Abstract: In a linked waveform update mode, an impulse-driven, particle-based electrophoretic display may be updated using a first waveform and then automatically up-dated using a second drive scheme when the update using the first waveform finishes. The display may be automatically up-dated using a third drive scheme when the update using the second drive scheme finishes. The automatic updating using a subsequent drive scheme may be interrupted if the desired display states for the region changes after performing the first update. Waveforms may be selected using: (a) the desired display state of a pixel if the desired display state is a valid display state for the specified drive scheme, or (b) a mapped display state of the pixel if the desired display state is an invalid display state for the drive scheme.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support structure and a leaf spring connector coupled to the support structure. The leaf spring connector has a working height measured from a first surface of the two-sided support structure to a mating surface of the leaf spring connector when the leaf spring connector is in a compressed position. The leaf spring connector is mounted below the first surface of the support structure in order to reduce the working height of the leaf spring connector by at least a portion of a thickness of the support structure.

Abstract: A computer implemented method enables perception of multiple online personas in an instant messaging communications session by identifying at least two identities within a communications environment to whom messages may be directed, and by enabling a first persona of a user to be projected to a first of the identities while concurrently enabling a second persona of the same user to be projected to a second of the identities.

Abstract: A water heater appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The method includes receiving a first temperature measurement from a temperature sensor of the water heater appliance, receiving a second temperature measurement from the temperature sensor of the water heater appliance, and establishing if water is flowing through a conduit of the water heater appliance based at least in part on the first and second temperature measurements.

Abstract: Computing interface systems and methods are disclosed. Some implementations include a first accelerometer attached to a first fastening article that is capable of holding the first accelerometer in place on a portion of a thumb of a user. Some implementations may also include a second accelerometer attached to a second fastening article that is capable of holding the second accelerometer in place on a portion of a wrist of a user. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include magnetometers and/or gyroscopes attached to the first and second fastening articles. Some implementations may also include a processing device configured to receive measurements from the accelerometers, magnetometers, and/or gyroscopes and identify, based on the measurements, symbols associated with motions of a user's hand and/or the orientation of the hand. Some implementations may allow a user to control a cursor in a three dimensional virtual space and interact with objects in that space.

Abstract: Computing interface systems and methods are disclosed. Some implementations include a first accelerometer attached to a first fastening article that is capable of holding the first accelerometer in place on a portion of a thumb of a user. Some implementations may also include a second accelerometer attached to a second fastening article that is capable of holding the second accelerometer in place on a portion of a wrist of a user. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include magnetometers and/or gyroscopes attached to the first and second fastening articles. Some implementations may also include a processing device configured to receive measurements from the accelerometers, magnetometers, and/or gyroscopes and identify, based on the measurements, symbols associated with motions of a user's hand and/or the orientation of the hand. Some implementations may allow a user to control a cursor in a three dimensional virtual space and interact with objects in that space.

Abstract: Computing interface systems and methods are disclosed. Some implementations include a first accelerometer attached to a first fastening article that is capable of holding the first accelerometer in place on a portion of a thumb of a user. Some implementations may also include a second accelerometer attached to a second fastening article that is capable of holding the second accelerometer in place on a portion of a wrist of a user. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include magnetometers and/or gyroscopes attached to the first and second fastening articles. Some implementations may also include a processing device configured to receive measurements from the accelerometers, magnetometers, and/or gyroscopes and identify, based on the measurements, symbols associated with motions of a user's hand and/or the orientation of the hand. Some implementations may allow a user to control a cursor in a three dimensional virtual space and interact with objects in that space.

Abstract: Computing interface systems and methods are disclosed. Some implementations include a first accelerometer attached to a first fastening article that is capable of holding the first accelerometer in place on a portion of a thumb of a user. Some implementations may also include a second accelerometer attached to a second fastening article that is capable of holding the second accelerometer in place on a portion of a wrist of a user. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include magnetometers and/or gyroscopes attached to the first and second fastening articles. Some implementations may also include a processing device configured to receive measurements from the accelerometers, magnetometers, and/or gyroscopes and identify, based on the measurements, symbols associated with motions of a user's hand and/or the orientation of the hand. Some implementations may allow a user to control a cursor in a three dimensional virtual space and interact with objects in that space.

Abstract: Data pixels defining first and second images are stored in first and second image buffers, respectively. A second image coordinate location within a display matrix of a display device having display pixels that have multiple stable states is stored in a memory. Data pixels of the first image are read from the first image buffer. If a data pixel read from the first image buffer is within the second image coordinate location, a data pixel from the second image buffer corresponding with the data pixel read from the first image buffer is read, and the data pixel read from the second image buffer is combined with the corresponding data pixel read from the first image buffer to generate a derived data pixel. Synthesized pixels corresponding with at least each of the data pixels of the second image are generated. The synthesized pixels respectively include the derived data pixels.

Abstract: In a linked waveform update mode, an impulse-driven, particle-based electrophoretic display may be updated using a first waveform and then automatically up-dated using a second drive scheme when the update using the first waveform finishes. The display may be automatically up-dated using a third drive scheme when the update using the second drive scheme finishes. The automatic updating using a subsequent drive scheme may be interrupted if the desired display states for the region changes after performing the first update. Waveforms may be selected using: (a) the desired display state of a pixel if the desired display state is a valid display state for the specified drive scheme, or (b) a mapped display state of the pixel if the desired display state is an invalid display state for the drive scheme.

Abstract: A method includes fetching first synthesized pixels from an update buffer of a memory and fetching data pixels from an image buffer of the memory during the first drive frame period. Respective data pixels are fetched synchronously with the fetching of corresponding first synthesized pixels. Respective data pixels fetched from the image buffer are synthesized with corresponding first synthesized pixels to generate second synthesized pixels. The second synthesized pixels are stored in the update buffer during the first drive frame period. The storing of second synthesized pixels may be paused based on a prediction that the fetching of first synthesized pixels will not complete within the first drive frame period. The fetching of data pixels from the image buffer of the memory may also be paused based on the prediction that the fetching of first synthesized pixels will not complete within the first drive frame period.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architectured around a table of components to manage and control the system.

Abstract: The same user is able to project different personalities while visiting different chat rooms. The personalities are tailored to the chat room being visited. Different personalization items (e.g., an icon or avatar, wallpaper, sounds, a smiley set, and text style) are provided based upon the chat room that the user is visiting. The personalization items may be customized based upon the identity of the chat room (such as a particular chat room, the type of chat room, or the content of the chat room). The personalization items may be host based and may leverage instant messaging (“IM”) personalization items. The personalization items may be user selected or user provided.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. Techniques for process sensitive help are also integrated into the system to provide contextual examples to guide a user in performing a task.

Abstract: A method for updating a submatrix of a display matrix of a display device comprises sequentially selecting rows of the display matrix starting from an initial row of the display matrix. The method includes determining whether a selected row precedes a first row of the submatrix in a first drive frame of a waveform having two or more drive frames. If a condition that a selected row precedes the first row of the submatrix in the first drive frame of the waveform is false, the method includes addressing the selected row for a first line address period. If a condition that a selected row precedes the first row of the submatrix in the first drive frame of the waveform is true, the method includes addressing the selected row for a second line address period.

Abstract: A method of monitoring copper contamination. The method includes method, comprising: (a) ion-implanting an N-type dopant into a region of single-crystal silicon substrate, the region abutting a top surface of the substrate; (c) activating the N-type dopant by annealing the substrate at a temperature of 500° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere; (c) submerging, for a present duration of time, the substrate into an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution to be monitored for copper contamination; and (d) determining an amount of copper adsorbed from the aqueous solution by the region of the substrate.

Abstract: A computer implemented method enables perception of multiple online personas in an instant messaging communications session by identifying at least two identities within a communications environment to whom messages may be directed, and by enabling a first persona of a user to be projected to a first of the identities while concurrently enabling a second persona of the same user to be projected to a second of the identities.

Abstract: Electronic devices and design structures of electronic devices containing metal silicide layers. The devices include: a thin silicide layer between two dielectric layers, at least one metal wire abutting a less than whole region of the silicide layer and in electrical contact with the silicide layer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architectured around a table of components to manage and control the system.

Abstract: A method for producing a scaled output image by manipulating image data from an input image is disclosed. The scaled output image can have non-uniformly scaled regions and a uniformly scaled region. The method includes an operation that defines pixel locations within the uniformly scaled region of the output image based on uniformly scaling a portion of the input image. There is also an operation that determines a non-uniform scale factor. The non-uniform scale factor is used to define a gap between pixel locations within the non-uniformly scaled regions. Another operation determines error correction values within the non-uniformly scaled regions. The method can also include an operation that defines pixel locations for the non-uniformly scaled region of the output image based on increments of the non-uniform scale factor and error correction values.