Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose synchronization of an online gaming environment with video streaming of at least one live event. A gaming application is configured to be executed on each of a plurality of user devices, simultaneously with the video being streamed. At least one instantaneous question is generated based on at least one action of the live event. Both the video and the instantaneous question are displayed in-sync with the live event video. The server also synchronizes an answer of the at least one instantaneous question with a next instantaneous question and also with the video being streamed, such that the answer, the video, and the next instantaneous question are displayed in-sync on at least one of the plurality of user devices.

Abstract: The current document is directed to a universal-query adapter that provides, to users and clients, a universal-query-language interface to multiple different management applications and/or services within a cloud-computing facility or distributed cloud-computing facility. In one implementation, the universal-query adapter provides, for input of universal-query-language queries, a universal-query interface and, in turn, interfaces to service adapters, semantic providers, and translators associated with the multiple different management applications and/or services. The modular implementation of the universal-query adapter facilitates both implementation of the universal-query adapter as well as scalability of the universal-query adapter, allowing new and newly discovered management applications and/or services to be easily included in the set of target management applications and/or services for query execution.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of systematically controlling and managing a production cycle of a livestock farm housing a population of animals, the method comprising (a) obtaining real-time data by a plurality of, sensors and/or manual or machine-based measurement and evaluation devices, including a set of farm condition parameters, (b) establishing statistical correlations of animal status parameters and process parameters with the animal performance parameters; (c) calculating and automatically adjusting, depending on the farm condition parameters obtained in (a) and on the statistical correlations identified in (b), a set of data set points for farm operating parameters such that at least one of a selected one of the animal performance parameters is optimized; and (d) repeatedly conducting (a) to (c) until finishing the production cycle. A system for systematically controlling and managing a production cycle of a livestock farm housing a population of animals.

Abstract: A storage system and method for user-defined data archiving are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a write command from a host; determining whether the storage system received an indicator from the host indicating that data of the write command is archive data; in response to determining that the storage system received the indicator, storing the data in the multi-level memory cells; and in response to determining that the storage system did not receive the indicator, storing the data in the single-level memory cells. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A storage system and method for caching a single mapping entry for a random read command are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is provided comprising a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a read command received from a host is a random read command, wherein the read command comprises a logical address; and in response to determining that the read command received from the host is a random read command, caching only an associated logical-to-physical address map entry from a logical-to-physical address map stored in the memory instead of caching a larger segment of the logical-to-physical address map that contains the entry and other entries. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A storage system and method for user-defined data archiving are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a write command from a host; determining whether the storage system received an indicator from the host indicating that data of the write command is archive data; in response to determining that the storage system received the indicator, storing the data in the multi-level memory cells; and in response to determining that the storage system did not receive the indicator, storing the data in the single-level memory cells. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A storage system and method for caching a single mapping entry for a random read command are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is provided comprising a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a read command received from a host is a random read command, wherein the read command comprises a logical address; and in response to determining that the read command received from the host is a random read command, caching only an associated logical-to-physical address map entry from a logical-to-physical address map stored in the memory instead of caching a larger segment of the logical-to-physical address map that contains the entry and other entries. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose synchronization of an online gaming environment with video streaming of at least one live event. A gaming application is configured to be executed on each of a plurality of user devices [110], simultaneously with the video being streamed. At least one instantaneous question is generated based on at least one action of the live event. Both the video and the instantaneous question are displayed in-sync with the live event video. The server [106] also synchronizes an answer of the at least one instantaneous question with a next instantaneous question and also with the video being streamed, such that the answer, the video, and the next instantaneous question are displayed in-sync on at least one of the plurality of user devices [110].

Abstract: The current document is directed to a universal-query adapter that provides, to users and clients, a universal-query-language interface to multiple different management applications and/or services within a cloud-computing facility or distributed cloud-computing facility. In one implementation, the universal-query adapter provides, for input of universal-query-language queries, a universal-query interface and, in turn, interfaces to service adapters, semantic providers, and translators associated with the multiple different management applications and/or services. The modular implementation of the universal-query adapter facilitates both implementation of the universal-query adapter as well as scalability of the universal-query adapter, allowing new and newly discovered management applications and/or services to be easily included in the set of target management applications and/or services for query execution.

Abstract: A computerized datacenter contextual search query interpretation method includes receiving a search query from a user; displaying search suggestions based on the search query and obtaining a selected one of the search suggestions. Any time period associated with the search query is identified, instructions based on the selected search suggestion and any time period for searching a data model of a datacenter are generated to obtain search results and display a graphical visualization of the search results.

Abstract: A method of transmitting media to a client by an infrastructure device in a packet-switched network includes receiving a media stream at the infrastructure device. The method also includes determining an adaptation strategy according to at least one of one or more pieces of network information associated with the packet-switched network, one or more pieces of client information associated with the client, or one or more policies. The method further includes adapting the media stream according to the adaptation strategy to produce an output media stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring telephone calls that are placed on hold. The telephone calls may be between user electronic devices and call centers, such as customer service departments. In some embodiments, the electronic device can monitor an on-hold telephone call using a background process, which may free up a user interface of the electronic device for one or more non-phone-related tasks. The electronic device can monitor the telephone call for an indicator that a live operator is or will soon be present on the telephone call. Responsive to detecting the indicator, the electronic device can alert the user and allow the user to take control of the telephone call. In some embodiments, the electronic device can obtain information about the call center, such as expected on-hold wait-times, to determine whether an on-hold call should be monitored.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring telephone calls that are placed on hold. The telephone calls may be between user electronic devices and call centers, such as customer service departments. In some embodiments, the electronic device can monitor an on-hold telephone call using a background process, which may free up a user interface of the electronic device for one or more non-phone-related tasks. The electronic device can monitor the telephone call for an indicator that a live operator is or will soon be present on the telephone call. Responsive to detecting the indicator, the electronic device can alert the user and allow the user to take control of the telephone call. In some embodiments, the electronic device can obtain information about the call center, such as expected on-hold wait-times, to determine whether an on-hold call should be monitored.

Abstract: A method of transmitting media to a client by an infrastructure device in a packet-switched network includes receiving a media stream at the infrastructure device. The method also includes determining an adaptation strategy according to at least one of one or more pieces of network information associated with the packet-switched network, one or more pieces of client information associated with the client, or one or more policies. The method further includes adapting the media stream according to the adaptation strategy to produce an output media stream.