Abstract: A device and method for the removal of a metal-sheath layer from a metal-sheathed structure using capacitive discharge in conjunction with step-up and step-down transformers to create a low voltage, high current pulse to remove a selected portion of the metal-sheath layer from the metal-sheathed structure.

Abstract: A head-mountable EEG electrode-containing device is provided based on radially adjustable electrodes to fit the wearer's unique head size and shape. The head-mountable device with an electrode array positioned therein includes multiple head-mountable device sections that are interconnected by mechanical fasteners to facilitate sizing and positioning of the head-mountable device. An array of resilient sleeves is positioned within each head-mountable device section. Each resilient sleeve houses an individual electrode and is deformable for self-orienting. The deformation of the sleeve is such that a central axis passing through the individual electrode housed within the resilient sleeve is maintained in a position approximately normal to a plane tangential to a scalp portion positioned beneath that electrode.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein allow a user to synchronize the playing and displaying of digital content on an electronic device. The device may render a first portion of digital content so it may be displayed. The device may also play a segment of the digital content as audio using text to speech software. The device may also render a second portion of digital content for display depending on whether the position of the last word read is greater than the last position in the first portion of digital content.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stress management in a searchable data service. The searchable data service may provide a searchable index to a backend data store, and an interface to build and query the searchable index, that enables client applications to search for and retrieve locators for stored entities in the backend data store. Embodiments of the searchable data service may implement a distributed stress management mechanism that may provide functionality including, but not limited to, the automated monitoring of critical resources, analysis of resource usage, and decisions on and performance of actions to keep resource usage within comfort zones. In one embodiment, in response to usage of a particular resource being detected as out of the comfort zone on a node, an action may be performed to transfer at least part of the resource usage for the local resource to another node that provides a similar resource.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein allow a user to synchronize the playing and displaying of digital content on an electronic device. The device may render a first portion of digital content so it may be displayed. The device may also play a segment of the digital content as audio using text to speech software. The device may also render a second portion of digital content for display depending on whether the position of the last word read is greater than the last position in the first portion of digital content.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and maintaining group health and membership in a searchable data service. The searchable data service may provide a searchable index to a backend data store, and an interface to build and query the searchable index, that enables client applications to search for and retrieve locators for stored entities in the backend data store. Embodiments of the searchable data service may implement a group health mechanism that may allow one or more components of the searchable data service to identify sets of nodes that the components may monitor. A group health component may be queried by the other components for automatically-refreshed health information about those nodes. The group health component may perform as a node failure detection mechanism. Node health information may be communicated among nodes at least in part using a gossip protocol.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for specifying textual input for a computing device using a multi-directional input device. Each character of a textual group is associated with a different angle. Each character of the textual group is displayed on a display screen at the associated angle. A swipe angle of a directional swipe received at a multi-directional pointing device is determined. The associated angle closest to the swipe angle is identified. The character of the textual group corresponding to the identified angle on the display screen is highlighted.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stress management in a searchable data service. The searchable data service may provide a searchable index to a backend data store, and an interface to build and query the searchable index, that enables client applications to search for and retrieve locators for stored entities in the backend data store. Embodiments of the searchable data service may implement a distributed stress management mechanism that may provide functionality including, but not limited to, the automated monitoring of critical resources, analysis of resource usage, and decisions on and performance of actions to keep resource usage within comfort zones. In one embodiment, in response to usage of a particular resource being detected as out of the comfort zone on a node, an action may be performed to transfer at least part of the resource usage for the local resource to another node that provides a similar resource.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the creation and use of collections on an electronic device may include receiving user input related to the creation of collections of items that are stored on the electronic device. The method may also include creating the collections of items. The method may also include storing the collections of items on the electronic device. The method may also include backing up the collections to a backup server.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein allow a user to synchronize the playing and displaying of digital content on an electronic device. The device may render a first portion of digital content so it may be displayed. The device may also play a segment of the digital content as audio using text to speech software. The device may also render a second portion of digital content for display depending on whether the position of the last word read is greater than the last position in the first portion of digital content.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a searchable data service are described. The searchable data service may be implemented as a Web service with a Web service interface that allows the storage of locators and other attributes associated with entities stored in a data store in a searchable index. The attributes may be expressed as {name, value} pairs. The interface may allow client applications to query the searchable index to retrieve locators for entities in the backend data store according to the attributes associated with each locator. Search speed may be automatically optimized using, for example, indexes, query planning, and parallelism. The searchable data service provides a searchable index and is not a data store per se. The searchable data service separates searching and indexing of data from the actual storage of the data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for repartitioning and replication of a searchable index in a searchable data service. The searchable data service may provide a searchable index to a backend data store. The searchable index may be repartitioned, and a partition may be moved to another storage node, to allow the searchable index to grow beyond the limits of a single storage device. Repartitioning may also be performed to provide load-balancing of write requests. Partitions may be replicated across two or more storage nodes to provide redundancy, data durability, data availability and load balancing of read requests among the storage nodes and/or across data centers. In one embodiment, a lazy replication mechanism may be used in the replication of partitions. In one embodiment, replication may be performed using an anti-entropy protocol to replicate a partition, and a gossip protocol to update the replicated partition.

Abstract: A device and method for the removal of a metal-sheath layer from a metal-sheathed structure using capacitive discharge in conjunction with step-up and step-down transformers to create a low voltage, high current pulse to remove a selected portion of the metal-sheath layer from the metal-sheathed structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for decision making support. The decision making support can be used, for example, for help desk troubleshooting, medical diagnosis, financial planning, and expert device. The decision support system of the invention includes a processor and a memory having a decision support program module, a phase dictionary, one or more solution nodes and optionally a topic identification information module. The decision support module is configured to enable the processor to receive a problem constraint and one or more user-specified phrases, which are then used to search nodes in a solution domain to identify a set of nodes potentially related to the user's problem or question. The set of nodes potentially related to the user's problem or question are ranked and displayed. Methods to determine potential solution nodes and to update solution nodes within the decision support system are provided.

Abstract: A boat lifting assembly includes a cradle for carrying a boat mounted between three pilings on each cradle side. A pair of support housings is affixed to the pilings on each cradle side. A pair of hydraulic lifts are housed in the housings and connected to the cradle for moving same vertically. Each lift includes a horizontally extensible piston carrying a piston pulley block and a stationary hydraulic cylinder. Three cables have one end portion threaded between the pulleys of the block and the cradle. Transition pulleys are supported by the housing and direct the cable vertically for moving the cradle when the block is moved. Additional pulleys and various anchor points may be employed to provide for vertical lifts of 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 times the distance of movement of the piston. The housings are in the same plane as the cradle deck and/or dock.

Abstract: An assembly for lifting a boat locatable adjacent a dock requires only two elongate vertically disposed pilings each having a lower end portion mounted into the floor of a body of water near the dock and an upper end portion extending upwardly adjacent the dock. A lift is connected to a boat cradle for moving the cradle substantially vertically and includes a piston/cylinder attached between the dock and cables, which are mounted to each piling and are connected between the piston and the cradle. The piston is movable between a first position for lifting and pulleys and guides are mounted to the pilings and the cradle.