Abstract: A memory device including at least one memory location for storing information representing data written using a first encryption/decryption method, and a read channel using a second encryption/decryption method for reading and decrypting information as written. The memory device also includes an apparatus that prevents the reading of the at least one memory location using the second encryption/decryption method, in response to an indication that the at least one memory location was written using the first encryption/decryption method. In another embodiment, a reading of all zeroes is returned in response to an indication of another encryption/decryption method.

Abstract: A memory device including at least one memory location for storing information representing data written using a first encryption/decryption method, and a read channel using a second encryption/decryption method for reading and decrypting information as written. The memory device also includes an apparatus that prevents the reading of the at least one memory location using the second encryption/decryption method, in response to an indication that the at least one memory location was written using the first encryption/decryption method. In another embodiment, a reading of all zeroes is returned in response to an indication of another encryption/decryption method.

Abstract: The subject matter describes systems, software, networks, platforms and methods to create one or more applications to assess an aptitude or a preference of a user, to interact dynamically with the user in a setting of a virtual task, to record and evaluate the interactions, to provide a learning platform to let the user acquire skills, and to allow teachers, parents, counselors and guardians to review the status and progress of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of making stable electrically active adult neurons from adult neural tissue. The disclosed compositions can be used with microelectrode arrays in vitro to represent in vivo neural function for drug discovery and for studying neuronal degenerative diseases, neuronal development, and neuronal regeneration.

Abstract: An internet user visits a web site and requests to see imagery from a specified one of a plurality of video cameras. At a system associated with the web site, a load distribution server assigns the user's request to one of a plurality of image servers. The assigned image server first checks its local image cache to see whether a recent image from the specified camera is stored there. If so, the image from that local image cache is sent to the user. If the local image cache does not have a recent image from the requested camera, the assigned image server then checks its local request cache to see whether an earlier process has recently requested the same imagery. If so, then the assigned image server simply waits for the earlier process to compete instead of initiating its own new image retrieval request. If no earlier process has recently requested the same imagery, the assigned image server issues its own image retrieval request.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of video cameras automatically performs one or more tests on a current image received from each of the cameras. The cameras are connected to a network, such as the Internet, and are generally of different types and are owned and/or operated by various entities. A current image from each of the cameras is evaluated using image processing techniques so that a human need not have to view the camera imagery when an initial evaluation is made. Evaluation parameters may include such things as whether a camera is outputting a predefined error image, an image whose brightness is bad, or an image with bad hues. The status of each camera on a network is stored along with a snapshot of the image from which an evaluation was made and a time stamp. The data are made available to the operator of the camera for maintenance and other purposes.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a product development process comprises defining one or more specifications associated with a product development process, wherein the product development process includes a plurality of subtasks. One or more assessment benchmarks for determining the status of each subtask are formulated and development evaluation forms associated with each subtask are generated. The development evaluation forms include an interactive interface that provides the assessment benchmarks to a product development team member associated with a respective subtask. Responses associated with the development evaluation forms are automatically detected and a status of the development process is updated based on the detected responses.

Abstract: An internet user visits a web site and requests to see imagery from a specified one of a plurality of video cameras. At a system associated with the web site, a load distribution server assigns the user's request to one of a plurality of image servers. The assigned image server first checks its local image cache to see whether a recent image from the specified camera is stored there. If so, the image from that local image cache is sent to the user. If the local image cache does not have a recent image from the requested camera, the assigned image server then checks its local request cache to see whether an earlier process has recently requested the same imagery. If so, then the assigned image server simply waits for the earlier process to compete instead of initiating its own new image retrieval request. If no earlier process has recently requested the same imagery, the assigned image server issues its own image retrieval request.

Abstract: A hypertext navigation system that is controllable by spoken words has hypertext documents to which specific dictionaries and probability models for assisting in an acoustic voice recognition of hyper-links of this hypertext document are allocated. Control of a hypertext viewer or, respectively, browser and navigation in the hypertext document or hypertext system by pronouncing links is provided. The voice recognition is thereby optimally adapted to the links to be recognized without these having to be previously known.

Abstract: A method, which may be embodied upon a computer readable medium and executed by a processor, for dynamically adjusting engine startup parameters for a hard disk drive system. The method includes determining if a drive catch-up condition or a host catch-up condition has occurred and adjusting at least one of a read pad and a write pad if a drive catch-up condition is determined. The method further calculating a pad parameter and an optimal delay parameter if a host catch-up condition is determined. Thereafter, the method includes adjusting the optimal delay parameter with the pad parameter if a host catch-up condition is determined.

Abstract: A method, which may be embodied upon a computer readable medium and executed by a processor, for dynamically adjusting buffer utilization ratios for a hard disk drive system. The method establishes and dynamically adjusts a host transfer goal, which targets the amount of data transferred between host catch-up conditions for a current command. The actual amount of data transferred between host catch-up conditions is compared against the host transfer goal, and the buffer utilization ratios are adjusted when the actual amount of transferred data does not exceed the transfer goal. The host transfer goal is established by a number of operational characteristics, including drive transfer speed, host transfer speed, and track switch locations.

Abstract: A method, which may be embodied upon a computer readable medium and executed by a processor, for dynamically adjusting buffer utilization ratios for a hard disk drive system. The method establishes and dynamically adjusts a host transfer goal, which targets the amount of data transferred between host catch-up conditions for a current command. The actual amount of data transferred between host catch-up conditions is compared against the host transfer goal, and the buffer utilization ratios are adjusted when the actual amount of transferred data does not exceed the transfer goal. The host transfer goal is established by a number of operational characteristics, including drive transfer speed, host transfer speed, and track switch locations.

Abstract: A method, which may be embodied upon a computer readable medium and executed by a processor, for dynamically adjusting engine startup parameters for a hard disk drive system. The method includes determining if a drive catch-up condition or a host catch-up condition has occurred and adjusting at least one of a read pad and a write pad if a drive catch-up condition is determined. The method further calculating a pad parameter and an optimal delay parameter if a host catch-up condition is determined. Thereafter, the method includes adjusting the optimal delay parameter with the pad parameter if a host catch-up condition is determined.

Abstract: A hypertext navigation system that is controllable by spoken words have hypertext documents to which specific dictionaries and probability models for assisting in an acoustic voice recognition of hyper-links of this hypertext document are allocated. Control of a hypertext viewer or, respectively, browser and navigation in the hypertext document or hypertext system by pronouncing links is provided. The voice recognition is thereby optimally adapted to the links to be recognized without these having to be previously known.

Abstract: A hypertext navigation system that is controllable by spoken words have hypertext documents to which specific dictionaries and probability models for assisting in an acoustic voice recognition of hyper-links of this hypertext document are allocated. Control of a hypertext viewer or, respectively, browser and navigation in the hypertext document or hypertext system by pronouncing links is provided. The voice recognition is thereby optimally adapted to the links to be recognized without these having to be previously known.