Abstract: method of physical circuit design can include the steps of packing components of a circuit design that are dependent upon an architecture of the circuit design and assigning initial locations to each component of the circuit design. The components of the circuit design can be clustered by combining slices and including slices into configurable logic blocks according to design constraints, while leaving enough white space in the configurable logic blocks for post-placement circuit optimizations. The components of the circuit design then can be placed to minimize critical connections. The circuit design can be declustered to perform additional placer optimization tasks on the declustered circuit design.

Abstract: A method includes executing a multi-threaded, object-oriented application (OOA) on a device; receiving, by multiple threads of the OOA, an object from an out-of-process cache memory; mutating one or more fields of the object, wherein the one or more fields correspond to one or more attributes of the object; and applying an update of the one or more fields that have been mutated to the out-of-process cache memory, wherein the applying the update updates the one or more fields mutated at a field level and not at an object level.

Abstract: An approach is provided for virtual agent session monitoring and barge-in. A platform monitors content of a communication session between a virtual agent and a user and determines whether the content satisfies a pre-defined rule. Further, the platform selectively initiates a barge-in of the communication session by a live agent based on the determination.

Abstract: The present invention provides processor-implemented method and system of creating an assured execution environment for at least one computer program executable on a computer system. In an exemplary embodiment, the method and system include (1) converting the executable into a computer program targeted for the computer system, where the converting includes scrambling the executable by applying an encryption scheme to the executable and (2) executing the program on the computer system only if the program complies with a policy.

Abstract: A decoding-reliability metric from a received-signal decoder is compared with a threshold to decrease significantly the probability of false detection in a receiver and thus increase communication reliability and performance. In a wideband code division multiple access communication system, for example, significant decrease of the probability of false grant-message detection and significant increases of enhanced uplink performance and reliability can be obtained.

Abstract: A virtual service center is provided to a customer visiting the service provider website. The customer can take an avatar and proceed to collect a token number and wait for chat session service in a virtual lounge to partake in various interactive options. The number of the current serving number is displayed so that the customer knows the position in the queue. The waiting lounge can include a virtual kiosk to provide the customer with self service while waiting.

Abstract: A packaging device preferably including a clam shell, wherein the clam shell is adapted to at least partially encase a single wheel of a device with wheels.

Abstract: A packaging device preferably including a clam shell, wherein the clam shell is adapted to at least partially encase a single wheel of a device with wheels.

Abstract: Providing capabilities management and user administration may include assigning a first profile including at least one role to a first user, the first profile having a first privilege comprising a first function and having a corresponding first target role set comprising at least one role. In addition, providing capabilities management and user administration may include assigning a second profile comprising at least one role to a second user. Furthermore, providing capabilities management and user administration may include providing the first user the ability to perform the first privilege on the second user if each role in the second profile has a corresponding matching role in the first target role set.

Abstract: An approach provides service assistance using a hierarchical order of communication channels. Service requests are received from a user. A plurality of different modes of communication functionality can be made available for interactivity with the user. A hierarchical order of the modes can be established in relation to the respective degree of communication interactivity. The mode of least degree of communication interactivity in the hierarchical order can be selected for initial communication with the user in response to the request for service. After communicating with the user in accordance with the selected mode, communication with the user can be changed to a communication mode higher in the hierarchical order if the service request has not been resolved.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managed instant communication (or chat)-based helpdesk services. An inquiry for a support service is received, at a helpdesk management platform, from a customer requesting assistance, the inquiry including one or more parameters defining the support service. A response is generated to the inquiry based on the one or more parameters, the response indicating a plurality of helpdesks associated with at least one service provider. An instant communication session is established between the customer and one of the helpdesks. The instant communication session is placed into a queue for an agent associated with the one helpdesk.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managed instant communication (or chat)-based customer support services. Data communication is received, at a customer service platform, from a customer requesting assistance. An instant communication session is established between the customer and an agent at the customer service platform. Speech-to-text conversion operation is activated for the agent, wherein the agent corresponds during the instant communication session by speech. Agent speech correspondence is converted during the instant communication session to text data. Agent correspondence is transmitted to the customer as text data.

Abstract: A method of implementing a circuit design for a target device can include assigning load pins of a high fanout signal of a placed circuit design into a plurality of windows according to a location of each load pin on the target device. A source of the high fanout signal can be replicated, wherein each window is associated with a source of the high fanout signal. For each source of the high fanout signal, the source can be connected to load pins of the window associated with the source and the source can be placed within the window associated with the source. The placed circuit design can be output.

Abstract: An approach is provided for chat-based crisis management services. A crisis situation is recognized based on one or more events. Individuals needed for crisis management are identified and a bridge communication channel for a plurality of the identified individuals is facilitated. Data is shared among the identified individuals that participate in a chat session on the bridged communication channel. Dated exchanged among the participants is stored during the chat session. Access to the stored chat data is provided to the participants.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for anchoring a bacteriophage on a substrate, the bacteriophage having a phage amine moiety, the method comprising: producing a free amine terminal moiety on the substrate by chemical modification of the substrate; activating the free amine terminal moiety with a cross-linking agent to produce an active functional group to couple to the phage amine moiety; and anchoring the bacteriophage to the substrate using the active functional group. A sensor is also disclosed comprising: a substrate; an anchor group attached by chemical modification to the substrate and having an active functional group produced by the activation of a free amine terminal moiety; and a bacteriophage having a phage amine moiety coupled to the active functional group to anchor the bacteriophage to the substrate.

Abstract: A packaging device preferably including a clam shell, wherein the clam shell is adapted to encase just a wheel of a wheeled toy.

Abstract: A preferred system for providing data access comprises an application program interface configured to delegate a request to at least one service providers also included in the system. The service providers may include a synchronization manager configured to maintain, based upon the request, data consistency between a first server containing the service providers and a second server and a cache manager configured to cache, based upon the request, a portion of a database query. In addition, the service providers may include a pre-fetch service configured to anticipate a database query, perform the anticipated query, and cache the results of the anticipated query, and a security manager configured to determine a restriction on the request based upon a role of a user associated with the request.

Abstract: A method for providing data assurance includes receiving selected input data to perform data assurance thereon, and receiving selected parameters for the data assurance. Data assurance modules are provided that translate the input data and the parameters and that derive a workflow for the data assurance based on the translated input data and the parameters. The workflow is executed to provide the data assurance on the input data.

Abstract: A recruiting system comprises a server that stores applicant guidelines, an administration module that updates the applicant guidelines in the server, and a recruiting module. The recruiting module receives characteristics of an applicant, and the characteristics are compared to the applicant guidelines. The recruiting module displays a recruiting disposition for the applicant. The characteristics are stored when the applicant is unqualified, and the characteristics are compared to applicant guidelines after the administration module updates the applicant guidelines.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a portion of a circuit design for a target device can include identifying a critical region from a plurality of regions after an initial placement of the circuit design. The critical region can be defined, at least in part, by at least one input block and at least one output block. Blocks of the critical region can be relocated to different sites within the critical region. The method further can include evaluating the relocation of blocks of the critical region according to a cost function and continuing to relocate blocks and evaluate the relocation of blocks in the critical region until at least one exit criterion is met.