Abstract: A method and apparatus for a metadata-driven upgrade of a network element is described. A network element comprises an active and backup controller card and receives new software to be installed on that network element. In addition, the network element installs the software on the backup controller card and synchronizes the active state of the network element to the backup controller card. Furthermore, the network element uses metadata to translate the active state to the format used by the new software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a metadata-driven upgrade of a network element is described. A network element comprises an active and backup controller card and receives new software to be installed on that network element. In addition, the network element installs the software on the backup controller card and synchronizes the active state of the network element to the backup controller card. Furthermore, the network element uses metadata to translate the active state to the format used by the new software.

Abstract: Described herein is a video display arrangement in which a video signal from a video source is intercepted and, in response to a command from a user, a desired video signal is obtained by at least one of substituting a different video signal for the video signal from the video source and augmenting the video signal from the video source to add interactivity information for display to the user. The desired video signal is applied to a display device and displayed to the user. The arrangement may use a smart cable or a small accessory.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving efficiency of operation and convenience of access to a fleet of taxis, or other service vehicles, requiring rapid, on-demand dispatch to customer-determined locations. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) and/or radiolocation technology are used to automate the entry of the customer pickup location, and optionally the dropoff location and other relevant information as well. A customer speaks the pickup location into a cellular telephone which then digitizes and transmits it as a data communication to an ASR system. The ASR system decodes the digitized utterance into a pickup location which is passed to a vehicle matching and dispatch system. The vehicle matching and dispatch system matches a taxi and dispatches it to the pickup location. In one embodiment, the identified pickup location is transmitted to the customer's cellular telephone for confirmation or correction, before dispatch of the requested taxi.

Abstract: Mini-wall parapet structures are disclosed. The structures are of one piece sheet metal with four sided, longitudinal members. A cleat extends downwardly from a lower corner of the structure. The cleat may be a single layer of sheet metal or a folded over layer. The cleat engages a coping member at final installation, and provides an additional attachment for the structure. A folded over primary attachment layer extends from the other lower corner of the structure. The attachment layer is of variable width so that different roof surfaces can be accommodated. The cross section of the structure is either square, or rectangular with longer vertical walls. Rectangular structures are used with thicker insulation. A facade extension may be used with rectangular structures. The top wall includes a gravel guard. The hollow void may be further filled with insulation.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for adjusting one or more video parameters of a video communication session based on a type of use for the video communication session. At least one method includes detecting a use for a certain video communication session and applying a profile of video parameters to the session based on the use. The method further includes detecting a network constraint and adjusting one or more of the video parameters based on the network constraint.

Abstract: A piping assembly for directing fluid and mitigating acoustic and vortex coupled resonance is provided that includes a main pipe delivering fluid in a first direction; a standpipe coupled to the main pipe at an intersection; and a scoop positioned at the intersection directing the fluid towards the standpipe. A scooping insert and a method for disrupting vortex shedding in a piping assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Interactive electronic commerce capabilities are provided in a way that overcomes prior limitations. In one embodiment, a transaction is performed by: a server system receiving a representation of an audible response of a user to an audio or video program; in response, the server system storing transaction initiation information in a manner accessible to a digital electronic device; wherein a user is enabled to, at a time removed from a time of the audio or video program and in the user's normal course of using the digital electronic device, complete the transaction using the transaction initiation information.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving efficiency of operation and convenience of access to a fleet of taxis, or other service vehicles, requiring rapid, on-demand dispatch to customer-determined locations. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) and/or radiolocation technology arc used to automate the entry of the customer pickup location, and optionally the dropoff location and other relevant information as well. A customer speaks the pickup location into a cellular telephone which then digitizes and transmits it as a data communication to an ASR system. The ASR system decodes the digitized utterance into a pickup location which is passed to a vehicle matching and dispatch system. The vehicle matching and dispatch system matches a taxi and dispatches it to the pickup location. In one embodiment, the identified pickup location is transmitted to the customer's cellular telephone for confirmation or correction, before dispatch of the requested taxi.

Abstract: Described herein is a video display arrangement in which a video signal from a video source is intercepted and, in response to a command from a user, a desired video signal is obtained by at least one of substituting a different video signal for the video signal from the video source and augmenting the video signal from the video source to add interactivity information for display to the user. The desired video signal is applied to a display device and displayed to the user. The arrangement may use a smart cable or a small accessory.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving efficiency of operation and convenience of access to a fleet of taxis, or other service vehicles, requiring rapid, on-demand dispatch to customer-determined locations. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) and/or radiolocation technology are used to automate the entry of the customer pickup location, and optionally the dropoff location and other relevant information as well. A customer speaks the pickup location into a cellular telephone which then digitizes and transmits it as a data communication to an ASR system. The ASR system decodes the digitized utterance into a pickup location which is passed to a vehicle matching and dispatch system. The vehicle matching and dispatch system matches a taxi and dispatches it to the pickup location. In one embodiment, the identified pickup location is transmitted to the customer's cellular telephone for confirmation or correction, before dispatch of the requested taxi.

Abstract: High-speed data streams are exchanged between two digital computing devices one or both of which lacks DMA. Data transfers are performed by the devices using High-Level Datalink Control (HDLC) frames. An initiating device indicates that it wishes to exchange data with the other device by sending an HDLC frame with data stream indentification and other information. The initial HDLC frame is sufficiently short that at least an essential portion of the frame can be stored in a receive buffer of the interface circuitry. Although the receiving device may not receive the entire HDLC frame correctly because of the possibility of an overrun condition, enough information is preserved in the interface circuitry to complete the transaction. The responding device then proceeds to read or write data at high speed using a series of exchanges with the initiating device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a memory architecture comprising at least one memory bit cell and at least one read bit line whose voltage is controlled and changed by a current from a current controller. Each memory bit cell has a storage mechanism, a controlled current source, and a read switch. The controlled current source in each memory bit cell is electrically connected to the read bit line through the read switch. The current from the current controller that controls and changes the read bit line voltage flows through the controlled current source in the memory bit cell. The value of this current is determined by a function of a difference between the voltage on the storage mechanism in the memory bit cell and a reference voltage from a reference voltage input to the current controller. In some versions an indicator is provided for indicating when to stop the current in the controlled current source that controls a voltage change on one of the read bit lines.

Abstract: A piping assembly for directing fluid and mitigating acoustic and vortex coupled resonance is provided that includes a main pipe delivering fluid in a first direction; a standpipe coupled to the main pipe at an intersection; and a scoop positioned at the intersection directing the fluid towards the standpipe. A scooping insert and a method for disrupting vortex shedding in a piping assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Calibration circuitry and method for maintaining constant signal detection thresholds for multiple signal receivers that receive data signals in the form of current signals. A value of one of the incoming current signals having a predetermined signal pattern is detected and used to generate threshold control signals for each of the signal receivers to control the data signal detection thresholds.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving efficiency of operation and convenience of access to a fleet of taxis, or other service vehicles, requiring rapid, on-demand dispatch to customer-determined locations. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) and/or radiolocation technology are used to automate the entry of the customer pickup location, and optionally the dropoff location and other relevant information as well. A customer speaks the pickup location into a cellular telephone which then digitizes and transmits it as a data communication to an ASR system. The ASR system decodes the digitized utterance into a pickup location which is passed to a vehicle matching and dispatch system. The vehicle matching and dispatch system matches a taxi and dispatches it to the pickup location. In one embodiment, the identified pickup location is transmitted to the customer's cellular telephone for confirmation or correction, before dispatch of the requested taxi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component scavenged by exhaust gases, notably a component of an internal-combustion engine (12) and/or of at least an exhaust gas circulation circuit (14, 16, 18, 20) belonging to an engine set (10). According to the invention, the surfaces in contact with the exhaust gases of at least one component are provided with a protective coating comprising at least partly amorphous carbon of local structure close to diamond.

Abstract: In some embodiments a connector plug includes a plurality of USB 2.0 pins and one or more pins that are not USB 2.0 pins, the one or more pins to enable higher speed data transmission than USB 2.0 data transmission. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Calibration circuitry and method for maintaining constant signal detection thresholds for multiple signal receivers that receive data signals in the form of current signals. A value of one of the incoming current signals having a predetermined signal pattern is detected and used to generate threshold control signals for each of the signal receivers to control the data signal detection thresholds.

Abstract: A packet is classified by associating a network layer address with a service, obtaining the data link layer address for that network layer address, and associating a packet with that service if the data link layer destination address associated with the packet matches the data link layer address associated with the service.