Abstract: A method and system to automate payment for a network-based commerce transaction provide a buyer an option to enable an automatic payment service, wherein automatic payment service automatically provides payment to a seller upon a termination event of a network-based commerce transaction. Payment information of the buyer is provided to a network-based payment system upon the occurrence of the termination event.

Abstract: In a DOCSIS transmission network, it is necessary for an upstream receiver to estimate and correct for errors in the carrier frequency of the transmission based upon observations of a preamble sequence. This task is complicated by the fact that microreflections in the upstream channels cause intersymbol interference, which tends to bias the frequency estimation circuit. An economical, ISI-immune algorithm is provided for estimating the carrier frequency of upstream transmissions. The arrangement improves the reliability of the frequency estimates in the presence of ISI, thereby reducing the overhead and increasing the throughput of the upstream channels.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coding images geometric vector quantization (GVQ) having an over-complete dictionary which produces a sparse vector of coefficients as it contains large runs of zeros. The sparse encoding is particularly well suited for use with run-length entropy coding techniques. Image blocks are sparse coded using GVQ, with the vector of coefficients converted to RUN-LENGTH symbols, and binarized into a set of binary symbols. At least a portion of the binary symbols are used as contexts which can be selected when performing binary arithmetic coding of the binary coded RUN and LENGTH data to generate a bit stream containing the encoded image that provides enhanced compression.

Abstract: Image encoding for changing representation of zero coefficient clustering and for utilizing a novel directional transform for exploiting the directional properties of image energy. The apparatus and methods can be applied to numerous applications, such as within image codecs. A ring-tree method is taught for representing the grouping of zero transform coefficients as ring-trees into a new symbol for more efficiently coding images. Directional transforms are taught which provide enhanced energy compactness of coefficients, and which capture directional energy resulting in generating enhanced visual quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding video using directional discrete waveform transforms (DDWT), such as within a codec device. DDWT can be utilized to replace the use of intra transforms and inter transforms within the encoding system. In many ways the output of the DDWT can be compared with that provided using MDDT, however, it does not require a training process while it also provides enhanced encoding of feature edges with desirable visual characteristics. The transforms are applied in at least two passes, along the prediction direction, and then across the prediction direction, instead of being applied in fixed vertical and horizontal directions. Directional scaling is not required prior to the second stage of transforms.

Abstract: Entropy encoding is performed in the inventive apparatus and method in response to the scanning of transform coefficients following an initial scanning pattern selected on the basis of probability statistics of non-zero coefficients for each block position. These non-zero probability statistics are ranked for a given combination of coding characteristics within the current block to arrive at an initial scanning pattern. The same initial scanning pattern selection is performed in the decoder to allow the transform coefficients to be extracted in their proper order from encoded video data. The pattern selection is applicable to both intra prediction and inter prediction. Transform coefficients are more accurately ordered in response to the invention because in adapting pattern initialization to quantization step size, high-frequency basis functions are properly taken into account.

Abstract: Techniques for performing a multi-level patching operation are described. According to one such technique, before a particular patch is applied, the data containers that are targeted by the particular patch are identified. A determination is made as to whether any of these target data containers already has been targeted by any previously applied patch. A determination also is made as to whether any other data container that contains (immediately or otherwise) any of the target data containers already has been targeted by any previously applied patch. If any target data container or any other data container that contains a target data container already has been targeted by a previously applied patch, then the particular patch is not applied to the target data containers.

Abstract: A device for measuring blood coagulation time is formed from a first substrate; a second substrate; a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, said first electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a first opening in the spacer layer; and a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, said second electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a second opening in the spacer layer. The device of the invention is used in combination with an apparatus that is connected to the first and second electrodes for measuring current flow between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A flat-fold filtering face piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 that has a transversely-extending line of demarcation 22 and a longitudinal axis 34. First and second weld patterns 32a, 32b are disposed above and not traversing the line of demarcation on each side of the longitudinal axis 34, respectively. Third and fourth weld patterns 32c, 32d are disposed below and not crossing the line of demarcation 22 on each side of the longitudinal axis 34, respectively. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth weld patterns 32a-32d is a two-dimensional enclosed pattern. This combined weld patterns can provide a mask body that exhibits crush resistance without the need for additional or heavier layers, which may cause higher pressure drops across the filtering structure.

Abstract: Object: To provide a mechanism and a function of a system that can determine a communication method and the like effectively utilizing frequency resources, considering priority of each communication, in a cognitive communication network system of a frequency shared type or the like assuming that a given frequency band is shared by a plurality of systems in use.

Abstract: Techniques that promote a fault-tolerant patching system are described. According to one such technique, a patching operation is performed in two phases. During the first phase, before the updates specified in the patching operation are actually applied, an attempt is made to backup files, or portions thereof, which are going to be updated by the patching operation. If a failure is detected during the first phase, then the patching operation aborts without proceeding to the second phase. During the second phase, an attempt is made to perform the updates that the patching operation specifies. If a failure is detected during the second phase, then all of the updated files, or portions thereof, are restored; those files or file portions are replaced with their corresponding backed-up copies, which were made during the first phase. The foregoing technique is extensible to a system in which prospectively affected files are distributed among nodes.

Abstract: A device for measuring blood coagulation time is formed from a first substrate; a second substrate; a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, said first electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a first opening in the spacer layer; and a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, said second electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a second opening in the spacer layer. The device of the invention is used in combination with an apparatus that is connected to the first and second electrodes for measuring current flow between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption for scanning and maintain communication quality by reducing the time for scanning or connection when a wireless communication terminal switches between networks or base stations. A wireless communication terminal 1 enabling connection with a plurality of base stations disposed in different positions which includes a base station scanning unit 100 detecting and scanning a base station capable of communication at the current position of the wireless communication terminal, a simultaneous detection base station recording unit 101 recording simultaneously detected base stations as simultaneous detection information in a storage unit, a connection candidate extraction unit 102 and a first communication unit 103 performing communication by connection with the extracted connection candidate base station.

Abstract: A technique that can effectively utilize unused wireless link and realize high-quality wireless communication between a communication terminal and a base station and enables efficient distribution of radio resources over an entire wireless communication system is provided. A wireless communication system in which a base station and a communication terminal can conduct wireless communication by detecting a usable wireless link and changing a wireless link used for the connection is also provided. On the communication network side, in addition to a plurality of wireless communication networks and a base station, a server device is provided.

Abstract: A method in which communication quality of a base station is accumulated according to type of an application and when a communication terminal device switches a base station, an optimal base station for each application is selected is provided. A wireless communication device of the present invention is provided with priority notifying means storing priority information of communication conducted by the local device and notifying it to the other wireless communication devices so that the priority can be notified to the outside. A priority information collecting means collects the priority information notified by the other devices, and a priority information comparing means compares the priority information of the local device with the collected priority information. Wireless communication control means is provided so that as the result of comparison, if the priority of the other devices is higher than the priority of the local device, the wireless communication means is controlled.

Abstract: To provide a method of selecting an optimal base station for each application when accumulating communication quality in response to an application type for a base station and a communication terminal switches base stations. A communication quality database 31 is prepared by assigning a current location of a communication terminal device, a currently running application program and a communication quality when executing an application program. When making a new connection with a base station, the current application and location is used to select a base station having an optimal communication quality from the communication quality database 31. This mechanism may be provided in the communication terminal device or may be provided as a communication system including a server device.

Abstract: A computing system provided according to an aspect of the present invention includes a developer system which sends a set of patches along with metadata in a package. The metadata may include hierarchical paths, with each path indicating a corresponding target (file or archive) which is to be replaced to apply the corresponding patch. A patch tool receives the package and applies the patches using the metadata. According to another aspect of the present invention, a patch tool forms a tree structure based on the hierarchical paths in the metadata. In an embodiment, the tree structure is traversed each time to perform a corresponding patching operation (e.g., backup, and replace). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, only the required archives are unarchived while applying the patches. In an embodiment, the patch tool determines the required archives based on the information in the received metadata.

Abstract: A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a device under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. In the first mode, the TAP provides test signals to both the gold processor and the DUT while they operate in synchronous functional lockstep. In the second mode, the TAP provides signals to the gold processor. In the third mode, the TAP provides test signals to the DUT. A host computer coupled to the interface control unit executes a software application to cause the TAP to drive test signals and to access test output data from the gold processor and the DUT. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to that accessed from the DUT to determine any differences. The comparison data generated may then be used for further analysis.

Abstract: To provide a technology with which a large number of wireless communication networks can be efficiently used while the size of a device operated by a user is reduced and power is saved by providing a communication terminal whose connection with a different wireless communication network can be dynamically reconfigured. A communication terminal 20 whose connection method or the like with a plurality of wireless communication networks can be dynamically reconfigured is provided with a data communication aggregation device 21, a communication application executing device 22, and a local communication path 23 for connecting the data communication aggregation device and the communication application executing device.

Abstract: A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a device under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. In the first mode, the TAP provides test signals to both the gold processor and the DUT while they operate in synchronous functional lockstep. In the second mode, the TAP provides signals to the gold processor. In the third mode, the TAP provides test signals to the DUT. A host computer coupled to the interface control unit executes a software application to cause the TAP to drive test signals and to access test output data from the gold processor and the DUT. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to that accessed from the DUT to determine any differences. The comparison data generated may then be used for further analysis.