Abstract: The system automatically selects an output data structure from among more than one output data structure generated by separate processors. For instance, the output data structures may have different performance scores, and the system and method may compute difference scores to compare the independently determined performance scores of the output data structures. Depending on the magnitude of the difference score, the output data structures can be determined to be valid or to be invalid so that further processing is performed to generate a valid output data structure. In some instances, the data structures are tax returns, and the system automatically computes a tax return, and the comparing process advantageously yields a tax return that optimizes a tax filing strategy.

Abstract: The system may perform a method for controlling access to a secure data object. The secure data object may be a tax return. The method may implement a distributed ledger and tokens. A tax preparer or an owner of a tax return may put the tax return into a distributed ledger and securely associate the tax return with a token. By sharing the token with authorized third parties, the tax preparer or owner of the tax return may allow others to access the tax return. By retrieving the tax return from the distributed ledger with the token, rather than receiving the tax return directly from an owner of the tax return, the authorized third parties may be assured of the authenticity of the tax return that they are accessing with the token.

Abstract: The system may automatically filter data according to multiple criteria. The method may be applied for the selection of a certified public accountant according to multiple criteria relevant to a particular client. The method may include receiving various criteria, requesting a plurality of target data structures, receiving various weights associated with various criteria, and then identifying which of the target data structures reflect greater or lesser correspondence to the criteria in view of the criteria weighting. The method may filter target data structures to reject target data structures lacking sufficient correspondence to the criteria and may transmit the remaining data structures to a remote selection device.

Abstract: A file comprising an application and data corresponding to a status of the application at a particular time is maintained in a first memory of a user device, the first memory comprising a persistent storage. The application may be a software application, for example. In response to a request, the file is transferred to a second memory of the device, the second memory comprising a random-access memory. The file is activated, or set up, as a running application. The user device may be a cell phone, a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a workstation, a mainframe computer, etc. In one embodiment, the file is brought to a foreground of the user device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing rendering latency in a terminal device which receives audio data from a communication network such as, for example, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications networks. Received packets are advantageously decoded “immediately” upon receipt, and the decoded data is placed directly in the rendering buffer at a location corresponding to the time appropriate for rendering, without using any intermediate buffer. Then, in accordance with the principles of the present invention and more particularly in accordance with certain illustrative embodiments thereof, packet loss concealment (PLC) routines are advantageously applied preemptively, without first determining whether or not any subsequent packets have or have not been received by any particular time.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for video mixing in a distributed computing environment. For example, a method comprises the following steps. At a first mixing device, one or more local video streams are received from one or more sources local to the first mixing device. The first mixing device generates a first partially-composited video stream, wherein the first partially-composited video stream comprises: (i) a partial set of video elements of the one or more local video streams; and (ii) information about video elements of the one or more local video streams. The first mixing device sends the first partially-composited video stream to at least a second mixing device remote from the first mixing device. The first mixing device and the second mixing device may be part of a video conferencing system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a virtual content channel structure in a broadband wireless network with location-based content. Broadband content is delivered to a mobile terminal in a wireless network by receiving a request for a content channel from the mobile terminal; and translating the requested content channel to a corresponding content item based on the requested content channel and a date and time associated with the request (and optionally, a location of the request), wherein a content source associated with the corresponding content item is transmitted to the mobile terminal using a communication channel associated with the user. The content source comprises, for example, the corresponding content item or an address or a link associated with the corresponding content item. The corresponding content item can include content components that are based on a location of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for visualizing the latency in a conversation between a local speaker and at least one remote speaker separated from the local speaker by a communication medium. A latency estimate is obtained. A timing indication of at least the end of a conversational turn by the local speaker is obtained, and an outbound graphic is displayed, indicating the progress of at least the end-of-turn across the communication medium toward the remote speaker. The outbound graphical indication is displayed with a transit time across the medium that is derived from the latency estimate. An inbound graphic is displayed, indicating the progress across the communication medium toward the local speaker, of a start of a conversational turn by the remote speaker, which is imputed to begin when the remote speaker receives the local speaker's end-of-turn. The inbound graphical indication is displayed with a transit time across the medium that is derived from the latency estimate.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an input button includes receiving at least one image frame captured through a camera lens and analyzing the at least one image frame at a processor to determine if the at least one image frame is indicative of a button press. If the at least one image frame is indicative of a button press, a trigger module generates a trigger event that causes an application to perform an action.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for delivering content to a mobile terminal in a wireless network. A base station in a wireless network delivers content to a mobile terminal by determining if a packet from the mobile terminal contains a request for content; and delivering the content to the mobile terminal from the base station if the content is stored locally at the base station. The base station can optionally evaluate an authorization of the mobile terminal to receive the content. During a hand-off, the current base station determines if a packet received from the mobile terminal contains a base station change message indicating that the mobile terminal is switching to a new base station; and provides content status information (such as content position) to the new base station.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a method comprising: detecting one of a pinch gesture and a zoom gesture as a first event; detecting the other of the pinch gesture and the zoom gesture as a second event; and generating a single event command representing the first and second events if the second event is detected within a desired time period from detecting the first event, the single event command indicating a user-desired function.

Abstract: A file comprising an application and data corresponding to a status of the application at a particular time is maintained in a first memory of a user device, the first memory comprising a persistent storage. The application may be a software application, for example. In response to a request, the file is transferred to a second memory of the device, the second memory comprising a random-access memory. The file is activated, or set up, as a running application. The user device may be a cell phone, a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a workstation, a mainframe computer, etc. In one embodiment, the file is brought to a foreground of the user device.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing streaming content. For example, one method comprises monitoring one or more operating conditions of a communications network configured to provide at least one content stream to one or more communications devices. The method further comprises selecting an interstitial transition for insertion into the content stream based on a length of the interstitial transition, in response to the one or more monitored operating conditions of the communications network, wherein the interstitial transition is selected from a plurality of varied-length interstitial transitions.

Abstract: In one example embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing information at a base station in a wireless network includes determining whether first information is at least one of low priority information and high priority information. The method further includes queuing the information if the information is determined to be low priority information, and sending the information to a mobile station if the information is determined to be high priority information.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for video mixing in a distributed computing environment. For example, a method comprises the following steps. At a first mixing device, one or more local video streams are received from one or more sources local to the first mixing device. The first mixing device generates a first partially-composited video stream, wherein the first partially-composited video stream comprises: (i) a partial set of video elements of the one or more local video streams; and (ii) information about video elements of the one or more local video streams. The first mixing device sends the first partially-composited video stream to at least a second mixing device remote from the first mixing device. The first mixing device and the second mixing device may be part of a video conferencing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for visualizing the latency in a conversation between a local speaker and at least one remote speaker separated from the local speaker by a communication medium. A latency estimate is obtained. A timing indication of at least the end of a conversational turn by the local speaker is obtained, and an outbound graphic is displayed, indicating the progress of at least the end-of-turn across the communication medium toward the remote speaker. The outbound graphical indication is displayed with a transit time across the medium that is derived from the latency estimate. An inbound graphic is displayed, indicating the progress across the communication medium toward the local speaker, of a start of a conversational turn by the remote speaker, which is imputed to begin when the remote speaker receives the local speaker's end-of-turn. The inbound graphical indication is displayed with a transit time across the medium that is derived from the latency estimate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing rendering latency in a terminal device which receives audio data from a communication network such as, for example, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications networks. Received packets are advantageously decoded “immediately” upon receipt, and the decoded data is placed directly in the rendering buffer at a location corresponding to the time appropriate for rendering, without using any intermediate buffer. Then, in accordance with the principles of the present invention and more particularly in accordance with certain illustrative embodiments thereof, packet loss concealment (PLC) routines are advantageously applied preemptively, without first determining whether or not any subsequent packets have or have not been received by any particular time.

Abstract: One example embodiment of the present invention discloses a method of delivering content from a base station of a wireless network to a mobile station including receiving a request for content from a mobile station, accessing the requested content from content stored in association with the base station, and transmitting the requested content to the mobile station.

Abstract: In one example embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing information at a base station in a wireless network includes determining whether first information is at least one of low priority information and high priority information. The method further includes queuing the information if the information is determined to be low priority information, and sending the information to a mobile station if the information is determined to be high priority information.

Abstract: One example embodiment of the present invention discloses a method of delivering content from a base station of a wireless network to a mobile station including receiving a request for content from a mobile station, accessing the requested content from content stored in association with the base station, and transmitting the requested content to the mobile station.