Abstract: Methods for classifying subjects and analyzing the relation between subject classification and multiple features of the subjects are provided. Some embodiments of the disclosure provide processes that use clustering analysis as an unsupervised machine learning technique to classify subjects based on multiple features. Some embodiments may associate features of the subjects with a categorical variable on which subject groups are based. This association between the features and the categorical variable of interest (or subject groups) can be obtained by finding featured-based clusters that have similar members as the subject groups. Systems and computer program products implementing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high efficiency compact boiler is disclosed which includes a burner configured to introduce combustion gases into an interior region of the boiler, a heat exchange tube made of a length of finned tubing in the form of a helical coil positioned within the interior region of the boiler such that combustion gases from the burner can flow from a region inside the helical coil to a region outside the helical coil, and a floating baffle configured to redirect the flow of combustion gases around the finned tubing as it passes from the region inside the helical coil to the region outside the helical coil, the baffle being positioned proximal adjacent turns of the helical coil and having a coiled configuration corresponding substantially to the helical coil.

Abstract: A squaring circuit has current mode triplet metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices, including a first MOS device, a second MOS device and a third MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a first current source; and a fourth MOS device, a fifth MOS device and a sixth MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a second current source. The drain of first and fourth MOS device is operably coupled to a first supply, the drain of second and fifth MOS device is operably coupled to a first differential output port and the drain of third and sixth MOS device is operably coupled to a second differential output port. The gate of first, second and sixth MOS device is connected to a first differential input port, and the gate of third, fourth and fifth MOS device is connected to a second differential input port.

Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.

Abstract: A method and system for provides a user with an ability to capture a sample of an experiential environment and deliver that sample to an interactive service to trigger one or more predetermined events. In exemplary embodiments of the invention such triggered events include the delivery of information and services to the user, the execution of tasks and instructions by the service on the user's behalf, communication events; surveillance events and other control-oriented events that are responsive to the user's wishes. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the triggered events include transaction-oriented events, entertainment events, and events associated with enhancements to human ability or function.

Abstract: A method and system is described which allows users to identify (pre-recorded) sounds such as music, radio broadcast, commercials, and other audio signals in almost any environment. The audio signal (or sound) must be a recording represented in a database of recordings. The service can quickly identify the signal from just a few seconds of excerption, while tolerating high noise and distortion. Once the signal is identified to the user, the user may perform transactions interactively in real-time or offline using the identification information.

Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.

Abstract: A squaring circuit has current mode triplet metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices, including a first MOS device, a second MOS device and a third MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a first current source; and a fourth MOS device, a fifth MOS device and a sixth MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a second current source. The drain of first and fourth MOS device is operably coupled to a first supply, the drain of second and fifth MOS device is operably coupled to a first differential output port and the drain of third and sixth MOS device is operably coupled to a second differential output port. The gate of first, second and sixth MOS device is connected to a first differential input port, and the gate of third, fourth and fifth MOS device is connected to a second differential input port.

Abstract: A squaring circuit has current mode triplet metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices, including a first MOS device, a second MOS device and a third MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a first current source; and a fourth MOS device, a fifth MOS device and a sixth MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a second current source. The drain of first and fourth MOS device is operably coupled to a first supply, the drain of second and fifth MOS device is operably coupled to a first differential output port and the drain of third and sixth MOS device is operably coupled to a second differential output port. The gate of first, second and sixth MOS device is connected to a first differential input port, and the gate of third, fourth and fifth MOS device is connected to a second differential input port.

Abstract: A circuit includes an output node; a first current source coupled via at least one first switch to at least the output node and a calibration node, wherein the first switch alternately operably couples the first current source to the output node or the calibration node; a second current source of opposing polarity to the first current source and operably coupled via at least one second switch to at least the output node and the calibration node, wherein the second switch alternately operably couples the second current source to the output node or the calibration node; and a current control circuit having an adjustment circuit operably coupled to the calibration node, wherein the current control circuit couples both the first and second current sources to the calibration node when a current from the first/second current source is not to be used as an output from the output node.

Abstract: A squaring circuit has current mode triplet metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices, including a first MOS device, a second MOS device and a third MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a first current source; and a fourth MOS device, a fifth MOS device and a sixth MOS device each having a source operably coupled to a second current source. The drain of first and fourth MOS device is operably coupled to a first supply, the drain of second and fifth MOS device is operably coupled to a first differential output port and the drain of third and sixth MOS device is operably coupled to a second differential output port. The gate of first, second and sixth MOS device is connected to a first differential input port, and the gate of third, fourth and fifth MOS device is connected to a second differential input port.

Abstract: A method and system for provides a user with an ability to capture a sample of an experiential environment and deliver that sample to an interactive service to trigger one or more predetermined events. In exemplary embodiments of the invention such triggered events include the delivery of information and services to the user, the execution of tasks and instructions by the service on the user's behalf, communication events; surveillance events and other control-oriented events that are responsive to the user's wishes. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the triggered events include transaction-oriented events, entertainment events, and events associated with enhancements to human ability or function.

Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.

Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing lyric information for a song within an audio signal. This may be done, for example, to allow a user to sing along with a song the user hears on a radio. To provide the lyric information, an interactive service may be accessed. A sample of an audio signal that includes at least a portion of the song may be captured. The sample of the audio signal may provided to the interactive service. Lyric information may then be received for the song at a user device. The user device may also display the lyric information in synchrony with the rendering of the song within the audio signal to, for example, allow the user to sing along with the song.

Abstract: A method and system is described which allows users to identify (pre-recorded) sounds such as music, radio broadcast, commercials, and other audio signals in almost any environment. The audio signal (or sound) must be a recording represented in a database of recordings. The service can quickly identify the signal from just a few seconds of excerption, while tolerating high noise and distortion. Once the signal is identified to the user, the user may perform transactions interactively in real-time or offline using the identification information.

Abstract: A method and system for provides a user with an ability to capture a sample of an experiential environment and deliver that sample to an interactive service to trigger one or more predetermined events. In exemplary embodiments of the invention such triggered events include the delivery of information and services to the user, the execution of tasks and instructions by the service on the user's behalf, communication events; surveillance events and other control-oriented events that are responsive to the user's wishes. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the triggered events include transaction-oriented events, entertainment events, and events associated with enhancements to human ability or function.

Abstract: A method for automatically creating a database of parameters (e.g., fingerprints/landmarks) used in a media sample recognition system. The user places a media sample in his media player, e.g., a CD or DVD player in his personal computer. A software process installed on the user's personal computer, to which is connected the CD/DVD player, extracts the constellation or “raw parameters” from the CD tracks as the CD plays, or under control of the software process. This extraction process may operate in the background. These raw parameters are then transmitted via the Internet (or other computer network) to a server coupled to a recognition database. The raw parameters are stored in the database. At some point in time, the raw parameters are processed into fingerprint/landmarks (e.g., using linkage) using another software process and then stored either back in the database or in random access memory (RAM) for use during a subsequent recognition process.

Abstract: A data packet is provided that includes a synchronization field and an acknowledgement field indicative of an acknowledgement of receipt of a prior data packet. The data packet also includes a response field that includes information indicative of a system fault, a header field, and a sequence number field that includes a number assigned to the data packet. The data packet further includes a data field, an end of packet field, and an error-checking field. Methods and computer program products are provided that, in some implementations, include retransmitting packets if the acknowledgement field in a received data packet is a no acknowledgement (NAK) and/or placing a node into a safe state in response to a fault signal that is included in the received data packet.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products that synchronously communicate data packets between a first node and a second node. Data packets are transmitted from the first node without waiting for acknowledgment of receipt by the second node. Acknowledgment of receipt of a given data packet is subsequently received at the first node. The acknowledgement is received substantially at a predetermined time following transmission of the given data packet. The acknowledgement indicates that the second node received the given data packet uncorrupted.