Abstract: A computerized method that includes receiving from a first user over a network a prize selection choice and an interaction mode launch request. The method also includes receiving from the first user over the network an invitation for at least one additional user to form a social network for participating in the interaction mode, and then launching the interaction mode for at least the first user and the one additional user. A prize is awarded to at least one of the users of the interaction mode.

Abstract: A method estimates a state of a spacecraft in a planet-moon environment by executing iteratively a particle filter. The particle filter comprising integrates individually states of each particle of the particle filter according to a probability-evolution equation using a model of the state of the spacecraft represented as a planar circular restricted three-body problem and determines a prior probability of each particle as a previous posterior probability of a corresponding particle during a previous iteration. A joint probability distribution of the state of the spacecraft is determines using the states of each particle and the prior probabilities of each particle and the states and the prior probabilities of each particle are updated according to the joint probability distribution of the state of the spacecraft and a measurement of the state of the spacecraft to produce posterior probabilities of each particle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely executing a plurality of actions requiring elevated privilege using less than a corresponding plurality of prompts for privilege elevation, and in some embodiments, only a single prompt for privilege elevation, comprising: receiving a request to perform a first action requiring an elevated privilege; acquiring the elevated privilege to perform the first action; executing the first action, wherein the first action is executed based on the elevated privilege; receiving a request to perform a second action requiring an elevated privilege; and executing the second action using the elevated privilege acquired for the first action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating the integrity of computer software installer files prior to installation of computer software comprising: generating at least one signature file for at least one corresponding installer file, the at least one signature file comprising a file name, a file size and a checksum, wherein the checksum is calculated for the corresponding installer file; and packaging the at least one signature file with the corresponding installer file, wherein the checksum in the signature file is used to validate the integrity of the installer file prior to installation of the installer file.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly can include first and second microelectronic elements each embodying active semiconductor devices adjacent a front surface thereof, and having an electrically conductive pad exposed at the respective front surface. An interposer of material having a CTE less than 10 ppm/° C. has first and second surfaces attached to the front surfaces of the respective first and second microelectronic elements, the interposer having a second conductive element extending within an opening in the interposer. First and second conductive elements extend within openings extending from the rear surface of a respective microelectronic element of the first and second microelectronic elements towards the front surface of the respective microelectronic element.

Abstract: A data message originally addressed to a first mobile device is forwarded to a second mobile device in a wireless telecommunications network. Data messages may include text messages, picture messages, and video messages. In addition to forwarding data messages, other optional data message forwarding features are provided such as a copy feature that allows for a forwarded message to be copied back to the original addressee, and an invisible feature that prevents a data message sender from knowing that a data message has been forwarded by the data message addressee.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing server-side splicing for live streaming media comprises receiving a request for media content from a client computer; accessing a media playlist comprising a plurality of universal resource identifiers (URIs) for each of a plurality of media content segments and consecutive sequence numbers defining an order in which the plurality of media content segments are to be viewed; accessing at least one additional content playlist for additional content to be spliced into the media content to be viewed; replacing a plurality of URIs of the media playlist with the URIs of the at least one additional content playlist to create a modified media playlist; and correcting a gap in sequence numbers that occurs in the modified media playlist when the number of URIs of the at least one additional content playlist is less than the plurality of URIs of the media playlist that are replaced.

Abstract: A bulk-workflow server in communication with a bulk-workflow client may assist business users in completing multiple instances of a workflow task by transforming multiple instances of an individual workflow form into a single spreadsheet-like user interface with which a business user may simultaneously input, view, review/approve, and/or submit data for multiple instances of the workflow task.

Abstract: Methods of modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest from a biological sample in a biosensor having a multisite array of test sites. In particular, the methods modulate the pH or ionic concentration gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. The methods of modulating the binding interactions provide a biosensor and analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for pushing configuration changes of a distributed virtual switch from a management server to a plurality of host servers underlying the distributed virtual switch. The approach includes sending, in parallel, by the management server, a message to each of the plurality of host servers. The message specifies a final configuration state for one or more virtual ports emulated via virtualization layers of the host servers. The approach further includes determining, by each of the plurality of host servers, port state configuration changes to make to the virtual ports to achieve the final configuration state, and reconfiguring, by each of the plurality of host servers, their respective virtual ports, to match the final configuration state.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods to trace an execution of a business process are disclosed. Business rules and corresponding business objects required to execute the business process are identified and rendered to receive an input. Based upon detecting a trigger to execute the business process, the business rules and the corresponding business objects are processed to compute a process-resultant for the business process. A process-path of the computed process-resultant is traced by tracing key-strings corresponding to the business objects involved in computing the process-resultant, to generate a trace-resultant. The trace-resultant is parsed by determining versioned business objects and business information of the key-strings, to derive a business definition for the traced business objects involved in computing the process-resultant. Based upon the business definition, a comprehensive trace-map comprising a compilation of the process-resultant to execute the business process is generated.

Abstract: A system and method of aggregating and predicting stock ranking stocks. The novel system and method uses a neighborhood model to aggregate a plurality of “neighboring” or related stocks having similar pricing trends. The system and method then uses a ranking optimization method to predict the ranking of each stock based on percentage change in price. The current invention facilitates investors trading by using a novel methodology to predict stock rankings and providing a neighborhood of related stocks, while having an easy-to-use interface.

Abstract: A method for treating water at a water treatment facility is provided. In one aspect, the water has been circulated through a subsurface formation in a shale oil development area. The subsurface formation may comprise shale that has been spent due to pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons. The method in one embodiment includes receiving the water at the water treatment facility, and treating the water at the water treatment facility in order to (i) substantially separate oil from the water, (ii) substantially remove organic materials from the water, (iii) substantially reduce hardness and alkalinity of the water, (iv) substantially remove dissolved inorganic solids from the water, and/or (v) substantially remove suspended solids from the water. The method may further includes delivering the water that has been treated at the water treatment facility re-injecting the treated water into the subsurface formation to continue leaching out contaminants from the spent shale.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microelectronic assembly of two elements and a method of forming same. A microelectronic element includes a major surface, and a dielectric layer and at least one bond pad exposed at the major surface. The microelectronic element may contain a plurality of active circuit elements. A first metal layer is deposited overlying the at least one bond pad and the dielectric layer. A second element having a second metal layer deposited thereon is provided, and the first metal layer is joined with the second metal layer. The assembly may be severed along dicing lanes into individual units each including a chip.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system to provide content to a communication device operated by a user is described herein. The method comprises setting in the communication device a content preference, wherein the content preference is set by the user, sending the content preference from the communication device to the communication system, receiving in the communication system a content request from the communication device, receiving in the communication system the content in a first format from a content provider, modifying in the communication system the content from the first format to a second format, wherein the second format is based on the content preference set by the user, and transmitting from the communication system the content in the second format to the communication device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying candidate synonyms of transliterated terms for query expansion. In one aspect, a method includes identifying multiple transliterated terms in a target language. For each transliterated term of the multiple transliterated terms in the target language, the transliterated term is mapped to one or more terms in a source language. For a first transliterated term of the multiple transliterated terms in the target language, one or more second transliterated terms of the multiple transliterated terms in the target language are identified as candidate synonyms of the first transliterated term, where each of the one or more second transliterated terms is mapped to at least one term in the source language that is also mapped from the first transliterated term.

Abstract: A microelectronic unit includes a semiconductor element consisting essentially of semiconductor material and having a front surface, a rear surface, a plurality of active semiconductor devices adjacent the front surface, a plurality of conductive pads exposed at the front surface, and an opening extending through the semiconductor element. At least one of the conductive pads can at least partially overlie the opening and can be electrically connected with at least one of the active semiconductor devices. The microelectronic unit can also include a first conductive element exposed at the rear surface for connection with an external component, the first conductive element extending through the opening and electrically connected with the at least one conductive pad, and a second conductive element extending through the opening and insulated from the first conductive element. The at least one conductive pad can overlie a peripheral edge of the second conductive element.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly includes a substrate and an electrically conductive element. The substrate can have a CTE less than 10 ppm/° C., a major surface having a recess not extending through the substrate, and a material having a modulus of elasticity less than 10 GPa disposed within the recess. The electrically conductive element can include a joining portion overlying the recess and extending from an anchor portion supported by the substrate. The joining portion can be at least partially exposed at the major surface for connection to a component external to the microelectronic unit.

Abstract: Techniques described in the disclosure are generally related to reserving padding bytes in system memory when storing data in the system memory. The reserving of padding bytes may allow a memory interface to efficiently utilize the channels to the system memory when storing or subsequently retrieving the data.

Abstract: A read only memory cell circuit is provided. The memory cell circuit includes at least one memory cell. A pair of bit lines associated with each memory cell is provided which form a complementary output. The at least one memory cell is configured to be coupled to first or second of the bit line pair.