Abstract: Each of plural multimedia files desired to be backed up are transformed into vector representations and divided into segments, and the segments are sent to respective participating computers in a network as a means of backing up the files. The multimedia files can be recovered and may be reconstituted with less than 100% of the segments with minimal deleterious noticeability upon subsequent display of the content in the files.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for delivering a content file to a client over a packet-switched network. The method begins by determining a suitable throughput required to deliver the content file to the client. Next, the throughput available in a peer-to-peer network for delivering the content file to the client is determined. The required throughput is compared to the available throughput. If the available throughput is less than the required throughput, the available throughput is supplemented with additional throughput. The content is then delivered to the client over the packet-switched network using the available throughput of the peer-to-peer network and the additional throughput.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for delivering a content file to a client over a packet-switched network. The method begins by determining a suitable throughput required to deliver the content file to the client. Next, the throughput available in a peer-to-peer network for delivering the content file to the client is determined. The required throughput is compared to the available throughput. If the available throughput is less than the required throughput, the available throughput is supplemented with additional throughput. The content is then delivered to the client over the packet-switched network using the available throughput of the peer-to-peer network and the additional throughput.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for delivering a content file to a client over a packet-switched network. The method begins by determining a suitable throughput required to deliver the content file to the client. Next, the throughput available in a peer-to-peer network for delivering the content file to the client is determined. The required throughput is compared to the available throughput. If the available throughput is less than the required throughput, the available throughput is supplemented with additional throughput. The content is then delivered to the client over the packet-switched network using the available throughput of the peer-to-peer network and the additional throughput.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding information onto an electronic device includes a memory device that is coupled to the electronic device for storing embedded information that the electronic device may then access and utilize. A device user initially utilizes a device ordering system to create a device order that specifically identifies the embedded information. The device order is then utilized during a device manufacturing process to image the memory device with the embedded information before providing the electronic device to the device user.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing account tiers in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The client devices are configured to perform content transfers for obtaining desired content items directly over the peer-to-peer network, or from a CDN server device. The client devices generate account-tier selections to choose from among the supported account tiers. A tier manager monitors, updates, and stores the tier selections from the client devices. The tier manager also calculates content prices that vary depending upon the particular selected account tier. The client devices then pay the appropriate designated content prices for accessing and utilizing desired content items.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing a network simulation procedure for an electronic network includes a group of client devices that are configured to locally store content items in a distributed manner. Certain of the client devices periodically access required content items directly from other client devices. A simulation model on a tracking server is provided to accurately represent the various client devices and their corresponding transfer links in the electronic network. A simulation manager of the tracking server compiles various types of simulation parameters corresponding to the electronic network. The simulation manager then utilizes the simulation model and the simulation parameters for performing the network simulation procedure to identify and correct various types of network performance problems.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating content distribution in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The client devices are configured to perform content transfers for optimally exchanging desired content items over the peer-to-peer network. A tracking server gathers client statistics, such as content upload totals, by monitoring the various client devices. A rewards manager of the tracking server encourages content transfers between client devices by generating client rewards to the client devices based upon the pre-defined client statistics gathered from the client devices.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing content distribution in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The client devices are initially preloaded in a distributed manner with various content segments from corresponding content items. An optimization module from a tracking server iteratively redistributes said content segments among the client devices to seek an optimal content segment configuration of said content segments for optimizing performance characteristics of content reassembly procedures. When a system user selects a particular content item on a corresponding electronic device, a download manager of the electronic device may automatically generate content segment requests to other appropriate electronic devices in the peer-to-peer network. The download manager may then download and automatically reassemble the content segments to produce the selected content item for utilization by the system user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for delivering a content file to a client over a packet-switched network. The method begins by determining a suitable throughput required to deliver the content file to the client. Next, the throughput available in a peer-to-peer network for delivering the content file to the client is determined. The required throughput is compared to the available throughput. If the available throughput is less than the required throughput, the available throughput is supplemented with additional throughput. The content is then delivered to the client over the packet-switched network using the available throughput of the peer-to-peer network and the additional throughput.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting content distribution in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of electronic devices. The electronic devices are initially preloaded in a distributed manner with various content segments from corresponding content items. When a system user selects a particular content item on a corresponding electronic device, a download manager of the electronic device may automatically generate content segment requests to other appropriate electronic devices in the peer-to-peer network. The download manager may then download and automatically reassemble the content segments to produce the selected content item for utilization by the system user.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively supporting content distribution in an electronic network includes a content server and a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The content server stores content items received from a content provider. A recommendation engine of the content server creates a global recommendation list to identify an optimal global candidate from among the stored content items for performing an automatic and transparent content download procedure. The recommendation engine creates the global recommendation list by analyzing selectable content-ranking criteria from a plurality of device users of the client devices. The content server then downloads the optimal global candidate from the stored content items to one or more identified target devices during the content download procedure.

Abstract: A personalized entertainment and information platform (Sphere) which provides personalized content delivery across different platforms and modes of delivery. A personal media device (e.g., PC, television, and so forth) interacts with a control server configured for accessing media content and metadata over the Internet. In response to input from the user and the history of user media selection and viewing, a prioritized recommendation list is generated and queued for downloading. The associated content is then downloaded automatically to the personal media device, without the need of user interaction. At this time the user can access the downloaded content immediately without a lengthy delay in waiting for content downloading. It will be appreciated that content such as shows and movies in HD format are of significant size (e.g., up to 50 GB) which would require significant download time, and tie up network and system resources.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis is provided. In one example, the method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes or a cell fraction thereof, or in plasma, serum or blood from the subject, wherein an increase the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the subject has atherosclerosis. In one example, the monocytes are in a peripheral blood sample. A method is also provided for determining if a pharmaceutical agent is effective for treatment of atherosclerosis in a subject. The method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in a monocytes treated with the pharmaceutical agent, wherein a decrease the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the pharmaceutical agent is effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A disc changer is provided with a game console and stores all of a user's game discs, DVDs, CDs, etc. The system stores disc metadata so that the user can be presented with a screen shot listing the available discs and can select a disc from the screen shot for playing. In this way, the user can easily manage and select not only computer games to be played by the game console but also movie DVDs to be played on an associated TV, audio CDs, etc.

Abstract: A dock can be slid into a receptacle of a computer. The dock has a media player bay for receiving a media player. The multimedia streams can be sent from the media player through the dock to the computer to be played on the computer speakers when the media player is operably engaged with the bay of the dock and the dock is operably engaged with the receptacle of the computer. The battery of the media player and/or dock can be charged from the computer.

Abstract: An inside tube whose wall has oxide layer of impurities is provided, wherein the oxide layer is about 400K Å. The inside tube is washed with pure water by level-style washing. Then, taking the inside tube out and soaking it with hydrofluoric acid (HF). Next, the inside tube is taken out from hydrofluoric acid (HF) and it is soaked with pure water. It is dried with ammonia gas(NH3)after the inside tube is taken out from pure water. The inside tube is then washed with pure water by vertical-style washing, and it is dried with nitrogen gas (N2). Finally, the purged inside tube is set into furnace, then proceed a baking process about two hours at low temperature and low pressure to eliminate entirely remained acid from the inside tube, wherein the foregoing temperature range is about between 120° C. to 400° C. and the foregoing pressure is about 0.3 torr. The baking process begins proceeding to follow the purged process has been finished.

Abstract: A composition comprising morphine; and a dosage form comprising morphine are disclosed for morphine therapy. A method of using the composition and the dosage form are disclosed and indicated for morphine therapy.