (if desired) and a biometrics template value associated with each user registered to access the computer network. A biometrics sensing device, such as a fingerprint sensor, is connected to each client computer. The user attempts to log on the server by entering a username which is optional and activating the biometrics sensing device. Appropriate software and/or hardware in the client and server computers capture a sample from the biometrics sensing device and create a template value from the captured sample.

Abstract: An on-line service is automatically accessed by the computer as it boots up to determine if a ROM update exists for the system. If so, the updated ROM code is downloaded to the system and the ROM is flashed. The operator of the system is generally uninvolved in this process and the process is preferably performed each time the system initializes. In this manner, the system's ROM is nearly always up to date proactively and the operator or IT administrator need not spend time and energy reacting to a problem, determining whether a ROM update exists, finding the updated ROM, downloading the new ROM code and flashing the ROM him or herself.

Abstract: A data entry device is provided. The data entry device includes a key having a first data entry value associated with depressing the key, and one or more additional discrete data entry values associated with deflecting the key in a predetermined direction, where a user-readable indication is provided for each discrete data entry value. The key is adapted for being depressed or deflected by a human fingertip.

Abstract: A secure system and method is provided for remotely waking a computer from a power down state. In one embodiment, a network interface card receives incoming data packets via a network connector. A control module is coupled to the network connector and is configured to search the incoming packets for a wake-up pattern. The control module also verifies that the packet's destination address matches the destination address of the network interface card. If the destination addresses match and a wake-up pattern is found, the control module decrypts an encrypted value from the incoming packet and compares the result to an expected value. A successful comparison causes the control module to assert a signal to wake up the host computer. Preferably, a standard public/private key pair encryption scheme is used, and the source of the data packet encrypts the expected value with a private key.