Abstract: Techniques to increase a speed of a growth of a service are disclosed. User-specific information is dynamically calculated for each of a plurality of users of the service while each of the plurality of users is accessing the service. The user-specific information includes scores associated with the plurality of users. The scores represent combined values of points associated with each of a set of scoring activities performed by each of the plurality of users with respect to the service. Designated users are identified from the plurality of users based on a determination that one or more qualifying criteria have been satisfied. A transferring of a value to each of the one or more identified designated users is initiated based on a determination that one or more granting criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: Techniques to increase a speed of a growth of a service are disclosed. User-specific information is dynamically calculated for each of a plurality of users of the service while each of the plurality of users is accessing the service. The user-specific information includes scores associated with the plurality of users. The scores represent combined values of points associated with each of a set of scoring activities performed by each of the plurality of users with respect to the service. Designated users are identified from the plurality of users based on a determination that one or more qualifying criteria have been satisfied. A transferring of a value to each of the one or more identified designated users is initiated based on a determination that one or more granting criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: Techniques are described for tracking users of a service, and identifying designated users based on various criteria. Criteria for identifying designated users can include whether the users registered for the service prior to a deadline, and/or whether the users are among the first predetermined number of users to register. Designated users can also be identified based on activities performed by users through the service. Value, such as at least a portion of a share in an entity associated with the service, can be transferred to each of the designated users (e.g., through a network transfer) based on the evaluation of parameters such as whether the number of designated users reaches a predetermined threshold number, and/or whether the number of designated users reaches the predetermined threshold number no later than a predetermined deadline.

Abstract: An ultra compact mobile keyboard. The keyboard has a plurality of mechanical keys suitable for touch typing. Each such key has a travel distance sufficient to provide a touch type feel and a rigid cap for crisp actuation by a user. The keyboard has a deployed configuration for touch-typing use and a collapsed configuration for transport and storage. In the collapsed configuration, the keyboard fits within bounding volume of less than 180 cubic centimeters.

Abstract: An ultra compact mobile keyboard. The keyboard has a plurality of mechanical keys suitable for touch typing. Each such key has a travel distance sufficient to provide a touch type feel and a rigid cap for crisp actuation by a user. The keyboard has a deployed configuration for touch-typing use and a collapsed configuration for transport and storage. In the collapsed configuration, the keyboard fits within bounding volume of less than 180 cubic centimeters.

Abstract: An ultra compact mobile keyboard. The keyboard has a plurality of mechanical keys suitable for touch typing. Each such key has a travel distance sufficient to provide a touch type feel and a rigid cap for crisp actuation by a user. The keyboard has a deployed configuration for touch-typing use and a collapsed configuration for transport and storage. In the collapsed configuration, the keyboard fits within bounding volume of less than 180 cubic centimeters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating mulch include a mobile facility that applies a treatment to wood fibers at an increased efficiency than conventional coloring or coating methods. The method includes the steps of introducing the wood fibers into a revolving tub, and transporting the wood fibers to a tub manifold. The tub manifold includes at least one inlet port to receive a tub treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the tub treatment to the wood fibers. The wood fibers are treated with the tub treatment using the tub manifold. The apparatus includes a revolving tub and a tub manifold, which is preferably installed in the revolving tub in a first treatment area.

Abstract: A multithreaded processor, fetch control for a multithreaded processor and a method of fetching in the multithreaded processor. Processor event and use (EU) signs are monitored for downstream pipeline conditions indicating pipeline execution thread states. Instruction cache fetches are skipped for any thread that is incapable of receiving fetched cache contents, e.g., because the thread is full or stalled. Also, consecutive fetches may be selected for the same thread, e.g., on a branch mis-predict. Thus, the processor avoids wasting power on unnecessary or place keeper fetches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus capable of using two or more capture methods to create three-dimensional representations of a target captured. Elements of the three-dimensional digital representation generated from the plural capture method are combined to yield a single digital three-dimensional representation having improved quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating mulch include a mobile facility that applies a treatment to wood fibers at an increased efficiency than conventional coloring or coating methods. The method includes the steps of introducing the wood fibers into a revolving tub, and transporting the wood fibers to a first treatment manifold. The first treatment manifold includes at least one inlet port to receive a first treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the first treatment to the wood fibers. The wood fibers are treated with the first treatment using the first treatment manifold. The apparatus includes a revolving tub and a first treatment manifold, which is preferably installed in the revolving tub in a first treatment area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotating an object. An upper unit is rotatably mounted on a base. A drive mechanism is mounted within the base so as to engage and drive rotation of the upper unit. A processor within the base controls the drive mechanism to achieve desirable acceleration characteristics during a cycle to reduce disturbances of an object rotated.

Abstract: A method comprises steps of sensing a first user action, transmitting a first optical message in response to the first user action, and performing at least one optical code reading step in response to non-receipt of a valid response to the first optical message. An apparatus to perform the aforementioned steps and an article of manufacture to direct the aforementioned steps are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical detector optically senses a bar code. A multi-bit analog-to-digital converter is responsive to the optical detector to generate a plurality of digital sample values based on the bar code. A bar code detector processes the plurality of digital sample values to generate a plurality of processed values. The bar code detector detects an edge of a bar within the bar code based upon a first local optimum and a second local optimum of the plurality of processed values.

Abstract: A method comprises steps of sensing a first user action, transmitting a first optical message in response to the first user action, and performing at least one optical code reading step in response to non-receipt of a valid response to the first optical message. An apparatus to perform the aforementioned steps and an article of manufacture to direct the aforementioned steps are disclosed.

Abstract: An amplifier has an input responsive to an optical detector. An analog-to-digital converter is responsive to an output of the amplifier. A processor activates an optical emitter, and reads a first sample from the analog-to-digital converter. Upon determining that the first sample is less than a first threshold, the processor applies a first signal to a control input of the amplifier for a first duration. The processor reads a second sample from the analog-to-digital converter. Upon determining that the second sample is greater than a second threshold, the processor applies a second signal to the control input for a second duration less than the first duration.

Abstract: An amplifier has an input responsive to an optical detector. A comparator is responsive to an output of the amplifier. A data communication circuit is responsive to the comparator. An optical emitter is responsive to the data communication circuit. A multi-bit analog-to-digital converter is responsive to the output of the amplifier. A processor reads a sample from the multi-bit analog-to-digital converter while the optical emitter is cooperating with the data communication circuit to transmit a message. The processor applies a signal to a control input of the amplifier in response to determining that the sample is beyond a threshold.