Abstract: In one exemplary aspect, a method of managing cues for conversation management includes generating, with at least one processor, a first user-interest profile. A list of first-user topics from the first user-interest profile is created. An electronic conversation between the first user and a second user is obtained. A list of already discussed topics in the electronic conversation is generated. The list of already discussed topics is filtered from the list of first-user topics to create a suggested topics cue. At least one suggested topic is provided to the second user via a computer display.

Abstract: In one exemplary aspect, a contextual user engagement system for automatically engaging in a conversation with a user is provided. A context manager manage, with at least one processor, the context of the conversation with a user. The context manager receives a user utterance, wherein the context manager calls the other modules of the contextual user engagement system to obtain information with respect to the user utterance. The context manager maintains a context object for a conversation with a user. The context manager automatically updates the context object based on an information detected by the other modules of contextual user engagement system. A content knowledge database stores a content knowledge of the contextual user engagement system. The content knowledge includes a history of interactions with the user. An information extraction engine extract information from a specified source based on a set of rules.

Abstract: A dynamic and on-demand determination is made of whether a link on a web page is inactive, and if so, it is automatically updated with an alternate link, if possible. If no alternate link is available, the link is removed. A cue is provided to the user regarding the current status of the links. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system and method associated with displaying a map on a client device. The method includes transmitting context data related to the client device to a server, where the server is configured to identify that a location-specific map corresponding to a location of the client device is available to be displayed based to the context data; and receiving a signal from the server to display a prompt indicating that the location-specific map is available to be displayed on the client device, where the server determines whether to transmit the signal based on the context data.

Abstract: A system and method associated with displaying a map on a client device. The method includes transmitting context data related to the client device to a server, where the server is configured to identify that a location-specific map corresponding to a location of the client device is available to be displayed based to the context data; and receiving a signal from the server to display a prompt indicating that the location-specific map is available to be displayed on the client device, where the server determines whether to transmit the signal based on the context data.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a microprocessor having access to multiple levels of cache memories. The microprocessor executes a main thread compiled from a source code object. The system includes a processor for executing an assist thread also derived from the source code object. The assist thread includes memory reference instructions of the main thread and only those arithmetic instructions required to resolve the memory reference instructions. A scheduler configured to schedule the assist thread in conjunction with the corresponding execution thread is configured to execute the assist thread ahead of the execution thread by a determinable threshold such as the number of main processor cycles or the number of code instructions. The assist thread may execute in the main processor or in a dedicated assist processor that makes direct memory accesses to one of the lower level cache memory elements.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a playlist includes searching an event database having multiple events stored therein. One of the events is identified as corresponding to a user's interest data. A song database is searched. The song database includes at least one song corresponding to the identified event. A playlist corresponding to the identified event is generated. The playlist includes a list of at least one song corresponding to the identified event and a logical link to a recording of the at least one song. Access to the playlist can then be provided to the user.

Abstract: Methods of forming an overclad portion of an optical fiber are described which include positioning a core cane member in an overclad tube to form a rod and tube assembly. Thereafter, glass soot pellets are positioned in the rod and tube assembly between the core cane member and an interior sidewall of the overclad tube. The rod and tube assembly is then redrawn under conditions effective to form the overclad tube and the glass soot pellets into a continuous, void-free glass layer surrounding the core cane member at a sintering time tsinter of at least 1800 seconds thereby forming an overclad portion of an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for sharing digital content employing sounds. As an example, a first user selects or creates a piece of digital content using a client device. The content is uploaded to a server and is assigned a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The URL is communicated from the server to the first user's client device. The URL is encoded into an audio signal by the first user's device. The audio signal is then transmitted to one or more other users as a sound. For example, the first user may be participating in a telephone call with one or more other users. The audio signal can be inserted into the audio stream of the telephone call. The one or more other users are using client devices that can detect the audio signal and can decode the audio signal back into the URL. The other users' client devices can then access the content via the URL.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an optical fiber preform. The apparatus has an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer wall surrounds the inner wall and the inner wall surrounds an inner cavity of the apparatus. A core rod is deposited in the inner cavity after which particulate glass material, such as glass soot, is deposited in the inner cavity around the core rod. The core rod has at least 10 percent of the final cladding soot already applied thereto. A radially inward pressure is applied against the particulate glass material to pressurize the particulate glass material against the core rod.

Abstract: Technologies are described for causing an eReader to automatically and dynamically parse a document rendered on the eReader and identify content of potential interest to a user, and, in response to identifying content of potential interest, receiving at a server, from the eReader, the identified content. The server performing heuristics on the identified content at the server in conjunction with searching a network communicatively coupled to the server to locate data contextually relevant to the identified content, and the server transmitting the contextually relevant data from the server to the eReader for presentation to a user through a user interface on the eReader. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method and/or system for suggesting media content based on an image capture may include receiving, from an electronic device, a request for recommendations based on an image capture, wherein the request comprises data associated with the image capture. One or more search objects may be determined based on an analysis of the request. A particular user associated with the electronic device and one or more search interest associated with the particular user may be determined. One or more custom recommendations for the particular user may be determined based on the one or more search objects and/or based on the one or more search interests. Recommendation data comprising the one or more custom recommendations may be sent to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method and/or system for programming a dynamic digital media queue may include receiving, from an electronic device, a request for a digital media queue. The request may comprise request data. In response to the request, a search of one or more events may be performed. The search of the one or more events may be based on a current date, a current location of the electronic device and/or the request data. One or more digital media items may be determined based on the search. A recommended digital media queue may be determined. The recommended digital media queue may comprise one or more recommended digital media items. Recommendation data may be sent to the electronic device. The recommendation data may comprise the recommended digital media queue and one or more reasons explaining why the recommended digital media queue comprises the one or more recommended digital media items.

Abstract: A system and method associated with displaying a map on a client device. The method includes transmitting context data related to the client device to a server, where the server is configured to identify that a location-specific map corresponding to a location of the client device is available to be displayed based to the context data; and receiving a signal from the server to display a prompt indicating that the location-specific map is available to be displayed on the client device, where the server determines whether to transmit the signal based on the context data.

Abstract: An integrated stiffener and RF reflector (stiffener/reflector) (100) for a RF emitter which includes: a plurality of vertical ribs (102) constituting side walls of the stiffener/reflector; a plurality of horizontal ribs (104) formed in a width direction of the stiffener/reflector; a top cover (204) including metallization layer (308), the top cover being electrically coupled to a ground layer (312) of the RF emitter and configured in such a way to direct all of RF energy in an opposite direction to the top cover. Each of the vertical (102) and horizontal (104) ribs has a sandwich structure, which includes: a foam core layer (302) disposed on a layer of the RF emitter (314); a thin film layer (306) bonded to sides and top of the rib to form facesheets of the sandwich structure.

Abstract: Methods for forming optical fiber preforms are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical fiber preform includes forming a preform core portion from silica-based glass soot. The silica-based glass soot may include at least one dopant species for altering an index of refraction of the preform core portion. A selective diffusion layer of silica-based glass soot may be formed around the preform core portion to form a soot preform. The selective diffusion layer may have an as-formed density greater than the density of the preform core portion. A diffusing species may be diffused through the selective diffusion layer into the preform core portion. The soot preform may be sintered such that the selective diffusion layer has a barrier density which is greater than the as-formed density and the selective diffusion layer prevents diffusion of the at least one dopant species through the selective diffusion layer.

Abstract: An integrated stiffener and RF reflector (stiffener/reflector) (100) for a RF emitter which includes: a plurality of vertical ribs (102) constituting side walls of the stiffener/reflector; a plurality of horizontal ribs (104) formed in a width direction of the stiffener/reflector; a top cover (204) including metallization layer (308), the top cover being electrically coupled to a ground layer (312) of the RF emitter and configured in such a way to direct all of RF energy in an opposite direction to the top cover. Each of the vertical (102) and horizontal (104) ribs has a sandwich structure, which includes: a foam core layer (302) disposed on a layer of the RF emitter (314); a thin film layer (306) bonded to sides and top of the rib to form facesheets of the sandwich structure.

Abstract: An efficient method for selecting a minimal and statistically relevant set of SER sensitive logic devices critical to the SER robustness for a design, through identification by device type, identification nomenclature, connectivity and context. The minimal set of devices comprise the set of fault injection test points using a conventional fault injection test verification environment to establish an SER induced failure rate a logic design. The selection method affords a design independent means to evaluate any design regardless of the origin, source language or documentation by working at the common logic device level “gate-level” netlist format for the design data. The selected set of devices is distilled from the design data by successively filtering the design through a series of heuristic rule-based device identifier computer programs that group and annotate the devices into specific database records.

Abstract: A cookware assembly or set comprising or including at least one cookware vessel of a substantially square peripheral exterior and interior form when viewed in plan, wherein the vessel has an attachment location on at least one of the four sides, the attachment location being a relief in the vessel's rim suitable for handle engagement, and a handle selectively engageable at the or any one of the attachment locations, the handle with both proximal and distal end regions having a pair of jaw elements at the proximal region for facilitating engagement to an attachment location such that a first jaw of the jaw pair locates substantially inside the vessel and a second jaw of the jaw pair locates substantially outside of the vessel, and a lid able to fit on the cookware vessel and to close, or at least substantially close, the cookware vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sequencing electronic files include generating a first file sequence and one or more alternative file sequences. An alternative file sequence may be generated based in part on a characteristic of a file in the first sequence. The first and alternative sequences may be used in an electronic slideshow that allows a user to switch between file sequences. In some implementations, which alternative file sequences are generated may be determined based in part on a prediction of characteristics that may be of interest to a user.