Abstract: A visually-oriented search system guides a search with non-verbal inputs. Instead of specifying discrete attributes (words) as input to a search engine, a user may create a visual model of a desired end result and apply the model as a generalized input from which discrete attributes are extracted for submission to conventional search engines. The search may be enhanced with a simulation of the visually-created query, and the simulation may be transformed into a query suitable for distribution to one or more search engines. The query may be refined using domain-specific rules, vocabulary, expert systems, and the like. Search results may be browsed by a user, or employed to further refine subsequent searches.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating the selecting and/or the purchasing of items are provided. Items to be purchased may be clothing items. The use of a visualization pane comprising an avatar may be used to facilitate item selection. The avatar may represent a person such as a user and clothing items may be represented on the avatar so as to provide a preview of how the clothing items would look on the user. Searching for purchasable items may be done textually or visually using key images or by a combination of both. Key images selected from a dictionary of key images may to represent search criteria. Coupon offers may be presented to a user which may be redeemable instantly or later at a store location.

Abstract: The method is used for downloading firmware upgrades to a non-volatile memory (NVM) of a targeted remote programmable embedded field-deployed device over a communication network. The device is connected to the network and requires no human intervention at the remote site. The firmware includes a small upgrade program which performs programming tasks on the device according to commands received by the server. The method carried out by the upgrade program allows to upgrade the application program, the communication protocol stack, a set of mutable interrupt vector table or itself without the need of additional memory. It also has a bootstrap function which is responsible for verifying the integrity of the firmware upon reset of a device before transferring control to or back to the application program. Upgrades can be either server-initiated (the firmware provider pushes the new version out to the field) or device-initiated (the device pulls the latest firmware version from the server).

Abstract: The method is used for downloading firmware upgrades to a non-volatile memory (NVM) of a targeted remote programmable embedded field-deployed device over a communication network. The device is connected to the network and requires no human intervention at the remote site. The firmware includes a small upgrade program which performs programming tasks on the device according to commands received by the server. The method carried out by the upgrade program allows to upgrade the application program, the communication protocol stack, a set of mutable interrupt vector table or itself without the need of additional memory. It also has a bootstrap function which is responsible for verifying the integrity of the firmware upon reset of a device before transferring control to or back to the application program. Upgrades can be either server-initiated (the firmware provider pushes the new version out to the field) or device-initiated (the device pulls the latest firmware version from the server).