Abstract: Video conferencing with reduced bandwidth usage is disclosed. One method comprises receiving an audio stream at a server station connected to a plurality of participants in the video conference, at least one participant being a client station connected to the server station by a network and supplying the audio stream, the server station including a first memory and processor, and the client station including a second memory and processor. A mixing algorithm is performed that determines which video streams of the participants to mix to form a conference video stream for display by at least one of the participants. A video stream from the client station is selectively transmitted to the server station responsive to the mixing algorithm, and the server station transmits the conference video stream and/or the streams to be mixed to the participant(s).

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a main body having a downwardly-directed suction opening and at least one surface engaging support member, a front agitator and a rear agitator, with each agitator being rotatable relative to the main body, and a mechanism for rotating the front agitator and the rear agitator. The front agitator has a relatively flexible pile and the rear agitator has relatively stiff bristles arranged to dislodge matter from the pile of the front agitator. The pile of the front agitator and the at least one surface engaging support member extend downwardly beyond the bristles of the rear agitator so as to space the bristles of the rear agitator from a relatively hard surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a tape dispenser, for example, includes a first reel, a second reel, a biasing element, and a friction element. The first and second reels are rotatably disposed on first and second shafts. The biasing element is disposed between the second reel and second shaft such that the second reel is movable in a radial direction between first and second positions relative to the second shaft and the biasing element biases the second reel into the first position. The friction element extends around the first and second reels and arranged to generate a first normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a first position, relative to the second shaft, and a second normal force acting on the second reel when the second reel is in a second position, relative to the second shaft.

Abstract: A method of operating a brake system comprises determining a predicted braking effectiveness for a plurality of vehicle braking operations and determining an actual braking effectiveness for the plurality of vehicle braking operations. The predicted braking effectiveness is compared to the actual braking effectiveness. An adjustment factor for the brake system is determined based upon the comparison and the brake system response is adjusted based on the determined adjustment factor.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X18C110 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X18C110 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18C110 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18C110, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18C110. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18C110.

Abstract: A graphics processing system comprises at least one memory device storing a plurality of pixel command threads and a plurality of vertex command threads. An arbiter coupled to the at least one memory device is provided that selects a pixel command thread from the plurality of pixel command threads and a vertex command thread from the plurality of vertex command threads. The arbiter further selects a command thread from the previously selected pixel command thread and the vertex command thread, which command thread is provided to a command processing engine capable of processing pixel command threads and vertex command threads.

Abstract: Virtual defragmentation in a deduplication vault. In one example embodiment, a method of virtual defragmentation in a deduplication vault includes a virtual defragmentation phase. The virtual defragmentation phase includes accessing file system metadata (FSM) blocks included in a backup of allocated blocks of a source storage and reordering block references in the FSM blocks to match the order of the corresponding blocks as stored in a deduplication vault storage.

Abstract: A container assembly having an inner container and an outer cover fixedly attached to one another. The inner container has multiple sidewalls for forming the inner container sidewalls and has a bottom forming flap attached thereto. The outer cover has multiple cover sidewalls that fit over the inner container sidewalls to enclose the inner container. At least one attachment member attached to and extending from the outer cover is attached to the bottom forming flap, thereby fixedly attaching the inner container to the outer container. The attachment member can be separated from the container outer cover to allow removal of the outer cover from the inner container without marring the finish of the outside face of the sidewalls of the inner container. A knockdown assembly that is erectable to form the container assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packaging technique and apparatus that incorporates a flexible substrate package with a three-axis magnetic sensor for three-axis sensing in an implantable medical device. The apparatus includes three single-axis magnetic sensor integrated circuits (ICs) that are mounted to a substrate and encapsulated with a polymer mold compound. The substrate is excised around each of the sensor ICs to form panels that are folded to align the three single-axis sensors in the x, y and z axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyalpha-olefin (and hydrogenated analogs thereof) comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has: a) 40 mole % or more of mm triads, b) a Bromine number of Y or greater, where Y is equal to 89.92*(V)?°5863, where V is the Kinematic Viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100° C. in cSt, and c) 1,2 disubstituted olefins present at 7 mole % or more, preferably having Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula: where j, k and m are each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and where Z=8.420*Log(V)?4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 1000 C in cSt This invention also relates to process to produce such polyalpha-olefins.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a rare earth silicide gate electrode on III-N material grown on a silicon substrate includes growing a single crystal stress compensating template on a silicon substrate. The template is substantially crystal lattice matched to the surface of the silicon substrate. A single crystal GaN structure is grown on the surface of the template and substantially crystal lattice matched to the template. An active layer of single crystal III-N material is grown on the GaN structure and substantially crystal lattice matched to the GaN structure. A single crystal monoclinic rare earth oxide dielectric layer is grown on the active layer of III-N material and a single crystal rare earth silicide gate electrode is grown on the dielectric layer, the silicide. Relative portions of the gadolinium metal and the silicon are adjusted during deposition so they react to form rare earth silicide during deposition.

Abstract: An engine control strategy for a marine vessel propulsion system receives a request for a gear from among plural transmission gears, determines an engine speed for the requested transmission gear shift, adjusts the engine to the determined speed for a predetermined amount of time, and prevents the requested transmission gear shift from occurring for the predetermined amount of time while maintaining the engine at the predetermined speed. After the predetermined amount of time elapses, the requested shift is allowed to occur.

Abstract: Posts are ranked for display on a page in a social network environment based on interaction and user score signals associated with the post and a viewing user. The signals for each of the posts are scored, and a ranking score for each post is determined. The posts are ranked in an order for display based on the ranking score and displayed for the viewing user on the page. Posts submitted by other users who have established connections with the viewing user are also filtered for display in a social box on the page.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, torque converter assembly, and transmission. The torque converter assembly includes a torque converter clutch (TCC). The transmission is connected to the engine via the torque converter assembly, and includes rotating and braking clutches, a pump, and a valve body assembly (VBA). The VBA includes Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) pressure sensors and high-flow, hybrid MEMS flow control valves. Each MEMS pressure sensor and each MEMS control valve is in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the TCC, the rotating, and the braking clutches. The VBA includes first and second low-flow, fully MEMS valves which control line pressure to the VBA and fluid pressure to the TCC, respectively. The VBA delivers fluid pressure to the clutches, alone or in different combinations, to establish at least six different forward drive states of the transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating sheet material in a sheet handling system including a first conveyance, a second conveyance, an auxiliary conveyance and a processor to control the conveyances based upon a selected operating mode. The first conveyance receives singulated sheets and conveys the sheets to an accumulator station to produce completed collations. The second conveyance is operative to dispense completed collations from the accumulator station and, receives the completed collations from the first conveyance, in one operating mode, and from the auxiliary conveyance in another operating mode when the first conveyance is inoperative. The processor is responsive to a next collation signal, to control the conveyances based upon a selected one of the operating modes.

Abstract: A core assembly for creating interior spaces in a railcar coupler knuckle is designed to be set in a cavity with cope and drag sections. The cavity is shaped to form a railcar coupler knuckle and includes a first wall that forms the substantially vertical outside wall of the tail of the knuckle. The core includes a kidney section with a rear core support section that extends at least 0.5? outside the first wall of the cavity when the core is set in the drag.

Abstract: A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected is its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.

Abstract: A lucent crucible of a Lucent Waveguide Microwave Plasma Light Source (LWMPLS) comprising a Light Emitting Resonator (LER) in form of a crucible (1) of fused quartz which has a central void (2) having microwave excitable material (3) within it. In one example, the void is 4 mm in diameter and has a length (L) of 21 mm. The LWMPLS is operated at a power (P) of 280 W and thus with a plasma loading P/L of 133 w/cm and a wall loading of 106 w/cm2. The lamp is thus operated with a high efficiency—in terms of lumens per watt—while having a reasonable lifetime.

Abstract: A system and a method for safeguarding wafers and photomasks. The system includes a container for storing an article, the article being a wafer or a photomask; a flashing unit for flashing light with a pre-determined light pattern; an anti-theft unit capable of performing an anti-theft function, the anti-theft unit being attached to the container; and a trigger unit electrically connected to the anti-theft unit for triggering the anti-theft function of the anti-theft unit, in response to detecting the pre-determined light pattern of the flashing unit. The method includes providing a container having an anti-theft unit capable of performing an anti-theft function; storing an article in the container, the article being a wafer or a photomask; providing a flashing light with a pre-determined light pattern; detecting the pre-determined light pattern; and performing the anti-theft function by the anti-theft unit, in response to detecting the pre-determined light pattern.