Abstract: Systems and methods for counting and processing pliable objects are disclosed. A vision system may capture an inspection image of a plurality of pliable objects. The inspection image may be partitioned into a plurality of windows traversing the inspection image. For each individual window of the plurality of windows, a blob extraction process is performed to determine a plurality of blobs corresponding to regions within the inspection image having substantially the second luminance value range such that the plurality of blobs correspond to the plurality of pliable objects. The blobs are counted for each window to determine a total number of pliable objects in the plurality of pliable objects.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for optimizing network browser performance by conditionally loading a portion of data from a network based on a data transfer rate. In use, a data transfer rate associated with a device connected to a network is identified. Additionally, a portion of data from the network is conditionally loaded utilizing a network browser of the device, based on the identified data transfer rate. Further, the portion of the data is selected based on a relevancy of the portion of the data.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: An aqueous pesticide compositions contain water, a pesticide, and at least one surfactant having a solubility in water of less than or equal to about 10 percent by weight, in an amount effective as a drift control agent, and a method for controlling spray drift of an aqueous pesticide composition includes the steps of incorporating in an aqueous end use pesticide composition, in an amount effective as a drift control agent, at least one surfactant having a solubility in water of less than or equal to about 10 percent by weight, and spray applying the aqueous end use pesticide composition to a target pest and/or to the environment of the target pest.

Abstract: A network device receives details of a purchase offer for digital content, where the purchase offer includes a price for the digital content at a required customer purchasing participation threshold, and where the required customer purchasing participation threshold includes a number of customers that must agree to purchase the digital content at the price for the purchase offer to be fulfilled. The network device targets multiple customers based on customer profile data, and presents the purchase offer to the multiple customers, via multiple different devices associated with respective ones of the multiple customers, during the offer period. The network device charges participating customers the purchase offer price, if the purchasing participation threshold is reached by expiration of the offer period; and notifies the participating customers of expiration of the purchase offer, if the purchasing participation threshold is not reached by the expiration of the offer period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) that are useful for treating, preventing and/or managing the diseases, disorders, syndromes or conditions associated with the modulation of GPR119 receptor activity. The invention also relates to the process for preparation of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The invention further relates to methods of treating, preventing and/or managing diseases, disorders syndromes or conditions associated with the modulation of GPR119 receptor by using either alone or in combinations of Formula (I).

Abstract: Modified isocyanate compositions having improved properties are provided. The compositions may be formed from the reaction of a isocyanate component, which is a compound terminated with at least one isocyanate group, and an organic acid derivative having the formula (RO)n(M)(E)(EH)3-n, wherein M is nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, or bismuth, n is 1 or 2, each E is independently oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, each R is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, a cyclic aryl group, an acyclic aryl group, a halogen-substituted alkyl group, a halogen-substituted cyclic aryl group or a halogen-substituted acyclic aryl group and wherein the ratio of the weight of the isocyanate component to the combined weight of the organic acid derivative and the isocyanate component is from 0.7 to 0.95. The compositions can be utilized in a variety of applications and are adapted to prolonged storage and transportation. Methods of preparing such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conditionally allowing a transfer of content, based on a signature and a context. In operation, a signature for content is identified. In addition, a context of an attempt to transfer the content is identified. Furthermore, the transfer is conditionally allowed, based on the signature and the context.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for locating connections/contacts of a user of social networking websites based on an intended travel destination of the user. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention will analyze a set of online resources (e.g., travel websites, social networking services, calendaring programs, etc.) to identify one or more travel profiles (e.g., reservations) associated with the user. Based on one or more intended destinations set forth in the travel profile(s), social networking websites associated with the user may be analyzed to identify and locate contacts/connections of the user that are located within a predetermined proximity of the intended destination(s). Once such contacts have been identified, the user may be provided with a notification that identifies the contact and provides the contact's location.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for imaging a substrate through the use of retro-reflective optics and detecting any defects and patterns therein. Through the use of optical imaging, optical focusing is adjusted to capture optical effects of interest in the substrate with enhanced size, precision, clarity and image quality. Imaging data obtained from these images may then be analyzed. Both bright field image data and dark field image data are captured and analyzed to provide accurate and reliable imaging results. The invention is suitable for use in on-line, real-time detection of visual defects and pattern recognition or off-line for non-production use.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method configured to perform media file encryption. One example method may include retrieving a media file stored in a memory during a play time operation, executing the media file and receiving additional portions of the media file during the play time operation. The method may also include processing the media file and the additional portions of the media file to generate an output media and displaying the output media on a display of a user device.

Abstract: A central configuration server is provided for managing user-specified configuration data for a configurable device. The central configuration server, which is separate from a configurable device to be configured, and which services a plurality of users, obtains a user identification and device information from the configurable device. Responsive to this, the central configuration server accesses an account database and uses the user identification and device information to retrieve, for the identified user, user-specified configuration data for the configurable device. The central configuration server then forwards the user-specified configuration data from the account database to the configurable device for use in automatically configuring the configurable device pursuant to the user-specified configuration data.

Abstract: A printhead includes a nozzle plate, a filter, and a plurality of walls. Portions of the nozzle plate define a plurality of nozzles. The filter, for example, a filter membrane, includes a plurality of pores grouped in a plurality of pore clusters. Each of the plurality of walls extends from the nozzle plate to the filter membrane to define a plurality of liquid chambers positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter membrane. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of nozzles. Each liquid chamber of the plurality of liquid chambers is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of a respective one of the plurality of pore clusters. The respective one of the plurality of pore clusters includes two pore sub-clusters spaced apart from each other by a non-porous portion of the filter membrane.

Abstract: Multi-device capture and spatial browsing of conferences is described. In one implementation, a system detects cameras and microphones, such as the webcams on participants' notebook computers, in a conference room, group meeting, or table game, and enlists an ad-hoc array of available devices to capture each participant and the spatial relationships between participants. A video stream composited from the array is browsable by a user to navigate a 3-dimensional representation of the meeting. Each participant may be represented by a video pane, a foreground object, or a 3-D geometric model of the participant's face or body displayed in spatial relation to the other participants in a 3-dimensional arrangement analogous to the spatial arrangement of the meeting.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds relating to the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies relating to the Hedgehog pathway, including but not limited to tumor formation, cancer, neoplasia, and non-malignant hyperproliferative disorders; specifically relating to compounds of formula I:

Abstract: Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames.

Abstract: Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, channel bonding may be used to bond channels with mixed serial and parallel streams.

Abstract: A device includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a detected first force. The second sensor is configured to generate a second signal corresponding to a detected second force. The first force and the second force has a substantially common direction. The device includes a processor configured to determine a measure of tension using the first signal and using the second signal. The measure of tension corresponds to displacement of an elongate member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for operating a hybrid storage aggregate are provided. In one example, such a method includes operating a first tier of physical storage of the hybrid storage aggregate as a cache for a second tier of physical storage of the hybrid storage aggregate. The first tier of physical storage includes a plurality of assigned blocks. The method also includes updating metadata of the assigned blocks in response to an event associated with at least one of the assigned blocks. The metadata includes block usage information tracking more than two possible usage states per assigned block. The method can further include processing the metadata to determine a caching characteristic of the assigned blocks.

Abstract: A data communication architecture delivers a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architecture employs channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architecture communicates content according to an initial bonding configuration. The communication architecture may adjust the bonding configuration to adapt to bonding environment changes affecting the communication capabilities or requirements associated with transmitting the content.