Abstract: A system for energy storage and transfer comprises a low friction non-conductive fluid, rechargeable electrical energy carriers suspended in the non-conductive fluid, and a means for transferring, via pressure, rechargeable electrical energy carriers suspended in non-conductive fluid from a storage container through an electrical energy transfer system. Each electrical energy carrier lacks sharp edges and has a diameter under ten centimeters and an external surface including an orientation feature, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a sealed housing between the electrodes.

Abstract: A Ti—Si—C—N coating for a piston ring and a method forming such coating, wherein the deposited coating exhibits a thickness in the range of 10.0 micrometers to 20.0 micrometers and exhibits a coefficient of friction of less than 0.15 and a wear rate of less than 10×10?6 mm3/N/m. The coefficient of friction being measured on a Plint TE77 and the wear rate being measured against an alumina ball of 0.25 inches in diameter at a load of 1 N at 100 rpm in a dry environment. The deposited Ti—Si—C—N coating includes nanocrystalline phases in an amorphous matrix.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a plurality of first input devices capable of passively collecting input data, a second input device(s) capable of collecting response data based upon a challenge, and a processor capable of determining a level of assurance (LOA) that possession of the mobile communications device has not changed based upon a statistical behavioral model and the passively received input data, and comparing the LOA with a security threshold. When the LOA is above the security threshold, the processor may be capable of performing a given mobile device operation without requiring response data from the second input device(s). When the LOA falls below the security threshold, the processor may be capable of generating the challenge, performing the given mobile device operation responsive to valid response data, and adding recent input data to the statistical behavioral model responsive to receipt of the valid response data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for searching media files using a set-top box (STB), a television receiver, digital video recorder (DVR), placeshifting device or other media device, or any type of network host that communicates with a media device of any sort. Search criteria is received from a user, and the search criteria is identified in listings of media programming available from one or more sources. In some implementations, a combined search result can be provided that identifies instances of the search criteria found in program guide listings, files stored on a digital video recorder (DVR), available on-demand content, or any other sources as desired. Some implementations may prioritize search results using information about files stored on a DVR, user preferences, or any other information as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus including a piston bore, exhibiting a longitudinal axis, and a piston, including a piston head and a piston shaft. The piston being axially displace-able within the piston bore along the longitudinal axis. The piston bore and a first surface of the piston head form a first working volume and displacement of the piston alters the first working volume. The apparatus also includes a first plurality of injectors coupled to the first working volume and a first common rail. The first plurality of injectors are configured to inject a hydraulic fluid from the common rail into the first working volume. The first common rail is configured to store the hydraulic fluid at an elevated pressure of 1,000 bar or greater. The apparatus includes a flow path between the first working volume and a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for searching media files using a set-top box (STB), a television receiver, digital video recorder (DVR), placeshifting device or other media device, or any type of network host that communicates with a media device of any sort. Search criteria is received from a user, and the search criteria is identified in listings of media programming available from one or more sources. In some implementations, a combined search result can be provided that identifies instances of the search criteria found in program guide listings, files stored on a digital video recorder (DVR), available on-demand content, or any other sources as desired. Some implementations may prioritize search results using information about files stored on a DVR, user preferences, or any other information as desired.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a plurality of first input devices capable of passively collecting input data, a second input device(s) capable of collecting response data based upon a challenge, and a processor capable of determining a level of assurance (LOA) that possession of the mobile communications device has not changed based upon a statistical behavioral model and the passively received input data, and comparing the LOA with a security threshold. When the LOA is above the security threshold, the processor may be capable of performing a given mobile device operation without requiring response data from the second input device(s). When the LOA falls below the security threshold, the processor may be capable of generating the challenge, performing the given mobile device operation responsive to valid response data, and adding recent input data to the statistical behavioral model responsive to receipt of the valid response data.

Abstract: A colored coating composition comprising a white base paint and at least one colored pigment in a form that can be readily mixed with the white base paint, the white base paint comprising a film-forming polymer, a liquid carrier, one or more opacifying white pigments and one or more extenders, the colored coating composition having a light reflectance value Y less than 110, and greater than that defined by the equation Y=mC+K, where 25>C>1.0, C being the chroma of the colored coating composition, m and K being empirical coefficients selected according to the type and number of the type of the at least one colored pigment, and dependant on the hue angle of the coating composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for remotely controlling a personal or digital video recorder (PVR/DVR), a set top box (STB), a placeshifting device, or any other media server. A communications session is established between a server host and the media server in response to a connection request received from the client. Information about the content processed at the media server is received via the session and provided to the client. In response to subsequent instructions received from the client, the media server can be controlled, or other actions can be taken, by providing directions to the media server from the host via the communications session. Additional or alternate features may be provided as desired.

Abstract: A mobile communications device may include a plurality of first input devices capable of passively collecting input data, a second input device(s) capable of collecting response data based upon a challenge, and a processor capable of determining a level of assurance (LOA) that possession of the mobile communications device has not changed based upon a statistical behavioral model and the passively received input data, and comparing the LOA with a security threshold. When the LOA is above the security threshold, the processor may be capable of performing a given mobile device operation without requiring response data from the second input device(s). When the LOA falls below the security threshold, the processor may be capable of generating the challenge, performing the given mobile device operation responsive to valid response data, and adding recent input data to the statistical behavioral model responsive to receipt of the valid response data.

Abstract: Restoring retired transaction identifiers (TID) associated with Direct Memory Access (DMA) commands without waiting for all DMA traffic to terminate is disclosed. A scoreboard is used to track retired TIDs and selectively restore retired TIDs on the fly. DMA engines fetch a TID, and use it to tag every DMA request. If the request is completed, the TID can be recycled to be used to tag a subsequent request. However, if a request is not completed, the TID is retired. Retired TIDs can be restored without having to wait for DMA traffic to end. Any retired TID value may be mapped to a bit location inside a scoreboard. All processors in the system may have access to read and clear the scoreboard. Clearing the TID scoreboard may trigger a DMA engine to restore the TID mapped to that location, and the TID may be used again.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retarder composition for the control of unwanted polymerization reactions during the production and processing of ethylenically unsaturated compounds, the composition comprising at least one di-substituted quinone compound and at least one hydroxylamine compound. Optionally, the composition also comprises at least one stable free radical nitroxyl compound and one or more formulation adjuvants. The invention also envisages a process stream comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a method for the prevention of unwanted polymerization reactions during the production and processing of ethylenically unsaturated compounds. The composition has been found to be far more effective than expected, given that the individual components show little or no efficacy when used alone, and poses much less hazard to humans than the compositions of the prior art.

Abstract: Restoring retired transaction identifiers (TID) associated with Direct Memory Access (DMA) commands without waiting for all DMA traffic to terminate is disclosed. A scoreboard is used to track retired TIDs and selectively restore retired TIDs on the fly. DMA engines fetch a TID, and use it to tag every DMA request. If the request is completed, the TID can be recycled to be used to tag a subsequent request. However, if a request is not completed, the TID is retired. Retired TIDs can be restored without having to wait for DMA traffic to end. Any retired TID value may be mapped to a bit location inside a scoreboard. All processors in the system may have access to read and clear the scoreboard. Clearing the TID scoreboard may trigger a DMA engine to restore the TID mapped to that location, and the TID may be used again.

Abstract: A method is provided for on-line retail sales by a merchant through referrals from people who have influence over customer buying decisions, such as doctors in the case of food products, and who has an internet web site. The method involves each influencer including a sub-site of the influencer's website which permits a customer to select products for purchase. The products which are available are selected by the influencer from those available in the merchant's product list. Once the customer selects products for purchase the customer is transferred to the merchant's e-commerce site for ordering, payment and delivery. The merchant rewards the influencer for purchases of the merchant's products made through the influencer's web site.

Abstract: A thermowell is provided for positioning on a pipeline or tank to measure the temperature. The thermowell comprises a head for receiving a probe, and the well has a closed end. An elongated hollow tubular connects the head and the well. The tubular includes one or more tubular parts, each of a selected axial length, joined by a friction welding to one of the more of the head, the well or another of the tubular parts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the determination of the color of a color sample from an image of the color sample. In one embodiment a color sample capture card is provided having printed thereon color samples of known color (for example, XYZ tri-stimulus values). An image of the test color sample is then captured using domestically available equipment, such as a consumer digital camera or camera-equipped mobile telephone, the image also containing the color sample capture card. In one embodiment the image is then transmitted to a remote color determination service for color sample color determination. Regression analysis is then performed using the RGB color samples in the image and known XYZ colors thereof to characterize the color capture response of the image capture device. Having characterized the image capture device the XYZ color of the unknown color sample can be determined from the RGB color thereof in the image.

Abstract: An method and corresponding apparatus for detecting a change in an aspect of performance of a data processing system and for adjusting operation of a system so as to counter the detected change. The method generating a value representative of an aspect of performance of a data processing system relative to operation of the system in a first sub-period of each in a plurality of first time periods; in which each first sub-period is located with the same degree of offset within the respective first time period. The generated value may represent a norm or typical value for the aspect of behaviour in the sub-period.

Abstract: A mobile communications device may include a plurality of first input devices capable of passively collecting input data, a second input device(s) capable of collecting response data based upon a challenge, and a processor capable of determining a level of assurance (LOA) that possession of the mobile communications device has not changed based upon a statistical behavioral model and the passively received input data, and comparing the LOA with a security threshold. When the LOA is above the security threshold, the processor may be capable of performing a given mobile device operation without requiring response data from the second input device(s). When the LOA falls below the security threshold, the processor may be capable of generating the challenge, performing the given mobile device operation responsive to valid response data, and adding recent input data to the statistical behavioral model responsive to receipt of the valid response data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time pricing of shipping vendors are provided. Various shipping vendors may be queried concerning shipping specifications. Some embodiments provide for a query to be transmitted to a shipping vendor through an interface associated with the particular shipping vendor. In response to the query, real-time pricing information associated with the shipping specifications is received and displayed to a user. Upon the user designating a shipping vendor, customized shipping labels for each shipping vendor may be generated.