Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products decompose a service process into service process operations; filter the service operations based on at least one pre-determined criterion; identify at least one different service process operation to be used to replace an existing service process operation; and replace the existing service process operation with the at least one different service process operation. The service process can be decomposed using specific service features derived from reference service processes. The pre-determined criterion used to filter the service operations can constitute a service level; a service category; or a service process feature. A service process feature describes core functionality of the service.

Abstract: A method for enhanced validation of cryptograms for varying account number lengths includes: storing one or more primary account numbers and a plurality of formatting templates, each template being associated with an account number length; receiving a selection indicating a specific primary account number; identifying a specific formatting template where the associated account number length corresponds to a length of the specific primary account number; receiving an unpredictable number from a point of sale device; generating a cryptogram based on at least the unpredictable number and one or more algorithms; generating a data string, wherein the data string includes at least the generated cryptogram, the specific primary account number, and the unpredictable number, and wherein the data string is formatted based on the identified specific formatting template; and electronically transmitting the generated data string to the point of sale device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for cross-fading (or other multiple clip processing) of information streams on a user or client device, such as a telephone, tablet, computer or MP3 player, or any consumer device with audio playback. Multiple clip processing can be accomplished at a client end according to directions sent from a service provider that specify a combination of (i) the clips involved; (ii) the device on which the cross-fade or other processing is to occur and its parameters; and (iii) the service provider system. For example, a consumer device with only one decoder, can utilize that decoder (typically hardware) to decompress one or more elements that are involved in a cross-fade at faster than real time, thus pre-fetching the next element(s) to be played in the cross-fade at the end of the currently being played element.

Abstract: A voltage multiplier circuit. The voltage multiplier circuit includes a storage element, a first transistor, a second transistor and third transistor. The storage element has a first end and a second end. The second end is coupled to a clock signal input. The first transistor has a gate coupled to a voltage node, a first terminal coupled to a supply node, and a second terminal coupled to the first end of the storage element. A second transistor has a first terminal coupled to the first end of the storage element and a second terminal coupled to the voltage output. The third transistor has a gate in communication with the clock input and a first terminal coupled to the voltage node.

Abstract: A semiconductor device fabrication operation is commonly used to manufacture one or more integrated circuits onto a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device fabrication operation forms one or more transistors onto an arrangement of fabrication layers to form the one or more integrated circuits which introduces unwanted capacitances, often referred to as parasitic capacitances, into the one or more transistors. The one or more integrated circuits include one or more compensation modules that, when combined with the parasitic capacitances of the one or more transistors, ideally linearizes the non-linearity caused by the parasitic capacitances of the one or more transistors. For example, the one or more compensation modules incorporate a non-linear or a piecewise linear transfer function that is inversely related to the parasitic capacitances of the one or more transistors.

Abstract: A semiconductor device fabrication operation is commonly used to manufacture one or more integrated circuits onto a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device fabrication operation forms one or more transistors onto an arrangement of fabrication layers to form the one or more integrated circuits which introduces unwanted capacitances, often referred to as parasitic capacitances, into the one or more transistors. The one or more integrated circuits include one or more compensation modules that, when combined with the parasitic capacitances of the one or more transistors, ideally linearizes the non-linearity caused by the parasitic capacitances of the one or more transistors. For example, the one or more compensation modules incorporate a non-linear or a piecewise linear transfer function that is inversely related to the parasitic capacitances of the one or more transistors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for cross-fading (or other multiple clip processing) of information streams on a user or client device, such as a telephone, tablet, computer or MP3 player, or any consumer device with audio playback. Multiple clip processing can be accomplished at a client end according to directions sent from a service provider that specify a combination of (i) the clips involved; (ii) the device on which the cross-fade or other processing is to occur and its parameters; and (iii) the service provider system. For example, a consumer device with only one decoder, can utilize that decoder (typically hardware) to decompress one or more elements that are involved in a cross-fade at faster than real time, thus pre-fetching the next element(s) to be played in the cross-fade at the end of the currently being played element.

Abstract: An electromagnetic proportional 2-way flow control valve (1) has a valve housing (2) in which a control piston (3) is guided to be displaced axially. The control piston (3) actuates at least one fluid-conducting connection (4) between a fluid inlet (5) and an outflow opening (6). An armature (8) can be actuated by a proportional magnet and acts on the control piston (3). A pressure detecting piston (9) serves as the actuator part on the control piston (3). The fluid inlet (5) is connected in a fluid-conducting manner by a pressure detecting channel (11) to a pressure detecting chamber (12) such that the fluid pressure prevailing in the pressure detecting chamber (12) loads the pressure detecting piston (9) and the control piston (3) with a force (F) in the direction of relief of the armature.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating music recommendations based on combining song and user influencers with channel rule characterizations are presented. Such systems and methods output a playlist, which may be delivered as an information stream of audio on a user or client device, such as a telephone or smartphone, tablet, computer or MP3 player, or any consumer device with audio play capabilities. The playlist may comprise various individual audio clips of one genre or type, such as songs, or of multiple types, such as music, talk, sports and comedy. The individual audio clips may be ordered by a sequencer, which, using large amounts of data, generates both (i) user independent and (i) user dependent influencer weightings for each clip, and then combines all of such influencer weightings into a combined play weighting W for a given audio clip, for a given user.

Abstract: A voltage multiplier circuit. The voltage multiplier circuit includes a storage element, a first transistor, a second transistor and third transistor. The storage element has a first end and a second end. The second end is coupled to a clock signal input. The first transistor has a gate coupled to a voltage node, a first terminal coupled to a supply node, and a second terminal coupled to the first end of the storage element. A second transistor has a first terminal coupled to the first end of the storage element and a second terminal coupled to the voltage output. The third transistor has a gate in communication with the clock input and a first terminal coupled to the voltage node.

Abstract: In a customized content delivery service, such as, for example, a personalized music streaming service delivered over various wireless networks, an end-user can be given the ability to refine or select programming which is presented to them. One approach to achieving this is to present the user with a range of user preference controls, such as sliders, which can be mapped to attributes contained within the scheduling system. Thus, systems and methods are presented for the representation and delivery of such attributes to effect a personalized server, to map controls to these attributes, and to simplify the controls presented to an end-user. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a song or audio content recommender may use channel specifications and a user profile, as dynamically modified and updated by user preferences expressed via said user preference controls, to generate user and channel specific playlists, to give a user the personalized audio experience he or she actually desires.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a remote camera system by head rotation are herein described. A sensor on a head-mounted display (HMD) can determine the orientation of the HMD. A computing device can translate the orientation of the HMD from one coordinate representation to another coordinate representation. A microcontroller can convert the orientation of the HMD to a control signal. A motor controller can orient a camera mounted gimbal based on the control signal. A plurality of cameras on the camera mounted gimbal can stream video to the HMD. A process on the HMD can process the streaming video to allow for stereoscopic vision and depth. A display on the HMD can display the processed streaming video.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing service latency includes dividing an information technology service for a customer into an infrastructure management service and a data management service. Data associated with the information technology service is stored in a backup memory. A set of infrastructure images related to the information technology service is stored at a cloud service provider. The infrastructure images are updated with software updates and hardware updates, as needed, and the data associated with the information technology service is updated through backup and restore mechanisms. The set of infrastructure images that have been updated with data with latest updates are started for recovery, continuity, testing, etc.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing neural precursor cells, in which an inhibitor of E-cadherin activity is provided to a population of the cells having neural potential, cell stress is induced among the population of cells; and the surviving cells are cultured until neural precursor cells are produced. Also provided is a method of adapting a cell in vitro for therapeutic use, in which an inhibitor of E-cadherin activity is provided to a population of cells having neural potential, cell stress is induced among the population of cells, and the surviving cells are cultured until neural precursor cells are produced. This method may optionally additionally involve culturing the neural precursor cells until neural cells are produced and formulating the neural precursor cells or neural cells in a composition suitable for administration to a patient. The invention also provides cells produced by these methods. The methods may be practiced on stem cells, particularly iPSCs.

Abstract: Nanodispersions of inorganic clays in isocyanate may be created via pre-exfoliation, delamination, or both of the clay and subsequent mixing with isocyanate. In an embodiment, such an isocyanate nanodispersion is reacted with an isocyanate-reactive material or substrate to form a polyurethane nanocomposite.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing service latency includes dividing an information technology service for a customer into an infrastructure management service and a data management service. Data associated with the information technology service is stored in a backup memory. A set of infrastructure images related to the information technology service is stored at a cloud service provider. The infrastructure images are updated with software updates and hardware updates, as needed, and the data associated with the information technology service is updated through backup and restore mechanisms. The set of infrastructure images that have been updated with data with latest updates are started for recovery, continuity, testing, etc.

Abstract: A method for receiving and processing a data message includes: storing at least an encryption key; receiving a data message, the data message including at an encrypted message and a message authentication code, the message authentication code generated using at least a portion of the encrypted message; generating a reference authentication code using at least a portion of the encrypted message included in the received data message; validating the received data message based on a check of the message authentication code included in the received data message against the generated reference authentication code; and decrypting the encrypted message included in the received data message using the stored encryption key to obtain a decrypted message.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for efficient cross-fading (or other multiple clip processing) of compressed domain information streams on a user or client device, such as a telephone, tablet, computer or MP3 player, or any consumer device with audio playback. Exemplary implementation systems may provide cross-fade between AAC/Enhanced AAC Plus (EAACPIus) information streams or between MP3 information streams or even between information streams of unmatched formats (e.g. AAC to MP3 or MP3 to AAC). Furthermore, these systems are distinguished by the fact that cross-fade is directly applied to the compressed bitstreams so that a single decode operation may be performed on the resulting bitstream. Moreover, using the described methods, similar cross fade in the compressed domain between information streams utilizing other formats of compression, such as, for example, MP2, AC-3, PAC, etc. can also be advantageously implemented.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of the present invention systems and methods are provided to implement and facilitate cross-fading, interstitials and other effects/processing of two or more media elements in a personalized media delivery service so that each client or user has a consistent high quality experience. The effects or crossfade processing can occur on the broadcast, publisher or server-side, but can still be personalized to a specific user, thus still allowing a personalized experience for each individual user, in a manner where the processing burden is minimized on the downstream side or client device. This approach enables a consistent user experience, independent of client device capabilities, both static and dynamic.

Abstract: Bio-adhesive compositions that include an extra-cellular matrix protein, bovine serum albumin conjugated with a fluorophore, and an aggregate are provided. The bio-adhesive composition may also include at least one component selected from the group consisting of collagen type IV, laminin, and chitosan. Also provided are methods of making the present compositions, that include taking a desired amount of extracellular matrix gel to liquid form of extracellular matrix; adding a desired amount of bovine serum albumin conjugated with a fluorophore; adding a desired amount of aggregate; and mixing. Further provided are methods for attaching cells to an apparatus using the present bio-adhesive compositions, and methods of attaching the present bio-adhesive compositions to an apparatus. Also provided are kits that include the present composition, components thereof or apparatuses, having the present composition attached thereto.