Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing continuous availability include communicatively coupling a first node and a second node, each having at least one processor, an executing application management framework, and a first application. The first node is executing its associated first application. A plugin for the first node application management framework is executed. The plugin is dynamically loadable by the application management framework. The plugin specifies application availability rules for protecting the availability of the first application.

Abstract: A method of generating a gift card comprising: (a) receiving indicia corresponding to at least one of a product indicia representative of a particular product and a service indicia representative of a particular service; (b) making a gift card graphic available to the processing device that matches at least one of the product indicia and the service indicia; (c) merging the gift card graphics with a gift card template to create a virtual gift card; (d) recording the virtual gift card with a memory accessible by a kiosk that includes a gift card printer; and, (e) generating a receipt uniquely corresponding to at least one of the virtual gift card and a tangible gift card.

Abstract: The system, which provides a control signal, includes an over-current control unit, a time clock that provides a periodic time signal, and a clock generator unit that includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to the time clock and the output terminal is coupled to the over-current control unit. The first input terminal of the clock generator unit receives the periodic time signal and the second input terminal of the clock generator unit receives a modification signal. The clock generator unit generates a clock signal based on the periodic time signal and the modification signal. The output terminal of the clock generator unit provides the clock signal to the over-current control unit, and the over-current control unit provides a control signal based on the clock signal.

Abstract: The invention may provide a temperature sensor device that includes an analog temperature sensor to generate a first base-emitter voltage and a second base-emitter voltage, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample at the voltages and generate corresponding digital values. The temperature sensor device may also include a logic unit to calculate a digital temperature code from the digital values using a digital virtual reference.

Abstract: Animations may cross different windows. These cross window animations may include interwindow animations and/or window transition animations. Interwindow animations are used to animate elements across windows. Window transitions are used to animate moving/resizing/showing/hiding windows simultaneously. To perform these animations, an overlay window covers the animation area that includes at least a portion of two different windows. Layers may be used to represent images or visual elements that can be moved as part of an animation. These layers may be placed in the animation overlay window to move visual elements across the underlying windows. Supported underlying windows are directed to draw content directly to the overlay window during the animation. A picture of the underlying window is drawn to the animation overlay window when the underlying window is not-supported such that the underlying window is included within the animation. When the animation is complete, the animation overlay window is removed.

Abstract: Memory storage and processing for idle computer-generated graphical display components are discarded for conserving memory capacity, processing resources and power consumption. If a computer-generated display frame goes idle for a prescribed duration, for example, 30 seconds, wherein no user action or processor action is performed on the idle display frame, stored data representing the idle display frame is discarded from memory and processing for the idle display component is ceased, thus conserving memory space, processing resources and power consumption (e.g., battery power). If the discarded display frame becomes active again, its discarded resources may be recreated. Alternatively, an idle display component may be passed to a separate application and may be reclaimed by a requiring application when the idle display component becomes active again.

Abstract: Animation of computer-generated display components of user interfaces and content items is provided. An animation application or engine creates images of individual display components (e.g., bitmap images) and places those images on animation layers. Animation behaviors may be specified for the layers to indicate how the layers and associated display component images animate or behave when their properties change (e.g., a movement of an object contained on a layer), as well as, to change properties on layers in order to trigger animations (e.g., an animation that causes an object to rotate). In order to achieve high animation frame rates, the animation application may utilize three processing threads, including a user interface thread, a compositor thread and a rendering thread. Display behavior may be optimized and controlled by utilizing a declarative markup language, such as the Extensible Markup Language, for defining display behavior functionality and properties.

Abstract: Smooth animation effects during zooming are provided by retaining content displayed at a previous zoom level. If the zoom operation is a zoom out operation, new content is stretched to a current zoom level, aligned with the retained content, and placed underneath it. If the zoom operation is a zoom in operation, new content is scaled down to the current zoom level, aligned with the retained content, and displayed on top of the retained content. The new content is then zoomed with the retained content. The retained content is then deleted. When zooming out, the retained content fades out. When zooming in, the new content fades in. Smooth scrolling animation is also provided by pre-rendering a portion of content and teleporting to a final viewport position and thereby skipping over blank content.

Abstract: Microphone stages in a microphone array may be coupled together in a daisy chain. Each stage may include a microphone, an analog to digital converter, a decimation unit, a receiver, an adder, and a transmitter. The converter may convert analog audio microphone signals into digital codes that may be decimated. The adder may add decimated digital codes in each stage to a cumulative sum of decimated digital codes from prior stages. This new sum may be transmitted to the next microphone stage, where the adder may add the decimated digital codes from that stage to the cumulative sum. A serial interface may be used to connect the transmitters and receivers of each of the stages. The serial interface may be used to transmit the cumulative sum of decimated digital codes between the stages. The serial interface may also be used to transmit configuration data between the stages.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to (a) convert an older or base version of software into an alternate representation of the base version; (b) convert a newer or updated version of software into an alternate representation of the updated version; (c) compare the alternate updated version with the alternate base version (d) modify portions of the alternate updated version based on the comparison and (e) create a patch, where the patch represents the differences between the alternate updated version and the alternate base version.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for surreptitiously installing, monitoring, and operating software on a remote computer controlled wireless communication device are described. One aspect includes a control system for communicating programming instructions and exchanging data with the remote computer controlled wireless communication device.

Abstract: A method and optical reader system for label-independent detection as defined herein. The reader system includes: a launch beam; a first lens; a receptacle for receiving at least one optical biosensor article, the article having a mask on one face, and the mask having at least one aperture there through for receiving and transmitting radiation from the collimated launch beam; an angular separator; and an imager to record the image of the optical biosensor article.