Abstract: Noise and distortion reduction in a signal processed through analog circuitry includes providing noise reduction circuitry to reduce signal noise generated by at least one analog circuit element. The noise reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply noise reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted distortion. Distortion reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply distortion reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted noise. The signal is processed through the analog circuitry using the adaptively configured noise reduction circuitry and adaptively configured distortion reduction circuitry to reduce both noise and distortion in the signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices for spectrum sensing using sliding window energy detection are provided. A sliding window energy detection test having a number of continuously-performed tests can be analyzed according to a desired cumulative false alarm rate to provide a corresponding, testing threshold. Based on the testing threshold and target signal to noise ratio, a testing window length is selected such that the sliding window energy detection is performed for a minimum expected discrete detection time. A sliding window energy detector can then obtain the selected testing window length and the corresponding, testing threshold for spectrum sensing. The sliding window energy detector includes a sampling unit, a detection probability analyzer, a testing statistic generator, a false alarm analyzer, a comparing unit, and a declaring unit.

Abstract: Noise and distortion reduction in a signal processed through analog circuitry includes providing noise reduction circuitry to reduce signal noise generated by at least one analog circuit element. The noise reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply noise reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted distortion. Distortion reduction circuitry is adaptively configured to adjust a rate to apply distortion reduction to the signal without introducing unwanted noise. The signal is processed through the analog circuitry using the adaptively configured noise reduction circuitry and adaptively configured distortion reduction circuitry to reduce both noise and distortion in the signal.

Abstract: For cyber security, a computer with network access incorporates game theory and utilizes a honey net to enhance game-theoretic developments over active and passive sensors. To numerically solve the uniquely three-sided game modeled cyber security problem, a geometry method based on 3D action curves can be applied. The method can first determine whether the game problem has one Nash equilibrium, multiple Nash equilibriums, or no Nash equilibrium; can check the equilibrium is a mixed or pure Nash; can timely compute Nash equilibriums; and follows a fictitious play concept. The solution is adaptive and can be applied for any partially observed cyber security system.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for proportional feedback for reduced overshoot and undershoot in a switched output are described. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a switching output stage configured to receive an input signal and provide a responsive output signal. The apparatus may also include a pulling circuit coupled to one of the first switching device and the second switching device. The pulling circuit may pull a control voltage of power transistors in the switching output stage to reduce impedance of at least one of the transistors in response to a determination that the output signal at the common output node is outside of a predetermined range of a threshold value. Pulling strength may increase as a voltage difference between the output signal and one of the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage increases.

Abstract: Methods and devices for demonstrating three-player pursuit-evasion (PE) game are provided using a hardware-in-loop test-bed. Robots including pursuer robots and an evader robot are arranged on a solid surface. A drone is positioned flying above to oversee the robots to capture a video or an image sequence of the robots. A robot thread process and a drone thread process are implemented by a computer. In the robot thread process, a tracking-by-detection process is perform to provide a state of the robot including a location and a heading direction of the robot; a delay compensation is conducted; and a PE game is called to calculate a robot command. In the drone thread process, a drone control is calculated to make the drone follow an evader robot, the drone control is sent to the drone, and user commands are also checked.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an anti-jamming method in a satellite communication (SATCOM) system. A waveform modulation is performed on a waveform of a source data to provide a modulated waveform transmitted to a transmitter and then to a receiver. The modulated waveform transmitted from the receiver is demodulated to provide a demodulated waveform. In response to interference, a game reasoning process is performed on the demodulated waveform to provide an anti-jamming adaptive waveform. By performing a game-optimal waveform modulation on the anti-jamming adaptive waveform, a frequency hopping process is used to guide the data transmission, such that the source data is transmitted with a minimal probability of being interfered.

Abstract: An asymmetric modulation scheme may be used to drive two output nodes coupled to a load. The asymmetric modulation scheme may be one-sided such that the switching rate of a first output node is lower than the switching rate of a second output node. The first output node may be switched only to change a direction of current between the first output node and the second output node, while the second output node is switched to convey the information of an input signal. The asymmetric modulation scheme may be used to drive a speaker to reduce noise at the first output node to improve accuracy of current monitoring through the speaker by a current monitor coupled at the first output node.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to determine a niche market of items or services, the first phase of which identities a gap between demand and supply for a set of items. Session logs may he evaluated to compare transactions involving a specific item to those of a larger group of items. The resultant information identifies areas of high demand, but with low availability. The niche market information may be provided as direct merchandising items for sellers. In one example, the method generates niche market item web pages in specific categories. Additional methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for recommending products. The system may include a search engine to retrieve, from a collection of product reviews, product review results using at least two input product names. The system may also include a template builder to build comparative sentence templates to define relationships between at least two product names, in which each comparative sentence template has a weight as a function of the defined relationship, and the search engine extracts one or more snippets matching at least one of the comparative sentence templates within each product review result. The system may further include a review ranking device to rank the product review search results based on the one or more extracted snippets, in which each snippet has a same weight as its matched comparative sentence template.

Abstract: Techniques for topic extraction and opinion mining are described. For example, a machine selects a document that is pertinent to a topic based on searching a plurality of documents. The machine identifies an identifier of a party to a transaction being referenced in the document, and identifies the transaction conducted by the party to the transaction based on the document. The machine determines a rating of the transaction based on the document. The determining of the rating of the transaction includes identifying, from a plurality of polarity words included in the document, a dominant polarity word based on a syntactic distance between the dominant polarity word and the topic in a syntactic tree. The machine determines a sentiment of the document based on the transaction, and the rating of the transaction.

Abstract: Compositions comprising activated topoisomerase adaptors (TOPO-adaptors) and methods of using the activated TOPO-adaptors are provided for preparing a library of target DNA duplexes derived from sample polynucleotides (e.g., DNA, RNA) for the streamlined preparation of a large number of samples. Such libraries may be used for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to automatically publish data items associated with a news event. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining, using one or more processors, an event of a plurality of events as associated with a heightened user interest, identifying one or more listings from a plurality of listings as matching the event associated with the heightened user interest, and presenting a visual representation of a relationship between the event and the one or more listings such that the one or more listings are displayed as visually related to the event.

Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking multiple moving targets from airborne video within the framework of a cloud computing infrastructure. The invention simultaneously utilizes information from an optical flow generator and an active-learning histogram matcher in a complimentary manner so as to rule out erroneous data that may otherwise, separately, yield false target information. The invention utilizes user-based voice-to-text color feature description for track matching with hue features from image pixels.

Abstract: Methods and devices for demonstrating three-player pursuit-evasion (PE) game are provided using a hardware-in-loop test-bed. Robots including pursuer robots and an evader robot are arranged on a solid surface. A drone is positioned flying above to oversee the robots to capture a video or an image sequence of the robots. A robot thread process and a drone thread process are implemented by a computer. In the robot thread process, a tracking-by-detection process is perform to provide a state of the robot including a location and a heading direction of the robot; a delay compensation is conducted; and a PE game is called to calculate a robot command. In the drone thread process, a drone control is calculated to make the drone follow an evader robot, the drone control is sent to the drone, and user commands are also checked.

Abstract: A method for detecting and tracking multiple moving targets from airborne video within the framework of a cloud computing infrastructure. The invention simultaneously utilizes information from an optical flow generator and an active-learning histogram matcher in a complimentary manner so as to rule out erroneous data that may otherwise, separately, yield false target information. The invention utilizes user-based voice-to-text color feature description for track matching with hue features from image pixels.

Abstract: Kickback current from a charge pump to a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) may be reduced by dissipating charge from fly and hold capacitors during mode transitions. A switch may be placed in series between the charge pump and the PMIC to disconnect the charge pump and prevent kickback current from reaching the PMIC. Further, additional loads, as switches, may be coupled to the charge pump outputs to dissipate charge from the fly and hold capacitors. Additionally, a closed feedback loop may be used to monitor and discharge excess charge from the fly and hold capacitors during mode transitions. Furthermore, charge may be redistributed between the fly and hold capacitors during mode transitions to reduce the time period of the transition.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus may include an input for indicating a characteristic of an output load current of a switched output stage comprising at least one driver device and a predriver circuit coupled to the input and a gate terminal of the at least one driver device, the predriver circuit for driving an input voltage signal to the gate terminal and configured to select an effective impedance of the gate terminal based on the input for indicating the output load current. In accordance with these and other embodiments of the disclosure, a method may include receiving an input for indicating a characteristic of an output load current of a switched output stage comprising at least one driver device and selecting an effective impedance of a gate terminal of the at least one driver device based on the input for indicating the output load current.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for proportional feedback for reduced overshoot and undershoot in a switched output are described. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a switching output stage configured to receive an input signal and provide a responsive output signal. The apparatus may also include a pulling circuit coupled to one of the first switching device and the second switching device. The pulling circuit may pull a control voltage of power transistors in the switching output stage to reduce impedance of at least one of the transistors in response to a determination that the output signal at the common output node is outside of a predetermined range of a threshold value. Pulling strength may increase as a voltage difference between the output signal and one of the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage increases.

Abstract: Voltage level shifting in a switching output stage is presented. The circuit may include a switching output stage configured to receive an analog input signal and provide a responsive digital output signal, the switching output stage having a first switching device coupled to a first supply voltage and a second switching device coupled to a second supply voltage, the first switching device and the second switching device being coupled to a common output node. The apparatus may also include a voltage level shifter circuit coupled to a switching control node of the second switching device, the voltage level shifter configured to shift a voltage level at the switching control node of the second switching device relative to the analog input signal, wherein the digital output signal at the common output node transitions as the input signal reaches a predetermined threshold value.