Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A method of generating electronic monetary tokens (tokens) on a server that supports transmission of the tokens between third parties by means of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and also prevents double spending of the tokens. The tokens are represented by a substring of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), which identifies a resource in a network. As a payment request the substring comprises an indicator of price. As a payment for a resource the substring comprises a set of tokens and a buyer's unique identifier. On receipt of the tokens and before releasing the resource to the buyer the seller requests an indication from the server that the buyer owns the tokens thus preventing double spending of the tokens. Preferably, the URI is a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

Abstract: A method of generating electronic monetary tokens (tokens) on a server that supports transmission of the tokens between third parties by means of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and also prevents double spending of the tokens. The tokens are represented by a substring of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), which identifies a resource in a network. As a payment request the substring comprises an indicator of price. As a payment for a resource the substring comprises a set of tokens and a buyer's unique identifier. On receipt of the tokens and before releasing the resource to the buyer the seller requests an indication from the server that the buyer owns the tokens thus preventing double spending of the tokens. Preferably, the URI is a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a profile page. A computer system identifies a group of potential profiles images from an image. The computer system identifies a group of features in the image. The computer system generates the profile page based on a potential profile image selected from the group of potential profile images and the group of features in the image. The computer system displays the profile page on a display system, enabling generating the profile page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating networking in a social network. A computer system identifies a group of features in an image for a person in the social network. The computer system also identifies a characteristic for networking from the group of features. Further, the computer system identifies a set of people in the social network having the characteristic. The computer system also performs an action enabling networking in the social network with respect to the person and the set of people in the social network having the characteristic.

Abstract: A method for visually accessing information. A computer system displays pie charts in a graphical user interface in a display system. The pie charts have sections that represent pieces of the information, and each of the pie charts represents a type of the information. The computer system receives a user input selecting a portion of the sections from the pie charts displayed in the graphical user interface. The computer system displays a new pie chart in the graphical user interface using the portion of the sections selected by the user input. The new pie chart has new sections representing selected pieces of the information corresponding to the portion of the sections. The new sections have sizes based on a policy, and the sizes for the new sections indicates relative values of the pieces of the information with respect to each other. The new pie chart enables visually accessing the information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating networking in a social network. A computer system identifies a group of features in an image for a person in the social network. The computer system also identifies a characteristic for networking from the group of features. Further, the computer system identifies a set of people in the social network having the characteristic. The computer system also performs an action enabling networking in the social network with respect to the person and the set of people in the social network having the characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a profile page. A computer system identifies a group of potential profiles images from an image. The computer system identifies a group of features in the image. The computer system generates the profile page based on a potential profile image selected from the group of potential profile images and the group of features in the image. The computer system displays the profile page on a display system, enabling generating the profile page.

Abstract: A method for visually accessing information. A computer system displays pie charts in a graphical user interface in a display system. The pie charts have sections that represent pieces of the information, and each of the pie charts represents a type of the information. The computer system receives a user input selecting a portion of the sections from the pie charts displayed in the graphical user interface. The computer system displays a new pie chart in the graphical user interface using the portion of the sections selected by the user input. The new pie chart has new sections representing selected pieces of the information corresponding to the portion of the sections. The new sections have sizes based on a policy, and the sizes for the new sections indicates relative values of the pieces of the information with respect to each other. The new pie chart enables visually accessing the information.

Abstract: An audio amplifier receiving a digital input audio signal and generating an output audio signal for driving a speaker includes a digital input class D amplifier configured to receive the digital input audio signal and to generate the output audio signal. The digital input class D amplifier includes a first modulator configured to receive the digital input audio signal and to generate a quasi-digital signal in n-bit, and a class D modulator configured to receive the n-bit quasi-digital signal and to generate the output audio signal, the class D modulator implementing an analog feedback loop. In some embodiments, the class D modulator is implemented using a PWM modulator. In other embodiments, the PWM modulator incorporates enhanced features to improve the output noise characteristics.

Abstract: An audio amplifier receiving a digital input audio signal and generating an output audio signal for driving a speaker includes a digital input class D amplifier configured to receive the digital input audio signal and to generate the output audio signal. The digital input class D amplifier includes a first modulator configured to receive the digital input audio signal and to generate a quasi-digital signal in n-bit, and a class D modulator configured to receive the n-bit quasi-digital signal and to generate the output audio signal, the class D modulator implementing an analog feedback loop. In some embodiments, the class D modulator is implemented using a PWM modulator. In other embodiments, the PWM modulator incorporates enhanced features to improve the output noise characteristics.

Abstract: A system for the analysis of image data 48 that has been subject to one or more processing operations is described. The image data is displayed using a display palette 30 which maps pixel values PV to displayable appearances RGB, I. Under user control, a sub-section of the pixel values are mapped to enhanced displayable appearances so as to make small variations in the pixel values more visible. A palette scale 54 illustrating the mapping being performed by the palette 30 is displayed adjacent to the image 48 being analyzed. In addition, a graph 60 of the variation of pixel value along a given analysis line 62 is displayed to assist quantative analysis.

Abstract: Data to be processed is stored within data files 20. Associated with each data file 20 is a header file 18. The header files 18 store data specifying a wide range of attributes of the data within the data files 20. A user selects a particular signal processing function 14 that he desires to use and this then accesses one or mope selected data files 20 and associated header files 18. The selected signal processing tool 14 only needs a set of the attributes stored within the header files 18. The signal processing tool 14 reads those attributes it requires and then manipulates the data within the data file 20. The provision of this structure allows a wide range of signal processing function tools to be integrated into a single system which may also be simply expanded.