Abstract: A method of implementing administrative services for a compensation platform is disclosed. One or more interactive compensation representation views are generated based on an evaluation of mapping rules against a flexible ontology and current data state, the flexible ontology comprising customizable compensation components, relationships, and properties. One or more compensation representation views are dynamically updated in real-time in response to changes in compensation data, user context, or access permissions without requiring manual regeneration of the one or more compensation representations. The one or more interactive compensation representation views include a user interface element displayed in response to a user selection of compensation data, wherein the user interface element provides direct access to compensation information relevant to the selected compensation data without requiring a change to another screen or another user context.

Abstract: A method of generating customizable goal representation is disclosed. A request from a user to view a goal representation is received. A flexible goal ontology is accessed that comprises one or more goal entities, one or more goal relationships between the goal entities, or one or more goal properties, the one or more goal properties including one or more metadata attributes relating to the one or more goal entities. A set of mapping rules is obtained that defines mappings between one or more goals. The set of mapping rules is evaluated to assemble a customized goal representation tailored to the user. The customized goal representation is updated based on a revaluation of the mapping rules affected by changes to the one or more goal entities, the one or more goal relationships, or the one or more properties.

Abstract: An application programming interface (API) is provided to an application configured to cause display of a user interface (UI). An item of targeted content and metadata corresponding to the item of targeted content is received. The item is rendered in the UI and a call to the API is initiated based on the metadata, the call causing the UI to render a UI feature concurrently within the item. Interaction with the UI feature causes the application to display additional UI features that identify the provider of the item and user information it possesses, the information comprising a reason for the item being provided. Further UI features may be rendered that enable a user to manage such information. In another aspect, the application may comprise a web browser and UI features rendered using the API may comprise a tracker information UI that enables the user to control use of browser trackers.

Abstract: A fry assessment system (10) is disclosed and includes an image analyzer (12). The image analyzer (12) includes both a fry identification module (90) and a fry scoring module (100). A color image (70) is analyzed by the fry identification module (90) to identify all fries in the color image (70). Thereafter, the fry scoring module (100) determines a score for each identified fry in the color image (70). These determined scores may be used for any appropriate purpose, for instance for purposes of determining a selling price for associated potatoes, to monitor a condition of associated potatoes in a common storage area, or the like.

Abstract: A fry assessment system (10) is disclosed and includes an image analyzer (12). The image analyzer (12) includes both a fry identification module (90) and a fry scoring module (100). A color image (70) is analyzed by the fry identification module (90) to identify all fries in the color image (70). Thereafter, the fry scoring module (100) determines a score for each identified fry in the color image (70). These determined scores may be used for any appropriate purpose, for instance for purposes of determining a selling price for associated potatoes, to monitor a condition of associated potatoes in a common storage area, or the like.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable media are described for facilitating generation and/or presentation of sound images. In one embodiment, a method of facilitating generation of sound images includes receiving a user selection of an image from a video. A user selection of an audio portion from the same video is also received. The selected image and the selected audio portion are associated with one another as a sound image such that the selected image and selected audio portion can subsequently be simultaneously presented as a still image with background audio.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture are provided to support dynamic assignment of data from a continuous stream of data to one or more storage devices in a storage network. The storage network is configured with one or more tiers in a hierarchy, with at least one storage device in each tier. Similarly, the storage network is in communication with both a storage manager and a data manager. The storage manager sorts the storage devices, maintains a demand function of each device, and calculates a burn rate for each storage device. The data manager is in communication with the storage manager and assigns data from the received stream of data to at least one of the storage devices.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture are provided to support dynamic assignment of data from a continuous stream of data to one or more storage devices in a storage network. The storage network is configured with one or more tiers in a hierarchy, with at least one storage device in each tier. Similarly, the storage network is in communication with both a storage manager and a data manager. The storage manager sorts the storage devices, maintains a demand function of each device, and calculates a burn rate for each storage device. The data manager is in communication with the storage manager and assigns data from the received stream of data to at least one of the storage devices.

Abstract: A method (and system) of storing data in a value-based storage system, includes optimizing a value of data stored in the value-based storage system.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a storage system to support full utilization of storage space are provided. With the system and method, data objects/containers of data objects are assigned retention values when they are created. These retention values may be dynamically modified based on a modification function associated with the data objects/containers. When storage space needs to be freed for the storage of new data objects/containers, the retention values of existing data objects/containers provide a prioritization as to which data objects/containers should be deleted from the storage system and the order by which these data objects/containers are to be deleted to make available storage space for the new data objects/containers. The identification of the data objects/containers that are to be deleted may be based on a dynamically modified delete threshold, a sorted list of retention values, or the like.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a storage system to support short data object lifetimes and highly utilized storage space are provided. With the system and method, data objects are clustered based on when they are anticipated to be deleted. When an application stores data, the application provides an indicator of the expected lifetime of the data, which may be a retention value, a relative priority of the data object, or the like. Data objects having similar expected lifetimes are clustered together in common data structures so that clusters of objects may be deleted efficiently in a single operation. Expected lifetimes may be changed by applications automatically. The system automatically determines how to handle these changes in expected lifetime using one or more of copying the data object, reclassifying the container in which the data object is held, and ignoring the change in expected lifetime for a time to investigate further changes in expected lifetime of other data objects.

Abstract: A windshield wiper glove constructed of waterproof and flexible material is designed to fit over and substantially cover a windshield wiper with the exception of the wiper arm. The glove serves the purpose of preventing the accumulation of snow, ice and other materials on the flexible portion of the windshield wiper so as to eliminate interference by these materials with the flexural movement of the wiper blade over a windshield, allowing a clean sweep of the windshield in inclement weather.

Abstract: A mechanism for executing requests in a system. More specifically, a technique for processing requests to a memory system is provided. A shift register may be used to store an index associated with requests, such as read and write requests, to a memory system. Each request is stored in a respective queue depending on the source of the request and the request type (e.g. read or write). Each request includes flags which may be set to determine the processing order of the requests, such that out-of-order processing is feasible. An index corresponding to each of the requests is stored in an index shifter to facilitate the out-of-order processing of the requests. Alternatively, a shift register may be used to store each of the requests. Rather than shifting the indices to facilitate the out-of-order processing of requests, depending on the state of the corresponding request flags, the entire entry may be shifted.

Abstract: A technique for selecting events associated with a hot-plug operation. More specifically, a programmable configuration register may be used to provide a mechanism for periodically scheduling requests associated with a hot-plug operation, such as initialization, rebuild, and verify requests. An arbiter is provided to facilitate an ordered access to a memory system. A user can select a periodic interval such that hot-plug requests are periodically executed during the execution of normal requests through the arbiter. The user-selectable interval may be dependent on the specific application of the system and the importance of operating in a redundant mode.

Abstract: A mechanism for executing requests in a system. More specifically, a technique for processing requests to a memory system is provided. A shift register may be used to store an index associated with requests, such as read and write requests, to a memory system. Each request is stored in a respective queue depending on the source of the request and the request type (e.g. read or write). Each request includes flags which may be set to determine the processing order of the requests, such that out-of-order processing is feasible. An index corresponding to each of the requests is stored in an index shifter to facilitate the out-of-order processing of the requests. Alternatively, a shift register may be used to store each of the requests. Rather than shifting the indices to facilitate the out-of-order processing of requests, depending on the state of the corresponding request flags, the entire entry may be shifted.

Abstract: A technique for selecting events associated with a hot-plug operation. More specifically, a programmable configuration register may be used to provide a mechanism for periodically scheduling requests associated with a hot-plug operation, such as initialization, rebuild, and verify requests. An arbiter is provided to facilitate an ordered access to a memory system. A user can select a periodic interval such that hot-plug requests are periodically executed during the execution of normal requests through the arbiter. The user-selectable interval may be dependent on the specific application of the system and the importance of operating in a redundant mode.

Abstract: A computer system provides a communication link to a display monitor so as to control the display of not only computer signals but of other signals such as television signals. By providing this link the additional power of the computer can be used to provide a storage of preferred settings for the television/display monitor depending upon signal sources, time of day or the like. This provides a more versatile display. Further data contained within a received data stream such as from a web page or the like may inherently control functions of the television display.

Abstract: A device causing a faulty condition in a computer system having devices is isolated by detecting for a faulty condition associated with the devices and identifying the device causing the faulty condition. The devices are coupled to a bus. The faulty condition includes a bus hang condition. The devices are turned off when a bus hang condition is detected. The devices are then turned back on to test the devices. Each device is tested by writing and reading its configuration space. Information on the bus associated with the faulty condition is stored. The stored information is retrieved after the faulty condition has occurred, with the stored information including address, data, and bus control information.

Abstract: A system for allowing a peripheral device to be inserted directly into a port of a computer system while the computer system is powered on. The insertion of a peripheral device into the computer system port is automatically detected, and a configuration operation is automatically performed when insertion of the peripheral device is detected. The system also allows a plurality of peripheral devices to be connected to a single port of a computer system by automatically determining the number of peripheral devices and assigning a unique address to each of the peripheral devices. The peripheral device may have a host port for communicating with the computer system, a slave port for connecting to a slave device, and a device manager which identifies if a slave device is connection.