Abstract: A footwear item that includes a rubber sole, and an upper portion attached to the rubber sole. The upper portion is made from rubber. The rubber sole includes a layer of aerogel thermal retention material for an interior section of the footwear item. The layer of aerogel thermal retention material covers the interior portion of the rubber sole along with a front part of the footwear item such that the layer of aerogel thermal retention material contacts a sole of a foot of a wearer while also surrounding the toes of the wearer. In certain embodiments, the layer of aerogel thermal retention material has a thickness ranging from 0.1 millimeters to 20 millimeters.

Abstract: A boot that includes a rubber sole, and an upper portion attached to the rubber sole. The upper portion is made from rubber. The rubber sole includes a layer of aerogel material for an interior section of the boot. The layer of aerogel material covers the interior portion of the rubber sole along with a front part of the boot such that the layer of aerogel material contacts a sole of a foot of a wearer while also surrounding the toes of the wearer. In certain embodiments, the layer of aerogel material has a thickness ranging from 0.1 millimeters to 20 millimeters.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, method and apparatus for implementing a sports-based reward program. In one embodiment, a server provides future sporting event information, pre-game questions, and in-game questions to users over a wide-area network. The users provide predictions to the pre-game and in-game questions for one or more selected sporting events. The server tracks the predictions to determine whether they actually occur during the selected sporting event(s), and provides a credit to each user who makes accurate predictions. Users may then purchase goods and services using the credits.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of email processing within a multitenant unified communications environment includes receiving, at a first email system component that is a sub-component of a unified communications system, an email that is addressed to a recipient by way of a delivery address that includes a first domain identifier. Based at least in part on the delivery address, a second delivery address associated with the user is identified. The second delivery address does not include the first domain identifier but does include a second domain identifier that is different than the first domain identifier. The email is automatically sent to the second delivery address.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for creating characterization information from a first display device that can be transmitted and used by a second display device. Computer readable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium calibrate a first display device, create an ICC color profile from said calibration information, storing the ICC color profile and sending the ICC color profile to a second display device for it to use. The calibration or characterization information can also be associated with an image file and sent to a second location for display.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for creating characterization information from a first display device that can be transmitted and used by a second display device. Computer readable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium calibrate a first display device, create an ICC colorprofile from said calibration information, storing the ICC color profile and sending the ICC color profile to a second display device for it to use. The calibration or characterization information can also be associated with an image file and sent to a second location for display.

Abstract: A system and method of wavelength discovery in network elements having an optical architecture. In one embodiment, a first wavelength topology map is generated for wavelengths inserted in a first direction at each network element. A second wavelength topology map is generated for wavelengths inserted in a second direction at each network element. The first wavelength topology maps are transmitted in the first direction to adjacent network elements over a dedicated overhead wavelength channel. Similarly, the second wavelength topology maps are transmitted in the second direction to adjacent network elements over the dedicated overhead wavelength channel. Responsive to messaging via the dedicated overhead wavelength channel, each of the first and second topology maps are updated at each of the network elements.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for preventing battery rundown. The system includes an output device for presenting a media data stream, a communication port for linking to the output device, and a controller coupled to the port. The controller is programmed to detect the existence or absence of a link between the output device and the port, pause output of the media data stream if no link is detected within a first time period, and shut down operation of an electronic device after a second time period of longer duration than the first, if no communication link is detected.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an optical disc having a reduced planar thickness is provided. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the optical disc includes a central clamping area that defines a central aperture operable to be engaged by a spindle mechanism of an optical disc drive, an optically-readable data storage area substantially surrounding the central clamping area, the optically-readable data storage area having a planar thickness of less than 1.20 mm, and one or more stacker elements coupled to, or integral with, the central clamping area, the stacker elements configured to increase the thickness of the central clamping area above the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area. In particular embodiments, the optical disc may further include a magnetic stripe disposed upon one surface of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting an IP packet between first and second remotely located IP end devices via a network operating under OSI. An IP interface is overlaid over OSI in the routers that are directly connected to the IP devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting an IP packet between first and second remotely located IP end devices via a network operating under OSI. An IP interface is overlaid over OSI in the routers that are directly connected to the IP devices. These routers act as gateways, communicating with each other using OSI but able to convey IP information to the first and second IP devices via the overlaid IP interface.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for creating characterization information from a first display device that can be transmitted and used by a second display device. Computer readable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium calibrate a first display device, create an ICC color profile from said calibration information, storing the ICC color profile and sending the ICC color profile to a second display device for it to use. The calibration or characterization information can also be associated with an image file and sent to a second location for display.

Abstract: A method and system of managing a cache is disclosed which comprises receiving a request for a resource, determining if a copy of the resource is stored in the cache, and the cache includes at least a first level of cache and a second level of cache. The method further includes counting a number of times that the requested resource, having a copy stored in the cache, has been requested, and promoting the copy of the requested resource in the cache based upon a count of the number of times that the requested resource has been requested.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for creating a virtual disk storage construct using disk storage consolidated from at least two grid computers of a computing grid. A method of the system includes locating an unused portion of a total disk storage space on disk drives of at least two grid computers of the computing grid, and presenting a portion of the total disk storage space of each of the at least two grid computers as a single virtual storage drive on at least one computer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for managing the performance and monitoring the status of a grid job on a grid computer of a computing grid. One aspect of the system contemplates creating a file of at least one job performance factor governing performance of grid jobs on a particular grid computer and performing the grid job on the grid computer in conformance with each job performance factor for the grid computer. Another aspect of the system contemplates forming a grid job for being performed by at least one grid computer, creating a job performance file based on the grid job, and sending the job performance file with the grid job to one of the grid computers.

Abstract: A system and method of wavelength discovery in network elements having an optical architecture. In one embodiment, a first wavelength topology map is generated for wavelengths inserted in a first direction at each network element. A second wavelength topology map is generated for wavelengths inserted in a second direction at each network element. The first wavelength topology maps are transmitted in the first direction to adjacent network elements over a dedicated overhead wavelength channel. Similarly, the second wavelength topology maps are transmitted in the second direction to adjacent network elements over the dedicated overhead wavelength channel. Responsive to messaging via the dedicated overhead wavelength channel, each of the first and second topology maps are updated at each of the network elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for using a second remote control device for sub-picture control in a television receiver. The present invention may enable two viewers watching independent video contents on a television receiver to independently control their own viewing experience of channel, volume, and the like, with minimal interaction required between the two viewers to coordinate their activities. According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a television system may include a television receiver for displaying a main window and a secondary window on a screen of the television receiver. The main window shows first video content, and the secondary window shows second video content. The television system may further include a first remote control device for controlling the first video content and a second remote control device for controlling the second video content. Both remote control devices are communicatively coupled to the television receiver.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for creating characterization information from a first display device that can be transmitted and used by a second display device. Computer readable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium calibrate a first display device, create an ICC color profile from said calibration information, storing the ICC color profile and sending the ICC color profile to a second display device for it to use. The calibration or characterization information can also be associated with an image file and sent to a second location for display.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for creating characterization information from a first display device that can be transmitted and used by a second display device. Computer readable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium calibrate a first display device, create an ICC color profile from said calibration information, storing the ICC color profile and sending the ICC color profile to a second display device for it to use. The calibration or characterization information can also be associated with an image file and sent to a second location for display.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for creating characterization information from a first display device that can be transmitted and used by a second display device. Computer readable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium calibrate a first display device, create an ICC color profile from said calibration information, storing the ICC color profile and sending the ICC color profile to a second display device for it to use. The calibration or characterization information can also be associated with an image file and sent to a second location for display.