Abstract: A system to process requests for wafer structure profile determination from optical metrology measurements off a plurality of structures formed on one or more wafer includes a diffraction signal processor, a diffraction signal distributor, and a plurality of profile search servers. The diffraction signal processor is configured to obtain a plurality of measured diffraction signals of the plurality of structures. The diffraction signal distributor is coupled to the diffraction signal processor. The diffraction signal processor is configured to transmit the plurality of measured diffraction signals to the diffraction signal distributor. The plurality of profile search servers is coupled to the diffraction signal distributor. The diffraction signal distributor is configured to distribute the plurality of measured diffraction signals to the plurality of profile search servers.

Abstract: A method of defining a synchronized slideshow is disclosed. The method includes providing at least one body element of a slideshow, where the body element is at least one selected from a group of a master audio element to allow audio playback with or without synchronized images and a master image element to allow playback of images with a specified timing, the master image element being associated with at least one image element having a location.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a streaming client is playing a media stream that is being streamed from a streaming server. The media stream is being played at a certain playback rate. While the media stream is being played, the level of a streaming buffer is monitored. If it is determined that the level of the streaming buffer is below a defined lower limit, then the playback rate is set equal to a value that is less than the intended playback rate for the media stream. The specific value of the playback rate depends on the level of the streaming buffer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for communicating a recipient-selected customization of a digital image using an index file. The index file associates a customization characteristic with the segments of the digital image required to construct a customized image that exhibits the customization characteristic.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for error resilient, digital image scrambling are disclosed. Error resilience scrambling is produced by shuffling transform coefficients between arrays of coefficients arranged along an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis along which packetization of the coefficients proceeds. Scrambling transform coefficients requires a reasonable level of processing resources and has minimal impact on the efficiency of the compression process. Shuffling can be performed in a number of ways to provide good access security and a variety of security. Scrambling the image data in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of packetization of the transform coefficients distributes any transmission error in the image reducing the effects of data error or loss on the displayed image.

Abstract: The number of audio/visual packets that are sent over a wireless channel of a wireless network and that are effectively lost at a client application is reduced by determining the number of packets that were effectively lost during a measurement period and by selecting at a server application a MAC-layer retransmission value that is based on the number of packets that are effectively lost during a measurement period. The number of packets that were effectively lost during the measurement period includes a total number of packets that were never received by the client application during the measurement period and a total number of packets that arrived after a corresponding deadline for a packet during the measurement period.

Abstract: A client connects to an Internet radio server to receive a data stream corresponding to an Internet radio station. Metadata is received on the Internet radio station data stream. In some cases some media data is also received on the Internet radio station data stream. Once the metadata is received, the client disconnects from the Internet radio server. The client determines when next metadata is going to be sent on the Internet radio station data stream, and reconnects to the Internet radio server before the next metadata is sent on the Internet radio station data stream. The steps of receiving the metadata, disconnecting from the Internet radio server, determining when the next metadata is going to be sent, and reconnecting to the Internet radio server may be performed repeatedly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an instant messaging remote control service are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a control point discovers a device. The control point retrieves a device description associated with the device from the device. The device description includes a pointer to a description of a instant messaging remote control service. The control point also retrieves the instant messaging remote control service description from the device. The description of the instant messaging remote control service may define one or more actions for remotely controlling an instant messaging client that is running on the device. The description of the instant messaging remote control service may also define one or more evented state variables that model a state of the instant messaging client. The device may include an instant messaging client which can be remotely controlled using the instant messaging remote control service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a metadata station for an internet radio service are disclosed. An exemplary method involves exposing a plurality of Internet radio stations and a metadata station. Requests are received for the metadata station. The Internet radio stations that will have metadata information included in the metadata station are selected. The metadata information for the selected Internet radio stations is obtained, and the metadata information for the selected Internet radio stations is sent on the metadata station.

Abstract: An exemplary method involves displaying a single user interface window having one or more of a list area, a messages area, and a message creation area. The method also involves displaying in the list area information about at least one one-to-one instant messaging session and/or at least one conference instant messaging session and/or at least one chat room session in which a user is participating. The method also involves displaying in the messages area messages corresponding to the at least one one-to-one instant messaging session and/or the at least one conference instant messaging session and/or the at least one chat room session. The method also involves displaying in the message creation area a new message to be sent from the user to one or more other participants of the at least one one-to-one instant messaging session and/or the at least one conference instant messaging session and/or the at least one chat room session.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating client-side virtual radio stations. The method comprises: receiving server-supplied radio stations at an network-connected radio service client; establishing radio filter characteristics; analyzing the server-supplied radio stations using the filter characteristics; generating a client-side virtual radio station service; supplying the virtual radio station service from a virtual radio station; and, presenting the virtual radio station services on a client-side user interface. The radio filter characteristics may be established using automatic, semi-automatic, or manual selection mechanisms. For example, characteristics may be selected automatically, as learned from an analysis of a user's past and present behavior. The radio filter characteristics may include criteria such as musical genre, song title, artist information, or server source, to name just a few.

Abstract: An adaptive buffering scheme allows more effective media transport and buffering. In one aspect of the adaptive buffering scheme, buffering parameters are adapted to different media characteristics, such as media play commands or the amount of encoding/transcoding required for the particular media stream. In another aspect of the adaptive buffering scheme, buffering is adapted to different transmission or memory conditions, such as transmission rate, packet jitter, or the amount of available buffer memory. In one example, the adaptive buffering is supported using Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), and/or Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) and associated Real Time Control Protocol (RTCP), and/or Session Description Protocol (SDP) messages.

Abstract: A client can discover the quality-selection parameters that are available from a server for a particular scalable-coded video resource using an HTTP-based agent-driven content negotiation technique. A client sends an HTTP-based request to a server for a list of variants of the resource. The server receives the HTTP-based request and, in response, generates and sends to the client an HTTP-based response containing a list of available variants. The list of available variants can be based on at least one of a resolution, a frame rate, a bit-rate and a color depth. The client then selects an appropriate variant for consumption at the client.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for establishing an Instant Messenger (IM) reflector service. The method comprises: establishing an interface between an IM network server and an IM master client identified with a first username; establishing a reflector service between the IM master client and an IM peer client; and, identifying the IM peer client with the first username. That is, IM messages associated with the first username are routed via the IM master client. Alternately stated, IM messages are communicated between the IM network and all IM clients identified with the first username. More specifically, communicating IM messages with all IM clients identified with the first username includes: the IM master client receiving IM messages from the IM network, addressed to the first username; and, the IM master client distributing the IM messages to IM peer clients identified with the first username, via the reflector service.

Abstract: A system and method have been provided for achieving simultaneous media playout in a network including a server and a plurality of clients. The method comprises: from a server, supplying a media stream to clients at a first bitrate (R1); determining the network delivery requirement; and, in response to the network delivery requirements, modifying the supply of the media stream. Determining the network delivery requirements includes determining either the buffering capacities of the clients, or the media streaming disruptions. To determine the buffering capacities of the clients, a first minimum client buffering capacity (C1) is determined by polling the clients for their respective buffering capacities, and selecting the first minimum buffering capacity (C1) to be equal to the client with the smallest buffering capacity.

Abstract: A transmission systems suitable for video.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing and utilizing a discovery protocol that allows a computer device and a television (TV) to discover each other on a network. A combination of a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) broadcast request and a unicast reply transaction is employed for implementing the discovery procedure. Support is provided for versioning to allow the TV to only accept and make connections to the correct version of a home personal computer. Further, responses can be handled from multiple computer devices.

Abstract: Ringing artifacts are removed from a quantized image by an image de-ringing filter that includes a determination unit, an adaptive filter and a nonlinear low-pass filter. The determination unit determines whether each selected pixel of a first set of selected pixels of an image contains a ringing artifact based on, for example, gray-level values of selected pixels within a determination kernel of pixels relating to the selected pixel. The adaptive filter generates a filtered gray-level value for each pixel determined by the determination unit to contain a ringing artifact based on, for example, gray-level values of selected pixels within a filtering kernel of pixels relating to the pixel. The nonlinear low-pass filter generates a low-pass-filtered gray-level value for each selected pixel of a second set of selected pixels of the image.

Abstract: A control point remotely queries and adjusts settings for multiple remote audio sources including audio input and audio output sources using standardized command messages. In one example, the command messages use Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) actions that are interpreted by a Remote Audio Device Control (RCAUD) service operating in a remote device connected to the audio sources. A control and user interface allows an operator or user to view and control the remote audio source using the standardized command messages.

Abstract: A local computer sends out mount requests to remote computers for identifying folders or files that are available for sharing (shares). The local computer sends out the mount requests without previously discovering if the folders or files exist or are available for sharing on the remote computers. Any of the folders or files that are successfully mounted are identified as available for sharing.