Abstract: An anaerobic reactor system that includes at least one toxicity reduction system that is configured for reducing an amount of one or more nitrogen compound and/or at least one type of recalcitrant in a substrate mixture sufficient to procedure a non-toxic substrate mixture for purposes of anaerobic digestion of the non-toxic substrate.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system that includes at least two stages of bioreactor processing, a first-stage feeding system, a second-stage feeding system, a pH balancing system, an effluent recirculation system, a gas management system, at least one nitrogen reduction system, and a controller. In addition, the nitrogen reduction system(s) if configured for reducing an amount of one or more nitrogen compounds in a substrate mixture sufficient to procedure a non-toxic substrate mixture with respect to anaerobic digestion of the non-toxic substrate by the induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system that includes at least two stages of bioreactor processing, a first-stage feeding system, a second-stage feeding system, a pH balancing system, an effluent recirculation system, a gas management system, at least one nitrogen reduction system, and a controller. In addition, the nitrogen reduction system(s) if configured for reducing an amount of one or more nitrogen compounds in a substrate mixture sufficient to procedure a non-toxic substrate mixture with respect to anaerobic digestion of the non-toxic substrate by the induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system that includes at least two stages of bioreactor processing, a first-stage feeding system, a second-stage feeding system, a pH balancing system, an effluent recirculation system, a gas management system, and a controller. In addition, any given stage of reactor processing may be comprised of a plurality of reactors that are configured to operate in parallel with each other.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system that includes at least two stages of bioreactor processing, a first-stage feeding system, a second-stage feeding system, a pH balancing system, an effluent recirculation system, a gas management system, and a controller. In addition, any given stage of reactor processing may be comprised of a plurality of reactors that are configured to operate in parallel with each other.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system that includes at least two stages of bioreactor processing, a first-stage feeding system, a second-stage feeding system, a pH balancing system, an effluent recirculation system, a gas management system, and a controller. In addition, any given stage of reactor processing may be comprised of a plurality of reactors that are configured to operate in parallel with each other.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor system that includes at least two stages of bioreactor processing, a first-stage feeding system, a second-stage feeding system, a pH balancing system, an effluent recirculation system, a gas management system, and a controller. In addition, any given stage of reactor processing may be comprised of a plurality of reactors that are configured to operate in parallel with each other.

Abstract: Conferencing data is reliably delivered to computer systems participating in a hierarchically arranged multi-cast conferencing session. When a child computer system does not receive a multi-cast packet (e.g., an IP multi-cast packet), the child computer system sends a negative acknowledgment to a parent computer system. In response, the parent computer system re-transmits conferencing data that was contained in the multi-cast packet to the child computer system. Conferencing data can be re-transmitted to the child computer system via uni-cast (e.g., TCP). Accordingly, conferencing data that is not received or that is damaged via multi-cast can be repaired via uni-cast. Computer systems can join an existing multi-cast conference session without having to communicate with the root computer system. The root computer system adjusts a multi-cast send rate to compensate for changed network conditions.

Abstract: Conferencing data is reliably delivered to computer systems participating in a hierarchically arranged multi-cast conferencing session. When a child computer system does not receive a multi-cast packet (e.g., an IP multi-cast packet), the child computer system sends a negative acknowledgment to a parent computer system. In response, the parent computer system re-transmits conferencing data that was contained in the multi-cast packet to the child computer system. Conferencing data can be re-transmitted to the child computer system via uni-cast (e.g., TCP). Accordingly, conferencing data that is not received or that is damaged via multi-cast can be repaired via uni-cast. Computer systems can join an existing multi-cast conference session without having to communicate with the root computer system. The root computer system adjusts a multi-cast send rate to compensate for changed network conditions.

Abstract: In order to minimize the delay of the video images viewed by a network conference attendee, an intelligent buffering process (IB process) selectively discards video frames from at least one point, and in an embodiment, many network points, such as at “in” and/or “out” buffers of clients, servers, routers, etc. Packets of video frame data arrive at a buffer, which can fill to a predetermined limit if the packets cannot be forwarded due to delays or slow connections. To forward the most current video images, old frames in the buffer are discarded rather than forwarded. In a particular embodiment, when the buffer is full, the next arriving delta frame packet is discarded. To avoid distortion, each subsequent delta frame is discarded until a new key frame eventually arrives. If the buffer is still full when the key frame arrives, the buffer is purged and the new key frame is added.

Abstract: A method and system to generate a grammar adapted for use by a speech recognizer includes receiving a representation of an alphanumeric expression. For instance, the representation can take the form of a regular expression or a mask. The grammar is generated based on the representation.

Abstract: Conferencing data is reliably delivered to computer systems participating in a hierarchically arranged multi-cast conferencing session. When a child computer system does not receive a multi-cast packet (e.g., an IP multi-cast packet), the child computer system sends a negative acknowledgment to a parent computer system. In response, the parent computer system re-transmits conferencing data that was contained in the multi-cast packet to the child computer system. Conferencing data can be re-transmitted to the child computer system via uni-cast (e.g., TCP). Accordingly, conferencing data that is not received or that is damaged via multi-cast can be repaired via uni-cast. Computer systems can join an existing multi-cast conference session without having to communicate with the root computer system. The root computer system adjusts a multi-cast send rate to compensate for changed network conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that enable communications to be established regardless of the presence of communications blockers, e.g., firewalls and NATs, in the path between two computing devices. Two devices each establish communications with a rendezvous service. Through the service, the devices signal each other to set up direct, peer-to-peer communications between themselves. If the devices fail to establish direct communications, then they invoke a relay service that provides the illusion of direct communications. In another aspect, an originating device attempts to establish communications with a recipient, using an address and port number associated with the recipient. If that attempts fails, possibly because a firewall is blocking communications, then the originating device retries using a port normally held open by firewalls. If this attempt also fails, then the originating device invokes the services of a proxy to negotiate a port acceptable for use by the recipient and by any intervening firewalls.

Abstract: In order to minimize the delay of the video images viewed by a network conference attendee, an intelligent buffering process (IB process) selectively discards video frames from at least one point, and in an embodiment, many network points, such as at “in” and/or “out” buffers of clients, servers, routers, etc. Packets of video frame data arrive at a buffer, which can fill to a predetermined limit if the packets cannot be forwarded due to delays or slow connections. To forward the most current video images, old frames in the buffer are discarded rather than forwarded. In a particular embodiment, when the buffer is full, the next arriving delta frame packet is discarded. To avoid distortion, each subsequent delta frame is discarded until a new key frame eventually arrives. If the buffer is still full when the key frame arrives, the buffer is purged and the new key frame is added.

Abstract: Conferencing data is reliably delivered to computer systems participating in a hierarchically arranged multi-cast conferencing session. When a child computer system does not receive a multi-cast packet (e.g., an IP multi-cast packet), the child computer system sends a negative acknowledgment to a parent computer system. In response, the parent computer system re-transmits conferencing data that was contained in the multi-cast packet to the child computer system. Conferencing data can be re-transmitted to the child computer system via uni-cast (e.g., TCP). Accordingly, conferencing data that is not received or that is damaged via multi-cast can be repaired via uni-cast. Computer systems can join an existing multi-cast conference session without having to communicate with the root computer system. The root computer system adjusts a multi-cast send rate to compensate for changed network conditions.

Abstract: In a recorded network conference, a post-conference process is implemented to transcribe stored raw conference data into a viewable, standard format recording. The post-conference process postpones transcribing tasks until after the conference has ended. During the conference, raw conference data streams are stored directly in a compressed format used for network transmission. The post-conference process can be initiated based on one or more parameters to optimize use of resources. Possible parameters include conference schedules, CPU usage and availability for transcribing, and remaining storage capacity. In an embodiment, a recording unit joins the conference over the network in the manner of an attendee. The recording unit “listens” and blindly records the data, and later performs the post-conference process. In an embodiment, the transcribed recording is burned onto a CD-ROM and delivered to the conference attendees.

Abstract: In a recorded network conference, a post-conference process is implemented to transcribe stored raw conference data into a viewable, standard format recording. The post-conference process postpones transcribing tasks until after the conference has ended. During the conference, raw conference data streams are stored directly in a compressed format used for network transmission. The post-conference process can be initiated based on one or more parameters to optimize use of resources. Possible parameters include conference schedules, CPU usage and availability for transcribing, and remaining storage capacity. In an embodiment, a recording unit joins the conference over the network in the manner of an attendee. The recording unit “listens” and blindly records the data, and later performs the post-conference process. In an embodiment, the transcribed recording is burned onto a CD-ROM and delivered to the conference attendees.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that enable communications to be established regardless of the presence of communications blockers, e.g., firewalls and NATs, in the path between two computing devices. Two devices each establish communications with a rendezvous service. Through the service, the devices signal each other to set up direct, peer-to-peer communications between themselves. If the devices fail to establish direct communications, then they invoke a relay service that provides the illusion of direct communications. In another aspect, an originating device attempts to establish communications with a recipient, using an address and port number associated with the recipient. If that attempts fails, possibly because a firewall is blocking communications, then the originating device retries using a port normally held open by firewalls. If this attempt also fails, then the originating device invokes the services of a proxy to negotiate a port acceptable for use by the recipient and by any intervening firewalls.

Abstract: In order to minimize the delay of the video images viewed by a network conference attendee, an intelligent buffering process (IB process) selectively discards video frames from at least one point, and in an embodiment, many network points, such as at “in” and/or “out” buffers of clients, servers, routers, etc. Packets of video frame data arrive at a buffer, which can fill to a predetermined limit if the packets cannot be forwarded due to delays or slow connections. To forward the most current video images, old frames in the buffer are discarded rather than forwarded. In a particular embodiment, when the buffer is full, the next arriving delta frame packet is discarded. To avoid distortion, each subsequent delta frame is discarded until a new key frame eventually arrives. If the buffer is still full when the key frame arrives, the buffer is purged and the new key frame is added.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods according to which a local computing device enables remote devices to initiate traffic flows with it by sending messages addressed to the remote devices. If the local device is behind one or more NATs, the NATs intercept the messages and create address mappings between the local and remote devices. When the remote devices initiate traffic flows, the NATs use these pre-established mappings to send the traffic to the local device. Before sending the initial message, the local device discovers from which remote devices it wishes to accept traffic. In one discovery method, the devices each communicate with a directory service. The service records which devices are willing to communicate with which others and provides that information to the devices. Each device induces a NAT mapping by sending a message to the other. Once discovery is complete, traffic flows between the devices without going through the directory service.