Abstract: An operator network is capable of routing incoming customer care calls to specific customer care representatives based on a subscriber profile and customer service representative (CSR) skill set. The device profile is retrieved from the mobile handset while the incoming customer care call is in a queue waiting to be connected to a CSR. The retrieved device profile is also used to determine an appropriate CSR to handle an incoming customer care call.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for backing up the user settings of a computing system. The computing system is searched to identify an installed application, a known pathname for a user setting of the identified application is then obtained, and then the user setting is backed up by using the specified pathname to find the user setting on the computing system. User settings can be backed up for one or more user accounts of the computing system, and later the user settings for any of the backed up user accounts can be restored to the computing system, or copied to another computing system. In this way, a user's customization of the computing system can be restored to the computing system at a later time or provided to another computing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the number of products produced by contract manufacturers in order to prevent unauthorized overproduction. Each authorized device that is produced includes both a serial number and an encryption of the serial number. Each device is configured to decrypt the encrypted serial number and verify the decrypted serial number matches the serial number before the device will function properly. The encryption of the serial number is performed at a secure location outside of the control of the manufacturer, and the encrypted serial number is then transmitted to the manufacturer and stored to the device. Without knowledge of, or access to, the details of the encryption process, the manufacturer cannot independently produce devices with properly encrypted serial numbers. Accordingly, the number of properly functioning devices the manufacturer can produce can be limited by controlling the number of encrypted serial numbers provided to the manufacturer.

Abstract: Methods are provided in which electronic devices are distributed while systems are maintained for conducting transactions with the electronic devices across a network. Each electronic device includes a unique device identification, and across the network a database stores an amount of credit in association with each unique device identification. To conduct a transaction, the electronic device establishes a connection over the network to a network location that can access the database. The network location receives the device identification from the electronic device and uses the device identification to determine the amount of stored credit from the database. A user of the electronic device can then exchange stored credit for goods and/or services, transfer credits to others, and purchase additional credits.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I are disclosed: in which X is a 5-membered heteroaryl ring and R is as defined herein. The compounds are inhibitors of the processing of APP by gamma-secretase, and hence are useful in the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: An optical disc comprising computer-readable instructions is provided. The computer-readable instructions include a backup application. When the optical disc is inserted into an optical drive of a data source, such as a personal computer, the operating system of the data source automatically launches the backup application. The backup application is configured to find files on the data source that satisfy search criteria, which can be predefined or user-selected. The backup application copies those files to a networked storage such as a storage area network or a server of a commercial service provider.

Abstract: A scale inhibition method comprising: (a) injecting a dispersion of seed particles of an insoluble mineral salt in an aqueous medium into a formation through an injection well wherein the seed particles have an equivalent spherical diameter of 100% less than 100 nm, preferably 100% less than 50 nm, more preferably 100% less than 25 nm and the aqueous medium has dissolved therein precipitate precursor ions that form a precipitate of the insoluble mineral salt when contacted with resident ions in the formation; (b) allowing the dispersion to percolate through the subterranean formation towards production well and producing the dispersion from the production well; and (c) controllably precipitating the insoluble mineral salt onto the seed particles so as to reduce the deposition of the insoluble mineral salt onto the walls of the porous formation and/or onto the surface in the production well and/or onto the surface downstream of the production well.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a porous subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprising: (a) feeding a first stream comprising a high salinity water to a first side of a semipermeable membrane of at least one forward osmosis unit of a desalination plant and feeding a second stream comprising an aqueous solution of a removable solute to a second side of the semipermeable membrane wherein the solute concentration of the aqueous solution of the removable solute is sufficiently greater than the solute concentration of the high salinity water that water passes through the semipermeable membrane from the high salinity water into the aqueous solution of the removable solute to form a diluted aqueous solution of the removable solute; (b) withdrawing a third stream comprising a concentrated brine and a fourth stream comprising a diluted aqueous solution of the removable solute from the first and second sides respectively of the semipermeable membrane of the forward osmosis unit; (c) substantially separ

Abstract: A software application is provided for a user to select a backed up data file and specify a task to be performed by an online service provider on the selected file. The application automatically connects to the online service provider and uploads the selected file for the online service provider to perform the task. Tasks that can be performed include printing, sharing, viewing, playing and archiving the selected file. Task preferences, user settings and user information can also be specified by the user and uploaded to the online service provider. Automatic connection to the online service provider can be via default setting, selected file type, or specified task. Alternatively, the user can designate which service provider is to perform the task. Payment for the task can be accomplished via bundled credits or by other payment mechanisms.

Abstract: A backup system includes a backup application configured to automatically execute upon connection of the backup system to a data source. The backup application is further configured to selectively back up data files from the data source, either to itself or to another location. The backup application is also configured to provide a GUI through which a user can select data files to be printed from amongst the backed up data files. Selected data files can be printed from the data source by an online service or by a local or networked printer. Additionally, the backup system can be directly connected to a kiosk or printer to print the selected data files.

Abstract: A data backup system is provided for backing up data files from a data source and for securing those data files against accidental modification or deletion. The system comprises storage and a data protection component that includes an application programming interface defining a command set. The system can also comprise a backup application that is configured to use the commands of the command set. The data protection component allows applications that use the commands of the command set, such as the backup application, to access the storage of the system. The data protection component prevents operating systems and applications that do not use the commands of the command set from accessing the storage. The data protection function of the data protection component can optionally be disabled to allow open access to the storage.

Abstract: A backup system is provided that includes a backup application configured to automatically execute upon connection of the backup system to a data source. The backup application is configured to selectively back up data from the data source to itself or to networked storage, for example. As part of selectively backing up data, the backup application is further configured to selectively extract embedded data files, such as attachments, from internal files of e-mail programs. Between backups, the backup application can selectively extract newly received embedded data files to a folder. During a subsequent backup, the contents of the folder can be copied from the data source.

Abstract: Multiple node junctions have at least two nodes sharing an axis. Each node includes a node adaptor-mounting-surface at an angle ? relative to the axis. An adaptor mounted to each node at the angle ? relative to the axis uses an adaptor node-mounting-surface and at least one adaptor beam-mounting-surface. A beam having one or more adaptor-mounting-surfaces is mounted to the adaptors using beam adaptor-mounting-surfaces so that the beam is mounted at the angle ? relative to the axis. The length of each adaptor corresponds to the spacing between each adaptor node-mounting-surface and its matching adaptor beam-mounting-surface. The lengths of the first and second adaptors are selected to accommodate the angle ?. A framework, for example a free form glass wall or the like, can be created using a plurality of multiple node junctions according to embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A peripheral electronic device includes a health check application configured to execute automatically upon connection of the peripheral device to a data source, such as a personal computer. The health check application can diagnose problems and if necessary, repair the problems with the peripheral device, the data source, or both. Examples of problems include corrupted data and indications of software, firmware, and hardware failures or impending failures. In some instances, the health check application can provide a warning of an impending failure. The health check application, after initially executing, can be triggered in various ways to scan again for problems. In addition to finding and repairing problems, the health check application can also attend to maintenance.

Abstract: An optical disc having a read-only portion and a writable portion is provided. The read-only portion comprises computer-readable instructions including a backup application. When the optical disc is inserted into an optical drive of a data source, such as a personal computer, the operating system of the data source automatically launches the backup application. The backup application is configured to find files on the data source that satisfy search criteria, which can be predefined, and to copy those files to the writable portion of the optical disc.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I: inhibit gamma-secretase and hence find use in treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A data backup system comprises an emulation component and a storage device having logical storage areas. The emulation component is configured to represent a first logical storage area of the storage device, such as a solid state memory or a disk drive partition, as if it were an auto-launch device. Accordingly, a data source, such as a personal computer, will interact with the first logical storage area as if it were the auto-launch device. As some operating systems are configured to recognize auto-launch devices upon connection and automatically execute applications stored thereon, merely connecting the data backup system to a data source running such an operating system can cause a backup application stored by the first logical storage area to automatically execute on the data source to selectively back up data to a second logical storage area of the storage device.

Abstract: A data backup system comprises a USB flash drive that includes an emulation component and a flash memory. The emulation component is configured to represent the flash memory as if it were an auto-launch device. Accordingly, a data source, such as a personal computer, will interact with the flash memory as if it were the auto-launch device. As some operating systems are configured to recognize auto-launch devices upon connection and automatically execute applications stored thereon, merely connecting the USB flash drive to a data source running such an operating system will cause a backup application stored by the flash memory to automatically execute on the data source. Here, the backup application is configured to selectively back up data files from the data source to a networked storage such as a server of a commercial service provider.

Abstract: An emulation component for a data backup system is provided. The emulation component represents a storage device, such as a flash memory device or a partition of a disk drive, as if it were an auto-launch device, that will trigger applications to execute automatically. Accordingly, other computing systems, such as personal computers, interact with the storage device, through the emulation component, as if the storage device were the auto-launch device. Because the emulation component makes this representation, merely connecting the emulation component between the storage device and the computing system can cause a backup application stored on the storage device to automatically execute on the computing system. A data backup appliance including an emulation component and a storage device is also provided. The backup system can also include an interface for connecting another removable device, such as a disk drive, for storing backup content from the data source.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I: are potent inhibitors of gamma-secretase and hence find use in treatment or prevention of diseases associated with deposition of ?-amyloid.