Abstract: An online services system includes a mechanism for providing user confidence information to an external data consumer, and for determining user contribution quality. Using stored information about user actions and interactions, user confidence is evaluated for one or more parameters associated with the validity of the user's account and/or quality of the user's contributions to the online services system. Confidence values are assigned to each parameter, and the values are exposed to external data consumers. Using stored information, user actions and interactions are correlated with contribution quality to produce a metric indicative of user contribution quality. Users with low quality parameter metrics may have their contributions shown to a smaller audience or have a lower prominence in a news feed.

Abstract: An online services system includes a mechanism for providing user confidence information to an external data consumer, and for determining user contribution quality. Using stored information about user actions and interactions, user confidence is evaluated for one or more parameters associated with the validity of the user's account and/or quality of the user's contributions to the online services system. Confidence values are assigned to each parameter, and the values are exposed to external data consumers. Using stored information, user actions and interactions are correlated with contribution quality to produce a metric indicative of user contribution quality. Users with low quality parameter metrics may have their contributions shown to a smaller audience or have a lower prominence in a news feed.

Abstract: An online services system includes a mechanism for providing user confidence information to an external data consumer, and for determining user contribution quality. Using stored information about user actions and interactions, user confidence is evaluated for one or more parameters associated with the validity of the user's account and/or quality of the user's contributions to the online services system. Confidence values are assigned to each parameter, and the values are exposed to external data consumers. Using stored information, user actions and interactions are correlated with contribution quality to produce a metric indicative of user contribution quality. Users with low quality parameter metrics may have their contributions shown to a smaller audience or have a lower prominence in a news feed.

Abstract: A printing system includes a host having a virtual printer driver for converting a print job to a JPEG print file. A memory device is configured to receive the JPEG print file from the virtual printer driver. An imaging apparatus has a PictBridge port configured for receiving input from a camera. An interface device includes an important port, an export port and a processor device. The import port is configured for coupling to the memory device. The export port is configured for coupling to the PictBridge port of the imaging apparatus. The processor device is coupled to each of the input port and the export port. The processor device is configured to export the JPEG print file via the export port to the PictBridge port of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A hardware system for recording honey bee acoustics coupled with software for filtering, summarizing and analyzing acoustic data detects and identifies airborne toxics. Summary data is analyzed using routine statistical procedures to associate sound spectra with acoustic variations produced by specific airborne compounds. Honey bees produce unique acoustics upon exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of various airborne toxicants, as well as to other stressors such as predatory mites. The system profiles acoustic signatures of free-flying honey bee colonies, analyzes the resulting sounds, and identifies compounds based on specific properties of the acoustic recording, providing a solution to the problem of wide-area, atmospheric monitoring.

Abstract: A method for the automatic generation of a quick dial reference sheet includes associating each of a plurality of quick dial buttons of an apparatus with a respective entry of a plurality of entries in a quick dial database; defining a layout of the quick dial reference sheet to have a plurality of printable areas respectively associated with the plurality of quick dial buttons; populating each area of the plurality of printable areas in the layout of the quick dial reference sheet with a corresponding identification retrieved from a corresponding one of the plurality of entries of the quick dial database; and printing a copy of the populated layout on a sheet of media. In a further embodiment the quick dial reference sheet can be incised or perforated to a desired size.

Abstract: The invention includes embodiments that relate to a method of improving the abrasion resistance of a plastic article. The method comprises: (a) providing a composition comprising at least one e-beam active thermoplastic polymeric material; (b) forming an article from the composition of step (a); and (c) exposing the article formed in step (b) to an electron beam source. The invention also includes embodiments that relate to an article comprising an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: The invention includes embodiments that relate to a method of improving the abrasion resistance of a plastic article. The method comprises: (a) providing a composition comprising at least one siloxane compound and at least one thermoplastic polymeric material; (b) forming an article from the composition of step (a); and (c) exposing the article formed in step (b) to an energy source selected from an electron beam source, a gamma radiation source, and a combination thereof. The invention also includes embodiments that relate to an article comprising an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: The invention includes embodiments that relate to a method of improving the abrasion resistance of a plastic article. The method comprises: (a) providing a composition comprising at least one e-beam active nanoparticle compound and at least one thermoplastic polymeric material; (b) forming an article from the composition of step (a); and (c) exposing the article formed in step (b) to an electron beam source. The invention also includes embodiments that relate to an article comprising an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: Methods and system for validating facsimile communications by ensuring that each detected facsimile calling tone is actually a facsimile calling tone that was generated by a sending facsimile device. The method can include establishing a connection between a sending facsimile device and a receiving facsimile device, which was initiated by either the sending facsimile device or the receiving facsimile device. The connection can be utilized for at least one of facsimile communication, voice communication, and a combination of facsimile communication and voice communication. The method can also comprise switching the receiving facsimile machine from a voice-capable mode to a facsimile mode once at least one facsimile calling tone is detected after a first facsimile calling tone is detected while the receiving facsimile device in the line monitoring mode.

Abstract: The color stability of a multilayer article comprising a top layer and and a substrate layer is enhanced by the addition of at least one unstable yellow colorant and optionally, at least one stable chromatic colorant to the top layer. The substrate layer includes a scattering white pigment and optionally, at least one stable chromatic colorant. Methods for making the aforementioned multilayer article are also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: A method for carrying out predetermined actions by a telecom receiving device. A predetermined answer string is entered and stored in a memory portion of a receiving telecom device. Incoming calls are checked for appropriateness. Accepted incoming calls are monitored for a predetermined event. If the predetermined event is detected, a set of steps are accomplished in accordance with the previously stored answer string. The receiving telecom device then resumes normal operation after completing the actions represented by the answer string.

Abstract: A method for compiling, in a memory of a facsimile machine, at least one listing of telephone numbers or partial telephone numbers corresponding to authorized senders, or unauthorized senders, or both authorized and unauthorized senders.